Space-Command no-longer recognises The Authority of
The President or of The Council.
We are the only force capable of handling the present emergency.
The President and those members of the Council who are unable to accept the realities of the situation are even now being arrested, as are those of our own people whose loyalties may be divided. At a time like this complete unity is an absolute essential.
[scene - shots of approaching space ships]
NOVA QN PILOT
Keldan Control, Keldan Control, this is Nova Queen on primary approach zero-four-zero. Request orbital entry clearance. [beep]
K CONTROL
Nova Queen, Nova Queen, this is Keldan control. Maintain zero-four-zero. Orbital entry is clear. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
Keldan Control, this is Nova Queen. I have an unidentified trace on zero-four-zero. [beep]
K CONTROL
Nova Queen, this is Keldan Control. Maintain zero-four-zero and switch to Computer Flight Coordination. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
Switching to CFC, maintaining zero-four-zero. [beep] [pause] That ship is still coming at us. [beep]
K CONTROL
Nova Queen, this is Keldan Control. The ship is an unmanned ore carier on Computer Flight Coordination.
[beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
I hope you're sure about that, Keldan, it's still on zero-four-zero.
[beep]
K CONTROL
Nova Queen, computer control is confirmed. No problem. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
You know that and I know that, but does the computer know that? [beep]
K CONTROL
It'll switch vectors any time now. Relax. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
I'll relax when it gets that ship off zero-four- zero. [beep]
K CONTROL
It will. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
Keldan control, I have four thousand passengers on this ship and that ore carrier is still on zero-four-zero. [beep]
K CONTROL
Computer flight coordination doesn't make errors. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
To hell with that! Do something, Keldan. That thing is coming straight at us. [beep] Keldan Control! [beep]
K CONTROL
Nova Queen, switch to manual control, engage emergency boosters and abort zero-four-zero. Confirm please. [beep]
NOVA QN PILOT
I can see it! My God, it's too late!
K CONTROL
Nova Queen, Nova Queen, this is Keldan Control, do you copy? [beep] Nova Queen, Nova Queen, come in please. [beep]
[scene - Servalan's office in Space Command]
SERVALAN
Unfortunate.
DURKIM
You do have a way with words, Supreme Commander.
I'm sorry, that was unneccessary.
Everyone on the Nova Queen died
instantly of course,
but it didn't end there.
The ship's neutron drive unit
broke free, survived the fall
through the atmosphere.
It went critical just about the time
it hit the surface.
Ground zero was slap
in the middle of Keldan City.
Half the population
was killed outright.
SERVALAN
It was a computer malfunction, presumably.
DURKIM
Yes.
SERVALAN
These things happen, Durkim.
DURKIM
They're happening far too often, Supreme Commander. Computer Flight Coordination is breaking down on twenty different worlds and the problem is spreading.
SERVALAN
Are you saying it's
a basic design fault?
DURKIM
No, that's not what I'm saying. Look. That's the equatorial zone
on Palmero.
SERVALAN
Palmero?
DURKIM
Yes, and that is snow you're
looking at, Supreme Commander.
It'll be some time before they
re-establish themselves as the Federation's main producer
of tropical fruit.
And this, the plains of Suni :
Mean temperature has gone up by twenty degrees.
It hasn't rained anywhere
on that planet in sixty days.
When it does, the effect
will be something like this...
The planet Vilka, where it hasn't stopped raining for sixty days.
The planet Herom... Carthenis....
Climate control has gone disastrously wrong on
all the frontier worlds.
SERVALAN
And it's spreading?
DURKIM
Rapidly.
SERVALAN
Anything else?
DURKIM
Isn't that enough?
SERVALAN
No, it's impossible, Durkim.
DURKIM
You mean unthinkable, don't you?
Look, everything you've just seen
has one common denominator.
SERVALAN
Computers.
DURKIM
Not computers. Computer.
Singular. Very singular indeed.
Our unbeatable Control and
Coordination Centre.
SERVALAN
No!
DURKIM
Servalan, by design or accident
Star One is failing.
SERVALAN
There has to be another explanation.
DURKIM
There isn't.
SERVALAN
And if you want to keep
your job you'll find it.
DURKIM
Why won't you face the facts?
SERVALAN
Because I'm not convinced.
And even if I were, there would
be nothing I could do about it.
DURKIM
Well, surely under the circumstances you could get clearance
to put a team in.
SERVALAN
Star One is the most secure installation in The Federation.
DURKIM
I know that.
SERVALAN
Do you know why it's
so thoroughly secure?
DURKIM
Well, presumably because knowledge
of its location is severely restricted.
SERVALAN
No! Knowledge of it's location
is non-existent.
Durkim, no one knows
where Star One is!
No-one at all!
[scene - Servalan's office]
SERVALAN
There's no doubt in your mind that he was telling the truth?
INTERROGATOR
None, Supreme Commander. We didn't rush him. He was telling the truth all right.
SERVALAN
Very well, interrogate the rest of his team just to make sure, and try not to kill them. [Durkim enters] Yes, Durkim, what is it?
DURKIM
I find that just a little distracting, Supreme Commander.
What's all this about?
SERVALAN
Time to defend ourselves.
DURKIM
Against whom?
SERVALAN
Each other. Now what is it you want? Quickly, you're wasting time.
DURKIM
There's an emergency meeting of the High Council.
SERVALAN
I am aware of that.
DURKIM
I've been summoned to appear before it. You put Headquarters on full security restriction. I can't get off this satelite without your direct clearance.
SERVALAN
No.
DURKIM
Well, 'no' you agree with what I'm saying or 'no' you refuse my clearance.
SERVALAN
Both. Now get back to your work.
I am still waiting for your theories about where Star One may be located.
DURKIM
That summons is a Presidential Order in Council. I have to go.
SERVALAN
Space Command no longer recognises the authority of the President or of The Council.
DURKIM
I don't think I understand.
SERVALAN
We are the only force capable of handling the present emergency.
DURKIM
I doubt if even we can do that.
SERVALAN
The President and those members of the Council who are unable to accept the realities of the situation are even now being arrested, as are those of our own people whose loyalties may be divided. At a time like this complete unity is an absolute essential.
DURKIM
There isn't enough data.
I can't even guess where Star One is.
SERVALAN
Then I suggest you try harder. Or I might think you're part of the plot.
DURKIM
Plot?
SERVALAN
Obviously, someone is trying to destroy the Federation, now perhaps it's you.
DURKIM
Why would I want to do that?
SERVALAN
'Why' is always the most difficult question. At the moment I am more concerned with 'how'.
DURKIM
Is she involved?
SERVALAN
You know her?
DURKIM
Her name's Lurena, I think. Isn't it.
Er, we were acquainted.
SERVALAN
You were more than just acquaintances.
DURKIM
That's a long time ago.
She emigrated to one
of the frontier worlds.
SERVALAN
She's on Star One.
DURKIM
She can't be, it's unmanned. The systems are automatic.
SERVALAN
A group of scientists and technicians elected to spend the rest of their lives refining, checking and guarding the systems.
DURKIM
Knowing they could never leave, never come home. That's appalling.
SERVALAN
Inspiring, surely. In the best tradition
of selfless devotion to the Federation.
DURKIM
That's your answer then. Some or all of them have changed their minds.
SERVALAN
Uh-uh. They were all screened and conditioned very carefully by our best psycho-manipulation teams.
None of the group could attempt to damage the systems, identify the location or contact anyone outside Star One without going obviously insane.
DURKIM
How can you be certain of that?
SERVALAN
The head of the psychomanipulation
team has just finished... reassuring
my interrogators. So whatever
is happening on Star One
is happening against her will.
DURKIM
There's nothing I can do.
SERVALAN
You get back to work, Durkim. She may still have a chance. If we can find her in time.
DURKIM
May I offer you my personal congratulations, and loyalty, Madame President?
INTERCOM VOICE
Supreme Commander.
SERVALAN
What is it?
INTERCOM VOICE
Blake and his crew. The strategy programs have all come up blank on the possible courses they took.
SERVALAN
Run them again.
INTERCOM VOICE
But, Supreme Commander.
SERVALAN
Run them again! [intercom off]
I will not be President
of a ruined empire.
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