[Liberator in flight passing a couple of planets and a sun]

[Flight deck]

(Gan, alone on the flight deck, suddenly grabs his temples in pain and then shakes his head)
ZEN: Attention. Liberator is entering meteorite storm zone.
(Gan grabs his temples again more violently)
ZEN: Navigation computers propose immediate evasion course. Directive on manual override is now required. Repeat, directive on manual override is now required.
JENNA: Gan, what are you doing! Manual out, commit full automatics. Navigation computer take emergency evasive action and get us out of it.
ZEN: Full automatics, confirm.
JENNA [OC]: If you couldn't have handled it, why didn't you call one of us? You're not expected to cope yet.
(Gan is now in severe pain)
JENNA: Gan, what is it? What's the matter?
GAN: I'm sorry.
JENNA: (into communicator) Blake, I think you'd better get down to the flight deck. It's Gan.
BLAKE: (on communicator) What's wrong with him, Jenna?
JENNA: I don't know. He seems to be in some sort of pain. He's obviously got...
(Gan grabs Jenna from behind)
BLAKE: Jenna?
(Gan throws Jenna down the steps to the lower part of the flight deck)
BLAKE: Jenna. Jenna!
(Gan drags Jenna by the foot across the flight deck floor. Blake comes in)
BLAKE: Gan! Gan, it's me, Blake. Gan, listen to me.
(as Blake approaches Gan pushes away by the neck. They start to fight. Avon, Vila and Cally rush in. Avon and Vila drag Gan off Blake)
BLAKE: Cally, get the medical kit quickly!
(Gan throws Avon and Vila off. Blake hits Gan twice over the head with a heavy box, knocking him out. Cally has returned)
BLAKE [OC]: Tranquillisers, full strength.
(Cally pauses by Jenna who is still on the floor)
CALLY: Are you all right?
JENNA: Yes, I think so.
CALLY: I'll be back in a minute.
BLAKE: (to Avon) Pull his sleeve up.
(Blake applies a tranquilliser pad to Gan's right arm)
BLAKE [OC]: (to Avon) Put another one on.
(Avon puts one on the left arm)
BLAKE [OC]: Let it get right through his system.
BLAKE: Well, the tranquilliser pad should keep him quiet for a while.
CALLY: Two of them would flatten any one of us for about a hundred hours.
AVON: If he comes round, he'll flatten all of us for a good deal longer than that. He ought to be put under restraint.
VILA: Oh, my head. What fell on me?
AVON: He did.
JENNA: It all happened so quickly. One minute he was crying with pain, then he went berserk.
VILA: I'm glad he's a friend. Could get very painful if he really didn't like you.
AVON: It must have something to do with the limiter implant in his brain.
BLAKE: It's been bothering him for some time. He tried to keep it secret, but I'm sure he was in a lot of pain. Let's get him to the surgical unit. Avon, stay and check for damage, will you? You three, give me a hand.
AVON: All flight deck systems, full status checks. Standard priority listings.
ZEN: Confirm standard priority listing.
AVON: Begin.
ZEN: Priority alpha-one. Primary computer links are clear and functioning.

[Surgical unit]

BLAKE: Anything?
JENNA: There's some inflammation around the implant scar. Look.
BLAKE: Yeah. No other external sign.
CALLY: Blake! Look at his hand.
(Gan is clenching and unclenching his left fist)
BLAKE: Jenna, get the diagnostic analyser.
JENNA: Right.
BLAKE: We'll run the usual checks.
JENNA: What's the matter?
(Jenna strokes her chin pensively)
JENNA: I don't think it's going to show us much though, except that there's a malfunction in the limiter.
BLAKE: I hope for his sake you're wrong.
(Blake and Vila lock in place two restraints)
CALLY: What are you doing?
BLAKE: I want him secure.
CALLY: Surely that is unnecessary. He's a sick man, those are not going to help him.
BLAKE: The limiter is supposed to cut in when stress drives him to the point where he might kill.
CALLY: So?
BLAKE: So on the flight deck he tried to kill me! The limiter didn't even slow him down.
CALLY: Well, among my people such things are considered barbarous.
BLAKE: All right, just make him comfortable, but I want him secure.
(Vila locks a third restraint and switches the system on. Gan's arm hovers in the restraining field)

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: Well?
AVON: All systems clear and functioning.
BLAKE: Well that's something, anyway.
AVON: What about Gan?
BLAKE: He's still out. We've run the diagnostic checks, it might show up something.
AVON: Yes. And that something will tell you what you already know. Why don't you face it?
BLAKE: Because I don't know what to do about it! And if it is the limiter, I don't know how we can help him, unless neurosurgery is one of your particular talents.
AVON: Unfortunately, ...no.
BLAKE: Suppose Zen gave us the necessary information and detailed instructions.
AVON: Oh, come on, Blake! This is not something you do by numbers, not even highly sophisticated ones. This is an area that has remained the exclusive province of specialists.
BLAKE: Yes, I know, I know.
AVON: There are quicker ways that you could kill him, but there are none more certain.
(communicator bleeps)
VILA: (on communicator) Blake, Avon. Do you want to come down? Jenna's running the tests now.
AVON: (into communicator) We're on our way. ...Well, are you coming?
BLAKE: I'll be with you in a minute. ...Zen, reverse thrust and stop.
ZEN: Confirmed.
BLAKE: I want a hard print on the following information.

[Surgical unit]

(Jenna is using a sensor on Gan's left hand, arm and cheek)
VILA: Funny, we're all standing here hoping there's something wrong with him. Something ordinary, a nice straightforward disease.
BLAKE: Well?
AVON: Nothing, so far.
(when the sensor is put on the front of Gan's head a red light comes on the control unit accompanied by a bleeping sound)
JENNA: Here it is.
BLAKE: Readout.
MEDICAL COMPUTER VOICE: Severe neurological disturbance centred in the zero-three zone, sub four section of the cerebrum. Condition must be relieved if permanent brain damage is to be avoided.
BLAKE: Prognostication?
MEDICAL COMPUTER VOICE: Rapid deterioration to terminal condition.
BLAKE: Recommendation.
MEDICAL COMPUTER VOICE: Immediate investigative surgery.
VILA: So, if we don't get him treatment, he'll be a vegetable.
JENNA: Or die.
AVON: Switch on the Voray Scan.
BLAKE: You two watch the screen. I'll do the probe.
AVON: Right. Bring it directly over the skull. ...No, that won't do. You'll have to use the radio sensor. ...Good, that's much better.
(Avon is looking at a monitor screen)
AVON: Yes, there it is. There's the limiter implant, you can see it quite clearly. Give me the side view. ...Good. Yes, it's in the sub four section all right. Now let's take a look at the limiter itself. Close focus, Slowly!
JENNA: Well, there's nothing wrong with the connectors.
AVON: All right, deepen the focus. ...More. ...That's it. Look at the micro linkages, the fine lines.
BLAKE: Is there a fault?
AVON: I'm not sure. ...That section seems to be burned out. That could cause a conductivity loss.
JENNA: Would that account for what's happening to him?
AVON: It's not my field, but if I am right, then the limiter is feeding scrambled impulses into his brain.
CALLY: Can it be corrected?
AVON: You've got to get into this first.
(Avon points to a detail on the monitor Screen)
BLAKE: We need a neurosurgeon.
VILA: Which we haven't got.
JENNA: Blake, we can't just let him die. If he needs a neurosurgeon, that's what we've got to get.
BLAKE: Yes, and quickly. Look!
(Gan's hand is clenching and unclenching again)

[Liberator stationary in space]

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: And that's all the navigation computers could come up with?
ZEN: Confirmed. Your print is the full list within the parameters specified.
(Blake, Avon and Jenna are looking at a transparent star chart)
JENNA: Blake, what about Kainnessos? An independent Earth colony, population in excess of seven million. They should have some medical expertise.
BLAKE: What's the journey time?
JENNA: Six hundred hours.
AVON: Too long. You haven't anything like that much time.
BLAKE: What about Overon?
JENNA: Three hundred and fifty hours. Only third-level technology though.
AVON: Which means that they won't have the necessary medical expertise.
BLAKE: Cassiona?
AVON: That's a Federation stronghold.
BLAKE: We know they can do the surgery.
AVON: There's a price on our heads. We are all under sentence of death.
JENNA: The difference is that Gan's sentence is being carried out right now.
BLAKE: Any others with the necessary level of technology?
JENNA: Only Epinal, but the problem there is that they're considered potentially hostile.
BLAKE: To the Federation?
JENNA: To the species. They don't like humanoids in general, and in particular homo sapiens.
AVON: That puts their intelligence beyond doubt.
BLAKE: How long would it take?
JENNA: Two hundred hours.
BLAKE: Two hundred hours? That's our best alternative.
AVON: There is another one ...even closer.
BLAKE: Not on the listings we've been given.
AVON: Zen, why is XK 72 not listed?
ZEN: XK 72 is outside listed parameters.
BLAKE: Specify.
ZEN: Flight time from this position is in excess of six hundred hours.
AVON: Conclusion is incorrect. Recompute distance and flight time.
BLAKE: What is XK 72?
AVON: It's a space laboratory. A permanent research facility financed by a consortium of neutral planets. Two specialist fields, weaponry and space medicine. An interesting combination, don't you think?
JENNA: How do you know all this?
AVON: I looked it up in the data banks. It was information that I thought might prove useful to me.
VILA: A bolthole. Somewhere to run if things get too hot here.
AVON: The thought had crossed my mind.
JENNA: Why haven't you told us about this station before?
BLAKE: Presumably if he goes there with us he'll be identified.
VILA: You can say goodbye to one bolthole.
BLAKE: How far is it?
AVON: One hundred and fifty hours. (to Zen) Confirm.
ZEN: Flight time is six hundred forty-three hours.
AVON: Direct flight.
ZEN: Direct flight would necessitate crossing a prohibited space zone.
VILA: Prohibited?
BLAKE: Specify.
ZEN: The zone has been designated as containing unacceptable danger.
BLAKE: What sort of danger?
ZEN: Data is not available.
BLAKE: To you or just to us?
ZEN: There is no data of any kind.
AVON: Just the unacceptable risk designation.
ZEN: Confirmed.
BLAKE: If the direct route to XK 72 is fifty hours shorter than our nearest alternative then that can be the difference between life and death for Gan.
VILA: And for us.
JENNA: Realistically, it's his only chance.
AVON: I agree with Jenna.
VILA: You do?
AVON: I have never taken things on trust. I see no reason to make an exception in the case of a mysterious warning of danger.
JENNA [OC]: Neither do I.
BLAKE: Right, let's get to it.
VILA: Don't I get asked?
BLAKE: Zen. Set navigation computers for direct route to Space Laboratory XK 72, speed standard by six.
ZEN: Rejected.
AVON: You cannot reject a direct command.
BLAKE: Justify that rejection, please.
ZEN: Your command reduces to an order to self-destruct. This runs counter to Prime Directive.
VILA: Zen obviously believes there's something nasty in that zone.
AVON: It has no data. It is acting upon an instruction, an order not to enter the zone.
BLAKE: Then we'll go on manual. Jenna?
JENNA: Ready. Compute course and let's get started.
BLAKE: (Pulling Avon's attention back from Zen) Avon.
VILA: Now, wait a minute. If it's too difficult for Zen to tackle, what chance have we got?
JENNA: Gan is dying.
VILA: All right. Well, let's get on with it.

[Surgical unit]

(Cally is tidying up while Gan lies there quietly. Cally hears the engine note rise)

[Liberator turns in space and moves off]

[Flight deck]

JENNA: We're approaching it now.
ZEN: Attention. Liberator is entering prohibited zone. All primaries and auxiliary computer functions are now aborted.
BLAKE: Zen!
JENNA: Blake, the screen's gone dead.
BLAKE: Well, check it.
JENNA: Definitely dead.
BLAKE: Switch to the secondary.
(Blake goes over and activates the secondary viewscreen)
JENNA: Oh, thank heaven that works.
BLAKE: Now we really are on our own.
AVON: Let's hope so.
VILA: What do you suppose it is that's lurking out there?
JENNA: Maybe Zen's got it wrong.
AVON: Zen hasn't got it at all.
JENNA: All right then, whoever programmed him.
AVON: One of these days I intend to find out who that is.
VILA: If you live that long.
BLAKE: Anything on the detectors?
VILA: Not a thing. What you see on the screen is exactly what's there. Absolutely nothing. Why should I find nothing terrifying?
BLAKE: (into communicator) How's Gan?
CALLY: (on communicator) No change. Blake, what is the flight time across the zone?
BLAKE: Avon?
AVON: Thirty hours.
BLAKE: (into communicator) Thirty hours.
VILA: That gives it plenty of time to leap out on us then.
JENNA [OC]: Must you keep on about it, Vila?
VILA: Sorry. Just nervous.
BLAKE: We're all nervous.
VILA [OC]: I thought it was only me.
BLAKE: What are your readings, Vila?
VILA: Er, full range detector, nothing to report.
BLAKE [OC]: Jenna?
JENNA: All flight systems normal.
BLAKE [OC]: Avon?
AVON: Navigation coordinates set and firm.
BLAKE: Hm. Well, presumably Zen will come back to us when we're out of danger.
VILA: Sounds like a good idea. Any chance of joining him?
JENNA [OC]: Zero-one surge on primary two. Confirm?
VILA [OC]: Confirmed.
JENNA [OC]: Compensating.
VILA [OC]: Stable.
AVON: Blake, there's something we haven't thought of.
BLAKE: What?
AVON: Systems instability. We have never operated without the auxiliary computers before.
BLAKE: You mean they've been compensating for things like that power surge?
AVON: They've made every minor adjustment that the systems require, and the chances are that they are now going to require a lot.
BLAKE: Because computer control is...
BLAKE/AVON: ...part of the basic design...
AVON: ...concept.
BLAKE: Damn.
AVON: We're going to have to turn back. ...Jenna, stand by to reverse the course.
JENNA: Look, we've set out to save Gan and that's what we're going to do.
AVON: But you don't understand.
JENNA: Neither do you. We're committed. I intend to go on flying this ship even if all systems go into a flat spin.
(Avon grabs Jenna's arms)
AVON: But that's exactly what will happen!
BLAKE: All right, Avon, that's enough!
BLAKE: The signal to abort the auxiliary computers came from Zen. Can you override it? Bypass Zen, and get them working again?
AVON: Possibly.
BLAKE: Well, try.
AVON: All right. But I'm telling you, you should turn back.
JENNA [OC]: Not a chance.
VILA: What was all that about? Everything is running smoothly.
BLAKE: That was because everything was balanced before the computers went off line. Try and adjust something, and you unbalance something else. Try and adjust that, you unbalance two more and before you know what's happened, the ship is out of control.
JENNA: Blake, we're drifting off course.
BLAKE: Lateral drift on coordinate four.
JENNA: Got it. Compensating.
BLAKE: Stable.
VILA: I've just had a comforting thought. We may all be dead before we find out why this is a danger zone.

[Liberator moving through a heavily populated area of space]

[Surgical unit]

(Cally is monitoring Gan. He briefly opens his eyes, finds he is restrained, turns and sees Cally, groans and turns back and closes his eyes. Cally, having heard him, comes and wipes his forehead. As she goes out he opens his eyes again and fights against the restraints)

[Computer room]

(communicator bleeps)
BLAKE: (on communicator) Have you done it, Avon?
AVON: (into communicator) Soon.
BLAKE: How soon?
AVON: I can talk or I can work, but I can't do both.
BLAKE: We're running out of time, Avon.
(a three-section panel has the left-hand one with no lights on, the middle one has all red ones lit except one unlit and one blinking, and the right-hand one has all green ones lit except three)

[Flight deck]

VILA: Blake, we're picking something up on the detectors.
BLAKE: What is it?
VILA: I dunno. The signal's very weak.
(Vila is pointing to a spot on a monitor screen)
BLAKE: No telling what it is from here.
JENNA: Our speed's increasing slightly.
BLAKE: Reduce to standard by three, Jenna.
JENNA: Standard by three.
BLAKE: Can we squeeze any more range on the visuals?
VILA: It's at the limit now.
BLAKE: We may have to reverse thrust and run.
JENNA: That would really throw our systems into chaos now.
VILA [OC]: Hurry up, Avon.
JENNA: We're moving off course again.
BLAKE: Lateral drift, coordinate three.
JENNA: Got it.

[Computer room]

(Avon switches a control. The three-section panel has the left-hand one with no lights on, the middle one has no red ones lit , and the right-hand one has all green ones lit. He moves and switches another control. The green lights go out and all the red ones come on. Avon hears the engine note rise)

[Flight deck]

JENNA: Blake!
BLAKE: What is it?
JENNA: Our speed's increasing again.

[Surgical unit]

(Gan is grunting and fighting against the restraints. He lies still when he hears Cally come in. As she goes to have a look at him the ships rocks violently)

[Computer room]

(Avon tries one of the controls again. The red lights are flashing. He punches the control panel and then goes to the communicator)
AVON: (into communicator) Blake, I can't do it. You must turn back, before it's too late.

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: (into communicator) We're already too late. We're in an unstable magnetic field. We can't turn back. Avon, we need those computers.
VILA: Can you stop us, Jenna?
JENNA: Without computers, not a chance.
BLAKE: Detectors?
VILA: Same signal, getting closer. There's still no telling what it is.
JENNA [OC]: We're speeding up again.
(the spot on monitor screen is now much bigger)
BLAKE [OC}: Well try and compensate.

[Surgical unit]

(Cally hears Blake's voice and picks up a pair of headphones to listen)
BLAKE: (on headphones) If we get up past standard by twenty we'll be out of control.
JENNA: (on headphones) I think she's holding. We're levelling off.
GAN: Cally!
BLAKE: (on headphones) Keep it steady.
CALLY: How are you feeling?
GAN: Tired. Very tired. What's been happening?
CALLY: You were ill. We're trying to get to a place where you can receive medical treatment.
GAN: I'm all right. Just that I, I can't remember. Why am I being held down like this?
CALLY: When the pain was too much for you, you became violent, and we were frightened you might harm yourself.
GAN: I'm sorry, I just can't remember. I'd like to sit up. Help me, will you, Cally?
CALLY: I think you should stay where you are until we can get help.
GAN: I'm all right. But it's uncomfortable. I'd like to sit up.
CALLY: There is some turbulence. You're safer where you are.
GAN: Please.
(Cally unlocks the restraints)
CALLY: Is that better?
(Gan starts coughing. As Cally gets a tumbler Gan attacks her and in trying to throttle her causes her to faint. After another violent bout of pain he runs out)

[Computer room]

(Avon switches the controls again. The red lights go out and the left-hand panel has all whit lights come on. Avon goes to the communicator)
AVON: (into communicator) Blake, I have managed to bypass Zen. I am now going to see if I can override the command.
(He turns away, has second thoughts and then returns to the communicator)
AVON: (into communicator) Blake? Blake!

[Flight deck]

(A red vortex is on the secondary viewscreen)
BLAKE: There must be some way we can avoid it.
JENNA: We can't. We're already too close to pull away. With computer backup, we might have flown through it.
VILA: So without computers?
JENNA: We're dead. It'll tear us to pieces.

[Liberator in flight with red glow from the vortex reflecting off it]

[Surgical unit]

(Cally comes to and is feeling her throat)

[Corridor]

(Gan has another pain attack as he stumbles along)

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: Are you two ready?
JENNA [OC]: Ready.
BLAKE: Vila?
VILA: What? Yes, ready.
BLAKE [OC]: Concentrate, Vila. When I give the order to reverse thrust you two have gotta stop us from spinning.
VILA: I know.
BLAKE: Well, if you don't get it right, it'll be the last thing you do know.
CALLY [OC]: Blake.
BLAKE: Cally! What happened?
CALLY: Gan has just tried to kill me.
BLAKE: What?
CALLY: I thought he was normal again.
BLAKE: You mean you released him?
CALLY: He's escaped.
BLAKE: Jenna, you take my place. Brief Cally.

[Liberator in flight with increasing activity coming from the vortex]

[Corridor]

(Blake is looking for Gan. He looks into the surgical unit)

[Computer room]

(Avon is still at work. Now one of the white lights is blinking. Gan comes in and attacks Avon throwing him to the floor. Gan tries to rip out the computer links)
AVON: Gan, no! You'll break the computer links, we'll never get them started.
(Avon jumps on Gan but gets thrown off. Gan rips out the computer links)

[Flight deck]

JENNA: Cally, reverse thrust in five seconds. On my mark, five, four, three, two, one. Thrust!

[Computer room]

(as Gan attempts to destroy more equipment. The ship lurches as it reverses. Gan falls, hitting his head)
BLAKE: Are you all right?
AVON: More or less.
BLAKE: He got away from Cally.
(Blake picks up a medical kit an applies a tranquillising pad to Gan)
AVON: Yes, well, I can see that!
BLAKE: What about the computers?
(the ship lurches again)
AVON: What is going on?
BLAKE: It's a gravitational vortex, biggest spiral you've ever seen. We're right on the edge of it.
AVON: Auxiliary computers on-line and functioning.
BLAKE: Right. Give me a hand with him, will you?

[Liberator in flight towards the vortex]

[Flight deck]

JENNA: We've slowed the rate of approach, but we'll be drawn into it sooner or later.
BLAKE: The way we're using power, it'll be sooner.
CALLY: What will happen to the ship?
AVON: The forces inside that will not merely destroy us, they will annihilate us.
BLAKE: Now Avon's repaired the computers, what would be the difference if we went straight for the centre of the vortex on maximum power?
JENNA: Well, it'll be quick, whatever happens.
BLAKE: Well, let's take the quick way. Take over, Jenna.
JENNA: Right, everybody, we're going to the centre of the vortex.
AVON: Blake, in the unlikely event that we survive this...
BLAKE: Yes?
AVON: I'm finished. Staying with you requires a degree of stupidity of which I no longer feel capable.
BLAKE: No, you're just being modest.
JENNA: On my mark, five, four, three, two, one.
(on the viewscreen Jenna hits the centre of the vortex)

[Surgical unit]

(Gan is back under restraint)

[Flight deck]

JENNA: Standard by twelve, still rising.

[Liberator in the centre of the vortex]

[Surgical unit]

(Gan cries out)

[Liberator in the vortex with its hull flexing]

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: The structure'll distort.
JENNA: We'll never hold her, Blake.
(Something is heard to break on the flight deck. The crew are suffering and their voices are distorted)
BLAKE: The automatics. Hit the automatics.
JENNA: Blake, I can't. I must keep a straight heading.
(everything settles down)
BLAKE: Jenna, look. Look at the screen. There's nothing there but the stars. We've made it. We are through!

[Surgical unit]

(Communicator bleeps)
BLAKE: (into communicator) Yes, Avon.
AVON: (on communicator) We're coming in range of XK 72. Just had a message from the station administrator. Very polite, but it boils down to who are we and what do we want.
BLAKE: Tell him we're an experimental ship out of Earth on a proving flight. Then tell him what we need.
AVON: You think he'll believe that?
BLAKE: Convince him. Use your charm.
CALLY: Why are you angry with Avon?
BLAKE: I'm not.
CALLY: You sound as if you are.
BLAKE: He has a decision to make. If he wants to stay with us, it's got to be for his reasons.
CALLY: You'll do nothing to persuade him?
BLAKE: Nothing at all.

[Liberator approaching XK 72]

[Flight deck]

JENNA: Reverse thrust, ...and stop. (to Vila) Give me closer vision. ...I only hope we're not too late.
ZEN: Information.
VILA: You're back, are you?
ZEN: Status is firm. All systems are functioning normally.
BLAKE: Where were you when we needed you? (to Avon) What did they say?
AVON: They've invited the Commander to go across. I've got a voice fix ...'Commander'.
JENNA: Why are we lying to them?
VILA [OC]: Why not? No sense in looking for trouble.
JENNA: They're neutral.
BLAKE: That's a term that covers a whole range of attitudes, and some of them not very friendly. What did they say about a doctor?
AVON: There's a neurosurgeon, a Professor Kayn. He'll be waiting for you.
(communicator bleeps)
CALLY: (on communicator) Blake, it's urgent.
BLAKE: (into communicator) What is it, Cally?

[Surgical unit]

CALLY: (into communicator) Gan's life signs are getting very irregular. His time is running out. I think he is beginning to die.
BLAKE: (on communicator) I'll be as quick as I can.

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: Teleport, Avon.
JENNA: I can't see them believing that Liberator is a Federation ship, can you?
VILA: Let's hope they don't even think about it.

[Farron's office]

(Farron and Kayn are looking at Liberator through a window)
FARRON: I've never seen a ship remotely like it before. What do you think, Professor Kayn?
KAYN: I'm a surgeon. I'm not terribly interested in spaceship design.
FARRON: You're one of our senior men. You share the responsibility for the safety of this station.
KAYN: Farron, I realise there is a place for administrators, but I'd be obliged if you'd remember where it is. Please don't presume to lecture me on my responsibilities.
FARRON: So sorry, Professor.
FARRON: (into communicator) Have a team of engineers standing by to examine the shuttlecraft these people send across, will you?.
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Right.
FARRON: Send the Commander straight up. Make sure he's not armed.
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Understood.
(Blake materialises)
BLAKE: Don't worry, I'm not armed.
FARRON: How did you do that?
BLAKE: I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but could I see Professor Kayn now, please.
KAYN: I'm Kayn.
BLAKE: Ah. One of my crewmen is dying. Could you come with me straight away.
FARRON: I'm afraid there are a few formalities we must sort out first. You can't just, er, appear -
KAYN: I'll come with you.
FARRON: Professor Kayn, I cannot allow this.
KAYN: Send me a memorandum, Farron. Through the usual channels, of course.
BLAKE: Would you put this on please?
KAYN: What is it?
BLAKE: It's a teleport bracelet.
FARRON: I warn you, this is most inadvisable.
KAYN: I shall need a few things.
BLAKE: Our surgical units are very well equipped, but I'll send back somebody for anything else you might need.
KAYN: Farron, have Doctor Renor standing by to assist me, he'll know what I need.
BLAKE: I'll send someone back for him. Are you ready?
KAYN: I am ready.
FARRON: Kayn, I cannot allow this, it is completely against station policy.
BLAKE: (into bracelet) Bring us across.
FARRON: This behaviour will have to be noted down in the station log.

[Teleport room]

KAYN: That is remarkable.
BLAKE: Avon, send someone across to collect Professor Kayn's assistant, will you? (to Kayn) Your bracelet, please.
KAYN: I thought the matter transmission project had been abandoned.
BLAKE: A temporary setback.
KAYN: But with Federation resources it was just a matter of time, I suppose.
BLAKE: This way, Professor.
KAYN: Truly remarkable.
BLAKE: Professor?
KAYN: Oh, yes, sorry. One thing I will say for the Federation, when they decide to do a thing, they do it.
VILA: I didn't like the sound of that much.
AVON: One of the many faces of neutrality.
VILA: Who's going across to get the assistant? Shall I call Jenna?
AVON: No. I'll go.
VILA: Oh, good. 'Good idea' I mean.
AVON: Why do you stay with Blake?
VILA: I like him.
AVON: That isn't a good enough reason.
VILA: It is for me. That and the fact I've got nowhere else to go.
AVON: All right. Put me across.

[Computer room]

KAYN: Just a minute. This is interesting. What rank do you hold?
BLAKE: I'm a civilian.
KAYN: Unusual.
BLAKE: We tend to be in the majority, even in the Federation.
KAYN: I meant this (meaning the ship) is unusual. What are you up to? Proving flight on a military craft? It is a military craft?
BLAKE: Excuse me, it's still experimental. It's classified. Er, this way.

[Surgical unit]

CALLY: Why were you such a long time?
BLAKE: Cally...
KAYN: My fault, I'm afraid. Needed time to adjust. Can't afford to be disconcerted with this kind of work. Oh, yes, you are right, his condition is critical. Find out where my assistant is, will you please?
BLAKE: Of course.
KAYN: What's your name?
CALLY: Cally.
KAYN: All right, Cally, now you tell me why this man has a limiter implant.

[Teleport room]

BLAKE: Where's Kayn's assistant?
VILA: He'll be arriving any moment.
BLAKE: For the time being, keep him here.
VILA: Right.
(communicator bleeps)
AVON: (on communicator) Vila, this is Avon. Doctor Renor is ready to come across. I won't be coming back with him, though.
VILA: (into communicator) What do you mean, you won't be coming back with him?
AVON: I'm staying for a look around. I'll call you when I'm ready.
VILA: Oh, fine. I'll just hang around here and wait for you.
AVON: You do that.
VILA: Stand by.
(Doctor Renor materialises)
VILA: Doctor Renor?

[Flight deck]

BLAKE: So anything you can get from him about this Professor Kayn would be useful.
JENNA: I'll try. I might not be his type, though.
BLAKE: We'll just have to take the chance.
JENNA: Thanks.
BLAKE: Go on. ...Zen, I want a series of projections from the battle computers. Nearest Federation bases, likely flight patterns, flight times, and possibility of interception.
ZEN: Confirmed.

[Teleport room]

JENNA: Hello.
RENOR: Hello, hello, hello!
VILA: Ah. Jenna, this is Professor Kayn's assistant, his name is...
RENOR: Renor and I had a feeling this was going to be a good day.
JENNA: Yes, well, don't let your feelings run away with you.
RENOR: Oh, a sense of humour, too. I love girls with a sense of humour.
JENNA: Yes, I can see where that would be an advantage. This way, please.
RENOR [OC]: Do you believe in love at first sight, Jenna?
JENNA [OC]: Not yet.

[Farron's office]

FARRON: I don't think you realise what you're suggesting.
AVON: I am offering you my services and, among other things, the secret of matter transmission.
FARRON: You are offering me classified Federation material. This is an independent, neutral scientific foundation.
AVON: Suppose I tell you that the material does not belong to the Federation, that we are not Federation personnel, and that that is not a Federation ship!
FARRON: Then who does it belong to?
AVON: Us.
FARRON: Who are you?
AVON: Before I tell you that, I should like your guarantee that the others will be allowed to leave unmolested.
FARRON: Well, why should I give you that?
AVON: You and your foundation stand to make a fortune. I'm merely asking for your guarantee that you will maintain your neutrality ...and protect your investment.
FARRON: All right. You have my personal guarantee. Now who are you?

[Surgical unit]

KAYN: At last.
RENOR: Sorry, Professor. (to Cally) Hello! This place is full of pretty girls.
KAYN: Prepare for immediate surgery, please.
RENOR: Right.
JENNA: I'll get out of your way.
KAYN: Won't need you either, Cally.
(Jenna and Cally leave)
RENOR: Would have been helpful to have had one of them here.
KAYN: Do you know who these people are?
RENOR: Federation research team?
KAYN: It's Blake and his crew.
RENOR: The Blake? How do you know?
KAYN: They lie badly.
RENOR: Stannis! That's who she is! Jenna Stannis. I've never met a celebrity before.
KAYN: Celebrity! These people are maniacs, killers.
RENOR: Oh, come on.
KAYN: Mindless destroyers.
RENOR: You don't know that.
KAYN: They are destroying the greatest force for order in the known universe.
RENOR: Order? Well, you've had a change of heart, haven't you? I'm sure poor old Farron would be delighted with your new concern for the rules.
KAYN: Farron is a bureaucratic fool. I'm talking about stability, Renor, stability! With no stability there is no progress.
(Kayn sits down and puts his feet up)
RENOR: Progress to what? (nodding towards Gan) Brain implantation?
KAYN: A dangerous psychopath? Certainly, or would you prefer he'd been executed?
RENOR: That's what you intend to do, isn't it? You're going to delay the operation so that Blake and his crew can be captured.
KAYN: I haven't decided yet.
RENOR: Well, delay much longer, and there won't be any decision to make. What are you doing?
(Kayn takes a personal communicator from his pocket)
KAYN: Not that it's any business of yours, I'm going to contact the nearest Federation base.
RENOR: I'll warn Blake.
KAYN: And lose the chance of working with the greatest surgeon you'll ever see? You're too ambitious for that. Besides, I'm the only one who can save him, if I choose to. (into communicator) XK 72.

[Three pursuit ships in flight]

PURSUIT LEADER: Pursuit leader to Pursuit Two and Three. Executive order states that damage to Research Station XK 72 must be avoided if possible. Priority concern is capture of Blake and his crew.

[Farron's office]

FARRON: (into communicator) He did what?
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Professor Kayn said you knew about it.
FARRON: The communications section is well aware that no one is allowed to send official messages without clearing them first through channels.
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Professor Kayn said it was a matter of life and death.
FARRON: Hm. ...Ask our visitor to come and see me, will you? I think he's looking around the computer section. His name is Avon.
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Right.
FARRON: Do we know what the Federation's doing?
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: The pursuit ships will be here in three hours.
FARRON: Then find Avon quickly.

[Surgical unit]

RENOR: We must start the operation.
KAYN: Not yet. The Federation ships need time.
RENOR: But we're losing him, I mean, look at the life signs. He's practically dead now.
KAYN: Not yet!

[Flight deck]

CALLY: It's taking a very long time.
JENNA: Well, at least while they're still working, we know that Gan's got a chance. Kayn is supposed to be a genius.
VILA: The trouble with a genius, is you're never too sure what he's up to. Perhaps Zen can tell how long the operation should normally take.
JENNA: Zen?
ZEN: There is insufficient data for an accurate projection. Within the parameters you have described, the surgeon's skill and operating procedures are unknown variables.
(Vila surreptitiously gets a gun from the rack)
VILA: There you are, thought not.

[Farron's office]

FARRON: I can only apologise. I'm ...I'm afraid there's absolutely nothing I can do for your friends now.
AVON: It was naive of me to expect you to keep your word.
FARRON: Er, that is a little unfair. It's just that ...it's out of my hands. Look, Avon, it is against all the rules, and it's ...a risk I really shouldn't take, but I am prepared to let you stay here.
AVON: What about the pursuit ships?
FARRON: When your friends detect them they will presumably run or fight.
AVON: They will have no other choice.
FARRON: In which case, they may escape or more probably they will be destroyed. Either way, the Federation need never know that you're here on the station. You can work here in peace and safety. ...Well? What do you say?
AVON: I shall need to go back to the Liberator to collect a few things.
FARRON: Good. You've made the right decision.

[Three pursuit ships in flight]

PURSUIT LEADER: Pursuit leader to all crews. Full standby. Check all battle systems. Enemy contact estimated in one hour.

[Surgical unit]

(Renor fastens Kayn's surgical gown collar)
KAYN: Thank you.
(Kayn sits down and puts his feet up again)

[Teleport room]

AVON: (on communicator) This is Avon, from XK 72. All right, Vila. Bring me across. Vila! Wake up, Vila. Vila!
(Cally comes in and hears Avon and moves to operate the teleport)

[Surgical unit]

RENOR: I'm going to operate myself.
KAYN: You'll kill him.
RENOR: Well, at least I'll have tried! You call yourself a doctor?
VILA [OC]: No, he calls himself a genius.
(Vila has come in and he is pointing the gun at the doctors)
KAYN: Ah.
VILA: All right, genius, time's up.
KAYN: I wondered how long it would take you.
VILA: Well, you can stop wondering and start operating.
KAYN: Why didn't Blake come himself?
VILA: Blake doesn't know anything about it. I thought it was better that way. He's got a conscience. He might not be prepared to kill you.
KAYN: And you are?
VILA: Yes.
AVON: If he isn't, I am.
VILA: How did you get here?
AVON: He sold us out to the Federation. Pursuit ships are only forty-five minutes away.
VILA: You going to operate or not?
KAYN: All right.
VILA: (to Avon) I have a feeling that was too easy.
(the ship's engine noise rises)
KAYN: Any attempt to move this ship while I'm operating will certainly result in this man's death.
RENOR: He's right. Vibration, acceleration, any movement at all, and it's all over.
AVON: (into communicator) Hold it, Blake. We can't leave yet.

[Three pursuit ships in flight]

PURSUIT LEADER: Pursuit leader to all crews. Battle stations. Thirty minutes to contact.

[Surgical unit]

BLAKE: How soon can you complete?
KAYN: Thirty-five minutes.
BLAKE: Do it in twenty.
KAYN: Or you'll kill me.
BLAKE: Oh, no, no, no. In twenty-five minutes I'm returning you to your station. If you haven't completed your work...
KAYN: Your threats don't bother me in the least, you know.
BLAKE: ...I shall destroy your hands. Twenty minutes.
(Blake and Avon leave Vila on guard)
KAYN: Animals! Stupid destructive animals!
RENOR: Twenty minutes is more than enough time to complete.
KAYN: Are you defending their behaviour?
RENOR: I can't defend ours!
(Kayn inserts two surgical tools into Gan's head. There is a picture of the burned out micro linkages on a monitor. He repairs the linkages and removes the tools. Gan relaxes)

[Teleport room]

(Kayn is showing Blake two pictures of the limiter)
KAYN: That's where the fault was, in the limiter, there, and there it is repaired. If you survive, so should he.
BLAKE: Is there any way we can thank you?
KAYN: You could try getting caught.
AVON: Ready?
(Avon teleports Kayn and Renor)
AVON: (into communicator) All right, Jenna, get us out of here.

[Flight deck]

JENNA: Zen, reverse thrust, standard point zero-one.
ZEN: Confirmed.
JENNA: Lateral one-eighty.
ZEN: Lateral one-eighty.
BLAKE: I'll handle this Jenna. You can help Gan.

[Farron's office]

FARRON: (into communicator) They'll take no further action without orders from me!
KAYN: You pathetic feeble-minded little bureaucrat. You going to let them get away?
FARRON: You exceeded your authority, Professor Kayn. It was not your place to inform the Federation of their presence here. You violated the neutrality...
KAYN: Damn your neutrality! (into communicator) Get me weaponry!
FARRON: How dare you! I'm in command of this base.
KAYN: You have forfeited that command, Farron, you gutless nothing.
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Weaponry.
FARRON: Stop that, I tell you! Take no orders...
KAYN: You struck my hand!
(Kayn grabs Farron by the throat and throws him to the floor and then hits him with a heavy object)
COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Weaponry.

[Flight deck]

ZEN: Battle computers project pursuit ships directly in Liberator's flight path.
BLAKE: Down zero-one. Maintain heading and speed, standard by eight.
ZEN: Plasma bolt launched.
BLAKE: Activate the force wall.
AVON: Activated.
(Liberator rocks from the impact)
ZEN: Second bolt launched and running.
BLAKE: Bearing directly.
(Liberator deflects the second bolt)
VILA: Missed!
AVON: It missed us, but it's still running.

[Farron's office]

COMMUNICATIONS VOICE: Farron! Plasma bolt bearing directly on XK 72. It's going to hit us. Instructions, please. Farron! Farron! Farron!
(Kayn is looking at his surgeon's murdering hands as XK 72 is destroyed)

[Flight deck]

AVON: Say goodbye to one bolthole.
BLAKE: That's not funny, Avon.
AVON: It wasn't meant to be.
ZEN: Pursuit ships are turning.
BLAKE: You know what to do.
AVON: Zen, increase speed to standard by eight.
BLAKE: How do you feel?
GAN: I feel as if someone has been poking around inside my head ...with their foot.
VILA: We had to kick your brain a couple of times to get it started.
GAN: Only twice? They didn't remove the limiter.
CALLY: It was not possible.
VILA: They've modified it, though. Your ears glow in the dark, now.
BLAKE: Hey, let me know when you're ready for work.
GAN: Thanks.
BLAKE: Oh, by the way, welcome back.