"'The year is 1987 'and NASA launches the last of America's deep-space probes." "'In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck" Rogers, 'are blown into an orbit which freezes his life-support systems 'and returns Buck Rogers to Earth 500 years later.'" " How's that, Twiki?" " Bidibidibidi." "A little to the right." " Is that better?" " Solid." "As someone said, you're never more nostalgic than for things you once knew and have no more." "Bidibidibidi." "Who said that?" "Me." "(Buzzer)" " Hi, Buck." " Hi, Wilma." "Dr Huer." "Say, what's this?" "A change of scenery." "It was beginning to feel like solitary confinement here." "Why didn't you say?" "We could have had windows put in." "Why bother?" "It all looks the same." "With the city's climate control, nothing ever changes around here." "I feel sorry for you people." "You'll never know the joy of discovering a sunset that just happens." "A pale hint of mauve." "Everything is programmed." "Even your climate." "You know no fall, no spring, no rain, no snow, no nothing." "It's always the same." "When I went outside, I couldn't believe it was January." "It is January, isn't it?" "Yes." "January 7." "Dr Huer and I were on our way to see the new holographic dance troupe." " Would you like to join us?" " No, thank you, Wilma." "I think I'll pass." "I don't feel like going out tonight." "Well, good night." "Olvion Emigration Patrol to Terran starfighter." "Decelerate immediately." "'Repeat." "Decelerate immediately." "Acknowledge.'" " I do not read." " Traeger, you're under arrest." "Your departure was unauthorised." "Surrender or be destroyed." "Then destroy me." "I spent 15 years on your stinking planet and I'll only go back in a box." "Traeger out." "For good." "Come on, you old bucket." "Get me through that stargate." "Then you can quit." "Break off pursuit and return to base." "He could be a million parsecs away by now." "You'll do." "Survey vessel." "Attention." "Attention, survey vessel." "This is a priority blue distress code." "Repeat, priority blue." "My starboard defence shield and my stardrive are dead." "Can you assist?" "'Starfighter, this is Capellan survey ship 077." "'I'm locking you in on a tractor beam." "Prepare for docking.'" "Buck's been moping around for days." "I've done everything to get him out." "I'm afraid Twiki was right." "He's depressed about his birthday." "I don't understand." "We all get older." "He's in better shape than a man half his age." "There are no men half his age." "His birthday is probably making him more homesick for the 20th century." "Technically speaking, this birthday is his 534th." "An unfortunate reminder of just how displaced in time he really is." "Good evening, Theo." "How are things on the front home?" " Home front." " Home front." "Whatever." "A message from Lieutenant Garth at Security Directorate." "He's coming over from the New Detroit Complex." "He seems to think it's quite urgent." "Lieutenant Garth thinks everything is urgent." "Every time they perceive the slightest hint of danger to my well being, they expect me to live behind a force field." "Nonetheless, he should be here momentarily." "Of course." "Well, be that as it may..." "what are we going to do about Buck?" "Bidibidibidibidi." "How about a surprise party?" "That's not a bad idea." "A party will make him feel more a part of our world." "Indeed it might." "You know his friends." "Why don't you make the arrangements?" "Yes." "Let's see, now." "There's um..." "Jen, Joella..." "Marla, Alison, Tangie," "Felena, Miss Cosmos..." " There's a pattern emerging here." " Apparently." " Mm." " (Buzzer)" "Lieutenant Garth has arrived." "Let's get this over with." "A few days ago, this man, a Capellan captain, was found under restraint in the storage compartment of his ship in the New Detroit spaceport." "He was delirious due to systemic poisoning." "He remained alive for about 12 hours after he was found." "As you may know, all Capellans are crude telepaths." "He must have found out something he wasn't supposed to know." "The persons whose mind he read killed him for it." "Most of what he said was unintelligible." "But one thing was clear - whatever attacked him is also planning some sort of action against you." "Who, Lieutenant?" "Someone claiming to be the ship's captain, who brought the vessel back to port and disappeared without a trace." "We believe that he's responsible for the real captain's condition." "What exactly is his condition?" "He's experienced a bizarre form of molecular transmutation." "Half of his body has been changed to pure silicone." "And what you're afraid might happen to me is something like this?" "Well, I sincerely appreciate your concern, but I hardly think the ravings of a delirious alien are cause for alarm." " Please..." " Now, let's be reasonable." "I don't even know any Capellans." "Why would one try to kill me?" " 'May I help you?" "'" " I would like to see Dr Bayliss." " 'Do you have an appointment?" "'" " No, but she would want to see me." "'I'm sorry." "The doctor's schedule is full for the day." "'The earliest possible appointment is one week from tomorrow.'" " I'm afraid that's not convenient." " 'What do you think you're doing?" "'" "'This is Dr Bayliss." "Please sit back." "'Take a deep breath, sit back and relax." "'Take a deep breath and relax.'" "Doctor, I have a new job..." "I'm afraid to leave this planet..." "I think it's these dreams I've been having." "They depress me terribly." "'Do you want to go on with that, Miss Bennet?" "'" "Well..." "In these dreams, my mother's still alive." "She's always telling me I was an accident, that I surprised her and Daddy." "What do you think that means?" "Who are you?" "How did you get in here?" "Your reception quad has malfunctioned, Doctor." "I took advantage of the opportunity." " Who are you?" " I'm surprised, Delora." "After all the time we've spent together." "Of course, it's been a very long while." "What are you talking about?" "I've never treated a Capellan in my life." "And it's Dr Bayliss, if you don't mind." "Traeger?" "Cornel Traeger?" " But they said you were dead." " No." "Almost, but not quite." "Where have you been?" "What brings you back here after all these years?" "I had to see you, Delora." "I need some information about an Elias Huer." "He was with the Science Directorate, Space Exploration Division." "He's with Defense now." "He's in charge of the entire Directorate." "Is he really?" "Oh, that's good." "That's really good." " What else?" " Corey, I don't believe this." "It's been 15 years, not a word from you." "After all, you were only a patient." "I don't have time to play games, so I won't." "You have quite a few patients in the government." "Yes, but..." "You can extract information from their minds without them knowing." "Extortion." "Is that it, Corey?" "It's obvious you didn't come back for further treatment." "All right." "How much?" "5,000?" "15,000 credits?" "I spend that much in a week on incidentals." "Here." "It's yours." "If you forget we ever knew each other." "Same old Delora." "Always more interested in money that anything." "I see you've finally put your psych skills to more lucrative use." "How nice." "(Sizzling)" "That looks like andracite!" "Diamonds!" "Elysium!" "There must be millions there, but how did you..." "A little trick I picked up on Olvion." "That's where I've been staying." "Trick?" "That's nothing less than matter transmutation." "Molecular reorganisation." "Call it what you like." "So long as you understand the implication." "I can do the same to organic as well as inorganic material." "We'll be hiding in Buck's apartment, he'll come home, turn on the lights, and we'll yell, "Surprise!"" "Except he'll find the complex swarming with Security Directorate agents." "I don't know why I ever agreed to this extra security." " You didn't have a choice." " Yes." "But it will undermine the surprise in Buck's party." "The Directorate guards are discreet." "You will not see them, neither will Buck." "Our problem is that we've got to think of some way to keep Buck out of his apartment for two hours." "Er..." "It will thrive." "All you need is the right kind of plant food." " I see." " Hi, Buck!" "Wilma." "Dr Huer." "There's a rumour about an attempt on your life." "Is there anything I can do?" "No, thank you." "It's being taken care of." "The Security Directorate is handling it." "We were just making up my itinerary for the next two weeks." "It will be delivered this afternoon by an IAC." "That's an Inter-Agency Courier." "Then they'll deploy bodyguards to guard me round the clock." "Corey, you've changed." "It's not just the power." "When I treated you as a patient, I thought I understood you thoroughly." " But you're different." " Of course I've changed!" "No one could go through what I have and not be changed." "And it's all because of Elias Huer!" "Shortly after I joined the Exploration Division, Huer sent me into space." ""A routine space exploration mission," he said." "I was shot down over a planet no one ever heard of." "There was a reason for that." "The hostility of the natives to outworlders was frightening." "They found me guilty of espionage." "Locked me away." "12 kilometres below the surface." "Eventually they forgot about me." "You wonder why I wear these?" "It's because I've lived without light for 15 years." " You can't imagine that." " But you survived!" "Yes!" "Because I lived like an animal." "I became like one of them." "There must have been some natural element that gave them power." "The Olvions could change things." "Whatever they touched would become whatever they wanted it to be." "After a few years on their world, I could do it too." "And you used the power to escape." "To come back." "Yes, for my justice!" "Is there any wonder that I would want that?" "When I realise how full Huer's life has been, and how really empty mine has been." "All the years he stole from me." "All right, I can change credits into gemstones, but I can't change the past, nothing can do that." "But I can change Huer's future." "I can take it away from him." "And you are going to help me do it." " Miss Meritt." "Right on schedule." " Reporting for briefing, sir." "Raylyn Meritt, this is Buck Rogers." " How do you do?" " Hello." "The mind-implantation procedure will take place at 1600 hours." "After it is completed, you will go to the Security Directorate Headquarters." " Implantation?" " Captain Rogers is new here." "Top-secret data is implanted directly into an IAC's subconscious." "When I arrive at my destination, Security extracts it from my mind." "I never know the nature of the information." "Which makes it very difficult to get out." "Cute." " What is?" " I mean... interesting." "Er..." "Buck." "You said you wanted to help." "Would you escort Miss Meritt to the New Detroit Complex to ensure her safe arrival?" "I don't think that's necessary." "I've handled dozens of assignments." "I know, but under the circumstances, it would make me more comfortable." "If you insist." "Excuse me." "I'll go prepare for the implantation." "Do you know how to find the laboratory?" "Buck, would you mind showing Miss Meritt the laboratory?" "No, not at all, Doc." "That was the sneakiest thing I have ever seen." "Thank you." "At least we know he won't be in his apartment for a few hours." "He may not show up at all." "(Delora) 'You don't actually expect me to help you kill Huer?" "'" "Need I remind you of my special abilities, Delora?" "I can either kill you or make you very rich." "The choice is yours." "You've already treated several key Directorate personnel." " You must know something." " He knows his life is in danger." "But he doesn't know you're the danger." "The Capellan captain lingered on longer than I'd anticipated." " You're certain of this?" " It comes from a very secure source." "The Security Directorate is sending an IAC to pick up Huer's itinerary." "Once they get that, he'll be guarded 24 hours a day." "Actually... that makes things simpler for us." "You can't get close to Huer, Corey, unless you know where to find him." "And that's exactly what will be in the head of the courier." "30?" "So... these analysis chairs examine my patients' conscious thoughts during a psych session." "This one... has been modified." "This one examines the subconscious." " Like a psych probe?" " Not as sophisticated, not as fast." "But it works on the same principle, yes." "I can anticipate Huer's every move." "I can eliminate him at whatever time is most convenient." "We can extract the information about his schedule from the IAC's mind." " Just like the Security Directorate." " Exactly." "Then all we have to do is intercept that courier." " Data for day 13 assimilated." " Let's finish up, then." " Implantation completed." " Good, we're finished." " You OK?" " I've done this dozens of times." "I certainly don't need to be chaperoned by Captain Rogers." "Just bring Buck back to his apartment when your assignment's completed." "It's a favour to the Directorate - one for which we'll pay you." " I'm a government courier, not a." " That's all we're asking." "Besides, I think you'd enjoy Buck's company." "You used to work at the Earth Archives and you have an interest in history." " You should have a lot to discuss." " Captain Rogers is an historian?" "Yes, in a manner of speaking." "Let me explain." " All set." " Good." "You'll be escorted to the Security Directorate by two of their men " "Marsden and Niles." "They'll contact you on the Federal Concourse at 1900 hours." "They'll identify themselves as Security Escort Detail." "The code identification will be Blue-11." " Any questions?" " No, sir." " After you, Miss Meritt." " Raylyn." "We can make it to the Detroit Complex in time for dinner." "You'll love the restaurant." "Did she agree to bring him back?" "She was resistant at first, but once I explained why, talking her into it..." "Was a piece of cake." "Corey, these are my assistants, Rorvik and Carew." "Cornel Traeger." "My informant has confirmed the news." "They're sending Raylyn Meritt, an experienced courier." "She's due here in the complex within the hour." " Will she be a problem?" " Not for us." " Are you certain of your information?" " Corey, you worry too much." "My man works in the communications office of the Security Directorate." "He is totally reliable." "You have your uniforms?" "Good." " The men you are posing as..." " Niles and Marsden." "We meet Meritt in the restaurant, escort her to the turbolift in the Federal building, and take her to the sublevel." "Corey will meet you there." "Excellent." "Here are your synthaflesh masks." "They duplicate Niles and Marsden's faces exactly." "If there's nothing else..." "Let's get to work." "You know, when Dr Huer first asked me to go along with you, you didn't seem exactly thrilled." "What changed your mind?" "Before I joined the IAC corps I used to be a record keeper with the Archives." "As you're from the 20th century..." " You know about that?" " Colonel Deering told me about it." "I'm fascinated by that era." "It seemed like such an exciting time." "Prohibition, first moon landing, Milton Berle, Benny Goodfellow." " Man." "Benny Goodman." " Oh." "Those things happened at different times, most of them before I was born." "I'm told our records aren't very accurate." "I see." "So that's it." "You just decided to pick my brains a little." "Pick your brains?" "Um... get some first-hand information." "Well, maybe at first, but... you know." "Yeah." "You're helping me get my head in a better place and for that I'm grateful." "It's sweet of you to say that, but I don't see that I'm doing anything." "Sure you are." "Miss Meritt, Agents Marsden and Niles." "We're to escort you to Security." " Who's he?" " I'm just a friend." " We may be a while." " I'm a slow eater." "(Huer) 'They'll identify themselves as Security Escort Detail." "'The identification code is Blue-11.'" "Wait." "There was an identification code." "Where's your code disc?" " Who are you guys?" " Get her into the turbolift." "She knew." "Some guy she was with came after us." "You should have been more careful." "Did he follow you?" " I don't know." " Be ready for him if he has." "Hold it." "They don't make 'em like they used to." "See?" "No weapon." "You want me, hero?" "You come and get me." "Just you and me." "(Lift whirrs)" "Halt or I'll shoot!" "Oh, wow." "Air's kind of thick around here." "Don't move." "Oh, great." " Get up slowly." " That's the only way I can get up." "I'll just show you my ID." "You're with the Defense Directorate?" "The card's just in case someone asks questions." " And the woman was an IAC?" " Yes, she was." "Those people are planning to kill Dr Huer." " How do you know?" " I'm psychic." "Call your head of security and tell them the courier has been intercepted." " One of them must have dropped it." " What is it?" " It's a de-locking disc." " You mean a key?" "You people always make things so complicated." "Do you know what part of the complex it goes to?" "That's the Med Wing." "Those numbers tell you what office." " 37042." " That's Dr Bayliss's clinic." "She's a psych med." "A lot of her patients are very important people." "Information is in the subconscious, so they use a shrink to get it out." "Shrink?" " I'll get security up to the Med Wing." " Fine." "I'll meet them there." "Sorry, but you're not telling anybody anything." "Your men are incompetent." "That sublevel was crawling with security people." " What happened?" " I stopped one of them." " I didn't have time to finish him off." " Rorvik and Carew can do that." "If they check in." "Our plans are in jeopardy." "We've got to move faster." "How soon before you have something here?" "It depends on her." "It could be half an hour or longer." "Your man in the information office." "You can get him to forge a priority one communiqué, can't you?" "I suppose so." "Then have him send a memo cancelling the blue code alert." ""The assassin has been caught, Huer is safe." "There's no need for the IAC."" "I'll have him do it immediately." "But they'll suspect something has gone wrong sooner or later." "Yes." "But by then it will be too late." "Particularly for Huer." " Colonel..." " The party favours?" "Put them there." " Where do I put this, babe?" " Babe?" "Thank you, Twiki." " Bidibidibidi." " I'll take that as a compliment." "Leave it right there." "It will be the first thing Buck sees." "What did you say these were?" "Party favours." "That's what Dr Junius called them." "He had the Manufacturing Centre make them up." "I'm almost afraid to ask, but what is this?" " A balloon." " Balloon?" "Yeah." "Watch." " (Balloon squeals)" " Whoops." " See?" " Yes." "I take it there's some purpose in that." "They're for decorating." " And this?" " A party hat." "A hat?" " You wear it on your head." " I most certainly will not." "Oh, Dr Huer." "There will soon be dozens of agents swarming through the building." "If by some small chance an assassin does get into the building after me," "I will not be murdered wearing a blue and white plastic cone on my head." "Bidibidibidi." "Party peeper." "Party pooper?" "I'm not certain, but we probably have one of those here, too." " Um..." " (Squeaks)" "(squeaks)" "(Bleeping)" " Yes, Carew." " 'Trouble, Doctor." "'The New Chicagoan that was with the courier is one of Huer's people.'" " What did you do?" " 'There was nothing I could do." "'Doctor, he knows you're in on this." "'I dropped my de-locking disc and he found it." "'A security agent told him about you." "'I took care of the agent, but that guy must be on his way.'" "Find Rorvik and get back here as soon as you can." "'Right.'" "Isn't there some way you can speed up that process?" "Not without causing extensive neural damage." "What difference does that make?" "You don't think I'm going to let her live?" "There are alternatives." "I could tamper with her memory." "For God's sake, Corey, I'm no murderer!" "No?" "And I suppose you weren't selling quadrillium when we first met on Regulus IV." "How many people died of radiation poisoning back then?" "That was different." "Being an accessory to murder doesn't bother you." "It's just the act itself you have no stomach for." "Give it up, Corey." "This whole thing is coming down around our ears." "You're going too far to settle an old score." "I wish that's all it was!" " The data's coming in." " What's happening?" "Where's Huer?" "Spending the evening with friends in an apartment occupied by somebody named Rogers." "William Anthony Rogers." "The address is here." "Whoa!" "(Sliding)" "Nothing like dropping in on old friends, is there?" "His eyes!" "You've blinded him!" "He's been underground for 15 years!" "He can't stand bright light!" "Touch her and you die." "Turn down the lights." "It's getting late." "Huer's waited long enough." " I want them dead." "Understand?" " Yes." "See to it." "What are you doing?" "You got what you want from her." "Not entirely." "This device has been adapted for sonic hypnosis." "I can wipe out every memory she has of being intercepted and brought here." "And substitute new ones." "And then she thinks she's done the job she was supposed to do." "Mm-hm." "Rather intelligent for a Neanderthal." " But Traeger said..." " Mr Rorvik." "Any payment for the miserable job you two have done will come from me, not Traeger - remember that." " You're hurting her." " She can't feel it." "But you don't believe me, do you?" "Well, you'll find out for yourself." "You're next." "Put him down over there." "Start repairing your mask." "You two are going out." "Good news." "The code blue alert's been lifted." "You're safe." "That is good news." "But where's Buck?" "Maybe he convinced Raylyn that they should celebrate his birthday alone." "But she agreed to bring him back here." "She did, but Buck can be very persuasive." "Ah, you're awake." "We'll be ready for you in a minute." "Where's Raylyn?" "Where she would be if things had gone as planned." " Thank you for your assistance." " Just doing our job." " I won't remember you after this, will I?" " No." "I guess I should say my goodbyes now." "All his life, Corey has left a trail of corpses in his wake." " I don't intend to add another." " That's a comfort." "Corey was a decent man once, but he's changed." "I've got to get away from him." "Off this planet." "Start all over again." "But first I have to cover my tracks, starting with you." "And everything you know." "I looked all over the restaurant for you." "You said you were a slow eater." " You don't remember a thing, do you?" " Remember what?" " What is going on?" " I'll explain later." "What's the record flying time from here to New Chicago?" " No." "Why?" " Whatever it is, we're gonna break it." "Can I have your attention?" "Someone is on his way." "Since the code blue alert has been cancelled, it must be Buck." "So find your places and light the cake." "(All) surprise!" " Who on earth is that?" " Bidibidibidi." "Gatecrasher." " Hey!" " Oh!" "My goodness!" "(All murmuring)" "Traeger!" "Cornel Traeger!" "You're alive!" "Yes, Elias." "Still alive." " Despite your best efforts." " What do you mean, my efforts?" "You were lost on a routine mission." "Everyone thought you were dead." "Who sent me on the mission?" " Who?" " You volunteered." "You knew the risks." "Who do you think you are?" "You have no right to disrupt this party." "(Traeger) Stay out of this!" "I'm warning you." "Next time I touch you... (Huer) It was you." "You killed that Capellan." "And now me." "That's right, Elias." "Now you." " Finally." " No, you don't!" "Dr Huer, Wilma, get away from him." "(Sizzling)" "(Wilma) What happened?" "(Buck) He fell on his own hand." "(Huer) He's pure silicone." "Buck!" "Buck, why did you take off so fast?" "I was..." "At the very least, Dr Bayliss will never practise psycho-medicine again." "I suspect the Computer Council will find her guilty of of fences meriting a much more complicated correctional procedure." "We have to contact the Adjudication Board, brief them on the rather bizarre details of this case." "Colonel?" "Don't run off." "I haven't opened my presents yet." "Happy Birthday." "Even if things didn't turn out the way we wanted." "There's an old saying." ""It's the thought that counts."" " It's true." "I appreciate it very much." " Maybe we'll get it straight next year." "After all that's happened today," "I could do without birthdays for a decade or two." " Let's see what we got here." " What did you get?" "Ahh."