Original subtitles

About 25 seconds, we have complete clearance for launch.

We are go.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five,

four, three, two, one, zero.

In the year 1987, at the John F. Kennedy Space Center,

NASA launched the last of America's deep space probes.

The payload perched on the nose cone of the massive rocket

was a one-man exploration vessel, Ranger 3.

Aboard this compact starship, a lone astronaut,

Captain William “Buck" Rogers was to experience cosmic forces

beyond all comprehension,

an awesome brush with death.

In the wink of an eye, his life support systems were frozen

by temperatures beyond imagination.

Ranger 3 was blown out of its planned trajectory

into an orbit a thousand times more vast,

and orbit which was to return the ship full circle to its point of origin,

its Mother Earth, not in five months, but in 500 years.

For 500 years, Buck Rogers drifted through a world

in which reality and fantasy merged into a timeless dream.

Alert! Alert!

Incoming hostile ship.

Clear all launch channels for attack.

Wait!

There's something about the ship.

I have not seen anything like it!

Prepare to take it in tow.

Envelope alien ship in force field

and prepare her for boarding the Draconia.

-Neurosystems transport. -In transport.

Begin heart-lung procedure.

-Dilute a minor pressure agent. -Transmitting.

Increase diogen and crystalline in proportion.

Heart-lung response up 0.2 and increasing.

We're starting to receive positive neurological signals.

He's alive.

Enter.

And what of our intruder is so important it could not wait, Kane?

The man lives.

I am not sure why.

You're not sure why?

Is this a puzzle for me to decipher?

The puzzle is for me to decipher.

The ship is antiquated, unlike anything I've seen in the star system,

or outside of history books, for that matter.

Kane, please.

He was frozen by a combination of gases.

Oxygen, cryogen, ozone, methylone.

Almost a perfect balance.

Well, these are techniques used throughout the galaxy

for terminal illness and disease.

Yes, today.

However, there is another matter: the man's ship.

Kane, you have one more minute.

His instrumentation was stopped, frozen solid in the year 1987.

-Are you telling me-- -That the man may be 500 years old.

-You're serious! -Yes.

Frozen by elements so instantaneous and perfect

that he is fully preserved and living.

Hmm, what a fascinating thought.

Preserved young or preserved old?

Very young.

Any defects from the ordeal?

Fortunately for him, we're quite advanced in cryogenics.

Well, I've never met a 500-year—old man.

Prepare him for an audience.

I'm afraid that he's liable to be not too coherent.

I'll make allowances.

Where am I?

We ask the questions.

Who are you?

Captain Buck Rogers, United States Air Force.

-Who are you? -What did he say?

Something about a “united states.“

Captain, what is your destination?

-What is it? -My head.

-Anybody got an aspirin? -What does he mean?

Probably some kind of anti-pain drug.

Give him something for his discomfort.

What is this place?

Where am I?

-Who are you? -You're aboard the king's flagship, Draconia,

under command of the Royal Princess Ardala.

Oh.

-Who? -Where are you from?

Wait, wait, wait, slow down.

What was that about a ship?

One of the king's star fortresses

on its way to Earth on a peace mission.

On its way to Earth?

You mean you guys aren't from...

You mean we're not...

we're not on Earth?

I'm definitely gonna need that aspirin.

-Give it to him. -What is that?

Oh.

-Captain. -Hm?

Bear in mind that you are a captive

of a dynasty that has conquered three-fourths of the universe.

You will answer carefully if you value your life.

Are you a real live princess?

I think we've given our captain a little too much medication.

Oh, no, I feel great!

United States of America was an empire on the planet Earth some centuries ago.

Those royal tutors gave you your money's worth.

Well, you're from Earth, Kane, you should know better than I.

The United States had perished almost, oh, 500 years ago.

Well, that would account for his spacecraft, his clothes, the instruments.

I have a better explanation.

I think he's a very clever plant of the Federal Director of Earth.

-Plant? -Yes, a spy

placed in our path by their military.

They wouldn't dare.

We come as a royal envoy from my father's kingdom.

I am fully aware of your father's stated purpose,

to guarantee trade between Earth and the Draconian dynasty.

What possible reason could they have for placing a spy on board?

To search our ship to see if we're armed.

I see.

We couldn't allow that, could we?

No.

Then I'm to assume that I may dispose of Captain Rogers as I see fit.

How you handle security is your prerogative.

Come along, Tigerman.

What a layout, wow!

And how are we this morning?

Terrific!

Say, that's a coincidence. You know I got a ship just like this?

Disconnect the medication.

Oh, don't do that, I really love that.

You'll be on your way very shortly.

-Great, where are we going? -You're going home.

Great, where's that?

-On Earth. -Oh, right.

Your ship has been serviced and reprogrammed to take you home.

-I'm sure you must be anxious. -Oh, yeah.

Seems like I haven't been there in weeks.

I must've had a great time with you guys!

You know, I'm gonna miss you.

Hey, I've got a great idea!

Why don't we all go down there together?

You go on ahead.

We'll be along in a few days.

Not if I wake up.

Bye-bye!

Boy, what a dream this is.

Boy, are they gonna be surprised back in Houston

when I come back with this story.

Battery.

Prepare to launch alien vessel.

Five seconds to launch,

four, three, two, one...

Ooh!

He's given us the perfect opportunity to test the Earth's defense shield.

What do you mean “test" it?

We know that anyone entering the Earth's surface without a clearance

is immediately incinerated!

But if our captain's a spy, as I believe, they will escort him through the shield

along the narrow channel only known to their military.

Well, how can this help us?

I've hidden a microtransmitter aboard Captain Rogers' ship,

which will send back the equivalent of a guide map.

When we give the signal,

that guide map will be used by your father's attack forces

to pour through their defense shield.

And what if our Captain Rogers is not a spy?

Then he will burn.

-I see. -You don't look very pleased.

Of course I'm pleased.

It's just that I have the strangest feeling I'm going to see Captain Rogers again.

♪ Chicago, Chicago, you're my kind of town. ♪

♪ Chicago, Chicago, I'm going... ♪

Air Control 1 to Vessel Able, Baker 4...

...Tartalia, what is your current position and fuel supply?

This is Tartalia to Air Control Long.

We are approximately...

♪ They do things they don't do on old Broadway. ♪

Houston Control, this is flight 711.

Come in, Houston Control.

Put down your cards and your backgammon boards,

Lucky Buck is back.

Uh, sir, Super?

Super on.

What station is this?

Delta sector, sir.

You don't hear from me very often.

Yes, yes, delta sector.

My scanners monitor the low-frequency direct communication band.

I'm picking up some voices or something!

I'm sure you're picking up private or marauder chatter.

Nothing to be alarmed about.

Probably echoes from last night's attack on our freighters.

Those signals will be bouncing around all week.

Yes, sir, I mean, no, sir.

This isn't an echo, sir, it's a voice, a strong voice.

It's singing.

Singing?

Yes.

Delta sector, did you say “singing"?

Yes.

Operational Control, this is Supervisor 14 on the floor.

Feed me the delta sector.

♪ Won't you come home, Bill Bailey, won't you come home. ♪

♪ You've been gone all night tong. ♪

♪ Remember that rainy eve that I threw you out... ♪

Come in, Houston Control, come in.

Houston Control, this is flight 711.

Come on, you guys, you read me?

Give me some instructions, I'm on final reentry!

Come in, Houston Control.

Houston Control, do you read me?

Hey, come on, you turkeys!

Get off your duffs and give me some info!

Practically a foreign language.

Could it be some kind of joke?

He's heading directly for the defense shield.

Get me Intercept.

Intercept squadron on the line, please.

Colonel Deering.

What are the coordinates?

Right, retard the shield 100 miles until we verify the craft.

Alert, Intercept airborne.

Position of alien craft?

-Very odd. -What's odd?

The target seems to be moving unusually slow and erratic

for any conventional spacecraft.

I have a target in visual sight.

What is it?

Hey, all right!

Nice seeing you guys!

Who are you?

What are you?

Attention, alien spacecraft, do you read?

Watch who you're calling "alien."

You don't look so familiar yourself, you know.

-Who are you? -Please restrict your answers

to “yes" and "no."

-You are in grave danger. -From who, you?

You are traversing a narrow corridor into our inner cities.

Inner what?

-Look, lady-- -Colonel Deering. Now, please be quiet.

If you deviate from my orders by so much as 1,000 yards,

you will be burned into vapors, do you understand?

Vapors?

Yeah, yeah, I understand.

What do I do?

Do you have manual override capabilities?

-Sure. -Then follow me very closely.

Be right on your tail.

You really blew it this time.

Gotta be the Russians.

-You're doing just fine. -Dasvidaniya.

I beg your pardon?

Just trying to be friendly.

Violating our airspace is an act of war, not friendship.

Wait till the guys at the Cape hear this.

Buck Rogers hits down in the middle of Red Square.

Air Control 1 to Access.

Clear on corridor 1-0 Able for incoming vessel.

Confirmed. Outer barriers all clear

for approach on corridor 1-0 Able for incoming vessel.

Hey, babe, this is quite a setup!

It's Colonel Deering, Commander of Earth's Defenses.

-You mean you're in charge of all this? -That's right.

Now, if there are no more questions...

Oh, hey, Colonel, take it easy!

I'd fly with you anytime.

Take this barbarian in for interrogation.

What?

Hey, hey, wait a minute!

Wait!

Will you--what are you doing?

Hey, wait!

How do you do, Captain Rogers?

My name's Dr. Huer and I'm very pleased to meet you.

Just what's going on?

Where am I and what are you doing to me?

Well, we're studying you.

Oh, it's all electronic and painless.

But so far, we're as baffled as you are by what's happened.

Your testing is producing the most phenomenal data.

Oh, terrific.

But what is happening?

If I'm dead, I obviously didn't make it to heaven,

so just what planet is this?

What planet? Oh, it's Earth, of course.

You returned, as your mission required,

to almost the precise landing area originally programmed into your ship.

Uh-huh.

Uh, look, Doc, I've been through a lot,

but there is no way you can tell me that that city out there

is anything like Chicago.

No, it isn't.

There's nothing like Chicago left on Earth.

Allow me to bring in my administrator, Dr. Theopolis.

Now, look, Doc...

Twiki? Would you bring in Dr. Theopolis, please?

What is that?

This is Twiki.

He's your drone.

My what?

Well, for the duration of your debriefing and determination,

Twiki here will act as your aid.

And this, this is Dr. Theopolis.

Good morning, Dr. Theopolis.

-It's a lovely day. -Thank you, I did my best.

Dr. Theopolis here is a member of our Computer Council,

and in addition to other things, he's personally responsible

for all our environmental controls here within the inner city.

I'm introducing a pale hint of mauve into the sunset this evening.

Not so deep as an amethyst, but the more subtle burn texture of cinnamon.

Well, how nice.

I do hope our captain can watch it with us.

It's truly going to be lovely.

If I were you, I'd check into whoever's programming that thing.

Captain Rogers, it is we on the council who do the programming

for the entire city, and kindly reserve your opinion.

Shall we get down to cases?

Captain Rogers, I'll leave you with a word of advice:

These quads are not programmed by man,

they've been programmed by one another over the generations.

You see, the mistakes that we have made in areas, well, like our environment

have been entirely turned over to them,

and they have saved the Earth from certain doom,

little by little, bringing us back so that we will not have to depend entirely

on other planets for our food and water.

The quads are not human, but you can hurt their feelings.

It's this sensitivity that separates them from mere machines.

So I'll see you again in, oh, approximately 16 hours.

Sixteen hours, wait a minute!

You think I'm gonna sit here and talk to a box for 16 hours?

Sit down, Captain.

Let's both try to be as pleasant as possible.

That's a good fellow.

Be a good drone, Twiki, and place me on the table

where I can get a good look at the captain

while you get him some liquid refreshment.

Oh, that's all right, I don't need any liquid refreshment.

Of course you do, you're extremely dehydrated

from your ordeal, Buck.

If I may call you Buck.

Now run along, Twiki, and get Captain Rogers his drink.

Well, now, what an attractive man you are, Captain Buck Rogers.

Now, look, I've been waiting 24 hours to find out where I am,

who I am, who you are.

Can I have some answers?

Certainly, Buck.

That's why I'm here, to answer your questions.

Great, let's have it.

Well, you're Captain Buck Rogers,

and according to your ship's log, you left Earth in 1987.

That much I know. Tell me what I don't know.

Well, if preliminary data holds up,

it appears you have returned to Earth 504 years later.

You are now in the 25th century.

Buck? Are you all right, Buck?

Did you hear me?

Buck?

I think I will have that drink now.

L'chaim.

You can take my word, he's a wonderful man.

-Believe me. -I do believe that you believe

that he's a wonderful man, but you're not being asked

to risk the lives of our few surviving warriors on his subterfuge.

He is only one man.

What can he possibly do to endanger our people?

He could attempt to discredit the treaty with Draconia.

But he has made no such attempt.

He comes to us a bewildered man.

I would like the opportunity to spend some time with our captain.

If you're hoping to find fault with his testimony,

you'll waste your time.

Saving Earth cannot be a waste of time,

despite having to endure the captain's company.

Well, if Dr. Theopolis has no objections, I have none.

I have no objections.

Then the captain belongs to me until I expose him.

I have not seen Colonel Deering so uncharacteristically emotional

about anything before.

Nor anyone.

This part seems more of a dream than a nightmare.

Look, I was a little out of it yesterday.

I'd like to apologize.

I accept your apology, Captain.

Tell me about the Holocaust?

I can't.

Well, until I hear it and feel it, it isn't real.

Look, I lost everything that was important to me:

a mother, father, brothers, sisters, a woman I cared for.

And until I hear something to convince me different,

they're waiting for me right now somewhere else in time and space.

What's it like on the outside?

Outside the city?

You wouldn't like it.

Radiation?

In some places.

Ruins and scorched earth everywhere else,

that's why we're so dependent on trade with other planets.

This trade agreement with the Draconians and the princess,

what's that all about?

We're being starved out by pirates who choke off our shipping lines.

The Draconians have promised to keep our supply lines open

in return for landing privileges here on Earth.

I'd like to see my ship, is that possible?

Anything is possible, Captain.

Those guards thought we were crazy coming out here at this hour of the night.

I've had enough sleep to last me a lifetime.

Do you recognize these markings?

Fairly common for an aircraft that had been in combat.

Well, I wasn't in combat.

-Did your ships fire on me? -Certainly not.

Then whose did?

Possibly pirates who have been attacking our shipping.

Then why am I still here?

Why didn't they finish me off?

Why didn't they strip the ship or at least open it?

You'd think pirates would be thorough enough

to check out an unarmed ship,

particularly one they bothered to fire on.

You've been in flight a long time.

Anything could have happened.

Yeah, well, those burns are fresh.

The cordite is still unoxidized.

I think Princess Ardala's attack fighters fired on me

before they towed me aboard her ship.

Her ship is unarmed, that is the law.

Yeah, well, she seems to be bending it.

What would you suggest, Captain?

I would suggest thoroughly searching her ship

before you allow it inside your defense shield.

Rather an insulting way to begin an alliance based on good faith.

Good faith is for bureaucrats

and what gets you a city with a lid on it.

I'd go up there armed to the teeth, full squadrons,

otherwise, you'll be sitting ducks.

For a man whose expertise is allegedly five centuries old,

you seem quite opinionated.

You're right.

It's none of my business how you blow up your world.

My generation didn't know what they were doing either.

-Good night, Colonel. -Where are you going, Captain?

I'm gonna look around the city.

You're under suspicion, you can't--

I'd like to find out what's changed in 500 years.

That's forbidden.

It's a free country. At least it was.

Technically, you're still under arrest and my prisoner.

I can't let you go.

You'll have to shoot me to stop me, Colonel.

You leave me little choice.

You didn't have to come with me, Theo.

I wanted to be with you, Buck.

I wish you'd listen to reason.

This is nothing compared to what lies ahead.

Why don't we stay here for the night?

Oh, I'm afraid we'd freeze to death.

What little warmth you feel is emanated from the inner city.

In a few hours, they cut power by two-thirds,

and it will drop well below zero out here.

Well, it's straight ahead then, I guess.

I'm just sorry I brought you guys into all this.

I was assigned to be with you.

No one forced me into your camp.

I believed in you and I still do.

-What'd he say? -You don't want to know.

Oh.

-What's he saying now? -You don't want to know.

You guys go back.

I can put up with whatever's out there,

if it helps me to find what happened to my people.

I'm with you, Buck.

-What'd he say? -You don't want to know.

Stop saying I don't want to know, I want to know!

He thinks we're being watched.

It's just his imagination. Come on.

It's hopeless, absolutely hopeless.

We'll be all right.

It isn't you they're after.

-What? -No offense, but it's us.

My gold circuits and parts bring a lot of money on the black market.

As for Twiki, well, I hate to tell you the use they'll put him to.

Buck, where are you going?

My God, this is it!

I don't mean to impugn your strategy, Buck,

but standing in the middle of the street is stupid, under the circumstances.

Come on.

I don't know where he's going.

Just follow him.

I don't know what he's doing.

Just follow him, Twiki.

-Hon... -I know, Twiki, I see them.

Just keep going.

Don't think thoughts like that, you'll run down your batteries.

This is where my parents are buried.

Well, at least I know part of it.

We can't stay long, Buck.

We're being followed.

What happened?

There's only one stone, no date.

Only a few fortunate ones were buried at all.

It happened so fast.

Families were buried together.

Dates became unimportant as all systems broke down.

Finally, there were no more armies or fighting,

only starvation, contamination, and lingering death.

I wish I'd been with them.

You can't go back, Buck.

The past is gone, but you can still help us with our future.

If there is a future.

I'm afraid it's too late.

Take off, Twiki!

Look out!

You dirty...

There's just too many of them, Buck, it's hopeless.

If anyone has any last words, I think now would be the time for them.

Let's get outta here.

Well, well, Colonel, what brings you out on a night like this?

Captain, I came to find you at some personal risk.

Very ballsy.

Very what?

Forget it.

Well, don't expect any fanfare.

We were doing just fine until you came along.

-Right, Theo? -Well...

Forget it, Theo.

Well, at least Twiki's on my side.

Matter of fact, I kind of like it out here.

It's a bit primitive, but then it is the south side of Chicago.

Captain, we're wasting time, let's go.

I'm not through looking yet.

So unless you're prepared to shoot me.

Captain, you got away once, but not this time.

Lieutenant?

What's wrong?

Then it's true, he is working for the pirates.

I still don't believe it.

Well, you stand alone, Theo.

A microtransmitter was attached to his navigational equipment,

revealing our secret access corridors to our enemies.

That's not the behavior of an innocent man.

At first, I thought he was guilty and then--

You're being subjective in your evaluation of Buck Rogers.

I, on the other hand, support him for very practical reasons.

-And what are they? -I'm convinced of one thing:

Our friend Captain Rogers has indeed met the Princess Ardala

and has been aboard the Draconian flagship.

His descriptions are too precise to be the guesswork of a pirate.

Perhaps the pirates have been aboard her ship

and provided him with the information.

My dear, they are the deadliest of enemies.

It is unlikely that any pirate could survive such a visit to tell about it.

Word from Earth on Captain Rogers' fate.

His ship was intercepted and led down.

As I expected.

Did the transmitter we secreted aboard his ship

provide the necessary information to bring my father's forces

through their defense shield?

Yes, however, the transmitter has been discovered.

-That's too bad. -It makes no difference.

Once we're welcomed inside, we will destroy the shield from within.

Won't the earthlings be suspicious when Captain Rogers tells them

-he was aboard our ship? -They won't believe him.

Captain Rogers is as good as dead.

Now, stop worrying about the trial.

I'm a member of the council and I'm going to defend you personally.

Thanks, Theo.

It's nice to have at least one friend.

I'm sorry, Twiki. Two friends.

The Computer Council is ready to hear final arguments

in the case of the Directorate vs. Captain Buck Rogers

on charges of espionage and treason.

Councilor Apol.

The state's case is elemental.

Captain Rogers piloted a foreign aircraft through our defense network

with a microtransmitter,

revealing our secret shield borders to our enemies.

What price, you may ask?

What bounty would Captain Rogers consider just

in selling out the human race?

Only his pirate friends can answer, but I submit that in my opinion,

it is the destruction of the treaty with Draconia

that they seek at all costs, for its enactment spells their doom.

The state rests its case.

We will now hear from the defense.

Dr. Theopolis.

Distinguished colleagues, you have heard the evidence,

and I challenge you to find this man guilty.

No evidence has been found to suggest his claim

to a birthright on this planet, because we all know full well

no records exist prior to the Great Holocaust.

He has no explanation as to how a transmitter got aboard his ship

because it was not his doing.

He is an innocent pawn in a great war.

I saw to you, my colleagues, that if you find this man guilty,

you must find me guilty.

My sensors tell me that this man is good.

The defense rests. Thank you.

Captain Rogers, have you any last words before we pass judgment?

Just that I'm an innocent pawn, puppet, call it what you will,

somebody else pulled the strings.

You'd be better advised to worry less about me and more about them.

I can do you no more harm, no matter what the outcome today.

But he or she could destroy you.

Very nice, Buck.

We don't have a thing to worry about.

By unanimous vote, the council finds for the State.

Captain Rogers, the council finds you guilty.

Your life is to be terminated.

Said termination to be carried out immediately.

This council is adjourned.

I don't believe it!

Aren't you gonna say anything?

-No. -That's ridiculous.

You have been sentenced for termination.

At the very least, I would think a man of your sorts

would fly into a rage, lash out at me.

Say something.

Good bye?

Buck, stop it. You're being unreasonable.

I'm being unreasonable.

It's almost as if you don't think the sentence will be carried out.

Well, as a matter of fact, I don't think there's gonna be anyone around

to carry the sentence out.

At least, I know you people won't be in charge.

You're still clinging to your story about the Draconia bearing arms?

I can prove it.

What would you say if I told you

that I came here to give you that chance?

How?

By flying out to meet the Draconia flagship

to verify your story about them finding you.

And do a little looking around while you're there?

Exactly.

No, no, I don't like that plan.

It worries me.

Why?

Well, you see, I'm scheduled for termination.

If I miss it, I might get in a lot of trouble.

Buck, you are impossible.

I'm offering your life, and you're giving me practical jokes?

Well, see, that's the point.

Are you offering me termination of my termination?

Or are you just postponing it?

If you can prove that your story is true...

Let's go.

Stay close to my wing, Captain.

We'll keep the maneuvers nice and simple.

Stay on auto flight, you won't be expected to run anything but the throttle.

Thanks, Colonel.

Is it all right if I occasionally look out the window? Hm?

This is no time for levity, Captain.

We've lost nearly a third of our ships in this vector to pirates.

When they hit, they hit fast.

You can't outfly the computer.

It will take any necessary evasive action to avoid their missiles.

If you try to fly that thing, you'll only cost us a ship.

I appreciate your concern.

Just wish I'd brought along something to read.

I make a target vector 401.

Roger, Colonel. I have a visual on target just to port.

If you have visual at this distance,

it must be gigantic.

Permission to come aboard?

Why?

A special envoy.

That's all I know.

It isn't according to protocol.

-What do you think they have in mind? -I don't know.

But they have given us plenty of warning.

And there will be nothing in evidence to betray us.

I'd be curious to know what they have in mind.

Let's prepare a very special welcome for them.

Send out our pirate ships

and arrange a little surprise for them.

Welcome aboard the flagship Draconia,

envoy of Draco, conqueror of space,

warlord of Astrium, ruler of the Draconian realm.

I give you his daughter, Princess Ardala.

Delighted.

This is an unexpected pleasure.

We are hardly prepared to greet you properly.

Consider your time adequate greeting.

I am Colonel Deering,

Commander of the 3rd Force of the Earth Directorate.

And I believe you already know Captain Rogers.

But no.

If I had met so dashing a young captain,

I'm sure I would remember it vividly.

I don't believe we've had the pleasure.

I think you're mistaken, Princess.

I never forget a knuckle.

Captain.

Listen, we're here to get to the bottom of things.

Would you like me to describe some of your inner chambers?

Of what inner chambers does he refer?

Well, the princess may not find me memorable,

but I'll never forget her.

I especially liked the dress with the high-necked collar, and...

Colonel Deering, what is this all about?

Why are you here?

The pirate forces are at their worst in this sector.

We brought our ships to assure you safe arrival.

Alert! Alert! Alert!

Draconia under attack by hostile ships.

And Captain Rogers says-- -All personnel to defense posts.

-Men, to your ships! -Alert all station!

Secure the ship!

So this is how you bid us safe conduct.

Fine escort.

At least we will all perish together.

Clear all launch channels for attack.

Alert! Alert!

Look out, Baker, he's on your tail!

Pull up, I'll cut him off.

No, not that way--you're diving right into his power!

Captain Rogers, I ordered you to stay out of this.

Colonel, you need all the help you can get.

Wingman, bandit, 12 o'clock high.

Twelve o'clock what?

Lieutenant Wrather, disregard.

Captain Rogers, get off the air.

Our combat computers are way ahead of you.

Well, yeah, Colonel, but if your computers don't do something pretty fast,

your Lieutenant Wrather will be finished.

Watch out, Thornberry!

Colonel, you've got to go to manual flight.

Buck Rogers, if you don't stop distracting our pilots...

You just ask the lieutenant.

There's a couple of pirates on his tail.

Colonel, I'm switching to manual.

See if I can start dishing out a little of what we've been taking.

Buck Rogers, I'm ordering you back to the base.

Now then.

Let's see how you like a little old-fashioned red-dogging.

One's gone. Six to go.

Gotcha!

Colonel, take it down, straight down, that engine retros!

I can't! It's against all principles of modern aerial combat.

Ahh!

That's called blitzing your linebackers.

Look, I don't know what went wrong with our combat computers,

but... thank you.

Now, Captain, let's go home.

-My place or yours? -What?

-What did you say? -Just joking.

Air Control 1 to access.

Clear on corridor 1-0-Able for incoming vessel.

Confirmed.

Outer barriers all clear for approach on corridor 1 -0—Able

for incoming vessel.

Colonel Deering, have you seen Captain Rogers?

Yes, why?

Our council has had a formal request from Her Majesty, Princess Ardala.

What has that got to do with the captain?

Well, the princess feels he singlehandedly saved

their unarmed vessel from the renegade pirates

and wants to thank him personally.

Singlehandedly?

Apparently, even your ship was nearly destroyed.

Were it not for Captain Rogers' inordinate skills and quick thinking,

-the Princess feels that-- -I don't care what the princess feels.

I know what happened, I was there.

Tomorrow, I conquer Earth.

Tomorrow, we conquer Earth, Your Highness.

You look magnificent, Buck.

Is something troubling you?

Why am I invited to this thing?

Nobody believes me.

Princess Ardala wants to thank you personally for fighting the pirates off her ship.

I'd like to have a word or two with her myself.

Alone.

Oh, I'm sure that won't be permitted.

After all, you are only a captain

and not even commissioned, at that.

Whaddya got for a headache?

A headache? Are you ill, Buck?

I guess I'm just not fully recovered from my long trip yet.

Well, why didn't you say something?

Twiki will get you a relaxant.

Well, it's time to go in now.

We don't want to keep the trade delegation waiting.

Welcome.

The Draconian trade delegation,

under the leadership of Her Royal Highness,

Crown Princess of the realm, Ardala.

I bring you greetings on this historic occasion.

My father, King Draco,

would like to present to you his own flagship, Draconia,

filled with all the latest technology,

as a gift to symbolize a glorious new era of commerce and peace.

Let the celebration begin.

We've brought you some pills, Buck.

-Hm? -For your headache.

It is a very strong relaxant.

You mustn't take more than one at a time.

Thanks, guys.

Well, I see dancing has come a long way in 500 years.

Listen, I'm gonna need something else-- a rose.

-Did you say a rose? -Yeah, a red one.

What do you need a rose for, Buck?

Twiki, would you go get me one quickly, huh?

How do you like our presentation, Captain Rogers?

Most impressive.

Did this folk dance come all the way from her daddy's world?

I'm sorry, I don't seem to understand your terms.

And I would suggest a more respectful reference than “daddy."

He's perhaps the greatest leader the world has ever known.

Well, a word of caution, Colonel?

Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

Greeks?

Maybe that was a little before your time, quite a while back.

Um, tell me, do you know the story of the Trojan horse?

No.

No, huh? Well, forget it.

I guess I came from a time that was hopelessly paranoid.

See you around.

-Your rose, Buck. -Oh, it's a nice one. Thank you, Twiki.

Buck, no one else is giving the princess flowers.

You're going to make them all look ridiculous.

Stay close, fellas, we're next.

Well, Captain Rogers.

Congratulations and thank you.

We are very grateful to you for saving us from those horrible privateers.

Not too loudly, Princess.

Around here, they think I am a privateer, thanks to you.

Me?

Well, I hope I haven't caused you too much embarrassment.

Are you angry?

-On behalf of the-- -Theo.

What a body.

From me to you.

Who is your charming little friend?

His name is Twiki.

Yes, and that thing hanging around his neck is Theo.

Ex-officio member of the Computer Council.

Your Majesty.

Would you care to join me in the next dance?

-The princess does not-- -Does not mind if she does.

I don't think I'm too up on these latest dance steps.

Well, if you have a preference, it is my party.

Terrific. How about something old-fashioned, huh?

Sir, excuse me, are you familiar with...rock?

You know...

Try it, try it, come on.

No, no, no, that's not it, just--just let yourself go.

Let it go, go with the music.

That's it, right, yeah.

That's it, yeah.

What are you doing?

It's called gettin' down.

It's a little before your time, if it frightens you.

Nothing frightens me.

All right, fine, get out and boogie.

It's expressive.

It's disgusting!

What happens if we bump together?

We automatically become man and wife.

Groovy. Get down.

You're quite a man, Captain Rogers.

I have a feeling the Earth people believed your incredible story

about being frozen for 500 years.

Not on your life. They think I'm a spy.

One of mine?

They're not sure.

Want to join up?

Who do I have to see to make my move?

Me.

Tell me, that building,

is it still the communications center?

Ah!

That would be secret information.

Of course.

I will always be one of you, Dr. Huer.

Perhaps I will remain here permanently.

We hope so.

Your Highness, some of the ministers would like a few minutes.

Later, Kane.

Business of the realm comes first!

Your father expects you to serve the best interests of the realm.

If you don't,

he has 29 other daughters that will!

It's been a pleasure, Captain Rogers,

but I'm afraid our duties are cut out for us.

Later, perhaps?

I depart aboard my private launch at midnight.

I'll be there.

Captain Rogers!

I wonder if this wouldn't be a good time to talk with you.

Princess Ardala left so abruptly,

and the party seems to be over.

You don't have any plans, do you?

Well...

Good.

I have something I would like to say.

Well, I--

I thought you were a spy, Captain Rogers.

I was wrong.

Would you like to go some place?

Uh...I, uh...I'm not up to that yet.

I've been out of it for quite a while,

500 years.

I've got to go easy on reentry.

♪ Chicago, Chicago, you're my kind of—- ♪

It's all right.

Better listen to her, fella, she's making sense.

I've asked Captain Rogers to join us.

Lucky for you she called me off.

We're almost there.

Where are you going?

I know it's chilly, but we've got no choice.

Our orders are to stay close to Buck.

And he may need us, so back in the cooler.

Twiki, I'm speaking to you.

I'm freezing my ball bearings off.

Our Captain Rogers is just not to be found.

What do you expect from a primitive?

We'll let you know if we hear anything.

You are a spy, Buck Rogers,

and I know exactly where you are.

Out!

They make better pets if you have them fixed.

Let's make ourselves comfortable.

Pour us a drink.

At last we're alone.

Have you nothing to say?

Up until this moment, I didn't know what it was I'd been missing.

Well, I have a confession as well.

There's somebody else back home.

I didn't realize what I was missing.

You're different.

You're arrogant.

You flagrantly disregard orders.

And you're the kind of man who could unseat my father.

Your father's seat is the furthest thing from my mind.

I brought you here for a reason.

I was counting on that.

I want you by my side.

That wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Consider it.

You have no idea what it's like being the daughter of Draco the Conqueror,

29 sisters nipping at your heels.

Weasely little courtiers like Kane vying for power.

But with a man,

a real man like yourself,

I could defy my father,

I could live my own life.

Oh?

A magnificent new dynasty.

Aren't we getting a little ahead of ourselves?

I'll take that drink now.

We have to be very careful.

-Do we? -Mm-hm.

The timing is not good.

Things never change.

That's the way it's always been.

Why couldn't I have met you sooner, Buck Rogers?

Well, we've got plenty of time, don't we?

All armament personnel, report to flight bay

to begin loading weaponry.

Look at them, down there sleeping.

The fools will never know what happened.

I'm so relaxed.

Would you turn out the lights?

If you're a spy, I'll have to kill you.

If that's an example of your best pillow talk,

I think I've found your problem.

This is no good, Twiki.

There are soldiers everywhere,

and we don't even know where to begin to look for Captain Rogers.

Holy Je--

Let's see if we can find your jammies now.

The pirate ships.

So that's how they were able to attack us.

It was our own people.

-Where is Tiger Man? -I don't know, sir.

Go away!

Did they wake you, my darling?

Did they wake you, my little babykins?

Blast it!

Get out!

Get him out! Get him out! Execute him!

No!

Remove him for questioning.

You countermand my order?

Under the circumstances, yes.

Do as I say.

Take him!

You have a lot of explaining to do.

I have some explaining to do?

Well, it's not Gucci, but what the hell.

I don't want to get caught either.

But something is very wrong and we've got to find out what it is.

I hope you know this violates my warranty.

You have quite obviously been...preoccupied.

I will deal with you for your insolence later.

Give the order to attack at once.

We cannot attack without your father's forces to support us.

Kane, you are spineless!

We do not need my father.

We have the element of surprise.

We can wipe out the Inner City,

we can destroy the defense shield.

By the time my father's forces arrive,

we will be sitting on the throne of the Earth.

At least I will, since you obviously don't have the nerve.

All right. We will attack.

A wise decision, Kane.

Meanwhile, Captain Rogers is loose somewhere on this ship.

Find him.

Alert! Alert!

Hostile intruder aboard ship.

Alert! Alert! Alert!

It's Buck.

I see him, and he's wearing the uniform of the enemy.

This will warm your tail.

Those are warships out there.

That means the treaty is a hoax.

But we can do one last service for our country.

We can deal with Captain Rogers.

Six minutes to attack and counting.

Five minutes to attack and counting.

Don't move, Captain Rogers.

Theo, Twiki, what are you doing here?

This isn't going to be pleasant for any of us.

Will you guys get outta here?

I got work to do.

We can see that, you traitor.

Can't you see what's happening?

I'd say someone is about to bomb Earth.

Do you recognize these ships?

No, but I do not see how that's very imp--

They're pirate ships.

Why would there be pirate ships aboard the Draconian flagship?

I'm sorry. You'll have to do better than that.

Now come with us.

-Four minutes to attack and counting. -No.

Look, you half-baked load of electronic gibberish,

I don't expect you to know everything,

but have you ever heard of loading bombs into the tailpipe of a rocket ship?

You be quiet, Twiki.

I'm getting confused.

Yeah, well maybe I can help un-confuse you.

There are no pirate ships, there never were.

Those are Draconian bombers disguised as marauders.

They've been harassing your shipping lanes

in order to force you into a treaty with Draconia.

Of course.

It's ingenious, if true.

Three minutes to attack and counting.

You got about ten seconds to make up your mind

who you believe in, me or Kane.

Some choice.

Well, what about yourself?

Don't your circuits tell you I'm on the level?

-Yes. -All right.

Unless you want to consider yourself so many spare parts,

Why don't you go along with your initial instincts?

All right, but only on the condition you help us get to a communicator

so we can warn the Inner City.

You're gonna have to do that on your own.

On the chance that you don't make it,

I gotta make sure none of these ships are ready to launch.

Commander Kane.

We've found a guard unconscious in Bay 3.

Two minutes to attack...

You're running out of time, Theo.

They found the guard I wiped out-- now, get outta here.

All right, all right, we'll do our part.

Good luck, Buck.

Take me over to the console, Twiki.

Now, grab the middle panel.

Ninety seconds to attack and counting.

Drop it.

Grab the circuits and pull them.

80 seconds to attack and counting.

70 seconds to attack and counting.

Put me close to the microphone.

60 seconds to attack and counting.

Earth Directorate, emergency channel.

Come in, please.

Colonel Deering online.

This is Dr. Theopolis.

Yes, doctor. Where are you?

How did you get on this emergency channel?

I'm on board the flagship Draconia

I followed Captain Rogers as ordered.

Now, please listen.

The Draconia is not, repeat, not an unarmed vessel.

She's filled with bombers preparing to launch

a full-scale military attack against the Inner City.

But how, where did they come from?

Her landing bay was empty.

Scramble your fighter squadrons, now, at once!

Thank you Doctor. Good luck.

Dr. Huer, permission to scramble fighters.

20 seconds to attack and counting.

Battle stations!

Fighters, prepare to launch!

Ten seconds to attack and counting.

Stand by to attack.

Eight, seven, six...

five seconds to launch.

Four, three, two, one.

Attack!

What is it? What's going on?

Our ships, they simply exploded

That's impossible!

This is Earth Directorate.

Attack bombers as they launch.

We'll attack the main ship.

There are no bombers to attack.

They're exploding as they emerge.

That doesn't make any sense.

Get our warships out there!

Prepare to intercept.

Do not, I repeat, do not use combat computers.

Disengaging.

Draconia on your wing!

Bank right, I'll get him.

We got two coming up from below.

I'll jump the one on the top.

I've got the other one.

Shit!

All right.

I'm gonna hold you responsible for any damage done to this bay.

I'm really sorry it had to come to this.

Bottoms up!

Prepare to transmit image of King Draco.

What in the name of the realm is going on?

You are attacking while my ships are still hours away?

I'm...just following orders.

And just whose orders were you following?

Your daughter's, sir.

Did she order our ships to disintegrate as they enter battle?

If either of you survive this greatest debacle our realm has known,

you will answer to me!

All squadrons disengage surviving warships

and prepare to finish off the mother craft.

Emergency!

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

This was your doing, Your Highness.

I ought to leave you here to burn up with the ship.

But I want you alive to answer to your father.

I have an emergency escape shuttle ready to leave now.

It will take us far enough away to reach your father's ships.

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

Emergency!

Emergency! Emergency!

The ship is ready to blow.

Withdraw all ships from the impact area.

Theo, I'm coming in to get you and Twiki.

Forget us. Save Buck.

-Buck? -Wilma, he singlehandedly destroyed

their entire fleet of warships.

He sent us to warn you.

Meet me down on the flight deck.

We're going to find Buck.

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

Theo, Twiki, over here!

It's good to see you again, Buck.

Yeah, well out out the formalities.

This magazine's about to blow.

-Help is on the way. -What do you mean, help?

Wilma. Wilma's coming in to get us.

What? She can't land here, she'll be killed.

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

She's starting to go.

This way, Buck. Through the smoke.

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

Taxicab!

Taxi!

Let's get outta here, that magazine's about to blow.

I'm with you. Get in.

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

Emergency! Emergency! Emergency!

Very nice.

Thank you.

But we're not in the clear yet.

We would be rulers of Earth now

if you hadn't let Buck Rogers on board!

He wouldn't have been necessary if you were more of a man.

We owe you a great deal more than an apology, Buck, especially me.

I confess that I thought the princess had you beguiled.

Well, I will say she had the nicest set of...

horns at the ball.

Yes, it was an attractive hat.

You'll never be the man Buck Rogers is.

We'll see when we meet Mr. Rogers again.

And we will.

I hope so.

Buck...

I know I've been aloof towards you and cold.

I was frightened, afraid to get involved.

Mm—hm.

Things are gonna be different now between us.

I'm not all business.

I'm every bit the woman that the princess was.

That's nice.

And from this moment on, I'm going to prove it to you.

What?

Well, I guess that's the last we'll see of Kane

and the princess.

Twiki!

Uh-oh.

Eyes forward.

You'll get starsick.

Buck, you're my kind of guy.