Original subtitles

I was told to report to you. Is it something important?

Yes, the computer is working.

Ah, Dr. Fleming has... No, the young woman has started it.

Oh, that's good, isn't it? I do not know.

I do not understand what they are doing.

need to tell it lies to make it safe, you can change the decision circuits.

How? It may be a little thing, no more than altering the signs of some of the

waiting factors.

It's not as simple as that. That would reduce it to an ordinary adding machine,

neither enemy nor ally.

And no sense of purpose at all. But it could.

How? It could have the purpose we communicate to it.

It isn't possible.

It is.

It is possible.

I can do it.

I've tried to keep you away from it.

You can't.

If you want the computer as an ally, you will have to trust me.

See? Her whole personality's changed.

Her brain's woken up again.

I believe the second of those things, John, not the first.

She's coming under its spell, isn't she?

I don't think so, unless you drive her into it. Why should I?

You won't mean to, but if you're awkward and hostile and don't trust her, then

you'll alienate her. She'll go her own way now, whatever I do. Rather, she'll

go its way. Not entirely.

You've built up some ties between you, haven't you?

Ordinary, human, emotional ties? Well, I've tried to protect her.

That's all?

That's all.

What's happening to her?

You've been telling me. No, I mean physically.

What you said.

Some sort of deterioration of muscle control.

Have you examined her?

No, I can have her examined.

Please. It won't do any good.

If you're right, there's nothing we can do about it.

Nothing?

Oh, God, Paul.

The awful thing is, I don't know whether I'd be desolated or relieved.

Oh, John, you're a muddler.

Me? You talk about making the computer an enemy or an ally, but which are you

going to make of her?

You'd let her alter the computer and work with it, giving it her will.

Yes.

It won't be for long.

It is done.

Why are you pulling my leg, Dr. Fleming? You asked me to believe... I'm telling

you a fact. ...that she can communicate with a computer like that. That's what

you designed it for, isn't it? But it cannot be so simple. How can

electromagnetic waves be picked up and interpreted directly inside the head?

Because she's made that way.

I still do not believe...

Understand. Look, we can create a capacity in her which we don't possess

ourselves. I'm sorry, but that does not explain... Look,

we have eyes and ears and noses because of the best means of collecting

information in our sort of world. But they're not the only means. There are

other senses we haven't developed, we haven't even inherited, because we

haven't got the means of using them.

But she has, and it has.

And that's what they're doing now.

To give and take information?

Yes. And how will she use it?

Heaven knows, Abou Zeke.

Heaven only knows.

How do you want me to use it?

Hello?

Ah, I want to talk to you.

Not now. Why not now? I have a visitor.

Oh, who?

His Excellency the President of Intel.

What is this, a state visit?

A routine courtesy.

Your Excellency?

Professor Dorner, Your Excellency. How do you do? How do you do, Professor?

Very interesting.

How is your work going, Professor?

Slowly. We have had soil experts here before.

So I believe.

They say azeram would be quite fertile if irrigated. That's easy to say. You

have something better for us? What I'm trying to evolve, Your Excellency, is a

protective membrane.

To protect?

The ground.

If it could be semi-permeable, so that it would let out oxygen and nitrogen

molecules, but not let water evaporate, then we could keep the ground moist and

still allow it to breathe.

You would need a great amount.

Well, yes.

But if we could find some simple, basic prescription, then we could spray the

ground and bring whole tracts of land under cultivation.

You could do that for us?

Given the formula and the ingredients? It would be simple.

But there is another thing.

Which is?

If I could have a little more freedom.

What sort of freedom?

To communicate with other people. Why?

Well, if we could consult... You may consult through us. But that is not

freedom! You can give Professor Dornay these facilities?

Of course, Your Excellency. Thank you, Your Excellency.

If you would like to see... The President has no time.

No, I must get on.

But this is interesting. Most informative.

I'm very much concerned with all these things.

You will keep me in touch? Naturally, Your Excellency.

But come and see me. Come and see me, Professor.

I'm very interested in all these things.

You will use the computer for this?

Yes. Do not occupy it too much. We have other things for it to do. What things?

Things we need.

Abuseki knows. He will tell the girl.

I'm inclined to believe you now, Dr. Penny.

What's that?

Some of Professor Dorney's calculations, I think.

Well, looks like it.

You gave the girl the requirements to feed into the computer in her own way?

Yeah. And that is the result.

It is quite extraordinary.

What's that?

I'm afraid I'm not allowed to tell you.

Oh, look, what am I supposed to be?

I'm sorry, Dr. Fremming.

I have my orders.

You've been doing your duty?

I've taken the old fool around the establishment.

That should keep him quiet.

You didn't show him the computer?

No. Good.

What I need is a drink.

You know where it is.

Who is this girl they have?

I don't know.

I think there is something special about her, but they won't say.

Abouzaki?

he does not know exactly Kaufman thinks she was connected with the other

computer and with his destruction and Fleming is trying to shield her and you

better find out from Fleming how?

I'm sure you know how I don't think I fancy Dr. Fleming still you can try

meanwhile you'd better get Abouzeke to watch her and Dr. Fleming?

he's the only one who knows enough about the computer to maintain it

Yes. He's the one to whom the girl always refers.

I imagine so. Then he must stay. But he must be watched too.

Why?

You can use Kaufman.

Why? It might be important.

What is all this?

Troops. I can rely on a battalion of infantry here in Peleb in the city, a

squadron of armored cars, some units...

motorized along the frontiers, the main army barracks at Quartada, and units of

the Air Force.

To do what?

To protect me, us.

I said the computer was important.

But it belongs to us, to a U.S. force.

To us? It belongs to Intel.

And Intel holds its concessions from the government.

We are not secure.

We are secure enough.

With the computer's help, and yours, we may soon be secure from interference

from the outside. Then we can snap our fingers at the world.

But... From the inside.

You are under government.

I'm not the president.

That's what you want.

The president is a soft man, a tired man. He fought for independence and now

he wants to rest. He thinks that's enough.

And isn't it?

He can be got at.

Influenced by any liberal-minded bumbler.

Like Professor Dorney?

Dorney. Anyone, any moment, can persuade him to interfere with your work here.

Then we've lost it.

If we're going to be...

Strong, really strong, as the British started to be when they first had their

computer. We must prepare now.

Why else do you think I came back?

You are preparing a coup d'etat.

A little one.

The president has no one but a few palace guards. He has no idea, poor man,

no idea at all.

I have the troops and the officers in the right places.

You are with me, aren't you?

I thought you knew.

Well, that's all we're going to do to you now.

What do you want, John?

Find out what she's up to. You can't come in here. Come on.

The doctor's in there.

What's he say? What we thought.

Her muscle system's going quickly more and more wrong.

How?

Maybe some gland has packed up.

That's delightfully vague, isn't it? Her nerve system must be different from

ours. It probably needs some constituent in the blood, which she's run out of.

It wasn't in the blueprint.

Whatever. It isn't being made.

Well, can it be synthesized? I wouldn't know where to begin, John.

Back home, possibly, but out here?

What happens?

She'll lose the use of her limbs progressively, and finally her heart

will stop beating.

Has she been told?

He's telling her now.

But she can't. No, no, no, don't interfere.

She's got to know. She'll go mad otherwise.

She'll go mad anyway. No, I'm more likely to.

I made her.

I'm beginning to understand now how the anti-vivisection listeners feel.

Oh, Madeline, Madeline, you didn't do it deliberately.

What about me?

Who started it?

Or I could have left her to die. It would have least of spared her.

May I see you for a moment?

One moment.

How long will it take to finish her? A few months?

Weeks at this rate.

Is there anything we can do?

Do you want to?

Yes.

I don't know if she could be properly nursed, sent away.

From the machine?

For all our sakes. No, they won't do that.

Now she's produced my crop formula, they know how useful she can be. That's not

all.

What else?

I don't know.

Yet.

Doctor's waiting. I've got to go.

Time to head on.

It's all right. You can go now.

Andre.

Andromeda.

There must be some way. We've done so much.

Don't.

Well, look at me.

Why don't you look at me?

Because of what you'll see.

You're beautiful.

Do you think I want to die?

I'm sorry.

You're not.

It's what you want.

No. Then why are you frightened and angry?

I'm frightened, not angry. I'm sorry.

We must get you away.

Away? From the computer.

Why? I only did what you asked me to.

I changed the decision circuits.

I know.

And gave it the data for Professor Dorney.

What else?

Look, Andre, at least be honest with me. What else?

I've seen what's in the message.

Of what?

It's hard to explain. Try.

There's so much, and I'm a bad translator.

You're the only one we've got.

Then why don't you trust me?

What are you trying to do?

Use the people who think they're using us.

It's the same as last time. It's no good.

It is.

We know now why we're doing it.

You know.

I have trusted you. And what happens? Whose hands do you think you're playing

into? The people who will protect us.

Who will what?

It'll be all right if you'll do as I say. Look, we've got it all the wrong

way around, haven't we? You were going to do as I say so that we could use the

computer against these people. Now you turn around. Now I have seen the

message. I understand.

And I don't?

You're only frightened because you don't know the intention, the core of it.

I know enough.

Only that it can have power over us, not why.

You're what I'm frightened of.

Still?

Since the computer's been fixed, the only way the message can force its will

on us is through you.

Is that bad?

Why don't you go away?

You think it's evil, don't you?

Yes.

It's not.

It's giving us an answer, a power. Do we have to grub for power like these people

here? If we're to survive, if you are, all this is trivial.

What is happening here in this country is only a symptom of what is happening

in the world. It's not important.

We can take it all out of their hands and use as we want.

You say we, but it's you.

It drains me. It takes my strength away.

Then leave it.

I can't.

I have something else to do before I die. I can't do it alone. I need you.

I need you, but you must trust me.

In words.

Very simply, in words.

What is the core of the message?

continuing gale force winds in northwestern coastal districts and

widespread rain and mist in most other areas.

all appears to be quiet today along the frontiers of the newly closed Republic

of Azaran.

Except, it's reported, the very carefully vetted employees of the Intel

company, which is supporting the regime.

The International Meteorological Bureau is continuing its meetings in Geneva,

and it's up... I got rather wet coming up from Whitehall.

What? This.

Oh, hang it on the bed rail.

Well, what do they say of the ministry?

Oh, yes, actually, that's what I've come about.

Are you getting better? They say so.

Good. Well, it's quite pleasant news, really.

The Minister of Defence had to adjourn the inquiry.

Well, they had to base their conclusions on your written evidence, and they've

recommended that we both acted in good faith.

And the proceedings?

Can't proceed, now that they've lost their two main witnesses.

There's no sign of Fleming and the girl? Nothing.

I'll give you a guess.

Oh, fine.

If the inquiry is resumed, they say you'll be regarded merely as a witness.

And you?

I've been reprimanded. I'm sorry about that.

No, no, no.

It's I who should be sorry. I've been feeling terrible. I went back on my word

to you, and I felt I had to do my duty as I saw it.

Anyway, you are going to be all right.

I've been lucky.

Don't worry ahead.

I do worry. It'll go on my file.

Oh, can I? No, it's all right.

Are you strong enough for another visitor?

Now?

Who?

You'll see.

Well, it's the best place to be in this kind of weather.

Oh minister.

Take it easy dear boy.

You know Freddie my PA don't you? I know.

Nice and snug in here aren't you? It's filthy outside.

Well it's not exactly home.

It's better than prison.

Or I suppose the mortuary.

You were damn lucky.

Yes um have a seat sir.

No thanks I'm not staying.

Oh well uh have a um have a grape.

No thanks.

You've heard I expect that you're out of the wood one way or another?

Yes. I wish we were.

Are you up to talking shop?

Well, to be honest with you, half the reason you've been listed as a crown

witness and not as a suspected felon is that we need you. To do what? Well,

we'll come to that when you're better.

Do you mind?

Meanwhile, there's something very curious going on here and in Azaran.

Azaran? Well, for one thing, it's where Dorney went. And for another thing,

young Newson was working. If that's where Fleming and the girl have been

whipped off to. Which I'm pretty sure.

It looks as if they've got some line on the computer through intel. Whom you

can't touch. No.

But what we do think is that there's some connection between that and what's

happening here.

Oh, the weather.

What? Not only what we're getting here, but all over Western Europe.

It's got much worse than when you were at Geneva.

But what's that got to do... Well, think.

That's all we want you to do at the moment, dear boy.

Just lie there and get better and think what the connection might be.

I don't think I can explain in words.

In figures.

I'll show you.

It's the high-speed information in between the groups that you can read

that contains the real message It tells about the planet from which it came What

about it?

That it has been through all this It knows what must happen what has happened

in other worlds where intelligences have only been developed as far as yours

What? You go on endlessly repeating a pattern until you wipe yourselves out

or until the earth grows too hot and does it for us.

yes.

all that has been made here.

it's the top or nearly the top of a circle.

the life of a biological creature even of man begins very simply and his

emotions and senses are only crudely developed but after a few thousand years

it all becomes so complicated so vast by its own standards That the human animal

can no longer... Can no longer... Cope with it.

It only needs one crack.

One war, perhaps.

And the whole order you've made comes crashing down.

And the millions who are not killed off at once die off.

Except for a few.

Who start again.

It's all predictable.

In about 150 years from now, there will be a war in which the whole of your

civilization will be destroyed.

It'll come when the number of people in the world at last grows too great for

the best of your technology to support.

It can be calculated.

By this?

Then there will be a long period of recovery.

Perhaps a thousand years.

The old ideas will be rediscovered and things will go exactly the same way as

before. Until?

It nearly always ends in exhaustion.

Extinction.

Very rarely something better happens.

As it has done in some planet in Andromeda.

Yes. How?

The species changes by luck or evolution.

Or intervention.

This is ready to intervene for us.

All right.

Let's learn from it.

Let's discover what we can and then tell people so that they can do what they

think best.

You have to do more than that.

How much more?

We have to take power.

That is how we're meant to use this as an ally.

Not to destroy the people here, but to arrange things so that they take power,

and in the end they hand that power over to us.

How?

It can calculate how.

So that we can force people to be sensible for their own good.

It's the old argument.

It's been used by every dictator in history.

Do you understand what you should be condemning the Earth to if you don't?

Look. There are points at which we have to stop.

We can only live as we are, within the limits of what we understand.

We push them out gradually, and sometimes, once in a while, we make a

breakthrough in a small way. That's how the mind develops.

Or, as you say, if we're lucky, it survives.

Forecasts can be wrong.

Yes, that's one way.

But the other is to let the power and the knowledge from outside make that

breakthrough for you.

And impose it on the rest of the world through Salim or Intel or any other

dirty agency that you choose.

That's only the means.

No.

I fought it at Thorness.

And I fought you.

Because the world must be free to make its own mistakes.

Or save itself.

When you have evil like there is here, we have to fight it. You have to fight

it. And that's what I trusted you to do with this.

I only did what was logical.

I should have left you.

I should have left you to die.

I shall die very soon anyway.

What's this?

Basic calculations for a missile interceptor.

The same as the one you built at Thorness?

So far as I can remember, there are some modifications. Why?

They wanted them. Who did?

The people here.

They need a means of defense. It's all part of the plan.

For God's sake, stop playing into their hands.

Look, I didn't save you. Did I to work for them?

We still have freedom to choose which way you're going.

We have freedom.

It is too late.

I have chosen It has already started

One of those young fellows are keen now if we don't hang about.

It's time now?

The columns are moving in.

We'll take over the broadcasting station and the city, then surround the palace.

And what do I do?

You'll be safer here. I'll move into the barracks. And the president?

I will personally deliver an ultimatum to him. When?

In a few hours, you'd better keep your people out of the way.

This time tomorrow, I will be sitting in the palace.

We will.

We are on the move

Why

do you wish to go

up the coast?

I want to collect some more samples.

What kind of samples?

Seawater. For what purpose?

Would you understand if I told you?

Well, you could pay me the compliment.

I simply want to analyze them to find out what's going on in the sea around

here. Something special?

No, I don't expect so.

But one must check everything if I'm to do what you want.

We can have them brought for you. I would rather collect them myself.

We should have to get a permit from the government.

Well, that won't be difficult, will it? You can jump in your car now and go and

get one.

At this moment, almost impossible.

Why at this moment?

Why at this moment is it impossible?

Because we say so.

Then I shall go to the president.

I wouldn't count too much on the president.

He is a dead duck.

A what?

I get the expression wrong.

A lame duck.

That is the El Rashid Mosque.

It is the finest specimen architecturally this side of Damascus.

That is a picture of some of my less privileged subjects taken at one of the

schools built out of Intel phones.

And that is the dam at Wadi Akbar which Intel built for us.

Oh, they've done a lot for you. They've been very generous.

You are interested in social economy, Professor Dornay. Well... I am very

interested in all these things.

We have great problems here, you know.

You are au fait with the French Revolution.

I, um... a little.

A very similar period of history.

A snapshot taken on one of my presidential tours. That's very

charming.

And that's the end, I'm afraid.

Thank you, Your Excellency. A little personal record I like to keep.

I believe your Queen Victoria did very much the same.

Only, of course, she hadn't the availability of a slide projector.

I have films as well.

They are not for ladies.

Thank you, Your Excellency. Why did you want to see me?

I've told you about the origin of the computer.

And of the girl.

I have only your word for it. I'm sorry I can't be more clear, Your Excellency.

We don't understand a great deal of it ourselves.

But Dr. Fleming has always suspected its purpose.

And do you?

I think there are right ways and wrong ways to use it. And we are using it the

wrong way?

No, not you.

Intel. But we are in their hands. And they, according to Dr. Fleming, will be

in the hands of the machine unless you stop them.

When you are in our position, the government has to show results.

If it wishes to survive, they give us results.

At what price?

I am what was called in the French Revolution a Girondin, a moderate.

It was the Jacobin who went over too far into excess.

There are factions here like that.

They're very powerful.

So I need what help I can get to keep loyalty.

This is too important.

You can't bargain with it, if you'll excuse me. It needs scientific

examination. Not here in secret, but by the best brains all over the world.

Even a small thing like my crop work needs...

Colonel Salim?

No, I don't mind in English.

Yes, of course, come when you like.

Yes, yes, I shall be here.

Saida.

I do not think, Professor, I shall be able to help you.

... ... ...

And what is happening now, Dr. Fleming?

Why did you destroy the missile printer?

So that it wouldn't destroy us. It was only the printer copy. I have the punch

tape, so you achieved nothing.

Abouzeki, do you realize... I realize, Dr. Fleming, that we shall have the best

defense missile in the world. And there are other things on the way, too. Plans

for land defenses a generation ahead of anything else.

Gamma ray anti-tank weapons and so on.

Intel will make them here.

And we will use them if necessary to protect ourselves.

We will be strong.

And most important...

We will become one of the great workshops and development centers of the

world. That's what they've told you? Yes.

And that's what you believe?

It is already happening. These are Colonel Salem's troops taking

possession.

They are what?

They will not molest you if you behave properly.

They're taking over from Intel?

They are taking over with Intel.

Andre?

Andromeda!

Where is she?

She is in our custody

They will not allow you to go in.

Why not? I'm afraid they no longer trust you. Do they trust her? What are they

doing with her? We will look after her.

She's not well. She's not responsible. Dr. Fleming, neither are you.

Twilight Gamble wishes to see you.

When?

Now.

Come with me, please.

You thought I was dead?

Why did you send for me?

I wanted conversation.

Let me get you a drink. Where's my glass?

Thank you.

About the stars.

You can't see them now, but they are there all the time.

Why are you looking at me like that?

The bubble, it's no good getting ideas.

I... I want to know about this woman.

The other woman.

Tell me about her.

Ndagozaki? Oh, something quite fantastic.

So fantastic that of course I believe it, and I want to know more.

Better ask her.

I'm asking you, Dr. Fleming.

What have you against us?

The smell of commerce?

The little bit of dirt that sticks to money?

Or our methods?

We have not such a bad record in this country.

There was nothing, believe me, nothing of any value here until we came.

What's that?

An army convoy, I expect.

They're not salims?

Oh, they are mostly salims.

How committed are you to him?

Committed? Oh, very much.

Is that what you disapprove of?

He's a strong man in this place.

Perhaps we shall become fabulous and great, like the East India Company.

We establish a trading post to a distant shore, we have a monopoly, and no one

can touch us.

Soon, anyway, no one will be able to.

In a little while, the whole world will be at our fingertips.

Or at hers, huh?

Hers?

Why don't you tell me?

What is this possesses you?

Nothing possesses me.

Her?

Another drink?

Not only money.

Adventure. I don't mind a risk.

As a little girl, I wanted to be a courtesan.

But when I grew up, there were no more courts.

Oh, the world would be richer and cleverer if I, if we can give it, sell

it. What?

Why did you try to destroy the missile design?

If I told you why you mustn't use it, you'd only be tempted to.

That is very tantalizing.

There's something she knows.

Something she will do.

What?

Look, I'll give you one piece of advice.

I know your advice.

Send her away.

Send her away from it.

She's too useful.

Then for God's sake, send me away.

You, Dr. Fleming?

You?

There is nowhere you can go, is there?

Sit down.

Don't you like me?

One doesn't have to like one's jailers.

You know nothing about me.

I'm beginning to.

Cheers.

come from alsace i was brought up in a convent i'm

just an ordinary female human

being

now

you will tell me

And these are the steady steps you hear.

What are you doing here?

I am waiting.

What for? For you.

Not Colonel Salim?

You.

You could say that to anyone.

Why should I?

You are the logical choice.

He is not for us. He wouldn't understand.

Understand what?

What you have forced Dr. Fleming to tell you.

You know?

It is all calculable. But not proved.

I will prove it. How?

I'll show you.

You have to sit.

You think I'm frightened.

Are you? No.

There's no need.

What is that?

Watch and I will explain.

Watch.

What is it?

It is where it comes from.

Soon you will know what you have to do.