Original subtitles

What sounds like a fairy tale today, may be tomorrow's reality.

Here's a fairy tale from the day after tomorrow.

There are no more nations.

Only humanity and its colonies in space.

Distant stars have been settled.

The ocean beds are inhabited.

Space ships cross the galaxy at unimaginable speeds.

One such ship is the Orion.

A small link in a great chain of defense against threats from space.

Let's join Orion and her crew

on patrol at the edges of infinity...

1. Attack From Outer Space

Subtitles by Anders M Olsson

Earth Station 4 calling the Orion.

Please respond!

Please report your coordinates!

Earth Station 4 calling the Orion.

Orion 7, please report your coordinates!

Hasso!

Jupiter Base calling Orion 7.

Return to Earth immediately!

That's an Alpha Order...

Exception order for Orion 7. Return to Space Station 13 at once!

Orion, do you read?

Space Command orders you to return at once!

Mars calling Earth.

Orion proceeds at hyperspeed towards sector 71-K12.

Resonance contact, Commander!

This is the Orion 7 under command of Cliff Allister McLane.

Message for Space Command, dept. Astrotechnology.

In order to prove that it's possible to land on Rhea,

I will attempt just that.

Orion over and out!

Stand by for landing!

Sir, the head of the Fast Space Forces is here.

Send her in.

General van Dyke, do you know why I've summoned you?

McLane, I can imagine.

Exactly. His landing on Rhea was the last straw...

It may have been against orders, but technically it was perfect.

He violated an explicit Alpha Order from Space Command.

We know you'd love to see McLane deported to the phosphor swamps.

Stay on topic, General! Disregard personal likes or dislikes.

Fact is that McLane will be immediately demoted to patrol duty.

And you didn't consider informing me, his commanding officer?

That's why you're here. McLane will be here in a moment.

So I'm about to witness his "execution"?

- I'd rather have spared you. - You know what, General?

I consider this demotion to be a great scandal.

And McLane's escapades and pranks are no scandal?

That crazy flight to the moon of Jupiter?

The Saturn incident during the Second Stellar War,

the unauthorized interference at Alpha Centauri etc.

Without people like McLane, we would have lost both wars.

Maybe so, but we're not here to...

McLane in Space Patrol, General!

Why don't you just fire him?

Let's not overreact, General. No one's indispensable.

In a few years, space ships will be manned by robots.

So will the staff of command, I hope.

The Orion crew is here.

Send them in!

Shouldn't we see the woman from Secret Service first?

Yes, ladies first!

Yes, Sir. Please Lieutenant!

So McLane will get an onboard snoop?

It's by order of Space Command. There's nothing I can do.

Lieutenant Tamara Jagellovsk of Secret Service.

This is General van Dyke of Orion's former command.

Do you know the background?

The disciplinary action against Orion's crew?

Yes, Sir.

And you know your duty onboard the Orion?

HQ has briefed me.

You're to observe and prevent disobedience,

misdemeanor and misconduct onboard the Orion.

Those are my orders.

McLane and his crew will give you a hard time.

I expect so.

You seem very young and inexperienced.

I was recommended for the job.

Very well, let's roll.

Bring in McLane and his gang.

Yes, Sir.

You may enter!

Commander McLane and the crew of the Orion.

Major, the investigation committee has ordered

your suspension from the Fast Space Forces

to be demoted to patrol duty.

For how long?

Three years.

And why?

I'd rather not go through your full record.

Even the slightest irregularity will henceforth mean discharge.

Do I make myself clear?

If the staff so desires, they may have my resignation right away.

Shut up, McLane.

You can't run away like an embarrassed cadet.

Three years from now, you'll be back under my command.

Understood?

Yes, Sir.

General.

Another thing,

you'll be accompanied by an officer from Secret Service.

- Sir, it can't... - No objections, please!

This is your security officer, Lieutenant Tamara Jagellovsk.

As you know, she's authorized to issue Alpha Orders.

I hope there won't be any trouble, McLane.

So do I, General.

Let's talk about your first mission.

You'll leave tomorrow at 6 PM for space sector 219-33-9.

Your mission: Monitor and secure space traffic and satellites.

General, that's a job for space cadets.

Consider it a vacation. You seem to need it!

Understood?

Yes, Sir.

Assistant Spring-Brauner will brief you.

Sector 219-33-9, McLane. Stay away from adjacent sectors.

Understood?

Yes, Sir.

Thank you.

May I have your attention, please?

- You may... - Easy, Hasso!

Another brandy?

No, I'll have to go.

I should have been home two hours ago.

Hurry up, then!

Yes, I should really be going.

But you were asking...

I did?

Yes, you were asking...

Right. I asked if you'd like another brandy?

Yes, but then I'll have to leave, or Ingrid will be mad at me.

She's got every right to be.

Why don't you come along home?

Is it that bad?

Yes, I've given her my word of honor.

How many times have you done that? Does she still believe you?

I'm serious, Cliff. I'll give it up.

We've heard that before.

You must talk to her.

Yes, I know.

I don't dare to come home alone.

It may not be necessary.

Oh no, it's too late.

- Check, please! - Leaving me in the lurch?

No, I'll just pay up.

Hello, love. We were just leaving.

Hello, Major McLane. So this is where you keep your meetings?

- Only some of them. - So I gather.

I've asked Cliff home for a beer.

Excuse me?

Please Ingrid, you don't seem very happy...

Every time you bring him home, I know something's up.

I know, Ingrid. But McLane thinks that...

Yes Ingrid, how shall I put it... ?

No need to explain. Hasso is going on another space trip?

I thought I'd better tag along. Only once more.

Especially now when we're so popular at top level.

We've even been assigned a watchdog from Secret Service.

It's no good time to train a replacement for Hasso.

Don't you guys run out of excuses?

Cliff! She's laughing!

At least she's smiling.

Let's drink to that!

Base 104 to Xerxes 9. Stand by for further orders.

Roger!

Ground control to base. Orion 7 is cleared for takeoff.

Thanks. Departure within a few minutes.

Xerxes 9 to base 104. When can we submerge?

The base will be free in a moment. Please await our call.

We're back from Andromeda 17, Beta 12. Do you understand?

18 weeks in space is more than enough.

- Sorry, base is occupied by Orion 7. - McLane?

Isn't he with the Fast Space Forces? What's he doing here?

Ask him when you see him at Starlight Casino.

Ha, ha, ha. Patch me through to Colonel Mulligan!

I'll request diversion to another base.

Bases 81-106 are all serving the second Galactic Fleet.

Besides, the Colonel is on vacation.

On vacation? That's...

Commander Stein, would you rather risk disciplinary action

than wait five minutes?

Let's talk about that later, love!

Fine with me, but your wife may not approve.

Computer ready? Course set?

Yes, but don't ask about the chick I had to ditch.

We don't want to know.

- She was from... - Controls, Lt. De Monti!

Controls.

Lt. Tamara Jagellovsk of Secret Service reporting for duty.

"Controls" operational, Sir!

Commander to Astrogator. Turn on auto pilot.

Auto pilot starting at countdown minus ten, Sir.

Space monitors on, guide beam on. Earth Base in contact with Station 4.

Base 104 to Orion 7. You're cleared for takeoff.

Thanks.

Base 104 releasing control to Earth Orbital Station 4.

Ready for takeoff. Acceleration phase one.

- Sir, if I may point out... - Lt. Jagellovsk,

during takeoff, I don't require help, nor surveillance, so go to your cabin!

Turn on your communicator! It's a small button labeled so.

You may reach me on the videophone.

In your locker, you'll find supplies for 12 months,

stun gun for stunning yourself. Also, hibernation chamber is at your disposal.

Wouldn't you love to put me in hibernation?

That's beside the point. Go to your cabin,

or I'll face charges if something should happen to you.

IG's on. Acceleration 05. Will you stay up here, Hasso?

Going automatic, Ground Control.

Here we go again. Departure!

Twenty.

Nineteen.

Eighteen.

Seventeen.

Sixteen.

Fifteen.

Fourteen.

Thirteen.

Twelve.

Eleven.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

Zero.

We're passing Luna 1, if you care to know.

Are the hydroponic tanks pressurized?

Our "babysitter" won't suffocate in her cabin.

Will we keep her locked up in her cabin all the time?

You can't do that, can you?

We'll take care of that snoop for sure.

It's no good idea to mess with her.

"Messing" wasn't my intention.

Talk is cheap... She's way out of your league.

- Helga dear, are you jealous? - Me? Ha, ha, ha!

Forget her! She's no woman, she's a robot in disguise.

We'll see about that. Let's see what she's doing.

She's changed.

She's very tidy.

Do you think she'll clean up my cabin?

Are you crazy? If you'd like to see her, call her properly.

Sorry Cliff, but she was fully decent.

There you go!

De Monti calling Jagellovsk. May I talk to you on the videophone?

- What do you want? - May I ask a personal question?

May I offer you a glass of whisky in my cabin?

Do you have whisky?

Of course. A whole crate full.

Interesting. Thanks for telling. I'll report that at once.

Astrogator to Commander.

Incoming message from the solar weather station.

On speakers.

Calling all stations. Solar flares have appeared in sector 207-24-8.

Traveling at a speed of 38 - 42 units towards sector 211-21-9.

The flares have a duration of 27 minutes.

Radiation at 150 times normal.

Go to manual controls. Evasive action!

Course change? Then you should inform Earth Station 4 immediately.

Impossible because of the solar storm.

Sensors on, shields on!

Earth Station 4 won't be of any help.

Solar flares can produce 10,000 times the normal radiation.

You must inform Earth Station 4, Sir!

Stay out of my way! The solar storm makes radio traffic impossible.

Do you want me to send them a postcard?

We made it?

We always do.

If the radiation is 10,000 times stronger than normal,

why not use 10,000 times more powerful shields?

The shields are adapted to the maximum radiation using a cascade principle...

Why don't you go somewhere else for your beginners course?

Why so touchy?

264 has got worms.

Poor thing.

He's stopped eating.

- No... - And I'm not there for him.

- Too bad. - And who's 264?

His dog. One of the last 376 poodles still alive.

We're making our way past a solar storm, and you're only thinking of...

What's that?

We're blowing up.

That's a risk you'll have to take.

- Sir, do something! - Yes, I will.

- And what will you do? - I'll go for lunch.

Excellent idea. May I join you?

Of course. Onion soup or pepper steak?

I fancy some strawberries.

Enjoy your meals!

- What's the cascade principle? - I've tried to explain.

- Do you think I'm stupid? - No, please.

Major McLane tried to change course, and he will...

Why did you go so close to the solar storm? We were pretty shaken.

Our security officer dislikes course changes

so I changed as little as possible.

- Haha, I get it. - So does she, I hope.

- Do you think we can get rid of her? - I'll do my best.

At least she's pretty.

So is a cobra.

Anyway, she won't stand us for three years.

She'll either go crazy after three missions, or

she'll be the new commander.

Distance 33.5... 30... 29... passing 26.

Picking up anything, Atan?

Nothing.

Dead as a doornail.

A malfunctioning radio satellite, probably terra-cosmos control.

Victim of the solar storms.

It's dead. Blow it up!

Are you authorized to eliminate a radio satellite?

- Look, Sweetheart... - I'm not your "sweetheart"!

As a security officer, I forbid you to destroy that satellite.

It's worth 12,000 credits.

It's worthless now.

It's a danger to all ships within a distance of three sectors.

Don't you think the space stations are already aware of its demise?

Not even I know how many satellites and probes are out there.

Probably 25,000. Besides, there's been a solar storm.

I'm warning you. A maintenance ship is probably on its way.

You can't blow up that satellite.

Lieutenant De Monti, make a log entry:

Security officer Jagellovsk forbade the destruction of the satellite... etc.

The commander is going to bed.

I'm afraid not. We're passing MZ4 right now.

So what?

Clarence doesn't respond.

Say what?

MZ4 doesn't respond? That's never happened before.

Try again!

What's MZ4?

A relay station that's been operational for a couple of years.

And who's Clarence?

The station manager, and our friend.

If he doesn't respond, he's either dead or drunk.

- Any success? - No, nothing.

Impossible.

Orion 7 calling MZ4. Clarence, please respond!

We just want to say hello.

What in the...?

Trinary groups. I've never heard anything like it.

- Should I record it? - Yes, I'd like to know what's up.

Your orders are to proceed to your destination as quickly as possible.

- One moment! - MZ4 has gone crazy!

The code makes no sense.

Is MZ4 of significance to our mission?

It's important for us to know what's happened to Clarence.

But I have another answer for you.

The robotic vessel Challenger will pass MZ4 in 48 hours.

It will get a course correction from MZ4. Without it, disaster will result.

The vessel will crash on the asteroid.

That seems likely.

Can't you send the course correction to Challenger's computer?

That would have been possible if we had been allowed to destroy the satellite.

It interferes with Challenger's frequency.

So what do we do?

Let's land on MZ4 and try to correct the problem.

Are you aware of the consequences?

Of course.

Float magnetic cushions! Disengage engines and generators!

Cushions active.

Distance 800. You can't go any closer. MZ4 is too small.

Relative speed zero.

I still hear those trinary groups.

So we'll investigate.

Two volunteers?

Don't bother. No one goes voluntarily.

Then it's you Hasso... and Atan.

Shuttle 1, prepare bay 1!

And use pressure suits.

Why? There's air on MZ4.

The oxygen supply may be out of order too.

Now get going.

Why are you doing it, Commander?

What would you have done?

Followed orders.

Just like a robot.

At least, robots do their duty.

So why do we need humans?

Good question.

A robot would assess the situation much quicker.

Shuttle 1 ready for launch.

Course set.

Read the checklist!

Fuel...

oxygen...

radio...

batteries.

Checklist complete.

- Cliff, we're ready. - All set for take-off!

Attention Hasso!

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

Zero.

Should we put on the helmets?

You heard him, "The oxygen supply may be out of order too."

Look at the pressure gauge.

Here's no more oxygen than at the bottom of the sea.

The hydroponics system must be out of order.

And the lighting too.

- Funny. - Funny?

Not much of a laughing matter.

Look! The dial is set at a frequency we never use.

Damn. Where are the boys?

Who?

Clarence and his crew. Who else?

Right.

I have a feeling that we're not alone.

Oh my God! Jim and Francois.

Dead.

But who dies in motion with a fork in his hand?

There are many ways to kill people, but this... !

- Was it lack of oxygen? - Does suffocation do that?

Buy what's... ?

The ventilation!

My God, Hasso! What was that?

Certainly not human.

The ray went straight through.

Aliens.

We must immediately...

Sigbj�rnsen calling Orion 7.

- Sigbj�rnsen calling... - What gives?

They are all dead.

Clarence and the entire crew. Do you understand?

Yes, Hasso. Go on!

There must be aliens here.

Here? Impossible.

They are immune to our ray guns.

- Where are you? - In Clarence's control room.

Have they seen you?

I'm sure they have. Don't know why they haven't killed us yet.

Hurry back to the shuttle!

OK, Cliff. We'll try.

Prepare for emergency escape! Battlestations! Sensors on!

Aliens in our galaxy?

MZ4 is at the far border of Nowhere.

Are there any signs of... ?

Your conception of reality seems very narrow-minded.

The Milky Way alone may contain 10 billion planets

with suitable conditions for intelligent life.

What makes you think we're unique?

I'm no fool, but in theory...

Does Hasso's message sound like theory?

Orion 7 calling Sigbj�rnsen. Where are you? Can you take off?

We're on our way to the shuttle bay.

Have they left you alone?

They haven't touched us. I don't know why.

We're approaching the shuttle bay.

They've killed Clarence's crew. Why not our men?

I'm no mind reader.

Cliff, UFOs approaching!

- What? - Four... five... seven of them.

On screen!

Distance?

40.9... 39.8... 38.6...

At an incredible velocity.

We must get out of here. We're an easy target. Emergency blast-off!

What about Hasso and Atan?

What keeps them?

Hasso, Atan! How are you doing? Why don't you take off?

We're in the shuttle, but they have damaged the electronics.

We're under attack. Seven alien vessels.

Can't wait.

- Can you take off without me? - I'll have to try.

Hide as best you can! We'll pick you up later.

Course change set.

Mario, we must get out of here within 130 seconds.

And a task for you: Send a message to Space Command:

"Aliens have killed the crew of MZ4."

"Seven UFOs approaching, attack expected."

- But... - What are you waiting for?

- I thought the radio was out. - Why?

- The dead satellite. - No time to explain.

Mario!

Locator beam reflected. Objects visible on screen.

Twelve.

Seven.

- What takes so long? - Five.

Three.

One.

Zero.

Fire at will!

It's no use. They are too far away.

Cliff! Computer malfunction.

What's happening?

Gravitational fields.

Cliff! All controls are down. They've blocked our frequencies.

Laser gun, Mario!

We must get out of here. Their force field makes us defenseless.

Switch over to lightbeam.

Stop it, Major! You can't do it. Try to take us back to Earth.

We're going back to MZ4!

- Why? - Must try to pick up my men.

Their range of fire is immense.

We don't stand a chance. They will get us. Then what?

- I can't let them die. - There's more at stake.

The Orion was inexplicably affected by alien objects.

All data are stored in the computer.

That data must be brought to Earth in order to prevent an invasion.

Whoever they are, they are much more advanced than we.

They don't take notice of us. They are heading for MZ4.

- And there's nothing we can do. - We must do something.

Like what?

You know the Alpha Instruction 3B as well as I do.

Yes.

Commander, is it at all possible to destroy MZ4 before they get us?

Yes, but as long as there's a chance to save my men, you can't force me...

Any space base that's been taken over by aliens

must be destroyed without concern for one's own losses.

I command you by Alpha Order to do just that.

- You're out of your mind... - She's right, Mario.

Message to Space Patrol. Major McLane of the Orion 7.

By order of Jagellovsk, I'll destroy base MZ4

which has been taken over by alien forces.

The hostile vessels are faster than us, that's why we return to Earth.

Losses: Chief Engineer Sigbj�rnson and Astrogator Shubashi.

Charge laser gun!

I didn't expect that of you.

They are either dead or prisoners.

We must try to call them on the radio.

And say we're sorry, but we'll have to kill you?

Where are you going?

Would you rather do it in my place?

- Commander McLane! - Not anymore. I resign.

It's no use. They've done their homework.

They sure have. We're trapped.

Cliff will save us.

If he can. We're doomed if you ask me.

I don't ask.

He might already be dead.

Remember the alien in the corridor? They are immune to our guns.

McLane doesn't stand a chance.

We've thought that before.

Mario.

Laser gun 2. You do it!

Sir, you must destroy MZ4!

Yes I know. But I can't do it.

Cliff! They are blocking all our power.

What's that supposed to mean?

Don't know, but...

We can't destroy MZ4!

Cliff! They are getting closer. We must escape.

There's nothing more we can do here.

Well then, escape velocity!

They are on their way, Hasso.

All of them. McLane couldn't take out a single one.

That means he's dead.

We'll be too - in a few minutes.

But we can take some of them with us!

How? They are immune to our guns.

They are fairy creatures. They don't even need oxygen.

Oxygen... oxygen...

Atan, we're fools!

They don't need oxygen because it's poisonous to them.

You mean...

Yes. We must find the hydroponic valves.

Here!

What's the matter?

What are you waiting for? Release the oxygen!

What about the others who are coming in for landing?

They won't come in if they notice the oxygen.

They have masks to keep the oxygen out.

They can come in and kill us, just like they killed the crew.

- Why haven't they killed us already? - Maybe they want us alive.

But we're trapped. That's for sure.

They've probably destroyed the equipment. Let's see.

I'll open the valve now.

Nothing. Broken! They aren't stupid.

- Do you think we can fix it? - We must try.

Too late! They are landing now.

Crap! Where do we find oxygen now?

The shuttle tank!

Go out there and get it?

Or we can stay and die here.

Come on!

Let's go!

Damn! They've thought of everything.

- We must go back! - What's the use?

Isn't this oxygen? If that one explodes...

Will that be enough?

If it's good for 90 days it must be enough for this station.

OK, let's go.

How close are they?

Not close enough. But they don't wear helmets!

I'm ready.

Wait!

What if the first one reaches us?

Easy! We must wait for the last one to come in.

Not yet! Not yet!

On their way!

Now!

Like I've always said: I'm a genius!

Then you know of a way to get out of here?

No time for general issues.

One of our bases has been taken by aliens.

An alien spacefaring race has treaded our soil.

That was inevitable.

I admire your calmness.

Did you consider that they are immune to our weapons?

And that their spaceships... How did McLane put it?

When McLane has no option but to escape, that means...

I've put the first and second space fleets on alert.

It might not be the right thing to do.

What else can we do? Wait for them to occupy more stations?

It's premature to take actions without knowing if they are the enemy.

Even though they suddenly appeared and killed the crew of MZ4?

Is that good manners?

We can't even estimate the number of galaxies in our cosmos,

so we're hardly the ones to define manners.

We had no idea that they existed.

We've been picking up space signals for centuries.

As long as they leave us alone.

That's a dated attitude.

Pardon me!

It's strange. We now have colonies on Mars and everywhere,

but the attitude of our generals is still the same.

We are who we are, and we'll shoot anyone who doesn't agree.

What are our options?

Villa, what do you suggest?

I strongly discourage any acts of war until we know:

1. Who are they?

2. What do they want? 3. What can they do?

McLane can tell you what they can do.

Jupiter responds.

Cliff, we're almost home.

Yes.

Lightwave to Jupiter. Requesting approach coordinates to Earth.

Commander, I know how you must feel.

I don't want to impose, but

if it helps, I'll talk to Mrs. Sigbj�rnsen.

Thanks, but that's my duty.

If it hadn't been for me, Hasso would still be...

Cliff, we've forgotten something!

Challenger. I know.

Unless we do something, Challenger will crash on MZ4.

We must reroute it.

Why? MZ4 is occupied. Hasso and Atan are dead.

There's no crew. Only radioactive waste.

Challenger will do it for us, destroy MZ4.

Challenger calling MZ4.

Challenger calling MZ4.

Requesting new coordinates.

Requesting new coordinates.

Distance 48.7...

47.6...

46.5...

Requesting new coordinates.

Distance critical!

Distance critical!

Challenger calling MZ4.

Distance critical!

Requesting new coordinates.

It's exasperating. We've done everything right.

Disposed of the aliens. Then a science vessel comes crashing down on us.

We get Challenger's signal,

so it should be able to receive ours.

Don't you get it?

They have modified the equipment.

I'm no "frog". I don't know how to fix it.

Spoken by the fleet's best astrogator.

Challenger calling MZ4, distance critical!

Distance critical!

Requesting new coordinates.

Distance 36.5...

35.4...

34.3...

33.2...

Challenger calling MZ4.

Who saved you? Or more specifically, who blew up the Challenger?

- The frogs did. - The frogs?

The aliens. That's what we called them.

I thought the frogs were killed by your oxygen?

Yes, but not before setting up a force field that destroyed Challenger.

Only the shuttle was allowed through, since they wanted us for guinea pigs.

Then it was easy to repair the radio and call for help.

Easy? It took 17 hours.

So what? Time was of no consequence.

That's what you think.

If you'd known that the space fleet was on its way to destroy MZ4,

you'd have had another concept of time.

Were you trying to kill us?

I suppose we should thank you for that?

No time to thank everyone involved.

We thought you were dead.

If anyone deserves gratitude, it's my superior.

He stopped us from attacking MZ4.

You've already made really good friends.

I think Lt. Jagellovsk is getting used to us.

Let's see about that.

But I'll never get used to being lied to!

Have I lied to you?

Yes.

What about the interferences from that satellite?

Oh, that's...

That's a lie, and if you think you can...

You'd better discuss that over a glass of whisky.

If she'd like one.

Why wouldn't I want a drink?

- Onboard you said... - Yes, Major, onboard.

But why go there for our conversation?

That's what Starlight Casino is for.

So I suggest you buy Lt. Jagellovsk a nice glass of whisky.

Say Atan, wasn't that a terrible nightmare?

Worse than that. It was Science Fiction!

Subtitles rev 0.90 anders.m.olsson@abc.se http://www.abc.se/~m1019/