Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

- Okay, Venus?

- Okay, Steve.

- Right.

Let's go.

(dramatic music)

(thrusters blasting)

(spacecraft roaring)

(thrusters exploding)

(upbeat theme music)

(gentle music)

(explosion booming)

(mysterious music)

(fire crackling)

(volcano exploding)

(gentle music)

This new ultra long range Neutroni receiver

sure looks very impressive, Matt.

- | hope it'll sound as impressive.

That's what matters.

- Just think of it.

We'll be able to pick up Neutroni transmissions

that have never been heard by man before.

(Matt shushing)

- | think something's coming through.

Our first reception from the depths of uncharted space.

(machine beeping)

- Sounds like some sort of code transmission.

- Can you get it any louder, Matt?

- I'll boost the power.

(machine beeping)

Can you make it out, Steve?

- S, D, C.

S-D-C, that's the old space distress call.

- Someone's in trouble?

- This code hasn't been used for over 20 years.

- Who do you think it is, Steve?

- | don't know,

but there's only one way to find out.

- We're going out there?

- Well, how can we refuse?

Have you ever know Steve Zodiac

not help anyone in trouble?

- Very noble | must say,

but what's it all about?

Remember, I'm still in charge around here.

- Yes, sir.

It's a distress call on Matic's new ultra Neutroni

from an uncharted sector.

- [Zero] So?

- Well, | though we ought to investigate

and see what it's all about.

- Oh, you did, eh?

Well, if this new gadget of Professor Matic's

means you're going to investigate every call

from any phoney Neutroni ham,

then the sooner it blows a fuse the better.

- Well, all | Know is that somewhere out there

there's a living creature in distress,

and | can't let that call go unanswered.

Could you, Commander?

- Steve's right, Commander Zero.

After all, it is our job to save lives

and help anyone in need.

- Well, | tell you | don't like it,

but | guess I'll only be accused of being

an old sourpuss if | don't give in.

- You're wonderful, Commander.

(thruster whooshing)

(spacecraft roaring)

(thrusters booming)

- Zodiac may be as crazy as a space cat,

but no one can say he hasn't got guts.

Whatever you do, Ninety,

keep a fix on that space distress signal.

If there's any change in position,

let Colonel Zodiac know at once.

Understand?

- Yes sir, Commander.

(spacecraft roaring)

- Hold course 6-2-3-0 blue.

- Course 6-2-3-0 blue.

- Well, | think I'll go back and get myself some sleep.

Matic, you'd better get some sleep while the going's good.

As soon as we get into uncharted space,

we'll have to keep our eyes open.

Did you get that, Matic?

(Matic snoring)

(light comical music)

(Matic snoring)

Well, what do you know.

Can you hear that, Venus?

Venus?

How do you like that?

Anyone would think this was the overnight ferry to Mars.

(upbeat music)

- We're approaching uncharted space, Steve.

- Okay, Matt, I'll make final check with headquarters.

Fireball XL5 to Space City.

Fireball to Space City

we're approaching uncharted space.

Will you confirm position of space distress call

before we're out of range? Over.

- Is it still unchanged, Ninety?

- Unchanged, sir.

- Good.

Space City to Fireball XL5, position unchanged.

You should be able to pick up the signal on normal Neutroni

soon after you leave charted area.

You're on your own now, Steve,

and for Pete's sake, take it easy.

- Okay, Commander.

If we get into serious trouble, we'll call you.

You should be able to pick it up on the ultra Neutroni.

Over and out.

(machine whirring)

Venus, since we're going to go through uncharted space,

you'd better keep an eye on the radiation level.

- The space Geiger counter is all set up, Steve.

- Good girl.

Ah, here we go into uncharted space.

(spacecraft roaring)

- They're on there own now.

Completely on their own.

(foreboding music) (monitor beeping)

- We've got it, that's it.

Steve, | picked up the space distress signal

on the Neutroni.

- Good, keep a fix on it, Matt.

Radiation level okay, Venus?

- Okay, Steve.

- Steve?

- [Steve] What is it, Matt?

- Dead ahead, Steve.

The belt of meteorites.

- Can we change course to get around it?

- No can do, Steve.

It's right across our path.

- Well then, we'll just have to go right through it.

- [Matt] But that's crazy, Steve!

Turn back!

- The radiation level is rising fast, Steve.

- We'll never make it, Steve!

- We've come this far.

We're not going to turn back now.

- But, it's suicide!

- Maybe so, but there's someone out there in trouble.

We've got to get to them.

- Radiation level peaking 5.6, increasing.

- Strap yourselves on your safety couches, both of you.

This is going to be a bumpy ride.

- [Matt] Okay, Steve.

You're the boss.

(foreboding music)

- Robert, hold course 9-4-2-0 red.

- 9-4-2-0 red.

- We'll just plough our way right through the middle.

- Here's hoping.

- Here we go.

(suspenseful music)

(meteors screeching)

(explosion booming)

(meteors screeching)

(Geiger counter clicking)

(meteors screeching)

(suspenseful music)

(meteors screeching)

Hold on, we're almost through.

(meteor crashing) (spacecraft roaring)

- We're going to make it.

- Ooh, we made it.

Okay, unfasten your safety belts, ladies and gentlemen.

(grunting deeply)

- | don't feel so boss.

(steam blowing)

- Jeepers!

A monster meteorite,

and it's coming straight for us.

(ominous music)

(Matt yells)

(meteorites screeching)

A bit too close for comfort.

You were a great help, Robert.

You choose the toodiest moments to blow your top.

(gentle music)

(machine beeping)

(machine beeping)

There you are.

There's the source of the distress signal.

- An uncharted planet.

- What a beautiful sight.

- Beauty's only skin deep, remember.

Let's go take a look what's underneath that mask of mist.

We'll leave Robert orbiting

just in case we run into trouble.

(spacecraft whooshing) (suspenseful music)

(machine beeping)

(machine beeping)

From which direction is the signal coming, Matt?

- It seems to be coming from the base of the volcano.

(machine beeping)

- We seem to be in some kind of a valley.

- | sure hope we get out of it pretty soon

before we hit one of these mountains.

- [Steve] There you are, Matt, the perfect landing area.

I'll go take a look around.

- [Venus] Alone?

Hadn't we better come, too?

- [Steve] Now, you two stay put

and keep an eye on the instruments.

(engine blasting)

(tense music)

- Professor, I'm worried.

Supposing it's a trap.

- | reckon it's genuine, all right.

Anyway, Steve can take care of himself.

(uneasy music)

(suspenseful music)

(signal beeping)

(serene music)

- I've been waiting for a long time for you.

A long, long time.

(serene music)

(dramatic music)

(serene music)

And so you see, Steve Zodiac,

| have been exiled here by my people,

the Space Amazons,

for almost five years.

| was once their Queen, and now,

now I'm just a lonely exile.

- You've been alone all this time?

- [Aphros] Yes, Steve Zodiac, apart from the yearly visit

to bring my supplies, | have been quite alone.

At first | though | would never stand the loneliness.

- This is fascinating.

- (laughs) A boss idea of Steve

to leave his personal radio on.

- And then, | decided to use all my waking hours

in devising a means of making a Neutroni transmitter.

- I've always heard that the Space Amazons

had brains as well as beauty.

- Thank you for the compliment, Steve.

- She's calling him Steve already.

How do you like that?

- So, you made yourself a Neutroni transmitter.

- But now that you're here, Steve,

| shall have no further use for it.

- How do you mean?

- [Aphros] Why, now that you'll be taking me with you

back to Earth.

- [Steve] "Back to Earth?"

But, | can't do that.

It's impossible.

- Good for you, Steve.

- "Impossible?"

You mean you've come all this way,

and now you say impossible to rescue?

- Yeah, we've risked our lives to answer your call,

but we can't take you back.

We can't even take you off this planet.

- But, why?

Why?

- Well, because you've been legally imprisoned here

on this planet by a properly convened

Amazon court of justice.

- But, | only--

- | don't know what you did to deserve this sentence.

It's none of my business.

Maybe they were unduly harsh with you,

but Amazonia and Earth are both members

of the United Planets Organisation

and are pledged not to interfere

in each others internal affairs.

Now if we were to take you off this planet,

it would be as bad as,

say, letting a convict out of our own jails

on the Space Pen.

It would cause a major space diplomatic incident.

You must see that.

- [Aphros] It was terribly wrong of me.

| can see that now.

- She's up to something, that woman.

- Can you ever forgive me, Steve?

- Don't give it another thought.

When | get back to Space City,

I'll do all | can to help you.

Maybe your people will see reason now and free you.

- You'd do that for me?

- Sure, you've suffered enough already, | guess.

- Maybe | deserve it.

Let's drink a toast anyway with Kukala,

made from the exotic fruits that grow on this planet.

My own special recipe.

One of the many things I've learned to do

while I've been here all alone.

(liquid pouring)

(ominous music)

Let us drink to justice.

- And to a very courageous and beautiful lady.

- Why, thank you, Steve.

(tense music)

(Steve sighs)

(glass thuds)

- What was that?

What has she done to Steve?

- Yeah, he didn't sound too good.

- Now, listen to this you Earth people.

Oh, yes, | know you've heard everything.

Steve Zodiac can't help you.

I've taken care of him,

and none of you will ever escape

from this devil's planet.

Understand?

- Answer her.

Keep her talking.

It's our only chance.

- We can't.

It's set for one way only.

- | can destroy you,

Earth woman and your male companion,

at the winking of an electronic eye.

You and your puny little Fireball Junior.

During these years,

| have put my excellent Amazon brain to good use.

| have learned the secret of controlling the volcano.

By bombarding its core with atoms,

| can erupt it at will.

(switch clicks)

(explosion booming)

In a matter of moments,

you will be enveloped in molten lava.

(explosions booming)

(suspenseful music)

(explosion booming)

- Let's get her off the ground.

Here we go, Professor.

Firing takeoff rockets.

What's wrong? (switches clicking)

(volcano erupting)

(switch clicking)

(volcano rumbling)

(explosion booming)

The motors they won't fire.

- But, they've got to.

(suspenseful music)

(switch clicking)

- It's no good, Professor.

- We'll have to abandon Fireball Junior on the Jet Mobile.

Open the escape hatch, Venus.

(button clicks)

(explosion booming)

(button clicking)

- It won't operate, Matt.

(volcano rumbling)

- What are we gonna do, Venus?

I'd rather shoot myself

with an Interceptor than roast to death.

That's it!

That's the answer!

Fire an Interceptor.

- At the volcano?

- No, no, the cave.

We've got to stop that Amazon woman activating the volcano.

It's our only chance.

- But, what about Steve?

- We'll have to take that chance.

If we don't stop her,

we're all gonna die.

- But-- - No buts, Venus!

Interceptor one and fast.

(dramatic music)

(switches clicking)

(volcano explodes)

(dramatic music)

Well, at least the missile circuit is working.

- Bearing 2-4-6-0 red.

Ignition system go.

- Ignition.

(missile fires)

(missile exploding)

- So.

So you dare to challenge Aphros,

the Queen of the Amazons.

We'll see who will win.

Full power.

(Aphros laughing)

(volcano exploding)

More power.

More power.

(Aphros laughing)

(explosion booming)

(Aphros laughing)

- She's gone completely crazy.

(Aphros laughing)

(volcano erupting)

(Aphros gasps)

(explosion booming)

(explosion booming)

(fire crackling)

(explosion erupting)

- It's worked.

The volcano stopped.

- But, Steve.

- [Matt] He's okay, look!

(dramatic music)

- The next thing | knew,

there was some kind of explosion.

| came to.

- The blast from the Interceptor.

- They have a kick like a Martian mule.

| hope I'm never on the receiving end of one of them again.

- Well, the main thing is you're safe, Steve.

- Yeah, but, how do we get off this planet?

Chip away the lava or leave the support legs behind?

- Neither.

We fire the rockets and the lava will melt.

- But, the motors are out of action, Steve.

- (laughs) It's not surprising.

You haven't switched the blue circuit on.

Just like a woman.

- Now, you be careful, Steve Zodiac,

or | may decide to turn nasty

like that Amazon girlfriend of yours.

(engine roaring)

(upbeat music)

- Okay Robert, take over.

Professor, I'm going into the lounge

to make out my report on the Aphros case.

I'm signing it to the Universe Court of Appeal.

Oh, incidentally, how is our prisoner?

- She's safely tucked away in our space jail, Steve.

- Well, so long as she keeps out of my way.

I've had enough ribbing about her.

- Kind of think she's learned her lesson.

(laughs) Glad she's off that planet.

My guess is, she won't try that trick again.

(bright music)

("Fireball" by Don Spencer)

~ 1 wish | was a spaceman S

~ The fastest guy alive

f I'd fly you around the universe f

f In Fireball XL5 I

~ Way out in space together J

~ Conquerors of the sky

My heart would be a fireball

A fireball

f Every time | gazed into your starry eyes f

S We'd take the path to Jupiter

~ And maybe very soon J

¢ We'd cruise along the Milk Way f

¢ And land upon the moon J

¢ To a wonderland of stardust J

~ We'll zoom our way to Mars I

My heart would be a fireball

A fireball

~ Because you would be my Venus of the stars f