2: Space Fall

[External shot of London. The Earth can be seen, but it is small and distant.]

[Switch to view of prisoners. Focus on Jenna and Blake.]

[Switch to view of Earth and Moon receding in the distance.]

[Switch to Flight Deck]

ARTIX

Attitude stable, trajectory firm.

RAIKER

Systems check.

ARTIX

We have full function on all navigational systems.

RAIKER

Confirmed.

ARTIX

We have full function on all communication systems.

RAIKER

Confirmed. Power status?

ARTIX

Full function, course is set, we have a clear on Mars beacon.

RAIKER

[To Leylan] We have a go confirmation on all systems, sir.

LEYLAN

Thank you Mr. Raiker. Set hyperdrive speed, Time Distort five.

RAIKER

Time Distort five...

[Raiker operates a control and immediately there is heavy vibration of the flight deck and the men are pressed back in their seats.]

[External shot of London. Main drive activates.]

RAIKER

Five and running.

[Raiker checks his wrist chronometer.]

LEYLAN

Lock in full auto.

[Leylan gets up.]

LEYLAN

I thought maintenance was supposed to have fixed that high-dee shift vibration.

RAIKER

That's what they said.

LEYLAN

That's what they always say. They don't bother! Nobody bothers anymore.

LEYLAN

[To Artix] You'd better identify us to Space Security.

ARTIX

Yes, sir. [Into comms system] This is Civil Administration ship London. We are in transit from Earth to Cygnus Alpha, transporting prisoners to the penal colony. We have Federation clearance for direct flight, authority number K-Seven-Zero-One.

[Raiker checks his wrist chronometer again]

ARTIX

[Into comms system] Transmission ends.

[Raiker picks up an electronic clipboard.]

[Artix picks up a hand-held sound system. He puts a single headphone to his left ear.]

[Leylan notices and walks over to Artix]

LEYLAN

Still studying for your Commander's credentials, Artix?

ARTIX

Yes sir. I don't want to spend the rest of my life on old tubs like... I... I mean...

[Leylan smiles]

LEYLAN

I know what you mean.

ARTIX

I'm sorry, sir.

[Leylan walks towards the exit to the Flight Deck]

LEYLAN

I'm going to my quarters. Anything I should know?

ARTIX

Yes, there's a report of some meteorite activity about eighteen hours ahead ship-time. Space Met say it should have cleared our course well before we reach it.

LEYLAN

Well, keep an eye on it anyway.

[He continues towards the exit, then pauses]

LEYLAN

[To Raiker] And Mr. Raiker, give the prisoners the usual pep talk, and assign them their duties.

RAIKER

[Not entirely happy] My pleasure.

[Both Leylan and Raiker walk through the door of the flight deck.]

[Switch to view of corridor outside of the Flight Deck. There are two doors on the left, as the camera sees it.]

[Leylan heads towards the first door he reaches]

LEYLAN

Oh, and, err, use the highest level of suppressants in the prisoners' rations. I like 'em docile.

RAIKER

Yes, sir.

LEYLAN

Err, Mr. Raiker?

RAIKER

Sir?

LEYLAN

There's a female prisoner on our manifest.

RAIKER

I've noticed that sir.

LEYLAN

Yes... well... err, be discreet.

RAIKER

Yes, sir.

[Door to the prisoner's section opens. Raiker steps in]

RAIKER

[To prisoners] I'm Sub-commander Raiker, and I think there are a few things you should know.

[Raiker walks down the rows of seats]

RAIKER

The voyage to Cygnus Alpha will take approximately eight months ship time. During this period, you will obey every order and instruction that is given you. There is a punishment scale for infractions, which starts with long periods of confinement in your launch seat and ends with the Commander's right to order execution.

[Raiker heads back up the rows, to the door on the left of the prisoner's section]

RAIKER

If you have any complaints, I don't want to hear them. Understand this clearly. You have no rights whatsoever. None. Questions? [To guard] Open it up. [To prisoners] This is the limit of your world from now on. It has mess facilities, sleeping bays, recreation area. Sort out amongst yourselves how you use it. There are other rules. But you'll find out what they are when you break them. That's all. Clear your harnesses, you're at liberty to move.

[The prisoners, apart from Blake, stand up and wander out into the other section.]

RAIKER

[To Blake] What have we here? Not a troublemaker, I hope?

BLAKE

I didn't hear an order.

RAIKER

You didn't hear an order, sir. ...SAY IT!

BLAKE

I didn't hear an order...sir.

RAIKER

That's better. What's your name?

BLAKE

Blake.

RAIKER

So you're Blake. Well, made quite a name for yourself a few years back. [He sits down.] Quite the celebrity. Something of a comedown for a leader of men, isn't it? Molesting kids?

BLAKE

The charges were false.

RAIKER

[sarcastically] Oh yes, of course. Well, let me tell you something Blake, as far as I am concerned, you are just another piece of cargo. Remember that and you might just survive the journey. Do you understand?

BLAKE

I understand... sir.

RAIKER

Good. You're learning.

[Raiker stands up and walks over to the guard by the control panel]

RAIKER

[to guard] Let him clear.

[Switch to Prisoners' other room]

VILA

Do you think this is a good time for me to tell them I suffer from flight sickness?

NOVA

I don't think they'll be very sympathetic.

[Raiker enters]

JENNA

I expect they'll find a cure for it, though. A permanent one probably.

VILA

They amputate your head!

RAIKER

[To Jenna, putting his hand on her shoulder] Come with me.

JENNA

[To Vila] Here goes.

[Raiker and Jenna walk to the other end of the room]

RAIKER

What's your name?

JENNA

Jenna Stannis.

RAIKER

Unfortunately, Jenna, there are no special facilities for female prisoners. But if you should find things difficult, I might be able to arrange something more comfortable.

JENNA

That's very considerate of you.

RAIKER

Why make it hard on yourself?

JENNA

Why indeed?

[Whispers something to Raiker]

[Raiker slaps her across the face]

RAIKER

You'll come round! I can be VERY persuasive!

[Avon takes a note from his top pocket]

[Jenna walks back to Vila, Avon & Nova]

JENNA

That one's going to enjoy giving us a hard time.

VILA

And you've improved his mood no end! Why couldn't you be nice to him?!

JENNA

He's not my type.

VILA

You can't afford to be choosy now!

JENNA

Why else would I be talking to you?

VILA

Thanks!

JENNA

Pleasure.

JENNA

[To Avon] What've you got there?

AVON

Nothing.

[Blake enters]

BLAKE

Do you know how those door panels work?

VILA

No, not that type.

AVON

It's simple enough. All authorised personnel have their palm prints filed in the computer. The blue sensor plate reads the print. If it conforms, the computer opens the door.

BLAKE

Neat.

AVON

Most computer-based functions are.

VILA

Blake -- Kerr Avon. When it comes to computers, he's the number two man in all the Federated worlds.

NOVA

Who's number one?

VILA

The guy who caught him. [To Avon] You've got nothing to be ashamed of. D'you know, he came close to stealing five million credits out of the Federation Banking System.

BLAKE

What went wrong?

AVON

I relied on other people. Why all the questions? Or is it merely a thirst for knowledge? [Puts note away]

BLAKE

Not exactly. Having defined the problem, the first step towards a solution is the acquisition of data. You should know that.

AVON

Define the problem then.

BLAKE

How to avoid spending the rest of our lives on Cygnus Alpha.

VILA

That may not be a problem. [Leans over] I've heard a rumour that these prison ships don't actually go all the way to Cygnus. They wait until they're in deep space, and then quietly dump you out of an airlock.

AVON

You're a fool.

JENNA

They are on a fixed price contract. They get paid the same whether we get there or not. And hyperdrive running is expensive.

VILA

So they dump us and save themselves a trip!

BLAKE

[To Avon] Could it be altered?

AVON

What?

BLAKE

The running log. Could the readings be faked?

AVON

Only by a top-line technician. Nobody on this ship could do it.

BLAKE

Except you.

AVON

Naturally.

[Avon walks towards the door]

JENNA

Was it wise to put that idea into his head?

VILA

What idea?

BLAKE

Oh, he's bright. He'd already thought of it.

VILA

What? What?

JENNA

He fixes the log, the crew dump us, pocket the profit, and set him free.

VILA

That's immoral. The cold-hearted murdering -- let's kill him now before he can do it.

BLAKE

[To Jenna] How much do you know about this type of ship?

JENNA

Not a lot. Converted deep space freighter. Early mark hyperdrive which needs re-stressing by the feel of things. Whole lot should have been scrapped ages ago.

BLAKE

Could you pilot it?

JENNA

I expect so. Why?

BLAKE

Well, once we've taken this ship, we'll need a pilot.

[Several exterior shots of spaceship London moving through space]

[Switch to flight deck]

LEYLAN

There shouldn't be anything there at all. It's empty space. Nothing orbits through it, no marked space wrecks, no navigational hazards, nothing.

ARTIX

Well, there's something there now, and our course takes us right through it.

LEYLAN

Hmm.

[There is a build-up of sound. A short time later, the ship seems to be hit by something.]

[Raiker enters, carrying a flask and a cup]

RAIKER

What's happening?

LEYLAN

Full spectrum shock waves. We had one about ten minutes ago but that was only scale two. What was the reading on that one?

ARTIX

Seven.

LEYLAN

Right, put all sections on standby, turbulence alert.

ARTIX

[Into desk-mounted intercom] All sections on standby, all sections on standby. Turbulance alert, turbulance alert.

LEYLAN

[To Raiker, at the same time as Artix is speaking] Put out the deflector shields, there's some debris too.

RAIKER

Deflectors out. Where's the blast coming from?

LEYLAN

Somewhere in that top right hand sector.

RAIKER

That's total void!

LEYLAN

Not now, it isn't! [To Artix] Show him!

[Artix hits a few buttons. A screen above the main flight position lights up, showing two blobs moving in a curve towards each other]

RAIKER

I've never seen anything like that before. Can you increase magnification?

[Artix hits a few more buttons. The screen now shows several blobs.]

ARTIX

We're at the limit now.

RAIKER

What sort of range?

ARTIX

We're about five subsecs on the high-dee grid.

RAIKER

Anything coming in on the communicators?

ARTIX

No, static right across the range.

RAIKER

I suppose it could be some sort of meteorite collision.

[Two blobs collide. The screen is flooded with light]

RAIKER

What the hell was that?!

LEYLAN

I think it's a damn great space battle. Two fleets, maybe more.

ARTIX

We haven't got any heavy combat stuff in this section, have we?

LEYLAN

Well, they're not Federation ships, and that's not our battle. I want a new course. Take us round it, with a three subsec margin from the outer limits of the action.

[Another build-up of sound. Ship rocks from another shock-wave hitting]

LEYLAN

Reading?

ARTIX

Scale nine!

RAIKER

Shift course now, and we'll be taking those blasts broadside! They'll smash the guts out of us!

LEYLAN

Better that than run into the middle of a war. [To Raiker] Manual control, Mister Raiker. [To Artix] Put the ship on full emergency, all crew to operational stations.

ARTIX

[Into desk-mounted intercom] Full emergency, full emergency. All crew to operational stations. All crew to operational stations.

[Blake is crawling though a narrow access channel. The ship lurches from another shock-wave. When he recovers, Blake continues to a small panel. He taps it three times and waits.]

[Switch to prisoners]

VILA

[To Gan] Keep an eye on me as well, will you?

JENNA

[inaudible]

VILA

Hey, Klein, got a little trick to show you.

KLEIN

Have you?

VILA

Now watch very, very closely, right? Right? Now watch carefully, watch carefully... And a one...

KLEIN

Right, yeah.

VILA

And a two...

KLEIN

Yeah.

(something inaudible)

VILA

Watch closely now...

(remainder of trick is inaudible)

BLAKE

[To Jenna] I got past both the metal grilles this time. It'll work if only I can get him to do it.

JENNA

He's through there.

[Switch to the first prisoner section]

[Blake walks through to where Avon is sitting. He sits down in a chair alongside]

BLAKE

If you had access to the computer, could you open the doors?

AVON

Of course. Why?

BLAKE

Just wondered how good you really were.

AVON

Don't try and manipulate me, Blake.

BLAKE

Now why should I try and do that?

AVON

You need my help.

BLAKE

Only if you can open the doors.

AVON

I could open every door, blind all the scanners, knock out the security overrides, and control the computer. Control the computer and you control the ship.

BLAKE

Then I do need your help. There's a service channel, runs the whole length of the ship. Every other compartment has an inspection hatch. The last one opens onto the computer section.

AVON

Give me one good reason why I should help you.

BLAKE

You're a civilized man, Avon. On Cygnus Alpha that will not be a survival characteristic.

AVON

An intelligent man can adapt.

BLAKE

Or recognize an alternative.

AVON

I already have one.

BLAKE

A private deal with the ship's crew to fake the running log? You've had four months to think about that. And it didn't take you that long to work out that they would have to kill you afterwards to keep you quiet.

AVON

Whereas you are offering me safety.

BLAKE

I'm offering you the chance of freedom.

AVON

Generous, considering mine will be the most important job.

BLAKE

You'll do it then.

AVON

When?

BLAKE

Now.

[Jenna and Vila enter. The noise leading up to an impact becomes audible. Jenna and Vila rapidly get into launch seats]

[Switch to flight deck. The ship is shaken quite badly.]

LEYLAN

Damage report!

ARTIX

[Into intercom] All sections report damage, all sections report damage.

VOICE

Section Two. Err, Port deflector shields buckled, sir.

VOICE

Section Four. The outer hull has been punctured astern.

LEYLAN

Auto-repair circuits.

RAIKER

They're sealing it.

LEYLAN

Mr. Artix?

ARTIX

Vision panels have cut out... but I'm getting blind readings, and an echo from something big... and pretty far off. I can't identify it without a scan.

RAIKER

Could it be a ship from the battle fleet?

ARTIX

It's a long way out from the center of the action, seems to be drifting... Well, it's my guess that it's something being pushed along in the shock waves. It's running parallel to us.

LEYLAN

Keep a check on it. And start working on those vision panels.

[Build-up of sound]

RAIKER

Here we go again.

[Ship rocks under another shock-wave]

[Switch to first prisoner section]

JENNA

A couple more like that and we won't have a ship to take over.

BLAKE

Call in Vila.

[Jenna walks through to the other section.]

JENNA

[To Blake] And Gan and Nova.

BLAKE

Are there any others?

JENNA

The rest are doped to the eyeballs.

VILA

Perhaps we should get on with it do you think maybe?

GAN

Maybe. Don't be so nervous, Vila.

VILA

Nervous? I'm not nervous. Just... poised for action, that's all.

AVON

You've got an army of five, Blake. Five and HIM! Do you still think you can take over the ship?

BLAKE

If you do your bit.

[There is a sound from the other end of the compartment.]

VILA

What's that?

[Jenna walks over to the far wall, where a gel is squeezing through some hairline cracks]

JENNA

Sealing gel. If the outer hull gets punctured this stuff floods into the section and blocks it up. It goes solid in seconds. We must have been holed in that last turbulence.

VILA

Gan, what about waiting...

BLAKE

No! These blast waves are our best chance. The crew have their hands full just running the ship. [To Avon] You ready?

AVON

Yes.

BLAKE

Make it good Vila.

VILA

Gan?...

[Vila and Gan head towards the guard]

BLAKE

We'll be ready in exactly fifteen minutes. Will that give you enough time?

[Avon nods.]

BLAKE

Knock out those scanners and open the doors. We'll do the rest. Good luck.

[Blake walks through to the other section. Avon and Jenna follow. Avon pauses at the door.]

AVON

[To Jenna] Luck has nothing to do with it.

[Switch to prisoner's living area]

VILA

You look as if you could do with a drink.

DAINER

I'm always thirsty, Vila.

VILA

Now I want to show you a little trick here. Right, Gan. You know this one.

DAINER

Now, I'll watch carefully this time.

VILA

Right, now watch carefully, watch the old piece of cloth, right... And a one...

[Jenna signals to Nova, who lets Avon into the service channel]

DAINER

Never works first time.

VILA

And a two... One more chance for you, right? Are you watching carefully now?