Voyager's Return
| Screenplay |
Johnny Byrne |
| Director |
Bob Kellett |
|
Final shooting script 29 th July 1974
Amendments 31th July 1974 |
Titles
| Martin Landau |
John Koenig |
| Barbara Bain |
Helena Russell |
| Barry Morse |
Victor Bergman |
In Show Credits
| guest artist |
Barry Stokes |
Jim Haines |
| guest star |
Jeremy Kemp |
Ernst Queller/ Ernst Linden |
End Credits
| Prentis Hancock |
paul morrow |
| Clifton Jones |
david kano |
| Zienia Merton |
sandra benes |
| Anton Phillips |
dr mathias |
| Nick Tate |
alan carter |
| Alex Scott |
aarchon |
| Lawrence Trimble |
pilot abrams |
Uncredited
| Suzanne Roquette |
Tanya Aleksandr |
| Sarah Bullen |
Operative Kate |
| Mike Stevens |
Main Mission Operative |
| Robert Phillips |
Main Mission Operative |
| Andy Dempsey |
Main Mission Operative |
| Loftus Burton |
Main Mission Operative (Lee Oswald) |
| Maxwell Craig |
Astronaut in corridor |
| Anita West,
Al Flemyng |
Technicians |
| Laurie Davis |
Technician |
| Alan Harris |
Alphan |
| Tony Allyn |
Security Guard (Tony Allan) |
| Quentin Pierre |
Security Guard (Pierce Quinton) |
Int. Main Mission
Int. Command Office
Int. Experimental lab
Int. Medical
Int. Alpha Corridor
Int. Eagle Pilot Section
Int. Voyager
Int. Void (Sidon ship)
1.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Two Eagles fly into space.
2.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Sensor readings growing stronger."
4.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN (VO): "Object's course and trajectory holding steady."
DAVID (at desk): "Positive analysis, sir. Object approaching us artificially powered." ((Koenig walks to lean on his desk))
VICTOR (by David): "A ship?"
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Both Eagles, near one with forward windows lighted.
KOENIG (VO): "Eagles One and Two. Maintain your approach."
4.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN (VO): "Check, Commander."
6.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ABRAMS: "The scanners have picked it up, sir."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The two Eagles, one with lighted windows.
KOENIG (VO): "Eagles One and Two. Activate onboard defensive systems."
11.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
A bleeper starts from a panel.
ALAN: "We're picking up a signal, Commander."
12.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (leaves Paul to go David): "Relay it to us, Alan. Kano?"
DAVID: "It's some sort of call sign, Commander."
KOENIG: "Acknowledge it."
SANDRA: "Two seconds to visual."
-Big Screen (SFX): space; a small dot moves (sc 7)
-Main Mission: they look up.
-Big Screen (SFX): space; dot moves (sc 7)
DAVID (VO): "Message coming through, Commander." (sc 12)
VOYAGER (VO): "This is the voice of Voyager One. Our Ship is unmanned and unarmed. We come on a mission of peace and goodwill."
-Main Mission:
VICTOR: "It's a Voyager Ship!" (sc 14)
KOENIG: "Carter, Abrams! Pull away! Pull away!"
HELENA (goes to monitors): "Both men under severe stress." (sc 16)
KOENIG: "Eagles One and Two. Do you read me? Do you read me?"
17.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
The cabin is shaking.
KOENIG (VO): "Eagles One and Two."
ALAN: "We're under attack, Alpha!"
INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN (VO): "Eagle One...turning...back!"
19.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle One veers away from Eagle Two.
18.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ABRAMS: "Eagle Two not responding!"
22.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle Two shaking.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ABRAMS: "Eagle Two...out of control!"
22.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle Two shakes.
23.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ABRAMS: "The ship! It's falling apart!"
An explosion in the cabin: Abrams lurches forward screaming.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle Two seen from front: it explodes.
24.INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff watch in horror.
VOYAGER (VO): "This is the voice of Voyager One."
-Big Screen (SFX):
VOYAGER (VO): "Greetings from the people of planet Earth."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager speeds on, a blue halo about it.
FADE OUT
VOYAGER'S RETURN
guest artist Barry Stokes
guest star Jeremy Kemp
screenplay by Johnny Byrne
story consultant Christopher Penfold
moon city costumes designed by Rudi Gernreich
directed by Bob Kellett
25.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle One tumbles through space.
26.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan lies unconscious, blood trickling from his forehead. The lights flicker. Titles over.
27.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "We've lost ship to base communication."
HELENA: "Getting no life signs. I hope it's their instruments."
KOENIG: "Paul, keep all communications open."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle turning.
28.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan stirs & wakes. He grips the control sticks & with effort he eases them forward.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The Eagle stops rolling & steadies.
KOENIG (VO): "This is Main Mission to Eagle One."
30.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG (VO): "Are you receiving? Are you receiving?"
31.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Alan? Do you read me?"
30.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG (VO): "Do you read me?"
ALAN (gasping): "Alpha, how am I doing?"
31.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Your automatic systems are shot to hell. Can you maintain manual control?"
30.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Yeah, I think so. Abrams. Did he make it?"
KOENIG (VO): "Sorry, Alan."
Beat.
ALAN: "What hit us?"
31.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "The Queller Drive." ((cuts link & turns to address staff)) "Voyager One is powered by the Queller Drive, an atomic engine used for going across space at incredible speed.."
PAUL: "Yes. Incredible speed produced by fast neutrons spewed out into space, annihilating everything in their path. You'd survive better standing smack in the middle of a nuclear explosion."
VICTOR (coming from computer with readout): "Hey, John. Listen to this. It's all here. Voyager One. Launched nineteen eighty five. Mission, to probe the galaxy for signs of intelligent life, to find habitable solar systems, to make man's presence known in the galaxy. And now Voyager's coming back! After fifteen years! Wow! What a staggering achievement!"
PAUL (stands): "If it comes too close we'll be burnt up. If it-"
VICTOR: "Now, wait!"
PAUL: " passes at a distance we'll be polluted by neutron fallout and we'll die anyway. We've got to blast it out of the sky, Commander!"
VICTOR: "Of course I understand there's danger from the Queller Drive-"
PAUL: "Danger? Even if we climbed into lead caskets under twelve feet of concrete we'd still be burned up!"
VICTOR: "Bu-but you don't understand what scientific information there is in that ship!"
HELENA: "Wait a minute! We have to think of our lives."
PAUL: "That ship has to be destroyed!" (sits)
VICTOR: "But not without...John?"
KOENIG: "Kano. What's the time factor?"
DAVID: "Limited safety..eleven hours."
KOENIG: "Eleven hours. That gives us some time."
HELENA: "Time! Time for what? We have no protection. We've got to stop it!"
VICTOR: "No. At least let's.."
ALAN (VO): "Eagle One coming in on approach course."
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Eagle over base.
32.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "I think I can make it. Eh? Keep your heads down. Just in case."
33.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "We've waiting for you, Alan. Good luck." ((cuts link)) "Crash units stand by."
PAUL: "Emergency crew to launch pad four."
34.INT. CORRIDOR
Four astronauts run to a travel tube.
36.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig sits at his desk.
KOENIG: "All right, Victor. Now, what are you suggesting?"
VICTOR: "Just this. We've got to get hold of the information Voyager has. We can't just blow it up out of hand."
Koenig closes the big doors & looks at Helena & Victor.
KOENIG: "Helena?"
HELENA: "We can't take any chances with the Queller Drive. We know what it does!"
VICTOR: "Listen. For fifteen years Voyager has been photographing other planets, analysing atmospheres, detailing all forms of life, recording gravities, temperatures; think of all the medical information it must have! Why, it would take a hundred years to learn what Voyager already knows!"
HELENA: "I understand that. Look, I'd love to get my hands on that information, it could be invaluable in relation to our survival. But we can't just ignore the Queller Drive!"
KOENIG: "Wait a minute. Victor. Voyager has two engine systems, right?"
VICTOR: "Exactly."
KOENIG: "There's ordinary chemical rockets, which are used for lifting off and landing, and the Queller Drive, which takes over to carry it across vast distances of space. The Queller Drive made star travel possible. That Voyager is unmanned, so how does it switch from rocket power to Queller Drive and back again?"
VICTOR: "It's computer controlled."
KOENIG: "Exactly. Now why can't we reprogram the computer aboard Voyager? Why can't we feed it new instructions so it shuts down the Queller Drive?"
HELENA: "Because we can't risk it!"
VICTOR: "Surely we can't afford not to."
Koenig's desk bleeps. Paul's face appears on the screen.
PAUL (on screen): "Commander, Eagle One is down."
KOENIG: "Carter?"
PAUL (on screen): "Still in one piece."
KOENIG: "Good. Take him to the Medical Section."
PAUL (on screen): "Yes, sir." ((screen blanks))
KOENIG: "Helena."
HELENA: "You mean you're going to try to save Voyager? At the risk of all our lives?" ((Koenig does not respond; she goes to door)) "Alright. Well I guess we should try to find all the information we can about fast neutrons." ((he walks to door))
KOENIG: "Helena." ((she stops & turns)) "We're not in any danger yet."
HELENA: "Not yet." ((she leaves))
38.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager
CU engines firing.
39.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission: Koenig, Victor & the others watch a faint dot
VICTOR: "The problem " ((-them)) " is to get access to the Voyager command circuits. Then we can give the computer new instructions. Kano. We need a link up through our computer programmer to Voyager One. See what you can do would you?"
DAVID: "Yes, Professor."
40.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller is absorbed in the drawing board. Haines enters with a box.
HAINES: "You've heard there's a Voyager ship out there? Did you hear what I said?"
QUELLER (not looking up): "Yes. You're going ahead about things you don't understand. When she went up you were still...how do you say?..still -in....short trousers."
HAINES: "Hmm. Yes. I was. They're playing games with the Queller Drive. Just like Voyager Two. All over again. They've remembered nothing! You know what they're trying to do? They want to stop it, shut down it's drive."
QUELLER (reacts): "They can't do that." ((leaves))
42.INT. MAIN MISSION
Victor stands before Paul, looking up at the Big Screen.
VICTOR: "Voyager One. This is the voice of Earth Space Authority."
-Big Screen (SFX): a distant speck of light
VICTOR (VO): "Do you acknowledge?"
VOYAGER (VO): "Acknowledged."
VICTOR: "Stand by to allow access to your command file."
VOYAGER (VO): "Request refused."
-Main Mission:
VICTOR: "This is the voice of Earth Space Control."
VOYAGER (VO): "Acknowledged."
VICTOR (as beyond, Queller descends from balcony): "Voyager One. Delete your command file and stand by for fresh instructions."
VOYAGER (VO): "Request refused."
VICTOR: "On what grounds?"
VOYAGER (VO): "Unauthorised instructions."
VICTOR: "You are ordered to delete your command instructions."
VOYAGER (VO): "Request refused. Prime directive cannot be altered unless preceded by delete code."
DAVID: "It's just not interested, Professor."
VICTOR (to Koenig): "There's got to be a way to crack it's delete code."
QUELLER: "There is a way, Professor. Commander, Professor, one moment." ((they move away, by computer; quietly)) "Please, I will try to explain to you very simply. First, you must understand that the command controls will respond only to the most precise signal. Therefore I have to warn you that any random attempt to stop the Voyager by other means could trigger off it's own destruct mechanism."
KOENIG: "How do you know that?"
QUELLER: "I have..ah..some knowledge of the subject, Commander, I was involved quite closely with the Voyager project."
KOENIG: "In what capacity?"
QUELLER: "If you...if you check my personal index you'll find that long before I came to Alpha my name...my name was Queller."
KOENIG: "Ernst Queller?"
QUELLER: "That is correct. I have designed the Queller Drive."
FADE OUT
43.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager accelerates to distant Moon.
44.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Close on Helena, astonished.
HELENA: "Ernst Queller?"
Koenig, Victor, Helena, Alan, Paul & David are sat at the conference table.
DAVID: "He was Queller, but his name was changed to Linden by Earth command before he was assigned to Alpha."
HELENA: "And noone knew."
KOENIG: "He was cleared for duty here on Alpha. If he chose not to reveal who he was, that's his business. I feel every man is entitled to that much privacy."
PAUL: "He may have changed his name but nothing can change what he did."
ALAN: "His Queller Drive killed Steve Abrams, remember?"
PAUL: "That's one more to the score. But I'm thinking of fifteen years ago. The second ship on the programme, Voyager Two. The Queller Drive cut in too soon."
VICTOR: "Paul. Something went wrong."
PAUL: "Two hundred people were killed because something went wrong. A whole community wiped out! My father was one of them. I know something went wrong."
KOENIG: "Paul. I understand why this is difficult for you. But we're not here to pass moral judgement on Ernst Queller. We're here to decide whether a man named Ernst Linden can help us."
HELENA: "You would put the survival of Alpha into his hands?"
KOENIG: "Victor, can you guarantee that you can shut down the Queller Drive in time?"
VICTOR: "Guarantee? No." ((Koenig looks at Helena, then at the others))
KOENIG: "Let's talk to Linden." ((opens a side door with his comlock; Queller stands just outside)) "Doctor." ((Queller steps in; door closes)) "Doctor Linden. We need the information the Voyager contains. I want to know if you can shut down the Queller Drive so we can get that information. Now, don't be hasty. Think carefully. I want to know if you can do it with the facilities we have here on Alpha. I want to know if you can do it in the time period we have left. Kano?"
DAVID: "Nine hours, ten minutes."
KOENIG: "Yes, or no?"
QUELLER: "I am theoretically certain it is possible."
KOENIG: "Yes, or no?"
QUELLER: "Commander Koenig. Twenty years ago I would have given you my guarantee, but.. now, today, if you asked me to undertake such a task..all I can say is I can do everything I can, I..will do my best."
KOENIG: "Thank you, Doctor." ((Queller leaves; Koenig closes the door with his comlock; he turns & looks at the others)) "I'm going with him. Paul, I don't want his real identity made known."
PAUL: "Not even to Jim Haines? He lost both his parents because of Queller. He should know who he's working with."
KOENIG: "Should he?"
46.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller walks up to Haines at a bench.
HAINES: "Doctor, this has gone beyond me. I simply cannot understand what you're doing."
QUELLER: "Ah, never mind, Jim. You are a very good assistant. Go back to the days when you were a student. Certain factors have to be taken on trust. So, in this crisis, once again, factors have to be taken on trust. You must do exactly as I tell you. I need your help."
Queller goes to the office. Victor enters & goes to Queller.
VICTOR: "Ah, Doctor. I'm afraid this isn't really my field. I did do a bit on neutrons, but that was a few years ago. So, I'm afraid, this is about the best I can do."
QUELLER: "Ah, thank you very much."
VICTOR: "Make any progress?"
QUELLER: "Oh, yes. As you know, this failure of the Drive to cut out in time as planned when approaching inhabited areas has occurred before."
VICTOR: "Hmm."
QUELLER: "With the most horrendous results."
VICTOR: "Oh, yes, indeed. You must have thought of it a great deal since."
QUELLER: "Ah, Victor. I have been over the possibilities in my mind thousands and thousands and thousands of times." ((they walk out of the office)) "I am now confident that I know the reason for the failure. Therefore I must gamble and work from the premise that I am right."
VICTOR: "Of course."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager.
CU engines.
47.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG (stands by her): "Sandra. Let me know if there is any deviation in it's flight."
SANDRA: "It is being monitored constantly."
KOENIG: "Fine. Alan. What's your plan if we can't stop it?"
ALAN: "Well, it's a three phase operation, sir. On the screen there."
-Big Screen (SFX): diagram, showing white circle marked Alpha, & concentric grid with rings of blue, red, yellow & green. A white dot flashes on the yellow/green border.
ALAN (VO): "As soon as it enters the green area, the Eagles go on automatic alert."
-Main Mission:
ALAN: "Now, if it enters the yellow area we move into positions here."
-Big Screen (SFX) three dots appear by the centre.
ALAN (VO): "And the moment it enters red "
-Main Mission:
ALAN: " we let loose with everything we've got."
KOENIG (slaps his shoulder): "Good. Paul, start the countdown."
48.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Comms post screen reads 4-17. Koenig enters & goes to Queller & Haines.
KOENIG: "Haines, if you'll excuse us, I'd like a word with the doctor."
QUELLER: "Oh, yes. Of course. Jim, those quartz components. They should be ready by now." ((Haines leaves))
KOENIG: "How much longer?"
QUELLER: "I believe not long. Once the circuit pattern here is complete we can override the command instructions. After that it will be a relatively simple business to shut down the Drive."
KOENIG: "Possibility of failure?"
QUELLER: "I believe none. You see, I have designed the Queller Drive. I know what is required. All I need is time."
KOENIG: "Do you need more men?"
QUELLER: "No." ((puts pipe in mouth & looks at equipment))
KOENIG: "Doctor. I hope you're not trying to prove something." ((he stares at him))
50.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): light is in green area, nearing yellow border.
-Main Mission:
ALAN: "Eagles Six, Nine and Ten. Launch positions."
52.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
A small combat Eagle rises on ramp (full base seen)
Eagle rises to surface by a buggy (sc 53)
Third Eagle rises on ramp. (sc 54)
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT: "Eagle Six. Ready for launch."
53.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
The second Eagle, by the buggy, finishes rising.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT 10: "Eagle Ten. In position."
55.INT. MAIN MISSION
PILOT 9 (VO): "Eagle Nine. Ready."
ALAN: "All Eagles now ready for launch." ((he looks at Paul, who nods))
-Big Screen (SFX): light enters yellow area.
ALAN: "Eagles Six, Nine and Ten. Condition Yellow "
-Main Mission:
ALAN: " now operative. Go!"
56.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle lifts off.
Eagle launches (sc 57)
Eagle launches (sc 58)
60.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN: "We're watching you. Good luck."
59.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The 3 Eagles move into formation.
61.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller & Haines work. The comms post screen changes from 1-47 to 1-46.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Zoom into space.
CU Voyager engines.
62.INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA: "One hour to interception."
KOENIG (walks from Sandra to Alan): "Alan. Go ahead."
-Big Screen (SFX): the diagram.
ALAN: "Alpha base to Eagles Six, Nine and Ten."
-Main Mission:
ALAN: "Intercept positions."
63.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The 3 Eagles spread out from distant central dot.
64.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Victor. No word from Linden yet?"
Victor shakes his head.
65.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller lays down a large sheet of paper & switches on a control: a humming.
QUELLER: "I think we have done it. I think we have done it! Switch on, please, Jim."
Haines switches on: a pulsing noise and flashing lights are emitted from the instrumentation.
QUELLER: "Ah! Good! Good!" ((he switches off)) "The circuit's complete. Now we can override the onboard computer, security codes are irrelevant. All we need is the computer link up and we can shut down the Drive." ((slaps Haines' back & enters office))
HAINES: "Override the onboard computer? Security codes irrelevant? How did we do that?" ((Queller returns)) "Doctor, how did we complete the circuit pattern?"
QUELLER: "You don't understand, Jim. Together we have recreated the control pattern for the Queller Drive."
HAINES: "Shut up! Not possible. There's only one man who could have done that. Only one man has the knowledge. You're Ernst Queller, aren't you? Aren't you!" ((he grabs his lapels & shakes him)) "Well, come on, tell me. You killed my parents, didn't you!"
Haines knocks Queller back into the instrument, causing a small explosion. Queller falls to the floor. The screen changes to 0-45 (sc 66 insert)
FADE OUT
71.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Koenig enters. Helena & Bob tend Queller, unconscious on a stretcher.
KOENIG: "How is he?"
HELENA: "Fractured ribs. Shock. Bob?"
Bob switches on and Queller straightens, then collapses down. The electric shock is given again. The medical monitor shows activity.
KOENIG: "How did it happen?"
HELENA: "Jim found out."
HAINES: "Commander, I..I didn't intend this to happen."
KOENIG: "Do you realise what you've done? Stupid! You've destroyed our only chance!"
HAINES (meekly): "I'm sorry."
QUELLER (as electrodes removed): "It's not his fault."
KOENIG (to Haines): "Get out of here!"
HAINES: "Commander.."
KOENIG: "Now!"
HAINES: "Yes sir." ((leaves; Koenig starts after him))
QUELLER (sits up): "And Voyager?"
Koenig pauses & returns, passing the clock; changing from 35 to 34.
KOENIG: "We can't save it now."
QUELLER: "I still believe we can."
KOENIG: "Doctor, right now I've got three Eagles out there, their sights aiming right at Voyager."
QUELLER: "Please, do not destroy it, yet. You must.." ((puts jacket on, helped by Helena)) "You must give me a chance to finish what I have begun."
HELENA: "You're just trying to resolve a conflict that noone has a time to give a damn about."
Koenig answers his comlock.
SANDRA (on comlock screen): "Commander Koenig! Urgent. Main Mission."
QUELLER: "May I resume my work?"
KOENIG: "Helena. Do what you can to keep him going."
HELENA: "Alright." ((Koenig leaves. Queller goes to the equipment))
72.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig enters & goes to Paul.
SANDRA: "Three objects. Travelling a long way behind Voyager."
-Big Screen (SFX): three additional blips on diagram.
-Main Mission:
DAVID: "Positive identification, sir. They're spaceships. Flight path identical to Voyager One, and heading for Alpha."
73.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The 3 Sidon ships.
74.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Screen displays 13 minutes remaining. Queller coughs at intervals as he slowly works. He stops in pain; Helena goes to him.
HELENA: "Come on." ((she gives him an injection)) "I can't give you any more of this. You're fighting a losing battle."
QUELLER: "I told the Commander I could do it. I still believe that I can."
HELENA: "You're wasting your time. Voyager's going to have to be destroyed."
QUELLER: "I can't explain to you, doctor. You wouldn't understand." ((he switches on; the machine hums)) "Ha."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships.
75.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): diagram.
-Main Mission:
PAUL: "Those ships are following the Voyager."
KOENIG: "Why?"
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT 6: "Eagles maintaining intercept positions."
ALAN (VO): "Hold positions."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The 3 Eagles close on the dot.
77.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Helena watches Queller work on the glowing circuit.
78.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): diagram
-Main Mission:
ALAN: "Three minutes to intercept."
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller works as circuit glows.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
CU Voyager's drive.
78.INT. MAIN MISSION
Screen changes from 2 to 1 minutes.
ALAN: "Eagles to firing positions."
78A.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT 6: "Copy."
78.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN: "Lock weapons."
PILOT 6 (VO): "Locked."
-Big Screen (SFX): diagram
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager drive.
80.INT. MAIN MISSION
Clock changes from 1 to 0 minutes.
DAVID: "Voyager One now in space area red."
KOENIG: "Wait, Alan."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager firing engines.
The 3 Eagles start to shake.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT 10: "Waiting for instructions to fire, Alpha."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager.
80.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Commander!"
ALAN: "We've got to give the order, sir, now!"
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager heads to Moon.
79.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller looks at Helena.
80.INT. MAIN MISSION
The room starts to shake.
SANDRA: "Countdown minus fifty seconds."
KOENIG: "I said wait."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager approaches Moon.
80.INT. MAIN MISSION
QUELLER (appearing on screen): "I am ready, Commander. Please, I will need computer link up."
ALAN: "It's too late!"
KOENIG: "Kano! Link up!"
DAVID: "Link up."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager approaches the large Moon.
VOYAGER (VO): "Prime directive cannot be altered unless preceded by delete code...by delete coee... " ((becomes gobbledegook, repeating it until cut off))
81.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
HELENA: "Good luck."
Queller works on the circuits.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
The shaking is increasing as Queller works.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
CU Voyager engines.
82.INT. MAIN MISSION
83.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
84.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager turns & fires chemical rockets.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
The shaking stops. Queller closes his eyes.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager fires engines & descends as an Eagle passes.
PILOT 5 (VO): "Eagle Five to base. Voyager One in descent position."
86.INT. MAIN MISSION
QUELLER (appearing on screen): "You gave me a chance, Commander. I am very grateful."
KOENIG: "So am I, Doctor."
QUELLER: "Where would you like Voyager to land?"
KOENIG: "Launch pad four." ((screen blanks)) "Alan, keep those Eagles in position. Paul, I want Voyager One ready for boarding as soon as she lands."
87.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Voyager lands on pad.
88.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Helena escorts Queller from the bench, supporting him by the arm.
HELENA: "Alright, Doctor. You've done your work. Come along. Let me do mine."
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
The launch pad lowers Voyager level with the boarding tube.
89.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "The Voyager's ready for boarding."
KOENIG: "Stand down, Eagle Five."
VICTOR (walks to Koenig; quietly): "Those three alien ships "
-Big Screen (SFX): 3 dots in space.
VICTOR: " are still closing on us."
-Main Mission:
KOENIG: "Alan, keep watching the alien ships. Victor?"
Koenig & Victor leave out the Command Office.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships.
92.INT. BOARDING TUBE
Koenig, Victor, Helena & Queller leave travel unit.
KOENIG: "Doctor."
Queller opens the door & they enter Voyager.
93.INT. VOYAGER
They walk through to the pilot console. On a pillar is a plate with 3 names. 'Charles BorgesNeill CameronErnst Queller'
QUELLER: "My former colleagues. We were all rather young at the time."
They inspect the controls.
QUELLER: "Quite safe, Commander. No problems. It really is very strange to be back in here again. As you can see, she was originally designed to carry crew. Much later, of course, when man had developed his techniques for interstellar travel. But for Voyager it was not to be. Well, where would you like to begin? Professor, you should find a really astonishing collection of scientific information in the data bank here and also over there."
Victor goes with Queller. Koenig answers his comlock.
PAUL (on screen): "Commander?"
KOENIG: "Yes, Paul."
PAUL (on screen): "We're picking up considerable magnetic activity inside Voyager One."
QUELLER (dismissingly): "Oh, impossible."
PAUL (on screen): "Intensity building rapidly."
HELENA (looking in one direction): "John?"
A bright lines shines out of darkness; around it forms the face of Aarchon.
FADE OUT
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Voyager on pad.
94.INT. VOYAGER
AARCHON: "Who speaks for you?"
KOENIG: "I'm John Koenig, Commander of this colony."
AARCHON: "John..Koenig. You are communicating with Aarchon, Chief Justifier of the Federated Worlds of Sidon."
KOENIG: "What is your purpose here?"
AARCHON: "Are you citizens of the planet Earth?"
KOENIG: "Correct."
AARCHON: "Do you accept responsibility for the primitive craft known as Voyager One?"
KOENIG: "On behalf of my people, yes."
AARCHON: "Then your colony, together with your world, must bear the judgement of Sidon. Your craft, Voyager One, intruded into the Sidon worlds of the outer galaxy."
QUELLER: "The mission was a peaceful one."
AARCHON: "False. Contact was made with two of our populated planets. Your primitive craft was welcomed according to tradition. Now, all life on those two worlds is extinguished. You came proclaiming peace and you wrought destruction. Only a debased culture could perpetrate such genocide."
KOENIG: "You must believe my people acted with the best intentions."
AARCHON: "The High Council of the Federated Worlds of Sidon has determined it will not happen again. We have followed the primitive Voyager One. As soon as we have located its source, the planet and all living things on it will be destroyed."
KOENIG: "Revenge."
AARCHON: "We do not recognise this concept."
VICTOR: "We believe that revenge, sanctioned by authority, is also a sign of a debased culture."
AARCHON: "The judgement of Sidon is unalterable."
95.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The Sidon ships.
AARCHON (VO): "Soon our fleet will be in effective range, Once we have located planet Earth, "
96.INT. VOYAGER
AARCHON: " your colony here will be extinguished."
KOENIG: "My people have committed no crime. We shall resist."
AARCHON: "Be warned. Resistance will alter only the manner of your destruction, not the fact."
Aarchon fades into the mist. They help the weak Queller.
97.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The Sidon ships.
98.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN: "We can't just wait here like sitting ducks, let's get in there first."
PAUL: "By the look of those Sidon ships, I don't think much of our chances."
KOENIG: "We're going to give it a damn good try. Alan, move Eagles Four, Six and Ten into extreme intercept positions."
ALAN: "Yes, sir." ((they part))
99.INT. MEDICAL
QUELLER (wakes): "Oh, oh. Doctor Russell."
HELENA: "How do you feel?"
QUELLER: "Very upset. Desperate, really. All these years believing I had helped further the boundaries of man's knowledge. And now this..this..catastrophe."
HELENA: "Doctor, many, many people have put science before responsibility."
QUELLER: "Yes, of course, I know that, but the responsibility for what Voyager did to the Sidons I must bear alone. Two worlds made lifeless. Millions of people dead. I had no wish to harm them. To harm anyone.."
HELENA: "They say the road to hell is.."
QUELLER: "Is paved with good intentions. And the road to heaven too, apparently."
HELENA: "Anyway, it's academic now." ((she turns away))
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships fly to Moon.
100.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Victor enters through a side door & carries a red box up to Koenig at his desk.
VICTOR: "Well, John. There it is. That's the memory bank from Voyager. It's all there." ((puts it on desk)) "Planets, compositions. Life support systems. Packed with vital information." ((Helena enters through the big doors)) "Ironic that we might not get the chance to use it."
HELENA (joining them): "If you were a betting man, John, how would you figure the odds? Fifty-fifty? Worse?"
KOENIG: "A thousand to one."
VICTOR: "Against?"
KOENIG: "I'm not a betting man. What we need is another chance."
VICTOR: "I don't reckon Aarchon's going to give us that."
KOENIG: "No."
101.INT. MEDICAL
Painfully Queller zips up his sleeve. He takes his comlock & opens the door to leave.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships travel to Moon.
102.INT. CORRIDOR
Queller walks along, painfully. Two security guards pass, & Queller straightens as they do. He walks to the entrance to Experimental, looks about, & enters (sc 103)
104.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller walks past other technicians to the circuit. He presses switches.
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Voyager on pad.
INT. VOYAGER
The control panels.
106.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Queller enters the office, puts down his pipe & takes some papers.
107.INT. CORRIDOR
Queller walks on, carrying papers.
108.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig paces.
SANDRA: "Visual contact."
-Big Screen (SFX): the Sidon ships.
KOENIG (VO): "Range?"
-Main Mission:
PAUL: "Seventy five thousand."
KOENIG: "Eagles Four, Six and Ten. As soon as the Sidon ships are within range..fire."
PILOT (VO): "We're ready, Alpha."
112.INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Haines enters & sees the circuit running. He runs into the office, then leaves.
113.INT. CORRIDOR
Queller walks to the Travel Tube; he bumps into two pilots, in spacesuits 3 & 4.
QUELLER: "Sorry."
He walks on to the door, marked 'Travel Tube to Launch Pads Three, Four, Five'. Haines runs up & steps in front as he enters.
QUELLER: "Please, Jim. I know you are much stronger than I. But do not try to stop me."
HAINES: "I'm not trying to stop you. I'm coming with you."
QUELLER: "No, Jim. You must realise, I have no choice. I have to go. And I have to go alone."
Haines pauses, then steps aside. Queller enters. Haines shuts the doors.
111.INT. MEDICAL
Bob walks to Helena.
BOB: "He's nowhere in the Medical Area."
114.INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)
Travel Unit whines to a halt.
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
The boarding tube extends to Voyager.
115.INT. BOARDING TUBE
Queller walks through into Voyager.
116.INT. VOYAGER
Queller enters. He takes off his jacket & eases himself into the pilot seat. Using the papers, he starts to check the console.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Haines looks at the circuits.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships.
117.INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA: "Fifteen thousand."
PAUL: "Commander! The Voyager! It's taking off!"
KOENIG: "Linden."
118.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Close up: Voyager lifts off.
Voyager launches over pad.
120.INT. VOYAGER
Queller pilots.
KOENIG (VO): "Linden! This is John Koenig! Linden! Linden, do you read me?"
122.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "What the hell is he up to?"
SANDRA: "Range ten thousand."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Front view of Sidon ships.
122.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "The Queller Drive."
123.INT. VOYAGER
Queller uses some controls.
122.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "Signal from Voyager One."
KOENIG: "Linden!"
123.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: "Commander Koenig. Activate all Alpha screens to maximum."
122.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Are you crazy? We have no protection against that drive."
123.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: "Recall your Eagles."
KOENIG (VO): "They're all that stand between us and the Sidons!"
QUELLER: "On the contrary, Commander. The only effective thing between you and the Sidons is the Queller drive."
122.INT. MAIN MISSION
PAUL: "He's cut off!"
SANDRA: "Range five thousand."
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT 6 (VO): "All Eagle weapons locked and ready to fire."
125.INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA: "Range three thousand."
Koenig is in thought.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager rises into space.
INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA: "Range two thousand."
126.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagles close on three Sidon ships.
125.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Recall all Eagles!"
ALAN: "Eagles Four, Six and Ten. Return to base."
127.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PILOT 10: "But they're coming into range now!"
128.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALAN: "Return to base!"
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships. Fade into...
INT. VOID
Aarchon in orange mist.
AARCHON: "John Koenig, you are wise.."
128.INT. MAIN MISSION
AARCHON (VO): " to recall your primitive fighting craft." ((-Big Screen/Main Mission)) "In turn, the manner of your destruction will be merciful."
129.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: "Aarchon. Listen to me. This is Ernst Queller."
130.INT. MAIN MISSION
QUELLER (VO): "I am the creator of the craft known as Voyager One."
INT. VOID
AARCHON: "What is the purpose of this, John Koenig?"
130.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Ernst Queller is acting outside my authority."
QUELLER (on screen): "Your people have suffered greatly."
131.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: "Therefore- punish me. Do not condemn an entire world for the mistake of one man."
INT. VOID
QUELLER (VO, cont): "My purpose was to unite a divided world, "
133.INT. MAIN MISSION
QUELLER (VO): " to reach out in the name of science and humanity, "
INT. VOID
QUELLER (VO, radio): " to illuminate the mysteries of space, "
131.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: " to seek out other worlds... and offer the hand of friendship."
INT. VOID
AARCHON: "There can be no discussion, Ernst Queller."
QUELLER (VO): "Aarchon."
131.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: "I have been guilty of pride and arrogance."
133.INT. MAIN MISSION
QUELLER (on monitor): "It is I, and I alone, who am responsible for what my Voyager did. These other people are innocent."
AARCHON (on Big screen): "This plea is dismissed."
INT. VOID
AARCHON: "John Koenig, prepare to witness the judgement of Sidon."
133.INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff look up at Aarchon on the Big Screen.
QUELLER: "then you, Aarchon, are no more worthy of life "
131.INT. VOYAGER
QUELLER: " than I am."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager.
134.INT. VOYAGER
Queller pulls a lever.
135.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager turns to face its rear to the Sidon ships.
134.INT. VOYAGER
Queller pushes another lever.
135.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager speeds off.
136.INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff watch.
INT. VOYAGER
Shaking.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Haines by the circuit; shaking.
136.INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): Aarchon is distorted and warped.
AARCHON: "John Koenig. You have been warned."
-Main Mission:
AARCHON (VO): "You do not appear to appreciate "
INT. VOID
Aarchon's face is distorted.
AARCHON: " that resistance is useless."
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
INT. MAIN MISSION
Shaking.
-Big Screen (SFX): Aarchon wobbles on screen. Then static fills screen.
138.INT. VOYAGER
Queller holds a lever.
INT. MAIN MISSION
Shaking.
INT. VOYAGER
Queller pulls the lever back; the shaking declines.
139.INT. MAIN MISSION
The shaking ends.
PAUL: "Screens holding."
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The 3 Sidon ships fly to the Moon.
INT. MAIN MISSION
VICTOR: "Linden's using the Queller Drive in short bursts. Look what it's doing to the Sidons."
141.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships, shaking.
140.INT. VOYAGER
Queller pushes the lever forward again; the shaking increases.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
The shaking increases over Haines.
142.INT. MAIN MISSION
Shaking resumes.
140.INT. VOYAGER
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships.
INT. VOYAGER
Queller removes his seatbelt & sits up.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Sidon ships.
143.INT. VOYAGER
Queller opens a hatch marked "Destruct". He presses a button.
144.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Voyager & the 3 Sidon ships; an explosion.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Shaking stops.
145.INT. MAIN MISSION
Shaking stops. They look round.
FADE OUT
146.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Moon.
INT. EXPERIMENTAL LAB
Haines takes a bar to the circuits & smashes them. Koenig enters.
KOENIG: "It's done it's work."
HAINES: "Why, Commander? Why?"
KOENIG: "Good question."
HAINES: "You work with a man. You think you know him. You come to respect him. And suddenly..you don't know him at all."
KOENIG: "Only his name was changed. The man..the man was the same. Look, Haines. His sacrifice gave us a future. His knowledge..hope. Now someone has to carry on his work. If you respected the man, don't let that sacrifice be wasted. This is the memory bank from the Voyager." ((hands it to him)) "Get to it." ((leaves))
FREEZE FRAME
series created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson
An ITC RAI co-production
produced by GROUP THREE for world-wide distribution
c ITC -Incorporated Television Company Ltd. MCMLXXIV
paul morrow Prentis Hancock
david kano Clifton Jones
sandra benes Zienia Merton
dr mathias Anton Phillips
alan carter Nick Tate
aarchon Alex Scott
pilot abrams Lawrence Trimble
music by Barry Gray associate Vic Elms
special effects Brian Johnson production designer Keith Wilson
production manager Ron Fry
director of photography Frank Watts BSC
casting director Michael Barnes
supervising editor David Lane
camera operator Neil Binney
assistant director Ken Baker
sound recordist David Bowen
editor Derek Hyde Chambers
sound editor Roy Lafberry
music editor Alan Willis
continuity Gladys Goldsmith
Processed at the Rank Film Laboratories
make-up Basil Newall
hair designer Helene Bevan
wardrobe Eileen Sullivan
Filmed at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England
SPECIAL EFFECTS
director Nick Allder
lighting cameraman Harry Oakes
camera operator Frank Drake
electronics Michael S. E. Downing
Transcripts