False information from the computer lures two astronauts, Pete Irving and
Ed Davis, into danger when sent on a reconnaisance flight to study the planet Piri. Contact is lost and it is assumed
they have crashed. It is the first of a series of worrying events for Commander John Koenig, Doctor Helena Russell and
Professor Victor Bergman.
The computer is certainly behaving oddly. Whilst testing it, David
Kano disappears into thin air. When astronauts Alan Carter and Ken Johnson are sent on a further recce, with instructions
to stick to manual control and ignore information from the computer, they find Pete Irving's Eagle poised motionless above
Piri's surface. But there is no one on it.
Bergman works out that the planet can sustain life and Koenig, with Carter piloting him, risks a landing
on Piri. The planet is breathtakingly beautiful, with its almost uniform pinnacles topped with clusters of white spheres,
but what appears to be vegetation is completely lifeless.
Then to Koenig's surprise he finds the missing crew of the reconnaisance Eagle, and David Kano alive
and well on the planet surface. But they are in a state of trance, smiles on their faces but their unflinching gazes
show no signs of awareness of his presence.
A brilliant light radiates from a hill and from it steps an incredibly lovely woman who explains that
she is the servant of the Guardian: "We found your moon floating helplessly through our universe and we have brought
you here - to release you of your human pain."
She tells Koenig how the planet had been peopled by Pirians of great technical skill, and they
built a world of machines so they could enjoy their pleasure. Then they created the Guardian to control their machines.
Their life was perfect and the Guardian was directed to maintain it. Time was suspended.
Now this blissful paradise is extended to Koenig and his companions.
Back on Moonbase Alpha everyone is dancing and celebrating, drinking toasts to the evacuation that
will give them a new existence on Piri. The computer is issuing instructions. It has usurped Koenig, who fights
in vain to prevent the evacuation.
The final battle is when all are on Piri, accepting the eternal peace that would be a living
death. But apart from the Alphans and the Pirian girl there are no other Pirian's on the planet. Nothing moves.
But there is still the Guardian. The Pirian girl is acting for him, telling the Alphans that there is one who threatens
their happiness. Commander Koenig must be destroyed.
Koenig's only chance is to destroy the Pirian girl. In doing so, he will destroy the Guardian.
Time will be restored. The grim task has a terrifying outcome ...
Episode synopsis from Guide Book provided with the Digitally
Restored Network/Granada Ventures Series One Box Set
Copyright Granada Ventures
