Moonbase Alpha Status Report: 1288 after leaving Earth orbit
The moon is travelling towards an area of spacial explosions of unknown
origin, which detonate at precise twelve hour intervals. As the Moon travels closer each succeeding shockwave is more
violent, and Moonbase Alpha is suffering increasing damage to its vital systems.
Alpha's scanners detect a planet at the eye of the explosions, and it is concluded
that as the explosions are travelling one way only - outward - that some form of intelligence is responsible for them.
Commander Koenig takes an Eagle to investigate, and he, Maya
and Alan Carter, land on one of the moons surrounding the planet. Their onboard instruments detect high energy
levels and they sight a station consisting of metallic domes.
John Koenig goes to investigate one of the domes, and finds an entrance.
Once inside, an elevator takes him to a series of underground rooms filled with black and while globes sitting on pedestals.
He is about to take a reading using his instruments when he is knocked unconscious by a bolt of high energy.
Alan Carter finds John Koenig unconscious but is able to rouse
him. Suddenly, one of the white globes leaves its pedestal and begins moving from one pedestal to another, finally
coming to rest on a pedestal near a communications panel.
On the communications panel screen various geometric shapes begin to appear,
followed by a star chart. Koenig realises that the communications device is trying to determine where they come from.
He uses a marker pen to draw a diagram of their solar system, indicating that they are from the third planet.
The probe recognises that they are from Earth and provides a suitable atmosphere.
The white globe introduces itself as voice probe 248. John Koenig
explains the predicament which Alpha finds itself in, and asks to speak to someone in authority. The probe
tells John that he can do nothing as it is a machine. His masters are not yet in existence; the first of them is yet
to be born. The probe advises John Koenig and his party to leave as they are in great danger.
John Koenig and Alan Carter return to the Eagle but they are unable to
take off as the Eagle is hit by a high energy bolt which knocks out their ignition system. They manage to take off and
with only six hours remianing before the next shockwave, John Koenig decides to land on the planet itself.
The Eagle lands on the planet but then begins to descend below the planet
surface. The Alphan's enter another underground room where a voice
probe idetifies itself as voice probe 748. John Koenig asks the probe if its masters have a physical form and the probe tells
them yes, but the atmosphere they breathe is chlorine, a poisonous gas to humans.
Voice probe 748 tells the landing party that its masters enjoy a unique
life cycle, they exist for an allotted span then grow old as humans do, however instead of dying they enter a chrysalis
stage to emerge rejuvenated. It tells the Alphan's that while the masters are sleeping they are defenceless, and this
is the reason for the explosive forcefield. Any potential enemy who enters their space is warned by the initial explosions,
and if the warnings are ignored then the subsequent explosions will destroy the transgressor.
John Koenig asks voice probe 748 if all the masters are in the chrysalis stage of existence, and the
probe says there is one who acts as the guardian and is not yet in the chrysalis stage. John asks to be taken to him.
The globe leaves its pedestal and travels along a corridor, with the Alphan's following.
They enter a chamber containing a glass casket. Voice probe
748 tells the Alphan's that it is too late as the guardian has entered the chrysalis stage, and must enter the rejuvenation
chamber. As the glass casket moves towards the rejuvenation
chamber Alan Carter tries to stop it, blocking its way. The casket glass breaks and chlorine gas begins to leak
out. John and Maya escape the chamber but Alan becomes trapped inside with the chlorine gas atmosphere.
Maya transforms into a creature that lives in high volcanic areas and breathes
chlorine gas. She breaks into the chamber and pulls Alan Carter to safety.
John Koenig tells voice probe 748 that unless it stops the next explosion he will give the order for
his laser guns to destroy the rejuvenation chambers. John is hit by a high energy bolt and Alan Carter tells Maya to
fire the laser gun. Suddenly a female voice announces that two of the masters have been reborn.
John Koenig is taken to the chamber where he meets with two females who
introduce themselves as 'A' and 'B'. John pleads with them to stop the explosions in order to save Moonbase Alpha. 'A'
votes for John, but 'B' accuses 'A' of voting that way because she finds the Commander attractive and wishes him to stay with
her.
As it is a tie they must await the deciding vote from the next master to
be reborn. The next to be reborn is the brother of the guardian Alan Cater tried to kill, and it is very unlikely
he will decide in his favour.
The brother of the guardian Alan tried to kill is reborn. John pleads
to him to let Alpha pass them in safety, but the master refuses. However, he tells John that he and his party are welcome
to stay on their planet where they will be safe.
John tells the master that there are things more precious than safety.
"Loyalty is better than logic, hope is better than despair, and creation is better than destruction." As John emerges
from the chamber Alan and Maya tell him that Alpha is beyond Eagle 1's reach and they don't have enough fuel to catch it. All
agree that they would rather leave the planet than remain.
John Koenig contacts Alpha and tells Helena that they have left the planet
and Alpha is to prepare for detonation. When she asks John their estimated time of arrival at Alpha John replies
"negative", and explains that they do not have enough fuel to make it back.
Alpha goes to 'red alert' and prepares itself for almost certain destruction. Aboard the Eagle
the shockwave passes, but instead of destroying it, it increases their speed so that they are able to reach Alpha. The
shockwave hits Alpha but passes with only minimal damage caused.
Episode synopsis copyright Jeannine Hochet
