Test Pilota Pirxa

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Connect the artificial kidney.

Connect the drips.

Switch the heart to the natural power supply

You'll take him while in hibernation,

That's the best way to do it.

Nortronix inteltronists would do anything

to get the contract.

Good. I'd feel uncomfortable travelling with him being... alive.

He's just like me and you in every way.

Well, almost every way.

Besides you'll have to get used to him eventually.

- Good luck!

- Thank you.

On the basis of a short story by STANISAW LEM

PILOT PIRX TESTED

Starring...

With...

Screenplay and dialogue based on a short story entitled "Rozprawa"

Music

Scenery

Executive producers

Photography

Director

So, The initial elimination left us with two candidates

Commander Kent, whom we saw yesterday,

and Commander Pirx.

Both are exquisite pilots

And both theoretically, at least for the time being,

are available to us.

Talking about Pirx...

We know him as a man of total honesty.

Let me remind you of the Vega rescue operation...

...during which he discovered a sequence of errors in one of the lines.

Well gentlemen, as a human being he has got some weaknesses.

But, returning to Kent...

he is a really strong man...

...and trusted by United Atomic Laboratories

Yes, and that's why we're supporting Kent as the candidate.

His positive report

would be enough for the UN Commission and UNESCO

And then we can go ahead with the mass production

which is the main purpose of our experiment.

The involvement of someone like Pirx in our programme...

It's sort of... risky...

...a gamble

Personally, as the representative of Cybertronics, I think that...

...a pilot with such a reputation for honesty, like Pirx,...

...it doesn't matter if he'll do it consciously or not

If he's going to be on our side, we'll have the best argument

for the media and the public.

And what if Pirx's report is negative?

We all know, and we can speak openly...

...that some of our products have got faults.

It could end in a disaster...

... of unimaginable magnitude.

Because we have some disagreement

I suggest that we take a vote

Who would like to see Commander Pirx involved in our programme?

On behalf of United Atomic Laboratories, I strongly disagree

The result was positive

Now it's up to you, Director...

...to have Commander Pirx agree to his involvement in our...

...I can say it without hesitation...

it is OUR programme.

That was slower than when we were on the moon.

But at least we didn't have the spacesuits on.

Let's hurry - the weather's changing.

Apparently sometimes on mountaintops, even at noon,

you can see the stars.

We'll see for ourselves tomorrow.

The way you're talking, you'd have thought

you'd never seen them before.

We'll be able to watch them from the earth for the whole month.

They look better from the earth.

Commander, an urgent message for you.

I must return immediately.

But you're on vacation.

It's an order

That's a pity - we could have had a nice month.

- Here we are.

- Thank you.

- Commander Pirx?

- Yes, that's me

We've been waiting for you. Please take a seat.

I'm busy now, and not available to anyone.

Commander...

I have an original proposition - even an experiment.

What I'm about to say

must be held in the strictest confidence...

...even if you refuse

Do you agree?

Not unless you tell me more.

I understand, you aren't the kind of man

to walk into something blind.

I would have expected that,

based on what I've already heard about you..

...but that's even better.

I'm talking about an experimental flight

A new type of spaceship?

No, a new type of crew.

A crew?

But I don't understand what my role will be.

A thorough assessment of its usefullness

That's all I can tell you at the moment.

It's your decision.

I can't accept this offer

But why?

Because of my own conscience.

I cannot assess someone

without knowing the rules of the game.

Well then. Time for lunch...

...and then I'll take you to our centre where you can find out more.

As you can see, I'll agree to anything.

Good. I wonder what you've come up with.

We're interested in introducing...

...a new automatic satellite...

... into Saturn's orbit.

It's not an ordinary mission.

Recently, the USSR and USA...

...have begun production of humanoid apparatus...

so-called 'non-linears'.

They are used mainly to operate extra-terrestrial space flights.

Indeed, I've heard about it.

That's even better, so what's your opinion?

It's complete nonsense.

The Pilots Association will never allow it.

They will...

Exactly. The companies who produce 'non-linears'...

...have to consider the objections of the Pilots Association,

the Unions and the media.

That's why they've handed over a few prototypes...

...to test their usefullness for extra-terrestrial flight.

Handed over to whom, exactly?

The United Nations?

Us. Meaning, UNESCO.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

What do these robots have to do with culture or education?

This so-called invasion of robots, produced on a mass scale...

will have a big influence on worlwide human culture.

Well, listen to a representative of an electronic company

speaking at the last secret General Assembly

which aided the decision to go ahead with our programme.

"Let's not be afraid of purely economical consequences...

...the danger of unemployment, ...

...or even psychological, cultural or social impact.

Losses which, apparently, could be caused by 'non-linears'.

The most important thing is...

...that on extra-terrestrial flights use of 'non-linears'...

is far safer than the use of human crew.

Their reactions are much faster than of a human.

They have almost no need for sleep, and they do not tire.

They do not fall ill.

Even when substantially damaged they still function.

Further, they do not require oxygen or food.

They can even carry out their duties...

...on board decompressed and over-heated spaceships.

You should understand that we are not motivated by profit...

...but the safety od space travel.

Not only privately-owned airlines...

...but those of socialist countries and members of the UN...

...should vote to support our decision.

Enough for now.

If those robots are really that good...

...sooner or later, your firm

will start using them as well.

And what will change if UNESCO oversee technical control of those firm's production?

Commander, it's not about technical control...

...rather the psychological aspect.

I need to tell you the rest.

We would like to offer you a flight with such a crew.

You would be in command.

During the flight, you'd be able to assess

every aspect of the crew's abilities.

- And that would be all I would have to do?

- Yes.

- OK, but I have on more question.

- I'm listening.

What will be the consequences of my assessment?

It will be decisive.

For whom?

For us, of course - UNESCO.

We will publish your assessment in the global media.

If your findings are negative,

that will put the employment of robots on hold.

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