The Shape of Things to Come Page #4

I hope we have enough parts here.

It's our last hope to send

a signal out into space.

- Take cover.

- Come on.

Kim, look at this.

It's on replay.

It's unbelievable.

Yes, but I detect we are in some danger.

I suggest a course alteration.

Now, what's that?

Nothing serious. A minor malfunction

in the spectrum drive auto-locks.

I'm gonna make a systems check.

Not necessary. Everything's under control.

Okay.

We've got to get our transistor activated.

If we send out a signal,

Omus could pinpoint our location.

Yes, well, we'll just have to

take that chance.

By the way, Kim, I am looking forward

to that new tape when we get back.

I don't know, Sparks.

Sometimes the way you look at me,

you give me the feeling that... forget it.

You are just a robot, aren't you?

I'm afraid so, but if there is any change,

you'll be the first to know.

Yeah.

- Hmm. Hi.

- Hi.

What's that?

Oh, this is a very old book

rescued from the Earth museum

many years ago.

- Must be very rare.

- Oh, yes, it is. Yes.

Most of them were destroyed, of course,

some of them survived in memory baffles,

but that... that's the real thing.

What's it about?

About? Well, uh...

well, it's about your people

and ancient country called Greece.

There were a bunch of philosophers,

and they... well, they...

they tried to understand

the nature of the universe.

Of course, they had only

their own imagination,

but what an imagination it was.

Their vision, their ideas...

never cease to amaze me.

Pay no attention.

I'm just a musty old professor

lecturing to myself.

No, you're much more than that.

Oh, you don't have to humor me

just 'cause I'm an old man, you know.

You're the youngest man I know.

Thank you.

I'm getting an intense gravitational

pull on my readouts.

Onboard computer reports proximity

of an enormous magnetic field.

What do you suggest, Sparks?

Counter with equal push.

We'll have to increase spectrum drive.

- 5.002.

- 002.

- Locked in.

- I've got 004, Jason.

- No, 002.

- It's 006, now,

and we're still increasing.

It just can't be.

We're going out of control.

Sparks, the switches are jammed.

Give me the manual override.

Negative. It won't release.

What do you mean, negative?

I can't bring the speed down.

Spectrum drive, we're locked into it.

Get back!

Closing rapidly on magnetic field.

- We're gonna break up.

- Just hold on.

What the hell was that all about?

I believe we have been

through time dilation.

Kim.

Kim?

Kim?

We rode it out. We're still in one piece.

Correct pulse, point 004.

Decrease thruster level.

Drive control now reading normal.

Switching off force field.

Pulse generator deactivated.

Jason, look.

Delta 3.

Sparks, can we have an update

on our coordinates?

We're within the gravitational

pull of Delta 3,

but our excessive speed has used up

most of our nuclear power.

How bad is it, Sparks?

We'll be lucky just

to limp into orbit, Doctor.

Hold on. I have a monitor sighting.

A Delta 3 cargo ship,

the same as Phobos 4.

Robot pilot aboard.

Full explosive load in the hold.

No doubt on another collision

course with New Washington.

We don't have the power now

to catch up and destroy it.

We could try and fire a missile.

No, no. We haven't got

the maneuverability, Jason.

Even if we could get close,

our armament system hasn't been tested.

It means more destruction

to New Washington

and we just have to stand by

and do nothing.

I'm picking up radio signals from Delta 3.

It's a distress signal.

Can you get a fix on that, Sparks?

I have the exact coordinates.

All right, then. We're going down.

Prepare to disengage.

- Okay.

- Okay.

Approaching orbit altitude for Delta 3.

Docking into orbit coordinates.

Counter gravitational control

set for signal beacon WA3581.

Gravity equilibrium confirmed.

Prepare for module separation.

Anti-gravitational controls activated.

Well, well, what do we have here?

An expedition to our fair planet.

Niki, look!

- Someone did hear!

- Come on!

It seems to me we ought to send out

a little reception committee.

Well, someone seems to know we're here.

It can't be!

- Niki!

- John! John Caball!

This is Niki. Kim Smedley.

- My son Jason.

- Hello.

- This is Merrick, my deputy.

- Hello, there.

Welcome, friends,

but we'd better get away from here.

It's too late.

Run. Discharge the robot electro force.

I am Omus,

emperor of Delta 3.

Welcome, my dear Dr. Caball.

How marvelous to see you.

I wanna talk to you, Omus, in person.

Not just to a disembodied face,

however impressive your

holographic invention.

Ah, doctor,

I have many impressive things

to show you in my citadel.

All right, let's get on with it.

How do I get to the citadel?

It's nearby.

My guard robot will bring you.

John, this could be dangerous.

I'm aware of that, Niki.

Father, please, don't try it alone.

It's too risky.

If anyone can get to him, maybe I can.

Jason.

Starstreak.

Yes, perfect.

No better way to return to New Washington

than in Caball's pride and joy.

Well, I'm not waiting any longer.

- I'm going to the citadel.

- It's not that easy.

Show me the way, won't you?

Do you really want me to?

- Sparks?

- Go ahead.

- How's the power problem?

- Still working on it.

Okay, keep monitoring us, and maintain

sensors on Dr. Caball, all right?

Affirmative.

- It's this way.

- Okay.

Dr. Caball...

my old mentor.

Considering our past relationship, Omus,

I think you owe me

some sort of explanation.

Wait until you see what I've accomplished.

It's astonishing.

Come here, Doctor.

Come.

Now watch this.

This is a RADIC-Q-2 factory.

My empire...

with a network of underground tunnels.

My mechanical warriors...

mining robots turned

into obedient soldiers,

with a new circuitry to handle

more sophisticated input,

and a capacity for independent thought.

But totally loyal to you, no doubt.

You spoke to us of a new technology,

of peace, not war.

Don't you understand?

Once you accept me as ruler,

there will be no acts

of aggression, only peace.

Under my rule,

the people will want for nothing.

Except freedom.

Well, the moon colony

will never accept a dictator.

That's one thing at least we've learned

from the history of the planet Earth.

You insult me, Doctor.

You are the one who inspired me,

taught me to place science above all else.

But never above humanity!

If I didn't teach you that,

then I failed you miserably.

Omus, give up.

Give up this insane plan of yours.

But I am Omus,

emperor of Delta 3.

- There...

- I don't want to hear anymore!

I don't think I even know you.

You're some sentimental old fool

who doesn't understand anything.

I... I am the world of the future.

You're back in some dark past!

People are no longer necessary.

Even I, someday,

may no longer be necessary.

And you, Dr. Caball...

are certainly no longer necessary.

Omus, you're a sick man!

- Let me help you!

- No, Doctor!

Let me help you.

Let me...

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