( A hospital ship heads towards the Inner Worlds, and Earth. )

Pilot 1: ( V.O. ) This is the Civil Administration Medical Cruiser Emancipation. We are en route from the Penitentiary on the planet Geminus II to Earth, carrying prisoners in need of Medical attention. We have Federation clearance for direct flight, authorisation code seven-oh-four-oh-four-nine-three.

( Inside the ship, the Captain and two pilots sit at the controls, looking immensely bored. )

Pilot 1: When are we gonna get that auto-transmitter fixed? We're going out of our brains repeating that over and over.

Captain: There are those of us going out of our brains listening to it, mate.

Pilot 1: Well then.

Captain: The engineers keep saying they'll do it tomorrow.

Pilot 2: Yeah. I asked them a month ago. They said "We'll do it tomorrow." ( Sad smile. ) What's the old saying? "Tomorrow never comes..."

Captain: That's right.

Pilot 1: What did you tell them?

Pilot 2: Mm?

Pilot 1: The engineers? What did you tell them?

Pilot 2: Oh, er... well, I swore at them a few times.

Captain: And what did they say then?

Pilot 2: They told me that we'd been in flight for over a month already, so who was I to talk about slow work?

Pilot 1: S'pose they've got a point. Four months is a long time to stay on one ship. What did you tell them?

Pilot 2: I told them "We're landing tomorrow."

Pilot 1: ( To Captain. ) Funny man?

Captain: No.

( Elsewhere on the ship, a vast, dimly-lit Cold room is filled with row upon row of Cryogenic capsules. In each one there is a body in deep sleep. We briefly zoom in on one particular capsule in which a young man with dark wiry hair lies in suspended animation. )

( Liberator Teleport room. Farin is at the controls desperately trying to contact the crew on the surface. )

Farin: ( Into comms. ) Avon... Avon, do you read me? Vila? Hailee?

( Farin gets to his feet and heads for the Flight Deck. There he switches Orac on. )

Farin: Orac? Orac!

Orac: Yes?

Farin: I'm having trouble contacting anyone on the surface. Is there something down there blocking my signal?

Orac: There is.

Farin: What?

Orac: That should be obvious even to one of your meagre cerebral powers.

Farin: ( Seethes. ) Well you're wrong about that aren't you?

Orac: ( Sounds murderous. ) I am NEVER... wrong. I do not make mistakes of any kind. Your mental shortcomings are in no way due to any error on my part...

Farin: Well whatever they're due to, answer my question.

Orac: Oh very well. Within the last few minutes a distortion field has been activated by person or persons unknown. The shape and frequency of the field suggests that there is a telemetric disruptor beacon on the surface of the planet, which is presently jamming all radio waves and detector signals within a radius of approximately two-point-seven miles. The bandwidth of the signals is relatively narrow and does not appear to cover the Omicron pulse length of...

( Farin tugs Oracs key out of its slot. )

Farin: All right, shut up. Zen, battle computers on line, put up the force wall and the radiation flare shield.

Zen: Confirmed.

Farin: Perform a long-range orbital scan. The Feds might have activated the beacon. I need to know where they are.

Zen: Confirmed. Long-range orbital scan now proceeding.

( Farin assumes his position at the controls. )

( Daedalus. Kyben is treating Servalan who remains unconscious. Soolin still has her gun trained on Kyben. )

Kyben: This'd be a lot easier if you'd let me bring more medicines with me.

Soolin: Yes.

Kyben: It'd also be easier if you stopped pointing that gun at me...

Soolin: Be grateful I'm only pointing it at you and not firing it.

Kyben: All right. Thank you very much.

Soolin: You always did have a very strange sense of humour, Kyben. It only seems to be triggered when something bad happens.

( Kyben looks up at her in suspicion. )

Kyben: How would you know? You only met me yesterday.

Soolin: ( Confused. ) I... how do I know that?

Kyben: ( Quietly. ) My God, Avon was right...

Soolin: What?

Kyben: ( Stands up straight. ) Never mind. I've done as much for her as I can for now.

Soolin: Will she survive?

Kyben: Probably. But only if we can get her to the medical unit on the Liberator.

Soolin: No. You'll carry on treating m-... her here.

Kyben: But I...

Soolin: Do it! I wont be able to escape if you take me back to the Liberator. Youll continue treating me here.

( Kyben stares at her for a moment, then he sits on the floor and refuses to move. )

Soolin: We don't leave until she wakes up, Kyben.

Kyben: Then we'd better make ourselves comfortable. ( Glances around. ) Can't say much for your choice of hotel. Ever thought about changing Travel Agent?

( Soolin smiles and pokes the gun in Kyben's face. )

Soolin: I could also change Doctors if I want.

Kyben: You wouldn't do that to me would you... Servalan?

Soolin: Oh yes I... What did you call me?

Kyben: Soolin, this obsession with rescuing Servalan... it's not really you making the decisions. It's her. She's not just in your head, she's controlling it.

Soolin: That's not true...

Kyben: Isn't it? Did you want to keep her alive before? You have no reason in the World to keep her alive but you're threatening both of us to do it.

Soolin: Shut up! Shut up!

( Kyben falls silent but doesnt take his eye off her. Soolin stares at Servalan tearfully. She drops to her knees and lowers the gun. )

Soolin: Help me... ( Holds her head. ) Please.

Kyben: I can't. Not unless we go back to the ship.

Soolin: But we can't leave me here... I mean we can't leave her... I mean...

Kyben: I rest my case, Soolin.

( Jungle clearing. The Skar leaps at Vila and the Pirate. Hailee aims her gun at it, but Avon stops her from firing it. )

Avon: You'll hit all of them.

( The Pirate swings his elbow back and connects with the Skar's jaw. He and Vila then roll away from the creature. )

Vila: What is that thing?!?

( Avon and Hailee aim their guns at the Skar. )

Avon: Now.

Pirate 2: NO!

( Avon and Hailee open fire. Their shots rattle along the surface of the animal's body. It glows an eerie blue colour. Then several shots of energy propel from its eyes straight back at Avon and Hailee. Avon manages to jump out of the way, Hailee is hit in the arm. She cries in pain. The woman goes to help her. )

Avon: What the-...!

Pirate 2: You can't kill them with energy weapons...

Pirate 1: We have to run. Move!

( The pirates help Vila and Hailee to their feet, then they all turn and run from the clearing with Avon. The Skar leaps after them. Vila stumbles awkwardly. The Skar runs towards him. Avon spins and pulls his gun out. He fires, not at the Skar, but at the ground between it and Vila. The blast throws the creature backwards. The first pirate helps Vila to his feet and they run after the second pirate. )

Pirate 2: This way, quickly.

( The Skar gets to its feet, shaking its head in a daze. It can no longer see its prey who have disappeared into the foliage. It turns around and heads for the beacon which is still visible through the trees. Once it reaches the beacon it nuzzles on a power cable. Its fur glows light blue again. )

( The Flotilla of Federation Pursuit ships patrols the edge of the Leonis system. On Pursuit One... )

Kreel: Update.

Mutoid 1: Possible leads spinward by coreward by fifteen degrees. There is a very powerful particle trail leading toward the Freedom-Belt Systems.

Kreel: Any other leads? I demand that information.

Mutoid 1: None so far, Commander.

Kreel: Then I command we head for the Freedom-Belt Systems.

Mutoid 2: But Commander we have not completed the scans of the local...

Kreel: I command it. We follow that particle trail. That is an order. Plot a course following that trail into the Freedom-Belt. You will do that.

Mutoid 1: Yes, Commander.

( Kreel opens communications to the other ships. )

Kreel: ( Into comms. ) All Pursuit ships will now patch into Pursuit Ones navigation computer, and follow the ships heading into the Freedom-Belt. Those are ordes.

( An electronic signature rings out. )

Mutoid 3: Confirmation is received.

Kreel: You will now engage the standby course for the Freedom-Belt at speed Time Distort 12. You will do it now.

Mutoid 1: Yes, Space Commander.

( The Flotilla accelerates away. )

( Underground cave on Taurus III. There are a few items of perfunctory furniture and some rusted equipment here. The pirates and the Liberator crew hurry inside. The first pirate seals the entrance shut. )

Vila: Oh thank goodness... there aren't any more of them in here are there?

Pirate 1: Er, no.

Avon: We're grateful for your help.

Pirate 2: Pleasure I'm sure.

Avon: Who are you and what are you doing on this planet?

Pirate 2: You're in our home. You first.

Avon: Nervous around strangers?

Pirate 2: You could say that. Our enterprise doesn't meet with everyone's approval.

Avon: Federation approval, you mean?

Pirate 1: She might do.

Avon: Then we're among friends. Or at least our enemy's enemies.

Hailee: Makes sense in the Freedom-Belt.

Avon: My name is Avon.

Pirate 1: Avon? I've heard of you. You look as angry as your reputation suggests.

Avon: It's the agony of fame.

Hailee: I'm Hailee Gavisson.

Pirate 2: ( Gestures at Vila. ) And him?

Avon: We call it Vila. Now who are you?

Pirate 2: My name's Gillis. This is my associate, Kochin.

Hailee: Associate? What exactly is your  -  how did you put it  -  enterprise?

Pirate 2: We buy and sell.

Avon: ( Knowing look. ) Ah. Free traders you mean?

Pirate 1: Yes, that's a good way of putting it.

Avon: A former "associate" of mine called herself a free trader. Apparently she got blown to bits running a blockade. The Federation don't make the distinction between smuggling and "free trading." And they kill those who do.

Pirate 2: They also kill failed-revolutionaries.

Avon: ( Smiles. ) Don't worry. I wasn't planning to tell anyone where you are.

Vila: What exactly is the difference between smuggling and free trading?

Hailee: Free trading is where you don't get caught.

Vila: What do you trade?

Pirate 2: Oh, this and that.

Avon: Nothing delicate, I trust?

Pirate 2: No not delicate, not exactly.

Pirate 1: A little easy to bruise, maybe.

( Avon and Hailee exchange knowing looks. )

Vila: What do you mean?

Hailee: What do you think they mean, mould-breath? They print dud-money and import it to the Federation Banking Cartel.

( Liberator Flight Deck. Farin sits at the controls. )

Farin: Zen, give me another overview of the planet Taurus III.

Zen: Confirmed.

( The screen lights up and a schematic view of the planet appears. The tiny area which the scanners cannot penetrate is lit up by a mark. )

Zen: The Taurus system is located within a small region of the Federations Inner Planets, referred to unofficially by Space Command as the "Freedom-Belt." The Planets are uninhabited and located within Earth Sector, but have not been colonised by the Federation due to various reasons such as hostile climate, shortage of usable natural resources...

Farin: Yes yes, Zen, let's avoid the glaringly obvious for a moment. Do the battle computers suggest any hidden approach vectors that Federation ships could be heading to this position on?

Zen: Negative.

Farin: Has there ever been any Neutral status officially applied to Taurus III?

Zen: Negative. Taurus III has been officially-listed as uninhabited for one hundred and twenty nine years, ever since Federation Exploratory teams rejected it as a potential target for colonisation.

Farin: ( Rubs his jaw. ) Hmm. How about unofficially, then? Are there any records suggesting it might have a hidden Pirate Base? A mercenary camp perhaps? Could that be the cause of the jamming field?

Zen: No data is available.

Farin: I asked if it might be a base?

Zen: Battle computers indicate that it is possible, but unlikely.

Farin: Why unlikely?

Zen: The planet's vicinity to Earth makes the choice strategically unsafe for non-aligned forces, and the shortage of usable resources available on the planets surface would make an independent military base unsustainable.

Farin: Mm. So what if they had an external supp-...?

Zen: Information. Detectors indicate Federation Pursuit Ships approaching.

Farin: Ah.

( The Pursuit ships power through Space towards Taurus. On Pursuit One. )

Mutoid 1: Commander.

Kreel: What is it? You will tell me.

Mutoid 1: Our sensors have detected a large cruiser at one million six hundred thousand spacials.

Kreel: That is it. I declare that is the Liberator.

Dev Tarrant: Excellent. I will make sure the President is informed of your ratiocinative prowess.

( Kreel gives him a bored look. )

Kreel: I bid you do as you must, Kommisar Tarrant. It is of no issue to me. I request no further interruptions. I have duties to perform.

( Tarrant bows his head politely. Kreel turns to his crew. )

Kreel: I order you now. Plot an intercept course. You will send instructions to the rest of the flotilla, and update Space Command as to the Liberators present location. I declare we engage... immediately.

( Liberator Flight Deck. The Pursuit ships show on the main screen. Farin looks scared. )

Farin: There they are. Zen, put up the force wall.

Zen: The force wall and all weapons systems are already on line.

Farin: So they are. Have all targeting systems lock onto the approaching ships. As targets bear, blasters will fire.

Zen: Confirmed.

( Underground cave on Taurus III. )

Vila: Counterfeiting? Is that all? Well why didn't you just say so?

Pirate 1: Habit.

Pirate 2: We can never be sure whether our guests will entirely approve of our livelihood.

Hailee: ( To Vila. ) She means they're even more chicken than you are.

Avon: Manners. We are guests in their "home."

Vila: ( To pirates. ) Do you have a problem with our manners?

Pirate 2: Do you have a problem with counterfeiters?

Vila: I asked first.

Pirate 2: I asked best.

Avon: Indeed you did, but then self-expression beyond Vila's level is no great achievement. In fact it's no achievement at all.

Vila: Is insulting me the National Sport on the Liberator and I just wasn't told?

Avon: Of course. Who else deserves such high acclaim?

Vila: Farin.

Avon: Insulting him is only the Winter pastime. ( To pirates. ) Why did you come here?

Pirate 2: It's an ideal location to set up our particular type of business. Y'know, among the Inner Planets, easy access to Earth, unpatrolled by the Federation...

Avon: Sounds reasonable.

Pirate 1: And you?

Avon: We've been trying to locate a shuttle of ours...

Hailee: Mine.

Avon: ...Of hers.

( The pirates exchange glances. )

Pirate 1: A shuttle?

Avon: It was hijacked. We detected it had crash-landed here.

Pirate 2: We saw a meteorite fall some hours ago. It sounded like it crashed some way off to the North. That could be it.

Vila: How far?

Pirate 2: ( Shrugs. ) Must be at least a mile.

Vila: A mile? With those cats out there?

Pirate 2: Mm. Perhaps we can help you.

Vila: In return for what?

Pirate 1: Your guarantee that our operations here remain secret.

Avon: Not that I'm refusing, but there's nothing to stop us betraying you after we have our ship back..

Pirate 1: You have a reputation around the Federation, Avon. For viciousness, greed, avarice, and ruthless self-interest.

Avon: Thank you.

Pirate 1: You also have a history of keeping your promises.

Avon: Ah well. Even the best of men will have at least one weakness.

Pirate 1: I think we can accept your word.

Avon: What better guarantee is there?

( Pursuit One... )

Kreel: Distance to attack range? You will tell me.

Mutoid 1: Two thousand spacials, Commander.

Kreel: Have all ships move into attack formation. You will do that. Now.

( Dev Tarrant steps forward. )

Dev Tarrant: Commander Kreel, I have a request.

Kreel: Swiftly, I must demand, Kommisar.

Dev Tarrant: I require a squad of troopers and a shuttle, Space Commander.

Kreel: Why?

Dev Tarrant: Presumably the Liberator is here for a reason. And presumably some of their crew are on the planet. While you annihilate the Liberator, I want to head for the surface of the planet and round them up. Personally.

Kreel: Very well, Kommisar.

( Liberator Flight Deck. Farin stands by the controls. He looks petrified. )

Zen: Battle computers recommend immediate return of surface party to the ship, and retreat from the system.

( Farin heads for the pit and slots Oracs key back into place. )

Farin: Orac, can you contact Avon?

Orac: Of course not. Jamming fields are always indiscriminate about the frequencies within the band that they blanket.

Farin: Gah...!

Zen: Enemy within attack range.

( A shot emanates from the main Neutron blaster. One of the Pursuit ships evades, while the others continue bearing down on the Liberator. )

( On Pursuit One... )

Kreel: You will give instructions to all ships... fire at will. Repeat fire at will. You will give that order.

Mutoid 3: Yes, Commander.

( Plasma bolts from the Pursuit Ships start raining down to the Liberator. )

Mutoid 1: Kommisar Tarrant's shuttle is awaiting clearance for launch.

Kreel: Clearance is granted, you will allow the shuttle to launch, then you will continue the attack.

( A tiny five-man shuttle launches from the lower level of Pursuit One and heads into orbit, the fires of the battle all about it. It shifts heading to take it around the firing line rather than through it. Inside the shuttle, a mutoid is piloting, Tarrant sits in the second seat, and three troopers stand behind them. )

Dev Tarrant: More velocity, Mutoid.

Mutoid: We are already at maximum safe velocity for orbital insertion, Komm-...

Dev Tarrant: Meaning?

Mutoid: The shuttle has minimal atmospheric shields, Kommisar. If it overshoots...

Dev Tarrant: Then don't let it overshoot, Mutoid. More velocity. We'll have to chance our own danger. The safety of the Federation is at risk. Increase speed.

Mutoid: ( Hesitates. ) Yes, Kommisar.

( The shuttle heads around the fringe of the battle to where it can begin planet fall. )

( Ruins of the Daedalus. Soolin sits quiet and forlorn. Kyben is still seated, watching her. )

Kyben: It's getting worse for you isn't it?

Soolin: I need to save her, but I don't want to... can't want to.

Kyben: ( Sits forward. ) Yes. Cling to that feeling, Soolin. Use it to fight with. You don't want to help Servalan. Let me worry about her. Just remember to fight that instinct, it's not really you.

Soolin: ( Gritted teeth. ) I... can't... fight... myself!

( Kyben holds out his hand. )

Kyben: Give me back my teleport bracelet.

Soolin: ( Snarls. ) No!

Kyben: I think I can help you, Soolin but I need to go back to the Liberator. Give me back my teleport bracelet.

Soolin: No!

Kyben: Soolin...

Soolin: NO!

( Soolin points her gun at Kyben who backs off. )

Soolin: I'll kill you... kill you.

Kyben: Soolin, I can't help you down here.

Soolin: ( Gestures at Servalan. ) You leave and she dies!

Kyben: I'm not just going to let her die, Soolin. I can't save her down here and I can't help you either. We have to go back.

( Soolin slowly lowers her gun again and pulls a bracelet out of her tunic. She hands it to Kyben who puts it on. )

Kyben: Thank you. Now. Yours.

Soolin: I'm not leaving without...

Kyben: ( Weary of argument. ) Soolin! Put-the-bracelet-back-on. Please.

( Soolin looks beaten. She pulls out her own bracelet and snaps it onto her wrist. )

Kyben: Thank you. ( Into bracelet. ) Farin. ( No answer. ) Farin? Farin we need teleport please. Farin? Farin, respond.

Soolin: ( Confused. ) What's... why's the...?

Kyben: ( Into bracelet. ) Farin. We need to come back to the ship. Bring us up. Orac. Do you hear me? ( To Soolin. ) Try your bracelet.

Soolin: ( Into bracelet. ) Scorpio? Do you-...? No not Scorpio. Lib-Liberator, do you copy? Teleport, Liberator. We're ready to come back...

( Four figures step in. Kyben and Soolin look up in alarm. )

Dev Tarrant: That would be a remarkable achievement without your heads.

Kyben: ( Freezes. ) Tarrant?

Dev Tarrant: Dr Kyben. Fancy running into you here.

( Kyben suddenly leaps to his feet and hurls himself at Tarrant. Two of the troopers quickly gather round and kosh him over the back of the head. Kyben collapses unconscious. The third trooper drags Soolin to her feet. Tarrant gestures to his wrist and the troopers confiscate the teleport bracelets. )

Dev Tarrant: I see time has changed the good Doctor. He now shows distinct signs of courage. If only he'd managed that while maintaining a sense of loyalty.

( Tarrant strides over to where Servalan lies prostrate. He kneels beside her. )

Dev Tarrant: "Madame President". You have a sentence to serve I believe.

( Tarrant signals to one of his troopers, who walks over, picks Servalan up and throws her over his shoulder. )

Dev Tarrant: Best not waste much more of her time. She hasn't got a lot left.

( The cave. )

Pirate 2: According to Federation geologists, this planet's magnetic field was altered by a shift in its orbit when a neighbouring star blew up. It caused the little life that survived to develop a high metallic content. Everything in Taurus' ecosystem has unusually-high quantities of iron in it. Even plant-life.

Avon: Presumably that's why those Skars were not harmed by the shots from our weapons...

Pirate 2: That's right. You name it, if it's on this planet it can absorb far more energy than any species from any other world. The Skars even feed off it.

Hailee: ( Stifles a yawn. ) This'd probably be a fascinating lesson if we weren't in a hurry.

Pirate 2: It's relevant, Hailee. Even the energy in projectile weapons can be absorbed.

Pirate 1: You go looking through the jungle on foot, you'll never get past the Skars.

Vila: ( To Hailee. ) Sorry, looks like you've lost your ship. Shame. Shall we go back to the Liber-...?

Hailee: Cork it, mouseman! I'm not leaving my ship behind. I don't wanna be stuck with you lot for the rest of my life.

Avon: ( To pirates. ) If you can give us your best guess for the crash site, we can use the teleport to redirect us. ( Shapes to speak into his bracelet. )

Pirate 2: You'll have to wait a moment.

( The woman walks over to a power unit in the corner of the cave and operates a few controls. )

Hailee: Now what are you doing?

Pirate 2: We put up a signal damping field when you arrived. We didn't know who you were you see. I'm just shutting it down so you can speak to your ship.

Vila: Is that what that beacon thingy was for?

Hailee: Nothing gets past you, does it?

Avon: Where'd you get that equipment from?

Pirate 2: We use it to help keep ourselves hidden from any passing space-traffic.

Avon: That's not what I asked.

Pirate 2: No, but it's all Im answering. ( Stands up straight. ) Done.

Avon: ( Tersely. ) Thank you. ( Into bracelet. ) Farin.

( Liberator Flight Deck. The whole ship rocks as plasma bolts hammer the force wall. Farin is rooted to the spot, covering his eyes with fear. )

Zen: Force wall operating at forty four per cent efficiency. Energy reserves have reduced to thirty two per cent of capacity.

Avon: ( V.O. ) Farin.

( Farin uncovers his eyes, then runs to open comms. The following communication switches repeatedly between Liberator and the cave. )

Farin: ( Into comms. ) Avon! Where the hell have you been?

Avon: Always a pleasure. We're ready for teleport.

Farin: Oh, you're ready for teleport are you? Well I'm not!

Hailee: Aaah, what are you huffing about this time?

Farin: The ship's under attack! The Feds've found us! And I'm getting hammered!

( Avon, Vila and Hailee look at each other in shock. )

Avon: ( Hurriedly. ) What are you waiting for? Get Kyben to bring us back!

Farin: He's not here.

Hailee: What!

Farin: He and Soolin... ( The ship rocks again. ) Uh! They went down to the surface.

Avon: ( Outraged. ) What do you mean? Why the hell...?

Hailee: Never mind that now! ( Into bracelet. ) Farin, is Orac switched on?

Farin: Yes.

Hailee: Orac, three to teleport.

Vila: ( To pirates. ) Uh nice meeting you. Bye.

( Avon, Hailee and Vila dematerialise. )

Pirate 1: What are you waiting for? Put the sensor screen back up.

Pirate 2: No.

Pirate 1: What!

Pirate 2: I'm going to reposition the field. That ship of theirs could be exactly what we need. But if we're going to get it, we'll need to keep both Avon and the Federation guessing.

Pirate 1: But the Feds'll see us...

Pirate 2: If they're going to, I suspect they already have done.

( Liberator Flight Deck. Avon, Hailee and Vila scamper down the steps and take their places at the controls. The ship rattles under the force of another blast. )

Avon: What the Hell have you been doing?

Farin: Singing "It's Great to be Free". What do you think I've been doing? I can't fly this ship on my own.

Avon: Is there anything you can do on your own?

Hailee: Nothing he'd want to talk about in public.

Farin: Ah shut up!

Hailee: Sorry, I didn't know it was a secret.

Avon: Zen. Cease automatic firing.

Zen: Confirmed. Weapons systems are restored to manual control.

Hailee: Vila, over to you. Power looks pretty low, so make it good.

Vila: ( Looking fearful. ) There's too many, we'll never...

Avon: FIRE!

( Vila hits the firing stud involuntarily. The shot misses. )

Avon: Blast! Zen, power status?

Zen: Energy banks are reduced to seventeen per cent of capacity.

Hailee: Oh what? We can't fight like this.

Avon: No, but we can't run either.

Farin: What else can we do? They're not holding back.

Avon: No. In the past, the Federation always wanted the Liberator intact. Now they have these new, faster pursuit ships they just want us out of the way, and they have the tools to do it.

Vila: Marvellous. The moment they get tough they become less reasonable. Aren't humans horrible?

Avon: You should try being one.

Zen: Plasma bolt launch.

Farin: Oh good. I was beginning to think they'd forgotten about us.

( Hailee hauls on the controls and the Liberator manages to dodge the bolt. )

Vila: Nice flying. ( Cheeky grin. ) I bet there are other things you're good at with your hands.

Hailee: I can do even more with my fists, grease-stain.

( Vilas smile vanishes. )

Avon: ( Trying to hide a grin of his own. ) Vila, concentrate.

Vila: Sorry.

Avon: That's all right, Vila, everybody's useless in their own way. Everyone except me, of course.

( Pursuit One. )

Kreel: Conclusion: Yes, Kommisar Tarrant was correct, I reason. Members of the rebel crew must be on the surface of the planet. I hypothesise they must try to run otherwise.

Mutoid 2: Commander, power reserves on the enemy ship may have been too low to escape at high speeds...

Kreel: I deny that that can be the reason. Denied! If their power reserves were so low the battle would not have lasted this long. I deduce that they have crew on the surface of Taurus III. I demand we destroy the Liberator, then I command we send reinforcements to the planet surface to aid Kommisar Tarrant in purging the planet of rebel scum. Do it. Do it! DO IT!

Mutoids: Yes, Commander.

( On the battle rages. )