[Screaming] Rambeau, shut it off! :
[Narrator] A sinister musical mastermind: : :
Uses 25th-century rock and roll to plot a youth rebellion which threatens the entire galaxy:
- Those kids will be killed: - That concert must not go on!
- I'll dispatch Intercepts immediately: - Just a little longer and the galaxy is mine:
Let's go!
The time is now: Destroy:!
Why not just kill him now?
[Man Narrating] The year is 1987,
and NASA launches the last of America's deep space probes:
In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and its pilot, Captain William "Buck'"Rogers,
are blown out of their trajectory into an orbit which freezes his life-support systems: : :
And returns Buck Rogers to Earth: : :
500 years later:
[Rock And Roll]
[Continues]
I was afraid you were too good to be true, Tarkas:
Your report to New Chicago will have to be delayed: : :
Permanently:!
Remarkable: When the evacuation system opens,
trash from all over Musicworld will be swept into space:
This time it will include Tarkas:
When does it evacuate? Any second now:
[Continues]
Now, that's Andromeda, the most popular group in the galaxy today:
They have an incredible influence over young people: It's amazing:
Sounds like the Beatles:
- The who? - Not the Who: The Beatles:
It was a group that was popular around my time:
[Sighs] Well, Andromeda is quite a phenomenon, Buck:
And possibly a disturbing problem as well:
- Problem? Why? - [Theo] Captain Rogers?
Data has shown that within minutes of an Andromeda concert broadcast from Musicworld,
there is a 55% surge in youth crimes:
Frankly, we're puzzled and more than a little concerned:
But I understand there were similar problems in your time:
Not really:
Usually music gave kids something to believe in, to identify with:
It was a powerful force, but a good one:
- What is Musicworld? - It's an abandoned military orbital fortress:
It's been taken over and renovated by a conglomerate of music promoters:
And totally outside of Directorate jurisdiction, I regret to say:
Dr: Theopolis said something about crime: What kind of crime?
Why, almost anything: Rioting, looting, wanton destruction:
And recently, we've been seeing this sort of thing:
- [Buck] Looks like some kind of uniform: - Disturbingly so:
You think there's some kind of organization behind this?
We don't know: We're investigating here:
We've inserted an agent in Musicworld: Of course all our actions are unilateral:
- And off the record: - If you mean unauthorized, yes:
What has your agent been able to come up with so far?
Nothing specific yet: But Tarkas's last report indicates that he is onto something:
His cover is as Andromeda sound tech:
He codes his reports and sends them as part of the concert's transmission:
Yes: We'll be receiving something a little later on in this transmission:
[Continues]
Yarat, help me install this:
Now: : : We tighten the screws:
[Laughing]
Whoo!
Let's go!
[Theo] We have the message from Tarkas: Decoding is complete:
- "Veck"? - What's the rest of the message, Theo?
The message broke off in mid-transmission:
Maybe it wasn't safe for Tarkas to continue: We'll get the rest later:
- [Beeping] - What is it, Doctor?
I have a report that disruptions have broken out again at the Youth Center:
[Theo] More information, Doctor:
New Chicago Spaceport informs me that two young people have stolen a starfighter,
numerals 1314:
That's my ship:! Those kids'll be killed:!
I'll dispatch intercepts immediately: [Buck] Cancel that:
I'll go after them myself:
Have a ship stand by, Wilma, while I change into my flight gear:
[Continues]
What's this thing doin', Elaine? Almost half-lightspeed:
Half-lightspeed? We're still standing still, Elaine!
Okay, gang, the ride's over:
What are you talkin'about? We'rejust beginnin'to fly:!
[Buck] Not in my ship, you're not:
He's gonna have to catch us first, Mark:
You better back off the power: At that speed, you're going to start phasing:
[Mark, Elaine Laughing]
[Continues]
[Ends]
Mark, what are we doing? L-I don't know: How do we stop this thing?
- [Elaine] Maybe if I cut the power: - Don't! You chop the power, the controls'll freeze on ya!
- Nothing happens! We're still accelerating! - What do we do?
Reach below the seat: There's a red emergency box:
Open it, pull the switch: And hurry!
Just sit back, keep your hands off of everything:
[Buck] I'm taking over by remote:
All right, what exactly is going on?
L... I don't know: It was so strange:
We're at the Youth Center watching Andromeda, having a wonderful time when...
Yeah, and suddenly everybody went crazy:
Like someone pulled a switch: I don't buy that:
"The devil made me do it" was obsolete thinking even in the 20th century:
We really couldn't stop: That's right:
I could see what was happening, but it was like watching two other people doing it:
What about these two? Have they ever been in trouble before?
No: That's the intriguing thing: They're two fine young people:
The music again? Yes, that had crossed my mind:
Mine too:
Look, about these two... I don't want to press charges:
What are you gonna do with us? You're not gonna take us to the Rehab Center, are you?
- Oh, no: Worse: - Worse?
We're going to send you home to your parents:
Dr: Huer, a starfighter patrol has just found Tarkas's body floating in space:
He's been murdered: That's why the transmission was interrupted:
That settles it:
Something is seriously wrong in Musicworld:
If only we didn't have so little to go on:
Why don't I take a closer look at Musicworld?
Maybe I can come up with something: That's a possibility, Buck:
Except whoever's behind this has been alerted, and you could cause a great deal of suspicion:
- Not if there's a good reason for me to be there: - On Musicworld?
Andromeda's scheduled to give their first galaxywide concert in two days:
- How's that going to help us? - It's a natural:
A man from the 20th century, the time when rock and roll was born,
goes to Musicworld and introduces Andromeda to the rest of the galaxy:
- It's a great promotion: - [Chirping] And a great cover!
That's brilliant, Buck: Absolutely brilliant:
And the person who promotes most of the concerts on Musicworld is a friend of ours whose name is Wesland:
I'm sure he could get you into this one:
Great! I'll prepare to leave immediately:
- [Twiki] You're gonna need some company, Buck: - Absolutely: Take Twiki with you:
[Theo] It's possible I could be of some assistance as well, Dr: Huer:
I agree with you, Doctor: Colonel Deering and I can coordinate things from this end:
Great: Let's get going, guys:
You kids were fantastic!
Every time you broadcast, it's like I'm seeing you again for the first time:
Come on, you say that all the time:
Because it's true:
Cirus, those double-looped afterbeats on "Stardrift" were fabulous:
I didn't think it would work: As usual, you were right:
I may have an idea once in a while, but if it weren't for this group...
Hey, if it wasn't for you, where would we be?
That's right, Mangros: You made us:
That may be a bit overstated, Rambeau, but: : : Thank you:
Karana, are you going to include "Timewalk" on the galaxywide broadcast?
Why?
The mood of that song is so quiet, so thoughtful:
You see, on that broadcast we want to be always building,
climbing toward a climax never reached before:
Yeah: Well, listen, if you think that's best then we'll drop it, right?
It's not what I think: It's what we all think together:
Give it some thought:
Anything you say, Lars:
Everything is set on Musicworld: Wesland has agreed to feature you as the emcee on the broadcast:
He's contacting Andromeda's manager now:
- What's his name? - Mangros: Apparently he's one of the best in the music world:
What do we know about him?
Nothing as yet, but Colonel Deering is going to prepare a biofile on him:
Then he'll be expecting me? [Dr: Huer] Oh, yes, I'm sure of it:
Mmm, I don't like it, Yarat:
Wesland is the promoter:
He insisted we use Rogers on the broadcast:
I suppose he's harmless enough:
No one that close to New Chicago's leadership is harmless:
Sir, one person can hardly be a threat to you:
True:
I always knew I was destined for greatness:
The particle ionizer is my assurance:
When the transmission begins at 1900 hours,
everyone in the galaxy under 30 will be in the entertainment centers:
And with the ionizer at full power...
Instant uncontrollable riots: : :
Among young people on every planet:
All authority will collapse within a few hours:
Afterward, the heads of the galactic governments: : :
Will have to come to me:
Then, and only then, will I restore order:
What about this Rogers?
Rogers will be returning to New Chicago an hour after he arrives: : :
On a hospital shuttle:
That's some welcoming committee, eh, Twiki?
I thought we were stars: I guess not:
Let's look around and see if we can find someone to point us in the right direction:
[Hangar P: A: Announcer] Will the sonic engineer for Entro-Beat please call Control Room "K: '"
And I wanted a welcoming committee:
[Chirping] Right behind ya, Buck:
[Chirping] Take that, you bozo!
- Thanks, Twiki: - [Chirping] Glad to help, Buck:
There's a Captain Rogers here to see you:
Is something wrong, Lars? Just show Rogers in:
About tonight, Lars: We'll still be able to have dinner, won't we?
We'll see:
Captain Rogers is waiting, Joanna:
Captain Rogers:! Come in: Lars Mangros: How good of you to come to Musicworld:
I wouldn't have missed it for anything:
I can't apologize enough: First I get the time wrong and miss your arrival:
- Then the incident with those hoodlums: - Yes: Does that happen often?
Not to Musicworld natives:
But some of these kids think of strangers as their legitimate prey:
Well, I'm willing to forget about it:
Yes, it's best forgotten:
Listen, about the concert:
Mr: Wesland felt that I'd be a perfect emcee,
but I haven't had much experience at this sort of thing:
I assumed you weren't a professional entertainer:
I've already arranged for some writers: We'll do everything we can to make it easy for you:
Thanks: That'll be great:
I'll have you escorted down to meet Andromeda:
They're recording right now: Fine:
[Rock And Roll]
Thank you:
[Ends]
All right, let's try that one:
So, you must be the famous Buck Rogers:
And you must be the famous Karana: And you are?
Rambeau, Cirus: Hiya, Cirus:
[Technician] Want to hear it back? Not especially, but go ahead:
[Rock And Roll]
Enough! [Sighs]
What was the matter with that? Sounded great to me:
Well, we have a new soundman, and he's not quite there yet:
What happened to the old one? Disappeared, drifted on:
You know how these people are:
So, we have you on Musicworld for a couple of days, hmm?
Looks that way: I'd be glad to show you around a little:
I'd like that very much:
See you back at my quarters, Twiki:
[Chirping] Gotcha, boss:
Your group has really got a great sound:
It's reminiscent of 20th-century rock and roll:
Oh, yeah? Yeah, really:
[Girls Giggling]
Hello there: There you go:
Thank you: Thank you!
Every time I go out, I come back needing a hand transplant:
Everybody wants to touch a hero: That's not all they want:
Autographs, pictures, advice, words of wisdom: I mean, all I am is a musician!
Not to them you're not: They're crazy about ya: [Sighs]
Sometimes I think that's exactly what they are: What?
Crazy: Look! They're the kind of fans we'd like to do without:
Who? Those people in the black uniforms? It's strange, Buck:
We've got a huge following among those gangs:
But who they are and what they do is completely opposite from everything we believe in:
Have you tried reaching them, talking to them?
Yeah, we tried for a while, but then Lars said: : :
That no one wanted to hear us sermonize, so we quit talking:
You do everything Lars Mangros tells you?
We owe him a lot, Buck: He made Andromeda into what it is:
Without him...
That pendant you're wearing: I notice everyone in the group wears them:
What are they for? Oh, good luck, I guess:
Lars gave them to us just before our first concert:
He said that if we never took them off, nothing could ever go wrong:
And? And so far so good:
Things couldn't be better: He's a wonderful person, Buck: He really is:
Anything new from your end?
No new reports of youth-related violence anywhere:
Hmm: And no Andromeda concerts recently either:
That's right: Colonel Deering has completed part of her research on Lars Mangros:
What have you got, Wilma?
Actually, very little: Lars Mangros is some sort of musical genius:
He's generally credited for creating the Andromeda sound:
The Andromeda sound: Good old rock and roll:
Exactly: Before he got into music, he was a research engineer:
Apparently he wrote some highly respected papers: : :
Dealing in something called "particle movement theory:"
- Ring any bells? - No, I'm afraid not, Wilma:
I'm going to the control room later tonight: Maybe I'll find something there:
That doesn't sound safe:
I don't think there'll be any problems: It's been pretty quiet around here:
Be careful: We still don't know what or who we're dealing with:
So: : : Captain Rogers is not an entertainer after all:
An actor, perhaps: : : But not an entertainer:
Shall I send a squad to his room?
No: We need something more subtle:
You wanted me, Lars?
Leave us:
I wanted to apologize to you for last night:
It seems I've been letting business interfere with our relationship:
I was afraid you didn't find me attractive anymore:
Joanna, you know I think you're the most beautiful woman in the galaxy:
A toast: To our new togetherness:
Darling, there is one thing I have to ask of you:
Anything, Lars:
You do love me, don't you? Yes, of course I do:
- I want you to prove it: - How?
Very simple:
Tonight I want you to entertain Captain Rogers:
Lars, I don't even know Captain Rogers:
Trust me, Joanna:
And do this for me, just this once:
Please?
[Sighs] All right:
Let's hope this microchip I found in the office: : :
Can tell us something:
There's that word "veck'"again: Dr: Theopolis, what are we looking at?
[Theo] This is the brain wave pattern of an adolescent human:
- What are those high peaks? - Severe disturbance, externally caused:
- By what? - I can't determine that:
Physical shock: Perhaps stimulants:
How long would it take you to analyze one of Andromeda's recordings?
A few moments: Their music has been logged in the archives:
Great: Let's do it:
[Beeping]
How are things going up there, Buck?
We may have found some connection between the music and the riots:
- We've come across some rather disturbing information down here: - What is it?
I've been in touch with directorates on other planets:
Each one of them has had problems with youth violence similar to ours:
And without exception, each outbreak has followed a concert by Andromeda:
I met the group: They seem all right:
That may be:
But can you imagine what it'll be like after that galactic transmission tomorrow night?
But Doc, we're still not certain it's the music:
We can't take a chance on that:
The Earth Council has voted to block the broadcast: There's a jammer satellite in position already:
If you block that broadcast, I can guarantee you you'll have riots all over the galaxy:
Why? The kids'll take it as a move against them:
They won't like it at all:
Doc, have you ever heard the expression "veck"?
Certainly: It's a contraction of the word "vector:"
It's used in biology, principally,
and it has to do with a microorganism which carries another:
[Chirping] Piggyback:
- Yeah, but what's it got to do with music? - I can't answer that:
All right: Look, we've got a few hours left before the broadcast:
Maybe I can try to fit these pieces together before then:
I hope so: Good luck:
Thanks, Doc:
[Sighs] Well, Theo, what have you come up with?
My analysis shows that the music could have: : :
No adverse effect on anyone listening to it:
That means we're right back where we started:
Wilma mentioned something about Mangros working with particle movement theory:
That might tie in somehow with this vectoring:
Check it out, will ya? Certainly, Captain:
Captain Rogers?
- May I talk to you? - Sure:
Uh, privately? It's very important:
You guys mind leaving us alone? I'll only be a little while:
[Chirping] Not if she can help it:
See ya, babe:
I think this will add something toJoanna's visit with Captain Rogers:
What is this all about?
You'll probably think I'm being silly:
[Buck Over Intercom] Not if it's important to you:
I just wanted to spend some time with you:
Well, maybe later we could: I just couldn't keep away any longer:
Well, uh, Joanna, that's all very nice, but...
No, Buck, you don't understand:
Joanna, really! Really, I think you've got the wrong guy:
- Don't you find me attractive? - Certainly!
Then hold me: : : Just for a moment: Please?
[Rock And Roll]
[Continues]
[Joanna] Oh, Buck:!
Let go!
[Stops]
What am I doing? Captain Rogers!
Nothing much: Just trying to kill me:
I did? I don't know why!
It was like I was on the outside watching:
A lot of people seem to be having that problem these days:
- You gotta get outta this place: - Leave Musicworld? Lars is here:
He may be a very large part of the problem: Listen to me:
Go straight to the hangar: I'll arrange for a shuttle to take you to Earth:
What if Lars finds out?
Look, if I put you on the shuttle myself, will you go?
Okay:
All right, come on: I'll meet you there in half an hour:
[Chirping]
Somebody rain on her parade?
And almost on mine: Anything on Mangros?
Quite a bit actually:
He authored a highly classified monograph: : :
On "The Effects of Ionized Wave Particles to Regulate Human Behavior:"
May I quote? Yeah, go ahead:
"It is essential that any ionized particle transmission be amplified: : :
"By carrying it on a highly charged wave such as sound:
In that event, the emotions of any human may be readily controlled: '"
The piggyback method:
Mangros is transmitting those ionized particles in Andromeda's music:
Correct, Captain: I did find an ionized particle transmission in the music:
That's why there can't be a concert tonight: Let's go see the group:
- I don't believe it! - Neither do l:
Look, Buck, I realize that you're trying to solve this problem:
But you're missing something: Why doesn't the music affect us?
I'll show you why:
Rambeau, would you play back your last concert for me, please?
[Rock And Roll]
Well? None of us are tearing anybody's throat out:
Take off your necklace:
[Screaming] Rambeau, shut it off! :
[Stops]
I don't believe it: I tried to kill you:
Your necklace acts as a filter:
Imagine that happening to millions of kids all over the galaxy when Andromeda plays tonight:
We've got to talk to Lars: There'll be no concert tonight:
- I don't think that's a good idea: - What can he do?
- If we go, he's got nothing: - That's right:
Besides, he's been more than just a manager to us:
We owe it to him to talk to him ourselves: That's the way it's gotta be:
All right:
I gotta putJoanna on the shuttle to Earth:
I'll do that while you talk to Mangros:
But I want you back in my quarters in an hour: You understand?
We'll be there: Thank you:
[Karana] You aren't going to deny this?
Why should I? It's all true:
[Laughing]
Besides, my plans hardly require your approval: : :
Or even your presence:
I've got a vid-library of all your performances:
Andromeda will appear tonight at 1900 hours, exactly as scheduled:
And none of your mindless fans will know it's not a live transmission:
Put them somewhere safe:
I'll think of a suitable accident later:
It's been almost two hours, Twiki:
Mangros must have Andromeda somewhere:
He's probably gonna try to force them to play:
[Chirping] That's not music to my ears:
It's not to mine, either:
If we can find that ion transmitter and destroy it, Mangros can't do anything:
- [Chirping] But where is it, Buck? - [Theo] I believe I can help, Captain:
My sensors indicate at this moment it is in Mangros's office:
This is an old military satellite:
- Do you have the plans stored, Theo? - Yes:
Is there some way to get to his office without being seen?
The only possibility is through the waste disposal system:
That's a way? The only way, Captain:
But unfortunately the duct is too small to accommodate a man in certain areas:
[Chirping] How about a little squirt like me? A little squirt?
It's gotta work: We don't have any alternatives:
[Chirping] So give me a boost, Buck: Come here:
Twiki, Theo will show you the way:
When you find that transmitter, destroy it:
[Chirping] Gotcha, boss:
I'm gonna try to locate Andromeda before Mangros takes some action we might all regret:
Good luck:
Going somewhere, Captain? Pity: We were just coming to visit you:
- I was gonna run over my speech: - I'm sure you were:
Put him with Andromeda:
Why not just kill him now?
Because we want to arrange a spectacular martyrs'death for everyone: : :
After the concert transmission:
Buck, what happened? I think I zigged when I should've zagged:
[Twiki] I should've brought my stilts:
[Theo] Keep going, Twiki: The next hatch should enter into Mangros's office:
[Twiki] There it is:
This is an unacceptable situation, Mangros:
I demand to know where Captain Rogers is:
We all do, Dr: Huer: After all, the concert is due to begin in minutes:
That concert must not go on!
I'm surprised at you, Doctor:
Young people from all over the galaxy are waiting to hear Andromeda:
Mangros, the Earth Directorate has placed a jammer satellite: : :
In orbit around Musicworld:
You give me no alternative but to utilize it:
- Don't be foolish, Doctor: - I'm afraid you're the one that's being foolish:
Tsk-tsk-tsk:
How unfortunate, Doctor:
Apparently some vandals must have booby-trapped your satellite:
I assure you, I'll open an investigation: : :
After the concert:
Good night, Dr: Huer: Enjoy the concert:
[Chirping] L... I can't reach it:
[Chirping]
What's happening?
- [Chirping] - [Theo] We will be blown into space:
[Beeping]
[Chirping] Uh-oh: I think I'm in trouble:
[Chirping]
[Twiki] Is this what they mean by "hanging out"?
[Chirping] You didn't tell me we could get flushed:
[Theo] It was not in my files: They must have modified the system:
[Chirping] Let's get outta here!
[Theo] No, the evacuation will be periodic:
We have time to try again for the transmitter:
It's like ten-point steel: Well, it's cronide:
We've got to figure a way outta here:
And hope that Twiki and Theo can get to that transmitter:
Alert all security units: Full emergency status:
[Rock And Roll]
How many cycles per second do you think you can get out of this organ?
There's no limit:
What effect do you think that would have on cronide?
First we'd have to disconnect the C: P: S: Governor...
Yeah, but then we can connect the speaker to it: Right!
Let's get to it:
[Chirping] The lug beat us to it:
Hello: How is everybody? [Cheering, Shouting]
We have the entire galaxy wired for audio response, and I can't hear you:
One more time:
How is everybody? [All] Fine!
[Crowd Cheering]
That's better: All right, here they are: : :
In their first galaxywide broadcast,
a performance you will never forget...
Andromeda!
[Cheering Continues]
Roll vid-version:
[Crowd Chanting] Andromeda:! We want Andromeda:!
[Rock And Roll]
It's hopeless, Doctor: Their transmission is too powerful: We can't block it:
- Ready here: - Got it?
All set:
Okay, guys, here: I think you better put these on:
[High-pitched Beeping]
[Beeping Continues]
Let's get to the broadcast stage:
- When I go onstage, turn the transmitter to full output: - Yes:
Is there any other way backstage?
Keep your fingers crossed: I'm gonna try to draw them off:
[Chirping]
These ducts are much larger, Buck, and lead directly backstage:
[Continues]
When we get to the Youth Center, I want your men to keep a very low profile:
It's too dangerous: Those kids won't listen:
We have to try: What's the report from the other planets?
Same as everywhere else: Riots breaking out all over the galaxy:
[Continues]
All right: I'll take out Yarat and the transmitter:
When the vid-version of Andromeda stops, I want you to take its place:
You're gonna give the galaxy a real concert:
[Twiki] And give Mangros a big surprise:
We'll be there, Buck: Okay: Let's go, Twiki:
[Continues]
[High-pitched Beeping]
All right, Twiki: [Chirps] Bombs away!
[Beeping Stops]
- [Stops] - [Chattering, Murmuring]
Youth of the galaxy, listen to me:
The time has come to demand your freedom, to create your own lives:
I will show you how: Andromeda will show you the way:
The time is now:!
Go into the streets: Let nothing, let no one stop you!
Destroy, so we can begin rebuilding a new galaxy,
our galaxy!
Who's that wacko? I don't know:
Follow me, people! A...
Andromeda and Lars Mangros will show you the way!
[Laughing]
[Chattering, Laughing]
[Chattering, Laughing Continue]
[Laughing]
Oh! Well: : : Let's do it:
[Rock And Roll]
Arrange for the Directorate to pick up Mangros:
Yes, sir:
Thank you, Buck:
[Chirping] Long live rock and roll, Buck:!
[Chuckles] All right!