Terra-class satellite, southern latitudes.
reveal hilly terrain,
carpeted by dry grasses and brushland.
Searcher to Survey. Can you give us a status report, please?
Strictly routine, Wilma.
We're finishing up now. Desert terrain, sparse.
The weather's perfect.
We're heading back for the shuttle now.
I spoke too soon! High-velocity wind just hit us!
Hawk, we gotta find some shelter for the night. I agree.
Wilma, we're gonna try to find some shelter, probably for the night.
We'll be refueling at Lambda Colony in three days' time,
and then going on to survey the rest of Crucis. Aye, sir.
Buck is reporting adverse weather conditions, sir.
They expect to be planet-bound till morning.
- Tell Buck to use his own judgment. - Mm-hmm.
Okay, Buck. Hope you can find someplace warm and comfy down there.
We'll give it a try! Survey team out!
Buck! Tolling of a bell!
You know, this place is supposed to be strictly uninhabited.
Let's check it out. Maybe somebody does live here.
We can get some shelter from this wind. Come on.
It reads: "Janovus XXVI."
He is dead, the ancient one?
No, there's a trace of breath.
Ah.
You have arrived just in time, Captain Rogers.
We will talk later.
He has been expecting you.
In the year 1987,
NASA launched the last of America's deep space probes.
Aboard this compact starship,
a lone astronaut, Captain William "Buck'"Rogers,
was to experience cosmic forces beyond all comprehension.
In a freak mishap, his life-support systems were frozen.
by temperatures beyond imagination.
Ranger 3 was blown out of its planned trajectory.
into an orbit 1,000 times more vast,
an orbit which was to return Buck Rogers to Earth.
500 years later.
Here. Take it.
What? You must bring this to my successor.
You are chosen.
What are you talking about?
Only someone like yourself...
of past and present time...
can serve as bearer of the symbol.
Of past and present time? Yes.
You have been tested in the past.
You will be tested again.
You certainly know a lot about me.
I have been waiting 500 Earth years.
for your arrival.
500 years? The blinking of an eye.
in cosmic time.
You were chosen long ago to carry the symbol.
The symbol? I don't understand... Don't!
Carry it with reverence, unopened.
It has terrible power. Keep it just so.
until you place it in the hand of the successor.
But I don't know anything about any successor or where you want this brought.
The cycle ofJanovus XXVI.
is nearing its end, my son, and I am dying.
You must honor my request.
Old man, I'm sorry, but I... But you have no choice.
You are the chosen one.
to be the messenger.
All right, all right. I'll-I'll take it.
I am content.
It is done.
- He's gone. - Those candles going out...
Flickering one moment,
gone the next.
Listen.
Even the wind's died.
Buck.
do you think that storm could have been created just to bring us here?
I'm not sure of anything.
I don't know what to think of this mission or.
anything.
I guess we have to attend to first things first.
The grave outside? Mm-hmm.
He worked long and hard.
making it ready.
for himself.
May he rest for eternity.
Amen to that. Buck, you think it wise.
we bring that object and the scrolls aboard Searcher?
I don't think we have any choice, Hawk.
I gave my word I'd deliver it.
wherever it goes.
Buck.
Buck! Sorry to wake you. Lunch is ready.
Mom?
Afternoon, Captain Rogers. Enjoying your leave?
Yeah, I sure am.
Hope you enjoyed your nap. I hated to disturb you.
There. Isn't that pretty?
What is it, dear?
Mom, how long have I been home?
Well, two weeks, of course. Your furlough's up tomorrow.
What's wrong, Buck? Do I look all right to you?
In what way?
I mean, of course, you're tired. And we've all said that you should take it easier, but...
No, no, not like that.
I mean, different, you know?
It's hard to explain. Um...
I had this dream, I guess,
that I was in the 25th century flying spacecraft.
and meeting interesting people.
Buck, you were always a dreamer.
Now eat your lunch. I'll get the coffee.
You know, it's really strange, Mom, having a dream like that.
Everything's so real, you know.
What seems to last months, only takes a few minutes.
Maybe it's because, um...
Because you're worried about the mission. No, no.
Every detail of that mission has been computed to the last decimal point.
There's not a chance of a malfunction.
I know that's what all the engineers say,
but that same rocket system exploded the first time they tested it.
A man was killed.
Yes, and the fuel problem that caused that has long since been corrected.
Mom, I am lucky to be on this mission. I was chosen over 12 other guys.
Look. You know, I've worked my tail off to get this chance.
My one, big ambition has been to pilot a deep space probe.
Besides, this will put me at the top of the heap at NASA.
Is that such a worthwhile ambition, to be top of the heap?
Well, the view's a lot nicer from up there.
You know, pride is one of the seven deadly sins.
Now look. I don't want you to worry.
You understand, huh? There's nothing to worry about. I promise.
All right, Buck. You know I-I'm very proud of you.
Only sometimes I get frightened.
Well, there's nothing to be frightened of. I tell you what I'll do.
I'll take one of your flowers here, take that along for good luck. All right?
Now, I'll be back before it wilts.
Mission Control, Ranger 3. Orbit achieved.
Everything's as smooth as a baby's bottom.
You're looking good, Buck. Telemetry good.
Fuel consumption, timeline's right on.
I'm gonna try the automated maneuver series.
I know it's an option, Buck, but maybe another time.
Let the brass study automated maneuver,
lay it out on the boards a time or two before your hide's on the line.
Look, if we do it today, right now, we'll be six months ahead.
Then we're sooner into the program.
Why don't you see if you can clear it, Charlie? Hold on a sec.
Okay, Buck. All thrust systems are go.
But remember, you're to go for no more than a three-minute burn.
Three minutes. Good luck.
Thank you, Charlie.
Engaging thrusts. now.
Okay, come on, baby. Let's see you do your thing.
G-forces seven and still accelerating.
Hang on a sec. I'm picking up some vibration.
Looks like it's from number three engine.
It's getting stronger. Cut three, Buck! Cut it!
I think it's exhaust turbulence from one and two.
I can't hold her!
Starting to roll! Trying to stabilize!
Buck, you're off course! We're losing you on the scopes!
Life-support systems are affected.
Cockpit heating failure.
I'm icing up.
Controls are freezing.
Cabin temperature's still falling.
Mission Control calling Captain Rogers.
Come in, Buck. Come in, Buck.!
Buck.! Buck.!
Buck!
Buck. Buck.!
What happened?
You were shouting something about controls freezing.
It... It woke me.
Then you went limp like a dead man.
Your eyes open,
but seeing something infinitely far away.
I was far away.
I was back in my own century, Hawk.
Dreaming I was home.
Reliving everything.
up to the last moment.
my mission went haywire.
Except I wasn't dreaming.
I did relive it.
I was there.
Everybody's safely aboard. Reset course for Lambda Colony.
Aye, Admiral. Course computed.
140 degrees cubic, sixth galaxial plane. Good.
Well, here it is.
So, this is the mysterious box?
Special delivery parcel. Though where it goes, and to whom, I have no idea.
Crichton, report to the bridge at once.
Buck, this just looks like a beautiful artifact.
made of some sort of phosphorescent material.
What kind of danger do you think it might pose?
I'm not exactly sure yet. The old one spoke of its terrible power,
and, last night, Buck had that strange experience.
Oh, yes, the dream you reported, returning to the 20th century, meeting your mother again.
Buck, maybe you were just thinking of your home and your loved ones.
before you fell asleep. No, no. No, Wilma, I was back there with my mother.
We were talking. She was just as alive as you are all here.
What I relived last night was real. I just can't explain it.
Admiral, I must register my protest at this interruption.
Your summons intruded just as I was.
digesting an abstruse manuscript.
for Dr. Goodfellow. Spare me the details of your digestion and get to work.
We need a breakdown on this box.
Such a childishly simple task.
hardlyjustifies... Right now, Crichton.
Oh, very well.
Composition is an unusual variety of jade.
Very unusual. Atomic structure seems to be photon-sensitive, which, no doubt,
explains its variable luminosity. What's inside the box?
No data retrieved by my receptors. Direct examination of contents will be required.
No, no, no, no, let's, uh... let's not fool around with opening it, Crichton.
I was told to deliver this, just the way it is, to its rightful owner,
whoever that's supposed to be. "Rightful owner"? I can help you there.
- Perhaps it's one of the Guardians, Buck. - The Guardians?
Yes. I've done a preliminary examination of these manuscripts that you brought back.
They're extraordinary. They're fascinating, and there's a single theme recurring throughout.
The same theme that I've observed in a great many ancient cultures.
And what theme is that, Doctor?
There are certain saintly figures scattered about the universe.
Now, let me read you something. "Ten unknown, humble,
"righteous souls whose duty it is to preserve the forces of world order.
"Each entrusted with a symbol.
that holds one of the cosmic dimensions in place."
- Including the fourth dimension? - The fourth dimension. Of course. Time too.
According to these beliefs, my boy,
the Guardian ofTime is supposed to serve.
for a single eon, and then be replaced.
And ifhis successor isn't found,
order is confounded, disasters occur,
human flaws and failings magnified into chaos. and destruction.
That would account for those periods of Earth's history.
when major catastrophe struck, wouldn't it? Yes, indeed. You're quite right.
And the final atomic holocaust which nearly destroyed the Earth.
Admiral Asimov, my screen's suddenly started to show some crazy readouts.
What is it? What's wrong? Navigational computer seems.
to have us on a heading of 359 degrees cubic.
Why, that course would take us to the very edge of the galaxy!
Yes, sir. I really don't understand what happened. Switch over to manual.
- Get back on a heading for Lambda Colony. - Yes, sir. Going on to manual now.
And let's have that computer thoroughly checked out. Crichton, get on it.
Indications are computer function is entirely normal, Admiral.
Don't tell me normal. It's put us 219 degrees off course! Now check it out.
Oh, very well, Admiral.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, balky computers or not,
we are well on our way to Lambda Colony.
And here's to a long liberty once we get there.
Especially for a certain, uh, bridegroom-to-be.
Dierdre's ship arrives two days before we do,
- and the wedding's all arranged. - Good.
Oh, Captain Rogers and Hawk, I hope you both are gonna make the ceremony.
Well, I promised you I'd dance at your wedding, didn't I?
That is, if I can take care of this hot potato before then. Excuse me.
Any luck finding a clue to its destination? Not yet, Admiral.
Even the strongest sensors in the laboratory.
have not penetrated its interior.
Well, I don't see why we can't simply.
look inside the blasted thing and learn if anything's there.
Why, I certainly don't believe these folktales about its danger and so-called power.
Admiral, Admiral... Food.
- Admiral... - Food.
Admiral...
My God!
What's happening here?
Can't you see, Admiral?
We're all starving to death.
What's the matter, Admiral? Aren't you feeling well?
What?
No, no, I'm-I'm... I'm fine.
Excuse me. I've got to get back to the bridge.
Hawk, uh, would you watch this for me, please?
Hawk.! I hear.! I hear you.!
Koori.
Hawk. Koori.
My beloved.
I have missed you so.
Longed for you, day and night.
Hawk. A moment again with you, Hawk. Even a moment.
We will never be apart again.
The box. We will keep it and stay together forever.
But that is not possible.
You called and, somehow, I was permitted to come to you.
But we have two worlds now. No.
I will go with you into your world.
I will leave this life.
to be with you.
No.
It is not your appointed time.
And we are now hurting each other.
Hurting? Yes.
No.
We are together again. And we must part again.
Suffering the same agony over and over.
Good-bye, my love.
No! No!
Hawk, are you all right?
- Koori was here. - Koori?
But how? Koori?
She was Hawk's wife.
It's all right, Hawk. We'll take the box out of here. Try to get some rest.
Colonel.
I've never seen Hawk so emotionally upset.
I wonder what happened? Something to do with this thing, evidently.
I wish it had never been brought on board this ship.
Anyway, you better report it to the admiral, and I'll take this to the lab.
Excuse me. Who are you?
What are you doing here?
Oh, my God.
Doctor, did you see a woman with a cane go by?
A woman with a cane? No. What are you talking about?
There's no one else in the corridor. But...
What seems to be the matter?
Never mind.
Mm-hmm.
You feeling any better, Admiral? Oh, much better, thanks.
I seem to have had a bad spell back there.
One of those quick "daymare" kind of visions.
Probably due to fatigue. That's all. I didn't sleep too well last night.
I don't believe this. Sir, there's still something wrong.
I mean, even on manual, I keep getting these impossible compass readings.
Are you back to 359 heading?
That's right. It seems like every time I blink my eyes...
Something must have gone haywire with this equipment too, sir.
Spectroscopic star fixes are all showing a uniform two-thirds red shift.
Two-thirds red shift? They can't all be receding from us at that speed.
I've got a hunch, Admiral, we better stick to this 359 degree heading.
What are you talking about, Buck?
I don't intend to take this ship out to the very edges of the universe,
beyond any known galaxy, just because of your hunch.
Now, we can't have gotten that far off course.
Crichton, how many grids are we away from Lambda Colony at this point?
508,000 Admiral,
increasing geometrically at a rate of 62 grids per second, per second.
What? Figure it again.
That would mean taking decades to get there. Indeed, it would, Admiral.
132 Earth years to be exact.
132 Earth years.
Why, th-that's impossible. That's crazy.
We'd run out of supplies before we got halfway there.
We'd all starve to death.
So that's what the vision meant.
My whole crew starving to death.
before we make port.
Moving further away from it every second.
Nope, nothing wrong with these circuits.
As I clearly informed you, gentlemen,
all equipment is in perfect working order.
It can't be in perfect order.
We haven't been able to keep the ship on course for more than a minute at a time.
Something's got to be blocking manual controls.
Searcher calling Lambda Spaceport. Come in, Lambda. Come in.
Still getting just static.
W-Wait a minute. There's a signal. It's very faint, but...
It sounds like Lambda Control, but I can't seem to pinpoint it.
Lambda, come in! Lambda, please come in!
I'm picking up a voice response. Subspace band 35.9.
Give me full power on static suppressors.! Got it.
This is Lambda Colony Control replying to subspace transmission.
Do you read me? Do you read?
Thank goodness. We read you, Lambda, though very faintly.
We've been trying to reach you for hours, since our ship went off course.
We do not track your ship. Identification requested.
This is Earth ship Searcher calling.
We're due at Lambda tomorrow, but we've had a navigation problem.
Searcher? I can't believe it. You're eight months overdue.
and carried on official rosters as lost.
This is Searcher. I tell you. We're not lost.
We'rejust off course. Try to get a fix on their homing beam.
- Can't, Buck. It's too distant. -Just a second. Let me try to get a signal through.
Lambda Control, this is Lieutenant Devlin.
I want to get a message to a Cadet Dierdre Lasalle.
Tell her that I'm all right. Lasalle, you said?
Cadet Dierdre Lasalle was also lost.
in the crash of a rescue vessel sent out to find Searcher.
No, it isn't true!
She... She can't be lost.
Death of all hands on the vessel was confirmed six months ago.
Lambda Control! Come in, Lambda!
I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
We all are.
I wish there was something I could say.
It's that box.
It's that box. Ever since it's been on board, we've had nothing but trouble.
It killed my fiancée.
It killed her! It killed my fiancée!
You better go with him, Wilma.
More curious than ever.
Oh, dear, dear, dear.
Yttrium laser beam also useless. Energy 100% deflected.
That ought to be impossible. Hello, Mr. Devlin.
If you've come here for a progress report, I'm afraid I'm disappointing you.
Dr. Goodfellow, would you key in the disposal unit for me, please?
I don't know what you're talking about. I'll do it!
You'll do what? This box will be our damnation.
What do you think you're doing? Stop that! You must stop that at once!
No way to behave in my laboratory.
Dr. Goodfellow, I was looking... No!
Let go of this box! No!
We need assistance in the lab! Quick, quick!
This box is cursed!
We've got to get rid of it!
Now, just what's happening down here?
What is it, child? What happened?
My eyes... Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
A terrible light exploded from the box.
That does it.
Admiral, no!
Admiral Asimov to the bridge, please. Right away, sir.
What now?
Doctor. There's something wrong on the bridge.
I better get up there. Yes, run along. I'll look after her.
Let me have a look, dear. Let me have a look. Now keep absolutely still.
Colonel, are you all right?
Well? Tell me. What the devil's going on?
Well, I guess we better stop trying to change that heading, Admiral, and just ride along.
I suppose we haven't very much to lose anymore.
Or much choice either.
There we are. How do you feel?
How do your eyes... How do your eyes feel, my dear?
Better. Good.
The image of the light from the box is finally fading.
Oh, that's good news. Just let that medication work for a bit, won't you?
That treatment should restore her vision in a while,
- for a short period at least. - What do you mean, a short period?
The long-range prognosis isn't good, I'm afraid. Her eyes sustained severe damage.
Cataracts will form, unless delicate surgery's performed pretty soon.
Can it be done here? Out of the question.
No, we must wait until we reach the facilities available at the colony.
- If we get there at all. - You needn't whisper.
The situation is no secret to me at all.
I had foreknowledge of the whole thing over an hour ago.
I had a vision of myself.
walking the ship's corridors. as a blind woman.
Another vision of time jumping its tracks.
Hey.
You're gonna be all right, you know that?
I give you my word.
Buck, I'm scared.
Hey.
There's no reason to be scared.
I gave you my word, didn't I?
I've never let you down before, have I?
Okay.
You'll be okay.
Colonel, I-I panicked. I-I can't...
I can't tell you how sorry I am. It wasn't your fault, Lieutenant.
And... And I was wrong to strike you. Yes, excuse me, Mr. Devlin.
She's got to get her rest. I'm so sorry.
Thank you. Thank you, my boy. Thank you.
Ah, well, I rather like the way Buck put that.
Just take his word and you'll be all right.
Never let you down yet. Positive thought, my dear.
Positive thought. God bless you.
We're changing course again. Five more degrees off axial.
Just let it continue to change course on its own.
Oh, my God, look at that. Look at that. Spectroscopic red shift's at nine-tenths.
This is incredible. Buck, how can you be sure it's the right thing to do,
letting it take us to the fringes of the universe?
I think it's the only thing to do. The box is hunting for its Guardian.
It's not gonna set us free until that hunt is over. Admiral Asimov,
we've compiled a list of ship's stores, as you requested.
We're down to about two weeks' worth.
of food, fuel and medicines. What are you talking about?
Why, three days ago, we had at least 18 months' stock of supplies aboard.
You're wrong. You've got to be.
All computations are error-free, Admiral.
I am hardly responsible for the lamentable fact.
that human beings require organic nourishment in order to survive.
It's this damned evil box.
It's used up our ship's stores like it's used up our time.
Devlin, you're dead right. This thing wants to destroy us all.
No, Admiral, I don't really believe its motives are evil. Oh, you don't?
What about the nightmare visions it's given everybody who's touched it?
What about the way it's marooning us right now, among these uncharted stars?
The fault, dear Admiral, may lie not in our stars but in ourselves,
with my apologies to the poet.
You're talking in riddles. What's that supposed to mean?
I think what Dr. Goodfellow means is that those visions.
grew out of some selfishness or weakness of our own.
In my case, my mother was warning me about the sin of pride.
And knowing it was wrong to try to change the order of life,
I still called Koori back to me.
And I lashed out at Lieutenant Devlin in anger.
Admiral, look.
A terra-class solar system, just like the ones back in our section of the universe.
Everyone, resume stations.
Mainly desert terrain,
but I do pick up echoes of a deep rift valley with some vegetation.
Holo scan pattern suggest some sort of building or other large structure.
Sounds like the best place to search. Come on, Hawk.
Buck, take me along too.
My eyes. If the box is the power of good as well as evil,
well, then, maybe down there... Come on.
The box, Admiral.
From the look of it, it must be hundreds of years old.
Yes, it is almost strange to find it here.
There do not seem to be any other structures in the valley.
It's still beautiful.
Think what it must have been like once.
This must have once been a holy place.
There doesn't seem to be anybody around.
Maybe we've come to the wrong place.
Buck, over there, chiseled in stone.
"Janovus XXVI" was carved on the first stone.
Now it's "Janovus XXVII. '"
Wait, wait. Don't run off. Don't be frightened.
I'm not frightened, sir, just startled. He speaks our tongue.
Who are you, boy? Where do you come from? They call me the Lame One.
I come from the valley beyond, but I shelter my flock within these old walls.
Do you know where we might find a person called Janovus?
No shepherd in the valley is called by that name.
It is known only as a word carved on that stone behind you.
- We know that, but who put it there? - It has been here as long as anyone can remember.
Uh, do you or any of the shepherds know anything about a Guardian?
- Guardian? - Yes, the Guardian of this symbol.
Oh, it's such a beautiful thing, but I've never seen it before.
Buck, we go on searching?
Another place further and further?
No. Janovus is here somewhere nearby.
Buck.! What's happening?
It's an earthquake.! A big one.! On the ground, everybody.!
- The earth is opening.! - Buck, the boy is falling!
Just hold on, hold on!
Just hold on. I'll try to reach you.
I'll try to reach you. Go back, please! You might fall!
I'll come down the other way.
No! No, don't risk it! You mustn't!
Buck, it's sandstone. It will not hold you. I gotta try. Hold on.
You mustn't! Just hold on. Hold on.
-Just hold on. - I'm only a shepherd.
Just hold on. I'll be right... I'm almost there.
- I can't let you do it. - Hold on.
I can't!
No! No!
Why? Why?
He sacrificed himself for you, Buck,
so you wouldn't risk your life for him.
Look, the box!
We extend our greetings.
and our gratitude to the people of Searcher.
for helping us discover the Tenth Power.
Our gratitude especially to you, Captain Rogers,
for fulfilling your role as bearer of the symbol of time,
and as witness to the selflessness of one.
who can now take his place.
among the Ten Sacred Guardians.
The shepherd boy.
He is no longer lame. He's the successor,
the new Guardian.
Captain,
this symbol of Guardianship has been delivered into my hands.
I thank you for bringing it here.
And now, let time slip back into order.
Let all wounds heal and blessings grow.
My eyes! They're healed!
And each thing be in its proper place.
The figures on the wall...
Gone like the morning mist.
And, once again, all is right with the world.
Crichton, give me an E. T. A. check.
Touchdown at Lambda Colony.
1430 hours, Admiral.
Exactly on schedule.
Helmsman, how's our speed and fuel consumption now?
Normal, sir. Good.
Colonel Deering, what's communications status?
Normal here too, sir. We're keeping in touch with Lambda Control.
Oh, and by the way, they have no record of our ever being lost.
Any word on your fiancée? Dierdre's waiting on the ramp.
Just as soon as we dock, we're going right to the ceremony.
You will be there, won't you, Captain Rogers? And you too, Hawk?
Of course, we will. I promised to dance at your wedding, remember? I will.
Will you believe it?
Listen to me. Listen to me, everybody.
To paraphrase the good Professor Einstein.
The time-space curve is back on track. I tell you.
So, Crichton, all's well that ends well,
you idiot. Hmm.