One more. Just one more,
please, Dr. Meacham.
Hold it, please. A little
closer to the wing, sir.
A little more profile,
Dr. Meacham.
He wants to get that
faraway, visionary look.
Cal, we know how
tired you must be.
We'll make it as short as
possible. Fire away, gentlemen.
I warn you, I am beginning
to feel faraway and visionary.
How about your conference with the
committee on atomic
power? Not my conference.
Twenty engineers
and scientists were there.
Hardly a routine meeting,
Would you say? And look, Cal,
we won't buy the committee getting you
V. I. P. S together for a cocktail party.
All right, I'll tell
you this much. Under
discussion was the biggest
job we've ever tackled:
the industrial application
of atomic energy.
That's not news. There've been several
industrial reactors in work already.
Let us say that in light
of recent developments,
those plants may
already be obsolescent.
Electronics is your specialty. How
does that fit in with atomic energy?
You boys like to call this "the
push-button age." it isn't. Not yet.
Not until we can team up
atomic energy with electronics.
Then we'll have the horses
as well as the cart.
How long has the army
been handing out jets?
One of the boys at lockheed handed me
this one. I hope you taxpayers don't mind.
Cal, when do we get
to this "push-button age"?
When fellows like me
stop talking about it and
get back to our labs.
See you gentlemen later.
Cal, are you working on anything
along the lines you mentioned?
Roughly. Well, remember me, will you?
I'm concentrating on the reconversion
of certain common elements...
into nuclear
energy sources.
Huh?
how's that again?
What counts is how I
make it work. I see.
Well, good flight,
Cal. So long. Thank you.
Control tower. Come in.
Control tower. Go ahead.
All clear, Cal. Drift south
about 20 miles per hour.
Hi, Webb.
what's cal's E. T. A.?
an hour late. That's my boss.
The only guy in the world who can
travel by jet and still be late.
When I'm gone. Out me
the window.
Where are you?
Cal, what's wrong?
I have no control.
Cut loose, Cal!
Bail out!
I can't.
I'm too low.
Jerking around must have
caused a flameout. No power.
Cal, you okay?
Okay.
What happened? How'd you bring
it in? I didn't. Couldn't.
What do you mean you
didn't? Controls went out.
Huh? That's right.
No controls, no power.
Plane died up there.
I should be dead. Cal...
I know everybody's seeing flying
saucers and screwy lights up in the sky.
Well, you can put me
in the booby hatch too...
because I saw this ship turn a bright
green up there. Are you sure, Joe?
Positive.
Did you hear anything?
Yes. A high-frequency howl, very
high, all the time your ship was...
Green? Did Webb see
it? Unless he's blind.
Check him.
Right.
Oh, and, Joe, until we find out what
happened, all three of us were blind.
How's the little giant?
Growing up.
Getting ready to astound
the world. Let's take a look.
I figured that.
She's all ready and waiting.
Lowering the cylinder.
Increase the rate
of reaction.
Check rate of
radioactive decay.
Positive. Same it was
the whole week you were away.
What did the committee say?
Oh, they were a little excited.
A little!
Zero reading.
The x-c condenser
must have shorted out again.
Get the spare.
Burned out yesterday.
And don't ask me why I didn't
order some new ones. I did.
X-C condensers
in an envelope?
Must be a gag Dreamed up
by the receiving department.
I ordered two x-c condensers, and
supreme equipment sent me these beads.
You say they're a gag,
but they're condensers.
I checked one for capacity
and voltage on the meter.
And blew it to bits. Yeah, after it
held to 33,000 volts and no leakage.
If that were true, we
could build a generator,
One that would supply electric
power to run an entire factory.
It would fit
in a matchbox.
It still read
I'll try one
on voltage test.
I've got one
set up for you.
Into thin air.
Call Pete Knowles at supreme. Okay.
Pete Knowles, please.
Pete? Cal Meacham.
I ordered two X-C condensers
and you sent me some beads.
Yes, beads.
I am serious.
I just tested one bead
for voltage, and...
Oh? well, thanks.
Supreme didn't send them.
They're crazy.
Pete said they've had no condenser
order from us in six weeks.
Here's a duplicate of the order
I sent by teletype three days ago.
What's the address on the
letterhead that came with the beads?
No address. Look.
"dear Dr. Meacham: in place
of the condensers you ordered,
"we are sending you
our AB-619 model.
"We are certain
it will interest you.
Director electronics
service, unit 16."
I thought it was
a subsection of supreme.
Electronics service,
unit 16.
Well, at least we can find
out what they're made of.
Diamond Drill, the
hardest element we've got.
The bead
isn't even scratched.
Experimental lab,
wilson speaking.
Yeah, sure. Sam wants to talk to you.
He's at the hangar. He's been
checking over the plane. -Good.
Hello, Sam?
Sam can't find anything wrong.
Did you double-check the controls?
Of course not.
Now look here, sam...
All right, sam, you win. Maybe
I did have just a couple, but...
All right.
Good night.
Maybe I should have
had a couple.
Morning.
Morning.
Sign here.
Thank you.
What have you got? I don't
know. There's no return adDress.
"Electronics service.
Unit no. 16."
"A catherimine tube with
an endiom complex of +4."
What are they talking about? I
don't know, but this outfit has them.
This isn't paper.
It's some kind of metal.
"Interocitor incorporating
planetary generator."
"Interocitor with
volterator... with astroscope."
Here's something my wife
could use in the house:
"an interocitor incorporating
an electron sorter."
Although she'd probably gain 20 pounds
while it did all the work for her.
According to this, there's
no limit to what it can do.
Laying a four-lane highway at a
mile a minute would be a cinch.
Cal, maybe we've
been working too hard.
"Complete line of
interocitor parts...
incorporating greater advances than
hitherto known in the
field of electronics."
What exactly is an
interocitor? I don't know...
and I don't want to know. Well, I do.
I want to know what it is
and what it does.
Order the list of parts on these
pages. How we gonna build it?
These symbols... they're
like a foreign language.
Anyway, we don't know
the address.
You ordered the condensers
from supreme by teletype. Yeah.
Which means that somebody intercepted
that order and sent us those beads.
Here, try it again.
You're too darn smart.
I may be the dumbest man who
ever walked this Earth, Joe.
Here's the invoice.
No charge and no address.
Listen to this: "No interocitor
part can be replaced.
Bear this in mind
while assembling."
Well, let's
start unpacking.
There's 2,486 parts.
Each part is cross-indexed
into a symbol pattern.
Shouldn't be too hard at
all. Sure. A snap, maestro.
Only, uh,
where do we start?
Right here.
You know what
my kids would say:
"Dig this crazy,
mixed-up plumbing."
Plug it in, Joe.
We'll see what happens.
Now what do I do? Clear
your screen, please.
- You... can hear me?
- Of course.
Use the intensifier disk,
the one in your hand.
Place it in position
on your right.
Now turn the control
You have successfully accomplished
your task, Dr. Meacham.
You've assembled an interocitor, a
feat of which few men are capable.
- Who are you?
- I'm called Exeter.
I'm a scientist, like yourself.
Shall we say a... a colleague.
My colleagues don't materialize out of
strange machines. They're flesh and blood.
So am I, Dr. Meacham,
as I hope you'll soon find out,
although I admit at the moment,
I do appear immaterial.
I represent a group which is seeking
scientists of exceptional ability.
All prospects must pass an aptitude
test, which you've just done.
I'm flattered,
only I don't remember
applying for any job.
You didn't. I beg your
pardon, Mr. Wilson.
Your camera will pick up
nothing but black fog.
Images on the interocitor don't
register on film. Put it away, Joe.
To continue,
Dr. Meacham,
We test out people without their
knowledge. We leave nothing to chance.
Except the chance that I'm not
interested in you or your group.
Come, come, doctor. It's not possible
that a man of your scientific curiosity...
wouldn't want to find out
who I am, where I come from,
Wouldn't give his right arm for more
examples of our superior
technical knowledge.
I think I can assume,
Dr. Meacham,
that you're sufficiently intrigued
to come to an immediate decision.
We'd like you to join our...
team, as you might say, at once.
You'll make arrangements to leave
immediately. Wait. I didn't say...
at 5:00 wednesday morning, our
plane will land at your field.
It will wait exactly
five minutes and then depart.
Whether I'm aboard or not?
Place the catalog on
that table with the blueprints.
Now stand aside, please.
You too, Mr. wilson.
Just a minute. Please step
back or you may be harmed.
Further back.
You okay?
Okay...
Within reason. If there
is any reason around here.
There's no reading now.
Cal.
Yes, Joe?
Whoever that Exeter is,
I don't like him.
Don't you, Joe?
He was right about one thing.
I'm gonna be on that plane.
Cal, won't you reconsider?
I did... all night.
And, as a committee of one, I
came to a series of decisions...
at exactly
the fifth cup of coffee.
One: whatever scientific knowledge
this Exeter character has,
should be
in our textbooks.
Two: Joe Wilson,
my able assistant,
knows enough about a certain experiment
to carry on without me for awhile.
I'm not sure of that, Cal. Look, Joe,
my committee decided
I'm expendable.
Nothing you can say will change
that. You always were an obstinate...
Oh, well,
I'm not worried.
Not even a moth equipped with a lightning
bug could fly in here this morning.
So no plane is...
He made it.
No pilot.
No windows. Cal, you'll
really be flying blind.
Please be seated, Dr. Meacham.
And welcome aboard.
A seat belt is not
required, doctor.
Please clear the stairs.
Thank you.
So long, Joe. I'll be
dropping you a card.
Cal, get off right away! This
whole thing smells to high heaven!
Cal, I'm beggin' you.
Don't go!
Please don't go!
Good morning,
Dr. Meacham.
Hope you slept well.
We'll be landing shortly.
Good morning.
Good morning.
Where am I?
Georgia.
I kind of expected
Neptune or Mars.
Exeter asked me to greet
you. I'm Dr. Ruth Adams.
Ruth Adams! But this is
wonderful. I never expected...
Ruth, I'm Cal Meacham.
Cal.
Dr. Meacham,
of course.
Four or five years ago,
conference on thermal problems in
nuclear reactors. Boston, wasn't it?
Vermont! We were lecturing to a
symposium of graduate students.
Summer, three years
ago. After classes, we'd
go swimming in a little
river near the school.
You were an awful sissy
about that icy water.
Now, Ruth, don't tell me
you've forgotten.
Dr. Meacham, all I can say
is I'm deeply flattered...
and maybe a little envious of
the girl you've mistaken me for.
And now I think Exeter
is waiting to greet you.
I'm sure you must be
puzzled, doctor.
I'll never forget my own
feelings on the day of my arrival.
Exeter isn't exactly conventional
in his hiring methods.
Or his choice
of personnel.
I think that sounds like
rather a personal dig.
Once you're at the club, I'm sure
you'll like us much better. The club?
That's what we call it. Exeter has
spared nothing for our comfort...
or facilities
for our work.
Inside looks better, doctor.
They'll bring your bags in.
Your plane.
The elevators down to Exeter's
slave quarters. Our laboratories.
Our living room, social center, library.
This is Exeter's office and study. Not
exactly what you expected,
Dr. Meacham, is it?
Good morning, doctor.
Good morning, doctors.
Give me your coat.
Engelborg, from Munich. The doctor's
out for his morning constitutional.
He's been here a week, but
his English and my German...
Who's that one? That's Brack,
one of Exeter's assistants.
But you'll find them all
very helpful.
What language do they
speak? Anything you wish:
English, Hindustani,
Congoese. Anything.
Dr. Meacham.
Good morning.
Good morning. Please
come in, both of you.
Dr. Adams.
Sit down.
Oh, yes, Steve. About that
nuclear decay factor, Ruth.
I'm afraid my equation
just doesn't seem to work.
I was hoping you could find
time to go over it with me later.
I still think the basic principle
is all right. Maybe we can trust...
Yes, well,
thank you, Dr. Adams.
Oh, there you are,
Dr. Adams.
I was just reminding
Dr. Meacham...
that I'd promised to produce some
of his colleagues in the flesh.
May I use you
as exhibit "a"?
I'm afraid Dr. Meacham
isn't too happy with me.
At the airport, he was
sure we were old friends.
Obviously, I was wrong.
the lady hardly remembers me.
What is more important is... who
we are, what we're doing here.
Dr. Meacham, I represent
a group of scientists...
Who work with but one purpose:
to put an end to war.
Naturally, such a goal can't be attained
without experts of superior ability:
Men of vision, men such as
you, doctor, gathered here...
Exchanging information daily, putting
aside all thoughts of personal success.
We hope to achieve exciting new
techniques, leap years ahead of the others.
I don't think I need tell you how
effective our voices will be...
when the world learns
of our achievements.
Well, there you have it.
Nothing new, perhaps,
but then, what is?
However, let me assure you, doctor,
that we are dedicated men and women,
and as such,
we can accomplish wonders.
Well, what do you
think of us?
This all sounds great,
mr. Exeter, but why me?
Dr. Meacham, we happen to know
that you're on the threshold...
Of discovering limitless amounts
of free nuclear energy.
More specifically, the
conversion of lead into uranium.
Dr. Adams here has been
working along the same lines,
perhaps just
a step behind you,
although both of you are way
ahead of anyone else in your field.
Be careful. Exeter will
flatter you to death.
The truth is never
flattering, Dr. Adams.
Now suppose you relax
and think it over.
Suppose when I do, I find
I can't go along with you?
Naturally, we'll expect you to be
discreet about what you've seen here.
Otherwise, you're free to leave,
Dr. Meacham. As free as air.
And now suppose we continue
your tour of inspection...
right from our chairs.
Conserving energy is one of our
primary concerns, isn't it, doctor?
Your laboratory, doctor. Immediately
below this office, I believe.
Still under construction,
but in a few days,
well, we'll have some
surprises for you. Brack!
Everything in order?
Yes.
Thank you, Brack.
Any reason why you can't start
in the morning, doctor?
No. Another view of your laboratory...
with, uh, your own
interocitor, of course.
In addition to which,
we hope to provide you with...
one of our other units
calling, doctor. Other units?
Yes, we have several at strategic
points throughout the world.
Please forgive me.
We'll have a chat at dinner, Meacham.
Excellent cuisine, by the way.
Like everybody here, the chef
must be dedicated to his work.
Uh, you'll find the stairway through
the living room and to your right.
Your room is at the top
of the stairs. Thanks.
Dr. Meacham,
I'm still sorry I wasn't
the girl in Vermont.
I find, is unsatisfactory.
Yes?
Why schedule as planned.
Because certain methods imposed upon me by
the council have not been effective here.
I wish to discuss it
with the council.
Impossible. The time element will
not permit any dissenting opinions.
Pplan "a" as instructed.
On status of personnel.
With the arrival of Meacham, the
personnel roster is complete.
Proceed with plan "a."
What do you think
of mr. Mozart, Exeter?
I'm afraid I don't
know the chap.
My mind must have been wandering.
Your composer, of course.
Composer? He belongs to
the World. Yes, indeed.
The dinner, Exeter, was even
more perfect than you promised.
Now if you'll excuse me, I could
do with some fresh air myself.
Would you care to join me, Dr. Adams?
You, Dr. carlson?
Show him the grounds.
We won't start cracking the whip
on Meacham until tomorrow.
That's quite a group
Exeter has collected. Quite.
That's Dr. Hu Hin Hang.
Tang's field is tritanium,
the same as Dr. Engelborg.
Dr. Marie Pitchner, u-235.
Dr. Blorfield, plutonium.
Hmm, that puts all of us...
in the production of nuclear energy,
doesn't it, Carlson?
What are you getting at?
Why no biochemists, electronic
experts, mechanical engineers,
people equipped to make
practical application...
of the energy
the rest of us produce?
I seem to remember that was part of
Exeter's pitch. We try to make it a rule...
not to discuss our work
after hours.
Now how about
that fresh air?
How about you and Dr. Adams
showing me my laboratory instead?
After all I've heard today, I can hardly
wait to add my little contribution...
to the good work.
This way, doctor.
Your lab and my lab
are in this wing.
Steve and the others
are on the right.
This is yours
over here.
It's only Neutron. We call him
that because he's so positive.
Stay off Dr. Meacham's equipment.
Well, what do
you think of it?
It's not bad. Should be able
to get started very quickly.
Fine, but a word of warning.
Don't let Exeter push you too hard.
He's the kind of man who
wants results yesterday.
This is the same size lead
slab I use in my own lab.
I guess you're right. Guess Exeter
doesn't expect me to waste any time.
This is very
interesting.
Now, standing here with the
lead slab in front of us,
The lead reactor panel
behind us,
we're shielded
from nuclear rays.
Could be even from the prying
eyes of Exeter's interocitor.
What's your opinion,
doctors?
All right, I'll
spell it out for you.
You walk around here as if
you're scared of your own shadows.
Ruth's afraid to admit
she and I might have held hands.
That's okay, but either I've got
to figure I'm a little cracked...
Or that Exeter's cat
has got both your tongues.
We have a right to throw a few questions
at you. what are you doing here?
Look, I received
a darn fool catalog.
I couldn't resist it.
I built an interocitor,
arrived on that trick plane,
and that's all I know.
But so help me, in the next ten
minutes, I'm gonna know a lot more.
I believe him, Steve.
Well, I guess
I do too.
Now we're
getting somewhere.
To begin with, Cal,
I was the girl in Vermont.
Then why all the... because
we couldn't take a chance.
There's always the possibility you spent a
few minutes under one of Exeter's sunlamps.
Sunlamp?
That's what it looks like.
Only instead of a suntan, you
get your brain cells rearranged.
Steve had a peek at one.
Yeah, it's similar to lobotomy.
Renders useless areas of the brain
controlling the power of the will.
Up until now, Steve and I
have been spared.
We think Engelborg too, but we haven't the
slightest idea why. What about the others?
Try talking to them.
Well, that leaves the big
one. Who's Exeter working for?
We don't know. All we know is
what you've already guessed.
Exeter is desperately trying to come
up with new sources of atomic energy.
And we're the geniuses he's
depending upon to deliver for him.
Well, he might
get a surprise.
Why did you wait, Brack?
You should have told me.
I was busy elsewhere.
If you're so concerned, why don't
you let me use the transformer?
The transformer
is not the only answer.
The council differs.
It says it's infallible.
The council is wrong.
I told the Monitor so today.
The transformer is morally
abhorrent to the subjects.
It sets up subconscious blocks
which defeat our very purposes.
You're being
sentimental.
I am being practical!
No, Brack. Use a machine to control a
man's brain, you destroy his initiative.
You destroy his power
to help us as we need help.
We can both see it
right here.
It may be true,
but are you sure?
We're 30 miles
from nowhere.
Steve and I know.
We've tried.
And if we did get out,
who'd believe all this?
I don't blame you doctors for being
excited about working for Exeter.
It's a rare privilege.
He's a rare man.
Our little Neutron gave us
away. He felt the impulses.
That cat. I could... put Neutron
under the thought transformer?
Why not, Brack? And perhaps
you'd like me to step in with him.
Turn it off, Brack. Our friends won't be
giving us any more information tonight.
it's an interesting equation.
I'll check it.
You may find it'll help you over
some of the more difficult obstacles.
And now, doctor, I'd like to acquaint
you with another of our accomplishments.
Notice that section of
lead plate behind you?
Please bring it forward
about eight feet.
Now please move back.
By the door, doctor.
When your lead-to-uranium
process is working properly,
the effectiveness of this ray
will be increased enormously.
Tell me, Exeter,
Why should a communication device
be equipped with a destructive ray?
Mountains. trates
Neutrino rays, we can.
Neutrino rays?
You've just observed
one in action.
I suppose the neutrino
could be described...
as the missing link
between energy and matter.
Fascinating...
if destruction is our goal.
On the contrary. Just recently, one of our
rays was used for quite another purpose.
More specifically,
to save your life.
Exactly.
The green light?
It safely to Earthying
After it first
immobilized my controls.
Meacham, I must ask you to have
faith in our ultimate aims.
I must also ask you to refrain from
meeting with any of your co-workers again,
usual channels.
Any way you want it.
Very good, doctor.
aAd your patience, I promise
you, will be rewarded.
Here's a sketch
of the interocitor.
I also have rough notes
on its working controls.
It's guesswork mostly
but better than nothing.
And these are portraits of
Exeter and Brack. Do you notice...
The peculiar indentations
in both their foreheads?
Coincidental, no doubt. This is
the one we're really proud of, Cal.
We discovered this a week ago
two miles south of here.
Has been hollowed out,
the excavationing
what's in there.
Steve wanted to go back and
find out what was inside.
I guess I got
cold feet.
Just like Vermont.
Still a sissy.
They're fine, Steve.
When we get out of here,
I'll have them framed at my
own expense. If we get out.
He's just hungry.
Good-bye, Neutron.
Confirm, please. Plan "a"
abandoned. Alternate plan in effect.
Correct. Our ionization layer
is failing rapidly.
We may need transportation.
Are you prepared to leave?
We have been since
your last communication,
although Meacham and Adams
are achieving positive results.
- Can you give us another time period?
- Impossible.
But it is hoped that you will be able
to complete the project here. Bring them.
Good. You will keep in contact
until moment of departure.
Then remove all evidence
of installation. That is all.
Take over.
What is it? Something I've seen
before. Get off the road, quick!
They're playing
with us.
We're sitting ducks
in this thing.
If we're gonna make the airport,
we'll have to do it on foot.
When I stop, we'll pile
out. Take cover fast.
Steve! Steve!
We've gotta
get out of here.
Get down!
Get away!
We'll try and make
the airport. Let's go.
Is it flyable? It should be.
Exeter keeps it here for the staff.
They're pulling us up.
Remain here.
I want a report on temperature
control immediately.
Use extreme caution
through the thermal barrier.
Our two passengers are
very sensitive to heat.
The passengers
are here.
Allow me
to welcome you.
I'm sorry that our visit below had
to be terminated so dramatically,
but time allowed
for nothing else.
We mean you no harm.
Like Steve Carlson and Engelborg?
Like the others in that house?
What happened was beyond my control.
What happened was mass murder.
We're not all masters
of our souls, Meacham.
That's a nice little
phrase coming from you.
I learned it
on Earth.
Look. The two of you are
beginning a strange journey,
a journey that no Earth people
have ever undertaken before.
Whether you consider me a
devil or a saint is unimportant.
What is important is that
you're here, on this spaceship.
Suppose then, for the time
being, we call a truce.
As scientists
at least, Meacham.
Ruth, don't tell me that,
as a woman,
you're not curious
about our destination.
Where are
we going?
To a planet
we call Metaluna.
Metaluna? There's no such
planet in the solar system.
Metaluna lies far beyond your
solar system, in outer space.
The stellarscope
will convince you. Come.
Observer, prepare a view
of the second quadrant, please.
I won't ask you to
condone what we've done.
All I ask is that when you
understand the plight of my people,
you try to have more
sympathy for our deeds.
Earth. it's being left far behind.
Cal... it's getting
hard to breathe.
We're going through
the thermal barrier.
You'll find the temperature
unpleasant for a short time.
Prepare to leave
Earth's orbit.
All conversion must be completed
during this time period.
Follow me,
if you will.
Exeter, what are you
using for power?
How are you controlling the
fantastic temperature on this ship?
What's to prevent us from
floating around like balloons...
Once we leave Earth's gravity?
To answer the last question first,
we create our own
gravitational field.
No matter what position
our ship takes in space,
we here inside
remain right side up.
But if we're going to get you
to Metaluna alive,
there's a little procedure
you'll have to go through.
What are you
doing to them?
Metaluna's atmospheric pressure is
like that in your greatest oceans.
If we entered Metaluna's
orbit without conversion,
we'd be crushed
to death.
But in going from Metaluna to Earth,
the tissues of our bodies would dwindle.
We'd disintegrate
completely. Correct, Meacham,
If we're fortunate enough
to return to Earth.
Brack?
Yes.
You will prepare the
doctors for the tubes.
You'll change into
clothes such as ours,
especially conditioned
for life on Metaluna.
Come with me.
Above the rails.
They're magnetized.
In the tubesystem
Long as you're able to.
Ruth?
Yes?
You okay?
And you?
Feel like
a new toothbrush.
Ruth...
Cal...
Enemy-controlled sector.
This is master control
awaiting instructions.
You'll energize only as
necessary. Conserve power.
Avoid contact with enemy until
safety of ship is endangered.
You'll feel stronger
in a few moments.
Now I know you both feel as though you
could sleep for at least a thousand years,
But then you'd miss observing
our approach to Metaluna,
And with your curiosity, you'd
never forgive me for that.
I don't understand.
What don't you
understand, doctor?
Those two objects. They appear to be
comets, but their paths are identical,
almost as though some
intelligence were controlling them.
Your deduction is
quite correct, doctor,
Although the objects
are not comets.
They're meteors controlled
by spacecraft of Zahgon.
They're going
to hit us!
We've offered to make peace
with Zahgon, but to no avail.
Is Zahgon a planet? A
planet that was once a comet.
As you can see, their spacecraft are
actually guiding the meteors against us.
Now in fourth quadrant.
Metaluna contact
in three time periods.
Observer,
a closer view.
View in third quadrant.
Contact in two time periods.
View in second quadrant.
Contact in one time period.
View in first quadrant
at ionization wave.
What you're observing may well
be the beginning of the end...
for our world.
The Zahgon meteors are beginning
to get through our ionized layer.
That haze, a feeling
of intense radiation.
Such a screen requires the output
of great amounts of atomic energy.
And you're running out. That's
why you were sent to Earth.
And why you sent for us. You need
uranium. In gigantic quantities.
Our own deposits
are exhausted.
As our power diminishes,
our protection fails.
That's enough.
Normal view.
Entering ionized layer.
Metaluna.
Brack, remove the equipment of
our two doctors to turbine center.
Have it all set up
for immediate use.
Oh, Brack, I'm sure
personnel will need everyone.
Have the crew report
immediately for reassignment.
Now we must report
to the Monitor.
Step in!
Our means of interior
transportation.
Before the war forced us
to move inside our planet,
these tubes covered
the surface of our Earth.
Our educational complexes,
now rubble.
Over there was
a recreation center.
This way.
The Monitor's structure.
Welcome, Exeter. Observed your
flight. Almost counted you lost.
Your Earth creatures.
Dr. Adams, Dr. Meacham.
The Monitor, supreme
head of our government.
Regrettable there is no time for
amenities. I am certain your minds...
have difficulty grasping this
transition from Earth to Metaluna.
I've given them as much
indoctrination as possible.
Then you know that shortly
we can expect Zahgon
to commence and sustain
an all-out attack.
Our ionization layer must be
maintained until our relocation...
is effected. Relocation? To where?
To your Earth.
A peaceful relocation.
We hope to live in harmony...
- With the citizens of your Earth.
- In harmony!
Our knowledge and weapons would
make us your superiors naturally.
Then why haven't your superior brains
solved the problem of synthesizing uranium?
Most of our scientists
are dead,
our major laboratories
destroyed.
The war has reduced our
population to a mere handful.
That is true, Meacham. It is indeed
typical that you Earth people...
refuse to believe in the superiority
of any world but your own.
Children looking into
a magnifying glass,
imagining the image you see
is the image of your true size.
Our true size
is the size of our God.
Do you still insist, Exeter,
that we can allow any of these
Earth creatures to have free minds?
I do.
I know them.
I've lived with them.
You have wasted our time.
Take them to the thought
transference chamber.
Please come with me.
I'm afraid
you have no choice.
Interocitor control,
hear me.
lonization failing
at prime sector.
Use emergency power
and repel attack.
Power transfer
will begin immediately.
Our Zahgon friends seem to be hitting
this prime sector quite regularly.
Is that where it is?
In there?
My mind is my own and
nobody's gonna change it.
I'm not going into that
room! Nobody is. Come on!
I'm sorry.
I'd hoped to have prepared you
somewhat beforehand. This is a mutant.
For ages to do menial work.
They're similar to insect
life on your own planet.
Larger, of course, with a
higher degree of intelligence.
This one has been given orders to guard
this corridor as long as we're here.
I beg of you, go inside.
Cooperate voluntarily.
I give you my word you will not be
harmed or your minds changed in any way.
You'd defy the Monitor? I already have!
Do you believe him, Cal? In this place,
I wouldn't believe my grandmother.
Come on!
The travel car! Come
on! Where are we going?
The spaceship.
It's safer there.
Don't you understand?
Let it happen now.
Meacham! Ruth!
Stand back, Exeter.
Meacham, believe me,
I want to help you.
Time is short.
Get into the car!
He appears badly hurt.
Stay close to me.
Stand back.
I command you:
stand back!
Cal!
Are you badly hurt?
I'll be all right.
Close off all hatches.
Control room, quick!
I'm all right.
Ruth, activate
the stellarscope.
Right control,
Our ionization layer
has failed completely.
Will we be able
to get out?
Depends on the amount
of energy we have left.
If we have to ward off any heavy
Zahgon attacks, I don't know.
That may be
the last of them.
Yes, they're concentrating
all their attention on Metaluna.
Those flashes of light,
they're meteors.
Hundreds of them.
The intense heat is turning
Metaluna into a radioactive sun.
The temperature must be
thousands of degrees by now.
A lifeless planet.
And yet... yet still serving
a useful purpose, I hope.
Yes, a Sun, warming the
surface of some other world,
giving light to those
who may need it.
Now, into
the converter tubes.
Ruth, you take the first
tube. You, the next.
What about you?
I'll use the third tube.
Exeter, are these tubes
strong enough to keep him out?
Possibly.
He's bleeding badly.
In a very few moments,
the pressure should destroy him.
Run, Ruth, run!
Our speed is diminishing. We're
now in the atmosphere of Earth.
Your plane is where you
left it: in the cargo hold.
A conventional way for you
to return to Earth, I admit,
But perhaps
the most practical.
Where are
you going?
Our universe is vast,
full of wonders.
I'll explore, perhaps
find another Metaluna,
a place inhabited by
beings not unlike myself.
You see, I'm more adventurous
than you imagined me.
Exeter,
you're a liar.
You've used all your power
bringing us here.
Even if you had a place to
go, you couldn't make it.
Come with us.
We'll heal your wounds.
I'm afraid my wounds
can never be healed.
You've things
to teach us.
Thank you.
We're over your Earth now. It's
time for you to go. Farewell.
Home. Thank God it's still here.