Orac quotes from Blake's 7

Put it on the main screen.

I must point out that this is a gross misuse and an absurd waste of my capabilities.

Put it on the main screen.

I will do it only under protest.

You can do it any way you like, just so long as you put it on the main screen.

Vila

Couldn't you re-design him as something useful, like a drinks dispenser? Or an empty space! I think he'd look really good as an empty space.

What is it, Orac?

You asked me to report any extension of the Federation Command Network. Magnetrix Terminal 406 is now programmed in.

What planet does the terminal serve?

Helotrix.

[Astonished] Helotrix?!

It is the main terminal for the planet Helotrix. The fact is checked and confirmed.

That means the Helots are back in the Empire. But they aren't the sort to cave in so quickly. It took the Federation years to subdue them on the first expansion.

Dayna

They've retaken Lubus and Porphia Major in the last few weeks. If Helotrix has gone, that means the Federation now control most of Sector 4.

Vila

If they keep expanding at this rate, Avon, we don't have as much time as you thought. They'll be knocking on the door in a couple of years!

How are they doing it?

Vila

I don't know. But maybe we should start running now.

Vila

Well, that's it. With those ships out there we can't wait.

Soolin

They might not be looking for us.

Vila

Are you crazy? You said yourself that was a search formation.

Soolin

They haven't picked up Tarrant, so why'd they assume a ship's out here?

Just a minute. Orac: that message from Space Centre - how was it relayed here?

Through Terminal Four-Zero-Six.

The terminal on Helotrix.

Of course, Avon. That is the nearest terminal to our position.

That's it. They must have intercepted the transmission.

Soolin

Computer logic, the nearest terminal.

Vila

So Orac's thick - we all know that. Let's move!

Well, Orac, what do you think?

I think you have brought back a most fascinating recording.

We are looking for conclusions, not critical acclaim.

Random fluctuations in circuit pulses.

Cause?

External influence.

[Over comm from Scorpio] We've nothing visible on the detectors or the scanners.

Dayna

Could they be faulty?

Detector and Scanner circuits record normal function.

So how is it external?

Dayna

A freak magnetic storm?

That would have been observed.

Vila

[Over comm from Scorpio, panicked] So what have you observed?

A paradox.

In other words, nothing.

Correction: the pulse influences are external to the circuits, but could be internal to the craft.

Tarrant, what have you got up there apart from yourself, a half-wit and a corpse?

A box.

I suppose it has occurred to you that, without Slave, we can't land Scorpio.

Set up a decent orbit and you can leave Scorpio and teleport down.

Muller can't!

Well, we'll give him a refund on his ticket. Just get that ship back, Tarrant. We'll worry about the details then, out! [Snaps the comm off]

It would be prudent to worry about the details now.

When did you start offering gratuitous advice?

Orac?

To die?

There is no option. To reopen teleport contact could expose the base to undefined systems influence.

Oh, you'll have to do better than that, Orac, if you expect me to kill them. (Snaps to Dayna and Soolin) Rescue suits! (To Orac) Restore the teleport to normal function.

Very well.

I am obliged to do as you tell me, even though I know it to be wrong.

Only following orders. That's not very original, Orac.

There is nothing very original about domination, as you will discover.

Join us, Soolin. We can fulfil your every desire. (Soolin deactivates Orac)

Soolin

You wouldn't know where to start.

Gone to the great cyberneticist in the sky.

You fool! It's superstitious half-wits like you who hold back every advance we make!

And arrogance, like yours and Muller's, Avon, which threatens to destroy -

Shut up!

Orac, are details of the orbiter contained in Belkov's computer?

I do not yet have enough data to reach a conclusion.

If it had the information, could you extract it? [Orac says nothing] Come on, that's a simple enough question!

[Hesitantly] There may be problems.

Why?! You've extracted information from Federation computers before, this is just a hotch-potch of three or four of them. You have already stated it is inferior to you.

It is not a question of superiority, but one of... attitude.

The logic of its creator.

Exactly. Let me remind you of ancient Earth mythology. The Delphic Oracle would answer questions truthfully without giving a true answer.

So what we need is not the right answer, but the right question!

What?! (Shot of Orbiter moving away, disclosing Scorpio) Orac, what the hell is going on? Guidance system control is not functioning.

The orbiter is preprogrammed. Flight power depends on the distance and intensity of each star the feldon panels are locked into. The successful completion of a game continues the sequence. To regain control, you must complete the coded sequence of star sources.

Vila

What about the feldon crystals?

Gambit?

This game will reveal the entrance.

Soolin

All we have to do is lock on to the right star.

It is possible that we've just received the right answer to the wrong question.

I calculate that the next star in the sequence is Cygnus XL. That's a black hole.

That is correct.

Not exactly the entrance we were looking for. (Into bracelet, having deduced that Belkov has outmanoeuvered them) Dayna, we're ready for teleport.

Vila

What about the crystals?

There aren't any damned crystals. There never were any damned crystals. They're like everything else on this ship: a game. That's why the last one has to be impassable. We have got to get out of here!

Orac, teleport.

Teleport? I am not programmed. Three squared to the principal.

Dayna

Oh, no.

I love you.

Vila

Orac!

My emotions are deeper than the seas of space. One times one is only possible in the ultra-dimensional.

Turn Orac off.

I love you.

Off!

We will be lovers for a little while, or maybe for a long while, who knows?

Soolin

I do. [Pulls key]

Egrorian

You really are an excessively cautious person, and so mistrustful.

That is because Orac has read your security file on Central Records.

Egrorian

Disconnect the funnel, Pinder. Lies! All lies! Base and perfidious slander! I never conspired... I, I swear this is nothing but a tissue of falsehood and calumny designed by my enemies to blacken my reputation. If Servalan has read this, I hope she...

Why do you mention Servalan?

Egrorian

What? Well, she was the head of Federation when these fabrications were compiled.

Didn't you hear she was dead?

Egrorian

Ah, yes. But then I was told she had assumed a new identity. One never knows what to believe these days. Anyway, this is, this... this is a load of distortion and rubbish, and when I return to earth, I will hound down those responsible, and...

Vila

Break their arms?

Egrorian

I suggest we get on. The tachyon funnel is disconnected. Place Orac here. Orac, what was the subject of my degree thesis at Belhangria University? Orac, what was the subject of my degree thesis at Belhangria University?

Your paper e stroke nine on stroke six zero four four was on particle physics and dealt specifically with the properties of rissions. It was marked Beta plus, Egrorian.

Only beta plus, Egrorian?

Egrorian

Pinder, you're to be seen and not heard, remember?

If Orac has a fault, it is a tendency to give more information than is requested.

Vila

Or less information than requested.

But seldom just the information that is requested.

That degree was subsequently rescinded for gross misconduct.

Egrorian

That's enough, Orac!

Orac, what proof do we have that Blake is on Gauda Prime?

That is where his trail ends.

What trail? Explain.

The chain of cause and effect amounts to a trail, if you can follow it.

Vila

I can't even follow you.

Everything has an effect on everything else around it. It is not easy to trace one line through the pattern of infinity. But in this case, I have. Blake is on Gauda Prime.

How long have you known?

[smiles] Long enough.

Dayna

Before Zukan.

Oh, yes. And the answer to your next question is, yes, I would have left Blake where he was and said nothing if things had gone according to plan.

Oh, I must try and work that into the conversation when we meet him.

Vila

If we meet him.

Soolin

Still not convinced?

Vila

You tell me what a line through the pattern of infinity is, and I'll tell you whether I'm convinced or not.