Soolin quotes from Blake's 7

[Discussing a plan to rescue Tarrant and escape the hold the plant has on the ship] Where we are now, we are causing massive atmospheric disturbance. Let us get closer. Let us make it worse. Eventually there may be enough of a build-up to create some kind of rain.

Soolin

Or to knock us out of the sky.

This is not just a rescue mission for poor gallant Tarrant! While the sand remains active, the planet will not let go of us. The instruments are unreliable. We have Virn hanging on our heels. How do you think we are going to get away?

I take it that means yes.

Dayna

Well, how could we refuse, Avon? You are the dominant male, aren't you?

Seventeen billion. That's what it's worth in direct exchange for cash.

Soolin

That's a lot of cash.

It's all clear. Maybe Vila should be here, to give us his professional opinion.

Vila?

Dayna

He's one of us. He stayed on Scorpio.

Soolin

In case of misunderstanding.

This Vila, is he, uh...

He's a thief, and a good one. But we don't need Vila to tell us the obvious, do we? That no one, but no one allows a fortune like that to travel in an unarmed crate with just two plainclothes guards! So what's the snag, Keiller!?

Your friend, Vila, he wants no part in this?

Soolin

He doesn't trust you, Keiller. He thinks it's a trap.

Suspicious.

And frequently right.

Nobody is indispensable.

Soolin

You needed a figurehead. He was it. Or am I wrong?

You are right. But then figureheads aren't too difficult to come by. Any idiot can be one.

Dayna

Heh. On your feet, Vila. This could be your big moment.

Any idiot within reason, that is.

You going to tell us what we've got planned, Avon?

Vila

We know what we've got planned. Running away is what we've got planned.

Dayna

A strategic withdrawal is what we've got planned.

Vila

There's a difference?

Oh, yes. A strategic withdrawal is running away -- but with dignity.

Vila

So lay in a course and let's get the dignified hell out of here.

That isn't the plan anymore, though, is it Avon?

I think we can do better.

Vila

Does that mean safer?

In the end, winning is the only safety.

Vila

It doesn't mean safer. I didn't think it would.

So what does it mean?

It means I think we can find ourselves another figurehead, someone we can use to unify and expand the Rebel Alliance.

Soolin

Just like that.

More or less. He is strongly identified with rebels, you see, and very popular with rabbles. They will follow him, and he will fight to the last drop of their blood. [smiles] Idealism is a wonderful thing. All you really need is someone rational to put it to proper use.

Dayna

Someone like you.

So where do we find this useable idealist?

According to Orac, he is on a frontier planet called Gauda Prime.

Soolin

Gauda Prime?

You know it?

Soolin

Yes, I know it. It's a bad place to be. No self-respecting idealist would be found dead there.

I imagine that is what HE is trying to avoid: being found dead anywhere.

Look, are you going to stop playing games and tell us who it is, Avon?

Vila

It's Blake, isn't it? You think you've found Blake.

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.