.!
His pleura's in fine condition.
Should be plain sailing from here on.
Let's hope so.
So far, someone's tried to sabotage
this mission twice.
Sabotage?
I don't quite understand.
I saw the laser before we started.
It was fastened down securely.
What happened was no accident.
Any more than my safety line snapping
after it was tied off to the sub.
- Surely you don't suspect Duval.
- That line was tampered with.
I don't know what to say.
I know he's under a cloud, but...
there's not a more dedicated man
in medicine.
We still never know anyone's mind.
I don't believe it. It was an accident.
- Two in a row?
- It's possible.
Look at those walls up ahead.
We're entering the lymphatic system.
Those are nuclei of cells lining a duct.
I always had an idea
there was only one system: The circulatory.
The lymphatic system
drains off excess fluid from the tissues.
Without it, we'd all blow up like balloons.
- Looks like quite a navigation problem.
- Only until we get through the nodes.
The lymphatic glands.
- Keep your present compass heading.
- Right.
We're picking up seaweed,
or whatever that is.
Reticular fibres.
We ought to be clear of them soon.
Well, I hope so, Doctor.
Because if that stuff clogs the vents,
the engines will overheat.
What's causing all this?
- Looks like somebody declared war.
- That's exactly what it is.
Antibodies destroying bacteria or any other
foreign invader that threatens the system.
Look! It's taken on its exact shape.
- It's like hand in glove.
- Much closer. Like two atoms.
We'll never get there in time at this rate.
Isn't there another route to bypass all this?
- No.
- Yes!
- There's no other suitable route.
- Yes, there is.
We can transfer to the inner ear.
And go by way of the endolymphatic duct.
- Why don't we take it?
- Because it's more hazardous
than the route we're following now.
You see, once in the ear,
any noise at all in the operating theatre
would be disastrous.
At our reduced size, any vibrations inside
the ear would have a shattering effect.
Well, they're tracking us. Once they see
where we're going they'll take precautions.
All right.
Let's hope they realise the danger.
Captain, I'll give you a new heading.
Proteus turning, in quadrant 7-3.
Finally. They're heading for the inner ear.
About time they realised they'd never
make it the other way.
Your attention, please.
Proteus is about to enter the inner ear.
You are not to walk, talk,
or make a sound of any kind.
Absolute silence must be maintained
until they are out of the danger area.
- What's wrong, skipper?
- What I was afraid would happen.
That stuff we passed through
that looks like seaweed?
Yes, reticular fibres.
It clogged the intake vents.
We're not getting any propulsion.
Well, there's only one thing to do.
What?
I'll see if maybe there's some way
I can clear those vents.
How long do you think it'll take?
Quite some time.
- Wouldn't it be quicker if we all helped?
- You're right. We haven't a minute to spare.
- Would you...?
- Oh, yes.
I'll stay behind.
I'd better use the time
to finish repairing the laser.
Why don't you start on the engines?
Report no movement of the Proteus
since entering quadrant 7-4 at level D.
24 minutes left, maximum.
This is just what we need. Another delay.
You'll wind up a Hindu.
They respect all forms of life, however small.
Help!
Please help!
There she is.
She's damaging those fibres.
Antibodies will attack any moment.
Grant?
The pressure. I...
- I can't...
- Get back to the sub. I'll get her out.
Hurry!
- Where are they?
- They're below the cells of Hensen.
If the antibodies reach her,
they'll attack as if she were bacteria.
Open it! Open it before they get here.
I can't till the hatch is flooded.
They're tightening!
Please! I... can't... breathe.
I can't...
They've crystallised.
It's all right, Cora. It's all right.
They're on their way again.
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