must!
- With no laser?
lf you had a transistor about this size
and power output
and a thin enough wire, could you mend it?
Yes, but it requires absolute precision.
A surgeon might.
Yes. Yes, l could do it.
Well, if l had the parts!
l've got a source. All we have to do is tap it.
Grant, just a minute. You're surely
not going to dismantle the wireless?
lt's just one transistor and a circuit wire.
That'll knock out our communications.
We'll be cutting ourselves off.
They'd still be able to track us by radar
because of the radioactive fuel.
What's it to be? The wireless, or Benes's life?
Send a message to the control tower.
Message from the Proteus, sir.
''Cannibalizing wireless to repair laser.''
- They're what?
- ''This is our last message.''
lncommunicado!
Now they're really on their own.
We can track 'em, but that's all we can do.
Something told me l got into
the wrong end of this business.
lnner space...!
The transistor will do,
but the wire is much too thick.
- There's nothing closer.
- Let me see.
l might be able to scrape it thin enough.
Cora, would you bring me
a number 11 scalpel, please?
Yes, Doctor.
Looks like the sea at dawn.
We're safe as long as it remains that color.
We're in the pleural sac.
lt keeps the lungs from rubbing against
the wall of the chest. Up there.
When those membranes become inflamed
we get pleurisy and a racking cough.
Cough? lf he can kick up a storm
by just breathing...!
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?
l don't quite understand.
l saw the laser before we started.
lt 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.
l don't know what to say.
l know he's under a cloud, but...
there's not a more dedicated man
in medicine.
We still never know anyone's mind.
l don't believe it. lt was an accident.
- Two in a row?
- lt's possible.
Look at those walls up ahead.
We're entering the lymphatic system.
Those are nuclei of cells lining a duct.
l 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 fibers.
We ought to be clear of them soon.
Well, l 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! lt's taken on its exact shape.
- lt's like hand in glove.
- Much closer. Like two atoms.
We'll never get there in time at this rate.
lsn'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 theater
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 realize the danger.
Captain, l'll give you a new heading.
Proteus turning, in quadrant 7-3.
Finally. They're heading for the inner ear.
About time they realized they'd never
make it the other way.
Your attentнon, please.
Proteus нs about to enter the нnner ear.
You are not to walk, talk,
or make a sound of any kind.
Absolute