up the rules
and decides to be the referee as well.
And I think we should try
and even things up a bit.
How?
Belkov trusts no one, which is a strength,
because that means that no one can betray him.
But it is also a weakness because it means that
he is the only one who can defend what is his.
So? He makes everything self-protecting.
The booby traps, the force fields.
Exactly, everything automatic,
and therefore predictable.
And therefore vulnerable.
- Slave.
- Yes, Master?
I want you to compute a new orbit,
so that from the planet's surface,
Scorpio is constantly eclipsed by the Orbiter.
Yes, Master.
He'll be suspicious as soon as you move.
If we leave our present orbit,
as far as he is concerned,
we're pulling out, we're cutting our losses
and we're running for it.
He'll turn his attention to more important matters
and leave his automatics to track us.
Once we have that moon
between us and the scanner,
we can start back down again.
Since his automatics won't be able to track us,
they will merely inform him
of what he thinks he already knows.
We have gone.
What happens to Tarrant and the others
meantime?
Well...
During the manoeuvre,
they are entirely on their own.
But once we are in our new orbit,
the teleport system should function
quite normally.
It's a calculated risk.
But at least you and I can be certain that
we can get away when we want to.
- What's going on?
- High pressure reduction process.
Yeah, but what's going on?
That's the pressure container.
An electro-magnetic field
produces such high pressure
that everything except the Feldon crystals
is reduced to a fine dust.
Avon.
Avon.
Avon, come in.
It's no good, I still can't raise him.
Put down your weapons. Slowly.
In front of you.
- Well done, Vila.
- Sorry.
This is a restricted area.
I am Academician Gerren,
doing geological survey work
for the Planetary Resources Commission.
Papers?
That seems to be in order.
- You?
- They are part of my survey team.
I still need to see their papers.
I seem to have left mine behind.
Then I'm sure you won't object to being searched.
Search him.
Four of our men have been killed
with a knife like that.
You don't think...
I mean, I'm not the violent type, really I'm not.
- Then why do you carry that?
- I found it.
- Where?
- It was stuck in one of your men.
Vila, down!
Nasty way to go.
All that dust, very bad for the chest.
I really must object. I mean,
it's taken me years to get these things together.
I mean, there's no point in your destroying them.
We asked for your co-operation,
you wouldn't give it.
I'd hardly be stupid enough to hide a consignment
of stolen crystals in here now, would I?
No? Where would you put them then?
(Snickering)
- Try the computer.
- I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Go ahead.
(Screaming)
I did warn him.
You see, Gambit is programmed to defend itself.
I really think cooperation would be the best idea
for both of us.
That's what I've been offering you all along.
- Well, I didn't find your terms very attractive.
- What do you have in mind?
First, I think this gentleman
should stop threatening me.
Then I just want to get away from here safely
to have enough capital to continue my researches
in peace somewhere else.
You mean you expect the Federation to pay you
for something you've already stolen from them.
I think I'll just turn you over
to my interrogation team.
You'll give them what they want in the end.
I could tell you where you could get your hands
on some outlaws,
just as a sign of good faith, of course.
- I'm listening.
- Avon, Vila, Tarrant.
I understand the Federation
would like them put out of circulation.
I don't believe you could deliver.
They're already here on the planet.
You'd have them within 24 hours.
- And the crystals?
- They'd be part of the deal.
Another triumph for Commissioner Sleer.
- Perhaps, we can do business after all.
- Good, then without appearing to be