03x09 - Domino

[bunniefuu]

♪ OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Chancellor Teleya,
the Moclan delegation has arrived

and awaits the honor of your attention.

Show them in.

♪ ♪

Ambassador.

Welcome to Krill.

Thank you for receiving us, Chancellor.

We do not get many visitors.

I can only assume you have come
with good reason.

That is for you to decide.

I am told that Moclus has been
expelled from the Planetary Union.

It was inevitable.

The Union imposes its values
on other cultures

while refusing to confront
its own hypocrisy.

A governance of elitist fools.

On that we agree.

Moclus and Krill, however...

have much to offer one another
in these dangerous times.

We have confirmed reports,

that the Kaylon are
amassing thousands of ships.

The pattern of deployment suggests

they are preparing to launch
a full-scale invasion.

TELEYA: I am aware of the thr*at.

The worlds in closest proximity
are Vikarris and Xelayah.

They will likely be the first targets.

And when those worlds are reduced
to ashes, who will be next?

You propose an alliance.

What exactly do you offer?

Moclus was the primary manufacturer
of armaments for the Union.

What we provided them
can be provided to any ally.

And what do you expect in return?

The protection of your superior fleet.

Our two great militaries would ensure

a formidable defense
against the Kaylon.

And any other union
of militaries who may oppose us.

Indeed.

Who would lead this alliance?

Naturally, we would.

On what basis?

You are a female.

Any other arrangement
would be... offensive.

[SCOFFS]

How surprising that the Union
revoked your membership.

I must admit, however,
that I admire your hubris.

To enter the dominion of a foreign power

and suggest the wholesale submission

of its entire
m*llitary-industrial complex.

There is a phrase I once heard uttered
by a human helmsman

aboard the Union ship Orville:

"You have got balls."

It is the only acceptable arrangement.

I will consider your proposal
for alliance under one condition:

a partnership of command.

I will need to
consult with my government.

Your weapons may be superior,

but as tacticians,
you leave much to be desired.

I have studied your battle strategies.

They are blunt and maladroit.

You lack the cunning
and intellect of the female mind.

I will provide this.

All command decisions
will be shared equally.

Or there will be no alliance.

Do I make myself clear?

Yes, Chancellor.

I await your decision.

♪ THEME SONG PLAYING ♪

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Defensive line is moving into position.

Nineteen Kaylon ships
just dropped out of quantum.

Ten million kilometers and closing.

General quarters.
All hands, battle stations.

Bridge to Engineering.

What's your status?

The device is drawing
steady power from the quantum core.

It'll be fully armed in about two
minutes, sir. [POWER SURGING]

ED MERCER: Isaac, prepare to initiate
on my command.

ISAAC: Yes, sir.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Captain, another ships
just dropped out of quantum.

Jesus, they're all around us!

♪ ♪

Charly, how soon?

CHARLY BURKE: About seconds, Captain.

MERCER:
Signal all ships to tighten formation!

Aye, sir!

BURKE:
Device is fully armed, sir.

Isaac, initiate.

[POWER SURGING]

[ALARM BUZZING]

ISAAC:
Isaac to bridge, were we successful?

Yes, Isaac.

You could say that.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

♪ LIGHT MUSIC PLAYING ♪

You two have done
a great service for the Union.

For the first time in over a year,

we can all breathe a sigh of relief.

ISAAC: The combination
of my superior intellect

and Ensign Burke's capacity
for multi-dimensional visualization

was sufficient
for the development of this technology.

We... worked together.

Yes, but how did you
accomplish it so quickly?

"For great achievements,
two things are needed:

a plan, and not quite enough time."

Churchill.
ISAAC: Leonard Bernstein.

Can this device be used
on a larger scale?

ISAAC: The radius of destruction
is limited

only by the amount of power available.

The Orville's quantum
core was sufficient

to destroy all Kaylon vessels

within a radius of
ten million kilometers.

So in principle,
it could go even farther.

Yes, sir.
Given a sufficient power source,

the range would be unlimited.

And none of our ships or people
would be affected?

No, sir.

Isaac and I discovered
their Achilles heel

by studying the Kaylon
the Orville found on Situla Four.

Every Kaylon and every one
of their ships is connected

through a synchronization matrix.

That's how they coordinate
all their actions,

even across light-years of space.

And that's how you got inside
the Kaylon network?

ISAAC: Correct.
The device uses quantum energy

to trigger a feedback loop
in its interlink chain.

Basically, it turns the relays
into a row of dominoes.

Knock one down, they all go down.

ISAAC: After the initiation sequence
is transmitted,

it cannot be countermanded.

And what about you?
Why weren't your systems damaged?

I am no longer connected
to the synchronization matrix.

This is better than we ever
could've hoped for.

Our priority now should be
to build a quantum core

that can maximize the w*apon's range

and eradicate the Kaylon
thr*at completely.

Yes, sir.
We can get to work on your order.

Uh... Well, now wait a second,
with all due respect,

we're being very cavalier
about this, aren't we?

I mean, you do realize what you're
talking about is... is genocide?

Isaac was tasked with
developing a w*apon,

that could defeat the Kaylon.

He exceeded our expectations.

We'd be fools not to use it.

And is it really genocide

if our only objective
is to prevent them

from k*lling every
other living species,

including us?

Admiral, we've seen first-hand
that the Kaylon

are capable of change and growth.

Our experience with Timmis...

Yes, I read your report about the...
emotive Kaylon.

It proves they can evolve.

It proves nothing.

That Kaylon didn't evolve on its own.

It was modified by a cyberneticist.

And correct me if I'm wrong,
but it didn't work with Isaac here.

ISAAC: That is correct.

My capacity to experience emotion
was only temporary.

Captain Mercer, if you think
that we can enlist and train

an army of cyberneticists to
teach empathy to ten billion Kaylon,

I'd love to hear your plan.

Look, all I'm saying
is that we have created a w*apon

of unparalleled destructive power.

And I just think that before we go

cracking eggshells with a sledgehammer,
we...

Need to consider
the moral implications.

I agree this is an unprecedented

situation with profound
ethical questions.

But how we proceed
won't be decided in this room.

It's a matter for the Union Council.

Until they make a determination,
there's nothing more to say.

♪ TRANQUIL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

You're kidding me, right?
What is there to even talk about?

I mean, it's just a big decision.

How is it a big decision?
They want us all dead.

We want to stay alive.
That's a pretty basic equation.

It's us or them.

Yeah, I know the Kaylon
got a raw deal back home,

but I gotta say, I agree with Charly.

Plus the fact that we're sitting ducks

since we kicked the Moclans out.

JOHN LAMARR:
Look, Charly, don't get me wrong,

as an engineer, I am blown away

by what you and Isaac
were able to do here.

But I also understand
why people are taking a minute.

I agree. We're talking about
exterminating an entire species.

I can't think of anything that runs
more contrary to Union values.

And let's be g*dd*mn clear
about the motive:

are we doing this to save ourselves,
or is this revenge?

My dad used to say,
"Revenge is for children and savages."

Yeah, well, he never
had his leg cut off.

- Oh, come on, man!
- It's a joke.

- It's not funny.
- Sorry.

Look, I know Isaac's your best pal,

so maybe you're a little biased...

Hey. Watch it, Ensign.

I gotta get back to duty.

If we'd had this w*apon
a year ago and used it,

Amanda might still be alive.

We built it, we tested it, it works.

Let's wipe 'em off the face
of the galaxy.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

That was the most heated session
I've ever witnessed,

but the Union Council
has reached a compromise.

They've decided we
should use the w*apon.

As a deterrent.

Meaning what exactly?

According to Napoleon, the whole of w*r

is to frighten your enemy into
submission, ideally without fighting.

He was a tyrant,
but he was accurate on that point.

We will travel to Kaylon
to reveal the nature of the device

and our willingness to use it.

They saw what happened
to their invasion force at Xelayah.

If nothing else,
the Kaylon are logical beings.

It should persuade them
to accept an immediate

and absolute cease-fire.

And if they refuse our terms?

We're authorized to use the
w*apon again to make our point clear.

♪ MARTIAL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Captain, we're approaching
the Kaylon system.

Go to Tactical Alert.

Five Kaylon vessels
on an intercept course.

Bridge to Engineering.
Everything ready?

We're at full power.

MERCER:
Stand by to initiate on my command.

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

- Hail them.
- [ALERT CHIMES]

Channel open.

This is Admiral Thomas Halsey
of the Planetary Union.

We are here on a mission of peace.

I wish to speak with Kaylon Primary.

They are powering weapons.

We're armed with the w*apon we

deployed during our last confrontation.

Stand down
or we will be forced to use it again.

♪ ♪

Engineering... initiate.

[POWER SURGING]

[SHIPS EXPLODING]

Proceed to Kaylon.

With pleasure, sir.

Engineering, initiate.

♪ ♪

Sir, we are being hailed.

Let's hear it.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
This is Kaylon Primary.

We will receive you.

Transmitting landing coordinates.

Got 'em.

Stand down Tactical Alert.

Take us down.

♪ ♪

♪ UNEASY MUSIC PLAYING ♪

♪ EPIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Kaylon Primary.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
That is correct.

You look better than the last time
we saw you.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
A Kaylon's neural matrix

can be regenerated indefinitely.

An advantage biologicals do not have.

State your demands.

Our demands are simple.

End your campaign to exterminate us.

Stop your att*cks against our ships
and our worlds.

Recall your vessels and cease
all further weapons construction.

We will place monitoring stations,

inside your territory, to
verify your compliance.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Do you intend to enslave us?

Of course not.
We're not here to conquer you.

We just want to end the v*olence

and establish a basis
for peaceful coexistence.

KAYLON PRIMARY: How do we know
this is not a deception?

We could've k*lled every one of you
without warning.

We didn't.

KAYLON PRIMARY: Why?

Because we're not the monsters
you think we are.

We believe the quality of mercy
is mightiest in the mightiest.

Regardless, deception or not,
you don't have a choice.

Trust us, or be destroyed.

It's a simple binary decision.

KAYLON PRIMARY: We have no defense
against your w*apon.

Therefore, we will
surrender to your demands.

It may not seem like it now,

but one day you'll realize
that you've made the right decision.

KAYLON PRIMARY: We will find
a weakness in your w*apon.

Trust me,
it's a bad idea for you to go looking.

ISAAC: Any attempt
to disable the w*apon

will immediately activate it.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
There is always a weakness, Isaac.

Your existence is proof of that.

I'll inform the Union Council
that you've agreed to our terms.

We'll work out the details
of the armistice in the coming weeks.

I imagine we'll be seeing
each other again soon.

KAYLON PRIMARY: Indeed.

♪ PEACEFUL GUITAR MUSIC PLAYING ♪

♪ Through the corridors of sleep ♪

♪ Past shadows dark and deep ♪

♪ My mind dances in leaps ♪

♪ And confusion ♪

♪ I don't know what is real ♪

♪ I can't touch what I feel ♪

♪ And I hide behind the shield ♪

♪ Of my illusion ♪

♪ So ♪

♪ I'll continue to continue ♪

♪ To pretend ♪

♪ My life will never end ♪

♪ And flowers never bend ♪

♪ With the rainfall ♪

- ♪ No matter if you're born ♪
- ♪ Ooh, ooh ♪

- ♪ To play the king or pawn ♪
- ♪ Ooh, ooh...♪

♪ For the line is thinly drawn ♪

♪ 'Tween joy and sorrow ♪

♪So my fantasy ♪

♪ Becomes reality ♪

♪ And I must be what I must be ♪

♪ And face tomorrow ♪

♪ So... ♪

♪ I'll continue to continue ♪

♪ To pretend ♪

♪ My life will never end ♪

♪ And flowers never bend ♪

♪ With the rainfall ♪

Whoo!

I told you this gal could sing, right?

Hey, listen,

I just wanna congratulate this crew

on the key role you all played in this.

I would say this may be
the single greatest step

toward the cause of galactic peace
in our lifetimes,

and you should all feel
insanely proud of yourselves.

Even Gordon.

[LAUGHTER]
- Thank you, thanks a lot.

So, this is a rare bottle
of very old rum from the st century.

My dad told me it was only to be opened

for the most special of occasions.

And if he were still with us today,

I think he'd give this
one the thumbs up.

So, here's to you, Dad,
and let's get hammered.

- Yeah!
- Cheers!

♪ JAZZY GUITAR MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Kel, this place is so beautiful.

God, I'd wanna spend all my time here.

Forget space.

Yeah, my dad left it in good condition.

Ed and I used to come
here during the holidays.

When we were married.
It's been a while.

I miss it.

Yeah, I bet.

I told you, you are doing it wrong!

I am doing it exactly as I was shown!

That is hardly possible,

because we have not
yet penetrated the shell!

Do not shout at me.

I will access the interior meat.

Bortus, you need some help there?

Here.

[CRACKING]

There ya go, buddy.

Thank you.

Now we look like fools.

[INSECTS CHIRRUPING]

TOPA: Why is that part
of the sky glowing green?

ISAAC: It is a phenomenon known
as the Aurora Borealis.

When charged particles from the Sun

collide with the planet's atmosphere,

the air molecules are
induced into a higher energy state.

I have never seen such beauty.

The Earth's full of surprises, huh?

Hey, Isaac, show her the Big Dipper.

ISAAC: An asterism
in the Constellation Ursa Major.

[WHIRRING]

[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]

MERCER: Hey.

You all right?

Yeah, I'm fine, sir. Thanks.

You know, you and Gordon
should do another song.

Maybe later.

Okay.

You know, we should've wiped out
the Kaylon when we had the chance.

You think so?

I think we're making
a huge mistake, yeah.

Well, I know you're not alone.

Captain, do you honestly think
they can ever be trusted?

I think we need to give
the armistice a chance.

Then you must think I'm a lousy person.

No, I don't.

I think you're a hell of an officer

who's made tremendous strides
since you came on board.

I know it hasn't been easy.

It's not that I think they're...

all evil.

Timmis proved they can change and

so did Isaac.

But the rest of them, I mean...

it's not like we helped them toward
some "great moral awakening."

We forced their hand.

What if they find a weakness?

I mean, that's it. We've blown
our only chance to save ourselves.

Well, it's a fundamental tenet
of Union philosophy

that we don't k*ll unless we have to.

We didn't have to.

I just hope those
high-minded morals don't k*ll us.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Sub-Level .

[ELEVATOR WHIRRING]

Can I help you?

I have orders to transport
the device to another site.

We haven't received any new orders.

That's strange. You should have
received them an hour ago.

Check your security logs.

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

We don't have much time.

[GEARS CLANG]

Team Echo here.
We've accessed the device.

On our way to you.

DEEP GARBLED VOICE:
Acknowledged.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Hey. Good morning.

Hi there.
Didn't want to miss the sunrise.

CLAIRE:
Wow, that is really beautiful.

The sun rising on a new era, isn't it?

Sure seems that way.

You know, ever since
we lost the Moclans...

I've had this pit in my stomach
about the Kaylon.

Wondering how much time we have left.

When are they coming for us?

And now...

it's all over.

So what are we gonna stress about?

Today? Hangovers.

Ugh. No kidding.

It's mornings like this
I'm jealous of Talla.

- No liver?
- Yep.

Yeah, we were born on the wrong planet.

[COMM BEEPING]

[BEEPING CONTINUES]

Commander.

- Admiral, hi.
- Is Ed with you?

He's... still sleeping.
What's going on?

Wake him and gather your team.
The device has been taken.

♪ OMINOUS MUSIC PLAYING ♪

♪ MARTIAL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

You are late.

Was there a problem?

Nothing I couldn't handle.

And the w*apon?

It's in the shuttle.

Secure it.

I see you've found a new friend.

Friends are scarce these days.

Well, that's what happens

when your government sanctions
kidnapping and t*rture.

True to his ethics
even as he commits treason.

What a noble creature.

This is not treason.

Quite the opposite.

I believe in the idealism of the Union.

But my compatriots
have made a grave mistake.

Sooner or later, the Kaylon

will figure out a defense
against this w*apon,

and we will lose our tactical advantage.

The Union won't do
what needs to be done.

I know you will.

If this w*apon is
everything you profess, Admiral,

I can promise you
the swift extinction of the Kaylon.

The device does not come
with an instruction manual.

At the moment, the only ones
who know how to use it

are Isaac and Ensign Burke.

I wish I could help you there.

Your scientists are just gonna
have to do some reverse engineering.

A facility has already been prepared.

Well, then there's nothing more
to be said.

And what does a Union Admiral
do with himself...

after the illegal bestowment
of such largesse?

Go back to Earth.

And turn myself in.

♪ MARTIAL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

He will inform the Union
of our alliance.

They will learn soon enough.

It will strike fear
into the hearts of many.

It will.

But... there is no need
to rush the revelation.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

[expl*si*n]

I spoke to the guards
on duty last night.

There was no forced entry
beyond this point.

Whoever did this
had fleet-level command codes.

HALSEY: You can stop searching.

At hours, an unscheduled shuttle
left the dockyard

on a heading for Krill space,
under this authorization.

My god.

He didn't report in this morning
and no one can find him.

There's your fleet-level codes.

Why would he do this?

I didn't want to believe it either.

But Perry's view of
the Council's decision was no secret.

He's always been
a healthy voice of dissent

among the more progressive
elements of the Admiralty,

but who the hell would've thought

he'd throw his whole life away
to defend it?

If his intention is to try
and use the device...

We need answers.

Fast.

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

We're approaching
the shuttle's projected coordinates.

Drop to sublight.

Anything?

ISAAC: I am detecting carbonate
and metallo-silicate particulates.

Space dust?

Or debris.

Scans indicate traces
of Union alloys, as well.

And residual weapons signatures.

What kind of weapons?

They appear to be Krill...

and Moclan.

Isaac. Verify scan.

ISAAC: Confirmed.
Data is accurate.

Oh, Jesus.

An alliance...?

Molotov-Ribbentrop all over again.

It was only a matter of time...

This is bad.

This is really bad.

Perry was delivering the device

to the people he knew
wouldn't hesitate to use it.

But they don't have Isaac and Charly.

How do they expect to figure it out?

They will seek Dr. Kalba.

He is a weapons expert of great renown.

Many consider him
to be the most brilliant

Moclan scientist who ever lived.

If I had acquired the device,
I would take it to him.

Where?

He is the director of a research
outpost on Draconis .

Moclus may have closed the facility

since their expulsion from the Union.

If not, that is where we will find him.

Set a course, best possible speed.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

GORDON MALLOY: Please
tell me our jamming systems

are going full blast.

BORTUS: Affirmative.

However, I would not
recommend we remain here long.

Given the number of battleships
in orbit,

I'd say there's something
important down there.

The facility is operational.

I am detecting
a substantial power source.

What kind of power source?

It appears to be a quantum core.

One of the largest I have ever seen.

Captain. If the core's big enough,

it could extend the w*apon's range
by thousands of light-years.

Everything they'd need to wipe out
the Kaylon.

We're gonna need some help.

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Is this your concept of humor?

Unfortunately, no.

KAYLON PRIMARY: Then your
carelessness has jeopardized

our continued existence.

You must recover
the w*apon immediately.

God, you know, there is so much
irony in that, but I'll stay focused.

If the Krill and the Moclans
have joined forces,

it means the balance
of power has shifted.

In open warfare, the Union Fleet
wouldn't stand a chance.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
You are proposing an alliance.

We've already spoken
with Union Central.

They're prepared to send
every available ship.

With you on our side,
we can devise a battle plan

to break through their defenses,

infiltrate the outpost,
and recover the device.

But we need to act fast,

while we still have
the element of surprise.

That is, assuming you're with us.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Given your evident incompetence,

we may be better served
to retrieve the w*apon on our own.

Works for me.

ISAAC:
If the w*apon has been armed,

you will require the
presence of myself,

or Ensign Burke, to disable it.

What'll it be?

KAYLON PRIMARY: Once again,
you leave us with no alternative.

We agree to this...

temporary alliance.

I'm pleased to hear it.

We'll be transmitting
rendezvous coordinates.

Don't be late.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

♪ MARTIAL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Welcome aboard the Orville.

If you'll follow us,
we'll escort you to the conference room.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
We are familiar with its location.

As you recall, we occupied this vessel
during our previous encounter.

I do.

And as you recall, we kicked your asses.

Come on.

KAYLON PRIMARY: How do you intend
to retrieve the device?

The quantum core is located meters

inside the southeast perimeter.

Unfortunately,
the chamber is deep underground,

and heavily fortified.

If we can penetrate the interior,

Isaac and I can scan
for the location of the device.

It shouldn't be too far from the core.

The question is, how do we get in?

There is an emergency tunnel
that connects to the surface.

I believe that is the best option.

In order to get the ground team
down there unnoticed,

we'll need a big distraction,

which means
engaging their ships in orbit.

A squadron of Pterodons
will provide cover for the shuttle.

Once inside,
we'll locate and extract the w*apon.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
And if extraction is not possible?

Then we'll have to destroy it.

Lamarr and Malloy will be
heading up the Pterodon squadron.

I'll be leading the ground team

along with Isaac, Ensign Burke,
and Commander Keyali.

The combined Union and Kaylon fleets

will engage the Krill and the Moclans
as long as we need to.

Any questions?

KAYLON PRIMARY: I will accompany
the ground mission.

I had assumed that you would
be leading the Kaylon fleet.

KAYLON PRIMARY: Kaylon Secondary
will command our forces.

We already have one Kaylon.
We don't need another.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
On the contrary.

Isaac has proven
he is not to be trusted.

We trust Isaac.

We don't trust you.

KAYLON PRIMARY: You misplaced
the w*apon once before.

I intend to ensure
it does not happen again.

You follow every one
of Kelly's orders to the letter,

or she's authorized to sh**t you.

Got it?

Just stay on my good side
and you'll be fine, hon.

KAYLON PRIMARY: Very well.

♪ MARTIAL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Captain. Ships approaching.

What ships?

Union vessels, heavily armed.

Show me.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Alert the fleet
and notify the Chancellor.

Assume battle formation.

[ALERT SOUNDING]

Lock weapons.

♪ ♪

BORTUS:
Ninety seconds to drop zone.

[expl*si*n]

Deflectors are holding.

Maintain course.

Mercer to ground team,
stand by to launch.

- [CRASHING]
- Ready and standing by.

Three Union ships have been disabled

and are breaking off their att*ck.

This will be over quickly.

- [ALARM SOUNDING]
- Report!

Another wave of ships,
closing rapidly on all vectors.

Sir... they are Kaylon.

♪ ♪

[WEAPONS f*ring]

[GROANS]

Avis help us all...

[GROANING]

Ground team, move out.

Acknowledged.

Engage cloak.

Here we go.

Mercer to Lamarr. Shuttle is away.

Yes, sir.

Group leader to all pilots.
Time to fly.

MALLOY: Acknowledged.

It's about time we give
these things a real shakedown.

BURKE: Group leader,
shuttle is following your course.

LAMARR: Acknowledged.

Entering upper atmosphere.

♪ EPIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

John, we got Krill
and Moclan fighters in pursuit.

LAMARR: Group leader to squadron,
enemy incoming.

Protect the shuttle at all costs.

PILOTS: Acknowledged...
Acknowledged... Acknowledged...

GORDON: Acknowledged.

PILOTS: Acknowledged...
Acknowledged... Acknowledged.

Bogies at three o'clock!

[WEAPONS f*ring]

Come on!

- Got him!
- Double boom.

We're at , meters.

, .

[expl*si*n]

Steady as she goes.

Murphy, they're right on your ass.

- Pull up!
- Copy!

♪ ♪

BURKE: , meters.

ISAAC:
We are losing main power.

We have to get outta this cross-fire!

I can't, there's nowhere to go!

I need emergency power
for the landing thrusters.

If we do that, we're gonna
lose the cloak. They'll target us.

It's either that or we crash!

What about the egress packs?

All right, let's go.

Group leader to Kaylon,
get your shiny asses down here.

We need reinforcements.

♪ ♪

[ENERGY PULSING]

KAYLON PRIMARY:
At our current altitude of , meters,

we will need to
achieve terminal velocity

before we initiate reverse thrust.

Just hit the button
before you hit the ground.

Good luck.

♪ HEROIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Sir, the shuttle has been destroyed.

John, what's happening?

LAMARR:
They bailed out in time, Captain.

Maintain suppressive fire.

♪ ♪

[ELECTRONICS CHIRPING]

ISAAC:
The access hatch is sealed.

Outta the way.

[GEARS GRINDING]

♪ SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

[COMSCANNER BEEPING]

I've got it.

The quantum core is about
meters to the northwest.

- Charly?
- There are multiple access routes.

Fastest one will get us there
in about six minutes.

Lead the way.

[SOLDIERS SPEAKING IN NATIVE LANGUAGE]

[WEAPONS f*ring]

There's gotta be another way in!

There's another set of tunnels
meters to the south!

It's the long way around,
but it'll get us there.

Go! Take Isaac! We'll catch up!

♪ ♪

How much longer?

Once the arming sequence begins,

it will take the device
approximately eight minutes

to draw sufficient power
from the quantum core.

And then?

Then it will initiate.

Our transmitter array
will propagate the signal.

Good work.

[DOORS OPEN]

Chancellor,
the facility has been breached!

Deploy all defensive units
to the access points.

Dr. Kalba, when I return,

I expect every Kaylon
within , light-years to be dead.

I will do my best, Chancellor.

Bring the array online.

[ENERGY PULSING]

The outpost is powering
its transmitter array.

Mercer to Malloy!

Any chance you can do some damage
to those transmitters?

We got a whole division
of Krill up our ass,

but we can sure as hell try.

Malloy to Lamarr.

Permission to reconfigure weapons
for short-range ground strikes.

Go to it!

[WEAPONS f*ring]

Keep moving! I'll cover you!

LAMARR:
Strike team approaching target!

Three Krill fighters in pursuit.

meters to transmitter array!

Aim for the support pylons.

Damn it! The shielding's too tough.

We're gonna have to find
another weak spot.

Gordon, watch your back!

I see him!

♪ ♪

Tailgating bastard!

He's still on me!

Hang tight, I'm comin'!

Aw, come on!

Whenever it's convenient!

Workin' on it!

Ah, come on.

Just let me sh**t you!

[expl*si*n]

♪ SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

If you want to draw another breath,

you will order your
people to stand down!

This will be your only warning.

All right, but I need my comscanner.

Very slowly.

[GRUNTING]

Quantum core's at full power.

Beginning countdown sequence.

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Secondary target acquired.

Moclan bogies at your six.

meters to target!

Krill fighters dead ahead!

Ah, sh*t! Break, break!

Subsection -alpha just went offline.

Bypass that section.
I will compensate.

Engage countermeasures.

[w*apon f*ring]

Group leader to squadron,
break off now! REPEAT: break off!

Captain, it's no good!
The transmitter is too heavily defended!

- We had to withdraw!
- [expl*si*n]

[GEARS CLICKING]

[GROANING]

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Move away from your consoles.

Are you Dr. Kalba?

Yes.

KAYLON PRIMARY: You will
terminate the countdown sequence,

immediately.

[ELECTRONICS CHIRPING]

I... I cannot.

Why not?

The f*ring armature is interlocked
with the quantum core.

It cannot be uncoupled.

You are too late.

ISAAC: He is correct.

You need to shut down the core.

That would take hours.

There are multiple fail-safe
encryptions in place.

We'll see about that.

[GROANS]

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

[SCREAMING]
[BONES cr*ck]

You're really starting to piss me off.

Your passions are easily roused.

This is what cost you your marriage,
yes?

Not gonna work.

You need emotional balance.

And you need a dermatologist.

[POWER SURGING]

ISAAC: The w*apon
will initiate in . minutes.

Every time we decrypt a fail-safe,
another one locks in.

We're not gonna make it.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
What are you doing?

Thinking four-dimensionally.
Special talent.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
I do not understand what...

Shut up and let me work.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Why did you not terminate him?

ISAAC: It was not essential.

You could learn something from Isaac.

♪ INTENSE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

A gift for Avis.

Took you long enough.

♪ DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Report!

The w*apon is gonna initialize
in three minutes.

I can't disable it,
and I can't shut down the core.

I'm trying to trigger an overload.

ISAAC: That would effectively
destroy the quantum core,

and the w*apon.

Do not be a fool!

- They will k*ll us all if you...
- Get her out of here!

- Can you do it?
- I think so.

Only problem is, when this thing blows,

it's gonna take out the entire outpost

and a good chunk of the planet with it.

You should go.

What?

Charly, we're not leaving without you.
Set up a timer delay.

- It's not that simple.
- We'll figure out another way!

- There is no other way.
- I'm giving you an order!

I have my orders, Commander.

My orders are to disable this w*apon
by any means necessary!

Unless you're
countermanding those orders,

step away, and let me do my job.

Sir.

[METALLIC CLANGING]

You have two minutes!

Go!

[RUMBLING]

Get out if you can.

Where's the nearest shuttle?

That way!

[ENERGY PULSING]

Captain, I am detecting a power surge
inside the outpost.

It is the quantum core.

♪ ♪

Grayson to Orville!
Signal all ships to retreat!

Get the hell away from this planet!

MERCER: Acknowledged!

♪ INTENSE MUSIC RISING ♪

[ENERGY PULSING]

BURKE:
I'm here, Amanda.

[expl*si*n]

MERCER: Aft view.

[BLAST RUMBLING]

[ALERT BEEPS]

Sir, a Krill shuttle is hailing us.

Put 'em on.

Shuttle to Orville.
Permission to dock.

Granted.
Kelly, what happened down there?

We couldn't disarm the w*apon.
We had to destroy it.

Where's Charly?

We...

we couldn't bring her home.

♪ ♪

- Are you okay?
- Yeah.

Teleya's in Sickbay.

After Claire's done with her,
Talla's gonna take her to the Brig.

You should be in sickbay, too.

I'll be fine.

So, what happens now?

Do you depart peacefully?

Or is this battle not over?

ISAAC: Primary.

An inquiry has been put to you.

KAYLON PRIMARY: The biological
terminated her existence.

Why?

To save you.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Please clarify.

There's nothing to clarify.
I just answered your question.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
This reasoning is unsound.

Please explain.

She sacrificed herself
so that the Kaylon could live.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Why... would she do this?

ISAAC: Because these biologicals
are not as our builders were.

It is what I have attempted
to communicate.

They are worthy of preservation.

They are...

my friends.

♪ ♪

KAYLON PRIMARY:
Perhaps we have been...

incorrect in our assessment.

She hated you for what you did.

And she still gave her life for you.

You're g*dd*mn right you're incorrect.

♪ TRANQUIL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

Bad pennies will keep turning up,
won't they?

You have no right to detain me.

If we hadn't stopped you,
you would've committed genocide.

That's all the right I need.

I just wanted to let you know
we're taking you back to Earth.

You did not have to come here
to tell me that.

I can't protect you this time...

and I have no desire to.

But there's someone you seem
to have forgotten about.

Anaya is in safe hands.

You'll be tried for w*r crimes.

After that, I don't know
what's gonna happen to you.

But she needs a home.

I can give her one.

Release me, and I will arrange it.

Jesus, you are contemptible.

And you are a sentimental fool.

I'm sentimental because I care
what happens to our daughter.

Is that what you're saying?

You can't just leave her alone!

The fulfillment of a divine purpose
eclipses all family bonds.

One day, Anaya will understand this.

And as long as I am a prisoner,

I promise you will never see her.

[DOOR OPENS, SHUTS]

♪ ♪

If you choose to accept
joint ratification of an alliance,

we are prepared to offer Kaylon

a provisional seat on the Union Council,

where you will have a tempered voice
in the enactment of policy.

Eventually, if you behave in good faith,
and if the Council sees fit,

you may be offered
full membership into the Union,

should you so desire it.

It's an opportunity
to help shape the future,

not just for your world,
but for thousands of others.

In return, we will expect
a full defensive commitment

against the newly formed
Moclan-Krill alliance.

KAYLON PRIMARY:
We have reviewed

the organizational structure
of your Council

and its history of deliberations.

What you call
"representative democracy"

is a most inefficient
form of governance.

Maybe.

But the one thing
you can say for democracy

is that all other forms
of government are even worse.

Over thousands of years
and on countless planets,

it's the best system
anyone's ever come up with

to ensure the strong
don't dominate the weak.

At least not for long.

[KAYLON SPEAKING MACHINE LANGUAGE]

KAYLON PRIMARY:
We accept your terms.

♪ TRANQUIL MUSIC PLAYING ♪

MERCER: We are gathered here,

in remembrance, of a fallen shipmate.

One who left us far too soon.

Ensign Charly Burke,

will receive the Union
Medal of Valor posthumously,

for her unwavering sense of duty

and for the ultimate sacrifice
in the pursuit of peace.

No...

medal...

can bring her back.

But we can acknowledge our debt

to an outstanding Union officer

and an extraordinary human being.

Who would like to speak first?

ISAAC: I wish to speak.

♪ ♪

Dr. Finn assisted me
with the construct of my statement.

However, the substance is my own.

I presume it will be adequate.

Ensign Burke loved pancakes.

She consumed them with butter
but no syrup

and was indifferent to the addition
of berries or other condiments.

As a child, pancakes
were her favorite breakfast.

I served with Ensign Burke
for days,

minutes, and seconds.

And yet, my understanding
of her remained incomplete.

She had an impressive brain
for a biological.

She perceived the universe
in ways others could not.

Ensign Burke regarded me as an enemy.

Yet despite her animosity,

she chose to save my life
when no one else was able.

And in the final
seconds of her own life,

Ensign Burke substantiated
for all the galaxy her true nature.

One of integrity and selflessness.

And in her sacrifice,

she inspired the enemies of the Union
to become friends.

Her existence was brief.

But, much like the first domino
in a succession,

her impact will be felt,
far into the future.

♪ CONTEMPLATIVE MUSIC PLAYING ♪

♪ THEME SONG PLAYING ♪

♪ FANFARE PLAYING ♪