01x02 - The Storm Before the Calm

[bunniefuu]

Welcome to the second
episode of Nebula-75.

My name is Circuit.

I am the star.

Before we begin I would
like to remind you

that this picture was made
under lock-down conditions

in a small apartment in London.

The filmmakers made use of pre-existing

items and that faithful standby,
stock footage.

The budget was very small…

it all went on my fee.

Therefore, what you see
is what you get.

Scientific errors are only scientific

errors in your universe.

If we say that we are
33 million miles from Earth,

you'll just have to live with it.

♫ Nebula-75 theme ♫
by Barry Gray

What in Hades is that?

I'm not sure.

But I think this might just be
the variety I was looking for!

A woman appearing out of thin air?

This is impossible!

Hold it doc.

Who are you?

Well I'll be!

Will someone explain to
me what just happened?

Sure, Doc. I'd be delighted…

just as soon as
I understand myself.

Come in Lieutenant Mercury.

Lieutenant Mercury,
do you read me?

Loud and clear, sir.
What happened?

There was a woman who appeared!

You feeling okay, Doc?

He's fine. Just one too
many Solar Supremes.

One can never have too
many Solar Suprem -

Hush, Doc.

How's everything look,
Lieutenant?

Well, I sure don't
know what happened,

but all systems are reading A-OK.

Hmm, well, we'd better make sure.

Get down to the engine rooms and
give everything the once over.

The Doctor will join you.

Okay, Seven-Five.

Okay, you'd better
get down there, Doc.

But that hideous face on the screen!
That woman! She may be in league with it.

I dunno, Doc. Let's not be
so quick to judge.

There's something my old Pop told me
that might apply in this situation –

don't judge a video record by its cover.

We're clearly experiencing life
as man has never known it before…

Life as man has
never known it before.

Well, that was no
understatement.

I had no idea what
we were in for.

Over the next few days she
made several brief appearances

and she certainly had
some amazing powers -

as poor Circuit found out.

Intruder detected!

Initiating defence protocol!

Intruder detected!

I really didn't
know what to make of it...

though I just had this gut feeling
that she was more friend than foe.

Anyway, the answer to
the mystery came one day

when I was in Doctor Asteroid's
office for one of his "check-ups".

You need to be careful, Commander.

Even in artificial gravity
your muscles are wasting.

You need to more exercise.
We need to keep you in top condition.

And I would stay off the
Solar Supremes too!

Hmm!

Commander Neptune.

Your words...

they're... they're in my head!

I am a Space Maiden.

It was I who repelled the
evil force and saved your ship.

And now you must help me.

Course set for the planet
Yukius, Commander.

Seven-Five.

Well, there we go.
As you requested.

Now why don't you tell me
what this is all about?

Time is of the essence, Commander.

The face that appeared on
your screen, it is evil.

There are many such evils
in this part of the universe.

Gee! Great!

Do not worry, Commander Neptune.

We Space Maidens protect the
cosmos against such evils.

But, our power grows weak.

Is that why you kept appearing
and disappearing?

Yes, Commander.

I see... I think.

A friend to the Space Maidens
may be able to help us.

He holds one of the
Seven Sacred Crystals.

But we must hurry. Already I sense he
must be in great danger.

Regulations state
that a full remote survey

should be conducted
before the command

is given to set course
for an unknown world…

Well, I guess I never could refuse a
cry for help from a damsel in distress.

Even one who controls the universe.

With her powers depleted she needed to
take a more conventional mode of transport

to the planet Yukius.

There a magic crystal – or something -

would help her race to
fight the ultimate evil.

I certainly did find the
variety I was looking for.

What was it that Pop said?
Oh yeah…

"be careful what you wish for.”

It took us several days to arrive
– during which time

even Doctor Asteroid grew
fond of our new passenger.

Well, I must say I find all
this most fascinating!

When we left Earth, my greatest
hope was collecting more rock samples!

Und you say you have
seen this face before?

Throughout the cosmos. The power
this cloud wields is almost limitless.

It exerts a force over machinery,
the fabric of space, and the minds of men.

We Space Maidens hold
them in check where we can.

But we require more power.

Und that is why we are here.
Most fascinating!

We are approaching
the planet Yukius,

Commander.

Okay, Circuit. Take us down.

When we are in range, I shall be able
to retrieve the crystal with my powers.

Emergency! Emergency!

What's happening?

It is here. Our friend is gone.

Then it's too late!

We're going to crash!

I have just enough power to save the ship.
But, then I cannot retrieve the crystal.

And then I guess we'll be destroyed by
this evil force.

Only you can save us,
Commander Neptune.

Me?
How?

I will send you to the ground,
whilst I keep the craft in the air.

But you have just four minutes…

Four minutes isn't long enough!

Hey! What's happening?!

I... I can't see.

We are starting to
lose altitude.

The crystal
is at your feet.

I... I can't even see my feet!

I... I found it!

I sure hope this helps
you defeat this menace.

It shall never be truly defeated.

I had a feeling you might say that.

But we are now re-energised
and can hold it in check.

But what about your friend?

He shall return.

I don't understand.
Who was he?

What are these crystals, really?

I don't even know your name!

Too many questions, Commander.
I am Athena.

Everything else you
shall discover in due course.

Won't you tell me anything?

When you know everything,
your journey will be over.

Do not wish away your life.

I see.

Well...
Will you stay with us?

I will always be with you.

I never could resist
a man in distress...

And with that,
Athena disappeared.

To continue saving
the universe, I guess.

And now, we work our way
back towards Earth.

Well, how was that, Circuit?

As accurate as a human could tell it,
Commander.

As accurate as a human could tell it, eh?
Hmm... how far are we from Earth now?

33 million miles from Earth.

It feels like we've been
there for a long time.

Never could get a hang of the new

Inter-Universe Imperial
Measurement standard.

Well, I guess whichever way you look at it,
it's a long way to Tipperary.

Set course for home, Circuit!

♫ Nebula-75 theme ♫