Queen of Blood

The year 1990.

The problem of traveling to the moon has been solved for many years.

Space stations have been built there.

And authorized personnel come and go as they wish.

But the moon is a dead world.

And the great question about space still remains.

Does life exist on another planet?

To seek an answer to this question,

the major powers of the world have been actively preparing

at the International Institute of Space Technology

to explore the planets Venus and Mars.

Ready for lunch?

Ready for lunch?

-Yes. -Great, 'cause I'm starved.

I just finished a high G session in the centrifuge.

How do you feel?

Not bad considering.

How's the music of the spheres today?

Listen.

We've been picking up these signals now for three days.

Dr. Farraday thinks it's from a planet within our galaxy,

but beyond our solar system.

Well, does he think it might be a form of communication?

Well, they're different from anything we've picked up before.

They're working on some tapes that Matt made,

now trying to see if they can decipher it.

Bill, I'm leaving the recorder on automatic.

Will you keep an eye on it for me?

Right.

It must be something. A message of some kind.

And just think, if it is, it'll be our first contact

with intelligent beings from another planet.

You certainly were hungry.

That's the one bad thing about space trips, no banana splits.

No matter what they say about that exobiologic food, it tastes terrible.

It's all relative.

That's all it is.

Mind sharing your table with a couple of starving astronauts?

Hi, Tony. Hi, Paul. Sit down.

Have a seat, gentlemen.

Allan was just complaining about the exobiologic food.

You better get used to it.

That's all you're gonna get once you're on the way to Mars.

It is Mars you're scheduled for, isn't it?

Yeah. If and when.

What's the latest scuttlebutt there, Tony baby?

I only know what Mata Hari here tells me.

And she gets it straight from the horse's mouth.

You mean Dr. Farraday.

Well, I do hear a remark now and then.

They seem to be making some excellent progress on that new radiation shield.

-As a matter of fact... Attention.

Attention, all personnel.

All personnel, assemble immediately in area one for important announcement.

Attention...

-All personel... -That means us.

What am I gonna do with this?

They'll have cold stew.

Go at once...

-to area one -Come on.

...for important announcement.

Does mean we're flying, Allan?

Could be they're more ready for Mars than we think, huh, Allan?

I hope so. Do you think you're getting married on one?

Commander Brockman, what's happening?

No idea. It must be pretty important, though.

That's for sure, sir.

My friends and fellow workers, in the great adventure of space,

I have the most important news to announce

since our first successful landing on the moon 20 years ago.

As many of you know, for several weeks now

we have been receiving organized signals from a far galaxy.

This morning our code experts finally deciphered...

the message these signals contained.

It's a most extraordinary document. It's very long.

I'm not going to read it to you,

but I would like you to have the gist of it.

It informs us that they are dispatching a spaceship

to bring their ambassador to our planet Earth.

They believe that our atmospheric conditions

will support their form of life,

which apparently, is similar to our own.

The timing of their blastoff should be just about now.

Now, I wanted you here, at Space Institute, to be the first to know.

I'm sure the entire world will await the arrival of this spaceship

with the keenest anticipation.

Thank you.

The world is impatiently awaiting further information from the Space Institute

fixing position and probable time of approach

of the space vehicle bringing forth the first time in our world's known history

to our planet, aliens who are our first visitors from a distant galaxy.

Meanwhile, at 5:18 this morning,

the California Satellite Observatory

reported that an unknown object

has crossed the orbit of the moon and is rapidly approaching Earth.

Scientists unanimously agree that this is not the expected space vehicle itself,

but is a mechanical device

sent ahead by them for reasons unknown at the present time.

Doctor.Yes?

Is your report ready?

They have sent us a video log

that contains a photographic record

of the alien ship's entire flight.

Ready?

Yes, Doctor, it's in perfect working order.

All right, let's see it.

Remarkable.

Crash-landing on Mars, and this is their S.O.S.

We are obviously in touch with beings

who have a very highly evolved technology.

Do you think their ship was destroyed, Doctor?

No, I don't. I think there's an excellent chance that there may be survivors.

But we haven't received any more signals now for three days.

Well, that may mean merely damage to equipment.

What I'm interested in is the possibility that these extraordinary creatures

who have sent us this, the video log of their disaster,

may, at this instant, be waiting for us to rescue them.

But, Dr. Farraday, we...

Dr. Farraday, attention.

Dr. Farraday, please report to your office immediately.

They can't wait to hear what it's about.

I'm going to schedule a press conference at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

The world wants to know what has happened and I shall tell them.

But the real question remains to be answered.

What are we going to do about it?

And so it appears that these beings from another world

have called for our help.

The situation, it may not be exactly as we would've wished,

but now that the doors have realistically opened

to close this gap between worlds,

I feel that we are obliged to make every effort to give them our help.

It is true, of course, that we are fully prepared to embark for Mars.

The spaceshipOceano has been designated

to attempt the first flight to Mars six months from now.

I'm going to urge the heads of state of all countries

to cooperate in this endeavor.

Travel to Mars is now and not six months from now.

And to do so, we must get those supplies to the moon.

Attention, please.

Attention, please.

Will the commander of freight rocket RT-12

please report to the central operator.

You have a call from Earth.

I'm sorry, Doctor, we don't seem to be able to pick up a thing.

Their equipment must've been destroyed in the crash.

Dr. Farraday, may I speak to you for a moment, please?

Yes, of course.

Since there are no more signals coming through,

I'm afraid we'll have to proceed in the dark, as it were.

Doctor, I just received my orders.

Oh, good, yes. Yes, are you pleased?

Of course.

But I was hoping that Allan Brenner would be on my flight,

and I was wondering...

I'm sorry, Laura. I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about it.

The balance of personnel for this key flight has been most carefully worked over.

We shall undoubtedly send Brenner on the Oceano II.

I see.

It's a great honor that's been bestowed on you, Laura.

And I don't mind telling you now

that I was one of those who recommended you.

[ANNOUNCEMENT BELL RINGS]I appreciate that.

Doctor Farraday. Doctor Farraday.

Please report to the Astrophysical Laboratory immediately.

Well, Laura. A marvelous adventure lies ahead of you.

I envy you.

Good luck.Thank you.

I just heard the news.

And I was just trying to get enough courage to tell you.

Well, we sort of figured it might happen this way.

I know.

Look, I'm sure I'm gonna be on the next ship.

I'll make a date right now to see you there.

In fact, I'll tell you what.

I'll take you dancing on Mars, how about that?

[ANNOUNCEMENT BELL RINGS] WOMAN ON PA: Attention.

Astronaut Laura James. Laura James.

Please report to the Central Conference Room

for a press and television interview.

Hey, you're gonna be the most famous girl in America.

Now go on. Tell 'em who you are and where you came from.

T-minus 27 seconds and counting prior to your start.

Report the ready position.

Two over zero minus x-ray one, two.

All systems green. Delta minus 18 seconds to start.

Ready light is on.

Countdown starts.

Calling Lunar Seven.

Dr. Farraday speaking.

Commander Brockman reporting, sir.

How are you doing?

Everything according to plan, sir.

Astronaut James blacked-out during acceleration but has now revived.

All instrument readings, normal.

Splendid, Commander. Just keep going.