Pandora

Previously on Pandora...

- So, what's your story, Jax? - Her parents were killed at New Portland.

I am never going to let this go.

- My pop's telepathic. - C.I.S.?

Jail.

My dad served in the military, too.

He said EarthCom did some pretty messed-up stuff during the war.

This ship must never reach the earth.

Tereshkova, she's gone, destroyed.

We should go on a date.

Working with a team is different.

Avar Sumitov, reporting for duty.

You start to feel responsible.

- Magda Coy. - To Magda and Avar.

Magda and Avar.

All right, let's concentrate, Pilar.

It's going to get pretty hairy out there.

I've got this, Commander.

Proximity alert.

Navigation hazard detected.

I'm impressed by the way you handle the ship, Pilar.

You're a natural born pilot.

It's a piece of cake when you can use nanotech to jack

Earhart guidance and sensor systems.

I'm better at detecting asteroids than the ship itself.

Yeah? You know, it's not too late

to reconsider Command Track for next semester.

I was considering it,

but after we lost Magda and Avar,

I realized I can't be responsible for others.

Only myself.

We're all responsible for others, Pilar.

It's not about those you lose.

It's about those you can save.

Right, we've arrived at the debris

of the battle cruiser Tereshkova.

Well done. You've completed your training mission.

I'll take over from here.

Tereshkova blew up

a few thousand klicks from here.

Yeah, it did, but the remains of the ship

must have got caught up in the gravitational attraction

from that asteroid belt.

I understand how attraction works, Commander.

I see it every time you and Jax are together.

What's the deal with you two anyway?

- There is no deal. - Keep telling yourself that.

Maybe you'll actually start believing it too.

What's wrong?

I'm detecting something.

A beacon.

Really? We're not picking up anything on the ship sensors.

It's out there, trust me.

Yeah. Got it.

What is it, some sort of distress signal?

No. A proximity alert.

Out here? That's strange.

I should earn extra credit for this.

That is where the signal is coming from, Commander.

Get the ship as close as you can.

I'll suit up and go out there and retrieve it.

What do you think it is?

I have to admit, I was dubious

when you suggested taking Pilar along on this mission.

Well, EarthCom had searched the area dozens of times

with little success.

But as I'd hoped, Pilar's nanotech enhancements

allowed us to amplify the sensitivity of our instruments.

Hmm. You're sure she doesn't know what this is?

No. I told her it was an engine thrust control module.

And she didn't question you?

No, she's more concerned with getting an A on her assignment.

A for Pilar.

A-plus for you, Mr. Duvall.

I've run some preliminary scans,

but the data seems to be quantum encrypted.

It's programmed to do that when it detects damage.

It'll take data-recovery several weeks to restore it.

Well, EarthCom should be excited

Tereshkova's black box

has finally been found.

Absolutely no one can know about this.

Sir, we lost hundreds of men and women on that ship.

That black box could be the closure

that their loved ones are looking for.

Tereshkova exploded.

As you know, EarthCom is concerned

the Zatarians are rearming for war.

If anything is on this recorder that implicates the Zatarians,

even tangentially,

in the destruction Tereshkova,

it could light the fuse on a conflict

even worse than the last one.

Millions could die.

So we need to keep the discovery of this black box a secret

until it's decrypted

and I know exactly what is on it.

Do I make myself clear?

Crystal, sir.

Oh!

I think you just woke up the whole school, Atria.

Wow, that was delightful.

And a total surprise.

Uh, what was a surprise?

If you have sex with the same person multiple times,

it just gets better.

It could have something to do

with the quality of your partner.

Oh.

Or it could just be

us establishing an emotional bond.

You know, acting like a human.

- Hmm. - Finding your soul.

So, how do I know which one it is?

Could be both.

But let's just keep doing it until you get an answer.

Yay.

Mm-mm. Mm-mm.

Audio only.

You need to get down to the Black Hole right away.

It's urgent.

As I've said before,

I go by the given name of Billy Dwayne,

and I know I can be an awful pain.

But since we're friends,

feel free to call me Billy D., ladies and gentlemen.

That's right.

Billy D! Billy D!

Say it again.

You okay?

Not really.

I thought you'd be excited to see him.

What's wrong? Who is that guy?

He's my father.

This lady, she rubbed me down, look fine.

I smiled up at her and said,

"I rang the doorbell, didn't I?"

Ding-dong!

I don't understand why you're so mad at your dad.

I think he's a hoot.

There is nothing funny about a person who ditches their family.

I thought he fought in the war.

Well, if you think he's some sort of hero,

then feel free to go hang with him, Atria.

Okay.

I'm so out of here.

Wait. Don't you at least want to talk to him?

I have absolutely nothing to say to that man.

- Hey! - He's still supposed to be in jail.

I don't know how he got out, but I guarantee you

if he's here, he's up to no good.

Now, I want you all to think of your favorite drink.

You know, the kind that's really sweet and tasty

but you can't afford it.

Listen closely, barkeep,

because we are going on a bender,

and Billy D. Is providing the legal tender.

Somebody touch the center of my palm.

Oh.

Now you, you sassy little minx...

that makes my knees quake,

all you want is a strawberry milkshake.

Wow, that's right!

Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

Okay. Now you, my techno friend,

you think I don't know.

But all you need is a glass of H2O.

- With ice! - That's affirmative.

Affirm your ass to the bar.

Okay, this one is, uh, pretty hard.

But I got it.

Barkeep!

Please get a blue safari for the man from...

Zatari.

You are correct.

That is what I imbibe.

Most impressive.

Touch my palm, pretty lady.

Hmm.

Ha.

Hey, this man distracted me.

Touch it again, please.

So? What's my drink of choice?

Ha. You...

you want a mojito, right?

Yeah.

- That's right. - Ha!

Billy D. Is never wrong,

and if I am, bang a gong.

Get out of here, go on.

Go on, yeah.

Hi.

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Tierney. And you are?

Jax.

You're, um...

You're a friend of Billy D.'s son, right?

I saw you two talking.

You're very observant, aren't you?

You don't care for mojitos, do you?

Not really.