the robot disposes of the weapon. On Moonbase, all main systems are non-responsive. It seems the entire computer network has been disabled. Maya recalls Brian's chat with Computer; she speculates that it either blocked every link to Computer or downloaded the operating system to its own memory core on the Swift before erasing theirs. Either way, Moonbase Alpha is effectively blind. Upon learning the Eagles' on-board computers are operating normally, Tony Verdeschi takes up a squadron to rescue the abductees. Koenig presses Brian for information on the Moon's course. It announces the Moon and Planet D are now circling one another—and will continue to do so forever. As the captives digest this revelation, the Swift decelerates, allowing the Eagle posse to catch up. Fearing the mercurial Brian may be planning to blind the four ships, the Commander contacts Verdeschi on Eagle One, ordering him to break off the pursuit. While Koenig assures the security chief that he and Helena are unharmed, the co-pilot insults Brian, referring to it as a 'crazy hijacking slot machine'. The robot childishly rants and raves over the astronaut's remark. Koenig commands the pursuit ships and all evacuees to return to Alpha immediately. The Eagles withdraw, and the Swift resumes course for Planet D. Now calm, Brian tries to make friends with Koenig and Helena; as lovers, he says, they should appreciate this private time together. Not trusting the robot, they deny having feelings for each other. To determine the truth, Brian devises a practical 'love test'. It begins by separating Koenig and Helena, instructing them to enter one of the ship's two airlocks alone—and blasting them with beams of concentrated ultraviolet when they refuse. Once they are sealed inside their respective airlocks, Brian begins siphoning out the air. At any time, he tells them, one may press a button to channel the remaining air into the other airlock—saving its occupant from suffocation. The air thins gradually and, at first, the pair resist. In the end, gasping and floundering, they each hit their buttons simultaneously. Having proven they are a couple in love, Brian is ecstatic. Threatening one lover guarantees control over the other. It childishly whistles 'Here Comes the Bride' as it prepares to land on Planet D. Setting down close to the mother ship, they finds the surface is blanketed in a dense mist which reduces visibility to mere metres. Here, the true purpose