Sherka: Protection screen has been dislodged at section ninety-two. Impossible to replace. Ulysses: Ah, Telemachus is out there in a shuttlecraft! When he comes back he'll be in the middle of all those Tridents!An explosion throws Ulysses and Yumi to the floor.
Sherka: Right propulsion unit damaged. Combustion chamber not functioning.Ulysses gets up again and pushes some buttons on the control panel.
Ulysses: Emergency circuits! Urgently, Telemachus. Telemachus, can you hear me?Telemachus is flying a shuttlecraft in the middle of the Trident fleet. Beside him sits No-No. Telemachus is under attack and tries to dodge the Tridents' fire.
Telemachus: Yes, father, I hear you. I'm returning. No-No: Watch it! Right behind us. Oh!The laser in Telemachus's shuttlecraft locks onto three Tridents.
Go ahead, Telemachus.Telemachus fires at the Tridents and destroys two of the three.
Telemachus: Hold on, No-No! No-No: Oh!The shuttlecraft is under attack from more Tridents. Telemachus fires back, destroying one more.
Telemachus: Uh! Careful, No-No! Full speed!Suddenly No-No spots something which looks like a planet with a bright white hole in the side.
No-No: Over there - look!The voice of Ulysses comes through on the communicator.
Ulysses: What's the situation out there? No-No: The planet has a big hole in it. Telemachus: That's right, and the hole is big enough to park the Odyssey inside. Father, did you hear? Father! Ulysses: Yes, yes, I heard you. Direct me from there, it's our only way to get out of this. Photonic energy drive at maximum.Ulysses presses a button.
Accelerate.The Odyssey's thrusters fire up to maximum and the ship accelerates towards the strange planet. Telemachus's shuttlecraft flies in front of the Odyssey. The Tridents continue their attack. The planet now looms large in the window. Another explosion shakes the bridge, throwing Ulysses and Yumi against the console.
Sherka: Ulysses, the cabin where your companions are has been hit. Yumi: My brother!Yumi gets up and runs out of the bridge.
Ulysses: Yumi, the robot firemen will take care of it.The robots are already in the companions' room and attempting to put out the fire. Yumi runs into the room.
Yumi: Numinor! And all our friends!Yumi gasps in horror as she sees the fire licking around Numinor's feet.
The Odyssey is still under attack. Ulysses carefully pilots the ship using as his guide a screen which shows the outline of the planet with the hole in it. He steers the Odyssey towards the hole. Telemachus's shuttlecraft enters the hole as does the Odyssey just behind it. The Tridents follow the Odyssey but as soon as they enter the hole they explode.
Ulysses: Oh! Telemachus: Father, father, did you see that? The Trident ships are exploding! Ulysses: That could mean anything! Return to the Odyssey at once, Telemachus.The shuttlecraft turns and docks with the Odyssey.
Sherka: The Odyssey is entering a region of intense energy.The Odyssey is enveloped in a bright yellow light. Telemachus is now on the bridge with Ulysses.
Telemachus: Father!Suddenly the damage inflicted by the Tridents is repaired.
Yumi gasps as the fire in the companions' room extinguishes itself before her eyes.
Sherka: All damage has been instantly repaired. Ulysses: Instantly? How's that?A loud voice booms out.
Magician: Hahahaha. Do not disturb yourself, space travellers. You have nothing to fear. Ulysses: What a strange voice. Who are you? Magician: I am the Magician in Black.The Odyssey flies above the surface of the planet.
Telemachus: Oh, father! Magician: No panic, please. Here you are under my protection, sheltered from the gods of Olympus.The Odyssey is now docked in front of a large palace.
Yumi: He saved us, Ulysses. It's wonderful! Magician: More precisely my magic powers saved you. You will be transported to my palace. There's nothing to be afraid of.Ulysses, Telemachus, Yumi and No-No gasp as they are levitated from their seats.
Ulysses: Let's join hands. No-No: Yes.They join hands, then suddenly disappear.
Ulysses, Telemachus, Yumi and No-No materialise in a room in the Magician's palace. A blue flame burns just in front of them.
Telemachus: Where are we?They look around them and see, standing in an open doorway, the Magician's servant with two large mechanical dogs.
Servant: My master the Magician in Black will see you now.The servant bows and points. From above them, four balls of black flame dance around each other. They spin faster and faster until they form a mini tornado. The tornado lands in front of Ulysses and from it the Magician appears. On his left shoulder sits a vulture.
Ulysses: So you are the Magician in Black. Magician: And welcome to you, Ulysses. Ulysses: How is it that you know my name? Magician: Ah. It has been brought to my attention that you are something of a problem for the gods.The vulture jumps on to the Magician's arm and flies off.
So I was very eager to meet you. Telemachus: Well now that you have, why are we here? Magician: What an impatient little boy. Telemachus: I am not a little boy! Magician: Watch me, I will show you something very interesting. By the great power of my will...Ulysses and the children watch as the Magician extends his arm. They gasp as the ground on which they are standing turns to flowers.
Magician: Off you go!The Magician throws his hands above his head. A wind blows the flowers and their petals fly into the air. The petals then turn into birds.
Yumi: How wonderful! All these birds! Magician: Hahaha. I only happen to be the greatest magician in the universe. Even the gods cannot escape my magic powers. Ulysses: Are you more powerful than the gods?Their surroundings return to normal.
Magician: My magic powers know no bounds. Ulysses: Well then, in that case there's one little favour you might do for me. Magician: Oh? And what's that? Ulysses: The gods have made my companions rigid to punish me for destroying their Cyclops. If your power is as great as you say bring all my companions back to life and then we would all be very happy. Magician: Indeed. And what will you do for me in return for this great service? Ulysses: Do in return? Magician: For the magic to work we have to come to an agreement, don't you think? Ulysses: But what can I offer you? With a wave of your hand you can have anything. Magician: Oh don't worry. I wouldn't make any impossible demands, nothing you would be unable to give me. But first of all I shall carry out your request.The Magician turns and walks off. Ulysses, Telemachus and Yumi look at each other. The Magician walks to the top of some steps and calls out.
Come to me, all forces of the universe, all floating photons, dislocated molecules, quiet quasars...Superimposed on the Magician is image of a galaxy. A bolt of black lightning strikes the Magician and the room is bathed in white light.
May the curse be broken!A beam of blue light comes from the Magician's hands as he crosses them over his head. The bolt of light hits the ceiling and explodes. In the light of the explosion Ulysses and the children see the Odyssey.
Telemachus: The Odyssey! Magician: Let all the underworld explode into light.A bow and arrow appear in the Magician's hands. He draws the string of the bow, aims at the image of the Odyssey and fires. The image glows so brightly that Ulysses, Telemachus and Yumi cover their eyes. In the room appear the companions, restored to life.
Yumi: My brother! Numinor! Numinor: Oh, Yumi!Yumi and Numinor run towards each other. The companions run towards Ulysses.
Companions: Ulysses, Ulysses! Yumi: Oh, I'm so happy!Numinor picks up Yumi.
Companions: We're free at last! Ulysses: Nestor, my old friend.Ulysses and Nestor shake hands.
Uriclae: What happened to us? Companions: Ulysses! Numinor: Yumi, tell me how this miracle happened? Yumi: Numinor, you are all free because the Magician in Black willed it. Companions: All thanks to this Magician in Black! Free! Ulysses: My friends, what a joy to see you all! Thanks to the Magician in Black you are now all free. No-No: Oh, sure, the Magician in Black. But all the same, you know, without my help, well... Telemachus: No-No. Companions: We're free!The Magician quietly watches this from a short distance away.
The camera focuses on a large, ornate chandelier. It pans down to a long table at which the companions are seated. They have just finished a celebratory banquet. Ulysses stands up and addresses the Magician.
Ulysses: Magician in Black, my friends and I are completely at a loss for a way to thank you.The Magician sits at the head of the table.
Magician: All in good time, Ulysses. First we must drink a toast to your health.The companions raise their glasses to the Magician in Black.
Companions: To the Magician in Black.Telemachus and Yumi laugh as No-No drinks from a cup filled with nails.
Nestor: Ulysses, now that we companions are all together again we must redouble our efforts to find a way out of this zone of Olympus.A servant of the Magician puts a glass in front of Nestor. The servant is a Zotrian.
Ulysses: Mmm. Together we will all return to the Earth. Numinor: Yumi, then we too will be able to return to our planet, Zotra.As the servant places a glass in front of Numinor, Numinor looks at him and sees that he is a fellow Zotrian. The servant bows and walks off.
Oh... oh you! You! Yumi: But... but that's a Zotrian! Hey, wait!Yumi gets up from the table and runs after the Zotrian servant. Her way is blocked by the Chief Servant.
Servant: This way nothing interesting here. Yumi: But that person is a Zotrian! Servant: No, no Zotrians here. Ulysses: Magician in Black, explain all this.The Magician casually eats a leg of chicken, unperturbed by this.
Magician: I see no reason why my slaves should be of any interest to you. Ulysses: Your slaves?Everyone gasps.
Magician: I hadn't intended speaking of it until later, but perhaps it is time to remind you that we made a bargain, Ulysses. Ulysses: Mmm. Telemachus: A bargain?Yumi climbs back into her chair.
Magician: Ulysses, when I did as you asked you were happy enough to promise to give me something in return. I told you it would be something within your capability. I kept my promise, haven't I? This is what I want in exchange. You will point out which are the three best men among you. Ulysses: What do you mean, Magician in Black?The Magician gets up from his chair.
Magician: I am the finest hunter in all the universe.The Magician walks away from the table, turns around and faces Ulysses.
Hitherto I have hunted animals of every sort, some strange ones indeed.The heads of these animals hang on the walls.
But I must admit that the most exciting, the most satisfying, hunting I've ever known in my whole life, the one that calls upon the full measure of my talent is hunting men.The companions gasp in horror.
Ulysses: No! No! Never! You said that it would be a fair bargain. Magician: It is.The camera focuses on one of the strange animal heads on the wall.
Magician: Ulysses, the hunt I'm preparing will be a fair one. Anyone who escapes will be safe and sound and free. If they escape me they are free to go away with their companions; however any that I shall capture will remain for ever as my slaves.Numinor holds Yumi.
Decide, Ulysses, or I shall be obliged to withdraw my part of the bargain and return your companions to the curse of the gods for ever. Yumi: No, Numinor! Nestor: Oh, Ulysses.Ulysses thinks for a while, then gives his answer.
Ulysses: I will be the first. Numinor: Ulysses, I will go with you. I am the second. Yumi: No, brother! Ulysses: Thank you, Numinor. Magician: Who will be the third?Telemachus steps forward.
Telemachus: I will! Ulysses: No, my son. I will not allow that. Telemachus: Don't worry, father. I promise I am not afraid of this Magician. Magician: Ah, you have a fine boy there. He has courage, so now we have three. Ulysses: But he's a child! Numinor and I, aren't we enough for you? Let Telemachus go! Magician: No, it's an excellent combination. It's agreed. Truly rare game.The Magician walks off.
Ulysses: Magician!Ulysses, the Magician and the companions stand in front of a large machine into which lots of video terminals are connected.
Magician: I leave to you the choice of terrain. You may choose from all the worlds known and unknown that this machine can create. Ulysses: I think I know of worlds you cannot even begin to understand.Ulysses approaches the machine and presses several buttons. The screens flicker to life.
Magician, I ask you to grant me just one last request. Magician: And what is that? Ulysses: If at any time during this hunt all three of us are taken promise me that you will free all my companions and let them leave. Nestor: Ulysses!The Magician nods.
Magician: Very well, I promise. Now I will give you a few hours' start, if indeed time exists in that world you have programmed.Ulysses, Numinor and Telemachus walk over to the transmission area.
Yumi: Brother! Ulysses: Nestor, you're in charge. Nestor: Yes, Ulysses.The glow from the screens shines down on Ulysses, Numinor and Telemachus. They vanish.
Magician: In the meantime lock them up.Holes appear in the wall. In these holes stand guards.
Yumi: Ah! Nestor: That's not the promise you made!The mechanical dogs approach the companions.
Magician: There will be time to keep my promise - only when the hunt is over.Ulysses, Numinor and Telemachus are transported to the world Ulysses has programmed.
Numinor: But it's... Telemachus: ...it's the Earth!They are standing in an area with open fields and woodland. The background is pixellated.
Father, you've programmed a part of the Earth. Ulysses: I must have programmed it without realising. At least we'll be hunted in a place where I used to hunt long ago. Numinor: Ulysses, the Magician in Black must have started after us by now. Hurry, come on. Ulysses: Follow me.They run towards the trees.
The companions are held in a cell.
Yumi: We have to do something. We can't just stay here and wait. We can't just leave them to their fate. Nestor: Yumi's right, companions; and we cannot make our way to Earth them, my friends.Uriclae nods in agreement.
Uriclae: No, no, we must never do that. We must try to get away and free ourselves. Companion: Then let's do it.No-No walks towards the cell door.
No-No: Right! Let's do it. Absolutely, positively; but the only thing is, how? Nestor: That's where we need your help, No-No.Ulysses, Telemachus and Numinor run across a field, pursued by the metallic dogs. Telemachus climbs up a small hill after Ulysses and Numinor but struggles as he is almost out of breath. Ulysses and Numinor help him up.
The companions have hatched a plan to get them out of the cell. An explosive device with a wire trailing from it is attached to the wall. As No-No speaks the camera pans along the wire to reveal that is plugged into No-No's service panel. Nestor is holding No-No.
No-No: No, I already told you if I let you do that I won't have any more energy. A fine thing, I'd end up a useless heap of junk. Nestor: But it's our only way. No-No: If you have humans for friends, who needs enemies? Yumi: No-No, remember that it's for Telemachus and Ulysses and my brother Numinor. No-No: Go ahead. Nestor: Let's hope it works.Nestor operates the plunger on No-No's head. An explosion blows the cell door open.
It did! Let's get out - quick!Yumi picks up No-No and they all run out. The guards, standing outside the door are so startled they do not have time to react. The running companions shoulder them out of the way as they make their escape. More guards appear from around a corner and fire at the companions. A companion picks up a gun dropped by another guard and returns fire.
Yumi stands by the machine that generates worlds.
Yumi: This way - come on!The companions, now fully armed, finish off the guards.
A flimsy rope bridge is suspended between two rock faces, high above a river. The camera pans up one of the rock faces and stops on Ulysses, who is standing on top of a rock. Numinor stands on the ground, holding Telemachus's legs as he climbs the rock to join Ulysses. Ulysses extends his hand down towards Telemachus to help him. Just as he is about to lift up Telemachus an arrow is fired, landing between their two hands. Ulysses, Numinor and Telemachus turn and see, on the other rock face, the Magician and his Chief Servant.
Telemachus: The Magician in Black! Magician: Release the dogs.Ulysses takes hold of Telemachus's hand. The Magician's Chief Servant takes the dogs and starts walking across the rope bridge.
Ulysses: If this is the world that I know, I'm sure that foot bridge won't hold.One of the mechanical dogs falls through a rotten plank of wood, leaving one other dog and the Chief Servant.
Telemachus: Did it! Numinor: There's still one left. Ulysses: We must get as far ahead of them as we can.Ulysses, Telemachus and Numinor run off. The Magician kneels on the rope bridge and picks up part of the rotten wood.
Magician: Mmm. Ulysses, Ulysses, things are starting to get interesting.Ulysses, Telemachus and Numinor run, pursued by the Magician, his Chief Servant and the dog. They are running in shallow water. As the droplets of water splash up, so they turn into blue pixels. Just as they reach the end of the water Telemachus trips and falls into it. Ulysses stops and lifts him out and they carry on running. They leave the water and run through a field with the Magician close behind.
A rope is attached to a tree. The rope is being tugged by Ulysses and Numinor while Telemachus looks out. Numinor ties one end of the rope to a stump on the ground. Telemachus hears the sound of the dog, turns and calls to Ulysses.
Telemachus: Father, quick! They're already here!Numinor finishes tying the knot just as the Magician, his Chief Servant and the dog come into view. A circle of rope lies on the ground. As the mechanical dog runs over it the rope tightens and lifts the dog up into the tree. The Magician and his Servant look up at the dog, surprised and impressed by the cunning and inventiveness of their quarry.
Numinor and Ulysses jump onto the Magician and his Servant from over a ridge. The Magician runs a short distance and picks up his bow. Telemachus picks up a small rock and throws it at the Magician. The rock misses. Ulysses runs and jumps on the Magician, however the Magician's eyes glow and he vanishes into thin air before Ulysses can make contact with him. Ulysses lands on the ground.
Ulysses: Magician you are using your magic! That's not fair hunting! Magician: Hahaha. Ulysses, you have courage and you play a cunning game. But now the game is over.From behind Telemachus the Magician re-materialises. He has his bow and arrow and points the arrow at the back of Telemachus's neck. Telemachus turns around and sees the arrow pointing at him.
Telemachus: Father!The Magician draws back the bow. At this point another voice calls out.
Nestor: Don't move, Magician!The Magician looks and sees the companions. Nestor is leading a band of companions and points a gun at the Magician.
Ulysses: Our companions! Numinor: Oh, Yumi! Yumi: Oh, brother!The Magician smiles and lowers his bow.
Magician: Even I, the great Magician in Black, failed to see this turn of events.The Magician tosses his bow to the ground. Ulysses shouts across to Nestor and the companions.
Ulysses: Don't shoot! Magician: A wise move. If you kill me all my magic will die with me and you would all be as you were before.The Magician raises his hands and turns into a ball of black flame. The flame then turns into a strange fire bird with a large horn. The bird flies up into the air.
Ulysses, take your spaceship and leave. I am touched by the loyalty and bravery of your companions. You are all free to go.The bird turns and flies off. Suddenly, an arrow flies through the air and pierces the Magician. The bird explodes in a burst of yellow light.
Ulysses: Magician!The arrow was fired by the Magician's Chief Servant.
Telemachus: It was him!The Servant throws off his cape to reveal a metallic body on which is engraved the sign of the Trident. The companions gasp.
No-No: But that is the sign of the Trident!The Servant runs off into the woods. The companions fall asleep and float up into the air.
Ulysses: Companions! Yumi: Oh no! Numinor! Ulysses: By the billion suns!The Odyssey flies away from the planet with Ulysses and Telemachus on the bridge. Telemachus speaks with his eyes closed and head down.
Telemachus: Just for once we were all together and free. Ulysses: Yumi is still in the compartment with her brother?Telemachus nods.
Telemachus: Mm-mm.The camera focuses on Numinor in the sleeping room. It pans down him to reveal Yumi standing beneath him. She looks up at him. As Sherka speaks Yumi hangs her head and closes her eyes.
Sherka: We are moving toward another unknown planetary system. Unknown... unknown... unknown... unknown... [END]