Intrigue

A teenage Alphan is co-opted by an anti-matter specter to help bring the rest of his people across to a nearby planet.

Several crew members explore the planet Sunin, including botanist Shermeen Williams, who appears to have visionary gifts. She links up with an alien, called Vindrus, who wants her help in transferring his body and that of his race into solid matter, giving them proper human form so that they can join the universe as real matter. However, for every one of his race made flesh, an Alphan must lose their matter.—don @ minifie-1

Tony Verdeschi has sought assistance in his homemade beer-brewing hobby from Hydroponics expert Shermeen Williams. The young Alphan has been cultivating hops for him, becoming infatuated with him in the process, causing misery for her boyfriend/working partner Eddie Collins. Tony and Shermeen enter the Command Center with a tray of beer to sample, which turns out to be unsavory. Apparently being emotionally immature for a scientist on Alpha, Shermeen thinks Tony's blaming her for the failure of his latest brew, retreating to her quarters. While sobbing and sulking, a transparent face suddenly appears to her in a corner of her room, seeming to be beckoning to her before it disappears.

Helena looks in on Shermeen, who she knows is naive and vulnerable, having been a teenager when the moon blasted away from Earth. Shermeen tries to explain about the apparition, but then brushes it off as a nightmare, even though she knows it wasn't.

The Command Center personnel are studying the preliminary reports of a planet their sensors had just picked up, which seems to be quite Earth-like with the exception of a lack of animal life. Commander Koenig is putting a landing party together and suggests Shermeen as the botanist. However, Helena advises him to select an alternate, due to her current emotional bout. Koenig appoints Eddie Collins and elects Tony to give her the bad news.

Shermeen reacts badly to the news that Eddie Collins has been chosen as the botanist for the landing party. As she's once again sobbing, the ghostly face returns to her, whispering her name, asking her to allow him to "come through". Apparently, his full presence requires her spiritual assistance (but still remaining transparent). When the hairless alien appears, he introduces himself as Vindrus, residing on the planet he unofficially refers to as "Sunim". He's aware of the current events on Alpha and promises that she'll find happiness on the planet, as she'll soon become a member of the landing party if she follows his instructions. With his guidance, she concocts a special plant which sprouts quickly from a radiation-exposed seed, maturing in seconds and possessing a scent which incapacitates Eddie Collins.

The landing party (consisting of Commander Koenig, Tony, Maya, and pilot Bill Fraser) is assembled within the travel tube that will bring them to Eagle One and are awaiting the arrival of Eddie Collins.They all act with surprise when Shermeen arrives who explains that Eddie has suddenly taken sick. Koenig gives the "OK" for her participation and they all prepare for the trip.

The planet is confirmed to be like Earth except for lack of animals. While Shermeen's off on her own clipping off botanical samples, the rest of the landing party comes across a two-story-high structure surrounded by a handful of ten-foot tall obelisks. Meanwhile, the transparent Vindrus appears to Shermeen and has her follow him. As the others stand together scanning the area, a tall, burly, grotesque bi-pedal lizard-headed creature dashes out of the structure, letting out a series of shrieking wales. Charging at the Alphans aiming a metal pitchfork-shaped spear toward them, Koenig fires his laser at it. However, the beam deflects back toward the Commander, just missing him. He then joins the others who are fleeing. The creature suddenly stops at the line of obelisks. The landing party also comes to a stop, observing the stationary monster. After Commander Koenig unsuccessfully tries to contact Moonbase Alpha, the party realizes Shermeen is missing. They move away from the structure to begin a search through the woods.

Vindrus has led Shermeen to the building, which he refers to as a "temple". When Thaed approaches menacingly, Vindrus instructs her not to be afraid; she has nothing to fear on Sunim. She follows Vindrus down a flight of stairs leading to the entrance. The interior reveals a large machine with a glass booth on either side of it. He informs her that with her help, this machine will enable his solid body to appear. However, it's currently non-functional due to a disaster in the past. He points to a metallic cylinder attached to the side of the machine. He promises she'll be relieved of her current unhappiness by smuggling the cylinder back to Moonbase Alpha, where he'll give her further instructions.

Commander Koenig complains to Maya about their troubles; losing Shermeen, being unable to contact Alpha, and encountering the creature despite their readings having indicated a lack of animal life. Maya suggests there could be a shield emanating from the structure; blocking their sensors and obstructing their communication devices. Bill Fraser informs them that he's come across some of Shermeen's specimen clippings laying on the ground with footprints going toward the structure. Knowing the structure needs to be searched, Maya transforms into a fox and scampers toward the building. Managing to elude Thaed's pitchfork weapon, Maya enters. While observing the machine with the two cabinets, she's startled when Shermeen emerges from the shadows, displaying an unusually carefree attitude. Concluding that Shermeen had entered while the creature was concentrating on them, Maya explains that they have to return to the rest of the landing party. But first, Maya activates her scanner to record a series of images painted on the walls on video.

When Shermeen abruptly exits the temple alone, seeming unconcerned, Maya alarmingly joins her. Maya becomes jittery at the arrival of Thaed, but Shermeen calmly informs the Psychon that it won't harm them. The other Alphans observe as the Thaed allows the two women to pass. When they reach the others, Koenig comments to Maya that Shermeen seems to have some kind of immunity.

Inside the temple, whispering voices speak to Vindrus, anxious for the resurrection of the machine, which will apparently transport the lot of them into this world.

During the trip back to Alpha, Commander Koenig uses kid gloves to try and coax Shermeen into providing answers as to what she knows about the planet. She displays an air of cooperation, but only gives half-hearted answers. However, she lets it slip that the planet is called "Sunim".

Back at the base, Maya displays her recordings of the wall murals inside the structure. She explains that it depicts the whole evolutionary process of humans; beginning with a sea of primeval slime, leading to modern man. However, according to other images, the planet's humanoid inhabitants had experienced a holocaust sometime in the past. Maya suspects that they're dealing with a conflict between matter against anti-matter. She displays the machine within the structure on the screen, which was similar to one she had seen on her own planet, which was used to convert anti-matter into matter. Pointing out that for every particle of matter, there's a balancing particle of anti-matter, Maya states that it's known as the Law of Symmetry. Koenig states that they live in a universe of matter, so in theory there must be a universe of anti-matter. Maya explains that the two "worlds" reside in the same universe, but the anti-matter world occupies its own "anti-space". The Commander states that something had happened to Shermeen on the planet and asks Tony to try and get her to reveal what she knows. Tony doubts she'll confide in him, but Koenig insists that he try. The Commander suddenly recalls that Shermeen had claimed that the name of the planet is Sunim, realizing that it's "minus" spelled backwards. Maya recalls that Shermeen had referred to the creature on the planet as Thaed, which is death spelled backwards, phonetically.

Meanwhile, in Hydroponics, Vindrus informs Shermeen that he had her smuggle the cylinder here so she can find a miniature nuclear generator in the base's equipment room in which the cylinder fits. They're interrupted by Tony's arrival. When he attempts to draw information out of her, per the Commander's orders, he's suddenly distracted when he notices the metal cylinder half-hidden in her bag. When he asks her where she got it, it's Vindrus who responds, who answers "Sunim". The alien divulges the purpose of his presence - Shermeen is assisting him to cross over into this world. He explains that in the anti-matter "world", they had started their evolutionary process at the top and are descending toward the primeval slime where human life had begun in the "world" of matter. Whereas humans in the matter universe are ascending toward perfection in the distant future, Vindrus' people are facing extinction. Tony suspiciously asks why he hasn't asked the other Alphans to help him cross over. Vindrus points out that they wouldn't do it willingly; due to balance needing to be maintained, for every anti-matter being crossing over into the world of matter, a being from this world must cross over into the anti-matter world. Tony makes a break for the wall alarm, but Vindrus' specially grown flowering plant had been strategically placed by the alarm button right at nose level; its scent causing Tony to collapse, preventing him from hitting the alarm. Vindrus then instructs that he will not remember what had taken place here. He then sends Shermeen onto her next task.

Entering the Equipment Room holding the pot containing the special plant, Shermeen greets the Alphan on duty, Chris Potter, inviting him to sample the plant's fragrance. Sniffing it drops him to the floor. She then selects the appropriate miniature nuclear generator.

Next, Shermeen enters an Eagle sitting on a launch pad, approaching Bill Fraser who's inside. Inviting him to sniff the plant she's holding puts him into a trance. Vindrus appears, ordering him to take them to Sunim.

Chris Potter has been found in the Equipment Room recovering from some kind of bout, causing the Commander to check on Tony, who hasn't been heard from since being sent to Hydroponics. Koenig finds Tony on the floor, who has trouble reviving, being in the same state as Potter. As he informs Tony of a missing miniature nuclear generator, Maya contacts the Commander to report that Eagle One has launched without authorization; Fraser is piloting, with Shermeen as a passenger. Koenig hustles an Eagle to the pad.

In the temple on Sunim, Shermeen has connected Alpha's stolen generator to the converter. Vindrus has her adjust a green dial on his machine then they each enter a glass cabinet, Vindrus announcing that it's time for him to enter her world. Despite Shermeen having been present when Vindrus explained to Tony that in order for an anti-matter being to arrive in the world of matter, a "matter" being must enter the anti-matter world to maintain balance, Shermeen seems unaware that she's about to be swapped over.

Eagle Two lands next to Eagle One. Koenig, Maya, and Tony rush into Fraser's Eagle and find him in a hypnotic trance. No one else is aboard, so the trio races for the temple.

The matter/anti-matter converter has been powered up, letting out a continuous whine. Shermeen and Vindrus end up appearing in one anothers' cabinets, Vindrus now in solid form and Shermeen transparent. Vindrus orders his unseen associates to "take her down". With a scream, Shermeen completely disappears.

As the three Alphans approach the temple, Thead emerges from the structure, menacingly. When Tony aims his laser, Koenig warns him that the beam will bounce back at them. The beast chases them, but stops at the line of obelisks, as before. The Commander tells the other two to hold its attention, then sneaks around the obelisks and stands on the platform surrounding the temple. He yells to the creature, who charges at him, but the beast passes right through him. It charges again with the same result. The Thaed then gives up, standing on the platform, growling. The other Alphans join the Commander, Tony asking him how he knew. Koenig explains that since their sensors keep registering a lack of animal life, it had to be anti-matter.

Within the temple, Vindrus' unseen associates are whispering to him. He informs them that there are three more ready for the transfer.

The trio react with surprise when Vindrus exits the temple and coldly greets them. Tony almost recognizes him. Koenig states his awareness that his people are capable of deflecting electrical beams from an anti-matter form as well as projecting into their minds that the same form appears solid. Vindrus confirms it, explaining how they've evolved certain techniques in their many attempts to cross over into this world. To learn whether Vindrus is an anti-matter being, the Commander approaches him, putting his hand on the alien's shoulder. Vindrus confirms that he is no longer anti-matter. When asked about Shermeen, Vindrus claims she's in the temple and suggests they come inside to see for themselves. Koenig and Tony enter followed by Vindrus. They find their missing nuclear generator attached to the converter, but there's no sign of Shermeen. The temple's metal door suddenly slides shut, causing Maya to rush down the stairway, pounding on it, calling for the other two Alphans.

Tony abruptly remembers what had taken place prior to him collapsing in Hydroponics. He realizes Shermeen must've been sent into the anti-matter universe so Vindrus could appear in this one. Vindrus confirms it, assuring the two Alphans that they'll be seeing her very soon, gifted with an anti-life of hundreds of years. Koenig remarks that the aliens' plans won't stop with the population of Alpha. Vindrus confirms that they'll eventually have these machines stationed throughout the universe. Enraged, Tony fires his laser at the alien, but its beam deflects up at the ceiling. Vindrus points out the futility of their weapons, but reveals that he possesses one that's quite effective. Aiming it, he orders them into the cabinets. Koenig quickly wings his commlock at the alien, which distracts him long enough for the Commander to take cover behind a pillar. Tony also disappears into the shadows.

Outside, Maya becomes determined to enter the structure. Observing the pointed upper section, which seems to possess an opening, she transforms into a spider monkey. She scales the temple's rise and leaps down through the small opening at its apex. Witnessed by Koenig and Tony, Maya hides in the darkness. Coming up with a plan, Koenig - still hidden - informs Vindrus that he had anticipated his plan and had programmed the generator to only function on half- power; the transfer didn't take - Shermeen's coming back. Taking his lead, Maya sneaks into one of the cabinets and transforms into Shermeen, calling out to the alien. She begins pleading with him, claiming that they have to try again or they'll be destroyed. Ignoring the invisible beings in the room whispering a chorus of "No, Vindrus", the bald alien approaches the machine, fearing the failure of their mission. Koenig and Tony then push him into the empty cabinet, using a bar to seal it shut. Vindrus is holding his weapon, but refuses to use it, fearful of harming the instrument of their salvation.

Maya reverts to her true form and emerges from her cabinet as the converter is activated. Shermeen's faint cries are heard from the unoccupied cabinet, calling for the Commander to help her. Hastily attempting to adjust the right controls, Koenig and Maya realize that if they make an error, matter and anti-matter will collide, causing this corner of the universe to be blotted out. Although Maya had seen a machine like this on Psychon, she has no idea how to operate it. As the machine whines, Shermeen faintly appears within her cabinet. As Maya fiddles with knobs uncertainly, Shermeen instructs her to turn the green one. Once properly configured, Vindrus and Shermeen instantly swap cabinets; her now in solid form, Vindrus once again transparent. As she's let out, Koenig sets the Alpha generator to self-destruct. They then quickly locate the mechanism to open the metal door; the four of them rushing to the Eagles.

After both Eagles are boarded, Shermeen suddenly worries about Vindrus' people, but Koenig explains that only matter will be destroyed, not anti-matter. When the converter is destroyed, the whole planet disappears. The two Eagles are now sitting side-by-side in the vacuum of space. Maya states that the planet's gone back to being anti-matter. They contact Alpha and report their homecoming.