Test Warp to Mars

Test Warp to Mars

You'd expect an alien bit of technology shoehorned into an earth vessel would require some testing, right?

Desslok is reclining in the Gamilon capital with his harem.  He decides to let the guys stuck on Pluto deal with the Star Force.

Meanwhile, the Argo is traveling outside of Earth's gravity well.  They retract the wings and ignite the reaction engines.  The bridge crew takes a moment to gaze at the radiation-ravaged Earth.  Avatar orders the staff officers to assemble.  They're planning a test of the wave motion engine.  Sander explains to us how the wave motion engine works.  And it actually sorta makes sense.  I mean, if time has particles that travel in waves like light.  I'm no astrophysicist or nothing, I'm just a simple man.  But their explanation doesn't make me want to throw things.

The Pluto base plans to destroy the Argo.  They launch another carrier. 

Nova is in the engine room watching, uhhh, numbers on a screen.  She advises Avatar that the best place for the warp is between Earth and Mars--erm, isn't that, like, most of the solar system's entire area?!  Venture is nervous about the procedure.

Dr. Zane is drunk.  IQ 9 wakes him up.  IQ 9 says the space warp is more exciting than any dreams.

Nova detects the Gamilon carrier.  Wildstar volunteers to take the Black Tiger squadron out.  Avatar agrees, but they have to be back before the jump.  The fighters launch, and the Gamilon carrier sees them and launches fighters of their own.  An epic WWII-style dogfight ensues.  The carrier plans to use missiles and torpeddoes. 

That shot of five black tigers in formation looks an awful like the Galaxy Garrison fighter formation shot they used a lot in Dairugger . . .

Wildstar goes to intercept missiles heading for the Argo, which is defenseless before a jump.  He succeeds in intercepting one missile, but almost crashes into the Argo.  Meanwhile, Conroy is hit while engaging a Gamilon fighter.  And the battle rages on.  Avatar orders the fighters recalled.  Avatar plans to have the space warp engaged before the Gamilon carrier is with gun range.  One Black Tiger plane is missing.

Wildstar urges Avatar to wait for Conroy.  His damaged plane is limping towards the Argo.  With 8-0 seconds to the space warp, Conroy is losing power.  Wildstar puts his helmet on and rushes to the bay, guiding Conroy in verbally.  He crashes his ship in.  Wildstar pulls him out of his smouldering fighter and he tells Avatar they're ready.

Venture angsts over the warp jump.  The Gamilon carrier comes within range and opens missile ports.  The missiles are launched . . . and Avatar orders the warp . . .  They watch the missiles close in, and the warp effects somewhat resemble the Macross space fold effects.  Let's hope they warp to the right place, though.

Apparently, the wave motion engine cuts through all kinds of crazy shortcuts in the past.  Oh, those trippy 70s.  They emerge from the warp.  The crew is unconscious.  They come to and see Mars.  Whew.  Not Pluto or something (I was a little worrried).  At least they didn't take a city with them.  Venture is the last to awaken.  And he totally overestimates the distance to Mars.  Avatar sees damage incurred to the ship, and orders them to land on Mars.

Desslok receives a report from Ganz on the Pluto base.  He's still so smug.

The Argo descends to Mars through a snowstorm.  The crew marvels at the weather, which the ravaged Earth no longer gets.  Sandor is in charge of repairs.  The rest of the crew plays in the snow and IQ 9 is having some fun.  Avatar looks back at the Argo's bridge tower, near a rent in the hull.

362 days are left.