- Whilst he is exploring an asteroid Koenig is taken over by an alien race known as the Kalthon, who replace him with an exact double. In consequence every action ordered by the fake Koenig is solely for the benefit of the Kalthon and to the detriment of the welfare of the Alphans. Helena realizes that something is wrong when 'Koenig' is cold to the touch and needs to convince the other crew members.—don @ minifie-1
- The Moonbase has neared another asteroid; however this one is quite unique, appearing jewel-like with their scanning equipment being unable to ascertain the slightest analysis. Commander Koenig and Alan Carter have boarded an Eagle for reconnaissance. While en route, Maya contacts them to report that the base is experiencing an energy drain and erratic sensor readings with the asteroid being the cause. She has also discovered a small area containing a breathable atmosphere, so Koenig sets the ship down within it.
The two Alphans observe that the landscape resembles ice, although the surface temperature is warm. Suddenly, a malfunction alarm sounds, indicating a fault in the ship's stabilizers. Koenig has Alan look into that while he checks out the surroundings alone. While attempting to pick up readings with his portable sensor equipment, Koenig suddenly encounters a cave entrance. He contacts Alan to report it and informs him that he'll report back every three minutes.
Inside are mirror-like walls filling the cave with his reflections. There are also unknown sources of bright lights and a whining sound wavering, almost deafening at times. He checks his readings, which are erratic. When it's time to check in, he informs Alan about the interior as well as his readings possibly corresponding to the energy source Maya had picked up. After signing off, Koenig removes a case strapped to his shoulder and begins chipping a fist-sized crystal sample off the wall to bring back to Alpha. Unknown to him, one of his images has emerged from a wall and begins stalking him. It renders him unconscious, then bare-handedly rips off the rock sample that Koenig had started removing, placing it in his case. The "Image" Creature" grabs the Commander's commlock and reports to Alan that he's returning to the ship with the sample and expects to lift-off in five minutes, even though Alan hasn't corrected the problem with the ship.
When the creature enters the Eagle (having switched jackets with the Commander, as his own was a mirror image), he finds Maya on the screen requesting that they delay lift-off until she has time to discern strange readings she's receiving from the ship's sensors. The Image refuses to wait. Alan discovers that the malfunction has seemed to have corrected itself, so they lift off.
Helena, Maya, and Sandra are in Command Center awaiting the arrival of the Commander and Alan. Particularly anxious is Maya, who's becoming disgruntled that Koenig failed to complete his mission; leaving the asteroid before she had the chance to collect all of the required information through the ship's equipment.
As soon as the "Commander" exits the travel tube, he hands the sample case to a security guard with instructions to bring it into the Observation Area and not to let it out of his sight. The Image Creature enters Command Center and immediately brushes off Helena, who was no doubt about to ask him why he had left the asteroid in such a hurry. It approaches a monitor and issues a statement throughout the base claiming that the exact source of their power drain is due to an "energy screen" in space, which is directly associated with the asteroid. They're to create a powerful energy beam to blast at the asteroid which will reflect the beam back from its crystal-like surface and cut through the energy screen, breaking its hold on them. The Image stresses that it must be implemented as quickly as possible. After it signs off, it knows it must now deal with the Alphans present in the room. Helena points out that an energy beam such as described will take too much power away from their life-support systems. "Koenig" states they'll be in far greater danger without the beam. Maya chimes in to complain that she was unable to collect the required information and wants to study the rock sample that he brought back, hoping to find a solution to the drain on Alpha's power without depleting their power in the process. However, the alien tries to tell her that he'd already completed the necessary analysis. She begins to argue, causing the "Commander" to abruptly order her to report to her quarters and remain there until further notice, which shocks most of the people in the room. Helena attempts to touch him to have him confide what's disturbing him so badly, but again he brushes her off. The creature answers their protests by reminding them all that he can't run the base without exercising discipline.
After Maya has resigned to her quarters and the "Commander" has left the room to supervise the construction of the beaming device, the executive Alphans gather together for a discreet conversation. Helena asks Alan what happened on the asteroid. He explains about the stabilizer malfunction that kept him busy on the ship. She asks if something could've taken over the Commander's body, such as a virus or alien life-form. Alan doubts it, suspecting instead that John had discovered something terrible in that cave and doesn't want to inform them as yet. Helena agrees with that possibility.
Inside the asteroid's cave, Commander Koenig awakens on the ground and observes his surroundings. The sample he started removing from the wall is gone, and his jacket is a mirror image, also noticing his laser is sitting on the opposite side of his belt.
Tony visits Maya in her quarters. They both agree that the Commander is withholding vital information. Maya is irked that he wouldn't let her examine the rock sample. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Tony suggests that the two of them grab an Eagle and try to find out what happened down there. Maya points out that it would be mutiny. Tony suggests that if John Koenig were to be declared medically incompetent, they would be free to go through with their plans. Maya suggests going through Helena.
In the meantime, right outside the Observation Area, a sizable reflector dish for the energy beam is being installed atop one of the Alpha buildings. The Image creature watches impatiently through the window, observing the suited technicians setting it up.
Within the Life-Support Center, Helena and Dr. Ben Vincent are grimly watching a gauge on the wall reporting another drop in the base's oxygen recycling system, Vincent pointing out that without clean air, they'll have a lot of sick people on their hands. The asteroid's power drain on the base is taking a toll, which will become much worse once Koenig's energy reflector is activated. Tony arrives and confides with Helena, divulging the conversation he and Maya had in her quarters. Helena sternly points out that what they're talking about is conspiracy, which she wants no part of.
Within the asteroid's cave, a voice addresses Commander Koenig by name, introducing itself as the Heart of Kalthon. It informs him that he's being held here because they need Alpha's energy stores. It explains that a Black Sun had appeared in its galaxy and absorbed all of their energy, but they devised a way for them to survive total extinction. This asteroid is actually a seed created by their scientists endowed with the remnants of their energy and launched into far-out space. The seed contains The Heart of Kalthon; their entire civilization - cities, people, plant and animal life - all in microcosm - a state of suspended life about to be reborn thanks to the arrival of Alpha.
After the Image Creature has received reports from the various construction crews as to their progress, it longs to make physical contact with the asteroid sample, which now resides under a glass dome within the Observation Area. The guard outside the door interrupts him, informing him that Helena has insisted on speaking with him. It tells him to send her in. Commenting that she's noticed security guards "all over the place", the Image states that these are special circumstances. She demands to know why he's shutting her out. It points out that he has to devote all his time and energy into breaking free of the asteroid's energy screen. She states that the base may not survive that long. She insists that he report to Medical for a checkup due to being exposed to an alien atmosphere. It becomes angry, stating that time is running away from him; he can't stop for anything. She reminds him that she has the power to order him to report to Medical. Putting on an act, it softens up and asks her to trust him. She falls for it and takes his hand, only to find it as cold as ice. Her shock coincides with its fear, suspecting its cover's been blown. After it backs away from her, she shakenly realizes Tony's and Maya's suspicions are correct, and coldly asks if it's time to release Maya from her quarters, intending to allow them to travel to the asteroid. However, the "Commander" states that Maya's to remain where she is. Half-heartedly, the alien calmly tells her he'll be ready for that medical examination once this is over, but referring to her as "Dr. Russell".
Arriving at Maya's quarters, Helena informs she and Tony of what just happened in the Observation Area. Maya insists the answer is in the crystal sample.
Tony has helped Maya temporarily escape from her quarters and is trying to keep the "Commander" busy in Command Center, allowing her to gain access to the crystal sample. Peeking around a corner, she spies on a female technician in a red jumpsuit named Cranston, who just exited the Observation Area and is leaving the area. Maya transforms into her likeness and approaches the guard outside the entrance, claiming "I forgot something". Once inside, she chips off a piece of the fist-sized crystal with her laser. However, the Image Creature catches her leaving the room and suspiciously asks her if she performed a certain detail on the reflector units. In case it was a trap, she answers "Your orders have been carried out, Sir" and leaves the area.
After observing the crystal chip under a microscope and exposing it to various scanner readings, Maya becomes astonished, informing Helena and Tony that it's not a crystal, but an incredibly dense form of living matter from which all energy has been drained but it's not dead - only dormant, like a seed. Helena asks how they can help John combat it. Maya states that they have to face the possibility that the Commander may no longer be human.
Inside the asteroid cave, Koenig's being tormented by the Heart of Kalthon, who's laughing at him, repeatedly stating that he's trapped here with no escape. He fires his laser at one of the mirror walls and steps past it into a tunnel. Suddenly he's sealed up behind a fresh pane of crystal glass, immobilized.
Tony has talked Alan into joining him in Maya's quarters for a demonstration. Maya activates a certain high-frequency sound which splits the crystal chip in half. Tony insists that they have to get to the asteroid to use that frequency to "knock out the rest of that stuff". Alan stubbornly insists that they have no proof that the Commander has been taken over, refusing to believe there's anything wrong with Koenig, other than hiding a terrible secret he's discovered inside the asteroid's cave and isn't ready to inform Alpha's personnel. Maya insists that they have to get a hold of an Eagle. Alan sternly reminds them that the Commander has grounded all of the Eagles. They try to talk him into setting them up with one, but he refuses to be involved with mutiny and storms out.
Finally ready to power up the energy reflector, the Image Creature makes a video announcement throughout the base, instructing all personnel to remain at their posts or in their quarters during the transfer of energy. It then orders the required personnel to deactivate main circuits.
Helena and Ben Vincent nervously watch the wall indicator showing that Support System Three is fading out.
The energy beam is then activated, which is the moment the base's inhabitants have been dreading. A thick green energy beam is blasting out of the dish, which hits the asteroid.
Immediately, the wall indicator within Life-Support displays that Support System Six is now cutting out. Disgruntled, Helena contacts the "Commander", informing him that if any more power is taken away from Life-Support, some people will die. It answers with "Some people are not all the people, Doctor" and signs off.
Meanwhile, Tony and Maya are cautiously making their way to a launch pad. As they exit a travel tube, they're met with a serious-looking guard aiming a laser rifle at them, causing Maya to transform into a bi-pedal lizard creature to dispatch the guard, who was about to inform the "Commander" of their activity.
Helena has summoned the "Commander" to the Life-Support Center to display how several of the Support Systems have become inoperable with more to follow, making the death of the Moonbase imminent unless he ceases the energy beam. They're interrupted by Sandra appearing on the wall monitor to inform "Koenig" that an Eagle has launched, heading for the asteroid. With an alarmed look on its face, the Image Creature orders "Shoot it down". The Alphans become exasperated; Helena, Sandra, and even Alan questioning the order. The "Commander" becomes irate at their resistance, insisting they obey the order. Reluctantly, Carter contacts the Weapons Section to have the surface laser readied.
However, the order to fire is never given, prompting the Image Creature to furiously barge into Command Center, followed by Helena. It repeats the order, but Alan pleads with it, knowing who's in the Eagle. Since no one else will do it, the Creature shoves Sandra out of the way to hit the button himself. As its finger is poised over it, Helena points out that if the laser is fired, power will be diverted from the energy beam, sending everything behind time. She reminds it what it had said in the Observation Area - time keeps running away from him. Briefly mulling it over, "Koenig" orders the exterior laser retracted, closing up the slot containing the Fire button. Alan swiftly relays the order to the Weapons Section.
Observing the faces around the Command Center, the Image Creature attempts to try and regain their confidence. It apologizes to the personnel, admitting that he has been withholding information. As he continues, Helena cuts him off, announcing that this is not John Koenig. Speaking softly, as the real Commander would, he reassures them that he's for real. Helena challenges somebody to touch him, stating that he's like ice. Alan approaches him with his hand out, causing the Image to admit that something did affect him on the asteroid. He claims that he doesn't know what it was, but states that they'll never be free unless they break the asteroid's hold on them - on him. Helena pleads with the others to listen to her, but when the Image threatens to send her into isolation, she decides to cool it and takes her seat at the Medical console. Knowing it's won, the Creature orders the power increased to the beam.
The surface of the asteroid is now surrounded in a blue haze. The Eagle lands in the area specified by Alan and when the passenger door is opened, Maya remarks that the energy reflector is beginning to cook the place. Tony points out the cave and the pair head there.
Numerous small explosions are occurring within the cave. Tony and Maya enter and approach what appears to be a reflection of Commander Koenig on a mirror-like surface; the lettering on his jacket reversed. Looking around, there's nothing it could be reflecting from. Studying it, Maya comes to believe this is John Koenig, informing Tony that the being on Alpha must be an alien entity able to take its form from a reflection. After Tony releases him with his laser, John explains that his duplicate is attempting to rejuvenate an entire civilization; this asteroid which is like a seed is about to explode into life at any second. They inform him of the energy beam as well as discovering the high-frequency sound that will destroy everything, which is now programmed into their commlocks. He has them work on that while he takes the Eagle back to Alpha.
After the Eagle lifts off, Tony and Maya activate the frequency on their commlocks and aim them at some of the mirrors. They explode, one of them revealing a tunnel. After they enter it, the Heart of Kalthon seals them within, as it had done with Koenig earlier.
The atmosphere in the Command Center is tense, as the Image Creature again orders the power flow to the energy beam increased. Alan protests, pointing out that their temperature is already plummeting; another increase will eliminate half their instruments. The "Commander" orders him to increase it. Soon after the power surge has intensified, Sandra reports the devastating effects; water in the recycling plant - as well as in Hydroponics - is frozen, and the protein production unit is now inoperative. Alan reports that the oxygen units have failed and the Emergency Supply has kicked in, which won't last long. Helena pleads with it, asking him whether he can see that Alpha is dying. He refuses to listen, causing her to announce to the others that they have to put a stop to this. This leads to her being relieved of duty. A minute later, the Image Creature orders another power increase, leading to Alan finally rebelling. The Creature fanatically demands that Carter obey the order. The order is countermanded by the real Commander, who had just entered the room.
The Command Center personnel watch in confusion as each "Koenig" tries to convince the onlookers that the "other" is an image creature, projected by the asteroid. The real Koenig points out that if the alien is unable to drain the last of their power, it'll die. Helena refers to the Image Creature, stating that his actions provide the proof that the Commander who just arrived is the real McCoy. The Image protests, but Alan joins Helena and aims his laser at the imposter. The Image points out that Koenig's jacket is reversed. Koenig explains that his jacket had been switched, and points to the part in his hair, which is on the wrong side on the imposter. Alan fires at the alien. The Image remains unaffected and speaks with its own voice, stating that they will regenerate and nothing can stop them. Koenig activates the high-frequency through his desk console, sending a shrill whine through the air. The Image cries out as it shatters.
On the asteroid, the cave mirrors shatter, releasing Tony and Maya, who now wait to be picked up.
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