The System is infallible

ALTA 1:   We will commence. State the circumstance by which you came to be aboard Deep Space Vehicle II.

BLAKE:   We call it the Liberator. It was found abandoned and drifting in space. I was part of a crew that was put on board.

ALTA 1:   State the astral location in which you found DSV II.

BLAKE:   I don't know it. My nearest point of reference is a Federation prison planet called Cygnus Alpha.

ALTA 1:   State any further information you have regarding DSV II.

BLAKE:   We assume it had been in a space battle.

ALTA 1:   State any further information you have regarding ... regarding ... regarding ...

ALTA 2:   [At dome, it gargles] Circuitry disturbances are continuing. An outside influence has been analyzed.

ALTA 1:   We will resume the questioning when the disturbance has been rectified. [Rises and walks towards the door]

BLAKE:   It's nice to know that computers can have their bad days, too.

ALTA 1:   The System is infallible. [Exits]

BLAKE:   [Under his breath] Orac!

Original ...

The System has questions

[Blake is marched through hallway. A gang of slaves carrying a heavy pipe section stagger, the rear slave falls and is punished by a guard. Blake runs over to stop the guard and helps the slave up. The guard moves to hit Blake]

ALTA 2: Stop! ... March on.

[Control room. Alta 2 enters and she and Alta 1 touch the silver dots on their foreheads. The pedestal dome beeps, Alta 2 places her hands on it, and it gargles. Blake is pushed into the room and Alta 1 motions him to a chair across from hers]

ALTA 2: Acknowledged. [To Alta 1] There is disturbance on the control program.

ALTA 1: Until stable, all commands must be checked and confirmed.

ALTA 2: Acknowledged.

ALTA 1: [To Blake] The System has questions to put to you.

BLAKE: I'd like to ask one or two myself.

ALTA 1: That is not permitted.

BLAKE: For instance, what is the System?

ALTA 1: The System is the supreme power of Spaceworld and the three life-supporting planets which orbit our sun. The System is a complex of infallible machines.

BLAKE: All of this? You mean even you are computer controlled?

ALTA 1: We serve the System. Its questions and orders are routed through me, but the words and thoughts are those of the System. Is that understood?

BLAKE: I demand your assurance that the rest of my crew remain unharmed.

ALTA 1: [To guard] Force level seven. [Guard puts prod against Blake's neck]

BLAKE: All right! Understood.

ALTA 1: We will commence. [Places hand on smaller dome next to her chair and speaks in a mechanical voice] State the circumstance by which you came to be aboard Deep Space Vehicle II.

BLAKE We call it the Liberator...

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Original via Lisa ...

Blake's 7, Season 2
Episode B1 - Redemption
Alta 1 is played by Sheila Ruskin

Script via Hermit.