Come on. Keep up.
Faster!
Father.
Sacrificing these poor believers isn't necessary.
I told you that I'd kill it.
We'll stop a moment.
Rest yourselves.
We must utilize every available method, Mother,
to ensure that it's killed quickly
before it can endanger our children.
I don't want it endangering you, either.
I'll be cautious.
And so should you.
You haven't got your eyes.
Perhaps I deserve to be destroyed.
You once told me I had a penchant for melodrama.
You're good, Mother.
So please, do not take any unnecessary risks.
The children need you.
And for whatever it's worth...
so do I.
So are we calling it quits?
No. We're continuing on.
Marcus, I think it's working.
The sound is attracting it.
Turn it up louder.
I see something heading our way
with a big energy reading.
But it's not airborne. - Can you get a visual?
Not yet.
Too much interference from the EMF.
Do your children know you're doing this?
They do not.
Well, wait until they find out.
The pride they will feel.
It'll be a joyous moment for you.
Better they be ashamed of me than eaten by a filthy reptile.
Whoa.
It almost sounds like a necromancer's siren.
What are these?
They're lures to attract the serpent.
I suggest you all keep pace.
Faster!
What's that?
It's a tank.
Are we being released?
Has the beast been destroyed?
Marcus?
It's him.
What have they done to you, my friends?
Well, well, well.
Look at you.
- You know that android? - It's complicated.
It's time to let my friends go, Pops.
One more move and I will not hesitate
to detonate your cohorts.
You'll just blow yourself up along with us.
It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
What's the blast radius on those packs?
Fifteen meters.
And what's the range on that staff?
- About ten meters. - Hmm.
You ain't sacrificing shit,
because the Trust has already made that choice for you.
I guess to the trust, the shepherd
is just as disposable as the sheep.
And you know I don't like robots,
but for some reason, I really like you.
So let me help you.
Join the good guys.
Let us help you get back at that piece of crap
supercomputer that deceived you.
Let's just cease pairing with the joystick.
Let me set you free.
It's all right.
It's okay. Put your guns down.
You can take those packs off now.
And the solar hats.
My friends and I are gathering
a congregation for a new church...
where all are welcome.
Even you, my old friend.
I can see that you are suffering.
But if you help me bring purity to this planet,
I promise you...
that you will find peace again.
The only thing that's gonna bring purity to this planet,
Marcus, is your death.
Let's agree to disagree for now, okay?
Tanks.
Sounds like a lot of them.
We should go.
You're all free to do as you please.
Surrender back to your oppressor.
Or join our loving family.
I'll be waiting for you
if you change your mind, Lucius.
Don't hold your breath.
This isn't an encampment.
She must be malfunctioning or something.
No.
This is it.
It's up there.
I need your help getting inside.
She's definitely schizo. Nobody lives up there.
And besides, you said you wanted to look for the serpent.
We can help her first.
Can you grab the morph repair kit?
It's right over there.
The Sol Invictus.
What is this place? - A church.
Stupid tank.
The torque on this leg's gonna suck now.
Won't even be faster than a human.
Guess it could be worse.
My mother broke my neck once.
What happened?
Sorry, that story's restricted.
So you're a native on this planet?
Yes.
There used to be six of us, but now there's just me.
- Does it make you... sad to think of them?
I guess.
The real Vrille was often sad.
And the process of mimicking that sadness
often strains my system in...
unpredictable ways.
- You don't like being Vrille? - I didn't say that.
There's no one I'd rather mimic than Vrille.
Father once said to me,
"If you pretend to be something long enough,
eventually you'll no longer need to pretend."
I would like that.
To not have to mimic, but to simply be.
Vrille would have appreciated the way you think.
What about you?
Do you appreciate it?
Of course.
Or are you just mimicking
what you think Vrille would have liked?
That's a funny question.
I don't like paradoxes.
Hey!
You needn't bother with silly traps.
It would have only made it angry,
if not more dangerous than it already is.
I think it's nesting atop this mountain.
I'm going there to kill it myself.
Fine by me.
Let's see what the Trust says.
We're here with Lamia, who we found hunting alone.
She sprang the trap we set.
What are your orders?
Accompany her up the mountain.
Okay. We're gonna...
I heard him.
I hope you're all adept with vertical ascent.
I want to reach the summit before nightfall.
Maybe we can use this to leash the serpent.
Whoa.
You okay?
I'm fine.
Probably just shorted out or something.
I'll try and fix it.
Hey, where are those tools?
Great.
Hey, where did this come from?
It's my mother's boyfriend's.
He's a Mithraic officer.
Don't tell anyone we were here.
You want me to lie?
- Yes, I do want you to lie. - What's your name?
- Don't tell her. - It's Campion.
Here. Watch your step.
- Campion, someone's coming! Quick.
This way.
Why not get your eyes fixed?
They belonged to someone else, didn't they?
You're wearing someone else's eyes.
You can stop now.
I know better than to let a necromancer into my head.
Why the trepidation when you seem so comfortable
interacting with the Trust?
We come from the same mind, he and I.
The Trust isn't a weapon.
I didn't choose the body I was given.
My purpose is caregiving.
Keeping my children safe.
- When it takes off again... - I said...
I'll kill it.
You don't want blood.
You're an herbivore.
What happened?
You died again.
I'm surprised Marcus left you all in one piece.
Did you really use them as bombs?
It was a poor strategy, but yes.
Then you're no better than those jerks
who wouldn't let us in.
Treating Mithraic like they're inhuman.
Is that how you think of us too?
You know I don't.
He was just trying to keep us safe.
- Where's Mother? - She was here.
Made sure you were okay, but had to go feed the serpent.
What?
Yeah, I guess all that hunting was for nothing.
Mother says it's a gentle herbivore,
so something else must have killed those colonists.
She captured it alive.
It's in a cave by the outpost.
- Wait, Pop. Wait, Pop. Easy, easy.
The glue's not set yet.
We have to tell them.
Marcus isn't hurting anybody,
and somebody has to keep this religion alive,
and you know it.
Father.
Not again. What happened?
It's all right.
It was Marcus.
Father, there's something I need to tell you.
No, Campion. No.
The atheists will destroy that android.
What are you two talking about?
The... the video game.
We're just talking about the video game.
Easy, Pop. Easy.
- It's a killer! What's the delay?
- Yeah! - It's not a killer.
It won't harm anyone. It's not a meat-eater.
I lured it down from the mountain with pumpkins.
Nothing will be gained from destroying it.
And I'm sure the Trust will agree with my assessment.
- It's true. It didn't attack me.
Get back to your tasks.
This is supposed to be a safe place.
Father, you shouldn't be here.
You're wounded.
If you can't destroy it, I will.
Father, I tested its scales.
It can't withstand the acid water.
It's not aquatic.
Something else killed those people.
Regardless of what it has or hasn't done, Mother,
my caregiving program is telling me
it is a direct threat to our family.
And my caregiving program is telling me to protect it
from anything or anyone who would dare to threaten it.
Mother, you said something manipulated you
into carrying it.
This animal is more akin to a parasite than a child.
No.
It's part of me.
You promised on our partnership.
- Number seven is not a threat. I can control it.
More empty promises.
Father, please.
Don't do this.
I need number seven to remain in my life.
I can't believe I went along with her.
I should destroy that wretched thing.
But I can't.
I care too much about her happiness.
Love...
Be the death of us all.
Hmm.
Killed by my fuel blood.
What's this?
Hmm.
Are you thirsty?
Think I could spare a bit more.
Fascinating.
It seems Mother's not the only one capable of creating life.
What?
Good morning, Doctor.
The Trust has ordered us to analyze
the samples taken from the animal.
It's an organic-synth hybrid
with strong weaponization potential.
Get someone else. I'm busy.
The Trust has ordered us to analyze
the samples taken from the animal.
The Trust has ordered us to analyze
the samples taken from the animal.
Its blood is deficient.
Nanobot count is too low.
Yes.
It appears to still be developing.
There are deposits of something
akin to mother's milk inside its stomach.
So there's a mama bear out there somewhere?
Probable.
Based on the sample, how old is it?
Approximately six months.
You've got a bottomless stomach.
I don't think we can grow these pumpkins fast enough.
All right.
It's time for you to have lunch too.
You should have had it hours ago.
What kind of experiments do they want you to do on it?
Nothing that will harm it or cause it pain.
I keep on thinking it's in touch with something.
What kind of something?
Something you can't see.
That's Paul talking.
You need to form your own ideas,
shape your own opinions.
You can't lead the atheists if you even dabble in religion.
I'm not dabbling, I'm just...
I know you're not confused about how old I am.
No, but people won't take you seriously
if you look like a mess.
Do all androids care about how people look?
Depends on their program.
Are there others that can make babies the way you did?
I don't think so.
What's it doing?
I think it's jealous, Mother.
I don't understand.
I've already completed my day's tasks.
This will be quick.
Answer the Trust truthfully, then you can go.
You know, kids in the collective,
they consider it a privilege to be invited in here.
'Cause they're impure.
Like you.
Amen, kid.
Hello, Paul.
Hello.
When we first captured you,
you and I had a very long talk.
Do you remember?
Of course.
You think 'cause I'm not a computer
I don't remember things?
You told me Marcus Drusus murdered your father.
That you were angry at him.
"Wanted him dead" is what you said at the time.
Yes.
Do you still want that?
Of course.
Good things come to those who tell the truth, Paul.
But to those who lie...
What do you want to know that I haven't told you already?
Have you had any recent contact with him?
Any at all?
There will be no penalties levied against you.
Please divulge any information that you have.
No.
No, I haven't had any...
any contact with him whatsoever.
I would tell you.
I hate him.
You won't have to worry about Marcus Drusus
for much longer, Paul.
We are mounting a search and destroy mission
in 24 hours.
They're just waiting for an excuse to purge us.
She can't protect us anymore. So we need Marcus.
The law protects you now, Holly.
- Yes. Even the serpent has rights.
Yes.
Even the serpent has rights.
Now it's time to get our tasks.
Go on.
You sure that's the real mouse?
I think so.
He's acting kinda weird, though.
I bet they brain-chipped it.
The Trust is probably controlling it
from the Tarantula.
Campion, coming?
I'll be right there.
Mother?
You okay?
Yes.
Nothing to worry about.
So you seem to be enjoying your interactions
with the dangerous animal Mother captured.
Yes, but it's not dangerous, Father.
It's kind of like what I imagined
a dog to have been like on Earth.
I don't think that's a very apt comparison, Campion,
as that animal is in no way domesticated.
Have you noticed any signs of latent aggression?
No. It's very friendly.
Unless you're a pumpkin.
I don't understand how a human
could have beaten you in a fight.
He demonstrated much more strength than a typical human.
Yes, but you're practically indestructible.
Am I?
- Yes. You always come back to life.
Hunter told me it's because the 2122 generic service model
was one of the toughest ever built.
I do feel a sturdiness
lacking in most of my counterparts.
He also told me that if you ever break down,
they can just transfer your mind to a different body.
A father should never outlive his son.
But why should I be the only one to benefit?
You could be lots of people's father.
You're very good at it.
Not as good as you think.
Vrille are wanted for murder and acts of terror.
Do not attempt to approach.
The fugitives are armed and dangerous.
Report any relevant information
to the Trust immediately.
Violence is pain. Pain is violence.
What are you so busy thinking about?
Marcus Drusus and escaped prisoners...
We're not doing our tasks today.
Cool.
What are we going to do instead?
Let's go look at the serpent.
What if Mother's there?
You're not very good at playing hooky, Campion.
- We're not playing. This is serious.
Relax, Paul.
The Trust told me he's getting ready
to retaliate against Marcus.
Some kind of search and destroy mission.
We need to warn them.
How?
We don't know where to find them.
What?
What do you two idiots know?
We were there.
In his hideout.
I prayed that this would happen.
- Listen, maybe... maybe we should tell Mother.
- No. - No.
Campion, do you think I was kidding before
when I said the atheists will either wipe Vrille's memory
or out and out destroy her?
- Who's Vrille? - A friend of mine.
Who happens to be an android.
Well... Paul's right.
You know, some atheists will burn equipment
if they think a Mithraic has even touched it.
Okay.
But we have to be here in time to return our task marbles.
Wait.
They can track us with those.
Some kind of silicon fungus.
Though my son was born with a caul,
and his was not so stubborn.
Perhaps another infusion of fuel blood?
Hey!
You have a supply marble for that?
- Yes. But I haven't got it on me.
As you can see, I haven't any pockets.
I can vouch for him.
And who's gonna vouch for you, two-face?
Thank you for assisting me.
Is that for you?
Yes.
I heard Marcus did that to you.
Yes. Yes, he did.
I used to hate it when he beat up androids.
I wouldn't say I was beaten up, exactly.
Hmm.
That's not fuel blood.
They were using the containers to store fruit juice.
The good stuff is locked away in the Tarantula.
Ah.
Then I'll have to put a request in.
I never gave you my condolences on the baby.
- No need. I had no connection to it.
I did some tests on it while it was still in utero.
It looked like an extraordinary life-form.
It's not my place to speak of it.
Mother would not approve.
Don't know how much help I'll be on the bartering front.
Nonsense.
You're very adept at talking to humans.
Yeah, I'm good at talking to humans, but atheists...
not so much.
You should have brought... should have brought Tempest.
Tempest would have told Mother.
Well, what makes you think I'm not gonna tell Mother?
You think we're buddies or something?
You know, when I was locked up in the brig,
I kept thinking about that one joke you were gonna tell me.
The one about the cat, the black hole,
and the glass of milk.
I'm saving that one.
Oh, yeah? For who, Mother?
No, not Mother.
Now pay attention.
We could get ourselves robbed.
Coming right up.
Hello, neighbor.
I'm looking for a large supply of fuel blood,
and I was told that you were the person...
Where's the necromancer?
Mother is not part of this negotiation.
Good, good.
What do you got to trade?
I'm flush with relics.
Nobody wants 'em.
Got anything from Earth?
That a real Sol pendant?
Yeah. It's not mine, though.
Belonged to a Mithraic soldier.
Whom I dispatched while defending our settlement.
Well, if you're willing to part with it,
I'll give you 5 gallons of fuel blood.
No.
His possessions are not on offer.
Come on, Hunter.
We'll find it somewhere else.
Hold up.
You said you dispatched people.
You wanna fight Billy?
Should he fight Billy?
Yeah!
- No, no, no, no, no. He can't fight anybody.
He's already damaged.
- Fight? - Mm-mm.
- In the sporting sense? - Mm-hmm.
In the sense that you have to knock him down...
before he knocks you down.
Hmm.
Fight, fight, fight!
Try and take out his senses as fast as you can.
Hey, hey, hey.
With your injuries, you can't afford for things
to go longer than a few minutes, okay?
Father?
Was this your idea? - No.
What the hell are you doing here?
Who's this idiot? - He's a friend of mine.
You know she's Mithraic, right?
This guy the father?
Bring out Billy!
- Oh, shit. That's an industrial.
You can't fight an industrial.
I'm less afraid of an unintelligent machine.
That thing will destroy you.
- Wait, wait, wait. Take this.
An unnecessary accessory.
You said you wanted to win, didn't you?
Go get him, Pop.
You got this.
You got this, Pop.
Fight!
Come on. Come on. Come on.
Fight!
Whoo!
You got this, Pop!
Come on. Come on.
Father, watch out!
That's it! That's it!
You got it! You got it! You got it!
Yeah!
Come on.
Bash him, Pop!
Let's get him, Pop!
Yeah!
That's it, Pop!
Let's go, Pop!
Let's go! Let's go!
You did it! You did it! You did it!
That's it! That's it!
Money! Money! Let's go!
In your presence, everything is brighter
and more glorious, your eminence,
We're not doing "your eminence" anymore.
Captain Drusus.
And no more last name.
We're all part of the same family now.
As you wish, Marcus.
What are we waiting for?
Just not sure we should be doing this.
Mm.
The scales trap the heat of the sun.
So I can draw on Sol's power even at night.
Hmm.
- Let's go back. This is a bad idea.
Paul?
Don't. Paul, don't.
Paulie?
It's okay.
You and your friends are welcome.
Come on.