Longing for a break

After the crew of the Destiny narrowly escaped the clutches of the star, and recharging their energy stores in the process, they again face another problem, their water stores are again dwindling, and quicker than anticipated. The situation causes distrust amongst crew members who now believe that either the military component are lying about the true volume of water, or that members of the crew are using water beyond their quotas.

The Destiny exits hyperspace at a planet jokingly referred to as Hoth (see Star Wars – Empire Strikes Back), however the planet’s atmosphere is hostile to human life and with only two functional environmental suits the numbers able to explore via the gate are predetermined, the Colonel chooses himself and Lt Scott. After they disembark through the gate they begin testing the frozen wasteland and discover that near the gate the chemical makeup of the ice is toxic to humans; they determine to explore further away from the gate in the hope that the frozen lake make yield better results.

Back on the Destiny medico Johansen is left in charge and must get to the bottom of why water is disappearing. Johansen eventually determines the best course of action is the confine everyone to quarters whilst a limited group go in search of answers. As various members of the crew are exploring, trying to find answers, the entity that appeared to Lt Scott in the opening three episodes of Air is seen by Johansen, the entity creating a face to look at her; Johansen backs away and radios that she’s found an alien entity abord the Destiny.

Back on the planet Colonel Young and Lt Scott eventually discover water that isn’t toxic to drink and radio back that they’ve been successful (gate’s open). As they set to work loading the floating platform, developed by Eli (looks like Michael J Fox’s scateboard from the Back to the Future movies, only bigger), their return to the gate is halted when Lt Scott falls through the ice, damaging his suit in the process.

Back on Destiny another crew member comes upon the alien entity, panics and begins shooting after which the entity attacks leaving him badly bloodied. After this Sgt Greer develops a flame thrower and is determined to go hunting, eventually following the entity throughout the ship until it enters a room they are able to lock off and deprive of atmosphere. Locked in the room the entity becomes agitated and eventually manages to penetrate the seal whereupon Greer flames it to prevent.

On the planet the Colonel uses rope to try and lift Lt Scott to the surface, but faced with an injured leg, and Lt Scott being firmly wedged he faces a losing battle. After a while Lt Scott beings to float in and out of consciousness.

Back on the Destiny Lt Johansen devises a plan to get rid of entity. Johansen takes a barrel filled with water and opens it outside the room holding the entity, she then orders the room unsealed and waits for the entity to head towards the water. Her plan works and once inside she closes and locks the lid down.

Another quake occurs on the planet and frees Lt Scott for extraction by Colonel Young, although Lt Scott doesn’t regain consciousness until he nears the surface. Both men head back to the gate but as they arrive the gate disengages and quickly reengages, they are told to stay clear as they are going to throw the entity through the gate. After the entity is successfully sent through the gate Colonel Young and Lt Scott dial out and head home. Destiny shortly thereafter reenters hyperspace, the mission has achieved some success but their efforts won’t sustain the crew for long.