| Mortal Combat in the Gravity Graveyard | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by |
Michio Mikami |
| Produced by | |
| Written by | |
| Air Date (JP) |
November 22, 1980 |
| Air Date (UK) |
December 4, 1982 |
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| Next episode | |
Mortal Combat in the Gravity Graveyard (重力墓場の死闘! jūryoku hakaba no shitō!) is the seventh episode of Star Fleet. It aired on November 22, 1980 on Fuji TV in Japan, and December 4, 1982 on ITV in the UK.
Plot Summary[]
 Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
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After X-Bomber has been forced into a black hole by the Imperial Alliance, Dr. Benn is being treated for his wounds. Shiro regrets to inform him that they are deep into the black hole and unable to escape. Dr. Benn knows of their location, and its nickname: 'Sargasso: The Graveyard of Space'. The Gravitational pull is sucking energy from the ship, and Makara looks on in wait to attack when the ship's energy is low enough. Dr. Benn realizes they have to break free of the black holes gravitational pull, or risk being stranded there forever.
Lee directs all power to the engine to try and escape the black hole, but is sidetracked by an object on the screen of X-Bomber's radar system. Dr. Benn deduces it must be an Alliance ship that is too small to be affected by the black hole. He believes that by following it, they can escape the gravitational pull.
Back on the Imperial cruiser, Orion persuades Makara that they should attack the X-Bomber rather wait for the ships energy reserves to dissipate. X-Bomber revives it engines and attempts to make a run for it as best as it can, but Orion moves to intercept them before they can find the exit.
Without power to weapons, X-Bomber gets blasted by the Astrofighters. Dr. Benn orders evasive actions despite Hercules and Shiro's protests that they should fight. Shiro finally talks Benn around and Hercules and Shiro man the guns with X-Bomber at a stand still. The two take out a few fighters but Orion calls his ships back, having allowed the X-Bomber to waste energy.
Dr. Benn decides to transfer what energy they have left into using the neck lasers, saving enough for X-Impulse as a last resort. Orion's carriers move in and open up with laser torpedoes allowing X-Bomber to get a fix on their position. Although one is taken out, the other continues its attack. A second blast cripples Orion's ship and Makara orders him to retreat.
Makara's ship opens fire and she issues an ultimatum, to hand over the one that contacted the Sailing Ship the Skull (i.e. Lamia). Dr. Benn refuses to surrender, so Makara moves in for the kill. X-Bomber puts everything it's got left into X-Impulse. A shot from Makara's cruiser starts a fire in the engine room, but Hercules and Lamia manage to control the blaze. X-Impulse is fired and damages the Imperial Cruiser, giving Makara no option but to retreat.
X-Impulse has left X-Bomber totally defenseless as it has used up all of its power. The crew start to come to terms with the fact that they are now stuck in the black hole until their air supply runs out, and there is no chance of survival. Dr. Benn orders Lamia to record info for the log in case they are ever found. She however uses the communication system to leave an emergency distress call to the Skull to save them.
Suddenly X-Bomber starts moving - pulled by a tractor beam as the crew lose control over X-Bomber. They are pulled out of the black hole and into safety. They spot their savior; the Skull, but are unable to follow with their energy still too low. As they drift safely without power, the Skull leaves without any contact with the crew. Lamia once again ponders the connection the Skull has to her.
Voice Cast[]
Main Cast[]
Secondary Cast[]
| Character | Japanese Voice | English Voice | French Voice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termoids | Masaharu Satō | Jacob Witkin | Frédéric Pieretti |
Equipment Used[]
Earth Defence Forces[]
Imperial Alliance[]
- Imperial Battlecruiser
- Imperial Carrier Craft
- Imperial Fighters
Other[]
Trivia[]
- Stock Footage from Scramble X-Bomber, Super Powerful Imperial Alliance Fleet, Find F-01 and The Mysterious Ship, Skull is used
- From this episode until Episode 11, PPA seems to be voiced by someone other than John Baddeley, why is unclear and who exactly is replacing him is unknown, though most likely Sean Barrett.