Dimension X - Universe - #42

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Dimension X – "Universe" (#42)

Air Date: May 6, 2026

Original Air Date (Story): Dimension X, based on a story by Robert A. Heinlein

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features a classic Dimension X broadcast: "Universe." The sci-fi drama explores a generational starship whose inhabitants have devolved into rigid social castes and religious dogmatism, having forgotten their origins and mission. The tale follows Hugh Hoyland, a young scientist, as he becomes entwined in a revelation about the true nature of their ship, existence, and purpose, challenging the ship's oppressive doctrines and encountering the misunderstood mutants of the upper decks. The episode blends cosmic mystery with a poignant commentary on belief, authority, and enlightenment.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

I. Life Aboard the Ship and Shipboard Religion

(00:50–05:00)

• Opening Liturgy/Legend: The origin myths of the ship are recited, centering on the all-powerful Jordan, seen as both creator and god.
  • “In the beginning, there was Jordan thinking his lonely thoughts. Out of the loneness came a longing…” (00:50, Hugh Hoyland & Narrator)
• Social Structure: The people are divided into strict castes—crew, scientists, and the Captain at the apex—all bound by Jordan’s Regulations.

II. Encounter and Tension with Mutants

(01:16–03:00)

• Mutant Attack: Hugh and Alan Gregory, young scientists, are attacked by a mutant in the lower decks, highlighting growing boldness among mutants.
  • “A mutant with a slingshot, I think. It dashed down that passageway.” (01:21, Hugh Hoyland)

III. Visit to John the Witness – The Ship’s Chronicler

(03:00–07:00)

• Seeking Truth: The protagonists bring tobacco as a gift to John the Witness, a guardian of the ship's legend.
• Dogma vs. Heresy: John recites the creation legend, reinforcing the religious rigidity aboard ship.
  • “To doubt, it’s death. We’re not heretics.” (02:25, Hugh Hoyland)
  • “All below [Jordan] lack perfection … Some of the rebels escaped and lived to father the mutants. They are tainted with the sins of their fathers.” (06:27, Narrator quoting John the Witness)

IV. Questioning the Nature and Purpose of the Ship

(07:00–08:00)

• The Forbidden Question: Hoyland challenges John by asking what lies beyond the ship, provoking outrage and accusations of heresy.
  • “What lies beyond the ship?” (07:34, Hugh Hoyland)
  • “The ship is universal. The ship is everywhere. The ship is endless.” (07:42, John the Witness)

V. Flight and Capture in Mutant Territory

(08:00–13:30)

• Escape: Hoyland and Alan flee into the upper levels, pursued for heresy.
• Confrontation and Kidnapping: Mutants led by Gregory capture Hoyland after Alan is killed.
  • “We do not kill for pleasure, Mr. Hoyland. Only when necessary.” (11:37, Gregory the Mutant Leader)
  • Mutants lead a more open, accepting society compared to the rigid lower decks.

VI. Revelation and Enlightenment

(13:30–20:00)

• In the Mutant Lair: Hoyland discovers stolen books and learns the mutants possess advanced knowledge, including reading.
• Doctrinal Debate: Gregory questions Hoyland’s beliefs about Jordan and "the trip" (afterlife).
  • “Didn’t it ever occur to you…that the ship and all the crew were actually going someplace? Moving?” (14:54, Gregory)
• Journey to Control Room: Reluctantly, Hoyland is taken to the fabled main control room of the ship.
• The Universe Revealed: Gregory slides open the shield to reveal the star-strewn cosmos, shattering Hoyland’s worldview.
  • “What am I seeing?” (18:35, Hoyland)
  • “The universe, Mr. Hoyland. The universe in all its beauty. The stars, the planets, the suns, the moons and the constellations. This is your heritage…” (18:35, Gregory)
  • “They lied to us.” (19:38, Hoyland)

VII. The True History of the Ship

(20:00–22:30)

• Narration: The truth is revealed—the ship was built by a scientist named Jordan on Earth millennia ago, but after a mutiny and generations of chaos, its mission was forgotten and replaced with religious dogma.
  • "Many thousands of years ago on a planet called Earth, a scientist named Jordan decided to build a ship…” (20:06, Gregory)

VIII. A Dangerous Alliance and Mission for Truth

(22:30–24:30)

• Proposed Alliance: To reach their destination, mutants and "crew" must unite; Hoyland is to persuade the Captain.
  • “It would mean that both our peoples would have to work together. Our differences encouraged rather than denied.” (22:18, Gregory)
• Petition to the Captain: Hoyland risks execution for heresy to see the Captain, armed with a truce offer from the mutant leader.

IX. Betrayal and Tragedy

(24:30–29:30)

• The Captain’s Council: Despite skepticism, an expedition sets out to the control room.
• Fatal Misunderstanding: The crew, fearful of a mutant attack, opens fire, killing Gregory the mutant leader.
  • “This ugly mutant happened to be a man of true greatness. This man had a vision which could have saved you. But you chose to kill him because you couldn’t stand the sight of his difference from you.” (27:58, Hoyland)
• The Final Revelation: Hoyland defiantly opens the control room’s shield, showing the stars to all.
  • “Let the vision of this confound your ignorance and blind your eyes. This is the heritage you tried to stifle in your own breasts. This is the heritage of stars and open skies from which men have yearned for centuries.” (28:35–28:52, Hoyland)

X. The Message and Closing

(29:07–29:30+)

• Final Defiance: Hoyland urges the people to claim their true heritage and guide the ship together into a purposeful future.
  • “Kill me if you choose, but I say to you that this you cannot keep from our people. That they will seek it out and the ship will be manned and the ship will be steered and there will be freedom and purpose and respect for ourselves.” (29:07–29:30, Hoyland)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “In the beginning, there was Jordan thinking his lonely thoughts. Out of the loneness came a longing … and the ship was born.” (00:50, Opening creation myth)
• “We do not kill for pleasure, Mr. Hoyland. Only when necessary.” (11:37, Gregory)
• “The universe, Mr. Hoyland. The universe in all its beauty … This is your heritage, Mr. Hoyland.” (18:35, Gregory)
• “They lied to us.” (19:38, Hoyland)
• “It would mean both our peoples would have to work together. Our differences encouraged rather than denied.” (22:18, Gregory)
• “This ugly mutant happened to be a man of true greatness. This man had a vision that could have saved you…” (27:58, Hoyland)
• "Let the vision of this confound your ignorance and blind your eyes ... This is the heritage of stars and open skies from which men have yearned for centuries." (28:35–28:52, Hoyland)
• "The ship will be steered, and there will be freedom and purpose and respect for ourselves." (29:29, Hoyland)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50 – Opening myth of Jordan and the Ship’s creation
• 03:00 – Arrival at John the Witness's compartment
• 06:54 – Discussion of mutants' origins and heresy
• 07:34 – Hoyland’s forbidden question: “What lies beyond the ship?”
• 11:35 – Capture by mutants & introduction to Gregory
• 13:30 – Discovery of books and mutants’ knowledge
• 17:01 – Entry to the main control room
• 18:35 – Revelation: Stars and universe revealed
• 20:06 – True history of the ship explained
• 22:32 – Proposal to unite crew and mutants
• 23:32 – Hoyland’s appeal to the Captain’s council
• 27:00 – Gregory, the mutant leader, is killed
• 28:35 – Hoyland reveals the stars to the crew

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode's tone is suspenseful, introspective, and philosophical, weaving existential questions into a tense narrative. The characters use formal, sometimes poetic language, evocative of classic radio drama.

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Conclusion

"Universe" is a powerful tale of discovery, mutual understanding, and the price of dogma. Through Hoyland’s journey from conformity to enlightenment, the episode delivers a timeless sci-fi parable about questioning authority, confronting prejudice, and seeking purpose beyond prescribed limits—a story still resonant decades after its original broadcast.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

Adventures in Time and Space Transcribed in future tense Dimension.

[Hugh Hoyland]

In the beginning, there was Jordan thinking his lonely thoughts.

[Narrator]

Out of the loneness came a longing.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Out of the longing came a vision. Out of the dream came a planning.

[Narrator]

And out of a planning came decision. Jordan's hand was lifted and the ship was born.

[Gregory]

You.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Look out. Are you all right? Yes.

[Gregory]

What was it?

[Hugh Hoyland]

A mutant with a slingshot, I think. It dashed down that passageway.

[Gregory]

You want to go after it?

[Hugh Hoyland]

We'd never catch it, alan. It's probably 12 decks above us by now.

[Gregory]

I didn't think they ever came down this far. Patrols usually get them before they reach this level.

[Hugh Hoyland]

They get more daring with each generation. This one looked like a female.

[Gregory]

Male or female, it might have killed us. I told you this trip was pure foolishness. Climbing 24 deck levels to hear a crazy old man rave.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Almost there now. Compartment X15, level 24. This is the place.

[Gregory]

This area smells as if it hadn't been visited by a sanitation crew for generations.

[Hugh Hoyland]

This part of the ship is almost deserted. Yes, this is the compartment of John the Witness.

[Gregory]

Who are you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

My name is Hugh Hoyland. I'm a cadet from the Scientist Barrack. This is my friend, Alan Mahoney. What do you want of John the Witness?

[Gregory]

Only to talk. Are you a believer in Jordan?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Naturally.

[Gregory]

I have heard that there are those among the younger scientists who doubt the word of Jordan.

[Hugh Hoyland]

To doubt, it's death. We're not heretics.

[Gregory]

Enter.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I have brought a gift of tobacco grown on the richest level.

[Gregory]

It smells good.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I assure you, it's the best.

[Gregory]

Wait here. What a rat's ness. What the devil do you think he can tell you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I don't know. Now hush. Well, you are John the Witness? I am. Good evening to each other. I am Hugh Hoyland. This is my friend, Alan Mahoney.

[Narrator]

What brings a gentleman of the scientist class to my humble department?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I have heard that you and your parents before you have long been keepers of the legend of the ship.

[Narrator]

Since Jordan gave the word.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I am anxious to hear the word as Jordan spoke it. Why? You see, among the young scientists, there have been some who talk against the word.

[Narrator]

Regulations against such heresies.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Some of them say the ship has no purpose. They say. They say that we're here accidentally, that. That we have no more grace in Jordan's eyes than the most deformed mutant who dwells in the highest level of the ship.

[Narrator]

What shall I say to you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I wish to hear the word from the mouth of one who knows. That I may become more convinced.

[Narrator]

You have gift for the witness.

[Hugh Hoyland]

The finest tobacco.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Gregory]

I will dim the light.

[Narrator]

Now pay close attention. For these are the words as my father's father's father gave them to his son.

[Gregory]

Son's son.

[Narrator]

This is how the ship came into being. How our people were created. In the beginning, there was only Jordan thinking his lonely thoughts. In the beginning there was darkness. Formless and dead. Out of the loneness came a longing.

[Gregory]

Out of the longing came a vision.

[Narrator]

Out of the dream came a planning. And out of the planning came decision. Jordan's hand was lifted and the ship was born. Mile after mile of good compartments, tank after tank for golden corn, Ladder and passage, door and locker fit for the needs of the yet unborn. He looked on his work and found it pleasing meet for a race that was yet to be. He thought of man and man came into being. Then Jordan checked his thought and searched for a key. Man untamed, would shame his maker. Man, unruled, would spoil the plan. So Jordan made the regulations. Some to speak and some to listen. Order came to the ranks of men crew he created to work at their stations. Scientists to guide the plan over them all. He created captain, made him judge of the race of man. Thus it was in the golden age.

[Hugh Hoyland]

These are the true words as my

[Narrator]

father's father taught them.

[Hugh Hoyland]

But what of the strange beast like people on the upper levels of the ship? Surely Jordan did not create them.

[Narrator]

Jordan is perfect. All below him lack perfection. You have heard of the legend of Huff?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I have heard that he mutinied against Jordan.

[Narrator]

Darkness swallowed the ways of virtue. Sin prevailed upon the ship and before wisdom prevailed. And the bodies of Huff and his followers were fed into the converter. Some of the rebels escaped and lived to father the mutants. They are tainted with the sins of their fathers.

[Hugh Hoyland]

One more question, Witness.

[Gregory]

Speak.

[Hugh Hoyland]

What is the ship?

[Narrator]

The ship is a great sphere, 25km wide and 100 levels.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I know that. But what about the upper levels?

[Narrator]

Regulations forbid us to venture into the upper levels. But it is said that beyond the levels of the mutants lies the forbidden place where Jordan spirit prevails.

[Hugh Hoyland]

So I've heard. But something troubles me. Something which prompted my coming here.

[Narrator]

Yes, my son?

[Hugh Hoyland]

What lies beyond the ship?

[Narrator]

What?

[Hugh Hoyland]

What lies beyond the ship?

[Narrator]

This is alicent.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Answer me.

[Narrator]

I will not permit such talk. The ship is complete. The ship is universal. The ship is everywhere. The ship is endless.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Ah, your mutterings are those of a frightened old man. They answer nothing.

[Narrator]

You question the word.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I think you lie.

[Narrator]

Hear me, Mr. Hyland. For what you have already said, I can have your body fed to the converter. Your soul launched on the endless strip.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You threaten me? You.

[Gregory]

For Jordan's sake.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You think I fear this dried fig of a man?

[Gregory]

You, sir, my friend is impetuous. He doesn't understand.

[Narrator]

I might be persuaded to forget a substantial gift.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You pig. Come on, Alan. The sight of this so called holy man offends me.

[Narrator]

No, you shall not leave.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Don't try to frighten me with a gun, old man.

[Narrator]

Remain where you are, heretic.

[Hugh Hoyland]

We warn you. Put down the gun.

[Narrator]

No. No closer.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Profit.

[Narrator]

Very well then. Death to the heretics. Alan. Got him.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Is he dead?

[Gregory]

I don't know.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Come on, Hugh. We've got to get out of here.

[Gregory]

Now. Where? We can't go back. They'd feed us into the converter. What's that?

[Hugh Hoyland]

The old woman must have you told turned in an alarm. Come on, the patrol will be here in no time. Where can we go? The upper levels. But the Mutant. We'll have to take our chance.

[Gregory]

Listen.

[Hugh Hoyland]

That's the patrol. We've got to climb.

[Gregory]

There's hatchway down the car. Quickly.

[Hugh Hoyland]

The ladder.

[Gregory]

You wait. How far are we from the outside wall?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Judging by the slope of the deck, about two miles. Mutant territory. Come on, we'll try this passageway.

[Gregory]

You what? I don't know.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I feel as if we're being watched. It's your imagination.

[Gregory]

Perhaps not.

[Hugh Hoyland]

It's only a ship's rust. Get a grip on your is as

[Gregory]

big as a dog.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Come on.

[Gregory]

I can't drag myself much further.

[Hugh Hoyland]

We've got to find a compartment with water.

[Gregory]

Oh, if only you hadn't asked him that stupid question.

[Hugh Hoyland]

No use going over that. Why did you do it?

[Gregory]

Why?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Alan? I've been thinking about it for a long time. And when he began to give me those stupid pat answers, well, I just saw red, I guess.

[Gregory]

But who are you to question the ways of Jordan?

[Hugh Hoyland]

When you asked me to go with

[Gregory]

you to Visit the Witness. I thought you wanted spiritual help.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I never dreamed. I'm sorry, Alan. I couldn't forget. See this? I didn't know.

[Narrator]

Wait.

[Gregory]

Wait a minute.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Now what? Another ship?

[Gregory]

Rat. No. I thought I saw something move near that bulkhead.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I didn't see anything.

[Gregory]

Maybe my eyes are going bad. Still.

[Narrator]

Listen, human. Alan, look out.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Oh. Oh. Where am I?

[Narrator]

What are you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Get away from me.

[Narrator]

Alan. Alan.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You walk out with that knife. Stay away from me. Alan. Alan.

[Gregory]

Don't kill him, Bobo. Not yet.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Who are you?

[Gregory]

Forgive my friend, Bobo. Like so many of my people, he's rather impetuous. We're members of the Son Super Race. Are concerned.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Who are you? What place is this?

[Gregory]

As you can guess from my leg, I'm a mutant.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Where is Alan?

[Gregory]

Your friend is dead. I was not able to restrain my people in time to save him.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why don't you destroy me and get it over with?

[Gregory]

We do not kill for pleasure, Mr. Hoyland. Only when necessary.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You know my name?

[Gregory]

I read your identification tag.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Who are you? Mutants can't read.

[Gregory]

My name is Gregory. I'm a leader of my people. Although we are unfortunate in our heredity, Mr. Hoyland, many of us are quite intelligent.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why do you live like animals?

[Gregory]

You would rather live like free animals than like regimented slaves. As you do.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I've heard that you practice cannibalism.

[Gregory]

Undoubtedly, you hear many things about us. We raise our own cattle on the upper levels. And those of our people who choose to farm. Raise enough crops for our small population. You turn your head.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why this one? I've never seen a creature like him.

[Gregory]

Bobo is an unfortunate. He was born without the power of speech.

[Hugh Hoyland]

How can you tolerate a monstrosity?

[Gregory]

We have learned to live with difference. If we began to destroy our imperfects as you do on the lower levels, there would soon be no one left.

[Hugh Hoyland]

It violates the regulations the word of Jordan says.

[Gregory]

You know, Mr. Hoyland, your people are really primitive and barbaric.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You dare say that to me?

[Gregory]

I dare say a good deal more. Let us go to my compartment and speak further. I'm always interested in information of the lower levels.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I won't give you any information.

[Gregory]

Bobo, I want Mr. Hoyland in my cabin, please. I advise you to go quietly, Mr. Harland. Bobo has a hatred of superior beings, which is unfortunate, but quite understandable. Proceed. Enter, Mr. Hoyland.

[Hugh Hoyland]

This is where you live?

[Gregory]

Yes. But you have books stolen from your libraries, Mr. Harland.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Compton's Astrophysics. The Philosophy of Interstellar Navigation. Celestial Mechanics. You have Read these.

[Gregory]

Um, most of them.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why did you bring me here? What do you intend to do?

[Gregory]

Do you believe in Jordan, Mr. Hoyland?

[Hugh Hoyland]

There is no other belief.

[Gregory]

And the trip? I suppose you believe in the trip too?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Well, what else is there to believe? When you die, your remains are fed to the converter, and your soul makes the trip.

[Gregory]

And where does the trip take you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why, to Centaurus, of course.

[Gregory]

Well, what is Centaurus?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why Centaurus? Mind you, I'm just telling you the orthodox answer. Centaurus is where you arrive when you've made the trip. A place where everything is happy and everybody's happy and there's always good eating. It's mythological, of course.

[Gregory]

And you believe this?

[Hugh Hoyland]

The peasants believe it literally. But many of the younger scientists, like myself, know that it's figurative, symbolic. Why do you ask?

[Gregory]

Didn't it ever occur to you, Mr. Harland, that the trip is exactly what your peasants believe it is? That the ship and all the crew were actually going someplace? Moving?

[Hugh Hoyland]

The ship can't go anywhere. It already is everywhere.

[Gregory]

Imagine a place bigger than the ship. Much bigger. With the ship inside it. Moving inside.

[Hugh Hoyland]

But there can't be any place bigger than the ship. There wouldn't be any place for it to be.

[Gregory]

Oh, for half sake.

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[Gregory]

Listen, you know the lowest level?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Yes.

[Gregory]

If you started digging a hole in the lowest level, where would that hole go?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Where would that. Oh, no, no. It's forbidden to think such a thought.

[Gregory]

Where would it go?

[Hugh Hoyland]

No, no. I can't. Think about it.

[Gregory]

Bobo.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Bobo.

[Gregory]

We're going to take Mr. Hoyland to the place.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Where are we going?

[Gregory]

To the top level.

[Hugh Hoyland]

But it's certain death.

[Gregory]

Nonsense. I've been there a thousand times. Come along.

[Hugh Hoyland]

No, I won't. You can't make me.

[Gregory]

I think we can. Now, shall we proceed peacefully or shall I have Bobo persuade you? Open the door, Bobo. Inside.

[Hugh Hoyland]

What place is this.

[Gregory]

This, Mr. Hoyland, is the main control room. Why, Mr. Hoyland, you're trembling.

[Hugh Hoyland]

It isn't true. There is no such place. Except in mythology.

[Gregory]

You younger men are so wise, Mr. Hoyland, except for one thing. This happens to be the main control room of the ship.

[Hugh Hoyland]

But it's nothing but a huge room with an instrument power.

[Gregory]

What did you expect?

[Hugh Hoyland]

How do you know this is the main control room?

[Gregory]

See these instruments? Using them, the navigator, many hundreds of years ago, actually steered the ship on its voyage.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I don't understand.

[Gregory]

I didn't suppose you would. Your people have been so steeped in superstition and ignorance that the whole concept has lost its meaning. Sit in that chair. Don't be frightened. Sit down.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Very well.

[Gregory]

Look up. What do you see?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Nothing but a huge shield.

[Gregory]

Watch it for one moment, Mr. Hoyland. You are going to see something that few of us have ever been privileged to witness. Something so dazzling that you may find it hard to accept at first, but it is there. It is a reality. And ultimately, you must accept that.

[Hugh Hoyland]

What are you doing?

[Gregory]

I'm dimming the lights. Don't be frightened. Keep your eyes focused on the shield above us. Ready? Watch the shield.

[Hugh Hoyland]

It's sliding back.

[Gregory]

Ghost. Stop. Jordan. Well, what. What am I seeing? The universe, Mr. Hoyland. The universe in all its beauty. The stars, the planets, the suns, the moons and the constellations. This is your heritage, Mr. Horland. The heritage you've been too stupid to see.

[Hugh Hoyland]

But it can't be.

[Narrator]

The ship is the universe.

[Hugh Hoyland]

There is nothing but the ship.

[Gregory]

Ah, but there it is. You see it before your eyes, Spread

[Hugh Hoyland]

out like a canopy of glory.

[Gregory]

You still deny it? Answer me, Mr. Hoyland. Do you deny it?

[Hugh Hoyland]

No, I can't.

[Gregory]

They lied.

[Hugh Hoyland]

They lied to us.

[Gregory]

Good.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why did you close the shield?

[Gregory]

You will see it again, if you're not afraid.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I'm not afraid.

[Gregory]

Many times I have shown this to others of your people whom we captured. And though they saw it before their very eyes, they would not believe it.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Tell me about it. Tell me about the ship. About the universe. What are these things? How did this come about?

[Gregory]

Many thousands of years ago, on a planet like those you've just seen. A planet called Earth. A scientist named Jordan decided to build a ship that would carry men from one planet to another. For many years, Jordan and thousands of others studied and planned. And when they were finished, they built the ship. A ship so large that it had to be assembled in its own orbit, beyond the place called the moon. 60 years. It took them to construct. And when it was finished, a whole new science had been conceived. Then the trip was begun. The trip that was to land a colony of Earthman on a far off planet called Centaurus, millions of light years beyond the furthest planet ever reached before.

[Hugh Hoyland]

How do you know these things?

[Gregory]

Among my books are the log which Jordan himself kept, and the records of the journey for the first 40 years. What happened? There was a mutiny. A man named Huth led a rebellion of those who wanted to turn back. In the struggle, the navigators were killed and the crew fell into a state of anarchy. In the years to follow, small groups of men tried to organize the ship for navigation, and each time they failed. Finally, the whole idea was abandoned. And so, for centuries we have swung in space. Unmanned, undirected. Living in a lost world of our own making. Without purpose, without direction.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why have you told me this? Why have you brought me here? You could have killed me.

[Gregory]

Can you guess?

[Hugh Hoyland]

No. No, I can't. Unless. But it would be too fantastic. Well, you want to finish the trip? Yes. That's. What would it take to do it?

[Gregory]

A miracle, almost. The crew would have to be trained. Many people, each skilled in a certain duty.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Couldn't you train your own people?

[Gregory]

We are too few. Besides, the main drivers in the lower levels, where my people are forbidden to go. No. It would mean that both our peoples would have to work together. Our differences encouraged rather than denied.

[Hugh Hoyland]

It can be done. You showed me you can show others. I can show them.

[Gregory]

Can you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I'll see the captain himself. I have an uncle on the central board. I'll tell him what I've seen here.

[Gregory]

And do you think he'll believe you?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Send one of your people with me.

[Gregory]

That's asking a good deal.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I'm risking a good deal by going back.

[Gregory]

Very well. Bobo will go with you.

[Hugh Hoyland]

He can't talk.

[Gregory]

There will be no need for talk. I will write a message guaranteeing safe conduct for a group of unarmed scientists to visit the main control room. Bobo will take you safely through our territory. What happens when you reach your own level is up to you.

[Narrator]

One moment.

[Gregory]

Yes? What? You. You.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Quick, Uncle Edison. But this mutant misarmus. Please.

[Gregory]

Now, what is this you're wanting?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I know all about that. Listen, Uncle, I must see the Captain.

[Gregory]

The captain? Are you mad?

[Hugh Hoyland]

You're a council member. You can get me to see him.

[Gregory]

They'll kill you. You're wanted for heresy.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I don't care. I must speak with the Captain. You're close to him. You can arrange it.

[Gregory]

I don't Understand? Why?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Uncle, listen to me. The ship is moving. I can prove it. Do you understand? There is a purpose in the ship.

[Gregory]

I don't understand what you're babbling with.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Never mind. Just talk to the captain. Tell him I have information of tremendous importance. Tell him I've arranged a truce with the mutants.

[Gregory]

A truce?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Here. Shown this paper signed by their leader. Do it, uncle. For my sake.

[Gregory]

I don't know.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Please, Uncle. If I'm to die, let this be my last request to you.

[Gregory]

Very well. I'll speak to the captain. I'll try.

[Narrator]

And you see, Mr. Hoyland, that you

[Hugh Hoyland]

saw this with your own eyes? I swear it, Captain. I swear it on the word of Jordan. Let me see that paper again.

[Narrator]

What do you think, Commander Erst?

[Hugh Hoyland]

I don't know, sir.

[Gregory]

It might be a trick.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I guarantee you safe conduct. If these things are as Mr. Hoyland reports them.

[Gregory]

It would pay to risk a few lives. The man is a convicted heretic.

[Narrator]

Still, we mustn't discount his word entirely. He has a safe conduct. The mutant risked its life coming with him.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I think we might investigate. You will do it? I'll have an expedition outfitted. Dismissed, Mr. Harland. Thank you, sir. Thank you,

[Gregory]

Captain.

[Narrator]

Do you, Commander Erst?

[Gregory]

Sir.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You'll make the necessary arrangements for an expedition. I trust you understand.

[Gregory]

Perfect, sir.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Perfectly.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hoyland.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You'd better halt your men here. This is the spot. Patrol, halt.

[Gregory]

I see no welcoming party of mutants.

[Hugh Hoyland]

There will be none. Their leader will meet you inside the main control room.

[Narrator]

You don't say.

[Gregory]

And just where is this main control room?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Beyond that door.

[Narrator]

I see.

[Gregory]

All right, men.

[Narrator]

Ready arms.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Why do you ready arms?

[Gregory]

In case of ambush.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Ambush? Don't you think they could have ambushed you on the way up here a good deal more easily?

[Narrator]

You know, Mr. Hoyland, I think you're a mutie lover.

[Gregory]

They have a place in the conferreda for that kind.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Lieutenant. Are you mad? No, Mr. Hoyland.

[Narrator]

But most certainly you are.

[Gregory]

To think that we could be lured

[Narrator]

up here to be slaughtered with a

[Gregory]

fantastic story about some mythical control room.

[Narrator]

Guns ready, sir.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Lieutenant, I warn you. These people have acted in good faith.

[Gregory]

If you break order now, I help us to open the control room, Mr. Hoyland.

[Narrator]

No.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Not until those guns are dismounted.

[Narrator]

As leader of this expedition, I order

[Hugh Hoyland]

you to call them. I refuse. You cannot do this thing. This is no way to keep a truce.

[Gregory]

Very well.

[Narrator]

If you refuse. Ho there, Mutant.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Come out for Jordan's sake. Lieutenant.

[Narrator]

Too quiet for comfort, Mutant. Open the door, please.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Jordan. Don't let anything happen. Please don't.

[Narrator]

It's opening.

[Gregory]

Ready, men? Someone's coming out. Look at his leg.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Horrible.

[Narrator]

Steady.

[Gregory]

He's walking toward us. Yeah.

[Hugh Hoyland]

I can't stand.

[Narrator]

Mason.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Look out. Gregory, no.

[Narrator]

You fools.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You've killed him.

[Narrator]

Here come the rest of them.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Fire.

[Gregory]

That should teach them a lesson they won't forget.

[Narrator]

All right, men, inside the room.

[Gregory]

Orland, you're under arrest as a conspirator in this ambush.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Ambush? You fool. You blind, stupid fool.

[Gregory]

That'll be enough. Have you been inside this place before?

[Hugh Hoyland]

Yes.

[Narrator]

What's all this machinery?

[Hugh Hoyland]

These are the controls he would have used to steer the ship.

[Gregory]

He's gone out of his mind. Lieutenant, Steer the ship.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Who? The leader. The one you killed.

[Narrator]

This ugly mutant.

[Hugh Hoyland]

This ugly mutant happened to be a man of true greatness.

[Gregory]

Your man am I.

[Hugh Hoyland]

This man had a vision which could have saved you. But you chose to kill him because you couldn't stand the sight of his difference from you.

[Gregory]

I'll not listen to these ravings.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Close your ears. Shut your minds against the conscience that tells you it's wrong to kill. That tells you that your need to be arrogant only proves your inadequacy to yourself.

[Narrator]

Shut him up.

[Gregory]

Don't listen to him, Em.

[Hugh Hoyland]

You can't shut your ears. My words sting you. You cannot shut your mind and you cannot shut your eyes. Shut, Em.

[Narrator]

Don't do this.

[Gregory]

The roof.

[Hugh Hoyland]

It's moving back.

[Narrator]

Look. Let the vision of this confound your

[Hugh Hoyland]

ignorance and blind your eyes.

[Narrator]

This is the heritage you tried to

[Hugh Hoyland]

stifle in your own breasts.

[Narrator]

This is the heritage of stars and

[Hugh Hoyland]

open skies from which men have yearned for centuries.

[Narrator]

Try to destroy this and you will only destroy yourselves.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Death to the heretics.

[Narrator]

Kill me if you choose, but I say to you that this you cannot keep from our people. That they will seek it out and the ship will be manned and the ship will be steered and there will be freedom and purpose and respect for ourselves.

[Hugh Hoyland]

This is your heritage.

[Narrator]

Look upon the universe. You have just heard another adventure into the unknown world of the future. The world of dimension.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Today.

[Narrator]

Dimension X has transcribed Universe written for

[Gregory]

radio by George Leffertson based on a story by Robert Heinlein. Featured in the cast were Mason Adams

[Narrator]

as you and Peter Capel as Gregory. Your host was Norman Rose. Music by Bert Berman engineer Bill Chambers

[Gregory]

Sound created by Manny Siegel, Max Russell and Wes Conant.

[Narrator]

Dimension X is produced by William Welch

[Gregory]

and directed by Edward King.

[Hugh Hoyland]

Ed Archie Gardner tangles with Tallulah Bankhead

[Narrator]

on the big show.

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[Gregory]

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[Gregory]

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