1:43:00
I have the results
of the growth cultures.
1:43:02
No, we can't leave now.
1:43:03
We have an Andromeda cell in the E.M.
1:43:06
Okay, Charlie, let's
put it on the screen.
1:43:17
Let's run it through the computer
1:43:19
for contrast expansion.
1:43:28
Stone?
1:43:29
What do you think?
1:43:33
It looks like a crystal.
1:43:35
Well, gentlemen, there's our answer.
1:43:38
To what?
1:43:39
How Andromeda functions
without amino acids.
1:43:42
Crystalline structure.
1:43:43
Yes.
1:43:44
I've often thought
that living matter
1:43:46
might be based on
crystals of some kind.
1:43:49
All these wedge-shaped compartments,
1:43:51
they'd serve to separate
1:43:52
biochemical functions very well.
1:43:57
It's dividing.
1:44:01
In a vacuum, bombarded by electrons?
1:44:04
It shouldn't even be alive!
1:44:05
That's what I wanted to tell you.
1:44:07
The growth program shows
1:44:08
Andromeda can live on anything.
1:44:10
Only gas and light affect it.
1:44:12
You didn't get any no-growth
results on the cultures?
1:44:15
None. Look.
1:44:20
The poorest growth
occurs in pure oxygen
1:44:22
incubated under infrared light.
1:44:25
Andromeda grows best in
carbon dioxide and hydrogen
1:44:28
incubated under X rays.
1:44:30
No excretions.
1:44:32
No waste of any kind.
1:44:33
You'd expect that.
1:44:35
Andromeda's perfect
for existence in outer space.
1:44:38
Consumes everything, wastes nothing.
1:44:44
Good Lord. Stone to Delta Five.
1:44:46
Put me through to Robertson immediately.
1:44:47
What?
1:44:48
God, I hope we're not too late.
1:44:49
Tell me.
1:44:50
It functions like an atomic reactor.
1:44:52
An atomic blast could provide it
1:44:54
with enough energy to grow
1:44:55
into a gigantic supercolony.
1:44:56
In one day.
1:44:59
You can relax now.