the
the earth
tame the cultivated enrolled by a civilization of people
existing upon its surface
harbors another civilization
deep in its very core
ruled by zelda
a despot
determined to break free of the confines of the subsurface kingdom
constructed a machine to blast a passage to the surface with the raging
fires of the earth's heart
but flash gordon with the help of dale odden and dr zarkov destroyed the machine
and escaped
back to their subsurface ship the earthworm
before they were consumed by the fires of their own destruction unleashed
it was many months later when dr zarkov back in his laboratory at gbi
headquarters
affected a video machine capable of penetrating the earth's stratus
to determine just how great
was the destruction in zelda's kingdom
have you seen any signs of life down there dr zarkov?
not yet dale
the passages are clear
there's no signs of destruction at all
but that's impossible
that's why when we escaped
flames were licking at our heels
explosions breaking out, walls falling down
that's what's worrying me
everything seems to have been cleaned up
yet there's no sign of life
at this very moment
fifteen hundred miles inside the earth's core
two of the strange creatures of the sub world gaze into a flickering screen
how much longer before i decide you can gaze upon the heart of earth
forgive me my highness
but until i find a non-magnetic channel to the surface
it isn't possible
i will wait no longer
i will see
what are they?
surface people
maybe they are another kind
of surface people
than those who come here
but yet they stand still
strange
and what is that?
which they stand in?
and all of that surface behind them?
it is another part of the surface world
your majesty
it looks solid
as though
one can walk upon it
i would see more of this surface world
i will conquer and rule
what can that be?
i do not know
your majesty
even in my wildest dream of what is on the surface
did i imagine a sight like this
why? all is in such order
like the parts of a machine
the open corridors
that lead from one place to another
are like wires
that go from one part of the machine to the other
and the things that move
can they be other surface people?
but of all that i can see
nothing has the power that i,
daldung, hold in my hands
all that we look at
i can destroy what we blast through
with the blasting fires of the earth's core
i'm going to try and scan through the chambers to see if i can find the fire chamber
where the blasting machine was located
if it's still there i'll bet it's a mess
deal, adjust the magnetic rectifier up four cycles, quickly
up four cycles, what is it doctor?
see for yourself
it's zaldung's fire chamber
i can't understand it
we saw it destroyed with our own eyes
that's someone whipping a slave
did you recognize it?
it's zaldung's lieutenant
i thought surely he was dead too
if he lived through it
zaldung could be alive today too
well if he is doctor
he won't rest until he's broken out and destroyed the surface people
contact flash and commissioner harrick on the intercom
report what we've seen
tell them to check the seismograph readings
if zaldung is ready to blast through the surface again
there should be strong tremors just as there were before
in the same vicinity do you think?
possibly
the volcanic fissure they found the last time would be the logical place for them to start
if they do start blasting doctor
what can we do to stop them?
we're just coming to that
after you've talked to flash and harrick
contact the earthworm hangar
she's to be made ready for descent within the hour
get me gbi headquarters please
so what it looks like
at least to doctor zarkov and me
is that the subsurface men are getting ready to try another blast through the surface
daily are you sure?
after what we saw with our own eyes the explosion the fire
i can't believe it
flash there's no doubt about it
the fire chamber is still there and the blaster condit rebuilt
there haven't been any tremors showing up on the seismograph heavier than usual
well they haven't started blasting yet but once they get the condit over the fire hole
that's when it will show
just a second dale
alan put the finder board on the subsurface
let's see what the earth tremor patterns look like at the moment
nothing shows dale but small tremors
when does doctor zarkov expect the blasting to start how near ready are they?
they're almost ready now
come here dale look call it back flash
what's he trying to make that poor slave do?
place the condit pipe over the fire hole
the fire seems so small doctor
there's not enough blasting power in that to burn through fifteen hundred miles of iron
and rock?
no of course not dale
all we see are the flames that have forced their way through the damper opening
i was just wondering
otherwise the whole machine would blow up again
within the pipe they've constructed a small derrick
when the pipe is in place
they drop the derrick down
lift the damper
and let the full fire blast escape
we saw it work in reverse when we were in the fire chamber remember?
as we entered the full force of the blast was shooting up through the condit pipe
flash pulled on the lever controlling the derrick
fighting the terrific pressure of the escaping flames
slowly he lowered it
until finally
the damper completely covered the fire hole
now i understand
if we had left the damper open a bit
the machine would never have exploded
exactly
what a horrible moment that was
the pressure building up so that we knew it would explode any second
while outside the subsurface guards were trying to break through the door to save their king zaldu
and speaking of zaldu
there he is in person
alive
by what miracle i can't imagine
but alive
and ready to give the order to burn through to the surface
get flash and herrick back
the tremor should start again almost immediately
deputy commissioner herrick
sir no the tremors
any quake areas you haven't covered alan?
no sir
herrick here
the condit pipe is in place commissioner
watch for major tremors to start almost immediately
where?
your guess is as good as ours
why don't you try the oregon area where they tried breaking through before
nothing dale
sir our roof is even quieter than usual
maybe it's the calm before the storm
now commissioner now
is there anything?
zaldu has just given the order to blast
yes dale yes
the strongest tremors we've ever registered
the fourth point quake like that the entire area will be demolished
you sure the earthworm is fueled up and ready to go dale?
yes sir we gave the order ten minutes ago
tell dale and zarkov i'll meet them there
okay, pleasure is on its way to the earthworm
but you and dr zarkov wait for me i want to see you before you take off
okay commissioner
oh order evacuation
and hostage the jetliners to the quake area
and order every gb i-space ship within one hour flight time to set down there and help pull those people out
yes sir
what is all that paraphernalia you're jamming into the bag doctor?
oh a supply of anti-heat serum and plaster gel to protect us within and without
three atomic demagnetizers
one for each of us
and a supply of oxygen concentrate tubes
in case we run into some poisoned air
and have to use our space helmets
with a few more items you'll be able to open up an electro medical hardware store
just taking that ounce of prevention
will allow us to keep that lovely face of yours alive
and ever loving
thank you sir
now where is this skewer gadget you've got? i want to see this vermin slondoo for myself
right over there commissioner
there be a good girl and take that down to the ship for me will you?
i want to show commissioner harrick how this works
so long commissioner i'll see you in haiti
oh the shoes on the other foot dale i'll be seeing you there
touche
bye
good luck
zoldu let me see this mighty zoldu
from a glint in your eye commissioner it looks to kill you'd be our best weapon against zoldu
very funny
is he there?
not in the fire chamber
let's see if he's in his throne chamber
there he is
that skinny vermin corp of zoldu
that wants to conquer us?
and can commissioner
in his hands he holds a power that's greater than any weapon we possess
the power of the earth's fiery core
if he can bring this fire to the surface he will unleash it
enveloping the entire surface
until the earth is a ball of flame like the sun
he can really do this?
unless we can stop him
he will do this
i must go
we have no time to spare
say isn't there some way i can hear what he's saying?
i'm sorry i didn't have time to hook up the audio
call doctor hadner he can have it working in an hour
water pressure?
normal. ato chambers one two three four five all full
that completes the checklist
now we're missing just one item doctor zarko
what's holding him up?
he's introducing commissioner harry zoldu
buckle in and we'll take off
harry here
any reports from the quake area yet?
almost total property damage sir
not a building left standing
loss of life?
no figures yet sir
but it looks bad
indications rodent? yes sir
they estimate it will be cleared out within twelve hours
keep me informed will you?
i'm with doctor zarko's lab
what doctor?
zarko's smarter sir
turn on the audio
the surface men will come
now that we have started blasting through
they will come
but they can't stop me
nothing can stand
between me
and my ambition
i will have their lives
for what they did to me
i will crush them
with a weight
as great as the whole world pressing down upon them
contact the earthworm
warm flesh that is sinking right into a trap
tell them to turn back right away
i can't sir
we can't contact them
what do you mean you can't?
you must
but sir try to understand
as the earthworm drives through the stratus the friction is terrific
the friction creates a heavy electrostatic field around them
that destroys every sound wave trying to penetrate it
we are completely cut off from them
two pencils of light on a radar screen
one moving from the earth's surface towards the kingdom of zelda when the core of the earth
the other creeping from the core to the surface
the first light indicating a jet propelled mechanical mole
piloted by flash gordon
the second light showing the progress of zelda's blasting operation
to the earth's surface
look, the surface people drive closer and closer by the minute
we are ready for them
nothing must go wrong this time
do you hear?
oh i was in the readiness
i have seen to it myself
your majesties
tell me what you have prepared
tell me again i must be sure, tell me
when surface ship
reaches point plus one we cease blasting operations to surface
that's my order, go on
then full power of earth fire will be channeled to magnetic activator
in the chamber of iron
yes, yes, then speak
the surface ship
will be pulled into the chamber of iron
into it electromagnetically
yes, then i will have my revenge
all the fiery power of the earth's core
concentrated to crush them in a magnetic mine until they are dust
our last possible chance to warn them
go on, what do you mean?
i was hoping that when they reach the subsurface world and stopped
we could get through to them
of course
the electrostatic field that is isolating them now
would be no more and
a radio wave could get through
but now the magnetic activator will isolate them too
it is hopeless
with flash out of the way
with no other means of descending to stop Zoldo
he can blast his way out
and heaven help us
there's no weapon that can stop him from destroying us
one thousand nine hundred and twenty kilometers
outside temperature
five hundred degrees Fahrenheit
perfectly normal
timing and exhaust blast in good order and all jet chambers
this has turned into a joyride
what a contrast to our last trip to the earth's core
what's your plan when we get there flash?
i know one thing
Zoldo is not going to stop blasting just because we ask him to
there's only one thing to do Dale
capture Zoldo himself and bring him to the surface
and try to find someone in the subsurface kingdom who is willing to rule
and live in peace with us
that won't be an easy job
capturing Zoldo i mean
i've got a plan doctor
i can steer a direct course into Zoldo's chamber we can take him by surprise
what was that?
a regular course but my tracks
it's no call
strange
all jet chambers working perfectly
we veered twenty degrees
as far as i can see on a fast check there's nothing wrong with the earthworm
that means with a power even stronger than our aerojet motors
pulling us into
i don't know what
see
see your highness
they have hit point one
they have been turned by the magnetic activator
it is as i wish
the earth fire is now channelled
to the magnetic activator in the chamber of irons
that will be soon that chamber of death
what's that?
commissioner harrick the tremors have stopped
i know i know
but they'll start again elm
very soon
and worse than ever
don't stop evacuation
poor flesh
that's the sarcophagus
can we do something?
with my very anti-magnetizer
inside
one for each of us
hit it
im through
it's the only chance
Only chance.
Kresher count?
What is it? Speak!
Three hundred pullers.
Enough.
Enough for them.
Let them suffer.
Let them feel the hard muscles trail to keep them alive.
In the Chamber of Iron, when the pressure comes from all sides,
then, Your Majesty, they will feel the revenge of Zaldu.
Yes, from all directions.
It will tear and pull and squeeze every fiber.
Look, look.
Each second they draw closer.
Even at this moment, no living thing could move a finger.
Can you make it?
Don't.
Answer.
Ten.
Much.
Pressure.
Greater.
Every.
Second.
Much.
My moment has come.
They are breaking into the Chamber of Iron.
They are here.
Trapped.
Now, I open all of the force of the earth's fire.
Pour it into its magnetic activator.
Listen.
Listen to its scream.
As it rushes to crush and to dust.
Go.
Order my engineers to redirect the firepower to the escape channel.
This time, nothing can stop us.
Go.
Do as I order.
And now.
Now I will taste my revenge.
I will see what is left of these miserable surface people.
Empty.
Not even their dust is left.
This is my town.
With this, Saldo the Mighty will ride in triumph to the surface.
And sooner than you think, Saldo, old boy.
But you can't be alive.
There's a distrusting man for you.
Can't even believe his own eyes.
He's a man of his word.
There's a distrusting man for you. Can't even believe his own eyes.
I think you deserve an explanation, Saldo.
You see, I knew you wouldn't try and destroy us with heat again.
Our plaster gel defeated that try the last time.
So he prepared us for your attempt to crush us with magnetic force.
Next to heat.
The greatest power in this subsurface world is your magnetized iron.
I thought that somehow you would try to use it against us.
Lucky for us you brought these atom demagnetizers along, Dr. Zarkov.
I won't say better luck next time, Saldo. You won't have one.
But now you have a parting message to send to your subjects.
It's short and sweet.
Tell them to turn off the fire blaster.
Or the mighty Saldo will be mighty sorry.
Attention.
This is Saldo the Mighty.
I order you to turn the fire from the surface channel.
Do as I order.