The Mercury Men are torturing Jack Yaeger in an attempt to locate the transponder beacon, which he'd left with Borman. Meanwhile, Borman sneaks in, using his staple remover to attempt to untie the good Captain. The brain threatens Yaeger with the torture of his best girl, which only serves to enrage the heroic engineer. He doesn't crack, but the brain is able to read Yaeger's thoughts and discovers the truth. But Borman has already freed Yaeger. In one swift movement, he retakes his pistol, dispatches the brain's servants, and makes good on his threat to crush the sinister cerebellum with his bare hands. In a moment of quiet, Yaeger explains that the Mercury Men's attack is motivated by fear of humanity's ability to leave their planetary cradle. He determines that, in order to save the Earth, they have to not just shut down the gravity engine, but reverse it... which means they have to get close. Just when it seems it might be hopeless, Borman comes through with a plan.