Episode 16: Planet Beeland, Underground Prison of Condemned Criminals

The Star Force's food reserves begin running low, so the navigation crew locates an Earth-like planet nearby where foraging might be possible. Survey crews are dispatched to the planet, including a plane carrying Nova and IQ-9. IQ-9, it seems, is beginning to develop romantic feelings, and has become enamoured with Nova. An inappropriate confession of his feelings startles Nova, who ends up soft-crashing the plane in a jungle. They set out on foot to explore the area, and are soon captured by insectoid beings which resemble bees. The Bee People take the two to a holding cell while they deliberate what to do with them. IQ-9 seems to understand the local buzz, and informs Nova that there is civil unrest brewing, and that they have been captured by the rebel faction. The rebel Bees think that Nova and IQ-9 are Gamilons, and plan to use them in a plot against the Bee Queen whom they suspect is in league with the Gamilons. In fact, the Queen is supplying the Gamilons with Royal Bee Jelly in return for letting her stay in power. A Gamilon tanker ship arrives to pick up the jelly, and the rebels insist she disprove her alleged Gamilon loyalty by firing a cannon at the tanker, or else they will kill the captive "Gamilons". The Queen instead has her guards rush the rebels, and chaos breaks out. IQ-9 pledges to defend Nova unto destruction, and Nova begins to realise the depth of the robot's selflessness. Fortunately, it doesn't come to that, as Star Force commandos arrive and rescue Nova and IQ-9. Once back on the Argo, IQ-9 confronts Nova, and explains that even though he knows she does not return his love, that it isn't wrong for a robot to love. Nova concedes that this is so. Earth has 267 days left.