Cargo Unknown

HARLIN and the misfit crew of an interstellar freighter are hired to transport DR. LAHKRUM, PROF. GRANGER and their assistant, FOSTER, back to Earth. In addition, they will be hauling Lahkrum’s cargo of twenty massive containers, contents unknown. Once the ship is about to make a Long Jump across the solar system, Lahkrum learns that this mode of travel is fatal to any living thing not protected by the special flight suits that the crew and passengers are wearing. He panics and causes them to abort the jump, which seriously damages their engines. Forced to take the slow way back to Earth, the crew grows curious about Lahkrum’s mysterious containers and realize he was afraid to make the jump because he’s smuggling some sort of life forms. One crewmen breaks into the containers and makes a terrible discovery. He is then caught and brutally killed by Lahkrum. When Harlin and her crew learn what has occurred, they confront him, asking what the man found that forced Lahkrum to murder him. Harlin and the others get their answer when several men who look exactly like Foster come out of the containers and attack them. Some of the crew are killed, but Harlin and a few others are saved when Granger suddenly betrays Lahkrum. She then helps Harlin, Foster and the surviving crew members escape from Lahkrum’s men. Foster and Granger join forces with the remaining crew and she reveals Lahkrum’s mad plan. Unknown to Foster, Lahkrum has created hundreds of clones from Foster and has infected them with a deadly virus. He intends to smuggle these clones back to Earth and spread a highly-contagious and lethal disease to millions. Lahkrum revives his army of Foster-clones that he has stored in suspended animation for the flight and they take over the ship. Harlin and the others realize their only chance is to make the Long Jump back to Earth. They would be protected by the special flight suits, but Lahkrum and his men would be killed instantly. As they venture through the ship to repair the jump engines, they battle a horde of Lahkrum’s vicious Foster-clones. They finish the repairs, but Harlin’s crew is killed in the struggle. Wearing their protective suits, Harlin, Foster and Granger are preparing to make a Long Jump as Lahkrum and the clones attempt to force their way onto the ship’s bridge and stop the flight. Foster sacrifices himself to buy Harlin and Granger just enough time to make the jump. Lahkrum and the clones die in an instant. After arriving safely at Earth, Harlin and Granger mourn the loss of Foster and discuss creating another clone exactly like him.