Hound of the Korven (TV story)

Hound of the Korven was the twenty-fifth episode of the first series of K9

Synopsis
Thorne entices K9 to hand over his Regeneration Circuit in exchange for his missing memory chip. It is a double cross: the fake chip contains a sequence turning K9 into a bomb. Starkey is taken by an old enemy who has a few surprises for K9 and his friends too.

Plot
In the garage, Darius is sleeping inside Mariah when Thorne taps on the window, frightening Darius. Darius asks Thorne what he's doing here and what he wants, he tells him he may want some news about his father, Darius asks what makes him think that. Thorne reminds him that he's in prison for a long time, Darius simply says you do the crime you do the time. Thorne warns he's doing hard time, the hardest, they fear he is cracking up. Darius refuses to believe it, Thorne asks him to take a peek to prove him wrong, offering to let him take up. Darius stops him before he walks away, they enter Virtual Reality where Darius finds his father in a pure white prison, trembling in fear. Darius tries to talk to him but Thorne reveals he can't hear him. Thorne describes Harry's world now, a prison of nothing but white, no corners and no detail to draw the eye or distract the mind, he will endure years of this. Darius asks Thorne what he wants, he says he wants nothing from him, but from K9. Darius asks why he doesn't ask K9 himself, he says that he won't give it to him and he must have it.

Darius refuses to go get it for him, Thorne pleads for Darius to hear him out, informing him that they want a certain circuit from him that he can function perfectly well without, what he describes as the cybernetic equivalent of an appendix. Darius asks why he wants it, Thorne tells him he has is reasons while Darius argues that he has his reasons for saying forget it. Thorne uses his Vid-com to transmit a high pitched sound, leaving Pike in agony. Thorne offers to sweeten the deal as the background changes from blank whiteness to the beauty of nature, making Pike happy. When Thorne decides to switch the background, Darius gives in and they exit virutal reality. Darius says he will talk to K9 but he can't promise he will accept, Thorne assures him that he has a deal to offer K9 too. He reveals that he has something of his he thought he lost forever, his memory disc. Darius can't believe it, saying that it was destroyed when K9 came through the STM, it's presence suggests not, Thorne leaves.

As Darius and K9 move through the sewer tunnels, despite Darius showing that there's no cameras and no cops, K9 calculates that the likelyhood of a double-cross is 99.99%. When Darius tells him he knows that they've had their differences, K9 says it is because of his tendency to be irritating. Darius says that he appreciates K9 doing this for him and his dad, K9 tells him that he isn't doing this exclusively for Harry as the prospect of having his memory restored is extremely appealing. K9 notes that while the chance his memory disc survived is remote, it is still more than zero. Little do the two know, they are being followed by Starkey and Jorjie, who report Gryffen, he tells them to stay out of sight and don't lose them. Jorjie asks Starkey why they are hiding, as she wants to be involved if they have to help them, Starkey assures her that they are helping as they will be there to help Darius if it is a double-cross and if it's legit, they don't want to get in K9's way of getting his disc back. Starkey then notices some foul-smelling slime on the wall, he sniffs it an ascertains that it's Jixen, shocking Jorjie as they were thought to be all destroyed.

K9 and Darius are at the meeting place when Thorne and four CCPCs arrive, Darius asks Thorne why he needs the bodyguards, Thorne says that there's not any length K9 wouldn't go to to get what he's carrying. When K9 spots the memory chip, K9 asks him to return it and why they should negociate. Thorne notes how he could easily blast him and take it, he offers it to him as there's no need to resort to violence, but then reminds him of Darius' father. When Thorne announces to K9 that in exchange for the memory disc, he will give him his Regeneration unit, Starkey and Jorjie interrupt, Starkey refuses to let K9 do it. Darius asks what Starkey is doing as he will ruin everything. When Thorne asks if he has a deal, Starkey warns K9 that without his regeneration unit he will be as vulnerable as everyone else, Darius agrees as he can't do it, not even for him. Thorne argues that he isn't doing it for Darius, he's doing it for his poor old dad. K9 asks what the Department wants with the regeneration unit, Thorne tells him that explanations are not part of the deal. K9 reluctantly agrees but tells Thorne to give him the disc first, Thorne complies and gives him the disc, as K9 gives him the regeneration unit.

As Thorne makes his way out, Darius asks him what about his dad as they had a deal, Thorne says that he'd be more worried about himself if he was Darius. K9 accesses the memory disc and starts routing all power to his photon reactor, warning that he will self-destruct in 20 seconds. As Thorne and the CCPCs leave, the kids try to get K9 to stop. The countdown is terminated, but K9 warns that he is armed for self-destruct. Starkey asks what's happening, K9 explains that a destruct sequence has been built into the memory disc, K9 warns that an unknown target not specified in the program will trigger the self-destruct, the target will not be revealed to him until it comes into range. In the Department Mobile HQ, the Department Technician informs June that the Jixen is coming within range and the stun mines and gas canisters are ready to be dropped. June tells him to delay the order as she asks Thorne if the tunnels have been cleared of civilians, he tells her it has. June doesn't take Thorne's assurance and orders to go ahead with the mines but hold off the gas as she will come and supervise it's deployment.

In the tunnels, Starkey assures the others that once the get back to the mansion, Gryffen will know what to do. K9 fears it is unlikely as a hovering stun mine arrives. Darius doesn't believe it is and walks up to it, but he is shocked and knocked down to the ground by it. Starkey wonders why they've put the mines here and gets a nasty surpise when he gets his answer, the roar of the Jixen. Starkey and Jorjie alert a shocked Darius that it is Jixen, K9 finds that the Jixen is the unknown target that will trigger his self-destruct. K9 moves to intercept the Jixen as Starkey tries to get him to stop. Another stun mine arrives in the tunnels where the Jixen is moving through, it shocks the Jixen, who decides to take another way. Darius notices the roar is getting closer when K9 speeds off as he cannot allow the Jixen to get closer as self-destruction will mean the destruction of every nearby lifeform. Starkey races off to stop him as Darius follows him, but is stopped by a newly arrived stun mine. Starkey has lost K9 and tries to find him when he meets a stun mine, he turns to the way back when he sees that a gas canister has been dropped. As the tunnels are gassed, Starkey collapses, he is then dragged away by an unknown force.

June and four CCPCs are on the surface, June orders the CCPC to drop the final gas canister. The CCPC spots two citizens down in the tunnels, June orders the CCPCs to get them out where she finds out that it's Darius and Jorjie. They are brought to Department Mobile HQ where Darius warns that Starkey is still in the tunnels. June asks if he has K9 with him, Darius can only reply with sort of. June says that he should be fine, revealing that the gas is a mere sleeping agent and not his main problem, his main problem being the Jixen. As Darius eyes the exits, Jorjie reveals that she knows about the Jixen and warns that Starkey could be vapourised by a bomb. Darius creates a diversion and races out, Jorjie tries to follow him but is stopped by the CCPCs.

June is then contacted by Thorne, who wants a comment on reports that the operation has stalled. June confirms that the operation is not stalled, as of now it's suspended on her authority saying that she doesn't answer to him. Thorne admits this but warns her that like him, she answers to those above, where the orders are coming from. June informs him that contrary to his reports there are civilians in the operational zone, warning that she won't be responsible for a possible death. Thorne assures her that she isn't responsible for anything, as she is following orders, he tells her to unsuspend the mission and obey. When June refuses, she is contacted by Lomax, who asks if the orders are not clear. She tells him that the orders need clarifying in light of new information, Lomax argues that the orders make sense to those who make them and that she doesn't need to understand to obey. June has a question, but Lomax has a schedule. June asks what Thorne was doing in the mission zone before the gas purge began, Lomax simply tells her that Thorne was acting in the best interests of the Department. June argues that she has to question his motives but a frustrated Lomax insists that she does her duty.

At the mansion, Gryffen calls on the monitor for Starkey and K9. K9 replies to him, Gryffen asks if everything is alright, K9 assures him that everything is as it should be. Gryffen says that he has been trying to get through to him for ages and there seems to be some sort of electronic interferrance, K9 suggests that is the stun mines. Gryffen asks K9 why are there stun mines, K9 assumes that is the Department's attempt to corral the Jixen, the presence of a Jixen shocks Gryffen. K9 assures Gryffen that he is enroute to deal with it as it's part of his new programming imperitive, shcoking Gryffen even more. K9 explains that it has been implanted in him for exchange for his regeneration unit and that the new imperitive is that as soon as he is range of the Jixen, he will initiate self-destruct. Gryffen warns K9 that without his regeneration unit he won't have a capacity to regenerate and will be permentantly destroyed. K9 says that as it is his programming imperitive, it seems he is destined to self-destruct to destroy the Jixen. K9's sensors indicate the the Jixen is in the tunnel, Gryffen tries to stop K9 but fails.

Starkey awakes with his face in a pile of books inside the Jixen's underground lair, Starkey becomes frightened as the Jixen moves towards him. When the Jixen notes that the stench on his clothes is marked with the scent he marked him with all those weeks ago, Starkey is shocked that he can speak. The Jixen reveals that he has been learning English, but with some difficulties, he becomes frustrated when Starkey corrects his mistakes and warns him that he may forget his duties as a Horse. Starkey mistakenly corrects him that he means host. Darius moves through the tunnels calling out for Starkey. Starkey asks if the Jixen reads the books or eats them, the Jixen tells them that he reads. When Starkey spots a particular book entitled Land of the Lost, the Jixen explains it tells his story, a peaceful emissary from another time protecting an ignorant people from the monster living among them. The Jixen says that he was the emissary's guard and he failed to protect him from the machine, his enemy, Starkey's friend, K9. Starkey says that he is confused as the Jixen started smashing up the mansion when they came through the STM, K9 came and protected him, giving his previous life to save his. The Jixen says that he is the one confused as he was protecting the emissary but Starkey dismisses it as a yarn. When the Jixen insists its the truth, Starkey asks how long it took him so long to tell him, the Jixen asks him how he could do that as he could hardly go wondering the streets looking for him.

The Jixen gives him the full detail of his presence here. On their homeplanet, the Jixen were winning the war against the Meron until new energy weapons cost them their rightful home. The Jixen tells Starkey that these weapons were supplied by the Korven, Starkey confirms to the Jixen that he unfortanutely knows this name. The Jixen confirms that the Jixen were the peaceful emissarys, humanity was the ignorant people and the Korven were the monsters. Starkey asks how exactly was he going to warn them, the Jixen tells him that the information was losted with the emissary, destroyed by the Korven agent, K9. Starkey refuses to believe that K9 was actually working for the Korven, the Jixen argues that if it is only a story why does the beast hunt him, Starkey says that it isn't him, it's a program the Department installed in him. The Jixen determines that the Department has been infiltrated by the Korven, warning him that he will lose his home as he lost his. Starkey says that then he needs to get out of here and alert his world, he affirms that he believes what the Jixen told him.

The Jixen shows him the way out and tells him to consider this, why would he bring him here and save him from the gas and reveal his lair if he was not telling him the truth and wanted to save him. As Darius searches for Starkey, the Jixen becomes increasingly uncertain about Starkey's plan for him to meet K9, Starkey explains that he and K9 should be on the same side, as they're both interested in saving the ignorant humans, the Jixen just has to get together with K9 so they can talk like he did with Starkey. Starkey confirms that the "cybernetic beast" is capable of understanding him. They soon bumps into Darius, who falls down to the ground in shocked. Starkey assures him that it's okay, explaing that he is a friend and on their side. Darius is shocked to find a friendly speaking Jixen, Darius scoffs that he's here to help them. The Jixen assures him that that he is his alibi and gets angry when Darius says he means ally.

Starkey explains that right now they need to find K9 and explain to him that the Jixen isn't his enemy, Darius suggests that they do it really really fast when he alerts them to K9. K9 prepares his self-destruct sequence as the Jixen prepares to protect himself. Starkey stands between them and tells them to stop threatening each other and talk, K9 tells Starkey to run but he refuses, halting K9 and the Jixen, deciding to call him Jixey, explaining that if they're going to be friends he can't call him Jixen and he doesn't know his name, Jixey explains that the Jixen have no names as they are part of a collective. K9 continues his countdown, warning Starkey that he can interrupt the countdown but he cannot stop it, warning him to run. Darius wants to run but Starkey says they are going to sort this out, he explains to K9 that the program Thorne put in him was Korven tech and he has to fight it. K9 argues that his sensors would have detected it if it was Korven, Starkey says that his sensors got it wrong and the Korven are losing him, explaining that they wanted the Jixen destroyed because he came here to warn about them.

June arrives with Jorjie and threatens the Jixen. As K9's countdown reaches zero, Starkey shouts stay. K9 stops, he has managed to reroute his circuits and he's in control of them again, he has overwritten the program and is no longer being used by the Korven. K9 suddenly restarts the program as Starkey pets him, but reveals that it was a joke, when he complies to Starkey's request to tell him it wasn't a joke, this amuses Jixey who explains that the Jixen are famous for their sense of humour. Back at the mansion, Gryffen takes a look at the chip as Starkey announces that they beaten it, thanks to their shell-headed friend as Darius adds. June cannot believe that the Jixen is an ally of humanity and calls it a remarkable development. Jorjie notes that it isn't the only remarkable development, revealing that she told Lomax to "stick it" though June says she didn't use those exact words. Jorjie is proud that her mother refused to let the gas being dropped in the tunnels. June informs Darius that she's managed to check on his father, assuring him that he's safely in a minimum security enviroment. Darius is pleased that his dad is safe, the Jixen got away, K9 avoided blowing himself and the rest of them up. However, Gryffen argues that they haven't quite stopped the Korven plan. K9 alerts that the Professor is correct as a significant part of their plan would appear to have been for Thorne get possession of his regeneration unit, which succeeded. Gyrffen notes that the question is, what does he want it for. As they speak, Thorne is at a Department base, he hands the regeneration unit to an unknown force.

Cast

 * K9 Mark 2 - John Leeson
 * Starkey - Keegan Joyce
 * Jorjie Turner - Philippa Coulthard
 * Darius Pike - Daniel Webber
 * Professor Alistair Gryffen - Robert Moloney
 * June Turner - Robyn Moore
 * Thorne - Jared Robinsen
 * Harry Pike - Chris Betts
 * Jixey - Jandardan Kewin
 * Department Technician - Steven Sourris
 * Lomax - Peter Kent
 * CCPC - Josh Norbido
 * CCPC - Jason McNamara
 * CCPC - Eugen Bekafigo
 * CCPC - Michael Donnet
 * CCPC - Tyler Rostedt
 * CCPC - Jarod Grodecki

Production crew

 * Writer - Shayne Armstrong, S.P. Krause
 * Director - Mark DeFriest
 * Producers - Penny Wall, Richard Stewart, Simon Barnes
 * Executive producers - Jim Howell, Grant Bradley, Steve Robbins
 * Associate producers - Bob Baker, Paul Tams
 * Supervising producer - Dale Bradley
 * Co-Executive producers - Mark Blythe, Sam Tromans
 * Line producer - Pam Collis
 * VFX Director - David Napier
 * Series Production Designer - Jon Dowding
 * Episodic Designer - Adam Head
 * New K9 Design by - Paul Tams, Alex Kubalsky
 * Series Director of Photography - Ben Nott
 * Episodic Director of Photography - Tony O'Loughlan
 * Music by - Christopher Elves
 * K9 theme music by - Michael Lira
 * Editor - Patrick Stewart
 * Casting - Faith Martin and associates
 * Episodic casting - Lisa Maloney
 * Drama/Dialogue coach - Peter Kent
 * Story Producer - Greg Walters
 * Script Adaption - Michaeley O'Brien
 * Production Accountant - Pru Donovan
 * 1st Assistant Director - Peter McLennan
 * Script Supervisor - Sue Ketchington
 * Costume Designer - Joanne Thompson
 * Makeup Designer - Sharon Robbins
 * Puppeteer - David Pawsey
 * Location Manager - Charles Boyle
 * Sound Recordist - Ian Grant
 * B Camera Operator - Dan Maxwell
 * Gaffer - Steve Monk
 * Key Grip - Billy Harmer
 * Special thanks to - Space Furniture, Shredox, J. Barbour & Sons Ltd, Heath Williams at Firefly Lighting, Videopro
 * Safety Supervisor/Stunt Coordinator - Danny Baldwin
 * Transport Manager - Alister Ward
 * Unit Manager - Graeme Suhr
 * Post Production Facility - Cutting Edge Australia
 * Head of Post Production - John Lee
 * Sound Design - Warren Pearson

Story notes

 * Unlike Doctor Who and The Sarah Jane Adventures titles, in which if the title of an episode contains the name of an alien, said alien appears in the episode. The title of this episode solely refers to K9, the titular Hound of the Korven and the Korven make no appearance, although they are mentioned ans Lomaxx is silhouetted.

Ratings
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Myths
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Filming locations
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Production errors
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Continuity
to be added

Home video releases
This episode is featured in the Series One complete boxset.