Original subtitles

(Whirring)

Peter, please.

Take Jean back to the car. I must get this.

(Gunfire)

(Gasps)

Run! Run!

(Gunfire)

(Gasps for breath)

(Clicking)

(Siren)

Minister, this is Colonel Starker.

- How do you do? - A shattering business, Colonel.

The Prime Minister's already at Chewers.

We'll be there in 30 minutes.

(Siren blaring)

We've been in constant communication

with Paris, Moscow and Bonn during your visits.

I think the British Government's approval will be a formality.

The evidence is conclusive.

- If I might... - Surely.

Colonel. It may speed things up.

My God.

The clincher is at the back.

It's an enlarged frame from the cine film, sir.

It couldn't possibly be a fake?

The film was found undeveloped, still in the camera.

It's genuine. Take my word for it.

(Siren continues)

(UFO engine noise)

(Drowned out by siren)

Keep pace with the escort.

I'll take the file, sir.

(Tyres screech)

(Tyres screech)

(Chokes)

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

- Good morning. - Miss Eland.

- The report. - Thank you.

Messages?

Information. Q, answer negative.

Q, satellite link effective.

Q, zero-zero.

The computer read-outs available from today.

- Have them put straight through to me. will you?. - Yes. sir.

Mr Freeman to see you, sir.

All right, Mr Freeman.

The girl in reception calls me Alec.

So?

Doesn't that inflame you with jealousy?

Obviously it doesn't.

But, soft! What light through yonder window breaks?

It is the east and Juliet is the sun.

(Computer) 'Voice-print positive identification nine-seven.“

"Freeman, Alec E."

(Lift machinery whines)

- Good morning, sir. - Good morning.

- You're new here, aren't you? - Uh-huh.

- Must have passed all the tests. - All of them.

I bet.

(Knocking)

Patrick.

- Morning, Alec. - Morning, Pete.

I won't keep you a moment, Alec.

- Trouble? - Why else would I send for you?

Take a look at this.

That's West brook Electronics, isn't it?

- Yeah, what's left of it. - What happened?

For ten years there have been setbacks.

We've had accidents, miscalculations,

errors nonjudgmental and other mishaps.

Let's put West brook Electronics down to... other mishaps.

- You mean a UFO? - Well, there's no proof.

So bang goes the Teutonic project...

...just when we thought we really had something to track them down.

Don't panic, Alec. The Teutonic equipment is safe.

It wasn't in the building.

It's intact, fully tested and ready for shipment.

The breakthrough.

SHAD have had Moon base and the other satellites

operational for the past few months.

There have been a few UFO sightings, but no interceptions.

We've got the teeth. Soon we'll have the eyes.

Freeman, you know how important this is to our whole organization.

The Teutonic design team and equipment

are ready to be picked up in Los Angeles and flown here to England.

I'm making you responsible for the security of the entire operation.

I mean you. Personally.

Right.

Well, it must be quite a while since you landed an SST?

Just let's say it's part of the personal service.

SHAD Control, this is Seagull X-Ray,

"confirm arrival Stevenson Base, Los Angeles, 08:35."

"Take-off scheduled 11:00 hours."

(Ford) Roger, Seagull X-Ray.

- Ca“ Mombasa. M“ you? “he. sh.

(Ellis) Status check.

- Target. - Affirmative.

- Magnetic field? - Check.

- Saturation density? - Green.

- Resonator? - Affirmative.

- Code. - OK.

- Displacements? - Go.

- Filters? - Check.

- Fluctuation? - Affirmative.

- (Beep) - Reflex?

Excuse me.

Right.

- SHAD Control for you. Lieutenant - Rum,

- Lieutenant Ellis. - Morning, Gay.

I think I might have some action for you.

I want Moon base put on yellow alert from 10:45

to track Seagull X-Ray.

Now, it's carrying SHAD VIPs and the Teutonic equipment

so let's keep everybody on their toes.

- We can't afford to take chances. - Roger.

Joan, announce a yellow alert for 10:45.

- Yes, Lieutenant. - And complete the status check.

I think this is going to be for real.

I'm going to take a break. I'll be back about 10:30.

OK.

Moon base will be on yellow alert from 10:45, Earth elapsed time.

Repeat, 10:45, IT.

All space trackers to be fully operational by 10:45 IT.

Astronauts to be on stand-by.

- Joanna? - Be right with you, Lew.

No hurry. I want to run a computer check

on the Interceptor systems in about ten minutes.

- Hi, Gay. - Hello, Lew.

You’d think this could be it, Lieutenant?

Looks like it, Lew.

An SST traveling at Mach 4 is a pretty tempting target,

particularly as it's carrying the new Teutonic equipment.

- Hello, Ken. - I-ll.

- L-II. Mink.

Gay, this alert, what do you think? Another false alarm?

Don't think so, Mark.

- So this time it could be real. - Yeah. Could be.

Well, I guess we could all do with a bit of action.

Well I could do with a cup of coffee!

- Sure. - Thanks.

- Put Skydiver in the picture. - Yes, sir.

(Buzzer)

Message from SHAD Control, sir. Yellow alert at 10:45.

Right.

That last entry.

- Did you send it? - Yes, sir.

A refueling schedule transmitted on

- security code B?! - Sorry, sir.

- How long have you been with us, Ford? - Just over two years, sir.

Two years?

Long enough to know how important security is to SHAD.

Now look, this headquarters, controlling Moon base,

the satellites and a fleet of submarines

is eighty feet below a film studio, right?

Now, 400 people work up there, and not one of them knows all this exists.

I have to play games,

pretending to be the studio's chief executive.

No one even dreams what my real function is.

That's what security is all about.

I'm sorry, sir. Sometimes it's pretty difficult.

Difficult?!

So you think it's difficult, huh, Ford?

Well, I'll tell you when it gets difficult.

Have you ever thought about the victims of UFO incidents?

Have you ever considered their parents,

brothers, sisters?

What do we tell them?

They can never know the truth,

so they live in agony for years,

praying that some day their loved one may turn up,

clinging to a thread of hope.

Don't ever tell me that security's difficult.

Sometimes it gets pretty close to home.

(Buzzer)

Yellow alert starts in two minutes, sir.

Be right with you.

Stevenson Base, this is Seagull X-Ray. Liftoff check complete.

Liftoff clearance?

(Operator) Roger, Seagull X-Ray. You are clear to go.

- Nina. 10:45. - Right.

Brakes off.

Airspeed building.

130...140...

160. V.

V.

Rotate.

This is Moon base calling SID.

This is Space Intruder Detector.

Pass your message.

(Ellis) Seagull X-Ray carrying VIPs and Teutonic equipment is airborne.

Track progress of aircraft until further notice.

Keep sharp lookout for UFO.

(SID) Please pass your code so your instructions can be complied with.

(Ellis) Stand by to receive code.

(SID) Standing by.

(Beeping)

(SID) Thank you, your code is correct.

I have Seagull X-Ray on scanners.

It is on course.

Speed 1500 knots.

Moon base computers confirm course correct.

- Air speed 1500 knots. - Right.

Maintain tracking.

- Hydroplanes check complete, sir. - OK. Steer zero-four-two.

- Steer zero-four-two. - Zero-four-two.

Maintain present speed.

Maintain speed. 40 knots.

Take over, will you, Bill? I'm going back to do my stuff with the passengers.

Right.

Herr Mahler. Good morning.

- Colonel Alec Freeman. - Ah, Colonel.

I'd like to congratulate you and your team, Herr Mahler.

This looks like the breakthrough we've been waiting for.

Not my team, Colonel. May I introduce our chief designer,

Virginia Lake?

How do you do, Colonel?

Well... for the first time in my career, I wish I was flying subsonic aircraft!

The trip would take that much longer.

Ah, just in case anyone's interested, I'm Phil Wade.

How are you?

Well, it looks like you're the answer to all our prayers.

Would you like to see the Teutonic equipment, Colonel?

I think your equipment is fabulous, but I am familiar with it.

- Really? - Yes.

For instance, I know that a Teutonic beam travels instantaneously.

- Almost instantaneously. - Well, anyway, it means we'll be able to

detect UFOs even when they're flying many times the speed of light in deep space.

Goon

So our Moon base Interceptors will have a chance to destroy them

- before they reach the Earth. - Very good.

I could tell you more over dinner?

Don't you think you'd better get back to your little seat up front?

I suppose so.

I'll be seeing you.

Colonel?

You were right. You are familiar.

With the equipment.

- Everything OK? - Yes, sir.

- No sign of any activity. - Good.

(Man) ...entry in five seconds.

Four, three, two, one...

zero.

(2nd man) Can we have a read-out on pressure fuel gauge?

Your reading... four fifths.

- I'll be in my office. - Right, sir.

- (Man) Co-ordinate for OI. - (2nd man) Affirmative.

(2nd man) ...that indication is positive.

(Man) Roger.

(2nd man) We estimate turbo eight-four-nine-zero

changing to wave band four-zero-four.

(Communication continues)

(SID) Red alert.

Red alert. UFO four-two-eight one-four-six green.

Got it.

Four-two-eight one-four-six green.

- Speed? - SOL eight.

Trajectory termination?

Coming up.

This is Moon base to SHAD Control.

Predicted trajectory termination North Atlantic.

Speed SOL eight.

Going for intercept. Out.

- Interceptors immediate launch. - (Alarm buzzes)

Interceptors immediate launch.

- Interceptors go. - Right.

This is Moon base to all SHAD stations.

Moon base to all SHAD stations.

UFO sighted four-two-eight one-four-six green. Will report.

Attention all defense systems. This is a maximum security alert.

Attention all defense systems. I say again,

this is a maximum security alert.

Condition red.

(SID) Speed one and a half million miles per second.

- Range 75 million miles. - Right.

OK. Yes.

(SID) 70 million miles.

Maintaining SOL eight. Red one-two-nine zero-four-six.

- Trajectory? - Still as predicted.

Lieutenant, I have green on Interceptors one, two and three.

Moon base to Interceptors.

- Stand by to set missile control computer. - Rum,

CC read in...

one-zero-one two-six-four one-one-zero.

Missile timing two-four-inner-six.

Missile programmer completed.

(SID) Range eight million miles, closing.

Seven million miles.

Missile firing five-decimal-four seconds.

(Man) Roger.

(SID) Detonation confirmed.

Negative.

It's through.

Well, don't just sit there. Warn Skydiver.

- And get me Alec Freeman. - Yes. sir.

Gentlemen, Miss Lake, SHAD Control have informed me

that a UFO is approaching the North Atlantic.

I'm afraid we must assume that this aircraft is its target.

We're going to reduce height in order to gain the advantage of cloud cover.

This will mean we will have to reduce speed,

but, of course, in the dense atmosphere, so will the UFO.

Presumably that increases Sh Ado’s chances of intercepting it?

Yes, it does.

I'd fasten your seat belts, if I were you.

Look, don't worry. It'll be OK.

Anyway, we have a dinner date.

I wouldn't let anything interfere with that.

Thank you.

(Radio communications)

(Man) Roger.

(Ford) UFO entering visual speed range.

Radar on visual alert.

(Man) Zero-decimal-four.

UFO on radar, track speed Mach 5.

(Man) Latest, one-decimal-zero four-seven. Stand by for new course.

Thank God for the atmosphere. It's the best protection we have.

We have positive radar fix.

Well, it's up to Skydiver now.

- In position, sir. - Right.

- Stand by! - Five, four, three, two, one,

- zero. - Launch stations.

Launch stations.

- Clear one. - One clear.

- Clear two. - Two clear.

- Ready for take-off, sir. - Liftoff stations.

- Liftoff stations. - Checking boosters.

Circuits.

- Cut boosters. - Circuits OK.

Cutting boosters.

- Relays OK. - Good luck, Skipper.

- Interlocks engaged. - Stabilize gyros.

Trigger circuits OK.

Right. Stand by for liftoff.

SHAD Control from Sky One. Airborne.

Position zero-two-zero red.

(Ford) Roger, Sky One.

Air speed down to 600 knots.

- Right. Lower heat shield. - Right.

I don't like it. These clouds give about as much cover as a G-string on a belly dancer.

- Sky One to Seagull X-Ray. Over. - Oh, Peter. Am I glad to hear you!

- What's your position? - Right above you. Leveled off at 20,000.

Sky One to Seagull X-Ray, have UFO on screen.

Closing rapidly.

- Roger. Ten degrees port. - Right.

(UFO Whirring)

UFO at 12 o'clock. You are the target! Coming in to attack.

UFO entered cloud layer. Keep a sharp lookout.

Roger.

- (Explosion) - Hold her! Hold her steady.

Sky One to SHAD Control. Reporting direct hit on UFO.

- It's gonna crash into the sea. - Good shooting, Sky One.

Come in, Seagull X-Ray. Alec, are you OK?

I've aged about five years but we're still in one piece.

Hello, Sky One. Follow it down, Captain.

- Use your reconnaissance cameras. - Roger. Will do.

It went straight under.

It seems to be breaking up.

Hold it!

There's a body!

Please confirm. Did you say "body"?

Yes. It's a body.

How's it going, Alec?

- Everything's fine. - Good. Good.

Moon base and the other tracker stations

will have the Teutonic system fitted and operational within a week.

That's just great. You look tired, Alec. Why don't you help yourself to a drink?

Thanks. Think I will.

- You never touch it, do you? - Uh-uh. Self-control.

Maybe drinking needs more self-control?

When does... "it" arrive?

Any time now.

We've waited a long time for this one.

Yes... ten years.

It's been ten years

since we had the first confirmed UFO landing on Earth.

And that was after a decade of speculation, reports,

- official denials. You name it. - You know, Alec?

When I was made commander of SHAD, I thought it was all going to happen.

You've done a good job - the best.

Well, I've tried.

But how far have we progressed?

I mean, what do we really know about UFOs?

What are they? Where do they come from?

What do they want?

(Siren)

(Buzzer)

Yes?

(Man) Maryland Hospital, SHAD section.

Your special patient has arrived, sir.

We will use underground corridor 32 to SHAD medical center.

Right.

Well, maybe some of the answers are coming in now?

- Well done, Peter. - Thanks.

- You're wanted in debriefing immediately. - Right. See you later.

- What's the position, Doctor? - Alive but in a critical condition. Excuse me.

What are the chances of survival?

Well, he was equipped with an advanced apparatus

that enabled him to breathe liquid.

The helmet was removed as soon as he was picked up.

An attempt was made to restore normal breathing,

The problem is that there's still some liquid left in his lungs.

So it's too early to say yet. Excuse me.

Space travel in a liquid environment.

The very thing we've been experimenting with.

Yes, well apparently they've done it.

I must ask you to leave now.

Right. Let me know the moment you have anything, Doctor.

Commander Starker?

- Is he alive. Doctor? - Yes.

Well?

The general analysis shows that he is humanoid.

You mean... like us?

More or less. Body temperature three degrees paranormal,

blood pressure rather low, muscular development poor.

The skin has an artificial green coloration,

probably absorbed from the liquid.

The interesting thing here is that the hair hasn't picked up this tint,

which suggests that the liquid contains a bio-calligraphic compound.

Also the fact that the eyes were protected by plastic shells seems to support this theory.

Anyway, we'll know more when we get the computer read-out

from the first elector-medical check. It'll be a few minutes.

A man...

from a solar system probably a hundred million million miles from Earth.

It's incredible.

What is?

Well, we can't be certain yet, but this preliminary test shows

organ and gland transplants.

Heart, liver...

left lung, thyroid.

You’d realise what this could mean, Alec?

- It's still theory. - Theory?

Fact

After almost ten years of possible, probable,

and confirmed UFO incidents.

Fact. On a number of fully documented occasions,

mutilated bodies found after UFO attacks.

Organs missing. Fact.

An elector-medical examination

on the first alien we lay our hands on shows organ transplants.

- The doctors aren't certain. - No. Not yet.

But I'm willing to bet that our proof lies at the end of that corridor.

Dr Schroeder?

Intensive care unit. We have an emergency.

(Gasps)

(Monitor beeps)

I'm afraid he's dead.

- When can I have a post-postmortem? - 48 hours.

Make it 24.

Not the details. Just what really matters.

The rapid aging isn't documented in the report.

We're not sure why it happened,

but it's certainly connected with the reaction of Earth's atmosphere on the body.

Now, gentlemen, let's concern ourselves with

with the three main questions regarding UFOs.

One, where do they come from?

Now the fact that the lungs were filled with an oxygenated liquid

seems to indicate a subjection to phenomenal acceleration

and fantastic speed over a long period.

Long enough for the skin to pick up the green coloration of the liquid.

All this would appear to add up to an extended journey through space,

perhaps several months at many times the speed of light.

Question number two: who are they?

Obviously, in science and technology,

several hundred years in advance of man.

But everything in this report seems to add up to a dying race.

Hereditary sterility was evident.

But by using drugs and advanced transplant techniques,

they could have found a way to stop the natural aging process.

They're also highly intelligent, so they presumably come to Earth

knowing the risk of contact with our atmosphere.

Which brings us inevitably to question number three...

Why do they come?

This report indicates five major organ and gland transplants.

In the case of the heart,

tissue compatibility tests show that it was human in origin.

It came from Earth, gentlemen.

Therefore one of the reasons they must obviously come

is to obtain organ replacements.

But there may be other reasons.

Imagine a dying planet in some distant corner of the universe,

its natural resources exhausted,

its inhabitants sterile,

doomed to extinction.

A situation we may one day find ourselves in, gentlemen.

So they discover Earth, abundant and fertile,

able to satisfy their needs.

They look upon us not with animosity but with callousness,

as we look upon our animals whom we depend on for food.

Yes...

it would appear they are driven by circumstance

across a billion miles of space,

driven on by the greatest force in the universe -

survival.

The check on the test, sir.

- There's no possible doubt? - No, sir.

Electronic tissue analysis is as positive as a voice-print.

Right.

You wanted to tell me something?

Yes.

I wanted to have a word with you before you flew out.

- It's about my sister. isn't It? - Yes.

I'm afraid she's dead, Peter.

There's no longer any doubt.

I think you know how sorry I am.

What happened?

I don't think you'd like to know the details.

I think I'd like to know.

Your sister was last seen in the vicinity of a UFO incident

nearly ten years ago.

The alien's body recovered from the sea

underwent intense medical examination.

The heart was a transplant.

The donor was Leila Carlin.

- What will you tell your parents? - I don't know.

You realise, of course, that they can never know the truth?

(Starker) A funeral without a body.

A symbol of human compassion.

The long finger of tragic coincidence

stretching across a billion miles of space.

Is this the end or the beginning?

Where does the universe end?

Where does it begin?