Original subtitles

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hi, Dan.

Right on schedule, Dr. Wells.

Yeah. The mix ready?

It will go into the melt as soon as the shift changes, about two minutes.

The extra cobalt should solve the metal fatigue problem.

(BRAKES SCREECH)

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(STEAM WHISTLE SOUNDS)

That's the last of the alloys going into the melt now.

We can pour as soon as the melt is up to heat.

Right.

(NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE)

FLIGHT COM: It looks good at NASA One.

B-52 >PILOT: Roger.

BCS Arm switch is on.

FLIGHT COM: Okay, Victor.

B-52 PILOT: Landing Rocket Arm switch is on. Here comes the throttle.

Circuit breakers in.

STEVE: We have separation.

B-52 PILOT: Inboard and outboards are on.

I'm comin' forward with the side stick.

FLIGHT COM: Looks good.

PILOT: Ah, Roger.

STEVE: I've got a blowout in damper three.

SR-71 PILOT: Get your pitch to zero.

STEVE: Pitch is out. I can't hold altitude!

B-52 PILOT: Correction. Alpha Hold is all“. Threat selector is emergency.

STEVE: Flight Com. I can't hold it! She's breaking up! She's breaking...

ANNOUNCER: Steve Austin. Astronaut.

A man barely alive.

Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.

We have the technology.

We have the capability to make the world's first bionic man.

Steve Austin will be that man.

Better than he was before.

Better, stronger, faster.

(MAIN TITLE THEME)

That armor-piercing shell didn't even dent the alloy on that tank, Steve.

Try that for strength.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Crumbled like an egg shell.

What's the connection between this metal and the one used in the test?

Steve, they're the same.

We thought we had the perfect armor plate...

but after two or three weeks, it developed metal fatigue.

Rudy and Dan Kelly were modifying the formula...

and they were pouring it this morning.

That's when the men broke into the mill...

took over at gun point and added something to the melt.

They added a newly processed steel alloy...

not scrap metal or the usual additives.

Any reason why they did it?

I don't know.

The metal requires tempering before it can be used.

It's still at the mill.

You figure they'll come back for it, right?

It's too well organized, pal.

Too well plotted to end here.

That's where I fit in.

Pal...

you're going to work in a steel mill.

DAN: 15 level on that. 63...

Mr. Kelly?

Yeah. You the new man?

Steve Walters.

Come on, I'll show you where you're gonna be working.

We finished tempering that goofy melt a few hours ago.

So far, nobody's made a move toward it.

Where is it?

Bin 9.

You'll be working here in the area...

so you can see anybody that comes in and tries to hijack it.

Okay?

What can I do you for?

Hey, Mike. Give him a hand loading these spigots here, will you?

There you go.

Our parts and store supply is out back.

Just go straight ahead, take a right.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Is that the alloy from Bin 9?

Yes, it is. What's it doing up there?

You tell me.

There must have been a foul up.

That stuff would be melted if you hadn't stopped the crane.

Who arranges for the crane to deliver metal to the furnace?

Usually the foreman...

but anybody on the floor could have punched an order into the computer.

Get a repair crew and clear that stoppage.

I want that back in Bin 9.

No one admits to having redirected the computer.

If you hadn't caught it when you did...

the alloy would have ended up a small addition in a very large melt.

Could that be part of a plan to make an even stronger alloy?

No, no. I checked the melt in the furnace.

And if you added that, it wouldn't make any metal...

with any unique properties.

Just doesn't make sense.

Why would whoever went to the trouble of making this alloy...

try to get rid of it without first using it?

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(METAL CREAKING)

Rudy, didn't you say that this new alloy would either be very strong or very brittle?

Right. Why?

That's impossible.

Maybe we miscalculated the effect of the addition to the melt.

No way.

But that's the only possible explanation.

There is one other.

It was substituted so the real alloy could easily be stolen after tempering.

How could that couldn't happen?

Dan was in charge of the alloy from the instant it left the furnace until...

Any comment, Dan?

This forged invoice tells us the real alloy was shipped to a fictitious company.

Only you could've arranged that, Kelly.

You tried to cover by melting this fake stuff.

What do you think? You're gonna get a short term in the Federal Penitentiary?

Well let me tell you something!

You have stolen defense secrets!

By the time you get out of there, you won't be good for anything...

but a rocking chair and a cane!

I don't really think I'll be going to prison.

You're either a dreamer or a certified psychopath.

What's gonna keep you out, Kelly?

(INTERCOM BUZZES)

Yes?

Mr. Secretary's on the line.

Yes, Mr. Secretary?

As a matter of fact, he's right here.

Colonel Austin and I are questioning him.

He's refusing to talk.

Well, let me understand you.

You're talking about Kurami the Mid Eastern Nation?

Just a moment. I'll ask him.

What connection do you have with Kurami, Kelly?

Never heard of it.

You're not getting anywhere with this.

Let's save time.

I'm not going to answer any question you ask...

and I'm not gonna volunteer any information you'd find useful.

Mr. Secretary, we've asked him about Kurami. He refuses to talk.

What's going on?

Yes. Yes, I will.

I'll keep you informed of the case.

What was that all about?

Oh.

The Ambassador to Kurami was kidnapped this morning.

He's being held hostage...

and will be killed unless we release him.

OSCAR: Arnold, it's good of you to come. I could've met you over at State.

How 'bout some coffee? Yes, please. Black.

We didn't want you away from your phone even for a minute.

Uh-huh.

Oscar, have you had any further word from the kidnapper?

Nothing yet.

Just letting us stew. And we are.

Well, it hasn't helped our image any.

A ranking ambassador being kidnapped right out from under our noses.

Mmm-hmm. Especially this ambassador.

Mahmoud is King Faoud's cousin and Faoud is Kurami.

Oscar, do we have any idea why the kidnappers would want us to release Kelly?

I've checked into Kelly's background.

He hasn't even been near an Arab country.

Any decision yet on what course of action we're gonna take?

We don't give in to terrorists.

Arnold, I assume I have autonomy to try to free the ambassador...

once we receive instructions from the kidnappers.

Autonomy, prayers, best wishes... You name it, you've got it, Oscar.

(SIZZLING)

STEVE: Why would the thieves need samples of the alloy?

They may be running the same kind of tests I am.

With Kelly in their pocket...

you'd think they've wait till the O.S.I. came up with the answers and then taken no risks.

I've had this in a hydrochloric acid bath for an hour.

I'm gonna test its tensile strength, put it under stress.

I can do that quicker.

Okay, do it.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(CRACKLES)

The acid definitely weakened the metal.

This shear line shows a new molecular orientation.

Well, we've heard from the kidnappers.

Is the Ambassador okay?

As far as we know.

The note says he's in good health.

They've arranged a time and place for the exchange...

but they insist that I come along and deliver Dan Kelly personally.

Oscar, that could be an elaborate plan just to get you.

It could also mean that they want somebody of high rank at risk...

so the exchange will be made safely.

It says you can be accompanied by a driver. Why not me?

That's what I planned on.

When do we go?

We leave 8:00 to rendezvous at 9:30.

You got a plan? You bet I have.

Aside from the place of exchange...

I'll have my men concealed in a ring blocking all exits out.

I'll have a fleet of helicopters with powerful floodlights...

to track the terrorists' car.

Once the Ambassador is safe, my men will move in.

As long as they haven't taken you as a hostage.

That's a risk we're gonna have to take, Rudy.

Steve...

your first responsibility is the Ambassador's safety, not mine.

Let's hope it works.

(TIRES SCREECH)

Well, we're on time. Where are your friends?

DAN: They'll be here. They always keep their promises.

Honest terrorists, huh?

Why not? Honorable men make honorable agreements, don't they?

The United States doesn't want anything to happen...

to the Ambassador of a friendly country.

That'll keep you honest.

RADIO VOICE: Baker One, this is State Department Control.

Come in, Baker One. Over.

We're supposed to have radio silence, Steve.

This is Baker One. Over.

There has been a change in plans, Baker One.

All surrounding units have been withdrawn.

Repeat, all surrounding units have been with-drawn. Over.

This is Baker One. What about the exchange for the hostage? Over.

The identity and local base of the kidnappers...

is known to Kurami officials.

They will be dealt with after the exchange is made without risk to the Ambassador.

Give me that microphone.

This is Oscar Goldman Speaking.

Baker One. Control, come in, please.

This is Baker One. Will Control please come in?

Come in!

Well, we go along, I guess.

I don't like the smell of it, Steve.

Shhh.

(CAR APPROACHING)

(TIRES SCREECH)

Let's go.

Turn!

Okay.

Let's go.

So long, It's been fun.

(TIRES SCREECH)

Are you all right?

Thank you, yes. Except for these cuffs.

Let me see what I can do.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

I'll get on the radio. All right.

I can tell you, I've just been through a thoroughly frightening experience.

I can't thank you enough for managing to effect my release.

Mr. Ambassador...

My country will formally express its gratitude to your President, of course.

Mr. Ambassador, we're delighted that you're safe.

May I introduce myself? My name is Oscar Goldman.

I'm the director of the O.S.I., and that was my associate, Colonel Steve Austin.

My pleasure.

I hope you hunt these criminals down and see that they are brought to justice.

We have just received word...

that your people know who they are and where they're located.

I'm quite certain that was a lie.

To protect our diplomats, we routinely eliminate interference...

from the host government, by saying that the terrorists are known.

I see.

Well, that unfortunately raises a number of questions.

I wonder, Mr. Ambassador...

if you're feeling up to or good enough to come to my office...

and perhaps discuss this further.

Well of course. At your service.

As I entered my garage, I felt a gun thrust into my back.

I was blindfolded from behind and unable to tell who my kidnappers were.

I was put in a car, driven for a long time, then brought inside.

My clothes were removed and I was placed on a bed.

I stayed there until I was dressed and driven to where you found me.

Any clues as to where you were taken, Mr. Ambassador?

No.

Any idea of how many men were involved?

None.

There were professionals hired for the job.

We're checking our files for known criminals with that M.O.

There's one thing I don't understand.

Why were my clothes removed, then put back on?

Probably to act as a deterrent in case you should try to escape.

I'm not much help.

I wish that I...

I begin to think that my clothes were removed...

so that something could be put in my pocket.

I've never seen that tape cassette before.

MAN'S VOICE: This message is for Oscar Goldman.

It concerns a matter vital to the security of the United States.

You are urged to pay close attention and follow instructions to the letter.

You and one other representative of the O. S. I...

are to be in the courtyard of the abandoned Arrow Rock Plant...

in the desert flatlands beyond San Bernardino, California.

We are sure you know where to find it.

We give you 24 hours to be there.

At 12:00 noon.

(SIGHS)

Well, I can't figure out what interest this place might be to anybody...

let alone national security.

Isolation. A chance for somebody to make contact without fear of ambush.

(ELECTRONIC WHIRRING)

What's that?

I don't know, but I've heard that sound before,

So have I, but where? When?

Sounds like it's coming from the other side of that wall.

Wait a minute. It can't be.

Can't be what?

It was destroyed a year ago. Blown to bits.

Of course.

The Russian Venus Probe.

The one that landed on Earth by mistake last year.

(LOUD THUMPING)

Wow.

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

My God, it is. Another Russian probe.

Just like the other one. Designed to gather data on Venus.

But Steve, two landing in the United States by accident?

Which means this time it was no accident.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

(WHIRRING, CLICKING)

Looks like it's trying to corner us.

I'll keep it busy. You get out of here.

No.

There's nothing you can do.

Somebody's got to get back, get the word out on what we've seen here.

(WHIRRING)

What now?

I don't know.

Maybe it's trying to tell us something.

I don't think I like the message it has in mind.

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

The question is, what do the Russians want?

I'm sure they'll let us know.

First they had to get our attention, then make their demands later.

Well, at least they can't claim it's an accident.

They've practically sent us an engraved invitation...

to let us know this whole thing is on purpose.

STEVE: Meanwhile, this thing is still on the loose.

We've got to stop it before it reaches a populated area.

Steve, they also know how you destroyed the first one.

With a helicopter, using the probe's own pressurization.

That was last time.

I'll guarantee they made this one practically indestructible.

All right, you keep it under surveillance.

I'll head back to NASA, talk to them...

the Joint Chiefs and the Russian Ambassador.

All right, and I'll see if I can find a vulnerable spot.

Wait a minute. Be careful, pal.

Go ahead.

(PROBE WHIRRING, THUMPING)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

(CLICKING, WHIRRING)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(CLICKING, WHIRRING)

(LOUD WHIRR)

I've set up a mobile command unit overlooking that ridge over there...

to give us a better chance to see everything.

I'm bringing in some technicians, some scanner units...

and I'm also bringing in some analytical equipment...

from the O.S.I. Desert Test Center nearby.

What's going on over there?

Well, it looks like a Russian machine, all right.

It's a killer.

Well, the O.S.I. has notified the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Russian Ambassador is on his way over to the State Department.

Last year's Venus probe was pre-programmed.

It just went straight ahead smashing into everything.

This one, it's gotta be receiving radio communication.

Well, we've been monitoring the Russian short wave broadcasts...

but we haven't gotten anything so far. It's strange.

We could contact a couple of big dish antennas.

Ask if they'll help you triangulate.

That's a good idea.

We'll use our own equipment for one point over there...

and I'll bring two other antennas in.

Once we pinpoint the source of communications...

we get a good chance to stop it.

Yeah, I'll get right on it.

And, uh, good luck, pal.

Get out of here.

Mr. Blake is waiting inside to see you, Mr. Goldman.

He just flew in from Washington.

Blake. State Department. What does he want?

Notify Goldstone and Dewline.

I want a top priority request to triangulate...

any messages that are going into that probe.

Will do, sir.

Arnold.

Oh, what a surprise to see you. Didn't expect you.

Oscar, you have the edge on us chair-bound bureaucrats.

Yes, sir. You get out into the field.

Well, I see you here.

It must be very important, your flying all the way over here to see me.

Oh, it is. It is.

It's also a pleasure to get out of my office.

I think the walls were charred.

I had an interview with the Russian Ambassador.

Is that so? What does he have to say?

I accused him in the most diplomatic language, of course...

of sending the probe to tear up the country.

I've known that man for a very long time.

He could be charming and impossible and tough and generous.

But the one thing that he is not is a very good actor, and he hasn't fooled me yet.

And the ambassador said in the most undiplomatic language...

that the Russians didn't send it.

And I believe him.

Arnold, Colonel Austin and I identified that machine.

Are you saying that the State Department is gonna take the Russian's word over his?

The Russians are accusing us of stealing the plans for their Venus Probe.

What? That's the most ridiculous thing lever heard.

The Ambassador swears that the plans were stolen.

Now that's possible.

You put that together with the incident of the stolen alloy...

and it becomes very, very interesting.

It's certain the Russians didn't need to steal our alloy...

to make the new Venus probe.

Yes, Sergeant?

Teletype just in from Dewline and Goldstone, sir.

Well, if there were any doubts that that machine is operated by radio...

they're gone now.

Somebody, somewhere, is controlling that demon thing...

sending it out to do whatever he wants it to.

Sending it out to destroy whatever he wishes.

All right, Sergeant, have Goldstone and Dewline continue to stay on it.

Yes, sir.

I'll contact my department, Oscar.

I don't know which way we go now.

I'll stay here in case you need me for anything...

or if there's further word to pass along.

Thank you, Arnold.

(LOUD WHIRRING, THUMPING)

(ANTENNA BUZZING)

Well, I learned it's a copy of the Russian probe...

but they didn't make it.

STEVE: Well then, who?

We don't know.

Where are its radio directions coming from?

I don't know that either.

But we do know it's receiving messages from burst transmissions.

Too quick for us to zero in on.

It won't be here in open country forever.

We better find a way to stop it pretty quick.

We've got Rudy in the lab trying to find that out.

We do know, Steve, that that probe isn't pressurized like that last one...

'cause it clearly isn't intended to go on Venus.

They'd retain all its strengths plus the added quality of the new alloy.

STEVE: We can be sure that thing is more blast-proof than the original one was.

It's gotta have a weakness somewhere.

What if it couldn't move?

Keep talking.

Well, we take away the probe's motive power by removing traction.

That thing might be like a turtle flipped over on its back.

Will you tell me how we can do that?

With a pole, some leverage and a little luck.

A lot of luck, but it's worth a try. Come on.

All set.

Here goes.

(HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING)

That heat flash was over 1,000 degrees Celsius...

and there's not a mark on it..

That rules out any attack on the probe with current heat devices.

Right.

Try the other piece with the diamond drill.

Try to analyze this.

(DRILL WHIRRING)

(SCRAPING)

Hardness factor of 13 on the Moh's scale.

That tops the best alloy steel by a factor of two.

What about the X-ray energy spectrometer?

Boron to carbon ratio is very high.

The crystalline structure of this alloy is almost impervious to attack.

I don't see how Steve can penetrate it.

(LOUD WHIRRING, THUMPING)

(HYDRAULICS WHIRR, CLICKING DATA)

Sgt. Warren, this is Oscar Goldman speaking.

I want you to order all monitoring units...

to try to jam the radio signals going to that probe.

Will instruct immediately, Mr. Goldman.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(LOUD SNAP)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(HORN HONKING)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Phew.

Well, so much for my ideas. You got any?

Well, I'm working on one.

We know now that that probe is receiving its orders via radio.

So what I'm trying to do is jam its transmission signal.

Any chance of success?

Let's go back to the command post and find out.

(BEEPS, CLICKS, WHIRRS)

Wait, wait a minute. Take a look at that.

That look strange to you?

(BEEPS, CLICKS, WHIRRS)

If it were a person, I'd say that it was puzzled.

Like it doesn't know what to do next.

Steve, you suppose maybe we are jamming its signal?

I don't know, without direction maybe it'll just sit there and do nothing.

Posing no threat.

Maybe we could transport it to some safe place.

Bury it deep enough so radio messages couldn't penetrate.

We can't keep jamming it forever.

I don't like it.

It's dead silence.

We're getting no sounds. Absolutely nothing.

Could it be some malfunction in the probe's transmission?

That's a very long shot.

We tested the equipment every way from Sunday.

It was foolproof.

Okay. Then the answer is, we're being jammed.

Got to figure that.

What are we gonna do?

Wait.

How long?

You'll know when I do.

That won't help. We'll still have to wait.

Gentlemen, I've been looking for you.

Mr. Ambassador. Surprised to see you here.

This isn't where I'd expect to find you.

Perhaps, perhaps not.

I knew you were having difficulties with that strange device, the Probe.

I felt I should help.

How did you know we were having difficulties?

I try to keep informed.

Well, thank you very much for your interest, Mr. Ambassador...

but I think we have solved all the problems.

By jamming radio reception?

(PHONE RINGS)

How did you know about that?

I'm sorry, but jamming won't help.

You haven't answered my question, Mr. Ambassador.

How did you know about that?

You see, the Probe was pre-programmed...

to act in the event of any failure of radio communication.

Your kidnapping was a setup to spring Dan Kelly.

You're involved in this whole caper.

I might be, but I do want to help you and myself.

And yourself.

What if I decided to put you under arrest?

Oh. Feel free.

I'll even waive diplomatic immunity.

Of course, you'll continue to have very serious problems with the Probe.

Increasingly serious.

But on the other hand, why should you believe me? I could be bluffing.

Perhaps we should have a look at the Probe and see if it's just as deadly...

in spite of the loss of radio communication.

Is that a good idea?

MAHMOUD: Remarkable machine.

OSCAR: I suppose you stole the plans from the Russians.

And the alloy with which to make it from the O.S.I.

MAHMOUD: Clever, no?

Obviously you had more in mind.

Obviously.

You've seen its destructiveness.

You know you can't stop it.

In less than an hour, it will reach an objective...

where it will cause enormous damage.

What kind of objective?

If I'm not given what I want, you'll find out.

All right, what do you really want?

Two nuclear warheads.

OSCAR: You must be out of your mind.

Do you really think so?

Mr. Ambassador...

the United States will not be blackmailed by you or any country...

to turn over nuclear warheads. Don't you understand that?

MAHMOUD: I'm acting as a patriotic, private citizen.

My country is very rich in oil...

very poor in defense, and hopeless in international politics.

With the help of your nuclear weapons...

I propose to assume power and correct that situation.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

It's gonna run down that boy. You can stop it.

How? Even if I were handling radio contact...

you've blocked that method of diverting the machine.

Can't you get them to stop it?

There is so much at stake.

How the controllers will react, I can't say...

nor even if there is enough time to react.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(HYDRAULICS WHIR)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

(END THEME MUSIC)