Original subtitles

Don't be nervous, Jim. If it works, you'll be rich.

Parachutes should open in...

ten seconds, sir.

- Good luck. - Thanks.

Good for you, Mr Radford.

When those three get down, they'll get a crate of champagne apiece.

There's something wrong.

I don't believe it.

Where have they gone?

This is ridiculous, they've got to be here.

If anyone's playing games with me, I'll jail them for life.

That pilot is to report to me the moment he lands.

I want a troop searching every inch of this field

and get this stuff collected, it's to be in the lab tonight.

Yes, sir.

And event number five in the programme

is the daring, death-defying free fall display

given by the Black Hawks team of skydivers.

Their plane is now approaching the field at a height of 12,000 feet.

The Hawks will be jumping 15 seconds from now.

- What's happened, Carson? - They've gone, sir. Just gone.

Gone? What are you talking about?

They were there, sir, I didn't take my eyes off them, they just went.

Faded.

- Faded? - I'd swear to it.

Briggs, Bert, get a search party organised straight away.

- Find out what's happened. - Sir.

I tell you, Carson, whatever stunts my men may and usually do get up to,

fading away is not one of them.

- Morning, Bill. - Morning, sir.

- Morning, Radford. - Good morning.

Please make yourselves comfortable.

Mr Hindesmith will be with you in a moment.

Thank you.

- Are they here, Miss Woods? - Yes, sir.

Coffee for four, then.

I was just about to get it, sir.

Good. I think we're going to get on very well indeed.

Morning, General, Wing Commander.

- Mr Radford? - That's right.

I'm Hindesmith. How do you do?

Well, you all know why this meeting was called so we needn't waste time.

- Wing Commander. - Right, sir.

All reports from our team are identical.

I interviewed at least 30 people myself.

They had no doubts.

They all saw flashes of light surrounding the men when they were in the air.

When the flashes stopped, the men had gone.

I have several other disturbing facts for you.

Within a radius of 70 miles,

at least five other cases of disappearance were reported on the same day.

In all, eleven men are missing.

Eleven? But that's impossible.

I agree. Impossible and intolerable.

An answer has got to be found

and the Minister is expecting you to provide it.

The Minister instructed me to tell you

that our investigations must be kept as quiet as possible.

Service investigators aren't to be used.

Get outside people, they're less conspicuous.

Make it known that the men have been found and are safe,

that they were training for some special exercise and have now been sent abroad.

Yes, it's a bit heavy, but see what you can do with it.

Yes, Minister?

Yes, certainly, I'll come straight away.

Gentlemen, I shan't see you again before you leave,

but please stay as long as you wish.

Here's the file on the other incidents.

You'll find it useful.

Discuss the matter fully. Take your time.

Gentlemen, if full details of your plans could be on my desk by this evening,

I'm sure the Minister would be most grateful.

Full details; that's a tall order.

Yes, but it sounded like an order, just the same.

Finding outside men of the right calibre is not going to be easy.

Any ideas, Jim?

Yeah, I think I have.

I know one man, but he may take a little finding.

Base to Tiger 4. Base to Tiger 4.

Come in, please.

Tiger 4, come in, please.

Your name Tiger?

Must be for me.

This is Tiger 4, Bob Megan.

It's me, Jim. I've got a job for you.

Hi Jim, what do you want?

- Did you get my telegram? - Yeah, sure, I got it.

Well, when can we meet?

We can't. I've already got a job.

I can pick you up in one minute.

One minute?

We're in the middle of...

Can she fly that thing?

Like a bird.

Well, what were you doing?

That's some story.

They're facts, Mr Megan.

However hard to take, they're facts just the same

and we feel that you're the right man for the job.

What about it, Bob?

- I don't know. - We've no time to waste.

Whatever your decision is, it's got to be a quick one.

I understand two of the missing men were your friends.

That's right. Old friends.

Can I talk to Bob alone, General?

We'll be back in ten minutes. I'd like your decision by then.

What the hell are you playing at?

You've got to do it.

I have?

For me. For old times' sake.

That's not enough, I was very happy before you found me.

- Well, for Harry then, and Vic. - For them, maybe.

But if I know anything about those two,

they're living it up in high style somewhere.

They're not the disappearing kind and you know it.

- Believe me, they've gone. - I don't believe you.

If you can sort this mess out, there's $20,000 in it for you.

- It's worth that much? - If the parachute deals comes off,

I'll be able to write my own cheque.

- If it doesn't? - I'm bust.

For Harry and Vic, then, and... 25,000.

- It's a deal? - It's a deal.

I need all the information you've got.

Times, places, service records of the all missing men, everything.

See to that, will you, John?

I need a car and a driver.

I want details of everyone on this camp, what they're doing here

and yes, anyone issued with a pass in or out of the camp.

- Will there be anything else? - That's all for now.

What can I do?

A room at the Hilton wouldn't be bad.

You'll have to settle for something smaller.

Alright, a smaller room at the Hilton!

Jim is staying at a little place near the beach.

You'll be comfortable there.

I'll just go and have a look at the landing field.

- Right. - See you, General.

Hello.

- Aren't you cold? - No.

It's a chilly night.

It's a lovely night.

If you're interested in stars.

They're all the same to me without a telescope.

What's your name?

Lorna.

Mine's Bob. Bob Megan.

Cigarette?

Do you often come here alone?

Yes.

Most of the girls I know would... prefer a little company.

Can't we go back to my hotel? It's warmer.

Then we can have a drink and talk.

Do we have to talk?

How else am I going to find out anything about you?

Really, there's nothing to find out.

You must be wrong.

Lorna!

Now, come on, where are you hiding?

Lorna?

I... I met a girl on the beach tonight.

Oh?

Yes, I think I upset her.

Did you now?

It was a misunderstanding, I'd like to apologise,

only I don't know where she lives.

That should be easy, what was her name?

She only gave me her first name. Lorna.

Lorna? Not round here.

No one of that name.

That's the name she gave me.

There's no Lorna round here.

I would know.

Maybe she's visiting.

Yes, but I wouldn't know who it would be.

Well, I must be off.

You're not going already, won't you have another one?

Another time.

Right now I've got some work to do.

You know what they say.

All work and no play.

Can't I tempt you?

Er... no.

Thanks for the offer.

Good night.

- Who's Matthews? - Director of Army Space Research.

- Big job. - He's their top man.

Top man, huh?

Bob, you've got to promise me one thing.

No dames until this is over.

Sure, you're the boss. Anything you say.

Anyone I know?

Oh, hello, Jim.

Hello, Julie. Forgive my friend's light touch.

Just introduce me, I'll do my apologising.

- I suppose I've got to. - Yeah.

This is Bob Megan, an old friend.

Dr Julie Slade.

- What an irresistible combination. - Hmm?

- Brains and beauty. - Yes, it is.

- Excuse me. - Hello, Jim.

Hello, Doctor.

- I'm Matthews. How do you do, Mr...? - Megan. Bob Megan.

Yes. David, would you file those for me, please?

Certainly.

- How do they look? - Fine.

- Are you up to date? - Yes, I've just finished the last check.

Well, why not call it a day, hmm?

Thank you.

Will I see you again, Dr Slade?

I doubt it. Goodbye.

Uh-uh, that's quite a girl.

A first-class scientist.

Yeah, I bet.

What can I do for you both?

I'd like to see the chutes.

They're over here.

Can I see the report?

Yes, I suppose so.

Is this everything?

Has nothing being tested?

No, that's all that was brought in here.

We haven't found it all.

I don't think you'll find this much help.

Can I take this with me?

Certainly.

I suppose you're looking for the missing men.

- Yes. - Strange business.

Very puzzling.

I wonder, would you accept a suggestion?

Why not?

Don't let your investigations become too...

...too earthbound.

What do you mean?

I know military men.

If they can't see it, feel it and hear it, it doesn't exist.

Yeah, but it's a starting point.

Yes, but... there are other things.

Like what?

Take last Wednesday.

Weather conditions were quite mild,

yet at about eight o'clock in the evening, a gigantic electrical disturbance

suddenly disrupted communications all over the country.

Yes, I heard about it.

Then you also heard that four hours later, just as suddenly, it subsided.

Vanished... and next day the men vanished.

Do you have any logical explanations?

No, not yet. Only one or two rather improbable theories

and I'm sure it's facts you're after.

That's right, or at least something reasonably scientific.

By all means be scientific, but do try and keep an open mind.

Well, if the general lets me, I'll try.

Thank you, Doctor.

Thanks for your help, Doctor.

Not at all.

Come in.

- Morning, Sergeant. - Morning, sir.

Documents from Wing Commander Baldwin, sir.

Thank you.

- No reply. - Thank you, sir.

- Get me Mr Megan. Urgent. - Yes, sir.

- Hello. - Hello, General.

- They're all on the list. - What?

That's right, all of them.

Then they've got to be grounded.

I'll pick you up in ten minutes.

This is going much too far, General.

I'm sure the Minister will never agree.

- Perhaps if he knew the facts... - What have facts got to do with it?

We have military commitments, obligations.

You know what's involved.

To stop manoeuvres with parachutists

would set our training programmes back months.

And on such flimsy evidence, it can't be done!

If you continue, more of your men could go the same way.

We can't be expected to take decisions of that kind based on a hunch.

Yes, but there doesn't seem much point of employing Mr Megan

if we're going to ignore his advice.

I don't ignore it, I merely question it.

And I particularly question advice given after only two days' deliberation.

All right, question it.

Eleven men have gone from five different parts of the country.

I've studied their records over and over.

To begin with, they're all senior men, all highly trained with years of experience.

Is that extraordinary?

No, but it does suggest some kind of selection.

These men may have been singled out.

Guesswork.

Every one of those names are on a list of personnel

who have had intensive training in space conditioning.

Of the 50 selected, 11 are missing.

And who's supposed to be behind this disappearing trick?

The Russians?

The Chinese?

No. We have no reason to suppose any foreign government is responsible.

Perhaps it's the work of the Scottish Nationalists

with some devious plan to repopulate the Highlands.

- We don't know. - Precisely.

And that is why I'm not prepared to put your request to the Minister.

I mean, has it occurred to you that this whole affair could be a conspiracy

- arranged by the men themselves? - Of course it has.

It isn't enough for me to go to the Minister with.

I'm sorry, gentlemen.

Yes?

Yes, he's here.

It's for you, General.

Thank you.

Armstrong here.

What?

- Well, what's happened? - They've found one of our men.

He's dying.

How is he?

He's dead.

There'll be hell to pay for this.

It's Harry.

Where was he found?

In the woods at the back of the camp.

How did he die?

- We don't know yet. - What?

That's right. He was quite unmarked.

No sign of injury or disease.

At first we thought it must be exposure.

Exposure? Harry could've spent a year outdoors and come up bouncing.

Did he say anything?

No.

By the time they brought him in here, he'd lost control of his vocal cords,

arms, legs, everything.

Yet his eyes were open and his heart was beating.

I've never come across anything like it.

We've got to find an answer to this quickly now.

Do you need more medical assistance?

No, thank you, we can manage.

We need a little time, that's all.

- I want those woods searched. - It's all right.

Julie.

Please go away.

This is official, I need your help.

Did you know him? Harry?

A little.

I knew him well.

We jumped over a hundred times together.

Well, what do you want?

Who's in charge of the testing?

I am. Dr Davies, our senior man, is on leave.

When will you be through with the results?

- About three or four hours. - Could you let me know right away?

I can't, I'd have to go through Dr Matthews -

I've got to know how he died and quickly, if I'm going to help the others.

It may already be too late.

Please.

Where can I reach you?

The Beach Hotel.

This ought to be enough for the Minister.

We'll try it, anyway.

We'll leave it up to you, Doctor.

As soon as you get anything at all, get in touch with us immediately,

- whatever the time. - Certainly.

- Night, Doctor. - Good night.

I don't think there's much I can do now, is there, Julie?

- No, I can manage. - Telephone me if you want me.

- Good night. - Good night.

It is extremely important that we get hold of him tonight.

I see. Thank you very much. Good night.

- Is he there? - No, sir.

That was his wife.

She thinks he may still be at the office.

At this hour?

Yes? Yes, Hindesmith here.

Well, put him on.

- Hello. - What happened to the man?

He what?

How did it happen?

What?

What about the grounding order?

The grounding order.

We can't afford to risk any more incidents in the air.

Yes, of course, you're quite right.

I'll see to it straight away.

Thank you.

Not now, Joanna.

Not now!

Next time you want to work late, just get someone else... sir.

Ahem!

- Are you going to the hotel? - Yes.

- Good. I'll drop you. - Thank you.

Goodnight, Mr Megan, sir.

We seem to know less now than when we started.

The tests will give us something.

They'd better.

Good night, General.

Hello.

Hi.

You're not going to run away this time?

I behaved very badly, I'm sorry.

I should be the one to apologise.

Where did you go?

That's my secret.

To vanish like that...

It's not right to scare a guy to death.

- No?

- Are you planning to do it again? - No plans.

- Promise? - I promise.

You do like this place, don't you?

Yes.

Where do you come from, Lorna?

The name would mean nothing to you.

It might. I've been around.

Would it matter if I didn't tell you?

No.

Lorna, what's the matter?

I have to leave now.

All right, I'll come with you.

No!

- Lorna, what's wrong? - Nothing.

- What the hell is going on? - Please, don't ask any more questions.

Lorna!

Hello, Mr Megan.

Had a good day?

Yes, thanks.

This is Mr, er... Smith?

Another one of my guests.

This is Mr Megan.

- Mr Smith. - How do you do?

Dr Slade has phoned several times.

Has she? Thanks.

Yes, she sounded upset.

Excuse me.

Hello, Beach Hotel here.

Yes, he is.

- It's Dr Slade for you again. - Right, I'll take it in the room.

Excuse me. Hurry up, then.

Hold on, please. I'm putting you through.

- Hello, Julie. - Hello Bob, I've been trying to get you!

- I've only just got in. What's wrong? - Can you come over right away?

- Yes, of course I can. - There's something here I don't understand.

What is it?

Julie?

Julie!

Julie?

Julie?

Julie?

Mrs Thatcher, call the camp, tell them to send someone to the lab.

Dr Slater's in trouble, I'm on my way.

- Is that your car outside? - Yes.

- Thanks. - But...

Don't worry about your car.

Call General Armstrong, tell him to go to the lab right away.

Right so.

What happened?

Somebody hit me from behind.

Did you see who it was?

We got your message and found Dr Slater on the floor.

You all right?

- I think so, yes. - Anything missing?

- I'm not sure, sir. - The parachutes, they've gone.

They were in there.

Parachutes?

- Anything else? - No, I don't think so.

They can't have got far, Sergeant?

The guard has been doubled, they're searching the camp now.

Let's get you seen to.

- Sergeant, get a doctor. - I must tell you what I found.

- That can wait. - It can't wait. You'd better listen!

Look.

These are samples from Harry's body and these are from his suit.

They both show abnormal change.

Abnormal?

The basic chemical composition of the material

is no longer what it originally was.

And Harry?

Harry, dead or alive, is no longer Harry.

The organic cells have undergone such a change that they're hardly human.

- There's no mistake? - No, I checked everything over and over.

Blood, skin, everything, I haven't made any mistake.

Harry's body and clothes have been affected by something I don't understand.

It's horrifying!

Come in here.

It's radioactive.

All of it.

Is that what killed him?

No, I don't think so. There wasn't time.

But he was exposed to a massive dose before he died.

As head of this department, I don't expect to be the first to be informed of trouble,

but quite frankly, I don't expect to be the last.

Yes, I tried to get you.

What has happened here?

Someone needed three parachutes, and in a hurry.

- Anything else? - You tell me, Doctor.

- What have you found? - I'd like you to look for yourself.

Oh?

But this is impossible!

Ridiculous!

Are you sure there's no mistake?

Quite sure.

- But it can't be! - Can't be what?

It's unbelievable.

The forces must've been extraordinary.

- What forces? - Chemical, for one thing.

And, er... pressure, I think, yes.

Yes, unheard-of pressure.

- Incredible! - What is, Doctor?

Wait a moment.

There's been no apparent breakdown in the surface tissues, has there?

No, the body's normal.

Yes, that would be the radiation.

Is that what killed him?

Well, have you got anything for me?

Well, I'm afraid you'll find it somewhat far-fetched.

Anything'll do.

- You may not think so. - I'll risk it.

Well, if I didn't know better,

I would say that what was Harry has been changed.

- For what? - For another environment.

What do you mean?

Exactly what I say. Another environment, another atmosphere.

Things from outer space.

Doctor, you've got to be kidding, let's be practical.

I have no doubt someone will come up with a far more plausible explanation -

Yeah, well, they'd better.

Can I suggest you get everything rechecked as quickly as you can.

Naturally.

Or does that look like the work of these things?

- I am no detective. - That's a pity, Doctor.

It looks as though we'll need a whole army of them before we're finished.

- Why, what's happened? - It's Bailes.

We've just found him. He's dead.

Oh, no!

- We'll need your help, Doctor. - I'll come right away.

Bob.

Why Bailes?

Why Harry?

Why the other men?

Why you? Why steal those parachu...

I think I've got the answer to that one.

I think I know why those chutes were taken.

Mrs Thatcher, this is Bob Megan.

- Is Mr Radford in yet? - Yes, he's in his room.

- Can I speak to him? - I'll put you through.

- Jim... - That girl on the beach...

- There's no time now. Are you busy? - No.

There's a case in my room, a brown one.

You'll find a link hook from one of the parachutes.

- Where did you get it? - Never mind, I need it now.

Can you bring it to the lab right away?

- Sure, if it's that important. - Yeah, it is. We'll wait for you.

Where did you get this?

In the field.

Your boys weren't looking very hard.

Can we give this a radiation test?

It's reading the same as before.

Those chutes were brought here untested, right?

- Right. - Who did the testing?

- Dr Davies was in charge. - Were they given a radiation count?

- Of course. - Then someone was either mistaken...

or lying.

This shows exactly the same radiation count as Harry and his gear.

The report on the chutes shows nothing.

Maybe it was a mistake?

- Try the meter on the chutes. - We can't, they've gone.

- Gone? - Stolen.

But why?

Whoever was behind this knew, once we'd found the high radiation count on Harry,

we'd check back on those chutes.

What they didn't count on was me finding this.

What do we do now?

No more tonight.

I'm taking you home.

Come on, get your coat.

Can you arrange a drop for tomorrow?

- Sure, but who's gonna jump? - Just arrange the drop.

Hey, Bob...

Bob!

I want to tell you about the girl. Hey!

What the hell...?

Come in.

Good morning, I wasn't expecting you.

Frankly, I wasn't expecting to be here either.

The fact is the Minister phoned me this morning at an unusually early hour

and suggested I look in on you.

I'm delighted to see you just the same.

You are? Let me put it another way.

I was instructed by the Minister, ordered, you understand,

to drop everything else to come here and find out what the hell is going on!

We're trying to unravel a mystery

that gets more and more complicated with every hour.

Things are going to get a lot tougher.

The press have smelt trouble and questions are being asked in the House.

Now, if the Minister isn't in possession of the right answers at the right time,

I can promise you we'll all suffer.

What, like Harry and Bailes and the other ten still missing?

Mr Megan, you'll have to curb yourself of this impulse

to keep reminding me of the priorities whenever we meet.

- I'm more than aware of them! - We've made some progress.

- Don't you think so, Doctor? - Yes.

I'm delighted to hear it.

Lieutenant Bailes was killed accidentally by whoever attacked Dr Slade.

The same weapon was used.

I think whoever did it probably only intended to knock him out.

Unfortunately, Bailes's skull was unusually thin.

- Good morning. - Mr Radford.

Hi, Jim. Fixed?

Yes, scheduled to go at 1500 hours.

- Fine. Did you get the suit? - It wasn't easy, but it'll be here.

- Another mystery? - We're making a drop today.

But I've ordered a complete grounding of air training.

It was considered necessary.

- On whose authority? - Mine.

I suggest you cancel the order.

You might as well close the file.

I'm not risking another man.

Mr Megan is making the drop himself.

- He's what? - That's right.

Your grounding order stays, I make the jump.

That doesn't alter anything, I can't permit it.

It started in the air.

Maybe that's where we'll find our answer.

- And if we don't? - It's a chance we've got to take.

I haven't time to convince you, I've got things to do.

I'll be ready at three.

Well, keep me informed.

Good bye.

Like oil and water.

You're making a big mistake to go through with this, you know.

Idiotic.

Of course it is, but in the absence of any other ideas,

as Bob said, we have no choice.

You know where I am if you want me.

Oh, Doctor, I'd like your advice.

Oh...

That's an unusual study.

These were taken at night with infrared film.

Hmm, remarkably clear.

If I said to you, at the time these were taken, Bob was with a girl,

as close as I am to you now, but that she didn't register,

what would you say?

- That you need some more lessons. - Yeah, but if she was there?

I'm a scientist,

but if it happened as you say and you hadn't been drinking...

Not a drop.

Well, then, it's obvious.

You photographed a ghost.

What else?

Sooner you than me.

Are you suddenly tired of living?

Get it all for the same price, Jim.

Yeah, but nothing in the deal said you've got to get yourself killed.

I don't intend to, I can assure you.

I don't admire recklessness as a rule, but I wish you luck.

- Thanks. - You're suit's been thoroughly checked.

Julie insisted on doing it herself.

Thank you.

All part of the service.

I'm glad it was you.

Take care of that suit, there's only two more like it.

I'll see it doesn't get creased.

- Let's hope it takes good care of you. - Against what, Doctor?

- Who knows? - Not things from outer space?

They might appreciate a welcoming committee, meeting them sort of halfway.

Perhaps.

- Well, good luck again. - Thank you.

I look forward to seeing you later.

- I'll take these. See you on the field. - Yeah, sure.

What, you too?

Asking for trouble.

Where's the risk?

You measured the radiation yourself.

The charge would have to be a thousand times stronger to penetrate this.

Far too much we don't know.

Yeah, you're right. Too much.

Ahem!

Mr Megan, sorry to disturb you, sir,

there's someone to see you at the gate. She said it was urgent.

- A she? - Oh, yes, sir, definitely a she.

Blonde, about five foot five, 112 pounds, I'd say.

- Definitely a she. - I've got the picture.

- All right, I'll be with you. - Sir.

- See you later. - Be careful.

I will.

What are you doing here?

You're still not angry with me, are you?

Yes, I am.

But I'm glad you came.

Why?

We can't talk here.

You're going to do something dangerous, aren't you?

- A little, maybe. - Whatever it is, don't do it.

- I've got to do this. - No. Please.

Do you really care?

Of course I do.

Mr Megan.

- Yeah? - You're wanted, sir.

- All right, I'm coming. - Isn't there anything I can do to stop you?

There's nothing to worry about.

Can I see you tonight?

- You won't be there. - Mr Megan!

I'll be there.

Nine o'clock.

Your beach.

Lorna...

Do you want this?

Good luck.

- This is something for you. - Oh?

Where's Jim?

Rapide Master to Control Tower. Approaching field.

Control Tower to Rapide Master. Your height, please.

Rapide Master to Control Tower.

11,000 feet.

Rapide Master to Control Tower.

Ready to jump in ten seconds.

The field is clear.

Now!

Pull the cord, man! Pull it!

- How is he? - Still out, but all right, I think.

He's sleeping.

It's for you, General Armstrong.

I wonder if he learned anything.

- What's the matter? - Jim is dead.

What did he say about Jim?

He's dead.

- Jim's what? - You must lie still.

- No! - John, help me!

- I've got to get up! - You want to get back, sir.

Unless you want to be court-martialled, let me up.

- You can't have a lower rank than I have. - Call him off, Julie.

Please, I've got to get up!

Julie?

- What happened to me? - You passed out.

Oh.

Where's Matthews?

He hasn't been seen for hours.

- Give me my jacket and shoes. - Yes, sir.

Let's get out of here.

- I sure could use a cup of coffee. - Can you get some, John?

- For two? - Yes, please.

- Sure you'll be all right? - Yes, thank you.

Wish I could remember what happened.

Bob, don't worry about it now, please.

No, I've got to remember.

- What's that doing there? - Look.

But that's impossible!

Where did you get it, Bob?

Someone I know.

Who?

Look, you've got to tell me!

I can't.

At least not yet.

But they may be in danger!

I need a little time.

Trust me, Julie.

At least until tonight.

I've gotta find Matthews.

Do you know his number?

I tried before, but there was no answer.

- Do you know where he lives? - In the village. Why?

Go there. If you find him, leave a message at my hotel.

What are you going to do?

There's something I've got to find out.

- Well, I'll call you later. - Yeah.

Hey, I thought you wanted coffee.

The service in this hotel is terrible!

If you knew the trouble I've had getting this!

Hello?

Yes, this is General Armstrong.

Oh, you've got him?

Good. Well, put him on.

They've found Dr Davies.

Hello?

Hello!

Hello?

Hello?

Dr Matthews?

Dr Matthews!

Bob!

I told you it was nothing to worry about.

- Yes, you did. - I said I'd be here.

You weren't hurt?

Only my pride.

I passed out, didn't wake up for hours.

- Are you sure you're all right? - Uh-huh, positive.

- That was some feeling you had. - Hmm?

About my being in danger.

Oh, I was just being silly.

Who told you about the jump?

I don't know, I must've heard it from someone.

Who?

No one knew outside the camp.

I can't remember.

Now, someone must've told you.

Who was it?

Hello? Yes? All right, put him on.

- Davies? - Please, tell me what's going on here!

This is General Armstrong.

I don't care who you are!

I've been dragged in here like some criminal without any reason.

It's intolerable!

- It was an emergency. - I promise you, it had better be!

You prepared a report on the parachutes that were brought in.

- I did? - The report contains your signature.

- Then it was forged! - Forged!

Yes, Dr Matthews instructed me to leave it, he said he'd deal with it himself.

- Are you sure? - Of course I'm sure. Ask him.

Yes, I will. I'm sorry you were inconvenienced.

I should think so, too!

You'll hear more about this!

Hello, sir.

Do we release him?

- No, hold him till we signal. - Yes, sir.

Come on.

What's the matter?

You dropped this.

Thank you.

I missed it.

Where do you come from, Lorna?

Tell me.

I've got to know.

No!

- You've got to tell me! - No, I can't!

Bob, you're hurting me!

I'm sorry.

Don't be angry with me.

Julie!

He's dead, I'm afraid.

Don't move.

I have a gun pointed at Miss Slade.

If you come closer, she'll die.

- Oh, Bob! - Julie.

That's better.

I warn you, whatever you do can't harm me, only yourself.

Who are you?

Don't you know?

Should I?

We've met.

I'll come closer.

My name is Marthus. I am from the planet Mygon.

This is all mad.

Trust your eyes, Dr Slade.

Matthews has been dead for some time.

Things from outer space.

- So you've taken our men. - Yes.

Where are they?

They're safe enough.

- Where? - Mr Megan, they are safe.

- As safe as Dr Matthews? - That was different.

It was an emergency, I had to take his form.

You murdered him.

Why?

The situation on our planet is desperate.

A plague has almost wiped out our population.

If it was help you wanted, why didn't you make contact with us?

We tried.

We couldn't penetrate your scepticism.

I had to establish a base immediately.

- For what purpose? - To select the men we need.

Why those particular men?

They've been conditioned.

They'll find it easier to adapt to our atmosphere.

What do you intend doing with us?

I have to kill you.

Marthus, why can't we take them with us?

You know why.

- Lorna? - Yes, Bob, it's me.

- Where are you? - I'm here.

- Where? - Does it matter?

- Yes, of course it matters. - I don't want them hurt.

Don't be childish.

Lorna's acquired a taste for sentiment since she met you.

- Even talks about love. - Marthus, be careful.

That's why these people are backward.

They're all heart, no brain.

- Let them go. - Out of the question.

- But they can't do us any harm. - They can't now,

but they could make it difficult for us when we come back.

We've already gone too far.

Please, Marthus. I don't want to be part of any more killing.

- Run, Julie! - Stop!

Come on, man, can't you go any faster?

Is he dead?

No, but he can't do any harm now.

Is this the way we must talk?

Lorna? Are you there?

Why didn't you tell me?

Would you have believed me?

No.

What do you do now?

Go home. What else?

- You can't go home. - I have to.

What about our men?

Lorna, they'll be prisoners, taken away from their homes and families.

They may work for you, but never with you.

How much time do you have left?

10, 20 years, that's all.

Let the men go; if you have to, go back to Mygon.

Give me a year and I'll organise an expedition of volunteers.

- Could you? - Let me try.

They're in there.

What the hell...

Are they all right?

They will be.

How long will it take?

About an hour.

When will you go?

I have to leave now.

Now?

Yes.

Come on.

Time to say goodbye.

Here?

Look.

Must you go?

Yes.

We'll meet.

I hope so.

It's fan... tastic.

- Bob? - I'm in here.

Good God!

- You all right? - Yeah, sure.

I suppose this can all be explained?

Yes. In a way, it's all quite simple really.

Oh.

I tell you something, Bill,

I'd give a good deal to be around when Hindesmith tells this to the Minister.

Yes, Minister, I quite understand.

Yes, but, you see, that's exactly how it was reported.

Yes, I know it's preposterous.

Someone's trying to make a fool out of the Ministry.

Yes, sir, I'll tell them.

Did you get that, General?

Every word.

- Lose the file. - Lose the file.

The incident never occurred.

Never occurred.

- I expect I'll see you sometime. - No doubt.

Cheerio, then, General.

Ah, Miss Williams.

Thank you.

I think we're going to get on very well indeed.

Did you get that, Bill?

The incident is closed.

Well, for us, maybe, but for Bob and Julie...

It's just started.