Original subtitles

(Pilot) 'Liftoff complete. Onboard read-oUt is go.'

(Control) 'Roger. You are clear for EO. Out.'

(Pilot) 'LUnar Module to Control. Separation A-OK.

'This is Lunar Module to Moonbase Control.

'Have visUal contact.'

(Barry) 'Roger, LUnar Module. Have you on track for aUto Ianding.

'The LUnar ModUIe with Colonel Freeman on board is docking now.'

Hello, Gay. Shall we start?

- Hello, Nina. - Hello, Colonel.

Good.

- How are things, Joan? - Fine, sir.

- Is that yoUr report, LieUtenant? - Yes, yoU'll find everything's in order.

I'm sUre I shall. Shall we continue?

The, Um, spares situation might need reviewing.

- L'd Iike the level up 20 per cent. - FUnny you should say that.

Straker asked me to get yoUr ideas on the sUbject. He had the same idea.

- Hi, Colonel. - Hi, Lew.

What sort of times are you making on the Interceptor launches?

- AboUt 1 ?5 seconds flat. - That's pretty good.

Well, that about wraps it up for this month.

- L'II report a clean bill of health. - Fine.

(SID) 'I have a possible sighting.

'Will relay details of speed and trajectory.'

- (Buzzer) - 'l have a trace bearing.

'Zero-six-two-foUr-one-five green. Confirm sighting. Yellow alert.

'I repeat, yellow alert.'

Good lUck, Mark.

OK, let's go.

(SID) 'U FO has entered area blue six-three-foUr.

'The lnterceptors are in position, awaiting confirmation.

'Will compUte attack coordinates and missile timings

'as soon as possible.'

The next sweep should tell Us.

'Red alert. Red alert.

'Confirmed unidentified flying object.'

This is Moonbase Control. Red alert.

(AIarm)

(EIIis) 'Red alert. Interceptors, immediate launch.'

Interceptors, immediate IaUnch.

Interceptor 3. R-checks A-OK.

Interceptor 2. R-checks A-OK.

Interceptor 1 . R-checks A-OK.

Switch to radio link foUr,

onboard compUter waveband zero-six-six.

'Confirm speed zero-decimal-SOL-eight.'

Bearing?

- Three-foUr-two-zero-four-seven. - That's it, don't Iose it.

Base to lnterceptors. Have the U FO on positive track.

Speed SOL-zero-decimal-eight.

Speed SOL-zero-decimal-eight.

'Bearing three-foUr-two-zero-foUr-seven.'

(SID) 'U FO maintaining course.

'Predict Interceptors in range 51 seconds.'

Control to Leader. Get onboard computer for the aUtocoUnt.

Roger. Missile launch, five seconds.

FoUr... three.. . two...

...one. .. zero.

Have visual contact with explosion. Detonation positive.

Did they get it?

- I still have a contact, LieUtenant. - DoUble-check.

(Barry) Positive.

(SID) 'Predict U FO on collision coUrse with Interceptors.

'Impact 32 seconds.'

(EIIis) 'Interceptor 2, alter coUrse to zero-two-foUr-two-zero-one.'

'Impact 1 4 seconds.'

Interceptor 1 to Base. Repuest new course.

'1 to Base. RepUest new course!'

Control to Interceptor 3.

Alter course to zero-two-foUr-one-eight-six.

'Nine seconds.'

Interceptor 1 to Base. Repuest new course.

Control to Interceptor 1 , alter course to zero-two-foUr-two-one-eight.

It's too late, LieUtenant.

Come in, 1 . Come in, 1 .

'Impact confirmed . Interceptor 1 destroyed.'

(Straker) Why, AIec?

- YoU've read the report. - Yes.

An astronaUt killed, a U FO through the outer defences.

The report tells me what happened, I want to know why.

I don't really know.

- AIec, I know yoU better than that. - Things happened so fast.

- Meaning? - I can't be sure.

I'II settle for an edUcated guess, AIec.

The error could have been human.

A decision was taken, it could've worked. The point is, it didn't.

Right. (Sighs)

I want the two surviving astronauts and LieUtenant EIIis

back here on the next Moon flight.

Right.

Oh, er, what happened to the U FO?

We lost it in a radar blind spot.

- But one thing's certain. lt Ianded. - Landed? Where?

JUst aboUt the worst place possible.

Somewhere in an area of 50,000 spUare miles in northern Canada.

Everything we got that flies is oUt Iooking for it.

Have completed grid search. Nothing to report.

(Control) 'OK, skipper. See yoU in one hour.'

No, I'm going aroUnd once again.

It'll stay light Iong enough for one more run.

It Iooks a Iong way off, doesn't it?

Might as well be at the other end of the Universe.

Uh, has anyone seen LieUtenant EIIis?

- She's in Central Park. - Thanks.

There's a Iucky one who'll be back on terra firma tomorrow.

If by terra firma yoU mean Straker's carpet,

rather them than me.

Gay, we all took the same chance.

Ken was unlucky. These things happen. Nobody's to blame.

Don't give me that crUd, Masden. Find it!

If you need more aircraft, appropriate them .

Yes. Yes, l'm giving you the aUthority.

Yes. Right. Right.

(Buzzer)

- What now? - 'The Moonbase personnel are here, sir.'

Send them in.

- Now, Iook, Alec--- - I know, l know.

- YoU want that U FO Iocated. - Yes.

Bradley, Waterman, LieUtenant EIIis...

I assume you know why yoU are here?

I'd Iike to say something, sir.

As Interceptor Ieader,

I want to accept complete and sole responsibility for what happened.

Very gallant.

Yes, that's a very brave gesture.

BUt out of Iine.

I know what happened, now I want to know why.

You people were selected becaUse of yoUr oUtstanding character,

as well as intellect.

What went wrong?

Anything from those satellite shots?

- No, sir. - Well, keep Iooking.

It's got to be there somewhere.

'Have relocated UFO in area blue.'

(Buzzer)

- Straker. - (Freeman) 'We've picked it up.'

Great. I'II be right there.

Thank you, Greenland.

- Where is it? - Crossing the Atlantic seaboard.

Speed and altitUde are way down. The Interceptors mUst've damaged it.

- Right. Alert Sky One. - Right, sir.

(Buzzer)

'SHADO HQ, Skipper. They've located the UFO.'

Be right there!

I've got the U FO's Iatest fix. If we steer zero-foUr-two we intercept in 1 6 minUtes.

Right. Alter course to zero-four-two. Give her everything she's got!

Maximum speed.

(Inaudible)

LieUtenant EIIis, Waterman,

I'd Iike you to begin the compUter test while I interview Bradley.

Right.

- Cigarette? - Thank you.

NervoUs?

No.

There's no need to be. This is all quite confidential. PIease sit.

There.

Before we start, I'd Iike to get one thing straight.

I've no liking for yoU blacks.

Have you ever heard that phrase or something similar on Moonbase?

No, never.

You didn't seem surprised when I said it.

I assumed yoU didn't mean it.

Good. Good.

This time we'll get it.

Range 600 miles, sir.

Closing.

- Launch stations. - LaUnch stations!

- Liftoff stations. - Yes, sir. Good lUck.

Right. Stand by for Iiftoff.

Levelling off at 1 0,000.

Roger. Sky One airborne, sir.

Thanks.

Word association. Ready?

- Father. - Mother.

- Hot. - Cold .

- Geometry. - Variable.

Yes, of coUrse. YoU were a pilot before becoming an astronaut.

- Apple. - Teacher.

- Sun. - Moon.

- Tree. - Pine.

- Hate. - Love.

Love.

'This is SHADO Control.

'U FO 46 miles from your present position.'

Thanks, Control. I have it on the scope.

Have visual contact. CIosing for attack.

Sky One reports a hit but U FO has tUrned and is still airborne.

Signal all radar stations.

Tell the commanders if they lose it this time, they'II answer to me.

Get some rest, Alec. YoU Iook tired.

(Ford) SHADO Control to all radar tracking stations.

U FO has been hit, but is still airborne.

- Did he say anything else? - No, just that I'd been cleared

and l'm on the next flight back to the Moon.

And Us?

(Waterman) He's the one who needs Iooking at.

(Intercom) 'Don't worry, he can't hear in that glass case he calls an office.'

Tell me something. Does SHADO have anyone checking him out?

(Bradley) lf they did , it would probably be a computer.

LieUtenant EIIis, will you come in, please?

Please sit down.

- Coming down, sir. - Great.

When it Iands, let me know its exact position.

OK.

Oh, have a seat, AIec.

- I don't believe it. - Hmm?

- Oh, that's for you. - Thanks.

Well, the U FO has Ianded, but this time, we know where.

Exact position?

Close enough to Lexfield Air Base, Canada, for you to be there by first Iight.

- Fine. - I want them , Alec.

I want them alive.

I'II do what I can.

You'II be the Field Commander. I'II monitor the operation from here.

Central Control will give yoU all the details,

but the Transporter will be Ioaded and ready for takeoff at 21 :00 hours.

- Fine. - Oh, one more thing, AIec.

Dr Shroeder has finished with the Moonbase personnel.

His report is pUite clear. I'd like you to handle that, too.

- L'II do it before l Ieave. - This is the way I want it done.

- (Shroeder) 'Mahogany.' - 'Table.'

- 'Grass.' - 'Green.'

- 'Laugh.' - 'Cry.'

This is an interesting reaction. Watch this carefully.

- 'Sunrise.' - 'Morning.'

'BIack.'

'BIack.'

'Bird. Blackbird.'

'BIackbird. Ah, yes, yes. Good.'

A 2.04 second delay. You could see her mind racing.

She was conscioUsly avoiding giving the standard answer - white.

Look at the stress factor at that point, five times normal.

And yoUr conclUsions are based on that?

They're based on eight hoUrs of exhaUstive tests,

20 years of experience and the computer's conclUsion.

That example was one that even a layman might Understand.

I'II leave yoU to it.

Come in, come in.

Sit down.

I won't waste time with the details of this report

because yoU'll be given copies of it.

BUt I'd Iike to read yoU its conclusions.

"One. Taking into account the circUmstances at the time of detonation,

"it was clearly the duty of LieUtenant EIIis

"to decide the type of evasive action to be taken.

"On that count, LieUtenant EIIis is cleared,

"provided the decision was in no way inflUenced by emotional factors."

"Point two. The three personnel concerned

"took standard psychiatric and psychocomputer tests

"with the following results.

"AstronaUt Lew Waterman, clear on all coUnts.

"AstronaUt Mark Bradley, emotion count .46 paranormal,

"clear on other coUnts.

"Lieutenant EIIis, stress factor 1 .26 paranormal.

"Emotion coUnt .35 paranormal, clear on other coUnts.

"Three. These resUIts are attribUted to an emotional attachment

"between Lieutenant Ellis and astronaUt Bradley."

It ends with a confidential recommendation as to what action should be taken.

We'II just have to hope this thing sorts itself oUt.

Meantime Straker's given you separate postings. Bradley,

- you'II report to Moonbase. - And me, sir?

SHADO Headquarters, Earth.

Everything's OK with the Air Force, you'Il get their fUIIest cooperation.

- L'II be on my way. - Oh, AIec...

- Who are yoU taking? - Does it matter?

No, except that l hadn't seen the Iist of personnel.

It includes Mark Bradley and Lieutenant Ellis.

Your decision?

My decision. WithoUt the aid of a computer.

They'II be back inside three days to take Up their new postings.

The Transporter's just landed at Lexfield, Canada, sir.

Fine, fine.

(Freeman) 'SHADO Mobiles 1 , ? and 3, proceed to search the area.

'This is Control. In position on airtield perimeter.'

The other Mobiles are on their way, sir.

Good.

SHADO Mobile 1 to Control. In position.

- Roger, 1 . - No visual contact.

- 'SHADO Mobile ? in position.' - 'SHADO Mobile 3 in position.'

- AII three Mobiles in position, sir. - Good.

- Send one in. - Which one, sir?

The one in the best position. Standard procedure.

Control to SHADO Mobile 3.

- 'CIose in for final assault.' - Roger, Control.

They should be able to see it any second .

There it is!

- Have visUal, 300 yards ahead . - Any sign of movement?

No, nothing. We're going in closer.

(Freeman) 'Right. Take it easy.'

- SHADO Mobile 3 Under attack. - Head back to the ridge.

We're still under fire. They seem to be using some sort of---

SM 3, can you hear me? Come in, SM 3.

Radio and tracking link negative. They must've been hit.

Send the next one in.

I know the risk. Send it in.

This is Control to SHADO Mobile 1 . CIose in on UFO.

(Bradley) 'Roger.'

This is Colonel Freeman. We must assUme SM 3 is non-operational.

'Stop jUst below the top of the ridge and proceed on foot.'

- l repeat, proceed on foot. - (Bradley) 'Understood.'

OK, let's go.

Roger.

BackUp forces in position and standing by, sir.

OK, fan oUt.

(Twig snaps, bird twitters)

250 yards from U FO. Closing in.

They're closing in, sir.

(Bradley) Take cover!

(GUnfire)

Keep down!

Look out!

(Officer) The U FO, sir!

(Bradley) Get down!

- Hello, Mark. - Hi.

Quite a day.

Yes, they're flying the alien back to HO now.

- YoU all right? - I'm fine.

Mark, there's something I must tell you.

After Mobile 3 was hit, Freeman told me to send another one in.

Mobile ? was in a better position.

It's OK. l was glad of the action.

Don't yoU Understand what I'm saying?

I risked your life to prove a point.

You did it to prove that Straker and the computers were wrong.

Well?

Much the same situation we've experienced before.

The alien was breathing a liquid containing a bio-acrophylic compound,

imparting the usUal green tint to the face and neck.

The hair was Unaffected , and the eyes have protective shells.

We've reverted the respiration to normal atmosphere.

- SuccessfUIIy? - Five hours is not enoUgh to tell.

It's Iong enoUgh to tell us that we're dealing with a young alien.

Past experience has shown that once they breathe oUr atmosphere,

they deteriorate to their true age.

I want to see if I can get anything out of him. How soon can he be ready?

We're crossing new physiological frontiers. How can I say?

Well, I...

I suppose he's as ready now as he'll ever be.

Right, Doctor.

(Straker) Now, he appears to be humanoid and highly intelligent.

The biosensor tells Us his eyes and ears are in excellent condition.

CompUter reports indicate he's in perfect health.

There mUst be some way we can commUnicate.

(Doctor) YoU've been interrogating him for 43 minutes. How mUch Ionger?

Why?

We mUst remove the compound from his hair to assist oxygen absorption.

All right, all right.

Now, Iet's go over it once again.

The answers are needed to certain questions.

I'm asking yoU to cooperate.

It's no good, AIec. He either can't or doesn't want to Understand .

There's no alternative. l'II try one of the new anodynes to

break down his resistance.

Which do yoU recommend, Doctor?

Well, GL-7 is the most effective in my experience bUt...

- bUt in this case. . . - Well?

I can't guarantee the result. It could be dangeroUs.

- How dangerous? - Who knows?

BUt the decision and the responsibility mUst be yours.

Well, yoUr reactions are all right, yoU heard that clearly enough.

All right, Doctor.

Now, the drUg will lower your resistance,

it's no use fighting it.

You mUst help Us. YoU must cooperate.

(Freeman) Pulse rate increasing.

Still increasing. (Rapid beeping)

(Screaming)

- (Screaming continues) - (Doctor) Hold him . Hold him down!

(Door opening)

- Drink, Alec? - No, thanks.

I'd. .. Iike yoU to accept this.

We've worked together a long time, Alec.

- Maybe too long. - Can't we talk about it?

There's not mUch to say. It's a difference in temperament.

You think I wanted him to die? It was a calcUIated risk.

It's not only that.

You make all yoUr decisions based on cold Iogic. Computer predictions.

1 064. I wonder what it's going to be Iike in ?0 years' time.

Will the compUters take over completely?

Why don't you ask them? They seem to have all the answers, even now.

We build them, program them...

and they tell us what we're going to think before we know ourselves.

You'd better make that phone call.

I'II sleep on it. (Phone buzzes)

Straker.

It's for yoU , Alec.

Freeman.

Well, when did you find this out?

Well, yoU know what it means, don't you?

Right. No, no. No, Ieave that with me.

Yeah. Bye.

- Mark Bradley. - Important?

He thinks it is.

Well, it looks Iike you were right.

You and yoUr compUters.

(Scoffs)

Oh, by the way, AIec.

Er, woUId yoU tell Lieutenant Ellis and astronaUt Bradley

they're to return to Moonbase immediately and assUme their normal dUties?

- The report didn't recommend that. - Not the first report, no.

BUt this report analysed the flight paths,

and it shows that, had normal procedUre been followed,

we woUId have lost all three lnterceptors.

You mean her decision wasn't influenced by emotion?

You tell me.

See yoU .