- Doctor Stranges, welcome to London. - Thank you very much.
As the President of the National Investigations Committee on UFOs,
could I ask you, what is an unidentified flying object?
Yes, an unidentified flying object is any object
whose behaviour violates every known law of aerodynamics.
Politicians are loath to commit themselves on the subject.
Have any leading statesmen given their opinions about UFOs?
Congressman Gerald Ford stated time and time again
that he would prefer open congressional hearings
rather than hearings behind closed doors.
But as a matter of point, the late Robert Kennedy made a statement
that not only does he believe in UFOs,
but he also believes that they come from other planets.
I see. Could I ask you, has any military expert, for example,
ever commented on United States or international involvement with UFOs?
In New York City at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel,
the late General Douglas MacArthur made an outstanding statement
that almost tumbled the foundations of the very press.
He stated, and I quote,
"War on earth is fast becoming obsolete.
"It will be replaced by war between planets.
"It would do good for every nation on earth to unite together
"to form a common front against possible attack
"by people from other planets."
Fine. Yeah.
- I'm so sorry. - My pleasure.
- Beautiful. - Very.
- And out with the boss. - You know her?
I do, but she doesn't know me.
You remember the Dalotek affair six months ago?
The Dalotek affair? I remember.
The Dalotek affair... The Dalotek affair...
- Sir? The survey. - Thank you.
- Is there anything else? - No, that's all.
Sighting at zero-one-three-five, two-four-two.
Second sighting at zero-one-four-zero, two-four-two.
Third sighting at zero-one-four-five, two-four-two.
Trajectory termination?
Preliminary readings indicate Moonbase area.
Red alert. Interceptors to be on stand-by.
Attention all defence systems, this is a maximum security alert.
Attention all defence systems.
I say again, this is a maximum security alert.
Condition red.
Three UFOs sighted -
ETT area 1-40, 60 miles from Moonbase.
There's nothing for them there. Are you quite sure?
We've checked it. We seem to be faced with a UFO attack
in force on an area of bare lava rock.
Don't try to figure them, Foster. Launch your Interceptors.
Interceptors immediate launch.
Check trajectory.
Same coordinates. Maintaining course.
Switch to on-board computer.
Roger.
The UFOs have changed course.
Hold for further instructions.
No possible error?
- They veered off. - Where are they heading?
According to the readings, back the way they came.
Interceptors, return to base.
- Did we scare them off? - It'd be the first time.
- What happened? - Anybody's guess.
Guess?! Millions of dollars' worth of equipment and you have to guess?
Sometimes, yes.
They didn't make a billion-mile space journey for nothing.
- No, sir. - We need answers, Colonel.
Is it a decoy that's failed, or a red herring that's already succeeded?
It's your job to find out.
I have a sighting. It's travelling too slowly for a UFO.
- Meteorite? - Looks like it.
Definitely a meteorite.
With an ETT in area zero-one-seven, two-one-three.
- Get me Commander Straker. - Yes, sir.
- Straker. - We're tracking a meteorite.
- A what? - A meteorite.
You videoed to tell me that?
Its ETT is almost directly on top of the Dalotek installation.
Can you contact them?
- There's the radio link. - Warn them.
Roger.
One more thing, Colonel.
If you have to bring any of them to the base, use the amnesia procedure.
Right. Contact the Dalotek unit.
- How long to impact? - Approximately three minutes.
This is Moonbase calling Dalotek unit. Come in, Dalotek.
Moonbase calling Dalotek unit. Come in, Dalotek.
The recorders are all in circuit.
We'll gather all the sub-strata material we can.
- Scanner's OK. - Good.
Get down!
Let's take a look.
I've told Foster to keep Moonbase on green alert for the next few days.
Thanks. Maybe they were after the Dalotek installation.
Don't talk to me about Dalotek. I've been avoiding their president.
- What have you got against them? - They shouldn't be allowed up there.
A private corporation has no business on the moon.
Besides, all the valuable mineral deposits were taken away long ago.
No, Dalotek is just wasting time and money.
- That's their problem. - Now it's our problem, Alec.
Statistically, that was a 50,000 to one shot.
Yeah, a meteorite that size would be.
If we've finished this session, we'd better go and check the base.
A piece of debris could have punctured the outside pressure skin.
Straker.
You're a difficult man to contact, Commander.
- It's in the nature of the job. - More security re-routings.
My name is Blake.
The president of the Dalotek Corporation.
I simply wanted to establish contact.
Thank you for your help in preparing our moon project.
Let's get one thing straight, Mr Blake.
Your moon project was approved despite my overwhelming objections.
If there's any trouble, I shall demand its immediate withdrawal.
My team will be on the moon for ten days. What can happen in that time?
My command has a complex and hazardous mission.
The presence of civilians could jeopardise our security operations
as well as normal procedures.
My team will use limited radio frequencies.
They'll take every precaution to avoid your installations.
They've been thoroughly briefed.
Then they'll be briefed again, Mr Blake.
Whatever you wish, Commander.
There'll be little contact with your base. Unless...
- What? - In an emergency, you agreed...
To render all possible assistance. Yes.
- Pressure normal on one. - Pressure normal on two.
Come in, Dalotek.
Our friendly neighbours, the military.
- Dalotek Survey Base. - Colonel Foster for you.
This is Colonel Foster. We monitored a meteorite in your area.
We saw it land. Quite large, approximately 900 kilos.
Fell 200 yards from our installations.
That agrees with our coordinates. Have you checked for puncture?
Yes, Colonel. Thanks for calling. Out.
- Any damage? - No. Everything's under control.
Good. Will you finish on schedule?
Yes, I think so. Provided those meteorites leave us alone.
Right. That's all.
I talked to Commander Straker about that military installation.
It's my impression that he's looking for trouble. Don't give him any.
Don't worry. We're keeping out of their way. Playing by the book.
Fine.
You have those Dalotek people on your back door for the next ten days.
We've had no trouble.
Just make sure they're following the agreed procedure.
Don't make it too easy for them.
What's going on?
Loss of signal. Run equipment check.
Breakdown in Moonbase video link.
Come in, SHADO Control.
Switch in the emergency link.
Emergency link negative, sir.
I can assure you, Colonel, solar activity is minimal.
You're sure?
- What else can it be? - A fault in the equipment.
The checks say no. Run a new test series.
The solar wind has disrupted communications more than once.
- It's not responsible this time. - Just run the test.
- Anything promising? - No, not yet.
- Give me seven. - Seven it is.
Nine.
- Infrared. - Infrared.
Feed out.
Thank you.
The corona would be symmetrical if there were an increase
- in the number of sunspots. - Exactly. No unusual solar activity.
But it all fitted.
Have you considered the possibility of outside interference?
- Go on. - Just an idea.
Dalotek. They're operating on limited frequencies.
They could be violating the agreement.
- Is there a way to check? - Just one.
Well, that completes this run.
- Uh-huh. - What is it? Trouble?
Why else should we receive a visit from the military?
We're operating well within the prescribed frequencies, Colonel.
- We'll check that, Miss Carson. - We're open to check at any time.
But to switch off the geo-scanner means a write-off for all our work.
There'd have to be adequate reason for so drastic a step.
More than adequate reason, Mr Tanner.
Our base radio lost total contact with earth half an hour ago.
- Maybe increased solar activity. - The solar wind?
The coronagraph check shows negative.
How about a simple radio fault? Do you check your fuses, Colonel?
We've checked everything.
Now you want to check us.
Can you think of a more logical step?
Run another communication check on Moonbase, Alec.
You ordered a continuous check 30 minutes ago.
Yes, yes.
Why don't you get some sleep?
I will. But not until that video link is back.
Well, you've examined the frequency settings, Colonel.
I think they prove that we've followed the agreement to the letter.
You haven't intentionally been operating unlimited frequencies,
but you could have used them inadvertently.
Miss Carson is in charge of the geo-scanner. She's very experienced.
I can imagine.
Colonel, exactly how many radio failures have you had?
- One so far. - That doesn't seem too serious.
For a military organisation, it could be catastrophic.
You're convinced that we're to blame?
It seemed the logical conclusion.
I'm glad we've been able to change your mind.
So am I. Except now it means I'm back at square one.
You'll have to excuse me, Colonel. I have the seismic meters to service.
I'll leave you with Miss Carson. If you have any question, ask her.
Au revoir, Colonel.
- Miss Carson, I... - Jane.
Up here, formality's a little superfluous.
Paul.
All right. Paul.
I have the impression you're not 100% certain
we're not the source of your difficulties.
I can see I'm right.
And I suppose next time there's a radio blackout,
we're going to get the blame.
No, but I shall want to make a check on the use of the scanner.
With radio failure, how can you? We're 50 kilometres away.
We'll install a land line between here and Moonbase.
Then we'll always have a direct link.
And?
Only the geo-scanner is powerful enough to disrupt communications.
If there's another blackout and it isn't transmitting...
- We're in the clear? - Yes.
But you'll have to take our word for it that we're not transmitting.
I'll take your word for it.
I don't think we're to blame, Paul.
I've been very careful. So have Mark and Phil.
We'll install the land line immediately.
I'll wait for your first call.
I must go.
- Have you seen all you want? - Yeah, I've seen about everything.
Are you satisfied?
Very.
SHADO Control to Moonbase. Do you read me?
- SHADO Control to Moonbase... - Reading you.
Strength five, voice and vision.
Immediate for Commander Straker.
- Moonbase contact re-established. - Yes, sir.
Stand by for video circuit tests.
Land line installation complete, sir.
Right.
Dalotek Base, how's reception?
Well, our own private line. I'm flattered.
Tell me, Jane, what do you do on your evenings off?
I know this marvellous little Italian restaurant not 200 miles from here.
How about dinner?
- Do they have fettuccine? - Beautiful fettuccine.
And a fat, Italian Mama, who does all her own cooking?
You've been there. I'll reserve a corner table.
- We'll sit and look at the stars. - Our only problem will be...
How the devil do we eat fettuccine through a quarter-inch space visor?
Listen, I've got a moon ship coming soon, so I'll...
I'll have to be going.
- Do we have it on positive track? - Yes, sir.
Control to Lunar Module. Switch to computer control for landing.
Roger.
- Landing is go. - Thank you. On computer...
- Do we still have them? - I'm losing them. Radio malfunction.
Control to Module. Switch to manual. Control to Mo...
This is Lunar Module. I have lost you.
Maintaining computer control for landing.
Switch to manual. We have radio blackout.
This is Lunar Module. I repeat, Lunar Module.
I have lost you.
Maintaining control for computer landing.
Complete computer shut-down.
This is Lunar Module.
This is Lunar Module, switching back to manual control.
He must have switched to manual, but I think it's too late.
Get a rescue team out there.
Dalotek Base.
Yes, Paul.
But everything was turned off except the geo-scanner
and that wasn't transmitting.
I see.
- What's wrong? - Colonel Foster's coming over.
There's been an accident at Military Base. Moon ship.
The radio blacked out and all the crew were killed.
I say you're responsible.
I understand how you feel, Colonel, but you're wrong.
I made the mistake of believing that last time.
- What do you intend to do about it? - End your operation.
- You can't mean that. - You don't have the authority.
I do mean it. And I do have the authority.
- But the project's almost completed. - I have no alternative. I'm sorry.
- Remove the circuits. - Don't touch the equipment!
Phil. I can't allow this. Those circuits are irreplaceable.
Exactly.
I'd like to speak to your commanding officer.
There isn't time, and it wouldn't matter anyway. The circuits come out.
Put them in the Moon Mobile.
You haven't heard the last of this.
Maybe. But we've heard the last of that.
- So what do we do now? - What can we do?
Carry on as best we can until we receive instructions from Blake.
In the meantime we can collect our equipment from the surface.
Fine.
Phil, you take the area we worked on yesterday.
Jane, you go with him.
I'll do the section by the new crater. OK?
- What is it? - I'm not sure that matters.
The point is, did we damage it with our blasting?
- Or was it damaged by the meteorite? - How did it get into the crater?
- Foster installed it. - When?
The crater's only been there a few days.
This is getting us nowhere. We've got to decide what to do about it.
We go outside and take a closer look.
Good idea.
The commander took the decision on the spot. I support that decision.
The Astrophysical Commission may disagree after talking to me.
That's your prerogative, Mr Blake.
Meanwhile, Dalotek does what it's told.
You'll be hearing from me.
Sighting, four-zero-two-eight.
Confirm speed zero-SOL-eight.
I've got it.
Red alert. Interceptors immediate launch.
- We've picked up a UFO. - Give me the trajectory coordinates.
Blake...
Video link...
Another blackout.
Try and re-set.
- Anything? - Nothing.
- What the blazes is going on? - We've lost them again, sir.
- And the emergency link? - We've tried it.
- Keep trying. - Sir.
SHADO Control to Moonbase, do you read me?
Nothing, sir.
Reed, we must get that tracker working.
I'll do my best. If I can find the source of the trouble.
UFO maintaining course. Interceptors...
Range, 20 million miles.
Awaiting missing timing and attack...
UFO maintaining...
Lieutenant Ford.
Will you come into the office?
That library material we were running through the other day.
- Is it still set up? - Yes, sir.
Good. There's something in the back of my mind
about one of those interviews you did back in 1969.
Something that won't quite click into place.
Which one was it, sir?
I think it was the one with Dr Stranges.
Yes. There's nothing in that one about radio blackouts,
I can assure you, sir.
Maybe. But there's something.
Re-run it.
Run the interview with Dr Stranges.
Channel it into Commander Straker's office.
Yes, sir.
In this year of 1969, man has just landed on the moon
and we're bursting with new knowledge about space.
But we have so very little on unidentified flying objects.
As the President of...
I remember all this. Let's see the second half.
Can you tell us first, what is...
Wind on.
What is the position of the United Nations regarding UFOs?
The United Nations, as a physical body,
has never gone on record as a body, as far as UFOs are concerned.
However, I spoke at the UN Outer Space Affairs Committee
- before a special delegate... - D'you want to go on, sir?
- The Secretary General... - Yes, let it run.
... told the press,
"We have a two-fold problem facing the world today.
"Number one is the Vietnam crisis
"and number two, unidentified flying objects."
Maybe it was my interview with Dr Bressinger from MIT.
No. There's just a word, a phrase.
... they're so involved in other things
they haven't seen the seriousness of the problem of UFOs.
Although it's a fact that every nation...
Let's go back.
- Where are they? - They must be working outside.
Dalotek.
Another radio failure.
Yes. Both our bases are in imminent danger. Get me Tanner.
Colonel Foster.
Hello, Colonel. We were just about to call you.
You know that installation of yours in that new crater?
What installation?
Crater 236?
If there's an installation there, Tanner, it doesn't belong to us.
- Estimated range? - Approximately two-decimal-two.
Five minutes from the last known trajectory termination.
Estimated target proximity of Moon Mobile?
One minute fifty.
Out of historical interest, how long have UFOs been sighted and recorded?
UFO history goes back to...
I don't think there's anything, sir. We checked this material carefully.
It was just a hunch.
The Romans called them...
- Hold it. - ... fiery disks and the Greeks...
Stop the tape.
- Run back a few feet. - Go back ten feet.
The Egyptians called them sky bolts or sky balls,
fireballs.
- The Romans... - Fireballs.
... fiery disks...
What's another word for fireballs, Lieutenant?
- Thunderbolt? - Or?
Meteorite.
Crater 236.
- Still no radio contact? - No.
ETA crater 236, one minute five.
Range, ten million miles.
The position is becoming only too clear, Lieutenant -
just as we hear that Moonbase is under attack from a UFO,
radio contact is lost.
Something is jamming the signal.
I believe the cause is some sort of alien device
in crater 236.
If it was sent in using an orbit,
it would make us think it was a meteorite.
Range five million miles. Bearing positive.
Do we go on without confirmation?
Our orders are to destroy the installation.
But the Dalotek base is pretty close by.
We assume Colonel Foster's thought of that.
Tanner? 90 seconds.
I'm confirming we're going to detonate in crater 236.
Be prepared for an explosive decompression. Good luck.
All right. Get your helmets on.
- I say Foster's up to something. - We've got no choice.
Come on.
Interceptor leader to Moonbase.
Come in, Moonbase.
The Interceptors are in position,
awaiting timing and attack data.
Predict Interceptors will be in range in about 40 seconds.
If they haven't altered course.
- Estimated proximity of Moon Mobile? - They should be on target now, sir.
They better be.
OK. Range on target.
Range on target.
It's coming through. Trajectory eighty-three-nine, twenty-seven-four.
Interceptors, switch to computer link for course correction
and missile firing sequence.
Straker.
We've re-established contact with Moonbase, sir.
Right.
Colonel Foster, what's the position?
There was an alien device near the Dalotek base.
Yes, we assumed as much.
We have the UFO on positive track.
The Interceptors are going in to attack.
Missile launch, minus eight, decimal five.
Well done, Captain. Return to base.
How are the Dalotek personnel?
They were shaken, but they're fine now.
The Moon Mobile is bringing them back.'
Right. You'll have to use the amnesia procedure.
I'll take care of it. Out.
All this.
I see now why Commander Straker was so reluctant to have us up here.
I'd like to say, Colonel, that your position, everything you've told me,
it's a safe secret with me.
Have the amnesia shots been laid on for the Dalotek team?
We'll administer them just before take-off.
I think I'll get some rest. See you later.
- Hello, Paul. - Hi.
I wondered why they brought two coffee cups.
- How do you feel? - Fine.
- Can I get you anything? - No.
- Paul, I wanted to apologise. - For what?
All the trouble we caused you, losing that Lunar Module.
Come and sit down.
- It wasn't your fault. - There's nothing we could have done?
It would have happened anyway. It was inevitable.
We never did eat that fettuccine.
We will... But when you've forgotten about this.
Forgotten?
The amnesia shots. But there's nothing to worry about.
Thank you.
The Dalotek team stayed on for a couple more days.
- You and Jane must have got close. - Why don't you ask her?
Very funny.
How does that old song go?
"Love's more beautiful the second time around,
"just as wonderful with both feet on the ground."
Excuse me.
I don't think you know me, but my name's Foster. Paul Foster.
Now, I would say you are some kind of geologist.
May I sit down?
Why, yes. How did you know I was a geologist?