Original subtitles

- OK? - All clear.

- Launch stations. - Launch stations!

(Alarm beeping)

Good luck, Colonel.

Liftoff minus ten.

Sky One to Skydiver Control, airborne.

'Roger, Sky One.'

Replacement Sky One approaching rendezvous.

'Roger, Sky One. Have begun docking procedure.

You've got a great crew there, Captain.

It's been a privilege working with you these past weeks.

We've enjoyed your company, sir. Have a good furlough.'

Don't worry, I really plan to let my hair down.

"Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner

"But he knew it couldn't last.

"Jojo left his home in Tucson, Arizona

"For some California grass

"Get back

"Get back

"Get back

"Get back

"Get back to where you once belonged

"Get back, Jojo

"Get back

"Get back

"Get back to where you once belonged

"Get back..."

Paul!

- Excuse me just a minute. - Yeah, OK.

- I'm so glad you could make it! - Hi, Sylvia.

- A bit late for introductions. - I've got some catching up to do.

Let's start with a drink.

- What do you like? - Scotch.

(Woman) Good night, Sylvia, Paul.

- Good night. - I'll walk you to the door.

Fix yourself a drink.

(Man) Good night, Sylvia. Thanks for the lovely party.

Is this What you're looking for?

It's a great party.

Looks like it.

What's the time?

4:30.

D'you know, I've got to be up around seven tomorrow.

Hmm. You poor little thing.

(Sighs)

4:30...

5:30...

6:30...

Oh...

Do you know what you need?

An alarm clock.

- Here's your coffee, Keith. - That's just what I needed.

Good morning, sir.

(Ellis) Mombasa to Control - sighting.

'Area red zero-four-two one-eight-four.'

- 'How does it look?' - Awaiting confirmation.

(Alarm clock ringing)

Hi.

Hello.

Franklin.

Joe Franklin.

Missile technician.

Don't tell me - it's, er... Ford?

Fraser?

Foster? Paul Foster.

Chuckles) Glad to meet you, Colonel.

I knew it had to begin with F.

These, er, poops are going through the entire alphabet.

Everything from Aaron to Zazinsky.

Yeah, I hear everybody in SHADO has to go through it.

- Right. - (Bell)

(PA) 'Colonel Paul Foster, report to room 17 on the first roor.'

I think you're... you're first in line, sir.

You're, er, FO. I'm FR.

See you in the fun palace.

(SID) 'UFO 428. Speed: one and a half million miles per second.

Bearing: positive. Course: zero-one-seven-two-three-four red.'

Confirmed. UFO on positive track.

Red alert.

Interceptors, immediate launch. Interceptors, immediate launch.

Moonbase to Control, we have a positive sighting.

- Get the trajectory termination ASAP. - Yes. sir.

Have you ever contracted scarlet fever, mumps, measles, whooping cough...

- German measles, chickenpox? - Yes.

Yes?

- I had measles. - Oh. How old were you?

- Four.

Or was it five?

(Upbeat Hammond organ soul)

(Inaudible)

(Music stops)

Getting plenty of sleep, Colonel?

Oh, yes. Most of the time.

After two weeks here you'll feel on top of the world.

(Breathing heavily)

It could be better, Foster.

Keep it up, Rowan.

We'll soon get rid of that, won't we, Franklin?

Course?

Zero-one-seven, three-four-eight, one-zero-one.

- Speed? - SOL zero-decimal-five, reducing.

Program computers for missile firing sequence.

'One-eight-three-seven, zero-two-four.'

Program complete. Missile firing one-eight-decimal-four.

(Grunting)

(Groaning)

- Great place. - A giggle a nanosecond.

I can't wait to leave.

(Sighs)

Some workout.

Yeah.

And this is only the first day.

Come on, gentlemen, one of you into the bath.

Oh... That's just what I could do with.

And I'm first - 0 before R.

You reckon you're ready for this?

It's a sauna bath.

(Ticking)

(Upbeat soul)

(Music stops)

- (Buzzer) - Moonbase for you, sir.

Go ahead, Lieutenant.

We have the UFO termination fix.

'Southern England, grid reference four-seven-zero-six.'

Yes, ground radar gave us the same information.

'How badly was it damaged?'

Interceptors scored a probable hit but the UFO maintained its course.

Lieutenant, maintain Moonbase on full red alert.

If that UFO breaks cover and lifts off, I want it destroyed.

- Keep me informed. - 'Roger and out.'

- Are the mobiles moving in? - Yes, sir.

Nothing of real significance here, Alec.

The research centre is less than 15 miles away.

Aliens wouldn't travel a billion miles to visit a glorified health farm,

- even if it is run by SHADO. - Didn't Foster check in there this morning?

- Colonel Foster. - Yes.

- Get me Dr Fraser at that research centre. - Yes. sir.

Radio contact negative, sir.

- Well, keep trying. - Yes, sir.

- Better get over there. Alec. Fast. - Rum,

We've just landed. I couldn't see any activity around the house.

Alec, the men from the mobiles have the place surrounded.

'Hold them back, I'll move in with the helicopter crew.

'There's less chance of being spotted. Out.'

OK. Let's go.

You wait here.

Come with me. You wait there!

- Are you certain? - 'We've searched the centre.

'Everyone's dead and there's no trace of Foster.'

There's only one answer, Alec.

He's been taken...

by the aliens.

Steer one-two-eight, maintain present speed.

One-two-eight it is, sir.

(Ford) 'Control to Skydiver. I have Commander Straker for you.'

- Waterman here, sir. - 'Captain Waterman,

'I have some news... It concerns Colonel Foster.

'I'm afraid we must assume that he is in the hands of the aliens.

- Did you read me. Captain? - Yes.

Sir, what happened?

'The research centre was attacked. Colonel Foster is missing.

'That UFO is still in the area. Maintain Sky One on full red alert,

- 'ready for an interception.' - Yes, sir.

How can a thing like this happen?

We work on the assumption that Colonel Foster is alive. OK?

This is supposed to be an operational alert. Let's get to it.

(Man) Maximum speed! Seal all water locks! Dock checks A through G.

Control to Skydiver, remain on standby for emergency launch.

Well? What are his chances?

- Oh, come on, Alec... - Just tell me what you have in mind.

When that UFO lifts off the ground radar should fix its position.

- And? - We destroy it.

Knowing that Paul Foster is almost certainly aboard?

That's right.

You'd just better hope I'm never in a position to press the button on you.

How do you know he's even still alive?!

Look, Paul Foster's a highly trained, dedicated, courageous officer.

But he knows the entire SHADO setup.

Yes, he's trained to resist interrogation, but

what gentle means of persuasion will they use?

No, Alec, if we destroy that UFO

Paul Foster loses his life, quick and clean.

If we don't get it... God knows what will happen to him.

- (Buzzer) - Commander, we have a radar trace!

Do we have a fix?

Computer triangulates reference one-two-four zero-four-eight.

Speed?

- 800 knots, accelerating. - That must be it.

Where is Skydiver?

- Here, sir. - Compute.

Roger.

Looks like we could intercept around here.

Where's that readout?

Hmm. It looks good.

- Signal Sky One. Immediate launch. - Yes. sir.

Launch stations.

- (Alarm beeping) - Check boosters 1, 2 and 3!

Clear one!

'One and two clear.'

Liftoff stations.

Liftoff minus five, four,

three, two,

one, zero.

Sky One to Control, airborne.

We have you on positive track, Sky One.

Set on board computer for interception course.

Check the UFO's airspeed.

Yes, sir.

- 1,500 knots. - What's its rate of climb?

Ten-decimal-four MPM.

Maybe it's more damaged than we thought.

Let's hope so.

I have it on radar.

Range, 29 miles, closing.

He must get it. It's a sitting duck.

Have visual contact. Setting missile firing sequence.

(Foster's voice) 'You've got a great crew there, Captain.'

'It's been a privilege working with you these past weeks.'

Missile launch, minus ten seconds.

Five, four...

three, two...

...zero.

How the blazes did he miss it?!

- Get me Lieutenant Ellis! - Sir.

Excellent visibility. Positive radar tracking.

Positive infrared homing signal. If I thought that Captain Waterman...

Had any emotion for a man he's been serving with the past two months?

Moonbase for you, sir.

Lieutenant Ellis, what are the chances of interception by Moonbase?

'None, sir. UFO's leaving earth on an antilunar trajectory.'

Beyond your range. Well, keep tracking it and report any change.

'Roger and out.'

- Prepare to receive the Captain. - Yes. sir.

Open bulkhead.

Range, 26 million, receding.

Lieutenant?

It can't be.

Check it, and tell Control.

Just how long is this going to take? Is it or isn't it?

It's pretty complex, sir. Times, courses, trajectories,

the interplay of G-forces.

(SID) 'Result sequence: trajectory zero-four-two-three-two-six cyclic.

'Lunar G variable, seven over five-decimal-four.

'Computer predicted power loss: seventy per cent.

'Orbit fading. Zero-decimal-four GRT.

'Predict impact lunar grid reference B-one-eight-two.'

Moonbase to Control. Positive.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

So the UFO's headed for the Moon.

Yes, it hasn't the power to escape the lunar G-force.

It must have been damaged.

You were asking about Foster's chances of survival.

They've just improved. They must be down to a million to one.

UFO still maintaining its trajectory.

'Good. As long as it's heading for the Moon, do nothing.

'But if it manages to develop enough power to escape, destroy it.'

The astronauts are in position. They can be spaceborne in seconds.

- 'Fine. Keep me informed, Lieutenant.' - Roger and out.

Do we have a closer fix on where it's gonna land?

Yes, er... grid reference one-eight-two zero-eight-four.

Hmm.

That's about 40 kilometres.

I'm going out there.

- Tell Moon Mobile 1 to stand by. - Yes, Lieutenant.

We'll be there in eight minutes.

- Keep me informed of the UFO's progress. - 'Yes, Lieutenant.'

- We're in position. - 'Area confirmed. Two minutes to impact.'

60 seconds.

'50.'

40.

'30.

'20.'

There it is.

- It's gonna crash. - 'Ten, nine,

'eight, seven,

'six, five,

'four, three,

'two, one...'

(Inaudible)

- Would you ask Jackson to come In? - Yes, slr.'

Well, what's the situation?

(Polish accent) I've just spoken with Moonbase. It's a very difficult situation.

Colonel Foster's general physical condition is satisfactory,

considering what he's just been through.

But he's in an alien spacesuit - he's breathing liquid.

We can transfer him to normal breathing.

- Huh..l - Come on. now. you've done It before.

Yes - with aliens, Alec.

And none have survived more than a few hours.

It's an extremely hazardous operation.

We've by no means perfected the technique.

There's another difficulty.

Here at SHADO headquarters we've every facility.

On Moonbase the equipment is naturally more crude.

Well, I'll be monitoring the operation by videolink.

If you'll excuse me.

You'll have to help me with the helmet.

(Inaudible)

Listen, Alec, Paul Foster's in top physical shape.

He's an expert skin-diver, used to underwater pressure.

You think that background may help?

Well, I'm no doctor, but it must be an advantage.

You could be right - strong lungs, good respiratory system.

Sure.

He'll pull through.

Come on.

We're all set here, sir.

'Right. Now, listen carefully.

'As I see it,

'the main problem will be panic when the helmet is removed.

'Colonel Foster has been breathing liquid for some hours now.'

Drugs will have been used to help his lungs adapt.

Now, when we attempt to reverse to normal,

the physical experience will be similar to drowning.

'Unless this moment is carefully controlled,

'he could go into convulsions and possibly choke.'

Let the Colonel know the situation.

If you can hear me, nod your head.

We're going to remove your helmet.

Try and maintain your rhythm of breathing.

Whatever happens, don't panic. Do you understand?

What is that?

Two 00's of Petracol. It should help, I hope.

- 'Is the resuscitator ready?' - Yes, sir.

'All right, Lieutenant, begin.'

Take hold of him.

(Choking and coughing)

Now.

(Choking)

(Jackson) 'Hold him down - he could rupture his lungs!'

(Man) Hold him down! Stop him struggling!

(Foster choking)

(Breathing rapidly)

(Coughs)

(Breathing rapidly)

(Coughs)

(Man) Relax.

Breathe deeply.

That's it.

Nice and relaxed.

How's the breathing now?

Better.

Just take it easy.

How do you feel?

- Fine. - (Door opens)

- What happened? - You passed out for a few minutes.

- A few minutes? - Here, drink this.

Tell me, have you been burning the candle at both ends recently?

Well, there was a party last night.

A sauna can be helpful, but there's one golden rule -

never take one if you're feeling under the weather. Hm?

I should've told you.

Well, there's nothing to worry about, Colonel, you're in good shape.

You'll be in even better shape when you leave.

Tomorrow we'll get down to some real work.

Good luck.

(Singing) "Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me

"Starlight and dewdrops...“

"Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me

"Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee."

"Tra Ia-Ia la la

"La Ia-Ia Ia..."

- Who's the voice? - In the dreambox.

D rea m box?

That's Colonel Foster. He had a lulu in there yesterday.

Come on, Franklin!

If all else fails I'll remove that blubber round your middle surgically.

Gone are the cares of life's busy throng

"Beautiful dreamer, come wake unto me

"Beautiful dreamer, come wake unto me."