Original subtitles

PILOT (VOICEOVER): Mother to Control,

15,000 feet, climbing steadily.

Check, 15,000 feet.

Radar is scanning correctly, sir.

Mother to Control, Y-12 pilot transferring now.

Y-12 to Control--

are you reading me?

Testing.

Over.

CONTROL (VOICEOVER): Reading you loud and clear.

Switch on your instrument transmitters now.

Over.

Control, control, I'm switching on now.

Over.

Check your records.

Are you receiving signals correctly?

Motor recorder OK.

Rim director checking OK, sir.

Pilot's heartbeat steady, sir.

Air friction recorder working correctly, sir.

Electronic brain and gyros recording correctly, sir.

Preparing to drop Y-12, 45,000 feet.

Check.

Ready and awaiting your countdown.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, drop.

Y-12 to tax, I'm airborne.

Firing rocket motor.

[music playing]

He's passing the previous highest.

He's at 10,000 feet.

He's through the heat barrier.

Will you speak with him, commander?

He's near the controllability barrier.

It will be difficult for him.

Control to Y-12.

Control to Y-12, do you read me?

Y-12 to Control, reading you loud and clear.

Over.

You are approaching controllability barrier.

Steady as you go and hold on tight.

LT. DAN MILTON PRESCOTT (VOICEOVER):

Through controllability barrier, gyro

stabilizers holding steady.

He's made it.

Good.

A big achievement.

That's great.

Pilot's heartbeat steady, sir.

Pilot's pulse checking OK.

Control to Y-12, Control to Y-12, do you read me?

Over.

Y-12 to Control, all sign of G-pressure gone.

We have you at 230,000 feet.

Check?

Check.

Now, hold on, boy.

You're reaching the ionosphere.

Your motor will burn out in exactly five seconds.

Check

CONTROL (VOICEOVER): 4, 3, 2--

That's the burn-off.

He's OK.

[music playing]

Take it easy, Dan.

You're reaching maximum test height of 300,000 feet.

You're in modified atmosphere.

She's riding steady.

I feel as though I could go on.

Test your controls and prepare to turn.

Let her go, Chuck.

See what she'll do.

You think he's all right, doctor?

Heartbeat is almost normal.

But with release of pressures, judgment may

be unsound for some seconds.

Should I take over on remote control?

No, give him a few more seconds.

Dan, do you hear me?

Me?

I repeat, do you read me?

Cannot direct hatch toward stabilizers.

Steady me.

Steady me!

Electronic controls, take all stabilizers.

Aye, sir, but I can't get equalization.

Keep at it!

Listen, Dan, This is Dr. von Essen speaking.

You are weightless.

Without concentration, you cannot coordinate your senses.

Listen to me.

Tell me what to do, doc.

Tell me what to do!

First, control yourself.

Now, forget everything else and watch your left hand.

Without taking your eyes off it, put it down until it is resting

on something, no matter what.

Take your time.

Be quick, doctor.

If he hits atmosphere at this speed, he'll burn up.

DR. PAUL VON ESSEN (VOICEOVER): When

you have hold with your left hand,

do the same with your right.

Bring it slowly forward until you can grasp the stabilizer.

Watch carefully until you are steady.

Now, concentrate and you will regain control of Y-12.

You're moving outside the preset radar position.

We're going to lose you!

Can't help it!

Can't help it!

I've got control, but I can't reduce speed!

Radar Control, Y-12 gliding outside preset orbit.

Track 5 degrees west.

Tracking 5 degrees west, sir.

Not going to hold at the rate he's going.

His only chance is to balance the atmosphere

until he loses enough speed.

Radar Control, keep tracking west.

Track west, keep going!

Keep going.

Keep tracking.

Well, if we don't hear soon, we never will.

Why didn't he obey orders, stick to the test plan?

He should have.

You cannot blame your brother for this tragedy,

Commander Prescott.

For a few vital seconds, he was not himself.

I wish I could agree with you, doctor.

We do not yet understand the physiological conditions

a man may have to endure at such heights.

My brother has always been unpredictable.

He's a heck of a good pilot.

The best we ever had.

Well, he knew the limits.

Why did he disobey orders?

It was a physiological condition

clouding his judgment.

Chuck, we've progressed a long way in the development

of aviation medicine, but the conditions

we simulate in the high altitude test chamber

just aren't the real thing.

[phone ringing]

Captain Richards' office, Commander Prescott speaking.

What?

Is the pilot all right?

Where?

Say that again slowly.

Puerco, yes, yes, I know the place.

Between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Yeah, so don't let anyone near it.

We'll be right over.

They found Y-12, sir.

Badly damaged, but in one piece.

And Lieutenant Prescott, is he safe?

Yes, he's all right.

ASSISTANT (ON INTERCOM): Yes, sir?

Have Harold bring around my car on the double.

SALVAGE OFFICER (ON INTERCOM): Salvage officer speaking.

Captain Richards.

Team up the Y-12 crew.

Get them loaded and have a salvage

crew follow me to Puerco.

I'll radio directions, but get going.

Well, Commander, looks like you're losing

me another night's sleep.

Afraid so, sir.

Commander Prescott, US Navy.

Where's the plane?

Just off the road over there.

We're sure glad to see you.

We're mighty cold and hungry.

Should have been off duty a couple hours ago.

Well, thanks for sticking around.

Where's the pilot?

Oh, he's around here someplace.

The plane's just over here.

All right, thanks.

Take it easy, Clancy.

It's me, Witney.

I brought the Navy.

Ha!

What, in a land job?

Did you see it come down?

Yeah, right down in the valley.

We took a quick look and radioed into headquarters.

Where's the pilot?

The relief patrol took him into town.

Into town?

But he's OK?

Sure.

He looked like a man from Mars in that get up.

He talked sense, but he acted kind of loony.

What do you mean?

Well, I don't know.

Kind of high, I guess.

But I'll tell you one thing--

I'll send in a report to you in the morning, sir.

Fine.

Well, she's badly beaten up, but, with any luck,

the instruments might be OK.

Let's hope so.

Good evening, sir.

Boy, that pilot's the zaniest guy I ever saw.

How come?

Well, he had me take him into town for a change of clothes.

Said he had some dame to see.

Couldn't even wait for coffee.

Yeah, well, I guess I know where that'll be.

Mind if I borrow the car, skipper?

Sure.

We'll ride back with the salvage crew.

Thank you, sir.

Take it easy.

Oh, Dan, I wish you were not a test pilot.

It is so dangerous.

Honey, it's my future.

It's our future.

Who's going to forget the first man in space?

They don't forget Lindbergh or the Wright brothers.

You talk too much.

You can always shut me up.

I will.

[speaking italian]

Oh, don't talk like a macaroni.

Answer the door.

Is Lieutenant Prescott here?

Yes.

In there.

But--

Hiya, brother.

Have a drink.

What the heck's the matter with you?

You just wrecked $10 million worth of aircraft

and I find you lollygagging around here.

Why aren't you back at the base making out your report?

As a matter of fact, I was just on my way.

OK, wise guy.

Taylor.

Escort Lieutenant Prescott back to the base

and inform the duty officer that he's confined to quarters

until further notice.

Yes, sir.

Now, get up!

You can see how it is, honey.

I'll phone you as soon as I can.

You can pull all the rank you want.

You're very good at doing that.

But just remember this--

you couldn't pilot a kiddie cart across the other side

of the street.

If it weren't for guys like me, you'd be dead!

Nothing!

Why did you treat him that way?

Right now, he has no business playing house with you.

He's got a job to do and that comes first.

Not always, commander.

Dan knows what he's doing.

Does he?

I'm not so sure.

Why don't you quit riding the boy, Chuck?

He disobeyed orders.

Y-12 is a wreck and we were darn lucky to salvage

the instruments.

All right, but you've got to look at it both ways.

Just think of the progress we made.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

Yes, sir?

Simmons, take this to Commander Barrett.

Tell him I'll be there in five minutes.

Yes, sir.

I got something else here you can worry about.

I'm putting Y-13 on a four week countdown, as of tonight.

Four weeks?

Yeah, the Pentagon just came through with a priority

go ahead.

Well, we'll be really sweating blood to get this on time.

All right, then sweat blood and read your orders.

I have an Apex to fire in 30 minutes.

Look at that baby go.

Isn't she beautiful?

You're, um, released on Captain Richards' orders.

It's about time.

That's not all.

It seems that the Pentagon is so impressed with your fame

that you're to pilot Y-13.

That's great.

Bet you're not so very happy about it, are you?

I just want to be sure of one thing,

that there are no mistakes.

That you obey every instruction given to you.

Your reactions are slow up there.

That's not the answer I want.

What do you want me to say?

I want you to say that you understand

that you're the pilot, but I give the orders.

Unfortunately, I think you'd do anything for this.

Get off my back, will ya?

I'll get off your back as soon as you realize that

we're developing a piloted space plane,

and not a record-breaking hero!

All right.

As I said before, your reaction is slow up there.

Well, we'll see to it that you get

plenty of time for a checkout before the next flight.

Dr. Von Essen will give you a thorough indoctrination so that

your reactions are automatic.

Now, get your things together and get

over to Aviation Medicine.

Yes, sir.

Miss Francesca.

Yes?

What are you doing here?

I'm sorry, commander, but I'm in a hurry.

What?

Chief, what is Miss Francesca doing here?

Checking in some material with Dr. von Essen, sir.

I don't understand you, chief.

What sort of material?

She's on Dr. von Essen's staff, sir.

Aviation Medicine Department.

I wish she was working here.

I'm all for scientists in skirts.

Hmm, you and the rest of the Navy.

Come in.

Commander Prescott, congratulations.

Y-13 should be a fine project.

Well, thank you, doctor.

Sit down.

Cigarette?

No, no, thanks.

Say, doctor, do you, um--

do you have a Miss Francesca on your staff?

You do not visit us often enough at the university.

How long has she been working for you?

Some months.

She is charged with the cardiographs

and probably knows more about your brother's

heart than he does himself.

Yes, from what I've seen, I wouldn't be surprised.

She's good for him.

He's quieter, calmer, and in love.

In love?

Are you kidding?

You're too close to your projects, commander.

You do not notice people enough.

Are you sure of this?

I sure don't see it otherwise.

Well, what do you know?

What sort of an idiot does that make me?

Why in the heck didn't Dan say something?

You don't seem to have your brother's entire confidence.

No, doctor, I'm afraid I don't.

Do you wish it were any other man

than Dan who should pilot Y-13?

Well, he's not the man I'd personally pick for the job.

Why not?

I just don't think it's in his nature to stay

inside any organized pattern.

Sort of a natural characteristic

to find in a man who risks his life on new achievement.

Maybe so, but on a project such as this,

I'd prefer to have someone more reliable.

Well, he will be in my care until you

are ready for the flight.

I'll pay some attention to his psychology.

Yes, would you let the psychiatrists work

on him, doctor.

Make him understand that, even though he's up there in space

alone, he still has to obey orders.

BASE ANNOUNCER ( ON PA SYSTEM): Attention all personnel,

standby for Y-13 rocket motor testing.

Y-13 tied down.

Fueling completed.

Stand clear for test.

Stand clear for test.

[music playing]

I'd like to go over the flight plan again.

What, again?

I know it blindfolded. - I know.

Let's go over it again, huh?

OK, OK.

We blast off at 45,000 feet, crash

the heat barrier, out into the stratosphere in six seconds.

50 seconds later, I break through the chemisphere.

Then, you switch off your refrigeration plant.

Check.

But keep tracking me.

Buffeting in Y-12 was so severe I couldn't read my instruments.

Well, that and the controllability barrier.

Yeah, that's really tough.

It's as much as you can do to hold on.

You sure you can take over when you reach ionosphere?

I mean, if you want to, we can take you past rocket burn-off.

No, no, that won't be necessary.

Now that I know what to expect, I'll be ready.

BASE ANNOUNCER ( ON PA SYSTEM): Y-13 countdown,

0 minus 54 minutes.

Repeat, 0 minus 54 minutes.

Well, von Essen did a good job.

You look pretty good.

Never felt better.

I wish he was coming today, though.

I'd like to have him around.

Air Force has priority today.

BASE ANNOUNCER ( ON PA SYSTEM): Y-13 countdown,

all personnel assemble.

All personnel assemble for takeoff.

Well, good luck.

And you take it easy.

Thanks, Chuck.

But don't worry, I'll bring you back all the dope you

need for Y-14, and then some.

Come on, let's go, huh?

All right.

BASE ANNOUNCER: (ON PA SYSTEM) Six, five,

four, three, two, one, drop.

Y-13 to Control, Y-13 to Control, G-pressure gone.

I'm weightless.

Both gyros holding steady.

OK, Dan, we're with ya.

Now, check controls for atmosphere bite.

I'm checking now.

Steady her up.

That's enough!

Take it easy, Chuck.

Approaching 500,000 feet, check?

LT. DAN MILTON PRESCOTT: (VOICEOVER) Check.

You're doing fine, boy.

Now, commence your turn in 15 seconds.

Chuck, she feels like she'd go on forever.

Stop talking!

Concentrate!

580,000.

590,000.

600,000.

Your altitude is 600,000 feet.

Prepare to turn.

Dan, Y-13, Y-13, commence your turn immediately.

No, sir, I'm going to straight up.

First man into space.

Commence your turn!

Commence your turn!

Sir, we're losing contact.

Switch to remote control.

Over to remote control, sir.

Dan, are you reading me?

So long.

See ya in space.

Dan!

Dan, are you reading me?

Are you reading me?

Remote control, no response, sir.

He'll be outer atmosphere any second now.

He's still climbing.

The fool's fired his emergency boost.

This is an emergency.

Keep all radio beams open.

Instruct all radar to keep standing constantly.

Bring in everyone.

Warn all spotters.

This is an inter-continental priority.

RADAR OFFICER: (ON INTERCOM) Yes, sir.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: (ON INTERCOM) Yes, sir.

Well, he's on his own now.

The first man into space.

He'll either hit the moon or orbit

the earth the rest of his life.

Control, Control, I've done it!

250 miles!

I'm going to turn now.

This is Y-13, Y-13 calling from over 250 miles in space.

My rocket motors are burned out and my gyro stabilizers

cannot turn me at this height.

I'm going to use release mechanism to catapult myself

and the nose away from the plane.

Control, Control, are you reading me?

This is Y-13!

Control, Control, are you reading me?

This is Y-13!

Y-13 calling Control!

I've run into some meteorite dust.

Pushing ejector button now!

Wish me luck.

Yeah Yeah.

Si, si.

Kalinsky!

Yeah, yeah, sure, we'll take care of it right away.

Yes, sir?

That was some Mexican farmer called Sanchez.

He says he caught sight of a parachute floating down.

It landed just outside his farm.

I don't know, he says there's something

like a front half of a plane or something

attached to the chute.

Where's he located, sir?

Just off Route 17, about 10 miles south of Alvarado.

Look, you better get the nearest patrol car

out there right away. - Yes, sir.

Meantime, I'll call the Navy base.

It might have something do with a rocket firing.

Hello, get me the duty officer at the Navy base.

Yeah.

POLICE DISPATCH OFFICER: We got two

witnesses you want to speak to. - Yeah.

POLICE DISPATCH OFFICER: They're pretty definite about the way

it happened. - Uh-huh.

POLICE DISPATCH OFFICER: Kalinsky's

getting the reports now and he'd like you to follow up.

Yeah, OK.

Have him call me back.

Good morning, commander.

Good morning.

Glad you could make it.

I'm Wilson, Assistant Chief of State Police.

Well, thanks for phoning in, chief.

Where abouts is it?

Oh, just up there a ways, in the bushes.

Anyone hurt? Any damage?

No.

Dropped about a half a mile from the nearest farm.

Came down like a dame in a feather bed.

No, uh-- no sign of the pilot, though, huh?

Well, uh, you better come and look for yourself.

Well, what do you make of it, commander?

I don't know.

It's too early to say.

I've never seen anything like this before.

It'll have to go into the test lab.

Well, the pilot's had it, that's for certain.

Smashed canopy, you mean, huh?

Yeah, he couldn't live up there in space.

You got a minute, sir?

Why?

Could you come up and take a look at what we got up here?

There's a farm.

Are you OK?

Oh, yeah, yeah, I'm OK.

Salvage crew is right behind me.

Oh, well, look, will you have one of your men stand guard?

I've got to go into Albuquerque and make a call.

Oh, sure. I'll be here myself.

Well, thanks for your help.

Always glad to help the Navy.

What's the trouble?

Oh, it's this Mexican farmer.

He's had a lot of cattle slaughtered

for no reason I can see.

Well, let's go and see.

OK.

[music playing]

I knew this would happen.

I didn't want him to go.

Yes, I understand.

How can you understand?

To you, Dan was just a piece of machinery.

No, that's not true.

You wanted him to risk his life.

I had to put Y-13 into space and Dan as the pilot

because those were my orders.

Orders.

Tia, Dan couldn't exist unless he were risking his life.

If he weren't piloting Y-13, he'd find his own brand

of danger somewhere else.

He had to prove he was the best.

If you knew all this, why didn't you try and stop him?

I did.

I don't believe you.

I've been trying to stop him ever since we were kids.

He was always climbing the highest tree or something

further than anyone else.

Well, with Dan, it was all the way or nothing.

He wanted to be the first man into space.

And he was.

Before we lost track of him, he was higher

than any man had ever been.

Higher than any man, that's all you can think of.

I wanted him to give up flying to settle down.

If he had, do you think he'd ever been happy?

No, you're right.

But I just can't believe he's gone.

I have got to get back to the base.

Will you be all right here alone?

Alone?

Yes, I'll be all right.

Chuck, I didn't mean to blame you.

Look, I'll, um, stop by the Aviation Department tomorrow

and see you if you'd like.

Thank you.

I'd like that.

Goodbye, dear.

We're running some metallurgical tests.

It seems as if the skin was subjected

to some sort of incrustation we've never heard of.

Any idea how high he went?

Oh, in weakened gravity pull, he could go a long way.

It could be anything--

250, 350 miles.

Chutes seem OK.

There's the usual signs of scorching.

Yeah.

The automatic escape mechanism operated perfectly, too.

And his breaking chute opened just right, as soon as it

hit full atmosphere density.

But it was too late to save Dan.

Nobody could live once the canopy burst.

You'd be dead in a second.

Have a look over here.

This incrustation bears some remarkable qualities.

You see?

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

X-rays will not pass through it.

No luck here either, sir.

Thank you.

Well, this is the infrared photograph.

But the rays do not penetrate to show

us what is below the surface.

Then, here, under the ultraviolet lamp.

I can't understand it.

It's resistant to any identification or penetration

test we can do here.

We'll take a photograph anyway.

There may be some reflection we cannot observe,

though I doubt it.

Hmm.

So far, then, your tests are negative.

Well, let's hope the metallurgical report

will give us a line.

Let's hope.

Let me know as soon as you have it.

- Home? - Good night, doctor.

- Good night, Chuck. - Good night.

Good night, sir.

You know, you better get some sleep.

I will, skipper.

Thanks.

What is this stuff, doctor?

Do you think a chemical breakdown

could tell us anything?

We do not even know the primary reactor.

I sent a sample to my own laboratory.

We may find the answer more quickly.

Yeah, I, um--

I can't get him out of my mind, doctor.

I can just see him up there now in the cockpit.

He, uh, wanted you there today.

Maybe if you had been--

if only I had--

You mustn't blame yourself, Chuck.

Maybe you're right.

Look, I'll check with you first thing in the morning, huh?

[sinister music]

[wheezing and panting]

[smashing door noises]

[shattering glass]

[gulping and drinking noises]

[screaming]

Yes, I'll do that.

Thank you, sir, and goodbye.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

Hi, Chuck.

Glad you came by.

I want to talk to you.

Have you seen this, skipper?

Not the headline.

Read further down.

In the past 24 hours, death has struck in

mysterious and terrifying ways.

The type of wound inflicted is fearful and inhuman.

Yes.

Read the middle part, sir.

It talks about the slaughtered cattle.

That farm is right next door to where Y-13 fell.

I've got a call in now to Chief Wilson.

I don't get the tie-in.

[intercom buzzing]

Yeah?

ASSISTANT: (ON INTERCOM) Call for Commander Prescott, sir.

Thank you, sir.

It's Commander Prescott.

Yes, Wilson, where are you?

Alameda?

What?

Yes, well, I'll be there as soon as I can.

It's like I said, commander, about the wounds

on the Mexican's cattle.

See, look, this one's the same.

It's like a tearing jag there across the throat.

See?

Hmm.

Who or what could cause this wanton destruction?

I don't know, but it seems to like the taste of blood.

See, it looks like it's been scooped up or something.

And look here.

Look.

It takes more than human strength to do this.

Unless he had an axe.

Chief.

Yeah?

Give me your flashlight, would ya?

Sure.

Well, look there.

See on that edge of the wound there?

What?

Those little, shiny specks.

Oh, yeah, yeah, I see.

That's funny.

I never noticed those before.

What do you suppose they are?

We're going to do an autopsy.

Will you send a sample of that to a Dr. von Essen

in Aviation Medicine?

Sure.

You think they mean something?

I don't know, but I'd like take a look

at that Mexican's cattle.

OK, we'll go over as soon as we're through here.

[cattle mooing]

Well, there you are, commander.

Take a look.

There's a dozen more like it in lower pasture.

[speaking spanish]

Who would want to kill Clara?

She win many prizes at fair.

You see what I mean?

It's the same thing.

The throat ripped right open.

Hmm, looks like it kills whatever it comes near.

Yeah.

You have any idea what sort of a weapon

could cause such a gash?

Well, no, not yet.

But we're working on it.

Wait a minute.

Shine your light here.

Oh, yeah.

Those shiny specks again.

Mm-hmm.

Would you send a sample of this also over to Aviation Medicine?

Why, sure.

What are you trying to say, commander,

that something from outer space came out of that missile?

Well, I don't know, but I'd like to have them

compared with the sample we took from the nurse

at the blood bank.

OK.

You think it's going to help us find the killer?

Well, I can't say.

But let's hope we catch it before it

does any more killing.

Well, it can't escape my roadblocks forever.

But if you've got any ideas, commander,

you better let me in on them.

Oh, here, lift the head.

What is it?

Looks like a high-altitude oxygen lead.

I've got to get back to the base.

I've got a lot of work to do.

But don't worry, I'll keep in touch.

Yeah, sure.

[speaking spanish]

OK, I gotta go now.

I'll be back this way next week.

[sinister music]

Hey, don't forget to keep my side warm.

Don't worry, I won't let it get cold.

[wheezing noises]

[man screaming]

[bells ringing]

Well, hello, I'm Commander Prescott.

I'd like to see a Miss Francesca.

I'll see if she is free.

They're just finishing an altitude test.

Commander Prescott to see Miss Francesca.

I'll bring him down.

Come with me, commander.

Thank you.

Watch atmospheric density and final reactions carefully.

Only 10 seconds till normal.

Right, open the chamber.

Careful with his helmet.

Hello, Tia.

Hello, commander.

Good to see you.

How are you feeling?

All right.

I've got plenty to do.

It keeps my mind off things.

Yes, it does help, doesn't it?

I was on the way over to see about some blood tests

the police sent over this morning

and I thought I'd stick my head in and say hello.

That's very nice.

Do you want me to see if they're ready?

I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

Hello.

Are those blood tests ready for Commander Prescott?

They are?

Could you please send them down.

He's waiting for them.

Thank you.

Well, that's fast work.

We try our best.

Do you want some coffee?

Yes, I would.

Thank you.

Black?

Please.

Sugar?

No, thanks.

That's fine.

You look tired.

Well, maybe this will help.

How did you ever end up in Albuquerque?

I came with my father two years ago.

He and Dr. von Essen were very good friends.

They were at school together.

And when my father died, Dr. von Essen asked

me to stay on and help him.

What part of Italy are you from?

Turin, from the north of Italy.

Ever get homesick?

Not anymore.

You know, it's strange, the first time I met you,

I thought--

well, it just goes to show you how wrong a person can be.

Do you want some more coffee?

No, thanks.

Thank you.

Embedded in both samples are innumerable particles

of meteorite dust that show no sign of structural damage,

such as would be expected from passage through atmosphere.

A detailed analysis will be needed

before a confirmed opinion can be given.

A full report is requested on the origin of the dust.

Has this got anything to do with Dan?

I don't know.

Uh, look, Tia, I've got to get back to the base.

I'll see you again as soon as I can.

Thanks for the coffee.

Goodbye, Chuck.

We have the results from the metallurgical tests.

Hang on a second, will you, doctor.

I'd like you to take look at this.

Later, later.

Come over here.

I want to show you something.

This is a sample of our new secret alloy, of which

the fuselage of Y-13 is made.

You know the terrific heat and pressure it will stand.

Yeah.

Well, this a piece from the fuselage,

which was coated with this strange substance.

Notice, the metal underneath has not been affected.

Now, this is a piece we removed from the stabilizer that

has escaped being encrusted.

Look.

It has undergone a complete transformation.

It does not even retain a resemblance to metal.

It's like a crumbling carbon.

And if I grind it, there's nothing left but powder.

What could cause this transformation, doctor?

Difficult to say.

Possibly cosmic rays we do not yet know or understand.

And word is, [inaudible] this transmission hasn't occurred,

right?

Exactly.

So then, it could be that this is

some sort of cosmic protection.

Could be.

BASE ANNOUNCER: (ON PA SYSTEM) Commander Prescott,

report to Captain Richards' office, please.

Commander Prescott, report to Captain Richards' office,

please.

I'll be right back, doctor.

Although I accept your explanation, Senor Capitan.

There is no doubt that it was providence that His Excellency

was not killed.

But the place where the tail section of Y-13 fell

is 10 miles from your town.

What is 10 miles, senor, when you do not

know where your missiles go?

What's he getting at?

He's referring to the rocket that almost hit Juarez.

But that was a captured German V2.

It happened nearly 10 years ago.

What is 10 years, senor?

You still do not know where your missiles go.

He has the whole story, sir.

The low flying projectile you lost over Argentina last year

and the Apex missile that disappeared last week.

That is so, Senor Capitan.

Where are they, eh?

As if I knew.

If they're not up there, they must be down here.

Glad you're here, commander.

Meet Senor Ramon de Guerrera, Consul from Mexico at Santa Fe.

Mr. Harold Atkins, State Department.

Commander Prescott.

Mr. Atkins.

It seems that His Excellency, the Minister

for Social Services, was opening a new bull ring in San Pedro

and--

Senors, it was the moment of truth.

A great silence descend upon the crowd.

5,000 people, 10,000 eyes, Senor Comandante, fixed on the blade.

And suddenly, there is a roar from space.

It was greater than the roar of the oles that

would greet the final triumph.

All the eyes look up.

But when they look down--

He missed the kill?

Of course.

Suddenly, there is a tremendous [makes sound effect]..

The crowds scatter.

The bull, he scare, jump over the barrera nearly

into the lap of His Excellency.

And then, the bull escaped and wrecked the market.

They found what was left of Y-13 tail

section later on in the day.

- Y-13? - Yeah.

Well, how soon can we get a salvage crew down there?

I'm afraid it's not quite as simple as that, commander.

There are formalities and compensation.

Si, senors.

Here is a list, Senor Capitan, but it's not complete.

20,000 pesos?

Must have been the bull of the century.

Oh, Senor Capitan, It was a bull

worthy of Manolete himself.

Senor consul, I hope you will cooperate by allowing

us to salvage the tail section.

I will use my personal influence.

Thank you.

And the United States government will see

about adequate compensation.

Please impress upon His Excellency

that both our countries will benefit from permission to send

a salvage crew on to the crash site at the earliest

possible moment.

Of course, Senor Capitan.

Well, buenos dias, senors.

Buenos dias.

Buenos dias.

Oh, and Capitan, I hope the next time you lose a missile,

you shoot it in some other direction.

Boy, we fire a dozen missiles every week,

and because something goes wrong once in a while,

this kind of thing has to happen.

Now, look, Chuck, Wilson's just called.

Things are getting pretty serious.

There have been three more killings.

Three?

Yeah.

Did he give any details?

Mm-hmm.

Truck driver at a roadside diner just

outside Los Alamos and an elderly couple

out by Green Valley.

Well, Green Valley, why that's--

how is it traveling those distances

in such a short space of time?

It can drive.

Wilson found a truck with a steering column and foot

controls bent so far out of shape

it can be driven another yard.

Ah, I'm beginning to get a picture.

We know it has great strength.

It's clumsy, smashes everything it touches,

and it has mechanical knowledge.

What makes you think this has anything to do Y-13?

Captain, I'd like to have you take

a look at something in the lab. I think if you--

[intercom buzzing]

Excuse me.

Captain Richards.

COMMANDER LAWSON: (ON INTERCOM) Commander Lawson, sir.

The S-21 rocket motor's ready on test bed number two.

We fire in 30 minutes.

Hold it.

How long will you need me?

I'll make it as fast as I can.

Delay your test by one hour.

Fire at 17:30.

COMMANDER LAWSON: (ON INTERCOM) But sir, we're all set.

Look, it's about time you boys realize there's more

than one baby in this nursery.

Delay your test till 17:30!

I can give you 30 minutes.

Let's go.

Assuming that there is life in outer space,

it would have to create a protective coating

in order to survive those destructive elements up there.

You mean like the primeval creatures that

crawled out of the sea and grew skin to protect

themselves against the sun?

Yes.

Y-13 has penetrated a new world.

So this coating was formed on Y-13 to protect it from those

destructive forces in space.

It's an interesting theory, but I--

But suppose the same thing happened in the cockpit.

Let me show you something.

If you'll notice, this is flexible and harmless to touch.

Let me demonstrate on this sponge rubber here.

I'll wrap this around my hand.

Watch this.

Holy cow.

If this were a human throat, that's how it could be slashed.

Look closely into these gashes.

Meteorite dust.

The same as in the wounds of all the victims, meteorite dust.

So there's only one interpretation

I can put on all this--

this monster kills, but only because, for some reason

or other, it needs this blood.

No one has seen it and lived.

What are you getting at, Chuck?

I'm afraid this monster is Dan.

I'll tell ya, that guy's off course.

Yeah, he's loaded OK.

Here we go.

[police sirens]

Hold on, I'm going to take him.

OK, I'll handle it.

Look, Dan's metabolism must have changed,

but what form has it taken?

Without knowing the kind of cosmic rays

to which Dan was subjected, and the effect

on the physical basis of life, I couldn't say.

Perhaps it caused a blood change.

Boy, it's incredible to think of your brother

as a blood drinking--

dear, would you get Dan's metabolism

charts and cardiograms.

I'm afraid we're going to need your help.

Yes.

I have them all here.

Supposing the canopy burst, his blood absorbed

a high content of nitrogen.

Then, he would die.

The human body cannot survive in rarefied

atmosphere without the protection of spacesuits

and pressurized cabins.

But you're forgetting about that

protective coating on Y-13.

And if it formed quickly enough on Dan--

Yes, it might have kept him alive.

And if, instead of death, a new metabolism was created,

which starved his body and his brain of blood, what then?

We know very little.

Only that, by some mysterious means,

the cells controlling growth and reproduction

are changed by exposure to some cosmic rays.

Beyond that I could only guess.

Yes, I'm only guessing, too, doctor.

But I think Dan would be more at home in space than on earth.

I mean, what has been going on hasn't

been wanton killing, but only his need to replace this blood

that has been changed.

But he would need some proper transfusions.

It would be useless to drink it.

Yes, unless he was obeying some animalistic instinct.

[sinister music]

Your hunch was right, commander.

Look at this.

It's Dan's space helmet.

Where'd you find it?

Not too far from here.

In a car with his latest victim.

And now we know what he looks like, a great big lumbering

deformed monster.

Seems you can kill him.

The bullets bounce off.

Well, it's the coating.

It's a perfect protection, like armor plate.

I've assigned a platoon of Marines to help Wilson.

Look, I-- I know he's got to be stopped.

But remember, he's still Lieutenant Prescott.

And if he can drive a car, he still

retains some intelligence.

He's not all monster.

Well, what do you suggest, commander?

We just let him roam the state killing at random?

No, chief, that's not what I meant.

Well, look, we've got the works on him.

The next time we find him, we'll try tear gas first.

If that doesn't work, we can let the marines blast him.

Stands to reason, Chuck.

If we can't stop him, we've got to destroy him.

I know, I know.

In the meantime, I got to talk to Washington.

Doctor, can you take me to your office?

I want to get a long distance conference line open.

Of course, captain.

Come with me.

I'd like you along, chief.

Chuck, why did this have to happen?

Tia, we're conquering a new world.

The dangers have to be faced.

Someone has to start.

But why Dan?

Who could stop him?

I couldn't, even though I tried.

You couldn't either.

No, I couldn't.

No, though you were right about one thing.

It was a piece of machinery that I wanted in the cockpit

of Y-13, not Dan.

It is hard to remember sometimes that people

matter more than machines.

It is-- [screams]

[wheezing]

Well, he can't breathe.

In there!

Stop firing!

Leave him alone!

Get out of here and warn the others to stay away from him!

We've got to get to von Essen and tell him to open

up a high-altitude chamber.

Come on.

Where is your nearest PA system?

Reception hall.

You better get to von Essen.

I'll stick with Dan.

Go on.

[wheezing]

[screaming]

Dan!

Dan, listen to me.

It's Chuck.

Listen, I've got--

Attention everyone-- do not leave your offices.

Don't go into the corridor.

It's dangerous.

Your life is in danger.

Repeat, your life is in danger if you go into the corridor.

Dr. Von Essen, he's going the wrong way.

Try and direct him on the PA system.

I'll follow him.

Look, captain, why don't you let me call my men

and blast him? - Forget it.

I'll take full responsibility.

Dan, listen to me.

You are in the wrong corridor.

Remember the building.

From the reception hall, you should turn right.

Do not go straight on.

Turn right.

Dan, you have come a long way to find me, and I am very near.

If you are following my directions correctly,

you will be approaching the staircase

leading to the high-altitude chamber

where I am waiting for you.

Remember, you must turn left onto the staircase.

If you are on the staircase, you are almost there.

Dan, try hard to remember.

The chamber is at the end of the corridor,

leading straight from the bottom of the staircase.

Take your time, Dan.

I'm here in the high-altitude chamber waiting to help you.

Come straight into the chamber.

He's coming this way.

Captain, open the door to the chamber.

Larson!

Yes, doctor?

Take Mr. Wilson over to the atmosphere controls.

Get as many as recorders in operation as you can.

Look out, skipper!

With those hands, he'll never be able to connect

the inside controls.

I'm going in.

Chuck, you can't

I've got to.

Chuck!

Dr. von Essen can you hear me?

Yes, Chuck.

Start altering atmosphere immediately.

Take it up as high and as fast as you can.

All right, Chuck.

Proceed, Larson, opening that valve.

Allow for a rise to 30,000 feet in 60 seconds.

It's being done, Chuck.

Dan-- Dan, it's Chuck, your brother.

Don't you know me?

It's Chuck, we want to--

we want to help you.

We want to help you, Dan.

Dan?

Dan, don't you know me?

It's Chuck!

It's Chuck!

Don't you know me?

Ch-- Ch--

Chuck?

Dan, we're trying to help you.

Sit down in the pilot seat.

Sit down!

That's right.

Back up.

Easy.

Sit down in the pilot seat.

Back up.

Back up, Dan.

This way.

Dr. Von Essen, give me some oxygen quick.

All right, Chuck.

Dan, listen, Dr. von Essen is here.

He wants to help you.

Dan, I'm here at the window, Dr. von Essen.

Doctor, I've been searching for you.

Everything seems strange and dark.

I couldn't find you.

Tell me about it, Dan.

If I know what's happened, I can help you.

Under this stuff, I feel like I'm

suffering from some terrible disease,

like I've got no blood in my veins.

At the rarefied atmosphere we are giving you, it helps?

Like clean, fresh air.

I can breath and think again.

We're up to 30,000 feet.

Can Chuck take anymore?

Be still, Chuck.

Don't exert yourself.

Take it very steadily up to 38,000 feet, but no more.

Go on, Dan.

There's not much to tell.

I have no memory.

Only an instinct to stay alive.

Until I found you, I've been groping my way through a maze

of fear and doubt.

We're steady at 38,000.

Hold it there.

Dan, to find out what's wrong with you,

I must make metabolism and blood pressure tests.

All right, doctor.

Dan, can you tell us what happened up there in space?

It was like running into the tail end of a hurricane.

Only it was a stream of meteorite dust we hit.

At first, it was like 50,000 machine guns

all hammering at once.

First, the canopy, and then my--

my visor melted.

I thought my blood was starting to boil.

Then, this coating started to form fast, [inaudible]

and protective.

But it was too late.

The last thing I remember was pressing

the button of the nose ejector.

Then, I-- I thought I died.

How high did you go, Dan?

About 250 miles, maybe 300.

I don't know.

Chuck, did you hear that?

Yeah, Dan.

I'm listening.

You thought I was kidding when I said I'd bring

back all the dope you wanted.

Well, I've got it all.

With the covering of this stuff, Y-14

will be able to go through that meteorite dust straight up.

It will be able to go on forever.

Rest, Dan.

Rest.

He can't breathe.

Take it higher.

Chuck, it-- it's no good.

I'm finished.

We should take him higher.

But if we do, we'd kill Chuck.

Tia.

Yes, Dan?

I'm sorry things had to happen this way.

But you see, I just had to be the first man into space.

Neutralize atmosphere!

All right, captain, open the door.

No, dear.

Take care of Dan, will ya?

Sure, sure.

There's nothing you can do.

You know, doctor, this is the part of my job I dread.

Y-13 cost Dan his life.

We go ahead with Y-14 soon.

I wonder if we've learned enough.

The conquest of new worlds always

makes demands of human life, and there will always be

men who will accept the risks.

[music playing]