Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1964) s01e24 Episode Script
The Saboteur
[Electricity Crackling.]
[ Man.]
Your name? We're asking your name.
Lee Crane.
Rank? [ Exhales.]
We've been over all this.
Yes, and we will continue to go over in.
until it is entirely correct.
You have sworn allegiance to what national government? The United States of- You have sworn allegiance to what national government? - The People's Republic.
- Ve/ygooa'.
- Now tel/ us, where were you this weekend? - With my mother.
But if you're seeing your mother, how can you be here with us? I don't know.
I- I- Are you here with us now? No.
I'm with my mother.
Much better.
And why did you make this sudden trip to visit your mother, Commander? - She's ill.
- Yes.
- And how is she getting along? - She's better.
You are now aboard Seavi ew- In a conversation with your fellow officers the subject of the People's Republic comes up.
- What isyourattitude? - I owe allegiance to the People's Repub- [Gasping.]
I hate the People's Republic! It's difficult for me to remember! You must concentrate, Commander.
You have a great deal yet to learn.
Do you remember your oath? lam a sworn agent of the People's Republic dedicated to performing my sacred duty whatever the cost.
Very good, Commander.
Very good' Now tell me.
Who's your best friend? Harriman Nelson.
Admiral Harriman Nelson.
Would you kill him if so ordered? I would.
Commander, on a table alongside you, there is a gun.
We want you to pick it up.
You are familiar with this weapon? lam.
It's a service-type .
45.
Good.
We recently had the good fortune to capture Admiral Nelson.
We are bringing him here.
So that you may prove your unswerving loyalty to the People's Republicâ.
you have been accorded the privilege of killing him.
He will be here momentarily Get ready Commander we order you to kill Admiral Nelson.
He is to the right of you now.
[Man.]
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
Starflng Richard Basehart David Hedison.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
All right.
Take it up till it's free, and then we'll swing it into position.
Admiral Nelson, I'm Forester, Intelligence Division.
I'll be in charge of security on this mission.
I've been expecting you.
Thanks, Chip.
Uh, could we, uh, get a few of these marines out from underfoot so we can get some work done around here? [Chuckles.]
I think we might manage that, but they won't go far.
Is all that really necessary on a submarine? We have no place to go, remember? And once under way, no visitors.
Admiral, I intend to mount the tightest security I can devise and then double it.
From all they've told me about those things- Well, I just don't want anything to happen to them.
That's the nearest we can probably come to an ultimate weapon short of a doomsday machine.
They don't look like much.
That's part of their beauty- their simplicity.
Each one is a complete, self-contained nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile.
I'm just glad they're ours.
Now, Admiral, if you'll just supply me with a set of plans for the ship--- and put me in touch with your captain, I'll work out the details.
Uh, Captain Crane doesn't happen to be aboard at the moment but, as soon as he is, I'll have him get in touch with you and give you the plans.
He'll find me, all right.
[ Man .]
And now, Commander, we're going to tellyoum.
how you shall serve the People's Republic' To help you, we have fashioned several interesting devices.
Do you recognize the kit on that table? Yes.
It's my shaving kit.
So it would seem.
Pick up the kit.
Feel the right-rear comer.
You will notice a raised stitch.
That, in fact, is a spring latch.
- Yes, I feel it.
- Now press the latch.
[Clicks.]
The weapon is loaded with curare-tipped bullets.
A hit anywhere in the body means instant death.
Now return the weapon.
Unzip the kit, but do not open it.
Now slide your hand in partway.
5 117/7' Now release the hair-fine monofilament attached from top to bottom.
Now please open the kit.
Examine the shaving cream.
What does it smell like? Smells like cordite or gunpowder.
It is a plastic explosive Now remove the safety razon.
Twist the adjusting wheel on the bottom and pull it out.
The wheel is the detonator cap for the plastic explosives.
The wire is connected to the top of the razor which is a 60-second timer.
The shank contains a mercury battery which sparks the detonator.
Remove the bar of soap and look into it.
It encases an optically precise microreader.
In like manner, everything in the caseâ.
performs a function beyond the expected' The nail file is magma-carbon steelm.
capable of cutting through ajail-cell bar in minutes.
Now notice the comb.
That comb is fashioned of a tritanium-nickel alloyâ that has been highly magnetized' Its function will be explained to you as you return to your base.
Now close the kit.
Stop' Now refasten the monofilament.
If you ever find it broken, you will know you're undersuspicion.
Now zip your case.
Let us caution you that your every move will be watched.
Aboard Seaview, you will be under constant surveillance by an agent of the People's Republic' You will never see this person, but he is your contact' And from him, you will receive further orders.
In the event that you fail, his instructions are to destroy Seawew.
From time to time, a book of matches identical to those will reach you.
They will be from your contact.
The matches will carry a nearly invisible microdotm.
beneath the striking surface with instructions.
What's the mark on these matches? An ancient trigram- the symbol through the agesâ.
for âPeace.
Here are your restricted areas.
The missile room, the aft torpedo room and any other area storing gear for this mission.
Mount a 24-hour watch at the doors to those rooms and no one is to enter who isn't listed as class âAâ security or who has someone with that classification with them.
Log them in and out.
Keep a clipboard at every sentry post.
And no one on this ship has authority to countermand these orders.
If you have any questions, you shoot 'em along to me.
Right? - Yes, sir.
- Okay.
Forester, Dr.
Ernst Ullman.
Ah, the father of our ultimate weapon.
Ah.
That's newspaper talk.
There can't be one father, 500 mothers.
- Coffee, Doctor? - No.
No, thanks.
Forester will check your bags, Doctor--- and Chiefjones will show you to your cabin.
I'll check with you as soon as we get underway.
I hope that will be immediately, Admiral.
It's important that the president announces the existence of these weapons before the end of the conferences currently underway in Paris.
I understand, Doctor.
We'll weigh anchor as soon as possible, I assure you.
Is, uh, this necessary for me? Oh, well, it's necessary, Doctor, but it's not personal.
- Do you have any idea where he'd be? - No, sir, not a clue.
I can't understand it.
A man like Leejust doesn't fail to report without some word, especially at a time like this.
When, uh- When did you see him last? Friday night.
We had dinner together and agreed to meet at the first tee at the country club at 9:00 the next morning.
He didn't show up.
I called the apartment, but he didn't answer.
I can't delay much longer.
We'll have to get under way without him unless- [Man On Speaker.]
A dmira/ Nelson.
The captain just came aboard The marine guard is escorting him through security checksâ.
In the observation nose.
Go down to the observation nose and tell him to get underway soon as possible.
And, Chip, tell him I want to see him in my cabin as soon as we clear the harbor.
Aye, sir.
Here.
I'll get this open for you.
I'd like to get on with my duties as soon as possible.
I understand, Captain.
I'll only keep you another minute or two.
Thank you.
Glad to see you, Skipper.
Admiral wants you to get underway as soon as possible.
Right.
Well, if I have your permission to come aboard now, Mr.
Forester - I'd like to get on with it.
- [Chuckles.]
I've always wanted to take a sea voyage.
Let's go.
Right.
Chip.
set a special sea detail topside.
Single up fore and aft and alert Engineering to warm up reactors.
Aye, aye, sir.
Shall I have a crew member carry your gear to the cabin? Yeah, fine.
That'll be fine.
- [Knocking.]
- Yes.
Chip said you wanted to see me as soon as we cleared the harbor.
I've been wanting to see you for the last couple of days.
Where the devil have you been? - With my mother.
- Your mother? When I got home Friday night after dinner with Chip, I found a telegram waiting for me.
My mother had been taken to a hospital' I tried to call Chip, but he wasm' home yet.
I went right out to the airport and, uh, took the first plane out.
Mm.
Is she all right? - She's much better, thank you.
- Lee.
Are you all right? [Exhales.]
Yes, sir.
I'm a little tired maybe.
L,uh- I've been on an airplane or in the hospital for the last three nights.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I'm sorry about your mother but I do think you should've notified me before you left town especially with this mission coming up-.
But I left word for you at the institute office.
If you did, I never received it.
- No- I can assure you I did, Admiral- - All right, forget about it-.
Dr.
Ullman wants to see us in the observation nose as soon as possible.
Sir, a, uh, radio message for you.
Oh, thank you, Parker.
Oh, here you are, Lee.
Dr.
Ullman, this is Captain Crane.
- How do you do? - How do you do? Standing at this window, I imagine myself to be the figurehead--- at the prow ofan old sailing ship with the waves breaking at my feet.
- I can hardly wait till we submerge.
- It won't be long now, Doctor.
It's miraculous how that huge area of glass can withstand the hundreds of tons of pressure and the temperature stresses without breaking.
It isn't glass, Doctor.
It's a high-tensile-strength plastic developed for Seaview.
If it should break, I suppose- You suppose right, Doctor.
If we were submerged at the time, that'd be the end of Seaview.
Lee, Forester has a 24-hour security schedule laid out.
He wants to go over that with you.
And Dr.
Ullman has a problem I want you to work on.
He'll need a high-voltage power source in the missile room on an independent circuit.
Well, as Curley would say, âNothing we can't handle.
â Could I borrow a match, Doctor, please? Thank you.
- Incredible, aren't they? - Mm.
So much destructive power in such a small package.
It should make war impossible.
It's hard to imagine an enemy foolish enough to attack once the president's made it clear that we have dozens ofl.
C.
B.
M.
's at the bottom of the sea that can't fail to retaliate.
Are they really that foolproof? Well, they should be if we three do our jobs.
Dr.
Ullman must lock the radio controls to the Pentagon war room.
I must determine the precise sites for the silos and you must hold the Seaview at exactly that position long enough for us to drop the silos.
- How deep will they go? - Into the trenches- 25,000 feet or more.
Well, that's pretty difficult to do, Admiral.
Every underwater current and every temperature change will affect the silo as it sinks.
Mm.
I'll have to compensate for current, temperature, difference in salinity.
When I give you the final drop position you put on the brakes and hold her there.
I don't think there'll be too much difficulty.
You can always double-check with the position depth recorder in case there are any strong currents.
All right.
Here's the position for our first drop, Lee.
We should reach these coordinates in about 18 hours, Admiral.
Good.
[Clicking.]
Mr.
Forester, mayl ask what you're doing? Nothing magnetic can be permitted in the storage room.
A magnet can affect the fusing device.
All right, Mr.
Morton, log your men in and stay with them till they finish their work.
This crew is not used to being suspect.
Sorry, Captain, but it's necessary.
Chip, I'll need you in the control room as soon as possible.
Yes, sir.
[ Exhales.]
What's our present position, Spencer? Mr.
O'Brien.
Plot a course to drop coordinates.
Yes, sir.
Spencer, as you know, this mission depends almost entirely on the inertial navigation system.
- Is it in perfect working condition? - It, uh, seems to be, sir.
Mm, it feels like it's, uh, overheating a bit.
Salinity 34.
7.
The, uh, salinity profile is constant throughout the area, Admiral.
Good.
Get our position from inertial navigation while I check the current meter.
Mr.
Morton, what's our position? Yes, sir.
Position.
[Screams.]
Spencer! Spencer! Someone cut off Circuit 12.
Captain, get up here fast.
There's been an accident.
- What happened? - The inertial guidance system shorted out.
Admiral, get his shirt open.
- What happened? - I don't know.
[ Doctor.]
All right.
Let'; get him t0 sick bay 29st.
Admiral, can you tell if this thing's been tampered with? You mean sabotaged? There's no way I could tell but why would anyone want to sabotage the inertial navigator? - Well, isn't it important to this mission? - It's vital.
Well, then, Captain, uh, are you saying we can't carry out the mission? Well, without the inertial system I can't guarantee the pinpoint navigation the admiral requires.
Then, uh, this accident has aborted the mission.
No.
Captain Crane isn't saying that at all.
Are you, Lee? It means we'll have to come to periscope depth constantly to check our position by sextant.
Ancl if we run into bacl weather, we won? be able to navigate at all We may be delayed, but there'll be no aborting this mission.
Oh, of course not.
You see, the sextant will only show us our position at surface.
What's going to show it to us at 4,500 feet? You'll have to drop Seaview as ifitwere in a plumb line, Lee.
[Scoffs .]
Well, the Seal/few'; not an elevator, Admiral.
You'll have to make it perform like one.
I'll do my best.
- Prepare to make sextant sighting.
- Yes, sir.
[ Crane On Speaker.]
Approaching drop coordinates, Admiral' Steady, Mr.
O'Brien.
All stop.
Engine Room, all stop.
We're in our position, Admiral' Negative, Captain.
The P.
D.
R.
graph does not verify our position.
What's the matter with you, Lee? [Exhales.]
I'm sorry, Admiral.
I'm offa degree and a half on my sighting.
- All ahead one third.
- All ahead.
One third.
[Sighs.]
just, uh take your time, Lee.
That's better.
The two bottom profiles are beginning to match up.
Okay, Lee.
We're at the coordinate.
Take her down.
- Prepare to launch missile silo, Mr.
Morton.
- Ready, sir.
- Ready, Doctor? - Ready, Admiral.
Straight down.
Steady as you go.
Left rudder, two degrees.
We're drifting.
- She's swinging back.
- Oh, we can't be sure.
We're drifting again- right into those mountains.
Hard left rudder! You're way off, Lee.
[ On Speaker.]
Take her up and try it again.
- It can't be done, Admiral.
- Try/t again! We're gonna keep on tying until we do it.
All right.
Let's try again, Mr.
O'Brien.
Down.
Flood forward and aft ballast tanks.
- Monitor the drift meter, Mr.
O'Brien.
- Yes, sir.
He'll make it this time.
Fm, uh- I'm sure-.
Two degrees, right rudder.
You're drifting right into that mountain, Lee.
Get off my back, Admiral.
[ On Speaker.]
I'm in control of the ship.
Two more degrees, right rudder.
Port your helm, Lee! Stand fast for collision! Damage Control, report.
[ Man On Speaker.]
Starboard trim plane torn away Leak in Frame 37.
Probable propeller damage.
Mr.
O'Brien.
Surface.
And return to base for repairs.
Yes, sir.
Blow ballast and surface.
Set a course 0-0-3.
- Head furl-lame.
- Belay that order.
- Where's Captain Crane? - In the observation nose, sir.
[Footsteps On Stairs.]
ls something the matter with you, Lee? No, nothing.
Then why the order to abort this mission? Because this vessel's in no condition to continue at the depths required.
How dare you? How dare you abort this mission without my knowledge? - On whose authority? - On my authority as captain.
This mission will continue if I have to hang this ship together with spit and glue.
And risk 125 lives? For what? For the future peace of the world.
Peace of the world? You hypocrite! You don't care about the peace of the world! Thanks, Admiral.
I needed something to bring me back to my senses.
I don't know what happened to me.
I just came apart at the seams.
Well, you're exhausted, Lee.
Admiral, I'm not- I'm not fit to carry out this mission.
And neither is Seaview.
You're right.
We'll, uh- We'll heave to for 24 hours, and you get some rest.
Morton can take care of the repairsâ.
and I'm sure that Dr.
Ullman can do something about the inertial navigaton.
Well, go on.
Go on, get to bed.
No, I don't think so.
Anything you might remember could be important.
- Chip, we'll surface for repairs.
- Aye, sir.
Prepare to surface.
Has Captain Crane received any news of his mother since we've been at sea? [Parker.]
No, sir,.
That's probably why he's so- See if you can reach Mrs.
Crane for me on the radiophone, will you? Yes, sir.
Forester.
May I talk with you for a moment? Certainly, Admiral.
Why are you checking on Captain Crane? Oh, Admiral, my business is suspecting people.
Now, I don't need a reason, but, uh, if I did there are several reasons for checking on Captain Crane.
One- He failed to report for duty last Sunday.
Two- He was missing for three days.
And three- His faulty maneuvering of this submarine caused this mission to be delayed 24 hours.
Any one of which is reason enough to check on Crane.
For whatever it's worth, I'd trust my life with Captain Crane.
[Scoffs .]
Admiral, the only one aboard this submarine I trust is me.
And probably somebodys checking on me.
Oh, excuse me.
Sir, the operator reports Mrs.
Crane is in the hospital.
- Can't receive calls.
- Oh.
Thank you, Parker.
Um- No, I won't say I told you so.
[Morton On Speaker.]
Captain, the repairs are completed and we're two hours from drop time.
[Clears Throat.]
I'll be there in 3O minutes.
[ Mechanism whirring.]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
- [whirring.]
- [Footsteps Approaching.]
We're right on our coordinates, Doctor.
Inertial navigatofs working perfectly.
Admiral, before we drop these missiles to the bottom of the ocean may I indulge myself in a bit of superstition? Of course, Doctor.
An ancient symbol meaning âPeace? Let us hope that that's what these weapons will ensure.
Mm.
Okay, Lee, take her down.
Yes, sir.
Flood all ballast groups, Mr.
O'Brien.
Flood all ballast tanks.
Prepare to launch the missile silo, Mr.
Morton.
Missile away, Lee.
[ On Speaker.]
Set course immediately for the next drop area.
And a good job.
Thanks, Admiral.
I'm setting course for the next coordinate.
Very well.
You see, Forester? With the inertial navigator working, there were no hitches.
Okay, Admiral, I was wrong.
But I still intend to maintain maximum security until the last missile silo's on the bottom of the sea.
I know, Forester.
That's your job.
[ Whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ Object Clatters.]
[Alarm Beeping.]
It's the aft torpedo room, Captain.
- Get Dr.
Ullman here.
On the double.
- Yes, sir.
What's going on? Somebody was in this room and slugged me-.
The guard says nobody got past him.
Is there any other way into this room besides through that door? Yes, the, uh, inspection passage through the hull is- Right over here.
- Where does that lead to? - Down the length of the ship.
- How many exits are there? - About 20.
- And who knows about it? - Everyone does.
Oh, well, that's just great.
That wasn't on the Seaview plans that you gave me, Captain.
- We cou/dve had that sea/ed ofif - It must have been on the plans.
Doctor, can you tell if these things have been tampered with? Oh, I can try.
Captain, I want you to put your crew on general quarters and keep them there until I've had time to search certain areas of this ship.
This one's been deactivated.
But how? Magnetically, I guess.
The silo doesn't appear to have been opened.
Well, Admiral, are you still willing to vouch - for e ve/ybody aboard this submarine? - [ Scoffs .]
Doctor, I suggest you reactivate the silos.
Well, of course.
But, uh, we must assume that the silos that have already been launched have also been tampered with.
I'm sure of it.
Corporal.
I want you to post a guard inside as well as outside this door and shoot anybody who tries to enter without a personal clearance from me.
Yes, sir.
Admiral, we're gonna search this ship for some form of magnetic device.
Suppose we start with your cabin.
- [Knocking.]
- Come in.
- May I? - Yeah-.
This is Mr.
Forester.
Will the commanding officer of the marine detail report to Admiral Nelson's cabin immediately.
Look at this.
[Clicking.]
I found it in Morton's cabin- hidden behind the mirror.
An ordinary comb- something any man might carry in his pocket.
But one touch, and your silo is about as dangerous as a gum machine.
L-I can't believe that.
I've known Chip ever since he entered the academy.
Where's Morton likely to be now? _- [Sighs.]
- [ Rlffllng Papers.]
He's, um- He's in the control room.
[ Knocking .]
Take two men, escort Mr.
Morton up here right away.
- No fuss.
- Yes, sir.
Admiral, I think we can get on with the mission now.
I'm not so sure.
Don't let me disturb you, Admiral.
I'm just going to double-check the silo-launching gear.
Fine, Lee.
Sick bay, this is Nelson.
Get the doctor to the missile room on the double.
I'm sorry, Admiral.
I had hoped it wouldn't get this far.
We had to be certain.
And now we are.
[ Nelson.]
Can we talk to him? He's heavily sedated.
He may drift offat any time.
Just don't press him too hard.
Lee.
Lee, can you hear me? Lee, it's Nelson.
Nelson.
Nelson will destroy the world.
[Gasping.]
No.
Nelson's my friend.
_ He_ - Easy.
Easy.
He's probably been through some sort of brainwashing or conditioning.
The shock of the bullet and the sedation is bringing him out of it.
Keep questioning him.
Lee? Why did you try to kill me? Kill Nelson.
Instructions.
Orders.
Someone is watching me.
My- My sacred duty.
What duty, Lee? What duty? I- I'm a sworn agent.
Sworn to who? To what? The People's Republic.
Yes.
The People's Republic.
Yes.
No! I'm an American.
[Groans.]
Were you supposed to stop this mission? Make them think they have the ultimate weapon.
He must have been supposed to deactivate the silos.
That way we'd be dead ifany trouble came.
Did they tell you what would happen if you failed? And you have.
Use destruct device.
Destroy ship.
But you can't destroy the ship now, Lee.
- What happens? - Hewill.
Hewill.
- Who's âheâ? - Who's your contact? [Groaning.]
- Now think, Lee.
Who did you think it was? - [ Laughing.]
You must have suspected or wondered.
[Laughing Continues.]
Ullman.
[Laughing.]
- Matches.
- No more, Admiral.
No more.
Please.
It couldn't have been Ullman.
If they'd had Ullman, they wouldn't have needed Crane.
He could've deactivated the silos at any time.
Where does that leave us? Somebody- we don't know who- has orders to destroy this sub once it's clear that Crane can no longer function.
Well, he said, uh- He said he had instructions, orders.
Now, that might mean that someone has some sort of a radio setup or is contacting the superior- It's not possible.
With the shakedown we gave this crew nobody could've gotten a radio aboard.
No, wait.
[Scoffs.]
No, it's impossible.
Well, what? Tell me.
It is possible then.
There is a radio aboard- one of the most powerful radios in the world.
Of course.
[Snaps Fingers.]
Then that message about Crane's mother had to be a phony.
It's gotta be your radio operator- Parker.
- Where's Parker? - He's been relieved of the watch, sir.
- Prepare to surface, Mr.
O'Brien.
- Aye, aye, sir.
Make ready to blow ballast.
[ Footsteps Approaching.]
[ Gunshots .]
Careful.
The bullet hits one of those windows, we'll have the whole Pacific in here.
Any minute now, it won't make any difference.
He's rigged an explosive on that glass.
[ Gunshots .]
We've gotta make a move.
We should broach the surface any second now.
We can't wait for that.
[Clicking.]
Fortunately, we broached the surface just as the window was blasted out.
Engineering's rigging a steel plate for the window.
We'll proceed with the mission as soon as they weld it into place.
I don't think we'll have any more problems with security.
- Sorry I got you involved in this, Chip.
- Forget it, Lee.
We never thought it was him anyway-.
When Forester was knocked out, Chip was in the missile room with me.
Somehow I still feel as though I betrayed my country.
Nonsense, Lee.
You couldn't helpyourself.
You were brainwashed.
They must have done the same thing with your radio operator.
As long as the enemy has to go to these lengths to win their ends I'm not worried about our security.
Thank you.
[Chuckles.]
Peace.
[ Man.]
Your name? We're asking your name.
Lee Crane.
Rank? [ Exhales.]
We've been over all this.
Yes, and we will continue to go over in.
until it is entirely correct.
You have sworn allegiance to what national government? The United States of- You have sworn allegiance to what national government? - The People's Republic.
- Ve/ygooa'.
- Now tel/ us, where were you this weekend? - With my mother.
But if you're seeing your mother, how can you be here with us? I don't know.
I- I- Are you here with us now? No.
I'm with my mother.
Much better.
And why did you make this sudden trip to visit your mother, Commander? - She's ill.
- Yes.
- And how is she getting along? - She's better.
You are now aboard Seavi ew- In a conversation with your fellow officers the subject of the People's Republic comes up.
- What isyourattitude? - I owe allegiance to the People's Repub- [Gasping.]
I hate the People's Republic! It's difficult for me to remember! You must concentrate, Commander.
You have a great deal yet to learn.
Do you remember your oath? lam a sworn agent of the People's Republic dedicated to performing my sacred duty whatever the cost.
Very good, Commander.
Very good' Now tell me.
Who's your best friend? Harriman Nelson.
Admiral Harriman Nelson.
Would you kill him if so ordered? I would.
Commander, on a table alongside you, there is a gun.
We want you to pick it up.
You are familiar with this weapon? lam.
It's a service-type .
45.
Good.
We recently had the good fortune to capture Admiral Nelson.
We are bringing him here.
So that you may prove your unswerving loyalty to the People's Republicâ.
you have been accorded the privilege of killing him.
He will be here momentarily Get ready Commander we order you to kill Admiral Nelson.
He is to the right of you now.
[Man.]
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
Starflng Richard Basehart David Hedison.
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.
All right.
Take it up till it's free, and then we'll swing it into position.
Admiral Nelson, I'm Forester, Intelligence Division.
I'll be in charge of security on this mission.
I've been expecting you.
Thanks, Chip.
Uh, could we, uh, get a few of these marines out from underfoot so we can get some work done around here? [Chuckles.]
I think we might manage that, but they won't go far.
Is all that really necessary on a submarine? We have no place to go, remember? And once under way, no visitors.
Admiral, I intend to mount the tightest security I can devise and then double it.
From all they've told me about those things- Well, I just don't want anything to happen to them.
That's the nearest we can probably come to an ultimate weapon short of a doomsday machine.
They don't look like much.
That's part of their beauty- their simplicity.
Each one is a complete, self-contained nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile.
I'm just glad they're ours.
Now, Admiral, if you'll just supply me with a set of plans for the ship--- and put me in touch with your captain, I'll work out the details.
Uh, Captain Crane doesn't happen to be aboard at the moment but, as soon as he is, I'll have him get in touch with you and give you the plans.
He'll find me, all right.
[ Man .]
And now, Commander, we're going to tellyoum.
how you shall serve the People's Republic' To help you, we have fashioned several interesting devices.
Do you recognize the kit on that table? Yes.
It's my shaving kit.
So it would seem.
Pick up the kit.
Feel the right-rear comer.
You will notice a raised stitch.
That, in fact, is a spring latch.
- Yes, I feel it.
- Now press the latch.
[Clicks.]
The weapon is loaded with curare-tipped bullets.
A hit anywhere in the body means instant death.
Now return the weapon.
Unzip the kit, but do not open it.
Now slide your hand in partway.
5 117/7' Now release the hair-fine monofilament attached from top to bottom.
Now please open the kit.
Examine the shaving cream.
What does it smell like? Smells like cordite or gunpowder.
It is a plastic explosive Now remove the safety razon.
Twist the adjusting wheel on the bottom and pull it out.
The wheel is the detonator cap for the plastic explosives.
The wire is connected to the top of the razor which is a 60-second timer.
The shank contains a mercury battery which sparks the detonator.
Remove the bar of soap and look into it.
It encases an optically precise microreader.
In like manner, everything in the caseâ.
performs a function beyond the expected' The nail file is magma-carbon steelm.
capable of cutting through ajail-cell bar in minutes.
Now notice the comb.
That comb is fashioned of a tritanium-nickel alloyâ that has been highly magnetized' Its function will be explained to you as you return to your base.
Now close the kit.
Stop' Now refasten the monofilament.
If you ever find it broken, you will know you're undersuspicion.
Now zip your case.
Let us caution you that your every move will be watched.
Aboard Seaview, you will be under constant surveillance by an agent of the People's Republic' You will never see this person, but he is your contact' And from him, you will receive further orders.
In the event that you fail, his instructions are to destroy Seawew.
From time to time, a book of matches identical to those will reach you.
They will be from your contact.
The matches will carry a nearly invisible microdotm.
beneath the striking surface with instructions.
What's the mark on these matches? An ancient trigram- the symbol through the agesâ.
for âPeace.
Here are your restricted areas.
The missile room, the aft torpedo room and any other area storing gear for this mission.
Mount a 24-hour watch at the doors to those rooms and no one is to enter who isn't listed as class âAâ security or who has someone with that classification with them.
Log them in and out.
Keep a clipboard at every sentry post.
And no one on this ship has authority to countermand these orders.
If you have any questions, you shoot 'em along to me.
Right? - Yes, sir.
- Okay.
Forester, Dr.
Ernst Ullman.
Ah, the father of our ultimate weapon.
Ah.
That's newspaper talk.
There can't be one father, 500 mothers.
- Coffee, Doctor? - No.
No, thanks.
Forester will check your bags, Doctor--- and Chiefjones will show you to your cabin.
I'll check with you as soon as we get underway.
I hope that will be immediately, Admiral.
It's important that the president announces the existence of these weapons before the end of the conferences currently underway in Paris.
I understand, Doctor.
We'll weigh anchor as soon as possible, I assure you.
Is, uh, this necessary for me? Oh, well, it's necessary, Doctor, but it's not personal.
- Do you have any idea where he'd be? - No, sir, not a clue.
I can't understand it.
A man like Leejust doesn't fail to report without some word, especially at a time like this.
When, uh- When did you see him last? Friday night.
We had dinner together and agreed to meet at the first tee at the country club at 9:00 the next morning.
He didn't show up.
I called the apartment, but he didn't answer.
I can't delay much longer.
We'll have to get under way without him unless- [Man On Speaker.]
A dmira/ Nelson.
The captain just came aboard The marine guard is escorting him through security checksâ.
In the observation nose.
Go down to the observation nose and tell him to get underway soon as possible.
And, Chip, tell him I want to see him in my cabin as soon as we clear the harbor.
Aye, sir.
Here.
I'll get this open for you.
I'd like to get on with my duties as soon as possible.
I understand, Captain.
I'll only keep you another minute or two.
Thank you.
Glad to see you, Skipper.
Admiral wants you to get underway as soon as possible.
Right.
Well, if I have your permission to come aboard now, Mr.
Forester - I'd like to get on with it.
- [Chuckles.]
I've always wanted to take a sea voyage.
Let's go.
Right.
Chip.
set a special sea detail topside.
Single up fore and aft and alert Engineering to warm up reactors.
Aye, aye, sir.
Shall I have a crew member carry your gear to the cabin? Yeah, fine.
That'll be fine.
- [Knocking.]
- Yes.
Chip said you wanted to see me as soon as we cleared the harbor.
I've been wanting to see you for the last couple of days.
Where the devil have you been? - With my mother.
- Your mother? When I got home Friday night after dinner with Chip, I found a telegram waiting for me.
My mother had been taken to a hospital' I tried to call Chip, but he wasm' home yet.
I went right out to the airport and, uh, took the first plane out.
Mm.
Is she all right? - She's much better, thank you.
- Lee.
Are you all right? [Exhales.]
Yes, sir.
I'm a little tired maybe.
L,uh- I've been on an airplane or in the hospital for the last three nights.
Mm-hmm.
Well, I'm sorry about your mother but I do think you should've notified me before you left town especially with this mission coming up-.
But I left word for you at the institute office.
If you did, I never received it.
- No- I can assure you I did, Admiral- - All right, forget about it-.
Dr.
Ullman wants to see us in the observation nose as soon as possible.
Sir, a, uh, radio message for you.
Oh, thank you, Parker.
Oh, here you are, Lee.
Dr.
Ullman, this is Captain Crane.
- How do you do? - How do you do? Standing at this window, I imagine myself to be the figurehead--- at the prow ofan old sailing ship with the waves breaking at my feet.
- I can hardly wait till we submerge.
- It won't be long now, Doctor.
It's miraculous how that huge area of glass can withstand the hundreds of tons of pressure and the temperature stresses without breaking.
It isn't glass, Doctor.
It's a high-tensile-strength plastic developed for Seaview.
If it should break, I suppose- You suppose right, Doctor.
If we were submerged at the time, that'd be the end of Seaview.
Lee, Forester has a 24-hour security schedule laid out.
He wants to go over that with you.
And Dr.
Ullman has a problem I want you to work on.
He'll need a high-voltage power source in the missile room on an independent circuit.
Well, as Curley would say, âNothing we can't handle.
â Could I borrow a match, Doctor, please? Thank you.
- Incredible, aren't they? - Mm.
So much destructive power in such a small package.
It should make war impossible.
It's hard to imagine an enemy foolish enough to attack once the president's made it clear that we have dozens ofl.
C.
B.
M.
's at the bottom of the sea that can't fail to retaliate.
Are they really that foolproof? Well, they should be if we three do our jobs.
Dr.
Ullman must lock the radio controls to the Pentagon war room.
I must determine the precise sites for the silos and you must hold the Seaview at exactly that position long enough for us to drop the silos.
- How deep will they go? - Into the trenches- 25,000 feet or more.
Well, that's pretty difficult to do, Admiral.
Every underwater current and every temperature change will affect the silo as it sinks.
Mm.
I'll have to compensate for current, temperature, difference in salinity.
When I give you the final drop position you put on the brakes and hold her there.
I don't think there'll be too much difficulty.
You can always double-check with the position depth recorder in case there are any strong currents.
All right.
Here's the position for our first drop, Lee.
We should reach these coordinates in about 18 hours, Admiral.
Good.
[Clicking.]
Mr.
Forester, mayl ask what you're doing? Nothing magnetic can be permitted in the storage room.
A magnet can affect the fusing device.
All right, Mr.
Morton, log your men in and stay with them till they finish their work.
This crew is not used to being suspect.
Sorry, Captain, but it's necessary.
Chip, I'll need you in the control room as soon as possible.
Yes, sir.
[ Exhales.]
What's our present position, Spencer? Mr.
O'Brien.
Plot a course to drop coordinates.
Yes, sir.
Spencer, as you know, this mission depends almost entirely on the inertial navigation system.
- Is it in perfect working condition? - It, uh, seems to be, sir.
Mm, it feels like it's, uh, overheating a bit.
Salinity 34.
7.
The, uh, salinity profile is constant throughout the area, Admiral.
Good.
Get our position from inertial navigation while I check the current meter.
Mr.
Morton, what's our position? Yes, sir.
Position.
[Screams.]
Spencer! Spencer! Someone cut off Circuit 12.
Captain, get up here fast.
There's been an accident.
- What happened? - The inertial guidance system shorted out.
Admiral, get his shirt open.
- What happened? - I don't know.
[ Doctor.]
All right.
Let'; get him t0 sick bay 29st.
Admiral, can you tell if this thing's been tampered with? You mean sabotaged? There's no way I could tell but why would anyone want to sabotage the inertial navigator? - Well, isn't it important to this mission? - It's vital.
Well, then, Captain, uh, are you saying we can't carry out the mission? Well, without the inertial system I can't guarantee the pinpoint navigation the admiral requires.
Then, uh, this accident has aborted the mission.
No.
Captain Crane isn't saying that at all.
Are you, Lee? It means we'll have to come to periscope depth constantly to check our position by sextant.
Ancl if we run into bacl weather, we won? be able to navigate at all We may be delayed, but there'll be no aborting this mission.
Oh, of course not.
You see, the sextant will only show us our position at surface.
What's going to show it to us at 4,500 feet? You'll have to drop Seaview as ifitwere in a plumb line, Lee.
[Scoffs .]
Well, the Seal/few'; not an elevator, Admiral.
You'll have to make it perform like one.
I'll do my best.
- Prepare to make sextant sighting.
- Yes, sir.
[ Crane On Speaker.]
Approaching drop coordinates, Admiral' Steady, Mr.
O'Brien.
All stop.
Engine Room, all stop.
We're in our position, Admiral' Negative, Captain.
The P.
D.
R.
graph does not verify our position.
What's the matter with you, Lee? [Exhales.]
I'm sorry, Admiral.
I'm offa degree and a half on my sighting.
- All ahead one third.
- All ahead.
One third.
[Sighs.]
just, uh take your time, Lee.
That's better.
The two bottom profiles are beginning to match up.
Okay, Lee.
We're at the coordinate.
Take her down.
- Prepare to launch missile silo, Mr.
Morton.
- Ready, sir.
- Ready, Doctor? - Ready, Admiral.
Straight down.
Steady as you go.
Left rudder, two degrees.
We're drifting.
- She's swinging back.
- Oh, we can't be sure.
We're drifting again- right into those mountains.
Hard left rudder! You're way off, Lee.
[ On Speaker.]
Take her up and try it again.
- It can't be done, Admiral.
- Try/t again! We're gonna keep on tying until we do it.
All right.
Let's try again, Mr.
O'Brien.
Down.
Flood forward and aft ballast tanks.
- Monitor the drift meter, Mr.
O'Brien.
- Yes, sir.
He'll make it this time.
Fm, uh- I'm sure-.
Two degrees, right rudder.
You're drifting right into that mountain, Lee.
Get off my back, Admiral.
[ On Speaker.]
I'm in control of the ship.
Two more degrees, right rudder.
Port your helm, Lee! Stand fast for collision! Damage Control, report.
[ Man On Speaker.]
Starboard trim plane torn away Leak in Frame 37.
Probable propeller damage.
Mr.
O'Brien.
Surface.
And return to base for repairs.
Yes, sir.
Blow ballast and surface.
Set a course 0-0-3.
- Head furl-lame.
- Belay that order.
- Where's Captain Crane? - In the observation nose, sir.
[Footsteps On Stairs.]
ls something the matter with you, Lee? No, nothing.
Then why the order to abort this mission? Because this vessel's in no condition to continue at the depths required.
How dare you? How dare you abort this mission without my knowledge? - On whose authority? - On my authority as captain.
This mission will continue if I have to hang this ship together with spit and glue.
And risk 125 lives? For what? For the future peace of the world.
Peace of the world? You hypocrite! You don't care about the peace of the world! Thanks, Admiral.
I needed something to bring me back to my senses.
I don't know what happened to me.
I just came apart at the seams.
Well, you're exhausted, Lee.
Admiral, I'm not- I'm not fit to carry out this mission.
And neither is Seaview.
You're right.
We'll, uh- We'll heave to for 24 hours, and you get some rest.
Morton can take care of the repairsâ.
and I'm sure that Dr.
Ullman can do something about the inertial navigaton.
Well, go on.
Go on, get to bed.
No, I don't think so.
Anything you might remember could be important.
- Chip, we'll surface for repairs.
- Aye, sir.
Prepare to surface.
Has Captain Crane received any news of his mother since we've been at sea? [Parker.]
No, sir,.
That's probably why he's so- See if you can reach Mrs.
Crane for me on the radiophone, will you? Yes, sir.
Forester.
May I talk with you for a moment? Certainly, Admiral.
Why are you checking on Captain Crane? Oh, Admiral, my business is suspecting people.
Now, I don't need a reason, but, uh, if I did there are several reasons for checking on Captain Crane.
One- He failed to report for duty last Sunday.
Two- He was missing for three days.
And three- His faulty maneuvering of this submarine caused this mission to be delayed 24 hours.
Any one of which is reason enough to check on Crane.
For whatever it's worth, I'd trust my life with Captain Crane.
[Scoffs .]
Admiral, the only one aboard this submarine I trust is me.
And probably somebodys checking on me.
Oh, excuse me.
Sir, the operator reports Mrs.
Crane is in the hospital.
- Can't receive calls.
- Oh.
Thank you, Parker.
Um- No, I won't say I told you so.
[Morton On Speaker.]
Captain, the repairs are completed and we're two hours from drop time.
[Clears Throat.]
I'll be there in 3O minutes.
[ Mechanism whirring.]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
- [whirring.]
- [Footsteps Approaching.]
We're right on our coordinates, Doctor.
Inertial navigatofs working perfectly.
Admiral, before we drop these missiles to the bottom of the ocean may I indulge myself in a bit of superstition? Of course, Doctor.
An ancient symbol meaning âPeace? Let us hope that that's what these weapons will ensure.
Mm.
Okay, Lee, take her down.
Yes, sir.
Flood all ballast groups, Mr.
O'Brien.
Flood all ballast tanks.
Prepare to launch the missile silo, Mr.
Morton.
Missile away, Lee.
[ On Speaker.]
Set course immediately for the next drop area.
And a good job.
Thanks, Admiral.
I'm setting course for the next coordinate.
Very well.
You see, Forester? With the inertial navigator working, there were no hitches.
Okay, Admiral, I was wrong.
But I still intend to maintain maximum security until the last missile silo's on the bottom of the sea.
I know, Forester.
That's your job.
[ Whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ whirring .]
[ Object Clatters.]
[Alarm Beeping.]
It's the aft torpedo room, Captain.
- Get Dr.
Ullman here.
On the double.
- Yes, sir.
What's going on? Somebody was in this room and slugged me-.
The guard says nobody got past him.
Is there any other way into this room besides through that door? Yes, the, uh, inspection passage through the hull is- Right over here.
- Where does that lead to? - Down the length of the ship.
- How many exits are there? - About 20.
- And who knows about it? - Everyone does.
Oh, well, that's just great.
That wasn't on the Seaview plans that you gave me, Captain.
- We cou/dve had that sea/ed ofif - It must have been on the plans.
Doctor, can you tell if these things have been tampered with? Oh, I can try.
Captain, I want you to put your crew on general quarters and keep them there until I've had time to search certain areas of this ship.
This one's been deactivated.
But how? Magnetically, I guess.
The silo doesn't appear to have been opened.
Well, Admiral, are you still willing to vouch - for e ve/ybody aboard this submarine? - [ Scoffs .]
Doctor, I suggest you reactivate the silos.
Well, of course.
But, uh, we must assume that the silos that have already been launched have also been tampered with.
I'm sure of it.
Corporal.
I want you to post a guard inside as well as outside this door and shoot anybody who tries to enter without a personal clearance from me.
Yes, sir.
Admiral, we're gonna search this ship for some form of magnetic device.
Suppose we start with your cabin.
- [Knocking.]
- Come in.
- May I? - Yeah-.
This is Mr.
Forester.
Will the commanding officer of the marine detail report to Admiral Nelson's cabin immediately.
Look at this.
[Clicking.]
I found it in Morton's cabin- hidden behind the mirror.
An ordinary comb- something any man might carry in his pocket.
But one touch, and your silo is about as dangerous as a gum machine.
L-I can't believe that.
I've known Chip ever since he entered the academy.
Where's Morton likely to be now? _- [Sighs.]
- [ Rlffllng Papers.]
He's, um- He's in the control room.
[ Knocking .]
Take two men, escort Mr.
Morton up here right away.
- No fuss.
- Yes, sir.
Admiral, I think we can get on with the mission now.
I'm not so sure.
Don't let me disturb you, Admiral.
I'm just going to double-check the silo-launching gear.
Fine, Lee.
Sick bay, this is Nelson.
Get the doctor to the missile room on the double.
I'm sorry, Admiral.
I had hoped it wouldn't get this far.
We had to be certain.
And now we are.
[ Nelson.]
Can we talk to him? He's heavily sedated.
He may drift offat any time.
Just don't press him too hard.
Lee.
Lee, can you hear me? Lee, it's Nelson.
Nelson.
Nelson will destroy the world.
[Gasping.]
No.
Nelson's my friend.
_ He_ - Easy.
Easy.
He's probably been through some sort of brainwashing or conditioning.
The shock of the bullet and the sedation is bringing him out of it.
Keep questioning him.
Lee? Why did you try to kill me? Kill Nelson.
Instructions.
Orders.
Someone is watching me.
My- My sacred duty.
What duty, Lee? What duty? I- I'm a sworn agent.
Sworn to who? To what? The People's Republic.
Yes.
The People's Republic.
Yes.
No! I'm an American.
[Groans.]
Were you supposed to stop this mission? Make them think they have the ultimate weapon.
He must have been supposed to deactivate the silos.
That way we'd be dead ifany trouble came.
Did they tell you what would happen if you failed? And you have.
Use destruct device.
Destroy ship.
But you can't destroy the ship now, Lee.
- What happens? - Hewill.
Hewill.
- Who's âheâ? - Who's your contact? [Groaning.]
- Now think, Lee.
Who did you think it was? - [ Laughing.]
You must have suspected or wondered.
[Laughing Continues.]
Ullman.
[Laughing.]
- Matches.
- No more, Admiral.
No more.
Please.
It couldn't have been Ullman.
If they'd had Ullman, they wouldn't have needed Crane.
He could've deactivated the silos at any time.
Where does that leave us? Somebody- we don't know who- has orders to destroy this sub once it's clear that Crane can no longer function.
Well, he said, uh- He said he had instructions, orders.
Now, that might mean that someone has some sort of a radio setup or is contacting the superior- It's not possible.
With the shakedown we gave this crew nobody could've gotten a radio aboard.
No, wait.
[Scoffs.]
No, it's impossible.
Well, what? Tell me.
It is possible then.
There is a radio aboard- one of the most powerful radios in the world.
Of course.
[Snaps Fingers.]
Then that message about Crane's mother had to be a phony.
It's gotta be your radio operator- Parker.
- Where's Parker? - He's been relieved of the watch, sir.
- Prepare to surface, Mr.
O'Brien.
- Aye, aye, sir.
Make ready to blow ballast.
[ Footsteps Approaching.]
[ Gunshots .]
Careful.
The bullet hits one of those windows, we'll have the whole Pacific in here.
Any minute now, it won't make any difference.
He's rigged an explosive on that glass.
[ Gunshots .]
We've gotta make a move.
We should broach the surface any second now.
We can't wait for that.
[Clicking.]
Fortunately, we broached the surface just as the window was blasted out.
Engineering's rigging a steel plate for the window.
We'll proceed with the mission as soon as they weld it into place.
I don't think we'll have any more problems with security.
- Sorry I got you involved in this, Chip.
- Forget it, Lee.
We never thought it was him anyway-.
When Forester was knocked out, Chip was in the missile room with me.
Somehow I still feel as though I betrayed my country.
Nonsense, Lee.
You couldn't helpyourself.
You were brainwashed.
They must have done the same thing with your radio operator.
As long as the enemy has to go to these lengths to win their ends I'm not worried about our security.
Thank you.
[Chuckles.]
Peace.