Airwolf (1984) s04e09 Episode Script

MIKE: Hot cloud dead ahead.
I've got a bead on the source.
It's in Soviet territory.
It's a nuclear power plant.
Stavograd.
TECHNICIAN: All three reactors are offline, Dr.
Bronski.
Vladimir, you could expose the core.
Do you have control of the situation or not? Jason, I want to go in.
You want to cause an international incident? Have you really come here to help? Right now, that's up to you.
The second we open the doors, we'd all be contaminated.
We have to do something.
How was that one, Jo? Not bad.
Depth, 6.
3 meters.
Firing duration, four seconds.
I can't wait till the company picnic.
LOCKE: Huh? When they ask me to start the barbecue.
You always were hot stuff, Mike.
While you're in the neighborhood, NORAD boys have a satellite reading they want you to check out.
Activity on the Russian border? Not exactly, some kind of high radiation release.
Nuclear test? Negative.
Hot cloud dead ahead.
What have you got? Massive cloud formation.
My God.
We'd be fried if we weren't sealed in.
I've got a bead on the source.
It's in Soviet territory.
Bearing 63 degrees.
It's just south of the Arctic Circle.
What the hell's up there? It's a nuclear power plant.
Stavograd.
(ALARM SOUNDING) All three reactors are offline, Dr.
Bronski, but the core temperature in number one is still critical.
What is the water level in two and three? Normal, but the pressure is beginning to rise.
Dr.
Bronski, we must do something! I know.
All right.
Release the buildup in containment number one.
Open the feed water link between one and two.
Vladimir, that could affect number two as well.
You could expose the core.
There is no other choice.
Do it.
Now! (ALARM SOUNDING) JO: We're almost into Soviet airspace.
What have you got, Jason? Stavograd is the biggest nuclear power plant in the USSR.
Some kind of experimental job.
Three new cluster reactors.
They've converted an older plant to robotic control, almost totally automated.
Cranks out 20,000 megawatts of power from a control center located about five miles from the actual containment site.
Five miles? Now there's a vote of confidence for you, huh? Any word of an emergency situation? Not yet.
Something's going on up there.
You are certain the condition is under control? Yes, Comrade Secretary.
We have stabilized the reactor, but we are still monitoring the situation.
This is precisely the crisis I was afraid of when I filed my report.
What report? The report on the automation systems I sent you last month.
Haven't you read it? I was given no such report! But you were! I warned you that the heat tolerance would be too low in an emergency situation, and that is just what happened! I'm not going to argue with you about paperwork, Comrade Bronski.
Do you have control of the situation or not? (SIGHS) Yes.
I am in control.
Good.
Keep me informed.
No, I don't like this.
The rads are bouncing off us like my checks.
Sensors show that there's another hot cloud dispersing over the northern coastline.
Jason, I want to go in.
Right, and scramble half of the Russian Air Force on your tail? Can't the State Department get us some kind of clearance? Not unless the Russians want us cruising through their airspace.
They haven't even acknowledged the situation, let alone ask us for help.
By then it could be too late.
I know.
But we just can't go busting in there.
You want to cause an international incident? (INSTRUMENT BEEPING) I'd say the wind has already made it an international incident.
Keep an eye on the water levels.
A repair team will have to be sent in as soon as number one has cooled off.
(SIGHS) Dimitrievich, that swine! I know he received my report and he didn't read it.
I know it! He is a perfect bureaucrat.
He was the same at the ministry lab.
He always preferred politics to science.
So it is no wonder they made him head of the department over you.
(CHUCKLES) It's a pity, you know.
He used to have a good head for science.
Ah, but you are a better man than him, and a better scientist.
Well, you are prejudiced.
(LAUGHS) Yes, I am.
Alexandria, what would I do without you? I don't intend to let you find out.
(ALARM SOUNDING) Dr.
Bronski! Reactor number one, the pressure is still building! That's impossible! Check the gauge! Oh, my God! (ALARM BLARING) We got a massive burst of radioactivity in the Stavograd sector.
Much more intense than the last one.
I hope you've got friends in high places, Jason.
I'm taking us in.
I'll get Washington on the horn.
(ALARMS BLARING) It's no use.
Internal temperature is building.
The core is exposed.
We have a fire in reactor number one.
JO: We're into Soviet airspace.
So far, so good.
Oh, sure, sure.
So far.
What do we say when we get there? "Hey, guys.
I just thought we'd see how your plants were doing"? Let's hope Locke has managed to get us an engraved invitation.
We'll just maintain radio silence until then and hope for the best.
What's our ETA? Stavograd Nuclear Facility, about 25 minutes from here.
Dr.
Bronski, the team has arrived.
(ALARM BLARING) Just close that valve and get out of there.
Yes, yes, that's it, now hurry! Carefully.
Very carefully.
No, no, the other The other way, the other way! Yes, sir.
I'll tell them.
Right away.
You joy riders better turn your collective tail around and come back home before you start World War III.
Did you tell them we're here to help? As far as the Russians are concerned, they don't need our help.
And the same thing goes for the State Department.
Are you kidding? You saw those radiation readings.
I know, but until it's official Ah.
It looks official to me.
We got a welcoming committee at three o'clock.
Damn.
Signing off, Jason.
Don't call us, we'll call you.
Wait a minute! You just can't Saint John! Mike? Airwolf, come in! Airwolf! JO: What do we do now? Just sit tight.
You have entered Soviet airspace.
You will land immediately, or we will open fire.
We are a non-military aircraft on a mercy mission.
I repeat, we are a non-military aircraft.
Request permission to land at Stavograd Nuclear Facility.
You will land, or we will shoot you down.
Look, pal, we want to land, at Stavograd.
So much for detente.
Now what? Don't return fire.
They have to know we're here to help.
Why? Why did I let them go in there? There is nothing you can do for them anymore.
I should have gone in myself.
No.
Your place is here.
I'll have to inform Dimitrievich.
The Stavograd plant is a top security zone, regardless of the situation.
Find out why the Americans want to be so generous.
Yes, sir.
We are forcing this Airwolf down at this very moment.
Excellent.
What is an Airwolf? JO: Heat seeker hard off port.
Firing sunburst decoy.
What was this? We call it a sunburst.
It is strictly defensive.
We're coming up on Stavograd.
I repeat, we request permission to land at Stavograd Nuclear Facility.
Ah, to hell with it.
Yes, yes, allow them to land.
But do not let them exit the helicopter until we have them inside the hangar.
Is this clear? (SIGHS) Yes, sir.
I'm on my way.
Good.
Keep me informed.
Get me Comrade Bronski.
(MAN SPEAKING RUSSIAN OVER PA) All right.
This is beautiful! You guys sure know how to make tourists feel welcome.
Hey, um, we need a jumpstart cable.
We can't seem to get this thing going.
I hope the AAA covers the towing charges.
I normally carry the card around.
I never leave home without it.
Arkov.
What are you doing here? That, my dear, is exactly what I was about to ask you.
Well, that's just not good enough! It's not good enough for me, it's not good enough for the President, and it's sure as hell's not good enough for the Russians! It was an emergency situation.
The rad count up there was reading like Nagasaki rain.
That still does not give them the authorization to invade Soviet airspace! They didn't invade anybody.
Yeah? Well, tell that to their General Secretary.
Tell that to our secretary of state.
Where are they now? Stavograd.
Then I'd say they're in the center of the biggest hornet's nest since the Cuban missile crisis.
Now get them out! (DIALTONE) Airwolf, come in, Airwolf.
(STATIC CRACKLING) Damn it, guys, answer me! Airwolf, come in! So.
A mission of peace, huh? In that? We saw the problem from our side of the line, and we moved in to help.
How many times do I have to tell you that? Arkov, you know we're on the level.
I know you are Americans, and I know you are spies.
And I know what your machine is capable of.
Then why don't you let us use it to help you, huh? Don't give us this crap about nothing being wrong.
We saw it, we measured the radioactivity.
You need something to fly in there for a close look without getting fried.
Your helicopter can do this? You bet.
We will send up one of our pilots in your Airwolf.
Forget it.
I would like to fly this aircraft.
Sorry, it is not for rent.
(CHUCKLES) A good fight.
You fly very well.
Thanks, same goes for you.
Look, we'll do all we can to help, but on our terms.
You are in no position to bargain.
Neither are you.
Arkov, can we trust these American spies? Yes, we can.
Has the core temperature in number two stabilized? Some.
But I don't know how long we can expect the cooling pumps to hold out in that temperature.
We must get that valve closed.
I know.
(SIGHS) Where is Dr.
Bronski? Not back from the infirmary yet.
Those poor bastards.
The number one reactor is burning out of control, the others are in jeopardy.
Dr.
Rostov, these are the Americans we have told you about.
Have you really come here to help? Right now, that's up to you.
Well, where is Bronski? (ENGINE STARTING) Fortunately, our plant is totally automated, and there have been relatively few injuries.
I thought all Russian women were built like tractors.
Well, have you seen their swim team? How about their track team? At this moment, this valve is our main problem.
So where do we fit in? You could provide us with a full picture of the damage.
Sure.
No problem.
(ALARM BLARING) Vladimir? Very well.
We go.
Doctor, you will remain here.
I must come with you.
No way.
She goes! We will keep one of you here with us.
You, stay.
Insurance, you understand.
MIKE: Hey, wait a minute.
We don't have time to argue about this.
Just go.
I'll be fine.
You sure? Yeah, I'm sure.
This is a remarkable vessel.
We like to think so.
Yo, Saint John, we should get in touch with Locke while we've still got the chance.
(BEEPING) Where the hell have you guys been? It's a long story.
What's going down over there? Hold on, Jason, see for yourself.
Holy Anyone hurt? We're not sure.
We're just gonna hang in as long as they let us.
Keep me posted.
You guys have the State Department and The Company having kittens.
Kittens? Baby cats? He's got it! (PEOPLE APPLAUDING) We have intercepted an unauthorized broadcast from the Airwolf.
I knew it.
I knew it! (ALARM BEEPING QUICKLY) Where is he? I can't find him.
Reactor number one, pressure is building again.
My God.
Fire.
The reactor is going into a meltdown.
Where's Vladimir? There.
You have to land.
He's hurt.
I can't.
The second we open the doors, we'd all be contaminated.
You have to do something.
Hurry.
You can't, he's too hot.
He's right.
I'm all right.
I'm all right.
How's Bronski? You lied to me.
What? Kirov's people intercepted a broadcast you made to America! Oh, give us a break! I mean, Even E.
T.
Phoned home.
You sent classified photos of secret military bases using our own satellite! We sent pictures of Stavograd.
A couple of snapshots.
You have hung yourselves this time, my friends.
And possibly me along with you.
Gentlemen, after you.
After you.
After you.
Go! Look, they were responding to an emergency situation.
I don't care if they were following The March Hare! How do you think our people would react if some super deluxe Soviet chopper set down right in the middle of Three Mile Island? Listen, I'm not looking for your blessing here, I just want to get them out in one piece.
As far as The Company is concerned, they don't exist.
What the hell's that supposed to mean? It means that we can't afford to get any dirtier than we already are.
Your people were ordered to stay the hell out of Stavograd! Therefore, they did not go to Stavograd.
You're telling me this never happened? We have already begun proceedings to eliminate Airwolf from the files.
And we're supposed to just forget about them? What kind of crap is that? The Company can't afford What if I go in? On my own, no strings attached.
I can't hear you.
If I can get in there, maybe I can spring them loose.
There is nothing I can do! Yeah.
Why don't you, uh Why don't you take some of that vacation time you've still got on the books? I understand the fishing in the Baltic's pretty good this time of the year.
Yeah.
I might just do that.
This is suicide.
Can we at least go up and assess the damage? I think you have accomplished quite enough damage on your own.
Oh, what are you getting at? Perhaps your people sabotaged the plant as a cover for your little photo expedition.
Are you out of your mind? We shall see.
As soon as this situation is under control, I will turn you over to the KGB.
And I do not mean your friend Arkov.
Um (EXHALES) Arkov.
You should start considering what you intend to tell your superiors after I file my report on this matter.
(TUTTING) I thought you were smarter than this, Arkov.
You flatter me, Commander.
I, on the other hand, find your intelligence to be exactly as expected.
(PEOPLE APPLAUDING) Stop it! Stop it! We have accomplished very little! There is so much to be done.
Go back to work.
If the temperature in reactor number two goes up so much as one degree, I want to know about it.
Is this the latest readout on reactor number two? Yes, sir.
Let me take over for now.
You must rest.
If I rest, we will all rest for a very long time.
And if you drop dead on your feet, will we be better off? Alexandria Vladimir, you have done enough.
That may be my epitaph.
What is the status? The status is that reactor number one is now in total meltdown, and if we can't somehow stop it within 24 hours, reactor number two will overheat.
If reactor two blows, then most assuredly, number three will follow.
That is the status.
This must not happen.
What can we do? You can pray for your soul, Comrade Commander.
Hmm.
Hmm.
Well, I don't think much of the color, but heck, if we move a few things around, we'll be all right.
I don't know about you, but I'm gonna move out before I get evicted.
Aha! Mmm.
Right.
Ooh, I like the quiet ones.
What a guy.
All clear.
Come on.
Now where? KIROV: I am waiting, yes! Please, consider letting the Americans help.
Help what? Make us look like fools? They are spies.
I was with them when they made the broadcast.
They said nothing of military installations.
But they did save Vladimir's life.
They, they, they, they They photographed a high security area.
Everything in sight here is high security.
How could they not? You know them.
Tell him they are telling the truth.
The truth is they made an unauthorized transmission of restricted material.
I see.
And for that we all must die.
Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes.
Wonderful technology.
What luck.
This time, I will personally keep an eye on you.
Just what is gonna take to convince you, Kirov? (COCKS GUN) (CLOSES DOOR) Your faith in the American spies is curious, Doctor.
It's something I would like to discuss with you at a more appropriate time.
Excuse me, Commander Kirov.
Moscow.
Yes, sir.
You told me you had the matter under control.
You told me there was nothing to worry about.
That was true at the time.
But circumstances have changed.
And so shall the leadership of your division.
Now tell me, what is the situation? MIKE: Yeah, the situation's this.
Your people are gonna turn the Eastern Hemisphere into a giant microwave oven unless you do some smart moves, and I mean pronto, like lickety-split Stop him! you know what I mean? Excuse me, guys.
I guess all your phones are party lines, huh? (SIGHS) There must be something we can be doing.
Well, one thing's for sure.
They're not gonna let us out.
So I'd say the first order of business is to find a way out.
Yeah, well, I just hate being locked up.
We're forgetting our wild card.
LOCKE: Yeah, that's right.
I want a list of every sporting event in the Soviet Bloc in the next week.
Right.
Bowling, gymnastics, I don't care.
Just get me that list and make it fast.
So, I see you're gonna take that vacation, huh? That's right.
I'm hopping a cargo flight to Helsinki in about 45 minutes.
Jason.
You know, if I could Yeah.
I know if you could, you'd sweep me under the carpet, too.
Well, maybe the Soviets will save you the trouble.
What about the boron compound? No! It is too dangerous.
To do nothing is also dangerous! We're on the brink of a disaster both natural and political.
(ALARM SOUNDING) It'll be like threading a needle at 800 miles an hour.
What are you, nuts? I'm not sending more men to their death.
My God! He's going to crash! Pull back! The whole thing's ready to blow.
The pressure in reactor number two is almost at the critical stage again.
One more time.