JAG s05e06 Episode Script
Psychic Warrior
You keeping them out or us in, Swensen? You're the mind reader.
You tell me.
- Thanks, Jimmy.
- No problem, chief.
So did the lieutenant fly to the moon or see God while I was gone? No.
For once, he's sleeping like a baby.
Well, for once, maybe we can get out of here before dawn, huh? Let's hope so.
I hope you like ham and cheese.
It's all they had.
His brain waves are off the Richter.
Pull up! Pull up! Pull up now! - Sir.
- We're gonna crash! Sir.
Security.
Lieutenant-- Security alert.
Code four.
- Lieutenant, you're safe.
It's all right.
- Bail out! Bail out! Bail out! Bail out! Oh, my God.
What the hell is remote viewing? It's a kind of a clairvoyance or ESP, sir.
The subject goes into a meditative state and attempts to see something in the next room.
Or on the next continent, sir.
You mean the psychic spy programme? Hell, I thought the CIA shut that thing down years ago.
They closed most operations, sir, but there's still some theoretical research going on.
And the Navy Intel has its own top-secret programme called Stargazer run by Admiral Harrison Spencer.
Pretty gung ho type of guy, sir.
Apparently, they were looking for a downed North Korean jet.
The South Koreans wanted to recover the electronics.
Haven't they ever heard of satellites? Well, satellites don't see underwater, sir, or through clouds.
But a junior officer flat on his back in Washington can? Well, the CIA programme had a number of successes, sir.
One viewer located a secret Chinese nuclear-test site.
Another pinpointed where the Red Brigade was holding an American general hostage.
Yeah, and here, a lieutenant goes into a trance and ends up dead.
So, Mr.
Roberts, we know how you feel about psychic phenomena.
Yes, sir.
There's just too much evidence to ignore the reality of the paranormal.
Colonel, do you have any preconceptions about psychic spies and telepathic warriors? Only that it sounds like science fiction.
Well, colonel, a hundred years ago, putting a man on the moon was science fiction.
You three will make a perfect team.
I want a thorough investigation of Lieutenant McGrane's death and Admiral Spencer's role in it.
Dismissed.
- Aye, aye, sir.
- Aye, sir.
Colonel.
What ever happened about that Korean plane? They never found it, sir.
Lieutenant McGrane showed incredible promise with simple precognition tests, naming the suits of unseen cards, that sort of thing.
You put the lieutenant into Psychic Operations - before he received medical clearance.
- The lab was backed up.
We were lacking the blood and toxicology reports.
Everything else checked out.
- Is this where it happened, sir? - Yes.
We have worked around the clock for the last six months.
Now Admiral Linsenmeyer has suspended all Stargazer operations, pending your investigation.
I hope you don't ridicule that which you don't understand, colonel.
Sir, do you really believe in all this? Not at first.
I didn't grow up in an ashram, chanting with some guru.
I was a country boy.
Studied chemical engineering at the academy and believed the laws of science were carved in stone.
But we have tested personnel whose minds can alter electric current, predict the roll of dice, even see events thousands of miles away.
And you're sure there's no rational explanation? Have you never had an experience that defied rational explanation, colonel? Never seen something in your mind's eye, and it happened? Sir, I can't even pick the right checkout line at the supermarket.
And you, commander? Sir, I have had visions that I can't explain.
I met a Gypsy woman in Russia who could see the future and the past.
So I guess, yes, I am open to the possibility of the paranormal.
And that's all I ask.
Sir, we'll need to go through your records and interview the staff.
Fine.
You can start with me.
All right, sir.
- It's November 2nd, and the time is-- - Eleven thirty-six.
- Exactly, as usual.
- Colonel, how did you do that? I don't know, sir.
I've been able to tell the time without a watch since I was in fifth grade.
That's a psychic gift.
A second cousin to telepathy.
Actually, sir, I just wanted to know how long until recess.
When this is cleared up, I'd love for you to undertake a remote-viewing experiment.
You'd find it fascinating.
It's a journey outside your own body with a soaring sense of freedom.
Sertraline, fluoxetine, and a heavy dose of monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
The tox scan shows that your Lieutenant McGrane was a pharmacological disaster just waiting to happen.
Why would someone take a cocktail like that? They're standard prescriptions for depression and anxiety, lieutenant.
Have a seat.
But you shouldn't be mixing them.
Lieutenant Whitman, call extension Eyewitnesses report that the lieutenant thought he was on a North Korean jet that was about to crash.
Hallucinations.
The drugs combined with the induced meditative state could've produced some pretty scary images.
Apparently, he was trying to bail out of the plane.
Or out of the dream.
Well, either way, he shouldn't have been there.
Anyone taking psychotropic drugs shouldn't be fooling around with altered states of consciousness.
Well, the lieutenant signed the release form for human-use experiments.
But the only drug that he said that he was taking was for an allergy.
Then he lied.
Lieutenant Niles McGrane was under psychiatric care for manic depression and anxiety, and he didn't want the Navy to know.
He filled his prescriptions off-base and didn't disclose his condition to Admiral Spencer.
So how is it that you know all of this, Bud? Well, after I spoke to the pathologist, I visited the widow.
Actually, I went to Mass with her and lit a candle for her husband.
That's ethical, isn't it? To establish a common ground with a witness? It's fine, Bud.
Anyway, based on preliminary test results, the admiral convinced Lieutenant McGrane that he was a natural-born psychic.
He pushed him into volunteering.
So? He could've declined.
Yeah.
You ever tried to say no to an admiral, commander? Well, I suspect it's only slightly harder than saying no to a colonel.
- Anything else, Bud? - Well, yes, sir.
I've been going over the Stargazer's financial records, and it looks like Admiral Spencer has been diverting funds from ELINT and COMINT into the Psychic Warrior programme.
That's hardly incriminating.
As deputy director of Navy Intel, he has the right to reallocate funds.
But he doesn't have the right to violate medical protocol in human-use experiments.
Wasn't the lieutenant at fault for not disclosing his condition? Why do you two find it necessary to defend the admiral? Why do you find it necessary to continually attack him, colonel? Because he takes unnecessary risks with other men's lives.
Beg your pardon, colonel.
Admiral Chegwidden would like to see all of you ASAP.
He wants to fight it.
Wants to go down with the ship.
He told me he had a dream that someday Psychic Ops would be as commonplace as radar and satellites.
Enter.
At ease, at ease.
I believe you all know Admiral Linsenmeyer, director of Naval Intelligence.
- Yes, sir.
- Admiral.
What's the state of the investigation? Admiral Spencer rushed Lieutenant McGrane into Psychic Operations before he received medical clearance, sir.
In my book, that's negligence.
I'm authorising the convening of a court-martial.
How long will it take to prepare the charge sheet? Well, it shouldn't take longer than an hour, sir, if that's how you wanna go.
Oh, no, no, no.
Not you, commander.
Admiral Spencer's requested that you defend him.
He seems to think you're on the same wavelength.
Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Roberts will handle the prosecution.
Prosecution, sir? Being a JAG lawyer is not like going to the Army-Navy game, lieutenant.
- You don't get to pick sides.
- Yes, sir.
Colonel, commander, you two seem to understand each other.
And I hope you understand me.
Your job is to work this out quickly and quietly and with a minimum of embarrassment to the Navy.
Actually, sir, my job now is to exonerate Admiral Spencer.
What's going on, petty officer? We're securing the lab on orders from Colonel MacKenzie.
- She called half an hour ago.
- Sir.
They're planning to make a bonfire of my work so they can burn me as a warlock.
Well, sir, you wanted a fight.
Looks like we have one.
I had no choice.
If I slip quietly away into the night, crucial research will be abandoned.
Right now, sir, it's your freedom I'm worried about.
Admiral, it is my duty to serve you with the charges and specifications against you.
My counsel will answer the charges.
All I ask is a chance to defend my work.
"Failure to obey orders under Article 92 A-1, dereliction of duty under Article 92 A-3, and--" Manslaughter.
A man is dead.
I miss you too.
I can't come up this weekend, sweetheart.
Maybe at Christmas.
So are you dating that bodacious Harmon Rabb yet? No, no, actually.
That really would not be appropriate.
Hey, I had a dream last night that the two of you got married, and I was your flower girl.
Not all dreams come true.
Look, I'll talk to you this weekend, okay? - Okay.
Love you.
- I love you too, Chloe.
Bye.
- How is your little sister, anyway? - Wonderful.
But ever since she found her real family, I don't get to see her that much.
I miss her, Harm.
Anybody ever tell you you have great maternal instincts? Not as often as they've told me I have a great karate chop.
Look, about yesterday.
There wasn't time to inform you about the document seizure, nor was I required.
Well, that's all right, colonel, but if you're gonna play hardball, you better be able to catch as well as throw.
Meaning? The admiral waives his right to an Article 32 hearing.
- We're demanding a speedy trial.
- You don't think I'm ready? Commander, I am ready to run your client and his crystal ball right out of the Navy and into the brig.
Well, you may be, but it is in the Navy's best interest to put this case to rest.
I'm listening.
Drop all charges against Admiral Spencer.
He will accept a letter of instruction.
No punitive measures.
He continues to run Stargazer, but this time - This time, under strict supervision.
- You're dreaming.
Yeah, we'll drop the charges, but the admiral resigns and gives up his star.
- Harm, you can't do better than that.
- Yes, I can.
I can win.
As director of Naval Intelligence, I promulgated the rules for all human-use experiments.
And Admiral Spencer reported to you, sir? He directed Operation Stargazer under my supervision.
- At least, in theory.
- Meaning what, admiral? I issued orders to engage in operations only with volunteers who had passed rigorous mental and physical exams, including drug screening.
Why the strict controls, admiral? Forty years ago, we learned the dangers of human-use experiments with LSD and truth serum.
We don't wanna repeat that again.
Did Admiral Spencer follow your orders? He did not.
He grabbed members of his staff at random, like a pickup softball game.
That's what he did with Lieutenant McGrane.
Pushing him through Operations before the drug screens came back from the lab.
And it cost the man his life.
Your witness.
You don't believe in the paranormal, do you? - Objection.
Irrelevant.
- It's relevant to bias, ma'am.
Overruled.
You may answer the question, admiral.
I don't exclude the possibility of psychic phenomenon.
- Then you have an open mind, sir? - Yes, I do, commander.
But as my grandpappy used to say: "If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
" Admiral, was there much competition amongst your staff to head up the Psychic Warrior programme? Hardly.
Harrison Spencer was the only flag officer who would even touch it.
In fact, sir, wouldn't you say that directing Stargazer was a career move equivalent to running your cruiser aground at the Statue of Liberty? All I know is Congress authorised the money, and I needed someone to run that programme.
- Or to fail, sir? So you could scrap it? - Objection.
Argumentative.
This is cross-examination.
I'll allow it.
Mister, I don't want any of my officers to fail.
But, frankly, we could put the money to better use in Electronic Intelligence or Human Intelligence.
Admiral, are you familiar with the Stargazer research reports? Yes, of course.
Then, sir, you're aware that some volunteers were able to guess whether a card would be an ace, a deuce, a heart or a diamond? Substantially higher than the odds of mere chance.
Oh, they were good at parlour games, card tricks.
But unless we're playing gin rummy with our enemies, what good will it do us? Admiral Spencer sent experimenters into the field, and some viewers in the lab were able to see where they went, sir, like the Washington Monument, isn't that correct? - Yes, it's happened.
- Then you would agree, admiral, there is evidence to suggest the existence of telepathy, precognition and other psychic phenomenon? Perhaps.
But how do we use it? When General Dozier was kidnapped by the Red Brigade, we got tips from a hundred psychics all over the world.
A single psychic, one of ours, saw where the general was actually being held.
Now, that's one in a hundred.
When you've got a Navy SEAL team ready to break down doors, how do you know which one to listen to? Well, isn't that what Admiral Spencer was trying to find out, sir? Lieutenant Bouchard, what is Admiral Spencer's nickname among members of his staff? I don't know about the others, ma'am, but I call him sir.
Well, I'm sure you do.
But when no one else is present, what is the admiral called? Oh, come, now, lieutenant.
Nicknames are common in the military.
Thirty-One Knot Burke.
Bull Halsey.
Chesty Puller.
Now, what's Admiral Spencer's? Admiral Spoonbender, ma'am.
And why is that, lieutenant? Admiral Spencer would invite us to his house for barbecues.
He would pass out spoons and ask us to bend them with mind power.
Did your spoon ever bend? Only when my mind told my hand to bend it, ma'am.
So, what other kinds of things went on at these barbecues? Firewalking, ma'am.
One time, after the admiral was done cooking the burgers, he overturned the grill, and he brought out a guy who could teach us how to walk barefoot across hot coals.
He said if we kept yelling, "It's cold, it's cold," it would be like walking on snow.
Was it like walking on snow, lieutenant? More like a footpath in hell, ma'am.
Your witness.
Lieutenant, did you refer to Admiral Spencer as Admiral Spoonbender? Maybe once or twice, sir.
Lieutenant, are you familiar with Article 89 under the UCMJ which makes it a crime to show disrespect to a superior officer? Well, I never meant any disrespect to the admiral.
It was kind of all in good fun.
Well, isn't that what Admiral Spencer intended, lieutenant? Sir? I don't-- The firewalking, the spoon bending, weren't they meant as good fun? Just activities to help the admiral's staff bond outside of the office? Well, I suppose so, sir.
Is it fair to say that you were Lieutenant McGrane's best friend? Yes, sir.
Were you aware that the lieutenant was seeing a psychiatrist and was taking antidepressant drugs? Yes, he told me.
Did you advise your best friend to inform Admiral Spencer of his treatment? No, I didn't.
Did you inform the admiral of your friend's condition? No, sir.
Well, isn't it likely, lieutenant, had you taken the initiative, your friend would be alive today? Objection.
Irrelevant.
- It calls for a conclusion.
- Sustained.
Nothing further.
Then we are in recess for lunch.
All parties report back here at 1330.
When do I testify? Well, sir, I'm putting you on the stand last so your words echo in the members' ears while they deliberate.
I can prove not only the existence of psychic phenomenon, but that we can harness the power for strategic use.
Admiral.
Sir, our defence is that you were doing important work that may bear fruit one day.
That you cannot be legally responsible for an accident beyond your control.
Let us not confuse the issue, sir, by pulling tarot cards out from behind the judge's ears.
Well, wouldn't it help our case if I gave a demonstration? - Of what, sir? - My own psychic powers.
With all due respect, sir, no.
We'll wait in here, admiral.
- Colonel, you have an urgent call.
- Who is it, gunny? Someone named Martha Anderson.
She said she's Chloe's grandmother.
- Martha, what is it? - Oh, Sarah, thank God you're there.
Chloe went out riding, and Scout came back without her.
Ma'am, I talked to the county sheriff.
They have search parties out for Chloe.
The state police kicked in some bloodhounds.
It's pretty rugged country.
There's no trace of her yet.
If you hear anything, come get me.
I don't care if I'm in closing argument.
Yes, ma'am.
Oh, and the sheriff faxed me this.
They're circulating these in three counties.
- Thanks, gunny.
- Yes, ma'am.
Mac.
Hey, I just heard.
Look, if you wanna seek a continuance, I'm not gonna object.
No.
I don't know what else I could do out there besides worry even more.
When we get the verdict, I'll catch the first flight, but thanks.
May I see that, colonel? You know, I have some experience using remote viewing to locate missing persons.
Please, sir.
Don't even think about it.
Well, that's all that I was going to do.
Think about it.
There's always an element of wishful thinking when it comes to psychic testing.
Studies have shown that when the testers believe in the paranormal, they get better results.
How do you account for that, professor? Well, in poker, we'd call it a tell.
It's an unintentional clue.
Some word or gesture that tips off the subject.
Professor Pilkington, have you had a chance to review the scientific findings of Operation Stargazer? Well, I'm not so sure that I would dignify the work by calling it scientific.
But, yes, I've had a chance to look at the report.
Would you have an opinion as to their accuracy? No.
Without verifying the controls under which the tests are conducted, it's impossible.
No scientist could accept it.
So the scientists who wrote glowing reviews about Operation Stargazer were wrong? And what scientists would they be? Well, Professor Wiggen from Duke.
Dr.
Holstrom from the Helsinki Institute.
Wiggens is an agronomist.
Holstrom is a fraud.
Dr.
Holstrom was nominated for the Nobel Prize.
Well, anyone can be nominated for anything.
Your Honour, may I confer with my co-counsel? I suggest that you do.
- Sit down, Bud.
- Yes, ma'am.
No further questions.
You flip, professor.
I'll call.
Heads.
- Heads it is.
- One more time, please.
Tails.
Heads.
I guess you're not a psychic.
Now, what if somebody with the powers of telekinesis were to try? There's no such thing.
No one can control inanimate objects by mind power.
And yet several Stargazer volunteers exceeded numbers far greater than statistical probability.
Well, if you give typewriters to enough monkeys, they'll eventually compose all the works of Shakespeare.
It's It wouldn't shock me if one or two of the subjects exceeded probability.
If you were to flip this coin a thousand times, what are the odds it will come up heads 900 times? Well, that would be one chance in One in six times ten to the 162nd power.
That's a number greater than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world.
It simply couldn't happen.
Well, professor, explain how two Stargazer subjects were able to exceed 900 out of 1,000 correct calls when attempting to influence the results? Well, the only explanation is that their numbers are wrong, either through intentional fraud or negligent controls.
Oh, I see, professor.
Because you refuse to believe in an event that defies our current scientific understanding, that event must not have happened.
You're asking me to prove a negative.
That psychic phenomena doesn't exist.
I challenge Admiral Spencer to prove it does exist to a scientific certainty.
Is there a Supreme Being, professor? - What? - Do you believe in God? Objection.
Irrelevant.
Well, the witness did take an oath to tell the truth, so help him God.
Although I suspect Commander Rabb has other fish to fry.
I'll allow it.
Yes.
I believe in God.
Could you punch up on your calculator the equation that proves God's existence to a scientific certainty, professor? I can't do that.
I take it on faith.
The greatest paranormal force in the universe you take on faith? Well, somebody had to create the laws of science, counsellor.
Well, maybe he also created people who could break them, professor.
Nothing further.
I'm sorry.
I know I shouldn't allow my personal feelings to affect my work.
It won't be necessary to gag you before going to court tomorrow? No, ma'am.
But thank you, ma'am.
Thank you.
- Anything, gunny? - No, ma'am.
But they're doing the best they can.
They added a chopper to the search.
What else? Well, they're expecting a freeze tonight, so hypothermia's a danger.
But the sheriff says there are caves in the area, so she might be able to find shelter.
Well, Chloe's strong, and she's smart, so she won't give up.
Colonel.
How are things going? Fine, sir.
Proved a prima facie case.
I meant Chloe.
I'm monitoring the situation, sir.
Really? Yeah.
The sheriff is doing everything possible.
- And - Hey, Mac.
Even Marines can show emotion, especially when it's warranted.
I feel so helpless, sir.
Well, that, colonel, is the nature of love.
Admiral Spencer, how did you become the director of Operation Stargazer? The programme was an orphan.
No one else at Intel would go near it.
Did you have an interest in the paranormal at the time, sir? No.
Not at the time.
I didn't truly understand the significance of the programme until I reviewed the classified files.
I'm gonna ask you directly, sir.
Did you disobey Admiral Linsenmeyer's orders regarding safeguards for remote-viewing operations? No, I did not.
I ordered that all subjects, including Lieutenant McGrane, undergo mental and physical exams, including the drug screening.
If I made a mistake, it was in believing the lieutenant.
Had I known he had mental problems and was taking heavy doses of antidepressants, I never would've allowed him to go under.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing, more important to me than the welfare of my personnel.
- Not even Stargazer, sir? - Not even Stargazer.
Thank you, admiral.
Nothing further.
Admiral, at the time of the remote-viewing operation that claimed Lieutenant McGrane's life, were you aware that Congress was considering whether to continue funding Psychic Operations? Yes, I was.
You needed a new star to show off to the Appropriations Subcommittee, didn't you? It would've helped the cause, yes.
And that's why you rushed Lieutenant McGrane into Psychic Operations? No.
No, no.
We had many promising candidates.
Everyone has a certain amount of psychic ability.
- And that would include you, sir? - Yes.
- To some extent.
- Admiral, who's gonna win - the Super Bowl this season? - I don't know.
Well, what about this week's winning lottery numbers, sir? Objection, Your Honour.
This case has nothing to do with the admiral's psychic abilities.
I gave you considerable leeway with the prosecution witnesses, Commander Rabb.
I'll allow it.
- The lottery numbers, sir? - Doesn't work that way, colonel.
Numbers are particularly difficult to fathom through telepathy and precognition.
Pity.
Tell us about firewalking, admiral.
Did you have your staff prance across coals in your backyard? I invited them to try.
It was totally voluntary.
Did you also tell them that it was mind over matter, sir? That if they thought it was cold, they wouldn't get burned? There is an element of biofeedback in firewalking.
Is there, admiral? Or is it just that coals are inefficient at conducting heat? Like when you touch a cake in a 500-degree oven and your finger doesn't get burnt.
Isn't the explanation scientific and not paranormal? I don't really know where science ends and the paranormal begins.
Apparently not.
At these firewalking events, did you also bend spoons with mind power? Sometimes.
May I borrow this, Your Honour? It is government property, counsellor.
I doubt it'll be any worse for wear when we're done with it.
So tell me, admiral, can you bend this spoon with mind power? Objection, Your Honour.
This is irrelevant.
As I recall, commander, you were in here yesterday flipping coins.
Now, your client can try and bend this spoon if he wishes, or he can decline.
He declines, ma'am.
Your Honour, I have a right to get an answer from this witness.
Can you bend this spoon, admiral? - Yes.
- Ma'am, we would like a recess.
No, we wouldn't.
It's my neck on the chopping block.
I'm afraid you're outranked, commander.
I I can't do it.
Admiral, this morning, you told this court that you could bend a spoon with your mind.
Yes.
Yes.
I never should've tried.
Can you tell us why you failed, sir? Sometimes psychic phenomena can be summoned at will, but often not.
And a courtroom is hardly the place to demonstrate the powers of the subconscious.
Why is that, sir? I suppose, too many stimuli, too many distractions.
But you have succeeded in the past, haven't you, sir? Yes.
I have.
And I've remote-viewed.
And I have picked the suits of cards at a rate 30 percent better than pure chance.
But I've also failed.
It's the nature of the phenomena.
Now, doesn't this limit the usefulness of Operation Stargazer, admiral? Yes, of course.
But psychic research is still in its infancy.
Given enough time and support, who knows what we can accomplish? I deeply regret the death of Lieutenant McGrane.
And I would do anything to turn back the clock.
But I pray that the Navy will not use this terrible accident to destroy all the work that we've done and close the door on what remains to be done.
Thank you, sir.
Ma'am.
If psychic research is in its infancy, admiral, isn't that all the more reason to avoid potentially dangerous operations in uncharted waters? You know, at some point, every explorer, from Columbus to John Glenn, has to sail uncharted waters.
But you shoved off without a compass, admiral.
- Objection.
- Sustained.
So, what was it in this courtroom that kept you from demonstrating your psychic powers? I'm not really sure, but a quiet, meditative place would be better.
So a bunker on a battlefield, or a flight deck on a carrier, probably wouldn't be the best place for Psychic Warrior? - Probably not.
- But it's not noisy in here, is it, sir? Well, even the buzz of some electric lights can interfere with brain waves.
Lights? - They seem quiet to me, sir.
- Objection.
Argumentative.
Sustained.
Questions, counsellor.
Admiral, do you hear things, see things, that the rest of us don't? Sir? Admiral, are you all right? Yes, Your Honour.
Question withdrawn.
Nothing further.
You may step down, admiral.
- Commander? - The defence rests, ma'am.
Very well.
We're in recess for 30 minutes.
We'll hear closing arguments when we reconvene.
You may step down, admiral.
They've checked all the caves in these two areas here.
Colonel.
As you were.
Admiral, it's improper for us to speak without your lawyer present.
- This isn't about the case.
- That doesn't matter.
Under-- It's about Chloe.
- What about her? - I saw her.
Last night, I tried, but couldn't.
Then, just now, on the witness stand, I saw a covered bridge.
An old wooden bridge over a dry stream with white rocks.
Chloe's under it.
She's cold and tired and hungry.
But she's alive.
You expect me to act on your hallucinations, sir? Even if you don't believe it.
Please.
Tell the people who are looking for her.
I'd call the sheriff, ma'am.
It's crazy what people do when they get desperate, you know? They turn to quacks and con artists.
What if that takes the searchers away from real leads? There aren't any leads, ma'am.
They've come to a dead end.
You don't really believe in all this, do you, gunny? In our living room at home, my mother has a painting of Santa Teresa de Ávila, a mystic before the Church turned her into a saint.
On Sundays, I pray to the guy that walks on water.
Who knows, colonel? - Call the sheriff.
- Yes, ma'am.
Discipline is the heart of any military organisation.
Obedience is its soul.
The most basic principle of the military is that a lawful order must be obeyed.
We have proved that Admiral Harrison Spencer violated a lawful order to restrict Psychic Operations to personnel who had passed rigorous medical exams.
By disobeying that order, he recklessly endangered lives.
He committed a culpable act of negligence that caused the death of Lieutenant Niles McGrane.
Which was a tragedy, but would never have occurred if Lieutenant McGrane had disclosed his medical condition.
So let us not compound that tragedy by destroying the life of a dedicated senior officer.
The Navy assigned Admiral Spencer the task of running a programme that nobody wanted to touch.
He accepted that job with commitment and enthusiasm.
Now, it doesn't matter if you think that Admiral Spencer is a brilliant visionary or a naive dreamer.
He is not legally responsible for the death of Lieutenant McGrane.
Thank you.
What does it mean when they're out this long? Well, sir, sometimes it's good for the defence.
And sometimes they're just arguing over what to order for dinner.
The sheriff just called, ma'am.
There are four covered bridges in the immediate area.
You told them what I saw? Two of the bridges are over dry streams.
Did they find her? They checked all four.
There's no trace of her, admiral.
- Thank you for trying, gunny.
- Yes, ma'am.
You can catch a flight out of Nashville as soon as the verdict's in.
Thank you, admiral.
I know you meant well.
Maybe I just wanted to believe.
Maybe I was wrong about everything.
The defence shall rise.
You may publish the findings.
Admiral Harrison Spencer, on the specification of involuntary manslaughter, this court-martial finds you not guilty.
On the specifications of dereliction of duty and failure to obey the order to restrict Psychic Operations to personnel who pass rigorous medical examinations, this court-martial finds you guilty.
Commander, I assume you'll wish to present evidence of extenuation and mitigation? Yes, ma'am.
Then we stand in recess until sentencing, 0900, Monday.
Ladies and gentlemen, we may be experiencing some turbulence.
The captain has requested that you return to your seats and keep your seat belts securely fastened.
Fasten your seat belt, sir.
Flight 186 from Cincinnati now arriving at Gate 3-B.
Flight 186 from Cincinnati is now arriving at Gate 3-B.
Flight 864 - Oh, thank you, Sarah, for coming.
- Any news, Martha? No, but they're going to be searching through the night.
- I've been so worried.
- Me too.
But I feel better just seeing you here.
God, I hate to think of her out on a night like this.
I know, Sarah.
But we'll just have to pray she's all right.
Oh, no.
It's too big to move.
I'll back it up.
- We'll have to take Highway 60.
- No.
What? The searchers looked here? At least twice.
I've seen this place.
What are you doing? - Did Chloe ride here? - Sometimes on an old logging trail.
But the searchers looked.
Chloe? Chloe? - Chloe? - Here.
Chloe.
Grandma.
Are you all right, child? Oh, there, there.
I feel like such a dweeb.
Scout threw me, and I sprained my ankle.
And he just left me there.
It was so dark, and there were some weird noises coming out of the woods.
And I was so scared.
And I thought a bear was gonna eat me, so I went into a cave.
And it was so cold that I couldn't sleep.
And I'm dying for a pizza.
But you're okay.
I was really scared.
Baby.
- Come on, pumpkin.
- Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
What do you say we go get that pizza, huh? - Double anchovies? - Yeah.
Watch your step.
Mac.
I heard they found Chloe.
- Great news.
- Thanks, Harm.
- Congratulations, colonel.
- Thank you, admiral.
This is my list of witnesses for the admiral's sentencing hearing.
- They'll all attest to his long-- - Not necessary.
I'm gonna recommend that the admiral be spared confinement and be permitted to retire at full rank.
Thank you, colonel.
You found her.
You had a vision.
What'd you see, ma'am? So who's gonna win the Super Bowl, Mac?
You tell me.
- Thanks, Jimmy.
- No problem, chief.
So did the lieutenant fly to the moon or see God while I was gone? No.
For once, he's sleeping like a baby.
Well, for once, maybe we can get out of here before dawn, huh? Let's hope so.
I hope you like ham and cheese.
It's all they had.
His brain waves are off the Richter.
Pull up! Pull up! Pull up now! - Sir.
- We're gonna crash! Sir.
Security.
Lieutenant-- Security alert.
Code four.
- Lieutenant, you're safe.
It's all right.
- Bail out! Bail out! Bail out! Bail out! Oh, my God.
What the hell is remote viewing? It's a kind of a clairvoyance or ESP, sir.
The subject goes into a meditative state and attempts to see something in the next room.
Or on the next continent, sir.
You mean the psychic spy programme? Hell, I thought the CIA shut that thing down years ago.
They closed most operations, sir, but there's still some theoretical research going on.
And the Navy Intel has its own top-secret programme called Stargazer run by Admiral Harrison Spencer.
Pretty gung ho type of guy, sir.
Apparently, they were looking for a downed North Korean jet.
The South Koreans wanted to recover the electronics.
Haven't they ever heard of satellites? Well, satellites don't see underwater, sir, or through clouds.
But a junior officer flat on his back in Washington can? Well, the CIA programme had a number of successes, sir.
One viewer located a secret Chinese nuclear-test site.
Another pinpointed where the Red Brigade was holding an American general hostage.
Yeah, and here, a lieutenant goes into a trance and ends up dead.
So, Mr.
Roberts, we know how you feel about psychic phenomena.
Yes, sir.
There's just too much evidence to ignore the reality of the paranormal.
Colonel, do you have any preconceptions about psychic spies and telepathic warriors? Only that it sounds like science fiction.
Well, colonel, a hundred years ago, putting a man on the moon was science fiction.
You three will make a perfect team.
I want a thorough investigation of Lieutenant McGrane's death and Admiral Spencer's role in it.
Dismissed.
- Aye, aye, sir.
- Aye, sir.
Colonel.
What ever happened about that Korean plane? They never found it, sir.
Lieutenant McGrane showed incredible promise with simple precognition tests, naming the suits of unseen cards, that sort of thing.
You put the lieutenant into Psychic Operations - before he received medical clearance.
- The lab was backed up.
We were lacking the blood and toxicology reports.
Everything else checked out.
- Is this where it happened, sir? - Yes.
We have worked around the clock for the last six months.
Now Admiral Linsenmeyer has suspended all Stargazer operations, pending your investigation.
I hope you don't ridicule that which you don't understand, colonel.
Sir, do you really believe in all this? Not at first.
I didn't grow up in an ashram, chanting with some guru.
I was a country boy.
Studied chemical engineering at the academy and believed the laws of science were carved in stone.
But we have tested personnel whose minds can alter electric current, predict the roll of dice, even see events thousands of miles away.
And you're sure there's no rational explanation? Have you never had an experience that defied rational explanation, colonel? Never seen something in your mind's eye, and it happened? Sir, I can't even pick the right checkout line at the supermarket.
And you, commander? Sir, I have had visions that I can't explain.
I met a Gypsy woman in Russia who could see the future and the past.
So I guess, yes, I am open to the possibility of the paranormal.
And that's all I ask.
Sir, we'll need to go through your records and interview the staff.
Fine.
You can start with me.
All right, sir.
- It's November 2nd, and the time is-- - Eleven thirty-six.
- Exactly, as usual.
- Colonel, how did you do that? I don't know, sir.
I've been able to tell the time without a watch since I was in fifth grade.
That's a psychic gift.
A second cousin to telepathy.
Actually, sir, I just wanted to know how long until recess.
When this is cleared up, I'd love for you to undertake a remote-viewing experiment.
You'd find it fascinating.
It's a journey outside your own body with a soaring sense of freedom.
Sertraline, fluoxetine, and a heavy dose of monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
The tox scan shows that your Lieutenant McGrane was a pharmacological disaster just waiting to happen.
Why would someone take a cocktail like that? They're standard prescriptions for depression and anxiety, lieutenant.
Have a seat.
But you shouldn't be mixing them.
Lieutenant Whitman, call extension Eyewitnesses report that the lieutenant thought he was on a North Korean jet that was about to crash.
Hallucinations.
The drugs combined with the induced meditative state could've produced some pretty scary images.
Apparently, he was trying to bail out of the plane.
Or out of the dream.
Well, either way, he shouldn't have been there.
Anyone taking psychotropic drugs shouldn't be fooling around with altered states of consciousness.
Well, the lieutenant signed the release form for human-use experiments.
But the only drug that he said that he was taking was for an allergy.
Then he lied.
Lieutenant Niles McGrane was under psychiatric care for manic depression and anxiety, and he didn't want the Navy to know.
He filled his prescriptions off-base and didn't disclose his condition to Admiral Spencer.
So how is it that you know all of this, Bud? Well, after I spoke to the pathologist, I visited the widow.
Actually, I went to Mass with her and lit a candle for her husband.
That's ethical, isn't it? To establish a common ground with a witness? It's fine, Bud.
Anyway, based on preliminary test results, the admiral convinced Lieutenant McGrane that he was a natural-born psychic.
He pushed him into volunteering.
So? He could've declined.
Yeah.
You ever tried to say no to an admiral, commander? Well, I suspect it's only slightly harder than saying no to a colonel.
- Anything else, Bud? - Well, yes, sir.
I've been going over the Stargazer's financial records, and it looks like Admiral Spencer has been diverting funds from ELINT and COMINT into the Psychic Warrior programme.
That's hardly incriminating.
As deputy director of Navy Intel, he has the right to reallocate funds.
But he doesn't have the right to violate medical protocol in human-use experiments.
Wasn't the lieutenant at fault for not disclosing his condition? Why do you two find it necessary to defend the admiral? Why do you find it necessary to continually attack him, colonel? Because he takes unnecessary risks with other men's lives.
Beg your pardon, colonel.
Admiral Chegwidden would like to see all of you ASAP.
He wants to fight it.
Wants to go down with the ship.
He told me he had a dream that someday Psychic Ops would be as commonplace as radar and satellites.
Enter.
At ease, at ease.
I believe you all know Admiral Linsenmeyer, director of Naval Intelligence.
- Yes, sir.
- Admiral.
What's the state of the investigation? Admiral Spencer rushed Lieutenant McGrane into Psychic Operations before he received medical clearance, sir.
In my book, that's negligence.
I'm authorising the convening of a court-martial.
How long will it take to prepare the charge sheet? Well, it shouldn't take longer than an hour, sir, if that's how you wanna go.
Oh, no, no, no.
Not you, commander.
Admiral Spencer's requested that you defend him.
He seems to think you're on the same wavelength.
Colonel MacKenzie and Lieutenant Roberts will handle the prosecution.
Prosecution, sir? Being a JAG lawyer is not like going to the Army-Navy game, lieutenant.
- You don't get to pick sides.
- Yes, sir.
Colonel, commander, you two seem to understand each other.
And I hope you understand me.
Your job is to work this out quickly and quietly and with a minimum of embarrassment to the Navy.
Actually, sir, my job now is to exonerate Admiral Spencer.
What's going on, petty officer? We're securing the lab on orders from Colonel MacKenzie.
- She called half an hour ago.
- Sir.
They're planning to make a bonfire of my work so they can burn me as a warlock.
Well, sir, you wanted a fight.
Looks like we have one.
I had no choice.
If I slip quietly away into the night, crucial research will be abandoned.
Right now, sir, it's your freedom I'm worried about.
Admiral, it is my duty to serve you with the charges and specifications against you.
My counsel will answer the charges.
All I ask is a chance to defend my work.
"Failure to obey orders under Article 92 A-1, dereliction of duty under Article 92 A-3, and--" Manslaughter.
A man is dead.
I miss you too.
I can't come up this weekend, sweetheart.
Maybe at Christmas.
So are you dating that bodacious Harmon Rabb yet? No, no, actually.
That really would not be appropriate.
Hey, I had a dream last night that the two of you got married, and I was your flower girl.
Not all dreams come true.
Look, I'll talk to you this weekend, okay? - Okay.
Love you.
- I love you too, Chloe.
Bye.
- How is your little sister, anyway? - Wonderful.
But ever since she found her real family, I don't get to see her that much.
I miss her, Harm.
Anybody ever tell you you have great maternal instincts? Not as often as they've told me I have a great karate chop.
Look, about yesterday.
There wasn't time to inform you about the document seizure, nor was I required.
Well, that's all right, colonel, but if you're gonna play hardball, you better be able to catch as well as throw.
Meaning? The admiral waives his right to an Article 32 hearing.
- We're demanding a speedy trial.
- You don't think I'm ready? Commander, I am ready to run your client and his crystal ball right out of the Navy and into the brig.
Well, you may be, but it is in the Navy's best interest to put this case to rest.
I'm listening.
Drop all charges against Admiral Spencer.
He will accept a letter of instruction.
No punitive measures.
He continues to run Stargazer, but this time - This time, under strict supervision.
- You're dreaming.
Yeah, we'll drop the charges, but the admiral resigns and gives up his star.
- Harm, you can't do better than that.
- Yes, I can.
I can win.
As director of Naval Intelligence, I promulgated the rules for all human-use experiments.
And Admiral Spencer reported to you, sir? He directed Operation Stargazer under my supervision.
- At least, in theory.
- Meaning what, admiral? I issued orders to engage in operations only with volunteers who had passed rigorous mental and physical exams, including drug screening.
Why the strict controls, admiral? Forty years ago, we learned the dangers of human-use experiments with LSD and truth serum.
We don't wanna repeat that again.
Did Admiral Spencer follow your orders? He did not.
He grabbed members of his staff at random, like a pickup softball game.
That's what he did with Lieutenant McGrane.
Pushing him through Operations before the drug screens came back from the lab.
And it cost the man his life.
Your witness.
You don't believe in the paranormal, do you? - Objection.
Irrelevant.
- It's relevant to bias, ma'am.
Overruled.
You may answer the question, admiral.
I don't exclude the possibility of psychic phenomenon.
- Then you have an open mind, sir? - Yes, I do, commander.
But as my grandpappy used to say: "If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.
" Admiral, was there much competition amongst your staff to head up the Psychic Warrior programme? Hardly.
Harrison Spencer was the only flag officer who would even touch it.
In fact, sir, wouldn't you say that directing Stargazer was a career move equivalent to running your cruiser aground at the Statue of Liberty? All I know is Congress authorised the money, and I needed someone to run that programme.
- Or to fail, sir? So you could scrap it? - Objection.
Argumentative.
This is cross-examination.
I'll allow it.
Mister, I don't want any of my officers to fail.
But, frankly, we could put the money to better use in Electronic Intelligence or Human Intelligence.
Admiral, are you familiar with the Stargazer research reports? Yes, of course.
Then, sir, you're aware that some volunteers were able to guess whether a card would be an ace, a deuce, a heart or a diamond? Substantially higher than the odds of mere chance.
Oh, they were good at parlour games, card tricks.
But unless we're playing gin rummy with our enemies, what good will it do us? Admiral Spencer sent experimenters into the field, and some viewers in the lab were able to see where they went, sir, like the Washington Monument, isn't that correct? - Yes, it's happened.
- Then you would agree, admiral, there is evidence to suggest the existence of telepathy, precognition and other psychic phenomenon? Perhaps.
But how do we use it? When General Dozier was kidnapped by the Red Brigade, we got tips from a hundred psychics all over the world.
A single psychic, one of ours, saw where the general was actually being held.
Now, that's one in a hundred.
When you've got a Navy SEAL team ready to break down doors, how do you know which one to listen to? Well, isn't that what Admiral Spencer was trying to find out, sir? Lieutenant Bouchard, what is Admiral Spencer's nickname among members of his staff? I don't know about the others, ma'am, but I call him sir.
Well, I'm sure you do.
But when no one else is present, what is the admiral called? Oh, come, now, lieutenant.
Nicknames are common in the military.
Thirty-One Knot Burke.
Bull Halsey.
Chesty Puller.
Now, what's Admiral Spencer's? Admiral Spoonbender, ma'am.
And why is that, lieutenant? Admiral Spencer would invite us to his house for barbecues.
He would pass out spoons and ask us to bend them with mind power.
Did your spoon ever bend? Only when my mind told my hand to bend it, ma'am.
So, what other kinds of things went on at these barbecues? Firewalking, ma'am.
One time, after the admiral was done cooking the burgers, he overturned the grill, and he brought out a guy who could teach us how to walk barefoot across hot coals.
He said if we kept yelling, "It's cold, it's cold," it would be like walking on snow.
Was it like walking on snow, lieutenant? More like a footpath in hell, ma'am.
Your witness.
Lieutenant, did you refer to Admiral Spencer as Admiral Spoonbender? Maybe once or twice, sir.
Lieutenant, are you familiar with Article 89 under the UCMJ which makes it a crime to show disrespect to a superior officer? Well, I never meant any disrespect to the admiral.
It was kind of all in good fun.
Well, isn't that what Admiral Spencer intended, lieutenant? Sir? I don't-- The firewalking, the spoon bending, weren't they meant as good fun? Just activities to help the admiral's staff bond outside of the office? Well, I suppose so, sir.
Is it fair to say that you were Lieutenant McGrane's best friend? Yes, sir.
Were you aware that the lieutenant was seeing a psychiatrist and was taking antidepressant drugs? Yes, he told me.
Did you advise your best friend to inform Admiral Spencer of his treatment? No, I didn't.
Did you inform the admiral of your friend's condition? No, sir.
Well, isn't it likely, lieutenant, had you taken the initiative, your friend would be alive today? Objection.
Irrelevant.
- It calls for a conclusion.
- Sustained.
Nothing further.
Then we are in recess for lunch.
All parties report back here at 1330.
When do I testify? Well, sir, I'm putting you on the stand last so your words echo in the members' ears while they deliberate.
I can prove not only the existence of psychic phenomenon, but that we can harness the power for strategic use.
Admiral.
Sir, our defence is that you were doing important work that may bear fruit one day.
That you cannot be legally responsible for an accident beyond your control.
Let us not confuse the issue, sir, by pulling tarot cards out from behind the judge's ears.
Well, wouldn't it help our case if I gave a demonstration? - Of what, sir? - My own psychic powers.
With all due respect, sir, no.
We'll wait in here, admiral.
- Colonel, you have an urgent call.
- Who is it, gunny? Someone named Martha Anderson.
She said she's Chloe's grandmother.
- Martha, what is it? - Oh, Sarah, thank God you're there.
Chloe went out riding, and Scout came back without her.
Ma'am, I talked to the county sheriff.
They have search parties out for Chloe.
The state police kicked in some bloodhounds.
It's pretty rugged country.
There's no trace of her yet.
If you hear anything, come get me.
I don't care if I'm in closing argument.
Yes, ma'am.
Oh, and the sheriff faxed me this.
They're circulating these in three counties.
- Thanks, gunny.
- Yes, ma'am.
Mac.
Hey, I just heard.
Look, if you wanna seek a continuance, I'm not gonna object.
No.
I don't know what else I could do out there besides worry even more.
When we get the verdict, I'll catch the first flight, but thanks.
May I see that, colonel? You know, I have some experience using remote viewing to locate missing persons.
Please, sir.
Don't even think about it.
Well, that's all that I was going to do.
Think about it.
There's always an element of wishful thinking when it comes to psychic testing.
Studies have shown that when the testers believe in the paranormal, they get better results.
How do you account for that, professor? Well, in poker, we'd call it a tell.
It's an unintentional clue.
Some word or gesture that tips off the subject.
Professor Pilkington, have you had a chance to review the scientific findings of Operation Stargazer? Well, I'm not so sure that I would dignify the work by calling it scientific.
But, yes, I've had a chance to look at the report.
Would you have an opinion as to their accuracy? No.
Without verifying the controls under which the tests are conducted, it's impossible.
No scientist could accept it.
So the scientists who wrote glowing reviews about Operation Stargazer were wrong? And what scientists would they be? Well, Professor Wiggen from Duke.
Dr.
Holstrom from the Helsinki Institute.
Wiggens is an agronomist.
Holstrom is a fraud.
Dr.
Holstrom was nominated for the Nobel Prize.
Well, anyone can be nominated for anything.
Your Honour, may I confer with my co-counsel? I suggest that you do.
- Sit down, Bud.
- Yes, ma'am.
No further questions.
You flip, professor.
I'll call.
Heads.
- Heads it is.
- One more time, please.
Tails.
Heads.
I guess you're not a psychic.
Now, what if somebody with the powers of telekinesis were to try? There's no such thing.
No one can control inanimate objects by mind power.
And yet several Stargazer volunteers exceeded numbers far greater than statistical probability.
Well, if you give typewriters to enough monkeys, they'll eventually compose all the works of Shakespeare.
It's It wouldn't shock me if one or two of the subjects exceeded probability.
If you were to flip this coin a thousand times, what are the odds it will come up heads 900 times? Well, that would be one chance in One in six times ten to the 162nd power.
That's a number greater than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world.
It simply couldn't happen.
Well, professor, explain how two Stargazer subjects were able to exceed 900 out of 1,000 correct calls when attempting to influence the results? Well, the only explanation is that their numbers are wrong, either through intentional fraud or negligent controls.
Oh, I see, professor.
Because you refuse to believe in an event that defies our current scientific understanding, that event must not have happened.
You're asking me to prove a negative.
That psychic phenomena doesn't exist.
I challenge Admiral Spencer to prove it does exist to a scientific certainty.
Is there a Supreme Being, professor? - What? - Do you believe in God? Objection.
Irrelevant.
Well, the witness did take an oath to tell the truth, so help him God.
Although I suspect Commander Rabb has other fish to fry.
I'll allow it.
Yes.
I believe in God.
Could you punch up on your calculator the equation that proves God's existence to a scientific certainty, professor? I can't do that.
I take it on faith.
The greatest paranormal force in the universe you take on faith? Well, somebody had to create the laws of science, counsellor.
Well, maybe he also created people who could break them, professor.
Nothing further.
I'm sorry.
I know I shouldn't allow my personal feelings to affect my work.
It won't be necessary to gag you before going to court tomorrow? No, ma'am.
But thank you, ma'am.
Thank you.
- Anything, gunny? - No, ma'am.
But they're doing the best they can.
They added a chopper to the search.
What else? Well, they're expecting a freeze tonight, so hypothermia's a danger.
But the sheriff says there are caves in the area, so she might be able to find shelter.
Well, Chloe's strong, and she's smart, so she won't give up.
Colonel.
How are things going? Fine, sir.
Proved a prima facie case.
I meant Chloe.
I'm monitoring the situation, sir.
Really? Yeah.
The sheriff is doing everything possible.
- And - Hey, Mac.
Even Marines can show emotion, especially when it's warranted.
I feel so helpless, sir.
Well, that, colonel, is the nature of love.
Admiral Spencer, how did you become the director of Operation Stargazer? The programme was an orphan.
No one else at Intel would go near it.
Did you have an interest in the paranormal at the time, sir? No.
Not at the time.
I didn't truly understand the significance of the programme until I reviewed the classified files.
I'm gonna ask you directly, sir.
Did you disobey Admiral Linsenmeyer's orders regarding safeguards for remote-viewing operations? No, I did not.
I ordered that all subjects, including Lieutenant McGrane, undergo mental and physical exams, including the drug screening.
If I made a mistake, it was in believing the lieutenant.
Had I known he had mental problems and was taking heavy doses of antidepressants, I never would've allowed him to go under.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing, more important to me than the welfare of my personnel.
- Not even Stargazer, sir? - Not even Stargazer.
Thank you, admiral.
Nothing further.
Admiral, at the time of the remote-viewing operation that claimed Lieutenant McGrane's life, were you aware that Congress was considering whether to continue funding Psychic Operations? Yes, I was.
You needed a new star to show off to the Appropriations Subcommittee, didn't you? It would've helped the cause, yes.
And that's why you rushed Lieutenant McGrane into Psychic Operations? No.
No, no.
We had many promising candidates.
Everyone has a certain amount of psychic ability.
- And that would include you, sir? - Yes.
- To some extent.
- Admiral, who's gonna win - the Super Bowl this season? - I don't know.
Well, what about this week's winning lottery numbers, sir? Objection, Your Honour.
This case has nothing to do with the admiral's psychic abilities.
I gave you considerable leeway with the prosecution witnesses, Commander Rabb.
I'll allow it.
- The lottery numbers, sir? - Doesn't work that way, colonel.
Numbers are particularly difficult to fathom through telepathy and precognition.
Pity.
Tell us about firewalking, admiral.
Did you have your staff prance across coals in your backyard? I invited them to try.
It was totally voluntary.
Did you also tell them that it was mind over matter, sir? That if they thought it was cold, they wouldn't get burned? There is an element of biofeedback in firewalking.
Is there, admiral? Or is it just that coals are inefficient at conducting heat? Like when you touch a cake in a 500-degree oven and your finger doesn't get burnt.
Isn't the explanation scientific and not paranormal? I don't really know where science ends and the paranormal begins.
Apparently not.
At these firewalking events, did you also bend spoons with mind power? Sometimes.
May I borrow this, Your Honour? It is government property, counsellor.
I doubt it'll be any worse for wear when we're done with it.
So tell me, admiral, can you bend this spoon with mind power? Objection, Your Honour.
This is irrelevant.
As I recall, commander, you were in here yesterday flipping coins.
Now, your client can try and bend this spoon if he wishes, or he can decline.
He declines, ma'am.
Your Honour, I have a right to get an answer from this witness.
Can you bend this spoon, admiral? - Yes.
- Ma'am, we would like a recess.
No, we wouldn't.
It's my neck on the chopping block.
I'm afraid you're outranked, commander.
I I can't do it.
Admiral, this morning, you told this court that you could bend a spoon with your mind.
Yes.
Yes.
I never should've tried.
Can you tell us why you failed, sir? Sometimes psychic phenomena can be summoned at will, but often not.
And a courtroom is hardly the place to demonstrate the powers of the subconscious.
Why is that, sir? I suppose, too many stimuli, too many distractions.
But you have succeeded in the past, haven't you, sir? Yes.
I have.
And I've remote-viewed.
And I have picked the suits of cards at a rate 30 percent better than pure chance.
But I've also failed.
It's the nature of the phenomena.
Now, doesn't this limit the usefulness of Operation Stargazer, admiral? Yes, of course.
But psychic research is still in its infancy.
Given enough time and support, who knows what we can accomplish? I deeply regret the death of Lieutenant McGrane.
And I would do anything to turn back the clock.
But I pray that the Navy will not use this terrible accident to destroy all the work that we've done and close the door on what remains to be done.
Thank you, sir.
Ma'am.
If psychic research is in its infancy, admiral, isn't that all the more reason to avoid potentially dangerous operations in uncharted waters? You know, at some point, every explorer, from Columbus to John Glenn, has to sail uncharted waters.
But you shoved off without a compass, admiral.
- Objection.
- Sustained.
So, what was it in this courtroom that kept you from demonstrating your psychic powers? I'm not really sure, but a quiet, meditative place would be better.
So a bunker on a battlefield, or a flight deck on a carrier, probably wouldn't be the best place for Psychic Warrior? - Probably not.
- But it's not noisy in here, is it, sir? Well, even the buzz of some electric lights can interfere with brain waves.
Lights? - They seem quiet to me, sir.
- Objection.
Argumentative.
Sustained.
Questions, counsellor.
Admiral, do you hear things, see things, that the rest of us don't? Sir? Admiral, are you all right? Yes, Your Honour.
Question withdrawn.
Nothing further.
You may step down, admiral.
- Commander? - The defence rests, ma'am.
Very well.
We're in recess for 30 minutes.
We'll hear closing arguments when we reconvene.
You may step down, admiral.
They've checked all the caves in these two areas here.
Colonel.
As you were.
Admiral, it's improper for us to speak without your lawyer present.
- This isn't about the case.
- That doesn't matter.
Under-- It's about Chloe.
- What about her? - I saw her.
Last night, I tried, but couldn't.
Then, just now, on the witness stand, I saw a covered bridge.
An old wooden bridge over a dry stream with white rocks.
Chloe's under it.
She's cold and tired and hungry.
But she's alive.
You expect me to act on your hallucinations, sir? Even if you don't believe it.
Please.
Tell the people who are looking for her.
I'd call the sheriff, ma'am.
It's crazy what people do when they get desperate, you know? They turn to quacks and con artists.
What if that takes the searchers away from real leads? There aren't any leads, ma'am.
They've come to a dead end.
You don't really believe in all this, do you, gunny? In our living room at home, my mother has a painting of Santa Teresa de Ávila, a mystic before the Church turned her into a saint.
On Sundays, I pray to the guy that walks on water.
Who knows, colonel? - Call the sheriff.
- Yes, ma'am.
Discipline is the heart of any military organisation.
Obedience is its soul.
The most basic principle of the military is that a lawful order must be obeyed.
We have proved that Admiral Harrison Spencer violated a lawful order to restrict Psychic Operations to personnel who had passed rigorous medical exams.
By disobeying that order, he recklessly endangered lives.
He committed a culpable act of negligence that caused the death of Lieutenant Niles McGrane.
Which was a tragedy, but would never have occurred if Lieutenant McGrane had disclosed his medical condition.
So let us not compound that tragedy by destroying the life of a dedicated senior officer.
The Navy assigned Admiral Spencer the task of running a programme that nobody wanted to touch.
He accepted that job with commitment and enthusiasm.
Now, it doesn't matter if you think that Admiral Spencer is a brilliant visionary or a naive dreamer.
He is not legally responsible for the death of Lieutenant McGrane.
Thank you.
What does it mean when they're out this long? Well, sir, sometimes it's good for the defence.
And sometimes they're just arguing over what to order for dinner.
The sheriff just called, ma'am.
There are four covered bridges in the immediate area.
You told them what I saw? Two of the bridges are over dry streams.
Did they find her? They checked all four.
There's no trace of her, admiral.
- Thank you for trying, gunny.
- Yes, ma'am.
You can catch a flight out of Nashville as soon as the verdict's in.
Thank you, admiral.
I know you meant well.
Maybe I just wanted to believe.
Maybe I was wrong about everything.
The defence shall rise.
You may publish the findings.
Admiral Harrison Spencer, on the specification of involuntary manslaughter, this court-martial finds you not guilty.
On the specifications of dereliction of duty and failure to obey the order to restrict Psychic Operations to personnel who pass rigorous medical examinations, this court-martial finds you guilty.
Commander, I assume you'll wish to present evidence of extenuation and mitigation? Yes, ma'am.
Then we stand in recess until sentencing, 0900, Monday.
Ladies and gentlemen, we may be experiencing some turbulence.
The captain has requested that you return to your seats and keep your seat belts securely fastened.
Fasten your seat belt, sir.
Flight 186 from Cincinnati now arriving at Gate 3-B.
Flight 186 from Cincinnati is now arriving at Gate 3-B.
Flight 864 - Oh, thank you, Sarah, for coming.
- Any news, Martha? No, but they're going to be searching through the night.
- I've been so worried.
- Me too.
But I feel better just seeing you here.
God, I hate to think of her out on a night like this.
I know, Sarah.
But we'll just have to pray she's all right.
Oh, no.
It's too big to move.
I'll back it up.
- We'll have to take Highway 60.
- No.
What? The searchers looked here? At least twice.
I've seen this place.
What are you doing? - Did Chloe ride here? - Sometimes on an old logging trail.
But the searchers looked.
Chloe? Chloe? - Chloe? - Here.
Chloe.
Grandma.
Are you all right, child? Oh, there, there.
I feel like such a dweeb.
Scout threw me, and I sprained my ankle.
And he just left me there.
It was so dark, and there were some weird noises coming out of the woods.
And I was so scared.
And I thought a bear was gonna eat me, so I went into a cave.
And it was so cold that I couldn't sleep.
And I'm dying for a pizza.
But you're okay.
I was really scared.
Baby.
- Come on, pumpkin.
- Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
What do you say we go get that pizza, huh? - Double anchovies? - Yeah.
Watch your step.
Mac.
I heard they found Chloe.
- Great news.
- Thanks, Harm.
- Congratulations, colonel.
- Thank you, admiral.
This is my list of witnesses for the admiral's sentencing hearing.
- They'll all attest to his long-- - Not necessary.
I'm gonna recommend that the admiral be spared confinement and be permitted to retire at full rank.
Thank you, colonel.
You found her.
You had a vision.
What'd you see, ma'am? So who's gonna win the Super Bowl, Mac?