(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
The helicopter is ready now, Colonel.
Thank you, Captain Voda.
Vasily, what if he refuses to sign your travel orders?
The Americans are very sympathetic to career women, I hear.
He looks very angry.
Irina, we could secretly--
We could be married in Washington. Think of that.
If we're not married next winter as planned...
my father will chase you all the way to China with an axe. Think of that, Vasily.
Irina, now be serious. Hope--
You've exceeded your authorities, Zhukov.
I meant no disrespect, sir.
Because of your interference, I've been ordered not to dismantle the reactor.
If we could get Americans to agree to be our partners...
there will be no need for further dismantling.
I've already talked to one of their astronauts.
He assures me their government is very interested.
If it hadn't been for the pressure exerted by your cosmonaut friends in Moscow...
I wouldn't have been ordered to sign this travel order.
I'm not deceived.
It's the last interference I'll tolerate from you.
Thank you, sir.
Your friend, Colonel Austin, can you trust him?
Yes. Yes, completely.
If the Americans refuse to help, you--
I would trust Steve Austin with my life.
And yours.
(TRADITIONAL RUSSIAN MUSIC)
FLIGHT COM: It looks good at NASA One.
B-52 PILOT: Roger.
BCS Arm switch is on.
FLIGHT COM: Okay, Victor.
B-52 PILOT: Landing Rocket Arm switch is on. Here comes the throttle.
Circuit breakers in.
STEVE: We have separation.
B-52 PILOT: Inboard and outboards are on.
I'm comin' forward with the side stick.
FLIGHT COM: Looks good.
PILOT:Ah, Roger.
STEVE: I've got a blowout in damper three.
SR-71 PILOT: Get your pitch to zero.
STEVE: Pitch is out. I can't hold altitude!
B-52 PILOT: Correction. Alpha Hold is off. Threat selector is emergency.
STEVE: Flight Com, I can't hold it! She's breaking up! She's breaking--
ANNOUNCER: Steve Austin. Astronaut.
A man barely alive.
We can rebuild him.
We have the technology.
We can make him better than he was.
Better, stronger, faster.
(MAIN TITLE THEME)
(JET ENGINE ROAR)
Vasily!
Steve!
Hey! So good to see you!
Take it easy.
Hey, never.
Remember, I'm the one who taught you most of what you know.
I remember, including the headache I got...
when you told me to drink potato vodka straight.
Yes! Come on. The car's over here.
Jump in.
STEVE: Hey, I see you're a colonel now.
VASILY: It's only temporary.
I must behave myself if it is to be permanent.
I see you've become quite a capitalist since I saw you last.
Wait a minute, this is my boss's car.
STEVE: Say, did you ever get married?
VASILY: No. No, not yet.
But, Steve, I have met the most incredible, lovely...
sweet creature I have ever imagined.
I wanted to bring her along and marry her.
Right under the statue of Abraham Lincoln.
But Irina's a traditionalist...
and we'll be married in Leningrad sometime this winter.
Well, good. You?
Me? Oh, I'm still shopping.
Say, is Irina a cosmonaut?
No.
Women in the space program are not interested in marriage.
No, my Irina is definitely a perfect woman.
I met her a mile underground at Kamkov Island.
She's a computer designer.
Brilliant, but not afraid to be a woman, you know?
She sounds great.
Steve, nothing has changed, has it?
NASA is still interested?
The Air Force and the Atomic Energy Commission?
My project is still alive, is it not?
Alive and kicking, my friend.
Originally, our base on Kamkov Island...
was part of the early warning missile defense system of our country.
A base which my government decided to deactivate and dismantle...
now that both our countries have agreed to join hands in peace.
But when I learned that there was an atomic reactor on Kamkov Island...
I went to the Director of Space Exploration...
and asked him to prevent any further dismantling, which he did.
Let us look at what we have on Kamkov Island.
Although it is now abandoned, it is an incredible underground city.
Complete living quarters for 150 men.
Surgical, medical facilities.
Room for scientific labs.
A giant computer that runs the entire island.
And of course, the reactor itself.
Now, my plan for the use of this base is quite simple.
Phase I would be to convert it to a facility...
where we can develop and test a nuclear-powered spacecraft.
Phase II would be to launch that spacecraft...
with five cosmonauts and five astronauts to Mars.
We would like this Mars Project to be...
a joint venture between the United States and Russia.
I feel I have already talked too much.
And there must be many questions. Please.
How long do you estimate it would take to develop the spacecraft?
I have a follow-up which I will pass out among you...
but in answer to your question, approximately four years.
STEVE: What about Phase II?
Training of the crew and ground support, approximately two years.
What modifications will the reactor require...
to provide a power plant to a spacecraft?
General--
Excuse me, Colonel, but there's someone here to see you.
Ah, thank you. Excuse me.
(INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE)
Gentlemen...
you will excuse me. I--
I must leave for the island at once.
Vasily, what’s wrong?
Steve, I can not tell you.
OSCAR: I'm sure this is just a momentary delay, gentlemen.
Wait a minute. This is the friend that got the headache from the vodka, remember?
There's been an earthquake.
At the island?
Yes, I must leave at once.
What's going on, pal?
Make our apologies, Oscar. I gotta help a friend.
We're refueling, Oscar, in Seattle.
Steve, reports we’re getting...
from the earthquake that hit Kamkov Island are all bad.
I'm afraid your friend’s project is dead.
Well now, don't bury it until I give you a first hand report, Oscar.
Wait a minute. The Russians won't even let you on the island.
Protocol requires at least two representatives of our government...
present themselves and their credentials to the commander of any foreign base.
You better catch the next plane, because I'm going.
Steve, now, wait a minute. What do you hope to achieve from all this?
I'm gonna survey the damage, and if it isn't too bad...
I'll come back with Vasily and help him get Washington to approve the joint venture.
Steve, nobody, nobody is going to approve the outlay of billions of dollars...
for construction equipment on land that's on an earthquake fault.
Tell that to the people in San Francisco, pal.
Look, I'm going to Kamkov Island.
I'll be there in about five hours. You better start packing.
(HYDRAULICS WHIRR)
(BIRDS QUACKING)
(HELICOPTER WHIRRS)
Welcome back, Colonel Zhukov.
Thank you, Captain Voda.
This is Colonel Steve Austin.
We've been expecting you, sir.
Thank you, Captain.
Does it look like anything was damaged up here?
Most of the damage is below ground.
I thought Irina would be here to greet us.
I thought you knew, sir.
Knew what?
Irina is trapped underground, Colonel Zhukov.
I didn't tell you this before, because I didn't know if she was alive or dead...
and frankly, I still don't know.
What're you saying, sir?
When the tremor started, she ran down to the main tunnel.
One of the guards tried to stop her...
but she insisted she had to get through to the computer.
When the earthquake hit, the main tunnel caved in.
We've tried to reach her on the phones...
but apparently, some of the lines have been torn out.
We've heard nothing from her.
What are you doing to try to get her out?
Now try to calm yourself, Colonel Zhukov.
If she's alive, and I hope and I pray that she is alive...
there should be enough oxygen down there for her to live on for three days. Maybe four.
What if there isn't?
I'm not going to send a crew down there.
I'm not going to risk any more lives...
until the seismograph indicates the tremors are over.
I'm sure in a day or two that will be the--
Colonel Zhukov, you will not interfere! Again!
I'm in charge of this base...
and I'm responsible for the safety of everyone on it.
When the tremors are over, we'll go after Irina.
Is that clear?
Yes, sir.
Colonel Austin...
when I have time, I'll be glad to give you a tour of our facilities above ground.
Fine.
(RUMBLING)
(METAL CREAKING)
Vasily! Look out!
You alright?
That girder. How did you do that?
Well, sometimes that potato vodka does more for you than just give you a headache.
You alright?
That-- that girder weighs hundreds of pounds.
For years, we have trusted each other.
With out thoughts, our lives. Yes?
You have just saved my life. I'm grateful.
But I must know how.
That's a military secret.
Steve.
I am your friend. Your secret is safe.
Alright.
I was testing a new re-entry vehicle when the trim blew.
Next thing I knew, they were telling me I'd be as good as before.
Better than before.
With the new scientific improvements they were going to give me.
Improvements?
Electronic. Mechanical.
These-- these improvements were they-- were they bionic?
Our scientists have been conducting experiments for years with bionics.
They have gotten nowhere.
Steve--
Steve, with your strength, we can go underground now and rescue Irina.
Now wait a minute-- Yes, of course!
We can-- we can go underground and save her life!
Vasily, there are limits to my strength.
Steve, you must try.
Steve, if she went through the main tunnel on her way to the computer room...
she would have to use these stairs.
The earthquake might have collapsed the stairs...
which would place her here.
If she got past the stairs...
the only other place for her to be trapped is here.
Near these arches, which have always needed support.
How do we get down there?
There's a fresh air vent here coming out into the tunnel.
What if it's caved in?
You'll get us through.
Let's get started.
Thanks, Steve.
General Koslenko...
Colonel Zhukov and the American can not be found.
That's ridiculous.
But the men have searched.
Well, Captain, you search personally.
Yes, sir.
(BANG)
This way.
STEVE: What is it?
Sulphurous dioxide.
We go.
Please, Colonel, Zhukov, he's on the phone.
Zhukov? Where are you?
General, Colonel Austin and I...
are at the junction of Corridors III and IV on the first level.
Zhukov, you have deliberately disobeyed my orders.
Either you return here immediately or I will be forced to press charges.
I understand that, General.
But you must shut off the supply of sulphurous dioxide to the hydrogen bath.
Once passed that, we can see if Irina is still on the first level.
(LOUD RUMBLING)
RADIO OPERATOR: Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Austin...
call the control room immediately.
Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Austin...
call the control room immediately.
Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Austin...
My ankle!
Thank you.
Can you move it?
I think so. I'll try.
Think we better splint it, huh?
Let me get some wood.
Hello?
It's dead.
Hang on to that.
Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Austin...
call the control room immediately.
There is no response, sir.
Are the loudspeakers working on all the levels?
I don't know, sir.
Well, keep trying.
In case you didn't notice, we're trapped down here.
Good.
Wanna give it a try? Yes.
Which way?
This way.
Moscow. Commissar Illych.
Commissar Illych?
I-- I can't give you a report of the damage until we can get down there, Commissar.
We're still having aftershock here.
Commissar, the American Astronaut Colonel Austin...
has gone underground on an inspection tour.
He's trapped down there with Colonel Zhukov and Irina Leonova.
Commissar, I know that we don't want Americans here investigating.
I'm trying to get Washington on the phone now.
Irina? Irina!
Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Austin...
call the control room immediately.
Colonel Zhukov, Colonel Austin...
call the control room immediately.
Just--
Okay?
Yes.
Steve, I--
I am sorry I got you into this.
Well, I had nothing else to do.
We're trapped, you know that?
Well, it may look like it, but--
It is hopeless and you know it.
What happened to you and your enthusiasm?
I've used it all up.
Irina is trapped down here.
Somewhere she is alive, I hope to God.
Injured.
What do we do if we find her?
We wait until Koslenko digs us out?
He doesn't care.
He has no interest in Mars.
He just simply wants to dismantle that reactor...
and take it back to Russia with him.
Look, Koslenko is gonna break his back to dig us out of here.
No, no. Why should he?
Because I'll have him doing guard duty in Siberia for the rest of his life...
if I don’t walk out of here alive. That's why.
You're probably right.
When it comes to Irina...
you and I have been trained to treat just about every medical emergency there is.
Yes. If we find her.
As far as being trapped down here...
we're only trapped as long as we sit here crying in our vodkas, right?
You Americans.
You're always so-- so optimistic.
My friend, I don't know any other way. Let's go.
Vasily and the American must be...
here if they survived.
The call to Washington, sir. It is General Jamison.
General Jamison.
This is General Koslenko.
I'm trying to reach a Mr. Oscar Goldman...
and I've been referred to your office.
Oh, I'm sorry, General.
We made arrangements to fly Oscar Goldman to Kamkov Island.
Yes. He left several hours ago. Should be there soon.
(CLANGING)
Come on.
What's the red light for?
I don't know.
(ECHOES) Irina!
Irina.
Irina?
She's unconscious.
Put this under her head.
Got some oxygen for her.
(OXYGEN HISSES)
Irina? Irina, are you alright?
Vasily. Oh, Vasily.
It's alright.
Who is he?
This is-- This is Steve Austin.
My friend from America. The astronaut.
What is he doing here?
He came with me to inspect the quake damage.
IRINA: But down here?
Irina, if it was not for him, we would not have gotten down here.
We have nothing to hide from him.
The computer. What?
I've got to get to the computer before there are any more tremors.
Why?
The army installed a nuclear weapon...
as a fail-safe way of destroying the island if it were attacked by the enemy.
It's still there, Vasily. Controlled by the computer.
The computer is so sensitive...
that it could react to the earthquake...
as if the island were being bombed by the enemy.
When that happens, sensors are activated in all the corridors and tunnels.
And if anyone trips those sensors...
the nuclear weapon is detonated.
We better get to that computer right away.
Ah!
Vasily, what happened to your leg?
It's nothing. During the last tremor.
Oh, my God.
VASILY: What is it?
That's the warning light.
The computer has already set off the detonating sequence.
(STEADY BEEP)
How long has that been on?
I just noticed, but the indicator reads two minutes, 40 seconds, sir.
The nuclear weapon is going off...
in 57 minutes.
Captain, notify all base personnel to stand by for immediate evacuation.
But General, Zhukov and the American are still underground.
Order the evacuation.
Yes, sir.
(STEADY BEEP)
I think there’s a phone down here.
Yes. This one is working.
Colonel Zu-- Vasily? Where are you?
You know that the nuclear weapon has been activated?
Yes, we know.
Vasily, we're evacuating the base.
We're not going to be able to come and get you out.
I understand, General.
We have found Irina, and she can stop the computer.
With Colonel Austin's help, I'm confident we can do it.
Do you know that you can not get to the reactor room through the main corridor?
It's been sealed off by the computer.
Then we shall have to go in through the roof.
You have 54 minutes and 10 seconds. Good luck, Vasily.
Thank you.
Mr. Goldman.
General Koslinko.
(SPEAKS RUSSIAN)
Thought I'd learn a little Russian for you.
My compliments.
Oh.
And my credentials.
Oh, yes.
Now if you could direct me to Colonel Austin, please, General.
I'm not sure I know where to begin, Mr. Goldman.
Well, where is he, General?
We don't know exactly.
He went with Colonel Zhukov to rescue another officer.
Now, all three are trapped.
Well, you're digging them out, aren't you, General?
Unfortunately, we can't do that.
The last tremor that we had here disrupted out computer.
Mr. Goldman, our computer has activated a nuclear weapon...
which is going to go off in less than one hour.
General, there was no mention of a nuclear weapon.
Well, there was no need to mention it.
And my two officers and Colonel Austin are trying to stop the detonation.
But I must tell you that it's hopeless.
I'm sorry. I know this is a shock to you. It's a shock to me.
But there is nothing to be done but evacuate this base.
VASILY: Steve, use this phone.
KOSLINKO: General Koslinko.
We're in the corridor above the reactor.
STEVE: Is there anything ahead that we should know about?
That's corridor 19C.
Ah, yes. No problems there, sir.
No problem there, Colonel.
Excuse me.
Steve?
STEVE: Oscar.
I hoped they would’ve stopped you before you got here.
Well, I got connections. I got through.
Do you think you can stop it?
I don't know, Oscar.
Get yourself on the helicopter and watch it on the late news.
I didn't come all the way out here to talk to you on an airplane, Steve.
Look, Oscar, there's nothing you can do.
I don't know if there's anything I can do.
You get out of here, and get out of here now.
Pal, I got more faith than brains. Good luck.
Just a minute. Here's the General.
It's the General.
Yes, sir.
Vasily?
We are going to make it to the computer room, General. I'm sure of it.
I hope you do.
But in a few minutes, we'll be gone.
The three of you will be alone on the island.
We wish you luck, Vasily.
Thank you, sir.
Okay.
Well...
at least you had a chance to say a few words to your countryman.
General, the last helicopter is waiting.
After you, Mr. Goldman.
They have 44 minutes left, General.
The computer has defenses against intruders, Mr. Goldman.
It's hopeless.
Well, I--
I think I'll stay. Maybe they'll need my help.
Must I force you to leave, Mr. Goldman?
What if they need something up here...
and there's nobody up here to help them, General?
You are asking to give up your life on that chance?
What good would you be to them?
No good.
But you would be.
Captain Voda, you may leave now.
But, sir--
Captain, I'm not going to abandon a Soviet base and leave an American in charge.
Yes, sir.
Good luck, sir.
(STEADY BEEP)
How can he do that?
My friend Steve is a bionic man.
But our scientists proved it couldn't be done.
What do your eyes see, Irina?
(STEADY BEEP)
(HEAVY RATTLING)
Which way to the computer room?
There's only one way. Through the main door.
Vasily...
I've gotta rest for a minute.
Yes.
We don't have much time. But you catch your breath.
I want to see their faces...
when they come back to the island...
and they find us sunbathing and laughing at them.
That computer sounds pretty tough to me. We haven't beaten it yet.
We will.
With you along, we will. I just know it.
I'll see what’s ahead.
(LOUD ALARM)
Vasily!
(CRIES)
(STEADY BEEP)
IRINA: He's dead!
(SOBBING)
No, don't touch me.
Irina-- Vasily's dead.
Why did it have to be him? Why couldn't it have been me?
Irina!
I just don't want to do anything anymore.
Irina, stop it. He's dead.
Irina-- He's dead!
By activating the laser, he made it possible for us to get past it.
Irina, you've got to help me.
You've got to stop that computer...
or Vasily's death will be meaningless.
Do you hear me? His death would be meaningless.
Will you help me?
Alright. Come on.
Now watch me and you do exactly as I do, okay?
(STEADY BEEP)
That's far enough.
I'll try the phone.
They've all gone.
Maybe not.
This is General Koslinko. Where are you?
We're in the computer room.
Did everyone make it through the reactor room?
Zhukov is dead.
(ELECTRONIC BEEPS)
Now everyhing should stop.
(ELECTRONIC WHIRRING)
What went wrong?
Message I typed to clear the computer hasn't been accepted.
The clearing circuit must've been damaged.
Instead, it only tells us how much time we’ve got to live.
Ask them for the computer plans marked "Seed Circuit".
If we could find that and realign the filaments--
Irina wants the "Seed Circuit" file.
The "Seed Circuit" file.
"Seed Circuit". Alright, just a minute.
Steve? You've got exactly three minutes.
Alright, I have the "Seed Circuit" file.
She wants the one marked module package.
She needs a number off the package.
3-0-9 slash B.
Okay. Stand by.
IRINA: We haven't got much time.
2 minutes and 31 seconds.
If it's the right one, there's a lot of filaments out of line.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
This is it.
KOSLENKO: Colonel Austin? What's going on?
2 minutes 10 seconds.
It's no use. I'll never get them all aligned in time.
Then it's all over.
Triggering device for the nuclear weapon must originate here.
Of course. You have a Geiger counter in your arm.
It came with the equipment. Never thought I'd have a use for it, though.
(LOUD CLICKING)
(METAL CREAKING)
(LOUD CLICKING)
This is the main wire.
Get me a ground wire.
But the voltage going through that triggering device is deadly.
Watch yourself.
(LOUD HUM)
(FLAT TONE)
Oscar?
If we're going to get to Mars from here, we're going to need a new computer.
Get us out of here.
This is a time for a farewell toast, not for eating.
Colonel Austin and I were down there a long time, General.
We have a lot of meals to catch up on.
Nevertheless, we're gonna have to leave.
Send us a complete damage report.
Maybe we can carry the ball for you on that Mars project.
Well, I would be certain to do that.
Colonel Austin, Mr. Goldman, I still have a problem.
When I return to Moscow, there's something that I must explain.
Our computer was designed to defend against an army of men.
And yet, you broke through it.
If you could tell me...
How?
I hate to admit this in front of two Americans, General...
but when we designed the defenses to stop an army...
we did not take into account...
the power that just one resourceful man has.
Well said, Captain.
And thank you for everything.
For Vasily's sake.
(END THEME MUSIC)