Big Sky (1997–1999): Season 2, Episode 13 - Ultimate Commitments - full transcript
(Suspenseful music)
- Private army, funded by the Pentagon.
Some how connected to the photographs
that Blake's cousin, Ann Wallis, took.
American soldiers unloading
cargo somewhere in the outback.
(Suspenseful music)
We've stumbled onto something, Chris,
we've stumbled onto something
extremely serious.
This isn't just a little local trouble,
has international repercussions.
- [Chris] Are you saying we're at risk?
- After Ian took these photographs,
the army went to extraordinary
lengths to silence him.
He's dead, hit and run accident
was the official word.
I can't be sure that
I'm not putting you
and your pilots in similar
danger if we continue.
- Why not just bring in the feds?
- I dunno who's involved,
I dunno how far it goes,
I dunno who to trust any more,
except you and your pilots.
- I can't make that
decision on their behalf.
(Thunder claps)
- [Woman] What now?
- [Man] What does he now?
- He didn't say, he just said
to hurry up, so let's go.
- The point is, from now on,
what was rapidly becoming the norm
in our dealings with Mr. lightfoot.
We don't exactly know
what we'll be doing.
- What, you mean we could like...
- Our lives are in danger.
- Most certainly.
- Oh man.
- Chris, is it too late
to get out of this?
- Well, for me it is.
That's why I wanted you to understand
the significance of
what we're taking on
so you can decide whether or
not you wanna be part of it.
- I'll do whatever I have to, sir.
Find the people who killed Ian.
- I got maxy to think of,
dunno if he'll be too keen about this.
(Thunder claps)
- Well, you don't have to give
me your answer straight away.
Think about it over night.
Let me know what you
decide in the morning.
(Suspenseful theme music)
- Max, now, you know how
I promised your mum
that I'd look after you,
no matter what happened?
Well, you know, if something
was to happen to me.
- It won't.
- Yeah, it's just that
this job I'm about to do,
it could be really dangerous and...
- Do you wanna do it?
- Well, I'm not feeling all
that brave so, you know,
if you don't want me to do it,
you just say the word and
like I'm outta there.
- I think mum would want you to do it.
- You reckon?
- I know she would.
- Yeah, but, like, it's really
dangerous kind of job...
- Don't worry, she's up there
somewhere watching out for us,
nothings gonna happen.
- Thanks dad, see ya.
- See ya, dad.
- See ya.
- Bye.
- Bye, darlin'.
Hey, guys!
I love you.
- Yeah, we know, dad.
- Sure.
- Everything all right?
- Yeah, yeah, I just
never imagined my job
would turn out the way it has.
- Don't you like the
people you work with?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'd do
anything for them, it's just...
- [Man] What?
- I love you and mum, okay?
- We love you too, sweetheart.
- You made up your mind?
- Yeah, I think so.
If I had anyone else in my life
it would of been a lot harder.
- Still no word from Brad.
- As if there's gonna be,
I don't know what I was
thinking, falling for a marine.
- There's no pressure, you
make your own decision,
don't worry about anyone else.
- I'm in, sir.
- Me too.
- Well, maxy wants me to
be in, so, yeah, I'm in.
- I'm in.
- Great, we're all in.
Let's get out and get those
aircraft ready to roll.
- Thank you.
If anything should
happen to any of them,
I will personally guarantee
that their families
and loved ones are
adequately compensated.
I give you my word.
(Solemn music)
- [Chris] Paul, you'll be
flying lurch at the window.
- Isn't that were Ian said
he took those photographs?
- [Chris] Yeah, we
gotta find out exactly
where that building is.
- Here, the joint exercise pretty large
so he could have been
within a hundred kilometers
radius in town.
- Oh a needle in a haystack.
- Don't suppose the army could tell us
where they might have been?
- Not even worth asking.
- The area is divided into sectors.
Jimbo and Rosie, you
take the first two.
Blake you take the second two.
It's a square search
pattern, you know the drill.
We're looking for
anything that remotely
resembles this.
You see it, get me some
good clear photographs
in this precise position.
Any questions?
- Nope.
- All right get up there and
find it as fast as you can.
(Plane engine roaring)
- First track complete, Chris.
We're starting on our second.
- Copy that jimbo, big sky base.
- Well doesn't seem that
scary so far, does it?
I mean a search doesn't
really rank that high
on the skid mark scale
of terror, does it?
- I'd be quite happy for
it to stay that way.
You wouldn't think it would
be that hard, would you,
to find a building.
- Hang on, what's that, ten o'clock?
This doesn't look anything like it.
- [Woman] Touching down at wind acres.
What do you want me to do?
Just stand standby here?
- No point.
Not til I find out what
information joy has for me.
Meet me, town square, couple of hours.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Charlie tango delta
this is big sky base,
just calling for an
update on the search.
- Uh, just finished my
fourth track in the first.
- And I take it there's
nothing to report?
- Uh nothing yet, sir.
Just scrub, scrub and more scrub.
- Thanks Blake.
- Take care, Blake.
- Charlie tango.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Brad!
(Suspenseful music)
Brad it's me!
(Plane engine roaring)
(Suspenseful music)
Brad!
Brad!
- What the hell are you doing here?
Why are you following me?
- I'm not. You just pissed off on me.
- Why are you here?
- I'm on a job.
- You have to go, Paula.
You have to leave.
- No.
- You have to. If they think
you followed me here,
I am in big trouble.
- Why?
- Just go.
Please, it's not safe
if I'm seen with you.
(Alarms sounding)
- [Man] This place violated.
Plane overhead, repeat plane overhead!
[Men] Shoot them!
(Guns firing)
(Alarms beeping)
(Plane engine roaring)
(Alarms beeping)
- Did Brad say anything
about why I was here?
- All he said was that if
they, whoever they are,
thought that I'd followed him
he'd be in big trouble.
- Fits the pattern, lightfoot.
American servicemen arriving
quietly over one week
to join the ones already here.
- What pattern?
- Well as far as I can determine,
they all belong to the
one special platoon
funded by the same Pentagon department
that set up the private militia u.N.
Covered training
in the bush.
No wonder he freaked
out when he saw you.
They'd been doing their
best to make sure
nobody knows they're even here.
- You really think that Brad
is a part of all of this?
- Did he ever give you
his platoon number,
the name of his unit,
anything like that?
- No.
All he said about work was
that he was a marine.
- When did he leave Sydney?
- A few days ago.
He just vanished without a trace.
- It's to much of a coincidence.
He's one of them, I'll
bet anything on it.
(Phone ringing)
- Chris manning.
- Chris, tower control.
We've just received a 7700
from one of your planes.
Charlie tango delta.
- What was his last known position?
- Bearing 150 degrees from nepstone.
Approximately 40 miles.
- [Chris] Is the air or TV activated?
- Not at this stage.
Sir is underway.
- All right, look I got a
couple of other planes
in the area.
I'll divert them.
- I'll let sir know.
We'll keep you posted.
- Yeah.
Shay!
Blake just sent in a mayday call.
- What, what happened?
- No details yet, just a 7700.
His last known position was 40
miles southeast of nepstone.
I want you to call the local cops
and get them out there fast.
I'm gonna send Paula
in and get lightfoot
on the phone for me.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Where did Blake get into trouble?
- Um, just here.
It's lucky we're not far away.
God, I hope he's gonna be all right.
- Me too.
Chris was given the runaround
by the local police
and emergency services.
They actually refused to get
involved in the search.
- I don't believe that.
- Pretty suspicious.
- Who isn't a part of all of this?
(Phone ringing)
- Hello, big sky.
Who is it, who's calling?
How do you know about that?
Where's Blake, is he all right?
- [Man] If you want the other
planes to stay in the sky
then stay away.
- Did you hear that?
(Plane engine roaring)
- Okay we're a few miles out from where
Blake sent the 7700.
What's the plan?
- Well I'm assuming he must
have been forced down.
His plane probably alarmed
somebody on the ground.
- Just by flying over?
- Well if he was doing
more than passing over.
- Yeah, okay so he spotted something.
He's gone down for a closer look.
- Flying low, he probably got shot at.
- All right, what we'll
do is we'll stay high.
We'll take a quick look.
But we won't hang around.
And we should be okay.
- Good idea.
- There, there over
there, I see something.
- Yeah, I got it.
It's not marked anywhere.
- Must have been what
Blake was buzzing.
Do you think it's the
building in the photograph?
- Bit hard to tell from here.
- Well we gotta be closer?
- Is there any way to land around here?
We've gotta go in by road.
- Yep.
(Indistinct radio voices)
- This is it.
This is what we're looking for.
Same buildings as in the photograph.
I'll do all the talking.
- Yeah, fine by me.
- Keep the engine running.
- This is private property sir.
I must ask that you leave immediately.
- I'm investigating reports
of a plane that got into trouble
and I was wondering if you saw it.
- Sorry, haven't seen any planes.
- Well perhaps someone else did?
- There's no one else here.
- So you just work out
here all by yourself?
For ralston chemical
company, is that correct?
- I cannot confirm or deny that.
- Well either you work for them
or you don't work for them.
It's a pretty simple question.
- I must request that
you leave immediately.
- Yeah, if I could just take
a quick look around here.
I'm very concerned
about this young pilot.
- That's impossible.
There's nothing else to see.
- I think there is.
You know what this is?
- I cannot permit any
unauthorized entry.
- I want your name and
name and telephone number
of your employer or your superior.
- I'm unable to give you that.
Now just get in your car and go
before I'm forced to
take further action.
(Suspenseful music)
- Let's get back to the plane.
Keep looking for Blake.
- So he's not in there?
- I have no idea.
This situation goes
much higher than I ever imagined.
Maybe all the way to the top.
(Suspenseful music)
(Plane engine roaring) - We
found the building Chris.
There's no sign of Blake.
- [Chris] But...
- It's joy, the Americans
are on the move.
According to the harbor
master the fleet
is not due to leave til after dark.
So whatever's happening,
it's gonna be tonight.
- Thanks joy.
Listen, the Americans are on the move.
How much longer do you think it will be
before we find Blake?
- As long as it takes.
- [Man] Well I'm sorry to sound callus,
but I need to get up there and find out
what's going on.
- Well I can divert jimbo
and Rosie up there.
- Thanks Chris.
- [Chris] What'll I tell them?
- Standby I'll liaise with joy.
Radio through the instructions.
- Tango whiskey.
- Okay Chris said that
Blake had just finished
his fourth check a few minutes
before he sent the 7700,
so that means you're in big trouble.
We've gotta land immediately.
Now if he was already low,
he wouldn't have had enough
height to get very far at all.
So if he got into trouble
directly over that building
I'd say he wouldn't
have been able to get
much farther than where we are now.
Oh my god.
- Must have caught fire on impact.
- Do you think he could
have survived that?
(Slow music)
Big sky base.
This is tango whiskey Sierra.
- Oh Paula that's okay.
Take light for putting one down.
I'll come up and collect the body.
Big sky base.
(Slow piano music)
I want you to take this.
Put them in a safe
place, don't lose them.
- What is it?
- It's everything I know
about the situation.
All the work we've been
doing for lightfoot.
If anything happens to me,
I want you to take this
straight to Sam day
and maybe he'll know
what to do with it.
And who to give it to.
This one's for my kids.
(Plane engine roaring)
- I can't believe this, I
just can't believe it.
How could you let this happen?
We are all in way over our heads here.
- I am sorry.
- Sorry's not gonna bring
Blake back, is it?
- I'll understand if you
don't wish to continue.
- Do you mean that?
- We agreed to do it.
- It's not too late
to change your mind.
- You reckon?
- Well we'd have to talk to Chris.
- You can't do that to Blake.
- I'm gonna meet joy at the docks.
I'd be grateful if you'd
standby with your planes
in case we have to follow
that trigger out to sea.
- I think we'll be okay.
You know, if we stick together.
We'll be all right.
- Yeah.
I trust you guys.
- Yeah me too.
- I might call maxy.
He's been giving the neighbors hell.
He's chucking apples
through the window.
- [Pilot] All sections matched on,
this is Juliet Oscar Charlie.
(Crickets chirping)
(Suspenseful music)
(Phone dialing)
- Lightfoot, it's Chris.
I'm with the plane wreckage.
There's no body.
I think Blake might have survived.
I'm gonna take a look around.
(Dramatic music)
- [Man] Come on, it's taking too long.
Let's move it.
I wanna make sure that all crates
are present and accounted for.
To be loaded in three hours
we have to get moving.
- Can you see what it
is they're unloading?
- Interesting they're
doing it after dark.
I think it's fairly safe to assume
that it's not exactly rig and cargo.
- Something you could only
bring in on a naval vessel.
Otherwise this would
share in a discreet
form of transport.
- Not to mention fast one.
Must have been too heavy to fly it in.
- [Man] Or too risky.
- Explosives?
- Could be, highly explosive.
- Highly illegal.
- I think if it's transported by road
they couldn't be going far.
And I doubt they're
gonna stop to refuel.
- So we're looking at roughly
200 guys or less from here.
- Why are we counting.
- Maybe it's not for
anyone around here.
Maybe they're just changing ships.
- I doubt it.
I'm gonna get up there.
Follow them in the planes.
Keep in touch.
- Will do.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Are you saying that the
cockpit was completely empty?
That Blake could have walked
away from that crash?
- Can't be sure he
didn't meet somebody.
- So he's still alive?
- Can't be sure of that either.
- Yes, but there is a good chance then?
- Obviously it's important that
those in the trucks don't know that
they've got company.
- If we stay high and
keep circling back
they'll never know we're here.
- Chris?
- I can't find any trace of him.
I think he must have got
a welcoming committee
from our mystery compound.
I'm gonna go over there.
Take a look, see what I can find out.
- Not even I could get in, Chris.
It's a fortress.
Wait until I've got some more
information on the place.
- I can't afford to wait.
He might be in there, I'll be in touch.
- Listen, it's futile
and it's dangerous.
We've already got one person
missing, possibly dead.
I don't wanna make it two.
(Phone ringing)
- Joy?
- [Joy] The truck is
defintely heading south.
Stewart highway.
- Good, she's found them.
Stewart highway, heading south.
Let's find them, don't lose them.
(Crickets chirping)
- They are still heading
south on the Stewart
so I'm gonna go around again.
- Copy that jimbo,
tango whiskey Sierra.
- Tango whiskey.
- Where do you think these
trucks are heading?
- And more to the point,
what are they gonna do
when they get there?
(Crickets chirping)
(Suspenseful music)
- Ahhh!
(Moaning)
Sir, I'm sorry.
I thought you were one of the
other guys from in there.
- You okay?
A few cuts and scratches.
Boy am I glad to see you.
- I can't believe you walked
away from that plane.
- Well that was my fault sir.
Well they shot me down
when I flew over here.
I saw them send out a jeep.
You know, obviously they
finished off the job.
So I had to keep them away somehow.
- You burned my plane.
- Well I didn't know what else to do.
I mean it worked.
They obviously heard the
explosion and turned back.
I'm sorry, sir.
Will you get the insurance?
- What is this place?
- Obviously keeping a lot of
men busy doing something.
- Any way we can get a better look?
- Yeah, just go this way.
- They're turning.
They're heading on to...
- It's not marked, doesn't have a name.
- To an unmarked road
heading east about
35 k southeast of nepstone.
- What is it?
- There's only one place
it really can lead,
and it's a building where
Blake was shot down.
- You're joking?
- Well well well, they're
all mates again.
- In spite of breeze.
- With all their militia mates.
This is what they were training for.
- Jimbo, I want absolute confirmation
that that is where the
trucks are heading.
Be careful.
- Copy that, echo whiskey Victor.
- Scared?
- You want the truth
or do you just want me
to make you feel better?
- If you're scared that
will make me feel better.
- I'm petrified.
- [Army man] Through the gates.
(Mysterious music)
(Indistinct radio chatter)
- Bloody hell, it's radioactive.
- Some kind of nuclear plant.
- Or a radioactive waste dump.
- Why would the Americans dump it here?
- And why would the
Pentagon be paying for it?
- The Pentagon?
- According to lightfoot.
- [Blake] Unless it's nuclear weapons.
- Better get used to life on call.
- [Jimbo] Big sky base this
is echo whiskey Victor.
Big sky base this is
echo whiskey Victor.
Shay, you there?
Shay, hello?
Shay, are you there?
- Echo whiskey Victor,
this is big sky base.
Jimbo, you okay?
- Yeah, Chris found Blake.
He's alive.
Well they both are, they're both great.
Okay, echo whiskey.
- Big sky base.
- [Chris] Be light soon,
let's get out of here.
- [Blake] Why would the yanks
be dumping weapons here?
Yeah, if that's what it is.
- I heard the same, let's go.
- Intruders on the perimeter.
(Alarm blaring
freeze!
(Indistinct yelling)
- Move it!
- Get back to your cars.
(Car engine revving)
(Guns firing)
- Oh bloody m16's!
- [Chris] Just keep your head down.
- Chris and Blake have been spotted.
They're being pursued by two jeeps.
- We'll be heading for the
airstrip about a mile east here.
- [Chris] This the air strip?
(Guns firing)
- [Blake] They're getting
close, let's go.
(Guns firing)
- They haven't got
enough of a head start.
We gotta do something to
shake those other guys.
- What?
- I don't know, bust them, anything.
I'll take the first one.
(Tires screeching)
- They're off the road.
- Whoo hoo, we got one down, sir.
(Tires screeching)
- I can't get them,
there's too many trees.
- Oh too bloody close.
Chris will never be able
to start his plane.
- He won't have to.
Buckle up, we're landing.
(Tires screeching)
Open the door!
(Tires screeching)
- Come on, gotta get on!
Come on, run!
Come on, get in there!
Come on mate!
Come on you can do it!
Come on mate, come on!
(Indistinct yelling)
(Plane engine roaring)
- [Army man] I'll shoot them.
Shoot them!
(Dramatic music)
- Some form of nuclear weaponry
belonging to the Americans
is being stored in that
compound at napstone.
Now this is contrary to all
the anti nuclear agreements
that our government and the Americans
signatured to.
It means that some member
of our armed forces
therefore members of our government,
are not only aware of this
but complicit in the arrangement.
- So what do we do now?
Shouldn't we tell someone what we know?
- The point is, we don't
know who we can trust.
- We'll go to canberra.
- I didn't want to say anything
in front of the others.
But aren't we still in danger
even if we do keep our mouth shut?
They could easily find
out who was flying
around the compound.
- It's not a problem.
After a couple of hours
when I'm expecting my minister,
this whole situation is
gonna be blown wide open.
Sir, it is outrageous that some
sections of this government
think they can blatantly disregard
international treaties,
not to mention compromise our security.
If there are nuclear
weapons being stored there
and if another country
was to get wind of it...
- Yes, yes lightfoot, I'm fully
aware of the implications.
- I wanna know what you
intend to do about it.
- And I want you to
forget what you saw.
I want you to forget everything
that you've ever known
about this matter.
(Elevator dings)
- So there are warheads,
nuclear warheads?
My signature is to a non
proliferation treaty,
so are the Americans.
- As a PR exercise of course they are.
But as an actual commitment, well,
there's no point in kicking yourself
for coming to the wrong person.
- Does the entire
government know about this?
- We all stand to benefit.
- Don't see how.
- The Americans are providing
substantial trade deals
in exchange for the storage facilities.
The financial benefits to
the economy are enormous.
- So is the risk to the
Australian public, enormous.
- That's why you must never, ever
make this agreement public.
And why I'm telling you
to keep you mouth shut,
or it will be shut for you.
(Dramatic music)
- [Chris] What about
your mates at the ntf?
Can't they do anything?
- Not if the entire
government's in on the deal.
- [Chris] So that's it,
there's nowhere else to go?
- Not to the media.
They'd be gagged before
they uttered a word.
- I don't believe this.
Is there not one person in canberra
that has a problem with this?
- I'm sure there are many.
But they're all in the
same boat that we are.
I must look rather foolish.
- Well, you weren't to
know how things were
gonna turn out.
- The end justifies the means.
It means nothing.
Wasn't worthwhile.
What's worse, I got you and
your partners involved.
Terrible risk, terrible.
- Oh come on.
What about all the other times?
What about the drug smugglers
and gun dealers we caught?
You can't save the world everyday.
- Point is, I thought I could.
- Yes, but that doesn't make
all the other times worthless.
- Maybe not.
When what you believe in,
what you've worked for
doesn't exist, what do you do?
- Well, I guess you look at the things
you've still got in your life.
Family, friends.
They're the ones that keep you going.
More than anything else.
- Yeah, well I don't really
have friends, family.
No, no friends really.
- So where does that put me?
We're mates, aren't we?
- Well yeah, I suppose we are.
- Well there you are.
You have got something.
So this is it.
The end of the line.
You don't need big sky anymore.
- I'll let you know.
(Children chattering)
- Incredible, tries to shoot down
and then sends me a note.
Look at that.
- Dear Paula, I'm sorry, love Brad.
But that's it?
No I'm glad I'm a bad shot.
Now I'm sorry I tried
to shoot you down,
it was part of my job?
Unbelievable!
(Children chattering)
He's not the kind of guy for you.
- So who's the kind of guy for me?
- Oh I don't know.
Someone who's got a healthy
amount of cynicism.
- [Chris] Anybody want a snack?
- [Paula] Yeah.
- [Chris] Jack, want a snack?
- Bright, is very sharing,
caring, lives close by.
- And we will find his perfect match.
- Well he could be a lot
closer than you think.
He could be right under your nose.
- Well I'm glad you changed your mind.
- I didn't, I was just driving by.
- Well you might as
well stay for lunch.
- I don't think so, mate.
- We've got plenty of burnt sausages.
(Slow music)
- Well,
I won't stay for long.
- Well whatever.
- Look about our contract,
if it's all right with you I'd
like to keep it open ended.
- [Chris] Sure.
- Yeah something might turn up.
You never know.
- We don't have to sign
anything official this time,
do we?
Your word's good enough for me.
- We can't touch lightfoot.
Too many questions there.
(Indistinct chatter)
But those pilots he
had working for him.
They've been to napstone.
They've seen the facility.
- That would be four, Mr. lightfoot.
- If lightfoot knows, so must they.
Deal with them.
(Slow theme music)
(Network ten jingle)
(southern star jingle)
- Private army, funded by the Pentagon.
Some how connected to the photographs
that Blake's cousin, Ann Wallis, took.
American soldiers unloading
cargo somewhere in the outback.
(Suspenseful music)
We've stumbled onto something, Chris,
we've stumbled onto something
extremely serious.
This isn't just a little local trouble,
has international repercussions.
- [Chris] Are you saying we're at risk?
- After Ian took these photographs,
the army went to extraordinary
lengths to silence him.
He's dead, hit and run accident
was the official word.
I can't be sure that
I'm not putting you
and your pilots in similar
danger if we continue.
- Why not just bring in the feds?
- I dunno who's involved,
I dunno how far it goes,
I dunno who to trust any more,
except you and your pilots.
- I can't make that
decision on their behalf.
(Thunder claps)
- [Woman] What now?
- [Man] What does he now?
- He didn't say, he just said
to hurry up, so let's go.
- The point is, from now on,
what was rapidly becoming the norm
in our dealings with Mr. lightfoot.
We don't exactly know
what we'll be doing.
- What, you mean we could like...
- Our lives are in danger.
- Most certainly.
- Oh man.
- Chris, is it too late
to get out of this?
- Well, for me it is.
That's why I wanted you to understand
the significance of
what we're taking on
so you can decide whether or
not you wanna be part of it.
- I'll do whatever I have to, sir.
Find the people who killed Ian.
- I got maxy to think of,
dunno if he'll be too keen about this.
(Thunder claps)
- Well, you don't have to give
me your answer straight away.
Think about it over night.
Let me know what you
decide in the morning.
(Suspenseful theme music)
- Max, now, you know how
I promised your mum
that I'd look after you,
no matter what happened?
Well, you know, if something
was to happen to me.
- It won't.
- Yeah, it's just that
this job I'm about to do,
it could be really dangerous and...
- Do you wanna do it?
- Well, I'm not feeling all
that brave so, you know,
if you don't want me to do it,
you just say the word and
like I'm outta there.
- I think mum would want you to do it.
- You reckon?
- I know she would.
- Yeah, but, like, it's really
dangerous kind of job...
- Don't worry, she's up there
somewhere watching out for us,
nothings gonna happen.
- Thanks dad, see ya.
- See ya, dad.
- See ya.
- Bye.
- Bye, darlin'.
Hey, guys!
I love you.
- Yeah, we know, dad.
- Sure.
- Everything all right?
- Yeah, yeah, I just
never imagined my job
would turn out the way it has.
- Don't you like the
people you work with?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'd do
anything for them, it's just...
- [Man] What?
- I love you and mum, okay?
- We love you too, sweetheart.
- You made up your mind?
- Yeah, I think so.
If I had anyone else in my life
it would of been a lot harder.
- Still no word from Brad.
- As if there's gonna be,
I don't know what I was
thinking, falling for a marine.
- There's no pressure, you
make your own decision,
don't worry about anyone else.
- I'm in, sir.
- Me too.
- Well, maxy wants me to
be in, so, yeah, I'm in.
- I'm in.
- Great, we're all in.
Let's get out and get those
aircraft ready to roll.
- Thank you.
If anything should
happen to any of them,
I will personally guarantee
that their families
and loved ones are
adequately compensated.
I give you my word.
(Solemn music)
- [Chris] Paul, you'll be
flying lurch at the window.
- Isn't that were Ian said
he took those photographs?
- [Chris] Yeah, we
gotta find out exactly
where that building is.
- Here, the joint exercise pretty large
so he could have been
within a hundred kilometers
radius in town.
- Oh a needle in a haystack.
- Don't suppose the army could tell us
where they might have been?
- Not even worth asking.
- The area is divided into sectors.
Jimbo and Rosie, you
take the first two.
Blake you take the second two.
It's a square search
pattern, you know the drill.
We're looking for
anything that remotely
resembles this.
You see it, get me some
good clear photographs
in this precise position.
Any questions?
- Nope.
- All right get up there and
find it as fast as you can.
(Plane engine roaring)
- First track complete, Chris.
We're starting on our second.
- Copy that jimbo, big sky base.
- Well doesn't seem that
scary so far, does it?
I mean a search doesn't
really rank that high
on the skid mark scale
of terror, does it?
- I'd be quite happy for
it to stay that way.
You wouldn't think it would
be that hard, would you,
to find a building.
- Hang on, what's that, ten o'clock?
This doesn't look anything like it.
- [Woman] Touching down at wind acres.
What do you want me to do?
Just stand standby here?
- No point.
Not til I find out what
information joy has for me.
Meet me, town square, couple of hours.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Charlie tango delta
this is big sky base,
just calling for an
update on the search.
- Uh, just finished my
fourth track in the first.
- And I take it there's
nothing to report?
- Uh nothing yet, sir.
Just scrub, scrub and more scrub.
- Thanks Blake.
- Take care, Blake.
- Charlie tango.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Brad!
(Suspenseful music)
Brad it's me!
(Plane engine roaring)
(Suspenseful music)
Brad!
Brad!
- What the hell are you doing here?
Why are you following me?
- I'm not. You just pissed off on me.
- Why are you here?
- I'm on a job.
- You have to go, Paula.
You have to leave.
- No.
- You have to. If they think
you followed me here,
I am in big trouble.
- Why?
- Just go.
Please, it's not safe
if I'm seen with you.
(Alarms sounding)
- [Man] This place violated.
Plane overhead, repeat plane overhead!
[Men] Shoot them!
(Guns firing)
(Alarms beeping)
(Plane engine roaring)
(Alarms beeping)
- Did Brad say anything
about why I was here?
- All he said was that if
they, whoever they are,
thought that I'd followed him
he'd be in big trouble.
- Fits the pattern, lightfoot.
American servicemen arriving
quietly over one week
to join the ones already here.
- What pattern?
- Well as far as I can determine,
they all belong to the
one special platoon
funded by the same Pentagon department
that set up the private militia u.N.
Covered training
in the bush.
No wonder he freaked
out when he saw you.
They'd been doing their
best to make sure
nobody knows they're even here.
- You really think that Brad
is a part of all of this?
- Did he ever give you
his platoon number,
the name of his unit,
anything like that?
- No.
All he said about work was
that he was a marine.
- When did he leave Sydney?
- A few days ago.
He just vanished without a trace.
- It's to much of a coincidence.
He's one of them, I'll
bet anything on it.
(Phone ringing)
- Chris manning.
- Chris, tower control.
We've just received a 7700
from one of your planes.
Charlie tango delta.
- What was his last known position?
- Bearing 150 degrees from nepstone.
Approximately 40 miles.
- [Chris] Is the air or TV activated?
- Not at this stage.
Sir is underway.
- All right, look I got a
couple of other planes
in the area.
I'll divert them.
- I'll let sir know.
We'll keep you posted.
- Yeah.
Shay!
Blake just sent in a mayday call.
- What, what happened?
- No details yet, just a 7700.
His last known position was 40
miles southeast of nepstone.
I want you to call the local cops
and get them out there fast.
I'm gonna send Paula
in and get lightfoot
on the phone for me.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Where did Blake get into trouble?
- Um, just here.
It's lucky we're not far away.
God, I hope he's gonna be all right.
- Me too.
Chris was given the runaround
by the local police
and emergency services.
They actually refused to get
involved in the search.
- I don't believe that.
- Pretty suspicious.
- Who isn't a part of all of this?
(Phone ringing)
- Hello, big sky.
Who is it, who's calling?
How do you know about that?
Where's Blake, is he all right?
- [Man] If you want the other
planes to stay in the sky
then stay away.
- Did you hear that?
(Plane engine roaring)
- Okay we're a few miles out from where
Blake sent the 7700.
What's the plan?
- Well I'm assuming he must
have been forced down.
His plane probably alarmed
somebody on the ground.
- Just by flying over?
- Well if he was doing
more than passing over.
- Yeah, okay so he spotted something.
He's gone down for a closer look.
- Flying low, he probably got shot at.
- All right, what we'll
do is we'll stay high.
We'll take a quick look.
But we won't hang around.
And we should be okay.
- Good idea.
- There, there over
there, I see something.
- Yeah, I got it.
It's not marked anywhere.
- Must have been what
Blake was buzzing.
Do you think it's the
building in the photograph?
- Bit hard to tell from here.
- Well we gotta be closer?
- Is there any way to land around here?
We've gotta go in by road.
- Yep.
(Indistinct radio voices)
- This is it.
This is what we're looking for.
Same buildings as in the photograph.
I'll do all the talking.
- Yeah, fine by me.
- Keep the engine running.
- This is private property sir.
I must ask that you leave immediately.
- I'm investigating reports
of a plane that got into trouble
and I was wondering if you saw it.
- Sorry, haven't seen any planes.
- Well perhaps someone else did?
- There's no one else here.
- So you just work out
here all by yourself?
For ralston chemical
company, is that correct?
- I cannot confirm or deny that.
- Well either you work for them
or you don't work for them.
It's a pretty simple question.
- I must request that
you leave immediately.
- Yeah, if I could just take
a quick look around here.
I'm very concerned
about this young pilot.
- That's impossible.
There's nothing else to see.
- I think there is.
You know what this is?
- I cannot permit any
unauthorized entry.
- I want your name and
name and telephone number
of your employer or your superior.
- I'm unable to give you that.
Now just get in your car and go
before I'm forced to
take further action.
(Suspenseful music)
- Let's get back to the plane.
Keep looking for Blake.
- So he's not in there?
- I have no idea.
This situation goes
much higher than I ever imagined.
Maybe all the way to the top.
(Suspenseful music)
(Plane engine roaring) - We
found the building Chris.
There's no sign of Blake.
- [Chris] But...
- It's joy, the Americans
are on the move.
According to the harbor
master the fleet
is not due to leave til after dark.
So whatever's happening,
it's gonna be tonight.
- Thanks joy.
Listen, the Americans are on the move.
How much longer do you think it will be
before we find Blake?
- As long as it takes.
- [Man] Well I'm sorry to sound callus,
but I need to get up there and find out
what's going on.
- Well I can divert jimbo
and Rosie up there.
- Thanks Chris.
- [Chris] What'll I tell them?
- Standby I'll liaise with joy.
Radio through the instructions.
- Tango whiskey.
- Okay Chris said that
Blake had just finished
his fourth check a few minutes
before he sent the 7700,
so that means you're in big trouble.
We've gotta land immediately.
Now if he was already low,
he wouldn't have had enough
height to get very far at all.
So if he got into trouble
directly over that building
I'd say he wouldn't
have been able to get
much farther than where we are now.
Oh my god.
- Must have caught fire on impact.
- Do you think he could
have survived that?
(Slow music)
Big sky base.
This is tango whiskey Sierra.
- Oh Paula that's okay.
Take light for putting one down.
I'll come up and collect the body.
Big sky base.
(Slow piano music)
I want you to take this.
Put them in a safe
place, don't lose them.
- What is it?
- It's everything I know
about the situation.
All the work we've been
doing for lightfoot.
If anything happens to me,
I want you to take this
straight to Sam day
and maybe he'll know
what to do with it.
And who to give it to.
This one's for my kids.
(Plane engine roaring)
- I can't believe this, I
just can't believe it.
How could you let this happen?
We are all in way over our heads here.
- I am sorry.
- Sorry's not gonna bring
Blake back, is it?
- I'll understand if you
don't wish to continue.
- Do you mean that?
- We agreed to do it.
- It's not too late
to change your mind.
- You reckon?
- Well we'd have to talk to Chris.
- You can't do that to Blake.
- I'm gonna meet joy at the docks.
I'd be grateful if you'd
standby with your planes
in case we have to follow
that trigger out to sea.
- I think we'll be okay.
You know, if we stick together.
We'll be all right.
- Yeah.
I trust you guys.
- Yeah me too.
- I might call maxy.
He's been giving the neighbors hell.
He's chucking apples
through the window.
- [Pilot] All sections matched on,
this is Juliet Oscar Charlie.
(Crickets chirping)
(Suspenseful music)
(Phone dialing)
- Lightfoot, it's Chris.
I'm with the plane wreckage.
There's no body.
I think Blake might have survived.
I'm gonna take a look around.
(Dramatic music)
- [Man] Come on, it's taking too long.
Let's move it.
I wanna make sure that all crates
are present and accounted for.
To be loaded in three hours
we have to get moving.
- Can you see what it
is they're unloading?
- Interesting they're
doing it after dark.
I think it's fairly safe to assume
that it's not exactly rig and cargo.
- Something you could only
bring in on a naval vessel.
Otherwise this would
share in a discreet
form of transport.
- Not to mention fast one.
Must have been too heavy to fly it in.
- [Man] Or too risky.
- Explosives?
- Could be, highly explosive.
- Highly illegal.
- I think if it's transported by road
they couldn't be going far.
And I doubt they're
gonna stop to refuel.
- So we're looking at roughly
200 guys or less from here.
- Why are we counting.
- Maybe it's not for
anyone around here.
Maybe they're just changing ships.
- I doubt it.
I'm gonna get up there.
Follow them in the planes.
Keep in touch.
- Will do.
(Plane engine roaring)
- Are you saying that the
cockpit was completely empty?
That Blake could have walked
away from that crash?
- Can't be sure he
didn't meet somebody.
- So he's still alive?
- Can't be sure of that either.
- Yes, but there is a good chance then?
- Obviously it's important that
those in the trucks don't know that
they've got company.
- If we stay high and
keep circling back
they'll never know we're here.
- Chris?
- I can't find any trace of him.
I think he must have got
a welcoming committee
from our mystery compound.
I'm gonna go over there.
Take a look, see what I can find out.
- Not even I could get in, Chris.
It's a fortress.
Wait until I've got some more
information on the place.
- I can't afford to wait.
He might be in there, I'll be in touch.
- Listen, it's futile
and it's dangerous.
We've already got one person
missing, possibly dead.
I don't wanna make it two.
(Phone ringing)
- Joy?
- [Joy] The truck is
defintely heading south.
Stewart highway.
- Good, she's found them.
Stewart highway, heading south.
Let's find them, don't lose them.
(Crickets chirping)
- They are still heading
south on the Stewart
so I'm gonna go around again.
- Copy that jimbo,
tango whiskey Sierra.
- Tango whiskey.
- Where do you think these
trucks are heading?
- And more to the point,
what are they gonna do
when they get there?
(Crickets chirping)
(Suspenseful music)
- Ahhh!
(Moaning)
Sir, I'm sorry.
I thought you were one of the
other guys from in there.
- You okay?
A few cuts and scratches.
Boy am I glad to see you.
- I can't believe you walked
away from that plane.
- Well that was my fault sir.
Well they shot me down
when I flew over here.
I saw them send out a jeep.
You know, obviously they
finished off the job.
So I had to keep them away somehow.
- You burned my plane.
- Well I didn't know what else to do.
I mean it worked.
They obviously heard the
explosion and turned back.
I'm sorry, sir.
Will you get the insurance?
- What is this place?
- Obviously keeping a lot of
men busy doing something.
- Any way we can get a better look?
- Yeah, just go this way.
- They're turning.
They're heading on to...
- It's not marked, doesn't have a name.
- To an unmarked road
heading east about
35 k southeast of nepstone.
- What is it?
- There's only one place
it really can lead,
and it's a building where
Blake was shot down.
- You're joking?
- Well well well, they're
all mates again.
- In spite of breeze.
- With all their militia mates.
This is what they were training for.
- Jimbo, I want absolute confirmation
that that is where the
trucks are heading.
Be careful.
- Copy that, echo whiskey Victor.
- Scared?
- You want the truth
or do you just want me
to make you feel better?
- If you're scared that
will make me feel better.
- I'm petrified.
- [Army man] Through the gates.
(Mysterious music)
(Indistinct radio chatter)
- Bloody hell, it's radioactive.
- Some kind of nuclear plant.
- Or a radioactive waste dump.
- Why would the Americans dump it here?
- And why would the
Pentagon be paying for it?
- The Pentagon?
- According to lightfoot.
- [Blake] Unless it's nuclear weapons.
- Better get used to life on call.
- [Jimbo] Big sky base this
is echo whiskey Victor.
Big sky base this is
echo whiskey Victor.
Shay, you there?
Shay, hello?
Shay, are you there?
- Echo whiskey Victor,
this is big sky base.
Jimbo, you okay?
- Yeah, Chris found Blake.
He's alive.
Well they both are, they're both great.
Okay, echo whiskey.
- Big sky base.
- [Chris] Be light soon,
let's get out of here.
- [Blake] Why would the yanks
be dumping weapons here?
Yeah, if that's what it is.
- I heard the same, let's go.
- Intruders on the perimeter.
(Alarm blaring
freeze!
(Indistinct yelling)
- Move it!
- Get back to your cars.
(Car engine revving)
(Guns firing)
- Oh bloody m16's!
- [Chris] Just keep your head down.
- Chris and Blake have been spotted.
They're being pursued by two jeeps.
- We'll be heading for the
airstrip about a mile east here.
- [Chris] This the air strip?
(Guns firing)
- [Blake] They're getting
close, let's go.
(Guns firing)
- They haven't got
enough of a head start.
We gotta do something to
shake those other guys.
- What?
- I don't know, bust them, anything.
I'll take the first one.
(Tires screeching)
- They're off the road.
- Whoo hoo, we got one down, sir.
(Tires screeching)
- I can't get them,
there's too many trees.
- Oh too bloody close.
Chris will never be able
to start his plane.
- He won't have to.
Buckle up, we're landing.
(Tires screeching)
Open the door!
(Tires screeching)
- Come on, gotta get on!
Come on, run!
Come on, get in there!
Come on mate!
Come on you can do it!
Come on mate, come on!
(Indistinct yelling)
(Plane engine roaring)
- [Army man] I'll shoot them.
Shoot them!
(Dramatic music)
- Some form of nuclear weaponry
belonging to the Americans
is being stored in that
compound at napstone.
Now this is contrary to all
the anti nuclear agreements
that our government and the Americans
signatured to.
It means that some member
of our armed forces
therefore members of our government,
are not only aware of this
but complicit in the arrangement.
- So what do we do now?
Shouldn't we tell someone what we know?
- The point is, we don't
know who we can trust.
- We'll go to canberra.
- I didn't want to say anything
in front of the others.
But aren't we still in danger
even if we do keep our mouth shut?
They could easily find
out who was flying
around the compound.
- It's not a problem.
After a couple of hours
when I'm expecting my minister,
this whole situation is
gonna be blown wide open.
Sir, it is outrageous that some
sections of this government
think they can blatantly disregard
international treaties,
not to mention compromise our security.
If there are nuclear
weapons being stored there
and if another country
was to get wind of it...
- Yes, yes lightfoot, I'm fully
aware of the implications.
- I wanna know what you
intend to do about it.
- And I want you to
forget what you saw.
I want you to forget everything
that you've ever known
about this matter.
(Elevator dings)
- So there are warheads,
nuclear warheads?
My signature is to a non
proliferation treaty,
so are the Americans.
- As a PR exercise of course they are.
But as an actual commitment, well,
there's no point in kicking yourself
for coming to the wrong person.
- Does the entire
government know about this?
- We all stand to benefit.
- Don't see how.
- The Americans are providing
substantial trade deals
in exchange for the storage facilities.
The financial benefits to
the economy are enormous.
- So is the risk to the
Australian public, enormous.
- That's why you must never, ever
make this agreement public.
And why I'm telling you
to keep you mouth shut,
or it will be shut for you.
(Dramatic music)
- [Chris] What about
your mates at the ntf?
Can't they do anything?
- Not if the entire
government's in on the deal.
- [Chris] So that's it,
there's nowhere else to go?
- Not to the media.
They'd be gagged before
they uttered a word.
- I don't believe this.
Is there not one person in canberra
that has a problem with this?
- I'm sure there are many.
But they're all in the
same boat that we are.
I must look rather foolish.
- Well, you weren't to
know how things were
gonna turn out.
- The end justifies the means.
It means nothing.
Wasn't worthwhile.
What's worse, I got you and
your partners involved.
Terrible risk, terrible.
- Oh come on.
What about all the other times?
What about the drug smugglers
and gun dealers we caught?
You can't save the world everyday.
- Point is, I thought I could.
- Yes, but that doesn't make
all the other times worthless.
- Maybe not.
When what you believe in,
what you've worked for
doesn't exist, what do you do?
- Well, I guess you look at the things
you've still got in your life.
Family, friends.
They're the ones that keep you going.
More than anything else.
- Yeah, well I don't really
have friends, family.
No, no friends really.
- So where does that put me?
We're mates, aren't we?
- Well yeah, I suppose we are.
- Well there you are.
You have got something.
So this is it.
The end of the line.
You don't need big sky anymore.
- I'll let you know.
(Children chattering)
- Incredible, tries to shoot down
and then sends me a note.
Look at that.
- Dear Paula, I'm sorry, love Brad.
But that's it?
No I'm glad I'm a bad shot.
Now I'm sorry I tried
to shoot you down,
it was part of my job?
Unbelievable!
(Children chattering)
He's not the kind of guy for you.
- So who's the kind of guy for me?
- Oh I don't know.
Someone who's got a healthy
amount of cynicism.
- [Chris] Anybody want a snack?
- [Paula] Yeah.
- [Chris] Jack, want a snack?
- Bright, is very sharing,
caring, lives close by.
- And we will find his perfect match.
- Well he could be a lot
closer than you think.
He could be right under your nose.
- Well I'm glad you changed your mind.
- I didn't, I was just driving by.
- Well you might as
well stay for lunch.
- I don't think so, mate.
- We've got plenty of burnt sausages.
(Slow music)
- Well,
I won't stay for long.
- Well whatever.
- Look about our contract,
if it's all right with you I'd
like to keep it open ended.
- [Chris] Sure.
- Yeah something might turn up.
You never know.
- We don't have to sign
anything official this time,
do we?
Your word's good enough for me.
- We can't touch lightfoot.
Too many questions there.
(Indistinct chatter)
But those pilots he
had working for him.
They've been to napstone.
They've seen the facility.
- That would be four, Mr. lightfoot.
- If lightfoot knows, so must they.
Deal with them.
(Slow theme music)
(Network ten jingle)
(southern star jingle)