The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978): Season 4, Episode 9 - The Thunderbird Connection - full transcript
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Hiya, Steve.
Oscar.
I'm sorry to interrupt your
vacation in Las Vegas.
It doesn't matter, Oscar.
Six million dollars worth of bionics,
and I still can't roll a seven.
What's up?
You ever hear of a little Mideastern
country called Burdabi?
Yeah. There's nothing there.
Not even oil.
Top man's a pilot, isn't he?
Air Marshal Mahmud Majid.
That's the guy. The Air Force
trained him a few years back.
He's the new ruler of the country.
He governs in the name of a 14-year-old
youngster who's heir to the throne.
Prince Hassad.
Well, what's the problem?
Well, we've been getting a lot of desperate
pleas from the rebel forces there...
urging us to go in and get
the boy out before Majid kills him.
We haven't got much time left.
Somehow I got the feeling
I just volunteered.
All right, how do I get him out?
You're about to become a Thunderbird, pal.
What?
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 all“.
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.
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.
We have the technology.
We have the capability
to make the world's first bionic man.
Steve Austin will be that man.
Better than he was before.
Better, stronger, faster.
(MAIN TITLE THEME)
How long has Majid been running Burdabi?
He took over the government
six months ago...
after Prince Hassad's
father was killed.
I remember that.
Going into Orly Airport in Paris when
his plane was hit by an altitude bomb.
A high-sophisticated one
according to our investigation.
In any case, he has the young boy prisoner,
using him as a figurehead.
I suppose he's decided
he doesn't need him anymore.
I could just parachute in and
bring him out, be a lot simpler.
Oh no, Steve. I can't do that.
Any uninvited Westerner
would be held in suspect.
Majid has sealed off the country.
How are you gonna
get the Thunderbirds in?
By gesture of the State Department
during Burdabi's Independence Day.
Majid needs the prestige so badly,
he can't turn down the offer.
Colonel, how are you?
Mr. Goldman.
Colonel Paul Miller,
Colonel Steve Austin.
Colonel.
Nice to see you again.
You know, I really envy you guys.
I had a choice of joining the Thunderbirds
or becoming an Astronaut.
Sometimes I wonder if
I made the right decision.
That's quite a compliment
coming from you, Colonel.
I just wish we were getting
you for a tour of duty...
instead of a quick trip to the Middle East.
Which reminds me.
Just what do the Thunderbirds
have to do in this mission?
You know we don't get involved
in international politics.
I understand that, Colonel.
This is strictly a humanitarian mission.
The Colonel's going in
to save the young prince's life.
That's all. That's why we got permission
from Washington to send you to Burdabi.
And once there all we do
is fly the show, right?
That's right.
Colonel will go in and save the boy.
The rebels have him at an old
WWII Spitfire base...
about 70 miles outside the capital.
On the way out of Burdabi,
I'll leave the formation...
land there, put the boy in the rear seat...
then take off again.
It's that simple, Colonel.
Well, it's not quite that simple.
Steve has to learn all our maneuvers.
That means tight
precision formations...
flying sometimes at
30 feet above the ground.
Well, you'll have two
and a half weeks to train him.
Thunderbird training normally
takes two and a half months.
Well, you know, Paul...
Prince Hassad is only fourteen.
He's just a kid.
If we don't give it a try,
he doesn't have a chance.
I'll put everything I can
into that training. I promise.
All right. We'll put you in Number Five.
See you at 0600 tomorrow.
Thank you, Colonel.
Nice to see you again.
I want to run into town, pick up a few things.
You wanna tag along?
I'll pass. I gotta make some
calls to Washington.
Thanks anyway.
(SMASH)
You okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
But what about my car?
You've really gave it a whack.
The bumpers are locked. That's all.
And just for the record, you hit me.
Oh, so it's my fault!
Because I'm a woman driver!
No, because you didn't look
where you were going.
Look, all I wanna do is get out of here.
Well, good.
You just get back in your car,
and when I give you the signal...
you pull ahead, slowly this time.
(SIGHS)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Okay, pull ahead!
(TIRES SCREECH)
MILLER: Ready to show us how much
you've learned in three days, Steve?
STEVE: Ready and willing.
MILLER: Okay, Thunderbirds.
Back around for the wedge roll.
Ready now.
MILLER: Let it float. Right on over.
Back around with the pull.
Not bad, Steve, but you're a little wide.
Let's go around and try it again.
(AIR TRAFFIC CHATTER)
Hey Sarge, that student T-38
on the closed navigation course.
He's spinning out of his area.
Tiger 2-5?
Uh-huh.
Probably a malfunction
in his navigation equipment.
Better turn him back.
He's just straightening out.
WILSON: Heading into the Thunderbird
training area.
Tiger 2-5,
turn left to course 1-5-0.
He's still coming on.
Tiger 2-5, turn left!
Acknowledge!
His radio must be out.
He's on a collision course
with the Thunderbirds.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Thunderbird leader. T-38 at your
11 o'clock position closing fast.
WILSON: He's not responding to radio call.
MILLER: Thunderbirds, go exploded.
Leave your smoke on
so he can see you.
MILLER: Steve, look out!
What the heck were you doing up there?
Don't you know how to read
your instruments?
How did someone like you
get into the Air Force anyway?
They're training women
pilots now, that's how.
You!
Look, Colonel, I'm sorry.
For what? Running into my car, splattering
me with mud or almost getting us killed?
I'm surprised you didn't try
to back this thing into me!
And if your breakaway had been cleaner...
there would've been a lot
more clearance between us.
May I get out now, sir?
Yeah, if you think you know how.
Check the avionics and communications!
How did you know it was
a malfunction, Paul?
Anytime you make a navigational error,
I know it has to be equipment failure.
Steve Austin, meet Jan Lawrence.
One of the best pilots I know.
Yes, we met.
If any other student had
been flying that plane...
you wouldn't be standing
here right now.
Colonel Miller?
We fixed the radio, but the
navigation equipment is way off.
Right. Let's take a look.
I guess I've got egg on my face.
It looks a lot better than mud.
I'm trying to apologize.
Oh, really?
What do you want,
a pound of flesh?
No, but about eight ounces
of thick steak would be nice.
Charcoal broiled.
Very rare.
I'll bring the wine.
You got a deal.
Good.
Steve, I've got... excuse me,
I've got to talk with you.
Oscar Goldman, Jan Lawrence.
How do you do?
I'm fine, thank you.
I've got a report to file.
I'll see you at seven.
Can I catch a ride
with you guys?
Hi, Mr. Goldman.
Hello, Paul.
Well, gentlemen,
we're in real trouble.
We lost our pickup point.
Majid's troops recaptured
the old Spitfire base.
(SIGHS)
With that old airstrip in Majid's hands,
Steve's gonna have no place to land.
You just have to call
the whole thing off.
Now wait a minute.
There's gotta be a way.
There's gotta be a way that the
prince could get on the airplane...
while Steve is
still in the airport.
That's a Burdabi Air Force Base.
They'll be watching every move we make.
Maybe we can create a diversion.
Distract their attention
for a minute or two.
Wait a minute, even if Steve gets the
boy in the plane, Majid will spot him.
He won't be able
to get off the ground.
Only if we put him in the rear seat.
There's no other
place to put him.
Maybe there is.
Come here, take a look at this.
If we take everything out of the nose...
there might be just enough room
for a 14-year-old.
Wait a minute, that's your avionics
and communication.
I won't need navigational aids.
I'll just follow you.
I'll only be talking to you
and the tower at Burdabi.
You could replace these radios
with a smaller one in the cockpit.
What do you think?
Well, we could build a pod,
insulate it, put in a seat, a harness...
oxygen, and an intercom.
I think we can do it.
Can you get it done?
I'll get on it immediately.
(SOFT MUSIC)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Hi.
Hello. Come in.
Thanks. I hope I haven't
kept you waiting.
I've been counting the minutes.
So where do you know
Kelly Wood from?
Kelly and I learned to fly together.
I was sixteen then.
Anyway, Kelly wound up
our first woman in space...
while I scratched around flying
everything from sailplanes to sea planes...
to earn a living.
Civilian flying jobs for women
are hard to come by.
Oh, I know.
That's why I joined the Air Force.
Once I had a job where
being a woman helped.
I flew for an aerial circus.
A stunt woman is a
real box office draw.
You were a barnstormer?
That's right. I loved it.
We did one stunt
that was really wild.
My stunt man rode in the back
seat without a seat belt...
while I put our souped up Stearman
into an outside loop.
We pulled so many negative G's that he
was thrown right up and out of the plane.
By the time he popped his chute,
the crowd was going crazy.
We called it "The Throwaway."
Oh, my gosh.
Can't believe how late it's getting.
Well, time flies
when you're having fun.
Yeah.
What're you doing tomorrow
night to have fun?
Whatever you are.
MILLER: Steve, you've
been doing beautifully.
Think you're ready
to try the bomb burst?
STEVE: After ten days, I'd better be.
Besides, I have a personal
audience waiting for me to do it.
MILLER: Steve, break off now.
There they go, Oscar!
OSCAR: Steve's looking terrific.
STEVE: Number Five in position.
MILLER: Okay, Thunderbirds,
stand by break.
MILLER: Thunderbirds let's break.
Ready, now.
STEVE: Five's in and up now.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
What's going on there, Jan?
There's something wrong!
STEVE: This is Number Five.
I can't focus my eyes.
I'm in trouble.
Pull back, Steve! Pull back!
MILLER: Steve, you're
losing altitude. Pull up!
MILLER: Hang in, Steve!
STEVE: Tell Oscar
I can't control my arm.
MILLER: Pull up, Steve!
You're upside down!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
STEVE: My stick is broken!
Everything's spinning. I can't eject.
MILLER: All right. Hang on, Steve.
Two and Three are coming to help.
MILLER: Try to hold her steady, Steve.
Thunderbirds Two and Three
coming up under you now.
MILLER: Steve, Number Two and Three...
they're gonna bring their
wings under yours...
and create an air cushion,
and guide you in.
Just keep your rudder steady.
Almost home, now. Hold on.
THREE: This is Thunderbird Three, Steve.
We've got you.
You handle the throttle.
We'll steer your wings
and put you on final approach.
I still can't see.
THREE: We'll have you home in no time.
Just do what I tell you.
Approach control, Thunderbird Five
has an emergency.
Request a straight in vector
to runway 2-1-8.
APPROACH CONTROL: Roger.
Thunderbird Five is cleared.
(SIRENS WAIL)
STEVE: How do I look now?
THREE: Looking good, Steve.
Air clutch ready, now.
Watch your trim, Colonel.
STEVE: If I don 't make it,
it sure won't be your fault.
THREE: So you owe us a beer.
You're lined up and clear.
Reduce power and take it in, Steve.
We're checking out.
Well, here are the X-rays at last.
Thanks, Oscar.
Maybe they can
tell us what's wrong...
'cause everything else checks out okay.
RUDY: There it is.
It's a lesion just below the cochlea.
You wanna translate that?
It's uh... it's scar tissue
from your earlier surgery.
It's just touching the bottom of the inner ear.
That's your equilibrium center.
RUDY: The slightest upward pressure
would cause you to lose your balance.
The bomb burst! I pulled negative G's.
Yeah. That would do it.
Your brain got the wrong signals.
It effected your equilibrium
and the motor nerves to your bionics.
Then when gravity returned to normal,
it relieved the pressure...
and your symptoms disappeared.
Can you fix it?
Well, a minor electronic adjustment
would solve the spasms, but, uh...
in order to prevent dizziness
in a negative G situation...
the lesion has to go surgically.
What are you talking about
in terms of time?
It's a minor operation.
I'd say he'd be flying in ten days.
In ten days that boy could be dead!
All right, Rudy.
Schedule the operation.
We'll cancel the mission.
You can't call it off, Oscar!
You heard what he said.
You can't fly.
He only said I can't pull negative G's.
With those Thunderbirds,
you can't avoid it.
Only if I fly solo in the bomb burst.
Paul can switch me to Number Three.
I'll do an ordinary peel-off.
There, I can't pull negative G's.
Anything else could trigger it?
Rudy?
As long as you don't experience
negative gravity, you're fine.
Oscar, I'm the only chance that boy has.
All right.
Make the necessary adjustments so
there won't be any more spasms, Rudy.
Right.
Now, if you can talk Paul Miller
into letting you fly...
it's all right with me.
MILLER: Okay, Steve.
Let's see you do it.
STEVE: Thunderbird Three ready.
MILLER: Thunderbirds,
back around for the Diamond Roll.
MILLER: So far, so good, Steve.
We're ready for the big one.
Sure you want to try it?
STEVE: I'm sure.
MILLER: Steve, you were lucky before.
It was a fluke that your plane was in the
right position for Two and Three to help you.
We can't guarantee we'll do it again.
STEVE: That's fair enough.
Thunderbird Three ready.
MILLER: Thunderbirds,
back around for the bomb burst.
MILLER: Bomb Burst coming up.
Good luck, Steve.
MILLER: Standby break.
Thunderbirds, let's break. Ready, now!
Solo Five, in and up.
MILLER: Steve?
STEVE: I'm right here.
MILLER: Couldn't have done it better
myself How you feeling?
STEVE: Like a Thunderbird.
And this capsule is pressurized so the
Prince won't have to wear an oxygen mask.
The capsule will be fitted into
the aircraft by tomorrow morning.
That's good. You said you have
something else for me.
Oh, yes. It just arrived.
This is Shali Giba, the prince's tutor.
She's with him all the time.
Where does she fit in?
We don't know exactly...
except we do know that she exerts
a great deal of influence on him.
And here's the rebel leader,
Akhmed Khadduri.
He's working on a plan
to give you enough time...
to get the prince into the capsule
without being seen.
He'll contact you when you arrive.
I assume he'll come to me.
There's the rub.
We don't know where
and we don't know when, Steve.
So be accessible, flexible,
and stay loose.
Any questions?
See you in the morning.
It sure sounds like there's
a lot of loose ends in this thing.
MILLER: Okay, guys, rendezvous
with tanker for in-flight refueling...
in exactly one hour and eight minutes.
STEVE: Roger.
MILLER: Burdabi tower,
this is Thunderbird leader.
Request landing instructions.
TOWER: Air Force Thunderbirds,
this is Burdabi Air Traffic Control.
There is no other traffic in the area.
You are clear to land.
Runway 32, right.
Call on final.
MILLER: Thunderbird leader, Roger.
They're on their final approach.
Beautiful, aren't they?
(TIRES SCREECH)
(PLANES POWERING DOWN)
(HYDRAULICS WHIRR)
Colonel Miller, United States Air Force
Thunderbirds, sir.
Colonel Miller. Welcome!
Thank you.
Colonel Raman, at your service.
Gentlemen, thank you for coming to help
Burdabi celebrate its Independence Day.
Your spectacular landing
brought back fond memories.
I trained in T-38's like these myself.
Welcome to Burdabi.
I also bring you the gratitude and best
wishes of his Royal Highness...
Prince Hassad, and his regret that he
could not be here to greet you in person.
We arranged for you to be driven to the villa
we have prepared for your stay here...
where we trust you will be
comfortable and well cared for.
Unfortunately, we occasionally have a
problem with so-called rebel forces.
Therefore, we have provided
a guard for your protection.
And as they will be
with you at all times...
I can assure you,
you will be in no danger.
Gentlemen, enjoy your stay in Burdabi.
And I was supposed
to remain accessible.
Like I said, loose ends.
What're you doing?
Looking to see if it's made in Hong Kong?
Actually, it was made in Taiwan.
At least there's no bugs in the room.
I feel like I'm in a velvet lined prison.
I counted eleven guards inside...
and I don't know how
many guards they got outside.
Your coffee, Colonel Austin.
I didn't order any coffee.
I am Akhmed Khadduri.
Colonel Miller.
Colonel.
You certainly believe in
bearding the lion in his den.
They got guards all over this place.
The risk you're taking
to save the Prince is no less.
What's the plan for tomorrow?
It will take close coordination.
How soon can you return and land?
Don't move!
GUARD: Are you gentlemen all right?
Yeah. What's going on?
This man is the
leader of the rebels.
A friend in the Officer's
Kitchen spotted him.
I apologize that he got
this close to you.
I assure you, he won't have
the opportunity to threaten you again.
There's no way to coordinate things now.
Unless I can talk directly to the Prince.
I wouldn't do that, Colonel.
I wouldn't stand out on that balcony.
The rebels have snipers.
No air conditioning.
A little stuffy in there.
I'm sorry we don't have the comforts
you Americans are used to.
It's a little stuffy out here too.
What?
I said goodnight.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Your Highness.
Wake up, Your Highness.
I have to talk to you.
It's very important.
Who is this?
Who... who are you?
Colonel Austin.
One of the American pilots.
I have to know how things
are supposed to work tomorrow.
What? What do you mean?
The plan to get you out of here.
Akhmed was arrested before
he could give me the details.
Akhmed Khadduri?
Right.
Are you a friend of Khadduri's?
I guess he didn't have a chance to tell you.
We're on the same side.
I could put you in the plane right now...
but I'm sure they'd ground everything as
soon as they discovered you missing.
This is right. They would... I mean,
everybody would know.
They'd find me right away
if I went missing.
If only I could talk to Akhmed.
Wait. I can take you to him.
He's in a cell. He's very near here.
I can't afford another
run in with the guards.
Don't worry, I sneak past them all the time,
just for the fun of it.
They're not very bright.
Come on.
Come on. It's all right.
This way, please.
Guards!
Take him to Majid.
What did you mean about
getting him into your plane?
I meant that I'd give him a ride.
I owed him that for scaring him.
He said you were involved
with Akhmed Khadduri.
I told him I saw Khadduri arrested.
Your excuses are insulting, Colonel!
STEVE: I don't blame you for being angry.
I just made a dumb bet that I could get past
the guards and into the Prince's room.
Believe me, I regret it.
Believe us. We will see that you do.
MAJID: Calm yourself, Raman.
It's not that serious.
I believe it is, sir.
Hmmm!
By the time I heard about that bet,
Colonel Austin was gone.
That's a very dangerous wager.
But then, all you Americans
are adventurous.
Look, I'm really very sorry about all this.
We accept your apology.
Colonel Austin will be
duly reprimanded, sir.
Come on, Steve.
MAJID: Just one thing more,
Colonel Miller.
Burdabi law is complicated.
I'm afraid Colonel Austin will have
to remain in confinement...
until the legalities are completed.
But I assure you, he will be released
in plenty of time for the air show.
MAJID: He will not be mistreated.
I'll see you later, Paul.
All right.
I'm afraid your accommodations will not be
as luxurious as they were at the villa...
but it will not be for long.
Surely you don't believe him, sir.
What you fail to realize, Raman...
is that we have just been
handed the perfect opportunity...
to accomplish our aims and discredit
the rebels in the eyes of the world.
(MAJID LAUGHS)
We won't have to use that bomb.
Radio Sergeant Arafa
and his commandos.
(KNOCKING)
We have a very important guest.
An American pilot.
All Americans think
they're important.
(LAUGHS)
It's nice to feel wanted.
(LAUGHS)
(KNOCKING)
Who is it?
Shali Giba. Let me in.
Where is the American Colonel?
Unlock it.
I don't know...
Unlock it.
Good morning.
Hurry up! I want to speak face
to face with this American pig.
Are you always this cheerful
in the mornings?
Be as insulting as you wish
with me, Colonel. It suits you.
Okay, you made your point.
Not entirely.
Our customs and traditions
mean a great deal to us...
and you use your status
as a guest to mock them!
Believe me, I didn't intend to.
Then why did you violate
Prince Hassad's quarters?
Why did you lay hands on him?
Why did you scare him half to death?
Perhaps you enjoy frightening
children in the middle of the night!
No, I don't.
And I don't use their trust
in me to betray them, either.
Now, I have made my point, Colonel.
Get me out of here!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(WHISTLES)
Guards!
What do you want?
This lock is broken.
I didn't want you to think I was trying to
escape. I'm in enough trouble already.
Put him in there with this one!
Welcome, Colonel.
I've been sitting here with
a deck of cards but no opponent.
Do you play?
What's your game?
One of yours. Gin.
Deal.
(GUARDS CLOSE GATE)
So that's Shali Giba.
She sure had me fooled.
Majid, too.
How did he catch you?
The Prince turned me in.
Of course.
He does not know yet.
He thinks that we killed his father...
that Majid's is his friend, an advisor.
He should've been told.
Not until the last minute.
He's young, impulsive.
He might try to topple Majid...
and be killed then and there.
What is your plan?
No point. We're both dead men.
Majid is planning your death.
Shali doesn't think so.
Shali hopes not.
Look, I need to know your plan.
You were to return with engine trouble.
Quickly, before Majid can leave the airport.
I would attack Majid.
In the confusion,
Shali would get the Prince to you.
If she's taking your place,
how will that work?
She will then lead the attack
on Majid in my place.
(KNOCKING)
Good morning, sir.
Colonel.
I hope your cell mate isn't boring you...
with lies about our government.
Just beating me at gin rummy.
I wish I could help you.
Do not trust him.
I'll get the boy out. I promise.
Be very careful, my friend.
Let Colonel Austin out.
Please. Come. My men will
drive you directly to the airport.
He's good at the game there.
Don't shoot!
Don't shoot!
We want the American.
It's all right.
They're taking me to the airport.
You're coming with us.
Get out!
You don't understand.
I have to get to the airport!
We have him, sir.
Several witnesses are certain
"rebels" kidnapped the American officer.
Excellent, Sergeant Arafa.
After you have disposed of Colonel Austin...
come back to the palace...
and take care of the prince
as we discussed.
Very soon now...
the United States and the rest of the world...
will come to recognize
that the Burdabi rebels...
are nothing but bloodthirsty terrorists...
and that I am the only man
to rule this country.
ARAFA: Tie him to that tree.
Let's get it over with.
(GUN COCKS)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(POP, AIR HISSES)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(POP, AIR HISSES)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Looks pretty good, Weavers.
All right. Thank you, sir.
You wanna get that
helmet around a little.
All right, sir.
Would you check that helmet, please?
Colonel Miller.
Majid.
I have exceedingly bad news for you.
The rebels have killed Colonel Austin.
That's impossible!
I'm extremely sorry, of course.
But I'm afraid it's true.
Witnesses at the marketplace
saw the abduction.
By the time we found him,
it was too late.
JAN: Hi, Oscar.
What're you doing out here now?
How are you?
I'm fine.
I was just admiring
the lines on those F-4s.
They look like beautiful women.
I know. Good to look at
but hard to control.
(BOTH LAUGH)
Where you off to?
Off on another flight somewhere?
No, I just came to pick up some
papers for my next navigational flight.
When do you expect Steve back?
Let's see. It's seven o'clock in Burdabi.
The air show is at noon.
I'd say sometime tomorrow afternoon.
How's that?
Oh, that's great.
That's fantastic!
Mr. Goldman, they've been
trying to find you.
An urgent overseas call.
Do you have a radio
in your car, Sergeant?
Yes, sir.
All right, I'll take it there.
This is Oscar Goldman speaking.
OSCAR: Well, don't sell him short, Paul.
Steve can take care of himself.
But it came directly from the top.
Majid told me himself.
Listen, until you find his body,
let's not assume that he's dead.
All right, whatever you say.
What do we do here?
Well, we'll continue the air show
as planned, and hope for the best.
And good luck, Paul.
Right.
Thank you, Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
Is Steve dead?
I don't know.
When will you know?
Oh, later on this afternoon.
I'll keep in touch with you.
All right.
Who is it?
See who it is.
Who is it?
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Karim!
What's going on?
Karim?
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Colonel Austin!
Akhmed, what kind of rifles
do your men have?
WWII surplus.
That's what I thought.
Majid went to a lot of trouble
to set me up.
He even had his soldiers
dressed up to look like your men.
Except for the rifles.
They had M-16's.
And if he also made it look like
rebels got rid of the Prince...
We'd lose sympathy
throughout the world!
We've gotta get the Prince out of here now.
We need a jeep.
Done. I'll pick you up
in front of the palace.
Let's go.
SHALI: Colonel Austin will fly you out.
Your Highness, I trust this American.
He's your friend.
Do you think you can make it
to the plane by yourself?
Of course I could,
but why should I?
If Majid has killed my father
as you have said...
then I will have one
of my soldiers arrest him.
They won't listen to you.
They are not your soldiers.
They are his soldiers.
No, this cannot be.
I am the Prince.
She's telling the truth,
Your Highness.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
PRINCE: How did you get out of that cell?
I'll explain later.
Right now we've got
to get out of here.
Please, Your Highness.
Trust him.
Come on, let's go.
PRINCE: No! Wait!
He's the leader of the rebels!
STEVE: He's also a friend.
Get in and get down.
We need a place to hide.
I know of a village.
It's too late.
They're out of range.
Get me Marshall Majid!
MAJID: Then get after them, idiot!
I want guards posted
on every road immediately!
Yes, sir.
Hold it!
PRINCE: All right. Do not worry.
I shall handle this.
Guard, I want you to
take me to Majid at once.
Yes, Your Highness.
And when we get to the airport...
I wish you to place Marshall
Majid under arrest immediately.
Is that clear?
GUARD: Arrest, Your Highness?
Just do as you're told.
Of course, Your Highness.
Is there anything else you'd like?
A group of dancing girls
to entertain you?
Perhaps a magic lamp to
make your dreams come true.
Guard, do you realize to whom
you are speaking?
Sit down!
Leave him alone!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
You were right.
They are not my soldiers.
PRINCE: This place is terrible.
Why do they live like this?
SHALI: They have no choice,
Your Highness.
AKHMED: Majid kept you in the palace
so you wouldn't see things like this.
Akhmed!
Prince Hassad.
Your loyal subjects,
Hakim and Amina.
Will Your Highness do us
the honor of sharing our meal?
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Now you know why
there are rebels.
Can you get me a gasoline truck?
There's a government depot
not very far from here.
Good. Rinse out
the middle compartment.
Leave the other two filled
and get back here as soon as you can.
I think it will work.
My friend, if your information is correct...
you will be well paid.
Send a squad of men out.
We have them now.
STEVE: It's a beauty, Akhmed.
AKHMED: It is all ready for you,
Your Highness. We will need a driver.
HAKIM: I will drive.
AKHMED: Put these on.
And I'll take Shali Giba
to the rebel camp.
No, Shali!
It's all right, Your Highness.
Do whatever Colonel Austin
and Akhmed tell you.
PRINCE: Colonel Austin,
allow me to thank you.
And I am sorry for turning you in
to Majid before.
It's all right. You were just doing
what you thought was right.
Come on.
We gotta get you to the airport.
Put the Prince into the capsule.
You get into the tank.
Hakim will let you out.
Your people will need their leader.
Will we see you again,
Colonel Austin?
Someday, I hope.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(PUNCHES HOLE, GAS LEAKING)
Okay. Take it away.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
They are so poor.
Why did my father allow it?
Your father was trying to change it.
That is why Majid
had him assassinated.
I don't understand.
Our location makes Burdabi a very
important country militarily.
Your father was about to sign...
non-aggression treaties with our
neighboring countries...
in return for water.
Proper irrigation would mean
flourishing agriculture...
and an end to Burdabi's poverty.
That means that Majid was
more concerned with military power...
than with our people's welfare.
Now you are beginning to understand.
They couldn't possibly have
gotten out of that village!
Well, they did.
Colonel Miller.
MAJID: This is Air Marshall Majid.
Could I speak to you in my office
fora moment, please?
When we get back to Nellis, break that
gear down and check the hydraulics.
Okay, sir.
We'll take care of it for you.
I'm calling all the Americans in.
As soon as they're off
the flight line...
have our mechanics
go over their aircraft.
Colonel Austin said something
about flying the Prince out.
I want to know how he plans to do it,
in case he gets this far.
The rear cockpit, sir.
No. He wouldn't be that stupid.
But there must be some way.
Find it.
And I want the airport closed
and security doubled.
Yes, sir.
Colonel Miller.
Colonel Miller, I've just received
word the rebels may be...
attempting something
to disrupt the air show.
I'm afraid I must order your men
inside for their own protection.
Yes, sir.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Take your men inside, Sergeant.
I can't do that, sir.
I'm afraid you must.
It's for your own protection.
My men stay here
unless I hear from Colonel Miller.
I said it was for your
own protection, Sergeant.
By orders of Air Marshall Majid.
Sergeant?
All right.
Okay! Everybody inside!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
All we can do is wait.
It's their country
and we're their guests.
Steve!
(SURPRISED CHATTER)
STEVE: Hi, guys.
Can I talk to you for a minute?
It is good to see you, sir.
Thanks.
Majid said you were dead!
Yeah, well, he thought I was.
And what happens if he finds you here?
We beat him at his own game.
He won't do anything
with all of you watching.
The Prince is on his way here now.
We can get him into the plane
before we do the air show.
Before the show?
There's just enough time.
You got more time than you think.
Majid's got everything on hold.
He thinks maybe there
will be a rebel attack.
Nah, he's just stalling. He needs more
time to try and find the Prince.
Steve, what's the matter?
Just dizzy.
I did a lot of jumping around.
I must've pulled some
slightly negative G's.
You pull any up there
and you know what's gonna happen.
I don't intend to, Paul.
Find anything?
No. Did you?
I don't even know what I'm
supposed to be looking for!
It's only an airplane.
(HOLLOW THUD)
Get Colonel Raman.
Right.
The airport's closed.
It's fuel for the American planes.
HAKIM: Marshall Majid's orders.
Search it.
Never mind.
It's gasoline all right.
You have a leak back there.
Better have it fixed.
Yes, sir. I will. Thank you.
Open it.
Of course.
With the radio and
navigation gear out...
there would be just enough room
in the nose for a medium-sized boy.
Raman, get the altitude bomb that we
had planned to put in the Prince's plane.
And place it in the nose
of Colonel Austin's plane, of course.
No. They might find it there
before they take off.
Just tape it under Colonel Austin's seat.
Then he might discover it, sir.
Raman, you're forgetting I know
that plane as well as they do.
Once they take off it doesn't matter
whether he finds it or not...
he won't be able to get rid of it.
You set the bomb to activate
at 20,000 feet.
That way Colonel Austin
can perform his air show...
and not embarrass us by crashing here.
You set it to explode when
he descends to 5,000 feet.
Colonel Austin will make...
a magnificent fireball...
over Nellis Air Force Base.
Yes, sir.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
The bomb is in place, sir.
Good.
Ease the security
and call off the search.
They wanted to escape
with our Prince.
Now we let them.
(GENERAL CHATTER)
Colonel Austin!
Praise Allah you're alive!
How did you manage to
escape from the rebels?
It's a long story.
And an exciting one,
I might imagine.
Colonel Miller, our fear
of a rebel uprising was unfounded.
The performance can
go on as scheduled.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I must go change.
I wouldn't want to miss
one moment of the show.
He didn't seem very upset.
You think he's got the Prince?
He should be getting into
the plane just about now.
I'm sure Majid's up to something.
We better get out while we can.
All right, Thunderbirds! Let's do it!
Are you all right, Your Highness?
Yes, Akhmed. And thank you.
The ground crew's coming.
How are you doing, Your Highness?
Fine, Colonel Austin.
Hang on. Here we go.
MILLER: Thunderbirds, back around
for the roll back to Arrowhead.
Nose coming up.
And roll.
MILLER: Aileron Roll, now.
You cut that one
a little tight, Steve.
We started floating slightly.
You okay? Any dizziness?
Negative, Paul.
Caught it just in time.
MILLER: Right on around,
now let her float.
MILLER: Back in with the pull.
MILLER: Thunderbirds in
for the Bomb Burst. Smoke on.
MILLER: Ready? Now!
MILLER: A beauty, Thunderbirds!
One more pass, and salute goodbye.
STEVE: Now its just a long ride home,
Your Highness.
You mean it is over?
STEVE: I'm afraid so. Did you like it?
Yes, it was fun.
Bring the radio jeep over.
Bring the radio jeep over!
Tune to the Thunderbirds' frequency.
We'll hear what they have
to say about their young passenger.
Yes, sir.
MILLER: Okay, Thunderbirds...
Let's climb to our cruising
altitude of 20,000 feet.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Paul, I'm pulling back.
Looks like I was right about
Majid being up to something.
I think I've got a bomb on board.
MILLER: Get rid of it.
How? If I release the canopy manually
to throw the bomb out...
the wind will pull it through
the tail and we'll crash.
And I certainly can't eject
with the Prince in here.
MILLER: Maybe you can disarm it.
STEVE: That's a way out of my field.
Patch me through your radio to Oscar.
I told you I know that aircraft.
He's flying his own coffin home.
TOWER: This is Nellis Tower, Tiger 2-5.
Cleared for Denver navigational flight.
JAN: Roger Nellis Tower.
STEVE: That's right, Oscar.
Somehow Majid got a bomb on board.
Get some demolition experts
on it and hurry.
Colonel Austin? I am very tired.
Would you mind if I sleep now?
STEVE: Of course, Your Highness.
The rest of the trip will probably
be as dull as it is now.
Listen, there must be a way!
You hear me?
So keep trying!
Can you patch me into
the tower frequency from here?
Yes, sir! It's no problem.
OSCAR: Hello, Steve.
STEVE: Your panel of experts
got anything for me yet, Oscar?
We haven't got anything yet, Steve...
but our top demolitions expert,
is on his way. Joe Streeter.
STEVE: That's good news.
What do you mean?
STEVE: Well Oscar, there's only
two ways out of this aircraft...
and I can't use either one of 'em.
So I'm hoping Joe'll be able
to tell me how to disarm this thing.
How much time we got?
Thunderbirds E.T.A. is an hour,
ten minutes.
All right, clear the air.
Divert all aircrafts from Nellis.
This is Nellis Control.
We have an emergency in progress.
All traffic use alternate fields
until further notice.
JAN: Nellis Tower,
this is Tiger 2-5.
Does your emergency
concern the Thunderbirds?
WILSON: Tiger 2-5,
that information is classified.
Nellis is closed.
JAN: Is it the Thunderbirds?
Is Colonel Austin with them?
Nellis, answer me.
Jan, this is Oscar Goldman.
Steve's coming in,
but we have a problem.
Oscar, what's wrong?
We'll work it out.
Don't worry about it.
If you won't tell me,
it must be serious. I'm coming in.
OSCAR: Jan, don't do it.
JAN: I can't hear you, Oscar.
Jan, you don't understand!
Don't, Jan!
MILLER: Steve, we'll be over
Nellis in a little while.
We'll stay up here with you.
Well, thanks, Paul,
but there's nothing you can do.
Better take 'em down
just in case it's an altitude bomb.
(TIRES SCREECH)
(SIRENS WAIL)
Anything else?
They down?
They're giving me the information.
All right. Keep trying.
Joe! Am I glad to see you.
Yes, sir.
The other Thunderbirds are down.
Good.
Steve, this is Joe Streeter.
Now very carefully...
pick up the bomb,
turn it around and describe it.
STEVE: It's a Grey rectangular
box about eight inches long.
Three yellow wires extend from
the center down to one end.
There's a small amber light on it.
STREETER: The light, is it on?
STEVE: Yes, it is.
That means it's activated, Steve.
It's the same kind of bomb
that killed the Prince's father.
STREETER: You've to get
out of there! Eject!
No way, Joe. Forget it.
Joe, talk him through disarming it.
Oscar, it's certain to be booby trapped.
It'll blow up.
Steve...
turn it around.
There should be a recessed screw
with two screws below it.
Yeah, I got 'em.
Turn it so that those two screws
are above the recessed screw.
Now look at the groove
on the recessed screw.
Where is it pointing to
on the clock?
Five o'clock,
eleven o'clock and moving.
Right, that five o'clock means...
that it's set to go off at 5,000 feet.
The Denver airport, Joe.
The Denver airport is
above 5,000 feet.
We can refuel and divert him there.
Forget it, Oscar.
The 11 o'clock is hooked up
to the backup timer.
Now whether he comes
down or not...
that plane is going to explode
in 10 or 11 minutes!
Steve, now listen to me carefully.
There's a last resort
the panel of experts say...
that you can turn the plane upside down
and release the canopy then.
OSCAR: Do it.
STEVE: What did they say the odds are
the canopy will fly back and take off the tail?
OSCAR: Not good.
But it's the only chance you've got.
Oscar, if it hits the tall,
the Prince has no chance!
There's gotta be a way to get rid of
the canopy without crashing the plane.
JAN: Steve, this is Jan.
I have a way for you to get
that canopy off safely.
Jan! You stay out of this!
Steve, do you remember
the Throwaway?
JAN (VO): We called it "T he Throwaway."
We built so many negative Gs that he was
thrown right up and out of the plane.
Yeah, that's where you flipped
the stuntman out of your plane.
JAN: Well, you can do
the same thing with your canopy.
Take your plane into an outside loop...
and release it manually while
you're pulling negative Gs.
Steve! You pull a negative G
and you'll be disoriented!
OSCAR: And the plane will crash!
JAN: Oscar, have the Thunderbirds
wing tip him down like before.
They've landed, Jan.
There's not enough time to refuel them
and get them back in the air.
Oscar, the dizziness
doesn't last long.
I can do it
if Jan will be my eyes.
She can tell me what I have to do
to keep my plane straight and level.
She can head me in and talk me down
by staying with me in the air.
Oscar, he's only got
a couple of minutes!
All right, pal.
OSCAR: Go ahead.
Thunderbird Three, this is Nellis Control.
Colonel Austin, we have you on radar
and visual contact four miles due west...
cleared to land, runway four.
STEVE: Roger, Nellis Tower.
JAN: Steve, I've got you in sight.
Let me know when you're ready.
STEVE: I'm ready now.
Colonel Austin, what's happening?
I thought you might want just
one more thrill before we land.
PRINCE: Oh, good!
JAN: Steve, you're at the top
of the parabolic arc.
You're pulling negative Gs.
Release the canopy now.
STEVE: I can't find the canopy release.
I can't see it!
JAN: You've got to pull it, Steve.
JAN: You're at 5,500 feet
and dropping fast.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
He's not out of it yet.
STEVE: Jan, I still can't
see which end is up.
JAN: You're in a dive, Steve.
Ease back on the stick,
pull it in.
JAN: Okay, Steve, that's good.
I'm coming up on your right wing.
Try and keep it level.
We're going to try a gentle turn
to the left and head in toward Nellis.
STEVE: You sure make it sound
a lot easier than it is.
JAN: You're doing fine.
JAN: Steve, how's the dizziness?
STEVE: Well, it comes and goes, Jan.
JAN: Here comes the tricky part.
We're on final.
JAN: Get the nose up.
Airspeed is dropping, Steve.
Increase power.
That's looking good.
JAN: Hold steady.
Keep it straight and level.
Ease your left wing up a touch.
Good. Looking good.
You're drifting a little to your right.
Give it a touch of left rudder.
Good. Half flaps.
Reduce power. Gear down.
(HYDRAULICS WHIRR)
JAN: Full flaps.
Three down and locked.
You're approaching the boundary.
Reduce power.
Ease back on the stick a touch.
STEVE: What's our position, Jan?
I still can't see.
JAN: 200 feet over the boundary.
You've got runway under you.
100 feet.
50 feet.
Flair out on my command.
Now.
(TIRES SCREECH)
Let's go.
(SIRENS WAIL)
STEVE: For a back seat driver,
you're pretty good.
Colonel Austin, have we landed?
I guess so.
PRINCE: Ah, that was fun.
I hope we can do it again sometime.
I sure hope not.
MILLER: Nice going, Steve.
Thanks, Paul.
STEVE: Thanks, Jan.
Looks like the Prince
is going to be late.
Oscar had to make some final
arrangements with Washington.
They should be along shortly.
I guess you won't be back in time
for my graduation next week.
Maybe Rudy'll let me out
of the hospital a little early.
I hope so.
His Majesty wanted to say goodbye
before he left for Washington.
Colonel Austin,
I just wanted to tell you...
that if one day I shall ever be able
to return to Burdabi that your name...
throughout the land will be
known as "The Lionhearted."
Well, thank you, Your Highness.
Goodbye, Colonel Austin,
and thank you very much.
Goodbye, Your Highness.
So long.
I'm going to miss you, Steve.
Well, I'm gonna miss you, too.
By the way, how did you wangle
Hawaii as a first assignment?
Come on, Lionhearted!
You know the Air Force is.
This time Hawaii,
next time Iceland.
It's all part of the job.
Well, I guess you're right.
What are you looking for?
Oh, the Thunderbirds.
I wanted to say goodbye
to Paul and all the rest of the guys.
I thought maybe they'd be out here.
They are.
(END THEME MUSIC)
Hiya, Steve.
Oscar.
I'm sorry to interrupt your
vacation in Las Vegas.
It doesn't matter, Oscar.
Six million dollars worth of bionics,
and I still can't roll a seven.
What's up?
You ever hear of a little Mideastern
country called Burdabi?
Yeah. There's nothing there.
Not even oil.
Top man's a pilot, isn't he?
Air Marshal Mahmud Majid.
That's the guy. The Air Force
trained him a few years back.
He's the new ruler of the country.
He governs in the name of a 14-year-old
youngster who's heir to the throne.
Prince Hassad.
Well, what's the problem?
Well, we've been getting a lot of desperate
pleas from the rebel forces there...
urging us to go in and get
the boy out before Majid kills him.
We haven't got much time left.
Somehow I got the feeling
I just volunteered.
All right, how do I get him out?
You're about to become a Thunderbird, pal.
What?
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 all“.
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.
Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.
We have the technology.
We have the capability
to make the world's first bionic man.
Steve Austin will be that man.
Better than he was before.
Better, stronger, faster.
(MAIN TITLE THEME)
How long has Majid been running Burdabi?
He took over the government
six months ago...
after Prince Hassad's
father was killed.
I remember that.
Going into Orly Airport in Paris when
his plane was hit by an altitude bomb.
A high-sophisticated one
according to our investigation.
In any case, he has the young boy prisoner,
using him as a figurehead.
I suppose he's decided
he doesn't need him anymore.
I could just parachute in and
bring him out, be a lot simpler.
Oh no, Steve. I can't do that.
Any uninvited Westerner
would be held in suspect.
Majid has sealed off the country.
How are you gonna
get the Thunderbirds in?
By gesture of the State Department
during Burdabi's Independence Day.
Majid needs the prestige so badly,
he can't turn down the offer.
Colonel, how are you?
Mr. Goldman.
Colonel Paul Miller,
Colonel Steve Austin.
Colonel.
Nice to see you again.
You know, I really envy you guys.
I had a choice of joining the Thunderbirds
or becoming an Astronaut.
Sometimes I wonder if
I made the right decision.
That's quite a compliment
coming from you, Colonel.
I just wish we were getting
you for a tour of duty...
instead of a quick trip to the Middle East.
Which reminds me.
Just what do the Thunderbirds
have to do in this mission?
You know we don't get involved
in international politics.
I understand that, Colonel.
This is strictly a humanitarian mission.
The Colonel's going in
to save the young prince's life.
That's all. That's why we got permission
from Washington to send you to Burdabi.
And once there all we do
is fly the show, right?
That's right.
Colonel will go in and save the boy.
The rebels have him at an old
WWII Spitfire base...
about 70 miles outside the capital.
On the way out of Burdabi,
I'll leave the formation...
land there, put the boy in the rear seat...
then take off again.
It's that simple, Colonel.
Well, it's not quite that simple.
Steve has to learn all our maneuvers.
That means tight
precision formations...
flying sometimes at
30 feet above the ground.
Well, you'll have two
and a half weeks to train him.
Thunderbird training normally
takes two and a half months.
Well, you know, Paul...
Prince Hassad is only fourteen.
He's just a kid.
If we don't give it a try,
he doesn't have a chance.
I'll put everything I can
into that training. I promise.
All right. We'll put you in Number Five.
See you at 0600 tomorrow.
Thank you, Colonel.
Nice to see you again.
I want to run into town, pick up a few things.
You wanna tag along?
I'll pass. I gotta make some
calls to Washington.
Thanks anyway.
(SMASH)
You okay?
Yeah, I'm okay.
But what about my car?
You've really gave it a whack.
The bumpers are locked. That's all.
And just for the record, you hit me.
Oh, so it's my fault!
Because I'm a woman driver!
No, because you didn't look
where you were going.
Look, all I wanna do is get out of here.
Well, good.
You just get back in your car,
and when I give you the signal...
you pull ahead, slowly this time.
(SIGHS)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Okay, pull ahead!
(TIRES SCREECH)
MILLER: Ready to show us how much
you've learned in three days, Steve?
STEVE: Ready and willing.
MILLER: Okay, Thunderbirds.
Back around for the wedge roll.
Ready now.
MILLER: Let it float. Right on over.
Back around with the pull.
Not bad, Steve, but you're a little wide.
Let's go around and try it again.
(AIR TRAFFIC CHATTER)
Hey Sarge, that student T-38
on the closed navigation course.
He's spinning out of his area.
Tiger 2-5?
Uh-huh.
Probably a malfunction
in his navigation equipment.
Better turn him back.
He's just straightening out.
WILSON: Heading into the Thunderbird
training area.
Tiger 2-5,
turn left to course 1-5-0.
He's still coming on.
Tiger 2-5, turn left!
Acknowledge!
His radio must be out.
He's on a collision course
with the Thunderbirds.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Thunderbird leader. T-38 at your
11 o'clock position closing fast.
WILSON: He's not responding to radio call.
MILLER: Thunderbirds, go exploded.
Leave your smoke on
so he can see you.
MILLER: Steve, look out!
What the heck were you doing up there?
Don't you know how to read
your instruments?
How did someone like you
get into the Air Force anyway?
They're training women
pilots now, that's how.
You!
Look, Colonel, I'm sorry.
For what? Running into my car, splattering
me with mud or almost getting us killed?
I'm surprised you didn't try
to back this thing into me!
And if your breakaway had been cleaner...
there would've been a lot
more clearance between us.
May I get out now, sir?
Yeah, if you think you know how.
Check the avionics and communications!
How did you know it was
a malfunction, Paul?
Anytime you make a navigational error,
I know it has to be equipment failure.
Steve Austin, meet Jan Lawrence.
One of the best pilots I know.
Yes, we met.
If any other student had
been flying that plane...
you wouldn't be standing
here right now.
Colonel Miller?
We fixed the radio, but the
navigation equipment is way off.
Right. Let's take a look.
I guess I've got egg on my face.
It looks a lot better than mud.
I'm trying to apologize.
Oh, really?
What do you want,
a pound of flesh?
No, but about eight ounces
of thick steak would be nice.
Charcoal broiled.
Very rare.
I'll bring the wine.
You got a deal.
Good.
Steve, I've got... excuse me,
I've got to talk with you.
Oscar Goldman, Jan Lawrence.
How do you do?
I'm fine, thank you.
I've got a report to file.
I'll see you at seven.
Can I catch a ride
with you guys?
Hi, Mr. Goldman.
Hello, Paul.
Well, gentlemen,
we're in real trouble.
We lost our pickup point.
Majid's troops recaptured
the old Spitfire base.
(SIGHS)
With that old airstrip in Majid's hands,
Steve's gonna have no place to land.
You just have to call
the whole thing off.
Now wait a minute.
There's gotta be a way.
There's gotta be a way that the
prince could get on the airplane...
while Steve is
still in the airport.
That's a Burdabi Air Force Base.
They'll be watching every move we make.
Maybe we can create a diversion.
Distract their attention
for a minute or two.
Wait a minute, even if Steve gets the
boy in the plane, Majid will spot him.
He won't be able
to get off the ground.
Only if we put him in the rear seat.
There's no other
place to put him.
Maybe there is.
Come here, take a look at this.
If we take everything out of the nose...
there might be just enough room
for a 14-year-old.
Wait a minute, that's your avionics
and communication.
I won't need navigational aids.
I'll just follow you.
I'll only be talking to you
and the tower at Burdabi.
You could replace these radios
with a smaller one in the cockpit.
What do you think?
Well, we could build a pod,
insulate it, put in a seat, a harness...
oxygen, and an intercom.
I think we can do it.
Can you get it done?
I'll get on it immediately.
(SOFT MUSIC)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
Hi.
Hello. Come in.
Thanks. I hope I haven't
kept you waiting.
I've been counting the minutes.
So where do you know
Kelly Wood from?
Kelly and I learned to fly together.
I was sixteen then.
Anyway, Kelly wound up
our first woman in space...
while I scratched around flying
everything from sailplanes to sea planes...
to earn a living.
Civilian flying jobs for women
are hard to come by.
Oh, I know.
That's why I joined the Air Force.
Once I had a job where
being a woman helped.
I flew for an aerial circus.
A stunt woman is a
real box office draw.
You were a barnstormer?
That's right. I loved it.
We did one stunt
that was really wild.
My stunt man rode in the back
seat without a seat belt...
while I put our souped up Stearman
into an outside loop.
We pulled so many negative G's that he
was thrown right up and out of the plane.
By the time he popped his chute,
the crowd was going crazy.
We called it "The Throwaway."
Oh, my gosh.
Can't believe how late it's getting.
Well, time flies
when you're having fun.
Yeah.
What're you doing tomorrow
night to have fun?
Whatever you are.
MILLER: Steve, you've
been doing beautifully.
Think you're ready
to try the bomb burst?
STEVE: After ten days, I'd better be.
Besides, I have a personal
audience waiting for me to do it.
MILLER: Steve, break off now.
There they go, Oscar!
OSCAR: Steve's looking terrific.
STEVE: Number Five in position.
MILLER: Okay, Thunderbirds,
stand by break.
MILLER: Thunderbirds let's break.
Ready, now.
STEVE: Five's in and up now.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
What's going on there, Jan?
There's something wrong!
STEVE: This is Number Five.
I can't focus my eyes.
I'm in trouble.
Pull back, Steve! Pull back!
MILLER: Steve, you're
losing altitude. Pull up!
MILLER: Hang in, Steve!
STEVE: Tell Oscar
I can't control my arm.
MILLER: Pull up, Steve!
You're upside down!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
STEVE: My stick is broken!
Everything's spinning. I can't eject.
MILLER: All right. Hang on, Steve.
Two and Three are coming to help.
MILLER: Try to hold her steady, Steve.
Thunderbirds Two and Three
coming up under you now.
MILLER: Steve, Number Two and Three...
they're gonna bring their
wings under yours...
and create an air cushion,
and guide you in.
Just keep your rudder steady.
Almost home, now. Hold on.
THREE: This is Thunderbird Three, Steve.
We've got you.
You handle the throttle.
We'll steer your wings
and put you on final approach.
I still can't see.
THREE: We'll have you home in no time.
Just do what I tell you.
Approach control, Thunderbird Five
has an emergency.
Request a straight in vector
to runway 2-1-8.
APPROACH CONTROL: Roger.
Thunderbird Five is cleared.
(SIRENS WAIL)
STEVE: How do I look now?
THREE: Looking good, Steve.
Air clutch ready, now.
Watch your trim, Colonel.
STEVE: If I don 't make it,
it sure won't be your fault.
THREE: So you owe us a beer.
You're lined up and clear.
Reduce power and take it in, Steve.
We're checking out.
Well, here are the X-rays at last.
Thanks, Oscar.
Maybe they can
tell us what's wrong...
'cause everything else checks out okay.
RUDY: There it is.
It's a lesion just below the cochlea.
You wanna translate that?
It's uh... it's scar tissue
from your earlier surgery.
It's just touching the bottom of the inner ear.
That's your equilibrium center.
RUDY: The slightest upward pressure
would cause you to lose your balance.
The bomb burst! I pulled negative G's.
Yeah. That would do it.
Your brain got the wrong signals.
It effected your equilibrium
and the motor nerves to your bionics.
Then when gravity returned to normal,
it relieved the pressure...
and your symptoms disappeared.
Can you fix it?
Well, a minor electronic adjustment
would solve the spasms, but, uh...
in order to prevent dizziness
in a negative G situation...
the lesion has to go surgically.
What are you talking about
in terms of time?
It's a minor operation.
I'd say he'd be flying in ten days.
In ten days that boy could be dead!
All right, Rudy.
Schedule the operation.
We'll cancel the mission.
You can't call it off, Oscar!
You heard what he said.
You can't fly.
He only said I can't pull negative G's.
With those Thunderbirds,
you can't avoid it.
Only if I fly solo in the bomb burst.
Paul can switch me to Number Three.
I'll do an ordinary peel-off.
There, I can't pull negative G's.
Anything else could trigger it?
Rudy?
As long as you don't experience
negative gravity, you're fine.
Oscar, I'm the only chance that boy has.
All right.
Make the necessary adjustments so
there won't be any more spasms, Rudy.
Right.
Now, if you can talk Paul Miller
into letting you fly...
it's all right with me.
MILLER: Okay, Steve.
Let's see you do it.
STEVE: Thunderbird Three ready.
MILLER: Thunderbirds,
back around for the Diamond Roll.
MILLER: So far, so good, Steve.
We're ready for the big one.
Sure you want to try it?
STEVE: I'm sure.
MILLER: Steve, you were lucky before.
It was a fluke that your plane was in the
right position for Two and Three to help you.
We can't guarantee we'll do it again.
STEVE: That's fair enough.
Thunderbird Three ready.
MILLER: Thunderbirds,
back around for the bomb burst.
MILLER: Bomb Burst coming up.
Good luck, Steve.
MILLER: Standby break.
Thunderbirds, let's break. Ready, now!
Solo Five, in and up.
MILLER: Steve?
STEVE: I'm right here.
MILLER: Couldn't have done it better
myself How you feeling?
STEVE: Like a Thunderbird.
And this capsule is pressurized so the
Prince won't have to wear an oxygen mask.
The capsule will be fitted into
the aircraft by tomorrow morning.
That's good. You said you have
something else for me.
Oh, yes. It just arrived.
This is Shali Giba, the prince's tutor.
She's with him all the time.
Where does she fit in?
We don't know exactly...
except we do know that she exerts
a great deal of influence on him.
And here's the rebel leader,
Akhmed Khadduri.
He's working on a plan
to give you enough time...
to get the prince into the capsule
without being seen.
He'll contact you when you arrive.
I assume he'll come to me.
There's the rub.
We don't know where
and we don't know when, Steve.
So be accessible, flexible,
and stay loose.
Any questions?
See you in the morning.
It sure sounds like there's
a lot of loose ends in this thing.
MILLER: Okay, guys, rendezvous
with tanker for in-flight refueling...
in exactly one hour and eight minutes.
STEVE: Roger.
MILLER: Burdabi tower,
this is Thunderbird leader.
Request landing instructions.
TOWER: Air Force Thunderbirds,
this is Burdabi Air Traffic Control.
There is no other traffic in the area.
You are clear to land.
Runway 32, right.
Call on final.
MILLER: Thunderbird leader, Roger.
They're on their final approach.
Beautiful, aren't they?
(TIRES SCREECH)
(PLANES POWERING DOWN)
(HYDRAULICS WHIRR)
Colonel Miller, United States Air Force
Thunderbirds, sir.
Colonel Miller. Welcome!
Thank you.
Colonel Raman, at your service.
Gentlemen, thank you for coming to help
Burdabi celebrate its Independence Day.
Your spectacular landing
brought back fond memories.
I trained in T-38's like these myself.
Welcome to Burdabi.
I also bring you the gratitude and best
wishes of his Royal Highness...
Prince Hassad, and his regret that he
could not be here to greet you in person.
We arranged for you to be driven to the villa
we have prepared for your stay here...
where we trust you will be
comfortable and well cared for.
Unfortunately, we occasionally have a
problem with so-called rebel forces.
Therefore, we have provided
a guard for your protection.
And as they will be
with you at all times...
I can assure you,
you will be in no danger.
Gentlemen, enjoy your stay in Burdabi.
And I was supposed
to remain accessible.
Like I said, loose ends.
What're you doing?
Looking to see if it's made in Hong Kong?
Actually, it was made in Taiwan.
At least there's no bugs in the room.
I feel like I'm in a velvet lined prison.
I counted eleven guards inside...
and I don't know how
many guards they got outside.
Your coffee, Colonel Austin.
I didn't order any coffee.
I am Akhmed Khadduri.
Colonel Miller.
Colonel.
You certainly believe in
bearding the lion in his den.
They got guards all over this place.
The risk you're taking
to save the Prince is no less.
What's the plan for tomorrow?
It will take close coordination.
How soon can you return and land?
Don't move!
GUARD: Are you gentlemen all right?
Yeah. What's going on?
This man is the
leader of the rebels.
A friend in the Officer's
Kitchen spotted him.
I apologize that he got
this close to you.
I assure you, he won't have
the opportunity to threaten you again.
There's no way to coordinate things now.
Unless I can talk directly to the Prince.
I wouldn't do that, Colonel.
I wouldn't stand out on that balcony.
The rebels have snipers.
No air conditioning.
A little stuffy in there.
I'm sorry we don't have the comforts
you Americans are used to.
It's a little stuffy out here too.
What?
I said goodnight.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Your Highness.
Wake up, Your Highness.
I have to talk to you.
It's very important.
Who is this?
Who... who are you?
Colonel Austin.
One of the American pilots.
I have to know how things
are supposed to work tomorrow.
What? What do you mean?
The plan to get you out of here.
Akhmed was arrested before
he could give me the details.
Akhmed Khadduri?
Right.
Are you a friend of Khadduri's?
I guess he didn't have a chance to tell you.
We're on the same side.
I could put you in the plane right now...
but I'm sure they'd ground everything as
soon as they discovered you missing.
This is right. They would... I mean,
everybody would know.
They'd find me right away
if I went missing.
If only I could talk to Akhmed.
Wait. I can take you to him.
He's in a cell. He's very near here.
I can't afford another
run in with the guards.
Don't worry, I sneak past them all the time,
just for the fun of it.
They're not very bright.
Come on.
Come on. It's all right.
This way, please.
Guards!
Take him to Majid.
What did you mean about
getting him into your plane?
I meant that I'd give him a ride.
I owed him that for scaring him.
He said you were involved
with Akhmed Khadduri.
I told him I saw Khadduri arrested.
Your excuses are insulting, Colonel!
STEVE: I don't blame you for being angry.
I just made a dumb bet that I could get past
the guards and into the Prince's room.
Believe me, I regret it.
Believe us. We will see that you do.
MAJID: Calm yourself, Raman.
It's not that serious.
I believe it is, sir.
Hmmm!
By the time I heard about that bet,
Colonel Austin was gone.
That's a very dangerous wager.
But then, all you Americans
are adventurous.
Look, I'm really very sorry about all this.
We accept your apology.
Colonel Austin will be
duly reprimanded, sir.
Come on, Steve.
MAJID: Just one thing more,
Colonel Miller.
Burdabi law is complicated.
I'm afraid Colonel Austin will have
to remain in confinement...
until the legalities are completed.
But I assure you, he will be released
in plenty of time for the air show.
MAJID: He will not be mistreated.
I'll see you later, Paul.
All right.
I'm afraid your accommodations will not be
as luxurious as they were at the villa...
but it will not be for long.
Surely you don't believe him, sir.
What you fail to realize, Raman...
is that we have just been
handed the perfect opportunity...
to accomplish our aims and discredit
the rebels in the eyes of the world.
(MAJID LAUGHS)
We won't have to use that bomb.
Radio Sergeant Arafa
and his commandos.
(KNOCKING)
We have a very important guest.
An American pilot.
All Americans think
they're important.
(LAUGHS)
It's nice to feel wanted.
(LAUGHS)
(KNOCKING)
Who is it?
Shali Giba. Let me in.
Where is the American Colonel?
Unlock it.
I don't know...
Unlock it.
Good morning.
Hurry up! I want to speak face
to face with this American pig.
Are you always this cheerful
in the mornings?
Be as insulting as you wish
with me, Colonel. It suits you.
Okay, you made your point.
Not entirely.
Our customs and traditions
mean a great deal to us...
and you use your status
as a guest to mock them!
Believe me, I didn't intend to.
Then why did you violate
Prince Hassad's quarters?
Why did you lay hands on him?
Why did you scare him half to death?
Perhaps you enjoy frightening
children in the middle of the night!
No, I don't.
And I don't use their trust
in me to betray them, either.
Now, I have made my point, Colonel.
Get me out of here!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(WHISTLES)
Guards!
What do you want?
This lock is broken.
I didn't want you to think I was trying to
escape. I'm in enough trouble already.
Put him in there with this one!
Welcome, Colonel.
I've been sitting here with
a deck of cards but no opponent.
Do you play?
What's your game?
One of yours. Gin.
Deal.
(GUARDS CLOSE GATE)
So that's Shali Giba.
She sure had me fooled.
Majid, too.
How did he catch you?
The Prince turned me in.
Of course.
He does not know yet.
He thinks that we killed his father...
that Majid's is his friend, an advisor.
He should've been told.
Not until the last minute.
He's young, impulsive.
He might try to topple Majid...
and be killed then and there.
What is your plan?
No point. We're both dead men.
Majid is planning your death.
Shali doesn't think so.
Shali hopes not.
Look, I need to know your plan.
You were to return with engine trouble.
Quickly, before Majid can leave the airport.
I would attack Majid.
In the confusion,
Shali would get the Prince to you.
If she's taking your place,
how will that work?
She will then lead the attack
on Majid in my place.
(KNOCKING)
Good morning, sir.
Colonel.
I hope your cell mate isn't boring you...
with lies about our government.
Just beating me at gin rummy.
I wish I could help you.
Do not trust him.
I'll get the boy out. I promise.
Be very careful, my friend.
Let Colonel Austin out.
Please. Come. My men will
drive you directly to the airport.
He's good at the game there.
Don't shoot!
Don't shoot!
We want the American.
It's all right.
They're taking me to the airport.
You're coming with us.
Get out!
You don't understand.
I have to get to the airport!
We have him, sir.
Several witnesses are certain
"rebels" kidnapped the American officer.
Excellent, Sergeant Arafa.
After you have disposed of Colonel Austin...
come back to the palace...
and take care of the prince
as we discussed.
Very soon now...
the United States and the rest of the world...
will come to recognize
that the Burdabi rebels...
are nothing but bloodthirsty terrorists...
and that I am the only man
to rule this country.
ARAFA: Tie him to that tree.
Let's get it over with.
(GUN COCKS)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(POP, AIR HISSES)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(POP, AIR HISSES)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Looks pretty good, Weavers.
All right. Thank you, sir.
You wanna get that
helmet around a little.
All right, sir.
Would you check that helmet, please?
Colonel Miller.
Majid.
I have exceedingly bad news for you.
The rebels have killed Colonel Austin.
That's impossible!
I'm extremely sorry, of course.
But I'm afraid it's true.
Witnesses at the marketplace
saw the abduction.
By the time we found him,
it was too late.
JAN: Hi, Oscar.
What're you doing out here now?
How are you?
I'm fine.
I was just admiring
the lines on those F-4s.
They look like beautiful women.
I know. Good to look at
but hard to control.
(BOTH LAUGH)
Where you off to?
Off on another flight somewhere?
No, I just came to pick up some
papers for my next navigational flight.
When do you expect Steve back?
Let's see. It's seven o'clock in Burdabi.
The air show is at noon.
I'd say sometime tomorrow afternoon.
How's that?
Oh, that's great.
That's fantastic!
Mr. Goldman, they've been
trying to find you.
An urgent overseas call.
Do you have a radio
in your car, Sergeant?
Yes, sir.
All right, I'll take it there.
This is Oscar Goldman speaking.
OSCAR: Well, don't sell him short, Paul.
Steve can take care of himself.
But it came directly from the top.
Majid told me himself.
Listen, until you find his body,
let's not assume that he's dead.
All right, whatever you say.
What do we do here?
Well, we'll continue the air show
as planned, and hope for the best.
And good luck, Paul.
Right.
Thank you, Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
Is Steve dead?
I don't know.
When will you know?
Oh, later on this afternoon.
I'll keep in touch with you.
All right.
Who is it?
See who it is.
Who is it?
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Karim!
What's going on?
Karim?
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Colonel Austin!
Akhmed, what kind of rifles
do your men have?
WWII surplus.
That's what I thought.
Majid went to a lot of trouble
to set me up.
He even had his soldiers
dressed up to look like your men.
Except for the rifles.
They had M-16's.
And if he also made it look like
rebels got rid of the Prince...
We'd lose sympathy
throughout the world!
We've gotta get the Prince out of here now.
We need a jeep.
Done. I'll pick you up
in front of the palace.
Let's go.
SHALI: Colonel Austin will fly you out.
Your Highness, I trust this American.
He's your friend.
Do you think you can make it
to the plane by yourself?
Of course I could,
but why should I?
If Majid has killed my father
as you have said...
then I will have one
of my soldiers arrest him.
They won't listen to you.
They are not your soldiers.
They are his soldiers.
No, this cannot be.
I am the Prince.
She's telling the truth,
Your Highness.
(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)
PRINCE: How did you get out of that cell?
I'll explain later.
Right now we've got
to get out of here.
Please, Your Highness.
Trust him.
Come on, let's go.
PRINCE: No! Wait!
He's the leader of the rebels!
STEVE: He's also a friend.
Get in and get down.
We need a place to hide.
I know of a village.
It's too late.
They're out of range.
Get me Marshall Majid!
MAJID: Then get after them, idiot!
I want guards posted
on every road immediately!
Yes, sir.
Hold it!
PRINCE: All right. Do not worry.
I shall handle this.
Guard, I want you to
take me to Majid at once.
Yes, Your Highness.
And when we get to the airport...
I wish you to place Marshall
Majid under arrest immediately.
Is that clear?
GUARD: Arrest, Your Highness?
Just do as you're told.
Of course, Your Highness.
Is there anything else you'd like?
A group of dancing girls
to entertain you?
Perhaps a magic lamp to
make your dreams come true.
Guard, do you realize to whom
you are speaking?
Sit down!
Leave him alone!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
You were right.
They are not my soldiers.
PRINCE: This place is terrible.
Why do they live like this?
SHALI: They have no choice,
Your Highness.
AKHMED: Majid kept you in the palace
so you wouldn't see things like this.
Akhmed!
Prince Hassad.
Your loyal subjects,
Hakim and Amina.
Will Your Highness do us
the honor of sharing our meal?
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Now you know why
there are rebels.
Can you get me a gasoline truck?
There's a government depot
not very far from here.
Good. Rinse out
the middle compartment.
Leave the other two filled
and get back here as soon as you can.
I think it will work.
My friend, if your information is correct...
you will be well paid.
Send a squad of men out.
We have them now.
STEVE: It's a beauty, Akhmed.
AKHMED: It is all ready for you,
Your Highness. We will need a driver.
HAKIM: I will drive.
AKHMED: Put these on.
And I'll take Shali Giba
to the rebel camp.
No, Shali!
It's all right, Your Highness.
Do whatever Colonel Austin
and Akhmed tell you.
PRINCE: Colonel Austin,
allow me to thank you.
And I am sorry for turning you in
to Majid before.
It's all right. You were just doing
what you thought was right.
Come on.
We gotta get you to the airport.
Put the Prince into the capsule.
You get into the tank.
Hakim will let you out.
Your people will need their leader.
Will we see you again,
Colonel Austin?
Someday, I hope.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(PUNCHES HOLE, GAS LEAKING)
Okay. Take it away.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
They are so poor.
Why did my father allow it?
Your father was trying to change it.
That is why Majid
had him assassinated.
I don't understand.
Our location makes Burdabi a very
important country militarily.
Your father was about to sign...
non-aggression treaties with our
neighboring countries...
in return for water.
Proper irrigation would mean
flourishing agriculture...
and an end to Burdabi's poverty.
That means that Majid was
more concerned with military power...
than with our people's welfare.
Now you are beginning to understand.
They couldn't possibly have
gotten out of that village!
Well, they did.
Colonel Miller.
MAJID: This is Air Marshall Majid.
Could I speak to you in my office
fora moment, please?
When we get back to Nellis, break that
gear down and check the hydraulics.
Okay, sir.
We'll take care of it for you.
I'm calling all the Americans in.
As soon as they're off
the flight line...
have our mechanics
go over their aircraft.
Colonel Austin said something
about flying the Prince out.
I want to know how he plans to do it,
in case he gets this far.
The rear cockpit, sir.
No. He wouldn't be that stupid.
But there must be some way.
Find it.
And I want the airport closed
and security doubled.
Yes, sir.
Colonel Miller.
Colonel Miller, I've just received
word the rebels may be...
attempting something
to disrupt the air show.
I'm afraid I must order your men
inside for their own protection.
Yes, sir.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
Take your men inside, Sergeant.
I can't do that, sir.
I'm afraid you must.
It's for your own protection.
My men stay here
unless I hear from Colonel Miller.
I said it was for your
own protection, Sergeant.
By orders of Air Marshall Majid.
Sergeant?
All right.
Okay! Everybody inside!
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
All we can do is wait.
It's their country
and we're their guests.
Steve!
(SURPRISED CHATTER)
STEVE: Hi, guys.
Can I talk to you for a minute?
It is good to see you, sir.
Thanks.
Majid said you were dead!
Yeah, well, he thought I was.
And what happens if he finds you here?
We beat him at his own game.
He won't do anything
with all of you watching.
The Prince is on his way here now.
We can get him into the plane
before we do the air show.
Before the show?
There's just enough time.
You got more time than you think.
Majid's got everything on hold.
He thinks maybe there
will be a rebel attack.
Nah, he's just stalling. He needs more
time to try and find the Prince.
Steve, what's the matter?
Just dizzy.
I did a lot of jumping around.
I must've pulled some
slightly negative G's.
You pull any up there
and you know what's gonna happen.
I don't intend to, Paul.
Find anything?
No. Did you?
I don't even know what I'm
supposed to be looking for!
It's only an airplane.
(HOLLOW THUD)
Get Colonel Raman.
Right.
The airport's closed.
It's fuel for the American planes.
HAKIM: Marshall Majid's orders.
Search it.
Never mind.
It's gasoline all right.
You have a leak back there.
Better have it fixed.
Yes, sir. I will. Thank you.
Open it.
Of course.
With the radio and
navigation gear out...
there would be just enough room
in the nose for a medium-sized boy.
Raman, get the altitude bomb that we
had planned to put in the Prince's plane.
And place it in the nose
of Colonel Austin's plane, of course.
No. They might find it there
before they take off.
Just tape it under Colonel Austin's seat.
Then he might discover it, sir.
Raman, you're forgetting I know
that plane as well as they do.
Once they take off it doesn't matter
whether he finds it or not...
he won't be able to get rid of it.
You set the bomb to activate
at 20,000 feet.
That way Colonel Austin
can perform his air show...
and not embarrass us by crashing here.
You set it to explode when
he descends to 5,000 feet.
Colonel Austin will make...
a magnificent fireball...
over Nellis Air Force Base.
Yes, sir.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
The bomb is in place, sir.
Good.
Ease the security
and call off the search.
They wanted to escape
with our Prince.
Now we let them.
(GENERAL CHATTER)
Colonel Austin!
Praise Allah you're alive!
How did you manage to
escape from the rebels?
It's a long story.
And an exciting one,
I might imagine.
Colonel Miller, our fear
of a rebel uprising was unfounded.
The performance can
go on as scheduled.
Now, if you'll excuse me,
I must go change.
I wouldn't want to miss
one moment of the show.
He didn't seem very upset.
You think he's got the Prince?
He should be getting into
the plane just about now.
I'm sure Majid's up to something.
We better get out while we can.
All right, Thunderbirds! Let's do it!
Are you all right, Your Highness?
Yes, Akhmed. And thank you.
The ground crew's coming.
How are you doing, Your Highness?
Fine, Colonel Austin.
Hang on. Here we go.
MILLER: Thunderbirds, back around
for the roll back to Arrowhead.
Nose coming up.
And roll.
MILLER: Aileron Roll, now.
You cut that one
a little tight, Steve.
We started floating slightly.
You okay? Any dizziness?
Negative, Paul.
Caught it just in time.
MILLER: Right on around,
now let her float.
MILLER: Back in with the pull.
MILLER: Thunderbirds in
for the Bomb Burst. Smoke on.
MILLER: Ready? Now!
MILLER: A beauty, Thunderbirds!
One more pass, and salute goodbye.
STEVE: Now its just a long ride home,
Your Highness.
You mean it is over?
STEVE: I'm afraid so. Did you like it?
Yes, it was fun.
Bring the radio jeep over.
Bring the radio jeep over!
Tune to the Thunderbirds' frequency.
We'll hear what they have
to say about their young passenger.
Yes, sir.
MILLER: Okay, Thunderbirds...
Let's climb to our cruising
altitude of 20,000 feet.
(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
Paul, I'm pulling back.
Looks like I was right about
Majid being up to something.
I think I've got a bomb on board.
MILLER: Get rid of it.
How? If I release the canopy manually
to throw the bomb out...
the wind will pull it through
the tail and we'll crash.
And I certainly can't eject
with the Prince in here.
MILLER: Maybe you can disarm it.
STEVE: That's a way out of my field.
Patch me through your radio to Oscar.
I told you I know that aircraft.
He's flying his own coffin home.
TOWER: This is Nellis Tower, Tiger 2-5.
Cleared for Denver navigational flight.
JAN: Roger Nellis Tower.
STEVE: That's right, Oscar.
Somehow Majid got a bomb on board.
Get some demolition experts
on it and hurry.
Colonel Austin? I am very tired.
Would you mind if I sleep now?
STEVE: Of course, Your Highness.
The rest of the trip will probably
be as dull as it is now.
Listen, there must be a way!
You hear me?
So keep trying!
Can you patch me into
the tower frequency from here?
Yes, sir! It's no problem.
OSCAR: Hello, Steve.
STEVE: Your panel of experts
got anything for me yet, Oscar?
We haven't got anything yet, Steve...
but our top demolitions expert,
is on his way. Joe Streeter.
STEVE: That's good news.
What do you mean?
STEVE: Well Oscar, there's only
two ways out of this aircraft...
and I can't use either one of 'em.
So I'm hoping Joe'll be able
to tell me how to disarm this thing.
How much time we got?
Thunderbirds E.T.A. is an hour,
ten minutes.
All right, clear the air.
Divert all aircrafts from Nellis.
This is Nellis Control.
We have an emergency in progress.
All traffic use alternate fields
until further notice.
JAN: Nellis Tower,
this is Tiger 2-5.
Does your emergency
concern the Thunderbirds?
WILSON: Tiger 2-5,
that information is classified.
Nellis is closed.
JAN: Is it the Thunderbirds?
Is Colonel Austin with them?
Nellis, answer me.
Jan, this is Oscar Goldman.
Steve's coming in,
but we have a problem.
Oscar, what's wrong?
We'll work it out.
Don't worry about it.
If you won't tell me,
it must be serious. I'm coming in.
OSCAR: Jan, don't do it.
JAN: I can't hear you, Oscar.
Jan, you don't understand!
Don't, Jan!
MILLER: Steve, we'll be over
Nellis in a little while.
We'll stay up here with you.
Well, thanks, Paul,
but there's nothing you can do.
Better take 'em down
just in case it's an altitude bomb.
(TIRES SCREECH)
(SIRENS WAIL)
Anything else?
They down?
They're giving me the information.
All right. Keep trying.
Joe! Am I glad to see you.
Yes, sir.
The other Thunderbirds are down.
Good.
Steve, this is Joe Streeter.
Now very carefully...
pick up the bomb,
turn it around and describe it.
STEVE: It's a Grey rectangular
box about eight inches long.
Three yellow wires extend from
the center down to one end.
There's a small amber light on it.
STREETER: The light, is it on?
STEVE: Yes, it is.
That means it's activated, Steve.
It's the same kind of bomb
that killed the Prince's father.
STREETER: You've to get
out of there! Eject!
No way, Joe. Forget it.
Joe, talk him through disarming it.
Oscar, it's certain to be booby trapped.
It'll blow up.
Steve...
turn it around.
There should be a recessed screw
with two screws below it.
Yeah, I got 'em.
Turn it so that those two screws
are above the recessed screw.
Now look at the groove
on the recessed screw.
Where is it pointing to
on the clock?
Five o'clock,
eleven o'clock and moving.
Right, that five o'clock means...
that it's set to go off at 5,000 feet.
The Denver airport, Joe.
The Denver airport is
above 5,000 feet.
We can refuel and divert him there.
Forget it, Oscar.
The 11 o'clock is hooked up
to the backup timer.
Now whether he comes
down or not...
that plane is going to explode
in 10 or 11 minutes!
Steve, now listen to me carefully.
There's a last resort
the panel of experts say...
that you can turn the plane upside down
and release the canopy then.
OSCAR: Do it.
STEVE: What did they say the odds are
the canopy will fly back and take off the tail?
OSCAR: Not good.
But it's the only chance you've got.
Oscar, if it hits the tall,
the Prince has no chance!
There's gotta be a way to get rid of
the canopy without crashing the plane.
JAN: Steve, this is Jan.
I have a way for you to get
that canopy off safely.
Jan! You stay out of this!
Steve, do you remember
the Throwaway?
JAN (VO): We called it "T he Throwaway."
We built so many negative Gs that he was
thrown right up and out of the plane.
Yeah, that's where you flipped
the stuntman out of your plane.
JAN: Well, you can do
the same thing with your canopy.
Take your plane into an outside loop...
and release it manually while
you're pulling negative Gs.
Steve! You pull a negative G
and you'll be disoriented!
OSCAR: And the plane will crash!
JAN: Oscar, have the Thunderbirds
wing tip him down like before.
They've landed, Jan.
There's not enough time to refuel them
and get them back in the air.
Oscar, the dizziness
doesn't last long.
I can do it
if Jan will be my eyes.
She can tell me what I have to do
to keep my plane straight and level.
She can head me in and talk me down
by staying with me in the air.
Oscar, he's only got
a couple of minutes!
All right, pal.
OSCAR: Go ahead.
Thunderbird Three, this is Nellis Control.
Colonel Austin, we have you on radar
and visual contact four miles due west...
cleared to land, runway four.
STEVE: Roger, Nellis Tower.
JAN: Steve, I've got you in sight.
Let me know when you're ready.
STEVE: I'm ready now.
Colonel Austin, what's happening?
I thought you might want just
one more thrill before we land.
PRINCE: Oh, good!
JAN: Steve, you're at the top
of the parabolic arc.
You're pulling negative Gs.
Release the canopy now.
STEVE: I can't find the canopy release.
I can't see it!
JAN: You've got to pull it, Steve.
JAN: You're at 5,500 feet
and dropping fast.
(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)
He's not out of it yet.
STEVE: Jan, I still can't
see which end is up.
JAN: You're in a dive, Steve.
Ease back on the stick,
pull it in.
JAN: Okay, Steve, that's good.
I'm coming up on your right wing.
Try and keep it level.
We're going to try a gentle turn
to the left and head in toward Nellis.
STEVE: You sure make it sound
a lot easier than it is.
JAN: You're doing fine.
JAN: Steve, how's the dizziness?
STEVE: Well, it comes and goes, Jan.
JAN: Here comes the tricky part.
We're on final.
JAN: Get the nose up.
Airspeed is dropping, Steve.
Increase power.
That's looking good.
JAN: Hold steady.
Keep it straight and level.
Ease your left wing up a touch.
Good. Looking good.
You're drifting a little to your right.
Give it a touch of left rudder.
Good. Half flaps.
Reduce power. Gear down.
(HYDRAULICS WHIRR)
JAN: Full flaps.
Three down and locked.
You're approaching the boundary.
Reduce power.
Ease back on the stick a touch.
STEVE: What's our position, Jan?
I still can't see.
JAN: 200 feet over the boundary.
You've got runway under you.
100 feet.
50 feet.
Flair out on my command.
Now.
(TIRES SCREECH)
Let's go.
(SIRENS WAIL)
STEVE: For a back seat driver,
you're pretty good.
Colonel Austin, have we landed?
I guess so.
PRINCE: Ah, that was fun.
I hope we can do it again sometime.
I sure hope not.
MILLER: Nice going, Steve.
Thanks, Paul.
STEVE: Thanks, Jan.
Looks like the Prince
is going to be late.
Oscar had to make some final
arrangements with Washington.
They should be along shortly.
I guess you won't be back in time
for my graduation next week.
Maybe Rudy'll let me out
of the hospital a little early.
I hope so.
His Majesty wanted to say goodbye
before he left for Washington.
Colonel Austin,
I just wanted to tell you...
that if one day I shall ever be able
to return to Burdabi that your name...
throughout the land will be
known as "The Lionhearted."
Well, thank you, Your Highness.
Goodbye, Colonel Austin,
and thank you very much.
Goodbye, Your Highness.
So long.
I'm going to miss you, Steve.
Well, I'm gonna miss you, too.
By the way, how did you wangle
Hawaii as a first assignment?
Come on, Lionhearted!
You know the Air Force is.
This time Hawaii,
next time Iceland.
It's all part of the job.
Well, I guess you're right.
What are you looking for?
Oh, the Thunderbirds.
I wanted to say goodbye
to Paul and all the rest of the guys.
I thought maybe they'd be out here.
They are.
(END THEME MUSIC)