The Six Million Dollar Man (1974–1978): Season 5, Episode 14 - Return of Death Probe - full transcript

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hi, Dan.

Right on schedule, Dr. Wells.

Yeah. The mix ready?

It will go into the melt as soon
as the shift changes, about two minutes.

The extra cobalt should solve
the metal fatigue problem.

(BRAKES SCREECH)

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(STEAM WHISTLE SOUNDS)

That's the last of the alloys
going into the melt now.

We can pour as soon as
the melt is up to heat.



Right.

(NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE)

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)

That armor-piercing shell didn't even
dent the alloy on that tank, Steve.

Try that for strength.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Crumbled like an egg shell.

What's the connection between
this metal and the one used in the test?

Steve, they're the same.

We thought we had
the perfect armor plate...

but after two or three weeks,
it developed metal fatigue.

Rudy and Dan Kelly were
modifying the formula...

and they were pouring it this morning.

That's when the men broke into the mill...

took over at gun point
and added something to the melt.

They added a newly
processed steel alloy...

not scrap metal or the usual additives.

Any reason why they did it?

I don't know.

The metal requires tempering
before it can be used.

It's still at the mill.

You figure they'll come
back for it, right?

It's too well organized, pal.

Too well plotted to end here.

That's where I fit in.

Pal...

you're going to work in a steel mill.

DAN: 15 level on that. 63...

Mr. Kelly?

Yeah. You the new man?

Steve Walters.

Come on, I'll show you where
you're gonna be working.

We finished tempering
that goofy melt a few hours ago.

So far, nobody's made a move toward it.

Where is it?

Bin 9.

You'll be working
here in the area...

so you can see anybody that
comes in and tries to hijack it.

Okay?

What can I do you for?

Hey, Mike. Give him a hand loading
these spigots here, will you?

There you go.

Our parts and store supply is out back.

Just go straight ahead,
take a right.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Is that the alloy from Bin 9?

Yes, it is.
What's it doing up there?

You tell me.

There must have been a foul up.

That stuff would be melted
if you hadn't stopped the crane.

Who arranges for the crane
to deliver metal to the furnace?

Usually the foreman...

but anybody on the floor could have
punched an order into the computer.

Get a repair crew
and clear that stoppage.

I want that back in Bin 9.

No one admits to having
redirected the computer.

If you hadn't caught it
when you did...

the alloy would have ended up
a small addition in a very large melt.

Could that be part of a plan
to make an even stronger alloy?

No, no. I checked
the melt in the furnace.

And if you added that,
it wouldn't make any metal...

with any unique properties.

Just doesn't make sense.

Why would whoever went to
the trouble of making this alloy...

try to get rid of it
without first using it?

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(METAL CREAKING)

Rudy, didn't you say that this new alloy
would either be very strong or very brittle?

Right. Why?

That's impossible.

Maybe we miscalculated the effect
of the addition to the melt.

No way.

But that's the only possible explanation.

There is one other.

It was substituted so the real alloy could
easily be stolen after tempering.

How could that couldn't happen?

Dan was in charge of the alloy
from the instant it left the furnace until...

Any comment, Dan?

This forged invoice tells us the real alloy
was shipped to a fictitious company.

Only you could've arranged that, Kelly.

You tried to cover
by melting this fake stuff.

What do you think? You're gonna get
a short term in the Federal Penitentiary?

Well let me tell you something!

You have stolen defense secrets!

By the time you get out of there,
you won't be good for anything...

but a rocking chair and a cane!

I don't really think I'll be going to prison.

You're either a dreamer
or a certified psychopath.

What's gonna
keep you out, Kelly?

(INTERCOM BUZZES)

Yes?

Mr. Secretary's on the line.

Yes, Mr. Secretary?

As a matter of fact,
he's right here.

Colonel Austin and I are questioning him.

He's refusing to talk.

Well, let me understand you.

You're talking about Kurami
the Mid Eastern Nation?

Just a moment.
I'll ask him.

What connection do you
have with Kurami, Kelly?

Never heard of it.

You're not getting anywhere with this.

Let's save time.

I'm not going to answer
any question you ask...

and I'm not gonna volunteer any
information you'd find useful.

Mr. Secretary, we've asked him
about Kurami. He refuses to talk.

What's going on?

Yes. Yes, I will.

I'll keep you informed of the case.

What was that all about?

Oh.

The Ambassador to Kurami
was kidnapped this morning.

He's being held hostage...

and will be killed
unless we release him.

OSCAR: Arnold, it's good of you to come.
I could've met you over at State.

How 'bout some coffee?
Yes, please. Black.

We didn't want you away from
your phone even for a minute.

Uh-huh.

Oscar, have you had any further
word from the kidnapper?

Nothing yet.

Just letting us stew.
And we are.

Well, it hasn't helped
our image any.

A ranking ambassador being kidnapped
right out from under our noses.

Mmm-hmm. Especially this ambassador.

Mahmoud is King Faoud's cousin
and Faoud is Kurami.

Oscar, do we have any idea why the
kidnappers would want us to release Kelly?

I've checked into Kelly's background.

He hasn't even been near
an Arab country.

Any decision yet on what course
of action we're gonna take?

We don't give in to terrorists.

Arnold, I assume I have autonomy
to try to free the ambassador...

once we receive instructions
from the kidnappers.

Autonomy, prayers, best wishes...
You name it, you've got it, Oscar.

(SIZZLING)

STEVE: Why would the thieves
need samples of the alloy?

They may be running
the same kind of tests I am.

With Kelly in their pocket...

you'd think they've wait till the O.S.I. came
up with the answers and then taken no risks.

I've had this in a hydrochloric
acid bath for an hour.

I'm gonna test its tensile strength,
put it under stress.

I can do that quicker.

Okay, do it.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(CRACKLES)

The acid definitely
weakened the metal.

This shear line shows
a new molecular orientation.

Well, we've heard from
the kidnappers.

Is the Ambassador okay?

As far as we know.

The note says
he's in good health.

They've arranged a time and place
for the exchange...

but they insist that I come along
and deliver Dan Kelly personally.

Oscar, that could be an elaborate
plan just to get you.

It could also mean that they want
somebody of high rank at risk...

so the exchange will be made safely.

It says you can be accompanied
by a driver. Why not me?

That's what I planned on.

When do we go?

We leave 8:00 to rendezvous at 9:30.

You got a plan?
You bet I have.

Aside from the place of exchange...

I'll have my men concealed
in a ring blocking all exits out.

I'll have a fleet of helicopters
with powerful floodlights...

to track the terrorists' car.

Once the Ambassador is safe,
my men will move in.

As long as they haven't taken
you as a hostage.

That's a risk we're gonna
have to take, Rudy.

Steve...

your first responsibility is the
Ambassador's safety, not mine.

Let's hope it works.

(TIRES SCREECH)

Well, we're on time.
Where are your friends?

DAN: They'll be here.
They always keep their promises.

Honest terrorists, huh?

Why not? Honorable men make
honorable agreements, don't they?

The United States doesn't
want anything to happen...

to the Ambassador
of a friendly country.

That'll keep you honest.

RADIO VOICE: Baker One,
this is State Department Control.

Come in, Baker One. Over.

We're supposed to
have radio silence, Steve.

This is Baker One. Over.

There has been a change in plans,
Baker One.

All surrounding units
have been withdrawn.

Repeat, all surrounding units
have been with-drawn. Over.

This is Baker One. What about the
exchange for the hostage? Over.

The identity and local base
of the kidnappers...

is known to Kurami officials.

They will be dealt with after the exchange
is made without risk to the Ambassador.

Give me that microphone.

This is Oscar Goldman Speaking.

Baker One. Control, come in, please.

This is Baker One.
Will Control please come in?

Come in!

Well, we go along, I guess.

I don't like the smell of it, Steve.

Shhh.

(CAR APPROACHING)

(TIRES SCREECH)

Let's go.

Turn!

Okay.

Let's go.

So long, It's been fun.

(TIRES SCREECH)

Are you all right?

Thank you, yes.
Except for these cuffs.

Let me see what I can do.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

I'll get on the radio.
All right.

I can tell you, I've just been through a
thoroughly frightening experience.

I can't thank you enough for
managing to effect my release.

Mr. Ambassador...

My country will formally express its
gratitude to your President, of course.

Mr. Ambassador,
we're delighted that you're safe.

May I introduce myself?
My name is Oscar Goldman.

I'm the director of the O.S.I., and that was
my associate, Colonel Steve Austin.

My pleasure.

I hope you hunt these criminals down
and see that they are brought to justice.

We have just received word...

that your people know who they are
and where they're located.

I'm quite certain that was a lie.

To protect our diplomats,
we routinely eliminate interference...

from the host government,
by saying that the terrorists are known.

I see.

Well, that unfortunately raises
a number of questions.

I wonder, Mr. Ambassador...

if you're feeling up to or good enough to
come to my office...

and perhaps discuss this further.

Well of course. At your service.

As I entered my garage,
I felt a gun thrust into my back.

I was blindfolded from behind
and unable to tell who my kidnappers were.

I was put in a car, driven for
a long time, then brought inside.

My clothes were removed
and I was placed on a bed.

I stayed there until I was dressed
and driven to where you found me.

Any clues as to where you were
taken, Mr. Ambassador?

No.

Any idea of how many
men were involved?

None.

There were professionals
hired for the job.

We're checking our files for
known criminals with that M.O.

There's one thing I don't understand.

Why were my clothes removed,
then put back on?

Probably to act as a deterrent
in case you should try to escape.

I'm not much help.

I wish that I...

I begin to think that
my clothes were removed...

so that something could be
put in my pocket.

I've never seen that
tape cassette before.

MAN'S VOICE: This message
is for Oscar Goldman.

It concerns a matter vital to
the security of the United States.

You are urged to pay close attention
and follow instructions to the letter.

You and one other
representative of the O. S. I...

are to be in the courtyard
of the abandoned Arrow Rock Plant...

in the desert flatlands beyond
San Bernardino, California.

We are sure you know
where to find it.

We give you 24 hours to be there.

At 12:00 noon.

(SIGHS)

Well, I can't figure out what interest
this place might be to anybody...

let alone national security.

Isolation. A chance for somebody to
make contact without fear of ambush.

(ELECTRONIC WHIRRING)

What's that?

I don't know,
but I've heard that sound before,

So have I, but where? When?

Sounds like it's coming from
the other side of that wall.

Wait a minute. It can't be.

Can't be what?

It was destroyed a year ago.
Blown to bits.

Of course.

The Russian Venus Probe.

The one that landed on Earth
by mistake last year.

(LOUD THUMPING)

Wow.

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

My God, it is.
Another Russian probe.

Just like the other one.
Designed to gather data on Venus.

But Steve, two landing in
the United States by accident?

Which means this time
it was no accident.

Are you okay?

Yeah.

(WHIRRING, CLICKING)

Looks like it's trying to corner us.

I'll keep it busy. You get out of here.

No.

There's nothing you can do.

Somebody's got to get back,
get the word out on what we've seen here.

(WHIRRING)

What now?

I don't know.

Maybe it's trying to tell us something.

I don't think I like the message
it has in mind.

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

The question is,
what do the Russians want?

I'm sure they'll let us know.

First they had to get our attention,
then make their demands later.

Well, at least they can't
claim it's an accident.

They've practically sent us
an engraved invitation...

to let us know this whole
thing is on purpose.

STEVE: Meanwhile,
this thing is still on the loose.

We've got to stop it before it
reaches a populated area.

Steve, they also know how
you destroyed the first one.

With a helicopter, using
the probe's own pressurization.

That was last time.

I'll guarantee they made this one
practically indestructible.

All right, you keep it
under surveillance.

I'll head back to NASA,
talk to them...

the Joint Chiefs and the
Russian Ambassador.

All right, and I'll see if I can
find a vulnerable spot.

Wait a minute. Be careful, pal.

Go ahead.

(PROBE WHIRRING, THUMPING)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

(CLICKING, WHIRRING)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(CLICKING, WHIRRING)

(LOUD WHIRR)

I've set up a mobile command unit
overlooking that ridge over there...

to give us a better chance
to see everything.

I'm bringing in some technicians,
some scanner units...

and I'm also bringing in
some analytical equipment...

from the O.S.I. Desert Test
Center nearby.

What's going on over there?

Well, it looks like a Russian
machine, all right.

It's a killer.

Well, the O.S.I. has notified
the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Russian Ambassador is on his way
over to the State Department.

Last year's Venus probe
was pre-programmed.

It just went straight ahead
smashing into everything.

This one, it's gotta be
receiving radio communication.

Well, we've been monitoring
the Russian short wave broadcasts...

but we haven't gotten anything
so far. It's strange.

We could contact a couple
of big dish antennas.

Ask if they'll help you triangulate.

That's a good idea.

We'll use our own equipment
for one point over there...

and I'll bring two other antennas in.

Once we pinpoint the source
of communications...

we get a good chance to stop it.

Yeah, I'll get right on it.

And, uh, good luck, pal.

Get out of here.

Mr. Blake is waiting inside
to see you, Mr. Goldman.

He just flew in from Washington.

Blake. State Department.
What does he want?

Notify Goldstone and Dewline.

I want a top priority
request to triangulate...

any messages that are
going into that probe.

Will do, sir.

Arnold.

Oh, what a surprise to see you.
Didn't expect you.

Oscar, you have the edge on
us chair-bound bureaucrats.

Yes, sir.
You get out into the field.

Well, I see you here.

It must be very important, your flying
all the way over here to see me.

Oh, it is. It is.

It's also a pleasure
to get out of my office.

I think the walls were charred.

I had an interview with
the Russian Ambassador.

Is that so?
What does he have to say?

I accused him in the most diplomatic
language, of course...

of sending the probe
to tear up the country.

I've known that man
for a very long time.

He could be charming and impossible
and tough and generous.

But the one thing that he is not is a very
good actor, and he hasn't fooled me yet.

And the ambassador said
in the most undiplomatic language...

that the Russians didn't send it.

And I believe him.

Arnold, Colonel Austin and I
identified that machine.

Are you saying that the State Department
is gonna take the Russian's word over his?

The Russians are accusing us of stealing
the plans for their Venus Probe.

What? That's the most
ridiculous thing lever heard.

The Ambassador swears
that the plans were stolen.

Now that's possible.

You put that together with the incident
of the stolen alloy...

and it becomes very, very interesting.

It's certain the Russians
didn't need to steal our alloy...

to make the new Venus probe.

Yes, Sergeant?

Teletype just in from
Dewline and Goldstone, sir.

Well, if there were any doubts that
that machine is operated by radio...

they're gone now.

Somebody, somewhere,
is controlling that demon thing...

sending it out to do
whatever he wants it to.

Sending it out to destroy
whatever he wishes.

All right, Sergeant, have Goldstone
and Dewline continue to stay on it.

Yes, sir.

I'll contact my department, Oscar.

I don't know which way we go now.

I'll stay here in case
you need me for anything...

or if there's further word to pass along.

Thank you, Arnold.

(LOUD WHIRRING, THUMPING)

(ANTENNA BUZZING)

Well, I learned it's a copy
of the Russian probe...

but they didn't make it.

STEVE: Well then, who?

We don't know.

Where are its radio
directions coming from?

I don't know that either.

But we do know it's receiving
messages from burst transmissions.

Too quick for us to zero in on.

It won't be here in open country forever.

We better find a way
to stop it pretty quick.

We've got Rudy in the lab
trying to find that out.

We do know, Steve, that that probe
isn't pressurized like that last one...

'cause it clearly isn't intended
to go on Venus.

They'd retain all its strengths
plus the added quality of the new alloy.

STEVE: We can be sure that thing is more
blast-proof than the original one was.

It's gotta have a weakness somewhere.

What if it couldn't move?

Keep talking.

Well, we take away the probe's motive
power by removing traction.

That thing might be like
a turtle flipped over on its back.

Will you tell me how we can do that?

With a pole, some leverage
and a little luck.

A lot of luck, but it's worth a try.
Come on.

All set.

Here goes.

(HIGH-PITCHED WHIRRING)

That heat flash was over
1,000 degrees Celsius...

and there's not a mark on it..

That rules out any attack on the probe
with current heat devices.

Right.

Try the other piece with the diamond drill.

Try to analyze this.

(DRILL WHIRRING)

(SCRAPING)

Hardness factor of 13
on the Moh's scale.

That tops the best alloy steel
by a factor of two.

What about the X-ray energy spectrometer?

Boron to carbon ratio is very high.

The crystalline structure of this alloy
is almost impervious to attack.

I don't see how Steve can penetrate it.

(LOUD WHIRRING, THUMPING)

(HYDRAULICS WHIRR, CLICKING DATA)

Sgt. Warren,
this is Oscar Goldman speaking.

I want you to order all monitoring units...

to try to jam the radio signals
going to that probe.

Will instruct immediately,
Mr. Goldman.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(LOUD SNAP)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(HORN HONKING)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Phew.

Well, so much for my ideas.
You got any?

Well, I'm working on one.

We know now that that probe
is receiving its orders via radio.

So what I'm trying to do is
jam its transmission signal.

Any chance of success?

Let's go back to the command
post and find out.

(BEEPS, CLICKS, WHIRRS)

Wait, wait a minute.
Take a look at that.

That look strange to you?

(BEEPS, CLICKS, WHIRRS)

If it were a person,
I'd say that it was puzzled.

Like it doesn't know what to do next.

Steve, you suppose maybe
we are jamming its signal?

I don't know, without direction
maybe it'll just sit there and do nothing.

Posing no threat.

Maybe we could transport it
to some safe place.

Bury it deep enough so
radio messages couldn't penetrate.

We can't keep
jamming it forever.

I don't like it.

It's dead silence.

We're getting no sounds.
Absolutely nothing.

Could it be some malfunction
in the probe's transmission?

That's a very long shot.

We tested the equipment
every way from Sunday.

It was foolproof.

Okay. Then the answer is,
we're being jammed.

Got to figure that.

What are we gonna do?

Wait.

How long?

You'll know when I do.

That won't help.
We'll still have to wait.

Gentlemen, I've been looking for you.

Mr. Ambassador.
Surprised to see you here.

This isn't where
I'd expect to find you.

Perhaps, perhaps not.

I knew you were having difficulties
with that strange device, the Probe.

I felt I should help.

How did you know
we were having difficulties?

I try to keep informed.

Well, thank you very much for
your interest, Mr. Ambassador...

but I think we have solved
all the problems.

By jamming radio reception?

(PHONE RINGS)

How did you know about that?

I'm sorry, but jamming won't help.

You haven't answered my question,
Mr. Ambassador.

How did you know about that?

You see, the Probe was pre-programmed...

to act in the event of any failure
of radio communication.

Your kidnapping was
a setup to spring Dan Kelly.

You're involved
in this whole caper.

I might be, but I do want to
help you and myself.

And yourself.

What if I decided to put you under arrest?

Oh. Feel free.

I'll even waive diplomatic immunity.

Of course, you'll continue to have very
serious problems with the Probe.

Increasingly serious.

But on the other hand, why should you
believe me? I could be bluffing.

Perhaps we should have a look at
the Probe and see if it's just as deadly...

in spite of the loss of radio communication.

Is that a good idea?

MAHMOUD: Remarkable machine.

OSCAR: I suppose you stole
the plans from the Russians.

And the alloy with which
to make it from the O.S.I.

MAHMOUD: Clever, no?

Obviously you had more in mind.

Obviously.

You've seen its destructiveness.

You know you can't stop it.

In less than an hour,
it will reach an objective...

where it will cause
enormous damage.

What kind of objective?

If I'm not given what I want,
you'll find out.

All right, what do you really want?

Two nuclear warheads.

OSCAR: You must be out of your mind.

Do you really think so?

Mr. Ambassador...

the United States will not be
blackmailed by you or any country...

to turn over nuclear warheads.
Don't you understand that?

MAHMOUD: I'm acting as
a patriotic, private citizen.

My country is very rich in oil...

very poor in defense,
and hopeless in international politics.

With the help of your
nuclear weapons...

I propose to assume power
and correct that situation.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

It's gonna run down that boy.
You can stop it.

How? Even if I were
handling radio contact...

you've blocked that method
of diverting the machine.

Can't you get them to stop it?

There is so much at stake.

How the controllers will react,
I can't say...

nor even if there is
enough time to react.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(HYDRAULICS WHIR)

(PROBE CIRCUIT CLICKING)

(END THEME MUSIC)