War of the Worlds (1988–1990): Season 1, Episode 1 - The Resurrection: Part 1 - full transcript
A terrorist attack at a nuclear waste site awakens aliens who were in hibernation since their 1953 invasion. A group of scientists work with the military to stop the aliens.
[ horn blares]
[ buzzer sounds]
Oop, right on time.
Mm.
BOTH: Hey...
Got some fresh
coffee in the shack.
Later, maybe.
When did you folks add
women to your crews?
Don't tell me you're
threatened by a woman, soldier.
Oh, no way, ma'am.
I just like 'em is all.
What a nice thing to say.
Hey, what's going on?
Liberation, my friend.
Lady! [ screams]
Just cool it, okay?
[ gun fires] [ man screams]
[ screams]
[ both scream]
[ screams]
[ screaming]
[ screams]
[ screams]
Casualties?
Not on our team.
Okay, listen up, people.
Mossoud, Einhorn,
do a body count.
Any stragglers...
Teal, Finney, set the
perimeter charges.
[ phone rings]
Let it ring.
The world's going to know
about us soon enough.
Hey, Finney, give me a
hand with this one, huh?
You check his pockets?
The guy's got
nothing worth taking.
HARRISON: A wise
man once said that
a person trying to know
something about everything
will eventually know
everything about nothing,
and that a person trying to
know everything about one thing
will eventually know
nothing about everything.
So, as you ladies and gentlemen
initiate your own explorations
into the theoretical and
experimental sciences,
it's crucial that you
always remember
that assumptions are
fraught with danger.
[ knocking]
To assume even the obvious...
to assume the obvious
is ofttimes to
overlook the obvious.
To help illustrate this point,
let me give you a
practical example.
Five, four, three, two, one.
[ man yelling]: Blackwood!
[ kids laughing]
This has all the markings
of another one of your
infantile practical jokes!
Jeffrey, I really think
you should see someone
about that scalp condition.
Ladies and gentlemen,
it gives me great pleasure
to introduce
Dr. Gutterman, who is going
to be the next stop
on your field trip.
Dr. Gutterman does not
subscribe to my assumption theory,
and that is why sometimes
things fall down on him
when he walks through doorways.
[ whispers]: I'll get
you for this, Blackwood.
I'm glad Dr. Jacobi's here
to witness this, Blackwood.
[ door shuts] Okay.
While Dr. Gutterman
regains his composure,
why don't you, uh,
look around the room
for a couple of minutes?
Inspiring young
minds is so rewarding.
Morning, Ephram.
Hi. Harrison Blackwood.
Suzanne McCullough.
I do wish you'd leave
that poor fellow alone.
What, and give
up all my fun? Ah.
I'm a firm believer that
a person's response
to a joke is a window
to their soul.
Does that include whoopie
cushions as well, Doctor?
Ephram, now that I've got you,
whatever happened to my
request for a microbiologist?
Have I ever denied
you, Harrison?
Dr. McCullough has
just joined the Institute.
She's yours if you want her.
Welcome aboard.
I gave up hand
buzzers years ago.
Assumptions are
dangerous things.
47 minutes.
We will be ready.
You know,
something about the irony
of pirating a US
communications satellite
to broadcast our demands
always makes me smile.
Smile on camera, no
one will take us seriously!
Well, then we'll just
have to blow up this dump
and send a big fat
radioactive cloud
of nuclear waste
floating over their nice,
middle-class homes! Right?
I floated between NYU
and MIT for my post-grad.
My first job was
with the Smithsonian,
then the Rand for a few years.
Then a secret
research facility in Ohio.
Well, I spent my whole
career right here...
most of my youth, too.
This place is like home to me.
Tell me, Doctor,
about the projects requiring
someone in my field.
Not "Doctor," it's Harrison.
I hate titles, especially
"doctor" titles,
especially when we're not
even talking MD doctors.
Okay, Doctor?
As for projects, I've
got hundreds of those,
but I think we're going to focus
on one or two important
ones to start with.
DEBI: Hi, Mom!
My daughter, Debi.
She's 11 going on 21.
Well, it's nice to see the
Institute's daycare center's
been put to good use.
For obvious reasons,
I would prefer not to work
too many nights and weekends.
Me either.
Being a parent really
does change your priorities,
doesn't it?
Well, I wouldn't
know about parenting.
I just hate to work
nights and weekends.
[ typing]
[ video game beeping]
[ grunts]
Norton.
No, six under, one to go.
Harrison, didn't your parents
teach you any manners?
Don't you know
you're not supposed
to interrupt a man
when he's standing at the tee?
What happened to,
"Jamaica... no problem, man"?
Even in Jamaica, it's only "no
problem" when it's no problem.
Who are you?
Suzanne. Suzanne McCullough.
Norton Drake.
Suzanne's the new microbiologist
that Ephram has
been promising us.
Oh. Too pretty to
be a microbiologist.
Microbiologists
are all nearsighted
and losing their hair.
[ laughs] Coffee?
Uh, no. Don't bother.
And miss the chance to show off?
Gertrude, back three.
Oop!
Left five. Forward 12.
Norton just loves to show off
his voice-activated dragster.
Right 45.
Got something even better.
Been refining the
blend for months.
One sip and you'll be weeping.
You like it black, I hope.
Yes, Norton. I like it black.
She can stay.
Mossoud!
Showtime.
Right behind you.
[ metallic crash]
Sound check?
Testing, one, two, three...
[ clears throat]
"We the Freedom Fighters of
the People's Liberation Party
"come to the World's
citizens with a list of demands
"beginning with the
immediate resignation
of the President of
the United States."
Perfect.
Five minutes.
Where's Mossoud?
He's on his way.
[ gasps]
Mossoud!
[ man screaming]
Who screamed?
Cover me.
[ alien grunting]
[ screaming]
[ sighs]
What the hell is going on?
[ eerie whirring]
Answer me, Mossoud.
[ speaking alien language]
[ knocking]
Come in.
If you're here to tell me your
lab is inadequate, make a list.
I'll see that Ephram
gets what you need.
Actually I am in
no position to judge.
After I changed, I
realized you hadn't told me
exactly what my job is.
I haven't?
I'm sorry. I've got this habit
of assuming other people
are on the same wavelength I am.
Did I tell you I had
Norton analyzing
radio transmissions
retrieved from deep space?
Yes. Trying to separate
background noise
from signals that might be
produced by intelligent life.
The problem is there's a
whole bunch of space to cover.
A bunch of wasted
space, practically speaking,
since the universe
is maybe ten
billion trillion times
as much empty space
as it is stellar material.
I need you to narrow our focus.
Huh.
Okay, I'll bite.
How am I supposed to do that?
Simple... by daydreaming...
about other worlds.
About the life-forms
they might support.
You give me
probables, possibles.
You give me what-ifs.
You give me a what-if life-form
and I can design a
model atmosphere
that can support it.
And that way we can
narrow our search from say,
oh, billions and
billions of possibilities
to maybe just-just a
few hundred million or so.
Excuse me, but isn't that
just the tiniest bit random?
Nah, not at all.
The universe is so
immense and Earth is so tiny,
I mean how do we
continue to insist
contrary to all
mathematical probabilities,
contrary to all logic
that we're the only intelligent
life-form in existence?
I never said we should.
Well, good.
You go to your room,
then, and, uh, daydream.
Daydream...
right.
Look, I have
always prided myself
on being a
result-oriented person.
That's a quality
we happen to share.
Well, then you can appreciate
that this is not the
typical challenge
that a result-oriented person
would choose to pursue.
I know.
Isn't it exciting?
[ beeping]
You should try taking naps.
It works for me.
[ eerie humming]
[ speaking alien language]:
ALIEN: These bodies are weak
and contaminated
by negative thoughts.
We would better accomplish
our mission in
our natural state.
ALIEN: Consensus is that
yours is not an
accurate statement.
These bodies protect
us from detection.
ADVOCATE: Until we know more,
we must use the
resources available to us.
ALIEN: We surrender
to your judgment
as always, Advocate.
ADVOCATE: We must release the
others so that our battle may resume.
ALIEN: There is no
time for transmutation.
Collect our
brethren as they are.
Without the guidance of
counsel, we are nothing.
You must make contact.
Agreed.
Once the council is
aware of our plight,
he will know how to proceed.
Their equipment is primitive.
But adequate if
properly refined.
Feeling any better about
daydreaming on company time?
I still find it a
little unusual.
Well, give it a few days.
If you're still having trouble,
I'll come up with something
more specific for you to work on.
I don't need to be
coddled, Doctor.
I'm perfectly capable
of working on any project
you can dream up...
by any rules you choose to make.
Sounds good to me.
Just don't forget my first rule.
If you're not
having a good time,
you're doing something wrong.
CHARLOTTE: Harrison.
Over here.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Way to go, McCullough.
Impress the boss.
Who's that?
HARRISON: New microbiologist.
Suzanne McCullough.
I thought microbiologists
were nearsighted and balding.
That's a common misconception.
We are late.
For...?
Bleaker-Williams Industries.
Their Founders' Ball.
I totally forgot.
Freud says people don't forget.
They simply choose
not to remember.
You're supposed to
be an interior designer...
Not a psychoanalyst.
Same thing.
Your tux is in the back.
You can change on the way.
Gee, thanks a lot, Sigmund.
Promise not to peek?
Not a chance.
Now we wait.
Yes, I'm sure it is.
And what else do you do...?
Excuse me.
Do you have any idea
who you were just talking to?
Yep, Howie and Marge.
Howard and Margaret Bleaker!
AKA
Mr. and Mrs. CEO
of Bleaker-Williams Industries.
They'll always be
Howie and Marge to me.
Oh, Harrison!
Be serious.
Believe me, Char,
I haven't said anything
to embarrass you.
Well, it is not me
we are talking about.
These people can be
very important to you...
If you would ever
agree to give up
that ridiculous research you do
and move into
the private sector.
I like ridiculous research.
Having second thoughts
about marrying somebody
who makes half
as much as you do?
None.
Just trying to convince that
man to live up to his potential.
Telephone, Dr. Blackwood.
A drink, ma'am?
HARRISON: Charlotte may
never speak to me again,
seeing I left a
very important party
that I did not want to
be at in the first place.
Got us a fresh batch
of radio intercepts
I think you'll be
interested in perusing.
Norton, get some sleep.
I've seen these radio
wave patterns before.
Several times, in fact.
You've seen these before.
Radio patterns collected
from a point in space.
I'll give you the
coordinates later.
Those patterns originated
from a broadcast point on Earth.
You're sure?
Of course I'm sure!
That's why I yanked you from
a party you didn't want to be at!
Just notice the parity
between the two.
Don't even try to figure
out the contents, Harrison.
Just look at the patterns.
That's a signal.
That's a response.
That's a response
to the first response.
And there's a response
to the second response.
By God...
communication!
On the money.
I can't wait to see
what the supercomputer
has to say about this.
Reserve priority
time if you need to.
Oh, now, whoa, Doc, slow down.
You are talking megabucks.
How are you going to justify
that to the penny-pinchers?
Norton, the Cray is the
best computer in the world.
Don't ask me. Ask it!
[ electrical buzzing]
URICK: The transponder
signal is very strong.
Triangulating the
location of our ships
should not prove difficult.
All is well.
Our mission will succeed.
We will live life immortal.
CHAMBERS: It is time to leave.
If I don't leave this
joint and bag some Zs,
I'm going to start
getting cranky.
Not until you give
me what I want.
Study your history, Doc.
Slave driver mentality
never did work.
There... the location
of your transmissions.
Now will you let me
pass out in peace?
You're welcome!
Any time!
No problem!
Home, Gertrude.
Uh, good morning.
Listen, I'm sorry if I was a
little blunt last night, but...
Pack a bag. We're taking a trip.
We are? Why?
Won't know that
until we get there.
Hi. I was just
going to call you.
Are you mad-mad or just mad?
Oh, Harrison, how could you?
That party was important.
Char, my work is important, too.
Bleaker-Williams wants you,
but they won't wait forever.
I like what I'm doing.
Won't you even discuss it?
We have discussed this.
Not to a satisfactory
conclusion.
We can talk about it over
dinner tonight or... whatever.
Char...
I've got to leave town.
Why?
I don't think you'd understand.
Try me.
It has to do with an
anomalous parity of radio waves
being intercepted from space
and others emanating from Earth.
I don't understand.
Char, it's only overnight,
and I promise I'll make it
up to you when I get back.
[ trills lips exasperatedly]
Can you handle a
four-wheel drive?
When I have to.
Where are we going?
Map's on the dash.
The route's in red.
IRONHORSE: My boss is leaning
on me, so I'm leaning on you.
I want to know what
happened in there
and I want to know yesterday.
Lieutenant, a US
Army installation
has been compromised.
Our superiors expect credible
explanations, not excuses.
I want "whys" and "wherefores"
by 1800 hours, mister!
You said you wanted a look-see.
Is it clean?
More or less, sir.
Well, actually more
less than more.
But the tech sergeant swore
there wasn't enough radiation
on this batch to take
more than a few months
off your life.
Why am I not
reassured, Sergeant?
[ distant explosion]
Setting off booby traps, sir.
Thank you, Sergeant.
SUZANNE: Harrison, wake up.
HARRISON: Uh-oh.
Don't mention what
it is we're doing here.
SUZANNE: No problem.
You still haven't told me yet.
Afternoon.
HARRISON: Up until
Norton came along,
the main radio telescopes
were the very large
array in New Mexico
and the, uh, thousand-foot
antenna in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Of course, it's speculation
that other life-forms would
even use radio signals
instead of something a
little more sophisticated,
but since we have
no way of knowing,
we have to use the tools we have
to figure out the
tools they have.
You're ready to stand
the scientific community
on its ear, aren't you?
Given half a chance.
Remember, they're only entitled
to your name, rank and
social security number.
Dr. McCullough?
Uh, yes?
Blackwood.
Present and accounted for.
I've checked.
You're clear to leave.
But we don't want to leave.
We, uh, want to wander
on down the road apiece.
Sorry, that's in the vicinity
of a restricted
military installation.
But these are public roads.
Presently under
military authority.
Besides, there's
nothing for you to see.
Which explains your reluctance
to let us see for ourselves.
We can do this one of two ways.
You can turn around and go home,
or you can force me to detain
you until I've had a chance
to reverify your backgrounds.
With the Army, that's been
known to take several days.
Which is it, doctors?
Is it, uh, Captain?
Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse.
Ah, does it make any
difference, Colonel,
that we both have
top secret clearances?
Not to me, it doesn't.
Around here, it's
"need to know," doctor,
and you don't need to know.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Aren't you the slightest
bit curious as to what
may have brought us
out here in the first place?
Officially, I can't ask.
Last night, one of my associates
intercepted some
radio transmissions
originating from this location.
What kind of transmissions?
For the moment, let's just
say that they were, uh...
they were highly unusual.
You wouldn't happen to have
a copy of these
unusual transmissions?
Is this the beginning of
a negotiation, Colonel?
IRONHORSE: If it was
just the ambient radiation,
I could fit you into protective
gear and send you in,
but whoever overran
the installation
did a very professional job of
booby-trapping the entire area.
You'll have to be
satisfied with our remotes.
Back up.
I said... Back up, soldier.
Focus on those barrels.
Doctor.
Tell him!
Camera three, zoom in.
Zooming in.
SUZANNE: What is it?
Ask him if there are
any more barrels like that.
Camera three, what's the
count on barrels in this condition?
The count is still incomplete.
We still have two
quadrants to check.
It appears we have, uh, six.
Six? Only six?
But there were hundreds.
Maybe thousands!
What is his problem?
Show me those barrels again.
What the hell did he see?
Are you okay?
We have to leave.
Now, damn it!
[ laughing]
Hey, take it easy, Orel.
You can curl up in the
Ford and sleep it off.
[ laughing]
I don't want to
sleep. I ain't tired.
We'll argue about it later.
I don't want to
argue. I ain't mad.
[ laughing]
Why don't you let
me do that, fellow?
Well, have it your way.
Where you headed?
Oh...
Where you coming from?
Talkative, ain't you?
[ chuckles]
Hey, let me finish up.
Son...
you best start being
a mite more careful
about being out in
the sun without a hat.
You folks got
some kind of commutable
disease or something?
Gee, Doc...
what say we drop over to
Jed's for a jar of moonshine?
Will this be cash or credit?
Doc...
[ screams]
[ warning horn blaring]
[ indistinct shouting]
[ indistinct shouting]
Oh, thank God you're still here.
I'm not. I'm leaving.
I've got something I
want to try out on you first.
There's more?
You're not satisfied with
having dragged me out
into the middle of nowhere
looking for who knows what?
Or having me drive all night,
seven hours without a stop,
without you uttering
one single word?
What more could you
possibly want to try out on me?
I have worked hard,
damn hard, to get where I am.
And mistreatment is not
part of my job description.
What would you say
if I told you that Earth
was being invaded by
aliens from another planet?
Read my letter.
I'm serious.
Okay.
See a psychiatrist first.
Then read my letter.
It's my resignation.
Okay, I've upset you.
You're quitting.
I am quitting you,
not the institute.
Dr. Jacobi was
very understanding.
You can still listen to what
I have to say, can't you?
In 1953, we experienced
what can only be described
as a war of the worlds.
If it wasn't for common,
everyday bacteria
attacking the aliens'
immune systems
they would have won this war
and you and I would not
be having this conversation.
But we are having
this conversation,
which I don't want.
So I fail to see your point.
My point is
that although the
bacteria stopped the aliens,
I don't think it killed them.
Excuse me, but I think
you have been sitting
too close to your
television set.
Really.
How do you explain
the radio signals?
How do you account
for the barrels?
Barrels that entombed
what were supposed
to be dead aliens
forced open from the inside?
What the hell happened
to the hundreds of other barrels
that used to be
stored in that location?
Just because I don't have
an answer doesn't mean
there isn't a logical
explanation for your paranoia.
I am attempting to offer
you a logical explanation.
In 1953,
bacteria forced the aliens
into a state of hibernation,
or suspended animation
or aestivation or antibiosis.
I don't know the terms.
That's your field, not mine.
But now something has
happened to wake the aliens up.
That nuclear disposal site
was hot with
radioactivity, right?
Maybe that's it.
Maybe the bacteria
which infected the aliens
is now being wiped out
by exposure to radiation.
So now the aliens,
hundreds of them...
At least.
Are loose?
Yes.
You're nuttier than I thought.
That doesn't make me wrong!
At least, listen to my proof.
I have to go... away.
Far away.
[ sighs]
Don't touch me.
Please.
OREL: This thing
looked like a gorilla,
only it weren't no gorilla,
'cause I seen a gorilla
one time at the zoo,
and this gorilla
didn't have no hair
like that other gorilla did.
This thing picked up old Doc
by the throat and throttled him.
Can you identify
anybody else, Orel?
Maybe did you get a license?
License?!
I'm telling you
about gorillas
that ain't gorillas
and you're asking
me did I get a license?
Uh, answer me this Sheriff...
How'd you ever get elected
asking dumb questions like that?
Morning, Sheriff.
Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse.
Yeah, Sheriff Deak.
What's the Army
doing out this way?
Colonel!
[ Geiger counter clicking]
They've been
through here for sure.
Scout the area, Sergeant.
All right, saddle up.
We had an incident
involving suspected terrorists.
There's a good chance
they've been through this area.
Terrorists?
Hot damn, I knew it!
Didn't I tell you, Sheriff?
I've been reading about
this here guerrilla warfare.
Only thing is, I didn't know
that those, uh, terrorists
use real gorillas.
The alien attack
wasn't three days old
before my parents were killed.
They were colleagues
of Dr. Forrester's.
Anyway, Dr. Forrester,
who was practically my
second father as it was,
ended up taking me in.
I grew up steeped
in this research,
listening to his theories.
I'd see how broken he was
when nobody took him seriously.
He said that if the
aliens invaded once,
they could do it again.
Nobody wanted to hear that.
He said that until we
did adequate research,
we couldn't even be sure
the aliens were really dead.
Apparently their
bodies weren't decaying
as might be expected.
Well, that really
drove people crazy.
Instead of expanding
its research,
the government
collected the alien remains
and sealed them in steel drums.
Out of sight, out of mind.
You still think I'm a nutcase?
Have you ever heard
of the African lungfish?
The lungfish can survive
for at least four years,
maybe as many as ten,
without water.
It goes into such a
profound state of anabiosis
that the average person would
think the fish was long dead.
However,
pour water over it
and it's like a resurrection.
The fish is alive
and swimming again.
So you don't think
I'm a nutcase?
Definitely a nutcase.
However...
like you said, that
doesn't make you wrong.
And I can always write
another resignation.
CHARLOTTE: We have to talk.
Look, Charlotte,
discussing my career
is going to have to wait.
It is us we have to talk about.
Honey, I leave for
Washington in 42 minutes.
Oh, is that more
important than us?
No, it's not like that.
But it is important.
Look, I can't tell you why,
but I know that when I do,
when I explain why
I'm doing all this,
that you will understand.
I want to understand now!
There is no time now.
I'll call you from the hotel.
GENERAL WILSON: That
is the most fantastic story
I think I've ever heard.
HARRISON: That's
no story, General.
That's scientific
theory supported by fact
presented in a logical
and a reasonable fashion.
I'm a respected astrophysicist.
I'm not some kook
spouting UFO stories.
Oh, I don't mean to
suggest otherwise, Doctor.
That you were brought
here by my niece
gives you more credibility
than I think you realize.
Niece? You told me that
he was your father's friend.
Uncle Hank is my
father's favorite brother.
And you're my favorite niece.
Unfortunately, Doctor,
I'll need some hard evidence
before I can act on your theory.
Now this morning,
I read a report
based on the incident
you make reference to
which suggests the
work of a terrorist group.
What the hell are they called?
Oh, yes, "The People's
Liberation Party."
General, I'm trying to
warn you about something
a lot more insidious
than terrorists.
Why don't you try to look
at it from my point of view?
You don't have a point of view.
35 years ago these things
tried to take over the world.
They're completely ruthless
with absolutely
no sense of mercy.
My God, they killed my parents.
I'm truly sorry, Doctor.
You bring me something concrete
and I'll give you my word
I'll see to it that it
gets to the right people.
Suzanne.
Suzanne, you're making
some strange new friends.
Uncle Hank, he really does
believe what he's saying.
Hmm. You take care.
Thank you.
Miss Underwood,
put me on the President's
afternoon calendar.
And then connect me
with Lieutenant
Colonel Paul Ironhorse.
If you expect
people to help you,
you're going to have to be a little less
obstreperous and a little more gracious.
The world has no
time for gracious.
Norton, it's Harrison.
Uncle General Wilson
wants hard evidence.
That's exactly what
I'm going to give him.
Norton, we've got
some work to do.
HARRISON: Is there anything new?
Zip, zero, zed, nothing.
The bad guys are
maintaining radio silence.
Desk, Gertrude.
Ah, catch this riff.
Don't know what it's all about,
but you've got to admit them
bad guys sure got rhythm.
Is there anything
from the Cray on this?
No, definitely not into
musical appreciation.
It's still computing.
Suzanne, tell me something.
Tell me!
Well, using Dr. Forrester's
notes on the bacteria
that infected the
aliens in 1953,
exposing these,
on paper of course,
to radiation that's consistent
with that of the
disposal site...
Yes?
No bacteria survived
the exposure.
I was right!
Statistically,
your theory is possible.
No, Suzanne. I am right!
[ speaking alien language]
[ dialing phone]
CHARLOTTE: Hello.
Charlotte, hi, it's me.
We have to...
[ dial tone]
talk.
Damn.
Charlotte, come out here!
CHARLOTTE: Go away!
I want to talk to you.
No!
Look, I'm not leaving
until you come out here.
Well?
Do you love me?
Oh, you know I do.
Why?
Because you're smart
and you're beautiful.
You've got a great
sense of humor.
You've got an even
greater pair of legs.
You love me more than your work?
Oh, Charlotte, that's
not a fair question.
Yes, it is, and you
just answered it.
Now if you aren't leaving,
I'm calling the police.
Oh, great!
Go ahead, embarrass yourself,
in front of all your neighbors!
[ dogs barking]
Hi.
What took you so long?
[ phone ringing]
[ picks up phone]
Whoever this is,
it better be good.
Norton?
I'm on my way.
The transmission was
only a few short bursts,
but I managed to
pin down the location.
Drive hard, and you could
be there in about 11 hours.
No, we'll charter a helicopter.
Oh, easy, my friend.
Do you know how
much that's gonna cost?
How much does a
new world cost, Norton?
And where do you go to buy one?
You know, if you're right about
this, it's all academic anyway.
HUNTER 1: How much farther?
Oh, about half mile, maybe less.
If I don't get me some shuteye,
I won't be able to bag a deer
if it walks up and kisses me.
[ dog barking]
What is it, boy?
[ whirring]
HUNTER 1: They were
standing there in bunches.
HUNTER 2: Yeah, and
tell them about the fires.
HUNTER 1: Yeah, big
bonfires, and big hands...
long arms.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you very much, gentlemen.
I've never heard such
a crock of bull, Colonel.
Those two good old
boys are drunk as skunks.
They identified the truck that
we've been chasing, Sergeant.
I know, Colonel.
But the rest of their story?
Bonfires and voodoo ceremonies
in the middle of some
abandoned tourist attraction?
I think what we're talking
is 150-proof delusions.
Maybe.
I want a team
briefing in 15 minutes.
Everybody at 100%.
We move out in one hour.
Whatever you say, Colonel.
[ beeping]
This is as close
as we go until dark.
How do you do it?
Make yourself go
to sleep like that?
Body clock.
If I don't sleep one hour
every five, I'm worthless.
What?
It's time.
Now look,
we don't have to get
ourselves killed, okay?
I'm going to get close enough
to get some instrument readings.
And I want you to stay back
and record everything
with the camera.
Okay. Okay.
[ muffled scream]
Suzanne!
Blackwood!
Promise not to scream,
I'll take my hand away.
What are you doing here?
No, Doctor, what
are you doing here?
You wouldn't believe
me if I told you.
Probably not.
I listened to that
tape you gave me.
Transmissions
made by terrorists.
20 minutes of The Best of
Buddy Rich is more like it, Doctor!
Got a problem with homegrown
American music, Colonel?
Sergeant!
You're about to witness
a rare event, Doctor.
Delta Squad in action.
Any time, any
place, any objective.
Colonel!
Colonel, you can't!
You've got no idea.
You've got no concept
of what you're getting into.
A few terrorists, small arms,
a poorly defended perimeter
my men might even be
overprepared, Doctor.
Colonel, no!
Colonel, you're gonna
make a horrible mistake!
Colonel, please!
For the sake of your men!
[ explosion]
Damn! They're not even here!
Yeah, well, you can
thank God for that, Colonel.
[ gunfire]
[ screaming]
Who are these people?
No, Colonel, don't.
[ screaming]
[ screaming]
Wait here!
It's about time, Blackwood!
Cut me loose!
Later!
Later? Do it now or
there won't be any later.
Hold on!
Cut me loose!
Blackwood, no!
Who are they, Blackwood?
What are they?
Later!
Let's get Suzanne
and get out of here!
Where's Suzanne?
I told her to wait right here.
No! You'll compromise
our position.
Come on, we've got to put some
distance between us and them.
Not without Suzanne.
You saw what they did to my men.
If those things have her,
there's nothing we can do.
Ironhorse, we've got to try.
Forget her, Harrison.
She's had it.
I'm not leaving.
Okay, but I'm digging in.
Nothing. You?
I never should have
brought Suzanne along.
It wasn't your fault.
Then whose was it?
She had to be one of the
most uptight ladies I've ever met,
but at least she believed me.
Thank God! You're all right!
Oh!
I am not uptight!
I am a professional!
Who does not know
how to follow orders.
Now you were supposed to
stay out of sight in the woods.
You neglected to tell me
that those things, aliens
or whatever they are,
would be crawling all over.
By the time I worked
my way down here,
you and the Colonel were
doing your off-road routine.
So I figured this would be the
best place to wait things out.
Where are they?
Long gone.
They had their
truck hid in a hollow
about 200 yards from here.
This is weird stuff we're
dealing with here, Blackwood.
Bolas! Terrorists that
don't act like terrorists!
Terrorists that don't
die like terrorists!
I actually saw a body dissolve
after I shot it.
HARRISON: We all saw some fairly
extraordinary
phenomena, Colonel.
IRONHORSE: Well,
when in God's name
is somebody going to start
explaining things to me?
HARRISON: I've already explained
as much of it as I understand myself.
You've explained
nothing, mister!
I don't believe in ghosts,
and I sure as hell
don't believe in aliens
from another planet.
Excuse me for sounding uptight,
but can we argue about
this someplace else?
Too many variables.
Strength unknown.
Resources unknown.
Purposes, goals, locations
unknown, unknown
unknown.
I can only tell you what I saw.
What we all saw, Uncle Hank.
It was horrible.
Those things were
not people anymore.
But I do have a theory
about cell-face matching...
Suzanne, whatever you
and Dr. Blackwood saw
no matter how extraordinary,
cannot be considered
as evidence.
Well, talk to your Colonel.
He was there.
The Colonel and
I talked at length.
Admittedly, something
incredible did take place.
However, Colonel Ironhorse
is not yet ready to attribute
those events to aliens
from another world.
He's more comfortable believing
the Russians have
some secret weapon
that makes us all see
things that aren't really there.
Colonel Ironhorse is a
highly effective warrior, Doctor.
He's been trained
to deal in absolutes.
In this case, General,
he is absolutely wrong.
I agree.
And so do a few
of my superiors.
However, they want this
entire matter kept hush-hush.
Hold it, General.
Nobody's going to silence me
the same way they silenced
Dr. Forrester 35 years ago.
What happened to your
adoptive father, Doctor,
was unfortunate for all of us.
However, the
President... My superiors...
Would rather this not
become a political issue.
They don't want to ignore this.
They want it kept quiet.
And I'm here to offer you a job.
Find the aliens, Doctor,
and stop them before
they do more harm.
And I can do things my way?
Completely.
Your own people,
your own methods...
Anything you want.
Naturally, we'll have
to establish certain...
security procedures.
What kind of procedures?
To protect you and
your colleagues.
To protect the
secrecy of the project.
Nothing, I assure you, Doctor,
you wouldn't do yourself.
Aside from that, you
have a blank check.
But you'll need a cosigner.
I believe you all
know one another?
SUZANNE: You haven't said a word
for two hours.
DEBI: Why do we have to move?
Honey, it's business.
It's always business.
It's only for a little while.
It's always for a little while.
Debi, pouting is not
going to change things.
I'm not pouting.
I know it's difficult
to leave your friends,
but you'll make new ones.
I hate making new friends.
Debi...
[ sullen sigh]
I know relocating
is inconvenient,
but it's only short-term, until
we neutralize the problem.
What makes you
think this neutralizing...
I really like that word...
The aliens will be that easy?
IRONHORSE: I don't care
how many of those things
are out there, Doctor.
They have no heavy
weapons, no resources.
We'll track them down.
We'll make alien
sushi out of them.
This is it.
Welcome to government
property #348
also known as "The Cottage"...
25 totally secure acres
in the middle of nowhere.
Without proper authority...
no one comes in...
no one gets out.
NORTON: Hmm.
Makes pizza
deliveries a bit rough.
[ horse whinnying]
A horse!
You didn't tell
me about a horse.
Honey, I didn't
know about a horse.
Can I...
can I go see it?
I thought you hated
making new friends.
Oh, Mom!
Anyway, you always promised
I could take riding lessons.
I always said maybe you could.
Be careful.
Well, hello.
Come on inside so we
can all get acquainted.
We remain here
until all is ready.
[ whirring]
Wow!
My very own supercomputer!
Forward, Gertrude!
[ laughing]
What did you do, Colonel,
read my Christmas list?
Whoa, Gertrude!
Well, you can't be
expected to do the job
if you don't have the
equipment, Mr. Drake.
Well, keep up that
attitude, Colonel,
and I might even
get to like you.
Well...
Someone sure spent a fortune.
Well, the government
wants to see
that everyone's happy, Doctor.
Well, now all I
have to do is find...
No, better yet,
create... a bacteria
that is impervious to
radiation, lethal to aliens,
and absolutely
harmless to humans.
Maybe I could just cure the
common cold in my spare time.
Well, if you find yourself
with any spare time, Doctor,
you must be doing
something wrong.
Uh... h-have a nice day.
[ knocking]
Doctor?
Somebody obviously wanted
to make me feel right at home.
Perfect copy of
your office, isn't it?
As if my life before
this thing didn't matter...
or never really existed at all.
IRONHORSE: Since my
great-great-grandfather
was shaman of our tribe...
DEBI: What's a shaman?
A shaman is a spiritual leader...
Sometimes called a medicine man.
He is the most respected
man in the tribe...
More even than the chief.
Anyway, the warriors, they
brought their strange discovery
to my great-great-grandfather
to find out what it meant.
What was it?
It was a flat rock
with drawings on it
that no one had
ever seen before.
It was very old, too.
Older than the
nearby cave drawings,
or the drawings on ancient
pieces of buffalo hide
that had been passed down
through the generations.
What kind of drawings?
IRONHORSE: I'm
glad you asked that.
They were of a
man wearing a bowl
that covered his entire head.
And his eyes glowed,
and he carried a wand.
A magic wand?
It seemed like magic
because the wand,
it threw out bolts of light.
Well, my great-
great-grandfather,
he took the rock, and he went
into the desert for one
moon... That's about a month...
And when he came back,
he gathered everyone
in the tribe together,
and in a very strong voice,
even though he was very
weak and hungry, he said,
"We know that our people
were the first to walk this Earth.
But... others came before us."
Wow. What did they do then?
They... fired him and got
themselves a new shaman.
You made that up!
Only the last part, Debi.
The rest... I-I don't know.
Bedtime.
Oh, Mom.
Mmm, complain while
you're getting ready for bed.
Good night, everyone.
ALL: Good night.
Sleep tight.
You folks gonna be here long?
Well, we hope
not, Mr. Kensington.
I mean, no offense meant.
And none taken, Dr. Blackwood.
You stay here as
long as you have to.
Now, what sort of
a question was that?
Well, we might have
to restock the pantry.
I take care of the pantry.
The grounds is your job.
I guess I'd better check
the security system
and turn in.
Good night, all.
Colonel, you really
believe that story?
Indian folklore, Mr. Drake.
Nothing more... nothing less.
HARRISON: Funny
thing about folklore.
Almost always there's
an element of truth in it.
ALIEN 1: All is well.
ALIEN 2: We are strong again,
and ready to
resume our invasion.
ALIEN 3: Not too
hastily, comrade.
ALIEN 4: Our ship's
onboard computers
must finish their
preflight checks first.
ALIEN 1: We've been patient
for so many years.
We can afford to
wait a bit longer.
Doc, I'm getting nowhere fast.
Without more information,
all the supercomputers
in the world
can't decipher the
alien radio signals.
[ sighing]
We'll have to
reconceptualize our approach.
You're talking to the king
of reconceptualization.
What we need,
good buddy, is a clue.
I mean, even linguists
needed the Rosetta Stone
before they could
read hieroglyphics.
We got diddly-squat.
Well, we've got
Dr. Forrester's old research.
We've got photocopies
of some alien maps.
Maybe you can find
your Rosetta Stone in here.
Norton...
the number three mean
anything special to you?
It sure meant something
special to the aliens.
Think about it.
Their ships flew
in groups of three.
Their optics were
divided into three units.
They attacked their targets
from three different directions.
Even their weapons...
The bolas... Had
three weighted ends.
Three, Norton.
Think three.
I know the answer is there.
Number three.
I'll think on it.
What have we got to lose, huh?
Suzanne.
Huh?
You missed dinner.
Well, you sleep
one hour out of five,
I miss meals, especially
when I'm working.
You find something interesting?
Mmm. Have a look.
What is it?
You tell me.
This is the tissue sample
you took from the
dissolved body?
Mm-hmm, but it's not
exactly human anymore.
Then what is it?
Half human, half alien.
It's as if the cells
from both species
have merged to create
something new, unique.
And this sustains your
cell-face matching theory?
Oh, no, Dr. Blackwood.
You're not going to
peg me to a conclusion
that I haven't had
time to prove yet.
Fair enough, Dr. McCullough.
Suzanne.
Yeah?
Good work.
Thanks, Harrison.
Thanks a lot.
NORTON: Bingo!
I've got it!
Harrison, Ironhorse!
Yes, absolutely, undoubtedly.
[ chuckles] They said
it couldn't be done.
Suzanne, come here!
Well, they didn't factor
Norton Drake into the equation,
now, did they?
A-ha!
I cracked the alien lingo.
By the way, Doc,
thank you for telling me
to think three... This
is all Base Three.
It's beautiful.
And this is what I came up with.
One, two, zero, one.
No, no, no, look, look.
The top line is two
to the seventh power.
The bottom line is to the third.
Now, two to the seventh is 128.
And two to the third is eight!
But what do the
numbers represent?
Well, am I supposed to
do everything around here?
How am I supposed to
know what it represents?
Maybe it's a coded message.
It's too primitive.
Even crude codes use large
prime numbers as keys.
When the soldier's
right, he's right on.
This is no code, this is pure.
But pure what?
HARRISON: Eh,
we're overthinking this.
We're digging too deep.
Giving the aliens
too much credit.
Assuming the obvious?
Thereby overlooking the obvious.
I think I'm missing something.
You'll have to go
on one of Harrison's
little field trips.
[ sighs]
[ handles object]
You've loaded all
Dr. Forrester's material
into the Cray?
Stayed up all last night.
How long to run a basic
substitution program?
Those numbers
versus the material
in the alien documents?
[ chuckling]: With this little
baby here, about ten seconds.
[ beeping]
[ Norton typing]
[ typing continues]
Coordinates on their maps?
Why not?
[ beeping]
Right there.
That looks like the
middle of nowhere to me.
Well, if the aliens
consider it important,
we'd be wise to do the same.
It's important, all right.
That's Kellogue Air Force Base.
They're planning
to overrun the base.
I've got to get General
Wilson on this immediately.
Think about it first, Colonel.
Think about it the
way an alien would.
Why attack an Air Force base?
Now, you said it yourself.
Without resources,
without weapons,
even at full strength,
even by surprise,
their attack would have
no chance of success.
[ cradles phone receiver]
But there's still something here
we're not seeing.
And we won't...
until we start looking at
things the way the aliens do.
If you expect me to climb into
the heads of these, these creatures,
you've got to give
me more to go on.
Okay, they're soldiers,
the same as you.
Now, you tell me.
How do soldiers think?
I spent four years at the Point,
15 more active duty.
Hell, Doctor, I'm not
sure I do think anymore.
I-I... I react.
Okay, start there.
You're their leader.
React to your situation.
Okay, I'd need
good intelligence.
Know your enemy.
Communications: they
already seem to have that.
Supplies: you've got
to keep the troops fed.
Weapons... Definitely weapons.
They don't have any.
Or at least none that
amount to anything.
That's their primary weakness.
Which makes it our strength.
Have you ever
heard of Hangar 15?
No.
The place where the Air Force
stores all its UFO evidence?
You mean Hangar 18.
Or Building 18 at
Wright-Patterson?
Forget it, Doctor.
That's all a myth.
No.
Hangar 18 is the myth, Colonel.
That's disinformation
created by the military.
Hangar 15...
That's the real McCoy.
I don't believe it.
Dr. Forrester did.
It's in his papers.
I think now might be the
time to call General Wilson.
Ask him if it's a myth.
♪ Where everybody ♪
♪ Knows your name ♪
♪ Dun-dun ♪
♪ And they're always
glad you came... ♪
This way.
♪ Sometimes you want to go ♪
♪ Where everybody
knows your name ♪
[ men laughing]
♪ And they're always
glad you came... ♪
The keys, where's the keys?
Where're the keys?
[ laughs]
I got 'em.
[ laughing]
What kind of
chopper pilot are you?
[ laughs]
Everything's under control.
Hey, Vic, you need a hand?
Uh, nah!
[ laughs]
Come on, Vic. Shake a leg.
IRONHORSE: Doctor?
Doctor.
You were right.
No, I was asleep.
According to General Wilson,
the government has had
three of the alien ships
mothballed in
Hangar 15 since 1953.
You want to guess as to
the location of Hangar 15?
Kellogue Air Force Base?
Right smack-dab in the middle.
You've read the
material, Colonel.
You know what happens
if the aliens get their
hands on those ships.
I haven't had a chance
to test this properly,
but I just hope it works.
I sure hope we
don't have to use it.
You ready? Let's go.
Did General Wilson
approve of our plan?
IRONHORSE: Enough
to grease the wheels
with the brass at
Kellogue Air Force Base
and to give us the specs
on Hangar 15's security system.
Well, I'll be able to
have this deciphered
before you even get there.
[ chuckles] We'll crack
that safe with no problem.
What the hell is this?
Nothing, just some bacteria.
Oh, I can give you
the scientific
names if you like.
That's not necessary, Doctor.
Oh, don't worry, Colonel.
It's absolutely
nontoxic to us...
under normal circumstances.
Colonel, can we go now?
We have a lot of ground to
cover. Just one moment, Doctors.
There's one last detail.
[ drum roll]
You're in the Army now.
Inspection in five minutes.
IRONHORSE: I'm
told the outlying areas
of your base have ideal terrain
for my company's
survival training, sir.
Well, if I'd had
some advance notice,
I could have made
the arrangements.
I know what you mean, General.
It was last minute for us, too.
Special mission coming up.
I can't really talk about it.
[ whispering]: Middle East?
It's about time.
Let me have Captain Williams
take you on your survey.
It's not really necessary, sir.
I think we can find our own way.
General Wilson said that we
shouldn't inconvenience you
in any way, sir.
[ snapping fingers] Always
glad when the Air Force
can lend a helping
hand to you Army boys...
And gals.
Keep me apprised.
Love to get a
piece of that action.
Yes sir.
Let's go, Corporal.
[ engine starts]
[ car door shuts]
Army.
[ helicopter propeller whirring]
[ speaking alien language]
[ responds in alien language]
[ speaking alien language]
Thanks, Colonel. I
don't believe in guns.
I'm sure the aliens
will respect that.
Okay, let's go, people.
Let's go.
[ speaking alien language]
All set on this end.
Wait ten seconds,
and then fire away.
[ beeping]
[ device trilling]
[ trilling]
[ latch clicks]
Wow.
Yeah.
HARRISON:
Dr. Forrester was right.
Come on. We've got work.
Are you sure we have
to do it this way, Doctor?
You tell me.
According to the research,
these ships produced a shield
making them impervious
to the nuclear blast.
[ buzzing]
[ hatch emitting steady hum]
After you, Doctor.
How are you supposed
to fly these things?
We never figured that out.
Dr. Forrester speculated
that the aliens
were somehow able
to use brain wave impulses.
Here.
You're the expert.
Think you'll be needing this?
Warn me next time you sneak up!
Oh!
I hope not...
I'm not even sure it will work.
Two down, one to go.
[ helicopter approaching]
What is it?
Helicopter.
Bad guys or good guys?
Considering what
we're doing, Doctor,
even the good guys are bad guys.
Bad, bad guys!
How much time do we have?
If we're not out of
here in ten minutes,
we're part of the fireworks.
[ speaking alien language]
Those are my men!
Not anymore.
[ speaking alien language]
Sergeant?
Reynolds! It's me!
My bacteria! It worked!
We can use this on them!
You better recheck
your calculations.
[ beeping]
Do you still have trouble
believing in aliens?
Now!
Your watch a
little fast, Colonel?
[ explosions]
We did it!
IRONHORSE: General Wilson is
taking care of the Joint Military Forces
Board of Inquiry.
I'm told that,
unofficially, of course,
the Board is predisposed
to lay the blame
on an unnamed
terrorist organization.
A whole lot closer to the truth
than they'll ever realize.
I'm just glad all of
this is behind us.
Is it? Is it really?
URICK: Our council allows
us no margin for failure.
CHAMBERS: The primitives have
proven to be unexpectedly clever.
EINHORN: Their
cleverness will not save them.
We will improvise.
CHAMBERS: As long
as we meet the deadline.
[ buzzer sounds]
Oop, right on time.
Mm.
BOTH: Hey...
Got some fresh
coffee in the shack.
Later, maybe.
When did you folks add
women to your crews?
Don't tell me you're
threatened by a woman, soldier.
Oh, no way, ma'am.
I just like 'em is all.
What a nice thing to say.
Hey, what's going on?
Liberation, my friend.
Lady! [ screams]
Just cool it, okay?
[ gun fires] [ man screams]
[ screams]
[ both scream]
[ screams]
[ screaming]
[ screams]
[ screams]
Casualties?
Not on our team.
Okay, listen up, people.
Mossoud, Einhorn,
do a body count.
Any stragglers...
Teal, Finney, set the
perimeter charges.
[ phone rings]
Let it ring.
The world's going to know
about us soon enough.
Hey, Finney, give me a
hand with this one, huh?
You check his pockets?
The guy's got
nothing worth taking.
HARRISON: A wise
man once said that
a person trying to know
something about everything
will eventually know
everything about nothing,
and that a person trying to
know everything about one thing
will eventually know
nothing about everything.
So, as you ladies and gentlemen
initiate your own explorations
into the theoretical and
experimental sciences,
it's crucial that you
always remember
that assumptions are
fraught with danger.
[ knocking]
To assume even the obvious...
to assume the obvious
is ofttimes to
overlook the obvious.
To help illustrate this point,
let me give you a
practical example.
Five, four, three, two, one.
[ man yelling]: Blackwood!
[ kids laughing]
This has all the markings
of another one of your
infantile practical jokes!
Jeffrey, I really think
you should see someone
about that scalp condition.
Ladies and gentlemen,
it gives me great pleasure
to introduce
Dr. Gutterman, who is going
to be the next stop
on your field trip.
Dr. Gutterman does not
subscribe to my assumption theory,
and that is why sometimes
things fall down on him
when he walks through doorways.
[ whispers]: I'll get
you for this, Blackwood.
I'm glad Dr. Jacobi's here
to witness this, Blackwood.
[ door shuts] Okay.
While Dr. Gutterman
regains his composure,
why don't you, uh,
look around the room
for a couple of minutes?
Inspiring young
minds is so rewarding.
Morning, Ephram.
Hi. Harrison Blackwood.
Suzanne McCullough.
I do wish you'd leave
that poor fellow alone.
What, and give
up all my fun? Ah.
I'm a firm believer that
a person's response
to a joke is a window
to their soul.
Does that include whoopie
cushions as well, Doctor?
Ephram, now that I've got you,
whatever happened to my
request for a microbiologist?
Have I ever denied
you, Harrison?
Dr. McCullough has
just joined the Institute.
She's yours if you want her.
Welcome aboard.
I gave up hand
buzzers years ago.
Assumptions are
dangerous things.
47 minutes.
We will be ready.
You know,
something about the irony
of pirating a US
communications satellite
to broadcast our demands
always makes me smile.
Smile on camera, no
one will take us seriously!
Well, then we'll just
have to blow up this dump
and send a big fat
radioactive cloud
of nuclear waste
floating over their nice,
middle-class homes! Right?
I floated between NYU
and MIT for my post-grad.
My first job was
with the Smithsonian,
then the Rand for a few years.
Then a secret
research facility in Ohio.
Well, I spent my whole
career right here...
most of my youth, too.
This place is like home to me.
Tell me, Doctor,
about the projects requiring
someone in my field.
Not "Doctor," it's Harrison.
I hate titles, especially
"doctor" titles,
especially when we're not
even talking MD doctors.
Okay, Doctor?
As for projects, I've
got hundreds of those,
but I think we're going to focus
on one or two important
ones to start with.
DEBI: Hi, Mom!
My daughter, Debi.
She's 11 going on 21.
Well, it's nice to see the
Institute's daycare center's
been put to good use.
For obvious reasons,
I would prefer not to work
too many nights and weekends.
Me either.
Being a parent really
does change your priorities,
doesn't it?
Well, I wouldn't
know about parenting.
I just hate to work
nights and weekends.
[ typing]
[ video game beeping]
[ grunts]
Norton.
No, six under, one to go.
Harrison, didn't your parents
teach you any manners?
Don't you know
you're not supposed
to interrupt a man
when he's standing at the tee?
What happened to,
"Jamaica... no problem, man"?
Even in Jamaica, it's only "no
problem" when it's no problem.
Who are you?
Suzanne. Suzanne McCullough.
Norton Drake.
Suzanne's the new microbiologist
that Ephram has
been promising us.
Oh. Too pretty to
be a microbiologist.
Microbiologists
are all nearsighted
and losing their hair.
[ laughs] Coffee?
Uh, no. Don't bother.
And miss the chance to show off?
Gertrude, back three.
Oop!
Left five. Forward 12.
Norton just loves to show off
his voice-activated dragster.
Right 45.
Got something even better.
Been refining the
blend for months.
One sip and you'll be weeping.
You like it black, I hope.
Yes, Norton. I like it black.
She can stay.
Mossoud!
Showtime.
Right behind you.
[ metallic crash]
Sound check?
Testing, one, two, three...
[ clears throat]
"We the Freedom Fighters of
the People's Liberation Party
"come to the World's
citizens with a list of demands
"beginning with the
immediate resignation
of the President of
the United States."
Perfect.
Five minutes.
Where's Mossoud?
He's on his way.
[ gasps]
Mossoud!
[ man screaming]
Who screamed?
Cover me.
[ alien grunting]
[ screaming]
[ sighs]
What the hell is going on?
[ eerie whirring]
Answer me, Mossoud.
[ speaking alien language]
[ knocking]
Come in.
If you're here to tell me your
lab is inadequate, make a list.
I'll see that Ephram
gets what you need.
Actually I am in
no position to judge.
After I changed, I
realized you hadn't told me
exactly what my job is.
I haven't?
I'm sorry. I've got this habit
of assuming other people
are on the same wavelength I am.
Did I tell you I had
Norton analyzing
radio transmissions
retrieved from deep space?
Yes. Trying to separate
background noise
from signals that might be
produced by intelligent life.
The problem is there's a
whole bunch of space to cover.
A bunch of wasted
space, practically speaking,
since the universe
is maybe ten
billion trillion times
as much empty space
as it is stellar material.
I need you to narrow our focus.
Huh.
Okay, I'll bite.
How am I supposed to do that?
Simple... by daydreaming...
about other worlds.
About the life-forms
they might support.
You give me
probables, possibles.
You give me what-ifs.
You give me a what-if life-form
and I can design a
model atmosphere
that can support it.
And that way we can
narrow our search from say,
oh, billions and
billions of possibilities
to maybe just-just a
few hundred million or so.
Excuse me, but isn't that
just the tiniest bit random?
Nah, not at all.
The universe is so
immense and Earth is so tiny,
I mean how do we
continue to insist
contrary to all
mathematical probabilities,
contrary to all logic
that we're the only intelligent
life-form in existence?
I never said we should.
Well, good.
You go to your room,
then, and, uh, daydream.
Daydream...
right.
Look, I have
always prided myself
on being a
result-oriented person.
That's a quality
we happen to share.
Well, then you can appreciate
that this is not the
typical challenge
that a result-oriented person
would choose to pursue.
I know.
Isn't it exciting?
[ beeping]
You should try taking naps.
It works for me.
[ eerie humming]
[ speaking alien language]:
ALIEN: These bodies are weak
and contaminated
by negative thoughts.
We would better accomplish
our mission in
our natural state.
ALIEN: Consensus is that
yours is not an
accurate statement.
These bodies protect
us from detection.
ADVOCATE: Until we know more,
we must use the
resources available to us.
ALIEN: We surrender
to your judgment
as always, Advocate.
ADVOCATE: We must release the
others so that our battle may resume.
ALIEN: There is no
time for transmutation.
Collect our
brethren as they are.
Without the guidance of
counsel, we are nothing.
You must make contact.
Agreed.
Once the council is
aware of our plight,
he will know how to proceed.
Their equipment is primitive.
But adequate if
properly refined.
Feeling any better about
daydreaming on company time?
I still find it a
little unusual.
Well, give it a few days.
If you're still having trouble,
I'll come up with something
more specific for you to work on.
I don't need to be
coddled, Doctor.
I'm perfectly capable
of working on any project
you can dream up...
by any rules you choose to make.
Sounds good to me.
Just don't forget my first rule.
If you're not
having a good time,
you're doing something wrong.
CHARLOTTE: Harrison.
Over here.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Way to go, McCullough.
Impress the boss.
Who's that?
HARRISON: New microbiologist.
Suzanne McCullough.
I thought microbiologists
were nearsighted and balding.
That's a common misconception.
We are late.
For...?
Bleaker-Williams Industries.
Their Founders' Ball.
I totally forgot.
Freud says people don't forget.
They simply choose
not to remember.
You're supposed to
be an interior designer...
Not a psychoanalyst.
Same thing.
Your tux is in the back.
You can change on the way.
Gee, thanks a lot, Sigmund.
Promise not to peek?
Not a chance.
Now we wait.
Yes, I'm sure it is.
And what else do you do...?
Excuse me.
Do you have any idea
who you were just talking to?
Yep, Howie and Marge.
Howard and Margaret Bleaker!
AKA
Mr. and Mrs. CEO
of Bleaker-Williams Industries.
They'll always be
Howie and Marge to me.
Oh, Harrison!
Be serious.
Believe me, Char,
I haven't said anything
to embarrass you.
Well, it is not me
we are talking about.
These people can be
very important to you...
If you would ever
agree to give up
that ridiculous research you do
and move into
the private sector.
I like ridiculous research.
Having second thoughts
about marrying somebody
who makes half
as much as you do?
None.
Just trying to convince that
man to live up to his potential.
Telephone, Dr. Blackwood.
A drink, ma'am?
HARRISON: Charlotte may
never speak to me again,
seeing I left a
very important party
that I did not want to
be at in the first place.
Got us a fresh batch
of radio intercepts
I think you'll be
interested in perusing.
Norton, get some sleep.
I've seen these radio
wave patterns before.
Several times, in fact.
You've seen these before.
Radio patterns collected
from a point in space.
I'll give you the
coordinates later.
Those patterns originated
from a broadcast point on Earth.
You're sure?
Of course I'm sure!
That's why I yanked you from
a party you didn't want to be at!
Just notice the parity
between the two.
Don't even try to figure
out the contents, Harrison.
Just look at the patterns.
That's a signal.
That's a response.
That's a response
to the first response.
And there's a response
to the second response.
By God...
communication!
On the money.
I can't wait to see
what the supercomputer
has to say about this.
Reserve priority
time if you need to.
Oh, now, whoa, Doc, slow down.
You are talking megabucks.
How are you going to justify
that to the penny-pinchers?
Norton, the Cray is the
best computer in the world.
Don't ask me. Ask it!
[ electrical buzzing]
URICK: The transponder
signal is very strong.
Triangulating the
location of our ships
should not prove difficult.
All is well.
Our mission will succeed.
We will live life immortal.
CHAMBERS: It is time to leave.
If I don't leave this
joint and bag some Zs,
I'm going to start
getting cranky.
Not until you give
me what I want.
Study your history, Doc.
Slave driver mentality
never did work.
There... the location
of your transmissions.
Now will you let me
pass out in peace?
You're welcome!
Any time!
No problem!
Home, Gertrude.
Uh, good morning.
Listen, I'm sorry if I was a
little blunt last night, but...
Pack a bag. We're taking a trip.
We are? Why?
Won't know that
until we get there.
Hi. I was just
going to call you.
Are you mad-mad or just mad?
Oh, Harrison, how could you?
That party was important.
Char, my work is important, too.
Bleaker-Williams wants you,
but they won't wait forever.
I like what I'm doing.
Won't you even discuss it?
We have discussed this.
Not to a satisfactory
conclusion.
We can talk about it over
dinner tonight or... whatever.
Char...
I've got to leave town.
Why?
I don't think you'd understand.
Try me.
It has to do with an
anomalous parity of radio waves
being intercepted from space
and others emanating from Earth.
I don't understand.
Char, it's only overnight,
and I promise I'll make it
up to you when I get back.
[ trills lips exasperatedly]
Can you handle a
four-wheel drive?
When I have to.
Where are we going?
Map's on the dash.
The route's in red.
IRONHORSE: My boss is leaning
on me, so I'm leaning on you.
I want to know what
happened in there
and I want to know yesterday.
Lieutenant, a US
Army installation
has been compromised.
Our superiors expect credible
explanations, not excuses.
I want "whys" and "wherefores"
by 1800 hours, mister!
You said you wanted a look-see.
Is it clean?
More or less, sir.
Well, actually more
less than more.
But the tech sergeant swore
there wasn't enough radiation
on this batch to take
more than a few months
off your life.
Why am I not
reassured, Sergeant?
[ distant explosion]
Setting off booby traps, sir.
Thank you, Sergeant.
SUZANNE: Harrison, wake up.
HARRISON: Uh-oh.
Don't mention what
it is we're doing here.
SUZANNE: No problem.
You still haven't told me yet.
Afternoon.
HARRISON: Up until
Norton came along,
the main radio telescopes
were the very large
array in New Mexico
and the, uh, thousand-foot
antenna in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Of course, it's speculation
that other life-forms would
even use radio signals
instead of something a
little more sophisticated,
but since we have
no way of knowing,
we have to use the tools we have
to figure out the
tools they have.
You're ready to stand
the scientific community
on its ear, aren't you?
Given half a chance.
Remember, they're only entitled
to your name, rank and
social security number.
Dr. McCullough?
Uh, yes?
Blackwood.
Present and accounted for.
I've checked.
You're clear to leave.
But we don't want to leave.
We, uh, want to wander
on down the road apiece.
Sorry, that's in the vicinity
of a restricted
military installation.
But these are public roads.
Presently under
military authority.
Besides, there's
nothing for you to see.
Which explains your reluctance
to let us see for ourselves.
We can do this one of two ways.
You can turn around and go home,
or you can force me to detain
you until I've had a chance
to reverify your backgrounds.
With the Army, that's been
known to take several days.
Which is it, doctors?
Is it, uh, Captain?
Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse.
Ah, does it make any
difference, Colonel,
that we both have
top secret clearances?
Not to me, it doesn't.
Around here, it's
"need to know," doctor,
and you don't need to know.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Aren't you the slightest
bit curious as to what
may have brought us
out here in the first place?
Officially, I can't ask.
Last night, one of my associates
intercepted some
radio transmissions
originating from this location.
What kind of transmissions?
For the moment, let's just
say that they were, uh...
they were highly unusual.
You wouldn't happen to have
a copy of these
unusual transmissions?
Is this the beginning of
a negotiation, Colonel?
IRONHORSE: If it was
just the ambient radiation,
I could fit you into protective
gear and send you in,
but whoever overran
the installation
did a very professional job of
booby-trapping the entire area.
You'll have to be
satisfied with our remotes.
Back up.
I said... Back up, soldier.
Focus on those barrels.
Doctor.
Tell him!
Camera three, zoom in.
Zooming in.
SUZANNE: What is it?
Ask him if there are
any more barrels like that.
Camera three, what's the
count on barrels in this condition?
The count is still incomplete.
We still have two
quadrants to check.
It appears we have, uh, six.
Six? Only six?
But there were hundreds.
Maybe thousands!
What is his problem?
Show me those barrels again.
What the hell did he see?
Are you okay?
We have to leave.
Now, damn it!
[ laughing]
Hey, take it easy, Orel.
You can curl up in the
Ford and sleep it off.
[ laughing]
I don't want to
sleep. I ain't tired.
We'll argue about it later.
I don't want to
argue. I ain't mad.
[ laughing]
Why don't you let
me do that, fellow?
Well, have it your way.
Where you headed?
Oh...
Where you coming from?
Talkative, ain't you?
[ chuckles]
Hey, let me finish up.
Son...
you best start being
a mite more careful
about being out in
the sun without a hat.
You folks got
some kind of commutable
disease or something?
Gee, Doc...
what say we drop over to
Jed's for a jar of moonshine?
Will this be cash or credit?
Doc...
[ screams]
[ warning horn blaring]
[ indistinct shouting]
[ indistinct shouting]
Oh, thank God you're still here.
I'm not. I'm leaving.
I've got something I
want to try out on you first.
There's more?
You're not satisfied with
having dragged me out
into the middle of nowhere
looking for who knows what?
Or having me drive all night,
seven hours without a stop,
without you uttering
one single word?
What more could you
possibly want to try out on me?
I have worked hard,
damn hard, to get where I am.
And mistreatment is not
part of my job description.
What would you say
if I told you that Earth
was being invaded by
aliens from another planet?
Read my letter.
I'm serious.
Okay.
See a psychiatrist first.
Then read my letter.
It's my resignation.
Okay, I've upset you.
You're quitting.
I am quitting you,
not the institute.
Dr. Jacobi was
very understanding.
You can still listen to what
I have to say, can't you?
In 1953, we experienced
what can only be described
as a war of the worlds.
If it wasn't for common,
everyday bacteria
attacking the aliens'
immune systems
they would have won this war
and you and I would not
be having this conversation.
But we are having
this conversation,
which I don't want.
So I fail to see your point.
My point is
that although the
bacteria stopped the aliens,
I don't think it killed them.
Excuse me, but I think
you have been sitting
too close to your
television set.
Really.
How do you explain
the radio signals?
How do you account
for the barrels?
Barrels that entombed
what were supposed
to be dead aliens
forced open from the inside?
What the hell happened
to the hundreds of other barrels
that used to be
stored in that location?
Just because I don't have
an answer doesn't mean
there isn't a logical
explanation for your paranoia.
I am attempting to offer
you a logical explanation.
In 1953,
bacteria forced the aliens
into a state of hibernation,
or suspended animation
or aestivation or antibiosis.
I don't know the terms.
That's your field, not mine.
But now something has
happened to wake the aliens up.
That nuclear disposal site
was hot with
radioactivity, right?
Maybe that's it.
Maybe the bacteria
which infected the aliens
is now being wiped out
by exposure to radiation.
So now the aliens,
hundreds of them...
At least.
Are loose?
Yes.
You're nuttier than I thought.
That doesn't make me wrong!
At least, listen to my proof.
I have to go... away.
Far away.
[ sighs]
Don't touch me.
Please.
OREL: This thing
looked like a gorilla,
only it weren't no gorilla,
'cause I seen a gorilla
one time at the zoo,
and this gorilla
didn't have no hair
like that other gorilla did.
This thing picked up old Doc
by the throat and throttled him.
Can you identify
anybody else, Orel?
Maybe did you get a license?
License?!
I'm telling you
about gorillas
that ain't gorillas
and you're asking
me did I get a license?
Uh, answer me this Sheriff...
How'd you ever get elected
asking dumb questions like that?
Morning, Sheriff.
Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse.
Yeah, Sheriff Deak.
What's the Army
doing out this way?
Colonel!
[ Geiger counter clicking]
They've been
through here for sure.
Scout the area, Sergeant.
All right, saddle up.
We had an incident
involving suspected terrorists.
There's a good chance
they've been through this area.
Terrorists?
Hot damn, I knew it!
Didn't I tell you, Sheriff?
I've been reading about
this here guerrilla warfare.
Only thing is, I didn't know
that those, uh, terrorists
use real gorillas.
The alien attack
wasn't three days old
before my parents were killed.
They were colleagues
of Dr. Forrester's.
Anyway, Dr. Forrester,
who was practically my
second father as it was,
ended up taking me in.
I grew up steeped
in this research,
listening to his theories.
I'd see how broken he was
when nobody took him seriously.
He said that if the
aliens invaded once,
they could do it again.
Nobody wanted to hear that.
He said that until we
did adequate research,
we couldn't even be sure
the aliens were really dead.
Apparently their
bodies weren't decaying
as might be expected.
Well, that really
drove people crazy.
Instead of expanding
its research,
the government
collected the alien remains
and sealed them in steel drums.
Out of sight, out of mind.
You still think I'm a nutcase?
Have you ever heard
of the African lungfish?
The lungfish can survive
for at least four years,
maybe as many as ten,
without water.
It goes into such a
profound state of anabiosis
that the average person would
think the fish was long dead.
However,
pour water over it
and it's like a resurrection.
The fish is alive
and swimming again.
So you don't think
I'm a nutcase?
Definitely a nutcase.
However...
like you said, that
doesn't make you wrong.
And I can always write
another resignation.
CHARLOTTE: We have to talk.
Look, Charlotte,
discussing my career
is going to have to wait.
It is us we have to talk about.
Honey, I leave for
Washington in 42 minutes.
Oh, is that more
important than us?
No, it's not like that.
But it is important.
Look, I can't tell you why,
but I know that when I do,
when I explain why
I'm doing all this,
that you will understand.
I want to understand now!
There is no time now.
I'll call you from the hotel.
GENERAL WILSON: That
is the most fantastic story
I think I've ever heard.
HARRISON: That's
no story, General.
That's scientific
theory supported by fact
presented in a logical
and a reasonable fashion.
I'm a respected astrophysicist.
I'm not some kook
spouting UFO stories.
Oh, I don't mean to
suggest otherwise, Doctor.
That you were brought
here by my niece
gives you more credibility
than I think you realize.
Niece? You told me that
he was your father's friend.
Uncle Hank is my
father's favorite brother.
And you're my favorite niece.
Unfortunately, Doctor,
I'll need some hard evidence
before I can act on your theory.
Now this morning,
I read a report
based on the incident
you make reference to
which suggests the
work of a terrorist group.
What the hell are they called?
Oh, yes, "The People's
Liberation Party."
General, I'm trying to
warn you about something
a lot more insidious
than terrorists.
Why don't you try to look
at it from my point of view?
You don't have a point of view.
35 years ago these things
tried to take over the world.
They're completely ruthless
with absolutely
no sense of mercy.
My God, they killed my parents.
I'm truly sorry, Doctor.
You bring me something concrete
and I'll give you my word
I'll see to it that it
gets to the right people.
Suzanne.
Suzanne, you're making
some strange new friends.
Uncle Hank, he really does
believe what he's saying.
Hmm. You take care.
Thank you.
Miss Underwood,
put me on the President's
afternoon calendar.
And then connect me
with Lieutenant
Colonel Paul Ironhorse.
If you expect
people to help you,
you're going to have to be a little less
obstreperous and a little more gracious.
The world has no
time for gracious.
Norton, it's Harrison.
Uncle General Wilson
wants hard evidence.
That's exactly what
I'm going to give him.
Norton, we've got
some work to do.
HARRISON: Is there anything new?
Zip, zero, zed, nothing.
The bad guys are
maintaining radio silence.
Desk, Gertrude.
Ah, catch this riff.
Don't know what it's all about,
but you've got to admit them
bad guys sure got rhythm.
Is there anything
from the Cray on this?
No, definitely not into
musical appreciation.
It's still computing.
Suzanne, tell me something.
Tell me!
Well, using Dr. Forrester's
notes on the bacteria
that infected the
aliens in 1953,
exposing these,
on paper of course,
to radiation that's consistent
with that of the
disposal site...
Yes?
No bacteria survived
the exposure.
I was right!
Statistically,
your theory is possible.
No, Suzanne. I am right!
[ speaking alien language]
[ dialing phone]
CHARLOTTE: Hello.
Charlotte, hi, it's me.
We have to...
[ dial tone]
talk.
Damn.
Charlotte, come out here!
CHARLOTTE: Go away!
I want to talk to you.
No!
Look, I'm not leaving
until you come out here.
Well?
Do you love me?
Oh, you know I do.
Why?
Because you're smart
and you're beautiful.
You've got a great
sense of humor.
You've got an even
greater pair of legs.
You love me more than your work?
Oh, Charlotte, that's
not a fair question.
Yes, it is, and you
just answered it.
Now if you aren't leaving,
I'm calling the police.
Oh, great!
Go ahead, embarrass yourself,
in front of all your neighbors!
[ dogs barking]
Hi.
What took you so long?
[ phone ringing]
[ picks up phone]
Whoever this is,
it better be good.
Norton?
I'm on my way.
The transmission was
only a few short bursts,
but I managed to
pin down the location.
Drive hard, and you could
be there in about 11 hours.
No, we'll charter a helicopter.
Oh, easy, my friend.
Do you know how
much that's gonna cost?
How much does a
new world cost, Norton?
And where do you go to buy one?
You know, if you're right about
this, it's all academic anyway.
HUNTER 1: How much farther?
Oh, about half mile, maybe less.
If I don't get me some shuteye,
I won't be able to bag a deer
if it walks up and kisses me.
[ dog barking]
What is it, boy?
[ whirring]
HUNTER 1: They were
standing there in bunches.
HUNTER 2: Yeah, and
tell them about the fires.
HUNTER 1: Yeah, big
bonfires, and big hands...
long arms.
Okay, thank you.
Thank you very much, gentlemen.
I've never heard such
a crock of bull, Colonel.
Those two good old
boys are drunk as skunks.
They identified the truck that
we've been chasing, Sergeant.
I know, Colonel.
But the rest of their story?
Bonfires and voodoo ceremonies
in the middle of some
abandoned tourist attraction?
I think what we're talking
is 150-proof delusions.
Maybe.
I want a team
briefing in 15 minutes.
Everybody at 100%.
We move out in one hour.
Whatever you say, Colonel.
[ beeping]
This is as close
as we go until dark.
How do you do it?
Make yourself go
to sleep like that?
Body clock.
If I don't sleep one hour
every five, I'm worthless.
What?
It's time.
Now look,
we don't have to get
ourselves killed, okay?
I'm going to get close enough
to get some instrument readings.
And I want you to stay back
and record everything
with the camera.
Okay. Okay.
[ muffled scream]
Suzanne!
Blackwood!
Promise not to scream,
I'll take my hand away.
What are you doing here?
No, Doctor, what
are you doing here?
You wouldn't believe
me if I told you.
Probably not.
I listened to that
tape you gave me.
Transmissions
made by terrorists.
20 minutes of The Best of
Buddy Rich is more like it, Doctor!
Got a problem with homegrown
American music, Colonel?
Sergeant!
You're about to witness
a rare event, Doctor.
Delta Squad in action.
Any time, any
place, any objective.
Colonel!
Colonel, you can't!
You've got no idea.
You've got no concept
of what you're getting into.
A few terrorists, small arms,
a poorly defended perimeter
my men might even be
overprepared, Doctor.
Colonel, no!
Colonel, you're gonna
make a horrible mistake!
Colonel, please!
For the sake of your men!
[ explosion]
Damn! They're not even here!
Yeah, well, you can
thank God for that, Colonel.
[ gunfire]
[ screaming]
Who are these people?
No, Colonel, don't.
[ screaming]
[ screaming]
Wait here!
It's about time, Blackwood!
Cut me loose!
Later!
Later? Do it now or
there won't be any later.
Hold on!
Cut me loose!
Blackwood, no!
Who are they, Blackwood?
What are they?
Later!
Let's get Suzanne
and get out of here!
Where's Suzanne?
I told her to wait right here.
No! You'll compromise
our position.
Come on, we've got to put some
distance between us and them.
Not without Suzanne.
You saw what they did to my men.
If those things have her,
there's nothing we can do.
Ironhorse, we've got to try.
Forget her, Harrison.
She's had it.
I'm not leaving.
Okay, but I'm digging in.
Nothing. You?
I never should have
brought Suzanne along.
It wasn't your fault.
Then whose was it?
She had to be one of the
most uptight ladies I've ever met,
but at least she believed me.
Thank God! You're all right!
Oh!
I am not uptight!
I am a professional!
Who does not know
how to follow orders.
Now you were supposed to
stay out of sight in the woods.
You neglected to tell me
that those things, aliens
or whatever they are,
would be crawling all over.
By the time I worked
my way down here,
you and the Colonel were
doing your off-road routine.
So I figured this would be the
best place to wait things out.
Where are they?
Long gone.
They had their
truck hid in a hollow
about 200 yards from here.
This is weird stuff we're
dealing with here, Blackwood.
Bolas! Terrorists that
don't act like terrorists!
Terrorists that don't
die like terrorists!
I actually saw a body dissolve
after I shot it.
HARRISON: We all saw some fairly
extraordinary
phenomena, Colonel.
IRONHORSE: Well,
when in God's name
is somebody going to start
explaining things to me?
HARRISON: I've already explained
as much of it as I understand myself.
You've explained
nothing, mister!
I don't believe in ghosts,
and I sure as hell
don't believe in aliens
from another planet.
Excuse me for sounding uptight,
but can we argue about
this someplace else?
Too many variables.
Strength unknown.
Resources unknown.
Purposes, goals, locations
unknown, unknown
unknown.
I can only tell you what I saw.
What we all saw, Uncle Hank.
It was horrible.
Those things were
not people anymore.
But I do have a theory
about cell-face matching...
Suzanne, whatever you
and Dr. Blackwood saw
no matter how extraordinary,
cannot be considered
as evidence.
Well, talk to your Colonel.
He was there.
The Colonel and
I talked at length.
Admittedly, something
incredible did take place.
However, Colonel Ironhorse
is not yet ready to attribute
those events to aliens
from another world.
He's more comfortable believing
the Russians have
some secret weapon
that makes us all see
things that aren't really there.
Colonel Ironhorse is a
highly effective warrior, Doctor.
He's been trained
to deal in absolutes.
In this case, General,
he is absolutely wrong.
I agree.
And so do a few
of my superiors.
However, they want this
entire matter kept hush-hush.
Hold it, General.
Nobody's going to silence me
the same way they silenced
Dr. Forrester 35 years ago.
What happened to your
adoptive father, Doctor,
was unfortunate for all of us.
However, the
President... My superiors...
Would rather this not
become a political issue.
They don't want to ignore this.
They want it kept quiet.
And I'm here to offer you a job.
Find the aliens, Doctor,
and stop them before
they do more harm.
And I can do things my way?
Completely.
Your own people,
your own methods...
Anything you want.
Naturally, we'll have
to establish certain...
security procedures.
What kind of procedures?
To protect you and
your colleagues.
To protect the
secrecy of the project.
Nothing, I assure you, Doctor,
you wouldn't do yourself.
Aside from that, you
have a blank check.
But you'll need a cosigner.
I believe you all
know one another?
SUZANNE: You haven't said a word
for two hours.
DEBI: Why do we have to move?
Honey, it's business.
It's always business.
It's only for a little while.
It's always for a little while.
Debi, pouting is not
going to change things.
I'm not pouting.
I know it's difficult
to leave your friends,
but you'll make new ones.
I hate making new friends.
Debi...
[ sullen sigh]
I know relocating
is inconvenient,
but it's only short-term, until
we neutralize the problem.
What makes you
think this neutralizing...
I really like that word...
The aliens will be that easy?
IRONHORSE: I don't care
how many of those things
are out there, Doctor.
They have no heavy
weapons, no resources.
We'll track them down.
We'll make alien
sushi out of them.
This is it.
Welcome to government
property #348
also known as "The Cottage"...
25 totally secure acres
in the middle of nowhere.
Without proper authority...
no one comes in...
no one gets out.
NORTON: Hmm.
Makes pizza
deliveries a bit rough.
[ horse whinnying]
A horse!
You didn't tell
me about a horse.
Honey, I didn't
know about a horse.
Can I...
can I go see it?
I thought you hated
making new friends.
Oh, Mom!
Anyway, you always promised
I could take riding lessons.
I always said maybe you could.
Be careful.
Well, hello.
Come on inside so we
can all get acquainted.
We remain here
until all is ready.
[ whirring]
Wow!
My very own supercomputer!
Forward, Gertrude!
[ laughing]
What did you do, Colonel,
read my Christmas list?
Whoa, Gertrude!
Well, you can't be
expected to do the job
if you don't have the
equipment, Mr. Drake.
Well, keep up that
attitude, Colonel,
and I might even
get to like you.
Well...
Someone sure spent a fortune.
Well, the government
wants to see
that everyone's happy, Doctor.
Well, now all I
have to do is find...
No, better yet,
create... a bacteria
that is impervious to
radiation, lethal to aliens,
and absolutely
harmless to humans.
Maybe I could just cure the
common cold in my spare time.
Well, if you find yourself
with any spare time, Doctor,
you must be doing
something wrong.
Uh... h-have a nice day.
[ knocking]
Doctor?
Somebody obviously wanted
to make me feel right at home.
Perfect copy of
your office, isn't it?
As if my life before
this thing didn't matter...
or never really existed at all.
IRONHORSE: Since my
great-great-grandfather
was shaman of our tribe...
DEBI: What's a shaman?
A shaman is a spiritual leader...
Sometimes called a medicine man.
He is the most respected
man in the tribe...
More even than the chief.
Anyway, the warriors, they
brought their strange discovery
to my great-great-grandfather
to find out what it meant.
What was it?
It was a flat rock
with drawings on it
that no one had
ever seen before.
It was very old, too.
Older than the
nearby cave drawings,
or the drawings on ancient
pieces of buffalo hide
that had been passed down
through the generations.
What kind of drawings?
IRONHORSE: I'm
glad you asked that.
They were of a
man wearing a bowl
that covered his entire head.
And his eyes glowed,
and he carried a wand.
A magic wand?
It seemed like magic
because the wand,
it threw out bolts of light.
Well, my great-
great-grandfather,
he took the rock, and he went
into the desert for one
moon... That's about a month...
And when he came back,
he gathered everyone
in the tribe together,
and in a very strong voice,
even though he was very
weak and hungry, he said,
"We know that our people
were the first to walk this Earth.
But... others came before us."
Wow. What did they do then?
They... fired him and got
themselves a new shaman.
You made that up!
Only the last part, Debi.
The rest... I-I don't know.
Bedtime.
Oh, Mom.
Mmm, complain while
you're getting ready for bed.
Good night, everyone.
ALL: Good night.
Sleep tight.
You folks gonna be here long?
Well, we hope
not, Mr. Kensington.
I mean, no offense meant.
And none taken, Dr. Blackwood.
You stay here as
long as you have to.
Now, what sort of
a question was that?
Well, we might have
to restock the pantry.
I take care of the pantry.
The grounds is your job.
I guess I'd better check
the security system
and turn in.
Good night, all.
Colonel, you really
believe that story?
Indian folklore, Mr. Drake.
Nothing more... nothing less.
HARRISON: Funny
thing about folklore.
Almost always there's
an element of truth in it.
ALIEN 1: All is well.
ALIEN 2: We are strong again,
and ready to
resume our invasion.
ALIEN 3: Not too
hastily, comrade.
ALIEN 4: Our ship's
onboard computers
must finish their
preflight checks first.
ALIEN 1: We've been patient
for so many years.
We can afford to
wait a bit longer.
Doc, I'm getting nowhere fast.
Without more information,
all the supercomputers
in the world
can't decipher the
alien radio signals.
[ sighing]
We'll have to
reconceptualize our approach.
You're talking to the king
of reconceptualization.
What we need,
good buddy, is a clue.
I mean, even linguists
needed the Rosetta Stone
before they could
read hieroglyphics.
We got diddly-squat.
Well, we've got
Dr. Forrester's old research.
We've got photocopies
of some alien maps.
Maybe you can find
your Rosetta Stone in here.
Norton...
the number three mean
anything special to you?
It sure meant something
special to the aliens.
Think about it.
Their ships flew
in groups of three.
Their optics were
divided into three units.
They attacked their targets
from three different directions.
Even their weapons...
The bolas... Had
three weighted ends.
Three, Norton.
Think three.
I know the answer is there.
Number three.
I'll think on it.
What have we got to lose, huh?
Suzanne.
Huh?
You missed dinner.
Well, you sleep
one hour out of five,
I miss meals, especially
when I'm working.
You find something interesting?
Mmm. Have a look.
What is it?
You tell me.
This is the tissue sample
you took from the
dissolved body?
Mm-hmm, but it's not
exactly human anymore.
Then what is it?
Half human, half alien.
It's as if the cells
from both species
have merged to create
something new, unique.
And this sustains your
cell-face matching theory?
Oh, no, Dr. Blackwood.
You're not going to
peg me to a conclusion
that I haven't had
time to prove yet.
Fair enough, Dr. McCullough.
Suzanne.
Yeah?
Good work.
Thanks, Harrison.
Thanks a lot.
NORTON: Bingo!
I've got it!
Harrison, Ironhorse!
Yes, absolutely, undoubtedly.
[ chuckles] They said
it couldn't be done.
Suzanne, come here!
Well, they didn't factor
Norton Drake into the equation,
now, did they?
A-ha!
I cracked the alien lingo.
By the way, Doc,
thank you for telling me
to think three... This
is all Base Three.
It's beautiful.
And this is what I came up with.
One, two, zero, one.
No, no, no, look, look.
The top line is two
to the seventh power.
The bottom line is to the third.
Now, two to the seventh is 128.
And two to the third is eight!
But what do the
numbers represent?
Well, am I supposed to
do everything around here?
How am I supposed to
know what it represents?
Maybe it's a coded message.
It's too primitive.
Even crude codes use large
prime numbers as keys.
When the soldier's
right, he's right on.
This is no code, this is pure.
But pure what?
HARRISON: Eh,
we're overthinking this.
We're digging too deep.
Giving the aliens
too much credit.
Assuming the obvious?
Thereby overlooking the obvious.
I think I'm missing something.
You'll have to go
on one of Harrison's
little field trips.
[ sighs]
[ handles object]
You've loaded all
Dr. Forrester's material
into the Cray?
Stayed up all last night.
How long to run a basic
substitution program?
Those numbers
versus the material
in the alien documents?
[ chuckling]: With this little
baby here, about ten seconds.
[ beeping]
[ Norton typing]
[ typing continues]
Coordinates on their maps?
Why not?
[ beeping]
Right there.
That looks like the
middle of nowhere to me.
Well, if the aliens
consider it important,
we'd be wise to do the same.
It's important, all right.
That's Kellogue Air Force Base.
They're planning
to overrun the base.
I've got to get General
Wilson on this immediately.
Think about it first, Colonel.
Think about it the
way an alien would.
Why attack an Air Force base?
Now, you said it yourself.
Without resources,
without weapons,
even at full strength,
even by surprise,
their attack would have
no chance of success.
[ cradles phone receiver]
But there's still something here
we're not seeing.
And we won't...
until we start looking at
things the way the aliens do.
If you expect me to climb into
the heads of these, these creatures,
you've got to give
me more to go on.
Okay, they're soldiers,
the same as you.
Now, you tell me.
How do soldiers think?
I spent four years at the Point,
15 more active duty.
Hell, Doctor, I'm not
sure I do think anymore.
I-I... I react.
Okay, start there.
You're their leader.
React to your situation.
Okay, I'd need
good intelligence.
Know your enemy.
Communications: they
already seem to have that.
Supplies: you've got
to keep the troops fed.
Weapons... Definitely weapons.
They don't have any.
Or at least none that
amount to anything.
That's their primary weakness.
Which makes it our strength.
Have you ever
heard of Hangar 15?
No.
The place where the Air Force
stores all its UFO evidence?
You mean Hangar 18.
Or Building 18 at
Wright-Patterson?
Forget it, Doctor.
That's all a myth.
No.
Hangar 18 is the myth, Colonel.
That's disinformation
created by the military.
Hangar 15...
That's the real McCoy.
I don't believe it.
Dr. Forrester did.
It's in his papers.
I think now might be the
time to call General Wilson.
Ask him if it's a myth.
♪ Where everybody ♪
♪ Knows your name ♪
♪ Dun-dun ♪
♪ And they're always
glad you came... ♪
This way.
♪ Sometimes you want to go ♪
♪ Where everybody
knows your name ♪
[ men laughing]
♪ And they're always
glad you came... ♪
The keys, where's the keys?
Where're the keys?
[ laughs]
I got 'em.
[ laughing]
What kind of
chopper pilot are you?
[ laughs]
Everything's under control.
Hey, Vic, you need a hand?
Uh, nah!
[ laughs]
Come on, Vic. Shake a leg.
IRONHORSE: Doctor?
Doctor.
You were right.
No, I was asleep.
According to General Wilson,
the government has had
three of the alien ships
mothballed in
Hangar 15 since 1953.
You want to guess as to
the location of Hangar 15?
Kellogue Air Force Base?
Right smack-dab in the middle.
You've read the
material, Colonel.
You know what happens
if the aliens get their
hands on those ships.
I haven't had a chance
to test this properly,
but I just hope it works.
I sure hope we
don't have to use it.
You ready? Let's go.
Did General Wilson
approve of our plan?
IRONHORSE: Enough
to grease the wheels
with the brass at
Kellogue Air Force Base
and to give us the specs
on Hangar 15's security system.
Well, I'll be able to
have this deciphered
before you even get there.
[ chuckles] We'll crack
that safe with no problem.
What the hell is this?
Nothing, just some bacteria.
Oh, I can give you
the scientific
names if you like.
That's not necessary, Doctor.
Oh, don't worry, Colonel.
It's absolutely
nontoxic to us...
under normal circumstances.
Colonel, can we go now?
We have a lot of ground to
cover. Just one moment, Doctors.
There's one last detail.
[ drum roll]
You're in the Army now.
Inspection in five minutes.
IRONHORSE: I'm
told the outlying areas
of your base have ideal terrain
for my company's
survival training, sir.
Well, if I'd had
some advance notice,
I could have made
the arrangements.
I know what you mean, General.
It was last minute for us, too.
Special mission coming up.
I can't really talk about it.
[ whispering]: Middle East?
It's about time.
Let me have Captain Williams
take you on your survey.
It's not really necessary, sir.
I think we can find our own way.
General Wilson said that we
shouldn't inconvenience you
in any way, sir.
[ snapping fingers] Always
glad when the Air Force
can lend a helping
hand to you Army boys...
And gals.
Keep me apprised.
Love to get a
piece of that action.
Yes sir.
Let's go, Corporal.
[ engine starts]
[ car door shuts]
Army.
[ helicopter propeller whirring]
[ speaking alien language]
[ responds in alien language]
[ speaking alien language]
Thanks, Colonel. I
don't believe in guns.
I'm sure the aliens
will respect that.
Okay, let's go, people.
Let's go.
[ speaking alien language]
All set on this end.
Wait ten seconds,
and then fire away.
[ beeping]
[ device trilling]
[ trilling]
[ latch clicks]
Wow.
Yeah.
HARRISON:
Dr. Forrester was right.
Come on. We've got work.
Are you sure we have
to do it this way, Doctor?
You tell me.
According to the research,
these ships produced a shield
making them impervious
to the nuclear blast.
[ buzzing]
[ hatch emitting steady hum]
After you, Doctor.
How are you supposed
to fly these things?
We never figured that out.
Dr. Forrester speculated
that the aliens
were somehow able
to use brain wave impulses.
Here.
You're the expert.
Think you'll be needing this?
Warn me next time you sneak up!
Oh!
I hope not...
I'm not even sure it will work.
Two down, one to go.
[ helicopter approaching]
What is it?
Helicopter.
Bad guys or good guys?
Considering what
we're doing, Doctor,
even the good guys are bad guys.
Bad, bad guys!
How much time do we have?
If we're not out of
here in ten minutes,
we're part of the fireworks.
[ speaking alien language]
Those are my men!
Not anymore.
[ speaking alien language]
Sergeant?
Reynolds! It's me!
My bacteria! It worked!
We can use this on them!
You better recheck
your calculations.
[ beeping]
Do you still have trouble
believing in aliens?
Now!
Your watch a
little fast, Colonel?
[ explosions]
We did it!
IRONHORSE: General Wilson is
taking care of the Joint Military Forces
Board of Inquiry.
I'm told that,
unofficially, of course,
the Board is predisposed
to lay the blame
on an unnamed
terrorist organization.
A whole lot closer to the truth
than they'll ever realize.
I'm just glad all of
this is behind us.
Is it? Is it really?
URICK: Our council allows
us no margin for failure.
CHAMBERS: The primitives have
proven to be unexpectedly clever.
EINHORN: Their
cleverness will not save them.
We will improvise.
CHAMBERS: As long
as we meet the deadline.