.
That the hundred of them sir,
The commander of what man?
Spaceship, sir!
In formation!
Spaceships.
That means only one thing more, Cyberman.
Dyson, see if you can get hold of Zeus 5.
I must speak to my son.
I'm trying, Doctor.
What's the matter, Doctor?
Doctor, what's the matter?
Hey, what's happened to him?
He's not well.
Please, do something, quick!
Yeah, he needs medical help, quick!
General!
Yes, what is it?
It's the Doctor!
He's passed out!
He's ill!
Look, I've got enough on my plate without worrying about him.
Get him down to one of the cabins and look after him.
You, give them a hand.
Yes, sir!
Coming through now, sir.
Good.
Snowcap to Zeus 5.
How do you read me?
Zeus 5 to Snowcap.
Ready to use.
Loud and clear.
Over.
Give me that.
Hello, sir.
Zeus 5?
Are you in here?
Yes, sir.
Are you experiencing any power loss?
Hey, that voice sounds familiar.
Repeat, any power loss?
You sound very head up down there.
Yeah, there's some loss of power when I'm in orbit on the same side of Earth as this
new planet, but it picks up again on the far side.
I guess I'm shielded there.
What happened to Williams and Schultz?
Well, you won't be meeting up and docking with them now.
There's been a little trouble.
So, what we have to do is get you down now.
I'm sorry, sir.
I'm afraid I can't.
Oh, fine time he picks for a kip.
Oh, come on, Polly...
we must get back to the control room!
We can't leave him!
Well, he seems all right.
His pulse and breathing are normal.
I don't understand it.
He just seems to be worn out!
Well, look, there's nothing we can do till the quack gets here anyway.
Come on.
All right.
Yes, well, let me know if there's any change.
Now look, son. We're getting readings on our screens down here of a large formation of spaceships.
Seen anything up there?
Sounds kind of spooky. No, I've not heard a report so far.
They're on your orbit, about 30 miles below you.
No, I can't see anything. But it's pretty dark down there.
Keep your eyes open. Report any sightings immediately, okay?
Check, sir.
Now take care, son. We'll get you down as soon as we can.
Out.
What do we do now?
I only hope I'm right.
Now listen, men.
The situation as I see it is this.
We've got three major problems on our hands.
One, my son has been sent up on a foolhardy mission and we've got to get him down.
Two, another visit from these creatures is almost a certainty.
And three, the Earth is being drained of its energy by this so-called planet Mondas, whatever it's called.
And there's nothing we can do about any of them.
That's where you're wrong, Mr. Dyson. We can do something. We can destroy Mondas.
But that's impossible.
Impossible is not in my vocabulary, Dr. Buckley.
And just how do you propose to do it?
By using the Z-bomb.
You can't do that!
I can and I will.
What about the radiation effects on Earth?
That's a risk we'll have to take.
But to use this bomb you'll have to get authority from Geneva.
I'll get authority, fella, right now. Get me Geneva.
What is the Z-bomb?
What is it? It's the doomsday weapon, mister.
And rightly primed, it could split that planet in half.
There are two or three at strategic positions around the globe.
We have one of them and the means of delivering it to Mondas.
Secretary Wigner, sir.
Secretary? Yes, General.
The expected attack, sir. They've been sighted in force.
Yes, I know. We've just got reports. They are coming in from all over the world.
And to make matters worse, the energy drain is increasing rapidly.
Open the communication lines with all the governments. Go on.
Right away.
Countler, you must hold on as best you can.
Yes, sir.
Request permission, sir, to take offensive action against this planet.
What action?
The Z-bomb, sir.
Mounted in the warhead of a Demeter rocket and fired at Mondas, it could destroy it.
We can't take the risk.
This might have disastrous effects both on Earth and the atmosphere.
We would have to consult our top scientists.
But there isn't time for consultation.
This is an emergency.
We must know exactly what we are doing.
But there isn't time. We'll have to take a chance.
No, General. You must take no precipitate action.
This is quite out of the question.
Yes, sir.
But you do give me authority to take any action necessary against the Cybermen?
Yes, of course. You must do all you can.
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
Right, gentlemen.
Prepare to stop the counter.
Surely you haven't got the authority to do so, Bob.
Secretary Wigner has given me authority to take any steps necessary to stop the Cybermen.
Yeah, but I'll bet that didn't include using the Z-bomb.
That is my order!
Look, tell him he can't use this bomb, Barkley. We'll all go with it.
Now look, you. Ever since you came into this base,
you and that old man have poked your noses into things that don't concern you.
Well, you've just done it for the last time.
You! Take him out of here and lock him up with a doctor.
But just a minute.
Are you sure there's only one way of dealing with the Cybermen?
As they are about to attack is yes, I am sure.
But there is another way. So wait.
I don't follow. But the doctor said that it's not only Earth that's in danger,
but Mondas itself is in far greater danger.
Otherwise, why would they bother coming here?
And just how does he figure that out?
It's draining energy from the Earth, isn't it?
Yes, but he said eventually it would absorb too much energy and burn itself out.
Or shrivel up to nothing. So all we've got to do is wait.
Wait? Sure, wait until those Cybermen friends of yours get here and take over this planet.
Oh, no, mister. We're not going to wait.
We're just going to accelerate the process a little.
We're going to make it disappear just a little bit sooner, that's all.
But don't you see, General?
A nuclear explosion on Mondas would deliver a terrific blast of radiation,
enough to destroy all the life on the side of the Earth that's facing it.
It might even turn into a sun, a sort of supernova.
And it would certainly destroy the space capsule.
That's a risk we'll have to take.
So far as the capsule is concerned, Dr. Buckley,
you are going to program that bomb so that it hits Mondas
at a time when my son is still alive.
And that it hits Mondas at a time when my son's robot
has taken them to the far side of the Earth.
There are no guarantees of success.
I'm not arguing, Doctor.
They're coming in closer, sir.
No, no, no, you stay here.
But what about the Doctor?
No, look after him. Look, you know what, Buckley, sir, I think he's scared.
So work on him. Get him on our side.
All right.
All right, Buckley. The bomb.
Well?
You have to be present at the fusing, General.
Dyson is not allowed to do it without you.
Okay, Dyson. Let's get on with it.
Can I stay and help?
What do you think you could do?
Well, I could make some coffee or something.
Oh, all right. I suppose we could do with some.
Now, don't lose contact with my son
and keep track of those Cybermen.
Let me know the moment an attack is imminent.
Yes, sir.
Doctor! Doctor!
What's the use?
There must be a way out of here somewhere.
They didn't make locks like that in 1966.
Hey, wait a minute.
I wonder where this leads to.
Right. We'll fuse it now.
Yes, sir.
Oh, come on, Buckley. What are we waiting for?
Last minute check, sir.
This little baby is going to solve all our problems.
Yes, sir.
Well, at least you agree with me.
Yes, sir.
Well, I'm going to have to get going.
Yes, sir.
I'm going to have to get going.
Yes, sir.
I'm going to have to get going.
Well, at least you agree with me, Dyson.
But if we get this away, do you think we stand any chance, sir?
What do you mean? There's no alternative.
The old man could be right. It might be better to wait.
Wait? Nothing.
History is littered with the guys who waited, and where did he get them? Nowhere.
There are the radiation effects.
I mean, nothing is known. The results of this bomb are quite incalculable.
You've never talked so much since you came to the base, Dyson.
What's the matter? Are you scared?
No. Not exactly.
Come on, man. Admit it. I am.
I'm scared for that son of mine.
That's why we've got to get this thing away.
Otherwise, we'll never get him down.
Well, come on, you fellas. Time's up. Let's get moving.
You can start now, sir.
Ready?
Right.
Seven, two.
Four, six.
Eight, eight, two.
Well, still can't raise that kind of factor, sir.
Well, keep trying, man. Keep trying.
Snowcapped to Zeus five. Snowcapped to Zeus five.
Come in, please.
Let me know the instant you hear from him.
Yes, sir.
Drive by the Hawaii relay.
Right.
Snowcapped to Zeus five. Snowcapped to Zeus five.
Snowcapped to Zeus five. Come in, please.
How do you like your coffee?
Oh, as it comes.
Are you trying to get in touch with General Cutler's son?
Look, you just keep your mind on making coffee, will you?
I'm sorry. That was rude.
You must be scared stiff at all that's happening.
I am rather.
Well, try not to worry about it.
If Mondash turns into a sun and pours out deadly radiation, how much will it affect us?
Oh, I don't know. It may not affect us at all.
I don't know what you said just now.
I know, but I'm not at all certain what would happen.
But what could happen?
Well, the radiation could affect us, and there'd be a certain loss of life.
And the vegetation would, well, suffer badly for many years.
And you're prepared to just let this happen?
Well, what can I do? Cutler holds all the cards.
Thirteen minutes to count. Don't talk about it.
Right.
Can't we wait? Fight off the Cybermen until Mondash is destroyed.
It would probably mean the end of Cutler's son, but that's one life against millions.
Yes, but what can I do? If I don't follow the General's orders,
he's bound to, well, carry on on his own without me.
You know, he's a very ruthless man.
Can't we pretend to follow his orders, but in fact make sure the rocket doesn't go off?
Anything to report?
Yes, sir. The signal on the screen is still there.
Fifteen hundred miles north-northeast.
It's been stationed for the last ten minutes.
Let me know the moment it starts to move.
Yes, sir.
Any word to my son?
Can't keep a read, General.
It's coming in fast. Course 0-1-5.
Where is it heading?
Straight in here, sir.
It must be.
Can't we miss our batteries?
No, I've got a better idea.
We'll let them land and then ambush them with their own weapons.
Put the whole base on red alert.
Very good, sir.
Now hear this. All base to red alert.
Repeat. All base to red alert.
Security.
Major.
We've got a faction one under snow camouflage.
Initiate them with the captured Saverman weapons.
Report to me on RT when complete.
How long till countdown?
Ten minutes.
They'll be here by then.
We'll have to hold them off and proceed as with a normal launching.
Yes?
Bomb's in position, sir. Will you check it now?
Right.
Just the time before the battle commences.
Push it.
Tom. What?
You may be able to help hurry before it's too late.
Ben?
Stroke, you gave me a turn in, Duchess.
How is he?
He's just the same.
The quack's been the same and says he'll be all right, though.
Dr. Barker's going to help us.
Good. Now look, is there anything we can do to stop this rocket?
Well, it can be immobilized quite simply if we can get into the rocket silo.
Well, can't you?
No, it's under constant guard.
If I or anyone else tried to tamper with the controls, we'd be discovered immediately.
Oh. Wait a minute.
Well, there is one way. I designed this part of the base.
That ventilator shaft leads straight into the rocket silo.
But I doubt if I could get into it with a dear tight squeeze.
But I might.
Well, though, if it leads into the rocket silo, would I need a radiation suit?
No, the top half is screened.
But there's a guard outside and an engineer checking instruments inside.
Couldn't we distract him, get him outside?
Perhaps. Now look, this is what you would have to do.
Yeah?
Along the side of the rocket, just level with the walkway,
there is a panel marked plug servo leads.
We'd need a screwdriver.
Well, I've got this knife.
Oh, that would do. Now, unscrew the panel, and inside you will see four small plugs.
Take out any one of them and snip off a pin and put it back.
What will that do?
Well, the fuel pump pressure will fall to zero at blast off.
You mean the engines won't work?
You mean we won't have a discovery?
Not in six months. It's not the sort of fault they look for.
The Cybermen!
Now look, this is what you'd have to do.
You come out of the ventilator shaft, down a ladder at the side.
Look.
Hmm.
I think we should wake up.
Now that's accounted for that lot.
Tell them to bring the captured weapons down to the guard room.
Barclay?
Where's Barclay?
I don't know, sir. He wasn't here when I got back.
Do you know where he went?
Maybe to the rocket silo.
I...
Burns, check my figures on the second stage booster.
Sir.
What are you doing here, Dr. Barclay?
General, I was just checking these with Haynes.
All right. Get him down to the tracking room.
You, check that rocket. See if he's done anything.
I can explain this, General.
Yes, I'm sure. Right now, you're coming with me. I need you.
We'll talk about this after that rocket's gone.
I'll be back.
That rocket's gone.
Now listen, I'm warning you.
If that rocket doesn't take off from Mundus, if my son's life is in jeopardy because of him,
I'll take the law into my own hands.
And that goes for you too, Dr. Barclay.
You'd just better make a good job of that launch.
Okay. Start the countdown.
Preliminary check is not complete, General.
See if you can get through to my son again.
Snowcap to Zeus 5. Snowcap to Zeus 5. Come in, please.
Zeus 5 to Snowcap. Reading you loud and clear. Over.
Give it to me.
Son. Son, have you seen any sign of those spacecraft yet?
No, I haven't seen a thing. There's just me up here at the moment. All on my lonesome.
Yeah. Well, watch it. They move mighty fast.
Well, when are you going to bring me down?
Well, we can't do it just yet. You'll have to hold on. We have to deal with Mundus first.
Hey, wait a minute. The capsule's getting a little slow on the controls.
What about your power?
It loses and then picks up again.
Yes, that's Mundus affecting it.
Don't worry, son. We'll get you down just as soon as we're able.
Well, it can't be too soon for me.
Good luck, son. Out.
Look, I'm going to need...
All systems ready to proceed with countdown. Barclay speaking. Check in, please.
Silo control.
Ben, Ben, please wake up.
Check.
Gantry team.
I want okay.
Fire control.
Check.
Fuel control.
Check. Search monitors.
Okay.
Bomb fuse team.
Complete it. Check.
Booster guidance.
Check.
We are starting at T minus two minutes.
Starting from...
Now!
Ben, you're all right.
Who's that?
Keep your voice down.
What happened?
T minus one fifty and counting.
Did you manage it?
Oh, my head is splitting.
Did you, Ben? Try and remember.
I can't think.
T minus one forty and counting. Clear silo.
Booster gyros on.
Silo clear.
We have a fault on range computer. Check circuits.
Stop the countdown.
That mean they found the fault?
I don't know.
What's the matter with those range computers?
T minus one thirty five. It had better be minor, Dr. Buckley.
Fault clear.
Proceed with countdown.
Starting from...
Now!
It's going to fire after all you've done.
T minus one twenty five.
Raise the missile.
T minus one five.
Everyone out of silo area.
Landmines away.
T minus fifty seconds.
Switch firing circuits to auto action.
Will do.
Countdown timing to automatic.
No, Doc. He did it in just a few seconds.
T minus forty seconds.
T minus thirty seconds.
T minus twenty seconds.
T minus ten seconds.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two...
...one.
The End.