WEBVTT
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Welcome, weirdos. I'm Darren Marlar. You've stepped into the horror
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fiction side of Weird Darkness. And it happens to be midnight.
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In the macabre.
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DARK NIGHT.
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The vast concrete runway stretched endlessly across the desert of
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the American Southwest. Against the backdrop of sand and scrub brush,
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a giant metal ship stood like a silver needle aimed
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at the stars. Its hull gleamed under the harsh desert sun.
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every rivet and seam, speaking of humanity's newest attempt to
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pierce the veil between Earth and the infinite black beyond.
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Countdown for blastoff. A loudspeaker crackled across the field. X
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minus five.
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Four. Three.
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Two.
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X minus one.
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Fire.
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The year was 1965, and in five minutes, test pilot
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Steve Weston would ride this experimental rocket beyond anything humans
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had achieved before. to the outer limit of Earth's atmosphere
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and perhaps beyond. Attention, attention! The announcement system blared. Clear
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field for takeoff. Clear field. Inside the control bunker, Hank
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Hansen checked his watch. Five minutes, Steve, he said. Steve's
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voice came through the radio, steady and confident. Right, he replied.
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Warmer up, Charlie, Hank instructed his chief engineer. I want
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to go over a procedure again, Steve. Hank said, unable
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to shake the knot of worry in his stomach. Don't worry,
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I got it straight, Steve assured him. We'll just make sure,
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Hank insisted. Okay, Steve began, his voice carrying the practiced
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cadence of a man who'd run through this a hundred times.
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I kick her up on jets to 50,000, then I
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cut in the rocket.
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No, lower, Hank interrupted, or your tail blast will burn
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out three counties.
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I climb four minutes on rockets, then start maneuver tests.
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Steve continued. Remember that. No more than four minutes, Hank warned.
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The ship is like those straddle rockets you've been testing.
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She's the first one built for outer space. If she works,
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you can go clear to the moon.
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Might have known I'd have brought my toothbrush.
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Steve quipped. Not this trip. Now get this, Steve. Hank said,
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his tone serious. You've got power there to clear the
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Earth's gravitational field, but remember, after you cut in the rockets,
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you've only got ten minutes' fuel. If you go beyond
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the outer limit and don't save fuel for the return,
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you won't get down again.
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Ever.
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You'll drift out into space. Get that now. Ten minutes' fuel. Okay,
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Steve acknowledged. Hank glanced toward the empty viewing gallery. As
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far as I'm concerned, this project is a lot more
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important than that cosmic ray bomb they're testing out in
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the Pacific tonight. The Security Commission brass doesn't think so.
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I don't see any undersecretaries or anything. Don't you worry, Steve.
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In the long run, our ship will make the CR
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bomb backpage stuff, Hank said. But in the meantime, it's
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just as dangerous. Now remember, half the principles in this
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ship are pure theory. Slide rule stuff. If anything goes wrong,
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we may have to scrape you off the landscape with
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a soup spoon.
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You have a charming sense of humor.
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Steve retorted. Here's what I'm getting at, Steve. We're risking
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your neck in this test, Hank explained. Anything blows, we
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don't want to have the next man pull the same boner.
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So keep your mic open, keep talking. If anything goes wrong,
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we want to know exactly why. And we won't be
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able to ask you. Let us know before you pull
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every switch, before you do anything. Got that? Even if
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you only have to blow your nose. Well, I guess
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that's about all, Steve, Hank said after a pause.
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Hey, that reminds me. If Mary calls, I'm just up
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on a milk run. I didn't tell her today was it.
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How is Mary?
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She's okay, but she's due about now and I don't
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want to get her nervous.
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Hey, I didn't know the baby was that close. Steve,
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you know I really ought to be sending a single
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man on this job.
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What, cut me out of a soft paycheck? Forget it, Hank.
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You know you can't get anybody else that can take
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15 G's acceleration when those rockets cut in.
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Yeah, I know, Hank said, checking his watch again. It's time, Steve.
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Yeah, I'll see you later, Steve replied.
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Don't worry, Hank. I'll sweat for both of us.
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Button her up, Charlie, Hank ordered.
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So long, Hank, Steve called out.
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So long, Hank said. We'll give you the light from control.
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In the control room, Hank settled into his position as
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Steve's voice crackled through the speakers.
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X2JTR to control. Are you there yet, Hank?
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Steve asked. Okay, Steve, I'm ready to go, Hank confirmed.
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The radar operator looked up.
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Mr.
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Hansen? he asked. Ready on radar, Sergeant, Hank said. Elsie,
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the communications officer, suddenly stood.
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Mr.
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Hansen, you better see this, she said. What is it, Elsie?
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Hank asked. Message center for Steve, she explained.
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Mrs.
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Weston's just left for the hospital.
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What?
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Hank exclaimed. Hello, hello, Steve, Hank said into the microphone. Yeah,
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Steve replied. Stand by a minute, Hank told him his
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mind racing. Shall I hold it up, Mr. Hanson? Someone asked.
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Yes.
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No, no, wait just a minute. It's too late, Hank said, reconsidering.
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You better not tell him. He paused. Maybe he's got
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enough to worry about.
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Hey, what's holding us up, Frank?
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Steve's voice came through slightly impatient.
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Something on your mind?
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No, there's nothing, Steve, Hank said. I just wanted to
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say good luck.
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All right, Charlie.
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Give him the light, Steve's voice said, signaling he was ready.
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The launch sequence began. Steve's voice maintained its professional calm
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as he reported each milestone.
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All right, said Steve.
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I'm reading it clear. I'm at 20,000. Airspeed 600. It's
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running fine. Soundproofing works. There's a three-degree waver in AGY pressure.
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Got that, Charlie?
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Check, Charlie confirmed. Jet center on radar, Mr. Hansen, the
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radar operator announced.
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50,000 now, Steve continued.
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I've gotten loose the port jet. Now the starboard. I'm
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off jets, airspeed dropping. I'm opening the rocket ports. Switch
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sticks a little, Charlie. Moxie alcohol pressure 350. All right,
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now I'm advancing the ignition key. Here goes rocket one.
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A moment of silence, then. Steve. Steve, you all right?
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Hank asked. Yeah, Steve replied, his voice strained.
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I felt like somebody slugged me with a sledgehammer. Airspeed
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now 1,200. Here goes number two.
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A pause. She's okay, Hank, he said, his voice returning
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to normal.
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Running like a Swiss watch. She's okay.
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Hello, Steve, Hank said. Elapsed rocket time is now four minutes.
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What's your altitude?
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Speed 4,400. Still climbing. Altitude 297 miles, Steve reported. All right.
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You're at the outer limit, Hank said. Level off for
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maneuver tests. You've got exactly six minutes fuel left.
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I'm starting to three degree left bank, Steve said.
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She's a little sluggish. There, it's all right. There's a
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little vibration somewhere. Maybe the cockpit cover? My view screen's
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a little fogged. I'm straightening out.
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Five minutes fuel left, Hank warned.
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I'm starting to three degree right.
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Hey, the bullet, Steve began.
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What's the matter? What's wrong? Hank demanded.
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There's something up here, something shining, Steve.
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Said, his voice full of wonder. What are you talking about?
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Hank asked, confused.
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There's something above me, Hank.
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I'm going to chase it, Steve announced.
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Steve, Steve, you're at the outer limit now, Hank shouted.
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I can see it playing now, Steve replied. Now, Steve,
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don't go any higher, Hank pleaded. You've only got four
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minutes left. You've only got... I'm getting static. Can't hear you, Hank,
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Steve's voice crackled.
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Then silence. Hank said, his voice filled with dread. Hank
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watched the fuel gauge timer. Steve, listen to me. What happened?
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Where the devil is he? Hello?
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Come in, Steve! Steve, come in!
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Hello?
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Hello, Steve?
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Hello? Hello, Steve? He said, repeating the futile calls. The
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timer continued its relentless count. Ten minutes, Hank muttered. That's
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the end of the fuel. Hank turned to his team,
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his face grave. Charlie, get the crash squad out. Tell
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the army squadron to alert their search planes, he ordered. Right, sir.
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Charlie said, rushing out. Nine and a half minutes gone,
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Hank muttered, returning to the radio.
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Hello?
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Come in, Steve! Steve, come in! Hours passed. The control
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room had become a vigil. How long's it been, ma'am?
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a voice asked. Ten hours, Mr. Hanson, Elsie replied. Nothing
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more on radar, Sergeant? Hank asked. Screeds blank. Colonel Karuli
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called in. The search blades are back. Could it find anything,
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the sergeant reported. Should be some trace, Hank said. He
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couldn't have bailed out, could he? You don't hit the
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silk at 4,400 miles an hour. the sergeant stated. Either
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he went past the outer limit and ran out of fuel,
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or something blew and we'll find the pieces scattered from
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here to the coast, Hank concluded, slumping in his chair.
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Why does it have to be the best man? Always
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the best man. Charlie, we gotta figure out what was wrong,
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Hank said. Right, Charlie said. Something must have blown. Elsie approached, hesitantly. Mr. Hanson,
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there's a message from Northside Hospital. She began. Steve, well,
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what is it? Hank asked impatiently.
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Mrs.
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Weston is fine. It's a boy, Elsie replied. Thank you, Elsie,
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Hank said. He turned to Charlie. It's a boy, Charlie. Yeah. Fine, fine,
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it's a boy, Charlie said, his voice flat. He didn't
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even know that she went to the hospital, Hank said.
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How am I going to tell Mary then? It wasn't
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your fault, Mr. Hanson, Charlie said. The ship was tested. Yeah, yeah,
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we'll build another one and some other flying fool will
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shoot past the outer limit into space, Hank said, his
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voice weary. Well, I'm getting old, Charlie. You can remember
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when I used to take them up myself. Now, I
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gotta send other men. And now I'm afraid every time
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I hear a jet go off, I jump. Every time
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I have to send somebody up in a new model,
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I start to sweat.
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Mr.
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Hanson, the radar operator called out suddenly. Yeah, Hank replied.
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I think I got something on the radar.
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The operator said. No flight scheduled in, are there, Elsie?
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Hank asked. No, the whole day is cleared, she confirmed.
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It's coming in behind us, the operator said.
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Here he comes, over the building.
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The roar of engines shook the control room. What crazy
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jockey is buzzing the field like that? Hank demanded. Is
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that an army plane, Charlie? I can't see, Charlie said.
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Here he comes back again. His eyes widened. I know
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that engine. It's Steve. That's impossible, Hank said. Look, that's
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his ship, Charlie insisted. It can't be, Hank said. Then
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his voice changed. It's circling back for a landing. Charlie,
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clear the field. He's coming back in, Hank ordered.
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Mr. Hansen, there's not another ship in the world that
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looks like that. I tell you, it's gotta be Steve.
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The radar operator said. Thank God, Hank whispered. A few
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minutes later, Steve sat in the debriefing room, looking haggard
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but intact. All right, sit down over there, Steve. The
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quicker we get this done, the quicker you get over
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to see Mary and the baby, Hank said. Elsie, give
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the order to check and refuel the rockets. I don't
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want anybody in here till I get Steve's reports. bury
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any calls. All right, Steve, let's have it, Hank said.
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What the devil happened to you? Hank, that cosmic ray bomb,
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does it still go off tonight? Steve asked. What are
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you talking about? Hank said, confused. Straighten out, Steve. Where
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have you been for the last ten hours? Listen, Hank,
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there's something more important. Now, come on, Steve began. Come on,
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Hank insisted. I I've got to get a report on
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the screen to Washington, so let's have it, will ya?
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I gotta know how you stretch ten minutes of fuel
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to keep you in the air for ten hours. One
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thing before I talk, Steve said. Now look, Steve, Hank began.
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We have the Geiger men run over the ship before
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they refuel, Steve asked. What did you run into, Hank asked, surprised.
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So help me, Hank, I don't know, Steve replied. We
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better check and make sure it isn't radioactive. Elsie, add
241
00:13:37.590 --> 00:13:40.789
a Geiger report on the standard check, Hank said. Steve,
242
00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:44.000
maybe we better have the medics look you over. No, no,
243
00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:46.860
I'm all right, Steve said. They said I'd be all right.
244
00:13:47.919 --> 00:13:48.279
They?
245
00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:52.659
Hank asked, his voice filled with suspicion. Look, son, I
246
00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:55.320
know you've had a tough time. But we've had this
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00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:58.059
field on the alert for ten hours, boy, Hank said,
248
00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:00.600
his tone firm. One of the army boys cracked up
249
00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:03.139
looking for you, and he's hurt bad. So let's have
250
00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:07.370
the story, let's have it straight. I don't know how
251
00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:11.330
to tell you, Hank, Steve said. Hank- I saw something
252
00:14:11.409 --> 00:14:15.990
up there. At 300 miles? Hank scoffed. I chased something
253
00:14:16.070 --> 00:14:18.909
up there, Hank, and I caught it, Steve said. Now
254
00:14:18.950 --> 00:14:22.149
don't hand me that. Listen, Steve, listen, Hank said, his
255
00:14:22.210 --> 00:14:25.200
patience wearing thin. I was cruising along, just starting the
256
00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:28.600
right bank, when I spotted something, Steve explained. Must have
257
00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:31.860
been going about half my speed. It was egg-shaped and smooth.
258
00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.399
I made a pass at it, I came back for another,
259
00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:38.350
and then there was a humming sound. Humming? Hank asked.
260
00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:42.720
Sort of a vibration, Steve replied, and then I blacked out.
261
00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.730
I was headed straight for it at 4,400 miles an hour.
262
00:14:45.750 --> 00:14:47.659
I thought it was going to be the biggest smash
263
00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:51.610
since Hiroshima. And listen, Hank, is there a drink in
264
00:14:51.629 --> 00:14:55.929
that bottle? Yeah, yeah, sure, Hank said, pouring him a shot. Well,
265
00:14:56.029 --> 00:14:58.409
what happened? Steve took a deep breath.
266
00:14:58.990 --> 00:14:59.230
Hank?
267
00:15:01.629 --> 00:15:05.250
I came to inside their ship. Steve, this whole thing
268
00:15:05.289 --> 00:15:07.509
has been the devil of a strain on you, Hank said,
269
00:15:07.549 --> 00:15:10.809
his voice gentle. I'm going to call Major Donaldson from
270
00:15:10.850 --> 00:15:14.049
the Army base and ask him to sit in. The psychiatrist?
271
00:15:14.370 --> 00:15:19.360
Steve asked. Yeah, Hank confirmed. That's a good idea, Steve said.
272
00:15:19.799 --> 00:15:21.659
Let him run his tests. He'll tell you I'm not
273
00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:24.639
kidding because, Hank, unless I miss my guess, I've just
274
00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:37.070
been tipped off to the way the world ends. Major
275
00:15:37.110 --> 00:15:39.889
Donaldson arrived within the hour, bringing his equipment for a
276
00:15:39.970 --> 00:15:44.929
narcosynthesis session. You should be getting drowsy now, Donaldson said softly.
277
00:15:45.429 --> 00:15:56.600
Count backwards from ten. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three.
278
00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:01.639
He's under, Donaldson said. Now we attach the headplate electrodes
279
00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.799
and the cortical pickup. Look out for that wire, Mr. Hansen.
280
00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:11.100
Three-oh sitting and... 31.3. Now throw that switch, Mr. Hanson.
281
00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:15.039
I have to start him off by suggestion. All right, Steve.
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00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:19.100
You're in your ship now, Donaldson said. You're in the rocket.
283
00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:20.500
Rock?
284
00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:23.820
Steve murmured. You're in the rocket. You're in the rocket,
285
00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:29.940
and you've just sighted something strange, Donaldson continued. Steve's voice,
286
00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:35.250
distant and mechanical, began to speak. I'm starting at three
287
00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:40.759
degree right. What's that? Hey, there's something up here, something shining.
288
00:16:41.850 --> 00:16:45.029
It's a memory pattern, Donaldson explained to Hank. We're picking
289
00:16:45.070 --> 00:16:48.509
it up electronically. Something above me. Hank, I'm going to
290
00:16:48.549 --> 00:16:52.409
chase it, Steve's voice said. It's piped through the audio circuit,
291
00:16:52.669 --> 00:16:57.019
Donaldson explained. It's static. I can't hear you, Hank, Steve's
292
00:16:57.059 --> 00:17:00.019
voice crackled. This is where we lost contact with him,
293
00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:03.039
Hank said. We're going to make a pass at it. Hey,
294
00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:06.349
it's swimming to meet me. It's dead ahead now. Look out,
295
00:17:06.369 --> 00:17:10.529
it's dead ahead, Steve's voice continued. This is where he
296
00:17:10.549 --> 00:17:15.230
blacked out, Donaldson said. Not telling how long, minutes or hours.
297
00:17:16.589 --> 00:17:20.150
A strange noise came through the speakers. Then Steve's voice confused.
298
00:17:20.569 --> 00:17:23.769
What's that noise? I don't know. How did I get here?
299
00:17:24.009 --> 00:17:30.410
Who are you? Is he seeing things? Hank asked. Galactic patrol,
300
00:17:30.829 --> 00:17:31.750
Steve said suddenly.
301
00:17:32.950 --> 00:17:33.230
What's that?
302
00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:36.660
What are they saying, Steve? What are they saying? Hank urged.
303
00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:42.539
It's about nuclear fission, Steve's voice replied. They know about it.
304
00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:45.700
They know the danger of it. Long ago, they had
305
00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:49.789
wars that almost destroyed them, but finally they learned. Now
306
00:17:49.829 --> 00:17:54.970
they've outlawed war. Go on, Steve, Hank said, rapt. They
307
00:17:55.150 --> 00:17:59.089
patrol space, Steve's voice said. When their detector picks up
308
00:17:59.150 --> 00:18:03.349
an atomic explosion, they send a patrol. They've been observing Earth,
309
00:18:03.430 --> 00:18:07.329
and they've found wars and rumors of wars. What are
310
00:18:07.369 --> 00:18:12.569
they going to do? Hank asked. They've quarantined us, Steve's
311
00:18:12.609 --> 00:18:18.779
voice replied. Quarantined? Hank asked, stunned. They've isolated all Earth
312
00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:23.660
because we're infected with a communicable disease, Steve said, because
313
00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:26.690
we don't know how to control ourselves yet. Until we learn,
314
00:18:26.730 --> 00:18:29.519
we'll be a menace to the whole universe. What is
315
00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:31.660
this nonsense? Charlie interjected.
316
00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.279
Quiet!
317
00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:35.500
Hank snapped. How are they going to do it, Steve?
318
00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:40.140
Hank asked. They've spread out a layer here of.
319
00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.299
I don't know what to call it, Steve's voice said.
320
00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:48.599
It's all around the Earth. It's miles deep. When there's
321
00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:52.759
an atomic explosion on Earth, the radioactive particles drift up
322
00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:55.920
to this layer and set off a chain reaction that'll
323
00:18:55.960 --> 00:18:57.619
go around the world in microseconds.
324
00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:58.329
And.
325
00:18:59.009 --> 00:19:04.990
That's the end. Steve's voice changed, became clearer. Yes. Yes,
326
00:19:05.089 --> 00:19:08.750
I understand. I gotta bring back the warning. You're gonna
327
00:19:08.769 --> 00:19:10.539
put me back in my ship to bring the warning.
328
00:19:11.930 --> 00:19:17.359
Then silence. Now what? Hank asked Donaldson. Blacked out again,
329
00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:20.839
Donaldson replied. I guess that's all. What does all of
330
00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:25.259
that mean? Hank asked. It's what he remembers, Donaldson said.
331
00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.579
You don't think that really happened?
332
00:19:28.670 --> 00:19:29.549
No, no.
333
00:19:30.049 --> 00:19:34.130
Narcos' circumventory circuits produce what he remembers, Hank said. Just
334
00:19:34.190 --> 00:19:37.660
means that Steve believes this happens. I don't like to
335
00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:41.180
see this. I've seen too many top pilots snap. Steve
336
00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:43.380
is the best I've known. How bad do you think
337
00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:48.329
he is? Frankly, outside of the presence of this well-organized hallucination,
338
00:19:48.349 --> 00:19:53.319
no signs of uncertainty. Donaldson said, may not be too serious.
339
00:19:53.970 --> 00:19:56.759
If he had a more plausible story, I'd be inclined
340
00:19:56.859 --> 00:20:02.700
to believe it. Steve suddenly stirred, coming out of the hypnosis. Warning, warning, Hank,
341
00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:05.720
he said, his voice urgent. It's all right, boy, Hank
342
00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:08.799
said soothingly. Did you hear it, Hank? Do you understand?
343
00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:14.309
Steve asked. Sure, sure, we've been quarantined, Hank said. Now, now,
344
00:20:14.369 --> 00:20:16.670
let me get you something to make you sleep, Steve.
345
00:20:17.170 --> 00:20:19.150
Don't you understand? They fixed it so that if we
346
00:20:19.170 --> 00:20:21.759
set off one more nuclear explosion, we'll have had it,
347
00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:25.720
Steve insisted. Of course, of course, Hank said. Now don't
348
00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:29.119
throw your sleeves down. You don't believe me? Steve asked.
349
00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:33.259
Take it easy, Steve, Hank said. But the test they're
350
00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:36.740
setting off, the cosmic ray bomb, Hank, tonight, Steve pleaded.
351
00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:41.119
What time is it?' Eleven twenty,' Hank said.' It' s scheduled
352
00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:45.369
for midnight,' Steve said.' Hank, we've got to stop that bomb!''
353
00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:48.420
Let Donaldson give you the hypo,' Hank said, trying to
354
00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:51.349
persuade him.' You' ve got to believe me,' Steve said.' I
355
00:20:51.430 --> 00:20:53.630
saw them. I got the warning.' If we touch off
356
00:20:53.650 --> 00:20:55.910
the C.R. bomb tonight,' we' ll be the biggest galactic Fourth
357
00:20:55.930 --> 00:20:58.210
of July of all time.' The whole Earth will go
358
00:20:58.250 --> 00:21:03.650
up like a Roman candle.' April 10th, 1965. The end!'' Look, Steve,
359
00:21:03.990 --> 00:21:06.990
you'd better calm down now,' Hank said.' Do you want
360
00:21:07.009 --> 00:21:10.170
to see Mary and the baby?' You've got a new son, remember?
361
00:21:11.029 --> 00:21:13.890
It's just that I want to see my son, Steve said,
362
00:21:13.950 --> 00:21:16.970
his voice breaking. I want him to live. If the
363
00:21:17.009 --> 00:21:20.769
bomb goes off, Hank, we gotta stop it. Mr. Hanson,
364
00:21:20.809 --> 00:21:23.549
I think we'd better get over to the base hospital,
365
00:21:23.930 --> 00:21:30.269
Major Donaldson suggested. Hank, you gotta believe me, Steve said. Sure, sure, Steve.
366
00:21:30.329 --> 00:21:33.650
Maybe there's something to it, Hank said. Look, look, it's
367
00:21:33.690 --> 00:21:35.769
out of our hands now, Steve. I'll put it in
368
00:21:35.789 --> 00:21:38.609
the report, shove it into Washington in the morning. In
369
00:21:38.650 --> 00:21:41.950
the morning, Steve cried, there won't be any morning, Hank.
370
00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:44.599
You gotta call Washington now. Get the head of the
371
00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:48.180
security commission and postpone the test. No, you know I
372
00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:51.079
can't do that, Hank said. My neck would be out
373
00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:56.359
a mile. Besides, this is 1965, not 45. 20 countries
374
00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:59.029
have the atomic bomb now. What's the use of stopping
375
00:21:59.069 --> 00:22:01.809
just this one? The rest will keep right on popping
376
00:22:01.829 --> 00:22:05.900
them off. We'll have to call an international conference, Steve said.
377
00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.980
Can't you understand, Hank? The first one that goes off
378
00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:14.089
finishes us. It's the end. They've given us the quarantine warning. Steve,
379
00:22:14.509 --> 00:22:16.450
I think you'd better go with us to the base hospital,
380
00:22:16.730 --> 00:22:19.470
Hank said. Look, Steve, we can call up for a
381
00:22:19.529 --> 00:22:22.430
detail if we have to. All right, all right, all right.
382
00:22:22.470 --> 00:22:26.029
I'll go with you, Steve said, his resolve fading. You
383
00:22:26.049 --> 00:22:30.109
don't need a straitjacket. That's the way, Steve, Hank said, relieved.
384
00:22:30.609 --> 00:22:33.500
You'll probably feel better by morning. Let's go. Tomorrow I'll
385
00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:35.440
drive you over to the hospital to see Mary and
386
00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:44.170
the kid. Yeah, sure, Steve replied. They walked outside. Steve
387
00:22:44.210 --> 00:22:47.589
looked at his ship under the floodlights. Pretty, huh? You'll
388
00:22:47.609 --> 00:22:51.609
be flying her again soon, Steve. Don't worry. Yeah, I
389
00:22:51.630 --> 00:22:55.670
guess so, Steve said. He then noticed something. What's she
390
00:22:55.710 --> 00:22:59.430
doing out on the line? They refuel her? Yeah, Hank said.
391
00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:02.299
We've got Clausewitz coming in tomorrow from Denver for another test.
392
00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:07.289
Figured we'd give you a day off. That's good. That's fine,
393
00:23:07.589 --> 00:23:12.109
Steve said. Without warning, he broke free and sprinted toward
394
00:23:12.130 --> 00:23:12.490
the rocket.
395
00:23:12.710 --> 00:23:13.170
Steve!
396
00:23:13.470 --> 00:23:18.029
Hank shouted. Let me go! Donaldson yelled. Come on, Donaldson! Steve!
397
00:23:18.069 --> 00:23:18.329
Steve!
398
00:23:18.369 --> 00:23:20.970
Come back here! Hank screamed. He's headed for the rocket!
399
00:23:21.250 --> 00:23:24.730
Charlie cried. That crazy Steve! Get off of there, Steve!
400
00:23:25.009 --> 00:23:27.650
Hank yelled. We can't get at him now! Charlie said.
401
00:23:27.869 --> 00:23:32.390
That hood is armored glass! He's waving! Someone observed. To
402
00:23:32.430 --> 00:23:36.230
its control, the radio, come on! I should have gotten help,
403
00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:39.680
Hank berated himself. Come on, Donaldson, the radio is still
404
00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:43.380
hooked up. Hello, hello, Steve, Hank said into the microphone.
405
00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:46.440
Steve's voice came through clear and determined.
406
00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:49.440
Listen to me, Hank, you gotta call Washington, now.
407
00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:53.859
Look, Steve, come out of the rocket, Hank pleaded. I'll
408
00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:57.440
call my men, Hanson, Donaldson offered. Don't try anything, Hank,
409
00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.259
Steve warned.
410
00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:00.160
They refueled the rocket for tomorrow.
411
00:24:00.670 --> 00:24:02.670
Take it easy, Steve, Hank said.
412
00:24:03.390 --> 00:24:05.809
Listen, you know what'll happen if I fire the rocket
413
00:24:05.829 --> 00:24:07.549
tubes down here, Steve.
414
00:24:07.329 --> 00:24:11.900
Said, his voice cold. Steve, don't, please, Hank begged.
415
00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:14.359
They'll burn out every building for five.
416
00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.339
Miles, Steve said.
417
00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.700
All of us in one big blast.
418
00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:21.400
What do you want, Steve, Hank asked, defeated.
419
00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:23.980
You gotta stop that bomb, Steve said.
420
00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:26.009
You gotta call Washington now.
421
00:24:26.809 --> 00:24:28.490
They won't believe me, Hank said.
422
00:24:29.150 --> 00:24:30.950
You make that call or I cut in the rocket,
423
00:24:31.210 --> 00:24:33.859
Steve stated. I mean it, Hank. You hook my screen
424
00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.980
to yours in parallel. I want to see exactly what
425
00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.599
you're doing.
426
00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:41.059
All right, all right, Hank said. Just don't fire those rockets.
427
00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.420
Get going, Hank, Steve ordered.
428
00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.720
You got 12 minutes to make that call and stop
429
00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.140
the bomb.
430
00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:51.240
All right, I'm making the parallel hookup now, Hank said. Donaldson,
431
00:24:51.549 --> 00:24:55.190
do you think he'll really blast? Charlie whispered. I don't know,
432
00:24:55.630 --> 00:24:59.109
Donaldson replied. Up to now, I'd almost say it was normal,
433
00:24:59.150 --> 00:25:01.589
but this Hanson, he's liable to do anything.
434
00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.160
Steve, there.
435
00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.400
Hank called out. You getting it on your screen?
436
00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:06.619
Yeah.
437
00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.740
Steve confirmed.
438
00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.960
Now put that call through.
439
00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:09.839
All right.
440
00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:14.779
Hank said, picking up the phone. Operator, visit screen to Washington.
441
00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:18.950
The visit screen circuits are busy, sir. The operator replied.
442
00:25:19.190 --> 00:25:21.230
If you try again in half an hour... This is
443
00:25:21.289 --> 00:25:23.950
a security commission priority. Break in, get me a line.
444
00:25:24.230 --> 00:25:27.420
Hank commanded. Just a moment, please, the operator said.
445
00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:29.480
Ten minutes, Hank.
446
00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:33.880
Steve warned. Listen, Steve, I'm trying, Hank said. Ready to
447
00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:38.809
take your call, sir, the operator announced. Washington Security Commission 3, urgent,
448
00:25:39.009 --> 00:25:43.210
Hank said. I want Undersecretary Herbert Ames. The call went
449
00:25:43.230 --> 00:25:46.430
through multiple operators, each transfer eating precious time.
450
00:25:47.069 --> 00:25:49.109
Finally, Security Commission Ames.
451
00:25:49.470 --> 00:25:53.789
A voice said. Oh, hello, Hanson, Ames said. Listen, listen, Ames,
452
00:25:53.849 --> 00:25:54.869
you gotta get me to the chief.
453
00:25:55.549 --> 00:25:56.210
Are you kidding?
454
00:25:56.730 --> 00:25:57.190
Ames asked.
455
00:25:57.390 --> 00:25:58.880
He's at the test control room.
456
00:25:58.990 --> 00:26:01.700
Yes, I know, but get him for me, Hank insisted.
457
00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.180
Hey, what's up?
458
00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.019
Ames asked.
459
00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:06.880
You look lousy. Or is it a bad haircut?
460
00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:09.769
There's no time, Ames, Hank said. I've got to get
461
00:26:09.809 --> 00:26:12.230
him before the test. It's about the ray bomb. I
462
00:26:12.269 --> 00:26:13.549
can't take the responsibility.
463
00:26:14.470 --> 00:26:16.130
Get it through, Hank, or I blast.
464
00:26:16.490 --> 00:26:17.450
Steve's voice cut in.
465
00:26:18.089 --> 00:26:19.589
Hey, what's going on there?
466
00:26:19.970 --> 00:26:23.509
Ames asked. Ames, my project has a high enough rating,
467
00:26:23.690 --> 00:26:26.390
Hank said. This is a priority A call.
468
00:26:27.150 --> 00:26:27.369
What?
469
00:26:27.910 --> 00:26:29.990
Well, it's your Nick, Ames said.
470
00:26:30.009 --> 00:26:32.470
Okay, I'll try to get him for you. He's in
471
00:26:32.490 --> 00:26:34.349
the control room now. You'll have to switch off your
472
00:26:34.369 --> 00:26:37.170
screen and speaker and go on earphones. Too much going
473
00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.690
on in there. Security, you know.
474
00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:42.140
You hear that, Steve? Hank said. I've got to cut
475
00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.599
the screen.
476
00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.079
All right.
477
00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:46.160
Eight minutes, Hank, Steve replied.
478
00:26:47.309 --> 00:26:50.250
Hank put on the earphones, his face tense with concentration
479
00:26:50.309 --> 00:26:53.259
as he spoke to someone Steve couldn't hear. The conversation
480
00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:56.980
seemed to last forever. Finally, Hank removed the earphones.
481
00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.440
Hank? Hank?
482
00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:04.299
Steve called anxiously. He's agreed to cancel, Hank said. The
483
00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:09.569
ray bomb won't go off. Thank God, Steve said, his
484
00:27:09.609 --> 00:27:13.730
voice full of relief. All right, Steve, Hank said. You
485
00:27:13.750 --> 00:27:16.859
can come down and out of the ship. Steve climbed
486
00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:21.240
down from the rocket, looking exhausted but relieved.' Here he comes.
487
00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:24.869
He's opening up,' Hank said to the others.' All right, Steve,
488
00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:28.779
come on down out of the ship.'' Hank, I was scared,'
489
00:27:28.849 --> 00:27:32.619
Steve admitted.' I was plain scared.'' All right, easy now,'
490
00:27:32.809 --> 00:27:33.210
Hank said.
491
00:27:33.230 --> 00:27:37.869
It' s all over. The bomb won't go off, thank God.' Hey, look,
492
00:27:37.890 --> 00:27:40.470
I want to see Mary and the baby.' Can you
493
00:27:40.490 --> 00:27:44.130
give me transportation now?'' Hey, wait a minute,' Hank said,
494
00:27:44.190 --> 00:27:47.089
checking his watch. It's almost twelve. They won't let you
495
00:27:47.109 --> 00:27:49.410
in the hospital now. I want to see the baby,
496
00:27:49.690 --> 00:27:53.799
Steve insisted. Well, sure you do, but you've been under strain,
497
00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:56.440
Hank said. I got a shot here for you, Steve.
498
00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.700
Give you a good night's sleep.
499
00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:03.789
All right. Roll up your sleeve. Steve resigned. Sure, sure,
500
00:28:03.970 --> 00:28:07.190
Hank said. Now that'll make you sleep. Sergeant'll find you
501
00:28:07.230 --> 00:28:08.430
a bed. Come on, Mr.
502
00:28:08.450 --> 00:28:08.769
Weston.
503
00:28:10.049 --> 00:28:14.150
Well, good night, Hank, Steve said. I am kind of beat.
504
00:28:14.349 --> 00:28:17.970
It's been a tough night. It sure has, Hank agreed.
505
00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:22.099
Steve walked away with the sergeant, and Hank turned to
506
00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:24.819
Donaldson and Charlie. I thought for a minute he was
507
00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.839
going to blast those rockets and send us all to
508
00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:31.910
Kingdom Come, Hank said. Yeah, Charlie replied. What a stunt,
509
00:28:32.130 --> 00:28:35.609
getting the re-bomb test called off like that, Donaldson commented.
510
00:28:37.049 --> 00:28:41.250
Hank's face was grim. It isn't called off, he said.
511
00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:45.720
But the call, Charlie began. Amos couldn't get the chief,
512
00:28:46.109 --> 00:28:49.349
Hank explained. I was talking to a blank screen. The
513
00:28:49.369 --> 00:28:53.009
bomb goes off in a couple of minutes. Oh, Charlie said,
514
00:28:53.490 --> 00:28:58.589
his shoulders slumping. Poor Steve, Hank said. He's one of
515
00:28:58.609 --> 00:29:02.089
the best. He was the best. One in ten million.
516
00:29:03.029 --> 00:29:06.049
Some story of his, poor guy. For a while, he
517
00:29:06.069 --> 00:29:10.380
almost had me believing that quarantine. It's a very common delusion,
518
00:29:10.730 --> 00:29:15.049
Donaldson said. The end of the world. They walked outside
519
00:29:15.130 --> 00:29:19.509
into the cool desert night. Nice night, Hank said. Never
520
00:29:19.589 --> 00:29:23.440
saw the stars so bright. Better be getting in. The
521
00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:27.859
wind is cold. Bomb goes off in 30 seconds. Poor Steve,
522
00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:31.700
Donaldson said. You know, Hanson, there's just one thing.
523
00:29:32.829 --> 00:29:33.109
Yeah?
524
00:29:33.710 --> 00:29:38.549
Hank asked. It's outside my field, but I'm curious, Donaldson said.
525
00:29:39.390 --> 00:29:41.430
How did he... keep that ship in the air for
526
00:29:41.430 --> 00:29:46.750
10 hours with only 10 minutes fuel the question hung
527
00:29:46.769 --> 00:29:49.910
in the air as midnight approached somewhere in the pacific
528
00:29:50.210 --> 00:29:53.450
the cosmic ray bomb was about to detonate and somewhere
529
00:29:53.490 --> 00:29:58.150
above earth's atmosphere according to one man's impossible story A
530
00:29:58.190 --> 00:30:02.930
quarantine layer waited to respond. The stars continued to shine,
531
00:30:03.470 --> 00:30:14.329
brilliant and cold, as the seconds ticked away. Thanks for
532
00:30:14.369 --> 00:30:19.890
joining me. Find more horror fiction at weirddarkness.com slash midnight.
533
00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:23.940
I'm Darren Marlar, and I hope you'll join me again
534
00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:27.700
soon at Midnight in the Macabre.
1
00:00:04.009 --> 00:00:08.529
Welcome, weirdos. I'm Darren Marlar. You've stepped into the horror
2
00:00:08.609 --> 00:00:13.390
fiction side of Weird Darkness. And it happens to be midnight.
3
00:00:14.529 --> 00:00:15.269
In the macabre.
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00:00:15.830 --> 00:00:27.649
DARK NIGHT.
5
00:00:38.719 --> 00:00:42.299
The vast concrete runway stretched endlessly across the desert of
6
00:00:42.329 --> 00:00:46.710
the American Southwest. Against the backdrop of sand and scrub brush,
7
00:00:47.229 --> 00:00:50.329
a giant metal ship stood like a silver needle aimed
8
00:00:50.369 --> 00:00:53.770
at the stars. Its hull gleamed under the harsh desert sun.
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00:00:54.450 --> 00:00:58.229
every rivet and seam, speaking of humanity's newest attempt to
10
00:00:58.329 --> 00:01:01.549
pierce the veil between Earth and the infinite black beyond.
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Countdown for blastoff. A loudspeaker crackled across the field. X
12
00:01:07.129 --> 00:01:07.829
minus five.
13
00:01:08.530 --> 00:01:09.859
Four. Three.
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00:01:10.579 --> 00:01:10.829
Two.
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X minus one.
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Fire.
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The year was 1965, and in five minutes, test pilot
18
00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:22.900
Steve Weston would ride this experimental rocket beyond anything humans
19
00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:26.540
had achieved before. to the outer limit of Earth's atmosphere
20
00:01:26.819 --> 00:01:31.959
and perhaps beyond. Attention, attention! The announcement system blared. Clear
21
00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:36.670
field for takeoff. Clear field. Inside the control bunker, Hank
22
00:01:36.689 --> 00:01:41.450
Hansen checked his watch. Five minutes, Steve, he said. Steve's
23
00:01:41.489 --> 00:01:45.629
voice came through the radio, steady and confident. Right, he replied.
24
00:01:46.870 --> 00:01:50.450
Warmer up, Charlie, Hank instructed his chief engineer. I want
25
00:01:50.469 --> 00:01:53.920
to go over a procedure again, Steve. Hank said, unable
26
00:01:53.959 --> 00:01:56.799
to shake the knot of worry in his stomach. Don't worry,
27
00:01:56.980 --> 00:02:00.799
I got it straight, Steve assured him. We'll just make sure,
28
00:02:01.200 --> 00:02:06.549
Hank insisted. Okay, Steve began, his voice carrying the practiced
29
00:02:06.609 --> 00:02:08.830
cadence of a man who'd run through this a hundred times.
30
00:02:09.509 --> 00:02:11.930
I kick her up on jets to 50,000, then I
31
00:02:11.949 --> 00:02:12.569
cut in the rocket.
32
00:02:13.210 --> 00:02:16.620
No, lower, Hank interrupted, or your tail blast will burn
33
00:02:16.659 --> 00:02:17.419
out three counties.
34
00:02:18.300 --> 00:02:21.000
I climb four minutes on rockets, then start maneuver tests.
35
00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:25.830
Steve continued. Remember that. No more than four minutes, Hank warned.
36
00:02:26.210 --> 00:02:28.650
The ship is like those straddle rockets you've been testing.
37
00:02:29.090 --> 00:02:31.659
She's the first one built for outer space. If she works,
38
00:02:31.979 --> 00:02:33.139
you can go clear to the moon.
39
00:02:34.099 --> 00:02:35.759
Might have known I'd have brought my toothbrush.
40
00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:40.120
Steve quipped. Not this trip. Now get this, Steve. Hank said,
41
00:02:40.319 --> 00:02:43.000
his tone serious. You've got power there to clear the
42
00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:46.280
Earth's gravitational field, but remember, after you cut in the rockets,
43
00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:49.699
you've only got ten minutes' fuel. If you go beyond
44
00:02:49.719 --> 00:02:52.210
the outer limit and don't save fuel for the return,
45
00:02:52.610 --> 00:02:53.889
you won't get down again.
46
00:02:54.409 --> 00:02:54.629
Ever.
47
00:02:55.110 --> 00:02:59.729
You'll drift out into space. Get that now. Ten minutes' fuel. Okay,
48
00:02:59.990 --> 00:03:04.389
Steve acknowledged. Hank glanced toward the empty viewing gallery. As
49
00:03:04.409 --> 00:03:06.490
far as I'm concerned, this project is a lot more
50
00:03:06.509 --> 00:03:08.949
important than that cosmic ray bomb they're testing out in
51
00:03:08.969 --> 00:03:12.210
the Pacific tonight. The Security Commission brass doesn't think so.
52
00:03:12.590 --> 00:03:16.370
I don't see any undersecretaries or anything. Don't you worry, Steve.
53
00:03:16.729 --> 00:03:18.569
In the long run, our ship will make the CR
54
00:03:18.629 --> 00:03:22.550
bomb backpage stuff, Hank said. But in the meantime, it's
55
00:03:22.590 --> 00:03:25.849
just as dangerous. Now remember, half the principles in this
56
00:03:25.909 --> 00:03:29.460
ship are pure theory. Slide rule stuff. If anything goes wrong,
57
00:03:29.819 --> 00:03:31.979
we may have to scrape you off the landscape with
58
00:03:32.020 --> 00:03:32.599
a soup spoon.
59
00:03:33.719 --> 00:03:35.400
You have a charming sense of humor.
60
00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:39.789
Steve retorted. Here's what I'm getting at, Steve. We're risking
61
00:03:39.889 --> 00:03:44.210
your neck in this test, Hank explained. Anything blows, we
62
00:03:44.229 --> 00:03:46.669
don't want to have the next man pull the same boner.
63
00:03:47.090 --> 00:03:50.030
So keep your mic open, keep talking. If anything goes wrong,
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00:03:50.090 --> 00:03:52.669
we want to know exactly why. And we won't be
65
00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:55.659
able to ask you. Let us know before you pull
66
00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:59.439
every switch, before you do anything. Got that? Even if
67
00:03:59.479 --> 00:04:03.120
you only have to blow your nose. Well, I guess
68
00:04:03.159 --> 00:04:05.719
that's about all, Steve, Hank said after a pause.
69
00:04:06.479 --> 00:04:09.300
Hey, that reminds me. If Mary calls, I'm just up
70
00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:11.580
on a milk run. I didn't tell her today was it.
71
00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:13.139
How is Mary?
72
00:04:13.819 --> 00:04:16.100
She's okay, but she's due about now and I don't
73
00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:16.939
want to get her nervous.
74
00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:20.959
Hey, I didn't know the baby was that close. Steve,
75
00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:22.899
you know I really ought to be sending a single
76
00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:23.699
man on this job.
77
00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:27.240
What, cut me out of a soft paycheck? Forget it, Hank.
78
00:04:27.660 --> 00:04:30.019
You know you can't get anybody else that can take
79
00:04:30.019 --> 00:04:32.209
15 G's acceleration when those rockets cut in.
80
00:04:32.889 --> 00:04:37.689
Yeah, I know, Hank said, checking his watch again. It's time, Steve.
81
00:04:38.370 --> 00:04:40.670
Yeah, I'll see you later, Steve replied.
82
00:04:41.069 --> 00:04:43.170
Don't worry, Hank. I'll sweat for both of us.
83
00:04:44.189 --> 00:04:46.000
Button her up, Charlie, Hank ordered.
84
00:04:46.889 --> 00:04:48.480
So long, Hank, Steve called out.
85
00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:52.319
So long, Hank said. We'll give you the light from control.
86
00:04:53.720 --> 00:04:56.000
In the control room, Hank settled into his position as
87
00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:57.980
Steve's voice crackled through the speakers.
88
00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:01.360
X2JTR to control. Are you there yet, Hank?
89
00:05:01.699 --> 00:05:05.860
Steve asked. Okay, Steve, I'm ready to go, Hank confirmed.
90
00:05:06.819 --> 00:05:08.009
The radar operator looked up.
91
00:05:08.660 --> 00:05:08.939
Mr.
92
00:05:08.980 --> 00:05:13.920
Hansen? he asked. Ready on radar, Sergeant, Hank said. Elsie,
93
00:05:13.959 --> 00:05:15.779
the communications officer, suddenly stood.
94
00:05:16.250 --> 00:05:16.439
Mr.
95
00:05:16.459 --> 00:05:19.509
Hansen, you better see this, she said. What is it, Elsie?
96
00:05:19.730 --> 00:05:22.990
Hank asked. Message center for Steve, she explained.
97
00:05:23.430 --> 00:05:23.649
Mrs.
98
00:05:23.689 --> 00:05:25.209
Weston's just left for the hospital.
99
00:05:25.870 --> 00:05:26.089
What?
100
00:05:26.509 --> 00:05:31.319
Hank exclaimed. Hello, hello, Steve, Hank said into the microphone. Yeah,
101
00:05:31.720 --> 00:05:35.750
Steve replied. Stand by a minute, Hank told him his
102
00:05:35.790 --> 00:05:39.610
mind racing. Shall I hold it up, Mr. Hanson? Someone asked.
103
00:05:39.990 --> 00:05:40.250
Yes.
104
00:05:41.290 --> 00:05:46.529
No, no, wait just a minute. It's too late, Hank said, reconsidering.
105
00:05:47.529 --> 00:05:50.860
You better not tell him. He paused. Maybe he's got
106
00:05:50.899 --> 00:05:51.680
enough to worry about.
107
00:05:52.720 --> 00:05:54.019
Hey, what's holding us up, Frank?
108
00:05:54.379 --> 00:05:56.420
Steve's voice came through slightly impatient.
109
00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:57.480
Something on your mind?
110
00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.379
No, there's nothing, Steve, Hank said. I just wanted to
111
00:06:01.420 --> 00:06:01.879
say good luck.
112
00:06:02.959 --> 00:06:03.680
All right, Charlie.
113
00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:07.110
Give him the light, Steve's voice said, signaling he was ready.
114
00:06:08.430 --> 00:06:12.250
The launch sequence began. Steve's voice maintained its professional calm
115
00:06:12.329 --> 00:06:13.790
as he reported each milestone.
116
00:06:14.490 --> 00:06:15.689
All right, said Steve.
117
00:06:15.990 --> 00:06:19.500
I'm reading it clear. I'm at 20,000. Airspeed 600. It's
118
00:06:19.720 --> 00:06:24.339
running fine. Soundproofing works. There's a three-degree waver in AGY pressure.
119
00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:25.360
Got that, Charlie?
120
00:06:26.339 --> 00:06:30.139
Check, Charlie confirmed. Jet center on radar, Mr. Hansen, the
121
00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:31.259
radar operator announced.
122
00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:34.050
50,000 now, Steve continued.
123
00:06:34.490 --> 00:06:37.529
I've gotten loose the port jet. Now the starboard. I'm
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00:06:37.569 --> 00:06:41.850
off jets, airspeed dropping. I'm opening the rocket ports. Switch
125
00:06:41.889 --> 00:06:45.750
sticks a little, Charlie. Moxie alcohol pressure 350. All right,
126
00:06:46.149 --> 00:06:49.350
now I'm advancing the ignition key. Here goes rocket one.
127
00:06:50.829 --> 00:06:54.329
A moment of silence, then. Steve. Steve, you all right?
128
00:06:54.629 --> 00:06:57.439
Hank asked. Yeah, Steve replied, his voice strained.
129
00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:01.019
I felt like somebody slugged me with a sledgehammer. Airspeed
130
00:07:01.079 --> 00:07:04.290
now 1,200. Here goes number two.
131
00:07:04.949 --> 00:07:08.670
A pause. She's okay, Hank, he said, his voice returning
132
00:07:08.689 --> 00:07:09.069
to normal.
133
00:07:09.449 --> 00:07:11.550
Running like a Swiss watch. She's okay.
134
00:07:12.490 --> 00:07:16.180
Hello, Steve, Hank said. Elapsed rocket time is now four minutes.
135
00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:16.980
What's your altitude?
136
00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:20.660
Speed 4,400. Still climbing. Altitude 297 miles, Steve reported. All right.
137
00:07:24.649 --> 00:07:27.389
You're at the outer limit, Hank said. Level off for
138
00:07:27.420 --> 00:07:30.480
maneuver tests. You've got exactly six minutes fuel left.
139
00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:33.639
I'm starting to three degree left bank, Steve said.
140
00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:38.079
She's a little sluggish. There, it's all right. There's a
141
00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:41.639
little vibration somewhere. Maybe the cockpit cover? My view screen's
142
00:07:41.670 --> 00:07:43.529
a little fogged. I'm straightening out.
143
00:07:44.389 --> 00:07:46.230
Five minutes fuel left, Hank warned.
144
00:07:47.029 --> 00:07:48.310
I'm starting to three degree right.
145
00:07:48.970 --> 00:07:50.490
Hey, the bullet, Steve began.
146
00:07:51.069 --> 00:07:53.129
What's the matter? What's wrong? Hank demanded.
147
00:07:53.819 --> 00:07:57.259
There's something up here, something shining, Steve.
148
00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:59.839
Said, his voice full of wonder. What are you talking about?
149
00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:01.220
Hank asked, confused.
150
00:08:01.779 --> 00:08:03.019
There's something above me, Hank.
151
00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:04.819
I'm going to chase it, Steve announced.
152
00:08:05.199 --> 00:08:08.339
Steve, Steve, you're at the outer limit now, Hank shouted.
153
00:08:08.860 --> 00:08:12.079
I can see it playing now, Steve replied. Now, Steve,
154
00:08:12.189 --> 00:08:15.110
don't go any higher, Hank pleaded. You've only got four
155
00:08:15.149 --> 00:08:18.870
minutes left. You've only got... I'm getting static. Can't hear you, Hank,
156
00:08:19.250 --> 00:08:20.230
Steve's voice crackled.
157
00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.399
Then silence. Hank said, his voice filled with dread. Hank
158
00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:27.279
watched the fuel gauge timer. Steve, listen to me. What happened?
159
00:08:27.519 --> 00:08:50.889
Where the devil is he? Hello?
160
00:08:51.090 --> 00:08:52.730
Come in, Steve! Steve, come in!
161
00:08:52.750 --> 00:08:53.090
Hello?
162
00:08:54.009 --> 00:08:54.669
Hello, Steve?
163
00:08:55.110 --> 00:09:01.490
Hello? Hello, Steve? He said, repeating the futile calls. The
164
00:09:01.529 --> 00:09:07.360
timer continued its relentless count. Ten minutes, Hank muttered. That's
165
00:09:07.399 --> 00:09:10.879
the end of the fuel. Hank turned to his team,
166
00:09:11.399 --> 00:09:16.000
his face grave. Charlie, get the crash squad out. Tell
167
00:09:16.019 --> 00:09:19.980
the army squadron to alert their search planes, he ordered. Right, sir.
168
00:09:20.389 --> 00:09:24.710
Charlie said, rushing out. Nine and a half minutes gone,
169
00:09:24.950 --> 00:09:26.509
Hank muttered, returning to the radio.
170
00:09:27.509 --> 00:09:27.870
Hello?
171
00:09:28.610 --> 00:09:34.610
Come in, Steve! Steve, come in! Hours passed. The control
172
00:09:34.649 --> 00:09:37.919
room had become a vigil. How long's it been, ma'am?
173
00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:42.980
a voice asked. Ten hours, Mr. Hanson, Elsie replied. Nothing
174
00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:47.259
more on radar, Sergeant? Hank asked. Screeds blank. Colonel Karuli
175
00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:50.269
called in. The search blades are back. Could it find anything,
176
00:09:50.570 --> 00:09:55.379
the sergeant reported. Should be some trace, Hank said. He
177
00:09:55.580 --> 00:09:58.350
couldn't have bailed out, could he? You don't hit the
178
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silk at 4,400 miles an hour. the sergeant stated. Either
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he went past the outer limit and ran out of fuel,
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or something blew and we'll find the pieces scattered from
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here to the coast, Hank concluded, slumping in his chair.
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Why does it have to be the best man? Always
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the best man. Charlie, we gotta figure out what was wrong,
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Hank said. Right, Charlie said. Something must have blown. Elsie approached, hesitantly. Mr. Hanson,
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there's a message from Northside Hospital. She began. Steve, well,
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what is it? Hank asked impatiently.
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Mrs.
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Weston is fine. It's a boy, Elsie replied. Thank you, Elsie,
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Hank said. He turned to Charlie. It's a boy, Charlie. Yeah. Fine, fine,
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it's a boy, Charlie said, his voice flat. He didn't
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even know that she went to the hospital, Hank said.
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How am I going to tell Mary then? It wasn't
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your fault, Mr. Hanson, Charlie said. The ship was tested. Yeah, yeah,
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we'll build another one and some other flying fool will
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shoot past the outer limit into space, Hank said, his
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voice weary. Well, I'm getting old, Charlie. You can remember
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when I used to take them up myself. Now, I
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gotta send other men. And now I'm afraid every time
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I hear a jet go off, I jump. Every time
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I have to send somebody up in a new model,
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I start to sweat.
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Mr.
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Hanson, the radar operator called out suddenly. Yeah, Hank replied.
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I think I got something on the radar.
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The operator said. No flight scheduled in, are there, Elsie?
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Hank asked. No, the whole day is cleared, she confirmed.
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It's coming in behind us, the operator said.
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Here he comes, over the building.
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The roar of engines shook the control room. What crazy
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jockey is buzzing the field like that? Hank demanded. Is
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that an army plane, Charlie? I can't see, Charlie said.
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Here he comes back again. His eyes widened. I know
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that engine. It's Steve. That's impossible, Hank said. Look, that's
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his ship, Charlie insisted. It can't be, Hank said. Then
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00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:13.820
his voice changed. It's circling back for a landing. Charlie,
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clear the field. He's coming back in, Hank ordered.
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Mr. Hansen, there's not another ship in the world that
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looks like that. I tell you, it's gotta be Steve.
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The radar operator said. Thank God, Hank whispered. A few
220
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minutes later, Steve sat in the debriefing room, looking haggard
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but intact. All right, sit down over there, Steve. The
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quicker we get this done, the quicker you get over
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to see Mary and the baby, Hank said. Elsie, give
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the order to check and refuel the rockets. I don't
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want anybody in here till I get Steve's reports. bury
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any calls. All right, Steve, let's have it, Hank said.
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What the devil happened to you? Hank, that cosmic ray bomb,
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does it still go off tonight? Steve asked. What are
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you talking about? Hank said, confused. Straighten out, Steve. Where
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have you been for the last ten hours? Listen, Hank,
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there's something more important. Now, come on, Steve began. Come on,
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Hank insisted. I I've got to get a report on
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the screen to Washington, so let's have it, will ya?
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I gotta know how you stretch ten minutes of fuel
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to keep you in the air for ten hours. One
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thing before I talk, Steve said. Now look, Steve, Hank began.
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We have the Geiger men run over the ship before
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they refuel, Steve asked. What did you run into, Hank asked, surprised.
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So help me, Hank, I don't know, Steve replied. We
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better check and make sure it isn't radioactive. Elsie, add
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a Geiger report on the standard check, Hank said. Steve,
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maybe we better have the medics look you over. No, no,
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I'm all right, Steve said. They said I'd be all right.
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They?
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Hank asked, his voice filled with suspicion. Look, son, I
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know you've had a tough time. But we've had this
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field on the alert for ten hours, boy, Hank said,
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his tone firm. One of the army boys cracked up
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looking for you, and he's hurt bad. So let's have
250
00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:07.370
the story, let's have it straight. I don't know how
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to tell you, Hank, Steve said. Hank- I saw something
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00:14:11.409 --> 00:14:15.990
up there. At 300 miles? Hank scoffed. I chased something
253
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up there, Hank, and I caught it, Steve said. Now
254
00:14:18.950 --> 00:14:22.149
don't hand me that. Listen, Steve, listen, Hank said, his
255
00:14:22.210 --> 00:14:25.200
patience wearing thin. I was cruising along, just starting the
256
00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:28.600
right bank, when I spotted something, Steve explained. Must have
257
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been going about half my speed. It was egg-shaped and smooth.
258
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I made a pass at it, I came back for another,
259
00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:38.350
and then there was a humming sound. Humming? Hank asked.
260
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Sort of a vibration, Steve replied, and then I blacked out.
261
00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:45.730
I was headed straight for it at 4,400 miles an hour.
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I thought it was going to be the biggest smash
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since Hiroshima. And listen, Hank, is there a drink in
264
00:14:51.629 --> 00:14:55.929
that bottle? Yeah, yeah, sure, Hank said, pouring him a shot. Well,
265
00:14:56.029 --> 00:14:58.409
what happened? Steve took a deep breath.
266
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Hank?
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00:15:01.629 --> 00:15:05.250
I came to inside their ship. Steve, this whole thing
268
00:15:05.289 --> 00:15:07.509
has been the devil of a strain on you, Hank said,
269
00:15:07.549 --> 00:15:10.809
his voice gentle. I'm going to call Major Donaldson from
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00:15:10.850 --> 00:15:14.049
the Army base and ask him to sit in. The psychiatrist?
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00:15:14.370 --> 00:15:19.360
Steve asked. Yeah, Hank confirmed. That's a good idea, Steve said.
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Let him run his tests. He'll tell you I'm not
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kidding because, Hank, unless I miss my guess, I've just
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been tipped off to the way the world ends. Major
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00:15:37.110 --> 00:15:39.889
Donaldson arrived within the hour, bringing his equipment for a
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00:15:39.970 --> 00:15:44.929
narcosynthesis session. You should be getting drowsy now, Donaldson said softly.
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Count backwards from ten. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three.
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He's under, Donaldson said. Now we attach the headplate electrodes
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00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:04.799
and the cortical pickup. Look out for that wire, Mr. Hansen.
280
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Three-oh sitting and... 31.3. Now throw that switch, Mr. Hanson.
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I have to start him off by suggestion. All right, Steve.
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You're in your ship now, Donaldson said. You're in the rocket.
283
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Rock?
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00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:23.820
Steve murmured. You're in the rocket. You're in the rocket,
285
00:16:24.240 --> 00:16:29.940
and you've just sighted something strange, Donaldson continued. Steve's voice,
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00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:35.250
distant and mechanical, began to speak. I'm starting at three
287
00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:40.759
degree right. What's that? Hey, there's something up here, something shining.
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It's a memory pattern, Donaldson explained to Hank. We're picking
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00:16:45.070 --> 00:16:48.509
it up electronically. Something above me. Hank, I'm going to
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00:16:48.549 --> 00:16:52.409
chase it, Steve's voice said. It's piped through the audio circuit,
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00:16:52.669 --> 00:16:57.019
Donaldson explained. It's static. I can't hear you, Hank, Steve's
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00:16:57.059 --> 00:17:00.019
voice crackled. This is where we lost contact with him,
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00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:03.039
Hank said. We're going to make a pass at it. Hey,
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00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:06.349
it's swimming to meet me. It's dead ahead now. Look out,
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00:17:06.369 --> 00:17:10.529
it's dead ahead, Steve's voice continued. This is where he
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00:17:10.549 --> 00:17:15.230
blacked out, Donaldson said. Not telling how long, minutes or hours.
297
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A strange noise came through the speakers. Then Steve's voice confused.
298
00:17:20.569 --> 00:17:23.769
What's that noise? I don't know. How did I get here?
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Who are you? Is he seeing things? Hank asked. Galactic patrol,
300
00:17:30.829 --> 00:17:31.750
Steve said suddenly.
301
00:17:32.950 --> 00:17:33.230
What's that?
302
00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:36.660
What are they saying, Steve? What are they saying? Hank urged.
303
00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:42.539
It's about nuclear fission, Steve's voice replied. They know about it.
304
00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:45.700
They know the danger of it. Long ago, they had
305
00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:49.789
wars that almost destroyed them, but finally they learned. Now
306
00:17:49.829 --> 00:17:54.970
they've outlawed war. Go on, Steve, Hank said, rapt. They
307
00:17:55.150 --> 00:17:59.089
patrol space, Steve's voice said. When their detector picks up
308
00:17:59.150 --> 00:18:03.349
an atomic explosion, they send a patrol. They've been observing Earth,
309
00:18:03.430 --> 00:18:07.329
and they've found wars and rumors of wars. What are
310
00:18:07.369 --> 00:18:12.569
they going to do? Hank asked. They've quarantined us, Steve's
311
00:18:12.609 --> 00:18:18.779
voice replied. Quarantined? Hank asked, stunned. They've isolated all Earth
312
00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:23.660
because we're infected with a communicable disease, Steve said, because
313
00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:26.690
we don't know how to control ourselves yet. Until we learn,
314
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we'll be a menace to the whole universe. What is
315
00:18:29.559 --> 00:18:31.660
this nonsense? Charlie interjected.
316
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Quiet!
317
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Hank snapped. How are they going to do it, Steve?
318
00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:40.140
Hank asked. They've spread out a layer here of.
319
00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:44.299
I don't know what to call it, Steve's voice said.
320
00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:48.599
It's all around the Earth. It's miles deep. When there's
321
00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:52.759
an atomic explosion on Earth, the radioactive particles drift up
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00:18:52.799 --> 00:18:55.920
to this layer and set off a chain reaction that'll
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go around the world in microseconds.
324
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And.
325
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That's the end. Steve's voice changed, became clearer. Yes. Yes,
326
00:19:05.089 --> 00:19:08.750
I understand. I gotta bring back the warning. You're gonna
327
00:19:08.769 --> 00:19:10.539
put me back in my ship to bring the warning.
328
00:19:11.930 --> 00:19:17.359
Then silence. Now what? Hank asked Donaldson. Blacked out again,
329
00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:20.839
Donaldson replied. I guess that's all. What does all of
330
00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:25.259
that mean? Hank asked. It's what he remembers, Donaldson said.
331
00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:27.579
You don't think that really happened?
332
00:19:28.670 --> 00:19:29.549
No, no.
333
00:19:30.049 --> 00:19:34.130
Narcos' circumventory circuits produce what he remembers, Hank said. Just
334
00:19:34.190 --> 00:19:37.660
means that Steve believes this happens. I don't like to
335
00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:41.180
see this. I've seen too many top pilots snap. Steve
336
00:19:41.200 --> 00:19:43.380
is the best I've known. How bad do you think
337
00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:48.329
he is? Frankly, outside of the presence of this well-organized hallucination,
338
00:19:48.349 --> 00:19:53.319
no signs of uncertainty. Donaldson said, may not be too serious.
339
00:19:53.970 --> 00:19:56.759
If he had a more plausible story, I'd be inclined
340
00:19:56.859 --> 00:20:02.700
to believe it. Steve suddenly stirred, coming out of the hypnosis. Warning, warning, Hank,
341
00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:05.720
he said, his voice urgent. It's all right, boy, Hank
342
00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:08.799
said soothingly. Did you hear it, Hank? Do you understand?
343
00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:14.309
Steve asked. Sure, sure, we've been quarantined, Hank said. Now, now,
344
00:20:14.369 --> 00:20:16.670
let me get you something to make you sleep, Steve.
345
00:20:17.170 --> 00:20:19.150
Don't you understand? They fixed it so that if we
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00:20:19.170 --> 00:20:21.759
set off one more nuclear explosion, we'll have had it,
347
00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:25.720
Steve insisted. Of course, of course, Hank said. Now don't
348
00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:29.119
throw your sleeves down. You don't believe me? Steve asked.
349
00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:33.259
Take it easy, Steve, Hank said. But the test they're
350
00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:36.740
setting off, the cosmic ray bomb, Hank, tonight, Steve pleaded.
351
00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:41.119
What time is it?' Eleven twenty,' Hank said.' It' s scheduled
352
00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:45.369
for midnight,' Steve said.' Hank, we've got to stop that bomb!''
353
00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:48.420
Let Donaldson give you the hypo,' Hank said, trying to
354
00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:51.349
persuade him.' You' ve got to believe me,' Steve said.' I
355
00:20:51.430 --> 00:20:53.630
saw them. I got the warning.' If we touch off
356
00:20:53.650 --> 00:20:55.910
the C.R. bomb tonight,' we' ll be the biggest galactic Fourth
357
00:20:55.930 --> 00:20:58.210
of July of all time.' The whole Earth will go
358
00:20:58.250 --> 00:21:03.650
up like a Roman candle.' April 10th, 1965. The end!'' Look, Steve,
359
00:21:03.990 --> 00:21:06.990
you'd better calm down now,' Hank said.' Do you want
360
00:21:07.009 --> 00:21:10.170
to see Mary and the baby?' You've got a new son, remember?
361
00:21:11.029 --> 00:21:13.890
It's just that I want to see my son, Steve said,
362
00:21:13.950 --> 00:21:16.970
his voice breaking. I want him to live. If the
363
00:21:17.009 --> 00:21:20.769
bomb goes off, Hank, we gotta stop it. Mr. Hanson,
364
00:21:20.809 --> 00:21:23.549
I think we'd better get over to the base hospital,
365
00:21:23.930 --> 00:21:30.269
Major Donaldson suggested. Hank, you gotta believe me, Steve said. Sure, sure, Steve.
366
00:21:30.329 --> 00:21:33.650
Maybe there's something to it, Hank said. Look, look, it's
367
00:21:33.690 --> 00:21:35.769
out of our hands now, Steve. I'll put it in
368
00:21:35.789 --> 00:21:38.609
the report, shove it into Washington in the morning. In
369
00:21:38.650 --> 00:21:41.950
the morning, Steve cried, there won't be any morning, Hank.
370
00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:44.599
You gotta call Washington now. Get the head of the
371
00:21:44.640 --> 00:21:48.180
security commission and postpone the test. No, you know I
372
00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:51.079
can't do that, Hank said. My neck would be out
373
00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:56.359
a mile. Besides, this is 1965, not 45. 20 countries
374
00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:59.029
have the atomic bomb now. What's the use of stopping
375
00:21:59.069 --> 00:22:01.809
just this one? The rest will keep right on popping
376
00:22:01.829 --> 00:22:05.900
them off. We'll have to call an international conference, Steve said.
377
00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:08.980
Can't you understand, Hank? The first one that goes off
378
00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:14.089
finishes us. It's the end. They've given us the quarantine warning. Steve,
379
00:22:14.509 --> 00:22:16.450
I think you'd better go with us to the base hospital,
380
00:22:16.730 --> 00:22:19.470
Hank said. Look, Steve, we can call up for a
381
00:22:19.529 --> 00:22:22.430
detail if we have to. All right, all right, all right.
382
00:22:22.470 --> 00:22:26.029
I'll go with you, Steve said, his resolve fading. You
383
00:22:26.049 --> 00:22:30.109
don't need a straitjacket. That's the way, Steve, Hank said, relieved.
384
00:22:30.609 --> 00:22:33.500
You'll probably feel better by morning. Let's go. Tomorrow I'll
385
00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:35.440
drive you over to the hospital to see Mary and
386
00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:44.170
the kid. Yeah, sure, Steve replied. They walked outside. Steve
387
00:22:44.210 --> 00:22:47.589
looked at his ship under the floodlights. Pretty, huh? You'll
388
00:22:47.609 --> 00:22:51.609
be flying her again soon, Steve. Don't worry. Yeah, I
389
00:22:51.630 --> 00:22:55.670
guess so, Steve said. He then noticed something. What's she
390
00:22:55.710 --> 00:22:59.430
doing out on the line? They refuel her? Yeah, Hank said.
391
00:22:59.619 --> 00:23:02.299
We've got Clausewitz coming in tomorrow from Denver for another test.
392
00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:07.289
Figured we'd give you a day off. That's good. That's fine,
393
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Steve said. Without warning, he broke free and sprinted toward
394
00:23:12.130 --> 00:23:12.490
the rocket.
395
00:23:12.710 --> 00:23:13.170
Steve!
396
00:23:13.470 --> 00:23:18.029
Hank shouted. Let me go! Donaldson yelled. Come on, Donaldson! Steve!
397
00:23:18.069 --> 00:23:18.329
Steve!
398
00:23:18.369 --> 00:23:20.970
Come back here! Hank screamed. He's headed for the rocket!
399
00:23:21.250 --> 00:23:24.730
Charlie cried. That crazy Steve! Get off of there, Steve!
400
00:23:25.009 --> 00:23:27.650
Hank yelled. We can't get at him now! Charlie said.
401
00:23:27.869 --> 00:23:32.390
That hood is armored glass! He's waving! Someone observed. To
402
00:23:32.430 --> 00:23:36.230
its control, the radio, come on! I should have gotten help,
403
00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:39.680
Hank berated himself. Come on, Donaldson, the radio is still
404
00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:43.380
hooked up. Hello, hello, Steve, Hank said into the microphone.
405
00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:46.440
Steve's voice came through clear and determined.
406
00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:49.440
Listen to me, Hank, you gotta call Washington, now.
407
00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:53.859
Look, Steve, come out of the rocket, Hank pleaded. I'll
408
00:23:53.880 --> 00:23:57.440
call my men, Hanson, Donaldson offered. Don't try anything, Hank,
409
00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.259
Steve warned.
410
00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:00.160
They refueled the rocket for tomorrow.
411
00:24:00.670 --> 00:24:02.670
Take it easy, Steve, Hank said.
412
00:24:03.390 --> 00:24:05.809
Listen, you know what'll happen if I fire the rocket
413
00:24:05.829 --> 00:24:07.549
tubes down here, Steve.
414
00:24:07.329 --> 00:24:11.900
Said, his voice cold. Steve, don't, please, Hank begged.
415
00:24:12.220 --> 00:24:14.359
They'll burn out every building for five.
416
00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.339
Miles, Steve said.
417
00:24:15.700 --> 00:24:17.700
All of us in one big blast.
418
00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:21.400
What do you want, Steve, Hank asked, defeated.
419
00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:23.980
You gotta stop that bomb, Steve said.
420
00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:26.009
You gotta call Washington now.
421
00:24:26.809 --> 00:24:28.490
They won't believe me, Hank said.
422
00:24:29.150 --> 00:24:30.950
You make that call or I cut in the rocket,
423
00:24:31.210 --> 00:24:33.859
Steve stated. I mean it, Hank. You hook my screen
424
00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:35.980
to yours in parallel. I want to see exactly what
425
00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.599
you're doing.
426
00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:41.059
All right, all right, Hank said. Just don't fire those rockets.
427
00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.420
Get going, Hank, Steve ordered.
428
00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:45.720
You got 12 minutes to make that call and stop
429
00:24:45.759 --> 00:24:46.140
the bomb.
430
00:24:46.839 --> 00:24:51.240
All right, I'm making the parallel hookup now, Hank said. Donaldson,
431
00:24:51.549 --> 00:24:55.190
do you think he'll really blast? Charlie whispered. I don't know,
432
00:24:55.630 --> 00:24:59.109
Donaldson replied. Up to now, I'd almost say it was normal,
433
00:24:59.150 --> 00:25:01.589
but this Hanson, he's liable to do anything.
434
00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.160
Steve, there.
435
00:25:03.539 --> 00:25:05.400
Hank called out. You getting it on your screen?
436
00:25:06.380 --> 00:25:06.619
Yeah.
437
00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.740
Steve confirmed.
438
00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.960
Now put that call through.
439
00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:09.839
All right.
440
00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:14.779
Hank said, picking up the phone. Operator, visit screen to Washington.
441
00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:18.950
The visit screen circuits are busy, sir. The operator replied.
442
00:25:19.190 --> 00:25:21.230
If you try again in half an hour... This is
443
00:25:21.289 --> 00:25:23.950
a security commission priority. Break in, get me a line.
444
00:25:24.230 --> 00:25:27.420
Hank commanded. Just a moment, please, the operator said.
445
00:25:27.440 --> 00:25:29.480
Ten minutes, Hank.
446
00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:33.880
Steve warned. Listen, Steve, I'm trying, Hank said. Ready to
447
00:25:33.920 --> 00:25:38.809
take your call, sir, the operator announced. Washington Security Commission 3, urgent,
448
00:25:39.009 --> 00:25:43.210
Hank said. I want Undersecretary Herbert Ames. The call went
449
00:25:43.230 --> 00:25:46.430
through multiple operators, each transfer eating precious time.
450
00:25:47.069 --> 00:25:49.109
Finally, Security Commission Ames.
451
00:25:49.470 --> 00:25:53.789
A voice said. Oh, hello, Hanson, Ames said. Listen, listen, Ames,
452
00:25:53.849 --> 00:25:54.869
you gotta get me to the chief.
453
00:25:55.549 --> 00:25:56.210
Are you kidding?
454
00:25:56.730 --> 00:25:57.190
Ames asked.
455
00:25:57.390 --> 00:25:58.880
He's at the test control room.
456
00:25:58.990 --> 00:26:01.700
Yes, I know, but get him for me, Hank insisted.
457
00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:03.180
Hey, what's up?
458
00:26:03.519 --> 00:26:04.019
Ames asked.
459
00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:06.880
You look lousy. Or is it a bad haircut?
460
00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:09.769
There's no time, Ames, Hank said. I've got to get
461
00:26:09.809 --> 00:26:12.230
him before the test. It's about the ray bomb. I
462
00:26:12.269 --> 00:26:13.549
can't take the responsibility.
463
00:26:14.470 --> 00:26:16.130
Get it through, Hank, or I blast.
464
00:26:16.490 --> 00:26:17.450
Steve's voice cut in.
465
00:26:18.089 --> 00:26:19.589
Hey, what's going on there?
466
00:26:19.970 --> 00:26:23.509
Ames asked. Ames, my project has a high enough rating,
467
00:26:23.690 --> 00:26:26.390
Hank said. This is a priority A call.
468
00:26:27.150 --> 00:26:27.369
What?
469
00:26:27.910 --> 00:26:29.990
Well, it's your Nick, Ames said.
470
00:26:30.009 --> 00:26:32.470
Okay, I'll try to get him for you. He's in
471
00:26:32.490 --> 00:26:34.349
the control room now. You'll have to switch off your
472
00:26:34.369 --> 00:26:37.170
screen and speaker and go on earphones. Too much going
473
00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.690
on in there. Security, you know.
474
00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:42.140
You hear that, Steve? Hank said. I've got to cut
475
00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:42.599
the screen.
476
00:26:43.660 --> 00:26:44.079
All right.
477
00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:46.160
Eight minutes, Hank, Steve replied.
478
00:26:47.309 --> 00:26:50.250
Hank put on the earphones, his face tense with concentration
479
00:26:50.309 --> 00:26:53.259
as he spoke to someone Steve couldn't hear. The conversation
480
00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:56.980
seemed to last forever. Finally, Hank removed the earphones.
481
00:26:58.059 --> 00:26:59.440
Hank? Hank?
482
00:26:59.859 --> 00:27:04.299
Steve called anxiously. He's agreed to cancel, Hank said. The
483
00:27:04.339 --> 00:27:09.569
ray bomb won't go off. Thank God, Steve said, his
484
00:27:09.609 --> 00:27:13.730
voice full of relief. All right, Steve, Hank said. You
485
00:27:13.750 --> 00:27:16.859
can come down and out of the ship. Steve climbed
486
00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:21.240
down from the rocket, looking exhausted but relieved.' Here he comes.
487
00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:24.869
He's opening up,' Hank said to the others.' All right, Steve,
488
00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:28.779
come on down out of the ship.'' Hank, I was scared,'
489
00:27:28.849 --> 00:27:32.619
Steve admitted.' I was plain scared.'' All right, easy now,'
490
00:27:32.809 --> 00:27:33.210
Hank said.
491
00:27:33.230 --> 00:27:37.869
It' s all over. The bomb won't go off, thank God.' Hey, look,
492
00:27:37.890 --> 00:27:40.470
I want to see Mary and the baby.' Can you
493
00:27:40.490 --> 00:27:44.130
give me transportation now?'' Hey, wait a minute,' Hank said,
494
00:27:44.190 --> 00:27:47.089
checking his watch. It's almost twelve. They won't let you
495
00:27:47.109 --> 00:27:49.410
in the hospital now. I want to see the baby,
496
00:27:49.690 --> 00:27:53.799
Steve insisted. Well, sure you do, but you've been under strain,
497
00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:56.440
Hank said. I got a shot here for you, Steve.
498
00:27:56.819 --> 00:27:57.700
Give you a good night's sleep.
499
00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:03.789
All right. Roll up your sleeve. Steve resigned. Sure, sure,
500
00:28:03.970 --> 00:28:07.190
Hank said. Now that'll make you sleep. Sergeant'll find you
501
00:28:07.230 --> 00:28:08.430
a bed. Come on, Mr.
502
00:28:08.450 --> 00:28:08.769
Weston.
503
00:28:10.049 --> 00:28:14.150
Well, good night, Hank, Steve said. I am kind of beat.
504
00:28:14.349 --> 00:28:17.970
It's been a tough night. It sure has, Hank agreed.
505
00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:22.099
Steve walked away with the sergeant, and Hank turned to
506
00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:24.819
Donaldson and Charlie. I thought for a minute he was
507
00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:26.839
going to blast those rockets and send us all to
508
00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:31.910
Kingdom Come, Hank said. Yeah, Charlie replied. What a stunt,
509
00:28:32.130 --> 00:28:35.609
getting the re-bomb test called off like that, Donaldson commented.
510
00:28:37.049 --> 00:28:41.250
Hank's face was grim. It isn't called off, he said.
511
00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:45.720
But the call, Charlie began. Amos couldn't get the chief,
512
00:28:46.109 --> 00:28:49.349
Hank explained. I was talking to a blank screen. The
513
00:28:49.369 --> 00:28:53.009
bomb goes off in a couple of minutes. Oh, Charlie said,
514
00:28:53.490 --> 00:28:58.589
his shoulders slumping. Poor Steve, Hank said. He's one of
515
00:28:58.609 --> 00:29:02.089
the best. He was the best. One in ten million.
516
00:29:03.029 --> 00:29:06.049
Some story of his, poor guy. For a while, he
517
00:29:06.069 --> 00:29:10.380
almost had me believing that quarantine. It's a very common delusion,
518
00:29:10.730 --> 00:29:15.049
Donaldson said. The end of the world. They walked outside
519
00:29:15.130 --> 00:29:19.509
into the cool desert night. Nice night, Hank said. Never
520
00:29:19.589 --> 00:29:23.440
saw the stars so bright. Better be getting in. The
521
00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:27.859
wind is cold. Bomb goes off in 30 seconds. Poor Steve,
522
00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:31.700
Donaldson said. You know, Hanson, there's just one thing.
523
00:29:32.829 --> 00:29:33.109
Yeah?
524
00:29:33.710 --> 00:29:38.549
Hank asked. It's outside my field, but I'm curious, Donaldson said.
525
00:29:39.390 --> 00:29:41.430
How did he... keep that ship in the air for
526
00:29:41.430 --> 00:29:46.750
10 hours with only 10 minutes fuel the question hung
527
00:29:46.769 --> 00:29:49.910
in the air as midnight approached somewhere in the pacific
528
00:29:50.210 --> 00:29:53.450
the cosmic ray bomb was about to detonate and somewhere
529
00:29:53.490 --> 00:29:58.150
above earth's atmosphere according to one man's impossible story A
530
00:29:58.190 --> 00:30:02.930
quarantine layer waited to respond. The stars continued to shine,
531
00:30:03.470 --> 00:30:14.329
brilliant and cold, as the seconds ticked away. Thanks for
532
00:30:14.369 --> 00:30:19.890
joining me. Find more horror fiction at weirddarkness.com slash midnight.
533
00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:23.940
I'm Darren Marlar, and I hope you'll join me again
534
00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:27.700
soon at Midnight in the Macabre.
