- Good evening, Sergeant. - Good evening, Dr. Hassler.
- File 7842. - Authority, please.
Thank you.
[Machine Grinding]
[Machine Beeping]
[Sergeant] Your pen, Dr. Hassler.
Sorry, Sergeant.
Oh, well. My plan is ruined.
You see, this is not a pen at all. It's a secret camera.
- Better luck next time, Doctor. - [Chuckles]
[Machine Grinding]
Vault nine.
Thank you, Sergeant.
Now, we shall see.
My mistake. You were right.
- I'm sorry. - That's all right, Doctor.
[Dr. Hassler] All right.
[Buzzing]
[Buzzing Continues]
[Projector Clicking]
- Cigar? - That's a little premature, isn't it? You haven't won yet.
- You wanna bet? - Yeah.
Three-thousand million pounds.
[Chuckles]
- All right? - Everything's fine.
- [Woman] One minute to go. - [Door Shuts]
Last as usual.
He's only got 100 yards to walk.
- Security, Lise. - Scrambling, operative.
[Clicks Switch]
[Men Mumbling On TV Screens]
Gentlemen, gentlemen, please.
The 67th meeting...
of the European Space Exploration Council is now in session.
This is a momentous occasion for our organization.
Sun Probe One was an unqualified success.
We had some spectacular results.
However, this meeting is called to consider one single result.
Startling in its implications.
Dr. John Kane, the project director.
[Clicks Switch]
Gentlemen.
An unmanned satellite is naturally limited...
in the transmission of information.
Part of Sun Probe's equipment was a cine camera set to take one picture a minute...
for the duration of the flight.
- [Clicks Switch] - Roll the film, please.
The far side of the sun.
Over 100 million miles from Earth.
Hidden from the eyes of radio telescopes by the sun itself.
Now, at this point in the flight, a strange thing happened.
The gyromechanisms aboard were influenced by another magnetic field.
And the capsule slowly started to rotate.
Now, if you watch your screens carefully,
you'll see that the capsule's cine camera was panned off the sun...
towards the force that was attracting it.
That force, gentlemen, was the gravitational pull of another planet.
I'm going to hold the film here to show you the first complete...
photographic evidence of a new planet.
Hold and zoom.
A new planet in our solar system.
- [Clicks Switch] - Thank you.
Photographic evidence is only part of the story.
Instruments aboard the capsule report that it is in the same orbit as Earth.
But directly on the opposite side of the sun.
Orbital speed precisely the same as ours is the reason it has remained undetected.
What information do we have from the other systems on board?
Not enough.
Which brings me to the purpose of this meeting.
A proposal, from the Chair, that we should mount a manned flight to the new planet.
Lise. Book me a scrambled satellite call to NASA headquarters...
- for the end of this meeting, please. - It's already in hand, David.
- How come? - Instruction from Jason Webb.
Oh. Thanks.
Well, Jason, how much is it gonna cost us this time?
- A point of order, Mr. Chairman. - Another one!
Mr. Chairman will agree that all delegates...
- are entitled to share in Eurosec information? - Correct.
Then, perhaps, the chairman will share with us...
his estimate of the cost of this manned expedition.
A realistic estimate, gentlemen.
Three-thousand million pounds.
- Sterling. - [Men Chattering At Once]
Mr. Chairman, I'm sure I'm speaking for the whole of the community...
when I say that such a sum is out of the question.
Trust a German to louse it up!
They lecture us on penny-pinching economics.
The French are only too glad to agree with them.
The rest of the community goes whichever way the wind blows! America's our only hope.
- If they contribute, the rest might follow. - Face it, Jason, we've had it.
Had what? This is only a temporary setback.
- Did you see Poulson's face when you pitched the price? - No, I didn't.
Well, I did, and he's not going to buy it.
- He'll buy it. - Oh, for God's sake!
[Intercom Beeping]
- Yes? - David Poulson on the internal.
Are you free to see him?
- Send him right up. - Yes, sir.
You're gonna sit there and watch me take a man for one billion dollars.
The words of an egotistical megalomaniac.
Maniac.
Remind me to be as charitable to you when one of your rockets blows up on the pad.
- [Beeping] - Hadn't you better attend to that cardiac warning?
[Beeping] Just a minute.
- I'll make a deal with you. - [Beeping Continues]
You stick to the science.
- Let me handle the politics. - I'll accept that deal.
I'll stick to the science if you handle the politics.
Hello, John.
Hi, Jason.
Hello, David.
- Want a scotch? - Thanks. Don't mind if I do. Straight.
All right.
Now, why don't you give it to me... straight?
Well, as you know, the United States has always cooperated with Eurosec.
- But in this case... - I said, straight!
Okay, Jason. It's no go.
We discover a new planet in our own solar system.
Military and scientific implications beyond comprehension.
We ask our friends for a... few dollars...
- and it's "no go." - One billion dollars, Jason.
Cheap at twice the price.
- You sure about this? - Yes. Give it to Jason tonight.
Delay could be dangerous.
Oh, no, thanks.
You wouldn't want anybody else to get there first, would you?
How could they? While we have sole access of the information.
- Who else would know of the planet's existence? - You know perfectly well...
that we have a security leak.
Well, we all have our problems.
I see. I get the message.
Look, I know how you feel about this project, Jason.
But the answer is no.
I'm sorry. I really am.
So am I!
Miss Kirby!
I'm going home now. Tell Neuman and Lise I want to see them at 7:30.
Yes, Mr. Webb. Oh, and, uh... John Kane asked me to give you this.
[Doorbell Ringing]
Come in.
I want a rundown on the current security position.
- Defensively? - Mmm.
We've housed findings, computer programs and visual data from Sun Probe One in vault two.
- Access? - Restricted.
- To whom? - Yourself, John Kane and Mark.
- And offensively? - I've already reported the near certainty of a security leak.
- Re: Splashdown information. - And so?
- We picked up radio signals again this morning and got a bearing. - Why not a fix?
Listen, Jason, that information is coded and radioed out in a two-second transmission.
- Hmm. - And there are 86,400 seconds in a day.
All right. You've made your point.
- When are you going to nail him? - What?
When are you going to nail him?
Depends on how much rope we give him.
All right.
Lise, that access restriction must be widened.
- To whom? - Hassler.
Dr. Hassler.
You're serving up information on a plate... to our prime suspect.
That's my responsibility.
Your responsibility is this:
If he shows his hand, I don't want an arrest.
Understood?
Understood.
[Projector Clicking]
[Banging]
[Gunshots Continue]
[Heart Monitor Beeping]
[Beeping Continues]
[Continuous Humming]
[Poulson] Has any of this information been transmitted?
He certainly wasn't broadcasting record requests.
So by now, the existence of a new planet could be known outside Europe and the States.
- I'm afraid so. - Preparations for a manned flight...
- could shortly be underway by somebody else. - Don't panic.
It would take some time.
Yes, we'd have to check out your information, examine Hassler's body,
see the transmissions you monitored.
Check the manufacturing origins of his photographic equipment.
Arrange all that for Mr. Poulson immediately.
- And put John Kane in the picture. - Right.
- Can I have another look at the photographic equipment? - Sure.
Does our side have anything like this?
We have now.
Oh, Mark, give that back to Kane, will you?
Tell him... I accept his apologies.
Right.
So, you're convinced now there has been a leak?
Yes. And I'm left with no choice.
- I agree. - It'll be up to you to persuade the rest of the community.
But you'd be prepared to recommend that the United States...
should contribute one billion dollars to a manned flight conducted by Eurosec?
Yes. Full information sharing.
- Guaranteed. - By you?
What else do you suggest?
Putting an American astronaut on the team.
- Who? - I've already called Cape Kennedy.
They've come up with our most experienced. Fifty days of space flight.
Two manned projects to Mars.
Glenn Ross?
[Woman Over P.A.] Passengers from NASA flight 155 will arrive at Bay seven.
Thank you.
[Photographer] Hold it, Mrs. Ross.
Thank you, Colonel.
- I'm Jason Webb. Welcome to Eurosec. - Glenn Ross. My wife, Sharon.
- How do you do? - Hello.
- This is Lise Hartmann, security. - How do you do?
- Hello. - Miss Hartmann.
- Dr. John Kane, our project director. - How do you do?
- Delighted to meet you. - Paulo Lende, public relations. He'll be looking after you.
- How do you do, Mrs. Ross? - Hello.
[Crowd Chattering]
Thanks.
Oh, scotch, please.
- What's on your mind? - I've been thinking, John.
- Hmm. - About the second astronaut to accompany Ross.
Well, Borgener's the obvious choice, or Mitchell.
If we want just an astronaut, I agree.
- But? - It occurs to me... that we need someone more flexible.
- Well, they're trained to... - I mean in terms of knowledge.
Someone who can take full advantage of any findings on the new planet...
however bizarre and unusual they happen to be.
You mean an astrophysicist?
- Me? - The idea doesn't appeal to you?
- You must be joking. - It'll grow on you.
[Drilling]
Well, there she is.
[Drilling Continues]
[Alarm Blaring]
Fourth gantry.
We've been developing a lift-body for controlled landings.
If analysis confirms an atmosphere on the new planet, we use that as the last stage.
Without seeming too eager, when does training start?
Tomorrow.
[Chuckles] I can hardly wait.
[Heartbeats Pulsating]
- [Beeping] - [Man] 400.
400.
450. 500. 600.
650. 700.
700. Fire retros!
- Hold it! - 750! - Jason!
- [Man] 800! - What are you trying to do, kill him?
- 800! 850! - Now!
- Retros! - [Screams]
- You okay, John? - [Weakly] Okay.
Yes, I'm okay.
[Machines Winding Down]
Hi.
Didn't know you'd be back.
You're late.
We drove into Lisbon to see the cathedral.
And then stopped over for dinner.
Oh! I could sleep for a week.
[Door Closes]
[Shower Running]
- I had my first medical today. - Did you?
- How did it go? - The doctors say everything's all right, as usual.
Good.
Everything's all right.
We're not starting that one again, are we?
Look, face it, Glenn, it's your job. You're up in space hundreds of days.
You're subjected to radiation effects and that's why we can't have children.
- Doctors say different. - They're employed by politicians.
Do you really think they'd tell even you the truth?
- [Water Stops] - Great publicity.
America's top astronaut, sterile!
Your doctors don't work for politicians so we know it's not you.
For god's sakes, I'm not about to go through this again!
The truth of the matter is that you went up there a man, but you came back less than a man.
Maybe this is why we're not having kids, huh?
[Case Clatters On Table]
- [Gasps] - If you have anything to say, you better say it now.
Is that how you prove your virility? [Gasps]
[Horn Honks]
It really was the only way of attracting your attention.
You look like a man with problems.
Yeah, well, I'll tell you about them someday.
Thank you.
[Woman Over P.A.] Would Mr. Edwards please contact Reception?
- We don't often see you at Administration. - Jason wants to see me.
How is the training going?
It's tough enough for me, but it's hell for John.
It's a crash course in space preparation.
- Glenn, there is something I shouldn't tell you. - What's that?
- I know why Jason wants to see you. - Why?
- He plans to put the launch date forward. - Forward?
Mm-hmm.
Well, we'll see about that.
Good luck, Glenn.
- Lise. - Hmm?
Thanks for the warning.
I'm forwarding the launching date four weeks.
You're pushing too hard, Jason.
You don't understand. In Germany, budgetary troubles.
In France, political troubles.
Somebody's going to suggest withdrawing from the project any day.
You know when a rocket's ready, but you don't know when a man's ready; Kane isn't.
I know more about human nature than anybody else at Eurosec.
[Siren Blaring In Distance]
That's why I'm in this office.
- And I'm telling you, Kane will make it. - And I'm telling you he won't.
- Where do we go from here? - There are other American astronauts.
That's right. You'd be right back to zero again.
Nevertheless, I am informing you officially...
that the launching date will be brought forward... two weeks.
Two weeks.
[Horn Blares]
- Now? - Now.
[Horn Beeping]
My instincts tell me there's a little bit of transportation around here somewhere.
- Don't the rules say we walk? - Sure.
[Bell Ringing]
[Kane] What's it like up there?
- Where? - There.
[Ross] Lonely.
How lonely?
The same as down here. No different.
You mean you've got to have someone with you down here up there?
Yeah, it's got to be the right person though, otherwise it makes no difference.
No difference.
- Home again. - Yeah.
This is the part we have to make look good. We're back uncomfortably early.
- I could grow attached to them. - That's the idea.
Now you can be hooked up to the heart, lung and kidney machine during the flight.
With sedation...
you will sleep for three weeks there...
and three weeks back.
Well, that part I'm looking forward to.
[Man Over P.A.] Operational. This is Eurosec Launch Control.
[Announcement Continues, Indistinct]
Roger. Switch to R.T. 4-1-0 computers.
[Man Over P.A.] Roger. Operating now.
- Roger, green. - Scope three standing by. All other scopes at blue.
- Roger, blue. - Fueling, first stage complete.
Roger, fueling.
Warp index: 2.7.
Liftoff now minus seven hours, 46 minutes.
Q.R.S. Complex, good.
No T-wave depression.
Cardiac response normal.
[Flight Director] This is Eurosec Launch Control.
Liftoff now minus six hours, 51 minutes.
[Man Over P.A.] Astronauts' preflight checks in four minutes. Repeat.
Astronauts' preflight checks in four minutes.
Glenn.
I wanted to wish you luck.
Well, that's disappointing. I thought you were coming with us.
No, I mean it.
- [Man Over P.A.] I have three greens. All go. - Electrics.
- Environmental control. - Stand by.
- Should we hold the count? - No, continue count, Control.
Just one moment, please.
- S, three, Y, four, Z minus seven. - Environmental systems go.
- Capsule from Launch Control. Switch to external. - External.
- Capsule condition? - Stand by.
[Siren Blaring]
[Flight Director Over P.A.] This is Eurosec Launch Control.
Liftoff now minus three hours.
Stand by, Capsule, to receive astronauts.
I think we're expected.
[Elevator Stopping]
Jason.
[Man Over Radio] Oxygen host tank is pressurized. Water chillers operational.
Water separator unit reading a-okay.
[Announcement Continues, Indistinct]
Roger.
Check. Suit heat exchanger operational.
Main water system, go.
Main oxygen system, go.
Main suit system, go.
Cabin temperature control system, go.
We have a computer report.
Orange sweep Beta reading 4-7-5-3-2.
All phase three stations progress position X-2-4. Check back.
[Radio Transmission Muffled]
Launches schedule are all go.
Control, this is Phoenix Command. Hatch secure, ready for all systems check.
- Affirmative. - Gas circulation, normal.
- Procedures. Check. - Electrics green.
- Go. - Flight Control.
- Gas mixture, a-okay. - I have a low pressure reading in oxygen inlet number three.
- Down two and a half pounds. - Fuel temperature's correct.
Liftoff now minus one hour, 26 minutes.
Countdown continues.
[Heart Beating Over Monitor]
- [Heartbeats Increase] - Medical One to Flight Control. Colonel Ross, pulse.
- Remove gantry. - [Man Over Radio] Roger. Stand by.
[Radio Transmission Muffled]
Remove fuel injectors. Roger.
Control. Have X-ray Bravo keep us informed about that weather front.
[Flight Director] Check.
- Cabin pressure seems a little bit low. - Being checked now.
Medical One to Flight Control. Colonel Ross.
- [Heartbeats Pulsating] - Pulse: 74. Blood pressure: Normal.
Respiration: Normal.
[Heartbeats Rapid]
Medical Two to Flight Control. Dr. Kane:
Pulse: 110.
Blood pressure raised 150 over 100.
Respiration: Normal.
- Phoenix. Switch to internal. - Roger. Internal.
Remove umbilical.
Liftoff minus two minutes.
- [Man] Status check. Command on internal. - Affirmative.
- [Man] Kilometry in launch condition. - Affirmative.
- Missile in internal D.C. - Affirmative.
- Pressurization complete. - Affirmative.
I have a fret complete light. Box tanking secured.
This is Eurosec Launch Control. Ignition sequence commences.
[Man] "T" minus 27 seconds and counting. All recorders and oscillographs to fast.
Vernier start.
Lock start and pressurized.
[Flight Director] Ten seconds, nine,
eight, seven, six,
five, four, three,
two, one. Ignition.
[Ross] Flight Control, this is Phoenix.
We have ignition. I say again, we have ignition. All systems go.
[Flight Director] Lift off.
- Well, she flies. - Of course she bloody well flies.
- See you in three weeks. - Let's hope the alarm clock goes off.
It'd better; you made it.
[Beeping]
[Beeping Stops]
Good morning.
[Sighs]
Bang on target.
[Kane] Clouds. There are clouds, Glenn!
So there is an atmosphere.
All right, preliminary orbit 34,000 miles from planet surface as planned. Right?
Right.
Okay, two orbits to mark out electronic survey.
Then we decide... to land or not to land.
[Instruments Clicking]
- [Beeps] - [Flips Switch]
[Beeping]
[Beeping Continues]
Well, let's have it.
Mass and gravitational pull, similar to Earth.
There's an atmosphere. Oxygen present.
- Suitable landing site? - Established.
Seascape and vegetation.
So far no sign of life.
All right, mate. What's the next move?
Well, like you said, to land or not to land.
Well, this is one we can't put through the computer. What do ya think?
I think, on the result of the survey, we don't have a choice.
- You? - I'm for go.
Let's go then.
- Landing orbit coming up. - [Flipping Switch]
[Air Escaping]
Cabin pressure zero.
Ready for transfer to landing lift body.
- Thirty seconds. - Okay.
The on-board computer should take us within five miles of the selected landing site.
Ten seconds.
But if we have any trouble with the guidance system, give me manual straightaway.
- Check. - Here we go.
Computer checks. Main retros five seconds.
Roger. Three, two, one.
[Thunderclap]
Time check.
Three minutes to manual. Four minutes to touchdown.
[Thunderclap]
Manual!
Give me manual!
Landing lights.
Vertical check. Full flap.
[Thunderclap]
[Man Speaking Foreign Language]
[Man Shouting In Foreign Language]
[Man] Do you speak English?
I'm Air-Sea Rescue. Ulan Bator.
[Muffled] I will get your friend.
[Shouting In Foreign Language]
[Beeping]
Well?
The results of the electronic medical check. He's in pretty good shape.
But the readouts on items 20, 27 and 32 don't make sense.
They certainly don't. Check the computer.
- It was checked out this morning. - Then check it out again!
Never trust them.
- Any improvement? - No.
- Has he spoken? - Disjointedly.
It's impossible to make out a meaning.
Arrange for anything he says to be recorded.
Mark, I want a total security blackout on news of their return,
until we find out what the devil's gone wrong.
What about that Mongolian rescue team?
I had a word with my opposite number in the Soviet Academy of Space Science.
They've agreed to cooperate.
Does the clamp down include Mrs. Ross?
No. Tell her to stand by.
Pontini!
No one, except authorized personnel,
are to see any of the results, until all the computers have been completely rechecked.
- You're responsible. - It's my department.
[Webb] Well?
- Dr. Kane is still conscious. - And Colonel Ross?
Apart from the shock and superficial burning located in...
Is he fit? I don't want details.
- I only want to know one thing. Is he fit for questioning? - Yes.
- Do I have to go through with this? - It's your job.
Before we get started, this is the Interrogation Room, not the Debriefing Center.
That's right. Sit down, please.
[Neuman] Why did you turn back?
We did not turn back.
You continue to claim that you completed your mission?
We reached the new planet, yes.
You agree that to fly to the planet and return...
- is a journey of six weeks? - Yes.
You accept that you have in fact returned three weeks after launching?
Well, I can't explain that. All I can say is that...
- You completed the electronic survey? - Yes.
- Of the new planet? - Yes.
- And returned to Earth? - We crashed.
- On Earth? - On the planet!
You're here! On Earth!
To the planet and back in three weeks?
I don't know. There's a lot I can't explain.
You left Earth. Three weeks later you return... crashed.
It takes six weeks to travel to the new planet and return.
You were gone three weeks. So you turned back!
- We did not turn back. - Why?
Why? Why!
I'm sending Ross home. You won't get any more out of him today.
The interrogation leaves us with two possibilities.
One: Ross aborted the mission and turned back.
If that was the case, he'd deny it for obvious reasons.
Two: Ross genuinely believes he made the journey to the new planet,
and he is as surprised as we are that when he landed he found himself back on Earth.
This is the theory I prefer to believe.
Only one snag.
Why was there no sign of life on his electronic survey?
That could be explained.
Their orbit took them over the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Poles.
What few land masses they crossed are mainly uninhabited.
All right, so we prefer the second theory.
But three weeks to the planet, three weeks back.
That's six weeks in all. They were only away three weeks.
That's right.
So, they turned back.
It still doesn't make sense.
The world's most experienced astronaut and the leading scientist. Why?
The Council felt railroaded into this project from the start.
They're going to turn like a pack of wolves when they know it's failed.
They don't know yet.
And they won't know until I've established exactly what happened.
You can't do that without the flight recorder, and that's still on the Phoenix.
Arrangements have been made to bring that back.
- When is Poulson due back from the States? - Not 'til the 17th.
Thank God for that.
- Was it rough? - Yeah.
- Glenn, what really happened? - [Sighing] What do you mean?
- What made you turn back? - We didn't turn back.
Then it doesn't make sense.
Right.
You're covering for John Kane, aren't you?
No. There's nothing to cover for.
- Look out! - [Horn Blaring]
What the hell are you doing?
That guy was on the wrong side of the road.
[Sighing]
It must have been rough.
I'll go make some coffee.
[Door Closing]
Sharon, what's going on? Sharon!
- What is it, Glenn? - You know damn well what it is.
- This room. - What about the room?
It's changed. Everything is changed. What the hell's happened here?
Some disorientation isn't unusual after a protracted period in space.
I understand that. But it's never happened on any previous space flights.
All right. Keep me informed. If things get worse, I promise immediate action.
[Bottle Crashing]
What is it?
- What's wrong? - The writing is reversed.
Everything is reversed.
[Siren Wailing]
Jason Webb, please.
Jason, this is urgent. I must see you right away.
- Excuse me, Colonel. - Yeah? What is it?
- Over here, Colonel. - Ow! What the hell is this all about?
Do what they say, Glenn.
- Then he called me. - From where?
Our bathroom in here.
- See for yourself. - [Siren Wailing]
- He shouldn't have been sent home. - He could have killed me.
- This does it. I'm getting out of here. - You don't mean that, Sharon.
You bet I do.
- What happened after he smashed all the bottles? - He went crazy.
He said his own handwriting was reversed, my watch, everything.
Look at this. Does this look reversed to you?
- The man's gone out of his mind. - We don't know that yet.
You may not, but I do. I'm his wife. Remember that.
He's been violent before.
- Like this? - He hit me.
- It was the flight. - It was before the flight.
And like I said, I'm getting out of here.
We know about your personal life, Mrs. Ross. It's our job.
But you better forget these ideas you have about leaving.
- You can't stop me. - I can't stop you leaving this house.
But I can and will stop you leaving Eurosec.
[Clicking]
[Man] You can talk to him now.
So, everything is reversed, huh?
- Everything. - Look, Glenn,
we're going to check a few things.
All right.
Set it up.
Now, watch the mirror, please. Thank you.
Read it!
"Fire Emergency Checklist: In the event of fire,
priorities are assigned as follows.
First: Documentation. Second: Research Specimens.
Third: Photographic Material. Fourth: Progress Reports..."
All right! Good enough for you?
What the hell more do you want?
I don't envy him.
[Lise] You completed your mission?
- [Neuman] Why did you turn back? - [Ross] We crashed.
[Neuman] Why? Why? Why?
Why! Why! Why!
[Lise] You completed your mission?
- [Neuman] Why did you turn back? - [Ross] We crashed.
[Neuman] Why? Why? Why?
Why! Why! Why!
- Satisfied? - "Satisfied"?
Satisfied that I was telling the truth about the new planet?
You're bound to be a little confused until the drug wears off.
- You're trying to check out my story, right? - Uh-huh.
- You couldn't fault it, right? - No. We couldn't fault it.
Right. You'll hear the same story from John Kane.
[Muffled Shouting] What happened?
[Muffled Shouting] Tell me!
I'm sorry I'm late. I was detained at the Medical Center.
Come and sit down. What I have to say to you is very important.
No, Jason, you sit down.
Now, you've checked me, interrogated me. You've looked into my brain.
You've found out nothing. I want you to sit down and listen to me.
I'm listening.
Now, what I'm going to tell you is bizarre, weird.
But it's the only theory that fits the facts.
I propose a complete duplication of matter.
A situation where every single atom, every molecule here,
is duplicated here, except that it's in reverse.
Now, when I left Earth to travel to the new planet,
another man left the new planet at precisely the same time to travel to Earth,
another Colonel Ross.
The man you know as Colonel Ross is on the other planet standing in an identical,
except reversed, room, talking to an identical Jason Webb,
who's sitting in an identical chair rubbing his hands together at this exact moment!
Look here.
Now, what do you see?
Go on.
You see the mirrored images of Jason Webb and Glenn Ross.
There are now four people in this room.
Two Jason Webbs, two Glenn Rosses.
What I'm trying to say is, these two planets have a physical connection.
One is the mirrored image of the other.
But unlike the reflection in the mirror, they both exist.
For every person on one planet, there is a double on the other.
Don't you understand? Until a few days ago, you and I had never met.
Are you trying to tell me that you don't know any of the people here? Your wife?
- Lise? Neuman? - Only their doppelgangers.
- Their what? - Doppelgangers. Doubles.
A literal translation: The mirrored images of themselves.
I think I'd better get you a drink.
All right, I know how it sounds. Can you think of anything better?
I wish to God I could.
When I got your call, Dr. Pontini had just completed a postmortem on John Kane.
And?
Kane's internal organs were found to be on the opposite side from normal.
My normal, that is.
It was all there on the computer readout...
when you had your electronic medicals.
I assumed wrongly that it was a fault.
Lesson number one: Never distrust a computer.
So you see, your theory holds up.
It would seem I'm not the Jason Webb that you know,
only an impish doppelganger.
How do you do, Colonel Ross?
- It's only a theory. - It's the best we've come up with.
But we can't prove it until we've recovered the Phoenix.
Well, if we're right, you realize your version of the Dove...
won't be able to dock with the Phoenix.
We'll have to reverse the controls and the electrical systems.
Or does the polarity of electricity remain the same?
Well, does it?
If we're wrong, you do realize what would happen to you?
It's a chance I'm willing to take.
And the other Colonel Ross?
Are you willing to take a chance on him too?
That was a penny for your thoughts.
If they are as confused as mine, maybe sharing them would help.
Did you say a penny?
Well, it's a buyer's market.
- What would you like to know? - Sharon's left?
Yes. In a way, she left a long time ago.
- Are you going to recover the Phoenix? - Yes.
With reversed vision? How will you operate the controls?
It should be interesting.
Don't do it, Glenn. You have done enough for Jason.
Well, it's not really just for Jason.
I don't understand.
You know how it is. There's so much I'm not supposed to talk about.
Did you mind my coming over?
No. As a matter of fact, I'm glad you're here. It's someone to talk to.
[Man] Why did you reverse "Doppelganger," Colonel?
It's an inside joke between me and myself.
- Good luck, sir. - Thank you.
- Network check complete? - All set.
- Proceed condition. - Proceed condition.
This is Eurosec Launch Control. Phoenix on horizon.
- Liftoff, eight seconds. - [Ross] Roger, Control.
On-board computer indicates liftoff five seconds.
- Four, three, two, one. - [Clicking]
Report on ground systems.
- [Man On Intercom] Proceeds checked. All systems go! - Roger.
You couldn't stay away, hmm?
[Ross] Launch Control, this is Doppelganger.
[Muffled] Airspeed: 12,500.
Roger, Doppelganger.
Countdown for second stage. Ten seconds.
Five seconds, four,
three, two, one.
[Muffled] Control, this is Doppelganger. Now leaving Earth's atmosphere.
Roger, Doppelganger. Rocket shutdown. Five seconds...
Three, two, one.
[Muffled] Launch Control, this is Doppelganger. In orbit.
Roger, Doppelganger. Stand by for computer report on Phoenix position.
Doppelganger, this is Eurosec Launch Control.
Computer reports Phoenix 20 miles ahead.
Your orbital position is correct for automatic approach to Eurosec...
should there be an emergency condition.
Thank you, Control.
[Ross] I see it now.
See it now, Control. Beginning docking maneuvers.
From now on, it'll be just as easy as parking a car.
For a man with reversed vision?
Launch Control from Doppelganger. Is Jason Webb there?
Jason Webb here.
I'm about to dock, Jason. Any additional orders?
- Proceed with docking. - Roger.
Launch Control from Doppelganger. Jason, we were right...
- [Electricity Crackling] - There are two planets. There are definitely two...
Doppelganger, say again. We lost your last trans...
- Jason, I'm not reading... - Repeat, we lost your last transmission.
Jason, I'm not reading you. Maybe you're reading me.
The retros on the Phoenix have fired. I don't know why, but they've fired. I'm pulling out.
I say again, there are definitely two planets. Identical, but reversed.
Launch Control, if you're reading me, come in, please.
Give him the automatic approach system.
- Dove now on automatic control. - Roger.
Yellow condition. All stations stand by.
This is Doppelganger to Launch Control. If you're reading me, come in, please.
I've pulled out of the Phoenix. Extensive damage all systems.
The one thing that's not reversed is the polarity of electricity.
Instruments indicate negative still negative, positive still positive.
[Radar Blipping]
- Phoenix reentering. - Is there a separate radar reading for the Dove?
- No, sir. - Reentry speed?
Speed: 19,000 reducing.
- Second blip on screen. Could be the Dove. - [Man] Speed?
Stand by.
Speed: 12,000 reducing.
- Controlled reentry? - As far as I can see, sir.
Angle of entry: Fair.
Launch Control, cut automatic approach system.
I say again, cut automatic approach system. Unable to effect landing at Eurosec.
All vertical thrusters have...
Maintain automatic approach system. We'll bring him right down the beam...
until he breaks contact for the final approach.
Launch Control, if you read me, cut automatic approach system. Unable to get off beam.
Angle of approach: 30 degrees.
Red alert. Repeat, red alert. All stations!
Red alert! All stations! Red alert!
[Sirens Wailing]
[Alarms Blaring, Sirens Wailing]
[Alarms Continue]
Launch Control, cut automatic approach system. Unable to effect a landing at Eurosec.
All vertical thrusters have failed.
[Man] There's no sign of manual control, sir.
Cut automatic approach system. Break contact.
[Radar Off]
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
[Sirens Wailing]
[Webb] Glenn Ross...
and John Kane,
Dr. Pontini.
The only witnesses, gone.
Records, X rays, documents.
Everything destroyed.
So are you surprised that no one believes me?
Come along now, Mr. Webb. Once you get talking...
[Phone Receiver Lifting From Cradle]
[Woman] Put through an emergency signal to Dr. Green.
That's right. Extension 402.
[Glass Shattering]
5@y3