0:01:11 > 0:01:13GEIGER COUNTER CLICKS
0:01:45 > 0:01:47GEIGER COUNTER INTENSIFIES
0:01:49 > 0:01:51GEIGER COUNTER INTENSIFIES FURTHER
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- One minute 14, dead. - Very good.- Ah, well done, Webb.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Right, back to your place, Corporal Webb.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Well, I think we'll call it a day, Sergeant.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- Sir! Sir!- Yes, Lancing? What is it?
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Please, sir. I haven't had a turn yet.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29That's right, Lancing, you haven't, have you?
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- I think I should, sir.- All right.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- Bury it again, Sergeant. - Quiet! Come on, Lancing. Move.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41- What are you waiting for? - Er, Sergeant...
0:02:41 > 0:02:43- bury it somewhere he won't take all day to find it.- Very good, sir.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Och, I told you, didn't I? We'll be last at the cookhouse again.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51The food is bad enough when it's warm.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I'll give him "Haven't had a go yet"!
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- All ready, sir!- Call him on!
0:03:06 > 0:03:08HE BLOWS WHISTLE
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Well, you men should have a pretty good idea how to use
0:03:13 > 0:03:17a Geiger counter by now. Remember what you've learned here today.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19It could save your life. And another thing.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23You've been practising with a piece of harmless radioactive material but
0:03:23 > 0:03:26if it ever comes to the real thing, the radioactivity won't be harmless.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28It'll be extremely lethal, so find it, mark it,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and get out of the way quickly.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Leave it to be dealt with by those who know how. Right? Good.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36If Lancing's done his bit, we'll call it a day.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- Cor blimey! Look at Jet Morgan. - He'll take a week to find it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45Not if I can help it, he won't.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Shouldn't take long, sir.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52HE WHISTLES
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- I think he's found it. - Oh, don't be so sure.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00He couldn't find the nose on his stupid face.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04There. What did I tell you?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Lancing? What is it?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I'm getting a very good reading, sir.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31GEIGER COUNTER CLICKS
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- Give me the counter. Sergeant, fetch Major Cartwright.- Right, sir.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- I knew it. We'll be out here all night.- Aye-aye! Talk of the devil.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51- Bannerman wants to speak to you, sir.- Oh, good. Where is he? - Over this bridge, sir.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14- Mr Bannerman.- I was just coming over to see you, Bannerman.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- Why haven't you got your men moving? They'll miss the transport back to camp.- There's something wrong here.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21We're getting a reading on the counter where there shouldn't be one.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23- Oh?- It's strongest about here.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26- Where have you got your stuff buried?- Over there, sir.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- By the tree.- Right, let's have a look.- Lancing!
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- Mark this spot with my stick, will you?- Very good, sir.- Hang on here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Come on, Sergeant. Where did you put it?- Somewhere around here, sir.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Try the counter, Mr Bannerman.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- Haggis! Do you know what?- No, what? - It's uranium, that's what it is.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52It's a blooming uranium mine.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57- I wonder if we'll get a chance to stake a claim?- No, not if the Army get their hooks into it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Sir! There's something happening over here, sir!
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Look, just a minute, Lancing!
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Sir!
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- See to it, Sergeant. - Right, sir.- You see, sir,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31the reaction couldn't possibly be, because... RUMBLING
0:06:31 > 0:06:33What on earth's that?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Don't know, sir. Sounds like thunder. - Sergeant! Get these men dispersed.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Quickly!- Right, you men. Up on the ridge there! All of you!
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Come on, jump to it. Come along!
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Lancing! Go and get that man. He's got cloth ears.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Come on! Move up there!
0:06:54 > 0:06:55Come on, Lance!
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Lancing! Come out of there! Lancing!
0:07:22 > 0:07:24'Attention please, attention please.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29'Would Dr Adam Royston report to the director's office immediately.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32'Attention please, attention please.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37'Would Dr Adam Royston report to the director's office immediately.'
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Cobalt, container 19. Start your readings.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59211.5.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03'Dr Royston, report to the director's office immediately.'
0:08:03 > 0:08:06'Dr Royston, report to the director's office immediately.'
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Sounds as if your father's after Dr Royston's blood.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- He'll be after mine if he catches me doing this.- All finished.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21He's supposed to be the office type. Administration.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Peter, just a moment.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- Where's Dr Royston?- Er, he asked me to stand by, sir.- So I see.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Well, he's in his workshop. It's all right. This is purely routine.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38Maybe it is, but that's no reason for you to be doing his work for him.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Last container coming up.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Cobalt, container 20. Start reading.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- What is Dr Royston doing in that lab of his?- Just an experiment.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55One of his own.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03CLASSICAL MUSIC ON RADIO
0:09:32 > 0:09:37BUZZING AND CLICKS
0:10:07 > 0:10:08KNOCK ON DOOR
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- Safe to come in, sir? Safe to come in, sir?- Oh, it's you, Russell.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21Come on in. Stay behind the screen. It's all radioactive.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23RADIO CRACKLES
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Your radio needs fixing, sir.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Your radio. Needs fixing.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Shouldn't make a noise like that.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38- That's clever. - What, Watson?- The radio, sir.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42When I'm able to...cut the racket out of the radio without...
0:10:42 > 0:10:46putting that stuff back in there, then that'll be clever.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Now, what was it you wanted to see me about?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- The director wants you over at the establishment, sir.- Oh, no.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58- You got a car out here?- No, sir. I came by bike.- All right, I'll walk.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- I need a little exercise anyway. - He said it was urgent, sir.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- He seemed a bit cross, as you might say.- Yes, I'm sure he did.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Tell him I'll run all the way.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I don't care what you say, Adam.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18I'm in charge here and I shall decide what you will do and what you will not do.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21While we're on the subject, I do wish you wouldn't waste Peter's time.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- You mean, I should have been wasting my own time?- That is not the point.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Peter's job here is administration.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Oh, I know he wants to be a scientist
0:11:28 > 0:11:31but that's no reason for you to encourage him. He has a great future.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- You must allow me to decide what's best for him.- I'm sorry, John.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- I didn't think for a minute... - I know you didn't, Adam. That's just the trouble.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43See it doesn't happen again, eh? By the way, the Army have phoned in.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46It appears they've picked up some radiation reaction.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48I'd like you to go and have a look at it.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Well, I've been working on a project.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- Couldn't you possibly send somebody else?- I'm afraid not, Adam.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Have a car out in front in five minutes for Dr Royston.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- May I see those soldiers now? - Of course.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20There's no radioactivity there now. There's...
0:12:20 > 0:12:23You're quite sure there couldn't possibly have been some mistake?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Wait till you see those men. There's no mistake about them.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Back! Back! Whoa!
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Mr Bannerman? Just a moment, please.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45This chap was nearest to the explosion.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47We thought he was just a bit shaken up at first.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Then these burns started breaking out.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- Not very pretty, is it? - No, it isn't. Thank you, boys.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- What about the other fella? - He's over here.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10He went back to fetch that one. He wasn't quite so near the explosion.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12Let's have a look at your back, old chap.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21What do you make of that, eh?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Were you carrying this when the explosion happened?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- Yes, sir.- Excuse me.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- OK, Sergeant.- All right, sir.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- All right, sir?- Have you finished? - Yes, thank you.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- All right, carry on, Sergeant. - Come along, old chap.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Major, I'd like to get some further equipment out here.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56I wonder now if there is any way that
0:13:56 > 0:13:59you could get a message back to my office.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Yes, I'll take care of it. I'll send it over the air to HQ.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- They'll phone it through from there. - Good.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Poor old Lance is in a terrible state. Did you see him? Horrible.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I saw a man once, fell up against a furnace door.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Looked just about the same. He's passed over the noo.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Passed over the what?- Died. Screamed all night, he did.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22- 'Ere, do you mind? I'm just going to have my tea.- Tea? We'll no be back in time for breakfast.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28GENERATORS RUMBLE
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Swing that light off! - If it was so sudden, Major,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35how did you have time to disperse the troops?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Major, you didn't answer my question. Do you think it is atomic?
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- Well, it was radioactive... - What are they trying to do now?
0:14:41 > 0:14:43I think they're trying to sound the depth.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45If it was radiation, how do you account for the absence of it now?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- I don't know.- Those burned men? What's to be done about them?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- They've been taken to hospital. - Military, or civil?- Military.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- This one that died? - His name was Lancing.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54- A national serviceman?- Yes.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Anything in the fact that the only one who died was
0:14:56 > 0:14:57a national serviceman?
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- Good heavens, man, he was nearest the explosion!- Sir? - Yes, Sergeant, what is it?
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Dr Royston wants to see you, sir. - And we'd like to see Dr Royston!
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Sorry, gentlemen, I told you before. No unauthorised persons allowed to approach.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13- JOURNALISTS PROTEST - Listen to me! You are on War Department property, I am in charge.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Either you do as I say,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- or I shall have to have you escorted from here.- Gentlemen, please!
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- Dr Royston is over by the equipment, sir.- Thank you, Sergeant.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Good night, gentlemen.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- Och, I'm fair starved. - Did you hear the sergeant tear those newspaper fellas off a strip?
0:15:30 > 0:15:32It's all right for him, he's had something to eat.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34What's the matter with you? You got worms?
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- You're quite certain about that? - Yes, sir.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40I'm getting quite a number of readings off the sides,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42but I don't think there can be any doubt.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- You want me, Royston? - Oh, Major, yes.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48There's nothing more we can do out here,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50and I suggest that you leave a couple of men on guard, even if
0:15:50 > 0:15:53it's only to keep people from stepping over the edge.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55No point in keeping men out here all night.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59I'll have the area roped off and put up a couple of "Keep Off" notices.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Peter, will you get things wrapped up? I'll wait for you in the car.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- What is it, anyway? Have you found out how deep it is?- How deep?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12No, we haven't.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15You mean to tell me this thing might be bottomless?
0:16:15 > 0:16:19I mean the operative range of this equipment is limited.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Good night, Major.- Good night, sir.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- How deep do you think that fissure really is, sir?- I don't know.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29The major was going on about it being bottomless,
0:16:29 > 0:16:30he said you had told him.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Did I? That was very unscientific of me.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Well, we know it must have a bottom somewhere.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Whatever caused that split had to have a beginning.
0:16:38 > 0:16:39Had to have an end, too.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Well, surely the forces causing these surface splits just disperse.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Forces causing surface splits don't burn a man to death by radiation.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48What are you getting at, sir?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Peter, I'm not getting anything, I just don't know.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53But for the time being, let's assume that you are right.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Let's not conjure up visions of nameless horrors
0:16:55 > 0:16:57creeping around in the night.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- It's all clear!- My dad will kill me when I get home.- So will mine.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11But we swore. And we cannae break a swear.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Repeat the oath.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15"I swear to get into the tower,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18"and look to see if old Tom sleeps there every night."
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- Are you scared?- No.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Are we away, then? Let's get it over.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- You'll wait here? - I'll wait for five minutes.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29BIRD CHIRPS SUDDENLY
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Three minutes. Good luck, Willie.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Go on, make haste, Willie!
0:18:28 > 0:18:34CRACKLING
0:18:45 > 0:18:49CRACKLING GETS LOUDER
0:18:49 > 0:18:51HE PANTS
0:19:02 > 0:19:05What was it, Willie? What did you see?
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Willie, wait for me!
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Willie, wait!
0:19:11 > 0:19:15Come back! Willie! Don't leave me!
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Willie, wait! Willie!
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- What rate, Doctor? - 60 drops a minute.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Well?
0:19:40 > 0:19:42First-degree radiation burns.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44I thought so. That's why I called you in.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- Kelly, when did he come in? - About an hour ago.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01Perhaps you had better see the parents. They're outside.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- Replace the dressings, nurse, will you?- Yes, Doctor.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10What's wrong with him, Doctor? What is it?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Is there anything you can tell us, Doctor?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Well, I'm afraid it's a little early yet to...
0:20:14 > 0:20:19- Your son has been badly burned. If you could tell us how...- Burned?
0:20:19 > 0:20:20Burned by what?
0:20:20 > 0:20:24That's what we're trying to find out. When did you first notice anything?
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- It was this morning. - I went into his room to wake him up.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31He was lying there with those horrible marks all over him!
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Yesterday, what happened yesterday? Where did he go, do you know?
0:20:35 > 0:20:36We don't know.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39He stopped out late with a friend of his, Ian Osborne. Ask him.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42He'll be able to tell you where they were last night.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49CHURCH ORGAN PLAYS
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Oh, Ian? Just a moment.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Somebody wants to meet you, Ian.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Ian,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16this is Dr Royston. Dr Royston, this is Ian Osborne.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20How are you, Ian? Thank you. Let's sit down.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26You know, I've just come from visiting your friend, Willie Harding.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- He's not very well, Ian. - What's wrong with him?
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Well, you know, you and he were out late last night, weren't you?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Something must have happened to him where you were.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I'd like you to tell me what it was.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Where did you go, Ian? Where was it, Ian?
0:21:43 > 0:21:45I cannae tell you. We swore an oath.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49Willie is sick. He's very sick, Ian.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51I cannae, I cannae!
0:21:51 > 0:21:53We swore an oath.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Yes, yes, but that was when Willie was fit and healthy, wasn't it?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Wasn't it?
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Now that he's sick, see, that's different.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05He'd want you to tell.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Are you sure?- I'm very sure.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14Well, we went oot to the tower in the marshes. It was awful creepy.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16I dared Willie to go to the tower.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23TAPPING
0:23:30 > 0:23:32TAPPING CONTINUES
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Hello? Anybody there?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04DRIPPING
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Mister? Wake up, mister!
0:24:16 > 0:24:18COUGHS AND SPLUTTERS
0:24:18 > 0:24:20What! What, what is it?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Oh! Look at the wheat.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40COUGHS
0:24:42 > 0:24:43You care for a dram?
0:24:43 > 0:24:46No, no, thank you. I came up here because...
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Oh, come on, man. Have a dram.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58That container. That's mine. It came from my workshop.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- Where did you get it? - This? I found it lying on...
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Don't touch it. - Here, man, mind what you're up to!
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Stay away from that. You touch it, it might kill you.
0:25:15 > 0:25:16KNOCK AT DOOR
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Come in.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Good evening, sir.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26I can see what you meant on the phone. Is it safe?
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Unfortunately, yes.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- This is lead, isn't it? - Half an inch thick.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42There's a...sort of...
0:25:42 > 0:25:44I know, I found the same thing up at the tower.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46There's a towel over there.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51You won't be able to wipe it off, Peter.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53It'll just disappear in an hour or two.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54What is it?
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Well, whatever it is, it's all over the place.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00How do you explain it, sir?
0:26:00 > 0:26:05All this extraordinary damage just to steal an old sample container.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09You know what's in that container, Peter? It's trinium.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Don't be alarmed, now. Completely harmless.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14And how long would you say trinium retains its radioactivity?
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Well, it's not a very stable compound. About 30 years.
0:26:17 > 0:26:1828, actually.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Now, let's take a radiation reading.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Well, the counter's working all right. Here, look.
0:26:29 > 0:26:30COUNTER PULSES
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Just the luminous paint on my watch.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34What happened, sir? I don't understand.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Peter, I'm afraid I don't either.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Yesterday, the material in that container
0:26:39 > 0:26:41was giving a danger point radiation reading.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43Now, as you just saw, it's nothing.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44But that's impossible!
0:26:46 > 0:26:48- Isn't it? - Yesterday, I would have said yes.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51But this fact is inescapable.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54The energy trapped in that trinium has been sucked right out of it,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56and furthermore, these windows were barred
0:26:56 > 0:26:58and that door was locked all night.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02So whoever it was came in here must be most unusual.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05Really, Inspector McGill...
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Mr. I'm sorry. But the whole thing is quite ridiculous.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11I never thought anyone would call you people in on this.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13The local police called us.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15As you know, sir, any crime, however small,
0:27:15 > 0:27:18connected with this establishment automatically comes through to us.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Quite possibly. But this crime, if you can call it that,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23has nothing whatever to do with the establishment.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26This, this tin can was stolen from Dr Royston's own workshop.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29It's purely a personal matter. I should have thought
0:27:29 > 0:27:31the local police were well able to take care of that.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32As for this story of Dr Royston's
0:27:32 > 0:27:35about the tin containing some radioactive material,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I have spoken to the doctor about that, and I don't want to hear
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- any more about the matter, thank you.- But I do, sir.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43So perhaps you can tell me where I can find Dr Royston.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Obviously, Inspector...
0:27:45 > 0:27:48Mr McGill, if you place any credence in this story,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51you don't know the first thing about the basic facts of science.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Now, let me... - Dr Royston does.- Does what?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Know about the basic facts of science.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Look here, sir, I've been sent up here to pursue an investigation.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Perhaps you'll allow me to do just that.
0:28:03 > 0:28:04Where can I find Dr Royston?
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Don't you chaps even stop to eat?
0:28:28 > 0:28:29My name's McGill. Do you mind if I sit down?
0:28:36 > 0:28:38"United Kingdom Atomic Energy Commission.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41"Internal security division. Sounds very impressive."
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Impressive, yes. Except on paydays.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Well, Inspector, what can I possibly... Mr.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50OK, Mac, what can I tell you?
0:28:50 > 0:28:52It's about that child that was burned.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Any idea how it happened?
0:28:55 > 0:28:56Not for sure, no.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59It's possible he may have handled that sample container of mine, but...
0:28:59 > 0:29:02A case of the missing radiation. Yes, I've heard about that already.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04- From the director?- From the director.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- There's no doubt as to his opinions about the matter.- What about yours?
0:29:07 > 0:29:09I'm not entitled to have any opinions.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11I'm only interested in facts.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14I was talking to that old reprobate up in the tower, old Tom.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16One fact I did manage to learn
0:29:16 > 0:29:18was that that child never went near that container of yours.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20He was burned by something else.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24Dr Royston, I'd like you to help me to find out what it was.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33WOMAN SOBS
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I'm so sorry.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Willie!
0:29:50 > 0:29:51SHE SOBS
0:29:58 > 0:30:02- I expect you'd like to stay here for a while. Use my room.- Thank you.
0:30:05 > 0:30:06- Willie!- The boy's parents.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- Is he dead?- I'm afraid so. He never regained consciousness.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Adam, we've got to find out how this thing happened.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21- That's what we are trying to do, Dr...- Kelly.- McGill.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23That's why we came to see the boy.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- Dr Royston, isn't it? - Mr Harding, how...
0:30:31 > 0:30:33There's nothing you can say will help.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35I know about you, Dr Royston.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36You're a scientist, not a doctor.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39You don't look after the sick, you meddle with things that kill,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41like they killed my boy in there!
0:30:42 > 0:30:44You should be locked up, Royston.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48Locked up with others like you, letting off bombs you can't control.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50You're not safe.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54- You're a murderer! - Mr Harding, please.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59I don't know, Dr Kelly. I just don't know. My wife...
0:31:14 > 0:31:17I don't think he really meant what he said, Adam.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Yes, he did, Mac, he meant it. It isn't true, you know.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23It isn't true at all. We only try to create, not destroy.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Two minutes? Right.
0:32:17 > 0:32:18Zena. In here.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Oh! Cosy.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- Convenient, too.- So I've heard from the other nurses.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- You don't want to take any notice of what they tell you.- Oh, but I do.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37That's why I'm here.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39What did you think I came down for?
0:32:39 > 0:32:42A course of...radium treatment?
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Zena, darling, why didn't we start doing this earlier?
0:32:58 > 0:33:00I've given you enough encouragement, haven't I?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02But you should have been more direct.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05You should have come up and said, "Harry, I want..."
0:33:05 > 0:33:07- BUZZER - "I want..."
0:33:07 > 0:33:09What the...?
0:33:09 > 0:33:11It's switched on! Must be your electric personality.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Stay here. Don't move.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29INTENSE CRACKLING
0:33:51 > 0:33:53HE SCREAMS
0:34:12 > 0:34:14This is where we stored the radium.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15Yes.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Obviously, the radium was the target.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21The safe proved no obstacle whatever, did it?
0:34:21 > 0:34:23What sort of heat would be required to do this?
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Heat far beyond anything we have ever dreamed of.
0:34:25 > 0:34:26Don't forget the time element.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Whatever happened in here must have taken place in a few seconds.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Perhaps we'll learn a bit more when we can talk to the girl.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- Look, there's another thing, Adam. - It's all over the place.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Same as in your workshop.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41- Any luck? - I don't know if she'll recover,
0:34:41 > 0:34:42but I think it would be a good thing
0:34:42 > 0:34:44if we got her away from here as quickly as possible.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47You mean she won't be able to tell us what happened?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49She won't be able to tell you her own name.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52Royston.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55What is this? What are we dealing with?
0:34:55 > 0:34:56How could anyone get in here
0:34:56 > 0:34:59when there are people outside there in the corridor all the time?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Well, apparently, this is the only place it could come in.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04But the grill doesn't open! It's cemented to the wall.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- Came in through the grill. - But Adam, that's impossible.
0:35:07 > 0:35:08Whatever it was that did all this
0:35:08 > 0:35:11certainly wasn't small enough to come through there.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Well, how small is 10,000 gallons of oil?- What do you mean?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17Well, 10,000 gallons of oil would take up a pretty large area,
0:35:17 > 0:35:18- wouldn't it?- Why...
0:35:18 > 0:35:20And yet 10,00 gallons of oil could come through
0:35:20 > 0:35:22the holes in that grill, couldn't it?
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- Yes, it could.- Then that's the way it got into my workshop.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27It came in under the door. You know, obviously,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29this thing can take up any shape it needs to.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Where do you think it is now?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Somewhere out on the ridges?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Well, thank goodness that major didn't take my advice
0:35:35 > 0:35:37and station a couple of soldiers out there.
0:35:37 > 0:35:38But he did.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45Brew up.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53CLANG
0:35:53 > 0:35:56- What's that?- Tea. - Did you not hear something?
0:35:57 > 0:35:59- Like what?- I don't know. Must have been...
0:36:02 > 0:36:03No, it couldn't have been.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Hey, Spider. There's a ruddy great glow out here.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20- What is it, Haggis?- I'm not sure.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- You'd better go and have a look.- Yeah.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27- Why me?- Frightened?
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Yeah. And I don't mind admitting it, either.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33You know these parts better than me. You go and have a look.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35- I don't know these parts. - You're a Scot, aren't you?
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Aye, but I was born 300 miles from here.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Doesn't matter now, anyhow. It's gone away.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Well, I suppose I'd better go and have a look.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53- Keep my tea warm, Spider.- OK.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Here, Haggis! Haggis, I've been thinking.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Why don't you and me go to Glasgow on our next 48?
0:37:00 > 0:37:01You can show me the castle.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Hey, Spider. Come here, quick! Look!
0:37:06 > 0:37:08HAGGIS SCREAMS
0:37:10 > 0:37:11Haggis!
0:37:13 > 0:37:14Haggis?
0:37:16 > 0:37:17What's the matter, Haggis?
0:37:24 > 0:37:25What is it, Haggis?
0:37:26 > 0:37:27Haggis?
0:37:37 > 0:37:38Where are you, Haggis?
0:37:39 > 0:37:40Haggis?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00INTENSE CRACKLING
0:38:16 > 0:38:17Aargh!!
0:38:35 > 0:38:36Guard?
0:38:39 > 0:38:40Guard?!!
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Looks like we're too late.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23I suggested this meeting because I think I have an idea
0:39:23 > 0:39:24of what we may be dealing with.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Perhaps one of you may have a solution.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Then again, perhaps one of you may think I'm talking a lot of nonsense
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- and can offer a more logical conclusion.- Is this fact or theory?
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- Partly fact, mostly theory.- I see. Well, carry on. We're all listening.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41I'd like to resurrect, if I may, a treatise I did when I was a student,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44which has to do with the cooling of Earth's surface.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Hundreds of millions of years ago, the Earth was like the Sun.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51There was no form or solidity to it. It was just a blazing mass of energy.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Then, the Earth cooled and outer crust formed.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58The energy was still there, but compressed beneath this crust.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00As time went by, the crust grew deeper
0:40:00 > 0:40:04and the compression became greater, as its vast energy was squeezed
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- into an ever-decreasing space... - May I interrupt, Adam?
0:40:07 > 0:40:09What you're telling us is something every schoolboy knows.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12I'm sorry, maybe I should skip the preliminaries.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16No, don't skip anything. I was never very bright at school.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Then, in a comparatively short space of time -
0:40:18 > 0:40:21a matter of 100,000 years - man has evolved.
0:40:21 > 0:40:22Man has evolved from nothing
0:40:22 > 0:40:26into the most intelligent creature on the surface of this planet.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29Considering the far greater span of time involved,
0:40:29 > 0:40:32isn't it reasonable to assume that the forces contained in
0:40:32 > 0:40:34the centre of Earth have developed an intelligence of their own?
0:40:34 > 0:40:38If we accept this, we must consider what these forces would think.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Their world is slowly being compressed out of existence.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Survival must be uppermost in their thoughts.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46What's more natural in their search for survival
0:40:46 > 0:40:49than that they should return to the face of the planet where once they lived?
0:40:49 > 0:40:53If you check, you will find that, every 50 years,
0:40:53 > 0:40:56by virtue of the position of Earth in the solar system,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59a greater pull is exerted on the surface of Earth than at other times,
0:40:59 > 0:41:04quite unnoticeable to us. But 2,000 miles down, who knows?
0:41:04 > 0:41:08During the short period of time this pull is at its most powerful,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11you will also find there has always been a freak earth tremor.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15In each of these cases, a fissure has opened on the Earth's surface.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19What if some of the vast energy trapped below caused those tremors,
0:41:19 > 0:41:21in an attempt to reach the surface?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23What if, in fact, it did reach the surface?
0:41:23 > 0:41:26It looked around for a means to sustain its existence.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28To live, one must have nourishment
0:41:28 > 0:41:31and these forces are almost pure energy.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- What does energy live on? - Energy.- Exactly.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Energy can only be fed with more energy,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39or radiation, if you like.
0:41:39 > 0:41:4250, 100, 150 years ago, these forces found themselves
0:41:42 > 0:41:45without any means of sustenance and their mass became unstable
0:41:45 > 0:41:49and they disintegrated. Now, we come to this 50-year cycle.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51This time, there's radiation.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55There was radiation in the hospital, there was radiation in my workshop.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58As long as this thing feeds, it will live.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01The more it lives, the more it will grow.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- It's fantastic.- I admit it does sound that way, doesn't it?
0:42:04 > 0:42:08But if anyone can offer a simpler explanation of what's been going on,
0:42:08 > 0:42:10I'd be grateful, and relieved, to hear it.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Are you telling us that some sort of creature came up out of the fissure?
0:42:13 > 0:42:17I'm not trying to tell you anything. I'm putting forward a theory,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- based on the facts we know.- So, what do we look for?- I don't know.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22And what do we do if we find something?
0:42:22 > 0:42:24I'm afraid I don't know that, either.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27How big is this thing supposed to be?
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Might be the size of my fist, might be as large as a house.
0:42:31 > 0:42:32We can't stand about here.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- We've got to find this thing and destroy it.- Destroy it?
0:42:35 > 0:42:39How are you going to do that? Shoot it, burn it, blow it up?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41We've been told a story, based on a little fact
0:42:41 > 0:42:42and a great deal of fiction.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46I'm amazed that this has been accepted by all of you without
0:42:46 > 0:42:48the slightest doubt or hesitation.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51I said I thought the whole thing was fantastic. I'll go further -
0:42:51 > 0:42:52it's absolute rubbish.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Dr Royston, you're a scientist, you deal with facts.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58A man of your intelligence and capabilities has no right
0:42:58 > 0:43:02- to talk as you have. You astound me. - What about that boy being burned?
0:43:02 > 0:43:05- We've been through that. - And that hospital business?
0:43:05 > 0:43:06There must be a logical explanation.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09I suggest we leave the police to find out what it is.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12I'm the police, in a way. I've come to get Dr Royston's advice.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16In that case, I'll waste no more time. Good night, gentlemen.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22I'm sorry if anybody else feels that way.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Let's try and get a look at this thing.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27The only way we can do that is to go to the fissure.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30We've been there more than once already. We've seen nothing.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33You misunderstood me. Somebody has got to go down the fissure.
0:43:46 > 0:43:47- Well?- All ready, sir.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51Peter, you're quite sure you still want to go through with this?
0:43:51 > 0:43:54We've argued this before. I did volunteer for the job.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- He's right, Adam. - OK, Peter.- Thank you.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00- Zena doesn't like it, at all. - Nor do any of us.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03Director of the establishment's been on to him,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06- told him he thinks the whole thing's a waste of time.- Hope you're not in trouble, Major.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09- I have strict orders what to do... - All ready, sir!
0:44:15 > 0:44:18- You're all right, now, are you? - Yes, sure.- What's the drill?
0:44:18 > 0:44:21If there's any radioactivity on that Geiger counter,
0:44:21 > 0:44:25- let us know and we'll get you out of there.- Mm-hm. Right, lower away.
0:44:35 > 0:44:36Keep going.
0:44:38 > 0:44:39Lower.
0:44:42 > 0:44:43Lower away.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46Keep going. Lower.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50You all right, sir?
0:45:00 > 0:45:01Nothing to report, sir.
0:45:05 > 0:45:06Ah.
0:45:06 > 0:45:07Oop.
0:45:10 > 0:45:11Oop. Stop lowering.
0:45:11 > 0:45:12Hold it!
0:45:15 > 0:45:16All right, lower away again.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Stop lowering!
0:45:23 > 0:45:26Are you all right, sir?
0:45:26 > 0:45:27He's all right.
0:45:30 > 0:45:31HE EXHALES
0:45:39 > 0:45:40Eugh.
0:45:52 > 0:45:53Eugh!
0:45:53 > 0:45:54What is it?
0:45:55 > 0:45:58He's all right, but something's happening, sir.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05No, it's all right. Keep lowering.
0:46:05 > 0:46:06Keep lowering.
0:46:11 > 0:46:12Stop! Stop lowering!
0:46:14 > 0:46:16ELECTRONIC CRACKLING
0:46:17 > 0:46:24CRACKLING GETS LOUDER AND LOUDER
0:46:27 > 0:46:30Get me out of here. Get me out of here, quick!!
0:46:30 > 0:46:32Faster! Faster!
0:46:32 > 0:46:35Faster! As fast as you can! Come on, now!
0:46:37 > 0:46:39Bring him up, boys. Come on, boys.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44Faster! Faster! Heave! Faster!
0:46:44 > 0:46:46Quick! Faster!
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Come on, now! Faster!
0:46:48 > 0:46:49Come on, come on!
0:46:57 > 0:47:00You were right, sir. There's a body of a soldier down there.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02- It's all burnt up.- What else?
0:47:02 > 0:47:04Never mind about that. Let's get away from here.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13- Peter, what did you see down there? - I don't know what it was.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16It was like something out of a nightmare. It was horrible.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19We'll talk about that later. Get in the car, Peter.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22I told you I had my orders, sir. They were to take action
0:47:22 > 0:47:24- if anything was found down there. - What sort of action?
0:47:24 > 0:47:27Kill whatever it is, then concrete the whole thing over.
0:47:27 > 0:47:30- Concrete it over? You don't mean that?- Those are my orders.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41Well, Major, when do you start?
0:47:41 > 0:47:44- Tonight. Right away. Sergeant.- Right, sir.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58EXPLOSION
0:48:00 > 0:48:03Well, you seem to be making a job of it.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05I think this should do the trick. What about you?
0:48:05 > 0:48:08You know this Royston chap. Brilliant, of course, I'm sure.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11The trouble with some of these scientific types is they can't see
0:48:11 > 0:48:14the easy way out of anything. It's got to be complicated, to work.
0:48:16 > 0:48:18EXPLOSION
0:48:30 > 0:48:31KNOCKING
0:48:31 > 0:48:32Come in, come in.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37Hello, Mac.
0:48:37 > 0:48:38Where have you been all day?
0:48:38 > 0:48:42- Here, hold this.- Down at the fissure. - Oh, are they finished down there?
0:48:42 > 0:48:45- What did they do, exactly? - Practically everything.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49Flame-throwers, high explosive and a neat little concrete tombstone.
0:48:49 > 0:48:53- Rest in peace, huh?- You don't think it's done any good, do you?
0:48:53 > 0:48:55How could it? Let's look at the facts.
0:48:55 > 0:48:56Here, give me that.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59This X, this unknown quantity, whatever it is, has forced its way
0:48:59 > 0:49:02through miles of solid rock.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04How's a couple of feet of concrete going to stop it?
0:49:04 > 0:49:07But what about the flame-throwers and explosive?
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- Nothing could live after that. - Perhaps nothing we've ever
0:49:10 > 0:49:14encountered before, but this isn't a living organism, as we know it.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18Its life source may be the same as we've got here.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20Stay on this side of the screen.
0:49:21 > 0:49:22Excuse me.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28WHIRRING
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Now, Mac, how would you go about killing that?
0:49:33 > 0:49:34What is it?
0:49:36 > 0:49:40It's a particle of mud but, by virtue of its atomic structure,
0:49:40 > 0:49:44it emits radiation. That's all it is - just mud.
0:49:44 > 0:49:45How do you kill mud?
0:49:50 > 0:49:52Have you informed anyone in London about all this?
0:49:52 > 0:49:56- Hmm! Not more than half a dozen times.- And?
0:49:56 > 0:49:58At first, they were interested, but sceptical.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01They suggested I get in touch with the director about it.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04Later on, the director got in touch with them.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07- The result is I've been called back to London.- When?
0:50:07 > 0:50:10Tonight. I'm catching the last plane from Glasgow.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14Mac, I'm sorry to hear that. You've become one of my staunchest allies.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20Adam, this thing's going to break out again, isn't it?
0:50:20 > 0:50:24- In my opinion, yes.- Isn't there anything we can do to stop it?
0:50:24 > 0:50:27I don't know. It's something I've been working on a long time now,
0:50:27 > 0:50:30a method of disintegrating atomic structure,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33- obviating the resultant explosion. - What's that?
0:50:34 > 0:50:35ADAM CHUCKLES
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Well, it's... Look, what's an atomic bomb?
0:50:37 > 0:50:40It's a breaking up of atomic particles, isn't it?
0:50:40 > 0:50:44Not quite, but close enough. I'm trying to achieve this breaking up
0:50:44 > 0:50:47without the explosion. This is a... Look, I'll show you.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54In that lead container is an atomically unstable compound.
0:50:54 > 0:50:56Two things can happen to it.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59Either it will continue to give off radiation for the next 200 years,
0:50:59 > 0:51:04or it can be subjected to an outside force which will disintegrate it in a fraction of a second.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06- A bomb, in fact.- If you like, yes,
0:51:06 > 0:51:08but that's what I'm trying to prevent.
0:51:08 > 0:51:13Theoretically, if you draw this stuff between the scanners,
0:51:13 > 0:51:15and adjust the scanners to a certain pitch,
0:51:15 > 0:51:18A neutralising effect should be achieved.
0:51:19 > 0:51:22You mean to say this apparatus would neutralise an atomic bomb
0:51:22 > 0:51:23so it wouldn't explode?
0:51:23 > 0:51:26That's my point. It couldn't. It wouldn't be a bomb any more.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29It would be just a handful of mud in a very expensive casing.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33But Adam, that's fantastic.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35A step in the right direction anyway, isn't it?
0:51:35 > 0:51:38Will you be able to use this against that thing out there?
0:51:38 > 0:51:39Six months' time, perhaps, but...
0:51:39 > 0:51:42KNOCK ON DOOR
0:51:42 > 0:51:43Yes, Russell. What is it?
0:51:43 > 0:51:45Mr Peter sent me down to remind you of the time, sir.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Oh, yes, thank you.
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Oh, Russell, you were able to locate Mr Elliott, weren't you?
0:51:51 > 0:51:52- Not yet, sir.- That's too bad.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54All right, thank you, I'll be right out.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57We're taking the cobalt out of the pile tonight
0:51:57 > 0:51:59and we haven't been able to locate John yet.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02- Mac, we're sure going to miss you around here.- Goodbye, Adam.
0:52:02 > 0:52:03Good luck.
0:52:19 > 0:52:23CRACKLING
0:52:34 > 0:52:38- Oh, Peter, is that truck ready? - Yes, it's standing by outside, sir.
0:52:38 > 0:52:41As soon as these are all out, I want you to get a quick reading
0:52:41 > 0:52:42and then we'll load them.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45'The pile is now inactive. The pile is now inactive.'
0:52:45 > 0:52:48Let's get started, and I'll get these out.
0:52:53 > 0:52:56No, sir, I don't. I think we have every chance of seeing it again.
0:52:56 > 0:52:59- CRACKLING - Excuse me.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01I'm sorry, sir, the line's bad.
0:53:01 > 0:53:04- PHONE RINGS - I see. I only want one more night.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07If nothing happens, I can catch the first plane tomorrow morning.
0:53:07 > 0:53:10- Station sergeant speaking. - Yes, of course.- Aye?
0:53:10 > 0:53:12Aye. Where?
0:53:12 > 0:53:15Thank you, sir. There's one other thing.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18I believe the director, Mr Elliott, got in touch with you earlier today.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20You must speak up. This phone is bad.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22- Oh, yes, I've seen him.- I got that.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25What about the occupants?
0:53:25 > 0:53:27What? You must be mad.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30No, sir, he doesn't, I know, but all the same...
0:53:30 > 0:53:32All right, sir. Goodbye.
0:53:32 > 0:53:35All right, I'll send somebody out right away.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37Williams, I want you to go out. There's been an accident.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39- Right, Sarge.- Thank you, Sergeant. - Right, sir.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Tell McDonald to report to me when he comes off duty.
0:53:42 > 0:53:44People melting, indeed.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47- What's that you say?- There's been an accident, sir. Four miles away.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49I know, I heard that, but what's this about people melting?
0:53:49 > 0:53:53- That's what the man on the beat says. - Let me have that address. Thank you.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06Hey, what do you think you're doing?
0:54:06 > 0:54:08Do you hear me?
0:54:08 > 0:54:12I say, what do you think you're doing?
0:54:12 > 0:54:13Sorry, sir.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Where's the nearest telephone?
0:54:27 > 0:54:30The nearest public phone is a couple of miles away, sir.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32Maybe one of these people will let you use theirs.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36- Anybody live near here with a phone? - Aye, there's a phone in my shop,
0:54:36 > 0:54:38half a mile down the road. You can use that.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41Thanks very much. Pop in the car. I'll drive you down.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46Dr Royston.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51John, we've just taken the cobalt out of the pile.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53- There wasn't time... - On whose authority?
0:54:53 > 0:54:55There wasn't really time to check with you.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57Do you know how long it takes to get that pile started again?
0:54:57 > 0:55:00You'll put the cobalt bombardment weeks behind schedule.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- PHONE RINGS - On your own initiative, you break in on an official experiment,
0:55:03 > 0:55:05deactivate the pile without consulting me?
0:55:05 > 0:55:08- This isn't your workshop. This is a government establishment.- Hello?
0:55:08 > 0:55:12- And I'm its director.- I'm sorry, you'll have to speak louder.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16No, he's busy right now. This is Peter Elliott. Oh, yes?
0:55:20 > 0:55:22Yes. I'll tell him right away.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Dr Royston, it's McGill.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28It appears that what you were afraid of has happened.
0:55:28 > 0:55:31It's just killed four people in a car.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34The line is terrible, but I think he said they'd melted.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41Hello, Mac, this is Royston. What's this all about?
0:55:41 > 0:55:43Yes...
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Wait a minute. Just a minute.
0:55:47 > 0:55:48Have you a pencil, please?
0:55:49 > 0:55:52Go ahead. Yes?
0:55:52 > 0:55:55Where? Yes, right. Right.
0:55:57 > 0:55:59Got it.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06- You have a local survey map in your office?- Yes, there's one up there.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09- Let's take a look at it, shall we? - Yes, of course. Come on.
0:56:09 > 0:56:11This point right here is the fissure.
0:56:11 > 0:56:12Here is the hospital.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15This is where something was seen glowing.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18Now, over here is my workshop.
0:56:18 > 0:56:20If we follow this line,
0:56:20 > 0:56:22right here is the old tower.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25You know, this thing can obviously sense radioactivity,
0:56:25 > 0:56:27and once it does, nothing can stop it.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30It makes straight for the radiation and then returns to the fissure.
0:56:30 > 0:56:34And by these lines, it's pretty clear it returns by the same route.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37Now, this latest report, this burned-out car is right here.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40If we extend the line from the fissure through this point,
0:56:40 > 0:56:43somewhere along this extended line is where it's headed.
0:56:43 > 0:56:45- I see.- Here.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48That's right. It's on its way for the biggest meal of its life.
0:56:52 > 0:56:53CAR HORN BLARES
0:56:55 > 0:56:57Hurry up, man! Hurry up! Open the gate!
0:56:57 > 0:57:00- All right, all right. - Come along, man, open up the gate!
0:57:00 > 0:57:03- Let's see your pass. - You know me. Come on, open up!
0:57:03 > 0:57:05Sorry, sir. Let's see your pass first.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07- Here.- All right, sir.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15We daren't put that cobalt back in the pile.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17We've got to get it out of here fast.
0:57:17 > 0:57:20There must be a limit to the distance it can sense radiation.
0:57:20 > 0:57:21We've got to get beyond that point.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24Adam! I just wanted to say that...
0:57:24 > 0:57:27Oh, never mind. I'll go and warn the security people.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44- Mac.- Adam.
0:57:44 > 0:57:47- Any sign of it yet? - No, not yet.- It can't be far off.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50I've warned everybody to keep indoors, upstairs if possible.
0:57:50 > 0:57:53I've posted every man I could lay hands on to keep watch for it.
0:57:53 > 0:57:56I tried to phone London, but there's something wrong with the line,
0:57:56 > 0:57:58- interference. - We've got the same trouble here.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00- Nobody spotted a thing? - None of my men have seen anything.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03I'd like to know why. A thing that big can't simply disappear.
0:58:03 > 0:58:06No, but it might alter its form and become almost invisible.
0:58:06 > 0:58:07What's going on here?
0:58:07 > 0:58:10We're trying to get this cobalt loaded and out of here.
0:58:10 > 0:58:12Mr Elliott, what about the gates around this place?
0:58:12 > 0:58:15They're being watched. I've got men patrolling the wire.
0:58:15 > 0:58:17- I'd like to phone round. - Internal phone in there.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19The line isn't very good, I'm afraid.
0:58:19 > 0:58:21Raise it up. Steady.
0:58:23 > 0:58:26PHONE RINGS
0:58:31 > 0:58:34CRACKLING
0:58:40 > 0:58:43CRACKLING GETS LOUDER
0:58:58 > 0:58:59Help. Help...
0:59:02 > 0:59:04ALARM HOOTS
0:59:06 > 0:59:10- Peter! Check the main gates. See if you can spot it.- Right.
0:59:21 > 0:59:22Clear this yard, boys!
0:59:24 > 0:59:27- What about the cobalt? - Nothing we can do about that now.
0:59:27 > 0:59:29But if it gets to it, it might explode.
0:59:29 > 0:59:32Then we'll be the first to explode a cobalt bomb. Now clear out of here.
0:59:32 > 0:59:34Get inside, come on!
0:59:37 > 0:59:39Hey! Wait a minute!
0:59:41 > 0:59:44- The main gate, where can we see it from?- Up that ladder, sir.
0:59:56 > 1:00:01Tell everyone you see to keep clear of the west approach to the reactor building. It's coming in that way.
1:00:02 > 1:00:05Our only chance is the cobalt. It absorbs radiation.
1:00:05 > 1:00:08- Won't that make it as unstable as the cobalt is now?- Yes, it would.
1:00:08 > 1:00:11Dr Royston! It's on its way.
1:00:11 > 1:00:13The man on the main gate had it just like the others.
1:00:13 > 1:00:15It's coming in on the west side.
1:00:15 > 1:00:16Look! There it is, on the roof.
1:00:19 > 1:00:21Up there, quick.
1:00:28 > 1:00:30It's growing larger.
1:00:30 > 1:00:33The mass has to increase to accommodate the extra radiation.
1:00:33 > 1:00:35How big will it get?
1:00:35 > 1:00:37The important thing is, how unstable is it going to get?
1:00:37 > 1:00:40Isn't there anything we can do?
1:00:40 > 1:00:42Well, we can try, but not here.
1:00:44 > 1:00:47The only thing we can do is to let it go back to the fissure.
1:00:47 > 1:00:49We know the exact route it will take,
1:00:49 > 1:00:51so let's clear that route and get everybody out of its path.
1:00:51 > 1:00:54The Army has a helicopter. We can use that to keep a check on it
1:00:54 > 1:00:57- in case it changes direction. - What are you going to do, Adam?
1:00:57 > 1:00:59- I'm going to my workshop. - It's moving!
1:01:19 > 1:01:22- Any luck?- I cannae hear a thing. The static's drowning out everything.
1:01:22 > 1:01:25- The sergeant says that's a sure sign that thing's not far off.- Aye.
1:01:25 > 1:01:28- Let's nip back to Lochmouth.- Aye.
1:01:43 > 1:01:49Come on now, hurry! You'll all be safe inside the church.
1:01:49 > 1:01:52Come on now. Inside. Hurry.
1:01:53 > 1:01:56You need any help, Minister?
1:01:56 > 1:01:59I don't think so. How near is it going to come?
1:01:59 > 1:02:01It should pass within 100 yards of where we are now.
1:02:01 > 1:02:03- Between those trees.- How much longer?
1:02:03 > 1:02:06About two minutes, as far as I can tell.
1:02:08 > 1:02:11Come on, Mrs Haggerty. Let me take your bundle.
1:02:11 > 1:02:13Come on, it's nice and warm inside.
1:02:14 > 1:02:15There you are.
1:02:37 > 1:02:41It's changed direction! It's not following the same route.
1:02:41 > 1:02:43Try the map the other way up.
1:03:00 > 1:03:02That was close.
1:03:03 > 1:03:08Army copter to Mobile. Heading up from Lochmouth, travelling east.
1:03:08 > 1:03:09CRACKLING
1:03:09 > 1:03:12Oh, what's the use? They'll never hear anything with this static.
1:03:12 > 1:03:15- Have you got an Aldis lamp? - There's one down by my right foot.
1:03:15 > 1:03:18Fine. Let's get over to checkpoint three. Just there.
1:03:26 > 1:03:29Come on, ladies, hurry, there isn't time to lose.
1:03:29 > 1:03:32Hurry. Inside quickly.
1:03:32 > 1:03:34BELL TOLLS
1:03:45 > 1:03:47CHILD GIGGLES
1:03:50 > 1:03:53CHILD GIGGLES
1:04:02 > 1:04:03Wait here.
1:04:06 > 1:04:09CRACKLING
1:04:11 > 1:04:13CHILD GIGGLES
1:04:23 > 1:04:25Every line out of this place is useless.
1:04:25 > 1:04:27Radio's even worse.
1:04:27 > 1:04:29We've no hope of getting through to London now.
1:04:29 > 1:04:30We've got to handle this ourselves.
1:04:30 > 1:04:32I still think that as soon as it gets to the fissure,
1:04:32 > 1:04:34we ought to leave it alone.
1:04:34 > 1:04:37- That is until we can get in touch with the minister.- Look, Mr Elliott,
1:04:37 > 1:04:38Adam said, "The larger this thing grows,
1:04:38 > 1:04:40"the more its range will increase."
1:04:40 > 1:04:42Do you know the next point it will make for?
1:04:42 > 1:04:44There, that's it.
1:04:44 > 1:04:47The experimental nuclear power station at Glencairn.
1:04:47 > 1:04:50And to reach there, it will go right through the centre of Inverness.
1:04:50 > 1:04:53Now do you see? We've got to stop this thing at the fissure.
1:04:53 > 1:04:55And we've got to stop it for good.
1:04:55 > 1:04:57MACHINE WHINES
1:05:06 > 1:05:08CRACKLING
1:05:10 > 1:05:12KNOCK AT DOOR
1:05:13 > 1:05:15Well, Adam, how's it going?
1:05:15 > 1:05:17Not too good, I'm just ready to try again.
1:05:17 > 1:05:19Watch out now, just in case.
1:05:19 > 1:05:21CRACKLING
1:05:22 > 1:05:24MACHINE WHINES
1:05:58 > 1:06:02- That's it, it's worked!- You've done it, Adam, you've done it!
1:06:02 > 1:06:04Adam! Look!
1:06:04 > 1:06:06The container, it's glowing!
1:06:07 > 1:06:08What's happening, sir?
1:06:10 > 1:06:11GLASS SMASHES
1:06:17 > 1:06:19That won't do, we'll have to try again.
1:06:19 > 1:06:21There's no time to try again.
1:06:21 > 1:06:23If a piece of material no bigger than a pin head can cause
1:06:23 > 1:06:26an explosion like that, can't you imagine what would happen out there?
1:06:26 > 1:06:29- We've got to have time.- I don't care, we've got to take the chance.
1:06:29 > 1:06:32We've got to try and stop this thing at the fissure.
1:06:32 > 1:06:33Dr Royston?
1:06:33 > 1:06:37Those scanners, they could have slipped out of synchronisation.
1:06:37 > 1:06:39They might have, yes. It might have been 100 other things.
1:06:39 > 1:06:41But could it have been the scanners, Adam?
1:06:42 > 1:06:44Yes, yes, they...
1:06:44 > 1:06:47Being out of sync might have caused it.
1:06:47 > 1:06:49Everything you've asked for is at the fissure, Adam.
1:06:49 > 1:06:52Trucks, radioactive material, everything's ready.
1:06:52 > 1:06:55Well, if that's the way it's got to be, let's get started.
1:07:12 > 1:07:13Tell him to get that copter away from here.
1:07:13 > 1:07:15Noise enough to wake the dead,
1:07:15 > 1:07:17- let alone that thing down there. - Right, sir.
1:07:28 > 1:07:29Is everything here, Major?
1:07:29 > 1:07:31- Half an hour ago. - Well, what are these men doing?
1:07:31 > 1:07:33Mac, let's clear this area.
1:07:33 > 1:07:35If anything goes wrong, it wouldn't matter much where they are.
1:07:35 > 1:07:37True, but they'll get in our way.
1:07:37 > 1:07:39- Now, is this our jeep? - That's it, just as you ordered.
1:07:43 > 1:07:45You know what you've got on the back there is bait?
1:07:45 > 1:07:48- Yes, sir.- The purpose is to entice whatever is down there out.
1:07:48 > 1:07:51Now, don't you get any closer than 15 feet, do you understand that?
1:07:51 > 1:07:52Very good, sir.
1:07:53 > 1:07:56- Let's get started. Have the trucks follow.- Right.
1:07:56 > 1:07:58- Mr Thompson, follow this car here. - Right, sir.
1:08:59 > 1:09:02Now, Peter, don't let that jeep get any closer than 15 feet.
1:09:02 > 1:09:04- Remember that, 15 feet.- Right, sir.
1:09:09 > 1:09:11Can we do anything to help, Adam?
1:09:11 > 1:09:13No, Mac, just keep your fingers crossed.
1:09:13 > 1:09:15- We'll stay out of your way anyhow. - Major, impress upon your men
1:09:15 > 1:09:18the importance of keeping these scanners on phase.
1:09:18 > 1:09:20- As soon as we're ready, I'll give the signal for the switch-on.- Right.
1:09:34 > 1:09:36- Everything all right?- Watch it, sir, I've got the cobalt out.
1:09:36 > 1:09:39- Shall I get the men under cover, sir?- What? Er, yes, yes.
1:09:43 > 1:09:45All right, you lads, take cover.
1:09:45 > 1:09:48Come along, all of you, get your heads down behind this bank here.
1:09:51 > 1:09:53What are you waiting for?
1:09:53 > 1:09:55What's going to happen, Sarge?
1:09:55 > 1:09:57I'm going to kick your head in if you don't get it down.
1:10:11 > 1:10:13- Give me the OK as soon as you're synchronised.- Right.
1:10:15 > 1:10:17- You ready, number one?- Ready, sir.
1:10:18 > 1:10:20Are you ready, number two?
1:10:21 > 1:10:22Ready, sir.
1:10:26 > 1:10:27Excuse me, Major.
1:10:29 > 1:10:31Peter, send out the jeep.
1:10:32 > 1:10:35Bring out the jeep!
1:10:35 > 1:10:37ENGINE STARTS
1:10:39 > 1:10:41ENGINE SPUTTERS
1:10:49 > 1:10:50Hey, what's the matter?
1:10:53 > 1:10:54Come on, get out, I'll take it.
1:11:01 > 1:11:03ENGINE STARTS
1:11:06 > 1:11:08Good luck, sir.
1:11:11 > 1:11:13You better take cover too.
1:11:18 > 1:11:19It's Peter.
1:11:25 > 1:11:26What do you think you're doing?
1:11:26 > 1:11:28Somebody's got to do it, the driver's sick.
1:11:28 > 1:11:30That's no reason why you should...
1:11:30 > 1:11:31Careful, son.
1:12:29 > 1:12:32What's he doing? Peter!
1:12:32 > 1:12:33Peter, don't go any closer!
1:12:35 > 1:12:37Peter, don't go any closer!
1:12:37 > 1:12:39Peter!
1:12:39 > 1:12:41Peter! Peter, don't be a fool! Get back, get back.
1:13:07 > 1:13:09ELECTRICITY CRACKLES
1:13:44 > 1:13:47Peter! Peter, get out of the jeep! Get out of it, run for it.
1:14:01 > 1:14:02Switch on one.
1:14:02 > 1:14:04Switch on.
1:14:05 > 1:14:07MACHINE POWERS UP
1:14:08 > 1:14:11- Switch on.- Switch on.
1:14:12 > 1:14:15MACHINE POWERS UP
1:14:15 > 1:14:17CRACKLING
1:14:20 > 1:14:25MACHINE WHINES
1:15:13 > 1:15:14It's gone.
1:15:16 > 1:15:17MACHINE POWERS DOWN
1:15:17 > 1:15:19- Adam, it's gone! - Worked, Mac, didn't it?
1:15:27 > 1:15:29Bring out the Geigers, let's have a reading.
1:15:48 > 1:15:50What was that?
1:15:50 > 1:15:53I don't know, but it shouldn't have happened.
1:15:53 > 1:15:55But the thing's gone.
1:15:55 > 1:15:57You should be very proud, Adam, your theory's worked.
1:15:57 > 1:15:58It has, Adam.
1:16:14 > 1:16:17Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd