Fail Safe

568 00:43:22,160 --> 00:43:25,390 In other words, it's possible the fail-safe mechanism... 569 00:43:25,460 --> 00:43:26,900 might be giving them a go signal... 570 00:43:26,970 --> 00:43:30,990 at the same time they can't reach you for positive confirmation. 571 00:43:31,070 --> 00:43:33,160 It's possible. It's not probable, but... 572 00:43:33,240 --> 00:43:36,940 - Is it possible? - Yes, sir. 573 00:43:37,010 --> 00:43:39,910 All right. If we regain radio contact... 574 00:43:39,980 --> 00:43:42,710 will the bombers respond to an order to return? 575 00:43:42,780 --> 00:43:44,580 If we can reach them within the next five minutes. 576 00:43:44,650 --> 00:43:48,450 After that, their orders are to disregard any verbal command. 577 00:43:48,520 --> 00:43:50,580 Even if I talk to them? 578 00:43:50,660 --> 00:43:52,750 Your voice can be imitated by the enemy, sir. 579 00:43:52,820 --> 00:43:54,590 Our men have been drilled in that. 580 00:43:54,660 --> 00:43:56,250 Once they're beyond a certain point... 581 00:43:56,330 --> 00:43:58,730 they're not to trust any verbal transmission. 582 00:43:58,800 --> 00:44:02,030 What's our next step then, General, if we follow standard procedure? 583 00:44:03,170 --> 00:44:05,100 We already have fighter planes in the air. 584 00:44:05,170 --> 00:44:07,760 The next step would be to order the fighters after the bombers... 585 00:44:07,840 --> 00:44:10,870 to raise them visually and divert them from their course. 586 00:44:10,940 --> 00:44:13,270 What if the bombers don't respond? 587 00:44:13,350 --> 00:44:16,680 The fighters would be ordered to shoot them down. 588 00:44:22,020 --> 00:44:23,450 Who gives that order? 589 00:44:24,520 --> 00:44:26,010 You do, sir. 590 00:44:30,200 --> 00:44:32,190 Thank you, General. I'll be back to you. 591 00:44:34,800 --> 00:44:36,730 Get me Mr. Swenson in the Pentagon. 592 00:44:58,790 --> 00:45:00,350 Swenson here. 593 00:45:00,430 --> 00:45:02,480 Mr. Secretary, I have a decision to make. 594 00:45:02,560 --> 00:45:04,150 It's my decision, and I'll make it... 595 00:45:04,230 --> 00:45:07,160 but I want the advice of you and your people, and I need it fast. 596 00:45:10,400 --> 00:45:12,340 The president says he may have to order our fighters... 597 00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:14,170 to shoot down Group Six. 598 00:45:16,240 --> 00:45:17,670 He wants our opinion. 599 00:45:17,740 --> 00:45:21,680 I oppose it, sir, on the grounds that it's premature. 600 00:45:21,750 --> 00:45:24,680 Our planes have not yet reached Soviet territory. 601 00:45:24,750 --> 00:45:26,720 They're still hundreds of miles away. 602 00:45:26,790 --> 00:45:29,190 We got to do it right now before it's too late. 603 00:45:29,250 --> 00:45:31,350 It might be too late anyway. 604 00:45:31,420 --> 00:45:34,360 Those fighters swung away from the bombers when they got the all clear. 605 00:45:34,430 --> 00:45:36,490 They've been flying in the opposite direction. 606 00:45:36,560 --> 00:45:39,690 - They're faster than the Vindicators. - Not that much faster. 607 00:45:39,770 --> 00:45:43,290 - I'm not sure they can catch up in time. - They can go to afterburners. 608 00:45:43,370 --> 00:45:46,030 - That will increase their speed. - And use up their fuel. 609 00:45:46,100 --> 00:45:48,700 They'll never be able to get back. They'll go down in the ocean. 610 00:45:48,770 --> 00:45:52,040 - We've got to try it. - Suppose they do catch up? 611 00:45:52,110 --> 00:45:54,700 Why do they have to attack? Can't they signal? 612 00:45:54,780 --> 00:45:57,080 Our men have been trained to expect anything from the enemy... 613 00:45:57,150 --> 00:46:00,050 even sending up his own fighter planes disguised as ours. 614 00:46:00,120 --> 00:46:01,880 They're good men. We've seen to that. 615 00:46:01,950 --> 00:46:04,890 If their orders are attack, the only way to stop them is to shoot them down. 616 00:46:04,960 --> 00:46:07,550 We have no alternative. 617 00:46:07,630 --> 00:46:09,390 This minute the Russians are watching their boards... 618 00:46:09,460 --> 00:46:11,400 trying to figure out what we're up to. 619 00:46:11,460 --> 00:46:15,730 If we can't convince them it's an accident that we're trying to correct... 620 00:46:15,800 --> 00:46:19,500 we're going to have a situation that nobody bargained for... 621 00:46:19,570 --> 00:46:21,560 and only a lunatic wants. 622 00:46:24,080 --> 00:46:26,070 Mr. President... 623 00:46:26,140 --> 00:46:28,770 it is our opinion that the fighters should be ordered in. 624 00:46:28,850 --> 00:46:30,780 Thank you. 625 00:46:35,520 --> 00:46:38,080 General Bogan, please. 626 00:46:48,530 --> 00:46:49,970 Yes, Mr. President? 627 00:46:50,040 --> 00:46:53,600 The fighters are to overtake the Vindicators... 628 00:46:53,670 --> 00:46:56,