1 POWERFUL MUSIC MUSIC CONTINUES Subtitled at The Seven Network by: Tony Jones, Midi Strickland, Colleen Montague and Kerrie McKay. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Captioning NZ 2002. SILENCED GUNSHOTS URGENT MUSIC Head count. Two, three, four, five, six... Set. Let's move. URGENT CONVERSATION SILENCED GUNSHOTS MACHINE-GUN FIRE (speaks frantic Russian) GUNSHOTS Lowboy, Lowboy, this is Black Cat. We are hot. HELICOPTER WHIRRS Get out there. Go, go! Come on! Get in. Cover 'em, cover 'em. Ugh! Argh! Go! BEEPING LOUD EXPLOSION This is Lowboy. Package is wrapped. GIVES SPEECH IN RUSSIAN TRANSLATOR: Ladies and gentlemen, three weeks ago, Russian and American special forces apprehended the self-proclaimed leader of Kazakhstan, General Alexander Radek. WARM APPLAUSE The forces of Radek were directed to the suppression of democracy, his nuclear arsenal could have brought the world into a new cold war. But thanks to the support of one of the world's greatest leaders, Radek is now in prison. APPLAUSE Today we're honouring this brave man. Ladies and gentlemen, my friend, the President of the United States of America. LOUD APPLAUSE (speaks Russian) TRANSLATOR: The dead remember our indifference, the dead remember our silence. I came here tonight to be congratulated. Today when I visited the Red Cross camps overwhelmed by the flood of refugees fleeing from the horror of Kazakhstan I realised I don't deserve to be congratulated - none of us do. What's he doing? That's not the speech. The truth is, we acted too late. Only when our own national security was threatened did we act. Radek's regime murdered over 200,000 men, women and children. And we watched it on tv. We let it happen. People were being slaughtered for over a year. We issued economic sanctions and hid behind the rhetoric of diplomacy. How dare we. The dead remember. Real peace is not just the absence of conflict, it's the presence of justice. Tonight I come to you with a pledge to change America's policy. Never again will I allow our political self-interest to deter us from doing what we know to be morally right. Atrocity and terror are not political weapons, and to those who would use them, your day is over. We will never negotiate. We will no longer tolerate and we will no longer be afraid. It's your turn to be afraid. APPLAUSE AND CHEERING MAJESTIC MUSIC Can I get you to open the briefcase? APPLAUSE The Russian was a nice touch. Tell my mother - she wanted me to study French. You know what you've committed us to? I know exactly what I committed us to. Gentlemen, welcome to Air Force One. Please present your equipment for inspection. We were inspected at the gate. Sir, this plane carries the President of America. I'm sorry. (speaks Russian) Please place your thumb on the ID pad. CROWD CHEERS Hello there. I'm Melange Mitchell, Deputy Press Secretary. I'll be taking you from here. It's so nice to finally meet you in person. We were delighted to accommodate your news crew. So, if you boys are all cleared... You know the President's on a very tight schedule so this is how it works. In flight, two members of your crew are allowed outside the press area for filming. You get 10 minutes with the President... Gary, the President is ready to take Congress on. He won't kiss their ass for each vote. Let them vote us down and stand on their record. I'm with him now. I'll call from the plane. What about the speech? It's leading the news. They call it the "Be Afraid" speech. Good. Sir, next time you want to make a major policy departure you might discuss it with your National Security Advisor first. We did discuss it, Jack. We discussed it in private - where I thought it would remain. Well, now it's public. Now it's policy. Get behind it. The allies will be upset they weren't consulted. It might bite us in the ass in November. It's the right thing to do. And you know it. There goes the neighbourhood. If you'd like, I think we have time for a quick tour. It would be delightful. Good. Andrei, Boris. Just follow me. Ahead of the staff cabin are Secret Service. Right here. Don't go past them without an escort, you'll be very sorry. Hello. Hi. Thanks for the warning. REPORTERS SHOUT QUESTIONS A lot of the plane's features are classified, but I can say that it's bullet resistant and is protected against the pulse of a nuclear blast. I'm not sure that's very comforting. Up those stairs is the cockpit. Along with the most advanced communications centre on or above the face of the earth. We could run the country from here, or a war, if we had to. Last week the President called the shuttle astronauts from there. The President's arriving. They should take their seats - right away. I'll get out of here and let you all get some sleep. REPORTERS CLAMOUR Mr President, welcome aboard, sir. Hey, Danny. How are you? Mr President. Change in plan, Danny. Let's go to Barbados. Anything you want, you're the President. Boy, I wish. Mr President. Mr Gibbs, where's my bunch? They'll be here in five minutes. Louis, you tape the game? It was a real squeaker, sir. Louis, don't brief me, I want to watch it for Christ's sake. We'll be underway in about 30 minutes, sir. Mr President. Could you put the game on now, please? Yeah, Jack. The Iraqis mobilised armoured... Just got it. Give me 15 minutes to get the guys together. Repel them, make them relinquish the ball. Did you hear about Notre Dame, Jim? Don't tell me the score. Great game. Mr President. We need to strategise. What was that? Oh, it's not so important. Give me a minute alone, will you? What if a high ranking White House official... Give me a few moments alone, please. ..were to qualify what you said last night... Drop it. Do yourself a favour. It's policy. Drop it, or find yourself another ride home. I told the news crew you'd talk about life in the White House. There is no life in the White House. You said it. The President needs time alone. Ah. 14-13 Michigan. All right, Mr President! That wasn't you napping during the performance, was it, Tom? No, ma'am, it was very enjoyable. Come on, Alice. You can finish it on the plane. Let's not keep your father waiting. Try and smile sweetheart, OK? REPORTERS CLAMOUR FOOTBALL COMMENTARY Shh, Daddy's asleep. How was the ballet? It was great! Ow! Was it really good? Did you enjoy it? Did you love it? Men in tights. Did you hear my speech? Yeah. Yeah? You'll get re-elected. That's what I keep telling them. So, are you guys comfortable? Yes, very. I brought you VIP press kits. Oh, thank you. You're welcome. JET ENGINES WHINE ALICE: Pass interference, that's cheating. Only if they get caught. Dad! Way of the world, kiddo. Why didn't you take me with you when you went to the refugee camp today? Well, for one thing, it's not 100% secure. You've got your whole life to live, baby. You don't need to see that kind of stuff. Come on, Dad. It's not like I won't see it on the news. It's different on the news. All I'm saying is I'm ready - for things you don't think I'm ready for. Maybe I'm not ready. I'm 12 years old, Dad. In the caveman days I'd be having children of my own. (chuckles) That's what we call progress, young lady. You'll miss the game. God. Oh, we're so looking forward to seeing you. She is so anxious to grow up. Oh, I know, she's...yes. The both of us. OK, bye-bye. Well, she couldn't stay your little girl forever, Jim. I was hoping it would last till she was 14 or 15 or...50. (laughs) They hated your speech, didn't they? They're afraid we won't have the guts to back it up. And that if we do it'll be political suicide. Remember our first campaign? In the house? Yeah? Down state, driving around with... Who's that kid, the volunteer - Henry. Henry with the convertible, with the broken top... Snow coming in. We were the only three who thought you could win that. You didn't give a damn. You knew what needed to be done and you did it. And you spoke from your heart. And that's what I heard tonight. Well, it felt good. Yeah, I bet it did. DOOR KNOCK Sir... Sorry to interrupt. Everybody's assembled, sir. CONTROL TOWER: United States Air Force One, it is an honour to clear you for immediate take-off on runway 25. Air Force One cleared for take-off. Thank you for your hospitality, Moscow. TV: ..the President defended the joint military action against the Radek regime, an act the administration had been calling a one-time intervention. In an emotional display, the President alluded to a change in US foreign policy saying America would not tolerate any terrorist government. In Kazakhstan, Radek's ousting has stalled the neo-Communist revolution. These are two of Hussein's Republican Guard brigades that have been moved north. He knows we'll retaliate, why send tanks to the border? Could be a response to your speech. Maybe he has a son-in-law there. There's one or two he hasn't shot yet. What does State say? The Iraqi ambassador's claiming it's an exercise. Let's not waste any more time. Send the Nimitz back in. Gibbs. Guys. Sleeping on the job? No, sir. Hey, guys. These are the advanced team reports from the Miami field agent. Take a look at them. SILENCED GUNSHOTS (screams) Steward! Steward! There's smoke in the cabin. Everybody move to the back of the plane - now! Smoke, smoke, notify the cockpit. MACHINE-GUN FIRE SCREAMING Mr President, stay back. Down! Everybody down! WHACK! Argh! Code Red! We have a Code Red! I repeat, shots fired on board. Code Red acknowledged. Bridges, lock that door now. Flight Control, Air Force One declaring emergency. Move up, I'll cover you! Go! Go, go! What's going on? Shots fired, sir. What about my family? We're handling it, sir. Daddy? Alice, get back! Daddy! Alice, Alice, get down. (screams) Around here. Take him around here. Ramstein tower, this is Air Force One. We are Code Red. Shots fired on board. Request emergency assistance. ETA 15 minutes. We are scrambling our fighters. Emergency equipment standing by. SIRENS BLARE Get him to the escape pod! Get him out of here. Get him down to the pod! Don't move. They're on us. Where's my family? Get in the pod, sir. What about my family? Ugh! Air Force One, landing runway 09. I repeat, runway 09. Roger. Turning to heading 185. Descending to 5,000 feet. ENGINES ROAR (screams) This is Air Force One. Emergency pod has been deployed. I repeat, the emergency pod has been deployed. Ramstein tower acknowledge. We are picking up the homing beacon and deploying rescue. Has General Northwood arrived? Yes, he has. Give me an update. Madam Vice President, we'll avoid the press. Is the President secure? Not yet. The recovery team will have him soon. Air Force One, this is Halo flight lead. You are now under escort, all airspace has been cleared. Alert force has been mobilised. Is everyone here? We're working on it. How did they get Air Force One? Gentlemen. Mr Secretary. SIRENS BLARE Ramstein tower, we are at 10 mile dogleg to final coming in red hot. Roger, Air Force One. Wind is 090 at 12, you are cleared to land. (shouting) Get down, now! Open the door! Open the door! Open up! Open the door! No matter what happens, we land this aircraft, understood? Come on, come on. Flaps 30. Flaps 30. LOUD BLAST Get back up in the air! Now! Take this plane up! Up! Up! Get us in the air, now! Take it up! GUNSHOT Get this plane back in the air now or you die! Get us up! No! GUNSHOT EVERYONE SCREAMS Oh Jesus! TYRES SCREECH SIRENS SOUND Come on, come on! Come on! ENGINES WHINE 1 Contact those F-15s. Sir. I want Air Force One in visual contact at all times. What are our airborne scenarios? There are none. Start generating them, General, and they better be good and they better work. How long can they stay up with their fuel? That depends on air speed... Altitude. We need an Air Force One pilot. Any guesses as to where they're going? Iraq, Libya, Algeria. Those are guesses. Notify our allies. We need secure airspace. Can we keep it quiet? Relax, Kathryn, I'm in charge. Walter, it seems to me that they're in charge. (speaks Russian) FRIGHTENED PLEAS Go. Go. (issues command) The President? (responds) (angered scream) (angered scream) Moscow police found six members of a Russian tv news crew murdered. The crew that was cleared to fly on Air Force One. Jesus. Please tell me it's not that easy. You would have to generate fake ID, photo, fingerprints. With help from Moscow. How'd they get the weapons aboard? You can't get weapons aboard Air Force One. There are weapons on board already, but who has access to them? Someone on the plane helped them? What if someone did and is still on the plane? Who do they trust up there? Who do we trust? Madam Vice President, Mr Secretary. All compromised nuclear launch codes have been cancelled. New codes are active. Ramstein, the President's escape pod has been located. We're homing in at 285 degrees. HELICOPTERS WHIRR There it is. Ramstein, we have a strong signal. ETA two minutes. EVERYONE SCREAMS Where is the wife and daughter? Where is my husband? He has fled. The coward chose to save himself. But one can always strike a bargain. You listen to me. I don't know who you are or what you want, but you will never get it. He will not negotiate. Really? His wife, his daughter... A man could not live with himself, and it would be such bad politics. ALL GASP FRAUGHT MUSIC I think he'll negotiate. Escape pod is visually acquired. Location is 284 degrees, 12 miles out. (speaks Russian) RUSSIAN VOICE (speaks Russian) It's Air Force One. They want to talk to the Vice President. Hello, can you hear me? This is the Vice President of the United States. To whom am I speaking? This is the person who controls Air Force One. The world's most secure aircraft. What is it that you want? We'll get to that. I would like to speak to the First Lady. No. No, why? I need to know that they're safe. The President is safe, but then you must know that. He ran from here like a whipped dog. I'm sure you can't wait for him to get back to making the decisions so you can stop sweating through that silk blouse of yours. What is the condition of the people on board? Some are dead. What are your intentions? What arrogance to think you could ever understand my intentions. I want to understand what it is that you want. What do I want? When Mother Russia becomes one great nation again, when the capitalists are dragged from the Kremlin and shot in the street, when our enemies run and hide in fear at the mention of our name and America begs our forgiveness, on that great day of deliverance, you will know what I want. We can give you a forum for your grievances. We can contact the Russian government but you must understand that it will take some time. Oh, really? When you talk to the President you might remind him that I am holding his wife, his daughter, his Chief of Staff, his National Security Advisor, his classified papers and his baseball glove. If he wants them back, he will prevail on the puppet regime in Moscow to release General Radek. Fifty for one, it's a good deal. How's your blouse? What assurances do I have that you'll keep your word? I'll wait for confirmation that General Radek has been released, until then... ..I will execute a hostage every half an hour. You have my word. You must understand that we... You must understand that we... LINE GOES DEAD Hello? They're off! Damn it. Nobody does this to the United States. The President will get back his baseball glove and play catch with this guy's balls. We can't do anything in half an hour! He's a zealot. Tough to negotiate with. You can only wear them down. Mr Secretary! Mr Secretary, sir. We found the escape pod. It's empty. So where's the President? I think we have to acknowledge the possibility that the President may be dead. Why wouldn't they tell us? A diversion. Trying to buy some time. It could have happened in a cross-fire and they're afraid we'll retaliate. We'll retaliate! We'll release General Radek into the atmosphere. It doesn't add up. That terrorist knew we'd recover that pod. He expected we'd be talking to Marshall. Don't bury him yet. He could be alive in that plane. This President is a Medal of Honour winner. In Vietnam he flew more helicopter rescue missions than any man in my command. Then he's taking a terrible chance with life. The element of surprise is an advantage in combat. If he's up there, he's the best chance that we have. That pod was designed for a reason, General. He has no right to risk his life. INDISTINCT VOICES DOOR OPENS MENACING MUSIC (speaks Russian) What does the psych profile say? How far will he go? He's a Radek loyalist. That tells us all we need to know. He'll see this through to the last hostage ` or his own death. Release him and central Asia will go up in flames. I'm aware of that. Bring back the old Soviet empire under a flag of genocide. Radek with a nuclear arsenal. I hate to say this, but 50 people is a small price to pay to stop that from happening. Even if it's the President? The Presidency is bigger than any one man. Didn't they teach you that at Yale? Can't we release him and pick up the pieces? We caught him before, we catch him again. If Petrov releases Radek his government will fall. Then who's going to stand up to Radek? You go to catch him again, you'll find him in Moscow. Mr Secretary, we don't need dramatics, we need options. It's not an option. We need a decision. It's not her decision. No? This is a military situation, I'm the Secretary for Defence. In the absence of the President, the buck stops here. Get the Attorney General with a copy of the constitution. We have...oh my God, 19 minutes. I'm going to consult with President Petrov. SOUND OF FOOTBALL GAME ON TV BEEPING BEEPING STOPS DOOR OPENS GUNSHOTS MACHINE-GUN FIRE AGITATED VOICES BURST OF GUNFIRE Madam Vice President, I'm sorry, I cannot release him. We would train all our military might against this one target. He wouldn't be at large for long. Maybe so, but millions of lives are hanging in the balance. I am trying to save a nation. As am I. No nation can easily survive the loss nor soon replace a great leader. Let us be pragmatic, 50 lives means nothing in the grand scheme. Let me be equally pragmatic. Our President took a great risk to come to your aid, against strong opposition among our allies. It's politically impossible to do so again. If it meant saving his life I would gladly do it, but I would have to know for sure, and you cannot tell me he's alive, can you? No, Mr President, I cannot. Then there is nothing I can do. I am truly sorry. Goodbye. Walter, you and your Generals get to work. JET ENGINES ROAR (speaks Russian) OK. They can't keep the plane in the air indefinitely. There are four landing sites in Kazakhstan still controlled by Radek's forces. We have to take all of them. Can we do it? I'd rather take my chances in the air. I looked at the airborne scenarios. They're no good. Can we do this? In the time we have? Messy. Three minutes before they execute the first hostage. You have to buy us some more time. All right. 1 (speaks Russian) You, both, come here. ALL: No! GUNSHOT Now! They will transfer the call here. So, let's just wait. Excuse me. Sir, if you will permit me, I am the National Security Advisor. I'm the man the President would listen to. I believe you're negotiating right now with the Vice President. Our Vice President is like the Queen of England, she can't get airline tickets without talking to me. Let me speak to the White House because I promise you, I'm the one person who can make this work out. PHONE RINGS Has he been released? I've contacted the Russian government. We set things in motion, but at this point we have to be realistic. It's going to take more time. More time? EVERYONE SCREAMS Your National Security Advisor has just been executed. He's a very good negotiator. He bought you another half hour. (weeps) Mrs Marshall, Alice... ..if you please, come with me. This is the first time you ever seen a man killed, huh? Leave her alone. You think I'm a monster? That I would kill this man. Somebody's son, somebody's father. I am somebody's son, too. I have three small children. Does this surprise you? Tell her to answer. You leave her alone. Shut up! Why did you kill him? Because I believe. And when I shoot this man I know in that instant how deep was my belief. That I would turn my back on God himself for Mother Russia. My doubts, my fears, my own private morality. Pfft! It is off in this moment. That is love. You know, your father, he has also killed. Is he a bad man? That's not true. Why? Because he does it in a tuxedo with a telephone call, a nice smart bomb. You ARE a monster. And my father is a great man. You're nothing like my father. What's the goddamn number? OPERATOR: What city, please? Washington DC - the White House. Just a moment. Here's the number. Can you connect me? There's a connect fee of $1, sir. Fine. THREATENING MUSIC PHONE RINGS White House switchboard, how may I direct your call? Listen, listen carefully, this is an emergency call from Air Force One. This is the President. Connect me to the Vice President. Who did you say is calling? This IS the President. Yeah, right, and I'm the First Lady. Don't cut me off, this is an emergency. Sir, the President doesn't call this particular phone number so whoever you are, get a life. Trace the call. Follow your standard security procedure and trace the goddamn call. OK, sir. Want to make it a federal case, fine by me. Hello. Is anyone there? Don't move! I traced the call, sir. I traced the call, sir. Give me the gun... Are you there? ..very slowly. Oh my God. (speaks Russian) I'll put you through, Mr President. The switchboard has someone claiming to be the President. She traced it to the White House satellite account. The caller's gone but the line is active. Put it through. Listen to me, listen to me, you know who I am? I'm the President of the United States. ALL REJOICE Don't think I won't shoot you. Put your hands behind your head and move. Go on! This is your lucky day. What more could my people do? Tell the F-15s to fire at the plane? If they tried, we'd use counter-measures. He's talking to us. What do you mean? I want you to feel secure, so no one gets hurt. The computer will fly circles around any missile. They'll hear just the shockwave. He's telling us what to do. All that would happen is we'd get knocked off our feet. Shut up, goddamn it! God. Is he saying what I think he's saying? We have to act now. It's too risky. The President has a gun to his head. He's asking us to do that to Air Force One? He's not asking. Your Commander in Chief has issued a direct order. Do it! Sir, are you sure that's what you want me to do? You heard me, Carlton. Let's pray it works the way it's supposed to. OK, boys, give me room. I've just been ordered to fire on Air Force One. I'm in position. Missiles are armed. Target is acquired. I have a good lock. God, I hope this works. Fox Three. URGENT BEEPING SCREAMING (urgent conversation) BOOM! Oh! WHACK MACHINE-GUN FIRE LOUD WHACK GRUNTING AND GROANING This is Marshall. Anyone there? We're here, Mr President. My family, are they safe? The terrorists claim they're holding them. Who are they? What do they want? They're Russian ultra-nationalists. They want Radek released from prison. Radek? What are our tactical options? What are our tactical options? We're working on that, Mr President, but the bastards have us in a corner. No rescue attempt? There's nothing we can do with the plane in the air. Then get this plane on the ground. Take me off goddamn speakerphone. Where's Bennett? Mr President. We cannot release Radek. They're going to shoot a hostage every half hour until we do. I don't want a plane full of dead people. Jim, they shot Jack Doherty. Oh Christ. Kathryn, we can't give in to their demands. It won't end there. If you die in that plane, does it end there? Kathryn, you've got a job to do, whatever the cost. Mr President, I... Kathryn, if you give a mouse a cookie... He's gonna want a glass of milk. We've got to get this plane on the ground. JETS ROAR (asks question) (responds) (calls out) MAN CALLING OUT Get the plane on the ground. (muttering) (inaudible) I thought I'd ask you to come and join us. It is starting to feel a little empty up here. Sit down. Please. Come. OVER P.A: Tell me your name again. For the record. Melanie. Melanie Mitchell. You travel often with the President? Yes. So, you know everyone on the plane? Yes. I bet they like you. You nice person, yes? OK. I guess so. Oh! You are trembling. Why are you afraid? Because I don't want to die. (sobs) I don't want to die. Tell me... ..what am I doing at this moment? You're pointing a gun at me. Thank you, Melanie. This is to the Secret Service agent in the baggage deck. I will count to ten. And if you do not surrender, this nice woman will die. No. One. Two. Don't do this. No! Three. Let me talk to him. Four. I beg you, please. Five. Let me talk to the agent. Six. He might listen to me. (gasps) Seven. Please, I beg you, don't do this. Eight. Don't do this, please. Nine. GUNSHOT Oh God. Let's just think about that one for a moment. And then we'll start again. Next time, I'll choose someone more important. 1 I know what you are thinking, First Lady. You want me dead. Well, it may come to that. In a war people die. This isn't war. You just murdered an unarmed woman. You who murdered 100,000 Iraqis to save a nickel on a gallon of gas are going to lecture me about the rules of war?! Don't! Mr President, how can I help you? Chief, you've got to help me dump some fuel. Who's on the baggage deck? They said a Secret Service agent. Who? We have no idea. Melanie was shot because of him. I want to know who the son of a bitch is. We'd like to know ourselves. Sir, it's someone smart enough to know if you have one bullet, you wait for a clean shot. What are you saying, Major? I'm saying, sir, whoever that is down there, he may be our only hope. Our only hope is that Washington complies with this bastard. Because any minute now another one of us is dead. And you know what? I'm afraid it might be me. Sir, do you see the maintenance panel? Yeah, I see it. Pop it open, there's a red switch, toggle it up. Hang on. OK, we get some indicator lights here. To dump the fuel you'll have to close the circuit for the pump. There's no switch, Mr President, so you'll have to cross the wires. Open the fuel control door. Hang on here. There should be five of them. Do you see them, sir? I see 'em, yeah. Jesus, a lot of goddamn wires. All right, we got five. Green, yellow, red, white and blue. Let me double-check something. For Christ's sake, hurry up. If you get the wrong wire the plane will crash. Well, we don't want to get the wrong wire, do we? First, cut the green wire. Green wire. Right, cut. And then cross that with the...(signal breaks up) With the what? Hello? Cross it with the what? Say again. Cross the green wire with the... ..with the... For Christ's sake! Green... ..yellow... ..red, white, blue. I'm counting on you red, white and blue. TENSE MUSIC TRIUMPHANT MUSIC Sir, it looks like Air Force One is losing fuel. (speaks urgently) (agitated speaking) (swears) Sergei. (issues order) (replies) MACHINE-GUN SPRAY (screams) MACHINE-GUN FIRE (calls out) INTENSE MUSIC (agitated) MAN CALLS OUT Sergei. KORSHUNOV: Madam Vice President, the time has come to demonstrate good faith. I've been reading your press kit. I understand Air Force One is able to refuel in mid-air. Well, we need fuel and we need it now. I'm sure we can come to some sort of arrangement. If you land the plane, we'll trade fuel for hostages. This is bullshit! It's simple physics. Without fuel the plane crashes. Everybody dies. We're trying to do everything we can... Tell me what I want to hear, or I will execute a member of the senior staff and continue killing one hostage every minute, until the plane crash, or refuelling plane arrive. Well, what do you say? Fuel's on its way. Thank you. (calls out) (war cry) Move. KEYS JINGLE STARTLED CRIES Jim, what are you doing here? I never left. Gibbs. Watch the door. Where's my family? They took them to another part of the plane. We should try to retake the plane. Not while they've got Grace and Alice. What about disabling the plane and forcing them to land? I tried - I dumped fuel and now they're refuelling us in mid-air. A refuelling tanker? Jesus! Sir! There may be a way to get these people off the plane. What do you mean? We have parachutes in the tail cone, but we're too high. If we could get a message to the tanker, get him to drop to 15,000 feet, we could jump. They've disabled the phones, they control the radios. Mr President. Sir. The fax machine. The phone lines are out. No, voice lines and faxes are on two different systems. You disable one, it would be easy to overlook the other. EXCITED MURMURINGS If this works, you get to be Postmaster General. Come with me. Get these people ready to go. Yes, sir. Remember, 15,000 feet at 200 knots, otherwise it's suicide. You'll need this. Good luck, people. VOICES IN THE DISTANCE Here. Where are we sending it? Situation room. It makes me so proud Mr President that you stuck with us. Thanks. Whatever happens. TENSE MUSIC (whispers) Yes! 1 Vice President, the Attorney General. PHONE RINGS Thank you for coming, Andrew. Hello, Kathryn. I'm told you want my interpretation as to what the constitution says about this situation? Yes, now, Andrew, my understanding is that if the President is out of contact in a military situation the Secretary of Defence is in charge. Yes, of course. Good. That's settled. It doesn't settle it at all. The President is not merely out of contact, he is also under duress. His family is held hostage, possibly himself a hostage. It creates an incapacity to discharge the office under the 25th amendment. Just as if he'd had a stroke. I think the President would dispute that any incapacity exists. It exists if the majority of the cabinet including yourself says that it exists. The President may be alive, but he may not be the President. Madam Vice President, I think you need to see this. TV ANNOUNCER: And breaking news... We interrupt programming to bring you this breaking news bulletin. CNN has received unconfirmed reports that Air Force One has crashed. The Presidential aircraft was en route from Moscow when it began its mayday hail... Call the press room. We have to issue a statement. Walter. General. URGENT MUSIC Bruce, has Air Force One crashed? Look, as far as I know, that is a rumour. I don't know where that story came from. Listen, listen. I cannot confirm anything at this point. QUESTIONING SUBSIDES Ladies and gentlemen, I have a statement. The President's plane, Air Force One, has been hijacked. LOUD MURMURINGS Please! Ladies and gentlemen, please let me finish. For security reasons I cannot divulge the identity of the hijackers, or who was on board the plane. But I am here to assure the American people, that we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation. REPORTERS SHOUT QUESTIONS For the safety of all the people on the plane I cannot tell you any more than that, I'm sure you understand. Is James Marshall still President? I am co-ordinating with the National Security Council pending the President's return, and, yes, James Marshall is still President. ALL SPEAK AT ONCE At this time, at this time, I would like to ask all Americans... ..to pray for the safety of everyone on board Air Force One. Thank you. The President. (questioning) Where is the President? (calls out) Da. EXCITED SHOUTING Folks, listen up! Listen up. This is your main ripcord. As soon as you clear the plane, yank it. If the chute doesn't open, this is your reserve chute. Pull it down. Clear? PILOT ON RADIO: Air Force One, Air Force One, do you read? Yes. We read. Go ahead. Air Force One, this is Extender One Zero. We have been instructed to refuel you. Go ahead. Drop to 15,000 feet, and slow to 200 knots. Acknowledged. Sir, your chute. No. Oh, please, sir. I'm not leaving without my family. OK, Air Force One, you need to open your receptacle door. Pull the yellow lever on the upper control panel. Done. Go ahead and close distance, nice and easy. Almost there. Where are your chutes, guys? We stay with the President, sir. Thank you. That's close enough. Here we go. BREAKING GLASS Go, go! Go, go. Come on. Come on. Sergei. Sergei. Go! Come on! (shouts) TRIUMPHANT MUSIC (frustrated shouting) What have we got? OK, so far, 25 chutes. EXPLOSION SCREAMS Aaargh! (screams) (shouts) I can't hold her. I can't hold her. Air Force One! Break away! Break away! Take my hand! BANGING NOISE LOUD EXPLOSION Everyone break! Now! Now! Now! (screams) Don't move! Let me save him! He's the President for God's sake! Go get him! Grab my hand. Major! I got you. We have President. We've lost the tanker. What else? They count 32 survivors. They still have hostages. What about the First Family? No word yet. Losing hostages will make them even more desperate. Madam Vice President, Air Force One on the line. This is Vice President Bennett. We're listening. I now hold hostage... ..the President of the United States of America. Soon, we shall enter the airspace of Kazakhstan. You will cease your military escort at the border. If you violate our airspace... ..I will execute a member of the First Family. Tell our fighters to back off. Get me ops. You said a Presidential incapacity could be declared by the majority of the cabinet. Would you sign it? Under the circumstances. Under the circumstances. See who else would. FIGHTER JETS ROAR Move! Come on, Move! Dad! Oh, Jim. We'll be all right. We'll be all right. I know. (issues command) SINISTER MUSIC You've been very busy downstairs. Haven't you? Killing my men. (gasps) Ooh! No! You don't want to do that. I'm what you came for. Don't forget that. Then I kill them. Just one. You pick. That's what you do in the White House. You play God. Go ahead. Which one lives? (whispers) I love you. (mouths) I love you. You're not here for this. You want something. What is it? Radek. How can I do that? I can't do that! Then you die - the three of you. Don't ask for something I can't give! The most powerful man on the earth, suddenly there are things you cannot do? This is very curious. Stop with your lies! No! Petrov will never give up Radek. Petrov is a dog. He does what you tell him. Tell him to do this. Petrov used me. I just wanted to stop the bloodshed. He wanted a personal victory. Petrov hates Radek. Of course he hates Radek. Radek is everything he is not. A great man. A strong man. Are you saying... ..he would refuse you? You'd be playing right into his hands. Are you an idiot? You'd make him into a hero. The man who stopped the terrorists. Or better yet, the man who stopped me. You talk as if you have nothing to do with this. This is all your doing. This infection you call freedom. Without meaning, without purpose. You have given my country to gangsters and prostitutes. You have taken everything from us. There is nothing left. Call him. No. No! No! Leave her. Leave her. No. I have no choice. You have the choice. Leave her alone, this is between you and me. You lose a child, it hollows you out. We're soldiers. Take my life. Have you no honour? I'll count to five. No! It's gonna be all right. One. It's gonna be all right. Two. I'll do it. I'll do it. Just leave my family alone. (sobbing) Leave them alone. 1 (speaks Russian) PHONE RINGS (speaks Russian) Mr President. We just got an intercept. The President called Petrov and asked him to release Radek. He can't do that. He must have no choice. He must have no choice. We have a choice. I have the signatures of the majority of cabinet, attesting to his incapacity. Sign it and you can overrule him. No, I won't do that. The United States does not negotiate with terrorists. It's been our principle for 25 years. You can't give in to them now. It'll be open season on the United States. Many more will die. Jim isn't making this decision as a President, he's making it as a husband and a father. History will judge you by what you do right now, Kathryn. For God's sake, sign it. No! No. CHILLING MUSIC GUARD: (speaks Russian) SPEAKERPHONE: I can confirm that General Radek is being released. DISAPPOINTED MURMURS I repeat, General Radek is being released. SHOUTS AND CHEERS FROM PRISONERS Yes. Yes. General Radek has been released. It's confirmed. They are releasing the General. Now what? Now we return to our homeland. Radek will decide how best to use you. Now that we know you are willing to negotiate. Our nation needs so many things. You said you'd release us. Forgive me. I lied. DEAFENING CHEERS TRIUMPHANT SINGING IN RUSSIAN SINGING COMES OVER SPEAKERPHONE Listen. SINGING PLAYS OUT OF SPEAKER TRIUMPHANT SINGING CONTINUES FRAUGHT MUSIC MACHINE-GUN FIRE Jim! Aaarrgh! Aargh! MACHINE-GUN FIRE (screams) Dad! Sir, are you hit? Stay with the major, honey. Stay with the major, honey. Alice, get in the cockpit. Stay with the major, honey. Alice, get in the cockpit. Come on. Lie down. Grace! (desperate) Grace! GRACE: Jim! Jim! Grace! SINGING CONTINUES FROM SPEAKER STEAM HISSES GUNSHOTS Let her go! Not until Radek is safely away. Jim! Call it off! Don't give up Radek. If anything happens to the General, your wife will die. Do you hear that? It's almost over, Mr President. TENSE MUSIC Drop the gun! Drop the gun! You made one mistake. You killed my pilot, Mr President. No one left to fly the plane. I got parachute. Whatever happens... ..you lose and I win. ACTION MUSIC Get off my plane! TRIUMPHANT MUSIC Are you all right? EXCITED CHEERING OVER SPEAKER Go! Go! Call Petrov! FRAUGHT MUSIC CHEERING AGITATED SHOUTING GUN SHOTS (groans) They killed him. EXCITED CHEERS MAN ON SPEAKER: Radek is dead! He almost got away. Can you hear me, sir? Radek is dead. Yes! It's the President. We have retaken the plane! WILD CHEERING AND SHOUTING 1 How's he doing? Not good, sir. Don't suppose you know how to fly? No, sir. Come along. I'll need a copilot. Yes, sir. How long since you've flown, sir? How long since you've flown, sir? 25 years. Little planes. Never jets. Nothing like this. Anybody there? RADIO: Yes. We're here, sir. Can somebody help me fly this thing? This is Colonel Jackson. Bob. We need to get you out of hostile territory. Good idea, Bob. Look above at the central video screen. There's a series of numbers. One should read 110. Got it. That's your course heading. Just below, there's a knob surrounded by hash marks. I want you to turn that knob counter-clockwise to 290. 290. We're turning, Bob. This will take you out of Kazakhstan. You're OK, baby. We can't land this plane on autopilot, so we need to go over a few things. Where's the nearest safe landing site? Turkey. General, what's that? Madam? Madam Vice President, that red dot represents MIGS. On course to intercept Air Force One. Christ, they took off from Aktyubinsk. The base commander there's loyal to Radek. General, send our fighters into Kazakhstan. Order them to use any and all means to protect the President. Keep the throttles mid-range. Mr President, can you hear me? Yes, Kathryn. We're tracking six MIGS closing on you. I'm sending F-15s to protect you. Shit! Shit! Did she say MIGS? Yes, she said MIGs. Honey, get in that seat and put a seatbelt on. We're having a little trouble, here. If these MIGS get closer, I'll have to manoeuvre this thing. How do I get it off autopilot? Push the button by your left thumb. I'll try a little right turn. Just keep your move smooth and steady, it's all flying, sir. Just step on the gas. That's right. Just like riding a bike. We are cleared to commit bearing 090. Jettison tanks and push it up. These MIGs, how far away are they? ALARM SOUNDS Never mind. RUSSIAN CONVERSATION OVER RADIO DRAMATIC MUSIC One coming. Counter-measures activated. Left turn. Jesus! We need some help here. US fighters, this is Air Force One. We are under attack. Where the hell are you? This is Halo Flight. Closing in. ETA two minutes. We may not have two minutes. We're hit. Christ. We're on fire. We've got an engine on fire. Engine four on fire. Pull the fire handle overhead. OK, I got it. I got it. We're rolling right. Left rudder to compensate. Shall I pull back at number one engine? You have to trim it out. You have to trim it out. How do I do that? Half pedestal. Jesus Christ! Got a red light here. It looks like we're losing fuel. Halo Flight. Everybody lock a bandit. Stand by for max range. And...Fox Three. Bearing 090. Halo Flight engaged. Ha ha! Good guys are here. Air Force One, west for recovery. You got it. Sir, one on your tail. Sir, one on your tail. Get him off my tail! Air Force One, break left and climb! We've lost counter-measures. Halo Two, they've lost counter-measures. I'm going in. Two's down - Halo Two is down. Air Force One, are you still with us? Yes, we're still here. (speaks Russian) Not so fast, you son of a bitch. The last three MIGs are bugging out. We're clear! Bob, are you still there? Bob, are you still there? Yes, sir. Bob, are you still there? Yes, sir. We've got a little problem here. The rudder is sluggish. Let me take a look, sir. Oh, man. Sir, you're torn up pretty bad out here. Do you have any elevator control? That's sluggish, too. We're still losing fuel. OK. We've got a problem up here. Air Force One is badly hit. With the damage, there's no way they can land. I'm sorry, sir. Thanks for your help. I'll stay on your wing, sir. Take it straight and steady until we figure out what to do. Sir. You did great. SUBDUED MUSIC They can't control it. The engines are failing, they're losing fuel. There must be something we can do. Is that our airstrip strike team? Yeah. Why? I just had a wild idea. Time is critical. Start turning north. You'll get more details en route. Yes, sir. Change of orders acknowledged. Try to hold your heading, sir. They'll be rejoining from the south in about 25 minutes. All right. You know it's risky. Understood. But we are out of options. Dad. Yeah, baby. It'll be OK. Everything's gonna work. Concerned Americans have gathered at the White House to await word on the President and his family. CNN reports that Air Force One is crippled and virtually unlandable. Sources report that the first family is still trapped on board. A daring mid-air rescue operation is said to be underway. Air Force One, this is Liberty 24 approaching on your left side. Do you read? Loud and clear. Gibbs, they're here. Get the door. We're at 10,000 feet. 200 knots. Got to slow her down. Air Force One and Liberty 24, this is AWACS Blue Star. We have you on radar contact. LOUD WHOOSHING Liberty 24, they're almost out of fuel. Roger, Blue Star. Air Force One, you've got to keep the wings level. If the engines fail, sacrifice altitude to keep the air speed. Liberty 24, craft leader. The first man is on his way. Back up. Easy. Air Force One. How's my speed? Good. Everything's good. See if you can hold. A little more left, sir. Three, two, stop. Pull me in! Come on. Come on! Unhook me. I got it. I got it. Locked in. Where's the President? In the cockpit. ENGINE WHINES Just lost another engine. Liberty, we lost another engine. Liberty 24 acknowledged. BEEPING Sir. Time to go. Who's gonna fly the plane? I'll take care of that, sir. Got it. Go. Second man on the way. Mr President, this way. Mr President, this way. My family first. Sir, I have orders to take you off this... Them first. Blue Star, the third parajumper is boarding Air Force One. Standing by for recovery. Moving into receiver position. Dad! You'll be all right, honey. Promise? Promise? Promise. Close your eyes. You can do it. Just hold on tight. It's OK. Don't worry. She's OK. (screams) Dad! Hang on. Hang on. We got her. We got her. I'm right behind you. MAJESTIC MUSIC Come on. Give us your hand. Hang on. Hang on. You're next, sir. Him next. He's wounded. Yes, sir. No. You go. Not a chance. Come on, pal. ENGINE DIES We've lost another engine. Air Force One, you're sinking too fast. We only have time for one more retrieval. We're passing 3,000 feet. We have less than two minutes. Get the President out of there. He's on. Sir, get your harness ready. It's time to go. What about the other team? No time for the other team. I can only take one more. No. We're all going. That's impossible, sir. I have to take you. Mr President, it's time to get you off this plane. Go, sir. Go. Please go. Ugh! It was you?! GUNSHOT MENACING MUSIC Give me the strap. Give me the strap. I trusted you with my life. So will the next president. Now, give it to me. We have to release the cable. We're descending to 1,200 feet. I'm getting off this plane. 700. 500. We have to pull up. Blue Star, Air Force One is down. I repeat, Air Force One is down. SHOCKED GASPS Liberty 24, do you have the President? (terrified gasps) Liberty, do you have the President? Stand by. Hang on. We got him! TRIUMPHANT MUSIC Liberty 24 is changing call sign. Liberty 24 is now Air Force One! EXALTED CHEERING Mr President. Welcome aboard, sir. (ragged breaths) WILD CHEERING POWERFUL MUSIC AEROPLANES ROAR Subtitled at The Seven Network by: Tony Jones, Midi Strickland, Colleen Montague and Kerrie McKay. www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Captioning NZ 2002.