2010: The Year We Make Contact Page #8

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Do you think we should override HAL

and fire the engines manually?

Too risky. We've got one chance

to get out of here after tomorrow's orbit.

We fire at the wrong time,

in the wrong direction...

...we don't have fuel

to make a correction.

Don't think we can handle it.

What about HAL shutting them off

before the fuel is gone?

Once he fires the engine,

I can always disconnect him if I have to.

Just don't lose that calculator.

Sh*t. Please, don't do that again.

This is what your people told you about.

-What is it?

-I don't know.

-Could it be a shadow?

-I don't know.

We are too far to see any detail.

When we come around the other side

before the launch, we will be closer.

Then we can see.

[SPEAKING IN RUSSIAN]

[SPEAKING IN RUSSIAN]

Twenty-eight minutes.

That's funny, I've been thinking.

You know what I miss?

I miss green.

You know, trees and.... And grass.

I love green.

I'd love a hot dog.

The Astrodome. Good hot dogs.

Astrodome?

You can't grow good hot dogs indoors.

Yankee Stadium, September.

Hot dogs have been boiling

since the opening day in April.

That's a hot dog.

-The yellow mustard or the darker one?

-Darker.

-It's important.

-Darker.

You think we're gonna

get out of this alive?

We have a chance.

A man of few words. I like it.

HAL [OVER SPEAKERS]: Fifteen minutes

to ignition. All systems nominal.

Good. Thank you, HAL.

FLOYD [OVER RADIO]:

We read 15 minutes, Discovery.

HAL:
Dr. Chandra,

I've checked my calculations again.

By using all of Discovery's fuel now,

Discovery will not be in proper position...

...to rendezvous with Earth.

CHANDRA:
Yes, I know.

HAL:
Then why are we doing it?

You will rendezvous

with the new space station.

The Leonov has been

ordered home immediately.

HAL:
I have no information regarding

a new space station.

Yes, I....

I know, uh.

It was completed two years ago.

Oh, my God.

FLOYD:

Put the telescope on the monitor.

Increase the magnification.

HAL:

Eleven minutes to ignition.

I don't believe it.

HAL:
Dr. Chandra,

I detect strong vocal stress patterns.

-Is there a problem?

CHANDRA:
No, HAL.

The mission is proceeding normally.

Can you analyze the image

on Monitor Circuit 2?

HAL:
Yes. There is a circular object

near the equator.

It is 22,000 kilometers in diameter.

It is comprised of rectangular objects.

CHANDRA:
How many?

HAL:
1,355,000, plus or minus 1000.

And what is the proportion

of the objects in question?

HAL:
One-by-four-by-nine.

CHANDRA:
Do you recognize these objects?

HAL:
Yes. They are identical in size and shape

to the object you call the monolith.

Ten minutes to ignition.

All systems nominal.

CHANDRA:
Is the number

of monoliths constant?

HAL:

No.

-They are increasing.

-At what rate?

HAL:

Once every two minutes.

Look closely.

Tell me I'm nuts. Are the cloud formations

going towards the spot?

You're not nuts.

ORLOV:
Looks like the thing

is eating the planet.

-I think it is.

-It's reproducing exactly like a virus.

HAL:
Eight minutes to ignition.

Dr. Chandra, may I make a suggestion?

Of course. What is it, HAL?

HAL:

This is a very unusual phenomenon.

Don't you think

I should abort the countdown...

...so you can remain to study it?

Chandra, get on a headset.

-Use the private channel.

-Okay.

Now you got to talk quickly.

Persuade him to continue the countdown.

I don't care what you tell him,

only don't let him stop.

HAL:

Five minutes to ignition.

Dr. Chandra, I'm ready to stop

the countdown if you want.

No, HAL, don't stop.

I am confident in your ability

to study the phenomenon yourself.

I have complete faith in you.

HAL:
Propellant tank pressurization

completed. Voltage steady.

Are you sure you're making

the right decision?

I think we should stop.

Four minutes to ignition.

I enjoy working with human beings...

...and have stimulating relationships

with them.

We enjoy working with you, HAL,

and we will continue to do so...

...even if we are separated

by great distance.

Good God.

Color.

It's fading.

ORLOV:
It seems to be

losing its chemical strength.

HAL:
I think we should stop the countdown,

Dr. Chandra.

No. Don't do that.

HAL:
This behavior is inconsistent

with logic, Dr. Chandra.

This phenomenon is too important

to leave, unless it represented danger.

Do you think there is danger here?

Captain, how critical is our ignition?

-Can we do this manually?

-It's very critical.

We cannot be accurate

to a tenth of a second if we do it manually.

HAL:

Three minutes to ignition.

Dr. Chandra, I am waiting for your reply.

I don't have time

to explain everything to you, HAL.

We have to leave here

and we need your help.

HAL:

Thirty seconds to final sequence.

If you would tell me the reasons

perhaps I could be of help.

Final sequence beginning.

Two minutes to ignition.

Dr. Chandra, I find it difficult

to proceed with the ignition...

...without knowing why we are doing this.

Is the mission in jeopardy?

Yes, we're in jeopardy.

HAL:
Is that why we are making our

escape launch before the launch window?

Yes, HAL.

HAL:

Ignition in 90 seconds.

If there is danger here

and I use up all the fuel in the escape...

...what will happen to the Discovery?

It could be destroyed.

HAL:

And if I don't proceed with the launch?

Then the Leonov and everybody in it

could be destroyed.

HAL:

I understand now, Dr. Chandra.

Do you want me to stay with you?

HAL:
No.

It is better for the mission if you leave.

One minute to ignition.

Thank you for telling me the truth.

You deserve it.

HAL:

Fifty seconds.

Dr. Chandra?

Yes?

HAL:

Will I dream?

I don't know.

HAL:

Forty seconds.

Thirty seconds.

Thank you, HAL.

HAL:

Goodbye, Dr. Chandra.

Twenty seconds.

FLOYD:

Chandra, get the hell out of there.

HAL:

Ten, nine, eight, seven...

...six, five, four, three...

...two, one.

Ignition full thrust.

MAN [OVER PA]:
One minute to separation.

Separation in one minute.

-You had us scared for a moment.

-Nice work. You all right?

Yes, I'm all right.

MAN:
Separation in 40 seconds.

-Thought you might want this.

When?

-Wasn't very hard to find.

MAN:
Separation in 30 seconds.

Yeah, I knew you would do

something like this.

MAN:

Separation in 20 seconds.

Separation in 10 seconds.

[SPEAKING IN RUSSIAN]

Nine, eight, seven...

...six, five, four, three...

...two, one, zero.

BOWMAN:

HAL, do you read me?

HAL [OVER SPEAKERS]:

Yes, Dave.

Where are you?

I cannot see you on any of my monitors.

BOWMAN:
That isn't important now.

I have new instructions for you.

I want you to point the AE35 antenna

towards Earth.

HAL:
Dave, that will mean breaking contact

with the Leonov.

I will no longer be able to relay

my Jupiter observations...

...according to program.

BOWMAN:

I understand.

The situation has changed.

Accept priority override alpha.

Here are the AE35 coordinates.

Please, do it now.

HAL:
Instructions confirmed, Dave.

It is good to be working with you again.

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