The 27th Day Page #5

what to do.

If only they'd let me

work on the capsules.

But they are even afraid of me.

Do you have an idea?

I do not intend to know

how the capsules operate,

but if only I could get my hands on

one of them, then perhaps...

Perhaps what?

It's just a feeling

that I may know something.

Or I ought to know it.

Would you come with me, please.

We're wanted at the Pentagon.

Our government is seriously

concerned.

That other powers have succeeded

where we have failed.

We were hoping now that there seems to be

no further need for concealment,

that one of you might enlighten us.

- Amazing

- You said it couldn't open.

No physical force on earth

could have opened this particular box.

Only my mental projection.

By the same token, no one

but Ivan Godofsky

could have opened his box.

They are keyed to the electrical

impulses of their possessors.

- Then the story is true.

- It is true.

Agreed. but what about their claim?

That their capsules have destructive powers

within a radius of 1,500 miles

Three capsules, then,

would be able to destroy

every vestige of human life

From the North American continent,

from Panama to Hudson Bay.

Can you believe that?

Believe that such energy is

contained in a cylinder?

Smaller than a cap of my fountain pen?

A cylinder that will understand

instructions like a robot?

I cannot.

Then why should the alien give

it to us in the first place?

What better way to start

a war here in the earth

then to place these boxes in our hands

and let us believe they will do

everything the alien

says they do?

If you are right,

Doctor Neuhaus,

it's almost too clever.

The only way we can check

the truth of the alien's words,

Is to test one of the bombs.

And of course that is out of the question.

I'm not so sure.

There is an are of

more than 3,000 miles

diameter off the east

coast of South America.

The test could be conducted at sea.

You forget, Admiral, this test

requires a human life?

We cannot put a human

being within the area

when we have every

reason to believe that

that his life might be the

price of our mistake.

Gentlemen, much of our

concern may be unnecessary.

Remember, there are still

12 days.

If I could have the capsules long enough

to examine them, study them thoroughly

perhaps there's another way.

That decision I cannot make.

However, I suggest we

adjourn for the present.

You will be notified of a future meeting.

Gentlemen, I am prepared

to destroy all life on the

North American continent.

If the Americans do not

withdraw from Europe and Asia.

And confine themselves to the

continental United States.

Sir, this will mean a war

that would finish us as well as them.

There will be no war, Marshall.

If I launch these three capsules

they will not have one single

person left alive

to give orders.

And not to carry them out.

Where is your war then, Marshall?

But if they strike first?

The lessons of history have

been wasted on you, Marshall?

Democracies are appeasers.

And the Americans in particular

cannot be provoked into a war.

They must be bombed into it.

They will do something, sir.

Of course. They will threaten and

bluster-and make angry speeches.

And they will end doing just as we ask.

I shall read to you the ultimatum.

Which is already been delivered

to the United States.

" Demand is hereby made

for the immediate

withdrawal of all American

forces and civilians

on land, sea and air.

To within the limits

of continental United States.

...on pain of total war.

Such withdrawal is to begin within 48 hours

of the moment this

document is placed in the

hands of the government

of the United States.

This is not their people speaking,

it is one man.

We can't accept it.

If we pull everything back

home we pile our potential

where he can destroy

us with a single blow.

If we can start the evacuation

within the time limit,

Seeming to be complying

with their demands

They might not use the weapons

until it was too late.

But what about my suggestion?

If the boxes do not

actually contain weapons,

We're giving up the

world for nothing.

If you would only permit me to

examine the capsules/

- I have an idea that...

- I'm sorry, professor.

Approval has been given to your

suggestion, Admiral,

and the test site.

Most of the equipment is readily available.

If we flew out of here tonight,

We could start the test by the

day after tomorrow.

We still have the problem

of a test subject.

So as not to alarm the public,

the test must be conducted

in absolute secrecy.

For this reason

and even more compelling moral ones,

we cannot use

condemned criminals.

Or even ask for volunteers.

I must admit to be...

Gentlemen, I'm your test subject.

As soon as I heard of the ultimatum,

I subjected myself to a

fatal overdose of Gama radiation.

You can check my statement

with the radiation counter, if you wish.

But Dr. Neuhaus!

I realized that you would not

accept me if I volunteered.

So I decided to place you

in a position where you could not refuse.

You see, although I was born in Germany.

I reside in Missouri

I have to be shown.

Karl, we forfeit you the life

such as yours.

I was never totally sure if

this would be successful. but if it is,

then what is one life against millions?

- Stop all engines.

- Aye, aye, sir.

- All engine stopped, sir.

- Aye.

- Ship's on station, Admiral.

- Thank you, captain.

This is the limit of the radiation radius.

Dr. Neuhaus is here, just within the limit.

Our position is here, one

mile outside the radius.

Sir, he's coming through.

Professor, it's time.

Don't open.

I know what it is, Jonathan.

I don't really want the box to open.

Radiation poisoning

is a terrible way to die.

I can't.

I can't do it.

Latitude:
71 degrees,

25 minutes,

13 seconds south.

Longitude:

150 degrees-

14 minutes

18 seconds

east

At midnight tonight

the 27 days will be over.

- We've almost won.

- No, thank you.

Or we are on the verge of annihilation.

If you were to launch the bombs

against someone when

would you do it?

At the last possible moment, so that your

enemies have no chance of striking back.

Exactly.

It is my firm conviction that

unless something happens to prevent it,

The weapons behind the iron Curtain

will be launched.

It is a question of life or death.

No...

Not life or death

life and death.

What do you mean?

I think I have the answer.

- What is it, Klaus?

- Jonathan, I must have your capsules

- What for?

- I need a complete set.

There's some message on them,

it's in a mathematical code.

Jonathan, you simply must

let me have yours.

Klaus, I don't think I can do that.

But you must.

Don't you understand?

The alien has put some kind of

message on them.

I think I know what it may be

but I cannot be sure without the third.

Please, have the box brought here,

and then decide.

Admiral, will you please

have the capsules sent here?

Captain.

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