Black Eagle

'Monitor 0-2-3-2 Zulu time.

'Post-transmission via NAS rota Spain. Start.'

'No further transmission until we're at the target. Do you copy, Big Ears?'

'Big Ears, aye. Juliet, Tango, Echo, 4-7-1.

'Zulu time, 0-2-3-3.'

'This is Gathered Punch. Here we go.

'Stay on the deck and keep it tight. This is it.'

'Rapid Angel, commence sortie.'

'Rapid Angel, aye.'

'Wow! Did you see that one? That'll wait them up!' 'Perfect! Rotate out.

'Nighthawk, commence circuit and launch.' 'Nighthawk, aye.'

'Very clean! Blockbuster, unload the racks.' 'Blockbuster, aye.'

'Let's see a nice tight pattern.'

'Blockbuster, aye. Watch this trick.'

'Shotgun group, full military power, mark II plus.'

'Shotgun leader, aye.

'Six units, commence sortie.

'Hit primary targets on the first pass. We own this place!'

'Cross back over and head for home, boys.

'Hit secondary targets on the way out.'

'What was that?!' 'There's another one.

'Someone, anyone, hit that missile pad on the harbour. Who's got him?'

'I see him! I'll take him out in ten seconds. He's mine!'

'Group leader, Shotgun?' 'Group leader, aye.'

'Marking secondary targets.' 'There's another missile launch!

'Haul those missiles away. Get some heat flares out.'

'I'm hit!' 'Can you get out to sea, Rapid Angel?' 'I can manoeuvre,

'but I'm losing power.' 'Someone get that missile site now!'

'My wing man is hit!' 'Rapid Angel, where are you?'

'Rapid Angel is heading north, north-west. I've stabilised.'

'Rapid Angel, try Sicily, try Malta, try Picket Ship I.

'Sixth Fleet has rescue. Do you hear me?' 'I copy, group leader.

'I'm gonna make it.'

'I'm there, group leader.' 'Stick on him, Nighthawk.' 'Roger that.'

'I'm losing fuel.' 'Stay with him, Nighthawk.'

Captain.

'Landfall. Someone's tracking me. I'm losing power.' 'Stay with it.'

Andrei.

'I'm losing power.' 'I've lost him. Splashdown!'

Your ship was near the attack?

The Leontiev was steaming 10km west of the USA Sixth Fleet.

'Gibraltar...'

Alert Naval Affairs, Captain. A simple yes will do.

I tracked the US plane to crashpoint.

I can estimate its position to within 5km.

You'll show me?

You may want to change your clothes.

Captain, quick! We don't know how much the Americans know.

'Losing fuel.' 'Stay with him.'

'There's landfall ahead.'

'Someone's tracking me. I'm losing power.'

Come on! 'Stay with him.'

'I'm losing power.' Come on!

'I've lost him! Splashdown!'

Man!

Scratch 50 million worth of F1-11!

We lost more than that, Henderson. Three of those planes had secret laser guidance systems.

And with our luck, one of those babies is at the bottom of the Mediterranean.

We did a computer run and it put splashdown three miles south of Swatter Point, Malta.

I'm gonna love Malta this time of year. Not with the Soviet trawler the Leontiev in the area.

Fishing must be good! Do you want to bet that I find that F1-11 first?

I want to know the Leontiev wasn't with the Sixth Fleet.

Just track the trawler, Steve. Don't be a hero. We're all heroes, Dean.

That's why you love us.

Is he the best man?

Best man available.

Explain that.

Well, the best man for the job is Ken Tani, codename Black Eagle.

But he's on assignment.

I don't care what it is, pull him out.

He's not available.

Every year at this time, he has two weeks to see his kids.

That's our deal.

He can see his kids later. You tell him that. I won't tell him anything.

Dean, make it happen...NOW!

Get Patricia Parker for me.

'All passengers on Pan-Am flight...'

Boys!

Patricia Parker is taking you to your father. Hi! You must be Denny.

Hi. And Brian? Hello.

I know your dad was supposed to be here but he has a project on Malta.

So get your things, we've got a plane to catch.

'Passengers on Flight 228 from Madrid, please proceed to...'

Buongiorno.

Buongiorno. Sono Padre Bedelia.

Devo incontrare Monsignor Carraldi.

Oh, that monsignor won't be joining us today.

I have a bottle of white wine, unless you'd prefer coffee.

What the hell do you want?!

How's your research project coming along?

Maltese giving you much assistance?

I was through with you 12 years ago. 14. Something's come up.

I don't want to hear about it. I'm a priest.

A research oceanographer?

Working on a grant from Georgetown University?

You Jesuits do take care of your own!

Get someone else, Rickert.

His name is Ken Tani. For all intents and purposes, a marine biologist at Hawaii University.

You never let go.

We may both get lucky. I have a man on the scene.

I may not need you or Tani.

Get them alongside!

Who sent you to my boat?

Go fuck yourself!

Captain! >

Get back. Get back! Get back!

Do you like wasting your time? Wasting my time?!

This was on the hull!

So what? You know who he is and what he wants.

Are you in pain?

Kiss my ass!

Captain,

where is your paramedic? Argh!

CRUNCH

Captain, damn careless!

How often do we get a live one like him?

He was not alone.

Take this body away! Captain!

HELICOPTER WHIRRS

THEY SHOUT

GUNSHOTS

THEY CHEER

Why was I pulled out two days early?

You're not going to New York. Whatever it is - no! You're going to Malta.

Dean, I get two weeks off every summer, no matter what.

Here's the gen on the SX1 laser guidance system. I don't wanna know!

I don't do enough for my kids!

We know where the plane went down. All you have to do is get the guidance pod.

Are you kidding? Malta's never easy. It's crawling with spies from all over the world.

And the Leontiev.

You think I'm walking into that? You're out of your mind! I'm going to meet my kids.

That's exactly what you'll do, Ken.

I know that tone of voice.

Your kids are already in Malta.

What?! At the Dragonara Palace Hotel. Your luggage is there. You registered yesterday.

Brian? Brian!

I bet my dad's never coming. You're wrong. He's just busy.

He's always busy!

Let's try and enjoy ourselves. We can go see the museum.

Terrific(!)

DISTANT CARNIVAL MUSIC

Let's go watch the parade. Terrific(!)

CARNIVAL MUSIC SWELLS

MUSIC DROWNS SPEECH

ENGINE WHIRRS

Malta Control Centre here.

I've got unidentified traffic 15 miles off Luca, heading west.

Unidentified traffic north-east of Malta, identify yourself.

'Unidentified traffic north-east of Malta, identify yourself.'

'Malta Centre again.'

The unidentified traffic is now ten miles off Luca, heading west.

Unidentified aircraft off Malta, identify yourself!

Open your chute!

Pull, dammit!

'The unidentified aircraft has turned out to sea.'

Give me the police, please!

PHONE RINGS

Hello. This is Chief Inspector Borg.

Yes.

Right. Give the area to my sergeant. I'll send an officer.

Hold the line.

For you! Inspector?

I don't want to hang around here.

You are Father Joseph? Clothes are in that duffle bag.

Wallet, credit cards, passport - all the goodies money can buy.

Rickert said there was another man - Henderson. Steve Henderson.

He was to attach a homing device to the Leontiev.

Rickert gave me an assistant to monitor it.

What about it? Nothing, nada, niet!

Nobody's seen Henderson.

For what it's worth, I'm an oceanographer. I study currents.

Turpidity.

For openers.

BOAT'S ENGINE CHUGS

Dr Tani? You work for Father Joseph.

I do, but I'm employed by Mr Rickert.

My boys are on the island?

They're at the Medina Museum.

This picture shows the Grand Master defeating the Turks in 1565.

A city is named after him.

Daddy!

How are you doing? I am very glad to see you. Both of you!

How long have you worn glasses? Don't ask!

Remember me? Patricia Parker. Dean's friend.

The tour's over. Let's step outside.

We've been hoping you could join us. That work wasn't too difficult.

We've been here two days, Dad! I'm sorry. I was busy, OK?

Dr Tani, you may want to see this.

I'll wait for you in the boat.

Who is he? Vladimir Klimenko - colonel in KGB. Sector commander.

He flew in two days ago. Now on the Leontiev. Hmm.

Be careful, Doctor. He's dangerous business.

CREW APPLAUDS

Yah!

GENERAL HUBBUB

CREW SPEAK RUSSIAN

According to the computer, this is where the F1-11 went down.

I'm not getting anything from the F1-11's emergency transponder.

Let me help you with your tank.

I don't use it.