Star City

Who is it?

Open the door.

What's this about?

Alexei.

Is he all right? Has something happened?

Get dressed. You're coming with us.

Watch your sister. I'll be back soon.

Please.

Please!

Whatever's happened,

you must know, we're good workers.

And Alexei, he would never, he would never…

- I don't know what it... - They're waiting for you.

Chief Designer.

Chief Designer.

Is Alexei all right?

They won't tell me what's happened.

He left for a training mission last week and now…

What is it?

That's the surface of the moon.

Is Alexei going to the moon?

No, my little one.

He's already there.

I'm beginning my descent.

I take this step for my country,

my people,

and for the Marxist-Leninist way of life.

Knowing that today is one small step

on a journey that will someday take us all to the stars.

The celebration of the Soviet victory

over the Americans continues across the nation and the world…

as General Secretary Brezhnev joined thousands of his fellow citizens

at a parade to honor cosmonaut Alexei Leonov,

the man responsible for the first ever moon landing.

A new hero for our times.

To the Chief Designer of the Soviet Space Program.

For your efforts leading to our nation's victory in the race to the moon.

You are hereby bestowed the honor of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Signed General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev.

Thank you.

- Congratulations, comrade. - Deputy Chairman Tarasov.

I'm sorry we couldn't have you at the parades for this great achievement,

but KGB is now more concerned than ever

about what the Americans might do to you.

- If your identity were to become public... - Parades are for children.

All I request is a word with the General Secretary

- about our next phase, it is imperative… - No, no, no. Now is not the time

- to discuss this, comrade. - …that we… Then when?

I sent my proposals to the Kremlin months ago.

Yes, I was briefed on them.

- Venus, Mars. No. - Yes. Yes.

- The moon must remain your focus. - I...

This will only further cement the superiority of the socialist cause.

We must think bigger. The moon was just a stepping stone.

How can you be so short-sighted?

Well, maybe you're the one being short-sighted, comrade.

Get your own house in order before talking of Venus.

I'm sorry, comrade.

This honor must stay here where it will be safe.

Of course.

Have a pleasant day.

Late start to the morning, Comrade Morozova?

I got lost.

This building's like a maze.

You'll get used to it.

Few weeks at the most.

- You seen my watch? - No.

Can you do this for me?

Where'd you get the skirt from?

- I don't remember. Why? - It's far too short.

Everyone's gonna be staring at your legs.

Valya.

Well, how else are we gonna ensure they give you a plum assignment?

Yeah.

Not that you would ever tell me if they're sending you to the moon.

TM REMARKS UPON HELPING VM SECURE ASSIGNMENTS

You expecting someone?

It's Sasha. We're late for training.

Come in!

Morning, lovebirds.

Sasha, maybe you can tell me

since my husband refuses and you have fewer scruples.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Has he been assigned a lunar mission yet?

I don't wanna find out like Leonov's wife.

Tanya, please not now.

You know the Chief keeps his cards close.

But don't worry.

I'll make sure that you're the last to know.

Go to hell, Sasha.

- Love you. - Bye!

- You need to stop pushing them. - It's ridiculous.

After the victories I've handed them on a platter…

They still treat me like a glorified errand boy.

You should take them seriously.

- The Americans are... - The Americans, the Americans.

You all see Americans hiding under every rock and pebble.

And indeed they are.

One of our assets in Washington has alerted us

that the Americans have somehow acquired your plans for the lunar base.

How? These are kept secure in engineering.

It appears that someone in Star City is working for the other side.

Colonel Raskova.

There she is. The Night Witch herself.

You know, they say she killed over a hundred Germans

during the Great Patriotic War.

How am I supposed to gain her attention if all I'm given are the dregs?

So much of what I must notate is just…

- Dull? - It's mind-numbing drivel.

Why is it important to the State how long he spends on the toilet

or how much paprika she puts in the pepper stew?

I just didn't spend four years at Lomonosov to become a glorified secretary.

Be patient, Irina.

They always give the mundane assignments to the new workers.

When I first started, I had to listen to Georgi Frunze for six months.

He used to sit in his apartment alone for days on end.

No one to speak with except his mother on Sundays.

It was pathetic.

Silence is nice sometimes.

At least we both have cosmonauts to listen to.

My girl and your boy, they're gonna be on the Luna 16 mission.

She's gonna be the first woman on the moon.

They're gonna know the name Yana Akhmatova all around the world.

One minute to jump! Double-check your harnesses and altimeters.

I can't believe you haven't told her yet.

Tanya's not stupid.

She senses something,

but they're demanding even more secrecy than with Leonov.

I understand it. Americans could sabotage the mission.

- You never know what they're gonna do. - Bullshit. Bullshit, Valyush.

They just don't want to be embarrassed in front of the world if the mission fails.

- Yeah, and with a woman on board... - We won't fail.

We already put one bitch in orbit, why not another?

Right. Shut up. Stay focused.

I, for one, am proud to be piloting the first woman to the moon.

And I am proud to have you as my pilot, Valyush.

Maybe you can hold her dress during the parade.

Maybe I will.

Valya's been up three times already. How many times have you been, Sasha?

Well, they're saving me for the big one.

That must be it.

Okay, we're at altitude.

Belikova, you're up first. Let's go!

Now remember, keep your arch.

Maintain your center of gravity in your torso as you descend.

You didn't have proper body position last time, so you landed roughly.

Enough with this talk! We're not cubs.

Let's go!

She's crazy.

Ladies first. Unless you want to hold my arm.

Belikova, ignore him. You focus on your jump.

Be here.

That's quite a landing, Belikova.

Hey, look! No, no, no His chute's not opening! Look.

It's Sasha! Look. No, no.

Sasha!

Quickly!

Shit.

Hurry!

Sasha!

Sasha.

At least I know you'll cry at my funeral!

You're a piece of shit, Sasha!

Come on, that was funny!

You should've seen all your faces.

Ignore him! He's a child.

What's the matter?

Are you sure Yana said it was her brother?

Yeah. Checked it ten times since last night.

She said she was going to see her brother Ivan before her launch.

But she's never mentioned a brother before.

So I checked on his name,

and there's an Ivan Akhmatov who writes for the Sintaksis .

The underground magazine?

She must've withheld his name in order to qualify for the program.

You must report this, Vika.

Why have you brought me here?

Tell me about your brother, Ivan.

What about him?

What do you know about his association

with the Western periodical Sintaksis ?

What are you talking about?

Ivan is dead.

No, he's not.

This is… This is absurd. Why, you think just because you...

…I've done!

I have sacrificed everything for the cause of the Soviet people!

You know nothing about what that means!

We know you're working with the Americans.

You think everyone is working for the Americans!

You're not answering the que...

Please, I'm so tired, please .

Say what you said before.

All right, all right. I'll admit it.

I have been working against the Soviet state.

Please, please…

Turn it off.

This is a mistake. She didn't do this.

I know you two are close, but she really...

She is the best pilot I have! You can't do this now.