The Andromeda Strain

Piedmont, New Mexico.

Population 68.

Come on.

I didn't notice them before.

That's crazy. I didn't know buzzards fly at night.

That's what they look like.

Here.

Boy, that's some dead burg.

Buzzards only come when something's dead.

Well, I guess we better go in and have a look.

This is Caper One to Vandal Deca.

Caper One to Vandal Deca. Are you reading? Over.

Yes, I'm reading. Over.

We're about to enter the town of Piedmont

and recover the satellite.

Very good, Caper One.

Leave your radio open.

Roger.

We're now inside the town.

It's kind of spooky.

I see a church steeple ahead on the left.

It's quiet here.

It's the damndest thing.

There's no sign of life.

The signals from the satellite are getting very strong.

Sir! You see that, Lieutenant?

See what, Crane?

Over by the fence. It looks like a body.

Easy, Crane.

You're imagining things.

Holy!

Sir, it's another one.

You're right. It looks dead.

Yes, sir, shall I...

No! Stay in the van.

Vandal Deca to Caper One.

What's happening?

We see bodies, lots of them.

Are you certain, Caper One?

Damn it, Comroe,

of course we're certain.

Your orders are proceed to satellite and retrieve.

Roger, Vandal Deca.

Stay at your stations!

Hit that security button!

Get me Major Manchek.

Somehow they don't hardly look dead, Lieutenant.

They're all over the place.

Must be dozens of them.

Damn it, get this call through!

It's sort of like they just

dropped in their tracks, sir.

Sir!

Good Chri..!

Do you see that thing in white?

Yeah, it's coming toward us.

Major, this may sound crazy,

but there's something strange

going on with Caper One.

Sir, I think we should get out of h...

Hello, Ops, this is Major Manchek,

Scoop Control A-12.

We need a flyby over Piedmont, New Mexico.

Infrared. A FLIR scan, all sectors.

Film to come direct to Scoop.

Assign Gunner Wilson,

if he's not crocked someplace.

Jeez!

I'm declaring a state of emergency.

All personnel restricted to base.

Everything seen and heard

in that room is top secret.

Yes, sir.

This is a recording.

State your name and

your message and hang up.

Major Arthur Manchek,

Scoop Mission Control A-12.

I recommend calling a Wildfire Alert.

We have evidence here on film

of unnatural death caused by

Scoop 7 returning to earth.

Time check 0-1-4-7 inclusive.

We'd like to see Dr. Jeremy Stone, please.

Well, I'm Mrs. Stone.

We are having a party. May I...

Does that man have a gun?

Ma'am, we must see Dr. Stone.

What is this?

Please call Dr. Stone to the door.

Otherwise we'll go get him.

Just a minute.

I'll just wait here, ma'am.

I'll come to Berkeley anytime, Stone.

That $4 million must be your largest federal grant.

May I see you, Jeremy?

The S.D.S. Has arrived, no doubt.

Jeremy, there are some Army types in the hall

and two more outside with guns.

They want to see you.

I'll take care of it.

Jeremy! If you knew about this,

you might've told...

I didn't. I'll explain later.

I'm Dr. Stone.

Yes. I'm Captain Morton.

There's a fire, sir.

I've got to leave.

For God's sakes, Jeremy!

When will you be back?

I'm not sure.

The guns, is it...

Mrs. Stone, it's our job

to protect your husband.

From now on, nothing must be allowed to happen to him.

I'll be safe as in your arms.

Jeremy? Jeremy!

You tell the senator it's his daughter!

Allison?

Dad, something very peculiar has just happened,

even for Jeremy.

A few minutes ago...

Dad, are you there?

What's going on?

This communication

is being monitored. The connection

has been broken for reasons of national security.

You will be briefed at the appropriate time.

Thank you for your cooperation, Mrs. Stone.

I feel like Onassis.

It was the fastest thing we could arrange, sir.

Thanks.

Yes?

General Sparks here.

I just wanted to inform you

that all members of your team have been cleared

and are now being called in.

Except for Professor Kirke.

He's in the hospital. Appendectomy.

You'll get complete details on everything

when your team is assembled.

You don't make sense.

You talk like you've been brainwashed.

You don't understand.

Germ warfare people, Dad?

A lab accident?

Thank you.

It's different this time.

Don't pack, Claire,

I won't need anything.

A hippie. He's going to a love-in.

I give up.

One minute you're fed up.

You talk about retiring to Alaska yet!

Now you've turned into a cloak-and-dagger man.

My glasses.

Here they are, Dad.

Can't you at least tell me who phoned

at this ungodly hour?

Grandpa, there's a car,

and they got guns.

Do they now?

Well, that's serious.

I'll watch out.

Honey, you've been dreaming.

I wish I were!

No. Uh-uh.

Get someone else.

Dr. Leavitt, I told you, there's a fire!

My experiment's at the critical stage.

I've been working around the clock.

I can't just leave now.

I want that new plate read

as soon as it's developed.

Yes, ma'am.

My orders come from Dr. Robertson,

the president's science advisor in Washington.

There's a phone. Pick it up.

Call Robbie.

Tell him I burnt my draft card.

Are you sick, ma'am?

We have a physician on call.

All Dr. Leavitt needs is rest.

Knock it off, Bess.

If the physician certifies that you are unable to continue...

No!

I'm fine.

Relax.

I'm going with you.

Skin knife.

Hold it, Mark.

Sorry to disturb you.

There's just been a call

from a Dr. Robertson

at the White House.

Your orders are to break scrub.

Orders? I've got a patient all ready.

Kelly will take over for you.

It's all arranged.

You're expected in the surgeon's room in 30 seconds.