:44:00
What's our next step then, General,
ifwe follow standard procedure?
:44:04
We already have
fighter planes in the air.
:44:06
The next step would be to order
the fighters after the bombers...
:44:09
to raise them visually
and divert them from their course.
:44:12
What ifthe bombers don't respond?
:44:14
The fighters would be ordered
to shoot them down.
:44:23
Who gives that order?
:44:26
You do, sir.
:44:31
Thankyou, General.
I'll be back toyou.
:44:36
Get me Mr. Swenson
in the Pentagon.
:45:00
Swenson here.
:45:01
Mr. Secretary,
I have a decision to make.
:45:04
It's my decision,
and I'll make it...
:45:05
but I want the advice ofyou
and your people, and I need it fast.
:45:11
The president says he may have
to order our fighters...
:45:13
to shoot down Group Six.
:45:17
He wants our opinion.
:45:19
I oppose it, sir,
on the grounds that it's premature.
:45:23
Our planes have notyet
reached Soviet territory.
:45:26
They're still hundreds
ofmiles away.
:45:28
We got to do it
right now before it's too late.
:45:30
It might be too late anyway.
:45:32
Those fighters swung away from
the bombers when they got the all clear.
:45:35
They've been flying
in the opposite direction.
:45:38
- They're faster than the Vindicators.
- Not that much faster.
:45:41
-I'm not sure they can catch up in time.
-They can go to afterburners.
:45:44
- That will increase their speed.
- And use up their fuel.
:45:47
They'll never be able to get back.
They'll go down in the ocean.
:45:50
- We've got to try it.
- Suppose they do catch up?
:45:53
Why do they have to attack?
Can't they signal?
:45:56
Our men have been trained
to expect anything from the enemy...
:45:58
even sending up his own fighter planes
disguised as ours.