"Nicholai Kurzon, in spite of his exile from Veyska by the military junta that took over the country, has continued to lead a popular movement to overthrow this dictatorship." "We know that two days ago," "Colonel Alex Stahl, head of the Veyskian secret police, seized Kurzon outside the country, but we don't know where." "Kurzon had in his possession a frame of microfilm containing the names of Veyskian officials and leading citizens who support him." "If Kurzon and the microfilm are returned to Veyska, it will result in the murder of these patriots and kill their chance to liberate the country." "Your mission, Jim, should you decide to accept it, is to rescue Nicholai Kurzon and make sure that microfilm does not get to Veyska." "As always, if you or any of your IM Force should be caught or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions." "Please destroy this tape in the usual manner." "Good luck, Jim." "We are a nation surrounded." "Our enemies are everywhere." "They are poised to strike, but we must strike first." "We must destroy our enemies before they destroy us." "We must show no mercy to those who threaten the new order." " Well?" " Perfect." "I couldn't tell when the chancellor stopped talking and you began." "Chancellor takes his daily swim at 2:00 every afternoon." "Is the pool indoors or outdoors?" " It's in the basement." " That should be interesting." "This is Victor Grigov, deputy chancellor." "And he'll be leaving Paris for Veyska at 2 tomorrow afternoon on his own plane." "Now, somewhere along the way, they'll stop to pick up Stahl and Kurzon and the microfilm." "Now, Kurzon will be put in this compartment, and the microfilm in the safe in here." " Jim, that's the conference room." " Yeah, that's right." "Fortunately, both the compartment and the conference room can be reached from the baggage compartment which runs underneath." "What about air in the baggage compartment?" "There are air ducts all through the plane." "Now, you'll only be able to work while everyone is in his own seat." "In other words, while the seat-belt sign is on." " That's during takeoffs and landings." " That's right." "Are you set with the horoscope?" "They're all done, the chancellor's and everyone's who'll be on the plane." "I might have to make a few minor adjustments." "Good." "Jim, what about the timing in Veyska?" "Well, no problem, Willy." "You and I will get there by commercial jet" "long before the vice chancellor's plane lands." "Now, ladies and gentlemen," "I'd like you to meet the man you'll be taking off that plane," "Nicholai Kurzon." "Sure looks alive." "Feels alive." "Barney." " Is that all he can do?" " That's all he has to do." "Good afternoon, Your Excellency." "Won't you be seated?" "Will you find out how long it will be before the deputy chancellor will be able to board his plane?" "Certainly." "It was quite an opportunity for Stahl, picking up Kurzon and that microfilm." "He'll take credit for saving the government." "Stahl has been trying to undermine me for the last two years." "He would stop at nothing to become deputy chancellor." "The chancellor would never replace you with Stahl." "We must watch him very closely during the next few days." "Make it look good." " She's supposed to be a celebrity." " Here she comes." "Okay, there she is, boys." "Shoot away." "Get plenty." " Thank you." " Good morning." " I'm from Newsworld Magazine." " Thank you, Miss Varnay." " You are most welcome." " I'd like to ask you a few questions." "I understand that you're the only one that Princess Francesca will allow to cast her horoscope?" "Is it true that many of the leaders of the neutral countries have asked for your cooperation in helping to bring about peace talks?" " Beautiful." " Thank you, Miss Varnay." "When do you expect to return to the United States?" "Miss Varnay, one picture by the light, please." "Must be a movie star." "Now, Mademoiselle Varnay, how do you get such great accuracy in your astrological predictions?" "I merely interpret the messages of the stars." "Care to comment on your fantastic prediction of the recent war in the Middle East?" "Many thousands of lives might have been saved if the leaders of the world paid less attention to the words of diplomats and more to the messages of the stars." "Miss Varnay, this way, please." "Thank you." "In other words, you're saying that a universal belief in astrology could lead to peace on earth?" "Deputy Chancellor Grigov." "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, mademoiselle." "Have we met before?" "No, no, I recognised you from your photograph." "Oh, thank the stars we have met." "I must contact your chancellor immediately." "Well, perhaps a brief note..." "No, no, you do not understand." "There is no time." "I tried to call before my plane left London, but I could not get through." "Your chancellor is in grave danger today." "I am an astrologer." "I project a daily horoscope of all the important heads of state." "Believe me, he is in danger today." "The chancellor has his own astrologer." "I'm sure he would warn him of any danger." "And if you're wrong, he will die today." "Mademoiselle, I'm afraid I'm not a great believer in astrology." "Now, if you will please excuse me." "Beg your pardon, Excellency." "Thompson, Newsworld Magazine." "In view of the rumours of a revolution in your country, will you ignore the prediction of an astrologer as famous as Mademoiselle Varnay?" "I do not believe in astrology, Mr. Thompson." "Yes, but your chancellor does." "Well, I hope you're right for his sake and for yours." "While we're here, why don't we get a shot of Mademoiselle Varnay and His Excellency, just in case." "Get it on the wire right away." "There might be quite a story breaking today." "Please get these reporters out of here." "I wish to speak to the mademoiselle alone." "You might change your mind about warning the chancellor?" "Gentlemen, please, that's all." "No more today." "No more questions." "Now, please." "The chancellor is Sagittarius, born at sunrise." "His house of death is Cancer, a water sign ruled by the moon." "At 2:00 today," "Mars is in exact opposition to the moon in Cancer." " Meaning what?" " Death." "Violent death by water." "Is he planning to go to the lake today?" "He's staying in the capital." "It could be water he bathes, water he drinks." " It could be..." " The pool." " He swims every day at 2." " Excellency, you must stop him." " It's a call for Grigov." " Find out who it is." "There is a call for you, Your Excellency." "It is the chancellor." "It would seem as if the chancellor were psychic." "I was about to call him and he calls me instead." "It's the chancellor, the real one." " Your Excellency..." " Disconnect them." "Oh, we've been cut off." "Cut me in." "It's ringing." " Chancellery." " Hello." "This is Deputy Chancellor Grigov speaking." "The chancellor was trying to reach me." "Grigov, I just wanted to see if everything was all right." " When will you be leaving?" " Any moment now, Your Excellency." "There is a woman here at the airport, an astrologer." "She insists that you are in great danger." " An astrologer?" "Who?" " Mademoiselle Varnay." "Oh, yes, yes, she is most gifted." "What danger does she see?" "Something about water." "She says you must not go into the pool today." " I was just about to call you to tell..." " Oh, just a moment." "Carl, examine the pool." "No, I don't know what for." "It could be anything." "Just examine the pool." " Your Excellency?" " What is it?" "What has happened?" "Your Excellency, are you there?" "Excellency?" " Terrible." "He's dead." " Your Excellency?" "Somebody wired the pool with a high-voltage electrical charge." "If it had not been for Mademoiselle Varnay, it would have been me." "But who?" "I suggest you question Nicholai Kurzon." "He will give you the answer." "Bring him to me at once." "And, yes, have Mademoiselle Varnay return on the same plane with you." "Very well, Your Excellency." "Now, we've gotta make sure that the chancellor can't call Grigov before that plane's in the air." "Those two trunks are mine." "This seems a great deal of luggage, mademoiselle." "Oh, no, no, Excellency, not for a world tour." "I have not been home for seven months." "Well, perhaps if Trubner were to inspect your baggage before we board the plane, it would save you the ordeal of having the customs inspect it when we land in Veyska." "Thank you." "Very good." " Shall we board our plane?" " Of course." "Are these the trunks for the deputy chancellor's plane?" "Mademoiselle, if you would care to sit here." "If you will permit me, mademoiselle." "I'm afraid I'm very sceptical about astrology." "Most people are until they have their horoscope made just for them." " When were you born?" " Fifth of May, 1915." "I'm having trouble breathing." "The air's getting thin." "There's no air coming in." "The line must be broken." " Can you get it open?" " No." "It's inside the bulkhead." "I can't get to it." "We got to open a hole between the two compartments ahead of time or we'll get too high and black out." " How high is too high?" " Fifteen thousand feet." "Give me a reading every thousand feet." "Check." "Eleven thousand." "Twelve thousand." "Thirteen thousand feet." "Fourteen thousand." "How do you feel?" "Fresh air never smelled so sweet." "The plane will be landing soon to pick up Kurzon." "You have an enemy." " A most powerful one." " I have dozens of them." "This enemy will destroy you unless you destroy him first." "This enemy, do you know who he is?" "No." "I know only he is Scorpio and that he is no stranger to you." " What month is Scorpio?" " October 23rd, November 21st." "Perhaps I can discover more about him for you." "Well, I should be very curious to know." "Take a look." "We must be landing to pick up Kurzon and Stahl." "As soon as that seat-belt sign goes on, we move." "Right." "Do we land so soon?" "Just a brief stopover to pick up one of our ambassadors who became ill while visiting outside of the country." " I hope it is not serious." " I'm afraid it's going to be fatal." "We're landing." "Hold on." "Please excuse me." "I will go and see that poor man is made comfortable." "But of course." "Put him on the bed." "Excellency." "How long will he remain unconscious, colonel?" "Until we reach Veyska." " He's been heavily sedated." " Good." "But I want Trubner to stay with him in case he should wake up sooner." "Very well." "The microfilm, colonel." "We are all anxious to see which names are on this list, eh?" "As you know, no one is to see it but the chancellor." "My orders are that it be placed in the safe until we reach the capital." " It's in the safe." " What about Kurzon?" "He's in the compartment with Trubner." " How's the radio coming?" " All set." "They can tune in any frequency they like and they'll get an answer from us." "Colonel Stahl, I should like you to meet Mademoiselle Varnay, a very gifted astrologer." " Who authorised this?" " The chancellor himself." "Why was I not informed?" "Just one hour ago," "Mademoiselle Varnay saved the chancellor's life." "It is just possible that the chancellor did not need your permission to thank her personally." "Less than 15 minutes ago," "I spoke with His Excellency on the telephone." "He had injured his back in a fall this morning and has been confined to bed all day." "He did not mention her." "You are mistaken, Mr. Deputy Chancellor." " You will regret your attitude, colonel." " Perhaps." "W256 calling Red Deer." "W256 calling Red Deer." "This is Red Deer, W256." "Request code five, request code five." "Acknowledge code five." "Yes?" "This is your chancellor." "This is Colonel Stahl, Excellency." "Please advise me regarding the presence of an astrologer," "Mademoiselle Varnay, on the plane." "She is there on my orders." "But, Excellency," "I spoke with you on the telephone only a short while ago and you did not tell me about her at that time." "There was no need to tell you." "Your orders are to bring Kurzon and the microfilm to me as soon as possible." "Very well, Excellency, we will take off at once." "I think you owe me an apology, colonel." "You know, my dear, I think I will suggest to the chancellor that you be made head of the secret police." "I think you're much more qualified than Colonel Stahl." " Do not go too far, Grigov." " Oh, that's right." "The colonel does not believe in astrology." " Do you, Stahl?" " I do not." "Colonel, perhaps I can change your mind." "When were you born?" "What's wrong, colonel?" "Are you afraid to have the mademoiselle cast your horoscope?" "If the mademoiselle has nothing better to do," "I was born on the 27th day of October, 1932." "If you will excuse me." "Scorpio." "Stahl and I have always been enemies, but he would never dare oppose me openly." "Scorpios make skilful forgers." "The sun in Scorpio is inclining him toward secretive affairs." "It could have to do with a secret document." "Colonel Stahl, whether or not you believe in astrology, there are things happening aboard this airplane you should be aware of." " What things, mademoiselle?" " In the conference room." "What are you doing?" "No one was to see that microfilm before the chancellor." "You pig." "This is a forgery." "You added my name to the list, and Trubner's." "I wondered if your name would be on that list." " Obviously you knew it would be." " You put it there." "You're trying to make me look like I am a traitor." " I will take the microfilm, Grigov." " It won't work, Stahl." "Give it to me!" "Give it to me." "What is it, colonel?" "These two are to be placed under arrest." " I am now in command of this plane." " What is the charge?" "Treason." "But it won't work, Stahl." "The chancellor will believe me, not you." "The chancellor will believe his own eyes." "W256 calling Red Deer." "You were right about Stahl." "He has forged a document that names me a traitor." "You must tell the chancellor what the chart said, convince him that I'm totally innocent." "But of course, it is the least I can do." "Yes, I have the list, Excellency." "Both Grigov and Trubner's names are on it." "Then I no longer know who to trust." "I will be leaving the capital and going to my summer residence." "You will take charge during my absence." " I want everyone on that list arrested." " I understand." "Oh, yes, one more thing," "I would like Mademoiselle Varnay with me." "Land the plane at the airport near my summer residence." " A car will pick her up." " Very well, Excellency." "Your perception and diligence will not go unrewarded, Stahl." "Contact me when you reach the capital." "His perception and diligence will get Stahl a firing squad." "Perhaps I underestimated your gift, mademoiselle." "I knew that his horoscope and yours were in conflict and that he was going to do something desperate." "I thought it my duty to warn you." "The premier has asked that you be taken to his summer residence where it is safer." "We'll be landing very soon at an airport nearby." " What is it?" " An emergency alarm is on." "Kurzon." "Stay with them." "That was terrible." " Who was he?" " He was a traitor." " I hope we meet again soon." " I am sure we will, mademoiselle." " Will he be all right?" " He'll be all right in a few minutes." "Did you get the microfilm?"