1/72.     INT.   SERVICE CRAWL SPACE.   ISA.   NIGHT.    1/72.

          In some kind of service area or crawl space
          BECKETT is inching his way towards freedom.

          The area is very thin and BECKETT cannot go very
          fast for fear of getting stuck.


1/73.                                                    1/73.

          ZITO unlocks the door to the room in which BECKETT
          was bundled and enters.

          He sees immediately that BECKETT has gone and
          quickly spots the panel leading to the crawl
          space.

          ZITO pulls out a gun and runs back out of the
          door.


1/74      INT.   SHUTTLE CABIN.   LAUNCH PAD.    DAY.       1/74.

          ED and VORNHOLT wait for take-off.

          The count-down VOICE can be heard still:

                       COUNTDOWN VOICE
                    One minute fifty, forty-nine
                    (etc.) ...

          ED exhales in a noisy way, causing VORNHOLT to
          look at him.

                          VORNHOLT
                         Scared now?

                             ED
                           Maybe.

                          VORNHOLT
                                      
                      I was - the first time.
                            (beat)
                      Actually I get pretty scared
                      every time.

                ED reaches out and pats her arm.

                             ED
                     We're all only human.


              For the first time VORNHOLT smiles at ED with some
              warmth.

                                 ED
                       I haven't felt like this
                       since I had my tonsils out.

              VORNHOLT laughs.

*    1/75.    INT.   SERVICE AREA/CRAWL SPACE     STA.   NIGHT. 1/75                                   *

              BECKETT has come to the end of a tunnel.    He
              kicks out the end panel and lowers himself onto an
              open walkway.    The countdown can be heard over
              the tannoy.

*    1/76.                                                      1/76.                                  *

              ZITO, gun in hand is on a walkway above BECKETT.
              He turns a corner and catches sight of BECKETT
              running along some distance ahead.

              ZITO lets off a shot.    BECKETT hears the shot
              ricochet near him and runs faster.    The tannoy
              reaches T minus 2 minutes.

              ZITO glances at his watch;  which is set with the
              countdown to lift-off.    He has to get back to his
              secret comms place.    With a last glance in the
              direction of BECKETT, ZITO begins to go back the
              way he came.

*    1/76A    INT.   MISSION CONTROL.    STA.   NIGHT.          1/76A.*

    *         STONE leans into a microphone.                                                       *

              *                    STONE              *
              *         Guyana Launch Control, you    *
                        are 'Go' for launch.
              *         Repeat 'Go' for launch.       *
                        Transferring command and
              *         control to your station.      *

     1/77.    EXT.   RADIO MAST.     NIGHT.                      1/77.

              ROS is now on the platform marked LEVEL 12,
              opening the various boxes and looking for the
              right thing to jack her equipment into.

              ROS glances at her watch, which she has set to
              mirror the countdown.     It reads 1:58, 1:57 etc.

              ROS plugs something into a socket and tries the
              radio equipment in her bag.

                                ROS
                    Hello Shuttle Excalibur?
                    Come in ...

         The only response is static.

                              ROS
                    Ed ... Can you hear me?


1/78.                                                       1/78.

         There is a small but insistent bleeping noise in
         the cabin.    VORNHOLT looks confused.

                              VORNHOLT
                    What the hell is that?

                              ED
                    I'm not sure ...

         ED opens a pouch/pocket on his suit and finds the
         tiny earpiece and small box receiver that ROS gave
         him earlier.    The bleeping is coming from this.
         It is also flashing a small light.

         ED grins.

                              ED
                    Sorry, I keep telling them
                    not to bleep me at work ...

         He puts the earpiece in and connects it to the
         black box receiver which he slips back in his
         pouch/pocket.

         ED puts a finger to his ear and suddenly he hears

                                 ROS
                        Ed ... Ed.   If you can hear
                        me, you must abort the
                        miss -
                             (interference)