Speaker 1: Out of the knife, The Rocket under my knife, The
Skull two thousand plus Science fiction Adventures from the World
of Tomorrow The Years Beyond two thousand a d two
thousand plus presents The Rocket and the Skull.
Speaker 2: De Genman.
Speaker 1: Have you heard from Colonel Bradburyett, No, sir, I've been
trying to for ten minutes. I'll try again, Yes, sir,
B for base to R for rocket. Be for base
to R for rocket, Come in R for rocket. Every
time Bradberry's more than five minutes later, I get the jitters.
He's too important for this project not to know where
he is every moment. Essen be for base to R
for rocket, Come in R for rocket. High a scanner beam.
He should be on the old pier level out of Detroit.
Speaker 2: Yes, it.
Speaker 1: Be for base to R for rocket. Come in R
for rocket. You can't afford to have anything happened to him.
The first experiment is being conducted tomorrow morning. Bradbury is
the only man who knows every step of the route
for base to R for rocket. Come in R for rocket.
Speaker 2: You're not getting him.
Speaker 1: Cut the scanner return to standard beam. Yes, that, come
in R for rocket. He should have left an hour
earlier and he could have taken a scheduled flight, but no,
he has to work up for the last minute and
then fly his own plane to get you in time.
Be for base to R for rocket, R for rocket,
B for base. This is our for rocket. There he
is uh be in contact at fourteen over six, about
eighty miles out of Detroit. Give me that night, Brad,
This is General Hilton. Are you receiving me?
Speaker 2: Go ahead? General?
Speaker 1: What happened? We couldn't contact you.
Speaker 2: That's the trouble with my stabilizer. Thought I might have
to land.
Speaker 1: But it's okay. Now are you sure?
Speaker 2: We can't have any heaven to you? But worries here?
Speaker 1: The first experiment is being conducted tomorrow morning.
Speaker 2: Everything is ready for you.
Speaker 1: Good. The entire General staff will be there, maybe the
President himself. Is there anything you want me to have
done before you come in?
Speaker 3: Brad?
Speaker 1: Anything you want done? Hello?
Speaker 2: Are for rocket?
Speaker 1: I'm not getting a response. B for base to R
for rocket. Come in R for rocket. He said he
was receiving clear as a bell. Come in R for rocket.
He said the stabilizer had been acting up. I can
mean a lot of trouble At seven hundred miles an hour.
Set automatic distress signal to coming from Colonel Bradbury's plane. Hello,
crash Central. This is B for base automatic distress signal
coming here on channel four to two. Oh Colonel Bradbury
flying a rocket jet X ninety three. Hey, it's stocked
B for base to crash Central automatic signals cease to
register at beam contact sixteen over eight. Carry our emergency
crash procedures repeat. Colonel Bradberry's rocket jet X ninety three
has crashed on beam position sixteen over eight.
Speaker 2: Check out.
Speaker 1: I'm glad you were able to get here. General, we're
going to operate very shortly. No, here is a miracle.
He's alive, if we will be more of a miracle.
If he's alive one hour from it, you've got to
save him. He's an important man. Yes, the White House
called in front of the Pentagon. We know Colonel Bradbury
is important, but a shattered skull is very difficult. I
know you'll do all you can. Stay out here in General,
we'll keep you informed. Well, it's out of our hands.
I have a report from crashed Central, Sir ma'am. Apparently
Colonel Bradberry used the catapult parachute just before the plane crashed.
Otherwise he would have been killed instantly. When he was
catapulted up, his chute didn't open. He fell into a
group of trees.
Speaker 2: Poor bread.
Speaker 1: It might have been better if he'd stayed in the ship.
You heard what the doctor said, Yes, sir, the shattered skull,
the one brain. We need to carry out the experiment tomorrow.
Speaker 2: And this is what Hanna.
Speaker 1: Ro clams, sponge scapul my fine brownness, clamps the stolic
eighty over forty patient thinking, sir, more oxygen, yes, patient responding, sir, good,
it's careful, sponge class careful times out, Lieutenant.
Speaker 2: Have you a cigarette?
Speaker 1: Yes, sir, here you are, thanks. Oh this waiting waiting.
It's been more than an hour. Brain surgery is very delicate, sir,
may take another hour or even more. You carry out
my orders to postpone the experiment, yes, sir, until further
of us. If Brad doesn't live, we'll have to start
another man all over. May set the project back a year,
and the year could be dangerous. Oh, you look surprised, lieutenant.
You don't know what this experiment's all about, do you.
Speaker 2: Well?
Speaker 1: I see the code name for it on the paper, sir,
But it never has a description. After all, it's Mark
pop secret. Maybe it's about time you were told. With
Brad upstairs hanging under life by a thread, I'm going
to need a bright young man to give me some
important decisions. You've come through with pretty good colors. He's
last minute, I was thank yourself. Well, we'll talk more
about it in a little while. Right now, I'm going
to stretch out and try to rest. I'm about done in.
If I hear anything, I'll awaken you, sir. I don't
expect to sleep, not with the fate of the world
depending on a surgeon's knife. But he shares in the
uperlig the out plot adds aliveness. Shoot, it's careful robe Yes,
quite a bone fragment spuns clouds systolic seventy over forty.
Oxygen again, it's pure oxygen. Mouser. Nurse prepare for transfusion
sixty over forty. Patient thinking, sir, that's right nice. I'm
going ahead, Doctor Boe, hurry condition, same doctor. He's getting
the transfusion and let me help you. Doctor Buron there
well theytolic eighty over forty. D's responding al right, careful,
so uh fu.
Speaker 2: The rest.
Speaker 1: How long it's been almost two hours?
Speaker 2: Or two hours? Just about now?
Speaker 1: The General's staff would be arriving and Brad would be
checking everything for the experiment. In the morning, there was
an in Have you any guess about that experiment? About
what it is? Well, I my guess is it's it's
about a new kind of aircraft. I know. Why do
you say that for us because it's an Air Force project? Well,
I wouldn't say you were warm, but you aren't cold either.
The experiment, and the reason it's so important, concerns a
rocket to the moon. A rocket to the moon. But
but why, sir, why send one there? Who controls the
Moon controls the world? If we had rockets on the moon,
we could compel peace on a The United Nations would
press a button and wipe any aggression off the face
of the Earth. But that means space travel. You don't
mean that, we'll all, lieutenant, we haven't found the way
to send rocket ships with human beings through space, not
yet anyway. But the rocket we're experimenting with is a
two way rocket. It can land on the Moon and
return from the Moon, all electronically controlled from the Earth.
Fantastic Oh, it's quite feasible, I assure you. But we
have reason to believe that we're not the only nation
thinking of this time. Is of the essence, Colonel Bradbury
knows more about operating these rockets than any man alive,
and just on the verge of the experiment, this has
to happen. Sh quiet, General Hilton, is that doctor Rizio
appon take a message down to you from the operating room.
Speaker 2: Right, he's dead, isn't he?
Speaker 1: And no, General, he's still hanging on. Doctor Rizio says
that he now has a thirty percent chance of surviving.
I think uh, part of Colonel Bradbury's color can fragment it.
A head fright will have to be put on because
of the size of the area. A new metal alloy
like will be used to take at least five or
six more hours. Doctor Rigel suggests you go home, General,
where you'll be more comfortable. The hospital will phone you
if anything happens. Uh, he's coming out of it, Danel, Bradbury,
can you hear me? This is Doc thirty Joe Nice.
Open the blinds a little O good? How easy is
back to the pillar. I'll hold him up. I'm fine,
Thank you for ten days since the operation and he's
just now coming out of it. He's a strong man.
Almost any other perh would have died. General Bradbury, m
Colonel Bradbury, can you hear me? Be the base rocket
art for rocket. He's beginning to talk. Nurse, have doctor
Keys come in at once. They buy some parf uh
er uh rocket Hilton, just General Hilton, well something, It
was all right, Colonel'll take it easily.
Speaker 3: Huh you call for me.
Speaker 1: Then they said he was coming out of it. He
was talking erratically, typical star or something rocket be base
and that sort of thing where it's a technical jock
on air Force. They know us Martians Mars h Marsham.
They use all sorts of code names. Mars is probably
one of them. I think at about forty eight hours
you have to be out of shot completely. We can
call General Hilton, tell him to come over day after tomorrow.
H I take it easy, colonel. Six months and you
oh to being pretty good shaved nurse, keep him comfortable.
Back the keys and I will leave now. Rock utilizer
off wrong, something wrong? M must call General called General
Health Mars my martians bush marry that victiny please memorandum
to General Staff one. The new experiment is tentatively planned
for April third, two thousand plus six.
Speaker 2: Two.
Speaker 1: All security mashoes have been taken three. Although severely handicapped
by Colonel Bradbury's absence, newly trained specialists will endeavor to
fill the gaps. Anything more, General, No, no, Lieutenant, sorry
I should say no. Captain you like that extra certainly
you've learned it, Bob, You've been a great help to me. Okay.
Note the memo is top secret and send it fact
similarly to the pentagram. Oh, I'll take it. Never men.
Do you know Hughton? Who the President? Oh, here's mister President,
of course her. Well, I've just prepared a memorandum. But
that's only two weeks, mister President. We assumed about sixty days.
Oh yes, sir, the workday and night to do it. Yeah,
thank you, mister President. Captain changed the date in the
first paragraph of the memo. The new experiment is to
take place in two weeks. General, that's almost impossible. I
know it, and you know it. But there's one man
who doesn't know it, and he says it's got to
be done. I'm not disposed to argue with the President
of the United States. I'd like to double check some
of my notes on Colonel Bradbury with you, of course,
doctor to noon, the General is coming to see him.
But Colonel Bradbury needs month convalesence, and he's not too lucid.
Now what's the point. He's not too lucid, but weak
as he is, he talks normally for a while makes
sense and when that strange reaction sets in. I have
observed it myself three times. Well, head injury cases are
quite unprediminable.
Speaker 3: Perhaps, but according to my notes.
Speaker 1: Colonel Bradbury's strange reaction has taking place always either at
ten AM or five PM. Of the three instances I've observed,
two have been at ten, one at five.
Speaker 2: Well, that is on you.
Speaker 1: And in each instance, well, I can see now in
my mind's eyes, sitting or lying in bed, talking quite sensibly,
although in.
Speaker 2: A weak, weak voice.
Speaker 1: Suddenly he becomes tense. He grimaces as if his head
were in pain, even clutches the bedclothes with tight fists.
He appears to be rigid. Mm.
Speaker 2: Then after a.
Speaker 1: Few minutes, invariably comes a flood of disjoint to disconnect
the sentences about messages emergency crisis, fate of the world
and mars Our General Hilton is going to visit the
colonel this afternoon at about five o'clock. And you expect
the colonel to have another stranger. I don't know. Surely,
General he will realize that a man who's had severe
surgery ki. I can't tell what the General will realize,
but my fear is that he may see that the
klonel is not improving as well as he might and
he may call in other doctors.
Speaker 3: But we're doing everything humanly possible.
Speaker 1: That is the irony of the situation. I could have
killed the colonel in surgery. It would have been very easy.
But where important government officials are concerned, I get worried.
If we ever were investigated carefully, they might find out
who you and I really are, and that would be dangerous,
very dangerous.
Speaker 2: Indeed, in here I thank your nurse.
Speaker 1: Hello bradon uh, I don't understand. You wanted to see me,
and I came as soon as I could, and ship said, ah, sure, Brad,
don't worry about me. Brad, we're rescheduling the experiment. You
feel up to answering a few questions about the experiment
something to tell you. Sure, Brad, Sure, I know there's
a lot you wanted to tell me, but well you
were still a sick guy. So suppose I just ask
you a few questions and you answer them yes or no.
Speaker 2: That'll save your energy.
Speaker 3: Time.
Speaker 2: What time is it?
Speaker 1: Why it's a few seconds before five o'clock? Wire coming?
The message coming, message coming? What message trying to tell you?
Couldn't tell anyone else. Mars Russians, Mars Martians. Kind of
tell me what the h bread? Go a head and
see what's the metal bread? Nurse, doctor, something's happening to
Colonel Bradbury. Hurry, hurry, unel is doctor Rigio? Can you
hear me?
Speaker 3: Bars?
Speaker 1: Bars the general Hilpromi is here too, you remember, and
tire in general, these strange things happened to the human mind.
Have his colors a metal plate? Uh?
Speaker 2: Of rs calling more.
Speaker 3: Message is like a shit.
Speaker 1: Look at him.
Speaker 2: You are receiving.
Speaker 3: I'm a brad the colonel.
Speaker 1: A nurse will try a hyper that one player experiment
will take place.
Speaker 3: In Well, thank you, nurse, Now I'm in jet.
Speaker 1: Uh. You should relax in a moment, very sort experiment.
Speaker 2: The experiment must stay.
Speaker 1: There hyper has released his tent from your sleep?
Speaker 2: Now the all right?
Speaker 1: When he awakens?
Speaker 2: If so, what happened to him?
Speaker 1: Doctor? I'm not certain, General, but in a few days
we may be able to tell more. I know you're
doing everything possible, doctor, and we're grateful for your saving
Brad's life. But mightn't it be wise to call in
some specialists, some other doctors for consultation. There's so much
information and advice we need from Colonel Bradbury call in
other doctors. Well, General, I don't know that that's necessary.
So strange watching him, almost as if he were listening
to something. You know, now that I think of it,
he did say something about a message. Do you think
there's any connection? I hardly think so, General, After all,
we didn't hear anything. No, no, I'm afraid it was
just the erratic talk of a sick and injured brain. General,
you really went through an experience watching the colonel like that.
Speaker 3: Captain.
Speaker 2: He was almost in a fit, had some.
Speaker 1: Crazy idea he was getting messages, message look, hallucinations.
Speaker 3: He was off his rocker for a while.
Speaker 1: I'm afraid I was a little brusque with doctor Riggio.
He's a fine man, but I'd feel better if some
other medicals looked at Brad too. Arrange for some specialists
from Army medical to examine him. Will you, Captain es,
I'll do it promptly. Wanting more on the experiment.
Speaker 2: File, you'll find it.
Speaker 1: General Hilton's office at one moment, please for you, sir,
Pentagon Intelligence Section Intelligence.
Speaker 2: Well he don't.
Speaker 1: General Hilton, yes, yes, but are you certain? But of
the President and the Chief of Staff being informed? Good
it's outter were in fifteen minutes right, order.
Speaker 2: My car, Captain.
Speaker 1: Things that happen, yes, sir, General Hilton's car stand by
at West Entrance. What things? Sir? Intelligence reports that the
Eastern Alliance is definitely planning a moon rocket for blest
Off in six days. You know what that means if
they get there before the United Nations six days, and
we will be ready for fourteen days. We really wanted
three months.
Speaker 2: That's right.
Speaker 1: But how somehow they must have found out about our
experiment and have agents that feed for some of our
vital data. That's what the emergency meeting is about. Or
your cars? Really, General, good luck, We're going to need
a captain. We're going to need it. Oh ah, cheese
doctor Cheese, have you heard what is it? Some other
doctors are examining Colonel Bradbury. Yes, I just met them.
What I of course I gave them permission. I had
no choice. General Hilton requested it yesterday? Or are they?
That's just it? Army, medical Army. How you can be
so cold and calculating and surgery and so nervous? Now
I cannot understand your record here is flawless. Your operation
on Bradbury superb. No suspicion will attach to you or
to me. If we conduct ourselves in a normal professional manner.
Speaker 3: What is the race?
Speaker 1: But they are the Army now that means an intelligence section.
They have routines about these things. We have no choice
but to keep up up here. And I know, I know.
But if they ever find out that we are the
agents of the Eastern Alliance, that we have masterminded the
theft of certain Moon rocket data, they will be ruthless,
Doctor Cheese, wouseless. General Holton's office. I'm sorry the General
isn't here. This is his aid. No, sir, I don't
know when you'll return. I suggest you placed the information
on our private factsimile line in code. Our extension is
eighty three. I'll then get the papers to the General
when he arrives. Yes, sir, I'll turn the fac simile
line on now, sir, we can receive it at once.
Thank you, uh s coming in now. The report regarding
Colonel Bradbury Item one good Heavens doctor Regio Item two
the metal plate surgically applied to Colonel Bradbury's skull. The
metal skull plate Martian voices. So that's what the colonel's
hallucinations are. It's fantastic. There. Message is ended smoked quickly,
very quickly, Military police. Hello, General Hilton's office at Central Hospital.
There are two staff doctors, Doctor Rejoe and doctor Keys right.
Place them under arrest at once. Well, message Edge quarters please,
this is General Hilton's aid. When the General returns, tell
him I'll be at Central Hospital talking to Colonel Bradberry.
But Colonel, I'm I'm the General's aide. You can describe
the voices to me. Now what happened? My My whole
head vibrates very painful. Then I hear voices, what diould
I say that talking to mars martians.
Speaker 2: Martians?
Speaker 1: Well, apparently the metal plate on your head somehow picks
up certain high frequency radio waves. At least that's the
theory of the Army medical acceptance. The Martians. They wanna
stop the moon rocket enemies from another word, No, colonel,
you can't really believe that who you must have misunderstood.
The real enemies are the Eastern Relians, but their agents
have been caught. Their moon project won't take place for
a long time as a result. You just take it easy, sir.
The Army is going to track down that wavelength that
bothers your head. Then you'll recuperate peaceful, the captain, it's true. Like,
excuse me, sir, it's almost five o'clock. I've I've got
to be going, sir. Just take it easy, please, what
a yes? Eight three three eight nine one on nine
cronos cronos is six four three. Your code is correct.
Speaker 2: Go ahead.
Speaker 1: Do not send the message to Mars on the regular
wavelength at five o'clock hereafter, use the alternate wavelength. I
will submit a report explaining how our communications were discovered.
But you can report this the Eastern Alliance agents have
been captured by the Americans. This reduces the chances of
the Earth sending a moon rocket from two to only one.
I will see to it that that one does not succeed.
Are you positive you can execute this plan without question?
Speaker 2: Go on?
Speaker 1: You may report to my superiors on Mars that their
observation base on the Moon is safe from discovery. Mars
will continue to be the only planet controlling outer space.
Speaker 2: That is all it shall be.
Speaker 1: Reported, Kevin, I just read that facsimile message in my office.
Came as quickly as I could. Now what I know
is happening, and nothing on Earth is happening in general.
Speaker 2: What are you talking about?
Speaker 1: I mean, everything's all right now, sir, isn't it. The
Eastern Alliance has been taken care of, and there's reason
to believe Colonel Bradbury's weird hallucinations won't recur anymore. Those
are the two best pieces of news I've heard all day.
Speaker 2: Captain.
Speaker 3: I don't know what I'd do without you, Thank you, sir.
Speaker 1: I just try to do the best I can for
my country. Next week another exciting adventure from the world,
and tomorrow from the years beyond two thousand ad be
sure to listen. Two thousand pluses. But it was by
Drier and when Nelson Productions incorporated in today's cast Arnold
Roberts we pay General heaven Rose Griffis versus Lieutenant Dury
Martin was Doctor Riggio now pauling him was Doctor of
the Colonel Bradbury, and Meryl Joels was Doctor Keith. The
orchestra was de doctored by Emerson BlackBerry. Music composed by
Elliott Jacoby, sound Wald Shaver and Adrian Penner Egan Bob
all Rex. This is Ken Marvin speaking a true transcrib