Top Gunner: America vs. Russia (2023)

[bunniefuu]

[music]

Blue team, stay sharp.

Let's give

the Ukrainians a leg up.

MAJORS: Bombs on target.

Return to base.

BLUE THREE: Love to see

that Russian junk burn.

Where the hell

did that thing come from?

-I don't see anything!

-MAJOR: Bandit, breaking 09:00.

MAJORS: Negative radar on

bandit, I'm only painting us.

BLUE THREE:

Man, this guy's a Fantom!

MAJORS:

Deploying countermeasures.

[music]

[music continues]

THOMAS: If Senator Burke is

a definite no vote,

then we're going

to have to get both Gordon

and Hathaway on board.

If not,

we can kiss

the F/A-X jet funding goodbye.

See if you can set up dinner

with either tonight

or breakfast tomorrow

just as soon as possible.

And pull up last week's

defense budget reports.

You know they'll both ask.

Right, let's get this done.

Jesus, Zach.

Emily, call the White House

and let them know

I'll be coming over.

I want a meeting

with the president

as soon as possible.

Tell them

it's national security related.

Have the Secret Service

bring the car around.

AGENT:

Vice President Thomas,

the President will see you

in the library.

-Rick.

-Mr. President.

Excellent timing.

I was gonna call you later.

I'd like to discuss

the sh**t

on the Volunteer Flight

in Ukraine yesterday.

-I'm listening.

-They were lost

under highly unusual

circumstances.

The Russians have no effective

anti-aircraft at the front,

and there were

no enemy radar contacts.

These were superb pilots, sir.

Top aviators

from all over the world.

Their skipper flew

under me in the Navy.

Guy was a legend.

Not an easy k*ll.

Yet we have no idea what

took him and his pilots down.

But the Pentagon is

looking into it.

Sir, we both know Pentagon intel

moves at a snail's pace.

If the Russians are

developing new capabilities,

then we need to figure out

what they are

and move to counter.

Well, the second

I know something,

so will you,

but we've got

bigger things

in front of us right now.

We're hosting

a peace summit here in DC.

And the Russians want

to negotiate

a peace settlement

in Ukraine.

Well, if that's true, it's

only because they're losing.

They're stalling, sir, trying

to buy time to maneuver in.

-When is this happening?

-Talks begin tomorrow.

President Vasiliev was serious

about getting something done.

And so am I.

What do the Ukrainians say?

Are they on board?

They'll go along

with whatever we decide.

-What makes you so sure?

-Well, they've suffered

terrible losses

and hardships.

They want this conflict over

more than anyone.

At the cost

of their sovereignty?

The very thing

they've been fighting for?

They've held the Russians

back, but only just.

And look at

how many lives it's cost.

Civilian as well as m*llitary.

Sir, that's exactly my point.

When a w*r is focused

as much on civilian

as it is m*llitary targets,

it loses all claim

to legitimacy.

As do its perpetrators.

They should not

be negotiated with.

And what happens

when this conflict ends?

Or it expands,

spins out of control

across all of Europe?

How many lives will it cost

to fight a third world w*r?

I'm asking you.

Sir, now is not the time

to cut a deal.

When the F/A-X

fighter program comes online

in a few months,

we'll be negotiating

from a position

of much greater strength.

We don't have the votes

to keep your wonder-jet funded.

I'm sorry.

Because our party refuses

to prioritize national defense.

I...

[sighing]

Jeremiah, you could help

change minds on that.

But I'm out there all alone.

We don't need

another billion dollar

w*apon system, Rick.

We have a real chance here

to broker a lasting peace.

If everybody gets on board,

this can happen. Okay?

I hope I can count on you.

Of course,

Mr. President, of course.

-What're you doing?

-Coding software.

To do what?

Triangulate vector headings

and intercept points.

-Who needs that?

-Oh, you know,

just competent

naval aviators, so, yeah,

I can see how that

wouldn't interest you.

[chuckling]

Officer on deck.

At ease.

Seats.

Today we resume test flights

of the F/A-X

supersonic stealth fighter.

After last week's

successful altitude tests,

today we'll be testing ACM

and 1V1 dogfights.

Now, this exercise has

a hard deck of 10,000 feet

and a hard ceiling

of 40,000 feet.

Maximum speed is sub-Mach one.

Any questions?

Then man up,

and let's get 'em in the air.

CAG: Footloose, Firefly.

You're up first.

-Firefly, you're the aggressor.

-Roger that, sir.

FOOTLOOSE:

Damn, these things can move.

-Target lock.

-Like hell.

-[beeping]

-FIREFLY: Damn it.

Controls are sticking,

I'm still climbing!

CAG: Knock it off.

Footloose, you have exceeded

40,000 feet

and broke the hard ceiling.

FOOTLOOSE: sh*t.

Lieutenant, your performance

today is rated cut.

What did you think

you were doing up there?

Trying to perform

the exercises ordered, sir.

Evading target lock.

By exceeding

the designated hard ceiling?

It was an accident, sir.

Rapid ascent is

a common evasive tactic,

-and real fights tend to--

-Lieutenant?

It doesn't matter.

Today's results

have to be scrapped,

and now we're a day behind,

which I have to explain

to my superiors

who aren't gonna forgive me

on account of my famous

ace sibling,

because I don't have

one of those

to keep bailing me out.

You're off F/A-X tests

for the duration.

Sir, please.

Take your licks, Lieutenant.

Consider yourself lucky

to be flying at all.

If I had my druthers,

you'd be grounded permanently.

MAN ON INTERCOM:

Now hear this. Now hear this.

Lieutenant Adam Majors,

report

to the communications room.

Saved by the bell, Lieutenant.

Once again, dismissed.

-Majors.

-Footloose.

Defender.

What a pleasant surprise.

How are you?

Unpopular as ever

with the law and order types.

Ever considered the m*llitary

wasn't the place for you?

No, sir.

They're the ones

with the fighter jets

for me to fly.

How's the plane?

Most maneuverable aircraft

I've ever flown.

Viable to be

our next-generation fighter?

No question, yes.

Good. There may be

a lot riding on it.

Is that why you called?

To check up on the plane?

It's not, I'm afraid.

What's going on?

Zach was k*lled.

sh*t down over Ukraine.

Nobody could sh**t

my brother down.

How'd it happen?

Zach and his squad had

successfully carried out

a strike on the Russians'

communication hub

and were returning to base.

Somewhere on the way,

they were intercepted.

The whole Volunteer Flight

was wiped out.

By what?

We aren't sure.

What do you mean,

you "aren't sure"?

There were

no enemy radar contacts

in the area,

and Zach's squad had

taken out the only

Russian ground forces.

Did they report

coming under att*ck?

Their communications were jammed

just before they went down.

Well, then the Russians had

something else in the area.

You must have some idea what.

We're looking into it.

I wish I had

more information to give you,

but I don't right now.

I just wanted you to hear

the news from me first.

I'm sorry.

If there's anything I can do...

There is.

Find out who

and what k*lled him.

Hey, Footloose.

What's up? The guys said

you got some official call.

Zach's dead.

I am so sorry.

-How?

-k*lled in action.

In action? Where?

In Ukraine.

He volunteered.

Jesus.

Is there anything

that I can do?

No.

No-- hey, wait.

I want to... help you.

[music]

[door slams]

[chime]

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing]

-Yes.

- This is Condor.

-What's your favorite opera?

- I much prefer ballet.

You've been out of touch.

Under scrutiny.

I shouldn't be calling now,

but I have news.

We need to meet.

If you're under scrutiny,

that doesn't seem like

a good idea; you should

leave whatever you have

in a dead drop,

and I'll retrieve it from you.

CONDOR: I am not leaving

this evidence at a drop.

It can be traced to me

if found.

I'll give it

directly to you or nobody.

All right.

Fili Park tomorrow at--

Not tomorrow. Today.

This cannot wait.

Thirty minutes from now.

No, I'll pick the time.

My Chief of Station

won't sign off

-on the meeting if I--

- I do not care.

This is not piddling trivia

I have to offer.

If this is so urgent,

then tell me now.

You know as well as I,

there is no such thing

as a secure line

in Moscow.

This must be face to face.

And time is

of the essence.

-Don't be followed.

- Don't be late.

-Been a while.

-It has been hard to get away.

I was promoted.

-Congratulations.

-Yeah.

I have great access now.

But I'm under

increased scrutiny.

I must be more careful.

Reach out

only when it matters.

A coup is being hatched inside

Russian m*llitary intelligence.

Elements within the GRU

intend to assassinate

President Vasiliev.

There's not much we can do

to meaningly interfere

in your internal disagreements.

You haven't heard it all yet.

The plan is

to assassinate Vasiliev

on U.S. soil and implicate

your government

-in his death.

-For what purpose?

To spike a wider w*r

between NATO and Russia.

That's the last thing

that Russian

m*llitary intelligence

should want.

Yeah, I understand that

perfectly well.

But the GRU has become

the personal fiefdom

of one Aleksandr Borovsk.

-The Defense Minister?

-An ideologue

of the hard-line

nationalist type.

He coerced Vasiliev

into a rushed secret m*llitary

rearmament program.

He believes Russia can defeat

the U.S. and NATO.

He means to seize power

and wield his new m*llitary.

You ought to warn Vasiliev,

not me.

No, no, no, no, no.

This is up to you.

I cannot be perceived

as Vasiliev's informant.

-[silenced sh*t]

-Hey!

This is Artemis calling

for the Chief of Station.

Met with Condor.

A rogue element

in the GRU is trying

to k*ll Vasiliev

at the summit in Washington.

Chief, do you copy?

We need to let Washington know.

sh*t.

Hey.

Brought your favorite

from the galley.

-[chuckles]

-It's a donut.

And if there's anything else

that I can do...

Just...

stay here with me.

Copy that.

I'm going to take this.

Thanks.

[sighs]

We don't have to talk.

But if you want to talk...

I'm just...

...spinning.

Scared that somehow

I willed this to happen.

Zach's death?

I always lived in his shadow.

I hoped someday

I wouldn't, but...

I never wanted it

to happen like this.

Adam Majors, you are

not doing this to yourself.

You loved Zach.

I could hear it

every time

you talked about him.

But you're not

feeling anything

that most younger siblings

haven't felt,

and survivors,

they always carry guilt.

You need

to give yourself a break.

And know that you don't live

underneath anybody's shadow.

Everyone in this air group

sees you.

You earned those wings.

You earned your place here.

You've even...

even earned my respect.

[chuckles]

I have?

Yeah, well, grudgingly.

I mean, you are the most

gifted pilot

I have ever seen, so...

[scoffs] Yeah, well.

-Tell CAG that.

-Oh, he knows.

Why do you think

he hates you so much?

[both chuckle]

Wait. Wait, wait.

I...

I-I'm sorry, I just...

I can't do this right now.

I get it.

I'm going

to give you some space.

No.

Please.

Just...

Be here with me.

Please?

sh*t?

-Want one?

-Yes.

NEWSCASTER:

Nearly 15 years ago,

the former

Russian President Morozov

rose to power

after a violent election

that saw

dozens of Russians k*lled.

But the skirmishes did

not end after the election,

making an age of heightened

m*llitary defense in Russia

and the surrounding countries

not seen since the Cold w*r.

Many attempts at talks both

from NATO and the United States

were made to President Morozov,

who refused to acknowledge them

especially those

coming from capitalist nations.

President Morozov instead

wanted to expand his power.

He first looked to Ukraine

where border disputes

between the two countries

escalated into a brutal w*r

resulting in thousands

of deaths on both sides.

The United States and NATO

realized they could no longer

stay off the sidelines

and offered help to those

who wanted a better future

for their country.

As Russians tired

of the old regime rose up,

the United States offered

weapons and resources including

state-of-the-art tanks

to battle against those

already in the current

Russian regime's possession.

Soon Morozov and his regime

found themselves

not only fighting Ukrainian

rebels but Russian ones,

led by Russian freedom fighter

Gennady Vasiliev.

After months of fighting,

the w*r turned mostly away from

Ukraine and became a Russian

civil w*r between the old regim

and those who demanded peace

for the w*r-torn country.

But the fighting in Russia

turned extremely violent,

with sometimes whole city block

and small towns

decimated by Morozov's regime.

Vasiliev and his rebels

would not give in to Morozov,

often meeting the regime

in the streets and countryside

to battle,

refusing to give up.

But Morozov

only escalated the att*cks

destroying countless

populated areas

in an effort

to show his immense power.

Vasiliev continued to fight bac

as more and more Russians

joined the rebels

against their att*cks

and left their homes

and families decimated,

wanting a better future

for their children

and generations

of Russians to come.

With continued help

from the United States,

the old regime was

finally toppled.

With many of their tanks

and other weapons destroyed,

a new era of history

for the storied country began,

one etched

in true democracy for Russia

as elections naming

new leader President Vasiliev

were the most successful

in Russia's history.

Although some cells

of the old regime are

still in hiding,

newly-elected President Vasilie

has assured NATO that

he has made it his top priority

to eradicate them,

to keep this new

Russia era

of democracy alive.

Today, President Stewart

welcomes President Vasiliev

to the White House

where a peace accord will be

signed by the two leaders,

signaling a new era

of peace, friendship,

and understanding

between our two nations.

I implore you, Mr. President,

before it's too late.

It is too late.

Nothing has

been discussed or signed.

Russia can retake Ukraine.

We possess the greatest

stealth fighter ever built.

You can recapture

the strategic initiative.

We cannot fight

a conventional w*r with NATO.

Sooner or later

we or they start to lose,

and when that happens,

nuclear weapons get employed.

It doesn't matter who wins

if we all die.

We could roll

our tanks over Europe,

cross the Atlantic,

and kick in their front door.

The west would never

initiate nuclear strike.

They lack the will.

I cannot bet

the sovereignty of Russia

on such a whim.

This peace is the one thing

we have left for our nation.

So stand behind it.

Any sign of disunity

will not serve.

[speaking Russian]

Yes, Mr. President.

[panting]

sh*t.

[speaking Russian]

President Vasiliev,

welcome.

We'll get the opening press

conference ready shortly

in the press room.

Welcome, gentlemen.

Thank you for this gracious

invitation to your capitol.

It is your openness

to diplomacy

that has made

this day possible.

I wish our security service

to sweep the area.

Ah, it won't be open

to the public,

just credentialed press.

Mr. Borovsk, we're guests

at another home. You know that.

I'm only concerned

for your safety, Mr. President,

because

you are hope and future

of the Russian federation.

He has a point, Mr. President.

Agent Miller,

anyone interested in inspecting

the press room, let them

to their complete satisfaction.

Right this way.

After you,

Mr. President, please.

Knock yourself out.

Restroom?

Right this way.

All good.

[murmurs] Jesus Christ.

This doesn't make any sense.

Pick up, pick up, pick up.

Many thanks to my new friend,

President Jeremiah Stewart.

Your kind welcome is

appreciated,

and it bodes well for

a more productive relationship

between our two nations.

[phone rings]

-Hello? Can you hear me?

-Ronnie? Not a good time.

No time.

The GRU is going to assassinate

President Vasiliev

at the summit.

They've recruited a Ukrainian

national named Ihor Melnyk.

Grabbed his wife

on a recent trip

to eastern Europe

to hold as leverage.

Look, they're going

to make the attempt

on Vasiliev's life

at a press event.

-Live press event?

-Melnyk is

a Washington correspondent

for the Kiev Post.

Agent Miller!

We need to stop this!

-Pull the president now!

-[silenced g*nshots]

Get us out!

-Are you okay?

-Yeah.

We need to leave at once.

[calls out in Russian]

Rick, are you all right?

I am, sir.

Is Vasiliev all right?

-Alive and unhurt.

-Thank God.

Now, how did anybody

get past White House security?

With valid

press credentials, sir.

He was a Ukrainian

journalist forced into it

under thr*at by

Russian m*llitary intelligence.

What are you getting at?

[sighs]

A contact I have in the CIA

called at

the last minute with intel.

You have personal

operatives in the CIA?

Oh, it's not like that, sir.

An old friend reached out.

Mr. President,

the complex is secure.

What's the condition

of the assassin?

Is he able

to answer any questions yet?

The assassin d*ed

of g*n wounds, Mr. President.

Sir, you have

my sincerest apologies.

If you'd like, my resignation

will be in your desk--

Knock it off, Mike.

I'm not at leisure

to replace you today.

Your friend of the CIA claims

Russian intelligence

-is behind this.

-That's right.

Then we need to talk

to Vasiliev right away.

Get to the bottom

of this right now.

Vasiliev is gone.

The Russian diplomatic

entourage, they left.

-They left?

-And in a hurry,

at the insistence

of Minister Borovsk.

[sighs]

Son of a bitch.

Da, da,

fly directly to Moscow

and let them know

that we're safe, we're unharmed.

Yes, and get me the FSB director

Chernigov on line.

What do you require

of Director Chernigov?

An investigation on attempt

on my life, of course.

Whatever proxy

may have been employed,

the United States is

most certainly to blame.

[speaking Russian]

President Stewart...

he staked his political

reputation on this summit.

The culprit,

I'm sorry to say...

must be

somewhere closer to home.

A lot closer.

And that's where

we have to look.

Hello?

Da.

[speaking Russian]

[g*n clicks]

[speaking Russian]

I regret to inform you

that President Vasiliev

is dead.

He succumbed

to a b*llet wound

inflicted earlier today

by a U.S.-sponsored assassin.

I, Aleksandr

Borosovich Borovsk,

am assuming the presidency.

A vacancy has opened up

in my old office.

Would you like to serve as--

as my Minister of Defense?

Okay, let me know

when you can.

We can't reach Vasiliev.

The Russian presidential

line is open,

but they're giving us

a runaround.

Mr. President.

What is it?

You gotta see this.

While Russia's struggles

is against

all western oppression,

the greatest thr*at

to our safety

remains the United States.

It is to America that I,

the President of the Russian

Federation, address myself.

Borovsk is president?

You said Vasiliev was fine.

He was the last time

I saw and talked to him.

Vasiliev walked off

under his own power.

He was shaken, but he was fine.

And now, your m*rder

of our president

while on a diplomatic visit.

Excuse me.

For your armed interference

in our historic

revolution,

your slander and sabotage

of the Soviet endeavor,

I vow that you,

America, will pay.

Vasiliev is dead.

And I think we're listening

to the guy who did it.

Does this mean

what I think it means?

Looks like it.

[sighs]

That sounded like

a declaration of w*r.

We need to get in touch

with Borovsk right now.

I don't think

he'll prove a viable partner

for negotiations, sir.

Then we need to get in touch

with somebody who will.

Can you get me the state

department on the phone?

Mr. President...

I've been instructed

to escort you

to a safe location

away from the Vice President.

Agent Miller,

I will not be escorted anywhere.

Mr. President,

protocol dictates--

Protocol dictates that,

as president,

I represent our nation's

talks with foreign countries,

and act as commander in chief

during a w*r.

This is a w*r.

I need my people near me

in all times.

Thomas is a decorated veteran

and will be at my side

until I say otherwise.

-Do you understand?

-Yes, sir.

We're gonna call

our top people

who deal with Russia.

Anybody with any connections

to their m*llitary

or their political life.

Let's find someone

in the Russian government

- [phone ringing]

- to talk to keep the situation

from spinning

out of control any further.

Are you with me, guys?

Excuse me,

I have to take this.

VACHS: Are you all right?

THOMAS: Yeah, I'm okay.

How about yourself?

What's your situation?

Going to ground

with a GRU agents in pursuit.

They've got the U.S. embassy

too heavily striked

for me to get near it,

and they're jamming

all communications in and out.

That's why I had to break

chain of command like this.

Your number was the only

highly-ranked contact I had.

I'm glad you did.

We've got a job for you.

-We?

-POTUS and I.

Reach out to every

Russian government higher-up

-you have connection to.

-About what?

We need allies with influence.

Anyone in

the power structure

who won't welcome

Borovsk's regime.

We need to talk.

Get this situation

under control

before it blows up

into World w*r III.

Well, I might have a way

to get to Chernigov.

Director of Domestic Security?

-Yeah.

-That's a start.

The FSB has its fingers

in everything.

All right,

let me get to work.

I'll be in touch.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Yes.

Send him in.

Mr. President,

Mr. Vice President.

-August.

-Secretary Strickland.

An Air Force scout plane

has spotted a Russian carrier

in the North Atlantic,

the Ushakov,

it's moving westbound

at high speed.

Shortly after making the report,

the scout plane

went radio silent

and we lost radar.

All indications suggest

that the plane has been downed.

Okay,

what do you recommend?

That we intercept

the Ushakov.

Send the JFK.

She's in the North Atlantic

already.

Her air wing and pilots are

cream of the crop.

If the Russians decide

to start something,

they'll meet with our best.

All right,

let's send the JFK.

I'll dispatch orders.

Mr. President,

would you like for me to set up

the communications

equipment in the Oval?

Oh, no, thank you, I prefer

to work here in the study.

Too much of a museum in there,

I can't think.

Understood,

and, sir...

I recommend raising our defense

condition to DEFCON Three.

-Hey.

-Hey.

What are you doing?

Upgrading the course

calculations program.

And I made some

custom modifications

I wanna have with me

if we get into it up there.

You think we're getting into it?

I think whatever happens,

we're gonna need

all the help we can get.

Is something up?

I just wanted to say...

I'm sorry.

About what?

About the other day,

when we almost...

Oh.

I didn't mean to,

in any way,

reject or denigrate

the idea that we--

Hey, you were right.

Of course, I don't--

You're the best wingman

I've ever had.

I mean, yeah.

You, too.

And you're my best friend.

I mean--

I am?

Yeah.

Because you are mine, too.

I worry about

a wrench being thrown

into those very delicate works.

A wrench in the works

if us is us, that's--

It's hard enough

to make decisions up there

And if we were to...

you know...

I'd feel like

I need to protect you.

I don't need protecting.

I earned my wings, too.

So, see? You don't even

have to worry about that.

[chuckles]

CAG: Firefly, Footloose,

aviator briefing at 1900 hours.

You wanna to protect me?

Let me finish upgrading

the system for the briefing.

-Copy you.

-See you in there.

VACHS: Hello, Yuri.

This is Artemis.

Listen, it doesn't matter.

I need something.

Hello?

Yuri? sh*t.

[exhales]

Hello, Lieutenant Colonel

Yuri Balakin's voicemail,

this is Artemis.

If you don't wanna talk to me,

I'll keep leaving

an incriminating voicemail

on your state-issued phone

about how you've been

selling secrets to the CIA.

And if you want to avoid

dozens more of these messages,

call me back.

[phone ringing]

Yes.

Yes, I understand.

Look, we need to meet.

No, no,

I'm not after intel.

I have it to share.

Look, hot stuff,

your superiors will be grateful.

Chernigov himself

will be interested.

Gorky Park.

Near the sculpture garden.

Today at 11:00 a.m.

Then make the time.

I don't care.

11:00 a.m., be there.

Don't be followed.

As I'm sure you're all aware,

we're no longer on a test

or a training mission.

A Russian aircraft carrier

is on course

for the eastern seaboard

of the United States.

We've been ordered

to intercept.

Do we know what kind

of air power they're packing?

We don't.

The Ushakov was only

recently put into service,

apparently amid

a great deal of secrecy.

Now, the most common Russian

carrier aircraft is the SU-33,

a plane over which we have

a definite advantage.

But we need to be alert 15

for the duration.

That means you're in your gear

and ready at all times.

If that alarm goes,

I need you inside

the air in 15 minutes,

is that understood?

-Yes, sir.

-Good.

We'll keep a full squadron

of F/A-18s fueled and ready.

I need you fueled

and ready to fly them.

Understood?

What about the F/A-Xs?

You have a question,

Footloose?

We've got half a dozen of

the best fighter jets ever built

just sitting down in the hangar.

If we have to go up

against the Russians,

shouldn't we bring our best?

The F/A-X is a wondrous

aircraft, Lieutenant,

but it's classified

as experimental.

It's not permitted

in frontline operations.

What about

in a support role, sir?

Support role?

For example,

a combat air patrol.

That's a support role.

Whereby you could easily

keep a few F/A-Xs ready

and in the air at all times.

You know, I seem to recall

that a certain pilot

rated for the F/A-X

is up on combat air patrol

following this briefing.

I believe

that's correct, sir.

Maybe that pilot ought

to take up an F/A-X.

Just to keep it in practice.

Work the cobwebs out.

It's a good idea, sir.

-Sir?

-Yes, Firefly?

I'd like to volunteer

to fly on that CAP.

That all right with you,

Footloose?

Wouldn't mind the company.

You need to find out the status

of the carrier Ushakov.

Proceeding on course.

Distance to Washington D.C.?

Seventeen hundred kilometers.

Within striking range

of our planes.

Get them in the air!

We must hit the Americans now,

in the next few hours.

Before their shock wears off

and NATO rouses itself.

We'll att*ck the U.S. capital

with our air fleet

and cut the head of Yankee snake

for all the world to see.

There is U.S. vessel on course

to intercept Ushakov.

An aircraft carrier,

the John F. Kennedy.

Time to intercept?

Two hours, give or take.

More than enough time

to get our planes aloft.

We can't just leave

U.S. carrier there,

poised to att*ck

our own at any time.

Give order to our air wing

to launch at once.

Destroy the American carrier

and then proceed

at maximum speed

to Washington D.C.

Da.

FOOTLOOSE:

You see something out there?

FIREFLY:

Not sure what that is.

CAP to Eagle's Perch,

bogeys incoming

from the east at angels ten.

FIREFLY: Eagle's Perch, bogeys

are definitely aircraft.

[siren blaring]

Go! Go, go, go, go!

Go, go, go! Let's get

those planes in the air!

If you're rated for the F/A-X,

I want you onto one!

If we're under att*ck,

I'm personally

authorizing their use!

CAG:

CAG to the CAP.

CAP, closing

to intercept bogeys.

Bandits, bandits,

appear to be Russian!

I lost him!

Bandits are impossible

to target.

FIREFLY: We're getting

our asses handed to us.

FOOTLOOSE:

Stay in the fight.

Think I'm getting an idea of

what it was that took down Zach.

FIREFLY: Enemy bandits are

making a run for the JFK.

Eagle's Perch, do you copy?

Eagle's Perch,

do you copy?

Understood.

The JFK is under att*ck.

It's an aerial as*ault

of about a dozen planes.

-Russian?

-Without a doubt.

They're most likely

sixth generation,

which means they're not

giving off any radar signature.

They're invisible.

What's the status of the JFK?

It's hard to determine while

they're still under att*ck.

United States hasn't been

under att*ck like this

in 80 years.

This is w*r.

Sir, I recommend

raising our Defense Condition

to DEFCON Two.

Can Congress take a vote?

I'd like a formal declaration.

They ought to be able

to agree on that.

If we're gonna send

the United States to w*r,

I want it done correctly.

In accordance

with the Constitution.

Mr. President,

under the circumstances,

I strongly recommend

moving the Vice President

to a different location.

-I concur.

-No.

The American carrier's

flight deck has been destroyed.

Superb!

Withdraw.

I would not advise that yet.

Some American planes

are still in the air

and could pose a thr*at.

Withdraw, withdraw.

If the carrier is neutralized,

let's not more risk

to lose our force.

Order our planes to disengage

from their att*ck.

Have them proceed

at top speed

toward their primary target:

the capital

of the United States.

Washington D.C.

Da, sir.

FIREFLY: My bandit broke off

and is bugging out, due west.

FOOTLOOSE: Mine, too.

We need to follow them.

CAG: Our orders

are to defend the boat.

FOOTLOOSE:

The boat's a burning wreck!

The Russians have

no radar signature.

They're ghosts,

we lose visual, they're gone.

Somebody needs

to keep eyes on them.

And that somebody is us.

CAG: Footloose, adjust course

and return to the JFK.

Right now, Lieutenant.

FIREFLY:

Might as well come.

There's no place

to land out there anymore.

Don't want to ditch

in the middle of the ocean.

CAG: God damn it!

FIREFLY:

Bandits just out of range.

Moving at plus-Mach two

and accelerating.

FOOTLOOSE:

I'm gonna have to burn.

Best speed.

FIREFLY:

Passing Mach one!

CAG:

Having flight control issues.

FIREFLY:

Passing Mach two!

CAG: External temperature is

3,000 degrees and climbing.

FOOTLOOSE:

Then we keep pushing!

CAG: Four thousand degrees.

[taser zapping]

We're tracking

three F/A-Xs off the JFK

moving westbound

at Mach three.

-Mach three?

-Yep.

They're headed directly

towards Washington D.C.

If they were headed for land,

they'd head for Newfoundland.

But if they're making

Mach three, then...

-something's going on.

-Like what?

They're in pursuit

of the Russian jets.

I've got negative

radar contact.

No, no, no, the Russians

have achieved invisibility.

We can't depend

on radar contact anymore.

A Russian air att*ck on

Washington may be imminent.

Order an immediate

evacuation in the city.

Let's get as many people

as we can out of harm's way.

Sir, all due respect,

but we should be focusing

on defense,

not evacuation.

I refuse to be the cause

of unnecessary American deaths.

Evacuate the city.

-Sir, I must...

-No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

Evacuate

the civilian population.

Get the Metro Police

and fire on it.

But we need

to put up air defense now.

Scramble every fighter

out of Bolling and Andrews.

[knocking on desk]

All right, let's do that.

FIREFLY: We have to make contact

with the Navy or any m*llitary.

I've got important information

that we need to pass on.

FOOTLOOSE: What do you got?

FIREFLY: I've run every kind of

scan on the Russian planes

that the F/A-X sensor array

is capable of.

I know how

they're communicating,

-sending and receiving data.

-Your point?

Their system is satellite-based

and therefore super vulnerable.

I need a couple more minutes

of computing time,

but I almost have

their comm satellite's

coordinates triangulated.

Once I have that,

we can take a sh*t at it.

We need to pass this on.

JFK air group calling

any friendlies, copy?

-Mr. President.

-Yes?

Our air group

is being pursued.

By who, and flying what?

Three American aircraft.

-They're able to keep up?

-They are.

They are maintaining

a stabilized Mach 3.2.

Okay.

Order one of our planes

to fall back and intercept.

Should we not have

the entire air group intercept?

The risk to a single plane

would be...

[laughing]

There is no risk.

Our SU-57 is

objectively superior.

One plane is more than match

for three Americans.

Keep the rest of our air group

on course and on mission.

Yes, sir.

FOOTLOOSE: Bandit falling back

from 12 o'clock.

CAG: Everybody get set.

FIREFLY: Just need another

minute on these calculations.

FOOTLOOSE: Oh, man,

he's getting right behind us.

FIREFLY: Almost there.

FOOTLOOSE:

Pull up, Cag, pull up!

[Cag screaming]

-[beeping]

-FIREFLY: Got it!

I have the satellite

coordinates.

FOOTLOOSE: Gotcha.

All right!

Firefly, you good?

I am.

Thanks.

Mr. President.

Are the American planes

destroyed?

One American plane

was destroyed,

along with our attacking plane.

This is exactly

what I wish to avoid!

The entire air group

should intercept

the remaining two

American planes to ensure--

No!

I will not have our force

further diminished before

they even reach their target.

Let Americans nip at our heels

if they like.

We and our pilots have

a grander destiny to fulfill.

Alexander Chernigov,

director of the FSB

Domestic Security Service.

[scoffs]

And you are...

Veronica Alicia Vachs,

CIA case officer operating

under codename Artemis.

I have intelligence to share.

Our countries are at w*r.

Why would I believe

anything you say?

I have proof of a plot

against the Russian state.

A plot by who?

Aleksandr Borovsk.

Aleksandr Borovsk is

the president.

My commander.

According to my sources,

he was and still is

your hated archrival.

Vasiliev's assassination was

a coup engineered by Borovsk.

I can show you the proof.

Do you know

the sentence in Russia

for possessing

stolen classified material?

Death.

I'm an employee

of the U.S. State Department.

I have diplomatic immunity.

Nobody knows you're here.

You have no rights.

Borovsk m*rder*d your president,

took you to w*r.

He who has taken power,

he holds all the cards.

Borovsk wields

the might of Russian states.

You wield the FSB.

At Borovsk's pleasure.

You have the power

and the resources

to bring him down.

To stand against him in wartime

would be su1c1de.

Borovsk means

to have you k*lled.

Why do you say that?

Take a look at your pocket.

Just look at it.

Do you really think Borovsk's

plot stops at Vasiliev?

He wants to secure

absolute power.

He won't let

the state security apparatus

be controlled

by his hated archival.

You may not be his last victim,

but you're certainly his next.

If that's all true...

there is nothing

you can do for me.

The U.S. will support

whoever removes Borovsk.

Support how?

With weapons and money,

advisors,

diplomatic concessions.

You have no authority

to offer such things.

I can. I do.

I have the ear

of the American vice president.

I answer directly to him.

-To Richard Thomas?

-Yes, that's right.

What if a coup such as

you propose should fail?

What assurances

would be granted?

What assurances are required?

Self-extraction and asylum

were a coup against Borovsk

to launch and not prevail.

That can be arranged.

I give you my word.

If I have so much an inkling

you're bluffing me...

your bones shall be interred

in the Russian soil.

So, do we have a deal?

THOMAS: Executive Two

calling Footloose.

Executive Two?

Former call sign Defender?

Yes, is this Footloose?

It is.

Good to hear your voice.

What's your situation?

Pursuing a dozen unfriendlies

at plus-Mach three

on direct heading

to Washington, D.C.

Can you describe

the unfriendlies?

These are sixth generation

at least.

They're fast,

radar invisible,

and they move like nothing

I've ever seen born on wings.

I think we found out

exactly what took down Zach.

I have information

that might help.

Who is that?

Call sign Firefly, sir.

Who are you?

Executive One, airman.

Oh.

-It's an honor, sir.

-Please continue.

The Russians are employing

free-space optical

communications.

What is that?

Every Russian plane

receives sensor data

from every other Russian plane,

probably navigational data

as well,

all beamed through laser bursts

from a satellite link.

Our engineers considered

something similar

for the F/A-X program,

but they decided against it

because it had

a glaring vulnerability.

All data runs

through a satellite.

And satellites can be taken out.

I've triangulated the Russian

comm satellite's coordinates

from its laser bursts

to and from the Russian planes.

I'm transmitting

those coordinates to you now.

Destroy that satellite,

you'll take out their comms.

Probably their sensors

and targeting as well.

I mean, it won't take 'em out,

but it'll shake 'em up.

We're standing by

to receive those coordinates.

How's your fuel, Footloose?

Closer to bingo

than I'd like, sir.

We've got about 30 minutes

left in the air,

less if we need to fight,

which is pretty much

guaranteed at this point.

Well, we're putting up

an air defense

so you'll have some

backup when you get here.

Grateful for the help.

We've received

the satellite coordinates, sir.

m*ssile strikes

on those coordinates, now.

Launch control, arrow on vector

seven-three-eight-zero-niner.

[m*ssile whooshing]

FIREFLY: The Russians blew

right through our air defense.

FOOTLOOSE:

We have to stop them now.

THOMAS:

What's the status of the m*ssile

we launched at the satellite?

STRICKLAND:

Twenty-three seconds to impact.

THOMAS: Did we get it?

STRICKLAND: Negative.

Target remains.

Mr. President, I must insist

that we get you underground.

-I'm inclined to agree.

-I am as well.

All right.

Defender and Zuess

are en route.

I cut a deal

with Chernigov.

We have his full cooperation.

I'm going in with an FSB

as*ault team to get Borovsk.

THOMAS: When are you moving out?

Right now.

[expl*si*n]

Mr. President!

Mr. President!

-Sir.

-Sir, are you okay, sir?

He's alive

but he's unresponsive.

Jeremiah Stewart is

incapacitated.

Let's get him up.

Careful, careful.

Keep going.

We're gonna have to get you

sworn in as president.

I'll bear witness.

-Minister Volkov.

-Sir.

Show me how that work.

It's a nuclear briefcase.

Yes.

Bring it.

Open it up and turn it on.

Of course, Mr. President.

Raise your right hand.

I, Richard Philip Thomas,

do solemnly swear...

I, Richard Philip Thomas,

do solemnly swear...

...to faithfully

execute the office

of the President

of the United States...

...to faithfully

execute the office

of the President

of the United States...

...and will to the best

of my ability...

...and I will

to the best

of my ability...

...protect, preserve,

and defend

the Constitution

of the United States.

...protect, preserve,

and defend the Constitution

of the United States.

So help me God.

So help me God.

Mr. President.

To arm launch control,

the Minister of Defense

and the President,

must both enter

their personal codes.

[beeps]

Please, enter yours.

Mr. President,

is this really necessary?

I want to know that our national

defenses are in readiness.

It's just...

it would be dangerous.

We're at w*r.

Danger is everywhere.

[dramatic music]

Now, the Minister of Defense

and the President...

must both scan their left hands.

Please, Minister Volkov,

place your hand on scanner.

I will not.

I must firmly insist.

And I steadfastly decline.

[g*nsh*t]

Armed and ready.

I've got ten minutes'

worth of fuel

Firefly, how about you?

Running on fumes.

[dramatic music]

Firefly, what are you doing?

Going after the satellite.

That's a terrible idea.

Most satellite

m*ssile defense

is based

on long range att*ck.

If I can get in close,

I can get a sh*t through.

These planes aren't designed

to go into space.

Sure they are. Just aren't

designed to come back.

Mr. President, the Russians

have launched a nuclear att*ck.

Two thousand ballistic missiles

are currently inbound

at supersonic speeds

towards every major city.

Is this confirmed?

Satellites detected

the launch plumes.

NORAD picked up the telemetry

the moment the missiles went up.

It's confirmed.

How long?

Twenty-two minutes before

the first m*ssile detonates,

and counting.

Is there something

we can do to stop it?

Sir, we have

no m*ssile defense in place

that can take them all out.

Maybe we get a few here

and there, but 2,000?

Can the Russians call it back?

Sir, intel says

that the Russians

may have implemented

an experimental policy to where

all of their warheads

contain a self-destruct

as insurance against

poor command and control.

But I doubt

Borovsk walks this back.

So we need to act.

Per the predetermined response

to this scenario

under the Single Integrated

Operational Plan,

I'm issuing orders

for Major att*ck Option A...

full retaliatory strike

against every m*llitary base

and urban center

in the Russian Federation.

Mr. President,

we're at DEFCON One.

[dramatic music]

THOMAS: Borovsk has

launched a nuclear strike.

I'm being told

it can be recalled from there.

A fairly newly-

implemented Russian policy

where missiles will

self-destruct if a code is sent.

You've got to get

to the launch controls.

GUARD: Intruders!

[g*nf*re]

Mr. President,

enter your Gold Code.

- Sir?

- Not yet.

Sir, SIOP dictates

we have to respond.

You need to enter your codes.

I will not enter

my g*dd*mn codes.

Not now and not ever,

if we can figure something out.

Launching our nukes

will not stop Borovsk.

Sir, enter your Gold Code.

If anybody can hear me, I've got

target lock on the satellite.

I'm taking the sh*t.

Damn it!

[dramatic music]

[g*nf*re]

VACHS: Drop it!

Tell me the codes.

No.

Tell me now.

No.

Tell me,

or I will k*ll you right now.

I don't care, because

my name shall be b*rned

immortal into the fabric

of eternity. How about yours?

Sir, you need

to enter your code.

I will not be responsible

for billions of deaths.

Sir, you swore an oath.

Sir, think about your family.

This could save them.

Enter your code.

Key to launch.

[suspenseful music]

Sir, to launch,

we enter our keys,

turn them to the right

simultaneously.

sh*t.

[telephone ringing]

-Hello?

-It's Vachs.

Is the mission a success?

Borovsk launched

a nuclear strike

on the United States.

I need you to give me

- the abort codes.

- I can't just give you

Russian nuclear codes.

You have to, now.

You are CIA.

I'm not going to.

Look, everyone dies

if you don't stop this now.

Give me

the g*dd*mn codes right now.

Do you hear me?

Fine, I'll read you the code.

Hold on.

-Are you ready?

-Yes. Go.

Enter five...

five...

seven... six.

Five-five-seven-six--

-[line disconnected]

-What? Hello?

-Hello?

-Hello?

It's time to launch

while we're still able.

This is madness.

It's our responsibility.

It's our only course

of action.

Would you see

America's throat cut

and her m*rder*r walk away?

This isn't justice.

It's just vengeful genocide.

Full retaliation has been

established m*llitary policy

for decades,

Mr. President.

It's in the oath of office

you just swore.

All right.

All right, enough.

[phone ringing]

-Vachs?

-Yes.

Five-five-seven-six what?

Five-five-seven-six-four.

Five-five-seven-six-four.

Now, 57427.

-Codes entered.

-Hit execute.

[booming]

[sighs]

-[phone ringing]

-Agent Miller.

Hey, Mr. President, wait!

Don't launch.

All the Russian missiles are

self-destructing over the ocean.

-All of them?

-Yes, all of them.

[sighs]

[sighs]

FIREFLY:

Come around again.

[phone ringing]

-Yes.

-VACHS: Borovsk is dead.

-You have confirmation?

- I'm in the middle of it.

Chernigov has

the nuclear codes

and is taking control

of the Russian government.

Well, tell them to hurry.

We're still on the air att*ck

and taking casualties.

-Mr. President.

-Yes?

There's another

Russian m*ssile incoming.

How is that possible?

The Russian arsenal is old,

and their tech is prone

to glitch.

-Where's it headed?

-Right here.

Washington, D.C.

[sighs]

Time to impact?

Three minutes,

maybe less.

I have to call you back.

-Two minutes.

-It's one m*ssile.

Don't we have some kind

of surface-to-air defense?

Not a projectile

moving that fast. No.

[sighs] Are we still

on the line to Footloose?

If he's still in the air.

Executive One to Footloose,

you copy?

-Go for Footloose.

-There's a nuclear warhead

incoming from the north.

FOOTLOOSE:

Jesus. Of course.

We need you to acquire it,

close on it

at the best possible speed,

and destroy it.

You sure I'm your best sh*t?

The F/A-X sensor array is

the most advanced

targeting hardware we've got.

It's our only chance.

Copy that.

Mr. President,

he's closing

on the m*ssile's trajectory.

I've got it.

Vectoring to target.

Plus-Mach one

and accelerating!

Russian warhead approaching.

Almost have it.

I've got target lock.

-Damn it!

-Footloose, are you all right?

I'm under att*ck.

Footloose, talk to me.

FOOTLOOSE: She did it!

They've lost comms!

For Zach, d*ck.

Whoo!

Footloose, are you all right?

Yes, sir, I am.

Re-acquiring the m*ssile.

All right, he's back

on the pursuit course.

I've got target lock.

m*ssile in flight

and closing in

- on Russian warhead.

- Come on, Footloose.

FOOTLOOSE:

Come on, come on, come on.

-I got it!

-Yes! Yes!

[phone ringing]

This is President Chernigov

of the Russian Federation.

President Chernigov, it is

a pleasure to hear your voice.

I offer

an unconditional ceasefire,

effective immediately.

The United States

gladly accepts.

Is President Stewart...

all right?

We're still standing by.

You and he have conducted

more reasoned restraint

than I would have foreseen.

I thank you.

And I hope, despite deeply

unfortunate events of late,

we may continue the work begun

at Washington summit.

That is my hope as well.

Please, tell

President Stewart

that I wish him

swift recovery.

Actually, sir, you may be able

to tell him yourself.

One moment, Mr. President.

I don't know.

You look the part.

I have Russian President

Chernigov on the line.

We have a ceasefire, sir.

Yes.

President Stewart here.

Yeah, the Vice President

informed me just now.

We thank you, and we accept.

Good. I'll talk to you soon,

Mr. President.

Are you back, sir?

I am.

The doctors have signed off.

I'm told you steered us

through some choppy surf.

Did the best I could, sir.

And how'd you like it?

I'm glad you're back,

Mr. President.

Mm-hm.

Thank you.

-Hello.

-Hey.

Everything okay?

It is now, I think.

[chuckling]

How are you?

I'm just cleaning up.

Headed back to the embassy

to do a debrief soon.

I appreciated having someone

I could trust on the ground.

I'm grateful

I had you to call.

You ever get back to D.C.?

I'm in Langley,

when I'm back in the country.

Should be more,

now that my cover's blown.

Give me a call

when you get back.

Be nice to see your face.

All right.

I'm so glad to see you.

But I, but I thought...

Me too.

[heroic music]