The Sum of All Fears

You sure it's the Russians?

One hundred percent, sir. Submarine launched...

12 to 15 megatons, and they went to strike status 15 minutes prior.

CINC-LANT reports the Roosevelt splashed six incoming cruise missiles.

The Russians are moving west through Poland.

If they head for Germany, the Berlin Brigade is outnumbered.

We've got another launch from Alyesk, Central Russia.

I don't believe it. What the hell's in Alyesk?

SS-18 ICBMs. Probable targets-- New York, Washington, here.

- How good is this ceiling? - Anything but a direct hit.

Satellites confirm birds in the air-- multiple launches.

- First impact estimated 25 minutes. - How do we know that's accurate?

It's accurate.

Sir, I advise we go to DEFCON-1.

- Get President Zorkin on the hot line. - Zorkin is missing.

We have reports of a coup in Moscow.

General Bulgakov is calling the shots now.

Who the hell is Bulgakov?

The asshole who wanted to use nukes in Chechnya.

Sir, DEFCON-1, we're out of time.

Do it.

Mr. President.

After you give the order, the launch sequence takes a minute to process.

Before the order can be taken, an I.D. check must be performed.

My I.D. number is fifth from the top.

- Sir, it's your wife on 2104. - Thank you.

Under the two-man rule...

the order must be confirmed by someone on the approved list.

Gene Revell, National Security Advisor.

- Second from the top. - Is it black-tie?

Okay, I'm on my way.

Can we...

finish this up some other time?

We gotta update these fire drills, Billy.

If the shit ever hits the fan, I'm not goin' underground.

The place is a goddamn tomb.

We have to choose someone to face off against besides the Russians.

Really? Let's see. Who else has 27,000 nukes for us to worry about?

It's the guy with one I'm worried about.

Speaking of Russia, I have to send some folks over there...

inspect their nuclear decommissioning facility.

- Place called ''Armazaz.'' - Arzamas.

Yeah. Whatever. Someone from your staff should be on the trip.

I'll go.

Billy, send staff.

I wanna go.

Okay.

And don't underestimate Zorkin, pal.

Between his economy, crime, Chechnya--

- His liver. - What's left of it.

How is he?

He's scheduled a press conference for this afternoon...

so at least we know he can sit up.

- Why not negotiate? - The interview is over.

Only criminals and their friends in the West wish it to be separate.

But, Mr. President, if you will kindly come back...

we do have a few more questions we would like to ask you.

You see what I see?

- His jacket. - He used to button it all the way.

He's gettin' fat!

I know how he feels. Wow. Look at that.

Maybe it's not the same jacket.

No-- Yeah. Shiny sleeves. He wore it last time he got out of the hospital.

- He's definitely off the diet. - He's also off the wagon.

You hear how he slurred?

That must be why Chelinski's hanging around, to keep him off the sauce.

Where's Chelinski?

Next to-- What's her name? The chick with the brown hair.

- Elena Rishkov. - No, that is not Chelinski.

Busted. It's Chelinski.

You're thinking Cherpitski. That ain't Cherpitski, either.

- I know. It's Chelinski. - No, it's not. Trust me.

He's next to Elena Rishkov. He was banging her at the Geneva Summit.

Chelinski was not at Geneva. Cherpitski was at Geneva.

What are you saying? Cherpitski was banging Elena Rishkov?

I say Zorkin's putting on weight. Why reduce everything to sex?

I agree. Write it up. And if he is putting on weight...

that might have health consequences so get it in the afternoon brief.

And somebody find out who is banging Elena Rishkov. This is good.

What shall we make of Chechnya...

asking the West for protection?

She is like a beautiful virgin...

escaping the clutches of a lecherous bear...

and running to Bill Clinton to save her maidenhood.

A poet once wrote:

''Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.''

He could have been writing of us, of Europe in the 21st century.

Over 50 years of America and Russia...

imposing their will on the European community-- East and West.

And we are still treated like children...

but without the toys or the good-night chocolates.

Each day we lose a little bit more of our separate...

sovereign ability to determine our own futures.

And each day the world comes closer to that terrible moment...

when the beating of a butterfly's wings...

unleashes a hurricane...

God himself cannot stop.

Was that yours or mine?

It must be yours. Mine's just for show.

- It's not the hospital. - Cool.

- Good. Hi. - You're still here?

I think to be accurate and everything...

it's actually you are still here.

Oh. Right.

Not that I'm complaining.

Jack?

I know this is new and all, but--

I have something I have to say or I'm gonna explode.

I don't want you to be scared.

What?

You're in love with me.

I'm a medical professional. I can read the symptoms.

You're definitely in love with me.

And that scares you.

Not even a little.

But I think it scares you.

No. Not even a little.

And, for the record, you're the one who brought it up.

Forget it.

- I'm gonna get it. - No, wait. It'll stop.

I don't know who this is.

But--

-Just go about your business. - The timing sucks.

Do what you have to do. I totally understand.

Yes. This is Dr. Muller.

Muller. You paged me?

Hello?

Stop. Yes, this is Jack Ryan.

Jesus.

Okay. I'll be there in half an hour.

I gotta go. I have an emergency at work.

I have to run. I'm sorry.

Cathy, how about dinner tonight?

Yeah.

- How about tomorrow night? -Jack, I said yes to tonight.

I know.

What kind of emergency does an historian have?

He died at 04 20 Zulu.

Eight and a half hours later, they swore in a new president.

Everybody wants to know who this new guy is.

- Who is he? - Alexander Nemerov.

You're kidding me. I wrote a paper about him a year ago.

- I know. - Mary Pat, I said he could be next.

I said he could be next. I predicted this. And nobody read it.

- They're reading it now. - Who?

- Cabot. - I've been here 14 months.

I don't think he knows what I look--

Are you Ryan?

Yes, sir.

What is this? The Paper Chase?

Sir, my--

Come on. We're late.

You're about to breathe air that's over your pay grade, so listen up.

You're gonna be asked for analysis and advice.

Be sure you know what you're talking about before you give it.

Don't be afraid to say you don't know.

Choose your words carefully. Words have a habit of becoming policy.

You, you. Give me your coat. Come on.

You'll get it back.

Tie.

So, Intelligence Committee?

Mm-hmm.

I've watched these on C-SPAN.

Never actually been to one.

You've never watched one of these on C-SPAN.

Our most important assessment comes from a high source in the Kremlin.

In his opinion, Nemerov does not owe his ascension to the military.

Everyone has opinions, Mr. Cabot.

I respect that.

This morning my wife woke up and said I was old, bald and ugly.

Is that a question, Mr. Chairman?

I told her appearances aren't everything.

- Would you agree, Mr. Cabot? - I certainly would, sir.

Now, this new fellow ''Nezmeroz''-- Is that his name?

Nemerov, sir.

Despite what your source says, we hear ''Nezmeroz'' is a hard-liner.

Is he a hard-liner?

No.

It's a bit too soon to make that assessment, sir.

According to CNN...

your Mr. ''Nezmeroz'' is making promises...

to rebuild the Russian Empire.

That sounds pretty rash from where I sit.

If I were sitting in Chechnya, I'd be even more worried.

Sir, Nemerov's saying what he needs to get the hard-liners off his back.

If we leave him alone, Russia will stabilize. Push him, bets are off.

When I asked for your advice, I didn't mean you should actually speak.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Cabot.

Mr. Chairman, some of our assets in the Russian government...

who actually know Mr. Nemerov, have not had a chance to report in.

I'd like to take a couple of days...

and get more information for you before characterizing him.

But I do maintain my opinion that appearances can be deceiving.

You're saying I'm wrong?

Absolutely, Mr. Chairman.

I don't think you're ugly.

- I apologize for being out of line. - Senators don't like surprises.

I give them a hint of what I'm going to tell them...

then I give them a while to get used to it.