(A novel adaptation of the audio adventure)
Some events and characters Copyright © of all trademarks materials
(Captain Scarlet & the Mysterons and all other series titles, all their characters,
vehicles, crafts, etc.), owned by ITC/Polygram.
Based on characters created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson for the TV
series "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons”.
08:35 am.
It had been a quiet month for
Spectrum and with the Probe Omega launch coming up, Colonel White was thinking. The Spectrum Transporter, an upgraded
Spectrum Helicopter, would near the Siberia Rocket Base within a few minutes.
Lieutenant Green was handling the controls with dedication.
At the very moment, a launching
procedure was on its way at the base.
"Navigational satellite minus
ten, final countdown begins. This is Siberia base control, handing over control
to Substation Two for launch procedure. All personnel clear the area,"
said a voice over the speaker system of the base.
"There's the rocket base, dead
ahead, Lieutenant Green,” said Colonel White. “Contact Substation Two for
permission to land. Though I think they will ask us to circle. By my calculations,
they should be firing the navigational rocket at any minute."
"Yes, Sir," answered Green
as he touched a control.
"Calling Substation Two, this
is Spectrum Transporter 14A. Requesting permission to land. Colonel White aboard, reporting for Probe
Omega security conference,» he said into the radio.
"Substation Two, to Spectrum
transporter. Navigational rocket blast off delayed twenty minutes. You are
clear to land, repeat clear to land." a voice replied over the COM system.
"Say, there's the Navigational
rocket now, just over to starboard. Look's impressive," said Lieutenant
Green.
"It certainly is,” answered
Colonel White looking that way too.
“But not as half as impressive as the probe Omega vehicle. See it way
over there. About a mile from the main control buildings."
"It's gigantic!” Lieutenant
Green said staring in awe at the enormous probe. “The biggest spacecraft
mankind has ever built. Is it right that ninety percent of its bulk is fuel
tanks?"
"Correct, and it will need
every drop to reach the exploration area way out in the Mexican Hat Galaxy.
It's unmanned, of course, entirely remote controlled once it gets off the
ground."
"Hence the navigation rocket.
That’s the box of tricks that will guide Big Brother on its journey…” Lieutenant
Green stopped suddenly, his eyes having caught something strange. “Look at the
base of the navigational rocket ignition vapour!" he exclaimed.
"You're right, but control said
the shot was delayed," Colonel White remarked.
Just then, the rocket blasted off,
sending shockwaves through the air. The helicopter was far to close and was
caught in the after blast.
"Peal off, Lieutenant!"
Colonel White ordered.
"The blast wave… we're out of
control! I cannot hold her, Colonel!" exclaimed Lieutenant Green.
The helicopter screamed towards the
ground and Lieutenant Green grabbed for the ejection systems and pulled hard.
The two seats ejected far into the air, but it looked like the two men where
going to have a hard landing.
**********
Siberia Rocket Base,
10:21 am.
"Your Colonel is a lucky man,
Lieutenant Green, and so are you. To eject at such a low altitude is normally
suicidal!"
Lieutenant Green had wakened up in a
hospital bed. A man in a white shirt had
been tending to him and had explained that he was in the sickbay of Siberia
Rocket Base. Shortly after their
landing, Green and Colonel White had been found by a rescue team that had been
sent after the base received report of the helicopter’s crash. Green was feeling fine, just a little shaken.
"I... I... guess the snow
cushioned our impact, Dr. Loval,» he answered.
“Is Colonel White…?"
"Oh no, no, no,” The doctor
answered, reassuring. A couple of clean fractures, mild concussion. A couple of
weeks sedation and he'll be as good as new."
The door to the sickroom opened, and
a man stepped inside closing the door behind him.
"Excuse me, I have some most
important news that must be passed to Spectrum immediately."
"Have you discovered why we
where given permission to land, Professor Volocheck?"
asked Lieutenant Green.
"We've discovered the
controller of Substation Two,” replied Volocheck. “One of my best men. The poor
fellow is dead, murdered. Someone else gave you that clearance. Someone who
deliberately tried to kill the Colonel and yourself."
"Then... then this could only
be the work of the Mysterons," grimly commented Lieutenant Green.
*********
10:42 am.
"THIS IS THE VOICE OF THE MYSTERONS... WE KNOW
THAT YOU CAN HEAR US EARTHMEN...WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT YOUR UNPROVOKED
ATTACK ON OUR COMPLEX ON MARS...OUR ACTS OF RETALIATION AGAINST YOU WILL
CONTINUE... AND THIS TIME THE WHOLE OF EARTH WILL TASTE OUR VENGANCE... WE WILL
DESTROY YOUR MOON."
"Cloudbase radio control to
deputy commander Captain Blue. Did you hear that sir?"
Captain Ochre was seated at the station that was Lieutenant Green’s, taking over for him during his absence. Upon hearing the new Mysterons’ threat, he had switched on the Cloudbase communication system to call Captain Blue back to the command center. At about that moment, the door slid open, and Blue stepped in.
"I sure did,» he answered,
walking toward the circular control desk and taking the seat. “Put out a call
for Captain Scarlet and have him come to the command center immediately. Alert
all standby personnel for immediate action."
"S.I.G.," replied Captain
Ochre.
"Now let's see, that message
from Lieutenant Green in Siberia. It seems to tie in somehow," said Blue.
The door to the command center
opened again, and in came Captain Scarlet.
"Ah, Captain Scarlet!"
Blue welcomed him.
"Yes, Captain?"
"I think I have a lead on how
the Mysterons may make good on their recent threat of destroying the moon,”
commented Blue. “I need not tell you
what will happen if they succeed, Captain. Violent earthquakes, tidal waves,
perhaps even deviation of the world into a new and dangerous solar orbit. Now
just what would it take to destroy the moon? A bomb more powerful than anything
mankind has ever devised… Or perhaps a rocket."
"You mean Probe Omega?"
asked Scarlet.
"Exactly,” answered Blue. It is my opinion that the attempt on the
lives of Colonel White and Lieutenant Green, was made in the objective of
retro-metabolising them into Mysteron agents. They would have been the
Mysterons’ means of aiming the probe right at the moon. Who would ever question
them?"
"Indeed, the Mysterons should
not be underestimated," replied Scarlet with all seriousness.
**********
Captain Blue was now alone in the
command center, Scarlet having left for the transporter on the flight deck.
"It's all up to you now,
Scarlet,” whispered Captain Blue to himself “If you cannot unearth the next point
of Mysteron attack, then the whole of Earth is doomed."
Blue wondered if he sent his good
friend Scarlet to his death, all the while asking himself what was death to an
indestructible man.
*********
Siberia Rocket Base,
12:34.
Captain Scarlet was feeling the
bitter cold of Siberia wind pass his face. He had been met by an older man.
"Welcome to the Siberian Rocket
Base, Captain Scarlet. I am Professor Volocheck. I am in charge of Project
Omega. Maybe we should go inside, Siberia is not a warm place"
"Glad to know you,
professor," answered Scarlet.
The two stepped inside into the
warm. Removing their coats, they stepped into a moving walkway.
“We’ll go directly to Colonel
White’s sick room,” said Volocheck. “He's recovering, thank goodness,
Lieutenant Green is with him."
The walkway took them directly to
the sickbay, and then they went to Colonel White’s room. The door opened and
the two entered. The room had two beds, a television and a small potted plant,
and not much else. White was lying in his bed.
He was pale, with his head bandaged; upon seeing Captain Scarlet he
welcomed him with a faint but warm enough smile.
"Come in, Captain Scarlet. It’s
good to see you."
"And you Sir. Lieutenant
Green.” Scarlet nodded to Green, standing next to the Colonel’s bed. “I'm ready for duty immediately."
"It's good to be
anywhere," muttered Lieutenant Green.
"Pardon Lieutenant?" asked
Colonel White.
"I was saying Sir, that it's
good to see Captain Scarlet," replied Lieutenant Green.
The two superior officers went quiet
for a few seconds. It was obvious Green
had been giving quite a scare and that he was grateful to be alive.
"Eh...how do you feel,
Captain?" He added, wanting to change subject.
"I, eh... I feel fine. Both you
and the Colonel are clear," answered Scarlet after a few seconds.
"Gentlemen, I don't quite
understand," mentioned Volocheck.
"It was a sort of demonstration
for you, Professor,” answered Lieutenant Green. “You see, though the Colonel
and I were apparently unharmed by our crash, it could be we had been killed and
brought back to life under Mysteron control. We know that we where not, but
Captain Scarlet has proved it conclusively."
"You see Professor, Captain
Scarlet reacts to the presence of Mysteron agents. Headache, roaring in the
ears for example. This is why he is here," stated Colonel White.
"If the Mysterons take over
anyone on this base, then I'll know instantly," added Scarlet.
**********
13:36
The fueling machines filling the
tanks of Probe Omega were making a few noises - not many, but enough to make it
needed for people to raise their voices to be raised so they would hear one
another.
"Probe Omega's fueling point,
Captain Scarlet.” Volocheck shouted. “It is some sight, no?".
"It certainly is, now
professor,” answered Scarlet. “We must assume that the Mysterons will try to
influence the course of the rocket after blast-off. Who exactly on your staff
could interfere with the course settings without arousing suspicion?"
"Luckily, only two people, the
senior technicians Vanda and Corrigon. And speak of the devil: here is Corrigon
now.”
A tall man, dressed in a grey overall, was directing the filling operation, not far from there. Volocheck gestured to him and called him up:
“Corrigon, can you spare us a few moments?"
"What's up, Prof?” the man asked, approaching them. “I'm right in the middle of the flaming fueling."
"I won't keep you long. I'd
like you to meet Captain Scarlet from Spectrum. He's ...eh, on special security
duties," replied Volocheck.
"Glad to know you, sport,” said
Corrigon, shaking hands with Scarlet.
“You don't mind if we save the chit-chat till later. I have a tight
schedule if we are to make tomorrow’ s blast off."
As Corrigon seemed in such a hurry,
Scarlet nodded, and watched as the man left, almost as quickly as he had
come. Volocheck turned to Scarlet.
"Come Captain, we’ll take the
elevator to Vanda's department.” He guided Scarlet onto a nearby elevator and
waited until the door slide close behind them.
“Tell me did you...did you detect anything?"
"No. Nothing. Corrigon's
clear... at the moment.” answered Scarlet.
“But if anything happens to him or this woman Vanda, let me know at
once. A accident, anything."
The
elevator stopped and Volocheck and Scarlet stepped out and opened a nearby
door. The two entered into a room, with its walls covered with stellar charts,
with one huge picture of the Omega Probe hanging in the middle of them. A woman was there, drawing lines on a chart
put on a working table, and making complicated calculations. She raised her heads upon Volocheck
and Scarlet coming in.
"Oh Professor, what can I do
for you?"
"Sorry to interrupt your work,
Vanda," said Volocheck.
"Hello, I'm just taking a look
around, sort of general security snooper for Spectrum.” He gave a smile. “How
is the final stages for the Probe launching going?" he asked.
"Oh, absolutely fine,” answered
Vanda, smiling. ”Just look at her.” She
gestured toward the large picture on the wall.
“That's a thing of beauty, Captain. She'll go right on schedule and
smooth and sweet. "She looked at Scarlet, with worry in her eyes. “Is… everything all right?”
Scarlet could not help but like her.
He smiled again, reassuringly. “Everything is fine, for now. Just checking out on a few things.”
"When are the final course
settings going to be made?" asked Volocheck.
"About half an hour, if I can
get Corrigon from his fueling.” She hesitated a second, then put down her pen. “I’d
better go get him myself. Seems I’ve
been waiting for hours. If you'll excuse me, gentlemen…
"We'll be on our way,
anyway," replied Volocheck.
"I'll see you later,"
added Scarlet.
The three went out, and Vanda went
directly to the fueling point. Going the other direction in the hallway, Volocheck looked to Scarlet.
"Vanda, Captain?".
"No Professor, incredibly no,”
replied Scarlet. “The Mysterons have not got at Corrigon or Vanda. That means
the attempt on them must take place in the next half hour. We have to keep them
under constant watch from this moment on."
**********
Siberia Rocket Base, Central Command Room
14:06
"Well that's it, all ready to
go," said Corrigon.
"Now we can all relax and wait
for blast-off," replied Vanda.
"Well Captain,” said Volocheck.
“We have been privileged to what these people complete their work. Shall we
return to your quarters?"
"Yes, but I think we best call
on Colonel White first," mentioned Scarlet.
*********
Colonel White's Sick Room
14:27
"I cannot understand it
Colonel, Corrigon and Vanda are fine. The rocket is fine, nothing can alter
Probe Omega's blast off course," reported Scarlet.
"Then there is no telling how
the Mysterons are going to strike,” replied Colonel White. He was looking paler
that last he had met with Scarlet. The
latter thought that he was probably straining himself a little too much, and
worrying about the present situation. White gave a tired sigh. “Captain, you
must get onto the World Government under my authority. Convince them to cancel
the launch of Probe Omega. Do you hear me?”
As Colonel White apparently wasn’t
feeling well at all, Scarlet left him to the care of Doctor Loval and departed
to take a plane to Futura City, in order to carry out his orders.
*********
Siberia Rocket Base,
Colonel White's Sick Room,
07:01 am.
The next day
Captain Scarlet had just returned
back from his trip to Futura City. Colonel White seemed in better shape this
morning. Lieutenant Green was with him,
along with Professor Volocheck.
"I'm sorry sir, I tried trying
to convince them,” Scarlet reported, looking frustrated. “Even the President
himself refuses to stop the launch of Probe Omega. They say...they say our
evidence means nothing."
"Wait. Professor Volocheck,
Substation Two, what’s going on there now? Is it still operational?" asked
Colonel White.
"What... what no,” spluttered
Volocheck. “After the navigational
rocket went into orbit, it was closed down. But why?"
"If anyone was there – the man
who tried to kill us... Could he tamper with the settings of the navigational
rocket?" asked Lieutenant Green.
"By Heaven, yes!“ exclaimed
Volocheck. In a different position, it would send Probe Omega right into the
Moon!"
"The explosion would be
huge," muttered Colonel White.
*********
07:25 am.
Captain Scarlet and Lieutenant Green
left Colonel White’s sick room in a hurry and take a care to go directly to
Substation Two, not far from the launch site.
Leaving Green in the car, Scarlet walked into the elevator that would
bring him to the Station, situation several feet under the surface.
The klaxon on the base sounded it's warning that Probe Omega was just about ready to blast off. Scarlet flipped down his cap microphone.
"Get out of here!” he called to
Green. “Probe Omega is on its final countdown! You‘d be caught in the blast!"
"Professor Volocheck is on the
line. We can delay blast off," replied Lieutenant Green. .
"No!” exclaimed Scarlet. His head
was reeling, and he had beginning to sweat.
He knew what it meant. “A
Mysteron agent is here on Substation Two. I... I can feel it. I'll deal with
him. Leave now!"
Green gave his acknowledgement and
Scarlet, knowing that he would be safely out of the way, concentrated on his
job.
The elevator came to an end and
Scarlet got out. There was a nearby
door, leading to the control room of Substation Two. Scarlet crashed through
it. He could see a tall, dark man, all
dressed in Black, standing in front of the controls and recognized him
instantly. The man also recognized him:
"What the... Scarlet!"
Captain Black, long presumed dead on
the MEV on Mars, had been a pawn of the Mysterons ever since then. For months, Spectrum had been trying to
catch him, but had never succeeded.
Now, he was there in front of Scarlet.
"Captain Black!” he hissed. “I
should have known you were behind this!"
"You’re too late,
Earthman," replied Black.
"They
have a saying here on Earth: it's never too late!" replied Scarlet.
Scarlet drew his gun, and Black did
the same. The resulting gun battle was short, and Scarlet was hit in the chest.
Black took advantage of this and escaped through the door, while Scarlet fell
to his knees. He watched as Black ran
away from him, and then turned his attention to the controls. He fell face
first on the floor. Keeping himself
from loosing consciousness, he crawled his way towards the controls, and
finally reached them.
Scarlet, before once again dying,
managed to pull one of the controls.
**********
Central Command Room,
07:30 am.
"Twenty seconds to zero…”
announced the base speaker system.
“10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... 0... Blast
off!"
"Probe Omega launched, Sir,
exit altitude a ok, all systems are go," said a nearby tech.
"We can only hope Captain
Scarlet has managed to cancel the influence o the navigational satellite,” said
Volocheck. “ I'm afraid that, whatever happens, Probe Omega will not go
anywhere near the Mexican Hat Galaxy. The exploration of the Mexican Hat Galaxy
will have to start again from scratch. I just wonder what the World Government
is going to say…"
**********
09:12am
The group of men and women in the
large meeting hall had taken their seats.
"Gentlemen,” said the World
President, “in concluding this emergency meeting of the world security council,
I can express my regrets that the Mysteron agent Captain Black was able to make
his escape. However, on the behalf of the people's of the world, I can
congratulate Captain Scarlet on his magnificent effort." The President turned to acknowledge
Captain Scarlet, seated not far from him, next to Colonel White. There was a round of applause in the hall.
"I can also exclusively reveal,
that by a strange twist of fate, the eventual trajectory of Probe Omega
terminated on... Mars.” The World President paused a short instant, and the
people and the hall waited expectantly for him to continue. “The blast of the
collision was noted by every observatory on Earth. It is expert opinion that
thanks to Spectrum the voice of the Mysterons will be silent for some
considerable time to come."
BACK TO “OTHER PEOPLE’S FAN FICTION”
PAGE
Any comments? Send an E-MAIL to the SPECTRUM
HEADQUARTERS site.