a story by Dan

‘The message’

"They're at it again," spoke the Chief of Spectrum to his assembled officers in the Cloudbase briefing room, "we have just received a message from the Mysterons on channel Gamma-85."

"Only the one channel?" asked Captain Ochre. “Isn't that rather strange?"

"Not only the single channel, but also it is being sent from Sector Six on Mars. As you all well know, that sector has been silent for the last three months."

"What was the message, Colonel?"

"That's a good question, Captain Scarlet, as it seems to be a lot of gibberish."

"You mean it's in code," offered Captain Blue.

"Code, cipher, alien language; your guess is as good as mine. Here's a copy of the first line that seems to be repeated in various permutations."

There was a moment’s silence as the officers of Cloudbase were absorbed in the cryptic message on the crystal projector (CP).

Lieutenant Green, who had just joined the meeting from the adjoining Control Room, was the first to speak: "I've just finished a preliminary electron scan of Sector Six and as expected have found no evidence of abnormal ionisation or of any increase in background dipolar formation."

"Would someone tell me in plain English what he's talking about?"

"I think he's telling us that Sector Six is unoccupied, Colonel."

"Captain Magenta is nearly correct, Colonel. My analysis shows no build-up of personnel and it can be considered 100% accurate for any organic life forms."

"Then what you're saying is that the message didn't originate from that sector?"

"Not exactly, Colonel; although that would be a highly arguable hypothesis. It would be my conjecture that the message came from a mobile transmitter teleported to that location."

"Why would they go to the trouble of transmitting from a dead sector, Lieutenant?"

"I'm sorry, Colonel, my System Analyser tells only the 'how' and 'where'. I leave the 'why' with the chaps in CRYPTO."

"I'd rather keep this under the complete authority of Spectrum. How about it, Captain Blue? You have a considerable grounding in decoding and related investigations."

"Where would the colonel wish me to begin? With the mystery of the dead sector or the gibberish we've been looking at on the CP?"

"If you have pertinent information, Captain, let me have it."

"No, Sir, I can't tell you what it all means; but I can direct you where to look for the answer. There is no information to be discerned from that so called 'message' on the CP. The real message is in the mode of its transmission."

"Damn it, man! Get to the point; what does it mean?"

"That is the point. Give me time; and I shall also have the answer."

"How much time?"

"Inspiration is hard to predict, Colonel; but something tells me it's going to be easier than I had first suspected. The first and hardest problem is in knowing where to look and I'm sure that I've solved that question."

"Captain Blue, I'm giving you one hour to come up with some tangible information or I shall then have to turn this over to CRYPTO and risk lower echelon army intelligence getting underfoot. I don't want them involved at all, but regulations are very clear on this point. We could be disbanded if found later to be in breach of paragraph five of our Operation Code. Politics should be completely separate from Spectrum; but it's not, and we must live with it. Spectrum is in your hands, Captain."

‘Decoding Begins’

Captain Magenta didn't look too convinced of Captain Blue's dismissal of the message as being meaningless and was scrawling down the cryptics from off the PC when Lieutenant Purple came rushing through the door and up to Colonel White with a transmission printout.

The colonel perused the message then read it out to the assembled Spectrum Officers: 'This is the voice of the Mysterons,' he read, 'we have challenged you Earthmen and await your answer; failure to understand our challenge will end in one country disappearing from the face of the earth, failure to meet that challenge will result in the same fate.'

"Right then," said the colonel, turning to Captain Blue, "I want you and Lieutenant Green to get cracking on this from your transmission angle; the rest of you try sorting something out of that mess on the CP."

Captain Blue and Lieutenant Green left for the more relaxed area of the Archives Room to contemplate their task while the remaining members of Spectrum delved into the series of numbers and letters before them.

Captain Magenta was the first to speak: "I am convinced that this transmission is more that a ruse sent to confuse; and after that last epistle from the Mysterons, I am even more convinced." He stood in front of the CP and pointed at the first few entries of the message. "Note how the series of numbers and a few interspersed letters are separated by commas and semicolons."

The men each nodded their heads in agreement as they followed his finger in the direction of a message that looked something like: 54,55; c63,c36; a25,65; c33,p54; c54,45; ...

"It's almost like a list or sequence."

"Yes, I agree Captain Scarlet, and I would like you to help me try to find a pattern using only the first few entries. And while we're looking at the individual trees, I would like the rest of you gentlemen to try to find some pattern by looking at the whole forest of words and numbers."

"I think that's a superb idea, Captain," said Captain Scarlet, "and, unless anyone can offer some better approach, I think we should give it a go."

The men broke up into groups of two or three and before long, were lost in a world of systematic probing and speculation of various permutations. Meanwhile, in the Archive Room, Captain Blue had just finished presenting his ideas to an intent Lieutenant Green.

"What do you think, Lieutenant?"

"It's worth looking at, Captain," he said, as he moved to the White Board. "Let me just jot down the basic facts which you've mentioned."

When he had finished, the two men were silently studying the following:

TRANSMISSION: (a) WHEN (b) WHERE (c) HOW (d) WHO (e) WHY

(a) Transmission date: Monday, March 25, 2069.

(b) From Sector Six on Mars.

(c) Mobile transmitter on channel gamma-85.

(d) The Mysterons

(e) As a challenge; and as a threat.

"First, I think we can skip the date as being a part of the clue, don't you agree, Captain?"

"Almost certainly, Lieutenant; not even the Mysterons can control what day it is."

"That's true, however, they may have waited for a certain day; like 'Monday' as being used for a clue." He walked over and tapped on the date. "Or perhaps this date could be a vital link to the meaning. But I do think it's safe to say that the day and date combined have no part to play in the solution."

"Not only do I completely agree with your reasoning, Lieutenant, but I should also add that it would undoubtedly follow that the inclusion of the year is totally superfluous."

"That would go without saying, Captain. Now, to the next point, (b)."

"This is perhaps the biggest single clue. Remember, Lieutenant, how perplexed the colonel was about why the Mysterons would go to the trouble of sending a message from a dead sector? To me it was obvious, it had to be because it was part of the message. What part, I'm not yet certain: but I'm sure that item (c) will shed some light on the matter."

"Gamma-85 almost looks like a cryptogram, Captain. A Greek letter and the number 85."

"Correction, Lieutenant. Why not the numbers eight and five? I'm positive that all numbers and words will transpose into letters which can then be rearranged into a word or words."

Lieutenant Green nodded in agreement and stepped back from the board to get a better look at what had been written. In a flash he returned to the board, picked up a new marker and placed two large red circles around 'Sector Six' and 'Gamma-85'.

"Excellent, Lieutenant! Now let's convert those words and numbers into letters. I think you would concede that the meaning of the two numbers now become obvious; so then - how's your Greek?"

"Almost nonexistent, but I do remember that Gamma is transliterated in English as g."

"Yes, that's true, as far as you go. However, it can also be used in English as an n before g, k, or kh. Fortunately, it has another meaning; being the third letter of the Greek alphabet it is sometimes transposed into that position of the English Alphabet, which I think would be a safe bet when we consider item (d) 'The Mysterons'.

"Which leaves us with the last item ‘Why’?"

"Yes, why indeed, Lieutenant? Why would they use a word like challenge?"

"It almost sounds like a contest, an invitation."

It was Captain Blue's turn to dash to the board and grab the marker. After a few quick determined swirls he stepped back to examine his changes; then returned briefly to the board to write out a word. Turning to his comrade for a reaction, he was greeted with a broad smile.

"Come, Lieutenant, let's find the colonel; we still have over 30 minutes left in our deadline; maybe we can help the others break that message I was so convinced didn't exist."

‘Captain Scarlet cracks the code’

Colonel White had already rejoined the other officers of Spectrum when Lieutenant Green and Captain Blue came dashing through the door.

"Captain Magenta, I have something that should make your decoding a little easier."

With that, Captain Blue handed the paper with the single one word clue scrawled on it beneath several lines containing various steps in deciphering. "You can see how we arrived at the clue: we get one 's' each from the initial letters in 'Sector Six'; an 'h' and an 'e' from the alphabetic equivalents of 8 and 5; and finally the 'c' from the positional equivalent of the Greek letter 'Gamma'."

"Chess!" Gasped Captain Magenta when he read the note. "This will make our task simplicity itself; if what we are looking at is a chess score."

"Would the captain explain what he means by a chess score?" demanded the colonel, who had moved over to the table to have a closer look at the note.

"Quite simply, Colonel, when a game of chess is played, a player writes down each move that is made, using one of various codes, so that the game can be replayed or studied by other interested people at a later time."

"Captain Magenta, don't tell me you know this code on the CP?"

"Not in its present form, but now that we know that it represents chess moves, it will soon become apparent what it is." Captain Magenta moved up to the CP and said: "Look, the first line has: 54,55; c63,c36; a25,65; - each set of numbers and letters between semicolons must therefore stand for one complete move by the white side and the black side, respectively. As white moves first the 54 is his first move and 55 becomes black's move."

"So what does 54 and 55 tell us about the nature of the move?" was Colonel White's question.

"I'm not sure, but we can make an educated guess and then refine the answer. The normal way to indicate the move is by letting the horizontal rows of a chess board (ranks) be represented by numbers and the vertical rows (files), letters. The most normal chess opening is when both players move out their King's Pawns. This is normally shown as P-K4, P-K4 (pawn to King four) or using the method I just outlined: e4, e5. When a Pawn moves, you only mention the square to which it moves, unless it captures; then you name the square from which it moves followed by an 'x', for captures, and the name of the square on which it finally comes to rest. This is sometimes abbreviated by indicating only the file from which the pawn has moved and the file to which it has come to rest separated by an 'x' to indicate a capture. Thus, e4 x f5 could be abbreviated to exf5. If a knight made the same capture it would become: Nxf5 or Knxf5.

Captain Scarlet had been writing furiously while Captain Magenta was busily explaining the chess nomenclature to the colonel. He quickly rose to his feet and addressed Colonel White: "Sir, I think that I have the key to the first move. If we let 54 represent P-K4 or e4, and 55 as P-K4 or e5; then this would mean that the Mysterons have substituted numbers for the vertical as well as the horizontal rows. As the '5' means the fifth letter in the alphabet 'e', we get 54 = e4 and 55 = e5."

"Very well done Captain Scarlet, but what do you make of the c63?"

"It must mean that 'c' moves to 63. That is 'c' moves to f6. And since 'c' has to be a piece and it can't, as you might expect, be the Castle; it must represent the Knight as that is the only piece that can legally move to that square."

"Not only that, Captain Scarlet," interrupted Captain Magenta, "but when you remember that the letter 'c' is used in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal to denote the horse or Knight, then we have confirmation of our speculations."

"Pardon me, gentlemen," said Lieutenant Green, "but could this not also indicate that one of those countries might be the one targeted by the Mysterons if we fail in whatever challenge they have offered us?"

Captain Scarlet was quick to answer: "I've no doubt that that is the case, Lieutenant. I'm also fairly confident that the country in question is Spain."

It was Captain Blue who was frowning and scratching his head at that remark, but it was the colonel who put it to a question. "How can you be so confident of that?"

Captain Scarlet gave a wry smile and began his explanation: "If you look ahead to the next two moves,” indicating his notes on the table, “then you will see that after the two Knights are brought out to f3 and c6 respectively, we then have the White Bishop 'a' moved to 25, or b5."

"The Ruy Lopez," Captain Blue half-murmured to himself.

"Yes, Captain Blue," continued Captain Scarlet, "or as the opening is sometimes known: The Spanish Game. When you couple that to the fact that in Spain the Bishop is referred to as the 'Alfil' and 'a' has been used to denote the bishop in the above move, then it becomes a certainty that Spain is the country being pinpointed by the Mysterons."

"Captain Scarlet, as soon as you and Captain Magenta have the complete text of that message printed out, bring a copy to my office. The rest of you men had better get back to your normal duties; but be ready for anything within the next 24 hours. I want Captains Scarlet, Magenta, Blue and Lieutenant Green to report back here at 1500hrs to go over Captain Scarlet's Transcript and to plan our strategy."

A 'SAKI INSPIRED' ALTERNATIVE ENDING:

No more was heard from the Mysterons until the day after Spain slipped into the sea and disappeared forever from the sight of man. "You lose," came the voice of the Mysterons.

"Obviously you've never been to Spain, or met a Spaniard," answered the British Prime Minister.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED:

“The game's afoot”

"So let's get this straight, the Mysterons want to play a game of chess to decide the fate of Spain and its 64 million inhabitants."

"As preposterous as it seems, yes! That is exactly what they are proposing, Colonel. When you think about it though, it's not that strange. Over the past year they have been treating this on-going vendetta as a game, always warning us as to what they intend; either straight out or in the form of cryptic messages. It's as though they treat this whole affair as a contest and want to give us odds to compensate our lesser technological development."

Colonel White continued to stare at Captain Scarlet as the enormity of the proposal began to make itself felt. Finally, he glanced briefly at the report on his desk before addressing the four officers.

"So it would seem, Captain Scarlet. Very well, gentlemen, I suppose we have to play their little game; no pun intended. If nothing else, we know that they are true to their word and we can be sure that if we win this match, then all will be well with Spain. You have covered everything in your report, Captain Scarlet: the chess score up to move 6; the means of transmitting our move over channel gamma-85; now what else do we need to know or what other action do we need to take in preparing for this daunting task? Not being a proficient chess player, I'm not in a position to offer any suggestions. Yes, Captain Magenta, what is it?"

"Only that we still need to find out the time limit being imposed and who is actually to represent Earth."

"That's right, Colonel, we know only that we have the white pieces and ..."

"That is appropriate don't you think, Captain Scarlet?" quibbled the colonel.

"Yes, Colonel White - very," answered an unamused Captain Scarlet, before continuing. "We have the white pieces and it's our sixth move, beyond that we know nothing. I would suggest that once the game begins we will come under a great time pressure."

"What do you mean – time pressure?"

"Colonel, most tournament chess is controlled by clocks. Both sides are given a prescribed amount of time and when one side makes a move, he stops his clock, automatically starting his opponents. If you run out of time, you forfeit the game."

"And Spain," added Captain Blue.

"Yes, and that too," sighed the colonel. "So, what would you suggest we do, Captain Scarlet – send off our first move and see what happens or can we somehow try to predict the course of the game before tipping our hand, so to speak?"

"I believe that it’s imperative to have a thorough analysis of all variations of the Ruy Lopez Opening before we go any further; you can be sure that the Mysterons have explored every aspect of the game from every angle."

"So, who are our resident chess experts in Spectrum and will any of them have a ghost of a change against the Mysterons and their infinitely far superior computers?"

"That depends, Colonel," began Lieutenant Green, "on how well their computers have been programmed and also, on how much time we get between moves."

"If I could make a suggestion, Colonel."

"That's why you're here, Captain Blue; what is it?"

"I know that the Colonel wishes to keep this operation solely with the personnel of Spectrum, but perhaps it might be pertinent to gain the help of a professional chess player, a Grandmaster."

Captain Magenta was on his feet to give his full support to the suggestion. "The World Champion, Mikhail Bogovahsky, is vacationing in Venice and could be brought here within the hour, Sir."

"I hope you are not proposing that we kidnap him?"

"Heavens, no! There would be no need for that, Sir, Mr Bogovahsky is a resident of Spain, and would ..."

"Are you sure about that, Captain?" asked Captain Blue. "Bogovahsky doesn't sound like your typical Spanish surname."

"It's not; he's French."

"French?' questioned Blue, looking even more perplexed.

"Gentlemen, I find this all illuminating, but we really have no time for a tour de force of French-Slovian genealogy. If you can get him here, Captain Magenta, do it. Harmony Angel is on standby with the Helijet whenever you may need her. Now I want all of you to move off to the Archive Room to plan your chess strategy. Any questions? Good, off you go then."

As they were making their way out of the room, the colonel called out: "Not you Lieutenant, I'd like a word with you." The colonel walked over to the table and motioned the lieutenant to join him. "Have a seat Lieutenant, we need to talk.”

"Look, lieutenant, I don't have all that much faith in this chess match for Spain. I mean we're up against a race that must be a century in advance of our technology and I hold little hope in a contest between our computers and theirs; and even less between a Mysteron and a Bereznikian."

"Is the Colonel saying that Bogovahsky is from Bereznik?"

"Well, his father was - he was a resistance fighter there before he was forced to flee with his wife and daughter. His son was born in France."

"Is Captain Magenta aware of Bogovahsky's background? I mean, considering his..."

Lieutenant Green was interrupted at that moment as Captain Ochre and Lieutenant Vermilion came in through the door and approached the table, it was the younger of the two who spoke: "Yes, Sir, you wish to see us?"

"That's correct, Lieutenant Vermilion, have a seat. I was just starting to brief Lieutenant Green on our plans and wanted you two here to fill in any additional details that you have perfected since our earlier meeting."

Turning to the lieutenant, the colonel opened a folder and took out six pages containing writing and diagrams: "Study these, Lieutenant, and any questions you have, address them to one of these two gentlemen. I want you three working very closely on this operation; a lot is at stake. When Captain Magenta comes back, with or without Bogovahsky, I'm putting him in Cloudbase Control so that you will be free for this operation. For the moment, keep the details of this case under wraps, I don't want the others to feel that their chess mission is being questioned or sidestepped. However, we do need a military option – that's what we're best at. Gentlemen, if there are no questions, I'll leave you to get on with the briefing."

"Only one thing, Sir." This was Captain Ochre. "What if we're wrong about Spain, are we going to have time to reorganise?"

"We can't afford to be wrong, Captain. If we are, I just hope Captain Scarlet knows more about chess than the Mysterons do."

‘Preparations Begin’

"This is the voice of the Mysterons," came the metallic rumblings of the speaker in the Briefing Room, "you Earthmen have solved the cipher and, thereby have earned the right to play for the lives of a small segment of your people. Win and they live; lose and they die. Captain Scarlet shall be making the moves in consultation with one person of his choice; but be warned, for you are against the greatest computer ever built. To make the game interesting we shall not insist on a move every second: something beyond human capabilities. You shall have one hour to finish the game; being sporting, we shall allot ourselves only one quarter of that time. Transmit your first move at 2200 hrs GMT precisely."

The four men at the briefing table sat stunned for some time before the leader of Spectrum addressed them from the dais: "First, let me thank Captain Magenta for succeeding in his mission in finding and returning Mr. Bogovahsky; and secondly let me, along with Captains Scarlet and Blue, welcome you, Sir, to Cloudbase."

The Grandmaster gave an embarrassed half smile and nodded to each of the officers in turn. "I am proud to be here," he began in a tiny, high pitched voice which belied the large burly frame that housed it, "and shall do all within my power as World Champion to defeat the Mysterons."

"I'm sure that you will," said the colonel. "I am leaving you in the capable hands of my officers as I have an appointment elsewhere; and in any event, my limited understanding of chess would only be a hindrance to your preparation. Gentlemen, I can only wish you well."

"What a charming man, your colonel."

"Yes, I guess he can be when he tries," admitted the officer in the blue uniform. "Now, tell me, have you two worked out a plan of attack or defence? And, by the way, what happens in the case of a draw?"

"Let me answer the last question and Mr Bogovahsky can take the first one. A draw (or even a stalemate) is the equivalent of a loss; either we have a win or we lose, it's that simple. The game will continue until one of the clock's flag falls or there is a checkmate - the Mysterons have programmed their computer not to resign under any circumstances."

"Yes, gentlemen, and that is as it should be," put in the Grandmaster as he eagerly rubbed his hands together. "I always play for a win, it's in my blood. Some people would say it's almost a curse. I should have become World Champion one year earlier had I not tried to win while playing the black pieces against a brilliant opponent who had a slight advantage in position at the time."

"That's comforting to know," said a droll Captain Magenta.

"Do not worry, Senor, that was five years ago; I've matured much since then, and besides, I'm playing the white pieces today."

"Yes, and against a super-fast and super-smart computer," added Captain Scarlet.

"That is correct, Sir, which is also to my advantage. A machine, no matter how well programmed, is not capable of beating a Grandmaster - any Grandmaster. And certainly is no match for the World Champion. It can win only if the human is intimidated by it and tries to beat it at its own game."

"Which is?" asked a very eager Captain Scarlet.

"Speed and complications," whispered the chess player. “There was a very brilliant World Champion last century, probably superior to me: but he was beaten by a computer that we would consider primitive by today's standards. Why? Because he tried to outthink the computer over the board - that is not, gentlemen, how one sets out to beat a computer."

"So how do you plan on beating this Mysteron Machine?"

"I beat him, El Capitan Azul, by keeping the game simple; analysing; referring to my books here on the Ruy Lopez. The Mysteron computer has the same information as me, that is true; it can call it to hand quicker than I or Captain Scarlet can turn a page, that is also true. But can it think? Does it have anything closely resembling intuition? No, to both; because it is a machine."

"What if they have programmed it with better books; or, maybe, given it the ability to programme itself as it plays?" persisted the unconvinced captain.

"The Ruy Lopez is an opening going back to the 1500's and takes up volumes. However, on move three, the Mysterons played pawn to Bishop four or 'The Schliemann Defence'. This was an important variation last century, but little used today. The total information on it is carried in my head; however, I have these two specialist books for back up. If it varies from these," he said, pointing to the books, "then I use this," he continued with a wide smile, while tapping his index finger to his head.

Captain Scarlet had worked closely with Captain Blue on many assignments and could well read what he was thinking. Those pinched eyebrows and almost imperceptible nod of the head were clearly saying, "Now we are in trouble - this bloke's a nutter."

He might well have been thinking that, but what he said was: "Gentlemen, I find this all very interesting; if somewhat beyond me. Captain Magenta and I are required in Control, so we shall leave you two to your analysis. By my watch, you have only about five hours before your scheduled move. Good luck."

When out of the room, Captain Blue quickly picked up his pace, "Hurry, Captain, we've got to find the colonel before Spain goes the same way as its bulls."

"What do you mean, Captain Blue?"

"I mean, would you want your life hanging on which way Senor Bogo decides to shove a pawn? He's a nutcase, or haven't you noticed? Damn, you flew all the way back from Vienna with him; were you asleep?"

"He's just a bit eccentric; but all good chess players are."

"I just hope he is."

"What, eccentric?"

"No! Good, damn good!

‘The First Move’

"I can understand your fears, Captain Blue," said the stern-faced leader of Spectrum, "That's why I've set in motion Operation Checkmate. We're going to strike before they know we are on to them"

"What's the plan, Colonel?"

"You two will be brought up to date in about ten minutes when Captain Ochre and Lieutenant Vermilion report in. Sorry about keeping you in the dark, but I didn't want to upset our chess experts – if this strike fails, they remain our only hope."

"Sir, if I might ask, ..."

"Yes, Captain Magenta?"

"Could you give us some background on what strategy or tactics are to be employed? We know that our computers are no match for theirs in chess; but we also lag even further behind in military technology. Where do we begin?"

"Good point, Captain. Yes, the Mysterons are materially superior to us in almost all aspects of war. However, they are not invincible; as we have shown in past battles with them. And even the Mysterons need a physical base from which to launch their attacks. They're not magicians and they can be beaten – never let the enemy intimidate you."

"Now you're sounding just like Senor Bogovahsky," said a sombre Captain Blue.

"I hope that was a compliment, Captain."

"Yes, so do I."

The colonel resumed his explanation: "Knowing, without their knowledge, that they are planning a massive strike against Spain works in our favour. From their announced threat, we can be fairly sure that the means of attack will not be nuclear. The Mysterons, like most who accurately use English as a second language, are very precise in its use. When they say that one country will vanish from the face of the earth, that is exactly what they mean; they are not speaking metaphorically, and they do mean that only one country will be affected."

"The Solar Ray."

"Yes, Captain, the Solar Ray. And to foil them all we need do is to work backwards and pinpoint where and at what time they launch the attack – and we knock them out before they are properly set up."

"How?"

"I think these gentlemen have the answer to that question," the colonel said, indicating Captain Ochre and Lieutenant Vermilion as they entered the room and joined the other officers at the table.

"Gentlemen, Lieutenant Vermilion and I have verification that the Mysterons are planning a pre-emptive strike on Spain and that they are intending to use the Solar Ray as the sole means of carrying out the destruction. Lieutenant Vermilion has the print-out that Lieutenant Green made from his electronic spying of the Martian Sector and hence his follow up investigations via our Madrid Base."

"That's right, Sir," said Lieutenant Vermilion, handing over the various pages of charts and diagrams. "The Lieutenant knew that the chess match couldn't be directed to Sector Six on Mars because of the time factor in relaying messages. Our transmission on channel Gamma-85 is being diverted to H.M.S.S. Intrepid now in stationary orbit above Newfoundland. It would appear that the Mysterons have taken possession of it and have Mysteronised the entire crew of seven. From there, the ship will be able to carry out a solar attack on its target, even though Spain will be in total darkness at the time."

"Thank you, gentlemen, this is crucial information – now, not only do we have a target ourselves, but also a means of neutralising The Solar Ray. Captain Magenta, get me The World President, Mr James Younger, on the Visual modulator. I had better bring him into the picture. We might need back-up from the World Army, but I'm hopeful that we can handle it alone from Cloudbase; with a little help from Lieutenant Green in Madrid, and two of our Angels."

At this same time, one floor above in the briefing room, a rather nervous Captain Scarlet was about to transmit his first move. "I hope you've chosen the right move, Mr Bogovahsky."

"My dear Captain, in chess there is no right move or wrong move; only good and bad. Everything is relative; a matter of degree. Maybe the move you are about to transmit is an excellent move against Grandmaster Korvac, who falls into a flap over the apparent pressure on c6. However, Grandmaster Janovich finds it only a passing inconvenience and may even use the move against me at a later time. Relative, Captain Scarlet."

"We're not playing Grandmasters Korvac or Janovich; but a Mysteron computer who is not about to go into a flap over any move that you might play. You can forget about applied psychology in this game, Mr Bogovashsky."

"Captain, Captain, you do not understand," muttered the Grandmaster while slowly shaking his head from side to side. "Such an astute and learned man too. You think I am playing a machine, but no. I play a, what do you say, a Mysteron. Yes, I play a Mysteron through the facility of a machine. But a Mysteron is a living being - maybe not a human being, but living. My applied psychology is applied toward this living programmer, not the machine. You see, the machine is only a means to an end."

"Right, Grandmaster Bogovahsky, whatever the truth of the matter may be, it's 2200hrs and time to transmit."

Captain Scarlet turned to the transmitter and entered 6. Nxe5. "There it goes," he said with a wave of his hand across the sensor, "there is no turning back now."

‘The Middle Game’

"The game's began, Sir."

"Yes, Captain Magenta, I've been watching the progress on the monitor. That means that we have one-and-a-quarter hours at most to complete Operation Checkmate. I'm a bit worried about our ability to get units in place without being detected and giving away our element of surprise."

"It depends on how soon they detect our movements, Colonel, for we know that sooner or later we will be found out."

"Captain Magenta's correct about that, Sir," admitted an intent Captain Ochre, "but if we can get our operation far enough advanced before then, it shouldn't matter. We know that the Mysterons have commandeered H.M.S.S. Intrepid a