[The Mysterons...sworn enemies of Earth, possessing the ability to recreate an exact likeness of an object or person--but first, they must destroy. Leading
the fight, one man fate has made indestructible. His name: Captain Scarlet....]
A “CAPTAIN SCARLET AND
THE MYSTERONS” story
By D. Lynn Bivens And
Kimberly Murphy
PART ONE
File-ID:
<1.05633.69.0C51514D@cloudbase.spectrum.gov>
Organization: Spectrum Cloudbase (Colonel White, Commander-In-Chief)
Summary:
Mission transcript--contains background information, video data, and restricted
personnel information
Restrictions: EYES ONLY--SPECTRUM RAINBOW CLEARANCE REQUIRED
Beginning
transferral of data pertaining to Spectrum mission codenamed "Pawns Of Evil":
Background--Pre-Spectrum History
It is 2068. The
world's governmental structure is now unified under one president, James
Younger, and one congress at the newly built fusion zone known as Unity City
("Futura City" to its detractors).
Yet the world is not at peace. To
the east of Europe lies Bereznik, a small but predatory state.
Below the Pacific Ocean lies the hostile kingdom of Titanica. And the world is still reeling from a
series of Atomic Wars in the early 2000s which disrupted technical development
and lives worldwide.
The problems caused by the Atomic Wars
resulted in a proposal to bring together the finest elements of the military and
paramilitary forces worldwide into an elite planetary defense force that would
take care of extraordinary defense measures, similar to the Green Berets or the
SEALs of the 20th century. The
study resulted in the signing of a charter by the World President on 10 July
2067 that founded an organization that truly encompassed all the worldwide
elements. Its name, appropriately enough: Spectrum.
Spectrum became the first truly worldwide organization
with offices in nearly every nation.
Its command center would not be in any country, but rather above all of them: A flying aircraft carrier that came to
be known as Cloudbase. Only the
elite of Spectrum would serve on Cloudbase, a senior core of officers whose
identities would be
protected by code names taken from the colors of the rainbow. Its defense would come from five female fighter pilots code
named the Spectrum Angel Flight.
By 2068, humanity had embarked fully on its healing
process along with the planet.
Thanks to extraordinary efforts by such organizations as the unified World
Military, the World Space Patrol, the World Aquanaut Security Patrol, and
Spectrum, mankind had reclaimed its place in the universe.
Even the technologies
stalled by the global devastation of the Atomic Wars had begun to flourish once
again. All seemed well and the world was once
again adhering to the peace so vigilantly enforced by Spectrum.
Then came April 2068...the ill-fated Zero-X mission to Mars led
by Spectrum's own Captain Black...and the Mysterons...
<Attachment #1: Video File #4871237-14D, dated 18 January 2069>
In the Conference Room on Spectrum Cloudbase, a meeting
has been called. Seated in the
hollow center section of the round conference table is COLONEL WHITE. In the seats around the circular table: CAPTAIN BLUE, CAPTAIN OCHRE, CAPTAIN
MAGENTA, CAPTAIN GREY, DR. FAWN, and Fawn's newest assistant, DR. JOYCE
HOLLANDER from Spectrum Medical Center.
LIEUTENANT GREEN sits in the recording secretary's seat off to the side.
One chair the seat next to Captain Blue is noticeably empty.
LIEUTENANT GREEN
All requested personnel present and
accounted for, sir.
COLONEL WHITE
(to Green)
Thank you, Leftenant.
(to the rest of the table)
Members of Spectrum...I have
called this meeting to discuss a very difficult issue that has the concern and
attention of the World President himself.
The World President has been in contact with me frequently as of late regarding
the ongoing activities of Captain Black and our efforts to track him down and
capture him.
(nods toward empty chair)
As you may have noticed,
Captain Scarlet is not in attendance.
He is, at present, in Sickbay, recovering from injuries suffered during our
latest encounter with the Mysterons.
However, rather than wait for his recovery, we are holding this meeting without
him...because it would be best if he were not in attendance.
CAPTAIN BLUE
Why?
Captain Scarlet is without a doubt the most important operative in Spectrum. Why leave him out of this?
White
manages to convey strong annoyance at Blue's impertinence despite his rigid
expression.
WHITE
Because of the nature of the World
President's concerns... and the reason for this meeting.
Before the disaster of the Zero-X mission which resulted in Captain
Black's capture and this war of nerves against the Mysterons, Captain Black was
one of our colleagues...and Captain Scarlet, his star pupil. They were fellow officers and close
friends. This war with the
Mysterons has been hard on all of us...but it has been hardest on Captain
Scarlet because of his unique encounter with them.
After all, for six hours, he was under their control and forced to obey
their orders... and much of what has happened since his awakening from that
control has been beyond our comprehension.
Captain Scarlet has been through experiences we can never
understand...physically and psychologically.
The World President fears--and it is a valid fear--that he could suffer
some sort of breakdown if pushed too far.
And what has been proposed could easily be that "push".
(turns to Dr. Fawn)
Dr.
Fawn, if you would care to explain...
DR. FAWN
Of
course, sir.
(to the rest of the table)
What we must understand in dealing with
Captain Scarlet's ability to recover from injuries--some of which our best
surgical techniques could not hope to correct--is the tremendous stress under
which his mind is placed. Surviving
death--the so-called "near- death" experience--always has profound effects upon
the individual's mental state.
CAPTAIN OCHRE
But
isn't it true, Doctor, that Captain Scarlet has no recollection of his "death"
when he recovers?
FAWN
No conscious recollection, Captain
Ochre. But we have no way of ascertaining to
what extent his subconscious is affected.
Despite extensive testing and numerous attempts at mental
stimulation--particularly after the Mysterons' hold on him was broken--those
memories remain locked away. But
the fact that he has an extreme sensitivity to the Mysteron presence at times--a
sensitivity that cannot be sufficiently explained physically, though it manifests itself in very
physical symptoms such as headaches or nausea--tells me that those memories are
indeed there and cause him some sort of psychosomatic trauma.
WHITE
Which, of course, brings another puzzling consideration to mind.
FAWN
Indeed, Colonel.
Is it possible for Captain Black to be shaken from the Mysterons' control
the way Captain Scarlet was by his 800-foot fall from the London Car-Vu?
Or has Captain Black been too long held captive by the Mysterons?
Is he now beyond help--beyond redemption?
For that matter, is it possible that Captain Scarlet might not truly be free of
the Mysterons--that he might one day slip back under their control? Is his current state merely
temporary--or worse, a devious plan to put an indestructible agent into the
heart of Spectrum, waiting to reactivate him at just the right moment?
BLUE
That's ridiculous!
I know Captain Scarlet...and I'd stake my life on his loyalty! I have, numerous times! Captain Scarlet feels he owes his life
to Spectrum and would do
anything for any of us...does that sound like someone still in the hands of the enemy?
Besides, there have been numerous times where it would have been in the
Mysterons’ best interest to have an insider-- why has this "reactivation" you're
worried about not yet occurred?
FAWN
Perhaps, Captain Blue, their plans for
him are more involved than any of us can conceive.
It could be that our Captain Scarlet may be the ultimate time bomb...just
waiting to explode.
The tension in the room runs high, as if
Dr. Fawn's words awakened an unspoken fear in all of them...except Captain Blue,
who looks incensed at the very idea of questioning his friend's loyalty.
WHITE
Thank you, Doctor.
I think you all now fully realize the importance of holding this meeting
while Captain Scarlet is recuperating.
As sworn protectors of the World Government, we can hardly risk the very
subject of our plans knowing about them.
CAPTAIN GREY
Plans, Colonel? What "plans"?
White looks toward Fawn and nods some sort of approval.
FAWN
We
hope to use Captain Scarlet's suppressed memories to finally locate Captain
Black.
<end of
Video File #4871237-14D>
<Attachment #2: Video File #4871237-14E, dated 18 January 2069>
In Sickbay, CAPTAIN SCARLET lies quietly in a bed in the
hospital area. He is hooked to both
an EKG and EEG machine, both of which register improving vital signs. Several minor wounds are still visible,
but it is obvious that his retrometabolism healing process is in full swing. Scarlet moves slightly, as if he has
just crossed the line from injury-induced coma to normal sleep...and the rest of
the wounds fade away.
<end of
Video File #4871237-14E>
<Attachment #3: Personal journal of Captain Scarlet, dated 18 January 2069>
I have lately been remembering--if such
a term is applicable to the experiences I have during my
retrometabolism-enhanced recoveries-- more and more of my first encounter with
the Mysterons...the day Captain Brown and I were first killed.
I have had fleeting images at night as I
sleep (which, amazingly, I seem to do less of since my recovery from the
Mysteron attack) which take the form described in 20th century medical
documentation as "near-death experiences".
In my case, of course, they are actual-death experiences.
I remember the car crash...feeling the
flames on the back of my neck as I tried to struggle free of the burning
wreckage...then everything fading to blackness.
That much is not new. However, what
follows in my dreams is different from anything I had remembered in the past.
In my dreams, I see myself floating
above my battered, burned, and bleeding body, lying a few feet away from the
wreckage, and I see Captain Brown's body, twisted at a grotesque angle. I sense Brown's spirit nearby...and even recall non-verbally
communicating with him. I cannot
recall what was said, but I can still feel our mutual shock and confusion and a
strange realization that we were, indeed, dead; not even a chopper ride to
Cloudbase would be able to save us.
Then I feel something strong
nearby...something cold...something evil.
At one point, I might have thought I was in the presence of Satan himself. Now, of course, I know it was the cold,
calculating evil of the Mysterons.
They had found the tools to execute their vicious plans to kill the World
President...us.
The next thing I see is another
body...whole, unbroken, but lifeless and cold.
It bears my face.
Not much is clear after that. I recall feeling pulled inextricably
toward that cold, lifeless body...and then everything else is lost to me. I wake up in a cold sweat, shaking
uncontrollably.
Someday, I hope to pierce that last veil
and see what my consciousness endured during those six hours I was under the
Mysterons' control. Perhaps then I
shall have the key to unlock the remaining experiences that occur during my
numerous deaths and recoveries.
Perhaps then I will truly be free of the
Mysterons.
<end of
Personal journal>
<Attachment #4: Video File #4871237-14F, dated 18 January 2069>
The time stamp on the video image reads "17:30--18/1/69"
as Drs. Fawn and Hollander enter the Sickbay.
Both cross toward Captain Scarlet, now visibly completely healed but
still unconscious.
DR. JOYCE HOLLANDER
Amazing. If I hadn't seen him when he was brought
in, I would never know he was on the verge of death just two hours ago.
FAWN
It
never ceases to amaze me. As many
times as I’ve witnessed it, it never ceases to amaze me.
(looks at monitors)
Pulse is still a little thin.
Probably some unresolved trauma.
He'll sleep for a while.
Scarlet stirs, then opens his eyes and
looks around the room, trying to get his bearings.
FAWN (continued)
Or
maybe not.
CAPTAIN SCARLET
Hello, Dr. Fawn... Dr. Hollander.
FAWN
Welcome back, Captain Scarlet. How
are you feeling?
SCARLET
Hungry.
FAWN
(slight laugh)
Not
surprising. It takes a lot of
energy to rejuvenate a body. But
you do have this knack for reviving close to mealtimes.
What would you like?
SCARLET
(starts to sit up)
I can go to the galley on my own, thank
you...
FAWN
(holds him down)
Not till I release you. And I can't do that until I've completed the fitness-for-duty
exam. Now, you can lie here and be
hungry...or you can eat something and get your strength back so the results of
the exam will be better. Which will
it be?
SCARLET
You're enjoying this.
FAWN
Keen observation.
(pulls out a notepad)
Your dinner order, Captain?
As Scarlet
rattles off a list of food better suited for a group than an individual, Dr.
Hollander looks strangely distracted, as if mesmerized by something.
FAWN
(continued)
Dr.
Hollander?
HOLLANDER
(jumps, as if startled)
Wh-what?
FAWN
Are
you feeling all right? You
seem...distant.
HOLLANDER
Oh,
no, I'm fine. Guess I was just
thinking. You were saying?
FAWN
I was asking if you'd mind terribly
ringing the galley and asking them to send the items on this list down here for
Captain Scarlet's dinner. While
we're waiting for them to arrive, I can start the usual exams.
HOLLANDER
Oh,
of course.
(studies list, then looks up at Scarlet)
You
must have quite an appetite, Captain Scarlet.
Scarlet meets the woman's gaze...as intense as his own. It almost seems as if she is trying to
stare through his eyes into his soul.
They hold the gaze for a moment, then Scarlet breaks and stares at the ceiling,
his eyes reflecting an inner disturbance of some sort.
As Fawn
begins the exam, Hollander leaves the hospital area and heads into Fawn's
office.
FAWN
Now, then, Captain Scarlet... let's begin.
He presses several buttons to reset his monitors.
<end of
Video File #4871237-14F>
<Attachment #5: Video File #4871237-150, dated 18
January 2069>
In the other room--Fawn's outer office, away from the
hospital area--Hollander snaps off the Spectrum intercom, then retrieves a pen
radio out of her pocket surreptitiously.
She looks around for a moment, then twists the pen to activate it and whispers
into its microphone.
HOLLANDER
Black Knight to
King's Pawn...the fox is in the henhouse.
Repeat: The fox is in the henhouse. Operation Twister should commence on
schedule. Will update progress at 2300 hours. Black Knight out.
FAWN
Oh...there you are.
Hollander
quickly hides her radio in her pocket and turns around to see Fawn standing in
the doorway between the hospital and his examination room/office.
FAWN
(continued)
I
was beginning to wonder if you'd gone round to the galley to deliver the order
in person.
HOLLANDER
Oh,
I was just...making sure I got the order right, Dr. Fawn. I...had a little trouble making out some of the items...
FAWN
(sarcastic)
You
must be a dedicated doctor indeed to spend that much time on a patient's room
service order.
(takes list, reads it to himself)
Of
course, I do admit to sloppy penmanship. Too many years of hastily scribbled
civilian prescriptions and battlefield logs, I suppose.
HOLLANDER
You
wanted me for something, Doctor?
FAWN
Oh...yes, I did.
I was wondering if you would assist me in completing Captain Scarlet's
fitness-for-duty exam. There's so
many blasted monitors to read, and Captain Scarlet is so impatient to get back
to work that he hates any kind of delays.
HOLLANDER
Oh, of
course, Doctor. I'd be more than happy to.
They leave the room together, heading back to the hospital
unit.
<end of
Video File #4871237-150>
<Attachment #6: Video File #4871237-151, dated 18 January 2069-- from security
cameras, 5th Street Diner, New York City, New York, United States Of America>
Early in the morning in the largest city in the world, customers
come and go from the 5th Street Diner.
This day, a new customer dressed all in black--black overcoat, black
broad-brimmed hat, black shirt and pants--enters quietly and sits in a corner
booth. A WAITRESS comes over to serve him.
WAITRESS
Can
I help you, sir?
The man looks up toward the camera...and his face is that
of a walking corpse. His eyes are
sunken, his skin is pale, and his heavy five-o'clock shadow accentuates his
gaunt cheeks. It is Spectrum agent-turned-Mysteron
terrorist CAPTAIN BLACK.
The waitress backs off and heads behind the counter, getting the
attention of diner owner SOL BELLATORA.
Bellatora looks scornfully at the stranger in his diner, then gets out his
baseball bat and brandishes it menacingly as he heads for the corner booth.
BELLATORA
All right, pal...I don't know what
you're sellin' but I ain't buying!
We don't serve bums here. Get
yourself on down to the shelter or somethin', but get outta my diner before I
make that cheesy hat a permanent part of your head!
Black
glares up at him, almost sneering, as if death has no true meaning for him. He stands to face Bellatora, unfastening
his coat as he does.
BELLATORA (continued)
(backing away in horror)
Oh,
my God...I saw your face on the news...you're the guy Spectrum's lookin' for...
Captain Black!
BLACK
Very observant.
With that,
he whips out a sub-machine gun and shoots Bellatora in cold blood. Bellatora drops to the floor, dead.
The diner
patrons begin to scream in panic...but Black's non-stop shooting silences all of
them until only the waitress is left.
WAITRESS
(cowering by the counter)
Oh,
no… oh, God, please, no... please don’t kill me...
BLACK
I
am sorry...but I need all of you.
He fires one last time, and she falls dead behind the counter.
Black holsters the gun as an eerie hush falls over the diner. Then, two circles of greenish light pass
over each dead body, then seem to draw paths on the floor.
Clones of the now-dead victims begin to materialize, then slowly
come to life.
Black nods his approval as the replicants rise to their feet and
begin clearing the floor of the dead bodies.
When they finish, they stand before him, mindless Mysteronized soldiers awaiting
orders.
THE VOICE OF THE MYSTERONS
(echoing, in voice-over)
The Mysterons must avenge themselves
against the race which attacked them on Mars.
They must prevent their spread and their inevitable intrusion into space. Ours is a true mission of the only
justice known to exist, one we must undertake.
You are the privileged few chosen to engage the enemies of the Mysterons
in a grand battle. Together, we
will destroy Spectrum itself...and its glorious hero and "secret weapon", Captain Scarlet!
In the
stillness that follows the declaration of war on Black's former friends and the
enemies of his masters, one image becomes striking:
A single
tear rolling down Black's cheek.
<end of
Video File #4871237-151>
<Attachment #7: Video File #4871237-152, dated 18 January 2069-- from security
cameras onboard local Security Patrol Cruiser 451>
With sirens screaming and light-bar flashing frantically, Patrol
Cruiser 451 speeds through traffic and stop lights in an almost reckless fashion
in response to a silent alarm tripped at the 5th Street Diner...the
same 5th Street Diner that Captain Black has just attacked.
SECURITY OFFICER BRYSON is driving; his partner, SECURITY OFFICER SIMPSON
is checking his handgun.
SECURITY OFFICER BRYSON
Better have your weapon ready, partner! The silent alarm was a Code Three--no
tellin' what we're headin' into at Bellatora's!
SECURITY OFFICER SIMPSON
Yeah, that guy knows how to take care of
himself! I've been in this precinct for over five
years and I've never known him to need any help! Maybe we should call in some backup...
BRYSON
No such luck, Simpson. Everyone's up to their
eyeballs in this precinct...and you know the others aren't gonna offer any assistance without some
kind of up-front bonus!
SIMPSON
Kinda makes you wish this was the kind of thing Spectrum had jurisdiction over.
BRYSON
We'll manage.
Hey, in my great-grandfather's day, there were actually cops on these
streets! And they didn't need any
fancy-schmancy Spectrum to bail them out, either-- they did it all on their own!
SIMPSON
Wasn't your great-granddad around during the time of that terrorist bombing at
the World Trade Center back in `92?
BRYSON
Sure was! So was my granddad...course, he was just
a rookie at the time. And my dad
was an impressionable young lad...
SIMPSON
Later with the memories, partner.
5th Street just ahead.
Bryson
slows down, then stops before the diner.
BRYSON
Head's up, buddy... we may have to "come out shooting".
SIMPSON
Ready.
The two
men release the safety catches on their guns, then head into the diner.
<End of
Video File #4871237-152>
<Attachment #8: Video File #4871237-153, dated 18 January 2069-- from security
cameras inside 5th Street Diner>
The armed and armored Bryson and Simpson enter the diner,
gun arms straight out, guns aimed into diner.
BRYSON
Everybody freeze!
SIMPSON
Nobody move!
The diner, full of apparently normal patrons having
apparently normal meals, gets very quiet.
Everyone turns toward the door. Sol
Bellatora quickly comes around his counter to confront the confused officers.
BELLATORA
What is this? What's the matter
with you Security guys? You crazy
or something? Put those guns
away--you're scarin' my customers!
BRYSON
(reluctantly relaxes his stance)
Now, wait a minute...the Precinct's
auto-dispatch system registered a silent alarm from this establishment, Mr.
Bellatora...and we're not
goin' anywhere ‘til we get some answers.
WAITRESS
Oh, I'm afraid that was my fault, Mr. Bellatora... I accidentally bumped into
the "panic button" when I was
serving these gentlemen at the end of the counter. I didn't think it was hard enough to set off the alarm!
Bellatora turns an angry glance at his
waitress... a glance seemingly out of place for the offense.
Bryson and Simpson relax a little more but notice the tension in the room
and appropriately do not re-holster their weapons.
SIMPSON
No
harm done, ma'am... accidents happen, you know?
Truth be told, we're kinda glad it was a false alarm.
BRYSON
Sorry to trouble you folks. Please, go back to enjoying your meals. We'll just report back to the auto-dispatcher and cancel the
alarm. Of course, Mr. Bellatora,
you might want to consider getting a shield or something for that button so this
sort of thing doesn’t happen again.
BELLATORA
Good idea. I'll get on it soon as the stores open. We don't want you boys-in-blue on wild
goose chases, now, do we?
He chuckles hollowly...an
unnerving laugh which is parroted by first the waitress, then the other patrons
in the diner. Bryson and Simpson
begin backing toward the doorway, looking more and more uneasy.
BRYSON
Uh... yeah. We'll be on our way...
SIMPSON
...We’ve got a lot of ground to cover on our patrol before we get off for the
day.
Both officers hurry for the door...then
notice the black-clad stranger seated at a table by himself. The man appears to be making a conscious effort to conceal his
face.
SIMPSON
Come on, Bryson...
BRYSON
In
a minute.
(turns to the man at the table)
I
think I've seen that guy before.
SIMPSON
(looks at the same man)
Him?
Bryson nods, then moves closer to the table where the
stranger is sitting. He grips his
gun a little tighter.
BRYSON
Excuse me, sir... would you mind answering some questions?
BELLATORA
Hey, hey, hey! Quit bothering my
customers! You guys need my permission to talk to
anybody in here, in case you forgot the law...
SIMPSON
...Only if we walked in voluntarily.
We were called, remember?
BELLATORA
But
that was an accident!
SIMPSON
Doesn't matter. Once we're inside
on a call, we pretty much have carte blanche to question anybody who even looks
suspicious.
BRYSON
And
this guy's definitely suspicious.
(turns full attention back
to the table)
Now, friend, I said I wanted to ask you some questions...now!
The man at
the table slowly raises his head to reveal the gaunt, pale, unshaven face of
Captain Black.
BRYSON
(continued)
Oh, my God... Captain Black!
BLACK
Very good.
As the wanted man holds the officers' attention, Bellatora and
his waitress walk up behind the two officers.
Bellatora cracks his baseball bat on the back of Bryson's head; the waitress
thrusts a carving knife into Simpson's back.
Both men drop to the floor, dead.
Black stands and nods his approval to his servants, then
looks at the bodies.
Two greenish light circles trace both bodies, then two empty
spots on the floor.
Seconds later, clones of the two officers stand before Black.
BLACK
(continued)
Get
rid of the bodies. It is time.
Obediently, the diner's patrons carry the two dead officers out
of the dining area and clean up the blood, then proceed as an army of zombies
out of the diner.
Black starts to follow, then turns toward the security camera,
aims his pistol, and fires...ending the video with static snow.
<End of
Video File #4871237-153>
<Attachment #9: Video File #4871237-154, dated 18 January 2069--
from security cameras inside Spectrum Cloudbase, Sickbay section, hospital area>
The timestamp reads "19:00--18/1/69". Captain Scarlet, sitting up in bed,
finishes a hefty meal that would have satisfied four or five men as Dr. Fawn and
his assistant, Dr. Joyce Hollander, watch in amazement and amusement. He takes one last sip of coffee.
SCARLET
Mm-m-m... That hit the spot. I feel
much better now.
HOLLANDER
I should think so...you've eaten enough
to replenish a platoon, much less one man!
I don't imagine you could have eaten that much before all this happened.
SCARLET
I
suppose Dr. Fawn should have warned you...full-bore retrometabolism regeneration
burns a substantial amount of calories.
Hollander looks at Fawn, irritated that she was not
informed. Fawn shoots Scarlet a look of irritation
at the Captain's all-too-correct deduction.
FAWN
Well, I didn't think it was significant.
HOLLANDER
Dr. Fawn...
I
am here from the Spectrum Medical Center to research retrometabolism with the
foremost expert in the field and the only
known survivor of the process.
There is no such thing as an insignificant fact when it comes to
retrometabolism. If Spectrum ever expects to be able to
combat the Mysterons on even ground, we must gain a greater understanding of
their ability to reverse matter.
You owe it to me to provide complete disclosure...if for no other reason than as
a professional courtesy.
Now Scarlet is genuinely amused...and
makes no effort to hide it as he watches the two doctors squabble. Fawn gives Scarlet another exasperated glare, then turns back
to Hollander.
FAWN
Very well...during Captain Scarlet's first retrometabolic incident, we
discovered that certain aspects of his physiology were accelerated to a
previously unimaginable degree. We
noticed that his body was consuming up to 150 calories per minute during the
height of the regenerative process.
HOLLANDER
(not certain she heard him right)
Per
minute?
FAWN
Precisely my reaction. A human body could not possibly burn calories to that degree
and still survive. A human body
with the genetic ability to re-engineer matter, however, could...and does,
obviously. But even Captain Scarlet
needs to replenish that fuel in order to shorten the recovery time...something
we did not know that first time and only discovered by accident during a
subsequent incident.
SCARLET
I woke up extremely hungry once from a
recovery and asked for something to eat.
I ate continuously for almost an hour but felt worlds better afterward.
FAWN
Thus, the "mega-meal" you were asked to order, Dr. Hollander.
SCARLET
Most of the time, retrometabolism has no
effect on my everyday activities...save for the fact that I seem to tire less
easily and need less sleep than I did before.
But now...I can almost feel the calories burning off from that large meal,
replenishing my body’s stores.
HOLLANDER
Talk about a "binge-and-purge" diet... I’d wondered how you were able to stay so
slim. Must be a piece of cake.
SCARLET
Please don't mention "cake". I'm
stuffed.
She laughs, amused at Scarlet's deadpan
joke, then immediately forces her reaction below the surface, as if afraid to
form an attachment to her research subject.
HOLLANDER
Well, it's nice to see that your experience as a Mysteron "puppet" hasn't
diminished your sense of humor, Captain Scarlet.
SCARLET
(mildly irritated)
One
needs a sense of humor to deal with difficult situations.
HOLLANDER
Yes, but most Brits don't show theirs.
Did you show yours before?
SCARLET
(more irritated)
I
did a great many things before, Doctor.
The only difference between then and now is that I can cheat death and I can't
remember doing it.
HOLLANDER
Well, of course. I didn't mean to
imply...
SCARLET
(cuts her off)
Of
course you did. That is why you're
here, isn't it? To study the
differences between a "normal" human and a Mysteron clone of one?
HOLLANDER
(guilty as charged)
Now, Captain Scarlet, there's no reason
to get upset. This is, after all,
very important work if we ever are to hope to understand the Mysterons and find
a way to stop them and cure their unfortunate victims...
SCARLET
I don't enjoy being gawked at as if I
were some microbe in a petri dish in your lab.
I also have the same feelings I had before...and they include a need for a
certain degree of dignity. Now, if
you're going to do your research, get on with it. Ask the questions you need to ask. Take the samples you need to take. But don't imply that I'm a "victim" in need of a "cure". And don't act as if I’m something from
another planet...only my immunology is.
The tense silence in the room seems to last forever...even
though the timestamp on the videofile indicates it only lasts 2.38 minutes. Both Scarlet and Hollander are angry and
suffering from wounded pride...and Fawn is uneasy.
FAWN
Look, both of you...we do have a job to do here.
(turns to Scarlet)
You're not released for duty yet.
(turns to Hollander)
And
you have research you wanted to accomplish.
Now, both of you, settle down.
Have this argument on your own time.
Hollander turns a frosty gaze toward
Scarlet.
HOLLANDER
I
think I've said all I need to say.
SCARLET
(equally frosty gaze)
Likewise.
The tension is still high. If such were recorded on the videotape,
the temperature in the room would probably be akin to that inside a meat locker.
FAWN
Perhaps, Dr. Hollander, it would be
better if you went into my office and called up Captain Scarlet’s medical
records on my computer. They might
be more cooperative in answering your questions.
(glares at Scarlet)
I'll deal with our "patient".
HOLLANDER
(Incensed anger detectable)
I'll do that.
She leaves the room.
Scarlet watches her go, his gaze still icy.
FAWN
(to Scarlet)
Now... just what the Devil did you think you were doing?
That is one of our most respected scientists, not some lab technician you
can brush off!
SCARLET
I
grow very tired of being treated as if I'm some freak of nature instead of just
another Spectrum officer who happens to have a unique medical condition.
FAWN
I
already know that. But what made
you explode at her? Honestly, man,
if I didn’t know better, I'd swear you liked the girl and she hurt your
feelings.
SCARLET
(scoffs, perhaps a little too quickly)
Rubbish.
FAWN
(eyes widen knowingly)
Well, I'll be...
<End of
Video File #4871237-154>
<Attachment #10: Video File #4871237-155, dated 18 January 2069--
from security cameras inside Spectrum Cloudbase, Sickbay section, Dr. Fawn's
office>
Seated at Dr.
Fawn's meticulously kept desk, Dr. Hollander proceeds to access data pertinent
to Captain Scarlet's condition, including sensitive Rainbow Clearance material.
She hesitates a moment, then types in a command on the keyboard, and the red
lights on the secondary cameras in the medical suite wink out, leaving only
primary security cameras that are controlled through Lieutenant Green's console
in the Control Room--from which these records were
taken.
She then returns to studying the files on the screen intently.
HOLLANDER
(to herself)
No,
that's not it...it's got to be here somewhere...ah, there it is. Psychological profile.
She reads
the section intently, noting the color-coded graphs that accompany it. She takes out her communication pen and
twists its top to turn it on.
HOLLANDER
(continued)
(surreptitiously, into the radio)
Black Knight to King's Pawn...I may have found the chink in the armor. Repeat:
I may have found what we've been looking for.
<End of
Video File #4871237-155>
<Attachment #11: Video File #4871237-156, dated 18 January 2069-- from security
cameras at Precinct Central #59,
New York City>
The "usual suspects", as the line from the old movie goes, parade
through this modern police precinct as several computer operators keep tabs on
the Auto-Dispatch System that now practically runs the station. Officers Bryson and Simpson--or rather,
the Mysteronized clones of them--ENTER the station and walk through it as if
hypnotized, ignoring everyone around them as they head toward the office of the
Precinct Commander.
<End of
Video File #4871237-156>
<Attachment #12: Video File #4871237-157, dated 18 January 2069--
from security cameras at Precinct Central #59,
New York City--Precinct Commander's office>
Bryson and Simpson ENTER and stand before PRECINCT
COMMANDER DUGAN's desk, covered with paperwork.
The Commander barely acknowledges their presence.
PRECINCT COMMANDER DUGAN
What's on your minds, fellas? I'm
up to my eyeballs today...
(gestures over paperwork)
I
thought the computer age was supposed to bring with it the "paperless office".
Does this look "paperless" to you?
Lousy punks and their vandalism "initiation rites"...more arrest reports in
triplicate, all in some finicky computer's specialized format...
BRYSON
I
don't believe you'll have to trouble yourself with such insignificant details
any longer, Commander Dugan.
The chill in Bryson's voice makes Dugan stop working with
the papers. He looks up at his
officers.
DUGAN
Bryson? You O.K.?
Simpson
slowly and discreetly slips his weapon out of its holster.
BRYSON
Of
course, Commander. And you will be
as well. But we are in need of your
body for a task that you could never hope to understand.
DUGAN
Now
wait a minute...
Simpson
fires his weapon. The report of the
bullet is absorbed into the office's soundproof walls.
Dugan drops to the floor, dead.
Two
greenish circles of light pass over the body, then trace a spot in space.
Bryson
reaches up to the security camera and grasps it firmly, then pulls hard.
<End of
Video File #4871237-157>
<Attachment #13: Video File #4871237-158, dated 18 January 2069-- from security
cameras at Precinct Central #59,
New York City>
Bryson,
Simpson, and Dugan ENTER the working area of the precinct.
Bryson and Simpson head toward the Auto-Dispatch computer.
DUGAN
Listen up, people...we've got a
situation developing that's going to require some immediate and irregular
changes to our current setup! First
of all, Officers Bryson and Simpson will be reprogramming the Precinct Patrol Perimeter in the Auto-Dispatcher. Secondly, these officers and I
will be requisitioning heavy-duty arms
from the Ordinance Cabinet and taking them out on a special reconnaissance
mission.
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
But, Commander, according to
regulations, no one can break out the heavy stuff without a special O.K. from
the World Police Commander and formal notification to Spectrum Headquarters
Cloudbase...
DUGAN
And what makes you think I haven't
already done all that?
Now...anybody else who wants to question my authority, speak up now...and
prepare to go cash your final paychecks!
The room falls silent.
Dugan nods to Bryson and Simpson, who begin reprogramming the Auto-Dispatcher.
<End of
Video File #4871237-158>
<Attachment #14: Video file #4871237-159, dated 18 January 2069-- screen
snapshot of Auto-Dispatcher at Precinct Central #59,
New York City>
The image is of a large grid map of New
York City. Patrols that are
normally clustered close together are now suddenly spread out all over the city. The image is that of a fine spider web
instead of a tightly woven net.
<End of
Video File #4871237-159>
<Attachment #15: Video File #4871237-15A, dated 18 January 2069-- from security
cameras at Precinct Central #59,
New York City>
Dugan walks over to the arsenal cabinet and enters a multi-digit
code into the electronic combination lock on the heavy doors. The lock "clicks", and Dugan opens the cabinet and issues
high-powered firearms to Bryson and Simpson, then takes some for himself and
relocks the cabinet. The trio head
toward the exit carrying enough firepower to hold off an entire World Army
platoon as the rest of the officers look at their colleagues as if they had lost
their minds.
<End of
Video File #4871237-15A>
<Attachment #16: Video File #4871237-15B, dated 18 January 2069-- compiled from
security cameras at various points around New York City>
Two construction workers casually cross the fenced-in foundation
of what would one day be yet another towering tribute to untold tons of steel,
concrete, and glass. With strides
as devoid of humanity as their eyes were of some spark of a once-free spirit,
they enter the on-site trailer of the construction foreman.
Once inside, they proceed to murder the unsuspecting boss in cold
blood...then allow the Mysterons to resurrect him as yet another "Pawn of Evil".
The trio then calmly exit the trailer and calmly walk over to a shed containing
explosives and detonators used in construction duties, gather a substantial
amount in canvas bags, and stroll boldly out of the area.
In a hospital several blocks away, a
nurse and the handsome young orderly with whom she had been sharing breakfast at
Bellatora's proceed to overpower the physician-in-charge with a lethal
injection...turning him into a deadly pawn as well.
The Mysteronized medical professionals then gather enough deadly painkillers to
stock a small pharmacy and exit the hospital in plain view of everyone, as if
listening to a call louder than any voice around them.
A bus driver climbs into his bus and drives past his stops,
picking up several pawns from Black's attack at Bellatora's, including Bellatora
himself, all armed with whatever weapons they could carry--Bellatora's baseball
bat, his waitress' meat cleaver, a lead pipe clutched by a financier whose usual
prey consisted of his fellow stockbrokers on Wall Street--as a predetermined
plan of dastardly proportions begins to unfold.
<End of
Video File #4871237-15B>
<Attachment #17: Video File #4871237-15C, dated 18 January 2069-- compiled from
security cameras atop the Empire State Building, New York City>
Captain Black looks on at the streets below through the
powerful-but-antiquated observation binoculars that were normally used by what
few tourists still went to the Empire State Building. He watches his slaves converging on a predetermined area of
New York...an area where the highest concentration of people live and work, from
lowly janitors and fast-food vendors to highly-paid VIPs and decision-makers,
the movers-and-shakers and those moved and shaken by them. It is a microcosm of the human
race...exactly as the Mysterons intended.
BLACK
(into the air, as if to his Mysteron
masters)
The
pieces are falling into place. Soon
a blow of dark victory will be struck.
Spectrum will most certainly respond...and send the great Captain Scarlet.
(a beat)
And
then, the trap will be sprung...and Spectrum, Scarlet, and all of Earth will
fall.
<End of
Video File #4871237-15C> To be continued in Part 2
OTHER STORIES FROM KIMBERLY MURPHY
OTHER STORIES FROM B. LYNN BIVENS
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