This story was originally published
in two parts in Issues 82 and 88 of
the “Power Star” fanzine.
It was posted on this website on 2000, without the authors’
permission, with respect to their beautiful work, and is re-posted now for
the 2009 Annual Halloween Challenge. We salute the authors, wherever they
are. – C.B. |
[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....]
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
"eyes only" data pertaining to Spectrum mission codenamed "Pawns
Of Evil":
Summary
Of Previous Attachments
It
is now January 2069, almost one year since the first encounter with the Mysterons. After a taxing mission against the
Mysterons, a meeting is convened on Cloudbase to discuss the World President's
concerns about strains on former Mysteron agent Captain Scarlet while Scarlet
himself is in the midst of an accelerated retrometabolic recovery from injuries
sustained during the mission. President
Younger is concerned that Scarlet may snap one day due to stress and revert
back to serving his Mysterons masters.
But if Scarlet really is back for good, could Captain Black be brought back
the same way? The key seems to be
Scarlet's memories--or lack thereof--of his hours as a Mysteron, and Spectrum
Medical Center researcher Dr. Joyce Hollander has come to assist Dr. Fawn in
the effort to free Scarlet's memories.
Captain Blue is angry that Spectrum is once again treating Scarlet like
a traitor instead of a loyal officer, and Scarlet's first encounter with
Hollander is not a pleasant one as she manages to offend him with her probing
questions. But more may be at work here
than meets the eye as Hollander begins surreptitiously searching Fawn's records
and radioing a mysterious contact she calls "Black Knight". Meanwhile, Captain Black is in New York
City--and predictably, people start dying and being reborn into Mysteron
service as an army of evil intent begins to form on the streets of the once
great American city. "The pieces
are falling into place," Black tells his Mysteron masters. "Soon a blow of dark victory will be
struck. Spectrum will most certainly
respond...and send the great Captain Scarlet.
And then, the trap will be sprung...and Spectrum, Scarlet, and all of
Earth will fall...."
<Attachment #18: Audio File #4871237-15D, dated 18 January
2069-- compiled from Spectrum wave bands>
VOICE OF THE MYSTERONS
This
is the voice of the Mysterons. We know
that you can hear us, Earthmen. Our
pawns of evil will wreak havoc on your world as you fight a battle within your
own ranks. You will never defeat
us. We will be avenged!
<End of Audio File
#4871237-15D>
<Attachment #19: Video File #4871237-15E, dated 18 January
2069-- Spectrum Cloudbase corridor cameras>
Two doors in the personal quarters area of Cloudbase
open almost simultaneously. Out of one
steps CAPTAIN BLUE, out of the other steps CAPTAIN SCARLET. The partners turn to each other. Blue looks surprised to see Scarlet.
BLUE
Done already?
SCARLET
I would have walked out earlier if I could have. I hate visiting doctors. The boffins at Spectrum Medical Center think
they can poke and prod me all they like when I'm in recovery because I can't do anything about it.
BLUE
(teasing)
Oh, I don't
know. I thought Hollander was your
type--English rose beauty, dark hair, dark eyes...
SCARLET
(disdainfully)
Arrogant, rude,
obnoxious Yank doctor.
BLUE
Yep, that's
her. You know, you two should get
together later.
SCARLET
(sharply)
That's
enough. We've got a Mysteron threat to
deal with.
BLUE
O.K., O.K.! What's eating you – wake up on the wrong
side of the recovery bed or something?
SCARLET
(calms slightly)
Sorry, Adam.
It's not you. I just feel like
I’m under a microscope again. It's
almost as if they still don't trust me not to start shooting green rings from
my eyes or some other nonsense. Maybe
I'm imagining things.
Blue looks guilty for a moment, then looks torn.
SCARLET (continued)
What is it?
Blue gestures with his head toward the door to his quarters. The two men enter the room together.
<End of Video File
#4871237-15E>
<Attachment #19: Video File #4871237-15F, dated 18 January
2069-- Spectrum Cloudbase personal quarters surveillance cameras in Captain
Blue's cabin>
BLUE
(quietly)
You're not
imagining things. You're under
increased surveillance.
SCARLET
(disbelieving)
What?
BLUE
The World
President's got some bug up his backside about you flipping out and going back
to the Mysterons.
SCARLET
(rolls his eyes)
Splendid.
BLUE
That's not
all. There's a new effort on to track
down Captain Black. And they think you
may hold the key.
SCARLET
(now curious)
In what way?
BLUE
Something about
your memories--especially when you were one of them.
SCARLET
But I can't remember what happened then. I barely remember the crash and waking up in
Sickbay afterward. I don't remember
anything in between.
BLUE
I know that and you know that, but apparently
President Younger doesn't know that, or he doesn't believe it. That's why Hollander's here. She's a biochemist who thinks she can find
some way to tap your mind. They think
it may hold the key to where Black is hidden--and whether you'll slip back into Mysteron control.
Scarlet looks thoughtful for a long moment, then begins pacing. Blue comes over to him.
BLUE (continued)
Paul?
SCARLET
(a bit too quickly)
I'm all right.
BLUE
Yeah, right. This is Adam, remember? You may fool the doctors, but I know when
something's not right. Talk to me.
SCARLET
(hesitates)
They could be
right.
BLUE
In what way?
SCARLET
My memories.
What keys do they hold? Maybe
they do hold the key to what happened to Black. Maybe they hold the key to retrometabolism itself. Maybe they even hold the key to the
destruction of the Mysterons.
(throws up his hands)
Adam, I sense something is there — some explanation as
to why I am so different from any other Mysteron agent we've ever encountered
-- but I can't find it. I can't reach
it. And it is immensely frustrating. If
Dr. Hollander can help... perhaps we should give her the chance.
LIEUTENANT GREEN'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Attention all Spectrum personnel: Spectrum Is Red. Repeat: Spectrum Is
Red. Captains Blue, Grey, Magenta, and
Scarlet, report to the Control Room immediately.
Both men come to attention quickly.
BLUE
They must have
found something.
SCARLET
Or the Mysterons
have struck and we are already behind the curve. Come on.
The pair stride out of the room purposefully.
<End of Video File
#4871237-15F>
<Attachment
#20: Video File #4871237-160, dated 18 January
2069-- Spectrum Cloudbase Control Room cameras>
In the Control Room, Captains Blue and Scarlet are
joined by CAPTAIN GREY and CAPTAIN MAGENTA, and all four men sit on stools
before COLONEL WHITE's circular desk/console.
LIEUTENANT GREEN works quickly at his long console, attempting to gather
information for the briefing.
WHITE
Gentlemen, we have a crisis on our
hands.
(to Green)
The display,
Leftenant.
Green
taps a button on his console as White swings his console around to face the display
screen behind him. The screen shows an
image of a walk-in freezer filled with bloody bullet-ridden bodies.
WHITE (continued)
This was the scene a few moments ago at the 5th Street
Diner in New York City. A World Police detective,
investigating suspicious behavior of two of his co-workers, found this
carnage. Among the dead were two World
Police street officers who were investigating a silent alarm at this very
diner. These same officers checked into
their precinct station two hours ago and left with their commander and heavy
artillery.
BLUE
Good Lord...
WHITE
Reports are coming in from all over the city of bodies
being discovered in various places, all of them bearing some connection to the
patrons of this diner.
SCARLET
An army of
Mysteron "pawns of evil".
WHITE
Precisely. And you can be certain their field commander
is Captain Black.
MAGENTA
What's the latest
report from our ground forces?
WHITE
The pattern of disruption and crime appears to be centering
around the central business district of New York City. It would seem their plan is to completely
disable the heart of the business district, then expand outward. Our ground forces cannot hope to contain
them; the World Police Force is sending
in reinforcements, and the World Army
is standing by.
(spins his console around to face them)
Gentlemen, you are to head immediately for New York
City. The Angel Flight will accompany
you. Once there, your job will be to
stop the Mysterons at all costs.
Captain Grey and Captain Magenta, you will coordinate with the ground
forces already present to contain the Mysterons so that an organized assault
can be launched. Captain Blue and
Captain Scarlet, you will seek out
Captain Black and bring him back here.
I will remind you that it is vitally important that Black be brought
back here alive if we can ever hope to
stop the Mysterons.
Scarlet meets White's
gaze coldly. White and the others
realize Scarlet now knows about the World President's plans.
WHITE (continued)
Is there some
sort of problem, Captain Scarlet?
SCARLET
(sharp-edged)
No, sir. I am as eager to see Black apprehended as
anyone.
There is a moment of uncomfortable tension as two
strong egos threaten to collide head-on.
Everyone's eyes are on Scarlet and White, whose gazes never break from
each other.
WHITE
I never had any
doubt of that, Captain Scarlet.
(a beat as White lets tension dissipate)
When Captain Ochre finishes his rest period in the
Room of Sleep in about fifteen minutes, he will be searching surveillance
cameras in the area and giving you reconnaissance reports from them and from
the Angels. Are there any questions?
All four captains shake their heads.
WHITE (continued)
Right. Captain Scarlet will be your field
commander.
There is a flicker of surprise in Scarlet's eyes,
quickly concealed. Scarlet nods his head in acknowledgement of White's
command. White returns the gesture.
WHITE (continued)
I will
remind you that there are perhaps hundreds dead across the city so far
today, which means you will be facing a
Mysteron force larger than you have ever faced. You must stay alert and stand together. On your way now--dismissed.
All four captains stand as one and retreat from the
room.
WHITE (continued)
Leftenant Green,
launch all Angels.
GREEN
S.I.G.
(taps button on console)
Angels One, Two,
and Three, immediate launch.
DESTINY ANGEL'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Angel One, S.I.G.
SYMPHONY ANGEL'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Angel Two, S.I.G.
RHAPSODY ANGEL'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Angel Three,
S.I.G.
<End
of Video File #4871237-160>
<Attachment
#21: Video File #4871237-161, dated 18
January 2069-- Spectrum Cloudbase Flight Deck cameras>
Angel
One launches from the deck of Cloudbase as Angels Two and Three slide forward
on magnetic tracks into launch positions.
As SYMPHONY ANGEL and RHAPSODY ANGEL, already strapped into their seats,
rise through the airlocks into clear tubes that connect to the underbellies of
the waiting fighter jets, the Spectrum Passenger Jet rises through its airlock
from the hangar bay to the secondary runway.
The remaining two Angels launch from the flight deck as Captain Blue, in
the pilot's seat of the SPJ, lowers his Radio Cap microphone.
BLUE
Blue to
Control--request launch clearance.
GREEN'S VOICE
Spectrum Is
Green. Have a good flight, Captain
Blue.
The SPJ taxies the short length of the runway and shoots into the air,
soon joining the Angels en route to New York.
<End
of Video File #4871237-161>
<Attachment
#21: Video File #4871237-162, dated 18
January 2069-- Spectrum Passenger Jet cockpit cameras>
Captain
Blue steers the jet into the midst of the inverted "V" formation the
Angel Flight has created. Captain
Scarlet, seated in the co-pilot's position, checks his instrumentation as Blue
levels off.
GREEN'S VOICE (continued)
(over speakers)
All scheduled personnel are to proceed immediately to New
York City. Ground transportation has
been arranged for you there. Your air
lanes have been cleared. Good luck,
Captains. Cloudbase out.
BLUE
I don't think I
like our odds.
SCARLET
I know what you
mean. We really don't know what we're heading into.
BLUE
Well, I know one
thing we're heading into.
(indicates radar with his head)
A winter
thunderstorm. Check out the cloud cover
indication ahead of us.
SCARLET
Lovely. But that could be to our advantage. It will make things difficult for our
opponents as well.
GREY
(entering from behind)
In football, the
offense has the advantage on a slick field because they know where they're
going.
SCARLET
(looks back at Grey)
In American football, not real football l— or soccer,
as you Yanks call it. In real football,
both sides lose their footing equally easily.
GREY
Real football
isn't played with a round speckled ball.
SCARLET
That inflated
pig's bladder your game uses can
hardly be called a "ball".
BLUE
All right, you
two, knock it off. What brings you up
here, Captain Grey?
GREY
Just
curious. Didn't Green say our lanes
were cleared?
BLUE
Yes--why?
GREY
Well, I'd almost
swear I saw a plane off to starboard a minute ago.
SCARLET
(quickly checks radar)
He's right,
Adam. There's a commercial liner off to
our right that's just entered our proximity -- and it's closing.
All three men look at each other.
The Mysterons have tried this trick before.
BLUE
(to Grey)
Go strap yourself
in, Brad.
GREY
(heading out of cockpit)
S.I.G.
BLUE
(drops Radio Cap
microphone)
Blue to Angel
Flight--incoming aircraft, possibly
hostile. Evasive action.
DESTINY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
S.I.G.
Through the aircraft's forward
windows, the three Angel Flight planes can be seen peeling off in separate
directions.
SCARLET
(checks radar)
Airliner still
approaching. They have not altered
course.
BLUE
They may be after
a bigger target. Hang on.
Blue takes the SPJ into
a steep dive. The sound of the airliner
roaring and the proximity alarms indicate a near miss.
BLUE (continued)
(pulling plane out of dive)
Man, that was
close!
SCARLET
Too close.
(drops Radio Cap
microphone)
Scarlet to Angel
Three--I want a complete reconnaissance of that plane, including passengers and
crew. Seek and report.
RHAPSODY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
S.I.G.
SCARLET
(checks radar, then into plane's commercial radio
microphone)
This is Captain Scarlet of Spectrum Passenger Jet One to
commercial liner C-S-Zero-Six. You have
entered a restricted air lane and very nearly collided with four Spectrum
aircraft on an emergency mission.
Identify yourself and your reason for entering this restricted
zone. Over.
COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT'S VOICE
(over speakers, slightly shaky)
This
is Captain John Zukowski of Coastal Service Airlines flight 105. We're terribly sorry, Captain Scarlet; we
certainly had no intention of passing so close to your air patrol. We were instructed by LaGuardia Control
Tower that this lane was cleared for entry to New York. Probably a tower mix-up -- those guys get under so much pressure. I don't know if you heard, but they had a
near- miss at the tower earlier and
the airport was closed for a while...
Blue and Scarlet look at each other.
There is obviously something more here than meets the eye.
SCARLET
(into commercial microphone)
One moment,
Captain Zukowski.
(shuts down commercial microphone, drops Radio Cap
microphone)
Scarlet to Rhapsody
-- have you anything to report?
RHAPSODY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Just completing
my sweep.
(a beat)
The plane appears to be fully occupied. The cockpit contains three commercial class
airline pilots who all look more than a bit shaken.
SCARLET
Understood. Return to formation. Scarlet out.
(into commercial microphone)
Captain Zukowski,
you were misled. This lane is currently
restricted for emergency Spectrum use.
If you would get on your commercial frequency and warn off other pilots,
it would be most helpful.
ZUKOWSKI'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Absolutely. Sorry again for the near-miss. I'll do what I can. Good luck, Captain Scarlet.
SCARLET
(into commercial microphone)
We may need
it. Spectrum Passenger Jet One out.
(drops
Radio Cap microphone)
Scarlet to Angel
Two -- possible Mysteron activity at LaGuardia Tower. Proceed at Speed Ultimate to tower. Seek and report.
SYMPHONY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
S.I.G.
Rain begins to spatter against the windshield.
SCARLET
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Scarlet to Angel Three -- radar indicates other
aircraft in area, and the weather's getting worse. Intercept and inform them they are in restricted airspace. Keep them out of our way.
RHAPSODY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
S.I.G.
SCARLET
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Destiny, find us another place to land. We can’t take a chance that there's not some
sort of surprise waiting for us at LaGuardia.
DESTINY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
The old Kennedy International Airport is nearby. It is seldom used anymore, but there may be
room for us to land there. Starting
reconnaissance sweep--will report on findings.
SCARLET
(into Radio Cap microphone)
S.I.G.
Scarlet out.
(to Blue)
Adam, keep your
eyes peeled. We may have to dive out of
the way again at any moment.
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Grey and Magenta... it appears at least part of
LaGuardia may be in the hands of the Mysterons. We'll have to land somewhere else. Grey, notify ground forces to meet us at Kennedy. Magenta, find out if Ochre's got any
surveillance camera reconnaissance he can share with us.
GREY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
S.I.G., Scarlet.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers, somewhat sarcastic)
Ochre won't like
being rousted from his beauty rest, but I'll see what I can find out. Magenta out.
BLUE
(concentrating on flying, trying to dodge air traffic)
A near-miss at the tower. Makes you wonder how near that miss was.
SCARLET
Probably much nearer than Captain Zukowski
came.
BLUE
(sharp turn to avoid commercial jet)
I've got a bad
feeling about this.
SCARLET
(dryly)
That's my line.
SYMPHONY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Angel Two to
Captain Scarlet.
SCARLET
(drops Radio Cap
microphone)
Go ahead,
Symphony.
SYMPHONY'S VOICE
(over speakers)
There seems to be mass confusion at LaGuardia. There are planes everywhere -- on the
runways, on approach, on takeoff. I was
nearly hit three times coming in, and the rain's not helping. There is construction debris everywhere and
the wreckage of an airplane off to the side.
The tower appears unoccupied.
BLUE
Mysterons!
SCARLET
And thousands of
innocent airline passengers...
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Angel Two, we must presume LaGuardia Tower is now in
the hands of the Mysterons. Order all
aircraft in the area to get clear, then destroy the tower. Again:
Destroy the tower.
SYMPHONY'S VOICE
(into speakers)
S.I.G.
<End
of Video File #4871237-162>
<Attachment
#22: Video File #4871237-163, dated 18 January
2069 -- LaGuardia Airport surveillance cameras, New York City>
Confusion reigns supreme. There are jets everywhere on every runway, giving the tarmac area
the appearance of a busy interstate.
The sky is black; rain is literally sheeting down. Symphony Angel's sleek jet swoops in toward
the tower.
SYMPHONY'S VOICE
(over outdoor speakers)
This is the Spectrum Angel Flight. All airplanes and airport personnel in the
area are ordered to clear the runways immediately. Proceed to the nearest gate and clear the tower area. Again, all airplanes and airport personnel
in the area are ordered by Spectrum Command to clear the runways immediately.
Airplanes
begin moving off the runways and people begin running for cover. Symphony waits a few moments, then makes
another pass around the tower. She
swoops into the air, then makes a bombing run on a direct course toward the
tower. As she approaches, a missile
shoots from the Angel jet's nose. The
tower explodes on impact. One more pass
and one more missile, and the tower is educed to rubble.
<End of Video File
#4871237-163>
<Attachment
#23: Video File #4871237-164, dated 18
January 2069--Spectrum Cloudbase Officer's Workroom cameras>
CAPTAIN OCHRE sits at a desk with a large computer
monitor on it, trying to call up various screens. He frowns at the screen in frustration.
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone)
System's slow as Hell, Magenta. I'm trying to get you a report on Kennedy,
but something's running in the background and chewing up resources.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Scarlet's not
going to want to hear that.
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Tell Scarlet to
take tea or something. I’m doing the
best I can.
(a beat)
O.K., here comes something. Kennedy looks reasonably clear.
Ground forces are already entering the perimeter. You should have no trouble there.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers)
What about downtown?
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Coming up now.
(a beat)
A zoo. World
Police and Spectrum Police have the business area cordoned off, but the area
around the Empire State Building looks like a war zone.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Around the Empire
State Building? What's so special there?
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Maybe a bus tour
just came through -- how the Hell should I know?
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Easy, Rick.
OCHRE
(sighs, rubs eyes, then into Radio Cap microphone)
Sorry, Pat. It's just that this damn computer’s so slow
I feel like I'm useless up here.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Well, you're a lot more helpful there than down
here. About all you'd be doing here is
holding onto the armrests of your seat for dear life. Blue's a damn good pilot -- I don’t know if I could have gotten
us through that mess without getting us all killed.
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone, sarcastically)
Scarlet would
have carried on. He always does.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers, sharply)
Lay off Scarlet, Rick. I'd almost forgotten how cool he is under pressure. It must be a three-ring circus in the
cockpit, but he's not lost it once when he's been directing traffic. If the World President thinks Paul Metcalfe
is going to snap anytime soon, he'd better rethink his notions.
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Yeah, you're
right. Sometimes I forget that, too.
(checks computer screen)
Magenta, interference on all the downtown cameras is
massive, and the storm's not helping. I've
got to stop whatever's running here to see if I can enhance the images. Will get back to you shortly.
MAGENTA'S VOICE
(over speakers)
S.I.G. Magenta out.
Ochre taps keys on the keyboard, then slams the
tabletop in frustration.
OCHRE
Come on, come on
-- what's the matter with this thing?
(drops Radio Cap
microphone)
Ochre to Control -- Lieutenant Green, what's going on
with the computer systems? I can't get
anything to come up in a reasonable timeframe.
GREEN'S VOICE
(over speakers)
We are having the same problems up here, sir. Dr. Fawn appears to be running a
large-scale database search in the foreground.
I've tried pushing it into the background, but it keeps returning to the foreground.
OCHRE
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Of all the times
for Fawn to be doing research... Lieutenant, I'm going to go have a talk with
the good doctor. See what you can do
about getting some enhanced imagery on the cameras surrounding the Empire State
Building. You may know some tricks I
don't.
GREEN'S VOICE
(over speakers)
Considering I
helped build this system, there's not
much I don't know about it. S.I.G.,
Captain Ochre. Control out.
<End of Video File
#4871237-164>
<Attachment
#24: Video File #4871237-165, dated 18 January
2069-- Spectrum Cloudbase Sickbay primary camera>
DR. JOYCE HOLLANDER is staring at Dr. Fawn's computer
screen and going through printouts on Dr. Fawn's desk, looking for something.
HOLLANDER
Come on, come on,
it's got to be here. There's no way
Fawn didn't make notes on this.
(gets up from desk; walks to printer)
Maybe this is it.
(reads page that has just come out of printer)
Oh, you're
kidding! But that's not possible...
(reaches into pocket; pulls out personal radio; speaks
into it)
Black Knight to King's Pawn--Operation Twister may
have failed. I have a report on Captain
Scarlet's psychological evaluation post-incident. It says--
OCHRE
(icy tones)
You've got about
thirty seconds to explain yourself, "doctor", before I demonstrate
what Spectrum does to spies.
<End of Video File
#4871237-165>
<Attachment
#25: Video File #4871237-166, dated 18
January 2069-- John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport, New York City,
runway cameras>
A driving rain makes conditions difficult as Captains
Scarlet, Blue, Grey, and Magenta disembark from the Spectrum Passenger Jet. Another officer in an orange Spectrum
color-coded uniform, LIEUTENANT ORANGE, rushes to meet them, coming to
attention. The officers exchange
salutes, then all five run under an extended jetway for shelter.
SCARLET
What's the
situation, Leftenant Orange?
ORANGE
The latest report from the World Police team on the
scene says that the Mysterons are adding to their army as fast as they
can. Civilians who try to flee get
picked off almost immediately.
GREY
Do we still have
them contained?
ORANGE
We've got about a
three-block area cordoned off, but that's still a lot of ground to cover.
MAGENTA
And a lot of civilians.
BLUE
Any sign of
Captain Black?
ORANGE
We've had an unconfirmed sighting of him at the Empire
State Building, but we haven't been able to get reconnaissance to give us a
positive response.
SCARLET
We've got to push
them inward. What about reinforcements?
ORANGE
World Army is sending a couple of tank units. The problem is the civilians--we certainly
don't want to give the Mysterons any more troops for their army.
BLUE
That rules out an
Angel air strike, too.
SCARLET
Yes. But we have to get them pushed in
somehow. If only we could find Black...
OCHRE'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Cloudbase Control
to all personnel on-site in New York City.
SCARLET
(drops Radio Cap
microphone)
This is
Scarlet--go ahead, Captain Ochre.
OCHRE'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Sorry for the delay.
We got our... "computer problem"... taken care of. I have several reconnaissance camera shots
of downtown New York for you.
SCARLET
Wizard!
OCHRE'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Whatever that means.
Anyway, it looks like the Mysterons are busy on the main streets. Grey, Magenta,
you guys might try pushing in from
some of the alleys and side streets to force activity closer in.
SCARLET
What about Black?
OCHRE'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Definitely at the
Empire State Building. S.O.B. looks
like he's enjoying himself watching the bloodbath below.
SCARLET
That will do for
the commentary, Captain Ochre. Where is
he exactly?
OCHRE'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Observation
deck. Standing out in the rain like he hasn't got any good sense.
DESTINY'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Angel Leader to
Captain Scarlet -- we have an idea.
SCARLET
Go ahead,
Destiny.
DESTINY'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
If we can get the majority of the Mysterons concentrated
on the main streets around the Empire State Building, one good strike should
take them out.
SCARLET
Absolutely
not. Too many chances of innocent
civilians getting killed.
RHAPSODY'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
Not if we don't use conventional weapons. We could
drop metal mesh like the Special Forces use to protect their communications
gear from interference over the area and electrify it.
SYMPHONY'S VOICE
(over Radio Cap speakers)
And with the rain and wet streets, the effect would be
like a large-scale Mysteron gun blast--and as long as the civilians stayed
under cover, they'd be safe. There's a
World Army Air Force base nearby with a Special Forces attachment.
GREY
And I'll bet we
could find enough generators to hook to the things and provide the juice.
SCARLET
Then let's get on with it. Angel Flight, head for Rockefeller Air Base and get all the
netting, mesh, and cables you can.
Captain Grey, Captain Magenta, see how many generators you can scrounge
up. Leftenant Orange, order your troops
to push in toward the Empire State Building.
Take your reconnaissance from Captain Ochre. Captain Blue, you and I have a date with Captain Black.
The phrase "S.I.G." is heard all around as all parties
scramble for Spectrum Pursuit Vehicles and Spectrum Saloon Cars.
<End of Video File
#4871237-166>
<Attachment
#25: Video File #4871237-167, dated 18
January 2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--street-level surveillance
cameras>
An SPV pulls up in an alley behind the Empire State
Building. One side door slides open and
Captain Scarlet lowers his seat to the street level, Mysteron rifle in
hand. Cautiously, he peers around the
side of the door to check behind him, then gestures with his head. Captain Blue climbs out of the SPV right
behind Scarlet, carrying a Mysteron detector.
Quietly, they move toward a side door.
They are almost there when Scarlet suddenly stops and gasps for breath,
looking pale and dizzy.
BLUE
(coming over to him)
Captain Scarlet?
Scarlet
shakes his head, then whips around and fires the Mysteron rifle straight behind
him. A Mysteron agent who had just come
around the corner drops over, dead from the electrode ray blast.
BLUE (continued)
You and your
built-in Mysteron detector...
SCARLET
It's a wonder I
felt him, what with all the Mysteron energy about. I'll be quite glad to get inside.
They approach the
door. Scarlet tries to open it, but it
is locked.
BLUE
Allow me.
He shoots through the lock with his high-powered Spectrum pistol.
SCARLET
Yanks and their
obsession with firepower...
BLUE
You're
welcome. Let's get inside before they
figure out we're here.
SCARLET
It won't take
them long. We broke a link in their
telepathic chain.
BLUE
Maybe it's so
long they won't notice a piece or two missing.
SCARLET
We can hope.
The pair open the door and sneak inside.
<End of Video File
#4871237-167>
<Attachment
#26: Video File #4871237-168, dated 18
January 2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--interior surveillance
cameras>
Scarlet and Blue move stealthily around corners and up
staircases to the main level. They come
around a corner and find a security guard, weapon drawn. Scarlet readies his Mysteron gun; Blue
levels his pistol at the guard. The
guard raises his hands in surrender.
GUARD
Don't shoot,
please!
Neither Scarlet nor Blue
budge.
GUARD (continued)
I'm not one of
them, I swear!
Scarlet casts his gaze at the Mysteron detector around
Blue's neck. Blue lifts the camera and snaps a shot of the guard, then pulls
the photo out and shows it to Scarlet.
<End of Video File
#4871237-168>
<Attachment
#27: Video File #4871237-169, dated 18 January
2069 -- shot from Mysteron detector of Empire State Building security guard>
<End
of Video File #4871237-169>
<Attachment
#28: Video File #4871237-16A, dated 18
January 2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--interior surveillance
cameras>
BLUE
Negative.
Both captains relax visibly.
SCARLET
(gestures with head toward revolving doors)
Are those doors
locked?
GUARD
Every door
is. How did you get in?
BLUE
(almost sheepishly)
We shot through a
lock and broke in.
SCARLET
And if we can do
it, they can, too. What's the fastest
way to the roof?
GUARD
There's an
express elevator for the tourists.
SCARLET
(hands Mysteron rifle to Blue)
Cover me from
down here.
(to guard)
Take me to that
elevator.
The guard starts to lead Scarlet away.
BLUE
Captain Scarlet!
Scarlet
looks back. Blue's eyes show concern
but resignation that this is Scarlet's role--to throw himself into the thick of
danger regardless of what could happen to him.
BLUE (continued)
Be careful.
SCARLET
(confident)
See you in a bit.
The guard and Scarlet leave. Blue
shoulders the Mysteron rifle and settles in to watch the doors and surveillance
cameras.
BLUE
Blue to Control... we're at the
Empire State Building. Captain Scarlet
is on his way to the roof. The hunt for
Captain Black is almost over.
<End
of Video File #4871237-16A>
<Attachment
#29: Video File #4871237-16B, dated 18
January 2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--various observation deck
cameras>
CAPTAIN BLACK stands on the deck, watching through observation
deck telescopes. He wipes the rain from
his face and frowns as freezing rain continues to pour down.
BLACK
(into the air)
The crowd is too
dense below. Something is wrong.
A
whirring noise indicates the opening of the elevator doors. Black turns to find Scarlet coming off the
elevator, gun drawn. Black whips out
his own pistol and fires at Scarlet, who dives away from the bullets and fires
back at Black. Black dodges the flying
lead.
SCARLET
Give up,
Black. Throw down your weapon and come
with me. We may be able to help you.
BLACK
Never. You were a fool to come here, Scarlet. Now you and Spectrum will fall together.
SCARLET
I don't think so.
(drops Radio Cap
microphone)
Scarlet to
Control -- I have Black. Request a Spectrum
helicopter at the top of the Empire State Building immediately.
There is no reply.
SCARLET (continued)
(into Radio Cap microphone)
Scarlet to
Control -- come in, Control.
Nothing. Then the static
feedback nearly deafens Scarlet, and he tosses his Radio Cap aside.
BLACK
Did you really
think it would work, Scarlet? Did you
really think our masters would not
protect me?
SCARLET
They are not my
masters. And I am not your pawn...not
anymore.
BLACK
Yes, you
escaped. My masters are very anxious to
know how. No one escapes from the
Mysterons.
(a beat; then, sadly)
No one.
Scarlet hears the sadness in Black's voice. He takes a step closer.
SCARLET
I did. I escaped.
Perhaps it's not too late for you, either, Conrad...
BLACK
(re-centering his gun aim on Scarlet)
No one escapes.
Not the people below. Not the
rest of the city. Not Spectrum. No one.
Our revenge will be slow but nonetheless effective.
SCARLET
(re-aims at Black)
Their revenge,
Conrad. Not yours.
BLACK
Conrad Turner is
dead. So is Paul Metcalfe. We are all that is left of them.
SCARLET
I don't believe
that. I never have. And I never will.
Suddenly,
the Angels swoop in, dropping metal mesh netting onto the street below.
BLACK
Metal mesh. Clever.
But a Mysteron gun of any form requires electricity.
Black
closes his eyes. Scarlet cringes and
holds his head, his Mysteron sense detecting Black's communication with his
masters. There is a brief moment of non-activity,
and then lights all around them wink out, leaving only backup generators to
power such items as surveillance cameras.
Scarlet looks around frantically.
BLACK (continued)
Spectrum has
miscalculated our resolve. We never
make mistakes, Scarlet.
As
the storm intensifies, lightning strikes the roof of a nearby building, setting
it afire. Scarlet stares at the fire,
transfixed. A sudden realization comes
into his eyes.
<End
of Video File #4871237-16B>
<Attachment
#30: Personal journal of Captain
Scarlet, dated 18 January 2069>
"We never make mistakes."
I can still hear Captain Black's words echoing in my
ears, mocking me. But he was wrong.
As the lightning struck the building across from us, setting
the roof afire, every answer I have been seeking for almost a year came to me.
I remembered the last moments of my life before the
accident — the car spinning out of control, flying over the embankment,
tumbling and exploding.
I remembered struggling out of the car, trying to
escape. I remembered how badly my head hurt...how hard it was to move...how
heavy my body felt.
I remembered seeing Brown, thrown from the car further
up the embankment. I remembered trying
to get to him.
I remembered stumbling and rolling back down the
embankment, and the pain growing worse.
I remembered then being unable to move... unable to
breathe... and then the heat of a brilliant light shining down on me.
At that moment, the "near-death experiences"
I had seen in my dreams came to me.
That was when I realized the truth.
<end of Personal
journal>
<Attachment #31: Video File #4871237-16C, dated 18 January
2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--various observation deck cameras>
Scarlet turns to Black, his expression incredulous.
SCARLET
(quietly)
I wasn't dead.
(a beat; then, more confident)
I wasn't dead!
(into the air)
So you never make mistakes, do you? You made one with me! I wasn't dead when you took me! I'd only lost vital activity! You took me too soon!
(laughs)
And that's why I came back--you gave me up too soon,
too! You didn't wait to see if the fall
was going to really destroy me, so you let me go! But because I wasn't truly dead to begin with, I came back! That's two mistakes you've made so far! And you never make mistakes?
BLACK
What are you
babbling about?
<End of Video File
#4871237-16C>
<Attachment
#32: Video File #4871237-16D, dated 18
January 2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--various street-level
surveillance cameras>
At that moment, lightning hits the street. The mega-voltage travels along the metal
mesh that has entangled many Mysteron pawns of evil, killing them
instantly. Bodies literally lie
everywhere.
<End
of Video File #4871237-16D>
<Attachment
#33: Video File #4871237-16E, dated 18
January 2069 -- Empire State Building, New York City--various observation deck
cameras>
Scarlet and Black watch the scene below as the area
momentarily lights with the flash of electric energy. Black looks horrified.
Scarlet smiles wickedly, then karate-kicks Black's gun from his
hand. Spectrum has just regained the
upper hand.
SCARLET
(levels gun at Black)
Third mistake:
You're not retrometabolic. I can
only feel you when you're talking to your masters. That's why they guard you so jealously. That's why no body was ever found in the M.E.V.
(into the air)
Release him to us
or I'll kill him where he stands.
Either way, you lose.
BLACK
Paul.
Scarlet
is caught off-guard. The voice is that
of the real Captain Black, the one who disappeared after the Zero-X mission,
not the dolorous tones of the Mysterons.
SCARLET
(lowers his gun)
Conrad?
BLACK
(real voice)
Paul, help me...
Black falls limp. Scarlet comes
over to him.
SCARLET
Hold on,
Conrad. I'll get help...
BLACK
(voice of the Mysterons)
It is you who
will need help, Scarlet.
He picks up his gun, jabs it into Scarlet's abdomen, and fires
twice. Scarlet collapses to the
rooftop.
BLACK (continued)
(gets to his feet)
Prepare to die,
Captain Scarlet.
He reaches down to pick up Scarlet. Scarlet manages to use his leverage
advantage and roll both of them to the railings. Black hauls Scarlet up by his uniform collar and tries to flip
him over the side, but Scarlet uses every ounce of strength left in him and
reverses the advantage, pushing Black to a precarious position atop the
railings.
BLACK (continued)
You can't win,
Scarlet...we will meet again...
With
that, he vanishes into thin air, causing Scarlet to lose his balance on the
railings and tumble over the side. He
tries to hang on to the railings, but his grip begins to slip on the icy metal. Suddenly, Captain Blue, wearing the SPV's
jet pack and a Radio Helmet, swoops up behind him and grabs him around the
chest.
BLUE
Gotcha,
Paul. Let go and grab the handles.
Scarlet
grabs the jet pack's steering handles weakly.
Blue lifts them up into the air and gently lands on the roof, lying
Scarlet down on his back. Blue kneels
beside him, gently cradling his head.
He sees the blood on Scarlet's mid-section and cringes.
BLUE (continued)
(into Radio Helmet microphone)
Blue to Control--Mysteron force is mostly
neutralized. Ground forces are cleaning
up the remaining ones with Mysteron rifles.
Captain Black has escaped.
Captain Scarlet is critically injured.
Request helicopter at Empire State Building observation deck
immediately.
WHITE'S VOICE
(over speakers)
On its way,
Captain Blue. Well done. Cloudbase out.
SCARLET
(weak, dying)
I had him,
Adam. I had him and he got away.
BLUE
I know. I saw.
You did all you could. Rest now.
SCARLET
(weaker still, barely audible)
The Mysterons
make mistakes, Adam. They make
mistakes. Black isn't really one of
them. And neither am I...
Scarlet's strength ebbs, and he dies in Blue's
arms. Blue bows his head sadly, as if
in prayer for the quick return of Scarlet's soul.
<End of Video File
#4871237-16E>
<Attachment #33: Video File #4871237-16F, dated 19 January
2069 -- Spectrum Cloudbase Control Room cameras>
It is the early morning hours of 19 January 2069; the
timestamp reads "08:35 -- 19/1/69".
Nearly everyone on Cloudbase has worked round the clock cleaning up the
mess of the Mysterons' latest attempt to destroy the world. Standing before Colonel White's round desk
are Captain Scarlet--as usual, fully recovered from his injuries--Captain Blue,
Destiny Angel, Dr. Fawn, and Dr. Hollander, being watched carefully by Captain
Ochre. White is going over some
reports. He looks exhausted.
WHITE
Latest reports from Captain Grey and Captain Magenta
say that New York City is almost back to normal. The last of the Mysterons' pawns of evil appear to be
destroyed. I wish to commend all of you
for your fine work. Thanks to you, a
potential disaster was averted. Nothing
can change the fact that many fine
people died. We can only be
grateful it was not worse.
(to Scarlet)
Captain Scarlet, I would especially like to commend
you on your efforts to apprehend Captain Black. Although the attempt was a failure, we learned a great deal about
the Mysterons and their behavior. I
would also like to extend a personal apology on behalf of all of Spectrum for
ever doubting your loyalty, your sincerity, and your inner strength, and for
allowing something like this to go on.
You have always been one of our finest officers, and if I were not
certain of that before, your performance on this last mission dispelled any
doubts I may have had. I can only
hope we can put this whole incident behind us.
SCARLET
I would very much
like that, sir.
WHITE
(to Hollander)
Now--as for you, Dr. Hollander...were it not for the fact
that you were on a mission from the World President himself, I would have you
arrested and charged with treason.
Fortunately, President Younger had warned me that he was testing all the
internal security of the various world security organizations. He didn't say how, or when. I suppose we know now.
HOLLANDER
Yes, sir. I
suppose I should have told you. I
thought with my background in military security, I could walk in here, gain
your trust, and uncover all your weaknesses easily. I guess my skills are rusty--Captain Ochre certainly caught me
quickly enough.
WHITE
You should also feel fortunate our paths never crossed
when I headed up the Universal Secret Service.
But I never thought one of our own
would try to breach our security like this.
HOLLANDER
Who better than
an insider?
WHITE
True indeed.
But your reward will be short-lived.
I understand you lost a rather substantial wager with the World
President.
HOLLANDER
(blushes)
Yes, sir, I did.
SCARLET
(interested)
And what was that?
HOLLANDER
(even deeper blush)
I bet the World President that Spectrum had not told
the truth about Captain Scarlet's condition--that he really could remember
what he had done as a Mysteron, that
he really could remember kidnapping the World President, and that I could find
proof in Dr. Fawn’s notes and private Spectrum mission records unreleased to
him or to lower-level Spectrum staff. I
mean, the whole idea that the whole incident could be that quickly forgotten
just didn’t seem possible to me as a biochemist and researcher.
(turns to Scarlet)
Now, of course, I understand that what you really have
is more like a severe case of amnesia, made more acute by the fact that you
weren't really dead but instead comatose in a way. The memories may indeed be there, but I don’t think there's
anything in our technology that can get to them. Maybe someday.
WHITE
(sharply)
You wagered the entire bounty you were to have received from the World President. Gambling on duty is a most serious offense--were
it not for the fact I had promised the World President no reprisals over the
security checks, I would ask for your resignation. As it is, I am placing you on administrative leave for two weeks
and ordering you off Cloudbase immediately.
HOLLANDER
Yes, sir. I'll leave immediately. I need to arrange transportation to the
surface.
SCARLET
Colonel, with
your permission, I'd like to escort Dr. Hollander back to Spectrum Medical
Center.
(glances at Hollander)
It might give us
both a chance to clear the air.
Hollander smiles, pleased and surprised at this turn of events.
WHITE
(mildly surprised; then, almost fatherly)
Very well,
then. Dismissed.
<End of Video File
#4871237-16F>
<Attachment #34: Personal journal of Captain Scarlet, dated
19 January 2069>
The mission codenamed "Pawns Of Evil" ended
quietly in an all-you-can-eat seafood restaurant in a suburb of Atlanta,
Georgia, where Dr. Hollander and I shared a meal. I can safely say that after indulging my post-recovery appetite,
I was probably as welcome in that particular portion of Atlanta as General
Sherman had been.
Dr. Hollander and I discussed a good many things in
the hours we shared: The direction this
war has taken, the scientific potential of retrometabolism, the differences
between baseball and cricket, and which wine goes best with snapper. All in all, a not altogether unpleasant
encounter.
I was, however, struck by my complete lack of interest
in pursuing any further contact with Dr. Hollander. It was almost as if I knew that any relationship would be clouded
by the deception she used to gain access to my deepest secrets. I knew that Colonel White was right--this
whole incident would be best put behind us all as soon as possible, and that
the less I allowed myself to indulge in something like this, the better.
I do believe, however, that I am ready to move on in
other ways in my life. I will perhaps
always doubt my humanity to some degree--after all, I am still physically Paul
Metcalfe's indestructible clone, regardless of what my mind and memories
say. But it may be time to put the past
behind me...to experience life again...to finally allow myself to fully pursue
the budding relationship I have with Dianne Simms, my beautiful Rhapsody Angel.
In many ways, it will be yet another step on my journey to freedom from the
Mysterons.
<End of Personal
journal>
<END OF
TRANSCRIPT>
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