How indestructible is Scarlet?

[chrisbishop]

Now you've aroused my curiousity, Rhapsody... Can't wait to see what you will be presenting us soon.

I did mention Scarlet's being upset about not showing signs of aging, but quite frankly, I'm in two minds about it personally. I haven't decided yet in which direction to take this, although knowing myself, I might decide to take ALL - and this is the beauty of fanfiction... You can write about any 'theories' you want and just see how far you can go with it.

In one story, "The Substitute", I did have Scarlet aging very slowly - and actually replace Father Christmas! But those who read the story might recall that all is not exactly what it seems in this story... And won't say more, so not to spoil the surprise for someone who would like to read the story and see.

[Marion]

Slightly off topic, I know - but I'd just like to say how I envy you, Chris! Once I've written something I find it damn near impossible to contradict myself and do something else!
Of course, given that he ages so very slowly, it could be many decades before Scarlet even suspects he might be aging at all...
To that end, I did offer him the merest sliver of a chance to end it all when he'd had enough - just in case he doesn't age as I originally decided he would.
http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fanfic/desert_of_vast_eternity.htm
The things I do for that man...

[gojohnniegogo]

I too think that true immortality would drive anyone round the twist, which is why I actually like the idea of Scarlet being immortal (I know: I'm sick, I need help).

Chris has actually mentioned Scarlet being upset about having no apparant signs of aging at the beginning of 'A Symphony in Blue', and I'm sure I've read another story where it's discussed (I think that General Metcalfe comments upon it in that one), so our writers are considering the issue.

I nearly lose the plot everytime I'm asked for ID when I'm purschasing a 15 DVD. I'm 17/18! It's annoying that I look 14, honestly!

Without straying too far off topic, try being 24 and still being IDed...

Same story here with me! Almost 25 too

Probably already touched up on somewhere but if the Mysterons were finally defeated perhaps that would effect Scarlet in someway?

[RhapsodyAngel8]

Now you've aroused my curiousity, Rhapsody... Can't wait to see what you will be presenting us soon.

Oh, gosh! That’s something I hadn’t actually thought about, Chris... well, not up until now, anyway! Have patience (a lot of it ) and I will see what I can do...

Probably already touched up on somewhere but if the Mysterons were finally defeated perhaps that would effect Scarlet in someway?

It’s an interesting point. I would imagine that the NCS Scarlet’s retrometabolative abilities wouldn’t be affected in any way by the Mysterons’ demise (should that ever occur); as his DNA itself was altered on the sub-atomic level, the impression I get is that the retrometabolism results purely from that – an inherent property of this change (rather like any effects observed due to a 'standard' genetic mutation) – and not due to any external force. In the case of OCS Scarlet, however, I’m not so sure. Are we ever told, in such precise detail, exactly what physiological/molecular changes he has undergone? It may be something obvious that I have overlooked; the scientist in me is curious - I shall go trawling...
Also – would retrometabolism affect his ability to have children? If not, would his ability be heritable? Again, this is something I have pondered over (going back to Connor Macleod, he was only able to have children once he became mortal). As the change isn’t a genetic mutation in the traditional sense, I would guess that it couldn’t be passed on, but...

[Marion]

I don't think OCS gives any explanation of what has happened to make Scarlet retrometabolic - well, nowhere I've looked.
What happens to him when the Mysterons are defeated, is a moot point. One option is covered here (very well )
http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fa ... ything.htm
(Sue Stanhope)
There are several schools of thought about Scarlet's potential as a father. They range from - he can't have children at all, through: he can but shouldn't, to he can and they will - or maybe won't - inherit retrometabolism.
So, I guess you take your pick.
Here are a couple of links that deal with the topic, although there are probably others:

http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fanfic/to_love_to_honour.htm
(Tiger Jackson)
http://www.spectrum-headquarters.com/fanfic/pride_and_joy.htm
(Lezli Farrington)
and the topic crops up in my own story, 'Valediction' as well.

[Ochrefan21]

I get confused as to whether Scarlet would survive high voltage current because in Noose Of Ice Neilson gets killed by it, yet Scarlet was revived from mysteron control.

[hazel]

Original series Scarlet's escape from the Mysterons had nothing (apparently) to do with electricity. He woke up, free from their control, after Blue shot him at the Car Vu. New Scarlet is a different matter. He fell through a plasma stream (I think) in the Skybase engine room. I suppose that might be construed as 'electrical', but don't forget that Original Scarlet and New Scarlet are different series, with different takes on what happened to him and Black.

[Skybase Girl]

I find the issue of ageing a difficult conundrum.

As far as NCS is concerned, as previously stated, I believe that Scarlet can retrometobalise the tissue he has - if he loses an arm or a leg, then it wouldn't grow back. Anything else would heal. There seems to be no suggestion that old tissue would be replaced with entirely new tissue, as with a newborn child - just that his present tissue, whatever it's condition, would heal back to what it was before an injury or illness.

In "Instrument of Destruction", Doctor Gold makes the comment that Scarlet still has a pin in his leg as a result of an accident many years before - all that has happened is that he is restored to what he was before he went to Mars, complete with whatever scars or infirmities he had at that time.

I assume, therefore, that his body ( being still predominently human ) would continue to age as we all do. So, whenever an accident happened, his body would revert to whatever state it was in at the time of the accident, be he 35 or 55.

He could then possibly die of old age, even if not from accident or illness. It is equally possible he could die sooner than the average person, if the strain of continually repairing itself was to wear out his body and mind. I hope all this makes sense !

I must admit, I prefer this theory than the idea that he would look permanently 32. I like to believe there are some things in which he can believe he is almost entirely normal. I say, almost, because I like to believe his retrometabolism can give him some advantages !

[Intensity Angel]

I've had a good look at this thread again, and been thinking up some new ideas.

I should really be going to bed because it's 3:13am!!

I've researched biogenic weaponry and its effects on ecosystems and biological lifeforms. It's devastating but could Scarlet's retrometabolism actually save him from the effects of it. Retrometabolism is like a very advanced immune system in some aspects. But from my research, I don't think Captain Scarlet would ever recover from being exposed to this type of technology.

And also, in a recent attempt to try and get back into fan fiction, I've explored the possability that like an immune system, Scarlet's retrometabolism eventually gets weaker with age, i.e., it takes longer for him to recover from injuries, becomes more prone to scarring. if I can get my head round to writing it, then this theory i will explore.

Cancer is another thing I've looked into, having had an Aunt die from the horrid thing. Sharks are very unlikely to get cancer due to their advanced immune systems.

But cancerous cells multiply at an incredible rate. I have theorized that if Scarlet were to get cancer, then his retrometabolism would actually be his downfall as the level of mitosis in his body would be signifigantly higher than in a normal human being and so cancer would spread a lot more quickly.

And I feel really guilty over that last comment because I feel I just treated Scarlet like Frankenstein's monster.