Captain Scarlet & The Mysterons
The Further Adventures
Disclaimer: All rights reserved. This is a fanfic collection of stories adapted from Captain Scarlet comic strips. Intended for fan fiction purposes only.
Terror At Technoburg
Another routine day approached its end as the sun dipped below the clouds. High up above the clouds over the Atlantic Ocean, Cloudbase hung amongst a blanket of stars. It was the night shift and Colonel White appeared in the command centre to begin his night watch. Lieutenant Green sat at his station, yawning heavily as his body started to wind down after a gruelling twelve-hour shift. The Colonel approached the young officer and decided to relieve him.
"It's alright, Lieutenant. You're relieved for the next six hours. You better get some rest."
"Thank you, Sir." The young weary Green replied. "I'll report at Zero-Six Hundred hours. Goodnight sir."
As the Lieutenant was about to leave his station, a chilling message from The Mysterons brought him back into reality. Their sinister adversary from Mars announced their latest threat.
"This is the voice of The Mysterons. We know you can hear us, Earthmen. We will destroy the Technoburg within the next Twelve hours. Hear us, Earthmen. Technoburg will completely be obliterated."
The Lieutenant returned to his station as a surge of adrenaline coursed through his veins. The Colonel sat at his desk, ordering the Lieutenant to send for his agents. Colonel White knew about the Technoburg facility and its relevance to the Mysteron threat. It was a catastrophic situation.
"This is catastrophic!" he grumbled. "The world congress of Scientists is due to meet at Technoburg today. It was supposed to be a top-secret affair."
"Yet somehow, The Mysterons found out about it," Green interjected. "Do you think they'll try to bomb it? Maybe a Missile attack?"
"I don't know, Lieutenant, but we can't afford to take any chances. Launch all Angels and tell them to overfly the perimeter."
"Yes sir."
The doors to the command centre opened and Captain Scarlet and Captain Blue marched towards the desk. As he took his seat at the colonel's desk, he overheard the Lieutenant issue the Angels their orders. Captain Blue stood behind him. Down in the amber room, Destiny and Harmony took their launch seats when elevated up towards their waiting aircraft. Symphony, who had already been on standby duty, was already sky borne in Angel One. Within seconds, both Angels catapulted themselves off the flight deck, racing into the clouds to join their lead aircraft. As soon as they were underway, the Colonel diverted his attention to the two Captains. The Colonel gave them a rundown of the situation, detailing the highly secretive nature of the Technoburg facility.
"What are our orders, Colonel?" asked Scarlet.
"You're to proceed to Technoburg immediately and investigate, Captain," replied White. "We've got to foil this plot within the next Twelve Hours, otherwise I'd hate to think of the consequences."
Scarlet rose from his seat and adjusted his tunic; "S.I.G. We'll leave for Technoburg immediately."
A Spectrum Passenger Jet appeared on the flight deck under the cloak of darkness. The Moon cast its rays upon the deck when Captain Scarlet powered up the Jet's turbine engines. Captain Blue took the passenger seat next to him. As the aircraft roared to life, his cap microphone swung down in front of his lips. Once he was cleared for take-off, the Passenger Jet rolled off the carrier and into the night sky. At a steady rate of speed, Scarlet set a course for the secret Technoburg facility. Captain Blue's curiosity had gotten the better of him as they pondered about the Mysterons' next strike.
"I don't get it. Technoburg has the most advanced security system on the planet. I wonder how the Mysterons plan to attack? What do you think, Captain?"
Scarlet frowned; "I don't know. I just hope that we're not late to stop it. You heard the Colonel. If something happens to those scientists, It could seriously damage the World Government's research division."
Blue understood the severity of the situation; "At least we'll have a chance with the Mysteron detector."
Nestled within the arctic ice shelf sat Technoburg. It was a large facility, disguised as a giant ice burg at the centre of the shelf. A small tractor ploughed its way through the snow as it crawled along the ice towards the facility's research department. The sun hung low in the sky, illustrating the large Ice Burg's bizarre metallic appearance. The snow tractor rolled to a stop outside the main security gate. The guard approached the driver's side cabin. A figure emerged from the tractor, wearing a thick arctic coat which covered his dark Spectrum Uniform. The guard didn't notice the ghostly look on his face. Scientist Alvin Addison stepped out of the facility and approached the checkpoint.
"Can I see your identification please, sir?" the guard asked.
"I'll check it," Addison said as he asked the Spectrum agent for his ID. "We've been expecting Spectrum since we got the call from Colonel White."
The Agent handed Addison his ID, keeping tight-lipped as he handed it over. Addison looked at the information as he read it aloud.
"Ah, Captain Black. Welcome. I guess you're here to check on our security arrangements?"
Captain Black, the former Spectrum Agent who now worked for the Mysterons, nodded silently. His dark and soulless eyes sent a chill down Addison's spine.
The scientist returned his ID and replied; "Alright. Well, everything checks out. You're clear to enter the facility."
With a cold and emotionless stare, Black returned to the tractor and drove on. Although Addison didn't know it, The Mysterons knew everything there was about him, He had devoted his career to the construction and testing of an experimental machine that could explore the Earth's core. The machine was called "The Terra-Sub" and it was able to burrow through the Earth by using a laser beam to melt down rock and convert it into thermite. The machine would then spray the thermite into the rocks below, creating a shaft towards the core. The initial tests were a success, but soon, they were going to launch the biggest experiment to date. To his knowledge, only he and a delegation of scientists knew about the project. How the Mysterons knew about was anybody's guess.
Addison soon met Captain Black inside the facility, completely oblivious to the man's sinister intentions. He led him down a corridor and into a large, golden fuselage which made up the Terra-Sub machine. He proceeded to give Black a demonstration of his machine, explaining to him the details as it hissed and whirred away. When the demonstration ended, he turned his back on the man, so he could switch off the controls. As he leaned over the console, Black reached for his gun and shot the unarmed scientist in the back. He stood there like an eerie spectre as the scientist crumpled over and fell to the ground. Suddenly, two green rings materialised from the darkness of the test chamber. The alien rings scanned Addison's lifeless body for a few moments before evaporating again. Black stood there when Addison's replacement stepped towards him. He was now under the control of the Mysterons.
It was mid-morning when Captain Scarlet and Captain Blue arrived at the facility. As soon as they landed, they passed through all the security points on their way up to the control room. When they arrived, they were greeted by the scientific director of the facility. The elderly gentleman already knew of the Mysteron threat, but he remain sceptical of their efforts. His arrogance to the Captain's claims annoyed Captain Blue. They didn't have the time to stand about debating with him about the Mysterons' capabilities. The director huffed as he rolled his eyes to the ceiling.
"Captains, for the last time, Techoburg has the best security defence," he boasted. "They won't attack this facility. How could they possibly know where we are?"
"Director, we insist that you take this seriously," growled Blue. "The Mysterons don't make idle threats and we have an investigation to complete."
Captain Scarlet stood there in deep thought, as he gathered a hypothesis of his own.
"Well attack from the air is unlikely," he said. "Technoburg has an impregnable anti-missile and air-strike system. The base is well protected on that front. The Mysterons would have to use a more subtle approach. You should reconsider your security, Director."
The Director rubbed his chin; "Look, I'll admit life here is easier since the scientists took over. A nuclear reactor powers our light and heating elements and the facility is built like a fortress on the Ice so I just don't see how an attack is possible?"
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a call from the Director's secretary. The scientific congress was ready to begin its demonstration. The Director invited the Spectrum agents to accompany him to the test chamber, inviting them to the demonstration. The three men donned thick arctic coats as they traded the warm and insulated control room for the bitterly cold laboratories. The Terra-Sub sat against the wall of ice. Its laser nodes pointed towards the glistening crystal wall. When they arrived, one of the scientists approached and greeted them with a message.
"Professor Addison sends his apologies, gentlemen. He feels that it's better if he'd stay inside the Terra-Sub."
The Captains stared at each other in bewilderment. They both agreed with their conclusion. At Scarlet's request, the Director disclosed the top secret information surrounding the Terra-Sub. Scarlet had heard enough. He turned towards Captain Blue again.
"That sub could easily be a Mysteron weapon," he said. "I don't like this one bit."
"Do you think that Addison could be a Mysteron agent, Captain?" Blue asked.
"We mustn't jump to conclusions," Scarlet replied. "We were told that Addison would be here to lead the demonstration. I think I'll go and accompany him for the test."
"S.I.G." Blue acknowledged. "I'll accompany the other scientists in the control block. We'll monitor your progress from there."
While Captain Blue ushered the scientist back towards the control block, Captain Scarlet approached the idle Terra-Sub. As he approached the entrance, the hatch door swung open and the Mysteronised Alvin Addison stepped outside to greet him. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overcame Scarlet. It only lasted a moment, but the feeling was all too familiar to him. He sensed a Mysteron Agent nearby. Addison greeted him with a smile as Scarlet presented his Spectrum Pass.
"Captain Scarlet, Spectrum. I'd like to accompany you on the experiment. It's for your safety."
Addison nodded slowly; "Of course, Captain. It's a pleasure to meet you. Come aboard."
At the moment Scarlet climbed aboard, the door clanged shut behind him. Before he could react, Addison clubbed him over the back of the head with a wrench. Scarlet blacked out as he hit the floor with an almighty thud. He had wandered straight into an ambush. Addison stood over his unconscious body as he climbed into the control seat.
"You're too late, Earthman," he muttered. "The Mysterons will be avenged!"
Addison flicked a series of switches along the driver's console. The Terra-Sub whirred to life like an angry beast. Its twin razor-sharp drills spun to life as its four laser turrets cut into the ice wall. Within minutes, it began to lurch forwards, digging its drill bits into the ice and rock. Slowly but surely, it began to burrow its way in, creating a perfect bore shaft behind it. Up in the control room, Captain Blue and the scientists observed the Terra-Sub's progress, unaware of the Mysteron Agent that was piloting it. However, the first sign of trouble came just ten minutes into the experiment. The Terra-Sub's rate of descent began to change on the screen as the machine began to alter its direction.
Captain Blue frowned as he felt his body tense; "Something's wrong. The Terra-Sub has changed its course. It's now heading dangerously close to Technoburg."
The Director confirmed the Captain's suspicions; "Good heavens! It's heading straight for Technoburg's support columns. If she bores straight under us, she'll destroy the entire facility! What the devil is Addison playing at!?"
Captain Blue clenched his fists; "Don't you see, Director!? Addison is in the hands of the Mysterons. They're carrying out their threat!"
Suddenly, the control room began to shake violently as the men grabbed on for dear life. The Mysterons had carried their first blow against the facility as the Terra-Sub tore into the ice beneath Technoburg. As the tremors grew with each succession, Captain Blue notified Cloudbase of their predicament, but there was still no word from Captain Scarlet. What could have happened to him? And how long could Technoburg stand up to this brutal punishment? The situation grew intense by the minute. Computers exploded as sparks flew around the room to the sound of emergency klaxons. They could dash for the emergency exit, but the violent shifts could send them hurtling across the facility. The only man who could save them now was trapped aboard the Terra-Sub. It was up to Captain Scarlet now.
Scarlet's eyes fluttered to the sound of a mechanical whirr. He slowly picked himself up, disorientated by the knock to the head. His hair felt wet as he noted the pool of blood on the floor plates. He felt the cabin sway around him as he struggled to compose himself. Addison remained steadfast in the control seat as his robotic-like hands grasped the controls. He sat there like a statue, unresponsive to Scarlet's clumsy movements. Scarlet had to put a stop to the experiment one way or another. Scarlet battled the dull throbbing pain at the base of his skull as he crept up behind the Mysteron Agent. He drew his sidearm, trained it at the Agent and pulled the trigger. He dropped the Agent with two gunshots before dragging his heavy body out of the control seat.
Grimly, Scarlet sat himself down behind the control as his blurred vision improved. He seized the control and frantically tried to alter the drill's course. He knew what he had to do. If he could steer the Terra-Sub away from Techoburg, there was a chance that he could save everyone. All he had to do, was steer it correctly. The controls eased under slightly as he reversed his course under the ice. He had to ditch the machine the only way he knew how. Using his knowledge of Technoburg's layout, he steered the Terra-Sub towards one of Techoburg's disused experimental shafts. With an almighty crash, the drill bits pierced the side of the metal shaft and before Scarlet knew it, he was in a free fall. As he prepared for the impact, he issued his final message to Captain Blue.
"Captain Scarlet to Captain Blue. Send a rescue team to Exploratory Shaft No. One. I'll be seeing you soon."
He then sat back and waited as a dark veil swept over him. He had lost so much blood by this point that it was impossible to stay awake. Scarlet lost consciousness as he slumped over the controls. The Terra-Sub dived helplessly in a dizzy plunge of five thousand feet. It eventually smacked the bottom of the shaft like a bullet, erupting into a fireball. No ordinary person could survive such an explosion, but Captain Blue knew he'd be seeing his friend again soon. Techoburg was safe thanks to his sacrifice.
A Spectrum Helicopter arrived at the facility a few hours later. Captain Grey approached the shaft with a stretcher and with Captain Blue, they winched Scarlet's mangled body up the shaft to safety. The Director remained dumbfounded by Captain Blue's lack of emotion. He couldn't understand it. It was as if the Captain didn't appreciate the fact that his comrade was dead.
"I don't know why you refused our request for a medical jet, Captain!" he barked. "Captain Scarlet could have been in a hospital hours ago, but you insisted on waiting. He's now dead and you're just carrying on with your work like he was an expendable pawn or something!"
Blue stared at him blankly; "I'm afraid you don't understand, sir. Captain Scarlet is quite a remarkable man. He will recover on Cloudbase and he will continue his fight against The Mysterons."
The Director muttered under his breath for a moment; "I don't pretend to understand what that means, but I wish I could have thanked him for his efforts. If it wasn't for him, Technoburg would have been destroyed."
"I'm sure he would have appreciated it," Blue replied as he turned to leave. "Good day, Director. The Mysterons should leave you alone now."
As he headed for the parked Spectrum Jet, Blue radioed his report to Colonel White. He took comfort in the fact that in a few hours, he would see his friend up and ready for duty once again. Scarlet's amazing powers of recovery never failed to amaze him. Technoburg was safe, but Spectrum had to remain ever vigilant in their fight against the Mysterons.
END
