It was a cold winter night as Captain Blue of Spectrum flew back to a meeting he was already late for on Cloudbase while rain and sleet lashed the silver-blue hull of the passenger jet. Captain Blue was not nervous, only frustrated and impatient that the sudden storm had caught him by surprise and had now put him behind schedule. More importantly, the woman in the passenger cabin behind him was going to be late also and Colonel White hated delays.
"Are you alright back there, Doctor?" Blue touched the communicator button after a particularly hard updraught.
"I�m okay, Captain. I�m a little unsettled by the turbulence but it can�t be helped." a voice replied from the speaker. Blue smiled and activated his personal comm system.
"This is Captain Blue to Angel escort. Keeping up with me, Symphony?"
"In your dreams, hotshot. I don�t know how you can stand flying those tubs," shot back a sassy young voice. Symphony angel flew a lazy circle around the larger transport plane, seemingly unaffected by the storm outside as they began their final approach and climb away from the weather. The rain ceased abrupt-ly and the wind died down to a gentle whisper as the dark, ominous shape of Spectrum Cloudbase loomed before them.
"This is Lieutenant Green to Symphony Angel and Blue wing; you have clearance for landing."
"Thanks, Lieutenant. Sorry I�m late."
"Tell it to the Colonel, Captain." The voice chuckled, "He�s waiting for you in the briefing room with Captain Scarlet and Doctor Fawn."
"S.I.G., Lieutenant." Captain Blue angled the plane and brought it in smoothly, the narrow landing strip coming up to meet it. On the far side of Cloudbase, Symphony Angel closed in on the interceptor landing pad and switched to hovering flight, slowly dropping onto the centre. The pad lowered into the deck of Cloudbase and sealed itself off.Meanwhile, a telescoping metal tube clamped onto the outside of the passenger jet and the airlock opened to allow Captain Blue and his guest to enter.
Colonel White strode from viewport to viewport in obvious impatience, while Dr. Fawn quietly reviewed his documents. Sitting silently and calmly, Captain Scarlet waited for his long time friend to arrive. Ever since the incident that had made him indestructible, or even before, Captain Scarlet had been a loner. As Paul Metcalfe, he reached the rank of Spectrum Captain without a single individual to attend the modest ceremony. It was ironic that he had been forced to alienate his immediate family by joining Spectrum. He had achieved a great deal of personal success within the World Army Corp and had won much approval from his father, retired General William Metcalfe. When the time came to leave the army for an even more rigorous life within Spectrum, he found he could not reveal this fact to anyone outside the organization. Paul Metcalfe had to do the one thing that hurt him more than anything he had previously experienced; he had to tell his father that he was leaving the military to pursue a private business career. His father, bitter and disappointed, disowned his only son and the rest of the family followed suit. Metcalfe was heartbroken by the act even though he understood well the fierce pride of a military family. He vowed that if he survived the Mysteron threat, he would return to them and finally reveal his true profession. Scarlet smiled sadly at the thought. Would he really reveal his secret life to them? Why? To try to gain back their gossamer loyalty and affection? They had shown their true colours by dumping him because they believed that he had abandoned the military life that they cherished above all else, even family values. To be sure, this was a line of thought that hit Scarlet often when he had time for contemplation. Would he go back to his family and see if his father would admit he had been wrong? The chances of that happening were slim. Scarlet realized that sometimes he hoped the War of Nerves would never end so that he could remain enclosed within the secure confines of Spectrum forever. Scarlet had to smile at the absurdity of this thought. He knew he had to belong, either to an organization or a family or somewhere. For the present time, he belonged with Spectrum and he would always ensure that his prime task was to vanquish the Mysterons in whatever way he could. He realized that it was this thought alone that gave him strength and he found himself relax-ing, the tensions of uncertainty draining away. So far, this was where he was truly happy and he decided to leave it at that. He thought about the only man that could be called his friend, Adam Svensen. The rebel heir to a vast fortune who seemed to delight in risk-taking and adventuring scorned his father�s billions and preferred a life of excitement and danger for which Scarlet was forever amused. Svensen, who now was called Captain Blue, shared one thing with Scarlet... they had both been alienated from their fathers, a fact which led to their initial friendship and con-tinued on to this day. Their first mission together, a routine mission to Central Africa to investigate a diamond smuggling operation at the single largest mine in the world ended successfully but not before each had saved the other�s life. This was in the comparatively simple days before the Mysteron threat, when Spectrum�s purpose was to provide maximum security and investigative resources for the world�s political and industrial resources instead of staving off invasions from space. It was also the beginning of a bond that had endured many triumphs and disasters including the fateful day Svensen was forced to shoot the Mysteron-enthralled Scarlet in order to save the World President�s life so long ago. Scarlet was finally roused from his revery when the briefing room door finally slid open to reveal a rushed, slightly-mussed Captain Blue and his charge, Dr. Penny Tracy.
"It�s about time, Captain. You�re fifteen minutes late, and don�t use the weather as an excuse." Colonel White said sharply. "Yes sir. No excuses, sir." Blue said stiffly.
"Please don�t blame Captain Blue, Colonel. It�s my fault. I was still involved in preparing my final report when Captain Blue arrived. I�m afraid I made him wait till I was finished." Dr. Tracy admitted. The Colonel frowned as Captain Scarlet smiled behind his hand.
"Hmf. Well, you�re both here. We had better proceed with the conference before we lose even more time;" Colonel White finally said, mildly grumbling. "Dr. Tracy, you have been experimenting with a broad range of physiological and circumstantial evidence concerning the Mysterons and their nature. Now that we have reached the fourth year of the War of Nerves, we have been effectively stalemated for most of that time. It appears that the Mysterons have the power to defeat us whenever they wish, but for some reason prefer the game they�ve played from the beginning; warning us of an intended target and then sitting back and watching us succeed or fail. They have never lied about an intended target, although they have misled us, like the �President Roberts� incident."
Scarlet thought about that one. The Mysteron threat had been directed toward World President Roberts and an all-out defence cordon was immediately erected in spite of his objections. It was only by way of a last minute admission that he was soon to be christening a ship named in his honour that Scarlet realized that the Mysterons might mean to sabotage the ship and not the man. As it turned out, the ship was indeed the target and Scarlet managed to clear the area before the Mysteron agent detonated a hidden bomb. A close victory.
Colonel White continued,"It appears that the Mysterons are enjoying the little game they have set up for themselves. It doesn�t seem to matter to them whether or not they hit their targets as much as watching us race about trying to stop them. Why is this? Is it some perverse exercise to lead us into final exhaustion? How long do they intend to test our mettle? Or do the Mysterons actually have some peculiar code of fair play? Do they realize their obvious superiority over us and set up the chal-lenges so that we have an even chance of victory? We have no way of knowing. That is why you have been brought here, Doctor. Your lengthy investigation into the Mysteron phenomenon may provide some clue as to their true nature, and ultimately, their undo-ing."
The woman paused as though a great weight had been trans-ferred to her shoulders and she sighed.
"I hope so, Colonel. I�ve minutely examined all of the accumulated evidence and have slowly built a framework through which we can finally begin to make some concrete conclusions about the Mysterons and their behaviour."
"That�s a hopeful statement, Doctor," Captain Blue replied with a grin. Captain Scarlet nodded neutrally and said nothing while Dr. Fawn prepared to take notes. Colonel White considered for a moment and then spoke.
"Proceed, Doctor." The room lights dimmed and a large projection screen lowered from the ceiling. The screen flickered into brightness and Dr.Tracy began to speak.
Captains Blue and Scarlet strode down the corridor towards the lounge. They were tired and fell into the sleek red leather chairs that circled the low round table in the centre of the room. Colonel White soon followed and sat with them.
"Well, Captain Scarlet? Captain Blue? What are your reac-tions?" The Colonel asked.
"Well Sir... I�m not an analytical expert like Dr. Tracy, but my own personal experiences with the Mysterons give me some points to differ on," Captain Blue answered first. Scarlet nodded silently.
"I have to agree with Captain Blue, Colonel. Some of the Doctor�s conclusions don�t add up to what I�ve seen either." Colonel White pondered for a moment, weighing the remarks of the two men.
"Do you think that the Doctor is generalizing some details? Drawing conclusions where there are none? Where do you think her possible errors lie?" Colonel White finally posed the question. Captain Blue tried to articulate. "I�m not sure, Colonel. I don�t doubt the facts she�s presented... after all, we supplied most of them. I just feel that she is making some jumps in logic that she has no real justification in making... it�s like-"
"It�s like trying to describe what it�s like to climb a mountain without ever actually doing so," Captain Scarlet fin-ished. "All of Dr. Tracy�s theories are just that - theories. She has no field experience at all and has never observed a real mysteron agent in action. " Colonel White looked thoughtful. "So what would you recommend, Captain?"
"Well, it sounds crazy but she should really accompany
Captain Scarlet or me on a mission... I think that her evaluation of the Mysteron phenomenon would be greatly enhanced if she had some solid experience behind her."
"I have to agree with Captain Blue, Colonel. Dr. Tracy�s theories on the Mysterons may prove to be the greatest weapon we have in our arsenal, but it won�t be a loaded weapon unless the information at our disposal is accurate."
"I concur, Captain. Let�s reconvene tomorrow. Well, good-night gentlemen." Colonel White stood and left the lounge, passing Dr. Tracy at the doorway.
Goodnight, Doctor. I hope you find our accommodations satisfactory." Tracy smiled.
"They�re fine Colonel. I�m just going to chat up the two Captains before I get some sleep. Goodnight,Sir." Dr. Tracy entered the lounge as Blue and Scarlet rose to greet her.
"Hello Captain Blue; Captain Scarlet... I hope I�m not disturbing you."
"Not at all, Dr." Scarlet said with a smile, "Captain Blue and I were just talking about you." She smiled back, arching one eyebrow.
"Nice things, I hope," she sat opposite the two men."I�m not used to being the topic of conversation between two good-looking men." "I�m sure it happens wherever you go," Captain blue charmed.
"What a flatterer. Do you have a disarmingly gallant remark
for me as well, Captain Scarlet? You seem to be the quiet one around here." Tracy teased.
"I couldn�t possibly outdo him in personal charm... so I won"t try," Scarlet said evasively, " and I think that it�s appropriate to reveal our true names to you. That is, if you�re interested in a proposition we would like to make to you." Tracy grinned.
"Oh my, a proposition from two gorgeous men? Whatever am I
to do?" She winked as Captain Blue laughed and Captain Scarlet had trouble with his coffee cup. "All right, gentlemen. I�m ready to be serious now. Honest-
ly, I know that the War of Nerves is a serious threat but every-
one on this base is so grim. Well, not you Captain Blue-" "The name�s Adam. Adam Svensen."
"Not you, Adam. Everyone else I�ve met here is so - so
stiff. It�s like being around my uncle Jeff. All work and long hours." "In case anyone�s interested, my name�s Paul Metcalfe."
Tracy paused and reached out for Scarlet�s hand, grasping it.
"I�m sorry Paul. Please tell me what you wanted to say." Captain Scarlet hesitated for a moment, slightly startled by the woman�s earnestness, and then spoke. "Well, Ms. Tracy-"
"Please, it�s Penny."
"Penny, Captain Blue and I, with Colonel White, have been analyzing your theories concerning the Mysterons and, well, we feel that there is something missing from your summation. Some-thing basic but critical in the perspective that you have used to understand the Mysterons seems to be missing. Don�t misunderstand me; we�re in no position to second-guess you on the core of your research. We just felt that some of your details would ring more true if you had shared some of our experiences instead of just quoting from them." Tracy frowned for a moment.
"What exactly are you suggesting?"
"Captain Scarlet and I think that you should accompany us on
one of our missions. Nothing hair-raising. Just a chance to see us in action and more importantly, to see the Mysterons in action. With some first-hand experience, I think that you could refine your theories down to much more effective practical observations." Scarlet continued,
"Although risky, you would have an opportunity that no other
researcher in your field would have... controlled access to your primary subject - The Mysterons."
Tracy frowned again. She appeared to be contemplating the offer the two men had laid before her.
"I�m going to have to think it over, gentlemen. I don�t disagree that there may be some holes in my theories and I know that I�m entirely dependent on your reports and documentation to further my studies but I�m not exactly enthralled by the idea of getting close and snuggly with alien beings that want to wipe us out of existence. I�m also concerned about the kind of things that happen on some of your �routine� missions. Things tend to blow up whenever you�re around, Paul. The London Car-Vue tower, Glengarry Castle, Lunarville 7, K-14 Observatory - the list goes on. I�m not sure that I�d survive one of your �routine missions."
Blue and Scarlet shrugged and smiled at one another before attempting to respond to Tracy�s point. Captain Blue reasoned with her.
"I can�t argue with you on that subject, Penny. We�re doing a hard job and sometimes a lot of property gets damaged in the course of our objectives but I think that you�re exaggerating. Some of our missions are quite peaceful. For instance, the �Traitor� incident at Australia�s Koala Base was resolved without a single shot being fired. Then there�s the �Diamond Pulsator� incident. That ended with no casualties or injuries." Blue leaned back, confident that his point was made.
"Peaceful, huh? Two cadets died in the initial hovercraft crash and both of you were almost killed in a fire at the base, not to mention narrowly avoiding certain death with two more cadets when the hovercraft you were all riding went out of control and crashed." she paused to let her words sink in. "The Diamond Pulsator incident? Are you forgetting the rather expens-ive Passenger jet that Captain Scarlet had to ditch over Green-land? Not to mention the admittedly unmanned Station House that was blown up courtesy of Captain Black. Did I mention the part where Cloudbase itself was nearly blown out of the sky by an exploding pulsator? Peaceful, Hah!" Tracy folded her arms and looked smug.
Captain Blue reddened and Captain Scarlet grinned as he now attempted to re-enter the fray.
"Dr. Tracy- Penny, I mean, I promise you that Captain Blue and I will do everything in our power to keep you from harm. After all, your research is vital to Spectrum. We can�t afford to lose you." Tracy cocked her head and smiled thinly.
"If I were to accept your invitation to mayhem- I mean, observation of a mysteron agent at work, when would we begin... and where?" Blue winked at Scarlet and he explained.
"Well, there�s no telling when the Mysterons will strike, but it could happen anytime. Lieutenant Green monitors communica-tion lines all over the world using the same technology as your cousin John uses aboard Thunderbird 5."
"How did you know about John? Or Thunderbird 5 for that matter?" Tracy was surprised. Scarlet and Blue smiled modestly.
"We�ve helped each other out on occasion..." Captain Blue confided. "Strictly hush-hush." Tracy looked at the two men with thinly-disguised suspicion. She stood, her hands on her curvy hips.
"Alright, alright. Count me in. If you guys have worked with my Uncle Jeff and the boys, I�d never hear the end of it if they heard that I turned you guys down. Call me when something breaks." With that, the small woman left the room, leaving Captain Scarlet and Captain Blue alone and pondering. "Well, Paul? Did we do the right thing?"
"I�m certain of it, Adam. Penny�s got some brilliant ideas and I�m certain that it will only take some real exposure to her subject to finally make the pieces come together. I also think that it will be very soon."
In that case it only remains to be seen where the Mysterons will strike next." Blue rose and headed for bed leaving Scarlet looking out of the porthole, watching the midnight sun rise.