"Paul, what’s wrong?" Scarlet turned to face them, his face lined with worry.

"We still have to determine if the Mysterons want a legitimate truce or not. Captain Black showing up on our doorstep is certainly an major incident but I can’t look at it as any kind of guarantee... only as a diversion."

"A diversion? In what way?" Blue countered.

"To throw us off-balance. If we’re mucking around crater 101 waiting for the Mysterons to show up with a fruit basket and champagne while wondering what kind of mischief Captain Black is up to back here, then we’d be in a position of extreme vulnerability. Remember what Captain Black is capable of; a foot-thick security door might not represent much of a barrier to someone who can dematerialize at will."

"All the more reason for me to be observing him and recording my impressions." Tracy piped up. Scarlet looked uncertain.

"Penny, this is exactly the kind of extreme hazard that I was trying to keep you away from. This man is the most dangerous being on Earth. The only reason he’s in the brig at all right now is because, for the moment, that’s where he wants to be. The minute he decides to act, I’m not sure what we can do to contain him. It’s our job to face this kind of danger but it’s not yours. I can’t deny that your observations wouldn’t be of great value, but I can’t stand the idea of you being so close to... him."

"Why, Paul... you’re jealous? I’m so flattered. Adam, what about you? Are you concerned about my honour as well?"

"Penny, I’m serious! Captain Black has been known to kill and retro-metabolize a victim by doing nothing more than looking into their eyes. You ought to know all this; you’ve been studying the records." Tracy now looked angry.

"Look, boys. I’m in this up to my neck just like you. I might not be a Spectrum agent and get to wear your nifty little rainbow costumes but I’m as serious about countering this threat as you or Colonel White or anyone on this base. Are you ready to argue with me on that point?" The two men looked at her in silence.

"I’m as afraid of Captain Black as I need to be. He came here voluntarily, knowing what his reception would be like. I’m ready to gamble that he’s here on his own volition and not the Mysterons. If not, then it’s our job to find out why. Now I’m heading down to the brig. I would appreciate it if one of you would escort me there so I won’t waste time getting lost. Captain Scarlet nodded at Captain Blue and took Tracy’s arm to lead her out.

Blue smiled and returned to his duty station.

Captain Black sat on a utilitarian metal chair that had been welded to the deck plating. He was not restrained and he smoked a turkish cigarette which filled the upper air of the room with a dramatic haze of smoke. There were no windows in the room; only a seamless door and an armoured camera with a wide-angle lens that scanned the entire chamber. Colonel White watched the seated man silently for a few minutes, just watching and assembling his line of questioning. White noted the track marks on Black’s arms indicating intravenous drug use and was surprised. The dark filterless cigarettes were unusual as well. White would not have associated such serious substance abuse with a mysteron agent, especially one of Black’s stature. He decided it was time to start asking questions.

"Conrad, can you hear me?" It was a rhetorical question, White knew the comm system worked fine. It was merely to see what Black’s first response would be.

"Of course I can hear you, Charles. I can hear anything you have to say."

White frowned at the absolute deadpan of the voice.

"Why are you here, Conrad? What is your purpose?" Black pondered for a moment as though looking for the right words.

"To end." White stiffened slightly but he pressed on.

"To end? What does that mean? Are you referring to the truce with the

Mysterons?" White’s hands clenched as he patiently waited for the answer.

"I am no longer of any use to the Mysterons. Their work here is nearly done. I have been... discarded."

White was speechless for nearly a minute as he digested this revelation. He

watched the image of Captain Black slowly and methodically grind out his cigarette stub in the palm of his hand and drop the butt to the floor. He withdrew another cigarette and lit it with his last match and sat quietly, waiting for the next question.

"Conrad... do you remember anything of your life before-"

"Before I was turned into this?" Black gestured with his cigarette. "It is my curse that I remember everything! Innocents that were callously slaughtered, friends that I’ve been forced to murder... former allies that I’ve betrayed..." Black’s face showed no emotion but his voice finally trembled at the end.

By this time, Colonel White was aware that Captain Scarlet and Penny Tracy were in the observation room with him.

"Did you hear what was said just now? White whispered.

"Yes, Colonel," Tracy replied, never taking her eyes off the

screen,"discarded by the Mysterons... because they no longer need his services? That would give more credibility to the idea that the Mysterons really are packing it in. May I ask him a few questions, Colonel?

"Yes, go ahead. Your observations may be critical. I must return to the control room. Keep me informed, Capt. Scarlet." Scarlet acknowledged the Colonel’s order and turned his attention to Tracy.

"Penny, be careful. This is as unknown a territory as anyone’s ever trod."

Scarlet looked at the image on the screen and pursed his lips.

"I agree Paul, but this new knowledge could increase our understanding of the Mysterons a hundredfold. Perhaps it might even be possible to remove the influence from Captain Black altogether."

"Don’t hold your breath, Doctor. This man’s the devil himself. You can’t

let your guard down for a second. He’s written the book on devious and

underhanded-"

"Don’t try to flatter me, Captain Scarlet... I’m afraid it’s rather lost on

me. I don’t blame you, my most dangerous opponent, for not trusting my intentions. I also don’t blame you if you dispute my remorse over my actions. I’m not asking for forgiveness although what’s left of my soul cries out for it. I only know that my forced allegiance with the Mysterons has been terminated and I now have nowhere else to go. I ask no mercy, only justice."

Scarlet looked at the graven face of Conrad Turner and had no answer to his statement.

"Captain,I need to speak to him face to face. I think that-"

"Out of the question, Penny! It’s far too dangerous. If we lose you now we

lose possibly our most effective weapon; knowledge." Scarlet voice was a harsh whisper but his face belied his very real fear.

"Don’t worry, Captain Scarlet. I’m no threat to your Dr. Tracy. On the contrary, it’s been a long time since I entertained a young lady... a very long time." Captain Black’s voice rumbled as he extinguished his last cigarette between his thumb and forefinger.

"Well, Colonel, I was as shocked as you were when we heard the Mysteron message here in Washington. I’ll tell you that I’m as ready for peace as the next man but can we trust them this time? Sending their most dangerous agent into your custody makes a good example but dare we comply with this request? What might the consequences be if we refuse? We have to explore any possibility that might bring this War of Nerves to a conclusion. I for one, am ready to try just about anything." President Roberts was a man of incredible personal power and Colonel White could feel the confidence radiating off him even through the comm screen.

"I think we had better go along with it... I’ll expect top security from your men, colonel, and I’m requesting Captain Scarlet to attend me personally."

Of course, Mr. President. I’ll arrange security immediately. Will you send the response to the mysterons from your present location?"

"No, Colonel. I’ll be transported to a high security transmission station where I will broadcast. My writing staff are already at work on the response and I’ll run it past you before we send it out."

"Thank you Mr. President. I’m glad to be of service."

"Thank you, Colonel White. If it weren’t for you Spectrum boys, I’d really

be worried. You haven’t let me down yet. Roberts out." The screen flickered and the roundel of the Spectrum logo replaced the image of the President. White sighed and rotated his desk.

"We’ll do our best, Mr. President." He whispered.

Within the holding cell, a thin but strong sheet of perforated lexan slowly

slid down from the ceiling, effectively bisecting the room. It lowered to the floor and its bottom edge slipped into a groove between the deck plates. The room was now sealed into two secure chambers. Captain Black did not react as the transparent wall was erected nor did he when the door of the opposite room opened tentatively. Captain Scarlet emerged first trying to keep his hands away from his pistol and was followed by a cautious but alert Doctor Tracy.

"Good day, Doctor Tracy, and to you as well, Captain Scarlet. This is really the first time we’ve met."

Scarlet said nothing but instead, checked the seal between the floor and the barrier. When he was satisfied that it was secure, he let Tracy approach.

"Alright Doctor. The barrier is solid. Do your stuff but stay beyond arm’s reach." Scarlet whispered as he undid the clasp that secured his sidearm. Black remained seated as before but for the first time his eyes betrayed a flicker of emotion as he watched Tracy walk back and forth beyond the barrier.

"Mr. Turner, may I speak with you?" Tracy began tentatively.

"You may call me Conrad, Doctor Tracy."

"How do you know the Mysterons are finished here on Earth? Did they tell

you as much?"

"I was given a final assignment and then instructed that it was to be my last... I accomplished the task and was... abandoned. The Mysteron presence that had been within me for so long simply... was not there any more." Black’s voice faltered slightly and he seemed not to notice the two figures watching him.

"Captain Black, what was your final assignment?" Scarlet asked ignoring Tracy’s gesture to leave Black alone.

Black’s eyes refocussed and he turned to face Captain Scarlet.

"All business as usual, Captain Scarlet? All work and no play make Paul a dull boy... Very well, my final assignment was... was to... " Black hesitated, lost in thought as he struggled for recall. "I... can’t remember. I can’t seem to remember any of my past assignments... only their aftermath.. feel so tired...."

Captain Black wavered for several seconds and proceeded to slide off the chair onto the greasy metal floor.

The hissing and beeping of Medcentre always made Captain Scarlet uncomfortable and even more so with its current occupant. Scarlet had frequently lain insensate and torn on the leather bed that now supported an unconscious Captain Black.

Dr. Fawn strode back and forth, examining readouts and checking fluid pressures. He silently conferred with his support staff and finally turned to face Scarlet and Tracy.

"Captain, Dr. Tracy... this is quite amazing! The physiological analysis of

Captain Black is identical with the tests performed ten years ago when he first joined Spectrum. I’ve analyzed retro-metabolized Mysteron agents as well as yourself in the course of operations and the cell structure and molecular composition are different from the readings that I’m getting here. It’s as if the Mysteron influence has vanished. Conrad Turner seems completely human." Scarlet’s eyes narrowed in distrust and Tracy’s jaw dropped.

"Are you certain, Dr. Fawn?" Tracy managed to say.

"As certain as I can be with the experience I’ve got."

"Is he awake? We’ve got to question him immediately." Scarlet spoke with

urgency and he turned towards the operating theatre window to peer in.

"He’s conscious. There’s nothing really wrong with him except for malnutrition and dehydration. Go ahead but don’t work him over too hard, Captain." Scarlet nodded and motioned Tracy to follow him into the sterile chamber.

The pallid man strapped onto the bed seemed small and shrunken, hardly the sinister mastermind in the employ of the Mysterons. Now, he seemed old and used-up and that may well have been the truth, Scarlet thought. How could he have been responsible for all those deaths and all of the destruction that had resulted from the War of Nerves... and now, it seemed, it was finally coming to an end. Or was it? Why had Captain Black been discarded so completely? Why did a peace treaty have to be signed on the moon, of all places? Was this all another elaborate trick? Scarlet didn’t know but maybe Black did.

"Hello Dr. Tracy... Captain Scarlet..." Black stirred and coughed drily."Forgive me for collapsing like that. I haven’t been eating lately... can’t seem to taste anything anymore." He sat upright in the bed and reached for a glass of water on the side-table. He sipped thoughtfully as Tracy and Scarlet sat down.

"Well, Captain Black-"

"Please, Captain. Conrad will do fine. It seems disrespectful to use a title that I no longer have any right to use. You may ask anything you like. The Mysterons have released me from their bidding and I have retained nothing from the experience except... the memories of my actions." At this, Turner’s waxy face screwed up into a mask of total despair.

"Oh, God! If you only knew- Thousands dead! Thousands more maimed and crippled. Entire cities levelled. All because of me! I knew what I was doing and I couldn’t stop! Why did they make me remember? After all I did for them- sacrificed my SOUL! They let me go and made me remember... Oh God..." Turner wept openly, burying his head in the rumpled sheets.

Scarlet and Tracy looked at each other and shook their heads. They got up and allowed Turner some privacy as they conferred quietly away from the bed.

"What do you think, Paul?" Tracy stole a glance at Turner, who lay back again, staring at the ceiling.

"Don’t think me paranoid, but I’m still not convinced that this isn’t a trick. Don’t look at me like that. I’ve been through a lot during this war and there’s nothing the Mysterons won’t use in an attempt to fool us; you ought to know well enough. Until we can be certain, we can’t afford to trust him. He may not look like much now, but he was once Spectrum’s most dangerous enemy. No matter how docile he seems to have become, we can’t forget how dangerous he can be."

"He seems to have calmed down for the moment." Tracy observed.

"All right. Let’s try again."

"Colonel White, I have a priority transmission from the World President."

Lieutenant Green announced from his console.

"Put it through my private channel, Lieutenant." White swivelled his chair and activated the secure line.

"Colonel White, This is President Roberts. I now have a prepared statement ready in response to the Mysteron’s message. I’ve also gone over the details of the lunar rendezvous and my security advisors have come up with some ideas that I’d like to run past you." White stared hard at the small flat screen as he realized that the future of the Earth itself may well depend on the exchange about to take place between he and the World President.

Scarlet and Tracy reentered the small, sterile room and Turner looked at them with rheumy eyes shot with red. Scarlet opened his mouth to resume his questioning when he stopped short.

"Doctor Fawn, would you come here, please?" Tracy looked at Scarlet, a question forming on her lips. Before she could speak it, Scarlet took her aside as Doctor Fawn entered.

"Doctor, would you please examine the patient’s eyes?" Fawn withdrew a shiny instrument emitting a bright beam and Turner allowed his eyes to be examined.

"Well, Doctor? What do you notice?" Scarlet frowned and seemed impatient.

"They seem as before, Captain. Basically normal except for a slight

astigmatism in the left orb-"

"Doctor, I mean look at his eyes! They’re blue! When he arrived on Cloudbase, they were jet black!"

Tracy looked stunned.

"Colonel White, You had better come to Medcentre. There’s been a development." Scarlet spoke briefly as he watched an amazed Doctor Fawn take a second look at the eyes of Conrad Turner. Tracy waited until Scarlet had received a reply from White before she spoke.

"Captain, this must mean something? I mean, this could be the proof of what

Conrad has been saying. People’s eyes just don’t change colour. The physiological change that has just occurred must be a result of the final passing of the Mysteron influence." Scarlet’s eyes narrowed.

"Maybe... but he might also have shaken out a set of contact lenses when we

weren’t looking. I’m not convinced yet. You should try a little healthy scepticism, Doctor Tracy."

At this point, Colonel White entered the Medcentre.

"Well, I see you have offered yet another mystery, Conrad. How do you feel?"

"Guilty..." Turner Murmured.

"I was about to continue questioning him about why he got fired from the

Mysteron’s team when this incident with the eyes occurred."

"Captain Scarlet thinks it was just a trick with contact lenses", Tracy said with a hint of irritation.

"Easy enough to confirm or deny by checking the security monitors," White replied and Captain Scarlet moved off to one of the console panels to do just that while White posed another question to Turner.

"Conrad, Can you tell me anything about your last assignment? I have reports that state that a black saloon registered ‘101-X238’ was rented to a man matching your description and was seen parked near the Armodyne Defense Systems factory outside of Detroit, Michigan. What were you doing there, Conrad? What’s the connection?" Turner looked puzzled and looked at White with nearly beseeching eyes.

"Charles, if I remembered, if I knew, I would tell you. I have no loyalty to those soulless vampires that stole my humanity. I just don’t know. I was only left with memory of the results of my handiwork, not the details leading up to it." Turner grimaced and stared at the ceiling in a attitude of despair.

Scarlet returned to the small group with the results of his search through the security camera’s records.

"Nothing," Scarlet said with an exasperated tone," There’s no sign on the taped record that suggests Turner was using contacts. The change in his eye colour is genuine."

"I told you," Tracy said quietly.

"I’m concerned about his story that he doesn’t remember the details of his

last assignment," Colonel White spoke," Clearly it’s related to the current situation but in what way? We can’t yet dismiss the possibility that we’re dealing with a ruse. All we can do is continue to monitor Turner’s condition and see what develops. Doctor Tracy, I’m going to leave you in charge of him. Recruit whoever you need to assist you and keep me informed. Captain Scarlet, I need to speak to you alone".

Tracy watched the two men speak in whispered tones at a distance and then confined her attention to Turner. He looked back at her with glazed eyes, and said nothing.

White took Scarlet aside and lowered his voice.

"Captain, I’ve been conferring with the World President and there is a plan

in the works. I’ll tell you more presently but I’m informing you now that the President has insisted that you personally accompany him to the location of the truce." Scarlet frowned.

"Me? But why? His own crack team of security agents is formidable enough."

"He’s a little superstitious, Captain. You’re sort a good-luck charm to him

since the atomic liner affair. There will be an official briefing in two hours. You’ll know more then. Take a break, Captain. I’ll see you then." White took a last look at the pale, slack face of Conrad Turner and strode down the corridor.

Scarlet pursed his lips and wondered what they were going to do with the once-lethal arch enemy of Spectrum.

"Penny, can I help in any way?"

"I don’t think so, Paul. I can manage with a few assistants and I think

you’ve got some important work ahead. Take care, Paul." Tracy’s eyes looked worried but she smiled.

"I will, Penny. I’ll see you later." Scarlet smiled in return and left the Medcentre.

An hour and a half later, Scarlet emerged from the room of sleep, fully rested and awake. He met Captain Blue on the way to the briefing and the two of them arrived together. Seeing Penny Tracy already there, the two seated themselves close to her. Colonel White swivelled around in his chair and addressed the group gathered before him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, This may well be the most important meeting ever held on Cloudbase. We are here to discuss the final details of possibly the last campaign against the Mysterons. Although they claim that peace is their goal, we will proceed with this operation with the caution of a military action. The plan, now called ‘Operation Trident’, shall now commence. It will be initiated in three distinct operations. The first, which includes the World President and the representatives of the World government will be under the supervision of Captain Scarlet and his team of agents. The second arm of the operation will be the tactical team headed by Captain Blue. They will track and follow the A team and provide immediate support if treachery is suspected. The final prong of Operation Trident will be here on Cloudbase, in the form of Doctor Penny Tracy, Doctor Fawn and his staff who will continue to observe and question Captain Black to see if any new clues can be found. Captain Scarlet, take your support team and equipment and set out immediately. President Roberts’ agents will transmit landing instruction when you are airborne. Captain Blue, a World Army Tactical squad is waiting for you at Vandenberg Airbase. Take whoever you need and whatever ordnance you think you’ll require. Take Lieutenant Green with you as your second in command." The Lieutenant grinned as he rose from his usual post to accompany Blue.

"Thank you, Colonel."

White permitted himself a trace of a grin.

"Don’t thank me, Lieutenant. I just don’t want your field work to get rusty."The room began to empty and Colonel White turned his attention to Tracy and Fawn.

"I don’t expect miracles, Doctor, but something may yet come of your study of Conrad Turner. Some integral clue may still be evading us so I want you both to do whatever it takes to procure that clue. Get back to Medcentre and see what you can find." White then turned to address Captain Scarlet, leaving Tracy and Fawn to look at each other in near-exasperation.

"Well, lets get back to work, Penny. I don’t know what we’re looking for yet, but we had better find it in a hurry."

"You said it, Doctor Fawn. Let me speak to Captain Scarlet and Captain Blue

before they leave. I’ll join you in a few minutes ."

"Of course. See you there." Fawn strode off leaving Tracy to look at the scene before her in amazement.

"So this is finally it..." She said softly to herself as she approached Scarlet and Blue.

"Well, Penny? This is the final curtain. I’ll wager you never thought that you’d be a part of it when it happened." Blue winked at her as he smiled.

"How can you be so cheerful at a time like this?" Tracy questioned. Blue laughed as Scarlet spoke.

" It’s just his way, Penny. I’m sorry we won’t be able to work together on this, but Colonel White is very serious about your work here concerning Captain Black. I hope you and Doctor Fawn can find something that will help us before zero hour. Considering how quickly this came upon us all, I don’t think any of us is as scared as we should be." Tracy frowned.

"At least you shouldn’t be scared." She said in a low voice.

"Just because I can’t be killed doesn’t mean I enjoy dying," Scarlet said

with a trace of bitterness," the risk is now increased because if the Mysterons are really leaving, I can’t guarantee that my powers of retro-metabolism will remain. Doctor Fawn has been examining and studying me ever since my first ‘death’ and he’s no closer to explaining the phenomenon now as he was four years ago. All anyone is certain of is that the effect comes from the Mysterons themselves and might be removed by them at any time; just look at Captain Black. If the tests you’ve run so far are any indication, he’s been reduced to an ordinary human, just as before. We have no way of knowing if the Mysterons can simply remove my abilities just as easily: for all we know, the Mysterons have simply allowed me to retain these powers to give us a fair chance during the War of Nerves. Now that it may be over, they have no reason to allow me to keep them. I have to be doubly cautious from now on." No one spoke and the mood grew dark. Blue tried to reassure.

"C’mon, everyone. This will all work out. Captain Scarlet’s team will be in

safe hands with my security squad watching over them. It’s all under control." Blue’s affected cockiness made Tracy smile a little and even Scarlet rolled his eyes at the comments.

"Don’t worry, Penny. Adam and I are planning on taking you out to dinner at a nice restaurant in Paris when this is all over. You can count on it." Scarlet smiled at her in a way he had not before and her eyes stung with tears. They really are afraid, she thought to herself. They’re making light of it for my benefit. At that point, she very nearly cried when she saw the two old friends clasp hands for the last time before they proceeded to their fates. She turned amidst the bustle of people making preparations and started down the corridor towards the Medcentre. Before she reached it, however, she stopped momentarily in the alcove of a doorway and appeared to adjust her wristwatch. It was the act of a moment or two and she then continued on her way.

Captain Scarlet, Captain Ochre and Captain Magenta Strapped themselves into

the well-padded seats of a Spectrum passenger jet and Scarlet began his pre-flight checks.

"Scarlet wing, you have launch clearance. Launch when ready." The voice of Lieutenant Cobalt crackled over the comm unit.

"S.I.G. Lieutenant. Powering up now."

Deeper within Cloudbase, Captain Blue and Lieutenant Green were boarding their own jet. Inside, a Spectrum Tactical team awaited, already secure for takeoff.

"I’m glad for this chance to see some action, especially since we may be obsolete by morning. Poor lieutenant Cobalt; just graduated and he may already be out of a job." Green chuckled. Blue nodded with a grin.

"I, for one, hope you’re right , Lieutenant. Fighting hostile alien invaders has certainly lost its novelty by now."

Green, laughing, sealed the hatch and strapped in as Blue activated the deck elevators.

Colonel White stood by the large circular port and watched the two aircraft

speed away to their destinations. The wheels had now begun to turn and could not be stopped. For better or worse, the crossroads of Mankind’s fate would be in the shadows of crater 101... on the moon.

Scarlet met with the World President and his staff at the appointed location, launching safely from Glenn Field Spaceport within an hour of their arrival and would arrive at Lunarville 6 three hours hence. Captain Blue and his team launched from Vandenberg Launch Facility two hours previously and would land in Lunarville 3 to assemble a defense grid sufficient to protect the president and his entourage. By the time Scarlet and the president greeted the controller of Lunarville 6, a squadron of lunar tanks and armoured moon mobiles were heading for the rendezvous point at the site of the ruins of Lunarville 7.

The complex machinery of fate was now running inexorably towards whatever was awaiting them all in crater 101.

Penny Tracy entered the doorway of the Medcentre and stopped in astonished shock. Before her, laid out senseless on the deck was Doctor Fawn and two of his assistants. She rushed to his side and he groaned in pain.

"Doctor Fawn, are you all right? " He coughed and turned his head to reveal

a purpling welt. The others began to stir and Fawn sat up, gingerly rubbing his wound.

"Unnh! Caught us by surprise... had no idea..."

"Doctor, what happened?-" Tracy suddenly realized that the rumpled bed was

empty and that there was now no sign of- Captain Black.

Colonel White was startled by the sound of an emergency klaxon and he turned sharply towards Lieutenant Cobalt.

"Emergency in the Medcentre, sir. Captain Black has escaped!"

"Put all sections on alert, Lieutenant. Seal off Cloudbase!"

"Yes sir. Security teams are conducting a level 10 search sweep now."

"Take the Comm, Lieutenant. I’m heading for Medcentre. Inform me of any

new contingency."

White entered Medcentre to see Doctor Fawn and Penny Tracy applying bandage

to the contusions suffered by Fawn’s assistants while Fawn himself sported a large white patch on his temple. White shook his head ruefully.

"Well, Doctor. How do you explain this? Fawn looked sheepish as he tried to explain.

"Turner asked if he could wash and shave. He seemed so weak I let him up

and was going to help him when he lashed out and knocked us all senseless. Doctor Tracy found us moments after he escaped. I don’t know where he found the energy." Fawn mopped his brow with a handkerchief and had to sit down as he reacted to the shock of the blow. Tracy looked at White with a trace of fear.

"He must know he can’t get off Cloudbase, Colonel. What would he be thinking? He must know he’s trapped."

"Don’t be so sure", White answered,"Conrad Turner knows every inch of Cloudbase; he was on the design team when it was built. If there’s a place to hide on this base, he’ll find it." White was interrupted by Lieutenant Cobalt’s voice on the comm unit.

"Colonel White, I just received a report from the one of the search teams. There’s a rocket pack and oxygen rebreather missing from storage... and there seems to have been a small hull breach in one of the lower deck maintenance conduits."

"Call off the search, Lieutenant. Captain Black has given us the slip again. Try to make radar contact with the rocket pack if you can." White looked tense and Tracy slumped in a chair.

"What now, Colonel?"

"There’s nothing to be done unless we can track his flight but I don’t give

that much hope. The rocket packs we use are strictly short range devices. No one has ever jumped into the open air at this altitude. Turner must have had to freefall most of the way down to conserve his fuel, so there won’t be much to track. Still, I don’t think he will have any time to alter the plan at this point."

"I hope you’re right, Colonel. Just in case, though, I’ve taken the liberty

of preparing some insurance." White’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What do you mean? What have you-"

"Take it easy, Colonel. Listen to me carefully..."

Captain Scarlet and security team finished inspecting the room and he activated his commlink.

" Mr. President. The room is clear. you can enter." The door hissed open and President Roberts entered with the rest of the Asian and European representatives. Scarlet spoke briefly.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have only an hour to discuss the impending conference and then we must move on if we are to be at the appointed place in time. I suggest that you get as much accomplished as you can while the moonmobile is being fuelled and prepped. Afterwards, the trip to crater 101 will take about two hours and you will be able to get some sleep if you need it."

"Thank you Captain. We all appreciate you presence here and I, for one, feel a lot better having you around." Roberts smiled.

"Your welcome, Mr. President. Please excuse me while I check on the moonmobile."

Scarlet walked down the curved corridor and approached the doorway to the main airlock when he heard his name called out.

"Captain Scarlet." He turned and smiled. It was Controller Linda Nolan, chief officer of Lunarville 6.

"Hello, Ms. Nolan. It’s been a long time." He took her hand and squeezed it

warmly.

"Hello, Captain. It’s so good to see you. It’s been, what, two years since you were up here last. I’ve appreciated your letters." Nolan, an attractive woman with bright eyes and a strong will, smiled again in open affection for Scarlet.

"By the way, do you still have the -"

"The lucky charm? I’m wearing it now. I’ve worn it since you gave it to me.It must work... I’m still here." He grinned again and squeezed her hand once more. Her voice lowered to nearly a whisper.

"I know what’s at stake today and I’d like to help in any way that I can."

"You’re doing everything already, Ms.Nolan. One way or the other, this will

be over soon. If this works out like I hope it will... well, would you care for dinner in a nice Paris restaurant." Scarlet reddened slightly as Nolan looked at him with near-amazement.

"Oh- of course, Captain."

"It’s Paul, actually."

"Oh, Paul, I’d love to. I never thought that- well, I wasn’t sure I even

see you again much less-"

"I’m afraid I’ve got to go now, Linda. There’s still so much to do. I’m glad I got a chance to talk to you. I’ll see you again when I get back." He smiled again and headed towards the airlock to check on the moonmobile.

"What restaurant?" Nolan called out

"What? Oh, ah, Le Petite Hostelrie. 35 Rue de la Harpe."

With that, Captain Scarlet vanished into the hatch of the moonmobile.

Linda Nolan looked on and said quietly,

"Rue de la Harpe... oh my."

One-and-a-half hours later, the moonmobile was speeding over the lunar surface, with a dozen lunar tanks racing to keep up. Inside the moonmobile, Captain Magenta and Captain Ochre manned the controls as Captain Scarlet and the president conferred at the rear. Around them, the rest of the representatives spoke in hushed murmurs trying not to concentrate on what might lie ahead.

"Captain, I’d be a liar if I told you I wasn’t afraid of what we may find at crater 101. I’m just glad we don’t have Captain Black to worry about as well." Scarlet’s face sank.

"I didn’t want to bring this up until I had to... but Captain Black has escaped from confinement." Roberts made a strangling sound.

"What? How could that be?"

"Easy, Mr. President. Don’t get alarmed. The condition he was in when I

last saw him assures me that he won’t be a bother...at least I hope not."

Scarlet’s voice trailed off. Roberts looked at Scarlet with visible doubt.

"I hope you’re right, Captain."

A sharp beep sounded within Scarlet’s moonsuit and he tapped a comm button in response.

"Scarlet here."

"This is Captain Blue. we’re all in position around your convoy.

Everything’s secure on this end."

"Thanks, Captain. Give my regards to Lieutenant Green. I just remembered that I owe him a coconut."

"Hah! I’ll remind him. Blue out."

Magenta carefully checked the map coordinates and signalled the convoy.

"We’re nearly there. The crater rim should be visible over the horizon in a

few minutes. We’re here, folks."

The lunar tanks began to spread out to circle the perimeter of the small crater while the main convoy carefully scaled the rugged rim into the interior of the pit. Amidst the dust of their passage Scarlet and the others could see strange, multi-coloured buildings rising out of the broken ruins of the previous Mysteron complex. Scarlet frowned in wonder.

"A new complex... It must be very new, or we would have seen some evidence

before now. I wonder if-"

"This is the voice of the Mysterons... welcome, Earthmen. You have honoured

our request and soon we will begin the final chapter of this war of nerves.

You may approach."

Scarlet and the rest of the group froze.

"Well, this is it, people. Whatever is going to happen here, is going to happen here." Magenta said mildly.

"Captain, I’m not sure that I like their choice of words. ‘The final chapter in this war of nerves’ doesn’t exactly sound like a declaration of peace."

"Take it easy, Mr. President. We have sufficient backup in case we need it.

I only hope we don’t." Scarlet tried to reassure.

The convoy slowly tracked through the centre of the bizarre alien structures that studded the ruined landscape. Scarlet peered out of the ports, occasionally catching the metallic glint of the distant lunar tanks that stood silent sentinel around them. They soon approached the base of a huge multi-hued spire that seemed to glow with energy.

"Here is where destiny is made. Our war ends here, Earthmen. Leave your vehicles and let us end this conflict."

The men and women within the moonmobile looked around and silently began to

don and seal their helmets. When all were ready, Scarlet cracked the hatch seal and he led them outside into the harsh, actinic light of cold vacuum. Scarlet slowly led the group towards their fate as he prepared for the worst. Would the surrounding tanks be able to react quickly enough if this turned out to be a trap? One way or the other, this would be the end, he was certain. He was ready for anything. What he wasn’t ready for was what happened next.

"Good evening, Captain Scarlet," grated a hideously familiar voice. Scarlet

whirled about to see the impossible sight of Captain Black moving out from behind a broken column.

"Don’t reach for your sidearm, please. We have some business to discuss with you. The end of the War of Nerves, to be exact."

"You planned all of this, didn’t you? You faked being dismissed by the Mysterons and now you’re going to finish the whole mess yourself. How did you get here?"

"I stowed away on Captain Blue’s jet when he left Cloudbase. I created a diversion which made Cloudbase security think I baled out with a rocket pack. That way they wouldn’t institute a search of the support convoy. I arrived here the same time you did; and now it’s all over."

"Well, don’t count on it. Captain Blue, Spectrum is Black. Repeat, Spectrum

is black!"

"Captain Scarlet, I can’t get a response from the tank squadron. They won’t

answer." Captain Blue’s voice crackled.

"It won’t do any good, Captain. All of those lunar tanks around us will only take the Mysteron’s orders now. They had all been fitted with toxic gas cylinders that had been tampered with at Armodyne Defense Systems. The Mysterons are indeed leaving the solar system; but they are a spiteful race and unwilling to forget a slight. You are all here for one reason... to be destroyed as a final lesson to humanity. They are now ready to execute their plan by bombarding the centre of this crater... if I let them." Captain Black held up a small transmitter and depressed a button. All around them, in the distance, silent plumes of flame bloomed up and shards of torn steel whirled as each tank was destroyed.

Scarlet looked amazed. Black seemed to smile but the distance and the glare

made it hard to tell.

"Conrad Turner, you have betrayed us... In return for your freedom you promised the destruction of Earth’s leaders. Why have you broken your word?" Black turned to face the erratically glowing structure and waved his fist at it.

"Releasing me was your mistake. I owe you nothing but hate and justice. I am a Spectrum officer!"

Black trembled and tossed the now useless remote control away. He turned to face the stunned group.

"It’s all over for me now, Captain Scarlet. You must leave this place at once. There is a high-yield nuclear device buried beneath the complex that even now is arming itself. I managed to reset the timing device to allow you all to escape but I can’t be sure that it will be enough time. Captain Scarlet, you’ve got to save them. Go! Now! "

By this time Scarlet was moving the group back towards the moonmobile. His last view of Captain Black was his silhouette against the angry glow of the spire.

"Captain Blue, what’s your position?"

"We’re at the rim where you all drove down into the interior."

"You’ve got to get clear. The whole crater is about to blow and I don’t

know if there even is a safe distance. Get going now!"

The four moonmobiles containing the Leaders of the Earth sped at their limit towards the imagined safety of the far crater wall. Behind them, the spire became a blinding glare which grew more and more intense. Scarlet was surprised by a message from the comm system.

"Goodbye, Captain Scarlet. The effective destruction perimeter of the device is thirty miles from the blast point. Good luck..." The message ended in a hiss of static and Scarlet shook his head in dismay. He drove silently as long minutes ticked away but was forced from his revery by the ground tilting sharply upward as they scaled the grade. The engines of the moonmobiles whined in protest then smoothed off as each vehicle sailed over the edge and swooped down the opposite slope into shadow.

"All right, everyone! Full speed! We’ve got to get some distance behind us." Scarlet was sweating profusely. The others aboard didn’t realize that there was no way they could cover thirty miles before the device went off. He stared at the geiger counter on his console and watched in horror as the indicator swept nearer and nearer critical mass. There was maybe five minutes before the blast and they would be swept away by it. He pushed the vehicle past its safety limits but it was no use. Even now the geiger needle was creeping ever closer to the deadly red mark.

"Captain Scarlet! Captain Scarlet! Do you read me?" Scarlet frowned at the

voice. It sounded like-

"Who is this?" He demanded.

"There’s no time to explain, Paul. It’s Penny. Follow my transmission

beacon as fast as you can!"

Penny, he thought. What could she be doing here, unless-

He swung past a mass of rock too fragile to give cover and was stunned by the sight that awaited him.

"Head for the open hatch. Just drive up the ramp and kill the engine.

Captain Blue’s vehicle is already aboard."

The squat, powerful shape of Thunderbird 2 sat amidst the dust and rock of the moon, suspended on polished metal legs. The yawning cavern of the open transport pod was now an oasis. Scarlet gunned the motor and the moonmobile leapt up the ramp and settled on the metal deck alongside Captain Blue’s vehicle. When all of them were aboard and settled, the main pod hatch swung upward and sealed. A low rumbling was felt through the floor of the pod and then a mighty shudder pulsed through the vessel as it launched itself into the starry black sky. When it had become a faint green dot in the distance, crater 101 flared up like a exploding sun spreading over the grey lunar surface, pounding a new crater into the old.

The moonmobiles were safely unloaded at Lunarville 6 and the President and his immediate entourage were soon ferried back to earth by Spectrum maximum security transports. The situation gradually quieted and the world got used to the fact that the War of Nerves was indeed over. Captain Scarlet and Captain Blue remained in Lunarville 6 as the job of arranging the return of the various remaining world leaders occupied them both. In a few days, when the last official they finally had time for reflection. In the lounge area of the station they joined Linda Nolan and Penny Tracy who were already fast friends and laughing.

"Well Captain. How does it feel to be out of a job?" Captain Blue smiled.

"It feels all right. I’m looking forward to diamond smugglers and

terrorists. Good old-fashioned earthly crooks." Scarlet mused as he sipped coffee.

"Penny, how did you manage to get your cousin Virgil to come to the rescue,

so to speak?" Blue asked.

"I thought an ace in the hole might be useful, so I contacted Thunderbird 5

and told Uncle Jeff what was up. He figured you might need some help."

"What did Colonel White think of your initiative?"

"He got a little steamed but he couldn’t deny that you could use all the help you could get."

" Since when can Thunderbird 2 fly in space?"

"Oh, that’s something Brains has been working on for a while. Uncle Jeff always thought that one day he might need the heavy transport power of Thunderbird 2 in space so he had Brains come up with booster attachments that would allow it to reach escape velocity. My cousin Alan is really ticked off now that he has to share the glory with Virgil." Tracy laughed at the thought of her bickering cousins.

"It seems weird that I can close the book on the Mysteron menace. I guess I’m out of a job too. I never thought of it til now."

"Don’t we have a dinner in Paris to concern ourselves with?" Linda Nolan finally spoke, eyeing Captain Scarlet coyly while Tracy winked at Captain Blue.

"That’s right! La Petite Hostelrie, if I’m not mistaken." Scarlet looked back at Nolan with undisguised affection for the first time while Tracy and Captain Blue laughed together.

Later that night, before they boarded a Spectrum transport for Earth, Paul Metcalfe looked out at the planet he had fought so hard to protect. He felt a degree of melancholy when he thought of Conrad Turner, who had, in the end, saved them from the final Mysteron treachery. It was a tragedy to die as he did but he was his own man in the end... in control of his own destiny. Metcalfe would never forget his last defiant shout. Now it was over. Really over. That part of him that never relaxed now told him that there was no trace of the Mysteron presence left. They had left the solar system, perhaps to torment some other race near another star. He felt pity for them and wished them luck. For now, the future awaited. He realized that for the first time he began to believe there would be a future. At that thought he smiled in earnest and decided to find the others and board the transport. There was finally a life to live and he decided he owed a little of that to Conrad Turner, who ended as he began...

a Spectrum Officer.

The End