It was a dark and starry night - out on a remote South Pacific island..
Colonel Steve Zodiac was over at the beach house home of Doctor Venus - XL5's
beautiful medical expert
It was getting late. The stars were beginning to peep in through the large
panoramic windows as if attracted by the soft romantic music which played
seductively in the cozy lounge.
"Say Venus – Is there any more coffee?" The colonel was
beginning to feel restless.
Smiling, the beautiful doctor of space medicine waved a hand in the direction
of the coffee maker,
"Of course Steve – help yourself." She lay back on the sofa,
gazing up at the night sky.
Steve considered, and decided to ignore the suggestion – he wasn't going to get his own coffee when there was a woman here to fetch it for him.
Venus stretched out lazily, like a cat, her long blonde hair falling casually
about her face.
"Well… what do you think of my new outfit Steve?"
She wore a silky dark blue gown which shimmered and glistened in the pale
Moonlight as if composed of the night sky.
"Ah…er…I guess I should be heading back to Space City", Steve was getting to his feet, "Matt wanted to see me about a new project of his…"
"Oh – that's just…fine – I'll go and sew some buttons on
something. A single girl can always find something interesting to do on a
starry moonlit night."
"Gee that's great Venus..." said Steve Zodiac as he hurried to the
door –
"Don't get up, I'll let myself out."
Fifteen minutes later, Steve was back aboard Fireball XL5. The ship was resting
on it's launch trolley, atop the mile-long launch rail. Beside Fireball stood
the prestigious HQ control tower of the World Space Patrol. The massive
control tower was rotating constantly as if scanning the depths of space -
which it was.
Professor Matic always chose to remain aboard Fireball when she was back on
Earth, he'd made it his home. He was always happiest when he had gadgets to
tinker with - and XL5 had a fair few of those.
He looked up from his current project as Steve came into the laboratory.
"Why Steve! – I sure didn't expect to see you here tonight. Weren't
you going to see Venus?"
Steve shrugged, "She had other ideas Matt – you know women. Said she
wanted to do some sewing."
The Professor shook his head, "That's women I guess. Now, let me show you
the modifications I've made to Robert…"
Meanwhile, in the Space City Control Tower, Lieutenant Ninety was puzzled
– and Commander Zero was getting irritated.
"What is it Lieutenant? Having trouble joining the dots to make a face?
"
"No Sir, it's just.. well Sir…" Ninety hated the way Zero made
him nervous.
"Spit it out man!"
The young lieutenant held up a sheaf of papers.
"This just doesn't add up sir…"
"Lieutenant – we have a computer to do that…"
"No Commander, sir, What I mean is…."
"I haven't got all day Lieutenant…"
"Well sir, it's the security patrols….. Everyone wants to do a shift
at Atello Beach…"
"And…?"
"Well sir, watchtower duty is pretty boring and lonely – most of the
time we don't get volunteers… but for that one watchtower….."
"You think too much Ninety – just do your job."
"Uh.. Yes sir."
Over at her home on the shore of Atello Beach….
Venus was not going to let Steve Zodiac spoil such a lovely evening.
She decided to go for a moonlight swim.
"Now Zoony," she told her pet Lazoon as she fed him with Martian
Delights, "You stay in the house while I go for my swim – I don't
want you stealing my clothes off the beach again. That was a naughty trick. I
had to chase you all over the beach last week and I almost caught a cold –
running around with no clothes on."
Meanwhile, in the nether reaches of Sector 25, on an insignificant world called
Planet 275(B)
An alien being studied a control panel, his face expressionless – as if
carved from wood.
"My lord, we are ready!"
"Excellent! At last we will have our revenge on Earth and the accursed
Steve Zephyr!"
"Er.. that's 'Zodiac' my lord."
"Is it..? Oh…. At last we will have our revenge on Zodiac and his
miserable planet."
"My lord, the Planatomic Missile is standing by for your signal."
"It is well, Datsun. Notify all of my followers to attend the
launch."
"At once my lord." Datsun left to fetch Chrysler, Ferrari and Skoda.
The mighty ruler of Planet 275(B) stared at the image of Earth on his viewer.
"I will teach them to describe me as the leader of a 'puppet'
government!"
Even in 2064, few things were powerful enough to destroy an entire world.
Planetomic missiles were one of those few things...
After a brief (but boring) speech and a few drinks, the huge rocket was launched.
The missile thundered into the alien skies - heading for space - and the distant and unsuspecting planet called 'Earth'.
On Earth, a few days later…
Steve stared at the mysterious blip on the space-scanners in the main control
room.
"Say Commander – I'll just take Fireball out there and see what's
going on…"
"You'll do WHAT Colonel?" Commander Zero snapped.
"Er, Sir, Colonel Zodiac said that he'd jus…"
"Lieutenant Ninety! I know what the colonel just said!"
"But sir…. You said…"
"I know what I said Lieutenant and…."
"Sir!"
"Don't' interrupt me….I know what I said. Keep this one important
fact in mind Lieutenant – I give the orders around here. And further
more… ….What's that noise?"
"XL5 is blasting away sir"
Commander Zero didn't reply, he had a headache.
In the navigation bay of Fireball, Professor Mathew Mattic was sound asleep
– until the main boosters fired and XL5 launched into the atmosphere.
"What in tarnation!" he exclaimed as his coffee machine emptied it's
contents over his head as the cabin tilted at 45 degrees.
In the control cabin Venus was a little concerned when she heard Matt's cries
over the intercom.
She placed a hand on Steve's shoulder as she stood behind his chair,
"Steve, shouldn't we have told the Professor we were taking off?
"Don't worry Venus – he's just an old Toot.."
Suddenly Commander Zero's voice blared from the speakers.
"Zodiac! – What in blazes do you think you are playing at? "
Steve clicked his forefinger and thumb. <snap>
"Return to…" Commander Zero was saying just before
Robert swung out his right arm and switched off the Neutroni transmitter.
"Gee, that's real Boss!" Steve cast a glance back at Venus "Hey
– tell Matt his new modification to Robert works!"
Back in Space City, Lieutenant Ninety was getting the Commander an aspirin…
Evil eyes were watching the progress of the planetomic missile.
"Skoda – Report!"
"My lord, the planatomic missile approaches Earth… but…"
"But?"
"My lord.." interrupted Chrysler, "The World Space Patrol vessel
XL5 is on an intercept course!"
The leader of the puppet government had a strange sinking feeling in the pit of
his stomach. He wanted to say "Oo-er!" but decided against it.
He had to keep his followers in good spirits – bad morale was bad for his
career.
As he spoke his eyes darted rapidly from side to side in a shifty sort of way.
"Do not worry," he began, choosing his words carefully, "I have
planned a little surprise for Colonel Zodiac…" He began to chuckle to
himself meaningfully.
To his relief his plan worked – soon everyone was laughing - in a nasty,
evil sort of way.
"Any idea what that thing is Matt?"
"Judging from it's course and speed I'd say it was a missile of some sort
Steve."
"And it's heading for Earth?"
"That's for sure – if we don't stop it – on it's present course
and speed it'll reach Earth in two hours."
"How terrible! Do you suppose it's a planatomic missile Professor?"
"Afraid I can't tell at this range Venus – but it sure seems
likely."
"Matt – plot me an intercept course – I want a closer look."
"Okay Steve, working on it now."
As Steve headed for the door he stopped and gave a word of encouragement to the
ship's doctor of space medicine.
"Don't worry Venus, you can make yourself useful by fixing us some
coffee."
Back on Earth, Lieutenant Ninety was trying to establish contact.
"They still don't answer sir…"
"Keep trying Lieutenant – use the Neutroni transmitter."
The lieutenant sighed, reflecting to himself,. "What does he think I'm
doing? Sending smoke signals?" He'd learnt not to voice such thoughts in
the Commander's hearing.
"XL5 to Space City…"
"It's them sir! Come in Fireball XL5. We've been trying to reach
you."
Steve Zodiac's voice came in loud and clear, "We went through a heavy
meteor shower a while back – must've caused some interference. Receiving
you loud and clear now. We are just coming into firing range with the
missile."
"Hold on Colonel." Commander Zero was anxious to have some say in
what went on. "I want to know where that missile came from – see if
you can disable it – if we have a space war on our hands I'd like to know
who the enemy is."
"Sure thing Commander. Zodiac out."
Lieutenant Ninety switched off the transmitter. "Gee Commander, that's a
pretty tall order – disabling a planatomic missile!"
"Zodiac and his crew are a crack team Lieutenant." Commander Zero
watched as the two blips on the space scanner converged. "Highly trained,
resourceful – the Best!"
"I know that sir – but one slip and…"
Tense moments ticked by as Professor Matic worked feverishly in his laboratory
aboard Fireball.
Doctor Venus was getting anxious.
"Well Professor – is it going to work?"
"Ah, let's just see Venus…one final adjustment…"
<KERBLAM!>
An ear-splitting explosion threw Venus against the bulkhead.
Thick black smoke filled the air with an acrid burning smell and a just a hint
of bergamont.
"Professor! Are you all right?" called Venus scrambling to her feet.
"Uh..I guess so… but I'm afraid my instant tea maker needs some
repair work…."
"Action stations – man your posts." Steve called over the ship's
intercom.
"Missile in range – I'm bringing Fireball around on a parallel course
so we can get a good look at that thing."
Matt and Venus hurried over to the Navigation bay.
"Steve – be careful – if it is a planatomic missile it could be
dangerous!"
"Sure Venus." Steve was glad he had experts aboard to advise him on
technical matters.
"I'll treat it like that Lazoon of yours and keep it at arms length.."
"Steve! There's a crew aboard!" Matt's voice exclaimed from the
intercom as Steve made a close pass of the missile.
On Matt's space viewer alien eyes were staring back at him from a small cockpit
on the nose of the missile.
"Ugly looking critters too. I'd say they were pure evil."
Steve smiled grimly to himself. "Let's show them we mean business –
preparing to launch interceptor missile." He flicked a switch and a green
light flared on his console. "Here goes…"
An interceptor missile flashed towards it's target.
Matt studied the image on his viewer.
The missile detonated on impact.
"Nice shooting Steve! You've knocked out their main drive."
Fireball's retro's fired as Steve brought the ship alongside the now drifting
missile.
"Matt, meet me in the ejection room – Venus, prepare a couple of
thruster packs."
Steve flicked off the intercom and headed for the door.
"Stay on free float Robert – maintain position."
The robot's eyes flashed as it confirmed the order.
"Roger understood. Maintain position."
A short time later Steve and Matt were donning thruster packs in the ejection
room.
"Don't forget your oxygen pills." Venus reminded them both.
Over in the planatomic missile, two aliens considered their position.
"What will become of us?" asked one of them nervously.
His companion was calmer and had an air of authority.
"I suppose we will be thrown into jail for trying to destroy the planet
Earth."
"Fiat, we must detonate the warhead to avoid capture – and destroy
our enemies.."
"That is true Renault." Fiat glanced at the big black lever in front
of him.
He reached out his hand, slowly, deliberately.
"Wait!" cried Renault, panic in his voice.
"What is it Renault?"
"I think I'd quite like to be thrown into jail…"
"You are a coward and a traitor." Declared Fiat.
"Certainly –that's why they put me in this ruddy suicide rocket in
the first place…"
On a planet far far away events were reaching a climax.
However, on Planet 275(b) things were not quite as exciting.
"Well my lord?"
Skoda and Chrysler gazed expectantly at their leader.
"Well what?" responded their leader, wishing they'd go away.
"The surprise!" cackled Chrysler and Skoda.
"Oh that…" Porshe extended a finger and pressed a large stud on
a control panel. A protective cover slid aside, exposing a large red button.
"Observe as I detonate the missile – and destroy the accursed Steve
Zodiac!"
Fiat considered the black lever once more.
He pulled the lever down. Everything went black.
"Fiat? Am I dead?"
"No you fool – I just turned off the electrics – now the missile
cannot be detonated by remote control."
"Then you also are a….?"
"A coward and a traitor – of course." Fiat sat back and relaxed.
"Let's tell the Earthmen everything we know – it could get us off the
hook."
Back at Space City Lieutenant Ninety was shaking his head.
"I just don't get it…"
He saw Commander Zero looking in his direction and shut his mouth abruptly.
"What was that?" snapped Commander Zero in his usual friendly manner.
"Oh…the transfer requests to Atello Beach – they've all been
cancelled…"
"I guess you just made a mistake Lieutenant. Now, do something useful and
get a progress report from Fireball."
"Uh.. yes sir, right away."
"Space City to XL5, Space City to XL5 – come in XL5."
"Yes Lieutenant Ninety. What can I do for you?" Venus replied sweetly
from the neutroni transmitter.
A dozen or so possibilities sprang up in the young lieutenant's fertile
imagination.
Seeing the Lieutenant hesitate, Commander Zero took over.
"Hello Venus. What's the situation – have you neutralised the missile
yet?"
"Steve and Matt are over there now Commander – everything is under
control."
"Good – have Steve call me as soon as he gets back."
Soon Steve and Matt had the two aliens aboard Fireball XL5.
Commander Zero wanted to know where the missile had come from and Matt had a
way with words…
"If you don't tell us where you come from - we'll be forced to destroy
your planet."
Matt waved a coma ray gun at the two prisoners in Fireball's space jail.
Steve put a hand on Matt's shoulder. "Say Matt – can we do that?"
"Why sure Steve. Why, back in my Space Pioneer days we did a lot of that
sort of thing – sure is fun."
"But Steve – we don't know where their planet is…" put in
Venus helpfully.
"Say Venus – I could sure do with a coffee." Said Steve
pointedly looking at the door.
Fiat suddenly had an idea.
"We will never tell you that the name of our planet is 275B… you are
wasting your time."
Steve glanced at Matt, "They've got us cold Matt – what can we
do?"
Matt had the answer – "Ah, let's see if Venus has fixed us some
coffee Steve."
Call it intuition - a hunch, but Matt had a good idea where the missile had
come from. "Steve, I reckon I can send that planatomic missile back where
it came from…planet 275B"
Steve always marvelled at the Professors powers of logic and deduction.
"But Professor – isn't that horrible?"
"Why by no means Venus. We used to have a saying back at Universe
University – the only good alien is a dead alien."
"I never heard anyone say that when I was there…."
"Oh, let's see, it was in the 'Ethics and Morality' section of Space
Pioneer
Training."
"Well, guess we can't sit here listening to you reminiscing about the good
old days – There's work to be done." Steve put down his empty coffee
cup and headed for the door, "Don't worry Venus – Matt says that
Planet 275B is uninhabited… anyhow, it will be - real soon."
A few days later Fireball was returning to Earth - mission accomplished.
"You see Ninety?" Commander Zero lectured, "What it took was
quick thinking - a snap decision. That's what command is all about. I got XL5
out there right away. That's the way to solve these problems - act quickly.
Too many people around here talk instead of….Ninety!!"
"Uh Oh sorry Sir, I was reading a manual. Did you say something?"
For once, Commander Zero smiled. He was in a good mood, another successful
mission under his belt…
