Chapter One

The Eye had been travelling through space for an endless six weeks as it finally arrived at Jupiter. It’s mission was to investigate the Planet’s Moon’s as it had been reported that the Aliens had been detected in that area from SHADO’s long range scanners. It was just a hunch back on Earth, but that hunch was about to become fact. The Eye had been programmed to follow a specific course which would take it around each of the Moon’s. As it would perform single orbits around each Moon, it would snap series of high definition photographs which would be relayed instantly back to Earth. The process was simple as the probe was light and un-manned.

Fairfield Tracker Station

At the SHADO Tracker Station in Fairfield, the pictures of Gallisto had been received by SHADO scientists. Among the scientists were Colonel’s Alec Freeman and Paul Foster. They had both been sent to monitor the probe’s mission by Commander Ed Straker. Straker had to go on an errand to see General Henderson and couldn’t manage the mission himself. Alec jumped at the chance to handle the mission as he had recently carried out a project on The Eye as well as overlooking it’s construction.

Paul had come along because he was driving Alec all over the place. he didn’t want to be there as the thought of being stuck in a confined space made him feel uncomfortable. He stood behind Alec and watched the photo dispenser machine roar to life. within seconds, a small list of photo’s appeared from the dispenser. They were small and were only processed in black and white film, but they did show the answers that SHADO were looking for.

Alec removed the photo’s from the dispencer, took a brief look at them and then showed them to Paul. Upon expecting the photo’s, Paul could see a UFO in one of the shots.

“So it’s true?”  he said as he looked up towards Alec. “The Aliens have advanced to Jupiter, but which Moon?”

“Well according to The Eye’s black box recorder, it was positioned in orbit around Gallisto.” Alec answered as he displayed a frown on his face. “That was taken immediately before the UFO came into view.”

“Do you suppose that it attacked the probe?” Paul asked as he gazed at the frame which showed the UFO. “By the looks of it, it did come in mighty close?”

“We can assume that we wont be seeing The Eye again?” Alec replied. “It must’ve been destroyed?”

“Well what are we going to do now, Alec?” Paul continued with his questions.

“I’ll go and call Commander Straker. He should be at the IAC building right about now?” Alec answered with a deep sigh.

“Hmmm. I wonder how Henderson’s going to take the news?” Paul went on, changing the subject.

“What news?” Alec asked, as his mind was scattered all over the place.

“You know?” Paul reminded. “The news about the new Moonbase? Moonbase Alpha I believe?”

“Oh yes.” Alec replied as he remembered what Straker had said to him only hours before. “Well we’ll soon find that out once we return to control. We’ll take these photo’s with us?”

With that, Paul left the tracking station to get the car ready. The two colonel’s had stumbled upon something big. As they were driving through the country side back to the studio, Alec was trying to get a line to the IAC building. Unfortunately, they weren’t having any luck what so ever. Putting the phone down in frustration, Alec rubbed his eyes and tried to figure out what to do. Sure he could’ve contacted Lieutenant Keith Ford back at control, but he would only write down the message himself. He was un aware that Paul was looking at him from out the corner of his eye.

“You know, we could take care of this ourselves?” he said as he fixed his eyes on the road.

“How?” Alec replied as he tried not to raise his voice. “We can’t do anything without Ed’s approval?”

“But he did say that you has full control of this mission, did he not?” Paul contradicted. “We can’t afford to keep this hidden while the Aliens are practically on our doorstep?”

“Well we’ll have to wait, Paul?” Alec replied. “After all, Ed is still our boss?”

Paul just nodded and directed his attention to the road. It was going to be a long ride home and a silent one at that, but it provided the opportunity for both men to relax a little until they arrived back at Harlington Straker studios.


The International Astrophysical Commission (IAC)

Ed Straker had been in Henderson’s office for three hours now. He didn’t want to leave until the General had fully understood the purpose of the newly established Moonbase Alpha. He thought that the meeting would be a piece of cake, but he underestimated the lack of intelligence that Henderson possessed. All he wanted to do was explain to Henderson the advantages of the new Moonbase, but Henderson couldn’t understand the report properly which forced Ed to explain the report in thorough detail. He had been over the technical schematics, advantages and operations so many times that he was beginning to get a dry throat. He just sat there and watched Henderson stare at the report. He signed as he wanted to go. Time was of the essence and he needed to be back at control, but he wasn’t going anywhere until Henderson approved the report.

“I’m sorry to keep you here all this time, Straker.” Henderson muttered as he rested his head on his hand. “but I’ve decided that I can approve the report if you explain to me what actually happened to the previous Moonbase?”

“Now you know what happened to Moonbase, General?” Ed replied as he contained a growl under his breath.

“Yes, but I haven’t heard your side of the events that happened?” Henderson snarled.

“Three years ago, Moonbase was involved in a mass UFO attack. All three Interceptors had been destroyed, the lunar defence tanks had also been destroyed and SID had been knocked out beyond repair.” Ed explained as he raised his voice. “The attack wasn’t aimed at Earth, but at the Moon itself. A UFO was able to fly along the surface and fire directly at the water and installations plant, destroying it completely. Then they converged on Moonbase itself and blasted it to smithereens. Thirty people died that night. One of which was Lieutenant Joan Harrington. Ever since that incident, SHADO’s defences had been breeched, with UFO’s entering the atmosphere on almost an hourly basis. That’s why I pushed through the request the build a huge, advanced Moonbase. One that could withstand mass attacks and a huge number of Interceptors.”

“And did you take the financial backing into consideration?” Henderson continued as he pulled out another file from his desk. “This construction won’t go as swimmingly where money is concerned?”

“I agree with that.” Ed acknowledged the question. “But I have considered the financial backing by approaching the board with the proposal. They were more than happy to agree with it. It won’t be easy though? What with the number of UFO attacks and all. It’s quite possible that the construction zone could well be attacked?”

“I see?” Henderson replied, as he lifted himself out of his seat. “Well under the circumstances, I finally realise the situation and I will accept the report. However, you’ll need some sort of defence on the moon while the base is being constructed. Do you have any Interceptors left?”

“Yes, we have three that are being stored at the site of the old Dalotek installation.” Ed confirmed. “They are well hidden and haven’t been detected by the Aliens so far?”

Henderson nodded. He finally understood the report and kindly gestured the commander to leave the office after the long tiring meeting. As Ed grabbed his briefcase and turned to leave, Henderson said one last thing.

“Well what can I say, Straker? For once I finally agree with you on this request. I hope you’re successful?”

“Thank you.” Ed replied, wearily. “But remember? We’re trying to make Earth an impenetrable fortress for the Aliens. You’re going to get a lot more requests regarding it’s defences in space? I hope you understand seriousness of all of this?”

“I do.” Henderson said calmly. “Goodnight, Straker?”

“Goodnight.” Ed replied as he finally walked through the door and towards the main entrance.


****


It was now dark outside when Ed returned to his Bronze Mustang saloon car. As he sat down behind the steering wheel, he couldn’t decide whether to go back to control or drive home where he could get a couple of hors sleep. It had been a trying day after all and it was certainly the first in a line of long, tiring meetings with Henderson. After yawning heavily, he decided to head home, but first, he was going to call into control. He picked up his brown, portable phone and waited for someone to pick it up.

“Straker here?” He said clearly into the hand set. “Tell Colonel Freeman that Henderson has a agreed to support the Alpha project. Oh and I’m heading home for a few hours, call me if anything should happen?”

Suddenly, his expression began to turn into a serious frown as he continued to talk to whoever was on the other end.

“They’ve what?” he went on. “Tell him to have the photo’s ready on my desk for when I get back? I’m heading back now.”

He placed the phone down and started up the cars engine. He wasn’t going home after all. Instead he was going to return to control and study the photo’s in which Alec and Paul had brought back with them. He was never one for missing out on any scrap of news let alone he had left mission to Alec. He just had to know exactly what the Aliens were planning so he could put SHADO a step ahead of their game.

He drove off into the English countryside, hoping that it would be a quiet drive home.


SHADO HQ

It was ten pm when Ed arrived back at Harlington Straker studios. He needed to get a cup of coffee before he could view anything as he was on the verge of passing out on the studio office floor. As he entered the doors to his office, he approached his secretary, Miss Holland.

“Good evening sir.” Greeted Miss Holland. “How was you’re meeting with General Henderson?”

“Tiresome.” Ed replied as he rubbed his eyes. “Oh and you can have the rest of the night off. Any calls can be directed to my underground office.”

“Very good sir.” Miss Holland replied with a smile as she grabbed her coat. “I’ll see you in the morning. Good night.”

“Good night.” Ed said, waving his secretary goodbye.

He entered his office and the bulky red doors closed behind him. opening up his cigar box, he spoke into the hidden transmitter which verified his voice print. He then sat tight as his office began to descend below the rest of the studio. When his elevator office came to a halt, the doors opened to reveal the concrete, underground corridors of SHADO.

As he entered the noisy, crowded, narrow control room, he approached Keith Ford, who was sitting comfortably at his station.

“Lieutenant, where is Colonel Freeman?” he asked.

“He’s in your office sir.” Ford replied.

“Thank you.” Ed said as he placed his hand on Ford’s shoulder. “Lieutenant Anderson will relieve you now.”

He entered his office to find Alec and Paul sitting there, waiting for him. The photo’s were sprawled across the desk along with unfinished papers and other office equipment. Ed closed the doors and took his seat behind the desk. He picked up the photos and instantly spotted the one that showed the UFO. He then looked at Freeman with a horrified look on his face.

“Is this taken where I think it is?” he asked, guessing the answer.

“I’m afraid so.” Alec replied as he offered Ed a cigarette. “That was taken this morning around the Moon of Gallisto. Shortly afterwards, The Eye was destroyed.”

“Well this confirms that our suspicions were right all along.” Ed said grunted as he threw the photos on the desk. “The Aliens have colonised Gallisto. It makes sense that they should do that as it practically brings them closer for another mass attack.”

“Or an invasion?” Alec added. “Maybe they’re planning to make an invasion attempt.”

“Hmmmm, it’s possible?” Ed agreed as lit his cigarette with his silver block lighter. “But I wouldn’t think that it was in them to make such a move? Never the less, we can’t leave it out of the pile of possibilities.”

“Well I wouldn’t be surprised.” Paul intervened as he stood up to face. “As we’ve previously learnt, the Aliens have been making technical advancements to their UFO’s. They maybe all geared up for another mass attack?”

“And yet, Moonbase Alpha hasn’t even had it’s frame completed.” Ed sighed as he stood up to walk to the coffee machine. “Gentlemen, this is going to be a tough one?”

“Don’t forget that we still have the Interceptors at supply station B?” Paul pointed. “And the new SID is about to be activated in Three hours? It’ll give us some defence?”

“Yes but not enough to withstand a mass attack?” Ed countered. “It sounds more like a job for sea, air and ground defences. Paul, I want Skydiver put into the picture. In fact, have all Skydiver crews proceed to yellow alert?”

“Yes sir.” Paul replied as he turned to leave the office.

“Oh and as for you Alec, I need you to oversee the rest of the construction of Moonbase Alpha?” Ed went on as he turned his head to his faithful second in command. “Virginia Lake is up there now, but she reported in this morning. She could use a hand managing the site?”

“Sure.” Alec asked. “I’ll take the next flight up.”

As Alec was about to leave the office, he stopped to see Ed checking his calendar. That was a special day.

“It was Joan Harrington’s birthday today, wasn’t it?” he said.

“Yes.” Ed replied as he took another puff of his cigarette. “ She would’ve been forty-four years old today.”

Alec nodded and stepped out into the control room, leaving Ed alone in his office. It had been a dark time for SHADO and after a decade of fighting, there didn’t seem to be a chance of things getting any better.


Moonbase Alpha construction site

The Moon was a dark and eerie place. It was once a defence ground for SHADO as it use to hold a Moonbase, but now it had become a battle ground and a graveyard for ships. The Aliens had recently used the Moon’s surface as cover as they would fly their UFO’s towards the Earth, but hopefully for SHADO, that would soon change.

Moonbase Alpha being built on the Moon. It’s purpose was to hold a strong defence network in space which consisted of a huge number of Interceptors, Moon Hoppers, Lunar Tanks and specially adapted Lunar attack Modules. Alpha was to be completely self efficient so it didn’t require on the surface installations. It was also designed to be impenetrable and indestructible  to UFO attacks on any scale. It base was given the name “Alpha” as it was the first of two bases that were scheduled to be built. Plans for it’s sister base named “Beta” had yet to be approved.

Unfortunately, the base had been under construction for three years now. Although it’s frame, corridors, hangars and rooms were completed, it was nowhere near operational and it had become vulnerable to repeated UFO attacks. Luckily, help was over the horizon as the site of the old Dalotek installation was now home to the Interceptors until the base was fully operational.

As she took a walk through the dimly lit, newly established corridors, Virginia Lake found herself lost. The base had become a maze as one corridor linked up with another. The inspection seemed endless. She was on her to meet Alec Freeman, who had just arrived at the base. The artificial environment was working at 70% so the air in the base was a little thin. Virginia was able to find the hangar bay as she waited for Alec to enter the corridor. The doors opened and Alec stepped through, carrying a map of the base under his arm.

“Hello, Ginny.” He greeted her, kissing her on the cheek. “The commander sent me up to keep you company. How are things up here?”

“Everything’s going according to schedule, Alec.” She replied with a smile. “But this place is so big that I can’t find the main control room?”

“Well we can both find it together?” Alec said as he pulled out the map and unrolled it. “You see, we are here. If we take this left service corridor? It’ll lead us to this section here which will take us to the command centre?”

“Oh right.” Virginia replied. “Well lets go and I’ll fill you in with the details?”

The pair took a nice stroll towards the control room. Virginia was so pleased to see Alec as she hadn’t seen a friendly face for quite a some time. Not only that, she had grown quite fond of Alec over the years because out of him, Paul and Ed, Alec was the gentleman.

“So I hear that SID will be activated in an hour?” she said, starting off the conversation.

“Well it might be even sooner that we all think?” Alec replied. “A maintenance crew is up there with it right now. They reckon that SID will  switched on within twenty minutes at the most.”

“Even better.” Virginia went on. “How is everyone back home?”

“Well Paul is chirpy as always, but Ed is still his same old self.” Alec answered as he looked down to the floor. He wanted to change the subject and tell Virginia something that he had been meaning to say. “I’ve missed you, you know?”

Virginia smiled and held Alec’s hand. They had both grown closer over the years, but couldn’t find the time to be alone with each other.

“I’ve missed you too.” She replied as the two of them had finally entered the command centre.

The command centre was triple the size of that at the original Moonbase. Complex computer stations were positioned in rows, all of which were facing a huge screen, that was mounted on the wall. Technicians laid about the floor as they were making the finishing touches to bases’ computer and main power systems. Then, with the flick of a switch, the base, come to life. It’s computers were whaling and whistling, it’s oxygen levels were now functioning at a hundred percent and it’s power systems had lit the base up like a Christmas tree. One of the technicians approached Alec with his report.

“Sir, Moonbase Alpha is now fully operational.” He said. “The artificial environment systems are functioning at full capacity, the hangar bays are fully air tight and operational, heat and light generators are functioning properly and our defence shield test results have come back positive. All we need to do now is test out our communication link up with SID and HQ and we’re good to go.”

“Good?” Alec replied as he checked his watch. “SID should be activated in a few minutes.”

As they waited for the time to pass by, Alec took a seat at one of the desks. Virginia stood next to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. She could see from the expression on his face that something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?” she asked him calmly. “You can tell me Alec?”

“Well Virginia, you’re not going to believe this?” Alec replied. “The Eye had been destroyed this morning by a UFO. It was in orbit around the Jupiter Moon, Gallisto. It’s believed that the Aliens have colonised that Moon.”

“Oh my god?” Virginia replied in shock. “That gives them a clear run to Earth?”

“It also makes you and the base venerable to attack up here.” Alec replied. “That’s why Commander Straker sent me up here. He wanted to make sure that you were safe.”

“Why did he send you?” Virginia asked, as she tried to make sense of what Alec was saying. “Why didn’t he send up Paul?”

“Because I think he knows about us, Ginny?” Alec replied. “It’s understandable why he would send me up, not that I’m complaining.”

Just as they were beginning to have another conversation, SID’s computerised voice emitted over the huge tannoy which loomed over the entire room. It was back online sooner than anyone in the room had expected.

“Space Intruder Detector, fully operational. Radio link with SHADO control operational. Radio link with Moonbase Alpha control operational.”

“Brilliant.” Alec smiled as he approached the radio console, which was situated at the far right end of the room.

“Is the communication line to SHADO control operational yet?” he asked the technician.

“Yes sir.” The technician confirmed.

Alec was about to send message to Ed, when SID’s voice came again.

“Have positive fix on UFO. Trajectory: 24538, speed: sol. 8. Area reference: NGHY.”

“NGHY?” Virginia said as she approached Alec. “That means that the UFO is coming in from Jupiter?”

“It makes sense.” Alec replied. “I’ll contact Supply Base C.”

Pressing down on the radio button, Alec transmitted a long distance message to the Supply Base, where the Interceptors were kept.

“Moonbase Alpha to Supply Base C.” he ordered. “ Launch the Interceptors. Repeat, launch the Interceptors.”

“Shall I switch the base to Yellow Alert?” Virginia asked.

“We can’t.” Alec replied. “The alarm systems haven’t been tested yet. Nope, we’ll have to sit tight here?”

A few minutes had passed when Alec and Virginia were suddenly drawn to the side windows. The glanced up to see the three Interceptors fly over their heads. They both felt comfortable that it was just the one UFO that SID had detected. At least the Interceptors could easily take it out. If not them, then Skydiver, but all they could do wait.