The Merchandise Guide
Annual 1975

Should a mental take-over have been attempted by alien beings, then Professor Victor Bergman--the bril- liant scientist who is nomin- ally only a supernumerary on Moonbase (and therefore wears no colours on his sleeve)--steps in. His know- ledge of the human brain and its workings is para- mount.    For more routine help, Doctor Russell relies on the help of her assistant, Doctor Mathias.    Control of Main Mission itself is the responsibility of Paul Morrow. He is the co- ordinator of all that hap- pens. All that affects life on Moonbase. He makes assess- ments of the situation and re- ports directly to Comman- der Koenig. He is, in fact, the Executive Officer . . .    Although Koenig works in direct co-operation with Helena Russell and Profes- sor Bergman, it is Morrow's job to see that everything runs smoothly. That the Commander's orders are transmitted to all the far- thest corners of Moonbase, that the suggestions, prob- lems and needs of the people from all those corners are brought to the attention of his chief.    And problems there are.

For Moonbase is far more than just Main Mission. Three hundred people, re- member--living as much like normal humans as they can. Living their day-to-day lives. The routine of work. Eating, sleeping, relaxing. Raising and looking after their families. This is no mere complex of scientists. There is food to be prepared. Clothes to clean and launder. Garbage to be disposed of. Even money to be earned-- though money itself has ceased to have any meaning for the castaways. Things are made with materials swapped. It's almost primi- tive, the way one woman will make clothes in return for a toy or ornament made by someone else. And when men relax--perhaps playing cards, betting on races run theoretically through the leisure computer--they use counters for gambling. Where there is no certain future, wealth is a joke!    And yet arguments break out. Petty jealousies. Envy. For so many people to be thrown constantly into each other's company makes for such things.    A section of Moonbase spends its time scientific- ally trying to combat the worries and stresses that affect its people. This is the research laboratory, where safe tranquilising drugs are

produced, to be added to the food the people eat. And also, the lab is respon- sible for the maintenance of the whole life-support system of the Moon. They-- the people who work there --have to ensure that Moon- base is invulnerable to such conditions as food shortage, air-starvation, neuro- lethargy . . .    And neuro-lethargy is perhaps one of the most serious conditions on Moon- base. In this area, the prob- lems of the subject are worked out . . .    A depression of the whole nervous system caused by sheer lack of exercise, it can be overcome by chemical means. People have to be medicated so that they don't become tired of the naturally limited --facilities for recreation on Moonbase. For example. Even the most fanatical footballer will become tired of his game if he's con- stantly in competition with the same opposing teams, week after week. To keep minds clear and active, the laboratory staff produce additives which calm ner- vous reaction in themselves and their fellows. And this is where they apply their skill. The vast area of inter- locked chambers, each kept to a closely watched temp- perature and artificial cli- mate where foods --for there are no slaughter- animals on Moonbase--that replace meat in the diet.