Catacombs Reference LibraryUK Press
Outer Space
Catacombs Reference LibraryThis is a thin (32 page) glossy magazine from the UK, published by Rulebourne Ltd, probably in late 1977. The text is minimal (the four pages of Space: 1999 are the biggest text in the magazine); most of the pages are attractive full-page colour photos, mostly of Star Wars and Doctor Who. The fuzzy cover is the least attractive photo.
A fantastic 'Space 1999' adventure forms the basis of an exciting competition that everyone can enter.
Three hundred men and women are stranded on Moan Base Alpha when violent explosions on earth caused by nuclear waste blast the moon out of orbit.
The planet hurtles away through the vast black expanse of space to meet unknown worlds and unknown peoples.
This group of dedicated scientists and technicians are always in hope of finding a planet like earth with gravity and a supply Of oxygen. They are finding the strain too much to bear living in a false atmosphere on the moon base.
But life is made as easy as possible for all personnel. They have a restaurant, gymnasium. artificial sun-ray solarium and. Of course their own private quarters.
All functions on the base are by the central computer in Main Mission. And apart from practically running the base, the computer is also the principle warning system and communication centre for contacting other planets. It works out which actions should or should not be taken. and tells the operators not by churning out punched tape but by speaking it's instructions!
Communication between sections is by means of the magic "key". These are known as commiocks and are carried by all personnel. The commlock opens doors and serves as a two-way video 'telephone'
Commander Koenig can also use his commlock to impart instructions to the computer.
Other main characters are Dr. Helena Russell, Chief of Medical Section and Professor Bergman, Chief Scientist.
Commander Koenig is dying, severely injured when the Eagle craft in which he has been carrying out explorations goes out of control and crashes on the moon's surface. But he seems to be alive and well, without any sign of his injuries, as he makes off on his own, but finds Main Mission completely deserted except for the sudden, unexpected appearance of an incredibly lovely girl. She smiles and then vanishes. Puzzled, he goes to the Main Console and presses the big screen button and finds himself looking at an unbelievably beautiful, futuristic world, the strange and elegant buildings in the shapes of different bright colours.
The room spins round. He finds himself in the midst of a purple void. He is on the plant Zenno - a planet consisting entirely of light. Koenig has been brought there by the man now addressing him. His name is Raan, a strikingly dressed but gentle figure who tells him that he has brought him there. He is an image of his own self, as is the Main Mission to which he had made bis way after the crash.
Koenig is now five million light years away from Earth. Zenno's existence will not be discovered by Earthmen for many years, perhaps never. But the breakaway moon has come close.
Back on the moon, Dr. Helena Russell is fighting to save Keonig's life. Two of his travelling companions, Professor Bergman and Sandra, who have also been injured in the Eagle crash, are in a serious condition. The beautiful girl Koenig had seen so fleetingly reappears. She is Raan's daughter Vana. She looks incredibly young but tells him she is 218 years old; her father is 508. The life span on Zenno is ten times that on Earth. It is Vana who explains that her father is a foremost anthropologist and that his reason for bringing Koenig to Zenno is to learn about the past, and Earth. from him first hand.
Vana is clearly attracted to him. It is a new emotion for her. Her father is the first to realise that She is experiencing the, emotion of love. Koenig sees that his only chance of ever getting back to his own people is to trade on that love. Only she can influence her father. It becomes a battle between him and Raan.
On the moon, there seems to be little hope of saving Koenig. Helena is relying on the life support system, but she cannot save Sandra. Raan is using her to try to influence Koenig, who by now is struggling against his own feelings of love for Vana. It would be easy to spend his future with her. But his real life, he knows, is back on the moon. His only hope now is to exert the forces of another type of love-the love of a father for his daughter. But time is running short. Raan has warned him. Only one can survive, the Earth Koenig or his image ..
YOU WRITE YOUR OWN ENDING !
Space: 1999 copyright ITV Studios Global Entertainment