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Space: 1999 The Classic Adventures
Discussion about The Classic Adventures site.
World War Terminus (WWT)
Defensive Weapons on MBA
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| moonbasealpha_s1 03 Aug 2003 00:52:18 |
In the world of Space:1999 The Classic Adventures, we came up with a scenario that would explain the presence of the implements of war (and peace) in Moonbase Alpha, From 1987 to 1991, a global war was fought that involved conventional, chemical and some nuclear exchanges. It has been christened as World War Termimus, in the hope that it would be the last and final world war. The war was started as a result of political, economical and social stresses that were never really resolved in WW1, WW2, Vietnam, as well as various other prominent civil wars in the global community during the 20th century. The war was fought between two opposing forces; the Allies, which were primarily the United States, Great Britain and their "traditional" allies and the Tri-Continent which was France, China and most countries comprising the Arabian pennisula. The war was fought from space on both Allied and Tri-Continent space platforms using Hawks and laser Eagles as destruction reeked on earth as well. We believed it was not a continuous assault and would often take on the form of terrorist type attacks. It was a psychological distressing war because there may have been long periods of time when nothing was happening and peace seemed imminent...then...it started again. Moonbase Alpha had been built originally in the Tyco crater and was deemed a neutral zone during the war. Just before the war started, construction began on the larger Moonbase Alpha in Plato crater. For the most part, old Moonbase was respected as a neutral zone when, in the last 6 months of the war, Tri-Continent forces attacked the old Moonbase and destroyed it. Peace was finally achieved with the Armistice of 1991. As you would suspect, there were really no clear "winners" from this war. It was pretty much a draw. Construction continued on the new Moonbase Alpha but as part of the Armistice, 12 Titan, nuclear missiles were added to MBA as a purely defensive weapon. Right...sure...that was the official explanation. In reality, there were countries which, although they had signed the Armistice of 1991, were not trusted to keep their word. Therefore, the missiles were "aimed" at these countries, just to ensure a little extra cooperation. Needless to say, though, despite the Armistice of 1991, it appeared, through 1999 that the world was headed toward war again; one indication was an increase in terrorist activity and the unwillingness of countries to enforce bans and censures on countries that supported such activity. Woefully, it was breaking down and war probably would have broken out by the end of the year...then...breakaway happened. In our universe, though it is not know, it is believed that the Breakaway Syndrome laid waste to the planet and there is likely no life on earth. The Tritans have been used for defensive purposes as MBA faces the menace of deep space. So far, they've used up 4, and getting ready to use up another six in the story Reflections From the Deep. HMMM....better slow down on using these up..LOL... |
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| RBAdams 03 Aug 2003 07:15:28 |
D'ya mean "wreaked"? |
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| moonbasealpha_s1 03 Aug 2003 22:03:27 |
LOL...hmmm...Maybe not. Afterall, war is pretty stinky business, don't cha think? | ||
| Otis 15 Aug 2003 20:26:44 |
Pure curiosity really, can I know why France was suppose to be so foolish that it would go at war against the States and, by the way, what was doing Belgium ?? Otis, the spy  |
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| moonbasealpha_s1 15 Aug 2003 20:49:51 |
The opposing sides were mere speculation loosely (and I mean very loosely) based on the political climate in the last 10 years or so. No offense is intended to any particular country, though war is offensive to all countries.. What was Belgium doing? I suppose whatever you imagine Belgium to be doing during that war.  |
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| tgarnett25 17 Aug 2003 01:07:20 |
It's about striking the iron while it's hot, and Field Marshall Irwin Rommel, and Douglas MacArthur were kindred interlocutors. We pried open the horse's mouth, and checked his teeth. Here's the deal. Season One reeked (no, not 'wreaked;' 'reeked,' as in BO, and Limberger) of a dark, falling curtain of paranoia, and political unease. A culture poisoned by the fangs of Mai Lai, and Watergate, and Nikita Kruschev, and Joseph Stalin. Upon the tapestry of "Breakaway," we saw the burdgeoning rows of strictnine wheat that had been sown by the likes of Richard Helms, and the Bolsheviks. In "Space: 1999, The Classic Adventures," it is our self-effacing duty to pony up reality as we perceived it. A climate where pundits like Simmonds, and Dixon--traitors down to the black, and putrid DNA that holds them together, like salt, sprinkled by a voodoo priest--are more concerned about personal aggrandizement than peace, and good will towards all carbon-based organisms. In our cosmogeny, all Earth politicians had a case of the ass (a plausible piece of plot exposition, if ever there was one). World War Terminus was the most obviate symptom of that. The war did not last one day. It did not last two days. It did not last two years. It went on, massacre upon unconscionable vivisection, for four years. Forty-eight months. Like Ebola Zaire, it only amplified. Adding nuclear weapons to the soup was not a final, Fred Frieberger resort. It was the impetus for the war itself. They wasted no time launching missiles from the Gobi Altay, and Cheyenne Mountain. For those of you who experience the world through oral, and intravenous doses of the homogenized, boob tube--who geek out with paroxysms of drool at the thought of such barbarity, and misrule, do note: This was not an exchange between superpowers--THE SUPERPOWERS WERE FIRING ON TARGETS THAT WERE UNABLE TO RECIPROCATE SAME. Even worse--THEY GOT AWAY WITH IT. The victims WERE NOT the victors. How is that for a lithe virgin being delivered into the hands of Count Malatesta? How do you like that little bit of wholesale disparity. It's a barb, buttkiss, commonly referred to as the Human Condition, long lamented--and oft embraced--by such talking heads as Art Schopenhaur. The Romans referred to it as 'gravitas.' Does it suck? To have truth stand in the way of our hallucinations, oh yeah.... |
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| Otis 10 Sep 2003 15:33:00 |
I always tough that gravitas was a virtue. A virtue that comes in time, when the individual is maturing. A virtue that provides inside peace and external power by the impressiveness put on the surroundings. Did miss something ? Funny how political you turn the story. As an innocent belgian, I never relate Simmonds to Staline. I used to think he was the necessary idiot who makes the action more interesting. Hahahah : you anglo-saxons are quick to accuse us to turn things political. But look at you  Otis |
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| moonbasealpha_s1 10 Sep 2003 20:39:32 |
I am not an Anglo-Saxon. I am an American. I do not recall anything in this thread of accusing Belgians, in particular, of turning "things political". Politics is everywhere and in every country. Simmonds was not merely a "necessary idiot" to make the action more interesting. First, Y1 is not about simple action/adventure plots. Second, Simmonds represented the politician who would do anything to forward his agenda. Don't tell me Belgium has none of these characters. They are everywhere. |
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| unitystudios 24 Sep 2003 00:57:00 |
QUOTE: I am not an Anglo-Saxon. I am an American. I do not recall anything in this thread of accusing Belgians, in particular, of turning "things political". Politics is everywhere and in every country. Simmonds was not merely a "necessary idiot" to make the action more interesting. First, Y1 is not about simple action/adventure plots. Second, Simmonds represented the politician who would do anything to forward his agenda. Don't tell me Belgium has none of these characters. They are everywhere. To those who will reflect; I know I am American (Je suis une American) who will not be beguiled by ignorance and stupidity. These are two annoying traits that we all share, no matter where one lives. |
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| Otis 27 Sep 2003 18:51:06 |
Oh oh, this is getting interesting. Yes, I generally call Anglo-Saxon everyone who live on the other side of the sea... seen from here, including the States and Australia. It must come from the history book, in school. The Normandy debarkment was shown with big arrows, some, on the ground, saying "germans", and some, on the sea, saying "anglo-saxons". How would you say ? Anglophones ? City-Wallstreetorelated ones ? Real Westeners ? Freewillings ? I know of course that nobody has been accusing Belgium in particular of anything. I was just positionning myself as a continental. The beginning of the year has been quite difficult with "those who wants" and "those who don't and are called whimps by the anglo-saxon (?) medias, and accused of being to much political". I'm not afraid to face the fact that here, following our political culture, we tend to comment a story, even Space, with issues, for instance Cindy's "are they really pacifist", that may sound political. On the contrary, I've been surprised to see how much dignified american correspondents on this forum are focusing on Simonds. Of course we are growing a lot of Simonds ourselves !!! I'm just expressing the fact that this is not the first thing I would notice in Space. The weaponnery section is more of a question for me. Oups, is it really possible to achieve a solid discussion with all those dark points ? |
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| moonbasealpha_s1 28 Sep 2003 17:35:59 |
Dear Otis, Commissioner Simmonds IS an integral part of the story. Earth was not a utopia in the 1999 universe. On the contrary, the people in positions of power appeared to be primarily working for self interests rather than the interests of people in general. Unfortunately, I believe this is a tendency in reality. Simmonds and the ILC was so focused on the political noteriety and success of the Meta Probe that they attempted to cover up anything which would interfere with its success. That, of course, included the problem of the serious nature of the "virus" infection and the connections to the nuclear waste. I believe not only was exposing the problem a threat to the mission but it probably would have re-opened the issue of nuclear waste disposal. Politically, this issue would be disastrous for the ILC...so they convered it up. The duplicity and moral deterioration of humanity was such that, like the Bubonic Plague of the 1340 that ravished Europe, a cleansing was needed in order for the race to survive. A wake up call, as the expression goes....and what a wake up call indeed. Humanity is like that...we get complacent and allow our negative side, our dark side to gradually take over until something drastic happens, which pushes us to change. |
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| Otis 21 Oct 2003 19:10:34 |
Dear Moonbase, I'm flattered to have been an occasional cause of such a nicely developped post. Anyway, sorry for having letting almost one month of time before answering : I hardly check The Classic Adventures. Truly there is no utopy in Space. Truly the link with earth is deceiving. Maybe we hold here one of the essential issues : leaving earth, leaving reality because it's not beautiful enough. A sort of nihilism, sublimated by sf tele. Who is Simmonds ? How could it have been his interest to spoil the nuclear waste facilities? Would he have known about the danger, why would he have underestimated them ? To be the saviour of the day is also a way of promotion for aggrandizement-aimed people. Don't take me wrong : the character Simmonds is antipathical and I, as a spectator, dislike him. But frankly, assuming the premisses of the Space scenario, do you think that a "good" Simmonds would have been able to avoid the catastophe ? Later on, when the drafting in space is accomplished, the whole autority of Koenig is not contested. So.... maybe there is utopy however. Dear Koenig ! The true leader, the one we can trust. At least in Terminator, they made clear the fact the terminator is a fatherly figure. Something of what we westerners are in need, maybe. Then. Space is an utopy of the perfect home, for a child to grow. Koenig and Russel are the perfect parents : they don't have sex (of course, it will be problematic later on, but the child's desire is to keep later vague), he's solid and cunning, she's a doc, available and wise. Victor is the perfect uncle/godfather. Later, Maya is in keeping with a perfect teen-age accomplice : she changes of apparances ! Then Simmonds is the big bad wolf. The horrible thing that provoks the need for locking in, warmly with the parents. He got locked himself, well done ! I guess those categories should not interfere with politics, and politic's analyses. Then, what does "a cleansing was needed" may mean ? As far as my poor knowledge is concerned, Europe in early 14th century was solid, on a moral point of view. Population and wealth have been growing solidly since 900, and 13th century is a peak commonly recognised. You seem to say : after the peak, decadence , quick need for shaking the whole. I'd rather say : 13th century is the peak because the plague came afterwards. And then, terrible moral decadence occured. Could not it be possible to be wise enough we could accept happy life on earth itself ? |
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| moonbasealpha_s1 08 Nov 2003 02:20:34 |
Simmonds is a politician who is self serving and generally has his own interests and goals in mind. He would take on the appearance of someone who "cared" but in reality, if it affected the image of the ILC (International Lunar Commission) and ultimately affected the FUNDING (money) of the ILC, those "virtues" would be sacrificed. In Earthbound first Simmonds says : "You know, I've been a politician all my life. I don't believe in chance." Then, later he says: "I got to being Commissioner by doing what was necessary, not what was right. Now you have fifteen minutes to persuade your alien friends or freeze." Clearly, Simmonds is NOT a nice guy. Simmonds does what is best for Simmonds. Again, he beautifully represents the "corrupt" politician. As to the inhabitants of MBA being a utopia...My friend, what are you smoking because I want some of that !!  Seriously, I find the view of "perfection" typical of Y2. All is well, all is right.. Happy and merry in the universe of love and humor (bad humor). Unfortunately, I hardly believe it would be a realistic portrayal of life (and death) in deep space on a wandering moon. One of the members of the Yahoo Cosmos board summarized Y2 beautifully: Y2 is actually a story derived by the imaginations of Paul and Sandra's children from the episode Another Time Another Place. It is merely a fairy tale with a kindly alien who can change into different creatures; a "monster" would be too scary for the children. Someone else discribed it as an ongoing hallucination by the Alphans because they never really left Piri (from the Guardian of Piri). That is pretty neat too! |
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| Otis 23 Nov 2003 22:20:42 |
So then, MBA, we can agree that Simonds is a scum, but not responsible of the catastrophe, just unfortunately there. When I said "Utopia", I did not mean happy, I meant working seemingly well, in the sense that years after the breakaway Alphan's routine is still accepted without nervous breakdown, drugs abuse, suicide, sectarian prophecy, shootings, etc... plus the absence of corruption of Koenig and the staff. All that is already admirable. In Y1 living in Alpha seems to be a doom, indeed. In Y2, they look like loving it ! Excellent commentaries. I should check Yahoo! I think that what happened is that Y2 has integrated the Y1 viewer's point of view. When the show is dramatical, the viewer can still fancy the universe of the show, and dream he's paying a visit to Alpha, as a fan. In Y2 Alphans are their own fans. |
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| Otis 03 Dec 2003 21:24:16 |
I've been checking in a dictionnary. Gravitas has many senses. Exciting ! What a joy to comment latin in a sf forum. Hope and see your colorful style again, dear Tgarnett. |
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| moonbasealpha_s1 05 Dec 2003 03:43:12 |
I don't know about that....I think Y1 is very believable and as a real, ordinary person, I could visual the Y1 scenario actually taking place. It is ordinary people like you and I unwillingly put in a terrible and often hopeless situation in a hostile and dangerous environment, fighting to survive. Y2 is really more of a comic book. I do agree with your assessment that in Y2 the Alphans are their "own" fans. That is a succinct and excellent way to express the sophmoric mentality of the characters.  |
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