|
“The
Absolute Negative” By Matt Butts |
BACKGROUND: The title
of this story is a misquote of a line from “War Games” where Koenig is
floating in space and refers to death as “the ultimate negative.” The idea
was used later on Star Trek: The Next Generation in the episode “The
Next Phase.” This story predates that episode by over a decade.
“We’re ready, Paul,” Victor said, glancing over
at David Kano. “It’s some sort of electrical field,” Kano said. “Don’t get too close, John,” Victor advised. His warning came a moment to late. “Emergency!” Commander John Koenig said from his
seat next to Paul. “We’re out of control! All systems out!” “John!” Victor shouted, “switch to automatic
systems!” “I can’t! All systems are out!” “Attention, Pilot Section,” Carter said into his
commlock, “Put Emergency Rescue Eagle 3 on the pad for immediate launch!” “Visual contact!” Sandra Benes announced from her
desk. “I’m putting it on the main screen.” The Main Mission crew watched in horror as the eagle plummeted wildly toward the lunar surface. Their life signs no longer registered. Helena
Russell turned around and watched in almost unbearable agony. “Launch rescue eagle!” Alan announced. They watched as the ship crashed into the lunar
surface. Only the cold, metallic voice of the computer broke the silence: COMMANDER JOHN KOENIG * * *
Koenig lay sprawled across a bank of exploded
instruments. Morrow was slumped in his seat. Mathias could hardly speak. He stood up and spoke
into his commlock, trying to fight back the tears as he announced that Koenig
and Morrow were dead. Sandra Benes slumped into her chair in Main
Mission. Helena turned from the main screen and caught a short glance of a
woman in the corner making the sign of the cross. She could bear it no more.
She made a mad dash from the room to her quarters. * * * John Koenig stood up and looked around. He was dressed in his pajamas, as was Paul Morrow, asleep on his bed in the Medical Unit. “What happened?” Paul said, waking up and looking
over at Koenig. “We crashed. Apparently we survived. The last
thing I remember all our instruments went snafu.” “We’d better get to Main Mission.” * * * “We don’t know what they died of,” Bob Mathias
explained to Victor. “Their life functions just ceased, without any cause,
minutes before their eagle crashed.” “They think we’re dead!” Paul gasped. “Let’s set them straight about a few things,”
Koenig said. “Hey, everybody — we’re alive!” There was no response. Nobody heard them. “Dammit, are you all deaf?” Koenig screamed. Paul walked over to Sandra, reaching out to touch
her. His hand went right through her shoulder, as if she were a vapor. “Helena!” Sandra shouted. “What’s wrong?” Helena asked. “I felt a cold sensation — it went right through
my shoulder!” “It’s probably the shock of Paul’s death. You
need some rest.” “They’re right,” Koenig muttered. “We are
dead.” * * * Koenig and Morrow had sat in on many command
conferences, but never had they been totally unnoticed at one. “We are heading right into that magnetic field,”
Bergman announced. “We saw what it did to Eagle 1. If we don’t want the same
thing to happen to Alpha, we better act quickly.” “You’ve gotten us out of a lot of bad situations,
Professor,” Alan said. “You got any bright ideas this time?” “Yes. We can construct our own magnetic screen,
exactly like the field. Like charges repel each other. Therefore, the moon
would be diverted from the field. “THAT’S IT!” Koenig shouted. Why whisper when
nobody could hear him. “The magnetic field?” Paul asked. “If we fly though it again, in the opposite way
we did last time, we might be able to reverse its effect on us.” “All we need is an eagle.” “And somebody to fly it.” * * * Alan Carter couldn’t sleep. As he lay in his
bunk, he heard a soft beep from the commpost as the computer’s voice spoke to
him. “ALAN CARTER,” it said, “LISTEN CAREFULLY. JOHN
KOENIG AND PAUL MORROW ARE ALIVE. IF YOU WISH TO HELP THEM THEN YOU MUST ACT
VERY QUICKLY. “YOU ARE TO PUT AN EAGLE ON PAD THREE. PROGRAM
THE ONBOARD COMPUTER FOR A FLIGHT PLAN IDENTICAL TO THAT OF EAGLE ONE. YOU
MUST ACT NOW. PLEASE HURRY... THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME.” * * * “Alan!” Kano shouted. “What are you doing?” “Stay away from me,” Carter said, drawing his
laser. “Flight control — launch eagle!” “Security to Main Mission,” Helena shouted into
her commlock. Alan pointed his laser at the control console and
fired, exploding it in a shower of sparks. “He’s blown up the console!” Kano said. “Onboard
computer has taken over. We can’t bring that eagle back!” * * * The screen — once it was activated — diverted the
moon on a 45º angle from the screen. The scene in Main Mission returned to
normal, if such a word could be applied to the situation. “What the hell was that show of yours all about,
Carter?” Kano fumed. “David!” Sandra said, pointing at the screen.
“The eagle is coming back!” “Eagle 4 to Alpha,” Koenig said. “We’re coming
home!” The Main Mission crew had gathered at the
entrance to the travel tube. As Koenig came out, Helena threw her arms around
him. “It’s nice to have you back,” she said. “Who says we ever left?” The End |
“Eagle 1 to
Moonbase Alpha,” Paul Morrow announced. “We’re nearing the area of the
magnetic disturbance. Professor Bergman — prepare to receive sensor readings.”
“The Absolute Negative” ©1978 by Matt Butts.
Space: 1999 ©1975 Carlton International Entertainment
An ITC Production Created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson