Old Flame, New Fire (audio story)

***Old Flame, New Fire*** was the first story in the audio anthology *The High Frontier 2*, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Alison Winter.

## Synopsis

Earth leave in Liverpool is disrupted for both Devis and Paul when a figure from Paul’s undercover past comes back into his life. On Moonbase, an investigation into a contraband food additive leads Nathan and Kenzy into danger.

## Plot

Paul tells Devis to cheer up as they head for their holidays. Devis is worried he'll be getting recalled by Spring. Spring had been adamant that all staff were needed into the capturing of the Collective, before someone from personnel had forced shore-leave on Devis. Having been forced to swap his leave with Kenzy, Devis laments at his upcoming week at a spa-hotel in Liverpool. Paul, meanwhile, is visiting his family for his mum's birthday.

In the ISPF office on Moonbase, Kenzy enters to ask Spring a question. Spring apologises for Kenzy's repeated postponement of her shore-leave, reminding her that being Acting Chief Superintendent makes it harder for her to get away. Kenzy shows Spring a sample of "tastebud" or "glutamic tryptamine", which she explains is a psychoactive compound that enhances flavour. She informs him that despite being approved for use on Earth, it *isn't* approved for use on the Moon. Kenzy tells him that she's been following a lead on the origins of this drug but that he lead in currently in sick bay with radiation sickness due to dosimeter having failed. Spring recalls a story told to him during his first year of training, in which eighty-four children died in Nigeria, 2009, after ingesting an industrial solvent, commonly found in antifreeze and breakfluid, labelled "teething syrup". Kenzy takes his point on board and continues her investigation.

Devis and Paul's bus arrives at the Royal Albert Dock, which acts as the Merseyside Spaceport connection service. Paul points Devis in the direction of the Sun King Spa Hotel, which sits behind the Liverpool Museum. Paul leaves him to go shopping. Devis struggles to acclimatise to the gravity, despite his injections. Devis reaches the hotel and gives the artificial intelligent interface the name "Pal Kenzy". Meanwhile, in a shop, Paul stumbles across a first edition *Noughts & Crosses* novel. Whilst perusing copies of Agatha Christie, he bumps into Anton Makowski, an old friend and a courrier. Anton laughs that he's taking a break from fighting crime by reading murder mysteries. Anton guilt trips Paul into a coffee to allow him to "say his piece".

Box asks Spring whether he should continue to search for information regarding Alice Okoro, to which Spring answers yes, also asking Box to continue searching for anything pertaining to the Collective. Spring opens a channel with Devis, who explains that a month ago, someone Earthside pushed for a total systems reset on Moonbase but that someone at Moonbase would have had to have completed the data scrambling. His call is cut short by another from Kenzy who informs him that the analysis of "tastebud" confirms it to be just "tastebud". However, she informs him that five more people have ended up in sick bay with radiation sickness, *all* due to failing dosimeters.

Anton apologises to Paul about the things he said to him the last time they were together, but Paul understands that it couldn't have been easy to find out that your friend was an undercover cop. They narrowly avoid getting bumped into by an Urban Apache, or "scumbag on skates" as Bailey recalls Devis' name for them. Anton then informs Paul that he now has his own company: *Makowski Courriers*. His previous motor, Claudette the Second's engine failed causing him to gain a new motor, Claudette the Third. Paul wishes to know that Anton hasn't gone back to illegal cargo, and recalls one time that went on for several months. Anton insists that was just a mistake. Anton remembers how during Paul's mission, he flirted with the guard... who happened to be Anton, which Paul vehemently denies. After being almost run into by Apaches again, Paul takes Anton somewhere quiet.

Walking into the ISPF office, Spring and Kenzy have learnt that the dosimeters used by those who fell sick were fake. Kenzy states that the brand of dosimeter was *not* on the approved devices list, meaning someone signed a new contract before the regular could approve them. Spring notes that profit always seems to come before safety and regulations. Spring notes that he no longer has any contacts in Procurement but Devis does. Meanwhile, Paul is explaining his undercover life to Anton. Anton refuses to believe that the Paul he once knew isn't the Paul sitting before him now. Paul admits that the longer it went on, the harder it was to keep his personal life secret and the harder it was to keep the lie from Anton. Anton states that he simply wants to know that, without Paul hiding behind the Star Cops, whether or not there's a chance for them. To Anton's relief, Paul states that he always felt the same way but that he simply can't be in a relationship with him. Anton accuses him of figuratively being a robot and walks away.

Kenzy interrupts Devis' treatment session and gets the name Anu Lumba from Procurement. Kenzy tells him that Lumba is in sick bay with radiation sickness. Jennifer Kyne is his next suggestion, "new lass" who has only been there for six months. He describes her as diligent. Meanwhile, Paul is greeting by his mum, who pulls him into a hug. He gives her the first edition Agatha Christie, but she doesn't seem to bothered by it. Patricia says that "the girls" had made her a cake and gives Paul a huge slice, despite his protestations. She tells him his Auntie Jo got the new hearing aids and upon being able to hear his Uncle Bill, took them straight out. Also, Matilda passed her A-Levels with five As, and was heading for Oxford. She informs him that she and the girls are heading to a hiking holiday in Snowdon in three weeks. His mum then tells him that while she was opening her cards, she accidentally opened something meant for him, delivered by "some fella on rollerskates", which worries Paul instantly. Paul opens it to find a photograph of Anton from today.

After walking around in circles, Kenzy finally finds Kyne. Kenzy asks why there are so many unapproved items making it to Moonbase. Kyne explains that she isn't in charge of the approved list, and that is all done Groundside. Kyne shows Kenzy to the only terminal with secure access to the Groundside list. Kenzy sees that Moonbase gained three new suppliers a month ago. Finding out from Personnel that she is Employee of the Month, Kyne leaves Kenzy to it, who in turn asks her to come straight back. Back at the terminal, Kenzy is surprised to see that the dosimeters were sent from Liverpool. Back on Earth, Paul and Patricia are disturbed with the photo that has the caption "I would die for you". Another one says "Keep your hands off our collateral, and we'll keep our hands off your collateral". Knowing for sure that Anton is in danger, Paul rushes out with his mum asking him to be careful. Paul gets on his communications device asking for Commander Jackie Cofie.

Back at the spa, something is being poured for Devis. Much to his great annoyance, he then gets interrupted once again by Kenzy. Kenzy makes him aware that they've traced the fake dosimeters to the Royal Albert Dock in Liverpool. Devis seems interested by this news and gets on his way. On the docks, classical music is playing and Anton is trapped. From outside, Paul calls his name. Paul updates Anton on the photos. Anton pulls out a gun. Devis is on the lookout for the dosimeters, and Kenzy informs him that he's looking for the Shield 301 models. He manages to stumble across a dozen boxes of them. She orders him to document everything he finds.

Back on Moonbase, a jumpy Kyne, who is eating a cake from Personnel, is interrupted by Spring. Spring seems unimpressed by her dodging her responsibilities. He pulls her into an interview room to talk to her. He turns on the livefeed and informs her that Kenzy is on her way. During the interview, Kyne is coughing. She explains to him that Anu had a good working relationship with someone on Earth with weekly catch-ups, which was all interrupted when Anu's dosimeter malfunctioned. She tells him Anu's dosimeter was a freebie as long as he left an honest review. Jennifer then collapses to the floor, seemingly from an allergic reaction to the cake. Spring suspects poisoning. Acid vapour comes from Kyne's mouth, which blinds Spring. As Kenzy enters, Spring demands she leave. She pulls him out. She fetches eye-wash and he explains what has happened. Kenzy fights Spring as she administers the eye-wash. His vision returns. Kenzy tells him that all the things delivered to Moonbase were warnings. She was receiving posters with warning messages on them, for example "Hazard! Discretion advised!". But Kyne had failed to understand them. They both suspect the Collective.

Walking together, Anton claims that "they" told him to collect Paul, put him on a boat or they would kill his family. He states they had guns on his sister and her children. He claims that he doesn't know who these people are, but they're "everywhere". Anton asks Paul to simply trust him as they both head to the marina. Kenzy calls Colin to tell him Kyne was just murdered. Devis seems to have spotted Paul getting onto a boat disguised as a party boat. Anton tells Paul that they're to get on the boat under the pretence of a date, then get transported to a larger boat. Meanwhile, Devis is confused as to why Paul isn't at his family barbeque. Devis witnesses Paul dropping something and immediately knows something's wrong after realising Paul's at gunpoint. He requests immediate assistance. The boat speeds off before Devis could catch it, however Devis manages to pick up what Paul dropped: the photo of him and Anton with the collateral warning. Spring enters the conversation claiming it to be the Collective and asking Devis to follow them.

On the boat, Paul is being forced at gunpoint to sail the boat. Anton claims the Collective found him when an attempted message to Paul got intercepted. Paul states that he won't compromise the mission, reminding Anton that he remembers him talking about his sister Amelia and her kids. As they approach the bigger vessel, a bleeping begins. They discover that the countdown for a bomb has begun. Another boat, driven by Devis speeds up to them. The two of them jump onto Devis' boat, the Lady Madonna. Paul warns Devis about the bomb who drives the boat away. The boat explodes. Colin calms Anton by telling him the Star Cops have eyes on his family. With helicopters and police sirens blaring, Paul tells Anton that he's safe with him. Paul asks what happened to the gun, but Anton doesn't know.

In a conversation, Devis and Spring agree that Anton and Kyne were both puppets, only Kyne didn't know it. Kenzy states that forensics have traced the card sent to Paul to a squat in Wavertree, Liverpool. Merseyside Police have matched the DNA with some of the Apaches from that area. The man living there is Old Bojangles, but she tells him that he has since disappeared. The Collective, as Kenzy explains, have left no digital footprint. Spring states that he's working with Digital Defence to ensure future logs cannot be altered. Back on Earth, Anton has been placed into Witness Protection. Anton leaves Paul claiming that the only reason the Collective chose him was because he was "collateral damage". This gets him thinking and he immediately dials his mum. He panics as no-one picks up.

Back at his mum's house, Paul rushes in shouting for her. Spring calls asking if he's made it there but Paul's in tears. Upon hearing that Patricia isn't okay, Spring sends Devis. Spring forces Paul to explain what's happening, and Paul mentions a "little cake". Spring immediately recognises it as an acid cake, and hurries Devis along. He reads out the accompanying card: "Stop or we will blow all of your candles out". Spring breaks it to him that Patricia is dead. Paul breaks down, unable to pull himself together. Spring continues to talk to him but Paul simply can't listen.

In the office, Spring and Kenzy are discussing whether Paul should take more time off. Spring tells Kenzy that he's rebooked her leave for next week, which provokes protestations from her. Both he and Paul agree she deserves it. With Kenzy gone, Spring won't accept that Paul's "alright", after having lost his mother not long after he lost his father. After debating the length of his compassionate leave, Spring informs him that Makowski Courriers was a legitimate business, meaning Anton wasn't lying about going straight. Furthermore, Anton was on a learning and recruitment scheme to become a police officer. Spring claims he doesn't ever see himself getting a restful leave any time soon.

## Cast

* Commander Nathan Spring - David Calder
* Inspector Colin Devis - Trevor Cooper
* Acting Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy - Linda Newton
* Inspector Paul Bailey - Philip Olivier
* Alice Okoro - Lynsey Murrell
* Anton Makowski - Martin Mednikarov
* Patricia Bailey / Jennifer Kyne - Joy Blakeman

## References

* Paul reminds Devis that all Moonbase employees have to take Earthside shore-leave periodically for muscular-skeletal wellbeing.
* Liverpool has the McCartney Museum, which Paul states is for fans of old music, as well as the open-top buses and the Three Graces.
* Kenzy states that living on the Moon results in your sense of taste worsening, hence why some have turned to tastebud to heighten that sense.
* Spring retells a story told to him in his first year of training of Nigeria in 2009, in which eighty-four children died from a batch of teething syrup, containing an industrial solvent found in anti-freeze and breakfluid.
* Whilst shopping, Paul finds a first edition copy of *Noughts & Crosses*. He lamented at the price of a "real book".
* The United Kingdom is still using the Pound as currency.
* All items and substances used on Moonbase must be approved by Procurement before usage, including stationary, batteries and medkits.
	+ When Kenzy asks Devis for help, he offers up the names Anu Lumba, a man who "seems sensible", and Jennifer Kyne, who he describes as the "new lass".
* Paul refers to rain as "cloud burst".
* Students in the UK study A-Levels. The outcome of your A-Levels dictate which universities you can go to.
* The dosimeters models are the Shield 301.
* Secure terminals use biometric scans to check your authorisation.
* Paul's full name is Paul Christopher Bailey.
* Room 3 is an interview room.
* Paul refers to Anton as "007".
* Devis uses the word "boat" for "face", which Paul explains to Anton is old rhyming slang - "boat race", "face".
* Paul tells Anton that he can't be charged as he was under duress, which protects him against all but murder and attempted murder.

## Notes

* Tastebud, is based on the real-life tryptamine family of hallucinagenics.
* Paul's referencing the rain as "cloud burst" suggests that it may have been artificial rain.

## Continuity

* Devis notes that Spring had previously asked for "all hands on deck" with their research into the Collective. (AUDIO: *Dead Air*, et al)
* Paul reminds Devis that all employees have to return to Earth on shore-leave periodically. (AUDIO: *Sins of the Father*, *Death in the Desert*, et al)
* Spring asks Kenzy whether the coffee machine in the canteen had been fixed yet. This was previously investigated during the kidnap of Kay Jones. (AUDIO: *Death in the Desert*)
* At the Sun King Spa Hotel, Devis has to speak with an artificial intelligence, much like Dilly Goodman had to when trying to gain information about her brother. (TV: *Trivial Games and Paranoid Pursuits*)
* Devis refers to "Earthside" as "Groundside", as Kenzy had previously done. (AUDIO: *Death in the Desert*)
* Paul and Anton narrowly avoid getting run into by an Urban Apache. Paul recalls how Devis refers to them as "scumbags on skates". An Urban Apache, by the name of John Smith, had previously lured Spring to Chiswick Park, claiming to be behind the murder of Lee Jones. Corman then arrived on the scene on shot Smith dead. (TV: *An Instinct for Murder*) Later learning of this, Devis, who was then working for the British police force, scolded Spring's reckless actions. (TV: *Conversations with the Dead*)
* Paul uses the term "out there" when talking to his mum about space. Kenzy once corrected Devis on this, when he referred to space as "up there". (TV: *Intelligent Listening for Beginners*)
* Spring isn't hopeful that getting a restful leave will ever happen for him. The last time Spring went Earthside, he was taunted by the killer of the Moonbase Killings. This led to then Moonbase Coordinator Ashikir Ahmed to publically berate him for not being present during such an important time. (AUDIO: *Sins of the Father*)
* Box was previously destroyed during Spring's kidnap by the Collective, meaning that Spring has since had it rebuilt. (AUDIO: *Death in the Desert*)