Dead Air (audio story)

***Dead Air*** was the first story in the audio anthology *The High Frontier 1*, produced by Big Finish Productions. It was written by Roland Moore and featured David Calder in his new role as Moonbase Commander Nathan Spring.

## Synopsis

When Sonia Garrett dies during a routine moonwalk, the Star Cops suspect that her suit was sabotaged. As part of the investigation, Devis and Paul travel to an ancient space station to interview Xander O'Brien.

But the reclusive meteorologist has a surprise in store. He knows exactly who killed Sonia Garrett. Aliens!

## Plot

Sonia Garrett states in her suit recording in her Moon Rover that it's June 12th, 4:42 pm. She's on her way to check the outside airlock repairs in Habitation Block 32A, built to the new build spec. She depressurises the Rover and heads outside. We then hear that this is a recording being listened to by Acting Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy, who isn't used to that title. Nathan Spring explains that until Priya Basu returns, she'll have to get used to the title. Kenzy reminds him that he also has to get used to *his* new title of Acting Moonbase Coordinator, which he's been doing for only two weeks.

With Spring present, Kenzy continues the recording so they can both hear. Garrett nears the airlock, where she suddenly feels light-headed. Struggling back to the Rover for oxygen, she collapses and dies. Spring notes that it's very rare that they get to witness a person's last moments. It appears that Garrett was compulsive with her note taking, which may be very useful in the long run. Spring recalls that the spacesuit she was wearing had a small rip in the back of one of the legs, and even if it was accidental, it's strange that the depressurisation sensor was also faulty, meaning that she wouldn't have known about it. They then discuss how her locker, which housed her suit, was in a busy corridor. A lot of people had access to her locker, should they want it. Kenzy states that most people who came through the corridor from the canteen was identified on CCTV and interviews, but Spring states that it's unfortunate that the CCTV didn't show the lockers. They have yet to interview one man: Xander O'Brien, a former television presenter. Kenzy tells him that Paul Bailey and Colin Devis are on their way to see him.

In their shuttle, Devis tells Bailey that he reckons O'Brien will be a "total twat". Devis says O'Brien was a weatherman who got lucky and got his own kids' science show. Bailey reckons Devis is jealous because O'Brien copped off with his co-host, Jemima. Devis spots their destination: the Hattie Jacques space station. Bailey states that the Hattie Jacques has lasted so long due to it being an S-Class station. He further explains that one of the few stations where the wheel designs "actually works", meaning they have gravity. Devis is surprised at how many aerials it has, comparing it to a porcupine. Bailey explains that O'Brien works at the Hattie Jacques as a meteorologist, measuring solar flare activity. Bailey initiates the docking procedure.

Back at the Moonbase office, Kenzy shows Spring a recording made by Garrett the evening before her death. Garrett explains that she was all set for her canteen date with someone called Ryan. Back at her quarters, Garrett is feeling shaken after "that man" jumped out at her, berating her about something. Garrett's intention was clearly to ignore the man and go on her date. Kenzy and Spring are disappointed that neither the mystery man was identified nor what he was berating her about. According to Kenzy, Ryan, a shuttle engineer, had stated he and Garrett had only known each other a few months and had been dating for much less. What leaves Spring more confused is why Garrett record every thought, such as how she had never slept with Ryan. Kenzy presumes that she was just using the log as a personal diary. Kenzy acknowledges that Xander O'Brien was on Moonbase at the time, meaning that it could easily have been him that had startled her.

Devis is complaining about being stuck in the airlock of the Hattie Jacques, and how he probably wouldn't be doing it had Priya Basu not returned Earthside. According to Bailey, Basu is currently mountaineering in the Karakoram, which spans the borders of Pakistan, China and India. O'Brien comes on com stating that the mechanism for the airlock may be stuck but he'll continue to try. He resets the button sequence and the door opens. He welcomes them in, making double sure that they're alone. Back on Moonbase, Kenzy explains that the further back you go in Garrett's recording, the most interesting it gets. They are interrupted by Box, who offers Spring the results of the forensics report. The forensics officer, Mica, discovered that the depressurisation sensor had a bridging chip installed into it, causing the sensor to ignore any failure warnings. Furthermore, Box explains that serial number on the chip was not the same as the one designated to the suit, meaning that it was switched, not sabotaged. After cross-referencing the second serial number, Box states that it was not assigned to any individual. There were also no fingerprints on the chip. Spring orders Kenzy to reinterview all thirty-four suspects caught on CCTV and see whether they have any technological know-how to perform such a task. Spring also asks Kenzy to get officers to search for the chip that originated in Garrett's suit.

On their tour around O'Brien's station, they are finally shown to the meteorological laboratory, which includes Matilda, a computer that analyses the data. Bailey wonders aloud why O'Brien's been out in space for seven years, but O'Brien states that he still visits Moonbase every two weeks to collect supplies. Bailey and Devis begin their investigation, informing him that the station will have to be thoroughly searched. They discover that O'Brien knew Sonia Garrett but he states that was unaware of her murder. Upon that discovery, he claims that the murderer must have discovered "her secret", knowing that he couldn't have been the only one. Upon further questioning, O'Brien tells them that Garrett was an alien.

Back on Moonbase, Kenzy discovers that Garrett's journal entry from two weeks ago mentions Xander O'Brien, roughly the same time that he was on-board. Kenzy plays the footage and discovers that O'Brien and Garrett had a frosty meeting where he was refusing to allow her to run routine safety audits on the Hatty Jacques. She states that as the vessel is private, she doesn't have the jurisdiction to insist. She states that she's trapped in the loop of needing evidence that the vessel is dangerous as a reason for carrying out the audit, but not being able to prove it because she can't carry out the audit. Kenzy discovers another video entry regarding the Hatty Jacques, recording a week before her death. Garrett excitedly tells the camera she's found a loophole, which enables her to insist on the audit. Kenzy notes that should Garrett come up with a reason for shutting down your station, then there's your motive for murdering her.

Back at the Hatty Jacques, Devis mockingly asks for further clarification on O'Brien's alien theory. O'Brien explains that the likelihood for other life in the stars is high, and that they're already here, in human form. Bailey puts it to him again that if O'Brien thinks these aliens are so dangerous, then why didn't he kill them. O'Brien states simply that he's not a murderer and did not tamper with Garrett's spacesuit. Back in the ISPF office, whilst reviewing footage, Kenzy receives a call from Spring. He needs her at Garrett's locker, as he thinks he knows what made the rip in the spacesuit.

There, he shows her a hidden toolbox behind one of the lighting panels, out of sight of the CCTV. As they bag up the evidence, Box provides Spring with a message from Bailey, who explains O'Brien's paranoia regarding his alien story, leading to Spring putting forward an investigation into his medical record. They update Bailey on the newly discovered motive for O'Brien. After hanging up the call, Spring wonders whether seven years in space has given O'Brien "space fever". Back on the Hattie Jacques, O'Brien explains to Devis that his theory started when he noticed an inventory clerk wasn't blinking. Devis wants to know why he didn't report to Earth, but before he can get an answer the space station shudders and an antenna breaks off. Bailey tells them they need to wrap up and leave before any more vital breaks off.

Later, Spring returns to Kenzy to tell her that he'd just spoken to Dr Kerrigan, who had explained that she'd given O'Brien a clean bill of health four months ago. That had led Spring to further investigate why O'Brien had switched careers. Apparently, after the death of his wife, O'Brien had given up showbusiness to care for his daughter, Susan. Susan had grown up and moved to Dulwich, London, where she became a journalist for a science magazine. On the station, Devis has clearly had enough. He claims that his eyes are fully open and they're looking at a bloke who's telling lies. Bailey tells them both to calm down. O'Brien explains to them that his trip to Moonbase was fairly simple: he waited in the canteen for his shuttle to be loaded, and then swiftly exited for fear of the aliens. He then changes his story, saying that he *didn't* go straight to the shuttle. He actually stopped and spoke to ISPF officer Henry Black, who had stopped him for an autograph. He claims that after giving the autograph, Black witnessed him getting onto his shuttle. Bailey tells him he'll pass this information back to Spring, while Devis accompanies a disgruntled O'Brien to the shuttle for a search.

Confused, Spring tells Kenzy about O'Brien's story, and that Black has confirmed it. Later, while sharing dinner, Box informs Spring that one of the the confiscated tools, the humidity probe, used mostly by meteorologists, matches the size and shape of the suit puncture. The probe contain one set of fingerprints, those of Xander O'Brien. Later on the vis-screen, Bailey is caught up to speed with the forensics report and is confused that O'Brien's story makes it impossible for him to have tampered with the suit on any of his previous two visits to Moonbase. Kenzy returns to Garrett's record log. Upon rechecking some of the logs *after* O'Brien's visit before last, they discover she had switched suits with someone else, which had led to a dispute with someone called Velma. This means that O'Brien could have tampered with the suit at an earlier date *and* that there's a reason why it didn't get noticed earlier. Spring patches through to Bailey who requests they bring O'Brien in for immediate questioning.

As Devis finishes his inspection, O'Brien notices a box in the crate, carrying a note: 'a gift'. As he picks it up, Devis yells at him to not open it. But it's too late, with all three of them now in the room, the package starts ticking - it's a bomb. Devis notes that it has a geo-stabiliser, meaning that once armed, it can't be moved, due to the mercury tilt switch that registers that slightest movement. Bailey goes to update Moonbase, while Devis attempts to understand the wiring. Devis makes them aware there's 49 minutes to disarm it. Talking to the other officers, they realise O'Brien has run away and that Box doesn't recognise the device. Spring instructs them to find O'Brien and abandon ship. He then asks Kenzy to inform all space stations orbiting close to the Hattie Jacques of the situation. As she does so, Kenzy thinks aloud. She notes that Garrett only found the loophole regarding the Hattie Jacques a week ago. That would mean that if O'Brien *didn't* sabotage the suit two weeks ago, then the motivation would be something entirely different.

Elsewhere, O'Brien is desperately trying to call Susan on a radio, but to no avail. O'Brien seems to be protecting Susan from something. The other two catch up with him and tell him, once again, that he's under arrest. He gives himself up, despite his further 'alien' excuses. At the airlock, O'Brien refuses to help open it. This leaves Bailey with no other option but to dislodge the shuttle containing the bomb and hoping it drifts far enough away that the explosion doesn't kill them. With 35 minutes, they enact the plan. Back in the Moonbase office, Spring wonders whether someone was using his daughter to put pressure on O'Brien. That leads Spring to search for Susan O'Brien, to gain more insight in the case. On the Hattie Jacques, they fail to enact their plan when the release pistons refuse to release the pod. Kenzy informs them that there's an emergency slot by the door of the pod that would eject the pod but keep the airlock door sealed. *However*, the slot is on the outside, meaning that a spacewalk would be necessary... and with 21 minutes to do so, Bailey needs to get a shift on.

In the office, Spring is struggling to get a message through to Susan. Box informs him that the data receiver on the Dulwich side isn't working, and further investigation reveals that there was a fire at Susan's address the previous night, leaving Susan as a fatality. Spring wonders if there's someone trying to silence Xander O'Brien through the people he loves. With 17 minutes until explosion, Bailey finishes suiting up. With Kenzy in his comms, Devis hands him an implement that should fit into the slot. Bailey opens the bay doors and tethers himself to the station, beginning his moonwalk. With 14 minutes to go, he edges his way further and further around before reaching the slot. After a struggle, a distraught Bailey loses the implement to space, leaving the only part left wedged in the slot. Devis tells him there's only 8 minutes left, and orders him back into the station. O'Brien pulls Devis' gun from his pocket and informs them of 'another option'.

Bailey is working himself round to the bay doors. Spring informs them that a rescue ship is coming but it won't arrive until *after* the detonation. Reaching the edge of the shuttle, Bailey's tether line snaps, leaving him hanging for dear life. It becomes clear to Bailey that someone has closed the bay door, causing his line to snap. The others can't reach Devis on their comms. Bailey tries edging towards another airlock. As he starts, the station shakes as the shuttle thrusters start. He ties his snapped tether line to another tether point. Spring calls Devis on comms again, who finally responds. Devis states that O'Brien stole his comms, meaning he had to find another unit. Devis tells them that O'Brien is flying the shuttle. Spring orders him to help Bailey back inside and wait for the rescue craft.

Spring hails Xander O'Brien and introduces himself. He thanks him for saving their lives. He tells Spring that it makes no difference as he's a dead man walking. He explains that the aliens will get him eventually. Spring puts it to him that his alien paranoia was invented in case the ISPF found out that he had killed Sonia Garrett. Spring demands to know the *real* reason for the murder of Sonia Garrett. Unaware of his daughter's death, O'Brien refuses to tell them who made him kill Garrett. If there's a chance, in his mind, that he can keep his daughter safe, then he will happily take all his secrets to the grave. They inform him of Susan's death, probably at the hands of Xander's blackmailers. With precious seconds left, Spring begs him to give them names, and he gives him the name of their organisation: The Collective. O'Brien knows very little else. But before they can squeeze more information out of him, the bomb explodes.

Angry, Spring tells Kenzy that they know a few things about them. Firstly, they needed Sonia Garrett out of the way, and that Kenzy needs to back to the recordings, especially the one where she talks about a man jumping out at her. Secondly, they know that they are utterly ruthless, meaning that utmost care is needed during this investigation. Much later, all safely back at Moonbase, they're all in the canteen. Spring is very much of the opinion that this is the 'calm before the storm'. Spring informs the other two that Kenzy is currently in the office compiling some bits of Garrett's recordings to send back to her next of kin on Earth. Kenzy plays Garrett's first ever recording, where she notes her plan to record every day of her twelve month tenure, after which she plans on returning Earthside to write her book: 'Sonia's Adventures in Space'.

## Cast

* Commander Nathan Spring - David Calder
* Inspector Colin Devis - Trevor Cooper
* Acting Chief Superintendent Pal Kenzy - Linda Newton
* Inspector Paul Bailey - Philip Olivier
* Sonia Garrett - Becky Wright
* Xander O'Brien - Sean Connolly

## References

* Priya Basu is currently Earthside, leaving Pal Kenzy in the role of Acting Chief Superintendent in her absence.
* Paul Bailey reminds Colin Devis of the ISPF interview technique: Trace, Interview, Eliminate.
* The Hattie Jacques is an S-Class space station. According to Bailey, the S-Class stations were "built to last". He says they're one of the few stations with a working wheel system, allowing there to be artificial gravity. The station's purpose is to monitor solar flare activity, which is does with its many antenna and aerials.
* Forensics is undertaken by a woman called "Mica", accoring to Spring.
* Moonbase has a medic by the name of Dr Kerrigan. Kerrigan gave Xander O'Brien a clean bill of health four months prior to Garrett's death.
* O'Brien tells Devis that he used to combat loneliness by playing backgammon with Rajesh, one of the directors.
* The Star Cops become aware of a new threat of unknown size and capability. Just to keep their secret safe, they murdered Sonia Garrett by tampering with her space suit, murdered Xander O'Brien's daughter and killed O'Brien by planting an explosive device on his space station.

## Notes

* This is the first story in the *The* *High Frontier* series, which marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of *Star Cops*.
* According to the Behind the Scenes, Priya Basu is currently off world, "climbing mountains". (BFX: *Dead Air*)
* Yet again, this story plays on the ongoing *Star Cops* theme of "sins of the father". In this instance, we see that Xander O'Brien's brief decision to get involved with the Collective was a deadly one. Despite being a brief interaction, it has caused him to commit murder, it has caused the death of his daughter, and the loss of his own life.

## Continuity

* Nathan Spring has been temporarily filling the position of Commander of the Moonbase, following the murders of numerous officers, and the attempted murder of the previous Commander, who left after being mentally scarred. According to Pal Kenzy, this happened two weeks ago. (AUDIO: *Sins of the Father*)
* Kenzy had previously broken the news of Sonia Garrett's murder to Spring while he and Devis were on a routine journey in a Moon Rover. (WC: *Star Cops The High Frontier*)