hold out in Main Mission while the attack rages. Alpha is devastated as the Hawk makes multiple strafing runs across the defenceless base. Shrapnel punctures a window in the Medical Section's overwhelmed casualty reception ward. Helena Russell orders the room cleared as Bob Mathias tries to seal the dangerous leak. Koenig and the men rush to assist. When the Medical building is attacked, the overstressed window shatters. As the room violently decompresses, Koenig yanks Helena to safety through the closing door. An unlucky Mathias and one bed-ridden patient are swept outside to perish on the lunar surface. With Alpha in ruins, the Hawk withdraws. Koenig, worried about the aliens' next move, returns to Main Mission. Sandra Benes has his answer on the big screen: a massive (and oddly familiar) space battleship is approaching, accompanied by a flotilla of Hawks. Having knocked out Alpha's fighter defences, the aliens are now sending in the bombers. The alien task force passes the drifting hulk of Eagle One. Carter knows he is the only one who can prevent the coming massacre; he and co-pilot Pete Johnson power up and fire a concentrated laser charge at the dreadnought. The ship and its fighter screen vanish in a massive fireball. Mission accomplished, Carter returns to base. Standing in his wrecked command post, Koenig has little optimism of restoring the base to operational status. At a command conference, the senior staff passes final judgment on Alpha. All vital systems—food production and recycling facilities, water purification plant, main generators—are heavily damaged and will require weeks to repair...but only eight days of battery power remain. Fatalities number 128 dead or missing—many blown out into space by explosive decompression and most from the Technical and Maintenance departments. With the next solar system six months distant, Koenig reckons their only hope is to seek asylum on the planet. The surviving Alpha population makes preparations to evacuate. With Paul Morrow broadcasting their peaceful intent, Koenig and Helena fly down in an unarmed reconnaissance Eagle to attempt to open a dialogue with their aggressors. Approaching the surface, Helena marvels at the verdant landscape and advanced cities. Koenig notes the ship is veering off course; manual corrections make no difference and contact with Alpha is severed. A voice tells them they are under ground control and to prepare for touchdown. They are conveyed to an advanced, decidedly surreal control centre. Helena muses if the