Ceasefire — But War Tension Mounts... (comic story)

Ceasefire — But War Tension Mounts… was a Fireball XL5 comic printed in TV Century 21 in 1965. It was the second instalment of a multi-series crossover "Space War" story arc in the pages of TV21, which focused on a war between 2060s humanity and the inhabitants of the planet Astra, first mentioned in The Rescue.

It was also notable for introducing the character of the President of Earth in 2065, whose name would later be revealed as Nikita Bandranaik, and who had previously been mentioned in the short story Battle in Space.

Summary
As the battle rages on between the Astran space fleet and the solar system's Tenth Space Fleet, Astro-Controller Clarke (Space Border Battle) radios Space City asking for reinforcements. Commander Zero answers that they won't send him any and instead orders them to fall back and cease firing at the Astrans. When he reluctantly acquiesces, the Astran Kapt likewise orders a ceasefire and for his fleet to continue its patrol.

Although this is the end of the battle, tensions mount. Before long, Space City "bristles with rockets" in preparation for the next confrontation. However, when Steve Zodiac asks Zero whether the XL5 oughtn't to be with the rest of Earth's space fleet in preparation for the conflict, Zero instead tells him that they have been summoned to Unity City by the President.

An hour after this revelation, the two arrive at the President's office. Genial, the President introduces Zodiac to the Astran ambassador. However, the ambassador replies to Zodiac's greeting of "Good afternoon" with a wry statement that he "may change his mind about that in a minute," before informing him that he is about to be given a mission so dangerous that he is almost certain to die in the process of carrying it out.

Characters

 * Steve Zodiac
 * Commander Zero
 * Astro-Controller Clarke
 * Kapt
 * Astran ambassador
 * The President

Worldbuilding

 * The Tenth Space Fleet is ordered to retreat to Border Station 72.
 * Commander Zero and Steve Zodiac get from Space City to Unity City in an hour via hoverjet.

Story notes
to be added

Continuity

 * The Tenth Space Fleet has been engaged in an exchange of fire with the Astrans (COMIC: Space Border Battle) and Earth is preparing for war. (PROSE: Battle in Space)