Space Border Battle (comic story)

Space Border Battle was a Fireball XL5 comic printed in TV Century 21 in 1965. It was the first installment 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.

Summary
The Solar System's Tenth Space Fleet patrols humanity's borders with the Astra Empire, followed by the Fireball XL5. Although Steve and Matic both admire the majestic sight, Doctor Venus is uneasy, commenting that "another border incident with the Astrans" could cause the universe to "go up in flames" as an interplanetary war started.

Steve receives a transmission from his Commander from Space City, telling him that "something is brewing" and he should head back to base. Indeed, at that moment, an Astran space fleet moves towards the "Solarians'" ships. Aboard one of the ships, the Kapt orders that a warning shot with an Astran star missile be fired. The human fleet refuses to back down, as they are within their official boundaries; as they get closer and closer, "a nerve cracks… a tired finger rests too heavily on a button", and an exchange of fire begins.

Soon enough, the Fireball crew back on Space City on Earth, receive a message from Astro-Controller Clarke of battle flagship United Kingdom reports that the Tenth Space Fleet is under attack and that their losses are heavy, although the enemy's are too.

Gravely, Steve Zodiac declares that "it is Space War".

Characters

 * Doctor Venus
 * Steve Zodiac
 * Professor Matic
 * Commander Zero
 * Astro-Controller Clarke
 * Kapt

Continuity

 * Earth has contacts with Astra. (TV: The Rescue)
 * These events, which took place at 04.15 hours on Wednesday, May 1, 2065, were reported upon as an "interplanetary war scare!" by Norrie Kama, Press Secretary. (PROSE: Battle in Space)