Probe learns of another M.A.C.H. man, the subject of the less-successful experiment before his own, being held underground against his will. Probe decides to help him.
Synopsis[]
Part 1[]
Probe is acting head of security at a Buckingham Palace garden party, when he spots a sniper in a nearby hotel. He gets to the sniper just in time to stop him. Later, he bursts into Sharpe's office to complain about other people not doing their jobs properly and Sharpe lets slip that he's not the only M.A.C.H. Man. Sharpe then gets a visit from Arthur Weed, the financial controller, concerned about the cost of Sharpe's department. He demands to know what Project Zero is that's costing £500,000 a year. Sharpe takes him to an underground bunker and shows him the fore-runner to MACH 1, MACH Zero, a man imbued with hyper power but unable to control it and who's been driven mad as a result. After Sharpe leaves, the sight of him has sparked fury in MACH Zero and he breaks out of his cell. Meanwhile, Probe has stolen a file from Sharpe's office, and read all about Project Zero, vowing to help the unfortunate subject.[1]
Part 2[]
MACH Zero escapes the facility which was holding him and flees across the Welsh countryside. He comes across a teenage boy being bullied by others and rescues him, confusing him with his own son, Tommy. When he takes the boy, his mother is horrified and calls the police. Word gets back to Sharpe and he sends in a helicopter to kill Zero. Zero uproots a tree and hurls it at the copter, bringing it down. Soldiers chase him across a rope bridge, but Zero smashes the bridge behind him, killing all the men on it.[2]
Part 3[]
Sharpe and his soldiers are lying in wait for MACH Zero at his old house, but Probe turns up and tells him to treat him humanely. Zero sees his own face reflected in a pond and is appaled at how ugly he now is, blaming Sharpe. He heads into his old house, and Sharpe gives Probe fifteen minutes to pacify him before he sends in troops. MACH Zero refuses to trust Probe and they fight. After only 10 minutes, Sharpe sends his troops in anyway, afraid of losing M.A.C.H.1.[3]
Part 4[]
Recurring Characters[]
John Probe[]
- Probe aka M.A.C.H.1 is government agent imbued with extraordinary physical power and a computer embedded in his brain.
Sharpe[]
- Sharpe is Probe's boss within the Secret Service.
MACH Zero[]
- Zero is the result of a failed experiment into compu-puncture hyperpower. He cannot control his power and it has driven him insane.
Other Characters[]
Benson[]
- Benson is the agent in charge of security at the Hilton Hotel[1].
Arthur Weed[]
- Arthur Weed is the new financial controller of the British secret service[1].
Bert & George[]
- Bert & George are security guards at Project Zero[1].
Tommy[]
- Tommy is MACH Zero's son. The urge to be reunited with him is one of Zero's driving forces[1].
Dai[]
- Dai is a boy who lives in the Welsh hills. When Zero comes across him being bullied, he mistakes him for his own son and recues him[2].