Planet Killers was the longest M.A.C.H.1 story up to this point, and the first multi-part story since the very first one. In it, Probe goes into space and has to avert an attempt by an American General to trigger World War III.
Synopsis[]
Part One[]
US astronaut Big Tex McArthur is murdered during a routine medical procedure and replaced by a lookalike. A few weeks later Probe joins McArthur on a peace mission aboard the Space Shuttle. The night before the mission, Probe is attacked in his bed by an unnaturally strong mystery assailant. Probe fights the attacker off, but they get away[1].
Part Two[]
The Shuttle develops a fault, and when Probe goes out to look at it, Tex tries to kill him by firing the rockets. Thinking Probe dead, Tex flies the Shuttle to a Russian early-warning satellite and puts it out of commission. Probe fights off the American attackers. He fights with Tex and makes it back into the Shuttle, stranding Tex outside the airlock, but still alive[2].
Part Three[]
While Probe looks for a way to stop General Hawk firing ICBMs against the Russians, Tex manages to get through the airlock and take Probe by surprise. They struggle and Probe kills Tex, but the General has launched a missile. Probe pilots the Shuttle to collide with the missile, knocking it back onto its launch silo. The Shuttle crashes into the sea and Probe escapes[3].
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.
Other Characters[]
Big Tex McArthur[]
- Big Tex McArthur is a space shuttle pilot. He is murdered during an appendix operation and replaced by an unnamed man who has been surgically altered to mimic his appearance.[4].
General Hawk[]
- General Hawk is a US general involved with the Space Shuttle programme. He sees a nuclear war as inevitable and wants to strike first while the Russians are unprepared[4].