DIY Pulp Magazine

The year is 2050. The British government, still upset after 90 years about their lack of involvement in the original space race, now has the upper hand. Our plot picks up with their government working on a top-secret experiment to make colonization on the moon possible. The machine breaks down components in the rock to make oxygen, and uses any ice found in the process for water. The invention is being closely guarded, for now that they (finally) have the technology, they fear it being stolen by other countries.

The invention, 02H20 is being housed in an abandoned airfield. To be sure that it is kept secret, a machine is on the premises that emits waves in a 2-mile radius, making anyone within that radius violently ill (That's what that thing is in the upper left corner behind the title). The scientists and other workers all wear suits to block out the rays, but in case a brave (and iron-stomached) soul wanders in, there are guards with guns stationed about.

Our G-Man Detective is actually an American spy (though he does a terrible job - what with running around in uniform and all). Determined to be on top of everything (and deplete its resources first), the U.S. has found about about this secret invention and sent the G-Man, John Scarsdale, to get the information.

Finding the location wasn't very hard - thousands of people getting sick within a certain area? What those limeys didn't bet on was our man John having a metal plate in his head from injuries in previous service. Walking onto the premises unaffected by the waves, John comes upon a guard unawares (he was having afternoon tea). They tussle, and both draw guns, but as handguns were banned by the British government in 1997 (a law they apparently never repealed or amended in 53 yrs), the guard's is a decoy, and he is quickly overthrown. However rather than draw more attention to the area with gunshots, Scarsdale forces all the scientists to remove their headgear, causing them all to flee, vomiting all the way to safety. He grabs the plans (which were conveniently left on a table) and flees, ensuring victory for the US!

...Or did he? The British were more clever than he expected. That site was just a decoy and the British still hold all the cards - as well as a grudge now...