The Six Million Dollar Man: The Moon and the Desert story
Steve Austin is an astronaut who has made three moon landings. In a test flight accident caused by a malfunctioning center stick, his right arm is severed, his left eye is blinded, and both legs must be surgically amputated. Steve Austin’s personal physician, Dr. Rudy Wells, has theorized about the creation of a cyborg through the installation of bionic parts. He is persuaded by an OSI agent to reconstruct his patient/friend with the understanding that Steve Austin will subsequently work for the OSI. Dr. Wells apprises Steve of the plan, but is met with much resistance as Steve Austin mentally struggles to cope with his injuries, the installation of artificial components, and the future obligations that will be involuntarily thrust upon him. Following surgery and lengthy rehabilitation, Steve Austin reluctantly accepts an assignment to rescue a hostage in Saudi Arabia.
8 total · 2 major · 6 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| cyborg | major | Steve Austin was made into a "bionic man" after he was critically wounded in a test flight accident. |
| super strength | major | Steve Austin used his nuclear powered robotic arm to accomplish various feats of super strength, like tearing off his shackles. |
| artificial body part | minor | Steve was fitted with a nuclear powered robotic arm that was "infinitely more powerful" than his original arm. [arm] |
| artificial body part | minor | Steve lost an eye in the accident which the doctors replaced with an artificial one. [eye] |
| artificial body part | minor | Steve was fitted robotic legs that allowed him to run a 4 minute mile. [leg] |
| interplanetary space travel | minor | Steve Austin went to the Moon in an Apollo program era rocket. |
| nuclear fission power | minor | Steve's robotic arm was nuclear powered. |
| unrequited love | minor | Steve's nurse Jean Manners professed her love for Steve to him, but he appeared to be unmoved. |