OVA
Description
Charles Bernitz, a former Moon Marine stationed at a lunar mining site, underwent a radical transformation into an anti-NASA extremist. This shift was triggered on September 19, 1983, when he discovered three colleagues—Vance Paulson, Tracy Stevens, and Gordo Stevens—dead under suspicious circumstances. Bernitz became convinced NASA orchestrated a cover-up regarding Paulson's death, dismissing Soviet involvement. Fueled by this belief, he systematically built a following dedicated to his cause.
He recruited followers including Sunny Hall and later Jimmy Stevens, whom Sunny introduced at an anti-NASA rally. Bernitz personally cultivated Jimmy's belief in the conspiracy. To further their objectives, Bernitz assigned Jimmy and Sunny to infiltrate the Johnson Space Center (JSC) to steal an ID badge; Jimmy successfully swiped Alex Rossi's credentials.
On September 4, 1995, Bernitz orchestrated a bombing at JSC, exploiting media focus on astronaut Kelly Baldwin's return. Jimmy Stevens was tasked with placing a transceiver to broadcast alleged NASA corruption. Discovering Bernitz's weapons cache, Jimmy tried to warn Amber Stevens but was intercepted by Sunny. Bernitz overpowered Jimmy, restraining him in a van loaded with explosives.
Amber received Jimmy's partial warning and alerted Karen Baldwin. Karen located Jimmy and freed him. Recognizing the explosives, she alerted security. Seeing their plan compromised, Bernitz detonated the bomb prematurely as Karen urged bystanders to flee. The explosion destroyed most of JSC's main office building, killing 195 people, including Karen Baldwin. Efforts by Molly Cobb during the aftermath led to the facility's posthumous renaming in her honor.
In 1998, Bernitz and his collaborators faced justice. Hal Goodman and Sunny Hall received death sentences, though Sunny's legal team secured life imprisonment citing her age and clean record. Jimmy Stevens testified against the group, receiving a 12-year prison term and a $200,000 fine. Bernitz's radicalization stemmed directly from his military experiences on the Moon and the loss of his colleagues, driving his campaign of domestic terrorism against NASA.
He recruited followers including Sunny Hall and later Jimmy Stevens, whom Sunny introduced at an anti-NASA rally. Bernitz personally cultivated Jimmy's belief in the conspiracy. To further their objectives, Bernitz assigned Jimmy and Sunny to infiltrate the Johnson Space Center (JSC) to steal an ID badge; Jimmy successfully swiped Alex Rossi's credentials.
On September 4, 1995, Bernitz orchestrated a bombing at JSC, exploiting media focus on astronaut Kelly Baldwin's return. Jimmy Stevens was tasked with placing a transceiver to broadcast alleged NASA corruption. Discovering Bernitz's weapons cache, Jimmy tried to warn Amber Stevens but was intercepted by Sunny. Bernitz overpowered Jimmy, restraining him in a van loaded with explosives.
Amber received Jimmy's partial warning and alerted Karen Baldwin. Karen located Jimmy and freed him. Recognizing the explosives, she alerted security. Seeing their plan compromised, Bernitz detonated the bomb prematurely as Karen urged bystanders to flee. The explosion destroyed most of JSC's main office building, killing 195 people, including Karen Baldwin. Efforts by Molly Cobb during the aftermath led to the facility's posthumous renaming in her honor.
In 1998, Bernitz and his collaborators faced justice. Hal Goodman and Sunny Hall received death sentences, though Sunny's legal team secured life imprisonment citing her age and clean record. Jimmy Stevens testified against the group, receiving a 12-year prison term and a $200,000 fine. Bernitz's radicalization stemmed directly from his military experiences on the Moon and the loss of his colleagues, driving his campaign of domestic terrorism against NASA.