Mind Games
(1)
He did not know exactly when the idea came to him but for some time it had been simmering in his brain. He was the Commander of Moonbase Alpha, their leader on Earth's Moon. He and his people were traveling at speeds unknown through a perilous void. Many things had happened to them and many more things were going to happen – and he was becoming ineffectual. Soft.
John Koenig remembered blinking the first time he became aware of that fact. It was Tony Verdeschi, his friend and security chief, who made the quip about their Commander becoming an "old sentimental gent". Maya had giggled and she walked off with her man, arms entwined.
Those two could afford such romanticism. Even though Tony was his second in command he was not the over-all leader of men and women … not like John Koenig. He held the entire future of the human race within his grasp. He needed to be focused and unencumbered. He must have the freedom to act, to make sacrifices, and not be threatened because the love of his life was in danger. No alien race should ever know – ever even suspect – that there was a woman on Moonbase Alpha that he loved.
But how was it possible to hide such a thing when she was there every day, looking at him, touching him, advising him …. Yes, he loved Helena Russell but he also knew, without a doubt now, that he must do away with her.
No one would ever suspect what he was planning. That is what made it perfect. He and Helena were happy, it seemed, and had been together for quite some time.
But lately he had become aware of what a detriment she was. Helena influenced him with her beauty and soft tone, made him weak with her caresses and, worst of all, when he touched her in turn, when he stroked her soft hair and looked into those liquid green eyes, he felt fragile.
Koenig knew if this woman remained on Alpha she would destroy them all. He was far too devoted to her and the only way to become the Commander again, the man he should be, was to make her no more.
He could barely think to say the word … but Helena Russell needed to die so he and all the others could live!
The Commander had it all planned out in his head. The execution would be tricky but there were only a few of his people - Tony Verdeschi being one - that had full access to Moonbase Alpha.
He watched Helena on the monitor in his quarters as she worked in Medical Center. Bob Mathias or Ben Vincent would take over as head of that section once she was gone. It would be tough at first because Helena was so good at her job – but she had trained her staff well and they would cope. She was not aware of his intrusive gaze as Dr. Russell shuffled a few papers then looked over her shoulder at a bedded patient who called her name.
Koenig could hear her speaking quietly to the man and his eyes clouded over and closed. She had a lovely voice and he would miss it when she was gone …
That voice that whispered in his ear as they made love, those fingers which caressed his naked skin and brought him incredible pleasure … And there was still the hope that one day they would find a world to live on together, perhaps raise a family, and die of old age …
John Koenig gulped, weakening. Was he wrong in thinking her death so necessary? It was something he could not talk to the others about. They liked and respected her and would never see Helena Russell's murder as anything but tragic and wrong. If they knew, they would think of him as unfeeling and corrupt.
But it was only because they did not understand what a liability she had become. Being human beings and believing in accountability they would not be able to accept his perception of the matter. This was the price of command.
He had evolved but his people, the poor souls, were still fully mortal. Could they not see how conflicted he was every time she was in danger? They had to know but did not have the clarity of mind or the perfection of judgment to see what was in front of their faces. This new awareness made him wiser than he had ever been in the past. It made him see how foolish it was to have allowed Helena into his heart when only disaster could come from their passion and romance …
He had to do something before it was too late.
She would have to die this very night.
Continue ...
This fiction was originally posted on the Helena Russell & John Koenig Facebook Page as a celebration for hitting 1000 likes. Please read it and thank you in advance for your feedback. Becky99