THE BLUE SUN.
by Beck99
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This is fiction based on Space: 1999 and does not intend to infringe on the copy write holder(s) of said television show. I'm just borrowing it a bit. Enjoy.
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They had been traveling in space for a mere three months but already had experienced their share of danger, fear, and the unusual. The Alphans were nearly two weeks past the Triton device and its attempt at high-jacking all the information it could from Moonbase Alpha's Main Computer.
Chaos was now at a minimum, an adjacent calm had been offered, and all appeared agreeable until they entered into a new, mysterious galaxy.
Ordinarily moodiness and nuisances were the things equated with low morale and workplace tension but this time it was a physical malady. The condition was brought about by the space they were now traveling through. An odd sensation was present, radiating from a small sun in quadrant C- and the effects were base-wide.
It was a blue sun, the color of pure tropical oceans, clear-cool daytime skies and aquamarine gemstones.
Also, Helena Russell mutely thought, it was the color of their Commander's astonishing cerulean eyes. In Main Mission she had looked from it, filtered and displayed on the Big Screen, to John Koenig as he stood on the top step, near his office. Impressive, she pondered, but was not sure she was thinking about the sun or her Commander.
They had seen nothing like it in deep space before. But they were still fledglings in the cosmos and everything was new to the people of Earth, their moon having been toss from its orbit.
"Victor," The Commander called to his friend and Alpha's science advisor. "Our shields will hold?" he asked.
Scanning a piece of paper he had just ripped from Computer's register, the professor said: "We are touching the outer edge or rim of this C galaxy, John. The moon is nowhere near the sun itself. Our shields will be fine. We may have to drop power about ten percent once we are in direct line with its pulsars but there will be no danger. It will pass quickly."
"Good." Koenig nodded but knew what everyone was thinking. They would all hate to ponder what might happen if the moon ever found itself too close to a sun - whether it be golden, red, green or even … black.
Earlier in the week, during a Command Conference, Professor Bergman explained all they would need to know to combat the new phenomena if it became a threat. "But really," he advised with a shrug: "we must all be patient." There really was no cure, unfortunately. Besides, the venture was fascinating to him; a gaseous mass causing so many problems.
He left the conference early, supervising the shield implementation, and as Victor walked from the room Koenig could only make a quip. It would figure their head of science would be immune to the effects and merely thought it another learning opportunity. The comment produced grins around the table - which was a refreshing change to the turmoil developing. The longer they drifted about and were infected by the influence of the blue sun the more possible peril the moonbase might experience – from within.
In the present, Koenig called: "Dr. Russell …" but was thwarted when he saw she was no longer in Main Mission. He never saw her leave.
"She's returned to Medical Center, Commander." Tanya called, by her work station.
He nodded, turned about, and returned to his own desk.
It was not surprising the CMO felt the need to return to her department. Helena had reported an influx of headaches, arguments and injuries. While there were still free beds in Medical Center it was not unusual, over the past few days, to see a line form for medications. Alphans were experiencing depression, anxiety and - simply put - a feeling of poor health.
"We've detected radiation." She told them, "Not enough to harm us long-term but we have to consider this might be something that will plague us until we eventually find a new home. We simply do not know what is out in deep space. Perhaps it is not uncommon." She then said, a bit lower - "It could be our undoing."
Koenig realized then that she too was feeling despondent, moved by their current situation, but was doing all she could to get them through it. The wandering moon had gone from fearful and hectic to calm and guarded – until recently.
They deserved a break.
With a sigh, Koenig rifled through some papers on his desk, attempting to appear busy, and then he looked up again at the Big Screen, at the stars and filtered blue sun. The doors were open, giving him an excellent view of the screen and Main Mission's staff. All appeared stressed although, being true professionals, they tried hard to hide it.
An unaware David Kano thumped his console top with nervous fingers. Sandra sat, with sensitive and somewhat glistening brown eyes, looking from the Big Screen to a read-out in her hands. The rest, including Controller Morrow, Tanya and one of the operatives, all appeared pensive.
It was like over-seeing a morgue, Koenig thought bitterly.
He stabbed a button on his console and saw the lovely profile of Helena Russell. He briefly paused and appreciated the view, a smooth face with high cheekbones and deep-set, perceptive eyes. She was a beautiful woman. Koenig tried to shake off where his thoughts were leading him. Helena was working at her desk, as yet not seeing his image. Apparently, she had not even heard the familiar blip of the monitor, announcing a call. 'She's busy." he thought and nearly felt guilty for adding to her troubles. "Dr. Russell." He watched as she turned and focused on him. His demeanor was taciturn and no none-sense. "Do you have the latest incident reports?" he asked.
Helena felt an ever so slight flutter to her pulse. It had nothing to do with their current situation. The Commander always managed to do that to her. "Yes, John."
"I'd like to see them."
"Can you give me an hour to pull it all together?"
"You have forty-five minutes." He said and disconnected.
Helena took a breath and stared at the blank screen. She was surprised by his abruptness but supposed John wasn't immune to what was happening any more than the other Alphans. Still, she had to wonder, what was it about Commander Koenig that made her feel wobbly in the legs? Certainly, he was handsome in a severe sort of way but it was more than dark good looks, an athletic build or even the power his command position necessitated. Perhaps it was his determination, self-awareness or even the security he conveyed.
'Or maybe I'm just lonely.' Helena quietly and tiredly chuckled to herself. But she knew that was not all there was. John Koenig: A man who cared and, even if he did not know it, he was a man who could love.
Just as she could love … It was when thoughts like this intruded that Helena hated that she was a department head and an authority figure. There was no time for thoughts of romance when all of their lives needed their CMO and the others to focus on the mission ahead – survival.
"Maybe one day." Helena whispered with a sigh, gathering her notes and placing them in a folder. "One day."
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Koenig looked at the blank screen and blinked.
He was not angry with her. There was no reason for being so brusque. He must have sounded like an ogre to Helena. Brooding, he picked up a pen and was about to sign off on a request from Hydroponics when his conscience got the better of him.
Dropping the pen, he decided to meet Helena halfway.
Koenig pushed back his chair and stood.
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When the hit came Helena felt it in slow motion. The file folder, with her notes and graphs, everything she was going to present to their Commander, flew out of her hand and she had not a clue where it landed. All she knew was that the impact had been quick, powerful and her shoulder met the hard, glossy floor with an odd crack. There was a great deal of pain but not enough to make her lose consciousness.
Her mind, although foggy, raced. "I was on my way to his office …" she said, still lying on the floor, feeling discomfort, and seeing booted feet. "The Commander, I mean." The boots were rushing here and there, many in her direction.
There was a shout of anger and she could hear men apologizing profusely …
What?
"I want them both confined to their quarts for twenty-four hours! You message their supervisors, talk with them, and tell them that their department heads will have to work double and triple shifts to make up for their idiocy! If they say it can't be done then have them call me personally."
Helena blinked. It was John's voice and he was furious. "Were we hit by something? Is the moon okay?" she asked as hands helped her to stand. Her entire body ached and she felt dizzy.
"We are going to take you to Medical Center, Dr. Russell."
Helena recognized the voice of one of her orderlies.
"But the Commander …He and I were going to meet and talk about …" she whispered and faltered when comprehending a nurse was on her other side, helping the orderly. Why were they out here with her when they should be in Medical Section? It was short-staffed enough.
"It's okay." The young man said, "He will understand."
"But the folder …" Helena turned slightly, still feeling confused, and saw two Alphans picking up the papers that had escaped the file.
"We will put it all on your desk and you can present it to him later – when you are better, Dr. Russell."
She didn't understand. Was she sick? Had something hit her when the moon …? Helena looked around as she was walked to the medical unit. Everything seemed fine. The lights were bright. Not a tile was out-of-place, no dust, and when they passed an Alphan or two their attention was on her and not a base-wide calamity.
'Am I the only one out of order?'
Mathias was waiting for her, a hand raised to motion her to a bed. "Are you all right, Doctor?" he asked, checking her pupils with a small flashlight.
"Some pain." Helena whispered, unsure. "What happened?"
"You don't know?" he asked, concerned. When she continued to look at him in puzzlement he smiled very mildly, "Well … we'll tell you in a minute." He said, "But first, let's take care of your arm."
She looked to where he indicated, at the peculiar discoloration and extension of her shoulder. The sleeve had been unzipped and Helena's eyes widened, "My arm is out of socket at the shoulder?" She asked, in the same tone she might have used if told she had gallstones.
Mathias nodded.
The Medical Center's main doors parted again and John Koenig stood there, watching them.
"I'm afraid this is going to hurt, Helena." Mathias said, "But then, you know that." He attempted a small amount of ironic humor to put her at ease.
She nodded, half smiling for both Mathias and Koenig's sake. Now was not the time for her to allow fear and anxiety to overwhelm the situation. "John," she said, voice firm with purpose, and noted the surprise on his face. "Come here, please."
Mathias did not realize the Commander was behind him but acknowledged Koenig as he came around the other side of the bed.
She lifted her good arm and held a hand out to him, "Take my elbow and put a hand on the side of my neck." She said.
He nodded, looking into her eyes, knowing what she was asking. John Koenig gently touched her cheek before he did as she instructed. He watched as Helena took a breath, braced herself, and then looked up into his eyes. He was giving her something to focus on and John was both pleased and saddened that such a thing was required.
'Blue eyes,' she thought, 'Look into his blue eyes.' Then: "Okay, Bob." Helena murmured.
"On three." Dr. Mathias spoke to the nurse by his side.
Helena did not scream but there was a strangled cry from deep in her throat as the bone was popped into place. She clasped Koenig arm and felt his hand firm on her neck then shoulder as her eyes closed. Helena mastered the pain. She breathed in deeply and opened her eyes once again, glossy with unshed tears, and he was there.
John's expression was tender and a hand lifted to stroke her hair. "You did great." he said.
She smiled, accepting his compliment as Mathias and the nurse fussed over her, applying an infection fighting hypodermic and some salve to bruises on her face and arm. She was then given a hypo shot for the pain.
Helena suddenly remembered something. The Commander was shouting at someone earlier and once again her curiosity was piqued. "John, what happened?"
He looked to Mathias.
"She doesn't know."
"Stupidity happened." Koenig said, his jaw set once more, his expression losing its softness even as he gently held her hand, a thumb softly running over her knuckles. His eyes were darting and troubled.
"John?" she asked and felt relief when his frown turned into a mild smile for her.
He then proceeded to pull up a chair and told Helena Russell a story. It was about the blue sun's latest antics and how she became a victim of its sway.
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To be continued …