LIFE ON THULE

(A "what if" fiction)

**Dr. Rowland does not meet with a terrible end and the Alphans make their choice**

(1)

The decision was made. A three quarters majority on Moonbase Alpha, after being presented with the facts, had decided that a move to Ultima Thule was preferable to living on the moon.

Professor Bergman, holding a clipboard and helping to supervise the movement of materials to their new home, rationalized: "Human beings need stability, John. Here on Alpha we could float forever, finding ourselves bouncing between galaxies, trying to find an elusive new home until we finally met our end. Thule is a new beginning." Then, spotting uncertainty on his friend and Commander's serious face, he asked: "Still doubting, Commander?"

The planet was not perfect, as all had been counselled, and their existence would be a challenge. The temperature was frigid, often below zero, and under current conditions men and women would be unable to conceive children. Yet, the people of Earth would become immortal, as the members of the Uranus Expedition had eight hundred years before them, and possibly a cure could be found in the distant future. This would insure their prospects, finding an antidote for the barrenness that had become the bane of Thulian existence. And eventually, they would take those children and reach out to the furthest depths of the universe, spreading immortality and all they had learned through-out the cosmos!

Dr. Cabot Rowland, forever charming and persuasive, explained that the Thulains needed what Alpha had to offer, their numbers, hardware, software, fuel and so much more. Everything they could bring with them from Moonbase Alpha - before the moon sped away to appear nothing more than a pin prick of light in the distance – was salvaged.

And indeed, as Professor Bergman had surmised, Commander Koenig had misgivings. This was not the paradise he had envisioned for his people. He had imagined sunshine and rich farm land, grass and fresh air, babbling brooks and mountains, bird song and color, couples walking hand in hand with their Sons and daughters ... At the least he wished for comfortable ambiance and at the most he wanted four seasons and a future.

However, for the disciplined and rugged and for those of sound mind and level temperament, Thule had its advantages. There was wild-life of a kind for men to hunt, great frost incrusted lands to explore, and a science that - although minimal for now - was impressive. Adding Alpha's computer and know-how to that of the Uranus Expedition's had already done wonders. Food production had increased and, with a stunning velocity, tunnels were being burrowed and investigated for their minerals and to allow for more storage and space. There was much to do and they now had all the time in the world to do it.

They would succeed. Now, they had to.

"More Earth people for Thule!" Rowland had encouraged, "It was meant to happen, my friends! Why else would the gods bring you here to this planet out of all the millions you might have encountered?"

Upon their arrival, the Thulian welcoming committee had brought them all to a roughly hewn area of the underground caves, which brought the Alphans to a large cavern. Rowland had it hollowed and reinforced just for the Alphans' use and told them it was theirs to do with whatever they wished. Their main crystal pit, which warmed the common area, made the coldness at least tolerable. However, it was hardly adequate and the engineers excavated further in, making private quarters out of the stone and ice over the weeks and months to come. With a new measure of energy from their former home, the Alphans had their common area and beyond to live in and, while not as well-appointed as Alpha, its coziness felt like home. Nearly three hundred new Earthings had found a form of paradise, it seemed, and only a few felt sincere regret.

The Alphans worked with and conversed with the Uranus Expedition members often. Commander Koenig could not get passed the thought that these people considered themselves the elite of the planet, despite or perhaps because of their steadfastness and smaller numbers. The Alphans had to remind themselves that they too were now children of the planet Thule and insisted on the same rights as the original faction. The hydroponics experts and technicians joined the Thulian scientists in various underground structures, discussing upgrades and improvements. In many cases their implementation was surprisingly easy.

The pilots, now grounded except for an occasional observational flight during better weather, worked in the hanger area with their stranded Eagles. Some of the crafts were being dismantled and repurposed to eventually create a super-ship that would break free of Ultima Thule and explore beyond their planet. It would take a while. The Thulians had been working on such a project for eight hundred years, after all. Meanwhile, the men became hunters, taught by their hosts how to toss a spear, killing prey, when the subzero cold and crippling snow flurries made their laser weapons useless.

Koenig watched it all happen over the months it took his people to settle in. He resigned himself to making the best out of the result; attempting to find serenity in a situation he still felt discomfort with. His people continued to call him their Commander, taking his orders, despite finding their haven. They were all smart men and women and even John had to admit it was a relief not having to worry about the uncertainty of deep space exploration, the threats to their moonbase and their very lives.

One evening he sat near one of the pits by himself, drinking tea. 'Immortality,' John thought. He and his people were already adapting. Few were wearing the heavy furs that were vital during their first weeks on the planet. They continued to dress for warmth but had disregarded the gloves while inside that were once necessary at all times. During the evenings, during the initial frozen nights, most had to have at least three heavy covers and a fur covering them on top and bottom, praying they would not slip into hypothermia despite the hot crystal pits in close proximity. However, most were now down to a simple fur blanket on their beds or two heavy blankets – and also the help of a willing companion.

The Commander had noted an influx of romantic activity between the Alphans. Often, he saw couples slip away to private grottos to engage in clandestine activities. However, the unmistakable sighs and groans behind the curtains could not be disguised or mistaken for anything other than love-making. Koenig could not chastise his people for practicing something that came naturally. On Alpha they had to be careful, particularly those in command positions. There were married couples on the base, of course, but for the most part men and women working together had decided that while being friendly and flirting was allowed, they all had far too much work to do. Their survival depended on sharp minds. Extra-curricular activity, including romance and meaningless sex, often cluttered otherwise clear thinking, they thought. While not prevented, affairs were discouraged unless the couples were serious and marriage minded.

It was this outlook - and a fear - that kept John from discussing and demonstrating affection when it came to his feelings for Dr. Russell. As command figures they, more than others on the moonbase, needed to be cautious. But now … a life together was not at all impractical and more than gratifying in thought.

Sadly, Koenig feared he might have lost her anyway. Helena and Professor Bergman were working very closely with Dr. Rowland and the Commander could not completely ignore or deny the long favorable gazes Rowland passed their CMO. Miserably, John felt this time he was the odd man out and it was no one's fault but his own.

The Commander tried to understand their specialized undertakings. He had deliberately become involved with their strategies; nearly delighting in Helena's pursuit of knowledge, but there were times when Koenig was just unconvinced what they were doing actually mattered. His friends could sense his disdain, particularly when it came to exploring their immortality, and that ultimately caused a rift, both professionally and personally.

Koenig could practically feel Rowland laughing behind his back.

It was the first time since taking control of Alpha that Commander Koenig genuinely felt he was not connecting with his people, especially those who were his closest friends. To counter this, Cabot Rowland matched Koenig's unenthusiastic responses to their work with an abundance of passion that, although somewhat pretentious, was gratifying and infectious to most who observed him. Koenig did not know how long Rowland could keep up the pretense of an affable independent alliance when, with what he knew about him through Jack Tanner, the man was secretly narcissistic. Yet, it could not be denied that Rowland's surface zeal had not faded.

Perhaps he truly had grown happy with their situation as it was?

Koenig knew what Helena, Victor and many others must be thinking. He, the leader of Alpha, was frustrated and angered that his people could not see what he felt were clear warning signs. It seemed to Koenig that his loyal friends - even Alan Carter and Paul Morrow - had ignored his concerns of a potential catastrophe. Why? The often addle-minded Jack Tanner, the former Uranus Probe Commander and a man Koenig had grown to trust, had been proven ridiculous. He was the victim of a long ago bungled experiment, they knew.

That was, perhaps, all they really comprehended.

Sitting by himself in the common area, Koenig sipped the warm brew in his cup and pondered their decision to leave Alpha. He had agreed to a vote that would seal their fate. Should he have just lowered the boom and said NO, trusting in his instincts? Maybe Jack was right. If he was a real leader he would not have left such a decision to men and women who were itching to be free of the moon and their confinement. They were all rational people but the psychological effects of living on Alpha had taken their toll. If only Victor and Helena could have listen to Tanner when he was coherent and practical. The man made such sense! "No future! No growth!" he had cried, to the scrutiny of the Alphans. To their educated minds, reinforced by Rowland's fervor, there was nothing but time now to build futures and to grow as a people, to make wonderful, miraculous discoveries!

Weeks after they had settled in, Tanner - during one of his more lucid moments - cornered Koenig and asked him if there would be any further care given to the Revered Ones, those who had donated their intellects to science. The Commander had not forgotten those unfortunate mindless creatures but he was conflicted.

"Jack, I'm not certain it's our place to advise on such matters." Koenig had said. Tanner then ranted at him, furious, spewing Shakespearean profanities in his exasperation. John did not mean for his reply to sound cold but they were still newcomers and, quite frankly, if the members of the Uranus Expedition hadn't come up with a fix in eight hundred years what could the Alphans possibly do in the next six months? Calming Tanner, he then said he would have Dr. Mathias, a top psychological expert, consult with their own medical staff when they had settled in. Maybe there was something they could do if their resources were pulled together. That had been weeks ago and although he did mention it to Helena there was so much work to get done the Revered Ones may have slip between the cracks. He would have to go to her again – or Mathias as he promised – and see if there was progress.

A shadow came into view, covering his hands, mug, and heavy tunic. Startled, Koenig looked up from his tea. Commander Tanner stood before him. He had just been thinking of the man! "How are you, Jack? What brings you to this neck of the woods?" Koenig asked, wondering where Tanner's mind was. Sometimes it was difficult to gage.

Tanner crossed his arms in front of him, a hand lifting, and a finger touching the side of his mouth. "I sense there is more to your distraction and uncertainty than that of a new man in an alien world." He appeared slightly amused, noting Koenig's thoughtful manner. "You are uncomfortable with your people's preference?" he asked, nearly mocking.

Koenig remembered something about Tanner having an extra sensory ability. He had obviously picked up that he was thinking of him and their situation. "I wouldn't be me if I did not worry." Koenig admitted.

"Yes." Tanner appeared slightly more serious and seated himself at the table across from Koenig, "You have been here for a while now, Commander. Yet, both Frieda and I notice you and the good Dr. Russell have had barely a moment alone."

Frieda Heller was Tanner's woman – or wife. John could never be certain what they really were together. She was a very clear minded and practical woman but she also had a fire in her if she felt crossed. Frieda was clearly devoted to Jack.

Tanner smiled ever so slightly, cocking his head, when Koenig met his eyes, "Dr. Rowland has an amiable way about him but I am sure his intention is more to use the lady, her skill and intelligence, than love her as the good woman warrants."

Helena. Uneasy, Koenig said: "Jack, I think …"

"Then again, he does look at her with a fondness that he seldom shows his own wife."

Koenig was stunned, "Wife? Dr. Rowland is married?"

"He tends to forget." Tanner spoke, glibly.

"But we've never seen her."

"You have." Tanner moved in closer across the table. "She is one of the Revered Ones."

Koenig was appalled, "His own wife?"

"Oh, it was quite fascinating to watch back in the day. She was a scientist with a great mind." Tanner recalled, "Cabot showed concern while all the time telling lovely Isobel Ann how courageous she was. He said their experiments – if successful - would enhance our way of living on Thule by leaps and bounds." Tanners expression softened and he looked past Koenig into a world of painful memory, "That was three hundred years ago. Both Frieda and I tried to convince her not to do it and I verbally fought Rowland but, as you know, I barely have a mind of my own … clown price that I am." Tanner then suddenly grabbed Koenig's lower arms as they rested on the table, "Isobel came out changed, Commander. She never recovered. Do not allow him to experiment on your people, John. You know he will try. Think of the Professor … Think of Dr. Russell."

The notion of Helena, her expression blank and lifeless, her blond hair barely combed and having to be fed like a small child or animal for eternity came to his mind. No. He could never allow her to be at risk. Experiments of this type were reserved for fools and Commanders.

Anxious, Koenig excused himself from Tanner to find her.

The Commander knew him. The man worked in the kitchens of Moonbase Alpha and did food service on Thule as well. He exited the quarters of a lovely young orderly, pulling at the back of his jerkin then, noticing Koenig, gave his Commander a confident cad-like wink. He then whistled his way back to his own nook. The implication was clear. Slightly disturbed, even if it was none of his business, Koenig continued on the short walk to see Dr. Russell.

He found Helena alone in the area designated her quarters. It was a small hollow, as they all were, just big enough for a bed, table, chair and a few personal items she brought with her from Alpha. It did not seem right that a woman of her pedigree should live in such a small hovel, so unlike her roomy quarters on Alpha, but they had all sacrificed. Koenig's own quarters were not much bigger than hers.

After a polite knock on the stone frame, he parted the curtain and slid in, closing it carefully behind him. Helena was sitting up in her bed, a reading light by her side, furs lying across her legs and lap in a flow of cream and brown. It suddenly occurred to Koenig that it was rather late in the evening. They had supper hours ago. "I'm sorry if I'm disturbing you."

"Not at all, John." Helena indicated the closed book on her lap, "I'm a little tense and a chapter of Dickens usually gets me to sleep quicker than sedatives or warm milk." She smiled gently and indicated he should pull up a chair and sit beside her where she rested on the bed. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Probably not." He said, pulling his own pelted jacket a bit more firmly over his shoulders as he positioned the chair. It had taken them all a while to get used to their new thicker clothes. "I'm just a little worried about the experimentation you and Victor will be doing in the next few weeks." He sat before her, "I'm sure Dr. Rowland and the other scientists are eager but I really want you to be careful, Helena. You've heard about the Revered Ones. I must have mentioned them to you once or twice."

She had and nodded, understanding. "Cabot tried to keep me from seeing them but I finally pushed past all his excuses and brought Doctors Mathias and Shelby to take a look."

Koenig was surprised. "You did? I was not aware ..." he said.

"John, initially I didn't tell you because there isn't much our medicine can do yet. We observed the afflicted, took vitals and conversed on a few different medical procedures. I'm sure the Uranus Expedition thought they knew what they were doing but they were negligent. In the end, we all agreed there would be no testing of that nature on our own people until we are absolutely certain of the repercussions. Meanwhile, our goal will be - through science and medicine - to search for a cure."

Koenig smiled. Jack and Frieda, at least, would be pleased. "I'm sure Dr. Rowland was delighted to hear that." He could not help the sarcasm in his tone.

Helena nearly laughed as she rolled her eyes, "He wasn't but Cabot poured on the sweet appeal as usual." She added, "That man can be insufferable at times."

For not the first time this evening Koenig was amazed. He thought Dr. Rowland, with his impressive voice and considerable charisma, had thoroughly charmed Helena and now he saw that she was not as taken in as he assumed. John abruptly felt embarrassed for thinking lesser of her. She was not a female to be enchanted or fooled so easily. He should have known better.

She continued, "He is brilliant in his own way, a visionary, but there are times you can see right through him. Dr. Rowland has a way of making men and women think they are coming up with ideas that are actually a reflection of his own wants and desires. We are going to have to be careful around him, John. He's a manipulator. Victor thinks so too."

The Commander's inner child wanted to cry: 'I told you so!' For the first time since arriving on the planet John Koenig found himself relieved and genuinely content. He felt vindicated in a way. "I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so." he murmured, beaming warmly at her.

There was silence for a moment as they looked into each other's eyes, both noting the reestablishment of their personal connection. They had both felt very lonely and now it seemed a veil was lifting.

Helena raised a hand and placed it on his lower arm. "Was there something else, John?"

He thought a moment of telling Helena about Isobel Rowland, Cabot's broken wife, but thought better of it. If Helena had read the records of the Revered Ones she already knew the woman was among them. As thorough as Helena was John would be disappointed if she had missed that little detail. It occurred to him that Rowland not wanting Helena to become involved with the Revered Ones made sense if he thought to romance her. John might have mentioned that too but decided he was on thin enough ice as it was, personally speaking. Instead, he said: "Helena, we haven't had a good, long talk for quite some time. I miss you. Do you think we could have breakfast tomorrow morning together?"

Helena lowered her eyes for a moment, her expression warm and mellow. "I think we should." She slid her hand down his arm and took one of his hands in both of hers. "Now that we have a permanent home here on Thule I think there are many things you and I need to discuss. Perhaps we should start chatting about certain subjects this very evening?" Her fingers caressed his hand.

Warmed by the gently seductive wink she gave him, the softness of her approach, knowing he was not the only one who had thoughts of desire and a future together, the Commander would have liked nothing better than to pounce on the opportunity. However, the memory of the kitchen worker who met the girl for a shallow, throwaway tryst held heavy on his mind. Koenig was of the old school. It stated quite succinctly that a lasting and deeply profound relationship came to those who waited. He could play devil's advocate and say he and Helena had waited long enough but John pushed back the urge. He was in it for keeps and suspected Helena was of the same opinion. Koenig knew of very few people, Jack and Frieda coming to mind, who could hold a relationship together for as long as a thousand years but he wanted that with Helena. He loved her. She was worth the wait.

"Tomorrow?" Helena asked, acknowledging indecision in his expression.

"Yes." John said, now firm and holding both of her hands with his own, enjoying the smoothness of her tender skin. "I would say a very long, quiet, personal discussion is in order - tomorrow." He then stood and released her hands, noting a look of disappointment on Helena's face. He rather liked that too. "And we'll start fresh at breakfast." His tone suddenly became deceptively professional. "Afterwards Doctor, I want you to take me to your new lab and update me on what you, Professor Bergman, Dr. Keeler and Dr. Rowland are working on. It's time I become a little more proactive" He straightened and slowly walked to her curtained exit, half hoping Helena would insist he stay. "I am certain it will be very exciting."

"Breakfast or the lab?" Helena tried to prevent herself from chuckling at the obviousness of his words. Yet, she was also pleased he wanted to court her, as antiquated but appealing a concept as it was. She had missed him too. "Goodnight, Commander." Helena said with a slight lilt to her tone. She watched as he gave her a half salute and departed, leaving a flutter of curtain behind him.

"At least you could have kissed me goodnight." she murmured, looking solemnly at the exit of her quarters. Then smiling, Helena fluffed her pillow and turned off her bedside lamp.

(to be continued ...)