Chapter 2- chained to the sky

December 1989

John Koenig adjusted the top of his uniform making sure it sat perfectly flat. Normally he would not bother with such trival things but he was about to take the three hour journey to Space central HQ and needed to look his best . Tapping his hand against the side of his dress pants John waited rather impatiently for his transportation. The shuttle was already 15 minutes late and John knew that would mean a delayed arrival at HQ, not something Commander Keen would be happy about. He had no idea what the CO of HQ wanted but was confident it was not a disciplinary matter. "Any word on the shuttles arrival", he asked nearby Lt. She pulled a face, "sorry sir but it suffered an engine malfunction that will take at least 2 hours to fix. We do have an eagle departing for HQ in 10 minutes but there is a criminal on board", she warned. Koenig swallowed , he didn't want to be stuck with some violent or belligerent person for a couple of hours. His face must have told the Lt. something because she reassured him, 'he's not a killer or anything sir". Koenig still debated, "there will be no other flights out today sir", the Lt. told him. "Alright then I'll take that flight", Koenig finally decided.

Barely 7 minutes later the craft arrived. Koenig hurried on board and entered the crafts rear section.

He found his eyes immediately drawn to the three people sitting on the far side. Two of the men were obviously guards, their faces blank and impassive and hands resting lightly by their weapons. Sandwiched in the middle was the prisoner. John could not see his face as his eyes were down focused on the grey floor of the craft. He could see clearly the manacles around the wrists and ankles.

The guards made brief eye contact with him as though in reassurance then back. John settled himself back in his seat. He found however his gaze kept going back to the prisoner. When he saw him rub the red marks on his wrists he found to himself saying, "can't you loosen his bonds a little, his wrists are getting very red". One guard just stared at him without reply for several seconds until he looked away. The man did not have to say it but the very clear message was 'mind your own business'.

"I'm thirsty can I get a drink', the prisoners voice was low and it's accent very different to those he was used to hearing. 'No, just shut up ", one guard snapped. For one brief second the prisoner looked up allowing Koenig a glimpse of pale blue eyes and a youthful face. He really had not intended to say anything yet, "it is not against regulations to allow him to have a drink", slipped out.

The same guard turned to glare but this time Koenig held the stare. "That would be too nice to me considering what I've done", the prisoner stated. 'The guard turned to slap him hard, "I said shut up", he growled. Unable to help feel anger rising Koenig retorted, "look no matter what he's done there are clear rules when dealing with prisoners, no hitting is one of them."

"He's just a smart mouthed young pilot who thinks he can get away with striking a superior officer", the guard stated." Nobody should be allowed to buck authority like that and get away with it. But if your prefer sir we'll undo the manacles and he can come over and hit you", the guard muttered.

Koenig met the guard stare for stare ,"has he been convicted", he asked. Now the guard finally looked away, "well actually no", he stated. "Then he is actually not guilty of anything", Koenig replied firmly.

The guard was not going to back down, "yeah well he will be, then Mr smarty will never step foot in another craft", he poked the young man in the arm. Koenig was surprised to notice tears in the young mans eyes at those words. "That's fairly drastic for a first offence", he observed. "It isn't when it was Commander Short that he attacked", the guard responded. John found himself wincing knowing that the commander they were talking about had a very definite reputation. He'd heard he lived up to his name being short on patience when dealing with subordinates. "Yes and he commander wants the maximum penalty , this young pup being thrown out of the space program", the second guard added.

"They don't even bloody care that I did not do it", it was low and bearly audible but Koenig still heard the protest. So did the more belligerent guard who slapped him again. "They all say that sir, pay no attention to him," the guard warned.

Koenig breathed in deciding this should really not be any of his business. He was about to focus on finishing some paper work when he found those blue eyes on his own. "I did not do it", the young man insisted.

The gaze was direct and did not falter even when another slap sounded to his face. "It is your word against the Commanders puppy and we all know who will win that one", the guard retorted.

"Yes, I know", the voice was filled with pain and sorrow. "You shouldn't lie to senior officers Lt.", the other guard growled gesturing toward Koenig, "he's not going to believe you."

"I am not lying" , he put his head into his manacled hands, "please why don't you believe me".

This time the more restrained guard slapped him hard. 'Because you are accusing the commander of lying, Lt. That's the wrong thing to do".

Koenig watched the prisoner hold his head up and state clearly, "not when you are telling the truth".

Hearing the depth of passion in his voice and looking at the sincerity in his eyes Koenig found himself coming to a rather surprising conclusion, the young Lt. was not lying.

"Whats your verson of events", he found himself asking. The guard intervened again before the young man could open his mouth, "his version doesn't matter".

Koenig glared, 'he's entitled to a fair trial gentlemen and the ability to put forward your own version of events is part of that system."

"Yes but you are not his legal council", the slap happy guard pointed out. "Then who is", Koenig asked.

"I don't have one", the young Lt. replied. "Well you do now", Koenig found himself saying. Few a vew seconds the words surprised him. "You want to represent him", one guard scoffed. "As a member of space command I am entitled to do so", Koenig replied. Now the guards looked at one another unsure what to do. Finally the more outspoken one stated, "knock yourself out, he's guilty end of story."

Koenig beckoned the young pilot over, "alright tell me your version of events" he wondered what he'd let himself in for but now he'd started down this path he vowed to continue.

The young pilot twisted a few moments then settled. 'It is very simple sir, I was at the base waiting for my next test flight when this lovely shiela strolls by', he smiled widely.

Koenig was confused by the word, "umm lovely shiela" he asked. "Girl sir, long blonde hair down to her waist and nice shapely brea…"he went slightly red…, "anyway none of my fellow pilots were even making an attempt to chat her up so I thought why not". He shrugged, "it turned out she was the Commanders daughter".

"Oh", suddenly Koenig had a very good idea where this conversation was leading. "Anyway he comes out all outraged at me for just saying hello. I didn't touch her, just a liitle flirty talk",the pilot protested

"Flirty talk like what", Koenig asked wondering if he really wanted to know. " Oh like saying she would look good on Bondi in a bikini" , he grimaced, "without the top ." Koenig shook his head wondering how the pilot could have been so stupid to say that to the Commanders daughter. " I am guessing the Commander heard that Lt.", he asked.

"Oh yeah and he dragged me into his office by the collar'. Then he proceeded to yell at me sir",the pilot stated.

"So what did you do", Koenig asked. "Do, oh you think that's when I hit him. I swear I did not touch him. Look sir, I love flying and knew that touching him would end my career. He could rant and rave all he liked. In fact he did, got so steamed up the he tripped over the leg of his own chair and fell into his desk".

"He had blood streaming down his face and was lying on the floor. I tried to help him up and that's when security came and the Commander blamed his injuries on me".The guards would not listen to my version of events and I found myself in this predicament", he held up his manacles.

Koenig rubbed his face and reflected that this young pilot was in a very bad situation . There were no witnesses to verify his side of the story. He was sure the court would accept the Commanders word over a Lts.

"You think it is a lost cause sir", the young pilot was watching him. For a reply Koenig looked down at the Lts. hands, "you have no marks on your knuckles Lt. If you had hit him there would be bruises".

For the first time the Lt. smiled, "if I had hit him sir", he said through gritted teeth," there most definitely would have been bruises".

Koenig shook his head, 'that attitude will not help you ,though I do understand your feelings", he looked ruefully at the pilot, "next time save the comments for a girl who is not a commanders daughter".

"I hope there is a next time", the pilot replied.

Koenig made a firm descision. " I will speak to the Commander Lt. and see if I can get him to drop the charges."

The blues eyes widened, "really you'd do that. It might impact on your own career", the pilot mused.

"I don't care Lt. your comments were not appropriate but neither were the Commanders actions", Koenig stated firmly.

The pilot smiled again, "thank you sir, I guess it was lucky that you came aboard. They would have hung me out to dry for sure".

Koenig knew that he was correct.

"As I said I 'll do my best Lt. Perhaps it might help if I can bring any examples of your character or career to the attention of HQs commanding officer.

Now the Lt's head came up a little and the smile widened. "I am the best pilot Commander Short has. You can look up my record for verification. I even beat some of the commanders old scores", he stated.

"Perhaps that was not such a good thing for an aussie pilot to do".

Koenig ground his teeth ,now this young pilot looked even more stupid," showing up your commanding officer then chatting up his daughter, not the wisest course of action Lt." he told him firmly.

Not the eyes glinted at him, "so I was supposed to be bad at what I do", he growled. "Look sir, I know I'm good but it is about professionalism not boasting. I want to do the best job I can. Why is that so wrong".

Now Koenig found himself feeling impressed, the young Lt was not that wise when it came to what he said but he did have a good work ethic.

Koenig found himself smiling at the Lt and reasurring him. "It is not wrong Lt. In fact it is something I would value myself",

He was however unprepared for the impact those words would have on Commander Short.

"Alright I admit he didn't touch me, so I will drop the charges Koenig. But I don't want to see the Lts. face again. He is not the sort of pilot I want on my team. If you value his work ethic so highly then you take him on."

Koenig thought the attitude was not fair but knew protests would get him nowhere. All he could do now was take the Lt. on himself. He vowed to have a fairer attitute to the Lt. than Commander Short.

The next morning he found himself with new orders and a new pilot.

The young Lt was waiting for him, "thank you sir for helping me". I want you to know that I will always serve you to the best of my abilities", he stated.

Koenig nodded, " I would expect that of anyone who comes to work for me Lt." As for your flirty comments, I am not too worried I don't have a daughter." " I hope you have a hole raft of other attractive staff, the Lt. suggested cheekily.

Then he seemed to remember how he was speaking to, "sorry sir", he apologised

Oh boy though Koenig this pilot was really going to keep him on his toes. But surprisingly he found himself not caring. He had looked over the Lt. record and found that he was aquiring a rather startling good pilot. It was Short's loss and his gain.

"I guess we'll go then, Koenig stated. "Yes sir", came the clipped response. They moved toward the waiting eagle and had entered before Koenig remembered he had forgotten something rather important.

"Umm Lt what is your name", he asked.

He got the grin again , "all that support sir and you didn't even know my name".

Koenig shrugged, "well it didn't seem important at the time." He held out his hand,"I'm John Koenig by the way". He got a firm shake, "Alan Carter".

"Commander', the voice of Paul Morrow was dragging him back to the present and Moonbase Alpha.

He looked at the charred remains of the eagle hangar bay again. He had to make absolutely certain of the facts.

"Do we have any recordings of what happened down there," he asked.

Paul nodded soberly and punched up a video. Fixed to the spot John and the rest of main mission watched as the sciesmic activity ripped through the hangar deck. Debris fell from the room onto the main fuel cells of eagle 4 igniting them. John knew that eagle had been fully fuelled and awaiting assignment.

The resulting explosion was intense creating a huge fireball. He held his breath as he saw it bearing down on Eagle one. "Can we get a close picture of the eagle", he requested.

The camera zoomed in and Koenig saw that the main hatch door to the eagle was open. Alan would have been working in the safety of the pressurised hangar would have had no concerns therefore being unprepared for what happened. Still he found himself saying "please shut Eagle ones door". That would action would have pressurised the eagle ,providing a safe haven . But as the scene played out the door remained open . Then there was a loud crash and falling debris as the roof of the hangar caved in. The fire was snuffed out in seconds leaving eagle one virtually untouched. But that did not help Koenigs sense of loss, the vision of the open eagle door was ingrained in his mind. In the second of the hangar bay roof collapsing violent decompression would have occurred and all oxygen would have been sucked out. Alan's luck had finally run out.