PART TWO.
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Melita Kelly agreed to meet Rauley with the clear understanding that she did not, at any time, want to be left entirely alone with the alien. They met in the Recreation Center, the area deserted for their privacy, and Helena recognized promising signs as the couple smiled rather dreamily at one another. It certainly appeared a good start to their potential relationship.
She was there at Melita's request, making introductions, then Dr. Russell sat on a sofa in the background. She observed as the couple spoke quietly with one another.
Rauley escorted Melita over to a card table and they sat across from one another, talking quietly. Helena smiled when he reached over and took her hand. There was no resistance and although Melita did not appear completely enraptured she did seem enamored by his style and confidence. Still, the woman looked much less nervous then Helena thought she would under the circumstances.
Perhaps the only problem with the scene was the armed security guard standing by the room's exit. Helena empathized with John's caution but it did rather ruin a romantic mood.
()
"It checks out, Commander." Maya announced on the monitor from the laboratory, "We are still analyzing the finer elements of the offerings but, so far, the Simtag gifts are a God send. They do everything Rauley told us they would."
"Good." Koenig disconnected.
"Sounds promising." Verdeschi commented, "This could be the one, John."
"We've said that before, Tony." Koenig reminded. Then, "Why would the Simtags offer us these things if they also are gifting us with their world to live on?"
"Technically, they didn't know we were looking for a habitable planet until we told them."
"Rauley seems to know a great deal about us already so why wouldn't he know our objective?" Koenig then asked, "Where are they now?"
"Rauley is in the Rec Center, Milo is with Alan in the Eagle hanger, and Laster is with Dr. Spencer, having a physical."
"Why isn't Helena doing the physical?" Koenig wondered.
"She's with Rauley and Melita."
When she heard this, Sandra turned about and looked at the men.
"Melita asked for Helena to be there. Can you blame her? This whole thing with a love struck alien worshipping her from afar is bizarre."
"Commander," Sandra stood, "I need to have a word with you."
From her abruptness and the seriousness in her expression, Koenig understood that what their data analyst had to impart was of great consequence. It was also confidential. This was confirmed when she pointed to Command Center's double doors and walked to the exit.
Koenig told Verdeschi, "Have Alan prepare Eagle Two-Five. If everything continues to look good we will send an Eagle to their ship with a recon crew." Past experience, no matter how good it looked, urged Koenig not to make a move on blind faith.
He then walked from Command Center, following Sandra.
Once outside, Sandra looked up and down the hall, making sure they were alone.
"Sahn, what is it?" Koenig asked, puzzled.
"It may be nothing, Commander. But I saw something odd ..." She hesitated, wondering how peculiar it was going to sound, "You are not going to like this but Rauley was looking at Dr. Russell in a way that was, for lack of a better word, improper."
Koenig started a little then quickly calmed. Helena was attractive and, of course, men were going to look. However, Sandra seemed to think there was more to it. Her dour earnestness made him pause.
"I know he claims to be here to help us and to court Melita Kelly but I just feel it in my bones that he has an ulterior motive.'
"Involving Dr. Russell?" Koenig asked, not truly sure what Sandra was implying.
She shook her head, "I know it sounds strange but I was looking right at him when you and Helena embraced earlier and although he tried to hide it I could tell he wanted to blast you into atoms."
"If that's true why would he ask for Melita Kelly? It doesn't make sense."
"Doesn't it?" Sandra looked him steadily in the eyes, "If he came here and said he wanted Helena he would be greeted with an unadulterated NO - but if he asks for another woman, who is currently unattached ... Well, he is handsome, generous and appears ideal. Who could possibly deny Melita a chance at happiness?"
"Even if what you say is true, Sandra, maybe Rauley saw his error and Melita is his second choice. They could be as friendly as they claim."
"Maybe. I just do not see Rauley as a man who accepts seconds choices. Perhaps it is women's intuition but I do not trust him, Commander, and I am worried for Helena."
Koenig pondered what she had said. "If anyone else had come to me like this I would have told them they were imagining things but you are not just anyone, Sahn. Your insight has aided and saved us on more than one occasion. If you feel something isn't right and if it involves Helena in some way …"
Sandra nodded, knowing Koenig's feelings for their Chief Medical Officer.
"I trust your instincts, Sahn, but you said yourself you might be wrong. I'll warn Helena and we'll watch the Simtags carefully. If it turns out to be no issue in the big scheme of things, I don't want to jeopardize our chances of finding a new home."
Sandra said, "Yes, Commander." but looked doubtful.
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Helena examined a box of medical heat-signature slides as the couple got better acquainted. Yet soon, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Melita and Rauley stand. They held each others hands, smiled kindly, and she could hear him wish her well.
Unsure, Helena replaced the slides, sealed the box, and stood.
They approached Helena. Melita, in good humor, told her that while she and Rauley would remain friends they really were not compatible. There were too many differences between the two on every level although, she confessed, he was quite captivating.
Rauley agreed that as much as he admired the flower that was Melita, theirs was not a love match. He appeared disappointed but accepting.
"I'm sorry." Helena said, sincerely disappointed it did not work out.
"Now Dr. Russell," he said, a bit too quickly, "It is time for your people to visit our world. Your expertise will be needed to insure we are as well-suited as I believe."
A small alarm went off in Helena's head. For a man who was just discarded by the woman of his dreams Rauley seemed to recover very well. "It will depend of the results of Laster's physical but I am sure the Commander is preparing for the reconnaissance even as we speak." Helena said.
"She's right, I am." Koenig entered the room and nodded at Melita as the woman left out the same door.
"Very good, Commander." Rauley spoke with guarded enthusiasm, "When the time comes we can send you directly to our craft."
"We would rather take an Eagle, fly it to your craft, and dock. Then you can take us to Simtag from there for the initial reconnaissance."
Helena looked from Koenig to Rauley. She sensed tension.
"Commander?" Rauley asked, not seeming to understand.
"Precaution," Helena said, her voice soft and reassuring. "I'm sorry to say that we have had instances in the past where lives were lost because we believed in life forms who were not what they appeared."
"No offense." Koenig said, a bit dryer then he intended.
"Not at all. I admire your safety measures. You are a wise people." but his tone was less appreciative than in the past. "But I do assure you there is nothing to fear."
Curious, Koenig moved in a little closer to Helena and placed an arm around her shoulders. As he spoke he watched Rauley's expression. "We have quarters set aside for you and your men as we continue preparation for the journey. Our security officer, Rollins here, will escort you."
"I am grateful, Commander." Rauley bowed ever so slightly and walked with the guard from the Recreation Center.
Koenig arm dropped from Helena's shoulders and his hand rested on her back as he watched the man leave. Sandra had not been mistaken. He too saw a spark of discontentment from the alien, a slight twitch of his lip. If Koenig hadn't been watching for it he might never have saw the annoyance.
"And what, may I ask, was that about?" Helena exclaimed when the sliding door closed, feeling she might have been witness to a power struggle of some kind despite the gracious words exchanged. "I take it you do not trust him?"
"You know me well, Dr. Russell." Koenig then asked, "How did his date with Melita end?"
"There was no connection but they parted amicably."
Koenig looked at Helena, wondering if he should tell her Sandra's and now his own fears. Helena needed to know even if they were proven wrong.
"Me?" she asked, "Why me?"
The Commander treasured her bewilderment. "Why not you, Helena?" He nearly chuckled, "In case you did not know it you are quite the catch. Any man would be lucky to call you his …"
" … trophy?" she asked, looking up at John, amused and waiting for a reply.
"Prize." he said carefully and looked about to make sure they were alone. "You are beautiful, smart, sexy …" He moved in on her and placed his hands on her shoulders, "… and every bit what a man needs to remain alive and sane. Especially in this mad, inexplicable deep space life we lead."
"Such compliments, Commander." Helena dropped the box on the table beside her and allowed both her hands to slowly move up the lapels of his jacket, "And is that all I am?" She added, "Think very carefully before you say another word, John."
"I'm not certain what I would ever do without you." he said, very seriously, holding her close. "I love you."
"And you just said the right thing, Commander."
He did not say such things often, outside the bedroom, but when John Koenig did express himself she knew he meant every word he said.
Unable to resist, he pulled her to him and they kissed, tenderly.
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Milo and Laster were resting and waiting for Rauley when he arrived in the quarters Commander Koenig had assigned to their guests. When the doors shut behind him Rauley crossed to a bedside table, picked up a glass flower vase, and proceeded to throw it full force across the room, nearly hitting the scientist.
It bounced off a wall and shattered on the floor.
"The sooner we get off this dreadful, insignificant pebble the better!" Rauley said, furious.
"Koenig?" Milo asked, carefully, moving away from his line of fire.
"The way he touches her, claiming her as his own ... He does not deserve to stand in the woman's shadow!" Rauley's hands were fists as he seethed, "Then he has the audacity to tell me how their reconnaissance will work. I should pick up one of their puny laser guns and shoot him through the heart!"
"You cannot, Excellency." Milo warned.
"I know!" Rauley spat, "But not for any of the reasons, having to do with universal harmony, that you might subscribe to, Milo. I will not kill him because she would not want him dead. I may need Koenig in the future to keep my Helena content. At least until I can get her home." He smirked, "Then, for all I care, the universe can chew up and spit out Moonbase Alpha and everyone on it!"
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END OF PART 2.