CHAPTER TWO
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"It's a malignant tumor." Mathias announced and brought the x-ray plate over to a lighted panel for the Commander and Professor Bergman to view. "It's deep in the Temporal Lobe. When Helena told me she had experienced headaches and nausea in the mornings I should have recognized it right away." He grimaced, "Nausea, headaches, hallucination and voices. All classic symptoms."
They looked at the gray rounded spot, what looked like a minor flaw, in what was otherwise a perfect if ordinary looking human brain.
"Is it operable?" Professor Bergman asked.
"I don't dare." Mathis said. "Even with lasers it's just too deep."
Koenig gazed at the x-ray then looked over to where Helena lay, sedated in her bed in Medical Center. Gathering himself, he said: "Awhile back you took a scan of Helena's brain, when the Tritons took her over. There was no indication of a growth at that time?"
"I actually did pull that, Commander." Mathias had the plate in his hand and put it next to her current results. "I took this right after she was released by the Tritons, when the ball of orange light was gone, just to make certain both her brain and optic nerve were clear. That was four months ago. As you can see, there is nothing there. However …"
Both men looked at Mathias as he paused.
"Bob?" Bergman questioned.
"I hesitate to say anything. This is mere medical opinion and not fact. But I believe whatever the Tritons did to Helena caused the tumor. For me it's the only logical explanation. The lesion is so small we cannot see it on this plate but it's been growing ever since that encounter. We never picked up on it because, until recently, she hasn't had a scan. It never seemed necessary."
Mathias obviously knew his business but Koenig had to ask, "Could it be something else? A simple head trauma?"
Bergman looked at his friend, at the figurative straws he was obviously grasping. There was nothing simple about head trauma.
"No, it's far too deep, Commander." Mathias said," Any ordeal that could cause a cancerous tumor like this would have had to been severe and, well, Helena was never brought in for such an event."
"Surgery is completely out of the question?" Bergman asked.
"Any attempt … She would die of the table, Professor. I'm sorry but it's true."
Koenig's voice was low, nearly mournful. "Is there anything you can do for her? Chemotherapy?"
Mathias suddenly appeared drained, "That is a possibility but it will be up to Dr. Russell. We will medicate her, of course, and try to keep her comfortable." He exhaled, "It's just a matter of time, Commander."
Professor Bergman looked up at Koenig's grave expression as he stared at the x-ray. They would both miss her terribly. Helena was a dear friend and colleague. However, he sensed, for John it ran even deeper. Did he have visions, during those times when he was not in Main Mission being the base's Commander, of marriage and a family? Had he allowed himself the daydream of falling in love once again after years of denying it could ever happen?
The men heard her stir, a gentle cry, and they quietly walked over to her bedside.
For her and the base's safety, Helena was strapped onto the bed, both hands held by loose bands. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at John Koenig. She smiled, "Lee … you've come home." she whispered.
The comment, the repeated mistake, pulled at Koenig's heart.
She tried to reach for him but the binding hindered her. Confusion became reality. Helena recognized her error and asked, "John?" At his nod, coming back to herself, she queried. "Is the base safe?"
He nodded, again afraid to speak for fear of how his voice might sound. Gently, he took one of her hands and gently rubbed her knuckles with a thumb.
"I still hear the voices." she informed, "But they're not as loud. That is good, right?"
"Yes." he managed to choke out.
"Commander." Paul Morrow's voice came over his comlock.
Koenig gently released Helena's hand to grasp and lift the device and look at the screen.
"We are receiving a transmission from the alien spacecraft. They are asking for you specifically."
His eyes met Bergman's, puzzled. "I'll be right there." Koenig hooked his comlock onto his belt as he once again looked upon a curious Helena, who smiled.
"Always on duty." She said, understanding.
He smiled gently and touched her shoulder, "I'll be back soon." he promised. "Keep an eye on her, Bob."
Mathias acquiesced. Helena did not yet know her situation and he would have to have a serious conversation with her. Knowing how close he and Helena had become, Bob was going to ask the Commander if he wanted to break it to her but Koenig was clearly too busy now. It was never easy telling a patient she had a fatal ailment but it was harder telling another doctor, who understood her chances even before the gloss of "but this is what we can do" made a paltry appearance.
Victor Bergman also touched Helena's shoulder then followed Koenig to Main Mission.
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Helena felt his closeness before she saw him.
She had been drugged again after Bob told her about her condition, the cancer that meant the end of her life. Helena tried to be brave. She was a doctor, after all. How often, during her earlier years as a resident than a general practitioner, was she forced to relay the same bad new to her patients? Still, it was a little different when it was you who had just been served a death sentence. She had tried to hold it in but Dr. Mathias saw her struggle, the emotions her tumor would not allow her to suppress, and he mercifully gave her an hypo injection that relaxed her. It did not relieve her from the mental shock, the knowing of what was to come – but it did help.
She hoped it was quick and that poor John and Victor would not feel obligated to be with her as she grew thinner, weaker and more eccentric. Soon she would be a mere shell of the woman she once was – and her decline would be far too painful for her friends to watch.
"Dr. Russell." His memorable voice sounded.
"You got what you wanted." She told him, "You did not think I deserved to live for what I did to you and yours - and now I'm terminal." Helena opened her eyes and looked up at the horribly scarred form of Mateo as he looked down at his victim from her bedside. "Are you happy?"
"And what of Alpha?" he asked, "It is still doomed. Potentially, you failed in your task."
"Yes, I did." She sighed, sardonically. "Perhaps you should go tell Commander Koenig."
"I have tried but he and the others are not open to it. Not like you."
"Why? Because this tumor has made me a babbling idiot?" Helena nearly chuckled, "Mateo, you are a figment of my imagination." She watched as the pale forms of Laura and Professor Warren came up behind him, "You too."
"Mateo, don't be cruel. She did everything she could." Laura then looked at Helena, her voice was imploring, "You must take the risk that will be presented to you, Dr. Russell. It will seem very frightening, ridiculous even, but you must accommodate."
Helena squinted slightly as they spoke. Her phantoms seemed far more reasonable than they had over the last few weeks when they shouted obscenities into her head. "I don't understand."
"For Heaven sake, woman, take charge of yourself." Warren said gruffly but oddly in character. "Selfishness does not become you. Act when they tell you to and don't prattle about."
"Hush Warren." Laura said.
"You fool." Mateo said to Warren then to Helena, "You will know what you must do, Doctor, when the time comes."
Helena closed her eyes and shook her head back and forth, "I seriously doubt that." Already she was losing focus, often unable to tell what was real and an illusion. God, it was so unfair! She bit back on a scream that wanted to erupt from her trembling lips. Taking a deep breath, Helena calmed herself and watched as the visions before her faded away.
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The buzz and rumble of a busy Main Mission met their ears as the central doors opened, allowing Koenig and Bergman to enter.
Morrow reported, "He said his name is Commander Anliz but would not reveal more until he spoke directly to you, Commander."
The imposing alien on the screen wore black. His hair was long and snow white. The expression was laconic and Koenig might have been reminded of the Kaldorians, Zandor and his people, if not for his introduction and explanation.
"Commander, I realize I am unfamiliar to you but my people know you very well. I come from the planet Althera and you knew out leader, Arra."
Koenig stared, stunned. He had never thought to hear from the Altherians again. "How is Arra?" he asked, unsure what to ask.
"She is gone."
Koenig felt a tug of sadness, "Passed away?"
"Merely gone."
The Altherians were a wise but mysterious people. Koenig decided to leave well enough alone. "How may we help you, Commander?"
"We need to speak with you on a matter of some importance. But it is too vital and involved to discuss in this manner. However, we must make haste."
Koenig bit, "Would you like me to come aboard your ship?"
Kano looked over at his Commander then gave Morrow a 'Is he kidding?' gesture.
"Yes, Commander. You and Dr. Russell."
Koenig sighed under his breath and after a pause said, "Dr. Russell is unwell."
"We are aware of this, Commander. It is never the less vital that she attend."
Koenig glanced quickly at Victor Bergman then studied the man on their Big Screen, "Why?"
The alien seemed at a loss for words for a moment, "It is difficult to explain." He said.
"Try." Carter said from where he sat near the pilot's console. He, as well as John Koenig, was very much aware of the power of the Altherians. He had experience Arra sensitivity and greatness. Yet, even Alan was finding the secrecy aggravating if not insulting.
Anliz said, "She has a future, Commander; an existence that will not be realized to its full potential if you do not coöperate with us. No further questions. You must comply."
"Is that a threat?" Morrow asked, unable to help himself.
"No." the alien replied, expression impassive. "It is fact. Dr. Russell's continuation of life means more than you realize. It goes beyond her skill, your moonbase, or even your personal relationship, Commander Koenig. She must live."
Koenig blinked, unsure. "You can save her life?"
Main Mission looked at one another, puzzled and a little frightened.
"We must. Will you bring her to us?"
Koenig said, "Yes … but we need to know more."
"Come to our ship and all will be explained, Commander." Then, because he thought the Earth beings might receive it well, he said: "I promise."
Koenig hesitated but only for a moment. He knew he should be questioning him more, attempting to find out if the alien's promise was a disguise for as yet unseen dangers, but a fact remained. Helena was going to die and Anliz said he could save her. If this man was honest there was no need for fear but if he was lying … In the end, for Koenig, it did not matter. "She and I will come to you."
"As will I." Victor Bergman said.
Koenig almost told him no. He was too important of a loss to Alpha should they fall into the wrong hands, but something stopped the Commander.
"Yes," Anliz smiled very mildly, understanding. "You should, Professor."
"But before we come to your craft," Victor queried, "Can you tell us why you find it so important to cure Helena Russell?"
Anliz spoke very carefully but his resolve was crystal clear: "Her death will mean the end of our people … and possibly yours."
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Chapter Three Coming Soon.