(a short but pivotal chapter)

CHAPTER 2

()

Thomas Victor Koenig was a curious and athletic child. Shortly after his second birthday Helena caught him scaling Gwent's wall computer on the south side of the spaceship. He had managed to climb quite far and she had to pull a table over and mount it to reach him.

The Commander had walked from their bathroom, having just taken a shower, when he saw what was happening. He did not panic for it was obvious Helena had the situation well in hand but he was there, with wet hair, a towel around his neck, and in loosely belted bath robe, to receive his son when Helena handed him down.

"Tom-boy, I told you before, no climbing Gwent. He does not like it." Koenig warned but could not help a smile, softly tickling the boy's belly.

Thomas giggled and hugged his father as Helena climbed off the table.

"Time for a nap, young man." she said, firmly.

"Don't want it." Thomas declared, pouting.

"Don't talk back to your mother." Koenig carried him over to his small bed and laid the boy down, "Back soon." he promised, kissing the child's forehead, and he drew the curtain. The Commander turned and saw Helena, her arms folded and showing a somewhat disapproving expression. "What?" he asked.

"You spoil him rotten, John." she said.

"He's a boy. Boys like to climb." he dismissed.

She nodded, relenting slightly. "I know. But it's dangerous. We can't child-proof everything." Helena felt his arm move around her shoulders as they walked over to the common area. "What he needs is something we can't give him."

"He has all the love in the world, Helena."

They sat in chairs opposite one another, leaning in to quietly converse.

"I know but I'm not talking about that, John. He needs trees to climb and sunshine on his face. He's a little boy now but one day he'll be a man. I'm just worried. Will Gwent and his life here be the only life experience Thomas will ever have?"

It could be worse, Koenig thought but he nodded, looking up at the map of stars as they moved through outer-space. Thomas was receiving an incredible education, seeing things men on Earth would never see or understand in their lifetime, but he knew what Helena was saying. They were still prisoners, despite their vast cell, and he and Helena would not live forever.

One day, unless they had another child, Thomas would be left alone. Who would be his companion when they were gone? As much as the great Gwent would like to think himself the perfect traveling companion, he could not service all Thomas' needs. Human beings needed others of their kind. Gwent had to understand this, otherwise why would Helena be here for him?

Gwent called: "Perhaps I can be of service, my companions."

Koenig and Dr. Russell had long gotten used to the apparatus listening in on their conversations. They still had their four private hours in the evening but everything else was wide open, with no apologies. "Unless you can grow a pine tree in the middle of the floor I don't see how." he quipped.

"True, I cannot do that. However, in a weeks time we will be approaching a planet with a breathable atmosphere. There are no human life-forms there but it carries a wealth of animal life, vegetation and minerals. We will need to replenish our provisions. Perhaps Thomas can run about and expel some of his youthful energy there."

"You would do that for us?" Helena's smile was genuine and she stood, looking up and about at the great ship. It had been three years since either she or John touched foot on a habitable planet. For Thomas it would be a treat indeed.

"Of course. It will be a learning experience for the child."

Koenig stood beside her and she looked up at him. He appeared delighted. "Thank you, Gwent." Then, he reached forward and touched Helena's cheek.

The couple hugged one another and, for now, were content.

()

That night, as she lay in their bed, Helena's thoughts raced. They were going to a planet fit for human habitation and, no doubt, after a significant amount of time Gwent expected them to return. After their little holiday, once again inside the ship, they would depart for space. Then, most probably, they would wait another three to five years - when supplies were once again low - to breathe fresh air and step on fertile land again and …

Why couldn't they just stay?

A dangerous consideration, one Gwent would undoubtedly reject. Yet, Helena felt she needed to speak with John about it; they desperately needed to break away from the spaceship now that the opportunity arose. They had become too placid, allowing their master to lead them about without question.

She looked at John Koenig as he slept. Where was that fire? She loved him dearly but often times missed his rebelliousness and tenacity. Helena did not blame John. One false move and any of the three might find themselves in dire trouble with Gwent. The machine still had a horrible temper and the Commander not only had her to worry about but also their son.

There was nothing they wouldn't do to keep him safe, even if it meant staying imprisoned for the rest of their lives in Gwent. Still, this was an opening that could not be ignored. Tomorrow, when they were given privacy, she would ask John what he thought.

Helena did not know it but Koenig had been thinking along similar lines. Gently, in his sleep, he reached over and took her hand in his.

()

The following morning, as Thomas sat at the table, contentedly eating breakfast, listening as Gwent told him a fable from a galaxy far away, Helena ambled over to where she thought Koenig was busy and smiled at what she saw.

He was in their bathroom, staring at his reflection in the mirror above the sink. He appeared fascinated by something he saw there.

"Are you becoming vain, John?" She stood at the door, her arms folded, and watched him. Helena smiled at his puzzled expression in the reflective surface. "You look just fine."

"Actually, I'm inclined to agree with you." he said, "Helena, I'd even go as far as to say I'm looking better than I did when we first came here, nearly three years ago."

This was not mere narcissism but an astute observation on his part. John had her curious. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Couple of examples: When I came to Alpha my hair was thinning. I pretty much expected to be balding by the time my command tour was up. - but look at my hair now. I'm not only not losing it but it's coming in thick and dark. You had to trim it last week, remember?"

Helena nodded.

"And look," he pointed to his forehead, "The last few years of my life I've had deep creases in my forehead but now they've almost disappeared." he turned from his reflection to look directly at Helena, "I have to wonder why."

"Less stress?" Helena suggested. Gwent pretty much took care of all their needs. Their only concern was boredom and they had each other and Thomas to relieve that.

"Have you noticed any differences in yourself?" he asked. Physically, it was difficult for him to tell because, as a man in love, Helena always looked beautiful and elegant to him.

"I do feel a bit more limber and energetic." Helena divulged, "Did you see how I jumped on and off of that table after Thomas yesterday?"

Koenig nodded. Not just that but their love-making seemed more visceral and enthusiastic as well. What should have become pleasurable but usual over the months was, instead, fervent and not waning in zeal. They truly had a hard time keeping their hands off of each other.

Was it possible that their time on the craft had somehow stopped and even reversed time?

Koenig would talk with Gwent about it later.

For now, he reached over and took Helena's hand and pulled her into the room with him. He pushed a button that allowed the door to slide close. Eagerly, he held her in his arms, felt her hands on the back of his neck, then kissed her soundly on lips, savoring the sensation.

She reciprocated with gusto, giggling as his kisses trailed from her lips to her cheek then to that special spot on her neck, just under her left ear, that brought Helena unfathomable delight.

Gwent paused in his story, sensing what was happening away from he and the boy, and he sighed.

Thomas looked up from his breakfast, "Then what happened?" he asked, referring to the story.

"Then," Gwent said, "they lived happily ever after."

()

(to be continued)