CONTINUED ...
[]
He was the immortal alien - Balor - from the planet Progon; the man with whom John Koenig had a death battle during their first months of the moon's perilous journey in space. Balor had ripped through the base, nearly crippling or killing any Alphan who did not consider him master. He had nearly dispatched Koenig but the Commander had cleverly gotten the upper hand and defeated the alien, sending the Progon plunging into outer-space …
"You thought you destroyed me, Koenig." he said, "How wrong you were."
Balor had coerced his way into Command Center, pushing past Koenig and Helena in the Eagle and forcing open the Eagle's then the travel tube's doors. As he did this Helena checked on the two injured security guards and was relieved to report that although they were unconscious, they were not fatally injured.
"Join me?" Balor casually asked the pair, raising an inviting hand for the Commander and Dr. Russell to enter the travel tube.
"I don't think we have a choice." Koenig said, well aware that Balor could murder them both before the tube docked on level C. Nevertheless, Koenig positioned himself in front of Helena the entire time, both standing well away from where the visibly affable Balor sat.
Helena trembled but tried valiantly to keep a passive expression. She was remembering the female orderly Balor slew in front of her eyes. There was absolutely no reason for him to break her neck. He merely did it to make a point.
Once in Command Center, Balor paced leisurely under their Big Screen. The fearful Alphans stood near their wall computer or behind Koenig as he held firm near his desk. He asked, "How did you..."
"… Survive?" Balor chuckled oddly, "That is an interesting tale. A generous people found me floating in space and much like you, Commander, they were curious. They brought me aboard their great craft and I told them my sad story …" He paused. "I tried to give them what you Alphans had so selfishly declined. But, like you, they would not submit to the divinity of pain and suffering …" The reminiscence had turned into a smile. "I murdered them all. They left me with no alternative."
A horrified hush came over Command Center as all eyes watched the demented alien.
"You sought us out." Maya said, looking steadily at the intruder. A long time ago she had read the report about Alpha's encounter with Balor. It was horrendous and she could only imagine the terror her friends must have endured.
He shrugged ever so slightly. Balor did not recognize this woman. She was different from the others, strange and intriguing, but for now he could not be bothered with her. He had thought about Koenig for a long time and had a wondrously tormenting agenda in mind for the Commander and his people.
"What do you want?" Helena asked, fearful but in control.
Balor smiled. Helena was no longer wearing the bulky space-suit, the helmet now removed, and he remembered how charming and out-spoken he found the lovely doctor. "You truly have no idea how delighted I am to see that you are still among Alpha's survivors, Dr. Russell." He paused a moment in reflection, "As functional as ever, I assume?"
Koenig was not certain what Balor meant by his last comment but was sure he did not like it.
"What do I want?" The alien repeated, "I want what is rightfully mine. Moonbase Alpha."
"Alpha was never yours to have." Koenig snapped.
"It was mine until you tricked me into that airlock. And you shall pay dearly for that, Koenig." Balor glanced at all the anxious faces about him, "I floated out in space for years before I was rescued." He then looked up at the big screen, at his craft. "That is only a transport from the bigger Dorzian craft." He smiled as if from a fond memory, "But for them it was too easy. Too quick. I didn't have time to enjoy myself," He looked back again at Koenig, "As I shall with you."
Helena shuddered and felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Alan Carter and he could practically read her mind. John Koenig was especially not going to come out of it well this time.
"I wish to explore Alpha." he said, "I want to get reacquainted with your ways, your equipment and all those lovely minds just waiting for my philosophy." Then he added, "I also want revenge, to destroy the things you cherish most, Koenig."
Reluctantly, the Commander operated his comlock, opening the Command Center doors. If he did not coöperate Balor might start killing some of his staff. They needed time to think up a plan of action. Despite Balor's confidence, he was not infallible. They had defeated him before and would do it again.
"Don't do anything stupid." Verdeschi said, unflinching.
Balor ignored him for now but decided their security chief would probably be on his short list of Alphans to immediately be dispatched. "Commander, you of course will make a base-wide announcement of my arrival?"
Koenig did not reply but watched as the amused alien walked slowly to the door, the Alphans moving quickly out of his away. He left them for his investigation.
There was a collective sigh of relief when Balor was gone but Koenig was quick with orders as the Command Center staff took their seats. "Tony, do that base wide announcement. Tell everyone to stay in their quarters and make certain vital areas of Alpha are all under lock and key."
"Should I post guards?"
"No. Balor has already proven he will kill without compunction. But try to make certain areas less conspicuous than others. I'd rather have him in Recreation than near Area Three."
They would all hate to think of what would happen to Moonbase Alpha if Balor ever found their power core.
[]
In short order reports came from all sections of Alpha. Balor, having his fun, knocked over composts, shattered the glass doors leading into hydroponics, and broke the arm of a technician who was unlucky enough to be caught between a corridor in Level B and his quarters.
Helena called to him from Medical Center, "John, isn't there anything we can do?"
"There has to be something," Maya said, monitoring Balor as he walked Alpha's halls.
Tony Verdeschi shook his head, "Maya, you don't know him like we do. The man is an insane monster. He's incredibly strong, vicious, and unless we can make a perfect move, we'll be at his mercy ... possibly forever."
Sandra said, "I've been thinking about those people on the Dorzian." She looked up at Balor's craft, "Wouldn't they have thought it highly unlikely that a man was alive, floating through outer space - without a spacesuit? They must have read on their instruments that he was not an average life form so what were they thinking when they brought him into their spaceship?"
"What were we thinking when we invited him into Alpha?" Koenig sighed, "Those people were like us. They thought he was in trouble and they decided to help him. They figured to ask questions later..." He shook his head back and forth in despair, "And now Balor is free to kill again and again. Then, once he grows bored with us ..."
The Commander left the comment hanging.
No one needed a picture drawn.
[]
As the hours passed Balor's promise of revenge was not idle. He stopped off at the Eagle hanger and, with a few swift motions, destroyed the four crafts that were waiting to be maintained. On his next stop, in hydroponics, he contaminated a portion of Alpha's precious water supply. He then broke into several cabinets and destroyed a month's ration of food.
"Commander, we have to do something before it's too late!" came one of a dozen calls, some from those who had been hurt by Balor's sadistic actions.
Koenig nodded and broke the connection, "Balor will be watching my every move. He knows he can't trust me."
[]
Helena Russell was needed badly in Medical Center and sighed deeply as the next man was sent to her on a stretcher. His leg was fractured and scratches marred what would normally be a handsome face. "Bob, could you take care of this one? I must speak with Commander Koenig."
The double doors into Medial Center were locked and was being monitored by Security. If Balor wanted to come in it could still be done but it would take time and all were hoping the impatient alien would move on to an area with easier access.
"Yes, doctor."
Helena attempted to call Koenig but the Medical Center communications monitor and her own comlock was malfunctioning. Somehow Balor had infiltrated Communications. She did not know how the alien managed such a deed but the sooner they figured out how to defeat Balor the better.
"I'm going to need to go to Command Center. Will you be okay for a while, Bob?"
"Yeah, I have both Vincent and Nunez." Mathias' deep voice betrayed the tiredness not yet touching his eyes and posture. "We will be okay for a bit but come back as soon as possible. And be careful, Helena."
It had been one hell of a day and the night promised to be worse.
[]
The usually crowded halls, Helena noted, were empty. She knew Alphans were hiding out at John's command but the silence and stillness was jarring. Cautiously, Helena rounded a corner and, to her horror, Balor stood directly in her path.
"Ah, Doctor Russell..."
She backed up a few paces, as if his use of her formal title had been a substitute for a physical blow.
"You have nothing to fear, My Dear. Try to remember. Didn't I once promise never to kill you?"
She did. But Helena also recalled, in the same breath, that he promised agony every time she did something he did not like.
Balor looked away from her for a moment, pondering. "You mean a great deal to him, don't you?" He stared at her for a few moments before he spoke again. "I can see why you might be attractive to Koenig. Firm yet beautiful. Intelligent yet vulnerable... It's a lovely combination."
Helena held onto her resolve to say nothing. She would give him no satisfaction. Then, as Balor reached for her, Helena again backed up. She was studying him now ... His eyes looked deranged, even more so than the last time they encountered one another, but there was purpose there too.
"I think it's time for the Commander and me to have a long private talk. But knowing him he will either defy my order or arrange some silly evasive action. That is, unless I give him a good reason to do exactly what I say." Balor looked at her, "You may be that reason."
Helena stayed silent.
"He does care for you, doesn't he? Tell me." His casual manner was a thinly disguised demand. He would have an answer from her. "Tell me of the times you've spent in each other's arms. I want to know. I need to know." Balor pressed his lips together, obviously suppressing an urge toward violence. If Dr. Russell remained uncooperative she would force him to kill her, despite his vow.
Finally, Helena did speak, "He's my Commander. That is all."
"Yes. Well, we shall see."
Helena cried out as Balor approached, his hand closing around her throat.
[]
TO BE CONTINUED.
