(4)
"But I don't understand. If you did not intend to be here … why are you here, Mommy?"
It spoke with the voice and mannerisms of a child, curious and confused, her small fingers pulling at the red hair of the doll she held, but its questions were as pointed as any alien, wanting answers.
"I know it's confusing." Helena said, "Let me try to explain it again , Karen …"
Koenig marveled at the steadiness of her voice as Helena, who paced near the rows of computer panels near his desk, spoke steadily and with purpose. He looked from her, noting how Helena rubbed her hands together and clenched and unclenched her fingers, betraying her nervousness and heartache. Helena never really looked at the screen, at the girl, but she answered her kindly and clearly.
He looked over at Tony who appeared as skeptical as himself. This whole exchanged was ridiculous but could not be helped. It had chosen Helena as its conduit of negotiation, refusing to speak with any other, and they were at its mercy and Helena's mediation skills.
Maya looked worried as she glanced from the screen to Helena. She, as well as them all, knew how difficult it was for her friend. If she had been asked to do the same thing for a member of her own departed family, having to speak with an image of Mentor, her mother or brother, Maya doubted she would be able to continue without crying or eventually collapsing with grief. If she had ever doubted Helena's courage Maya certainly thought her the bravest woman she'd ever known now.
John recognized her strength, understood how Helena could do the job at hand, despite the questions coming from a vision of her long-dead daughter. He too wondered how he might react if the aliens had pulled Jean, his dead wife, from his mind and forced him to speak with her again.
He was shaken out of his reverie when the child laughed. He glanced at Helena and saw her gently smiling. Had the two actually exchanged a joke?
"I think I understand now." The girl on their big screen said, "And I will release the moon shortly and set you free." Her innocent child's smile turned fanciful. "I wish … so wish I could be with you always."
John noted how Helena paused before she spoke.
"I .. I know, darling. I miss you too."
"We will be together again one day, Mommy. I know we will."
"I'm sure you're right." But this time Helena could not disguise the tremble in her voice. "And when that happens …" she raised her arms, "I will hold you and hug you like never before."
Koenig noted that Verdeschi crossed to his desk and as Helena and the girl … the alien … spoke he place a call through Alpha and told all section to prepare. Soon the moon would be on its way again.
As the child's image faded from the screen her last words left a heartfelt echo: "I love you, Mommy. Goodbye."
"Karen …" Helena moved forward a bit. For a moment she appeared a woman once again losing something near and dear to her heart.
John walked over to her and, gently placing his arms around the woman, he guided Helena to her chair in front of her own console. He sat her in it, kissed her gently on the forehead, wishing he could do more to make Helena feel less anguished, and watched as Sandra reached over and gently patted her hand.
As was promised, the moon again started its journey. The jolt was not quite as violent as before and, thanks to Tony's earlier call through Alpha, damage was at a minimum.
After a few minutes, as Command Center was receiving reports from each section, Helena stood and made her way to the double doors. John reached out and grasped her hand, looking at her for a moment, and felt the squeeze of her hand in his. She was all right but needed to go to Medical Center - and perhaps needed some time alone.
They exchanged a long gaze and he nodded, letting her go.
Final Chapter ... coming soon.