Chapter Two
Author's Note: Medical Center had a way of changing its look all the way through the series, so I've taken a little creative liberty here and given Helena her own little office area/space, set apart from the diagnostic section. She is the Chief Medical Officer, so she deserves a little private office.
Also, feel free to review but please be kind with your feedback and constructive criticism. When I lost my hubby unexpectedly in 2021, I truly thought that a lot of my passion/hobby things, including writing, were over. I have been overjoyed with the fact that any fiction idea at all even came to me and even more delighted that I'm actually wanting to write again after many years away from it. I know it isn't my best work but I'm hoping as I go along with creating it that my writing improves and that you, the reader, actually enjoy reading it.
CHAPTER TWO
Once Eagle Four had landed safely on the launch pad and Carter had completed post-flight, both he and the Commander got up and made their way back to the Eagle's passenger section.
It was obvious to everyone that Fraser was anxiously waiting to get back to his new wife. Helena was gathering a few supplies to put back in her carry bag so that they could be returned to Medical Center; including the valuable chunks of titanium she had managed to retrieve for the Alphan life support systems.
But, unlike the Alphans who were more than ready to leave the confines of Eagle Four, Maya looked like she wanted to curl up and vanish into a ball of nothingness.
Her blue eyes were now red and irritated. She had a downcast expression on her face and her posture was slumped, conveying her deep sense of despair. Her cheeks were tearstained, and the remnants of her beautiful eye makeup was smudged all around her blue eyes. Her entire world, everything that she had ever known was gone. Obliterated in an instant. Her loss was incomprehensible.
Koenig knew that this was not something she would recover from quickly, if ever completely. The journey ahead for the young Psychon woman would be a long one, fraught with emotional turbulence. The Alphans could offer support, welcome her, befriend her and help her find a way to piece together the remaining shattered fragments of her life but her path to healing would ultimately be one that she would have to walk by herself, step by painful step.
Knowing it was time, Koenig somberly broke the silence.
"Let's get going. I could use some coffee."
He made sure to speak in a relaxed manner, but the weight of the situation was unmistakable.
"Now you're talking," Alan said with a grin.
Koenig approached Helena, who handed him her bag before turning her attention to Maya.
"Maya, we're here," Helena said gently to the younger woman.
A look of pure terror crossed the younger woman's face, but bravely she began to rise from her seat to stand. As she did so, her expression changed, a grimace of pain replaced her look of initial fear. Though the Psychon tried her best to conceal it, she could not hide the obvious discomfort.
Helena quickly switched to physician mode; her voice filled with concern.
"Maya, what's wrong?"
"My ankle," Maya's voice trembled as she fought to keep fresh tears from rolling down her already tear-stained face.
Carter quickly jumped in.
"Come on, kiddo, free ride," he said as he quickly scooped her up into his arms.
"No, I can walk," Maya weakly protested.
Carter's voice was both sympathetic and reassuring.
"Let Dr. Russell take a look in Medical Center. She's the expert on all kinds of ouchies."
And with that, Carter strode towards the exit of the Eagle, carrying the Psychon as though this was a daily occurrence for him.
Helena looked at John and shrugged her slim shoulders with a small smile on her weary face.
Seconds after touchdown and already the crew were beginning to display their kindness to Maya. Of course, displays of kindness would come easily to Alan. Koenig only hoped that others would follow his example.
Helena followed closely, her medical instincts on alert and ready to tend to Maya's injury as soon as they reached Medical Center.
Koenig brought up the rear of the group, holding Fraser back to speak to the younger man privately as they walked. He placed a reassuring hand on Fraser's shoulder, signaling that what he had to say was important yet considerate of Fraser's eagerness to reunite with his new wife.
"I know you have other plans," Koenig began with understanding in his voice. "But I need you to join us in Medical for just a few minutes. I promise, I won't make it much longer of a wait for you."
John's gaze moved ahead to Carter, who was carrying Maya.
Bill nodded in silent understanding. "Sure thing, Commander."
Fraser even gave Koenig a genuine smile, relieved that they had made it back home to Alpha. He knew that Annie would still be waiting for him, even if he had to spend a few minutes in a debrief. The relief of being home safe outweighed the brief delay.
And so, the worn and tattered crew proceeded to make their way to Medical Center. Now that they were safely home, they could begin the process of integrating the young Psychon into the crew of Moonbase Alpha. There were going to be challenges ahead, Koenig silently conceded to himself as he reflected on the need to prepare the Alphan personnel for Maya's arrival.
The escape journey back from the hellish Psychon nightmare had been fraught with fear and loss but now, as they made the familiar trek back to Medical Center, there was a collective sense of relief among them. Now it was time to focus on healing, for all of them.
In Medical Center, Tony and Bob had taken a seat on one of the beds as they awaited the arrival of the occupants from Eagle Four.
Bob had immediately noticed Tony was alternating between absentmindedly running his hand through is hair and rubbing his eyes. Mathias sensed a uneasiness in Verdeschi that he had not seen in quite some time.
As thoughtfully as he could, the doctor suggested to Tony to get some rest once this hush-hush meeting had concluded.
"You've been running on fumes, Tony. After we wrap this up, try to get some shut eye," Bob said, his tone gentle yet firm.
Verdeschi's face bore the signs of exhaustion, dark circles under his eyes and a rough stubble that spoke of many hours on duty without time off.
Honestly, Mathias mentally acknowledged that about a month's worth of good and uneventful downtime was what everyone on Alpha desperately needed. The strain of constant vigilance, the endless crises and the psychological toll of isolation had worn them all down. Lord knew that they could all use it after the last few months. Hostile alien encounters, space anomalies and the relentless uncertainty of their futures had left everyone on edge. They all needed time to decompress, to reconnect with themselves and each other without the specter of disaster looming over them.
Mathias sighed inwardly, knowing that such a reprieve was unlikely to come anytime soon. But for now, even a couple of hours of rest could make a world of difference for Tony. He hoped that once this meeting was over, Tony would take his advice to heart and allow himself a brief respite from the relentless demands of life on Alpha.
Tony merely shrugged before voicing nearly the same opinion that Bob had.
"Sometimes it seems like we haven't had time for a good break and relaxation since we left Earth."
Verdeschi's voice lacked his normal vibrance, so Bob decided that it was best to change the topic.
"Did Commander give you any details for this meeting?"
Tony knew he shouldn't divulge anything just yet, so he turned and looked at Mathias with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
"Not much."
The tone of the security chief's voice left Bob with the impression to not push further. He wasn't given an opportunity to do so anyhow because the door to Medical Center swooshed open.
Carter entered first, carrying the disheveled daughter of Mentor. He quickly settled her down on one of the medical diagnostic chairs and Bob rose up quickly, his physician persona kicking into action instantly.
Helena, Koenig and Bill Fraser quickly followed behind them.
The door closed behind them, and Tony took quick note of the absence of both Torens and Picard. He closed his eyes for just a moment and exhaled softly. Both had been good men.
Helena had already joined Bob at the diagnostic chair with Maya and had become oblivious to anything else around her until Koenig spoke.
"Helena, do what you can for her."
Even though she was already examining Maya's ankle, Helena nodded her head in acknowledgment.
"I'd like the rest of you to join me in Helena's office for a moment. That includes you, Bob. Please."
Mathias looked between Helena and the Commander. Bob was torn, he was a physician first and that meant he wanted to help this alien girl.
Russell nodded at him. "Go ahead Bob. I've got this." She smiled warmly at him.
Once they were behind the privacy of a closed door, John Koenig took a moment to register the mixed looks from everyone. Of them all, Tony looked the least happy.
The younger man looked like he was ready to speak, but John raised his hand to silence him.
"Tony, I know what you're going to say but please, hear me out first." John's tone clearly implied that he was not asking but rather gently ordering.
In return, Tony pressed his lips together and gave a slight nod, visibly displaying his effort to remain quiet while the Commander explained.
"Yes, we brought Mentor's daughter, Maya, back to Alpha with us. After everything that she did for us, we couldn't very well leave her on the planet to die."
Mathias asked quietly, "Can you tell us what happened Commander?"
John pulled out the chair at Helena's desk and sat down and indicated that the group should have a seat on the one medical bed that was in the office.
When he had their attention, Koenig began.
"Mentor had created a biological computer and the means that he used to power it was through the draining of the mind, leaving his victims little more than walking zombies. That's why I instructed Directive Four, Tony. His plan was eventually to do the same with all Alphans."
"Picard, Torens?" Mathias hesitantly questioned.
"Lew was killed by an energy beam and Torens..." John shook his head as the last image he had of the young man flashed through his mind. Torens had been young, energetic, curious, and always full of enthusiasm. He had naturally possessed a positive outlook on life, even things hadn't been that optimistic.
"His mind was fed to that damn obscenity," Koenig finally said quietly, feeling anger at the loss of such a good young person.
Tony finally gave in to the urge to toss more questions at the Commander.
"So, how does Maya figure into all of this?"
"It's true that she is Mentor's daughter. Mentor clearly shielded her from the true nature of the atrocities that he was committing. She did not know the truth until the very end, when we finally convinced her to help us."
"Oh, come on John, you honestly believe that?" Tony questioned incredulously, his voice rising as he spoke.
Alan interrupted quickly.
"Tony, if you had seen her face," Carter shook his head sorrowfully.
"You can't fake that kind of horror and shock."
Tony looked at his Australian friend. Then he registered the expression on Fraser's face. Then he looked back at John. It was evident that all three men completely believed that Mentor's daughter had not known the full truth about what her father's true intentions had been.
"She left us out of that cell Tony," Fraser added, his face clouding with emotion. "She helped us escape and then she helped the Commander destroy that hideous machine."
Bill paused for just a moment.
"And then her world was no more." He finished in a muffled voice that was almost a whisper. He shook his head slightly while his face clearly displayed a mix of sadness for the Psychon girl, anger at the lives lost and a profound relief that Maya's actions had benefited all of them, despite the enormous cost for her.
Alan added, "If she hadn't Tony, none of us would be sitting here talking about it. None of us." There was a sense of finality in Alan's last words that actually gave Tony a shuddering sensation.
"She saved us all Tony and for that, we owe her." Koenig stated. "Tony, I want you to help get her safely settled in."
Koenig's voice left no doubt as he stressed the safely part.
For a moment Tony considered that and then nodded. New comprehensions and concerns were already beginning to form in his mind.
"Yeah, we've got a few hotheads around here," he admitted, somewhat sheepishly because, at times, he still had that same tendency.
Almost every Alphan on the base had undergone an arduous selection process to even receive their posting. The selection process had been designed to ensure an individual's ability to manage the rigors of living in space, on the moon, for lengthy periods of time.
However, nobody could have ever anticipated the psychological consequences of being completely and, permanently, cut off from Earth. Without the possibility of real vacations or meaningful downtime to destress, the isolation and unending stress were taking a toll on everyone.
Unfortunately, some Alphans seemed to be more susceptible to revealing their worst sides during periods of extreme challenges or shortly after. The constant pressure and lack of meaningful escape from Alpha could push even the most stable individuals to their breaking points, revealing fractures in their personalities that might never have surfaced if they had remained in orbit around the Earth.
With the absence of familiar comforts from home and the relentless demands of the Alphan environment, there was now a breeding ground for anxiety and tension that often challenged their resilience and pushed their mental limits in ways that no Earth study could have ever imagined.
Even though Tony was beginning to believe his fellow Alphans about Maya, there was clearly still uncertainty in his own mind. Being the one in charge of settling her in would allow him the opportunity to really get to know her and make his own judgment call based upon what he witnessed.
John continued speaking.
"I think it's best to keep her distanced for a few days. It's going to be very rough on her but, in time, I know there's a place for her here on Alpha. Psychon science is so far ahead of ours. I know there are things that Maya can do that none of us can."
Tony hoped that John was right about that. Losing Bergman and now, Picard, in such a short time was a huge loss of expertise, knowledge and of good people. If this Psychon could help rebalance the scales, that could help them tremendously in the future.
"We'll need to get her quarters," Tony said. "And I take it she didn't get time to even pack an overnight bag."
Tony's voice and expression showed that he didn't mean that in either a humorous or sarcastic way but rather a sad, matter of fact.
"She's got nothing Tony, except for the clothes she's wearing." John stated. "And us."
John looked around at each of them.
"She needs a new family, a new home and I'm hoping that I can count on each of you to help make this transition for her as easy as possible, given the circumstances."
Alan spoke up. "You know Sandra will want to help too."
"And Annie" Bill added.
"Well, she's got nowhere right now so I can take her to my quarters until we get something set up for her. At least I know she'll be very safe there from both curious eyes and hotheads," Tony offered.
"Are you okay with that?" John asked as he gauged the look on Tony's face.
"She's just a girl," Tony replied. "How hard can it be?"