SPACE: 1999 YEAR 2
JOURNEY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
SECTION TWENTY-ONE: Below the Silence
With no patients in need of care, there was a peaceful quiet in Medical Center. The smell of morning coffee lingered in the air as Helena and Maya sat across from one another at Helena's desk. Over the past few weeks, the women had developed a routine, a welcome occurrence whenever possible.
Helena, her mind still on the conversation she'd had with John the night before, studied Maya as they spoke. The Psychon was telling her about being in Command Center the other day, observing an Eagle on the Big Screen as it had conducted a routine monitoring flight. Russell noted the way Maya's face lit up as she confessed her curiosity about Alpha's workhorse, obviously something the Psychon had developed quite a fascination with.
"You're starting to sound like Alan," Helena teased gently.
The Psychon laughed, a light melodic sound Helena realized that they were beginning to hear more often from Maya.
"They're unlike anything we had on Psychon. They're fascinating," Maya said, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement as she cradled her coffee mug in her hands.
"Alan said I could come down to the hangar bay and watch one come down from the launch pad sometime."
Then she giggled. "Maybe I can even learn how to fly one someday," she said, obviously amused at the notion.
Helena's commlock buzzed, interrupting the moment. Maya's eyes flicked toward it curiously as Alan's voice crackled through.
Maya's face lit up instantly, her smile widening in excitement and Helena could not repress her chuckle. Especially after Carter issued an invitation for them both to join him down in the Hangar Bay.
"We'll be right down," Helena told Carter.
She set her mug down, giving Maya a look. "Perfect timing," she said with amusement.
Maya quickly set down her mug, her fingers fumbling slightly in her haste, and hurried toward the door. Her movements were quick and eager, practically bouncing on her feet with excitement.
When they reached the Bay, Alan was already waiting in the Control Room, leaning casually against his desk, his familiar easy grin lighting up his face. His eyes gleamed with amusement at the sight of Maya's enthusiasm.
"Ladies," he greeted, his easy-going tone matching the playful grin on his face. "You're just in time."
Maya's eyes darted around the room, immediately locking onto the viewing window that offered a clear view of the expansive hangar bay. Her lips parted slightly; her gaze wide as she took in the sight.
Alan noticed her reaction, his grin widening over her response.
"We need to retract the boarding tube first and clear the bay of all personnel before we bring her down," Alan explained, clearly relishing the chance to show off.
He moved to a desk that quickly reminded Maya of the ones in Command Center, and she watched with eager eyes, her attention focused on every detail.
Alan sat down at the desk, pressing a button with practiced ease. "Sandra, we're ready to bring Eagle 4 down."
Sandra's voice came through the speaker, clear and efficient. "Confirmed. Lower Eagle 4 to launch bay."
Alan gestured to the monitor, showing Maya the slow, graceful descent of the ship from the launch pad. The hull gleamed as it began to move.
"Now the overhead grip takes over," Alan narrated, pointing. "It locks on and guides her into position."
Maya leaned in, completely absorbed. When the Eagle paused mid-process, she turned to Alan with a curious glance.
"See that part there?" he pointed to the ceiling above the bay, where a section had quietly lifted away. A series of rods descended, each capped with a sleek mechanism. "That's the transfer point."
Maya watched in awe as rods extended and locked into place, forming a seamless track. The Eagle slid forward, guided with mechanical precision. Once the craft cleared, the rods withdrew, the overhang section lowering as if nothing had moved at all.
"How clever," she whispered as she watched the Eagle move through the door.
"And now the integrity of the seal is back?" she asked Alan.
Alan nodded. "Yep. Doors close, seal reengaged, and the Eagle finishes coming in. You can watch the rest through the window."
Maya quickly moved to the window, a look of fascination on her face as the mechanism brought the Eagle to a certain point and then lowered her slowly down onto the hangar floor.
"She's such a pretty craft," she murmured softly, her voice filled with admiration. " Sleek and majestic."
Alan and Helena exchanged amused glances, both of them enjoying her genuine awe. Helena crossed her arms, leaning slightly against the wall, her smile gentle as she watched Maya's fascination grow.
"She is impressive, isn't she?" Alan replied, glancing at Maya with a grin. "She's a workhorse, but she still manages to have that sleek edge." He tapped the screen lightly. "Not many people get invited down here, to see this part up close."
Maya turned to him, her face alight with gratitude. "Thank you for letting me watch."
"Anytime," Alan said with his easy, trademark smile. Of course, he was always ready to share his babies with anyone who appreciated them.
"Can we go out in the hangar," Maya asked cautiously but hopefully.
"Once she's pressurized," Alan said.
The look of excitement on Maya's face amused both Carter and Helena.
Once pressurization was complete, Alan stood up. "Ladies," he said as he motioned to the door.
They stepped inside the hangar and Maya paused. Just looking at all of the Eagles sitting before her was a sight. Alan put a light arm around her waist. "Come on," he said as he began guiding her towards the Eagle that they had just brought in.
Maya looked at him with delight.
As they moved closer to the Eagle, she suddenly felt very small against them.
"I don't know how much you remember," he said to her gently. "But Eagle 4's the one that brought us back to Alpha."
"Oh," Maya whispered.
She vaguely recalled being onboard one but everything from that day seemed like a horrible blur. Then she smiled softly.
"Then she's truly a special little craft," she whispered, acknowledging the fact that none of the Alphans returning home had almost become reality.
Alan and Helena exchanged glances over Maya's soft words before they watched her then turn around, taking in the view of the whole hangar.
Suddenly a darker, more concerned expression filled her face. She seemed to be pondering something.
"Alan," she said slowly. "Tony said he was injured down here when the moon blasted away from Earth."
To Carter it appeared as though Maya was trying to understand that.
He glanced over at Helena. He didn't know how much Tony had told Maya and he never would have expected Tony to even mention it to the Psychon. Tony didn't talk about that with anyone. Hell, Verdeschi had refused to talk about it with Spencer. To this day the man refused to talk about it.
The fact that he'd said something to Maya Carter found… interesting.
Alan paused before he put a hand on Maya's arm. "Sweetie, Tony's accident wasn't down here on the hangar floor."
She looked at him, obviously confused.
Alan pointed towards one of the riggings pushed up against another Eagle. "See how those steps go up to that work area on top?"
Maya's breath caught, her blue eyes widening as the pieces began to fall into place. Her stomach tightened, an uneasy sensation creeping into her chest as she traced the height with her gaze. Nervously, she scraped her teeth against her bottom lip.
Alan watched as understanding dawned in Maya's expression.
"Yeah," Alan said, his voice quieter now. "He and another guy were up there, working when it blew. And then the G-forces..." Carter stopped talking.
He hadn't even been on Alpha. He had been on board an Eagle, supposed to survey the action from above as they had tried to disperse the mass from Area Two. But he remembered the aftermath. Everyone did.
He didn't know exactly how much Tony had told Maya, but he knew one thing. He sure as hell wasn't going to go into all of the details with the girl.
Maya had looked back toward the rigging, her breath caught in her throat. Somehow, the vastness of the hangar felt heavier now.
Tony never talks about it," Alan murmured. His voice was quieter now, weighted. "Not to anyone."
He hesitated, exchanging a look with Helena, as if confirming what they both already knew.
Maya blinked slowly, her gaze rising once again to the rigging. She imagined him there, the chaos, the silence after. Her chest tightened. She understood more now. Not everything, but enough.
"Oh…," she suddenly whispered, as she suddenly glanced down at the floor.
For the first time, Helena wondered something. Who was really the one providing therapy between the Security Chief and the Psychon? Because Tony had locked this away. And yet, in just a short time, Maya already knew.