“Commander Koenig?” He asked with a soft voice
“Yes.”
“They are ready for you.”
John walked over and stood behind the man. Before he opened the door the man said, “Good Luck, Commander.”
The thick oak door swung open and John entered the Senate Chamber. Flash bulbs popped from every angle around the room as he made his way to a long table that sat in front of the assembled panel of Senators. John saw Helena with her parents. They were sitting on the left. He made eye contact with her briefly then he moved on. When he stood facing the panel, the Chairman motioned for John to sit down at the table. John noticed that Neil Harris was one of the members of the panel.
The Chairman spoke into the microphone that sat in front of him. “Good Morning, Commander.”
John nodded to the man.
“Before we begin this morning I’d like to made one thing clear. During this proceeding there will be no emotional outbursts.” He looked in the direction of the international press corp. “Nor will there be any commotion by the media. This is a matter of the United States Government not a media circus.”
The chairman shifted in his chair and his gaze returned to the Commander. “Commander, I’m sure you understand that this is a highly unusually situation. Normally we would not allow the press in here but because the moon's departure had such a significant effect of the rest of the world we’ve made an exception. These proceedings are being broadcasted around the world. Do you understand?”
John cleared his throat and his resounding “yes” echoed around the room.
The chairman continued. “You are aware of why we are here?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Since there are criminal implications in the matter Commander, the Federal Marshall’s service will now advise you of your rights.” A distinguished looking gentleman stepped forward and asked John to raise his right hand. He then read John his rights under Miranda.
The Chairman spoke again. “Now Commander, you are aware that you may chose to remain silent.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“So you wish to invoke your right to silence, Commander?”
“No Sir, I do not.”
“Do you wish to have an attorney present?”
“No Sir, I do not.”
“Let the record reflect that Commander John Koenig has waived his rights to silence and legal representation.” The Chairman said to the court reporter.
“With that in mind Commander, I’d like to swear you in as a witness in this hearing. Please raise your right hand.
John stood and raised his hand.
“Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth so help you God?”
“I do.” John said.
“Fine, let us proceed. Have a seat Commander.”
John sat down and adjusted the microphone that sat in front of him. He wanted to make sure that everyone was able to hear his side of the story.
“We’ve all heard the media’s speculation as to what caused the moon to vacate this universe. Now we’d like to hear yours.”
“Mr. Chairman, I’m ready to give my statement.”
“Please.” The Chairman indicated that John should begin.
“Senators, I was selected to be Commander of Moonbase Alpha only days before the incident. When I arrived on the moon the circumstances that lead to the explosion were already in place. Before I was able to execute any plan of action the moon was torn out of orbit.”
“You didn’t have any idea?”
“Yes sir, I knew something was wrong. I had been on the moon several times during the months before my commission.”
“Why didn’t you do anything?”
“I tried to sir. No one would answer my questions. When I asked too many, I was immediately sent back to Earth”
“On whose authority?”
“Commander Gorski’s”
Neil Harris fidgeted in his seat when John mentioned Gorski’s name. He motioned to the Chairman that he had a question. He wanted to change the line of questioning. “Senator Harris?”
“Thank you Mr. Chairman, Commander Koenig, What shape was Moonbase Alpha in when you left it?”
“It was fully operational, Senator. For the last five years, Alpha has been the home for over 300 men and women. It had to be fully functioning in order for all of us to survive.”
“I see. And is there anyway that the moon can be recovered and brought back into orbit?”
John thought for a minute then he gave Harris a hard stare, “I don’t think so.”
“What can you offer the world then Commander?”
“I can offer the world many scientific advances that were not available before our disappearance.”
“Like what?” Harris responded.
“Like a working mechanical heart, it was developed by wife, Dr. Helena Russell.” A loud murmur when through the senate chambers as everyone turned and looked at Helena.
“Really? What else?” The chairman interjected.
“We learned a lot and made a lot of technological advances. We learned how to navigate through space warps using a device found on a derelict ship. We also have significant data regarding Lambda waves and their link to telepathy. We have a neutrino transmitter device that’s still in the experimental stages, but much advanced from anything currently in research here on Earth.”
‘Fascinating.” Another member of the panel exclaimed.
“But that’s not the reason we are here is it gentlemen? We are here to try and determine whether or not I am responsible for losing the moon and causing all the environmental problems of the world.” John made eye contact with each member of the panel. “Senators, I am not responsible for the moon’s departure. You’ve probably already read the logs that we copied from the on base computer. Those logs paint a more accurate story of our lives than I could ever tell you. To be honest, I spent the better part of the last five years trying to keep 300 people alive. I’d like to take this time to publicly thank all the men and women that served with me... with me, gentlemen, not for me. We were all in this together and there’s not a moment in the five years that we were all saved because of the actions of one or more members of our staff. We would not have survived without the dedication of those men and women.”
There was silence in the great hall when John stopped talking. The Chairman looked to each member of the panel to see if anyone had other questions they wished to ask. When he was satisfied that there were no further questions, he stood. Facing the floor of the Senate he announced, “the panel will retire to chambers to consider the fate of Commander Koenig.”
John watched each member of the panel file out of the great room and through a door behind the United States Flag. He turned and exchanged a look with his wife then he leaned back in his chair to await his fate.
Sixty long minutes later, the panel filed back into the chamber. John looked at each senator and tried hard to read their expressions. When he looked at Harris, the man diverted his eyes. John took that as a bad sign. The chairman picked up his gavel and reconvened the hearing. The room grew quiet with anticipation and awaited the panel’s decision. John quickly glanced at Helena and she gave him a small smile of support.
The Chairman cleared his throat, “Commander Koenig it is the decision of the panel that you bear some of the responsibility of earth loosing her moon. We find enough evidence to have you arrested and charged with crimes against the environment.”
There were whispered conversations are the Chairman’s news made it’s way around the chambers.
“At this time, the Federal Marshals will take you into to custody until a trial date is set.”
John looked back at Helena. Tears filled her eyes and she looked stricken. Her father had his arm around her shoulder.
Suddenly the big wooden doors in the back of the room swung open and a female voice called to the Chairman.“Mr. Chairman, Wait! You have the wrong man and I can prove it!”
John turned around and saw the young woman as she made her way through the crowd to the front of the room. She was carrying a box of documents. John exchanged a look of confusion with his wife.
“Mr. Chairman, members of the panel, my name is Celeste Boullet, I was Professor Victor Bergman’s lab assistant.”
“Young lady was is the meaning of all this? You are out of order.” The chairman demanded to know.
“I’m sorry sir, I realize I’m out of order. But I have information that will not only clear Commander Koenig of any wrong doing and explain to the world why the moon was blown out of orbit.”
The Chairman sat back and considered. He had to make a decision, after all, the entire world was watching.
“Very well Miss Boullet, you have the floor.”
“Thank you Senator.” Celeste sat her box on the table next to John and gave him a slight smile. She reached in the box and removed several stacks of paper. “Please give one to each Senator,” she said the Federal Marshal in the black suit.
“Gentlemen, The documents you have just received came from the lab of Professor Victor Bergman. Many of you probably knew Professor Bergman; he was instrumental in developing a lot of the technology associated with the building of Alpha. Professor Bergman was working on a project for the Space Commission when he died in an automobile accident months before the lunar accident. In these papers you will see that not only did Professor Bergman predict that there would be a build up of magnetic radiation from the dumps that would lead to a castrophy, he also advised the Space Commission of these facts. Please turn to the third page in your packets. You’ll find a memo written by Professor Bergman to the Space commission almost a year before.”
Celeste reached in her box and produced additional copies of Victor’s memo. They made their way through the press corp like fire through a dry forest.
“Just exactly who did Professor Bergman notify about this situation?” The chairman demanded to know.
Celeste looked down at the now empty box in her head she said, ‘Victor prepare to be vindicated!’ She wanted everyone worldwide to hear her answer so. She cleared her throat before she shouted out the name “Commissioner Gerald Simmonds.”
There were gasps of disbelief around the room as the Celeste words made their way over the loud speakers.
‘BRING ME SIMMONDS!” The chairman’s voice boomed as his order reverberated around the room.
Simmonds was located in the back of the room and escorted to the front by the Federal Marshals. He was nervous as he stood there in front of the panel. He reached in his pocket and felt the tape recorder. He looked at Celeste and John as he moved passed them to take his position on center stage.
“Well, we are waiting Commissioner!”
“Mr. Chairman, I did receive those memorandums from Professor Bergman. And…as far as I can tell, they were accurate.”
The crowd noise grew and the chairman banged his gavel loudly bringing the room to order.
“Go on.”
“I addressed this matter with a member of the Senate on several occasions. I was ignored.”
Simmonds saw Harris shifted in his seat. “This is preposterous. How do we know that this man isn’t lying?” Harris demanded to know.
Simmonds looked hard at Harris. “I’m not lying and you know it Senator.”
The Chairman looked at Simmonds, “I demand you tell us-give us a name Commissioner.”
Simmonds pulled himself up and in a clear loud voice he responded. “It was Senator Neil Harris.”
“That’s crazy!” Harries shouted.
The Chairman continued to stare at Simmonds, something told him at the man standing in front of him wasn’t lying. “Commissioner, do you have any proof that your conversations with Senator Harris occurred. You’ve made a very serious accusation about member of Congress.”
Simmonds stared hard at Harris then looked up to the Chairman; “May I approach the panel, Sir?”
“By all means.”
Simmonds moved to stand directly in front of the Chairman and removed the tape recorder from his pocket. He pressed the play button and handed it to the senator.
The volume was up on the recorder and soon the voices of the Commissioner and the Senator filled the room. In fairness to all involved, the Chair allowed the entire tape to play. When the tape ended, the Chairman turned off the recorder and glared at Harris.
“Apparently this panel has another matter to discuss. We will adjourn back to chambers.” He stood and faced John Koenig. “Commander Koenig, I think I speak for the rest of the panel when I say I apologize from any embarrassment these hearing may have caused you and your family. All charges against you will be dropped.”
A cheer went up around the room as the proclamation of John’s innocence was made.
“One more thing, Commander. This panel sans Senator Harris, will ask the President to award each member of your crew with a Congressional Metal of Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty.”
“Thank you Senator.” John responded.
“This panel is adjourned until further notice.” The Chairman pounded his gavel and promptly left the room.
John turned to Celeste and hugged her tightly. “Thank you!”
She smiled up at him; “ I had to do it. I had to vindicate Victor.”
John returned her smile and hugged her again. Over her head he saw Helena coming toward him. He released Celeste and Helena jumped into his arms. He spun her around as he hugged her tight. When they parted he kissed her passionately. “Let’s go home.” He said as he put her down.
Dorothy Burton & Maureen J. Long