The Son

Moonbase Alpha's status report, 1312 days after leaving earth's orbit Dr. Helena Koenig recording. We are still going through a starless universe. The great expanse before us has yielded no friends or foes. The experience we had 17 days ago has left Alpha feeling vulnerable. Our scanners have been tuned and upgraded to pick up even the minuets of disturbances. The lost of Aneleh has left yet another void. The Commander has ordered leisure time for everyone on Alpha, no one is to do overtime and all leaves; sick and vacation are to be taken.

The solarium was almost full when Helena Koenig stepped into the room. She scanned around for an opening. She had just about given up hope of finding a spot when one of the men got up and put down his shades. Helena passed him as he headed for the dressing room. She spread her sarong on the couch and reclined. She retrieved the glasses and put them on.

Helena relaxed as the tanning process began. This was her second time getting a tan. John had recommended she try it again. He thought it might relax her. Helena had been tense lately. The death of Aneleh had left her thinking of her own mortality. After an half an hour, she turned over. She had not relaxed her mind yet, it kept going round in circles.

What is it that is so missing from my life? Why am I so depressed lately? Is Aneleh's death causing me this heartache, this void? Somehow, I don't think that's it.

Helena laid there trying to calm her thoughts and put them in order. She turned on her back. Her mind, however, gave her no rest. She gave up after another half an hour. She retrieved her sarong and stood. She stopped to talk to a few of the women. She was wearing a yellow two-piece bathing suit. She wrapped her red sarong around her waist as she spoke. Sandra came up and joined the group.

"Helena, ladies, how are you all?" she asked.

The women echoed in unison that they were fine. Helena broke the conversation and said goodbye as she was feeling a little out of sorts and was not interested in conversing just now.

She entered her quarters to the smell of coffee brewing. John must be home.

Helena's eyes scanned the living quarters. She entered the bedroom and checked around. As she left the bedroom, the doors to their quarters opened and he entered. He stopped. The doors closed behind him. He looked at her in her bathing suit and sarong. Helena stood in the middle of the room. John was looking her up and down adoringly. Helena smiled at him.

"Honey, if I had a camera I would take your picture right now," John approached her gently and took her in him his arms. He smelt her hair. It smelled of fresh honeysuckle and wheat. He thought of golden fields as he held her and took in her scent.

"Have I told you lately that I love you?" he asked.

Helena smiled up at him. John could see that the smile did not quite reach her eyes.

"Honey, what is it that ails you so?"

Helena could see that she could hide nothing from John Koenig. He held her still in his arms and looked into her eyes. They clouded up with tears.

"Somehow, this seems different than the other times. It's not Aneleh, I know that, somehow. What is it?" he asked.

Helena looked into his eyes and saw concern. She was afraid. She was afraid of what this heart sickness was. She was seeking ... seeking... peace. Yes, that's it. I want peace... peace of mind. I know, somehow it is a spiritual void that's lacking.

"John, I feel ... heart sick. I feel a void in my life. I can't find peace anywhere with this. Help me figure this out," she pleaded.

John looked at her and his lips gently descended on hers. She clung to him, as though he were her salvation. John held her in his arms and rocked her back and forth. He wished he could dispel her demons, but he knew she must do this herself. He would however, help her make the journey.

"Has recent events left you feeling vulnerable?" he asked kissing her forehead.

"Yes, ...that is a part of it. I know that all these ups and downs, dangers and the uncertainty of space travel has left me feeling afraid, afraid, for the future. John, I ...I don't want to live like this anymore, I want this void filled. I want peace in all circumstances."

"Peace is elusive, Helena. That is something I myself would cherish."

"Did you find it in Judaism? What was your upbringing like?" she quarried.

"Peace, no. What do you want to know? We have not spoken much about religion together. I will give you some information on my childhood. I used to study the Torah, both the written and oral and the Talmud. My parents were Orthodox Jews. It was very strict in my household. I had a Bar Mitzvah. We ate kosher food. My mother was very kosher when it came to cooking. We had separate dishes for breakfast and dinner. We could not lift a finger in the house after sunset on a Friday." John looked at Helena and chuckled when he saw her frown.

"My mother would leave everything on in the house. I remembered a time when we were on vacation and my mother was praying and chanting; I was so impatient to go swimming. As soon as the last chants left her mouth, I sneaked out of the house. My mother must have had radar because within ten minutes she found me. She grabbed me by the ear and took me in. I got a lecture from both of them that would last me a lifetime." John smiled as he reminisced with Helena.

They got the coffee then sat down and John held her in his arms as he spoke. "After they died I sort of drifted away from my faith. I found it a little too restrictive. I went to other places of worship. I even went to a Presbyterian Church service once."

"What was it like?" she asked.

"Oh, I'd say it was very different. I had a friend, Fredrick Rice by name. He spoke to me a little bit about Christianity. We would debate back and forth. He was so insistent that his way was the right way. He almost persuaded me to become a Christian. I must say I have been to a couple of Messianic meetings and I found them to be an eye opener."

"Did you decide one way or another?"

"No, I knew somehow I was not ready for any of it. I still read from the Torah and my Bible from time to time. These last years though, I must say, I had abandoned it altogether."

"Don't you feel a need to connect with God?" Helena asked.

"Yes, I do sometimes. I pray to God. Especially about you and the way I feel about you."

"I didn't know that," she smiled up at him and gathered his arms more closely around her waist. He sipped his coffee then looked at her.

"Do you pray for me?" he asked.

"Oh yes, John, I do," the look she gave him was one of love and adoration. He looked at her and he saw his future no matter the state of his heart. Truth be told he was feeling the stirrings again. He felt a need also to connect. Helena's longings were coinciding with his.

"I am not much on religions, but I was not brought up a strict Jew. My family was more laid back I think. I had a Bat Mitzvah but that was as far as it went. My parents drifted into Reform Judaism. I did attend a Baptist church for a couple of months. I even attended some Bible studies. I met a lot of Jews there, but somehow I was afraid to go further. Now, I don't know. I feel like I am embarking of a new journey with this longing," she stated starring up at him and John gave her a quick kiss.

"How about some more coffee?" he asked.

She nodded her head even though she had not finished the one she had. He released her. He got up and headed to the kitchenette. She head for the bedroom. She stripped out of her bathing suit and head for the bathroom. She took a quick shower and changed into a light breezy dress that gave her a lot of room to maneuver. John was at his work station, her coffee was beside him. She picked it up and sipped it. It was not hot enough. She warmed it up.

"John, do we have a copy of the Torah?"

"Look in the drawer attached to the book case." John looked at her. Helena went to the bedroom and opened the little draw. She saw a copy of the Torah and the Holy Bible, also. Helena reached in but picked up the Bible as its first five books was the Torah. She might as well read the Torah and go on to read some other books as well.

John watched her as she flipped through the Scriptures. He knew Helena did not practice Judaism, nor did he for that matter. He had a meeting with Victor and Maya this evening he was not sure he should go. John went back to work on a file he brought home.

Helena read the story of Moses. "Do we have the Bible on tape, John?"

"Let me check the archive." John types in a few words and the information came up on his screen. "Yes."

"Will you have the librarian bring it over for me?" she asked.

John looked at her then turned his attention back to the screen. "Whatever you say, my love." He typed in the order and sent the message. A response came back in a few minutes.

"She says she will have it delivered in the next half an hour, 45 minutes tops."

"Thank you, John." The comm screen came on and Koenig opened the line.

"Yes, Victor?"

"John, please come to the lab will you. I think you ought to see something."

"What is it, Victor?"

"It's that gas we retrieved from the air ducts. The ones the Titans tried to put us to sleep with. I wanted to talk to you about it when we meet later. Maya and I have been trying to analyze it. Now I have been looking at it since Maya left. I think we might have a problem. It seems to be defusing and shifting. I think we might have to expel it into space."

"Is it expanding?" Helena asked coming over to John's desk.

"Yes," Victor answered.

"Alright, Victor, I'll be right there," John, said breaking the connection. He stood and kissed Helena on the forehead. "Get some sleep. I'll be late," he said.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, that's not necessary, rest."

"OK, if you need me call," she kissed him on the mouth and John turned and exited their quarters.

Helena curled up on the sofa in the living room and read some more. Something struck her in one of the passages. She read it aloud, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Helena pondered these words written so many years ago. They were the words of a young Jewish leader name Joshua.

I have not thought about serving God in a long time, she mused.

There was a buzz at the door and Helena got up to answer it. She used the key pad and opened it. A young library assistant stood there with three compact discs in hand. She handed them to her and smiled.

"Thank you." Helena took the discs and closed the door. She placed a disc in the computer station. She plugged in the earphones and sat back to listen.

Helena woke up later after falling asleep listening to the disc. She saw that the apartment was empty. She took the earphones off and turned off the computer.

Helena headed to the bedroom to sleep. She knew that John would wake her if there were an emergency.

Commander John Koenig entered the lab and walked over to Victor and his assistant.

"Ah, John, right, have a look at this. I had to contain it in a cylinder and attach a microscope to it. The gas just keeps growing. I think it is alive in some way," Victor said.

John Koenig looked in the microscope but could not make anything of what he was seeing.

"Did you call Maya?" John asked.

"Yes, she will be here shortly," Victor, replied. "If this thing were let loose on Alpha unheeded it would have blown our roof off, literally. They must have had an anti-gas to contain it."

"So, Victor should we send what we have contained into outer space?" John asked.

"No, no, no, John I would love to study some of it to see what benefit it would be to us."

"Benefit, Victor, you know we should not mess with the unknown. I don't want to endanger the lives of our people," Koenig said.

"John, you know I would never intentionally risk Alphans' lives," he said.

Maya walked in and went over to the professor. He turned and looked at her.

"Yes, Maya, have a look at this and tell me what you think. Something strange has happened since you last looked at it. The jar was half-empty when I placed the gas in there. It has almost expanded to half its original size," Victor proclaimed, smiling.

"This is incredible, Victor," Maya exclaimed.

"Where is the rest of this gas, Victor?" John asked.

"Storage container 4," he responded.

John activated his comlock on his belt. "Alan,"

"Yes, John," Carter responded.

"Storage container 4, have it loaded onto a carrier Eagle and blow it up in outer space," John commanded him. Victor came over to him.

"John, we don't know if blowing it up will be the end. Suppose this thing expands in the universe?" Victor asked.

Maya responded, "It seems to me to be feeding off something in the atmosphere. My guess is that its oxygen."

"Right, which means if we blow it up it can't expand without oxygen. We first have to put it in a vacuum and if it does not expand with other gases then we know it is combining with the oxygen in our atmosphere. We will try the oxygen and see if it is expanding because of that," Victor observed.

"OK, Victor set up the experiment. Let me know your findings. I'll check on Helena. Then I'll be in my office." Victor nodded and began with Maya's help to set up the experiment.

John buzzed Alan on the way and told him to stand down until he heard from him again.

John Koenig entered their quarters. His wife was sound asleep. He saw that she had received her discs. He removed a strand of hair from her forehead and gave her the briefest kiss on her cheek. She looked like a princess when she slept.

There was not a day that passed that he did not thank his lucky stars for having her come into his life. Somehow, John did not think it pure luck. Maybe divine intervention. Not science, not Arra, nor any voice. No mysticism, just perhaps, God.

John watched her for a while. It was easy to think about God when he looked at her. Only God could have given him so perfect a gift. John touched her cheek then turned and headed for Main Mission. John finished his paperwork then left the Command Center in Main Mission. He headed home still thinking about that gas Victor was so excited about.

It was daybreak before John heard from Victor again. He was up before Helena and headed into Main Mission before she got up. He still had that gas on his mind. Later he headed for the under ground observatory, with Alan Carter in toe.

"How's Alibe, Alan?"

"Our relationship seems to have hit a snag, there John."

"Oh, how so?"

"The same qualities that drew me to her are pushing her away from me."

"Clarify, Alan."

"Alibe is a Christian, plain and simple. Does that not spell things out loud and clear?" John looked at Alan and smiled.

"Don't tell me, Alan you have hit a road block. Is she serious about her Christianity?"

"I've never met a true Christian who wasn't. The uncommitted ones are easy to get to change their mind. The committed, well they are another kettle of fish. Pardon the pun."

"I don't see your problem, Alan. That is what attracted you to her in the first place."

"John, I've gone to church from time to time. Heck, my parents are Christians, but I never got serious. Now with the way I am feeling about Alibe. Well... let's just say I am considering mending my ways. She gave me an ultimatum."

"Sounds like Helena. She loves an ultimatum."

"Well she says the relationship will go nowhere unless I recommit my life to Christ. As a matter of fact, to make a long story short, she dumped me."

The men approached the underground observatory door and John stopped before going in. He looked at Alan.

"This puts me in mind with something Helena is going through. Do you think Alibe will speak to Helena about her beliefs?"

"John, I'm pouring my heart out to you and all you can think about is Helena."

"Sorry Alan, one track mind. Well, could she?" Alan eyed him. He looked up and shook his head.

"Sure, John, Old Sport, anything for you. Good grief, you are something else. That was sarcasm if it was lost on ya." Alan released the button and they walked in.

"Well, Victor?" John asked.

"Have a look at this."

They all gathered at the window and watched as the air was vacuumed from the chamber and the gas pumped in. Victor had done other controlled experiments set up with the gas

in other chambers that had nitrogen and other gases.

"John, we were wrong about what this gas is expanding on. It's not the oxygen as Maya thought. It is reacting with the nitrogen. There is a much greater percentage of this gas present in our atmosphere. If we explode it, it will feed off the nitrogen. It might even adapt as it has done in our experiments. It is very complex, John. We have a time bomb on our hands."

"So what's our next move, Victor?"

"Look at the vacuum chamber, no expansion. We have to contain it and let it float in space," Victor stated.

"Is it dangerous to move and by how much has it expanded so far?" John asked.

"Well, John as you can see the more we move it about the bigger the mass gets. It is now 100 times its original mass," Victor said.

"What does this mean for our air supply on Alpha?" Alan asked.

"So far it's contained," Victor responded.

"When do you want me to ship this thing?" Alan asked.

"Now Alan, we can't take any chances with this gas," Koenig commanded.

"John, one more thing," Victor said, "the gas has a suspended animation component that if isolated could be of benefit to Alpha."

"No, we still cannot keep it around for just that, Victor. We need to get rid of it. Is this all of the gas?" Koenig asked.

"Yes, we are pumping the rest in now," responded Victor.

"Run a check on Alpha. Look for the gas. I don't want it leaking anywhere into our air supply. Alan ship this gas out now," Koenig ordered.

"John, can we keep a small portion of the gas just for observation. Let me try to isolate the stasis in this gas," Victor pleaded.

"Victor, this gas will keep growing, we can't contain it. We can't keep shipping it out while you try to isolate the technology," John responded.

"Just a little. In a month it would have grown to half that size, but we can get rid of it all then, please John." John looked at Victor and realized the potential this thing could have on life on Alpha, he relented and gave Victor a month.

"Victor, this thing is odorless, but it is green, make sure you alert computer to its components. I want an alert if any of this gas leaks out."

"Will do John, thanks." Victor walked off.

"Alan, call Fraser, you take one Eagle and let him take the other, get rid of this thing." Alan nodded and moved off. John headed back to Main Mission; he was on duty.

He buzzed Helena. She had made sure they were on the same time roster this week. Her smiling face came on screen. "Hello, beautiful. Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes, as well as I could without my loving husband to sustain me," she smiled.

"Sorry, I was waiting for Victor. I did not think he would have taken so long. You were asleep when I got in."

"Did you solve the problem?" she asked.

"Yes, partially but Victor wants to study this gas. The rest is being shipped out now by Alan. Speaking of Alan, expect a call from Alibe."

"About what?" she asked.

"Alan says she is a Christian and I think you two might have some things in common."

"Really, John, that's so sweet of you. Do you think she would mind answering a few questions?"

"Ask her and see. I love you. Have a wonderful day, Honey."

"I love you. Have a great day, darling." They logged off and John could not help but notice she was in better spirits today.

Helena decided to call Alibe herself. She invited her to lunch and Alibe accepted and said a friend would come along as she had arranged to have lunch with her too. Helena told her the nature of her dilemma and Alibe assured her the friend would be able to help.

Helena had mostly paper work to deal with in the morning so she listened to her discs. She had brought the New Testament with her. Good thing she did, she would have some questions for Alibe and her friend.

BLEEP! BLEEP!

Helena opened her monitor and saw Mathias. "Yes, Bob."

"Helena, we have some odd cases turning up today."

"How odd?"

"People falling asleep at their desk in section D Stores."

"Is Dr. Vincent with you?"

"Yes."

"Contain the area. Make sure no air supply is coming in or out. Get Dr. Vincent to attach emergency medical supplies of oxygen. Yellow Alert, Bob."

The Klaxon sounded in section D and flashed an alert all over the moonbase. Dr. Koenig buzzed her husband as he was buzzing her.

"What's up, Helena?"

"That gas has leaked into section D, Stores. People are falling asleep. Have Kano check with computer to see where the leak is coming from before we have an epidemic on our hands."

"Kano, you heard Helena. Did the Professor give you the components of this gas yet?"

"Yes, Commander."

"Section D, Stores, locate and contain it," Koenig commanded.

"Tony, Paul and I will suit up and check manually for more containers and any leaks while computer contains this, Helena."

"Be careful, John." Koenig nodded and broke off communication.

Helena checked with Bob and Ben. They had things under control and the area was sealed off from the rest of Alpha.

John, Paul, Tony and Victor scouted the area looking for any canisters that were out of place or unfamiliar to them. Victor assured John that the little gas he had could not have leaked out. After three hours, they found the renegade container. It was lodged in a shaft inside a panel. Computer located it. John removed it. It was vacuum-sealed with a time-release mechanism.

"Kano." John opened the frequency with his comlock. His bulky suit left him little room to maneuver.

"Yes, Commander."

"These aliens could appear anywhere. Have computer do a check over the entire base and catacomb. Locate all these devices and canisters. We will move in and contain them."

John broke the communication with Kano and opened the one in his head set. "Tony, alert the security team tell them to suit up. We have our work cut out for us today." Tony nodded in acknowledgment and he reached for his comlock.

John reached for his comlock, again he called Helena. She was just going to lunch. "Helena, call maintenance and have them meet me in corridor C. Send Dr. Spencer with them; we will need his help to lead a team. We found a canister in a shaft. Computer is checking to see if there are anymore. We need people to start looking for them. I have a feeling they did not just hide this one in a precarious place. There might be more."

"Do you need me to lead a team too?"

"No, Helena, I have everything under control." He broke the communication. John looked at Alan. He was opening communications in his headset again when Kano called. "Yes, Kano."

"Computer has located twenty canisters. They are all in hard to reach places."

"OK, give me locations?"

"I can give you location on five; you will only be able to get the general area on the others. Something is blocking computer from getting a fix on them." David gave John the areas and John dispatched the personnel. Alan called Recognizance and they joined in the search. The canisters were all in sections A-D, areas 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Helena stepped into the Recreation Center and waved to Alibe. She was a little nervous. With all that was going on on the base, she was a little distracted right now.

"Hello," Helena said. Alibe and her friend stood up to greet her.

"Helena, this is Monica. Monica, you know Dr. Koenig, don't you?" Monica acknowledged her and they all sat down. They ordered lunch. They all had a salad and sandwiches. They were taken aback when Ed Spencer and his crew came in and removed a panel from the roof. They watched as one of the men crawled in. He could not get all the way in so, Dr. Spencer crawled in. The girls all knew about the gas and the search. They could see they had everything under control.

Helena felt a little left out but she felt she was doing something important. They ate and decided to take their conversation to the library after lunch. Monica had said it would be quieter there.

Helena and the women settled down in chairs. "What do you want to know, Helena?" Monica asked.

"Well as you know John and I are Jewish. We are not practicing Jews though. I am what you might call a member of the Reform Judaism. It is as the name suggest.

We believe in reform. I am aware, however, of the Messianic Jews and I know they are Jewish Christians, but that is beside the point. There is a void in my life. I have everything I could ever want and I am still feeling as though I'm missing the big picture."

The women looked at her as she spoke so openly about her longing. Her eyes were sad at times and at times animated as she spoke.

"I know, somehow, that this longing is my need for salvation. For a greater connection with God. I had not paid much attention to it lately but I feel as though the Lord is seeking me at this time. I know that scripture says we are made to serve Him. I do not believe I am serving Him. I want to."

"Have you met The Son, Helena?" Alibe asked.

"The son?" Helena asked.

"The Son of God, the Messiah?" Monica prodded. Helena bowed her head. She felt afraid of this question somehow. Monica took her hands in hers.

"Dr. Koenig..."

"Helena, call me Helena," she said in a gentle voice while raising her head and looking at the young woman.

"Helena, I can tell you about Jesus Christ and the joy, peace and hope He can give you. His message is one of sacrifice and love. Do you want to hear His story?" Monica asked.

"I have heard about Jesus. I know that all of the over 300 predictions about the Messiah in the Old Testament was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. I know it is said that that Old Covenant that was so burdensome and that we could not abide by is no more. I know we are called to love God and our neighbors," Helena responded, "What I find amazing is that the Bible has 66 books written by 40 writers over a period of 2000 years. These writers range from poets to kings, yet it reads as one Book."

"Have you heard of grace, the indwelling of The Holy Spirit and baptism?" Alibe asked. Monica was still holding Helena's hands and she could feel them shaking.

"It is the Holy Spirit that convicts us, Helena. That is why you are shaking. You have a bit of head knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ, now you need heart knowledge," Monica said.

Monica explained to her all about the Christ. She told of His birth, His miracles, His ministry, His passion in Gethsemane. His betrayal, death and resurrection. His Holy Spirit and His love.

Helena felt a little choked up but in the midst of all the chaos on Alpha; she felt a calm overtake her that could only be seen as divine. She listened enthralled by what Monica was saying. She felt her spirit rise and soar as she listened to a story of His divine love. She knew that love was the main reason God would become man and dwell with us to rescue us. This was a love that surpassed all human understanding.

"Do you accept this love? This free gift of grace is yours. Do you want Christ to be Lord of your life?" Monica asked.

"Yes," Helena said quietly. She looked into the eyes of these women and she saw a peace and wisdom she had not seen before. She had never met Monica before. Monica was Spanish; she was part Jewish also. Monica told her a little bit about herself.

"Why haven't I met you before now?" Helena asked. Monica looked at her and smiled.

"Sometimes the time has to be right for some people to meet. I do not move in your circles." Helena wanted to ask her some more questions but she could see that Monica wanted to move on.

"For everyone there is a time and season. Yours is now. There was only one reason why the Messiah had to come. We are sinners and we need salvation. The Bible said by one man came death, so by one man came life. Adam is the son of God, death came through him. Through disobedience we sinned, through obedience to the Son, Jesus Christ, we repent and live." Helena listened humbled by what she was hearing she felt her heart leap and stir within her.

"Christ died for the remission of our sins. He is the Lamb of G-d ... as Jews we learned that the shedding of blood is the price of remission and reconciliation with G-d. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. All we need to do is realize that we are all sinners and we need to repent, giving up our self-righteousness... our righteousness are like filthy rags as Isaiah said. The Holy Spirit convicts us of this and we all need to receive Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior," Monica finished.

"I have always tried to live a good life. I chose medicine so I could help others. Yet I know that being good is not the answer. The rich young ruler who spoke to Christ was good but he still worshiped what he had over following Christ. There is nothing I have that could be worth my salvation not even, John," Helena noted.

Monica patted her hand reassuringly.

"I am afraid of this decision I have to make," Helena continued.

"Everyone is," Alibe said. Helena looked at them and felt their support.

"Ask the Lord to strengthen you and help you make this decision, Helena. He who calls you will enable you and equip you," Monica stated.

Monica removed a Bible from her bag as she released Helena's hands. She opened it to John 3:16 and read, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Will you accept the Son, Helena?"

Helena looked at her. Monica looked like an angel sitting there looking at her. She asked the simplest question yet it had the power to save and change her life.

Helena felt the tears start from the pit of her stomach and rose to her throat. She knew somehow, she was making the right choice. "Yes, I do."

"Do you recognize that you are a sinner and in need of salvation?" Monica asked.

"Yes, I do," Helena, replied stifling the tears.

"Do you accept, Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?" Monica asked.

"Yes, I do," Helena, said; the tears spilled from her eyes and rolled down in rivers of remorse, healing and renewal.

"Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?" Monica asked.

"Yes, I do," she wept. Alibe used her fingers to wipe away some of Helena's tears.

"The Bible states in Romans 10:9-17," Monica said as she began to read, "

9 That if you should confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus,

and should believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead,

you will be saved.

10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness;

and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture said,

Whosoever believe on him will not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:

for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?

And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?

and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,

and bring glad tidings of good things!

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel.

For Isaiah said, Lord, who hath believed our report?

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Alibe looked at Helena as Monica finished reading. Monica looked at her as well.

"You just did that Helena. You confessed Him, repented, believed, and now you have been saved." Monica stood up and embraced Helena as she also stood. Alibe joined them, and Monica prayed for Helena and her household's continued reliance on the Lord. Alibe welcomed her as a new Christian.

Helena felt refreshed and relieved as she sat back down in the chair. She looked at Monica and smiled. Monica said, "You now need to be baptized, Helena."

"Yes, I want to be. I know it is a public acknowledgment of faith. When you are born again it must be by water as well as the Spirit. That is what Jesus Christ said to Nicademus," Helena said with a smile.

"Yes, you retain what you read very well," Alibe said. Helena smiled again.

"When do you want to be baptized, Helena?" Monica asked.

"As soon as possible," she replied.

"Discuss it with John when this crisis is over and then let us know," Monica said.

"John ... " Helena said softly and the two other women looked at the doctor waiting for her to continue.

"What about the Commander?" Alibe asked first.

"Well," Helena went on, "John and I have recently talked about our religious backgrounds. We are both Jewish. And although he had drifted away, he was raised in a very strict Jewish household. And I heard so many times that Christians and Jewish are in different sides of the fence, so to speak... as my grandmother would say, 'It's offensive to talk about conversion to a Jew!' ... I also remember her praying in front of the candles... The Shabbat ... we never celebrated it ... my parents were not very religious. And now I feel like celebrating the Shabbat," she stopped and giggled ... "John would pass out in shock if he were to see me doing that!"

"There's no reason why you couldn't ... you don't have to give up Jewish practices and celebrations because you are now Christian ... but you must know that all the celebrations were shadow of the Messiah ... everything points to G-d's effort to reach mankind. Judaism was G-d's statement to a pagan world ... and Y'shua is the salvation provided by the Father Helena, you are no less Jewish now that you are a Christian. Actually, there are Christians that feel Jewish when they really give their lives to Y'shua." Monica stopped at the amused look Helena gave her.

"Yeshua?" Helena queried.

"Yes, Helena", Monica smiled back at her. "That's how Jesus was called ... Jesus is the Greek version. Yehoshua is Hebrew for Joshua ... Y'shua is an Aramaic name which is the language spoken by Jesus. "

Helena's eyes suddenly opened wide in realization ... "I read that Joshua means 'salvation of Yahweh.' ! ... Jesus ... Y's hua..." Helena corrected herself with a smile "... is The Salvation!"

"Yes, Helena, he is our Pessach and our Shabbat ... and you can go on being Jewish ... a Jew that knows the Messiah who had come to deliver us."

"You seemed to have become a Messianic Jew, Doctor" Alibe offered.

"And also the only one around," Helena added.

Alibe, then, smiled, "Not quite ... I have a wonderful Jewish friend - born again in Y'shua."

"Here?" Helena asked quite excited ."

"Yes, here, Leah Katz!"

"Leah Katz from Main Power Unit?" Helena said realizing she had met Leah. She was married to Yitzhak Katz, both were nuclear physicists.

"I knew they were Jewish ... but not that they believed in Y'shua. That's amazing."

"They are wonderful people, Helena," Alibe said.

"I guess I need to call her ... I have a million questions ... a lot to discuss."

"And, believe me, Helena, she'll be delighted."

"I'll contact her and maybe we can all meet at my quarters tonight. How does it sound to you, Doc?

"Sounds great! The sooner the better," Helena answered Alibe with a smile.

The women got up and hugged each other. Helena did not feel the burden she came in with anymore. She felt at peace; she felt renewed. She left to go back to work. She could not wait to talk to John.

Thank you, Father for calling me to your side, Helena prayed as she walked down the passage.

She could see they were still at it. Her son had caused this and now they had to find those dangerous gases. Helena felt she should help in some way.

She headed for the Medical Center. Her steps were lighter; she felt excited. Helena entered medical and headed to her office. She decided to contact her doctors to find out what was happening.

"Dr. Mathias," she buzzed. Bob's face came on screen. "Is everything contained and under control, Bob?"

"Yes, we are just removing the last of the canisters now, Helena. John is right here; do you want to speak to him?" Helena nodded. Bob said something about grinning like an idiot and handed John the comlock.

John looked at her. She is grinning like an idiot, John thought.

"What's up Helena?" he asked.

"I heard Bob's comment. Is everything going good there?" Helena heard John's comlock beep and held on while he retrieved it and talked.

"Helena, I have to go. Kano just called in another one. Computer picked up a leak but there seems to be some sort of block as to the exact location. All he said was section B."

"OK, John," Helena closed communication and sat back wondering how she could help. She started feeling a little dizzy and sleepy as she sat there. She decided to get some coffee. She got up to go but her body was not responding.

John Koenig stood there still suited up. All the men were around him and he was explaining the situation to them as Kano had put it to him. They were all in white decontamination suits. Some of them were beginning to sweat in it.

"I think we can rule out most frequented areas and where we have searched so far. A, C-G are clear so we have to concentrate on Medical Section, Hydroponics, Recycling Plant 2, Technical labs and any air ducts you see."

His comlock bleeped it was Maya. "Commander, the gas has coma like effect. Anyone breathing it for a long period might not awaken. We need to contain this thing fast."

"Ok, Maya."

Koenig looked at the team. He divided them into eight groups and sent them off. He headed down the passage. He would go to hydroponics. John stopped at a monitor.

"Attention section B, all personnel report any dizziness or fainting in your area. Prolong exposure to this gas can put you into a coma. Red Alert."

Koenig broke communications and continued. The klaxon blared from the screens as he went.

John saw a woman walking toward him. He had never seen her before. She stopped him and indicated that he opened his visor. John did so.

"Commander, where do you think Aneleh would most likely place an undetected canister in section B?"

John thought it was an odd question, but it was one that was on his mind. He had an uneasy feeling about that canister. John thought about it and as he looked in the woman's eyes, it came to him.

Medical.

John headed off then turned to thank the woman. She was no longer there. He thought it impossible that she could have turned down the other corridor so fast. John suddenly felt the urge to run.

Aneleh seemed to have been taken with Helena but he had not really been. Why didn't I think of that right away?

John took out his comlock and buzzed Helena. She was not responding. John stripped his cumbersome suit as he ran. He stopped to step from it. He left it and headed for the travel tube. John called medical and no one responded.

The travel tube took him to medical. John exited the tube and entered the medical section. Everyone was passed out cold. "All search teams to medical section," he barked into his comlock.

John looked eagerly about as he scanned the area. A little voice said "office" and John ran through medical and headed towards her office. There she was slumped over her desk. The gas was coming from under her desk and it had spread rapidly throughout medical section.

John could see she was not breathing. He stopped his breath, scooped her up, and ran with her. As he exited her office, he saw the search team come in and start carrying out patients and medical staff alike. They lifted them out in teams, one person held the arms while the other the legs. They moved them all out into the corridor.

"Kano, seal Dr. Koenig's office," Tony Veredeschi ordered. As soon as they got the last of the fallen Moonbase Alpha personnel out, Veredeschi ordered the Medical Center sealed..

John exited medical carrying Helena. He placed her on the floor in the passageway.

John Koenig started mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on his wife. He looked to see if she was breathing. Nothing, he started again. Still, nothing. He prayed this time on his knees.

I know you did not give her to me for me to lose her now. She is all I have. I promise if she lives; I will give my life to You. I will join her and seek your face. Please, Father, hear my plea. Please.

John's eyes clouded over. He bowed again and blew the breath of life back into Helena. He watched again to see if she would take that breath.

John Koenig watched as if in slow motion as Helena Koenig took that breath. He watched as her chest deflated and as she breathed in again. John Koenig's tears flowed as he reached for her and pulled her into his arms. He rocked her back and forth, as she breathed on her own. "O God, Thank you, thank you, thank you," he cried.

Ed Spencer placed the oxygen on Helena's nose and they went around doing the same to the rest of the fallen.

The bustle around him became apparent as the doors to medical were sealed. They were all breathing except for one man who had died. They were still unconscious. Mathias and the other doctors were checking them out.

Koenig removed his comlock and spoke to Kano. "Kano, have computer use the air duct as a vacuum and suck the air out of medical. Have it rerouted to the underground observation room. Then pump fresh air in. We need the facility."

"Will do, Commander the Medical Center will be cleared in five minutes."

Koenig broke the communication and spoke to Victor. "Victor, get down to the underground observatory. Vacuum that gas. Fraser, transport it out of there."

The men moved off as soon as Koenig was through speaking. The corridor jammed with people rendering assistance to those who laid there. Koenig cradled Helena in his arms.

The Medical Center doors opened and they started moving people inside. John stood with his wife and her eyes fluttered open. She smiled at him as he entered the room. Koenig placed her on a bed and Mathias started the ventilator and put her on it. They were bringing in the rest of the gas victims and putting them on ventilators.

John watched as slowly some of them came around. Some, Mathias, said would sleep for two days. Bob removed the ventilator from Helena after two hours. He gave her a chest x-ray and gave her a shot of anti-histamine.

"Helena, I don't know what to say except that it is a miracle you are alive," Bob Mathias said.

"I don't know. I had the strangest experience, Bob," John stood holding her hand as she continued. "Monica came into the office. She was wearing our uniform but she had no insignia on the garment. It was somehow void of the normal color almost milk white. She told me to hold my breath and I did. That was the last thing I remembered. I must have passed out."

"Did you say a white uniform?" John questioned.

"Yes," Helena responded.

"That is what struck me odd about that woman who stopped me in the corridor. Her uniform was different. She made me realize medical was the first place to check. I assumed Aneleh saved our life but I think not. He wanted to kill you since you would not go with him."

Helena shuddered. "How could Monica be here with me and with you at the same time? That is impossible," she stated. John looked at her.

"Who is Monica?" Bob and John asked in unison.

"I spoke to Monica at lunch; she is Alibe's friend. I had never seen her before this," Helena stated.

"Well, Helena, I do not know about Monica but I must say you seem to have had an allergic reaction to the gas. Your lungs collapsed. Your body did not inhale much of the gas. That I believe saved your life," Bob said.

"Unbelievable, Alibe's friend led me in prayer today and I became a Christian, John. Now it seems I owe her my physical life as well. John we must find her," Helena spoke anxiously.

John told her about the amount of gas he found in her office. He also let her know of the promise he made as well to change his life. Helena was overjoyed. Now John knew why she was grinning like an idiot earlier today, they were both doing so now.

John called Alibe. Alibe said she would come right over.

Alibe entered Medical Center and was filled in on what had taken place. Alibe was stunned.

"We need to speak to Monica," Helena stated.

"We tried to contact her on comlock but we had no success," John added.

"I'm sorry, Helena. I met Monica, yesterday. After my break-up with Alan, I went to hydroponics and sat just looking at the flowers, when she appeared from nowhere. We spoke and she comforted me and assured me I had done the right thing. We spoke for a while more and she insisted we meet today for lunch. Yesterday was the first time I every saw her," Alibe stated.

They all looked at each other perplexed. "Computer, do we have a Monica on Moonbase Alpha, except for Monica Burton in Services?" Koenig spoke into his comlock.

The voice could be heard by all, THERE IS NO MONICA ON MOOBASE ALPHA EXCEPT FOR MONICA BURTON.

The group was even more perplexed.

"Sometimes we entertain angels unaware," Alibe said.

They all looked at Alibe.

John Koenig stepped into the minister's quarters. David Lord worked as both a minister and a pilot on Moonbase Alpha. It was as a minister that John had agreed to see him today. There too was Yitzhak Katz. His wife, Leah and Helena had been inseparable for the last couple of days.

John shook their hands and took the chair David has offered. "You said you wanted to be sure you were going to start a relationship with God for all the right reasons," David said as he sat down opposite him.

"Yes, David, Helena has decided to get baptized. You know we are both Jewish. I know a lot about my own religion and Christianity, well I know about that too. I read a lot about other religions, Buddhism and Hinduism but that is of no use to me now."

"How so?" David asked.

"I made a vow during our latest crisis to start working on my relationship with God. Frankly I did not know where to start but now I think that you, Yitzhak, can help me the same way your wife is helping mine." John said. He shifted in his seat. David could see he was a little uneasy.

"I have considered Christianity before but, I never acted on it, I want to now, both for mine and Helena's sake. She has decided to be baptized and I feel I should do the same."

"Why?" David asked.

"I want a relationship with God."

"What about His Son?"

"Jesus?"

"Yes,"

"Well, I have at length studied His life. I would rather be safe than sorry. I would rather believe that God would have sent His Son by now and that Jesus was it."

"You're a practical man, Commander." Yitzhak looked at him and saw that the Commander was also earnest. "It is a little more complex than that, Commander. You have to believe that he is the Son of G-d. Do you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do you believe in all that the scripture has to say about Him?"

John looked at Yitzhak before he answered. He had some questions on some aspects of the Gospel, but he believed the message was sound on a whole. John felt the stir within himself again and this time he knew he was sure.

"Yes, I do." David Lord went on to expound the Gospel to John Koenig much clearer than before. He read from Acts 2:29-36 "

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,

that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him,

that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh,

he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,

that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted,

and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost,

he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he said himself,

The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make your foes your footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly,

that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified,

both Lord and Christ."

David read Ephesians Chapter 2; "

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, ... in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace ...

through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:

it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, ...

we should walk in them.

11 Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh,

who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the

Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the

commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of

promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made

nigh by the blood of Christ.

14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one,

and hath broken down ...the partition between us;

15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity,

even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;

for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"

"Commander, Y'shua is the Lamb of G-d ... He is the only One who satisfied G-d's justice ... the one mentioned by Isaiah, The One without sin who died to reconcile us with G-d. Isaiah referred to Him as The mighty G-d, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace ... he was wounded for our transgressions, he paid the price receiving the suffering, the punishment who brought us peace was upon Him and by his wound we were healed."

Many other scriptures David and Yitzhak read to John. They challenged him with the story of Christ as written by John, the apostle. At the end of the session, John could see he did not know as much as he thought he did.

David and Yitzhak were patient with him and they were neither in a hurry. John asked questions and they answered. They asked questions and John answered. John Koenig left convinced that a commitment to God now would be right for him. Even if Helena changed her mind, John was determined to commit to the Lord Y'shua Ha Mashiach.

The grim reality of a life without Christ weighed heavily on John. He was now very anxious to be baptized. The weight and responsibility of Alpha was also on John's mind; the recent events had left him wondering if they would survive the rigors of space.

He knew this was a new despair on him like a shadow. He felt it was the right time to change his point of view. He needed more hope than a life without Christ would provide.

John discussed it with Helena when he went home. For the first time in their relationship Helena and John knelt together and prayed. They came off their knees resolved to be baptized and to surrender their lives wholeheartedly to Jesus Christ.

Days later all personnel on Moonbase Alpha were gathered either around their monitors or around the pool near the gymnasium. John and Helena Koenig were standing in the swimming pool with Minister David Lord.

Min. Lord spoke, "Helena Susan Koenig do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and that God raised Him from the dead?"

"I believe," she replied smiling.

"Then on your public profession of faith, I baptize you, Helena Susan Koenig in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Buried with Him in baptism, raised to live in the newness of life." Min. Lord held her and she held her nose as she went under the water and came back up again with a grin.

John Koenig embraced her as she came up out of the water. Then it was his turn.

"John Robert Koenig, do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and that God raised Him from the dead?" Min. Lord asked.

"I believe," he replied. John had spent hours with the pastor and Yitzhak to make sure he was doing it for the right reasons. John felt sure he wanted it.

"Then on your public profession of faith, I baptize you, John Robert Koenig in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, buried with Him in baptism, raised to live in the newness of life." Min. Lord held him and he held his nose as he went under the water and back up again.

He embraced Helena and they kissed briefly. A cheer went up on Moonbase Alpha. Most religions were represented on Alpha. They came up out of the water holding hands together.

A month later Alan Carter was baptized.

John and Helena sat in their quarters later and discussed the events that led up to their decision.

"How do you feel, John?" She was holding his hand and smiling.

"Like I should have done this years ago," he said leaning his head to the side and smiling at her.

"If you had we would have never had the opportunity to do it together," she said.

"True, but I would have been standing in the water with you."

"Who would have thought that a single act of disobedience in the garden of Eden would carry a death sentence for all of Adam and Eve's offspring."

"We carried the seed for our own destruction," John added.

"Yes, but one single act of love and obedience wiped all that away. But John, do you realize that everyone is saved?" she asked him brightly.

"What do you mean by everyone?" He queried.

"Salvation is there for anyone who receives it. It is there for the taking but not everyone will take it. We are all saved, we just have to believe and accept it."

"Mm, yes you are right. It is sad when you think of it that way."

"Yes, but John do you realize that that was the reason we fell in the first place, unbelief in God's word. He promised redemption through Abraham and He kept His promise but we still do not believe Him.."

"We are still plagued, mm."

"I am glad our eyes were opened together. It could only have been the workings of the Holy Spirit, but why now?" She wondered.

"Space Helena, we need the strength to hang on for what is ahead, I believe."

John kissed her cheek and they looked into each others eyes.

"I can journey to the unknown as long as you are here with me," he said.

"So can I my darling, so can I."

"Here is to the Lord Y'shua Ha Mashiach, Amen!"

"Amen"