This is my first fanfic on this forum, only second to the entire website. I give © rights to whoever the credit is due for seaQuest, but the story line is my own.

1

Lucas jerked out of his half-daze at the sound of footsteps behind him. Quickly, he finished tapping the passcodes into the research computer and opened up a new web page. A dark hand dropped onto Lucas's shoulder and spun the office chair around to face its owner. Commander Ford was wearing an urgent expression on his face, and Lucas suppressed an amused smile.

"Lucas, how soon can you get that UEO password for the new up-link?" he asked demandingly. His brown eyes had bags beneath them, accompanying the usual laugh lines that did not, in fact, come from laughter.

Lucas placed his fingertips together beneath his chin in an arrogant pose. "Now, Commander, I thought the captain told you that you had to have those codes days ago. And why ask me?" Lucas grinned. "Maybe I feel that it would be too far from The Rules."

Commander Ford, with a single look, told Lucas exactly why he was to give him those passcodes.

Lucas's adolescent grin faded in an instant from his face. "Or maybe not."

He hastily brushed aside a pile of carefully compiled observation sheets until he saw what he needed. A slip of paper, consisting of a half-page of figures, was fished out of the mound and handed to the Commander.

Ford grinned and clapped Lucas on the shoulder. "You're a good kid."

Lucas managed a half-smile and rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands. A suppressed yawn escaped his throat. The research chamber blearily clouded in his eyes. He'd not slept for days, despite Dr. Westphalen's constant nags to get some sleep. Working on cracking the code for the worldwide bank system had stumped him on several occasions, and Lucas was determined to finish what he had started.

However, that didn't seem to be happening.

"Lucas," Ford said. "Lucas!" He snapped his fingers in the blonde boy's face. Lucas sprang awake, rubbing his temples.

"You need to get some sleep. If Dr. Westphalen finds out that you've been awake for seventy-two hours—"

"You've been keeping track?" Lucas asked, eyes still squeezed shut.

"Well, yeah. The captain has, anyway. He's a bit worried that you're overexerting yourself."

Lucas sighed and, while it pained him so, switched off the computer. "All right, all right. I'll go to bed if it'll make the senior crew rest easily."

Ford frowned, but he left without another word. Lucas watched him leave until he was out of sight, and then shuffled exhaustedly up to his quarters. Lucas, even in his state of supreme fatigue, couldn't help bewilderment at Ford's sudden loss of his straight-laced nature. It was some sort of pre-apocalyptic sign, Lucas decided.

After undressing, he collapsed into bed. The sixteen-year-old boy was asleep before his head hit the pillow.

Captain Bridger slumped into his office chair with relief. "You finally got him to go to bed?"

"Yes, sir," Ford responded proudly. "He looked like he was about to fall asleep anyway. I thought it might be better if it was in his bed rather than the research lab."

Bridger rubbed his chin thoughtfully. At least, he pretended to be thoughtful. "And why, exactly, were you in the research lab anyway, Commander?"

Ford's self-satisfied grin faltered. "I—uh, well, I—"

"I thought I informed the entire crew that those passwords were mandatory researching before now."

"Yes, sir, you did, but—"

Bridger sighed. "Commander Ford, you can't get the passwords from a computer genius. It's like cheating on a test."

Ford remained silent, jaw clenching.

"You are forbidden from getting answers from Lucas anymore, Ford. I would have expected better from you."

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

Ford stormed from Bridger's office, fists clenched tightly at his sides. Bridger himself was completely disconcerted at the unforeseen personality shift. He was so deep in thought at this new disposition that he didn't notice the loading notice on his office's computer monitor. The Admiral face's abrupt appearance caused Bridger to jump out of his seat.

"Bridger?" the Admiral asked uncertainly. "You okay?"

Bridger sunk slowly back into his office chair, staring at the Admiral. After a moment's silence, he responded, "Yeah, oh yeah. I'm fine. What's up?" Bridger ran his leathery hand mindfully through his cowlick of iron gray hair.

"We have a rescue mission that needs to be fulfilled, Nathan." The Admiral waved his hand at Bridger's protests of his sleeping crew. "Don't worry. It's nothing strenuous.

"An underground farming facility's communication system is unresponsive. We've been trying to get in touch with them for several hours, but no cigar. The UEO needs seaQuest to go down there and check everything out, make sure they're all right. Its mostly parents and children down there, anyway. If you feel no pick-up is necessary, don't bother. We just need to be sure these people are all right."

Bridger sighed and slouched back in his chair. "Yeah, we'll check it out. What, do I have a sign stuck to my back today or something?"

The Admiral grinned, chuckling cheerfully. "It is entirely possible. Have a good night, Nathan."

"You too."

Nathan stood, messaging his forehead. With a heavy heart and even heavier eyelids, he headed up to the bridge to brief his crew.