Chapter 2: That First Moment
Nathan Bridger shook his head as he watched the Seaquest's resident teenage genius collide with Security Chief Manilow Crocker and he hurriedly made his way off of the bridge. He thought momentarily about telling the boy to slow down but, he couldn't ever remember him being so excited about hearing from his father.
"When did we install a race track?" Crocker scoffed approaching his old friend, "You know he's going to hurt somebody one of these days running around here like that.
What's he so excited about?"
"A family vacation apparently," Nathan sighed as he caught his old friend's puzzled expression. "What?"
"Well, forgive me for saying it, cap but, I never really thought the Wolenczaks liked Lucas. I mean what kind of parents just get a divorce and then drop their kid off with a bunch of strangers and -"
"I know, Chief, I know but, apparently his parents have reconciled and his father wants them to take a vacation together."
"Well, I wish my boys got that excited when I offer to spend time with them." Crocker scoffed, "They act like I'm gonna send them to the firing squad when I suggest they spend some time with their old man."
"Well, I suspect, Lucas is more excited about the attention than the trip." Nathan sighed. "I just hope this isn't some kind of publicity stunt for the World Power Project."
Crocker hesitated before nodding in agreement, "Maybe you should talk to him. Lucas I mean. You don't want him taking the fall for their media blitz, and judging by the way he ran out of here, if you're right that's going to be one hell of a fall."
Nathan stared vacantly at the empty corridor where the teen had just been. "I can't. It's just not my place."