Shew! I need to thank heart-of-a-volunteer for saving me from utter humiliation. She proofed this chapter and offered the amazing idea to me as I was floundering trying to make my character fit on board the seaQuest... you really are AWESOME! To everyone who has reviewed this story, thanks again, those comments keep me going. Constructive criticism and feed back is always a great thing. Please enjoy this chapter and thanks again!!!!

Chapter 4

Lucas walked Madeline back to her quarters. She was somewhat calmer now but still acted as if she carried baggage that had her a million miles away. He swallowed hard as they approached her door. He knew more than he wanted to about her life before the seaQuest, of Liam and Graham Reilly, particularly more of Liam than Graham.

"Look Maddy, he's not here and he can't find you. There's nothing to worry about, trust me."

"Thanks Lucas but you seem to have forgotten that Graham has been linked to Section Seven; and Liam has this strange ability to get anything he wants." Madeline shrugged her shoulder dejectedly. The flustered officer then stamped her feet in frustration as she ran her hands through her now messy tresses. Trust was just something she struggled with at the moment.

Lucas shifted nervously in front of her door. He knew she was right to be worried on dry land but they were on the seaQuest, the pride of the UEO. He wanted so desperately to instill that same faith he had for the crew into her but there was only so much that he could do. He had to let her find that trust on her own. For now she was safe here and Captain Bridger and the rest of the crew would go out of their way to guarantee that.

"I just, I just…" she sighed loudly. "I just can't get that image out of my head." She turned her back to him putting her hand on the door in front of her.

"The dream?" Lucas asked putting his hand on her shoulder.

Madeline flinched at the touch of his hand before turning to look at him.

Lucas withdrew his hand swiftly as he watched her turn quickly, a look of weary frustration on her visage, as tears threatened to spill over again.

"Yeah Lucas that dream." She turned and pushed open the door in front of her.

"No one is going to hurt me, Reilly."

"I hope your right." Madeline took a deep breath as she wiped the stray tears away from her face with both hands. She forced a loud sigh and a tight lipped smile as she looked at her somewhat shorter cousin. He looked as if he too could burst into tears of frustration at any moment. "We both need some sleep Lucas. Thank you for walking me back. Oh, and tell your roomy that I am truly sorry that I wasn't that hot dream he was waiting so long for."

Lucas sighed uncomfortably rolling his eyes as he ran his long fingers through his golden locks. He blinked as he laughed at the thoughts running through his head. Biting his lip he shook his head and quickly responded.

"I think that you might have disappointed him by not staying."

"Lord…" Madeline shook her head as she walked Lucas to the door. "Thanks cuz…" She wrapped her arms around Lucas who returned the embrace.

"You're welcome and get some rest." He responded patting her on the back. "I'll see you in the morning."

Madeline closed the door and flipped the light in her room back to the off position. She crawled into the uncomfortable bunk that served as a bed and closed her eyes. She wanted to whisper a prayer but wasn't quite sure what to pray for. She wasn't sure that she was ready to believe that her prayers would even be heard. She felt so alone, surrounded by a tight knit family who were supposedly ready to protect each other and the rest of the world at the drop of a hat; but would they really step up for her? In the end she decided to, just in case it was her turn for an answered prayer.

"GOD…" she swallowed. "Give me strength…"

--

"Captain to the bridge."

O'Neill's voice echoed through the vessel. Nathan Bridger made his way through the wide doors past the moon pool to where his first officer waited patiently for the captain to take his place on the bridge. He stood up swiftly as he approached.

"Commander Ford..."

"Sir, we just received word from the UEO of a vessel anchored in the international waters just off the coast of Uruguay." Ford began.

"Uruguay? That's South American Confederation waters."

"Yes, Sir."

"What's it doing there?"

"Not sure, Sir. So far it's not responding to any hails. The Uruguayan government wants it moved on but because it's in international waters, it's outside their jurisdiction."

"Oh, I bet they're loving that," Bridger laughed, dryly.

"They'd like the vessel searched and secured. It sounds to me like they want it out of their hair, so to speak, Sir." Ford responded.

Bridger rubbed the back of his neck with his right hand as he walked towards the computer system that Lucas and Henderson sat quietly manning. He then stopped and turned towards Ford.

"Sir we have a priority message from the UEO. Shall I put it on the screen?" Lieutenant Tim O'Neill vocalized.

"On the screen, Mr. O'Neill." Captain Bridger responded looking towards the now brightly lit screen.

"General Noyce…" Bridger greeted in a sing-song voice.

"Captain Bridger. I assume that you've been advised of the situation we have outside of the Uruguayan boarder?"

"Yes sir, I have." Bridger responded with intrigue.

"I want you to check it out. We've run the ships' registration documents and it's been used in illegal smuggling operations more than once. You are the nearest and best-equipped vessel in the fleet for this 'situation'. I also don't have to remind you of the real reason you are checking it out for us?"

"Sure, General." Bridger looked back at Piccolo who tugged awkwardly at his shirt collar appearing a bit uncomfortable at the mere mention of the South American Confederation. "We'll take care of it." Bridger commented. The crew eyed each other suspiciously, wondering what this 'reason' could be.

"They want this taken care of as swiftly and as quietly as possible. The vessel has not responded to any communication what so ever. I want a full report back as soon as you can get it too me." With that the screen went blank. Bridger turned his attention to the crew behind him and began to speak.

"Commander, assemble the senior staff in the ward room, Smith and Reilly included."

"Aye, Sir. Put out the call, Mr. O'Neill," Ford ordered, before turning to leave with the Captain. "Henderson you have the bridge."

"Aye sir." Henderson rose swiftly to her feet and moved over to the captain's chair.

"Captain, what about me?" Lucas jumped up from his computer throwing his head set down onto the console.

"Lucas..." Bridger sighed heavily. "Lucas, this is too dangerous. I need you here in case something happens."

"Captain please, I can help"

"The answer is NO Lucas." Bridger answered sternly turning his back from the teen and walking off behind Ford.

--

The group took their seats in the large wood paneled room. Each person talked quietly to one another around the table as they waited for the Captain to begin.

"Alright; here's what we've got. There's a vessel anchored in international waters just short of the Uruguayan boarder. We have been called to investigate and to put this to bed as quietly as possible."

"Captain who does this vessel belong to?" Reilly asked confused.

"We have no idea right now, all the UEO knows is that it has been used for smuggling in the past." Bridger explained. "I don't need to remind you all to use caution when boarding and moving about the vessel. Keep your PAL's close at hand and report in every fifteen minutes; no exceptions." Bridger stressed as he looked around the room.

"What's the 'real' reason we're being sent in, Sir?" Brody asked.

Bridger smiled, knowing that little piece of conversation wouldn't have slipped past the observant members of his crew. "As you all know, some of you more than others, the South American Confederation is known for being more than a little trigger happy."

"Shoot first, ask questions later?" Brody joked.

"Exactly, which is why the UEO want us to handle it."

"And at the same time make it look as though we're doing the Uruguayans a favor. Happy international relations all round," Ford stated, skeptically.

"Office politics, Commander, it gets everywhere." He turned his attention back to the crew. "I am remaining behind so Commander Ford will be in charge. At this point I'll turn it over to Commander Ford."

Jonathon Ford rose to his feet as he moved around the table to see the people he was about to address.

"You will be divided up into two teams. Brody, Reilly, Piccolo and Ortiz; will make up one team. Myself, Dr. Smith, O'Neill and Dagwood will make up the other team. The vessel looks to be a rather large freighter so as the Captain said check in every fifteen; no exceptions. Are there any questions?"

The people all looked around the table at one another before they looked back at the Commander who shook his head. "Good, let's move out." Ford then picked up his PAL and spoke into it. "O'Neill, I need you, Ortiz, Piccolo, and Dagwood to the launch bay."

"Aye, sir." O'Neill responded.

The group rose to their feet and moved swiftly towards the shuttle bay. The entire time Reilly had a burning fit of nerves in the pit of her stomach as she headed towards the smaller vessel used to transport them to the unidentified ship.

"Nervous?" Wendy Smith asked as she walked with Madeline towards the launch.

"Yeah, something's not right about all of this Wendy." Madeline voiced as she adjusted the weighty medical bags she carried in her hands.

"I feel an overwhelming sense of fear." Doctor Smith stated just as they walked by Captain Nathan Bridger.

"You ready?" Nathan asked in a stern but soothing voice.

"Yes sir." Madeline answered as her bags were taken by Miguel Ortiz.

"Stay close to your team and remember to check in." Bridger reminded the new officer as she stood outside preparing to board the shuttle.

"I will sir; with all due respect, this isn't my first time out." She smiled.

Bridger smiled as he put his hands on his waist. "You'll be fine."

"See you when we get back sir." She saluted the Captain and once it was returned she turned to walk away.

--

The sun glinted brilliantly off of the surface of the warm waters of the South Pacific. It reflected fiercely towards the members of the boarding party making it somewhat difficult to see once topside from the hatch of the shuttle. One by one, each member of the crew made their way from the hatchway and then clambered up the ladder on the rusted dull grey side of the mysterious vessel.

Madeline also took her turn climbing out of the hatch and then up the side. She was grateful for the sense she had had to bring along her dark sunglasses. She could feel the already copper colored bare skin on her shoulders warming instantly from the high temperature of the sun. The rest of her body sweltered beneath pounds of UEO issue equipment and layers of flack jacket, navy blue cargo pants, and combat boots. The weather topside was uncomfortably hot compared to the climate-controlled environment of the seaQuest.

"Alright; spilt up into your groups. Check in is every fifteen. Call in with anything out of the ordinary." Ford repeated as the groups of four went their separate directions. "Brody take this side and then head down below deck. We'll take care of the top deck."

Brody nodded his head as the group split up and proceeded in their own separate directions.

The ship was quiet… eerily calm. Madeline nervously carried her medical supplies and watched intently from side to side as the other three with her searched ahead, their weapons carried in a ready position. Brody took point, scouting ahead with Ortiz on his back while Piccolo remained near to her. They progressed forward, keeping a steady pace so long as the view ahead was clear, stopping when they felt uncomfortable or threatened, or they reached an obstruction. They would start again when they felt the coast was clear. Madeline increasingly began to feel like a mouse heading towards a trap with nothing but a stethoscope and a box of bandages for protection. Standard military protocol stated that the medical personnel didn't carry a weapon.

"This is like a freaky ghost ship." Piccolo stated as he narrowed his eyes glancing from side to side.

"Something isn't right here. Where's the crew?" Ortiz shook his head as he used the barrel of his weapon to push a tattered blanket out of his way.

"Doctor Smith had some sort of feeling that there was something wrong here." Piccolo continued. "I think she's right." He stated as they turned a corner and started down the stairs to begin the searching below decks.

"Upper deck is clear on this end." Brody called over his PAL.

"Copy." Ford replied in a hushed voice.

"We're headed below deck towards the cargo bay." Brody answered.

"Copy, we're still checking on the top upper. We'll call you when we are heading down."

"You're clear." Brody responded clicking the button on the PAL again.

--

"What is that smell." Reilly scrunched her face up as they walked down the corridor towards the cargo holds.

"Smell's ripe to me." Brody responded looking from side to side lifting his hand over his face.

"No wonder they all jumped ship." Tony screwed up his face as he gripped his weapon tighter in his hand while waving the vile aroma with his other hand.

"Quiet. Do you hear that?" Miguel Ortiz asked cocking his head to the right.

Piccolo stopped, "Yeah, it sounds like…"

"Crying." Reilly interrupted furrowing her eyebrow.

"Keep your guard up, people." Lieutenant James Brody ordered, his voice getting lower.

The team moved into a single file line as they continued down the corner in pursuant of the mysterious sounds. The smell only got stronger as they neared the sourced of the sound.

"Someone died and there's nothing but one pissed off ghost." Piccolo jibed.

"Cool it Tony." Brody turned and quickly quieted the seaman walking behind the medical officer.

The voices were getting louder and were soon accompanied by pounding and banging. The voices were screaming out words in various languages. As the group neared what looked like an access to the cargo hold Brody stopped and turned to his team.

"Ortiz." He whispered as he pointed to the door. "Piccolo, Reilly, stay put." He clarified as he put his hand up in front of the two.

The duo nodded their heads. Piccolo slowly stepped in front of Reilly as if to protect her from some unknown foe. Ortiz and Brody both cautiously approached the door where the screams seemed to be coming from. Brody warily pointed to the handle while Ortiz hesitated. He looked apprehensively back at his three teammates and ever so gradually reached out and wrapped his long fingers around the handle. He grappled with it before it finally gave to his forward movement. Suspiciously he pushed the door until it creaked and then opened...

Your turn...