Chapter 7

A/N: Thanks to all of you who have read my story so far and a special thank you to those who took the time to review. I apologize it took me this long to update. I was ill for about 2 weeks, eventually ending up in the hospital due to having been given the wrong medication. I am now well again (well enough) and hope to continue updating this story more regularly. Thanks! I appreciate your reviews, comments and suggestions more than anything. Hope you enjoy!

Back on the Stalwart…

Macintosh continued his show, enjoying every second of playing with Nathan and Kristin and taking in the feeling of power.

"Allow me to explain what is going on, Mr. and Mrs. Bridger. Right now, your son is unknowingly receiving a hefty dose of one of my latest inventions. You see, I know you are just too stubborn to ever agree to my plan voluntarily. I had to somehow raise the stakes in order to get you to see things my way. And if you don't do as I say, your son will die a most horrible and painful death."

Nathan and Kristin looked horrified at the idea of Lucas being poisoned right in front of them. Kristin let the tears fall from her eyes.

"Don't worry, I have tested this formula many times…it won't harm him…in fact, he won't feel a thing. That is, of course, as long as he receives the proper antitoxin in time. I believe he will have roughly one week to receive the cure before it starts reacting. His major organs will start malfunctioning and his body will slowly break down."

He motioned to Kershing, who walked over to Nathan and untied the scarf around his mouth. Nathan spit as he felt his jaw release.

"What the hell do you want from us, Macintosh?"

"Well, Mr. Bridger, it's quite simple. The UEO seems to think Mr. Cobb is the brains behind this operation…that he's joined some sort of militant group and that he's after you on a vendetta. I intended for that.

But there's no rush. Before we proceed with the master plan, I do have a few things I'd like to try with you. I have so many toys to play with down here."

He reached over to a nearby shelf and grabbed a metallic syringe injection gun. As he reached for it, his hand started shaking a bit. He put it down for a second and quickly reached in his pocket. He pulled out a clear plastic bag full of small little pills. He removed one of the pills and quickly swallowed it. He breathed in deeply and continued, grabbing once more for the injection gun. Both Nathan and Kristin noticed this peculiar behavior and gave each other a quick glance. Macintosh seemed to be on some sort of medication…or an enhancer.

Macintosh walked over to Kristin, smiling and holding up the syringe menacingly.

"I have been waiting so long to use this on you, my love."

Kristin looked up at Macintosh from her chair, shaking her head, trying to talk through the gag that was silencing her cries for him to stop, her tears falling freely at this point. Nathan spoke up.

"Macintosh, stop it. Please don't do anything to her. I'll do whatever you want. You've already messed with Lucas. Isn't that enough? Use it on me!"

"Oh, Mr. Bridger. Now is not the time to beg. Besides, there is no way I am giving this little concoction to you." He smiled wickedly and proceeded to inject Kristin on the back of the neck. Her body jerked in reaction to the needle and she instantly blacked out, her head falling lifelessly forward.

"No! Dammit, Macintosh, what did you give her?" Nathan was both angry and scared, hating the fact that he was helpless to save his wife and son from whatever this madman just did to them.

"Well, it's a little mix of neuromodulators, namely noradrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine along with a hefty dose of oxytocin and a bit of a hallucinogen. I've perfected the formula over the years and made a few adjustments to target this cocktail specifically for Kristin."

"What's it going to do to her?" Nathan asked, desperately trying to break free and find out how to save his family. Macintosh started untying Kristin's hands and feet from the chair, her body hanging limply as he effortlessly reached under her knees and shoulders and lifted her up in his arms.

"Oh, she'll be confused when she wakes up in about 30 minutes…I've blocked her hippocampus so she won't have access to any of her memories. Just a bit of induced amnesia. She won't remember how she got here or what happened in the last few hours…depending on how her body reacts she shouldn't even remember she's married or that she ever worked on the SeaQuest…oh, and my favorite side effect…she'll be very, very aroused." He said the last part rather wickedly as he leaned into her and started smelling her hair.

"Is that what you want? You go through all of this to make Kristin sleep with you?"

Macintosh was taken aback. "Oh, come now Mr. Bridger. Give me a little more credit. This really is mostly about you and your ship. You and all the brass at the UEO and everything you stand for. We don't take kindly to you exerting your powers in our territory, forcing people to follow blindly."

He paused for effect. "You know, I could have any woman I want. I've got the money, I've got the brains, the fame…and my handsome looks. But I don't want just any woman. Kristin was the one that got away…and the fact that she's your wife now? Well, that's just the icing on the cake. I do enjoy watching you suffer. There's something wonderful about it. You, the keeper of peace beneath the sea, rule enforcer of the oceans and the poster child for the UEO. I think I'll let you ponder this situation. "

He looked over at his men. "Cobb, Kershing, Milton, I want you to show our friend Mr. Bridger just how much we enjoy his services in regulating our trade and keeping order in our lives. I have something much more…pleasant…to tend to right now." He lifted an unconscious Kristin slightly to prove his point.

Cobb spoke up. "What do you want us to do with the boy?"

"If he wakes up, just make sure you give him a good show. He can't get out of there. Oh, and no one is to disturb me. Once you're done with Bridger, just toss him in the cell."

"Yes, sir."

Macintosh proceeded to walk out the door. Nathan screamed after him. "No! Macintosh you can't do this! Please just take me. Please! Leave her alone! She doesn't deserve this! Stop it!"

But his cries fell on deaf ears as Macintosh continued to walk out the door.

Cobb walked up to Nathan. "Now, now, Mr. Bridger. You know, I have waited quite a long time for this moment. Your crew cost me my power and my money at the mine. I had it real good till you and your crew showed up. By the way, how is my lovely Katie doing?"

Nathan fell silent, not wanting to give them any more information and trying to wrap his head around what was happening.

"Well, if you don't want to have a conversation, why didn't you just say so?" He grabbed Nathan's gag and placed it back in his mouth.

"Come on, boys. Let's have some fun." The men were all laughing as they approached Nathan. Cobb had the first strike right at his ribs. Nathan tried to take it, but the wind was being knocked out of him. But even as he endured the beatings, he couldn't stop thinking about Kristin and what she must be going through.