A/N: Inspiration for the chapter, …And Justice For All by Metallica: http (colon, slash, slash) www {DOT} youtube {DOT} com (slash) watch?v=UfoDh1XL2wo
Chapter 7
As Kristin wept miserably, she was soon interrupted by her PAL unit beeping. She wiped her eyes and cleared her throat. She hoped the tears weren't still evident in her voice as she said, "Bridger."
"Doctor?" Kristin heard Wendy's voice say. "I need your assistance in medbay right away."
"I'll be right there," Kristin replied, cutting the link and exiting the room. A few minutes later, she arrived in medbay. Kristin expected a problem with one of the patients, but she found that wasn't the case.
As soon as Wendy saw her, she crossed the room to her and said, "It's Robert. We've separated him in a private room; he seems to be...remembering." Then noticing that Kristin's eyes still held some unshed tears, she placed a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Are you all right?"
Kristin gently pushed her hand away. "I'm fine; you've left him alone?"
Wendy shook her head. "One of the nurses is in with him, but he's been asking for you. He's in exam room four; I'll be in there in a few minutes."
Kristin nodded and walked towards the room. When she opened the door, she was met with a very distressed and upset-looking Robert while the young, helpless nurse was doing her best to try to keep him calm. Kristin immediately sent the nurse away and sat down next to the distraught young man.
"So, you knew this whole time?" he asked through tears.
"I had my suspicions," she admitted. "We wanted to give you time."
"Time? I've lost nine years, almost ten!" he yelled. Suddenly, his hand shot to his neck. "Ah," he cried, nearly doubling over in pain.
"What's the matter?" Kristin asked, hovering over him.
Robert cried out louder in response, unable to speak.
Wendy had heard the commotion and rushed in.
"Pain medication... now!" Kristin yelled.
Wendy obliged, but returned quickly. Soon after, Robert's cries were reduced to low moans as the pain subsided. Once he was calm enough, the two doctors began examining his neck. A small red bump appeared just at the base. As Kristin gently touched it, Robert winced in pain again.
"Have you been bitten by anything?" Kristin asked as she pulled her hand away.
Robert shook his head. "I don't think so."
"We need to get him to x-ray," Wendy insisted.
Kristin gave her a confused look.
Wendy simply said, "Trust me."
Once x-rays were taken and Robert was settled once again, Wendy showed Kristin the images. "This," she said pointing to a small object that shouldn't be there, "was what I thought."
"What is that?" Kristin asked.
"Do you remember hearing about mind control during the war?"
Kristin thought for a moment. "Vaguely," she replied. "But I heard that was only a myth."
"That's what the media coverage led us to believe," Wendy agreed. "But it wasn't. Empaths were targeted, especially. They'd inject them with small microchips, giving their captors an advantage over them. I'm sure that's the reason his memories are... sporadic."
"But... Robert's not an empath... is he?" Kristin questioned.
"It wasn't only used on empaths," Wendy explained. "And he might be. His abilities may not be as well-developed, but he could be a latent empath. I only know all of this because I know someone who went through this." Then, noticing the concerned look Kristin gave her, she said, "It wasn't me; it was my sister."
"I-I'm sorry; I didn't know you had a sister," Kristin explained. "What happened to her?"
"She died. By the time we found her, she was too far gone. The microchip was removed, but we couldn't save her…" Wendy's voice trailed off as she became visibly upset. She took a few moments to compose herself. Then she said, "If we can remove it, I guarantee he should get his memories back completely."
Kristin sighed. "We'll have to have his permission." Then she asked, "Has there been any change in the others?"
Wendy shook her head. "But I have a feeling Robert isn't the only one with a microchip. Should we inform the captain?"
Kristin scoffed slightly. "He's not the captain anymore, remember?"
"Surely, he didn't mean it," Wendy said. "I heard this wasn't the first time he's threatened resignation."
"It's not," Kristin admitted. "But unless someone speaks to Noyce or McGath-"
"Why not you?" Wendy interrupted.
"Me? Surely, I'm the last one they'd want to speak to about military protocol!"
"That's all the more you should speak with them. Anyone can see that what they're doing is wrong; we want to change that, don't we?"
Kristin sighed and looked at the clock. "Fine, but only if you do me one favor?"
"What's that?"
"Could you ask Lucas if he'd take care of the children for me; I've no idea what Nathan's doing at the moment," she said.
"Of course," Wendy replied.
"Keep working on the virus," Kristin said as she walked into her office. She dialed Noyce's number. A moment later, Bill Noyce's face appeared on the screen.
"Kristin? What the hell is going on there? We've just received Nathan's resignation; he won't accept my calls," Bill rambled.
"Well, I could ask you the same thing," Kristin said. "Did you know that Robert isn't deceased?"
"What?" Bill replied in shock.
"Robert Bridger was found in Alpha Colony. Were you aware of that?"
"Oh, my God! That's wonderful. Nathan must be so pleased," Bill stated.
"On the contrary, actually," Kristin said. "But you're avoiding the question."
"Kristin, you know Nathan and I are friends; if I knew his son was there, do you really think I'd keep that from him?"
"If it meant following orders, I think you would. You are a military man," Kristin remarked. "And it seems we're finding the UEO's hands aren't as clean as we all thought."
"Nathan wasn't supposed to say anything; that was classified."
"For the record, he didn't say anything until after he resigned. Besides, he said he wasn't sure what you or McGath were going to do with him. Did you really think he'd listen when you asked him to retreat from Alpha? Think of him as Nathan, your friend; not as Nathan, the captain," Kristin answered.
"Whether he's my friend or seaQuest's captain, I'd never keep such things from him. And, I never supported the cover-up; I only recently found out about it myself."
Kristin stared at him for a moment, trying to determine his truthfulness. After a moment, she said, "I believe you, but I'm not sure what Nathan thinks."
"Well, can't you talk to him?"
Kristin laughed slightly. "There's so much chaos on board at the moment, we haven't had time to talk. We have patients with an unknown virus, and we've only recently discovered that Robert's been injected with some kind of mind-control microchip. We're almost positive he's not the only one." Then she added, "You know Nathan; he needs time alone."
"He's your husband-"
"Excuse me, Admiral. Yes, he is my husband, but this cover-up has put a wrench in my marriage. And I am not going to do your dirty work for you. You need to fix this...now!" Kristin ordered.
Bill sighed. "Someone needs to convince him to at least accept my call. If I can get him to at least fix this problem, then you all can leave, no questions asked." Then after a moment, he said, "Do you want to leave?"
Kristin hesitated slightly. "I don't know. All I know is that I want my family back together. I'll talk to him about accepting your call. But, you'd better make it fast."
"Fine," Bill said. "I'll do what everything I can." With that, he cut the link.
Kristin sighed heavily. She hadn't time to deal with her own feelings, and she had to work to fix everyone else's. She rubbed her eyes, hoping that this would end soon, that everything would go back to normal. It couldn't come soon enough for her. She quickly composed herself and found Wendy.
"Lucas is with the children now," she informed her.
"Thank you," Kristin said gratefully. "How's Robert?"
"Asleep now; the other patients are doing as well as can be expected. No break on the virus, however."
"All right," Kristin said. "You can handle things, though?"
"Of course," Wendy replied. "You're leaving?"
She nodded. "But you can page me if things get too crazy here. I have to find Nathan; I'll try not to be too long."
Wendy nodded. "Good luck."
Kristin gave a quick, "Thank you," and headed to her quarters in hopes that was where Nathan might be as well.
She opened the door and found the place just as she'd left it. "Nathan?" she said quietly. She walked to the bedroom and saw him packing.
"I thought you wanted nothing to do with me right now," he said miserably.
"You know that's not true," she said. "I do realize things are very stressful right now, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see you." She sat down on the bed and placed a gentle hand on his to stop him from placing anymore items in his suitcase. "Can we talk? Just for a minute?"
Nathan looked into her eyes and saw the concern and love reflected in them. He stopped and nodded.
"I spoke to Bill," she said. "Now I know he's probably the last person you want to speak to, but he's been trying to get a hold of you."
"I know," Nathan admitted. "And he's going to try to talk me out of this."
Kristin sighed. "Nathan, this is the only way you're going to help your son. He just wants you to agree to finish this off. He says that once the UEO knows that we know about their cover-up, they'll leave you alone. Then Bill says you can do whatever you like." She paused for a moment, then added, "He says he didn't know about Robert, that he'd never do that to you. He seemed sincere. I believe him...and you should, too."
Nathan was silent.
"Nathan, we've just discovered Robert was injected with a mind-control microchip. Undoubtedly, he's not the only one. And if other colonies exist, we have to help them. We can change it," Kristin pleaded.
After what seemed like a very long time, Nathan finally said, "All right, for Robert."
Kristin nodded. Then she asked, "Are you still angry with me?"
"I was never angry with you," Nathan said. "I was just angry. I never meant to take it out on you."
"Maybe we can get through this without arguing then? It would sure make things a lot easier," Kristin replied.
Nathan nodded, bringing his hand to her face, caressing her cheek gently. "I never meant to hurt you. And you're right. We'll get through this together." With that, he placed a gentle kiss to her lips.
