The SeaQuest glided effortlessly through the water. Apart from the odd abusive hail from disgruntled miners about UEO policy things had been quiet. Despite the quiet Tim couldn't help but think of the old proverb involving 'calm' and 'storms'. Reaching forward he answered the call that was flashing on his console. Probably another miner.

"Lieutenant O'Neil this is McGath. Get me Captain Bridger immediately."

"Aye Sir." Flipping down his mike he swivelled inwards to face the bridge crew. "Captain, you have a priority one call from Secretary General McGath."

"I'll take it in my office." Standing crisply Bridger straightened his uniform before striding quickly to his room. "General."

"Captain, we have a situation. News has just come through that the Crecian mineral market has collapsed. Prices have fallen through the roof and needles to say there are going to be a lot of angry people out there. Step up to full alert but for now your mission remains the same until further orders is that understood?"

"Yes Sir."

"Your there to keep the peace Bridger and maintain a UEO presence, that is all. Good luck Captain. McGath out." Sighing deeply Bridger stood up and activated the ships intercom.

"All hands full alert, senior officers report to the war room immediately." Oh Lucas what mess have you gotten yourself into.

Lucas' fingers swiftly skimmed the keyboard, his eyes never leaving the monitor for a second. He'd pinpointed financial records for the sale of the explosives, found the false account following the trail of cookie crumbs until..."Yes!" General Hans Martouff. So it was the military behind it. But who knows who else is involved or what they plan to do. Lucas sat bat worriedly in his chair. The box he'd seen was large. If placed right they could take out, well at least one facility! But which one? The North? Sighing Lucas began his next task. Time to face the music. Using the local media network he attempted to piggyback his signal on the same communications band that way he could redirect it and then…"Hey!" He was being jammed. Or rather there was so much incoming traffic to the SeaQuest that he couldn't get through. "What was going on?"

"Ortiz?"

"Sir there are at least a hundred of them. Those that have any kind of weapons are powering up. They can't do much damage though." Bridger nodded. Once the news had broken, swarms of angry miners left their posts and aimed to hit the nearest target. Namely the SeaQuest. At the time the market collapsed SeaQuest had been heading for Forsett mining colony as part of its patrol route. Now it could go no further. Harmless though the tiny submersibles were, they had successfully formed a blockade around her. She couldn't move without hitting the small craft and the small craft were not moving. Every one was hailing the SeaQuest demanding compensation for the sanctions that had caused this. In desperation they'd come out in their fragile craft to defend their livelihoods. And desperate men did desperate things.

"Helm, hold our position. Do not advance on any craft. O'Neil, do your best to clam them. This is not our fight."

Swearing Lucas tried again. It was impossible to get through and if that wasn't enough he had to make sure he wasn't found out during the hack. But he had to get through. He piggy backed off the media signal again, bounced it off the met satellite to the UEO military satellite, Ford is going to chew me out and then..

"Lucas? This is a priority one, highly classified confidential...Oh the hell with it! Captain to the Bridge!" Ford huffed exasperatedly. Lucas grinned thinly. How much more trouble could he get himself into in one afternoon? Bridger ran onto the deck.

"Lucas! Where are you?"

"No time, I'm being traced, Sir they've got underwater explosives inside the colony. Maybe the North area. I don't know what they're for but General Hans Martouff paid for them. That's all I know. I've gotta go."

"Lucas!" O'Neil shook his head.

"I've lost him Sir."

"Damn! Hitchcock send out the HR probe: do a sweep of the colony. I've got a bad feeling about his."

"What is it Sir?"

"Look for explosives commander. I think someone wants to do some serious damage and let SeaQuest take the fall."

Jessica and Charlotte stepped into the main complex carrying their belongings in a couple of large bags. Inside his room Lucas was packing up and stepped outside and was shocked by the sight that greeted him. All the miners had emptied out onto the streets, even though by his watch they should still be working. Angry faced people jostled him as they pushed by. He had to fight his way towards the transport. He had to meet Jessica and Charlotte there. They would have traced his call. Masses crowded the docking bays; security wasn't bothering to maintain control. One man stood on an upturned crate shouting furiously to a supportive crowd of listeners.

"I've had enough of them people stealing our money. It's time we stood up for ourselves and show we're not gonna take it no more. We block her in; SeaQuest can't fire on us I tell ya. The whole world is watching. Then they have to pay us back for what they've taken or we won't let 'em go. We'll make 'em pay!"

"Yeah!" Lucas paled as sick realisation swept in. It was just too perfect. It was planned. The explosives. The whole world is watching. The explosives were deliberately going to be set of to take out the whole North facility and SeaQuest be blamed. The UEO would be forced into paying compensation for the damage, lift sanctions and its reputation would be damaged irreparably. It was a terrible plot all set up just to discredit the UEO, but at what price? Wanting to be with his mother and sister more than ever now Lucas plunged through the crowds until…"There he is!" Lucas spun round. The man he'd seen carrying the explosives was pointing at him and two other military personnel were with him. The bottom dropped out of his stomach as he turned to run, panic screaming through his head all the while. But the crowd penned him in and within seconds the three men had him pinned against the ground. Lucas felt the unmistakable cold hard metal of a firearm pressed firmly into the base of his skull as his arms were wrenched behind him and cuffed. As he was hauled to his feet he caught a glimpse of a terrified, pale face framed by red hair. She was desperately trying to restrain her younger daughter who was trying to break free and reach her brother. Only thinking of their safety Lucas mouthed a silent 'No' at his Lotty. Looking at her, eyes speaking louder than words he stilled her futile struggles, if only temporarily. Tears streamed down Jessica's face as she watched her only son being manhandled onto a transport. A transport that was heading for the North facility.