The atmosphere in the mini-sub was tense. The only sounds were the engine rumbling and Tim making his continuous calls. Lucas concentrated on his sensor screen. He could see the rock walls rushing by and then even out. "Ok, we're all the way down, just go slowly Ben."

Ben kept the power down and they eased to the entrance of the cave. The radio crackled once and they all held their breath. "Great Water Explorer, this is the Coast Guard, do you read me?"

"I guess that's us!" Tim said, punching buttons. "We copy you, we're ok, but we're trying to get to the surface. We don't know if we'll make it."

"Copy, Explorer. Do you need medical attention?"

"Negative, one of us is a little banged up but she's fine now. We may need help getting to you."

"Understood, what do you need?"

"If we can't control our assent, we'll need a rescue. We don't have the floaters anymore and we don't know how long we can keep moving. We did a quick fix."

"Copy that, we'll do what we can. You are the only sub in the area, but we have divers ready."

"Understood, I'll keep you informed."

They were sitting on the lake bed fully outside of the cave now, waiting for the moment of truth. "Alrighty, we are going up." Ben told them. "I hope you know what you're doing, kid."

"I always do." Lucas informed him, sounding much more confident than he felt. Under the screen he was scrutinizing, his leg jiggled up and down rapidly.

Ben adjusted the controls and they felt the sub raise. After several minutes, they all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw sunlight. "Great job, kid." Ben said, clapping a hand on Lucas' shoulder.

"Seriously, stop calling me that." He scowled back.

"Nah, I love the reaction I get from you way to much to ever stop."

They bobbed on the surface and were instantly surrounded by divers, they helped guild the mini-sub to the large boat waiting near by. After they bumped against it, the occupants popped the door and were helped up a ladder. The divers attached a cable to the sub to tow it and followed them. At the top of the ladder, Lucas was shocked to find his father. "Dad? What are you doing here?"

Lawrence wrapped him in a blanket and then a hug. "When you didn't call me after a few hours I started calling around to find you. Jim and Joyce had Dr. Oberg's contact information and he explained he lost contact with you." He looked at his son with tears in his eyes. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again buddy." His voice choked, "I... I thought you were dead."

"No, dad, we were fine. Please..." The stress from the situation was finally hitting Lucas when he saw his father's face, he didn't want to break down in front of anyone. "It was scary," he finally admitted, "but we found something amazing. You aren't going to believe it."

"I think we should talk about it back at shore." Kristin said from behind them. "Something like this shouldn't be told to a lot of people until we have had time to prepare." Lucas nodded, understanding the unspoken warning of some one stealing their discovery.

Less then an hour later, they reached land. After thanking the Coast Guard crew, they joined Dr. Oberg in his office. "I don't know what to tell you." He said, "I don't think I'm sorry will even start to cover it."

Kristin shook her head. "We knew the sub had problems going in. It was what brought us here. Conrad, we've survived worse." Conrad swallowed and said nothing in return. "Besides, what we discovered is worth a little danger."

"What was it?"

Kristin paused trying to determine how to word it. "We... and I know this will sound mad... but we found a Viking ship." Conrad blinked at her and started to protest but she interrupted him. "Tim, do you have it?"

Tim picked up the blanket he received from the Coast Guard rescue crew. He slowly unwrapped it and presented the sword to Dr. Oberg. "Wha... how is this possible?"

Kristin shrugged, "we have some theories but nothing concrete yet. I swear to you, we found a complete Viking ship, it looks like it was made yesterday."

"As soon as the sub is up and working, I want to see it." He told them. "We have to document everything."

"Yes, of course, Lucas already took some pictures on his phone."

Lucas pulled out his cell phone, "I'm really glad I dropped the extra fifty bucks on the water proof case now." he laughed. After opening the correct program, he passed the phone to Conrad. The light in the pictures wasn't great, but the doctor could see the ship.

"This is just astounding." He thumbed through the pictures quickly. "Can you send me these?" Lucas opened his texting and after getting the number, sent the photos out.

"Conrad," Kristin started, "can we pick this up tomorrow? We are all exhausted and hungry. I'll call you in the morning."

"Yes, yes, of course. I could even come pick you up for brunch. I only live a couple towns away."

Kristin nodded, suppressing a yawn. "We'll see you then."

After watching Tim and Ben get into their rented car, Lawrence turned to Lucas. "I just want to talk to Kristin in private for a moment."

"Um... ok? Is anything wrong?" Lucas was concerned this latest event may make his father question letting him stay on the SeaQuest again.

"No, you're fine, buddy. Don't worry." Lawrence closed the car door and looked to Kristin. "How much to you trust Dr. Oberg?"

She gaped at him for a moment before answering. "I've known him for years. Why?"

Lawrence sighed, "I guess I may be overreacting, but when I made my first invention, I shared it with some one I thought I could trust. He stole my designs and published them as his own." He shook his head, "I just don't want Lucas to deal with something like that."

"I'll keep an eye on it." Kristin promised.

He smiled and opened her door, "thank you." He ducked his head into the car after Kristin got in, "How does pizza sound, buddy?"

"Like it should be spelled with a T." Lucas smirked at him. "But great."

Lawrence snorted and shut the door, then climbed in his own side. "Some one told me we had to try a place called Toppers here in town. Wanna try it?" Both passengers nodded enthusiastically and he started the car.

After picking up the pizza, they returned to the Bed n' Breakfast to eat. Lucas inhaled several pieces with Kristin watching in amusement. "I swear we feed him on the ship, I don't know where he puts it."

Lawrence laughed, "well, you all had a long day."

Lucas swallowed noisily, "and we probably will have another tomorrow."

"I think I'll head to my room actually." Tim said standing. "I have a little jet lag."

"Wait Tim," Lucas said. "I looked up LARPing when we were getting the pizza. It looks cool, why would you be embarrassed?"

"Oh, uh, a lot people think it's pretty lame." He shot a look to Ben, smirking over his slice of pizza.

Lucas shook his head, "it's like playing house with dragons and weapons, how could anyone think that was lame?"

"Some people just don't get it."

"Those people are probably just jealous of the awesomeness." Lucas retorted, purposely not looking anywhere near Ben. Tim just laughed and gave a wave as he left the dinning room.

"Lucas, what are your plans tomorrow?" His father asked suddenly.

He shrugged, "it depends on how long it'll take to fix the sub. I do want to do some shopping though."

"What do you need?"

"Oh... um... just some swim trunks. I didn't bring any and I hoped to spend some time at the beach if we get a chance. The water may be cold here in the frigid north, but I wouldn't mind sitting in the sun if we get time." He was obviously fumbling for an answer and his father didn't press it.

"Let me know when you're done, I'd like see this sub, and maybe talk to Dr. Oberg some more."

"Yeah, sure." Lucas stood, "I think I'll crash too. I'll see you in the morning. Uh, good night everyone." He made a hasty exit.

Upstairs Lucas, knocked on Tim's door. He hoped he wasn't waking the communications officer up, but he need his advice. The door opened, "hey, sorry if you were sleeping, can I ask your help with something?"

"Of course Lucas, come in."

Lucas walked in looking awkward, he paused when he saw the room. "Whoa... this is really cool..." Like his own, the room was aimed at some one much younger but had it's appeal. The walls, ceiling, and furnishings were covered with small plastic stars on dark blue paint. He could easily pick out constellations in different areas. There were a few star globes spaced around as well.

"Yeah, I love it. Check this out." Tim flicked off the light and closed the door. The plastic stars glowed, because they were placed on so many different surfaces and were different sizes, it gave the illusion of having no ending. It felt like they were outside at night.

"Wow..." Lucas breathed.

Tim flicked the light back on, "so what did you need?" He sat on the starry bed spread.

"I... um. I want to get my dad a father's day present tomorrow. I don't know what to get, it... it's been a while since I got him one." He struggled to explain.

"Yeah, of course I'll go with you." Tim smiled at him trying to put him better at ease. "So... things are better?"

Lucas nodded, "so far so good."

Lucas woke up suddenly, he thought he heard a noise in his room. Thinking it might be Ben, getting him back for his comments earlier, he sat up and looked around in the darkness. "Hello? Is some one in here?" He didn't hear movement but he couldn't be sure he was alone. He starting groping for the light beside his bed when his arm was grabbed by some one he couldn't see. Lucas tried to shout but a hand was clamped over his mouth and his arm was twisted painfully behind his back.

"Stay quiet or I'll snap it." A horse voice ordered. Lucas struggled to nod and the hand covering his mouth was removed. He hoped whoever was in the room couldn't hear how loud and fast his heart was beating. The pressure on his arm was increased, "where is it?"

"What? Where is what?" He let out whimper despite of trying to quiet it.

"Tell me where you found the damn cave, don't play dumb..." His arm was twisted again and Lucas let out a gasp of pain. He could feel shoulder grinding in the socket.

"I... I don't know... any of the coordinates... please... everything was down when we found it." The pressure on his arm was released slightly and he tried to pull it loose. He received a brutal back handed slap for his efforts. The sudden pain ripped a shout from him. He was let go and heard a crashing noise from the side of his room. Lucas scrambled out of his bed and ran for the door. It was locked and he struggled in the darkness to open it. He finally wrenched open and nearly fell through the opening.

He was caught by his father. "Lucas! What the hell is happening?"