Chapter 12

Hitchcock took a deep breath as the launch docked with the other submarine. She knew it was time to face Cobb once and for all. It was somewhat satisfying seeing the torpedo hit them and leave the sub dead in the water, but she had to be certain she saw Cobb put away for good. Shan told them to stand back as the hatch was blown. Hitchcock spoke up once they opened it.

"Frank Cobb! You are under arrest! Get up here and put your hands up!"

Cobb slowly climbed the ladder up to the SeaQuest launch and drew his hands up when he reached the top.

"Well, if it isn't my lovely Katie. Did you miss me?"

"Shut up and hold out your hands." She tightened her grip on her gun as she aimed it right at him. Cobb could only smile smugly as Shan grabbed his hands behind his back and slipped on the handcuffs.

"Oh, dear. I would have hoped we would have a more romantic location for our reunion. The handcuffs are a nice touch, though. We could use those later." He raised his eyebrows suggestively as he winked at her.

Katie tried holding back her disgust. "Save it, Cobb."

SeaQuest's security team disarmed and took the rest of Cobb's men in custody.

On the Stalwart...

Nathan spoke up after Kristin's disturbing observation.

"What do you mean, he's gone?"

"I mean I left him right here, unconscious on the floor. His clothes,...his jacket... all gone. He must have woken up. There's no telling where he is."

"But you said you gave him the injection with whatever he was going to give you, which means he should have forgotten everything, right?"

Kristin looked unsure. " I suppose, but the dosage was meant for me. Who knows how it will affect him."

Lucas spoke up at this moment. "I suggest we don't wait around to find out. Let's go!"

That seemed to shake Kristin out of her concerned daze and realize they needed to keep moving towards the docking bay. The three kept walking, taking care to look around for Macintosh and his men. They made it to the bay relatively quickly, and worriedly waited for Crocker and Krieg to arrive. Nathan quickly climbed up the ladder in the middle of the room. After about 30 seconds he came back down.

"All right, the hatch is unlocked. They can open it from the outside when they dock." He looked over at Lucas. "Lucas, why don't you stand over by that door and watch out for any sign of trouble. I'll stand at this doorway here."

Lucas complied and they both watched at either entrance to the bay. So far they hadn't run into anyone. Immediately after they were in place, a cabinet door from the back of the room opened and Macintosh ran towards Kristin, quickly wrapping his arm around her neck, leaving her unable to move.

Nathan noticed the movement behind him and turned around to see Kristin struggling to get out of Jeff's grasp.

"Let her go, Macintosh. It's over. SeaQuest is on its way. I've already told them everything. They've caught up with Cobb as we speak. You have nowhere to hide anymore." Nathan hoped the man had some sense left in him to see that there was no escape.

Macintosh seemed to think for a moment. "That may be, Bridger, but at the very least I can still ruin your family and your life before I am locked away. You see, I still have the injection gun I prepared for Krissy."

He produced the injection gun from inside his jacket, making Nathan hesitate to make any sudden movements. "In just a few seconds, she won't remember anything about you or that brat of yours. And don't forget he will still die in a few days without the antitoxin."

Nathan looked worriedly at both Kristin and Lucas, trying to weigh his options for what to say to calm the crazy man. At the very least he could distract him in time until Crocker showed up. "Macintosh you don't have to do this. But, if you will at least amuse me, I do have a science question for you."

This made Macintosh smile. "Science? Why, Captain, there is no science question I cannot answer."

Nathan knew he would take the bait to try and show off. "Kristin said she injected you with something when she tried escaping. And yet...you seem to remember everything that happened. Why is that?"

Macintosh chuckled lightly. "I suppose I could explain that. You see, after years of experimentation and testing, you could say I've actually built up a sort of immunity to having my memory blocked. I've increased the number of synapses and neurotransmitter receptors in my brain by the hundreds of thousands. I've actually found a way to grow human brain power. My mind is clearer and more efficient than it has ever been. The dosage in that gun was not nearly enough to block my modified superior hippocampus."

Kristin, who had, by now, stopped struggling as she listened to Macintosh. "But the human brain cannot tolerate more receptors than neurotransmitters." She paused briefly. "Unless you supply the extra neurotransmitters. That's why you take those supplements, isn't it? They're neurotransmitters, aren't they? But that means you have to continue taking them the rest of your life."

"Oh, Krissy, you were always the most perceptive scientist I knew. I really wish you would have stayed with me. We could have made some amazing discoveries together. I'm sorry it didn't work out for us. " He sounded remorseful as he lovingly smelled her hair. He then raised the injection gun towards her neck. "But now you will forget everything you have ever known. And even though I may go behind bars...it will be worth it to know that you will not remember your husband or your son ever again and Nathan can suffer with this for the rest of his life."

"No! You son of a bitch!" Bridger lunged towards Macintosh when he saw him plunging the needle into Kristin's neck. Macintosh dropped her to the floor once the solution was dispensed just as Nathan knocked him down.

A/N: This was a short one, but I thought I owed it to you guys to try and finish this quickly. Hope you enjoy! As always, please read and review or send me a message. Your feedback keeps me going. Thanks!