Once Lucas had taken the new painkiller, he was able to get back to work again. The communications system was soon up and running, and the new PAL's were considerably easier to wear and to use. He was able to resume his schedule of light duty and return to his exercises.

Kristin decided to stay on for a little while to keep an eye on his progress, and since she had begun to appreciate everything the captain had done for Lucas, and was therefore less hostile, Captain Hudson had no objection to her staying.

Within a few days the crew had a new assignment.

"There's a report of seismic activity that's threatening one of our colonies, a closed colony called Utopia."

Ford asked, "What do you mean, a closed colony?"

"They try to have as little contact with the outside world as possible. They are self sustaining, eschew all outside contact and consider themselves neutral in any political or territorial disputes."

"So why are we rescuing them?"

"Because, Mr. Piccolo, despite all that, they are UEO citizens and under our jurisdiction."

"Huh."

"Hudson allowed himself a smile. "Quite so. Mr. Wolenczak, what can you tell us about the area?"

He glanced at his notes. "They're right, it is unstable. It could collapse at any time."

"In which case, we need to do an immediate evacuation. Mr. Piccolo and Ms. Kimura, I'd like you to accompany the rescue launch and make sure there are no problems. Lieutentant Henderson, you will pilot the shuttle with..."

Lucas interrupted. "Sir, I should go."

They all turned surprised eyes on him.

"I can co-pilot the shuttle, it's just sitting! And you'll need someone on board tracking the danger, in case there's a disruption in communication."

They all looked reluctant.

"Please, Sir, I can do this."

Hudson studied him for a moment. He was right, he could do this, this was his job. It was about time they started trusting him to do these things again.

"Alright, Mr. Wolenczak. The four of you need to leave as soon as you're ready."

Commander Ford took him aside as the others filed out.

"Is this a good idea?"

"He has to get back to work sooner or later. He's right, he can do this." He hoped to God he was right.

Lucas was beaming as he sat behind the controls of the launch. He folded away his chair, and shoved it into a space near the console. Henderson beside him looked worried.

"Lonnie, I can do this!"

"I know, it's just...well..."

"If I'm going to stay on the SeaQuest, then I have to work." He grinned at her. "I'll tell you what - if anything dangerous happens, I'll let you handle it."

She laughed, and they set off, with Tony and Kimura acting as satellite.

"Hey, Kid, how's it feel to be doing this again?"

"Feels great, Tony."

"I believe UEO regulations state that all communication should be kept to a minimum."

"We're helping UEO citizens, not targeting enemy agents, Kimura. I was just checking on my buddy."

"The regulations are very clear on this point, regardless of whether or not we're dealing with friendly or hostile situations."

"Should I mention that this conversation has been longer than the one you were objecting to in the first place?" Lucas pointed out. Henderson giggled.

"Kimura out."

"Okay, it's looks like it's safe for us to go in."

"Okay, Lonnie, Kim and me will go in first, you guys can wait in the launch until we see what's going on."

"Understood, Tony." And then, with a grin, "Henderson out."

Tony and Kim found pandemonium inside the colony.

"Everybody calm down, who's in charge here?"

A few people pointed them towards an office where a disorganized group seemed to be grabbing papers and grabbing computer disks.

"Hey, you guys call for a rescue?"

"Yes! You're from SeaQuest?"

"Yeah, can we get some organization here?"

"Of course! Are you ready to take us now?"

"I'm guessing we'll have to make a few different trips, have you sorted the groups?"

"Yes, the first group will be the youngest children and their families, I'll get them ready."

They felt a sudden shift beneath their feet.

"Might want to hurry that up." He turned away and spoke into his PAL, "Luke, what was that, we okay in here?"

"You're fine for the moment, but I wouldn't recommend hanging around."

"Got that, Luke."

"Oh, and Tony?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't call me Luke!"

By the time they returned for the final group, the tremors were increasing, and Lucas was warning them all about the need for speed.

Tony watched as the last people lined up to board. His jaw dropped open.

"Captain Bridger? What are you doing here?"

"Tony! Good to see you! Michael and I have been living here. I sent him ahead on the first trip."

He couldn't understand Tony's look. It wasn't just surprise, there was something else there.

"Anything wrong?"

Tony realized that Bridger had to board, there wasn't going to be time to warn either him or Lucas. At that moment, Lonnie's voice came over the PAL.

"Tony? Lucas says we need to get out of here a.s.a.p.! Is everybody ready?"

"Um...yeah sure, just a second." He watched Bridger walk on board. "Okay, everyone's on board."

Lucas came on the line. "Don't hang around there Tony, it's time to get out."

"Understood, we're leaving now!"

Tony and Kimura ran to their ships, and they left. Tony couldn't help but wonder what kind of seismic shift would be happening on the launch when Lucas and Captain Bridger met.

As soon as they got the all clear from Tony, they set off. Their heads were down and they were concentrating on piloting the craft when a couple of people came to sit behind them.

"Hello Lucas, Lonnie!"

Lucas froze. Lonnie turned with a horrified look on her face. Bridger interpreted it as concern.

"Captain Bridger?"

"How are you Lonnie?"

"Um...I'm good...thanks. How are you?"

"I'm well, thanks. Lucas, it's good to see you again."

Lucas continued to look straight ahead as he piloted the craft. In the poor lighting of the launch, Bridger could only see his profile and his blond hair.

"Captain. It's been a while." He couldn't help the coldness in his voice. "What were you doing down there?"

"I found the colony some months ago. It seemed like a good place to raise Michael away from all of the..." He searched for the right word, "discord."

"Huh." After all that time, it was all he could think of to say.

"This is a friend of mine, Stephanie West, this is Lonnie Henderson and Lucas Wolenczak. We used to serve together on the SeaQuest."

"Pleased to meet you!"

Lonnie turned and smiled briefly, while Lucas simply said, "Likewise."

"Nathan's told me so much about SeaQuest, it sounds like it used to be a beautiful boat."

Lucas bristled. "It's still a beautiful boat."

"But now it's designed for war and destruction. It was better when it was built for science and exploration."

"It's designed to prevent war and destruction." Lucas spoke through gritted teeth.

"The military always say that."

Lucas and Lonnie looked at each other. Stephanie was probably about twenty-five, and spoke with an infuriating air of authority. Lonnie disliked her immensely. "Well, it's lucky for you this military boat of war and destruction was here to save you all, wasn't it?"

Bridger intervened. "We have a different philosophy within our colony. We believe in maintaining peace at all costs. It's a good way to live. We don't believe in the need for a military presence."

"Sure, until you need to be rescued. You don't seem to mind our military presence right now."

"Lucas, you're being obtuse. The military frequently creates more problems than solutions. The UEO doesn't have all the answers."

"You came to that revelation a little late in life. How many years did you serve, Captain Bridger?"

"At least I realized eventually. This colony believes that peace is the only way to live, and I agree with them. I'm sorry Lucas, but you have no idea of the kind of suffering the military can cause, lives are ruined everyday!"

"Did you know that Brody was killed, saving Lonnie when she was sentenced to death for rescuing some children? And Freddie was killed in a conflict with the Choadai. I think we might know a bit about lives being ruined."

Lonnie waited for him to say something about himself, but he didn't.

"I'm sorry about that. I didn't know Freddie very well, but Brody was a good man. He deserved something better."

"So, do you think he should've let Lonnie be executed? Or perhaps Lonnie shouldn't have rescued the children? Which is it?"

"What I'm saying Lucas, is that it's rarely black and white. Perhaps there was a better way to negotiate."

"Sometimes you don't have time to negotiate. The children couldn't stay where they were until she went through the proper channels."

Lonnie was angry, but trying to hold on to her temper. "Perhaps we should change the subject."

Stephanie couldn't seem to leave it alone. "See, you just said it, you didn't even try to negotiate first! Nathan is right, if you are truly committed to peace you will always try to open the lines of communication first. Whereas, the military always chooses the violent option first."

Bridger could feel the atmosphere, and tried to quiet her. "It's okay, Kiddo, let's leave it for now."

For a moment, Lucas thought Bridger was talking to him. Then he realized that he was talking to Stephanie.

Lonnie saw Lucas' knuckles go white when he heard the familiar nickname - his nickname - applied so casually to someone else.

Almost without volition, he started to speak.

"A few months ago, we got reports that there was a chemical weapon being produced by the Macronesians and being released in UEO waters. It was destroying everything in it's path. They denied it, of course. We found and infiltrated the facility, and destroyed the compound. We also had to copy and destroy the databases so that they couldn't re-create it, but we could make an antidote. If we hadn't done that, all of the oceans would have been infected. Most of the life forms would have been wiped out. It destroyed reefs in the areas where it was used, and those areas still haven't recovered. Whole ecosystems disappeared. Should we have just ignored it?"

"You could have worked harder to produce an antidote."

"Lucas, we're just saying that there are often other options to pursue."

Lonnie was starting to feel very uncomfortable. "Can we please change the subject?"

"A crewmember almost died on that maneuver. The building collapsed on top of him, he may never walk again." Lucas' voice was steady as a rock and ice cold. "Are you saying that it was all for nothing, and he should just have let them spread the contaminant even farther?"

"I'm sure you're exaggerating. I'm sure the oceans would have recovered in time. And yes, I think they should have avoided military action. It was foolish to rush in like in like that."

Lonnie was now getting desperate. "Please stop talking!"

Bridger tried to intervene. "I'm sure he thought he was doing the right thing, but perhaps there were other ways of finding a solution to the problem, that's all we're saying."

"So you think he was a fool?"

Lonnie had to stop this conversation. "Lucas, stop this! Please!"

"Lucas, you're twisting our words."

Stephanie looked surprised. "He's not twisting mine. Yes, he was a fool."

"And you Captain? What do you think?"

"I think this conversation is a waste of time."

"It's a simple yes or no question. Was he a fool?"

"I'm just saying that there may have been other options."

"So, yes or no?"

Nathan was annoyed at being badgered. "Alright then, yes! He was a fool to sacrifice his future like that!"

Lonnie gasped in horror. Lucas said nothing.

With relief, Lonnie noticed their position. "We're here! Lucas, can you let the SeaQuest know we're getting ready to dock?"

At last they could stop this horrible conversation!