CHAPTER FIVE

Tony pulled Megan out of the water and she lay gasping for breath on the floor of sea deck, Tony knelt beside her, waiting for her to get her breath "thank you…thank you!"

He awkwardly put a reassuring hand on her shoulder "uh no problem…it was Darwin who saved you really…how did that happen by the way?"

She looked up at him with a panicked face "Jackson, he found out I wasn't going along with his plan and he told Jacob, their controlling SeaQuest!"

Tony shook his head puzzled "are you sure cos I was just there and there's a few technical glitches but --."

She stood up listening out for anyone, as she spoke "no, they are, they'll be sending the crew to the bridge so they can watch everyone, in ten minutes they'll know your missing."

"Well what was this guys plan?"

She shrugged and waited a second before answering, wondering "I was supposed to give Culver control of the boat, I went against him…I don't know his exact plans, he just wanted to eradicate the UEO. Can you contact General Noyce? Tell him what's happening?"

"Yeah, Bridger's quarters, the ward room we'd have to hurry before anyone noticed I was gone" Megan was already walking towards the corridor, not having a clue where she was going but moving nonetheless.

*

"Ben!" Bridger held Lucas back as the younger man tried to get to his friend. Hernandez aimed a gun at his head "well if it isn't Mr get in the way Wolenczak." Lucas looked in the face of the smug man standing in front of him "let him go!"

Jason laughed "when the time comes maybe we'll let you all go."

Ford took a step forward towards his fallen comrade and Jackson turned, watching the Commander out of crazed eyes. His shouting causing the crew nearest to him to jump at the sound of his loud voice. "Stay back Commander! I will not hesitate in killing him."

"Well if you did that who else would you hold at gunpoint" Ford spoke in a calm but menacing tone.

Jackson didn't waver, "well maybe I'll take your young friend over there" he pointed the gun at Lucas.

Bridger pushed Lucas behind him out of the line of fire "you listen to me! You will not get away with this" the Captains tone caused Hernandez to flinch slightly, a movement that didn't go unnoticed.

"Maybe I'll kill her, to show you I mean business" Jackson marched over to where Lonnie sat.

She stood up and moved back Ford, stepped in front of him "we know you mean business."

Tim walked towards him, speaking up for the first time, "look you don't have to kill anyone."

Jackson smirked as her turned his deadly gaze towards him "oh really."

Jason grabbed his partner by the shoulder shoving him back roughly "enough of this! We're here for one reason" he faced Hernandez "Set up the connection, now! We're already behind" he then turned his attention to the crew "okay, I now need your co-operation in finding out whose missing…Captain Bridger, you should know your crew well enough, who isn't here?"

Bridger looked around for a few minutes his gaze finally stopping on the impatient man before him "everyone is accounted for."

Jason nodded "well we'll see about that, Jackson I want a clean sweep of the area, you find anyone who should be here bring them to me." Jackson took one last look at Ford then ran out.

"Are you okay?" Ford directed his question at Lonnie who looked up at him and nodded shakily.

"If he finds anyone, Captain, someone will die, that I promise you."

*

"Mr Piccolo?" Noyce watched the man on the screen a puzzled expression on his face. "Yeah Sir, we have a slight problem over here" General Noyce waited for him to continue. "This guy Culver, he sent some of his men to the SeaQuest and they have control of the boat." Noyce's face turned as white as his shirt, Tony took his silence as a sign to continue "as far as I know they have everyone on the bridge, we're the only one's who got away."

Noyce for the first time noticed Megan sitting at a table "is there anyway you can contact Captain Bridger?"

"Not without giving away our location sir."

Noyce nodded taking in the information. "How are they controlling her?" The General had finally found his tongue.

"My uncle is controlling SeaQuest from his headquarters in Hawaii."

The older man looked at Megan "how is that possible?"

She shrugged not knowing the answer "Lucas could tell you that, but he's stuck on the bridge with the rest of the crew."

Tony who'd been acting as lookout for the past few minutes abruptly ended the transmission, he put a finger to his lips signalling for her to be quiet "one of your friends is headed this way" he whispered. They heard the footsteps grow louder until they were outside the closed door.

TBC…