part six
Captain Bridger brusquely walked onto his bridge. He felt better than he had in days. It had really helped him to get his secret out, one that he had kept bottled up for years. He walked over to Lieutenant O'Neil and bent over his consul.
"Lieutenant, get me Lucas."
"Ready, sir." A few moments passed as O'Neil punched up the signal.
"Go, Lieutenant."
Mia was getting up to leave Lucas' side when she saw his eyes flutter. Instantly she sat back down and leaned over him. He groaned, turned his head, and coughed.
"Shh," she whispered. "Don't take it too fast." His eyes opened, and he blinked a few times. He liked his lips and tried to speak, but no sound came out. He looked at her face confused, then his expression melted into recognition. He sat straight up, then groaned and laid back down. "It's okay, Lucas. I'm on your side." Mia reached over and pressed a glass of cold water against his lips "Drink." He obeyed. With her help, he sat up and leaned against the wall.
"Why are you helping me?' His voice was weak, but he could feel himself getting stronger.
"Let's just say not all of us feel the way my father does." At the word father, Lucas cringed. "What is it?"
"He's your father?" She nodded, and he flashed her an angry look. "If you don't agree with him, then why did you help him back on the beach?"
"Look, Lucas, I don't have to prove my actions to you or anybody else. I had no choice-he's my father!"
"No. There's always a choice. It may not have a result you like, but there's always another way. Just because you may not like the outcome doesn't mean you don't do what's right." Lucas took one look at Mia's hurt face and knew he had crossed the line. He sighed. "I'm sorry. I need to stop letting my mouth run off like that. He paused. "Thank you for helping me." Mia looked down at her watch and gasped. She hadn't realized how late it was.
"I'd better get going. They're gonna start wondering where I am." She looked at Lucas leaning against the wall." How's your head?"
"It's working. Go before they miss you."
Captain Mitchell quietly sat at his desk in his quarters. This new development had changed his plan-for the better. If Lucas really was Kathryn's son, then he had the upper hand over Bridger, and the UEO. A pang of anger sprang into his stomach. Lucas was supposed to be his son. He was supposed to have had the successful life with Kathryn. But, no, Bridger had taken all of that away from him. Now he would make Bridger pay, and at the same time punish the UEO for destroying his country. If the war were to happen, then it would be apropos if the first casualty exercised Mitchell's complete vengeance.
Mitchell was pulled out of his train of thought by an annoying beeping. He picked up the comm unit he had taken from Lucas' duffel bag and placed it on the floor. He waited a moment before standing up and mashing the black object with his foot.
The beeping stopped.
"Sir?" O'Neil looked up at the captain who was still standing by his station.
"O'Neil."
"Lucas is not responding."
"Keep trying, Lieutenant."
"Sir?" Picollo called from across the bridge. Bridger was at his station in a few strides.
"What is it, Picollo?"
"Sir, I'm not getting a signal from Lucas anymore."
"What?"
"My screen is blank, sir. Something must have happened to the comm unit."
"Damn!" Bridger slammed his hand down in the consul, making Picollo jump. He took a few deep breaths and tried to regain his composure. "What were his last coordinates?"
"I'm sorry, Nathan, but I can't authorize seaQuest's entry into New Australian Territory." Bridger fumed silently at the words spoken by Secretary General MeGath. "They would see it as an act of war."
"But, Mr. Secretary, they are holding Lucas prisoner-don't you consider that an act of war?"
"You don't know that for sure, Nathan, and the UEO can't go off sending our flagship into enemy waters because a psychic has indigestion!" Bridger glared at the VIDlink screen. "Look, Nathan, I know how much you value your crew-especially Lucas. Maybe if we had some actual proof that he was being held against his will. But until then, Lucas will have to fend for himself." Bridger made no move to reply. "MeGath out."
Lucas looked around his cell. Now bathed in a soft light, he could finally make out all the objects in the room. A small control panel was located on the far wall beside the door. It was covered so carefully in a piece of painted metal the color of the walls so that he had missed in his initial look at the room. It piqued his interest, and a plan started to form inside his head. Carefully, he tried to get up, and after his third try managed to walk over to the panel. His eyes widened as he realized what it was. He stumbled back to the cot and opened his duffel bag, pulling out his pen as he ran back to the consul.
Delicately, he worked the screws off the metal plate with the pen. They fell with a clank against the ground, and he gently removed the metal cover and laid it on the floor.
Yes, he thought as he rigged the wiring. Yes, this is going to work. If he could just get this re-wired, he might be able to send seaQuest a signal. They wouldn't be able to respond and it would be weak, but at least they would know where he was. He smiled as he worked, feeling his hope and courage return with every passing minute.