part seven
"Sir?" Tim's surprised voice brought the captain over to his station at the helm.
"O'Neil."
"Sir, I'm receiving a transmission from a New Australian sub, the Phoenix. Do you want me to put it up?"
"Yes, Mr. O'Neil." Bridger's heart started to pump out of control as the hardened featured of Captain Mitchell appeared on the main screen Bridger's eyes widened in recognition and he let out a tiny gasp before regaining his composure. "Mitchell. How nice to see you again."
"I'm sorry I can't say the same for you, Nathan. I regret to inform you that I have some bad news." Mitchell nodded to someone out of view of the VIDlink screen and a dirty, worn Lucas was pushed into view. His hands were cuffed once again behind his back, and the shoulder of his shirt was ripped. Mouths dropped all over the bridge. Bridger hid his fear and growing anger inside and tried to present himself as calm and composed. "We discovered your crew member in our waters. He was carrying these." Mitchell held out his hand. In his open palm sat a bag filled with small oval pills. "Kytine. Drugs such as these are illegal in our waters, so under New Australian jurisdiction, we must prosecute to the full extent of the law." Mitchell paused for effect, enjoying every moment of this. "The sentence is death." Lucas looked, panicked, at Mitchell. Gasps escaped form the mouths of those on the bridge. Bridger was stunned. His stomach churned and his heart sank. "Unless, of course," Mitchell continued, "we can strike a deal."
Confused looks were passed around the bridge. What kind of deal did this man want? And would they be able to give it to him? Bridger knew exactly what Mitchell wanted, and he knew that he couldn't give it to him. He tried to play dumb. "What kind of deal?"
"I think that is something best discussed in private, don't you Nathan?"
O'Neil tentatively spoke up from the consul just to the front of the captain's chair. "Sir-a New Australian mini-sub is asking for permission to board."
"I've sent a sub to bring you here, Nathan." Mitchell smiled. "You don't have to worry about your safety. I assure your crew that you will be treated with respect and that I will not harm you in the slightest."
Bridger knew it was a trap, but he also knew that he had no choice. Mitchell was his responsibility, and so was Lucas. He wasn't about to lose another son. His eyes turned to the young boy. Lucas' eyes were clouded. Something silently pleaded with Bridger behind the clouds and his heart fell. He saw Lucas shake his head in a silent plea, but he knew what had to be done. He supposed he had known this day was coming, but he hadn't expected it so soon, or in this way.
"Okay, Captain Mitchell." Bridger took a deep breath. "I'll come." He cut the transmission as multiple shocked breaths were taken in and worried looks were passed around the bridge.
"Captain," Ford, confused, put his hand on Bridger's arm. "Are you sure this is smart?"
Bridger turned and looked directly into Ford's eyes. "Commander, I know this man. I also know Lucas, and I am positive that those charges are bogus." He paused. "I don't expect you to understand, Jonathan. This doesn't involve politics, or the UEO or seaQuest. You don't have to worry, Commander." Ford was convinced by the emotion in his captain's words. "You have the helm."
"Yes, sir."
"Thank you, Jonathan." He turned to walk off the bridge. Suddenly, feeling like he would never see his captain again, Ford quickly turned around.
"Nathan, I..." He couldn't think of the words he needed to express how he felt.
"I know, Jonathan." Bridger smiled, and walked off the bridge. Jonathan watched as his friend and captain walked away, then turned his attention back to his boat.
"Okay, people. Back to work."
Lucas jumped over the rise in the floor this time as he was shoved back into his room. He smiled and turned around to the sergeant who had once again escorted him back to his cell. The sergeant rolled his eyes and locked the door behind him. Lucas' jovial spirit quickly left him as he realized his whole plan to get out of here had to change. He walked over to the speaker unit he had re-wired and leaned against the wall. He slid down to the floor as his hands ran through his hair. Think, Wolenczak, he commanded himself. Think. There had to be a solution. There was no point in sending seaQuest a transmission now, because Bridger was already on his way, and there was no way to stop him. He started to lose all hope.
Mia was waiting around the corner of the hallway for the sergeant to leave. When he did, she quickly darted around the corner, brusquely opened the door and walked in. Lucas looked up at the unexpected intruder.
"Mia..." She hurried over to him and crouched on her heels in front of him.
"Look. Lucas, I don't have much time." She glanced at the window in the door. "We're going to get you out of here."
"We?"
"If we get you to an island, would you be able to contact seaQuest?"
Lucas thought for a moment, then let a small smile play at the corners of his lips as he glanced at the panel beside him. "Yeah, I think I could work something out." Mia relaxed a little and let out a small sigh of relief.
"Okay. Here's the plan."
The bridge of the seaQuest was silent. It was as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for some sign that things were going to turn out all right. Even Ford, Mr. Composed himself, let his guard down and a little crease line of worry was permanently etched on his forehead. The tense atmosphere had engulfed the bridge for almost half an hour now, ever since the captain had left in the New Australian shuttle. Ford could feel it growing every minute. Something had to give, or else Ford was going to go crazy.
As Wendy walked onto the bridge, she was bombarded by the immense emotional conflicts surrounding the crew. Fear, sadness, and worry poured over her like a wave. She walked up to Ford and put her hand on his shoulder.
"Commander?" He turned around, not responding. "Jonathan." She pulled him to the back of the bridge and kept him close to her.
"What is it, doctor?"
"These people can't go on like this." She whispered. "You have to relax. We don't know how long the captain is going to be gone, and these people can't even breathe." She paused. He took a deep breath and she could see him relax visibly. "There. Give them something to do-run a sensor check or something; anything to get their minds off the captain and Lucas. Okay?" Ford nodded in agreement and started to walk back to his command chair. Wendy laid her hand back onto his arm. "And Jonathan?" He turned. "Don't worry. Things will be okay-problems always seem to work themselves out on this boat." She smiled, and, after returning it, Ford walked back onto the bridge, with renewed life in his step.
"Okay people. Let's get something accomplished."