Authors Note: Here is the fourth chapter. It's a little slow, sorry
about that. The next one should be getting into more of the real trouble
and danger. It's going to be really AU for the rest of the story and I'm
going to ask now that there will be no flames. If you don't like it, ok,
but please don't yell at me ;) For all you Lucas fans out there, he will
be making an appearance eventually, but it won't be huge, sorry! Please
review and tell me what you think.
Clez- Thanks for the encouragement!!!
The trek through the woods had been especially grueling for the crew of the seaQuest who were already exhausted and hot from their ordeal. The adrenaline that had been coursing through their bodies earlier had left them feeling expended now. A few times on the forced march, they stumbled and almost fell. Their captors merely sneered at them. During the entire march, Jonathan kept his eye on his second in command. Mariah had ordered that he be carried by one of the men whose face was unrecognizable under all the paint. Jim had remained unconscious for the entire trek through the dense jungle and Jonathan had wondered if he was really alive. He was also careful to observe that he was not the only one watching Jim intently. Mariah was attentive to everything that went on around her, but Jonathan caught her eyes stray to Jim and take in the security officer with more than casual interest. Jonathan was both curious and shocked by this observation, wondering what interest she had in Jim. It made his stomach churn to think of plans of revenge that might have been tossing themselves about in her cruel and calculating mind. Mariah had a history with Jim, but hadn't she already told Jonathan that it wasn't going to be her he had to worry about? It was hard to believe.
After what seemed like hours, they came upon the abandoned scientific compound. It was a mass of smaller buildings surrounding a larger two storied building. Its concrete was pale and looked as if it had been bleached further by the sun. Nature had began to take its course, and the courtyards and open spaces had began to fill in with small trees and brush. Jonathan wasn't sure if he should be relieved that whoever had them in his or her control hadn't been there long enough to set up camp, or be worried that someone could come in so quickly and pull one over on the ex-o of the most powerful sub in the world. The crew was prodded along until they entered the main building. Once inside, they could see that work had been done to get power and systems up and running again, not to mention the fact that they must have been improved to match with the changing times. They were led away from the center of the building and pushed down a set of stairs. After two flights, they were guided down a darkened hallway. Tim looked especially nervous, mirroring the thoughts of all the officers involved.
The hallway gave way to a large room with many doors in its walls. Mariah stopped in front of one and swiped a card in a key scan. She went through at least three more security measures, including a retina scan before the door opened with a hiss. Behind the door was a fairly large room with three bunks on one wall and two on the other. One wall was clearly a two way mirror and there was some sort of trap door in one wall that could obviously only be opened from the outside.
"In," Mariah ordered, gesturing to Jonathan and the rest of the officers. Seeing they had no other choice in the matter, they complied. Once inside, the guards unlocked their wrists, while two kept close watch on them, deadly guns aimed at the prisoners. Mariah smiled at them. "Hope you enjoy your stay here Commander. You will be smart enough not to try to escape…after all, that is two-way glass. I expect more intelligence out of you. Mr. Brody will need a bit more medical attention, which I am sure you have guessed, so if you have any hope of not endangering his life further, I would suggest sitting tight. Don't look so worried," she said, noting Miguel's furrowed brow. "My employer isn't interested in really harming any of you. He has an agenda, which will be followed. You will only be harmed if you get in the way. Trust me, his…subjects….have already been selected."
"Subjects?!?" Jonathan's voice was raised in outrage. "Mariah, you are out of your mind! You expect intelligence out of me? You're the one that should know that I've already missed my check in and Captain Bridger is going to have security details swarming this island in less than an hour! Whatever you have in mind is going to be sorely screwed up."
"I have no doubt that he plans to do just that…but you have to admit, organizing a security operation without the chief of security would be a bit difficult. I plan to help Captain Bridger avoid that dismal task," she turned to Lonnie, pulling out her gun and pointing it at the Ensign. "You, come with me."
"No!" Jonathan stepped in front of Mariah.
"Commander, step aside. She won't be harmed. I just need her to deliver a message to your captain. You have my word that she'll be back in less than a half an hour and if she cooperates, she'll be no worse for the wear." One of the armed me grabbed Lonnie by the arm, but she did not struggle.
"Don't worry sir, I'll be fine."
Jonathan hardly liked backing down, but stepped back and let them pass. Mariah turned to go.
"Wait! What about Jim?"
"Ah yes, Lieutenant Brody… Ensign," she said, turning to the man holding Jim. "Put the Lieutenant on that bunk. I'll be back to make sure he receives the proper treatment later. I suggest making sure that wound is clean," with those final words, Mariah turned and strode from the room. The ensign laid Jim on the bunk none to gently and he cried out in pain as if he was coming around. Lonnie was led out and the door closed and the resounding click of the lock was like breaking glass in a tomb. Finally, Jonathan glanced at Jim who was stirring.
"Are you ok?" Jonathan asked Miguel, Tim, and Tony. They nodded and Miguel followed Jonathan closely as the Commander knelt by Jim. "Come on Jim…wake up buddy," he urged. Jim let out a soft groan again, but didn't wake up. Sighing heavily, Jonathan turned back to Tim. "Tim, can you help me with this bandage? Until Lonnie comes back, you're the closest thing we have to a field medic."
Tim seemed stunned and frozen to his spot, but he finally turned, pushing up his glasses and joined Jonathan.
"Think Mariah will keep her word? Will they bring back Lonnie?"
"I hope so. I'm worried that I've gotten us in over our heads."
"We couldn't let Jim die, sir," Tony's voice was absolute. "I don't like the sound of none of this 'subject' crap, but its not like we have a choice, if you know what I'm sayin'."
"I do."
"Well, it sort of all fits. Find an old abandoned scientific colony that has all the equipment any scientist might need to do experiments. This room was obviously designed for observing the effects of an experiment on humans…what I wouldn't give to know what kind of experiments they did here…" Miguel looked around thoughtfully.
"I know what they did here," Tony's voice was deadly soft, causing Jonathan, Tim, and Miguel to turn and look at the ex-con.
"You do?" Jonathan asked slowly.
"Yeah, I didn't recognize it before sir, see, I wasn't really paying much attention to the scenery then…"
"Tony…"
"Uh yeah, well see sir, I'm pretty sure this is where that doc did his operating to make me a fish."
"Here? Well, I guess that would make sense…are you sure?"
"No sir, it just looks like the place a lot…feels like the place."
"Are you…all right?"
"Yeah, no sweat sir. Hey, its not like these people are going to be giving me new gills or anything," Tony grinned and Miguel chuckled.
"Good point Tony. After all that was a top secret project…"
"Let's not worry about it," Tim said, trying to lighten the mood. "I think Jim's all right. No sign of infection and this bleeding looks like a normal color to me. I wish he would stop bleeding…but he needs bandages and maybe stitches of some sort."
"All of which we don't have…but Mariah does. So at some point, I have to give Jim back to her, which I don't like at all. Especially after those comments she made…" Jonathan trailed off and sighed heavily. "Look, we have to be careful what we say in here. After all, Mariah even pointed out that that wall is two-way glass which means they can see us and more than likely hear us."
"Aye, sir, we got you."
"Good…now I guess we wait for Lonnie and see what good old Mariah has in store for us. With any luck, Captain Bridger's on his way right now…and we'll all be eating super aboard the seaQuest tonight." Just the thought made all four of them smile and Jonathan knew that at least for now they were going to be ok.
Clez- Thanks for the encouragement!!!
The trek through the woods had been especially grueling for the crew of the seaQuest who were already exhausted and hot from their ordeal. The adrenaline that had been coursing through their bodies earlier had left them feeling expended now. A few times on the forced march, they stumbled and almost fell. Their captors merely sneered at them. During the entire march, Jonathan kept his eye on his second in command. Mariah had ordered that he be carried by one of the men whose face was unrecognizable under all the paint. Jim had remained unconscious for the entire trek through the dense jungle and Jonathan had wondered if he was really alive. He was also careful to observe that he was not the only one watching Jim intently. Mariah was attentive to everything that went on around her, but Jonathan caught her eyes stray to Jim and take in the security officer with more than casual interest. Jonathan was both curious and shocked by this observation, wondering what interest she had in Jim. It made his stomach churn to think of plans of revenge that might have been tossing themselves about in her cruel and calculating mind. Mariah had a history with Jim, but hadn't she already told Jonathan that it wasn't going to be her he had to worry about? It was hard to believe.
After what seemed like hours, they came upon the abandoned scientific compound. It was a mass of smaller buildings surrounding a larger two storied building. Its concrete was pale and looked as if it had been bleached further by the sun. Nature had began to take its course, and the courtyards and open spaces had began to fill in with small trees and brush. Jonathan wasn't sure if he should be relieved that whoever had them in his or her control hadn't been there long enough to set up camp, or be worried that someone could come in so quickly and pull one over on the ex-o of the most powerful sub in the world. The crew was prodded along until they entered the main building. Once inside, they could see that work had been done to get power and systems up and running again, not to mention the fact that they must have been improved to match with the changing times. They were led away from the center of the building and pushed down a set of stairs. After two flights, they were guided down a darkened hallway. Tim looked especially nervous, mirroring the thoughts of all the officers involved.
The hallway gave way to a large room with many doors in its walls. Mariah stopped in front of one and swiped a card in a key scan. She went through at least three more security measures, including a retina scan before the door opened with a hiss. Behind the door was a fairly large room with three bunks on one wall and two on the other. One wall was clearly a two way mirror and there was some sort of trap door in one wall that could obviously only be opened from the outside.
"In," Mariah ordered, gesturing to Jonathan and the rest of the officers. Seeing they had no other choice in the matter, they complied. Once inside, the guards unlocked their wrists, while two kept close watch on them, deadly guns aimed at the prisoners. Mariah smiled at them. "Hope you enjoy your stay here Commander. You will be smart enough not to try to escape…after all, that is two-way glass. I expect more intelligence out of you. Mr. Brody will need a bit more medical attention, which I am sure you have guessed, so if you have any hope of not endangering his life further, I would suggest sitting tight. Don't look so worried," she said, noting Miguel's furrowed brow. "My employer isn't interested in really harming any of you. He has an agenda, which will be followed. You will only be harmed if you get in the way. Trust me, his…subjects….have already been selected."
"Subjects?!?" Jonathan's voice was raised in outrage. "Mariah, you are out of your mind! You expect intelligence out of me? You're the one that should know that I've already missed my check in and Captain Bridger is going to have security details swarming this island in less than an hour! Whatever you have in mind is going to be sorely screwed up."
"I have no doubt that he plans to do just that…but you have to admit, organizing a security operation without the chief of security would be a bit difficult. I plan to help Captain Bridger avoid that dismal task," she turned to Lonnie, pulling out her gun and pointing it at the Ensign. "You, come with me."
"No!" Jonathan stepped in front of Mariah.
"Commander, step aside. She won't be harmed. I just need her to deliver a message to your captain. You have my word that she'll be back in less than a half an hour and if she cooperates, she'll be no worse for the wear." One of the armed me grabbed Lonnie by the arm, but she did not struggle.
"Don't worry sir, I'll be fine."
Jonathan hardly liked backing down, but stepped back and let them pass. Mariah turned to go.
"Wait! What about Jim?"
"Ah yes, Lieutenant Brody… Ensign," she said, turning to the man holding Jim. "Put the Lieutenant on that bunk. I'll be back to make sure he receives the proper treatment later. I suggest making sure that wound is clean," with those final words, Mariah turned and strode from the room. The ensign laid Jim on the bunk none to gently and he cried out in pain as if he was coming around. Lonnie was led out and the door closed and the resounding click of the lock was like breaking glass in a tomb. Finally, Jonathan glanced at Jim who was stirring.
"Are you ok?" Jonathan asked Miguel, Tim, and Tony. They nodded and Miguel followed Jonathan closely as the Commander knelt by Jim. "Come on Jim…wake up buddy," he urged. Jim let out a soft groan again, but didn't wake up. Sighing heavily, Jonathan turned back to Tim. "Tim, can you help me with this bandage? Until Lonnie comes back, you're the closest thing we have to a field medic."
Tim seemed stunned and frozen to his spot, but he finally turned, pushing up his glasses and joined Jonathan.
"Think Mariah will keep her word? Will they bring back Lonnie?"
"I hope so. I'm worried that I've gotten us in over our heads."
"We couldn't let Jim die, sir," Tony's voice was absolute. "I don't like the sound of none of this 'subject' crap, but its not like we have a choice, if you know what I'm sayin'."
"I do."
"Well, it sort of all fits. Find an old abandoned scientific colony that has all the equipment any scientist might need to do experiments. This room was obviously designed for observing the effects of an experiment on humans…what I wouldn't give to know what kind of experiments they did here…" Miguel looked around thoughtfully.
"I know what they did here," Tony's voice was deadly soft, causing Jonathan, Tim, and Miguel to turn and look at the ex-con.
"You do?" Jonathan asked slowly.
"Yeah, I didn't recognize it before sir, see, I wasn't really paying much attention to the scenery then…"
"Tony…"
"Uh yeah, well see sir, I'm pretty sure this is where that doc did his operating to make me a fish."
"Here? Well, I guess that would make sense…are you sure?"
"No sir, it just looks like the place a lot…feels like the place."
"Are you…all right?"
"Yeah, no sweat sir. Hey, its not like these people are going to be giving me new gills or anything," Tony grinned and Miguel chuckled.
"Good point Tony. After all that was a top secret project…"
"Let's not worry about it," Tim said, trying to lighten the mood. "I think Jim's all right. No sign of infection and this bleeding looks like a normal color to me. I wish he would stop bleeding…but he needs bandages and maybe stitches of some sort."
"All of which we don't have…but Mariah does. So at some point, I have to give Jim back to her, which I don't like at all. Especially after those comments she made…" Jonathan trailed off and sighed heavily. "Look, we have to be careful what we say in here. After all, Mariah even pointed out that that wall is two-way glass which means they can see us and more than likely hear us."
"Aye, sir, we got you."
"Good…now I guess we wait for Lonnie and see what good old Mariah has in store for us. With any luck, Captain Bridger's on his way right now…and we'll all be eating super aboard the seaQuest tonight." Just the thought made all four of them smile and Jonathan knew that at least for now they were going to be ok.