Kristin, having automatically switched into her infamous doctor mode after hearing the gunshots, looked quickly around the lab. She noted the frantic scientists who had dropped to the deck in alarm, a few of them with minor injuries. Small lacerations also covered the arms of several others, probably from broken test tubes or beakers. She knew that they were capable of bandaging the small wounds themselves, and felt a little better about leaving having to them. However, when this mess was over, she would check each person over, just to make sure.
Kristin was torn from her observation as a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled the doctor to her feet. When the group of four were standing, they were ushered roughly from the med-lab. As they were led down the corridors, it appeared as though these terrorists had overthrown the entire ship. There was not a soul in sight until they reached the bridge, and found the senior staff and other bridge crew held hostage as well. A dozen or so commandos, all as heavily armed as the others, stood guard over the confused and angry crew.
Like the people in the labs, they too sported minor injuries. Katie, who stood at her station, had the beginnings of what looked like a black eye. Commander Ford, standing next to Katie, had a small cut over his brow. Both stood with strict military posture, but their eyes gave away their surprise and anger for this unexpected coup d'etat. Obviously, they had not given up without a little resistance, but they were outgunned and outnumbered.
Lucas, after making sure that his friends were all right, glanced about the crowded bridge. His eyes found the man who appeared to be in charge; a tall, muscular man. The leader's tanned face was hard, his square jaw locked in concentration, eyes busily scanning the new prisoners as he listened to something from an earpiece. When the man's hazel eyes met Lucas' own blue, the teen forced to control a shiver; those eyes were so cold, so professional that they scared him, though he would never admit it out loud.
The man, whom Lucas had figured the leader, turned to one of his men by the comm station. "Have we received word from Group B yet?"
"Yes sir. Group B reports mission successful. They should arrive shortly with the prisoners."
Lucas, who was becoming increasingly more frightened by the moment, guessed who Group B's prisoners had to be. He had clung to a small hope that maybe Bridger and his rescue team had been overlooked, and that they would somehow be able to save the ship and it's crew. Now his fear increased as he realized that there was no one left to help any of them.
He glanced at Kara, who stood beside her uncle, fear also lurking in her brown eyes. Noyce had one arm wrapped around her small frame, his own body unconsciously taking on a protective stance. Lucas jumped slightly as he felt Kristin's hand on his own shoulder, and she gave it a small, reassuring squeeze when he turned his frightened eyes toward her.
The leader of the mercenaries motioned for the guards that held Lucas and his group to move their prisoners off to the side. Noyce chose that moment to voice the questions on everyone's mind. "What is the meaning of this? Who are you people, and how did you get on this ship?"
Turning on the Admiral, the head terrorist gave Noyce a cold, unfriendly smile. "Simply put; because we can. If you want to know any details, I suggest you wait until our other guests arrive. If not, well then, your pretty girl there might regret it." The man turned away after casting a meaningful glance at Kara.
The fear in Lucas' eyes turned to anger at the threat to his friend, and Kristin's hand tightened slightly on his shoulder, as she mouthed not now. Noyce was having a similar reaction, and Kara's pleading eyes were the only things that kept him in check.
Another shouting voice could be heard coming down the corridor to the bridge, and soon two burly guards escorted in Nathan Bridger. Other than a slightly bleeding lip, the captain appeared unharmed. With a gaze that could melt an iceberg, Nathan asked the same questions Noyce had moments before.
After pausing to listen to his earpiece, a slow smile again crept onto the head commando's lips. "Don't worry, captain, you and your crew will find out soon enough. It seems that my employer has just docked, and will be joining us in moments. In the meantime," he paused, turning to one of the men that guarded Lucas and his friends, "see that our prisoners are made… comfortable."
The guards around the bridge all seemed to begin moving at once. Half of them ushered the bridge crew and the senior staff members down to the brig, while those who watched over Lucas and his companions separated them. Kristin was taken to the brig along with the rest of the crew, and Noyce and Bridger were secured near the view screen. Lucas and Kara, meanwhile, were kept apart from both groups. The two teens and their guardians protested loudly, only to be silenced by more threats to the teens' safety. Lucas stood protectively by Kara, determined that whatever was being planned, he would at least keep them from harming her.
"Ah, here is my employer now." The mercenary snapped into a sharp salute as another figure entered the bridge. Her boots clicked loudly on the deck as she made her way to the center of the bridge, a look of triumph on her face.
"Marilyn!" Bridger's voice was laced with both surprise and hatred. "I thought you were dead!"
Marilyn Stark calmly walked over to the captain. "Never underestimate your opponent. Isn't that what you used to teach us at the academy, Captain?" She walked toward him, then grabbed the front of his uniform, jerking him forward until they stood face to face. "Well, I've come to take back my ship Bridger. But first," after releasing him, she motioned to one of the guards, and Lucas was brought forward. "I want to have a little fun. You took my ship, my life, Nathan. You took from me what I held most dear, and it's high time I repaid the favor, don't you think?" She slowly traced a well-manicured hand down Lucas' cheek. "It's such a shame; he really is a pretty boy." Turning, the insane Stark nodded to the guard, and his fists flew toward Lucas before anyone realized what was happening.
"No! Lucas!" Bridger fought the mercenary restraining him, desperate to help the teen who meant so much to him. However, he was overpowered as the man grabbed his arms, and another trained his weapon on the captain. Bridger was helpless, forced to watch as the young man was beaten.
Lucas, who was held by one guard, couldn't even defend himself. The other guard let loose several viscous punches toward his head, then began on the teen's abdomen and rib areas. The pain was blinding, and Lucas knew that if it hadn't been for the guard holding him upright, he would have fallen after the first vicious blow. The world began to slowly disappear, and all Lucas could feel was the pain as the fists and steel-toed boots connected with soft flesh. He could faintly hear the Captain, Noyce, and Kara screaming, but soon even that drowned out as the man's boot flew at his ribs. The crack that resulted was clearly audible, and the last thing Lucas heard before losing consciousness was the scream that tore through his throat.
Marilyn Stark gazed with sadistic pleasure at the scene before her. This was only part of her revenge. The boy, being so valuable to Bridger, would meet a rather slow and painful end right in front of his dear Captain's eyes. This was the end of only the first beating; he would be given back to Bridger, and the man would be allowed to coddle his pet for awhile before the boy was again beaten before his captain. Marilyn planned to continue this little routine until the boy died. If it took too long, she supposed she could just shoot him, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun as this. Stark sighed; she still was not sure what exactly to do with the girl yet. She wanted Noyce to pay for replacing her with Bridger, but wasn't quite sure that beating the girl up would be much fun, and it might take too much time as well. With a shrug, Marilyn decided that she could always be given as a gift to her mercenaries. That would probably have just as much affect as anything else would, she supposed. Then, after she had broken them, the men responsible for taking away her life would die as well, slowly of course. Her plan was foolproof, now that she had the ship and its crew secured. The security team had proved a slight problem, but the mission was too well planned, and they had been overcome and locked in the brig. Now, the revenge she had yearned for would be fulfilled, and she would take back her ship. Then she would show the UEO the true use for the seaQuest.
* * *
Ben Kreig held his breath as the mercenary troops led the bridge crew by his hiding place. He had been very fortunate to escape the guards, apparently more so than his friends had been. From his shelter in the storage closet, the Lieutenant had heard some men talking about the takeover, and when he heard that Marilyn Stark was their leader, he had turned white. Everyone had believed she was dead. Evidently, she had gotten away in that escape pod, and was now back for revenge. He knew he was probably the only person left free that could get word out the UEO headquarters and send for help. He was the only one left to help his friends, and Ben Kreig intended to do just that.