Disclaimer:  Don't own them, never will.  Just borrowing them for my own entertainment, and making absolutely no profit doing it.  Thank you again to all kind and constructive reviewers.  This chapter answers some of those pesky questions in previous ones, but has the worst cliffhanger ending.  Sorry about that; I'll try not to do that again.  Enjoy!

Too Young

Chapter Eight

Lawrence Comes on Board

"Nathan, I've been expecting your call."  Acting Secretary-General William Noyce studied his friend.  Nathan looked exhausted.

"Hello, Bill."

"Well—I can see by your face that it was bad.  Did Lucas talk to you?"

Nathan scrubbed his hands across his face.  "Bill, he's been through so much.  But according to him, Lawrence is not a danger anymore."

"He wants to go with us then, to World Power?"

"No, he was quite clear that he wanted to stay on seaQuest."

"But Lawrence…abused him?  Did the things that you described?"

"Yes…and no.  Lucas had a bad three-year period with Lawrence—when Dr. Wolenczak drank heavily.  But, as Lucas relates it, his dad is sober now, and hasn't hit him in years. It was Carl, Cynthia's boyfriend, that did all the damage to his back."  He looked sadly at Bill.  "I feel like a lot of this is my fault."

"What?   How so?"

"Lucas had gone through counseling, dealt with his past several years ago.  He'd come to terms with Lawrence and had ….forgiven him."

"If he's O.K., then what about these dreams?"

"Yes, the dreams started two weeks ago, Bill, right after the…"

"The summit….oh God."

"Exactly.  Bill, his father used to punish him by putting him in a well behind their home and slowly filling it with…water.."

"My lord…so the kidnapping brought that all back.."
"Yes.  Bill, I never checked on him.  When we got back to seaQuest, he went right to work on that viral sweep of the mainframe—he'd been dodging that job for a while, so I was pleased with him.  He…disappeared from my radar screen for a while.  I just assumed that he was O.K.  Bill—he suffered through those nightmares alone for two weeks…I…I.."

"You are not perfect.  You did the proper things once you realized…what was going on.  You need to forgive yourself.  Does Lucas give any indication that he holds you responsible?"

"No…"

"Then, forgive yourself."

"All right, Bill, I'll try.  I called you to let you know that our ETA at Pearl is 0800.  And Lucas wants to see his father.  He says he and his lawyer have some kind of plan…"

"His lawyer…would that be Mike..Mike Norris?"

"Yes.  You knew that he had a lawyer?"

"Well, yes.  We negotiated with Mr. Norris for the rights to the vocorder.  He and Lucas are working out a plan now to license it to the UEO for wider use on our submarine fleet.  I'm surprised that Lucas didn't let you know about this.."

"Why would a fifteen year old need a lawyer?"

"I can't speak for all the fifteen year olds, but your particular one is not an average specimen."  Bill smiled at his friend.  This was going to be fun…if Nathan didn't know that Lucas had a lawyer, he probably was unaware as to why he would need one.

"I know that---it's just unusual."  Nathan looked perplexed.

"Nathan, most multi-billionaires need some sort of legal protection.."

"WHAT!?  Bill!  Lucas gets paid $300 a week!  All his money goes into the trust Lawrence set up for him.  He never has any money for anything…"

Bill laughed.  "Nathan, I'm probably revealing secrets I shouldn't have.  I'm sure Lucas had his reasons why he didn't tell you all this himself.  I know that there are things about Lucas' financial situation I don't know—but Lawrence and Mike set strict parameters for the use of the vocorder…and negotiated a hefty sum for its installation."

"How…hefty a sum?"  Nathan was flabbergasted.  The fifteen-year-old in grungy cargo pants and ancient jerseys was a …multi-billionaire?  What was he doing here?

"Actually, I don't know the exact amount paid for the vocorder, somewhere between three and five million--but that is a small part of his financial portfolio.  And a small part of what the UEO has paid Lucas over the past six years.  Nathan, Lucas didn't just start his programming breakthroughs when he arrived on seaQuest—or even as an eleven-year-old at Stanford.  My friend, he designed and wrote the software that runs your maglev and your air circulation systems.  Many of the top selling software packages and games have Lucas' name on them…"

"Wait…wait a minute, Bill.  I know the schematics of this vessel better than anyone, and I tested and approved the software you're referring to—Bill, I had never heard of Lucas Wolenczak until four months ago…"

"Ever hear of Dolphin Dreams?

"Yes….Of course…It's the largest R&D software company in the world.  They designed many…of..the…the systems for the seaQuest.  BILL!  Lucas cannot be Dolphin Dreams' CEO.  He's a kid!."

Bill grinned…this was fun.  "Keep going, Nathan…what else do you know?"

Nathan glared at him.  "Dolphin Dreams has an enormous science foundation as well.  They granted hundreds of millions to us over the last five years to develop seaQuest and then to build her.  Dolphin Dreams is unique for its size of operating capital and its secrecy of ownership.  All the correspondence, grants and checks are issued from a law firm in San Francisco…I…I can't recall the name."

"I'm sure it will come to you if you take a moment…"  Bill positively smirked at him.

"Fine.  I have it written down, Bill.  It's on this grant application here on my desk.  It's Alberts, Victor, and…..Norris?  Norris….."  Nathan's eyes locked on Bill's.  "You're serious, aren't you?  You're telling me that my chief computer analyst, that Lucas…is Dolphin Dreams?"

"Yes.  He has never confirmed it, but let's just say that I let him know when Dr. Westphalen is very interested in a particular costly research project…or needs a non-essential piece of scientific equipment.  Dolphin Dreams issues a check to UEO within a few days…"

"Why…why would he keep this from me?  From us?"

"I don't know, Nathan.  His father controls the bulk of his fortune, of course.  Perhaps Lucas fears the news would get back to Lawrence."

"Or maybe I should just listen to what he said about 'wanting to be accepted for who he is, and not what he can do'.  Apparently, he wasn't just referring to his computer skills."

"Nathan, whatever the reason, Lucas would have told you if he felt free to do so—you must know how much he trusts you, admires you."  Bill smiled at him gently.  "I do need to call Lawrence, now.  I'll let him know when the seaQuest is scheduled to arrive.  He was not happy about the delay."

"Good."

"Captain…I know that you don't like him.  But right now, the UEO needs him—so play nice while he's on board…please."

"I will…as long as he does nothing to hurt Lucas, including trying to take him off seaQuest.  Lucas does not want to go, and I will fight to keep him here."

"I can support you within reason, but the law is on Lawrence's side in this.  I guess we'll have to wait and see what Lucas and Mike have planned.  See you in the morning."

"Good night, Bill."

Bill smiled at the blank vidlink screen, and then connected to Lawrence's hotel. 

"Yes."

"Lawrence.  It's Bill."

"What time?"

"0800.  I'll pick you up.  We'll have to take a shuttle over to her.  The seaQuest is too large for their open docks."

"Very well—and Bill?"

"Yes?"

"I trust that Nathan Bridger will not interfere with my taking Lucas…"

"I…don't know what Nathan will do.  Goodnight  Lawren…."

"…."

Bill stared at the vidlink.  The arrogant prick had hung up on him.  He smiled grimly.  'I think you may find, Doctor, that it's not Nathan that you need to be worried about—your son has other plans.'  Bill could hardly wait for the morning to come.  It would be an interesting one.

On the ride to the pier, Lawrence said nothing in response to Bill's repeated attempts at small talk.  The shuttle, MR-5, was waiting for them, and they loaded their equipment and baggage in silence.  Lawrence gave no indication that he was affected by the poisonous glances sent his way from their pilot, Lt. Benjamin Krieg.  Bill smiled to himself.  This was fun.

Lawrence spoke for the first time.  "Why are we still waiting?  Get underway—you pilot!  What are we waiting for?"

Bill wasn't aware that you could inject so much hate into the human voice.  Lt. Krieg was not good at hiding his loathing of Lucas' father.  "Doctor."  He sneered.  "We are waiting for Attorney Mike Norris."

Bill almost swallowed his tongue to keep from laughing aloud.  He tried to memorize the look on Lawrence's face, so he could relay it accurately, later, to Nathan—when they were alone.  Oh, this was shaping up to be quite a fun day.

"Wh..What…Why is Mike coming with us?"

"Lucas will tell you. I don't know."  Lt. Krieg said, dismissively, and then turned to check his control panels.

Lawrence fidgeted.  What was Lucas up to?  He would have to come with him eventually.  He was a minor.  But Mike—Mike was very protective of his son.  Mostly, he appreciated that, respected Mike for it…even envied him for his close relationship to Lucas.  But he was not anxious to have Mike as an adversary—and that looked to be the direction this was going.  What was Lucas up to?

His thoughts were interrupted when Mike himself came on board.  He sat down, nodded an acknowledgement to them, and motioned to the pilot that he was ready to leave.

The ten-minute trip over to the seaQuest was absolutely silent.  Only Ben's voice was heard murmuring contact and docking instructions.

When they exited the launch, Lawrence felt profoundly uneasy.  There was the requisite honor guard to greet the Secretary General, and Lawrence paid attention to Bill's acknowledgements of the crew standing at attention.  He tried to put faces to the names contained in his son's emails.  He looked around for his son.  Lucas wasn't here….why wasn't he here?  Bill's introduction caught Lawrence's attention, and he turned toward the Secretary-General.

"Nathan, allow me to introduce Attorney Mike Norris and….Dr. Lawrence Wolenczak, you've met previously."

"Welcome aboard, Mr. Norris, Dr. Wolenczak."  Captain Bridger's greeting was perfunctory, almost rude. 'Oh no!…this man doesn't like me,' Lawrence's sarcastic thoughts showed on his face.  'Good.  The feeling's mutual.'  Then he said aloud.

"Captain, where is my son?  I was expecting Lucas to meet me here."

Before Nathan could reply, Mike spoke softly.  "Lawrence, Lucas is detained.  He said he'd meet us in the wardroom in a few minutes." Then he said in a louder voice.  "Captain, I need to speak to you privately for a moment."

Lawrence knew then that he'd lost control of this meeting.  Somehow, Lucas had outflanked him, and he and Mike had something planned.   Lawrence decided to play along….for now.  After all, he still held the trump card, didn't he?  Lucas was a minor, and he had sole custody. He watched Captain Bridger lead Mike in the opposite direction as he and Bill followed the honor guard on a brief tour of the ship.  As they walked toward the bridge, Lawrence remembered the last real conversation he'd had with Lucas, over four months ago.

He had sat next to his son's bed in intensive care, watching Lucas struggle to breathe, waiting for him to wake up.  Lucas' face and chest were badly bruised; he had a concussion and four broken ribs, one of which had punctured his right lung.  That had been repaired.  But the real horror was his back.  Lucas looked like someone had taken a flaying knife to him.  Lawrence watched the nurses clean and re bandage the mess earlier.  He'd been assured that the scars would fade in time, like the others—the others his wife's….consort had also put there.  Lawrence wanted to kill Carl.  He had told the police all he knew and much he suspected, but Lucas would have to confirm it for the charges to stick.  Everything was on hold until Lucas woke up.  But Lawrence hadn't waited for the police to act.  As soon as he knew that Lucas would recover, he had called Cynthia.  He knew that he could scare her, intimidate her into doing what he wanted.  And she had signed the custody papers that he had couriered to her.  The bitch didn't even ask if Lucas would be all right.  The phone call was a nasty one….he had told her to keep herself and Carl away from Lucas from now on, or he, Lawrence, promised to go after her personally.  Cynthia was sobbing by the end of the conversation, but he didn't care.  What had he ever seen in her?  She was lovely, but it was all surface.  She didn't care about anything unless it benefited her.

Lucas moaned, and his eyelids opened slightly.  Lawrence took his hand.

"Lucas, son…I'm here.  You're going to be all right….dad's here."

"…Where's here?"  Lucas' voice was hoarse.

"You are at Mercy Hospital, in San Francisco."

"What…happened?"

"What do you remember?"

"I…don't remember…how I got here."

The doctor had warned them that Lucas might have some memory loss due to the severity and location of the concussion.  Lawrence tried another approach.

"What..is the last thing that you remember?"

"I…I was getting some things to take over to Mike and Anne's house.  Jenny and Ryan had already left with him, and…and…that's all."  His eyes, confused and bloodshot, met Lawrence's.  "Dad…what are you doing here?  You said that you…"

"I cut out of my Australian meeting early.  I wanted to see you honored.  Your speech was excellent, by the way.  The highest GPA in Stanford's history….impressive, son."

Lucas grinned at him, then winced as the movement pulled at his bruised skin.  "Dad…what time is it?"

"7:30 a.m., Sunday, the 23rd."

"What!?"  Lucas tried to sit up, but fell back with a small cry.  He was panting heavily and his eyes squeezed closed as he fought with the pain.  "Wh..What happened, Dad?  Why have I lost two days?  Oh, God!  Are Jenny and Ryan O.K.?  Where are they?"  His anxious face turned from side to side as if searching for them.

Lawrence placed a calming hand on Lucas' arm.  "Jenny and…Ryan are fine.  Jenny was here all night.  Mike and Anne took her home to rest.  You were…severely beaten…I found you on your kitchen floor.  Your apartment looked like a tornado hit it, but I don't think anything was taken.  Do you want me to call for the nurse?  Do you need something?"

Lucas shook his head and closed his eyes again.  He hurt, but the pain was….manageable.  He hated lying to his father.  He remembered very well how he'd ended up here, but he would never admit it—to Lawrence or to the police.  He could forgive his mother for her choices in men, and he would.  He was forever grateful to her for signing the papers allowing him to marry Jenny.  She had even come to San Francisco for the wedding—without Carl.

Lucas opened his eyes and studied his father.  "Dad….I…know that you didn't…want me to marry Jenny, you've…ignored the fact that I am married…but…"

Lawrence interrupted, exasperated.  "Lucas, it should be illegal to marry at thirteen—I still cannot believe that, as smart as you are, you were stupid enough to…"

"To marry someone I love?  Someone who loves me?  Needs me?  Dad—the marriage is legal.  Mom signed her permission, and Mike and Anne did the same for Jenny.  I….I…would have waited a long time for her, but we don't…have..a guarantee..that…that…"

Lawrence squeezed his hand.  He hadn't intended on upsetting Lucas…but his mouth had run ahead of his brain.  He ignored the tears Lucas was wiping away with the back of his free hand.  He patted Lucas' arm, and then said, more gently.  "You…may..be right.  I…I..don't want to see you hurt when Jenny…"

"Dad.  Don't."  Lucas' eyes were haunted.  He did not want to think about Jenny's cancer, nor discuss it with his father, so he changed the subject.  "Have you seen Ryan?"

"Yes.  He looks just like you did when you were eleven months, but I think that he's smarter than you were.  He's already reading."

"Yeah.  Some Dr. Seuss."  Lucas' face lit with pride and love.  "Jenny thinks that she can understand most of what he says, but his palate is not developed enough for him to enunciate carefully."  Lucas shifted painfully, worn out by the conversation.

Lawrence noticed his weariness.  "You need to sleep for awhile.  I'll go call Mike and let him know that you are awake and talking—and the police wanted to be notified as well."

Mike and Anne were relieved to hear that Lucas was conscious, and they promised to tell Jenny as soon as she awakened.  But the rest of the conversations that week had not gone as planned.  The Norris's had pushed Lawrence hard to allow Lucas to stay with them until he'd recuperated fully, but Lawrence refused.  He was angry and hurt—his son had refused to go to World Power with him, had chosen seaQuest over him.  Lawrence just wanted to get Lucas to seaQuest as fast as possible, since that was his preference…

Lawrence looked up as the honor guard led the way into the wardroom.  These were the people that Lucas had lived and worked with daily for 4 months.  They studied him as he looked at each one of them.  They didn't like him much, did they?  He could feel it, their dislike in the air around him.  He sighed and sat down heavily.  Lucas wasn't here yet.  He hoped that this conversation went better than his last words with his son.  He was sure that Lucas would choose World Power over seaQuest—foster care was thrown in more as a threat than a serious option.  But Lucas had surprised him that day.  And he'd punished his injured son with his silence.  Lucas had tried to talk to him, to reason with him.  He wanted to stay with Jenny and Ryan, to go on with the life he was building in San Francisco, and finish his PhD at Stanford.  Lawrence refused to discuss it, and Mike couldn't talk Lucas into taking his father to court.  Lawrence was grateful that Lucas had not agreed to Mike's proposal.   In court, he probably could have forced Lucas to go to World Power, but the publicity would have been devastating.  Realistically, he knew that Lucas was protecting Jenny and Ryan more than his father, but he was grateful nevertheless.  When Lucas finally stated that he would go to World Power if Jenny and Ryan came too, Lawrence stormed out to call Admiral Noyce.  He would be embarrassed to have his son's underage wife and rug rat at World Power.  It was out of the question.  But, now, he wondered.  Was it so outrageous?  His son would have been with him, rather than cut off from them all, here on seaQuest. 

He watched his son enter and sit across from him.  Lucas was flanked by Mike and Captain Bridger.  Lawrence suddenly realized—I've lost him.  I've lost him.  He's gone for good.  It really…doesn't matter that I can control him for another few months, I've lost him.  I lost him the day that I dropped him off here four months ago.  Lucas' eyes caught his, and Lawrence joined the non-verbal battle of wills for a moment…then looked down.

His son hadn't been sleeping.  He noted the dark circles under his eyes.  But what made his eyes drop was the look of determination in his son's blue eyes.  He had lost this battle before it had begun.  The seaQuest would take him to World Power, drop him and Secy. General Noyce off, but his son would stay here.

Lawrence looked up again, but this time he showed what he was thinking to his son.

Lucas' eyes widened.  His father looked…defeated.  So sad.  He opened his mouth, but Lawrence beat him to it.

"Lucas…I see you have made your decision to stay.  I won't fight that.  I need your help at World Power, but.."

Lucas eyes were bright with happiness.  "Dad…I can help you from here."

"But here is not where you are needed the most.."

Captain Bridger had heard enough.  "Of all the selfish statements.."

"No!"  Lucas snapped.  Nathan looked at him, surprised.  "Sorry, Captain, but let him finish…please"

Lawrence was….proud of his son.  He let that show in his eyes as well, and Lucas began to blink back tears.  "…You are needed most at home, son.  At your home.  Captain, my son needs to leave seaQuest for a while."

"No.  He has told us repeatedly that he wishes to stay, that he does not want to leave.  Why must he go?  You are not forcing him to World Power; you just said that you would not fight his staying here…"

"He stays only if Jenny and Ryan can stay here with him.  I see now that I have profoundly hurt my son when I wanted to help him.  By my short sightedness, I separated him from his wife and son…and they need him too…"

Lawrence stopped abruptly, shocked by the identical expressions circling the table.  With the exception of Lucas and himself, you could catch a lot of flies in this room with all these open mouths.  Lawrence stared at his son.

"You…you didn't tell them?  I…I.."

Even though Lawrence was still talking, Lucas now had all eyes on him.  He was silent for a long minute while he met their eyes, and then he began to speak.  "I…I met Jenny at Stanford…"

--to be continued.

Next:  Lucas and Jenny