Author's Note: Thanks to Nevermore for beta reading. Please R&R.
Chapter 6
By: Jaimi
Bridger's heart was in his throat, the blonde teen's cries wrenching at his soul. The security wasn't his, and they wouldn't let him through, or let the boy go, no matter how much he shouted. Lucas' struggles were seen as a threat to the general. The struggle continued, his crwe was shouting at the guards to let the teen go, but their cries fell on deaf ears.
Lucas put up a good fight for a full minute. However, after a few blows from the guards, he lay motionless under the heavy security. The fight had left him. His breathing was laboured. Every inch of his body was covered in sweat, and blood dripped from his lip a guard had back handed him. Bridger's heart broke. He could not get to the boy or he would have stopped it long before. No one would listen. Even he, who was a legend in the UEO, did not have the power to intervene.
"Get him out of here," the general ordered, his voice a disgusted growl.
"No!" Nathan shouted. He stepped forward only to stop as a guard drew his gun and trained it on the Captain in a clear warning. These security personal were taking no chances.
"Captain, you needn't worry about this rebel any more. I'll have him removed from the seaQuest-"
"No!" A few of the other crew argued. Some were silent, in shock.
"Dammit, Thomas. You get these guards to back off and let me through to that boy, NOW!"
"Watch it, Captain! I-"
"What is going on here?" Admiral Noyce's authorative voice cut through the heated exchange. He had just arrived at the commotion, having heard the shouts from inside the nearby UEO building complex.
Though Admiral Noyce held no more power than the General, they were equal, and for that, the crew and Lucas would be eternally grateful.
"Bill!" Nathan shouted frantically to his long time friend. "Tell them to back off, I need to get to Lucas."
Admiral Noyce nodded. He was confused, but he trusted Nathan's judgement. "What the hell happened here?" He asked his long time friend.
It was the general the spoke up. "This little heathen..."
Nathan didn't hear the rest as he was allowed forward. He rushed to the teen's side. The youth was wheezing. His whole body trembled, in fear or exhaustion, Nathan wasn' sure. His eyes were shut, his face pale and his damp, blonde hair clung to his forehead. A bruise was beginning to form near his mouth, where the dripping blood had begun to dry.
The security began backing away. Bridger assumed the Admiral had ordered them to do so, and that his old friend was gaining some control of the situation. His thoughts were confirmed as the rest of the senior crew appeared without a fuss. They looked on as Bridger pulled the boy into his arms.
"Lucas?"
The boy barely had the energy to open his eyes. When he did, they were dull and empty. The struggle had drained his spirit. Nathan strained to listen as he muttered things under his breath. "It's hot...so hot...burning...smoke...the baby...I have to save the baby..." His head started to jerk quickly from side to side, and it seemed as if Lucas was fighting to focus his eyesight on an unseen figure far off in the distance. "My fault...Matthew...hold on...I won't...let go...I won't...sorry...I'm sorry..."
Nathan's brow furrowed at the mumbled nonsense, but he couldn't worry about that right now.
"Shhhh. It's alright now, Kiddo. It's alright."
"No..." Lucas replied, weakly shaking his head.
Bridger pulled the exhausted youth closer. He was puzzled by the boy's defeated tone. What had happened? Why had the teen reacted so badly?
"Is he alright Captain?" Jonathan asked for the rest of the senior staff.
"I don't know, Jonathan. He's exhausted."
"He oughtta be, Sir. He put up one hell of a struggle. He's one tough kid," Miguel said, sounding impressed.
Bridger nodded absently, stroking the boy's hair away from his sweaty brow. "Hmmm. No kid should have to be that tough..."
Ben nodded , adding his thoughts. "Or have a reason to be that scared, Sir... I've never seen fear like that in anyone's eyes. He was terrified... And now..." He looked down at his pale, motionless friend as he knelt by the Captain. He reached out and squeezed Lucas' hand. "Come on, Pal. Squeeze my hand. Let me know you're okay."
Katie's eyes pricked with tears at her ex-husband's gentle, but worried tone. Only this child could get such a gentle manner from her normally not especially sensitive ex.
Lucas heard Ben's voice, but he felt no desire to move. He was too tired. He just wanted to sleep. To fall asleep and never wake up. However, the persistent, worried voices wouldn't let him. He felt strong arms lift him up, and was vaguely aware as the crew followed their Captain, Lucas cradled in his arms toward Admiral Noyce. Admiral Noyce... Lucas had always liked the kind-hearted man.
************************************************************************
Lucas was in a restless state of semi-sleep, but he was distantly aware of the Captain setting him down in a small room. He felt a light squeeze on his shoulder, the Captain's soothing voice saying he was going to talk to the admiral. Then the rest of the crew, minus Ben, told him they would be just outside the door.
The teen felt Ben grip his hand as the door closed and he drifted in and out of sleep as the older man had a one sided conversation about his latest scam, and most recent failed love.
Lucas was almost settled into a deep slumber when he heard Ben's disgruntled protest as a strange pair of arms lifted Lucas off the hard mattress. He vaguely made out parts of the heated conversation… here...taking...business...orders...Doctor...General...
He was too weak to protest or call out for Ben and the others, who were arguing with the security, frustration apparent in their voices. They could not argue with the warrant, however, and Lucas quickly found himself in the back of a squad car and moving farther and farther away from his friends.
************************************************************************
Bridger had marched straight into Bill's office and demanded an explanation for the General's abrupt behaviour. What he got upset him even more as the Admiral told him of the new orders.
"I don't know what I can do Nathan. I'm going to appeal this as much as possible, but until then, the boy has to stay in the orphanage."
"For the love of God, Bill. His Father is some rich big-wig scientist, and you're telling me the boy can't be taken home for the duration of the debate?"
Noyce shook his head sadly. "His father doesn't want him home. He's afraid without proper supervision the boy will cause trouble."
"So he acknowledges the fact that he's a terrible father?! He can't even 'supervise' his own son?!" Nathan snapped.
Noyce sighed. "I'm not denying the fact that he's not Dad of the Year, Nathan, but he's a very busy man. A very busy man that is an asset to the UEO, and he has a lot of brass on his side. They'll roll over and fetch for him as long as he continues his invaluable work for us. That includes allowing his son to stay at the orphanage, even though he's not an orphan..."
"He might as well be," Nathan fumed. "Why doesn't he send him to school? Or with relatives, or something?"
Bill shrugged. "I don't know, Nathan. I just don't know. All I can guarantee you is I'm not going down without a fight to get that kid back on the seaQuest. As far as I'm concerned the kid's brighter than his father. He does his work because he enjoys it and wants to help. That Wolenczak seems to work for the money and the power. You know his last experiment almost put the Emperor Penguins on the extinct list? He doesn't care who or what he hurts to get the results he wants. Unfortunately, not enough of the people in office feel the way I do. They're too much like Wolenczak. They just want results." Noyce rubbed the bridge of his nose. Sometimes he hated his job.
"How am I going to tell him thi-" Bridger began, but was interrupted as the admiral's office door burst open.
"Sir! Some people left here with Lucas. They had some warrant or something, I dunno who they were-" Ben gasped out, having charged into the room in a panic.
Bridger spun around to face the Admiral, who sighed.
"The OS. My hands are tied, Nathan. There's nothing I can do."
"OS?" Ben asked, confused. "The Orphan Society? Why the hell are they taking Lucas...Sir?"
Bridger sighed, at a loss. "Please round the crew up and have them report back on the seaQuest. I want the entire senior staff in the Ward room in 0100 hours."
"But Sir, Lucas..."
"You have your orders, Lieutenant."
Ben stared at his Captain, before reluctantly nodding. "Yes sir."
With that he turned and headed back toward the rest of the crew who were worriedly discussing Lucas' disappearance.
************************************************************************
"All this because that SOB didn't like Lucas' attitude? I mean, I know it wasn't one of Lucas' better days, but come on Sir. Shouldn't they be more worried about the teens wielding guns in Miami and the anti-government gangs in Tampa?" Ortiz asked, perplexed.
Bridger sighed. "General Thomas is a jerk, Mr. Ortiz. A jerk that loves showing off his power. But I'm not going to let him win this one. I've scheduled the seaQuest to be put in for repairs over the next two weeks. Noyce has already appealed the decision to have Lucas removed from the seaQuest. The paper work has already been sent. Now we just have to wait for the judges to review it and come to a decision."
"In the meantime, Lucas has to sit in a dingy old orphanage while we have an unscheduled vacation?" Jonathan asked incredulously.
"Afraid so, Jonathan... But, Noyce is requesting visiting rights for us, as we speak."
The others nodded, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Katie spoke up.
"Sir, I may be out of line, but I can't help but wonder about so many things that... that just don't sit right. With me, anyway..."
"What is it, Commander?" Bridger asked patiently, respecting Katie's gut instinct.
"Sir...Lucas is 15 years old. He's a genius with an attitude, but behind all that we know there's a good kid. We know he's a good kid that is incredibly jumpy... defensive... distant... He doesn't fully trust anybody, except maybe Darwin. He hates talking about his life at home, his parents, and do you ever notice the fear in his eyes when someone surprises him? No one could have missed the terror in his eyes and the way he flipped out when the general hit him... the kid is tough, Sir. The smack was uncalled for but it shouldn't have unleashed that kind of reaction. It makes one think... or maybe consider..." She paused, knowing what she was about to stay was a huge accusation.
She didn't get a chance to, though, as Ben finished for her.
"That his father abuses him!"
The crew was more surprised at his bluntness than the accusation itself. They had all considered it, but never wanted to believe it. It was 2018 - domestic abuse should no longer exist. Realistically, they knew that wasn't true, but the thought of someone abusing a child, let alone a child they all knew and liked, was appalling.
"That's quite the accusation, Lieutenant." Bridger said, though he had wondered the same thing.
"And I accept full responsibility for it," Ben replied, face serious.
Bridger sighed. "I've suspected the same thing, but we have to be careful, people. That is a very serious charge... I suggest we try and get something out of Lucas before we repeat this to anyone. Understood?"
They all nodded.
"Alright, you're dismissed. Everyone keep their PALS with you at all times. I'll contact you as soon as I hear more."
Chapter 7 coming ASAP.
Jaimi Copyright@2001
Chapter 6
By: Jaimi
Bridger's heart was in his throat, the blonde teen's cries wrenching at his soul. The security wasn't his, and they wouldn't let him through, or let the boy go, no matter how much he shouted. Lucas' struggles were seen as a threat to the general. The struggle continued, his crwe was shouting at the guards to let the teen go, but their cries fell on deaf ears.
Lucas put up a good fight for a full minute. However, after a few blows from the guards, he lay motionless under the heavy security. The fight had left him. His breathing was laboured. Every inch of his body was covered in sweat, and blood dripped from his lip a guard had back handed him. Bridger's heart broke. He could not get to the boy or he would have stopped it long before. No one would listen. Even he, who was a legend in the UEO, did not have the power to intervene.
"Get him out of here," the general ordered, his voice a disgusted growl.
"No!" Nathan shouted. He stepped forward only to stop as a guard drew his gun and trained it on the Captain in a clear warning. These security personal were taking no chances.
"Captain, you needn't worry about this rebel any more. I'll have him removed from the seaQuest-"
"No!" A few of the other crew argued. Some were silent, in shock.
"Dammit, Thomas. You get these guards to back off and let me through to that boy, NOW!"
"Watch it, Captain! I-"
"What is going on here?" Admiral Noyce's authorative voice cut through the heated exchange. He had just arrived at the commotion, having heard the shouts from inside the nearby UEO building complex.
Though Admiral Noyce held no more power than the General, they were equal, and for that, the crew and Lucas would be eternally grateful.
"Bill!" Nathan shouted frantically to his long time friend. "Tell them to back off, I need to get to Lucas."
Admiral Noyce nodded. He was confused, but he trusted Nathan's judgement. "What the hell happened here?" He asked his long time friend.
It was the general the spoke up. "This little heathen..."
Nathan didn't hear the rest as he was allowed forward. He rushed to the teen's side. The youth was wheezing. His whole body trembled, in fear or exhaustion, Nathan wasn' sure. His eyes were shut, his face pale and his damp, blonde hair clung to his forehead. A bruise was beginning to form near his mouth, where the dripping blood had begun to dry.
The security began backing away. Bridger assumed the Admiral had ordered them to do so, and that his old friend was gaining some control of the situation. His thoughts were confirmed as the rest of the senior crew appeared without a fuss. They looked on as Bridger pulled the boy into his arms.
"Lucas?"
The boy barely had the energy to open his eyes. When he did, they were dull and empty. The struggle had drained his spirit. Nathan strained to listen as he muttered things under his breath. "It's hot...so hot...burning...smoke...the baby...I have to save the baby..." His head started to jerk quickly from side to side, and it seemed as if Lucas was fighting to focus his eyesight on an unseen figure far off in the distance. "My fault...Matthew...hold on...I won't...let go...I won't...sorry...I'm sorry..."
Nathan's brow furrowed at the mumbled nonsense, but he couldn't worry about that right now.
"Shhhh. It's alright now, Kiddo. It's alright."
"No..." Lucas replied, weakly shaking his head.
Bridger pulled the exhausted youth closer. He was puzzled by the boy's defeated tone. What had happened? Why had the teen reacted so badly?
"Is he alright Captain?" Jonathan asked for the rest of the senior staff.
"I don't know, Jonathan. He's exhausted."
"He oughtta be, Sir. He put up one hell of a struggle. He's one tough kid," Miguel said, sounding impressed.
Bridger nodded absently, stroking the boy's hair away from his sweaty brow. "Hmmm. No kid should have to be that tough..."
Ben nodded , adding his thoughts. "Or have a reason to be that scared, Sir... I've never seen fear like that in anyone's eyes. He was terrified... And now..." He looked down at his pale, motionless friend as he knelt by the Captain. He reached out and squeezed Lucas' hand. "Come on, Pal. Squeeze my hand. Let me know you're okay."
Katie's eyes pricked with tears at her ex-husband's gentle, but worried tone. Only this child could get such a gentle manner from her normally not especially sensitive ex.
Lucas heard Ben's voice, but he felt no desire to move. He was too tired. He just wanted to sleep. To fall asleep and never wake up. However, the persistent, worried voices wouldn't let him. He felt strong arms lift him up, and was vaguely aware as the crew followed their Captain, Lucas cradled in his arms toward Admiral Noyce. Admiral Noyce... Lucas had always liked the kind-hearted man.
************************************************************************
Lucas was in a restless state of semi-sleep, but he was distantly aware of the Captain setting him down in a small room. He felt a light squeeze on his shoulder, the Captain's soothing voice saying he was going to talk to the admiral. Then the rest of the crew, minus Ben, told him they would be just outside the door.
The teen felt Ben grip his hand as the door closed and he drifted in and out of sleep as the older man had a one sided conversation about his latest scam, and most recent failed love.
Lucas was almost settled into a deep slumber when he heard Ben's disgruntled protest as a strange pair of arms lifted Lucas off the hard mattress. He vaguely made out parts of the heated conversation… here...taking...business...orders...Doctor...General...
He was too weak to protest or call out for Ben and the others, who were arguing with the security, frustration apparent in their voices. They could not argue with the warrant, however, and Lucas quickly found himself in the back of a squad car and moving farther and farther away from his friends.
************************************************************************
Bridger had marched straight into Bill's office and demanded an explanation for the General's abrupt behaviour. What he got upset him even more as the Admiral told him of the new orders.
"I don't know what I can do Nathan. I'm going to appeal this as much as possible, but until then, the boy has to stay in the orphanage."
"For the love of God, Bill. His Father is some rich big-wig scientist, and you're telling me the boy can't be taken home for the duration of the debate?"
Noyce shook his head sadly. "His father doesn't want him home. He's afraid without proper supervision the boy will cause trouble."
"So he acknowledges the fact that he's a terrible father?! He can't even 'supervise' his own son?!" Nathan snapped.
Noyce sighed. "I'm not denying the fact that he's not Dad of the Year, Nathan, but he's a very busy man. A very busy man that is an asset to the UEO, and he has a lot of brass on his side. They'll roll over and fetch for him as long as he continues his invaluable work for us. That includes allowing his son to stay at the orphanage, even though he's not an orphan..."
"He might as well be," Nathan fumed. "Why doesn't he send him to school? Or with relatives, or something?"
Bill shrugged. "I don't know, Nathan. I just don't know. All I can guarantee you is I'm not going down without a fight to get that kid back on the seaQuest. As far as I'm concerned the kid's brighter than his father. He does his work because he enjoys it and wants to help. That Wolenczak seems to work for the money and the power. You know his last experiment almost put the Emperor Penguins on the extinct list? He doesn't care who or what he hurts to get the results he wants. Unfortunately, not enough of the people in office feel the way I do. They're too much like Wolenczak. They just want results." Noyce rubbed the bridge of his nose. Sometimes he hated his job.
"How am I going to tell him thi-" Bridger began, but was interrupted as the admiral's office door burst open.
"Sir! Some people left here with Lucas. They had some warrant or something, I dunno who they were-" Ben gasped out, having charged into the room in a panic.
Bridger spun around to face the Admiral, who sighed.
"The OS. My hands are tied, Nathan. There's nothing I can do."
"OS?" Ben asked, confused. "The Orphan Society? Why the hell are they taking Lucas...Sir?"
Bridger sighed, at a loss. "Please round the crew up and have them report back on the seaQuest. I want the entire senior staff in the Ward room in 0100 hours."
"But Sir, Lucas..."
"You have your orders, Lieutenant."
Ben stared at his Captain, before reluctantly nodding. "Yes sir."
With that he turned and headed back toward the rest of the crew who were worriedly discussing Lucas' disappearance.
************************************************************************
"All this because that SOB didn't like Lucas' attitude? I mean, I know it wasn't one of Lucas' better days, but come on Sir. Shouldn't they be more worried about the teens wielding guns in Miami and the anti-government gangs in Tampa?" Ortiz asked, perplexed.
Bridger sighed. "General Thomas is a jerk, Mr. Ortiz. A jerk that loves showing off his power. But I'm not going to let him win this one. I've scheduled the seaQuest to be put in for repairs over the next two weeks. Noyce has already appealed the decision to have Lucas removed from the seaQuest. The paper work has already been sent. Now we just have to wait for the judges to review it and come to a decision."
"In the meantime, Lucas has to sit in a dingy old orphanage while we have an unscheduled vacation?" Jonathan asked incredulously.
"Afraid so, Jonathan... But, Noyce is requesting visiting rights for us, as we speak."
The others nodded, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Katie spoke up.
"Sir, I may be out of line, but I can't help but wonder about so many things that... that just don't sit right. With me, anyway..."
"What is it, Commander?" Bridger asked patiently, respecting Katie's gut instinct.
"Sir...Lucas is 15 years old. He's a genius with an attitude, but behind all that we know there's a good kid. We know he's a good kid that is incredibly jumpy... defensive... distant... He doesn't fully trust anybody, except maybe Darwin. He hates talking about his life at home, his parents, and do you ever notice the fear in his eyes when someone surprises him? No one could have missed the terror in his eyes and the way he flipped out when the general hit him... the kid is tough, Sir. The smack was uncalled for but it shouldn't have unleashed that kind of reaction. It makes one think... or maybe consider..." She paused, knowing what she was about to stay was a huge accusation.
She didn't get a chance to, though, as Ben finished for her.
"That his father abuses him!"
The crew was more surprised at his bluntness than the accusation itself. They had all considered it, but never wanted to believe it. It was 2018 - domestic abuse should no longer exist. Realistically, they knew that wasn't true, but the thought of someone abusing a child, let alone a child they all knew and liked, was appalling.
"That's quite the accusation, Lieutenant." Bridger said, though he had wondered the same thing.
"And I accept full responsibility for it," Ben replied, face serious.
Bridger sighed. "I've suspected the same thing, but we have to be careful, people. That is a very serious charge... I suggest we try and get something out of Lucas before we repeat this to anyone. Understood?"
They all nodded.
"Alright, you're dismissed. Everyone keep their PALS with you at all times. I'll contact you as soon as I hear more."
Chapter 7 coming ASAP.
Jaimi Copyright@2001