CHAPTER THREE:
When All Else Fails...

PART ONE: Lonely Lives

Perseid Colony
September 21st

The hauler's life was a lonely one. All you did was run your cargo from one place to the other. It was much the same as the late twentieth century semi truckers. Just the road had changed. More of a challenge. Tanner Cash could barely remember such a time as his father had hung on to the trucking industry as long as he could. Perhaps he still did. Who knew? Cash certainly had not been home for many years. As far as he knew his father could even be dead.

Hell, according to the rumours flying he was lucky not to be dead too. Too many haulers, like him, had gone missing in the past couple of months. Twelve, to be exact. Well, he sure was not going to be one of them. He maneuvered his way past the halfway point and said into the microphone, "Halfway mark and I'm still alive. Looks like you may have to pay off on that bet, Dispatch."

The attractive, almost sultry voice answered him, "I'm counting on it, Cash."

He thanked his luck. Every hauler he talked to, even before the unfortunate string of missing haulers, had never had a date with the voice at the end of that line, much less ever seen her in person. No one knew what Dispatch looked like, or even what her real name was. "First long-hauler in the free zone to score a date with the mysterious," he tried to make that sound sexy. "Dispatch. All I have to do is make one short hop to Djakarta."

"It's a sucker bet all right."

"That's right, and you fell for it," he grinned, even though she couldn't see him but it carried in his voice. "Just like you're going to fall for me. What do you want to do, Dispatch? How about, me and you, we go dancing?"

On that other end, Dispatch had actually been smiling. The last comment made in total innocence wiped that smile of her pretty face. Dancing. She truly wished she could, as she maneuvered her wheelchair to another screen. Managing not to betray how that had saddened her a bit, she said, "Sure, Cash. I'd like that."

If I could actually do it...

Just then another voice broke into their conversation, and Dispatch brought down her veil of professionalism. Constable Elaine Morse ordered, "Hauler 974, give me a full sensor scan of the area around you."

Cash sounded peeved, "Oh, Dispatch, I thought it was just the two of us. We really need a chaperone?"

"I want the scan, Mr. Cash," came Morse's no nonsense tone.

"Been there, done that," he sighed. "I'm all alone."

"Humour me."

Cash shifted his weight to better see around him, and gazed at the sensor screens. Like he had said, "Just me and the fishies."

In the control tower Dispatch and Morse looked at each other, "That's what the other haulers reported just before they disappeared."

"But they didn't have a date with me..." mentioned Dispatch.

Breaking into the conversation, Cash felt the need to lighten things up, "You know, maybe I'll take both of you dancing. I'm the first hauler pilot to make it through from Perseid in three months."

Just then he heard a rumbling, and his ship stopped dead in the water even though the engines were at full ahead. Okay, maybe he wasn't so lucky.... "Cash," came Morse's voice, then all he could hear was static as he was jammed.

He looked out the viewport at the gaping maw and all he could imagine was the legends of sea monsters that his mother had told him in his childhood. Except this was no legend, it was actually swallowing him....

In the control tower the two women worked frantically to re-establish contact with him. Neither could as Dispatch turned to Morse in disbelief, "He's....gone."

September 24th, 2032
seaQuest DSV wardroom
mid-2nd shift

All four people, and the one other on the vid-com, stared at each other for a few moments. McGath was well aware that what he said seemed to be a stretch, but the silence was beginning to make him nervous. Thankfully, Commander Jonathan Ford broke that silence by summing up everyone's question, "The thirteenth hauler from Perseid Colony to disappear in the last three months, and just now they ask for help?"

McGath was at a loss as to what he should answer, and it was fairly obvious in Robert's eyes. He looked over at the captain of the Viscount, Oliver Hudson, who had been a hauler captain before taking the Viscount. If anyone understood what was running in those people's minds, he would. Quite frankly, it looked like he was going to be an asset in this mission. As if on cue, Hudson spoke up and explained, "The kind of person that'll wildcat the ocean floor doesn't like to ask favours from anyone."

Captain Veronique Montail of the Nezamiah added, and Robert could see Ford half stare at her overwhelming French accent, "None of the mining collectives that make up Perzaid Colony have officially requested our assistance."

"Then why's the UEO getting involved?"

Robert sighed, more trouble from Deon. It always seemed to be Deon or Macronesia. "To keep Larry Deon out," answered Robert. "Deon International is the largest corporate purchaser of Perseid's polymetallic ore. It supplies their entire Asian division. Losing that supply's got to be hurting them."

As if to remind everyone that he was still a part of this vid-conference, McGath cut in, "Deon's regional VP from Mid-Atlantic Operations, Dustin Thaw, has offered to send in their own security forces to safeguard the shipments."

"At no matter the cost, I'm sure," responded Hudson. "To the colonists."

"The UEO take no position on private business transactions in the free zone," pointed out McGath.

Instantaneously he was answered with Robert Bridger's baleful glare, and Hudson's as well. He knew what Bridger thought of him, and he tried not to let it get to him. He was not a coward, he just preferred to talk his way out of a situation. Any situation could be solved by diplomacy...

But right now, when it came to certain things, he was not so sure. But he had to keep believing that it would come to a peaceful solution.... even if it meant some peace offerings every so often.

"But if seaQuest and her escorts and solve the problem, that will keep Deon from getting involved, right?" asked Robert.

"Leave the politics to the professionals, Captain," sniffed McGath. "Your orders are to proceed to Perseid Colony and find a solution to the problem."

"With this little information?" Robert practically jumped out of his chair.

Ford leapt in, recognizing the infamous Bridger temper about to rear its ugly head. "Is there anymore information on the disappearances?" he asked.

McGath eyed Robert who had calmed himself, and moved his hand over to the terminate button to end the call as soon as he finished answering the question. Robert Bridger was good, if temperamental sometimes, but that came from being protective of his crew. He didn't want what happened to him to happen to any of them, and it showed even if they didn't quite understand why. He would not like that he was being sent in with no information... "When you reach Perseid, you'll get a full briefing from their Security Chief, Constable Elaine Morse."

With that the connection severed. Thankfully, Robert remained calm, but it was a battle on his part. It was helped though, by seeing his rival's face go ghostly pale in shock. Robert inwardly smirked, and Ford asked Hudson in confusion, "Anything wrong sir?"

Hudson shook his head wordlessly and practically stumbled out of the wardroom. Robert turned to Captain Montail, "Make sure he makes it back okay, Ronnie."

"Of course."

When both captains left the wardroom, Ford turned to Robert, "What was that about?"

"Oh, I'll let him tell you," answered Robert. "It really isn't my place. Suffice it to say they have a history..."

Ford nodded in understanding, his eyes lighting up with the thought that Hudson could possibly have a girlfriend. That he was actually that human...

Vicinity of Perseid Colony
seaQuest DSV Bridge
September 25th, 2032
End of Third shift of previous day.

It was the beginning of his shift. To be truthful, the beginnings of his shift were his favourite. Then he remembered that he was going to have to deal with Hudson today and his past... whatever she was. His past nearly wife? God, that was more confusing than trying to figure out Katie and Ben. Ford stood very near the command chair, looking like he was stretching his back from sitting. "Quiet shift, Commander Ford?" he asked.

Ford jumped and turned around. Nodding his head, he said, "Yes sir. Did you sleep well sir?"

Captain Bridger moved to his chair as Ford moved out of his way. "Like a rock, thank you, Jon. Report."

"WSKRS are on high-range scan. Subfighters are patrolling the area. Oh, Constable Morse will be onboard for a briefing at 2200 hours."

"2200?" asked Robert Bridger, shaking his head.

Ford seemed to nod his head to confirm it, and to counter Bridger's head shaking. "Yes sir."

"Lovely. While we're waiting for her to grace us with her presence..." Robert grinned. "Let's give the crew some well deserved shore leave. Standard rotation, Mr. Ford."

"Yes sir!" Ford seemed to brighten almost instantaneously. "O'Niell, you can have first watch. As for the rest of you, you heard the captain, what the Hell are you waiting for?"

Just then Lucas came in with an armful of papers. He went to the abandoned weapon's station to access the diagnosis. Bridger watched him and shook his head, "Lucas?"

Lucas looked up at him, "Yes, Captain?"

"While you're at it can you do the sensor array? I have a feeling we'll need it," said Robert, leaning back in the command chair.

Lucas nodded, then noticed everyone else had taken off, and that he, Tim O'Niell and Robert Bridger were the only ones still on the bridge. "Uh, sir... isn't the first shift usually more ah, populated than this?"

Tim answered, "The rest of the crew is on shore leave."

"Oh.... oh crap..." Lucas seemed to deflate. "I heard they were using an ultrasonic refinement process and I wanted to check it out."

"The diagnostic won't take that long, Lucas, if you ask the right person to help you out," pointed out Bridger. "But I wouldn't wait too long before likely help splits to their shore leave."

The second shift had started and Lucas was still running the diagnostics. Sometimes he really liked being on seaQuest, other times he found himself wishing he had left with Nathan Bridger. Well, then again, maybe not. What would he be doing there? Nathan was retired, and raising that hellion he called a grandson. Personally Lucas felt he was nuts. He was too old to be constantly chasing that boy. Chase him on week-ends, maybe. That was a grandparent's job. Spoil them on the weekend and then hand them back off to the parents frustration. Lucas grinned, knowing full well what Nathan would have him doing if he had gone with him.

And it was too soon for Lucas to be running after kids anyway. Hell, he was just coming out of his teenage years. No, leave the kid chasing to those ready to have them. Where he was suited him just fine. Granted there were the boring moments... Like now... But usually things were pretty good.

Then what was this hollow feeling?

Ben Kreig wandered the shops in the 'business' district of the colony. He was getting fairly bored and considered hunting down Bobby. Damn, he missed the old times when they could just get into mischief and try to pick up women like they used to. Except Bobby couldn't do that anymore. He was the captain of seaQuest now, and Ben was part of the senior staff. They had responsibilities.

He caught his reflection in a window and stopped for a moment to regard it. He saw the grey just starting to pepper his hair. Hell, he was too old...

Where did that come from, he thought. I'm as old as I feel.

It was strange to consider that as a likelihood. He couldn't believe he had even thought that he was getting old. Then he realized the changes in his personality. When was the last time he said something completely off the wall? Not for a long time. In fact, he had seemed to have a complete personality change since the last time he was on seaQuest. Even Tim had told him that he usually had to make sure that he was Ben. He just had changed so much.

Then again, Tim had been out of the loop for over ten years. Well over ten years, actually, thirteen years, but it only seemed like three to him. Of course Ben had changed. Then he had been in his early thirties. Now he was... forty-six this Spring. Too long. It was exactly like what Crocker had said when he had been on seaQuest a few weeks ago, like the past and the present got jammed together.

While the differences were not easily seen on many of the crew, Ben could see it clearly on Lucas. Lucas, who had been eighteen. Who was now twenty eight, but still eighteen. Everyone wanted 'twenty eight' out of him now. He was expected to act like he was twenty eight, but for Christ's sake, he was only eighteen still!

Ben smiled as he realized what he was doing, again. He sighed. Lucas. He was probably on seaQuest still. Doing a job that a regular twenty eight year old would do. Damn it...

Krieg went back to the seaQuest. Maybe he could help relieve the workload a bit. Give the kid a chance to act eighteen.

He continued his wandering and saw one of the new crew members. He found her cute, really. Sometimes even sweet. He walked up to her... and realized he never did get her name. "Hi," he said. "Fancy meeting you here."

She looked up from her shopping and he saw the large GELF also walk this way. The man was an interesting puzzle to Krieg. Not at all what he had been told about them. He stopped when he saw Krieg and appeared to be about to turn away. Kreig called out, "Dagwood, come back here. There's no need for you to run off."

He came back and the woman smiled. Well, that was a start. So she had a soft spot for Dagwood. Not that he blamed her, how could one not? He was as innocent as a child. She held out her hand, "I'm Lorraine Henderson, but everyone calls me Lonnie."

Lonnie... okay, now he was getting somewhere, and he smiled as he shook her hand, "And I'm Benjamin Krieg, but everyone calls me Ben."

"I'm Dagwood," put in Dagwood, and Krieg patted him on the shoulder.

"I think we met, Dag," he said, and then winked. "But I'm not good with names, sometimes I need a reminder."

Lonnie laughed and he found he liked her laugh, in fact, he liked her. "Can I buy you lunch?" he asked.

She seemed taken aback by this, "But aren't you Lieutenant Commander Kreig?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Well, UEO regulations say..."

"Screw the regulations. I could quit if I wanted to and be well off. I'm only on seaQuest because Bobby, er, Captain Bridger asked me to," Ben pointed out, and then wondered if she noticed his slip.

Judging by the glance between them, they both had caught that. "You knew the Captain... before?"

"I went through the academy with him. Hell, I slept over at his house on leave once because I couldn't afford to go home," Ben smiled sadly. "I remember his Mom. She was a terrific cook and was sure I was underweight. Spent the entire weekend stuffing both me and Bobby as much as she could."

"So you knew Nathan Bridger too?" asked Dagwood.

"Nah, never met him until the first tour," Ben remembered back. "He was always away... jeez, I think they told me three dozen times what ship he was on but I can never remember."

"Ah," said Lonnie. "You know all this talk about food is making me hungry."

"Then let's find a restaurant," suggested Ben, then he turned to Dagwood. "You coming, Dags?"

It took only a moment for the big man to make up his mind, and he went with them. It didn't take them long to find a decent place to eat. It was either this really nice place, the diner that seemed to be frequented by hauler captains, and one other place that no one seemed to go to. The hostess looked up and saw the two of them and Dagwood behind them. Her gaze seemed to settle on Dagwood, but Ben paid it no mind. "How are you doing?" the hostess asked them, still not taking her eyes off Dagwood.

Krieg answered, "We need a table for three."

"Um, you two are welcome," she pointed at Dagwood. "But he's not."

Both Ben and Lonnie were quite taken aback and in his usual manner quipped back before actually thinking, "Why? I though apartheid was abolished fifty years ago?"

Lonnie actually seemed impressed by his answer, and she added, "Yeah, we're not hungry after all."

But Dagwood would not leave it there, "Oh yes you are. Go. Eat."

Lonnie turned and said, "No, Dagwood. We're not going in without you."

"Why would I want to go someplace that I'm not wanted?"

"Why would we want to?" Ben shot an unimpressed glare at the hostess who only shrugged.

Dagwood was beginning to move back and away from them already, and before he disappeared from sight altogether he said, "I am not hungry anyway. I would rather look around. Go. Eat."

A small whisper like voice, Lonnie murmured, "Dagwood?"

Kreig whirled on the hostess and using his best, or worst depending on who was on the receiving end, glare on the hostess who seemed to wither at the barrage he said, "We'll catch up with him later."

They were allowed to enter the restaurant and Ben tried his best to calm down.

But he wouldn't.

Meanwhile Dagwood was wandering around. He was truly surprised sometimes by his friends. They would have actually left that really nice restaurant on account of him. In fact, that Ben Kreig seemed almost incensed by the exclusionary hostess. He had only met Kreig in passing, and heard much, and what was said of him did not match up. Tim said he was insensitive. Why would an insensitive man be so angry on the behalf of someone else? He knew Tim's possible retort. Because Lonnie was there?

But Ben, he got the feeling, would have been incensed whether or not Lonnie was there. It seemed to be his nature. He had heard about some people who made a show as armour. It prevented getting too involved and so prevented getting hurt. From what Dagwood could gather, he shared that trait with the two Bridgers.

It wasn't fair really. Why people would judge him just by looking at him. They didn't know him. They couldn't know him. How could they? They had never met him or spoken to him. If he had done something to deserve it he would understand.

He walked around until he found a restaurant that they had not seen before. At least, he thought it was a restaurant. Dagwood walked in and was instantly surprised. Where as before he had found no GELFs, here that was all he saw. And it was a restaurant. he would have to show Ben and Lonnie this!

He read the sign. No Monochromes. Well, maybe not...

He went to a free table and sat down.

PART TWO: Smoke on the Water

seaQuest DSV
2200 hours (late second shift)

Captain Robert Bridger and Commander Ford waited by the docking area. Ford was due to go on shift in a little under an hour and Bridger had been off since 1500 hours. Both were a little bit annoyed with this Elaine Morse. "Ordinarily I would be asleep right now," said Robert. "That way I would have a bit of time in the morning before going on duty to myself."

"Slow waker?" asked Ford.

"Hmm, a little bit. I don't like to rush unless I have to, and coffee is always better savoured."

"Docking collar pressurized. Clear main door platform," came the computerized voice.

Instantly the Constable was on him, "Glad to see you're taking this situation so seriously, Captain. Tell me, have you granted shore leave to the entire crew?"

Looking over at Ford momentarily, Robert straightened up and said, "Only personnel deemed non-essential to the mission, Constable."

"Welcome aboard," said Ford, holding out his hand.

Elaine shook his hand and said, "I was expecting someone else. Forgive me if I seemed to come down a bit hard on you."

Robert shrugged and smiled, "Forgiven. I can understand how it must of looked. I should have let you know. Hopefully my people aren't causing too much of a ruckus..."

When she smiled finally she had a lovely smile, "No, in fact, they are so much better behaved than the haulers that come through here."

They walked to the wardroom and when Elaine Morse entered Robert whispered to Ford, "Always remember that honey is three times more effective than vinegar... Except when you need vinegar..."

"I'll have to remember that, sir."

They entered the Wardroom and Morse regarded them and said, "I heard that Oliver Hudson was the captain of the seaQuest."

"He isn't. I am," said Robert. "My name is Captain Robert Bridger."

"Elaine Morse," they shook hands.

"Commander Ford, my executive officer."

Once the introductions were taken care of they sat at the table and Robert asked, "Now, what can you tell us about the hauler disappearances."

"Not much, I'm afraid. One minute they are on our sensor screens and the next minute they aren't."

Robert thought on this for a moment, and Ford gave him the time. Morse looked from one man to the other and then said, "Wanna let me in on it?"

"The captain is...."

"I am not!" came Robert's quick answer.

Ford smiled knowingly and said, "Uh huh."

Morse smiled, suddenly catching on and she said, "Oh, I get it now. Captain, there is nothing to be ashamed of. The Gift comes to very few, and quite frankly, it could very handy here. Just think, you could tell me right away if..."

"I'm sorry," said Robert, holding up his hand to quell her. "I would hate to disappoint you, but I am not psychic. However, if you want someone to help who is, there is someone on board. In fact I'm expecting her shortly. I was just trying to listen for footsteps."

Robert saw Ford's eyebrows lift, and could tell that his X-O was disappointed. Then they could all hear the clip-clop of footsteps and a curt knock on the door. Ignoring that he knew it was not Wendy Smith, he tried to cover by saying, "See, I told you she would come soon. Come in."

He knew it was Captain Hudson of the Viscount. But he refused to entertain the fact that it was another sense than his hearing that told him that. Hudson had a very heavy and authoritive step where Smith sounded like she was trying to be quiet, and usually failing due to the nature of her shoes. The knock was also telling. Hudson knocked as if he was trying to knock through the door while Robert had to almost strain to hear Wendy's soft tapping.

Hudson and came in and instantly, if he wasn't half expecting it would have given away right away that Robert was indeed very psychic (in deep denial), because of the tension and sheer emotion as Morse and Hudson laid eyes on each other would have laid him flat on the floor. Wow, he thought. There is definitely a history here...

Elaine Morse stood up and said, "What is he doing here if you're the captain of seaQuest, Captain Bridger?"

Thankfully it was Hudson who answered her, "It's more like Commodore Bridger, actually, and seaQuest is the lead ship. I command one of the ships that back him up, the Viscount."

"Oh, I see," she said as both Bridger and Ford watched this exchange, Ford made a move to try to calm them down.

Robert put a hand on his shoulder and whispered, "Let it be, maybe she'll slip more information if she's emotionally charged."

Ford nodded and moved back to watch. The argued back and forth and true to Robert's hunch, she did drop some more information, as inconsequential as she felt it was. They found out that the hauler's were usually alone on their craft, and were older subs. Not only that she actually expected seaQuest and her vanguard to stay here and escort the haulers to their destinations. Finally, Robert laughed, and they both turned on them. "Do you find this funny?" Morse demanded.

"No, well, actually, yes, extremely," answered Robert once he stopped laughing.

Ford had a distinct feeling of deja vu.

"Captain Hudson, you are dismissed," said Robert. "I think that will be all for today. Constable Morse, you can stay. Commander, I believe it's your watch...."

With that both Hudson and Ford saluted and left Bridger and Morse in the wardroom. He sighed and turned to Morse. "Constable, I believe you and Hudson have a history. I do hope that it will not interfere with your judgement," he began.

"I don't let my personal feelings get in the way."

"Good," he answered. "Because of his background he will be working closely with us."

Ford walked beside Hudson to the docking bays and he finally asked, "What is it, Commander?"

"Well, I just watched you come down pretty hard on Constable Morse. I'm just wondering if it has something else not related to the mission at hand," said Ford. "Since you asked."

Hudson turned and seemed to say something, and only met Ford's bland gaze. "Bad mood. Elaine Morse and I have a history. I was hoping never to see her again."

Ford nodded but never said anything, and his expression seemed to soften, "You seem to know the feeling, Commander."

Ford nodded, "It was a long time ago, in more ways than one. She let me down pretty hard."

"Ah. I met Morse at the alter. I left her there twice," Hudson took a breath and looked slyly at Ford. "Your turn. When the Commodore laughed, the look on your face was rather... unique. Wanna fill me in?"

"Eh, long story. I had a distinct feeling that something very similar happened before on seaQuest," evaded Ford.

"I like long stories, Commander," was that a twinkle of mischief in Hudson's eyes? Nah, Ford figured he was imagining it.

"Well, at the very beginning of the first tour I was showing Captain Nathan Bridger around the seaQuest..."

October 15th, 2032
Vicinity of Perseid Colony
seaQuest DSV wardroom

All three captains, Commander Ford, Elaine Morse and Wendy Smith sat around the wardroom table. Wendy read the other five. Bridger, as usual, was inscrutable. Hudson and Elaine were far more interesting to read, but the emotions she was getting there had very little to do with the mission. Veronique Montail was always in X-O mode where it concerned Bridger, and so that is where Smith focussed her attention there.

What she got was simply amazing. So he was like me! she realized. They both are!

The thought excited her, but she kept it behind her shields. Both Nathan and Robert Bridger were as, maybe even more, psychic than she. It was an exciting prospect. A captain that had that kind of a gift was so in tune with his crew that he fairly was an extension of it. Literally the brain of the entire ship. She realized that was why the seaQuest's crew had been fiercely loyal to Nathan. And the crew was now beginning to warm to Robert in the same way. It was no small wonder that Montail still thought of herself as Bridger's X-O when she was the captain of her own ship.

But that was not the purpose to this meeting. McGath had called them about the fact that no haulers had been lost since they were here. "Congratulations to you all. Not a single hauler has been lost since seaQuest arrive at Perseid. We're very pleased. In fact, Dustin Thaw of Deon International would like to thank you personally."

"That won't be necessary," said Robert.

But he did anyway and as Robert and Smith watched him they both got the same odd feeling. That's it, I'm tired of this. Maybe I am... He glanced over to Smith and he hoped, told her, I have a feeling he's responsible.

Smith sat up very straight at this and stared at him. I have the exact feeling. Nice to finally have you aboard, Captain.

So what do we do?

With great subtlety she sat back and glared at Thaw as he finished his little speech. We try to prove it.

The meeting ended and Ford stayed as Montail, Hudson, and Morse left. He turned to Smith and Robert and said, "Okay. I know you two had a conversation while we weren't looking."

Smith answered, knowing that Robert was still uncomfortable with his gift. "We, uh, sensed that Thaw knew all along... and that he is the guilty party."

Ford looked at them both and asked, "Any ideas on how we are going to prove that?"

Robert thought about it for the next couple of hours until he was extremely sleepy. He looked up at his clock and saw the time. It was getting close to 2100 hours, which was late for him considering he was usually up around 500 hours. He got dressed for bed and lay down.

Not two minutes later he knew who could find out a way to prove Deon was guilty. He sat up and hit the PAL unit on the wall. "Mr. Wolenczak, could you see me at your earliest convenience?"

Robert was very surprised at Lucas's earliest convenience. The very next morning Lucas was waiting for him to come out of his quarters and Robert led into the wardroom. "Lucas, I have a bit of a problem," said Robert. "One that requires your particular skills."

"I haven't hacked in a long time, sir," said Lucas. "And these new systems are really sophisticated. Not that I'm not practising again..."

"No...no, not that skill. I need an idea. We can't seem to see who is the problem. For some reason they can evade our sensors and that of Perseid. I know we haven't solved the problem," Robert was thinking. "I need you to find a way around that."

Lucas leaned back and said, "Well, I was thinking..."

"Yes?"

"If you loaded a hauler to the limit with tracking devices that are loud and hard to miss, and that if you had one our people on board that hauler posing as a hauler captain... once the fish take the bait, they could set off the hooks, er, the devices," finished Lucas.

Robert hugged the kid. "That was such an obvious answer only a genius could think up. Good work, Lucas."

Lucas brushed off the hug, and said, "No problem sir."

October 17th
08:01
Ore Hauler Trojan Horse

Hudson and Morse were both on the hauler. The crew of seaQuest watched. Robert sipped his coffee and listened to the banter between Dispatch and the Hauler. Hudson looked up to the vid-screen and said to the image of Bridger, "This was so brilliant. But why didn't any of us think of it? It should have been the first option!"

Bridger shrugged, "Because we were trying to think of something too complicated. The simple ideas are usually the ones most overlooked."

That gained a full hearted laugh out of Elaine Morse. "Yeah, they are, aren't they. Hopefully it's not too obvious."

"I get the feeling it won't be, seaQuest out," and the vid-screen went blank.

"We're on our own," said Morse.

"Until Deon decides to take the bait."

She sighed and then turned to regard his piloting, "This isn't a subfighter, Oliver. Ease up on your dive plane. Your angle is too steep."

He only looked down at the monitors and sensors, sighed and looked back at her, "It's not that. We just hit a thermocline. The current's shifting. Kick back, enjoy the ride."

She only snorted and went back to what she was doing.

11:23
seaQuest DSV
Bridge

Robert looked over at Lucas who was still working on finding a fault in their sensors, "Still can't find it, Lucas?"

All that earned was a muffled grunt. "If you weren't so distracted it wouldn't be so hard," mentioned Robert. "Your idea was a good one. It my choice to send them out there."

Movement indicated that Lucas had come out from under the console. "Yeah, but what if an idea I tossed off the top of my head kills them? Or doesn't work?" he asked.

Robert walked over to him and leaned against the console, "That is part of giving command decisions, Lucas. But I can't hum and haw wondering if my decision is going to kill someone. If the idea is good and it is all we have I have to make that choice. And there is a saying in command school, 'A captain can be right or wrong, but never indecisive.' I think I don't have to explain why."

Lucas nodded, "I think I understand, sir."

With that Lucas went back under the console and Robert said, "Before I went Command track, I was sensors. Do you need a hand?"

"Actually, that would be helpful, sir," he heard clearly from Lucas.

Robert rolled up sleeves and was very aware of the crew staring at him as he also tried to fit himself under the other part of the console. Robert heard footsteps, "Yes, Lieutenant Ortiz?"

"Sir, the crew would like to know what you're doing."

"Trying to make myself useful," he answered. "Until something happens the captain's function on the bridge can actually be quite boring.... All I do is make decisions, read reports and write reports from what the other reports and myself see. I can do that in half a shift."

He could hear the smile in Ortiz's voice. All the bridge officers, at one point in this tour, had been termed 'Officer of the Day' on a shift. This effectively put them in command of seaQuest for that one shift. Granted, there was more to the captain's job than what Robert just said it was, but right now all they were doing was waiting for something to happen. Everyone else had a job on the bridge, and was doing it. At that moment all the captain was doing was just watching them do it.

Which was extremely boring. There was nothing in the manual that forbid the captain from helping out a subordinate. In fact, he was sure it was the opposite. The two working together would speed up the job.

Robert was not aware of time even passing until he heard footsteps again and he heard clearly, "Captain, I think your watch is up..."

Ben. "How are we doing, Lucas?" asked Robert.

"Just about done, actually."

"I'm helping Lucas," answered Robert. "It was a two person job and only one doing it. Kinda unfair if you ask me."

Ben helped him up and Lucas came out a moment later. "Let me run a check... and yup, we're done," Lucas smiled. "Thanks, Captain, that would have taken me another day by myself."

"Well, in that case, Ben you have the bridge," said Robert. "Have a nice watch."

Robert walked off the bridge, but could hear Lucas right behind him. They both waited for the mag-lev for a second. Robert looked at Lucas. "Is there grease on my face or are you staring at me for a reason, Mr. Wolenczak?"

"No reason. I was thinking how similar you are to your father. But different. You like different things. Your specialties were different too. I think Captain Bridger's specialty was the same as Lonnie Henderson's and Katherine Hitchcock's," Lucas fell silent again.

"You're right, it was. My Dad was 'the Engineer' until he was a Lieutenant Commander, and then I think he still was, but was also in Command track. Then he was an X-O who spoke the Engineer's language, and then soon he was the Captain," when the Mag-lev opened they both sat on the benches. "Crew Quarters. Me, I was a Sensor's man. I could fix things, but only if they had anything to do with the sensors. And then I was an X-O and Captain who could read the sensor's over their shoulder, but I try not to, and know what was going on as well as they could."

"Rumour has it you share talents with Dr. Smith too," said Lucas with a little awe in his voice.

"I do. But I only just figured it out. I was in denial a long time, too..." Robert hesitated. "This makes you uncomfortable. Don't worry too much about it. I can't read minds. And when I learn to I won't read them on purpose."

"It's not you I'm thinking about," laughed Lucas. "And for what's it worth, that only proves your point. No, it's your Dad. I'm wondering if you inherited it from him."

"I have no idea. I could have even got it from my Mom. She always could tell if I was in trouble. But she wrote it off to Motherly Intuition," he answered. "I have no idea if my Dad is or not."

Lucas went quiet, "Sometimes I suspect... But he could never read minds."

Robert went very quiet. "Mind you, it could be possible. He was one of those captains that his hunches never led him wrong. An Engineer that could almost feel what was wrong with the boat without really looking either," he shrugged. "But then that is every good Engineer. They almost commune with the damn boat."

They rode the rest of the way in easy silence.

PART THREE: Fire in the Sky

It was Ford's shift when the alarms went off. "Open a channel!"

The crew person that sat night shift on communications said, "I can't sir. Contact's been lost!"

She seemed almost beside herself, and Ford put his hand on her shoulder, "It wasn't your fault Ensign...This has happened to every hauler. Now we just have to find them."

He turned to the sensors where Brody sat feverishly trying to find them. "They're gone. Sensors can't get a read on anything."

"What about the isotopes?"

"It's as if the hauler was never even there," answered Brody.

Ford looked over where Darwin was just within view. "Well, the sensors may lie, but Darwin won't. I doubt whatever's tricking out sensors is also designed to fool dolphins."

Ford walked quickly over to the moon pool where Darwin picked up on his intentions, "Darwin, I need you to take a swim."

"Darwin swim. Darwin help Ford."

Bridger was there in seconds and Ford never even remembered calling him the bridge. "Report, Mr. Ford."

"The hauler is gone. I sent out Darwin to see if he could get anything."

Bridger nodded and turned to the Ensign on comm. "Get me the Nezamiah and the Viscount."

"Yes sir."

The split screen showed the two officers on watch. As usual, Montail was on duty as night watch. It had always been her preferred shift. Now that she was captain it was her prerogative to take which shift she preferred. Somehow he got the feeling that she never got any complaints. Night shift was an unpopular shift. The X-O of the Viscount seemed to have slight bags under eyes signifying that he was not a night person. "Captain Montail, I need you to stay at Perseid and make sure no one makes a move on it. Commander..."

"Marin, sir."

"Commander Marin, you patrol the inner perimeter. We are going after this mysterious stealer of haulers," ordered Robert. "seaQuest out." They disappeared from the screen. "Commander, when Darwin give us something to go on, tell Fredericks to set herself up in a Spectre and run rear guard. I don't anyone sneaking up on our asses."

"Yes sir."

Lucas came running onto the bridge, "Did we get them?"

Robert looked at Ford and then turned to Lucas, "Remember what I said about right or wrong, but never indecisive?"

"Yeah... oh no. We lost them too," Lucas was a very bright young man.

"Don't worry, guess what that tells me?" asked Robert.

"That whomever is doing it had lots of money on cutting edge technology?" asked Lucas.

"Yup. And only one person can do that... Larry Deon."

Oliver Hudson couldn't hardly believe it. He was a very pragmatic person, but the fact that Robert 'Trust my hunches' Bridger had been so dead right was almost too much to handle. He glared at Dustin Thaw and Thaw only responded with, "Well, this is certainly an unpleasant surprise. And Constable Morse too. Why do I get the feeling that I have been set up?"

"I should have known Bridger was right. I underestimated how Machiavellian Deon could be," spat Hudson.

"Why steal you own shipments?" asked Morse to Thaw.

Hudson answered instead, "So they can bankrupt the mining colonies, take over the claims, and still get their ore."

"The savings from not having to pay for it and the insurance reimbursement more than made up for the cost of the operation. A win-win situation," finished Morse. "Nice set up."

"Larry Deon knows about this, of course?"

"Immaterial... Captain," somehow neither liked Thaw's grin.

Darwin suddenly reappeared in the moon pool on the bridge. Both Ford and Lucas swooped to the moon pool to grab the vocoder, "Water warm."

Captain Bridger turned to Miguel and said, realizing that Ortiz was already ahead of him in resetting the sensors to search for a variance in water temperature, "Thank you, Mr. Ortiz."

"And..." came Ford.

"Got it!" Miguel's exultant voice cut off Ford. "I got a trail of warm water heading due North. It's a sub, all right. I'm picking up micro particles of fuel residue."

A slow flush spread through Ford's face as he remembered that the displacement from a moving vessel caused the surrounding water to heat up. He should have known that right away. It was part of his basic education. Then again, as the Captain had said, Usually the most simple answer is the most overlooked as inconsequential.

Captain Bridger ordered, "Mr. Piccolo, all ahead full. Flood the tubes, Mr. Brody. Sound General Quarters."

The alarm began to blare as they drew closer on the ship. Miguel followed it aware of Bridger's occasional glances over his shoulder. He got the feeling that it wasn't out of doubt of his abilities, it was out of curiosity. "The heat band moves around the end of that ridge. Beyond that, we're out of WKSR range, sir."

"Thank you. Mr. Ortiz, send a WKSR over the ridge on the starboard side."

"Aye sir."

"Status?"

"Three thousand metres and closing," said Miguel.

"Fire torpedoes on my mark, Lieutenant," Bridger sat in the command chair, and Ford moved to his own chair.

Morse and Hudson had managed to slip the guards and escape the brig, and what they saw on the forward screen behind the crew was startling. Hudson moved back out of ear and eyeshot of the bridge, "The seaQuest has found us, and judging by the fact her tubes are flooded, she's going to fire."

"That's not good for us, is it?" asked Morse.

"No, she'll blow us out of the water. Unless of course, we take the ship first and tell Captain Bridger to stand down."

Hudson punched one guard and Morse took out the other. Grabbing his sidearm Hudson snuck up behind Thaw and when Thaw gave the order to fire... "I'd reconsider," said Hudson.

Ortiz turned to face Bridger, "The heat trail's on the other side, sir."

"Coming up behind us," pointed out Ford. "They thought they could sneak up on us."

"Well, then they are in for a nasty surprise, now aren't they?" Bridger then ordered, "Fire aft torpedoes, wide disbursement. Helm, hard to port."

Bridger could barely see over Miguel's shoulder and what he saw... but Miguel reported first, "Incoming transmission."

"Open the channel."

"It's Captain Hudson on a secure channel."

Bridger leaned back in his chair and said, "On speaker."

"seaQuest, this is Captain Hudson. Confirmation -- Alpha One Niner Two. Hold your fire!"

Smiling, Bridger said, "Gladly, Captain. Detonate torpedoes."

"Activating self-destruct."

Faint sounds of explosions went off as the torpedoes detonated long before hitting their intended target. "Want to tell what happened, Oliver?"

"When we get to Perseid, sir. Send over some people and we'll put this crew into custody," said Hudson. "We'll follow you to Perseid."

As they left the wardroom, Oliver Hudson ran into Tony Piccolo. Aware that he was being looked at by a superior officer, he saluted. "At ease," said Hudson. "I heard you were on a mission of self-improvement."

"Yes sir, I'm trying to get my officer's bars."

Hudson fairly thumped the book into Tony's chest, almost knocking the breath out of him. "Consider this a good luck present then."

Tony looked at the old book. It was a hardcover in a dark red binding, "Thank you sir..."

"It's called Red Badge of Courage. It's yours now. Read it."

"I will sir, thank you!" Hudson was actually pleased and even cracked a smile as the reaction had been rather unexpected.

Tony watched as the ordinarily sombre and formal captain left, seemingly in a better mood. Maybe he's not so bad, thought Tony. Maybe under that really gruff exterior is someone actually human...

PART FOUR: All Bets Off

December 10th 2032
Mid-First Shift
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean
seaQuest DSV docking area

Two captains looked at each other and shook hands. "Good luck, Oliver. That is quite the mission," said Bridger. "But given the circumstances, only you could be the one to do it."

"Thank you, Robert," said Hudson. "If I don't come back, I hope you learn to play the violin."

Robert Bridger watched as Hudson left the seaQuest and he said to his retreating back, "You'll return, even if it's to pester me. Dagwood... come back to us, and make sure the good captain's back is covered."

"Yes sir," said Dagwood and then they were both gone.

December 11th 2032
Beginning of Second Shift
seaQuest DSV bridge
Nearing Pearl Harbour

Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Krieg practically bounced onto the bridge for his shift. He was in a good mood, and was determined to stay that way. It was on his shift that they would dock at Pearl, and his Captain was letting him have bridge duty. He could still remember Commander Ford's horrified look when Captain Robert Bridger had said, "It's during his watch. So therefore its his responsibility. I can't look over everyone's shoulder all the time. How did you learn, Commander?"

The response had been, "True, but Krieg?"

"Your memory of him is over ten years old, Jonathan. Let it go, and I have made my decision," with that Ford had no choice but to accept that Krieg would have the bridge when they docked at Pearl.

And Krieg was determined not to let his Captain, who was coincidently also his best friend other than Lucas... Mental Note: Make sure Lucas joins our group, thought Krieg. Man, we'd make an awesome trio! He walked up to the command chair where Robert was and stood just off to the side in an 'at ease'. "Good afternoon, sir," said Ben.

Captain Bridger looked up at Krieg and noted the vibrations that denoted excitement that dwelled under Ben's new found self control. The only noticeable clue that he was excited to be given this much responsibility was that his smile was near super-nova brightness. "Lieutenant Commander, you're in a good mood," mentioned Robert. "Looking forward to some shore leave?"

"Yes sir..." said Krieg absently.

"Looking forward to being in command of seaQuest during a docking, should I say then?" asked Robert, and hint of a smile on his lips.

"Yes sir!" said Krieg brightly. "I have never been in command before this tour... and now I'm being trusted to bring her into dock... It's a gratifying experience."

"Well, so far, even Commander Ford says you have been very good..." and they both laughed. "He doesn't realize that you have changed in the ten years that they were missing. Hell, you've changed in the fifteen that I was missing."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Ben, if you told me twenty years ago that you would be third in command of the flagship, I would have called you crazy," pointed out Robert. "You weren't exactly command material."

Ben's smile dropped off, "Yeah, that is true. I would have called myself crazy. I know I'm not the same. Watching the world go to Hell in not even five years does that."

Tim came on duty and saw Krieg sit in the command chair just as Bridger was leaving. I can't believe it. Lonnie was right... He is in command! He saluted as the captain walked by him. Sitting down at the comm he noticed that he was just early on the shift, but usually command shifts worked a little off the other shifts. "Lieutenant Commander," Tim said amicably.

"Tim, good to see you," said Ben as he went over the reports from last shift.

Tim had to look twice to make sure he was looking at Ben, the real Ben. "Okay, stop it," said Tim finally.

"Stop what?" asked Ben looking up in puzzlement.

"Who are you and what have you done with the real Ben Krieg?"

"I am the real Krieg, Tim. It's been a hard ten years," Ben frowned. "But seeing as we all know each other's rank real well, can we drop the titles? I'm Ben and you're Tim. Kapeesh?"

Tim smiled then and said, "Yeah sure."

Silence dropped again and then Tim had to ask, "So what have you been doing since you left seaQuest, Ben?"

Ben looked up, surprise on his face. He leaned back in the command chair. The old Ben Krieg would have looked strange in it. Like he didn't fit the responsibility enough. The new Ben Krieg still looked strange, but now only because he was a new addition. Responsibility seemed to be a very prominent word that now described him. And Tim was not far off.

"Well, for awhile I wandered from job to job. You know, just being me at the time," answered Ben. "Then I decided that... that wasn't me. What was afraid of? Then I realized it: Success. I was afraid of my own success. I sabotaged everything I touched because I really didn't want to succeed."

"Why?"

"Well, success brought responsibility. I was very afraid of taking responsibility. But I think everyone knew that..." he grinned. "I had a marriage, which I wrecked. I had a career on seaQuest. I left. The pattern was so obvious it was unbelievable."

"And you decided that you had enough."

"Yeah, I did," Ben nodded his head. "So I took stock of my skills and finally put them to their full, and legal, use. I worked in an import/export company for awhile. Then I bought it. I built it up to be a bit bigger than it was, gross more. I made it, and me, successful. Now, granted, there are bigger companies, but I was finally successful. And you know what? It wasn't as bad as I had feared."

Tim turned around in his seat again and then realized... Ben had money. He was successful! "Doesn't that also entail responsibility?"

"Success and responsibility go hand in hand. You don't get one without the other."

The hour an a half seemed to crawl to the both of them as seaQuest made her way to Pearl.

Same day, 17:02
Pearl harbour
seaQuest DSV
Captain's Quarters

Robert was pleased. In fact he was very pleased when Krieg reported over his PAL unit, "Sir, we have a smooth docking in Pearl Harbour. Shall I announce on ship wide that shore leave has been granted?"

"Of course, Lieutenant Commander," answered Robert. "Good job, Ben. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

"Thank you sir."

The comm closed and Robert leaned back in his chair. The good Mr. Ford owed him one hundred dollars... Yes, Ben was very right. Today was a very good day.

Same day, 18:30
Pearl Harbour

Doctor Kristin Westphalen breathed in the fresh Hawaiian air. It had been a long time since she really had to think about this... as she was leaving seaQuest. The last time had been nearly twelve years ago, when she stood on the sands in fear. And watched the seas burn... Fear fed by her love of Nathan and that she would never see him again.

She turned and watched as Lucas Wolenczak also took a huge breath of air behind her. He was going to be studying for his doctorate in Computer Programming soon, and working on his thesis on board seaQuest under her supervision. She was proud of him. That was always a huge step. It almost made her feel like a mother again to think of Lucas. God knew she had all the same worries when it came to him.

Of course thinking about Lucas often led to thinking about her on and off again relationship with Nathan Bridger. Now there was a puzzle. The man clearly never knew what he wanted from the beginning. Of one thing Kristin had been sure of, when they had their last argument, he did not want to be alone. His overriding faith to Carol was preventing him from getting involved with anyone else too far before he felt like he was cheating.

Not to say he didn't love Kristin, she knew that, but he seemed almost torn in two. Then before she could say that she loved him no matter what, and that she could be patient while he got over Carol, he disappeared, and seaQuest with him for ten years. Again, she found herself standing on beaches looking out over the sea, wondering if she would ever see him again. Hoping that she would catch an unlikely glimpse of seaQuest knowing that he would be on it. Would she marry him? Kristin had no idea if he wanted that, but one thing was for sure, the next time she saw him she was not going to let Nathan ever get away again.

Lucas came up to her and asked, "What's the smile about?"

"Plotting for the future," Kristin left it at that, and then took Lucas's arm. "So what are you planning to do on your shore leave?"

Lucas shrugged, quite obviously lost in his own thoughts. "I was thinking of contacting Captain Bridger...uh, Nathan Bridger, that is... but I haven't been able to."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I don't think he's on his island anymore. Even Darwin says that he hasn't seen activity there in months," a slight frown of worry set in. "But he doesn't know..."

Worry set in with Kristin too as she knew about Alexander Bourne's desire to have Nathan Bridger in Macronesia. Or dead. And all witnesses to the fact would have to disappear as well. Deciding not to let Lucas in on that, why add another worry to the young man? "I'm sure he just found another place to call home. He can take care of himself. Remember, he is the Nathan Bridger. The one who just disappeared into thin air, and came back to command seaQuest."

"Yeah, but I heard Captain Robert Bridger and Captain Hudson say that Bourne is afraid of him... and that if he couldn't get the Captain to switch sides he would probably try to kill him," he shivered, remembering the Macronesian president. "And Michael is with him... I would hate to see just how much this Captain Bridger is like the last."

Kristin smiled and rubbed Lucas's shoulder. "That will not happen!" she affirmed. "Nathan will make sure that Bourne never gets him, nor his grandson. Have a little faith in him."

"I hope you're right..." said Lucas, then he brightened. "So about shore leave..."

"Yes, about shore leave. I heard that they built a supersonic train to go to Hong Kong and back on the ocean floor," Kristin winked. "And that in a few days they plan to have the maiden trip. It is an overnight trip there, and an overnight trip back. For a few days we can see the sights in Hong Kong! We have a week, wanna go?"

Lucas's eyes lit up, "Hell, yeah!"

December 13th, 20:05
Boarding docks
Supersonic Train Station in Waikiki

"This is the final boarding call for passengers on the Sub-Surface Supersonic Train from Waikiki, Hawaii to Hong Kong, China. Please board on docking platform 12-B through F."

Robert checked his luggage again as he heard a familiar voice call through the crowd, "Bobby!"

He turned quickly and smiled in joy as his wife suddenly ambushed him. He held her for awhile and then said, "I have two tickets, wanna come with me?"

Cynthia Bridger, nee Westphalen, grinned, "My, this is a surprise! Duh. Of course. Is Ben going?"

"I don't know," answered Robert with a shrug. "But we had better get on board before it leaves without us."

As it was he could see Ben winding his way through the crowds with Ford, Henderson and O'Niell keeping close behind him. But by then Robert was already on board with Cindy and moving them to the cabin he had rented. One he didn't want to share with anyone else but his wife.

As they settled in he could hear the tussle outside. "Are you sure this is where he went?" was clearly Ford.

"Yeah, Jon, and my friend says he is also here with Cindy, so maybe we shouldn't..." that was Ben.

Lonnie quickly added, "We want to meet Mrs. Bridger!"

"Think about this carefully, Lonnie, he's here with his wife, private cabin, do the math..." said Ben.

For a good five minutes silence reigned and Cynthia laughed and opened the door to regard them all as they were trying to listen at the door. "Well, if it isn't my heroes! I never quite though I'd see you here like this," she said.

"Ms. Westphalen?" asked Tim.

"Actually, it's Mrs. Bridger now..."

All of them gaped, except for Ben who had been at the wedding, in shock and then Lonnie regained her voice and grabbed Cindy's hand and shook it, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Now I have a face to put the name with."

Ben shooed them off, except for Ford who was handing money to a pleased looking Robert. Then Ford left in the same direction as Lonnie and Tim. "What was that about?" asked Ben, pointing to the money.

"Oh, Commander Ford learned the hard way that you should never take a bet with a Bridger. We always win," answered Robert.

Ben creased his brow, "What kind of bet?"

"Well, he said that you would never be able to dock the seaQuest. I said you could. In his words 'Wanna bet?', and he lost. I am one hundred dollars richer."

Ben shook his head and then left. Robert turned to gaze at his wife as she took out a piece of luggage that made his fingers go numb enough to drop his wallet to the floor. He closed the door and locked it. Cindy responded by moving the negligee like she was seeing if it would fit her. "Cindy..." he said. "Stop that, or we will miss lunch."

"Hmm, that was not the lunch I had in mind," her smile was almost feral. "Do have any idea what it is like to go without a husband for a couple of months, dear?"

"No, but I imagine you don't know what it's like do go without a wife for the same amount of time..."

"Then we're even," she slid the lingerie onto the bed and sidled up to him. "We can skip lunch."

PART FIVE: The Soap Opera

The four were playing cards in the lounge car and talking. "You know they missed lunch," said Tim.

Krieg grinned, his old type of grin, "Use your imagination Tim. They haven't seen each other in a few months. I have a feeling that they had lunch..."

That elicited a few groans of disgust from around the table. "Okay, the new Ben is more welcome than the old," said Ford. "Can we keep him?"

Krieg nodded, "Sorry, Tim left himself too open, speaking of which...Gin."

This time the rest groaned in frustration, and Lonnie turned her head and focussed on something, "Hey, Lucas is here."

The other three turned around as Lucas walked up the bar, ordered, showed his identification and was promptly laughed at. But the bartender brought him the drink anyway. "But I am twenty-eight..." was Lucas's remark that they could hear clearly.

He turned around, saw them and promptly walked over. "Hi guys, I didn't know you were on board."

"Trouble at the bar, Lucas?" asked Ben.

"Yeah. I wouldn't mind looking a little closer to what I am."

"Think of it this way," started Ford. "When you're forty, you'll only look thirty. Girls like men who preserve well..."

Lonnie punched Ford, and actually hard enough to shift him slightly. "It's the other way around, you boob."

"Who else is here?" asked Lucas. "Dr. Westphalen conned me into coming. We're sharing a cabin."

"Speaking of Westphalen's, her daughter is here," said Tim. "With our captain. Evidently they're married."

Lucas had to sit down. "Whoa, now that is news. I didn't know that they were married. I wonder if Michael is their son?"

Ben answered, "Yes."

The four stared at Ben, and Tim said, "Let me get this straight. Kristin Westphalen is Cynthia's mother. Kristin Westphalen and Nathan Bridger were an item. None of us knows what happened, but they aren't anymore. Now it's Robert Bridger, Nathan's son, and Kristin's daughter Cynthia? Oh, and they have a son, making Nathan and Kristin grandparents."

"It's almost like the Bridgers and the Westphalens were supposed to get together, just not sure on which of the generations," Lonnie added. "Wait, Dr. Westphalen was Captain Bridger's girlfriend? What about Dr. Smith?"

"Captain Bridger dated Lexington Smith, Wendy's mother. But that didn't work out, then later he dated Lex's sister, Carol. That, however, did work out, and he married her. She was Robert's mother. Wendy and Robert are cousins," answered Ford. "You know, maybe we shouldn't talk about the captains this way... It's none of our business."

Lucas sat up and said, "Well, Robert is psychic. Whew, I was worried that he got it from Nathan. But it did come from his Mom."

Tim was shaking his head, "That's not what I overheard! Remember when we found the Library of Alexandria and they sent those psychics to see who the leak was? The woman, Savannah Rossovich told Captain Bridger to his face that he was too."

"Was what?" asked Lonnie, then she figured it out. "Wow."

Ben said, "And we thought Nathan Bridger was famous for that. Remember Terry McShane?"

Blank looks met him, "Azores. Ten days after Captain Bridger took command."

Then they nodded, except for Lonnie, who said, "That was before me, but I heard about the destruction of an Azores Lab."

"That's what I'm talking about," answered Ben, as everyone remembered her. He moved in close conspiratorially, "I overheard this on sea deck as McShane and Bridger had a 'discussion'. Terry McShane had a history with him too, only while he was married."

"You aren't serious!" exclaimed Lonnie. "You could write a book about him and people wouldn't believe you. He's a walking soap opera."

"Okay, maybe we shouldn't be talking about this..." said Ford with an air of finality. "Especially if both he and his son can read our minds."

With that the subject was dropped, then Ben, still in the mood for conspiracy, asked, "I just did the math, Lucas. You said you're twenty-eight."

"I am."

"Shouldn't that be thirty?" asked Ben. "Like, you were sixteen when the first tour started, and that would have out your birth year as 2002. But if you're twenty-eight, your birth year is 2004. Which is the real one?"

"2004 is," answered Lucas. "My Dad lied about my age so Admiral Noyce would actually take me on board seaQuest. Fourteen would have been too young, but sixteen was not. And I turn twenty-eight this year on the twenty third of December."

Lonnie could only stare, "Your Dad put you one seaQuest when you were only fourteen!? Why?"

Lucas shrugged, "As usual, after the divorce, he didn't have time for me. Neither did my Mom. So they figured that the new science vessel would be the best place for me. Don't judge them too harshly. They never laid a hand on me, they just never really... paid much attention. But I never wanted for anything. All my needs were cared for. You could say that Captain Bridger filled a void. And because we didn't know that Robert was alive until recently, I filled a void for him. It actually worked out fine."

That revelation only made Ben want to include Lucas in his and Bobby's group. Bobby had always wanted a brother or a sister, but never got one. Lucas lacked a family really, and if Captain Bridger was more his father than his real one was, then Bobby got his little brother and Lucas got a better family. In a way, Bobby's little brother had quite literally been dropped under his nose. Catching Ben's sudden grin, Lucas said warily, "What is it, Ben?"

"You will have to wait and see..."

December 14th, 10:00
Supersonic train
3/4 to Hong Kong

Robert and Cynthia wandered the train to see the sights. They finally made it to the same car that his crew had been in the previous night. This time it was brightly lit and only half full. But his crew was there. He walked over to them and saw Lonnie look up, and sensed more than a bit of guilt, then she told the group that he and Cindy were walking over to them. "Good Morning Captain, Mrs. Bridger," said Lonnie clearly enough for the entire group to hear.

"Cynthia is fine," she said as they sat down.

Robert looked around at the faces of the five members of his crew. "Is there something I forgot?" he made a motion to look at his fly. "No, I did that up before coming out of our cabin this morning."

"No sir." "Captain?"

He sighed, "When we're on leave, could you kindly not make me stand out like a sore thumb? Robert will do fine. Besides, you're mostly my senior crew anyway. Lucas, stop squirming. If you have something to say, say it, please."

"Dr. Westphalen practically kidnapped me to accompany her on this trip..."

"Is that all?" asked Cynthia, and she laughed. "We don't mind the reunion."

Just then Kristin Westphalen's voice could be heard. "Cindy! Oh, and Robert, too. I guess I should have expected that."

She elbowed her way between Kreig and Lonnie and sat down on the soon crowded table. What had been a small intimate meeting had quicky turned into a larger party. Robert looked around at the group of eight and said, "Is there anymore of the crew here that I don't know about?"

"No, sir, we're it. I think the rest wanted to see Hawaii," answered Ford.

Robert shook his head in wonder that Ford would even know that. "Well, since we're going to be together on this train, what should we do?"

"Gin sounds fun," suggested Tim as he got his decks of cards out. "One really big game."

Ford's eyes grew huge, and looked warily at Robert, "I refuse to gamble anywhere near our Captain."

Except for Ben and Cindy, the rest looked confused. Ben doubled over laughing, and Cindy started to snicker. "I kind of took Jonathan for a hundred bucks recently..." explained Robert. "He learned the hard way that he shouldn't bet anything against a Bridger."

The rest laughed in understanding as Ford had the grace to look sheepish and then he laughed too. "Yeah, you'd think I'd know better after serving two tours with your father."

Just then the lights went out, and their laughter died. Right after the lights came back on. Robert looked over at Ford and mouthed, "Find out what that was, now."

Ford nodded and stood up, and then motioned for Lonnie to come with him. Robert did his best to look relaxed and caressed his wife's arm, noticing as he did so that she was very tense. He then moved her closer and put his arm around her. She relaxed into his arm and leaned her head up against his chest. Cynthia then whispered, "What do you think happened?"

"I'm sure it was nothing, love. But I had Commander Ford check it out."

Robert could sense that it was not all right. In fact the crew of the train was much more nervous than they should be. He closed his eyes and used a relaxing technique that his cousin Wendy had taught him. His eyes flew open as he touched a mind that he had met quite personally before.

Mason Freeman of Deon International.

Commander Ford came back and said, "The crew is quite close mouthed."

Robert slipped away from his wife, whispered to her that he would be back in a second and moved away to speak with Commander Ford. "Freeman is here."

"Deon..." hissed Ford quietly.

"Yeah, I don't think Freeman is on a pleasure Cruise."

They held the make-shift staff meeting in Robert and Cynthia's cabin. It was amazing that al eight managed to fit in the cabin, and even made for some interesting arguments on space. Or the lack thereof. But they settled and Robert said, "Lucas, I need your skills, and I'm talking your particular computer skills. I need to know what the Hell is happening."

"On it," and the young scientist left to find a computer terminal.

Turning to the rest of his crew, he said to Ford, "You will be Lucas's shadow, Commander Ford. Make it look like you are on leave, but as of now our leaves are revoked until further notice."

Ford nodded, and then followed after Lucas. That left a bit of breathing room for the rest of them. "Lieutenant Henderson and O'Niell, be in the ready in case Lucas needs either of your expertise once he finds our what's going down."

"What will I do?" asked Krieg.

"Lieutenant Commander, I need your skills with the seedier side of things. Keep your ear to the ground and to the walls," answered Robert.

Ben grinned and was gone, as well as Henderson and O'Niell. Robert turned around to the Westphalens and said, "Unfortunately, I have no idea what the rest of us will do in the meantime. Doctor... I trust that if it comes down to it I can count on your medical skills?"

Dr. Westphalen nodded, and then pointed out, "Both you and Cynthia should remain together. Like you said, we have to look like we are on leave. I suggest you make it look that way."

She left and Cynthia asked, "What do you think happened?"

Robert sat down on the bed after locking the door. He leaned back in the pillows and said, "That's just it. I don't know. All I know is that Freeman is on board, and that the crew is fearful for some reason. Until we find out what, and if there is anything we can do about it... Does my job ever end?"

Cindy lay beside him and put her head on his chest. "No. That's why you are the captain of the seaQuest. I noticed that no matter what happened or where he was your father also was expected to be on duty in a moments notice," she looked into his face. "And now that responsibility has passed on to you. The UEO thinks you can do this. Your father does. And so does your crew. It's time you did."

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" he kissed her hair and leaned back into the pillows again.

Sleep claimed the both of them.

PART SIX: Destination Terminal

Lucas Wolenczak, the boy wonder of the seaQuest DSV, sat at the terminal as Ford stood unobtrusive watch to make sure no one caught him. He had not hacked in over ten years. He didn't doubt his ability, he just did not know if he would be familiar enough with the new technology that had come out.

He started his routine and instantly the terminal came to life in his hands. Again he allowed himself to surrender to the rhythm that the keys made when he typed. It almost was like music. Percussion as it may be, but it was still music to his ears.

He wondered what people would think if he had ever told them his greatest secret of how he managed to hack so well. Lucas purposely allowed the striking of the keys to become a recognizable beat. Percussion to music he heard, usually in his headphones, but his memory of certain songs was usually enough. A concert for one with no audience save the computer that he would hack into.

For how long he sat there as the keys sang to him he didn't know. Long enough to see that the train did not have a person controlling it, but a computer. And the command chilled him. There was no command to slow down at the Hong Kong station, but one of destruction. They would slam into the solid rock and likely die. He shut down the connection and moved away, allowing the aftereffects of the near trance he always went into to wash over him.

He got up from his chair a bit shakily, "Commander, we have a problem."

Commander Ford followed the shaking Lucas back to Captain Bridger's cabin and knocked on the door. One look on Lucas's face and Robert pulled them both into the small cabin. "What is it?" he asked.

"The train is programmed to slam into the rock face at the Hong Kong station. There is no command to slow down, nor is there to stop," answered Lucas. "It will kill everyone if we don't find a way to stop it."

Cynthia woke up during this last part and said in a quiet voice, "Remember your place in this world, Robert."

Robert hung his head slightly and said, "So we stop this train and save lives. Get everyone back here now... Lucas, do you think you can regain control of the train?"

After a moment Lucas shook his head, "No, sir. I'm good, but I'm not that good. I'd never have it in time."

Scant half an our later all eight were crammed in Robert's cabin again and were briefed. "Okay, everyone, we need an idea, and we need it fast."

The eight looked at each other and it was Westphalen who said, "What about the seaQuest itself?"

They looked at her and the idea began to form in Lucas's mind. "She may be onto something. The train is watertight like a sub and can take pressures of past the depths out there. We can sever the line and have the train itself use the ocean to slow down. The way the programming works is that once the train leaves the tracks it shuts down everything except life support."

Ford had a suddenly ugly thought, "And what if the programming is changed, Lucas?"

"I'd better get on it and shut out Freeman then."

Robert nodded and said, "We have to get a hold of seaQuest and whomever is on duty."

December 14th, 13:09
seaQuest DSV
Bridge

Lieutenant James Brody checked over the bridge again. It sometimes really sucked to be on duty with no one to talk to except the Ensign who did not like him. He sat down in the command chair and set himself up for an extremely long watch. Just then he saw the blinking of an incoming message. Moving from the command chair to communications, and ignoring the Ensign's glare, he pushed the button to accept the call.

And was surprised to see the captain's face, "Good day sir, how is shore leave?"

"Over," answered Captain Bridger. "Have the crew reassemble. Those not on board by 14:00 hours can remain on shore leave until you return. Just don't tell them that or very little will return. Just don't expect Commander Ford, Lieutenant Commander Krieg and Lieutenants O'Niell and Henderson. They are with me, as well as Doctor Westphalen and Mr. Wolenczak."

Brody was intrigued, but didn't say anything as he made sure the Ensign relayed the orders. "We will ship out at 14:00 hours, sir. May I ask where we are going?"

"With all due speed, I need you to get ahead of the new supersonic train and destroy a section of the track, so to speak. It may be the only way to save at least a hundred lives. So as soon as all necessary personnel are on board, disembark and get the seaQuest here," explained Bridger. "Mr. Wolenczak is going make sure that we have life support, or try to stop the train."

"It may be quicker if the Nezamiah went. She is still on patrol," said Brody. "But we are on our way. All necessary personnel are on board. I kept a standing watch."

"Very good, Mr. Brody, then get under way, Bridger out."

Brody quickly moved over to the command chair and ordered the helmsman, "You heard the captain. Get us underway."

The keys sang.

But he was beyond even their song. Someone had designed this computer to almost think for itself and it was trying to shut him out. He was in a desperate battle to keep from getting locked out, and do what he was sent to do.

He had shut out everything that could threaten the focus he needed to be able to hack his way into the system and make it submit to his will.

His identity.

Who was riding on the train and would die if he failed.

Even the train itself was banished to the very back of his mind, out of the forefront. It was him and the computer in a dance for control.

And he was losing.

Ford watched Lucas type. He had never actually seen Lucas when he hacked into a system, but what he saw could not be described as hacking. The degree of focus was unbelievable. It was as if Lucas had pushed all of his consciousness, all of his identity away and all that remained was the sheer skills of a fencer.

Ford had heard Lucas's style of hacking compared to a jazz pianist by Nathan Bridger, but that was not what Ford saw. He was reminded of a swordsman as he fought against an opponent. A feint there, a strike. The focus of the dance that one slip could result in death.

At that moment that was Lucas. The computer system, or in this case the programmer, was the opponent, the computer keyboards the fencing foils, and the computer itself the arena.

The expression on Lucas's face was devoid of any personality or history. Maybe Lucas did not even know who he was at that moment. Just him and the keyboard that was an extension of him. But Ford knew the look that was beginning to stray in now.

Defeat.

Lucas was losing the battle, but still his focus did not waver. If anything the moves only intensified as if by admitting that he was losing meant that now he had nothing to lose, and so threw everything to offense. It was all Ford could do. All he could do was watch.

And pray that Lucas's dying and final strike would be the one that saved them.

Soon Lucas practically collapsed at the keyboard and Ford ran to keep his head from striking the keys. Ford looked at the screen but seeing as it was in 'programmers' mode, he couldn't make heads or tails of it. What he saw on the screen reminded him of an old movie he saw once with Keanu Reeves that was about the entire human race actually being asleep and dreaming, their entire lives ran by a massive virtual reality network called the matrix.

"Lucas, are you okay?" asked Ford.

Slowly the teen snapped out of it and said, "Whoa."

"Whoa is right," agreed Ford. "Well?"

"I couldn't get it to stop or slow down, but I managed to make sure that if seaQuest breaks the track that the train will keep the life support. And the engines will stop. Not only that, I think I managed to lock out the person who did this in the first place," Lucas grinned. "It's not everything... but hopefully its enough."

Ford helped the shaky Lucas to Robert's cabin and laid him down on the bed. Cynthia came over and covered him in a blanket. Lucas was already asleep. "Well?" she asked Ford.

"He couldn't get the train to slow down or stop," he held up his hand as she began to ask more questions. "But he did manage to lock out whomever effected the sabotage. And it was sabotage. The rest... when seaQuest gets here it will be safe to use that plan."

The relief was plain on her face, "That is better than nothing."

Robert came into the cabin and silently noted the sleeping Lucas. "I take that he's done all he could, eh?"

"Yes sir," and for the second time explained what Lucas had told him about the computer.

"Good, because the seaQuest and the Nezamiah are on their way," said Robert. "So Plan B is in effect. We had better take control of the situation that way injuries are minimized. Call the others in here."

Ten minutes had the cabin crowded again and Robert explained what Lucas had done with the computers. His people looked at each other and no one said anything for awhile. Then Tim said, "So take control of the situation... that mean we are officially off shore leave?"

"Yes, it does," answered Bridger. "Make sure everyone on board knows that in the situation at hand, and make sure you tell people it is under control... Nothing more than that... that we, as representatives of the UEO, are in charge of the situation and have everything under control. I don't suppose anyone packed uniforms in their overnight bags?"

No one was truly surprised when all of them, including Robert, held up their hands. "We wear them," ordered Bridger. "If anyone asks, I am in command of this show as of right now. Commander, you will stand outside the door of my cabin and play guard. Make sure only those of our crew, and those I pick from the train's crew, will gain access. Lieutenant Henderson, you and Lieutenant O'Niell will be the message carriers to the passengers. Krieg will tell the train crew. Oh, and Lieutenant Commander, if you see Mason Freeman anywhere, keep an eye on him. All right, you have jobs to do.... Wait, Lonnie."

Lonnie waited and Robert eyed his wife and Dr. Westphalen. Then he grinned, "If you have an extra uniform bring it for Dr. Westphalen. See if Tim or Ben have an extra that my wife could borrow. That way they can help out."

"Yes sir," and then Lonnie left.

He was left alone with the sleeping Lucas and two glaring Westphalens. He rummaged in his luggage until he found his uniform to avoid the glares. "I have an extra uniform for Lucas."

"I am not wearing a military uniform," spat Kristin.

"Neither am I," echoed Cynthia.

Robert sighed and explained, "I need as many UEO personnel on board as possible. Without you I have six. Because no uniform means that you are not UEO, and you won't be listened to."

Cynthia gave in first, but her mother needed more prodding, "Come on, Kristin, it's just for one day. I have seven, with over one hundred people on this train, that amounts to less than seven precent UEO. One more person could make all the difference in the world. If anyone asks, you're a Doctor. As simple as that. The uniform will just make it easier for me to pick you out at a glance."

Finally she too gave in, and Lonnie came back with the extra uniforms. Robert went to the head to change and waited until he heard Kristin say it was okay to come out. When he came out all were in uniform, and those with name tags were wearing them. He was even surprised that Kristin had a name tag, "I got it when I worked in a hospital, we needed clippable tags."

He nodded, and then smiled as she defied him by putting her white doctors jacket on top of the khaki uniform. "Now not only am I UEO, I'm a Doctor, and people will see that. Hopefully I stick out enough for you."

"Yes, actually, you do," he poked his head outside the door and found Ford in his position. "Ladies, this is what I need you to do. Hang close to the others, Cynthia, you go with O'Niell and Henderson to help keep people calm, and Dr. Westphalen, obviously..."

"I take care of any injuries, right? Considering I am the doctor."

Sometimes Kristin Westphalen could be as snarky as they came, and considering that he had pretty much told her to wear a military uniform he knew he was going to be getting the brunt of it for the next while. In fact, he would be very surprised if he ever did hear the end of it. Just then the door opened and a train crew member, security by the looks of him, entered. He was clearly taken aback my the amount of UEO standing in that room.

"Captain, I was told by a Lieutenant Commander Krieg that you are now assuming 'command' of this train for the protection of the crew and her passengers, may I ask why?" the man said with no preamble.

"Yes, you may. But you won't like the answer," answered Bridger. "The train was sabotaged and programmed to ram itself at the Hong Kong terminal. That would, of course, likely kill everyone. We have a plan of action to prevent the loss of life, but need the full cooperation of your crew to keep the passengers calm."

The train security just stared at him in shock, and then cleared his throat, "My God in Heaven. You were right. I don't like that answer. So what's the plan? Count us in."

Bridger explained that his computer Analyst, he didn't say hacker, made sure that the damage was as controlled as possible, but could not shake the course. He then told him his plan, "The seaQuest will sever the track at the next turn in the tracks so the train derails. Mr. Wolenczak managed to reprogram it that much that the train's engines would shut down upon this happening, and that life support would not be comprised. If we can make sure that the passengers are secured, no one should be hurt too badly."

The security chief sat down in the one chair and said, "Damn... As much as I know that is the best we can do under the circumstances, are you sure that's the only option?"

"The next turn in the tracks in the last. And Captain Montail has already severed it. The water will also act as a buffer, but we need to make sure that everyone is strapped in. It will still be a bumpy ride," Bridger turned to regard Lucas as he stirred and sat up, still in the civilian clothes.

He picked up the military uniform, noted that both Westphalens were in uniform. His quick mind picked up Bridger's plan and he grabbed the uniform and went into the head to change. Man, is this going to feel weird... and I think these are Robert's... He checked. Yup, they are.

Lucas came back out in the uniform. "Sir?"

"Good morning, uh... Ensign.... Wolenczak. I was just telling the security chief here..." Robert pointed to the train's security chief. "What our situation is. Ensign Wolenczak, this is Chief Hung of the Hong Kong Train Authority. Chief, this is Ensign LucasWolenczak, the Computer Analyst I was telling you about. He keeps the software running on board the seaQuest."

Hung shook Lucas's hand, "Ensign, you honestly tried your best. And I have a feeling that the command to ram us into a rock face was the most guarded. At least you got us the chance we have..."

"Thank you, sir. I just wish I could have done better," Lucas, Robert admitted, was a very good actor and pulled off the 'I am a Navy Ensign' act off very well...so well he would have believed him.

"Dismissed, Ensign," said Robert, motioning him to go stand outside the hall, and as he went past. "Go find Krieg, and see what help you can give him."

Lucas saluted before he left, a very accurate salute, and was gone. The meeting with the chief went very quick, and then Kreig and Lucas returned. "This feels very weird, sir. I think I'm going to stay science," said Lucas upon entering.

"That's really too bad. You would have been an excellent officer, I think," responded Robert. "Now all we have to do is make sure all the passengers are secure."

"I heard it was Montail that severed the track. Does this mean that seaQuest has not made it?" asked Krieg.

Robert sighed, "Unfortunately, yes, it does. But they are not too far away. When we jump track they will be there for Search and Rescue. We have less than an hour, people. Let's get to work."

The seaQuest at least made it for the show as the train went through the hole in the track-tube and landed gracefully on her wheels on the ocean floor. Granted, it was a rather sudden stop, but at least everyone lived.

Doctor Westphalen reported, and treated, very few passenger and train crew injuries. Everyone had been prepared.

Robert Bridger walked onto the bridge of the seaQuest and nodded as Brody stood at sharp attention and saluted. He nodded because the seaQuest crew on the train had taken the worst of the injuries. His own right arm was in a sling from a dislocated shoulder. Robert had escaped med-bay for the moment to check how his ship was. "As you were," said Robert. "Report, Lieutenant."

"The passengers only had one case of whiplash. The train crew had a few bruises, but nothing serious. The seaQuest crew on the train... well, Commander Ford has one hell of a bruise on his temple, but no concussion. Lucas got away with naught but an elbow in the face from Dr. Westphalen, and she's nursing a broken wrist. That is the extent of it."

At that moment, an incoming call came in from UEO headquarters. "On screen, Mr. O'Niell," ordered Robert.

McGath appeared on the screen, "Captain, I hear you had an interesting shore leave. Unfortunately, you can't go back on it. I am sending you to the Mariana Trench where you will relieve Admiral Vanalden of his post and see what the Hell happened to our people down there."

Robert's eyebrows creased, "Didn't you send Captain Hudson and the Viscount to do that?"

"The Viscount has been destroyed. We have every reason to believe that she went down with all hands on board. I'm sorry Robert, but your battle group is down to two ships. We can't afford to give you another one. You have your orders. McGath out."

Captain Robert Eric Bridger could only stare at the screen in shocked silence, as well as the rest of the seaQuest crew. Three had become two.

And Oliver Hudson was dead.