CHAPTER EIGHT:
Out of Time
PART ONE: Decisions
April 31st, 2033
Nathan Bridger's Island
Carribean Sea,
off the Coast of the Yucatan
Nathan Hale Bridger leaned back in the swing hammock he had set up on his island and stared off into the setting sun. He still had not made up his mind on whether to stay on seaQuest, but that was okay since everyone was on shore leave anyway. He had enough time to think about it. It was not that he wouldn't be welcome, his old crew had made it clear that he would be.
He was still not sure if that was his place.
2018
Bridger stalked around the quarters that, if Bill Noyce had his way, would shortly be his. The holographic image of the Professor asked, "Then why did you come back?"
Why had he indeed? His answer at that time was that he missed the effect of the sea. Now that he knew that he was very psychic he realized that it was the buffer between him and the intruding thoughts of others. No wonder his niece Wendy always liked the seaQuest. Before he had known, and had been awakened, it was because of the bereft Lucas.
That poor boy... now that truly incredible young man who had proved his worth over and over. Dr. Lucas Wolenczak... he had come so far from that cocky fourteen year old with a problem attitude. Bridger, when he allowed himself such moments, liked to think that the way Lucas had turned out was partially due to his influence.
But he knew better. If Lucas had followed his influence he would be in a UEO military uniform, thanks to the not so subtle prodding of Oliver Hudson and, ironically, Bridger's own son Robert.
No, the way he had turned out was due more to the way Dr. Kristin Westphalen had influenced him.
Ah, Kristin. After Lucas the reason he stayed was largely due to the fact that if he left he would have also left her behind. And once one meets Kristin they can never go back to the way they were. Speaking of whom, he watched her swim just off the end of the dock.
The reason he wasn't swimming with her was that he had never truly recovered from his bout with pneumonia and whatever else had infected him in February. Granted, it had only been a few months and at his age he could not be expected to recover at the same speed as everyone else, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else. But he had decided that it would be better to wait it out and not worry anybody needlessly. He was getting old, and pneumonia took awhile to recover from.
Kristin came up to him, "Penny for your thoughts?"
"Just thinking," he answered. "About the changes that have happened. Maybe I'm finally realising just how much of a fossil I am."
Kristin sat beside him on the dock and he reached out and touched her hair, "You're not a fossil. Out of touch, but that is to be expected after your past ten years. You literally disappeared off the face of the planet, Nathan. Give yourself time to catch up."
He nodded in agreement, even though he knew she couldn't see him. "Kristin..."
"Yes, Nathan?"
"I accept."
For a moment she crinkled her brow in thought, clearly not knowing what he was talking about. "Accept what?"
"The CSO position on seaQuest," he answered.
She turned to face him, clearly in glee. "You finally made up your mind!" she hugged him, then abruptly pulled back. "I'm going to go call Robert before you change your mind."
He watched her run up the steps into the rebuilt house. He had made it bigger to accommodate Robert and his family. Instead of two houses, there was two wings, one for Nathan, Kristin and Lucas (if he ever came back), and one for Robert and his new family. He saw Kristin turn and run into Robert's wing and he could hear clearly, "If you two don't stop that you'll make Michael a little brother or sister!"
Nathan laughed, and the conversation went unhearable, so he subtly used his new senses and smiled at the reaction of surprise and happiness. He went back to the book. Well, at least he made them happy. A small hand touched his shoulder, "Are you going back to the seaQuest?"
Turning his head to look at his grandson, he answered, "Yes."
Michael hugged him, "I'll miss you. But that is where you belong."
"You'll see me again..." Bridger regarded his grandson as the child worried at his lower lip. Bridger scooped him up, "Now, what's wrong?"
"You're sick..."
"Yes, but I will get better," smiled Bridger.
Michael shook his head, "No." He touched him in the chest. "You're sick here. It isn't something that gets better. But seaQuest is where you belong."
Kristin came down the steps with Cynthia and Robert, and Michael hopped off the hammock and ran to them, "Grampa decided to go out of retirement!"
Nathan got out of the hammock and stood up, Kristin noticed the haunted look on his face as she came up to him. He shook his head to stave off any questions and smiled at Robert and Cynthia. "Well, I guess she already told you, eh?"
"Yeah, she did," Robert hugged him. "Imagine that, you and I on the same boat!"
Nathan nodded and looked at his grandson who seemed to be as haunted as he was.
May 9th, 2033
seaQuest DSV
Nathan sat in his new quarters and marvelled at the strangeness. Robert had decided to not tell anyone until he was 'introduced' in the staff meeting. He grinned, at the surprise that he knew would be on everyone's faces, and that Robert was probably looking dejected on the bridge right now. The better to make everyone think Nathan had turned them down.
He had not dressed in the aquamarine blue science uniform yet. His name tag was still missing from it. Still grinning at the reason for it, "Dad, you never wore a name tag for two tours as captain, and if no one know who you are yet, even if you went science, they will before long! Besides, how else will the surprise be sprung if they knew who the uniform was for?"
It was the original design of the science and military seaQuest jumpsuits, which was more comfortable than the new ones. He had hated the new ones, probably why he had stuck with the tan uniform most of the time. The new jumpsuit looked too much like a work suit than a uniform. The military had stayed with the new suits, and the science team, thankfully, refused to have them 'updated'.
In the wardroom Robert called the meeting to order as he looked at the clock. "As you know, Dr. Westphalen decided to resign as the CSO in order to take over Dr. Smith's vacated position of CMO," he began and sighed. Where the Hell are you Dad?
Mag-lev, came the mental answer. I'll be there shortly. Have to make sure I'm not seen.
He bemusedly saw the reactions to his disappointed sigh, and inwardly grinned as the senior officers looked at each other a bit crestfallen. "Your father didn't take the position?" asked Fredericks.
"That's the purpose of the meeting... To introduce the new CSO, when he gets here," answered Robert, when a knock sounded. That had better be you...
It is me.
Robert sighed again and opened the door. Nathan Bridger strolled in and asked innocently, "Am I late?"
The wardroom became instant pandemonia. Ford was up and pumping his hand and Lonnie was hugging him. The rest were on their feet. Then Lucas said, "This was a set up, wasn't it?"
Robert and Nathan grinned, almost mirror images of each other. "Now would we do," began Robert.
"Something like that?" finished his father, not even missing a beat
The meeting broke up and Robert would have had to been blind not to notice that everyone left a little brighter. His father winked and headed out, "I should see to my new office..."
That left Robert and Ben in the wardroom, and Ben said, "Him being here lifted morale."
"That much I noticed," answered Robert. "His crew must have loved him dearly to miss him like that. He truly belongs here."
Ben said, "He does, but it took Lucas and Kristin to make him realise it. He would have never stayed if not for Lucas, and Kristin only cemented his place on board."
Ben left and Robert, lost in his thoughts remembered the haunted look that had been on his father's face that day on the island. And try as he might, he did not seem as recovered as he should. Something else seemed to lurk under the surface.
PART TWO: All Good Things
"Are you sure?" he asked her.
Kristin Westphalen sadly nodded and hugged him, her professional shell cracking. "It's not fair!" she said. "I just got you back and now life is going to take you away from me again."
Bridger slid off the examining table and sighed, "I should have known it was a stupid move when I did it. But..." He shrugged. "I guess I can't go back and fix it."
Westphalen helped him zip up the science jumpsuit that was a twin of hers and she said, "There is a small chance it can be beaten, Nathan. But even the condition is rare. The treatment for Lukahn Syndrome is on the surface..."
"I will not live my life in a hospital," said Bridger resolutely. "And I will certainly not die in one if it comes to that."
Westphalen stared into his deep blue eyes, "Nathan, I can't force you to go." She hugged him again in frustration. "Why did this have to happen?"
Bridger looked at the floor, the emotions running around like his thoughts. The realisation that he was going to die here in the too near future was almost too much to bear. There was also relief that since his son was alive, as well as married and with a family that his family line would live on. There was also the seaQuest, a legacy in itself.
Which would also likely be the place where he died. "In your professional opinion, Kris, how long?"
She looked down to the same place he was staring at on the floor. "...Maybe, three months if you take it easy. Which I know you won't. The deterioration will continue its course and... a month and a half."
"Six weeks," Bridger closed his eyes. "Six weeks... I better make them count."
He kissed her and said, "And if I went for the treatment?"
She shook her head, "And this point there is no guarantee. In fact, in would be a shot in the dark and you would still probably die."
He looked her in the eyes, lifting her chin in his hands, "I have no right to ask this of you, but I would prefer to make every minute count. I would rather have married you and had more time to be your husband."
Turning from him, "I was hoping and dreading you would ask." Looking at him squarely in the eye she continued, "But if I can make you happy that way, then I accept."
"Kristin, I am also going to ask something of you that will be very hard to do, given the circumstances. Please don't tell anyone of this. I don't want to be treated like glass, and if they knew I was going to die in maybe six weeks, you know them..." he trailed off. "I would never be able to do anything. Also swear that you won't let me die in medbay. It's as bad as dying in a hospital."
He was rather surprised when she turned and locked herself in the head of medbay. Going to the door, he tapped on it and could hear her tears. "Kristin, please..." he pleaded.
If anything she only cried harder, and he forced the door open and gathered her up in his arms. "I will never forget you," she said into his shoulder.
"Nor I you, wherever I am."
May 12th.
Tim O'Neill was having a good day. His online girlfriend was getting more serious with him and seemed to be opening up more. He whistled as he swung himself into the communications seat for his shift and noticed that it was Krieg on the morning watch again. Another command shuffle. Then he noticed that it was Captain Robert Bridger who was just coming off shift. "Sir," he greeted.
"Ah, Lieutenant O'Niell. When you have a moment can I speak with you in the wardroom?" even though it was worded as a question, and a brightly asked one, he knew that it was an order. "Anytime before 12:00 hours."
"Of course sir..." answered O'Niell, unsure what to think.
Then it was Krieg in command, seeming much recovered from his ordeal at Deon's hands. "Any interesting com activity out there, Tim?" he asked.
"No sir," answered Tim.
A few hours later he walked to the wardroom and knocked on the door. "Come in," came Captain Bridger's voice and Tim entered.
On the wardroom table in front of Bridger could clearly be seen Tim's service record. "Come in, and have a seat. Oh and close the door."
Tim closed the door behind him and sat down nervously. Hopefully whatever he had done was not going to be too serious. "Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Timothy Mack O'Niell," stated Robert. "Everything in this room is official and will be in a full report later. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir."
Robert nodded and continued, "Having investigated your share in the actions of March 3rd 2033 and your record, it is the decision of the United Earth Oceans Organization to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant with all due responsibilities and privileges. Do you understand?"
Tim sat with his mouth open in shock. "I've been promoted?"
"It would certainly appear so!" laughed Robert. "Congratulations, Lieutenant."
He stood and offered his hand to Tim to shake. Tim got up slowly as if he didn't trust his ability to do so. He shook Robert's hand, and Robert handed him the new name patch and rank bars. Tim looked at them and shook his head in wonder. "The UEO also wants me to ask you to seriously consider command track instead of technical."
Tim shook his head, "Nah, I think I'll wait on it."
Tim exited the wardroom and looked at his new name tag and rank bars and shook his head in disbelief. He almost ran to his quarters to secure the new patches onto his other uniform. Dressing in the 'new uniform' he went back to the bridge. Krieg turned and said, "What the... oh! Congratulations man!"
"Yeah, I finally made full Lieutenant!" exclaimed Tim and then quieter so only Ben could hear. "And, while I'm still the communications Chief, I am now the fourth in command."
Ben gave him a high five. "That is amazing, Tim. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. You feel any different?"
"Nah, well, maybe a little better about myself. If they think I'm worth it then maybe I can give myself a little credit. Then again, it hasn't exactly sank in yet," Tim sat down in the com chair and set his headset on his head, and the smile fell off his face. "Sir... I'm getting a strange signal..."
"On speakers," ordered Krieg.
"Attention UEO vessel, this is Lieutenant Kimura of the Chaodai. Requesting permission to board... expecting pursuit and requesting back up."
"Chaodai vessel, how many are aboard?" asked Krieg into his headset.
"Just me."
Krieg switched channels, "Security personnel to Launch Bay." Switching back to Kimura, "Permission to board granted."
Tim read Krieg's look, "Captain to Launch Bay."
Robert stood in the Launch bay, but to the back of it so that the security officers were between him and the hatch. The hatch cycled open and a lone Japanese woman entered the seaQuest and put her hands behind her head and knelt on the deck plating. "I request political asylum from the UEO," she said and Krieg whispered in his ear.
"That's her Bobby, I'd recognize that voice anywhere."
Robert nodded and stepped forward, "On the behalf of the United Earth Oceans Organization, you have it."
She stood up and allowed Shan to search her, "She's clean, Captain."
"Anyone else with her?"
Shan checked her single seater sea fighter with a scanner, "No sir, she's alone."
Robert stepped up to her and in traditional Japanese decorum, bowed. She bowed back, although a little more graceful and practised than he was. He offered his hand, and she shook, obviously familiar with Western customs. "Captain Robert Bridger of the UEO vessel seaQuest DSV," he introduced himself.
"Lieutenant Kimura Heiko, formally of the Chaodai. Fighter sub pilot," she answered. "Sir, I have some information that will help you defeat Macronesia, and a warning of the impending strike to UEO HQ by the Chaodai."
Robert nodded and said, "Then, after you have been cleared, you will be brought to the wardroom and tell me, and the Secretary General of the UEO, what the new threat is."
She bowed her acquiesce and Chief Shan led her away to the security offices. Robert walked towards the wardroom with Krieg at his elbow. "Sir, as much as I would love to continue this, but I must get back to the bridge," said Ben, strangely formal. Robert raised an eyebrow. "Have to set a good example now that people actually look up to me."
Robert snorted once in good humour and Ben took off towards the bridge. Robert walked past the medbay and saw Westphalen rubbing her eyes. He could sense the grief rolling off her in waves. "Kristin?" he asked and she looked up and tried to clear her face of the sorrow that seemed to almost overwhelm her.
"Robert... what a pleasant surprise," she said. "Is there anything wrong?"
"I was going to ask you that."
She beckoned him in and back into her office, "He swore me to secrecy but if you read my mind I can't break my promise."
"But I..." then he was overwhelmed by grief... and images of his father.
His father was very ill, and then he realised, My God, my Dad is dying. He's dying... he only has six weeks left...
After the experience she broke into tears, and Robert tried to quell his own. He patted her shoulder and futilely tried to console her. After awhile he called one her nurses and left them. He knew precisely where to find his father. Entering the Geology lab he stopped when he saw his father deep in concentration, poring over a rock core sample. "Dad?"
"Hmm?"
Robert walked towards him and took him in. He was thinner and paler than he remembered. In fact, now that he knew, Robert could not believe he missed it. It was there, the gradual deterioration of whatever was eating away Nathan Bridger from the inside out. "Dad, I... I know."
His father took off his reading glasses and put them on the table. "She told you. Dammit, I asked her not to."
"She was crying her eyes out, and practically broadcasting it on wideband. Ben could have sensed it," the irony in Robert's tone was not lost on his father and he laughed. "I think I deserved to know, and there is others who do as well... And what the Hell are you still doing here if..."
Not able to finish the sentence he said, "Why did you decide to live it out here and not on the island?"
"In the words of Michael, this is where I belong. He knew before I did..." Nathan looked at his son. "If I didn't know better I'd say he got a certain gift from us."
Robert leaned on a table, then his PAL went off, "Bridger."
"Sir, Kimura cleared and we are taking her to the wardroom."
"Thank you, Mr. Shan," Robert said and turned to leave. "Dad, don't keep this a secret. There are people on this boat who deserve to know before you actually..."
"I promise I'll tell them," his father said quietly.
Robert sat in the wardroom across from Kimura. Security was right outside the door, and Shan was standing beside her. Robert ordered him, "Outside, Mr. Shan. I will call you when I need you."
"But sir...!"
"She won't hurt me. She may tell me something that will alarm me, but she won't hurt me," Robert clarified. "Now out."
Shan saluted and exited the wardroom, "Lieutenant O'Niell, did you get Secretary McGath for me yet?"
"Yes sir," came O'Niell's voice.
McGath appeared on the screen and said, "What is the emergency, Captain Bridger?"
Robert gestured to Kimura, "The lady has some information for us. Allow me to introduce Lieutenant Heiko Kimura, formally a Chaodai Sub Fighter pilot."
"Sirs, what I have to tell you is vital to the UEO's survival," she began. "The Chaodai are planning a strike on your HQ."
She outlined the plans that she had received, and how they tied in to the Chaodai, as well as where they planned to strike. "They are also planning to attack the seaQuest and take Captain Nathan Bridger hostage. They know he is, or was, here. The Chaodai President wants very much more ships, and believes that Captain Bridger would design them."
Robert snorted and said, "My father would never help them even if it meant his death."
Kimura nodded, "That much they believe, but they will try anyway. If they can't have them then they would see him assassinated. That is the next thing. The Chaodai are using biological weapons. A fighter sub of ours was dispatched a few months ago to release a toxin into an area of the ocean. That very area is where the seaQuest were... and they called the experiment a failure. You were not supposed be able to find an antigen to the virus."
His blood ran cold. His father had never recovered from that. "Lieutenant, do the Chaodai have the antigen... the real antigen?"
Kimura looked at him curiously, "Of course. They may be homicidal, but they weren't stupid."
"Mr. Secretary, I'll get back to you," and Robert cut the transmission off midway. "Lieutenant, what are the symptoms of the virus?"
"It mimics Lukahn Syndrome," she answered after awhile. "It attacks the red blood cells and results in irreversible anaemia. Eventually, it moves into the heart and affects the heart muscle itself, causing atrophy. Once it gets to the heart the victim is finished. Thankfully, the virus is incommunicable."
Robert pulled her out her seat and said, "Do you know how to make the actual antigen?"
"No."
"Do you know where they keep it?"
She thought a moment, "Yes."
Robert practically dragged her to med bay, "Dr. Westphalen!"
Westphalen came running at the sound of his voice, "What is it? Who is she?"
He ushered them both into Kristin's office and closed the door behind him, "Does my father have Lukahn Syndrome?"
Westphalen nodded and Robert continued, "How is it different from other Lukahn's cases?"
"Well, normally Lukahn's starts in the blood, but with your father it seemed to start in the lymphatic glands and then for some reason 'jumped' into his blood..." Westphalen answered. "Why?"
Robert turned to the paling Kimura, "Is this a sign of the Chaodai Bio-Weapon you were telling me about?"
She nodded and sank into the chair and Westphalen asked, "What is going on? What Bio..." Then it sank in. "Oh my God, Nathan."
Robert nodded sombrely, "There is a cure, and this young lady knows where to find it. We just have to get it in time."
"Your father has only six weeks," said Westphalen. "It has already started to atrophy the heart muscle."
Kimura shook her head, "It is too late for him, but not for anyone else the Chaodai can infect."
"The Hell it is if you have a way to arrest the development. Nathan Bridger can live for a long time, even with a damaged heart, so long as we stop the damage from spreading," answered Westphalen.
Robert turned to Shan, "Call an emergency senior staff meeting."
A few hours later the senior staff, including his father, sat in the wardroom. Robert leaned forward and took noted of the faces. Captain Montail of the Nezamiah sat to one side of him. "What I am about to say does not leave this room," began Robert. "I'm sorry Dad. Earlier today we accepted the request of political asylum from a Chaodai by the name of Heiko Kimura. She told us that the Chaodai were planning attacks on key UEO places and ships. That includes the seaQuest. That is the minor detail. She also told me that the Chaodai are experimenting with Bio-warfare. One such experiment they tested recently with mixed results. Suffice it to say that the end result was to infect people with a Lukahn Syndrome Mimic."
His father turned pale very suddenly and Robert stood, but his father waved him off, "That just took me by surprise. I'll be fine."
Robert shook his head, "The mixed results is that by and large, it failed to infect us with Lukahn's. All except one of us, anyway." He pointed to his father. "As you won't know, my father is dying from Lukahn's Syndrome. He doesn't know where he acquired it, but it is advanced enough that he has been given only six weeks to live."
The crew looked at Bridger, most of them in shock and Ford braced the elder Bridger who was paler. Robert continued, "But given the time frame and the rate of damage being done, it fits with the Chaodai virus."
"So this isn't natural?" asked Henderson, clearly shocked.
Robert shook his head, "But there is some good news, as wan as it may be. Kimura gave us the coordinates of the lab. If we can get in and get back out without being seen or hindered, we can get back here in time to administer the antidote to my father, and make sure this doesn't happen again."
Ford stood, "I volunteer."
"As do I," stated Shan.
Brody was not too far behind, "I'm not going to be left out of this one."
Westphalen stood as well, "Unfortunately, you're going to need me as well. I'm the only one with the necessary expertise to find this antigen."
Nathan pulled her down, "Absolutely not. If the choice is you or me... I'd rather you live."
"No, Nathan..." she put one hand on his cheek. "There is not just you to think about. There is also others that may be suffering the same fate. I owe it to them to help."
Robert thought a moment and said, "As much as what you say is true, Doctor. You don't have the necessary combat training for a mission like this. But there is someone who does."
His father picked up on it, "Wendy Smith."
May 17th 2033
seaQuest DSV launch bay
Wendy Smith and Oliver Hudson came out of the launch hatch and Robert greeted them, "I must admit that I am surprised that you showed up, Oliver."
"And miss out on the action?" he seemed to go silent for a moment. "I'm going with the team. You'll need every experienced person you can get, and I used to be a Navy SEAL. I owe that much to your father. How is he?"
He hesitated, "I think your mission will have to get started very soon. He grows worse by the day. The added stress now... I think it was better that he didn't know that someone deliberately caused it. He is still the CSO, but," Robert shook his head. "Lucas is helping alleviate most of the workload, and he's resting most of the time. Conserving his strength. But there is not much left."
Wendy excused herself and Oliver followed Robert to the wardroom where the infiltration team was planning, and prepping, their mission. They entered and Ford stood, "Captain Hudson."
Hudson and Ford shook hands, "Good to see you, Commander."
"And you, sir."
"Commander, the UEO has decided to sent Captain Hudson with you. His experience as a Navy SEAL should come in handy," Robert informed Ford.
Ford nodded and smiled, "From what I can see, sir, experience is what is going to count here. The help is appreciated. Did Dr. Smith come with you, sir?"
Hudson nodded, "She went to see her Uncle Nathan first, then she will be joining us."
Wendy Smith tapped on the door to her Uncle's quarters and then walked in. He was sleeping on the bunk and she brushed an errant strand of silver hair off his forehead. He was fully clothed in his science uniform and appeared to have fallen asleep reading. That didn't surprise her, he did that a lot normally. It was the drawn look in his face that disturbed her. He seemed to be rallying his strength from hidden reserves but at this point not much was helping. It was getting too advanced too fast and she was surprised she was not hospitalized. She stood and was surprised when his hand snaked out and grabbed her wrist. "Uncle Nathan!" she gasped in surprise. "I thought you were asleep."
His eyes, they looked so tired, opened and he smiled, "The cavalry arrived, eh?"
She smiled back, "Yes, Robert called me and told me what is going on." She smoothed back his hair and then pressed a pill bottle into his hand. "These are still in the experimental stage, and they have been very good so far with other Lukahn's patients. Follow the directions and rest. Wait for us to come back."
He sat up on the bed and she touched his knee, "Are you sure you are all right?"
Her Uncle looked at the floor and then into her eyes, "Wendy... If you come back and I have passed on, make sure no blames themselves for it. Don't blame yourself for it. You will have honestly tried. Just make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else."
She seemed very near to tears and then her eyes widened and her hands flew to her mouth. Wendy left his quarters and ran to the med bay where she knew Westphalen would be. She couldn't believe she had not thought of it, that no one else had! Westphalen looked up in surprise, "Wendy! What is it?"
"Stasis!"
"What?"
"Rig the hyperbaric chamber into a stasis chamber," Wendy said after she caught her breath. "You have the necessary drugs on board to put someone under?"
Westphalen nodded wordlessly, still not knowing where Smith was going with this, "Of course. All medical facilities do, but just one dose."
"Put Uncle Nathan under, it will give us the time to go and get the cure, and save him!" finished Wendy.
"I wish I could, but he would never agree. You know how he is, too stubborn for his own good. He hates anything hospital or medbay related," answered Westphalen.
Shaking her head, she finished, "Then don't tell him you're putting him under." Wendy put up her hand. "Yes, I know it's unethical to disregard his wishes. But if the patient actually causes himself harm we must step in. If we don't then that is unethical."
Westphalen walked around the desk and steepled her fingers, "If you were in his position, would you accept that explanation? I don't want him to die, but being his stasis for an indefinite period of time on the slim hope of coming back out will be a type of death. He lost ten years of his life once already. Don't make him lose more. What if when he is brought out all of us are long dead? Think about that for one second. Would you want that reality forced on you? The patient has a right to accept or refuse treatment if does not harm the health and well being of others. We don't have the right to make that decision for him."
"What about the well being of us?" demanded Smith. "If he dies and we could have prevented that pain... what if he dies and it's by matter of hours that we come back with the antidote? Stasis would give us that time. Please, help me save him..."
Westphalen turned away, but Smith could sense the sorrow and grief, "What you ask breaks the Hippocratic oath. Are you prepared for that?"
"To Hell with it if it saves one life."
Westphalen turned around, "Then I'll help you. But ask him first, maybe, just maybe he will see reason."
The two walked to his quarters where he was just leaving, "Uh oh, both of you are on a mission. I can see it in your faces. What is it?" he asked.
"Nathan, we have something to suggest," said Westphalen.
"I... we... want you to allow us to put you in stasis until our team returns from our mission," Wendy looked at him in the face and saw the refusal. "I know why you don't want to. We will bring you back out if we are unsuccessful so that you can live out your final days with us. Ten years was a lot to miss... and missing more would be a death. When we come back, or are reported dead, you will be brought out. Please let us have the time to save you, and this is the only way."
He looked at Westphalen, "Is this what you want?"
She nodded, and he sighed, "Very well."
Wendy and Kristin led him to med bay, where Kristin did a final check over before putting him under. While she was doing that, Wendy went to see to the preparations of making the hyperbaric chamber into the stasis chamber. Over the PAL, she said, "There wasn't many. In fact, all there is was to seal off a few vents, and rig the environmental to go cold and fill with water once you're completely under."
"It's finished?" asked Westphalen in surprise.
"Yeah, the chamber was refitted to do any kind of experiment that required a special atmosphere, even a vacuum," answered Smith. "We're good to go."
Bridger leaned against the bulkhead and was dressed in the medbay linens. "I guess it's time."
"Second thoughts?" asked Westphalen with a smile.
"Second, third, fourth and fifth..." he grinned. "And sixth. But I haven't changed my mind."
They walked to the seadeck where Nathan and Kristin entered the chamber. Nathan lay on the bed in the centre of the chamber and Westphalen secured the restraints. "To keep you from floating away," she answered his look. "And to prevent seventh thoughts."
She put in the intravenous and the oxygen mask, and secured onto various points of his body the monitors. She kissed his forehead, "I will be here when you awaken."
"I certainly hope so," was his response.
Kristin exited the hyperbaric chamber, closing and sealing the ports behind her. She double and triple checked them and then came around by the circular window and hit the intercom. "From what the studies say, when we start the drug you will feel very light headed. After which to will lose motor control, and your surroundings will not make sense anymore. That is why the restraints, Nathan. After that you will just fall asleep. That is all you will be aware of," she took a breath. "When you lose consciousness your body functions will practically slow down to nothing. When they slow down enough, we will fill the chamber with salt water that has some additives in it...
"Then the water will freeze to a slush state, but will be much colder than true ice. Not cold enough to freeze you solid, that would kill you," explained Smith. "The process is reversed when you are brought out of it. This is your last chance to refuse."
"Call me stubborn... But can you just get on with it before I actually change my mind?" came his faintly ironic tone, but they could hear a slight nervousness under it.
Smith nodded and pushed the button that started the process, "Good night, Uncle Nathan. I will be here when you wake up."
Forget my seventh thoughts, I've having eighth ones now... realised Nathan. He began to feel lightheaded and almost like he was floating. Oh no, I'm getting a case of the giggles... That was why he hated being put under anathesia. The drug tended to make him more than a little bit giddy. To him everything could be funny, never mind what usually was. He tried desperately to keep it under control but one errant thought, Jeez, what if my face freezes mid laugh? How would I ever live that down? It was too much and he actually started to giggle.
Westphalen turned to Smith, noticing the laughter from Bridger, "What's so funny?"
"Oh shit. I forgot what kind of effect anathesia has on him. He gets... a major case of the giggles. And once he starts...." she trailed off, and smiled.
Westphalen smiled as well, "Well, it could be worse..."
He abruptly relaxed, and Smith said, "There goes motor control, he should fall asleep shortly."
Westphalen was watching his EEG, "Correction, he just did. Moving through the various stages, going into REM, and now past it. Vital signs slowing. On my mark, begin filling the chamber." A few minutes went by, "Mark!"
Wendy hit the button and the chamber began to fill with water. Two minutes into it Lucas came running in, "Darwin said you were doing something to the Captain! What's going on?"
Westphalen, now that Smith could handle it, moved aside with Lucas, "We put him into cryo."
"Why?" asked Lucas, and she realised that he had not known that Nathan was even sick.
She took a breath and sat him down, "Lucas, I need you to be calm. Nathan had Lukahn's Syndrome. When I last did a check up on him he only had about six weeks left."
He went white, but was calm when he asked, "When was that?"
"A week and a half ago..."
He stood up, "And no one told me? Why?"
"He didn't want anyone to know, but Robert found me crying in medbay. Then we discovered that there may be a cure, and we are giving him that extra time for us to find it."
Smith reported, "Cryo process completed. It went perfectly."
Westphalen nodded, "Good, Wendy. Can you help me here?"
"Sure," Wendy walked over and laid a hand on Lucas's shoulder. "Don't worry about him, Lucas. I'll be there and back and he will get better."
PART THREE: Down the Rabbit Hole
May 19th, 2033
Calypso
Chaodai Territory
It was a small sub, and they were almost cramped in it, but Captain Oliver Hudson felt alive again. "Status, Mr. Brody."
"We are maintaining course, and they think we are traders coming into port. Sir, what is our cargo?" asked Brody.
Hudson smiled, "Computer parts, of course. Contraband. What else would they be interested in. Lucas supplied us with a bunch of junk that the seaQuest doesn't use anymore, and isn't classified."
The little ship docked and Hudson motioned to Shan to do the dealings with the merchants as Brody recoitered the security of the lab. Brody came back first, and went over what he had learned with Wendy. Hudson came in and looked over her shoulder. She looked up and kissed him squarely on the lips. "As much as I know we can't do this without you, I wish you didn't come," he said.
"I was the one called in. You are the uninvited guest," she responded tartly, and then kissed him again.
At that moment Brody walked in, "Jeez, can't you at least wait until you get him in the captain's quarters?"
She scowled playfully, and then back to business, "This is definitely the lab. Those are quarantine suits you see." She pointed out the workers in the lab. "I suggest destroying the lab once we get the antigen. We want to make sure that they don't have another weapon."
Hudson nodded, "We have incendiary explosives hot enough to kill whatever they have in there. In case that doesn't work, we also have the c4 to reduce the building to rubble."
Shan came in and grinned, "We have a buyer. They paid good money. I never thought I'd be taking the place of Ben. This was always more his area of expertise."
Ford snorted, "Why am I not surprised?"
Hudson reined them in, "No time for that gentlemen. A scheduled trader from Macronesia is due in. I'd rather be done this before they get here."
A chorus of "Yes sir" greeted him and they sat down around the tiny wardroom table.
May 21st, 2033
seaQuest DSV
Lucas sat by the window of the hyperbaric chamber. He couldn't move. Hours had gone by and then a few days. He was surprised no one had ordered him back to work yet. But still he could not leave the side of Bridger. An instinct told him that Bridger did not want to be alone, even if he was so unconscious that even his son could not reach him by the 'other' means.
Maybe it was not Nathan Bridger who needed the company, and Lucas knew that this was closer to the truth. He needed to know that Bridger was alive still. Still hanging on, still fighting.
Lucas had no idea what he would do if Bridger died. Heaven knew that he had never once, even when he had searched out Bridger when he first awoke on Earth a few months ago, considered that the man could die and leave him more alone than when he had retired. Considering it now made him... scared. Terrified, to be more accurate.
He ran his fingers along the portable CD player that he had brought from his collection of antiques. Lucas had planned on playing the Sarah Brightman CD, but he had remembered that he had given it to Fredericks. He had asked her to meet him here today.
A hand touched his shoulder, "I'm not sure why you asked me to actually come. I could have just given you the CD."
He looked up and smiled wanly at Fredericks, "I wanted you here. You are a part of me now, and he is a part of me. Jess, Cap, er, Dr. Bridger is like a father to me. More than my real one. He raised me to know what a family truly was. So, in a way, I want you to know him like that. I want him to know you too."
She sat down beside him and when he opened the CD player she placed the CD in it and closed the lid while he connected it to the seadeck's speakers, and the hyperbaric chambers. Fredericks hit the play button and the opening strains began of the opening instrumental. When that died away the song Eden began.
Lucas walked over to the moon pool where Darwin held the same vigil. "Jess, why has no one complained about me not working?"
"You are a civilian, and right now there is no computer problems for you to fix. You have been ahead of what has been expected you in your research. You are not behind and if you are needed you are here and ready," she answered. "Even if you were you are standing a vigil over a member of the science team, and a friend. Answer this, if we needed you would you come?"
"Of course," he said.
"Answers your question, then, doesn't it?"
He walked back to the chamber and peered into it at the sleeping face of Bridger. "What if they don't come back when planned? Dr. Westphalen must bring him out of it in six weeks, then if they don't come back..."
Fredericks also peered in and said, "He is very quiet and peaceful when he sleeps. It takes off years of his age."
"That because he relaxes his face," answered Lucas. "Even if he wasn't in cryo, he can be a bugger to wake up if he's really tired."
"Twelve weeks is three months, and they know where to look. They will be back before anything happens," she reassured him, and gestured to the sleeping man. "Then when you watch him sleep that will be what you see for many years after."
"But what if...?" and his question was cut off by her kiss.
Finding he needed the contact he found himself responding in kind, and she held him. His own arms gripped her as if he was afraid that if he let go she would disappear. It was a chaste, and yet loving, kiss that spoke more of their feelings for one another than words ever could. And it connected them together. They broke off and they leaned their foreheads together. He swallowed and mentioned, "You know, I think that is the first time we did that."
"Yes," she breathed, barely above a whisper.
"Can I ask a question?"
She looked up into his eyes as his sky blues met her rich earthy browns. "Why did you wait so long?" he finished.
Fredericks slid beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder, and took his arm and put it around her, "Well, because you can be very thick skulled sometimes, Dr. Wolenczak."
"Oh," he grinned and kissed her back. Once they came back up for air, he said, "Then I should be more like that?"
Still smiling she stood and programmed the CD player to turn itself off when it finished. She led him through the corridors of seaQuest until they reached her quarters. "Think you can find your way here now?" she asked innocently.
"Yeah."
"Good, come back when my shift is over tonight," with that, and a wink, she closed the door in his face.
He grinned all the way back to his computer lab.
Robert walked into the seadeck in time to catch the final strains of The Last Words You Said, and the CD finished. He recognized it as the Sarah Brightman CD that his father had bought his mother as a twentieth anniversary present. They were rare now that the artist was dead, and that CDs were no longer being made. He walked up to the glass of the chamber and looked in on his father.
As usual, whenever he tried to touch his father's mind, it was a lull, as if he was so far away that no one could reach him. Except, it was a comfortable lull. Sometimes Robert would catch fragments that seemed to be... well, like that period right before a person woke up in the morning. They were fuzzy, and not all that coherent, but comfortable.
He turned around to regard Darwin, "I..."
"Heart hurts."
"Yes," he admitted. "It's not fair. I just came back and now I am forced to step into his shoes. Soon, if they don't come back, I'll have to do it without him. I can admit it. I wanted my Dad here because he was my 'security blanket'. If something went wrong he would be there to fix it."
"Not true," refuted Darwin. Now the dolphin was arguing with him? What his life had become.... "Robert like Bridger. Not sure of self but should be."
"I don't want to think about him dying. It is too soon, even if he had aged the ten years. He is just too young..." murmured Robert and he closed his eyes as he remembered before he had been captured.
His father may have been distant, but when he was there he was warm. Robert may have learned to play basic baseball from another kid's father, but it was his Dad who taught him all the tricks when he returned from whatever ship he served on at the time. When he was promoted to captain, Robert saw even less of him, but Bridger still tried his hardest to be there, even if he couldn't be in person.
Those phone calls from the ships must have cost a fortune, he reflected. And he didn't have to, he just wanted to. If Nathan couldn't be there for a Little League tournament, Mom would videotape it and send it to him. The very next call would be a proud and ecstatic father if he won, or a supportive one if he lost.
It may not have been a normal childhood, but perhaps through the fledgling gift of theirs, he never doubted once that his father loved him. He could almost sense it, and he realised, he probably had.
Finally they could spend real time together, even on the sub, and it looked as if fate had decided that it was not to be. "Dammit, why?" he demanded to no one. "Why did this have to happen?"
"The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away," came a timid voice behind him.
Robert spun on his heals and faced Lieutenant Tim O'Niell. "I'm sorry you had to hear that," he looked over at his father in the hyperbaric chamber as Tim walked down the short steps to the seadeck.
"What is there to be ashamed of, sir," answered O'Niell. "That you care for your father? There is no shame in that. More like pride. Let me tell you something..." Tim came and leaned on the coping beside Robert. "Lean on your crew. Believe it or not we are very attached to the Bridger line. Somewhere in between now and then, while you didn't replace him, you added to our legacy. You are your father's son, and he would... Hell, he is extremely proud of you. And we are your crew as we were your father's. Did you know what kind of an effect you've had?"
Robert shook his head, and Tim continued, "I never thought about leaving the communications/technical track. But you had faith in me, and now I think I may be ready to take that plunge. Someday I may even command my own ship. While your father was encouraging, you inspired."
"Are you sure it had nothing to do with 'If Ben can do it so can I'?" needled Robert good naturedly. "Trust me, Tim, I wouldn't blame you if you did. Ben surprised me when I met up with him again. His example to me taught me that under any exterior could be someone else. I just had to dig it out, forcefully if I had to. I told Ben that if it ever came to the point where it was him on top of the food chain on seaQuest, who was to be next in command after him. To his surprise, I picked you to be right under him."
"Why was he surprised?" asked Tim.
"Well, you are responsible and capable, we both agreed on that..." Robert trailed off. "He felt that you were not assertive, not sure enough of yourself yet, to command seaQuest."
"Oh," Tim blushed. "He was right. Before... when I woke up and saw him standing on the bridge and no Bridger, and when Crocker told him that he was the captain now... I was rocked to my very core. Yes, there was the initial 'Even I'm more suited for command' thought right then. But he took command and I saw a Krieg I had never seen before. It made me wonder if I was hiding as aspect, even to myself, that would make me command. Then he told me I was his X-O until you returned with Ford."
Robert stayed silent and Tim was silent for a moment, "Ben did his shift, and I realised that it was my time up at bat, so to speak. When he gave the con over to me, I sat in the command chair for the first time in my life. Sir, I knew then that I was selling myself short. My frustrations were at my own lack of courage to take the next step. I won't make that mistake."
Smiling, Robert said as he put a hand on Tim's shoulder, "I knew you would come around, Tim. I didn't want to force it on you, but if you held out any longer I was seriously going to change where you were on the bridge. There is someone else you need to convince now... and for that I'm going to need your help." Robert leaned over and took out a slim file folder out of his file case and let Tim look it over. After Tim whistled in appreciation, Robert continued, "That is the Avenger DSV. It's the second ship my Dad designed from stem to stern. She needs a captain who knows this class of ship. She will replace Hudson's Viscount."
"Who did you have in mind?" asked Tim.
"Commander Ford, of course. He is way overdue for his own command," Robert tapped on the sheet of paper. "This is between you and I. When Ford gets back, I intend to offer him his captain's bars. I have no idea who he will take as his X-O. Now, don't get your hopes up. It is too soon for you to be given that quite yet, and when I lose my first officer, I hope Ben takes his place... which leaves the position of third in command wide open. I was hoping you would take that."
Tim stared at him in open mouthed shock. First the promotion, now this... "Gladly," answered O'Niell when he could breathe again. "But Commander Ford will never leave..."
"Are you so sure? The Avenger may be half the size of seaQuest, but she uses the same technology," Robert laughed. "Leave it up to me, Tim. But I need your support.
May 24th, 2033
Calypso
"The fact of the matter is that Captain Hudson is dead on," said Ford in response to Brody's question. "Yes, if we're seen we are as dead as dead gets. No, I agree with the Captain. The would expect us to go in under the cover of darkness. They would not expect us to go in broad daylight."
Pacing the cramped space Brody countered, "Yeah, if they knew we were coming. Which they don't. What, do you think we are going to stroll up to the front door? That worked with Deon only because Stark showed us the way in!"
Watching the two debate, Hudson was actually polishing up his plan. Brody picked out points he missed, while Ford, and himself, thought of ways to counter it. "True," agreed Smith. "However, did anyone think of what we could do if we decided on a night mission? There is also the civilians to think about. We do not want to more casualties than we need. And the place will be deserted, except for security. That way be the better way."
Leaning back in his chair Hudson reflected on that point, "They are military, Wendy."
"Define your military target, Liv. Scientists. Does Dr. Westphalen count? I don't think so, but what you propose targets scientists like her," she quickly countered. "Like me as well."
Hudson sighed and laid his head on his arms. "All right! Obviously I was thinking of this from a much too 'military' standpoint. Mr. Shan, did you discover anything that would pertain to a night mission?"
"It would be a Hell of a lot easier?"
"Then a night mission it is," agreed Hudson.
Hours later when they were fully outfitted, they set out. Shan led them until they reached the outer fencing where Brody and Ford determined if they were using a sort of motion or disturbance detection on the fence. When it was revealed that it was a plain fence, they snipped the chain links and slid through. Wendy manipulated the wires until they looked undisturbed. "Just in case there is a patrol," she said, once she had let go of the chain links.
They made their way to the next fence, where there was disturbance detection. Disturbance detection was a new technology, and could tell if the fencing was being snipped or climbed over. It was intelligent to a point. If wind moved it, it would not go off, but an animal digging or pawing would set off its alarms. Hudson said, "I bet the outside fence is to keep out animals so this doesn't set off a false alarm."
Brody agreed and said, "Now what?"
Ford looked up and down the fencing and spotted a tree with a large, and very alive, branch hanging over it. Snorting he said, "They go through all this trouble and the way in is right there."
One after the other they shimmied up the tree and over the other side of the fence without even coming into contact with it, and Shan said once they were on the other side, "Amazing the short sightedness. I bet they have a patrol though, which may be why they never cut it down."
They all agreed and kept low and moved fast to evade any said patrols. There was one, and it seemed to favour the area of their tree, but not due to the fact that they had been detected, as Wendy confirmed with a, "They consider it a pain in the butt to always have to go to the same area. One wishes they would just cut down the tree, but the scientists like the shade on their breaks. Thank the scientists for wanting a tree to sit under."
A short time later, seeing as the tree had to be near the building, they reached it and Shan broke into the security system in order to make sure no alarms would go off upon their entry. Hudson preceded Wendy, and then Brody followed soon after. Wendy pointed out, "Find the office so I can see where the lab is that I need."
Shan led the way, reading the signs that were in Thai, and then said, "Here it is..." Then he proceeded to crack the security, which was higher, into the office.
He and Smith went over the science files and then she said, "Got it. In fact, I don't need a sample. I just need the files."
She packed the files, which were on paper and grabbed the CD-ROMs that were in the files. "Okay, we're ready to blow it..." she said, and Shan escorted her to their exit.
Ford, Brody and Hudson came back, their packs which had been filled with explosives, noticeably empty. Hudson held the trigger in his hands, and he said, "Let's get to the fencing where we came in, and then I'll blow it. The Commander put a few thuds by the fence so they won't know which way we went. I would still suggest getting the Hell out of here as fast a possible."
They went to the tree and waited for the patrol to travel out of sight and around the other side of the building. Hudson pressed the button and at first they heard, and saw, nothing, then the windows lit red and fire spilled out. Then multiple explosions around the fencing yard seemed to thud a base thump, and Ford cut the chain links with Shan and Brody's help. They slid through and ran to the exit point. They slid through there with no problems and were in the outskirts of town. On the shore Wendy sealed the paper files and CD-ROMs into high density shrink wrap, and put it back into her pack. They were all dressed in their diving gear.
Shan swam the fastest in order to be able to answer any calls that the authorities made so that it appeared that no one had left the sub. Everyone else made it a short time after. Hudson came to the bridge where Shan was 'inquiring' on what was all the excitement, why was he woken up so rudely, and other questions. He gave Hudson a grin and the thumbs up, meaning that the mission was a complete success and the Chaodai suspected nothing amiss with the Calypso.
Hudson walked, grinning to his quarters, where Wendy was checking over the files, and he whispered, "Got everything?"
She nodded and grinned.
Ford and Brody smiled and Hudson gave them both the thumbs up and signalled for them to get out of their diving gear and into their regular clothes. They left to do so. He closed the door and Wendy stood up and kissed him full on the lips. "We did it!" she whispered excitably.
Shan came in and said, "In two days, seeing as they confirmed that no one left or entered our sub, we can leave after our trade is finished."
Hudson nodded and said, "Get it done."
Shan saluted and then left their quarters. Hudson sighed and then sat down on the bunk. He was suddenly very tired. Wendy sat beside him and said, "We must get back with all due speed in order to save him."
PART FOUR: 'Til the End of Time
June 1st, 2033
02:00
seaQuest DSV
Lucas paced in the launch bay as Westphalen watched. She didn't really blame him for his pacing. If she wasn't so tired she would have done the same. She was relieved, however. Today would have been the day that she would have had to bring Nathan out of the stasis in the hyperbaric chamber. The fact he was going to come out to hope of living would be an added bonus.
They waited for Dr. Smith and Commander Ford to come back on board, and finally the launch bay doors opened. Lucas stopped pacing and Kristin stood up as a bedraggled Smith came up the ladder with a waterproof file case in one hand. She stopped at the sight of Westphalen and grinned, "We did it!"
"Let me see," said Westphalen reaching out for the files.
Upon opening them her spirits fell, "Wendy! These are in Thai. How are we going to read these?"
"Shan can help translate, and I'm sure if we get O'Niell to help we will have it done in time," she said.
Westphalen nodded, "The diagrams look good. Of course we will need..."
The two walked off, talking about what would have to be done upon the first shift. Lucas stayed in the launch bay until Commander Ford came up the ladder and he asked, "How did it go, other than that?"
"Well, the Chaodai won't be making any bio-weapons anytime soon," answered Ford cryptically. "Is the captain awake?"
Lucas shook his head, "Lieutenant O'Niell has the bridge, but I think Ben is still up... maybe."
Ford shook his head, "Nah. Not high enough clearance." He gave Lucas a hard look which the young man ignored. "What shift he have tomorrow?"
"First."
"Then I'll grab a few hours sleep and report to him at seven hundred," decided Ford. "How close were we?"
"He's still under, if that's what you're asking. We were due to wake him this morning if you never showed up," Lucas walked with him to the galley. "I think they may leave a bit longer, though, seeing as you came back. I think she said another week. Then she was bringing him out, cure or no cure."
Ford nodded in understanding. It was what he would do if he were in Westphalen's shoes. Hell, it was a good idea anyway. The two men entered the nearly deserted galley and Ford headed straight to the serving line. Lucas wasn't hungry so followed him as he picked out his food and went and sat down. As Ford started to eat, Lucas filled him in on the lack of activity on this end. "And Tim was promoted, I can't remember if you were here for that or not. He has been filling in for Krieg while Ben filled in for you," Lucas sighed. "Personally, I think he's being groomed for the job..."
The food stopped halfway to Ford's mouth, "Why would that be?"
"Well, there is this new ship..." started Lucas and then he leaned in conspiratorially. "Rumour has it that they want a very specific person to command her."
"Yeah?"
"You," answered Lucas, and then he grinned evilly. "She's a great ship, Jon. It's the second ship that Cap... er, Dr. Bridger designed. They figured you would want the honour of commanding her first."
Ford leaned back in his chair, and then promptly resumed eating. Lucas was amazed that it didn't faze him. "Well?" he asked.
"I'll have to think about that," responded Ford.
Lucas groaned, "God, I hope not the same way that the elder Captain Bridger told his son he'd think about it..."
Grinning, Ford said, "Well, officially I don't even know anything yet. I don't even know if what you've told me is true or not, or greatly exaggerated if it is."
Lucas just stared at him, "But if you did, what would you say to it?"
Getting only a glare back as his answer Lucas sat in there in silence while Jonathan ate his meal. When he finished Jonathan left to go to his bed and Lucas went back to his own quarters. Now that he had a full civilian job, he wasn't required to share. In fact now he had his own quarters, small as they were. The size did not bother him, so long as he could fit all his stuff in it and still have to move if it was clean.
And he had grown up in that department. Well, to a point. There wasn't anything on the floor, his dirty laundry was no where to be found (he laundered more often now so it actually fit in his tiny hamper), and dishes, if there was any, was kept to a minimum. That seemed to cut quite a bit into the ever-existing clutter, but he felt the clutter was what gave his quarters charm. As Captain, argh!, no, it was Doctor Bridger now. As impossible as that was to get used to it seemed to fit the older man better. As Nathan (that seemed safe) had always seemed to be on his back throughout his teenage years to clean up his room, Lucas never really understood the point until a bit later.
It was easier to find things and walk from one point to another. The clutter still was there, there little he could do with so much computer stuff and his collection, but now at least dust bunnies had been banished and if he needed something he could find it.
He got dressed for bed and slid in. Sleep claimed him almost immediately. But it wasn't a restful sleep.
Nightmares lurked.
The current one if Nathan Bridger not only left seaQuest. Oh no, he had gotten over those once Bridger actually left. He died in Lucas's dreams. Once in medbay when no one there to be with him, and even once on the bridge in the company of everyone. That was the current one.
Lucas knew he was late, the ship wide announcement had been the elder Captain Bridger coming clean that he was extremely ill, and even dying. Various crew members had held Lucas back, with good intentions of giving comfort, but each one cut into the time he had to get to the bridge. Finally the mag-lev opened and he shot though the clam doors, catching his sleeve of his uniform (why was he military in his dreams?) and tearing it.
When he finally ran up to where Captain Bridger was in the command chair, Hudson looked at him with disapproving eyes, and then Lucas saw that he had been too late. His friend, and mentor, was already gone. The bridge crew's eyes seemed to bore into him and Lucas desperately held Bridger's cold hand...
He sat up in bed, tears staining his cheeks. Laying back down again as the dream seemed to dissolve from memory, but not completely enough, he let himself feel the grief he had felt in the dream and cried until he was sore. A tapping on the aqua tubes alerted Lucas to Darwin's presence, and he grabbed the vocoder. "Why Lucas cry?"
"Bad dream," answered Lucas, and then mentally slapped himself.
Never tell a dolphin you've had a bad dream, they think of them as visions of the future, Wolenczak, he chided to himself. Darwin looked straight at him, "Tell."
"Well, there isn't much to tell... I can't remember it, just the grief and pain," answered Lucas.
He looked over to the clock and saw that it was more than time to get up, and that Nathan was probably out of stasis if they were indeed bringing him out. He had not slept in to eleven in a long time. He got up and got dressed and made his bed, then Lucas walked briskly to the seadeck to check if Bridger was out.
And the hyperbaric chamber was empty, meaning he was in medbay if anywhere. Lucas turned and went to the medbay and peeked in. In the far corner, where there was more privacy, he saw the curtains drawn around that bed. Lucas walked into med bay and peeked around the curtains to see Nathan's very asleep form. Probably sleeping off the rest of that drug they use on cryo patients, realised Lucas and he backed off, and into the other Captain Bridger.
"We have to stop meeting like this, Dr. Wolenczak," the irony in Robert's voice made Lucas laugh, then he stifled it so as not to wake Nathan. "Is he asleep?"
"Yeah, very. I was going to see him, but since he's out I can come back later," answered Lucas. "I can go get breakfast, or brunch as the case may be, and then I'll be back."
Robert's eyebrow lifted, "Is that what you do on your days off? Sleep in?"
"I had no intention of doing so. I didn't sleep well last night so I guess I did this morning, and I was there when the Calypso got back," Lucas thought back to his conversation with Commander Ford. "You will have quite the challenge if you want to convince him to go to the Avenger, Robert."
Robert shrugged, "He can't stay here forever like this, and he must know that he will never get the flagship if he doesn't have at least one other command under him. He will stagnate here. I will make him see that. And the Avenger is a good ship, kinda of a little sister ship to this one."
Lucas and Robert left the medbay together and walked to the galley. They passed various crew members, and those crewmembers saluted Robert. He returned their salutes crisply and continued on. For the second time this tour Lucas reflected on how much that was familiar to him. How often with Nathan had the same thing happened when Lucas walked beside him on seaQuest?
When they reached the galley Lucas headed straight to the line up fro food while Robert hung back and chatted with Dr. Westphalen, who was also there for her lunch. When Lucas came back with enough food for two he passed half of what was on his tray to Robert and kept the rest for himself. This caused a few raised eyebrows around the table but Robert nonchalantly started to peel his orange while Lucas fell on his cereal like a starving man.
Westphalen turned to Lucas and said, "Are you coming to see Nathan after?"
"Yeah," answered Lucas between mouthfuls.
He finished eating while listening to Robert and Westphalen with half an ear. "He isn't doing well."
"How bad is he?" asked Robert.
"Worse, the cryo sleep had worsened the condition. We can't put him under again, it would kill him and our time has been cut in half," answered Westphalen and Lucas felt a cold thread of fear cut through him as part of his dream came back to him. "I have diverted as many people as I could without having the 'to many hands in the pot' problem, but I don't know if we will have enough time."
Suddenly Lucas's food tasted like ashes, and he stood up. "Lucas, are you all right?" asked Robert.
"I, uh, I forgot something in my quarters," he answered lamely and retreated there.
Lucas ran to his quarters and shut the door behind him. Leaning against it the grief he was feeling seemed to overwhelm him as his dream pushed itself to the forefront. A soft knock intruded his thoughts, and he said, "Go away."
But the door pushed open and he was forced to move from where he sat up against it. Turning he saw Bridger standing there, dressed in the science uniform, "Robert and Kristin told me you, ah, took off from the galley. Can I come in Lucas?"
Lucas nodded and opened the door the rest of the way for him. Nathan required his cane again, and this only mildly distressed Lucas. A while ago, before all this, Nathan had wrenched his right knee. It had fairly wrecked the joint. Sometimes he had no need of the cane, but other days he had a very hard time even getting up from a chair. Today seemed to be an in between day, if not for the Lukahn's. Lucas spun his computer chair around so Bridger wouldn't have to stand. Nathan sat down in the contoured chair and sighed in appreciation. "This is really comfortable. A definite step up from your last computer chair," he stated.
"Yeah, well, the perks of being the Computer Expert on board," answered Lucas.
Nathan was silent for awhile, and for once Lucas found this to be an awkward silence. "I'm not in any pain, if that's what you are wondering, you know," said Nathan finally. "It's more of a... continuing and worsening weakening. I get tired very easy, and sometimes I don't feel much like eating. But I'm not suffering. Kris and Wendy think that when I pass on, if they don't finish the cure fast enough, I'll likely go very quickly. If I'm asleep I just won't wake up, and if I'm not... I'll just fall asleep and not wake up."
Lucas sat on the bed and said quietly, "I know what you're trying to do, but it still doesn't make me feel any better."
"I don't expect that it will," Nathan smiled. "I just wanted you to know what to expect. You have been kept in the dark, and I realise I should have told you what was going on. But I didn't want..."
"I understand," Lucas leaned back on his bunk. "It upset me at first, then I realised that you had not told anyone at all. I thought you were treating me like a kid again... But I would have done the same for you."
"I was right that everyone would treat me like glass," Nathan frowned. "I didn't want that. That was why I didn't tell anyone right away. Now everyone is always trying to get me to sit down and rest."
"If you rest does it slow it any?"
"No, and yes," Nathan sighed and leaned back in the chair. "If I rest and don't push myself I will be all right. But if I don't need to rest at that moment I would like to do something."
"Like what?" asked Lucas.
"Would you like to come with me to the seadeck and swim with Darwin?"
Lucas grabbed his swimming suit and ran to the locker room and changed. When he came back, Bridger was still waiting for him. Lucas held the door as Nathan walked through it. They walked to the seadeck together. If anything the crew seemed, while more respectful of Nathan, more relaxed. Some saluted while others greeted him warmly even grasping his hand. A few of the female crew members hugged him. The Lukahn's Syndrome, while it was killing him, seemed to give him a quiet dignity.
Finally they made it to the seadeck where Darwin was waiting for them. Nathan sat down at the side of the coping while Lucas jumped into the water. Darwin swam up and leaned his head on the moon pool coping. "Bridger no swim?"
"Not today, Darwin. I'm not feeling well," he answered. "Swim with Lucas and I'll watch."
The answer was a thorough soaking by Darwin, and Lucas and Bridger laughed.
June 14th, 2033
seaQuest DSV
Lucas paced outside the medbay and Robert leaned against the bulkhead. Krieg stood there as well, and Tim, with his new Lieutenant Commander stripes, came up to them, "I heard he collapsed..." he put a hand on Robert's shoulder. "Do you think that this is..."
Krieg looked up, as he was the nearest when Nathan Bridger had seemed to crumple and then fall to the deck plating while he was perusing the bridge. "I hope not. Dr. Smith said that they are close, in fact, they might have the cure in a few days for sure," he answered.
Robert's PAL chirped, and when he answered it he heard the new communications Chief's voice, Lieutenant Mara Johansen, "Sir, Captain Jonathan Ford of the Avenger is just informed me that they would continue the patrol if you wanted to take the seaQuest back to Pearl."
"Tell him that even if we went back to Pearl, so would he," answered Robert. "In fact, can you patch him through?"
"Of course sir," and then she cut off.
"Captain Bridger... Robert, I can continue the patrol without seaQuest," came Captain Ford's voice.
"No, I know how much my father means to half your bridge crew. If he passes on I think you would want to be here for the service," Robert sighed. "How is everyone taking this?"
"Commander Brody is offering to take the bridge if I want to go over there, and Lieutenant Commander Henderson would like to come with me, should I go," while that did not answer the question Robert knew what he meant. "Do you want me there?"
"If you want to be, we highly suspect he could pass on at any minute," Robert saw the effect that had on Lucas as he sat down on the decking, sliding down the bulkhead.
Fredericks put an arm around him and held him close. Once again, Lieutenant Johansen called Robert, this time to inform him, "Sir, Admiral Hitchcock is requesting permission to board."
"Granted."
"Yes sir."
Ten minutes later Katherine ran up to Robert and grasped his hands. Behind her stood Admiral William Noyce, his father's best friend, his wife Janet, and Secretary General McGath. They parted and Robert saw his own wife Cynthia and his son Michael. Hitchcock asked after Robert hugged his wife, "We came as soon as we heard. Why didn't he say anything?
"He didn't want to cause anyone more pain than necessary. Not only that he didn't want to be treated differently, or anyone to remember him this way. He wanted to just pass on in peace," answered Robert.
"How is he now?" asked Noyce.
Robert shook his head, "Not good. He could be already gone..."
They were silent as this sank in. A few minutes later Dr. Westphalen came out, and everyone seemed to stand up straighter. "It was a close call," stated Westphalen. "He nearly died twice, and he is very weak. I wish I could offer better news, but at this point even when we finish manufacture of the cure... he is so weak that it could kill him."
Noyce stated, "So you have the cure, but you're telling us that it may kill him?"
"Is he awake?" asked Lucas.
Westphalen shook her head. "No, but you can still see him, one at a time, if you want to," she sighed. "He may hear you and know you're there, and he may not. I'm sorry."
Lucas nodded and took half a step and then looked at Robert, "I think it is more your place in there than mine."
Robert shook his head, and took Lucas by the shoulder, "No. You are as much his son as I am. We can both go see him."
Robert and Lucas walked into the medbay to where Nathan Bridger lay on one of the beds. Lucas stopped at the sight of him, and Robert had to admit that his father had seen better days. He was gaunt and so pale that the white sheets had more colour. He drew Lucas close into a hug and Lucas turned into him with a low sob. "Come on," said Robert. "He wouldn't want us to be here to see this, but you know he needs us right now. As much as we need him. He needs our support."
Lucas went to one side of the bed and grasped the waxy hand on the bed and held it, his tears running down his face. Robert took up the other side of the bed and smoothed the silver hair back off his father's face. He looked so fragile, but he knew that was to be expected. Intravenous tubes ran into both arms, desperately trying to replenish reserves of energy, and keep away infection. There was a tube running down his throat, and an oxygen mask on his face. Monitors and wires ran to his head and chest.
This was not how Robert wanted to remember his father. He looked over to Lucas and saw the young man was trying desperately to get a handle on his emotions, but not having much success. He could barely hear Lucas whispering to Nathan, "Please don't die. I know that you said you would, I don't want you to."
Looking down to the floor Robert closed his eyes and reached to his father's mind, Dad, I don't know if you can sense me, or hear Lucas. But please, don't quit fighting. Wendy says just two more days and there will be a cure. Just two more days... No answer greeted his entreaty, and for the first time since he found out that Nathan had Lukahn's, Robert realised that death waited. "Dad, I never had the chance to say good-bye to Mom. I don't want to make that mistake with you. Please... give me that chance."
Westphalen allowed the others in, even though she had said that only one at a time, and Noyce had to support Hitchcock as she put her head in her hands, "This isn't fair!"
"Jeez, I've never seen so many people in medbay that were standing upright," came the newly captained Jonathan Ford.
Henderson came and hugged Robert, and then she hugged Lucas, although she kept a supportive arm around him. Fredericks held the hand that was free. Ford gave Nathan's foot a gentle squeeze. The crowd of them moved out into the passageway, while Lucas and Fredericks stayed with Bridger.
Ford turned to Robert and put his hand on his shoulder, "He doesn't look well, Robert."
"I know, and that's what worries me," he turned to Westphalen. "Are you any closer?"
She nodded, "Hourly we get closer to being complete. The longer Nathan holds on the more chances he has. Wendy is incredible in a lab, and this is really her specialty. I have every confidence in her ability to crack this."
Her PAL chirped, and Wendy's jubilant voice announced, "We got it."
The next day Westphalen walked into the medbay where Lucas fairly hovered. Nathan had not regained consciousness yet, and she knew better than to get her hopes up. He was terribly weak and she was not sure of the ability of the antigen to cure him at this stage. She sincerely hoped that it would, but she refused to let herself count on it to save herself that heartache.
She knew that if she let herself hope, and he died on her that she would never recover.
To Be Continued
in
Seventh Sentinel
The featured song of the chapter:
Eden, performed by Sarah Brightman on the album Eden (are we noticing a pattern yet, LOL. Yes, it's my favourite CD.)
Did you ever think of me, as your best friend. Did I ever think of you, I'm not complaining. I never tried to feel. I never tried to feel. This vibration. I never tried to reach. Your Eden. Did I ever think of you, as my enemy. Did you ever think of me, I'm complaining. I never tried to feel I never tried to feel. This vibration. I never tried to reach. I never tried to reach. Your Eden.