Chapter Three
Lunatic Pandora


PART ONE: Lunatic Fringe

October 6th, 2034
Bridger's Island
Caribbean

Nathan could be called a patient man. Hell, to be looking through what remained of his island after the thorough job that those bombers had done he had to be. At least he appeared to be calm, but Kristin Bridger knew better. It was in the way he held himself as he moved through the burned out shell of the second house built near the beach. The first had also been burnt down, only by Alexander Bourne.

This time it was different. This time all the memories from when Michael had been born had actually been in the house. All of the boy's belongings. Nathan stopped walking and bent down to pick up a frame that held a photograph. He stayed in the crouched position a long time, tracing the frame with one finger. As Kristin came up behind him, she looked over his shoulder and saw it was a picture of Carol, except that it was too burned to be salvageable. Only her face and some of her hair remained able to be clearly seen. Nathan looked up at Kristin, "I only had a few of these left."

He dropped the too burned picture to the ground. "Are they all gone?" she asked quietly.

"They are now," he answered in a monotone.

Kristin could only imagine how that felt. If all of Cynthia's baby pictures had burned up like this she would feel the rage that was undoubtably building inside of him right now. She laid a hand on his shoulder and felt his hand cover hers as he bowed his head. "Geoffrey is doing this to get to me," said Nathan. "He wants me to get angry. He wants me to get involved. But I can't anymore. If I do he pulls in the entire UEO."

She turned to face him, "What if you can catch him at his own game?"

He only looked at her, interest plainly on his face. However before she could explain a near hysteric Cynthia ran up to them, "He's gone! They took him..."

Nathan caught her and held her by both shoulders, "Slow down. Took who?"

"Someone took Michael. They waited until Savannah went shopping and then attacked her and kidnapped Michael," answered Cynthia.

Nathan gripped Cynthia, feeling like someone had kicked him in the chest and the world seemed to swim. Kristin was calling his name but it seemed to be from far away. Moments later he found himself on the ground with Kristin touching him on the head.

Things were a mere blur after all that.

It seemed that every time he opened his eyes, either Kristin or Robert was there, but as to where he was he was not sure. A drowsy feeling had settled over him.

The response from Krieg was instantaneous. As the seaQuest was in the water, in fact near to the area, a Speeder shuttle has landed on the scorched beach. Lucas climbed out with Dr. Levin. Both had turned pale seeing the devastation. Kristin and Levin worked on Nathan while Lucas prepped the shuttle. He really didn't want to see the island. He wanted to remember it the way it was before, not the blackened rock it was now.

Finally the two doctors brought Nathan into the shuttle. Lucas settled himself in the pilot's seat. Cynthia was beside him, looking very pale. "What happened," asked Lucas as he took the Speeder off the beach.

"Michael was kidnapped, and Nathan had a heart attack. All this has been too much for him, combined with the stress of being the Secretary General," she answered quietly.

It took all of Lucas's self control to keep himself from reacting to that, but he throttled the Speeder up to just touching the redline. He needed all the speed he could milk out of the machine. And it obliged.

The trip to the seaQuest was done in record time, and Lucas docked. When the Speeder's hatches opened Levin and Kristin lifted Nathan and ran to the medbay.

Cynthia ran to the waiting Robert and let herself be held in his arms. Lucas climbed out of the Speeder himself then and walked down the steps to the main area of the launch bay. Seeing Robert and Cynthia Bridger he said, "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Lucas. It... just comes with the territory of being a Bridger," answered Robert quietly. "And now you are not immune to it. Someone hates us, and will stop at nothing to torment us. Right now that are just picking us to pieces, but soon the game will be much more deadly than it is now. We need to exercise caution."

With that he guided his wife away from the launch bay and in the general direction of his quarters. Lucas stood there for awhile. He briefly considered going to medbay to see how the Captain was, but knew that there would be no getting in there, nor any answers, for quite awhile yet. Knowing that he headed to the seadeck where he knew Fredericks would be. As much as he did not want to be the bearer of some really bad news, she deserved to know.

Walking into the serene area and to the moon pool with the walk that went up the center of it, he looked around. Two minutes later a subdued dolphin swam up to him. Lucas smoothed the melon, noticing as he did so that Darwin was just beginning to show the first spotting on his body. Bottlenose dolphins did not stay the smooth grey forever, after awhile they started to get the unique mottling of their skin. They were markings that made them easy to tell apart. It meant that Darwin was finally moving through the adolescent stage of his life and into the adult. Dolphins had a life span of at least thirty years in the wild, so Darwin still had a long life ahead of him.

But it was enough to make Lucas wake up to the realization that he too, was moving past the same teenage years and into his own adulthood. He looked up when Fredericks walked down from the catwalk above the moonpool. "Hey," he said, subdued.

"Hey," she answered. "What was the big emergency?"

Lucas took a breath and smoothed Darwin's skin again. "I had to pilot an Ambulatory Speeder. We think... that Nathan took a heart attack on his island."

Fredericks ran up to him and hugged him, and then asked, "Is he all right?"

Lucas shrugged, "They have him the medbay right now. Jess, whomever is responsible for the attacks on our family has taken Michael. All of us are in danger now." He touched her belly, a small smile on his face. "Even this little one here is not immune. But he, or she, makes it all worth it."

Fredericks swallowed, not sure what to say. Before he had told her this, she was going to tell him her feelings about having their child. She knew that now was not a good time to bring it up. She just hugged him for a long time, knowing that he needed the reassurance.

October 7th, 2034
Waikkiki, Hawaii
Hudson's Home

Captain Oliver Hudson was in a relatively good mood. His sister had brought her family for a visit from Sudbury, Ontario, and the twin girls of Deanna Martin were extremely good with Vanessa. His home was full right now, as both Wendy's side of the family and his were visiting. It was a rare occasion and was being jokingly being called a belated wedding reception. The only problem was getting through to the Secretary General and his wife, who were Wendy's Uncle and Aunt.

Even trying to get a hold of her cousin on the seaQuest was next to impossible. Besides all that, it was a great 'reunion'. Finally, Wendy signaled for everyone to quiet down as the seaQuest's logo appeared on the vidscreen. Then the communications chief appeared on the screen, "seaQuest DSV... Oh, hello Captain Hudson, Dr. Smith. I can see if I can find the Admiral."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Johansen," replied Wendy as the logo appeared on the screen.

A few moments they saw Admiral Robert Bridger on their vidscreen. He looked up from the Lucite desk in his quarters, and managed a wan smile. Wendy knew without being told that there was bad news on his end of things. "Hi, Bobby!" she said cheerfully.

"Hey, Wendy. To what to we owe the pleasure of this call?" Robert asked, and the Hudson's could plainly see a sleeping form in the bunk shift and sit up.

Cynthia was on board, but that was hardly surprising considering all that had happened recently. Maybe that's it, thought Wendy. The stress on the Bridger's was likely nearing the breaking point. "Well, Liv and I just got swamped in company and was wondering if you would help complete it," answered Wendy. "I think we are going to have a belated wedding reception held."

"Oh..." answered Robert. "We would like that..."

Wendy could hear the unspoken but from miles away. "What's up?" she asked.

"It's Dad... he had a heart attack," the statement sent a pall throughout the formally cheerful room.

Oh my God, Wendy was shocked. "When, how?" asked Oliver.

"Yesterday on his island. I guess with the stress of being the Secretary General, and then having our family outright targeted... then Michael was kidnapped. It was the final straw that broke the camel's back, as they say," Robert shrugged. "He should be okay. Kristin was there, and we responded fast enough. But his health hasn't been the same since he was sick."

The entire news was distressing. So much for the pleasant family holiday, mused Oliver. "If you need anything, you know our number," said Oliver. "And please, tell us if anything develops. I'd rather not hear it after the fact."

Robert smiled sadly, "Of course... It was nice talking to you."

The link was terminated and then they all looked at each other. "Ollie, if you want us to go back to Sudbury, we can catch the next flight back," suggested his sister.

Hudson shook his head. "No, Anna, you can stay. Don't let this cut the holiday short. And if the Bridger's are being targeted, you just made yourself a target as well by being here. And if that's true, I'd rather have you and the twins close."

She nodded and went to help Wendy with a now fussy Vanessa, leaving Hudson alone in the empty dining room his thoughts. Taking a moment to make a split second decision he walked up the stairs and into his office. Closing the door, he dialed a different number. A moment later the profile of Colonel Jason Yamamoto filled the screen.

"Captain Hudson, to what to I owe the pleasure?" asked Yamamoto.

"Have you heard?" for a moment he gloated as there was no possible way for the Section Seven officer to know about the Secretary General's heart attack, but then it was overridden by his own professionalism.

"Heard what?" asked Yamamoto.

"Colonel, we have a situation," began Hudson. "I just heard from a very reliable source that the Secretary General just suffered a heart attack, and is on board the seaQuest fighting for his life as we speak."

For the briefest moment Hudson could plainly see the surprise on Yamamoto's face, but that was overridden by the man's own professionalism. "That is.... distressing news, Captain," responded Yamamoto. "May I ask from where did you receive this information?"

"His son," answered Hudson.

"Then it is true," Yamamoto bowed his head. "To lose our leadership now brings an unpleasant situation. We need a Secretary General. So now we need to think about a temporary replacement. Any ideas?"

"Yeah, one woman had the necessary skills, but she disappeared off the face of the planet," answered Hudson, and in unison the two of them said, "Admiral Hitchcock."

PART TWO: The Lie

October 7th, 2034
Manaus, Brazil

It had rained since the last battle. Those with her had seen that she was trained better than they were, and that accorded Angel a certain amount respect. She cleaned her gun again after the last raid. A few of the other mercenaries were dead, some even in the first five minutes of the first battle. It was then that she figured out the real reason they were being conveyed down a river in a rickety boat when they could have simply flown to Manaus.

They were being culled.

The survivors would obviously be those that made the grade and hired to do whatever they were being hired to do. This was only a test of their mettle. A part of her former life would have been a bit insulted even as she saw the reason for it.

A few of the men were insulted that they were being shown up by a woman. One had even tried to rape her, as he put it, "To put her in her place."

He now avoided her, regarding her with wary eyes and a good deal of fear. While a part of her screamed that this was not her, not her way, another reveled in the feeling. It gave her mind something else to dwell on.

Every so often she would think about what she had left behind, then she would shake her head at the thought. There was only one way to find out. Only one way to bring justice to the murderer.

Only one path to revenge and she was near the end of it. The boatman had told them that there was one last day until they reached Manaus. Soon she would know and would be able to bring back the evidence to the UEO. If it was not enough to convict she knew it would enough for the Secretary General to send in Section Seven.

She fell asleep at the bow and awoke to a dim dawn. Shaking the cobweb feeling from her mind she watched as the boat bounced gently off the concrete dock and the city sprawl could barely be seen through the thick vegetation. As they disembarked, another man in battle fatigues came up to them. Speaking English, he said, "I can see that only twenty five percent of you made it here. Only ten of you made the cut."

"That was a test?" asked one man. "What kind of a test was that?"

"To make sure you're as good as you claimed to be. And now we can see that you are," answered the employer maybe, if not in the very least the middle man.

"So who wants the best?" asked Angel.

He smiled at her, "Now this is a surprise. You are the first woman that the boat has brought here alive and standing on two feet. Judging by the fact that you're armed like the rest, you're an employee, not a prisoner either. This is a surprise. Diego, where'd you find her?"

The boatman, Diego, shrugged, "She was in a hotel. I saw her take two of the meanest hombres down in the village. David, meet Angela."

David, the man in the fatigues looked her up and down, "Angela. It's a pleasure. The employer wished to remain anonymous, for now."

She nodded and moved back a step. Seeing that she would not find out that information immediately, she would have to be a bit more patient. Finally they were led to the barracks. They were really no different that any other barracks that she had ever stayed in. Granted, her quarters were usually a bit more private than the shared quarters they had now. It was twenty people to a room and they slept in bunks. She sighed and picked a top bunk near the rear of the room.

A few of the men made a move to argue, but a glare from her time as Admiral made them quickly back down.

Outside the barracks, a conversation in Portugese was going on. "Quite the spitfire you've brought me. She is far above the usual quality."

"She made the trials look like a cake walk. Some of the men are extremely unsettled by her," answered Deigo, the man who had found her in the first place. "Definitely a candidate for further training. Maybe even one of the elite guards. I think Mr. Harpe will be pleased."

David nodded his agreement. "I can't shake the feeling like I've seen her before somewhere, though..."

"A pretty thing like that has an effect on almost every male that type encounters. Except this one will not take any for her bed. No... She is an Angel of Death. Fit only for killing," said Diego.

"Who said that?"

"Well, Angela is not her real name. But that is what we are permitted to know about her. When I called her the Angel of Death, she smiled. Only a small smile, but one nonetheless," answered Diego. "Well, I must be off. You know where to find me if you need more recruits."

David waved him off and the boat moved away from the dock.

October 8th
Sao Paulo, Brazil

Geoffrey Harpe listened to the exquisite soprano of the late Sarah Brightman. Her beauty, both in form and voice, had always been something that Nathan and he could agree on. And then later as Nathan married a woman who could appreciate her as well. Carol Smith-Bridger had been equally beautiful and it was often that Harpe was a bit jealous that Nathan had won her over.

Freeman walked in, the boy in tow. Harpe walked over to the boy. "Look at me," he ordered shortly.

The boy did so, and Harpe was pleased to see no fear in his eyes. "What is your name?"

"Michael Bridger," he answered.

"How sad for you to be the last..." Harpe bent down and grasped him by the shoulders, looking in his blue eyes with what he hoped was a properly sympathetic gaze. "I am afraid that if not for me you would have joined your family in its tragic demise."

"You're lying."

"I only wish I were," said Harpe sadly.

"No, you are," Michael remained adamant.

Harpe frowned. It would be his luck that the boy would have inherited his grandfather's traits. "My dear boy, I may lie about a great many things, but your family's destruction I do not," Harpe stood and motioned to Freeman. "Show him the tape of the island that was on the news."

Freeman walked over to the vidscreen and turned it on. It was a picture of Bridger's island in flames. No where was there a place where anyone could have escaped. The entire island was engulfed in flames that seemed to lick the very stars. Michael sank to the floor with a strangled cry and Harpe kneeled down beside him. "I'm sorry I had to be the one that showed you that, but it was the only way you would believe me. The Bridger family is dead, and you, Michael, are the last. Your grandfather, Nathan was on the island. You know it as well as I do, and so was your father and mother."

"Where is Savannah and Gator?" asked Michael in between tears.

"Dead as well. It was all that my associate Mason here could do to save you from the ruffians that killed and robbed her. I am afraid that Mr. Crocker was also on the island when this tragedy occurred," answered Harpe. "My dear boy... dear Michael. It falls to me to make sure that you remain protected. I will raise you so that when the time comes, not only will you be strong enough to lead as you ought, but you will lead Harpe Enterprises... but for that the Bridger's can no longer be your family."

He turned to look at Harpe, "I don't understand."

"What is your full name?"

"Michael Armand Bridger."

"Not anymore," Harpe put his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Your name is Michael Armand Harpe."

PART THREE: Drowning Depths

October 9th, 2034
8:00 hours
New Cape Quest, Florida
Admiral Robert Bridger's office

It had been a few days since Robert had returned to his office so a few minutes were spent with him catching up with his messages that could not be forwarded to the seaQuest. Ben Krieg waited outside of the office, knowing that most of them would be of a security clearance he did not yet have.

Finally, Robert opened the door and motioned Ben inside. "Most of the messages had to do with who would be the Acting Secretary General until my father recovers," Robert managed a wan smile. "It's nice to know that they assume that he will recover."

"Of course he will," Ben stated. "Your father is the toughest man I've ever met. Once he recovers I also know he will make sure that whomever is targeting his family will be taken down."

Robert grasped Ben's shoulder and doubled over. Ben managed to catch his friend before he hit the ground. "What is it?" asked Ben anxiously.

"Pain," Robert answered, once he could breathe again, and the fury in his eyes was unmistakable. "Someone is hurting Michael. I just sensed his immense sadness and grief."

"Who would want to hurt Michael?" demanded Ben in frustration.

Robert could only shake his head. "Not hurt exactly... but something caused my little boy an immense amount of pain," he turned to Ben. "How fast can the seaQuest be back in the water?"

Ben smiled, "How fast do you want it to be, Admiral?"

October 9th, 2034
11:04 hours
New Cape Quest
UEO submarine docks

It had only taken minutes to have everyone notified that their shore leave was being unceremoniously cut short. The next question was whether or not everyone would show up in time for the shipping out at precisely 11:15. Commodore Benjamin Krieg really should not have had to question his crew.

Only the last remaining science crew, those unused to being packed up and shipped out at a moments notice were straggling on board. Even then the last of them were on the shuttle and everyone was accounted for. He was truly impressed and felt a measure of pride.

While disappointed that he couldn't pay his respects to the Secretary General before departing, Robert had promised him that he would pass along the message. Not that it made any difference. Nathan Bridger had yet to awaken from the drug induced sleep that the doctors had him under to make sure his heart kept beating.

Tim O'Niell walked up to him and handed him the new crew roster. "In the shuffle, we lost Lieutenant Dasher to the Shadow Warrior," pointed out O'Niell. "Granted, we also gained a few."

The two men walked to the bridge and when they arrived there, the bridge crew stood and saluted. Ben saluted back and they all went back to their assigned duties. He took a moment to drink it all in. While he had been in command before, now it was the official beginning of the tour. "Helm, lay in a course. Take us out to sea," ordered Krieg as he settled himself into the command chair.

"Course laid in," came Fredericks answer.

The motion was barely perceptible, but there was no mistaking that they were now heading away from the docks and into the open water. Once in open water, Fredericks announced, "We are clear of the docks. Diving."

It seemed as if everything closed in and then he watched the opened screens as the water swept over them and the seaQuest dove under the waters of the Gulf, heading to the subducted Panama Canal. Walking over to the sensor grid he watched the Sensor Chief, and now third in command, Lieutenant Commander Miguel Ortiz, smiling at him and walking away. "Commander O'Niell," he said.

"Yes sir?"

"You have the bridge," Krieg waited for Tim's nod of acknowledgment and then walked from the bridge.

He had a few things to check up on before going off duty. As Ben walked through the corridors he found his thoughts turning to a certain Commander on the Avenger. Now she was Brody's X-O. Ben sighed. He supposed it was for the best, but God, he missed her. Their last weekend together was one for the record books. As much as he had loved Katherine, nothing in his life could ever compare to Lonnie.

Finding himself at the door to his quarters he pushed the door open. The time spent here was still not enough to erase the presence of the former occupants and it made him wonder what he was doing here. If he could ever possibly be able meet those expectations. Not one but two legends had lived here for longer than they were usually on dry land. What had he to do with the Bridger's?

Crash Krieg.

He closed the door and leaned on it. Sliding down the side of it, he leaned his head up against the door. Closing his eyes he could almost see one Bridger or even the other walking around. It was like they were ghosts. Memories left over from the former tours.

God, no wonder Oliver Hudson had shipped himself off landside as soon as the chance to do so had come to him. The captain's quarters on the seaQuest was enough to give any new commander the creeps. Opening his eyes he realized that maybe he should change things around to give it some of his own personality. But what? He actually liked Nathan Bridger's taste in decorating. So had Robert, which was why it was nearly identical to the way it had been when his father had been in command.

Ben walked over to the desk, shaking those circular thoughts out of his head.

October 9th, 2034
Shadow Warrior
Crew Quarters

Lieutenant JG Tracy Joanne Dasher unpacked her carry all and put what little clothing she owned into the drawers. After it was empty she laid it with some of her other shoes in the bottom drawer. A crisp knock sounded at her door and her new commander entered. She whirled and saluted. Colonel Yamamoto saluted back and said, "Settling in?"

"Yes, sir," she answered. "It's a more personal ship than even the seaQuest. I was really surprised that so many are on first name basis, sir."

"It's more chummy because we are so small in comparison. There is no room for too much pomp," he chuckled, then he held out his hand to shake hers. When she took it he continued. "We have not had the pleasure of meeting in person. Colonel Jason Yamamoto."

"A pleasure, sir, Lieutenant JG Tracy Joanne Dasher," she replied.

"Jason will suffice, except when too many of the upper echelons are around," he pointed out. "That is, if you don't mind Tracy."

"TJ, actually," she answered.

"I stand corrected."

TJ could hardly sense him, but what she did sense was very well trained. An eyebrow went up, "TJ, correct me if I am wrong, but did I just sense that you tried to scan me?"

She blushed, "Sorry, sir. Old habit. I don't do thoughts though, just surface emotions."

He nodded, "A curious ability."

Yamamoto nodded again, and then left her quarters. A sense of foreboding settled on her and she knew that he would not let it rest there. She was not comfortable with him finding out too much about her. Not yet. She didn't know enough about herself as it was.

Jason walked to the cramped wardroom on the Shadow and entered. Typing in a frequency that he usually did not use, he waited as the vidlink rang. Five rings later, and an audio only link was established on his secure line. "The link is secure," assured Jason.

The vidlink flickered as the video pick up was turned on. He gritted his teeth, "Good day, President McQueen."

The president of the NorPac Confederation looked on, an eyebrow lifting in curiosity. "Colonel, I did not expect to hear from you so soon. Have you heard about the Secretary General?"

"Yes, I have," he said. And likely before even you did, was his thoughts. "Madam President, I need information to complete a mission."

He only took a moment to think about it. There was no time to regret the invasion of privacy, but she was an unusual occurrence in his crew. "I need whatever information you can give me on Lieutenant JG Tracy Joanne Dasher."

Her brow creased, "That is an unusual request to make of a president, Colonel."

"Yes, however I have a distinct feeling that it cuts out the middlemen asking you," he pointed out, pacing a bit. "After all, Madam President, we did start out in the same career. Only you left the game much earlier than I."

Finally, she rolled her eyes and said, "I'll see what I can do. But I don't promise anything."

"Fair enough," he conceded. "Yamamoto out."

October 10th, 2034
Manaus, Brazil

Katherine ate with the rest of the men in the mess. They were a swarthy bunch, and the mess was a rough establishment. Granted they did not allow internal conflicts and they were extremely professional. She was alone in her thoughts, however. Just last night on the news they had shown the current events. It was then she learned that Nathan had taken a heart attack. He was still alive, but they did not give many details.

This is not good, she reflected. If he didn't improve they would be discussing a temporary replacement, and while she knew that Robert Bridger was a capable stand in for his father they would soon look for someone else as that was just not his preferred area. Usually Acting Secretary Generals were Admirals or Generals.

And her name was at the top of the list.

If they flashed her face on the news, even just once, her cover would be blown and she would be as good as dead. There was no point stressing over it, but she had to plan for the possibility.

The next worry was that she had nearly forgotten herself here. Nearly drowned in the depths of her persona. While she could still pull off the role of Angel she knew now that she could not allow herself to slip back into the easy hole of hiding from herself.

October 12th, 2034
New Cape Quest, Florida
General Hospital
VIP Care

Kristin Bridger had hovered at her husband's bedside since he had the heart attack. She prayed that he would pull through. His health had not been the same since he had nearly died from Lukahn's Syndrome. That had been where the original damage to his heart took place, she knew, and she hoped that now it would not kill him in the end.

Nathan had not awakened yet.

It had been six days and still he lay there unmoving like he was already dead. Her tears were exhausted and if he did die she knew she couldn't cry anymore. How much more could she mourn?

A hand settled on her shoulder and she looked up into Robert's face. "Hey," he murmured.

"Hey," she whispered back.

"Any change?" he asked.

She shook her head.

He swallowed and looked out the window, half listening to the steady beeps of the heart monitor that told them that Nathan Bridger was still determined to live, even if he had not opened his eyes yet. She chewed her bottom lip, not sure what to say to his son. "You don't have to say anything, Kristin," he said softly, just loud enough to be heard.

A smile lit up her face, completely unbidden, "Stop reading my mind, Robert."

"Then don't think so loud."

A low moan ended the conversation as they both turned to face the bed. Kristin moved faster, hitting the call button on the side. "He's waking up," she said quickly, then terminated the connection when the nurse on the other end acknowledged her. "Nathan, can you hear me?"

A unintelligible mumble was the answer. She looked up at Robert who shrugged, clearly he hadn't caught what Nathan had said either. "Dad, I'm afraid you're going to have to speak up."

"Where...am..I?" he asked opening his eyes a crack.

"In a hospital in New Cape Quest," answered Kristin, mentally thanking God he had finally woken up.

His speech was not the clearest due the drugs used both to regulate his heart and for the extreme pain, but at least he could get his general thought across. "Dad, you gave us a scare," said Robert, sitting in a chair he pulled up to the side of the bed.

"When..." he broke off, creasing his brow in concentration.

Kristin touched his shoulder, "Don't try too hard, Nathan. Rest."

He looked over to her, his eyes clearly saying what he couldn't. Moments later those slid shut and his breathing slowed again into sleep. Robert looked over to Kristin, "How long is he going to be like this?"

"A while yet. His heart was damaged... and unfortunately once damaged always damaged. If you remember, it was also what almost killed him when he was ill with Lukahn's. That also went after his heart near the very end," she said quietly. "Unfortunately each incident involving his heart will only weaken it further. The drugs are used to take the stress off his heart. Unfortunately, they also leave him very disconnected and sleepy. But the rest is also very good for him. When he sleeps the workload on his heart is less than when awake. He will heal, but the process is very long."

"Will he have to step down as the Secretary-General?" asked Yamamoto from behind them.

Both Robert and Kristin jumped in surprise. "Jesus, Jason, could you not do that?" Kristin chided in a low whisper, although the tone of that whisper was very sharp.

"I'm sorry," Yamamoto inclined his head in apology. "But I need to know."

"Why, so you can stop protecting him?" her voice still held its edge, and even Yamamoto winced.

"No, Mrs. Bridger," he shook his head. "A replacement will have to be picked, and until then an Acting Secretary General. If that comes to pass I will be sent to find her."

Robert and Kristin looked at him, and he sighed, and explained, "Admiral Hitchcock is at the top of the list to succeed as the Acting Secretary General."

Kristin inhaled in surprise, "But..."

"Exactly," Yamamoto answered Dr. Westphalen's unspoken question. "Which means I have to find the Admiral and return with her."

Lucas walked to the launch bay where the Specters were and was checking over his Specter when a gentle hand on his shoulder brought him around. He turned and saw Fredericks standing there. "Lucas, we need to talk."