Chapter Seven
Going Under
PART ONE: Perverted Legacy
November 12th, 2034
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Geoffrey Harpe could admit he was an impatient man in his need to see Bridger finally destroyed, and often he wondered why he was so patient with the grandson. He watched the boy at his studies and saw so much of Nathan Bridger, and perhaps of Robert, that it hurt him to even look upon the boy.
But he could be honest with himself here. As much as he hated the Bridger's, this boy was innocent of that. Granted, he was a near carbon copy of Robert, and of course, of Nathan, but his startlingly blue eyes were Carol's, as was the near platinum blonde hair.
Carol.
A sharp pain that he knew as regret settled over his heart. Carol Smith had been that fair, that beautiful. When Nathan had introduced her to him, he had known from that moment that his heart was lost. That such an angel would be shown to him, and then denied him in the same breath had perhaps led to the final shattering of his friendship with Nathan. It was definitely the first blow.
The last was hearing that she had died on a god-forsaken island in the Caribbean.
Anything that Harpe would have wanted to do to console Bridger had died with that angel. From then on all he wanted was to see Bridger destroyed like he had destroyed Carol, and his own family. How could Bridger be so self-righteous when it had been his own selfish fault that his son had died, then to take her to that island beyond help when he knew that her health was frail to begin with... and even frailer after having to go through the grueling process of losing her only child.
Harpe would never had done that to her.
Nor would have Robert been someplace vulnerable enough to have himself enslaved. No, if he had been in Bridger's position, he would have hunted down any clue of where his son was, and then freed him. Hell, if it had been Harpe, he would have never even had to have left the comfort of his own home to do so. A simple flick of his finger would have brought that slave ring down around their ears.
But no, Nathan Bridger chose the coward's way out: run and hide.
Harpe could only stare at the computer screen in disbelief as Michael looked up at him in equal surprise. Michael walked over to Harpe, "Are you all right?"
"What have you done?" he demanded. "I would have given you everything! Don't you understand what I was trying to do for you?"
For a moment the boy seemed to stop, then a familiar defiance entered into his eyes, "I understand! You tried to kill my family! You burned the island! It was you the entire time, wasn't it?"
Harpe knelt down and took the boy by the shoulders, "What do you mean?"
"I heard you talk with those bad men," said Michael. "I heard you tell them that all you wanted was everything to do with the seaQuest destroyed.
Darwin. JJ. Lucas. Gramma and Grampa. He couldn't let it happen. He wouldn't.
"Why?" asked Michael, his eyes full of tears. "What did we do to you?"
For a moment the mask slipped and Harpe's countenance changed. But he took a breath, "It never did have anything to do with you, son. Only your grandfather. Only the grave injustice, the grave crimes against me, did I ever react to. Surely you understand the concept of revenge, Michael?"
Michael's eyes thinned, "Yeah. Of course."
"Then that is why. But when I saw you I could never have ever harmed you. Don't you understand that?" asked Harpe.
"Why did you lie to me?"
"To protect you," answered Harpe.
November 12th, 2034
Off the Coast of Florida
En route to the Panama Strait
seaQuest DSV
Krieg walked onto the bridge of the seaQuest after the leave ended and unconsciously found himself searching out Lucas. Then he remembered that Lucas wasn't on board, and wouldn't be for a long time. In a way the entire ship seemed a bit... strange... without him.
When he finally sat down in the command chair, and felt that now familiar weight of command settle on him, he put that thought out of his mind. The seaQuest was to travel to San Diego, and, as a measure of obligation, be there as Nathan Bridger officially stepped down as the Secretary General of the UEO. Then, and he inwardly grinned as he read the remainder of the orders, take the retired S-G to England where he and the Lady Westphalen would live out the remainder of their lives. Or so those two planned...
Official orders from at least four Admirals wanted Commodore Krieg to convince Dr. Bridger to return to his former post as the Chief Science Officer until at least the end of this tour in May of 2035. Then he and Dr. Westphalen could go to England and retire if that was what they wanted. But the Admiralty had it from a reliable source that it would be safer for them to remain on the seaQuest for the time being.
As if they are going to listen to me, mused Ben. If they already have their minds made up on what they want to do...
...Oh well, at least Lucas will be likely back on board for the next while.
He found himself looking forward to having the S-G onboard, even if it was after he had stepped down. Having the elder Bridger on board, even for the two weeks they were scheduled to be on board, would bring up the morale. And to be frank he knew that was exactly what the crew needed as they still seemed a bit down even after the shore leave.
Then Krieg frowned. Shortly, Robert and a few handpicked members of the crew would be walking into danger. Tim O'Niell had been one of those chosen to leave and go on this mission so for now Miguel Ortiz was there.
Ortiz stepped up to beside the command chair. "New orders?" he asked.
"Yeah," Ben lied. "And I like them. Should be interesting. A non-military action for once."
Miguel's eyebrows lifted slightly. "That sounds interesting, sir, what orders would those be?"
"Call a senior staff meeting in the wardroom," in a way of an answer, Ben looked up with a smile on his face. "I think I should tell everyone at once instead of having to relay it more than once."
"Aye sir," answered Miguel.
An hour later, Ben sat at the head of the wardroom table with the senior crew on board seated at the table. The vidscreen was split into the necessary four screens to accommodate the other ships in the battle group.
"Ladies and gents," began Krieg, half standing. "New orders."
A moment later he read from the paper he held. "We are ordered to go to San Diego for the retirement of Secretary General Bridger of the UEO. Once done, the retired S-G will be coming on board for us to take him, his wife, his son and his wife, to England. It is a two week mission, where we will likely be called on to go on a few 'side' missions in the meantime."
"Let me get this straight," said Captain James Brody, who had been with the seaQuest since the beginning, but now commanded the Avenger. "We are to ferry the S-G to England right?"
Ben nodded and Jim looked off screen for a moment, undoubtably his own executive officer, Lonnie Henderson having something to add. "Commander Henderson tells me that should be a trip that would take a maximum of four days barring weather or other problems by a surface ship. The seaQuest should be able to go that distance in two. Why the delay?" asked Brody finally.
Ben grinned, "Because, in the meantime, we are to convince Dr. Bridger that he wants to stay on board as the CSO. Now, what I am about to say does not leave this room. Captain Brody, is your link secure."
"Always," answered Brody, an eyebrow raised.
Krieg turned to the temporary Captain of the Baycourt, Martina Russo, "And on your end?"
"Yes sir."
"I am sure a few of you are wondering what happened to a few of the members of your crew," he was greeted with a few nods. "That's because Admiral Bridger decided to use the information supplied to him by Admiral Hitchcock and lead a strike team into Sao Paulo. Ladies and gentlemen, our true mission is to make sure that they get in and out alive. Again, we are merely the smoke screen, which is why the S-G is coming aboard. We are hoping that enough of Harpe's attention is focused on us and not on them."
For a moment there were a few incredulous stares, and Yamamoto from the Shadow Warrior added, "A prudent measure by the Admiralty... now about the other part of this. About getting Bridger to stay... again."
Ben shook his head, and then looked at Miguel, "Does this sound familiar to you at all?"
"Yeah, like from when we first met him," Ortiz looked over at Ben. "Oh no, we aren't going to have to go through all that again, are we?" seeing the serious look on Ben's face in answer. "Oh mio dios, we do."
Ben held up his hand at the stunned reaction from Ortiz. "Come on, it won't be as bad as that. There is no possible way he could know that this time he is being set up. It's a... journey of consideration."
Two glares met his eyes, as well as the crew who did not remember, or weren't there, looked at him. Dagwood added, "And maybe pigs will fly."
Oh yes, that was right. Ben remembered that Nathan was a very psychic man. He would know that there was something up. What if he couldn't even get Bridger on board this time? "Relax, guys, I have a plan," Krieg grinned.
Everyone groaned.
PART TWO: To Be or Not To Be
November 13th, 2034
San Diego
Nathan packed the last of his things and set the suitcase down in the hallway. In a way he was very glad that this was finally over. Lucas walked up to him, looking better than he had when he first came to the house. The weeks had been good for him and his color was improved. He even seemed to be moving around better. His smile came easier, that was certain.
"So what is up?"
"Well, after the retirement party I guess we fly to England," answered Nathan, then he frowned as a captain came up to him and saluted. Once the other man had left, Nathan turned to Lucas and said, "That truly was a strange feeling."
"It was rather strange to watch," agreed Lucas. "Even if fitting in a fashion."
Reading the note Nathan suddenly grinned, "Oh, they really are pulling out all the stops on me this time..."
"What is it?" asked Lucas.
"We won't be flying. We're being 'ferried'," he looked up with an even broader smile. "The Admiralty ordered the seaQuest to take us to England, with full battle group honors."
Lucas could only stare in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
Nathan handed him the note and Lucas read it, "Man, you are serious. Why would they do that?"
"Well, that says to honor my retirement, but you know what it sounds like to me?"
Lucas shook his head in confusion, then suddenly caught on, "Like the first time you stepped on the seaQuest..."
Nathan smiled in a wistful sort of way. Putting the letter in his things he finished his packing and stood up. "This time I don't think they will be that successful, although I'm touched by that gesture," although Nathan was in on the true reason behind this, it left him with an uneasy feeling.
Robert paced his cramped quarters that he had to share with O'Niell. Tim watched the younger Bridger with a sense of growing trepidation. Granted the other reason Tim practically jumped at every noise was the eerie ability of the ship's AI to read what he was feeling. And a psychic ship, if that were possible, was even scarier.
Finally Robert stopped pacing and looked at O'Niell. "I'm sorry if I'm making you nervous."
"It's not that you're making me nervous. It's that this entire ship makes me nervous," answered Tim. "But the pacing doesn't help."
"Sorry."
The silence descended again, and this time, Robert said, "I think I'll take a walk. It's not everyday you get to explore a ship that can think on its own."
"I think I'm going to try to sleep."
"Sorry!"
Robert walked from the quarters and sighed. This was ridiculous. He shouldn't be worrying what the others thought and should be focusing on the mission. But he found that he couldn't. His mind kept returning to his son who was still in Harpe's grasp. Lucas had received another email. This new one had seemed incomplete which likely meant that Michael had been caught. Robert was worried about the implications of that. If Harpe knew that Michael had been sending email to Lucas then he would likely figure out that they were not too far behind.
He found himself on the threshold of entering the extremely unusual bridge of the Grail. Robert had avoided this place since stepping on board. This was the location of the mainframe of the entire computer system on board.
It was where this Nathan Bridger was entombed as the AI.
His father.
The father he remembered. Not the one that he had met upon the seaQuest's return in 2032. Robert found it nearly impossible to reconcile this Nathan Bridger with the one still flesh and blood. The one so different than the distant and hard military man he remembered.
"I can barely see who you are," came his father's voice. "But I know you are there. The sensors on the bridge don't reach that far."
For a moment, Robert considered turning away and walking in the other direction, but he stepped in just far enough for the camera to pick up and register his appearance. For a moment he stared at the main screen, waiting, then finally the holographic version of a much younger Nathan Bridger appeared. "I was hoping you would come. I wasn't sure."
Robert's mouth was dry and he licked his lips, "I... I wasn't sure if I was going to end up here either."
"Why so nervous?" his father quirked an eyebrow. "I am your father, computer or not. Ah, I guess that's it. I can understand. The others avoid me too."
The vague tone of regret made Robert pause, "You can feel their unease? You can feel emotion?"
"Not specifically," answered Bridger. "But... when they come so far and then retreat before I can truly register who it was I... I feel a bit...ah... hurt by it. I had a feeling that you would be the first one to enter here."
Robert looked around for a place to sit, knowing that they were in for a long conversation. With growing chagrin, he realized that the bridge lacked a chair. "Where in Hell does a person sit around here?"
It even appeared like his father was going to chide him for his language, then he put his hand down and let it hang by his side, "I don't think it was in the original design."
November 14th, 2034
seaQuest DSV
Launch Bay
Benjamin Krieg leaned on the bulkhead, almost asleep. He had worked a double shift as they still had to get used to not having Tim O'Niell around. Ortiz had just went on duty and he would also have a double shift. Finally the launch bay doors opened and, the now ex-Secretary General, walked down the few steps into the seaQuest. He stood up straight and saluted, "Mr. Secretary General, an honor to have you with us again."
Nathan Bridger, now officially retired from being the Secretary General of the UEO, saluted back, then shook Krieg's hand, "Thank you, Commodore, for having us. I hope you aren't too over stressed."
"What, me, sir?" asked Krieg with a smile, then it dropped off slightly. "Maybe just a little. But not by you, sir. It's just that without my executive officer I am a bit lost..."
This at least got a chuckle from Bridger, "Now you know how I felt without..."
The conversation seemed to stall there and Bridger could only shake his head, "I still miss him. When I said Captain Ford was my right hand and my left, I wasn't kidding. Nor was I exaggerating. Damn him."
Krieg didn't have to ask who Bridger was cursing at. The sentiments were heartfelt on his end as well. But the lull in the conversation gave Ben a chance to size up his former captain. He hadn't seen the elder Bridger since they took him upland to the hospital, and now he could see why Bridger decided it was definitely time to retire.
The lines around Nathan's eyes were more pronounced and showing his truer age. The silvering steel grey hair now a mostly white with a few silver strands left. Bridger leaned on his cane much more than he ever did. It was a bit unsettling to Ben who had gotten used to the AI Bridger on the Grail who hardly had one grey hair and nary a wrinkle except for around the eyes.
Granted, Nathan still was very steady on his feet, and still a strong man, but he just seemed to have aged. Ben saw that he was aware of the scrutiny. "Can I see you to your quarters, sir?"
"Nathan," corrected Bridger, who smiled. "I would be very grateful for the company."
Finally Kristin Westphalen-Bridger entered the ship. She too, showed signs of her age, but not as much. She fell into step behind them. "Commodore, thank you for ferrying us," began Nathan.
"There's no need to thank me," maintained Krieg. "I look for every excuse to have you aboard."
"That very well may be," said Nathan. "But I know why we're here--."
"Sir?"
"And it isn't going to work," finished Nathan and he stopped to look at Ben. "Look, I know you would love to have me back on board this ship on a more permanent basis, but it's time for me. I can't keep up with this anymore."
"Sir--" Krieg caught Bridger's side glance. "--Nathan, as much as I would love to see your new mansion or castle or whatever you and her Ladyship will be in, I would prefer to see you where you truly belong. It was never on a desert island, and will never be in England at the Westphalen estate."
He looked at them both, "I can't see either of you not on the seaQuest. I can't see the seaQuest without either of you. You belong here. This is your home. It always was and always will be. You designed it and poured your heart and soul into it. It's only natural that you be here in the physical sense too."
After he finished he could only stop in amazement at himself. Oh my God. I just chewed out the Secretary General... he realized. I just chewed out my Captain. My mentor...
...He had it coming...
He wasn't the only stopped in the corridors. A few crew members had also stopped to stare in amazement. To them, Bridger was the Secretary General and he merely the Commodore in command of one the many ships in the UEO. What he had just done was enough to get himself a serious written reprimand. But the Secretary General merely stood there thoughtfully as if considering those words.
Finally the elder man spoke, "Don't you ever change, Ben."
And then the two Bridgers walked down the corridor, away from the stunned commodore. Finally Ben regained his senses and ordered curtly, "There's nothing to see here and I imagine you have jobs to do."
November 14th, 2034
Just outside of Sao Paulo, Brazil
2200 hours, local time
Commander Lonnie Henderson wasn't one to listen to rumors. But she had to wonder why they had chosen Ensign TJ Dasher to come along on the mission. The young ensign, as capable as she was, seemed to be the outsider of the group.
The camp was rather large and no one noticed the arrival of a few more beggars. In fact, except for the gleaming city on the sea, everyone in Sao Paulo lived in slums and poverty. TJ said quietly, "The rich only seem to get richer and the poorer even more so."
"Amen to that," agreed Tim O'Niell. "This is terrible. How could the UEO allow this?"
"Because we have no power over this country," said Robert, his eyes haunted, as he walked over to them from a clump of the Portuguese standing around a burning barrel to keep warm. "This confederation is... a thorn in the UEO's side. It was from here that my wife freed numerous children, mere boys, from being murdered by death squads. Now they have gone from a power-hungry dictator to a money-hungry one. And they have not seen a difference between the two. Many of them used to work for Deon. Now that Deon Industries is no more they have no where to go. And Harpe won't hire anybody with a Deon tattoo."
"That's terrible," said Lonnie.
"That's the way it is," Robert frowned in thought. "But as bad as this is... I've seen worse."
They looked at the lit city that seemed to gleam in the distance and shine on the water surrounding it.
PART THREE: The End Nears
November 15th, 2034
seaQuest DSV
sea deck
Nathan leaned on the coping and petted Darwin. "Bridger worried?"
"Yes, I am," answered Nathan. "Our friends are out there. And I don't have a very good feeling about this..."
Sao Paulo
Brazil
8:00 hours
Robert watched as the others were processed, then allowed to enter. He had decided to wait outside as he was the most likely to be recognized. But after awhile he would also try to gain employment and enter the city. That way, if he was caught, at least then he would not be associated with the rest of the team. So far it seemed as if the other three had been admitted without any trouble.
He took a breath and walked up to the guard post, and in Portuguese, he said, "I would like to work for Harpe."
The guards looked him up and down, "Your qualifications? What can you do?"
"I'm a janitor," he answered, as it was the least likely to gain attention, and ironically, the one position he would have the most access with.
The two guards looked him over for a tattoo, but he was expecting that, "Never worked for Deon?"
"Nope," answered Robert. "Never had reason to. Funny, but there were always other jobs."
Take me! he practically mentally screamed at them. He refrained from actually doing so lest one of the guards or someone else inside be psychic. He really did not want to attract that kind of attention. Finally the guards sighed and he was waved in. Robert sighed in relief once he passed that.
As he walked into the increasingly cleaner New Sao Paulo. He sighed at the memories that conjured up.
For a moment he was back in that slave camp and he stopped walking, finding himself unable to breathe. As he struggled to regain control of his suddenly racing heart he closed his eyes and forced himself to breathe slow.
That was a mistake as he realized that he was back in that slave camp. He opened his eyes and forced himself to return to the now. Walking on to where the others had gone he walked into the personnel office and presented himself.
Then he realized he had never thought of a false identity. Oh shit, that was a brilliant move, Bridger... he winced.
All too soon it became his turn, and the secretary, a bored looking GELF woman, asked, "Como te namo?"
"No habla Espanol, senora," he answered. "I speak English."
"Good, because I didn't want to load you into an overfull language class. New Sao Paulo is English only," she stated, never losing the bored tone, although, there was a ghost of a smile on her face. "And that wasn't Spanish. It was Portuguese. Now, what's your name?"
"Eric Merrill," he answered.
At least when they shouted 'Eric' he would answer. While his father and everyone official liked to call him Robert, he personally hated it. And Eric was one of his middle names and one he often used instead of Robert. Merrill had been an Academy instructor.
Should be easy to remember...
"Mr. Merrill, you are to report to your indoctrination at four o'clock this afternoon at 1034 Valley Road, Suite 17," she stated. "Do you think you can remember all of that?"
"Yeah," he answered. "What do I do until then?"
"Get something to eat and some better clothes," she answered, handing him a passcard. "That's a limited account in the amount of six hundred dollars. Welcome to Harpe International."
Robert walked from the personnel office and surreptitiously looked for the others. Seeing O'Niell he shambled over to look in clothing store window. To make extra sure he didn't stick out like a sore thumb, he made sure it was a sport clothes shop that looked like it carried men's clothes. O'Niell wandered over and leaned on the bench to tie his shoe, "Sir, Lonnie had to report for 'indoctrination' fifteen minutes ago while you were still in the Greeting office."
"So that's what it's called," mused Robert. "Don't call me 'sir' while we're here unless you want us to get caught. I came in using the name Eric Merrill. It looks like I'll be a janitor."
"I... I used the name Philip Zinck," supplied Tim. "Lonnie used Mandy McCaffrey."
"Where's Dasher and what name did she use?"
"Oh, she went looking for clothes for us. She's really good, Eric," Tim smiled. "As soon as she was through I think she hung around in the shops. Then as soon as we came out she came out hollering at the top of her lungs and ran and hugged Lonnie, er, Mandy, as tight as she could."
Robert crinkled his brow, "Why?"
"Well, she excitedly asked us how Mandy's Mom was doing, only she used the term Aunt. Cunning. Evidently, somehow..." Tim crinkled his brow. "She knew Mandy was going to use the name McCaffrey because she used the name Katryna McCaffrey."
"Making Mandy and Katryna cousins," Robert smiled. "Smart. No one would question that the two know each other. Now, how did she explain you off?"
"She, uh, asked us when we were finally going to tie the knot," finished Tim, who seemed to be trying to keep from blushing.
At this point, Tim was showing Robert an interesting article in the paper to explain why they were still talking to each other. "At least the three of you will be able to move around and talk freely without being questioned. Dammit, if my head had been on straight I would have thought of that," Robert mentally slapped himself.
Then again, what the Hell did they expect? His father was the ex-Section Seven agent, not him.
"Well, give TJ a chance," smirked Tim. "She might have an idea..."
"It's better we don't. There is still a chance I might get caught and if I do I don't want you implicated as that would jeopardize Michael," pointed out Robert, then he sighed. "Thank you, Mr. Zinck for showing me how to find that place."
Tim caught his glance as he followed his gaze to some security personnel that were walking past, "It was nothing, really."
"See you around Philip."
"You too, uh, what was your name?"
"Eric Merrill."
"Eric," Tim thought for a moment as if trying to place the name. "I'll have to call you sometime. You have to meet my fiancee."
Robert laughed and walked into the store, marveling at Tim's skill in deception. Looking at the clothes and inwardly smirking at the irony of the entire situation. Harpe was paying for his new clothes. To Robert that was rather humourous because if that old man ever found out he would be livid.
TJ Dasher walked from store to store, easily mixing in with the other people. Already she had bought a whole new outfit that seemed to fit in with the current fashion in New Sao Paulo. Store owners and people in general didn't even give her a second look anymore.
And much danger as she was in she could freely admit that she was feeling very much alive. This was her element and she lived to infiltrate. Maybe Colonel Yamamoto is right about me, she mused. Maybe I am a keeper of secrets...
Finally she made her way back to where she had left Commander O'Niell and found him in a coffee shop. True to form he was drinking tea as if he had never left off drinking tea. She sat down and handed back the credit line card that he had taken from the packet in the Greeting Office. Once that was done, she gave him three full bags of clothes. "Here you are, Phil," she said cheerfully. "Good as new."
"Thanks, Kat," he said and looked in the bags. "Did you buy out the stores?"
"Nah," she laughed. "Hey, we're going to be living here so we need more than one change of clothes. Mandy come back yet?"
"No," he answered. "I met this interesting man today."
"Really?"
"Yeah, too bad though. He can't read so they hired him as a janitor. Imagine the places he'll be in," continued Tim nonchalantly. "His name is Eric Merrill."
True to form, and this spoke well of her training she knew whom he truly meant. Tim sighed in relief at this. "Hmm," she said thoughtfully. "Never thought of it that way..."
Harpe watched the boy closer. He had to. Somehow he had underestimated how smart Michael was. How mature. Harpe had been counting on the youth of the boy to turn him against the Bridger's but Michael seemed to be far too old for such a trick.
That was really too bad.
It meant that he would have to be more careful himself or Michael would grow up with revenge on his mind.
Suddenly the idea struck him and he had to fight from laughing aloud at its brilliance. It would require more planning, but it would work. An insistence chirping brought him back to reality and he hit the button on the vidphone controls, "What is it?"
"Sir, could I please direct your attention to camera five?" came Mason Freeman's voice and Harpe turned as the man walked in to his office.
Harpe typed in the commands and his breath caught.
Now, how did he manage to get in here? wondered Harpe, with a sense of dread growing. "How did he past the customs?" he demanded of Freeman, standing as he did so, leaning over his desk in a vaguely threatening manner.
Freeman cooly answered, "The custom's guards and screening didn't recognize him. It was that simple. Do you want him picked up?"
For a moment, Harpe considered saying yes. Then the idea came back to him and he smiled as it seemed like everything was just falling together, "No. When is his indoctrination?"
Turning to stare at his employer in shock, Mason mouthed the answer 'no', then regained his wits, "This afternoon. He used the name Eric Merrill to get in..."
"Tell the instructors to... go easy on Mr. Merrill, then," suggested Harpe. "This could work out to our advantage... meanwhile, I have a very special mission for you. Something to take your mind off this problem."
He handed the mercenary a piece of paper, and Mason read it. A cold smile played over his lips. "With pleasure, sir," said Mason with a small hint of a salute. "I have been wanting to pay him a visit for a long time..."
Part Four: Under the Gloss
November 16th, 2034
Sao Paulo
12:00 hours
Robert sat in the café and went over the 'indoctrination' that he had been in last night. He had been rather nervous about it, but like everything else on this false city, the name had been greatly misleading. How people could just go about their day to day routines in this place was beyond him. And what was with all the scientists, anyway?
One woman slid in front of him, fear in her eyes. For a moment they simply stared at each other, then he realized he knew her from somewhere...
"Robert Bridger?" she asked in a whisper.
He started, wondering how in the name of Hell she could possibly know his name. In the next instant he knew his cover was blown. Knowing that there was no point in denying his identity, he answered in the same low tone, "Yes."
"They know about you. Run, get out of here. Your son is safe for now, but if you don't leave he won't be. Harpe knows you're here," she looked away, then looked back at him. "Just go."
She was gone right after, leaving him in the whirlwind of shock. Oh shit, shit shit, he swore mentally. He stood up, coffee forgotten, and paid his tab. Resolutely he walked from the café. He kept walking, somewhat in a meandering fashion, to the docks. Thanking his lucky stars he hadn't been truly frisked by the Customs Agency he pulled out what appeared to be a pack of cigarettes.
Only on this pack there was a button and a transmitter.
For a moment he hesitated, wondering that if he set this off not just the Grail would pick it up, but also Harpe. He shouldn't have hesitated. Feeling the gun in his ribs he sighed and put his hands out and away from his body to show he wasn't armed. "Admiral Bridger," said Mason Freeman. "Imagine finding you here."
"Mr. Freeman," said Robert in the same tone. "I was just thinking the same about you."
This time he was frisked, and Freeman confiscated the transmitter, "How'd you figure me out?"
Freeman sneered, "Your face is as famous as your father's, Admiral. You do you really think that Mr. Harpe would not recognize that you are Nathan Bridger's only son."
He made a tsk-tsk sound and leaned close right before leading him back to the main tower of Harpe Worldwide, "I guess there is going to be a bit of a family reunion, eh?"
Lonnie Henderson had watched Robert walk to the docks, followed him even, and from her hiding spot around the corner she saw Mason Freeman lead him off to a waiting car. Robert, his hands handcuffed behind him, had been guided to sit in the back of the car while Mason climbed into the front passenger seat. She watched the car drive towards the main tower of New Sao Paulo until she couldn't see it anymore.
Now what? she wondered. Admiral Bridger had been the most experienced of them all. Not only had they lost that advice, they also lost their escape route. The docks would be watched closely and any move to escape would have to be done quickly and decisively. Not that she doubted that it could be done, it was just that...
She took a breath. Who was the ranking officer of the mission now? Was it Tim O'Niell or herself?
They were both the same rank. She thought a moment. No matter what she thought about command, both were the same rank, experience, and skill level. Nodding in resolution, she would discuss this with Tim later.
She walked back, checking to be sure she wasn't followed, to where she was staying with O'Niell. Walking into the room, she activated the device that made sure that they weren't being listened to, and picked up a clipboard, a piece of paper, and a pencil. Motioning him over, she wrote, Admiral Bridger was discovered. They took him to the main tower.
What do we do now? wrote back Tim. Who's in command?
One of us, she answered, erasing as she did so.
He took the pencil back and wrote, Which one of us?
She took a breath and said, "You."
His eyes went wide, and he mouthed, "Me?!"
She wrote, You're the second in command of the flagship, I'm only second in command of one of your back-up ships.
You've been an X-O longer than I have, he wrote back.
You still rank me, she responded.
He walked away and mouthed, "Destroy that piece of paper."
She nodded and, after cleanly erasing all what had been written, tore the paper into shreds and threw the tiny confetti over the balcony where the wind took it and scattered it more. They looked at each other in worry. Worry about the Admiral, worry about Michael, and worry about their ability to stay undercover.
The car ride was short in reality but it felt like an eternity. Robert watched as they passed another wall and then the car stopped. All that was in this yard was the massive tower that stretched up and was taller than every other skyscraper in New Sao Paulo. Freeman gave a slight nudge that indicated that Robert was to enter the tower.
Robert knew he didn't have a choice and so allowed himself to be led into the tower and into a lift. He counted the floors as they simply seemed to go up. At the sixtieth floor the lift stopped and he was led into the most opulent office facility that he had walked in. Mason pushed him the direction of the two double frosted glass doors with the Harpe Worldwide insignia that shrouded the offices within. The doors slid open automatically and Robert was rewarded with the most amazing panoramic view of the ocean and of the jungle.
The only thing marring it was the massive black and clear Lucite conference table in the middle the room. The black leather chairs that were neatly pushed in under it. All except one chair.
At the head of the table sat a man that looked older than his father, and showed his age. "Geoffrey Harpe," said Robert, acknowledging the older man's presence.
"Admiral Robert Bridger, son of Nathan and Carol Bridger," recited Harpe, not even looking up from the file folder. "Husband to Cynthia Bridger, nee Westphalen, father of Michael. Why, even your cousin, Wendy Smith-Hudson served on the seaQuest in 2021 and 2022 before the ship, and everyone on it disappeared. Too bad it was found."
Harpe threw the black leather dossier folder on the table in barely restrained disgust. "You know, that could have been Robert Harpe, and Michael Harpe. You could have been so much more," Harpe stood slowly. "I kept track of you all those years, you know. Considered my options. You escape was... daring. I never would have thought you would have thought of challenging the guard to a fight was brilliant."
He had known. That thought struck Robert like a blow to his face. "How?"
Harpe stopped his speech, "Excuse me?"
"How did you know?" asked Robert, even though he knew the answer. "Unless..."
That ship that had recovered him, sold him, it was too convenient. "You knew the entire time. That slave ship was your ship."
The old man sat back down and leaned back in his chair. "I did. Think of it as a test. I had to know... had to know," for a moment the old man trailed off. "Robert, had you waited I would have bought you your freedom. You would have come here as my heir. Your strength in those camps only proved that you were strong enough to lead Harpe Worldwide."
"And you honestly think I would have?" asked Robert in shock.
"Had I rescued you, what would you have done after to pay me back for the favor?"
As sick and twisted the old man's logic, Robert knew he was right. "You engineered a... sub battle?"
"Oh no, I simply ordered the Malina to wait around until one happened," answered Harpe.
"You kidnapped me."
"I engineered the rest of your life, had you been patient. You could have had all this," Harpe stood and gestured at the rest of the city, then he turned around. "And you still can. Reject your life with that antiquated UEO and stand at my side. Where you belong. You know, you could have been my son. Your mother made her choice..."
Robert rolled his eyes, "I can't believe this. You did this just to get back at my father for taking your girlfriend. Good lord, that was over forty years ago!"
"And what would you have me do?" demanded Harpe. "Forget everything your father did to me? He... took the woman I loved, had the family I should have had. While I became powerful he became both powerful and respected, even loved. People tolerated me and despised me! And why do you think that happened? Because of one little misunderstanding on how the world works. I tried to make the world a better place and he turned on me. He betrayed me! Robert, I ask you this, and I will only ask it once, turn your back on your 'father' as he will do to you one day, and take your place at my side as you should be."
For a long moment Robert was struck speechless. Harpe actually believed that he had been wronged. That he was doing Robert such a huge favor. He licked his lips as he knew that his answer was likely going to push Harpe right over the edge. "You think you did me this fantastic favor by separating from my parents," he looked over the ocean, then back at Harpe. "The only thing you did was hurt me, and my mother you seem to care so much about. You know, I never even got to say good-bye. And it's for that I say no. For my son you kidnapped from me, no. And for my wife whom is constantly tormented with the guilt that she might have done something wrong to provoke this, never in a million years will I ever side with you."
Harpe stood up slowly and his eyes thinned, "I can see that it was too late to salvage you from the same path your father walked. Very well, Admiral," he looked over to Freeman. "Take him to our associate. Perhaps Dr. Zellar will know what to do with him. Good-bye, Admiral Bridger. It's too bad we couldn't come to an agreement."
November 16th, 2034
seaQuest DSV
Underway to England
Bridge
Lieutenant Mara Johansen held a hand to her headset and then turned to face Commander Miguel Ortiz. "Sir, we are receiving a transmission. I think it's the Grail, sir."
"Put in on the main screen," responded Ortiz.
The holographic representation of Captain Bridger appeared on the screen, as usual surrounded by the virtual cloud scape that reminded Miguel eerily of some versions of the old Microsoft Windows software. "Commander," acknowledged Bridger.
"Captain, what can we do for you?" asked Ortiz. "Was the mission successful?"
"I don't know, I lost contact with the team. One of my transmitters was destroyed. A failsafe that I had installed is going off," answered Bridger. "I direct your attention to the locator screen."
The screen split to show the faint signal in New Sao Paulo. "As you can see," the screen zoomed into the map to an area clearly meant as a dock. "It's at the exit point. This worries me since they would only be trying to exit if something went wrong. And if the transmitter was destroyed..."
For a computer he seemed really distressed by this. "I don't have anyone aboard that can help me check up on them," suggested Bridger. "But you do."
Ortiz compressed his lips, "I'll have to consult Commodore Krieg but I am sure that with the situation, help will be summoned, sir."
"Thank you, Commander," acknowledged Bridger and the transmission with the Grail was ended.
"Abrupt fellow," remarked Phillips.
Ortiz turned to face another long since seen crew member in surprise, "Lieutenant Phillips?"
Zachery Phillips, the former Weapons Officer from the very first tour of the seaQuest tapped his shoulder rank bars and Ortiz whistled, "Captain Phillips."
Phillips shrugged and walked onto the bridge. "Man, is this place ever different from what I remember it... was that the old man?"
"Yeah," answered Ortiz. "Well, in a way. What are you doing here, anyway?"
"I was brought in to command the Orpheus after her refit. Fine little ship," remarked Phillips.
It was then that Ortiz noted the dedicated NorPac uniform, "So, I guess it hasn't been lent to the UEO... eh?"
"No... and yes," answered Phillips. "We remain on active duty as a NorPac ship, but our mission is to escort the seaQuest and act as part of its vanguard. At least until the S-G is in England."
Ortiz nodded, and asked, "Can I ask a favor?"
"Sure, shoot," said Phillips.
"The 'old man' asked us to check up on a shore mission in New Sao Paulo. The only problem is that he doesn't have anyone on board to go ashore," said Ortiz after taking him aside to the moon pool. "I think the Orpheus is our next best line. Got anyone on board?"
"Migs, the Orpheus only holds twenty crew members, and that's a cramped fit. It wasn't meant as a long term personnel tour, unless we shrink the crew. Most of it is equipment and bracing..."
Migs grinned, "Exactamundo..."
Phillips looked at him and shook his head, "Aw man, what I am getting into this time?"
November 17th, 2034
New Sao Paulo
Harpe Worldwide HQ
Robert sat in the small cell, waiting to meet this infamous Reuben Zellar. Kristin had told him of the death of her brother by his hands, and his father of his own encounter. He knew that this time when his father mourned him that it would be for real.
He found that this time he didn't want to die. Especially not like this...
Finally the cell door opened and a woman stood there. The same woman who had tipped him off that he had been discovered. She rushed in and unlocked his handcuffs. "Have they done anything to you yet?"
He shook his head, "Who are you?"
"My name is Dr. Jacqueline Serrano," she answered. "Come on, there is a way out of the tower that I use all the time. We scientists are not questioned. Put this on."
He dressed in the lab coat and put on the glasses. The prescription was a little strong for him, but he could live with the little bit of sharpening of the details around him. She also handed him a passcard. "Where did you get all this?" he asked as he followed her to another lift.
"There is another that looks almost like you. I drugged his coffee," she gave a wan grin. "You must hurry."
"Wait, Dr. Serrano, have you seen a little boy? His name is Michael and he's my son," he said. "I need to get him out of here."
She hesitated and then nodded, "I do know him. I was ordered to get close to him. Befriend him."
Robert nodded, "Can you take me to him?"
Her eyes widened and she shook her head hurriedly, "Oh no, he lives at the very top of the tower with Mr. Harpe. Harpe is raising him as his own."
Taking both of her shoulders he forced her to look him in the eye. "One more reason to get him out of here, even if that means dying in the attempt," he said. "Can you help me at least get up there?"
She pursed her lips, "I can do that, but after that you are on your own. If they find out I helped you, I'm dead."
"Okay," he nodded. "I don't want that to happen. The first thing I need is a gun. Do you know where they keep those."
They stopped talking while a technician came into the computer room and fixed a computer. Then they looked at each other more closely, and the technician stared at him, "Sir?!"
"Lieutenant Shan?" echoed Bridger in surprise, then he laughed. "Lieutenant, you have a habit of showing up in some of the strangest, yet most convenient, places."
Shan shrugged, "That's my job, sir. What are you doing here?"
"My son is here," Robert pointed up. "Harpe keeps him hostage."
"The boy?" asked Shan. "You're here to liberate Harpe's son... excuse me, Michael. Of course, I remember him now. We'll need weapons..."
Robert nodded and pulled Serrano to her feet, "The good doctor can get us up there, but after it's just the two of us."
"Aye sir," nodded Shan. "I know where the guard station is, and I have to fix a computer. I can see if I can neutralize them."
Robert followed Shan out with a very uncomfortable Dr. Serrano in tow. They passed the cafeteria and as they walked by, Shan spoke about a computer glitch that he had noticed and was trying to fix and how perhaps it would be best if they, the two mere scientists, would just let him work. Perhaps get a coffee...
"Will," said Robert when they were passed. "Sometimes, you really get too much into your character."
"That's my job, sir," was Shan's reply.
When they approached a guard station, Shan held up his hand and stopped them from walking. "We'll need someone to distract them," he whispered.
"I can do it," whispered Serrano, and she held up a bottle of pills. "It's how I knocked out the other scientist. Bring me some coffee."
Robert went back to the cafeteria and brought back two coffees in thick paper cups. Serrano took a pill for each cup, crushed them, then mixed them into the black coffee. Taking the coffee with a wink, she shyly walked into the guard station. "Hola, hermita," greeted one of the guards. "Quiet tonight, eh?"
"Si," she answered. "Quiet here too?"
"Yeah," they heard the other guard answer. "Quiet as a tomb. Hey, thanks for the coffee, Jackie. You're an angel."
"De nada," came her answer as she left with a laugh. "See ya later."
"See ya."
She walked back to them, and whispered, "Give it fifteen minutes."
They walked back to the cafeteria, and got their own coffee while they waited, watching the clock. Shan came in fifteen minutes and said, "Like I said, no problem. Jeez, someone has to teach you how to use a ScanDisk."
Robert felt like swatting him for the condescending tone, but he could hear a few short barks of laughter from one corner of the room. Shan's ploy worked, as annoying as it was. When they looked into the guard station the two guards were out cold. Robert and Shan raided the weapon's locker. They both went for an easy to conceal electron-mag stun gun with an extra battery pack. Serrano, of course, took nothing.
PART FIVE: Fire in the Hole
November 17th, 2034
New Sao Paulo
Tim and Lonnie's 'apartment'
TJ Dasher watched the pencil and even contributed to the impromptu planning of how they were to get into Harpe Worldwide. The only problem was getting into the main courtyard. TJ suggested, Why don't we swim there? The courtyard is surrounded by a moat.
The two looked at her and then they nodded. Good idea, Ensign, wrote Tim, tapping her knee as he did so.
The two packed their things, and TJ even assembled her weapons from the pieces of them that they had brought past the 'Customs' agent. The pieces, when not assembled, were made to look like useless bits of flotsam that might have been knick knacks at one point, and those that were a bit harder to disguise had been built into devices that were made of the same material.
Hiding the handguns they wandered towards the main tower, while they sent Lonnie ahead to hide by the exit point and stand-by until they reached it.
Tim and TJ got to the intersection by where the main tower was built.
The city, in effect, was like a hyper-modern version of Venice, Italy. And now that they were close, they could swim to the false island the tower was built on.
Fitting the scuba rebreather into their teeth they slid under water.
Once there, they found an impossible barrier of mines. TJ could sense O'Niell's dismay, and she hand signaled that it was possible to swim under the mines by the chains that they were anchored to. They descended almost to where the red-line of the depth tolerance was on their equipment and slowly made their way past the mines. Once they reached the island, and cautiously surfaced, Tim pointed out in a low whisper that even she had to strain to hear, "We won't be able to exit by that route..."
TJ had a sudden flash of insight as she took out her transmitter and set it off, letting it sink to the bottom. In an equally low whisper, but speaking so he could read her lips, "Now we won't have to."
Lonnie looked at her blinking transmitter and realized that TJ, or Tim, had set theirs off. Lonnie also pressed the button on hers, then slid into the water and waited. It didn't take long for a piece of rock to start to move toward her and a hole open in that rock. Climbing into that hole, and outside of the airlock, she waited for the water to drain and the pressure equalize. When it did the inner lock cycled open and the disembodied voice of Captain Bridger drifted in, "Hurry up so I can close that lock. What the Hell happened out there, anyway?"
Lonnie did as she was told and peeled off the rebreather. "Things aren't going to plan," she answered. "Admiral Bridger was captured by Mason Freeman and taken to the main tower."
"I know where it is. Ensign Dasher set off her transmitter, and I think where she set it off was the main tower," came his answer as she ran to the bridge.
As she stepped onto it, she was startled to find it without a command chair. "Why did she do that?" Lonnie held on to a bulkhead as the ship began to move.
"I don't know. Perhaps they found a way in, but can't find a way out," answered Bridger as his image appeared on the main screen to look at her. "Either way, I have to find a way in there..."
"Alert, alert," came another computerized voice, this one female. "Unidentified ship approaching the stern."
"On screen," ordered Bridger as he disappeared and the view of the sensors took over.
Lonnie blinked in recognition, "That's the Orpheus. The S-G awarded her to NorPac. What's she doing here?"
Bridger didn't answer, and she assumed that meant the same question was running through his mind. Then he appeared. "Commander Ortiz asked them to be here," he answered. "Remind me to talk to this 'Ortiz' when we get back. They have some interesting abilities with that ship..."
"Sir?"
"Hang on," he disappeared again, and she realized that when he did that he was likely talking to the Orpheus. "I gave them the coordinates of the beacon. Captain Phillips tells me there are some... underwater tunnels that he can explore. The Orpheus is small enough to go through them, but I cannot. We'll guard their way out."
Lonnie breathed a sigh of relief. "That's okay sir, if we stay here, we can extract them should they be able to get this far, and if they can't the Orpheus will."
Robert, Shan, and Serrano stood in the lift as it continued to climb. When it stopped, Serrano guided them to the main lift that would take them to the office and private living level of Geoffrey Harpe.
"Stay calm, and do exactly as you're supposed to when you visit Michael," said Shan. "Robert is here to make sure the kid's healthy. I'm here because I got orders to fix the secretary's computer. I'll be right outside in the office."
Robert nodded as they approached those double doors, and Serrano said, "The private lift that will take you to the top floor is in the back of Mr. Harpe's office."
"You don't have to go the rest of the way," said Robert.
"I do have to," she said, looking at him, still frightened, but she looked extremely determined. "I think I understand why my sister Anna decided to remain UEO, Admiral. I wish I had done the same. Maybe I'm just trying to fix that mistake."
"Anna? Lieutenant Anna Maria Serrano is your sister?" asked Robert, then he explained it to the confused Shan. "The sensors chief on the seaQuest when Ortiz was promoted."
Shan nodded in understanding. Serrano led them into the office space, and the secretary was no where to be seen. Then again, thought Robert. It's the middle of the night. Not in business hours.
Hanging back, and taking out a tool kit that way he wouldn't be questioned, Shan sat at the computer and took the facing off. Robert and Serrano entered the private lift and ascended to the top level. When the doors opened, she looked around the deserted living area and motioned him in. Robert took out the electron-mag stun gun and stealthily slipped in and side stepped out of the light of the elevator. As she stood to one side he checked the rooms.
In one he could hear the rasping breaths of Harpe, and he sighed a quiet sigh of relief that the old man was asleep. If all went to plan, he would be long gone with Michael by the time Harpe realized what was happening.
He went to the next room and saw that it was obviously a child's room.
He entered, barely able to breathe as he knelt by the bed and shook awake his son. Michael Bridger's eyes flew wide open at the sight of his father and Robert put a finger to his lips and signaled for him to be quiet. Standing, he offered Michael his hand and they quietly left the room. Serrano was still waiting by the lift, and the three entered and descended to the level below.
Michael spoke up, "I knew you would come."
"Mike, are you okay? Did he hurt you?" asked Robert anxiously, and was vastly relieved to see him shake his head no.
It felt as if a huge lead weight and been lifted from his shoulders. He nodded his acknowledgment, smiled and hugged his son tightly. "We were so worried," said Robert.
"Is Mom okay? Grampa and Gramma?" asked the boy.
"Yeah, they're fine, and they can't wait to see you," said Robert as the doors slid open.
Shan stood there, his eyes full of regret. "What is it?" asked Robert.
"Admiral, quite the attempt," came Mason Freeman's voice.
At that moment the intruder alert siren went off, and Shan said, "That's not us."
Freeman, without taking his aim off of Robert, leaned over and demanded of the security, "What the Hell is going on?"
"Sir, we're under attack. Somehow, a ship is torpedoing the base of the island!"
"What?!" Freeman was clearly surprised. "How'd it get through the canals? The minefield?"
Shan and Robert exchanged a glance, and Shan appeared to have a smirk. Robert wouldn't have been surprised if he was told that he had one on his face too. "Never doubt a Bridger's ability to get to their family, Freeman," pointed out Robert."
"Shut up!" Freeman stood up and crossed the room to dig the gun painfully into Robert's neck.
Michael, showing that he was a Bridger, shouted, "Leave my Daddy alone!"
And kicked Mason Freeman in the shin. Freeman yelped both in surprise and pain, and moved back, the aim of his gun wildly in a direction. Shan head butted him squarely in the stomach. Serrano picked up Michael and ran into the hall with Robert on her heels. Shan was soon behind them, firing back towards Freeman in the attempt to cover their escape. When they ducked into a corner, Shan pointed out, "We can't take the lifts, they'll only shut them down.
"What about the stairs?" asked Robert and they looked in the direction of Serrano.
"I can show you where they are."
They followed her, keeping her and Michael covered as they entered the stair well. It was a long hard fight down as every floor guards would stream in and shoot up at them, or down at them as they passed the floor. Robert's legs began to burn, as did his lungs as they continued down. Finally, one more door opened and they found themselves pointing their guns at Lieutenant Commander Tim O'Niell and Ensign TJ Dasher. "Christ, am I ever glad to see you Tim. How in the name of Hell did you find us?" asked Shan.
"TJ hacked into the security grid and we followed the alerts to you. But then she tripped the alarm..."
"They knew about us," breathed Serrano.
"So it would seem," said Robert. "But that's neither here nor there. All UEO personnel has been evacuated. Let's get the Hell out of here."
"Not so fast, Admiral," came an anglicized accent from above them.
Serrano screamed and dropped Michael as something fell on her and burnt into her scalp.
Robert looked up to see a man, and he heard Tim and Shan say, "Reuben Zellar."
That was enough to make his blood run cold, and Serrano screamed, "Get out of here!"
As the others fled, Robert went to pick her up, but she shook her head and backed away, "It's too late for me. Go!"
Robert turned and ran after the others, ignoring Zellar's shout for him to stop. Right after he heard Serrano scream in pain, then as suddenly as it started it stopped. He knew she was dead. But he didn't have time to regret it. Later he would...
Dasher turned back, and O'Niell yelled, "Where's the Admiral?"
At that moment Robert Bridger ran from the building, gun fire at his heels. O'Niell, Dasher, and Shan opened return fire to cover his escape. When Robert dove into the water, the others also disappeared under the water and to the waiting ship.