Author's Note: For those unfamiliar with the military, there is a new term in this chapter for you called 'brevet'. It basically means 'field promoted' when attached to a rank. Brevet promotions happen in war frequently when new troops are unable to get to the front to replace those fallen in the chain of command. In those cases, the ranks are given those available in the field and the most experienced. Unfortunately, in this chapter, that term will be widely used.
Chapter Ten
Eden
Act Three:
Dawn of A New Dark Age
January 4th, 2035
14:40 hours, EST standard time
The Aurora
Observation deck
The Aurora was abuzz of activity as fighters, bombers, and sub hunting helo's launched for the operations against New San Paulo. Admiral Bridger felt a little out of place aboard the ship more use to the operations of a sub rather then a flight deck , but he had to admit it was nice traveling on the ocean rather then under it all the time and enjoying fresh air. He turned around and walked into the onboard command center set up for the operation. He went to the front of the room and turned to look at each station. "Attenchen." He said.
The command crew turned and faced him, all eyes were on him. "As we go into battle I expect every one to due their duty, it is that simple, unlike my father the late security general I do not have a gift for long noble speeches, all I ask is that you do your duty, thank you."
"Commander McQueen, what is the operational status of the fleets?" Robert asked as he turned towards the operations officer.
The operations officer Commander McQueen brought the video screen online. "The ships under your direct command are here sir," Pointing to the map. "Four combat subs including seaQuest and Avenger, one special operations craft the Shadow Warrior, four marine landing ships for the ground assault, and the Aurora and her six escorts destroyers are under your direct command."
He pointed to the group fast approaching New San Paulo from the north. "Admiral Noyce's group consists of two heavy cruisers with armed gun boat escorts, three attack subs, one escort carrier, and one troop ship."
The map shot north once more to a large group approaching. "Admiral Dulac's forces consist of twenty ships, about half are light cruisers with a mix of attack subs, troop ships, heavy cruisers and a pair of carriers to round it out, they should be here after the start of combat operations with twenty-four standard hours."
"And as for the sub squadron the New San Paulo defense forces launched they ran a sensor sweep on the fleets and then puled back neither side wanting to fire the first shot while the diplomats try for one last time to bring this to a peaceful end."
Admiral Bridger absorbed the information, trying to find the best way to command the large strike force now at his finger's tip's. "Okay then, but what about San Paulo forces, the first briefing were vague about their abilities to fight."
"The information is vague about there abilities because San Paulo keeps most of there military and police equipment hidden while not in use, but we do know they have at least ten surface warships made up mostly of heavy cruisers, at least eight attack subs, more then one hundred sub fighters and most of them are old macro ships," he took a deep breath before continuing. "And the air forces got at least twelve combat squadrons of fighters, bombers and attack helicopters. That's not counting the ground forces sitting in the city itself or any possible shore defenses, guns or missiles of any kind, they more than likely hid them so we do not know for sure what we are going to run into."
"Good work," Bridger said to the young man. " Begin recon both above and below the surface, I want to know everything we can before we go in there."
Commandeer McQueen turned and walked over to start the work ahead while Bridger walked into the office given to him onboard the carrier next door. Now that he was alone with his thoughts. The next few days were going to be hard, the New San Paulo was using diplomacy world wide to try and prevent the invasion, but only were delaying the inevitable, after all the evidence was hard to argue with and most of the major power were saying out of it or lending forces to get fighting on the UEO behalf. Several minor power blocks publicly opposed the military action but could do nothing to stop it and the Chaodai government was the one major power making it clear it considering the invasion illegal and would use diplomatic means to hold up the action and were making a general stink about it, intelligence said they would stay out of it because New San Paulo was not worth it, he could only hope they were right....
Several dark shapes approached the gather fleet from afar there hulls black as night and their very designs seemed to shout predators. They slowly came to a halt and watched the ships move past them sizing them up for what was to come.
Part One: Top of The World
January 4th, 2035
seaQuest DSV
wardroom
14:41 EST Standard Time
Commodore Benjamin Krieg was going over the latest in the capabilities of the new ships in his vanguard. The Avenger, now under the command of Captain (by brevet promotion) Jim Brody, was his second and joined him on the vidscreen. Krieg had to be honest– he didn't really know Brody all that well but what he could get was that there was some animosity. Ben was determined to ignore it as he knew if he lost his professionalism things would be said that both parties would regret.
On the flip side of this coin, James Brody quietly fumed. He had heard about the infamous Benjamin Krieg from numerous sources. And, by all rights, the command of the seaQuest should have been his. He had worked for it much harder that Krieg did. To be usurped upon his return from Hyperion to fourth in command from third had been a bit of a blow to his ego. Sure, Krieg had been on Earth that much longer, but he was a bloody civilian.
Granted, the bloody civilian was doing a Hell of a job, but it should have still been Brody's command. But he too was a professional and recognized the chain of command. He may not have liked it, but he would damn well follow it. And he admitted that this civilian was good at it... but it didn't sting any less.
But that still didn't mean he liked him.
Brody listened to Krieg, and then said, "Sir, with all due respect... Those specters would be best used on your six."
For a moment Krieg stopped, and then compressed his lips. Going over the situation, he harumphed and conceded, "I agree."
Brody allowed himself a moment to inwardly gloat and he caught his executive officer's look. Of all the people he thought would be on his side, he hadn't expected Lonnie Henderson to take the shine to Krieg like she had. He clamped on the gloat and said, "I would be happy to help in other ways, Commodore."
Krieg shrewdly thinned his eyes, but simply said, "Of course, Captain. I would appreciate that. Krieg out."
The vidscreen blanked and Krieg breathed one long breath out. As unpleasant as that had been, the Avenger was a necessary part of his vanguard.
January 4th, 2035
The Avenger wardroom
Chilean Continental Shelf
14:50 EST Standard Time
Lieutenant Commander Henderson regarded her commanding officer in vague surprise, "You needn't have been so patronizing to him."
"Me? Patronize?" asked Brody in surprise as he leaned back in his chair in the Avenger's wardroom. "I wouldn't do that to a commanding officer."
"Now you're patronizing me! What the Hell is your problem, Jim?" she asked. "You've been like that since we got back from Hyperion. You're snappish, impatient, rude, and just mean. If you're not outright nasty, you're 'professionally rude'."
"What the Hell is my problem?" Jim looked at her in surprise. "As if you don't know, Lonnie."
"Then enlighten me," her tone was borderline angry.
He snorted and turned back to his work. "We don't have time for this. There's a war on, Lieutenant Commander, so we had best get back to work."
She shook her head and said before slamming the door, "You've changed, Captain. And not for the better."
January 4th, 2035
The Aurora
Off the coast of New Cape Quest
15:02 EST Standard Time
Never, ever, give your enemy an opening emotionally. The minute it becomes personal is the minute you've already lost.
His father had told him that once.
Robert Bridger leaned back in his chair as the day drew to close. The sun dipped below the horizon bathing everything in reds. He closed his eyes and wondered if the battle was already lost. It was personal, he could even admit that. It was where he was to go from here and fix the damage already done.
This entire war would be emotionally tied. Too much had been taken from them all for anyone to go back to the way it was before. War took away people by death and other less expedient methods– and it always started with death. Or pride.
Bridger wondered which it was this time.
Death
Or pride.
He could admit that it could easily be either. It started with his father's death, and it then his own stubborn pride in seeing justice done. His father put to rest with the guarantee that those who put him in the grave had joined him there. Justice? Hell no. It was revenge, pure and simple. And not just his revenge: everyone else's on the seaQuest's too. Robert closed his eyes and, almost against his will, a clear memory of his father sprang to mind.
It had been before Robert disappeared and when his father taught at the academy. Robert had not been old enough to join the navy, being only fourteen. But it never stopped him from hanging around the academy, dreaming of the day when he could follow in his father's footsteps, maybe make him proud.
That was all Robert ever saw then. He could admit it– his mother had done an excellent job of shielding him from the less glamorous aspects of Navy life. His father... well... his father, as much as he wanted to shield him had known that it was better for Robert to know exactly what he was getting into.
Not that it made him any less proud when his son joined.
His mother had been proud, yet sad. He knew that she had hoped that he would not follow Nathan into the Navy. Had even prayed for him not to join. But, in the end, she was proud of him.
Robert looked over the ships surrounding the Aurora and for a moment closed his eyes in regret.
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..."
He opened them to stare at the black modern tower in the distance. "I am all that I should be," he whispered.
January 4th, 2035
The Lima
Off the coast of New Sao Paulo
15:02 EST Standard Time
Admiral William Noyce sat at his desk, and the captain of the ship he was on came in, saluted, and said, "The ships are in position, sir. All methods of escape by sea have been cut off."
"What about on land, Captain?"
"NorPac intel tells us that the army is moving in to position as we speak, but the dense jungle is proving difficult," reported the Captain.
Noyce nodded, "Tell Admiral Bridger that we have cut off the sea."
January 4th, 2035
The Aurora observation deck
Off the coast of New Sao Paulo
15:11 EST Standard Time
Robert turned as a lieutenant on the Aurora saluted as he came up to him on the observation deck and handed him the envelope. Robert read it and turned to the Captain, "It begins."
January 5th, 2035
New Cape Quest
Bridger's Home
04:16 EST Standard Time
The decision to return to New Cape Quest had been Cynthia's. She knew that Michael would feel better at home and if there was news to be heard they would hear it first in a NorPac port long before they would in the North Sea Confederation territory. Her mother had been quiet the entire flight back, and Cindy was a little more than worried.
Kristin went straight to her room and stared out the window. After making sure Michael was comfortable, Cindy followed her mother into the bedroom and put her hand on her shoulder. "Mom..."
"I mourned him for ten years," Kristin's voice was low and quiet, but still she stared out to sea. "Then he came back. Then for nearly a year we squabbled over the same damn argument that split us up. Then... for a year we were finally happy. Now he's gone."
Cynthia lowered her head and said, "I miss him too. And I didn't even get to know him all that well."
"He wouldn't have wanted this."
"I know."
"But yet the world goes to war over him. Over this," Kristin motioned outside. "But yet they all forget the reason why he went to his island in the first place. He went to escape from this very thing."
"From war."
"Yes," Kristin nodded her head. "When Robert disappeared he knew that war was not the answer. It never was. And then his wife died and he found himself on seaQuest. God only knows how heavy the decision was to come back."
Cynthia stood beside her mother and said, "Then maybe we can stand vigil together in doing what he would want us to do in this situation instead. Remember life, or else not only is he dead, but also his memory and his lessons."
January 5th, 2035
New Sao Paulo
Harpe Spire
05:57 EST Standard Time
Dr. Rueben Zellar also stared out to sea, only his apartment was well-appointed and afforded a spectacular view of not only the dense green of the jungle, but also the endless expanse of the sea. Well, or it would have if the sea wasn't so clogged full of ships from both sides. He sighed as the Chaodai ambassador walked in unannounced and motioned to the fleets. "A truly incredible view, is it not, Dr. Zellar?"
"It would be better without the ships," said Zellar. "Although, it's like a game of chess. Move a ship here and the enemy moves in answer. But the stakes are much higher."
"Only this is no game," corrected the ambassador.
"Oh, but it is," Zellar smiled. "It's the ultimate game."
The Chaodai man snorted in derision and snapped his hand in a dismissive gesture. "I am familiar with your view on life, Doctor, but kindly do not force it upon me. My view is that of all other Chaodai like me."
"And that would be?"
The Chaodai didn't answer the question, and Zellar sighed. He found the whole lot like a nest of fanatics. They were worse than the early communists when the Russians overthrew their Tsar, and with less taste in life. But, their money was as good as any one he had worked for. Actually better, now that they had overtaken Harpe Worldwide. Zellar could only shake his head at this. Geoffrey Harpe may have been an old man swept up with revenge, which, in Zellar's mind was a base and disgusting motive, but he at least had been more cultured than these rubes.
The Chaodai, whose name was Ling Dho, could only stare at Zellar's collection of fine art as if it were poison. This one man was soft and weak, with no concept of a warrior code. The luxury he lived in was living on the backs of those who worked under him.
Finally, after watching the motions of the Navy below, Dho said, "I must take my leave. Before this battle starts, I will endeavor to talk sense into the leading Admiral of the NorPac fleet."
"That would be Admiral Robert Eric Stephen Bridger, son of the late Secretary General Nathan Bridger of the UEO. A man Harpe himself wanted dead," pointed out Zellar. "I wish you luck. You will need it, for I fear that the Admiral may not hear what you have to say. Have a good day, Ambassador."
Dho left the apartment and walked to the lift that would take him down to below ground where his personal ship was. The ride down the lift took nearly five minutes and then he stepped out to the docking area and surveyed the clean efficiency that reigned. It was a relief to his senses after being in the overly done Zellar's apartment. It was at this moment that the structure shook. "What happened?" demanded Dho in Thai, his native language.
"The city is under attack!" answered his subordinate.
"To the subs! Counter the attack!" ordered Ambassador Dho. "We cannot lose Eden!"
To this everyone scrambled to their positions and their subs. He smiled at seeing how quickly it was done, as if it were a delicate dance. This was the truest life one could dedicate oneself to. The purifying fire in battle hardened each person's soul like it would a sword. Either the warrior broke or became a sharp instrument of God. It was that simple, and that was all they needed to be.
January 5th, 2035
The Aurora
Off the coast of New Sao Paulo
05:57 EST Standard Time
Robert Bridger stood in the wardroom, directing the ships as the live three dimensional position feed changed. He remained as focused as he could so as to be able to tell what ships to go where. It was much more complicated than directing a small battlegroup. For a moment he closed his eyes, and then looking up to Admiral Noyce, he said to the captain, "Tell the ships to advance on New Sao Paulo and fire on the targets fed into their firing computers."
Admiral Noyce stood beside Robert and said, "If the Chaodai..."
"I know about the Chaodai," said Robert. "I had the seaQuest and part of her vanguard move to Panama so as to prevent them from sending backup that way. The Avenger is sitting just South of Chile. Both avenues of them getting here are blocked off, if they come from the Pacific."
"And if they don't?" asked DuLac.
"I have a little surprise for them otherwise," said Robert. "However, given the direct route if things don't work out to their liking, it is likely they would use the Panama Strait."
Noyce nodded his agreement. "I definitely agree with Admiral Bridger with this one."
Admiral DuLac compressed his lips, "Even still, two ships are barely enough to stop a fleet if one should come to Panama. They should have more ships in case..."
"I agree with Admiral Dulac," said Commander McQueen. "I know it isn't really my place... but more ships as back-up would stop a fleet dead in its tracks."
"Admiral DuLac, do you have ships that will serve?"
"Yes, Admiral, I do," answered DuLac as he moved over to the display and tapped out which in his fleet would serve best. "These six here."
"Very well, order those ships to Panama," said Noyce. "Now, about the Chilean guard?"
"Admiral Rotriguez of the South American Confederation has agreed to help out there," said Robert, reading over the missives. "And to make sure no one comes up behind us from South of Africa..."
"What is it?" asked Noyce.
"'President Hoi Chi sends his regards with regrets over the death of perhaps the greatest Secretary General in UEO history. We well remember the debt we owe Nathan Bridger. With respect, Admiral Rai-lin Xian of Montganard,'" read Robert. "The Montganards are holding position south of South Africa."
Noyce smiled and shook his head, "I was wondering when they would enter the picture."
"I don't understand," Robert said.
"A long time ago, when your father was in command of the seaQuest, the UEO held a summit in a Mondail resort. The leadership went missing, and so that she could rewrite UEO policy, tried to kill the leadership," explained Noyce. "Your father, using the ventilation shafts, climbed down to where the leaders of the world were being held hostage, and saved all of their lives. President Hoi Chi was in that room. The president said that if your father ever needed anything that he was to only call in reward. Actually... a few did. But, except for a few, none ever did anything."
Robert nodded, "And now he pays up his debt."
Noyce nodded, and Admiral DuLac said, "Your family is truly remarkable, Admiral. I never realized that the Captain Bridger who saved my life was the same as the Secretary General. I am honored to be in the presence of his son. Tell me where you want my fleet, and it will be there."
Noyce and Robert turned to DuLac in surprise, and DuLac smiled, "I too, was in that same room. When it started filling up with water, we all thought we were dead. Then I heard his voice, and a hole was cut in the ceiling. I never managed to see who it was because once I was out Bridger was already leading us upworld and to the news conference. I never met him, nor even saw him."
Again, Robert was amazed at the widespread effect that anyone having to do with the seaQuest had, and his father's reputation. When he had been in the academy he had thought that his father's steps were the most difficult thing to follow, if not impossible. Then, his father left the Navy. Now, even, his father again left footsteps that were impossible to follow.
Robert looked over the ocean.
Perhaps following them had been a mistake. But even he knew that now was too late to change his own path. Now he could only make a new path and hope for the best. Noyce looked at him, "Robert?"
Robert turned to them and looked at the position screens. "We have a job to do, and can discuss what is owed after it is done."
January 5th, 2035
The Shadow Warrior
Panama Continental Shelf
06:05 EST Standard Time
Colonel Yamamoto looked up from the command chair as TJ Dasher walked up to him, "New orders, evidently with the French backing up seaQuest, we are not needed at this position anymore."
"And where are we being sent?" he asked.
"Back to the front, sir," she answered as she took her position at the sensors.
"Set a course for New Sao Paulo, all ahead full," he ordered.
"All ahead full," came his helmperson's answer as the ship came about and left for New Sao Paulo.
January 5th, 2035
seaQuest DSV bridge
Panama Continental Shelf
06:14 EST Standard Time
"Sir, the Shadow Warrior is breaking off and leaving formation," said Lieutenant Serrano as Commodore Ben Krieg walked onto the bridge of the seaQuest DSV.
"I know, we have a six ship fleet to back us up," he answered as he sat in the command chair. "There will be four subs, two of those being the new Tychara class, one a Ohio, and the last is the first of the new Avenger class. On the surface we have a carrier and a destroyer, and, Lieutenant Johansen, brush up on your French, they're all from the North Sea Confederation."
"Aye sir," came Johansen's voice.
"Okay, people, stay sharp," said Krieg. "This is the most likely route that the Chaodai will take to get to Brazil. And we're right in the way of it, so they have to go through us to get there. I want sensors to stay fresh, so you'll only be working half shifts."
Krieg turned to face everyone and saw the same focus reflected in everyone's face, but there was something else in the faces of the crew who had been on the seaQuest since the very beginning. In their faces was one of grimness, it was almost as if they knew that their lives were already different than it had been before. Something irrevocable had taken place, and there was no going back.
He sat in the command chair and also knew the same thing. Whether they won or lost the end of time was upon them all.
PART TWO: Into Immortality
January 5th, 2035
The Aurora
Off the coast of New Sao Paulo
06:19 EST Standard Time
Admiral Robert Bridger watched and into his headset issued orders, relaying positions to those in command of the other ships, moving them into position so as to block any escape from the city by sea. The trio of Admirals in the room was similarly doing so with their respective fleets. Once the plans were conveyed the three looked at each other as their fleets followed orders. Noyce turned to Robert, "You were meant for this, you know."
"Sometimes I don't feel it to be so."
At that moment, DuLac started and asked, in French a swift question, then said, "The Chaodai are already here!"
The other two Admirals turned in shock, and Robert turned to the position feed. "Where?"
DuLac added the sea field where his ships combated the Chaodai forces. Robert traced the line of escape, "They were already there..."
January 5th, 2035
The Shadow Warrior
Approaching Battle of New Sao Paulo
08:02 EST Standard Time
Colonel Jason Yamamoto sucked in breath and slowly stood up from the command chair. TJ Dasher also stood in shock at the sight before them. The Chaodai had breached one flank and the ships of DuLac's fleet were unsuccessfully trying to contain them. "How the Hell did they get here already?" asked Commander Michelle Lacour.
"They were already here," said TJ. "They had to be."
Yamamoto looked over at TJ. "If you are correct, then this battle must be ended decisively. None of those Chaodai ships must be allowed to leave New Sao Paulo," Yamamoto turned to the Helmsperson. "Flank them."
"Aye sir," acknowledged the helm.
Yamamoto turned to TJ and Michelle. "Launch the Wraiths and get your team wet."
TJ saluted, as did Michelle as they went to their separate locations. Lacour went to prep her boarding team, while TJ Dasher, with a smile, went to the modified launch bays where the Wraiths and their pilots waited. Her team piloted the next generation of one-person attack submersibles. The design of the Wraith was similar to the Stinger. In fact, the base design was the original Stinger. Yet another design the UEO decided to utilize when it became apparent that the seaQuest was not coming back when it had gone missing for ten years.
Except it had returned, and both Lucas Bridger and Katherine Hitchcock were made rich off the use of the Stinger. TJ, upon her transfer, had been trained on the Wraiths and her team lead was a wiry man by the name of Lieutenant Tyler Gordon. She slid into her Wraith and slipped on her helmet. Going through the pre-launch checks, she then pulled down the canopy and tapped on the glass. This caused the Wraith to be settled into the launch bed upon which she was launched into the water.
TJ Dasher had thought that the Gold Team on the seaQuest were the best of the best. Well, she had been right. But the older Spectres were beginning to show their age. Then again, the Sea Scorpions on the Shadow were just as good. Unfortunately, due to space restrictions on the Shadow Warrior, there was only eight Sea Scorpions to seaQuest's Gold Dragons sixteen.
If anyone asked her, a Wraith handled like a touchy feather compared to a Spectre. It was even a bit more responsive than a Stinger if Lucas had been correct on his one ride in one. "Beta One, this is Beta Six. The Bronzies look a little peaked. Should we give them a hand?"
"Negative, Beta Six. I understand you want to help out your old team, but we have a special package to deliver. Beta One out."
"Aye sir," muttered Dasher to no one in particular. "I was a Goldie, not a Bronzie."
She didn't however, leave her comm on and let that remain muttered in her own privacy. The Speeder shuttle slid into the water next, and would carry Lieutenant Commander Lacour's team to New Sao Paulo. It was their job to make sure that Lacour's team, Deep Strike, made it there.
"Deep Strike in transit," came Shadow's comtech's voice.
"Aye, we see Deep," came Lieutenant Gordon's voice. "Charlie One, this is Beta One. Relax and enjoy the ride."
Lieutenant Commander Michelle Lacour didn't sound amused. Then again, she never did, "Keep your mind on the job, Lieutenant, and I will do the same. Charlie One out."
Two Wraiths remained on the Speeder at all times while the others kept a cycling perimeter. All to soon the Chaodai launched their own fighters and they were outnumbered. The water was filled with fighters, and not since the time when they had to extract Hitchcock from New Sao Paulo did TJ feel so outnumbered. Only this time it was worse. The Chaodai had them outnumbered three to one.
She pushed the odds out of her mind and focused on the task at hand...
Battle of New Sao Paulo
Spectre, Bronze Two
08:05 EST Standard Time
Bronze Two was a simple sort of man. Shoot bad guy equaled going home with one more day to live. When he saw the Wraiths in combat while trying to take a Speeder straight down the throats of the enemy, he could only think, They're nuts! Knowing that his superior would be interested, he said into his com, "Lieutenant, eight degrees down and to your three..."
A few moments later the most colorful Russian swearing was heard over the comm. "Bronze nine through sixteen, heads up. The Chaodai have launched theirs and are giving the Sea Scorpions a hard time. Aid them."
Bronze Two sighed a secret sigh of relief.
Then his Spectre was blown to Hell seconds later by a stray torpedo from one of the Chaodai submarines.
Battle of New Sao Paulo
Wraith, TJ Dasher
08:05 EST Standard Time
TJ Dasher saw the explosion and it alerted her to the danger of the approaching submarine. "Sir, second Chaodai sub sighted. This place is getting decidedly crowded."
She punched a control to make her Wraith duck and weave as the second torpedo from the Chaodai sub missed her, lost its lock on her, then, thinking the enemy subfighter was her, blew up one of its own. "Add one to buddy's scorecard," she quipped.
Battle of New Sao Paulo
The Aurora
Ward Room
08:06 EST Standard Time
Robert looked out to sea with a pair of binoculars suddenly, and Noyce asked. Pointing out to sea, a bit too close for comfort, he said, "There is a sub battle going on out there."
Noyce went to the active screen and said, "A full scale battle, complete with subfighters. That's a bit close for..."
Suddenly the Aurora rocked and they had to scramble to grab for handholds to keep from hitting the floor. "Entirely too close," agreed Robert.
The Aurora seemed to list for a bit with the seas fairly roiling from the battle that had broken out below. When it finally straightened back up again, Robert hit the comm, "Status, Captain."
"Two of our subs are down, one out of the battle, and we've lost a destroyer," came the captain's voice. "One of the Chaodai subs have escaped, sir."
"Which way did it head?"
"Panama Strait."
Noyce looked over at Robert, "I'll warn the seaQuest."
Robert looked over to the active screen and saw the red flashing lights as the ships became black dots on the three dimensional screen. Those black dots served as place trackers for ships that were no longer involved in the battle, but taking up space anyway. He leaned on the edge of the projector and sighed heavily. While he knew losses were to be expected, this soon into the battle was alarming.
Noyce moved over to the vidscreen and punched in the code for the seaQuest DSV.
Panama Strait
seaQuest DSV
Bridge
08:08 EST Standard Time
Commodore Benjamin Krieg walked onto the bridge of the seaQuest. He sat in the command chair and turned to his comtech, "What was the big emergency?"
"Sir, Admiral Noyce is on the line," answered Johansen.
"On screen, Lieutenant," he said.
Noyce appeared on the main screen, and judging by the disarray of the Aurora's wardroom and the harried look to Admiral Bridger in the background, a full scale battle was being fought. "Admiral."
"Commodore, the Chaodai were here the entire time."
"We'll be there inside the hour..." Ben started but stopped when Noyce shook his head.
"No, Commodore... Ben... one got away. It's headed your way and will be there inside of the hour. You have to stop them. Any one of those ships could have the rumored bio-weapon on board, it's up to you to stop this one from being the potential carrier of the weapon," Ben's eyes, as well as most of the bridge crew's eyes, went wide in shock. "Good luck, Commodore."
With that the transmission ended and a pall seemed to silence even the idle chatter that usually resided on the large bridge. Ben leaned back in the command chair as his mind tried to wrap around that. He took a breath and said, "All right, everyone. We know the drill. One ship. We can do this. We have less than an hour to make ourselves fully battle ready. Let's not waste any time."
Taking a breath, he said, "Lieutenant Johansen, put me on shipwide."
"Aye sir," she typed in a few commands. "You're on, sir."
"Attention, crew and the part of the science team that didn't leave," he began. "In under an hour we will be in battle. I know that usually we don't get a warning. This time we did, and let me tell you, this won't be an easy fight. Since we did, we can't afford to waste any time. But I feel that I have to tell you: The ship that got away must be defeated. It is one of the Chaodai's best ships, so, if you're part of the science contingent on board, there will be two mini-subs ready to take you to shore in ten minutes since we are within ten klicks of shore. This will be your only chance, and if I were you, I'd take it."
Aware that he was making it a bit depressing, "If you decide to stay, we'll find a place to you to work. All hands will be needed. I know, and I have faith, in this crew. We are the best this Navy has, and we're on the best ship this Navy has. This Chaodai has no chance against us. Let's give 'em Hell for daring to take us on and take our names into immortality!"
He looked over to Johansen, "Krieg out."
She closed the shipwide link and said, "I take it's almost time?"
"Yeah."
Speeder, Charlie (Deep Strike) Team
Battle of New Sao Paulo
08:14 EST Standard Time
Lieutenant Commander Michelle Lacour zipped up the last of the black body armor with a decisive pull and watched in satisfaction as the rest of her team also did so. Almost as if it were a delicate dance where they all did the moves in time with each other, they also did one last check of their weapons as the Speeder slid onto the concrete surface dock. She smiled in satisfaction at their efficiency. No one kept the other waiting. It was as it should be.
She leaned on the bulkhead and her second in command blew the hatch. Charlie Eight rolled out and quickly side stepped to use the shuttle as cover. His hand signal told her that, for now, the coast was clear. In a quick marching jog they exited the Speeder shuttle. Using hand signals so as to not break radio silence, she signaled for them to take perimeter positions. Silently they disappeared and she threw a single grenade into the Speeder.
Michelle barely had enough time to dive into the water for cover before the shuttle exploded.
She swam in the direction that had been in the briefing– straight to the main Harpe spire. Her seven other team members swam in a neat formation behind her. In amusement, she realized that the current situation was similar to the GELF Mariah when she had stormed UEO command. Only this time, instead of many GELFs, Deep Strike had only eight members, and, unfortunately, none of them were GELF.
Battle of New Sao Paulo
Wraith, TJ Dasher
08:14 EST Standard Time
TJ's Wraith rolled to a quick starboard and then back to port. "Beta Three, get this asshole off of my tail!"
"Beta Six, I..." a scream cut off what Beta Three had to say as the Wraith exploded.
"Torpedo lock," came the computer's voice.
"Dammit, not what I want to hear!" she cursed. "Computer, on my mark, cut power to the thrusters for two point five seconds."
She pulled up on the controls, "Mark!"
The sudden cut in power cut the loop short and made her Wraith level out again. Only now she was behind the enemy subfighter. "Thank you JJ for teaching me that," she whispered to her absent friend.
Her weapons computer locked on the subfighter and she hit the button to launch a torpedo. Banking to the starboard after it launched she had enough time to register it hitting before the enemy that nearly had her exploded. "Take on the best, die like the rest," she quipped, not even sure where she heard it, just knowing that it was appropriate.
It was then she noticed that the Shadow itself was under attack. Revving the thrusters to max, she called on the comm, "Beta team, Shadow is under attack."
"Beta Six, nice move back there," came Beta One's voice. "We are what's left of Beta team, TJ. Let's show them what a real sub pilot can do."
PART THREE: The Last Bastion
New Cape Quest
Bridger's Home
January 5th, 2035
08:35 EST Standard Time
"... The Battle of New Sao Paulo, as NorPac command has called it, has turned into a bloodbath. Ships from all different confederations have converged on New Sao Paulo in support of NorPac's effort to bring Dr. Reuben Zellar to justice. What seemed to be an easy battle..." the camera rocked as an explosion sounded and in the background fire could be seen on the ship directly behind the newscaster. "... My God, look at that! As you can see, what seemed to be an easy and clean strike has turned into an all out war. Ships on both sides are taking heavy damage, and a few have been reported down. The NorPac armada has, in what they have released to us, told us that they have contained the Chaodai inside New Sao Paulo..."
"Turn it off," said Kristin Bridger.
Cynthia turned off the vidscreen completely and sat down, her tears barely in check. "I don't believe this is happening."
Kristin Bridger closed her eyes in pain, "I don't either."
A knock sounded at the door and Cynthia went to answer it, "Wendy!"
A few moments later Dr. Wendy Smith-Hudson walked into the living room and took both of Kristin's hands in her own. "I wish I could say something to make this better," she whispered. "But I can't."
Then, seemingly, she brightened when Michael walked in the room, "Hey you! Let me look at you. Wow, have you grown!"
He hugged her and said, "My friends in school say that we're 'news'. What's that mean?"
The three women looked at each other before an answer could even be formulated.
08:38 EST Standard Time
Base of Harpe's Spire
Team Deep Strike (Charlie Team)
For a moment, while they had a chance, they listened to the combat radio. It had been proven some time ago that listening on an open band would not break radio silence and give away locations. In fact, it had been the best way to figure out what the Hell was going on in a battle.
So Lieutenant Commander took that time to listen and learn.
Finally she set down the radio and turned it off. With a sigh she said, "The Shadow was downed with heavy damage. Only one Wraith is left, and a Speeder. My guess is that we are about to be joined by the Colonel."
The other eight shifted position and her second in command asked, "What about the other teams?"
"I don't know."
A few moments later and a very beat up Speeder and Wraith surfaced and beached. Out of it came what was left of the teams and Colonel Yamamoto. Ensign Dasher got out of the Wraith. "Status, Commander," he said.
"Except for our Speeder, as planned, no casualties," she reported after snapping to attention and saluting. "Sir... the others?"
"Who you see are those who are left, Commander," he said, stressing Commander. "Until you die or are promoted, you are now Commander by brevet promotion. Commander McGill... didn't make it."
He looked over to TJ and she saluted, "Sir, I regret to say that I'm the only one left out of the Sea Scorpions. The rest of Team Beta are dead."
"Well then, Lieutenant JG Dasher, you have your work cut out for you," he sighed. "Two brevet promotions and we are not even half finished the mission. This does not bode well for us, but no matter the cost, the mission will succeed. Am I clear?"
"Aye sir," came the answers from everyone.
"Then set up a command center before we storm the Spire," he ordered. "I want a bunker there," he pointed to where the mini-subs were, "and there," he stated pointing to the dock area, "Now, get to work. I expect status reports every half hour, on the half hour."
His crew instantly got to work on the various tasks and TJ looked up to as far as she could see up the spire. Yamamoto walked over to her and asked, "Is the quarry still up there?"
"Yes sir, he is," she answered.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" he asked.
She looked quickly at him. "Are you sure you are?"
Yamamoto was surprised by the sudden turn in conversation, sighed, and then decided that a bit of history was in need of clearing up. "Lieutenant... when I was trained in Section Seven on NorPac policy and what was expected of me... the then Captain Hitchcock did the training," he said. "That was my first introduction to anything seaQuest, or even Bridger. When my training moved to the actual specifics... I was trained by a woman by the name of Damiene. She was ageless, wise, and, well, all we know of her is her name. It was later I learned that Damiene was trained by Nathan Bridger. All she had learned was from him... and in turn what I learned in Section Seven was by her, and so also by him."
TJ looked at Jason in obvious surprise. "But... he..."
"Was Section Seven, or at the point he was there, it was called NSA. Well, where Captain Bridger worked was. This was before the CIA, CSIS, and NSA merged and became Section Seven. But the NSA was, and still is, considered the elite of the intelligence and security agencies," Jason frowned. "Somehow, he managed to balance his Navy life with NSA." At this point he smiled again. "His 'balance' is what inspired me. The Shadow Warrior may have paled in comparison to the seaQuest, but it is in that way I emulated him."
TJ put a hand on Jason Yamamoto's shoulder, "It isn't over yet."
He laid a hand over hers, "I know."
Suddenly turning away he called out, "Roll call!"
"Team Alpha is down nine members, sir," said Master Sargeant Zek, the huge GELF that led the team. "We lost Sargeants Milena and Tal, Corporals Eriya and Vick Guerrand, and Privates Roger Marchand, Nathaniel Wilkes, Jason-Number-Two, Raven Moonfire, and Callalee."
TJ said simply, "Team Beta is down, except for me."
"Charlie has no casualties to report," said Commander Michelle Lacour. "We only lost our Speeder, as planned."
"Delta has only one casualty," said Gabriel Bolton. "My second in command did not make it. I have given a brevet promotion and appointed another."
Yamamoto nodded and turned to the other teams, "And the others?"
"Echo team still has all its members," came Lieutenant Ivan Romanov's voice from the background.
"Foxtrot has ten casualties to report," came the diminutive voice of who every one called 'Ms. Green Cheese.
The corny name half referred of her meek-as-a-mouse demeanor, and the other half to the incident where she had, when on a mission, eaten cheese that had more green from mold than yellow of cheese. The entire team had watched in horrified fascination as she had carved most of the mold off the cheese and eaten it, saying, "Hey, cheese is expensive!"
No one could really remember her real name... she had always sort of... been there...
The team Green was on was Team Foxtrot, also known affectionately as 'Tech Inc.' On the Shadow it had been their job to keep the ship running as the engineering team, and in communication with HQ. Or, on some other occasions, hack into enemy communications or computers and wreak general havoc with said enemy equipment...
Green was not supposed to be command either, but she continued in explanation, "Lieutenant Scott is dead, sir, as well as eight others and one critically wounded."
Which, unfortunately, was all of the engineering staff. None had wanted to leave until the very last. Neither had Yamamoto and he had narrowly escaped after pulling the critically injured crewmember to the last Speeder. He sighed. "Well, Lieutenant Wolenczak, you have your job cut out for you."
"Yes sir, I know," answered Lieutenant Kylie 'Green Cheese' Wolenczak, now in command of her team, also by brevet as many of the others were now.
"Now, luckily, Golf, Hotel and Z team were not on board during all of this and were on other assignments," said Yamamoto, as he tallied up the remaining crew in his mind.
The total didn't please him at all. At least twenty eight casualties out of a crew of ninety eight. To add to his frustration, twenty-four were on other assignments. His resources were a bit short with only forty-six of them... and it was a very big spire to storm.
"Teams Alpha, Charlie, and Echo. You are the three teams heading up there with the Lieutenant and I. Team Echo will head to the labs, while Team Alpha's thirteen through fifteen backs them up. Charlie, you will head up the main spire and take out the communications with ten through twelve of Alpha Team."
"Sir, that's our job," pointed out Lieutenant Wolenczak.
Although no one really wanted to say it, Greenie had a point... it was her team's job to take out communications. That was, if there was no opposition. At which point a nine millimeter did the job just as easy. "No, Green, you stay here with your team. Get the Speeder up and going a bit better than it is. I know we can limp out of here if we have to, but I would prefer a launch that can get us out of here fast," he pointed out. "Not only that, we need you here at the command post. You're our only link to the flagship out there, and the Admiralty."
Or back up if we're in over our heads, but he didn't say so aloud. There was some things you confided in with the crew, and then there was some things you did not tell your crew. It would spook even the best and undermine morale. This was one of them...
He turned back to the rest of them. "Now, as I was saying: The rest of Alpha will accompany Lieutenant Dasher and I to the top as we go after Zellar and Harpe..." he looked around as the teams split off with weapons and gear prepped already in expectation. "Move out."
9:00 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
seaQuest DSV
Even though they all understood that their stand was the only chance they had with stopping a potential biological weapon from falling into Chaodai hands, all wished it had never come to this. Krieg leaned over to the side as the seaQuest listed in the effort to move quickly out of the way of another barrage of torpedoes. "Fire," he ordered.
seaQuest shuddered minutely as it returned its own torpedo fire. As the ship evened out, Krieg moved the inert weapons officer out of the way, "Get a medical team."
Tim O'Niell laid the weapon's officer on the floor and said, "It won't matter, she's dead, sir."
Krieg sighed. This was the very first death he had under his command of the seaQuest. It didn't give him a good feeling, but he pushed it away. As there was no time to call for someone else to take the station, he had to himself. He looked over at Tim. "Call for back-up."
"I can't sir, the communications array was taken out in the last barrage," answered Johansen.
Krieg looked at the sparking bridge, "Weapons... our laser batteries are fried and we are out of torpedoes. Tim, what's that other ship look like?"
O'Niell looked on the sensors, and then up at Krieg. In a quiet voice, he answered, "All we need is one more hit."
Krieg looked at the bridge and at the bodies that lay strewn all over the place. "All hands abandon ship," he ordered quietly. "We'll have to ram her."
Mara Johansen stood, "No sir, I am under orders to remain on board if any personnel remain on board with me. That means you, sir."
Krieg looked at her in surprise, "By who?"
"By my direct superior, Colonel Jason Yamamoto, and by Section Seven, as per policy to have at least one intel officer on board," a humorless smile spread across her face. "I'm afraid that would be me."
"Very well, you take the secondary helm," he said as he slid into the primary helm chair.
O'Niell hunkered down beside him, "Ben, I..."
"Go, Tim, take care of the crew."
O'Niell gave one last glance back, then said, "No, sir. I can't. The crew have already offloaded, and you need someone to pilot the last launch off this boat. If I take it, you have no way off the boat."
Ben looked at Tim and said, "Then take the helm third's place."
9:00 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
New Sao Paulo
Harpe Spire
Yamamoto and TJ led the team up the last stretch to the part of the tower where only the leaders of the company were. Leaning flat against the wall, he looked around and promptly leaned back against the wall as gunfire rang out.
TJ pointed out, "There's only two."
"I see that," agreed Yamamoto. "Interesting." He looked at the four Team Alpha members that had accompanied them, "You and you, head back to Lacour and help with the clean-up. You two, come with us."
The four saluted before two of them left to go back downstairs. Corporal Road, one of the two who remained, said, "I think we need a distraction, get them something to focus on."
"An excellent idea, Mr. Road," said Yamamoto. "Now, what can we do."
TJ leaned back to reload after returning fire and looked up. She pointed to the vents above. "Well, unless those are blocked off, two of us can sneak behind them while one stays behind so that they think they have us pinned," she suggested.
Yamamoto nodded, "Corporal, can you remain here and keep them pinned?"
"Can TJ run buck naked through Venice?" he quipped.
Yamamoto gave a short laugh, and said as he braced his hands to give her a boost up, "Okay, then. TJ, you first."
9:07 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
Off the coast of Chile
The Avenger
For a moment, Captain James Brody saw his executive officer, Commander Lonnie Henderson, go white. He leaned forward, but she held up her hand as she turned and spoke into the microphone of her headset, "You are sure?"
A moment went by before she turned to Brody, "Sir... the seaQuest is... the seaQuest has been downed off Panama when she rammed the Chaodai vessel that escaped. The Chaodai was hulled, and is going down. They were successful..."
Brody turned to the front of the bridge and looked at the deck plating.
Captain Ford... Secretary General Bridger, and now the seaQuest and most likely those who had bravely piloted her into the Chaodai vessel as a last resort. His first ship assignment had been seaQuest, and it had also been Henderson's. Hearing that it had gone down, sunk, was a blow to all of them. He leaned on the bulkhead and said, "Continue our patrol."
"But sir..."
"She's not in our sea at the moment. And if another gets away, we have to remain here to make sure that they don't take this route."
Henderson nodded and bent to look back at her station. Brody took a breath and held it for a moment before releasing it. He may not like Commodore Benjamin Krieg, but he didn't wish him harm, nor the pain of losing his ship. He honestly could feel for him. God knew that if the Avenger had ever gone down, and Brody survived the battle that took it, he would nearly be a basket case.
9:05 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
The Aurora
Battle of New Sao Paulo
The ship tossed to one side, then the other. Robert fought his way to the three dimensional display, as another hit knocked him on his ass. Admiral Noyce moved to the display and reset his headset. "Oh my God," he breathed. "The seaQuest is down. As is half our fleet."
"Sir, we have incoming!" called the captain.
Noyce braced himself, and Robert pushed his feet into the crack and his hands into another. As the torpedo rocked the ship, the grip he had kept him from flying around. However, Admiral Noyce was not so lucky and was thrown across the wardroom. When Robert could safely move, he made his way over to Noyce. He leaned into the desk in grief. There was no mistaking that from the angle, Noyce had broken his neck as soon as he had landed.
The captain leaned on the hatch, "Admiral Bridger, the Aurora has been hulled, and we're taking on water. We can't stop it... sir, Admiral Noyce?"
"Dead," answered Robert as he began to run for the life boat with the captain of the Aurora.
Each step reminded him of what he left behind. Even now he knew that this ended a era.
9:10 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
Panama Coastline
Ben floated, looking up into the clear blue sky. His life jacket was the only thing that kept him from sinking to the bottom. The life raft was barely one hundred meters away, but he didn't have the strength to life a hand, let alone swim to the raft. He could hear his name being called frantically, but he didn't have the voice to call out in reassurance.
His thoughts turned to Lonnie Henderson.
He closed his eyes against the blue and her image filled his mind.
If he didn't find the strength, he would never see her again. He had to find the strength. He had seen what Captain Bridger went through missing his long dead wife Carol, and he by far did not want to cause Lonnie that same pain. He took a breath and yelled, "I'm here."
A grey mottled form broke the surface and bumped him from behind. "Darwin..." he breathed in relief, moments before passing out.
9:10 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
Harpe Spire
TJ dropped down, head first, her guns out and firing before flipping in one fluid motion to land on her feet in a crouch and roll out of the way of the gunfire. One stray bullet struck the lab technician and he fell hard, already dead. Yamamoto followed, only not choosing to come down head first. TJ was holding her twin handguns on the other technician and Yamamoto motioned to Road to join them. "Nice work, Streaker," commented Road. "That maneuver was one of the slickest I've ever seen. Where'd you learn that?"
Yamamoto said, "It's classified, Corporal."
Road shrugged. "It's not important then," he quirked his eyebrow in a speculation. "But that flexibility would be handy. Ever hear of the Italian Chandelier position?"
"No," she answered, crinkling her brows in confusion.
"You will," he winked as she blushed, suddenly realizing what 'position' he was referring to.
They continued and came to the apartment of Rubin Zellar. Yamamoto knocked curtly and a woman opened the door, "We heard gunshots..."
She trailed off at the three barrels and the katana that faced her. "We would like to speak to Dr. Zellar," said Yamamoto as he brought up his katana to her throat. "There are certain... issues... that have come up with his line of work."
She moved out of the way and they moved into the apartment. Zellar stood up, as well as the terrrorist Sean Westling, and said, "So, you're the famed Black Death of NorPac. I was wondering if you actually existed."
"We came to discuss your surrender," said Yamamoto, his katana held in a guard position. "Give yourself to us, or die."
"An interesting choice," said Zellar, as he pulled out a dart gun and jumped behind the couch. "I would prefer that you die, though."
Westling took off out of another door, and Yamamoto yelled to TJ, "Go after Westling."
TJ took off after Westling, while Road and Yamamoto took cover as two darts planted themselves in the wall where the two of them used to be standing. Road returned fire and the stuffing of the fine Queen Anne style couch flew up into the air. "How utterly tasteless of you!" came Zellar's calm voice.
Yamamoto crawled across the floor before coming up to the couch and climbing on it. When Zellar poked his head up to shoot at them again, he was waiting. Jason swung his katana in an arc and, his face an expression of horrified surprise, Zellar's head severed from his body. Quiet descended and Yamamoto took a breath.
9:15 EST Standard Time
January 5th, 2035
New Sao Paulo
Harpe Spire
TJ chased Sean Westling up the last bit of stairs to the roof. Cautiously, she ducked her head up and ducked back down as gunfire nearly gave her a new haircut. Now at least she knew which direction it came from. She coiled her legs under her and prepared to spring up and out of the stairwell.
Using her coiled legs as the spring, she flew in a jump and rolled behind a heat vent as gunfire rained on where she had been. She leaned against the heat vent and caught her breath, "Give up, you have no where to go!"
"And do what? Give myself to the tender mercies of the demon you call a commander?" came Westling's voice. "Yeah right."
More gunfire rained, only on the heat vent. Bits of shrapnel lent the air a shiny confetti as aluminum peeled away. Then she heard the sound she was waiting for as Westling's gun jammed.
TJ came out from behind the heat vent and aimed her gun squarely at Westling, who was halfway on the edge of the roof. What's he waiting for? She wondered, then heard the thump thump of helicopter blades. "Stop there," she ordered crisply.
Westling held up his hands and smiled, "My, the UEO certainly robbed the cradle this time."
"Shut up and throw down your weapon, and keep your hands where I can see them," she continued, and Westling threw his gun past her left foot.
"I wonder if you can," he mused. "Can you really shoot me if decided to pull out another gun?"
"Try me," came her dry voice. "I can. Nathan Bridger was my grandfather– and I never had the chance to tell him. You took that from me. Give me an excuse to shoot you, Westling."
Westling moved swiftly, his left hand moving around to the back of his waist and pulling out another gun and bringing it up to aim at TJ, and TJ moved just as fast as she ducked and rolled out of the way.
Two gunshots rang out.
Westling lost his balance and fell backwards over the edge of the roof.
TJ ran forward to look over the edge as Westling fell down the forty stories to where the roof of the lower sixty cut out like a V-shape... and he bounced once, twice, and slid over the sloped edge to fall the rest of the way to the cement below.
At the bottom, Robert Bridger looked up as the sound of battle ended. Killing the leadership of New Sao Paulo effectively ended the war. He wondered if it was worth it.
January 8th, 2035
Bridger's Island
Somewhere in the Carribean
In the distance they could all hear the mournful, but yet beautiful music only ever heard at funerals. Robert leaned on the railing of the rebuilt island house. Soon, all too soon, he would be guiding his mother-in-law (and also stepmother) to the ceremony. His own wife, Cynthia, would be taking his son after he gave Kristin a chance to mourn at the burial site.
He idly swept away non-existent crumbs off his full dress whites and stared into the now cleaned water of the bay. Over the months since Harpe had razed the island to the ground nature had cleaned it with the rainstorms of spring and fall. He took a breath, held it, then let the breath out of his nose. It seemed that even when they were quiet events took place all too quickly.
There was no more seaQuest, nor would there ever be again.
This decision was reached by both the UEO and NorPac. It didn't seem right to have another. The seaQuest had been Nathan Bridger's project and without him seaQuest just wasn't the seaQuest. Oh, they were building another ship, sure, and it would be like the seaQuest, but it would not carry the name seaQuest. That was if the politicians actually decided to build it.
Finally Kristin Westphalen-Bridger walked out of the French doors in the front of the house and walked across the deck to join Robert in leaning on the deck railing. She looked out to sea and then said, "I can't believe he's gone. Even though we're about to go to his funeral, even though I was there when he died and held his hand, I can't. I don't want to."
Robert stretched from the way he had been leaning on the railing, turned around and leaned against the railing backwards. Crossing one leg over the other and crossing his arms at the same time, he looked over at her. "I can't either, nor do I want to. But he would not want us to mope around here wishing for time to end and for us to be reunited when we can live today, and perhaps tomorrow. He would want us to remember him, yes, but not mourn."
Westphalen smiled, "You are so much like your father."
He offered her his hand, "Doctor, I think it's time."
She nodded silently before pulling the black and gold lace shawl closer around her.
The two of them walked until they reached an area kept clear except for the short grass and the stone monument on it. On the one side that faced the sea was the UEO and NorPac logos, as well as the seaQuest DSV logo. Then on the side that faced the trail that led up to it, the opposite side of the obelisk, was both Nathan and Carol Bridger's names, their years of birth, and as well as their years of death. Permanently mounted into the stone in a weatherproof, and fade-proofed, high-grade sealed plastic was Nathan's picture from when he commanded the seaQuest, and right underneath was the picture he often used in the holographic interface of Carol in the same type of material. It was so that all would remember them as they once were, in the prime of their lives, and during their happier years.
Carved into the sides of the obelisk was all the names that had ever served on the seaQuest DSV, their birthdates, which tours they had served, and if they had fallen, also their dates of death. On all four sides, near the bottom, was etched by sandblasting, a true to form image of the seaQuest DSV.
One patch of grass had not grown back, and it was on the side of where two freshly dug graves lay. In one lay Nathan Bridger, and in the other the re-rested Carol. When the island had been razed, her grave had been needing tending, and this had been the original site. And so they now rested together until the end of time would see them reunited.
Kristin knelt by the one overlain with the American flag. While the United States had amalgimated into NorPac, Nathan had originally served in the United States Navy. It was proper that the honor of being in the US Navy be his. But, as he had also been NorPac, the North Pacific Confederation's flag flew half-staff in the distance beside the UEO's and the other countries who had sent gold trimmed flags to honor the former Secretary General.
Robert stood there as well until he heard motion behind him and turned to see Cynthia with Micheal. Michael walked over and put his hand into Robert's while Cindy slipped one hand around his waist. A few moments later, Lucas Bridger stepped up beside Robert, and JJ Bridger smiled wanly as Lucas then knelt beside Kristin.
Finally, they all stood and turned around to wait for more arrivals. Lucas, Robert, and JJ were all in dress whites and stayed pretty well in one clump of white, while Kristin, Cynthia, and Michael stayed to one side of them.
As the time came for the service, more began to show up. The first to arrive were the last crew of the seaQuest, then those of Yamamoto's command on the Shadow Warrior.
Soon the outcropping was full of dress whites and black. When the time came, everyone turned around to face the monument as a priest said the prayers, and then that part of the service was over. Lucas stepped up as it had been decided that he should say the eulogy.
"People ask me all the time why I stayed on seaQuest. So, why did I stay on seaQuest? Well, I stayed on seaQuest because for the first time in my life I had found a father that truly cared about what I was doing and if I lived, or died," he began. "But I was not the only one to experience this from the captain of the seaQuest DSV. In fact, if you ask anyone who served under him in the first, and very reluctant, tour, or in the second tour where it seemed he was there to stay, you would get the same answer. Captain Nathan Bridger did not command us– he raised us. In those first two tours we were all his children, Dr. Westphalen our mother, and the seaQuest was not simply work: it was our home."
Lucas walked over to the monument, "He doesn't reside here, nor does he reside in the grave. Because of how he touched us," Lucas put his hand over his chest where his heart would be, "he resides here with all of us. And that is how he would want us to think. If we never let ourselves forget and if we share the memory, he never truly dies, but lives with all of us."
Lucas walked over to Robert and said, "He never forgot you or your mother. He wouldn't let himself and it took all of us to remind him how to live with the memory, and with the same belief." Lucas turned to everyone. "So if we reminded him how to live, so also we remind each other. And with his memory, he also reminds us to live. That's how I'll remember him. With each day of my life, and with my children's lives. I'll raise them with the same love and concern that he taught me."
Lucas turned to the monument and saluted sharply, as did all those in uniform. Yamamoto stood and held up his sword as the soldiers aimed their guns into the sky. With one sharp movement of the sword from Yamamoto, the guns fired three times into the sky. TJ Dasher gently folded the American flag from the frame that it had rested on so that it would not lay on the ground, turned and presented to Kristin. Kristin accepted it as TJ saluted her.
A gentle drum roll seemed to overlap the noise of jets as they flew over, one falling purposely from formation before they disappeared from sight again. With that, the service ended and people began to file out, touching the picture of Nathan as they left until all that was left was those who had been there, plus Colonel Jason Yamamoto and Lieutenant TJ Dasher. Lucas stayed by the monument awhile longer until he turned to TJ and Jason, "Thank you for finishing it."
"We aim to serve," answered Yamamoto somberly as he walked with Lucas. "But tell me, what are your plans for the future?"
"I don't know," he answered.
TJ stood awhile longer beside Robert Bridger before he turned to her as Cynthia took Kristin and Michael back to the house. "TJ."
"Father."
"I never thought I would hear you say that," he admitted. "I wish I could have heard it sooner."
"I wish I would have said it sooner," admitted TJ and they both stared out to sea and at the red sky as the sun dipped over the horizon.