Chapter:
A/N: So glad you guys have enjoyed this thus far. I do think this is the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I only own the ones you never saw on TV.
"We are NOT going down there," Strider hissed through clenched teeth. She tightened her grip on the fistful of Lucas's shirt she held. "Forget it." The two teens were crouched beside each other in one of the narrow air ducts, running through the entire mine. They were well hidden, shrouded in shadow.
The duct opened up into a large cavern, which had once been used as the main station of mine operations. Remnants remained of the old order, dusty overturned chairs littering the ground, shreds of paper and a long aluminum table in the center of the room. On either side stood Levi and his potential buyer. The greasy, dark haired mercenary had two men with him, both holding lethal looking weapons. Levi had a couple of kids with rifles guarding the room as well.
"Well we have to do something," Lucas whispered back. "We can't let them get away with that laser."
"Agreed, but all we're gonna do is get killed if we go down there. Come on bright boy, think of another plan. One that doesn't involve pulse fire aimed at our heads."
Lucas clamped his teeth down on his lower lip, brow furrowed in concentration. Strider kept her eyes riveted on the deal going on below. The men were still talking, that was a good sign. They still had some time. Lucas's eyes shot wide and he shook her shoulder. "I have a plan."
An eyebrow quirked. "That didn't take too long."
"Hey, bright boy remember?" he grinned.
"I'm so glad you can find amusement in this," she rolled her eyes.
Lucas ignored her. "The fuel cells."
"What?"
"The transport. We need to get to the transport and get the fuel cells. I figure if we short circuit the wires we can blow them and create a distraction. One of us the blows the cells and when these guys go to check it out the other one can grab the laser, or destroy it."
"How big an explosion will that make?" she questioned. "Not enough to blow out a wall right?"
"Shouldn't, no. Not if we get the cells deep enough in one of the inner passages."
She nodded, "Okay, it's a plan then. I'll stay, you blow the fuel cells." Lucas looked for a moment like he might protest. "Look, I'm not exactly thrilled about breakin up our little duo either, but I don't know how to blow those cells Lucas." His lips thinned, but he nodded. "I can get you to the subs, but then I'll have to hoof it back here to be ready when this shit goes down."
Lucas followed her down the dark passage, feeling his way along the walls. His knees ached from being in a constant crouch. He couldn't even see Chris ahead of him, merely followed the sound of her breathing, and the scrape of her shoes on the rock. "Ugh," he grunted when he ran into a still Strider. "We here?"
"Yup." She scooted over to the side, revealing a small hole in the passage, just wide enough for him to slip through. Weak light flickered below. "This is as close as I can get you. I don't hear anyone down there."
Lucas moved to sit with his legs dangling down. Before he could drop though, Strider grasped his arm. "Lucas."
"Yeah?"
"Be safe. You blow those cells and everyone is gonna be comin your way. You're a ghost, do you hear me? Do what you need to do and get back into the air ducts. If anything happens..."
"Nothing is going to happen," he cut her off.
"If anything happens," she insisted, "get back to the tunnel they held you in. Take it back to the main passage and head down the second tunnel on your right. It'll get you back to the Stinger. Lucas...." He voice caught, but he couldn't see her face in the dark. "You've been the best friend I've ever had."
His jaw clenched. "I'll see you soon." Then he dropped, disappearing out of her sight. She could only hear his footfalls as he raced for the docking bay. Strider turned, and headed back down the tunnel.
--
Less than five minutes later, Lucas found himself lugging one of the SeaQuest transport's heavy fuel cells down into the bowls of the mine. Sweat beaded on his face and his shoulder throbbed as the square edge of the cell bit into his flesh, but he kept moving. He'd lucked out, not running into anyone at the docking bay. Apparently everyone was grouped around the meeting hall, eagerly anticipating the laser.
He'd dug the heavy cells out from beneath the sub's floor grating, wedged down between the pilot and navigator's seats. He'd also garnered some extra copper wire, a set of wire strippers, a pair of pliers and a screwdriver from the ship's maintenance gear. The pliers and wire strippers were stuck in the pockets of his jeans, and he held the screwdriver between clenched teeth.
Once he was satisfied that he was far enough into the mine to not cause too much damage, he set the fuel cell down. He brushed an errant lock of hair away from his eyes, prying the top of the cell off with the screwdriver. Inside a tangled web of wires greeted him, and he wished he'd remembered to bring a flashlight. He worked quickly, disconnecting and rerouting wires to create a feedback loop into the cell. When the power flowed, it had no where to go but back into the cell, which should, he'd hypothesized, make the entire thing go critical.
Lucas felt along the last wire, till he found the connection to the power source, and the motherboard that usually linked into the transport's computer. He winced then, realizing what he'd forgotten. "I need a charge," he whispered to himself. It only took a moment before he'd ripped his watch from his wrist. Working with extreme caution he managed to wind the wire around the alarm sensor. He set the alarm for two minutes, enough time for him to get back into the ducts and far enough away.
--
The explosion rocked the entire mine. Loose pieces of shale and large hunks of rock above tunnels split off and crashed to the ground. Levi and the others had to brace against the table, legs split as shock waves reverberated through the ground. Sitting in the duct near the hall, the blast made Strider's teeth rattle. The lights flickered.
Faced with the angry visage of the mercenary leader, Levi looked scared for the first time since Strider had known him. "It wasn't me," he exclaimed. Then his eyes narrowed, lips thinning. "Chris..." he muttered darkly.
The terrorists began talking amongst themselves, and because of the ringing in her ears, she couldn't make out what they were saying. A moment later though, they had streamed out of the hall into the passages toward the docking bay.
"Come on!" Levi snapped at his young charges. "You, go check on our guest. The rest of you are with me. We're going to search every tunnel in this place if we have to." He left at quick jog, the other kids trailing in his wake. None of them noticed Chris slip out of the air duct, landing on the floor in a catlike crouch.
She trotted over to the North wall, intent on finding her target. She kneeled, hands delving into small crags and crevices in the rock wall. The miners had always hidden booze in a fissure in the rock, and she was willing to bet that was where Levi had hidden the laser. Paper crinkled beneath her fingers and she smiled, relieved. She pulled the prints out of the crevice, stuffing them hurriedly deep into the pocket of her pants. She reached back into the wall, searching for the laser, but she didn't feel it. "Where is it?" she whispered to herself.
"Looking for something?" The cold, angry voice froze her in her tracks. She heard the gun be cocked behind her. The hair at the back of her neck stood on end, and a chill ran down her spine. "turn around, slowly, hands up." She complied wordlessly, facing Levi. "You really think I was dumb enough to leave that lyin around?"
She shrugged, "Well I was hopin anyway."
"Cute," he sneered. "Now put the plans on the table." Levi edged his way farther into the room, the barrel of the weapon he held never wavering from the center of her chest.
"What plans?"
"Don't fuck with me Strider. The laser blueprints, now!"
She had to fight all her better senses not to react when she saw the movement above Levi's head in the air duct. A slow grin slipped over her face and her eyes glimmered. "Screw you."
She dove for the floor the moment she saw the familiar blonde head leap from the duct. Lucas crashed into Levi, sending the other boy to the floor. The pulse rifle went off, but harmlessly overhead, his aim having been disrupted. The gun flew out of his hand, skittering across the floor. Strider pushed herself off the floor at the same time Levi rolled out from under a stunned Lucas.
Face red with rage, Levi turned on the younger boy. Lucas was still clambering to his feet when the toe of Levi's boot drove into his side. Lucas flipped over, gasping for air. Strider was already sprinting across the room. Levi raised his leg, ready to stomp it down on Lucas' throat. Strider caught him in a flying tackle, yanking his shoulders around and sending them both to the floor again. She lost her grip when they landed, and Levi didn't stay down long.
Levi came at her, but Lucas, recovered, leapt on him. "You have to be kidding!" Levi yelled. He drove his elbow back, striking Lucas in the jaw. When the blonde released him Levi whirled, striking him again. Lucas' head snapped back and he struck the wall behind him and crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Levi turned, ready for a new attack from Strider. The girl had her hands up, knees slightly bent. She wasn't about to rush into an attack. "You're not leaving with that laser," she growled.
"Really? You're not leaving at all," he responded.
HE rushed at her, swinging a roundhouse right at her head. She ducked, driving a fist into his stomach. He doubled over as he sped by her, and she swung her right elbow around into his back. He stumbled, but managed to keep his feet. His eyes burned when he turned back at her.
This time he didn't rush, he was careful, and it paid off. He feinted to the right, and Chris went to block, and he punched with his left. Chris's head snapped back and her eyes watered. Blood trickled out of her nose till she tasted it on her lips. He smashed his fist into her ribs. Off balance and hurting she stumbled back, nearly tripping over broken shards of wood that had once been a chair. She swiped desperately at her eyes.
Levi came on again, and she launched a side kick at him. She knew she was in trouble when his hand grasped her ankle. He twisted it, driving an elbow into her leg at the knee. She went down. Levi grabbed her arm, twisting it viciously behind her back till she heard a pop as the joint separated out of her shoulder. She screamed, but Levi kept pulling. Her free hand searched the ground for something, anything, she could use against him.
Her fingers clamped around a stray piece of wood. Levi leaned closer. He whispered in her ear. "I'm gonna enjoy watching you die. But I think I'm gonna like seeing you watch your little friend die first even more."
He didn't see her face harden. Despite the excruciating pain in her shoulder she gripped the wood harder. She twisted quickly, her scream echoing off the walls. She struck Levi over the head and the dark haired boy dropped. Sweat streaming down her back and breathing heavily she rose, turning to face Levi, letting the chair leg drop from her fingers. "You don't touch him." She patted him down and fished the laser out of his pocket
She limped over to Lucas, who was just beginning to regain consciousness. She crouched, gently touching the boy's bleeding head. He winced beneath the touch, blue eyes opening slowly. "We win?" he asked weakly.
She smiled, laughing a little. "Yeah, we did. You saved my life." They fell into silence, and Lucas sat up. He leaned closer, his breath washing over her face.
"Put your hands up and step away from Lucas." Brody's words immediately shattered the moment. Chris closed her eyes and laughed bitterly, but rocked back on her heels just the same.
She stood and turned slowly. "How about just one hand, cause that's all I can offer you." Brody had his pistol leveled at her.
Lucas scrambled up. "Lieutenant it's ok. Strider got me out. She's one of the good guys."
Brody grunted, but lowered his weapon. "That's debatable Lucas, but ok for right now." He lowered the weapon and holstered it. "Piccolo and the others are gathering up what's left of your little troop," he informed Chris. "The mercenaries put up a little more of a fight, but I'm pretty sure we've got them too. You all right?" he asked Lucas.
Lucas touched his head gingerly. "I will be. But man, the SeaQuest looks good right now." He ambled over to the security officer, but Strider hung back.
"Well come on, let's get you back to the transport." Brody ushered Lucas in front of him. "Come on Strider, we'll take you back too, figure out what the hell to do with you." The girl didn't answer. "Strider?"
Lucas and Brody turned. Strider was white faced, barely breathing. Brody's hand immediately went to his hip. Blood soaked Levi's hair, trickling down the side of his face. "Put it away Lieutenant." His grip around Strider's throat tightened, the knife edge pressing into her flesh. Brody's hand left his holster and levi relaxed his grip.
"You're gonna give me and Chris here free passage to one of those subs. Then we're getting on and sayin bye. You people don't know when to leave well enough alone."
"I'm not going anywhere with you, you asshole," Strider growled.
"You really think it's a good idea to piss him off right now?" Brody queried.
"I don't know," she answered flippantly, "let's see. I'm not playing your game anymore Levi. I'm tired of it." Her good hand gripped his lower arm tightly, trying to pull it away from his throat. Her eyes flicked to Lucas quickly, and he sensed a resoluteness in them. He almost called for her to stop, but she acted before the words left his lips.
She drilled the heel of her boot onto Levi's foot. Then she tugged down on Levi's arm with all her strength, twisting out of his grip. Brody went for his pistol. The two wrestled for the knife and the Lieutenant couldn't get a clear shot. "Get out of the way Strider!"
She pushed the older boy away, aiming a well placed foot to the ribs. It was all Brody needed to take his shot. The pulse ripped through his knee, a second through his shoulder. Strider looked triumphant, but Lucas wasn't paying attention. He was staring at the growing stain on Strider's shirt, dark and red. He held up a trembling finger.
"What?" Her hand went to her side and she pulled away blood stained fingers. "Oh....shit." She took a few steps before her knees gave out. The world spun, circling smaller and smaller as a dark veil obscured her vision. The last thing she saw was Lucas kneeling over her; his lips were moving though she couldn't hear him. Then it all just faded out.
--
"....Think she's coming out of it."
"Where am I?" her voice sounded foreign to her, raspy and quiet. Her head pounded furiously. "And what the hell hit me?" She blinked slowly, the light in the room making it hard to focus.
She heard Dr. Wendy on her left. "A lot, by the look of your face."
She grunted, wincing immediately thereafter. "ugh," she groaned, "don't be funny." Her mind began to clear. She realized she was lying in the SeaQuest's med lab. "God I hate this place." It was the doctor's turn to laugh.
She sat up gingerly. Her right arm was in a sling, and her left side ached. Her eyes shifted into focus. She was surprised to see so many people crowding around the bed. Piccolo stood beside Brody just behind the doctor. Lucas and Lani were on her other side and the Captain stood at the end of her bed, watching her critically. "Gave us quite the scare young lady," the doctor scolded.
"Think how I felt." She tried to smile and fell just short. "What happened? Where are the kids, Levi?"
Bridger crossed his arms over his chest. "Your cohorts are resting comfortably in some spare quarters, however disarmed. Young Levi will be spending the rest of his time on board in the brig, till he can be delivered to UEO custody at our next dock."
"What about the others?" A note of worry crept into her voice. "What's going to happen to them?"
"The UEO will be taking them all into custody," Bridger told her. Striders face fell. "But once an inquiry has been conducted I'm fairly certain that all are going to be placed in foster homes, or delivered back to families that want them."
Strider sighed, laying her head back. "And me?"
"Not sure yet." He answered evasively.
"Sir," she sat up, her voice serious. "I had a thought."
"Really?" The Captain's eyebrows rose. "And what was that?"
"I know I haven't exactly been a model passenger," the Captain grunted, "but I've enjoyed my time here. This sub, your crew..... I admire what it is that you stand for, what you work for. I'll be eighteen in seven months."
"And?" She wasn't sure, but she got the impression that the Captain was trying not to smile.
"And truthfully if you're not planning on locking me up I really don't have anywhere to go. So....would you consider taking me on? With the intent to enlist when I turn eighteen? I think I could learn a lot here, think I could be useful here." She didn't dare look to Lucas.
"A sub like the SeaQuest is no place for children," Bridger began sternly. "Lucas is a special case of course." She looked down, feeling deflated. "But..." her eyes snapped up. "If one of my senior officers were to sponsor you, be your guardian of sorts, we might be able to work something out." Her breath caught. She felt Lucas grasp her hand beneath the white cotton sheets. Her gaze traveled over the room, but no one moved.
Just when she was about to give up hope Brody cleared his throat. The Lieutenant stepped forward. "I'm not great with kids sir," he prefaced. His face was red and he didn't look at Chris. "But uh, she's kind of grown on me Captain."
"That's what you call volunteering?" she teased.
His ears went red. "hey, I'm doin you a favor huh?"
"You realize what you're saying Lieutenant. She will be your responsibility."
"Yes sir."
"Then I guess you stay. But you behave on my vessel Miss Strider. No more galavanting escapades."
"Yes sir." Bridger nodded, and his stoic exterior cracked a little.
"All right, she still needs to recover, so everyone out." Wendy ordered. People began filing from the room, first Bridger, then Lani and Piccolo. Brody approached the bed.
"Not one toe outta line kid, you hear me?"
There was a glint to her eye, "There's a line?" she asked innocently.
Brody sighed. "Why do I get the feeling I'm gonna regret this?" He turned and left, leaving Lucas alone with Chris.
"Lucas...." she beamed.
He leaned over the bed to hug her. "Welcome home."
The END
Okay, so that's it, long last chapter I know, but I hope you liked it. Thought it might be fun to have Lucas kick some butt too, or at least try, he never got to on the show. Okay, so question...I'm thinking of writing another, maybe persuing the whole Lucas/Strider thing a little more but......if not Lucas, what canon character would you want to see her paired with (if not permanently, then briefly)??? None of the other guys ever get any play!! Also, who you're vote for Lani??