Deep Blue Blackmail
Chapter 15
By Kiddo
In Loving Memory of Jonathan Brandis
"Don't fix a broken heart. Who really wants to forget?" (Joseph Fiennes)
"I always will remember you by real good moments." ("Real Good Moments" by Christian Wunderlich)
Disclaimer: I don't have any rights to the TV show "seaQuest DSV," and I am not making any money with this fanfiction. Mike Erikson is my own creation.
A big "Thank You" goes to my beta reader Jackie and everybody who reviewed.
Reviews and feedback are always welcome.
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"Am I maybe Albert Einstein?"
The others nodded enthusiastically.
"Great, you got it!" The Cuban reached into the baseball cap and pulled out the last piece of paper. He opened it carefully so that Krieg couldn't see it. When Miguel saw what was written on it, he had to stop himself from snorting out loud. This one could only be Lucas's.
The morale officer tried to observe the others while Ortiz taped the paper to his forehead. Lucas looked as though butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, and O'Neill's eyes had gotten huge as he looked at the paper a second time to make sure he had read it correctly. He really must be somebody great…"Okay, am I female?"
Miguel shook his head. He nearly bit his tongue trying to stay serious. "No, at least not that I know of."
Ben studied him skeptically. What did that mean? "Good, that means I'm male."
The others nodded. "Yes."
"Am I human?"
Again the heads nodded. "Yes."
Krieg thought for a second about trying to look up, but it was impossible to see what was written on the paper. "Am I already dead?"
O'Neill shook his head. "No."
"Am I already old?"
"Define old," said Lucas. After all, that was kind of relative.
"I mean over 50."
The teenager shook his head. "No, then you are not old."
"Am I an athlete?" Ben asked hopefully. He knew a lot of sports stars.
The others shook their heads. "No."
"Actor?"
Again a "No."
"A musician."
"No."
"Politician?"
"No."
"Scientist?"
"No."
Krieg wrinkled his forehead. He was slowly running out of categories. "News anchor?"
And again a "No."
"Artist?"
"No."
"Am I royalty, like a king or something?"
"No."
"Hey, folks, I have to be something." He put his nose up. "Do I have my own TV show or anything like that?"
"No."
The morale officer scratched his head - this was turning into a big deal. "Am I even on TV?"
O'Neill shook his head. "No."
Krieg's eyes got big. "Jeez..." Thoughtfully he let his gaze wander around the room. "Did I write a book?"
"No."
"Am I a famous journalist?"
"No."
This was enough to drive someone nuts. "Am I some kind of guru?"
The others shook their heads. "No."
"A famous doctor?"
Again the heads shook.
"A designer?"
"No."
If this went on much longer, he would never find out what was written on his paper. Suddenly Ben got an idea. After all, he was playing with Lucas. "Am I a computer genius? A world-famous hacker or whatever you call them?"
The teenager ignored the little snub. "Certainly not!"
"Man, this is difficult." Krieg decided to go in another direction. Maybe that would help. "Do I have light hair?"
"No."
"Dark hair?"
"Yes."
"Pale skin?"
They were all nodding. "Yes."
The supply officer sighed. "Could it be that you are pulling my leg? I'm starting to believe that I don't really exist!"
The blond boy was outraged. "Of course you exist!"
Ben made a face. "And I'm really famous?"
Lucas nodded slowly. "Yeah."
"And I also know who this person is?"
Miguel grinned. "Yes."
Krieg wrinkled his forehead. "Whoever this person is, I'm sure that I don't like him."
The computer genius had to laugh at that comment, just as Tim and Miguel did, but it led to a coughing fit. He could barely get enough air and his eyes were tearing up.
When Lucas had calmed down again, Ben put his hand sympathetically on the boy's shoulder. "Everything okay?"
The teen nodded. "Yeah, thanks."
Krieg now went back to the problem at hand. Who could it be, and why had the others laughed so suddenly? "I don't think I'll ever find the right answer. I want a clue."
The others looked at each other - should they give him a hint? Finally they decided that it was okay. "You even know this person personally," said Tim.
The moral officer's eyes got big. "Really? I don't know any celebrities." He scratched his head. "Or do I? My aunt Martha always wins the first prize at this local all-you-can-eat pie-eating contest, but I don't think that makes her famous…"
"We didn't mean like that."
It looked like they would have to give him more. "This person works for the UEO." Miguel decided that Ben would never figure it out otherwise.
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To Be Continued…
Any ideas who Ben is?
Written 2005 / Translated Spring 2006