Nathan breathed deeply and allowed himself a single blink reprieve from being a Captain. The day had started with such noble intentions, but as he once quoted "the road to hell was paved with good intentions", an empty brig, a comatose security man, two crew confined to quarters – one being under lock and key, a dead warden, an empty brig, and a missing monster of a man were now his definition of hell.
Movement drew his attention to the stretcher the med team was carrying from the brig, noticing for the first time the sweaty sheen that had formed on the hurt man's brow. As Captain, he felt a certain guilt when any member of SeaQuest's detail was injured. "Keep me updated on him." The closest blue suit nodded as they disappeared through the hatch. With the Crew Member on his way to Wendy's caring hands he now let his attention turn to Commander Ford who was intensely studying the restraints of the brig, wheels turning, trying to figure out what had occurred.
"What do you think Jonathan?" The younger man almost seemed startled by his approach, so lost in thought. Like Nathan, Jonathan felt a responsibility to those under his charge and Nathan could seem him internally berating himself. "Jonathan?" Nathan, knowing the Commander's nature, knew it would be fruitless to talk the guilt out of him, instead he needed to refocus his Commander to the task at hand. Jonathan straightened, becoming the professional he was, "I'm not sure how Zellar was able to get him to do it, but Johnson opened the cuffs" he turned the metal in his hands so that Nathan could see the key that remained in the shackle.
Nathan sighed, this time permitting himself a full eye close to collect himself. "Well, Zellar has been said to be the most manipulative, psychopathic man who has ever lived." He mulled that for a moment before speaking again, "I want Security posted at every access point, major system and of course the Bridge. A full detail is to start searching this sub, tear it apart if they have to, but Zellar has to be found."
Dr. Smith's voice came over the comm, "Captain Bridger." Nathan responded, "Yes Wendy, what is it?" The pause was long, "I need you to report to Sea Deck immediately." Nathan nodded as he answered, "On my way." He started through the hatch with Jonathan on his heels, eager to get Security moving stopping when Dr. Smith's voice came again, "Captain, was anyone with you in the brig?" Confusion played the air, "Yes Doctor, Commander Ford was with me." Another pause, "Please have him report to Sea Deck with you and please …" Nathan was getting exhausted by the pauses, "Yes Wendy?" She continued, "Please make sure you both come directly here, do not stop." It was an odd request that found them both looking at each other again, almost as if they expected the other to have the answer, before they quickly made their way along SeaQuest's corridors.
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Captain and Commander found themselves in a chaotic buzz when they entered Sea Deck's doors. Everything was moving in the normal fashion of productivity he had come to expect about his boat, but the air held a certain aura that sent a chill up his spine. "What now?" Nathan didn't realize that he had spoken the words out loud until he saw heads snap in his direction, normally one of calm and structured sentences, the burst caught many off guard, raising hackles on already stressed necks. Wendy approached him quickly as he noticed out of his eye Medics approaching, their hands full of various instruments. "Again," his voice was calmer, putting some ease back into the room. "What is going on?" A thermometer was put against his head, causing a jerk, Jonathan reacting in the same manner against the hands administering to him.
"Johnson's sick" Wendy's voice was flat. "Very sick."
Dread filled his veins, "What kind of sick?"
"The Zellar kind of sick" Nathan had feared she was going to say that. He heard huffing near him, Jonathan's ears having picked up the conversation as well, "Wait a minute, what do you mean Zellar kind of sick?" A paleness had come to the man's dark skin. Wendy walked toward the Security Crew Man who he had last seen on the stretcher, he was now in a bed with tubes and electrodes running everywhere, machines beeping, lights flashing. She smoothed the young man's brown hair, "Mr. Johnson was hit quite hard but when I started my examination, I noticed this" She had moved his collar down, exposing the neck. Captain and Commander moved closer to see what she saw. There was a small hole, no larger than a pin prick, it probably would have gone unnoticed except for the strange redness that was running from it, following the man's veins. Nathan looked further, noticing again the sheen of sweat on the man's skin and the involuntary shakes that seemed to have overtaken him since he had first seen him laying on the floor of the brig, his muscled body crumpled like a rag doll. Wendy continued, "As far as I can tell he's been infected with a pathogen, it's attacking his body. Right now I have him a medically induced coma, his fever spiked to almost 105, his body is boiling itself and even in the coma he keeps seizing. I'm trying to prevent any brain damage." That explained the tremors that kept moving the man's body as they watched. "Until we know exactly what Zellar unleashed, I thought it's best that those of us who have been exposed remain quarantined. The Med team that brought Johnson down are already starting fevers of their own."
Nathan was shocked, "It's moving that fast." He fought the urge to wipe his brow, had Sea Deck suddenly gotten really hot? For the first time he noticed the Med Team members he had seen in the brig sitting on various beds or chairs, all looking ragged. Wendy nodded to answer his question, her keen eyes were drawn to Jonathan who did wipe the beads of sweat from his brow. Nathan pushed back his nerves, he was Captain, he needed to take control. His eyes fell to the bottles that had earlier been pulled from the Warden's coffin, "Do you think those could help you figure out an antidote?" he shrugged. "Something, to treat this thing?" He didn't even have a definition for this "thing".
Wendy's eyes were regretful, "Nathan, not a Bio-Chemist. I don't know the first thing about breaking down his …. His …. Creations" She lacked a better word. She smoothed her dark hair as a distraction to herself and Nathan could see the frustration she had at her own skills. She eyed him again, "Unfortunately the only Bio-Chemist aboard is a murderous psychopath who I don't really think is going to be willing to help us, even if we do nab him."
"When," Nathan stressed the word. "When we get Dr. Zellar back in custody we will have to try to find a way to compel him …"
"Yes Captain," Jonathan who had been following the conversation closely urged him to continue, concerned by the pause of the normally fluent Captain. Was this a symptom?
Light reflected in Nathan's thought, "That's it." More confusion from the other two. "That's what his game is." He could see that they were not following, choosing to explain he continued, "He infects the crew, knows that we need him in order to survive …" Jonathan caught on, "we trade him whatever he wants for the antidote." The Commander's face became even more grim, "the question is what does he want?"
Nathan shrugged, "What any Man wants, freedom and power."
"Sea Quest." Neither Man spoke their agreement but knew Wendy's words to be the truth.
The sound of choking and thrashing brought their attention back to the man hooked up just beside them, his body jerking in weird motions. Wendy and several of her nurses jumped to attend the man, trying to figure out the best course of action. Nathan and Jonathan moved to give her and her team more room, feeling helpless that they had no assistance to offer.
"We need to remove his element of power," Nathan said as he watched the scene before him. A crash cart had been brought and compressions started as the team tried to save Mr. Johnson's life. Silence reigned as desperate actions took over, everyone's breath holding as they saw the future that might be before them. With one last gasped breath the man settled, Nathan knew it was not a natural settling but that the battle had been lost. Wendy had tears in her eyes, deeply affected by knowing she had not known what to do or how to fight this enemy. Her voice was small as she called out the time of death. She wanted to say encouraging words to those around her, wanted to assure them that this was not in store for them, but she knew she could not lie or speak of what she did not truly know.
"We need the antidote," Jonathan's voice was a whisper, the upset atmosphere did not seem right for full tones. Nathan gave a nod, "We need to draw him out by playing his game but remove his power by already having what we need." Jonathan followed the start of the plan, bringing up the hiccup that had not been worked out "We are still less one bio-chemist though."
Both were startled by the voice behind them, turning to see who it was, Nathan noticed the Scientist who had alerted them to the Warden's "melting" earlier in the day. "Doctor …"
The man stumbled, his frazzled movements matching his frazzled looks, "um… er…." He stopped and pulled himself straight. "Junse, sir. Dr. Junse." Encouraged that he could still form sentences he moved forward, "We do have a Bio-Chemist on board sir."
Jonathan lifted his eyebrow, skeptical, "Is that you?"
Junse responded, his voice once again seemingly flustered, "Um no Sir, it's Bos… Kai…. Dr. Williams" He took a breath. "Dr. Williams Sir, she has a degree in Biochemistry."
Nathan inwardly slumped his shoulders, knowing a Captain could not be seen doing so in actuality. Kaia Williams was not the name he wanted to hear. He looked over the body now covered with a sheet as well as the various personnel currently wiping beads of sweat from their head and knew if they didn't start immediately more sheets would be draped over his crew, "Commander contact the Bridge, explain the situation and have a Security detail get Dr. Williams in a bio suit and down here immediately." Nathan rued not being able to give the bridge to Brody's Command, "Inform Mr. O'Neal that he has the Bridge." It bothered Jonathan too, "We will of course still issue command from here." Jonathan nodded as he moved towards the comm panel on the wall. Nathan's wheels turned as he looked over the moon pool, noticing for the first time the comforting presence of his oldest friend Darwin, with confidence he knew it was time to put his own moves in play.