Mike looked down at the floor. He had to do it. He had to tell the truth, if he didn't tell Swaine then who would he tell. He then looked back up at Swaine ready to tell him what was on his mind. Swaine got more and more worried as Mike stalled even more.

"I don't know how to tell you this Swaine." Mike finally said.

"It's fine. I won't tell anyone."

"I had a test when we were last on shore leave. My doctors were worried about something. I just got the test results back earlier." Mike said, waving his radio.

"What's it say?"

Mike took a deep breath in. Swaine already knew what his CO was going to say, he just wasn't ready to hear it.

0000

Bomber and Spider were heading to their quarters. They were still puzzled by the water they had seen earlier. They hadn't told anyone as they wanted it to be their little secret.

"Hey Bomber?" Spider said.

"What?"

"About that water we saw earlier."

"What about it?"

"Where do you think it came from?"

"Well, I know it's not the boat."

"How come?"

"We're not sinking."

"Oh yeah." Spider chuckled.

"It's probably nothing. Someone else would have noticed it if it was."

"Yeah. I'm just a little bit over cautious."

"Yeah you are!"

Spider gave a sarcastic chuckle towards Bomber. Bomber gave a sarcastic smile back. These two were probably the most different people but they always found a way to push each other's buttons.

"I wonder how the CO is." Bomber thought.

"Swaine will look after him." Spider reassured her.

"But what's wrong with him?"

"What do you mean?"

"He's been really distant these past few hours."

"Isn't that what a CO does?"

"Not this one."

Spider knew what Bomber meant. Mike had been miles away since they had got to the Starlight and now it looked like he was getting worse!

000

"Just tell me sir." Swaine pleaded.

"I have a brain tumor, Swaine." Mike came out.

Swaine opened his mouth as far as it would go. Maybe he wasn't expecting that at all. I mean it would explain everything but… a brain tumor?!

"I don't understand." Swaine managed to say.

"They found it and they don't know if they can do anything about it."

"They must be able to."

"They don't know that yet."

"How come you were able to come out with us?"

"It was just a test. COs are allowed to still have control if it was just a test."

Swaine went quiet for a few moments. Mike looked up at him waiting for him to say something.

"Swaine?"

"Sorry sir. Just a lot to take in."

"I know it is. Just don't tell anyone."

"I won't unless you tell me to."

"I don't think I'm ready just yet." Mike gave a little smile.

Swaine smiled back. Even if he was in pain, Mike could make everyone happy. Swaine had to make a decision though, he couldn't let Mike go up to the bridge just yet.

"Is it okay if you stay down here for a few more hours?" Swaine cautiously asked.

"I don't think I would be up there for very long anyway."

"Good. I'll get Kate to keep up the bridge."

"Thanks Swaine." Mike said laying back down on the bed for some rest.

Swaine went back to his work trying to work out how to keep Mike's secret. It was going to be hard but for Mike he would do anything.

0000

Kate had just got a message from Swaine. Mike was staying down in the sick bay for the rest of the day. Kate was a little bit worried about why Mike had to stay down there all day but she knew Swaine knew what he was doing.

"Ma'am?" Nav asked, as Kate was daydreaming.

"Mmmm." Kate responded.

"It's Navcom on the phone."

"Right. Thank you."

Nav nodded. Kate picked up the phone to answer Maxine.

"Commander White." Kate said into the phone.

"Kate? How come you're answering still?" Maxines voice came from the other side of the phone.

"Lieutenant Commander Flynn is in sick bay at the moment."

"What?!"

"Our Swaine said it would be best if he stayed down there."

"Oh. How come?"

"I don't know just yet."

The phone went quiet for a few moments.

"Are you still there Commander White?" Kate asked.

"Yes I'm still here."

"Is there a problem?"

"No. No problem. Just checking in."

"Right. Well we've got a lot of information from Starlight and still getting information from it."

"Well don't let it take you away from your duties."

"Course not."

"Good. I'll check in with you later." Maxine then hung up the phone.

Kate put the phone down and wiped her brow. It was always a little stressful when talking to Commander White even if it was just a check up. Commander White could be very scary.

000

Maxine had just ended a call with the Hammersley. She could trust Kate but she still wanted to know why Mike wasn't on the bridge. If the medic said no though she couldn't overall it.

"You look puzzled." Marshall said from the doorway of Maxines office.

"Oh. Don't scare me like that." Maxine said after a little jump.

"Sorry. Checking in with the Hammerlsey?"

"Yes. It seems they are getting quite far into the Starlight mystery."

"Don't let them get too far."

"What? Why?"

"We don't want them to find out too much."

"Why not?"

"I'm not allowed to discuss that at this time."

"But I'm your deputy!"

"It's classified Max."

Maxine nodded. She didn't have any reason why Marshall wouldn't give her an answer. He always told her everything. Why was it now that he didn't trust her enough? What is so important?