Chapter 2: Lost and Found
2022
The service had been over an hour and she still couldn't bring herself to approach him. Kristin just stood staring at the young man. She had so many questions none of which she trusted herself to attempt asking. So, she just stood there and watched as Ben Krieg talked animatedly to his old friend. How could a son do that to his father? How could he just let his father think he was dead? Had he known his mother had passed and done nothing? What brought him out now? Kristin stood and watched as Ben waved the young Bridger away and walk back towards the spot where she and Katie had been standing. Before she could speak Katie began to ask her former husband the most obvious question on everyone's mind.
"Where the hell has he been?"
Ben shook his head and shrugged, "I couldn't get much out of him. Apparently, he's working for section 7. He said his mission will be over soon but, until it is, everything is classified."
"Classified?" Kristin couldn't had the disgust in his voice,"His father died blaming himself for a death that never happened and all he has to say is it's classified?"
Lieutenant Krieg looked down and looked back up to reveal tears welling up in his eyes, "I know. I don't know what to say. I hardly knew what to say to him and it's selfish of me, Doc, but I don't want to lose another friend. I lost Bobby once before and it hurt so much, and now Lucas, I can't even describe what it felt like to watch someone I thought was dead walk in to the room, someone I mourned for, someone who looked at me like I was an insane stranger just now."
Kristin immediately felt sympathy for the man. He was right there was no way she could even begin to guess how he felt right now. Katie took the pause as a chance to try and lighten the mood.
"Okay guys, how about we put this aside for now and meet everyone for dinner, Okay?"
Captain Hitchcock had spoken to every old crew member she could find during the service and invited them all to dinner. Most had turned her down but she was able to convince most of the old gang to come to dinner. She had even invited Secretary General Noyce who said he would, of course, attend. When they arrived at the restaurant off base the mood was warm and welcoming but, still somber. Bill Noyce was already seated at the table across from Manilow Crocker discussing an old Prank they had played in the Naval Academy with the help of Nathan Bridger. Chief William Shan sat next to Crocker and Dr. Joshua Levin listening to the story being recounted by the older men. Kristin smiled at the group. She was happy they had all decided to spend dinner together.
"I hope we're not interrupting anything," Kristin said coyly, "This sounds like a rather interesting story."
The two older men blushed deciding they really couldn't continue the story with ladies present they decided it best to just laugh it off.
As the night wore on the group laughed and told stories about the Seaquest and its lost crew. Ben Krieg was in the middle of a rather animated story about Lucas and he's escapades on the boat, specifically the time that they tried to borrow a bottle of whiskey from Crocker's room when Katie noticed Kristin's distant look.
"Are you alright?," Katie asked leaning over to the woman.
"No," Kristin replied trying to hide the crack in his voice, "No I'm not. I'm angry. I've lost my family, I thought this dinner was a good idea but, perhaps I'm just not ready. I'm still so angry. Not with Nathan or Lucas or even the UEO."
"Is this about Robert?", Katie's blue eyes glistened with tears.
"Yes, well not just Robert. I'm angry that something that was so important to me meant so little to the people that it should of mattered most to," Kristin said looking up at the table to be sure no one had noticed her slight outburst. When she was satisfied that they were all still wrapped up in Ben's story she continued, "What could be so important that you allow your parents to think you're dead? Nathan died blaming himself for Robert's death. He died thinking he killed his son and now he just walks back in from the darkness and says it's classified? I suppose I should be grateful he even bothered to show up. Dr. Wolenczak that no good arrogant bastard couldn't even be bothered to show up to his own son's memorial. He probably hasn't even opened the damn message telling him the Seaquest disappeared yet. How can people that meant so much to me mean so little to the people that mattered most to them?"
"I know what you mean," Katie said with a sigh, " I wish I could say I understand it but, I do know what you mean."
Suddenly the table was interrupted by a young Lieutenant being ushered to the table by the waiter. The younger balding Lieutenant stood stiffly and saluted both Katie and Bill Noyce before he spoke.
"Excuse me, Mr. Secretary; I have some news for you."
"Damn it Oliver, " Noyce said angrily, "This better be important. I asked not to be disturbed."
"It is sir, its about the Seaquest, we've found a," Lieutenant Oliver Hudson paused looking around the table.'
"Well, son out with it what did you find?"
"Well, sir it's classified."
"I assure you Lieutenant, you can speak freely here now out with it," Noyce replied his patients wearing thin.
"We found a life raft sir."
"That's not exactly breaking news, they've found several life rafts Lieutenant. The science staffers who were rescued admitted they lost several simply because they forgot to tie them down."
Lieutenant Oliver Hudson cleared his throat knowing he may very well be about to end his military carry with his next words.
"For give me Mr. Secretary but, if you would just shut up I could explain to you that we've found someone in a life raft."
"What did you just say to me?" Noyce almost barked as Kristin stood up quickly ignoring everyone else in the room.
"Forget what he said, Who!? Who did you find?" Kristin pleaded.
"I'm sorry ma'am but,-"
Noyce raised his hand to Hudson's reply, " I wouldn't tell her it's classified if I were you Lieutenant. Now I want a name and I want it now."
"Lucas Wol-Wol—," the lieutenant didn't even need to finish the name. Judging by the reaction from the table they all knew who he was
referring too.
Kristin immediately burst in to tears as she heard the name. Could he really be alive? She shook her head back into focus as Katie put her arm around her as she heard the questions swirling around the room.
"Is he okay?" Ben asked pleading with his voice already standing ready to bolt through the door.
"Where is he?" Shan chimed in from his seat quickly collecting his jacket.
"Can we see him? Crocker asked as he helped Katie stand the still shocked Kristin up from her seat.
Bill Noyce raised his hands effectively silencing the room, " Well lieutenant, you've heard the questions, how about some answers, please?"
The Lieutenant looked sheepishly at Bill Noyce, " Sir, his next of kin hasn't even been notified yet."
Sec. Gen. Noyce looked at the young man. He knew he was just trying to do his job by the book like a good solider he took a deep breath regaining his composure, "Son, I assure you this group of people are more family to that boy than Dr. Wolenczak. Lucas would ask for any one at this table long before he would ever ask for his father. You can consider his next of kin notified. Now how is the boy and where can we see him?"
"He's about an hour out from the naval hospital in Cape Quest. I don't know much about his condition other than he is stable, sir."
"Good, thank you Lieutenant," Noyce replied standing from the table turning to the group, "Well, you heard the man, let's go boys and girls we have a place to be and a person to see."
The group quickly finished gathering their belongings. Ben Krieg having to double back quickly picking up Kristin's purse and coat from under her seat as he stood he quickly picked up the bill from the table and handed it to the still stunned lieutenant , "Here, take care of this for me, would ya?"
Before the Lieutenant could respond Krieg was gone and there he was left holding the bill.
