A/N: This Chapter jumps ahead the time period this story actually takes place in. We are now 10 years later just before the return of the Seaquest.
Chapter 3: It's not time for another good bye.
Captain Benjamin Krieg tapped his fingers annoyed against the back of his chair as he stood on the bridge of the Seafreedom. He had been waiting over 20 minutes for his second in command to arrive and take over the bridge. The captain once again checked his watch and ran his hand through his dark hair. The fact that his second in command was one of his closest friends usually wasn't a problem but, occasionally he did have to admit that his commander did take advantage of the relationship. This was one of those occasions.
"Collins,"Krieg called out turning to his communications officer, "Would you please contact the commander again and ask him if he plans on joining our little party?"
"Aye sir," Collins replied nervously as he punched up the correct keys and began paging the commander for the 4th time in the last half hour. Ben smiled at his young communications officer. He wondered to himself if all communications officers were programed to have the personality of his lost friend Tim O'neill. Suddenly Ben heard a familiar laugh coming through the clam doors. He turned to see a young blonde officer enter the bridge smiling from ear to ear.
"Something funny Wolenczak?" Ben eyed his friend cautiously.
"No, I uh, just came to see how long it would take the Commander to get here," Lucas smirked as he leaned against the moonpool.
Captain Ben Krieg recognized the blonde's wry grin and knew what ever was keeping his commander was no fault of his own.
"Alright, genius, what did you do?"
"Nothing," Lucas smiled trying to look innocent," I told him to stop using my shampoo."
Suddenly a very angry very blue haired Commander Robert Bridger stepped on to the bridge.
"Wolenczak! I oughta keel haul you!"
The bridge erupted in laughter. Ben looked around at the smiling faces of his crew. They all needed a good laugh and he was glad it wasn't as his expense. The war with Macronesia had been long and hard but, it was finally starting to die down. Another peace treaty had been signed and so far it looked as though this one would hold. It had been over 48 hours since anyone had approached the boarders. Suddenly his sensory officer raised an alarm.
"Captain, 3 Macronesian fighters approaching the boarder, fast."
"Damn it," Krieg mutterd, " Collins, try to raise them. Now! Remind them we have a peace treaty would ya! If they don't respond, hail Admiral Hitchcock."
Lt. Cmdr. Wolenczak turned to his two commanding officers, "Looks like the keelhauling will have to wait, Bobby. I'll be wet in 3."
"Alright kid, becareful," Krieg said as Lucas ran off the bridge. Ben hated that his third in command was also his best fighter pilot. He was pretty sure he held his breath every time he got in the water. He turned to see the face of his ex-wife now Admiral Katherine Hitchcock.
"What's going on down there, Captain?"
"We've got 3 coming up on the border fast. I have fighters ready to drop if we have permission to engage."
Katie closed her eyes and pinched her forehead in frustration.
"Permission granted but only if they cross the border and continue. I take it they're not answering the hails?"
"Right, we keep on knocking but, they're playing like nobody's home."
"Damn, I'll send Hudson and the Chaser your way. I'll be in touch as soon as I get in touch with Macronesia and find out what the hell is going on," Katie looked furious as she cut the link. Ben remembered the times he had caused that look in her eyes. Whoever she was going to call was about to be in a world of hurt.
"Captain, I have Wolenczak for you," Collins interrupted.
"Fine put him through," Ben said as he approached the communications station," Lt. Cmdr. We have authorization to engage but only once they've entered in to UEO waters got it? If they go down, they have to go down on our side of the borders."
"Aye sir, we'll hang back until they make a move."
"Good, and Lucas, try not to damage the mini sub too much this time okay?"
"Aye sir"
Captain Krieg turned towards the sensory station as he was approached by his second in command.
"Captain, sir, we don't even know if they're going to attack. They've done this before. You can leave for your cabin, I'll keep you up to date on what's going on," Cmdr. Robert Bridger said trying to be respectful of his friend. He knew the odds of Ben handing over command with a dog fight in the wings was slim to none especially when Lucas was involved but, he also knew his old friend well enough to tell the man was tired.
"I'm alright, Bobby, let's just get this out of the way then I'll get out of your hair."
"Captain, they're coming out firing, sir," Called out the sensory chief.
"Prepare counters."
"Sir, they're not firing at us. They're firing at the Lt. Cmdr. and his fleet."
"Damn it, how are they doing?"
"Avoiding all shots as of now,sir."
"They hit anyone yet?"
"No sir, they're not even firing. The Macronesians are staying on their side of the border."
"Damn it, get me Katie now!"
Suddenly the rather annoyed face of Katherine Hitchcock appeared on the forward screen.
"Ben, I told you I would keep you up to date as soon as I know something I'll let you know."
"With all due respect, Admiral, I need permission to fire, and I need it now. They're not crossing the borders but their shots certainly are." Ben knew Katie would disapprove of the inflection he placed on her title but he needed results and he needed them now. Before Katie could respond a loud crash was heard over the sensory station speakers.
"Captain, we have 2 of our fighters hit," the sensory chief paused swallowing hard before he continued," Lt. Freddrick's and Lt. Cmdr. Wolenczak, sir. I have traces of one ejection but I can't tell who. There's not much left of either sub."
Katie's eyes froze, this was an act of war, the treaty would now be null and void again.
"Captain, you have my permission to fire."
"It's a little late now isn't it Katie?" Ben glared at his former wife for a moment before turning to his second in command. "Commander I want rescue in the water two minutes ago got me? If someone really did have time to eject, I want them back here now!"
"Aye, sir," Robert said before turning and running out of the bridge followed by a few other members of the rescue party.
"Collins, open all channels I want everyone to hear me loud and clear."
As the young communications officers opened all the Channels Ben closed his eyes and for the first time in years, he prayed. He prayed that his sensory chef was right and someone had survived. He prayed that they found them in time. He also prayed all be it selfish that it had be Lucas who had ejected in time. He couldn't bear the thought of losing him again. For real this time. He was pulled from his thoughts and prayers by his communications officer's words.
"We're ready sir."
Ben took a deep breath knowing what he was about to say was going to be one of those defining moments in life that you never forget.
"Attention all vessels with in the sound of my voice, this is Captain Benjamin Krieg of the UEO vessel the Seafreedom. The Macronesian Alliance has now broken the peace treaty by firing upon and destroying two subs in UEO waters. If you are within the sound of my voice we ask that you clear the area immediately. Attention Macronesian fighter subs, encroaching the UEO border and firing unprovoked upon UEO vessels has been considered an act of war. I am prepared to accept your full and unconditional surrender; if you do not surrender you will be fired upon."
Silence, Ben knew of course it wouldn't have been that easy but, there was always hope. He signaled for the channels to be closed with a noddle as he walked over to his weapons station.
"Targeting."
"Aye sir, targets locked," the young ensign replied.
"Flood tubes 1,2,5, and 6"
"Aye sir, tubes flooded."
Just as the captain was about to give the command to fire he heard the communication station come to life. He turned to face Collins.
"Are they surending or what?"
"No, sir," Collins looked sorrowful as he continued,"that was the commander. They found the pod, it's jammed and they can't get it open but, they know from the number's it's J.J. sir and judging by its condition she likely didn't survive."
Ben looked down fighting back tears as he mumbled a string of swears under his breath he turned back to the weapons station. The captain walked over to the young ensign and gestured for the man to move to the side as he pressed the corresponding buttons on the panel firing all four torpedoes. He quietly said to himself, "Fire."
Silence filled the bridge as the 4 torpedoes could be heard hitting their mark. There was nothing to be said. Not only had the war began anew but, they had all certainly lost one dear friend and from what they had just heard most likely two.
