An hour previously, the ship was boarded by several very professional military men. They split up almost immediately and no one was able to get an accurate count. The scattering of people who had be freed already, were secured in the corridor, each placed ten feet away from each other to limit communicating. The unconsciousness bridge crew was also brought out and slumped on the floor in their cuffs. When Kristin asked if she could check them, she received a shove and snarl for her trouble. She did, however, put her foot down about staying in the medbay with the teens.

Kristin leveled her steely gaze at the man standing in front of her and crossed her arms. "I'm not leaving them. By every international law, you can't force me to abandon my patients without treatment."

The man, dressed in fatigues and carrying an automatic rifle glared back at her. After a few tense minutes, he realized he couldn't intimidate her, and pushed a button on his radio. "Sir, the medical officer is refusing to stop treating her patients."

"How many are there?"

"Two, both kids."

"The computer brat?"

"Yes, sir, and a girl."

"Leave her there, but post a guard."

"Yes, sir." He gave one more glare to Kristin before walking into the corridor and signalling to another commando. "Chars, watch them. Don't interrupt any treatment, but if they try anything else, shoot first, ask questions later." Chars nodded wordlessly, and took his position near the doorway, with his rifle at the ready.

Kristin paused from taking Lucas' vitals again when the intercom cracked on. "Attention to the SeaQuest crew. This is your new temporary captain, Sidney York. No one on your ship needs to be killed, but we will do what needs to be done if you fight us. In only twelve hours, we will be done with our work and you will be left alone."

"Interested in sharing what your work is?" Kristin asked Chars.

He smirked back, "let's just say it will change the world."

"That's what they all say." She muttered before turning to Jayde. "How are you doing sweetheart?"

"I'm ok... better now." She caught Kristin glancing to her arm and hid it under the blanket.

Kristin tried to ignore the movement, she leaned in close to the girl. "You didn't have to do that." She whispered, "I know you think it helps... but not in the long run."

"I know Kristin," Jayde said quietly. "It was all I could think of to do. We didn't have time for me to have a meltdown. I won't do it again." She chewed her lips. "I... I haven't in years."

Kristin nodded, "I know. Your father told me how much better you were doing."

Jayde allowed a brief smile, "yeah, I was. But this..." She waved her uninjured hand around the room. "I guess this was a little more than I could handle."

"There are military men and women, adults, just trying to keep it together out there right now. Don't sell yourself short Jayde." She squeezed the girl's hand and looked over to Lucas. "At least he doesn't have to be afraid through all of this."


You can do this. You know all of the systems. You just need to figure out where you are, then how you got there. Lucas thought to himself. The flashes of lights became clearer at he inspected them, most were just common phrases written in the glowing letters. This could be anything! No, wait. Fish, swim, play... this is the vocorder. Darwin... Darwin, can you hear me?

There was a pause, and words flashed past him. Lucas? Where are you?

That's hard to explain fish face. Can you find Captain Bridger?

Bridger is sleeping in the hallway. There are men here and they driving the ship.

Sleeping in the hallway? And who's driving the ship?

Bridger is laying in the hall. He's wearing the shiny circles Crocker carries. Strange men came on, they have the long sticks that people are afraid of.

Great, cuz I have nothing else to worry about. Ok, Darwin, keep an eye on things. Um... Call my name if something happens. I think I'll be able to hear you.

Ok, Lucas.

Right, now how do I get to the bridge? Even as he thought the words, the words and figures around him changed. Lucas was able to see pictures from the WSKR's and then the bridge though the vid-screen. He watched the men with interest, five in all. He recognized Bentley and felt a surge of anger. Alright, let's see what they're doing and if I can cause some trouble. He mentally cracked his knuckles and dove into the code around him.

It didn't take him long to find what he feared. They armed the warheads... and they're heading towards Pearl...


"Sir, there is something strange going on." One of York's men told him.

"What is it Kents?"

The man hesitated before pointing at the navigation screen. "I'm not sure. I can't see where we are going."

"Why not?" York let out a breath to calm himself before attacking his useless employee.

"The screen is just... words. I... I think it's song lyrics sir."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Hey, that sounds like my luck, I get the short end of it. Oh I love to be... I love to be the underdog." He read, and looked at his boss with confusion. "I have no idea where it came from sir."

York stormed to his side. "Get rid of it. I want nav control back NOW!"

"Y...yes, sir." Kents started typing as fast as he could. As soon as he put in a command, a picture of a fist with raising a middle finger showed up. "Uh... sir?" Kents didn't have time to flinch or block the shove from York and was dumped from the chair.

"Can you fix it?"

Kents swallowed before shaking his head, from his position on the floor. "I don't think so sir. I'm not familiar enough with these systems."

York turned to Bentley. "Who is the best at fixing computer problems on this boat other than Wolen... Wal... That kid?"

"I um... probably Ortiz, I mean... I've worked with him the most so I know what he can do... but he's still out. Maybe that communications guy? O'Neill?"

York's voice became quiet and full of menace. "I want him in here."

Minutes later, Tim was drug in by one of the henchmen. He was forced to sit at the console, and stared at the screen in bewilderment. "How do we fix it?" York commanded.

"I... I have no idea what this is." Tim stuttered.

York leaned close to him, and unlocked his handcuffs. He slowly pulled an old style revolver from his holster and lovingly caressed it for Tim's benefit. "Fix it." Tim started to protest again, but his forehead was slammed into the top of the panel. The next word was hissed in his ear, "now."


Lucas flinched, or at least he thought he did. He watched the middle aged man attack Tim, and wished he hadn't messed with the computer the in way he had. If the communications officer wasn't able to get the navigation working, he would likely receive another beating or worse. Lucas considered his options. Give them control back to save Tim, or try something else. If only Tim knew he was here, they could work together.


"Oh!" Tim's surprised voice sounded across the bridge. "I... I fixed it, some how... I think."

York grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and pulled him off the chair. "Good. Kents, get back here and tell me where we are."

"Yes, s..." Kents answer was cut off when the ship wide alarm signaling attack sounded.

York spun Tim around to face him. "What the hell did you do?"

"I... I didn't do anything. I don't even know I fixed it." He flinched away from the man when he saw the fist being balled up. Blood was already seeping from his scalp into his eye, and he tried blink it away before he was blinded.

The alarm cut off before York could swing at Tim, and he paused. The all of the lights on the bridge started to flash off and on several times. The vid-screen clicked on, showing the UEO logo. "They're calling for help!" He shoved Tim to his regular station. "Shut it down."

Tim stared down the gun barrel in his face and nodded. Typing rapidly, he cut the feed and the screen went black. "Oh... ok, it's closed. But I can't fix the other problems. I have no idea what it is."

"Fine," York spat at him. "Stay there, if some one tries to connect again, stop it. If you let one through, you won't get a warning shot... just a shot." Tim turned to his console and stared at it intently. A short phrase flashed across the screen, only seen by him. He rubbed the blood from his eyes and looked again. After a few seconds, it happened again. Tim shook his head slightly and his lips curved into a grin. He quickly erased it and turned to watch York.

"I'm sick of this. Get Hardwick in here." He ordered Bentley.

"But sir..."

York cut him off impatiently, "it's not worth it. We don't need a mole anymore. Bring him in here."

"Yes, sir."

Hardwick stormed onto the bridge unassisted. "What the hell are you doing?"

"We need you to fix the computer." York retorted. "That's why you're on the boat."

"Yeah, I know. But you said no one would get hurt. That is the only reason I agreed to this. Did you see Lucas?" He snarled. "He may be a little shit, but his brain is probably fried."

York slowly walked to him. "I don't really give a damn. You said you would help us. Do your job."

Hardwick's eyes traveled to Tim and took in his injury, before he shook his head. "No, this is going to far."

"Fine, Bruce," York's voice was quiet again. He circled around Hardwick, the computer scientist felt the pressure of a gun nozzle only for a moment before the bullet entered his brain.