Healing the Wild – Chapter 8
On the SeaQuest…
Nathan Bridger walked through the hallways and picked up his pace as he neared the launch bay. As he was rushing down the hall, he saw a glimpse of Lucas running by heading towards the bridge.
Lucas immediately caught sight of the captain and stopped him in his tracks.
"Captain, I have to tell you something. It's about Dr. Westphalen."
"What is it, Lucas?" He could sense the fear in the boy's voice.
"Cap, Dr. Reese and I have been checking on the fish that had the serum. Turns out, it's just a temporary thing…all of them have had their enzyme levels drop by a lot."
Nathan furrowed his eyebrows. "Wait…what do you mean a lot?"
"I mean, it seems like this healing power is only temporary. It wears off. We're still trying to figure out exactly…"
Nathan cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "How long does she have?" The worry was evident in his voice.
"We don't know. These fish just had really quick drops in the last 48 hours. We need to get her out of there before she gets hurt again."
Nathan took a deep breath. Suddenly, his conversation with Chief Rodriguez came rushing at him. She's already been shot. Who knows if they're already too late? Lucas sensed his sudden panic. "Cap, what's the matter? You know something, don't you?"
Nathan couldn't hide anything from him. He was going to find out sooner or later. "Lucas, I've been informed by the chief of police in Cartagena that there was a drug deal that happened and Dr. Westphalen was involved. She lured two men to a room and Diaz' men came in and shot them."
Lucas' eyes grew wide. "No way, Captain. No way she would do it."
"Lucas, she obviously had no choice. My guess is Diaz is threatening to hurt someone else if she didn't cooperate." He took a deep breath. "Lucas, they think she was shot as well."
Lucas looked pained, but determined. "Cap…you've got to find her. You've got to find her before it's too late."
"We will, Lucas. Now stay here and work with Dr. Reese to find out more."
In Diaz' Estate…
Kristin woke up, surprised to have been left alone throughout the night. She still felt tired and sore all over. She walked over to the closet and picked out a teal wrap dress, entering the bathroom to shower and get ready. As she looked at herself in the mirror she noticed she was looking a bit older than she did yesterday. At least a little bit more like she did before she had the serum. What's going on? She didn't have a moment to finish that thought as there was a knock on the door. She opened it and found Diaz on the other side.
"Good afternoon, princesa. I must say I love that dress on you."
Kristin was taken aback not just by his referring to her as a princess, but because he said afternoon.
"Afternoon?" He noticed her shock and smiled.
"You have been sleeping for quite a while. I came to see you this morning and figured you must be exhausted after last night. You were sleeping very peacefully. I could not bring myself to wake you."
Kristin looked down at the floor, avoiding eye contact as she mentally shook off the idea that this man was watching her sleep. "Thank you."
"Now, come join me for some lunch and we can discuss your next assignment."
In the courtyard…
Kristin sat staring at her half eaten food, pushing it around on the plate with the fork. Diaz noticed her mind was elsewhere.
"You know, I'm starting to think I quite like having you here. Last night was one of the easiest deals we've had in months. Having a woman is very beneficial. Especially one as lovely and, shall I say, gifted as you." Kristin closed her eyes at the comment and put down her fork as Diaz continued. "Tell me, doctor. Is there anything else I can do to make your stay here more comfortable?"
Kristin didn't look up at him but responded defiantly. "Nothing could possibly make me feel at home here."
Diaz was amused, but became serious. "I would watch my tone if I were you, my dear. I have been more than reasonable. I could very easily make things not so pleasant for you. Now, I will ask you again. Is there anything else you need?" He paused as he watched her take a deep breath.
"No, thank you." She reluctantly spit out the words.
Diaz smiled. "That's better. Perhaps we will give the SeaQuest a call…see how Dr. Reese is doing with my potion."
Kristin looked up at him with a glimmer of hope and a little bit of worry. "Please. Would you let me talk to Captain Bridger? I want them to know I am okay."
"Oh, I fully intend for Bridger to be aware of your current state. But I don't think that's quite what I had in mind."
Kristin looked back down, trying not to give up hope but worried as to what he was implying. He got up and motioned to two of his men standing by the side. "Come. Let's go make that call." He said with a smirk as one of the men grabbed Kristin by the arm to stand her up and the other quickly tied a gag around her mouth. Kristin tried struggling, mumbling through the thick piece of fabric.
Diaz nodded and the two men dragged Kristin behind him. After a while, she gave up struggling and let herself be led to a small room. The men sat her down in a chair and tied her arms behind her and to the back of the chair. They also tied her legs to the chair legs.
Diaz smiled at her. "You must understand, I can't very well have you telling Bridger anything I don't want him to know."
With that, he pushed a button on the computer.
Back on the SeaQuest bridge…
Jonathan Ford was overseeing operations on the bridge when O'Neill spoke up.
"Sir, I've got an incoming call that's been blocked. It's from Diaz. He says he wants to talk to the captain."
Ford took a deep breath. He quickly pushed a button on his PAL unit.
At the Launch Bay…
Bridger was finishing up his conversation with Lucas when his PAL unit chimed.
"Bridger here."
"Captain, we've got Diaz on the line. He says he wants to talk to you."
Lucas' eyes opened wide. "Tell O'Neill to hold him for a minute. I'm on my way to meet up with Dr. Reese on SeaDeck….and tell the launch to wait."
"Yes, sir."
Nathan ran towards SeaDeck with Lucas quickly in tow. He saw Dr. Reese and motioned for him to come with him.
"Dr. Reese, we're being contacted by Diaz. I need you to be there with me."
Lucas spoke up. "Cap, I want to help, too."
Then try and track down the call. We need to find her. And tell O'Neill what you're doing. Go!" Lucas quickly ran to the nearest computer terminal. Bridger looked over to the side room, fittingly Kristin's office, and walked in with Reese. He locked the door behind them, shut the blinds, turned on the screen and reached for his PAL.
"O'Neill, patch it through to Dr. Westphalen's office. And make sure you are recording this. Maybe there's something that will help us identify where they are."
The vid screen came on and a very smug-looking Diaz came on screen.
"Well, Captain Bridger, I was expecting to speak with you immediately…I did not appreciate having to wait. Perhaps your crewmember is not so important to you after all."
Nathan cringed inwardly…if only he knew the truth. She means more than anyone knows.
"Diaz, forgive me for making you wait while I got to a vidphone. We are deeply concerned over Dr. Westphalen. Please. Can you at least let us know she is okay?"
"Oh she is fine. I will be happy to show you. But first, Dr. Reese….how are you coming along with my serum?"
Dr. Reese cautiously spoke up. "Diaz, I can tell you we still don't know the effects of the serum. It could be very dangerous."
"I don't care about its effects. I want you to give it to me and my men!" His patience was running out. "Perhaps the life of the good doctor is not enough for you." He looked off screen and motioned to one of his men, who came in holding a young boy of about fifteen. The boy was gagged and being held as he tried to struggle.
"Jeremy! Are you all right, son?"
Diaz spoke up. "He's fine, Reese. But I'm afraid he might not be after tonight. You see, Jeremy is going to help Dr. Westphalen with the drop off."
Dr. Reese was visibly shaken. "No! Please! Don't endanger his life. I will get you what you want."
"I know you will. But the longer you take, the higher the risk that Jeremy won't make it. It is in your hands. I mean what I say Dr. Reese. You, of all people, should know that by now. You remember the last person you cared for that underestimated me?"
Dr. Reese was speechless. He sat down in one of the chairs and held his head in his hands in defeat. Bridger looked at him worriedly, knowing there was more to the story than Reese had mentioned. He'll have to clarify that. He then spoke up.
"Diaz, threatening a young boy? Involving him in a drug deal? Surely you can't be serious."
"Oh, captain I assure you I am very serious. Your people have no idea what happens in our confederation. I have worked my entire life for what I have. I am not about to let it go on a whim of conscience or because some almighty sea captain deems it is not fitting to society. Reese's boy needs to learn the reality of our situation…of the lives of so many others like us. This is how we survive." He took a small pause, letting his words sink in. "Your lovely crewmember is getting a wonderful first-hand experience of our daily lifestyle. She has been extremely helpful to me…and my men." Now he was toying with Nathan. "In fact, having her here has really…helped me stay warm the last two nights." He grinned, knowing what his words implied.
Nathan couldn't hear anymore. He refused to think that Kristin was being subjected to this. "Enough, Diaz! Let me see her. Show me she is okay."
"Very well, captain." He shifted the camera to show Kristin, bound and gagged to the chair, trying to hold back tears and unable to move.
"Kristin!" Nathan's heart stopped for a moment, seeing her tied up like that. "Diaz, please…let her go. She's already been through enough. We know about the drug deal last night. Was she shot? Is she okay?"
Diaz perked up. "Oh, you are aware of her work for me already? She is very useful in so many ways." He smiled wickedly.
Bridger asked again more forcefully, unfazed by Diaz' attempts to distract him. "Was she shot?"
"Captain, a minor incident. Of course she is fine. Her abilities with Reese's serum are far too great. Did you also know she is quite the little actress? And I can't tell you how enticing she looked in that outfit I picked out for her. Of course those men at the hotel couldn't resist…and neither could we."
Kristin shut her eyes, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. She hated what Diaz kept suggesting to Nathan. The idea that her captain had known about what happened…and possibly seen what she did…made her sick to her stomach. He knew she was involved in a drug deal and a murder. But she had no choice….he had to know that.
As if sensing her discomfort, Nathan spoke up. "Diaz, my CMO would have never willingly participated in your little game unless you threatened her or someone she cares for. Kristin! Listen to me! I know you had no choice. I know it must have been hard and I promise you we will all be there for you to help you deal with what's happened. We're coming for you….I'm coming for you."
He saw her eyes open and stare at him as she nodded slightly, a single tear falling down her cheek. At that moment, the camera twisted back solely to Diaz.
"Now, now, Bridger. I will not have you giving my new friend a false sense of hope. She will continue to work for me until I no longer have any use for her. Even then, I'm sure my men will find some other use for her."
"That's it, Diaz! I'm through with your insinuations! Dr. Westphalen is a distinguished member of my crew and head of the science team aboard the SeaQuest. I demand that you release her and Jeremy Reese, as well as any other innocent life you hold hostage… or so help me I will hunt you down."
"Don't bother with threats, captain. We both know you are in no position to do so. Dr. Reese will have the serum ready for me by tomorrow morning, is that clear? Do not underestimate me, Captain. I will contact you in the morning. But first, Jeremy and Dr. Westphalen are going to do me a favor."
Dr. Reese spoke up quickly. "Diaz, the serum's effects don't last long. It's wearing off on all of our tests. In fact, I suspect Dr. Westphalen doesn't have much time left before she's back to normal."
Diaz seemed to ponder this for a quick second, taking a look at Kristin, who was now understanding why her wrinkles were returning. It made perfect sense to her. No organism could maintain those levels of enzymatic activity for a prolonged period.
Diaz looked back at Bridger and Reese with a smile. "Well, then. I guess we'll find out just how lucky the good doctor is, then, won't we? Good night, gentlemen."
The link was cut immediately. Bridger let out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding in as he walked to the door. He looked out and saw Lucas, who gave a bit of a promising look.
"Cap, I've got something."
A/N: I was way overdue with this chapter and I promise I will update more frequently. I have also not abandoned my other story and I have other ideas I hope to get written soon, as well. As always, thank you to those of you who have stuck with the story and have read and reviewed my work. I always appreciate comments (both constructive criticism and praise). It's easier to write when I know people are interested Also, thank you to those of you who are also writing your own stories. I can't tell you how exciting it is to see more and more SeaQuest stories popping up. Keep them coming! You inspire, motivate and entertain me to no end.