Author's Notes: Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.
Enjoy
Tim studied the large helmet they'd found whilst Kate sat on the desk, with the Captain and Ford standing watching.
"Nope. No, it's not Greek," Tim explained as he studied the markings, "It looks like Greek, but it's not Greek. It's not Egyptian or Phoenician, either." He looked up at Bridger, "You know Ortiz knows about mythology, he might be able to help."
"Ortiz is overseeing the excavation," Ford told him.
Tim frowned as he turned back to the helmet, "There's Peruvian markings, Mayan symbols, but it's not Peruvian or Mayan," he paused suddenly and a smile touched his lips as he pointed to what he had been searching for, "There it is."
"What?" Kate and Ford asked in unison.
"Repetition," Tim explained a smile on his face, "The basis for deciphering language."
Relieved he'd found something he could work with Tim dropped into his seat waving Kate away when she affectionately tapped his leg with her foot.
Bridger picked up the helmet, "How big do you think the man was who wore this helmet?"
He placed it on his head wincing as something sharp poked him, "Ow," turning the helmet over he tried to find what had done that, "What are all these holes?"
"Ventilation," Ford suggested, "You think?"
"Sir," Tim spoke up again, "These symbols were created after the helmet was forged. So this isn't just a warrior's helmet. It's also a journal."
"A journal?" Kate asked intrigued, "Can you read any of it?"
Tim nodded and slowly started to translate, "My name is Tukalian, the son and keeper of our dead king Casios and sole survivor of…" he paused and looked up at the other occupants of the room swallowing in astonishment before he uttered, "Atlantis."
"Atlantis?" Bridger demanded stunned, "Are you sure?"
Tim nodded, "Yes, sir."
Bridger took a breath before ordering, "Set a course for the Hatteras Abyssal Plain."
"That's 2000 miles away," Ford noted a little bemused.
"Don't you think I know that?" Bridger replied sharply, "If O'Neill is right every fortune hunter with a pick-axe and a dive helmet will be swarming these waters. Better conceal our coordinates too."
"Nathan?" Kate bounced off the desk confusion in her voice.
"I'm going to have the sword brought here and I'm putting a guard on this room, Mr O'Neill," Bridger ignored Kate's questioning look, "Lieutenant, you know who to let in."
With that said he matched out the room, the other three sharing bemused looks before Ford and Kate followed him out leaving Tim sitting staring at the helmet.
x
It had been several quiet hours on the bridge while they travelled far from where they'd found the helmet and sword.
"Lucas."
Lucas looked up from his station at the Captain's sudden call, "Yeah?"
"Why aren't you in uniform?"
Lucas frowned confused, seeing Kate looking concerned from her seat, "I'm a civilian, Captain."
"Nathan?" concern laced Kate's voice as she joined them.
"If you're gonna be on the bridge you better be in uniform," Bridger snarled, "Both of you."
"Yeah, but…" Lucas started while Kate simply frowned.
Bridger cut him off, "But what?"
"Sir," the man sitting at the communications station interrupted, "The UEO executive launch will be docking in five minutes."
"Swell," Bridger snarled in annoyance, "Break out the party hats and the drinks."
Kate shared a worried look with Brody when he stepped forward while Lucas stared confused at the older man.
"Sir," Brody noted, "That's Secretary General McGrath. Aren't you going to meet him?"
Bridger snorted in derision, "Meet him yourself. I'm running a submarine here. And take those two with you," he motioned to Lucas and Kate, "I don't want to see either of them on the bridge without a uniform."
Lucas didn't move until Kate grabbed his arm and pushed him forward to follow Brody off the bridge.
x
"That wasn't just me, right?" Brody asked as the three of them entered the Maglev, "That was odd."
"Yeah," Kate replied, "That was very odd." She rested her hand on Lucas's arm, "You okay?"
The teenager shrugged, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Brody and Kate both stared at him until he shrugged again, "I've never known the Captain to be so…short."
"Neither have I," Kate told them, "And I've known him longer."
Brody grimaced, "And Ford thinking the Captain's chair was on fire?"
"That was definitely weird," Kate agreed.
Lucas winced, "What do we do?"
"Okay," Kate said as they stepped back into the corridor, "I will go check on Tim and see how he's getting on with the helmet. Brody, you go meet McGrath. Lucas, stay off the bridge for now. See if Wendy needs your help. Okay?"
They nodded in agreement with her orders.
"Brody, if neither Nathan nor Ford can run this boat you have to," Kate reminded him, "I will back you. Agreed?"
Brody hesitated for a moment before nodding, "Keep in touch."
x
Kate walked past the guard standing at the door. He was about to stop her but stepped back at the scathing look she threw him. Opening the door Tim and Miguel looked up surprised to see her.
"How much longer?" she demanded.
"Well, I don't know," sarcasm filled Tim's voice, "It's a lost alphabet, Kate. It's going to take some time."
"McGrath is arriving," Kate explained, "While Jonathan and Nathan are acting very strange."
"Define strange?" Miguel asked bemused.
"Ford thought Nathan's chair was on fire," Kate explained, "Then there's Nathan ordering the boat here not to mention locking Tim in this room to translate."
"The captain just wants to protect his find from gold diggers," Tim shrugged.
"And Ford just spent thirty hours in the DSL," Miguel added, "You've been in one before. Wouldn't thirty hours in that thing make you a little weird?"
Kate frowned at them, "This goes beyond weird. Brody and I don't think either one of them is fit to command."
Tim and Miguel shared a stunned look.
"That's a serious charge, Kate," Tim told her.
"Trust me I know," Kate replied darkly, "But think how often Brody and I agree on things."
"True," Miguel noted as he lifted the helmet studying it.
Kate sighed, "The two of you just stay here for now. Okay?"
"Okay," Tim nodded, he glanced up at Miguel, "Hey, you better be careful with that thing. Bridger got a pretty good sting putting it on."
Kate shook her head at them as she moved to the opposite corner and called Brody to check in with him quickly.
"McGrath has just docked," he told her, "What about O'Neill?"
Kate glanced over to where Tim was explaining something to his friend, "He's got something but he's still working on it. I'm going to join Lucas and see if Wendy has any idea what's going on with Nathan."
Brody signed off and Kate turned seeing Miguel putting on the helmet.
"Ow," he grimaced pulling it off and looking at it.
Tim chuckled, "Told you."
"You didn't tell me there was a curse," Miguel argued back.
Tim shrugged before defending himself, "I just found out about it myself."
"A curse?" Kate noted sarcastically rejoining them, "That's all we need right now."
"There's a map on the helmet," Miguel said ignoring Kate.
"Where?" Tim asked searching the markings for a map, "I don't see one."
Miguel rolled his eyes, "You just said he marked his way back to his lands on the helmet."
"Yeah," Tim shrugged, "But maybe he didn't have time."
"Okay," Kate interrupted again while Miguel picked up the sword to examine it, "I am going to speak with Wendy, can I trust that you will keep working and not tell Nathan anything until you've talked to me or Brody?"
"Kate…" Tim started but he didn't get a chance to say anything else as Miguel suddenly swung the sword slicing through the centre of the table.
Tim flung himself to one side falling out of his chair as Kate threw herself against the wall. The guard outside came running in, Miguel punched him before striding out with the sword.
"Miguel?" Tim yelled after his friend.
Kate helped him up, "You okay?"
He nodded looking completely bewildered by being attacked by his friend.
"Keep working," she patted his arm before running out after the other man.
Kate stood in one corner of the infirmary room watching Nathan strapped to a bed.
"There was nothing on the scan was there?" Nathan snarled at Wendy, "There's nothing wrong with me."
Wendy sighed before admitting, "No."
"I've got a headache," Nathan snapped, "Apparently that's enough to embarrass me in front of my crew."
"Calm down, Nathan," McGrath told him.
Nathan glared at him, "Calm down?"
"Kate," Wendy motioned her over, "Can you stay with him while I talk to Secretary McGrath and Commander Ford?"
Kate nodded. She waited until they were out of the room before walking to the bed to stand at Nathan's side.
"You," Nathan snarled at her, "Was this the reason you stayed? To steal something this big?"
Kate folded her arms across her chest, "I have known you for a long time, Nathan and I have never known you to act like this. This isn't you."
"Like you know anything," he spat at her, "Once I get out of this I will toss you off my boat and into jail where you belong."
"You're threatening to send me to jail?" Kate noted amused, "After everything you did to protect me? Tell me once more how there's nothing wrong with you?"
"You little…" he yelled trying to grab her.
She shook her head stepping back as Wendy and McGrath reappeared.
All you mutinous weasels are going into my report," Nathan snapped at them, "Now you let me out! Let me out!"
Wendy sighed and sedated him, "Sorry, Nathan."
x
"There is nothing physically wrong with him," Wendy noted as she glanced back to where the Captain lay unconscious.
"Nothing you can find," Ford noted, "But it is possible it's something we can't test for yet."
"Did you scan him?" Brody asked.
Wendy shook her head, "Not without his permission but from what he's projecting he appears to be having a bad day."
"This isn't just a bad day," Kate told them frustrated, "I've seen him have bad days and he doesn't threaten or slap crewmen. This is something else and it's also affecting Miguel."
The four of them stood in silence for a few minutes thinking.
"Okay," Ford took control, "Is there anything they've both done? Anywhere they've both been? We need somewhere they intersected which could have caused this."
Kate let out a moan of annoyance, "The helmet."
"What?" Brody and Wendy demanded.
"They put on the damn helmet," she explained, "Both said they felt something sharp jab them."
Ford nodded, "Doctor, looks like that's your next step. Check for entry wounds and any, I don't know virus or bacteria, something that can explain the change in personality. Brody, get to the bridge. Kate, come with me."
Kate walked silently with Ford until they were sure they were out of range for any of the others to overhear.
"I want you to stick with O'Neill until this is finished," Ford told her, "You're the best person to stay at his side without him realising he's under guard."
"No problem," she nodded as they reached the room just as McGrath arrived.
x
"Yes, you do," Tim was obviously agitated as he argued with their visitor when they walked into the room.
Ernst held his ground, "I do not."
"Why are you denying it?" Tim snapped annoyed.
McGrath stepped forward, "Gentleman."
Kate caught Ford's eye and nodded, quickly taking up a defensive position next to Tim.
"I want this helmet taken to an institute where an objective academic researcher can examine it," Ernst demanded.
"I'm objective," Tim ground out.
Ernst rolled his eyes, "You're trying to prove Atlantis existed. That's not objective, that's foolish."
"Is this helmet not authentic?" McGrath asked the visitor.
"From Babylon, or perhaps Greece," Ernst snapped, "But not Atlantis."
Frustration filled Tim's voice, "That's where it says it's from."
"You made it say that," Ernst argued, "If I want I can make it say it's from Pittsburgh."
Kate could see Tim was getting close to the end of his rope, "Pittsburgh or Babylon, how did it end up where we found it?"
"Yes," Ernst jumped on Tim's response, "Where did you find it?"
"Captain Bridger secured those coordinates," Tim stated stiffly.
Ernst let out an annoyed noise, "I want it off the ship."
"Commander," Tim turned to Ford.
"Mr. Secretary," Ernst snapped at McGrath at the same time.
"Professor Ernst," Lucas said bringing up the man's resume on the screen, "You have a very impressive resume. But you've debunked every theory on the existence of Atlantis. Last year you had a scholar who disagreed with you removed from school, an assistant Professor Obatu."
Kate noted Ford jump suddenly but wasn't able to ask anything as Lucas continued to speak.
"Now isn't it just as biased to say things aren't as to say they are, when you don't have proof either way?" the smug smirk the teenager gave made the Seaquest crew smile slightly.
"In science things either aren't or they are." Ernst noted before realisation that Lucas wasn't wearing a uniform hit him, "Who is this? Why am I arguing with a child?"
"Lucas Wolenczak is a member of the Seaquest science staff," McGrath introduced the smugly smiling teen.
"What are your credentials?" Ernst demanded.
The self-satisfied smile widened and Lucas replied, "Magna Cum Laude, Applied Science of Artificial Intelligence, Stanford."
"Lucas," Ford interrupted directing him back to the topic, "Professor Obatu?"
Lucas nodded, "Yeah," he glanced back down at his computer, "Born in Kenya, degrees in Mediterranean and Mid-Eastern history. He posed many plausible theories on the existence of Atlantis, one of which prompted his dismissal from Oxford."
"Put it on the vid-screen," Ford ordered.
Kate frowned slightly at the look on Ford's face seeing the picture of Professor Obatu.
"The helmet stays," Ford ordered, "Tim, stop what you're doing. We've got to get Obatu on board."
Kate leaned against the wall staring at the two unconscious men on the infirmary beds. She felt a presence beside her and stepped closer knowing it was Tim, feeling his arm wrap around her shoulders.
"He's going to be okay," Tim whispered softly trying to comfort her, "So is Miguel."
Kate didn't say a word as she rested her head against him, straightening when Wendy walked in with Obatu.
"Okay," she stated sharply, "One of you, and I don't care which one it is, is going to tell me how you're going to save them."
Wendy moved forward slightly, "Kate, we're doing everything we can."
"Do more," Kate told her sharply.
"Hey," Tim caught her shoulder, "Calm down."
She took a deep breath trying not to snap at her friend but seeing Nathan unconscious on the bed in front of her, slipping away while all she could do was stand and watch was not helping her keep calm.
"We need to break the curse," Obatu reminded her.
Kate held up her finger, "And that is enough of that nonsense."
Their visitor looked down at her, his dark eyes boring into her, "You do not believe in the curse? Not after everything that has happened with your Captain and friend?"
"This can all be explained logically by a virus or bacteria. One that has lain dormant in the helmet," Kate retorted.
"Assuming," Ford interrupted before Kate started a fight, "That this is a curse, is there a cure?"
Obatu glanced at Kate who folded her arms across her chest and waited, her eyes shadowed as she stared at him.
"Yes," their visitor replied, "But it's a cure we cannot have?"
"Of course not," Kate muttered under her breath.
Ford frowned both at the reply and the angry woman, "Why can't we have it?"
Obatu picked up the helmet and began to read the writing there, "The pure heart passing through Atlantis and resisting its treasures will resist the curse."
"And what the hell does that mean?" Kate demanded sharply, she turned to Tim when he caught her arm, "Let go."
Tim released her without saying a word.
"It means," Obatu continued, a little perturbed by the angry young woman, "That to survive they must go to Atlantis and defy the temptations to steal."
Wendy winced, "Oh, boy."
"Well they can't do that, now can they," Ford grimaced, "Atlantis doesn't exist anymore."
"Only in my mind," Obatu replied.
Wendy looked at him with curiosity, "How does it exist in your mind?"
"Academic studies," Obatu explained, "Family stories passed down through generations, genetic imprint of my ancestors. I have a very clear picture of Atlantis."
Kate rolled her eyes, "Isn't that fantastic."
Wendy moved to her, "Let me try this, Kate. I know you don't believe but this is the only idea we have."
"We have actual medicine," Kate shook her head in disgust, "You're a doctor, you should act like it. Kristen would be trying something scientific rather than relying on fairy stories to save the lives of the people she was responsible for."
With a final angry glare at Obatu she marched out.
x
Silence filled the room for a moment after Kate left before Ford sighed, "Tim, go after her. Keep her…I don't know...just do your best to calm her down."
Tim nodded, "I'll try, sir."
Wendy watched Tim leave after the engineer before she turned to Obatu, "Show Atlantis to me."
"Pardon me?" he asked confused.
"Show it to me," Wendy replied before explaining, "I'm telepathic. I can read minds. I've never spoken to them before but maybe I can be a conduit for your vision."
As they took hands, each taking a hand of one of the unconscious men Ford held his breath, hoping this worked.
It had to because they had no other idea to save the two men.
x
Kate headed to the gym needing to do something to get rid of her frustration at the situation. She'd already yelled at Tim to go away and leave her alone. He had, for once, listened to her. The gym was thankfully quiet as she pulled off her sweater and started to hit the punching bag hanging there.
"Foster," a voice interrupted her.
Kate continued to throw punches glancing at the clock on the wall seeing almost an hour had passed, "What do you want, Brody? I'm kinda busy here."
"Commander Ford is looking for you," he told her, taking up position behind the bag and holding it as she hit.
"He can keep looking," Kate replied darkly, "I'm not watching Nathan die."
Brody grimaced as she changed position and began to kick the bag, "Can you answer me something?"
Kate paused stepping back, "Sure? What do you want to know?"
"You said you'd back me if I had to take command."
"You have an excellent memory," Kate rolled her eyes, "Get to the question."
Brody frowned for a moment before folding his arms across his chest, "You don't like me, so why would you support me taking command?"
Kate stared at him, steel in her eyes, "The reason I agreed to support you is because you're the third in command of the boat, so you're the logical choice to take over. It had nothing to do with liking you or not."
Brody stared at her, "Okay. I suppose that makes sense."
"You know what, Brody?" she snapped angrily, surprise covered his face at the venom in her voice, "You have been a pain in my ass since almost day one. I don't care if you don't like me, I don't care if you trust me but this boat is my home and Nathan is the only family I have had for a long time." She paused taking a breath annoyed that she'd lost her temper, "Go away, Brody."
Before either of them could say anything else his PAL beeped and Kate returned to punching the bag.
"Have you found her, Lieutenant?" Tim's worried voice came when Brody answered.
"Yeah," Brody replied shortly.
"Let me talk to her," Tim said.
Brody grimaced slightly but held the PAL out to the young woman, when she didn't take it he sighed, "Tim, just talk."
"Kate," Tim said, "Bridger wants to see you."
She hesitated for a moment before she went back to her workout, "I have no interest in watching him die."
"The Captain is fine," Tim told her, Kate paused holding the punching bag while he continued to talk, "They cured him and Miguel. He wants to see you."
A few seconds passed as Kate just leaned in silence before she ran out of the room.
x
Wendy was standing outside Nathan's room when Kate arrived.
"He's just speaking with Professor Obatu," she explained softly.
Kate rolled her eyes at the expectation on Wendy's face, "If you're waiting for an apology then you'd better keep waiting."
"I know how hard this is for you to accept," Wendy said, "You are an engineer, a scientist and things that aren't easily explained by science…"
Kate held up her hand, "I'm going to stop you right there. I'm not talking about this and I stand by my earlier comments."
When the door opened and Obatu left Kate walked past him without a word closing the door behind her. She let out a sigh of relief seeing Nathan standing looking as though nothing had happened, without a word she moved to him and hugged him tightly.
"I'm okay, kid," Nathan assured her as he rubbed her back comfortingly, "I'm okay."
Kate pulled back and tilted her head thoughtfully, "And you no longer want to throw us all in the brig or me in jail?"
He chuckled, "Not at the moment."
"You scared the hell out of me," she sat on the bunk, "You know that?"
Nathan squeezed her hand, "Sorry but I hear you and Brody actually worked together quite well."
"I've worked with worse," she shrugged before looking at him thoughtfully.
"I fine," he assured her before she could ask, "What about you?"
Kate rolled her eyes, "By any chance is this worry to do with my comments to Dr Smith?"
"From what Ford told me you were," he paused trying to find the right words before settling on, "Harsh."
Kate folded her arms across her chest, the innocent smile she used to wear every time they met prior to her arriving on the island appearing on her face.
"I stand by what I said," Kate told him, "They weren't looking for an actual cure. Smith was so focussed on her psychic mumbo jumbo."
"Telepath."
"What?" Kate asked perturbed at the interruption.
Nathan smiled, "It's not psychic ability, she's a telepath. There's a difference, trust me I've been on the receiving end of the lecture before."
Kate shook her head, "I just can't help feeling that Kristen would have thought of something better sooner."
He wrapped his arm around her and hugged her, "It's okay. I'm okay. I'm just glad you didn't put the helmet on."
"You think I would have stolen something," she stated before laughing at his rueful look, "Yeah, let's not go there."
Brody let out a long sigh of relief as he made it to his quarters.
Closing and locking the door he sat at the small desk. Thinking about the day's events he opened the file he had been working on for the past few weeks.
Filled with small pieces of information he had found on a thief called Kitten and all the information he had on Kate. Jotting down everything that had happened he added it to his file hoping soon it would either prove his theory that Kate was this Kitten or prove that she wasn't.