Title: Death in the Deep
Author: Penny Jones
email: Subtrek@AOL.com
Rating:  PG
Classification:  Nathan/ Kristin Romance; angst
Archive: NKRA  All others please ask first.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.  Don't want to.  But enjoy the heck out of playing with them.

 

Death in the Deep
A SeaQuest Story
 

 
Prologue

Kristin held the little girl tighter and whispered softly to her.  "Come on sweetie, we have to be real  quiet."  Her voice shook slightly as she continued.  "Let's pretend we're playing hide and seek, ok Callie.   We don't want them to find us now do we?"  She smiled down into the small trusting face framed by curls of soft auburn hair and breathed a sigh of relief as the tiny head rested on her shoulder, the soft whimpers ceasing in slow gulping breaths.

Kristin realized she was shaking and slowly began rocking the small child in her arms.  She turned her head and looked down the cramped air shaft.  She smiled gently as one of the other women turned frightened blue eyes her way.  'God how could this be happening,' she thought.  They would have to move on again in an hour, but until then they would stay here and rest.  She closed her eyes, and laid her head against the cold dark metal wall and thought about the last three days.

The SeaQuest had answered the distress call from the Downing Farm Community.  Evidently a fire had broken out in the main control room.  By the time they had arrived the fire was under control, however the ventilation system was nonfunctional.  Nathan had brought two technicians in to repair it, and Kristin and two members of her staff had been asked to see to the health of the locals.  The farmers had been very adamant about staying and Kristin understood their concerns and fears.

Nathan and Chief Matt Crocker had been discussing the ventilation problem with the community leaders, trying to get them to come aboard the SeaQuest until the air had been cleared.  They weren't making any progress when the distress call from the Haley Mining Corp had come in.  It seemed an unknown submarine had attacked them.  They had been hit hard and weren't sure how long they would last.

Nathan had asked if she was ready to leave.  She knew she couldn't go with Marion and Tom still there but she also knew that she would be needed to help out at the other site.  Nathan had mention that though he didn't like the thought of leaving her there, he knew she had a great Medical team onboard and they could handle any and all emergency that they might encounter.  Thinking back on it she should have followed her instincts and went with him.  Tom hadn't last over an hour after they had left and Marion wasn't due with the twins for another two weeks.  However he had promised to return for them in a few days.

The SeaQuest hadn't been gone more than twenty-four hours when the other sub had arrived.  She had been in the fields with the teachers and children, marveling at the see-through dome above them and the field of crops lay out around them.  This had been one of the first farms under the ocean, which had been completely self-sufficient.  Kristin was impressed with the vast variety of crops they had succeeded in growing.  If you didn't look out the dome, you could almost swear you were on land. She was thoroughly enjoying the children's antics of playing hide and seek with the teachers when a loud blaring horn broke through the laughter.  At once the children were standing quietly in a straight line behind the adults... the door to the hall burst open and Chief Crocker flew inside, slamming the door shut behind him.  Blood flowed freely down his shirt and was making itself known on his sleeve.  Kristin was beside him in seconds and carefully removing the soaked shirt. He tried to push her away.

"It's only a flesh wound, Doc," he said breathlessly as he eyed the area around them.  He was right, but she was going to take care of it one way or another.  She grabbed his arm and glared at him as he tried to pull away.

"Sit down Chief or do you want to lead whoever did this to everyone you visit."

There was only one other man in the room and he came up to stand behind Westphalen.  "What the heck is going on out there?"  Vince asked.  His voice shook slightly as he nodded toward the door.

Crocker looked up at him and winced as the Doctor pulled the bandage tight.  Crocker shook his head.  "You have to warn the others.  They're shooting everything that moves."  His eyes landed on the children.  "Tell everyone to go into hiding and not to stay very long in any one place.  I'll find them and let them know what's happening."

Thomas nodded and disappeared into the field.  Crocker grabbed Kristin's arm as she started to stand.  His voice was for her ears only.  "Benson was out with the launch getting some samples.  I told him to go for help."  He stared off into the distance.  "I'm not sure I got through and if I did I don't know if he made it.  They started jamming all out going signals.  We're on our own on this one."

She smiled softly at him and offered him a hand up.  "We'll just have to manage."

He took her hand and stood.  "Doc, you're in charge of this group.  Keep them out of sight, these people don't care who they shoot."  He scanned the walls of the dome.  "The ventilation shafts are cramped and smell of smoke but they should be safe.  Those guys are pretty big and won't be able to move very fast in there.  Stay away from any openings and keep them quiet.  Move them every four hours."  He turned to leave but was stopped by her soft voice.

"Be careful Chief."

He turned and gave her a big smile.  "I have to.  I promised the Captain I'd keep you safe."  He turned and disappeared into the rows of corn.  Kristin turned toward her new charges.  There were ten of them.  Eight children, and two women Marion and Tina.  Her eyes met Marion's with cold determination.  "Well lets get going before they find us."

Smiling Marion turned to the right.  "The lowest shaft is this way."   Kristin slowly let out the breath she didn't know she had been holding and brought up the rear.  Even though Marion was uncomfortable with the added heat and weight from the twins she would give it her all, and from the looks of the children following behind with their heads held high so would they.

Kristin shook her head.  That had been two days ago.  At least as far as she could tell.  She looked down at her watch and realized again that it wouldn't do her any good.  The light in here was too dim to be able to tell the time let alone the date.

A shuffle from her right caused her to tense.  Quickly and as gently as possible she set Callie down and pressed her finger against the small mouth.  She turned blocking the others from view with her body as the noise became louder.  She held her breath as a hand came to rest just in view at the junction up ahead.


Chapter One:
Feelings
 

Nathan stood on the bridge looking at the mass of tangled steel on the view screen.  It had taken them a day to get here and they had spent the remainder of the last two days searching for survivors.  Nathan shook his head and turned away in disgust.  He reached up and rubbed the back of his neck.  Something was wrong and he couldn't figure out what. He turned toward O'Neill.  The feeling of something wrong was still with him but he wouldn't let it interfere with his work.

"Lieutenant, have you heard anything else from Commander Ford?"

"Nothing yet Sir, though they should be near some of the survivors by now."

O'Neill pulled his headphones down and let them rest around his neck.  His eyes moved to the view screen and sadness filled them.

"All right.  Let me know as soon as he makes contact."  Bridger began to turn away when the hair on the back of his neck stood on end.  He knew better than to ignore it when it became this strong.

"O'Neill, ...scan all channels."  His voice was etched with worry.

Tim's head snapped back to the Captain, his mouth opened.  Slowly he closed it and raised a brow. "Sir, is there something in particular I should be listening for?"

Nathan shook his head. "I don't know.  It's just a feeling I have."

"Yes sir."  Tim shot a worried look at Miguel Ortiz at sonar and shrugged his shoulders. This wasn't the first time the Captain had gone on his feelings.

The last time it had helped to save a French sub full of children.  O'Neill turned back to the communications panel and flipped a couple switches.  The computer would scan the various channels and stop when it found something.

He heard Commander Ford call coming in and turned to Bridger.

"Sir, Commander Ford is on Link One."

"Put him on the main speaker."  Absently Nathan rubbed his neck.  "Commander, what's going on over there?"

"Captain,  we've gotten two survivors on board.  There are others in the mine shafts.  We'll have to dig for them."  There was a long pause.  "Sir, you won't believe what happened here."

Nathan interrupted impatiently.  "Commander, can it wait until they get on board?"

"No sir,  I think you need to hear it now."

"All right com...."

"Captain, I'm getting a distress call." Tim interrupted.

Nathan felt the hair on his neck rise and shivered.

"Sir,"  Commander Ford continued, "some of these people have gunshot wounds."

The feeling crept down Nathan's spine and caused him to take a deep breath. "Understood Commander,  get those people loaded and stay on the link.  O'Neill, lets hear that distress call."

Benson had heard most of Chief Crocker's call.  He gunned the launch and headed west toward the SeaQuest.  He sped through the water and watched in silent horror as a torpedo raced after him.  Up ahead in the murky water he could make out a large outcrop of rocks.  Benson said a silent prayer and sped on, the torpedo quickly closing the distance between them.

When the launch was within a few meters of the outcropping, he jerked up hard on the controls and felt the launch lift up.  Damn, he thought as the rocks scraped the bottom of the launch, and the torpedo smashed into the rocks below him.  He felt the jolt from the impact rumble through the launch as rocks rained down on him. The launch began to spin out of control as it spiraled upward of so he thought.  The last thing he remembered was the seabed rising up to meet him.

Benson opened his eyes and looked around in amazement.  He was alive.  Slowly he began to move, everything seemed to be in all the right places and working.  He shook his head in wonder and felt a sharp pain run through his head.  Cautiously he reached up and felt the large bump on his forehead. "Well boy, one large goose egg isn't bad compared to what you could have done to yourself."

Climbing out of his seat he heading to the back, checking the equipment status as he went.  He gazed at his watch and then tapped it with his finger.  Slowly he brought it to his ear.  Yep it was still ticking, which meant he had really been out for twenty-four hours.

Rubbing his chin he slowly took in the mess around him.  "Engines down and out.  Communications," he screwed up his nose.  "What a mess, but hey, you've got enough oxygen to last for a week and the lights work."  Shaking his head he moved to the back and looked out the windows.  He could just make out the farming community below.  "Well at least it's still there."  Benson turned away and gather the equipment he might need to fix the comms panel.  Every once in a while he glanced out to make sure that he could still see the lights.  Three hours later it dawned on him that if he could see them, then they could probably see him.  Quickly he found blankets to cover the windows.  Then he returned to the comm panel.

"Well, Benson, hopefully helping Tasha study for her communications exam will pay off."  He reached up and pushed a stray lock of sandy brown hair out of his eyes.  He knew he had a photographic memory, now it was just a matter of finding exactly what he needed from inside he jumbled head.  An hour later found him moving toward the panel his mind made up to how fix it, he hoped.

He reached up and bushed a lock of sandy brown hair out his eyes, then sat in between the pilot's seats and reached under to remove the cover.  He knew this would probably take a few hours.

Eight frustrating hours later Benson slumped over the panel.  He knew he had to get some sleep.  His head was throbbing and things were becoming blurry.  He closed tired blue eyes as sleep won this round.

He woke around noon the next day and set to work.  A few hours later he searched the shuttle for the emergency kit.  He downed a few aspirin tablets and some freeze dried food.  He hated the stuff, but it was better than starving.  When he had finished he went back to work.  Two hours later found him leaning back and stretching tired muscles.  "Okay Benson.  Everyone's counting on you.  Let's hope it works."  Crossing his fingers and everything else that would cross, he reached up and flipped a few switches.  The lights dimmed. "Damn, what did I do wrong this time."  Cautiously his hands played across the panel.  The lights came back up very slowly.  Satisfied, he picked up the mike.  "Okay, here's hoping that we are out of jamming range.  Slowly he spoke into the mike.   "Mayday, Mayday.  Can anyone hear me?"

Benson released the mike button and waited.  He repeated the sequence every five minutes, his hands adjusting the panel each time.  After two hours he was ready to give up, when he heard an answer.

The words were like gently music to his shattered form.  "This is SeaQuest.  Can you boost your output  There is too much interference.  Repeat, can you boost you output."

Benson jumped up smiling, and hit his head on the ceiling.  Settling down he quickly ran through the information he needed, then reached out and began pushing buttons.

Ensign Smith walked onto the bridge expecting to find nothing going on.  Only to find that everyone was gathered around O'Neill while he was busy with the controls. He noticed her out of the corner of his eye.   Motioning her forward he pointed at the board.  "Help me try to boost our signal.  We need to filter out as much noise as we can."  She nodded and went to work.  Ten minutes later the other signal was coming in better but was still a little garbled.  Smith overheard the Captain telling the commander to remain on the link.  She was experiencing mixed emotions.  A part of her was excited about being on the bridge during a crisis while another part was afraid of what could happen.

Nathan was becoming impatient.  He felt as if someone had tied him up in knots.  Damn, he thought, if only the person on the other end could boost his output enough for them to find out what was going on.  He walked back to the clam doors and then back. He knew that something was wrong and that it concerned people he cared for only he didn't know who though he did have his suspicion and that was what was driving him nuts.

O'Neill turned toward him, excitement in his eyes.  "We got him, Sir.  On main speaker."

"SeaQuest can you hear me now? Come on you damn piece of shit, work."  The voice faded out.

Smith looked up shocked.  "Lieutenant O'Neil, I recognize him," Ensign Smith shyly stated.

Bridger heard and turned hard blue eyes on her.  "What's his name, Ensign?"

He watched her take a deep breath.  "It's Todd Benson from the Science department."

"What the hell is he doing sending us a mayday?"  Bridger queried.

Gathering her courage, Ensign Smith looked him straight in the eye and raised her voice a little. "He's with Doctor Westphalen at the Downing Farming Community, Sir."  What she saw in his eyes at the end of that statement would stay with her for the rest of her life.

Nathan felt the air rush out of him at her words.  He was thankful for the hold he had on the handrail.  One word passed through his mind... Kristin.

"Damn it, Lieutenant, get him back.  I don't care what you have to do, just do it."

"Yes sir."  O'Neill's hands began to fly over the board.  He leaned toward Smith.  "Talk to him.  Keep talking until he answers."

She nodded and spoke into the mike.  "Todd this is SeaQuest.  Come in.  Benson, can you hear me?"

Benson's voice echoed throughout the bridge.  "Yea Tasha, I hear you darling.  Put me through to the old man.  It's urgent!"

"The old man is right here, Mister Benson."  Nathan's voice was hard and cold.  "What is going on there?"

"Oops Sorry about that sir."  His voice was just a little shaky.  "All hell's broken loose.  I was out getting mineral samples for the Doc W.  When I saw a sub docking.  Then a few minutes later Chief Crocker came over the comm and told me to run like a bat outta hell and get help."  He took a deep breath and continued.  "Sir, there were gunshots in the background.  Soon after that they started jamming our signals. I guess I got far enough away.  The bad thing was that was over thirty two hours ago.  There hasn't been any movement since and the sub is still there."

"All right, Benson, where are you now?"

"Uh, about two miles from the community."

"All right. Head for us. We'll pick you up."

"Uh, sir, I can't do that."

"For God's sake why not?"

"Well, you see I was trying to outrun a torpedo and it kinda ran into a large rock outcrop and the rocks, well, they tore the heck out of the launch.  Sorry about that, Captain."

A smile graced Bridger's face.  "It's all right son.  At least you're still alive.  Listen, Benson, can you hold out until we get there?"

Pride seeped into the voice that answered back.  "Yes sir.  I have enough air for a week, as long as I don't do any major running around, and there's plenty of, well, I guess you could call it food."

Nathan chuckled and moved toward Hitchcock, when Benson's voice stopped him. "Sir, how far will the hand units work?"

Nathan rubbed his chin and glanced around.  "About three miles son.  Why?"

"Good.  If they get in touch with me. I'll pass it on."

"You do that son.  Just be careful not to let that sub know you're out there. Hold on a minute. Commander Ford, are you still there?"

"Yes Sir.  There are about ten men still alive in the shaft.  It will take about two hours to dig them out.  I'll see if we can cut some of that time off."

"Roger that, Commander.  Benson, we should be leaving here in three hours.  We should be at your location in..." Bridger turned to Lieutenant Commander Hitchcock.

"Twenty six hours, Sir."

Nodding he turned back to the bland screen.  "We'll be there in twenty six hours."

"Well I checked my little black book and I don't have anything scheduled for that time so I should be here.  See you then sir."

Nathan walked toward the center seat and sat down as he addressed Ford. "Commander, what happened here?"

Ford's voice cracked as he slowly began to repeat the story as it was told to him.  "An unknown sub radio a mayday.  So they allowed them to dock.  The people came out shooting.  Evidently they didn't care who they hit.  When they were done they started collecting stuff they needed and wanted.  When that was through they placed bombs at strategic locations.  They definitely knew what they were doing.  Those who are left are lucky to be alive.  They hid in the shafts and sealed themselves in.  The guys were in and out within three days."

Bridger met Katie's eyes.  "Can we shorten that time?" Her eyes lit up as her fingers quickly ran across the panel.  She read the equations and looked up at the Captain.  "If we cut out all non-essential power and run the engines full out we can be there in less than twenty hours."

Bridger smiled.  "We'll see, Lieutenant," was all he would say.  "Commander Ford, get back here as soon as possible."  He turned and walked off the bridge.  Now he needed to see a young man about a mission.

Bridger made his way to Lucas' quarters and found him sitting on his bunk. His blonde head was lying against the water tubes and Darwin swam lazily near by.  Nathan cleared his throat.  When there was no answer he moved forward and pulled the earphones off the young boy's ears.

Blue tear stained eyes glared up at him.

"Bad news travels fast around here.  I see you've heard.  Listen kiddo, just because there was shooting doesn't mean they aren't okay."

"Yeah Cap. So are they gonna be okay?"

Nathan pulled the boy close and pushed his hair out of his eyes.  "I don't know, Lucas.  I wish I could tell you differently."

Lucas took a long hard look at him and nodded.  "You feel guilty because you left them there don't you?"

Nathan turned away.  "You let me worry about that.  Right now I need your help to get some answers."

Lucas immediately moved to his computer.  Shoving a couple of pieces of candy in his mouth, his hands poised over the keyboard.  "What do you need me to do?"

Nathan smiled the first real smile in days.  "That's a boy.  First let's see if we can get into the Downing computer.  While I was there I noticed cameras overhead all over the place.  Kramer told me they were all over the place.  He said the computer sends them to a video monitoring system.  We need to find out what these guys are up to.  Think you can do that.  I want a face to go with that submarine."

"I'll get you one."  Lucas' fingers flew over the keyboard for a minute before he turned to Bridger. "Cap."

"What is it Lucas?"

"Do you think," he swallowed hard.  "Do you think Dr. W and the Chief are still alive?"

"I don't know.  Hopefully we can find that out while you're in there."  Bridger said nodding toward the computer.

Lucas nodded and began typing again. "I really like them and Dr. W always lets me help out in the lab."

Nathan stood and laid a gentle hand on Lucas' shoulder.  "I do too, Lucas."  He turned and walked quietly out of the room.  "Lucas," he called over his shoulder.  "Good luck."

"No problem. I've already made contact.  Now all I have to do is get the right code word to transfer the video to us.  This may take a little while."

Nathan smiled sadly and walked away.  He needed some sleep.  He walked into his quarters and lay down on his bunk.  Sleep would not find him this night.  He tossed and turned until he finally got up.

Walking to his desk, he pressed a button and brought on line the hologram program of the professor.

As the figure glowed to life he seated himself and put his feet onto the desk.  "Hard time sleeping, Nathan?"

"Yes, you know what's going on then?"

"Of course, Nathan.  I also know that Matt Crocker and you go back quite a ways.  Long before you ever made Captain."  Nathan nodded and twisted the ring on his right hand. "Yes we served together on a couple of ships. He was there when I got my first and last commands, and now."

"Nathan, Chief Crocker knew the risk when he accepted this job."

"I know that Professor.  But if I'd had the return to the ship, they would be safe right now."

"Nathan, you cannot protect your entire crew.  Accidents happen and they know the consequences."

"But Kristin and her staff don't.  They're scientists, not military."

Bridger stood and began to pace.

"Now we get to the most important reason.  Kristin.  Am I not correct, Nathan?"

Bridger swirled around and sat down.  "What are you talking about?"

"Nathan."  The Professor's voice sounded slightly perturbed. " Your voice patterns change when you talk about her. I have analyzed this and found that your voice only does it when you talk about her."

"Enough old man!"  Nathan leaned back in his chair and rubbed tired eyes.  He took a few minutes to think about what the Professor had said.  The hologram waited patiently without saying a word. "You're right, she is very special.  It seems like she is fast becoming my best friend and I care very deeply for her.  However that has nothing to do with it."  He ran a hand through his tousled hair.

"The problem is, I can't do anything but wait.  We can't leave here until all the miners are on board.  By then it might be too late."

"Then I suggest you find something to do with all your nervous energy.  Why don't you visit with Darwin."

Nathan leaned forward and stared at the Professor's image.  He was right; he needed to do something, anything, besides sitting here by himself thinking. He would go crazy if he didn't get his mind off of what might happen.  He stood and turned off the Professor and walked out.

Nathan found himself on the bridge next to Darwin's tank.  He looked down into the dolphin's soft eyes.

"Bridger sad... Kristin trouble," the computer generated voice said.

Nathan reached down and rubbed Darwin's head.  "Yes, Darwin.  They are in trouble."  He turned away and moved toward the comm station.  He could feel the tension building on the ship.  His people were definitely beginning to act like a crew instead of military and scientist.  No one wanted to lose any of the people on board.  Nathan realized that he wasn't the only one struggling with this problem and right now they all need him.


Chapter Two
Relations
 

Doc?"

Her name came toward her in a low voice.  A voice she knew very well.  Her body relaxed as he came into view.  "Chief, I'm right here."  Kristin whispered.

Chief Crocker moved forward on bare feet. He felt funny without his shoes, but knew the noise they made would be too loud.  He handed her a small black bag full of food.

"Pass it out, then I need to talk to you."

She nodded and began passing out the food as he moved off from the group.  When she was done she crawled down to join him.  When she finally reached him, she immediately began checking his wound. "What's going on out there, Chief?"

Crocker shook his head.  "It's a mess, Doc.  Anything that moves they shoot at.  There are ten people missing, probably dead.  Eight farmers."  He rubbed tired eyes and winced slightly as Westphalen's fingers probed the wound.  With not much light he knew she had to go by touch.  He remained silent until she began to rebandage it.

"They started planting bombs two hours ago.  I don't think they want any survivors cause they're planting them all over the place."

Kristin shook her head and glanced at the kids behind her.  "Who are these bloody lunatics?"  She asked turning back to him.  "Why are they doing this?"

"I don't know that yet Doc."  Crocker reached out and gently touched her arm.  "Doc.. Kristin, I don't know if we're going to make it."

She turned her head and looked down the empty cold shaft.  A single tear made it's way down a tan cheek.  Taking a deep breath she wiped the tear away and turned back to him. Her voice was soft and low.  "Even if we don't, we should at least give it a shot.  What do we do now?"

Crocker smiled and patted her arm.  "I knew we could count on you.  There might be one chance. There's a ventilation shaft on the other side of the corridor.  It leads to an old staging system."  He noticed the confused look on her face.  "When they first started building down here they would use a small cave in the cliffs with metal doors to keep out the water.  They could live in there while connecting the spheres."  He paused to listen to the quiet around them. "Anyway, we're gathering as many supplies as we can.  The cave isn't on any of the current station maps, so they may not know about it."

"How did you find out about it, and where do I take these people?"  Kristin asked really smiling for the first time in days.

"An old timer who was here when it was built and hasn't left."  A smile crossed his face as he thought about the old man taking them there.  "Anyway Doc, you take this shaft to the right and follow it to the end.  You'll come out in a bathroom.  It leads to the hall.  Go straight to the second door on the left.  In it you'll find a ventilation shaft.  Once in the shaft, keep going straight until you reach the hatch.  Someone will be waiting for you there."

Crocker released her arm and leaned back.  "Do you think you can do it?"

She straightened her shoulders.  "Chief, I can't believe you asked that of me.  Yes we'll be there."

"Kristin,  don't take any chances.  The Captain will have my butt if anything happens to you"

Kristin chuckled and leaned forward.  "Very funny, Chief, now where will you be?" She whispered smiling.

"I'll try to get back to the room before you, but don't wait if I'm not there."  He gave her a quick hug and turned to leave.  "Be careful Doc."

 "You too, Chief. I'll see you there."

Quietly Kristin moved back to her group.  Within ten minutes they began the long journey down the shaft.  An hour later they turned the last corner.  She could just make out a light shining through the squares up ahead.  Carefully she moved forward and peered into the empty space ahead.  It was was a bathroom.  It would be a tight fit but she felt they could all make it.

Cautiously she grabbed the grate and felt it move at her touch.  A prayer of thanks went heavenward for Crocker.  Silently she lifted it up and propped it open.  She climbed into the bathroom and moved to the door.  All was quiet on the other side.  She motioned for the others to join her. Turning back she help them all exit from the shaft.  Then she moved to the door and with shaky hands she turned the door knob.  The door opened on squeaky hinges.  Kristin peered out into the hall.  When she was sure it was clear she moved out into the hall.

Keeping her eyes on the only other corridor to her left Kristin waved the others on.  As Tina passed behind her she held up two fingers and pointed left.  Tina tapped her shoulder in acknowledgment and on bare feet lead the children down the hall.

Kristin tried not to think about what would happen if they were caught, but her mind moved to it anyway.  She felt a touch on her shoulder as Marion's voice whispered behind her.  "I'm the last, Doc. Let's go."

Suddenly three men turned the corner in the other corridor.  Kristin's heart thumped against her chest.  She shoved Marion forward as one of the men shouted "Halt!"

"Go Marion, get the children to safety."  She whispered, then slowly raised her arms and turned back to face the men.

"Well, looky what we found.  I was beginning to think this place didn't have any females around."  A nasty sneer crossed the man's face.

Kristin could not make out the faces at this distance, but she knew their type.  The man in the middle shoved his left elbow into the speaker's stomach.  "Shut up Berry."  His eyes took in the woman in front of them as Berry moved forward his eyes boring into Kristin's.

"So Where'd your friend go, lady?"

Kristin refused to answer. There was no way she would tell these creeps anything.  She braced herself against the fear growing inside her.

Cautiously she cast a quick glance down the hall.  Marion was entering the room.  Behind her, with his arms loaded stood Crocker.  Kristin groaned inwardly and made a small gesture with her hand.  She didn't have time to see if he made it.  The man named Berry came running towards her.

"Who you warning down there cutie?"

He peered around the corner into an empty corridor.  Without warning his hand snaked out, grabbing her arm and roughly pulling her to him.

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief as SeaQuest sped toward the Downing Farm Community.  They were making good time at a hundred and thirty knots and should arrive at the community in under twenty hours. Still he knew anything could happen in that amount of time.  He glanced up as Lucas came running onto the bridge.  He took a couple of deep breaths as he skidded to a stop at the comm panel.

"Captain I tapped into their monitoring system.  I uh.. patched it up here.  My computer's pretty busy right now." He leaned over the panel and began punching buttons.

Nathan moved forward and patted O'Neill's arm.  "Just what is your computer doing?"  Nathan asked as he leaned back against the hand rail.

"It's downloading maps and files from Downing."  He looked up then.  "I thought they might come in handy.  Also, I have our system recording their monitoring system."

Nathan shook his head and smiled.  Lucas was certainly thorough. "When you're ready punch it up on the center screen."

Bridger turned and walked slowly toward the Captain's seat.  He felt a slight chill move across his skin.  Without breaking his pace he spun toward the screen. An empty hallway appeared on the screen, then it went blank.

"I'll try to switch to another camera."  Lucas said as he began hitting buttons.  On the screen a pregnant woman with sandy blonde hair disappeared into a door.  Chief Crocker stood behind her with his arms full and a shocked expression on his face.  He turned and quickly followed the woman through the door just as a man's voice echoed in the near empty halls.  "Who you warning down there, cutie?"

The screen changed again to the docking bay.  Five men stood talking in a small circle.  Then the screen went blank once more.  Lucas muttered something under his breath and punched more buttons.

"We're recording those channels so we can look at it later."

The screen went from black to a corridor with a big letter A on the far wall.  In front of that with their backs to the camera stood two men.  In front of them was another man holding Doctor Westphalen. Nathan motioned to Lucas.  "Can you get closer?"

As soon as the words were out the camera zoomed in.  No one on the bridge spoke a word as the scene played out in front of them.

Berry squeezed Kristin's arm hard and sneered into her face.  "Looks like they left you here all by your lonesome little self."  His eyes moved up and down her body as he licked his lips.  "You sure are a looker.  Not at all what I would have thought to find down here."

Another of the men moved forward.  His squeaky voice showed his age to be around twenty.  "Come on Berry, we ain't here for no women."

"Shut up Tommy."  Berry's eyes lit with hate as he looked at the younger man.  "Just cause you don't yet know what to do with a good looking woman don't mean you can spoil it for me."

The third man took a step forward.  "Tommy's right Berry.  The Rev will be expecting us to be back soon."

"Come on John,"  Berry pleaded.  "Just give me a couple of minutes with her?"

Nathan couldn't see the face of the last man but he saw Kristin's go from fear to a look of puzzlement and then recognition.  John shook his head and nodded to Tommy.  "I won't say yes or no, Ber.  That's the Rev's job."

The boy backed up and took out a walkie talkie.

Berry smiled and turned back to Kristin.  He knew he had a few minutes before Tommy would get through and receive a reply.  He also knew better than to waste time.  He grabbed Kristin by the hair and pulled her closer.  His mouth seized hers, causing her to almost gag.  She pushed at him with all her strength, but he wouldn't move.  Finally her hands grabbed her shoulders, with all her energy she brought her knee up hard and quick, connecting with his groin and just as quickly pushed him away with her next breath.

A loud "Ouch" rang across the bridge, mixed with a single "yes".  Nathan found himself behind the helmsman's seat.  His fingers were stiff from gripping the chair.  He knew he should have Lucas turn the monitor off, but he needed to know if Kristin would be all right.

Back on the screen, Berry came up slowly, then with a quick jerk of his arm he jabbed forward.  The knife hidden by the shadows sliced into Kristin's stomach then clattered to the floor.  Blood spread across her shirt.  He grabbed her left wrist and with a smart snap brought her arm down across his leg.  Kristin's scream followed the loud pop of bone cracking.  Tears streamed down her face as he pushed her against the wall.  His hand connected with her cheek loudly.  Blood pooled on her right cheek, then began to slowly drip down her face.

"That was stupid of you.  Now you'll pay, you bitch."  He sneered up into her face.  His lips crushed against hers as his hand moved down her chest.  One hand ran over her breast and squeezed then slowly moved down to her ribs.  His tongue followed the path of his hand.  She tried to push him away but her only good arm was pinned between her and the wall.  She tried to move her head only to have him follow with his mouth. She shivered as his mouth made a slobbery trail down her chest.  Suddenly he pulled back.  His hand moved to the top of her shirt.

"Let's see what you have under here."  Berry laughed as his hand yanked down of her shirt.  The rendering of the material seemed to echo in the silent hall.  A loud clatter followed.  All eyes moved to the floor in front of her.  Berry reached down and picked up her pal.

"You bitch!  You're not a farmer!"  he yelled as his hand connected with her cheek.  "Who the hell are you?"  When she didn't answer he reached out and hit her with the communicator.  "This is a communicator from the SeaQuest.  So you must be one of them.  What's your name and what are you doing here?"  He raised his hand but was stopped as John's quiet voice broke in.

"Berry step away from her."

He turned whining.  "John she's one of them.  She knows where the SeaQuest is.  She can help us."

"I know Berry, but I've talked to the Rev.  He's displeased with you."

Berry moved away from Kristin and walked toward the two other men.  Tommy's gun came up and inched higher.  Suddenly fire spit from the nuzzle.  Blood splattered the wall behind him and sprayed Kristin as she dove for cover.  Berry jerked around his face showing his disbelief as he fell to the floor.  Staring with unseeing eyes.

John stared at Kristin as he spoke and she slowly made it to her feet. "Tommy, make sure the way is clear."  He took a step forward and picked up Berry's gun.  He raised it in Kristin's direction.

Nathan took a deep breath.  God, how could this be happening?  How could they stand here and watch it?  He whispered a silent prayer for Kristin and closed his eyes for a second.  Kristin's voice brought him up short.  Yes, she knew this man.  That peeked his curiosity.

"Why John?  Why all this?" She asked through a haze of pain. Her right hand spread out to encompass the whole area.

"You wouldn't understand Kristin.  You never did. That's why it never worked for us."

She took a small step forward.  "But this John. This is murder.  Nothing can be that important to justify the killing of innocent men, women, and children."

John just shook his head.  "I'm sorry Kristin.  I really wish you weren't here."  He aimed the gun at her.  Terror gripped her as she looked down the business end of the gun.  "I'll give Cynthia your love next time I see her."  His finger squeezed the trigger.  Kristin felt the bullet rip through her shoulder. Sadness filled her eyes as she felt herself falling.

On the bridge no one moved as John pulled the trigger.  As she fell to the ground only one anguished word was spoken.  "Kristin."

Not one of the crew dared to look at their Captain as he lowered his head realizing it was himself that had broken the eerie silence on the bridge.  He glanced down at his hands that were white from the strain of holding on to the helm.  Lucas brought him back to the present.

"Damn! I lost the signal from Downing."  He yelled as his hands played over the keyboard.  O'Neill's voice cracked as he spoke.  "Sir, Incoming message from Benson."

Nathan nodded and slowly turned toward his chair.  He stopped in front of it.  He couldn't bring himself to sit in it.  "Put him on the main speaker."  His voice was flat and unemotional.  He looked up and his eyes met Lieutenant Commander Hitchcock.  She sat at her station, tears running down her cheeks unchecked.  He knew how she felt, but he also knew he couldn't allow himself the comfort of doing the same.

Suddenly Benson's voice blared over the intercom.  "SeaQuest, can you hear me.  There's been an explosion down there!  The Sub is pulling away.  Oh God the whole thing is going.  One sphere after another.  It's a mess.  The water is so churned up.  I can't see anything.  God they're all dead. There's no way they could have survived that."  Sobs could be heard echoing throughout the bridge.

Nathan let his pain turn to anger and boil there.  "Hitchcock cut all nonessential power.  Push the engines to the limit.  I want to be there in ten hours."

Her voice rose slightly.  How could he keep going after what they had just witnessed?  Didn't he care that Kristin and the others were gone?  The anger seeped into her voice.  "Yes Sir.  Engines at max and then some."

"Very well, I'll be in my quarters.  Lieutenant O'Neil get me Doctor Westph..." He took a deep breath and continued more softly.  "Get me her daughter."

"Aye sir." Tim turned and began the connections needed.

Nathan sat in the darkness of his quarters. He couldn't bring himself to believe she was really gone. He hadn't had time to figure out how he really felt about her and now he wouldn't have that chance.

A small voice screamed in the back of his mind.  He tried to ignore it but it took hold and began to grow.  There was still a chance that she was alive.  He had to; no he needed to hold on to that thought.  After all hadn't there been survivors at the mining camp and Crocker was resourceful. He knew eventually he would have to face the fact that she was gone, but not until he was sure.  How many times in his life had he sat there and wondered whether some one he loved was alive or not.  He leaned back and closed his eyes.  Unwanted and unhindered a vision of her looking up at him over her glasses on sea deck swam before him.  It changed and she was laughing at something he had said.

A loud beep interrupted his thoughts.  "Sir, I have Cynthia Michaels on hold."

"Give me a minute Lieutenant then put her through down here."  He sat up and turned on the lights.

Sadly he reached up to rub tired eyes and felt the moisture there.  "You must be getting to old for this.  You don't even know when you're crying."  He dried his face with a towel from the bathroom and then sat down in his chair facing the videophone.

The screen blinked once and he found himself looking at a very beautiful young lady in her early twenty's.  Her long brown hair was pulled to one side in a braid.  Her brown eyes, so much like her mother's, were serious with a hint of humor in them.  Her voice was soft and almost musical as she spoke.

"So this is what Nathan Bridger looks like. I've heard a lot about you from mom."  Her expression became serious all at once.  "Where is she anyway?"

Nathan cleared his throat and looked away.  "She's not here Cyn."

She studied him for several seconds.  Her face began to fall.  "Oh God no!"  Tears filled her eyes and ran down her face.  "What happened Captain?  I want to know everything."

Nathan sighed softly.  "Cynthia, There's still a chance that she alive."  He thought about letting the rest go but decided against it. He doubted if she would be able to help if he didn't tell her everything. So he did.

She sat quietly through the whole retelling.  When he had finished she nodded and grabbed an album behind her.  "I think I might be able to help you a little. You say she knew the man that shot her and she called him John?"  At his nod she continued.  "It must be John Hoover.  He was mom's third husband.  I was ten when they married and at the time I was way out of hand.  I think she thought John would help settle me down.  They were happy for the first couple of years."  She reached up and wiped a tear away.  "Then one night he came home from a seminar and things began to change.  He had gone as a favor to his friend.  He became obsessed with Reverend Diese and started preaching to mom.  Said that science was the devils way of leading man astray and that women should obey their husbands, stay home and have babies.  Mom stayed with him for another couple of years. Things just kept getting worse.  He really tried to change her there toward the end.  I think the only reason she stayed with him that long was because she was tired of having her marriages fail."

He watched as sadness seeped into her eyes and voice.  "She never did have any luck where men where concerned.  Anyway he came home that last day and told her he was selling everything.  He said she had to leave her old life behind and become a real wife.  He had everything arranged.  We were to leave in two days and go live on the Reverends ranch."  She brushed away another tear with a quick hard flick of her hand.  "Mom flat out refused.  She told him if he wanted to live with the Rev, he'd have to divorce her first."

She shook her head and smiled as her eyes met his.  "I guess he knew she would say that cause he gave her the papers right there.  According to the papers she had two days to get her and me out of the house.  The only thing she was allowed to take was our clothes and her car.  For the third time she had to start over with nothing.  I learned a lot about my mom during the next few years.  She is one tough cookie.  If anyone could find a way to survive, she could."

She riffled through the photo album then held up a picture.  Nathan leaned forward and looked at the picture carefully.  He couldn't be sure, although it could be the same man.  He had only seen him from the side and he told him as much.  He watched in silence as she searched through the photographs, and then held up another one for him.  Shock ran through him as he recognized the man.

"I take it he was the man that shot her."

He shook his head in disbelief.  "Does the Reverend have that much of a hold on him?"

Cynthia smiled though it never reached her eyes.  "He turned out to be a rather weak and shallow man. Mom couldn't see it at first.  She was still getting over dad's cheating on her.  Nathan, I have pictures John sent me.  One of them has Diese in it. I also have letters he wrote telling me about the ideals and plans they had made.  If it'll help I'll send them to you?"

"Thanks Cyn, at this point any information is helpful.  I'll have Lieutenant O'Neil tell you how to get them to us."  He looked down at the academy ring on his right hand and spoke softly. "I'm sorry Cyn,  I wish there was some way of changing what has happened."

"Captain," her voice was soft and so like her mothers.  "Mom asked me to find something for her.  It was supposed to be for you birthday." She reached into the drawer and pulled out a small disk.  "I know that your birthday isn't for another three days, but she really wanted you to have this."  She put the disk into the video box.  "All she said was you had mentioned hearing it once and parts of it were going through your head."  She pushed the send button and waited for the connection.

Nathan reached out and hit the record button and watched for the light to stop blinking.  Then he reached forward to connect her with O'Neil.

"Captain, find them and put a stop to the killing.  Mom didn't deserve that from him."

"I'll find them Cyn. My promise to you."  The screen went blank.  He knew O'Neil would do what needed to be done.

His mind wondered back to the time Kristin and him had talked about different songs they had grew up listening too. He had mentioned a song that he had heard once.  He could only remember some of the words and they usually popped into his head when she was around.  Though he never told her that.  Those same words ran through his head now.
 

'Will you love me then,
will you love me when,
love is only human'
 

Since he could never remember the rest of the song he was never able to figure out why he would think of it and her at the same time.  He sat forward and hit the play button, then turned down the lights.  He leaned back as the song began to play, soft and slow.  The words sweet and gentle sung first by a man and then by a woman drifted up and surrounded him.  He let his mind drift where it may as he listened to the words.
 

`Tonight, I am the hero that you dream.
Tonight, I am the angel that you see.'
 

The voices blended together in the next lines.
 

`Tonight we shine with love so new,
but time alone will tell us what is true.`
 

Nathan leaned forward and hit the repeat button and laid his head down on the desk.
 

Cause time can bring an angel down to earth
And time stands every hero gainst the world.
When I am just a man,
When I am just a woman,
Will you love me then
Will you love when
Love is only human
 

Six hours later Jonathan found him there with the music still filling the room.  Ford stepped forward and touched his arm.  "Sir, we will be at the farm in one hour."

The Captain sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "I'll be up in a minute Commander."

"Yes sir."  Ford turned and walked out of the room.  The words to the song following him.  He shook his head trying to keep his feelings in check.  He wished he had John right in his bare hands.  How could the man do that to her.  Yea so she could be a bear when you crossed her and he definitely knew about that.  However he couldn't understand how someone that had been married to her.  Someone who knew the good side of her, hell someone who had been married to her.  How could he just up and shoot her.

He wondered how she could have married that kind of man.  Cynthia's letters along with how he had become involved explained a lot.  She had also talked to O'Neil for quiet some time.  No wonder the Doc hadn't married again.  Who would want to after a nut like that?  He pushed his thoughts aside and quickly made his way to the bridge.


Chapter Three
 

Chief Crocker slid into the room while Marion quickly shut the door.  Quietly he set the supplies down.  He motioned the children to him,  Then pulled the grate off the shaft.  Careful not to make any noise he divided the supplies amongst the children.  He helped Tina into the shaft first.  "Keep going straight.  Tell Jackson to wait for me.  I'm  going after the Doc."  A loud scream rent the air around them.  Crocker glanced at the door then back at her.  "Tell him we may be in a hurry,"  he whispered.

Tina nodded and moved into the shaft.  Crocker made sure all the children were inside then moved to help Marion inside.  "I'd like to wait with you chief?"

He shook his head.  "Sorry Marion, but I'm not even sure she's still there and if she is, we'll be moving pretty fast."  Crocker lowered his head, then gently put his hands on her shoulders.  "Besides Doc would have my butt if I didn't make sure you got to safety.  She can be a real bear when she's mad."

He watched as she smiled, then moved to the shaft.  "I'm counting on you to get her."  With extreme care he lifted her into the shaft.  "I'll have the Doc there to help deliver that baby."  She leaned out and kissed him on the cheek.  "Good luck Chief, and be careful."  Her face seemed to fall as gunshots echoed down the hall.  "Chief come on lets go." She whispered.

No he mouthed.  "I have to make sure."  He moved up against the wall and slowly opened the door.  All he saw was her body laying on the floor.  "Oh God."  He moaned and moved on silent feet down the corridor.  As he neared her body, she moved.  He ran the last few steps to her.  Carefully he lifted her to a sitting position.  "Doc?"

Her eyes opened slightly.  "Chief,"  she whispered as a loud explosion rocked the complex.

"Doc, we gotta move.  This place is going to explode any minute.  Can you make it?"

She tried to use her right arm to push herself up and felt a sharp pain run down her arm.  "I'll make it chief, if you can help me up?"

He eyed her suspiciously, but didn't argue.  She looked bad enough as it was and they didn't have time for the tongue lashing she'd give him if he said anything.  So instead he placed his hand under her left arm and began to lift.  She stifled a scream as the bones in her arm rubbed and grated together.  "Shit Doc, I'm sorry."

"We don't have time for niceties, Chief just  get me up and let's go."  She gasped as he nodded and tried again.  He steady her on her feet and moved down the hall at a slow but steady pace.  They reached the door as yet another explosion ripped through the complex.

Quickly Crocker gently lifted her into the shaft.  "I wish there was some other way.  If you can't make it let me know."

She rested her elbows on the cold metal as her eyes lit with humor. "I can't leave you to take the heat from the Captain alone."  She smiled and started to move forward.  "I really wish you'd go first."

"Oh no way Doc. You'll move a lot faster knowing someone's behind you."  She knew he was right as he climbed into the shaft.  A loud bang sounded behind them.  "Move it Doc!"

She crawled forward on elbows and knees as fast as she could.  She bit her lip to keep in the scream of pain she felt ripping through her arms.  Every time she moved the pain would increase.  She turned her mind to the hatch ahead and tried to concentrate on it, picking up her pace as she did. Drops of sweat ran down her face. She blinked her eyes rapidly to keep them clear.

She didn't know how far they had gone, but she knew she wouldn't be able to take much more.  The only thing that kept her going right now was the two more explosions.  She tried to remember if there were seven spheres or eight.  Jackson's voice startled her as he yelled from a few feet away.  "Come on move it.  The explosions are getting closer and I for one don't want to be here when the last one hits."  She felt rough hands grab her arm and shirt and pull her through the opening.

There was a soft glow of light a few feet ahead.  She forced herself to keep going.  Though she could see the blackness closing in around her.  The taste of blood was strong in her mouth.  Slowly she forced herself to stop biting her lower lip.  The hatch behind her closed with a loud bang.  Her vision began to blur as she moved forward.  Someone grabbed her arms and pulled her through the next hatch.  She screamed in pain and blessed the blackness that began to surround her.

Crocker rushed forward and lifted her through the last hatch into the relative safety of the cave. Two doors slammed shut behind them as an explosion rocked the small cave.  Dirt fell from the ceiling onto the people huddle there.  No one moved for thirty minutes as the explosions continued.

Crocker realized they must have hit the engines for it to last this long.  Finally, the darkness became silent.  Then one by one lights flashed on in the dank room.

Crocker sat up and brushed off the dirt from himself and Kristin.  She was unconscious, but still alive for how long he didn't know.  He looked up and found Tina standing in front of him.

"The women are making a bed for her and Ken and Don will move her for you."  Smiling softly she rested her hand on his arm.  "We'll take good care of her, I promise. Why don't you get some rest."

He nodded and watched as the men gently picked Kristin up and moved her across the room.  He spotted a rock step about seven feet long and wide enough for him to rest on just below the Doc. Standing slowly he moved across the damp dim room and sat down.  His eyes closing as soon as his butt hit the step.  Resting his head on the cold rock, he started to drift off to sleep.  As sleep won out he reminded everyone to turn on the air tanks.

Crocker awoke sometime later with a start.  From all the activity around him he figured he'd been out for at least eight hours. The farmers had not wasted anytime with settling in.  Blanket were spread out against the walls and somewhere near he smelled coffee.  He shifted his weight and sat up, grabbing the blanket as it begun to slip to the floor.  He lifted his head with a jerk as the aroma of the coffee drifted closer.

Tina was walking toward him and in her hands was a steaming cup.  A smile crossed his face and was quickly replaced with worry.  She handed him the cup and sat down beside him.  "I thought you might need this."  She whispered.  "We brought a couple of thermos' of it but they are almost gone now." Nodding his head he took a small sip.  It felt good going down.  The warmth was something he needed more than the coffee.  "How long was I out?"

She looked at her watch then back to him.  "Almost ten hours.  We figured you needed it."  She shrugged her shoulders.  "So we didn't wake you.  Besides we know what to do in this kind of situation."  His eyes met hers over the cup as he blew into the steam.  He watched as her cheeks redden and she turned away.  "Actually Stan put us to work."

He laughed at that.  If anyone knew what to do it was definitely Stan.  His eyes grew dark and he turned to her.  "What about Doctor Westphalen?  Is she?" He fumbled for the words.

"She is still unconscious." She looked down at her foot as she traced a design in the dirt.  "You care for her a lot, don't you?"  She turned and pointed to Kristin's still body.

"Yes she is a special person.  Although I didn't think so when I first met her.  She can raise cane when she is upset and most of us run for it when she gets her dandruff up. Why do you ask?" If possible her cheeks reddened even more as he turned to her.

She shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head.  "Well its just the way you treat her.  I figured you must really love her."  She quickly turned away. Crocker ran his hand over his coarse beard.  "I guess I do. Though I never really thought about it."  He watched her closely as she lowered her head.

"Oh," was all she said.  He slid down to the floor and got himself comfortable.  "You see,"  he replied. "She reminds me a lot of my little sister.  I guess you could say I love her like a member of my family. You see there is a very dear friend of mine on the ship. We go back quite a few years.  Before he went back to the SeaQuest, I promised to keep her safe for him." Her brows came together as the words soaked in.

"You promised someone else that you'd look out for her?"  Disbelief rising in her voice.

"Yea, The Cap has had a bad time recently and even if he won't admit that he cares for her, he does.  I like to keep my promise to him, but I would have done it anyway.  The Cap and her were there for me when my wife left. I figure I should be there for her now."

Tina nodded and spoke softly.  "Does the Captain love her?"

He smiled and leaned back to study her better.  She was in her early thirties with curly brown hair. Her topaz eyes glinted with a hint of mischief.  He enjoyed talking and being with her.  Crocker decided he wanted to get to know her better.  So he began to tell her all about the Captain.  "Half the crew think he loves her.  The other half thinks he might still be having a hard time with his wife's death."

"What do you think?"  She asked relaxing a bit more as they talked.

"I think he does but doesn't realize it yet.  It would be nice if they got together."  He chuckled softly to himself.  "Heck we even have a pool going for them.  Everyone got to pick the date when we thought they would finally admit it and quit fighting their feelings."

Her brow wrinkled slightly.  "It doesn't bother you, I mean about them?"

"No, why should it?"  He asked surprised.  Then it dawned on him and he began laughing.  "You mean with Kristin."  He laughed again.  "I told you she reminds  me of my sister and that's how I feel about her.  I am not in love with her.  Nothing would make me happier right now then to see them get together.  Why I even picked Nathan's birthday as the day."

"You're in the pool."  She asked, her eyes lighting up with pleasure.

"You bet.  Everybody on the boat is.  Well with the exception of Nathan and Kristin and we have been very careful to keep them in the dark."

Crocker stiffened as a soft muffled voice, he knew very well came from behind him.  "Not careful enough Chief."  Kristin's British intonation seemed to echo in the small room.  Her eyes were bright with fever and met his unblinkingly.

"Doc you're awake!"  He exclaimed rising a little.  Trying to think of something to take her mind off of the current conversation.  However he wasn't fast enough.

"Yes and oh what you can learn when people think you're out cold."  She tried to sit up and grimaced.

Crocker was at her side in a blink of an eye, helping her to a more comfortable position.  While Tina kept a tight hold on the blanket over her.  "You're looking better."

She rolled her eyes and tried to smile.  Her face felt like a punching bag.  She did a quick inventory in her mind of her injuries.  The cut on her stomach felt much better.  Her right shoulder hurt, but she could move it a little.  She needed to find out if the bullet had been taken out.  Her left arm hurt like hell and was quite swollen.  Other than that she felt she was in pretty good shape.

"Chief you shouldn't lie. Though it might make me feel better. It still isn't the truth."  He laughed and rubbed his chin.  "Is there any thing to eat Chief?  I seem to be a little hungry."

Tina nodded.  "I'll get you something.  Would you like some chief?"

Crocker looked up and his face softened.  "My name is Matt, and yes please."

"All right, Matt."  Smiling she turned and walked away with a bounce in her step.

Kristin's voice was low and slurred a little.  "Turning the ladies heads ay Chief?"  Merriment shining in her eyes and voice as she yawned.  A shadow passed over them.  She looked up into old grey laughing eyes.

"Bout time you woke up little lady."  Stan shook his head wearily.  "Either you are one lucky lady or the man that shot you was a lousy shot?"

"I'm lucky.  John doesn't miss."

Stan raised his brows then bent down beside her.  "I got the bullet out and cleaned your wounds."  He reached out and lifted a corner of the bandage.  "I would have done the other arm too, but."  He took a deep breath and continued.  "Bullets I know.  Broken bones is another story." He picked up a strip of cloth.  "We don't have real bandages, so I've been using what's left of your shirt."

His smiling eyes met hers.  "I need to check that cut on your stomach."  He raised his eyes to Crocker.  "Unless you want him to see everything God gave you, you might want to find him something to do."

Crocker's cheeks turned red as he quickly stood.  "Maybe Tina needs some help with the food."  He mumbled walking away.

Kristin's brown eyes shone with glee.  "I don't believe I've ever seen him so embarrassed."

Stan chuckled and lifted the blanket.  "Mmm not good.  Been bleeding again."  He removed the bandage and cleaned the wound.  "How you know this guy that shot you?"  His gentle eyes met hers.  "You tell me to mind my own business.  Won't hurt my feelings none."

Kristin let a small smile cross her face.  "It isn't any big secret.  I was married to him for a few years.  He was a weapons expert in the military when we met.  He became obsessed with some Reverend and one thing led to another and we divorced.  So that's the whole thing.  I told myself after him that I would never again get involved with a military man."

"Weapons expert.  Doesn't miss.  Well he missed this time."

"Or did he?"  She whispered softly.

Nathan stepped onto the bridge with a heavy heart.  The scene before him tore at his very soul.  The only trace of the community was the piles of debris settling on the ocean bed around them.  How could anyone survive that, he wondered.  "Commander send a launch out to pick up Benson, and have one search the debris."

"Sir do you honestly think they'll find anyone?"  Jonathan asked.  Nathan's eyes never left the screen.  "What do you think Jonathan?  This is worse than the mining camp."  Nathan let his eyes move around the bridge.  "No I don't think so.  However there is always hope."

A numbness as quite as death settled over the bridge.  Everyone knew the Captain had spoken the truth, yet no one wanted to believe it of let alone confirm it.

Lieutenant O'Neil's voice broke the silence.  "Sir, Secretary General Noyce on emergency channel."

"Put him on Lieutenant."

"Nathan, what in the name of God is going on down there?  I just got your report on the Haley Mining camp.  How many survivors?"

"There were only ten, Bill."

"Christ Nathan, there were over two hundred people there."  Bill looked up from his desk and took the paper her was handed from someone off screen.  He quickly scanned the page, his eyes darkened as he read the report.  His eyes were filled with a sadness as he stared straight at Nathan. "How many survivors form Downing?"

"None Sir."  Noyce raised his eyebrow at the anger he heard in Nathan's voice.  "How many of our people were there?"

"There were six.  One was in a launch and is being brought aboard as we speak.  He is the only survivor so far".  Noyce nodded and lowered his head.

"Captain Bridger your orders are...."

"Dammit Noyce don't give me that bullshit!"

"Sir,"  Ortiz's excited voice broke in.  "There is a small launch heading this way."

Nathan looked over to him.  "Sorry Bill duty calls."

"That's fine Nathan, I'll just stay on the line.  We need to finish this conversation."

Nathan felt his anger rising.  He didn't feel like dealing with Noyce or the UEO at this moment. However he knew that there was nothing he could do about it right now.  He spun around to face O'Neil.  "Lieutenant, hail them.  Find out what they are doing here."

"Bill we''ll find that submarine.  You don't have to worry about that.  They made sure of that."

"Nathan, you have got to stop them now.  We don't know how long we can keep this quiet."

Bridger's head came up with a jerk.  His eyes were alive with disbelief. "Keep it quiet. Bill are you nuts.  The communities down here need to be warned, so this doesn't happen again."

"Captain," O'Neil's voice shook slightly.  He knew it was wrong to interrupt the Captain, but this was important.  When the Captain's angry eyes touched his, he gulped and looked up at the man.  "Sir, the man in the launch wants me to patch him through to Admiral Noyce."

Nathan raised his brow in surprise.  "He says his name is Admiral Tony Crose, retired."

"Put him through Nathan and stay on line."  Bill replied as Nathan lifted his hand toward the screen.

"You heard the man Lieutenant."

A rough voice tinted with humor came over the speaker.  "Sally kick that worthless piece of shit, maybe it'll work better."

"Admiral Crose,  Secretary General Noyce here.  What can I do for you?"

"Well well looks like your doing quite well for yourself Noyce.  First of all I like to see whom I'm talking too.  So tell the Captain of that big ass sub to give me some visual of both of you."

At a nod from the Captain, the screen split and a gray haired man with wrinkly skin and laughing blue eyes joined Noyce on the screen.  The old man leaned forward and squinted.  "Ah Captain Nathan Bridger, I've heard  a lot about you. Hope your worth the trouble they went through to get you."  A wrinkled hand came from somewhere off screen and smacked him.

"Behave yourself you old fart."  A woman's wrinkled face appeared next to the admirals.  "Forgive him Captain.  He tends to forget himself now and then.  What with the turn of the century soon to be upon him what can you expect.  Every once in a while I have to remind him who's boss."

Nathan smiled and tilted his head slightly forward.  "He's forgiven ma'am."

"Enough of that Sally. I need to talk to these here men.  Why don't you kick that engine a few more times. I know it's got some life left in it."

They all waited in silence as the woman disappeared from view.

"All right Noyce, just what in the blue blazes is going on down here?  And don't give me none of that cock and bull about Classified shit."

Noyce's expression remained calm.  "I don't know what you are talking about, Sir."

Oh  bullshit.  My wife and I go topside to visit our grandbabies and come back to find our place blown to bits.  Now if that don't tickle your fancy, the only place we can reach in this old tub is flatter than the rainforests. To top it all off, the pride and joy of the UEO, sit majestically above it."

He leaned forward his wrinkled face mere inches from his screen.  "Now tell me you don't know anything and I'll just call your friend Miss Taylor.  I'm sure that nice reporter would love to get her hands on this story."

"Now damn it Crose, don't go pulling stuff on me like that.  Nathan will be glad to bring you on board and fill you in.  Good day Admiral."  Crose was dropped from the connection.  "Nathan, he won't tell what he knows, but he might be able to help. He's lived down there almost as long as you've been alive.  If anyone knows their way around those waters it's him."  Noyce broke
off the conversation as a piece of paper was shoved in front of him.  His mouth fell open as surprise spread across his face.  "Nathan, head for the Blue Oyster Resort.  It is reporting a submarine attack taking place as we speak."

"We're on our way.  Oh Bill... warn the others or I go public with everything."

"Nathan you wouldn't do that."

"I would and will.  You know me well enough to know I don't bluff on things like this.  How many dead people will it take before you get smart and warn them.  Two hours Bill."  He turned and nodded to O'Neil.  Noyce's face disappeared.  "How long before Admiral Crose is aboard Commander?"

"He should be here in five minutes. Course laid in for the resort, Sir."

Nathan turned and strode to the doors.  "Proceed to the resort and take Crose and his party to the wardroom.  I'll meet them in ten minutes."

Jonathan followed the Captain off the bridge  Bridger ignored everyone and headed straight for the Sea deck.  He had a job for Darwin and didn't have time to explain.  Bridger walked into the deck and headed for the moonpool. As usual Darwin was waiting for him.  "Bridger Play?"  The computerized voice asked intermingled with his clicks and whistles.  Everytime Nathan heard it, it filled him with awe.  Who had known that they would eventually be able to talk with a dolphin.

"No Darwin, I have something else in mind.  You don't have to do this," he said remembering Kristin's same words not so long ago.  He walked to the locker and got Darwin's aqua lung.  "Darwin you know that community below is gone?"

"Yes."  Darwin slid up and put his head near Nathan's hand.

"Well boy, I think there might be survivors, but we have another emergency to take care of about an hour south of here.  So we don't have time to stay around and search for them."  He reached down and began strapping the lung onto his back.  "We can't detect anyone, so I need you to look around for me."

Smiling Darwin lifted his head out of the water.  "Darwin look.  Find Chief, Kristin.  Bridger not be sad."

"Yes Darwin if they are alive find them."  His eyes grew sad as he watched Darwin smack his tail in the water and swam out of the pool.

Nathan contacted the bridge and had them open the doors for Darwin.  Then he slowly made his way to the wardroom.  Nothing seemed to be going right this week.

He stepped into the wardroom and stopped stunned.  His face became red and he coughed politely to let the elderly couple know he was there.

The Admiral lifted his head and smiled at him.  "No need to be embarassed Captain.  The little woman and I are used to people walking in on us. Besides at my age,  I take all the kisses I can get.  Then again you wouldn't know about that yet would you.  Your still young."  He sat his wife down and took the chair next to it.  His hand reached out and gently took hers in his. "So what is going on down here?"

Nathan was brief and to the point as he explained the situation.  "So you think everyone is dead at the farm."  The Admiral rubbed his eyes and sat staring at the table for a few minutes.  His wife Sally, laid her other hand on top of his and gave it a little squeeze.  Suddenly the Admirals head popped up and his eyes shinned.

"Captain, I know most of the people at that farm.  One man I know very well. Something isn't right."  Crose rubbed the temples on his head.  "I can't remember what it is right now but I will.  Give me a little time. If there is a way for them to survive, old Stan knew it and would get the others there. I have this vague impression of him mentioning something about it in our little talks." He stood and helped his wife up.  "If you'll show us where we will be staying we'll get out of your hair."

Lieutenant Ben Krieg walked in and motioned them to follow him.  Crose stopped and turned back.  "Oh Captain, thank you for allowing us to come aboard your ship.  I just hope we can be of some help."

Nathan nodded and sat back down.  He liked the old couple and felt sorry for them with the losses they had right now.  He just hoped that they too could be of some help.  At least the Admiral wasn't complaining about him catching those responsible unlike the miners.  He slowly came to his feet and made his way to the bridge.  They should be nearing the resort in a few minutes.  He wondered what else lay in store for them today, or did he really want to know.


 
 

~ To Be Continued ~