UTEOT: Exalted

* * *

Chapter One:

The Blue Pill

* * *

August 18^th, 2037

Shadow Warrior II

TJ’s quarters

Tracy Joanne Bridger (TJ) set the duffle bag on her bunk and yawned. It had been a long trip back to the Shadow Warrior’s berth, but the vacation she’d had was well worth the trip. It gave her a chance to heal, and a chance to think about the direction her life had taken. A knock sounded at her door, and before she could actually voice the permission to enter, Colonel Jason Yamamoto walked in. “Ah, I’d heard you’d returned,” he said good naturedly. “How was your time off?”

TJ shrugged, “It was worth the trip.”

He nodded his approval, “Good, good. Now, the refits are done, and we’re about to get underway.”

A side glance was shot her way, “And did you see Corporal Road?”

TJ flushed in quick embarrassment. Corporal Road and her had grown close over the last few tours, and it had gone beyond flirting. Hell, he had even been supportive when her grandfather had died a few years before. The fact that Yamamoto had mischievously, (and who gave him permission to be mischievous, anyway?) hinted that there might be something else going on was a bit close to what was actually going on.

She glared a bit at Yamamoto and was put off by his smile, “What? You think it’s a secret?”

“We were hoping so,” she answered. “We are not exactly ready to let that cat out of the bag yet.”

Yamamoto nodded sagely, then was startled with, “So, how is Jennifer and your bundle of joy?”

He looked at her for awhile, “They’re fine.”

* * *

August 19^th, 2037

San Diego

UEO Headquarters

The newly elected Secretary General looked out over the water of the Pacific Ocean. Turning to face Admiral Katherine Hitchcock, he asked, “The Chaodai, I can see, are more of a problem than we originally thought.”

“Yes sir,” she answered and then walked over to stand beside him. “Admiral Bridger was...”

“Contrary to popular opinion,” the new Secretary General, Yosef Sriosky, waved off her comment. “I’m not a fan of the Bridger’s. I thought that it was a prudent move on Secretary General Bridger’s part to step down. He was never suited for the job.”

“I see,” murmured Hitchcock. “Sir, whether or not you like the Bridger’s, Admiral Bridger was there and his report will have to be read at one point. Sir.”

Secretary General Sriosky looked at Hitchcock in vague surprise, “You... you like the Bridger’s?”

“Yes sir,” she answered. “I believe that both Secretary General and Admiral Bridger were highly skilled, and competent, at their jobs. I happened to look up to the elder...”

Sriosky sighed, “That is too bad, Admiral Hitchcock... but then women are more likely to get emotionally attached to someone with some semblance of authority.”

“Excuse me?” Hitchcock could only stare.

“Now, now,” he soothed, a bit patronizingly. “It is a well known fact. But you should learn to curb that desire to attach yourself to any male that...”

Hitchcock never heard the rest of it as she had walked out of the office, slamming the door on the
way out. She bristled all the way to her office. Those of lower rank hurried to get out of her
way. Sitting in her chair she put in head in her hands to try and quell the feeling that her head
was going to explode from the migraine. Her assistant walked in and poured her a coffee and
gave her two Aspirin. “How’d go?” she asked.

“Secretary General Sriosky is a sexist pig,” answered Hitchcock. “My God, it’s 2037 for crying
out loud. I thought that kind of backwards thinking was left squarely in the dark ages!”

Her assistant snorted. “S-G Sriosky is from the Baltic Confederation. The part of it still hasn’t
learned much about women and their capability.”

* * *

August 20^th, 2037

New Cape Quest

Bridger’s residence

Cynthia yelled up the stairs, “Michael! Time for school. Get down here!”

“Coming!” came the not so enthusiastic reply.

Robert watched as Michael nearly ran over him to make it to the bus before he missed it. He
shook his head and smiled at the simple joy it was. Cynthia watched, and Robert came up behind
her and hugged her. “‘Thank God, he’s old enough for school?’” he said as he caught her surface
thought. “I thought we loved the little brat?”

His wife elbowed him in the stomach, hard. He rubbed his middle as he closed the door and
followed her into the living room. “So, how’s your Mom doing?”

Cindy shrugged, “As well as can be expected. But Melissa and Walter are making sure that she
eats.”

Robert pulled out the advertisement for the realtor. He sat down heavily and leafed through it.
Cynthia sat across from him, “Are you really going to sell the island?”

“Well, we can’t use it, and... it doesn’t seem right that the house is not lived in.”

“We can use in on your leaves and vacations. It’s been the gathering place for the family, and the
crew, for years,” she pointed out. “It’s not just yours, even though he left it to you. It’s the
seaQuest’s too.”

“There is no seaQuest anymore. It died with my father.”

“There is the Redeemer.”

Robert looked up at her and sighed, then looked closely at her, “There’s something you’re not
telling me...”

She looked down, “Robert, I can’t take this anymore.”

His brows knit as a knot of fear threaded through him and she continued, “I used to thank God
that you no longer had to go to sea. I used to thank God that you were safer than you had been
when on active duty... but now... I don’t know anymore. You’ve changed...”

“My father was murdered, and the ones who paid for his death are still out there,” he stood and
gently took her shoulders. He seemed about to say something else, but merely buried his head in
her hair. “I don’t know what to do anymore either. What I know is that if we can prevent more
deaths like his, shouldn’t we? You used to take those same risks, Cindy. I know about you and
Malique... I know you freed those children from the Amazonian Confederation. This is the same,
only now the Chaodai have been brought to our very doorstep.”

She hugged him close, “I understand that. I wish it didn’t have to be us all the time that did the
saving. Why can’t we watch on the sidelines like normal people?”

“Because we’re not normal people. We’re not everyone else. We’re Bridgers,” said Robert
looking up suddenly. “Even if we wanted to, the legacy left to us calls out for us to rise to the
challenge. And believe me, I want a normal life– but that’s not for me to decide anymore.
Whether we like it or not, I’m the son of Captain... Secretary General... Nathan Bridger. And I
have to live up to it.”

Robert clipped on his name tag to his crisp uniform and, with tears of pride and pain, Cynthia
kissed her husband before he left for the office. She walked into her office and sat there for the
longest time, wondering, in all the sudden changes that had happened in their lives, when
suddenly her husband had lost his sense of home. Lost his sense of individuality. When he had
become part of the military machine– the son of Nathan Bridger indeed!– and when Robert
stopped being Robert.

Michael watched his father leave as well. The eleven year old didn’t like to see his father leave
all the time, but understood why. Finally he reached up to his mother’s hand and said, “It’s not
like he leaves for months at a time, Mom. He’ll be back tonight...”

She smiled wanly, “I know.”

* * *

PART ONE: The Original Quest

August 20^th, 2037

The Redeemer

Bridge

Early First Watch

The bulkhead doors opened to the bridge and Krieg closed his eyes for a moment as they did.
The design of the ship was much different than that of the seaQuest, but also hauntingly familiar.
The same technology, the same principles, had been flooded into her design. But the ship, from
the outside, looked nothing like her predessor. It still had the flattened bow, and she still had the
same aqua-jets at her stern, but gone was the long squid-like appearance, and gone was the
spherical docking bays amidship. Instead, there was a flatter appearance all the way down the
Redeemer’s hull. Her layout was similarly changed to suit the changing times and technology.

When he had seen her in dry dock a part of him mourned that they had changed around so much
in her design. A part of him was also glad that he would not be constantly reminded of the other
ship. He sighed as he opened his eyes again, the ringing sound ending as it signaled the doors
were now completely open.

He took one step down, then another, as he walked into the bridge and over the moon pool that
was set into, and even with, the floor. A wide, but wire-mesh catwalk connected the bridge to
the blast doors. He could see another two sets of similar doors to each side of the bridge.

He felt his breath catch.

It was the same... and yet so different... from the first seaQuest. Ben swallowed as he walked to
the centrally located command chair and touched the back of it. He looked around the bridge.
Like the first seaQuest, he would be able to see over the backs of his crew to the screens in front
of them. Unlike the first seaQuest, those stations, like the moon pool were recessed down
instead of up in spacey ‘pits’. The helm was also recessed down in front of the command station
and it was then that Krieg realized with some amusement that they had reversed the raising of
platforms. Everything else but the central command station was on the main level of the bridge.
The command stations were what was raised as they sat on the platform as he could see another
station below the command station with stairs on three sides... one fore and two port and
starboard. Through the mesh decking and then the clear transparent plating, he could see that
this was the engineering station on the bridge that fed to all stations in a central core.

It was a more streamlined and efficient set up than any of the seaQuests, not to mention a more
elegant one. Krieg walked to the foremost part that he could stand on the platform and leaned on
the slim titanium handrail as he overlooked the helm and navigation. With a sigh he closed his
eyes for a moment, then opened them.

Hearing footsteps behind him he turned to see Robert standing there, out of uniform, but still
exuding his command presence. Ben felt his own spine straighten slightly, but stay relatively
relaxed as he could see that Robert did it out of instinct now.

“It’s so... different...” remarked Krieg.

Robert looked up and over to Krieg, “Yeah. I like it, personally. It was my Dad’s original
design, but it was scrapped because it was ‘unfeasible’ at the original time of building, but things
have come a long way since 2012.”

“Like twenty-odd years, Bobby?”

“Exactly like twenty years of technology changes,” agreed Robert. “As well as many, many other
things...”

“She’s a fine ship,” ventured Ben. “I’d say the best of this new ‘seaQuest’ class of ship.”

Robert smiled slightly, “I think my father would have loved hearing that his design came so far
as to be dubbed a ‘class’ versus a one-time deal.”

They were both silent as they stared into the moon pool. “Sometimes I find myself talking to
think air... and thinking if something happens, ‘I can’t wait to tell Dad this... or Dad that...’.
Then I realize he isn’t there to tell anymore,” Bobby murmured. “The first time I found out that
Mom was dead and Dad was missing, it hurt. Then he was given back to me... only to be ripped
away in one cruel moment... and neither time I got to say good bye. This time I can’t. There is
no chance he’s coming back. There is no returning– and it hurts like Hell, Ben. Heaven forbid
this ever happen to another.”

Krieg had no response to that, nor could he actually say anything that would distract his friend.
He had long since grown out of saying anything, no matter how off the wall or insensitive,
simply to move a conversation away from a depressing one.

As luck would have, he didn’t have to.

“So this is the vaulted new flagship...” came a voice.

He saw Robert tense near involuntarily as he turned to regard the man that stepped on the bridge.
Following a little behind him, but he got the idea it was simply out of convenience than out of
respect... or out of the fact that the man had simply leapt off of the maglev quicker than she, was
a woman. “I’m sorry, sir, this is a restricted area,” started Ben before Robert interrupted him.

“Mr. Secretary General, Madam President,” said Robert gravely. “I must say I am rather
surprised at your being here.”

“The Secretary General was rather insistent on seeing the new ship,” the President of the North
Pacific Confederation, a woman Krieg vaguely remembered as being a Canadian named
McQueen. “As luck would have it, so was I.”

Ben didn’t have to be psychic like Robert was to sense the tension between the President and the
Secretary General. It was like the two could barely stand to be in the same room with the other.
“I must say that this ship is more than I expected, knowing who originally designed her,” said the
Secretary General.

“I’m sorry?” asked Ben. “Sir.”

“Given that it was designed by the vaulted Nathan Bridger, I am rather pleased to note that it is
free from mistakes, but given enough people have corrected them, I suppose it should come as no
surprise...” the Secretary General continued. “As it is, we have no idea how she will float, now
will we?”

Thankfully it was McQueen who answered that insult to Bridger rather than Bridger’s son who
stood beside Ben clutching at the command chair as if it was the man’s neck in his white knuckle
grip. Ben could see the tenseness in Robert Bridger’s neck and the barely restrained anger at
hearing this little man insult his father’s competence.

“Mr. Secretary, Secretary General Bridger was an excellent designer who corrected many a
mistake in our fleets,” responded McQueen with what politicians called ‘polite iciness’ as the
tone of her voice never changed from its light demeanor, except for the sharpness of a dagger
beneath the thin silk. “And I found him to be a fair and just man, if without the bluster most
politicians had, but at least one knew where they stood– unlike others I know.”

The new Secretary General turned to the President, seemed to be about to say something in
rebuttal, but looked at the two men and decided against it. “I suppose...”

“Not to mention that it was under Secretary General Nathan Bridger’s leadership that the
Macronesian Incursion into other confederation’s waters was halted in its tracks, and also the
Chaodai,” added Robert coolly, almost with the same smoothness as the President. “Heaven
forbid if someone without a strong hand had been at the helm of the UEO when the Chaodai
surfaced... Mr. Secretary.”

For the first time, the Secretary General took notice of Robert’s presence. “And you would be?”

“Ah, forgive me, Mr. Secretary,” began McQueen. “I introduce you to Admiral Robert Bridger.
Admiral, this is Secretary General Yosef Sriosky. He was inducted a week ago.”

Robert leveled the famous ‘Bridger gaze’ on Sriosky. “Mr. Secretary... an honor... sir.”

Sriosky’s eyes thinned. “Likewise, Admiral.”

Ben had a bad feeling about this tour if the Admiral and the Secretary General didn’t like each
other...

* * *

Lucas Bridger settled the duffle bag on his shoulder as he walked down the five steps into the
launch bay proper. Beside him Tim O’Niell settled his glasses on his nose as he looked around.
“Wow, deja vu?”

“No kidding,” remarked Lucas in response.

Deja vu was a light way of putting the launch bay. The chaos on board was amazing, but
thankfully it was mostly over as the officers finally settled into their new quarters as the last of
their personal belongings arrived from the mainland. “Yo, Tim! Lucas!” called a voice and they
turned to see Warrant Officer Anthony Piccolo run up to them.

“Hey, Tony!” greeted Lucas. “Why do I keep wanting to say, ‘Welcome to the new seaQuest’ all
of a sudden... it didn’t look like it from the outside.”

Tony smiled and said, “That’s because it’s a class of ship now. I would have thought you would
know what, Mr. Smarty Pants.”

“Watch it, Warrant Officer, I could still make you salute me,” Lucas mock warned, and as usual
Tony shrugged it off. “I like the name, though.”

Tim nodded, “The Redeemer– it does have a certain ring to it. Come on, you guys, I’m starved.
Let’s find out if the galley is in the same spot...”

“It is and it isn’t,” answered Lucas.

He had been on board already to guide the new crew members around, as well as help iron any
crinkles in the operating system of the computer and so knew his way around really well. As he
guided them through the corridors and listened to their banter he began to see a flash of silver,
then two flashes of silver as two dolphins swam through the aqua tubes. One, younger than the
mottled bottlenose that stopped and followed the three men, kept going at her breakneck speed
while the older male tapped his snout on the glass.

Lucas smiled, and as Tim and Tony watched, rapped lightly on the glass in answer. With a few
hand signals, he turned and said, “I told Darwin that I would see him later after I had lunch.”

“That was Darwin?” asked Tony in vague surprise, as Lucas nodded. “Who’s the other one?”

“Oh, that’s Amelia,” answered Lucas with a vague smile. “She started to come around a few
months back, and never left us alone after. Darwin won’t say, but I think she’s one of his.”

“Oh, neat...” said Tony. “Speaking of which... how’s JJ?”

Lucas’ eyes widened as he came down to an even keel. “Doing well,” he smiled a little. “Kim is
almost two and a half years old now...”

Tony smiled, “They’re cute at that age, eh?”

“Unbearably so,” came Lucas’ dry answer. “She said ‘Dada’ the other day and I nearly fainted.
She knows Jess too, calls her Mama, and calls Kristin ‘Gramma’...”

At this Lucas’ expression darkened. Tim laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, “I know you miss
him, Lucas, we all do.”

“Sometimes its so hard,” he murmured as they continued walking. “It’s as if I can see him
sometimes, and I catch myself talking to him, then I realize he’s not there anymore. Kim doesn’t
say ‘Grampa’ yet because there isn’t a Grampa to call for.”

* * *

August 23^rd, 2037

New Cape Quest

The Redeemer

Bridge

13:00 hours

Everyone was there who should have been there, although all the lower ranked officers were
already aboard the Redeemer, as were all the enlisted. But those not on duty watched the
proceedings of the official launch of the Redeemer with great interest.

As did the bridge crew that were ‘stuck’ on duty. Lieutenant JG Lucas Bridger sat at the lead
helm station and remarked, “I think I can see my Mom from here...”

A short bark of laughter was Lieutenant Commander Timothy O’Niell’s answer. “I can see her
too, Lieutenant. She’s hard not to spot considering she is the widow of the previous Secretary
General,” came Warrant Officer Anthony Piccolo’s answer from the second helm station.

“Shh!” derided Lieutenant Anna Maria Serrano, the chief sensors officer. “The S-G is about to
speak...”

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the UEO and of NorPac,” started Secretary General Sriosky. “It is on
this proud day that we accept this loan from the North Pacific Confederation on the behalf of all
confederacies and free countries within the United Earth/Oceans Organization. With the
Redeemer patrolling the seas as both a peacekeeper and a science vessel, we are assured that
this latest addition to the new line of seaQuest class ships will return said class to its original
purpose within the UEO– to keep the peace and to explore our oceans. It is a proud day– a
joyous day– to see this be realized once more after the long period of near war we were all
under...”

“Were?” wondered Lucas. “Aren’t we still? What about the Chaodai?”

“Shh!” came three simultaneous answers around the bridge.

“... and now with this new era of peace, we can all take a deep breath of relief and return to the
original mission. Thank you,” concluded Sriosky. “I now turn the microphone to the respected
President of the North Pacific Confederation, Selina McQueen.”

With that the President took the podium, “Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Ladies and Gentlemen of
the UEO and of NorPac of where I proudly call home. Two years ago, we suffered the worse
loss our country and our peoples could ever lose. Earth, and NorPac, lost one of its greatest
heroes to a terrorist sniper. I would like to speak of this today although I regret having to cast a
pall over what should be a happy occasion. But, as I feel losing Secretary General Nathan Hale
Bridger as close as I would losing my father, it should be said. It should be remembered. I add,
regretfully although it must be done, to the mission of the Redeemer of rooting out these
terrorists wherever they may hide, wherever they may cower, and crushing them. A time of
peace holds no amnesty for those who would attack a civilian target as they gave no amnesty in
return. We must all band together if any terrorist threats are ever to be ended.”

“Wow, go Madam President,” remarked O’Niell. “That makes me proud to be Canadian...”

“I now turn the mike over to someone familiar to us, Admiral Robert Bridger, the eldest son of
the late Nathan Bridger,” said the President as she moved out of the way and as Robert stood at
the podium in his full dress whites.

“I must admit I am not much of a speechmaker, and I would likely bore you,” began Robert, and
this was met with a few chuckles around the bridge. “But I would like to say how proud I am of
the crew of the Redeemer. I think I must have read all of your personnel files, and I can clearly
see that you are the best of your class, the best that the Confederacies have to offer. I hope you
meet most of you. With that being said, this tour is officially begun. In the next thirteen months,
you will have the opportunity to work with the best of the world, and see places that not very
many get to see. You will learn more than you will have ever learned before, and make
friendships that will last a lifetime. So what are we waiting for? Let’s launch this boat!”

With that they saw Commodore Krieg step up and crispy call into a PAL, although close enough
for the mike to pick up for the internex broadcast, “Redeemer, launch!”

“Lieutenant Commander McGregor,” said Tim, turning to the engineering chief. “I think that’s
your cue.”

“Aye sir!” came the engineering chief’s crisp answer as he punched a button on his console.

Lights below the command platform began to slowly light up and the near tomb-like silence
ended as a turbine noise began. After a few moments the lights came up to full and the side and
forward screens lit up with status updates and views from the WKRS began to feed in
information. “Engineering at full ready,” reported McGregor. “All at one hundred percent and
holding steady. Engineering is good to go, sir!”

“All WKRS feeding in information, all is quiet, and online,” came Serrano’s crisp voice.

“Navigation receiving info from both sensors and WorldNet GPS,” came the Navigation officer’s
voice.

“Helm is online and receiving feeds from engineering and navigation,” came Lucas’s voice. “We
are good to go here, sir.”

“Com is online,” confirmed Lieutenant Mara Johansen.

“All stations reporting in, sir, and reports are in the green and we are ready for duty, sir!”
confirmed Commander William Shan. “The Redeemer is ready to begin her tour.”

While he was the Head of Security on board, he also served as the third in command since
Miguel Ortiz had transferred to the Avenger. O’Niell could see from his own status screen by the
command chair that everything was in the green. Hitting a button he reported this to Krieg with a
short, “We are ready to disembark, sir.”

On the vidscreen, Krieg and everyone else had already turned to face the ship as the navigation
lights lit up as well as the other lights. With one final salute and more shook hands, Krieg was
on the shuttle with the last of the crew members to board. The entire assembly cheered for a full
five minutes.

* * *

August 30^th, 2037

13:30

Redeemer

It took one minute for the shuttle to dock with the Redeemer, two more for Krieg to get to the
bridge, another one for the last of the crew to be confirmed as on board and then Krieg said,
turning to O’Niell, “Let’s get underway.”

“Aye sir,” affirmed Tim, turning to the helm and navigation. “You heard the captain.
Navigation, plot a course for the Bahamas. Helm, take us out.”

* * *

August 30^th, 2037

New Cape Quest

Naval Base

Docks

Robert stayed in the full salute position for the near full seven minutes since Ben disappeared into
the shuttle the Redeemer began to pull away from the docks. Ever so slowly she disappeared into
the Atlantic until the only trace was the lights underneath the water. Then that was gone. He
took a breath and broke his salute to crisply turn around to face the President and the Secretary
General. “Madam, sir, it is time I also got to my own ship,” said Robert. “I respectfully take my
leave.”

The President nodded once, “Go protect our seas, Admiral.”

“Good luck, Admiral Bridger,” said the Secretary General, carefully bland.

Robert nodded, saluted and then walked off into the crowds.

The NorPac President watched for a long time, barely even hearing the Secretary General speak
to her and letting her Vice take over for a short time. She cocked her head sideways as they
walked to the limo that would take her back to the suites at the Sheraton in New Cape Quest. “I
have always wondered what goes on in that head of his,” she said to her vice president.

“A Bridger’s mind is a complex territory, Selina,” said her V-P, Martin Hawkridge. “You may
be better off not knowing.”

“Hmph,” grunted McQueen. “One thing is for sure, I don’t like the dweeb now in charge of the
UEO.”

“You and every woman this side of the world,” agreed Hawkridge. “S-G Sriosky is as sexist as
they come, hates the Bridgers and sees them as overblown idiots with more luck than sense. He
didn’t endear himself to most of the staff of the UEO HQ in less time than it took for Yamamoto
to take down Zellar.”

McQueen turned to face to V-P as the car made its way through the streets. “I only hope we have
not made a mistake in voting him in.”

“Only time will tell that, Selina.”

* * *

PART TWO: Past Resurfacing

September 1^st, 2037

The Redeemer

Underway to the Bahamas

Second Watch

Ben stretched his tired muscles as he walked to the galley for his dinner. His PAL went off and
he brought it to his mouth, “Krieg here.”

“Captain, we just received a transmission from shore. They say we forgot one crew member and
she will be picked up when we arrive at the Bahamas base,” reported O’Niell. “Evidently, she
was there the entire time.”

“What the Hell?” he muttered. “We know anything else about her?”

“No sir, only that she is a Seaman Second Class,” answered Tim blandly.

Too blandly. Krieg didn’t like this at all. Why would a Second Class Seaman be picked up
specially at a different port. It was unusual, but not unheard of if... Krieg cursed and he could
hear Tim’s smirk at the other side, “Yes sir, it’s exactly how we got Tony.”

“Tell Mara to pipe me directly through to Admiral Bridger. I’ll be in the wardroom,” he said as
he turned from the route that would take him to the galley and instead to the wardroom.

A few moments later he practically slammed shut the door and waited as the UEO Command
insignia was displayed. Finally, a few moments later, a young man with the rank bars of a
Lieutenant JG appeared on the screen. “May I help you, sir?” he asked.

“I need to speak with Admiral Bridger,” began Krieg.

“I’m sorry, he’s in a conference right now...”

“He’ll talk to me,” said Krieg. “It’s vitally important.”

For a moment the Lieutenant hesitated and then said, “Commodore Krieg, of the Redeemer?”

“Yes, that would be me,” Ben sighed, a bit frustrated. “Look, then maybe you can help me. I
was ordered to take on another crew member in the Bahamas, but I don’t have her personnel file.
As you know, it is regulation to have this in my files just in case, and also for security reasons.
Perhaps you can pull this up for me?”

The lieutenant nodded, “I can certainly try, sir. What is the crewmember’s name.”

“That’s just it, I don’t know. All I know is her rank; Seaman Second Class, boarding location
our Bahamas base. Possible Section Five detainee, but I don’t know that either,” answered Ben,
smiling disarmingly. “As you can imagine, I am a bit leery of allowing someone with no name
and a possible threat to security on board. She may not be dangerous, but I have no idea of
knowing that unless I know who she is.”

Not to mention that Commander Dane won’t like it, he thought grimly. If Dane caught wind
of her he would likely seal off the launch bay and insist on her being detained until her identity
was confirmed. Not to mention that it would also bring down Colonel Jason Yamamoto. It
wasn’t that Krieg didn’t like Yamamoto (he did like Yamamoto, truth be told...), but if there was no threat then he didn’t see any reason
for either man’s time to be unnecessarily wasted.

The junior lieutenant tapped on his keyboard, and then his face brightened, “You’re in luck,
Commodore. I can email you her information, as well as email it to your security chief and head
medical officer. As well, I see your CMO is not aboard yet either and is due to also be picked up
at our Bahamas base. I will send both files to you.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant, you’re on my ‘who’s going to get good Christmas presents’ list,” said
Krieg, his spirits greatly lifted. “Give my regards to Robert. Tell him that if he gives you a hard
time I’ll hear about it and I’ll kick his ass for you. Have a good day, Lieutenant.”

“Glad to be of help, sir.”

With that the connection was dropped and Krieg tapped in the commands to bring up his email.
Staring at the two files, he asked himself, Do I want good news or bad news first?

And which is good news?

He sighed and opened the Second Class Seaman’s file. Sitting down heavily, he put his head in
his hands, Well, I was sort of hoping to avoid that this tour...

She was indeed, a detainee. Imprisoned for being an accessory to a violent attack. It didn’t go
into details, but did mention that she was directly responsible for the attack, merely she didn’t
report it. If that was the worst she was responsible for, then Seaman Second Class Suzilia Razavi
was going to be welcome, if enigmatic, member to his crew. As that wasn’t too bad, he
continued to the next file and whistled in appreciation of the next file.

Granted, he had no idea who this guy even was, but his medical background and achievements
were impressive. He was no Westphalen or Levin, that was for sure, but he was a close third to
them all. Dr. Daniel Turin came with enough honors and two specialties that tied directly to life
on a submarine. He got up, after printing out the files on the laser printer supplied in the
wardroom, and took the files with him to his quarters.

Opening the door, he took a breath before opening his eyes to see his quarters again.

It didn’t seem to matter how many times he ever looked at them. They still reminded him of a
cross between the first seaQuest’s captain’s quarters and the second. Like the second, the
quarters were not on the outside wall of the hull, but inner so that the aquatube went right by it.
Unlike the second, the layout he saw was identical to the first set of Captain’s quarters. It was a
sight that never failed to remind him of how much had changed, of how much had been both lost
and gained.

He stepped into his quarters, dropping the files on his Lucite desk as he did so, a sigh on his lips.
Moments later, his PAL went off again. “Sir?”

“Yes, Commander?” he asked, recognizing Tim’s voice again.

“We are docking at the Bahamas Base and receiving a transmission from two Section Five
officers who are requesting permission to board,” answered Tim.

“Let them on and tell Commander Dane to meet me in the launch bay,” ordered Krieg, knowing
that there was no such thing as playing too safe when the ship was in question.

He allowed himself a brief yawn before leaving his quarters again, this time for the launch bay.

* * *

September 1^st, 2037

Speeder launch

Outside of the Redeemer

Bahamas

She was still a very young woman, barely out of her teens and appeared to be only twenty one.
She wasn’t attractive, nor was she entirely too plain. She just was. The only thing out of place
was her coppery red hair.

Oh, and the handcuffs and the armed guard.

Let's not forget about the armed guard, she reflected. It's not like I can lose them or anything.

The only other person on the shuttle was the tiny, weaselly man who, the minute the launch had
disembarked, had turned silent and brooding. He didn’t appear to like the small sub much, and
more often than not, questioned his own reasoning behind taking an assignment on board a tin
can that spent most of its time under more than a few hundred feet of seawater.

It was more like questioning his own sanity, but it was entirely too late to rethink it all now.
Well, at least he was not forced into going like his companion. If he didn’t like it after a few
weeks, he could at least put in for a transfer and know that he would get it. So prestigious was
this position on the Redeemer as it was like its predessor the seaQuest DSV that the waiting list
to even be considered was as long as the attractive redhead across from was a looker.

She finally looked at him and said, “What are you looking at?”

“Anything, so long as it is not metal and grating,” he said. “Although, querrida, how grating you
are remains to be seen.”

“Bakaro,” she muttered.

“Eyes forward, Razavi,” barked one of the MP’s. “Dr. Turin, it would be greatly appreciated if
you didn’t engage our prisoner in any conversation until she is on board the Redeemer.”

“Whatever,” she muttered again as she stared at the floor.

“Of course, sir,” said Dr. Daniel Turin as he continued to try and find something else to look at
that wouldn’t remind him of the ‘tin can’ feeling...

* * *

September 1^st, 2037

Redeemer

Launch Bay

Commander Jackson Dane leaned nonchalantly against a bulkhead. “So, let me get this straight...
you called me to make sure that one prisoner wouldn’t escape?” he asked. “With a due respect,
sir, this is hardly my job.”

“Humor me, Commander,” said Krieg as he turned to the bay doors as they opened.

The first person to exit was a guard, but soon after another came out escorting a heavily cuffed
young woman with red-blonde hair. The second guard escorted her down the steps and into
Commander Dane’s care. Shortly after he undid the chains tying the two sets of cuffs together,
and then her cuffs on her ankles and wrists.

She never said a word, preferring to watch everything in sullen silence. The first guard handed
over the papers to Krieg who looked them over briefly before handing them over to Dane and
Shan. “They are in order, sir,” confirmed Shan.

“Good,” said Krieg. “Thank you gentlemen.”

“She’s all yours, Commodore.”

The second guard called down the ladder, “Okay, Doc, we’re done here. Your turn.”

A small, lone man climbed up into the launch bay and walked out to blink in the sudden
brightness of the ship, “Well, at least it isn’t dank like that damn sub...”

Krieg lifted a brow, half turning to Dane, as if to say, It’s not the girl I’m worried about.

Dane lifted a brow and straightened, clearly picking up what his new commanding officer was
conveying. His respect for the thinner man went up a notch immediately if he suspected the
civvie to be the threat and not the obvious one of the prisoner. It had been his instinct too. “Dr.
Daniel Turin, I presume?” asked Krieg taking a step up to where the other stood.

The other walked down, settling his duffle bag on his shoulder as he held out his hand in
greeting. Krieg shook it and the other answered, “Yes, that would be me... ah... did the MP call
you a Commodore? I suspect you must be Commodore Benjamin Krieg?”

“And you would be correct,” answered Krieg. “I must say, this is unusual to pick up our Chief
Medical Officer after beginning the tour. You can guess I was slightly nervous about setting out
with someone leading our medical staff on board.”

“I’m sure my assistant, whomever they may be, would have been satisfactory, Commodore...”

“Captain.”

“I’m sorry?” asked Dr. Turin.

“The Commodore is only used if another Captain in my battle group is present to prevent
confusion. In most typical applications on board, my crew simply falls back on ‘Captain’,”
explained Krieg, who suddenly smiled in his ever present brightness. “I have a big enough ego
without that adding to it.”

“I’ll remember that, Com... I mean Captain Krieg,” said Turin. “Which way is the medbay?”

“Wouldn’t you rather settle into your quarters first?” asked Dane, still holding Razavi by one arm.

“Dr. Turin, Commander Dane. He leads the contingent of Navy SEALs on board,” introduced
Krieg. “And beside him is Lieutenant Shan.”

“Commander, Lieutenant, a pleasure,” said Turin, again shouldering his duffles. “Actually, I
only have one personal duffle to two professional. I would rather drop off my personal equipment first.”

Krieg nodded, “Commander Dane will show you there, right Commander?”

Dane nodded shortly, “It would be my pleasure to show the doctor around the boat.”

Krieg had to fight a sudden bout of deja vu at that comment. As history would have it, those very
words had been spoken by Commander Ford to Admiral Noyce about the then Captain Bridger
before he had taken command. It had been the first meeting between two men that were now
dead– killed in the same war that had taken Admiral Noyce’s life as well. The highest three in
the command chain of the original seaQuest... it was just enough to give Ben a serious case of the
creeps.

But Dane and the doctor were already leaving for the medbay, and Krieg turned back to face
Shan and Razavi. “Well, Ms. Razavi. It seems that we were not properly introduced. As you
have likely gathered, my name is Captain Ben Krieg. And I already know you are Seaman
Second Class Suzilia Razavi,” said Krieg, and then he sighed. “I will be completely honest, Ms.
Razavi, I’m not thrilled about having you here... but your personnel record shows that the only
crime you’re guilty of is knowing when to keep your mouth shut. Just so you know, depending
on the situation, I don’t consider that a crime. It’s who you chose to keep your mouth shut for.”

“It makes little difference,” she said. “I will not be here long. I’m never anywhere very long.”

“Maybe that can change,” said Krieg. “I judge by abilities, Seaman. You may even get
promoted if you do your job and stay out of trouble. And, if you want, you can stay without fear
of me transferring you out of my command. Are we clear?”

She shrugged nonchalantly, “It sounds fair, sir. I must admit it is much more than anyone has
ever given me.”

Krieg nodded, “Good then. Dismissed, Lieutenant Shan will show you your bunk and then I
want you to report to Lieutenant JG Ortiz for duty on the next watch.”

With that she followed Shan, leaving Krieg to reflect on his new tour in the launch bay before he,
too, went to his own quarters to finally get some sleep.

* * *

September 3^rd, 2037

Lieutenant Bridger’s quarters

The Redeemer

Early Third Watch

Usually when he dreamed he didn’t remember them. This was usually because they were not very clear, usually not so vivid. But this night was different.

“They torched the shuttle!” came a screamed voice that he recognized as Miguel Ortiz over the com.

All he could hear was gunfire over the com system in the Stinger. “Are we going to make it?” asked Dagwood quietly.

“I think so,” he murmured.

That brief moment of hope was shattered as he watched the seaQuest be taken out straight down the middle of the ship. He gasped in sudden horror and was surprised at the warmth as he saw his home, his ship, slowly sink bow first into the sandy floor of the sea on the alien planet. Then hope against hope, he heard Captain Bridger through the com, “Lucas, Lucas, can you hear me?”

“Yeah, Captain, I’m heading in.”

“No, no, there’s nothing you can do for us. What happened to the seaQuest?”

“She’s down, Captain, she’s been hulled.”

For a moment, Bridger was struck completely speechless. Then, when he came back on, his voice was somber, more subdued. It was the sound of a man that knew that he was about to die, and also that he was taking with him people that he wished he could save... “We’ve had it kiddo. You’re on your own now.”

You’re on your own now. If he only knew how accurate that was. An image of the bullet ripping into Nathan’s back and out his chest to cover Kristin in his blood and staining his shirt red overplayed the last words of Bridger on Hyperion.

"Just don't let them take away what you believe. Do you understand me? Not what you believe. You tell them what's happened here today."

In the background Lucas heard Ortiz shout as a ripping sound of metal and metal could clearly be heard over the communications system, “They’re coming through!”

“Behind you!” screamed someone, Lucas wasn’t sure who, but the connection was lost.

“No! Nathan, behind you!” screamed Cynthia as the glint of a gun on the roof of the Sheraton in Inverness materialized.

But it was too late.

It was always too late.

Lucas sat bolt upright in bed, trying to bring his breathing back to normal. He swallowed and let his head sink into his hands as sobs overtook him. Every time he thought he had come to terms with Nathan Bridger’s murder this would overtake him...

... Then he realized that the dream had been different.

He blinked as he allowed himself to remember what he could, which was pretty well the entire sordid dream in its entirety. In a rush, and banging his knees in the process, he got up and ran over to the desk and flipped open his laptop, starting it up and opening his word processing program. In a few short minutes, given the speed of his typing even when half awake, he had the details of the dream recorded before he could forget them. He stared at the white screen as the black lettering stared back out at him.

Hyperion.

He had been on Hyperion! He ran a hand down his face in thought. If he was remembering this now, what did that mean? Could only one person at a time ever remember what had happened on that planet and now that Nathan was dead he was now beginning to remember those missing years? There was so many questions and few answers, but as this was beginning to surface, he got the sense that soon there would be a few more answers as well as a few more questions...

* * *

PART THREE: The Releasing of the Arms of Lethe

September 4^th, 2037

The Redeemer

The galley

Krieg walked to notice more than a few tired, haggard members of his crew slowly moving from place to place. He sat down a similarly tired looking Tim O’Niell. Tim looked terrible. His eyes looked like two burned holes in his head and he had dark circles under his eyes. He was also paler than Ben had ever seen him. “Hey, Tim, sleep wrong?” he asked.

Tim shook his head, “Nah, had a really bad... strange... dream.”

“Strange? As is how?”

“I... think it was about Hyperion...” murmured Tim.

Lucas looked up, “No way, you too?”

Krieg looked from one to the other, “Everyone of you on board that was missing for ten years meet me in the wardroom in ten. I think this needs to be explored...”

Tim and Lucas got up immediately, their breakfasts forgotten. As it was, Krieg was suddenly not
all that hungry either. He took at least an apple, smiled over another memory that brought up,
and walked to the wardroom where Seaman First Class Dagwood, Warrant Officer Anthony
Piccolo, Lieutenant JG Lucas Bridger, formally Wolenczak, Lieutenant Commander Timothy
O’Neill waited. He stared at the four with a slight sigh. This was all of the group that remained
together from the second tour although those from the first were now adding to it.

Krieg and Shan being the two from the first tour.

He sighed, and said, “It has become startling clear that you have all had a shared dream where
you are remembering what happened in the ten years you’ve been missing. If not, then I suspect
it could be about to start.”

“They have started,” said a slightly haunted Dagwood. “Mine started shortly after the S-G died.”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?” asked Tony in surprise.

“I thought I was the only one!” he defended. “Had I known, I would have said something. But I
didn’t know what it meant...”

Krieg nodded as he sat down at the head of the table after closing the door, “I think it remains to
be asked; how many people do you want knowing this detail? I know that the UEO may suspect
that the S-G knew, but after that point of him being elected in, I don’t think they could touch
him. He’s gone, and with it is your protection if you all start remembering if this reaches the
wrong people in command.”

Lucas nodded, “We all know this. I think we have started remembering because we’ve actually
had enough time to settle... and enough time to really reflect on how much is changing since
losing the Captain.”

“So,” asked Tony. “What of the others– Brody, Henderson and Ortiz?”

“And Wendy,” mentioned Tim quietly.

“There’s a chance they are also beginning to remember,” said Lucas. “After all, we are. Tony,
what can you remember?”

“A lot of shooting. I remember Captain Bridger hitting the button on the remote. That’s all I
remember,” he answered somberly. “Everything went white as if someone lit up a sun in that
cramped space. I don’t even know how we survived...”

“That’s a question we all wonder,” said Tim. “I remember hearing a rushing noise, but the clam
doors to the bridge closed before any water could flood it. Everything went dark. I could
remember hearing Ford breathing in the silence. He said, at that point, ‘No matter what happens
now, we know that at least Captain Bridger would know what to do.’ But I have no idea what
happened after that. I must have passed out...”

“I remember the raft,” said Dagwood. “And the force of the alien ship exploding. I remember
feeling as if my tongue was going to explode out of my mouth after Lucas had passed out from
thirst. I think I passed out then too.”

They looked at each other as they each filled in the gaps of where each other was and at what
point in time. Krieg watched then finally called the Avenger. Captain James Brody stood on his
bridge and Krieg said, “Captain, gather the crew that went missing for ten years with you and
meet in your wardroom. Make sure the communication is one a secure line.”

“Aye sir,” said Brody as the connection was dropped.

A few moments later on the screen was Lieutenant Commander Lorraine Henderson, Captain
James Brody and Commander Miguel Ortiz from the Baycourt II. Krieg took a breath and said,
“There’s no easy way to ask, so I will simply ask; Have you all been having dreams of another
planet called Hyperion?”

Henderson and Brody looked at each other startled, and Ortiz leaned back in his chair. It was
Ortiz who answered, “Yes. I remember trying to fight our way off an alien ship. I remember
hearing the explosion go off.”

A quick glance at Lonnie and Jim on the Avenger, and their pale faces, confirmed that they also
had the same dream. “I think we should meet on the Redeemer. Miguel, bring Captain Nalepa
with you.”

* * *

September 4^th, 2037

The Redeemer

The wardroom

Mid-Second Watch

The view outside the three ringing ships around the Redeemer was an impressive one. All the
ships were on the cutting edge of technology although the Redeemer by far was the most
advanced of them all. While it was slightly smaller than the original seaQuest it was no less
impressive.

The other ship, using the same bio-skin technology was the Avenger. It was a third of the size of
the seaQuest DSV II and the design of the modular ship was different in look and shape but it
was clear it was also built from the same principles of technology that the seaQuest had been
built on. The third member of the vanguard, and the smallest was the Baycourt II. This was the
former command of Captain Oliver Hudson before he took a position on shore to be closer to his
family.

And he had left his mark upon the ship and with the crew. Everyone was at their peak form and
did their duty with a brisk efficiency. Everything remained clean and shiny as per Hudson’s
strict, but fair, training. Now, even while he was no longer in command, what he had trained into
his crew remained out of an efficient habit. While Captain Ishtiaq Nalepa did nothing to
discourage this, sometimes he admitted to his commanding officer that the efficiency sometimes
felt like a ghost was in command instead of him...

Ben Krieg sighed and turned from the view port outside the ship and to the assembled crew
within it. Here was the remaining members, minus Wendy Smith-Hudson, who had come back
from Hyperion. They simply stared at each other in sadness, almost seeing in their memories that
which happened, but not sure how to tell each other how they felt or how to support the other in
their confused feelings. Nalepa moved close to Krieg and said, “I’m glad some sort of
explanation is finally coming to light. Although it is torturing them now, the knowledge will
bring them some closure after not knowing for so long.”

Krieg only hoped that was the case and gently led the taller man out into the corridor. “I don’t
think this is our place. They’re clearly uncomfortable with us in there. Come on, the officer in
charge of the galley tells me that one of his people made fresh coffee.”

“Coffee sounds good, Commodore,” said Nalepa.

Ishtiaq Nalepa was from the Middle East Confederation, and his home country of Pakistan was
dangerously close to the Chaodai border. Krieg could tell that there wasn’t a day that went by
that the man didn’t think of his family or worry about their safety. While he came from a
relatively peaceful part of that area, being so close to Chaodai territory held a constant worry of
whether that peace would be shattered if the Chaodai suddenly decided to expand their territory...

Unlike most Pakistani in the UEO, Nalepa never even bothered to hide his origin or his accent
and was proudly Hindu. He never ‘westernized’ except when in uniform at which point he was
as strict with his uniform as Hudson had been when Nalepa had been his Executive Officer. The
influence here was very much evident in the way the man stood and carried himself.

The two walked into the galley and silently had their respective cups of coffee when the first of
the group walked into the galley and sat down at the table. Krieg wasn’t surprised to find that it
was Brody who was picked. “Captain,” said Krieg. “How did it go?”

“We would like to get together with Dr. Smith, if its possible. She may be able to tie the
memories together so that Lucas can program them into the holographic interface,” said Brody.
“That way we can get a timeline to help us fill in the gaps. I don’t know how important this is,
but it would help us get a piece back from our lives.”

Krieg nodded, “I’ll talk to Admiral Bridger about setting up the meeting. We’re heading to Pearl
soon as our course will take us there. It won’t be immediately, but when we do get to Pearl for
shore leave midway into our tour, I will make sure that this is arranged ahead of time, Captain.”

“Thank you Commodore,” said Brody. “That puts my mind at ease. Lucas says he’ll work on it
in his spare time so it won’t interfere with his duties.”

“Good,” said Krieg as Brody got up to return to his own ship. “Captain, if its any consolation, I
hope you learn what happened too. For your own sakes you deserve to know what happened
even if it isn’t the most pleasant memories.”

“Sir, I see it this way,” said Brody, halfway out of the door. “The worst already happened during
the blockade of New Sao Paulo. This is simply another part of our past.”

Brody nodded a bit sadly, then he turned to leave after a brief salute. Krieg leaned back in his
chair as Nalepa took a sip of his coffee. The silence between them was indeterminate but finally
it was broken with, “And what if the reason they are now remembering is because they must?
Because if they don’t something will happen, Commodore?”

Krieg turned to him, a bit surprised. “Eh?”

“Why is it that they remember these things now?” asked Nalepa thoughtfully. “Why not before?
What if ‘before’ there was no reason to but now that there could be a reason for these memories
to surface? From what I have gathered with the way they have suddenly turned dark and
introspective that there was some sort of battle... some sort of war perhaps?... but why else would
an entire military vessel be stolen and their memories erased but for one elderly captain?”

Ben blinked in surprise as this began to sink in. Nalepa had a point as much as Krieg dreaded
thinking on the repercussions. “Oh Jesus...” he breathed as he looked the other captain in the
eye. “I never even thought of that, Ishtiaq.”

“That is why we can never make our way in this world alone, Commodore,” said Nalepa. “We
are a community that holds each other up.”

Krieg looked at Nalepa who was still nonchalantly sipping his coffee, “Did anyone tell you that
you are one of the most insightful men in this navy?”

“Captain Hudson often told me that, Commodore,” said Nalepa, who suddenly smiled. “Not to
mention I play a mean game of chess...”

I bet, thought Krieg as they finished their coffees. Captain Nalepa left for his own ship while
Krieg wandered the halls of his new ship, listening to the sound of the near silent engines as he
did. He walked to the seadeck where he saw the two dolphins circling in the moonpool. He sat
down on the catwalk above the moon pool letting his legs dangle over the edge as he stared into
the water.

A few moments later Lucas sat down beside him. “I still can’t believe we’re remembering after
five years.”

“Perhaps it was simply time,” mused Krieg. “Perhaps whatever blocks the memories is wearing
thin and allowing it to happen.”

Lucas stared into the water where Darwin and Amelia swam. “Ben, in a way it scares me. All
we can remember right now is that last moment before we all passed out in one shape or
fashion... and then we woke here,” Lucas looked away. “But soon we will remember how we got
there, and what happened. Then I... I don’t really want to know what happened after.”

Krieg looked at the haunted expression on Lucas’ face. “You feel something else happened after all of that?”

“Somehow the seaQuest was rebuilt. Somehow we ended up back here,” said Lucas. “I don’t think Captain Bridger was the only one awake during that time. And I feel as if something bad happened...”

“Bridger remember,” came the computerized voice of Darwin. “Darwin remember.”

The two looked down at the bottlenose dolphin as he lazily circled, “Darwin... how much to you remember?”

“Remember all.”

Krieg and Lucas looked at the dolphin in shock, but it was Krieg who gained his voice first, “How long have you known? Have you remembered?”

An irritated slap was the answer as the dolphin blew water upwards. “Since coming back. Since returning to home.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?” asked Lucas in disbelief.

“You never asked,” came the peeved reply, and the computer actually translated the annoyed sound. “And it was not time. You did not remember. No purpose unless mutual understanding.”

* * *

PART FOUR: Shadow Guardians & Enemies in the Shadows

September 6^th, 2037

The Redeemer

Exact Location Unknown

He wandered the corridors on the third watch, the dead watch where all the science crew slept as
did most of the military section. It was near silent and the lights were at half to simulate night to
give the crew a sense of night and day. He cradled the device tenderly, knowing that it was
delicate and would break if mishandled. Finally he reached his destination and looked one way,
then the other. Not seeing anyone, including those damn dolphins that found it a game to ‘tag’
someone then follow them around, he ducked down into the level of the ship known as the
‘bilge’.

Like all state of the art vessels, especially modern ones, there was not an official bilge, but every
ship had its level that would never be used for one reason or another. While this level was left to
the exclusive domain of engineering and therefore was clean, but looked like some mad engineer
had left most areas unfinished.

It was here that he moved from one node to another until he smiled as he found the one he was
looking for. Standing on his tip toes he took the device and expertly spliced it into the little used
node judging by the build up of dust, solder resin residue and other oily patches. The device was
then nestled into the build up of wiring and the man simply walked away and back up to the
civilized part of the ship...

* * *

September 7^th, 2037

UEO HQ

San Diego, CA

Robert walked to his office and as he walked through the door, Yamamoto met him halfway,
following him into the office. When the door closed, Yamamoto turned to him and said, “You
wanted to see me?”

“Yes, I was wondering if I could steal TJ back from you to assign her to the Redeemer,”
answered Robert. “Seeing as the Shadow Warrior is unfortunately lost at sea and your entire
crew is based here.”

Yamamoto sighed, “Of course, except that there is already one person from my team on the
Redeemer, as this person was on the seaQuest, both under your command and Mr. Krieg’s.”

Robert slowly looked from his paperwork up to Jason Yamamoto and blinked slowly as the
comprehension dawned on him, “Come again?!”

“I have an agent working under my direct command working on the Redeemer already. Ms.
Dasher’s presence on board is not required in addition to this agent’s,” answered Yamamoto
cooly, professionally. Then the formality broke as he sighed and leaned on Robert’s desk.
“Look, Robert, it was the only way I could ensure the safety of the crew, and of NorPac and the
UEO. Thanks to this agent, not only did I know when I should show up and when, but also if I
shouldn’t.”

He smiled, “At least I cared to take notice of when I should turn a deaf ear.”

“I see,” said Robert, leaning back in his chair. “And you say this ‘agent’ of yours is still there?”

“Yes, an officer, actually,” he answered, then he touched the side of his nose. “Now, now, my
friend, do you think I will honestly tell you more than that?”

“How many more of your people are in our midst without us knowing?” asked Robert, leaning
forward again, drumming his fingers on his desk.

“Besides the one on the Redeemer? Well, there is one on the Avenger, the Baycourt II, and of
course on the Aurora II. There is one in your staff on shore and another on Admiral Hitchcock’s
on shore,” answered Yamamoto. “There is also one near to the S-G at all times, as well as two
with President McQueen. I will be frank, it is my job to see to security and I do it.”

“So, there is, in effect, a full team of them working on this project? What do you call this?
Project I-Spy?”

Yamamoto’s eyes held a bemused, if vaguely annoying expression, “No, Admiral... Robert... I
call it the Mission Inner Circle for obvious reasons. I failed once and it ended disaster when
Farina fired that fateful shot, I will not do so again and see history repeat itself.”

For a moment, Robert was speechless at Jason’s vehemence. “You really looked up to my Dad,
didn’t you?”

“I did,” said Jason. “When I first learned of him in the academy, Admiral, and then again
through Section Seven, I emulated him. All of this has been my attempt to match his
achievements, his greatness. I must say I have not been so successful.”

“No,” said Robert. “You are more successful that you realize. Look at your own achievements.
They speak for themselves...”

Yamamoto’s PAL went off and he looked at the text messaging part of it, then looked at Robert
with a small smile, “I would like to continue this conversation, perhaps even let you in on who
watches over you, but I find that I have to meet with my people. Perhaps another time,
Admiral?”

“Yes... of course,” agreed Robert and before Yamamoto was completely out of the door he left
him with one more thing to think about. “Jason, we’re all human and we all wonder how things
might have been. But there is nothing we could have done and what we know now we didn’t
then. We did the best we could with what we had. Don’t beat yourself up about it. My Dad
would never blame you for his death. He would blame the man who shot him. And even you
cannot be everywhere at once.”

Yamamoto turned and said, “No, I cannot. That’s why I have my people watch over you and
yours... that’s why they are there.”

With that the Japanese man left his office. Robert leaned back, his leather chair back and he
turned to face the huge window to look out on the ocean. “Dad... I know that there’s little point
in talking... it’s all too late now... but somehow it makes me feel a little better than somewhere
out there you’re out there watching over us. You and Mom. I guess the only positive thing is
that you and her are finally together again,” Robert closed his eyes as he whispered into the
silence. “Dad... I miss you so much.”

The silence was broken as his vidlink began to chirp signaling that there was an incoming call.
He turned back around and touched the voice only link. “Bridger.”

“Admiral, I’m sorry to disturb you but Commodore Krieg has called back again, and this time he
says its vitally important,” came his assistant’s voice.

“Put it on a secure line and pipe it here,” said Robert.

“Aye sir.”

A few moments later, and with the bottom display showing that the signal was securely
scrambled, he stared at the image of the Redeemer wardroom which was filled with crew from
both ships in Krieg’s vanguard.

But it was interesting to note, except for Captain Nalepa, that it was only those crew that had
returned from Hyperion on the seaQuest DSV II. He looked from one grim face to the other, and
his sense told him instantly what was up. Without a word he stared at them all, then turned to
Krieg, “Permission Granted.”

“Thank you sir,” said Krieg.

“Gentlemen, Lady,” he acknowledged. “If you would excuse me I would like to talk to the
Commodore in private.”

They nodded and filed out. A few moments later it was only Krieg in the wardroom and Robert
in his office. “When?” was all Robert asked.

“A few days ago they all began to begin to have dreams, no... nightmares... about their time on
‘Hyperion’. A bit of investigating revealed that they were no dreams– they were their memories
finally resurfacing after five years,” filled in Krieg. “There’s more. Darwin knew the entire
time. He said ‘Bridger remember, Darwin remember.’ It appears that the only two that
remember everything was Darwin and Nathan.”

“Why didn’t he say anything?” asked Robert.

“In his terms, we didn’t ask, we simply assumed that he was like everyone else,” answered Krieg.
“Listen, Bobby, I’ve classified this. If this reaches the wrong ears we’re seriously screwed.
Section Seven will be all over this for what they know.”

“Section Seven isn’t the worry, Ben,” Robert took a breath. “Listen up, Ben, because this is only
for you to know. Colonel Yamamoto let me in on something.”

Krieg straightened slightly in surprise, “Uh oh, what is it now?”

“I want to keep one eye firmly on your crew and keep an eye on any that have been around since
both me and you served on the seaQuest when I was in your position now,” said Robert.
“Because one of those is one of Yamamoto’s and has been the entire time.”

“What?!” Krieg stood straight, standing from where he had been leaning on the wardroom table.
“Are you telling me that one of my crew is a spy?!”

“Relax, Ben, it’s not as bad as you think. This ‘officer’ knows when to keep their mouth shut
and when to pass things on to Jason. He, or she, is there for our security,” said Robert. “At least,
that’s the impression I get from Jason...”

“It’s just that it caught me by surprise, that’s all,” said Krieg. “Hell, that would mean that this
agent of Yamamoto’s operates out of our chain of command. There is literally someone that can
refuse my orders on my boat, or have orders that won’t match my own!”

“Yeah, true, but that same officer falls under Katie’s chain of command. Remember who
Yamamoto answers to.”

“Admiral Hitchcock,” realized Krieg. “It makes me feel a little better, although not by much.”

“Same here,” mused Robert. “It looks like we’re still working with our old friend, eh, Ben?”

“It would seem it,” said Ben, shaking his head. “It would figure that she would figure out a way
to watch over us. Just like old times... eh? She’s still keeping us out of trouble.”

“She gets us into as much trouble as she keeps us out of,” Robert sighed.

He didn’t like this cloak and dagger crap one bit. At one point neither had Katherine Hitchcock
but now it seemed that only was she in the middle of it, but she was also handing out their orders.
Or, at least, taking the orders directly from the head of Section Seven, the ever mysterious
Damiene, and being the visible head of that organization. “Just keep an eye on your crew,
okay?” said Robert. “Knowing who to tell to pass along a cry for help should you require back-up outside of your battle group is simply a handy method of ensuring you have someone to watch your back.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” groused Krieg. “Take care of yourself, Bobby. Krieg out.”

With that the vidscreen blanked to display the UEO logo. Robert half turned his chair to look out of the massive window as the sunset framed his face.

* * *

September 8^th, 2037

The Redeemer

Medbay

Dr. Turin sat at his desk going through his paperwork. At first he had been a bit reticent about
working on the Redeemer but so far the size and overall roominess of his ‘tin can’ had caught
him by surprise and it was not near as bad as he had thought. He was going through the
personnel files that were flagged as being overdue for their general physical and contacting each
of those crew members behind on it.

On of those was the supply and morale officer, Lieutenant JG Mackenzie Ortiz. He sighed as he
paged her PAL and waited for her to answer. Finally her bright and cheerful voice answered,
“Ortiz.”

“Ah, Lieutenant, this is Dr. Turin. I was wondering if I could talk to you when you aren’t too
busy.”

“Not a problem, Doc, whenever is good. I can be there in five, is that good?” she asked,
seemingly oblivious to the fact that he was calling her there for a physical.

“Perfect, actually, I have a few things I would like to go over with you,” he said, seeing as he
moved on that he did– there was a few supply issues as well.

He sighed. It would be best to go easy on her if he expected her to help him expediently in the
future... and then at the very moment his computer finished printing it froze.

What the Hell? he wondered. Just my luck... He placed a call to the Chief Helm officer, who was
also a computer expert. “Lieutenant Bridger?” he asked.

A young man’s, younger than any lieutenant had right to be, answered, “Bridger here.”

“Lieutenant, my computer just froze,” he started amicably as possible. “I heard this rumor that
you know your way around them...”

“Yeah... I have a bit of a hacker reputation,” he said. “I’ll be down in five, Doc.”

Turin winced. He was a bit old fashioned and the ‘Doc’ bit wasn’t very endearing to him. The
former CMO must have encouraged the lack of decorum but this had to be nipped in the bud.
Unfortunately now was not the time to nip it. “That would be fine, Lieutenant.”

“Great,” came Bridger’s voice as the link severed.

Turin sighed. The personality mix on board ran the gamut from dour to bubbly and reserved to
sociable. Unlike most military vessels a certain amount of lax attitude to rank was evident. He
wasn’t sure how much to expect.

As if on cue, and precisely five minutes later, Lieutenant Ortiz walked in with her clipboard in
hand, “You wanted to see me, Doctor?”

He blinked. Then again, it seemed it only applied to when on the PAL. Maybe a method of
getting as much of a message into as short a transmission possible? It was curious but now was
not the time to muse over it. “Yes, I did, Lieutenant, for two reasons. First is I have a shortage
of everything I put on this list,” he shrugged. “It happens. It’s a new ship, I was thinking
perhaps not everything got here yet...”

She consulted the clip board, which he saw was a tablet PC that was folded with the screen
facing out. She tapped a few of the icons on it and brought up the listing, “Let’s just see. Ah,
here it is...” a few more taps brought up his listing. “... Yes, actually, there is a crate overdue, but
the tracking PIN has shown it to be at our next port of call where the missing supplies will be on
board. Anything else, Dr. Turn?”

“Turin,” he corrected. “Yes, actually, there is. When I was going through my own files I noticed
that your physical is due...”

Her eyes widened in surprise, then the small Hispanic woman smiled, “Oh, you got me. I didn’t
realize it was, but whenever you would like to get this over with I can be ready.”

“If you have time, how about now?” he suggested. “My computer is down, but fortunately I am
still old fashioned enough to believe in the old paper and pen method.”

“Oh,” she said, mildly surprised, checking her own schedule. “Well, as luck would have it, I do
think I have enough time. I do have a meeting in an hour...” she tapped an icon, bringing up her
email program and quickly picked one of her pre-set quick messages to send to her colleagues
PALs in the form of a text message. “... but now I have re-scheduled it. That gives a window of
three hours, is that enough time?”

“Plenty,” he answered. “Have a seat over there and strip down to your underwear...”

At that moment, Lieutenant Bridger walked in if his tag indicated the right person. But it
couldn’t be right... the young man was the splitting image of Dr. Lawrence Wolenczak. The
young man said, “And the computer that froze on you would be where, Doc?”

Turin winced, “No offense, Lieutenant, could you please not call me ‘Doc’? If you really, really
have to be so informal, Daniel will do it, otherwise Dr. Turin or simply Doctor will suffice.”

“Sure, Doctor, not a problem,” as Bridger walked to the computer indicated by Turin.

Turin took a short look at Lieutenant Bridger before walking in to see Ortiz in the typical linen
gown. “Let’s get this over with and you back on duty, Lieutenant...”

* * *

A/N: Would you like to keep going?

Yeah, yeah, I know! I said that MNU would be the last! But hey, I say things aren't going to last like Bridger said he was never going take command of the seaQuest in the first place...