Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:41:04 +0800 From: jsa@curricula.net Subject: "Red Sky At Night" - primer X-Sender: jsa@curricula.net To: stoleyl@cadvision.com, Ruth Skiba-Otway , JASwo@aol.com, Andy X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32) Hi! As Hudson's unofficial PR person, it's nice to know people are actually interested. :o) Just remember, you asked for it. ::g:: Things to know about the author: 1. She is seriously insane. 2. She is susceptible to bribery. 3. She is madly, madly in love with sQ's Lt. Tim O'Neill so hands off. ::g:: 4. She is overworked and underpaid so if there are any typos in there, be kind. 5. She knows who you are and will hound you for comments. ::g:: Jessi ********************************************************* Hercules: You're insane. Callisto: Just misunderstood. - "Surprise" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys The Goddess of War Homepage http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1730 "So You Want To Be A Tedite?" http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/issue6/albano.html ********************************************************* Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:41:23 +0800 From: jsa@curricula.net Subject: "RED SKY AT NIGHT" 1/4 X-Sender: jsa@curricula.net To: stoleyl@cadvision.com, Ruth Skiba-Otway , JASwo@aol.com, Andy X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32) RED SKY AT NIGHT a seaQuest 2032 story by Jessi Albano Part One based on characters from seaQuest DSV and seaQuest 2032 *** *There are worse things to be, I suppose, than the child of a hero.* *Though not many.* (From the journal of Captain CS McKellar, 34th Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force) *** "Captain, we're picking up a distress signal on the universal frequency," announced seaQuest Communications Officer Lt. Tim O'Neill. "Put it on screen, Lt.," ordered Oliver Hudson, Captain of the seaQuest. "On screen now, Sir," stated Tim, fingers flying over his command board. A young man appeared on the main seaQuest screen, wearing the headgear of a jet fighter pilot. Boldly embossed on the front of his helmet was an artist's depiction of lightning, with the word "Cleaver" inscribed in large letters. On the left side of the helmet was another drawing, this time of five interlocking swords forming a circle. "Mayday, mayday," shouted the young man over the noise of his airplane. "This is Lt. Michael Sebastian of the Winged Blades, 34th Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. I am requesting assistance. If anyone can hear me, please respond."" "Lt. Sebastian, " answered Hudson, "this is Captain Oliver Hudson of the seaQuest, state your position, and tell us how we can help." "The seaQuest!" breathed the pilot in relief. "Thank God. My squad was on regular patrol when we were attacked, without provocation, by unidentified hostile planes. Four of our planes are down. I repeat, four of our planes are down." "And your Squadron Leader?" asked Hudson lowly. "Captain McKellar, too." A sudden noise distracted the pilot. Behind him, the seaQuest crew could see fire rapidly spreading through the cockpit. Grimly, the pilot turned his back on the fire and continued. "I am certain that at least two of my team managed to eject. I am relaying the coordinates of their last location to you now." "Lt.," said Hudson grimly, "I suggest you get out of that plane right now." "Stand by for the coordinates," stated the pilot, ignoring Hudson. "Eject _now,_ Lt.," repeated Hudson, a little more loudly. "Coordinates transmitted, have they been received?" asked the pilot. "Coordinates have been received, Lt.," answered O'Neill hurriedly. "Now please eject so we can come pick you up." Lt. Michael "Cleaver" Sebastian of the Winged Blades, 34th Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, smiled wryly. "The seaQuest," he said, a little wistfully. "I would have loved to have seen that." There was a split-second flare of light and his signal terminated. "O'Neill!" barked Hudson. "I'm sorry, Sir," said O'Neill quietly. "We lost the signal. The plane went down." "Did he get out?" asked Warrant Officer Anthony Piccolo into the hush that followed. "I don't know, Tony," answered O'Neill. "Henderson," barked Hudson. "Get those coordinates. I want us there before anyone else, is that clear?" "Sir," protested Lt. Henderson. "I can hardly guarantee..." "Just do it, Lt.," Hudson growled., cutting her off. "Commander Kimura," he turned next to the woman at weapons control. "I want you and Piccolo in the water as soon as we're within range. I want those pilots safe and I want no mistakes." "Aye, Sir," said Kimura coolly. "O'Neill, " he snapped at the comtech. "Set up a grid over the area, if anything so much as breathes out there I want to hear about it." "Yes, Sir," Tim said, his fingers once again busy at his keyboard. "Wolenczak, I want a scan of that area. If there's anything out there to identify those hostile planes I expect you to find it." Lucas nodded and went to work. "Commander Ford," Hudson said, turning to his XO. "Sir?" asked Jonathan waiting for orders. Suddenly, Hudson stopped, seemingly running out of steam. "You have the bridge." Hudson said quietly. "I'll be in my quarters." "Aye Sir," Ford answered solemnly. Hudson gave a short nod and then left. *** "What was that all about?" asked Tony after Hudson had left. "I have no idea," answered Ford. "But the Captain _is_ Canadian. Maybe he's just really... patriotic." Kimura gave a quiet snort. "Commander?" Ford questioned. "You have something to share?" "If the Captain wanted you to know, he'd have told you himself," she responded coolly. "But he told you, is that what you're saying?" Henderson asked. "He didn't have to tell me," answered Kimura. "That's why I know." She turned on her comlink. "Dr. Perry, prepare medbay for a priority one rescue. Two, hopefully four pilots, survivors of an aerial firefight and a crash in the ocean." "Very well, Commander," answered Perry. "I'll get on it stat." Kimura turned back to Lonnie. "Henderson, what's our ETA?" "Twenty minutes," Henderson answered. She nodded. "Commander," she said, turning to Jonathan. "I need to speak to the Captain. Permission to leave the bridge?" Ford nodded his assent. "Piccolo, we'll need assault crafts for this, get them ready. I'll meet you in the launch bay in 15 minutes." *** Kimura knocked at the door of Hudson's quarters and entered without being asked in. Hudson didn't look surprised to see her. "Well." he commented sardonically, turning his attention from the painting he was studying. "It seems Choadai courtesy leaves a lot to be desired as well." "She's in open waters, Captain," she said without preamble. "I need to know how far to go." Hudson went rigid, his eyes bright with suspicion. "I don't understand the question, Commander," he growled. "That wasn't a secure transmission, Captain," she stated flatly. "Any number of ships could get there before we do. And according to those coordinates, they're right on Bourne's doorstep." "Yes," he said, grimly trying to out-stare her cool eyes. "And I still don't understand the question." "How badly do you want her back, Captain?" she asked coldly. "How far do I go?" "You are a UEO officer!" he snapped. "I expect you to do your duty like the soldier you profess to be." "A good soldier follows the rules," she retorted calmly. "Is that what you want me to do?" He laughed then, a short bark of laughter, half-disgusted, half-admiring. "You know, don't you?" he asked rhetorically. "My God, you're lethal. Pure poison." Then, self-mockingly, "I suppose I should be thankful you decided on O'Neill and not me." "It's easier to deceive people who actually still trust others," she answered matter-of-factly. "You were never even in the running." He gave a short nod, unable to argue with her statement. "How did you know, Commander?" he asked, almost quietly. "I keep telling you, Captain," she answered. "You cannot afford to underestimate the Choadai. No one's safe. Not even your Captain McKellar." "The Choadai," repeated Hudson grimly. "Did they do this?" "I don't know yet," she responded "But your Captain McKellar and the Blades are the best the Canadians have. There's only one team I can think of that's better." "A Choadai team, no doubt," growled Hudson. "Yes," agreed Kimura. "If you're so goddamn proud of them, why did you leave?" he accused angrily. "Why try to deny that you're one of them? "I don't deny it, Captain," she answered without emotion. "I _am_ one of them. I have to be or we don't stand a chance. Now give me an order. I'm wasting time here." "You already have your orders, Commander," he said. "Now get out there and do your job." She nodded, accepting his dismissal. She turned to leave. "You know, Captain," she stated quietly before she left the room. "One day you're going to have to make a decision. Try to do it before it's too late." *** After Kimura had left, Hudson sat down heavily upon his chair, the Choadai warrior's words echoing in his mind. *One day you're going to have to make a decision.* *Try to make it before it's too late.* He didn't understand how she could have known, but she did. He hadn't fully understood the danger the Choadai represented until now. They knew his weaknesses, his secrets, his fears. And if they knew this, what else did they know? He laughed harshly, in self-mockery, self-derision. Him, Oliver Hudson, Captain of the seaQuest, hiding in his quarters because he couldn't face what was out there. Because he was afraid of what he'd find, what he'd learn. They thought him so brave, so hard, so strong. Who would have thought, who could have known? Please, God, he thought, putting his head in his hands wearily. Please, God. *** "Commander," came Piccolo's voice over the comlink. "We found three of the pilots. I'm coming in with them now." "That's great news, Piccolo," congratulated Ford. "And the other two pilots?" "Commander Kimura is still searching for them," answered Tony. "She said you should tell the Captain right away." "Of course," Ford said "Anything else to report?" "Um, not really," Tony answered. He wondered if he should mention the two blips that had appeared on his sensors screens for a half-a-second before they disappeared. But with his dyslexia and what his Mom termed his over-active imagination, he had learned not to mention things that no one else verified. "Very well," Ford said. "Good job, Tony." He turned on his comlink. "Captain," he said into the link. "Piccolo is coming in with three of the pilots." Silence, and then a quiet question. "Their squadron leader?" "I'm sorry, Sir," Ford said. "The identities of the pilots have not been verified as yet." "Very well, Commander," said Hudson. "I want Perry standing by in the docking bay to meet that launch, is that clear?" "Aye, Sir," Ford answered. "But Perry _always_ meets the rescue team in the docking bay," said Lucas, confused. "It's standard procedure! What _is_ wrong with the Captain?" *** "What's wrong with her?" demanded Hudson as they carried in a young woman who was unconscious and bleeding from a head wound. "I don't know yet, Captain," answered Perry shortly, a little sarcastically. "They just brought her in." "Well, don't just stand there," he growled. "She's bleeding, do something." "I would if you'd get out of my way," she responded wryly. "Don't test me, Doctor," he snarled. "This woman is _my_ patient," she answered coolly. "And _you_ will leave the medbay if I have to sedate you and drag you out of here myself." Her voice softened slightly. "We'll take good care of her, Captain. I promise." He continued to glare at her out of sheer principle, then nodded and left the medbay. It wasn't until he was outside that he allowed his shoulders to sag and his head to hang down in defeat. Please God, he thought again. Please, God. On his way back to the bridge he met Ford, who was with a young man wearing the blue uniform of the RCAF. "Captain," Ford greeted. "This is Lt. Joseph Callahan, of the 34th Squad, RCAF." "Call me Ax," said the young man, pumping Hudson's hand enthusiastically. "You can't imagine how grateful I am to you and your crew, Captain. How are Captain McKellar and Lt. Gage?" "Dr. Perry, our Chief Medical Officer, is with them now," answered Hudson. "You'll be notified as soon as we know anything." "Thank you, Captain," answered Ax. "And when your people find the other members of my team?" he requested. Hudson nodded. "We're just going in to debrief the Lt.," announced Ford. "Would you care to join us, Captain?" Hudson shook his head tiredly. "Carry on, Commander," he said. "I'll expect a full report. though." "Of course, Captain," Ford nodded, as if Hudson hadn't just requested another thing was that considered standard procedure. *** Hudson paced the length of his cabin, his footsteps incessantly pounding the carpet. He'd never been particularly claustrophobic, but at the moment he was feeling the walls closing in on him. He'd finished his two hundred push-ups. Done another couple of hundred abdominal crunches. It wasn't working -- he couldn't lose himself in the routine, in the discipline. For the first time in his life, his body and his mind refused to be in sync. It had been an hour and a half and the wait was driving him insane. "Captain?" He almost pounced on the comlink at the sound of Perry's voice. "Yes, Doctor?" "Captain McKellar is in stable condition, Captain." He hadn't realized that he was holding his breath until he released it. "Is she awake?" he asked hoarsely. "Not yet. She's suffered trauma to the head, after all. It could take a while, but all signs indicate that she'll be fine." A small pause. "You can come and see her now, Captain." "Very good, Doctor," he responded. He was just about to terminate the link when he hesitated. "Doctor?" "Yes, Captain?" asked Perry. "Thank you," he said quietly, intensely. The answering voice was just as quiet. "You're welcome, Captain." *** Continued... ********************************************************* Hercules: You're insane. Callisto: Just misunderstood. - "Surprise" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys The Goddess of War Homepage http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1730 "So You Want To Be A Tedite?" http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/issue6/albano.html ********************************************************* Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:41:30 +0800 From: jsa@curricula.net Subject: "RED SKY AT NIGHT" 2/4 X-Sender: jsa@curricula.net To: stoleyl@cadvision.com, Ruth Skiba-Otway , JASwo@aol.com, Andy X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32) RED SKY AT NIGHT a seaQuest 2032 story by Jessi Albano Part Two based on characters from seaQuest DSV and seaQuest 2032 *** "Captain?" asked Piccolo softly, unwilling to disturb Hudson's vigil. He had been sent there by Ford, who had become worried by Hudson's odd behavior. Hudson had spent the last four hours in the medbay, seated at the bedside of the air force Captain. Hudson didn't answer, didn't move. He was as still and as silent as the unconscious woman on the medbay cot. Tony felt cold, standing there in the medbay. Cold and uncomfortable, an intruder into this private pain, and yet held there by a strange, inexplicable fear. He had never seen the Captain like this, not even when Fredricks had... Not even when they had lost Freddy. Even then Hudson had held together, the pain held in check by years of training and uncompromising self-discipline. This Hudson looked broken, defeated, pain and helplessness washing through him in almost palpable waves. This Hudson looked like he could very well stop breathing if the lovely Captain McKellar but showed signs of distress. Tony continued to look at Hudson, torn by duty, respect and concern. He wanted to leave, wanted to stay, wanted to shake Hudson until he snapped out of this strange, sorrowful trance he seemed to be under. That last impulse was the strongest. He wanted to shouted at Hudson. Wanted to scream: No! Not you! Don't do this to us! We need you to be strong! But here in the dim light of the sickbay, Anthony Piccolo was faced with the truth. His Captain was as human as the rest of them. His Captain could be lost just as easily. "Captain?" he asked again, unable to stand the silence. "Have you ever been in love, Mr. Piccolo?" Hudson's voice was low, so low that Tony almost didn't catch the question. "Sir?" he asked, confused. "I asked you if you've ever been in love," Hudson repeated. Tony hesitated. "Just once, Sir," he answered softly. "Have you?" Hudson asked again, his eyes never leaving the young woman on the bed. "The kind of love where you see someone smile and suddenly, what's left of your soul isn't yours anymore? Suddenly you're whole and free, and nothing else matters but that you see that smile again, again and again, everyday for the rest of your life? And you know all the consequences but you say the hell with them because suddenly you have the one thing, the one missing piece of you, and you could no more turn away from it that you could turn away from the ocean air?" "Just once, Sir," Piccolo repeated quietly. Hudson looked at him then, and spared him a small wry smile. "Yes," he agreed, before turning his attention back to Christian. "It only happens once." Tony stared at Hudson's back in bewilderment. Hudson, talking about love like a heartbroken schoolboy? The Captain of the seaQuest looking so wistfully, so longingly at the young woman's face? _Hudson?_ The air force Captain was lovely, certainly, but Hudson couldn't be serious, could he? The woman was young enough to be his --. _His daughter._ The realization burst upon Tony with the suddenness and the clarity of a solar flare. Captain Christian McKellar. Hudson's daughter. "She's lovely, sir," Tony stuttered, unable to think of anything else to say. "You must be very proud." Hudson smiled sadly, reminiscently. "Her mother's daughter all the way," he said. "Though I've been told she has my eyes…" Tony sat down beside Hudson. "Sir," he said tentatively, "if you want to talk about it..." "What is it you'd like to know, Piccolo?" Hudson asked harshly. "How it happened?" He remembered now, though it had been so long ago. 2010. Just out of the Academy with three months to kill before his commission started. He'd decided to spend them with his Canadian cousins. Anything, anywhere, just so he wouldn't have to go home and face that big empty house. He'd met Melissa on his third day there and that had been it. It had been such a cliched meeting -- she had been his cousin Rachel's best friend. He could still remember how Rachel had teased him about it, but he hadn't cared. All he had cared about was Melissa. He could still see her if he let himself -- her sunstreaked hair, her bright hazel eyes, her contagious laugh, and the way she had made him feel. Most of all he remembered the look of recognition, of certainty, on her face when they had first met. And he had known that she had seen exactly the same look on his face. She hadn't been surprised when he had shown up on her doorstep the next morning. Nor had she been surprised on the next day. Nor on the next. He had been amazed at how fast three months could pass, at how each day could blend into the next until suddenly, unbelievably, it was over. There hadn't been any tears when he had left. There had only been promises. "We were so young," he said to Tony, wistfully, "so certain of the future. We made such plans. We thought there'd be time. We thought we had forever." "We all think that, Sir," Tony responded quietly. He had called her everyday, bribing his fellow ensigns, begging favors, bullying them when asking nicely hadn't worked. Then, seven weeks into his commission, war erupted in the North Pacific. The North Pacific. They had lost so much there, so many friends, so many lives. He had hated every minute, had been appalled and repulsed at every turn. There had been many times when he wasn't sure if he could go on, many times he wasn't sure if he even wanted to. But he did, he had to, because he was fighting to keep her safe. Because fighting on meant that he could go home one day. To her. He had survived it all, all the horror, all the blood -- all for her. All for Melissa, who still waited, who still believed. All for Melissa. All for nothing. "By the time I made it back," he told Tony ruefully, "Melissa was gone and my daughter was celebrating her 2nd birthday." It seemed cathartic now, his telling Tony -- spilling his guts, his guilt, his pain. He had come back from the war a shell of a man -- starved, broken, maddened by pain. When he had learned that Melissa had died -- aplastic anemia complicated by childbirth -- it had seemed as if all reason had disappeared from his world. And then they had introduced him to his daughter, Christian. How could explain the emotions that had torn through him that day? All the love and joy warring with the pain and loss Melissa, of himself, of everything else? Christian. She had been so small then, his daughter, so brave and beautiful. So happy. And he had felt so dirty, so empty, so... dead. He had actually been afraid to go near her, afraid to touch her. Afraid that he would infect her with his rage, his sorrow, his... death. "I gave her up," he told Piccolo. "I gave her away." "My God, Sir," muttered Piccolo, in disbelief. "You did what?" "I asked another cousin, Vicky, to take her," Hudson answered, smiling grimly. "Vicky and Bob had a nice house. They already had two kids, Andy and Sarah. I decided she'd be happy there. Safe. She'd have parents, and a brother and a sister." He laughed harshly. "She could even have a pony if she wanted." "But, Sir..." protested Tony. "I gave her up," Hudson repeated. "I gave up everything. _On_ everything." He hadn't had the heart back then to face life, to face the memories carved so indelibly on Christian's young face. So he had turned his back on all that and went back to the navy to face his death. The Korean Conflict had seemed a blessing at the time. He had been reckless, foolishly brave. He had taken chances at every opportunity, daring death. He had volunteered for every impossible task, for every suicide mission. His `courage' had earned him commendations left and right, had earned him the reputation of being the best goddamn sub-fighter in the UEO. He had been unbeatable, unstoppable. No one could touch him, no one could hurt him. Maybe they'd known he was already dead. "And you haven't seen her since?" Tony asked, quietly. Hudson shook his head. "Does she know?" Tony asked next. "Yes," Hudson answered, somberly. "It seems Vicky didn't do everything I asked. She decided that Christian deserved to know who her real parents were. She had the insane idea that it would be better that way." "And has she tried to contact you? Your daughter, I mean." "Tried to contact me?" Hudson laughed, harshly. "You don't know my daughter, Mr. Piccolo. She did more than try. When she was thirteen years old she ran away from home and made it all the way to Cape Quest to see me. Vicky said Christian had decided it was time we met." "And?" prompted Piccolo. "I sent her back," said Hudson. "I don't understand, Sir," said Piccolo. "Why?" Hudson shrugged. "By that time the seaQuest had already disappeared. The UEO had its hands full with the new confederations scrambling for power and Bourne was starting to become more than just a threat.. I was in the Indian Ocean, trying to maintain some semblance of order for the UEO. When McGath's transmission came in, I was in the middle of a firefight with the Macronesians..." His voice trailed off. "What could I do, Mr. Piccolo?" he asked, helplessly. "I told McGath to put her on the next plane back to Toronto." "You didn't even talk to her on the vidlink or anything?" Tony asked. "No. I sent her back. No explanations, no apologies. Just told McGath to send her back." "Captain?" A sudden new voice interrupted. Tony and Hudson both started at the voice. Ensign Ciara Simeon, the newest member of the seaQuest crew, stood at the medbay doors. "I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir," she said, "but Commander Kimura has just come back from her latest run. She's found the last pilot, Sir. I'm sorry to report that she's dead, too. They need you on the bridge." Hudson nodded. "I'll be right there, Ensign," he answered. Simeon acknowledged and left. "There you have it, Mr. Piccolo," said Hudson, again turning to Tony. "The movie of my life. Fade out. The end." "I don't think so, Captain." Piccolo said, smiling wryly at the unconscious woman on the bed. "After all, your daughter is here, isn't she? There has to be a reason the both of you made it this far." Hudson stared at Tony. "You don't understand, do you?" He asked. "I hated my Father so much, for so long, and he didn't do to me half of what I've done to my daughter." He looked at Christian one last time before turning away. "You're right, Captain," nodded Piccolo. "I don't know your daughter. I have no idea how your daughter feels about you. But then," he added quietly, "neither do you." *** "Captain," greeted Lt. Commander Heiko Kimura. "Commander, report," ordered Hudson. "We were lucky, Captain," began Kimura. "Apparently, no other vessels were within range of Lt. Sebastian's transmission." "Have we found anything on those hostile planes?" he asked Lucas. "Nothing in the waters, Sir," answered Lucas. "According to Lt. Callahan," began Ford, "it was an unprovoked attack by three unidentified, unmarked planes... Apparently, they engaged the Blades with no warning or declaration of intentions..." "And?" prompted Hudson. "According to Lt. Callahan, Lt. Sebastian winged one, and Captain McKellar apparently shot one down." "Shot one down?" asked Hudson. "Ensign?" he snarled at Lucas. "There was nothing in the waters, Captain," insisted Lucas. "I want another scan of that area, Ensign Wolenczak," growled Hudson. "Every rock and plant. If there's so much as a ball bearing out there I want it found, is that clear?" "Aye, Sir," gritted Lucas. "Have you notified that RCAF that we have their pilots?" Hudson asked Ford. "No, Sir," Ford answered quietly. "Lt. Callahan requested that we wait for Captain McKellar to regain consciousness so she can make the report herself." "That's highly irregular, Cdr.," said Hudson. "You know the rules as well as I do." "He was _very_ insistent, Sir," answered Ford, adding blandly, "and considering the irregularities we've already committed, I decided it wasn't too outrageous a request." "You got something to say to me say it straight, Commander," said Hudson, coldly. "And if you don't like how I run my boat you can always leave." "Captain, " interrupted Kimura, forestalling any more hostile words. "There's more." "Yes, Commander?" "Lt. Callahan claims, as did Lt. Sebastian, that they were on an ordinary patrol run..." begun Kimura "And?" "The Blades are the best the Canadians have, Captain," said Kimura. "They're considered to be part of the Canadian Special Forces. They _don't_ go on ordinary patrol runs..." "Lt. O'Neill," Hudson said. "Get Lt. Callahan in here, will you?" *** Tony Piccolo was sitting with Hudson's daughter when she very reluctantly opened her eyes. He didn't precisely know what he was doing there, he didn't even know the RCAF Captain. Perhaps it was an unexplained sense of connection with the young woman, or perhaps it was because of his respect for Hudson. Hudson had been right. Captain Christian "Kris" McKellar had her father's eyes. They were dark brown, the color of melted chocolate. Like Hudson's they flashed fire, intelligence, alertness -- exhibiting none of the cloudiness or disorientation that usually characterized a concussion or recent unconsciousness. Her eyes fell on him and he saw only mild confusion, mild concern. "Where are my men?" she asked. "Are they alright? Who are you? Where am I?" He wasn't surprised at the order of the questions. Like Hudson she had put her men first. He decided to answer the easiest question first. "You're on seaQuest," he responded and watched in fascination as a shutter seemed to fall behind her eyes. "The seaQuest," she echoed quietly, stonily. Tony nodded. "And my men?" she asked again. As if on cue Lt. Ax Callahan entered, his eyes lighting up as he saw that Christian was awake. "Kris!" he greeted her happily, going up to her bedside. "You're okay!" "Please leave us, Mr. Piccolo," she requested softly, reading his name off from his uniform. "My Lt. and I need to talk." With a short nod, Tony left, determined to bring the good news to Hudson personally. "Report, Lt.," Christian ordered softly after Tony had gone. "Our team?" "We lost Star and Cleaver... I mean Ginger and Michael," Ax answered heavily. "Gage?" she asked without emotion. "Dagger's here. Broken wrist and collarbone. He's in a lot of pain, so they had to sedate him. He's asleep in one of their guest quarters." "And the box?" she questioned. "We... we lost the box, Kris," he admitted. "Star must've jettisoned it. It wasn't in any of the planes." "Then we have to go back," she stated quietly. "Kris, we've lost our planes. We've lost Cleaver and Star," repeated Ax. "Dagger's down." "Then it's just you and me, Lt.," she said, coldly. "Are you with me?" "Kris..." he began. "_Captain,_" she corrected coldly. "Captain," agreed Lt. Callahan. "You're not well... You were unconscious for more than six hours..." "Six hours?" she demanded. "Dammit, you wasted six hours waiting for me to wake up? Who know where that box is now? We have to find it!" "They only brought in Star an hour ago," he stated softly. "Kris," he continued softly. "Kris," he continued, "you're my Captain. I'll follow you wherever, anywhere, you know that. All I'm asking is that you think this through. Ginger and Michael..." "Are gone," she finished flatly. "And that box is _why_ they're gone. I want it back." "Getting that box back won't bring them back," he stated quietly. She glared at him, her eyes burning. "I won't let their deaths be for nothing," she stated coldly. "Kris..." "Do you feel that?" she demanded. "This boat is moving. They're leaving the area, dammit! We've gotta move!" she snarled as she struggled out of the hospital bed. "Where are my clothes?" "Kris, this is the seaQuest," said Ax. "They can help us..." "No," she answered coldly. "This is RCAF business. _Our_ business, _our_ people." "Kris..." Ax protested again. "Captain!" she snapped. "Remember your place, Lieutenant!" "And remember yours, Captain McKellar," stated a cold voice. They turned to see Hudson standing at the doorway of the medbay, flanked by Piccolo and Ford. There was no telling how long the three had been standing there, listening to their exchange. "This is the seaQuest and I am her Captain. Look around you, we're underneath the ocean. You're way out of your turf." "You can't keep me here," she gritted. "Oh yes I can," he growled. "This is _my_ boat. I can do anything I want. You've got no planes, Captain McKellar. You've got nowhere to go." He nodded for Ford to follow, and without another word, turned and left the medbay. "Well," said Tony, amusement flashing in his eyes. "Looks like you just got grounded." *** Continued ********************************************************* Hercules: You're insane. Callisto: Just misunderstood. - "Surprise" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys The Goddess of War Homepage http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1730 "So You Want To Be A Tedite?" http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/issue6/albano.html ********************************************************* Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:42:02 +0800 From: jsa@curricula.net Subject: "RED SKY AT NIGHT" 3/4 X-Sender: jsa@curricula.net To: stoleyl@cadvision.com, Ruth Skiba-Otway , JASwo@aol.com, Andy X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32) RED SKY AT NIGHT a seaQuest 2032 story by Jessi Albano Part Three based on characters from seaQuest DSV and seaQuest 2032 *** She showed up on the bridge a few minutes later, wearing her flight suit, looking like a thundercloud. "Captain McKellar," greeted Ford cautiously. "Can we help you?" She ignored him and went straight to Hudson. "Captain," she began. "Captain," Hudson acknowledged. " She went straight to the point. "I need to borrow one of your shuttles, Captain. I have the right as the citizen of a UEO ally country to make such a request." Hudson gestured towards the small bandage on her forehead. "How's the head, Captain? Shouldn't you be resting?" She ignored his concern. "One shuttle, Captain. Surely you can spare one." "I can't give it to you," he responded. "Not until you tell me what's out there that's so important." "RCAF business," she said. "Not good enough." "RCAF business," she repeated stubbornly. Hudson stared back at her wearily. "Tell me, Captain McKellar," he began, "if it had been any other ship, any other Captain..." She looked taken aback, and then her eyes narrowed in disgust. "I've just lost two of my men, Captain Hudson," she said harshly. "Friends. Family. Brother and sister. And you have the incredible, no, the _abysmal_ gall to suggest that this is about you?" "Isn't it?" he asked calmly. "Captain McKellar," interrupted Ford. "If you'd just tell us what all this is about, I'm sure we can help you." She continued to ignore him. "I've never asked you for anything," she said to Hudson with quiet anger. "I'm asking now. Give me a shuttle. One shuttle, twelve hours, no questions." "If it's as important as you make it seem to be," Hudson commented, "you'll need more than that." "That's all I'm asking for," she said. "That's all I want." "You have no idea what it takes to fly a plane down here, Captain." said Hudson. "That's the ocean out there, not the sky. There are a thousand different ways to die out there without even getting ten feet from this boat. Let us help you." "You don't want to help me," she returned coldly. "You want to rescue me. Because that's what you do, isn't it? You rescue. You crusade. You swoop in and make things better and then you leave, patting yourself on the back for your good deed." Her level gaze never wavered, never flinched. "Well, guess what, Captain? I don't need it. I've never needed it. But you already knew that, didn't you? That's why you never came. And that's why you're here now." Except for Kimura and Tony, it seemed to the seaQuest crew as if Hudson and Christian were speaking in codes. They were bewildered and befuddled by the conversation. Even more so by the fact that it was Hudson who seemed to be losing ground with the young woman. "That's not why," Hudson answered softly. "No?" she mocked. "Well, it doesn't matter now, does it? I'm not good at asking for things, Captain, but I'll ask again. One shuttle. Twelve hours." She looked him straight in the eye. "Please." Hudson looked torn. I can't." Hudson answered. "I'm sorry." "Captain," interrupted O'Neill. "What?" snapped Hudson. "I'm sorry, Sir," apologized O'Neill, "but we have an unauthorized shuttle leaving the launch bay." Hudson sighed in irritation. He gestured to one of the bridge security crew. "Chief Willis, please escort Captain McKellar back to the medbay." He turned to Christian with a rueful expression. "I'm sorry," he said. She stared at him, and then nodded. "I'm sorry, too," she said, and left the bridge. He watched his daughter walk away, quelling the urge to call her back. Then he turned back to his bridge. "Why does this keep happening on my ship?" he snarled. "Call that vessel back, Mr. O'Neill." "Shuttle MR-7, this is the seaQuest, you are ordered to return immediately. I repeat, return to seaQuest immediately." O'Neill paused to listen to his comlink then shook his head. "The pilot isn't acknowledging, Sir." "Dammit," muttered Hudson. "Commander Kimura --." "Captain," interrupted O'Neill. "We have a second shuttle leaving the launch bay now." "This is ridiculous," Hudson growled. "What are you people, amateurs?" "Someone overrode the launch bay codes, Captain," reported Lucas. "Sir?" interrupted O'Neill. "I've just received a report from Security. They found Chief Willis unconscious in the MagLev." Hudson paled. "Lt. O'Neill," he gritted. "Get me that shuttle _now._" O'Neill hurriedly complied. "Channel open, Sir," he stated. "Goddammit, Kris!" Hudson bellowed into the communication link. "Come back here! Let us help you!" "It's too late, Captain," came the quiet answer. "I'm sorry, but it's too late." "They're heading for open waters, Captain," reported Lucas. "Back to where we found them." "Captain McKellar and Lt. Callahan," interrupted Ford. "You are in unlawful possession of UEO vessels. If you do not return immediately I will be forced to --." "Commander," Hudson cut in suddenly, quietly. "Relieve me of command." "Sir?" Ford asked, flabbergasted. "You heard me," said Hudson. "I don't understand, Sir," Ford protested. "Dammit, I don't have time for this," Hudson snapped. "There," he announced, after tearing the UEO badge from his uniform and tossing in on top of Ford's console. "You have the bridge. You have my boat. Now get out of my way." "Sir," Ford argued. "I can't let you do this." "And I can't do what has to be done," Hudson growled. "If the Captain is unable to perform his duty, it falls on you as Commander to do the job." "Captain, you're not thinking straight," protested Ford. "Which is precisely why you must take command, Commander Ford," interjected Kimura quietly, moving to Hudson's side. "Piccolo and I will escort the Captain back to his quarters." With a nod, Tony flanked Hudson's other side and they started to lead him away. "Do what you have to do, Commander," Hudson repeated. *** "What the hell is going on?" asked Ford bewilderment, after the three had left. "Lt. O'Neill,' he said, turning to the comtech. "Re-establish the connection with those launches. I want to talk to those two. Launch bay," he ordered, "I want Commander Kimura and Mr. Piccolo's sub fighters ready to fly as soon as they return." "Sir?" came the confused response from the launch bay. "Is there a problem, launch bay?" he snapped. "Sir --," came the hesitant reply. "They've already left." "What?" "Commander Ford, the three of them -- Captain Hudson, Commander Kimura and Officer Piccolo have already left. They took the sub-fighters and an assault craft." "Wolenczak?" Ford growled. Lucas shrugged helplessly. "The bay's systems are still down, Commander," he said. "Amateurs," Ford muttered to himself, agreeing with Hudson for once. "Does _anyone_ have any idea what is going on?" he bellowed. He rubbed his temples, the beginnings of a full-blown headache making itself known. "Sir," Tim's voice cut into the hush that followed. "Sir, I suggest that we follow them if we want to know." "I concur, Sir," stated Lucas. "This whole damn ship has gone insane," muttered Ford. "We're awaiting your orders, Sir," prompted Ensign Ciara Simeon. Ford sighed. "Full reverse," he said, finally. "Let's turn this ship around and go where the action is." *** "This is crazy," said Tony Piccolo from his sub fighter. "Nobody asked you to be here, Mr. Piccolo," retorted Hudson. "Technically, that's not true, Sir," grinned Tony. "What about you, Commander?" asked Hudson. "Why are you here? Why are you doing this?" "I'm teaching you a lesson, Captain," Kimura answered coolly from her sub fighter. "And what lesson is that?" he inquired, a little testily. "You'll know when you've learned it," she answered flatly. They traveled on in silence. "I don't understand," Hudson said, after a while. "Why couldn't she just ask for help?" "Maybe she's just like you," answered Tony, "and she doesn't know how." "The launches have just entered open waters, Captain," announced Kimura. "We'll over-take them in approximately ninety four seconds." "And without me holding you back?" he asked grimly. "Sixty seconds," came Kimura's cool reply. "Go," he ordered quietly. ""Both of you." "No can do, Captain," said Tony. "You're in as much danger as they out here." "You forget -- I'm a better sub fighter pilot than you can ever hope to be. Now go!" he thundered. "You stay with the Captain, Piccolo," ordered Kimura. "I'll go ahead." "I gave you an order, Commander," gritted Hudson. "And you relieved yourself of command," she answered. "I'm in charge here. As far as I'm concerned you're just along for the ride." She increased her speed and left him and Piccolo behind. Seventy one seconds later Hudson faced his worst nightmare. "Dear Lord," he breathed at the sight. Kris and Ax were engaged a firefight. "I count nine drones and a Centaur, Captain," said Piccolo. Before Hudson's eyes, Kris dispatched one of the drones effectively. Kimura was engaged by at least four of the drones, while the other four and the Centaur were attacking the two transport launches. Kimura efficiently eliminated three drones in record time, and was now trying to shake off the other one. Piccolo left Hudson to aid his partner. Hudson upped his speed to maximum, cursing. His daughter was good, but this wasn't the sky. The drone dealt with, Kimura and Tony returned to the launches to find that they had both been captured by the Macronesian Centaur-class patrol ship. When Hudson arrived, they were at a stalemate, weapons armed and ready but unable to attack without endangering Kris and Ax. Without hesitation Hudson faced the patrol ship. "This is Captain Oliver Hudson of the seaQuest," he announced on the hailing frequency. "Captain Hudson," acknowledged the enemy Captain, mockingly. "This is Captain Adrian Rosch of the Macronesian Alliance. What can I do for you?" "You can release my vessels _now,_" Hudson answered. "Captain Hudson," said Rosch. "These vessels were trespassing in Macronesian waters. This pursuit, and consequent capture, is perfectly legitimate." "Tell it to the judge" Hudson responded coldly. "Stand down and release my planes _now._" "I repeat, Captain," retorted Rosch. "This was a legitimate capture. You have no authority here." "And I repeat, stand down _now._" An incredulous look came over Rosch's face. "You'd go to war, Captain?" he asked disconcertedly. "Over these planes?" "In a heartbeat," replied Hudson without hesitation. "What about you, Rosch?" he asked. "Are you willing to die for them?" Rosch paled, and then smiled mockingly. "Captain of the seaQuest," he sneered. "I see no seaQuest here. All I see are little guppies snapping at a shark. You want these planes? Come and get them." The challenge rang clear and loud and Hudson gritted his teeth in frustration. He could blast that Centaur and those drones out of the ocean, but he couldn't risk it with Kris and Callahan being held like shields in front of the Centaur. From his assault craft he could see a tear in the side of Christian's launch and his feeling of helplessness increased. His daughter needed help. His daughter needed... rescuing. "Well, Captain?" challenged Rosch. "What's your move?" "Yes, Captain," came Ford's voice over the same channel. "What _is_ our move." Hudson could have cheered in relief. "Well, Captain." said Hudson to Rosch. "Are you certain you want to do this? Or would you like to change your mind while you still have the chance?" "Very well, Captain Hudson," agreed Rosch, releasing the launches. Kimura and Tony fired their grapple hooks and towed the launches back to seaQuest. "We'll let this go for now," continued the enemy Captain. "But this isn't over. Your UEO shall hear of this. "Be my guest," invited Hudson, scornfully. "And while you're at it, be sure to give my regards to Bourne when you tell him you let the Captain of the seaQuest rob your or your `legitimate' capture." *** Continued ********************************************************* Hercules: You're insane. Callisto: Just misunderstood. - "Surprise" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys The Goddess of War Homepage http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1730 "So You Want To Be A Tedite?" http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/issue6/albano.html ********************************************************* Date: Tue, 14 Oct 1997 11:42:11 +0800 From: jsa@curricula.net Subject: "RED SKY AT NIGHT" 4/4 X-Sender: jsa@curricula.net To: stoleyl@cadvision.com, Ruth Skiba-Otway , JASwo@aol.com, Andy X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32) RED SKY AT NIGHT a seaQuest 2032 story by Jessi Albano Part Four based on characters from seaQuest DSV and seaQuest 2032 *** "Captain," greeted Kris coolly as she entered his office. "You wanted to see me?" Hudson looked at his daughter and wondered if he would ever see her again after she left the seaQuest. Her launch was arriving any minute and he could feel his last chance slipping away. He had given up every right twenty years ago, he knew that, and at the time he had been certain it was the right thing to do. He wondered how she would react if he fell on his knees and asked her for forgiveness. If he begged her for another chance. "Please sit down, Captain," he said instead. "I just need to ask you a few more questions." She took a seat and eyed him warily. "Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked first. "Your little black box, I mean?" "Yes," she acknowledged. "I'm entitled to be informed of all items that come aboard my ship," he stated. She looked at him coolly. "I would tell you if I could, Captain," she said, offering nothing more in way of an explanation. He nodded. "I hope it was worth it," he said. "Whatever it is." "It was never the box that mattered, Captain, you know that," she said. "It was always the mission." "I know," he agreed. He stared at her, wistfully. "You're so like her, you know," he said. "Am I?" she asked, dryly. "That's funny, she always said I was just like you." "You remember her?" he asked. "Bits and pieces," she said. "Let's cut the BS, Captain, shall we? Thank you for your help, Captain, I'm grateful I'll make sure my government knows the debt it owes the UEO. But frankly, I don't understand why you're still keeping my crew on this boat." "There's the small matter of two stolen launches," he began. "Which the RCAF has already assured you it'll make reparations for," she finished, flatly. "Why am I really here, Captain?" He shrugged. "Maybe I just wanted to talk." "Talk?" She asked, incredulous. "About what, Captain? What could we possibly have in common to talk about?" "There's always your Mother," he said, quietly. "My mother's dead," she answered flatly. "I wanted to marry her," he said quietly. "Before I left..." "And she wanted to wait till you came back," she continued. "I already know this part, Captain. You came back, she wasn't there, you left. End of story." "It wasn't like that," he protested. "No?" she asked sarcastically. "Was there something I missed? A happy ending, perhaps? An evil sorcerer who took you prisoner and stole your memory? Go ahead, Captain, tell me if you know a different story." "No," he shook his head in defeat. "It's the same story. You're right. I can't expect you to understand." "But I do understand, Captain," she said. "I've always understood. She loved you, you loved her. I wasn't part of the deal, I knew that. You never promised _me_ anything. So why this sudden urge to re-establish ties that never existed in the first place?" He looked at her somberly. "Life isn't always as simple as recovery missions, Captain McKellar," he said. "And its purpose isn't always as specific and actual as little black boxes." "Hardly ever," she agreed. "Sometimes," he continued, "we have to make decisions, _choices,_ based on things that are less clear-cut and tangible." "Sometimes," she conceded. "But whatever choices you make, Captain, and whatever measure you use in making them, make sure they're choices you can live with it. Because like it or not, you're going to have to." "Yes, I know" Hudson nodded. "Sometimes, you make mistakes. You leave things behind, and you can't go back no matter how much you may want to. You're still my daughter," he said huskily. "Hers. _Ours._ On any level, in any world --." "Oh Lord," she mocked. "Is this the 'for-what-it's-worth-I-love-you' speech?" He looked at her intently. "For what it's worth," he said seriously. "I ---." "Stop it," she cut in harshly, standing up and facing him squarely. Identical brown eyes met, one pair flashing fire, the other clouded by remorse. "Stop it right there. You gave me up, remember? You sent me away. _You_ did that. Not me. _You._ _You_ made the choice that I've had to live with all my life. Don't you even try to reason this out or to soothe me with your useless platitudes. You robbed me of a father. Don't you ever think -- _ever_ -- that I'll forgive you for that." "Do you know," she continued, a little more calmly, "what Aunt Vicky used to say to me whenever I asked where you were? She'd say 'Your father is a hero, Christian,' as if that explained everything, as if that made everything alright." "I'm sorry," he said. "I built you up in my mind like some sort of legend. Like Superman. The Easter Bunny. Santa Claus. And you know what the problem is with legends, Captain? They're not supposed to be real. They can't survive against reality. I looked for Santa Claus when I was six. I found him. I didn't think I'd ever be that disappointed in my life again." "Until you came looking for me," he stated quietly. "I should have learned my lesson with Santa Claus," she said with evident self-mockery. Then she sobered. "It was your choice to make, Captain. I understand that. I made one , too. That day in Florida, sitting at the airport waiting for my flight. I think I was half in shock, I don't remember much of it. I do remember that the man sitting next to me had an old portable television set, and he was watching this old science fiction series. Something about US Marines fighting aliens in a far-off planet." She shrugged, and then continued. "The Marines had been trapped in a canyon of sorts, and they were starting to get crazy, panicky, when their commander stands up and starts shouting. I don't remember all of it, but I remember one sentence clearly. He said `You lose yourself now, you lose yourself forever.' And it made so much sense to me. Because if I had given in to the pain I felt that day I don't think I would have ever recovered. Then it dawned on me how lost I had been all along. I'd spent my life waiting for you, living on and around that dream. That day, I decided I wouldn't lose myself anymore, just so I could hang on to you." "I'm sorry," he said again. "What good does that do either of us, Captain?" she asked. "Will it bring any of it back? Will it change anything? It won't. We made choices, you and I. Let's just hope we're strong enough to live with them." "You're the last part of her I have left," he said. "Then you shouldn't have given me up," she said flatly, without emotion. "Why did you?" "The first time I saw you," he said, with remembered pain. "you were so small, so brave and so happy. And you looked so much like your mother. I came face to face with everything I had lost, everything I would never have again. I wasn't strong enough back then, to face everything that you represented." "I was just a little girl," she said coldly. "I wasn't the keeper of your soul." She started walking away, and then turned back. "That day in Florida," she said, and for the first time he could hear sadness in her voice. "I just wanted to meet you. I would have gone away again. I'd go away now, if you'd let me." He nodded. He walked over to his desk and turned on his comlink. "Ensign Simeon?" he asked. "Yes, Captain?" answered Ciara. "Has Captain McKellar's shuttle arrived?" "Yes, Captain. The shuttle from the Canadian Navy is here. Lt. Callahan and Lt. Gage are boarding now." "Thank you, Simeon, carry on." He turned to Christian. "You can leave now," he said quietly. She frowned. "I don't understand, Captain." He shrugged. "I'm not sending you away this time," he said, softly. "You're the one who's leaving." She stared at him, emotions warring in her eyes. "You messed up, you know," she said quietly. "You missed out. I would have made you one hell of a daughter." "I know," he answered quietly. "I've always known." She nodded. "Thank you for rescuing me, Captain. Twice," she smiled, wryly. "Aunt Vicky's right. You're an excellent hero." She extended her hand to Hudson. "Good-bye, Captain. It was good to finally meet you." "Same here, Captain," he said, shaking her hand. He held it longer than necessary, wishing he was brave enough to pull her into his arms and give her a hug. She pulled her hand away. "It's a pity that you didn't even try," she said, a little wistfully. "I think you'd have made an even more excellent father." Then she left. He didn't call her back, though every nerve in his body screamed for him to do so. He didn't run after her either. She was right. He had made his choice. He had no right to ask her anything. Still... He wondered if she had made any plans for Christmas. THE END Copyright Jessi Albano 1997 06 October 1997 FLESH AND BLOOD - WILSON PHILLIPS If you never plan to come out of your shell You're never gonna get well I understand your reasons not to What you don't know if what you're afraid of And I'm afraid of it too But can I even talk you again? Oh, part of me wants to call you up And talk to you like a friend And there's a part of me that wants to shut you out And never see your face again Oh, how can we be like enemies When we're only flesh and blood What does it take to make your heart bleed Daddy, are we enough? You can get through, there's nothing stopping you From getting to us No one can take away the fact that we're only Flesh and blood For years I've been following your case It's the only time I see your face And we've learned to live without you Who you don't know is who you're afraid of And we're afraid of you too But will we ever talk to you again? Part of me wants to call you up Just to talk to you like a friend And there's a part of me that wants to shut you out And never see your face again How can we be like enemies When we're only flesh and blood What does it take to make your heart bleed Daddy, are we enough? You can get through, there's nothing stopping you From getting to us No one can take away the fact that we're only Flesh and blood We wanna make you laugh And I want a chance to know you better I wanna hear you sing beside me now... We're just like you How can we be like enemies When we're only flesh and blood What does it take to make your heart bleed Daddy, are we enough? You can get through, there's no one's stopping you From getting to us No one can take away the fact that we're only Flesh and blood I'm a part of you, and I miss you... I wanna make you laugh And I want a chance to know you better I wanna hear you sing beside me now I'm just like you Song for you, only you... ********************************************************* Hercules: You're insane. Callisto: Just misunderstood. - "Surprise" Hercules: The Legendary Journeys The Goddess of War Homepage http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/1730 "So You Want To Be A Tedite?" http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/issue6/albano.html *********************************************************