CAIN AND ABEL
CHAPTER EIGHT
Robert Bridger shook his head for possibly the hundredth time that day, “Unfortunately we were unable to acquire any of Sections Seven’s paper work when we took the Macronesian’s into custody.”
The Party Operation board was once again seated in the small conference room. Bridger sat towards the head of the table opposite his partner, Allen, to brief their superiors on the situation with Section Seven and Macronesia.
“We didn’t get a hold of any documents because Eltherington placed more emphasis on getting all the Macronesian hostages safely transferred,” Allen stated accusingly.
Robert threw his head back in exasperation, “They’re all safe aren’t they?”
“Well, yeah, but now we have no idea why they were taken!” Allen said, clearly annoyed that Robert outranked him enough to make the final decisions, “Section Seven is now two steps ahead of us instead of one!”
“Thank you, agent,” Sympson interrupted, “So we now have custody of _all_ the Macronesians taken.”
“Yes sir. All of them,” Robert responded, ignoring Allen’s glare.
“Are you absolutely certain?”
“As certain as we can be, sir.”
“Well how do we know what we should do with them?” Allen demanded, annoyed at Sympson’s favoritism.
“We going to return them straight home, of course,” Robert quickly intercepted.
Allen spluttered in shock and disgust, “Then how will we find out why they were taken? And how do we know they’re safe to return home.”
“That’s where they want to be!” Robert responded, “And they don’t _know_ why they were taken so there isn’t really anyway we can find that information unless we confront Section Seven.”
Allen gave a chuckle, “We have plenty of agents very capable of jarring these people’s memories,” he gave a snide look at some of his superiors who nodded.
Robert stood up, “Find the information by force?” he confirmed angrily.
One of the superiors who had remained quiet so far responded, “Eltherington, there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual about any of these people. We can’t understand why they were taken. Maybe you should step aside and allow Allen to use his methods.”
Allen nodded, pleased. Robert’s mouth was open in shock. He looked at Sympson for support but didn’t receive any.
“No!” Robert said, slamming his hand down on the table, “I will not allow any form of interrogation. It’s cruel!”
“What the hell is wrong with you? You never had a problem with doing what you had to do before!” Allen was getting angry.
“That’s because I honestly believed it was what I had to do,” Robert snapped back, “Now I know otherwise.”
The board just stared at him and Sympson cleared his throat to address Robert.
Before he could speak, a young man entered and leaned down towards his ear to whisper something. Sympson nodded and the man left. He turned to the head of the table, “Allen.”
Allen looked up at him, “Congratulations, your mole worked.” Allen smiled, while the rest of the board looked on with interest.
An older man, probably in his fifties entered the room. Sympson introduced him, “This is Agent Halow. He has been able to infiltrate the Section Seven department for the information we needed.”
Robert made room for the man to take a seat. Agent Halow then began the lengthy explanation of what Section Seven had been up to.
***
Hudson stood with his arms folded in his own cabin room. He still had the intimidating air about him that he had during the conference. Nathan and Jonathan were with him. All three of them stood at least three feet away from each other.
“Your son, who happens to be a Party Operation agent, has disappeared along with the Macronesians who were being held by Section Seven.”
“Looks like it,” Bridger sighed, unable to look at anybody.
Hudson, though understanding what Bridger must be going through, was relieved to be piecing the puzzle together. By now, Bridger had been filled in on Section Seven and Party Operation’s activities. He didn’t seem very stunned about it, but then, when one has worked with Section Seven on numerous occasions, they probably wouldn’t be. But Hudson guessed that it was something else that was getting to the former Captain.
“Well at least we can establish that Ensign Wolenczak was interrogated by accident.”
Once again, Nathan felt a pang of guilt at his anger for his son but he didn’t say anything.
“Did Section Seven say why they took those people?” Jonathan broke the silence.
Hudson sighed irritably, “They were not very forthcoming.”
Hudson turned to Bridger, “Your son seems to be the best hope right now, for the conflict, and for Ensign Wolenczak.”
Nathan’s response was completely off topic, “Oliver,” Nathan interrupted him and looked up, “You know I was his guardian. There is no need to refer to him by rank.”
Hudson raised his eyebrows slightly and opened his mouth to justify himself. Catching a look from Ford, he shut it again.
Hudson remained silent for a while so he didn’t have to respond the comment and continued, “What about your son’s wife?”
“She can’t contact him,” Nathan replied.
“Can she contact the Operation headquarters?” Ford suggested.
Nathan shook his head, “Not directly.”
Bridger lifted his head up and stared at the wall, “We are left here to wait until my son decides to grace us with his presence. That better be before Lucas gets any worse.”
Hudson and Ford just watched him as he left the room.
Hudson narrowed his eyes at the door as Bridger closed it, “If those people aren’t returned as soon as possible, there is going to be a war,” Hudson said angrily.
“And at the moment,” he continued, “Our only leads are a group of obviously incompetent and uncaring Section Seven agents, and a missing Party Operation officer.”
Ford sighed, “So when do we start getting desperate?”
“Immediately,” Hudson answered.
***
Robert Bridger was still numb when he reached his own front door. Despite the fact that he was suppose to be remaining low profile and boarding at headquarters during the mission, Robert had decided to go home.
As far as he was concerned, his mission was over. He had been unable to convince the board to send the Macronesian’s home, even after Halow had delivered the well-evidenced thesis of exactly why they had been taken in the first place.
That was the other thing that was making Robert feel numb. So Section Seven were undermining any internal resistance against the Macronesian government. That didn’t surprise him. He already knew that Section Seven were going about things the wrong way. But it was another thing to have it confirmed.
“Sweetheart?” as gentle, worried voice reached his ears, and he realised he was standing in the living room of his home. He didn’t even remember unlocking the door.
He looked up at his wife and smiled, “Hello, honey.”
She quickened her pace as she walked over time and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He gratefully returned the hug.
“Are you alright, sweetie?” the two had embraced for a few minutes before Anna spoke.
Robert sighed in her arms, “I just didn’t get my way this time.”
She pulled her arms away from him and looked at him, “Sit down, Bobby. I’ll get you something to drink.”
Robert flopped down onto the newly stitched up couch and picked at the lining were it had been ripped open. He really needed his wife right now. He wondered if he should tell her the truth about the break-in.
Anna came back in, holding the hot drink. He looked at her and decided that it was time he told her.
“Your father called,” she said before he could say anything.
“Oh?” he was surprised that she got in first.
She set the drink on the coffee table, “He said he wanted an antidote for a poison.”
Robert felt his vision swim over as numbness ran through him. A poison? Immediately he was aware that it was about Lucas. So his father must know. But what…? Oh God. Damber must have injected Lucas with midstrence. Robert grabbed the sides of the couch to push himself up.
He didn’t even notice what Anna was getting at as she spoke, “So you seem to be telling your father more about what you do than me.”
Robert heard the pain in her voice and sat back down, opening his mouth, “Anna,” he began, wanting so much to tell her everything.
“When I was gone, Dad was Captain of the SeaQuest,” Robert began. Anna remained silent, despite the fact that she already knew this, allowing her husband to explain.
“He had guardianship over a young boy,” he continued.
She nodded, “Lucas.”
He nodded too, “Yeah.”
She looked at him, confused about where this was going.
“Anna, Lucas.. somehow… came into Party Operation custody, while we were working on an operation.”
Anna’s face began to change slightly as she realised that Robert was actually filling her in on what was going on rather than explaining why his father knew and not her.
“You’ve seen it on the news,” he gestured to the TV, “With the Macronesian hostages. We’re directly involved in that.”
Anna felt her breath catch in her throat. It was more relief that her husband was sharing with her rather than what was actually happening.
Robert continued quickly, “And Lucas,” he sighed, “He was victim to a heavily physical interrogation session, which I was responsible for.”
Anna looked at him, her mouth slightly open, but her face not registering the shock that Robert knew she was feeling, “Lucas,” she confirmed, “Your father’s…”
Robert nodded; bringing his head down so far it was almost between his knees.
She shut her eyes briefly and brought her hand over her mouth. Nathan’s attitude to her on the phone earlier made a lot more sense. She hadn’t met Lucas yet, so her concern was mostly for her husband and his father, but the prospect of an innocent teenager being tortured made her extremely upset.
“Does your father know?” she asked, voice shaking.
Robert nodded, head still down, “Lucas must have been poisoned. We’re the only ones with the antidote.”
She looked at him closer and realised that he was crying quietly, “Oh, baby,” she said wrapping her arms around him, “You know I’m always going to be here for you.”
Robert nodded again, bringing himself under control and lifting his head up.
Anna reached up towards Robert’s cheek and brushed at the dampness there, “Bobby, go get that antidote and help your little brother.”
He turned to her, worry evident in his face, “Your father is going to be angry,” she warned him, “But it will pass. He’ll understand.”
***
Lucas shivered again and shifted on the bed, trying to get into a more comfortable position. He was paler than he had been before and his condition was gradually deteriorating. He needed more and more painkillers to stop the same amount of pain.
Nathan came back with a drink he had gone to get Lucas and placed it next to his bed. Lucas turned his head slightly, barely noticing Nathan’s return. Bridger sat next to Lucas on the bed and smoothed back his damp hair. Lucas’ body was now constantly wet, as his immune system battled the drug in his system.
“I’m cold,” Lucas said weakly, “Could I have another blanket?”
Nathan had been told that it was in fact better to keep Lucas warm, so long as he drank plenty of fluid.
“On the condition you drink everything in the cup I got you.”
Lucas nodded and Nathan reached for a thicker blanket, wrapping it around the top of the young patient. Just as Nathan went to get the cup of water, Lucas twisted around under the blanket so that he was lying on his stomach.
The amount of movement surprised Nathan, as Lucas had been relatively weak the last couple of days. He therefore immediately assumed that Lucas’ cramps were coming back again and moved forward to hold him.
“The sheets are damp,” Lucas told him, “That’s what’s making me cold.”
Nathan nodded in realisation, “I’ll get someone to change the sheets and your clothes okay?” He reached for the glass of water and gave it to Lucas, “Would you drink this first?”
Lucas nodded unhappily and moved himself on his side so that he could sip the water. The coolness felt good as it went down his throat, but his stomach didn’t have the same appreciation. Lucas had only taken a few sips before his stomach cramped and he immediately vomited all over the blankets and the floor. The smell made Lucas retch even more.
“Oh Lucas,” Nathan sighed quietly. He quickly took the cup off Lucas and rang the bell for the medical staff to come and help. He went over to the other side of the bed to help Lucas away from the nauseating smell. Lucas continued to retch despite the fact that there was nothing in his stomach.
Several medical staff came in quickly, and helped Nathan transfer Lucas to another bed, “We’re going to give him a bath. It should get him more comfortable,” one of the staff told Nathan.
Nathan nodded in appreciation and then turned his attention back to Lucas.
“When is this going to end?” Lucas asked him, desperately.
“We’re looking for an antidote, Lucas,” Nathan reassured him, “We’ll find it don’t worry.”
Lucas grabbed his arm tightly, “No,” Lucas said gritting his teeth. The red marks under Lucas’ eyes symbolized his suffering, “Definitely. When will it _definitely_ be over?”
“Lucas I can’t tell you that,” Nathan began, his heart aching.
Lucas grabbed his arm tighter, “Yes, you can,” Lucas began sobbing, “Please, Captain. I need to know how long this will go on for. So then I can… deal with it easier,” Lucas looked at him carefully, “When will this kill me?”
Nathan opened his mouth to say that that wasn’t going to happen, but Lucas stopped him, “Theoretically,” Lucas said desperately.
“Less than a week,” Nathan told him, remembering what doctor Perry had explained about Lucas’ condition.
“A week?” Lucas looked mortified. Nathan took Lucas’ face in his hands immediately.
“Lucas, you will be feeling better in a few days. We will make you better. I promise.”
The male nurse came back with a trolley to take Lucas for a bath. Nathan looked towards him, “They’re just going to clean you up. I’ll be here for you when you come back.”
Lucas nodded and then lay back on the trolley. Nathan watched as they placed another blanket over him and then wheeled him away.
***
Robert Bridger walked briskly through headquarters, still gripping his security card. He made a beeline for the drugs unit and was able to locate the midstrence antidote relatively easily. He picked up two voiles and placed them in a metal container so that they couldn’t be broken. He fitted a sterile needle into the compartment of the box and then snapped the lid shut.
Putting the box into his jacket pocket, he picked up a pen and scrawled his signature onto the notebook. There would be no problem with him taking the antidote. The poison had been administered under his command and, by procedure; he therefore had access to any antidotes for that prisoner.
However, it was unusual that agents took the antidotes out of the base. So Robert wanted to remain low profile. He decided to give Dambers a grilling for injecting Lucas with the poison without consulting him, later. Right now he had to contact the SeaQuest.
Robert knew he was not ready to face his father yet. So he identified himself and asked to be transferred to medical. Surprisingly, he was put through to Doctor Perry straight away.
“Medical,” Perry answered.
“Good evening,” Robert answered, his tone official, almost antagonizing, “Dr Perry isn’t it?”
“Who is this?” Perry demanded, normally people didn’t check who they were speaking to.
Robert ignored the question, “Do you have a patient called Lucas Wolenczak?”
“I _asked_ who is this?” Perry was getting agitated.
“I understand Lucas was poisoned with a drug,” Robert began. Perry listened in, carefully, thinking how unusual it was for the young Ensign to be referred to by his first name.
At her silence, Robert continued, “I have the antidote.”
Perry forgot all her other questions, “How soon can you get it too us?”
***
Nathan Bridger rested his hand over his mouth as he stood anxiously waiting for the shuttle to arrive. When Captain Hudson had come in to tell him that his son was arriving with the antidote, the relief that washed over him was almost painful. He had felt physically weak, like he had just set down a heavy weight.
But now, as he stood there, looking at the prospect of meeting his own son, whose chosen line of work had hurt him and everyone he loved, he had began to feel the heaviness coming back.
Commander Ford stood by him for moral support. The two didn’t say a word to each other. Eye contact wasn’t even necessary.
Hudson, of course, stood right in front of the doors just before they got ready to open. Five or six armed officers accompanied him. Despite the fact that the man boarding was the ex-Captain’s son, he still belonged to a rogue organisation, which meant that security was necessary.
Robert Bridger stepped out onto the platform and held out the box for Hudson to take, without even greeting anyone. Hudson stepped up and grabbed it, quickly giving it to another officer to dash off to med bay.
The armed officers frisked the agent quickly, and then released him, allowing him to look around. Robert spotted his father, who had been watching him. Rather than an icy stare, Robert was greeted with a pained, disappointed look. Robert looked as if he was going to say something, but Nathan turned abruptly and headed out towards the exit.
***
“The UEO wants to know why Section Seven took the Macronesians in the first place.” McGath was again on the vidlink, unable to attend the meeting in person, “I assume you had similar reasons to Section Seven,” McGath demanded of Robert.
Robert Bridger’s face crinkled, he was stressed out and upset, but trying not to let it show. He stood facing McGath on the vidlink in a large conference room aboard the SeaQuest. Hudson stood by him, quickly getting bored with all the secret service games.
Robert had no problem telling McGath what Section Seven had been up too. He was very keen to expose them. He began explaining the situation like the Party Operation mole had explained at their meeting.
“Section Seven discovered a three year old operation headed by New Zealand intelligence. It was aimed at getting more power over the Macronesian government. They were recruiting people who disagreed with the Macronesians but were not the type of people who would engage in conflict and therefore would not suspected by the Macronesian government.”
Hudson lifted his eyebrows, becoming interested again.
“The Bourne government seemingly favoured the people despite their political preferences, because many worked in positions of importance in the Macronesian government and Bourne had so far been able to manipulate them fairly easily,” Robert explained.
“The operation headed by New Zealand sought to recruit these people,” Robert paused for a moment.
“Section Seven was concerned that New Zealand intelligence might succeed and feared that Bourne would be over thrown by internal powers instead of the UEO. Section Seven felt that the next Macronesian government would have to be pro UEO, and New Zealand intelligence was not. So Section Seven took the people that New Zealand wanted to recruit before they got the chance to.”
Robert stopped. McGath looked at him, expecting him to continue, “That’s it?”
“They are all the facts?” Hudson snarled.
Robert was unfazed. He kept staring straight ahead, “There’s information that can prove what I’ve said with out a doubt.”
“Well, you haven’t really said much,” Hudson began attacking him.
“Captain,” McGath warned. This time it was effective and Hudson just turned to glare at McGath.
“A lot of people are going to think this story is just a ploy for Party Operation to bring down Section Seven,” McGath told him.
The young Bridger looked at him cockily, “And a lot of people that do believe me will question Section Seven’s place in the UEO.”
Robert sighed angrily, continuing, “And the rest will not see a problem with Section Seven’s actions.”
***
Lucas was unconscious when he was injected with the antidote. Perry had run some tests as quickly as possible to check that it was what Robert Bridger said it was. The tests had been rushed, and not entirely conclusive, so she and several other doctors waited anxiously, along with Tim and Tony, who had both been allowed off duty.
Nathan had asked Tim to call him when Lucas seemed to be recovering. He didn’t want to watch any more suffering that Lucas might have to endure.
Nathan had fallen into a restless sleep in his cabin’s bed. Tim’s call had woken him abruptly. Thankfully, it was good news. Lucas would be okay. He had stopped perspiring as much and was in a lot less pain. He had woken briefly, but had almost immediately fallen asleep again.
“You should come see him,” Tim said into his communicator as he watched Lucas sleep, “He’s got a lot more colour in his cheeks.”
“Thank you very much, Tim. I might just do that.”
“I won’t be here,” Tim told him, “I’ve got stuff to do.”
“Alright then. No problem. Thanks again.” Nathan switched off the PAL with relief.
***
Hudson took the call from UEO headquarters in his own cabin, “The Macronesians have stormed the Party Operation holding prison. They took their people back,” McGath told him without even greeting him.
Hudson sighed in relief, “The Macronesians have been returned home.”
McGath nodded, “In one piece,” he confirmed
“So what now?”
“Well, this has certainly done damage to the UEO’s position in the cold war.” McGath said, “The Macronesians will be able to justify themselves more easily now.”
“That was never _their_ specialty though,” Hudson snarled.
McGath could see that Hudson was one of the people who believed Robert Bridger about Section Seven.
“These two agencies better sought themselves out,” McGath said, “We don’t need their conflict on top of Macronesia.”
Hudson more or less ignored him, “I will inform the rest of the crew of the good news. Right now we’re just relieved that things have finally been sorted out without any major problems.”
“Well the Macronesians have been returned home without a war, but what about Ensign Wolenczak?” McGath asked, remembering Hudson’s other priority at the meeting.
Hudson lifted his eyebrows, remembering that he hadn’t yet informed the UEO of reason for agent Bridger’s presence. He had assumed he’d worked it out, “Oh yes, it’s in the report. Robert Bridger contacted the SeaQuest with the antidote. It’s being administered as we speak.”
McGath nodded, concerned, remember his own encounter just a few minutes earlier, “Robert Bridger.”
Hudson nodded, sighing loudly, “We’re not going to celebrate the avoidance of a war just yet,” he promised seriously.
***
“Dad,” Robert approached Nathan cautiously as the older man stepped out from medbay. Nathan stopped and shut his eyes.
“Not now, Robert.”
Robert stared silently at him for a few moments until Nathan made to walk away, “You seemed to be more than okay with what I did before you knew who it was,” Robert nearly spat at him.
Nathan spun around to face him furiously, “Of _course_ I did, Robert! You’re my son. You’re my first priority!”
“Even when I’m wrong?” Robert demanded, frustration evident. Robert had wanted Nathan to yell at him earlier. Nathan advanced towards him.
“Yes! Even when you’re wrong!” Nathan told him, “That doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you you’re right. But I’m on your side, I’ll support you.”
“But not now,” Robert said.
Nathan sighed loudly, “Robert, I still support you,” he began.
“How?” Robert interrupted.
“Bobby, Lucas is..” Nathan paused. What was Lucas? Not his son. “I love him,” Nathan finished.
“And so,” Robert tried to make sense of it, “Because I hurt someone you love, you don’t want to treat me like I’m your son?”
“No, Bobby,” Nathan corrected. He clenched his teeth, “I’m _angry_.”
Robert looked at him, hurt and almost as afraid of his father as he was as a child.
Nathan saw his son’s face, “I just, I just didn’t want you two to meet this way,” Nathan’s voice cracked towards the end of the sentence and he left quickly before his son could see the tears on his cheeks.