SECOND SON
by Teresa
CHAPTER SIX
Vishnore stood in his office room silently. The room was dimly light as usual. He had his back to the door and was standing in front of his desk, waiting for his communications link to light up, signalling an incoming call. He had just finished his conversation with Nathan Bridger and was now smiling smugly, looking forward to reporting his success.
“I thought you’d be in here you stupid bastard,” Vishnore whirled around to face an angry figure standing in the doorway.
Vishnore’s original shocked expression turned quickly to a nasty grin, “Eltherington,” he greeted the man in a sarcastically pleasant tone.
“Don’t call me that,” Robert Bridger told him angrily as he moved into the room towards Vishnore.
“Er,” Vishnore wasn’t sure how to ask without looking disadvantaged in the confrontation, “I thought we had you…………… ‘secured’.”
Robert gave a small smile and lifted his eyebrows in boyish cheek, making him look a lot like Lucas, “It seems the base was having a few problems with its systems and personnel,” Robert hinted.
Vishnore smiled back, “Your father was here,” he told him, “He’s gone now of course.” Robert glared at him. Vishnore continued, “You’re a very valuable asset, Jack…………” off Robert’s glare he corrected himself, “Robert.”
“I knew for a long time it was you,” Robert spoke softly despite his fury.
“What was me?” Vishnore feigned innocence.
“You didn’t need to blackmail me, keep me from my family,” Robert continued.
“You can’t hold on to a family in this kind of business!” Vishnore laughed, “You’ve already seen that they can be used against you.”
“Only by scum,” Robert hissed out through his teeth, beginning to advance on Vishnore again.
“We deal with scum,” Vishnore reasoned, casually backing off.
“We should be a team,” Robert told him, “Its people like you that corrupt organisations like us.”
Vishnore spluttered, he was getting nervous, “People like me? It’s the absolute power that corrupts!” He tried to come across as he though he was the one in control but it wasn’t working.
“That’s why we need our loved ones to keep us in check,” Robert said, “So we don’t turn out like you,” he hissed at the older man. The two were less than half a metre away from each other by now.
“You’re loved ones are what make you weak,” Vishnore fed Robert the cliché.
“You think I’m weaker than you?” Robert challenged.
Without answering Vishnore grabbed the pen on the desk and attacked the younger man, plunging the pen into his chest.
***
Nathan was puffing slightly as he mad his way carefully through the halls of the base. Even though the team had cleaned it out fairly thoroughly, he had to be very careful. There had only been a few of them, and this was no time for arrogance.
He had no idea where Vishnore or Robert could be, but he assumed that Vishnore had to have communicated to them from an area where there were major communication systems. Bridger decided to head towards the central area of the base, in the hope that he could track them down from there.
***
The two men gripped each other fiercely as they spun each other around the room. Vishnore threw Robert into the beverage cabinet, still gripping his shoulders. Glass shattered and rolled over the both of them.
Despite the pain in his chest, Robert twisted his leg upwards and shoved Vishnore off him. The general went sprawling to the ground and the young Bridger pounced on him before he could get up. He hit him hard in the face several times. As he felt Vishnore getting a grip on him again, he stopped punching him and threw Vishnore towards the desk.
The older man felt his shoulders slide across the ground as his back banged up against the polished wood. He recovered quicker this time and was able to almost get up as Robert came for him again.
Vishnore saw Roberts hands advancing towards his head to break his neck so he delivered a sharp smack to Roberts face, snapping his head back and sending the agent tumbling.
“I don’t want to kill you, Robert,” Vishnore panted, blood running down his face from his noes.
Robert stood painfully, slightly bent over, “I don’t believe you,” he said.
The two men charged at each other and engaged in a series of hand-to-hand combat techniques, neither seriously hurting the other. Vishnore kicked Robert hard in the leg and Robert gave a cry of pain. He used the advantage of his weakened opponent to throw him onto the ground and run towards his desk draw were he kept his gun.
Robert saw where he was going and chased after him. Vishnore ripped the loaded gun from his draw and cocked it. Robert lunged for the gun as Vishnore fired two shots. Robert was hit in the shoulder as the other ricocheted off a metal trophy in the corner of the room. He gave a loud cry but didn’t stop his attack. He grabbed Vishnores arm and snapped it with one hand. The cracking was drowned out by Vishnore’s agonised scream. The general fell to his knees. Robert put his hands around his head and snapped his neck. Dante Vishnore flopped back lifelessly, dead before he hit the floor.
***
Nathan Bridger froze in his tracks. Was that a scream? He turned towards the direction it had came from and sprinted.
***
Robert found himself succumbing to the pain as he felt dizziness run through him. He gave a groan and sank slowly to the floor. He gave a few thoughts to standing and trying to make it towards the door, but those thoughts were quickly put to the back of his mind as he felt the amount of blood he was losing from the wound in his chest.
He carefully put his head on the ground and the rest of his body felt limp. In his delirium, he thought he heard a scuffling sound at the door. He turned his toward the open door. His heart skipped a beat at what he saw. ‘That’s not possible. He left.’
Nathan rushed towards his son’s side, “Robert!” his eyes scanned over his beaten and wounded body, “Oh God,” he said, putting his hands over the wound in his chest and looking around the room. He looked at the Vishnore’s body for a few moments then turned his attention to his son.
Robert was fairly coherent, “Dad,” he sighed relieved, “I’m so glad you’re hear,” to Nathan’s surprise, Robert broke down into a sobbing wreck. Nathan leaned towards him and embraced him tightly, like he would have thirty years ago. He sat there with his beloved child who was now a grown man, rubbing his back and rocking him gently.
***
“Incoming call, sir,” the officer on the bridge announced.
“Put it through, Lieutenant,” Captain Hudson ordered from his chair.
“Seaquest, this is Commander Ford. Mission accomplished.”
“Thankyou, Commander. Permission to board.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
Captain Hudson made his way down to the docking bay to greet the team. Commander Ford did not exactly look as pleased as expected as he emerged from the shuttle.
“Is everything alright, Commander?” Hudson asked. O’Neill exited the ship behind Ford.
Ford sighed before answering, “Captain Bridger stayed behind to take out Vishnore, sir.”
Hudson looked mildly surprised but not concerned, “Is that all?” The rest of the team exited the shuttle and gathered together behind Hudson.
“We have reason to believe Lucas may be in trouble, sir,” O’Neill added.
Ford continued for him, “Is there any reason Lucas would have switched off communications?”
Hudson just looked at them, “What do you mean, switched off communications?”
“He wasn’t responding,” O’Neill told him worriedly as Ford began to take off towards the room where Lucas had been working in. Hudson and O’Neill followed after him, the section seven team following quickly behind.
“Lucas!” Ford called as he reached the room. The door was ajar and he slipped inside, looking around. Hudson came up behind him with O’Neill. All the communications equipment had been switched off and the chair had been pushed in as though no one had been in there.
Hudson signalled to the section seven agents to stop in the hall, they all had their guns out, waiting for trouble.
“Somebody’s taken him,” Commander Ford stated the obvious.
Hudson sighed, exasperated, “Go check if any vessels have left the ship!” he ordered O’Neill. He then turned to Ford, “I don’t just want a systems sweep, I want a physical check of every possible exit from the boat!”
Commander Ford ran out of the room, “You heard the man, lets move!” he called to the armed agents. The group left in a hussel.
Hudson turned back to the room and realised that O’Neill was still standing in the same spot, “Didn’t I give you an order, Lieutenant?” he demanded.
Tim turned to him, “I’m sorry, sir,” he swallowed, “I just thought you should know that he’s injured,” Tim pointed to a small pool of thick blood on the floor.
Hudson’s face softened and he put his hand on the younger man’s shoulder, “We’ll find him, Lieutenant,” he promised.
O’Neill nodded solemnly, then quickly left the room to check the systems.
***
Bridger let his son lean up against him for a few moments, giving him a rest.
“How much further?” Robert asked.
“Not far, it wont take us long. How are you holding up?”
Robert looked at him gasping, “I think I’m hurt pretty bad, Dad,” he said.
“You’ll be alright,” Nathan assured him, “Just hold onto me. Your going to be fine, son.”
Nathan wrapped his arm around Robert’s body and half carried him forward.
“Just a bit further,” he told his son as he felt his weight start to give. Both men grunted as Nathan plopped Robert down heavily onto the floor of the docking bay. Robert lay on the ground, panting heavily as Nathan chose a shuttle and began powering up communications.
He looked around, “Looks like the power’s back on,” he said, “We couldn’t even get the doors open before.”
“Someone else has access to the facility,” Robert gasped out.
Nathan looked at him, “Who?”
“Our leaders,” Robert replied.
Anger clouded Nathan’s face, “Where are they?”
Robert shook his head, “Not here, Dad. And they’re the good guys.”
Nathan looked sceptically at his son. ‘How could anyone who had control over what had happened to his family be a good guy?’ Nathan shook of his feeling of unease about it and focused his attention on the consul.
“Alright,” he walked over the Robert and lifted him, helping him into the shuttle. He plonked him down on a chair and strapped him in, “Are you alright?”
“Just get me back to seaquest, Dad,” Robert said.
Nathan took the hint and sat himself down in the pilots seat.
“Seaquest, this is Nathan Bridger. I need a medteam standing by.”
“Copy that, Nathan,” it was Tim’s voice, “Are you hurt seriously?”
“It’s not me its my son,” Nathan told him, “And I think he’ll be okay, we just need to hurry.”
“Will do, sir,” Tim said trying to hide the pain in his voice.
***
Biggs was beginning to get irritable. He should have heard from Vishnore by now, what was taking him. Surely the idiot had a plan. Nearby him Lucas groaned in pain. Biggs walked over and kneeled next to him placing a hand over his mouth.
“I don’t need your whining,” he threatened him. Lucas’ pained expression showed that he didn’t care. Biggs took his hand off Lucas’ mouth, “Looks like you’re going to die after all,” Biggs said, neither pleased nor disappointed.
Lucas didn’t look to afraid, just sick of the pain, “Why don’t you just get it over with. Or are you too weak? Don’t you know how to lead?”
Biggs didn’t react angrily. Instead he calmly moved his hand down to Lucas wound and pressed down. Lucas stiffened in agony, arching his back and opening his mouth to cry out softly. After Biggs let go, it was some time after Lucas relaxed. Biggs waited until the major pain had passed and then leaned up against Lucas’ ear, “I have to power here, not you.”
***
Nathan ran quickly through the halls of seaquest, following the doctors and the stretcher that was carrying his son toward medbay. He stopped when he could go no further and strained his neck so he could watch his son as he disappeared into the operating room. Then he stood silently for a few moments until Hudson walked up to him.
“Nathan,” Hudson greeted grimly.
“Oliver,” Bridger acknowledged, “The mission was a success. Except for this of course. And Robert hinted to me that he still has faith in the concept of Party Operation.”
Hudson said wisely silent for a few moments, “You cant chose someone else’s ideals,” he told him.
Bridger laughed a little at Hudson’s giving him advice, “I know, Oliver. Its just I don’t know the full story about this, and Robert isn’t willing to share.”
Hudson just looked at him sympathetically and nodded.
“How’s Lucas?” Nathan changed the subject to one that Hudson was not looking forward to.
Hudson gave a loud sigh, “Nathan we don’t know where he is.”
Nathan spun around, “What?! You lost him again?!”
Hudson ignored the insult and got straight to the point, “We’ve checked all possible exits. Its very unlikely that he’s left the boat. Right now, we’re doing a sweep of the entire vessel. We’ll find him, Nathan.”
Nathan sighed heavily in shock and sat down on the nearest chair outside medbay. His face filled with thought, “That means someone here is a traitor,” Hudson nodded, “Do we know who?”
“He’s been missing for a while. We’re hoping to filter out the crew by assuming that the offender is with him.”
Nathan scoffed, “That’s a big assumption, Oliver.”
“Would you like to come to the bridge?” Oliver offered.
Nathan nodded, “Lets see what the rest of the crew has come up with.”
***
“Commander,” Henderson made her way towards Ford, she hadn’t really wanted to bring this up, but Biggs had been missing ever since Lucas had and she had a feeling in her gut that something was wrong.
Ford turned towards her, “Henderson?” he asked.
“Sir,” she started hesitantly, “Have you seen Zach anywhere? I haven’t seen him in a while……” she hinted.
Jonathan Fords face clouded over, “We have a situation here, Lonie, cant you ask someone else about your boyfriend?” he hissed.
“Jonathan,” she started quietly, in shock. He turned away from her.
“Jonathan,” she said going after him in a stronger voice once she had regained he composure. He turned reluctantly, “He’s NOT my ‘boyfriend’,” she hissed back, “And I’m asking because I haven’t seen him since Lucas disappeared.”
Realisation dawned on his face. He leaned toward her, “Are you sure?” he asked.
Her face was hard, “Yes, I’m sure.”
Jonathan turned to call the nearest crewman, “Call the Captain,” he ordered.
“He’s already here, Commander,” Hudson walked in with Bridger behind them, “What seems to be the problem?”
“Lieutenant Zach Biggs, sir. Apparently he’s been missing since Lucas disappeared.” His gaze shifted to Bridger, “Sir,” he greeted with sympathy in his voice.
“You should paige him,” Nathan had slipped back into gear and was no longer emotional.
Hudson nodded and stepped up towards his consul, “O’Neill, get me Lieutenant Biggs.”
“Aye sir.”
***
Inside the dark engineering room, Bigg’s PAL beeped. He looked down at it quickly, “Damn,” he cursed, wondering if he should switch it off. He decided to answer it to avoid suspicion, “Biggs,” he answered.
“Mr Biggs,” Hudson’s stern voice greeted, “You’ve been reported missing. Where are you?”
“Ah,” Biggs started to get nervous, “I’m not on duty for another few hours, sir.”
“That’s not what I asked, Lieutenant,” Hudson reminded him.
“I’m uh, I’m just in my quarters, sir,” Biggs lied.
Hudson turned to Henderson, who was standing a few metres away on the bridge, she shook her head indicating that they had checked there. Nathan Bridger looked at her and walked up to stand next to Hudson. The bridge became silent as they listened to the conversation.
“Your quarters has been checked, Lieutenant,” Hudson informed him, “Where are you?”
Biggs swallowed down the panic, taking a few moments to answer, “Look, I’m just following orders okay?”
A murmur ran through the bridge, this confirmed it.
“Who from?” Hudson asked him.
“Look, just cut the small talk okay? Lets just make a deal.”
“What type of deal?”
“You let me off here, no questions asked, and I let the boy live.”
Nathan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He didn’t know if he could handle all this in the one day.
“No questions asked?” Hudson said, “Why don’t we try to make a more realistic deal?”
“A more realistic deal?” Biggs asked, angry. He reached over and pulled Lucas forward so that he cried out, “Why don’t I give you another option? How about you ask me whatever questions you want, until you get sick of hearing me torture your friend, and then you let me go?”
Nathan’s heart was beating a mile a minute, he had heard Lucas cry out. He had also cradled his son while he had cried earlier today. Enough was enough. He stood up next to Hudson. Hudson looked over at him and moved out of the way.
“Biggs,” Nathan said, “My name is Nathan Bridger. Don’t hurt him, we’ll let you go.”
O’Neill gave a silent cry of victory and Hudson moved over towards him, “Engineering room eight, sir, lower decks!” Hudson turned and nodded towards Ford who took off with a group of people.
“You can send someone around to us then,” Biggs said, “I’m sure you know where I am.”
“Oh, we know where you are,” Nathan Bridger said before he ran off to join Commander Ford and his team.
Biggs turned off the communication equipment and swore to himself. He still had Lucas in his grip. Lucas was now sweating profusely and shaking; Biggs knew that there was no way he could walk. He had to work out how could threaten the boy until he was safe enough away.
He didn’t have long to think, he had begun to hear voices shouting and footsteps echoing through the walls. It wasn’t long before the door swung open and Commander Ford and several other armed officers could be seen standing there facing them.
Biggs twisted around, holding Lucas in a one armed bear hug out in front of him like a shield. Ford’s face registered concern when he saw that Lucas’ sweaty, pale and weakened expression. He looked a lot like a child. Bridger came up behind him and froze. He hadn’t known Lucas was injured.
“Oh my God,” he whispered, “What the hell did you do to him you son of a bitch!?” He demanded.
Ford stood in front of Bridger slightly so that Bridger didn’t go charging towards him. Bigg’s gun wasn’t trained on Lucas, but Ford could see that Biggs had it in his hand and he was sure it was loaded and cocked.
“Back off!” Biggs ordered. No one moved. He lifted Lucas up so that he gave quite an agonised cry, “NOW!”
Rage filled Bridger as he watched Biggs hurt Lucas. He pushed past Ford, who tried to grab a hold of him, and hurled himself at the two men in the room.
Before Biggs could react, Bridger had his side arm and was aiming it at his head.
Biggs still had a hold of Lucas, who was gritting his teeth in pain, shaking and looking at Nathan. Nathan looked at Lucas, and pulled the trigger.
The sound of the gun going off was not completely deafening, but what followed afterwards was. Lucas opened his mouth in shock as blood sprayed over both him and Bridger.
Bridger caught a hold of Lucas and pushed Bigg’s body away. Lucas slowly turned to look at him. He didn’t say anything, but Nathan could see his disappointment.
“One day you’ll understand, Lucas,” he said.
The crewman who had been standing the doorway ran forward to check that Biggs was dead. Still in shock, Ford moved forward to help Bridger get Lucas out of the room.
After setting Lucas down, Ford ran off the get the med team. Nathan sat with Lucas and cupped one of his cheeks, not really having anything to say.
“Thankyou for rescuing me,” Lucas croaked out.
Nathan smiled affectionately, that was not exactly something Lucas would say. Lucas then closed his eyes and mouth. Nathan could see that he was gritting his teeth.
“We’re going to get something for that pain soon, kiddo,” he said stroking his face, feeling the warmth there with concern.
Lucas only nodded. Nathan could see Lucas was struggling with the pain, “It’s okay to cry you know,” he told him.
“I’m not a kid,” Lucas said weakly.
Nathan laughed, “Neither is Robert.”
Lucas looked confused, “He cried?” Nathan nodded.
“Recently?” Nathan nodded again, “So you’ll all still love me after I get older?”
Nathan looked at him seriously, “I’ll always love you.”
The med team picked that moment to arrive and Nathan kissed Lucas on the warm sticky forehead and stepped back for the second time that day to let the doctors get to work.
PART SEVEN