This story takes place in the third season. ...because it just wouldn't be Voyage fan fiction without a monster of the week story every now and again! ; )

Blessed are the Peacemakers

by Lynn

Admiral Harriman Nelson handled the dual control sticks expertly, easing the yellow flying submersible from the air to the sea in a dramatic dive, causing a tight smile to form on his face. As the Flying Sub's designer, he was proud of the way she handled, even though he didn't put FS1 through the same paces his co-pilot did.

“Nice entry, Sir,” Lee Crane said as he positioned his throat mic to contact Seaview. Harry just smiled in response as Lee hailed Nelson's other wonder of the ocean.

“FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview.”

“This is Seaview, go ahead FS1.”

“Inform Mr. Morton that we are thirty minutes out and that he owes me a steak dinner,” Lee smiled at Harry as he delivered that last bit. A moment passed and then his reply came back, only it wasn't Sparks' voice they heard.

“That's a negative, Sir. The bet stands until you board Seaview,” Chip's humor was apparent in his voice.

“Very well, Mr. Morton. See you in 30 minutes, and you still owe me a steak dinner.”

Lee signed off with Harry's inquisitive eyebrow raised.

“Chip bet me that I couldn't return from three ONI missions in a row without a visit to sickbay.”

Harry nodded and allowed a smirk to cross his face. They all knew that Chip wasn't betting against Lee to get hurt. It was just his way of letting Lee know that he worried and to take cares on his missions. Lee had taken the bet in the spirit of Chip's intent and figured it was an easy steak dinner at the finest steak house in Santa Barbara. It wasn't like every ONI mission left him bruised, shot or stabbed! This last mission had been a breeze, even though it had been deemed very dangerous. So dangerous, that he hadn't been surprised to see Harry in DC hanging out until his arrival. Harry had been relieved to see Lee looking so healthy and Lee was sort of happy about it himself. Everything just lined up perfectly, the mission was successful and Lee was ready to finish Seaview's current mapping mission for a new underwater communication's cable that the Navy wanted installed.

Both Harry and Lee were in their dark service uniforms and Lee reached up to adjust his tie, loosening it slightly. Was it just him or had it gotten a little warm inside FS1? The temperature was definitely rising as Lee began looking for the culprit.

“Admiral, I think something's off with the environmental controls, it's getting a little hot in here,” Lee said as he moved to make adjustments on the co-pilot's side panel. A hot submersible wasn't usually an issue, as the environmental controls often had to work to keep the cabin warm due to the cold surrounding waters outside.

Harry nodded in agreement, “Yes, something is definitely wrong. Try adjusting the temperature from the panel, perhaps the thermostat is malfunctioning,” Harry said as he loosened his tie, pulling it and his dark service jacket off. Lee nodded and unharnessed as he moved to the panel on FS1's starboard bulkhead. He was just fingering the butterfly bolts open when FS1 was hit by underwater turbulence. Lee was thrown to the other side of the flying sub and back the opposite way as he headed for his seat. He sat back down, and snapped his harness closed just as another round of turbulence hit.

“What is it?” Lee yelled, as the sounds of the ocean churning around them echoed through the flying sub's titanium hull.

“I don't know. I've never seen anything like it before,” Harry yelled back as he fought for control.

Lee grabbed his throat mic and activated it, “FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview...come in Seaview!” He looked over at Harry, “Nothing Sir, there's no response!”

Just then the Flying Sub was hit by another wave of turbulence that sent the craft flipping through the ocean depths as the lights failed. The red emergency lights flickered on, as the submersible finally equalized out, but there was no activity inside FS1 as both occupants lay heavily in their seats, blacked out.

* * * * *

Chip was at the chart table feeling pretty good about now. The flying sub was due in about 20 minutes and Seaview's captain was coming back in one piece. He was enjoying that thought when Patterson called out excitedly, “Massive shock wave on its way!”

Chip reached for the mic and clicked for all-boat, “All hands brace for shock wave!” The entire Control Room Crew took a strong handhold and waited as Patterson counted down the enormous shock wave headed their way.

“Five-four-three-two-one. Impact!”

The wave hit and Seaview was hit by a rock and roll of tremendous magnitude. Chip held onto the chart table for several rocks but lost his handhold on a subsequent roll. He ended up at the spiral staircase and held on until the seas calmed and Seaview found her natural buoyancy.

“Damage Control Report!” Chip said as he made his way back to the chart table. Bobby O'Brien repeated the order in the mic as they awaited the report from the DC officer.

“Damage Control Aye. We're tight and dry and Sir.”

“Very well,” Bobby replied as he looked out to the waters in front of them.

“Sonar, did we miss a sea quake?” Chip asked trying to figure out what had caused the shock wave.

“Negative Sir, the sensors aren't registering a quake,” Kowalski replied.

Just then Patterson called out again, “Another wave incoming!”

“All hands, brace for shock wave!” Chip ordered into the mic as Seaview was hit again. This time sending several Control Room crewmen from their stations to the floor. Chip and Bobby both lost their handholds as the shock wave seemed to rock with more fury than the last one. The electrical system was compromised and for a few moments it was pitch black as crewman groped for a handhold to steady themselves. The emergency lights didn't activate until the boat began to rock gently finding neutral buoyancy. Lt. Bobby O'Brien looked around for the Exec and found him out cold on the deck next to the periscope island.

“Mr. Morton!” he called turning Chip's face toward him, but the wet sticky feel on his hand indicated that all was not well. The main lights flickered back on as Bobby looked down at his hand, wet with blood from the gash on Chip's forehead.

“Get a corpsman, fast!” Bobby ordered and then picked up the mic at the periscope island. “Clear the line. DC report!” Bobby's voice was a little elevated, but he reined it in taking control of his adrenalin charged body.

“DC Aye. We've got a weakened bulkhead at Frame 35, Sir. I've got a crew on it now.”

“Very well, report when the detail is secure.”

An efficient “Aye Sir,” was rendered as Bobby took stock of the Control Room around him.

“Chief Sharkey,” Bobby said addressing the Chief who had just made his way back to the Control Room from his previous duty elsewhere on the boat. “Get me a station report.”

“Aye Sir,” Sharkey replied as he turned to make a circuit around the Control Room stations to report to Mr. O'Brien.

Bobby dropped back to his knees and looked over the XO. He was still out cold, Not a good sign, he thought as Jeff Franklin the corpsman made his entrance.

“Take care of him, Frank,” Bobby said, turning Chip's care over to the able corpsman as the young lieutenant moved toward Sharkey who had made his quick assessment around the room.

“Sir, all stations report operational and ready, but Sir, sonar's lost the Flying Sub,” Sharkey said with concern.

Bobby returned his concerned look as they headed to the radio shack. Sparks was rearranging wires and working the problem before they even arrived.

“Seaview to FS1. Come in FS1.” He stopped and listened and then repeated his hail, then looked up at Bobby and shook his head in the negative.

“They're just not there, Sir. The frequency is wide open, but there's no one there to hear it.”

Bobby's head dropped and then rose back up, “Keep trying Sparks,” he said as he turned to head back to the chart table.

“Sir,” Frank said addressing Bobby, “I'll need to transport the Exec to sickbay for Doc to take a look at. He looks bad, Sir.”

Bobby nodded and turned to Sharkey, “See to it, Chief.” Sharkey acknowledged and turned to get a couple of swab jockeys to help as Bobby stepped up to the chart table placing both hands on top of the table and leaned over breathing deeply.

The Exec's down, the Flying Sub's missing and I'm in charge. He took one final breath and then raised himself and squared his shoulders.

“Sonar, give me the coordinates for the last contact with the Flying Sub.” Ski responded and Bobby plotted an intercept course. He refused to believe that FS1 had disappeared without a trace. Working for Captain Crane for the last three years had taught him some very valuable lessons, and the first one was to never take defeat as the first option.

“Control Room, this is DC.”

Bobby picked up the mic, “Go ahead DC.”

“Frame 35 is secure and holding. Detail is secure, Sir.”

“Very well,” Bobby said shipping the mic. He issued more orders as his crew pulled themselves together into a cohesive working team and pointed Seaview's bow towards the Flying Sub's last known position.

* * * * *

Harry woke up inside the Flying Sub confused, as he looked out the windows to see they were no longer submerged. He blinked as he cleared his brain and noted the fathometer's reading, 1,200 feet below sea level. His brain cleared and he was finally able to realize that the Flying Sub was bobbing on the water's surface of an underwater cave. Just as he was able to make this conclusion his awareness returned in earnest as he turned his head toward Lee's empty chair.

“Lee!” Harry called as he unharnessed and swung the chair around looking for his friend and captain. The cockpit was empty and the cargo hatch was open as a bright light filtered in from the outside. Harry got up cautiously and moved forward hoping to find Lee and answer some important questions as to their whereabouts.

“Lee,” Harry called out again, but was disappointed in his lack of response. Harry noticed that the cave was significantly large as he stopped to secure FS1 and then proceeded onward to find Lee. The colors of the cave were an interesting amber color, mixed with a dark ore. The ore looked very much like carnotite* but he couldn't place the amber rock. There was an opening in the rocks ahead and light flowed out of it as well. He moved onward with his senses sharp as it appeared that this underwater cave at 1,200 feet below sea level was inhabited. This thought brought even more questions. There weren't that many boats floating in the ocean depths that could dive this deep, much less off-load occupants and supplies.

He moved forward following a large hallway. The rock walls no longer looked sharp and jaunted but had been formed and polished to look like an amber marble. There was no longer any question that the cave was inhabited as he moved along passing from one hallway under a perfectly carved archway to another hallway, following the bright light up ahead. He finally reached his destination and entered in wishing he had stopped and pulled his sidearm from the supply cabinet before leaving FS1. Harry stepped in a doorway that opened up to a large circular cavern that had been carved and polished into perfectly smooth amber walls.

In the center of the room stood a strange device that reached the ceiling, there were other devices against the wall and Harry felt a shiver go up his spine as he realized that the devices were other worldly. Nothing like he'd ever seen before and he couldn't even guess as to their functions. He was looking across the room when he heard his name back at the doorway he had just entered through, and spun around in response.

“Admiral Harriman Nelson.” The voice was monotone and metallic as Harry turned toward the figure in the doorway. He was dressed completely in white with a long tunic to his thighs worn over white pants. The entire white outfit glittered an illuminating light and as the figure moved closer to Harry he could see that his features were almost translucent.

“Who are you?” Harry's shock was immediately schooled as his need for information required communications with this being.

“We are pleased that you found us Admiral Nelson,” the figure replied. “I am Qatar, Leader of my People.”

“Alright, now I know your name, but I still don't know who you are,” Harry said, getting straight to the point.

“We are travelers. Explorers, if you will. We came to your system over a thousand earth years ago and have been exploring your galaxy ever since. We built this underwater home to rest while we replenish our technology and our strength, and then we will move forward again. I can assure you, we mean no harm to you or your people,” Qatar answered, but his lips barely moved. Harry thought there was something very “unreal” about his appearance and wondered if the being was presenting himself in its true form.

“What about my friend, where is Captain Crane?” Harry asked, not knowing whether to trust the alien or not.

“Captain Crane was injured in the current that brought you to our cavern. Our medical officer is looking after him as we speak.”

Harry's head raised and his eyes sharpened, “What kind of injury? Can you take me to him? I'd like to see him.”

Qatar nodded his head, but the movement was not natural and not executed in synch with his next words.

“We will take you to him as soon as he has been stabilized. Our medical officer is very knowledgeable concerning humans and I'm sure she will be able to help him. For now you are our guest here, you may go anywhere you please and explore our base.” Qatar turned to leave but Harry called after him.

“Wait, Qatar. The current that brought us here, is it natural or did you bring us here?”

Qatar's white color of his clothes flickered to yellow and then back to white as he looked at Harry, ignoring his question. “Please enjoy yourself Admiral Nelson. We understand that you are a man of science, and you may find some of our technology to be intriguing.” Then Qatar turned and left the cavern, the light that eluded from his clothes faded and Harry saw that he disappeared after taking only a few steps into the hallway.

He lowered his head, placing his hand in his pocket as he thought through the situation he now found himself in. There was no doubt in his mind that he was being kept here against his will, as Qatar had totally ignored his question on how they had gotten here. He needed to learn all he could and hopefully he would find Lee soon because so far, he was getting a bad feeling about Qatar and his intentions.

* * * * *

Lee's eyes fluttered open and he had to think about where he was, because it sure felt like he was on a mission gone bad. He couldn't move a muscle and his body felt heavy. His arms laid next to his body with his hands awkwardly laying palm down on a cold surface. He moved his eyes, the only thing that worked, and looked down toward his chest. He was no longer wearing his dark service uniform, but was now wearing a white tunic with pants similar to sickbay scrubs. He caught the glow of a light that surrounded his body, and he realized that it was the light that was restraining him. Crazy, but he could feel the pull of the light as if a dense gravity had been applied to his body. All he could see was what his line of sight could catch on the ceiling. A strange amber looking stone and another light over him, but other than that he didn't know where he was or what he was doing here.

Just then his mind was invaded by hundreds of voices all asking, demanding his attention. The voices were insistent and each one's demands were causing an overload in his brain. Pain spiked behind his eyes as his breathing grew rapid and ragged.

Finally he yelled out, “I can't hear you all at once!”

Almost immediately, the voices began to trail off taking with them the pain from behind his eyes as his breathing began to return to normal. The voices finally faded to one distinct male voice.

“Is this better Lee Crane?” The voice was hollow and metallic sounding, its monotone sound almost robotic sounding.

“Yes,” Lee breathed out. “Who are you, and why I am I here?” Lee asked, hoping his abductors were willing to talk.

“We are travelers to your planet. Simple explorers. We mean only to learn from you and your people. We mean you no harm,” the disembodied voice replied.

“If you mean no harm, then why am I being restrained?” Lee asked, but was instantly bombarded with the hundreds of voices once again demanding his attention. The pain behind his eyes spiked again, but in the midst of the pain he heard one voice, a female voice; calming, reassuring and somehow he gained strength from her.

The voices trailed off once again, and Lee figured he was like one of Pavlov's dogs and had just been zapped for asking the wrong question.

“Okay. So you're explorers,” he said his voice airy and strained, “What do you want with me and my planet?” Lee asked, hoping to gain information and not get zapped again.

“We simply want to learn from you. We sense that you are a warrior and we wish to learn about you.”

Lee didn't think he was getting the full answer to his question and stated, “If you're looking for information about my country's defenses, I can't help you.”

The voices bombarded him again as Lee closed his eyes concentrating on the one voice that calmed the confusion and pain of all the other voices. He knew it was dangerous. It could be a ruse, like “good cop/bad cop”. He could be playing right into their hands, but the voice was reassuring and the pain lessened dramatically as he concentrated on its voice.

As the main voice continued, it was apparent that these “explorers” were actually conquerors and Lee had to lean heavily upon the one voice helping to support him as finally the questions ended and Lee felt the mob of voices in his head leave for good. He lay there reining in his breathing and did a physical assessment. He didn't think he was injured at all, but he was very tired and fatigued. A pretty effective interrogation system; one that leaves the victim in pain but not physically harmed.

His eyes began to close when he felt another being, and he wondered if the interrogation was going to begin again.

“Lee Crane.” It was the female voice he heard that had offered him calm and lessened the pain during the interrogation.

“Who are you? Why are you helping me?” Lee asked, still unable to move his head or any other part of his body. A light moved over into his line of sight and he caught the shining white, almost translucent face of the alien over him. Her hair floated about her head as if she was in zero gravity and Lee was slightly mesmerized by her strange beauty.

“My name in Zerina and not all of my people approve of Qatar's methods,” she answered.

“He's looking to conquer this planet, isn't he?” Lee asked, hoping that Zerina was as honest as he perceived her to be.

“Yes. Our people are explorers, we are looking for a new home world and have moved from planet to planet in your galaxy. But many of my people have grown weary, we cannot share the resources with other sentience beings, our species' demands are too taxing on the planets. Qatar is leading a large group of my people who believe that we should no longer search for a planet to sustain us, and that we should take over this planet. But there are enough like me, who can stop Qatar.”

Lee thought through the questions that Qatar had posed on him; questions about their weapons, about combat, and how it felt to take another's life.

“Your technology is advanced enough to travel through the galaxy, but Qatar seemed to ask me questions about defenses that surely you already know about,” Lee was sure that they already knew about their nuclear weapons and could easily neutralize them if they wanted to.

“Our people have been peaceful for thousands of years. We do not know how to make war. That is why Qatar brought you here. He could sense that you and Harriman Nelson are warriors. He wants you to teach them how to make war and Harriman Nelson to teach them how to make weapons.”

“But your interrogation seems to imply you can read my mind?” Lee asked, wondering why they didn't just drain the information they wanted from him.

“No, we can sense and perceive, but we cannot read your mind and we cannot access your knowledge while you sleep. The subject must allow us in.”

“And that's why you're helping me, to keep them from gaining access to my knowledge?”

“Yes. There are others who will help when the time is right. I must leave now.”

“Wait!” Lee called out as she seemed to fade away for a second and then reappeared at his call. “Zerina, is Admiral Nelson safe? Will they subject him to the same interrogation?”

Zerina's face glowed in a warm light above him as if she were pleased with his concern for the Admiral.

“Qatar needs Harriman Nelson's skill, not just his knowledge. He believes he can convince Harriman Nelson to help him. He is safe for now.” Zerina smiled and glowed warmly.

“Please rest Lee Crane. I will be here to help again,” with that she disappeared. Lee felt he could trust Zerina, and he was so very tired, his eyes closed and was soon in a very deep sleep.

* * * * *

“All Stop,” Lt. O'Brien ordered as Seaview reached the coordinates of the Flying Sub's last known position.

“Sonar?” Bobby inquired.

Ski pursed his lips and nodded a negative, “Nothing Sir. The scope is clear.”

“Hydrophones?” Bobby asked leaning towards Patterson.

“Nothing Sir.”

“Keep a sharp watch out,” Bobby instructed and walked towards the aft hatch, “You have the Con Sparks, I'll be in sickbay.”

“Aye Sir.”

Bobby reached sick bay and found a rather busy room with Doc Jamieson and the corpsman taking care of cuts, gashes, and a couple of broken limbs, but only one bunk was occupied as Bobby headed over to check on its occupant.

Bobby looked down at the unconscious face of the Exec. The gash had been treated and a bandage square now lay above his left eye. Bobby felt someone move up alongside of him and looked up to see Doc Jamieson.

“Can I help you with something, Captain?”

Doc's last word nearly sent Bobby through the bulkhead ceiling, but he was at this moment the acting captain of the boat. Bobby pulled himself together.

“How's the XO, Doc?” Bobby inquired.

“A moderate concussion, he's been awake but not lucid. But he'll be alright with rest,” Jamie added.

Bobby nodded, “And the rest of your casualties?”

“Mostly bumps and bruises, a few stitches and two broken bones.”

“Thank you, Doc. Let me know when Mr. Morton is awake and lucid.”

“Aye, Captain.” Jamie added a small smile, knowing that Lt. Bobby O'Brien was getting a crash course in command experience today. “How are things going up there?”

“The boat's secure. We're looking for FS1, but...” Bobby's voice trailed off as he shook his head, “she's just not out there Doc.” Bobby paused for only a moment, “But we're going keep looking. They didn't just disappear. There will be something, even if it’s not what we want to find.”

Jamie nodded, understanding that their search and rescue could just as easily turn into a recovery operation as Bobby O'Brien walked out of sickbay and back to his post in the Control Room.

* * * * *

Harry walked around and explored his surroundings looking for Lee, but came up empty. He headed back to the circular room where he first met Qatar, it seemed to be a central room and he hoped to get more information as to why he was here and where Lee was. Qatar said that Lee was injured, but wouldn't give him any information and he still hadn't been allowed to see Lee yet.

Harry entered back into the circular room with the strange device in the center, it was empty but he entered hoping that Qatar would return. He took the time to study the odd shape of the device that stood in the center of the room. He had no idea of how it worked, but he began to wonder if it wasn't a power unit of some kind, perhaps even using the carnotite ore that was plentifully found in the cavern. A few moments later the room lit in one corner as Harry watched Qatar appear in the room, first just a translucent figure and then he brightened and took solid form.

“Admiral Nelson, I trust you have found your exploration of our base fascinating.” Qatar's voice was still monotone and seemed to fill the cavern around him in a metallic echo.

“I'm more interested in finding Captain Crane,” Harry answered, trying to keep his voice civil.

“My medical officer reports that your captain is resting comfortably and that his injury is not life-threatening,” Qatar replied as his white glow faded to yellow and then back to white again.

Interesting, Harry thought, as he pondered the possible implications of Qatar's color change.

“Admiral Nelson, we sense that you are a warrior, but you are also a thinker. This intrigues us. We are also thinkers and builders as we also perceive you to be.”

Harry nodded and answered carefully, “I am an inventor, and as a scientist I like to explore and learn.”

“Yes, that is what we have sensed, and yet we are perplexed at the paradox of being such a thinker and your ability to take a life and make war,” Qatar asked as his glow intensified and then lessened.

“I do not take a life easily. Indeed, I try to avoid the loss of life at all possible costs, but sometimes it's not possible to defend others without the loss of life.”

Qatar's color intensified again, “To defend others?”

“Yes,” Harry answered, as he silently wondered what Qatar was after with this line of questions, “My country does not make war to conquest or rule others, but sometimes we must make war to defend ourselves or others who cannot defend themselves.”

Qatar didn't seem to be pleased with Harry's answer. “I perceive your species has made war to do more than defend yourselves,” Qatar challenged.

“Yes, that is true. But the entire human race cannot be judged by the actions of a few evil men. Each man must be accountable for his own actions.”

“You deem war as evil?” Qatar's red eyes intensified.

“No, I believe that sometimes war is necessary to preserve a people's right to freedom. The evil lies in men who will stop at nothing to obtain their power, to the point of harming innocent women and children, enslaving others, and taking away their livelihoods. I abhor the taking of lives, but I will not passively sit by and allow others' freedoms to be stripped from them without helping.” Harry's voice turned passionate as Qatar's color turned yellow again.

“I see. There is much we can learn from you Admiral Nelson. We perceive that you are a builder.”

“I am an inventor, yes,” Harry answered cautiously.

“You have invented many weapons for being a man of peace,” Qatar said in a monotone voice.

“Sometimes the best weapons are those that deter the plans of others.”

“So you believe strength is a deterrent that keeps peace?” Qatar inquired.

“That has been our policy and it has worked,” Harry answered thinking of Teddy Roosevelt's famous quote, Speak softly but carry a big stick. “We don't throw our weight around, but the fact that we are powerful keeps others from infringing on our freedom.”

“But your inventions have caused deaths, Admiral Nelson.”

“Yes, I regret that fact, but the lives that have been saved out-weigh that unfortunate fact.” Harry paused and then addressed Qatar with his own statement.

“You seem to be very interested in the dilemma of war and keeping peace.”

Qatar's white color again changed to yellow, “We are merely interested in learning about your species Admiral Nelson. We are a peaceful people and have not made war in thousands of years.” Harry noticed that at the last statement Qatar's color turned back to white. I wonder if he knows that he changes colors when he lies, Harry thought.

Harry smiled, as he feigned acceptance of Qatar's intentions. “I would like to see Captain Crane now.”

“All in good time Admiral Nelson,” Qatar replied and then faded and disappeared.

Harry stood in the circular room alone and pondered Qatar's line of questioning. The questions weren't just one of a curious nature, but one asked with some sort of intention in mind. He didn't trust Qatar, even before he realized that Qatar's glow turned from white to yellow when he wasn't being truthful. Qatar's questions about war and the taking of lives was disturbing, and Harry knew that he needed to locate Lee and find their way out of the underwater cavern before Qatar found what he was really seeking.

* * * * *

Lee was in a deep sleep, when he heard his name.

“Lee Crane.”

His eyes opened slowly, he felt tired and weak. His body was still being held in place by the light that encircled the perimeter of his body as he lay on the cold table. His awareness was shocked back when the multitude of voices insisted he waken. His eyes squeezed shut as he managed the pain behind his eyes and sought in his mind for Zerina.

“Lee Crane. We will talk about combat and killing your enemy.” The voice was matter of fact and Lee knew that no line of questioning was safe, so he closed off his mind and fought off the barrage of voices zapping him for his defiance.

“I told you, I won't help you,” Lee answered defiantly.

The pain behind his eyes spiked with intensity until he found Zerina's voice, but he sensed something was wrong. As he leaned on her strength he realized that Zerina was taking his pain, that she wasn't merely shielding him but was actually absorbing the assault into her being. Instinctively, Lee tore his connection away from Zerina as he felt her gentle insistence to let her help him. The voices stopped and the main male voice started again.

“Lee Crane, we know that you are a warrior. You will now teach us to kill.”

“I am a warrior, but I serve to protect not to indiscriminately take lives,” Lee answered with sincerity as he was immediately met with the full force of his captor's barrage on his mind. Lee rode out the pain, ignoring Zerina's pleas. The questions continued as Lee denied his captors the information they sought and his weary body finally caused him to black out.

He had no idea how long he had been unconscious when he heard Zerina's single voice and opened his eyes to see her floating over him once again.

“Lee Crane, why didn't you allow me to help you?” She asked with sincere concern in her translucent face.

“You're not just shielding me are you?” he stated more than asked, “I can't allow you to take my pain only to endure it yourself.” Lee's voice faded and his eyes closed again as his weakened body insisted he rest.

Zerina hovered over him and then reached down to caress Lee's face and smiled. Then she faded and disappeared.

* * * * *

Harry began searching for Lee again. The cavern had only a few hallways and he was perplexed as to where they had taken Lee. He stopped and studied a light up ahead in another hallway and moved toward it. The light was white, but purer than Qatar's. He followed it as the light moved into an area that he had not yet investigated.

The light moved in front of an amber wall and hovered, waiting until Harry arrived. Harry stood in front of the light that transformed into another being, a female. She waved her hand over a small stone protruding from the wall and a doorway appeared. She turned to Harry and motioned him to follow her in. Harry stepped in as the female being “closed” the door behind her with a wave of her hand.

Harry turned to scan the room and found Lee lying on a raised table under a bright light. His body lay straight and awkwardly flat under linen like white garments.

“Lee!” Harry said moving quickly to the table, but getting no response. Harry turned to the female being in question.

“He is weak, but unharmed. My name is Zerina. I have been helping Lee Crane, but he refused my help when he realized that I was absorbing his pain,” Zerina explained.

“Pain?” Harry asked, seeking answers regarding Lee's condition.

“Qatar has been interrogating him. He will recover, but you need to leave this place.”

Harry nodded in agreement, “You're not like Qatar are you?”

Zerina's light glowed warmly, “I too needed to learn what it meant to be a warrior. Qatar believes that a warrior is simply one who kills to obtain his desire, but I did not perceive this to be true of you or Lee Crane. He has taught me that to be a warrior is to be a protector of others. He would not even allow me to continue to absorb the pain once he realized what I was doing.” Her glow intensified as she continued, “I think I now understand what motivates you, and I have taught this to my people. We will defend the innocent ones, but it will be a costly battle. You must take Lee Crane with you and leave this place. We will make sure that Qatar is not successful in his plans to conquer your planet.”

Harry's face registered great respect for Zerina as he realized that she had come to terms with the paradox of the unfortunate necessity to sometimes fight to preserve peace and protect others. He nodded and moved toward Lee, calling to him as Zerina waved her hand over Lee's body releasing the restraining light that held him in place.

Lee's body relaxed as the awkward restraints allowed his body to move into a more natural position. His head lolled to the sound of Harry's voice calling him as his eyes opened and then found him.

“Admiral.” Immediately he realized he could move as Harry helped to lift Lee from the table into a sitting position.

“Are you alright, Lee?” Harry asked with concern.

“I think so, I'm just so tired.”

“We've got to leave now, Lee. Zerina is going to lead her people against Qatar.”

At Zerina's name, Lee looked around until he found her white luminescent being glowing in the corner, and smiled at her.

She returned his smile and moved forward as Lee tried to stand and fell into Harry's arms, his legs unable to carry him as he let out a soft moan.

“Admiral, I too weak. Go on without me,” Lee insisted, the room shaking as if to accentuate the impending danger.

“The battle has started,” Zerina explained.

“Admiral...” Lee started, but Harry cut him off.

“Not without you, Lee,” Harry insisted as Zerina stepped closer to Lee.

“Lee Crane,” she said catching his attention with deep eye contact. Her eyes were blue, bluer than anything Lee could describe as he looked into her mesmerizing orbs. She took his hands and closed her eyes as Harry stepped away, ready to catch Lee if he faltered again. Immediately Lee began to feel strength return and worried for Zerina's sake.

“Zerina...,” Lee started but was comforted immediately by Zerina as she spoke in a hushed voice.

“It is alright Lee Crane,” she assured him as he closed his eyes and found his strength returning. Her body intensified in its glow as Lee took deep breaths and then opened his eyes to gaze into her deep blue eyes.

“Thank you,” he said in a whisper.

“Thank you, Lee Crane,” she said glowing warmly. “We did not understand what it meant to be a true warrior. It is not as Qatar believes, one who does violence to obtain his means. You have taught us the true warrior's heart; to protect and serve others.”

She let go of his hands as Lee stood, still wearing the white tunic and pants that he had found himself in when he first woke.

“Now go my friends. We will guide you out to safety, when Qatar is subdued we will leave your planet and continue our exploration.” Zerina began to fade away as her voice trailed off with her light. “Good bye, Lee Crane.”

“Good bye, Zerina,” Lee said as another quake shook even harder.

“Come on, Lee,” Harry said moving back out the halls and retracing his steps through the circular room. They could feel the intensity of the battle, even though they couldn't see any of the alien beings. Lee's strength was still weak but strong enough to move on his own as he followed Harry back to the cavern where the Flying Sub sat waiting. They climbed in the top hatch as Lee dogged the hatch while Harry started up the pre-flight sequence. Moments later FS1 submerged as they followed a bright light, guiding them through an underwater cave. The water around them became turbulent and it took both Harry and Lee's strength to hold the control sticks on course and away from the walls of the cave. Then in one final quake the Flying Sub was shot out of the entrance of the underwater cave through to the open ocean as FS1 rolled in the turbulence. Power was lost and FS1 lost its buoyancy landing hard on the ocean floor as both Harry and Lee sat heavily back into their seats, safely secured by the harness belts.

Lee's head was still leaning back into the seat as he lolled his head over to catch Harry's eyes while they both took deep breaths.

“Are you okay, Sir?” Lee asked, as Harry replied with a smile.

“I'm fine, Lee. How about you?”

“I'm good Admiral,” then he flashed Harry a reassuring smile, “Really,” he said as they both leaned forward to see what they could do to get FS1's power restored.

* * * * *

Lt. Bobby O'Brien made another circuit around the Control Room. They had been station keeping at the Flying Sub's last known location for the last four hours and still didn't have a clue where FS1 had disappeared to. He had just passed the helmsman when Patterson yelled out again.

“Shock wave in 10 seconds!”

Bobby ran to the chart table picking up the mic and clicking, “All hands brace for shock wave!” The words had barely cleared his mouth when the rock and rolls commenced. Bobby held on for dear life as the lights flickered, but stayed on. When the boat equalized out, Bobby reached for the mic.

“Damage Control, Report.”

“DC, Aye. We're tight and dry, Sir.”

“Very well...” but O'Brien's words were interrupted by Patterson's warning.

“Another shock wave on its way!”

Bobby double clicked, “Brace for shock wave!”

A few seconds later and the shock wave hit with greater force than the previous one, as the lights flickered out and the red emergency lights flickered on. As everyone took themselves up off the floor the main lights flickered back on and almost immediately Kowalski called out.

“Contact Sir! She profiles like the Flying Sub!”

Bobby O'Brien smiled and then schooled it back, finding his command decorum.

“Very well, Sonar. Give me coordinates to intercept.”

Ski rattled off coordinates and Bobby made the course adjustment and then clicked the mic at the chart table.

“Damage Control, report.”

“DC Aye. We're tight and dry, the brace is still holding at Frame 35.”

“Very well.” Bobby double clicked and hailed again.

“Sickbay, report.”

A moment later and Doc Jamieson's voice was heard, “Minor injuries, Sir, and the Exec is awake now.”

“Very well, Doc. I'll be down when I can.”

“Aye Sir.”

Bobby stopped and turned toward Seaview's windows in front of him. Things were looking up, now if the Flying Sub was still in one piece...he thought, hoping Admiral Nelson and Captain Crane were safe, but somehow feeling confident that they were.

* * * * *

Harry was at a maintenance panel to Lee's right wrapping two wires together using a wire connector.

“Try it now, Lee,” he said as he stepped back from the panel.

Lee flipped a few toggle switches as the emergency lights blinked off and the main lights lit the cabin.

“Looks good Admiral,” Lee said as Harry fingered the butterfly bolts shut on the panel.

Harry returned to his seat and sat down reaching for his throat mic when a bright light illuminated outside of FS1's windows causing both Lee and Harry to raise their hands to shield their eyes from the brightness. The light was accompanied with a turbulence that settled quickly and was replaced with millions of air bubbles following the light toward the surface.

“I guess Zerina was successful,” Lee said wistfully.

“I'm sure of it, Lee,” Harry responded.

As the bubbles dissipated Harry reached back to his throat mic and activated it.

“FS1 to Seaview, come in Seaview.”

Both officers smiled in relief as Sparks' voice was heard.

“Seaview here. Boy, Sir! Are we glad to hear from you!”

Harry and Lee exchanged broader smiles as the usually calm and in control radio operator allowed his excitement to reach his voice.

Harry answered with a gleam in his eye, “We're sort of glad to hear from you too.”

“Aye Sir, one moment for Mr. O'Brien.”

Lee leaned his head back against the head rest, still tired and wondering if Zerina had survived the battle. He closed his eyes for a moment, and heard that one single female voice he heard as he had laid on the table, “Good bye, Lee Crane.” Lee smiled, and answered, “Good bye, and thank you Zerina.”

He opened his eyes and caught Harry's eyes as he smiled wearily, “Everything's alright Admiral. Zerina made it.”

Harry nodded as Lee's head rested heavily back while they watched the form of Seaview's bow begin to appear in FS1's windows as she closed the distance to retrieve her creator and captain.

* * * * *

Lt. Bobby O'Brien stood at the chart table with both hands leaning flat against the table in front of him. Everything was back in control. Seaview was secure, the Exec was going to be alright, and they had just heard from the Admiral and Captain Crane. Bobby took a deep breath and squared his shoulders realizing with satisfaction that he had weathered the test of the unexpected burden of Command. Seaview was a good boat, and he had a good crew. Together, they had rode out the adversity to a successful conclusion. He looked out the great herculite windows before him to view the Flying Sub and smiled as Seaview moved to close the distance to retrieve the submersible. His smile faded as Bobby got down to business making preparations to dock FS1.

* * * * *

He woke to the smells of sickbay and once again reached for his head. He willed the nausea down as he kept his eyes closed waiting for the world to stop spinning.

“Chip?”

Chip peeked an eye open and caught Lee sitting next to him dressed in his khakis with a clip board on his lap.

“Are you going to stay awake this time?” Lee asked with a smile.

“I guess. When did you get back?” Chip asked as his awareness began to return.

“A couple of hours ago.”

“What did I miss?” Chip asked, now that he was really awake.

“Plenty, but everything is back to normal. And you my friend owe me a steak dinner.” Lee finished with a smile.

“You really made it back without a trip to sickbay?” Chip inquired, not sure if he really believed it.

“Yeah, and I was wondering if we should place another bet?”

Chip's eyebrows rose at Lee's question.

“I'm just wondering if you can make three cruises in a row aboard Seaview without a trip to sickbay? What do you say, double or nothing?”

Chip let loose a little chuckle and then schooled it back. It hurt too much to laugh and the movement was making him sick again.

Lee returned his smile and sat back as he watched Chip drop back off to sleep. He was feeling pretty tired himself, and he hadn't exactly been forthcoming with Chip. Jamie had put him through the hoops to make sure that the alien's interrogations hadn't caused any damage. In the end, Jamie agreed that all Lee needed was a little rest.

Lee got up and headed back to his cabin tired but content. He was pleased for Zerina and relieved that the earth had avoided what would have been a very costly confrontation. As he reached his cabin he entered thinking about Zerina's observations. As an officer in the US Navy Reserves he understood that he was a warrior, but he really saw himself more as a peace-keeper. Even with the battles he had commanded, the ONI missions he had completed, and even the men he had been forced to kill in the line of duty; he had always seen himself as helping to keep the peace in a violent world. And this experience had only gone to further support his understanding that sometimes the most effective peace-keeper was the warrior who stepped up to protect those who could not protect themselves...that he would always do.

“He quoted 'Blessed are the peacemakers,'

and I replied that if a man can make peace by fighting he is a peacemaker.”

Sgt. Alvin C. York

APRIL 30, 1918**

The End

Blessed are the Peacemakers

*carnotite – an ore (I'm sure quite fictional) from the Season One episode, Mutiny, and according to Jiggs Stark, invaluable to the nuclear program

**From the diary of Sgt. Alvin York, a man of deep convictions regarding the taking of lives, who during WWI almost single-handily “captured 132 Germans, took about thirty-five machine guns, and killed no less than twenty-five of the enemy” in one battle, (as recounted in the official report of the 82^nd Division to HQ).

Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and her main characters belong to Irwin Allen