Lucas Wolenczak couldn't help smile at the contents of the e-mail that he had just received.  He was careful to make

sure that no one else was reading over his shoulder thought.  The last thing he needed was to get chewed out over

his hacking into files he didn't normally have access to.

But right at this very moment he felt on top of the world.  He had just learned a piece of information that made him

grin from ear to ear like a Cheshire cat.

He had closed down the top of his laptop computer but was startled from his day dream when there was a loud

knock on the door to his cramped and small quarters.

"None today thanks" he said in a cheeky voice.

Ben Krieg stuck his dark-haired head through the door as he now opened it without the welcoming invitation "You

know Lucas you could be nicer to me you know" he said in a joking manner.

"Why?" Lucas shot back with a blank look crossing his face in mockery.

"Why you" Ben said as he leapt through the door and now playfully punched the teenager in the arm for his outburst.

"Captain says he wants to see you in the ward room pronto" Ben now said turning the conversation more serious.

"Says he wants you there A.S.A.P. if not sooner."

"Lucas to the rescue again" the teenager said a little dejectedly.  The crew rarely involved them in their meetings unless

something was wrong with the computer equipment aboard the boat.  Then is was good work Lucas, go away now

until the next time we have a problem Lucas.  At least that is how it felt some times.

"What did someone break this time?" Lucas asked in a sarcastic tone.

"I don't know, but whatever it is it's all very hush hush" Ben said in all seriousness.   Whatever was happening, nobody

was telling him either.

"Come on then, let's go and put in an appearance before they come looking for us." Lucas said as he got up from his

chair, making sure that his e-mail was carefully stored away from prying eyes. 

Lucas used his normal, slouched, hands in pockets stance to make his way down the corridor to the ward room with

Ben.

He knocked lightly on the door and opened it when he heard a voice telling him to come in.

"Oh good, you here" Bridger said as he gave the teenager a grateful smile for turning up as soon as he was asked to.

It was common knowledge that although Lucas was often caught running through the corridors of the ship at a frightening

pace at time.  There were other times when the kid was as equally stubborn about slowly his pace to barely a crawl.

Most of the time deliberately to show his displeasure at something or to mock the orders he received from the more

senior members of the crew.

Lucas looked around the room and saw the usual faces.  Commander Jonathan Ford with his serious no nonsense

exterior.  Doctor Kristen Westphalen, Katie Hitchcock, Miguel Ortiz and Tim O'Neill.  Ben found an empty seat and

also joined the party.

"You wanted to see me about something?" Lucas enquired before he sat down anywhere.

"Yes, Admiral Noyce will be on-line to the room in just a few minutes and he asked everybody be here for what he

had to say.  He also left specific instructions that you were to be included in the meeting Lucas" Bridger explained.

"What does the Admiral want with me?" Lucas asked innocently.  He had a feeling though he already secretly knew

what the Admiral was going to talk to him and the rest of the crew about.

"I don't know Lucas.  He is being a little secretive about the whole operation.  He just insisted that you be included,

so find a chair and we will find out in a few minutes" Bridger said.

Lucas found a chair at the small table nearest the Captain and open enough to see the video link screen.

Tim O'Neill was working the video-link controls "Captain, I have Admiral Noyce on the line now" he informed

them.

"Put him on the main screen Mr O'Neill" Bridger instructed him. 

"Greetings Nathan, everyone.  Hello Lucas" the Admiral now said as he looked about at the audience before him.

Lucas looked a little embarrassed that the Admiral chose to pick him out of the whole group in particular.  "Hi

Admiral" he said back in a soft voice.

"I suppose you are all wondering what I am going to talk to you about and why we have been playing our cards

close to our chest?" the Admiral now said as he began to explain his reason for calling.

"Well, as you may or may not know there is a small mining community in the Landau Trench in the Indianan Ocean

called the Landau Munitions Depot.  The place has been maintained to a very high level over the last couple of decades

through private sponsorship, donations and U.E.O. monies.  But recently, the engineers have become increasingly

alarmed at the stability of where the mining structure itself sits on the ocean floor.  Seasonal changes in the current

have caused some of the bedrock around the facility to start to cave in on the outside of the supports."

"Are they trying to fix the problem Sir?" Jonathan Ford now asked, interrupting the Admiral's speech.

"They tried to Commander, but after pouring more money into the problem, and the structure itself getting more and

more weaker all the time.  The engineers have reached the difficult decision that the structure must be abandoned

before it collapses altogether."

"But there are a lot of people down there Admiral.  Families, scientists, not to mention some of our own U.E.O.

staff" Kristen now said alarmed at such a drastic course of action being taken.

"We know that Doctor Westphalen, that's what SeaQuest has been asked to do.    Move all of those people and

their belongings out of there in a safe time frame.  I admit it's a large scale job and looks like taking the best part

of a week to do.  But under the circumstances, we don't have any other choices.  The people have to be moved

to safer facilities or they could find themselves trapped by the collapsing building inside."

Bridger's mind was already ticking over about what supplies and tactical knowledge they would need before taking

on such a massive rescue operation.  Taking the people off the mining depot wasn't a major problem.  Space aboard

might become a little cramped until the people could be moved up-world, but there were other things to take into

account.  One of the most important factors to take into consideration was the mining depot's most dangerous

cargo.

"What about the toxic substances they hold there Bill?" Bridger now asked, voicing Commander Ford unspoken words.

"I know what you are thinking Nathan" Admiral Noyce replied.  "That's why I called you to do the job.  As you know,

the mining depot itself is protected from the harsh actions of the outside currents by a hard outer shell.  That shell is

designed not only to keep it's population inside, but also it's not too nice things as well such as noxious gases and

radioactive wastes."

"When you go to the mining community, you will have to be careful about not releasing any of those substances onto

the ocean floor.  Once the structure has collapsed in on itself, that shell should be enough to prevent such a leakage

in the future.   Once you go aboard the community, I strongly urge you to make sure that you only make one trip.

Make sure that you don't keep coming back in and out of the vacuum seal of the station's docking back.  It will only

cause the structure to become weaker again and it may hamper your efforts to get those people out in an orderly

fashion.  They will have a lot of equipment that they want to take with them, but it will be up to your crew Nathan to

ensure that they only take was personally belongs to them and what is most important.  Once in other, more safe

facilities, they will be able to carry out the experiments and other work that they did on the depot.  But for now, the

main focus has to be in getting them off the station safely before it collapses."

"Lucas, this is where you come into the picture" Admiral Noyce now said as he turned to face the teenager.  "That

station has a lot of computer equipment.  Like I said we are not concerned with taking any of the hard ware with us,

but I need you to look at each and every terminal in there and back up onto chips, what information is stored in those

memory banks.  I know that is going to be a big job and probably you will be the only one aboard who knows how

to tackle it" he continued to say.

Lucas was mulling over what he knew about the station's computer and how long it would take to successfully save

the data from each computer.  Even for someone with his computer expertise, asking for it to be done in under a week

was almost an impossibility, no matter how much he hated to admit.

"I don't know if I can do it alone in that time Sir" Lucas now said, a little dejected at having to voice the concern for

his inability to complete the assigned task on time.  "There will be days worth of work.  Maybe more than a week."

"Don't worry Lucas.  I have taken all of that into consideration.  That's why I went out and found you the best computer

partner I could lay my hands on at the time" Admiral Noyce said with a grin.  He truly thought that he was about to

spring the surprise of the century on the SeaQuest's resident computer whiz.  What he didn't know was they Lucas

was already privy to his little surprise partner.  He would just choose not to reveal what he knew at this time.

Bridger and the others in the room had a confused look on their faces when the Admiral spoke about having a partner

join Lucas in tackling the upcoming computer download on the Landau Mining Depot.   Why hadn't the Admiral

spoke to him about getting someone else to help Lucas.  Bridger didn't know if he liked the idea of someone new

working with the teenager when there was so much at risk already.

Lucas decided to try and get the Admiral to admit the identity of the newcomer that he was aware of.  "Who did you

get?" he asked plainly and simply.  He tried to keep up appearances by showing a little disapproval on his face and

a little contriteness for them not believing in his computer abilities.

"Ah, all will be revealed in a little while Lucas.  I don't want to spoil the surprise, but just let's say that it is somebody

that you will be familiar with.  Somebody from your past" the Admiral said, still appearing pleased with his surprise.

"I have arranged for him to dock at the SeaQuest via shuttle within the next half an hour" the Admiral now said.

"Nathan, there is no time to loose.  Once this certain individual is aboard and settled, I want you to make you way as

quickly as possible towards the mining community and start making arrangements for evacuating those people off that

thing.  I will keep in touch with you through the whole operation and don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything."

"Oh and good luck Lucas" the Admiral finished off saying and then quickly terminated the communication before anybody

had a chance to ask anymore questions.

Bridger and the others looked at Lucas, trying to look for a clue as to who this mystery person was.  Lucas was sitting

in a thinking pose, trying to act as though he was digging back into his memories and trying to remember someone who

was as good with computers as he was.   

He looked up and saw everybody looking at him.  "Don't ask me.  I don't know of anybody else out there who is as

good as me, do you?" he said and got up from the chair and ready to head to the door.  He was almost bursting with

anticipation at meeting this person.

The rest of the crew was left to ponder his question.  When it came right down to it, they just couldn't think of anybody

that the Admiral would have been able to find that was as good with computer electronics as Lucas.  Who was it?

"I don't think I like all this secrecy" Commander Ford now said aloud in defeat and headed off to the bridge in a huff

about not being told anything.  A few of the others were nodding their heads in acknowledgement.

***************************************************************************************

Almost an hour later, Lucas was nervously pacing the deck right outside the launch bay waiting for the shuttle to arrive

with it's surprise guest.  The rest of the SeaQuest had also gathered to find out who was joining their ranks.  The more

Lucas paced, the more nervous they all became about the whole thing as well.

Bridger had told the teenager a few times that things would be alright.  He had also asked if Lucas recalled who the

mystery person could be.  Lucas kept up his playing dumb and shook his head in a negative response.

"If you don't mind Captain.  If this is someone from my past, when they first arrive, I would appreciate it if everybody

else stayed back a little.   It's just that I am a bit nervous about who this could be.  I am starting to think that I really

don't want to meet this person" Lucas now said to Bridger.

"Okay Lucas, but we will all be here, waiting.  If you are not comfortable with whoever it is, just say so.  Admiral

Noyce may think he has hired a new crew member temporarily, but they have to get my rubber stamp of approval

before boarding my boat" he said with a grin.  Bridger was determined to be true to his word though.  One word from

Lucas about not wanting to work with this forced new partner and he would just send the shuttle up-world again and

they would manage on their own.

"Docking Bay Three now receiving Shuttle M712" the voice said over the loud speaker.   The crew could hear the

sea doors retracting back and allowing the remaining sea water to drain from the compartment before allowing the

shuttle's passengers to gain access to the entry ladder.   From where they all stood, they had a full and clear view of

all of Lucas's facial expressions and movements.

Lucas sighed loudly but now walked quite a way forward towards the docking bay so that there was a good ten

to fifteen metres between him and the rest of the crew.  He was about to give the performance of his life…………

The crew could now see the darkened head of a young male as he climbed the later towards the top and enter the

SeaQuest.  The young man couldn't have been much older than Lucas's 17 years.  The crew looked from the face

of the stranger to that of their fellow crew member to see if there was any sign of recognition there.  Unfortunately

it became painfully obvious that Lucas obviously knew the identity of the person standing but a few metres away.

It was now that they heard the nasty conversation between the two teenagers take place………..

"Well I'll be" the dark-haired youth began to say as he started he own performance.  He had gotten a brief wink

from Lucas as he climbed the ladder and they both knew the cue lines.   "Boy the U.E.O. must really be desperate

for sailors if they had to ask you join Wolenczak".

This was the first clue to the SeaQuest crew that the dark-haired boy recognized Lucas.

"Looks like they did a little bit more digging under the garbage too" Lucas spat back with venom etched in his voice.

He sounded like he was trying to hold himself back from saying something much worse.

Lucas now started to turn away from the other boy and head back up towards the rest of the crew "If he comes

aboard this boat, I am leaving" he now threatened.  There was not one of the crew that didn't honestly believe what

the lighter-haired teenager was saying.  They could see anger written all over Lucas's faced.  An emotion rarely seen

on him.  His blue eyes flashed and his face almost turned into a mask.

Bridger was about to walk forward and try and calm things down when the rebuttal came from the other youth.

"What's the matter Wolenczak………………. chicken" the other boy said with the utmost mockery towards Lucas.

It was now that the SeaQuest really feared things were going to get out of control.   Lucas had stopped dead in his

tracks at the scathing words.  His face now darkened even more if that was possible and he began walking back

towards the other boy with deliberate intentions on his mind.  Ben and the others took a step forward, ready to

break up the impending fight that was about to take place.  They had never known Lucas to be this angry towards

anybody.  

Lucas now got close enough to the other boy to grab a hold of the front of his shirt and shout forcefully into his face

"Anytime you think you are good enough Shepherd".  

Ben went pale as he swore that Lucas was going to take a swing at the other boy with a clenched fist.  Bridger

had started to move towards the pair again but could see he was too far away to avoid something happening.

Lucas turned and made sure that the whole crew was watching as he brought he hand up high in the air and

clench his hand into a fist as tight as he could.  He held it there in mid-air for a few seconds and then started to

swing it towards the other boy's unprotected face.

"This is for all the old times" Lucas now said his words sounding ominous.    Ben and the others gasped out aloud

and were shouting at Lucas not to be foolish when they saw the hand change at the last minute and instead of

Lucas punching the other boy, his arms now went around his shoulder in a bear hug.

"It's great to see you Shep" Lucas now said, his voice taking on a totally different tone.  He now had the biggest

grin on his face at his friend and towards the crew of the SeaQuest as he gave away his knowledge about who

the newcomer was.

"You too Lucas" Shep replied and returned the awkward embrace.   "I can't believe I get the chance to work

with you again, after all these years"

"Ah-hem" Bridger now said from behind Lucas.  He had now gotten over his heart attack about the two teenager's

meeting and knew that he and the rest of the crew had been had.  It now seemed that Lucas and his friend had

known each other for a long time.

"I guess you will be wanting some explanations and an introduction" Lucas said to the Captain in his best innocent

voice.

"Lucas Wolenczak you should be put over my knee and given a stern spanking for scaring me and everybody

else like that" Kristen now said as she worked her way through the crew. 

"I was going to explain everything, honest" Lucas said sheepishly and ducked as Kristen through a mock punch

of her own.  It never got close to it's intended target but she wasn't sure that her heart could take a fright like

that again.

"That would be nice Lucas" Bridger replied.  He had wanted to give the kid a piece of his own mind for the anguish

that he had caused the Captain. 

"Captain, Kristen everybody, this is Joshua Shepherd, Shep for short.  Me and he go way back.  Back to when
I went to college" Lucas now said.  Although they were only just young men, college seemed like so long ago to

both of them.

"You mean he's real smart like you?" Krieg now asked.

"Yep, and together we probably have a bigger IQ than this whole crew" Lucas said as he looked back at his friend

and grinned widely again.  He could scarcely belief that Shep was here.  He would have to remind himself to thank

the Admiral endlessly when he got the chance.

"That's just great" Ben said sarcastically.  None of them understood the boy genius in the first place.  Now there

were to of them not to understand.

"Hi" Shep said.  "Sorry if we scared you all.  I just had to make sure that Lucas here know who is boss when I am

around" he said playfully.  He got the reaction he wanted as Lucas let his mouth gape at the comment and then

shut again as he started to jab and poke at his friend for his outburst.  The two of them looked like peas on a pod.

"Come on I'll show you to my room and then we can sort out who is Boss" Lucas said as he grabbed one of

Shep's arms and led him through the sea of onlookers.  His mind was on other things at the moment, going back over

old times.  He didn't notice the strange and confusing looks he was getting from his fellow crewmembers as he

started towards his room.

"Two of them" Kristen said from behind Nathan.  She was truly pleased to see Lucas so happy about a boy-hood

friend.  Lord knew that Lucas could do with a few more friends his own age.

"Oh Boy" Bridger commented and rolled his eyes as if to demonstrate what sort of mayhem was going to happen

aboard over the next week.  He too couldn't get over how happy Lucas looked with his old time friend.

AUTHORS NOTES ………………. Okay gang.  I know I haven't really explained what is going to happen

yet.  I just wanted to build up the meeting between Lucas and his old friend first.  Don't worry things will get a might

more sticky when they get to the depot.  I took the name from the episode Brothers and Sisters for the depot.

Lucas has another person to meet again once he goes to the mining community.  Unfortunately for him that meeting

won't be as happy as the one between him and Shep.  You will just have to wait and see who it is going to be (Not

Lawrence).