ONE LOST, ONE FOUND JUNE 18, 2022 1420Z seaQuest DSV- Launch Bay "Is everything ready?" Captain Bridger asked the UEO technician. "Temporal capacitors up, continuum circuitry enabled, all equipment checks out at nominal levels. Are you sure this is the same stuff you got from CENSYS?" the tech asked. Captain Nathan Hale Bridger, commander of seaQuest, looked off with a "thousand-year stare", remembering when he and his ship had been sucked into a "Mobius Hole" made by the CENSYS computer of the future in order to save the last two humans on earth. "Everything's ready," Bridger looked down at the stripe-faced GELF technician with his deep blue eyes, which seemed to reflect the color of the sea where he made his home. "Very well, Captain." The Dagger pulled a large red throw switch, activated a long string of blue plastic knobs, and the small machine began to hum with power. He double-checked the coordinates- not set to a geographic location, but to a date 25 years earlier- June 18, 1997. The machine's hum became a high-pitched screech, inaudible even to Darwin's sensitive dolphin sonar sense. A corona of light expanded about two feet to the right, growing into the shape of a young man... June 18, 1997 1420Z 38 Evergreen Drive North Caldwell, New Jersey Mike Martindale came home as he did every day after school, filled with joy that summer had finally arrived, and that he was free. He entered his house with a key, tossed his empty backpack onto his bed, and walked upstairs with his CD-ROM case, filled with all different kinds of games and reference materials. He was looking forward to playing a little ATF, maybe a bit of SimCopter. Any other way, he'd be enjoying himself. At the base of the stairs to his computer room, Mike was engulfed in a bright blue corona, emanating from the center of his body, expanding over all his body. Frozen in place, he turned shiny blue all over, and in a flash, disappeared. June 18, 2022 1420Z seaQuest DSV- Launch Bay The corona was taking definite shape now, and in a flash, their target came to realize he was no longer at home. He looked around in fear, saw the GELF technician and the strange man with a beard whom he had never met before, and started to back away slowly. "Who are you? What am I doing? Why am I here? What..." Accidentally backing into a bulkhead, he jumped around into a fighting stance, only to discover he was defending himself against a wall. "It's all right," Bridger said, extending his hand. "I'm Captain Bridger, United Earth Oceans." Mike got an incredulous look on his face. "What the hell are the United Earth Oceans?" he asked. He gripped his CD-ROM case close to him and began to shake. "It's a long story, but let me start from right now," Bridger said. "We've needed to test a time-travel device and needed someone who wouldn't impact what you would consider as the future. Apparently, it worked, but we only have enough proper materials to construct a single temporary device for two uses only. We'll send you home shortly." Michael's eyes were not as wide with incredulity now, but his head was spinning. Suddenly, the small time travel machine began to sputter and shake. A tiny explosion consumed half of it, and the rest formed a puddle of greenish liquid, acidic enough to consume the remnants of the machine before the puddle dissolved into a pile of green powder. "What just happened?" Mike asked, teeth clenched. Bridger swallowed, then croaked out the words he feared he would have to say. "We were afraid of this. Hfredium is very unstable, and we could barely control it for one use." "You're stuck here." June 18, 2022 1900Z seaQuest DSV- Conference Room "So what you're saying is, there's nowhere for me to go, I don't have the basic skills to train myself, so I may as well stay on the seaQuest?" Mike asked after twenty-three years was summed up into four hours. He was sitting across from Lucas Wolenczak, with a styrofoam cup of coffee in his hand. The remains of many others were in the trash disposal at the other end of the empty conference room. Lucas had told him about the confederations, the UEO, how the economy had risen and fallen, the wars, the technology advances, how the military he had studied was now obsolete. "Basically, yes." Lucas said. He looked into Mike's brown eyes. "We can train you to work anywhere, at any time. You'd have the rank and pay grade of a Lieutenant in the old U.S. Navy, equal to an Ensign's pay today. It's all by subliminal hypnotic messaging- we'll pump music into your room embedded with messages on operating the systems on the seaQuest. The alternative is a cybernetic implant." Lucas reclined back in the comfortable leather chair, normally reserved for visiting dignitaries. Mike rolled his eyes back. "Where was this when I had final exams?" he asked out loud. "OK, I'm in." Lieutenant Michael J. Martindale stood up. "Where's my room?" June 20, 2022 0800Z seaQuest DSV- Bridge "...and fire!" Bridger shouted. Lt. Mike Martindale pressed the requisite commands and the twin lasers of the seaQuest lanced out at the target drone 2000 meters in front of them. The drone was making radical evasive maneuvers geared to a modern-day light attack sub's protocol. Milliseconds after the lasers fired, the twin beams of azure light struck the sub right amidships where the targeting solution had registered the aimpoint. The WSKRS registered the hit and confirmed that the old Alfa-class attack submarine was indeed hit and going down. "Target One is destroyed, sir. WSKRS are sending data. We got her, sir." Bridger walked down from the command chair to Weapons, and patted Michael on the back. "Well done for your first time out, Lieutenant." Bridger said. "Even for lasers, that was a tough shot. I'm sure you'll do fine..." June 20, 2022 2000Z Lucas Wolenczak's quarters Lucas was cruising in an F-22A Raptor fighter 10,000 feet above the ocean, radars and infrared detectors activated. He was searching for a MiG-29K "Fulcrum" fighter somewhere in his vicinity. The Raptor was old, even for 2022, but could still kick some major butt. The MiG-29 was older still, coming on its 40th birthday. In his room, the virtual reality system provided a complete view of an F-22 cockpit, a relic from one of the old games Mike had provided from his CD-ROMs. All this technology, though, could not beat the Mark One sensor attack system- the human eyeball. Lucas was searching all around his aircraft, but to no avail. Somewhere out there was an advanced Russian fighter, deadly at its time in history but still no match for the F-22. Mike Martindale's quarters Barely skimming the surface at 50 feet was the target Lucas was trying so vainly to find. Lieutenant Mike Martindale was in his element- low level flight. He had a similar VR system, adapted from the seaQuest's H-R probes. The MiG-29 he was flying had a dedicated infrared search-and-track system, much more powerful than the internal systems of Lucas' F-22. "Got him!" Mike shouted as the IRST system matched the heat signatures of the fighter directly above him. He punched in the afterburners and pulled up, utilizing the supreme knife-fighting maneuverability so famed with the MiG-29. Mike activated his R-60 "Aphid" short-range IR guided missiles and triggered both, and two darts trailing smoke rocketed into the sky. Lucas Wolenczak's quarters Inside the F-22, Lucas' short-range warning sensors went off. Lucas swore to himself, realizing that he had been under him all this time, but he knew it was too late as the game switched to an external view of his $44 million fighter, just before the two Aphid missiles snapped off his right wing and engine. The F-22 turned and rolled before exploding in mid-air. The lush rolling terrain of the Baltic landscape fizzled into the image of Mike for a fast vidchat before the next match. "Now that was original," Lucas said. Mike grinned, then said "Well, you ain't seen nothing yet...watch me handle an all-guns dogfight." June 21, 2022 0700Z seaQuest DSV- Officer's Wardroom Mike picked up his breakfast tray laden with high-energy food and food substitutes and walked over to a table Lucas was sitting at. "Morning, Lucas," Mike said. "Morning, Mike," Lucas said back. "Oh, by the way, there's still some people you have to meet." Lucas gestured to Dr. Wendy Smith, Tony Piccolo, Lieutenant Loni Henderson, and Dagwood. Introductions were performed all around. Wendy looked into Mike's eyes and asked, "What was life like in the 1990s? I was just a baby, and I don't remember much." Michael felt what seemed like probing fingers in his mind, delving up deep primal memories of ingrained instinctive instructions and what he had learned in school earlier... well, 25 years earlier, yesterday. Mike closed his eyes and shook his head, adapting well to the situation and blocking off the psychic probe by concentrating on nothing. His dark brown eyes looked into Dr. Smith's clear blue ones. "I'd appreciate it if you'd ask my consent before probing my mind, Doctor," Mike said. "I'd prefer it if we didn't have to start as enemies." Wendy put a hand over Mike's. "I understand, it's very tough to be sucked into a whole new different environment and being told that everything you know is wrong." Mike got a very surprised look on his face. "Are you kidding? Back in '97, the best a submarine could go was around thirty knots, and lasers were only in dentistry. Now, there are DSVs that go faster than small aircraft back then, and we use lasers to fight. The future... er... present is great!" Wendy thought to herself, 'he's handling quite well.' Mike bit into a textured protein patty and winced while he chewed and swallowed. "Hate to say this, guys, but the sausages are a little dry. They've got a freaky stripe on them too..." Lucas rolled his eyes. Loni took a deep breath, remembering what a hamburger had tasted like, and broke the news to Mike. "That's not a sausage. Beef and pork are illegal, they were deemed too fatty, and the methane cows and pigs produced was poisoning the environment. Believe me, it's a dumb law." Mike looked to Loni and said, "I hate to say this, but I want to go back!" his grin belied the truth, however, and everyone started a quick laugh. They all needed it. June 21, 2022 0730Z seaQuest DSV- Captain Nathan Bridger's quarters "Captain, I must protest this!" Jonathan Ford, executive officer of the seaQuest, shouted. "He's under-qualified, not of legal age, and he has no consent from any parental guardians!" Ford was in Bridger's stateroom, engaged in an effort to take Mike off the seaQuest. "Commander Ford, he's stuck here, and asked if he could make the best of it! Lieutenant Martindale is proficient even more than Chief Crocker, Lieutenant Commander Hitchcock, and myself combined!" "But sir, what if we get attacked, and he gets killed? The papers will be screaming about us forcing a minor into battle!" "Commander Ford, one day you will be in a position of control, and you can decide about who will be on your crew. But for now, I am captain of this boat, and you are not! We yanked him out of a comfortable life in the 20th century, and we owe him this much for a good life!" Bridger punctuated his last statement by standing up out of his chair and throwing the door open. "The subject is closed, Commander! Lieutenant Martindale stays!" June 22, 2022 0800Z seaQuest DSV- Conference Room The highest-ranking officers of the seaQuest were convened in the front of the room, awaiting a high-priority vidcomm call from UEO Headquarters. Captain Bridger was at the head of the table, with Commander Ford, Lieutenant Brody, and Dr. Smith to the left and right of him. The vidcomm unit shimmered on, and the face of Secretary- General McGath came into view. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have trouble brewing in the Med." Bridger rolled his eyes. "Let me guess- a huge sea slug is causing trouble and you want us to comply with its demands? I suppose it wants human flesh delivered in 30 minutes or less." The seaQuest had been through so many crazy missions that they deserved to be humorous on occasion. "No, not like that. We have rumors that a smuggling ring is using Cyprus as a base for shipping to hostile confederations. We need seaQuest to get to the Mediterranean Sea, just off Cyprus, and show the flag on any warships or merchants heading east. You are authorized to fire if fired upon, but if faced with offset odds, you have permission to release batteries." Captain Bridger nodded. "We'll be there, Mr. Secretary- General. Out." Bridger stood up and faced Commander Ford. "Commander, set standard watch timings, then port-and-starboard when we get to Cyprus. Have Engineering make for the eastern Med at best speed." Ford turned and walked out of the room to issue the orders. "Lieutenant Brody, Dr. Smith, keep your teams at ready for anything. Brody, you have full access to Launch Bay 1." "Yes, sir." Brody and Dr. Smith walked out of the room. When they were out of Bridger's earshot, Dr. Smith spoke up. "Giant crocodiles one day, alien invasions the next, a psychic demon the day after that, and a vengeful god after that. I think I'm getting too old for this job." June 22, 2022 0802Z seaQuest DSV- engine room "...so then he says, "Oh god, I just ran over two nuns!" Mike smiled as Loni laughed. "Good one!" She said. "Thanks... just a lil' bit of old school humor. It's such an old school that it came from a one-room schoolhouse." Loni grinned at that part. "I don't understand... you're funny and friendly, yet you didn't do too well socially in 1997... what happened?" Loni sat down next to Mike at the fusion control station. "Well, back then, it was looks, money, and sports. I kinda fell short in all those fields." Loni had sympathy in her eyes. She felt for the guy. Mike's eyes glazed over as a story he had wished to forget came through his mind. "It was like I had a romance curse on me, ever since the start. The first girl I ever liked... well... let's just forget it, this kinda hurts when I talk about it." He tried to turn his attention to the fusion generator status. Henderson put a hand on his arm. "It's going to be even worse if you keep it bottled up... c'mon, tell me. I don't judge people at all, you don't have anything to worry about." Mike was normally resolute on keeping secrets secret, and could stand up to the harshest verbal bashing or interrogation, but Loni Henderson had that sort of effect on people. He tried to resist, but her velvety brown eyes and warm smile melted away his resolve. "Okay, fine, but get your hanky, this one's a sad tale." He looked off into thin air as he started off. "Last summer, at camp, I really liked this girl. Her name was Julie. I was friends with her, and she seemed to like me as well. I really liked her more than a friend, and I wanted to take it to a higher level. I was a confused 13-year old at the time, and didn't know too much about women, romance, et cetera. I never could get the guts to ask her out. I would psych myself up, try all I could, but chickened out most of the time. The night before I finally got the courage, I asked my bunkmates for advice. They told me to do it and get it over with, and the next evening, I found Julie, and I took a deep breath. I started to walk over to her, and when I was ten feet away, my friend Phil came up to her and asked her out. Next thing I knew, they were hugging and holding hands." Loni's eyes were starting to tear... he seemed so nice, but what was wrong with 20th century women? "My heart had fallen down to my feet, and I couldn't move... which was equally awkward when the basketball hit me and knocked me out." The tears went away in a wince. He turned to Loni. "After that, all the times I asked girls out, it failed. It's like I have an empty spot where my soul should be... I feel so incomplete most of the time." Mike turned his back to the consoles and put his chin in his hands. Tears were beginning to run down his face. "It's the worst thing I've ever felt... waking up at night, realizing I have to face another empty day of teasing, intense work, testing, and loneliness. I can't talk to my parents because they always blamed it on me, I can't talk to my friends because I'm sensitive to teasing, and I can't talk to my school counselor because she's just a fancy schedule keeper." Henderson put her hands on his shoulders. "Don't worry... things have changed," she said. "But I know how you feel... I got voted Most Likely NOT to Become a Beauty Queen or something like that in high school." Henderson tried to strike a pose as if she was on the runway. "I think they were right... I can't walk like that without tripping." She smiled as he started to perk up. "That's kinda hard to believe, 'cuz you rate a ten in my book." Loni blushed, something that she did not do often. "That's really sweet... thanks," she said. "Believe me, if you were my age, I'd date you in a second." They both smiled. "Actually, if you factor in the time travel..." she giggled. Mike got a Leisure-Suit-Larry look on his face and asked, "Well, doing anything Friday night?" They both laughed out loud. Later, when they were recovering from their hysterics, Mike spoke. "OK... I gotta take thirty seconds of seriousness here. Thanks for helping, Loni. I wish that my friends back home were more like you... if I had told them about Julie, I'd never hear the end of it." "Mike, you're really sweet, and sensitive too... I've never really seen a man cry before." No more words needed to be said. She hugged Mike, and kissed him on the cheek. "You'll find someone... don't worry. Things are different now... believe me." June 23, 2022 2100Z Berth 4600 UEO Base- New Cape Quest, Florida "... and for our under-legal-age crew, you have Class 8 passes, so you can get in anywhere, but stay off the sauce. That's all... you are dismissed." Bridger gave a wave of his hand as the crew of seaQuest walked to the parking lot for their night's leave. Ford was, as usual, staying on the boat. Brody, Piccolo, and Lucas were taking Mike out on the town to show him a little of the future's night life. Henderson, Dr. Smith, and some others were going to an opera, and Darwin was off the boat too, exploring some swamps and inlets. He had a million things to tell them but didn't just yet... let them have some fun first. June 24,2022 0200Z The Music Factory "Tony, if I survive this, I'm going to kill you," Mike yelled over the loud music playing in the club. "What? I can't hear ya, speak up!" Tony shouted back. Mike rolled his eyes, and yelled "Forget it! I'll be outside!" "If you have to go, go ahead! The little boy's room is over that way!" Tony gestured madly towards the back. Mike walked out of the club and sat down outside, looking around. He had no cash, just his UEO passcard, and that couldn't do too much. Don't leave home without it, he thought. A UEO pass is everywhere you want to be. The door opened, and a girl just about Mike's age walked out. She noticed him sitting and sat down next to him. "Let me guess... you got dragged here too?" she asked. "Yup. Welcome to the party," he smiled. The outside floodlights were on, and he was able to get a glimpse of the girl. She was one of those Dagger folks, with the striped face. She wasn't like the others, though. Her voice was soft and welcoming, with dark hair tied back in a ponytail that seemed to reflect light like a placid lake, and dark eyes which shined from the inside. "What's your name?" he asked. "Melissa Andrews," she replied. "What's yours?" "Michael Martindale. My friends call me Mike, my enemies call me Dale, my parents call me late for dinner." She grinned at his colorful response. Mike shifted in his shirt, wishing he had something to talk about, but being cooped up on the seaQuest wasn't a very good basis for news and media. "So, where are you from?" Melissa asked. "Er... it's kind of a long story," Mike said. "Well, there's a really nice beach out here, why don't we go for a walk and you can tell me?" Mike's eyes lit up. He had had dreams, almost premonitions, back in 1997, about walking and talking on a beach with a girl who he liked, who shared his interests, who he could really communicate with, and all that would spark romance. Trying to keep a silly grin on his face from unfurling, he casually stood up, and said "Lead the way." Back in the club, Brody had gone out to look for Mike. He was walking around the box-like structure which formed the Music Factory nightclub. He was just about to give up when he saw two figures walking towards the beach. Brody took out a pair of macrobinoculars. Noticing that it was just Mike walking with a girl, he sighed with relief and walked back into the club. He signaled Tony and Lucas outside. "Great pick of a club, Tony! It was so awful he left!" Brody patted Piccolo on the back. "It worked perfectly! He's walking with someone right now!" Out of the shadows, Loni and Wendy walked out. "I wish I didn't have to probe his dreams," Wendy said. "I guess we had to, though." Loni added in. "I hope he won't be too depressed... he's too much of a sweetheart to go to waste." Tony chipped into the conversation. "He's a good kid... only guy who's ever beaten me at five-card with suicide kings wild!" Everyone knew about the ATF dogfight where Mike had blown up Lucas, in an inferior fighter, too. "Okay, now we sit back and let romance take its course. We have to get back to the boat and get some sleep," Lucas said. June 24, 2022 0400Z New Cape Quest Public Beach "Seriously?" Melissa asked Mike. "All this is true?" "If I was going to lie, I'd say that I was a muscle-bound hunk who lost all his abilities in the time travel. Yes, it's true." They were lying side-by-side in the white sands of the beach, looking up towards the sky. There was a long pause. "They're beautiful, aren't they?" Mike asked. "What?" "The stars," he said. "There's Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cygnus, and a bunch of others. I used to be a closet astronomer." He remembered how a counselor at camp had told him that giving the stars names of friends would help remember them. Mike looked to the two stars closest together in the Big Dipper, Phil and Julie. He recalled the tale of Julie and how he lost her, but then remembered the walk on the beach he and Melissa had just shared. They had chatted, sharing and comparing, and they had lots in common. Mike looked towards Melissa, looking at her beautiful face, deep, dark eyes, and shiny hair, and asked, "Do you believe in true love? I mean, like at first sight, knowing someone is right for you?" She pondered the question for a moment, trying to realize the implications. Frankly, Missy, she thought to herself, he's just right! He's sweet, sensitive, and actually cares about you! I mean, how many boys had actually talked to her on seeing her striped skin? "Are you trying to say that... well..." Mike was surprised that she had understood what he meant. Melissa had the above-average mind that he was looking for in a girl. "You like me, even if I look like this?" She waved her hand over her face, striped skin abound. Mike looked deep into Melissa's beautiful eyes. "Look, Melissa, it's not what you look like. I think you're very good-looking, but you're funny, friendly, and attractive. You're the only girl I could love." Melissa was surprised. He loved her? This was incredible. Mike had to break the silence. He looked deep into Melissa's eyes, leaned over and kissed her lips, his meeting hers. It was both their first kiss, the one that would last forever, in both their minds. They held each other for a long time, but in their eyes, it wasn't long enough. This is it, Mike thought. I'm finally complete again. My soul is coming back from hiatus and I'm whole again. I can't believe it, Melissa thought. I'm finally loved! And better yet, it's not for my looks, it's for who I am! So long, Julie. You put up a good fight, but you're out of my mind. Enjoy, Phil. The Nice Guy has sacrificed Julie. She's all yours now, buddy. Good luck. June 24, 2022 0750Z Berth 4600 UEO Base- New Cape Quest, Florida "Do you really have to go?" Melissa asked. They were holding each others hands before Mike had to board the seaQuest. "I wish I didn't, but I can't get out of it." Melissa sighed. "I wish you didn't have to." He leaned over and kissed her, then they hugged for a long time. "We're just going to rattle a saber in the Med. There's no weapons involved, I'll be fine. At least you won't have to worry about another girl stealing my heart, I doubt I'll meet anyone five thousand feet below sea level. Melissa smiled. "We'll be back next week, at eleven hundred hours, same berth." "Take care, sweetie." Mike kissed Melissa again. "I will." He walked over to the boarding ramp, and yelled back "I'll give you a vidcall as soon as I can! I love you!" Melissa shouted back, "I love you too!" June 24, 2022 0752Z seaQuest DSV- MagLev One Mike pushed the call button for the MagLev transport system, but there was no need to wait. The car had arrived and Loni was already there. Wordlessly, he slumped down in the chair next to her and closed his eyes, trying to get in his last forty winks. He hadn't slept all night, although nothing physical had happened between him and Melissa. Loni spoke up, waking him from a few merciful seconds of slumber. "So, how was your leave?" Mike slipped out of the chair as the MagLev engaged, but regained his poise and brushed off his shirt mockingly as if he had fallen in a mud puddle. "You might say I'm 100% Mike now, with 100% someone else in my life too." The silly grin he had fought all night to keep down finally emerged. Melissa's beautiful face kept running through his mind. He finally noticed that Loni was waving her hand in front of his eyes. He had been staring into space. "Huh?" he asked. "I said 'congratulations!' I guess it is love, that length of stare is when you keep thinking about her, right?" Loni grinned. "What, you're a psychic now?" Mike asked. "Yep, right on the money. Her name's Melissa." Loni gave Mike a playful slug on the shoulder. "So, tell me about her. Where's she from?" Mike rolled his eyes and said "Sector 7." Loni was taken aback. "She's a Dagger?" "Yes, she is, and if you can't accept that, tough. We love each other and that's all there is!" "No, no, no! I didn't mean it that way. Sorry." "It's OK, I guess I just overreacted," Mike responded. Loni got back into her seat as the MagLev began to decelerate. "Well, congratulations! I wish we could celebrate, but there's those nasty smuggling types in the Med we need to take care of..." July 1, 2022 1045Z Berth 4600 UEO Base- New Cape Quest, Florida Melissa paced about, as close to the pier as the guards would allow. Her yellow sun dress flitted around her ankles as she walked to and fro, scanning the horizon for the irregular shape of the seaQuest. Ten billion dollars for one single vessel, with all the technology in the UEO, she thought, and it can't get back on time! Just as she began to compose a letter to the technology bureau, a mass of bubbles appeared about a quarter-mile off the dock. The bubbles quickly formed into the almost natural shape that was the seaQuest. Her frown disappeared into a satisfied smile. The seaQuest maneuvered into position and extended its boarding ramp. There was no official welcoming party as was standard for the UEO, due to a new sub being christened elsewhere. The crew came out in standard uniforms, but Mike was not among them. She kept looking until a tall young man began to push his way through the sailors. Melissa put her hand over her forehead to block out the sun and gradually became aware that it was Mike. She waved her hands, trying to catch his attention. He became aware of this and started to run forward faster. Breaking through the crowd, he muscled past the security guards right to her, sweeping her up and kissing her long and slow. A few minutes later they were walking and talking back to the housing onbase. July 1, 2022 1115Z 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida "...so you can be there? And you can bring the stuff Great! See you on the Fourth, sir." Mike disconnected the vidlink to Captain Bridger. He reached over for a checklist and a pen. Checking off the name Bridger, he reached for the vidcomm to dial Commander Ford on the boat. The comm connected to a video answering machine- "You have reached Commander Jonathan Ford. I'm not available right now, but if you'll leave your name and number, I'll get back to you when possible. Thank you." Mike spoke into the comm. Commander, this is Lieutenant Pfeffer. I'd like to invite you to a Fourth of July barbecue at my place, my number is 451-4455. Thanks, call me back. Bye." He disconnected the comm and dialed Loni, continuing down a long list. July 4, 2022 1815Z 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida Most of the crew of seaQuest was gathered in the backyard of Mike's house. A cooler was open, potato salad, cold shrimp with cocktail sauce, Caesar salad and other items were on the table, and the barbecue grill was just firing up. Mike was unwrapping packages of synthetic ground beef and hot dogs, to his disgust. "I still can't believe burgers and hot dogs are illegal! It's supposed to be a barbecue!" he said. "Hey, buddy, you want to find out what jail's like? Trust me, it's synth-food or prison food!" "Well, when you put it that way, lock me up!" Everyone laughed. Mike unwrapped the food and put a few of each on the grill. "Has anyone seen Captain Bridger yet? He's got the toppings!" Mike asked. Loni spoke up. "Last I heard, he had to stop by a wholesale food outlet for the stuff." Just as she finished, a horn was beeping out front. "Tim, can you take the burgers?" Mike called to Lt. O'neill. "I have to answer the door." "Sure," Tim said as he manned the grill. Mike walked to the front door and opened it to see a UEO Hummvee outside, roof rack laden with crates marked HEINZ, GULDENS, PERISHABLES- KEEP REFRIGERATED. Captain Bridger opened the door and pulled out a hand truck from the back. "Geared for heavy lifting, are we, sir?" Mike smiled. Bridger grinned, saying "For what I paid for this, they should have sold me a stockboy to take your place! C'mon, help an old man out, eh?" Mike walked over and picked up a few cartons. "And I thought wholesale was supposed to be convenient..." July 4, 2022 2100Z 14 Arleigh Burke Ave. UEO Base Housing- New Cape Quest, Florida The requisite commands were entered into the computer by the official from Pyro, Inc., the company commissioned for the fireworks. Laden in the field was a half ton of explosives designed to make big, beautiful fireworks displays. A millisecond after the commands were entered, a fuse was lit, and electric triggering devices for other fireworks were set to standby. The first leapt into the air with a loud whistle, then exploded in a display of blue and gold, like a divine rain shower. Countless other fireworks went off and exploded, just as planned. Most of the crewmembers of the seaQuest were in awe over the hospitality and enjoyment tendered by Mike, but he was not interested in them right now. He was back on the deck with Melissa. The young couple had not eaten, they were so busy entertaining, so Mike had cooked a private dinner just for them, consisting of tomatoes with mozzarella and basil as an appetizer, grilled chicken Caesar salad, Trout Almondine, and Valrhona chocolate cake. They were just finishing up the cake when Melissa spoke up. "Mike, I can only say that ever since I met you, I feel like someone, and not just another GELF. I can't believe how good you've been to me." Melissa looked radiant, even though they were both wearing a T-shirt and blue jeans. Mike took her hand and said, "Melissa, you're the only girl who's ever accepted me for who I am. We weren't too good of friends, so it was easy to jump right into love. Besides, you and I share so much. You make me feel like a king every time I'm with you. I should be the one thanking you. I love you, Melissa." Mike reached under the table and pulled out a small velvet jewelry box. Melissa's eyes widened in awe, realizing what might just be happening. "I know we're too young to get married, but this should ensure we stay together." He opened the box and pulled out a beautiful ring made of diamonds, jade, and gold. Engraved in the large diamond in the central was written in flowing script- 'I will love you, forever and always, so long as we both shall live. Yours forever, Michael.' Mike took Melissa's hand and slipped it onto her finger, then kissed her hand. Melissa's eyes sparkled. She looked happier than ever before. Mike leaned over to kiss her... "Well, well, I can't leave you alone for a second, can I?" Captain Bridger was standing at the door to the patio with a Polaroid camera in hand. "Smile!" Bridger took the picture of the smiling young lovers. "I hate to break up this tender moment, but we need to get back to Cyprus. The smugglers have gained support from Libya and..." Bridger remembered that Melissa was there too. "I can't say too much more... be back at the boat by 2200." He walked out. Mike's face fell a mile and a half. "I can't leave! Why does this have to happen now?" Melissa put her finger on Mike's lips to silence him. "We shouldn't drag this out... go ahead. I'll wait for you." She took his face in her hands and kissed him. "I'll miss you, sweetie." She said as he got up. He did not look forward, but kept looking into Melissa's eyes until he got out the door. August 28, 2022 1500Z Eastern Mediterranean Sea seaQuest DSV- Officer's Wardroom "...so I snuck up, right to his boarding hatch, and BAM! The team goes in, we capture the Libyan shuttle, and we're on our way home right now!" Brody was sitting at a table with Lucas and Mike. All were excited about averting the Libyans from taking over most of the Mediterranean Sea. Mike was not so excited. He was staring at pictures of him and Melissa. There was one of them cooking hamburgers together, one of them trying on clothes in a mall, one of him giving her a dozen roses, and the picture Captain Bridger had taken of them enjoying a candlelit dinner together. "What's the matter? Still mourning over the loss of beef?" Brody teased. Still no answer. "It's Melissa, isn't it?" Loni asked, walking over to the table. "You guys better clear out, this needs a woman's touch," she said. Brody and Lucas walked away, chatting. Dr. Smith noticed Mike was a tad depressed and joined them. "Mike, it can be hard unwillingly staying away from a loved one for long periods. I know..." Wendy thought back to Clay and how long it had been since they saw each other, then shuddered at the thought of him being a... "You've got to cheer up. Things will be alright." "Yeah, easy for you to say," he responded. "My birthday is the 31st and there's nothing more I'd like than just to see Melissa, maybe some old friends. I never even got to say goodbye to them!" Mike started to think of his old pals from West Essex... Rich, Jay, Andrea, Val, Diana, Chris, Dennis, and others. Wendy, doing a careful probe for ambient thoughts picked this up, noting connections and old addresses. She hated to do this without his knowing, but it was instrumental for the big event... "All I can say is that things will get better," Loni said. "Trust me, it's happened before." Mike perked up, remembering that Loni's advice and praise had helped him meet Melissa in the first place. "Y'know, you're right. Thanks for the help, you and Wendy are doing a better job of bringing me up than my parents ever did." August 31st, 2022 1422Z seaQuest DSV- Launch Bay "Now hear this, now hear this," the loudspeaker crackled. "Shuttle MR-14 is now arriving in bay two. Repeat, shuttle MR-14 is now arriving, bay two. Welcome to seaQuest, DSV-4600." The bay doors motored open and a group of supply engineers carried medium-sized crates out to the captain's wardroom. A group of civilians followed too, one of them being a rather attractive Dagger. The other civilians were old friends of Mike's, all grown up now. There was Rich Verde, band member, who now wrote for the New York Times, Jason Menzo, corporate executive, Lindsay Boslett, looser-type in school-turned Secretary of State, David Guthrie, class bully but ally, Vanessa Immordino, class beauty, and assorted others. Rich, Mike's best friend, was trying to pick up on the Dagger, which happened to be Melissa Andrews. "So, if you're not doing anything later, we could head up to my place, and, well, Y'know." Rich had always been the male chauvinist pig type. "Well, let me put it this way." Melissa moved like lightning, she was bred to do so- she grabbed Rich's shoulder, swept her foot under him and pushed downwards, executing a perfect judo throw. "I'm taken," she said, with a casual toss of her hair. Mike's friends from West Essex all applauded her actions. Lindsay was engaging in a casual chat with Melissa. "Where'd you get that ring?" she asked. "Mike gave it to me," she said, holding up her right hand. "Wow, that's one ring! You're getting married and you're both fifteen?" Melissa laughed. "No, this is so I can remember him when we can get married." "And I thought he was head-over-heels in love with me just a few weeks before he disappeared," Diana Mocarski chimed in. "I was a friend of his, and I really didn't know how he felt until someone else asked me out. That day when I told everyone, he talked to me after school and told me how he felt. I guess he's over that if he's proposing marriage." Everyone laughed. The camaraderie that held West Essex students together was coming back in force, since they all had not seen each other in fifteen years, but they had now come together as a request to help out an old friend. August 31, 2022 1430Z seaQuest- MagLev One "Okay, Loni, this had better be good, I was in the middle of a game." Mike was a little annoyed at being hustled into the MagLev, even by Loni, who he liked being with. Seconds away from winning a world championship air combat match, he was whisked right out of it. The destination bell sounded, the doors swung open, and Mike and Loni walked into the darkened officer's mess. "What did you want me to see, cuz I see best with lights on. I don't have infrared vis..." Everyone jumped out from under the tables, behind counters, and around the room as the lights came up. "SURPRISE!" Mike was taken aback as he saw all the faces he knew from seaQuest, and... "Rich! Jay! Lindz! Di! My God, did you bring in everyone from West Essex???" Mike hugged everyone he knew from his old town, even those he wasn't big on. "Guthrie, you old pimp, how the hell are ya? Lindz, you heartbreaker, what's up? Vanessa, I can't believe you came to see me! Diana, it's been too long! Val, Angie, how's Bri and Drew?" Introductions were performed all around. Rich initiated the real conversations. "Mike, I gotta hand it to you, you can throw a damn good party, but this stripey-faced chick gave me a really good 'ol bump on the head on my way in. Tried to ask her if she'd like to head upworld and enjoy each other's company... heh, heh," Mike's eyes perked up when he heard the words "stripey-faced." He had not yet seen Melissa amongst the guests. Mike grabbed Rich's shirt collar and said, "Rich, old buddy, old pal, you just asked to do it with my girlfriend and future wife." He let go of his friend. "In light of the fact that she kicked your ass already, I'm not going to kill you... yet." Laughter abounded, especially within the North Caldwell crowd. "For now," he continued, "has anyone seen a Dagger around yet?" The crowd looked around, searching for the GELF that had come in with them, but unbeknownst to Mike, she had slipped right behind him stealthily, and then tapped him on the shoulder. Instead of reacting with surprise, he almost knew it was her. He turned around, and finally confirming his hopes, Melissa's shining eyes looked back at him. He took her in his arms and kissed her, two lovers separated for too long finally seeing each other again. The audience clapped and cheered, then Melissa and Mike finally noticed what was going on. "C'mon, kid, you've still got to open your presents!" A small mountain was on one of the cafeteria-style tables of the mess hall. From Captain Bridger, a hand-crafted wooden model of the seaQuest itself, adorned with a small Stinger exiting the launch bay. Written below the cockpit of the Stinger were the words "Pilot- Michael J. Martindale." From Lucas, a collection of original Soviet air medals and patches. Tony gave a stack of chips from an old Vegas casino, long closed down. "Where's that time machine so I can cash these in?" was the comment from Mike upon receiving this. From Loni, a copy of the script to Star Wars, autographed by George Lucas. Other members of the crew gave equally significant gifts, but the best was saved for last. Melissa had had an excellent picture taken of herself, adorned in a blanket of feathers. It was framed in shining onyx with inlaid gold, which shined from the inside like her eyes. Then, Commander Ford wheeled out the cake, and handed his gift to Mike. "I have to admit, Lieutenant, that I didn't think you'd make a good officer. But you've been an influence on us all. Congratulations." Mike opened up the certificate, which proclaimed that on August 31st, 2022, Michael Martindale was officially promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. This got Ford a hug, which might have been the only thing that made him smile. Adorned on the cake was a frosted replica of the seaQuest, with fifteen candles. Mike blew these out, thinking that if fourteen was eventful, he can't wait for this next year... June 19, 2032 1200Z Temple Beth Israel New York City "...I now pronounce you husband and wife." Mike stepped on the wineglass covered with a handkerchief, as was customary at a Jewish wedding, and then kissed Melissa Martindale, his new wife. After about a minute, they stopped and walked down the aisle to the reception. They had many reasons to celebrate, but one of those was the revival of the seaQuest after ten missing years. All their friends from the boat were there, including the new captain, Oliver Hudson. Awaiting at the end of the hall were Brody, Fredericks, Ford, and Hudson, all holding their dress swords high as was customary for a military man's wedding. August 31, 2033 1400Z Clara Maas Hospital, Bloomfield, New Jersey The nurse walked out of the delivery room, holding up a newborn baby. "Mr. Martindale? It's a girl!" she said. Melissa was walking out with the aid of crutches, apparently ready to check out. "Our baby Lenore..." he whispered. "In honor of Loni Henderson... she originally got me inspired, then we met..." Melissa whispered back, "Our wonderful little Loni." THE END