Alright, here we go with one of my most favorite series or anything of the sort. It's SeaQuest. I love it, you love it... we all hated third season right? hehe.. i did, and I know it wasn't that big a hit since it didn't even have a real ending...
Ok, this is my take on what happens after the second season. The SeaQuest ISN'T missing for ten years, only about three or four months. Bridger remains captain, and Hudson goes for blood.
I looked at the shuttle, amazed at its appearance, watching the water drip off it in sheets. My duffle bag was on my shoulder, the strap biting into the flesh there. The hatch hadn't opened on it, if that's what it was still being called on things like this. I turned to see the rest of the students offloading a bunch of suitcases. I was aloof, choosing not to get involved with them, for various reasons.
"How's my girl feeling?" A man came up and asked.
"It doesn't matter how I feel about this Ben, its how YOU feel. It used to be your home, for over a year. There is little chance of people you actually know being there still. And you don't even get to go aboard as an officer anymore." I said.
"I know, but it's bound to be a bit different. The original was destroyed at the end of a thirteen month tour. For a good reason of course." Ben replied.
"Of course. But so much else has happened without you, do you think you'll even recognize all of them?" I asked.
At this point all the other students were standing next to me, loaded down with luggage, much of it unneeded. I smiled at Ben. He was my adopted father, he had taught me to pack well, as any Navy personnel might. I had learned to pack just enough a long time ago, but he had perfected it to an art. He smiled down at me, putting his arm on my shoulder, looking out at the launch shuttle. The door was beginning to open, and people were coming out, looking almost dazed to be in the sun.
There were snickers as Ben moved quickly to salute, knocking my hat off my head, allowing my hair to fall out of it in a cascade of strange colors. I ducked my head, trying to shrink within myself.
"Your not military anymore Ben, you don't have to salute." Said the newcomer.
"Sorry sir, it's a habit I've not really grown out of." Ben said with a slight grin.
"I'm glad you agreed to come, it's good to see you. And all these students, amazing. I hope we've got room for them all." Came the reply.
"I'm sure you do sir, and Lucas will be thrilled to have kids there his own age. Speaking of which, have you met my daughter?" Ben asked, putting his hand on my shoulder just as I finished tucking stray hairs into my hat.
"You have a daughter?" Another man asked.
"Yeah, is that so strange?" Ben asked.
"You're raising another human being, and you ask if that's strange?"
"Hey! Ben's a good guy!" I exclaimed looking up at them, my arms crossed.
"It's alright. They're just kidding." Ben said, laughing.
"Didn't seem like it Ben." I muttered.
"Captain, Lieutenant Commander, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Deinera." Ben said, putting his hands on my shoulders.
I looked up at the two men, one was dark skinned, African American descent no doubt, and the other was a sun beaten man, age in his face and sadness in his eyes. I gave a small bow of the head to both of them, looking back up at my father to see what I should do. He made a small motion, letting me know it was alright to shake hands. I stuck my hand out, and it seemed to be what they were waiting for.
"It's nice to meet you dear." The Captain said.
"Yeah. Hopefully your less trouble than your father was." The Lieutenant Commander said with a laugh as the Captain shook my hand.
"Jonathan, is that any way to talk about people?" The Captain asked laughing.
"It's alright sir. I've taken care of him more than he has me." I said with a small grin.
"Hey, you're supposed to be on my side!" Ben shouted playfully.
"I am dad. Don't worry, I'm just kidding." I said. He smiled when he heard me say that.
"You better be. I can be a stern parent if I wanted to be." He said.
We all laughed at this. The Captain began telling the students to load up their luggage on the launch, letting them know the rules of the next few months. I stood there, waiting for everyone else to finish, so I wouldn't get in their way.
"It's hard to see you as a parent Ben, but it's done you good. How did you manage to convince them to let you have a daughter?" Jonathan asked.
"Well, they saw I was an ex military man, I had the money to support her of course, and that I had seen some pretty strange things." Ben said as I walked away.
"What does strange have to do with it?" Jonathan asked suspiciously.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you sir." Ben said.
"Try me."
I left them at it, drifting down the beach, holding onto my hat as a wind came in off the sea. I smelled it, smiling. There was a wrenching deep in my heart, but it wasn't as painful for me as it had been when I first showed up. I was surprised I could even come near the sea as it was. But there was so many things that Ben had told me about his experiences that I knew I had to return there, as most creatures did eventually. The sea had always been a part of my life in the past, although I didn't remember why. I looked out over the waters, wishing I knew what would happen. I had a few vague ideas, shadows of paths and lines. Just as the students I was with were going down the path to help the world. But the paths were like a spider's web, they were getting there, but by paths that were different than their outcome would be. I heard a splash somewhere further out to sea, and a voice. It was not his own, but something else I heard. But I could hear his voice as well.
"Hey, you going to load up with us or not?" The Captain asked.
"I'm waiting for everyone else to get settled; otherwise I'd be in their way. They'd be upset with me otherwise." I said.
"Why's that?" He asked.
"Because of me. Compared to all them, I'm about as different as he is." I said, motioning towards the dolphin.
"Ah, that's Darwin. We have a vocorder here to talk to him, would you like to say hello?" He asked.
"I already have, sir." I said softly.
"What?" He asked.
"I'm different. I'm sure you understand that, you've got two people on your boat that are different, in their own unique ways. And even Lucas, its gotta be tough to be a kid on a boat full of adults." I said.
"You have no idea." He said. "How do you know all this? From Ben?"
"A good deal of my knowledge of SeaQuest is through him, yes. Other knowledge comes from other places. But, I don't know if I could explain it. Never mind. Can I go say hello?" I asked.
"Sure, we've got plenty of time until your fellows are finished settling themselves in. Here, let me take your duffle, you won't want anything in it to get wet." He said.
"Just don't let them see it. You'll get on their bad side right away." I said.
"Don't let them walk all over you. You're a human being, with feelings, and they shouldn't be able to push you around. Come on, let's go show them." He said.
He put his hand on my shoulder and guided me to the launch. He took my duffle and put it up with everyone else's. All at once they talking stopped. He ignored it, grabbing the vocorder and motioning for me to follow him.
"Did Ben teach you how to pack? Everyone else brought enough stuff to last them an entire tour, and then some." He said.
"Sort of. He helped me perfect the art, so to say. I've learned from tours when I was in band." I said, and then stopped.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Nothing, I just don't talk about my past, I can hardly remember any of it. I never remembered that before, it's something new." I said.
"It's alright, a past is a past. We all have one." He said.
We walked out onto the dock, where the dolphin was waiting, bobbing in the water. The Captain pressed a few buttons. As he did I leaned down and reached out to touch the dolphin. His skin was smooth and rubbery feeling. I laughed as he splashed water at me, telling me that the fish were good, and he would enjoy fishing with me if I could join him.
"Hello Darwin. This is Deinera. She's Ben's daughter. Do you remember Ben?" He asked.
"Yes, Ben. Deinera pod member. Deinera from far ago." Darwin said. I stared at him, hoping that the Captain wouldn't dig further.
"I think the vocorder still has some problems. It's been fried before, and Lucas is working on fixing it, improving it when he can. Isn't that amazing?" He asked.
"Wonderful. I've always wanted to speak with the dolphins." I whispered.
"Come on. Let's get back to the launch. I'm sure that your father has gotten everyone settled, and is ready to see the SeaQuest again." The Captain said.
"Sure. I can't wait to see it." I said.