“How is he, Doc?” Nelson asked wearily.
“He’s got more broken bones and internal injuries than I’ve ever seen. I’ve done everything I can for him. I just don’t know what else to do.”
‘Maybe I can help.’
“How?” Nelson asked aloud.
“What, Admiral?” Doc asked.
“Sorry, Doc. I’m talking to the parasite inside Lee.”
“Talk... Talking to the parasite?” Doc asked incredulously.
“I’ll explain later. It says it may be able to help. If it’s ok with you I’d like to give it a try.”
“Right now I’m willing to try anything, Admiral. Without a miracle Lee Crane will die.”
“What can you do to help?” Nelson asked the Chemelion.
‘Do I have your permission to invade your Captains mind?’
“I thought you were already doing that.”
‘I was but only because I was forced. I need your permission to speak with him and it’s the only way.’
“You have it. Do what you have to do to help him.”
‘I will let you know the outcome,’ the Chemelion stated simply
“Thank-you. I have to finish some tests on CP14. Doc, I’ll be back as soon as they’re done. Keep monitoring Lee and hopefully you’ll be able to witness that miracle first hand.”
“Are you sure we can trust it?”
“Do we have a choice?”
“I guess not. I hope you’re right, Admiral.” Doc said as he watched Nelson leave sickbay.
‘Captain, can you hear me?’ the Chemelion asked Crane, as it forced it’s way deeper into his unconsciousness. Deeper and deeper the touch went until the Chemelion felt a slight resistance. ‘Easy, Captain Crane, I will not go further without your permission.’
‘Am I dead?’ Crane asked seriously.
‘No, but you are close to it. I am here to help if you’ll let me.’
‘How can you help?’
‘We have ways to regenerate injured cells.’
‘Regenerate? You mean re-grow?’
‘Exactly. Would you allow me to help you?’
‘Is this what you did to Barnes and Raines to keep them young?’
‘There is no time for explanations right now, Captain. Your body is losing its fight to survive. Let me help you and I will explain everything to you and Admiral Nelson.’
‘What do I have to do?’
‘Let me delve into your pain centres as well as your bodies internal functions.’
‘How?’
‘Relax. That’s it just relax and let me in.’
Lee Crane felt the invasion as the Chemelion entered the deepest levels of his mind. He relived the moments of his past. Everything flashed by as if he were watching a movie. Painful memories such as Krueger’s invasion of his mind intermixed with wonderful memories of being assigned to Seaview and the crew’s acceptance of him as their Captain. Slowly he relaxed more and more as the Chemelion took control and began healing his body.
The Chemelion felt the humans resistance waning as he began the healing process. Slowly he brought bones together and fused them. Internal injuries from a lacerated liver to collapsed lungs healed in the blink of an eye. Pain receded, as each injury became nothing more than a painful memory. Finally convinced that he had done everything he could for the human, the Chemelion began to pull out.
‘Thank-you,’ Lee whispered as he felt the invasive alien recede.
‘You’re welcome, Captain.’
“Can you hear me, Skipper?”
“Hmm, I hear you, Doc.”
Seaview’s doctor jumped at the strong voice that answered him from the bunk. A smile broadened on his face as he took the man’s pulse, BP and temperature. “I don’t believe it,” Doc said shaking his head as he spoke.
“Believe it, Doc. Can I get out of here now,” Lee said as he pulled himself to a sitting position.
“Not so fast, Skipper. Not a minute ago I would have sworn you were a dead man. I want to make sure you’re not going to relapse on me.”
‘Is that possible?’ Crane asked the Chemelion.
‘I have done all I can. You will still be weak, as I cannot replace lost fluids such as blood. Your own body will have to replenish those things.’
‘I’m glad Doc can’t hear you,’ Crane told the Chemelion.
‘I could arrange it.’
‘No, no that’s ok. I’ll tell Doc when this is all over.’ Crane said and glanced behind the doctor at the young man in the other bunk. He recognized Masters Instantly. Tubes ran from his body into life-sustaining machines. “What happened to Masters, Doc?”
“He was injured while in the brig.”
“He is going to make it, isn’t he?”
“I don’t know. I’ve done everything I can. Hey, maybe that thing inside you could help him.”
‘I can only help him from the inside,’ the Chemelion answered Crane’s unspoken question.
‘Are you willing to go inside him,’ Crane asked.
‘I am. In order to do that you and I must be separated.’
‘How do we do that?’
‘We are in need of either Barnes or Raines. Otherwise the pain for you would be intolerable. Ask your doctor if he can keep Masters alive until we bring those men here.’
“How long does he have?”
“Hard to say. His internal organs were literally crushed. I’ve done what I can but I’m afraid that it wasn’t much.”
“Keep him alive as long as you can, Doc. Get this IV out of my arm. I have to see the Admiral and figure out a way to get rid of the Other.”
“I’m right here, Lee,” Nelson said as he entered sickbay with a large canister in hand.
“What is that, Sir?” Crane asked.
“This may be the answer to our prayers. You remember Francine Mercer’s component, CP14?”
“I... Yes, Sir. That’s the one we were supposed to be testing before this mission came up.”
“That’s correct, Lee. I don’t know if it’s one of the ingredients in particular or all of them put together. Whatever the case may be it seems to be a defence against the other aliens.”
“A defence. You mean we may be able to get rid of them ourselves?”
“I hope so. I see the Chemelion has done what it said it would. Are you one hundred percent?”
“Pretty close, Sir. When are we going to try CP14?” Crane asked effectively removing unwanted attention.
“As soon as you’re ready. I figured we’d need the help of your Chemelion. It would be better able to tell us if this is really working.”
‘What do you say? Are you ready to help rid us and yourselves of the Other?’
‘I am, Captain. Let’s free both our races.’
“Let’s do it, Admiral.”
“I want you back here as soon as you’re finished out there,” Doc ordered.
“I’ll see that he returns, Doc,” Nelson reassured him.
Lee gave Nelson a sidelong glance as he pulled on his shoes. “Thanks,” he said sarcastically.
“I know you, Lee. You’d never admit anything’s wrong. I’d make you stay here but you are the only available man with a Chemelion inside him. Ask it if the Other has any weak spots.”
‘I can hear the Admiral. Tell him to aim for the brightest point in the coloured lights. From our observations so far that seems to be the equivalent of the human heart.’
“Aim for the brightest spot in the maelstrom. Each colour is an individual so you’ll have to take them all out.”
“The bright spot! If you say so. Let’s do it, Lee.” Nelson said as Crane jumped from the bunk and followed him out the door.
“Right back here, Captain. I mean it!” Doc yelled at his retreating back.
“If there’s any sign that the component isn’t working you are to close the door and wait for the other alien race to show up. I mean it, Chip, there is to be no rescue mission if this stuff turns out to be a dud,” Lee ordered.
“I hear you, Lee. I understand why you have to go out there but why the Admiral?”
“You know the Admiral, Chip. It’s his baby and he would never send someone out to test something he hasn’t tested himself. Besides if something were to happen to me the Admiral is already in contact with the Chemelion. Let’s just hope this works.”
“I do hope it works, Lee, but the two of you out there, the heart and soul of the boat. Don’t laugh, Lee,” Chip said as he noticed the smirk on Crane’s face. “That’s exactly what the crew calls you two. Be careful out there,” Morton stated as Nelson stepped through the door.
“Ready, Lee?” he asked.
“Aye, Sir,” Crane said and slapped Morton gently on the back. “Take care of the boat, Mr. Morton,” he said as the door opened and he stepped into the ever-swirling colours.
Nelson stepped up behind him and lifted the nozzle of the spray gun to shoulder height. “How do we contact them?”
‘I’ll try to reach them,’ the Chemelion said and immediately sent out a telepathic wave. ‘Listen to me. We have discovered a weakness in you. If you do not leave here and return control of our worlds to us we will use this weapon.’
Nelson watched in growing horror as Lee Cranes body convulsed once again in agony. “Release him or I will use this!” he shouted.
“What is that?” the bright orange colour asked as it angrily took on a humanoid shape.
“It’s something one of our scientist discovered. I assure you it will cause you pain. Release Captain Crane.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you refuse I’ll use this,” Nelson said indicating the spray gun.
The humanoid laughed harshly and Nelson was horrified, as Cranes convulsing seemed to intensify. Without warning he pointed the nozzle of the spray gun and fired it directly into the heart of the scarlet red colour. A scream pierced his senses and he released his hold on the trigger. “Release him!” he said, as the colour seemed to dissipate before his eyes. “It works,” he said, not realizing he’d spoken alive.
“Give me that or I will kill your Captain and his Chemelion.”
‘Don’t do it, Admiral. I will protect the Captain for as long as possible. He doesn’t want you to give into them.’
“I will kill everyone of you if I have to. Let me see what colour shall I aim at this time. The yellow one,” Nelson said and pointed the gun at the bright colour. He watched as the humanoid shook with anger. “Do you understand me? I don’t have a choice. I’m desperate and desperate men do desperate things. Let them go or I use this. Shall I count to three?”
“No! Don’t shoot. I will release the Captain,” the humanoid said and Crane instantly stopped convulsing.
Slowly Crane got to his feet and put his hand on Nelson’s shoulder, “Nice shooting, Sir.”
“Thank you, Lee. Are you all right?”
“I will be. My Chemelion is going to speak with these beings and see if he can convince them to leave.”
“How?”
“He’s in contact with the other beings as we speak.”
“The other beings?” Nelson asked.
“Actually they are the other half of these creatures. They were split apart centuries ago. Don’t ask me how I know this. I just do. The Chemelion is about to speak with the Other directly. Hold on, Sir.”
‘They are here to reunite with you. It has been many eons since you were one and it is time to be whole again. Give yourselves back to your race.’
“NO! We refuse to go back. We will destroy your worlds first then we will go back and take what is rightfully ours.”
“ENOUGH!” the word seemed to come from everywhere at once.
“NO! You can’t make us return. You said you would leave us to make our own way. This is our way,” the humanoid before Nelson cried.
“NOT WHEN YOU HURT OTHERS. YOU WILL NOW BE REABSORBED INTO OUR RACE. WE WILL BE ONE AGAIN.”
“You can’t do this,” the humanoid screamed again. “I will kill them,” it said and turned it’s attention back to Crane. As it lifted it’s long tentacle like arm Nelson aimed the nozzle at the point he thought the heart would be. His aim was true and found its mark and the alien being shrivelled and disappeared before his eyes.
“You ok, Lee?” Nelson asked.
“I’m fine, Admiral. Thank-you.”
“WE ARE SORRY FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU. WE WILL REMOVE THEM FROM YOUR WORLD AND THEY WILL NOT BOTHER EITHER OF YOUR RACES AGAIN. THE VORTEX WILL REMAIN IN BOTH YOUR WORLDS UNTIL YOU HAVE EACH RETURNED HOME. ONCE THIS HAS HAPPENED BOTH WORLDS WILL BE CUT OFF FROM ANY FURTHER CONTACT. THIS IS ALL WE CAN OFFER. WILL IT SUFFICE?”
“They have already destroyed the Chemelion’s home world,” Nelson informed them.
“I REALIZE THAT, ADMIRAL. THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO. THE PLANET IS NOW DEAD AND WILL REMAIN THAT WAY FOR ONE HUNDRED CENTURIES. ALL I CAN DO IS SUGGEST THEY REMAIN ON THE PLANET THEY NOW INHABIT WITH MANY OF YOUR SPECIES. I HOPE THIS IS SUFFICIENT.”
“I think that will work out for both of us. Thank-you,” Crane’s Chemelion spoke aloud for the first time.
“WE WILL LEAVE YOU NOW. MAYBE WE WILL MEET AGAIN UNDER BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES,” the voice announced and the colours seemed to dissipate before their eyes.
“Do you think they’ll be back?” Crane asked.
“I don’t think so. At least not in our lifetime,” Nelson said and signalled the all clear to Morton waiting anxiously in the docking bay.
“Harriman, is that you?”
Nelson turned in the direction of the all to familiar voice. “It’s me, Jiggs,” he laughed.
“Am I ever glad to see you. There’s so much I have to explain. I’m sorry I shot you with that dart.”
“I think I understand everything. If not you can explain later. Right now we have a man dying in sickbay and only Lee and the Chemelion can help him.”
“Who?” Jiggs asked worriedly.
“Seaman Masters. He’s a new man. You go back to the boat, Jiggs. Lee and I are going to get Masters some help. Ask the Chemelion how to get in touch with Barnes and Raines,” Nelson said as he turned to Crane.
“We just go through the second vortex. It opens up on the Chemelions new world.”
“We’ll be back as soon as we can, Jiggs. Tell Doc to do whatever he can to keep Masters alive,” Nelson yelled as he followed Crane away from the boat. Starks answer was swallowed up as Nelson and Crane entered the swirling vortex. They spiralled down faster and faster until they came to an abrupt halt on a grassy knoll. Slowly they got to their feet.
“That’s some ride,” Lee muttered.
‘Go towards the village, Captain, Admiral.’ The Chemelion ordered and both men did as ordered. Ten minutes later they stood in front of a small village. There were approximately twenty tiny wooden bungalows. Children played happily on the well-manicured lawns as dogs jumped up and down around them. The Seaview men could smell the fresh scent of sycamores and roses. The sound of a child’s laughter reached their ears and both men smiled instinctively.
“Captain Crane, Admiral Nelson,” Barnes said excitedly. “What’s happened? Why are you here?”
‘There’s nothing more to fear,’ Crane’s Chemelion sent telepathically to Barnes’s Chemelion. ‘The enemy of the Other have removed them from both our worlds. Admiral Nelson also came up with a way to fight them. But that will not be necessary any more. There is nothing left to fear.’
Crane listened to the Chemelions as they conversed telepathically. He felt the happiness in Barnes as he realized they were no longer under the control of the Other.
“Does this mean we don’t have to return to those poisoned planets again? We can stay here and live our lives.” Raines said as he ran up behind Barnes.
“Or you can return to earth. You can have your lives back.”
Raines and Barnes grinned at each other before Barnes spoke softly. “I’m afraid we can’t return to your world, Captain. In order to do that we would have to give up our life here. I’ve got a family, a wife and two kids. I don’t want to leave them.”
“Bring them with you,” Nelson stated.
“We have talked about that before, Admiral. I’m afraid it’s impossible. If I were to return to earth I would have to give up my Chemelion. I’m sure you notice how we haven’t aged in twenty-five years. That’s because of the Chemelions regenerative powers. If I were to leave here I would age accordingly.”
“Are you speaking for everyone?” Crane asked.
“Everyone will be free to make their own choice I assure you. Even my own kids will be given a choice. The Chemelions have already informed me that we will be allowed to make our own choices as to whether we accept one of them or not. I’m sure your Chemelion has already explained this to you, Captain.”
“It has. You do know this is a one-time offer? Once the vortexes are closed they will remain that way.”
“We do. There is no life for any of us back on earth. I’m sure most of us will stay. Why don’t we ask them now?”
“I told you how we felt. We have grown to love this way of life. You may return to your world and leave us to ours,” Barnes told them after the people had voiced their wish to stay.
“At least now it’s their choice,” Crane said.
“That’s true, Captain. Now shall we go to your boat and see what can be done for Seaman Masters?” Barnes asked.
“I hope we’re not to late,” Nelson said as they ran up the hill to the vortex.
Ten minutes later Nelson and Stark were in contact with President Clark via the probe. They explained that the vortex, which had lessoned in strength and size, would disappear as soon as they returned. Nelson asked President Clark to relay his thanks to Francine Mercer.
Lee Crane and Leonard Barnes went directly to sickbay. Doc informed them that Masters condition was deteriorating to the point that the machines weren’t able to do their jobs.
Seaview’s captain was a man quick to action and he soon found himself laying face down on a bunk next to the injured young man. His Chemelion had explained how the drug Barnes would inject into his neck would effectively deaden any pain caused by its extraction.
Lee winced as he felt Doc insert an IV line into his arm. “Hey what’s that for?” he asked.
“Just a precaution,” Doc grinned.
‘What have you told him?’ Crane asked his Chemelion.
‘Nothing, Captain, However...”
‘However what?’
‘My counterpart has informed your doctor of the problem of extracting a Chemelion this soon after it has used its regenerative capabilities on a human.’
“He told him everything?” Crane said before realizing he’d spoken aloud.
“He certainly did, Captain. Chemelions believe in protecting lives. Even the lives of a certain bull-headed Captain who has a death wish,” Doc informed him.
“I don’t have a death wish,” Crane said sharply.
“I’ve heard that before. Why don’t you relax and let us do our work.”
“We’ll talk about this later,” Crane said authoritatively.
“Sure we will. Ok, Michael, go ahead.”
Lee felt a cold swab on the back of his neck and then the sharp prick of a hypodermic. As Barnes slowly injected the fluid into his neck he felt the pressure as the fluid dispensed around his upper spine. ‘It won’t last long,’ the Chemelion reassured him as it pulled its pincers from his mind.
Lee felt the Chemelion being extracted from his neck. He knew this was chosen as the extraction point because it would cause less damage to his body than having the alien pulled back down to the entry point.
As soon as the Chemelion’s elongated body was pulled from Lee Crane it was placed on the lower spine of the dying man in the next bunk. Crane had already given his permission for the Chemelion to enter and speak with Masters. If the young man were still reachable the Chemelion would ask permission to heal his body.
Crane watched as the alien entered the body, hoping the young man would accept this second chance at life. His own body was beginning to feel the effect of the loss of the Chemelion. Without the regenerative power of the Alien, his body had to find it’s own way to finish healing. His energy loss was normal according to the alien. He closed his eyes as his mind and body succumbed to exhaustion.
******
“How are they?” Nelson asked as he rushed into sickbay, Stark following on his heels.
“Lee is exhausted due to blood loss. I believe the Chemelion explained that to us. He said he could heal the injuries but not replace the fluids. He’ll be fine in a few days,” Doc explained.
“Seaman Masters?” Stark asked.
“See for yourself,” Doc grinned and pointed to a man lying on a bunk.
Nelson couldn’t believe the difference in the younger man. In the hour he’d spent talking with the President, Masters had totally recuperated. “Well, well. How do you feel, Robert?”
“Fine, Sir,” Masters replied solemnly.
“Why so glum?” Nelson asked.
“I’ve been lying here talking to the Chemelion and Captain Barnes. I’m not sure what to do, Sir.”
“It’s a big decision, Robert, but it’s one only you can make. You can stay with Michael in the new world or you can return with us to earth. Either way you have a long life ahead of you.”
“Yes, Sir. But I owe the Chemelion my life and if I go back to our earth the Chemelion will die because there is no one close enough for it to transfer into.”
“Has the Chemelion explained everything to you?”
“Yes, Sir. He explained that he understood if I decide I want to return home. But, Sir, I really don’t know what to do.”
“As I said, Robert it is your decision. Go with your heart.”
“My heart is telling me to stay here. I have no family on earth. No one who really cares for me. Michael said that I could have my own home over here. He told me I could have the Chemelion removed at anytime. But look at him he’s older than you are yet he looks younger. I... I think I’m going to stay,” Masters said and suddenly sat on the edge of his bunk. “I’m going to stay. A home away from home. Just like Seaview is Captain Crane’s home away from home.”
“Are you sure Robert?” Nelson asked.
“Yes, Sir, I’m sure,” he grinned and turned to the man by the door. “Let’s go Michael,” he said confidently.
“I knew you’d stay. Good luck, Robert,” Crane said.
“I thought you were sleeping,” Doc said as he hurried to his patient.
“I was but it suddenly got noisy in here.”
“I can fix that, Skipper. You heard the man it’s too noisy. Everyone out, except you,” he said as Lee Crane pushed himself up.
“You said everyone,” Crane stated.
“Let me rephrase that. Everyone, except Captain Crane, out of here,” he said and grinned at Crane’s chagrined look.
Nelson, Morton, and Crane sat in the nose, gazing into the calm waters. Each had a coffee before him and Nelson had a cigarette in his hand. Shaking his head Crane stood and walked to the windows.
“What’s on your mind, Lee?” Morton asked.
“I was just thinking about the Chemelions. They had no world to return to like we did. They didn’t have a choice.”
“That’s true, Lee. But now with the help of the humans on the planet with them they’ll build a new home. A new way of life.”
“I’d love to know why the Chemelions were able to heal human bodies. According to Doc, Robert and I would have died without its help.”
“Maybe some day we’ll find out. For now the Bermuda triangle has returned to normal. At least it has for most people. There are a select few besides Seaview’s crew that know the truth and that’s the way it will stay. There is no way to explain the Triangle mystery without bringing in the Alien involvement and the world governments don’t want that,” Nelson explained.
“So we go back to magnetic interference and other mysterious explanations?” Crane asked.
“That’s all we can do.”
“That’s not the only thing bothering you is it, Lee?” Morton asked.
“Am I that readable, Chip?” Lee laughed.
“Afraid so, Lee. You’re wandering what life would be like if you’d kept the Chemelion and stayed on the other world, aren’t you?”
“How can I not think about it? I bet most of the crew has thought about it. That planet could be a real life Shangri la. To live a long healthy life and never have to worry about becoming ill.”
“Shangri La is out of reach for all of us at the moment. Besides it would be to boring for you, Lee. Not to mention Doc. Who would he complain about if you suddenly became injury free for life? No! That’s not the life for you, Captain.”
“Your right, Admiral, but I can dream can’t I?”
“You most certainly can, Skipper and I thought I ordered you to go to your cabin?” Doc said from the table. “Do I have to confine you to sickbay for the duration?”
“Can I at least finish my Coffee?” Crane asked.
“No. Coffee is a stimulant and I want you to relax and get some rest. Let’s go. I might as well escort you. That way I’ll make sure you get there. After you, Captain.”
Nelson and Morton laughed as Crane strode by them shaking his head.
“No place like home,” Nelson laughed. “You have the con, Chip. Set course for Santa Barbara.”
“Aye, aye, Sir,” Morton said and took his place at the chart table.
THE END
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