The Last Ship~ Season 1

Chapter 7~ SOS

Well, what I can say for certain is that what you are about to hear is true to its title of SOS in more ways than one. So, to recap there was this virus that appeared outside Cairo in Egypt and threatened to reach the capital of Norway by winter. While I was enjoying firing exercises in the Artic, the world was ending. I still wonder how I could've missed out on that! In some ways, I'm glad I did in others, not so much. I still wonder if had I been back sooner, would Arleigh not have been in such danger? I missed my brother dearly, it hurt to even think of him...

"Blagh!" I grimaced as I watched Dr. Scott's breakfast or what was left of it, slide along my hull as I sailed by. "Sorry." The green tinged Doctor said. I shrugged. "You actually managed to hit me this time." I exclaimed. "Your aim is improving." She sighed. "I do apologize for that." She said. I sighed. "If your ill, maybe you should go and see the ship's doctor." I said. "Not a chance, I have lots of work to do." She retorted, turning her head back over the rail as she puked again. I shuddered. "Rachel...." I said. "So help me I will toss and turn and make the whole crew sick if you don't go right now!" Her eyes widened. "Alright, alright I'm going!" She exclaimed and raced back inside. A few minutes later, Chandler appeared on the bow, dragging Dr. Scott along behind him. He was beyond livid, I don't think there's a word to describe how angry he was. "USS NATHAN JAMES, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" He shouted to me. I shrugged. "I dunno. You tell me." I replied. He swatted me harshly and I grimaced. "Please captain, don't hurt him. It was my fault." Dr. Scott pleaded. "It was your fault?" Chandler repeated incredulously. "It was your fault that you've just put yourself in mortal danger!" "What's going on? What happened? Is she sick?!" I wondered. Looking back, I feel like such an idiot for asking that. Dr. Scott sighed and turned to me. "Nathan I-I'm pregnant." She replied. "I'm pregnant with your child." My eyes widened. "But how, I mean we didn't..." I began. "The night before the reenlistment." She reminded me. Then it struck me, she and I had.... I gulped. "Rachel, I'm so sorry..." I whispered. "Our whole mission may've been compromised because of you." Chandler hissed. "For your punishment you'll serve back to back night watches for the next fortnight. I catch you sleeping on duty and it'll be two!" "Captain, please...." Dr. Scott begged. "Don't think you're off the hook either." Chandler snapped at her. "You're just as much at fault for this as he is." He stormed inside. I bowed my head, tears falling from my eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. It was so foolish of me, how could I have been such an idiot, such an irresponsible fool!" I wailed. "It was the season for breeding." Dr. Scott replied readily. "And since that Russian ship wasn't on hand, you went for the next best thing." I winced. "Rachel, please... I never wanted any harm to come to you." I moaned. She stroked my side gently. "I know." She replied. "But know this, I have a good nine months or so before this becomes a real big issue and I intend to make the most of it." "You won't abort?" I asked. "No, I couldn't do that." She replied. "Get some rest while you can, Nathan. It'll be a long night." She said and headed inside. "It'll be a long one indeed." I muttered and closed my eyes but I couldn't find sleep. "I'm so sorry Rachel, so sorry..."

3 days later, I picked up a transmission from a lone girl in a fishing boat. I'd heard her several times, a few days ago there'd been 15 on board now she was the only one left alive. The virus had claimed the others. "It could be a trap." I said. "But it could be genuine. She's within 200 miles of us, we'll set a new course towards her and..." Chandler was cut off by his XO. "Are you kidding me? Do you really want us to go there?!" He exclaimed. "No, we need to go there." Dr. Scott replied as she made her way forward though the line of sailors to the quarreling men. "It's possible that she's immune to the virus. If I can get a sample of her DNA maybe I can create a working vaccine." "Rachel, it's too dangerous..." I began to protest. "Quite Nathan, this concerns human officers and despite your romance filled efforts, you won't be a human!" Chandler hissed. I fell silent. "Captain, really there's no need to..." Dr. Scott began though a harsh look from him made her fall silent. She backed down, albeit reluctantly. Her feisty attitude was just one of the reasons why I loved her.

By the time I arrived, it was decided that there would be two teams, one led by the captain, another led by Lt. Green's second. At once, I got a bad feeling. "I don't like this." I said. "Oh just chill would you Nathan." Chandler snapped. Clearly he was in no mood for my worrisome antics. I huffed and fell silent but he wasn't finished with me yet. "You know what your problem is Nathan?" He asked. Not waiting for an answer he replied "You worry too much. Just like my mother." "Well someone needs to make sure you keep to a straight line." I muttered. Chandler turned bright red at this and exploded. "I'm the captain, you're the ship. You follow my command. I don't need your worrisome antics right now, Nathan. I need some peace of mind and you've just jeopardized that by impregnating Dr. Scott!" He snapped. The crew gave a collective gasp. They hadn't heard until now. I bowed my head. "Keep your head down and do what your officers tell you. I should've put you to the straight and narrow long ago." Chandler said and stalked down to the boats. I could feel the crew's collective stares. Some were pitiful, some were angry, others were sympathetic even. Lieutenants Foster and Green understood all too well what I was going through. "Well done Nathan." The chief muttered sarcastically. "You've just extinguished the human race." "Brilliant move, Nathan." "Yeah, brilliant. Now what are we going to do?" The crew continued to throw sarcastic comments my way as they filed past, back inside. I bowed my head. Only Dr. Scott, and Foster and Green remained behind. "I know what it's like, Nathan." She said. "No you don't." I sniffled. "Rachel may die because of me. Humans aren't meant to bear shiplings, it can kill them." "We'll do everything we can to ensure that doesn't happen." Foster promised. "As long as it doesn't interfere with my work on the virus, I'll be a good patient." Dr. Scott replied. She looked down over the railing at me. "I know you love me, I know your worried but Chandler's right, now's not the time to be frantic." I nodded and watched as the two boats cleared the horizon. I knew I'd have to apologize to Chandler when he returned. Little did I know that I may not ever get the chance.

Long story short, the Russians had intercepted our transmission and rendezvous with us here, just out of radar range. A firefight ensued between small boats resulting in Chandler's sinking. Him and Tex were left floating and stranded in the open sea. My last radio contact with him went like this. "Cease all rescue operations." I knew what that meant. "Sir, no please!" I wailed. "That's an order Nathan. You have the girl, now ride off into the sunset." He replied. "Not without you." I protested. "Please, let me find you..." "Not a chance, it ain't worth the risk." Chandler replied. "Captain, Tom please, oh please don't do this, I'm begging you!" I wailed. "An order is an order Nathan, that's that." He replied. I didn't hear from him again, though I tried countless times to raise him. No answer. That meant either he was ignoring me or he had drowned, personally, I was fixing for the former. I loved Chandler, he'd become like a second father to me and I never realized how much I needed him until now. Several searches were sent out all to no avail. I knew they were still alive, even when the last report showed empty suits. The feeling of dread overwhelmed me again and this time, I understood. "The Russians." I growled. "You think the Russians have him hostage?" Dr. Scott asked. I nodded. "No doubts about it." I replied. "What are you going to do about it?" She asked. "I mean their ship threatened to blow you to bits." I nodded. "I remember." I growled. "And I don't care how many obstacles they put I my way. I will get my captain home. I vow it before the seas and stars that I will bring him back where he belongs, on my bridge! We'll get him back Rachel, you'll see."