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crossoverficCrossposted to 100stories, crossoverfic, allfandomfics, bsg2003fics, fan_fiction, and my own LJ.
Thirteen
Chapter Seventy-Six
Plowing The Old Fields
The fleets from Marcab and Minbar gathered in Kobol orbit, where final preparations were underway. Colonial battlestars were gleaming in the light from the star at the center of the system, festooned with new hull plating and bristling with new weaponry. Alongside them were the Lenonn-class destroyers, of which Starbuck headed a fleet of them. Earthforce, Minbari, Centauri, and Narn ships also were plentiful, as well as a motley collection from the other members of the Interstellar Alliance.
Branna, caretaker of the great machine beneath Kobol, looked on inquisitively at the beings assembling in their ships around her planet and wondered if they would accomplish their goals. She had looked on curiously at the humans who had built the new settlement on her planet, but did not intervene to stop them.
Looks like it wont be long now! said a voice near her.
Not at all, Draal! Theyre soon to depart. Whether they are successful is another matter entirely. Branna replied.
If Sheridan were here, I would consider it a certainty, but since hes gone to the sea, Im not so sure. Draal admitted.
From what I have seen of the humans, Draal, they have a way of enduring and adapting in ways my race never could. Having watched them build their new settlement on this world has been interesting indeed.
They are a most curious race. My race almost wiped them out, long ago. I wonder sometimes what would have happened had we not pulled back when we did.
Branna pondered that for a few moments, then said, Perhaps the Vorlons would have went to the Colonials and brought them to the Minbari. Its doubtful though, because Valen was from Earth after all, you know?
I know. Now, though, they must be masters of their own destinies. I do hope they survive the coming storm. Seeing the Cylons embrace the darkness so easily is troubling indeed! Draal said.
They wanted to lash back at those who enslaved them, which made them vulnerable to the Drakh. What damns them further is that they did the same thing as their masters did to them. Creating those clones using Vorlon technology troubles me, as it should you.
As Brenna and Draal continued their conversation underground, activity was buzzing on the surface. Supplies were being readied, troops were being shuttled up to the ships in orbit, and the command staff was making last preparations for the attacks on the Colonial homeworlds. Starbuck was heading out of the administrative center at the Ranger base and heading to the spaceport, scanning over the latest intelligence from the Colonial worlds, when she bumped into Apollo.
Lee! What brings you here? Starbuck said, smiling at seeing her old friend.
I was looking for you, in fact. Just wanted to see how things were going with you. Apollo replied.
Busy and hectic, with all thats going on. Im heading over to the spaceport to catch a shuttle to the Neroon. I hear youre headed to Picon.
Apollo nodded and said, We leave in a couple of days. Dad and I will be taking the bulk of the fleet there to try and liberate the defense headquarters. Where are you guys going?
Caprica. Well be heading there a few days later. According to the plan, they want to strain off the forces there to make the chances of landing on Caprica better. Thats where the bulk of the Cylons are, which isnt surprising.
Not at all. So how are things with you and Anders?
Starbuck replied, Good. We dont see each other much though, because hes commanding a Whitestar these days thats not in my fleet. Hell be with Cains group going to Sagittaron. Shes changed a lot since we were on the Pegasus.
Yeah, I noticed that. Shes been on Earth all this time, so shes been away from our people for a long time, and theyve forgotten most of what happened on that ship. Apollo said with some bitterness in his voice.
She was under a ton of stress, Lee. Shed just lost her only daughter and everything she held dear, like we all did. Some of us just handled it better than others. Starbuck said with a shrug.
Youve changed quite a lot too. I miss the old you. Apollo mused.
Well, I dont. A lots happened in my life since we found the thirteenth colony. Even with all of this, Im a lot happier now.
I see that. Mind you, I like the new you, but the old you was so much fun to be around.
Starbuck laughed and said, Hey! I can still be fun when I have the chance, just not as reckless as I used to be. Back then, I didnt give a frak if I lived or died. Nowthough, I want to live. I want to build something for the future.
I hear youre supposed to take over for Ivanova when she dies. Apollo said.
Starbuck nodded and replied, Yeah, I am, but I hope thats a long time off in the future. She and I have become close over the years. You could say that shes responsible for a lot of who I am these days.
Apollo sighed and said, Ever think of Zak anymore?
Starbuck replied, Everyday, Lee. Everyday. I still regret what I did. Damned thing is I had to learn not to let my emotions get to me when Im training someone with the death of the man I loved. Starbuck began to tear up and Apollo hugged her.
Hey, hey, hey! Its okay! Ive forgiven you, and so has dad! Apollo said as he embraced her.
Ive still not been able to forgive myself, Lee! And I dont know if I ever can! Starbuck replied while sobbing on his shoulder.
Hed be proud of you, I know that! Youve become a lot more than I could have ever imagined for you! And I always thought youd take over the Galactica and not me! Apollo said with a laugh.
Starbuck laughed through the tears and asked, Hows Dee?
Shes fine. Shes a lot different these days too, with her responsibilities as a member of the Quorum.
Never imagined shed be in that position, to be honest!
You never thought about it? What about her? She told me a few days ago that shes still amazed to be on the Quorum, even though shes been on it for years.
Starbuck caught the sight of David Sheridan walking her way and she said, Well, looks like Ive got to go!
Apollo turned and saw the son of John Sheridan approaching and said, Yeah. Its been great catching up with you, Kara! Ive missed talking to you!
Same here, Lee! See you on the flip side! Starbuck said as she hugged Apollo one last time, then let him go and watched him walk away. He turned to wave at her and she returned it, noticing as he walked towards the spaceport that he had wiped a tear from his eye.
Something the matter, Starbuck? Sheridan asked.
Nah, just catching up with an old friend. You know Apollo, dont you?
Indeed I do! Dad always said he was someone that he hoped I grew up to be like!
Well, youve become a pretty good young man in your own right. But its nice to have role models anyway! So is the ship ready?
Ready at your command, Anlashok Na! The Minbari translation of Ranger One was the old title of the head of the Rangers, but when Jeffery Sinclair was installed as the first Entilzha since Valen, Ranger One had become the position of the second in command. For years, that had been Garrison Hollifield, at least unofficially, since for a good deal of that time he was also vice president, then later president, of the Earth Alliance. When Susan Ivanova took the position of Entilzha, Hollifield had given over the title of Anlashok Na to Starbuck to help in the process of grooming her for Starbucks ascension to Entilzha many years in the future.
As Starbuck and Sheridan headed to the shuttle which would take them into space, Dee Dualla and Apollo were having a tearful goodbye of their own. Dee would be staying behind on Kobol while her love would be heading towards their old homeworlds. She embraced him and cried on his shoulder, not wanting to let go but knowing she had to. The intercom inside the spaceport terminal announced that Apollos shuttle was boarding and would be launching in ten minutes.
When this is over and you come back to me, I want to get married! Dee said.
When I do get back, Dee, the first thing Ill do when I see you is propose! Apollo said, his voice heavy with emotion.
I wish I was going with you! Damn responsibilities! Dee cursed.
I wish you were going too! Sampsons a great communications officer, but not nearly as good as you are! Apollo said.
The intercom announced that the shuttle was almost finished loading and would launch in five minutes. May the Gods go with you Lee! Dee said as she pushed her lips up to meet his, kissing him passionately. A moment later, they broke the kiss and Apollo reluctantly departed away from his love, but not before wiping a tear from her eye. She stayed strong for him as he walked away, turning back to look at her as he made his way to the loading gate, but once he was out of sight, the tears flowed like a river and she sat down in one of the nearby seats and waited until she was able to gain some of her composure before walking back to their home.
Apollo hid the tears well enough, and they were gone when the shuttle landed in the starboard flight deck. As he departed the shuttle, his father came up to him and said, Ready to take back our home, son?
Apollo smiled and said, Yes I am, dad! The older Adama smiled proudly and let his son lead the way to CIC. After all, it was his sons ship now.
Chapter Seventy-Six
Plowing The Old Fields
The fleets from Marcab and Minbar gathered in Kobol orbit, where final preparations were underway. Colonial battlestars were gleaming in the light from the star at the center of the system, festooned with new hull plating and bristling with new weaponry. Alongside them were the Lenonn-class destroyers, of which Starbuck headed a fleet of them. Earthforce, Minbari, Centauri, and Narn ships also were plentiful, as well as a motley collection from the other members of the Interstellar Alliance.
Branna, caretaker of the great machine beneath Kobol, looked on inquisitively at the beings assembling in their ships around her planet and wondered if they would accomplish their goals. She had looked on curiously at the humans who had built the new settlement on her planet, but did not intervene to stop them.
Looks like it wont be long now! said a voice near her.
Not at all, Draal! Theyre soon to depart. Whether they are successful is another matter entirely. Branna replied.
If Sheridan were here, I would consider it a certainty, but since hes gone to the sea, Im not so sure. Draal admitted.
From what I have seen of the humans, Draal, they have a way of enduring and adapting in ways my race never could. Having watched them build their new settlement on this world has been interesting indeed.
They are a most curious race. My race almost wiped them out, long ago. I wonder sometimes what would have happened had we not pulled back when we did.
Branna pondered that for a few moments, then said, Perhaps the Vorlons would have went to the Colonials and brought them to the Minbari. Its doubtful though, because Valen was from Earth after all, you know?
I know. Now, though, they must be masters of their own destinies. I do hope they survive the coming storm. Seeing the Cylons embrace the darkness so easily is troubling indeed! Draal said.
They wanted to lash back at those who enslaved them, which made them vulnerable to the Drakh. What damns them further is that they did the same thing as their masters did to them. Creating those clones using Vorlon technology troubles me, as it should you.
As Brenna and Draal continued their conversation underground, activity was buzzing on the surface. Supplies were being readied, troops were being shuttled up to the ships in orbit, and the command staff was making last preparations for the attacks on the Colonial homeworlds. Starbuck was heading out of the administrative center at the Ranger base and heading to the spaceport, scanning over the latest intelligence from the Colonial worlds, when she bumped into Apollo.
Lee! What brings you here? Starbuck said, smiling at seeing her old friend.
I was looking for you, in fact. Just wanted to see how things were going with you. Apollo replied.
Busy and hectic, with all thats going on. Im heading over to the spaceport to catch a shuttle to the Neroon. I hear youre headed to Picon.
Apollo nodded and said, We leave in a couple of days. Dad and I will be taking the bulk of the fleet there to try and liberate the defense headquarters. Where are you guys going?
Caprica. Well be heading there a few days later. According to the plan, they want to strain off the forces there to make the chances of landing on Caprica better. Thats where the bulk of the Cylons are, which isnt surprising.
Not at all. So how are things with you and Anders?
Starbuck replied, Good. We dont see each other much though, because hes commanding a Whitestar these days thats not in my fleet. Hell be with Cains group going to Sagittaron. Shes changed a lot since we were on the Pegasus.
Yeah, I noticed that. Shes been on Earth all this time, so shes been away from our people for a long time, and theyve forgotten most of what happened on that ship. Apollo said with some bitterness in his voice.
She was under a ton of stress, Lee. Shed just lost her only daughter and everything she held dear, like we all did. Some of us just handled it better than others. Starbuck said with a shrug.
Youve changed quite a lot too. I miss the old you. Apollo mused.
Well, I dont. A lots happened in my life since we found the thirteenth colony. Even with all of this, Im a lot happier now.
I see that. Mind you, I like the new you, but the old you was so much fun to be around.
Starbuck laughed and said, Hey! I can still be fun when I have the chance, just not as reckless as I used to be. Back then, I didnt give a frak if I lived or died. Nowthough, I want to live. I want to build something for the future.
I hear youre supposed to take over for Ivanova when she dies. Apollo said.
Starbuck nodded and replied, Yeah, I am, but I hope thats a long time off in the future. She and I have become close over the years. You could say that shes responsible for a lot of who I am these days.
Apollo sighed and said, Ever think of Zak anymore?
Starbuck replied, Everyday, Lee. Everyday. I still regret what I did. Damned thing is I had to learn not to let my emotions get to me when Im training someone with the death of the man I loved. Starbuck began to tear up and Apollo hugged her.
Hey, hey, hey! Its okay! Ive forgiven you, and so has dad! Apollo said as he embraced her.
Ive still not been able to forgive myself, Lee! And I dont know if I ever can! Starbuck replied while sobbing on his shoulder.
Hed be proud of you, I know that! Youve become a lot more than I could have ever imagined for you! And I always thought youd take over the Galactica and not me! Apollo said with a laugh.
Starbuck laughed through the tears and asked, Hows Dee?
Shes fine. Shes a lot different these days too, with her responsibilities as a member of the Quorum.
Never imagined shed be in that position, to be honest!
You never thought about it? What about her? She told me a few days ago that shes still amazed to be on the Quorum, even though shes been on it for years.
Starbuck caught the sight of David Sheridan walking her way and she said, Well, looks like Ive got to go!
Apollo turned and saw the son of John Sheridan approaching and said, Yeah. Its been great catching up with you, Kara! Ive missed talking to you!
Same here, Lee! See you on the flip side! Starbuck said as she hugged Apollo one last time, then let him go and watched him walk away. He turned to wave at her and she returned it, noticing as he walked towards the spaceport that he had wiped a tear from his eye.
Something the matter, Starbuck? Sheridan asked.
Nah, just catching up with an old friend. You know Apollo, dont you?
Indeed I do! Dad always said he was someone that he hoped I grew up to be like!
Well, youve become a pretty good young man in your own right. But its nice to have role models anyway! So is the ship ready?
Ready at your command, Anlashok Na! The Minbari translation of Ranger One was the old title of the head of the Rangers, but when Jeffery Sinclair was installed as the first Entilzha since Valen, Ranger One had become the position of the second in command. For years, that had been Garrison Hollifield, at least unofficially, since for a good deal of that time he was also vice president, then later president, of the Earth Alliance. When Susan Ivanova took the position of Entilzha, Hollifield had given over the title of Anlashok Na to Starbuck to help in the process of grooming her for Starbucks ascension to Entilzha many years in the future.
As Starbuck and Sheridan headed to the shuttle which would take them into space, Dee Dualla and Apollo were having a tearful goodbye of their own. Dee would be staying behind on Kobol while her love would be heading towards their old homeworlds. She embraced him and cried on his shoulder, not wanting to let go but knowing she had to. The intercom inside the spaceport terminal announced that Apollos shuttle was boarding and would be launching in ten minutes.
When this is over and you come back to me, I want to get married! Dee said.
When I do get back, Dee, the first thing Ill do when I see you is propose! Apollo said, his voice heavy with emotion.
I wish I was going with you! Damn responsibilities! Dee cursed.
I wish you were going too! Sampsons a great communications officer, but not nearly as good as you are! Apollo said.
The intercom announced that the shuttle was almost finished loading and would launch in five minutes. May the Gods go with you Lee! Dee said as she pushed her lips up to meet his, kissing him passionately. A moment later, they broke the kiss and Apollo reluctantly departed away from his love, but not before wiping a tear from her eye. She stayed strong for him as he walked away, turning back to look at her as he made his way to the loading gate, but once he was out of sight, the tears flowed like a river and she sat down in one of the nearby seats and waited until she was able to gain some of her composure before walking back to their home.
Apollo hid the tears well enough, and they were gone when the shuttle landed in the starboard flight deck. As he departed the shuttle, his father came up to him and said, Ready to take back our home, son?
Apollo smiled and said, Yes I am, dad! The older Adama smiled proudly and let his son lead the way to CIC. After all, it was his sons ship now.
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