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100stories, crossoverfic, allfandomfics, bsg2003fics, fan_fiction, and my own personal journal.
Fandoms: Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (new)
Rating: R
Thirteen
Chapter Four
You Say RADAR, I Say DRADIS
Things began to settle down for a brief time on all the ships in Sector 359. Admiral Nelena Cain resigned as head of Colonial military forces and ceded authority to newly promoted, per act of President Laura Roslin and the Quorum of Twelve, Admiral William Adama, who keeps Galactica as his flagship and gets Colonel Saul Tigh promoted to the rank of Commander.
Meanwhile, over fleet wireless, Pegasus CAG, Cole Stinger Taylor, learns that all transfers enacted by Cain have been rescinded, and that Kara Starbuck Thrace and Lee Apollo Adama would be brought back to Galactica. Stinger sighed as he clicked off the wireless after receiving the transmission.
With a sigh, he turned to Apollo and said, Sorry if I was being an ass to you. With things the way they are
Forget it. Were all under stress and strain these days, so Ive learned to forgive a lot of what I would have taken personally before. So what do you think will happen to Admiral Cain?
Stinger looked ahead and contemplated for a moment, then said, I think shell retake command of the Pegasus. Shes a tough woman, but even the strongest person can only stand so much. She lost her only daughter in the attacks, you know?
Apollo was gobsmacked. I didnt know that.
She was very close to Sheba. Well, her full name was Shelly Barbara Cain, but her family called her Sheba for short, because a popular childrens book character had the same name when she was growing up. The admiral told me this once before the attacks, when we were in a bar together. Sheba had a hard life, having to deal with her parents divorce and its aftermath, getting beat up so badly in school by a couple of bullies that she had to have surgery to deal with the pressure on her brainthe kid persevered through it all.
She was in her early 20s and was about to get married to a writer, Norman Abel. The admiral was so proud that she invited us all to the wedding, and you could tell she was immensely proud of her daughter. It was to have taken place in about another couple of weeks from now.
Then the attacks came. Cain was all right as we jumped blind to another location, but once it hit her that her daughter was dead, you could tell that something snapped inside her. She became hard, cold, withdrawn.
What about this I hear about him shooting the Pegasus CO? Apollo asked.
We should have done something then. Fisk ordered the attack, and we were lucky that we didnt lose anymore than we did. We talked about her mental health, but so many of the others were so gung-ho about going after Cylonsdidnt see what was happening to her. Honestly, I think she just wanted to go out in a blaze of glory.
Apollo grunted and smiled, saying, Youre not as much of a hardass after all, Stinger.
Stinger laughed and replied, Well, youre not under my command anymore. Youre my equal now, so I gotta kiss your ass, or else youll kick it whenever we go after those Cylon raiders.
As they arrived aboard Pegasus, John J. Sheridan, now the head of the Rangers, and Michael Garibaldi, joined Earth Alliance president Garrison Hollifield in the Galactica mess, meeting members of the ships crew as they toured the ship with Petty Officer, Second Class, Anastasia Dee Dualla, and Billy Keikeya, who was an assistant to President Roslin. Hollifield was with General Susan Ivanova and Starbuck, who was serving as their escort.
Well, the grubs not the same as Earthforce standard, but its about the same: crappy! Ivanova said aloud, and the entire room exploded. The cook gave her a rueful look, but also chuckled as well.
Damn good thing we speak the same language, or close to it. How the hell is that? I know the Sacred Scrolls mentioned Earth, but I never imagined we all spoke the same language! Starbuck said.
I dont know. There has to be something to it. I dont believe in coincidences: never have, never will. Maybe these Lords of Kobol you speak about have something to do with it? Sheridan mused.
Hollifield added, Well, you guys havent had exposure to aliens like we have, so you dont know about all the different races weve had to deal with. From what Ive learned in the short time Ive been here, it seems like you guys just stuck in your own little corner of the galaxy. No wonder we didnt find you.
Dualla spoke up and said, When I heard your message for the first time, I thought I had finally gone mad. Earth? I thought! Its not possible! But then your repeated that message and scared the crap out of me! Those at the table erupted with laughter again.
Deckhand Specialist Clarissa Cally came in just then all excited and pulled up a chair and said, Have you heard the news? Helo and Tyrol are being released!
Thats good, if we knew who those guys were. We just came in from Earth, and we hadnt had the chance to catch the local news! Garibaldi joked, which provoked Cally to stick out her tongue at him, but no more than that.
Dualla filled them in. The Pegasus sent over an interrogator for the Cylons, one of the Humanoid Cylons
Humanoid? You mean theres a difference? Hollifield asked.
Its difficult to explain, but weve found that the mechanical Cylons have found a way to make human forms of themselves. We havent had any idea how they were able to do it. All we know is that they exist.
Garibaldi, Sheridan, Ivanova and Hollifield all had the same look on their faces: as if theyd seen a ghost. Hollifield was the one who rallied, asking, So what happened with the interrogator, Ms
Cally, sir! she said, and she extended a hand, which he shook. The guys name was Thorne, and he was trying to rape Sharon Valeriis the Cylon, by the waywhen Helo and Chief Tyrol found out about it, they ran in there and threw the guy off her, and he rammed his head into the side of the jail. Granted, I dont have any love for her, since I shot the other copy of her
Garibaldi interrupted. Whoa, whoa! Wait a second! Copies?
Starbuck answered, Its a long story.
Later on, the Earthers made their way to the Command Information Center. Sheridan and Garibaldi looked around and scratched their heads. Garibaldi picked up one of the phones attacked to a base, saying, I havent seen something like that except in a museum.
Commander Tigh, who was standing by him when he made the remark, said, Because the Cylons had the tactic of hacking into our computer networks, we had to de-evolve our technology to combat the practice. Forty years later, when they attacked us again, they used a computer virus that somehow got through a backdoor of the Command Navigation Program, which was in pretty much all the other Colonial military vessels. The only reason they didnt get us is that the Commander insisted in keeping the ship from having a central computer.
Galactica was supposed to be decommissioned and turned into a museum, but with it the only known battlestar left, we had to prepare the ship to defend the fleet as we fled the system. That was until Pegasus, and then you guys, showed up.
Admiral Adama joined them, along with Roslin, Starbuck, and Apollo. Normally we would do this with a full military ceremony, but with the Cylon fleet nearby, we cant afford to waste much time. So Ive asked the president to do the honors here. Adama said, and Roslin produced her copy of the Sacred Scrolls and the conducted the ceremony to make the promotion of Adama complete.
When it was over, everyone in the room applauded, and Adama escorted the guests to the briefing room for a planned meeting. While making their way there, Hollifield spoke with Adama. I was informed that there are human-form Cylons by one of your enlisted personnel. Would it be possible for me to interview the one you have on board, to see if its possible that Cylons may have made it to Earth?
Adama thought for a moment, then said, I think it could be arranged. Pegasus has one as well, and Ill speak with Acting Commander Fisk to make arrangements for you to interview her as well. The Vice-President, Doctor Gaius Baltar, is interviewing her at present, so it may be some time.
Sharon Boomer Valerii jumped when the door to her cell opened and an old man walked in. Dont hurt me! Please! she cried as she crawled over the bed to get away from the man.
Hollifield knew about the rape, so he slowly sat down at the table. I mean you no harm.
Then why did you send the guards away?
So we can talk privately. You know who I am?
Boomer nodded and added, But how can this be? I didnt think Earth existed!
It does exist. Its come close to not existing one too many times in my life, but we managed to survivea fashion.
Boomer was scared, and even though she was supposedly a Cylon, she gave off the same thought waves as any human could. Hollifield scanned her lightly, and couldnt tell the difference between her and any other humans. Part of him was impressed with the Cylons ability to create such organic technology, and another part of him wondered who taught them how to do it. That was the reason why he was here.
Boomer slowly got up and walked over to the table and sat down, keeping her eyes on Hollifield the whole time. She slid into the seat, brushing a tear from her eye.
Im sorry to hear what happened. If it means anything to you, I would have killed that son of a bitch myself.
What happened to Helo and Chief Tyrol? Boomer asked.
Roslin pardoned them. They should be back on board soon. Ive been told by Admiral Adama that both are all right, given circumstances
Boomer asked, Admiral Adama? What happened to Cain?
She resigned under pressure. Thats all Ill say for now. Look, Im gonna be blunt here: I dont know you Cylons, so I cant decide if youre good, bad, or indifferent. The Colonials consider you an enemy, but we dont. However, since there are human Cylons, I am worried that there could be some on Earth, as well as in our colonies. Do you know anything about that?
Boomer thought hard for a moment, then said, No, I dont recall any. She hurriedly added, But I dont know for sure. I may not be able to access that data.
Hollifield scanned her and found that she told the truth. So why did your kind try to wipe out the Colonials?
God commanded it.
Hollifield blinked. God? No pantheon like the Colonials?
No. Just the one God.
Hollifield nodded, then said, Would it shock you that most of Earths religions are much like your own, in that they only have one God?
Boomer asked, You mean you dont believe in the same gods as the others do?
Instead of asking her, he looked over and said, What do you think, Alwyn?
A figure appeared from the shadows outside of the cell and said, Well, shes not made of Shadow tech. My scans cant find any of it.
Boomer sprung up and yelled, I thought you said we be alone!
Hollifield sat there and said, I didnt need the guards in here for what I have to ask you. Starbucks been appointed liaison to the Earth Alliance forces, and we have an idea. Its a long shot, and it may not work, but if it does, it could end this war once and for all, and still allow both the Colonials and the Cylons to exist.
Boomer picked up the chair and slammed it down, screaming, You didnt answer my question! Who the frak is that outside this cell?
Hollifield wasnt worried about the others hearing outside, as the technomage Alwyn had constructed a soundproof force field around the room upon entry. Alwyn was the one who answered. The names Alwyn. I am a technomage, and a long time friend of the president. Im here to find out who or what made you. The Cylons may have been more advance than the Colonials, but they arent advanced enough to create something like you. We have two suspects, and weve just ruled out one.
So whos the other? Boomer asked as she turned back to Hollifield.
Hollifield sighed and said, A race known as the Vorlons. The reason Im interested? Its because theyre responsible for telepaths like me.
Boomer blinked, not believing what she heard. Telepaths? Those are stuff I read in those science fiction novels as a child! Hows that possible?
Hollifield entered her mind and Boomer flinched as he found a memory of her playing pyramid with Starbuck on leave on Caprica with some friends, then left her mind just as quickly as he entered. She rubbed her head subconsciously, but she didnt have a headache. How did you do that?
Honestly, I dont know. I just know that I can. You can thank the Vorlons for that, but since theyve left the galaxy, youll just have to send them a post card.
Boomer looked down, trying to take in all that she was learning. She didnt know what to think, but something inside her told her that she could trust Hollifield. She looked at him and asked, So whats the plan?
We go back to Caprica.
Admiral Adama and Starbuck were together in his office, and they had just discussed the plan. Are you sure you want to do this, Kara? I cant, in good conscience, order you to do this. The risks
Starbuck said, I understand, sir. When Hollifield and Ivanova told me of what they had planned, I thought it was nuts. Then they told me why they were planning it, and I thought they were insane.
Adama grunted and added, But it does seem like these Vorlons may be responsible for the human copies of Cylons. Thats a big assumption on my part, and you know how I am about guesses. But we cant let the Cylon fleet get to Earth, so whatever we can do to help end this war with the help of the Interstellar Alliance, well do it.
What about Lee? Starbuck asked.
Hell stay here. The Earthforce is assigning us its Thirteenth Fleetappropriateprotect us. Theyre helping us get to Babylon 5 so we can help overhaul Galactica and the rest of the fleet. I hear that youve asked Helo to go with you?
Yes, sir. And, if I may, Id like to take along the prisoner.
Somebody beat you to it. President Hollifield asked me about it earlier, and I agreed. Hes assembling a group of Rangers and Earthforce Special Ops that he knows he can trust to assist us. Im sure theyre good at what they do, but sending you back there
Starbuck knew that the admiral considered her like a daughter, even after the revelation that she had indirectly been responsible for the death of Zak Adama, his youngest son and Starbucks fiancShe knew that if she didnt come back from this mission, it would figuratively, and could literally, kill him. She also knew that this mission was important, as it could not only end the war, but also possibly reclaim the Colonial worlds. Its important, sir. Ive discussed this with General Ivanova and President Hollifield, and it needs to be done.
Adama walked around his desk and over to Starbuck. Their eyes met and nothing was said for a moment as they stared at each other. Then the admiral embraced Starbuck, whispering in her ear as a tear ran down his cheek, Gods go with you, Kara.
Starbuck also had tears running down her cheeks, realizing this could be the last time she saw her mentor. Gods go with you, sir!
On board Pegasus, Dr. Gaius Baltar sat down on the floor and leaned back against the wall. His efforts to rouse Gina, the Cylon prisoner, had made some improvements, but she still could not talk or communicate. She could eat and drink, but barely. Most of the time, she lay on the ground and stared at him, listening to him as he talked. He only left to use the bathroom, usually sleeping in the cell with Gina.
He had just been told that the Earth president was coming to see him and the prisoner, and he didnt know what to think. Luckily for him, someone showed up to assist him in his thoughts.
Six appeared to him for the first time in days, but instead of her usual alluring outfits, she wore a rather modest business suit. Gaius, you should let him see her. Let him see what theseto her. Six said, her words tinged with sadness at what had happened to Gina. Gina had been a dockworker at the Scorpion Ship Yards when the attacks came, and she was rescued by the Pegasus, only to betray them to the Cylons, resulting in the deaths of 800 people. Since then, the crew of the Pegasus, in revenge for what Gina did, had raped her and tortured her to the point that, when Baltar first encountered her, she was in a catatonic state, clearly dehydrated and malnourished, even by Cylon standards.
Hollifield entered the cell and his mouth hung open when he saw Gina. Baltar introduced himself, but Hollifield shook his hand without averting his eyes from the sight of Gina. What happened to her? he asked.
Baltar told him the story, ending, They raped and tortured her, over and over. Mr. President, I wish for you to protest the actions of this crew. Its simply inhumane what they did to her. Baltar was breaking down, and he could see Six behind the president with tears in her eyes. At Hollifields request, the guards had left the room, and Baltar took a risk in what he said.
Ill see that shes transferred to my ship. Sharon Valerii is being transferred there as well, so Ill take it up with Admiral Adama and insist that she be sent over and that those who did this be severely punished. As he turned to leave, he saw Six and absentmindedly said to her, Excuse me He went to leave, but stopped short, turning to Six and asking, How did you get in here?
Gaius Baltar and Six looked at each other, then back to Hollifield, who looked back to Gina and then back to Six. Six asked him, Do you see me?
Hollifield looked puzzled and said, Yeah, I see you. Youre not real, but I see you.
Alwyn appeared outside the cell, Thats correct. Shes inside his head, projecting herself out to converse with Baltar.
Baltar spun around and got a view of the technomage, clad in his multicolored robe and grasping his staff. You can see her too?
Alwyn, an old man with a wrinkled face and balding gray hair, smiled and said, Yes, I can see her. Lets just say the President and myself arent your normal humans and leave it at that.
Six looked at the president and asked, What do you intend to do with us?
Hollifield thought for a moment, then asked, Youre a Cylon, but you dont exist in human form anymore? Youre inside his mind, right?
Six replied, How did you know that?
Im a telepath.
Six stood there for a moment, not realizing if shed heard right. Baltar walked back to the wall and collapsed on the floor, crying out, This is too much! My God, this is too much! What next?
Alwyn bluntly pointed out, How about the revelation that you were the one responsible for the massacre of billions of people in the colonies? We found the file, and we found that you were the one who tampered with the defense mainframe. We also know that you or your associate had someone tamper with the evidence to make it appear that you werent involved.
Baltar stood up and started looking around the room. Gina was out of it, Six was standing there shocked, Hollifield was looking at Baltar curiously, and Alwyns gaze was focused on him. He managed to stamper out, Ho..howdid you find out?
Im a technomage. Were good at finding out things. Alwyn said proudly.
So you have a choice, Baltar. Go to Roslin and Adama and request to be a part of our mission, or we let them find out everything youve been up to. Oh, well make sure they find it on their own, but they will find you out. Hollifield told Baltar.
You blackmailing me? Baltar asked, looking with fear at Hollifield.
Yeah, Im blackmailing you. I see the term is the same on my world as it is yours. So whatll it be, Doctor?
Baltar looked at Gina, then Six, whose eyes were downcast in shock, but she managed to raise them and her head to look at him, and she nodded to him. Baltar closed his eyes to compose himself, then he gave the president.
Ill do it. Damn you, Ill do it. As long as you help Gina, Ill help you.
100stories, crossoverfic, allfandomfics, bsg2003fics, fan_fiction, and my own personal journal.Fandoms: Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica (new)
Rating: R
Chapter Four
You Say RADAR, I Say DRADIS
Things began to settle down for a brief time on all the ships in Sector 359. Admiral Nelena Cain resigned as head of Colonial military forces and ceded authority to newly promoted, per act of President Laura Roslin and the Quorum of Twelve, Admiral William Adama, who keeps Galactica as his flagship and gets Colonel Saul Tigh promoted to the rank of Commander.
Meanwhile, over fleet wireless, Pegasus CAG, Cole Stinger Taylor, learns that all transfers enacted by Cain have been rescinded, and that Kara Starbuck Thrace and Lee Apollo Adama would be brought back to Galactica. Stinger sighed as he clicked off the wireless after receiving the transmission.
With a sigh, he turned to Apollo and said, Sorry if I was being an ass to you. With things the way they are
Forget it. Were all under stress and strain these days, so Ive learned to forgive a lot of what I would have taken personally before. So what do you think will happen to Admiral Cain?
Stinger looked ahead and contemplated for a moment, then said, I think shell retake command of the Pegasus. Shes a tough woman, but even the strongest person can only stand so much. She lost her only daughter in the attacks, you know?
Apollo was gobsmacked. I didnt know that.
She was very close to Sheba. Well, her full name was Shelly Barbara Cain, but her family called her Sheba for short, because a popular childrens book character had the same name when she was growing up. The admiral told me this once before the attacks, when we were in a bar together. Sheba had a hard life, having to deal with her parents divorce and its aftermath, getting beat up so badly in school by a couple of bullies that she had to have surgery to deal with the pressure on her brainthe kid persevered through it all.
She was in her early 20s and was about to get married to a writer, Norman Abel. The admiral was so proud that she invited us all to the wedding, and you could tell she was immensely proud of her daughter. It was to have taken place in about another couple of weeks from now.
Then the attacks came. Cain was all right as we jumped blind to another location, but once it hit her that her daughter was dead, you could tell that something snapped inside her. She became hard, cold, withdrawn.
What about this I hear about him shooting the Pegasus CO? Apollo asked.
We should have done something then. Fisk ordered the attack, and we were lucky that we didnt lose anymore than we did. We talked about her mental health, but so many of the others were so gung-ho about going after Cylonsdidnt see what was happening to her. Honestly, I think she just wanted to go out in a blaze of glory.
Apollo grunted and smiled, saying, Youre not as much of a hardass after all, Stinger.
Stinger laughed and replied, Well, youre not under my command anymore. Youre my equal now, so I gotta kiss your ass, or else youll kick it whenever we go after those Cylon raiders.
As they arrived aboard Pegasus, John J. Sheridan, now the head of the Rangers, and Michael Garibaldi, joined Earth Alliance president Garrison Hollifield in the Galactica mess, meeting members of the ships crew as they toured the ship with Petty Officer, Second Class, Anastasia Dee Dualla, and Billy Keikeya, who was an assistant to President Roslin. Hollifield was with General Susan Ivanova and Starbuck, who was serving as their escort.
Well, the grubs not the same as Earthforce standard, but its about the same: crappy! Ivanova said aloud, and the entire room exploded. The cook gave her a rueful look, but also chuckled as well.
Damn good thing we speak the same language, or close to it. How the hell is that? I know the Sacred Scrolls mentioned Earth, but I never imagined we all spoke the same language! Starbuck said.
I dont know. There has to be something to it. I dont believe in coincidences: never have, never will. Maybe these Lords of Kobol you speak about have something to do with it? Sheridan mused.
Hollifield added, Well, you guys havent had exposure to aliens like we have, so you dont know about all the different races weve had to deal with. From what Ive learned in the short time Ive been here, it seems like you guys just stuck in your own little corner of the galaxy. No wonder we didnt find you.
Dualla spoke up and said, When I heard your message for the first time, I thought I had finally gone mad. Earth? I thought! Its not possible! But then your repeated that message and scared the crap out of me! Those at the table erupted with laughter again.
Deckhand Specialist Clarissa Cally came in just then all excited and pulled up a chair and said, Have you heard the news? Helo and Tyrol are being released!
Thats good, if we knew who those guys were. We just came in from Earth, and we hadnt had the chance to catch the local news! Garibaldi joked, which provoked Cally to stick out her tongue at him, but no more than that.
Dualla filled them in. The Pegasus sent over an interrogator for the Cylons, one of the Humanoid Cylons
Humanoid? You mean theres a difference? Hollifield asked.
Its difficult to explain, but weve found that the mechanical Cylons have found a way to make human forms of themselves. We havent had any idea how they were able to do it. All we know is that they exist.
Garibaldi, Sheridan, Ivanova and Hollifield all had the same look on their faces: as if theyd seen a ghost. Hollifield was the one who rallied, asking, So what happened with the interrogator, Ms
Cally, sir! she said, and she extended a hand, which he shook. The guys name was Thorne, and he was trying to rape Sharon Valeriis the Cylon, by the waywhen Helo and Chief Tyrol found out about it, they ran in there and threw the guy off her, and he rammed his head into the side of the jail. Granted, I dont have any love for her, since I shot the other copy of her
Garibaldi interrupted. Whoa, whoa! Wait a second! Copies?
Starbuck answered, Its a long story.
Later on, the Earthers made their way to the Command Information Center. Sheridan and Garibaldi looked around and scratched their heads. Garibaldi picked up one of the phones attacked to a base, saying, I havent seen something like that except in a museum.
Commander Tigh, who was standing by him when he made the remark, said, Because the Cylons had the tactic of hacking into our computer networks, we had to de-evolve our technology to combat the practice. Forty years later, when they attacked us again, they used a computer virus that somehow got through a backdoor of the Command Navigation Program, which was in pretty much all the other Colonial military vessels. The only reason they didnt get us is that the Commander insisted in keeping the ship from having a central computer.
Galactica was supposed to be decommissioned and turned into a museum, but with it the only known battlestar left, we had to prepare the ship to defend the fleet as we fled the system. That was until Pegasus, and then you guys, showed up.
Admiral Adama joined them, along with Roslin, Starbuck, and Apollo. Normally we would do this with a full military ceremony, but with the Cylon fleet nearby, we cant afford to waste much time. So Ive asked the president to do the honors here. Adama said, and Roslin produced her copy of the Sacred Scrolls and the conducted the ceremony to make the promotion of Adama complete.
When it was over, everyone in the room applauded, and Adama escorted the guests to the briefing room for a planned meeting. While making their way there, Hollifield spoke with Adama. I was informed that there are human-form Cylons by one of your enlisted personnel. Would it be possible for me to interview the one you have on board, to see if its possible that Cylons may have made it to Earth?
Adama thought for a moment, then said, I think it could be arranged. Pegasus has one as well, and Ill speak with Acting Commander Fisk to make arrangements for you to interview her as well. The Vice-President, Doctor Gaius Baltar, is interviewing her at present, so it may be some time.
Sharon Boomer Valerii jumped when the door to her cell opened and an old man walked in. Dont hurt me! Please! she cried as she crawled over the bed to get away from the man.
Hollifield knew about the rape, so he slowly sat down at the table. I mean you no harm.
Then why did you send the guards away?
So we can talk privately. You know who I am?
Boomer nodded and added, But how can this be? I didnt think Earth existed!
It does exist. Its come close to not existing one too many times in my life, but we managed to survivea fashion.
Boomer was scared, and even though she was supposedly a Cylon, she gave off the same thought waves as any human could. Hollifield scanned her lightly, and couldnt tell the difference between her and any other humans. Part of him was impressed with the Cylons ability to create such organic technology, and another part of him wondered who taught them how to do it. That was the reason why he was here.
Boomer slowly got up and walked over to the table and sat down, keeping her eyes on Hollifield the whole time. She slid into the seat, brushing a tear from her eye.
Im sorry to hear what happened. If it means anything to you, I would have killed that son of a bitch myself.
What happened to Helo and Chief Tyrol? Boomer asked.
Roslin pardoned them. They should be back on board soon. Ive been told by Admiral Adama that both are all right, given circumstances
Boomer asked, Admiral Adama? What happened to Cain?
She resigned under pressure. Thats all Ill say for now. Look, Im gonna be blunt here: I dont know you Cylons, so I cant decide if youre good, bad, or indifferent. The Colonials consider you an enemy, but we dont. However, since there are human Cylons, I am worried that there could be some on Earth, as well as in our colonies. Do you know anything about that?
Boomer thought hard for a moment, then said, No, I dont recall any. She hurriedly added, But I dont know for sure. I may not be able to access that data.
Hollifield scanned her and found that she told the truth. So why did your kind try to wipe out the Colonials?
God commanded it.
Hollifield blinked. God? No pantheon like the Colonials?
No. Just the one God.
Hollifield nodded, then said, Would it shock you that most of Earths religions are much like your own, in that they only have one God?
Boomer asked, You mean you dont believe in the same gods as the others do?
Instead of asking her, he looked over and said, What do you think, Alwyn?
A figure appeared from the shadows outside of the cell and said, Well, shes not made of Shadow tech. My scans cant find any of it.
Boomer sprung up and yelled, I thought you said we be alone!
Hollifield sat there and said, I didnt need the guards in here for what I have to ask you. Starbucks been appointed liaison to the Earth Alliance forces, and we have an idea. Its a long shot, and it may not work, but if it does, it could end this war once and for all, and still allow both the Colonials and the Cylons to exist.
Boomer picked up the chair and slammed it down, screaming, You didnt answer my question! Who the frak is that outside this cell?
Hollifield wasnt worried about the others hearing outside, as the technomage Alwyn had constructed a soundproof force field around the room upon entry. Alwyn was the one who answered. The names Alwyn. I am a technomage, and a long time friend of the president. Im here to find out who or what made you. The Cylons may have been more advance than the Colonials, but they arent advanced enough to create something like you. We have two suspects, and weve just ruled out one.
So whos the other? Boomer asked as she turned back to Hollifield.
Hollifield sighed and said, A race known as the Vorlons. The reason Im interested? Its because theyre responsible for telepaths like me.
Boomer blinked, not believing what she heard. Telepaths? Those are stuff I read in those science fiction novels as a child! Hows that possible?
Hollifield entered her mind and Boomer flinched as he found a memory of her playing pyramid with Starbuck on leave on Caprica with some friends, then left her mind just as quickly as he entered. She rubbed her head subconsciously, but she didnt have a headache. How did you do that?
Honestly, I dont know. I just know that I can. You can thank the Vorlons for that, but since theyve left the galaxy, youll just have to send them a post card.
Boomer looked down, trying to take in all that she was learning. She didnt know what to think, but something inside her told her that she could trust Hollifield. She looked at him and asked, So whats the plan?
We go back to Caprica.
Admiral Adama and Starbuck were together in his office, and they had just discussed the plan. Are you sure you want to do this, Kara? I cant, in good conscience, order you to do this. The risks
Starbuck said, I understand, sir. When Hollifield and Ivanova told me of what they had planned, I thought it was nuts. Then they told me why they were planning it, and I thought they were insane.
Adama grunted and added, But it does seem like these Vorlons may be responsible for the human copies of Cylons. Thats a big assumption on my part, and you know how I am about guesses. But we cant let the Cylon fleet get to Earth, so whatever we can do to help end this war with the help of the Interstellar Alliance, well do it.
What about Lee? Starbuck asked.
Hell stay here. The Earthforce is assigning us its Thirteenth Fleetappropriateprotect us. Theyre helping us get to Babylon 5 so we can help overhaul Galactica and the rest of the fleet. I hear that youve asked Helo to go with you?
Yes, sir. And, if I may, Id like to take along the prisoner.
Somebody beat you to it. President Hollifield asked me about it earlier, and I agreed. Hes assembling a group of Rangers and Earthforce Special Ops that he knows he can trust to assist us. Im sure theyre good at what they do, but sending you back there
Starbuck knew that the admiral considered her like a daughter, even after the revelation that she had indirectly been responsible for the death of Zak Adama, his youngest son and Starbucks fiancShe knew that if she didnt come back from this mission, it would figuratively, and could literally, kill him. She also knew that this mission was important, as it could not only end the war, but also possibly reclaim the Colonial worlds. Its important, sir. Ive discussed this with General Ivanova and President Hollifield, and it needs to be done.
Adama walked around his desk and over to Starbuck. Their eyes met and nothing was said for a moment as they stared at each other. Then the admiral embraced Starbuck, whispering in her ear as a tear ran down his cheek, Gods go with you, Kara.
Starbuck also had tears running down her cheeks, realizing this could be the last time she saw her mentor. Gods go with you, sir!
On board Pegasus, Dr. Gaius Baltar sat down on the floor and leaned back against the wall. His efforts to rouse Gina, the Cylon prisoner, had made some improvements, but she still could not talk or communicate. She could eat and drink, but barely. Most of the time, she lay on the ground and stared at him, listening to him as he talked. He only left to use the bathroom, usually sleeping in the cell with Gina.
He had just been told that the Earth president was coming to see him and the prisoner, and he didnt know what to think. Luckily for him, someone showed up to assist him in his thoughts.
Six appeared to him for the first time in days, but instead of her usual alluring outfits, she wore a rather modest business suit. Gaius, you should let him see her. Let him see what theseto her. Six said, her words tinged with sadness at what had happened to Gina. Gina had been a dockworker at the Scorpion Ship Yards when the attacks came, and she was rescued by the Pegasus, only to betray them to the Cylons, resulting in the deaths of 800 people. Since then, the crew of the Pegasus, in revenge for what Gina did, had raped her and tortured her to the point that, when Baltar first encountered her, she was in a catatonic state, clearly dehydrated and malnourished, even by Cylon standards.
Hollifield entered the cell and his mouth hung open when he saw Gina. Baltar introduced himself, but Hollifield shook his hand without averting his eyes from the sight of Gina. What happened to her? he asked.
Baltar told him the story, ending, They raped and tortured her, over and over. Mr. President, I wish for you to protest the actions of this crew. Its simply inhumane what they did to her. Baltar was breaking down, and he could see Six behind the president with tears in her eyes. At Hollifields request, the guards had left the room, and Baltar took a risk in what he said.
Ill see that shes transferred to my ship. Sharon Valerii is being transferred there as well, so Ill take it up with Admiral Adama and insist that she be sent over and that those who did this be severely punished. As he turned to leave, he saw Six and absentmindedly said to her, Excuse me He went to leave, but stopped short, turning to Six and asking, How did you get in here?
Gaius Baltar and Six looked at each other, then back to Hollifield, who looked back to Gina and then back to Six. Six asked him, Do you see me?
Hollifield looked puzzled and said, Yeah, I see you. Youre not real, but I see you.
Alwyn appeared outside the cell, Thats correct. Shes inside his head, projecting herself out to converse with Baltar.
Baltar spun around and got a view of the technomage, clad in his multicolored robe and grasping his staff. You can see her too?
Alwyn, an old man with a wrinkled face and balding gray hair, smiled and said, Yes, I can see her. Lets just say the President and myself arent your normal humans and leave it at that.
Six looked at the president and asked, What do you intend to do with us?
Hollifield thought for a moment, then asked, Youre a Cylon, but you dont exist in human form anymore? Youre inside his mind, right?
Six replied, How did you know that?
Im a telepath.
Six stood there for a moment, not realizing if shed heard right. Baltar walked back to the wall and collapsed on the floor, crying out, This is too much! My God, this is too much! What next?
Alwyn bluntly pointed out, How about the revelation that you were the one responsible for the massacre of billions of people in the colonies? We found the file, and we found that you were the one who tampered with the defense mainframe. We also know that you or your associate had someone tamper with the evidence to make it appear that you werent involved.
Baltar stood up and started looking around the room. Gina was out of it, Six was standing there shocked, Hollifield was looking at Baltar curiously, and Alwyns gaze was focused on him. He managed to stamper out, Ho..howdid you find out?
Im a technomage. Were good at finding out things. Alwyn said proudly.
So you have a choice, Baltar. Go to Roslin and Adama and request to be a part of our mission, or we let them find out everything youve been up to. Oh, well make sure they find it on their own, but they will find you out. Hollifield told Baltar.
You blackmailing me? Baltar asked, looking with fear at Hollifield.
Yeah, Im blackmailing you. I see the term is the same on my world as it is yours. So whatll it be, Doctor?
Baltar looked at Gina, then Six, whose eyes were downcast in shock, but she managed to raise them and her head to look at him, and she nodded to him. Baltar closed his eyes to compose himself, then he gave the president.
Ill do it. Damn you, Ill do it. As long as you help Gina, Ill help you.
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