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100stories, crossoverfic, allfandomfics, bsg2003fics, fan_fiction, and my own LJ
Thirteen
Chapter Thirty-Three
Stories from the War Room
The Tom Zarek campaign was based on the sixth level of Red Sector, while Laura Roslins campaign was based on the ninth level of the same sector. Signs were plastered all over the Zocolo shopping center, as well as in other areas of the station accessible to the Colonials. On the Colonial broadcast channels, television commercials were airing, and the mudslinging was already thick in the air. Roslins campaign concentrated on Zareks past, while Zarek hammered home Roslins failures as president.
Jim Bitterbane had covered many campaigns in his time, but this one was different from any presidential campaign hed ever been assigned to report on. Being a veteran ISN reporter gave him access that others could not get, but even he couldnt score one-on-one interviews with Zarek or Roslin. Over the years, hed interviewed Hollifield and Sheridan numerous times, as well as other prominent politicians and public figures. Hed tried and tried to get an interview with each candidate, but both candidates press secretaries rebuffed him.
He was eating a quick dinner when a younger man walked up to him. Jim Bitterbane?
Bitterbane looked up and recognized the man speaking to him from the Colonial News Channel feeds. Youre James McManus from the Colonial Gang! He extended his hand and McManus shook it. Please, sit down! What can I do for you?
McManus accepted the invitation to sit and got right down to business, Ive heard that youve been trying to get an interview with each of the candidates.
Yes, but without much success! Do you have any reason why they might be stonewalling me? Bitterbane asked calmly as he sipped his espresso.
I do. Both candidates do not like the fact that only ISN reporters are on the debate panel, and they dont fully trust you three.
Bitterbane said, Ah! Let me guess! They both distrust us equally and think were working for the other side.
So what do you intend to do about it? McManus asked.
Ill talk with my bosses to see if I can get someone from Colonial News Channel to be on the panel. My preference would be two representatives, but thats up to the people in charge. One thing Ive learned in the news business is that you never know how the suits are going to go in a situation like this.
As it turned out, the suits went exactly the way Jim Bitterbane wanted them to, mainly because of his reputation. Hed been in the business long enough to know how to twist the right arms and soothe the right egos to get what he wanted. In fact, hed gotten all three members of the Colonial Gang, because Vini Mani was forced to drop out due to a family emergency. So it was Bitterbane and Maggie Egan representing ISN, while James McManus of the Caprica Times, Playa Palacios of the Picon Star Tribune, and Sekou Hamilton of the Arilon Gazette representing Colonial News Channel.
The debate would take place in the amphitheater on Babylon 5, an open-air area that was based in The Garden, which looked up into the interior of the station. Here, thousands of supporters for each candidate could come in and see the debates. They would also be covered by Colonial News Channel as well as the stations own internal channels.
The first debate would take place in seven days time, and Bitterbane and Egan worked closely with their colleagues on the Colonial Gang to develop what kinds of questions would be asked in the first debate, as well as the future debates. Bitterbane had thought his days of covering important news events had been over when he retired after the last presidential election on Earth, but he was pleasantly surprised to feel the same excitement he always felt during campaigns coming back again to him.
Ellen Tigh didnt trust reporters, especially ones she didnt know. Shed insisted that Tom Zarek not speak to Jim Bitterbane, so that they could keep in control of the message. This wasnt her advice alone, though, as his own campaign people were telling him the same thing. However, Tom Zarek was feeling pressure from John Sheridan and Michael Garibaldi to grant the interview, with subtle hints dropped that Laura Roslin was about to do the same thing.
Their days were spent making appearances all over the station, talking with the various groups from the twelve homeworlds. They made no secret of their affair, as the populace had seemingly judged her right in leaving her husband Saul for Zarek after what had happened during martial law. So she didnt hesitate in the least in being on the arm of the man she hoped would be the next Colonial president.
This alliance had alienated her from the man she really desired: William Adama. Ellen Tigh was always attracted to the men who were seemingly unattainable, and Bill Adama was the pinnacle of that goal. Even after his divorce, he stubbornly would not fall for her subtle charms. She was unaware that Adama knew full well of her reputation with bedding any man in sight, so he steered clear of her.
Ellen, though, wasnt thinking of Bill Adama at the moment, as she sat down to organize Zareks schedule for the next day. She watched him as he spoke to some of his campaign workers and admired his charisma and genuine charm. He was sincere in his beliefs, but not below getting into the campaign trenches and slugging it out the old fashioned way. Colonial politics was just as dirty as Earth Alliance politics, especially now since there were so few of them left.
She went to bed with him each night, but neither one had the energy these days to make love. Most nights, they were so tired that they didnt even bother getting out of their clothes when they went to bed. They would always just put on new clothes the next morning and leave the old ones to staffers who would do the laundry for them. Such things were beneath Ellen Tigh anyway, having been born into a wealthy family and used to such privileges.
Tom Zarek, on the other hand, felt a little guilty about not doing his own laundry. Normally this would annoy Ellen, but she found herself more attracted to him because of his humility. Zarek could be swank and sophisticated yet humble and grounded at the same time.
As they walked out of their quarters to head back to the office for a new day, they were met by the usual staffers and security personnel who would help them through the gauntlet of reporters and supporters. Ellen Tigh loved this life, and cursed herself for choosing to marry that bum Saul Tigh instead of finding someone like Tom Zarek long ago.
You sure you want to do this? Saul Tigh said to his commanding officer.
Admiral William Adama adjusted his dress uniform slightly, then turned to answer his friend. I know what youre going to say. Something along the lines of a soldier shouldnt get involved in politics? Dont think that thought hasnt passed that mind a few times since I came up with this idea.
Tigh chuckled and added, You know I dont like her, but I cant stand him. I can deal with Roslin, even after the martial law decree, but Zarek! How the hell do you deal with a terrorist like him?
I was reading something from Earth the other day. It was a column in their newspaper, Universe Today. One of the writers wrote, one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. I think it had something to do with some kind of anniversary of an attack on something called the Twin Towers. I dont know, because I was just glancing over the article. The phrase sort of stuck with me all night last night.
Dont tell me youre getting a soft spot in your heart for Zarek! Tigh warned.
Adama laughed and said, Hell no! Just some perspective as to why people would rally around him. Youre a military historian, Saul. You know that Colonial history before the Articles of Colonization wasnt exactly a clean and pleasant one.
Tigh shook his head and admitted, No. No it wasnt.
How many massacres, government crackdowns, martial law declarations, and so on and so forth have we seen throughout our history? And I dont just mean on Sagittaron, either! Caprica, Picon, Tauron, Aquariathe colonial worlds have had their dark moments filled with blood! Adama poured himself a snifter of ambrosia and sipped a little of it, then admitted, Maybe we had it coming to us.
Had what coming to us? Tigh asked.
The holocaust. We played God, Saul. Created the Cylons to serve us, do the jobs we didnt want to do, and look what happened: they turned on us. The humans from Earth have had similar experiences as well, and theyve struggled to find the right kind of way to run society as well. Neither one of us really qualifies to walk among the Gods, when you think about it.
Tigh thought that over for a moment, then glanced over at a clock in the room. This can wait until later, Bill. Right now, wed better get to Roslins war room. Shes expecting us. Adama took one last quick look in the mirror, then walked out of the room.
Tigh noticed this and remarked, Youd think you were going to ask her out on a date or something!
Adama laughed and said, Who has time for something like that these days? Tigh joined in the chuckle as they entered a transport tube and made their way to Roslins campaign headquarters.
Laura Roslin didnt know if this was a good idea, but with the way things were going in her campaign, this could be the edge she needs to squeak out a victory at the polls. Or it could cost her the election, but she refused to dwell upon such possibilities.
The reporters gathered at the press conference hastily called in her campaigns press area. Admiral David Rissen, at the behest of President Garrison Hollifield, had given each campaign plenty of space to operate their campaigns free of charge. Space, unlike in days of old, wasnt a problem to come by as the station struggled to regenerate interest from Earth and the other alien races.
Roslin glanced over at Admiral Adama, his son Lee Apollo Adama, and Commander Tigh, all decked out in their dress uniforms. She found herself drawn to the admiral, and wondered why. Its not like they really got along real well, but she did think he was a handsome devil. She bit down a laugh that almost came out at the thought of herself involved with him, because neither of them had time to even breathe, much less go out to dinner these days. And with the Cylon threat always looming, there was no guarantee that they would survive for much longer.
The endorsement of both Adamas, as well as Commander Tigh, would probably alienate a few voters, while bring in others. No one would know until the votes were cast how it would break, but Roslin was willing to take the gamble. Tighs apology had resonated with the populace, and, much to her surprise, there was a wave of forgiveness for his actions rippling through the Colonials. Not through all of them, of course, but perhaps through enough to swing enough votes.
Pegasus commander Jack Fisk was also there, because when we heard of Admiral Adamas plans, he wanted to jump aboard and endorse the president too. It was for the same reason: because they didnt know what Zarek would do if he were elected president. Would Zarek keep things as they were, or would he try to revamp things and create chaos in the military? Adama hadnt wanted to find out, and, thus, why he had chosen to endorse the president.
Adama, after the gracious introduction from Roslin, made his endorsement, and said it from the heart. He wasnt a smooth public speaker, but, when he was on a roll, he didnt do half bad. Tigh and Fisk followed soon enough, and when it was over, the media was abuzz and threw questions at them from all directions.
Bitterbane left the press conference and went into Sheridans office for his scheduled interview. Afternoon, John! What did you make of it?
The press conference? Im not sure. I kinda feel uneasy about military officers endorsing political candidates, but given the circumstances Sheridan shrugged.
Indeed. Now, any idea of when I can speak to each of the candidates?
Sheridan laughed and commented, You never give up, do ya? Well, I think theyre close to giving in on that account. Give me a couple of days and I see what I can do on that front. Now, lets get down to business! He gestured to a couch in the office, and Bitterbane sat down on it, with Sheridan taking the couch across from it.
Let me guess: off the record, deepest background again? Bitterbane asked.
Sheridan smiled and said, As always, Jim. Just like Hollifield does when he wants to float out ideas to the public. Bitterbane laughed and they got down to work.
100stories, crossoverfic, allfandomfics, bsg2003fics, fan_fiction, and my own LJChapter Thirty-Three
Stories from the War Room
The Tom Zarek campaign was based on the sixth level of Red Sector, while Laura Roslins campaign was based on the ninth level of the same sector. Signs were plastered all over the Zocolo shopping center, as well as in other areas of the station accessible to the Colonials. On the Colonial broadcast channels, television commercials were airing, and the mudslinging was already thick in the air. Roslins campaign concentrated on Zareks past, while Zarek hammered home Roslins failures as president.
Jim Bitterbane had covered many campaigns in his time, but this one was different from any presidential campaign hed ever been assigned to report on. Being a veteran ISN reporter gave him access that others could not get, but even he couldnt score one-on-one interviews with Zarek or Roslin. Over the years, hed interviewed Hollifield and Sheridan numerous times, as well as other prominent politicians and public figures. Hed tried and tried to get an interview with each candidate, but both candidates press secretaries rebuffed him.
He was eating a quick dinner when a younger man walked up to him. Jim Bitterbane?
Bitterbane looked up and recognized the man speaking to him from the Colonial News Channel feeds. Youre James McManus from the Colonial Gang! He extended his hand and McManus shook it. Please, sit down! What can I do for you?
McManus accepted the invitation to sit and got right down to business, Ive heard that youve been trying to get an interview with each of the candidates.
Yes, but without much success! Do you have any reason why they might be stonewalling me? Bitterbane asked calmly as he sipped his espresso.
I do. Both candidates do not like the fact that only ISN reporters are on the debate panel, and they dont fully trust you three.
Bitterbane said, Ah! Let me guess! They both distrust us equally and think were working for the other side.
So what do you intend to do about it? McManus asked.
Ill talk with my bosses to see if I can get someone from Colonial News Channel to be on the panel. My preference would be two representatives, but thats up to the people in charge. One thing Ive learned in the news business is that you never know how the suits are going to go in a situation like this.
As it turned out, the suits went exactly the way Jim Bitterbane wanted them to, mainly because of his reputation. Hed been in the business long enough to know how to twist the right arms and soothe the right egos to get what he wanted. In fact, hed gotten all three members of the Colonial Gang, because Vini Mani was forced to drop out due to a family emergency. So it was Bitterbane and Maggie Egan representing ISN, while James McManus of the Caprica Times, Playa Palacios of the Picon Star Tribune, and Sekou Hamilton of the Arilon Gazette representing Colonial News Channel.
The debate would take place in the amphitheater on Babylon 5, an open-air area that was based in The Garden, which looked up into the interior of the station. Here, thousands of supporters for each candidate could come in and see the debates. They would also be covered by Colonial News Channel as well as the stations own internal channels.
The first debate would take place in seven days time, and Bitterbane and Egan worked closely with their colleagues on the Colonial Gang to develop what kinds of questions would be asked in the first debate, as well as the future debates. Bitterbane had thought his days of covering important news events had been over when he retired after the last presidential election on Earth, but he was pleasantly surprised to feel the same excitement he always felt during campaigns coming back again to him.
Ellen Tigh didnt trust reporters, especially ones she didnt know. Shed insisted that Tom Zarek not speak to Jim Bitterbane, so that they could keep in control of the message. This wasnt her advice alone, though, as his own campaign people were telling him the same thing. However, Tom Zarek was feeling pressure from John Sheridan and Michael Garibaldi to grant the interview, with subtle hints dropped that Laura Roslin was about to do the same thing.
Their days were spent making appearances all over the station, talking with the various groups from the twelve homeworlds. They made no secret of their affair, as the populace had seemingly judged her right in leaving her husband Saul for Zarek after what had happened during martial law. So she didnt hesitate in the least in being on the arm of the man she hoped would be the next Colonial president.
This alliance had alienated her from the man she really desired: William Adama. Ellen Tigh was always attracted to the men who were seemingly unattainable, and Bill Adama was the pinnacle of that goal. Even after his divorce, he stubbornly would not fall for her subtle charms. She was unaware that Adama knew full well of her reputation with bedding any man in sight, so he steered clear of her.
Ellen, though, wasnt thinking of Bill Adama at the moment, as she sat down to organize Zareks schedule for the next day. She watched him as he spoke to some of his campaign workers and admired his charisma and genuine charm. He was sincere in his beliefs, but not below getting into the campaign trenches and slugging it out the old fashioned way. Colonial politics was just as dirty as Earth Alliance politics, especially now since there were so few of them left.
She went to bed with him each night, but neither one had the energy these days to make love. Most nights, they were so tired that they didnt even bother getting out of their clothes when they went to bed. They would always just put on new clothes the next morning and leave the old ones to staffers who would do the laundry for them. Such things were beneath Ellen Tigh anyway, having been born into a wealthy family and used to such privileges.
Tom Zarek, on the other hand, felt a little guilty about not doing his own laundry. Normally this would annoy Ellen, but she found herself more attracted to him because of his humility. Zarek could be swank and sophisticated yet humble and grounded at the same time.
As they walked out of their quarters to head back to the office for a new day, they were met by the usual staffers and security personnel who would help them through the gauntlet of reporters and supporters. Ellen Tigh loved this life, and cursed herself for choosing to marry that bum Saul Tigh instead of finding someone like Tom Zarek long ago.
You sure you want to do this? Saul Tigh said to his commanding officer.
Admiral William Adama adjusted his dress uniform slightly, then turned to answer his friend. I know what youre going to say. Something along the lines of a soldier shouldnt get involved in politics? Dont think that thought hasnt passed that mind a few times since I came up with this idea.
Tigh chuckled and added, You know I dont like her, but I cant stand him. I can deal with Roslin, even after the martial law decree, but Zarek! How the hell do you deal with a terrorist like him?
I was reading something from Earth the other day. It was a column in their newspaper, Universe Today. One of the writers wrote, one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. I think it had something to do with some kind of anniversary of an attack on something called the Twin Towers. I dont know, because I was just glancing over the article. The phrase sort of stuck with me all night last night.
Dont tell me youre getting a soft spot in your heart for Zarek! Tigh warned.
Adama laughed and said, Hell no! Just some perspective as to why people would rally around him. Youre a military historian, Saul. You know that Colonial history before the Articles of Colonization wasnt exactly a clean and pleasant one.
Tigh shook his head and admitted, No. No it wasnt.
How many massacres, government crackdowns, martial law declarations, and so on and so forth have we seen throughout our history? And I dont just mean on Sagittaron, either! Caprica, Picon, Tauron, Aquariathe colonial worlds have had their dark moments filled with blood! Adama poured himself a snifter of ambrosia and sipped a little of it, then admitted, Maybe we had it coming to us.
Had what coming to us? Tigh asked.
The holocaust. We played God, Saul. Created the Cylons to serve us, do the jobs we didnt want to do, and look what happened: they turned on us. The humans from Earth have had similar experiences as well, and theyve struggled to find the right kind of way to run society as well. Neither one of us really qualifies to walk among the Gods, when you think about it.
Tigh thought that over for a moment, then glanced over at a clock in the room. This can wait until later, Bill. Right now, wed better get to Roslins war room. Shes expecting us. Adama took one last quick look in the mirror, then walked out of the room.
Tigh noticed this and remarked, Youd think you were going to ask her out on a date or something!
Adama laughed and said, Who has time for something like that these days? Tigh joined in the chuckle as they entered a transport tube and made their way to Roslins campaign headquarters.
Laura Roslin didnt know if this was a good idea, but with the way things were going in her campaign, this could be the edge she needs to squeak out a victory at the polls. Or it could cost her the election, but she refused to dwell upon such possibilities.
The reporters gathered at the press conference hastily called in her campaigns press area. Admiral David Rissen, at the behest of President Garrison Hollifield, had given each campaign plenty of space to operate their campaigns free of charge. Space, unlike in days of old, wasnt a problem to come by as the station struggled to regenerate interest from Earth and the other alien races.
Roslin glanced over at Admiral Adama, his son Lee Apollo Adama, and Commander Tigh, all decked out in their dress uniforms. She found herself drawn to the admiral, and wondered why. Its not like they really got along real well, but she did think he was a handsome devil. She bit down a laugh that almost came out at the thought of herself involved with him, because neither of them had time to even breathe, much less go out to dinner these days. And with the Cylon threat always looming, there was no guarantee that they would survive for much longer.
The endorsement of both Adamas, as well as Commander Tigh, would probably alienate a few voters, while bring in others. No one would know until the votes were cast how it would break, but Roslin was willing to take the gamble. Tighs apology had resonated with the populace, and, much to her surprise, there was a wave of forgiveness for his actions rippling through the Colonials. Not through all of them, of course, but perhaps through enough to swing enough votes.
Pegasus commander Jack Fisk was also there, because when we heard of Admiral Adamas plans, he wanted to jump aboard and endorse the president too. It was for the same reason: because they didnt know what Zarek would do if he were elected president. Would Zarek keep things as they were, or would he try to revamp things and create chaos in the military? Adama hadnt wanted to find out, and, thus, why he had chosen to endorse the president.
Adama, after the gracious introduction from Roslin, made his endorsement, and said it from the heart. He wasnt a smooth public speaker, but, when he was on a roll, he didnt do half bad. Tigh and Fisk followed soon enough, and when it was over, the media was abuzz and threw questions at them from all directions.
Bitterbane left the press conference and went into Sheridans office for his scheduled interview. Afternoon, John! What did you make of it?
The press conference? Im not sure. I kinda feel uneasy about military officers endorsing political candidates, but given the circumstances Sheridan shrugged.
Indeed. Now, any idea of when I can speak to each of the candidates?
Sheridan laughed and commented, You never give up, do ya? Well, I think theyre close to giving in on that account. Give me a couple of days and I see what I can do on that front. Now, lets get down to business! He gestured to a couch in the office, and Bitterbane sat down on it, with Sheridan taking the couch across from it.
Let me guess: off the record, deepest background again? Bitterbane asked.
Sheridan smiled and said, As always, Jim. Just like Hollifield does when he wants to float out ideas to the public. Bitterbane laughed and they got down to work.
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