Mad About Starbuck -- Episode 5 We graduated the day after Apollo and Starbuck returned from their extended patrol; we were finally and officially ensigns, no longer cadets. Even though the commander had informally "promoted" us after the Shyra/Sire Uri incident, it just didn't feel real until Colonel Tigh handed us each our ensign pins. Following that ceremony, he announced the squadron assignments. By then, all the others knew that I was not going to be assigned to one of the viper squadrons. I would divide my time between acting as an instructor for some of the technical courses, such as viper mechanics, and being a shuttle pilot, flying several runs a day. Not as exciting as piloting a viper, but it would do, for now. One by one, the colonel announced each assignment with flair, and the attending squadron members cheered at their new additions. Nikki was assigned to Red Squadron, and perhaps now that she was away from Shyra, she would be a more pleasant person. I hoped so, for Boomer's sake. The only one who did not graduate was Shyra. She had been released from the service, with no charges filed for the illegal items she possessed. I did not know the details of the deal she had worked out with Commander Adama and Sire Solon, but I got the impression she was going to do what she could to help them crack the black market smuggling ring. Uri certainly had been no help. I wasn't sure what to think, having lived with her for four sectars and having personally experienced just how nasty she could be. I knew she was saving her own neck. But, still, she had surprised us by helping us when it really counted. I wasn't going to miss her, though. Reyana was ecstatic when she was assigned to Blue Squadron. And on a rotating basis, she would fly as Starbuck's wingmate. Look out, I thought to myself. The rest of the morning, the former cadets spent their time moving their belongings into their new barracks. Reyana and I, with help from Starbuck and Boomer, moved our things into the wonderful new quarters that she had managed to arrange. I still couldn't believe it when I walked into my room. My own room. If Boomer and Starbuck hadn't been there, as well, I would have started crying again. I owed Reyana. Big time. And I made sure she knew that she had *better* stick around and enjoy her own room - if she wanted to be the first to try out that tub. As for Starbuck, I was not bothered or surprised when he said that his room would make a great game room; I had known he wasn't going to pack up and leave the barracks. He didn't need to - at least, not for another eight sectars. Then it would be a different story, I had told him with a wink. And we would put him through the first test of fatherhood the next day, in fact, when he was required to attend our first prenatal checkup. He had widened his eyes when I mentioned that the doctor wanted to perform some tests on him, for the genetic database, but after looking from Reyana to me, he had promised to meet me here at my quarters before the 0900 appointment. I asked Reyana to come, too, because she was still, in my mind, very much a part of this family. Heck, I was closer to her than I had ever been to my real siblings; she was a true sister as far as I was concerned. But, once again, to my frustration, she had said that Starbuck and I should start on this journey as a couple - as the prospective parents. She promised to join us at the future visits, but insisted that for this one, Dr. Salik probably preferred to just talk to Mom and Dad, anyway, at least this time. We could add "Aunt Rey" to the equation next time. ******** "May I have a word with you." Cassiopeia, her eyes fixed on the lieutenant, intercepted us almost before we had crossed the threshold to the Lifestation. "Alone," she added, casting me an unsmiling glance. Starbuck's expression quickly went from puzzled to angry as we stopped, unable to proceed, since she was standing in our way. "No," he said, his temper flaring. "We've got an appointment. And no time to talk." Cassiopeia was not budging, though. "Fine, then I'll make it quick," she said, switching her gaze from Starbuck to me and back. "I thought you had more integrity than this, but I guess I was wrong." "Just what are you talking about?" "You don't see the looks the others give you now? Haven't heard what they' re saying about you on the IFB? Look, messing around with Athena or me or someone who's close to your own age and experience is one thing, but a cadet? And not one, but two? Why, you're the talk of the Fleet! And now this-" I felt my face flush bright red. And Starbuck was livid. "This is none of your business," he growled, jabbing a finger at her. "And I'm not going to explain myself to you or to anyone else. I don't give a rodent's astrum about what the sleazy announcers on the IFB care to say, either." He was on a roll, though. "But while we're at it, maybe I do need to point out a few things -" "Such as?" "I thought you -- of all people - would realize that it has nothing to do with age. It has to do with understanding and compatibility." Cassiopeia looked surprised. Her eyes widened. I don't think she had expected a rational argument from him; I had a feeling that she had been hurt - yes, and I didn't feel particularly good about that - and had just assumed the worst. That he had dropped her for a couple of 'new and fresh' faces after starting to feel trapped by a seemingly more permanent relationship. All that her anger and bitterness let her see - as was true with many others, including the scandal-loving Zara and Zed of the IFB - was the surface appearance: the womanizer gallivanting around with two young and gullible women. A point obviously made even clearer by my current condition. Starbuck took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry," he said. "I realize that maybe I do owe you more of an explanation. You did put up with a lot of felgercarb from me, and then . . ." He looked away uncomfortably. Cassie suddenly looked close to tears. And I felt horribly conspicuous standing there in the Lifestation entrance. But I guess this conversation between the two was overdue. He tried to continue. "I'm not sure I can put it into words so that you'll understand." "Try, please," she said quietly. He was staring at the ceiling. "Do you remember," he finally said, "the conversation you had with me before Apollo and I boarded that basestar? Do you remember what your reaction was?" "Yes," she said. "I was worried. So I overreacted." "No," Starbuck said slowly. He looked into her eyes. "You let me know how you truly felt. That you really don't like what I do, being a warrior, taking risks." "I -" she started to protest but stopped. He had zeroed in on the truth, I could see. "And think about it. How did you really feel every time I went out to gamble on the Rising Star? Admit it. You think it's a bad habit and that I 'm wasting my time. You disapprove. Just like you disapprove of my smoking." Cassiopeia said nothing, but her expression revealed that she could not argue. "Cassie," Starbuck said softly, "whether you realized it or not, deep down, you weren't satisfied with me as . . . me." "But to take up with . . .?" Her arguments were losing all of their steam. I think, finally, she was beginning to understand what had happened. "I didn't 'take up with' anyone, okay?" he said quietly but still a bit defensively. "It just happened. And you know that's how my life goes - it just happens. I don't plan much of anything. Well, I've met two young women who feel the *same way.* They enjoy taking risks. *They* conned me into playing Pyramid with them." He shot me a quick, apologetic glance. "One of them even enjoys smoking fumarellos!" He looked back to Cassiopeia, almost pleading. "And they want to live life simply as it comes, too. Heck --" He smiled ironically at Cassie. "When I found out about Aliana' s. condition, *I'm* the one who immediately said we should get sealed. And she nearly decked me for it. We're just. . . weirdly, inconceivably . . . compatible. And I didn't plan it this way, but I'm also not going to apologize to anyone for it, either." Cassiopeia was shaking her head, and her eyes were glistening with tears. "Fine," she said, "fine." She took a deep, ragged breath, but smiled weakly. "Well, at least you're sticking around when it counts . . ." She nodded in my direction. "Cass . . ." "Give me some time, okay?" She finally moved out of our way and disappeared into a back room in the Lifestation. Starbuck stared after her for a moment. "Sorry . . ." he whispered. Then he turned to me. "Come on." Well, this was not how I had envisioned our first appointment with Dr. Salik going. Starbuck looked downcast, and I realized that, while what he had told Cassiopeia was true, it wasn't the whole truth. He had, in fact, run from her to us. He *had* been feeling trapped, and we had happened along at the right time, providing an excuse for some fun and escape - a way to get away from his "noncommited" relationship with her. It's just that life had turned things all around on that planet five sectons ago . . . and here we were. Despite the delay with Cassiopeia, though, Dr. Salik was occupied with a minor emergency, so we still had to wait. As we sat down out of the way, I looked at Starbuck. I was curious. "It's probably none of my business," I said, "but what did Cassiopeia say to you before that mission to the basestar?" I didn't know if he would want to discuss it after the scene we had endured, but I had to, at least, ask. Starbuck seemed willing to talk, though. "Before Apollo and I launched," he said with a sigh, "Cassie pulled me aside to yell at me about always taking the risky missions. She was scared and worried - and very much unhappy that I was going. And I just got the feeling that even if she didn't yell at me in the future, she'd still be feeling the same way every time I went on a dangerous mission." "Oh," I said. I remembered that battle well and how Starbuck and Apollo had been celebrated heroes afterwards. Heck, they still were, since it had only been a little over two sectars since then. Reyana and I had been in the middle of our cadet training and had been just starting to formulate our plan to beat Starbuck at Pyramid. I remembered feeling very nervous, because we knew both him and Lt. Boomer as our instructors. We had worried and hoped and prayed, not only for their safe return but for everyone's. But . . . we had known it was a part of the job, too. Starbuck and Apollo were two of the best warriors in the Fleet; their selection for the seemingly suicide basestar mission had seemed logical to us. However, we hadn't been in love with Starbuck at that point, either. I had to wonder if we'd feel any different now? We had lapsed into silence. I was glancing around, a dozen different thoughts floating through my mind. The vid screen in the waiting area was turned on, but I wasn't paying any attention to it. I was still settling down from that uncomfortable scene with Cassiopeia. Lords, I knew that they had been together for nearly half a yahren. I hoped we could come to some kind of peace with her - Starbuck broke my thoughts by muttering an obscenity, one that was harsh, even for him. I looked at him. "What?" I asked, confused. He jabbed a finger at the vid screen. "Don't they have anything better to talk about? Blasted, golmunging -" He kept the rest to himself as he got up and banged the power switch on the monitor. I sighed. "The tribunal is in two days. Maybe they'll drop the subject after that." I hoped. I was just as mortified by some of the things that had been said in the past couple of days, but I tried to ignore it. And avoided watching the IFB. It helped that we were on the Galactica and not out with the general Fleet population. Our fellow warriors might tease us, but by now, they were getting used to our arrangement. "I doubt it!" he grumbled. "Look," he said, sitting back down. "I don't care what they say about me. It's the outright lies they've been implying about you and Reyana. And after what you two went through - " "Don't worry about it," I said, cutting him off. I hadn't been, not really. I'd been ignoring it. And avoiding even thinking about the fact that we'd have to face it all, all of it, in two days at the tribunal. The commander had informed us that he expected the proceedings to last the entire day, but we only had to be present during the time we had to testify. However, in addition to answering questions from Sire Solon, we would be confronted by the protector that Uri had hired - Harcek, a big-name defender well known for showing no mercy, showing no restraint, when it came to twisting the facts to support his client, however impossible that might seem. How do you prepare for that? I was choosing to shut out the very thought until the absolute last minute. Total avoidance. Starbuck was still grumbling. Unexpectedly, he took my hand in his. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm really sorry," he said, staring at the floor. I was confused. "About what?" He was gently rubbing my palm but not looking at me. "For getting you and Reyana into that mess with Shyra and Sire Uri. I should have been more careful and backed off sooner from her." "Yeah, you should have," I said quietly. "But you had no way of knowing it was a trap." A carefully and skillfully orchestrated trap performed with Sire Uri's encouragement. I despised the man. I didn't care what his sleazy protector might ask me, it would be worth it to see Uri escorted in and out in shackles, knowing he would be spending a long time on the Prison Barge. I turned to Starbuck and gave him a peck on the cheek, needing desperately to clear my mind now. "And you'll get your payback," I said grinning, an idea brewing. "Whenever there's a stinky diaper to change, I' ll just mention a certain vidtape . . ." I punched him playfully on the arm. "You wouldn't!" he said, smiling. "Wanna bet, pilot?" ************** With the tribunal just two days away, we were fortunate to be sheltered from all of the gossip that was dominating the IFB broadcasts because we were aboard the Galactica, living in a restricted military environment and not out among the general populace of the Fleet. Short of disguising themselves and sneaking aboard, Zed and Zara had no way to personally accost either Rey or me. It was simple enough to just avoid the broadcasts. Too simple, because neither of us had any second thoughts about attending Apollo and Starbuck's triad match that evening. While we had both followed the games, we had never attended one live on the Rising Star. So we were excited for the chance to be up in the gallery, watching Gold Team take on the third place team - Red Squadron's Barton and his new partner. Apollo and Starbuck had given us their VIP player's passes to allow us to have seats front and center, along with Boomer, Sheba, and Athena. So we were all aboard the shuttle headed for the Rising Star that evening. Still feeling a bit nervous around Apollo and Athena - I mean, they *were* the commander's children and quite well known in the Fleet -- Reyana and I didn 't say much, at least not at first. But once Boomer, Starbuck, and Apollo had gotten into a discussion on triad strategy, becoming oblivious to everyone else, Athena had turned to us and smiled, hesitantly at first. "Um, congratulations, I guess, to you both," she said, "on your graduation and . . ." Her voice trailed off. Then she had looked at Reyana. "So you' re going to be flying with Blue Squadron. It's the best, you know." Boomer broke off his argument of triad tactics to shoot a look at Athena. "I beg to differ," he said, and launched into a list of the Red Squadron's virtues and on what all Rey would be missing out. That, of course, got Starbuck and Apollo's attention. And Sheba, although now a member of Blue, took up for Silver Spar and how no one had been a match for them when they'd flown for the Pegasus. Reyana had no problem jumping right in as the pilots traded verbal jabs and comments. I kept quiet, mostly, but I was smiling as I watched everyone interact, laughing, teasing, happy. Even Apollo and Athena seemed suddenly real and not so much the unapproachable legends. Apollo and Starbuck ended up arguing about who had saved whom more often. Watching them, it was easy to see the brotherly bond that existed, that each drew strength from the other. What surprised me the most, though, were the little looks that kept passing between Boomer and Athena. Something was there . . . A fact reaffirmed when we docked at the Rising Star. As we lined up to exit, Starbuck was between us, Apollo was behind us with Sheba, and Boomer, I noticed, was close beside Athena -- very close, as they seemed to be whispering comments to each other. Were they holding hands? All this was running through my mind as we exited through the docking tunnel and rounded the corner into the shuttle lounge for the Rising Star. And came face to face with an IFB announcer, audiophone in hand, surrounded by his camera crew. They must have been watching the disembarking passengers, lying in wait like a pack of lupases, ready to pounce on their prey. Us. Before we could maneuver around them, they had skillfully surrounded the three of us and cut us off by forcing us to step to the side, out of the way of the other passengers. Apollo, Boomer, Sheba, and Athena were behind them, looking startled and irritated. Starbuck stuck an unlit fumarello between his teeth, seemingly unfazed, and stepped forward so that we were behind him, almost. "Excuse me," he said, "but we've got a game to prepare for." He tried to move through them, but the reporter and his three technicians didn't budge. Short of physically knocking them out of the way, he was forced to stop. I recognized the reporter. It was one of Zara's prot‚g‚es, a young, weasely-looking man named Kerr He thrust the audiopohone at Starbuck, and said, loudly, "Given your reputation, do you really expect the people of the Fleet to believe that you did not come on to that cadet -" "Now, that's none of their business, is it?" Starbuck tried again to move, but the four were standing their ground. Kerr began firing off more questions, and Starbuck, grin fixed on his face, teeth clamped on his fumarello, tried to ignore them. "We understand that she was a consort for Sire Uri. Did you know that she was sleeping with him?" "No. Look, I've got a game --." "Were you sleeping with Cadet Shyra, too, as well as these cadets?' "No. Now, I really need to go warm up." "Be honest. How many other cadets did you proposition?" "I've got a game -" His smile was had slipped considerably, I noticed. And the others, not wanting to cause a scene, were watching in exasperation, motioning for him to do something. Kerr was on a roll, though, looking smug. He shot Reyana and me a knowing glance. "So is sleeping with the instructor one of the cadet requirements - " "Oh, come on!" The time for being polite was long past. Starbuck was moments away from losing his temper. A glance behind Kerr and all of his equipment, which had effectively cut us off from our friends, showed Boomer holding an angry Apollo by the shoulders. I just wanted out of there, and Reyana looked as mortified as I felt. I caught her attention behind Starbuck's back. "On the count of three," I whispered. "One, two -" "Tell us, do the three of you all share the same bed -" "Three!" I whispered behind Starbuck's back. Reyana grabbed one arm and I grabbed the other before Starbuck lost it. Pulling him with us, we plowed forward, knocking Kerr out of the way as we went. The cameraman, I did notice, stepped quickly aside and panned to follow us as we hurried off towards the lift. Oh Lords, I thought, that little scene was sure to be plastered all over the IFB for the next secton! After a very uncomfortable ride down to the triad level, Apollo, who had calmed down with Boomer's help, dragged a fuming Starbuck off to prepare for the game. With a big sigh, Boomer motioned for us to follow him, Sheba, and Athena to the spectators' gallery. *********** A centar later, the sting from that reporter's brazen questions had faded some, and Reyana and I were actually enjoying sitting with Boomer, Sheba, and Athena. Not really being a diehard triad fan or following the standings, I had asked how the teams were doing. Boomer patiently explained that Gold Team was ranked #1 and Red Team was #3, while he and his partner, Blue Team, were ranked #2. They would be playing the #4 team in a couple of days, and the winner of each of these match-ups would go on to play in the final round, the Triad Championship game. The players had taken the court and were warming up. "I know of Sergeant Barton," I said, pointing at the blond-haired warrior, "but who's his partner?" "That's Silva," explained Boomer. "He's a Colonial security guard. He became Barton's new partner after Ortega's murder." "He's big," I whispered, noting how the man towered at least a head above the other three players and looked as broad as a landram. "Yeah," muttered Boomer, "and I think that's the only reason he and Barton have done so well. Can't say that he has all that much skill." The buzzer to start the game sounded, interrupting the triad lesson. We settled back to watch. With our view from above, it was quite a bit different from watching a game on a vidscreen. While I didn't miss Zed's annoying commentary, it was harder to follow the action, since the play was so fast paced. The players scrambled, jumped, shot off passes, and blocked each other so quickly that when the ball zipped into the goal, I wasn't sure who had scored, at first. The others clapped and cheer, so I knew before the score was posted, that Gold Team had made the goal. It didn't take more than five centons, however, for the play to turn rough. Apollo jumped to pass the ball to Starbuck. A micron before he let go, though, Silva slammed into him, ramming his huge shoulder into Apollo's solar plexus and sending him back against the wall. It was a legal move, if just barely, explained Boomer. Apollo looked winded and a bit dazed as Starbuck helped him to his feet after the referee called a time out. Then the play continued with Red Team in possession of the ball - until Starbuck intercepted a pass from Barton and swung around in midair to fire at the goal. The shot missed, but as he came out of the leap, Silva greeted him with a nasty elbow jab in the ribs that sent him sprawling. That was a clear foul, even to me. Starbuck, rubbing his side as he climbed to his feet and, glaring at the Colonial guard, got a free shot and easily scored. "Barton sure knows how to pick his partners," mumbled Sheba. Boomer snorted. "First Ortega, now this guy!" The play continued in much the same way. I remembered watching that fateful game with Ortega and how he had been openly antagonizing Starbuck - until they had both been ejected for fighting. This guy, Silva, just seemed to enjoy using his size and throwing his weight around. At one point, mid way through the game, Silva blocked Apollo again by forcibly slamming him into the wall. "How can that be legal?" I asked, amazed when no penalty was called. "Most players just aren't that big," said Sheba, shaking her head. She was clearly not enjoying this game, either. The play continued in much the same fashion, with Silva knocking either Apollo or Starbuck every few centons, it seemed. And most of his blocks, while rough and not quite in the spirit of the game, were legal. I had to cover my face when Starbuck and Silva jumped for the ball. The huge guard's elbow hit the lieutenant square in the cheekbone, and Starbuck grabbed at it as he staggered to the ground. Silva hadn't even noticed, it seemed, as he grabbed the ball and flung it in for a goal. Another legal move, if barely, exacerbated by the man's size. By the time the game was nearing its completion, both Starbuck and Apollo looked battered and were limping. Apollo had a thin trickle of blood from a split lip, and both would need a trip to the Lifestation to check out all of those bruises. But they were winning, still, 4-3, and they only had three centons remaining. Good, I thought to myself. I had seen enough. I was ready to end this evening. And I had certainly not developed a desire to see any more of these games. Apollo caught the ball after a pass from Starbuck. The captain twisted and aimed at the goal. But before he could throw it, Silva slammed into him with an elbow. Hard. Apollo grabbed his side and collapsed to the floor. The penalty whistle blew. "Oh, frak!" muttered Sheba as she got up and squeezed past us to get out. Apollo was writhing on the floor, hands gripping his side, and Starbuck was trying to help him. The captain's eyes were squeezed tightly shut, his mouth open as he gasped in pain. Everyone was on their feet, staring at the scene below. "I'm going, too," whispered Athena. She followed Sheba out. Two medtechs brought in a stretcher. With some words to Starbuck to presumably reassure him, they eased Apollo onto the stretcher and carried him out. Starbuck had started to follow, but the referee stopped him, shouting at him and pointing to Apollo's replacement, who had walked hesitantly onto the court. Barton, looking serious, was waiting, hands on hips, in a corner. Silva was pacing, but I could have sworn that he looked - satisfied. I felt an intense loathing of the man at that moment. "The ref should call the game!" Reyana was shouting, pointing down at the court and glaring at Boomer. "He can't," he said, clearly frustrated, too. "If they do, they'll have to replay the match. Besides," he said, motioning towards the scoreboard. "They're winning." Hardly any consolation, I thought as Boomer, Reyana, and I sat back down to watch the last three centons. Apollo's replacement was Sergeant Greenbean, Boomer informed us. Before the play resumed, I saw that the referee was talking to Silva in an animated fashion. Cautioning him, I hoped. I little late for that! Greenbean got to take Apollo's free shot. And missed, sending the ball into free play. Lords, but Starbuck dove not at the ball but straight at Silva, knocking him down through shear momentum. "No!" screamed Boomer, swinging his fist in frustration. "If you fight, you 'll be disqualified!" I doubt if his words would have done any good even if Boomer had been in the court with Starbuck. Greenbean, however, grabbed the lieutenant before he could do anything else outside of the illegal tackle, and the referee, taking some pity, perhaps, ignored the obvious intent and just gave Silva his free shot. "Miss it, miss it, miss it!" I muttered with eyes closed. "Yes!" shouted Reyana. So he had missed. I didn't want the game going into over time, should he have scored. The clock counted down slowly, so slowly. Greenbean seemed to keep himself between Starbuck and the guard and did his best to play defensively, too. I made a mental note to buy him a drink in the O.C. later. Fortunately, Silva must have been strongly cautioned - or maybe he was just pleased with all the damage he had already done - that the play progressed fairly until the buzzer sounded, ending the bloodbath. Finally! Gold Team had managed to win 4-3. "Come on!" Boomer said, grabbing Reyana's hand, even, as we hurried out, pushing against the crowd as politely as possible. We followed him. It turned out that our destination was the Rising Star's lifestation. And we got there at the same time Starbuck did. As he brushed past us, intent on finding Apollo and not even seeing us, I got a glimpse of just how battered he was. I sucked in a deep breath and followed Boomer and Reyana into the lifestation. ******************** It had been a rough game, one of the roughest I had seen. This one even beat out the Ortega match. There was just no getting around the big guy. Starbuck had actually been smart, knowing that the best way to defeat size is with speed. But Apollo and the guy kept going head to head. Apollo was coming out on the losing end, no matter what the scoreboard said. When Apollo went down I couldn't believe that the officiator didn't call the game. I had to stay to see how it ended, if the officiator would finally open his eyes and see that that guy was not playing fair. The only consolation to the whole bloody event was that Starbuck and Apollo won. As soon as the clock ticked down and the horn blew, Boomer grabbed my hand and we headed for the Life Station. We got there the same time as Starbuck did. He brushed past us and Aliana gasped. It was bad. He had the beginnings of bruises up and down his ribs, and his eyes had the shadow effect that let me know tomorrow he was going to look worse. Black eyes most definitely. I hoped that fancy chiller in our new quarters made ice. We were going to need buckets of it. His nose had an angle to it that didn't look good either. Possibly broken. Starbuck and Boomer almost said it in unison, "How's Apollo?" They weren't going to put up with the brush off that the Med Tech tried to give us. Apollo limped out at that point, his arms around both Sheba and Athena. His ribs were wrapped in a type of bandage, and there were gauze strips across his nose and on his cheek. "It's okay guys, I'm gonna live." The doctor quickly followed him. She handed him a vial of pills. "These will help with the pain. You need to check in tomorrow morning with the Galactica Life Center. I'll be checking to see that you do Captain, understood? I just don't have the equipment to do a detailed scan for internal injuries. If the pain gets any worse, you go immediately to the Life Center, understood? And no triad for a Yahren!" You could tell by the doctor's tone that she was more than a little upset. She took a look at Starbuck, shook her head and said, "You're next." "I'm fine." Starbuck said, reaching for his friend and to take Athena's place under his arm. "That's an order Hero!" She said reaching for him. Starbuck pulled away, but we all noticed the wince of pain and intake of breath as he did. "Fine, you want to be a martyr, that's your business. Captain, be sure to share those pills with your buddy here. Any blurred vision, headaches, shortness of breath, you drag him to the Life Center with you." She turned to Boomer. "Are you their friend?" "Yes M'am." He replied. "Okay, tomorrow when they're both complaining to you about how much pain they are in, do me a favor." "Okay." Boomer said hesitantly. "Remind them that this is a game! It's supposed to be for fun!" The doctor stalked away leaving us alone in the outer lobby. Boomer reached for Apollo, cautiously taking the side Starbuck had been ineffectually trying to prop up. "You okay?" "Yeah, Boomer. Just some cracked ribs." Apollo said, starting to limp out of the Life Center. Starbuck followed behind, limping slightly himself. "Oh, is that all." Boomer said sarcastically. "So Boomer," Sheba said, "How is it these two can take on a base star and come out without a scratch, but they can't play a simple game of triad without breaking bones?" "Very funny Sheba." Starbuck said, "You really should get someone to look at you." Aliana said. Starbuck flashed her a very annoyed look and walked past her. I could tell that's not what he wanted to hear right now. His head was still in the game. Tomorrow morning when he was sore and could barely pull himself out of his bunk, then he'd be ready to talk about a trip to the Life Station. I took up a position beside him, without a word offering him my shoulder for support. He actually took it, letting me know that he wasn't as okay as he was claiming. We were all about to head down to the locker rooms to see that our Triad heroes got cleaned up, when the doors opened and Jolly came rushing in. "Boy am I glad I caught you guys. The Galactica is looking for you. They need you back right away." "What's up Jolly?" Apollo asked, trying to straighten up, and wincing instead. "It's the Chief Opposer that wants you, actually, he's looking for you two." Jolly said indicating me and Aliana. "The tribunal's not until tomorrow." Starbuck stated. "Yeah, well the witnesses seem to be turning up dead." Jolly said. "What, come again Jolly?" Boomer asked. "That Cadet Shyra? She was found murdered on the Celestra. The Chief Opposer wants Aliana and Reyana back on the Galactica for their own safety." "All right, you two go with Jolly. Sheba, Athena why don't you join them. Starbuck and I will catch up as soon as we change." Apollo didn't mention Boomer, but I noticed that he went with Starbuck and Apollo. It was going to take them a while to get changed, trying not to injure themselves any further getting into a uniform. It might have been humorous, watching Apollo and Starbuck walk off limping and wincing, except that they really did look to be in a lot of pain. Aliana had a ton of questions, but Jolly didn't have any answers. We found the shuttle waiting room empty and took a seat waiting for Apollo and Starbuck to catch up to us. As we waited, the IFB reporter Kerr tried to approach us, but Jolly and Sheba both stood up forming a very formidable shield. The reporter was smart and scurried away. He didn't reappear until Starbuck and Apollo walked into the lounge. The reporter tried to approach Starbuck, just as he came past us to board the shuttle. Starbuck shot the man a look that would melt metal, bumping him as he brushed past. The reporter moved to follow, but Apollo reached out and gave the man a small shove. The reporter backpedalled, tripping over his cameraman. I couldn't help but to smile. "Thanks Apollo." I said. "My pleasure." He said, glaring back at the weasel as he scrambled on the ground for his microphone. "Wish I was feeling better so I could do more than that." "Come on Apollo." Boomer said, coming to retrieve the Captain before he could do any real damage. ******** The shuttle ride back to the Galactica seemed interminable, and no one spoke. Apollo closed his eyes and leaned his head back to rest. I could tell that the pain was wearing on him, and even though the doctor had knitted the broken ribs, I was afraid that she might be right about the internal injuries, with the pounding that both he and Starbuck had taken. We all trailed into the commander's office in continued silence. Adama and Sire Solon were waiting for us, standing in front of his desk, watching us with solemn expressions. For just a micron, the commander's eyes widened as Boomer helped Apollo to a seat near the view port. Starbuck, still limping slightly and sporting bruises on his face that were just beginning to blossom, leaned against the wall. Sheba and Athena sat next to Apollo, while Boomer took up a position next to Starbuck. When Reyana and I entered, the commander nodded towards the two chairs in front of his desk. Jolly stood near the door, standing erect, as if standing guard. I glanced at Rey as we sat down, then looked at the commander and a frowning Sire Solon. For a long, uncomfortable moment, no one said anything. "I assume Jolly told you what happened," Adama said finally. "Yes sir," we answered. "How was she killed?" Apollo asked. He was trying to sit still and erect, but kept wincing at the effort. Solon glanced at Sheba and Athena, who had no real connection with the case, but must have decided that there was no reason for the meeting to be closed. The news would be all over the IFB then next day, anyway. "A technician found Shyra's body in the Celestra's landing bay," he said. "Approximately two centars ago. She was killed by a laser blast to the chest." "What was she doing over on the Celestra?" Starbuck asked. "We don't know," answered the commander. "I'm not sure what position she was seeking after being dismissed from the service, but she had requested a transfer to the Rising Star and had just been assigned new living quarters there." "What we do know is this," said Solon. "She was scheduled to be the first witness at the tribunal of Sire Uri and his guard, so we can only assume that there is a direct connection. It's possible that she knew more than she had told us, that she knew who Uri's connections were, so they silenced her, but that's only a guess. Plus, the way she was terminated is very troublesome." Solon was frowning and looking worried. I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. "What do you mean?" I asked. Solon let out a slow breath. "Whoever killed her made no attempt to conceal her body, and there are at least a dozen ways it could have been done so that no one found her, at least for a while. But -" "What are you getting at?" Starbuck said. He had stepped away from the wall. I had a feeling he already knew the answer. I think I did, too. "That we were meant to find her quickly. And it's a message from whoever killed her. A warning. They're letting us know that they are very serious." I felt myself go pale. Reyana was staring ahead, expressionless. Even Starbuck remained silent as the implications of what that meant sank in. It was a challenge, really, a threat. More than a threat, even, I suddenly realized. It was a blatant declaration that these people would not be easily stopped and would openly fight. We seemed to be facing an internal war now. New enemies who were just as unscrupulous as the Cylons. "All witnesses are to be placed under protective custody until after the tribunal," said Adama. "That means you two will be under escort at all times, and for tomorrow, we'd like you to remain in your quarters." "Who's going to be protecting them?" demanded Starbuck. "Not some blackshirt -" "I'll do it," said Sheba. She looked angry and determined. Adama was nodding. "Yes, that'll work. I think you'll be safe enough aboard the Galactica, but I don't want to take any chances." "Um, what about Lt. Boomer and Capt. Apollo," I asked. "They're testifying, too." They were the heart of the case, in fact, even more than we were, since they had investigated the situation and gathered the evidence through the proper, legal channels. We were more just added weight to Uri's case, since he had tried to silence us. "Same thing," said Solon, staring from Boomer to Apollo. "I want no one going anywhere alone, even someone with the training and experience that you two have. Is that understood?" Everyone nodded. The commander gazed at his son, for a moment. "I don't like it that you're not in top physical shape right now, so once we're finished here, I want you to go with Boomer and Jolly to the Lifestation so that Dr. Salik can check you out and see if there's more that he can do." "But -" Apollo started to protest. "That's an order," he said firmly. "And I want the three of you to remain together until after the tribunal." He switched his gaze to Starbuck, who was trying to hide just how much he was hurting, too. "I'm posting a guard outside ensigns Aliana and Reyana's new quarters." "That's not -" The commander held up a hand, silencing Starbuck's protest, knowing how he felt about any and all Colonial security guards. "I know you'll be there, as well as Sheba, but you're not much better off than Apollo is, I would surmise." He frowned at the lieutenant. "And I'd order you to the Lifestation, as well, but I know it would be pointless to try to keep you away from the ensigns." Sire Solon was nodding but still looked unhappy. "That should do," he said. I doubt they're in any real danger here aboard the Galactica, but not knowing exactly what happened to Shyra, it's much better to be on the safe side." He took a breath. "I'll be frank with you," he said, looking around the room. "Shyra's death probably has two purposes. One, it was probably a warning that they are serious - deadly serious - about protecting their interests. And two, it was probably meant to scare all of those involved. Also," he said, leveling his gaze on Reyana and me, "these types of people always go for the weakest and easiest targets, so given the choice between two seasoned veterans and two young, female ensigns, you can guess who they' d choose to target. If they even plan to do anything else. But we cannot afford to take any chances. Is that understood?" I gulped and nodded. The others said quiet "yes sirs." Solon stared around at everyone, then appeared to be satisfied that his witnesses would take the necessary precautions, so he nodded and took his leave. I felt frozen to my chair, unable to move, as I considered what exactly had just happened. Shyra was dead . . . murdered. And Solon thought that Reyana and I could be next. It seemed unreal. Inconceivable. Not for the first time, I wished that we had not so impulsively followed Shyra. Had left the matter to Boomer and Apollo, who had been only a couple of steps behind us in making the connection between her and Uri. Oh, if only! But too late now. I glanced at Reyana. "Frak," she whispered. Jolly moved over next to Boomer, and it appeared as if we were about to head our separate ways - Jolly, Boomer, and Apollo to the lifestation and Starbuck, Sheba, Reyana and me back to our quarters. Sheba had stood up, offering a hand to Apollo, who climbed to his feet with an effort. He was breathing in carefully measured breaths. Athena gazed at her brother for a moment, then stared at the commander, shaking her head, a question obviously in her mind. "Father," she asked, "how could Sire Uri, and elected member of the Council of Twelve, be involved with such people . . .people who can kill like that?" We all paused to look at Adama. The same question had crossed my mind, too. Quite a few times. Crime was actually quite rare, at least as far as we knew. The only other termination had been Charybdis's murder of Wing Sergeant Ortega. With life so precious and precarious as it was, with such a high price already paid, with a brutal enemy such as the Cylons hounding us, pursuing us . . . how could anyone value another human so little? Adama sighed. The rest of us, wanting, needing to hear his answer, settled back down to listen. "I wish I knew," he said, "Because Uri used to be an outstanding citizen, an honorable councilman, but that was at least ten yahrens ago. Somewhere along the line, wealth and power became more important. More important than anything else. It's as if the constant war and never-ending Cylon threat begins to eat away at some, like a slow, incurable infection that rots away the soul from the inside out. To where people like Uri care only about themselves - and feeding at any cost that insatiable need for power, that hunger for wealth. Like Baltar. Like Charybdis. Like Ortega, even. And I'm afraid it's spreading." Apollo narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean, Father?" "I had been suspecting for some time that Sire Uri was involved in . . . something. I've had Colonel Tigh trying to discreetly and very carefully look into the matter for nearly five sectars now. But he has gotten nowhere. In fact, this is the first real break we've had. Unfortunately, we seem to have knocked the lid off a container of scorpiouses." "But why just Colonel Tigh?" asked Starbuck. "Why wasn't there a full investigation?" "Because I suspect that he is not the only top-level official involved. I just have a feeling that there is at least one - if not more - high-ranking people involved in this. And if we investigate openly, they'll simply close down their channels, change their operations, and side step any measures we might take." "Because all the Council members would have to be informed of and kept apprised of any investigation involving Colonial security!" said Apollo. "Exactly," replied the commander. Adama looked around at the group in front of him, his lips pursed, considering something, something that did not seem to please him very much, given the frown that spread across his lips. Apollo was shifting uncomfortably and wincing. Starbuck kept absently rubbing his temple as he leaned heavily against the wall and gazed at the commander. Neither one had taken any of that pain medication, I could tell. But curiosity kept us waiting in silence. Finally, Adama let out another long, slow breath. "I only see one alternative, and that is to have only the most trustworthy people investigating this. Slowly, carefully, and with the utmost caution and secrecy." Adama paused to gaze from one face to another. "I'll be informing Colonel Tigh that all of you are now involved and can be assigned to help him. "Now hold on," said Starbuck stepping away from the wall. "You don't mean *everyone* here, do you?" he said glancing meaningfully at Reyana and me. "As much as I would like to exclude our young ensigns," the commander said, "they're involved whether any of us likes it or not." When Starbuck started to protest further, he shook his head. "Lieutenant, I understand your concern. I'm quite concerned, too. But Sire Uri is not one who will take humiliation lightly. Just look at his recent actions - to encourage Shyra to try to disgrace you, and all because you did not support her entrance into the service." "What are you getting at?" Starbuck asked, knowing full well what he meant. "That," Adama said, "even from the prison barge, Uri is a threat, especially to those who helped to put him there, unless we can break up his ring of connections." ******************* We were all very quiet as we left the Commander's office. I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared. Terrified was probably more like it. Sire Uri had liked Shyra and he had casually murdered her in cold blood. What would he do to two Warriors he couldn't stand? And it wasn't just me and Aliana in trouble. No, we had done a good job of dragging several others into our mess. Apollo headed off to the Lifestation with Boomer and Jolly just like he was ordered, but first he assured Starbuck that he and Boomer would be joining all of us later in our quarters. He ordered Starbuck to just stay put. Aliana suggested to Starbuck that maybe he should go with Apollo to the Lifestation, she even offered to join him. But Starbuck just said, "Yeah, later. I want to get you to your quarters." I could tell by the careful way that Starbuck was moving he was hurting, but he wasn't going to admit it. Not now that we were in trouble and he was needed. I didn't encourage Starbuck to go. I knew he wouldn't, and from the lecture we had just received from Adama and the Chief Opposer, well, I was scared. I just wanted to get home and hole up where I felt safe. We were all quiet as we took the lift down. Sheba took her job seriously, insisting that she enter our quarters first, and not letting us in until the Black Shirt guard arrived. We actually had to wait a while, which left all of us annoyed and wondering just how reliable could security be if we really needed them. Starbuck couldn't resist giving the guard a good lecture about how to perform his duties. Sheba finally had to pull Starbuck into our quarters. He was muttering under his breath something about Warrior washouts. Athena and Sheba were thoroughly impressed with our quarters. Athena took a seat in one of our plush chairs and said, "My father wasn't kidding about taking care of the new mothers and children. This is nice! I knew the Sire's had some nice quarters on the Galactica, but I had no idea!" "Wow, how much is this costing you guys?" Sheba asked. "This can't be cheap!" She stood admiring the view from our starport. I held my breath, not wanting to be at the receiving end of Starbuck's current mood. "I honestly don't know. Reyana put all this together." Starbuck said distractedly. He eased himself down to the couch. Aliana came over to help him out of his jacket, but Starbuck refused her help. He winced and groaned as he tried to get out of his jacket on his own. "So how much is this costing me?" He said, but I could tell it wasn't really that important. He had other things on his mind. Aliana came to my rescue and answered, "It's not much Starbuck. You'll have plenty of money to drink and gamble with. Reyana and I have a portion we pay too." She tried to get Starbuck to put his feet up on the table, and started arranging some of the pillows for his back, but Starbuck brushed her away. "I'm fine!" Starbuck gruffly said. Aliana backed away, but I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't going to stop until Starbuck had been patched up and sufficiently healed. I headed over to one of the storage closets and pulled out a Med Kit. I rummaged through it for what I needed and headed back over to the couch. "They're taking a percentage of our pay, but we should see most of that percentage back later. The Commander said something about extra pay for the parents to help support the baby when it's born." I said to Sheba as I walked up to Starbuck dropping a bottle of painkillers, some bandages and antiseptic into his lap. Starbuck looked at the items and looked up at me annoyed, but I wouldn't meet his gaze. He did however open the bottle of painkillers and swallow a couple dry. "Well it's worth the extra money, these are nice!" Sheba replied. "Almost worth having a child for." Athena said, flashing Starbuck a wistful look, then quickly looking away. I swear Aliana's eyes suddenly turned green with jealousy. It was just for a moment as she was quickly distracted by Starbuck's grimace of pain as he tried to apply some of the antiseptic to one of the cuts on his face. "Let me do that." She said. Starbuck tried to back away from her again, but she teased him into sitting still. "You didn't seem to mind a little pain when you launched yourself at that Boray." "Yeah, well he had it coming! Owww...not so hard." Starbuck said wincing again. "I'll get some ice." I said content to let Aliana deal with Starbuck. She needed practice dealing with babies. I was distracted when I walked into the food processing center, thinking about the game and the many hits that Starbuck and Apollo had taken. I was a few steps into the room before I stopped dead. I stared in shock and horror at what had once been my beautiful new food processing center. Broken glass was everywhere, literally hundreds of broken ambrosia bottles. Ambrosia was all over the floor, the counters, the walls. The glass was in small shards covering every surface, carpeting the floor. "Oh my God!" I shouted when I saw the note scrawled on the wall in red. NOWHERE ARE YOU SAFE Starbuck was the first one to the door, having leapt up and vaulted the couch at my scream. Starbuck came up behind me and gasped. "What the hades! How did someone get in here?" Sheba and Athena were right behind Starbuck. "Don't touch anything!" Athena shouted. "I hadn't planned on it!" I said back, suddenly feeling very scared. I could hear Aliana behind me moaning "Oh my god, oh my god" over and over again. Sheba was the first to take action as the rest of us just stood there in horror. She went to the door and told the guard to send for more security and to get the Commander down here. The guard started to protest, to insist that he come in and check things out, but Sheba wasn't taking flak from a lousy black shirt. I could hear her from all the way in the corridor yelling, "NOW, you do what I tell you NOW! More security! Get the Commander down here NOW!" I started talking out of nervousness, "How could this have happened? How could someone have gotten into our quarters here on the Galactica? If we aren't safe here, where are we safe?" I looked back over my shoulder at everyone and their concerned faces. Realizing that I had enough back up, just in case, I started to walk across the room. "What are you doing?" Starbuck asked reaching out to stop me. "I'm checking out the other rooms." I stated. I realized that the baby hadn't even been born yet, and I was feeling protective of it, of its room. Starbuck drew his lazer and stepped in front of me. "Let me do it." I didn't argue with him. I was too scared to. He could play hero. He already had the bruises to go with the title. I watched in dread as Starbuck entered the baby's room. I knew he was only gone for probably a micron, but it was too long for me. I started to go after him, but Aliana grabbed my arm to stop me. It was only a micron later that Starbuck emerged. "It's okay." Starbuck then cautiously entered my room. He emerged again, nodding to us that all was fine there, before he entered the last room, what had been his room, that now Aliana had taken over. He came out also indicating that everything was fine. He dropped his lazer and looked around the room at all the wasted ambrosia. "Lords, there must be at least fifty bottle here." "At least." Athena answered. "Who has that much ambrosia to waste like this?" Starbuck asked. Aliana and I looked at each other knowing the answer. Neither Starbuck or Athena had seen the stockpile of black market goods we had seen in Sire Uri's storage room. We all knew who had money to do this. He had the cases upon cases of ambrosia. But supposedly it had already been confiscated. Obviously, that wasn't the only stockpile in the fleet. It wasn't long before the Commander came running into the room. Running, I had never before, not during any raid or attack, seen the Commander run. "Is everyone okay?" He asked. We all nodded and said "Yes Sir." "Good. Come, let's let security clean this mess up." Three black shirts were with the commander, armed with gloves and evidence collecting devices. We all backed out of the doorway and out into the main room. I cast a sorrowful look at what once had been a beautiful room. I cringed with every crunch of glass from Starbuck's boots. "Sir, who could have done this, who could have gotten into these quarters?" Starbuck asked, an edge to his voice that I don't think many of them had ever heard before. The Commander sighed before he answered, causing Starbuck to look even more confused. "I didn't think it was pertinent to inform you and your family. He rarely used these quarters, preferring to shuttle back to the Rising Star, but still officially they were at his disposal." The Commander looked down shaking his head, then continued. "Colonel Tigh had the security codes changed, he went through the Head of Security to do it. Obviously our security problems are larger than we originally thought." He looked up and saw our bewildered faces. "I'm sorry, I should have told you. These were Sire Uri's quarters." "Frak!" Starbuck swore. Aliana and I both jumped at the sound of it, especially the fact that it was directed at the Commander of the fleet, our most senior officer. The commander reached out a hand to Starbuck's shoulder. Starbuck didn't move away, but it was clear he was not pleased. "I am sorry Starbuck, I just didn't think it was important, not with how seldom Uri used these rooms. We had plans to eliminate all of the VIP guest quarters. It was just easier to start with these since Sire Uri was currently in custody." "I know Sir, I know, but you should have told us." Starbuck uttered the words as calmly as he could, but we could all sense his anger. "It still doesn't make sense though." He said thinking aloud. "If Colonel Tigh changed the codes, then how did someone get in? Those codes are next to impossible to break. I know, I've tried." Starbuck made the confession knowing there was nothing the Commander would do to him in that moment. The Commander owed us at the moment. "It appears we have a leak." Adama said. Apollo, Boomer and Jolly arrived at that moment, all of them looking perplexed and concerned. "Father, what's happened? There is security lining this whole corridor!" "They almost didn't let us through," Jolly said. "Someone broke in!" Starbuck answered. "It appears that Sire Uri's accomplices are trying to give us a message." Commander Adama stated. "I know how difficult this is for you. But the barracks are too open and vulnerable at the moment." The Commander turned to Aliana and I, "For tonight, I would like to ask all of you to remain in these quarters." "Yeah, right, makes perfect sense." Starbuck said sarcastically. "We'll just sit here like rodents in a trap and wait for them to strike." "Starbuck, I suspect they have left the Galactica a long time ago. Security has investigated all of the quarters on this corridor and we have cancelled all shuttle flights to and from the Galactica until tomorrow morning. You heard Apollo. Security is lining the corridor. There is no safer place, except perhaps my quarters. You could have those instead if you like." I flashed Starbuck a very distressed look, shaking my head no. I was scared, but I couldn't think of a more embarrassing place to be than sleeping in the Commander's quarters. Starbuck looked to me and Aliana, then to his friends Apollo, Boomer, Jolly and Sheba. He must have decided that we had enough fire power in that room to take anyone on. "We'll stay here. Going to be hard to sleep though thinking about all that wasted ambrosia." He said, attempting to joke. Apollo came over and placed his hand on Starbuck's shoulder. "We'll all be here. We will find out who did this." Apollo didn't say what would happen then, but I could tell by the look the two exchanged that whoever had done this would suffer a lot more than Starbuck and Apollo were suffering right now. The Commander saw to the changing of our security code himself. He also saw to it that food and drinks were delivered to us, although no one seemed interested. Aliana played hostess, seeing that everyone had a place to sleep for the night and plenty of blankets. It was pretty obvious that most of us had no plans to sleep. I think the only reason why Starbuck and Apollo even took a seat is because it was just too painful to remain on their feet. Apollo had yet to actually stand up straight. He still remained slightly hunched over as if protecting his ribs from further damage. Starbuck had a tired and angry cast to his face. Of course I realized that was mostly due to the ever darkening circles under his eyes. He was going to look like hades in the morning. The two of them sat opposite to each other, Apollo watching the door, and Starbuck watching the Food processing room and the entrances to the other rooms. It was touching the way they were watching each other's backs. Sheba kept trying to get Apollo to eat or drink something, or at the very least take a painkiller. He was very polite to her, but declined every time. We could all tell, he was on duty and wouldn't rest until whoever had done this had been caught. I sat watching security mucking around in ruins of my new food processing center. I was patient. Most everyone had found a place to relax and were settling in for the night before security finally finished and left. I waited maybe a micron after they left before I got up and headed back into the room. I found some rags and started gathering up the glass and running a sink full of suds. I don't know how long I was at it before I noticed Starbuck leaning in the doorway. "This will wait." He said softly. "Besides, we're getting other quarters." "No we're not. I've put too much work into this place." I said, getting up from my knees and going over to the chiller. I opened the door and found what I was looking for. I grabbed an empty bag and filled it with ice, then handed it to Starbuck. "Thanks." He said, gingerly placing the bag on the side of his nose. "That's what you were going for in the first place isn't it?" I just nodded and went back to work. Starbuck put the bag down and grabbed a rag and started picking up glass. Before long, Aliana silently joined us. For several centons in silence we picked up glass. Then purposefully Aliana got up from the floor and stared at the message on the wall. Without a word she took a rag from the sink and washed the message away. ****** We had to testify that next day. With Shyra dead, there was no way around it. Both Boomer and Starbuck had gone to Sire Solon early, probably waking him up to ask if they could possibly proceed without either of us taking the witness chair, but Solon had been emphatic. If we did not testify, they would lose a portion of their case and only be able to convict Sire Uri and his guard, Durley, whom was being jointly tried - thank the Lords of Kobol! -- of receiving and possessing stolen and illegal goods. Without the added crime of attempted assault, which would clearly illustrate the men's immoral intentions, Solon was concerned that Uri's protector, Harcek, might even be able to successfully argue that all they were guilty of was longing for a time when people could live once again in luxury. The Chief Opposer had looked disgusted as he had explained that Harcek could quite possible gain support for Uri, even, since who didn't yearn for way to reclaim some of life's pleasures? Some fine clothing, exquisite jewelry, even some illegal plant vapors to help to escape the unbearable reality of our situation - who could really blame him? So with Shyra no longer around to paint the true picture of his lecherous and unscrupulous nature, we had to describe what Uri and his guard had intended to do with us, that we were supposed to just "disappear," whatever that had meant. Our testimony would leave no doubts, Solon had said, that Uri and Durley deserved the maximum penalty for their crimes and the right to their own cozy little cells aboard the prison barge for a long, long time. Starbuck had tried to argue that Shyra's murder should have been enough to show how deadly they were, but the Chief Opposer had countered that nothing about her termination tied it directly to Uri. In fact, they had little to go on, concerning her death, because they had no witnesses, no murder weapon, and no other physical evidence. Nothing except her body with a laser blast through the chest. It was most frustrating and would be quickly dismissed by Harcek, who would simply argue that she must have known who Uri 's connection was - something *he* didn't know, since he had only dealt with a concealed figure, had never seen his face or heard his name. And that could have even been the truth, as far as we knew. So at 0700 the next day, Reyana, Lt. Boomer, Capt. Apollo, and I all sat in the antechamber to the Galactica's special trial hall, awaiting our turns to come before the tribunal. None of us had slept well, so we were all restless and a bit edgy. Although they claimed that they felt better, both Apollo and Starbuck looked awful, with deep bruises on the face from more than one collision with Silva's elbows. Apollo was moving carefully and was obviously feeling the full effect of the pounding that his ribs had taken. Still, on top of the apparent pain, the captain looked fidgety and kept exchanging glances with Boomer, who was pacing back and forth across the small room. Reyana finally had to comment. "You two should be pros at this," she said, referring to their well-known stint as protectors during Starbuck's tribunal for the murder of Ortega. Boomer stopped pacing to give her a bemused look. "Yeah, but you're forgetting. This is different. This is a civilian tribunal. "Frak," I muttered. I had been so distracted by the threats and danger surrounding the case that I hadn't thought beyond walking through that chamber door or about who would be presiding over this affair. Unlike Starbuck's widely publicized tribunal, which had been a military case with two military Overseers, not the least of whom had been Commander Adama as the Chief Overseer, this was a civilian trial. Three prominent civilians would be the Overseers, with a Council member acting as the Chief. That, in itself, was probably a mark in Sire Uri's favor, even before the proceedings began. Reyana was about to make another nervous joke, I could tell, but was cut off when the door suddenly opened and the guard called for Lt. Boomer. "Knock 'em dead," she said, instead. "Man, it didn't take long to get through the opening presentations," I said to no one in particular. Apollo had taken over Boomer's restless pacing. "No, but don't worry," he said, pausing briefly to try to give us a reassuring look. "Boomer and I have this case tightly sealed and completely legal. You two just have to stick to what actually happened after you were caught, to add that last bit of insurance to keep his protector from begging for leniency." Reyana looked away and I felt my face go red. "Yeah, we know," she mumbled. It didn't help us that we had sabotaged a turbolift to break and enter onto a private level on the Rising Star, with no formal clearance to search for anything, thus discrediting anything we had seen concerning the stockpile of illegal goods. Had Durley just thrown us out, Boomer and Apollo's case would have been much weaker. So, I tried to tell myself, it had actually been a good thing that Uri and his guard had intended to assault us. Or maybe the Lords of Kobol just had a twisted sense of humor. Apollo knelt down I front of us. "Look," he said quietly, "I know it was unpleasant, but it's important." He actually took each of our hands in his and gazed from my face to Rey's. "I know it won't be easy, and Harcek will try to drag you through the quagmire to try to discredit you both. But if you stick to the facts, it won't matter what he says or what he implies. Try to just stay calm and objective. And remember," he said, squeezing our hands, "getting rid of Uri is the first step in helping other young women who have fallen into situations like Shyra's. We're not finished with this, but getting Uri is a start, a good start." "Yeah, we know," answered Reyana again. And it was true. To avoid giving Harcek any sort of technicality that might work in Uri's favor, Colonel Tigh had had to deal with our less-than-proper, even downright illegal, escapade by imposing several penalties. One, we were to have our pay docked to pay for the repairs to the lift, and two, they had asked the Captain of the Rising Star if he wished to press charges for our illegal breaking and entering. Thus, Solon had a written statement from him saying that he wanting nothing else, except to have the lift repaired. For emphasis, though, we had each received an official reprimand for our conduct. "Don't worry about it!" Starbuck had said when we had looked horrified at starting out our careers with tarnished records, even though we knew we deserved it. "You should see my official service record!" ******* Boomer was gone nearly a centar, before the Colonial security guard came for Apollo. The captain gave us each a pat on the shoulder before leaving us. It was just the two of us, now, because Boomer was not permitted to return once he had testified, so that our testimony would be free of any influences of how the tribunal was actually going. I didn't know who would be next, but one of us would have the pleasure of waiting alone. I was pacing now and Rey was sitting, staring at the floor, her fingers drumming on her knee. There just wasn't anything to say at this point. We were just wishing that it would be over. And the sooner the better. My stomach was starting to churn from the stress of waiting. Forty long centons later, the door open again. We both froze. The guard looked at me and motioned for me to come. "See ya," I whispered to Reyana. I swallowed hard to calm my stomach and followed the guard. My heart was pounding in my ears. As I entered the tribunal chamber and walked the short distance to the witness platform, I took even breaths and glanced around. The Overseers were seated to my right on their raised dais. Sire Anton, I noticed, was the Chief Overseer, but I did not recognize the other two. To my immediate left was the Chief Opposer's table, with Solon and an assistant, and beyond them, mostly obscured until I reached the witness chair, was the defendant's table, where Uri and Durley sat with their Protector, Harcek. I shot a glance up into the viewer's gallery and quickly spotted both Boomer and Apollo, who sat flanking a frowning Starbuck. The lieutenant had been strongly cautioned, I knew, to watch his behavior in light of what Harcek might say about us. In addition, Athena and Sheba were there, as was Commander Adama. I focused my attention on climbing the step up into the witness chair without stumbling and sat on the cold, hard metal. Before a guard step forward for the swearing in, I got my first clear glimpse of Sire Uri since the incident. He was smiling at me, a thin, taunting smile that did not reach his cold eyes. I was relieved to have to look away as the guard asked me to place my right hand on the Book of the Word. After managing to repeat the oath without tripping over my tongue, somehow, I chose a spot on the far wall on which to focus. I heard Solon approaching as I took several long, slow breaths, trying to calm my racing heart and regain some composure. I would not, would not, would not let Uri or his protector get to me. I would not, I vowed. I felt a bit more at ease when I turned to face Sire Solon. He was smiling, and I knew that he would also do what he could to make this as painless as possible. At least while it was his time to ask the questions. As for being ready to deal with Harcek, Solon had explained ahead of time that he would have to establish up front that, despite the rumors that were flying on the IFB - which we all knew *had* to influence anyone who had seen them -we were of sound moral character. I was ready. As ready as I could be. "Please state you name and current designation for the record." "Ensign Aliana," I said, before releasing another deep breath. "I'm assigned as a shuttle pilot and as a training instructor." "You are recently graduated, is that correct?" "Yes sir. Three days ago." "So the events that you will describe occurred during the final secton of your training?" Solon was speaking quietly and gently. "Yes sir." "Before we have Ensign Aliana describe those events," Solon said, turning to face the Overseers and raising his voice, "the Colonial State wishes to establish that, despite the rumors being presented to the Fleet over the IFB concerning her background and character, she is a bright, dedicated warrior who has the strength of character to choose an untraditional relationship that by no meanings lessens her credibility. On the contrary, the unconventional relationship which she and two others have chosen complements the commander's recent Plan of Survival." Solon turned back to me, and I closed my eyes briefly as he continued. "Ensign, please explain this relationship that has become the latest topic for debate on the IFB." "Move to strike that last portion!" said a loud baritone voice. I opened my eyes to see that Harcek had risen and was waving a hand towards the Overseers. "What the IFB does or does not report is irrelevant." The man was tall and overweight, with a double chin that bulged out because he had his head tipped downward as he spoke. He had short, closely cropped grey hair and wore the white robes of a Sire. And he looked self assured and arrogant. Why, I wondered briefly, was he even protesting such a minor point? Was it just to have his voice heard? Or maybe . . . he was looking at me, and I quickly switched my gaze back to the friendly face of Sire Solon. Away from the steely glint that had gleamed in Harcek's eye. ******** "Esteemed sirs," said the Chief Opposer, "Given the speculative and negative nature of most of the IFB commentary, which you may or may not have witnessed, but has been issued by reporters consistently since Sire Uri's arrest, I feel it is necessary to present the facts. I am also, I will remind the esteemed protector, establishing the witness's credibility in light of so much negative publicity." Go Sire Solon, I thought with renewed respect for the man. "Overruled," Sire Anton, the Chief Overseer, said. "You may proceed." "Thank you." Solon turned back to me. "Ensign, please describe the unusual relationship in which you are currently involved." One deep breath, two. "I -" I stopped to clear my throat, then focused on my spot on the wall before continuing. "Ensign Reyana and I are both openly involved with Lt. Starbuck of Blue Squadron." "And what is your relationship to Ensign Reyana?" "She's my only family, my adopted sister." "And are you both intimately involved with the lieutenant." "Yes sir." I felt my cheeks flushing red. "Please explain," said Solon gently, "why you chose to pursue such an arrangement, knowing that many might disapprove and that you might have to endure the exact kind of comments that are being made by the IFB commentators." I inhaled and exhaled slowly. I had rehearsed what I would say because I knew that Solon would ask this. Still, my mind was fumbling for the words I wanted. "I . . . I don't know if I can adequately explain how it works, but it *does,* for all three of us, as far as I can tell. I think," I said, closing my eyes again to concentrate, "I think it's because Reyana and I have become so close, have endure similar tragedies with the loss of our entire families - I mean, we lost everyone, *everyone,* as did so many others. I guess we give each other strength. And . . . and because we're so close, we are able to . . ." Oh, Lords, I hadn't let myself really consider just how far the feelings went, but it was true, I realized. "We love very much the same man. Without conflict or jealousy. It just works . . . for us. I guess you'd have to ask the lieutenant why it works for him." "Thank you," Solon said. He turned to the Overseers. "I wish to politely remind the members of this tribunal that under the terms of the commander's Survival Plan, the future of the human race may well depend upon people having this kind of strength of character to go against traditional views and concepts of a family unit." Solon must have seen Harcek starting to rise again, because he added quickly, "Do you consider the three of you a family?" "Yes," I answered, "very much so." Solon paused, then spoke again to the Overseers. "To further illustrate Ensign Aliana's credibility, I would like to point out the copy of her training transcript which you have been given." The three men shuffled through some papers in front of them, nodding. "Please note that in almost all of her courses she scored in the top 5% of her class. Also, she graduated with the #1 ranking out of all of the cadets in this past group. That alone indicates that she is a bright and dedicated warrior." It was true; while Reyana had been first and I had been third on the final simulator test, when all of our scores had been averaged, we had flip-flopped the exam results, with her being ranked third overall. The Chief Opposer was pacing and looking thoughtful, as if considering what next to say. I knew what still remained to be said, though. He had one last little detail to present, one last item that needed to be brought out in the open so that Harcek could not, somehow, use it to his advantage. After a few microns, he stopped in front of me. "Ensign, were you not in training to be a viper -" "Objection!" shouted Harcek, standing again. "The Chief Opposer is dragging this out needlessly and has yet to present the relevant testimony against my clients. I fail to see the need for such and extensive discussion of the ensign's merits." Uh, oh. I could see his point. And so did the Overseers. "Sustained," said Sire Anton. "Sire Solon, please expedite these proceedings by getting to the heart of the matter." Solon pursed his lips, forced to move ahead. "All right," he said. "I apologize if this has seemed lengthy, but since credibility is important in accepting the facts as she presents them, I felt it important to -" "May the esteemed Chief Opposer please get on with it!" Harcek seemed quite satisfied that he had successfully cut off Sire Solon. It gave me a very uneasy feeling. "Sustained," said the Sire Anton. Solon took a deep breath, then looked back to me. "All right. Did you and Esign Reyana enter onto Sire Uri's private level on the date in question?" "Yes sir." "Did you follow proper procedures when you entered that level of the Rising Star?" "No sir," I said, "Ensign Reyana hotwired the turbolift to take us to that level because we were following Cadet Shyra." "Thus, you admit that she and you were on Sire Uri's private level through improper methods and without the proper clearance?" "Yes sir." Solon was looking at Harcek when he continued. "Please note in the tribunal records that Ensigns Aliana and Reyana did receive consequences for their actions, including an official reprimand and having their pay docked." He turned back to me. "Were you apprehended while on Sire Uri's level?" "Yes sir." "By whom?" I nodded towards Uri's table. "By his security guard." Solon was gaining back his stride. "Did the guard, Durley, escort you two off the private level and file charges, as is the proper procedure for tresspassing?" "No sir." I felt my heart beating faster again. "Ensign, please describe what happened after you and Ensign Reyana were apprehended." This was it. My heart was pounding again in my chest, despite my efforts to stay focused and calm. I closed my eyes as I began. And I described, in detail, what exactly had happened. I tried to keep my voice level and detached, as if discussing a routine matter. However, having someone like Sire Uri plant slobbering kisses against your neck and rubbing his hands where they had no business being, with the unmistakable intention of going much further than that, was hardly routine. And then to have to explain it all to so many people. I was trembling and my voice shaking by the time I had finished. Unfortunately, this was it for Sire Solon's questions. After a few summary statements to the Overseers, he had finished. Solon looked concerned as he turned back to me. "Would the witness like a moment before being questioned by the defendant's protector?" he asked. "No," I said, thinking about Reyana, who was sitting in the antechamber awaiting her turn. Alone. I didn't want to make her wait any longer than was necessary. Plus, I was ready, quite ready, to get this over with. "I'm fine." Thus, I was still rather shaky when Harcek arose and slowly approached the witness platform. He had his hands behind his back and he was studying me. His lips were pursed, but his eyes were smiling. Coldly. When he spoke, it was to the tribunal, but he kept is gaze on me. "I wish to acknowledge the ensign's fine accomplishments in graduating at the top of her class. I'm sure that took a great deal of hard work and dedication. She may yet make a fine warrior. However." He paused for the full effect. I felt my heart skip a beat. "I would like to suggest that she is not as trustworthy as the Chief Opposer would like us to believe. Let me present the facts, as well. And then we'll consider if we can give full credit to her version of what happened before Sire Uri's arrest by Lt. Boomer and Capt. Apollo." Oh, Lords, but he did know how to create the tension. Despite my vow to not let him rattle me, I was already unsteady, and he had yet to even ask a question. I tried to concentrate on my breathing, slowly in, slowly out, deep long breaths . . . "Ensign Aliana," he said, his voice suddenly sounding abrupt, "You said that you got to know Lt. Starbuck through a "locker room dare." What exactly was the dare?" How could he possibly know, I wondered wildly, what the details of that dare had been, unless - of course! Shyra must have told Uri. "The witness will please answer," stated Sire Anton, and I realized that I that my pause didn't look good either. Oh, frak . . . "The dare," I said, trying to stay calm, "was for Reyana and me to challenge the lieutenant at Pyramid and try to beat him at his own game." Maybe, just maybe, he did not know about the second half of the dare. No such luck. "And wasn't there more to it than that?" Oh, yes, Shyra had given Sire Uri all of the details, it seemed, back when most of the cadets thought it highly unlikely that we could ever pull it off. "Yes," I said, "we were supposed to spend time with him, alone, in one of those private suites." "In other words, he was supposed to seduce you both?" I felt my face flushing. Those had been the words the cadets - Shyra, that is - had, indeed, used. "Yes sir," I said. Harcek turned to the Overseers and spoke with a flourish. "Fact number one, this 'respectable' three-way relationship started through deceit. A carefully planned deception that took nearly a sectar of preparation, the dedicated use of her resourceful study habits to master the game of Pyramid, is that not true?" "Yes." Lords, it did sound devious the way he stated it. "But it -" "So we have a relationship founded through a deception," he said, almost as if talking to himself. "Ensign," he said, eying me again, "were you not being trained to be a viper pilot before you graduated?" Oh, frak, I knew exactly where he was headed. Straight to the topic that he had stopped Sire Solon from presenting. Solon saw it, too. "Objection!" he stated. "The ensign's training is irrelevant -" "Hardly," interrupted Harcek. "If I may present the second 'fact'?" "Overruled," said Sire Anton. "You may continue." I was chewing on my lip as I waited, dreading what he would say next, knowing that whatever it was, it would not sound good. "Ensign," he said slowly and deliberately. "Considering how you graduated at the top of your class, why were you not assigned to one of the viper squadrons?" "I - I," I swallowed. "I found out during my physical exam that I am pregnant." I said it quickly, forcing out the words. "Fact number two," Harcek said loudly, "Ensign Aliana saw fit to entrap the lieutenant in this relationship -" I heard two voices at that point. Solon jumped to his feet, shouting, "Objection!" But the rest of what he said was drowned out. "That's a frakking lie!" Startled and dismayed, I turned to see both Boomer and Apollo restraining an enraged-looking Starbuck, pulling him back to his seat and motioning emphatically for him to be quiet. Sire Anton was banging his gavel. "Order! There will be no further outbursts from the viewers!" I don't think I had seen the mild-mannered Council member looking so agitated before. He pointed the gavel directly at Starbuck. "You will control yourself, Lieutenant, is that understood?" Starbuck shook off Boomer and Apollo and nodded ever so slightly, glancing towards the commander. Adama gave him a look that settled him faster than any warning from the Overseer could. The murmur of voices quieted and like everyone else, I looked back at Harcek. "I object to the confrontational tone of the protector's last statement," repeated Solon. "I'd go so far to say that his conclusion is as groundless as most of the IFB gossip." "Sustained," said Anton, still sounding angry. "Please refrain from such theatrical statements and stick to relevant questions." Yea, Starbuck, I thought with a smile, almost. His outburst had given the Chief Opposer time to formulate an effective comeback to Harcek. The protector looked unflustered, however. "Fine. Ensign," he said, "Did you and the lieutenant plan to conceive?" "No, but -" He was sharp, I had to admit, because he was making assumptions - correct assumptions - about our situation. "Did you take precautions?" "No, but -" "In other words," Harcek said, speaking to the trial room, "this very bright ensign, who mastered the full Colonial warrior's training program, began a relationship through deception, then 'carelessly' interrupts her own just-beginning career by becoming pregnant. I submit that she is less than trustworthy. I also submit that we cannot take at face value the accusations made against my clients, given that it is her word against theirs. If she's clever enough to spend a sectar learning the fine art of Pyramid just to seduce her own instructor, then she's also clever enough to know that mere possession charges would not hold as much weight as would added charges of attempted assault." He paused for effect. "I remind the esteemed Overseers that the tribunal has no physical evidence of the attempted assault, other than this testimony. Surely they must see that that is insufficient grounds to find Uri - a prominent member of the Council of Twelve - guilty!" Harcek turned back to me, staring at me without blinking. "I have no further questions," he said slowly. "Does the Chief Opposer have any other questions?" asked Sire Anton, breaking the momentary silence. Solon, scowling almost, rose and adjusted his robes before saying anything.. "No questions," he said. "But I would like to address the protector's final comments." "Proceed." "Esteemed members of this tribunal, I must point out that Mr. Harcek's contention that both Ensign Aliana and Ensign Reyana, who will testify in a few centons, fabricated any part of their account of what happened between them and Sire Uri and Mr. Durley, is preposterous. I also remind the esteemed protector that we not only have their written statements, taken directly following the incident, but also the testimony of both Capt. Apollo and Lt. Boomer. Both described the then-cadets agitated emotional states upon entering Sire Uri's suite - legally, I will reiterate. They also stated that when cadet Shyra came to them, she said that the two were in eminent danger. Ms. Shyra's credibility not withstanding, it is ludicrous to imply that all of these people - including two fine warriors, two heroes with outstanding records - would conspire to fabricate any of these charges." Solon was barely containing his outrage. Finally, after taking several breaths, he turned to me. "Ensign, you are dismissed." Slowly, my head swimming from all that had just transpired, I climbed out of the witness chair and moved to find a spot in the viewer's gallery. To do so, I had to pass near the defendants' table. Harcek was whispering to his clients, but they broke off as I passed by. The stare that I received from both men, the cold, threatening look that burned in their eyes, sent a chill down my spine. ********** After Aliana was called away, I waited another 30 centons before I was finally called. I was alone by then, and I wished the wait had been longer. I had no desire to testify by this point. I just wanted this to be over. I wished we had just taken Shyra and pounded her until she said Starbuck didn't come on to her. I know, she was dead now and I shouldn't be thinking such thoughts, but looking back, it would have been easier in the long run to have threatened her to make her take back the charges against Starbuck. We hadn't meant to discover conspiracies that rivaled those of Baltar's. I ran through my head what I planned to say, about stumbling upon Shyra and Sire Uri, that we had only meant to follow Shyra, a fellow cadet, not trespass on private quarters. Of course they had me on bypassing the controls on the lift. Next time I needed to remember to cover my tracks a little better. Next time, Lords, what was I thinking? I intended to stay on the right side of trouble next time. Go through official channels, contact my superiors, the whole works. This being in trouble stuff, well that was Starbuck's gig, and he could keep it. I didn't enjoy paying the piper when it was all said and done. I did not appreciate having the official mark in my record. It might not be a big deal to Starbuck, but it was a big deal to me. They finally called for me and I went into the Tribunal Chambers with my back as straight as I could get it, my face serious, eyes forward. I tried not to look at anyone, but I couldn't help it. My eyes scanned the room and lit upon Starbuck. He was mad. Oh lords, I tried to bolster my courage. If Starbuck was mad, then this was not going well. I wanted to see the smug look on his face, the "We've got `em" look. It wasn't there. Just anger. They swore me in on the book of the word, and I had to wonder if that really had any effect on people like Uri, the threat of punishment in the afterlife. I got the feeling he didn't think much past the next centon, let alone his eternal salvation. Maybe because he already knew, there would be no salvation for people like him. Sire Solon approached me smiling, but his smile appeared forced to me. He sounded tired as he proceeded to question me. He started with the questions we had discussed, but even knowing ahead of time what some of the questions would be, I really wasn't prepared to answer them. It just seemed the answers we had discussed before hand sounded stupid and rehearsed. "Please state your name and designation for the record." "Ensign Reyana, Viper Pilot, Blue Squadron." "Ensign Reyana, you recently graduated is that correct?" "Objection." Protector Harcek said. Oh great, I thought to myself. We're just dealing with getting things down for the record and he was already objecting. "Must we go over these trivial details again? I am content to let the record stand that Ensign Reyana is of an upstanding and moral character, much like the other Viper Pilots in Blue Squadron." I didn't appreciate the sneer on Harcek's face as he said that. "My esteemed Sires, I am merely trying to establish the Ensign's character for the record. But if Protector Harcek is willing to abandon any questions he might have on the Ensign's moral character, I will proceed." Solon said with a hopeful look on his face. Harcek shot Sire Solon a displeased look before turning to address the overseers. "I withdraw my objection." Oh, so this is what I was in for, my moral character under question. Sire Uri and his goon almost rape and murder us, but my moral character was in question. Great, this was going to be fun. "Ensign, Reyana," I answered the question before he had the chance to pose it again. "I graduated, third in my class." Sire Solon gave me a stern look. I was supposed to wait for the questions to be asked first. Great, I had screwed up already. "Ensign Reyana, as many are aware due to the IFB broadcasts, there are many rumors surrounding your relationship to Ensign Aliana and Lt. Starbuck. Can you please describe for the court the relationship in which you are currently involved?" "I'm dating Starbuck. So is my friend Aliana." Sire Solon waited for me to elaborate. The answer we had rehearsed had been longer, but frankly at that moment it sounded like a bunch of felgercarb that I didn't really want to state for the record. Sire Solon waited a moment longer, then went on. "Please explain," said Solon gently, "why you chose to pursue such an arrangement, knowing that many might disapprove and that you might have to endure the exact kind of comments that are being made by the IFB commentators." "Uh, well, it just sort of happened. We, Aliana and I, had meant to just win a dare, but things just kind of progressed from there and next thing we knew we both had dates with Starbuck. We just agreed to share him I guess. It's not like we planned this, it just sort of happened. Men are pretty scarce around here, and it just made sense that since we had found a nice guy, why not share him." It was not the answer Solon and I had gone over before. Not even close. I was blowing it. "Are you and Ensign Aliana just friends?" "Uh, no, we are like sisters. She is my family now." "How did you take the news or Ensign Aliana's pregnancy?" "I was thrilled. I am going to be an aunt." I didn't sound thrilled for the record. I was answering the questions in a dead pan voice. I just wanted this over. "So it was in this spirit of family protectiveness that you sought to follow Cadet Shyra in the hopes of clearing Starbuck of her charges, is that correct?" "Yes." "Did you follow proper procedures when you entered the level of the Rising Star where Cadet Shyra was staying?" "No sir. I hot wired a lift. I've been reprimanded for it officially." "Yes, the record shows you received an official reprimand plus a dock in pay for the incident. Do you have plans to commit such an act again?" "No sir." Sire Solon then asked for the details of what occurred on that level of the Rising Star. I described in great detail how Aliana and I had heard voices, then disappeared into a room to witness Sire Uri and Shyra doing that disgusting act, then we snuck out and got caught by a guard who took us to a store room full of illegal goods. It was then that Sire Uri and his guard had planned to make us disappear and then Sire Uri had slobbered all over Aliana and assaulted her. I described how I took out the guard and then we were rescued by Lt. Boomer and Capt. Apollo. That was it for Sire Solon's questions. I was relieved. I had expected more. Sire Solon had warned me that there might be some unexpected questions that could come up, but so far it was everything we had discussed, and Sire Uri's Protector had only objected once. I was beginning to feel some relief. This was almost over. That's when Protector Harcek approached me. He had a leer that was almost as bad as Sire Uri's. The two of them had whispered together at their table during Sire Solon's questioning, their chins wagging in the wind. It was disgusting. Then Protector Harcek began his questioning of me. "Ensign Reyana, you stated that the relationship with Lt. Starbuck and Aliana "just happened". Yet it's also been stated for the record that you planned to take him on at cards and con him into a private suite. So which is it Ensign, a random occurrence or a thought out plan?" "The dare was thought out. But it was after that just happened." "What exactly just happened? The three of you shared the bed in the suite?" "OBJECTION!" Sire Solon was on his feet. "NO! We planned dates, individual dates!" I shouted. "Don't answer that question Ensign!" Sire Solon pointed to me. Harcek grinned, "I withdraw the question." "Overseers, may I have a moment with Ensign Reyana?" Sire Solon said, and I knew I had a lecture coming. I couldn't help myself. I hated when people insinuated that all three of us just hopped into bed together and did smutty things. It wasn't what this was all about. It's not how we did things. We weren't that kind of people. Heck, Starbuck dated Athena and Cassiopea and people never insinuated such things about them. "Sire Solon, you will have a chance at the end of Protector Harcek's questioning to redirect the Ensign." Sire Anton turned to me. "Ensign, I would like to remind you to wait until the objections have been cleared or affirmed before you answer the question." I just nodded. I was too mad to speak. "Sire Harcek, you may proceed." Sire Anton gestured to him. Harcek gave me another leer and I felt that same creepy chill go up my spine that I felt when Uri had slobbered on Aliana. "Ensign, were you and the Lieutenant intimate on these dates?" "Objection." Sire Solon stood up again. "Overseers, please, I do not see how Protector Harcek's line of questioning applies to this case." Harcek countered, "I am merely trying to establish the Ensign's character." The overseers consulted amongst themselves for a moment before Sire Anton ruled, "We will allow some leeway for the moment, proceed." Harcek grinned at me again, "Were you intimate with Lt. Starbuck." "Yes." I answered fast and short. "After how many dates?" I looked to Sire Solon to see if he would object. He did not. "Does that matter? I mean, I already knew Lt. Starbuck for several sectars." I answered, trying to dodge the question. "Yes, but after you and Starbuck decided to try this unconventional relationship, after how many dates were you and Lt. Starbuck intimate?" "One." I said it fast hoping that no one would hear it. "One date? I see. So for the record, you follow your fellow cadets for purposes of spying, you hotwire lifts, respond to locker room dares, cheat at cards, con instructors into private suites knowing it's against regulations, and have intimate relations after only one date. Have I left out anything?" I was too stunned to speak. "Objection! Objection!" Sire Solon was on his feet again. "Sires, I am merely stating facts that have already been confirmed in these hearings. The Ensigns have admitted to following Shyra, they have admitted to trespassing, they have admitted to cheating at cards to get their instructor in a compromising position in response to a locker room dare. "I DID NOT CHEAT!" I yelled jumping to my feet. "Order!" Sire Anton loudly banged the gavel. "I didn't con him into anything! My love life is none of your fraking business!" I was on my feet. I had every intention of leaving that courtroom, when Sire Solon stepped in front of me. "Have a seat Ensign, Overseers, I request that we strike these comments from the record." "I will have order in this court room." Sire Anton flashed me an ominous look. I hastily took my seat and stared at my feet trying to gain some semblance of control. Sire Anton addressed Harcek. "You have made your point, however, these last few comments will be stricken from the record. Move on Harcek." Harcek smiled that oily smile, bowed to the Overseers. "Certainly. I did not mean to cause a scene." Then Harcek moved in front of me to take Sire Solon's place. Sire Solon flashed me a warning look then reluctantly took his seat. Harcek had a very satisfied smile on his face as he asked, "Ensign, did you cheat at cards?" "NO!" "I see, but you did attempt to seduce your then instructor, is that not correct?" I flashed Solon a disgusted look. He looked away. I was on my own now. I sighed. "No, the dare was just to get him alone. After that we all headed back to the Galactica." "I see. But you did have intimate relations with Lt. Starbuck after only one date." "Yes." "Did you and Lt. Starbuck take precautions or are you trying to conceive a child as Lt. Starbuck and Ensign Aliana are now expecting." "Uh, no." "No to which, precautions or conception?" "Uh, no we didn't take precautions, but no we aren't trying to get pregnant either." "Is this something you and the Lieutenant discussed? "Objection." Sire Solon finally spoke up on my behalf. "I see where this has no pertinence whatsoever in this court room!" "Sires, if you will give me just one more moment of their time, I will show to the court the complete pertinence of the question." "Sire Harcek, we have given you more leeway than should be allowed. Get to the point." "Certainly, certainly, Ensign, is this something you and the Lieutenant discussed?" "No." "I see, so you didn't use precautions, but you don't want children. And you never discussed this with the Lieutenant. You didn't plan to con your instructor into a compromising position, and yet you did. You didn't plan to enter this relationship, yet it just happened. Could you have perhaps given the same mixed signals to Sire Uri's guard Durley?" "What?" I looked again to Solon, who gave me a perplexed shrug. "I don't understand the question." "Well, since we do have some confusion here in the court as to whether you cheated at cards or not, or seduced your instructor or not, and being known to have such casual sexual relations, without discussing the possibility of conception with your partner. Is it possible that perhaps Sire Uri and his guard Durley became confused? Perhaps they thought you and Aliana wanted to be intimate." >From the gallery I heard Starbuck yelling before Harcek even finished his question. "Oh come on! This is ridiculous! That's complete felgercarb!" I could hear Aliana shouting too. But Apollo and Boomer got Starbuck and Aliana under control before the court could address them. I noticed Adama shot Starbuck another ominous look. I looked to my friends for some help, but they were too angry themselves to be of much use. I looked at Harcek, angry tears starting to fall from my eyes. "You don't honestly expect me to answer that do you?" "Is it possible that Sire Uri and Durley could have thought you wanted to be intimate with them?" "NO!" "You won't even admit that they could have been confused?" "NO! There was no confusion." "Did you actually say `No' to either of these men, or did you say nothing?" "I hit Durley upside the head!" "Yes, but did you speak the words `No'?" I looked to Solon again, waiting for the man to object, to shout, to do something. Solon looked away. I sighed before answering. Harcek was trying to get Uri free on a technicality. "No, I didn't speak the words `No' to having intimate relations with Sire Uri and Durley." "No further questions." Harcek said. "But I hit Durley on the head, I pushed him off and I threatened to shoot him!" "I said, no further questions!" Harcek pointed at me, then to the Overseers, "I would like those comments stricken from the record!" Sire Anton shook his head in disgust, but indicated to the court reporter to strike the words from the record. "Sires, if I may redirect the Ensign." Solon quickly said to the Overseers. The overseers granted his redirection. I breathed a sigh of relief. Now Solon was going to clear the air, clear my name, set everything right. "Ensign Reyana, did you indicate to Sire Uri and Durley that you wanted to have intimate relations with them?" "No." "Did you indicate that you did not want intimate relations with them in any way, including resisting and violently striking either of them?" "Yes." "Thank you, that will be all." Sire Solon turned and headed towards his chair. I sat there on the stand stunned for a moment before I let my anger take over. "What do you mean that will be all? I'm just supposed to sit here and be insulted and painted out to be a floozy, and `that's all'?" Sire Solon spoke to me quietly as I continued to rant, then his voice suddenly rose. "Ensign that will be all!" "I'm not the one on trial! Our sex lives are not on trial! Do you have any idea what it's really like in this fleet? You know, you old relics wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on the.." "ENSIGN!" The words were shouted by both Sire Solon and Sire Anton. Sire Anton began banging his gavel for order, drowning out my last words. I was out of the witness stand and half way up to the gallery, stomping the whole way when I looked up to find Commander Adama had come down to meet me. He can be pretty big when he wants to be. "Frak." I muttered to myself knowing there was no way around him. "Ensign, I would like a word with you." He said, placing his hand on my shoulder and guiding me from the room. From the corner of my eye I saw Starbuck being restrained by both Apollo and Boomer. Aliana gave me a sympathetic look, but she too was held back. Tears of rage began to flow from my eyes. Once we were out in the corridor alone, I stood there, my hands clenched, sucking in great gasping sobs as the tears flowed. Once they had started, there was no stopping them. I waited for the lecture that I knew I deserved. I could hear him now, busting me in rank, docking me in pay, pulling me from Blue Squadron. I'd be scrubbing turbos and doing galley duty for sectons. I'm not sure how long we stood there. Long enough for me to realize I was poking myself with my clenched fingernails, and my nose was starting to run. I finally got my breathing under control, wiping at my eyes and nose with my sleeve. Still the Commander hadn't said anything. I hazard a look up at him. He still had his hand on my shoulder. I couldn't read his look. He didn't look mad, but he didn't smile either. "I'm sorry." I said. "It's over Ensign." Adama said calmly. "It's over. We will deal with the repercussions later, but it's over." X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000 X-UIDL: Y~B!!>6<"!L+$"!V>""! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sire Anton banged his gavel. "Order! We will have order!" He was red in the face and glaring from Harcek to our group in the viewers' gallery. After Commander Adama had taken Reyana out into the corridor, Starbuck, who appeared to have calmed down a bit, suddenly jumped up with the clear intent of confronting Uri's protector. Moving more quickly than the injured captain, Boomer had grabbed the lieutenant by both arms and hauled him back to his seat. "Sit down!" Apollo had growled, furious. He grabbed at his side, I noticed. He and Boomer had been holding Starbuck back for the past five centons, and the effort was wearing on him. *Enough!* I thought to myself. I was still fuming, mainly at myself for having lost control, too. I was angry, so angry, at Harcek, but I was equally upset that I had broken my vow to not let him get to me. And I was disgusted that we had given him the satisfaction of such a conspicuous response. I transferred all of that anger to Starbuck, not caring that I was surrounded by my superiors. "Sit down and shut up!" I hissed at him. Starbuck looked at me, startled, and sank back down into his seat. Apollo turned to him. "That's right! Harcek would just love it if you do something to get this tribunal declared a mistrial!" he said, jabbing a finger in his face. "He could even move that all of the charges be dismissed, if you're not careful. So cool it!" Wincing, the captain sat back in his seat, eyes closed, looking exhausted. The lieutenant finally noticed how worn his friend looked. The fire drained away. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I'm sorry." Sire Anton's gavel echoed through the sudden silence. "Order! Anyone else who interrupts these proceedings will be expelled and turned over to Colonial Security for disorderly conduct!" He was staring directly at Starbuck. The lieutenant crossed his arms and sank down even further in his seat. With a semblance of order finally restored, Sire Anton let his gaze sweep across the chamber. He paused briefly when the door opened, and Commander Adama and Reyana entered silently. Then he looked back towards Sire Solon. "Does the Chief Opposer have any more witnesses to call?" "No, sir." "Does the defense protector wish to call any witnesses at this time?" Anton asked, turning towards Harcek. Would he, I wondered? Would he call Sire Uri to testify? If he did, it would be a joke, an affront to the Colonial judicial system, because I could just imagine the smooth-sounding lies that he would tell. Harcek rose , hands behind his back, as he appeared to seriously consider the Chief Overseer's question. "Esteemed members of the tribunal," he said at length, "I would like to call Sire Uri to testify on behalf of both Mr. Durley and himself." Oh, this ought to be good, I thought to myself. I glanced to where the commander and Reyana had sat back down. Adama, sitting with his arms crossed, looked impassive, his expression unreadable, but when he glanced at Rey, I could have swore that, for a brief instant, a flicker of paternal concern flashed across his face. Reyana's eyes were red- rimmed, her face stony. Harcek had put her through Hades, more so than he had me; I despised the man and wished it wouldn't have wrecked havoc with the tribunal and landed the lieutenant in the brig had Starbuck actually attacked him. Rising slowly, Sire Uri climbed to his feet and strode to the witness chair, his chest puffed out to give him a dignified air. To any who did not know better, he looked every centimetron the regal statesman. He sat with his back straight and repeated the oath - the scared oath - to tell the truth. He spoke the words, meaningless to him, I was sure, as casually as he and Durley had discussed how to be rid of two nosey cadets. Harcek sounded solemn when he spoke. "Sire Uri, for how long have you been a statesman and dedicated to the service of the People?" And thus it went. Harcek had Uri describe his record and yahrens of service as first a Senator on Caprica and then as a member of the Council of Twelve, being elected shortly after the Great Destruction. He listed achievements and ways in which he had been a supporter of the People, with a capital "P," given the way they both pronounced the word. It sounded impressive, and I remembered how easily he had garnered his support before the Council elections the previous yahren. By the end of twenty centons, he and Harcek had painted the portrait of a sincere man who had spent many yahrens devoting myself to the People. Compare that to the image that Harcek had tried to present of Reyana and me: we schemed, broke regulations, disregarded social conventions, and were just plain smutty. The implied question of whom should the Overseers trust hung in the air. I felt an uneasy tingle in my stomach. Yet, I told myself, Harcek had to address the charge of buying and possessing illegal goods. And no amount of smooth talking could get him out of that one. So the protector didn't try. He started by admitting that Sire Uri had succumbed to human weakness. Like so many others in the Fleet, he longed, he ached, for the times before the Great Destruction. To look forward was no comfort because life was too uncertain, too tenuous, the future too veiled and unpredictable. Thus, to save his sanity, to keep from sinking into the depths of despair, he had tried to recapture some of the luxuries of his previous life. Was that so horrible to be guilty of saving oneself from depression and hopelessness? But what of Shyra? Uri had claimed that she was a willing partner, guilty of the same despair-inspired crime. Casting a meaningful glance in our direction, Harcek had added that their arrangement had been mutual. And exclusive. Finally, his protector had to address the attempted assault charge, the one that truly made the difference between Uri receiving a light sentence, possibly with no prison time, or a severe one. The key issue was whether or not he had had malicious intent. His face serious, Harcek stood in front of Uri. "Did you and Mr. Durley intend to harm cadets Aliana and Reyana, whom you had caught trespassing?" "No." Uri said it without hesitation. "Please explain, then," Harcek said, his face perplexed, "the accusations made by the two then-cadets, since they are quite insistent." "It was an unfortunate misunderstanding. We merely wished to detain them, until, er . . ." he paused and looked down contritely. "Until we could remove the illegal items." He turned to gaze up where we were seated as he continued. "After that, we would have followed the proper procedures concerning trespassers and have reported them to the captain of the Rising Star. But, regrettably, the two young cadets panicked and used force against us. I am sorry that they misinterpreted our intentions." "So they overreacted?" "That would be a good description," said Uri. Harcek made a few more comments, but then turned the questioning over to Sire Solon. The Chief Opposer was breathing in deep slow breaths as he stood and approached Sire Uri. "Since Mr. Harcek so likes to deal in the 'facts' of the situation," he began, "let's look at a few of the 'facts' of your more recent political career." Uri remained still, his expression firm. "Shortly after being elected to the new Council of the Twelve and in the first sectons after the Great Destruction, did the Fleet face a drastic food shortage?" "Yes. That's common knowledge. We all lived through it," Uri answered. But I thought I saw the edges of his mouth twitch. "It was during this time, wasn't it, that you were found to be hording food stocks?" "Objection!" shouted Harcek. "I object to the wording of that question - it is inflammatory!" "Sustained," growled Sire Anton, looking displeased by the whole affair. "Please rephrase your question." "Fine. Did you have a large quantity of food stored on your private level during the period of shortages?" "Yes, but at the time, I was not aware of the shortages. Until the good Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Boomer informed me that they needed to share my items with the starving people. After that, everything was disseminated throughout the Fleet." "Did you willingly turn over your surplus?" "Once the situation was clear to me, yes." I heard a coughing sound and turned to see Captain Apollo covering his mouth and shaking his head. Apparently, that was not how he viewed the events of that incident. "Did you threaten action against the captain and the lieutenant when they said that the food would be confiscated?" Solon was staring at Uri, but the man was calm, too calm. "Yes, I did protest, but only because I was not aware that there *were* any shortages at that time. Once I understood, I was more than eager to help feed the people of the Fleet." "Lies," I heard Boomer mutter next to me. How the sire could lie so casually about a situation in which people had almost starved to death was inconceivable to me. I remembered that time well; it was when the food riot had occurred. Solon was frowning. Uri seemed to be weaseling his way out of the truth of this first 'fact.' Not a good start. He turned to the Overseers, though, and continued. "I must point out that regardless of how 'willing' Sire Uri claims to have been, once the captain and the lieutenant discovered his food stores, it is on public record that he filed a complaint about the warriors taking 'his' food. I hardly find that the mark of a man so willing to help the People, since both Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Boomer informed him, at that time, that the Fleet was facing a dire food shortage." I almost sighed with relief. That hadn't gone well, but Sire Uri did not look as pure and selfless as he claimed to be. Solon turned back to Uri. "Fact number two," he said. "Since being elected to the Council of Twelve, and since the Fleet left the Colonies, you have made no attempt, made no motions, proposed no new ideas, to improve the situation of the Fleet. Instead, you used your wealth and influence to rebuild an even greater stockpile of personal items, most of which were illegal to possess and had to be obtained through illegal dealings, is that not true?" "I protest!" Harcek stood up. "Again, these are inflammatory remarks!" "Overruled," growled Sire Anton. Oh, bless the Lords! The Chief Overseer was still frowning at Harcek. Maybe, just maybe, he had not bought into Uri 's act. He was after all, a member of the Council and had served with Uri over the past yahren. I was crossing my fingers that, perhaps, Uri let his true self emerge during some of the Council sessions. One had to wonder . . . "Well?" Solon insisted. "Just how long did it take you to accumulate the items - which I'll remind the 'honorable' sire were listed, in detail at the start of this tribunal, and it was quite an extensive list. How long did it take you to accumulate that much?" "Several sectars," grumbled Uri. "Be more specific. Two? Four? Ten?" "Probably five," said Uri, "but -" "And how did you make initial contact with your provider?" "I made careful inquiries. One of those to whom I inquired told me how to contact the man." "And who gave you the name?" "He called himself Ripley, but I doubt that was his real name. I met him in the Rising Star chancery. I never saw the face of the man who supplied, my. . . ah, items." Uri was trying to look abashed. "And how and when did you meet Ms. Shyra?" "I met her six sectars ago. She was the niece of a friend, a former senator, and she came to me looking for some respite from the hardships of our life as refugees. I gave it to her." "Did she use sex to repay you?" Solon asked bluntly. Uri actually went red in the face. "At first. But it was only at her suggestion. And after a while, it became a mutual relationship, and she became my partner, more or less." "Your partner in your illegal activities?" "My partner in sharing some of the forgotten luxuries, yes." Oh, he was trying! Trying to make himself look guiltless. I felt sick at my stomach. Solon approached the witness chair and stared him in the eye. "Did you encourage her to frame Lt. Starbuck with the false accusations of sexual harassment?" He paused a moment. I held my breath. A glance to my right showed Boomer whispering something to Starbuck. Probably a threat to stay quiet and seated. "No," he said. "So you are saying that Ms. Shyra lied when she told Capt. Apollo that you encouraged her to seek revenge?" "That's right." He didn't bat an eyelash, this time. However, a slow smile spread across Solon's face. "In any case," he said loudly, "I submit to this tribunal that we should judge his moral character by the same standards that his honorable protector would have us judge Ensigns Reyana and Aliana. Thus, since Ms. Shyra is, unfortunately, deceased and not able to defend herself, we must *assume* that Sire Uri is not perjuring himself." He paused. "Still, he chose the companionship of a woman who was unscrupulous enough to make false accusations against her flight instructor and who willingly broke the Colonial code by sharing illegal goods. Of course, he himself was stockpiling these goods for the past five sectars - by his own admission!" Solon glared at Harcek, daring him to object. "Let the esteemed overseers judge for themselves," Solon continued after a moment, "who has demonstrated the stronger moral character. Sire Uri would have us believe that the detailed - very detailed and consistent - accounts of *both* ensigns Reyana and Aliana were 'inaccurate.' That they both were panicking and misinterpreted Uri's intentions to simply turn them over to Colonial security once the goods had been concealed. Under oath, he has stated that he and Mr. Durley did *not* intent to harm or molest either of them. Never mind that it would be next to impossible for two people - who were stressed and panicking, as he contends -- to have given the same *exact* accounts of what happened, since they were *confused.* And never mind that his 'partner,' Ms. Shyra stated to Captain Apollo and Lt. Boomer that the then-cadets were in 'iminent danger.'" Solon narrowed his eyes again. "I submit that Sire Uri was lying about his and Mr. Durley's true intentions, especially since his 'good friend,' cadet Shyra, is no longer alive to contest anything he might say. Which brings me to my last point. Did you have someone kill Ms. Shyra to prevent her from -" "Objection!!" shouted Harcek, looking flustered for the first time. "Absolutely no evidence has been presented that in anyway ties my client to her murder!" "Dear, Mr. Harcek," said Solon, "I didn't accuse him. I merely asked if he did it." "Overruled," stated Sire Anton. "The witness will answer the question." Sire Solon was smiling now. "Well? Did you?" "Absolutely not!" Uri's calm exterior had finally cracked. "And do you know anything about a case of ambrosa that was smashed in the food processing area of ensigns Aliana and Reyana's new quarters? The vintage and bottles matched those that were confiscated from your extensive stash." "Of course they do!" yelled Uri. "I got my ambrosa from one source, and Shyra knew -" Abruptly he stopped, narrowed his eyes, and clamped his jaw tightly shut. "What was that?" asked Solon. "What did Shyra know? And I remind you that you are under oath." Uri looked furious, I suppose because he was about to provide information that would actually be useful to Sire Solon. "She knew who the contact was. At least, she told me that she did." "Did she tell you who it was?" Solon was frowning at him. "No, and I swear that's the truth!" Solon let Uri's implied admission that he had not been telling the truth earlier pass, because this information did, indeed, shed some light on what might have happened to Shyra. It also cast more doubt on the likelihood that Uri had arranged her murder. The Chief Opposer was mulling over Uri's words. "I have no further questions," he said finally. "Oh, great," mumbled Boomer to himself, "that's just great. If Uri didn't make that threat, then . . ." he let his voice trail off. In his determination to hinder Sire Solon, it seemed, Uri had withheld information that would actually help him, I realized, further amazed at the sire's twisted reasoning. Uri had returned to his seat. Sire Anton was looking at Harcek. "Does the defense wish to call any other witnesses?" "No sir," said Harcek. "Then we will have closing statements, please, gentlemen. And keep them brief." Both Sire Solon and Harcek reiterated everything they had already pointed out. Harcek repeated his speech about how 'poor Sire Uri' had only been saving his sanity and how we had woefully misinterpreted their intentions. That, no, they had never intended to harm us. Sire Solon repeated everything that he had just said about Uri's own credibility. Finally, Sire Anton and the other two Overseers withdrew to consider their verdict. The tribunal stood in recess until they returned. Colonial security escorted Uri and Durley to a different antechamber to await the verdict. Sire Solon and his assistant disappeared for a short time, then returned. We just stood and stayed in the viewers' gallery, not saying much to each other. After two long, interminable centars, the Overseers returned and called the tribunal back into session. After all were seated and silent, Sire Anton gazed around the chamber and prepared to speak. I held my breath, waiting, my hands gripping my knees tensely. *************** None of us really had much to say to each other as we waited for the Overseers to return with their sentence. We knew Sire Uri couldn't get out of this completely free, but the tribunal had not gone the way the Chief Opposer had said it would go. He had never mentioned Aliana and I being painted out to be unreliable witnesses with suspect character. That was putting it nicely in protector talk. I knew what Harcek had made Aliana and I look like, tramps with only one thing on our minds, sex. I sat for the two centaurs beside the Commander, very conscious of his presence, of his air of honor and nobility. I sat quietly feeling like dagget droppings. Plus the fact that I had actually cussed out fleet elders was kind of sinking into to my thick skull. I just sat beside the Commander feeling stupid and small. Starbuck spent most of the time trying to talk with Aliana and reassure her. I think the entrapment statement might have hit a nerve or two between them. I watched the two of them discussing the issue and it showed that they cared for each other, that Starbuck cared for how people saw us. I watched the exchange and saw that none of us knew how this relationship was going to work. I realized that we had not thought this thing out, hadn't considered anybody but ourselves and our own selfish needs. We certainly had never thought about how other people would see us. And I didn't like what they saw. Part of me didn't care, to hades with them. I wanted to have a little fun before my days were done, which by the track record of the last few yahrens could be at any moment. But, but I was still here, and so was everyone else. I didn't want to my last days to be spent as an outcast either. I mean who was I to try to change yahrens of tradition? I was still battling with my thoughts when the overseers came back in. I hadn't reached a decision yet on whether I was still in this relationship or not. I could tell by the looks on the Overseers faces, they hadn't really reached a decision either. They started off with a speech about how such decisions, based on one person's word against another's were always difficult to decide. That often the credibility and character of an individual comes into question, but what needs to be decided upon is the facts of the matter, not who is more moral or not. I knew that part of the speech was directed at Aliana and I. We didn't really have proof of what happened. They didn't actually take a sample of the boray's slobber on Aliana. The facts weren't that easy to establish. But the Overseers were also trying to say we weren't as low in character as Harcek made us out to be. It made me angry. The Overseers shouldn't have to remind people that we were high quality people. They should be reminding everyone that Uri was a slime! The Overseers went on to speak of how their decision had not been easy, that the actions they would be taking would have lasting affects on the accused. They reiterated that they didn't come to the decision easily or lightly. "Just get to it." I must have said out loud because the Commander whispered to me, "We all have our roles to play. The Overseers have to consider the future too." I just nodded back, still mad that I had come out of this thing looking like a tramp and Uri looked like a hero. "With that said, would the accused please rise for the verdict." Sire Anton finished his speech. Uri rose, looking very smug and satisfied. He was confident he would get off free. Heck, to me it even looked like he would be walking out of this room a free an honorable man. "Sire Uri, it is with deep shame that we have declared you guilty on the charges of trafficking in illegal goods and hoarding of supplies. On the charges of attempted assault we also find you guilty, although to a lesser degree." Sire Uri's smile slipped and it turned into a grimace. He was about to speak, when Sire Anton went on. "We have no choice but to strip you of your rank of Sire. All honors and privileges will be revoked from now until the end of eternity." The tribunal room was silent as everyone absorbed the implications of the sentence. "Is that all?" I hissed. "It is a damaging sentence." Commander Adama clarified for me. "He can never hold a public office ever again. In fact, he can not even vote, not even in minor elections. He has been essentially stripped of any privileges offered an average citizen of the fleet. It also strips him of any property he might hold, which of course would be more damaging back in the colonies as all his property and goods could be seized and distributed to the state." "My esteemed Overseers," Sire Uri's Protector attempted to address the tribunal. "This sentence is quite severe. We would like to ask for the opportunity to appeal these decisions." "You may make your proposal when we are finished reading the sentence." Sire Anton said, and I swear he had a smile on his face. "We also sentence you, Uri, to the prison barge for the term of five yahrens." Uri fell into his seat in a heap. I swear he was close to tears. It was very satisfying for me to see, and for the first time that day I smiled, but not for long. Five years was nothing. Not nearly enough for what he had done. "Is that all?" I said to the Commander. "He deserves more, a lot more!" "You have to remember, Ensing Reyana, that five years on the prison barge for someone of privilege like Uri, could very well be a death sentence." I looked to the Commander shocked. "We can only do so much," he admitted. "Just like back in the colonies, we can only control so much that happens within a prison. In fact, I would say, now is even worse than before. We just can't allocate the proper amount of man power and resources to run the prison barge properly. The best we can do is see that prisoners don't harm the general population of the fleet. I shudder to think how Sire Uri will fair amongst the justice system of the convicts." I swear Adama smiled an ever so wicked little smile. I looked over to see how Starbuck, Apollo, Boomer and Aliana were taking the sentence. Apollo seemed satisfied, and shared a wicked little smile with his father. Boomer and Starbuck were not so satisfied. Both were ranting with each other, trying to get Apollo involved in their complaints. But Apollo wasn't joining in. Obviously he knew more about the workings of the prison barge than either Starbuck or Boomer. Aliana, well, she looked as sad and dissatisfied as I felt. What we had gone through had not been fun. It didn't deserve a minor sentence. What Shyra had gone through was very serious. If only the Overseers could see what Aliana and I saw. Justice had not been served today. Then I saw Aliana's eyes go wide with fear. I followed her gaze down to Sire Uri and saw him pointing to her. He was saying something, but I couldn't hear what he said. He then noticed my gaze upon him and he turned his finger towards me. I couldn't hear him, but I coud make out on his lips a sneer and the words, "I will get you!" as he repeatedly jab his finger in my direction and Aliana's. I hastily looked away to see if anyone else saw what I had just seen. Boomer and Starbuck were oblivious, lost in their own heated debate. But Apollo had seen. He was on his feet, pointing down to Uri. The Commander may not have seen Uri's actions, but he definitely saw Apollo rise to his feet in anger. "It is time to go." Commander Adama quietly said, rising to head over and collect the rest of our group. For a gray haired old man, he moves fast! Commander Adama was beside Apollo before I could even get out of my seat. He motioned for Apollo to lower his finger, to gain some control. Apollo turned some of that anger towards his father, who took it in stride as he ushered the rest to get up and leave the chamber. I was the last to join them, and couldn't help myself, I took a look back to see Uri struggling with the security guards who had come to escort him to the prison barge. In his struggles he looked to me and my friends as we tried to make our exit. "I WILL GET YOU FOR THIS!!" He shouted for all to hear. I shuddered and turned away from his disgraceful display.