Mind Walk "My apologies for not coming to the bridge in person, Adama," Dr. Salik said over the com-tell. "I have an injured man coming in shortly and I may need to prepare for surgery." Adama's brows furrowed. "I don't recall getting a report of an accident in the Fleet." "This was no accident," Salik informed him. "He was found nearly beaten to death on one of the salvage ships." "Does anyone know what happened?" "Not from what I understand, but that's not surprising considering the type of people who frequent the salvage ships. You practically need a laser pistol with you just to roam the corridors." "What's the name of the injured man?" Adama asked. Salik looked off screen at his notes. "I'm not sure I have that yet. Ah, here it is. The man is a scavenger named Croft." Adama's brows shot up. Croft contacts the Galactica then turns up severely beaten? An unlikely coincidence. He looked over at Colonel Tigh. "Call Captain Apollo to the bridge immediately." "I'm still trying to reach him Commander," Tigh returned. "I sent Lieutenant Starbuck to look for him when he didn't answer his hails." Adama sighed then turned back to the monitor. "What are his chances?" he asked the doctor. "I won't know until I get him in here," Salik responded. "From what I understand, there were several blows to the head, but I won't be able to assess the extent of the damage until I run some scans." "Please inform me the micron you do," he ordered. Salik gave a subtle nod. "There are a couple of things that I think you will be interested in hearing, Commander." "Such as?" Adama prompted. "I told our expectant mothers about what has happened to Delos. I didn't give them any specifics on the case, but several of them were concerned enough to come off of their agro pod diet." "And?" Salik shook his head. "The women are in the Life Station now. It just what I feared Adama. All of the fetuses went into distress only a short time after losing that sustenance. They're not going to be able to survive without that food." "How are you treating them?" Adama asked with concern. "Will the children survive?" "I simply put them back on the agro diet and they have already showed signs of improvement. The fetal heart rate is back up and the mother's heart rate is back down. It's staggering how quickly they have responded in both instances. That agro pod food is becoming essential to our survival. I can't even imagine the mortality rate in the Fleet if that agro ship should get destroyed." "Let's pray that never happens," he said softly. "That brings me to the other thing I need to talk to you about," Salik continued. "I think I've finally uncovered the reason why certain people in the Fleet were unaffected by the agro diet. It was the people who appeared healthy, but showed no response to the food that gave me the answer. All of them, at some point in their lives, had some sort of injury or infection to their nervous system. The reason that the people with brain or spinal injuries weren't affected was because their electrical impulses had been altered by the injury. It's the neuro-pathways of the brain which have brought about this remarkable change. The people with any sort of cerebral damage simply aren't receiving the full affect from the altered food." "I'm not sure I understand," Adama admitted. Salik sighed as he tried to think of another way to explain. "As humans, we only use a small percentage of our brain. Part is devoted to our automated systems like breathing or digesting. Other parts are for thinking and reasoning, muscle control, regeneration, etcetera. It sounds like a lot, but we are only using a fraction of our brain's potential. Apparently, the agro food is stimulating sections of our brains that were previously all but dormant. Since everyone's physiology is different, we are seeing a variety of talents appearing. Some will grow more intelligent, some stronger, some both. The possibilities could be limitless." "That's incredible," Adama returned. "Is there any way of documenting these changes?" Salik nodded. "Now that I know what I'm looking for, I should be able to keep a general account. I'm afraid that we simply don't have the equipment to monitor brain activity on a molecular level." He considered that for a micron. "Send what information you can to Dr. Wilker. Perhaps the two of you can come up with more specialized equipment." "Yes," Salik said softly as he pondered the idea. "We can use the cranial probe as a starting point," he mumbled. "Or perhaps the finite laser extractor." "Commander," Tigh interrupted. "The shuttle has just landed with the patient for Dr. Salik." "Thank you Colonel. Dr. Salik, I've just been informed that Croft has landed on the Galactica. He should be in the Life Station any centon." "Thank you Commander. Salik out." "Commander," Apollo called as he walked onto the bridge with Starbuck close behind. "Request permission to go to one of the salvage ships. I have reason to suspect that Croft may be in some sort of danger." "I'm afraid your suspicions are correct," Adama returned and received confused looks from the warriors. "Croft has just landed on the Galactica and is on his way to the Life Station." "The Life Station?" Apollo repeated. "What happened?" Adama folded his hands behind his back. "He was found nearly beaten to death." Apollo and Starbuck exchanged a shocked look. "He found out who owns the salvage barge," Apollo said confidently. "And someone's trying to keep him from telling us," Starbuck concluded. ~~~ "If we are supposedly on the same path as the 13th Tribe, why haven't we found any evidence from Earth itself?" Sire Anton asked as the debate raged in the Council chambers. "Exactly," Sire Uri supported. "If we are to assume that Earth has a culture as advanced as ours, you would think that we would have seen some evidence of that by now." "We have come across several planets with signs from the 13th Tribe," Siress Tinia argued. "We've seen pyramids and found writings." Sire Rybeck snorted rudely. "Of course the 13th tribe would be the only ones who would think to build pyramids." "We have to consider the Fleet," Sire Geller insisted. "The ships are falling apart. Just look at what happened on the Rising Star. That could happen to any one of our ships at any time. None of us were prepared for this kind of journey." "And yet we continue on this trek through the stars in search of a planet that may not even exist," Sire Rybeck added distastefully. "Then again, maybe the planet does exist, but the civilization is so behind technologically that they will be unable to help us. Or maybe the 13th Tribe perished along the journey." "The possibilities of finding a lesser culture than our own are endless and what are the chances that Earth will be our salvation?" Sire Geller added as he shook his head. "I, for one, am not willing to take that risk any longer." "What other choice do we have?" Siress Cybele asked. "We already know that the Cylon presence in this system wiped out any human civilization that might have existed here so colonization is out of the question." "But there are other planets," Sire Anton interjected. "Other systems. We would merely have to find one that could support us. Somewhere out of reach of the Empire." "The people have become restless," Siress Semele said softly. "Hearing about finding small trinkets from an ancient race simply aren't enough to satisfy them any longer." "And why should it be?" Sire Rybeck asked. "We were promised a chance at a new life, but no one suspected that life would be contained in a metal box." He glanced around at the gray walls. "What I wouldn't give for a little sunshine on occasion." "There is one thing that I think the Council should know," Sire Uri said. He lightly tapped his finger on the large oval table where they sat as he waited for everyone's attention. "I have just discovered that Commander Adama has been investigating some sort of conspiracy in the Fleet." Sire Anton frowned. "Why wasn't the Council notified of an investigation?" "That's a good question," Sire Uri returned as he glanced around at his fellow Council members. "When the three ships were discovered missing, one of the bridge officers was questioned about a conspiracy and yet Adama has told us nothing of his theories. That's when it was brought to my attention. I can only conclude from a number of questionable incidents that the Commander has taken matters into his own hands. He apparently feels that he no longer needs Council approval for his actions." "I'm sure the Commander simply hasn't had the opportunity to report to the Council," Siress Tinia defended him. "With everything that has been happening with the food stores." "Ah yes, the agro food," Sire Uri interrupted. He leaned in over the table as he looked at Tinia. "Would it surprise you to know that there is a man in the Fleet dying from that food?" A shocked buzz filled the room as Council members commented to the people beside them. "Adama knows about it and has for some time." "Surely you're not suggesting that Adama would keep important information such as this from the Council," Siress Tinia said. "His time is." "Time?" Uri chuckled. "Apparently he had time to send for the man and meet with him this very morning in his private chambers," he revealed. "My friends, I'm afraid that there is a conspiracy aboard the Galactica and it is Adama who's leading it." The Council chambers erupted in shocked conversation. "That's a serious accusation Sire Uri," Siress Semele challenged him. "I hope that you have proof." "I will have all the proof you need soon," Uri promised. "I have the statement from the Ensign that Adama questioned and I'm waiting to get a copy of the report on Delos, the man dying from the agro pod food." He shook his head in disbelief. "I was as shocked as you when I discovered that Adama is distorting the facts to cover his own activities." "How can you be so certain that he has deceived us?" Semele asked. "Did he not sit here in these chambers and deny the fact that his own daughter was a healer?" That started the conversation around the room once more. "I don't know about you, my friends, but I found that rather suspicious. And what of those missing ships? How could they have gone unnoticed for so long? What's more, I have discovered that the Commander was fully aware of the activities aboard the Borella freighter before the Nomen overran the bridge." "Just what are you suggesting?" Siress Tinia demanded. "I'm not suggesting anything, my lady," he returned as he leaned back in his chair. "I am simply stating the facts. Adama has lost control of the Fleet and he's accusing people like that ensign of falsifying reports to cover any trace of his negligence." The conversation raged as Council members argued Adama's guilt or innocence. Sire Anton finally had to quite the room by striking a marble orb against the table several times. "Perhaps the stress of this long voyage has simply become too much for our Commander," he said judiciously. "He has borne much of the bourdon himself even though it is the Council's responsibility to govern the general population," Sire Uri relented only slightly. "The one ray of hope that we have had through this endless nightmare was from those celestial ships." Sire Rybeck stated angrily. "And our only connection to them was through Count Iblis," Uri added. He gave that a few microns to settle in. He had already thrown the Council one curve after another, but he was ready to make his stand. "I have a petition here," he said as he stood and held up a stack of papers clipped together. "Nearly ten thousand signatures have already been collected and more continue to come in. All are people who believe that our future lies not with Earth, but with the celestial ships." He tossed the papers onto the table then grasped the edges of his robe at his chest as he offered a bold suggestion. "I propose that we go in search of Count Iblis and ask for his help." ~~~ Errors-To: bsg-fanfic-bounces- airys=mirarialpacafarm.com@lists.eyrie.org X-UIDL: YQ2!!DN_!!08f!!*3G"! Athena kept her eyes closed as she sat on the pallet facing Gaea while they talked softly about the mysteries of the mind. "How will I know when I find the source?" Athena asked. Gaea studied Athena's face as she guided her through a cleansing ritual. "You need to learn the aura of your own body," she replied in a melodic voice. The soothing tone enhanced the trace-like state Athena was trying to maintain. "Each part of you has its own life force that resonates with its own song. Your blood, your skin, your eyes. As you learn to hear each song, you will know where the foreign energy lies." When she saw Athena's brows draw together, she became more specific. "Look for the dark spot," she said simply. Athena's eyes popped open and she laughed. "I think that's the first time you have ever given me a straight answer," she teased. Gaea shook her head and smiled. "Don't count on it happening again anytime soon." She could see that Athena was tiring so she cleared her throat to return her voice to normal. "We'll take a break for now." She reached out and patted Athena's arm. "You're doing well. Searching out the impurities in your own body will be much easier than caging the dreams you suffer from." Athena nodded. She had a new understanding for the conflict that tormented Brie. She could only hope that Brie had found some sort of relief. "It just amazes me how real it all feels." "What is real?" Gaea asked. "Something that you can see?" She projected a large, flawless gem into her hand and held it out for Athena's inspection. "But what of the air?" Gaea blew across her hand and the gem dissipated in glittering particles before vanishing entirely. "Is it any less real because we can't see it?" She tilted her head to one side. "Can dreams be real?" Gaea smiled once more. "As real as this world. That is what I find most sad about people who haven't studied the Ancients. They are missing out on half of their lives." "You live in your dreams?" she asked skeptically. "It's one of the ancient practices. Mastering the art of dreamscape takes yahrens. Random thoughts and emotions can interfere with the alternate reality." "So once I learn how to control my emotions, I'll be able to control my dreams?" Gaea shook her head. "That is merely the first step. There are many levels of dreamscaping with nearly as many dangers." "Has anyone ever gotten lost in a.a dreamscape?" Gaea was impressed with Athena's intuitiveness. She always seemed to find the heart of any discussion they had. "That's one of the alluring aspects, to get lost. Some become so enticed by the dream that they die without ever waking." Athena's mouth dropped open. She wasn't sure if she was abhorred or intrigued at the thought. "Are there any people in the Fleet who.dreamscape?" She wasn't sure what to call many of the things that Gaea was teaching her. Everything seemed so ethereal. She nodded slowly. "There are still travelers left," she said carefully. She could sense the curiosity building in Athena. She was growing hungry for the knowledge of the Ancients. "Are there still any people with us who practice the ways of the Ancients?" Gaea smiled broadly. That had been the question she had been waiting for. "There are a few of us left. Perhaps it is time that you meet them." ~~~ "Commander!" Boomer called as he raced down the corridor to catch up to Adama, Apollo and Starbuck. "Do you have a micron?" "We were just on our way to the Life Station," Adama informed him. "Croft is due out of surgery any centon." "This won't take long," Boomer promised as he held up a computape. "You're definitely going to want to hear this." He caught sight of one of the cleaning crew pulling his equipment out of one of the storage rooms. "Hey, excuse me." Apollo and Adama exchanged confused glance as Boomer hurried off to talk with the other man. "No idea," Apollo told his father concerning Boomer's peculiar behavior. "Down here," Boomer told them as he waved for them to follow. "Yeah, you can get it later," Boomer told the man as he tried to push the cart out of the way. "I'll only be a micron," the man argued, trying to keep Boomer from moving his equipment while he ushered the Commander, Apollo and Starbuck into the cramped quarters of the storage room. "I just need the." His words were cut off as the door to the compartment closed. He scratched at his head and wondered why the Galactica's commander would visit cleaning storage. "I sure hope it's not a spot inspection," he mumbled and wandered off. "Great place you got here Boomer," Starbuck said sarcastically then jumped slightly when he came face to fur with a cleaning wand. "I assume this is important Lieutenant," Adama said with barely constrained agitation. He wasn't use to being pushed into a storage room. "I've got a partial copy of the disk we found on the salvage barge," Boomer informed him then hit play. "Sheba is working on a complete download right now." Adama's brow furrowed as the first short stream of words filled the tight quarters. "That almost sounds like the language of the Ancients," he said in awe as he rubbed at the medallion at his throat. Another short stream of words followed then another and another. "I can't understand a word of it," Starbuck commented. "I think that they are repeating the same sentence in a variety of languages," Boomer explained as they continued to listen to the strange tongues. "I haven't had the chance to put it to the Languatron yet. As soon as I heard what was on it, I made this copy and came looking for you." "Why the rush?" Starbuck asked. "It just sounds like a bunch of gibberish to me." Boomer held up a finger. "Wait for it," he insisted. The four of them listened intently to the brief sentences until one finally emerged they could all understand. It was the voice of a young child. "Hello from the children of planet Earth." ~~~ Dr. Salik shook his head as he stripped off his surgical headgear. "It doesn't look good," he told Adama. "I've repaired what I could, but Croft took some severe blows." "What are his chances of survival?" Apollo asked breathlessly. Croft was the one person who could reveal the Council member behind the destruction of an actual artifact from Earth. Salik sighed heavily. "To be honest, I'll be surprised if he survives the night." As the doctor walked away to tend to his patients, Apollo turned to his father. "Do you think Athena could help him?" Adama shook his head. "No. I won't voluntarily risk her life like that. You saw what happened to her after she helped you and Cadet Brie. The affects she could suffer from someone near death could be fatal." He felt his heart turn over in his chest. The last thing that he wanted was to risk his sister's life. "You know that I would trade my own life to protect Athena, but what Croft knows may be the only way we have to stop the Council. They're meeting right now to discuss the future of the Fleet. A conspirator with his own agenda manipulating the Council may very well lead to our destruction. You know as well as I do that someone is pushing the Council to go back to find those ships of light. That would be our death warrant. We've got to find out who that is and stop this movement before it gets out of control." As the silence stretched out, Apollo moved closer to Adama. "Father, Athena may be our only hope. At least talk with Gaea. Ask her if Athena can do it." He couldn't believe those words had come out of his mouth, but his father seemed to put such trust in the mysterious woman. "Very well." ~~~ "This is incredible!" Delos said excitedly as Brie accelerated passed the ships in the Fleet. Delos let out a whooping sound that made Brie laugh. "Do you feel like some acrobatics?" Brie asked, encouraged by his enthusiasm. "Give it all to me baby!" he ordered. She laughed again and took the Viper into a series of turns, dives and flips. She had forgotten how much fun it was to be in the cockpit. "There are no other ships in the Fleet that can hold a candle to the rush received in a Viper." "Oh yeah!" Delos returned then started to laugh. "I'm speechless. Absolutely speechless. It's exactly like I imagined it to be." "Really?" She shook her head as she gazed out at the stars. "It's nothing like I expected it to be." She took the Viper in a slow arch to pass near a small gaseous cloud of asteroids that were lit up in brilliant colors. "Stunning," Delos said appreciatively as he held his hand over his pounding heart. "I can tell you what makes up that gaseous cloud and why it reflects the light the way it does." He shook his head as he stared in wonder. "But how do you describe color to a blind man?" Brie thought about his statement for a long moment as she turned away from the anomaly and headed back to the Galactica. Delos had a way of saying things that made her think which only piqued her curiosity about him. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?" "I'm full of answers," he joked in return as he dabbed away the sweat from his face through the small opening of his helmet. "It's not exactly a normal practice for the Commander to have people taken out of pleasure cruises in a Viper. What's the special occasion?" Delos smiled wistfully. My death was the first thing that popped into his mind, but he didn't want to say anything that would spoil the joyous time they were having together. "The Commander and I share a mutual respect," he answered elusively then realized that wouldn't be enough for Brie's curious nature. "I told him that I had always wanted to see what it was like in a Viper and he granted the request." Brie chewed at her lip as she debated about pressing him further, but he was being more elusive than usual so she had a feeling that she would never get a satisfactory answer. Instead, she moved onto another subject that teased her. "I was told that you asked for me to fly you," she revealed. He chuckled lightly. He had wondered if she would ever get around to asking. "To be honest, I heard about what happened with you and the Commander's daughter." He saw her shift in her seat. "I was curious to know what it felt like to be touched by a healer." Brie's brows drew together. No one had asked her that question before. "I'm not sure what you mean." Questions raced through his mind, but he pushed aside the technical ones. His conversation with Brie had thus far been a light-hearted one and he wanted to keep it that way. "Did you know what was happening to you at the time?" he asked simply. She shook her head. "I had no idea. Athena and I were simply talking. I wasn't even really aware of her touching my shoulders. She was just trying to comfort me. The only thing I felt.was better." "Do you mind if I ask what you were talking about?" She glanced down at the stick in her hand as she adjusted their course. "I wasn't sure if I wanted to fly again," she said softly. He wished that he could see her face. "And now?" ===== Errors-To: bsg-fanfic-bounces- airys=mirarialpacafarm.com@lists.eyrie.org X-UIDL: <:1"!6m~"!AiW!!RM#"! "You sure this is going to work?" Boomer whispered as he watched Dr. Salik running scans on Croft while Cassiopia hovered over the monitor next to his bed to check the readings. "It's got to work," Apollo returned. "What is up with this room?" Starbuck asked. The lights had been turned off and a number of candles had been lit. All furnishings had been removed aside from the bed where Croft lay and a stool at the head of the bed. "It looks almost ritualistic." "It is," Apollo returned. "Gaea gave specific instructions as to how the room was to be arranged." "I can't believe she's letting Athena go through with this after the way she reacted to Athena touching Brie," Boomer commented. Apollo sighed. "I have to believe that Gaea wouldn't allow Athena to attempt this if she wasn't sure she could survive." Starbuck looked at him curiously. "Since when are you a fan of Gaea's?" "I'm not," he said succinctly. "But Adama trusts her and Gaea told me herself that she was sworn to protect Athena." All three of them straightened when Adama walked into the room and headed in their direction. "They're ready to begin," he said quietly as he joined them and turned to watch the proceedings. "No matter what happens, we must remain silent." Apollo shot his father a look. "What's that suppose to mean?" Adama held a finger up to his lips as Gaea and Athena walked into the room. Dr. Salik and Cassiopia slipped out of the way and stood over the monitors registering Croft's vital signs. All eyes were on Athena as she took her position at the head of Croft's bed. She was radiant in an azure colored tunic that shimmered in the candle light. "Remember," Gaea whispered in her melodic voice as she stood directly behind Athena. "Do everything that I say no matter how absurd it may be." Athena nodded once then made herself comfortable on the stool as she stared down at Croft's still features. "Place your hands against his head," Gaea instructed. Athena unconsciously rubbed her hands together than lightly brushed them across Croft's forehead and cheek before bringing them to rest on either side of his head. When Athena gasped in surprise, Gaea put both of her hands on Athena's shoulders. "Wait for me," Gaea ordered. Athena stared incredulously at the world around her. Images were darting by as the earth beneath her feet rolled from desert to lush plains to endless seas. The darkness that surrounded her was oppressive, but it did little to conceal the random images darting to and fro. A child running. A violent brawl. A designer detailed hover craft. A group of miners working. A wedding. Everything flew by her in exacting three dimensional details. She barely had time to register what she was seeing before it was gone. Her eyes grew when she saw a Cylon raider heading directly for her. "No!" she yelled as she ducked and threw her arm over her eyes. "It's all right now," Gaea said softly. She reached out and touched Athena lightly on her shoulder. Athena glanced around quickly. The random images had disappeared and all that was left was charred fields surrounding them. The earth had ceased its movement, but the weighty darkness remained. It was then that Athena realized she was not alone and she looked at the elfish woman beside her curiously. "Gaea?" she said with a note of surprise. Her hair was long and straight and she had an impish nose beneath wide, curious eyes. "Is this what you look like?" Gaea reached up to touch the smooth skin of her face. "It's what I remember looking like," she returned. She smiled warmly at her new friend then her brow furrowed as she took in the scene around them once more. "Where are we?" Gaea looked around as well. "In a memory." "It looks like a battlefield of some kind. What happened to all of the images that I was seeing?" "I pushed them aside so that we could find the source of this man's injuries." "His name is Croft," Athena informed her. Gaea smiled. "That's why you will be a great healer one day," she complimented her. "You care enough to know the person." She lightly rubbed her hands over her arms. "So where do we start?" The ever present darkness was making her feel cold and she was ready to escape it. "Close your eyes and look for the pain," she instructed. "Search with your soul. Not your sight. Open yourself to the desire to help and let the vision carry us." In an instant, the world around them changed and they were no longer alone. "What do you want?" an old man yelled and Athena's eyes snapped open. "What are you doing here?" he demanded. Athena wasn't sure what to say as she stared into the hateful eyes of the scraggly old man. His presence was chilling and his anger was a palpable entity. "Who are you?" "Get out! Get out!" he screamed. "You've got no business here!" "Silence him Athena," Gaea said softly as the stranger continued to rant. Athena gasped as the man suddenly pressed his nose against hers. "This is my place and you're not welcome here. Get out! I've staked my claim. It's mine I tell you!" "Silence!" Athena's voice reverberated around them and then there was nothing but the sound of wind rushing by. Athena looked at the old man with great interest. He continued to rant, but no sound came from him. "Who is he?" Gaea shrugged. "Someone from Croft's past. Who he is, is unimportant, but look at what he is doing." At Gaea's words, the man went back to his work on a drilling rig. Athena watched him for several microns hammering away at a stubborn valve. "So Croft was a driller?" she asked. Gaea shook her head. "Very little in the universe of the mind is as it seems. As humans, we tend to put familiar things in place of things we don't understand." She watched the man for a long moment. "This is one of the wounds that Croft is suffering from." "That man?" she asked in confusion. "Think past what you know and accept," she instructed. "That man is simply the manifestation of Croft's pain." Athena was finally beginning to understand. "What do I need to do to get rid of him?" A gilded box appeared in Gaea's hands. "Simply place him inside." Athena looked at the box then back at the man. "Nothing is as it seems," she whispered. She walked over to the man and stood behind him. He completely ignored her presence and Athena looked back to Gaea. Athena watched her open up the lid of the box and a white light glowed from inside. Turning her attention back to the old man, Athena reached out and grasped his collar with two fingers. With a simple flick of her wrist, the man became like that of an article of clothing being snapped free of wrinkles before folding. The image of the man quickly dissipated and Athena was left holding a rancid black mass that threatened to ooze out of her grasp. Gaea smiled at the humorous way Athena had chosen to capture her first entity and moved close so that she could deposit the mass into the box. "There will be others," Gaea informed her. "We must keep searching until we find them all." "Will they all look like that?" she asked. "Possibly. That man seems to have been a strong influence in Croft's past. I wouldn't be surprised to see more like him." Athena closed her eyes and they were whisked away to another abrasive old man identical to the first. She quickly dispatched him and they warped off to another scene. Three men were pummeling a forth crumpled on the translucent ground. "Could these be the men that attacked Croft?" she asked. Gaea's knowledgeable eyes took in the scene. "I don't think so," she said with uncertainty. "Look at the person that they are beating." She did as instructed and saw that the person on the ground was a boy in his teen yahrens. Her brow furrowed when she saw the bloody cut across his left cheek. "That's how Croft got his scar," she whispered then looked back at Gaea. "But is this a memory or a pain?" "Both," Gaea returned. "This is one of the dangers of being a healer. By taking this pain, you will be saving Croft's life, but you will be forced to carry the knowledge of this particularly traumatic event from his past." Athena felt her heart ache as she looked at the boy on the ground. Without a second thought, she scooped up the attacking men with one hand and dropped the black ooze they became unceremoniously into the small box. She watched the boy as he slowly uncovered his face and look around fearfully for his assailants. Athena walked over to him and reached out to help him up. She smiled reassuringly as she manifested a damp cloth to wipe away the blood from the boy's face. When she was finished, the cut was gone. Gaea's breathing accelerated as she watched Athena work. The compassion that Athena showed for the memory of the boy touched her deeply. She could sense the changes already taking place in Croft's psyche. The tenderness with which she treated him was filling his being. "Thank you," the boy whispered than he began to dissipate. Gaea became very aware of their surroundings and her eyes darted as everything began to melt away. "No, no. Something's wrong." Athena watched the ground beneath them begin to dissolve. "What's going on?" "It's Croft! He's slipping away! You have to find him Athena. Find him now!" In an instant, they were transported to an emerald lake and Croft drifted aimlessly in the middle of it, a peaceful smile on his face. Gaea and Athena stared down at him as they stood on the surface of the water. "Drown him!" Gaea ordered. "What?" Athena gasped in shock. "Drown him now!" Athena didn't stop to think. She had promised to follow Gaea's instructions no matter how absurd. She allowed herself to fall and she landed squarely on Croft's drifting form. She wrapped her arms around his waist and dragged them both down into the depths of the lake. At first he didn't react, but then, as the microns ticked by, he started to struggle. When he realized that she wasn't letting go, he began to fight. Croft's eyes snapped open and he took in a gasping breath as he returned to consciousness. Athena let out a strangled scream then collapsed back into Gaea's arms when Croft suddenly pulled away from her. "You're okay," Gaea told Athena hurriedly. She knew that Athena would be disoriented and frightened. "Athena!" Adama called out as he rushed to his daughter's side, but Gaea blocked him. "Don't touch her," she ordered then her eyes locked with the Commander's. "She's okay, but she will pick up your distress." "What happened?" Athena asked softly. "We were forced out when Croft regained consciousness," Gaea explained. "You did it Athena. You did it." She listlessly shook her head. "Why?" Gaea closed her eyes when she was assaulted with the wave of confusion in the room. They didn't know that Gaea had ordered Athena to drown Croft and misunderstood her simple question. "Because he was dying," she explained as she tried to ignore the chaos of emotions stewing around her. "You had taken away his pain. He was reveling in the sensation as his body succumbed to his complacency. You had to make him fight. You had to make him want to survive." With that, Athena fell unconscious. ~~~ "Let me get out first and than I can help you," Brie instructed. She slipped her helmet off and put it on the nose of the Viper then stepped out. When she turned back around to help Delos, she froze. He clutched a hand to his chest and was completely drenched with sweat. "Oh my..Are you okay?" she asked as she reached in to remove his helmet. She nearly gasped when she saw how red his face was. "I'll call the Life Station." Delos quickly grabbed her wrist before she could move. He smiled weakly as he shook his head. "There's nothing they can do," he whispered then gulped in a breath. "Oh please!" she begged as she tried to remove his hand from her wrist. She couldn't believe how strong his grip was when he was so obviously in distress. "You've got to let me get you some help!" He shook his head again then swallowed hard. He leaned back against the seat and worked up a genuine smile for her. "Thank you Brie," he whispered. "Tell Adama that you." he gasped in air "gave me the ride of my life." "No, Delos!" She struggled even harder to free her arm. "Brie," he said her name once more and then waited until she was looking at him. He used the last of his strength to lean a little closer to her. "Fly."