Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 15:26:15 -0500 (EST) From: No One Important BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION The surviving MAIN characters are IMMORTAL!!! They cannot be killed, but they CAN be temporarily disabled/comatose, if you get my meaning. Crossovers are permitted, but BE CAREFUL!!! Remember that the Galactica cannot ever find Earth so that we can keep adding stories. Also, this takes place 17 yahrens after the original BG series, and of course, ignoring BG80. I can be e-mailed at: jchin01@kepler.poly.edu Well, Here we go... #6 There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION LOWER DECKS Written by Joe Chin Based on Battlestar Galactica Created by Glen A. Larson Apollo's Journal I kind of look forward to this particular time of the yahren. In a centar, I will be giving my speech to a roomful of graduating cadets congratulating them on a job well done as cadets, and finally, distributing out their Ensign rank pins to each graduate one by one as they come up to accept them. I'm sure that they will make a fine addition to our crew and pilots, as battlestar personnel, viper pilots, etc. We can use all the help we can get... on the bridge, in engineering, security, life center, and of course, in our viper squadrons. I remember my own graduation from the academy, starting off on the Galactica as an ensign... On the very same battlestar with my own father, then a colonel, and grandfather, the commander, and Tigh, captain of Blue Squadron. Soon after my grandfather died, and my father became the commander, with Tigh as his colonel. A few yahren later, Athena was added to the crew of the Galactica, and then later on, Zac. Then it was the phony peace offering by the Cylons, which led to the destruction of our homes, and the deaths of my mother and Zac. Toria was in her quarters, looking herself over and over again in her Colonial Warrior's uniform. She picked up her Ensign's pins, and put them back down again. The room that she was in echoed with the signal indicating that someone was outside the door waiting for her to answer. "Come on in," yelled Toria. Boxey walked in. "Hello, Toria. Ready for the graduating ceremonies?" "Yes, but... should I wear my rank pins for this? What did other recruited officers who were not yet graduated do? I mean... you are called up, and Commander Apollo gives us the rank pins. Well, in your case, it was Commander Tigh." "Well, we can ask Sheba. Be right back." With that, Boxey walked out. Boxey was talking with Apollo and Sheba, with Troy and Hera playing around on the other side of the quarters with Muffit. Boxey asked, "So, what should Toria do? Wear her Ensign's pins or what?" Sheba said, "I cannot say. I would leave that up to Toria. She IS a full-fledged Colonial warrior now. She just obtained her rank before graduation." Apollo stood there in thought. "You know, this is the first time that a cadet ended up making it to Ensign as a permanent rank before graduating?" Sheba said, "Well, Boxey was Ensign before graduation, and HE did not wear Ensign's pins for the preliminaries of the graduation ceremony." Apollo said, "That was only because we needed him on a job. Right after, he handed in his pins and finished up. But with Toria, she has been on active duty as an Ensign while she finished up the last of the training. Never in history of the Colonies has there been a cadet put on active duty until Boxey. But that was because cadets' training and exercises were in the middle of nowhere of space. It was always in simulations and in classrooms." Both, Sheba and Apollo pondered in thought. Then Apollo said, "Why don't you ask Aunt Athena... She always has an answer. Perhaps we can stump HER for once." Apollo and Boxey laughed. Sheba gave them both a funny look. The three were about to walk out to find Toria awaiting. The graduates stood proudly as Apollo gave a speech. "Remember that all of humanity depends on US! All of the Twelve colonies of man depends on us..." Diana asked Toria, "Why are you wearing your Ensign's pins, Toria?" "Well, I am already a full-fledged officer, Diana. You know how strict Captain Sheba is about uniforms. So, I asked her, and she and Commander Apollo decided that I should wear them. After all, as a full-fledged officer, I would be out of uniform if I did not wear them." Diana just looked at her blankly. Boomer was on the bridge at the command post. All throughout the intra-ships P.A. systems was the entire ceremony. Boomer stepped off the command deck and approached Athena, saying, "Gosh, we should ALL be there to congratulate the graduates." Athena whispered back to him, "Well, what happens if a Cylon attack occurs? Without anyone watching for them?" Lieutenant Cree, who overheard Boomer, said, "Well, Captain, we cannot have ALL the senior officers at the ceremony... The Galactica still needs people to operate her." Boomer looked at Cree, and smiled. "Spoken like a true Colonial warrior, Cree." Dietra, Brie, Omega, and Rigel all laughed. Then all attentions turned to the P.A. system. *Now, I'm going to hand the stage to Captain Sheba, who will call out names of our fine young graduating cadets.* Apollo removed the headset, and gave it to Sheba, who was stepping up to the podium. "Just so everyone knows; I am not reading these names in any particular order. So, just because your name was called out before someone else's does not mean any kind of superiority. Also, traditionally, we read these names and include the names of parents. Using myself for an example, I would have been referred to as 'Sheba, Daughter of Cain.' However, because many of us have no clue who your parents were from when our Twelve Homeworlds were destroyed by the Cylons, it's not going to work. "Well, without further ado..." Boxey was sitting next to Starbuck out in the audience, constantly nudging Starbuck, who kept on nodding off. Three more cadets were called. ADAM... There was a round of applause as a guy went up to the front of the lounge to accept his ensign's pins from Apollo. Apollo gave him a box with his left hand, and Adam accepted it with his left hand, and they shook hands. Apollo said something to him, and he responded. CHARLES... Another round of applause as a guy went up there, but walked faster, and the same happened as with Adam. STACEY... Once again, Starbuck fell asleep. This one particular nudge, however, was different. It just so happened that the name that was called was, "Buck." Starbuck's eyes popped opened, and he murmured, "Huh? Was I called?" Boxey went into a fit of laughter as the applause died down. The young cadet named Buck went up, and Apollo gave him a box. Then they shook hands as Apollo said something to him. Then Buck went back to his seat. The next name was Diana, and then a young guy named Saul, and then Peabody. After a few more names, was the name, Tannia. Boxey asked Starbuck, "Isn't she the daughter of the man who stole your viper when you were trying out CORA?" "Yes, Boxey," he said. Starbuck thought back to that incident seventeen yahrens ago, and explained to Boxey what happened during the seventeen years from when he first met Robber to where he made himself useful for the fleet. {After using his viper's capabilities to save her father; later on, he found out that he was a bootlegger called Robber; the man knocked Starbuck out by hitting him a bottle of ambrosia on the head, and stole his viper and left him with an old unarmed shuttlecraft filled with what he thought was agricultural equipment for a place called Croaden. When Starbuck took his craft, he was captured by enforcers, and imprisoned on a prison asteriod, forgotten by the Twelve colonies. Starbuck was forgiving when he found out that this man, Robber, was just trying to make a better life for his family. He, Apollo, and Boomer brought this man, his wife, and daughter, Tannia, back to the fleet. In all these seventeen yahrens, he has been a shuttle pilot, transporting people to and from the Rising Star, from one ship to another, and a variety of ship parts from the Celestra to the Galactica, and vice versa. All that interested him was his family, and a future for his wife and daughter. A few yahrens later, when his wife died, he tried to join the Galactica's warriors, but he was considered 'too old.' He also drew the star systems that were drawn all over the cell walls of his prison cell remembering every detail, and then later on, gave them to Commander Tigh. Other than the interactions between his passengers boarding his shuttle, he kept to himself. When Tannia was old enough, she accompanied him on the shuttle, helping him out and accommodating passengers, so she had some piloting skills. Born in prison like her father, she was not received too well in cadethood. Her only friends were Buck, Saul and Peabody, Diana, and Toria.} Back to the present, Sheba announced, "Toria." She got up and headed her way over. Apollo shook her hand, and they exchanged a few words, but no one was able to hear what they were saying to each other. On the bridge of the Galactica, Boomer said, "Yeah, one for Toria." Rigel said, "Right. She does make a fine officer." Athena said, "Does she? How do YOU two know? Other than the fact that she's dating Boxey?" Boomer said, "I worked with her on the Olympus, before the Cylons rendered her systems unstable and Starbuck sent her on that collision course with that basestar." "Yeah, that Starbuck... We can't leave him alone for more than a centon," said Athena. "Yeah, I also worked with Toria on the Olympus," said Rigel. "Boomer knows what he's talking about, and she does really know what she's doing." "Yeah, but she could not save the Olympus," said Athena. Boomer commented. "With all the Cylons pounding away at it, I don't even think that Commanders Cain and Adama working together could have done any better. Once that missile struck, that was it. The only way to stop that fire from spreading was to decompress... practically the entire battlestar, and killing everyone aboard it." "I know, Boomer," said Athena. "I saw the report, and Apollo, Sheba and I saw that frakking missile launching from that basestar. We watched... as the missile hit the Olympus... and the fires that started. We thought that it was going to blow right then and there. But, from here, I felt so helpless. And I'm sure that Apollo and Sheba both felt the same way." She looked at Boomer with an apologetic look. "Well, look on the good side, Athena," said Boomer. "I don't think that the Galactica alone would have survived that attack. It was there when we needed it. Even if we don't have two battlestars to escort the fleet as we thought we would have, we did get more fuel, and more armaments, and more vipers. It made the job so much easier. Instead of having to build the vipers from scrap metal, all that they needed were a few upgrades, and installation of C.O.R.A. units." "Sure, Boomer. That's true." Aboard the Rising Star, Boxey climbed out of his viper, and started walking. He was approached by a man who asked, "Are you here for the cadets' graduation party, Sergeant?" Boxey looked at him with a slight smile, and said, "Yes, Sir." "If you will follow me..." The two walked down the corridor. "Tell me, what is a sergeant like YOU doing at a party like this?" "Well, I know many of them. My last yahren as a cadet were their first yahren. You wanta know a secret?" "What's that?" "Many of them..." said Boxey, "had to spend an extra yahren as cadets because they flunked out their second year." "But how was that you are now a sergeant, and yet, your last yahren was their first? They must have did poorly several times... Unless... they went into the medical field. Even if you were just promoted to sergeant." "Well, one of my friends, Diana, started at the same time, and yes, she did actually go into the medical field. I've only made sergeant only a short while ago. I had made sergeant after almost four yahrens after my graduation." "Ah..." said the attendant. "You must be Boxey, Son of Apollo. No one else had ever made sergeant as fast as you had." Boxey looked at the attendant, somewhat surprised. "Yes, Sir." "You're not the first one well-known Colonial warrior, Sergeant Boxey. When I first started working here, all of the Twelve Colonies knew of your father, Apollo. Pleased to meet you, Sergeant Boxey," said the man as they approached the doorway. "Ah, here we are." Boxey reached into his pocket, and gave the man six cubit pieces. "Ah," said the attendant. "That's too much, Sergeant." He tried to give back four of the pieces. "It's for you, Sir. Thank you for making my walk from my viper to the party a pleasant one." "Thank you, Sergeant." With that the attendant ran off. Boxey walked in. "Boxey!" someone called out in the high ambient noise of people talking. Boxey looked around, and saw Toria, Kritter, Saul, Peabody, and Diana waving to him, and went over to them. Saul and Toria was standing up, and Diana and Buck were seated at a round table for eight. "What's HE doing here?" asked Buck. "We invited him," said Saul. "Buck is right, Saul," said Boxey. "This is YOUR graduation." "Yeah, but the first yahren is always the hardest," said Diana. "And you helped us get through it." "All I did was ask you a few questions and made you think. I did not-" "Yeah, but it gave us the discipline to get through the first yahren," pointed out Saul. "At this table, Toria was the only one who made it through the second yahren in one yahren." Toria and Saul and Kritter sat down. Buck signaled to the empty chair, gesturing Boxey to do the same. Boxey sat down. A waiter came over with their plates. "I ordered for you, Boxey," said Toria. "Thank you." As they ate, "Oh," said Toria. "Let me introduce you to Tannia," referring to the blonde who did not say a word. "Hi, Tannia," said Boxey. "Great to meet you." "Hi, Sergeant," she responded. "You're so quiet, Tannia," observed Boxey, "Is something bothering you?" Buck said, "Before we graduated, we were at the top of the ranks, under those who taught us. It seems that we celebrate our beginning from the bottom again." Boxey said, "Every person makes a difference, Buck. No one graduates from cadethood if he is going to be a bad Colonial warrior." "Easy for you to say, Boxey," said Buck. "It only took YOU only four yahrens to make sergeant. I guess that being the son of the commander helps." "Actually, Buck..." responded Boxey, "my father was harder on me than the other graduates." "He's not exaggerating either," Kritter explained. "When Boxey does something wrong, Colonel Starbuck and Commander Apollo really lay it on him. Yeah, Boxey and I started together, and graduated together, so I know. Even during our cadethood days, Captains Sheba and Starbuck always picked on him to answer those impossible questions." "Did he get them right?" asked Saul. "A few of them, yes, but whenever he answered wrong, or did not have an answer at all, they REALLY laid the correct answer on him thick, justifying their reason for picking on Boxey so much saying that he is the Colonel's son, and Commander Adama's grandson. However, several of his answers were funny as hell, but when the Colonial warrior that was teaching us thought about it, it made sense." Toria said, "Yeah, they sometimes even lay it on him when he does something right." All eyes were on Toria. Boxey, giving Toria a funny look, asked, "What are YOU talking about?" Everyone laughed. "Remember my first time in REAL combat in a viper with Cylons?" asked Toria. "I was disabled, and you used your lasers to guide me into the landing bay." By this time, Adam, Charles, and Stacey, who were at the next table, and many others, came around to hear Toria's story. "WHAT??" said Saul, Diana, and Buck with their mouths hanging open. "Well, Boxey got this crazy idea of using minimum intensity lasers to detonate around my viper to get me back into the landing bay. Then he moved ahead of me, and used his turbos to slow me down. Then, the REAL damage was done when he slowed down his viper, with MY viper bumping into his." "Oh, yeah," said Kritter. "I brought the shuttle in after Boxey and Toria. Doctor Cassiopeia and I saw the whole incident. At first, we thought that Boxey was trying to put her out of her misery. But as we saw that her viper was completely intact after several rounds, I realized what he was doing. It was strange. The thing is, if it was not for Boxey's crazy ideas, Toria probably would not be here to talk about her first combat mission in a viper." Toria continued. "Colonel Starbuck REALLY yelled at him for that, loud enough that Commander Apollo probably could have heard him all the way on the bridge without the aid of the comm system. The front of MY viper looked like a wreck, and the propulsion nozzles on his had to be replaced." Everyone looked at Boxey, who looked around like 'little old innocent.' Then everyone broke out laughing. Even Buck could not help from joining in the laughter. "Well," said Boxey. "What Toria did not say was that when she confronted Starbuh- I mean, Colonel Starbuck about what I was doing, he calmed down after that." "Yeah," said Toria. "But Commander Apollo, Colonel Starbuck, and Captain Sheba made him clean the smut that was all over my viper from the laser burns and turbo exhaust, and then repaint it." "Toria volunteered to help me out." "Well, did they allow it?" asked Saul. "Yes," chimed Boxey and Toria simultaneously. "And they did a great job with the two vipers," said Diana. "And how do YOU know?" asked Buck sarcastically. "I went to visit them there as they were just finishing up. Those vipers looked like that they were just built." By now, everyone at the table finished eating. Boxey picked up the bottle of ambrosia, and popped the cork. It jumped up off the bottle, and then landed into one of the glasses. Boxey picked up each glass, and filled them, saving the glass with the cork in it for last. He turned the glass upside down, and the cork landed on the table, just missing his empty plate. Then he poured it. He put the bottle down, and held up his glass. "How about a toast," he announced. Someone from another table yelled, "YEAH, SERGEANT!" Everyone in the ballroom stood up, and held up their glasses, some half empty. Buck bellowed, "To the end of cadethood." Boxey bellowed, "To a new beginning, for ALL of you." Someone else in the ballroom yelled, "YEAH!! WE'RE COLONIAL WARRIORS!" The room echoed with glasses klinking. Meanwhile, on the bridge, Starbuck asked, "What is BOXEY doing at the graduation celebration?" Sheba said, "He knows most of them, and he helped many of them out when HE was a last-yahren cadet. You know, many of them ended up having to spend an extra yahren as a cadet, probably they were lost without Boxey." Apollo said, "Well, many invited him. And he is off duty, so..." Starbuck said, "Yeah, that's true. But we are off duty, too. Why are WE still here?" Boomer said, "Well, he has a point, you know. Let's go and get Doctor Cassiopeia, and the kids, and let's go eat." They all walked away. Boxey, Toria, Kritter, Saul, Diana, Peabody, Buck, and Tannia were the last ones out. Boxey pulled out two more cubits, and laid them on the table as people were scrubbing down the other tables around them. The walked out as Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck, Boomer, Cassiopeia, Troy, Hera, Dillon, and Pandora approached. "So, Boxey, breaking in these new ensigns, are you," asked Starbuck. "I just heard a fascinating story about you screaming at Boxey about him making a mess out of two vipers," said Saul. "Yeah, well, I did not realize what he was doing. It was a crazy idea, but he did save a fellow viper pilot's life with it." Starbuck looked embarrassed. "Well, he IS the commander's son, and so we have to keep him on his best behavior. I guess that we ALL have to get used to his crazy ideas of doing things." Cassiopeia looked at Diana. "You're the new med-tech, Diana, right?" "Yes, Doctor Cassiopeia," answered Diana. "I will report to you first thing tomorrow morning. And I am looking forward to it." "Yes, Diana. I'll show you everything in the medical facility. See you tomorrow." As Boxey and Toria walked by themselves in the corridors aboard the Galactica, Boxey said, "It seems that Tannia is very shy." "Well, she had a rough time as a cadet." "Was the effort that troublesome for her?" "No," explained Toria. "It was just that... she tried out as a cadet yahrens ago, but her mother was dying, and she had to tend to her. She also had another problem with the other cadets who constantly harassed her because of the background of her family." "Oh, yes. Her father is known as Robber, isn't it?" "Yes. He was born as a prisoner, and so was his wife, and Tannia." "I met him and his wife when I was a boy, when they decided to join the fleet. From what I heard, he was an astronomer." "Yes." They got to Toria's quarters, and they kissed other 'Goodnight,' and then Toria went in, and Boxey went on his way to his own quarters. The following morning, Peabody, Diana, Saul, Toria, Buck, and Tannia met in one of the corridors. The four walked together. Saul said, "Well our first REAL jobs start now." "Yeah, our first day at starting at the bottom of the ranks again," responded Buck. "Don't be so pessimistic, Buck," said Toria. "You'll get there again." "Easy for YOU to say, Toria," said Buck, "Being put on active duty before graduation. Yeah, you'll probably be the first to make sergeant, and going with Boxey will probably help." They all stopped at the life center. Saul said, "OK, let's see who makes sergeant first then, counting Toria out." Diana said, "I'm a med-tech. There are ranks, but I am only a civilian. I guess that leaves it between Saul, Peabody, Tannia, and Buck." Buck said, "All right, a secton's pay, Saul." Saul said, "You're on, Buck. But in order to get a better chance, you have to be more optimistic." He turned to Peabody, and said, "Are YOU in?" Peabody said, "Yeah. A secton's pay." Toria said, "Yeah, Buck. Saul's right." With that Diana walked into the infirmary. The other five continued walking. Saul then asked Tannia, "Are you in?" Tannia looked at Saul. Saul said, "You don't really have to... We won't hold it against you if you don't want to, you know." Peabody said, "Leave her alone, Saul. I'm sure that if she did, she would have already agreed." "You're right," responded Saul. Then they arrived at Engineering. Toria said, "Well, here is where I am assigned to today." "Yeah," said Saul. "Buck and I are assigned to bridge duty." Peabody said, "And Tannia and I assigned to patrol today... I hope that Sergeant Boxey is pleased with my skills." Cassiopeia was showing Diana the medical equipment, but it seemed to be more the other way around. "... And, this is the console to control the respirator and heart restarting mechanisms of that." She pointed up to the ceiling at the apparatus. "So, you know your way around medical equipment, Diana, but- can you perform a routine checkup on a patient? Or take a physical on a Colonial warrior?" "Well, I've had some practice, but only with supervision as a cadet." Buck and Saul were at their consoles on the bridge. Starbuck was standing over their shoulders, having them recite what each thing was. Buck was saying, "This is to charge up for faster-than-light speed. Press for thirty-five microns, or until the light goes green, and then you're ready to engage light speed. These are the buttons to press to actually engage light speed, when the commanding officer orders so." "Go on," said Starbuck. Saul and Buck looked back at him. "I mean, what is there to prevent you from going TOO far. We HAVE perfected it so that you DON'T end up millions of metrons way out there away from where you were before, that is, if you don't want that to happen." "Ah," said Saul. "Coordinates are entered-" Saul walked over to another console. "-here... With this to enter in the destination coordinates with respect to the battlestar's current location." "Very good, Ensigns," remarked Starbuck. "But- I wonder how each of you would do if... you two were NOT together?" Meanwhile, Troy, Hera, Dillon, and Pandora, walked onto the bridge with their teacher, with Muffit trailing behind them. Saul and Buck both watched them go past them, straight up to the command deck. "This is the bridge of the Galactica, Children. The bridge is where almost everything on a large space vessel is controlled. It is also where the commander also does his work." Buck said to Saul, "I don't think that the bridge of a battlestar is an appropriate place for little children." Athena heard that. She went over to them. "Listen, Buck," she said, "Four of those children happen to be the Commander's and Colonel's children." Saul said to Athena, "We're sorry, Captain Athena. But what happens if all of a sudden, Cylons decided to attack? The bridge would be a dangerous place. They would be safer in the nursery, since it IS one of the places in the center of the Galactica." "Come to my station," commanded Athena. "Both of you." They both followed her to her station. She pointed to a white square protruding out of the console. "Do you know what this is?" "I see your point," said Buck. Troy, who was behind them, said, "That is the sensor array alarm, activated if sensors pick up Cylons or Cylon activity." Saul looked down behind him to see Troy. Buck did the same, with annoyance. The teacher that brought them called out to him. "Troy, Come here." Saul said, "Maybe, he would make a good bridge officer." He and Athena laughed. She turned around, to Troy, and said, "Hi, Troy." "Hi, Aunt Athena." After, the teacher approached them. "I assume that he is no bother, Captain," said the teacher. "No, Helen," answered Athena. "No bother at all." Buck said, "Well, I'll grant him that he is one smart child." Troy said, "Aunt Athena taught me." Saul squatted down, and said, "Yes, Your Aunt Athena taught me, too." Athena said to Troy, "This is Ensign Saul, by the way." "Oh, you two must be new. Hi, Ensign Saul." Then he looked at Buck. "Hi, Ensign-" "B- Buck," said Buck. "Hi, Ensign Bubbuck." Everyone on the bridge laughed. "It's Buck," corrected Athena. "Sorry... Hi, Ensign Buck." "H- Hi, T-t-troy." He paused. "Uh, nice to uh... m-meet you." Buck felt uncomfortable around children. "Troy, do you know what this is?" asked Helen, pointing to what Athena pointed to earlier. "That's an alert monitor. If Cylons are picked up on the Galactica's 'eyes,' it lights up red." Helen looked at Athena, who nodded. "How do YOU know?" "Aunt Athena told me what it was for. It is her job to watch that square, and when it turns red, it is her job to tell all the viper pilots to get into their vipers to fight the bad Cylons." Helen knew that Athena was the communications officer, and that it would also show up on the monitor screen if Cylons were picked up on the battlestar's scanners. She also knew that if Rigel was not at her station at the time, and since the upgrades and modifications over the seventeen yahrens, she could also be flight corporal from there as well. But Troy's answer did make sense, since it was part of her job. In the viper bay, Sheba handed Peabody and Tannia a helmet for each, and put one on herself. "I am surprised that you are our wingmate, Captain," said Peabody. "I thought that it would have been some lieutenant or even Sergeant Boxey." "Are you displeased?" "No, Captain... I'm honored. It seems that your usual wingmates are either Captain Boomer or Sergeant Boxey... Or Ensign Toria, the top of our class." "Boomer, Boxey and Toria are going on patrol after us. Toria's in engineering right now, and Boomer and Boxey are repairing a viper right now." "Oh." They climbed into their vipers, and Peabody gave Sheba and Tannia a 'Thumbs up.' They both returned the gesture. Then the cockpits closed. *Recon vipers One, Two and Three ready to launch,* announced Sheba into her helmetcom. On the bridge, Rigel looked to the two new ensigns, and asked, "Would any of you two like to do the honors?" Buck and Saul ran over as Rigel got up out of the chair, and the three looked at each other. Saul nodded to Buck, and Buck sat down. Buck pressed a few buttons on the station, and said, "Recon vipers One, Two, and Three, launch control handed over to you. Launch when ready." They heard Buck's voice, instead of Rigel. Neither one of them moved. *What's going on?* asked Sheba into her helmetcom. Rigel's voice answered, *I let Ensigns Buck and Saul take the honors of flight corporal, Captain. You're clear to launch, as Ensign Buck said.* Still neither one moved. From the system, they heard Peabody's voice say, *Ladies first...* Buck looked at the ceiling in annoyance, and Rigel and Saul looked at each other and then laughed. Two vipers went into the launch tube, and then launched together, and then one more followed suit. Out in space, the three vipers flew side-by-side. *Remember,* said Sheba, *The main thing is that if we see or pick up any sign of Cylon activity, get back to the Galactica IMMEDIATELY to report it... Get away before they pick you up on their scanners. And, don't try to take on the entire Cylon base yourselves.* *Yes, Captain,* said Tannia. *Yes, Captain,* said Peabody. *That was told to us many times. I mean, what good is it if I'm dead? The Cylons would still take the Galactica by surprise, and I would have accomplished nothing.* *That's right, Ensign. Biggest of all, remember that you've got CORA to help you out, but if that goes... well, that was why we made sure everyone knows how to handle a viper manually.* *A wise precaution, Captain,* said Tannia. *Also, send the message about the Cylons' presence back to the Galactica in short, narrowband, pulses.* *Yes, Tannia,* responded Sheba. *That way, the Cylons will have more trouble picking up where the message is going if they happen to pick up that message.* They went ahead of the Galactica to scan whatever may be ahead, and in that area was an industry ship. It had a few character-like markings, like that of an entirely different alphabet, and then underneath it, it was labeled, GROOF. *Groof? What vessel is THAT,* asked Tannia. *It is an industry ship, Ensign,* responded Peabody. *But with a name like 'GROOF?'* asked Tannia. *It's the Borelian Nomen's ship,* answered Sheba. *Borelian Nomen!?* responded Peabody. *Yes. They occupy an industry ship. They normally keep to themselves, but the only time we ever see them is when they are on a blood-trail.* *They are a warrior people aren't they?* asked Tannia. *Yes, they are,* said Sheba. All of a sudden, Sheba's helmetcom beeped. *Cora, what was that for?* *Incoming message from the leader of the Borelian Nomen, Captain,* responded CORA. *Relay it.* *To the three Colonial warriors,* said Maga's voice. *I would like to see Commander Apollo about a deal... Warrior to warrior.* *Cora, acknowledge the message and let's get back to the Galactica.* *Yes, Captain,* responded CORA. The three vipers then turned around, and headed back to the direction they came from. On the bridge, Saul was sitting at Athena's station, with Athena standing right behind him. That was when the announcement came. *Viper patrol to Galactica... Maga of the Borelian Nomen requests to see Commander Apollo.* Athena jumped to the console. *Repeat that? Captain Sheba?* *Maga of the Borelian Nomen wants to see Commander Apollo. He wants to make a deal with him.* "Saul, go tell Commander Apollo," ordered Athena. "Yes, Sir." With that, Saul got up from the chair, and ran up to the command center. Athena put on the headphones, and said, "Ensign Saul is telling Commander Apollo, Sheba." Apollo and Starbuck came back with Saul, and then said into the station, "Did he say what he wanted?" *He only said something about a deal. That was all.* "All right, Sheba... I'll be right out." Starbuck said, "YOU? are going?" "Yes I am." "But Apollo. This could be a trap." "You still don't trust the Nomen? Starbuck, Maga and I have been friends for yahrens. He has a high respect for, what he calls, the House of Adama." "Maybe you should invite him to the Galactica, or arrange a place to meet." "I trust him, Starbuck... You're in command." "But what if they have started a blood hunt for you?" "I'm taking Boomer, Sheba and Boxey with me, Starbuck. I'll be all right." "Just be careful... I just don't want to be in command of the Galactica permanently, Apollo." "Don't worry, Starbuck. If I Am dead, you've got the entire Galactica to avenge me with..." "That..." said Starbuck, with sarcasm,"...makes me feel a whole lot better." "And they know it. Besides, they're our allies now, and I trust them." With that, Apollo walked away. Apollo met Boomer, Jolly, Boxey, and Toria in the viper bay. Boomer gave Boxey and Toria helmets, and then grabbed two more, and gave one to Apollo. Boxey and Toria put on their helmets, and then got into their vipers. "I cannot believe that you're doing this, Apollo," said Boomer. "You've been hanging around with Starbuck too long," said Apollo. "Don't put me through this conversation again." "All right." With that, they both walked to their vipers while putting on their helmets. Apollo turned to Jolly. "Jolly," he started. "There is already a trio of vipers on patrol out there... consisting of Captain Sheba, and two graduates from our batch of cadets. I want you to take command of them, so that Captain Sheba can accompany me to the Nomen's vessel." "Yes, Sir," said Jolly. He already heard Boomer's attempt to talk him out of it, so he decided not to say anything. On the bridge, Apollo's voice came over the comm of Rigel's station, where Buck was sitting, with Rigel looking over his shoulder. *Vipers Four through Eight ready to launch.* Buck pressed a few buttons and threw a few switches at the station, and then he looked back at Rigel. Rigel nodded to him, with half a smile. Then Buck said into the system, "Launch control has been handed over to your squadron, Commander. Launch when ready." Three vipers moved into the launch tubes, and then launched, followed by the other two. Back on the bridge, Buck heard Apollo's voice saying, *Well done, Ensign Buck.* He then said, "Thank you, Commander." A large hatch opened on the side of the industry ship, and the five vipers entered. After coming to a full stop in the landing bay, the five climbed out of their vipers, walked down to its nose, and then leapt off the viper onto the deck. Sheba, Toria, Boomer, and Boxey followed Apollo down the corridor. At the same time, a Borelian Nomen was coming up in the opposite direction, and his shoulder hit Boomer's, even though Boomer moved to avoid the collision. They all stopped. "I'm sorry," said Boomer. "What did you walk into me for?" the Nomen asked angrily, "You should watch where you're going, Lieutenant." He looked like he was ready to strike Boomer. Apollo jumped in between Boomer and the Nomen, hollering, "You should watch where YOU'RE going." Apollo poked his finger into the Nomen's chest, and said, "And you call yourself a Nomen of the Code? How can you survive and succeed something as simple as a blood trail of you cannot even watch where you're walking?" The Nomen looked down to the floor. Then he looked at the five of them. He then said, "You're right, Human." With that, he nodded to Apollo and continued on to where he was going. The quintet also continued on walking. "What was THAT for?" asked Toria. "That's how you deal with Nomen in a situation like that," He looked at Boomer. "Yeah, Boomer... You should have known better. Keep going like nothing happened would have been the first choice -I- would have made. Don't apologize to a Nomen... you have to show aggression... Tell HIM that HE was wrong. It is the best way to walk away from this." They got to the command center, where a Nomen stopped them, saying, "What do you want, Humans?" "We're here to see Maga," said Apollo, "as he requested." The Nomen said, "Maga does not want to see humans." Sheba grabbed the Nomen by his arm, and pulled him towards herself. She leaned over to the side, and the Nomen tripped on her leg. He was lying on his belly on the floor. As he got up, Sheba said, "I took down two Nomen, you know... And I took them both down at the same time... You- are only one Nomen. Do you want to be a third one?" The Nomen got up, & said, "Sheba?" She nodded to him. "No human has ever beaten two Nomen in a fight..." He held his hand out to the entrance to the bridge, signaling them to go. The five walked onto the bridge, and Bora said, "We are up here, Son of Adama." They walked up the stairs to the command center. "Ah, Apollo," said Maga. He looked at Sheba and Boxey. "And you brought your family." Apollo said, "Yes, Maga." Maga held his right arm out to Apollo, and Apollo grabbed his arm by the wrist. Maga grabbed his wrist, and the two of them looked at each other as if they were lost friends reunited. After, he held a hand out to Sheba, and she took it. "Good to see a feisty female like you again, Captain Sheba," he said. "I hope that you're good to Apollo, even at night." Toria was about to say something, but Boxey stopped her. "He is only complimenting her, Toria... It was not meant as an insult or anything demeaning." "She is even more worthy of the Nomen code than I, Maga," said Apollo. Bora and Maga let out a belly laugh that echoed throughout the bridge. "Well, being born from the House of Cain, she should be," boasted Bora. "So, Apollo, let's talk," said Maga. Meanwhile, on the bridge, Buck was at Athena's station, and Saul, at Rigel's. Buck picked up the message fro, Jolly. *A cylon basestar has been picked up on our scanners. I don't think that they have picked us up.* Starbuck ran over to Athena's station, and said, "Did we hear you right?" "Yes, Colonel," said Saul. Buck said, "Colonel, I heard Captain Jolly report Cylons too." "Well, what are you two waiting for?" badgered Starbuck. "Alert the viper pilots." Saul pressed a few more buttons, and looked at Athena, who nodded. Saul then said into the com system, "Viper pilots... to your vipers." Buck jumped up and said, "Colonel, permission to go with Silver Spar Squadron?" Saul said, "I would like to go, too, Colonel." "It is safer over here, Ensigns..." Buck said, "But Colonel, I KNOW that I can make more of a difference out there than sitting here, safe on the bridge of the Galactica." With that, he pulled the headphones off his head, and ran off the bridge. Athena was about to run after him, but Starbuck stopped her. "Let him go, Athena... If he survives this, Apollo and I will discipline him." Starbuck also wondered if this was how he was: over-enthusiastic, constantly failing to follow orders... He thought back to times that Captain Apollo told him to stay back and cover him, and Apollo would take the risk this time, but Starbuck jumped and took the risk instead. At least, his luck held out. He was not so sure if it would be the same for Buck. Meanwhile, Apollo, the commander of the Galactica, was aboard the Groof, instead of on the bridge! "Athena..." he barked, "Contact the Borelian Nomen... Tell them... that Cylons have been picked up, and we need him back on the bridge of the Galactica where he belongs." "Yes, Colonel." "All I can give in exchange is laser bolls, Apollo, to you and your family," said Maga to an undecided Apollo. "Further, if you will allow this for me, then as a Nomen of the Code, Apollo, Son of Adama, I swear my allegiance, and the loyalty of ALL Nomen of the Code. This does NOT come lightly, as no human has ever been called a warrior by our standards, except your father, you, your wife, and your son. And, no woman has, either." Apollo was still somewhat uncomfortable, even though he knew that Maga's words, 'As a Nomen of the Code,' meant that he would keep his promise no matter what. Finally, he said, "All right, Maga. But how are you going to get the laser turrets and cannon onto the outside of your ship? This kind of retro-fit is usually done inside a space station, or on a landing site on a planet surface?" "We have many skills, Apollo..." All of a sudden, Bora charged in. "Maga... Please forgive me for interrupting your meeting, but Cylons have been picked up by the Galactica, and are heading this way." Maga said, "Thank you, Bora... And thank you, Apollo. We will talk more on this." Bora escorted Apollo, Sheba, Boxey, Boomer, and Toria back to their vipers. They all ran. As they hopped into their vipers, Bora said, "Maga ordered that your vipers be refueled, Son of Adama... I hope that it was to your satisfaction." Apollo looked at the fuel gauge, and sure enough, it was past full. "Thank you, Bora," he said. With that, the cockpits closed. Bora left the landing bay. The landing bay doors to space opened, and the five launched, seeing the battle between Cylon raiders and vipers going on. Apollo turned on his scanners, and looked. There were vipers, at least two basestars' worth of Cylon raiders, the Galactica, the Groof behind them, and the rag-tag fleet, as his father once called it. There were no sign of another Cylon basestar. Sheba asked, *Where did THEY come from?* *I don't know,* said Apollo, *but -I- am out here, instead of on the bridge of the Galactica.* *Orders, Commander,* said Toria. *WE FIGHT!* exclaimed Apollo, sounding as if he grew bushy eyebrows. With that, he hit the turbos, and then switched on his CORA unit, seeing that one viper was in trouble as Cylons attempted a pinwheel on him. Apollo continuously fired his lasers, destroying several of them, saving the viper. *Thank you, whoever that was.* That was Buck's voice. *Next time, try to be careful, Ensign Buck,* said Apollo. Sheba said, *Apollo... should we attempt to disarm that basestar?* *Yes, Sheba... Let's do it...* The two vipers headed towards the basestar, followed by several others. *Commander Apollo,* said Buck. *I think we should attempt to board the basestar and take it over... It will be a nice, large ship in the fleet. And, it will be a second war vessel in our hands.* *I agree with Buck, Commander.* That was Tannia. *Good idea, Ensign, but-* responded Apollo. *There are too many Cylons on that basestar, and not enough Colonial warriors. Besides, once the Cylon commanders of the basestar are killed, the basestar self-destructs.* Sheba said, *The only thing to do is to destroy the basestar before it gets too close to the fleet to do damage with its destruction.* *Oh,* said Buck. On the bridge of the Galactica, Colonel Starbuck was busily monitoring things at the command console. Athena ran up to help out, with Rigel taking her place, and Saul taking Rigel's place. When they heard Apollo telling Sheba 'Let's do it...', his stomach went into a knot, remembering what had happened when he found himself in that alternate universe, the story that this Captain Apollo had told of his experience of seventeen yahrens ago. Because there was no Starbuck, it was Apollo and Sheba who took out the basestars' defenses, so that the Pegasus could bombard it without any resistance. Sheba never came back. Out in space, Adam, Charles, and Stacey followed Tannia and Buck, who followed Apollo and Sheba to the lower hull of the basestar. Tannia was the first of the entire lot to fire several rounds of laser torpedoes, then Toria fired as well. They both fired at a Cylon raider emerging from a launch bay. They did the job of destroying that raider, and together, they both destroyed the fighter launch bay. *How many launch bays do these basestars-* Buck stopped to fire his lasers at a laser turret that was turning to open fire. *Thank you, Buck,* said Apollo, graciously, with relief. *I'm not sure, but there are some up above as well.* *Yeah, Apollo,* said Sheba. *Maybe some of us should go up there as well?* *Yeah, Sheba,* responded Apollo. *Good thinking. Sheba... take Adam, Charles, and Stacey... Buck and Tannia, you're with me.* Four of the seven vipers headed upwards. *You got one on your tail, Boxey,* said Toria. Little did he know that she did as well. Boxey said, *You too, Toria.* Toria's viper turned and fired its lasers, destroying the raider on Boxey's tail with two rounds. At the same time, Boxey's viper turned and opened fire, destroying the raider on Toria's tail. *Nice shooting, Toria. Thanks.* *Same to you, Boxey... Hey! Jolly's in trouble!* They turned towards Jolly, whose viper was about to be pulverized by a pinwheel maneuver. The raiders fired as Jolly hit his turbos, and got away before the Cylons could do any harm. Instead, the raiders hit each other, taking out some of them. Toria and Boxey finished the job. Jolly's viper drifted forwards at high speed. Meanwhile, his C.O.R.A. unit kept calling to him, trying to wake him up. The sudden high speed to escape the deadly pinwheel maneuver knocked him unconscious. *JOLLYYYY,* cooed C.O.R.A. *Huh?* said Jolly. His eyes opened up, and he realized where he was. He was approaching the basestar. When he was within range, he opened fire, hitting the lower hull, just missing a laser turret. The laser turret turned, and fired on one of the three vipers that was also firing at it. He also missed, but the laser torpedoes hit the viper, causing it to lose control and crash into the hull of the basestar. Another round from Jolly's viper took out that laser turret, but it was too late. Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Galactica, Starbuck ordered, "Take us in... Flank speed." "Yes, Colonel," said the man at the helm. "Be ready to fire lasers and missiles when we are within range." *What are you doing, Starbuck?* That was Apollo's voice that came over the com system. Starbuck hit a button at the command console, saying, "Going in for the kill." *No, Starbuck, Stay with our vipers... Give them the support they need until we can-* The sounds of firing lasers interrupted what Apollo was saying. *... until we get rid of ALL the defenses on the basestar.* "Yes, Sir." The battle raged on between the Colonial vipers and Cylon raiders, but with the Galactica involved. Three Cylon raiders were in pursuit of a viper, and a turret turned, firing. Two of the Cylons were destroyed. The third one continued its pursuit, firing its lasers, but the viper evaded them. All of a sudden, the viper fired its turbos, leaving the raider behind. Another two rounds from the Galactica's turret destroyed the raider. On the bridge, Bojay announced, *The Cylons are running!* Starbuck said into the com system of the command console, "All right, Squadrons... Those who still have fuel, pursue... Protect our commander. Those running on fumes, return for refueling." The raiders turned and headed back for the basestar, and the vipers gave pursuit. Only a few returned. None of the Cylon raiders made it back to the basestar, not that it would have mattered anyway. Commander Apollo and Captain Sheba and their wingmates saw to it that the Cylons had no place to return to. Apollo made the same announcement. *Good, Warriors... Those low on fuel, return to the Galactica. Everyone else... Let's destroy this basestar.* Sheba then said, *Silver Spar Squadron, With ME. We'll take the 'upper hull... Blue Squadron, you're with the commander. Boxey's Toria's and Tannia's vipers were side-by-side. All three vipers fired lasers continuously. Boxey said to Toria, *Let's split this hunk of a Cylon into two.* *I'm with you, Boxey,* said Toria. *Me too...,* said Tannia. The two vipers hit their turbos, and headed for the decks that connected the 'upper' and 'lower' hulls of the basestar. In Boxey's viper cockpit, his thumb held down the FIRE button. In Toria's cockpit, her thumb did the same,and Tannia also did the same. The three vipers flew in a wavering pattern side-by-side like a kick line as their lasers continuously fired round after round of laser torpedoes at the connection between the two hulls. Finally, then they got close enough to it, the viper on the right turned right, the viper on the left turned left, and the one in the middle went upwards. Explosions were emanating from the connecting point of the two hulls. Toria attempted to fire at a scanner turret on the basestar. She said to Boxey, *Boxey... I think that my laser generators overheated...* *Mine, too,* said Tannia. *Mine, too,* said Boxey. *We've better get back to the Galactica.* The three vipers cruised away from the basestar. All of a sudden, they heard Apollo's voice say, *It's gonna blow. Let's get outta here, Squadrons.* Boxey's and Toria's vipers fired off the last of their turbos, and then the propulsion died down. Tannia's viper headed towards Silver Spar Squadron's landing bay. The other two vipers cruised towards the Galactica, with all the vipers going around them. Several bright lights flashed from behind them, reflecting off the front of their vipers into their faces. At one of the landing bays of the Galactica, Apollo said, *That's my son and his friend out there... They seem to be completely out of fuel. Let them go in first.* The two vipers cruised into the landing bay, followed by the others. On the bridge, Toria, Boxey, Apollo, Boomer, and Jolly walked in. Sheba and Bojay were already there, and Tannia was there, with a hand on Saul's shoulder. "Well, what kept you, Commander?" asked Starbuck. "Silver Spar Squadron had landed and Sheba had already arrived here when you guys and Blue Squadron landed. Boxey said, "Toria and I were almost completely out of fuel, Starbuck... Blue Squadron waited for us to get into the landing bay first." Apollo said, "How many casualties?" "Only one did not return from Silver Spar Squadron," said Sheba. "Yes, he was with me when it happened," said Apollo. He then turned to Boxey, and asked him, "By the way, Boxey, whatever gave you the idea to strike where you, Tannia, and Toria decided to strike?" "I don't know. It just seemed like a good idea to split that basestar into two different vessels." "Well, good job... Whatever you two hit, was the blow that triggered the destruction of the basestar. It started trying to move away from us, but you two completely knocked out... something... and made it a sitting target. It looked like it lost its main power. Good thinking, Boxey." Toria said, "Well, we may have destroyed our laser generators..." "I know... Kritter is in the process of removing them to rebuild them," said Starbuck. Apollo went to Saul, who was sitting at Rigel's station. Saul looked up to him, saying, "Was Buck with you, Sir?" "Yes, he was with me when it happened. I'm sorry about your friend." Saul said, "Colonel Starbuck told him to stay on the bridge, Commander. If he had followed his orders, then he'd still be alive. But- if only -I- stopped him... Even then, from what Tannia told me, he did a great job out there." "Yes, Saul. He performed magnificently." Apollo placed a hand on Saul's shoulder. "You know, Saul, if he had come back, he WOULD be up for some kind of disciplinary action; I don't know what; but..." His voice trailed off. Aboard the Rising Star, Saul, Tannia, Diane, Peabody, and Kritter sat at a square table, sharing drinks. There were three empty chairs. In the middle of the table was a bottle of ambrosia. Diane said, "I cannot believe Buck is gone." Saul said, "I wish that I had stopped him as he ran off the bridge... He'd be sitting here with us. But- I was busy at my post." Boxey and Toria arrived, and sat with them. A waiter put down two more glasses for them. Kritter got up, took the bottle of ambrosia, and poured some into the two glasses. At rectangular table, Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba, Boomer, Cassiopeia, Troy, Hera, Dillon, and Pandora sat. Apollo was at one end. Starbuck said, "I should have gone after him, Apollo... I cannot believe that I actually allowed Ensign Buck to run out like that." Apollo said, "Starbuck... He died under MY command... He, Ensign Tannia, and I were flying together when he died. But- great job in handling things on the bridge of the Galactica." At the other table, all heads turned as they listened to the conversation of the command staff. Boxey went over to them. "Can we join you, Father?" Apollo said, "Sure... Bring your friends over, too, if they want." Toria brought the bottle of ambrosia and her glass over to the other table, and the others followed with their glasses. then they and Boxey went back over, and the seven of them strained as they lifted the table, trying to bring it over. Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer came over to help. They slowly moved the table, trying to place it so that it joined the other end, but the table was heavy. Out of nowhere, Maga and Bora approached, saying, "Move it." They all moved away from the table. Bora and Maga lifted, and placed it where they were trying to put it without much effort as the graduates and Kritter looked on in surprise. Maga nodded to the them, and the two Nomen went and grabbed two chairs, placed them on either side of Apollo, and sat down. Troy asked, "Where is Buck?" He knew that Saul and Buck were friends, but only saw Saul. "He died, Troy," said Saul. "He died so that your father could come back to be with you and your sister... And your mother." "What, was my father out there in space fighting Cylons? I thought that battlestar commanders do not go out in vipers to fight Cylons... He fights them from the bridge of a battlestar." "I was visiting my friend, Maga, here when the Cylons came to attack, Troy," explained Apollo. "and I had to fight them to get back." "Son of Adama," began Bora. "You lost one of your Colonial warriors out there?" "Yes, Bora, I did. He was under my command." Maga said, "Well, we look at the death of a comrade in a situation like yours as an honorable one," said Maga. "Honor him and his family. What was his name?" "Buck." A waiter brought two more glasses and a bottle of ambrosia over for the two Borelian Nomen. Maga popped the cork across the room, away from the table, and poured the glasses for himself, Bora, Apollo, Sheba, and the other Colonial warriors. He said, "We drink to remember... Buck." He held his glass high. The others stood up, and held their glasses up. They all took a sip, and then as the Borelian Nomen sat down, they all followed suit. Saul pointed to the empty chair, and said, "This chair, Buck would have been sitting in if he was lived." Maga said, "That's a way of honoring him, young Colonial... You know, it is believed by Borelian superstition... that your friend, Buck, is sitting there right now, with all of you, but- you cannot see him, and he cannot talk to you." Saul looked at the chair. Apollo changed the subject. "By the way, this is Maga... Chancellor of the Borelian Nomen." He signaled to him. Signaling to Bora, he said, "And, this is Bora, his assistant and second in command." They both nodded to everyone at the table. Apollo turned to Maga, and said, "Before I forget to say this, Maga... Tell me what you need, and I'll try to get it done for you." "Thank you, Apollo," said Maga. "If you want more laser bolls, all you have to do is come over and ask me for them. And, as I said, you have my allegiance, my friend. During our seventeen yahrens, we have come to trust one another. It should not be US who are enemies. We both have one enemy: The Cylons." Apollo said, "If you need help in installing the weaponry, then Boxey and Toria will help you with it." Maga looked at Boxey, and nodded to him with half a smile. Boxey smiled and nodded back. "I think that our wives will have everything under control, Son of Adama," said Bora. "Thank you." With that, the two Nomen got up and left. Maga stopped, and said to Sheba, "And, Captain Sheba, take care of my friend for me." Sheba nodded to him. With that, Bora dropped a few cubits on the table, and they turned around and walked out. After the two Nomen were gone, Toria said, "And after he mentioned about having to start from the lower decks of the ranks again, I promised him that he would move up in the ranks again." Then from another table, Adam, Charles, and Stacey came over. Stacey said, "You know, I know who Buck was, and I know that you all were his friends, but... I never knew him personally." Adam said, "It is the same with me. Even though I never got to know him, I still feel the loss of a fellow Colonial warrior, especially since we all became officers together." Charles turned to Apollo and asked, "Does dealing with the death of a comrade get any easier, Commander?" All eyes were on Apollo. "No, it does not," answered Apollo. "I've lost my brother when we escaped the Colonies, my mother, my first wife, my father, & Tigh. And, that's only a few people I was close to that I lost to the Cylons." "It never does get any easier," Starbuck said, "It never does..." After a generation of fleeing from Cylon treachery, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a long and lonely quest. A shining planet known as Earth.