BATTLESTAR GALACTICA/VOYAGERS
Written by Robert Hanczyk 12/16-19/95
This is my very first story ever written. I promise they'll get
better, wilder and crazier.

Based on character and stories created by Glen Larson and James Parriott
     and so on and so forth  blah blah blah

"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 Taltecs, 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."

Or they may be closer than you think!

In a cargo storage area aboard the mighty and yet majestic, Battlestar
Galactica, a low whistle is heard.  Within seconds the whistle grows
louder and louder.  Two people suddenly appear at the ceiling and fall
to the floor ten feet below with a loud crash.
     "Jeffrey!  Are you alright?"
     An eleven year-old boy with black, curly hair, wearing a red and
white striped shirt and black pants, grimaces in slight pain.  "Yeah,
Bogg.  Just the usual bumps and bruises."
     The boy's companion, Phineas Bogg, is an older man in his late 20's.
With light blue eyes and blond hair, wearing light brown pants with a red
stripe down the side, a white shirt, a brown vest and dark brown leather
boots, replies, "I know what you mean."
     After another centon of collecting themselves, they climb to their
feet and look around.  Jeffrey asks, "Where are we, Bogg?"
     "Tell you in a centon kid."  Bogg reaches to his belt to remove what
appears to be an oversized, gold pocket watch with a fancy V on it.  He
opens it up.  Inside, in the center, is a miniature globe of Earth.
Around it are 3 dials.  One with the 12 months of the Julian calendar.
The next one has the numbers from 1 to 31.  The outer most dial contains
the years ranging up to 1970 AD.  There are also two lights at the top,
one red and one green.  Currently, the red light is blinking.  At any
other time, this device, the Omni, will tell Bogg and Jeffrey where and
when they are on Earth.  But this is not any other time.  The globe is
spinning in no identifiable pattern.  The dials are even spinning around
in their tracks.  Bogg just looks on in astonishment.
     "Bat's Breath!!  Looks like the Omni's really had it this time.  It
can't tell me where we are."
     "Let me see it," the young boy asks.
     Bogg turns the Omni so Jeffrey is able see it.  Jeffrey sits down
again, shakes his head and says, "Oh boy."
     All Phineas Bogg can say is, "Yea."
     Jeffrey looks around the room they are in.  "Looks like some type of
ship.  Look familiar to you?"
     Bogg also glances around to see if he can find something recognizable
and replies, "Doesn't look like any pirate ship I've ever served on or
boarded."
     "Great," gasps Jeffrey.  "Broken Omni and totally lost.  Could it
be any worse?"
     In slight irritation, Bogg just gives Jeffrey a hopeful appearance.
"Look on the bright side, kid..."
     "What bright side?" Jeffrey interrupts in exasperation.
     Bogg gives a smile that would brighten any dark place.  "At least we
didn't drop into the ocean with no land or ships around to save us."
Jeffrey shakes his head again.  Bogg continues, "Let's look around.  See
if we can find anything useful."
     Jeffrey just nods in agreement.  They head in opposite directions
examining everything quickly.  Bogg mutters to himself, "At least it's
mostly in English.  Can't be all that bad."  Jeffrey  walks around,
running his hand along the crates and canisters in the storage room.
After another centon or two, turning the corner of another stack of
crates, Jeffrey stares in shock at what we sees.  When he starts
breathing again, he says very softly, "Bogg."  And a little louder,
"Bogg!"
     "Yea kid."
     "Bogg," Jeffrey says now with a steadier voice, "I think you
should come see this."
     Phineas Bogg starts heading in the direction of Jeffrey's voice.
"What is it?"  He continues walking, trying to find Jeffrey.  He hears
Jeffrey saying, "Just come here."  Jeffrey's voice is louder now.  Bogg
finally sees Jeffrey's back.  As soon as he's right behind Jeffrey, he
asks, "Okay, I'm here..."  But before he finishes, he also looks on in
amazement.
     Jeffrey begins moving towards the unbelievable sight with Bogg right
on his heels.  Jeffrey walks up to the wall and puts his hand on the
window.  "Is it real?"
     Bogg can't quite believe his eyes.  He blinks a few times.  "Yea,
kid.  It's real.  Although I can't believe it."
     "Neither can I."
     Staring out of the Galactica's viewport, they see a couple different
kinds of small ships.  All around the ships, they see stars.  Stars
above them, below them, in front of them, and every other angle they can
possibly view outside the viewport.  "We're out in space," Jeffrey
whispers to himself.
     Another smile appears on Bogg's face.  "It certainly looks that
way.  Bet you never thought you'd be in space."
     "No, but I've dreamed of it," Jeffrey responds in astonishment.
     Another few centons passes.  Bogg puts his hand on Jeffrey's
shoulder.  "Come on kid.  We gotta see what we can do if there's
something wrong."
     Jeffrey slowly moves away from the viewport and follows Bogg.  They
finally find a door leading out into a corridor of gray walls.  The
lighting in this section is dim.  The two companions have no idea where
they are going, but they keep on walking.   Eventually they come across
another person in a different hallway - far away from the place where
they first started.
     Bogg speaks out, "Excuse me."  And a bit louder, "Um.. excuse me."
The man in the corridor turns and looks at the two strangers.  Bogg
continues, "I wonder if you might helps us."  The man continues to look
at them with a puzzled expression.  "We seem to be lost."
     The man says in a low voice, "I bet you are.  Get lost from some
costume party?"
     Bogg smiles.  "Yea, we left and seemed to have taken a wrong turn."
     "Yea.  Right."  The man shrugs.  "Just continue down this hallway.
At the end, turn left.  You'll come up to the main lift.  It will take
you back to your party."
     "Thanks," Jeffrey and Bogg say in unison.
     "Sure."  The man continues on as if he never encountered anyone.
Bogg and Jeffrey break into a jog until they come to the main lift.
They step onto it and it starts to ascend.
     "You can sure get lost in this place.  Everything looks so much the
same," Jeffrey says.  He looks up at Bogg waiting for a reply.
     Phineas Bogg shakes his head once as if to clear the cobwebs.
"I've never seen a ship so complicated."
     Now it the boy's turn to smile.  "Bogg," he says in an
I-can't-believe-it tone, "you've never been out in space."
     They keep quiet until the lift stops.  They are on a floor with
more people scurrying about.  Most are in civilian clothes.  Quite a few
others are wearing light brown uniforms.  A few others are wearing blue
uniforms.  None of them seem to notice the new comers.  Jeffrey and Bogg
continue to walk along the corridors until they suddenly hear a
mechanical bark with other machine noises, possibly some type of joints.
The mechanical barking becomes even louder.  Now they hear a young boy's
voice along with the barking.  "Come back here, Muffey."
     Jeffrey and Bogg stop walking when they hear the bark.  The next
centon, a boy and a big, brown artificial daggit with silver bands around
its four legs round the corner and come to a sudden halt.  Muffit, the
daggit, continues to bark.  The young boy puts his hand on Muffit.
"Quiet Muffey."  The daggit hears and obeys, but stands guard to make
sure no harm befalls the boy.
     The young boy looks at the two strangers and says with a smile, "Hi
there.  Who are you?"
     Jeffrey speaks first, "I'm Jeffrey and this is my, um, uncle?,
Phineas Bogg.  Is this your pet?"
     The young boy smiles gleefully, "Yea.  This is Muffit.  I'm Boxey.
Nice to meet you."
     Bogg joins in, "Nice to meet you.  Where are we?"
     Jeffrey turns and elbows Bogg.  Softly he says, "Don't scare him
Bogg."
     "I don't think he's too scared with whatever that mechanical thing
is,"  he softly says back to Jeffrey.
     Boxey, still smiling, thinking this is fun, answers, "You're on board
the Galactica."

     Jeffrey and Bogg just look at each other.  Jeffrey turns toward
Boxey again to continue the conversation.  "Can you take us to someone
who could help us?"
     "Sure.  My grandpa can help you."  Boxey turns and begins walking
down the corridor with Muffit at his side.  Bogg and Jeffrey fall into
step behind Boxey.  Bogg opens his mouth to ask the next question, but
Jeffrey notices and gives Bogg an icy, warning glare.  Bogg puts up his
hands in surrender and adds a smile.
     "Who's your grandpa?" Jeffrey asks.
     Boxey happily answers, "Commander Adama.  He leads our fleet."
     This time it's Jeffrey's turn to gasp.  There must be more than
just those couple of ships Bogg and him saw out the viewport.  "Fleet?"
he stutters.
     Boxey stops and turns to face them, now a little puzzled.  "Yes. 
Fleet.  Aren't you from one of the survivors' ships?"  Muffit barks a
couple of times.
     Jeffrey looks up to Bogg.  Bogg just shrugs and decides he'll do his
part of this conversation.  "Uh, no.  Our....ship broke down and needs
fixed.  We were hoping to find someone who can help us."
     The smile returns to Boxey's face.  "Oh sure," Boxey exclaims as he
turns and continues walking.  Muffit barks a few more times shaking its
mechanical head.  "My grandpa will have someone help you."
     A huge wave of relief washes over both Jeffrey and Bogg.  Bogg
replies, "Great!  Then take us to your leader" followed by a few
chuckles.  Boxey also laughs but Jeffrey just looks up at Bogg, then
shakes his head. "Where are your parents?" Jeffrey asks trying to sound
curious.  Come to think of it, he is a bit curious.  It must not be too
dangerous around here allowing a little boy and his daggit to walk around
without any supervision.  But this daggit may indeed be just as good as
an older person.  It does seem to be very protective of Boxey just like
Jeffrey's dog, Ralph, back home.
     At that thought, Jeffrey starts feeling a little down remembering
his last night in his bedroom when Bogg first appeared at the window
ledge.  Jeffrey's dog, Ralph, was very protective of him.  If Bogg didn't
have that guide book, Ralph would have probably had Bogg's arm in his
mouth instead of the book.  But that's the past and can't be changed now.
     Boxey says, "My mom died right after she married my dad.  A cylon 
killed her."
     Jeffrey gulps.  "A cylon?"
     "Yea.  Don't you know what the cylons are?"
     "No.  Bogg and I haven't met one yet."
     Boxey turns his head, but keeps walking. "Good.  You don't ever want
to meet one.  They're mean."
     Jeffrey looks at Boxey.  "It seems it's good we haven't."
     Looking forward again, Boxey continues, "My dad is Captain Apollo.
He's a colonial warrior and viper pilot.  He's working right now, but
you'll see him in a bit."
     A few centons later, they approach a door in the middle of a corridor.
Before entering, Bogg asks Boxey, "Do you ever get lost in this place?"
     "Not anymore.  Not in this area.  It took me a long time to know my
way around.  My dad and all his friends had to be with me until I could
show them I knew where I was going.  There are still many places where I
could lose myself.  It's great to play hide and seek."
     "You play hide and seek?" Jeffrey gasps.  "Wow!!"
     "Yea.  And if we're careful, we'll never be found."  Just then, the
door opens and a cadet walks out, greeting the three people as he walks
by.  Boxey walks into the room with Muffit still at his side.  Inside the
room are many white consoles in the shape of three sides of a hexagon.
There are young adults in the seats behind the consoles which are the
beginning simulators for training cadets to flying shuttle craft and
vipers.  Apollo is overlooking each cadet and making notes on a pad.
After finishing with the one cadet, he notices Boxey and the two
strangers with him.  He walks over to Boxey.
     "Boxey," he says in a puzzled tone, "what are you doing here and who
are these two people?"
     "Dad, this is Mr. Bogg and Jeffrey.  They say their ship is in need 
of repair.  So I brought them to you," Boxey replies to his father.
     In a stern tone, Apollo reprimands Boxey, "What did I tell you about
talking to strangers?"
     Boxey looks down at the deck and softly answers, "You told me not
to."  Rather quickly and in a louder voice he adds, "But I had Muffey
with me and these two are not like other strangers I ever see."
     Muffit gives his mechanical barks when he hears Boxey mention his
name.  Apollo lightens the tone in his voice.  "Boxey, you have to be more
careful.  You did the right thing bringing them to me.  Next time, they
may not be so friendly."  Apollo picks up Boxey and gives him a big hug
and a kiss.  He sets Boxey down, rubs his hair, and says, "Now go back
with the other boys and girls.  I have very important work to do.  And
Muffit..."  The daggit looks up at Apollo, "protect Boxey."  Muffit
responds with his mechanical barks and shaking his head up and down.
Apollo finishes by saying, "Now get going."
     "Okay dad."  With the smile back on his face, Boxey turns for the
door.  "Come on, Muffey."  Again the daggit barks and follows Boxey
out the door as he runs down the corridor.
     "Great kid you have," Bogg says to Apollo.
     Apollo looks at both Jeffrey and Bogg.  They certainly do seem out
of place.  "I'm Captain Apollo, Strike Commander of the Battlestar
Galactica."
     "Hi there," Bogg responds with a big smile.  "I'm Phineas Bogg and
this is my nephew, Jeffrey."
     "Pleased to meet you, sir," Jeffrey says to Apollo.
     Apollo, in his command voice and determined to have all this cleared
up, says, "Okay.  Now what are you two strangers doing here?  I don't
believe your story about a broken ship.  Nobody is able to board this
battlestar without being cleared first.  And for strangers such as
yourself, you would have been escorted on by vipers.  Now I want the
truth."
     Bogg places his hand on Jeffrey's shoulder, still smiling, "I think
we should find somewhere else to discuss it.  You could say it's a delicate
situation for me and Jeffrey.  But we aren't of any danger to anybody."
     Apollo still hasn't lightened up, "Saying your situation is delicate
seems to be an understatement.  Follow me."
     Apollo exits out the same door Boxey just went through.  Bogg and
Jeffrey follow him without saying anything.  Apollo heads straight for
his father's office.  Upon entering the bridge, the security guards say
nothing to Apollo, but are uneasy seeing the two strangers with him.
From the high, rotating command center on the bridge, Colonel Tigh sees
them enter.  "Apollo..."
     Apollo holds up his hand and quickly interjects, "Colonel, would you
come with me to the Commander's office?"
     Seeing how serious this situation might be, Tigh just answers, "Of
course," and follows behind Apollo and the two strangers.  He can't help
but be very concerned.  It's just not anybody who is allowed on the
bridge.  And from Apollo's tone, this is serious.

     In his office, reading through some reports, Commander Adama looks
up when he hears the door chime.  "Come."
     Apollo enters with the two strangers and Tigh.  "Father, I'm sorry
to interrupt but I think this is very important."
     "Oh...Well, tell me about it."
     Apollo presents the two strangers to his father.  "Boxey encountered
these two strangers near the children's section.  He brought them to me
in the simulator room.  I thought it best to bring them to you."  Adama
nods.  Apollo faces Bogg, "Now is the time to explain yourself.  And this
is about as private as it's going to be."
     Bogg, who lost the smile on his face enroute to the office, now puts
it back on again and in a happy tone introduces himself and Jeffrey.  "I'm
Phineas Bogg and this is my nephew, Jeffrey.  You may find this hard to
believe, but please listen."  To himself, Bogg mutters under his breath,
"In fact, I can't believe this myself."  Out loud again, he continues,
"Jeffrey and I are Voyagers.  Our job is to help history along.  Give it
a push where it's needed.  Make sure history stays the way it supposed to
be."
     Adama just looks at Bogg and says, "Continue," in a soft, but
commanding tone.
     "Well, you see, this..." As Bogg reaches for the Omni at his waist,
Apollo immediately Apollo draws his laser blaster faster than a blink of
an eye and orders Bogg to freeze.  "Don't try anything foolish.  I got you
covered."
     Bogg just puts up his hands in a surrender type of gesture and says
in as gentle tone as possible, "I told you we not dangerous.  I just need
to show my Omni, which seems to be broken.  That's what brought us here
before breaking.  And broken or not, it can hardly be called a weapon."
     Apollo moves around to face Bogg head on.  "Slowly retrieve it and
don't test my reflexes."
     "Apollo, put the blaster away," Adama says in a gentle, but still
commanding voice.  "I don't see these two as being any threat to us."
     "Sorry, father.  I just didn't want to have any chances taken."
Apollo puts away his laser blaster in its holster and moves back to where
he was originally standing.  Tigh is now standing next to the Commander's
desk.
     Hesitantly, Bogg reaches for the Omni again.  This time, everything
is quiet.  He holds the Omni in his hand, palm up, so everyone is able
see it.  "This is called an Omni.  It's given to all Voyagers upon
graduation.  It's a device allowing us to travel through time.  It
takes us to places and times where something is going wrong with history
and will let us know when everything's okay."
     While explaining all this, Apollo is very tense and ready to
protect his father should any danger arise.  Bogg doesn't notice and
continues with his story.
     "Well, Jeffrey and I had the green light for our next assignment."
Bogg opens up the Omni and places it on the Commander's desk.  The red
light is still blinking wildly along with the dials and globe spinning.
Apollo has his hand right next to his laser blaster.  Tigh bends over and
visually examines the device just laid upon the desk.  Commander Adama
reaches out for it to give it his own hands-on examination, but still
doesn't say a word.  So Bogg proceeds, "Don't touch the button.  I don't
think it will work anyway, but just to be safe..."
     Adama looks up and Bogg and raises his eyebrows.  "What is the
button supposed to do?"
     "The button activates the Omni and sends Jeffrey and I through
time.  The red light tells us something is wrong.  As you see, the dials
and the globe are moving.  They shouldn't be.  That way I can tell you
where and when I am in history.  I've been needing to have this repaired,
but I can never seem to make it back to HQ to have it properly taken care
of.  When Jeffrey and I had the green light saying everything was okay, we
were on our way to our next assignment.  And that's when we happened to
come on board.  We landed in what looks like a cargo room of yours."
     Adama's expression hasn't changed on his face throughout the
story.  Tigh is quite interested and Apollo is still tense.  Adama
speaks, "I must say that is quite a story.  Can you prove it?"
     Jeffrey looks up at Bogg with worry in his eyes.  Bogg just nods
his head at Jeffrey and looks back to Adama.  "No, sir, I can't.  With all
due respect, if the Omni was working, we would have left.  Right now, you
have to take my word for it."
     "I see," Adama replies with a skeptical look in his eyes.  "Tigh?"
     "Yes sir?"
     "Have any unidentified ships come within range of the fleet?"
     "Negative, sir."
     After a few centons of thinking, Adama looks around at everyone.
They are all standing silent, awaiting Adama's orders.  "Apollo, take this
down to Dr. Wilker.  He is to do what he can with it, but not try to
duplicate it or break it even further if he is unsure of what he is doing.
You will supervise his activities, personally.  Do not allow this Omni,"
Adama stresses the word, Omni, "to leave your sight.  Keep me updated on
any progress."
     Adama hands the Omni to his son.  Apollo accepts it, saying, "Yes,
sir" and exits the commander's office.  Adama turns to his executive
officer.  "Tigh, what is the status of Lt. Starbuck?"
     "He's just returned from patrol, sir."
     Adama now looks at Jeffrey.  "Since you've already met Boxey, would
you care to rejoin him and the other children?"
     Jeffrey is not sure what to do.  He is still a child himself, but
feels as if he's an adult since becoming a Voyager, unofficially, with
Bogg.  Not sure what to do, he looks up to Bogg then back to Commander
Adama.  "Are we prisoners?"
     Adama lightens up and smiles at Jeffrey.  "Oh no.  Being a father as
I am, it seems best for you to relax and have some fun with the other
children.  We'll make sure you and Mr. Bogg can be together whenever
either of you so wishes."
     Jeffrey looks up to Bogg again as Bogg returns his gaze.  "Go ahead,
kid.  You could use some fun.  You deserve it.  Especially after our last
assignment."  Bogg pats Jeffrey on the back.
     Slowly, a smile appears on Jeffrey's face.  He looks back to the
commander and replies, "Okay.  I'll go."
     "Good," Adama says as he also smiles.  "Colonel, take Jeffrey down
to the children station and have Starbuck report to me promptly."
     "Aye sir.  Come with me, Jeffrey."  Tigh takes Jeffrey's hand and
exits the commander's office.  Bogg and Adama watch as they leave.  Bogg
is the only remaining person in the room besides the commander himself.
Adama looks at Bogg.  "Sit down, son."
     Bogg does sit down a bit hesitantly.  Adama sees Bogg's unease.
"Relax.  Would you care to tell me about your previous assignment?  This
is all off the record and you are in no harm."
     "Of course, sir."  Bogg relaxes a bit as Adama sits back in his own
chair.  "We were in Russia back in 1862..."
     "Where is this Russia?" Adama asks.
     "Back on Earth."
     "Earth!!"  Adama exclaims.  "By all that's holy.  Tell me Mr. Bogg,
does everyone on Earth have access to this Omni."
     "No, sir, only us Voyagers.  We are a specially selected few.  And
nobody really knows about us.  It's all for the better really and many
times difficult."
     "I see.  So then, what kind of technological advancements do they
have on Earth?"
     "I can only tell you as far as 1970 AD, sir.  That's as far ahead in
time as my Omni can go.  I do believe they landed on the moon by that date.
But currently, with a broken Omni, I can't say how far behind or ahead of
this date it is."
     Adama becomes a little troubled.  If Bogg is indeed from Earth and
ended up here due to his Omni, he may be able to give me some more clues
about Earth to aid in our journey.  "Can you tell me where at, in the
galaxy, is Earth located."
     Now Bogg now feels a little bad.  He depended on his guide book for
so much historical information, and now Jeffrey, he is not sure how to
deliver the bad news to Adama.  "No, sir.  Much of the time period I
work with is very primitive compared to this.  I don't think the moon
landing was an everyday occurrence."
     "I see.  Well then, tell me all you can."
     "We were in Russia.  And Catherine the Great was supposed to take the
throne.  She wanted to, but was too scared about being assassinated.  She
sort of broke down after having her husband, Peter III, removed from
office.  She started doubting herself.  Jeffrey and I had to boost her
ego."
     "And how did this Catherine remove her husband from office, Mr. Bogg?"
     Bogg tries not to smile remembering how Jeffrey told him the Russian
society worked.  Trying to say this in a subtle manner is not going to be
easy.  "To be honest, sir, she had some conspirators kidnap him and take
him someplace where he couldn't be found."
     "Oh dear.  Is it like this all over Earth?"
     "Oh no, sir.  Each part of history has its own distinctive and unique
events and society.  It's just at the year Jeffrey and I were in, Russia
was having some major problems.  Their society really hadn't evolved for a
couple hundred years.  Jeffrey and I just had to make sure Catherine made
it to power.  Whether the end result was good or bad for society, that is
not for us to decide.  After that, our assignment was done.  So we had to
move on to our next assignment and here we are.  But I don't think our
assignment lies here."
     "Yes," Adama replies.  At that moment, the door buzzer sounds.
"Come."  Starbuck enters.
     "Reporting as ordered, sir."
     "At ease, Lieutenant.  This here is Mr. Phineas Bogg."  Bogg stands
up and extends his hand.  Starbuck accepts it, but instead of clasping
Bogg's hand with his own, he clasps Bogg's forearm.  Bogg immediately
takes his cue and returns the gesture as Adama completes the
introduction, "and this is our Lt. Starbuck."
     Bogg smiles and says, "Nice to meet you."
     "Yes it is," answers Starbuck.  After releasing the grasp, Starbuck
looks back to the commander.
     "Starbuck, Mr. Bogg and his nephew, Jeffrey, who is currently with
the other children, are lost.  I'd like you to keep him entertained until
Colonel Tigh and I can help him find his way home."
     "Aye sir.  Well, Mr. Bogg..."
     Bogg puts up his hand and Starbuck stops in mid-sentence.  "Just call
me Bogg."
     Starbuck smiles, "Okay, Bogg, are you ready to have some fun?"
     "Just show me the way," replies Bogg with a smile.
     Starbuck looks at Adama, "Commander?"
     "Of course.  Dismissed.  And Bogg?"
     Bogg looks at the commander, "Yes sir?"
     "I'd like to speak with you later."
     "Of course, sir."
     "Dismissed."  Adama waves his hand.  Bogg and Starbuck exit the room
and Adama now absorbs everything that has just happened to analyze it and
its implications.

     Before the door at the children center, Tigh gives Jeffrey some
words of advice.  "Jeffrey, you will probably be crowded by all the
children at first.  It's not often they have a chance to meet someone
new their own age.  Don't be surprised if they have many questions for
you.  However, they won't know or be expecting you to have your Voyager
job, so please refrain from mentioning it directly.  Also remember these
children have not been on a planet since the destruction of our colonies
a few yahrens ago.  But most important," Tigh lightens the tone in his
voice and smiles, "have fun.  You look like you could use some R&R."
     "Yes sir."
     The door opens up and all the kids look at the newcomers.  When Boxey
sees who came in, he runs to Jeffrey and Tigh with Muffit close behind and
barking.  "Hi Jeffrey."
     Jeffrey suddenly feels quite good, and replies, "Hi Boxey."
     Boxey looks up to Colonel Tigh. "Hi Colonel."
     "Hello Boxey."  Tigh changes the tone of his voice into light,
friendly, command tone.  "Being that you are a young colonial warrior,
I have a very important job for you."
     "Yes, sir."  Boxey stands at attention.
     Tigh holds back his smile until finishing what he has to tell Boxey.
"Since you already know Jeffrey, your orders are to make sure he has fun."
     Boxey salutes the colonel and responds, "Yes, sir."
     Tigh looks out over all the children.  "Everybody, this is your new
friend, Jeffrey."
     Suddenly, a round of cheers and greetings start up all at once.
Tigh holds up his hands to bring some semblance to the sudden chaos.
"Take it easy on him.  You all will have a chance to play together."
     Another round of cheers rise up from all the children.  Muffit even
joins in with his mechanical barking.  He even tries to jump up and down
somewhat with his front legs, but doesn't have much success.  So then he
just shakes his head up and down with his ears swiveling.  Jeffrey's face
almost turns red from the huge response he receives.
     Tigh can't help but smile.  He looks back to Boxey, who is no longer
standing at attention since all the cheers began.  "Boxey."
     "Yes sir."  Boxey snaps back to attention....sort of.
     "Carry out your orders.  Dismissed."
     "Yes sir."  Boxey grabs onto Jeffrey's hand and starts to take him
around and introduce him to all the other children.  Tigh looks on for a
centon longer before he leaves.

     After leaving the commander's office, Starbuck and Bogg are walking
down a corridor enroute to the officer's quarters.  Starbuck starts the
talking.
     "If you don't mind, I'd like to change and freshen up a bit before we
go to the officer's lounge.  I just returned from a patrol."
     Bogg, knowing how trying some jobs can be at times, answers, "Sure."
     Now Starbuck decides it's time to acquaint himself with his new
comrade.  "Ever gamble?"
     Bogg's smile is big.  "Sure do!  It's second nature to me."
     "Women?" Starbuck's smile is growing bigger.
     "Naturally and always."
     Starbuck winks his eye at Bogg, "You and I are going to get along
just fine."
     Both men laugh as they continue to go to the officer's quarters.
Once there, Starbuck heads for his locker.  "Just have a seat, Bogg.
I'll be done in a few centons."
     Bogg nods and heads down to the few steps to the gaming table.  He
picks up a deck or cards and examines them.  Starbuck notices, and asks,
"Ever play Pyramid?"
     "Nope.  Never heard of it."
     "Would you like to learn?"
     "Sure would," Bogg replies earnestly.
     Starbuck's smile this time has a little evil to it.  He wonders how
many cubits Bogg may have.  Not that Starbuck really wants to break Bogg
on gambling.  But when teaching, it's good to keep it as realistic as
possible.
     A few centons pass.  Starbuck walks down to join Bogg at the gaming
table.  No other warriors are present.  "I see you've been examining the
Pyramid deck."
     "Yup."
     "Good.  As you see, there are 55 cards in the deck.  The cards are
divided into three suits: purple, green, and orange."  Starbuck goes on
to tell Bogg the basic rules of Pyramid.  Bogg seems to be very relaxed
about it all.
     When Starbuck is finished, Bogg says, "Sounds easy.  In fact, it's
very similar to Poker back home."
     The smile temporarily fades from Starbuck's face.  But he quickly
puts it back on before Bogg can notice.  "Have any currency?"
     "No.  Sorry I don't."
     "Well then, I'll give you ten cubits to start with."  Starbuck
reaches down and removes his bag of cubits from his clothing.  Inside
is thirty cubits.  He pushes ten over to Bogg and lays out the other
twenty in front of himself.  He starts to shuffle the deck.  "Ready?"
     Bogg looks at Starbuck with a really big smile.  There may even be
a bit of slyness to it.  "Deal."
     Starbuck returns that same smile.  As soon as he deals the first card
to Bogg, the smile on Bogg's face disappears and becomes the straightest
poker face anyone has ever seen.  Starbuck deals himself a card.  When he
sees Bogg is no longer smiling, he removes the smile from his face and
deals out the other five cards.  "We'll start the pot at 1 cubit."
     Bogg doesn't say anything.  He places one cubit in the center of the
gaming table.  Starbuck does the same.  After rearranging his cards one
more time, Bogg looks at Starbuck and says, "I raise you one cubit."
     Starbuck considers his cards for a moment.  "I'll see your one cubit."
     Bogg then puts two cards face down on the table.  In a very serious
tone, he says, "Deal me two."
     Starbuck deals Bogg two new cards.  He puts down three of his own
cards.  "Dealer takes three."  He removes three cards from the deck and
places them with his hand.  After rearranging them, Starbuck says, "I
raise you two cubits."  Don't want to empty out a new player too fast.
     Bogg looks up from his cards.  "I'll see your two and raise you one
more."
     Starbuck pushes one more of his cubits to the center.  The pot now
has ten cubits.  Bogg is down to five cubits.  How good of a hand does he
have?  Or is he bluffing?  "Let's see what you have."
     Bogg lays down his cards - a second level pyramid.  Starbuck lays
down a perfect, first level pyramid.  Bogg gives a sly smile and pulls
the pot to him.  Starbuck is a little taken back.  Just beginner's luck.
But to Bogg he says, "Not bad."
     For the next half-centar, they take turns dealing and winning.  A few
warriors come and go during this time, but keep quiet so as not to disturb
Starbuck and the newcomer.  They also don't care to lose anymore cubits to
Starbuck.  The cubit division between Starbuck and Bogg varies quite a bit
during the play.
     Starbuck wins the final hand.  Both men have fifteen cubits each.
Starbuck shakes his head.  "Not bad for a beginner."
     Bogg smiles, "Hey.  I told you this is similar to poker back home.
The main difference being the deck of cards."
     "I certainly wouldn't mind learning your poker game."
     Bogg shrugs, "As I said, the idea is the same, but the deck of cards
needed has fifty-two cards divided into four suits.  Each card has its
own value."
     Starbuck nods.  "Maybe some other time then.  We don't have any cards
meeting your description.  Not to say we can't make them given time."
     They both laugh and stand-up to stretch.

     In Dr. Wilker's lab, Apollo watches on as Dr. Wilker continues to
slowly take apart the Omni and lay each piece in a specific place.  He
cleans the pieces as he goes along, but other than that he can't figure
out how the Omni works.
     "I must say, Captain, this has me boggled.  A cylon is kid's play
compared to this.  I can't find any power source or any connections to the
red and green lights."  The doctor scratches his head as he stares at the
inner workings.
     Worriedly, Apollo asks, "Will you be able to put it back together?"
     Dr. Wilker looks up.  "Huh?  Oh yea, I'll be able to put it together.
But I'll finish cleaning it first.  That's about all I can do."
     Apollo examines all the pieces laid out on the lab table.  He
can't make sense of it.  He's done minor electronic work, but this is
totally foreign to him.  "Go ahead and finish cleaning it as best you
can.  Once you put it back together, I'll return it to my father."
     "Right," Dr. Wilker replies as he begins removing another piece for
cleaning.
     Apollo activates the vid-comm system.  Commander Adama's face appears
on the screen. ["Yes, Apollo?"]
     "Dr. Wilker hasn't been able to do much with the 'object' but clean
it.  He'll finish cleaning it, then put it back together," Apollo tells
his father.
     ["Thank you, Apollo."]  The vid-comm goes blank as Adama terminates
the connection.  Apollo goes over to the chair he was sitting in to sit
down again.  He continues thinking about Jeffrey and Bogg.  Where they
came from.  How they may have boarded the Galactica.  If Bogg may
actually have been telling the truth.  What wonders it would be to
travel through time.  Apollo, himself, likes the ways things operated
yahrens before he was born when technology was less advanced than it is
to this present date.  It made some things more of a challenge than they
are now.

     Over in the children station, Jeffrey sits down on the floor against
one of the walls.  Boxey goes over to him.  "Are you okay?"
     Jeffrey takes a couple more breaths before he speaks.  "Yea..<huff>..
<huff>..I'm just pooped."
     "Are you not having fun?"  Boxey asks with a straight face.  Muffit 
adds his two barks worth.
     Jeffrey does smile.  "I'm having <huff> loads of fun."
     Boxey smiles and Muffit starts barking again with his tail waggling.
Boxey sits down next to Jeffrey.  Muffit just lowers his rear end to the
deck.  The other kids come over and form a circle around Jeffrey.  Jeffrey
looks around at them.  They all become quiet.  Boxey asks, "Would tell us
what your planet's like?"
     "It's big, mostly covered with water.  There are cities with big
buildings.  There are areas for farming with big fields and lots of
animals.  All different kinds of land, animals, people, flowers, trees.
It's a great place."
     Boxey and the other children are astonished.  "How far is it from
here?" one of the children asks.
     "I really don't know.  But it's probably real far,"  Jeffrey responds.
     "What's it called?" another child asks.
     Oh Oh.  That's the question I was hoping they wouldn't ask.  I can't
say Earth.  "It's called Mars."
     "What does Mars mean?"
     Jeffrey shrugs.  "I really don't know.  Okay, I'm ready to play more.
Who wants to play hide and seek?"
     All the children start cheering and yelling various forms of "yes."
Jeffrey volunteers to cover his eyes and count first.  All the children
scrambled for hiding places.

     "Ready to go mingle with some women warriors?" Starbuck asks Bogg.
     "Sure.  Here're your cubits.  It was a fun game."  Bogg puts out his
open hand, palm up, with the cubits in it.  Starbuck retrieves them
without saying anything but "Thanks."
     They make their way down to the officer's lounge discussing different
women they've dated in the past.  Starbuck starts talking about him and
Cassiopeia.  He tells Bogg how she was stranded on a Gemonese freighter,
taking her to have her arm fixed, and when they went to "get to know each
other" in one of the launch tubes.  Starbuck doesn't mention that "little"
steam purge which ruined the rest of the night.  "'Born to dance among the
stars,' she said and she can really dance."
     "Do you love her?"
     Starbuck becomes a bit edgy.  This is a topic he'd rather keep to
himself.  But maybe he should make an exception.  Bogg and him do have
many things in common.  "Let's just say she's the only one I ever really
considered being sealed to if we ever find Earth or some other planet to
settle on."
     Bogg keeps hushed about Earth.  "Haven't you passed planets yet where
you can live?"
     "Yea, we've passed many.  But the commander is set on finding Earth
and as a colonial warrior, it's my duty to help protect this fleet."
     "Sounds like a very big job."  Bogg tries to compare protecting all
these ships out in space to his job of protecting history.  He's sure his
job is one of the toughest anyone could ask for since I minor change in
history can make a world of difference.
     Starbuck breaks Bogg's thought.  "It is with 220 ships and everyone
aboard them being the only people left from our colonies."  Bogg reconsiders
his previous thought.  Protecting the last of your race from extinction
can also make a world of difference.  Starbuck speaks up, "Here we are."
They were standing in front of the infirmary door.  "Cassiopeia will be
on duty for a few more centars, but it will be okay for us to go in."
     They enter and have to proceed to another room to find Cassiopeia.
She's looking through a microscope.  Starbuck whispers, "Cassi?"
     She looks up and smiles.  "Hi Starbuck.  Keep quiet for a centon so I
can finish this."  Starbuck nods his head, put his index finger to his
lips as a sign to shush.  Bogg acknowledges with a silent laugh.
     When she completes her observations, she walks over to Starbuck and
Bogg, places her hands in Starbuck's and gives him a kiss.
     "Cassi, this is Phineas Bogg.  He's a guest on board for a while."
     Bogg clears his throat.  "Pleased to meet you."
     Cassiopeia offers her hand.  Bogg accepts it, raises it a little and
gently kisses it.  Starbuck becomes a little hot.  Cassiopeia smiles and
says to Bogg.  "It's nice to meet you."
     When Bogg releases her hand, Starbuck grabs onto it quickly.  Still
trying to keep a friendly demeanor, he asks Cassiopeia, "Will you be
working late today?"
     Cassiopeia breaks her stare at Bogg, "Work?"  She snaps back to
reality.  "No.  I'll be finished at the regular time, emergencies not
withstanding."
     Just then, Rigel enters the infirmary.  She enters the room where
Cassiopeia, Starbuck and Bogg are in and hands a folder to Cassiopeia.
"Colonel Tigh wants you to look over this and report back to him with
your opinion."
     Cassiopeia accepts the folder, turns to Starbuck and suggests,
"Starbuck, why don't you introduce them?"
     "Of course.  Rigel, this is our guest, Phineas Bogg.  Bogg, this is
an important bridge officer of ours, Rigel."  Starbuck hopes Rigel will
keep Bogg's attention away from Cassiopeia.
     "It's nice to meet you Mr. Bogg," Rigel says in a soft tone.
     "The pleasure is mine," Bogg says in return to Rigel.  He turns to
Starbuck and says, "You sure do have pretty women working aboard this
ship."
     Rigel and Cassiopeia both smile at the compliment.  Starbuck feels
better now.  "Yes we do," and he releases a long breath.
     "Starbuck?" Cassiopeia calls out.  "Why don't all four of us go over
to the Rising Star tonight."
     "Bogg?" Starbuck checks.
     "Sounds great to me?"
     Starbuck turns to Rigel, "How about you?"
     "I'm in."
     Cassiopeia smiles and says, "Great!  We'll meet in the shuttle bay
one centar after this shift is over.  Sound good?"
     They all agree.  Although Bogg has no idea what a centar is.
     "Starbuck, I'll have to finish my work now to be complete by the end
of the shift," Cassiopeia softly tells him.  Rigel quietly turns and
leaves.  Bogg watches as she exits.
     Starbuck takes the cue.  "Okay.  We'll see you in the shuttle bay."
     Cassi's eyes sparkle as she turns to go back to work.  Starbuck takes
a deep breath and slowly exhales it.  "Wonderful isn't she?"
     Bogg turns back to take another look at Cassiopeia.  "She sure is.
If I were you, I'd make sure I didn't lose her."
     "I sure hope I don't."
     They both leave Cassiopeia to her work and exit the infirmary.
Starbuck asks Bogg, "How about I give you a tour of the Galactica.  There
are some romantic spots believe it or not."
     "I'm with you."  They walk down the corridor away from the infirmary.

     A few centars pass.  Jeffrey is still in with all the children.
They've been so busy, Jeffrey doesn't notice how much time has passed. Meal
time is here.  All the children eat.  Afterwards, Jeffrey tells them more
about his parents before they died and Ralph, the dog.  Athena joins them
later for story time.
     Starbuck and Bogg have a few drinks in the officer's lounge.  They
begin playing Pyramid with the other officer's off-duty.  Starbuck and
Bogg do fairly well in the winning.  Being a good sport, Bogg buys the
next round of drinks for everyone.  Any bad feelings the warriors had
against Bogg for his success are now gone.
     Dr. Wilker finishes cleaning the Omni and reassembles it.  Apollo goes
straight for his father's office to return the Omni.  He then heads for his
own quarters.
     Commander Adama and Tigh confer about Bogg and Jeffrey who have not
caused any problems.  They discuss what questions Bogg may be able to
answer to provide an idea of Earth and if the Thirteenth tribe ever made
it there.
     Cassiopeia and Rigel complete their duty shifts and go back the
women's quarters, if you can call them quarters, to prepare for the
double date.

     In the officer's lounge, where everyone present is drinking and
discussing the day's events, Starbuck almost slaps himself when he realizes
he lost track of time.  He looks at his chronometer and sees there are only
ten centons left to make it to the shuttle bay to meet up with Cassiopeia
and Rigel.  He quickly sits up, removes his cigar from his mouth and puts
it out in the ashtray on the table.  He grabs Bogg's arm, "Bogg!"
     Bogg stops talking with another officer and looks at Starbuck.
Starbuck raises his voice just a little to stress the importance, "We
better leave now so we're not late.  They girls may be waiting for us
already."
     Bogg and Starbuck quickly make their way to the exit of the lounge and
break into a jog.
     "Starbuck, we have to stop by the children's section so I can let
Jeffrey know what's happening."
     Starbuck starts jogging faster and Bogg picks up his pace to keep up
with Starbuck.  They arrive at the children's section with six centons
remaining.  Upon entering, all the kids turn their heads from Athena to the
door.  Upon seeing Bogg enter, Jeffrey goes over to him while the others
remain seated.
     "Are you okay, Jeffrey?"
     "Yea.  Everything's going great," Jeffrey says with a smile.
     "Starbuck and I have a double date with two lovely women.  If you
need anything, don't hesitate to call.  I'll be back before you know it."
     "I think I'll be fine."
     "Great," Bogg says with a hand on Jeffrey's shoulder.
     Starbuck and Bogg quickly leave with four centons remaining.  After
dodging people in the corridors and making their way to the shuttle bay,
they run right up to Cassiopeia and Rigel.
     Starbuck looks back to Bogg after checking his chronometer and says,
"What da ya know?  We have fifty microns to spare."
     Bogg gives Starbuck a gentle push and they both laugh.  Cassiopeia and
Rigel look on and join in with the laughing.  Cassiopeia sides herself with
Starbuck and locks her arm with his.  "Come on, Hotshots.  Let's board the
shuttle before they leave without us."
     Cassiopeia and Starbuck start boarding the shuttle.  Bogg offers his
arm with a smile to Rigel.  She accepts it and together they board they
shuttle.  All four were no sooner on board and the hatch is closed and
sealed.
     They are sitting together with Starbuck and Bogg at opposite ends.
Cassiopeia turns to Starbuck.  "What plans do you have for us tonight?"
     "Err...Ah...Plans?"  Starbuck has to make it appear he already had
this figured out.  "Plans.  Well I think we should have a nice, private
dinner and dance the night away."
     Cassiopeia smirks at him.  "And how do you propose we obtain a private
room, Romeo?"
     Starbuck smiles, pulls out his bags of cubits and shows them to
Cassiopeia.  "With these?"
     Rigel asks, "Bogg?"
     He looks at her and smiles, "Starbuck and I did well at Pyramid."
     Cassiopeia opens her eyes in shock.  Rigel just smiles.  Cassiopeia
looks fiercely at Starbuck, "You gambled all that away from the other
warriors so we could embellish ourselves with it?"
     Oh no.  The plan is falling apart.  "Well Cass, this was just like
any other night between me and the guys.  The only difference is Bogg was
there and he's about a good as I am.  Besides, the guys never gamble all
their money.  And they weren't forced to play."
     Cassiopeia lightens her look.  "Okay.  I guess I can forgive you this
time."  She lays her head against Starbuck's arm while holding his hand
with hers.  Rigel and Bogg have some small talk becoming acquainted with
each other.
     "Please make sure your belts are fastened.  Docking with the Rising
Star in two centons" announces by the co-pilot.  Starbuck, Cassiopeia,
Rigel and Bogg all make sure they are secure in their seats as do the other
passengers.
     Docking completes and the hatch opens.  Bogg and Rigel exit behind the
other passengers with Starbuck and Cassiopeia right behind them.  They
approach the Maitre d'.  "May I help you?"
     Bogg clears his throat.  "Room for four please."
     "I am sorry, sir.  You must reserve a private room at least five
sectons in advance," the Maitre d' politely tells Bogg.
     Starbuck moves up beside Bogg, "I'll take care of this."  And to the
Maitre d' he says, "I believe you should check the list again for Lt.
Starbuck, room for four."  While saying that, he slips a cubit to the
Maitre d'.
     "Ah yes.  We do have a room reserved for you and your guests.  This
way please."  They all smile and follow the Maitre d' to their room.  Upon
entry, Starbuck slips the Maitre d' another cubit and says, "Bring us a
bottle of your finest Ambrosia."
     "Why yes sir."  The Maitre d' accepts the cubit and walks away.  With
the door closing, Cassiopeia and Starbuck sit on one side of the small room
and Bogg and Rigel take the other.
     "How long are you planning on staying, Phineas?"  Rigel asks Bogg.
     Starbuck looks over, "Phineas?"
     Bogg smiles, "She likes it better than Bogg and it is my first name."
     "Of course."  Starbuck settles back down with Cassiopeia.
     Bogg returns his attention to Rigel.  "I'm afraid it won't be too
long.  As soon as the commander finds us a way home, my nephew and I will
be out of your way?"
     "Nephew?" Rigel has a puzzled expression when she asks this.
     "Yea, Jeffrey.  Oh.  I didn't tell you about him on the shuttle.  Did
I?"  Rigel shakes her head.  Bogg continues, "Well, he's a great boy, very
smart.  The kids in the children's section are probably learning quite a
bit from him.  We make a great team helping people."
     "You do have a very honorable job.  There aren't many around here like
you.  Present company excluded.  The warriors do have an important job, but
it's just so hard to get to know some of them.  And other workers can have
such a low morale, they really stay secluded.  Just do their jobs and
return to their quarters.  Not to mention, they keep me busy on the bridge,
especially during red alert."
     Cassiopeia decided to speak, "I know what you mean.  They bring in all
the wounded and keep us all busy in the infirmary."
     The door buzzer sounded.  Bogg stands up and walks to the door.  It
opens with the Maitre d' on the other side holding a bottle of Ambrosia and
glasses on a tray.  Starbuck stands up and examines the bottle.  "Just
right."
     Bogg slips another cubit into the Maitre d's hand.  "Thank you, sir.
Are you ready to order?"
     Starbuck speaks up and orders for all of them and stresses the words,
"only the best" while slipping the Maitre d' yet another cubit.
     "Of course, sir.  I shall endeavor to accommodate your order."  The
Maitre d' holds out his hand, but keeps it close to his body.
     Starbuck interjects before Bogg slips another cubit.  "Uh Uh."
Starbuck shakes his finger.  "When the food arrives."
     "Yes sir."  The Maitre d' turns and walks away from the door.  Bogg
and Starbuck return to their seats while the door closes and graciously
hand out the glasses, after filling them with Ambrosia, to the women.
     Bogg raises his glass, and toasts, "To us and a wonderful evening
together."  The others also raise their glasses.  They tap their glasses
together and have a drink.
     Starbuck takes his turn, "For a peaceful evening with no red alert to
interrupt."  They all nod their heads, tap their glasses and say, "Cheers."
     Cassiopeia is next.  "To these fine men - May they always stay that
way."
     "I'll drink to that," Starbuck says.  They all tap glasses again and
have a drink.
     Rigel smiles and raises her glass.  "To peace and finding Earth."
     Starbuck speaks again, "Almost couldn't ask for more."  They all tap
their glasses and empty them.  Bogg takes the privilege of filling each
one again.
     Ten more centons pass and the Maitre d' personally brings the food
instead of the regular waiter or waitress.  Starbuck examines the food
and slips the Maitre d' another two cubits.
     The four of them eat, drink, laugh, pass a few jokes.  They have a
merry old time.  Twenty centons pass.  They finish eating their food and
rest with some more light talk.   Then they are ready to go out and dance
the night away.  Just as they are exiting the door, the Maitre d' appears
with the bill.  Bogg and Starbuck pay it and escort their dates to the
dance floor.  There is the regular mix of fast and slow songs.  Starbuck
and Cassiopeia keep together most of the night as do Bogg and Rigel.  A few
times, they exchange partners so Starbuck dances with Rigel and Bogg with
Cassiopeia.  Starbuck's a little uneasy at first when Bogg and Cassiopeia
are dancing together, but he knows it's nothing more than friendly dancing.
As for Rigel, she is lively and energetic.  The total opposite of what
anyone may think of her who only knows her while she's on duty.
     It's the colonial equivalent of 2:00 AM.  All four of them are
exhausted.  In fact, they are so exhausted, not a word is said on the
shuttle ride back to the Galactica.  They just sit in their seats.
Cassiopeia lies her head against Starbuck's arm as Rigel does the same
with Bogg's arm.
     Back on board the Galactica, they walk slowly, arm in arm, back to
the women's quarters.  For the sake of privacy, Starbuck and Cassiopeia
are distanced quite bit from Bogg and Rigel.  Basically they are at
opposite ends of the corridors.
     "I had a wonderful time tonight, Starbuck," Cassiopeia whispers in
his ear.
     "I can't argue with you there."
     Cassiopeia keeps her arms draped around Starbuck's neck and shoulders
as they exchange their long, farewell kiss.
     Bogg and Rigel aren't that physically close, but they are both very
happy.  "I must say Rigel, you are a wonderful woman.  I'm surprised you
don't have men at your feet begging to go out with you."
     Rigel blushes.  "Oh Phineas.  You're just saying that."
     "No, I really mean it."
     "Why can't you stay?"
     Bogg hates to break the news, but she asked.  "My bosses won't allow
it until I've served my time to the people.  My jobs makes it impossible to
really become involved with a woman." Bogg's voice becomes softer as he
says this.  "Especially one as terrific as you.  I'm sure one day you'll
have someone."
     "But I don't think that person will be as fun as you were tonight."
     "I wouldn't say that," Bogg quietly says.
     They just stare into each others eyes.  Bogg lowers himself a bit so
his eyes are the same level as Rigel's.  She moves close to him and
embraces him in a hug.  He returns the embrace.  Slowly, Rigel pulls her
head back just enough bring her lips together with Bogg's.  It was
supposed to be just a short farewell kiss, but both of them make it last
as long as they can.
     At the other end of the corridor, Starbuck and Cassiopeia look up at
Bogg and Rigel for just a centon seeing how they are embraced.  They
giggle very softly and return their attention back to each other.
     Bogg and Rigel finish their kiss.  Rigel steps back from Bogg still
with one of her hands in Bogg's hand as they stare into each other's eyes.
Rigel whispers, "Until next time," then she let's go of Bogg's hand.
     Bogg is basically speechless and just repeats her words as she
disappears into the women's quarters, "Until next time."
     Starbuck and Cassiopeia finish with their Good Nights and Cassiopeia
also enters the women's quarters.  After the door closes, Starbuck walks
up to Bogg.  They start walking back to the officer's quarters.  "Great
girls aren't they."
     Bogg agrees.  "Terrific."
     They return to the officer's quarters in the dimly lit corridor.
Starbuck lays down in his bunk as Bogg takes a spare one.  Well it's
only spare for the rest of the night shift.

     Before the beginning of the next shift, Colonel Tigh enters the
officer's quarters to awaken Starbuck and Bogg.  "Report to Commander
Adama's office in half a centar."
     Sleepily, they both respond, "Aye, sir."  Tigh walks out not looking
too happy.
     Half a centar later, Starbuck and Bogg are outside the commander's
office and activate the door buzzer.  When they hear Adama's voice say,
"Enter", they do enter his office without hesitation.  Already inside are
Captain Apollo, Colonel Tigh, and of course, the commander himself.  All
are seated this time.
     "Please be seated gentlemen," Adama says to Starbuck and Bogg.
     Bogg looks around one last time as he takes his seat and notices
Jeffrey isn't there.  "Where's Jeffrey?!" he asks in an alarmed voice.
     Adama just looks on.  "He'll be here momentarily, Mr. Bogg."  Just
then the door buzzer sounds.  "Enter."
      Jeffrey enters, smiles when he sees Bogg as Adama says, "Have a seat,
son."  Jeffrey sits down next to Bogg.
     Adama addresses them all.  "Gentlemen, we seem to be in no better
position today than we were yesterday.  Mr. Bogg?"
     "Yes, sir," Bogg responds.
     "Would you say the inhabitants of Earth are very civilized?"
     "As I said yesterday sir, it all depends on what the time period is."
     "I see.  From what you know, how would they welcome people from off
of Earth?"
     "Well, sir...I only know as far as 1970, and not much at that.
Jeffrey, can you answer Commander Adama's question?"  Bogg asks.
     Jeffrey brightens up.  "When Bogg and I first 'met', the year was
1982.  By that time, many people were hoping one day they would meet
aliens from outer space.  Radio signals were constantly being broadcast."
     Apollo speaks out, "Radio signals?  Interesting."
     "What do you mean by that, Apollo," Adama asks his son.
     "I'll be able to tell you later as soon as I figure it out."
     "Oh.  Continue Jeffrey," Adama says.
     "There are also two unmanned craft, Voyager I and Voyager II, heading
out of the Solar System into deep space.  Each have engraved pictures and
recordings of sounds from Earth and a way to show any aliens there are
others around.  There is one engraving to show where we are located in
that galaxy."
     Adama's eyes brighten.  "Is that so?"  Adama reaches into his desk and
pulls out a map of a spiral galaxy.  "Son, can you show me where in the
galaxy Earth is located?"
     Jeffrey goes to the commander's desk and examines the map.  He points
out, "About here.  That's the best I can do."
     Adama smiles to comfort Jeffrey.  "Well, that's good enough, son.
What do you know about your Solar System?"
     Jeffrey smiles.  "There are nine planets.  Some speculate there may be
a tenth but it's too far from Earth to be determined."
     Adama questions some more, "How many of those nine planets can sustain
life?"
     "Only Earth, sir, as far as we know.  NASA has been sending out
planetary probes to learn more of our Solar System."
     "Good.  So far, what you say corresponds to the records of our
ancestors from Kobol and the destination of the Thirteenth Tribe."
     Jeffrey is now a puzzled.  "The Thirteenth Tribe, sir?"
     Adama smiles.  His turn to lecture.  "Yes, son."  He continues to tell
Bogg and Jeffrey about Kobol and the twelve colonies.  He speaks about the
mystery of the Thirteenth Tribe and its connection with Earth.  Then came
the destruction of the colonies and now the Galactica with 220 ships are
now trying to find the Thirteenth Tribe on Earth.
     "I don't know anything of that from Earth's history, sir.  But there
are many conflicting stories about aliens being to Earth in its past to
make monumental things such as Easter Island and the Pyramids.
Archaeologists are still trying to find enough evidence to finally come to
a concrete solution and do away with all the speculations."
     "Well, Jeffrey, you've given us enough information to know we are
least heading in the right direction and the possibility of the Thirteenth
Tribe being on Earth.  Hopefully, we can locate more information as we
continue our journey.  From the looks of it, it may take another millennium
to reach Earth from our current location and the slow speed at which the
fleet moves.  The Galactica can survive that long, but we ourselves won't.
We can only hope to guide our descendants in the quest to find Earth and
the Thirteenth Tribe.
     "I thank you both for the information you have given us," Adama tells
Bogg and Jeffrey.  "Here is your Omni, Mr. Bogg.  I'm sorry to say Dr.
Wilker could only clean its insides."
     "Thank you sir.  I think only our bosses know how these things work,"
Bogg tells Adama.
     "Quite right.  Should you not be able to return to your home, you will
be welcome to stay with us or on any habitable planet we pass."
     Bogg stands and extends his hand to Adama, "Thank you again, sir.  I
hope we can return home, but I must say, from the people I have met, you
have a fine crew and should be proud of them."
     Adama stands, smiles and accepts Bogg's hand in a shake.  "I am very
proud of my crew."
     Jeffrey stands.  "The children are also great.  I think most of them
will be fine adults when they grow up.  They dream of Earth and really want
to help in finding it.  Boxey also does great drawings of some small star
systems."
     Apollo speaks, "Yes, he does.  He wants to become a viper pilot
instead of an astro-navigator though when he grows older."
     Adama addresses Bogg and Jeffrey again.  "May the Lords of Kobol be
with you on your journeys."
     "Thank you, sir," Bogg says.
     Jeffrey joins in, "Thanks."
     Bogg looks at Jeffrey, "Hold on, kid."
     Jeffrey grabs onto Bogg's arm.  Bogg looks one last time at Adama.
"I hope you do find Earth.  It's a great place."
     With that, Bogg opens the Omni.  The red light is still blinking.  The
globe of Earth is still spinning as well as the years dial.  But the month
and day dials aren't.  "Looks good kid.  Let's see if the automatic works."
Bogg presses on the Omni button and they both disappear without a trace
remaining.
     Adama, Tigh, Starbuck (who's been unusually quiet) and Apollo all
stare in amazement and where Jeffrey and Bogg were just standing microns
ago.  Adama breaks the quiet, "Amazing.  Apollo?"
     "Ahh, yes sir?" Apollo breaks out of his trance.
     "What was your interest in radio signals?" Adama asked.
     "I know of some old radio equipment using outdated frequencies.
I'm going to ask Boomer to help and see if we can make those things
operational.  Who knows?  Maybe we'll be able to pick up those signals
from Earth one day."
     Adama smiles and is very proud of his son.  "You do that, Apollo.  I'm
with you all the way."
    
     Back on Earth, out in a corn field on Earth, a low whistle is heard.
As it grows in volume, two figures "fall out of the sky" and land in the
corn field.  Bogg sees Jeffrey is right beside him.  "Well kid, looks like
the fun is over and back to work."
     Jeffrey stands up and brushes the dirt off his clothes.  "Where are
we?"
     Bogg opens the Omni and sees the red light flashing.  The globe is no
longer spinning as the dials are also not moving.  "Philadelphia, June,
1776."
                              -The End-