-eyed; another of his creations, cloned and perfected during his period on Arcta. A number on the tan overalls identified the series and culture of the female. "What is it, Tenna-Fourteen?" "Will you be here all night, Father-Creator?" She spoke softly, with the reverence all the Thetas expressed for the human who'd brought them into existence. "Just a little while longer, Tenna. Go to your rest. I'll be all right. Oh, but have the Ser-Fives check over the gamma-delt feedlines one more time, especially the twenty-alpha-four seals and circuits." "Yes, Father-Creator." The small blonde padded silently to the lift and disappeared. "You don't trust the work of your own Planners, drawn from your own ideas and overseen by you every step of the way?" Ravashol smiled at the young Warrior who addressed him so archly. A dark-haired, handsome youth, Major Akilles was the oldest son of Ila of the Council of Twelve, formerly its president, and Commander Adama of the -Galactus-, whose n't asked for any of it. He hadn't asked the strangers to come to his reality. He hadn't asked to be accused of treason by High Command and cleared by the strangers. He hadn't asked to share consciousness with that other self. He hadn't asked for the link between them to remain when the Other left. He hadn't asked Akilles for friendship in honor of the roles they'd played in conspiracy and the relationships of a stranger. He hadn't asked to see Apollo die, or to be the instrument of avenging that murder. *Blood. And you left, and I was alone in the middle of nothing.* Starbuck closed his eyes and leaned against the wall, feeling exhausted and very unhappy. He wasn't at all certain of the rightness of what they were doing - not that Akilles had given him any chance to voice his objections. Usually, he wanted the lingering sense of another man to go _away_ and leave him alone to live his own life. He didn't understand the ccasional fascination that kept drawing him back to this ma quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your br quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your br quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your br quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your br quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your br-eyed; another of his creations, cloned and perfected during his period on Arcta. A number on the tan overalls identified the series and culture of the female. "What is it, Tenna-Fourteen?" "Will you be here all night, Father-Creator?" She spoke softly, with the reverence all the Thetas expressed for the human who'd brought them into existence. "Just a little while longer, Tenna. Go to your rest. I'll be all right. Oh, but have the Ser-Fives check over the gamma-delt feedlines one more time, especially the twenty-alpha-four seals and circuits." "Yes, Father-Creator." The small blonde padded silently to the lift and disappeared. "You don't trust the work of your own Planners, drawn from your own ideas and overseen by you every step of the way?" Ravashol smiled at the young Warrior who addressed him so archly. A dark-haired, handsome youth, Major Akilles was the oldest son of Ila of the Council of Twelve, formerly its president, and Commander Adama of the -Galactus-, whose quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your brAlternate Obsession by Sharon Monroe It had been sectars of exhausting work, demanding every bit of energy and concentration he could give it. He was satisfied his theories were correct; what he had created would function, and as expected. And yet, the night before the -Starwind-'s maiden voyage, Doctor Ravashol sat on the bridge of the small starcraft, going through computer banks, double-checking his own equations, looking over the blueprints, rescanning experimental data, all for the last time. If he had miscalculated, made an error anywhere along the line of research and development, he would pay the price as well as the hand-picked young crew, for the aging scientist was accompanying them. Akilles had protested, but it had been part of the agreement from the beginning; Ravashol would be part of the culmination of his life's work. A small hand placed a heavy mug at his elbow. "Father- Creator?" He barely glanced at the petite blonde Theta - small-boned, short-haired, bluedness. Was he as obsessed as the others, as needful of knowing? Did the stranger beckon from across whatever distances they would have to travel? Or was it a simpler fear of losing a friendship he now depended on, if he tried to express his feelings? Akilles's friendship wasn't easy to possess. The man was egotistical, vain and arrogant, too self-assured, born into and at ease with a world in which Starbuck could never hope to be accepted. When he was angry or wanted something, he could probe for a man's weak spot and attack the jugular like a ferocious predator, showing no mercy, leaving no shreds of dignity or self-respect. He expected obedience and absolute loyalty and frequently took them for granted. It was what he'd grown up with, what he expected from life - to be a leader in a society that expected him to lead. And because society expected so much of him, he demanded much in return, but had a very cynical attitude toward that society. People and position were coldly measureother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful mothother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful mothother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful mothother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful mothother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful moth quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your brother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful moth-eyed; another of his creations, cloned and perfected during his period on Arcta. A number on the tan overalls identified the series and culture of the female. "What is it, Tenna-Fourteen?" "Will you be here all night, Father-Creator?" She spoke softly, with the reverence all the Thetas expressed for the human who'd brought them into existence. "Just a little while longer, Tenna. Go to your rest. I'll be all right. Oh, but have the Ser-Fives check over the gamma-delt feedlines one more time, especially the twenty-alpha-four seals and circuits." "Yes, Father-Creator." The small blonde padded silently to the lift and disappeared. "You don't trust the work of your own Planners, drawn from your own ideas and overseen by you every step of the way?" Ravashol smiled at the young Warrior who addressed him so archly. A dark-haired, handsome youth, Major Akilles was the oldest son of Ila of the Council of Twelve, formerly its president, and Commander Adama of the -Galactus-, whose d against his own abilities and desires; what they wanted was balanced against what he could give and take. Starbuck knew he wasn't the easiest man to call friend either. From the vantage point of the Other, he could step outside himself and see who and what he was. He was stubborn and defensive, and tried to cover insecurity with bravado. He appreciated the material pleasures of life, probably because he hadn't experienced many of them while growing up. He enjoyed gambling, partying, and the physical pleasures of love - they gave him a sense of worth, of control, of importance, however fleeting. It narrowed the outside world and its culture to small, manageable pieces. There was always a delight in winning that could make the past unimportant, for a few centons. Each of the Warriors knew the other's weaknesses and strengths by now. Akilles was obsessed with his brother's memory, and the cosmic significance of the others' very presence in their world; he was also touchy about suger from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as weller from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as weller from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as weller from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as weller from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as wellother's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful mother from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as well quick thought and actions had saved the Twelve Colonies at the False Peace almost two yahrens before. Akilles had played his own role in saving the Colonies, through his part in the undiscovered conspiracy and in battle at Kobol. Some of the shadow-scars burning in the Warrior's eyes were from that time; others were from what they were attempting now. "Do you miss anything, Akilles? I begin to think it's true what your pilots say, that you never sleep." The major smiled. "I just don't get caught napping." Ravashol had to laugh. "But what brings you here the night before our first experimental flight? You should be sleeping before the voyage." He shrugged, glancing around the cramped quarters of the - Starwind-'s bridge. "One last look, same as you. We'll be trusting our lives to this lady. She has to be right." "She is." "Will she take us where we want to go?" "Across time and space, to follow the dream or vision or will-o'-the-sisp that's obsessed you since your brgestions that his position came from his parents' power - he knew there was truth to the statement, but he was also very aware of his own abilities, and how his situation made it possible to fulfil his potential. Starbuck's background was a wounding-point, and all his bravado and easy approach to life could be swept away with one reference to it, or to an old friend, dead for yahrens, who might have died because of his failure. Seeing the Boomer of that other existence had torn the old wounds open anew, then stitched them shut in new patterns. That Apollo had been a different man than his friend and his friend's brother, fashioned in a barely gentler crucible. Starbuck drew a deep breath, trying not to compare the men, trying to think only of his own world. Akilles was a solid rock, an anchor, secure in his life, his goals, everything he did. He was more like a restless wind or sea wave, always moving, without any place to really call home except for life itself. Together, they see. The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was . The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was . The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was . The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was . The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was er from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as well. The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was other's death at the memorial." Akilles's smile faded. "Apollo.... Is it possible to miss someone after two yahrens?" Ravashol's expression was equally pensive. "It is. Eos is still much in my thoughts...." "Who?" "The woman who contributed her cells to the cloning experiments. She is dead several yahrens ... but she lives on, in the Tennas." The Warrior nodded. "As Apollo lives on in his daughter. There are times I think she means more to my parents than the rest of us together - Athena, Ares, Artemis, her mother, the boy...." Ravashol stepped off the command dais and rested his hand on Akilles's shoulder for a micron. "It only seems that way because Korona is still just a baby, and is adored as babies are. You matter to them, you always will." "I know. It's hard being jealous of a baby - you feel like some kind of equinus' astrum." Ravashol's laughter was rich and contagious. "Indeed. Well, a grandchild to fawn over has kept your canny father and powerful mothmed to balance and amplify each other's strong points, and cover the weak. They were beginning to understand each other's pasts, and how those pasts had made them. Their relationship was forging, finally, into a real friendship. They were no longer just shipmates, pilots and wingman, triad partners, or former conspirators who could still face judgment. But what would happen in the new dimension? What kind of world would it be? What kind of people? What kind of enemy? Would they be able to function there, and fit in while they searched? What would happen to him if they encountered the other Starbuck again? He couldn't voice his fears. Akilles wouldn't understand; how could he? He didn't know what it felt like to have a shadowy stranger constantly in your mind, even after he should have been gone. Starbuck knew that fear of weakness, and fear of showing weakness, had always been his most crippling flaws. Others might exploit a weakness, use it against him. Akilles was certaifalse and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had enfalse and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had enfalse and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had enfalse and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had enfalse and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had en. The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was false and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had ener from investigating what kind of research I have been doing, and your exact involvement in it." "Just like at the False Peace. They had too many other things on their minds, the safety of the Colonies to consider. Now they're busy with its rebuilding. And I'm running away...." Ravashol held his tongue on that subject. "I'm going to Engineering to check out a few things. You may want to stop in the bay, give the tubes and our escort Vipers a few last checks. You've only looked them over a dozen times today. Something might have changed in the last centon." "How'd you know where I came from?" Ravashol laughed again; then the man left the bridge, and Akilles was alone to think and relive the events that had set him on his current course, taking the scientist and others with him. They had all suffered keenly at Apollo's murder. Ila had never really recovered from seeing her middle son shot down before her eyes; it was as though a portion of Adama's soul had been slain as wellnly capable of it. *I don't want to lose myself. I have no choice but to play the role my friend has set for me. I can't even tell him how I feel, not really. I'm not sure I know what I feel. *But it's been getting worse, this feeling. *Something ... something is happening....* ded all the potentials in the marriage and possibly sent the man home. Akilles wasn't certain. He knew, however, what he'd felt at seeing his brother shot down and bleeding ... dying. Lieutenant Starbuck knew, too, both of him. Another Starbuck had come from the other reality, a man who was Apollo's friend, who'd stood by him... It had been so different here. Starbuck had been an orphan, from a lower caste family, who'd succeeded as a Warrior by chance, as a client of Baltar, a nobleman of wealth and standing. The blond Warrior had been believed responsible for treason and for the death of another friend of Apollo's - Boomer, a Warrior who died in an accident, an equipment malfunction. Never highly favored by anyone in Adama's family, he'd transferred from the -Galactus- to the -Pegasus- , Kain's command, to serve under Flight Commander Akilles, who'd not had time for the man either, until.... Until the other Starbuck came, taking his place in the consciousness of a comatose Warrded all the potentials in the marriage and possibly sent the man home. Akilles wasn't certain. He knew, however, what he'd felt at seeing his brother shot down and bleeding ... dying. Lieutenant Starbuck knew, too, both of him. Another Starbuck had come from the other reality, a man who was Apollo's friend, who'd stood by him... It had been so different here. Starbuck had been an orphan, from a lower caste family, who'd succeeded as a Warrior by chance, as a client of Baltar, a nobleman of wealth and standing. The blond Warrior had been believed responsible for treason and for the death of another friend of Apollo's - Boomer, a Warrior who died in an accident, an equipment malfunction. Never highly favored by anyone in Adama's family, he'd transferred from the -Galactus- to the -Pegasus- , Kain's command, to serve under Flight Commander Akilles, who'd not had time for the man either, until.... Until the other Starbuck came, taking his place in the consciousness of a comatose Warrded all the potentials in the marriage and possibly sent the man home. Akilles wasn't certain. He knew, however, what he'd felt at seeing his brother shot down and bleeding ... dying. Lieutenant Starbuck knew, too, both of him. Another Starbuck had come from the other reality, a man who was Apollo's friend, who'd stood by him... It had been so different here. Starbuck had been an orphan, from a lower caste family, who'd succeeded as a Warrior by chance, as a client of Baltar, a nobleman of wealth and standing. The blond Warrior had been believed responsible for treason and for the death of another friend of Apollo's - Boomer, a Warrior who died in an accident, an equipment malfunction. Never highly favored by anyone in Adama's family, he'd transferred from the -Galactus- to the -Pegasus- , Kain's command, to serve under Flight Commander Akilles, who'd not had time for the man either, until.... Until the other Starbuck came, taking his place in the consciousness of a comatose Warrded all the potentials in the marriage and possibly sent the man home. Akilles wasn't certain. He knew, however, what he'd felt at seeing his brother shot down and bleeding ... dying. Lieutenant Starbuck knew, too, both of him. Another Starbuck had come from the other reality, a man who was Apollo's friend, who'd stood by him... It had been so different here. Starbuck had been an orphan, from a lower caste family, who'd succeeded as a Warrior by chance, as a client of Baltar, a nobleman of wealth and standing. The blond Warrior had been believed responsible for treason and for the death of another friend of Apollo's - Boomer, a Warrior who died in an accident, an equipment malfunction. Never highly favored by anyone in Adama's family, he'd transferred from the -Galactus- to the -Pegasus- , Kain's command, to serve under Flight Commander Akilles, who'd not had time for the man either, until.... Until the other Starbuck came, taking his place in the consciousness of a comatose Warrded all the potentials in the marriage and possibly sent the man home. Akilles wasn't certain. He knew, however, what he'd felt at seeing his brother shot down and bleeding ... dying. Lieutenant Starbuck knew, too, both of him. Another Starbuck had come from the other reality, a man who was Apollo's friend, who'd stood by him... It had been so different here. Starbuck had been an orphan, from a lower caste family, who'd succeeded as a Warrior by chance, as a client of Baltar, a nobleman of wealth and standing. The blond Warrior had been believed responsible for treason and for the death of another friend of Apollo's - Boomer, a Warrior who died in an accident, an equipment malfunction. Never highly favored by anyone in Adama's family, he'd transferred from the -Galactus- to the -Pegasus- , Kain's command, to serve under Flight Commander Akilles, who'd not had time for the man either, until.... Until the other Starbuck came, taking his place in the consciousness of a comatose Warrfalse and to begin the plot that had resulted in the Colonies surviving that treachery. For some reason, Akilles had believed the stranger, and become part of the conspiracy, bringing in his own commander and calling in every favor he'd accumulated in yahrens in the Service. They'd infiltrated the Colonial defense computer network. They'd made sure some ships in the fleet were prepared for the Cylon attack. They'd intercepted messages and prevented sabotage in major cities and installations across the Colonies. The Cylon attack had been blunted; they had won enough time to rally their people and to drive off the enemy. The other Apollo had married a woman of their universe, Ostara, one of the conspirators - not entirely willingly, as Akilles knew, but the union had settled to become something stronger, with potential. At any rate, it had lasted long enough for Ostara to become pregnant. Korona, the darling of her grandparents' eyes, was the result. Apollo's murder by Charon had ended all the potentials in the marriage and possibly sent the man home. Akilles wasn't certain. He knew, however, what he'd felt at seeing his brother shot down and bleeding ... dying. Lieutenant Starbuck knew, too, both of him. Another Starbuck had come from the other reality, a man who was Apollo's friend, who'd stood by him... It had been so different here. Starbuck had been an orphan, from a lower caste family, who'd succeeded as a Warrior by chance, as a client of Baltar, a nobleman of wealth and standing. The blond Warrior had been believed responsible for treason and for the death of another friend of Apollo's - Boomer, a Warrior who died in an accident, an equipment malfunction. Never highly favored by anyone in Adama's family, he'd transferred from the -Galactus- to the -Pegasus- , Kain's command, to serve under Flight Commander Akilles, who'd not had time for the man either, until.... Until the other Starbuck came, taking his place in the consciousness of a comatose Warr. The younger siblings had drifted for a while, then recovered. Of them all, only Akilles and Ostara knew what had really happened - and Starbuck, of course. Then later, Dr. Ravashol. When Akilles cautiously approached him with his ideas, he had been suspicious, and demanded an explanation. With all the rebuilding in the Colonies after the False Peace, there had been few funds to spare for such experimentation, but Ravashol's name alone was good for billions of cubits on every Colony, and it had taken nearly all of them to reach this far. It had not been an easy explanation to make; Ravashol had been incredulous, as Akilles could understand. It still sounded insane. Three men had come from a far universe, an alternate dimension. And they had saved the Colonies from extermination. The consciousness of that other Apollo had occupied the body of Akilles's brother at the moment that young Warrior should have died. He had remained to give warning that the Cylon peace offer was