[bgjag1.txt - Battlestar Galactica/JAG Crossover]

Battlestar Galactica/JAG Crossover

by Tim Orr

Chapter 1

   It was a calm night aboard the USS-Eisenhower.  The shoreleave had begun
a few hours earlier.  Several crew members decided not to pursue their leave
on the Virginia soil.  They decided, however, to stay below and play poker
with a Colonial friend who had come aboard a few months prior. 


     Starbuck was sitting at the round table with his cards in his hand.
     "So, Starbuck."  Lieutenant Simmons started.  That Cassiopea is one hot
chick."
     "She also happens to be my girlfiriend."  Starbuck calmly relplied.
     "Well, I, us."  Simmons stuttered with surprise at that statement.
	"It's all right.  No harm in looking, now, is there?" The men chuckle at
this comment as Starbuck played the table for a little attention.
	"Two." Simmons stated to the dealer who promptly passed two cards back.
	"Place your bets." Chief Petty Officer Starkey called out.
	"Five cubits."  Starbuck stated as he threw the cubits into the pot.
	"I'll see your five and raise you six dollars."  Simmons spoke out looking
around the table to see the smirks on the faces of the enlisted men around.
	"Call."  The replies came back from around the table.  "Lay 'em out boys."
Starkey called out. 
	They each laid down their cards.
	"Full house." Simmons proudly displayed.  This was the best hand he had had
all night.  It had to be a winner he thought.
	"Straight." Starkey disappointedly said as he laid his cards down.  The
answers came from around the table.  Two pair. Three of a kind.  Nothing.
Nothing.  "Flush." Starbuck gloated as he laid down the cards.  "I'm going
to have to teach you the fundamentals of poker someday, Lieutenant."
	At that Simmons jumped up from his chair knocking it behind him.  He tipped
the table onto its side.  "You think you're better than us."  Simmons
yelled.  "Coming here with your 'advanced technology.'  Always putting us
down for our 'inferior' products."  Simmons yelled even louder.  "Who the
hell do you think you are?"  Simmons started to leave.  "By the way,
mister-big-shot-pilot, Cassiopea asked me out last Tuesday."  Simmons said
that out of anger, just to tick Starbuck off.  They had been partners for
the past few months.  Simmons had been his first and only RIO when Starbuck
had been learning how to fly the F-14 Tomcat.  Adama had asked that some of
the Colonial pilots volunteer to train on various craft in the world in
exchange pilots from around the world would be allowed to train on flying
vipers.  It was a sound exchange.  Each learning the others technology to
learn how to integrate the two together so that they could defend the Earth
from the Cylons if need be.  
	The others at the table stared in awe at the audacity of Lieutenant
Simmons' statement. 
	"Sit down, Lieutenant."  Starkey called out.  "This is a civilized game
with officers and enlisted men alike."  Simmons turned and ran from the room.
	"Don't take it personally, Starbuck."  Starkey started.  "It's only his
first tour.  He doesn't know what's going on yet."
	"I thought we were friends.  I've been here on the Eisenhower for six
months now."  Starbuck paused.  "Why did he say that about Cassiopea?"
Starbuck stood up.  "I've got to go talk to him.  There's no way Cassiopea
asked 'him' out."  Starbuck throws down some cubits.  "I'll be back later."
Starbuck left the room.
	"Officers."  Starkey started.  The others laughed.  "They never outgrow
their diapers."  The others laughed even harder.  They picked up the table
and the money from the floor.
 	A blaster discharged from outside.  Three more discharges are heard.  
	"What was that?!"  Starkey yelled.  He hadn't finished his sentence and was
out the door.  Two more discharges were heard as they seemed to echo through
the bulkheads.  The other men rushed after Starkey.  Some were trying to get
their money before they left.
	Outside Starkey ran down the gangway to the dock.  Starbuck was kneeling
next to Lieutenant Simmons.  Starbuck held his blaster in his hand.  There
was a laser burn on Lieutenant Simmons' shirt.  
	Starkey ran up to Starbuck and surveyed the scene.  Meanwhile, Starbuck was
checking Lieutenant Simmons' pulse.
	"He's dead."  Starbuck solemnly stated.
	"What happened?"  Starkey inquired.
	By this time the other men had run up to the scene along with several
Marine Military Police.
	"I came down the gangway and called out to Simmons.  He turned to look at
me, then started to walk away."  Starbuck recalled.  "I rushed across the
dock to him and turned him around.  He was acting irrationally."  Starbuck
paused.  "We talked for a few seconds and he was beginning to calm down.
Then someone fired a blaster from over near the warehouse."  Starbuck stated
as he choked down the tears that were beginning to well up inside him.  "The
shot hit his chest and he flew back a little then, it seems like slow
motion.  His face and the surprise that was on it.  He hit the ground and I
had turned and fired two shots towards the warehouse."  Starbuck paused.
"Then I saw the person rush across the dock in what looked like towards me,
but actually across the front of the warehouse."  Starbuck looked up at
Starkey.  "Then I fired again."
	"And you missed everytime."  Starkey inquired.
	"Yes.  It has been several yahren since I have had to fire my blaster at
anyone.  I was in shock at the whole ordeal.  I'm lucky that I hit the
warehouse."  Starbuck almost defensively replied.
	"Mister Pauls,"  Starkey started, "place Lieutenant Starbuck under arrest
for the murder of Lieutenant Simmons." 
	"I didn't do it!"  Starbuck yelled.
	Mister Pauls and two Marine MPs stepped up.
	"I didn't do it!"  Starbuck yelled again, distraught with anguish.  His
head was spinning around, he didn't know what to do.  He hadn't done
anything like this before.   Why was this happening to him.
	"Please hand over the weapon, Lieutenant."  Pauls asked as he held out his
hand.  Starbuck released his weapon into the outstretched hand. 
	"Take him to the brig until we can get a reply from the Galactica and get
him JAG council."
	"Aye, aye, sir."  Pauls snapped to attention as the two police officers
arrested Starbuck.
	"I didn't do it."  Starbuck mumbled again in disbelief and anguish.
	"That'll be for the courts to decide now."  Starkey answered.  "We have to
place you under arrest until the investigation is over.  This is the first
incident between the Colonies and our people.  It is going to be a very big
problem if we were to let you go.  There would be riots."  Starkey sook his
head.  "I'm sorry, sir, but it is necessary."
	Starbuck nodded in understanding.  "I know Chief, I know." 
	The men looked on in disbelief that Starbuck would kill anyone.  They
didn't know for sure, but they couldn't prove otherwise.  It was truly a sad
night for all involved... Especially the victim in this case, Lieutenant
Simmons.