ojay's style.
	There was nothing in Bojay's voice that showed that he was insulted by
Sheba's words as he continued, speaking to every Viper pilot in the
launching bay.
	"Our orders are to go straight into the solar system that the basestar is
occupying," Bojay said, speaking clearly so he wouldn't be misunderstood.
"The Cylons will launch their fighters, and as they do, we're to draw them
away from the basestar so the Galactica will have a clear path.  Each
squadron will have a specific position initially.  Blues and Silver Spars
will go to meet the first wave, followed by the Reds and Greens to back
them up.  Yellows will maintain the rear.  The only ship to be on the
lookout for is the Raider that's carrying Starbuck and Boomer.  All other
Cylons crafts are to be destroyed.  Are there any questions?"
	"How do we know which fighter belongs to Lieutenants Starbuck and Boomer?"
a pilot asked.  He sounded like one of the new pilots who had graduated a
secton earlier.  Sheba pitied him and his cl are to break formation and
head back to the Galactica.  Avoid being followed, if possible.  We'll
try to distract them while you go.  Do you understand?"
	"Yes, sir!" Giles answered cheerfully.  At the Academy on Caprica, he
and Apollo had been in the same class, but their interests were light
yahrens apart.  Now, after their eventual assignments to the
Galactica, the only time they spent in each other's company, beside
job-related activities, was in the Officer's Club in the company of
Starbuck and the other pilots.  Giles sometimes found it amusing that
the serious cadet he remembered hadn't changed at all in all those
yahrens.
	"Good."  Apollo went back to staring at his scanner.  He narrowed his
eyes as he calculated how long it would be until the Cylons met them. 
They had a maximum of five microns.  "Everyone, get ready, because
when I count to three, we're going to break formation and go to work. 
One micron after that, Giles, you leave.  Ready?  One, two, three!"
	The formation broke e on-scanner.  "They've already detected us, so
all we'd be doing by running is leading them to the fleet.  However,
I'm going to contact the Galactica so we can get some reinforcements
out here."  Still keeping an eye on his scanner, Apollo reached out to
activate the  long-range emergency comchannel to the battlestar.  His
green eyes quickly looked at the communicator as he heard static
filtering through the speaker.  "We're being jammed!"
	"Now what?" Flight Corporal Silva asked.
	Looking out his cockpit, Apollo studied the formation of their
patrol.  It was the typical V formation that most patrols followed. 
He was flying point with the other pilots' fighters lined down from his.
	"We're going to have to send someone back," he decided, realizing
that they had little time before the Cylons overcame them.  The most
logical choice was the most seasoned pilot next to himself, who could
do the mission better than the inexperienced pilots.  "Lieutenant
Giles, as soon as the Cylons are on us, youKinship and Command

by Sanna M. Guérin

Based on characters and ideas created by
Glen A. Larson.
No infringement on any copyright is intended.

COLONIAL YAHREN 7354

Chapter One

	The scanner screen was full of targets, which the Warbook had already
identified as Cylons Raiders.  Apollo found that he was holding the
control stick of his Viper too tightly as he carefully counted the
targets under his breath.  Within the first ten microns of detection,
he had reached twenty.  He cringed slightly, knowing that his patrol
only had five Vipers, including his own.
	"What do we do, Captain?" asked one of the pilots, a young ensign
named Soud.  Apollo knew that this was only his second patrol since
his class' graduation two sectons earlier, but he was facing his first
battle.  The ensign's voice was filled with apprehension as the
scanner showed more Raiders coming in range.  "Should we fight or run?"
	"We fight, Ensign," Apollo answered, his counting stopping at thirty
as the last Raider camassmates, knowing that their
first battle would undoubtedly be the last for many of them.
	"As soon as they've left the basestar, they'll be on fleet comline 6,968.
It's just below the Colonial frequency, and Starbuck also said that their
fighter will remain on the outskirts of the battle.  Keep your ear to the
frequency, and it should tell us where they are."
	"And don't forget to see if one of them is waggling its wings," Greenbean
added, his voice humorous.
	"Not this time, Greeny."
	"So it's just a routine milk-run," Dietra said, sounding serious compared
to the male pilots' bantering.
	"Right."
	Sheba sighed as the communications quieted down.  She felt nervous, which
was normal for any pilot going out into battle, but this was different.
Opening and closing her fist around the joystick, she tried to force
herself to relax by breathing deeply.  It didn't work, only succeeding in
making her stomach feel queasy.
	What's there to be so nervous about? she chided herself, hearing the
speakerinto two halves as the Cylons began to open fire
on the Vipers.  Apollo brought his Viper around in an arc so that it
descended behind a trio of Cylons.  As soon as two of the ships were
destroyed, and the third moved out of the way, he continued to pursue
another set of ships, keeping an eye on the other pilots as he worked.
	Something caught his attention.  There were still five Vipers in the
area.  Beginning to feel annoyed, Apollo activated the comchannel
again as he continued his pursuit.
	"Giles!  What in Hades are you waiting for?" he demanded as he hit
the fire button on the control stick.  Only one Cylon was destroyed as
Apollo rolled his Viper to avoid being fired on by the two surviving
ships.
	"Are you sure that I should go?" Giles asked, sounding concerned.  "I
could lend an extra hand in wiping up these tinheads."
	"We'll be fine!" Apollo answered, watching as his targeting computer
showed another Cylon coming into firing range.  "Go, Lieutenant!"
	Almost reluctantly, the fifth V are to break formation and
head back to the Galactica.  Avoid being followed, if possible.  We'll
try to distract them while you go.  Do you understand?"
	"Yes, sir!" Giles answered cheerfully.  At the Academy on Caprica, he
and Apollo had been in the same class, but their interests were light
yahrens apart.  Now, after their eventual assignments to the
Galactica, the only time they spent in each other's company, beside
job-related activities, was in the Officer's Club in the company of
Starbuck and the other pilots.  Giles sometimes found it amusing that
the serious cadet he remembered hadn't changed at all in all those
yahrens.
	"Good."  Apollo went back to staring at his scanner.  He narrowed his
eyes as he calculated how long it would be until the Cylons met them. 
They had a maximum of five microns.  "Everyone, get ready, because
when I count to three, we're going to break formation and go to work. 
One micron after that, Giles, you leave.  Ready?  One, two, three!"
	The formation broke e on-scanner.  "They've already detected us, so
all we'd be doing by running is leading them to the fleet.  However,
I'm going to contact the Galactica so we can get some reinforcements
out here."  Still keeping an eye on his scanner, Apollo reached out to
activate the  long-range emergency comchannel to the battlestar.  His
green eyes quickly looked at the communicator as he heard static
filtering through the speaker.  "We're being jammed!"
	"Now what?" Flight Corporal Silva asked.
	Looking out his cockpit, Apollo studied the formation of their
patrol.  It was the typical V formation that most patrols followed. 
He was flying point with the other pilots' fighters lined down from his.
	"We're going to have to send someone back," he decided, realizing
that they had little time before the Cylons overcame them.  The most
logical choice was the most seasoned pilot next to himself, who could
do the mission better than the inexperienced pilots.  "Lieutenant
Giles, as soon as the Cylons are on us, yous activating as Rigel came on-line.  Dietra worded it perfectly.  A
routine strike.
	"Core systems transferring control to Viper craft.  Blue and Silver Spar
Squadrons launch first, followed by Green, Yellow and Red.  Launch when
ready."  The pretty young bridge officer paused as the pilots began their
last-centon preparations.  "Good luck."
	"Thanks, Rigel," Sheba replied as she looked out her cockpit to see Bojay.
 Her friend gave her a thumb-up sign for success, which she halfheartedly
returned as he launched.  A few microns later, she pressed the turbo button
on her control stick.  Before she could blink, her ship was in space,
followed by the rest of the squadrons.

	To Starbuck's annoyance, the Cylons were still walking past the Raider.
They didn't appear to notice that no centurions were exiting the hatch of
their fighter, which made him as uneasy as it had the last two times.  He
held his laser tightly in his right hand, bracing himself against the wall
of the Raider to steady himself iper separated from the melee and
began to retreat.  Apollo finished destroying the Cylon and focused on
the single fighter that appeared to be moving toward Giles.
	"Captain!" Soud shouted, his voice betraying his panic.  "I've got
two ships on my tail!"
	"Go help him, Silva," Apollo ordered, concentrating as his ship
caught up to the vagrant Cylon.  "I'll be there to help you as soon as
I'm finished."
	Hitting his fire button again, Apollo flew through the cloud that
used to be a fighter as he activated the turbos to go back the main
battle.  He could see Soud's Viper and the two Cylons behind him. 
Silva's ship swooped down on one of the Raiders and destroyed it with
a single barrage of lasers.
	"Thanks, Silva," Soud said, "but there's still another one!"
	"I'll get it," Apollo said, coming into range.  As soon as the Cylon
was in the proper position, he fired, and the ship exploded.  He
smiled as he looked at the scanner, but the smile soon turned into a
frown as he quickly counted the reinto two halves as the Cylons began to open fire
on the Vipers.  Apollo brought his Viper around in an arc so that it
descended behind a trio of Cylons.  As soon as two of the ships were
destroyed, and the third moved out of the way, he continued to pursue
another set of ships, keeping an eye on the other pilots as he worked.
	Something caught his attention.  There were still five Vipers in the
area.  Beginning to feel annoyed, Apollo activated the comchannel
again as he continued his pursuit.
	"Giles!  What in Hades are you waiting for?" he demanded as he hit
the fire button on the control stick.  Only one Cylon was destroyed as
Apollo rolled his Viper to avoid being fired on by the two surviving
ships.
	"Are you sure that I should go?" Giles asked, sounding concerned.  "I
could lend an extra hand in wiping up these tinheads."
	"We'll be fine!" Apollo answered, watching as his targeting computer
showed another Cylon coming into firing range.  "Go, Lieutenant!"
	Almost reluctantly, the fifth V are to break formation and
head back to the Galactica.  Avoid being followed, if possible.  We'll
try to distract them while you go.  Do you understand?"
	"Yes, sir!" Giles answered cheerfully.  At the Academy on Caprica, he
and Apollo had been in the same class, but their interests were light
yahrens apart.  Now, after their eventual assignments to the
Galactica, the only time they spent in each other's company, beside
job-related activities, was in the Officer's Club in the company of
Starbuck and the other pilots.  Giles sometimes found it amusing that
the serious cadet he remembered hadn't changed at all in all those
yahrens.
	"Good."  Apollo went back to staring at his scanner.  He narrowed his
eyes as he calculated how long it would be until the Cylons met them. 
They had a maximum of five microns.  "Everyone, get ready, because
when I count to three, we're going to break formation and go to work. 
One micron after that, Giles, you leave.  Ready?  One, two, three!"
	The formation broke as he listened to Boomer's soft counting.
	"Two hundred...  Two hundred and thirty..."  Boomer laughed slightly.  "I
guess it's good that they're marching in twos."
	"Maybe, but if that's just one squadron..."
	"There are a lot of them, but what's the point in arguing that?  They're
still coming, and we're on a strict time budget."
	"Ah, don't worry, buddy."  Starbuck carefully peeked up at the passing
aliens, then ducked down before they spotted him.  "There's still a few
more to go.  How many are you at now?"
	"Two fifty.  I hope that our warriors can handle four squadrons of that
size."
	"That's their problem, not ours.  We have to get down to the control
center."  Starbuck waited, listening to the heavy noise of the Cylons'
boots hitting the deck.  "Now?"
	Boomer gripped Starbuck's shoulder as he looked out.  "Okay, that's it.
The total is two seventy.  Each Raider has three pilots, so that's about
ninety Raiders in one squadron.  If they still have four squadrons, that'll
be three hundremaining ships.  "Come on, Blue
Squadron, we just have eighteen ships to clean up before we can go
home."
	"That's easy for you to say, Blue Leader," Silva said as her Viper
approached another trio of Cylons.  "Watch out, Evania."
	The fourth pilot's voice was calm as it came over the comchannel for
the first time since the patrol launched.
	"I'm having trouble trying to shake this one off my tail," she said,
but her voice was beginning to get worried.  "Can someone lend a
hand...?"
	"I'm coming, Evania," Soud said, his Viper moving away from Apollo's
as he approached the besieged fighter.  "Just keep them occupied, will
you?"
	"Occupied?"  The young woman's voice was full of nervous laughter as
she tried moving her Viper from side to side.  The Raider copied her
moves without any problems.  "Trust me, I'm not having any trouble
with that one!"
	Soud's Viper descended on the pursuing Cylon.  Apollo looked away
from the scanner as he followed his own targeted Cylons.  Just as he
was about to iper separated from the melee and
began to retreat.  Apollo finished destroying the Cylon and focused on
the single fighter that appeared to be moving toward Giles.
	"Captain!" Soud shouted, his voice betraying his panic.  "I've got
two ships on my tail!"
	"Go help him, Silva," Apollo ordered, concentrating as his ship
caught up to the vagrant Cylon.  "I'll be there to help you as soon as
I'm finished."
	Hitting his fire button again, Apollo flew through the cloud that
used to be a fighter as he activated the turbos to go back the main
battle.  He could see Soud's Viper and the two Cylons behind him. 
Silva's ship swooped down on one of the Raiders and destroyed it with
a single barrage of lasers.
	"Thanks, Silva," Soud said, "but there's still another one!"
	"I'll get it," Apollo said, coming into range.  As soon as the Cylon
was in the proper position, he fired, and the ship exploded.  He
smiled as he looked at the scanner, but the smile soon turned into a
frown as he quickly counted the reinto two halves as the Cylons began to open fire
on the Vipers.  Apollo brought his Viper around in an arc so that it
descended behind a trio of Cylons.  As soon as two of the ships were
destroyed, and the third moved out of the way, he continued to pursue
another set of ships, keeping an eye on the other pilots as he worked.
	Something caught his attention.  There were still five Vipers in the
area.  Beginning to feel annoyed, Apollo activated the comchannel
again as he continued his pursuit.
	"Giles!  What in Hades are you waiting for?" he demanded as he hit
the fire button on the control stick.  Only one Cylon was destroyed as
Apollo rolled his Viper to avoid being fired on by the two surviving
ships.
	"Are you sure that I should go?" Giles asked, sounding concerned.  "I
could lend an extra hand in wiping up these tinheads."
	"We'll be fine!" Apollo answered, watching as his targeting computer
showed another Cylon coming into firing range.  "Go, Lieutenant!"
	Almost reluctantly, the fifth Vfire, he heard a yell over the comline.
	"Soud!" Silva screamed.  "Captain, they just got Soud!"
	Alarmed, Apollo quickly looked at the scanner.  He saw that the
pursuing Cylon had disappeared, as well as a Viper.
	"What happened?" he asked, cursing silently at the Cylon he was
pursuing as it went out of range.
	Evania's voice was high-pitched with shock.  "They just took him out
as he took the Cylon out.  I swear to Kobol that it was a trap!"
	"Captain," Silva added, "look at the Cylons!  Their entire formation
is moving!"
	Catching his breath in surprise, Apollo saw that the corporal was
right.  It was unlike any formation he had seen before during his
entire career as a warrior, both in battle and in the instructional
texts.  Instead of focusing on groups of three, as was the traditional
Cylons formation, the Raiders were now moving independently of each
other, though sometimes they would briefly form back into duos.  He
ignored both women as he stayed still in his cockpit, trying to figured and sixty Raiders, but if they have five like us, that's
four hundred and fifty.  Starbuck..."
	Starbuck nodded as he saw the Cylons completely leaving the landing bay.
	"I know, the odds are three-to-one, but the Colonel warned them about
that."  He flashed Boomer a grin.  "Hey, it could be worse.  It might be
four or five against one."
	"Yeah, I suppose it could be that."  Boomer pulled out both of his lasers.
 "Ready?"
	"I thought you'd never ask."  Opening the hatch, Starbuck waited until it
hissed open as he glanced out the portal one more time, making sure that
any Cylons were lurking about.  It didn't quite relieve his nervousness,
but he climbed down the short ladder to the deck of the bay.  Taking a deep
breath to calm his racing heart, he waited until Boomer was beside him,
then he began running towards the entrance of the central core.

	The basestar appeared in front of the squadrons, promising the same type
of fight that all battles provided.  Despite this, Sheba still felt uneamaining ships.  "Come on, Blue
Squadron, we just have eighteen ships to clean up before we can go
home."
	"That's easy for you to say, Blue Leader," Silva said as her Viper
approached another trio of Cylons.  "Watch out, Evania."
	The fourth pilot's voice was calm as it came over the comchannel for
the first time since the patrol launched.
	"I'm having trouble trying to shake this one off my tail," she said,
but her voice was beginning to get worried.  "Can someone lend a
hand...?"
	"I'm coming, Evania," Soud said, his Viper moving away from Apollo's
as he approached the besieged fighter.  "Just keep them occupied, will
you?"
	"Occupied?"  The young woman's voice was full of nervous laughter as
she tried moving her Viper from side to side.  The Raider copied her
moves without any problems.  "Trust me, I'm not having any trouble
with that one!"
	Soud's Viper descended on the pursuing Cylon.  Apollo looked away
from the scanner as he followed his own targeted Cylons.  Just as he
was about to iper separated from the melee and
began to retreat.  Apollo finished destroying the Cylon and focused on
the single fighter that appeared to be moving toward Giles.
	"Captain!" Soud shouted, his voice betraying his panic.  "I've got
two ships on my tail!"
	"Go help him, Silva," Apollo ordered, concentrating as his ship
caught up to the vagrant Cylon.  "I'll be there to help you as soon as
I'm finished."
	Hitting his fire button again, Apollo flew through the cloud that
used to be a fighter as he activated the turbos to go back the main
battle.  He could see Soud's Viper and the two Cylons behind him. 
Silva's ship swooped down on one of the Raiders and destroyed it with
a single barrage of lasers.
	"Thanks, Silva," Soud said, "but there's still another one!"
	"I'll get it," Apollo said, coming into range.  As soon as the Cylon
was in the proper position, he fired, and the ship exploded.  He
smiled as he looked at the scanner, but the smile soon turned into a
frown as he quickly counted the re
out what was going on.
	"Come on, Captain," Evania said, her voice trembling.  "What are we
going to do?"
	The Cylons approached them and opened fire again.  Apollo noticed
that they were using a wedge of four fighters as they bore down on the
Vipers.
	"Fight!  What else do you think we can do?" Silva demanded as the
three human fighters evaded the Cylons.  "Get rid of the redeyes,
Evania, then we'll talk."
	Apollo managed to get inside the Cylon formation by using his reverse
thrusters.  Once there, he opened fire and hit three Raiders with one
barrage of lasers.  He had no time to cheer for his small victory as
another group of Cylons began pursuing him.
	"Someone, help me!" Evania suddenly shouted into the comline.  Apollo
saw that she had four Cylons on her tail.  The only free Viper
belonged to Silva.
	"Silva, you know what to do," Apollo said.  "I'm occupied."
	The third Viper moved forward, but the Cylons behind Evania opened
fire before Silva could get in range.  Evania's exclamatisy,
something she now knew she shouldn't be feeling.  She tensed her body as
she heard Bojay speaking to the pilots.
	"We have contact with our target," the blond captain said, his voice crisp
and authoritative.  "Yellows, move to the rear.  Reds and Greens, move
behind Blue and Silver Spar.  Silvers, move up beside Blue.  The Cylons
should be launching their fighters any micron now to intercept us."
	As soon as he finished speaking, the four launching bays on the basestar
began to spit out Raiders by the dozens.  Sheba stared in amazement at her
scanner as the first wave approached the Vipers, while the Cylons continued
to pour out of the entrances.
	Jolly whistled long and low as the human squadrons finished moving into
position.  "Kobol, I've haven't seen this many Cylons at once since
Gamoray, at least.  How many are there?"
	Sheba quickly counted as many as she could, but she gave up as the display
showed more triangles representing the Raiders as they came out of the
basestar.  "I don't fire, he heard a yell over the comline.
	"Soud!" Silva screamed.  "Captain, they just got Soud!"
	Alarmed, Apollo quickly looked at the scanner.  He saw that the
pursuing Cylon had disappeared, as well as a Viper.
	"What happened?" he asked, cursing silently at the Cylon he was
pursuing as it went out of range.
	Evania's voice was high-pitched with shock.  "They just took him out
as he took the Cylon out.  I swear to Kobol that it was a trap!"
	"Captain," Silva added, "look at the Cylons!  Their entire formation
is moving!"
	Catching his breath in surprise, Apollo saw that the corporal was
right.  It was unlike any formation he had seen before during his
entire career as a warrior, both in battle and in the instructional
texts.  Instead of focusing on groups of three, as was the traditional
Cylons formation, the Raiders were now moving independently of each
other, though sometimes they would briefly form back into duos.  He
ignored both women as he stayed still in his cockpit, trying to figuremaining ships.  "Come on, Blue
Squadron, we just have eighteen ships to clean up before we can go
home."
	"That's easy for you to say, Blue Leader," Silva said as her Viper
approached another trio of Cylons.  "Watch out, Evania."
	The fourth pilot's voice was calm as it came over the comchannel for
the first time since the patrol launched.
	"I'm having trouble trying to shake this one off my tail," she said,
but her voice was beginning to get worried.  "Can someone lend a
hand...?"
	"I'm coming, Evania," Soud said, his Viper moving away from Apollo's
as he approached the besieged fighter.  "Just keep them occupied, will
you?"
	"Occupied?"  The young woman's voice was full of nervous laughter as
she tried moving her Viper from side to side.  The Raider copied her
moves without any problems.  "Trust me, I'm not having any trouble
with that one!"
	Soud's Viper descended on the pursuing Cylon.  Apollo looked away
from the scanner as he followed his own targeted Cylons.  Just as he
was about to ons of
surprise were suddenly cut off as a bright light appeared.  Apollo
looked at his scanner again, but saw that the ensign's Viper was not
destroyed.
	"She's only disabled," he said, finally pulling his Viper away from
his pursuers.  "Silva, we have to protect her while keeping the Cylons
from killing all of us.  Do you think you're up to it?"
	Silva's voice was wry.
	"Do I have a choice, Captain?" she asked.
	"No.  You hold position behind Evania, and I'll take the frontal
attack.  Are you ready?"  Apollo didn't bother to wait to get an
acknowledgment.  "Go now."
	Not waiting to see what the junior pilot was doing, Apollo moved the
Viper so that it was in range of the Cylons that were beginning to
circle Evania's drifting fighter.  He opened fire on the first few,
watching them explode.
	Glancing at the scanner, Apollo saw that Silva was in position behind
Evania.  Satisfied, he concentrated on the next Cylons.  They spotted
his approach and began targeting him.  He moved the Viper out know, Jolly, but as Starbuck would say, we just have
more ships to shoot at."  A few of the younger pilots laughed at her words,
but she ignored them as she continued.  "I hope that Starbuck and Boomer
are all right."
	"They're probably already setting their charges," Greenbean said, but
Sheba could tell that he was forcing himself to sound cheerful.  It
unnerved her, knowing that the usually easy-going flight sergeant was uneasy.
	"I hope." she replied.
	"Okay, squadrons!" Bojay interrupted.  "The battle begins when the Cylons
fire the first shot.  On my order, we break.  Remember your squadron's
position.  Ready... break!"
	As the rear half of the Viper phalanx peeled away from the others, the
Cylons opened fire.  The blue lasers missed the humans as Blue and Silver
Spar Squadron evaded the onslaught as they went straight into the middle of
the Cylon ships, firing their own lasers.  The first few Cylons went up in
flames.


Chapter Seven

	There were remarkably very few places in a Cylon
out what was going on.
	"Come on, Captain," Evania said, her voice trembling.  "What are we
going to do?"
	The Cylons approached them and opened fire again.  Apollo noticed
that they were using a wedge of four fighters as they bore down on the
Vipers.
	"Fight!  What else do you think we can do?" Silva demanded as the
three human fighters evaded the Cylons.  "Get rid of the redeyes,
Evania, then we'll talk."
	Apollo managed to get inside the Cylon formation by using his reverse
thrusters.  Once there, he opened fire and hit three Raiders with one
barrage of lasers.  He had no time to cheer for his small victory as
another group of Cylons began pursuing him.
	"Someone, help me!" Evania suddenly shouted into the comline.  Apollo
saw that she had four Cylons on her tail.  The only free Viper
belonged to Silva.
	"Silva, you know what to do," Apollo said.  "I'm occupied."
	The third Viper moved forward, but the Cylons behind Evania opened
fire before Silva could get in range.  Evania's exclamatifire, he heard a yell over the comline.
	"Soud!" Silva screamed.  "Captain, they just got Soud!"
	Alarmed, Apollo quickly looked at the scanner.  He saw that the
pursuing Cylon had disappeared, as well as a Viper.
	"What happened?" he asked, cursing silently at the Cylon he was
pursuing as it went out of range.
	Evania's voice was high-pitched with shock.  "They just took him out
as he took the Cylon out.  I swear to Kobol that it was a trap!"
	"Captain," Silva added, "look at the Cylons!  Their entire formation
is moving!"
	Catching his breath in surprise, Apollo saw that the corporal was
right.  It was unlike any formation he had seen before during his
entire career as a warrior, both in battle and in the instructional
texts.  Instead of focusing on groups of three, as was the traditional
Cylons formation, the Raiders were now moving independently of each
other, though sometimes they would briefly form back into duos.  He
ignored both women as he stayed still in his cockpit, trying to figureof the
way, seeing that the computer had three Raiders for targeting.  He hit
the fire button, watching the Cylons explode as the Viper began to
pursue another group of Raiders when Silva spoke again.
	"Captain, I've got three on my tail," she reported, her voice calm. 
"I tried shaking them off, but it's not working."
	"I'll be right there.  Just hang on."  Apollo spotted her Viper and
hit the turbos to get there faster.  As he went into an attack run to
open fire on the ships, he realized that something was wrong.
	"Apollo!" Silva exclaimed, her voice full of surprise.  "They've
moved away from me, and are heading directly for you!"
	Shocked, Apollo saw the Cylons hurtling toward him, lasers firing. 
One swooped down and behind him, and before Apollo could react, fired
its lasers directly at the Viper's engines.  Thrown forward in his
seat, Apollo felt the fighter lose acceleration.
	"Are you all right?"
	"I'm fine, but my high engine has seen better--"  Apollo stopped
speaking as he saw th landing bay for a human
to hide.  Starbuck and Boomer discovered that in a hurry as the Cylon
commander ordered the centurions to their Raiders while the two humans were
walking towards the entrance to the central core.
	Starbuck tried to make himself into a little ball so the large crates of
Tylium the Cylons kept in their landing bays would block him completely
from view.  Trying to keep his racing breath from escaping his lips, he
waited for the centurions to enter their ships, afraid that they would
detect his anxiety.  He remembered feeling this way when, as a young child,
he would play games of "Hide and Go Seek" with the other orphans in Umbra.
	A roar filled the bay as the pilots ignited their engines.  Starbuck
winced as he held his hands tightly over his ears.  If he came out of this
with his hearing intact, he promised himself, he would give up Pyramid
without any qualms.
	He felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him jump and reach for his
laser.  Before he could, he realized that ons of
surprise were suddenly cut off as a bright light appeared.  Apollo
looked at his scanner again, but saw that the ensign's Viper was not
destroyed.
	"She's only disabled," he said, finally pulling his Viper away from
his pursuers.  "Silva, we have to protect her while keeping the Cylons
from killing all of us.  Do you think you're up to it?"
	Silva's voice was wry.
	"Do I have a choice, Captain?" she asked.
	"No.  You hold position behind Evania, and I'll take the frontal
attack.  Are you ready?"  Apollo didn't bother to wait to get an
acknowledgment.  "Go now."
	Not waiting to see what the junior pilot was doing, Apollo moved the
Viper so that it was in range of the Cylons that were beginning to
circle Evania's drifting fighter.  He opened fire on the first few,
watching them explode.
	Glancing at the scanner, Apollo saw that Silva was in position behind
Evania.  Satisfied, he concentrated on the next Cylons.  They spotted
his approach and began targeting him.  He moved the Viper out 
out what was going on.
	"Come on, Captain," Evania said, her voice trembling.  "What are we
going to do?"
	The Cylons approached them and opened fire again.  Apollo noticed
that they were using a wedge of four fighters as they bore down on the
Vipers.
	"Fight!  What else do you think we can do?" Silva demanded as the
three human fighters evaded the Cylons.  "Get rid of the redeyes,
Evania, then we'll talk."
	Apollo managed to get inside the Cylon formation by using his reverse
thrusters.  Once there, he opened fire and hit three Raiders with one
barrage of lasers.  He had no time to cheer for his small victory as
another group of Cylons began pursuing him.
	"Someone, help me!" Evania suddenly shouted into the comline.  Apollo
saw that she had four Cylons on her tail.  The only free Viper
belonged to Silva.
	"Silva, you know what to do," Apollo said.  "I'm occupied."
	The third Viper moved forward, but the Cylons behind Evania opened
fire before Silva could get in range.  Evania's exclamatiat the targeting computer had a Raider in its
sights.  He quickly hit the fire button again, and watched the Cylon
disintegrate.
	His Viper went through the small cloud of debris, and as it
dissipated, Apollo saw another Cylon bearing down on him.  He moved
the joystick, but the Viper moved sluggishly.  The Cylon compensated
for the movement and opened fire.  This time, it hit one of his laser
generators.  It exploded, causing the Viper to lurch, then the energy
surge from the explosion backed up and made the control panel spark.
	Throwing up his arms to protect his face from the sparks, Apollo
suddenly felt a surge of heat from the panel.  The unprotected skin of
his hands felt like they were being held directly over a fire.  He
yelled in pain, then began to lose consciousness as the control panel
exploded again, this time with more force.  He was unaware of Silva's
queries, then her scream as the comline faded out.

	Almost out of range of the battle, Giles kept his comline on the
frequencyof the
way, seeing that the computer had three Raiders for targeting.  He hit
the fire button, watching the Cylons explode as the Viper began to
pursue another group of Raiders when Silva spoke again.
	"Captain, I've got three on my tail," she reported, her voice calm. 
"I tried shaking them off, but it's not working."
	"I'll be right there.  Just hang on."  Apollo spotted her Viper and
hit the turbos to get there faster.  As he went into an attack run to
open fire on the ships, he realized that something was wrong.
	"Apollo!" Silva exclaimed, her voice full of surprise.  "They've
moved away from me, and are heading directly for you!"
	Shocked, Apollo saw the Cylons hurtling toward him, lasers firing. 
One swooped down and behind him, and before Apollo could react, fired
its lasers directly at the Viper's engines.  Thrown forward in his
seat, Apollo felt the fighter lose acceleration.
	"Are you all right?"
	"I'm fine, but my high engine has seen better--"  Apollo stopped
speaking as he saw thit was Boomer, who had been
hidden a few metrons away behind an identical stack of crates.
	"They're taking our fighter," he whispered into Starbuck's ear.  "Now what
do we do?"
	The roar disappeared as the Raiders launched.  Carefully, Starbuck looked
over the crates to see that their ship was gone.  Shocked by the
development, he fell back against the boxes.
	"Oh, frak," he swore.  "There aren't any other ships on the other side?"
	Boomer shrugged.  "Other side?"
	"Yeah, the central core connects to the other bays.  We might as well
check to see if there are any ships there before we go down to blow up the
computers."  Starbuck took a deep breath, then stood up as he straightened
his tunic top.  "It's only a minor setback, that's all."
	"Minor?"  Boomer snorted.  "Do you know how to rig it so humans can fly
it?  Our previous expert happens to be dead, I hope you know."
	"Ah, don't worry.  If Apollo could do it, anyone can.  Didn't he say
something about it in those notes of his?"
	"Not realons of
surprise were suddenly cut off as a bright light appeared.  Apollo
looked at his scanner again, but saw that the ensign's Viper was not
destroyed.
	"She's only disabled," he said, finally pulling his Viper away from
his pursuers.  "Silva, we have to protect her while keeping the Cylons
from killing all of us.  Do you think you're up to it?"
	Silva's voice was wry.
	"Do I have a choice, Captain?" she asked.
	"No.  You hold position behind Evania, and I'll take the frontal
attack.  Are you ready?"  Apollo didn't bother to wait to get an
acknowledgment.  "Go now."
	Not waiting to see what the junior pilot was doing, Apollo moved the
Viper so that it was in range of the Cylons that were beginning to
circle Evania's drifting fighter.  He opened fire on the first few,
watching them explode.
	Glancing at the scanner, Apollo saw that Silva was in position behind
Evania.  Satisfied, he concentrated on the next Cylons.  They spotted
his approach and began targeting him.  He moved the Viper out  of the patrol, listening as he sped towards the Galactica. 
He set the scanner onto rear scan to see how his patrol was faring,
then back to forward scan as he continued.
	As the battle turned against the humans, he was almost out of
communication range.  He heard Silva's cries as Soud was killed, then
the comline faded out.  He continued to check with the scanner, seeing
the number of Cylons slowly going down until there were only seven
Raiders left.
	"And you thought that we'd need backup," Giles said, smirking
somewhat at the captain's orders.  Apollo had always been overly
cautious, even as a cadet.  "You're doing just fine by yourselves."
	Just as he was to leave scanning range, he saw the three asterisks
that represented the Vipers begin to disappear, then the entire
display vanished.  Expecting this to happen as the Viper went out of
range, Giles switched to forward scan as he began picking up the
scanner signal from the Galactica.



Chapter Two

	Commander Adama stood on the comat the targeting computer had a Raider in its
sights.  He quickly hit the fire button again, and watched the Cylon
disintegrate.
	His Viper went through the small cloud of debris, and as it
dissipated, Apollo saw another Cylon bearing down on him.  He moved
the joystick, but the Viper moved sluggishly.  The Cylon compensated
for the movement and opened fire.  This time, it hit one of his laser
generators.  It exploded, causing the Viper to lurch, then the energy
surge from the explosion backed up and made the control panel spark.
	Throwing up his arms to protect his face from the sparks, Apollo
suddenly felt a surge of heat from the panel.  The unprotected skin of
his hands felt like they were being held directly over a fire.  He
yelled in pain, then began to lose consciousness as the control panel
exploded again, this time with more force.  He was unaware of Silva's
queries, then her scream as the comline faded out.

	Almost out of range of the battle, Giles kept his comline on the
frequencyly."
	Starbuck sighed as he took out his laser.  "Well, then, we'll just have to
learn.  In a hurry."
	Exchanging nods with Boomer, they started towards the central core.  He
glanced through the entrance, seeing the other bay and the single fighter
that remained.  Flashing his friend a confident smile, he prepared to open
the lid to the core.

	"Squadrons engaged, Commander."
	Athena's crisp voice cut through the tense atmosphere on the Galactica's
bridge.  Nodding his acknowledgment to his daughter, Adama turned his
attention back to Tigh and the last-centon plans they were discussing.
	"Starbuck and Boomer should be almost done with setting the charges," Tigh
commented, reciting the schedule for the battle.  "They're probably on
their way back to their fighters."
	"Hopefully.  Now, Colonel, is the Galactica fully prepared for the
confrontation with the basestar?"
	Tigh smiled as they walked up the stairs to the command deck.  "Almost.
I've notified everyone that they're to take precaution.of the
way, seeing that the computer had three Raiders for targeting.  He hit
the fire button, watching the Cylons explode as the Viper began to
pursue another group of Raiders when Silva spoke again.
	"Captain, I've got three on my tail," she reported, her voice calm. 
"I tried shaking them off, but it's not working."
	"I'll be right there.  Just hang on."  Apollo spotted her Viper and
hit the turbos to get there faster.  As he went into an attack run to
open fire on the ships, he realized that something was wrong.
	"Apollo!" Silva exclaimed, her voice full of surprise.  "They've
moved away from me, and are heading directly for you!"
	Shocked, Apollo saw the Cylons hurtling toward him, lasers firing. 
One swooped down and behind him, and before Apollo could react, fired
its lasers directly at the Viper's engines.  Thrown forward in his
seat, Apollo felt the fighter lose acceleration.
	"Are you all right?"
	"I'm fine, but my high engine has seen better--"  Apollo stopped
speaking as he saw th of the patrol, listening as he sped towards the Galactica. 
He set the scanner onto rear scan to see how his patrol was faring,
then back to forward scan as he continued.
	As the battle turned against the humans, he was almost out of
communication range.  He heard Silva's cries as Soud was killed, then
the comline faded out.  He continued to check with the scanner, seeing
the number of Cylons slowly going down until there were only seven
Raiders left.
	"And you thought that we'd need backup," Giles said, smirking
somewhat at the captain's orders.  Apollo had always been overly
cautious, even as a cadet.  "You're doing just fine by yourselves."
	Just as he was to leave scanning range, he saw the three asterisks
that represented the Vipers begin to disappear, then the entire
display vanished.  Expecting this to happen as the Viper went out of
range, Giles switched to forward scan as he began picking up the
scanner signal from the Galactica.



Chapter Two

	Commander Adama stood on the com  All civilians,
including the children, are in the secure areas of the ship."
	"Excellent."  Adama was pleased to hear that his grandson was out of
harm's way.  He hated the way the war interfered with Boxey's day-to-day
life, something that his children never experienced back on Caprica, but at
least now it wasn't as bad as it was a yahren earlier.  Now, battles rarely
interrupted learning period unless it was an extreme emergency.
	"All laser turrets are operational," Omega reported as they reached the
command deck.  "Awaiting orders to activate."
	"Thank you, Omega."  Clasping his hands behind his back, Adama surveyed
the bridge one final time.  All the officers were composed and professional
in the face of the inevitable battle.  He was proud of them for their
courage and thankful for their faith in him.  "Tigh, I think that, for
once, we're completely ready."
	"More or less."
	Taking a deep breath, Adama turned to the officer seated the navigation
controls.  "Bring us around, Sergeant.  mand deck at the top of the
Galactica's bridge, watching the calm, yet busy atmosphere.  Most of
the twenty-five officers that made up the usual bridge staff were
quietly monitoring their stations.  Ever since the Destruction of the
Colonies nearly three yahrens earlier and the formation of the
Galactican fleet soon after, a great percentage of their duties was
composed of monitoring the current status of the two-hundred-and-ten
civilian ships that were in the fleet.
	Satisfied that everything was running smoothly, Adama looked about
the large, oval-shaped bridge once more before turning his attention
to the two men who had recently joined him on the command deck.
	"Your report, Colonel?" he asked, eyeing his aide.  Tigh stood at
attention, as he usually did, his brown face emotionless as he handed
the commander a piece of paper.
	"Everything is normal, Commander," Tigh responded, giving Adama time
to look through the written report before continuing.  "In fact, there
haven't been any complainat the targeting computer had a Raider in its
sights.  He quickly hit the fire button again, and watched the Cylon
disintegrate.
	His Viper went through the small cloud of debris, and as it
dissipated, Apollo saw another Cylon bearing down on him.  He moved
the joystick, but the Viper moved sluggishly.  The Cylon compensated
for the movement and opened fire.  This time, it hit one of his laser
generators.  It exploded, causing the Viper to lurch, then the energy
surge from the explosion backed up and made the control panel spark.
	Throwing up his arms to protect his face from the sparks, Apollo
suddenly felt a surge of heat from the panel.  The unprotected skin of
his hands felt like they were being held directly over a fire.  He
yelled in pain, then began to lose consciousness as the control panel
exploded again, this time with more force.  He was unaware of Silva's
queries, then her scream as the comline faded out.

	Almost out of range of the battle, Giles kept his comline on the
frequencyts either from the civilian captains, or from
the Council of Twelve in about two sectons."
	"About time they learned to shut up," Lieutenant Starbuck muttered,
straining to look over the commander's shoulder at the report.  "I'm
glad to see that at least some of my prayers have been answered."
	Adama gave the blond lieutenant a sharp look, then at his aide who
had laughed slightly at Starbuck's comment.
	"Gentlemen," he said, his voice carrying a warning note.  "Do you
forget that I have been a member of the Council for nearly a decade?"
	Starbuck shook his head solemnly.  "And they haven't rubbed off on
you yet, sir."
	This time, Tigh couldn't help chuckling.  Starbuck, however, retained
the pyramid-face that he had perfected through yahrens of practice.
	"I don't even get any respect on my own bridge," Adama complained, a
smile of his own beginning to form.  "Thank you, Lieutenant, for the
complement.  Now, before I put you in the brig for insubordination,
would you please give me the currenmand deck at the top of the
Galactica's bridge, watching the calm, yet busy atmosphere.  Most of
the twenty-five officers that made up the usual bridge staff were
quietly monitoring their stations.  Ever since the Destruction of the
Colonies nearly three yahrens earlier and the formation of the
Galactican fleet soon after, a great percentage of their duties was
composed of monitoring the current status of the two-hundred-and-ten
civilian ships that were in the fleet.
	Satisfied that everything was running smoothly, Adama looked about
the large, oval-shaped bridge once more before turning his attention
to the two men who had recently joined him on the command deck.
	"Your report, Colonel?" he asked, eyeing his aide.  Tigh stood at
attention, as he usually did, his brown face emotionless as he handed
the commander a piece of paper.
	"Everything is normal, Commander," Tigh responded, giving Adama time
to look through the written report before continuing.  "In fact, there
haven't been any complainCourse
thirty-nine-forty-eight-mark-zero.  Light speed."
	"Yes, sir!" the officer replied, enthusiasm in her voice as she complied.
A few microns later, Adama felt the acceleration through the faint
vibrations in the deck.  The quick and steady rhythm of the light-speed
engines made him feel the anticipation of the coming battle, and he felt
himself tense in anticipation.
	"Father!"  Athena's voice changed from calmness to concern.  Her tone
stopped Adama from reprimanding her for not saying "commander" as she was
supposed to.  Instead, he nodded for her to continue.  "The odds are
greater than you anticipated.  The squadrons are fighting against
four-to-one odds."
	"Four-to-one?" Tigh repeated.  "That makes about six hundred Raiders.
Adama, this is some kind of super basestar we're going to fight!  I hope
that its fighter complement is the only thing that's changed!"
	Adama nodded, then noticed that his daughter had a far-away expression in
her eyes as she stared at her monitor.  There was so of the patrol, listening as he sped towards the Galactica. 
He set the scanner onto rear scan to see how his patrol was faring,
then back to forward scan as he continued.
	As the battle turned against the humans, he was almost out of
communication range.  He heard Silva's cries as Soud was killed, then
the comline faded out.  He continued to check with the scanner, seeing
the number of Cylons slowly going down until there were only seven
Raiders left.
	"And you thought that we'd need backup," Giles said, smirking
somewhat at the captain's orders.  Apollo had always been overly
cautious, even as a cadet.  "You're doing just fine by yourselves."
	Just as he was to leave scanning range, he saw the three asterisks
that represented the Vipers begin to disappear, then the entire
display vanished.  Expecting this to happen as the Viper went out of
range, Giles switched to forward scan as he began picking up the
scanner signal from the Galactica.



Chapter Two

	Commander Adama stood on the comts either from the civilian captains, or from
the Council of Twelve in about two sectons."
	"About time they learned to shut up," Lieutenant Starbuck muttered,
straining to look over the commander's shoulder at the report.  "I'm
glad to see that at least some of my prayers have been answered."
	Adama gave the blond lieutenant a sharp look, then at his aide who
had laughed slightly at Starbuck's comment.
	"Gentlemen," he said, his voice carrying a warning note.  "Do you
forget that I have been a member of the Council for nearly a decade?"
	Starbuck shook his head solemnly.  "And they haven't rubbed off on
you yet, sir."
	This time, Tigh couldn't help chuckling.  Starbuck, however, retained
the pyramid-face that he had perfected through yahrens of practice.
	"I don't even get any respect on my own bridge," Adama complained, a
smile of his own beginning to form.  "Thank you, Lieutenant, for the
complement.  Now, before I put you in the brig for insubordination,
would you please give me the current status of the Vipers?"
	"Fine, Commander.  We're going to be needing new ones within a
sectar.  Our current class of cadets is bordering on seventy-five,
which means that we won't have enough to go around, even with rotating
patrols."
	"I see.  Colonel Tigh, we'll have to put in a request to the foundry
ship for more fighters.  You and Captain Apollo will have to organize
them into the squadrons before they graduate.  Besides that,
gentlemen, is that everything?"  The white-haired commander looked at
both Tigh and Starbuck, then nodded as they said nothing.  "Very well.
 Lieutenant --"
	"Commander!"
	The voice of Bridge Officer Omega, sitting at the only console on the
deck, interrupted the conversation.  Positioned slightly behind Adama,
the tall officer turned in his seat to look at the commander.
	"Yes, what is it?" he asked, turning to face Omega.
	"A signal is coming over the comline.  It's from Lieutenant Giles." 
Omega put his hand against his headset as he listened.
	"Giles?"  Adammething about her
expression that reminded him of Apollo, and he shivered at the resemblance.
	"Lieutenant?" he asked, looking at her with concern.  When she didn't
respond, he tried again.  "Athena?"
	This time, her tone was professional.  "Commander, we should launch
Reserve Squadron."
	It felt as though he hadn't heard her correctly.  Reserve Squadron, as its
name suggested, was a group of pilots whose normal positions did not allow
them to be permanently posted to the five regular squadrons.  Athena was
Reserve Leader, and an effective one at that, because while they were
rarely called out to do battle, they had an impressive battle record that
gave the other squadrons a run for their cubits.  Despite their record, the
idea of sending his only surviving child into a battle that seemed to be
headed for disaster was the last thing Adama wanted to do.  He also calmly
told himself that this would have also been the case if Apollo weren't dead.
	"Well, our pilots do seem to be outnumbered," Tighmand deck at the top of the
Galactica's bridge, watching the calm, yet busy atmosphere.  Most of
the twenty-five officers that made up the usual bridge staff were
quietly monitoring their stations.  Ever since the Destruction of the
Colonies nearly three yahrens earlier and the formation of the
Galactican fleet soon after, a great percentage of their duties was
composed of monitoring the current status of the two-hundred-and-ten
civilian ships that were in the fleet.
	Satisfied that everything was running smoothly, Adama looked about
the large, oval-shaped bridge once more before turning his attention
to the two men who had recently joined him on the command deck.
	"Your report, Colonel?" he asked, eyeing his aide.  Tigh stood at
attention, as he usually did, his brown face emotionless as he handed
the commander a piece of paper.
	"Everything is normal, Commander," Tigh responded, giving Adama time
to look through the written report before continuing.  "In fact, there
haven't been any complaint status of the Vipers?"
	"Fine, Commander.  We're going to be needing new ones within a
sectar.  Our current class of cadets is bordering on seventy-five,
which means that we won't have enough to go around, even with rotating
patrols."
	"I see.  Colonel Tigh, we'll have to put in a request to the foundry
ship for more fighters.  You and Captain Apollo will have to organize
them into the squadrons before they graduate.  Besides that,
gentlemen, is that everything?"  The white-haired commander looked at
both Tigh and Starbuck, then nodded as they said nothing.  "Very well.
 Lieutenant --"
	"Commander!"
	The voice of Bridge Officer Omega, sitting at the only console on the
deck, interrupted the conversation.  Positioned slightly behind Adama,
the tall officer turned in his seat to look at the commander.
	"Yes, what is it?" he asked, turning to face Omega.
	"A signal is coming over the comline.  It's from Lieutenant Giles." 
Omega put his hand against his headset as he listened.
	"Giles?"  Adama looked at the other men.
	"He went on patrol with Apollo and three junior pilots," Starbuck
responded.  "They launched about a centar and a half ago, before you
went on duty."
	The mention of Apollo's name made Adama cautious.  He usually had the
uppermost confidence in his eldest son's abilities as a Viper pilot
and squadron commander, but the knowledge that Giles was communicating
to the Galactica instead of Apollo put Adama on edge.
	"Put him through," the commander ordered.
	"Galactica, this is Blue Two.  Come in, Galactica."
	"This is Commander Adama, Blue Two.  Report."  Adama went to stand
behind Omega.  He noticed Starbuck and Tigh coming up behind him.
	"Captain Apollo ordered me to make this report, since our
communications were being jammed by the Cylons.  We came under attack
approximately twenty centons ago, and I'm to request backup."  Giles
paused.  "There's been one casualty so far, but the captain and the
remaining pilots have managed to cut down more than half of the Cylons said, his tone urging
Adama to let the squadron launch.
	"That's true..."  Part of Adama wanted to let her go, but another side
wanted to keep her aboard the Galactica.  However, ever since Apollo had
come aboard his battlestar yahrens ago as a lieutenant, Adama swore that he
would never let his family members interfere with his duty, and now it
mattered even more.  What mattered to the fleet counted more than what
mattered to his family.  Finally, he sighed.  "Assemble your squadron."
	"Yes, sir!" Athena exclaimed, jumping up from her post.  She looked up at
Omega, smiling widely with enthusiasm.  "Order my pilots to their ships,
please."
	The tall bridge officer nodded as he activated the internal comline.
"Reserve Squadron, man your Vipers."
	The resemblance between Athena and Apollo at that centon was so great that
Adama felt his eyes tear.  Why do they have to be so much alike? he
wondered as he blinked quickly to get rid of the moisture.  I wish I didn't
have to do this, but I can't mixts either from the civilian captains, or from
the Council of Twelve in about two sectons."
	"About time they learned to shut up," Lieutenant Starbuck muttered,
straining to look over the commander's shoulder at the report.  "I'm
glad to see that at least some of my prayers have been answered."
	Adama gave the blond lieutenant a sharp look, then at his aide who
had laughed slightly at Starbuck's comment.
	"Gentlemen," he said, his voice carrying a warning note.  "Do you
forget that I have been a member of the Council for nearly a decade?"
	Starbuck shook his head solemnly.  "And they haven't rubbed off on
you yet, sir."
	This time, Tigh couldn't help chuckling.  Starbuck, however, retained
the pyramid-face that he had perfected through yahrens of practice.
	"I don't even get any respect on my own bridge," Adama complained, a
smile of his own beginning to form.  "Thank you, Lieutenant, for the
complement.  Now, before I put you in the brig for insubordination,
would you please give me the currena looked at the other men.
	"He went on patrol with Apollo and three junior pilots," Starbuck
responded.  "They launched about a centar and a half ago, before you
went on duty."
	The mention of Apollo's name made Adama cautious.  He usually had the
uppermost confidence in his eldest son's abilities as a Viper pilot
and squadron commander, but the knowledge that Giles was communicating
to the Galactica instead of Apollo put Adama on edge.
	"Put him through," the commander ordered.
	"Galactica, this is Blue Two.  Come in, Galactica."
	"This is Commander Adama, Blue Two.  Report."  Adama went to stand
behind Omega.  He noticed Starbuck and Tigh coming up behind him.
	"Captain Apollo ordered me to make this report, since our
communications were being jammed by the Cylons.  We came under attack
approximately twenty centons ago, and I'm to request backup."  Giles
paused.  "There's been one casualty so far, but the captain and the
remaining pilots have managed to cut down more than half of the Cylons kinship and command.
	Before he could finish thinking those thoughts, Omega spoke up again, his
voice full of alarm.
	"Commander!  We're receiving a signal!  It's coming directly from the
basestar!  Their commander wishes to speak with you."
	Exchanging glances with Tigh, Adama motioned for him and Athena to follow
him to the command deck.  A sense of dread began inside him, and his
stomach twisted painfully as he walked.
	"On scanners," he ordered, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the
communication.  The monitors flickered to life, resolving into the image of
a man Adama had hoped that he would never have to see again.
	"Adama, old friend," Baltar sneered, smiling unpleasantly as he spoke.  "I
haven't seen you in, what, eighteen sectars?  Not since that day when you
sent your warriors to drop me off on that wretched rock."
	Bristling at the greeting, Adama forced himself to contain the fury that
always came to life whenever Baltar made an appearance.  He despised the
man, and he d."
	"Understood," Adama said, pausing.  He looked at Starbuck.  "Blue
Two, you are to land and report immediately to Lieutenant Starbuck in
the alpha landing bay.  You shall return to aid Blue Squadron for the
remainder of the battle.  Understood?"
	"Yes, sir.  Blue Two beginning landing approach now.  Giles out." 
The lieutenant disconnected the comchannel as Adama thanked Omega and
turned back to Starbuck.
	"Lieutenant, you heard your orders.  Report immediately to the
launching bay with Lieutenants Boomer and Sheba."  Adama's dark brown
eyes looked into Starbuck's blue ones.  "Bring them back home in one
piece, Starbuck."
	A smile appeared on the lieutenant's face.
	"Like we always do, sir."

	On the way back to the scene of the battle, Starbuck let Giles take
the lead.  It was a somewhat difficult decision for Starbuck, since
his gut instinct was to race to Apollo's aid without thinking.  He
forced himself to calm down, but he didn't quite succeed as he noticed
the slightly tense atmospt status of the Vipers?"
	"Fine, Commander.  We're going to be needing new ones within a
sectar.  Our current class of cadets is bordering on seventy-five,
which means that we won't have enough to go around, even with rotating
patrols."
	"I see.  Colonel Tigh, we'll have to put in a request to the foundry
ship for more fighters.  You and Captain Apollo will have to organize
them into the squadrons before they graduate.  Besides that,
gentlemen, is that everything?"  The white-haired commander looked at
both Tigh and Starbuck, then nodded as they said nothing.  "Very well.
 Lieutenant --"
	"Commander!"
	The voice of Bridge Officer Omega, sitting at the only console on the
deck, interrupted the conversation.  Positioned slightly behind Adama,
the tall officer turned in his seat to look at the commander.
	"Yes, what is it?" he asked, turning to face Omega.
	"A signal is coming over the comline.  It's from Lieutenant Giles." 
Omega put his hand against his headset as he listened.
	"Giles?"  Adam."
	"Understood," Adama said, pausing.  He looked at Starbuck.  "Blue
Two, you are to land and report immediately to Lieutenant Starbuck in
the alpha landing bay.  You shall return to aid Blue Squadron for the
remainder of the battle.  Understood?"
	"Yes, sir.  Blue Two beginning landing approach now.  Giles out." 
The lieutenant disconnected the comchannel as Adama thanked Omega and
turned back to Starbuck.
	"Lieutenant, you heard your orders.  Report immediately to the
launching bay with Lieutenants Boomer and Sheba."  Adama's dark brown
eyes looked into Starbuck's blue ones.  "Bring them back home in one
piece, Starbuck."
	A smile appeared on the lieutenant's face.
	"Like we always do, sir."

	On the way back to the scene of the battle, Starbuck let Giles take
the lead.  It was a somewhat difficult decision for Starbuck, since
his gut instinct was to race to Apollo's aid without thinking.  He
forced himself to calm down, but he didn't quite succeed as he noticed
the slightly tense atmospidn't need to be psychic to know that the feeling was mutual.
	"Baltar, you haven't changed one iota, have you?" he asked, shaking his
head.  "I trust that you've called to offer your surrender?"
	"On the contrary, old friend.  I'd much rather that you call off your
fighters."  Baltar's smile disappeared slightly.  "My ships will cease to
attack yours if you do so.  It's as simple as that."
	Out of the corner of his eye, Adama saw Tigh frowning.  Baltar's request
made no sense at all, unless the traitor was hoping to delay them for
something.  The commander crossed his arms in annoyance as he fixed Baltar
with a gaze that would have made anyone else back down.
	"And why should I do that?" Adama demanded, his voice lowering as he felt
his fury wanting to be unleashed.  "I have no reason to trust you, Baltar."
	The smile that came onto the traitor's face was a secret one whose meaning
Adama wasn't sure he wanted to know.  Giving a short command to the Cylons
that were behind him, Baltar spoke as there that usually went with support missions.
 Even so, it made him uncomfortable that Sheba and Boomer hadn't said
a word since launching.
	"You know," he said, deciding to break the silence, "we'll probably
run into Apollo and the others on their way back.  Giles, you're
probably right in thinking that they didn't need any backup."
	"Maybe," Boomer muttered.  The black lieutenant's voice was unusually
quiet, as though he were sensing what was making Starbuck uneasy.
	"I hope you're right," Sheba responded, trying to sound optimistic. 
Starbuck could just picture the worried expression on her face.
	"Of course I'm right," he snapped, immediately wincing as he realized
how lame that sounded, so he decided to shut up.  No matter how hard
he wanted to try, he couldn't lighten this atmosphere.  Every time he
went out on this type of mission, he and his fellow pilots were
normally anxious, but knowing that it was Apollo they were going to
aid made them even more nervous.  The continued war between a looked at the other men.
	"He went on patrol with Apollo and three junior pilots," Starbuck
responded.  "They launched about a centar and a half ago, before you
went on duty."
	The mention of Apollo's name made Adama cautious.  He usually had the
uppermost confidence in his eldest son's abilities as a Viper pilot
and squadron commander, but the knowledge that Giles was communicating
to the Galactica instead of Apollo put Adama on edge.
	"Put him through," the commander ordered.
	"Galactica, this is Blue Two.  Come in, Galactica."
	"This is Commander Adama, Blue Two.  Report."  Adama went to stand
behind Omega.  He noticed Starbuck and Tigh coming up behind him.
	"Captain Apollo ordered me to make this report, since our
communications were being jammed by the Cylons.  We came under attack
approximately twenty centons ago, and I'm to request backup."  Giles
paused.  "There's been one casualty so far, but the captain and the
remaining pilots have managed to cut down more than half of the Cylonshere that usually went with support missions.
 Even so, it made him uncomfortable that Sheba and Boomer hadn't said
a word since launching.
	"You know," he said, deciding to break the silence, "we'll probably
run into Apollo and the others on their way back.  Giles, you're
probably right in thinking that they didn't need any backup."
	"Maybe," Boomer muttered.  The black lieutenant's voice was unusually
quiet, as though he were sensing what was making Starbuck uneasy.
	"I hope you're right," Sheba responded, trying to sound optimistic. 
Starbuck could just picture the worried expression on her face.
	"Of course I'm right," he snapped, immediately wincing as he realized
how lame that sounded, so he decided to shut up.  No matter how hard
he wanted to try, he couldn't lighten this atmosphere.  Every time he
went out on this type of mission, he and his fellow pilots were
normally anxious, but knowing that it was Apollo they were going to
aid made them even more nervous.  The continued war between the humans
and the Cylons ended many friendships during the many battles since
the Colonies were destroyed, and Starbuck prayed that his friendship
with Apollo wouldn't be the next victim.
	"We're here," Giles said a few centons later.  "They should be at the
other side of the system."
	Starbuck looked around the space surrounding his Viper.  He could see
numerous jovian planets along with a few scattered asteroids.  It's
the perfect place for a Cylon ambush, he thought as he glanced at the
scanner.  It was blank.
	"Anyone picking something up?" he asked.
	"Nothing yet," Boomer said.
	"Just a micron," Sheba cut in.  Her voice was as optimistic as
Starbuck felt.  A few sectars earlier, she had restarted her romance
with Apollo, and Starbuck knew that she was praying as hard as he was
that they would find him.  "There's a weak signal coming along the
edge of the third planet.  I think we should take a look."
	"Agreed," Starbuck said, activating the turbos as he took the lead. 
He swung the Vipwo centurions came into the view of
the monitor.
	"It's very simple, Adama.  If you don't recall your fighters, I'll kill
him myself!"
	The centurions brought their cargo into view.  It was a limp figure that
barely looked human.  Adama caught a glimpse of the face, but didn't
recognize it due to the bruises and sparse beard that obscured his
features.  The commander shifted his eyes to look up at Baltar.
	"Baltar, quit playing your games.  I --"
	For a micron, a flicker of frustration appeared on Baltar's face, but it
disappeared as he grabbed the prisoner's hair and thrust his head near the
monitor as he shouted, "Look at him!  Do you recognize him, Adama?  Hmm?"
	Adama stared at the monitor, trying to see if the prisoner's face reminded
him of anyone he'd ever met.  They'd lost so many warriors over the past
two yahrens that he couldn't be certain who it was.
	"Take a very good look, Adama," Baltar's voice taunted.  "Very, very
carefully."
	Following the traitor's instructions, Adama caref."
	"Understood," Adama said, pausing.  He looked at Starbuck.  "Blue
Two, you are to land and report immediately to Lieutenant Starbuck in
the alpha landing bay.  You shall return to aid Blue Squadron for the
remainder of the battle.  Understood?"
	"Yes, sir.  Blue Two beginning landing approach now.  Giles out." 
The lieutenant disconnected the comchannel as Adama thanked Omega and
turned back to Starbuck.
	"Lieutenant, you heard your orders.  Report immediately to the
launching bay with Lieutenants Boomer and Sheba."  Adama's dark brown
eyes looked into Starbuck's blue ones.  "Bring them back home in one
piece, Starbuck."
	A smile appeared on the lieutenant's face.
	"Like we always do, sir."

	On the way back to the scene of the battle, Starbuck let Giles take
the lead.  It was a somewhat difficult decision for Starbuck, since
his gut instinct was to race to Apollo's aid without thinking.  He
forced himself to calm down, but he didn't quite succeed as he noticed
the slightly tense atmospthe humans
and the Cylons ended many friendships during the many battles since
the Colonies were destroyed, and Starbuck prayed that his friendship
with Apollo wouldn't be the next victim.
	"We're here," Giles said a few centons later.  "They should be at the
other side of the system."
	Starbuck looked around the space surrounding his Viper.  He could see
numerous jovian planets along with a few scattered asteroids.  It's
the perfect place for a Cylon ambush, he thought as he glanced at the
scanner.  It was blank.
	"Anyone picking something up?" he asked.
	"Nothing yet," Boomer said.
	"Just a micron," Sheba cut in.  Her voice was as optimistic as
Starbuck felt.  A few sectars earlier, she had restarted her romance
with Apollo, and Starbuck knew that she was praying as hard as he was
that they would find him.  "There's a weak signal coming along the
edge of the third planet.  I think we should take a look."
	"Agreed," Starbuck said, activating the turbos as he took the lead. 
He swung the Vipully studied the pitiful
figure that was directly in front of the monitor by now.  The dark hair,
even if long and unkempt, was in a familiar style, but it was only when the
prisoner opened his eyes that Adama felt his body stiffen.  A sudden flash
of insight came to him as he heard Ila's voice from the dream, saying,
"Adama, we might lose the baby!"
	"Oh, dear God," he whispered as he caught a glimpse of the dark green eyes
that he never thought that he'd see again.  "No, please, no..."
	"It's your son, Adama!  Your precious Apollo!"

Chapter Eight

	"Two more," Starbuck muttered as he attached another solenite charge to
the Cylon computer banks, unaware of the drama developing just down the
hallway.  "All I need is a few more microns."
	"Would you mind shaving off a few of those microns?" Boomer asked as he
glared at Starbuck's blond head, all the while trying to keep his eye on
the two entrances to the computer banks.  He almost expected them to slide
open at any micron, emitting dozens oer around in arc as he circled the gaseous globe.  He
strained to see something.  "There's nothing that I can see."
	"Going by the size of it on the scanner," Sheba continued, "it has to
be pretty small."
	The anxiety returned to Starbuck in full force as he instructed the
scanner to look for something smaller than a Viper.  The result came
up almost immediately.  Starbuck stared at the small boxy target.
	"It's a flight recorder," he said.  "I'm just checking the marker
beacon on it."
	"Felgercarb," Boomer swore, something that was rare for him.  "I've
never liked those, especially when Adama ordered that they be put in a
yahren ago."
	"They come to some use," Sheba countered.  "They're only ejected when
the computer senses that the Viper is going to explode."  She suddenly
realized Boomer's point.  "Boomer, it doesn't mean that they're dead."
	It was the first mention of death.  Starbuck looked up from the
scanner and glared across space at Sheba's Viper.
	"Hey!" he exclaimed angrily.  "No here that usually went with support missions.
 Even so, it made him uncomfortable that Sheba and Boomer hadn't said
a word since launching.
	"You know," he said, deciding to break the silence, "we'll probably
run into Apollo and the others on their way back.  Giles, you're
probably right in thinking that they didn't need any backup."
	"Maybe," Boomer muttered.  The black lieutenant's voice was unusually
quiet, as though he were sensing what was making Starbuck uneasy.
	"I hope you're right," Sheba responded, trying to sound optimistic. 
Starbuck could just picture the worried expression on her face.
	"Of course I'm right," he snapped, immediately wincing as he realized
how lame that sounded, so he decided to shut up.  No matter how hard
he wanted to try, he couldn't lighten this atmosphere.  Every time he
went out on this type of mission, he and his fellow pilots were
normally anxious, but knowing that it was Apollo they were going to
aid made them even more nervous.  The continued war between er around in arc as he circled the gaseous globe.  He
strained to see something.  "There's nothing that I can see."
	"Going by the size of it on the scanner," Sheba continued, "it has to
be pretty small."
	The anxiety returned to Starbuck in full force as he instructed the
scanner to look for something smaller than a Viper.  The result came
up almost immediately.  Starbuck stared at the small boxy target.
	"It's a flight recorder," he said.  "I'm just checking the marker
beacon on it."
	"Felgercarb," Boomer swore, something that was rare for him.  "I've
never liked those, especially when Adama ordered that they be put in a
yahren ago."
	"They come to some use," Sheba countered.  "They're only ejected when
the computer senses that the Viper is going to explode."  She suddenly
realized Boomer's point.  "Boomer, it doesn't mean that they're dead."
	It was the first mention of death.  Starbuck looked up from the
scanner and glared across space at Sheba's Viper.
	"Hey!" he exclaimed angrily.  "No f Cylons to terminate them.  The
centurion lying outside the outer door was a dead giveaway to their
presence.  "I know that all the squadrons are launched, but who knows how
many are left?  Besides, the Galactica should be beginning her attack any
centon now."
	"Do you want me to blow these computers up properly, or do you want to
risk the chance that they'll be able to salvage some of their scanners?" he
snapped in reply as he placed another charge onto the outer shell of the
computers.  "Okay, one more."
	"One more," Boomer repeated.  "Come on..."
	With the pained concentration of an artist, Starbuck carefully attached
the last one.  He smiled as he rose to his feet, rubbing his hands in
anticipation of the upcoming explosion.

	Adama heard Baltar's evil laughter as he stared into his son's eyes.  He
felt disoriented as he tried to get a glimpse of something -- anything, but
all he could see in the green depths was pain and anguish.  There was no
glimmer of recognition, as though Apollo waone said anything about Apollo and
the others being dead, Sheba.  Do you understand?  They're probably
across the solar system, cleaning up the last few Cylons.  We're going
to meet them in a few microns.  If fact, why don't Boomer and Giles go
ahead to meet them while I check this one out?"
	Boomer's voice was calm as he responded.
	"We're going, Starbuck.  We'll call as soon as we find them."
	"Good."  Starbuck looked back down at the scanner and tapped its
surface, waiting impatiently for it to decode the signal.  "Any micron
now, Warbook.  You don't want me to do anything dangerous while
waiting, do you?"
	He heard Sheba's slight chuckle over the open comline.
	"You're strange," she told him, "but didn't you know that if you
threaten computers, they'll malfunction just to spite you?"
	"Spite?  Me?  Never."  The Warbook beeped as the results from the
scan appeared.  "Here we go, the flight recorder belongs to --"  He
stopped as he read the impossible.  "Sheba, it's from Apollo's Viper."
	Tthe humans
and the Cylons ended many friendships during the many battles since
the Colonies were destroyed, and Starbuck prayed that his friendship
with Apollo wouldn't be the next victim.
	"We're here," Giles said a few centons later.  "They should be at the
other side of the system."
	Starbuck looked around the space surrounding his Viper.  He could see
numerous jovian planets along with a few scattered asteroids.  It's
the perfect place for a Cylon ambush, he thought as he glanced at the
scanner.  It was blank.
	"Anyone picking something up?" he asked.
	"Nothing yet," Boomer said.
	"Just a micron," Sheba cut in.  Her voice was as optimistic as
Starbuck felt.  A few sectars earlier, she had restarted her romance
with Apollo, and Starbuck knew that she was praying as hard as he was
that they would find him.  "There's a weak signal coming along the
edge of the third planet.  I think we should take a look."
	"Agreed," Starbuck said, activating the turbos as he took the lead. 
He swung the Vipone said anything about Apollo and
the others being dead, Sheba.  Do you understand?  They're probably
across the solar system, cleaning up the last few Cylons.  We're going
to meet them in a few microns.  If fact, why don't Boomer and Giles go
ahead to meet them while I check this one out?"
	Boomer's voice was calm as he responded.
	"We're going, Starbuck.  We'll call as soon as we find them."
	"Good."  Starbuck looked back down at the scanner and tapped its
surface, waiting impatiently for it to decode the signal.  "Any micron
now, Warbook.  You don't want me to do anything dangerous while
waiting, do you?"
	He heard Sheba's slight chuckle over the open comline.
	"You're strange," she told him, "but didn't you know that if you
threaten computers, they'll malfunction just to spite you?"
	"Spite?  Me?  Never."  The Warbook beeped as the results from the
scan appeared.  "Here we go, the flight recorder belongs to --"  He
stopped as he read the impossible.  "Sheba, it's from Apollo's Viper."
	Tsn't aware of what was going on
around him.   Adama felt his stomach lurch as he became aware of Tigh
swearing underneath his breath and of Athena's cry of outrage.  It seemed
that every officer on the bridge was either looking at the transmission or
at Adama himself.
	"Did you hear me?" Baltar continued, his brown eyes narrowed with malice
as he pulled Apollo towards him.  "I mean what I said.  Recall your
fighters and call off this battle, and I'll spare your son."
	Adama couldn't respond.  He continued to stare at his son, wondering how
Apollo had survived the apparent destruction of his Viper.  His flight
recorder had been ejected, after all.  And why, of all the possible fates
that could have befallen Apollo, did he have to end up as Baltar's prisoner?
	It was the hardest moment of Adama's life.  The father in him insisted
that he should do whatever he could to save his child, but the military
commander in him, the side that held more power, coldly stated that the
only course of action he er around in arc as he circled the gaseous globe.  He
strained to see something.  "There's nothing that I can see."
	"Going by the size of it on the scanner," Sheba continued, "it has to
be pretty small."
	The anxiety returned to Starbuck in full force as he instructed the
scanner to look for something smaller than a Viper.  The result came
up almost immediately.  Starbuck stared at the small boxy target.
	"It's a flight recorder," he said.  "I'm just checking the marker
beacon on it."
	"Felgercarb," Boomer swore, something that was rare for him.  "I've
never liked those, especially when Adama ordered that they be put in a
yahren ago."
	"They come to some use," Sheba countered.  "They're only ejected when
the computer senses that the Viper is going to explode."  She suddenly
realized Boomer's point.  "Boomer, it doesn't mean that they're dead."
	It was the first mention of death.  Starbuck looked up from the
scanner and glared across space at Sheba's Viper.
	"Hey!" he exclaimed angrily.  "No here was only silence over the comline, then Boomer interrupted them.
	"Starbuck, we found the patrol," he said.  "Or at least what was the
patrol."
	Starbuck felt as though he had been kicked in the stomach.
	"What was the patrol?" he repeated.
	"There's only rubble, made up mostly of the metallic alloys found in
Vipers," Giles reported, picking up where Boomer left off.  "We
checked the entire system.  All we found were the decaying energy wake
trails from the Cylons' engines, and they've been long gone since
about five centons after I left scanning range."
	"No," Starbuck said, shaking his head.  "No, that's not enough proof.
 We've got enough fuel to check all the planets in the surrounding
area.  If we conserve our fuel, we might be able to do a complete
search of the system.  It's the best we --"
	"Starbuck, give it up."  Boomer's voice was hard as he countered
Starbuck's ideas.  "Look at this solar system, will you?  These are
all gas giants.  That means that there's no atmosphere that here was only silence over the comline, then Boomer interrupted them.
	"Starbuck, we found the patrol," he said.  "Or at least what was the
patrol."
	Starbuck felt as though he had been kicked in the stomach.
	"What was the patrol?" he repeated.
	"There's only rubble, made up mostly of the metallic alloys found in
Vipers," Giles reported, picking up where Boomer left off.  "We
checked the entire system.  All we found were the decaying energy wake
trails from the Cylons' engines, and they've been long gone since
about five centons after I left scanning range."
	"No," Starbuck said, shaking his head.  "No, that's not enough proof.
 We've got enough fuel to check all the planets in the surrounding
area.  If we conserve our fuel, we might be able to do a complete
search of the system.  It's the best we --"
	"Starbuck, give it up."  Boomer's voice was hard as he countered
Starbuck's ideas.  "Look at this solar system, will you?  These are
all gas giants.  That means that there's no atmosphere that could possibly take was to save the fleet.  If it
meant signing Apollo's death warrant, then that was what he had to do.
	"Father."  It was Athena's voice at his shoulder, gripping his arm
tightly.  He looked at her, feeling as though he were in the middle of his
nightmare again.  "Father, don't listen to him."
	Tigh's words echoed Athena's.  "Adama...  Commander, if you end the
battle, that's one step away surrendering."
	"No, no, I don't want your surrender."  There was something about the way
Baltar ended his phrase that told Adama that he neglected to add the word
"yet."  "The day for our greatest battle has yet to occur."
	Tigh glared at the monitor.  "And what is that supposed to mean?"
	"Whatever you want it to mean."
	"He means that he wants the battle to wait until he can get
reinforcements," a new voice said, startling everyone, including Baltar.
Apollo looked up at Adama, life coming back into his eyes.  "It's the same
old story, Father, just like the Armistice and at Kobol."
	"Shutone said anything about Apollo and
the others being dead, Sheba.  Do you understand?  They're probably
across the solar system, cleaning up the last few Cylons.  We're going
to meet them in a few microns.  If fact, why don't Boomer and Giles go
ahead to meet them while I check this one out?"
	Boomer's voice was calm as he responded.
	"We're going, Starbuck.  We'll call as soon as we find them."
	"Good."  Starbuck looked back down at the scanner and tapped its
surface, waiting impatiently for it to decode the signal.  "Any micron
now, Warbook.  You don't want me to do anything dangerous while
waiting, do you?"
	He heard Sheba's slight chuckle over the open comline.
	"You're strange," she told him, "but didn't you know that if you
threaten computers, they'll malfunction just to spite you?"
	"Spite?  Me?  Never."  The Warbook beeped as the results from the
scan appeared.  "Here we go, the flight recorder belongs to --"  He
stopped as he read the impossible.  "Sheba, it's from Apollo's Viper."
	Thumans can
breath."
	"But there's always the asteroids..."
	"I already scanned them, Bucko.  Sub-zero temperatures and a little
methane atmosphere, if even that."
	"But --"
	Sheba's voice was tearful, but she tried to remain strong as she
spoke.  "He's dead, Starbuck.  They're all dead."
	Starbuck didn't say anything for a few microns.  Instead, he closed
his eyes and pictured his friend.  He wanted nothing more than to find
him, since he had the uppermost belief that Apollo could survive
anything.  Still, the irrationality of his wants conflicted with the
hard facts that he was being presented with.
	"Maybe we'll pick them up on the way back," he said, refusing to
accept the facts.  "They might have returned a different way."
	"Maybe," Boomer answered, but he didn't sound convinced.  "Come on,
Starbuck, let's head for home.  There's nothing left here to find."
	As the Vipers turned away from the site of the battle, Starbuck found
that he couldn't help looking at his scanner.  He checked evehumans can
breath."
	"But there's always the asteroids..."
	"I already scanned them, Bucko.  Sub-zero temperatures and a little
methane atmosphere, if even that."
	"But --"
	Sheba's voice was tearful, but she tried to remain strong as she
spoke.  "He's dead, Starbuck.  They're all dead."
	Starbuck didn't say anything for a few microns.  Instead, he closed
his eyes and pictured his friend.  He wanted nothing more than to find
him, since he had the uppermost belief that Apollo could survive
anything.  Still, the irrationality of his wants conflicted with the
hard facts that he was being presented with.
	"Maybe we'll pick them up on the way back," he said, refusing to
accept the facts.  "They might have returned a different way."
	"Maybe," Boomer answered, but he didn't sound convinced.  "Come on,
Starbuck, let's head for home.  There's nothing left here to find."
	As the Vipers turned away from the site of the battle, Starbuck found
that he couldn't help looking at his scanner.  He checked eve up, you!" Baltar shouted, striking Apollo across the face and
throwing his body back into the arms of the centurions.  The two Cylons
backed away with their charge out of range of the monitor, and Adama wanted
to demand Baltar to bring Apollo back.  He was brought back to the present
by the anger in Baltar's voice.  "What's your response, Adama?"

	Starbuck glanced down to make sure that Boomer was close behind him as
they climbed back up the central core.  Relieved at the sight of his
friend's black face close to his heels, Starbuck reached down to his belt
where the control for the charges was attached.
	"Ready?" he asked.
	"Does that really need an answer?" Boomer said dryly.

	"Your response, Adama!"  Baltar's voice was strained.  The cords in his
neck stood out as his voice rose in pitch.  "Now!"
	The silence that stretched out on the Galactica's bridge was tense.  Every
officer knew that Baltar's proposal was an empty one, and they knew that
Adama knew that.  The question they all wanthere was only silence over the comline, then Boomer interrupted them.
	"Starbuck, we found the patrol," he said.  "Or at least what was the
patrol."
	Starbuck felt as though he had been kicked in the stomach.
	"What was the patrol?" he repeated.
	"There's only rubble, made up mostly of the metallic alloys found in
Vipers," Giles reported, picking up where Boomer left off.  "We
checked the entire system.  All we found were the decaying energy wake
trails from the Cylons' engines, and they've been long gone since
about five centons after I left scanning range."
	"No," Starbuck said, shaking his head.  "No, that's not enough proof.
 We've got enough fuel to check all the planets in the surrounding
area.  If we conserve our fuel, we might be able to do a complete
search of the system.  It's the best we --"
	"Starbuck, give it up."  Boomer's voice was hard as he countered
Starbuck's ideas.  "Look at this solar system, will you?  These are
all gas giants.  That means that there's no atmosphere that ry
possible direction, hoping that at least one of them would pick up the
single target that Starbuck knew would be Apollo.  By the time they
reached the Galactica, however, it hadn't appeared.  Feeling helpless,
Starbuck grudgingly accepted the possibility that Apollo could very
likely be dead, though it the last thing in the universe he wanted to
do.


	Captain Bojay couldn't find anyone he was looking for as he strolled
though the decks of the Galactica.  Both Starbuck and Boomer had
disappeared, keeping their grief about losing their friend out of the
public eye.  Most of the other pilots who had looked up to Apollo were
quietly going about their duties, their solemnity a tribute to their
slain flight commander.
	The way everyone was acting struck Bojay as slightly stupid.  He'd
lost plenty of friends and family throughout his career, and every
single time, he went on without looking back.  If one didn't do that,
they would be paralyzed with grief, something he had seen plenty of
warriory
possible direction, hoping that at least one of them would pick up the
single target that Starbuck knew would be Apollo.  By the time they
reached the Galactica, however, it hadn't appeared.  Feeling helpless,
Starbuck grudgingly accepted the possibility that Apollo could very
likely be dead, though it the last thing in the universe he wanted to
do.


	Captain Bojay couldn't find anyone he was looking for as he strolled
though the decks of the Galactica.  Both Starbuck and Boomer had
disappeared, keeping their grief about losing their friend out of the
public eye.  Most of the other pilots who had looked up to Apollo were
quietly going about their duties, their solemnity a tribute to their
slain flight commander.
	The way everyone was acting struck Bojay as slightly stupid.  He'd
lost plenty of friends and family throughout his career, and every
single time, he went on without looking back.  If one didn't do that,
they would be paralyzed with grief, something he had seen plenty of
warrioed to know was if Adama would
make the proper choice.
	"Well?"
	Adama turned to look at his daughter and his aide, about to order them to
continue with the plans when he heard a deep boom from Baltar's side of the
connection.  Looking back, he saw the doors behind Baltar blow up, belching
fire and smoke into the room.  The traitor screamed as he was struck by a
piece of shrapnel that flew from the ruined door.  Peering into the
suddenly staticky transmission, Adama couldn't see where Apollo had gone,
and he wondered if he had also been hit by the explosion.
	"Dear God," Athena whispered.  Adama knew that she had never seen a
solenite explosion before, and it was always a shock to see one.  The
potent explosive created the most powerful blast that the Colonies had ever
discovered. 
	"Fool!" Baltar shouted, clutching his forehead where the metal had given
him a bloody gash.  "Is that your response?  We're not finished, Adama!  I
not only have your son, but those blasted warriors you sent aboard humans can
breath."
	"But there's always the asteroids..."
	"I already scanned them, Bucko.  Sub-zero temperatures and a little
methane atmosphere, if even that."
	"But --"
	Sheba's voice was tearful, but she tried to remain strong as she
spoke.  "He's dead, Starbuck.  They're all dead."
	Starbuck didn't say anything for a few microns.  Instead, he closed
his eyes and pictured his friend.  He wanted nothing more than to find
him, since he had the uppermost belief that Apollo could survive
anything.  Still, the irrationality of his wants conflicted with the
hard facts that he was being presented with.
	"Maybe we'll pick them up on the way back," he said, refusing to
accept the facts.  "They might have returned a different way."
	"Maybe," Boomer answered, but he didn't sound convinced.  "Come on,
Starbuck, let's head for home.  There's nothing left here to find."
	As the Vipers turned away from the site of the battle, Starbuck found
that he couldn't help looking at his scanner.  He checked evers do.  Why couldn't the others do the same as he?
	I don't even miss him, Bojay thought as he went.  I don't see what
all the fuss is about.  We lose warriors practically every other day,
so what's so special about him?  Sure, he was a top-ranking pilot and
an okay guy, but give me a break!
	More than once, Bojay had realized that he was jealous of Apollo. 
Plain and simple.  Yahrens before, he'd been posted to the Galactica
where he and Apollo had no problems, but a sudden shuffle of pilots
sent the newly promoted captain to the Pegasus where he quickly became
Cain's flight commander.  Then when he and Sheba and the other Pegasus
survivors were transferred to the Galactica when Cain took his
battlestar off on the suicide mission that many doubted they'd
survived, his life seemed to begin to fall apart.  He was still Silver
Spar leader, something that he knew that he should be thankful for,
but his squadron was a minor one compared to the prestige held by Blue
Squadron, which Sheba had informars do.  Why couldn't the others do the same as he?
	I don't even miss him, Bojay thought as he went.  I don't see what
all the fuss is about.  We lose warriors practically every other day,
so what's so special about him?  Sure, he was a top-ranking pilot and
an okay guy, but give me a break!
	More than once, Bojay had realized that he was jealous of Apollo. 
Plain and simple.  Yahrens before, he'd been posted to the Galactica
where he and Apollo had no problems, but a sudden shuffle of pilots
sent the newly promoted captain to the Pegasus where he quickly became
Cain's flight commander.  Then when he and Sheba and the other Pegasus
survivors were transferred to the Galactica when Cain took his
battlestar off on the suicide mission that many doubted they'd
survived, his life seemed to begin to fall apart.  He was still Silver
Spar leader, something that he knew that he should be thankful for,
but his squadron was a minor one compared to the prestige held by Blue
Squadron, which Sheba had informamy
basestar are mine as well!  Consider their deaths as payment for your
mistake.  Next time, I'll take your entire fleet!"
	The monitor flickered off as Baltar cut the connection.  As soon as the
picture was gone, Adama took a deep breath, feeling as though someone had
kicked his stomach.
	"If anyone had asked me what this battle would be like," Tigh began,
shaking his head, "this is the last thing I would think of."
	"What gets me is that they had Apollo all along.  How?  Why?"  Athena put
her hands on her hips, then looked at Adama.  Her blue eyes had an angry
intensity that chilled him.  "I'm going to get my gear.  We'll launch in
five centons."
	She almost ran off the bridge.  Adama watched her leave, wondering if he
might have made a tragic mistake.  His other children had slipped through
his fingers, and he could see Athena following in their footsteps.  It
frightened him to the point of considering to go after Athena to take her
back, but he knew that it was unacceptable and that she wry
possible direction, hoping that at least one of them would pick up the
single target that Starbuck knew would be Apollo.  By the time they
reached the Galactica, however, it hadn't appeared.  Feeling helpless,
Starbuck grudgingly accepted the possibility that Apollo could very
likely be dead, though it the last thing in the universe he wanted to
do.


	Captain Bojay couldn't find anyone he was looking for as he strolled
though the decks of the Galactica.  Both Starbuck and Boomer had
disappeared, keeping their grief about losing their friend out of the
public eye.  Most of the other pilots who had looked up to Apollo were
quietly going about their duties, their solemnity a tribute to their
slain flight commander.
	The way everyone was acting struck Bojay as slightly stupid.  He'd
lost plenty of friends and family throughout his career, and every
single time, he went on without looking back.  If one didn't do that,
they would be paralyzed with grief, something he had seen plenty of
warriolly joined.  Most importantly, the
role of flight commander had stayed with Apollo.
	Until now, Bojay smiled, slightly surprised at his reaction.  Still,
he knew that it was only a matter of time until Adama promoted him. 
He was the most logical choice, having already served in the position
for two yahrens on the Pegasus.  He was also the only other captain
beside Apollo.  Maybe now, he could impress Sheba.
	Cain's daughter was the true reason why Bojay found himself being
jealous.  He'd always admired her beauty, her no-nonsense attitude
about things, and everything else about her.  Back on the Pegasus,
though, she was off-limits.  He remembered one incident shortly after
he had come aboard Cain's battlestar, when Sheba had become
romantically involved with another pilot.  When they broke up a few
sectons later, the pilot had fallen quickly into Cain's disfavor even
though he hadn't really done anything with Sheba.
	It was that incident that made Bojay decide to admire her from afar. 
Althoully joined.  Most importantly, the
role of flight commander had stayed with Apollo.
	Until now, Bojay smiled, slightly surprised at his reaction.  Still,
he knew that it was only a matter of time until Adama promoted him. 
He was the most logical choice, having already served in the position
for two yahrens on the Pegasus.  He was also the only other captain
beside Apollo.  Maybe now, he could impress Sheba.
	Cain's daughter was the true reason why Bojay found himself being
jealous.  He'd always admired her beauty, her no-nonsense attitude
about things, and everything else about her.  Back on the Pegasus,
though, she was off-limits.  He remembered one incident shortly after
he had come aboard Cain's battlestar, when Sheba had become
romantically involved with another pilot.  When they broke up a few
sectons later, the pilot had fallen quickly into Cain's disfavor even
though he hadn't really done anything with Sheba.
	It was that incident that made Bojay decide to admire her from afar. 
Althouould never forgive
him.
	"Well, we know that they don't have Starbuck and Boomer, because those
charges wouldn't have gone off if they were captured."  Tigh laughed,
startling Adama out of his morose thoughts.  "Baltar's losing his touch!
We can see through his ploys!"
	Adama gave his aide a half-hearted smile, then turned back to impending
battle.

	The pain in his forehead was giving him a headache that surpassed all
previous ones.  Baltar could feel the blood trickling down the right side
of his face, and he wiped at the warm stream, trying to get rid of that
horrible feeling.  He only succeeded in smearing it further onto his face.
	"Report!" he shouted, coughing slightly from the lingering smoke, thanks
to the useless, pitiful excuse for a ventilation system.  "How much damage
did those blasted warriors cause?  And why aren't they captured yet?"
	Lucifer, who seemed to be unharmed from the explosion, finished circling
the three consoles.  When he spoke, his voice didn't sound as disappoirs do.  Why couldn't the others do the same as he?
	I don't even miss him, Bojay thought as he went.  I don't see what
all the fuss is about.  We lose warriors practically every other day,
so what's so special about him?  Sure, he was a top-ranking pilot and
an okay guy, but give me a break!
	More than once, Bojay had realized that he was jealous of Apollo. 
Plain and simple.  Yahrens before, he'd been posted to the Galactica
where he and Apollo had no problems, but a sudden shuffle of pilots
sent the newly promoted captain to the Pegasus where he quickly became
Cain's flight commander.  Then when he and Sheba and the other Pegasus
survivors were transferred to the Galactica when Cain took his
battlestar off on the suicide mission that many doubted they'd
survived, his life seemed to begin to fall apart.  He was still Silver
Spar leader, something that he knew that he should be thankful for,
but his squadron was a minor one compared to the prestige held by Blue
Squadron, which Sheba had informagh they were wingmates and often spent whatever furlons they
received together, he made sure that he never made any advances that
could be interpreted as romantic.  And everything was all right.
	When they first came aboard the Galactica, he had seriously
considered the possibility of making advances on her, but to his
shock, he found her making advances on Apollo, of all the possible
people in the fleet.  Even though he tried to comfort himself by
telling himself that at least it wasn't Starbuck, he had to finally
resign himself to the fact that he wouldn't -- couldn't -- have a
chance when Apollo finally returned the affection to her.  He often
wondered what it would be like for him to challenge Apollo for Sheba,
but since he didn't really know what Sheba's feelings were towards
him, he decided not to.  Now, however, it was a different story.  She
was grieving.
	Still, will I have a chance now? he wondered.  Should I even try? 
Will I be able to hold a chance against a memory?
	Before he cough they were wingmates and often spent whatever furlons they
received together, he made sure that he never made any advances that
could be interpreted as romantic.  And everything was all right.
	When they first came aboard the Galactica, he had seriously
considered the possibility of making advances on her, but to his
shock, he found her making advances on Apollo, of all the possible
people in the fleet.  Even though he tried to comfort himself by
telling himself that at least it wasn't Starbuck, he had to finally
resign himself to the fact that he wouldn't -- couldn't -- have a
chance when Apollo finally returned the affection to her.  He often
wondered what it would be like for him to challenge Apollo for Sheba,
but since he didn't really know what Sheba's feelings were towards
him, he decided not to.  Now, however, it was a different story.  She
was grieving.
	Still, will I have a chance now? he wondered.  Should I even try? 
Will I be able to hold a chance against a memory?
	Before he counted
as Baltar thought it should have.
	"All scanners are damaged, but if we put the special centurions to work
immediately, we will have minimal capability in under a centar."
	Baltar nodded sharply, looking around the room.  "Do it, then.  In the
meantime, take us away from the battle.  I don't want those Vipers finding
us and telling Adama where we are.  And Lucifer... where did those stupid
centurions of yours put Apollo?"
	"Back to the holding cells.  They left a few centons after the explosion
went off."
	"Through the central core?" the human wanted to know.  "And then through
the bays?"
	"Yes."
	Chuckling, Baltar grinned at the Cylon.  It didn't even bother him that
his laughter made his head hurt.
	"Lucifer, I think we've come across a way to catch those blasted warriors."

	It had been almost seven sectars since Reserve Squadron was last called
out for battle, but Athena quickly found herself falling into the routine
that the normal fighter pilots took for granted.  She quickly
dolly joined.  Most importantly, the
role of flight commander had stayed with Apollo.
	Until now, Bojay smiled, slightly surprised at his reaction.  Still,
he knew that it was only a matter of time until Adama promoted him. 
He was the most logical choice, having already served in the position
for two yahrens on the Pegasus.  He was also the only other captain
beside Apollo.  Maybe now, he could impress Sheba.
	Cain's daughter was the true reason why Bojay found himself being
jealous.  He'd always admired her beauty, her no-nonsense attitude
about things, and everything else about her.  Back on the Pegasus,
though, she was off-limits.  He remembered one incident shortly after
he had come aboard Cain's battlestar, when Sheba had become
romantically involved with another pilot.  When they broke up a few
sectons later, the pilot had fallen quickly into Cain's disfavor even
though he hadn't really done anything with Sheba.
	It was that incident that made Bojay decide to admire her from afar. 
Althould muse upon the subject anymore, he turned the corner
and almost ran into Sheba.  She was leaning against the bulkhead,
shaking her head in what appeared to be disgust.  He gingerly reached
out to touch her shoulder, and to his delight, she looked up at him,
an expression on her face that he hoped was happiness.
	"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing the traces of tears on her cheeks.
 He winced at his question, hoping that Sheba didn't notice.  "Are you
all right, Sheba?"
	"I'm fine," she said, straightening up slightly as she tried to
smile.  He knew that she wanted to show that she didn't have a
problem, and for a micron, she reminded him of Cain.  "Really."
	"Are you sure?"
	There was a pause for a micron, then she shook her head, biting her
bottom lip in an almost endearing way as she blinked to get rid of the
tears in her eyes.  "No.  I just told Boxey about Apollo.  I couldn't
help it, Bojay.  I cried, even though I told myself that I had to keep
myself together.  Boxey started yelling atld muse upon the subject anymore, he turned the corner
and almost ran into Sheba.  She was leaning against the bulkhead,
shaking her head in what appeared to be disgust.  He gingerly reached
out to touch her shoulder, and to his delight, she looked up at him,
an expression on her face that he hoped was happiness.
	"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing the traces of tears on her cheeks.
 He winced at his question, hoping that Sheba didn't notice.  "Are you
all right, Sheba?"
	"I'm fine," she said, straightening up slightly as she tried to
smile.  He knew that she wanted to show that she didn't have a
problem, and for a micron, she reminded him of Cain.  "Really."
	"Are you sure?"
	There was a pause for a micron, then she shook her head, biting her
bottom lip in an almost endearing way as she blinked to get rid of the
tears in her eyes.  "No.  I just told Boxey about Apollo.  I couldn't
help it, Bojay.  I cried, even though I told myself that I had to keep
myself together.  Boxey started yelling atuble-checked her controls, satisfied that the Viper was in perfect
condition.  Taking a deep breath, she prepared to speak her pilots in the
same manner she'd picked up from Apollo during the short time they'd flown
in the same squadron.
	Apollo.  The barely recognizable image of her brother from Baltar's
transmission came back to her.  It was a horrible shock for her to learn
that he was still alive, but not as much as it had been to Adama.  She'd
seen the horror in her father's face when he realized who Baltar's prisoner
was, and she knew that it was tearing him apart to give Apollo up for dead
for the second time.  She wondered what they would tell Boxey once the
battle was over, if she would be able to meet his eyes when they told him.
	There's no way in Hades' that Starbuck and Boomer know about him, so if
they get off the basestar in one piece, that won't do us any good.  She
shook her head firmly as she looked out of her cockpit absentmindedly.  No,
Sheba and I have to come up with a plangh they were wingmates and often spent whatever furlons they
received together, he made sure that he never made any advances that
could be interpreted as romantic.  And everything was all right.
	When they first came aboard the Galactica, he had seriously
considered the possibility of making advances on her, but to his
shock, he found her making advances on Apollo, of all the possible
people in the fleet.  Even though he tried to comfort himself by
telling himself that at least it wasn't Starbuck, he had to finally
resign himself to the fact that he wouldn't -- couldn't -- have a
chance when Apollo finally returned the affection to her.  He often
wondered what it would be like for him to challenge Apollo for Sheba,
but since he didn't really know what Sheba's feelings were towards
him, he decided not to.  Now, however, it was a different story.  She
was grieving.
	Still, will I have a chance now? he wondered.  Should I even try? 
Will I be able to hold a chance against a memory?
	Before he cou me, telling me that I was
giving up on Apollo, and how could I do that?  Then he ran out before
I could do anything."
	"Sheba, I --"
	"I don't know where he went!" she finished, her eyes almost
completely brimming.  "Bojay, what am I supposed to do?  What if he
goes and does something stupid?  Apollo would never forgive me!"
	For a micron, he was at a loss for words, but when she started
crying, with sobs wracking her body, he gratefully put his arms around
her.  She didn't seem to mind, putting her face against his shoulder
as her tears flowed without restraint.
	"Do you want to go somewhere to talk?" he suggested, resting his
cheek against her hair.  He'd always liked the smell of it, and he
closed his eyes, enjoying it.
	"I guess," she sniffed, "but there's no way I want to go up to the
Celestial Dome, because Apollo's ghost would be there."
	Bojay frowned slightly, not only because he was trying to think of a
good place to go, but he also didn't know what the Celestial Dome was.
 Most o me, telling me that I was
giving up on Apollo, and how could I do that?  Then he ran out before
I could do anything."
	"Sheba, I --"
	"I don't know where he went!" she finished, her eyes almost
completely brimming.  "Bojay, what am I supposed to do?  What if he
goes and does something stupid?  Apollo would never forgive me!"
	For a micron, he was at a loss for words, but when she started
crying, with sobs wracking her body, he gratefully put his arms around
her.  She didn't seem to mind, putting her face against his shoulder
as her tears flowed without restraint.
	"Do you want to go somewhere to talk?" he suggested, resting his
cheek against her hair.  He'd always liked the smell of it, and he
closed his eyes, enjoying it.
	"I guess," she sniffed, "but there's no way I want to go up to the
Celestial Dome, because Apollo's ghost would be there."
	Bojay frowned slightly, not only because he was trying to think of a
good place to go, but he also didn't know what the Celestial Dome was.
 Most o.  We can't just leave him there to
die...
	Her jaw clenched as she next thought of Boomer.  She'd always liked the
black lieutenant, finding him always polite and willing to listen, though
she'd never thought of him as anything more than just as one of her
brother's closest friends.  Even when she was involved with Starbuck
romantically, Boomer remained as Boomer.
	Then came the day they were trapped with Boxey and the other warriors in
the Rejuvenation Center when the Galactica was on fire over two yahrens
before.  The way he'd been firm but caring, making sure that she was all
right, and even consoling her once or twice when she felt that their
situation was hopeless, planted the seed of something inside of her.  It
took close to two yahrens, but she soon became aware of an attraction
toward him.  After all, he was as handsome as Starbuck, but their
conversation on the Raider was the first time she'd been able to voice it,
or even dare to show it.
	And what if Boomer doesn't get off there, ld muse upon the subject anymore, he turned the corner
and almost ran into Sheba.  She was leaning against the bulkhead,
shaking her head in what appeared to be disgust.  He gingerly reached
out to touch her shoulder, and to his delight, she looked up at him,
an expression on her face that he hoped was happiness.
	"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing the traces of tears on her cheeks.
 He winced at his question, hoping that Sheba didn't notice.  "Are you
all right, Sheba?"
	"I'm fine," she said, straightening up slightly as she tried to
smile.  He knew that she wanted to show that she didn't have a
problem, and for a micron, she reminded him of Cain.  "Really."
	"Are you sure?"
	There was a pause for a micron, then she shook her head, biting her
bottom lip in an almost endearing way as she blinked to get rid of the
tears in her eyes.  "No.  I just told Boxey about Apollo.  I couldn't
help it, Bojay.  I cried, even though I told myself that I had to keep
myself together.  Boxey started yelling atf the popular observation decks would be filled at this centar,
despite the mourning that was going on.  There was only one other
place he could think of.
	"How about the Council chambers?"
	"There?" she asked, pulling away so she could wipe her tears away. 
"That's a good idea."
	Smiling, he led her there, holding her hand.  Before they reached the
hallway that the chambers were located in, he heard a voice behind them.
	"Sheba?"
	They both turned to see Giles standing there.  The stocky lieutenant
looked as though he had also been crying for Apollo's death.  As Sheba
stood still, he came up and took her hands.
	"Yes, Giles?" she asked, her voice not trembling as much as it had
been only a few centons before.
	"I'm sorry that there wasn't anything I could have done for Apollo,"
he told her, avoiding her eyes.  "I should have stayed and helped them
out, but he sent me back to the Galactica and...  I'm just so sorry
that they got Apollo.  He was probably the best warrior we had."
	Bojay felt f the popular observation decks would be filled at this centar,
despite the mourning that was going on.  There was only one other
place he could think of.
	"How about the Council chambers?"
	"There?" she asked, pulling away so she could wipe her tears away. 
"That's a good idea."
	Smiling, he led her there, holding her hand.  Before they reached the
hallway that the chambers were located in, he heard a voice behind them.
	"Sheba?"
	They both turned to see Giles standing there.  The stocky lieutenant
looked as though he had also been crying for Apollo's death.  As Sheba
stood still, he came up and took her hands.
	"Yes, Giles?" she asked, her voice not trembling as much as it had
been only a few centons before.
	"I'm sorry that there wasn't anything I could have done for Apollo,"
he told her, avoiding her eyes.  "I should have stayed and helped them
out, but he sent me back to the Galactica and...  I'm just so sorry
that they got Apollo.  He was probably the best warrior we had."
	Bojay felt either? she though, remembering
Baltar's words, that the two warriors were his as well.  Am I going to lose
both my brother and the man I'm interested in at the same time?
	"Athena?" Flight Corporal Odina's voice cut through her thoughts.  "You
okay?"
	She smiled slightly at her friend's concern.  She'd originally met Odina
through Cassiopia, when she had brought the new medtech along with them to
a Triad game almost a yahren before.  As it turned out, she also had flying
experience as the pilot of an old-fashioned plane on her family's ranch on
Leo's fertile moon, so she enlisted into Reserve Squadron at Athena's
invitation.  The two tried to spend time together during the few times that
their shifts didn't overlap.
	"Pre-launch jitters, I guess."
	"You sure?" Odina had the annoying ability of telling when something was
wrong, especially when the person didn't want to talk about it.  "You sound
kind of upset."
	"I'll tell you later, okay?  Right now, we should get ready for the
battle."  Swihimself tense up inside as Giles spoke, but he had to
force himself to bite his tongue so he didn't interrupt.  Instead, he
watched as Sheba smiled and squeezed Giles' hands.
	"No, don't blame yourself," she told him.  "You were following
orders.  Apollo's orders.  If you stayed, we'd be mourning five
deaths, not four.  But your words mean a lot to me, Giles.  Thank you."
	He gave a weak smile, then walked off.  Bojay watched him go,
grateful for his departure, but he felt all his hope disintegrate as
he looked back at Sheba.  There was something about her that told him
that she wasn't as ready to talk as she had been before.
	"Sheba?" he said gently.  "Shall we go in?"
	"I appreciate your offer, Bojay, but I think I'd better go."  She
smiled at him, and he felt all his hope plummet as he realized that it
was different than it had been before.  Friendly, not vulnerable. 
"But I'll take a rain check.  The Commander's going to want a report
on what we found, and I want to get it out of the way as me, telling me that I was
giving up on Apollo, and how could I do that?  Then he ran out before
I could do anything."
	"Sheba, I --"
	"I don't know where he went!" she finished, her eyes almost
completely brimming.  "Bojay, what am I supposed to do?  What if he
goes and does something stupid?  Apollo would never forgive me!"
	For a micron, he was at a loss for words, but when she started
crying, with sobs wracking her body, he gratefully put his arms around
her.  She didn't seem to mind, putting her face against his shoulder
as her tears flowed without restraint.
	"Do you want to go somewhere to talk?" he suggested, resting his
cheek against her hair.  He'd always liked the smell of it, and he
closed his eyes, enjoying it.
	"I guess," she sniffed, "but there's no way I want to go up to the
Celestial Dome, because Apollo's ghost would be there."
	Bojay frowned slightly, not only because he was trying to think of a
good place to go, but he also didn't know what the Celestial Dome was.
 Most ohimself tense up inside as Giles spoke, but he had to
force himself to bite his tongue so he didn't interrupt.  Instead, he
watched as Sheba smiled and squeezed Giles' hands.
	"No, don't blame yourself," she told him.  "You were following
orders.  Apollo's orders.  If you stayed, we'd be mourning five
deaths, not four.  But your words mean a lot to me, Giles.  Thank you."
	He gave a weak smile, then walked off.  Bojay watched him go,
grateful for his departure, but he felt all his hope disintegrate as
he looked back at Sheba.  There was something about her that told him
that she wasn't as ready to talk as she had been before.
	"Sheba?" he said gently.  "Shall we go in?"
	"I appreciate your offer, Bojay, but I think I'd better go."  She
smiled at him, and he felt all his hope plummet as he realized that it
was different than it had been before.  Friendly, not vulnerable. 
"But I'll take a rain check.  The Commander's going to want a report
on what we found, and I want to get it out of the way astching from the private comchannel Odina had used, she spoke
to the rest of the pilots.  "Everyone ready?"
	Acknowledgments from the other nineteen pilots came through, each of them
sounding as confident as Athena wished she were.  She forced herself to
sound professional as she continued.
	"As all of you know, we're heading into a large battle.  The other
squadrons are outnumbered, so they'll appreciate our help.  Once we launch,
form on me, then we head out to the battle.  When we arrive, break and
fight.  Any questions?"
	"Yeah," replied Sergeant Uta, a computech who had signed into Reserve
Squadron after the last battle.  She had once confided to Athena that she
was itching to get out into space to shoot some Cylons.  Her entire family
was killed the night of the Annihilation on Taura.  "When do we launch?
There's a Raider out there with my name on it!"
	The entire squadron laughed at Uta's words, but Athena only smiled
indulgently.  
	"Soon enough, Uta," Odina answered.  She sounded as th soon as
possible.  Okay?"
	"All right..."  He nodded, trying not to look too disappointed, and
she placed a small kiss on his cheek.  "See you later."
	He watched her go, feeling immensely disappointed.  I just have to
give her time, he thought.  She'll be fine in a few days, I know it. 
And when she is, I'll be waiting for her.

	Adama found that he was feeling something he had hoped never to feel
again.  Grief.  When his wife, Ila, and youngest son, Zac, were killed
during the Annihilation of the Colonies, the grief of their deaths had
been nearly overpowering.  Nearly three yahrens later, he was once
again being forced to deal with the grief of Apollo's death.  It was
almost too much to bear.
	He stared at his computer screen, looking at the text that glared out
at him.  They were the records of the pilots who were part of the
destroyed patrol.  He had already closed the files belonging to Ensign
Soud and Flight Corporal Silva, and was at that micron going through
the procedure that woulf the popular observation decks would be filled at this centar,
despite the mourning that was going on.  There was only one other
place he could think of.
	"How about the Council chambers?"
	"There?" she asked, pulling away so she could wipe her tears away. 
"That's a good idea."
	Smiling, he led her there, holding her hand.  Before they reached the
hallway that the chambers were located in, he heard a voice behind them.
	"Sheba?"
	They both turned to see Giles standing there.  The stocky lieutenant
looked as though he had also been crying for Apollo's death.  As Sheba
stood still, he came up and took her hands.
	"Yes, Giles?" she asked, her voice not trembling as much as it had
been only a few centons before.
	"I'm sorry that there wasn't anything I could have done for Apollo,"
he told her, avoiding her eyes.  "I should have stayed and helped them
out, but he sent me back to the Galactica and...  I'm just so sorry
that they got Apollo.  He was probably the best warrior we had."
	Bojay felt  soon as
possible.  Okay?"
	"All right..."  He nodded, trying not to look too disappointed, and
she placed a small kiss on his cheek.  "See you later."
	He watched her go, feeling immensely disappointed.  I just have to
give her time, he thought.  She'll be fine in a few days, I know it. 
And when she is, I'll be waiting for her.

	Adama found that he was feeling something he had hoped never to feel
again.  Grief.  When his wife, Ila, and youngest son, Zac, were killed
during the Annihilation of the Colonies, the grief of their deaths had
been nearly overpowering.  Nearly three yahrens later, he was once
again being forced to deal with the grief of Apollo's death.  It was
almost too much to bear.
	He stared at his computer screen, looking at the text that glared out
at him.  They were the records of the pilots who were part of the
destroyed patrol.  He had already closed the files belonging to Ensign
Soud and Flight Corporal Silva, and was at that micron going through
the procedure that woulough she were
grinning.  Uta's attitude was very similar to her own when she flew in her
first battle eight sectars earlier.  "Don't count your poulons before
they're hatched."
	"Core systems transferring control to Reserve Squadron," Rigel's voice
said, breaking into the lighthearted bantering.  "Launch when ready."
	Through the noise in her speaker, Athena thought she could hear her father
in the background, his deep voice saying, "Be careful."
	I will, she silently promised as she pressed the turbo button on her
control stick, feeling the burst of power that propelled her Viper down the
launch tubes.

* * *

	Starbuck couldn't get over the feeling of deja vu he was feeling as he
pressed himself against the same stack of containers.  Why couldn't the
Cylons just stay in one place?  It wasn't too much to ask, having them stay
in the control center or whatever the Cylon equivalent of the Officer's
Club was.
	He wanted to laugh, picturing a platoon of drunk Cylons.  It was an absurd
picturehimself tense up inside as Giles spoke, but he had to
force himself to bite his tongue so he didn't interrupt.  Instead, he
watched as Sheba smiled and squeezed Giles' hands.
	"No, don't blame yourself," she told him.  "You were following
orders.  Apollo's orders.  If you stayed, we'd be mourning five
deaths, not four.  But your words mean a lot to me, Giles.  Thank you."
	He gave a weak smile, then walked off.  Bojay watched him go,
grateful for his departure, but he felt all his hope disintegrate as
he looked back at Sheba.  There was something about her that told him
that she wasn't as ready to talk as she had been before.
	"Sheba?" he said gently.  "Shall we go in?"
	"I appreciate your offer, Bojay, but I think I'd better go."  She
smiled at him, and he felt all his hope plummet as he realized that it
was different than it had been before.  Friendly, not vulnerable. 
"But I'll take a rain check.  The Commander's going to want a report
on what we found, and I want to get it out of the way asd close Ensign Evania's file.
	Gravely, he selected the status section and typed in the words, "Lost
in line of duty."  Not wanting to look at the picture of the young
woman at the top of the document, he quickly saved the changes and put
it away.  The only thing he had to do now was to close Apollo's file
the same way he had with the other pilots.
	The picture at the top was nearly four yahrens out-of-date, but Adama
noticed that Apollo hadn't changed much since then.  His eyes tearing,
he looked at his son's picture as he reached out to touch the screen.
	"I'm sorry, Apollo," he whispered, carefully tracing the outline of
the solemn visage on the monitor.  "I'm so sorry, my son, that I could
do nothing to help you.  At least with Zac I could have ignored Adar's
commands that prevented me from launching the Vipers, but with you,
there was nothing.  Please forgive me."
	Taking a deep breath, the Galactica's commander went to the bottom of
the file and carefully typed the same message he had wrid close Ensign Evania's file.
	Gravely, he selected the status section and typed in the words, "Lost
in line of duty."  Not wanting to look at the picture of the young
woman at the top of the document, he quickly saved the changes and put
it away.  The only thing he had to do now was to close Apollo's file
the same way he had with the other pilots.
	The picture at the top was nearly four yahrens out-of-date, but Adama
noticed that Apollo hadn't changed much since then.  His eyes tearing,
he looked at his son's picture as he reached out to touch the screen.
	"I'm sorry, Apollo," he whispered, carefully tracing the outline of
the solemn visage on the monitor.  "I'm so sorry, my son, that I could
do nothing to help you.  At least with Zac I could have ignored Adar's
commands that prevented me from launching the Vipers, but with you,
there was nothing.  Please forgive me."
	Taking a deep breath, the Galactica's commander went to the bottom of
the file and carefully typed the same message he had wri, but it almost made him want to explore the rest of the basestar.
Who knew -- he might find a type of grog that would make him rich.
	"What are they doing now?" he mouthed to Boomer, who shrugged.  The Cylons
were swarmed around the few remaining fighters, and since he had the best
vantage point, Boomer would tell him when they left.  If they left.
	Sighing, Starbuck leaned back against the crates, holding the laser to his
chest.  He glanced over in the general direction of the Cylons, remembering
the Kobolian legend of the "Evil Eye," and he wondered if it would work on
Cylons.
	A sound coming from the opposite direction distracted him from his
thoughts.  The hatch to the central core was being lifted.  Moving around
so he could see the Cylons, Starbuck made sure that he kept out of site as
he watched their movements.  Two stepped out of the hatch, the first
holding onto the lid as the second bent back to haul something out of the
well.  Starbuck narrowed his eyes as he realized that it was a  soon as
possible.  Okay?"
	"All right..."  He nodded, trying not to look too disappointed, and
she placed a small kiss on his cheek.  "See you later."
	He watched her go, feeling immensely disappointed.  I just have to
give her time, he thought.  She'll be fine in a few days, I know it. 
And when she is, I'll be waiting for her.

	Adama found that he was feeling something he had hoped never to feel
again.  Grief.  When his wife, Ila, and youngest son, Zac, were killed
during the Annihilation of the Colonies, the grief of their deaths had
been nearly overpowering.  Nearly three yahrens later, he was once
again being forced to deal with the grief of Apollo's death.  It was
almost too much to bear.
	He stared at his computer screen, looking at the text that glared out
at him.  They were the records of the pilots who were part of the
destroyed patrol.  He had already closed the files belonging to Ensign
Soud and Flight Corporal Silva, and was at that micron going through
the procedure that woultten for the
others.  When he finished, he closed the file and sat back in his
chair, closing his eyes.
	After what seemed like only a few microns, Adama heard the door
chime, then a few gentle raps on the door.  Sighing, he called out,
"Enter!"
	Athena came into the room, a worried expression on her face.  She
immediately went around his desk and put her arms around her father's
shoulders.
	"I just heard about Apollo," she said, sounding like she was close to
tears.  "Boxey met me in the landing bay when I returned from the
Rising Star.  Is Apollo really dead, Father?"
	Standing so he could hold his daughter, Adama felt his own tears
coming to the surface.
	"Yes," he answered, his throat tightening as he spoke.  "Starbuck
took a patrol to the last known coordinates of Apollo's patrol.  All
they found was rubble and the flight recorder from his Viper."
	She started to cry, and Adama found himself beginning to cry as well.
 He held Athena tightly, the same way he had when she was a child, andtten for the
others.  When he finished, he closed the file and sat back in his
chair, closing his eyes.
	After what seemed like only a few microns, Adama heard the door
chime, then a few gentle raps on the door.  Sighing, he called out,
"Enter!"
	Athena came into the room, a worried expression on her face.  She
immediately went around his desk and put her arms around her father's
shoulders.
	"I just heard about Apollo," she said, sounding like she was close to
tears.  "Boxey met me in the landing bay when I returned from the
Rising Star.  Is Apollo really dead, Father?"
	Standing so he could hold his daughter, Adama felt his own tears
coming to the surface.
	"Yes," he answered, his throat tightening as he spoke.  "Starbuck
took a patrol to the last known coordinates of Apollo's patrol.  All
they found was rubble and the flight recorder from his Viper."
	She started to cry, and Adama found himself beginning to cry as well.
 He held Athena tightly, the same way he had when she was a child, andhuman body.
	Much too thin to be Baltar, he thought.  Too bad.  Wish I could see Baltar
dead before his Cylons kill me.
	A third Cylon came out of hatch as the second slung the body over its
shoulder, then they began a procession towards another entrance that
Starbuck vaguely remembered from his brief stay as a prisoner nearly three
yahrens ago.  Passing by him, he was able to catch a glimpse of the
prisoner's face.  He didn't expect to recognize it, but when he did, he
swore violently.
	"Apollo?  What in Hades?" he said, getting to his feet, then shouted to
deliberately attract the Cylons' attention.  "You tinheaded, frakking
astrums!  How dare you!"
	The Cylons turned to face him, the two free centurions reaching for their
lasers.  Starbuck wanted to laugh at their clumsiness as he continued
shouting.
	"Looking for us, are you?  Well, look at this!"  He fired on the
centurions, barely allowing the laser's battery time to cool off as he
watched them fall to the deck.  The one carrying Apollod close Ensign Evania's file.
	Gravely, he selected the status section and typed in the words, "Lost
in line of duty."  Not wanting to look at the picture of the young
woman at the top of the document, he quickly saved the changes and put
it away.  The only thing he had to do now was to close Apollo's file
the same way he had with the other pilots.
	The picture at the top was nearly four yahrens out-of-date, but Adama
noticed that Apollo hadn't changed much since then.  His eyes tearing,
he looked at his son's picture as he reached out to touch the screen.
	"I'm sorry, Apollo," he whispered, carefully tracing the outline of
the solemn visage on the monitor.  "I'm so sorry, my son, that I could
do nothing to help you.  At least with Zac I could have ignored Adar's
commands that prevented me from launching the Vipers, but with you,
there was nothing.  Please forgive me."
	Taking a deep breath, the Galactica's commander went to the bottom of
the file and carefully typed the same message he had wri
let her release her grief.  In the sectars since Zac's death, Athena
had grown close to her older brother, something they had never really
been during childhood.
	"It's not fair," she said between sobs.  "Why do we always lose
people in our family?  Why of all people does it have to be Apollo? 
Why, Father?  Why always us?"
	Adama shook his head, not knowing what to say.  Instead, he decided
to change the subject.
	"You said that Boxey met you in the landing bay.  How is he?"  Adama
was concerned for his grandson, but had been unable to find him
earlier.  The boy had already lost his biological parents, a man Adama
had never known and Serina, Apollo's first wife.  For Boxey now to
lose Apollo, his third parent, was even more tragic now that he had
finally adjusted to his new family.
	"He's in complete denial," she answered, pulling away from Adama to
sit across from him.  "He believes that by some miracle, Apollo will
suddenly come back to us."
	"I see."  Adama realized that the boy's attit
let her release her grief.  In the sectars since Zac's death, Athena
had grown close to her older brother, something they had never really
been during childhood.
	"It's not fair," she said between sobs.  "Why do we always lose
people in our family?  Why of all people does it have to be Apollo? 
Why, Father?  Why always us?"
	Adama shook his head, not knowing what to say.  Instead, he decided
to change the subject.
	"You said that Boxey met you in the landing bay.  How is he?"  Adama
was concerned for his grandson, but had been unable to find him
earlier.  The boy had already lost his biological parents, a man Adama
had never known and Serina, Apollo's first wife.  For Boxey now to
lose Apollo, his third parent, was even more tragic now that he had
finally adjusted to his new family.
	"He's in complete denial," she answered, pulling away from Adama to
sit across from him.  "He believes that by some miracle, Apollo will
suddenly come back to us."
	"I see."  Adama realized that the boy's attit was hit last, and
it fell to the deck, bringing its cargo down with it.
	Feeling the adrenaline rush that came from his outburst, Starbuck
holstered his laser to go to Apollo's side.  Moving him away from the Cylon
corpse, a few microns passed when Starbuck couldn't figure out what it was
that had alerted him to his friend's identity.  Apollo's dark brown hair
was longer now, and his bangs were long enough to go past his eyebrows and
obscure his eyes.  The combination of the bruises and the beard made his
face look only vaguely similar to what he was supposed to look like.  It
was almost as though they were deliberately placed to disfigure his face.
	"If it weren't for your presence, old buddy, I don't think I would have
recognized you," Starbuck muttered, noticing in particular the deep bruise
that encircled Apollo's left eye.  It looked as though it hurt, and it and
the other bruises told Starbuck that his friend had been tortured.  He
shook his head sadly.  "They really got you this time, diude was very similar to
Starbuck's optimistic hopes.  "That's almost exactly what Starbuck
told me, that despite all the evidence to the contrary, he still
believes that Apollo is alive out there.  I don't know what to
believe, Athena.  Everything is telling me that Apollo is dead, but
deep inside, I don't want to admit it."
	Athena stared at her father's forlorn expression, at the way his
entire physique seemed to have aged several decades since the day
before.  She knew that no matter how many ways Adama had prepared
himself for the eventuality, it was still hurting him to know that he
had sent his own son out to his death.  Very cautiously, she said,
"He's probably with Serina now.  And Zac and Mother, too."
	"I suppose."  A slight smile appeared on Adama's face.  "They're
probably enjoying all the stories he has to tell."
	"But it won't be the same without Starbuck echoing him on every
point," Athena sighed, her eyes threatening to tear again.  Memories
of her brother when they were youngetten for the
others.  When he finished, he closed the file and sat back in his
chair, closing his eyes.
	After what seemed like only a few microns, Adama heard the door
chime, then a few gentle raps on the door.  Sighing, he called out,
"Enter!"
	Athena came into the room, a worried expression on her face.  She
immediately went around his desk and put her arms around her father's
shoulders.
	"I just heard about Apollo," she said, sounding like she was close to
tears.  "Boxey met me in the landing bay when I returned from the
Rising Star.  Is Apollo really dead, Father?"
	Standing so he could hold his daughter, Adama felt his own tears
coming to the surface.
	"Yes," he answered, his throat tightening as he spoke.  "Starbuck
took a patrol to the last known coordinates of Apollo's patrol.  All
they found was rubble and the flight recorder from his Viper."
	She started to cry, and Adama found himself beginning to cry as well.
 He held Athena tightly, the same way he had when she was a child, andude was very similar to
Starbuck's optimistic hopes.  "That's almost exactly what Starbuck
told me, that despite all the evidence to the contrary, he still
believes that Apollo is alive out there.  I don't know what to
believe, Athena.  Everything is telling me that Apollo is dead, but
deep inside, I don't want to admit it."
	Athena stared at her father's forlorn expression, at the way his
entire physique seemed to have aged several decades since the day
before.  She knew that no matter how many ways Adama had prepared
himself for the eventuality, it was still hurting him to know that he
had sent his own son out to his death.  Very cautiously, she said,
"He's probably with Serina now.  And Zac and Mother, too."
	"I suppose."  A slight smile appeared on Adama's face.  "They're
probably enjoying all the stories he has to tell."
	"But it won't be the same without Starbuck echoing him on every
point," Athena sighed, her eyes threatening to tear again.  Memories
of her brother when they were youngedn't they, Apollo?"
	To his astonishment, Apollo moaned, then opened his eyes slightly, enough
so that Starbuck could see the green.  He appeared to want to move, but
Starbuck held him down by the shoulder.
	"Keep still, will you?  We'll be gone in a few centons.    We're getting
you out of here."  Starbuck smiled grimly as Apollo gave a small grin of
his own, then his head fell back onto the deck, unconscious.  Getting onto
his knees, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.  He was
surprised at how light he was as he stood.
	"Starbuck, you idiot!" Boomer shouted.  "Get down!"
	His words were punctuated by the sound of lasers going off again.
Hurrying back to the shelter of the crates, Starbuck saw Boomer exchanging
laser fire with the seven centurions who were by the fighters.  
	"Keep them occupied, Boom!" Starbuck replied, attempting to keep Apollo
balanced on his shoulder as he tried to run back.  It was difficult, and
when he found that one or two of the centurions were beginning r came to mind, of how he used to
tell stories to get her and Zac to sleep.  When he and Starbuck had
become friends at the age of fifteen, the two could really make the
stories even better by playing off each other.  But that was only
among their good friends, since Apollo's shy nature never allowed him
to display his lighter side to people who didn't know him very well. 
"I'm going to miss those stories."
	"The Galactica already seems a lot emptier," Adama agreed, then
returned his thoughts to his grandson.  "Do you know where Boxey is
now?"
	She shook her head.  "I'm not entirely sure, but Starbuck told me
that he'd find him.  He told me that he could keep an eye on Boxey,
especially since he's probably the one Boxey can relate to the most. 
They're both orphans, after all."
	"That's very kind of him," Adama agreed, watching as Athena wiped the
trails her tears had left on her cheeks.  "And I should talk to Boxey
soon, as well, though I don't know what to say.  It was easy after
Serina die
let her release her grief.  In the sectars since Zac's death, Athena
had grown close to her older brother, something they had never really
been during childhood.
	"It's not fair," she said between sobs.  "Why do we always lose
people in our family?  Why of all people does it have to be Apollo? 
Why, Father?  Why always us?"
	Adama shook his head, not knowing what to say.  Instead, he decided
to change the subject.
	"You said that Boxey met you in the landing bay.  How is he?"  Adama
was concerned for his grandson, but had been unable to find him
earlier.  The boy had already lost his biological parents, a man Adama
had never known and Serina, Apollo's first wife.  For Boxey now to
lose Apollo, his third parent, was even more tragic now that he had
finally adjusted to his new family.
	"He's in complete denial," she answered, pulling away from Adama to
sit across from him.  "He believes that by some miracle, Apollo will
suddenly come back to us."
	"I see."  Adama realized that the boy's attitr came to mind, of how he used to
tell stories to get her and Zac to sleep.  When he and Starbuck had
become friends at the age of fifteen, the two could really make the
stories even better by playing off each other.  But that was only
among their good friends, since Apollo's shy nature never allowed him
to display his lighter side to people who didn't know him very well. 
"I'm going to miss those stories."
	"The Galactica already seems a lot emptier," Adama agreed, then
returned his thoughts to his grandson.  "Do you know where Boxey is
now?"
	She shook her head.  "I'm not entirely sure, but Starbuck told me
that he'd find him.  He told me that he could keep an eye on Boxey,
especially since he's probably the one Boxey can relate to the most. 
They're both orphans, after all."
	"That's very kind of him," Adama agreed, watching as Athena wiped the
trails her tears had left on her cheeks.  "And I should talk to Boxey
soon, as well, though I don't know what to say.  It was easy after
Serina dieto target
him, he swore as he dodged the laser blasts.
	"It'll be easier when you're down!" Boomer told him.  "Then they won't be
shooting at you, and I won't have to worry about both you and them!"
	"No kidding," Starbuck murmured, quickly moving out of the sight of a
Cylon.  As soon as he moved, he felt Apollo's body beginning to slip, and
as he tried to compensate for the movement, he felt something collide
against his feet.  He was falling forward, Apollo's extra weight pulling
him down.  "Oh, frak!"
	He saw the wall of containers coming toward his head, but his momentum
didn't allow him the luxury of dodging.  He closed his eyes, waiting for
the inevitable crack as he felt himself landing on something relatively
soft.  Then, there was nothing.

	Boomer heard the thud before he realized what it was.  Glancing away from
the two surviving Cylons, he saw Starbuck sprawled on the deck on top of
the body he'd tried to rescue.  Next to Starbuck's feet was the body of one
of the dead centurions.d, especially since Apollo was there for Boxey.  I just had
to deal with Apollo, himself.  Now, what do I say to a little boy who
adored his father, and won't believe that he won't be coming back?"
	"Just be there for him," Athena said gently.  "This isn't a time for
going off on our own.  We need to act like a family, to be together."
	Adama smiled at his daughter's words of wisdom.  "Very true."  He
nodded, then glanced at the chronometer.  Rubbing the tears off his
face as he stood, he murmured, "My, how the time passes when you're
not having fun.  I have to be on the bridge in a few centons."
	He walked around his desk to the doorway at the other side of the
room that led to his sleeping quarters.  Going to the shower room, he
quickly washed his face, noting that his eyes were red from his tears.
 That wasn't good, he noted.  The commander must never show his
personal problems on the bridge since it affected the morale of the
crew.  After drying his face and checking his appearance in the miude was very similar to
Starbuck's optimistic hopes.  "That's almost exactly what Starbuck
told me, that despite all the evidence to the contrary, he still
believes that Apollo is alive out there.  I don't know what to
believe, Athena.  Everything is telling me that Apollo is dead, but
deep inside, I don't want to admit it."
	Athena stared at her father's forlorn expression, at the way his
entire physique seemed to have aged several decades since the day
before.  She knew that no matter how many ways Adama had prepared
himself for the eventuality, it was still hurting him to know that he
had sent his own son out to his death.  Very cautiously, she said,
"He's probably with Serina now.  And Zac and Mother, too."
	"I suppose."  A slight smile appeared on Adama's face.  "They're
probably enjoying all the stories he has to tell."
	"But it won't be the same without Starbuck echoing him on every
point," Athena sighed, her eyes threatening to tear again.  Memories
of her brother when they were younged, especially since Apollo was there for Boxey.  I just had
to deal with Apollo, himself.  Now, what do I say to a little boy who
adored his father, and won't believe that he won't be coming back?"
	"Just be there for him," Athena said gently.  "This isn't a time for
going off on our own.  We need to act like a family, to be together."
	Adama smiled at his daughter's words of wisdom.  "Very true."  He
nodded, then glanced at the chronometer.  Rubbing the tears off his
face as he stood, he murmured, "My, how the time passes when you're
not having fun.  I have to be on the bridge in a few centons."
	He walked around his desk to the doorway at the other side of the
room that led to his sleeping quarters.  Going to the shower room, he
quickly washed his face, noting that his eyes were red from his tears.
 That wasn't good, he noted.  The commander must never show his
personal problems on the bridge since it affected the morale of the
crew.  After drying his face and checking his appearance in the mi
	"Oh, frak," he swore, turning his attention back to the centurions.  Why
did all the missions with Starbuck have to turn out to be disasters?
Taking his frustration out on the centurions, he destroyed them with a few
well-placed bursts of laser.  "Why me?"
	Glancing around to make sure that there weren't any more Cylons in the
bay, Boomer placed his left hand on the deck to push himself up.  He paused
as he felt a heavy vibration start to run through the metal.  Frowning, he
felt the vibrations increase steadily until the waves came every few beats.
	"What is that?" he wondered.  The explosion from the solenite charges
shouldn't have produced an after-effect like that.  Holstering his laser,
his hand brushed against the communicator on his waist.  The communicator.
He smiled suddenly as he pulled it out, activating it to the proper
channel.  "Lieutenant Boomer to Captain Bojay.  Come in!  Repeat, this is
Lieutenant Boomer to Captain --"
	"I hear you, Boomer," Bojay replied a few microns laterrror
once more, he returned the main room where Athena was still sitting.
	"Don't you think that you should take a day or two off duty?" she
asked, examining her father.  "It will help you feel better."
	"No, I can't.  We're facing a potential crisis situation here,
Athena.  The Cylons may, and probably will, make another comeback.  We
need to be prepared."  He went up to his daughter and kissed her on
the top of her head, as he did when she was a child.  "The pain will
eventually go away, Athena, just as it did when Zac and your mother
died."
	She nodded.  "I know, Father, but I just wish that we could have been
spared this."
	The door opened in front of Adama, beckoning him to duty.  He paused
before leaving, looking back at Athena.  "I know, Athena.  I wish we
were as well, but we aren't.  Life must go on."
	Leaving his daughter in his quarters, Adama quickly headed for the
Galactica's bridge.  Despite his words, he truly wondered if life
could go on.


Chapter Three

ONE SECTON LATERr came to mind, of how he used to
tell stories to get her and Zac to sleep.  When he and Starbuck had
become friends at the age of fifteen, the two could really make the
stories even better by playing off each other.  But that was only
among their good friends, since Apollo's shy nature never allowed him
to display his lighter side to people who didn't know him very well. 
"I'm going to miss those stories."
	"The Galactica already seems a lot emptier," Adama agreed, then
returned his thoughts to his grandson.  "Do you know where Boxey is
now?"
	She shook her head.  "I'm not entirely sure, but Starbuck told me
that he'd find him.  He told me that he could keep an eye on Boxey,
especially since he's probably the one Boxey can relate to the most. 
They're both orphans, after all."
	"That's very kind of him," Adama agreed, watching as Athena wiped the
trails her tears had left on her cheeks.  "And I should talk to Boxey
soon, as well, though I don't know what to say.  It was easy after
Serina dierror
once more, he returned the main room where Athena was still sitting.
	"Don't you think that you should take a day or two off duty?" she
asked, examining her father.  "It will help you feel better."
	"No, I can't.  We're facing a potential crisis situation here,
Athena.  The Cylons may, and probably will, make another comeback.  We
need to be prepared."  He went up to his daughter and kissed her on
the top of her head, as he did when she was a child.  "The pain will
eventually go away, Athena, just as it did when Zac and your mother
died."
	She nodded.  "I know, Father, but I just wish that we could have been
spared this."
	The door opened in front of Adama, beckoning him to duty.  He paused
before leaving, looking back at Athena.  "I know, Athena.  I wish we
were as well, but we aren't.  Life must go on."
	Leaving his daughter in his quarters, Adama quickly headed for the
Galactica's bridge.  Despite his words, he truly wondered if life
could go on.


Chapter Three

ONE SECTON LATER.  His voice was
tense, as though the battle were going about as well as the mission.  "What
is it?  I didn't expect to hear from you any time too soon.  Where are you?"
	"We're still aboard the basestar," he replied, beginning to head towards
Starbuck's unconscious body.  "Listen, what's going on?"
	"You really want to know?  We're outnumbered, and the basestar is pulling
out.  Nice, eh?  Leaving their own ships behind.  Listen, Boomer, I don't
care if you and Starbuck haven't destroyed the control center.  Get out of
there, now!"
	Boomer nodded.  "I knew it, and for once, I hate being right.  Whatever
the Commander has planned, get him to delay it by a few centons. I'll call
you back when we've launched."
	"Talk to you then, Boomer."
	Putting the communicator away, he knew what he'd do next.  He would get
Starbuck and head back to the fighter, even though he regretted leaving the
prisoner behind.  Then they'd launch and head back to the Galactica.  Easy.
	Starbuck's body was limp as Boomer r

	The alarm on the chronometer next to Boxey's bed went off, piercing
into the depths of his sleep.  Groaning, he turned to face the alarm,
then hit it with his fist, successfully shutting it off for the time
being.  He always hated waking up early in the morning to go to
learning period.  He closed his eyes, wishing that he could just go
back to sleep.
	"No kid should have to get up before mid-morning," he groaned,
flopping onto his stomach.  His father would be getting up in a few
centons, and would unfailingly come in to chase him out of bed. 
Waiting for the inevitable, Boxey let his mind drift while planning
the day's events.  He had learning period for most of the day, then
after returning to the quarters to meet his father, the two of them
would head to the Triad courts on the Galactica where Boxey would
finally learn to play his favorite sport.  Smiling at the thought, the
boy said out loud, "And this is finally the day."
	Almost feeling the Triad ball in his hands, he pictured the cd, especially since Apollo was there for Boxey.  I just had
to deal with Apollo, himself.  Now, what do I say to a little boy who
adored his father, and won't believe that he won't be coming back?"
	"Just be there for him," Athena said gently.  "This isn't a time for
going off on our own.  We need to act like a family, to be together."
	Adama smiled at his daughter's words of wisdom.  "Very true."  He
nodded, then glanced at the chronometer.  Rubbing the tears off his
face as he stood, he murmured, "My, how the time passes when you're
not having fun.  I have to be on the bridge in a few centons."
	He walked around his desk to the doorway at the other side of the
room that led to his sleeping quarters.  Going to the shower room, he
quickly washed his face, noting that his eyes were red from his tears.
 That wasn't good, he noted.  The commander must never show his
personal problems on the bridge since it affected the morale of the
crew.  After drying his face and checking his appearance in the mi

	The alarm on the chronometer next to Boxey's bed went off, piercing
into the depths of his sleep.  Groaning, he turned to face the alarm,
then hit it with his fist, successfully shutting it off for the time
being.  He always hated waking up early in the morning to go to
learning period.  He closed his eyes, wishing that he could just go
back to sleep.
	"No kid should have to get up before mid-morning," he groaned,
flopping onto his stomach.  His father would be getting up in a few
centons, and would unfailingly come in to chase him out of bed. 
Waiting for the inevitable, Boxey let his mind drift while planning
the day's events.  He had learning period for most of the day, then
after returning to the quarters to meet his father, the two of them
would head to the Triad courts on the Galactica where Boxey would
finally learn to play his favorite sport.  Smiling at the thought, the
boy said out loud, "And this is finally the day."
	Almost feeling the Triad ball in his hands, he pictured the colled him away from the prisoner.  A
dark red bruise marred the side of his forehead, making Boomer worry about
his friend having a concussion.  It wouldn't be the first, but how many
could Starbuck receive before having some kind of permanent damage?
	The prisoner was lying on his back, head turned to the side.  Boomer
paused, examining the human.  He was alive, but badly injured.  There was
something about the face that was familiar, maybe the profile, that made
him stop and stare.  He pushed the man's hair away from his forehead, and
recognized Apollo.  His heart sank as he looked from one friend to the
other.  There was no way in Hades for him to bring one to the Raider, then
come back to get the other, nor was he strong enough to carry two bodies at
once.
	"Felgercarb."  He reached for Starbuck, then for Apollo, but found that he
couldn't pick either up.  Starbuck had Cassiopia waiting for him back on
the Galactica, but if he left Apollo behind, he knew that he'd never be
able to look at Aourt
just as it would appear when he and Apollo would be there.  Smiling as
he started to get excited, he suddenly realized that more than five
centons had gone by since the alarm.  By this time, his father was
usually pounding on the door, calling for him to come so that Boxey
could have something to eat before instructional period.
	"Oh, frak," he muttered, sitting up and letting the bed sheets fall
back onto the mattress.  "Dad's gone, isn't he?"
	The secton since Apollo's death -- or as far as Boxey was concerned,
disappearance -- had been full of tears and stressful emotions.  The
rest of Boxey's family was still shell-shocked from their loss, that
much he knew.  Although Adama frequently visited his grandson, the
commander's mind was elsewhere.  Boxey could recall looking into his
grandfather's once vivid dark brown eyes, but now all he saw was a
void of grief.  His mind was in the past, and Boxey recognized the sad
smile when Adama watched him.  Although he wasn't related to Apollo by
brror
once more, he returned the main room where Athena was still sitting.
	"Don't you think that you should take a day or two off duty?" she
asked, examining her father.  "It will help you feel better."
	"No, I can't.  We're facing a potential crisis situation here,
Athena.  The Cylons may, and probably will, make another comeback.  We
need to be prepared."  He went up to his daughter and kissed her on
the top of her head, as he did when she was a child.  "The pain will
eventually go away, Athena, just as it did when Zac and your mother
died."
	She nodded.  "I know, Father, but I just wish that we could have been
spared this."
	The door opened in front of Adama, beckoning him to duty.  He paused
before leaving, looking back at Athena.  "I know, Athena.  I wish we
were as well, but we aren't.  Life must go on."
	Leaving his daughter in his quarters, Adama quickly headed for the
Galactica's bridge.  Despite his words, he truly wondered if life
could go on.


Chapter Three

ONE SECTON LATERourt
just as it would appear when he and Apollo would be there.  Smiling as
he started to get excited, he suddenly realized that more than five
centons had gone by since the alarm.  By this time, his father was
usually pounding on the door, calling for him to come so that Boxey
could have something to eat before instructional period.
	"Oh, frak," he muttered, sitting up and letting the bed sheets fall
back onto the mattress.  "Dad's gone, isn't he?"
	The secton since Apollo's death -- or as far as Boxey was concerned,
disappearance -- had been full of tears and stressful emotions.  The
rest of Boxey's family was still shell-shocked from their loss, that
much he knew.  Although Adama frequently visited his grandson, the
commander's mind was elsewhere.  Boxey could recall looking into his
grandfather's once vivid dark brown eyes, but now all he saw was a
void of grief.  His mind was in the past, and Boxey recognized the sad
smile when Adama watched him.  Although he wasn't related to Apollo by
bthena in the face, not to mention Adama, Boxey and Sheba.
Both had been his friends since the Academy, and he valued them evenly.
"For Sagan's sake, please don't make me choose..."
	He balled his fists, cursing fate for forcing him to make this choice.
Why did this have to happen to him?  Closing his eyes, he reached for
Starbuck.  His fingers brushed against Starbuck's jacket when he heard a
loud beep.  Startled, Boomer realized that it was his communicator.
	"Boomer," he said, activating it.
	"It's Bojay.  Look, I don't know what the Commander has planned, but you'd
better get off that basestar.  What's holding you up?  I haven't seen your
ship launch."
	"Um, Bojay, we've got a bit of a problem.  Starbuck's had a run-in with a
Cylon and --"
	"Forget the excuses, Boomer.  I don't care if you have to pull Starbuck by
the scruff of his neck, but if you have to, do it!  Do you understand?"
	He reluctantly nodded, looking back down at his friends.  "Understood."
	"What's that?  Boomer, you're brelood, there was enough of a resemblance between the two of them to
make people believe that there was, and he knew that he was
unintentionally making Adama think about his father.
	A lot of Boxey's "extended" family, composed of many of Apollo's old
friends and wingmates, took the time to spend with Boxey.  Although
they were still being affected by Apollo's death, they made a large
effort to be there for the boy.  Sheba and Boomer spent most of their
off-duty time with him, with Athena more often than not joining them. 
Starbuck and Cassiopia, his fiancee of three sectars, stayed with
Boxey the most, and he probably appreciated their presence more than
the others.  They were the only ones who knew from experience what he
was going through.
	But he still felt like he was alone.  What had he ever done, both in
this life and in any other, to deserve to have loved ones wrenched
from him like that?  He had never known his biological father, though
he sometimes wished he had.  Serina had died not ev

	The alarm on the chronometer next to Boxey's bed went off, piercing
into the depths of his sleep.  Groaning, he turned to face the alarm,
then hit it with his fist, successfully shutting it off for the time
being.  He always hated waking up early in the morning to go to
learning period.  He closed his eyes, wishing that he could just go
back to sleep.
	"No kid should have to get up before mid-morning," he groaned,
flopping onto his stomach.  His father would be getting up in a few
centons, and would unfailingly come in to chase him out of bed. 
Waiting for the inevitable, Boxey let his mind drift while planning
the day's events.  He had learning period for most of the day, then
after returning to the quarters to meet his father, the two of them
would head to the Triad courts on the Galactica where Boxey would
finally learn to play his favorite sport.  Smiling at the thought, the
boy said out loud, "And this is finally the day."
	Almost feeling the Triad ball in his hands, he pictured the clood, there was enough of a resemblance between the two of them to
make people believe that there was, and he knew that he was
unintentionally making Adama think about his father.
	A lot of Boxey's "extended" family, composed of many of Apollo's old
friends and wingmates, took the time to spend with Boxey.  Although
they were still being affected by Apollo's death, they made a large
effort to be there for the boy.  Sheba and Boomer spent most of their
off-duty time with him, with Athena more often than not joining them. 
Starbuck and Cassiopia, his fiancee of three sectars, stayed with
Boxey the most, and he probably appreciated their presence more than
the others.  They were the only ones who knew from experience what he
was going through.
	But he still felt like he was alone.  What had he ever done, both in
this life and in any other, to deserve to have loved ones wrenched
from him like that?  He had never known his biological father, though
he sometimes wished he had.  Serina had died not evaking up.  There's some kind of
interference coming through.  Boomer?"
	"You're coming through perfectly, Bojay."
	"Boomer?  Come on, answer me!"  The captain's voice grew frightened as he
began to shout.  "Boomer, you were there a micron ago.  Come on!  Boomer!
I --"
	Boomer winced as a loud whine came through the comline, then static.  He
quickly pocketed his communicator, then scooped Starbuck into his arms.
His whispered apology to Apollo sounded hollow in his ears as he started
jogging towards the Raiders.  The panic at Bojay's signal being suddenly
cut off overshadowed his sorrow at not being able to help Apollo.
	"Almost there," he muttered, more for himself than for Starbuck.  Soon,
they'd be off this godforsaken basestar, and then, he could be angry at
himself.
	"I'd stay where you are if I were you, Lieutenant," a familiar voice
called, very human and very angry.  He tensed as he recognized it.  Baltar.
 What else could go wrong?  "I wouldn't want to shoot you in the back."
	Slowly,en three yahrens
before, and Apollo had joined them both.  Why?
	Reluctantly, Boxey got out of bed and shuffled over to where his
clothes for the day were located.  Quickly pulling the blue, two-piece
jumpsuit on, he reached across the dresser where he kept the single
ranking pin.  Three yahrens ago, it had been a part of Apollo's
uniform, but when Boxey's mother had asked Apollo to cheer the sullen
boy up, the captain had promised that the first daggit discovered
would belong to Boxey so that it would replace the daggit lost during
the attack on Caprica.  To seal the promise, Apollo placed one of his
ranking pins on Boxey's chest.  True to his word, the newly created
Muffet Two was now in Boxey's possession, and he continued to wear the
ranking pin proudly.  Now, he wore it in memory of his adopted father.
	Checking his reflection in the nearby mirror, Boxey ignored the
unmade bed as he left his room.  His spirits were quickly spiraling
down, and he felt worse as he walked through the narrow hourt
just as it would appear when he and Apollo would be there.  Smiling as
he started to get excited, he suddenly realized that more than five
centons had gone by since the alarm.  By this time, his father was
usually pounding on the door, calling for him to come so that Boxey
could have something to eat before instructional period.
	"Oh, frak," he muttered, sitting up and letting the bed sheets fall
back onto the mattress.  "Dad's gone, isn't he?"
	The secton since Apollo's death -- or as far as Boxey was concerned,
disappearance -- had been full of tears and stressful emotions.  The
rest of Boxey's family was still shell-shocked from their loss, that
much he knew.  Although Adama frequently visited his grandson, the
commander's mind was elsewhere.  Boxey could recall looking into his
grandfather's once vivid dark brown eyes, but now all he saw was a
void of grief.  His mind was in the past, and Boxey recognized the sad
smile when Adama watched him.  Although he wasn't related to Apollo by
ben three yahrens
before, and Apollo had joined them both.  Why?
	Reluctantly, Boxey got out of bed and shuffled over to where his
clothes for the day were located.  Quickly pulling the blue, two-piece
jumpsuit on, he reached across the dresser where he kept the single
ranking pin.  Three yahrens ago, it had been a part of Apollo's
uniform, but when Boxey's mother had asked Apollo to cheer the sullen
boy up, the captain had promised that the first daggit discovered
would belong to Boxey so that it would replace the daggit lost during
the attack on Caprica.  To seal the promise, Apollo placed one of his
ranking pins on Boxey's chest.  True to his word, the newly created
Muffet Two was now in Boxey's possession, and he continued to wear the
ranking pin proudly.  Now, he wore it in memory of his adopted father.
	Checking his reflection in the nearby mirror, Boxey ignored the
unmade bed as he left his room.  His spirits were quickly spiraling
down, and he felt worse as he walked through the narrow h Boomer stopped, holding onto Starbuck tightly.  He gritted his
teeth as he turned to face the traitor.  Blood smeared the right side of
Baltar's face, making him appear like some kind of wrathful demon from the
darkest pit of Hades.  Maybe that's what he is, Boomer thought as he
spotted the Colonial blaster in Baltar's hand.  Four more Cylons flanked
Baltar, while a fifth was picking Apollo's body up from the deck.
	"I think you forgot someone," Baltar said, smiling at Boomer as he
motioned to Apollo.  "But I forgot my manners.  Lieutenant Boomer, how nice
of you to drop in and for Lieutenant Starbuck to drop down.  I have plenty
of room in my cells for more company."

Chapter Nine

	The silence coming over the comline unnerved Sheba.  After Boomer's signal
had been cut off, Bojay had assumed that it was just a communications
breakdown, though he'd decided to give the two lieutenants five centons to
get off the basestar.
	"Time?" the captain asked now, jarring Sheba out of the concentration
allway that
connected the three rooms of the quarters.  Boxey's room was located
in the back, and to reach the small living area, he had to pass
Apollo's room.
	No one had touched the modest room since the morning Apollo had left
it before going on his patrol.  Solemnly, Boxey stepped into the room,
looking at the pictures that Apollo kept on the dresser.  Sitting on
the bed, Boxey noticed for the first time the folded uniform that lay
next to him on the mattress.  Absently, he reached out to touch one of
the ranking pins that were located on the collar.
	"I wish that you'd come back, Dad," he said out loud, looking across
at the pictures.  His favorite was one of Apollo, himself and his
mother Serina, taken a few sectons before Serina's death on Kobol.  It
reminded him of the happy times, before the period of a few sectars
when Apollo had been totally self-absorbed in his grief.
	He heard a stir from the main living area, and smiled to himself,
knowing that it was Athena.  His aunt had been slood, there was enough of a resemblance between the two of them to
make people believe that there was, and he knew that he was
unintentionally making Adama think about his father.
	A lot of Boxey's "extended" family, composed of many of Apollo's old
friends and wingmates, took the time to spend with Boxey.  Although
they were still being affected by Apollo's death, they made a large
effort to be there for the boy.  Sheba and Boomer spent most of their
off-duty time with him, with Athena more often than not joining them. 
Starbuck and Cassiopia, his fiancee of three sectars, stayed with
Boxey the most, and he probably appreciated their presence more than
the others.  They were the only ones who knew from experience what he
was going through.
	But he still felt like he was alone.  What had he ever done, both in
this life and in any other, to deserve to have loved ones wrenched
from him like that?  He had never known his biological father, though
he sometimes wished he had.  Serina had died not evallway that
connected the three rooms of the quarters.  Boxey's room was located
in the back, and to reach the small living area, he had to pass
Apollo's room.
	No one had touched the modest room since the morning Apollo had left
it before going on his patrol.  Solemnly, Boxey stepped into the room,
looking at the pictures that Apollo kept on the dresser.  Sitting on
the bed, Boxey noticed for the first time the folded uniform that lay
next to him on the mattress.  Absently, he reached out to touch one of
the ranking pins that were located on the collar.
	"I wish that you'd come back, Dad," he said out loud, looking across
at the pictures.  His favorite was one of Apollo, himself and his
mother Serina, taken a few sectons before Serina's death on Kobol.  It
reminded him of the happy times, before the period of a few sectars
when Apollo had been totally self-absorbed in his grief.
	He heard a stir from the main living area, and smiled to himself,
knowing that it was Athena.  His aunt had been s
brought on by the battle.
	"Less than one centon," Dietra replied, her voice worried.  "I haven't
seen anything coming out yet from the basestar."
	Bojay didn't continue his train of thought as his Viper was targeted by a
group of Raiders.  Sheba went to help him, then found herself in the middle
of a potential Cylon trap.  Reacting quickly, she banked her fighter to the
right, ending up behind a few more Raiders.  Firing at them, she looked
away from the bright explosion as she looked out into the distance.  She
was about to turn away when she spotted a group of small objects heading
her way.  Her curiosity piqued, she veered away from the battle and
switched to the scanner from the targeting computer.
	"What do you know," she murmured as the scanner displayed the results of
an incoming Viper squadron.  Activating the comline, she couldn't help
smiling.  "Bojay!  We've got company."
	The captain's voice was bitter.  "Now what?  Who?"
	"All right, Reserve Squadron, we go to work now!" Athena'staying with him during
the last few sectons, but instead of using Apollo's chambers like she
would have normally done, she remained on the couch.  With a sigh,
Boxey left the sanctity of the room to go meet her.
	"Morning, Boxey," Athena greeted, sitting up as she smiled at him. 
He noticed that her good humor seemed a little forced, and that her
blue eyes weren't sparkling the way they normally did.  "What time is
it?"
	"About seven-thirty centars," he replied, giving her a hug.
	"Good, you didn't sleep in too much."  She got up, and smoothed her
uniform did.  Boxey never understood that about his family, how both
Apollo, Athena, and even Adama, could sleep in those heavy clothes. 
Athena, he knew, would probably return to her own quarters to change
before reporting for duty.  "I don't think Siress Jone at
instructional period would appreciate you being late twice in the same
secton."
	"That's why you're here, Auntie dearest," he replied, using the term
that he knew made Athena laugh, which en three yahrens
before, and Apollo had joined them both.  Why?
	Reluctantly, Boxey got out of bed and shuffled over to where his
clothes for the day were located.  Quickly pulling the blue, two-piece
jumpsuit on, he reached across the dresser where he kept the single
ranking pin.  Three yahrens ago, it had been a part of Apollo's
uniform, but when Boxey's mother had asked Apollo to cheer the sullen
boy up, the captain had promised that the first daggit discovered
would belong to Boxey so that it would replace the daggit lost during
the attack on Caprica.  To seal the promise, Apollo placed one of his
ranking pins on Boxey's chest.  True to his word, the newly created
Muffet Two was now in Boxey's possession, and he continued to wear the
ranking pin proudly.  Now, he wore it in memory of his adopted father.
	Checking his reflection in the nearby mirror, Boxey ignored the
unmade bed as he left his room.  His spirits were quickly spiraling
down, and he felt worse as he walked through the narrow htaying with him during
the last few sectons, but instead of using Apollo's chambers like she
would have normally done, she remained on the couch.  With a sigh,
Boxey left the sanctity of the room to go meet her.
	"Morning, Boxey," Athena greeted, sitting up as she smiled at him. 
He noticed that her good humor seemed a little forced, and that her
blue eyes weren't sparkling the way they normally did.  "What time is
it?"
	"About seven-thirty centars," he replied, giving her a hug.
	"Good, you didn't sleep in too much."  She got up, and smoothed her
uniform did.  Boxey never understood that about his family, how both
Apollo, Athena, and even Adama, could sleep in those heavy clothes. 
Athena, he knew, would probably return to her own quarters to change
before reporting for duty.  "I don't think Siress Jone at
instructional period would appreciate you being late twice in the same
secton."
	"That's why you're here, Auntie dearest," he replied, using the term
that he knew made Athena laugh, which  voice said.  A
few gasps from the senior pilots accompanied the energetic appearance of
the new Vipers as they burst into the battle.  "Hi, you guys.  Thought you
guys could use all the help you could get."
	Sheba laughed.  "Does the situation really look that bad?"
	"Well..."
	"Girl, you haven't seen us do this."  She activated her reverse thrusters,
holding her breath as she shot backwards into the battle.  A few Cylons
broke formation as she passed by them.  The targeting computer displayed
the closest targets, and she moved in for the kill, making two Raiders blow
up.  "Do you still think that we need help?"
	"Yes, only this time we have to prevent your egos from getting too big."
	Jolly laughed.  "Join in the fun, Reserve Squadrons."
	"Thanks for the invite."
	Glancing at the scanner again, she spotted the basestar's retreat.  She
frowned as she spoke again.  "Any idea what the Commander is up to now?  If
the Galactica comes in when she's scheduled, the basestar will be long gone."
	"Mait succeeded in doing now.  She
always claimed it made her feel like an old maid when he used it.
	"Indeed.  And I don't think it's a wise thing for you to miss eating
breakfast twice in a row, either," she shot back, cocking an eyebrow
at him after she finished laughing.  Boxey's eyes widened, wondering
how she knew, and he looked across the room at his father's desk,
where a small supply of dried rations were kept.  Apollo had put them
aside, just in case he needed to work on reports and skip a meal. 
"Yes, Boxey, I checked the supply."
	"Oh."  He shrugged slightly.  The morning before, Athena had to leave
the quarters early to report for a meeting, and Boxey had fallen back
asleep.  "Well, this morning we have plenty of time.  Want to head for
the mess hall?"
	"Sure."  She quickly folded the blankets on the couch as she
continued.  "By the way, I start duty at nine-thirty centars, and I've
got an eight centar shift today.  Your Grandfather will be up on the
bridge, too, in case you need eitallway that
connected the three rooms of the quarters.  Boxey's room was located
in the back, and to reach the small living area, he had to pass
Apollo's room.
	No one had touched the modest room since the morning Apollo had left
it before going on his patrol.  Solemnly, Boxey stepped into the room,
looking at the pictures that Apollo kept on the dresser.  Sitting on
the bed, Boxey noticed for the first time the folded uniform that lay
next to him on the mattress.  Absently, he reached out to touch one of
the ranking pins that were located on the collar.
	"I wish that you'd come back, Dad," he said out loud, looking across
at the pictures.  His favorite was one of Apollo, himself and his
mother Serina, taken a few sectons before Serina's death on Kobol.  It
reminded him of the happy times, before the period of a few sectars
when Apollo had been totally self-absorbed in his grief.
	He heard a stir from the main living area, and smiled to himself,
knowing that it was Athena.  His aunt had been sit succeeded in doing now.  She
always claimed it made her feel like an old maid when he used it.
	"Indeed.  And I don't think it's a wise thing for you to miss eating
breakfast twice in a row, either," she shot back, cocking an eyebrow
at him after she finished laughing.  Boxey's eyes widened, wondering
how she knew, and he looked across the room at his father's desk,
where a small supply of dried rations were kept.  Apollo had put them
aside, just in case he needed to work on reports and skip a meal. 
"Yes, Boxey, I checked the supply."
	"Oh."  He shrugged slightly.  The morning before, Athena had to leave
the quarters early to report for a meeting, and Boxey had fallen back
asleep.  "Well, this morning we have plenty of time.  Want to head for
the mess hall?"
	"Sure."  She quickly folded the blankets on the couch as she
continued.  "By the way, I start duty at nine-thirty centars, and I've
got an eight centar shift today.  Your Grandfather will be up on the
bridge, too, in case you need eitybe we should do something about the basestar," Bojay said, as though
reading her mind.  "At least delay it until the Galactica arrives.  What do
you think, Sheba?"
	"Sounds good, Bojay, but what do you suggest?"
	"Why don't we split up?  We'll take half a dozen of our fighters, leave
the main body of Vipers to fight the Cylons as we head for the basestar.
As for the rest of it, that we can decide when we get there."
	"Sounds like a plan, Cap," Jolly replied.  "Sort of."
	"Then it's agreed.  Sheba, Greenbean, Giles, Dietra, and Athena.  I want
you five to come with me.  Jolly, you and Brie stay behind and supervise
the battle.  Make sure that you don't let any of the tincans through.  Got
it?"
	"Yes, sir!" Jolly exclaimed, then added in a sly voice, "If the Galactica
calls, I'll tell the Commander that you're checking our rear flank."
	Most of the senior pilots laughed, recognizing the line as one that Apollo
had been fond of using.  Sheba merely chuckled, pleased to see that the
battle had alher of us.  I think that Boomer,
Sheba and Starbuck are on patrol right now, but they should be back by
the time you finish instructional period."
	"Okay."  Boxey sighed, remembering the first thoughts he had had when
waking up.  "Maybe Starbuck will show me how to play Triad."
	She paused in her folder, and looked directly at him.  There was
something in her blue eyes that might have been called pity.
	"Apollo was going to teach you, wasn't he?" she asked, shaking her
head sadly.  "I remember how you kept bugging him to show you before
he finally gave in.  Well, Starbuck just might show you if you ask
him.  And if you get your homework done.  You don't want to get in
trouble for that, too, do you?"
	"I won't," he said indignantly, but tried to smile.  He'd come to
hate heavy silences like these in the last few days, and tried his
best to avoid them.
	"Good," she nodded, then looked around the quarters.  "Well, that's
it.  Are you ready?  You can go straight to learning period after we
eat."
taying with him during
the last few sectons, but instead of using Apollo's chambers like she
would have normally done, she remained on the couch.  With a sigh,
Boxey left the sanctity of the room to go meet her.
	"Morning, Boxey," Athena greeted, sitting up as she smiled at him. 
He noticed that her good humor seemed a little forced, and that her
blue eyes weren't sparkling the way they normally did.  "What time is
it?"
	"About seven-thirty centars," he replied, giving her a hug.
	"Good, you didn't sleep in too much."  She got up, and smoothed her
uniform did.  Boxey never understood that about his family, how both
Apollo, Athena, and even Adama, could sleep in those heavy clothes. 
Athena, he knew, would probably return to her own quarters to change
before reporting for duty.  "I don't think Siress Jone at
instructional period would appreciate you being late twice in the same
secton."
	"That's why you're here, Auntie dearest," he replied, using the term
that he knew made Athena laugh, which her of us.  I think that Boomer,
Sheba and Starbuck are on patrol right now, but they should be back by
the time you finish instructional period."
	"Okay."  Boxey sighed, remembering the first thoughts he had had when
waking up.  "Maybe Starbuck will show me how to play Triad."
	She paused in her folder, and looked directly at him.  There was
something in her blue eyes that might have been called pity.
	"Apollo was going to teach you, wasn't he?" she asked, shaking her
head sadly.  "I remember how you kept bugging him to show you before
he finally gave in.  Well, Starbuck just might show you if you ask
him.  And if you get your homework done.  You don't want to get in
trouble for that, too, do you?"
	"I won't," he said indignantly, but tried to smile.  He'd come to
hate heavy silences like these in the last few days, and tried his
best to avoid them.
	"Good," she nodded, then looked around the quarters.  "Well, that's
it.  Are you ready?  You can go straight to learning period after we
eat."
ready released their pent-up frustration at being unable to
avenge Apollo's death.  Despite the laughter, she noticed that Athena
wasn't joining in.
	"Okay, people.  Let's move out!  Good luck, Jolly!"
	The six Vipers peeled away from the other fighters, bypassing the battle
towards the last known coordinates of the basestar.  Sheba felt her
nervousness vanish as she watched her scanner for signs of the Cylons.
	"Sheba?"  Athena's voice came over the comline.  "We're on a private
channel.  I think there's something you should know."
	Her well-being disappeared at Athena's words.  "What do you mean,
something I should know?"
	"Make that two things.  Before I left the bridge, the Cylon commander
called Father."
	"Let me guess.  The commander is Baltar?"
	"Yes, but there's more.  Sheba, he...  Felgercarb, there's no easy way to
say this.  He has Apollo."
	She felt as though her entire world had fallen apart as she gasped,
"Apollo?  How long have they had him?  Is he...  Athena, what have they
d
	"I still have to get my stuff," he told her.  "Why don't you go
ahead, and I'll meet you in the mess hall?"
	"Sounds like an idea to me."  She gave him a hug, then ruffled his
hair as she smiled.  The warm gestures and expression made Boxey feel
a little more at ease.  "I'll see you in a bit.  And don't forget to
make your bed."
	"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." he muttered, hearing her leave as he turned to
go back to his room.  Gathering everything he needed, he left the bed
unmade as he returned to the living area.
	He paused, looking around the room.  If he stood still long enough,
he could get the impression that it was a normal morning; if he tried
hard enough, he could almost see the brown-clad, dark-haired figure
sitting in front of the desk.  The imagined sound of the keyboard, the
rustling of papers...
	Blinking away the sudden tears that sprang to his eyes, Boxey caught
sight of the small holoprojector that was sitting at the side of the
room.  When he and Apollo had moved into these slightlit succeeded in doing now.  She
always claimed it made her feel like an old maid when he used it.
	"Indeed.  And I don't think it's a wise thing for you to miss eating
breakfast twice in a row, either," she shot back, cocking an eyebrow
at him after she finished laughing.  Boxey's eyes widened, wondering
how she knew, and he looked across the room at his father's desk,
where a small supply of dried rations were kept.  Apollo had put them
aside, just in case he needed to work on reports and skip a meal. 
"Yes, Boxey, I checked the supply."
	"Oh."  He shrugged slightly.  The morning before, Athena had to leave
the quarters early to report for a meeting, and Boxey had fallen back
asleep.  "Well, this morning we have plenty of time.  Want to head for
the mess hall?"
	"Sure."  She quickly folded the blankets on the couch as she
continued.  "By the way, I start duty at nine-thirty centars, and I've
got an eight centar shift today.  Your Grandfather will be up on the
bridge, too, in case you need eit
	"I still have to get my stuff," he told her.  "Why don't you go
ahead, and I'll meet you in the mess hall?"
	"Sounds like an idea to me."  She gave him a hug, then ruffled his
hair as she smiled.  The warm gestures and expression made Boxey feel
a little more at ease.  "I'll see you in a bit.  And don't forget to
make your bed."
	"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." he muttered, hearing her leave as he turned to
go back to his room.  Gathering everything he needed, he left the bed
unmade as he returned to the living area.
	He paused, looking around the room.  If he stood still long enough,
he could get the impression that it was a normal morning; if he tried
hard enough, he could almost see the brown-clad, dark-haired figure
sitting in front of the desk.  The imagined sound of the keyboard, the
rustling of papers...
	Blinking away the sudden tears that sprang to his eyes, Boxey caught
sight of the small holoprojector that was sitting at the side of the
room.  When he and Apollo had moved into these slightlone to him?"
	"They've tortured him.  I didn't recognize him until Baltar told us who he
was."  Athena's voice was strained as she continued.  "Sheba, we have to do
something!"
	"Like what?  We can't communicate with Boomer, so he can't possibly know.
Hades, we don't even know if he and Starbuck made it off the basestar in
one piece!  And if they've already left..."  Sheba sighed, feeling
helpless.  "I just can't think of anything for us to do."
	"But it's up to us to do something, isn't it?  Why don't we go aboard?"
	Sheba had to laugh.  "Are you crazy?  Athena, how do you suggest we try to
get aboard?"
	"If the guys could land in a Raider, Sheba, we'll find a way, too."
	"Heads up, warriors," Bojay said, coming through all the channels.  "Our
target is comin' up!"
	Giles whooped as the Vipers went into a semi-circle formation.  Ahead, a
speck on the horizon turned into the geometric shape of the basestar.
Sheba took a deep breath as she waited for the basestar to make a move.
	"I'm not ready larger
chambers than the one they had shared with Serina before her death,
someone had given the projector as a "billet-warming" present.  It
contained a few scenes, including the sealing ceremony between Serina
and Apollo; a very warm and personal wish from Sheba for Apollo's last
natal day; a shaky film taken by Boxey at a family gathering; and the
surprise natal day celebration that Starbuck had given him a yahren
ago when he had turned seven.
	Suddenly wanting to hear Apollo's voice again, Boxey selected his
natal day celebration, then reconsidered as it actived.  Athena was
undoubtedly waiting for him, and he knew that she wouldn't be
impressed if he were late again.  Feeling irritated, he shut the
projector off as the beginning of the hologram began to appear around
him.  He watched the ghostly images disappear, and spotted that of his
father almost directly across the room from him as it vanished.
	"Wishful thinking," he said as he headed for the door.  "If only he
could come back."
her of us.  I think that Boomer,
Sheba and Starbuck are on patrol right now, but they should be back by
the time you finish instructional period."
	"Okay."  Boxey sighed, remembering the first thoughts he had had when
waking up.  "Maybe Starbuck will show me how to play Triad."
	She paused in her folder, and looked directly at him.  There was
something in her blue eyes that might have been called pity.
	"Apollo was going to teach you, wasn't he?" she asked, shaking her
head sadly.  "I remember how you kept bugging him to show you before
he finally gave in.  Well, Starbuck just might show you if you ask
him.  And if you get your homework done.  You don't want to get in
trouble for that, too, do you?"
	"I won't," he said indignantly, but tried to smile.  He'd come to
hate heavy silences like these in the last few days, and tried his
best to avoid them.
	"Good," she nodded, then looked around the quarters.  "Well, that's
it.  Are you ready?  You can go straight to learning period after we
eat."
y larger
chambers than the one they had shared with Serina before her death,
someone had given the projector as a "billet-warming" present.  It
contained a few scenes, including the sealing ceremony between Serina
and Apollo; a very warm and personal wish from Sheba for Apollo's last
natal day; a shaky film taken by Boxey at a family gathering; and the
surprise natal day celebration that Starbuck had given him a yahren
ago when he had turned seven.
	Suddenly wanting to hear Apollo's voice again, Boxey selected his
natal day celebration, then reconsidered as it actived.  Athena was
undoubtedly waiting for him, and he knew that she wouldn't be
impressed if he were late again.  Feeling irritated, he shut the
projector off as the beginning of the hologram began to appear around
him.  He watched the ghostly images disappear, and spotted that of his
father almost directly across the room from him as it vanished.
	"Wishful thinking," he said as he headed for the door.  "If only he
could come back."
ing any energy buildups," Dietra announced, her voice
hopeful.  "I think their mission worked!"
	"Thank the lord.  At least one thing is going right," Bojay sighed, then
began giving his orders.  "From now on, we're Purple and Orange Squadrons.
I'm Orange Leader, and Sheba is Purple Leader.  Giles and Dietra, you're
both with me.  Athena and Greenbean, go with Sheba.  We'll circle the
basestar and wait until the Galactica arrives.  Ready?"
	"As ready as we'll ever be!"  Giles sounded excited as Greenbean echoed
his words.
	"All right!  Let's go!"
	Sheba led her two wingmates around to the far side of the basestar,
wondering what Bojay had in mind.  She examined the hull of the ship and at
its cavernous entrances of the bays.  All of the entrances were closed,
their rotating doors shut tightly against intrusion.  Or were they?
	"Athena!  Do you see that?"  Sheba laughed as she spotted one open
entrance.  "I think we've just solved our problem."
	"Maybe...  Hey, what d'you think would happen if 
	The fingers on Starbuck's free hand itched for a fumarello as he
tried to focus on the patrol, but it was too difficult.  Three yahrens
earlier, just prior to the Destruction of the Colonies, he had tried
to get Boomer to come up with a type of fumarello that could be
smokeless in the confines of a cockpit.  Smirking at his friend's
demand, Boomer had said that even though he was a decent botanist,
only God's will could create that fumarello.  Crushed by the
revelation, Starbuck had decided to give up his beloved fumarellos,
much to relief of Jenny, his crewchief; and to the contentment of his
fiancee, Cassiopia.  Still, the urge to smoke occasionally overcame him.
	Shaking his hand to relieve the feeling, Starbuck re-examined the
Viper's scanner.  There was absolutely nothing of interest on it.  The
five planets and their collective eight moons were barren of all life
with no sign of ever possessing any.  The descriptive sentence, "A
dead bore," came to Starbuck's mind, but decided not to sa
	"I still have to get my stuff," he told her.  "Why don't you go
ahead, and I'll meet you in the mess hall?"
	"Sounds like an idea to me."  She gave him a hug, then ruffled his
hair as she smiled.  The warm gestures and expression made Boxey feel
a little more at ease.  "I'll see you in a bit.  And don't forget to
make your bed."
	"Yeah, yeah, yeah..." he muttered, hearing her leave as he turned to
go back to his room.  Gathering everything he needed, he left the bed
unmade as he returned to the living area.
	He paused, looking around the room.  If he stood still long enough,
he could get the impression that it was a normal morning; if he tried
hard enough, he could almost see the brown-clad, dark-haired figure
sitting in front of the desk.  The imagined sound of the keyboard, the
rustling of papers...
	Blinking away the sudden tears that sprang to his eyes, Boxey caught
sight of the small holoprojector that was sitting at the side of the
room.  When he and Apollo had moved into these slightl
	The fingers on Starbuck's free hand itched for a fumarello as he
tried to focus on the patrol, but it was too difficult.  Three yahrens
earlier, just prior to the Destruction of the Colonies, he had tried
to get Boomer to come up with a type of fumarello that could be
smokeless in the confines of a cockpit.  Smirking at his friend's
demand, Boomer had said that even though he was a decent botanist,
only God's will could create that fumarello.  Crushed by the
revelation, Starbuck had decided to give up his beloved fumarellos,
much to relief of Jenny, his crewchief; and to the contentment of his
fiancee, Cassiopia.  Still, the urge to smoke occasionally overcame him.
	Shaking his hand to relieve the feeling, Starbuck re-examined the
Viper's scanner.  There was absolutely nothing of interest on it.  The
five planets and their collective eight moons were barren of all life
with no sign of ever possessing any.  The descriptive sentence, "A
dead bore," came to Starbuck's mind, but decided not to sawe --"
	"What are you two talking about?" Greenbean interrupted.  Sheba felt like
hitting herself on the head as she realized that they were no longer on the
private comchannel.  "What problem?"
	"You'll find out in a centon.  Bojay?"
	"What is it?"
	"I know that this is going to sound crazy, but Athena and I are going to
board the basestar."  Before the captain could object, she continued.
"Look, we don't know if Boomer and Starbuck got off the basestar.  Maybe
they didn't even have a chance to destroy the control center.  Either way,
they need help."
	"I see your reasoning, but what about you two?" he said, sounding
immensely concerned.  "Maybe one of us should come with you."
	"No, we'll be fine.  Give us half a centar to find them.  And Bojay --"
	Bojay gave a short laugh as he interrupted her.  "You know, Sheba, the
less I know, the less I have to tell the Commander.  Good luck, Sheba.  I
always knew that you had a lot of your father in you."
	Sheba grinned as she and Athena peeled away y it as he
yawned.  He glanced through the transparent cockpit at the two Vipers
that were flying relatively near his, barely able make out the
silhouettes of Boomer and Sheba in their cockpits.
	"Boring, isn't it?" he said aloud.
	Boomer snorted over the comline.
	"That doesn't even cover it.  There isn't anything here, and I can
guarantee that there won't ever be anything out here.  Just another
wasted patrol."
	"Not necessarily," Sheba replied, her soft voice crisp with
enthusiasm.  Starbuck couldn't tell if it was forced.  "We still might
run into the basestar that sent out the Raiders that took out Apollo's
patrol."
	"I bet you that they're long gone by now," Starbuck answered, feeling
the sharp pain that came every time his late friend's name was
mentioned.  "If we're lucky, the basestar trashed the patrol, then
figured that the fleet was in another position.  They're probably
halfway across the quadrant right now."
	"I hope so," Sheba sighed.  "The last thing I want to do right now isy larger
chambers than the one they had shared with Serina before her death,
someone had given the projector as a "billet-warming" present.  It
contained a few scenes, including the sealing ceremony between Serina
and Apollo; a very warm and personal wish from Sheba for Apollo's last
natal day; a shaky film taken by Boxey at a family gathering; and the
surprise natal day celebration that Starbuck had given him a yahren
ago when he had turned seven.
	Suddenly wanting to hear Apollo's voice again, Boxey selected his
natal day celebration, then reconsidered as it actived.  Athena was
undoubtedly waiting for him, and he knew that she wouldn't be
impressed if he were late again.  Feeling irritated, he shut the
projector off as the beginning of the hologram began to appear around
him.  He watched the ghostly images disappear, and spotted that of his
father almost directly across the room from him as it vanished.
	"Wishful thinking," he said as he headed for the door.  "If only he
could come back."
y it as he
yawned.  He glanced through the transparent cockpit at the two Vipers
that were flying relatively near his, barely able make out the
silhouettes of Boomer and Sheba in their cockpits.
	"Boring, isn't it?" he said aloud.
	Boomer snorted over the comline.
	"That doesn't even cover it.  There isn't anything here, and I can
guarantee that there won't ever be anything out here.  Just another
wasted patrol."
	"Not necessarily," Sheba replied, her soft voice crisp with
enthusiasm.  Starbuck couldn't tell if it was forced.  "We still might
run into the basestar that sent out the Raiders that took out Apollo's
patrol."
	"I bet you that they're long gone by now," Starbuck answered, feeling
the sharp pain that came every time his late friend's name was
mentioned.  "If we're lucky, the basestar trashed the patrol, then
figured that the fleet was in another position.  They're probably
halfway across the quadrant right now."
	"I hope so," Sheba sighed.  "The last thing I want to do right now isfrom Greenbean's Viper.
	"Thanks.  See you guys in a bit."

	Omega wished that Adama would move somewhere else as he tried to go about
his duties.  The commander hadn't moved since Athena's squadron launched,
and his presence was beginning to unnerve Omega.  It was like having
someone standing over his shoulder, though he knew that Adama wouldn't do
that unless Omega brought something to his attention.
	He glanced down at the lower level and spotted Tigh giving Adama another
concerned expression.  Neither knew what Adama might do next.  The
revelation that Apollo was still alive shook Adama to the core, and the
fact that he would be losing him a second time was undoubtedly a horrible
prospect.  Omega wondered how he would react if the same situation happened
to him.  Very early in his career, the older brother who had inspired him
to become a warrior was ambushed and killed by the Cylons during a routine
patrol.  If Omega learned that Isac was still alive and a Cylon captive, he
would be horri
look at another Cylon basestar.  Maybe tomorrow, but not today."
	Silence came onto the comline, threatening to weigh down on Starbuck
as it continued for a few centons.  He hated it when no one spoke on
patrols.  Despite the fact that a lot of the conversations during
patrols were mostly idle chatter, he found it relaxing during a tense
patrol.  Now would be no exception.
	"So, Boomer," he began, "what's the latest word on the smokeless
fumarello?"
	Boomer laughed.
	"I haven't heard of an act of God happening lately, so I don't think
that anything's changed.  What made you think of that?"
	"Oh, nothing really."  Starbuck found himself smiling for once. 
"Just thought that it would be nice to have one right now."
	"I thought that you gave those up," Sheba interjected.  "Besides, how
in Hades' did you ever get the permission to light one of those
disgusting things in your cockpit in the first place?"
	"Starbuck's Rules for Dealing With Higher Authority, Number Two," he
answered.  "Don't both
	The fingers on Starbuck's free hand itched for a fumarello as he
tried to focus on the patrol, but it was too difficult.  Three yahrens
earlier, just prior to the Destruction of the Colonies, he had tried
to get Boomer to come up with a type of fumarello that could be
smokeless in the confines of a cockpit.  Smirking at his friend's
demand, Boomer had said that even though he was a decent botanist,
only God's will could create that fumarello.  Crushed by the
revelation, Starbuck had decided to give up his beloved fumarellos,
much to relief of Jenny, his crewchief; and to the contentment of his
fiancee, Cassiopia.  Still, the urge to smoke occasionally overcame him.
	Shaking his hand to relieve the feeling, Starbuck re-examined the
Viper's scanner.  There was absolutely nothing of interest on it.  The
five planets and their collective eight moons were barren of all life
with no sign of ever possessing any.  The descriptive sentence, "A
dead bore," came to Starbuck's mind, but decided not to sa
look at another Cylon basestar.  Maybe tomorrow, but not today."
	Silence came onto the comline, threatening to weigh down on Starbuck
as it continued for a few centons.  He hated it when no one spoke on
patrols.  Despite the fact that a lot of the conversations during
patrols were mostly idle chatter, he found it relaxing during a tense
patrol.  Now would be no exception.
	"So, Boomer," he began, "what's the latest word on the smokeless
fumarello?"
	Boomer laughed.
	"I haven't heard of an act of God happening lately, so I don't think
that anything's changed.  What made you think of that?"
	"Oh, nothing really."  Starbuck found himself smiling for once. 
"Just thought that it would be nice to have one right now."
	"I thought that you gave those up," Sheba interjected.  "Besides, how
in Hades' did you ever get the permission to light one of those
disgusting things in your cockpit in the first place?"
	"Starbuck's Rules for Dealing With Higher Authority, Number Two," he
answered.  "Don't bothfied.
	He sighed as he examined his monitor again.  Everything was going
smoothly, and he was ready to begin giving the commands into the computer
that would activate the laser turrets and lower the defense shield over the
bridge.  All they needed to do was locate the basestar and for Adama to
give the orders.
	But will he be able to? Omega wondered, then chided himself for even
considering that.  During his tour of duty aboard the Galactica, he
couldn't count the number of times that Adama had ordered something that
would endanger Apollo's life, even though Omega knew that it was painful
for him to do so.
	The monitor quickly flashed a new message.  Omega examined it, then looked
back at Adama.
	"Sir, we're receiving a message from Captain Bojay," he reported.  "It's
coming in on the emergency frequency."
	"Put it on," Adama ordered, and Omega had to admire the way he didn't let
his emotions show in his voice.
	"Captain Bojay to Galactica.  Come in, Galactica.  Repeat, this is --"
	"This iser getting permission if they aren't going to
know about it."
	"Ah."
	"Then why do you think Colonel Tigh was giving Blue Squadron such a
hard time about economizing?" Boomer pointed out.  "I swear that you
went through three or four air filters a secton."
	"Well, no one's perfect," Starbuck laughed, "even though I am the
person who is closest to perfection in the fleet."
	"My apologies, Sire Holier-than-thou."
	"Accepted this time, my friend.  Next time, you might not be as lucky."
	"I'd like to see that day, Bucko," Boomer retorted.
	Sheba laughed at their bantering, then she quickly took a sharp breath.
	"Starbuck!" she shouted, sounding panicked.
	"What is it?" he asked, turning his attention to the scanner.  He
knew that she had the advantage of her Viper being further ahead than
both his and Boomer's.  He looked out the cockpit window, spotting her
fighter well ahead of him.
	"While you two were debating fumarellos, something came onto my
scanner.  Warbook only has a partial reading, by it as he
yawned.  He glanced through the transparent cockpit at the two Vipers
that were flying relatively near his, barely able make out the
silhouettes of Boomer and Sheba in their cockpits.
	"Boring, isn't it?" he said aloud.
	Boomer snorted over the comline.
	"That doesn't even cover it.  There isn't anything here, and I can
guarantee that there won't ever be anything out here.  Just another
wasted patrol."
	"Not necessarily," Sheba replied, her soft voice crisp with
enthusiasm.  Starbuck couldn't tell if it was forced.  "We still might
run into the basestar that sent out the Raiders that took out Apollo's
patrol."
	"I bet you that they're long gone by now," Starbuck answered, feeling
the sharp pain that came every time his late friend's name was
mentioned.  "If we're lucky, the basestar trashed the patrol, then
figured that the fleet was in another position.  They're probably
halfway across the quadrant right now."
	"I hope so," Sheba sighed.  "The last thing I want to do right now iser getting permission if they aren't going to
know about it."
	"Ah."
	"Then why do you think Colonel Tigh was giving Blue Squadron such a
hard time about economizing?" Boomer pointed out.  "I swear that you
went through three or four air filters a secton."
	"Well, no one's perfect," Starbuck laughed, "even though I am the
person who is closest to perfection in the fleet."
	"My apologies, Sire Holier-than-thou."
	"Accepted this time, my friend.  Next time, you might not be as lucky."
	"I'd like to see that day, Bucko," Boomer retorted.
	Sheba laughed at their bantering, then she quickly took a sharp breath.
	"Starbuck!" she shouted, sounding panicked.
	"What is it?" he asked, turning his attention to the scanner.  He
knew that she had the advantage of her Viper being further ahead than
both his and Boomer's.  He looked out the cockpit window, spotting her
fighter well ahead of him.
	"While you two were debating fumarellos, something came onto my
scanner.  Warbook only has a partial reading, b Commander Adama, Captain.  What's your situation?"
	"We were in contact with Boomer about twenty centons ago, Commander, but
we lost contact with him.  I believe that he and Starbuck were captured."
	"We're aware of that, Captain.  If that's all you have to report, continue
with the battle."
	"Uh, negative, sir.  We're not presently at the battle."
	On the lower level, Tigh shot Adama a look of surprise before he headed
toward the stairs to the command deck.  Adama shook his head in shock as he
continued.
	"Captain, where exactly are you?  And who is 'we?'"
	"Greenbean, Giles, Dietra and I are presently a few thousand metrons away
from the basestar, Commander.  We're waiting for Sheba and Athena to --"
	Adama's eyes, which were already full of emotions, narrowed at the mention
of his daughter's name.  "What about Athena?"
	"They went aboard the basestar, apparently to rescue Boomer and Starbuck.
It was Sheba's idea, sir."  Bojay sighed suddenly.  "She requested that you
hold back the attack but I don't need a full
confirmation to know what it is," she reported, then paused. 
"Starbuck, it's the basestar.  I bet anything that this is what we've
found."
	"So much for not wanting to see a basestar today," Boomer joked, then
became serious.  "Are we in their scanning range yet?"
	"I don't think so, but I don't want to hang around to find out.  I'm
pulling out."  With her words, Sheba's Viper did a reverse loop, its
nose pointing in the direction that they had just come.  "We've got to
get back to the Galactica and warn them."
	"Agreed," Starbuck said, turning his own Viper to follow Sheba's
lead.  "Let's just take a slight detour so that the Cylons can't
follow us, even if we weren't scanned."
	"Plotting course now."  Sheba's voice was firm.  "Take a
beta-one-three heading.  That should do it."
	"We're right behind you, Sheba," Boomer confirmed as the Vipers
banked to the left and hit their turbos to quickly exit the star system.
	Starbuck took up the rear of the fleeing patrol, keep
look at another Cylon basestar.  Maybe tomorrow, but not today."
	Silence came onto the comline, threatening to weigh down on Starbuck
as it continued for a few centons.  He hated it when no one spoke on
patrols.  Despite the fact that a lot of the conversations during
patrols were mostly idle chatter, he found it relaxing during a tense
patrol.  Now would be no exception.
	"So, Boomer," he began, "what's the latest word on the smokeless
fumarello?"
	Boomer laughed.
	"I haven't heard of an act of God happening lately, so I don't think
that anything's changed.  What made you think of that?"
	"Oh, nothing really."  Starbuck found himself smiling for once. 
"Just thought that it would be nice to have one right now."
	"I thought that you gave those up," Sheba interjected.  "Besides, how
in Hades' did you ever get the permission to light one of those
disgusting things in your cockpit in the first place?"
	"Starbuck's Rules for Dealing With Higher Authority, Number Two," he
answered.  "Don't bothut I don't need a full
confirmation to know what it is," she reported, then paused. 
"Starbuck, it's the basestar.  I bet anything that this is what we've
found."
	"So much for not wanting to see a basestar today," Boomer joked, then
became serious.  "Are we in their scanning range yet?"
	"I don't think so, but I don't want to hang around to find out.  I'm
pulling out."  With her words, Sheba's Viper did a reverse loop, its
nose pointing in the direction that they had just come.  "We've got to
get back to the Galactica and warn them."
	"Agreed," Starbuck said, turning his own Viper to follow Sheba's
lead.  "Let's just take a slight detour so that the Cylons can't
follow us, even if we weren't scanned."
	"Plotting course now."  Sheba's voice was firm.  "Take a
beta-one-three heading.  That should do it."
	"We're right behind you, Sheba," Boomer confirmed as the Vipers
banked to the left and hit their turbos to quickly exit the star system.
	Starbuck took up the rear of the fleeing patrol, keepy half a centar.  That was five centons ago."
	"Are they mad?" Tigh muttered as he came behind Adama, so only the
commander could hear.  If he were a pilot, he never would have dared to
board a basestar.  Not unless the situation were really, really desperate.
"Or are they just crazy?"
	"Heroics work both way," Adama replied, appearing to be calm on the
outside.  Inside, however, he was horrified.  Why did Athena board the
basestar?  Is she trying to end up like Apollo? he though frantically.
	"Athena must have told Sheba that --" the colonel mused, but was cut off
by Adama.
	"Possibly," Adama replied, though he knew the truth.  "However, she also
knows that we can't afford to risk losing three of our best pilots."
	"But if they fail, Adama, we'll lose four of our best pilots, as well as
one of our best bridge officers."  Tigh shook his head.  "I still think
they're crazy, but I wish them luck.  Especially when it comes to you,
since I don't know what's worse, the Cylons or your wrath."
	Omegaing his eye on
the rear scan for any pursuing Cylon Raiders.  He began to relax as
the Vipers passed through the outer fringes of the system, but he
caught a glimpse of the basestar as it rose above the third planet. 
It made him shiver slightly as the squadron went out of range, but he
countered it with the only positive thought that could come to mind:
	"You're sitting there, just smug and full of yourself, but this time
you're going to get it."  He paused, glaring at the fading target. 
"If it's the last thing I do, I'll make you pay."

	The door to the war room slid shut as the last warrior quickly
entered.  Commander Adama nodded a slight greeting to the warrior
before beginning.  The large room was filled, even the seat between
Adama and Starbuck, which Apollo would have occupied in life.  Captain
Bojay, as the new Flight Commander, now sat there, which made Adama
feel slightly uncomfortable.  The other captain's presence only
accentuated Apollo's absence.
	Thinking of his son brought aer getting permission if they aren't going to
know about it."
	"Ah."
	"Then why do you think Colonel Tigh was giving Blue Squadron such a
hard time about economizing?" Boomer pointed out.  "I swear that you
went through three or four air filters a secton."
	"Well, no one's perfect," Starbuck laughed, "even though I am the
person who is closest to perfection in the fleet."
	"My apologies, Sire Holier-than-thou."
	"Accepted this time, my friend.  Next time, you might not be as lucky."
	"I'd like to see that day, Bucko," Boomer retorted.
	Sheba laughed at their bantering, then she quickly took a sharp breath.
	"Starbuck!" she shouted, sounding panicked.
	"What is it?" he asked, turning his attention to the scanner.  He
knew that she had the advantage of her Viper being further ahead than
both his and Boomer's.  He looked out the cockpit window, spotting her
fighter well ahead of him.
	"While you two were debating fumarellos, something came onto my
scanner.  Warbook only has a partial reading, bing his eye on
the rear scan for any pursuing Cylon Raiders.  He began to relax as
the Vipers passed through the outer fringes of the system, but he
caught a glimpse of the basestar as it rose above the third planet. 
It made him shiver slightly as the squadron went out of range, but he
countered it with the only positive thought that could come to mind:
	"You're sitting there, just smug and full of yourself, but this time
you're going to get it."  He paused, glaring at the fading target. 
"If it's the last thing I do, I'll make you pay."

	The door to the war room slid shut as the last warrior quickly
entered.  Commander Adama nodded a slight greeting to the warrior
before beginning.  The large room was filled, even the seat between
Adama and Starbuck, which Apollo would have occupied in life.  Captain
Bojay, as the new Flight Commander, now sat there, which made Adama
feel slightly uncomfortable.  The other captain's presence only
accentuated Apollo's absence.
	Thinking of his son brought a cleared his throat.  "Ah, sirs, Captain Bojay is still on the line."
	"Captain, we'll delay the attack by a quarter of a centar.  We can't
afford to attack any later than that.  If you get in contact with them,
tell them that I mean it!"
	"Yes, sir!  Oh, Commander, I'm sending the coordinates of the basestar to
you now.  It'll save you a bit of time so you won't have to go searching
all over the star system for it."
	Omega nodded to tell Adama that the coordinates were now safely in the
Galactica's nav computer.
	"Thank you, Captain.  Galactica out."  A grim expression on his face,
Adama faced the officer at the navigation console.  "Sergeant, bring the
Galactica to a halt and hold our current position until I give the command."
	"Yes, Commander," the officer replied as she entered the command into her
console.  A few microns later, Adama felt the slight vibrations in the deck
slow until there was almost nothing left.  His legs felt slightly numb at
the lack of motion, since the Galactica had  hollow feeling inside Adama, a dull
ache that would only heal with time.  The only way he could ignore his
pain was to focus his attention on the present and to his
responsibilities as Fleet Commander; the same way the other warriors
were dealing with the loss of their late flight commander.
	"Lieutenant," he began, fixing Starbuck with an intense gaze, "what
did your patrol see?"
	Running his fingers through his blond hair, something he only did
when he was nervous, Starbuck recounted the squadron's discovery.  As
he spoke, Adama watched his grey blue eyes, seeing that they were
glinting with emotion.  He knew that the lieutenant was still upset
over Apollo's death.
	"She didn't detect us," he finished.  "Or at least, I hope she didn't."
	"I hope not, as well."  Adama turned to his aide.  "Colonel, is it
possible to have the fleet bypass the solar system that the basestar
is occupying?"
	The colonel went up to the star map that dominated the foreground of
the war room and began to trace a put I don't need a full
confirmation to know what it is," she reported, then paused. 
"Starbuck, it's the basestar.  I bet anything that this is what we've
found."
	"So much for not wanting to see a basestar today," Boomer joked, then
became serious.  "Are we in their scanning range yet?"
	"I don't think so, but I don't want to hang around to find out.  I'm
pulling out."  With her words, Sheba's Viper did a reverse loop, its
nose pointing in the direction that they had just come.  "We've got to
get back to the Galactica and warn them."
	"Agreed," Starbuck said, turning his own Viper to follow Sheba's
lead.  "Let's just take a slight detour so that the Cylons can't
follow us, even if we weren't scanned."
	"Plotting course now."  Sheba's voice was firm.  "Take a
beta-one-three heading.  That should do it."
	"We're right behind you, Sheba," Boomer confirmed as the Vipers
banked to the left and hit their turbos to quickly exit the star system.
	Starbuck took up the rear of the fleeing patrol, keep hollow feeling inside Adama, a dull
ache that would only heal with time.  The only way he could ignore his
pain was to focus his attention on the present and to his
responsibilities as Fleet Commander; the same way the other warriors
were dealing with the loss of their late flight commander.
	"Lieutenant," he began, fixing Starbuck with an intense gaze, "what
did your patrol see?"
	Running his fingers through his blond hair, something he only did
when he was nervous, Starbuck recounted the squadron's discovery.  As
he spoke, Adama watched his grey blue eyes, seeing that they were
glinting with emotion.  He knew that the lieutenant was still upset
over Apollo's death.
	"She didn't detect us," he finished.  "Or at least, I hope she didn't."
	"I hope not, as well."  Adama turned to his aide.  "Colonel, is it
possible to have the fleet bypass the solar system that the basestar
is occupying?"
	The colonel went up to the star map that dominated the foreground of
the war room and began to trace a pbeen almost constantly moving
since the battle of Gamoray, when the lack of Tylium caused the fleet to
come to a halt.  It wasn't a feeling that Adama particularly enjoyed.
"Full stop, sir."
	Adama nodded as he stared at the star field.  "And now," he murmured, loud
enough for only his and Tigh's ears, "we wait."

	Despite their military prowess, the Cylons needed to brush up on their
hospitality skills.  Boomer wrinkled his nose as he tried to ignore the
smell of the cell as he looked for a way to escape.  The dim light barely
lit the walls, and he found himself needing to rely more on touch than
sight in the shadows.
	"Come on," he muttered, "there has to be a way out of here somewhere.  Now
where is it?"
	Near the entrance, he felt a small box next to the doorway.  Prying at the
cover with his fingers, he struggled for a few microns before realizing
that it was sealed tightly shut.  Without any tools, he wouldn't be able to
mess around with the box.  That's what's so frustrating, he thoughath on its surface.  The path of
his finger snaked its way from the top to the middle, circling
potential obstacles as Tigh contemplated their situation.
	"We might be able to avoid this basestar altogether if we adjust our
course by a few thousand metrics," he said.  "We'd have to backtrack a
little bit, but that shouldn't be much of a problem."
	Adama nodded, looking somewhat relieved.  The last thing he wanted
was more deaths caused by the Cylons.
	"Good, then that's what we'll do."
	"But what about one of their patrols crossing our paths?" Starbuck
asked.  Adama saw that many warriors were agreeing with him.  "That
would just lead more of their ships here.  Wouldn't it be easier to
just go right in and destroy the basestar?  It saves us from having to
do it later."
	"No, Starbuck.  That would waste our valuable Tylium, which we can't
risk losing."
	Sheba, who was sitting across the table, spoke up.  There was an
expression on her face that Adama recognized seeing on her father's
face.  King his eye on
the rear scan for any pursuing Cylon Raiders.  He began to relax as
the Vipers passed through the outer fringes of the system, but he
caught a glimpse of the basestar as it rose above the third planet. 
It made him shiver slightly as the squadron went out of range, but he
countered it with the only positive thought that could come to mind:
	"You're sitting there, just smug and full of yourself, but this time
you're going to get it."  He paused, glaring at the fading target. 
"If it's the last thing I do, I'll make you pay."

	The door to the war room slid shut as the last warrior quickly
entered.  Commander Adama nodded a slight greeting to the warrior
before beginning.  The large room was filled, even the seat between
Adama and Starbuck, which Apollo would have occupied in life.  Captain
Bojay, as the new Flight Commander, now sat there, which made Adama
feel slightly uncomfortable.  The other captain's presence only
accentuated Apollo's absence.
	Thinking of his son brought aath on its surface.  The path of
his finger snaked its way from the top to the middle, circling
potential obstacles as Tigh contemplated their situation.
	"We might be able to avoid this basestar altogether if we adjust our
course by a few thousand metrics," he said.  "We'd have to backtrack a
little bit, but that shouldn't be much of a problem."
	Adama nodded, looking somewhat relieved.  The last thing he wanted
was more deaths caused by the Cylons.
	"Good, then that's what we'll do."
	"But what about one of their patrols crossing our paths?" Starbuck
asked.  Adama saw that many warriors were agreeing with him.  "That
would just lead more of their ships here.  Wouldn't it be easier to
just go right in and destroy the basestar?  It saves us from having to
do it later."
	"No, Starbuck.  That would waste our valuable Tylium, which we can't
risk losing."
	Sheba, who was sitting across the table, spoke up.  There was an
expression on her face that Adama recognized seeing on her father's
face.  Kt as he
hit it with his fist.  I don't even have the opportunity to try to get out
of here!
	Giving up his quest, he turned back to look at the rest of the small cell.
 On opposite sides of the room were two cots, each one occupied by Starbuck
and Apollo.  Both were still unconscious, though he had the feeling that
Starbuck might regain consciousness at any centon.  As for Apollo, he
couldn't be sure.
	There wasn't much in the cell for him to do but wait.  It wasn't what he
would prefer to be doing, but he had no alternatives.  He stood with his
back against the wall and slid carefully down to the floor, bringing his
knees up to his chest.  He felt an added pressure on his waist, caused by a
belt that the Cylons had placed there against his will.  Its snug fit was
an uncomfortable reminder of the fate that was in store for them with
Baltar, a fate that Apollo had already experienced.  He shivered at the
thought, wondering what he would do when interrogated.
	He shuddered.  If he and Starbuck unowing Cain and his ploys for war, I wonder what Sheba has up
her sleeve.
	"Commander, with all due respect, backtracking would waste as much
fuel as a battle would."  Sheba pushed a lock of her long light brown
hair behind her ear as she leaned forward, her brown eyes focused on
Adama's face.  "We have to prove that we aren't to be messed with."
	"Lieutenant," Tigh pointed out, "we've 'proven' that fact more than
once, but the Cylons don't seem willing to accept that fact.  We've
fought against basestars at Carilon and Gamoray, plus two more since
then, but they've always come back."
	"I know that, sir, but we can't let the Cylons follow us to Earth. 
If we fight this base ship, chances are that the other base ships
might not know where we are.  I don't think that we have a choice."
	Sitting next to Sheba, Boomer nodded, as did many of the other
warriors.  Adama, seeing their agreement, looked at each of their
faces, realizing that fighting the Cylons would be a kind of catharsis
for the pilo hollow feeling inside Adama, a dull
ache that would only heal with time.  The only way he could ignore his
pain was to focus his attention on the present and to his
responsibilities as Fleet Commander; the same way the other warriors
were dealing with the loss of their late flight commander.
	"Lieutenant," he began, fixing Starbuck with an intense gaze, "what
did your patrol see?"
	Running his fingers through his blond hair, something he only did
when he was nervous, Starbuck recounted the squadron's discovery.  As
he spoke, Adama watched his grey blue eyes, seeing that they were
glinting with emotion.  He knew that the lieutenant was still upset
over Apollo's death.
	"She didn't detect us," he finished.  "Or at least, I hope she didn't."
	"I hope not, as well."  Adama turned to his aide.  "Colonel, is it
possible to have the fleet bypass the solar system that the basestar
is occupying?"
	The colonel went up to the star map that dominated the foreground of
the war room and began to trace a pnowing Cain and his ploys for war, I wonder what Sheba has up
her sleeve.
	"Commander, with all due respect, backtracking would waste as much
fuel as a battle would."  Sheba pushed a lock of her long light brown
hair behind her ear as she leaned forward, her brown eyes focused on
Adama's face.  "We have to prove that we aren't to be messed with."
	"Lieutenant," Tigh pointed out, "we've 'proven' that fact more than
once, but the Cylons don't seem willing to accept that fact.  We've
fought against basestars at Carilon and Gamoray, plus two more since
then, but they've always come back."
	"I know that, sir, but we can't let the Cylons follow us to Earth. 
If we fight this base ship, chances are that the other base ships
might not know where we are.  I don't think that we have a choice."
	Sitting next to Sheba, Boomer nodded, as did many of the other
warriors.  Adama, seeing their agreement, looked at each of their
faces, realizing that fighting the Cylons would be a kind of catharsis
for the pilonderwent interrogation, that didn't
bode well for their futures.  He shivered as he realized that there was a
possibility that none of them would make it off the basestar alive.  He
sighed as he thought of all the missed opportunities that would mean, and
his thoughts turned to Athena.  He would never find out what might have
gone on if he had returned and they could continue the conversation that
Starbuck and Sheba had interrupted.
	The more he thought about it, the more Boomer realized that he had
feelings for Athena, and they weren't, for example, the way he felt for
Cassiopia or Sheba.  They were friends, but Athena, he realized, was
something more.  She may be Apollo's sister, and Apollo was one of his
closest friends, almost like a brother.  Still, that didn't mean that he
thought that Athena was similar to a sister.
	Admit it, he thought.  You never noticed her before, really, except for
her to be Apollo's sister and Starbuck's ex-girlfriend.  You never defined
the relationship, but maybts.  The commander understood how they felt -- the Lords
of Kobol only knew, he wanted to trash the tinheads as much as they
did, perhaps more -- but Adama's first priority was to the survival of
the ships in the fleet.  If that meant avoiding a battle, then that
was what they had to do.
	"We are not going to destroy this basestar, and that's final!"  He
realized that he said it a little too forcefully.  "However, all
patrols will continue to keep an eye out for the Cylons, just in case
we do run into them again."  He turned to look at Bojay.  "Captain Ap
-- I mean, Captain Bojay, I want you to pass the information onto all
warriors that all Cylon encounters must be avoided.  Is that
understood?"
	The blonde captain nodded, not saying anything.  He was the complete
opposite of Apollo, who always had a question or comment to offer. 
Bojay must have learned not to question under Cain's command, Adama
thought, remembering how the Pegasus commander used to insist on his
subordinates obeying his orath on its surface.  The path of
his finger snaked its way from the top to the middle, circling
potential obstacles as Tigh contemplated their situation.
	"We might be able to avoid this basestar altogether if we adjust our
course by a few thousand metrics," he said.  "We'd have to backtrack a
little bit, but that shouldn't be much of a problem."
	Adama nodded, looking somewhat relieved.  The last thing he wanted
was more deaths caused by the Cylons.
	"Good, then that's what we'll do."
	"But what about one of their patrols crossing our paths?" Starbuck
asked.  Adama saw that many warriors were agreeing with him.  "That
would just lead more of their ships here.  Wouldn't it be easier to
just go right in and destroy the basestar?  It saves us from having to
do it later."
	"No, Starbuck.  That would waste our valuable Tylium, which we can't
risk losing."
	Sheba, who was sitting across the table, spoke up.  There was an
expression on her face that Adama recognized seeing on her father's
face.  Kts.  The commander understood how they felt -- the Lords
of Kobol only knew, he wanted to trash the tinheads as much as they
did, perhaps more -- but Adama's first priority was to the survival of
the ships in the fleet.  If that meant avoiding a battle, then that
was what they had to do.
	"We are not going to destroy this basestar, and that's final!"  He
realized that he said it a little too forcefully.  "However, all
patrols will continue to keep an eye out for the Cylons, just in case
we do run into them again."  He turned to look at Bojay.  "Captain Ap
-- I mean, Captain Bojay, I want you to pass the information onto all
warriors that all Cylon encounters must be avoided.  Is that
understood?"
	The blonde captain nodded, not saying anything.  He was the complete
opposite of Apollo, who always had a question or comment to offer. 
Bojay must have learned not to question under Cain's command, Adama
thought, remembering how the Pegasus commander used to insist on his
subordinates obeying his ore the first thing to do when you go back is to
have a nice long talk with her.  He smiled at the thought of that.
	A groan from the cot on his right brought him out of his somber but
optimistic thoughts.  He looked up to see Starbuck stirring and bringing
his hands up to his head.
	"Oh, my aching head," he moaned, clutching his head.  He stopped as he
opened his eyes, looking about the cell.  "Why is it so dark in here?"
	Boomer smiled grimly as Starbuck sat up, wincing as he did.
	"I can't see!  What's going on?  Boomer?  Are you here?  Apollo?  Come on,
somebody talk to me!  Boomer?"  His voice began to get panicked.  "Boomer!"
	"I'm right here, Starbuck."
	"Why can't I see?"
	"Just wait a centon.  It might take a while for your eyes to adjust to the
light."
	"Light?  Tell me another one," Starbuck laughed, then held his head again.
 "Ouch.  Stop me before I do anything like that again.  How long was I out?"
	"About half a centar, give or take a few centons.  You really whacked your
head agders without a second thought, but never
actually followed his own rule himself.
	"All right, then."  Adama looked at the warriors again.  "You're all
dismissed."
	The pilots at the back of the room were the first to leave. 
Starbuck, Sheba, Boomer and Jolly lingered behind the others, all four
of them giving Adama heated expressions as they slowly left the room. 
He watched them go, feeling uneasy at their anger.
	Closing his eyes as the door slid shut, Adama leaned forward so that
his forehead rested on the tabletop.  Taking a deep breath, he
groaned, wishing that the frustration, stress and grief would leave
his body along with the expelled air.
	"Adama."  Tigh came to sit next to his old friend.  "I know that the
decision not to attack must be very difficult for you."
	"If they could just understand that I'm going through the same pain
they are, if not worse."  Adama sat up and raised his hand, then
clenched it into a fist.  "This is what I want to do to that basestar,
Tigh.  Crush it.  Dnowing Cain and his ploys for war, I wonder what Sheba has up
her sleeve.
	"Commander, with all due respect, backtracking would waste as much
fuel as a battle would."  Sheba pushed a lock of her long light brown
hair behind her ear as she leaned forward, her brown eyes focused on
Adama's face.  "We have to prove that we aren't to be messed with."
	"Lieutenant," Tigh pointed out, "we've 'proven' that fact more than
once, but the Cylons don't seem willing to accept that fact.  We've
fought against basestars at Carilon and Gamoray, plus two more since
then, but they've always come back."
	"I know that, sir, but we can't let the Cylons follow us to Earth. 
If we fight this base ship, chances are that the other base ships
might not know where we are.  I don't think that we have a choice."
	Sitting next to Sheba, Boomer nodded, as did many of the other
warriors.  Adama, seeing their agreement, looked at each of their
faces, realizing that fighting the Cylons would be a kind of catharsis
for the piloders without a second thought, but never
actually followed his own rule himself.
	"All right, then."  Adama looked at the warriors again.  "You're all
dismissed."
	The pilots at the back of the room were the first to leave. 
Starbuck, Sheba, Boomer and Jolly lingered behind the others, all four
of them giving Adama heated expressions as they slowly left the room. 
He watched them go, feeling uneasy at their anger.
	Closing his eyes as the door slid shut, Adama leaned forward so that
his forehead rested on the tabletop.  Taking a deep breath, he
groaned, wishing that the frustration, stress and grief would leave
his body along with the expelled air.
	"Adama."  Tigh came to sit next to his old friend.  "I know that the
decision not to attack must be very difficult for you."
	"If they could just understand that I'm going through the same pain
they are, if not worse."  Adama sat up and raised his hand, then
clenched it into a fist.  "This is what I want to do to that basestar,
Tigh.  Crush it.  Dainst the crates.  We've been in this cell for about fifteen
centons."  He glanced over at Apollo's prone body.  "Apollo still hasn't
woken up.  Baltar did a really good job torturing him."
	"No kidding.  I'll kill Baltar the next time I see him."  Starbuck blinked
a few times, then smiled slightly.  "There, I can see.  Kind of, anyway.
Have you seen...  Wait a centon, Boomer.  Did you just say Baltar?"
	"You don't miss much.  We're aboard Baltar's basestar, and I'd imagine
that he's had Apollo the entire time we thought he was dead."
	"Felgercarb."  Starbuck reached across the space between the cots to touch
Apollo's arm.  He was uncomfortably warm to the touch, and Starbuck could
see his pressure suit where it was visible both through the tears in his
uniform and the opening of his uniform tunic.  "We have to get out of here.
 Baltar's going to torture us like he tortured Apollo, isn't he?"
	"Probably."
	"Not if I get my way, he won't."
	"Oh?  And would you mind giving me a few ideas on how yestroy it, and every ship like it.  But I can't."
	"I know."
	The commander stood and went over to the porthole that allowed him to
look at the fleet.  Seeing the assorted ships that made the fleet used
to make him feel proud, but now he wasn't sure.  Every once in a
while, he wondered if it was really worth the trouble leading them to
the Earth.  Perhaps Sheba was right when she said that they were just
letting the Cylons follow them to their destination.  What would they
find there?  Would they find the help they needed, or would they find
their ultimate destruction?
	"Do you know what, Tigh?  I don't think that my life can be any worse
than what it is right now."  Adama silently counted the passenger
ships as he spoke.  "Did you know that Athena has asked several times
for me to transfer her to a squadron since Apollo died?  I refused, of
course, because I'm afraid that she'll end up just like him."  He
laughed slightly, but the forced humor didn't hide his sorrow.  "If
she had asked me twots.  The commander understood how they felt -- the Lords
of Kobol only knew, he wanted to trash the tinheads as much as they
did, perhaps more -- but Adama's first priority was to the survival of
the ships in the fleet.  If that meant avoiding a battle, then that
was what they had to do.
	"We are not going to destroy this basestar, and that's final!"  He
realized that he said it a little too forcefully.  "However, all
patrols will continue to keep an eye out for the Cylons, just in case
we do run into them again."  He turned to look at Bojay.  "Captain Ap
-- I mean, Captain Bojay, I want you to pass the information onto all
warriors that all Cylon encounters must be avoided.  Is that
understood?"
	The blonde captain nodded, not saying anything.  He was the complete
opposite of Apollo, who always had a question or comment to offer. 
Bojay must have learned not to question under Cain's command, Adama
thought, remembering how the Pegasus commander used to insist on his
subordinates obeying his orestroy it, and every ship like it.  But I can't."
	"I know."
	The commander stood and went over to the porthole that allowed him to
look at the fleet.  Seeing the assorted ships that made the fleet used
to make him feel proud, but now he wasn't sure.  Every once in a
while, he wondered if it was really worth the trouble leading them to
the Earth.  Perhaps Sheba was right when she said that they were just
letting the Cylons follow them to their destination.  What would they
find there?  Would they find the help they needed, or would they find
their ultimate destruction?
	"Do you know what, Tigh?  I don't think that my life can be any worse
than what it is right now."  Adama silently counted the passenger
ships as he spoke.  "Did you know that Athena has asked several times
for me to transfer her to a squadron since Apollo died?  I refused, of
course, because I'm afraid that she'll end up just like him."  He
laughed slightly, but the forced humor didn't hide his sorrow.  "If
she had asked me twoou plan to leave?
I've examined all the walls, and the only way out that I can see if through
that door which is locked from the outside."  Boomer sighed, pressing his
back against the wall as he continued.  "Do you have any suggestions?"
	"Not yet."  Starbuck swung his legs over to put his feet on the floor.
"You know, just before I woke up, I had a dream about my future.  Me, Cass,
the life I hope we'll have together.  You and Apollo, too, especially now
that we know he's alive.  I don't want to give it up.  I don't want to be
forced to give it up, either, but right now, I'm afraid that I won't see
her again, Boomer."
	"You'll see her again, Starbuck.  I promise that we'll all make it out of
here, even if we have to take out the entire garrison by ourselves."
	"Thanks, Boomer, but I don't think that's going to be happening anytime
too soon.  I think we have a better chance of having Adama suddenly appear
at our doorway and leading us out."  Starbuck laughed, making Boomer snort.
 "Yeah, that' sectons ago, I would probably have said 'yes,'
but not now."
	Tigh smiled encouragingly.  "You've made the right choice, Adama. 
Don't worry about that."
	"Do you really think so?"
	"Of course.  Do you remember the end of the battle at Carillon?  The
warriors wanted to pursue that basestar, and even though they had a
perfect opportunity to destroy it, you refused, saying that we had to
conserve our resources.  That's all that you were enforcing here,
Adama, and if it weren't for that policy, we wouldn't be where we are
today.  Besides," the colonel lowered his voice, as though he
suspected someone else in the empty room would hear him, "that's why I
prefer your command to Cain's."
	Adama had to laugh at the comment.  This time, it was sincere. 
"Thanks for the complement, Old Friend.  I think so, anyway..."
	"Anything to make you laugh, Adama.  It's been too long."  Smiling,
Tigh rose from his seat and gave him a mock salute.  "I'll see you on
the bridge."
	Feeling hopeful at the colonel's ders without a second thought, but never
actually followed his own rule himself.
	"All right, then."  Adama looked at the warriors again.  "You're all
dismissed."
	The pilots at the back of the room were the first to leave. 
Starbuck, Sheba, Boomer and Jolly lingered behind the others, all four
of them giving Adama heated expressions as they slowly left the room. 
He watched them go, feeling uneasy at their anger.
	Closing his eyes as the door slid shut, Adama leaned forward so that
his forehead rested on the tabletop.  Taking a deep breath, he
groaned, wishing that the frustration, stress and grief would leave
his body along with the expelled air.
	"Adama."  Tigh came to sit next to his old friend.  "I know that the
decision not to attack must be very difficult for you."
	"If they could just understand that I'm going through the same pain
they are, if not worse."  Adama sat up and raised his hand, then
clenched it into a fist.  "This is what I want to do to that basestar,
Tigh.  Crush it.  D sectons ago, I would probably have said 'yes,'
but not now."
	Tigh smiled encouragingly.  "You've made the right choice, Adama. 
Don't worry about that."
	"Do you really think so?"
	"Of course.  Do you remember the end of the battle at Carillon?  The
warriors wanted to pursue that basestar, and even though they had a
perfect opportunity to destroy it, you refused, saying that we had to
conserve our resources.  That's all that you were enforcing here,
Adama, and if it weren't for that policy, we wouldn't be where we are
today.  Besides," the colonel lowered his voice, as though he
suspected someone else in the empty room would hear him, "that's why I
prefer your command to Cain's."
	Adama had to laugh at the comment.  This time, it was sincere. 
"Thanks for the complement, Old Friend.  I think so, anyway..."
	"Anything to make you laugh, Adama.  It's been too long."  Smiling,
Tigh rose from his seat and gave him a mock salute.  "I'll see you on
the bridge."
	Feeling hopeful at the colonel's s getting a little carried away, isn't it?"
	"Just a tad."
	"Okay."  He shook his head, trying to get rid of the crawlon orbs that
remained from his accident.  "Why don't we try to come up with plan?"
	"I'm open to any suggestions."
	"Don't be so smug, Boom.  Maybe we should overtake the Cylons when they
come in.  If it's Baltar, that's even easier.  Use him as a hostage, then
we take Apollo with us and make a break for the bays," Starbuck mused as he
stood, pacing in front of the narrow entrance.
	Boomer nodded.  "It could work if we use Baltar's laser on him and get him
to go between us as we climb down the ladder, but what about Apollo?  I
don't think he's strong enough to go down himself, and what if he doesn't
regain consciousness?"
	"Good point.  Well, whatever we do, I'm not leaving him here."
	At Starbuck's words, Boomer glanced away, still feeling the guilt at
almost leaving Apollo behind.  He hoped that Starbuck didn't notice as his
friend continued.
	"What if we could get a Cylon twords, Adama smiled as Tigh left the
room, but as he turned to look back at the fleet, he truly wondered if
he had made the correct decision.	

	There was little activity in the Life Center when Starbuck entered. 
He looked around the enormous room, trying to find Cassiopia.  After a
few microns, he spotted her at the other end, where she appeared to
studying some monitors.  Smiling to himself, he snuck up behind her
and wrapped his arms around her.
	"Hey, Doctor," he said in her ear.  It still surprised him sometimes
how quickly she had moved through careers since coming aboard the
Galactica.  She had first been a socialator, then when that became an
extinct profession, she had used her skills to become a medtech. 
Finally, after almost eighteen sectars of studying and apprenticing
under Doctor Salik's supervision, she had finally been made a doctor. 
"I'm not feeling too good.  Can you make me feel better?"
	"I think that I may be able to arrange some kind of treatment," she
replied, turninestroy it, and every ship like it.  But I can't."
	"I know."
	The commander stood and went over to the porthole that allowed him to
look at the fleet.  Seeing the assorted ships that made the fleet used
to make him feel proud, but now he wasn't sure.  Every once in a
while, he wondered if it was really worth the trouble leading them to
the Earth.  Perhaps Sheba was right when she said that they were just
letting the Cylons follow them to their destination.  What would they
find there?  Would they find the help they needed, or would they find
their ultimate destruction?
	"Do you know what, Tigh?  I don't think that my life can be any worse
than what it is right now."  Adama silently counted the passenger
ships as he spoke.  "Did you know that Athena has asked several times
for me to transfer her to a squadron since Apollo died?  I refused, of
course, because I'm afraid that she'll end up just like him."  He
laughed slightly, but the forced humor didn't hide his sorrow.  "If
she had asked me twowords, Adama smiled as Tigh left the
room, but as he turned to look back at the fleet, he truly wondered if
he had made the correct decision.	

	There was little activity in the Life Center when Starbuck entered. 
He looked around the enormous room, trying to find Cassiopia.  After a
few microns, he spotted her at the other end, where she appeared to
studying some monitors.  Smiling to himself, he snuck up behind her
and wrapped his arms around her.
	"Hey, Doctor," he said in her ear.  It still surprised him sometimes
how quickly she had moved through careers since coming aboard the
Galactica.  She had first been a socialator, then when that became an
extinct profession, she had used her skills to become a medtech. 
Finally, after almost eighteen sectars of studying and apprenticing
under Doctor Salik's supervision, she had finally been made a doctor. 
"I'm not feeling too good.  Can you make me feel better?"
	"I think that I may be able to arrange some kind of treatment," she
replied, turnino carry him?  Would that work?"  Starbuck
frowned.  "He doesn't weigh much, Boomer, it's just that he's tall."
	"Just be glad Apollo isn't Greenbean, then.  He's even taller."
	"I'll remember that," was Starbuck's wry response as he reached up to feel
his forehead.  His fingertips felt the large welt, and the light pressure
caused him to wince.  "Well, I guess we're going to have to wait for our
opportunity."
	"If it comes," Boomer muttered, staring at the deck.  Even in the dusk, he
could see the grime that streaked the metal.  He grimaced at the sight,
then looked up as he noticed movement from Apollo's cot.  "Starbuck, look!"
	Starbuck was at Apollo's side before Boomer's sentence was finished.  He
looked down at his face, waiting for more motion, but Apollo remained
perfectly still.  Gently, Starbuck shook his shoulder.  "Apollo?  Buddy,
wake up.  Come on, Apollo!"
	Slowly, Apollo opened his eyes, looking about him in confusion.  Starbuck
smiled as he focused on him.
	"Oh, no," he mutteredg around so she could face him.  Her bright blue eyes
shone up at Starbuck as she laughed.
	"Good."  He bent down slightly to kiss her.  "See?  I'm feeling
better already."
	Cassiopia laughed at his silly expression.
	"Is this what I have to look forward to in five sectars?" she asked. 
"Why are you back from patrol so soon?  Is everything all right?"
	He shrugged.
	"We ran into a bit of a problem, but I don't want to think about that
right now."
	Naturally concerned, she pulled back from the embrace.
	"After spending close to three yahrens with you, Starbuck, I know
when there's a serious problem.  What is it?"
	"We found the basestar, but Adama's refusing to attack it."  He shook
his head angrily.  "Cass, this is the basestar whose patrol killed
Apollo.  You'd think that Adama would want to do something, but he
won't."
	She nodded encouragingly.  Since Apollo's death, Starbuck had been
unusually morose, and she knew that the only way he could come out of
his depression was to talk about w sectons ago, I would probably have said 'yes,'
but not now."
	Tigh smiled encouragingly.  "You've made the right choice, Adama. 
Don't worry about that."
	"Do you really think so?"
	"Of course.  Do you remember the end of the battle at Carillon?  The
warriors wanted to pursue that basestar, and even though they had a
perfect opportunity to destroy it, you refused, saying that we had to
conserve our resources.  That's all that you were enforcing here,
Adama, and if it weren't for that policy, we wouldn't be where we are
today.  Besides," the colonel lowered his voice, as though he
suspected someone else in the empty room would hear him, "that's why I
prefer your command to Cain's."
	Adama had to laugh at the comment.  This time, it was sincere. 
"Thanks for the complement, Old Friend.  I think so, anyway..."
	"Anything to make you laugh, Adama.  It's been too long."  Smiling,
Tigh rose from his seat and gave him a mock salute.  "I'll see you on
the bridge."
	Feeling hopeful at the colonel's g around so she could face him.  Her bright blue eyes
shone up at Starbuck as she laughed.
	"Good."  He bent down slightly to kiss her.  "See?  I'm feeling
better already."
	Cassiopia laughed at his silly expression.
	"Is this what I have to look forward to in five sectars?" she asked. 
"Why are you back from patrol so soon?  Is everything all right?"
	He shrugged.
	"We ran into a bit of a problem, but I don't want to think about that
right now."
	Naturally concerned, she pulled back from the embrace.
	"After spending close to three yahrens with you, Starbuck, I know
when there's a serious problem.  What is it?"
	"We found the basestar, but Adama's refusing to attack it."  He shook
his head angrily.  "Cass, this is the basestar whose patrol killed
Apollo.  You'd think that Adama would want to do something, but he
won't."
	She nodded encouragingly.  Since Apollo's death, Starbuck had been
unusually morose, and she knew that the only way he could come out of
his depression was to talk about w, closing his eyes again as he raised his right hand
to cover them.  His voice sounded slow and blurred to Starbuck, as though
Apollo was having a hard time forming his words.  "I thought it was just a
horrible dream, seeing you in the bay..."
	"Nope, it's real life.  You've got the real life version of me, and
Boomer, too."  Starbuck grinned as Apollo uncovered his eyes briefly to
look over his shoulder to see Boomer.  "Happy?"
	"Not in the least.  What are you two doing here?"
	"Checking out the Cylon real estate.  I was thinking of moving into a
basestar when Cass and I get sealed."  He laughed at the disgusted
expressions both Boomer and Apollo gave him.  "Sorry, I couldn't resist
that one.  We were on a mission to destroy the basestar.  We came that
close to succeeding, then we spotted you, and, well, here we are."
	"Well, then, we're all doomed."  Apollo sighed heavily, something that
Starbuck never thought he'd miss hearing.
	"Don't give up yet," Boomer said, moving over to kneel next towords, Adama smiled as Tigh left the
room, but as he turned to look back at the fleet, he truly wondered if
he had made the correct decision.	

	There was little activity in the Life Center when Starbuck entered. 
He looked around the enormous room, trying to find Cassiopia.  After a
few microns, he spotted her at the other end, where she appeared to
studying some monitors.  Smiling to himself, he snuck up behind her
and wrapped his arms around her.
	"Hey, Doctor," he said in her ear.  It still surprised him sometimes
how quickly she had moved through careers since coming aboard the
Galactica.  She had first been a socialator, then when that became an
extinct profession, she had used her skills to become a medtech. 
Finally, after almost eighteen sectars of studying and apprenticing
under Doctor Salik's supervision, she had finally been made a doctor. 
"I'm not feeling too good.  Can you make me feel better?"
	"I think that I may be able to arrange some kind of treatment," she
replied, turninhat was bothering him.  For
Starbuck, that was like drawing blood from a stone, but once he
started, Cassiopia knew that his grief would come out.
	"You can't blame him, Starbuck," she began as she turned back to look
at the monitors.  "Adama's first responsibility is to the fleet.  If
he could destroy the basestar without endangering the fleet, I know
that he'd be planning for it at this micron."
	Starbuck made a face, which she knew meant that he really wasn't
listening to her.
	"I suppose..."
	"Come on, Starbuck!"  Cassiopia turned to look at him.  "Adama wants
to blow the pogees out of that basestar more than anyone else in the
fleet, and that includes you.  So quit acting so selfishly, all right?
 I know that Apollo was your best friend, but he was my friend, too. 
I miss him, but I know that he'd be disgusted at the way you're
acting.  He'd want you to move on.  I mean, it's not as though he's
missing.  You know what happened to him."
	His blue eyes bright with mixed emotions, Starbuck hat was bothering him.  For
Starbuck, that was like drawing blood from a stone, but once he
started, Cassiopia knew that his grief would come out.
	"You can't blame him, Starbuck," she began as she turned back to look
at the monitors.  "Adama's first responsibility is to the fleet.  If
he could destroy the basestar without endangering the fleet, I know
that he'd be planning for it at this micron."
	Starbuck made a face, which she knew meant that he really wasn't
listening to her.
	"I suppose..."
	"Come on, Starbuck!"  Cassiopia turned to look at him.  "Adama wants
to blow the pogees out of that basestar more than anyone else in the
fleet, and that includes you.  So quit acting so selfishly, all right?
 I know that Apollo was your best friend, but he was my friend, too. 
I miss him, but I know that he'd be disgusted at the way you're
acting.  He'd want you to move on.  I mean, it's not as though he's
missing.  You know what happened to him."
	His blue eyes bright with mixed emotions, Starbuck  the cot.
"We'll get out of here."
	"Yeah," Starbuck agreed.  "It could be worse, you know."
	"How?  I don't think I can think of anything worse than what I've already
been through."  He frowned as he looked around the cell.  "You guys are
lucky, you know.  You're in the lighted cell."
	"You called this lighted?"  Starbuck laughed as he looked from Apollo's
shadowed face to Boomer's.
	"It's better than the cell they've been keeping me in for the past few
days.  Pitch black."  Apollo closed his eyes, as though he were gathering
energy to continue.  His body shuddered slightly as he spoke again.  "I
hated it.  I thought I'd go crazy if I were in there for another day."
	"How do you feel?" Boomer asked, alarmed at what he was seeing.
	"What?"  Apollo gave a slight smile as he kept his eyes closed.  "How do I
feel?  The way someone who's been tortured is supposed to feel.  You know,
my father could have picked a better time to stage a battle, like a few
days ago."
	"How's that?" Starbuck asked.
g around so she could face him.  Her bright blue eyes
shone up at Starbuck as she laughed.
	"Good."  He bent down slightly to kiss her.  "See?  I'm feeling
better already."
	Cassiopia laughed at his silly expression.
	"Is this what I have to look forward to in five sectars?" she asked. 
"Why are you back from patrol so soon?  Is everything all right?"
	He shrugged.
	"We ran into a bit of a problem, but I don't want to think about that
right now."
	Naturally concerned, she pulled back from the embrace.
	"After spending close to three yahrens with you, Starbuck, I know
when there's a serious problem.  What is it?"
	"We found the basestar, but Adama's refusing to attack it."  He shook
his head angrily.  "Cass, this is the basestar whose patrol killed
Apollo.  You'd think that Adama would want to do something, but he
won't."
	She nodded encouragingly.  Since Apollo's death, Starbuck had been
unusually morose, and she knew that the only way he could come out of
his depression was to talk about wmet her gaze.
	"I know what happened to him, Cass, but it's still unfair.  Apollo
was the last one who should have been killed.  I mean, he was just
putting his life back together after Serina's death, and everything
was finally going his way."  Starbuck closed his eyes.  "I miss him,
Cass."
	"I know you do, but all things must end, Starbuck.  Apollo's time
just came before ours."  Cassiopia went to put her arms around him. 
"Put his memory to rest."
	Not saying anything for a few microns, Starbuck simply stood and held
onto his fiancee, but his thoughts were on his friend.
	Good-bye, Apollo, he thought.

Chapter Four

	The one thing about living on ships that Baltar would never get used to
was the lack of natural light.  He could remember waking up in his home
back on Pisceria, the light filtering through his room and illuminating
everything.  He remembered how, as a child, he was able to tell what the
weather was like simply by the color of the light passing through the
curtains.
	The lmet her gaze.
	"I know what happened to him, Cass, but it's still unfair.  Apollo
was the last one who should have been killed.  I mean, he was just
putting his life back together after Serina's death, and everything
was finally going his way."  Starbuck closed his eyes.  "I miss him,
Cass."
	"I know you do, but all things must end, Starbuck.  Apollo's time
just came before ours."  Cassiopia went to put her arms around him. 
"Put his memory to rest."
	Not saying anything for a few microns, Starbuck simply stood and held
onto his fiancee, but his thoughts were on his friend.
	Good-bye, Apollo, he thought.

Chapter Four

	The one thing about living on ships that Baltar would never get used to
was the lack of natural light.  He could remember waking up in his home
back on Pisceria, the light filtering through his room and illuminating
everything.  He remembered how, as a child, he was able to tell what the
weather was like simply by the color of the light passing through the
curtains.
	The l	"I'm dying, that's why."  Apollo opened his eyes to see his friends'
shock.  Boomer gasped as Starbuck's eyes widened.  "I think I've less than
a day left, at the most."
	"Apollo, are you sure?"
	"I am, Boomer.  Hold up my left hand, will you, Starbuck?"  Apollo's smile
was thin as Starbuck did as he asked.  They could see that the skin was red
and swollen, and the angry inflammation ran down his wrist, disappearing
into his sleeve.  "I can't move it anymore.  It's infected, and there's
nothing that can be done here on the basestar.  The infection has already
spread, and beside, the tortures are taking their toll on me."
	"We'll get you out of here," Starbuck told him, his voice firm.
	"I'd like to know how, buddy.  You can't punch or kick Cylons.  That's one
of the ways I hurt my hand.  That, plus my Viper being disabled and trying
to escape."  Apollo took his hand out of Starbuck's grasp and covered it
with the other as he closed his eyes again.
	"Trying to escape?"  Starbuck glanced at Boomhat was bothering him.  For
Starbuck, that was like drawing blood from a stone, but once he
started, Cassiopia knew that his grief would come out.
	"You can't blame him, Starbuck," she began as she turned back to look
at the monitors.  "Adama's first responsibility is to the fleet.  If
he could destroy the basestar without endangering the fleet, I know
that he'd be planning for it at this micron."
	Starbuck made a face, which she knew meant that he really wasn't
listening to her.
	"I suppose..."
	"Come on, Starbuck!"  Cassiopia turned to look at him.  "Adama wants
to blow the pogees out of that basestar more than anyone else in the
fleet, and that includes you.  So quit acting so selfishly, all right?
 I know that Apollo was your best friend, but he was my friend, too. 
I miss him, but I know that he'd be disgusted at the way you're
acting.  He'd want you to move on.  I mean, it's not as though he's
missing.  You know what happened to him."
	His blue eyes bright with mixed emotions, Starbuck ast time Baltar had seen natural light, it was when the Galactica had
marooned him on a planet, his so-called "reward" for aiding the warriors in
destroying the basestar that threatened all their lives.  It had been a
decently lush world orbiting a small yellow star, populated by large
animals and exotic plants.  Once the convoy of a shuttle and two Vipers
were gone, Baltar had wondered if the plants would poison him, or if any of
the animals would kill him for food.  After all, the warriors hated him so
much that they just might have deliberately done that.  They only gave him
his freedom, but they had made no promises about his survival.
	Luckily, Baltar had been able to use the short-range communication
equipment that Adama had allowed him.  Using the special code that he, as a
Cylon commander, could use to summon his troops, he immediately began
broadcasting his SOS once he thought that the fleet was out of range.
	It took almost three sectons, but the Cylons finally arrived, curious at
theiast time Baltar had seen natural light, it was when the Galactica had
marooned him on a planet, his so-called "reward" for aiding the warriors in
destroying the basestar that threatened all their lives.  It had been a
decently lush world orbiting a small yellow star, populated by large
animals and exotic plants.  Once the convoy of a shuttle and two Vipers
were gone, Baltar had wondered if the plants would poison him, or if any of
the animals would kill him for food.  After all, the warriors hated him so
much that they just might have deliberately done that.  They only gave him
his freedom, but they had made no promises about his survival.
	Luckily, Baltar had been able to use the short-range communication
equipment that Adama had allowed him.  Using the special code that he, as a
Cylon commander, could use to summon his troops, he immediately began
broadcasting his SOS once he thought that the fleet was out of range.
	It took almost three sectons, but the Cylons finally arrived, curious at
theier, an optimistic expression
on his face as he shook Apollo's shoulder again, this time a little harder.
 "Apollo, this is no time for you to go back to sleep.  Tell us everything
you did, all the details, and maybe that could help us plan our own escape.
 How far did you get?"
	"Oh, we made it down to the landing bays.  It was just Silva and I, since
Evania died a few centars earlier.  Her condition was worse than mine is
now, and she never regained consciousness after being captured.  Anyway,
Silva carried around a knife in her boot, and --"
	"A knife?" Starbuck repeated, his eyes wide.  "My God, Tigh's gonna flip
when he hears this.  Why in Hades' would she carry one?"
	"Her family helped found a colony ten yahrens ago.  It was funded by the
Cancerian government, but it failed a few sectars later.  It was very wild,
and whoever couldn't fend for themselves died.  Anyway, she used to it jump
the centurions who came to interrogate us the second time, and she slashed
their circuitry before theymet her gaze.
	"I know what happened to him, Cass, but it's still unfair.  Apollo
was the last one who should have been killed.  I mean, he was just
putting his life back together after Serina's death, and everything
was finally going his way."  Starbuck closed his eyes.  "I miss him,
Cass."
	"I know you do, but all things must end, Starbuck.  Apollo's time
just came before ours."  Cassiopia went to put her arms around him. 
"Put his memory to rest."
	Not saying anything for a few microns, Starbuck simply stood and held
onto his fiancee, but his thoughts were on his friend.
	Good-bye, Apollo, he thought.

Chapter Four

	The one thing about living on ships that Baltar would never get used to
was the lack of natural light.  He could remember waking up in his home
back on Pisceria, the light filtering through his room and illuminating
everything.  He remembered how, as a child, he was able to tell what the
weather was like simply by the color of the light passing through the
curtains.
	The lr signal being sent from a planet that should have had no intelligent
life.  At first, the centurions had wanted to kill him, but he had managed
to convince them that he was worth keeping.  Saying that he had vital
information that could destroy the human fleet once and for all, the Cylon
had finally agreed to bring him back aboard their basestar.
	His reunion with Lucifer, the I.L. series Cylon who was his aide and
second-in-command, was slightly less exasperating.  Not questioning
Baltar's "special knowledge," Lucifer had immediately ceded command to him,
though he sensed that the Cylon resented his return immensely.
	But Baltar wasn't sure what his own "special knowledge" was.  True, he
knew more about the private lives of his quarry than before.  He also had
some idea as to their maneuvers during battle, and a much clearer picture
of the command structure of the battlestar.  The real question was how
could that help him win a battle against the Galactica?
	Perhaps he would have the opportunir signal being sent from a planet that should have had no intelligent
life.  At first, the centurions had wanted to kill him, but he had managed
to convince them that he was worth keeping.  Saying that he had vital
information that could destroy the human fleet once and for all, the Cylon
had finally agreed to bring him back aboard their basestar.
	His reunion with Lucifer, the I.L. series Cylon who was his aide and
second-in-command, was slightly less exasperating.  Not questioning
Baltar's "special knowledge," Lucifer had immediately ceded command to him,
though he sensed that the Cylon resented his return immensely.
	But Baltar wasn't sure what his own "special knowledge" was.  True, he
knew more about the private lives of his quarry than before.  He also had
some idea as to their maneuvers during battle, and a much clearer picture
of the command structure of the battlestar.  The real question was how
could that help him win a battle against the Galactica?
	Perhaps he would have the opportuni knew what hit them.  We got to the bays, where
we were almost immediately recaptured while trying to get a Raider to fly
out of here."  Apollo shook his head, bringing his good hand up to cover
his eyes again.  "I was so stupid!"
	"What do you mean by stupid?" Boomer wondered, noticing that Apollo's
expression appeared to be grieved.  "What happened?"
	"It's my fault we were recaptured.  I insisted that we check the other
cells, to see if there were any other prisoners, which there weren't.  Then
I got us lost.  Look where that got us.  Both Evania and Silva are dead
now; I can't walk and I'll be dead soon."
	"You mean that it might have worked?" Starbuck asked, frowning as he
listened.
	"Exactly.  If I hadn't been so concerned, we might be back on the
Galactica right now."  Apollo laughed bitterly.  "The Cylons weren't
impressed, and neither was Baltar.  I guess it was only fair that I got the
brunt of their anger."
	"Oh, what they'd do?"
	"Well, to basically prevent another escape from Silast time Baltar had seen natural light, it was when the Galactica had
marooned him on a planet, his so-called "reward" for aiding the warriors in
destroying the basestar that threatened all their lives.  It had been a
decently lush world orbiting a small yellow star, populated by large
animals and exotic plants.  Once the convoy of a shuttle and two Vipers
were gone, Baltar had wondered if the plants would poison him, or if any of
the animals would kill him for food.  After all, the warriors hated him so
much that they just might have deliberately done that.  They only gave him
his freedom, but they had made no promises about his survival.
	Luckily, Baltar had been able to use the short-range communication
equipment that Adama had allowed him.  Using the special code that he, as a
Cylon commander, could use to summon his troops, he immediately began
broadcasting his SOS once he thought that the fleet was out of range.
	It took almost three sectons, but the Cylons finally arrived, curious at
theity now.  A few centars earlier, a
centurion had detected a brief signal coming from the opposite side of
their star system, but was unable to pinpoint its location or source.  The
scanner hadn't picked anything up since then, but Baltar had his suspicions.
	I'll find you, Adama, he vowed, turning his throne above the basestar's
control center so he could see the small star field window.  All he could
see were stars, but he knew that the Galactica was out there.  Enjoy your
life while you still can, because it's only a matter of time now.
	"Report, Centurion," he said to the gold Cylon that stood at the center of
the three stations.  He'd come to nickname it Golde, which made him laugh
as it was the name of one of his previous wives.
	"By your command," Golde responded, turning to face Baltar.  "Nothing on
scanners."
	"I know that there's nothing on the scanners," the human snapped, as he
was reminded that he needed to have the centurions reprogrammed not to
always say "by your command" and to sty now.  A few centars earlier, a
centurion had detected a brief signal coming from the opposite side of
their star system, but was unable to pinpoint its location or source.  The
scanner hadn't picked anything up since then, but Baltar had his suspicions.
	I'll find you, Adama, he vowed, turning his throne above the basestar's
control center so he could see the small star field window.  All he could
see were stars, but he knew that the Galactica was out there.  Enjoy your
life while you still can, because it's only a matter of time now.
	"Report, Centurion," he said to the gold Cylon that stood at the center of
the three stations.  He'd come to nickname it Golde, which made him laugh
as it was the name of one of his previous wives.
	"By your command," Golde responded, turning to face Baltar.  "Nothing on
scanners."
	"I know that there's nothing on the scanners," the human snapped, as he
was reminded that he needed to have the centurions reprogrammed not to
always say "by your command" and to sva and I, they broke my
ankle, and before the day was over, separated us permanently.  That's why I
said I can't walk."
	"So, you're saying the Cylons can be caught by surprise?" Boomer asked,
and was answered by Apollo's nod.  Turning his head to the left, he
contemplated the door.  "Starbuck, are you up to any surprises?"
	"Always am."  Starbuck stood and approached the door, examining the
entrance.  There wasn't much space, but if both of them stayed at the
corners and moved at the same time, they shouldn't have any problems
overtaking the first Cylon who would enter.  Smiling, he jerked his thumb
at one side of the entrance.  "I'll take right?"
	"And I'll take left," Boomer replied.
	"It won't work," Apollo predicted, but Starbuck recognized the hopeful
tone in his voice.
	"Apollo, just be quiet and stay there, all right?"  He put his ear against
the door, listening.  He remembered the sound of Cylon footsteps on the
deck the last time he was held aboard Baltar's former basestar over Kobolr signal being sent from a planet that should have had no intelligent
life.  At first, the centurions had wanted to kill him, but he had managed
to convince them that he was worth keeping.  Saying that he had vital
information that could destroy the human fleet once and for all, the Cylon
had finally agreed to bring him back aboard their basestar.
	His reunion with Lucifer, the I.L. series Cylon who was his aide and
second-in-command, was slightly less exasperating.  Not questioning
Baltar's "special knowledge," Lucifer had immediately ceded command to him,
though he sensed that the Cylon resented his return immensely.
	But Baltar wasn't sure what his own "special knowledge" was.  True, he
knew more about the private lives of his quarry than before.  He also had
some idea as to their maneuvers during battle, and a much clearer picture
of the command structure of the battlestar.  The real question was how
could that help him win a battle against the Galactica?
	Perhaps he would have the opportunipeak in more complete sentences.
"Give me an internal report."
	"One centon."  Golde turned to the station.  "All systems normal."
	"Good, good.  What's the situation in the landing bays?"  He wanted to
know that everything aboard the basestar was according to what he wanted,
just in case a battle came upon them.  The last thing he wanted was to be
caught unprepared.
	"All fighters ready for launch at your order."
	He nodded, turning his seat to face the opposite direction again.  Golde's
report was the same as the last one, down to the droning electronic voice.
	"Where's Lucifer?" he asked, realizing that he hadn't seen his aide for a
few centars.  The I.L. had a nasty habit of disappearing when things needed
to be done.
	"I am right here."
	Baltar turned his chair again to face his aide.  The pointy-headed Cylon
always appeared out of nowhere, his soft but annoying voice beginning to
grate on his nerves.
	"Where have you been?" the human demanded, descending from his throne to
face Luciferpeak in more complete sentences.
"Give me an internal report."
	"One centon."  Golde turned to the station.  "All systems normal."
	"Good, good.  What's the situation in the landing bays?"  He wanted to
know that everything aboard the basestar was according to what he wanted,
just in case a battle came upon them.  The last thing he wanted was to be
caught unprepared.
	"All fighters ready for launch at your order."
	He nodded, turning his seat to face the opposite direction again.  Golde's
report was the same as the last one, down to the droning electronic voice.
	"Where's Lucifer?" he asked, realizing that he hadn't seen his aide for a
few centars.  The I.L. had a nasty habit of disappearing when things needed
to be done.
	"I am right here."
	Baltar turned his chair again to face his aide.  The pointy-headed Cylon
always appeared out of nowhere, his soft but annoying voice beginning to
grate on his nerves.
	"Where have you been?" the human demanded, descending from his throne to
face Lucifer,
and he could hear their heavy footsteps now.  Although he was never
subjected to the same treatment as Apollo, he knew that this time would be
different.  Knowing that made him even more ready in anticipation of their
next move. "They're coming!  Come on!"
	Boomer took a few steps towards the door, wishing he still had his laser
pistol with him.  He heard a low hum whose source he couldn't find, then he
felt a twinge of something in his stomach.  Frowning, Boomer felt his
entire abdomen explode into waves of agony.  He clutched his stomach as he
fell to the deck, gasping as he landed on his knees.
	"Boomer?" Starbuck asked as he watched Boomer's descent to the floor.  He
rushed over to his side, trying to ignore the throbbing that the sudden
movement caused to his head as he grasped Boomer's shoulders.  He was
barely aware of Apollo's horrified expression.  "Boomer!  Are you okay,
buddy?"
	He shook his head, balling his fists tightly as he took a deep breath.  "I
don't know...  It just came ty now.  A few centars earlier, a
centurion had detected a brief signal coming from the opposite side of
their star system, but was unable to pinpoint its location or source.  The
scanner hadn't picked anything up since then, but Baltar had his suspicions.
	I'll find you, Adama, he vowed, turning his throne above the basestar's
control center so he could see the small star field window.  All he could
see were stars, but he knew that the Galactica was out there.  Enjoy your
life while you still can, because it's only a matter of time now.
	"Report, Centurion," he said to the gold Cylon that stood at the center of
the three stations.  He'd come to nickname it Golde, which made him laugh
as it was the name of one of his previous wives.
	"By your command," Golde responded, turning to face Baltar.  "Nothing on
scanners."
	"I know that there's nothing on the scanners," the human snapped, as he
was reminded that he needed to have the centurions reprogrammed not to
always say "by your command" and to s.  He was at least a quarter of a metron shorter than the
Cylon, but he suspected that Lucifer wore high-heeled boots underneath his
floor-length robe to gain more of a psychological advantage over him.
"Your position is on the bridge, Lucifer, not somewhere gallivanting around
this basestar.  Do you understand me?  Or else I'll get the Imperious
Leader's permission to use you as scrap metal to build myself a new command
fighter."
	The Cylon's two red slits that represented his eyes looked down at Baltar.
	"Where were you?" Lucifer countered.  "You were supposed to meet me down
in the holding cells half a centar ago to interrogate the prisoner.  What
would the Imperious Leader think of you neglecting your duties to gather
intelligence about the Galactica and her fleet?"
	Baltar's muddy brown eyes brightened as he smiled at his aide.
	"How could I have forgotten?" he asked, scolding himself.  "Are your
centurions already down there?"
	"Yes, and they are expecting you.  However, I thought that I .  He was at least a quarter of a metron shorter than the
Cylon, but he suspected that Lucifer wore high-heeled boots underneath his
floor-length robe to gain more of a psychological advantage over him.
"Your position is on the bridge, Lucifer, not somewhere gallivanting around
this basestar.  Do you understand me?  Or else I'll get the Imperious
Leader's permission to use you as scrap metal to build myself a new command
fighter."
	The Cylon's two red slits that represented his eyes looked down at Baltar.
	"Where were you?" Lucifer countered.  "You were supposed to meet me down
in the holding cells half a centar ago to interrogate the prisoner.  What
would the Imperious Leader think of you neglecting your duties to gather
intelligence about the Galactica and her fleet?"
	Baltar's muddy brown eyes brightened as he smiled at his aide.
	"How could I have forgotten?" he asked, scolding himself.  "Are your
centurions already down there?"
	"Yes, and they are expecting you.  However, I thought that I so suddenly.  Maybe... maybe it's the belt?"
	"Belt?  What belt?"  Starbuck glanced down at Boomer's waist, spotting the
band of material that was tightly bound around his middle.  He tried to
take it off, but he couldn't find its clasp.  "Where'd this come from?"
	"I'm wearing one, too," Apollo said.  He was leaning back on his elbows as
he surveyed the spectacle his friends were presenting.  "It's Baltar's
newest version of a torture device.  You should be wearing one as well,
Starbuck."
	"Great."  Starbuck became aware of the pressure on his waist.  "Now what?"
	"The Cylons," Apollo replied as the door slid open.  Before he was
blinded, Starbuck saw several dark shapes, blocking the painfully bright
light.  He quickly covered his eyes with his arms.  He heard Boomer gasp
again, but Apollo didn't make another sound.
	"That would be correct, Apollo," Baltar said, his voice full of a smugness
that Starbuck wanted to rub out with his fist.  Or was it his laser?  That
way, he wouldn't have to toupeak in more complete sentences.
"Give me an internal report."
	"One centon."  Golde turned to the station.  "All systems normal."
	"Good, good.  What's the situation in the landing bays?"  He wanted to
know that everything aboard the basestar was according to what he wanted,
just in case a battle came upon them.  The last thing he wanted was to be
caught unprepared.
	"All fighters ready for launch at your order."
	He nodded, turning his seat to face the opposite direction again.  Golde's
report was the same as the last one, down to the droning electronic voice.
	"Where's Lucifer?" he asked, realizing that he hadn't seen his aide for a
few centars.  The I.L. had a nasty habit of disappearing when things needed
to be done.
	"I am right here."
	Baltar turned his chair again to face his aide.  The pointy-headed Cylon
always appeared out of nowhere, his soft but annoying voice beginning to
grate on his nerves.
	"Where have you been?" the human demanded, descending from his throne to
face Lucifermight be able
to supervise the proceedings, since the prisoner is in a delicate condition
right now."
	Studying Lucifer's impassive, metallic face, Baltar nodded.
	"Very well.  You may accompany me down there."  He turned to Golde.
"Advise me of any changes during my absence."
	The distance between the command center and the interrogation center
varied according to the path Baltar took.  On the old basestars, it could
be anywhere from five to fifteen centons, depending on how many Cylons he
encountered in the central core, since the lumbering robots were incapable
of moving over to the side of the ladder so that Baltar could climb around
them.  This basestar, however, was a new model that was designed around
Baltar's many suggestions, and he felt that it was a vastly superior ship.
It still had the central core that all the centurions utilized, but it also
had a few lifts that connected areas such as the command center, the
interrogation center and the bays.  This route took all of three centonmight be able
to supervise the proceedings, since the prisoner is in a delicate condition
right now."
	Studying Lucifer's impassive, metallic face, Baltar nodded.
	"Very well.  You may accompany me down there."  He turned to Golde.
"Advise me of any changes during my absence."
	The distance between the command center and the interrogation center
varied according to the path Baltar took.  On the old basestars, it could
be anywhere from five to fifteen centons, depending on how many Cylons he
encountered in the central core, since the lumbering robots were incapable
of moving over to the side of the ladder so that Baltar could climb around
them.  This basestar, however, was a new model that was designed around
Baltar's many suggestions, and he felt that it was a vastly superior ship.
It still had the central core that all the centurions utilized, but it also
had a few lifts that connected areas such as the command center, the
interrogation center and the bays.  This route took all of three centonch the slimy traitor.  "By the way, Lieutenant
Starbuck, I loved your moving performance a few centons ago.  It brought a
tear to my eye.  I believe you missed your calling.  You would have made an
admirable actor."
	"No one can out-do you, Baltar," Starbuck shot back, blinking his eyes to
get them adjusted.  "Why don't you just go to Hades, Baltar?  Of course,
that is if they'll take you."
	"I caution you not to speak to me like that, Starbuck.  Apollo has on
numerous occasions, and he was promptly punished for it.  Weren't you,
Apollo?"  Baltar smiled at his original captive, a smile that made Starbuck
uncomfortable.  He then laughed a laugh that sounded over-exaggerated to
Starbuck's ears.  "Isn't this ironic, though?  The greatest warriors the
Galactica has to offer all together in one Cylon interrogation cell?"
	As his sight finally returned, Starbuck felt fury building in his chest,
and he attempted to stand and charge at the traitor, but Boomer caught his
arm and held him tightly.  His b.  He was at least a quarter of a metron shorter than the
Cylon, but he suspected that Lucifer wore high-heeled boots underneath his
floor-length robe to gain more of a psychological advantage over him.
"Your position is on the bridge, Lucifer, not somewhere gallivanting around
this basestar.  Do you understand me?  Or else I'll get the Imperious
Leader's permission to use you as scrap metal to build myself a new command
fighter."
	The Cylon's two red slits that represented his eyes looked down at Baltar.
	"Where were you?" Lucifer countered.  "You were supposed to meet me down
in the holding cells half a centar ago to interrogate the prisoner.  What
would the Imperious Leader think of you neglecting your duties to gather
intelligence about the Galactica and her fleet?"
	Baltar's muddy brown eyes brightened as he smiled at his aide.
	"How could I have forgotten?" he asked, scolding himself.  "Are your
centurions already down there?"
	"Yes, and they are expecting you.  However, I thought that I s.
	The hallway leading to the interrogation center was dusky, the dim lights
casting shadows on the walls and doorways.  Baltar frowned as he stepped
into the corridor from the lift, irritated at Cylon inefficiency.  Since
they could see in the dark, it never bothered them when the light fixtures
malfunctioned, especially since they were only there for Baltar's sake.
Sometimes he really wished that he were able to do the things Cylons could
do, like seeing in the dark and having their extreme strength, but he never
wanted to be as stupid and single-minded as they were.
	Three silver centurions were waiting for the pair as they entered the
ovoid chamber.  Narrow doorways led to the tiny holding cell where the
prisoner, usually alone, remained until the next interrogation session.
All but one of the doors were open, which surprised Baltar.  The day
before, two doors were closed.
	"What happened?" he asked, feeling panic rising in his chest.  "Where is
the second prisoner?"
	"Terminated," the fis.
	The hallway leading to the interrogation center was dusky, the dim lights
casting shadows on the walls and doorways.  Baltar frowned as he stepped
into the corridor from the lift, irritated at Cylon inefficiency.  Since
they could see in the dark, it never bothered them when the light fixtures
malfunctioned, especially since they were only there for Baltar's sake.
Sometimes he really wished that he were able to do the things Cylons could
do, like seeing in the dark and having their extreme strength, but he never
wanted to be as stupid and single-minded as they were.
	Three silver centurions were waiting for the pair as they entered the
ovoid chamber.  Narrow doorways led to the tiny holding cell where the
prisoner, usually alone, remained until the next interrogation session.
All but one of the doors were open, which surprised Baltar.  The day
before, two doors were closed.
	"What happened?" he asked, feeling panic rising in his chest.  "Where is
the second prisoner?"
	"Terminated," the firown eyes were clear from the pain he'd
experienced earlier as he gave him a stern look.
	"Don't you dare," he whispered.
	"Let go of me!" Starbuck hissed, trying to wrench his arm away from him.
"Boomer, he just --"
	"Starbuck."  Apollo's voice was firm.  "Stay where you are."
	"You should thank your friends for restraining you," Baltar said, smiling
benignly as Starbuck caught sight of the laser in his hand.  "I don't think
you would have appreciated the result.  Oh, and I'm sorry for activating
your belt, Boomer, but otherwise, your plan would have succeeded."
	"Too bad it didn't," Starbuck muttered, then added in a louder voice,
"Tell me, Baltar, how exactly did you know what we were planning?"
	"Beside the fact that Apollo has already tried it once?" Baltar asked, an
innocent note in his voice.  "Ever since their little escapade, I ordered
that all the cells should be monitored."
	"Remind me again why we let you go in the first place?"
	"In exchange for the information to disable the basemight be able
to supervise the proceedings, since the prisoner is in a delicate condition
right now."
	Studying Lucifer's impassive, metallic face, Baltar nodded.
	"Very well.  You may accompany me down there."  He turned to Golde.
"Advise me of any changes during my absence."
	The distance between the command center and the interrogation center
varied according to the path Baltar took.  On the old basestars, it could
be anywhere from five to fifteen centons, depending on how many Cylons he
encountered in the central core, since the lumbering robots were incapable
of moving over to the side of the ladder so that Baltar could climb around
them.  This basestar, however, was a new model that was designed around
Baltar's many suggestions, and he felt that it was a vastly superior ship.
It still had the central core that all the centurions utilized, but it also
had a few lifts that connected areas such as the command center, the
interrogation center and the bays.  This route took all of three centonrst centurion replied.  "Its life functions ceased
during the night."
	Alarmed, Baltar rushed the cell that had held the deceased prisoner.
Finding that the centurions had already removed the body, he turned to face
Lucifer.
	"Which of the two was it?" he asked, hoping with all his being that it
wasn't the one he thought it was.
	"The last female," the I.L. replied.  "I mentioned it to you in the
control center that we only had one prisoner left."
	Baltar, relieved, nodded as he faced the single closed door.  Putting his
fear aside, he turned to the centurions, ready to get to business.
	"Bring the prisoner out," he ordered.
	He waited as the door to the cell was opened, letting bright light flood
into the cell.  Knowing human weaknesses, Baltar had long ago ordered that
all prisoners remain in relative darkness unless an interrogator was
present.  That way, he had an added advantage over the prisoner.
	Two centurions exited first, holding a limp figure between them.  Baltar
smiled as the prirst centurion replied.  "Its life functions ceased
during the night."
	Alarmed, Baltar rushed the cell that had held the deceased prisoner.
Finding that the centurions had already removed the body, he turned to face
Lucifer.
	"Which of the two was it?" he asked, hoping with all his being that it
wasn't the one he thought it was.
	"The last female," the I.L. replied.  "I mentioned it to you in the
control center that we only had one prisoner left."
	Baltar, relieved, nodded as he faced the single closed door.  Putting his
fear aside, he turned to the centurions, ready to get to business.
	"Bring the prisoner out," he ordered.
	He waited as the door to the cell was opened, letting bright light flood
into the cell.  Knowing human weaknesses, Baltar had long ago ordered that
all prisoners remain in relative darkness unless an interrogator was
present.  That way, he had an added advantage over the prisoner.
	Two centurions exited first, holding a limp figure between them.  Baltar
smiled as the pristar, the same plan
that you two unfortunately yet successfully used half a centar ago."
Baltar motioned to the warriors with his laser, his smile fading to an
expression of determination.  "Enough with the small talk, gentlemen.  I
want you three out in the main room.  Boomer, help Apollo.  Starbuck, come
with these centurions."
	Starbuck's eyes widened as two Cylons appeared behind Baltar, entering the
cell to take hold of him by the arms.  He glanced back at Boomer in panic,
just in time to see him go to Apollo's side under Baltar's supervision.
	"Carefully," he heard the traitor caution, then caught an exclamation of
pain from Apollo.  He wanted to go back to help, but the centurions' grip
wouldn't allow him any independent movement.
	The oval room was chilly, and the drab grey walls made Starbuck feel
slightly claustrophobic.  There was only one chair in the room, facing the
opposite direction from their cell.  As Baltar came out, he sat in it,
watching as Boomer and Apollo slowly joined Ss.
	The hallway leading to the interrogation center was dusky, the dim lights
casting shadows on the walls and doorways.  Baltar frowned as he stepped
into the corridor from the lift, irritated at Cylon inefficiency.  Since
they could see in the dark, it never bothered them when the light fixtures
malfunctioned, especially since they were only there for Baltar's sake.
Sometimes he really wished that he were able to do the things Cylons could
do, like seeing in the dark and having their extreme strength, but he never
wanted to be as stupid and single-minded as they were.
	Three silver centurions were waiting for the pair as they entered the
ovoid chamber.  Narrow doorways led to the tiny holding cell where the
prisoner, usually alone, remained until the next interrogation session.
All but one of the doors were open, which surprised Baltar.  The day
before, two doors were closed.
	"What happened?" he asked, feeling panic rising in his chest.  "Where is
the second prisoner?"
	"Terminated," the fisoner was brought before him and placed on his knees.  The
prisoner's arms were held tightly by the centurions as he desperately tried
to wrench himself from their grasp.  Baltar smiled benignly as the prisoner
continued in vain, still blinded by the sudden switch from darkness to light.
	"Hello, Apollo," he began, noticing how his voice made the struggles
cease.  He found it quite humorous, and motioned for the centurions to
release his arms.  "How are you today?"
	He always began the interrogations this way, and, as always, Apollo
refused to speak.  Instead, his blazing green eyes glared at Baltar with
anger and defiance.  The expression reminded Baltar of Adama, during the
many times Baltar was close to defeating him.  Those opportunities always
danced out of his reach, but this time, Baltar knew that he had an
advantage through Apollo, Adama's eldest child.  He smiled as he looked
down at his prisoner, seeing the resemblance between Apollo and Adama.  It
wasn't so much the facial features, wsoner was brought before him and placed on his knees.  The
prisoner's arms were held tightly by the centurions as he desperately tried
to wrench himself from their grasp.  Baltar smiled benignly as the prisoner
continued in vain, still blinded by the sudden switch from darkness to light.
	"Hello, Apollo," he began, noticing how his voice made the struggles
cease.  He found it quite humorous, and motioned for the centurions to
release his arms.  "How are you today?"
	He always began the interrogations this way, and, as always, Apollo
refused to speak.  Instead, his blazing green eyes glared at Baltar with
anger and defiance.  The expression reminded Baltar of Adama, during the
many times Baltar was close to defeating him.  Those opportunities always
danced out of his reach, but this time, Baltar knew that he had an
advantage through Apollo, Adama's eldest child.  He smiled as he looked
down at his prisoner, seeing the resemblance between Apollo and Adama.  It
wasn't so much the facial features, wtarbuck under the centurions'
supervision.  He put his arm around Apollo's waist to help Boomer support
him as he looked at Baltar.  The traitor's brown eyes had a hard glint to
them, and his expression frightened Starbuck as he started to smile again.
	"I've been waiting for this moment for more than a yahren," he began.  "To
have the three of you together so I can repay all my debts.  Now, who shall
I start with?"  He met Starbuck's gaze, holding it for a few microns until
he started to smile again.  "No, not with you, Starbuck.  You'll probably
swain at the first hint of pressure.  Nor do I think I'll begin with you,
Boomer.  Why don't we show them how this is done, Apollo?"
	Apollo looked down at the deck, but refused to answer Baltar's proposal.
	"We have to go through this charade every time," Baltar complained to
Starbuck and Boomer, holding something in his hand as he leaned forward.
It appeared to be a control of some kind, and as he pressed a button on it,
Apollo's body jerked slightlyrst centurion replied.  "Its life functions ceased
during the night."
	Alarmed, Baltar rushed the cell that had held the deceased prisoner.
Finding that the centurions had already removed the body, he turned to face
Lucifer.
	"Which of the two was it?" he asked, hoping with all his being that it
wasn't the one he thought it was.
	"The last female," the I.L. replied.  "I mentioned it to you in the
control center that we only had one prisoner left."
	Baltar, relieved, nodded as he faced the single closed door.  Putting his
fear aside, he turned to the centurions, ready to get to business.
	"Bring the prisoner out," he ordered.
	He waited as the door to the cell was opened, letting bright light flood
into the cell.  Knowing human weaknesses, Baltar had long ago ordered that
all prisoners remain in relative darkness unless an interrogator was
present.  That way, he had an added advantage over the prisoner.
	Two centurions exited first, holding a limp figure between them.  Baltar
smiled as the prihich were quite different, but in the
bearing and the stubbornness.
	Capturing Apollo was the highlight of Baltar's career.  It was the largest
accomplishment of any Cylon commander since the Twelve Colonies of humanity
were destroyed under the command of the late Imperious Leader, who was two
times removed from the current Leader.  The destruction of the Colonies,
however, held little victory for the Cylons, ever since the centurions
dispatched to eliminate the survivors discovered that
two-hundred-and-twenty ships had escaped along with the Galactica.  Every
human captured in the yahrens since the human exodus began, either Colonial
or non-Colonial, knew very little information that would aid in locating
the Galactica.  Everything would change now that Apollo was at Baltar's
disposal.
	In the beginning, Baltar had wondered if he would ever succeed in getting
information from Apollo, who had survived his Viper's disablement with
minor injuries.  Before the first day was through, Baltar knew thhich were quite different, but in the
bearing and the stubbornness.
	Capturing Apollo was the highlight of Baltar's career.  It was the largest
accomplishment of any Cylon commander since the Twelve Colonies of humanity
were destroyed under the command of the late Imperious Leader, who was two
times removed from the current Leader.  The destruction of the Colonies,
however, held little victory for the Cylons, ever since the centurions
dispatched to eliminate the survivors discovered that
two-hundred-and-twenty ships had escaped along with the Galactica.  Every
human captured in the yahrens since the human exodus began, either Colonial
or non-Colonial, knew very little information that would aid in locating
the Galactica.  Everything would change now that Apollo was at Baltar's
disposal.
	In the beginning, Baltar had wondered if he would ever succeed in getting
information from Apollo, who had survived his Viper's disablement with
minor injuries.  Before the first day was through, Baltar knew th, enough to catch both Boomer and Starbuck by
surprise.  "But I want answers, Apollo, and you'll give them to me now.  Or
you can continue playing your little games while I move onto Starbuck and
Boomer."
	That caught Apollo's attention.  He glared at Baltar as he spoke.  "You
don't want them, Baltar.  It's me you want, not them.  Let them go."
	"Why should I do that?" Baltar asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
	"I'm the one who is responsible for most of your defeats.  Your most hated
enemy is my father, remember?"  Apollo laughed bitterly at the mix of
emotions on Baltar's face.  "You hide your emotions as well as I do.  Look,
Baltar, I'm not in the shape I'm in after nine days because you just want
information.  You're out for revenge.  I'm actually surprised that you're
not broadcasting this back to my father."
	Baltar ignored most of Apollo's words, instead focusing on only one part
of his statement. "Sacrificing yourself for your friends?  That's very
noble of you, Apollo.  I'm rathersoner was brought before him and placed on his knees.  The
prisoner's arms were held tightly by the centurions as he desperately tried
to wrench himself from their grasp.  Baltar smiled benignly as the prisoner
continued in vain, still blinded by the sudden switch from darkness to light.
	"Hello, Apollo," he began, noticing how his voice made the struggles
cease.  He found it quite humorous, and motioned for the centurions to
release his arms.  "How are you today?"
	He always began the interrogations this way, and, as always, Apollo
refused to speak.  Instead, his blazing green eyes glared at Baltar with
anger and defiance.  The expression reminded Baltar of Adama, during the
many times Baltar was close to defeating him.  Those opportunities always
danced out of his reach, but this time, Baltar knew that he had an
advantage through Apollo, Adama's eldest child.  He smiled as he looked
down at his prisoner, seeing the resemblance between Apollo and Adama.  It
wasn't so much the facial features, wat unless
something changed quickly, he would learn nothing.  On the second day,
Apollo and the less injured pilot from his patrol -- the recently deceased
Silva, if Baltar remembered correctly -- had overtaken the guards and
escaped down to the landing bay.  Once there, they were recaptured and
since the garrison leader saw that Apollo was the leader, they promptly
punished him by breaking his ankle.  For once, the centurion did the right
thing, because there hadn't been an escape attempt since.
	The information that Baltar really wanted, information about the Galactica
and her fleet, would be unobtainable to him until he broke Apollo's will.
The only way to do that was to modify his interrogation methods.  In
Baltar's eyes, Apollo was exactly like his father, stubborn and arrogant.
It wasn't until a few days after Baltar began using a new interrogation
device, which could create both real and imagined pain, that he finally got
his way and began to learn about the fleet.
	"Well," Baltar continat unless
something changed quickly, he would learn nothing.  On the second day,
Apollo and the less injured pilot from his patrol -- the recently deceased
Silva, if Baltar remembered correctly -- had overtaken the guards and
escaped down to the landing bay.  Once there, they were recaptured and
since the garrison leader saw that Apollo was the leader, they promptly
punished him by breaking his ankle.  For once, the centurion did the right
thing, because there hadn't been an escape attempt since.
	The information that Baltar really wanted, information about the Galactica
and her fleet, would be unobtainable to him until he broke Apollo's will.
The only way to do that was to modify his interrogation methods.  In
Baltar's eyes, Apollo was exactly like his father, stubborn and arrogant.
It wasn't until a few days after Baltar began using a new interrogation
device, which could create both real and imagined pain, that he finally got
his way and began to learn about the fleet.
	"Well," Baltar contin touched, but enough with that.  Give me
the coordinates of the Galactica."
	Apollo went back to being silent, a determined expression on his battered
face.  Starbuck felt him tense again, and he saw his right hand clench into
a fist.  As he watched his friend's agony, he saw Baltar's hand out of the
corner of his eye manipulate something on the control.  He heard Apollo
unsuccessful try to bite back a cry of pain at the same micron as Baltar
continued speaking.
	"The coordinates, Apollo," he said, his voice taunting.  Starbuck
shivered, knowing that if Baltar's voice was this annoying without any
pressure, than to Apollo, it must be maddening.  "I know your father is
headed for Earth, and though I believe he's the biggest fool in the
universe, what is the heading you're taking?  Where is Earth?"
	Nothing.  Apollo closed his eyes, and both Boomer and Starbuck could see
that he was trying not to cry.  I wonder if our presence is comforting him
at all, Starbuck wondered, holding onto Apollo tighthich were quite different, but in the
bearing and the stubbornness.
	Capturing Apollo was the highlight of Baltar's career.  It was the largest
accomplishment of any Cylon commander since the Twelve Colonies of humanity
were destroyed under the command of the late Imperious Leader, who was two
times removed from the current Leader.  The destruction of the Colonies,
however, held little victory for the Cylons, ever since the centurions
dispatched to eliminate the survivors discovered that
two-hundred-and-twenty ships had escaped along with the Galactica.  Every
human captured in the yahrens since the human exodus began, either Colonial
or non-Colonial, knew very little information that would aid in locating
the Galactica.  Everything would change now that Apollo was at Baltar's
disposal.
	In the beginning, Baltar had wondered if he would ever succeed in getting
information from Apollo, who had survived his Viper's disablement with
minor injuries.  Before the first day was through, Baltar knew thued, still receiving no reply to his greeting.
"Since you seem to be in such a good mood on this fine day, Apollo, why
don't we have a little chat?  I'm extremely interested in the squadrons.
Why don't you tell me about them, Apollo?"
	Silence.  Baltar knew the instructions that all cadets had drilled into
them during their first yahrens at the Academy contained implicit rules
directing their behavior when faced with interrogation by the enemy.  The
instructors must have done an exceptional job with Apollo, since he
absolutely refused to speak, even though Baltar knew that the captain was
just dying to reply to his taunts with a retort of his own.  It was only
the first step in breaking down the wall of resistance, which he had to do
every time he began an interrogation.
	"You're not going to accept my invitation, Apollo?"  Baltar shook his head
in disapproval.  "Why don't I help you with it?  You have five squadrons,
don't you, Apollo?  Red, Green, Yellow, your beloved Blue, and what's the
lasued, still receiving no reply to his greeting.
"Since you seem to be in such a good mood on this fine day, Apollo, why
don't we have a little chat?  I'm extremely interested in the squadrons.
Why don't you tell me about them, Apollo?"
	Silence.  Baltar knew the instructions that all cadets had drilled into
them during their first yahrens at the Academy contained implicit rules
directing their behavior when faced with interrogation by the enemy.  The
instructors must have done an exceptional job with Apollo, since he
absolutely refused to speak, even though Baltar knew that the captain was
just dying to reply to his taunts with a retort of his own.  It was only
the first step in breaking down the wall of resistance, which he had to do
every time he began an interrogation.
	"You're not going to accept my invitation, Apollo?"  Baltar shook his head
in disapproval.  "Why don't I help you with it?  You have five squadrons,
don't you, Apollo?  Red, Green, Yellow, your beloved Blue, and what's the
lasly.  What will I do
when it's my turn?  Or Boomer?
	He glanced over at Boomer, ignoring Baltar's continuous taunts as he
looked at his friend's face.  Boomer was staring intently at Apollo, and
Starbuck could tell by watching Boomer's face that he was thinking the same
thoughts that were going through Starbuck's head.  Sensing Starbuck's
stare, Boomer glanced over and met his gaze. Both could tell that the other
was wondering how long Apollo would last.
	Strength, Apollo, he thought, wondering if his friend hadn't already said
them to himself in the past nine days.  Have strength.  Think of getting
out of here.  Think of exploring the stars the way you love, the way you
will again.  Think of Boxey, Sheba, Athena, your father, even of us.  Don't
give in!
	The only sounds in the room were the sounds of the equipment, the Cylons'
optical sensors, the deep thrumming of the basestar's engines, and Apollo's
labored breathing.  Boomer held his own breath, waiting for what would
happen next.
	Baltar at unless
something changed quickly, he would learn nothing.  On the second day,
Apollo and the less injured pilot from his patrol -- the recently deceased
Silva, if Baltar remembered correctly -- had overtaken the guards and
escaped down to the landing bay.  Once there, they were recaptured and
since the garrison leader saw that Apollo was the leader, they promptly
punished him by breaking his ankle.  For once, the centurion did the right
thing, because there hadn't been an escape attempt since.
	The information that Baltar really wanted, information about the Galactica
and her fleet, would be unobtainable to him until he broke Apollo's will.
The only way to do that was to modify his interrogation methods.  In
Baltar's eyes, Apollo was exactly like his father, stubborn and arrogant.
It wasn't until a few days after Baltar began using a new interrogation
device, which could create both real and imagined pain, that he finally got
his way and began to learn about the fleet.
	"Well," Baltar contint one?  Silver Spar?"  He paused as he watched Apollo's bruised face.
"Oh, come now, Apollo.  Surely you haven't forgotten?  You told me their
names yesterday, remember?"
	To Baltar's delight, he received a reaction from Apollo, who winced
slightly at the mention of the information.  He knew that the warrior was
desperately trying not to reveal any information about the Galactica, but
under the immense pressure put upon him by the interrogation, Apollo was
like any other weak human.  The knowledge that he had let his father down
by speaking hurt Apollo deeply, and Baltar enjoyed rubbing it in at every
opportunity.
	"Five squadrons, Apollo.  Now, tell me how many pilots were assigned to
each squadron.  Twenty?  Thirty?"  He waited a few microns, giving Apollo
the opportunity to respond.  He knew that he wouldn't, but for the benefit
of a doubt, he did so anyway.
	As he waited, he noticed that Apollo was a pitiful sight, with his
disheveled hair, and his secton-old beard that barely hid the bruist one?  Silver Spar?"  He paused as he watched Apollo's bruised face.
"Oh, come now, Apollo.  Surely you haven't forgotten?  You told me their
names yesterday, remember?"
	To Baltar's delight, he received a reaction from Apollo, who winced
slightly at the mention of the information.  He knew that the warrior was
desperately trying not to reveal any information about the Galactica, but
under the immense pressure put upon him by the interrogation, Apollo was
like any other weak human.  The knowledge that he had let his father down
by speaking hurt Apollo deeply, and Baltar enjoyed rubbing it in at every
opportunity.
	"Five squadrons, Apollo.  Now, tell me how many pilots were assigned to
each squadron.  Twenty?  Thirty?"  He waited a few microns, giving Apollo
the opportunity to respond.  He knew that he wouldn't, but for the benefit
of a doubt, he did so anyway.
	As he waited, he noticed that Apollo was a pitiful sight, with his
disheveled hair, and his secton-old beard that barely hid the bruistapped his foot impatiently, then a sly smile appeared on his face.
 Not taking his eyes off Apollo, he stood to go next to the group of
warriors. He placed his lips next to Apollo's ear, whispering something
that neither Boomer nor Starbuck could hear.  Although he was still wracked
by pain, Apollo opened his eyes and widened them in surprise as he met
Baltar's gaze, then he quickly nodded as Baltar returned to his seat.
	"Do you agree?" Baltar asked.
	"Do you promise?" Apollo returned, avoiding his friends' eyes.  His voice
held a hopeful note that sounded painful to Starbuck's ears.  He had an
idea what was going on, but he didn't know how to stop it.
	"You have my word."  It was spoken in a confident voice, the voice of the
man who had promised that the war between the humans and the Cylons would
end after nearly a millennium.  The voice that calmly insisted that the
huge armada of Cylon Raiders was only a welcoming committee, and that the
leaders of the Colonies had nothing to worry about.
ued, still receiving no reply to his greeting.
"Since you seem to be in such a good mood on this fine day, Apollo, why
don't we have a little chat?  I'm extremely interested in the squadrons.
Why don't you tell me about them, Apollo?"
	Silence.  Baltar knew the instructions that all cadets had drilled into
them during their first yahrens at the Academy contained implicit rules
directing their behavior when faced with interrogation by the enemy.  The
instructors must have done an exceptional job with Apollo, since he
absolutely refused to speak, even though Baltar knew that the captain was
just dying to reply to his taunts with a retort of his own.  It was only
the first step in breaking down the wall of resistance, which he had to do
every time he began an interrogation.
	"You're not going to accept my invitation, Apollo?"  Baltar shook his head
in disapproval.  "Why don't I help you with it?  You have five squadrons,
don't you, Apollo?  Red, Green, Yellow, your beloved Blue, and what's the
lases and
the sallow complexion.  Even his uniform hadn't been spared from the
ordeal.  The brown flight jacket was long gone, removed by Baltar's order
just in case some kind of communications device was stored there.  The top
of the uniform was hanging open, displaying the tan and black pressure suit
underneath, which had also been undone to allow the centurions to attach
the interrogation device directly to Apollo's waist by way of a belt.
Baltar wanted to laugh as he compared the prisoner Apollo to Captain
Apollo.  They were light-yahrens apart now.
	"Apollo," he said in a patient voice, "if you don't speak to me, I'll just
have to force you.  I trust that you remember what it's like to be forced,
don't you, Apollo?"
	In response, Apollo looked down at the ground, his face fixed in an
expression of defiance.  Irritated, Baltar shook his head at the younger
man's resistance.
	"Still no answer, Apollo?"  He pulled out the transmitter from his pocket
that would activate the belt.  Poising his thes and
the sallow complexion.  Even his uniform hadn't been spared from the
ordeal.  The brown flight jacket was long gone, removed by Baltar's order
just in case some kind of communications device was stored there.  The top
of the uniform was hanging open, displaying the tan and black pressure suit
underneath, which had also been undone to allow the centurions to attach
the interrogation device directly to Apollo's waist by way of a belt.
Baltar wanted to laugh as he compared the prisoner Apollo to Captain
Apollo.  They were light-yahrens apart now.
	"Apollo," he said in a patient voice, "if you don't speak to me, I'll just
have to force you.  I trust that you remember what it's like to be forced,
don't you, Apollo?"
	In response, Apollo looked down at the ground, his face fixed in an
expression of defiance.  Irritated, Baltar shook his head at the younger
man's resistance.
	"Still no answer, Apollo?"  He pulled out the transmitter from his pocket
that would activate the belt.  Poising his th
	"All right, then," Apollo said, taking a deep breath, "but first, turn the
belt off.  Please."
	Baltar nodded, and Apollo relaxed as the traitor shut down the power to
the belt.
	"Go ahead, Apollo.  The coordinates to the fleet are...?"
	"We're headed toward quadrant alpha on vector epsilon-twenty-two."
Apollo's voice was so soft that all of them had to strain to hear him.
"Those are the coordinates we're taking, and it's the only sure way...."
	Starbuck felt like someone had kicked him in the gut as Apollo's words
echoed in his mind.  Apollo hadn't given the precise coordinates,
neglecting the reckoning course as well as the description of Earth's star
system itself, but in the long run, it wouldn't matter.  The Cylons would
focus their basestars in that direction, fanning them out to scour the
solar systems until they came across Earth and the fleet.
	"Apollo!" Boomer gasped, staring at him in shock.  He glanced at Starbuck
expectantly, wanting him to say something to Apollo, but Starbuck ct one?  Silver Spar?"  He paused as he watched Apollo's bruised face.
"Oh, come now, Apollo.  Surely you haven't forgotten?  You told me their
names yesterday, remember?"
	To Baltar's delight, he received a reaction from Apollo, who winced
slightly at the mention of the information.  He knew that the warrior was
desperately trying not to reveal any information about the Galactica, but
under the immense pressure put upon him by the interrogation, Apollo was
like any other weak human.  The knowledge that he had let his father down
by speaking hurt Apollo deeply, and Baltar enjoyed rubbing it in at every
opportunity.
	"Five squadrons, Apollo.  Now, tell me how many pilots were assigned to
each squadron.  Twenty?  Thirty?"  He waited a few microns, giving Apollo
the opportunity to respond.  He knew that he wouldn't, but for the benefit
of a doubt, he did so anyway.
	As he waited, he noticed that Apollo was a pitiful sight, with his
disheveled hair, and his secton-old beard that barely hid the bruisumb on the actuation switch,
he made sure that Apollo could see him do this.  "Then I'm afraid that
you're going to have to be forced.  It's your own fault, Apollo.  Remember
that.  You could have saved yourself the pain."
	There was a slight humming as the belt gathered power.  Apollo gave no
reaction until Baltar raised the setting by a few degrees, but even then it
was only a tensing of his body.  Impatient, Baltar repeated the action.
	"I'll see you in Hades," Apollo blurted out, and almost immediately ducked
his head as though sensing the retaliation that Baltar was considering.
	"Oh, you're very funny, Apollo," Baltar replied.  He noticed the shocked
expression on the captain's face that told him that the remark had been
automatic.  "You've been spending too much time with Starbuck, but to
answer your little retort, I'm afraid that you'll be waiting there for a
very long time before I arrive.  Now, about the squadrons?"
	Encouraged by the higher setting on the belt, Apollo finally spoke a umb on the actuation switch,
he made sure that Apollo could see him do this.  "Then I'm afraid that
you're going to have to be forced.  It's your own fault, Apollo.  Remember
that.  You could have saved yourself the pain."
	There was a slight humming as the belt gathered power.  Apollo gave no
reaction until Baltar raised the setting by a few degrees, but even then it
was only a tensing of his body.  Impatient, Baltar repeated the action.
	"I'll see you in Hades," Apollo blurted out, and almost immediately ducked
his head as though sensing the retaliation that Baltar was considering.
	"Oh, you're very funny, Apollo," Baltar replied.  He noticed the shocked
expression on the captain's face that told him that the remark had been
automatic.  "You've been spending too much time with Starbuck, but to
answer your little retort, I'm afraid that you'll be waiting there for a
very long time before I arrive.  Now, about the squadrons?"
	Encouraged by the higher setting on the belt, Apollo finally spoke a ouldn't
bring himself to say anything.
	"Thank you, Apollo." Baltar was grinning as Apollo bowed his head in
shame.  "You've just made my life a lot easier."
	"You're not welcome," Starbuck muttered when Apollo didn't respond.  "From
all of us."
	He wasn't sure if the traitor heard his comment as Baltar pointed at
Boomer.  "Lieutenant, hold onto Apollo.  I want to speak to Starbuck
individually."
	Boomer waited until Starbuck removed his arm from Apollo's waist before he
moved him to the side of the room.  The entrance to their cell was blocked
by the centurions, so Boomer planned to lean Apollo next to the wall behind
Baltar.  They had barely taken a few steps when they heard Starbuck cry out
in pain.  Apollo snapped out of his depression as Baltar spoke.
	"Now, Lieutenant, I want you tell me about the Galactica's defenses.
Apollo was never able to give me a full description."  The traitor's voice
wasn't as taunting as it was before, but Starbuck still wanted to make him
shut up despite his es and
the sallow complexion.  Even his uniform hadn't been spared from the
ordeal.  The brown flight jacket was long gone, removed by Baltar's order
just in case some kind of communications device was stored there.  The top
of the uniform was hanging open, displaying the tan and black pressure suit
underneath, which had also been undone to allow the centurions to attach
the interrogation device directly to Apollo's waist by way of a belt.
Baltar wanted to laugh as he compared the prisoner Apollo to Captain
Apollo.  They were light-yahrens apart now.
	"Apollo," he said in a patient voice, "if you don't speak to me, I'll just
have to force you.  I trust that you remember what it's like to be forced,
don't you, Apollo?"
	In response, Apollo looked down at the ground, his face fixed in an
expression of defiance.  Irritated, Baltar shook his head at the younger
man's resistance.
	"Still no answer, Apollo?"  He pulled out the transmitter from his pocket
that would activate the belt.  Poising his thfew
microns later, though the microns felt like centars to Baltar.
	"I don't know how many fighters there are.  I was supposed to help the
Colonel reorganize them once the new cadets graduated a few days later, but
that's all happened by now."  Apollo laughed suddenly.  "Not quite what you
expected, was it, Baltar?"
	Angered by Apollo's continued defiance, but surprised by the occasional
bursts of strength the captain exhibited, Baltar brought the transmitter up
to one of the highest levels.  Apollo cried out in pain and leaned forward
to grasp his knees tightly.  He would have fallen onto his side if the
Cylons hadn't moved forward to pull him upright.  Baltar watched the
spectacle in satisfaction, then turned the control back to its previous
setting.
	"Apollo, Apollo, Apollo..." he chided as the weak shaking slowly subsided.
 "Why don't you try again?  How many fighters were there when you left?
And how many cadets were slated to graduate?"
	"Seventy-five," came the reply, so soft that Baltafew
microns later, though the microns felt like centars to Baltar.
	"I don't know how many fighters there are.  I was supposed to help the
Colonel reorganize them once the new cadets graduated a few days later, but
that's all happened by now."  Apollo laughed suddenly.  "Not quite what you
expected, was it, Baltar?"
	Angered by Apollo's continued defiance, but surprised by the occasional
bursts of strength the captain exhibited, Baltar brought the transmitter up
to one of the highest levels.  Apollo cried out in pain and leaned forward
to grasp his knees tightly.  He would have fallen onto his side if the
Cylons hadn't moved forward to pull him upright.  Baltar watched the
spectacle in satisfaction, then turned the control back to its previous
setting.
	"Apollo, Apollo, Apollo..." he chided as the weak shaking slowly subsided.
 "Why don't you try again?  How many fighters were there when you left?
And how many cadets were slated to graduate?"
	"Seventy-five," came the reply, so soft that Baltasudden pain.  Instead, he followed Apollo's earlier
example by gritting his teeth against the pain and willing himself to
ignore it, even though he really wanted to scream.
	"Baltar, stop it!" Apollo shouted.  "You promised!"
	Baltar looked at him as though he had missed the obvious.  "Apollo, I
promised that I wouldn't interrogate them about the Galactica's
coordinates.  I never said anything about interrogating them about
something else."
	Before Boomer could react, Apollo threw himself at Baltar.  The momentum
of his body pushed Baltar out of his chair, and they fell to the deck.
Using his right hand, Apollo tried to choke him as Baltar attempted to get
out of his grip.
	"Get him off me, you fools!" Baltar gasped, though Boomer wasn't sure if
he meant the centurions or the warriors.
	His pain stopped, Starbuck watched in amazement as the centurions remained
in the same position.  Baltar glanced at them, his expression almost one of
pleading, before he was forced to return his attention to Aumb on the actuation switch,
he made sure that Apollo could see him do this.  "Then I'm afraid that
you're going to have to be forced.  It's your own fault, Apollo.  Remember
that.  You could have saved yourself the pain."
	There was a slight humming as the belt gathered power.  Apollo gave no
reaction until Baltar raised the setting by a few degrees, but even then it
was only a tensing of his body.  Impatient, Baltar repeated the action.
	"I'll see you in Hades," Apollo blurted out, and almost immediately ducked
his head as though sensing the retaliation that Baltar was considering.
	"Oh, you're very funny, Apollo," Baltar replied.  He noticed the shocked
expression on the captain's face that told him that the remark had been
automatic.  "You've been spending too much time with Starbuck, but to
answer your little retort, I'm afraid that you'll be waiting there for a
very long time before I arrive.  Now, about the squadrons?"
	Encouraged by the higher setting on the belt, Apollo finally spoke a r had to strain to hear
him.  "Seventy-five cadets were supposed to graduate.  The squadrons almost
had thirty fighters each."
	"In other words, one hundred-and-fifty fighters."  Baltar nodded, smiling
to himself.  "Very good, Apollo.  It wasn't that hard, was it?  Now, let's
see what you can tell me about your father's battle plans.  I'm
particularly interested in the strategy where the two warriors go aboard
the basestar."
	"You know what he does as well as I do, Baltar," Apollo replied.
	"Ah, you're mistaken, Apollo.  All I know about that mission is that you
and Starbuck launched in my fighter, landed on the basestar, and followed
my instructions so you could destroy the computers.  That's it."  Baltar
frowned.  "Your father wasn't kind enough to give me all the details, so I
thought that you might be kind enough to fill in where Adama failed."
	The painful expression on Apollo's face quickly changed to hatred, more
intense than Baltar had seen in the past secton.  He knew that he was in
fr had to strain to hear
him.  "Seventy-five cadets were supposed to graduate.  The squadrons almost
had thirty fighters each."
	"In other words, one hundred-and-fifty fighters."  Baltar nodded, smiling
to himself.  "Very good, Apollo.  It wasn't that hard, was it?  Now, let's
see what you can tell me about your father's battle plans.  I'm
particularly interested in the strategy where the two warriors go aboard
the basestar."
	"You know what he does as well as I do, Baltar," Apollo replied.
	"Ah, you're mistaken, Apollo.  All I know about that mission is that you
and Starbuck launched in my fighter, landed on the basestar, and followed
my instructions so you could destroy the computers.  That's it."  Baltar
frowned.  "Your father wasn't kind enough to give me all the details, so I
thought that you might be kind enough to fill in where Adama failed."
	The painful expression on Apollo's face quickly changed to hatred, more
intense than Baltar had seen in the past secton.  He knew that he was in
fpollo.
	"Apollo, get off him!"  Boomer came behind Apollo, trying to grab him, but
Baltar's arm smacked him in the stomach, forcing him to fall back.
"Starbuck, don't just stand there.  Do something!"
	Rubbing his side, Starbuck circled the struggling men, looking for an
opening.  He had been involved in physical fights before with Apollo,
mostly during Triad games, and he knew that Apollo's tendency was usually
to get it over with quickly and efficiently.  This time, he knew that
Apollo's anger was getting the better part of him, and that was giving him
a dangerous edge despite his physical weakness.  The question was if
Starbuck wanted to help.  Apollo would probably be doing the fleet an
enormous favor by killing Baltar here and now.
	Growing impatient with his centurions' inaction, Baltar curled into a
ball.  Using all his strength, he kicked Apollo and forced him to fall back
into Starbuck's arms.  Gasping, he felt his throat for damage as he glared
at Apollo with hatred.
	"You shouldn't few
microns later, though the microns felt like centars to Baltar.
	"I don't know how many fighters there are.  I was supposed to help the
Colonel reorganize them once the new cadets graduated a few days later, but
that's all happened by now."  Apollo laughed suddenly.  "Not quite what you
expected, was it, Baltar?"
	Angered by Apollo's continued defiance, but surprised by the occasional
bursts of strength the captain exhibited, Baltar brought the transmitter up
to one of the highest levels.  Apollo cried out in pain and leaned forward
to grasp his knees tightly.  He would have fallen onto his side if the
Cylons hadn't moved forward to pull him upright.  Baltar watched the
spectacle in satisfaction, then turned the control back to its previous
setting.
	"Apollo, Apollo, Apollo..." he chided as the weak shaking slowly subsided.
 "Why don't you try again?  How many fighters were there when you left?
And how many cadets were slated to graduate?"
	"Seventy-five," came the reply, so soft that Baltaor another round of resistance, so he automatically upped the power by a
few levels.
	"The squadrons draw out the Cylons," Apollo began, closing his eyes in
frustration and pain.  "They launch roughly half a centar after the two
warriors in the Raider."
	"And what does the Galactica do in the meantime?"
	"While the squadrons are attacking, she leaves the fleet so she can sneak
up around the basestar."
	"And ambush her from the back?"
	"Yes."
	"Interesting.  Do the Cylons offer much resistance when Adama pulls this
ploy?"
	"Not on any of the occasions that I've seen."  Apollo fixed Baltar with
look of mockery.  "And it probably won't be changing any time too soon."
	Insulted, Baltar didn't bother using the belt to punish Apollo.  He
backhanded the captain across the face, his own face contorted with anger.
	"That will be enough out of you, Apollo!" he almost shouted.  "Now, how
many times have you been on this mission?"
	"Twice."
	"And, I repeat, do the basestars offer much resistance?"
	Thor another round of resistance, so he automatically upped the power by a
few levels.
	"The squadrons draw out the Cylons," Apollo began, closing his eyes in
frustration and pain.  "They launch roughly half a centar after the two
warriors in the Raider."
	"And what does the Galactica do in the meantime?"
	"While the squadrons are attacking, she leaves the fleet so she can sneak
up around the basestar."
	"And ambush her from the back?"
	"Yes."
	"Interesting.  Do the Cylons offer much resistance when Adama pulls this
ploy?"
	"Not on any of the occasions that I've seen."  Apollo fixed Baltar with
look of mockery.  "And it probably won't be changing any time too soon."
	Insulted, Baltar didn't bother using the belt to punish Apollo.  He
backhanded the captain across the face, his own face contorted with anger.
	"That will be enough out of you, Apollo!" he almost shouted.  "Now, how
many times have you been on this mission?"
	"Twice."
	"And, I repeat, do the basestars offer much resistance?"
	Thhave done that, Apollo," he spat, his voice hoarse.
"You're going to wish that you hadn't.  I'm going back up to the control
center to fight the Galactica, but when I return, I'll kill both Starbuck
and Boomer in front of you!  This time, you won't be able to interfere, and
Apollo, I promise you that you're really going to want to.  Once they're
dead, I'm going to give you so much pain, Apollo, you'll think that those
previous tortures were only tender caresses."
	Glaring at each of the warriors in turn, Baltar turned on his heel and
exited.  The centurions moved forward, shepherding the humans into their
cell.  Enclosed in the near dark again, Starbuck sat Apollo down on one of
the cots as he heard Boomer moving around the cell, searching for the
equipment that Baltar had used to spy on them.  Apollo was visibly shaking,
so Starbuck put his arm around his friend's shoulders.
	"Hey," he said gently, "are you okay?"
	"No."  Apollo shook his head, then gasped slightly.  "Oh, lord, I'm so
sorry."
r had to strain to hear
him.  "Seventy-five cadets were supposed to graduate.  The squadrons almost
had thirty fighters each."
	"In other words, one hundred-and-fifty fighters."  Baltar nodded, smiling
to himself.  "Very good, Apollo.  It wasn't that hard, was it?  Now, let's
see what you can tell me about your father's battle plans.  I'm
particularly interested in the strategy where the two warriors go aboard
the basestar."
	"You know what he does as well as I do, Baltar," Apollo replied.
	"Ah, you're mistaken, Apollo.  All I know about that mission is that you
and Starbuck launched in my fighter, landed on the basestar, and followed
my instructions so you could destroy the computers.  That's it."  Baltar
frowned.  "Your father wasn't kind enough to give me all the details, so I
thought that you might be kind enough to fill in where Adama failed."
	The painful expression on Apollo's face quickly changed to hatred, more
intense than Baltar had seen in the past secton.  He knew that he was in
fis time, Apollo avoided Baltar's gaze.  "The Cylons don't think of every
possibility."
	Baltar had to agree with that.  As machines, the Cylons were notorious for
not coming up with creative plans during their campaigns that were focused
on destroying their enemies, like the humans.  He was proud of the fact
that since he joined the Cylon forces, more and more victories were Cylon
instead of human.  If it weren't for him and his plan that succeeded in
Apollo's capture, they would never locate the Galactican fleet.  All Baltar
needed now were the coordinates, the single piece of information that he
needed to break Apollo to get.
	"All of that information is extremely helpful, Apollo, but what I really
want is the coordinates of the Galactica.  Her whereabouts will do, since
you've been here for a secton and the fleet has undoubtedly moved.  What is
her course heading?"
	Apollo's eyes widened slightly, but he refused to speak.  This was the one
thing that he could not reveal, vital to the very exis time, Apollo avoided Baltar's gaze.  "The Cylons don't think of every
possibility."
	Baltar had to agree with that.  As machines, the Cylons were notorious for
not coming up with creative plans during their campaigns that were focused
on destroying their enemies, like the humans.  He was proud of the fact
that since he joined the Cylon forces, more and more victories were Cylon
instead of human.  If it weren't for him and his plan that succeeded in
Apollo's capture, they would never locate the Galactican fleet.  All Baltar
needed now were the coordinates, the single piece of information that he
needed to break Apollo to get.
	"All of that information is extremely helpful, Apollo, but what I really
want is the coordinates of the Galactica.  Her whereabouts will do, since
you've been here for a secton and the fleet has undoubtedly moved.  What is
her course heading?"
	Apollo's eyes widened slightly, but he refused to speak.  This was the one
thing that he could not reveal, vital to the very ex
	"For what?"  He could see that Apollo was beginning to cry, but he didn't
know what to do about it.  "Apollo, you did what you felt you had to do.
If--"
	"Why didn't you just leave me?" he cried.  "I would have died alone,
without telling Baltar the coordinates, knowing that all of you would be
safe for now.  Look at what's going to happen now!  You're both going to
die, and the fleet's going to be destroyed.  Why?  Because you both had to
save me!"
	"Uh, Apollo," Boomer began, moving slowly across the cell, "if it's worth
anything to tell you this, I was going to leave you behind."
	"Boomer!" Starbuck exclaimed, horrified to hear his friend's confession.
"You didn't, did you?"
	"It's all true."  He gave a cry of triumph, tugging on something on the
wall as Starbuck heard a short snap.  "Got it!"
	"That's great, but you were just going to leave him?  On this basestar?
Where's your heart, Boomer?"
	"At the time, I had more pressing things on my mind," he replied, going to
sit on the oppositeor another round of resistance, so he automatically upped the power by a
few levels.
	"The squadrons draw out the Cylons," Apollo began, closing his eyes in
frustration and pain.  "They launch roughly half a centar after the two
warriors in the Raider."
	"And what does the Galactica do in the meantime?"
	"While the squadrons are attacking, she leaves the fleet so she can sneak
up around the basestar."
	"And ambush her from the back?"
	"Yes."
	"Interesting.  Do the Cylons offer much resistance when Adama pulls this
ploy?"
	"Not on any of the occasions that I've seen."  Apollo fixed Baltar with
look of mockery.  "And it probably won't be changing any time too soon."
	Insulted, Baltar didn't bother using the belt to punish Apollo.  He
backhanded the captain across the face, his own face contorted with anger.
	"That will be enough out of you, Apollo!" he almost shouted.  "Now, how
many times have you been on this mission?"
	"Twice."
	"And, I repeat, do the basestars offer much resistance?"
	Thistence of the future.
Baltar realized this, but he knew that eventually, Apollo would give the
coordinates as readily as the other information.
	"Oh, come on, Apollo.  You know that I'll have to force you again."  He
waited for half a centon, then he brought it back up to one of the higher
settings.  "The coordinates of the Galactica are...?"
	"No!" Apollo shouted.
	"No?" Baltar repeated.  "Apollo, that's not a number.  Try again."
	He raised the belt up to the second highest setting, watching as Apollo
doubled over with pain, his shouts turning into screams.  His body
convulsed onto the deck.
	Baltar watched as the agony continued, oddly feeling no compassion as the
son of his enemy continued crying out.  A centon went by, and Apollo's
voice began to grow hoarse and weak.  Still, Baltar stared at him, his hand
poised on the control to turn it down at any micron.
	"Baltar."  Lucifer's voice was barely heard over Apollo's screams.  The
Cylon repeated himself, this time elevating his voice.  "Bistence of the future.
Baltar realized this, but he knew that eventually, Apollo would give the
coordinates as readily as the other information.
	"Oh, come on, Apollo.  You know that I'll have to force you again."  He
waited for half a centon, then he brought it back up to one of the higher
settings.  "The coordinates of the Galactica are...?"
	"No!" Apollo shouted.
	"No?" Baltar repeated.  "Apollo, that's not a number.  Try again."
	He raised the belt up to the second highest setting, watching as Apollo
doubled over with pain, his shouts turning into screams.  His body
convulsed onto the deck.
	Baltar watched as the agony continued, oddly feeling no compassion as the
son of his enemy continued crying out.  A centon went by, and Apollo's
voice began to grow hoarse and weak.  Still, Baltar stared at him, his hand
poised on the control to turn it down at any micron.
	"Baltar."  Lucifer's voice was barely heard over Apollo's screams.  The
Cylon repeated himself, this time elevating his voice.  "B cot.  "You'd just knocked yourself out, and the
basestar was starting to retreat.  We had to launch as soon as possible,
and that meant --"
	"But there was still time for you to get Apollo!"
	"No, there wasn't.  I --"
	"Both of you stop it!"  Apollo was still crying, but his voice was firm.
To Starbuck, he was sounding more like his old self, but any relief he felt
faded when he heard Apollo choke back a sob.  "This isn't helping the
situation at all.  We're all going to die if you two don't stop arguing!
If at least one of you gets out of here, my father might be warned that
I've...  He might know that I..."
	He looked down, unable to continue.  Crossing his arms tightly across his
chest, he seemed to withdraw into himself.  Starbuck became alarmed and
shook him as hard as he could.
	"Apollo!  Listen to me, will you?  Don't fade out.  We need you, okay?"
He shook him again.  "Please, Apollo, stay with us."
	"I'm tired," Apollo whispered, closing his eyes.  "I'm just too tired.
You two figuris time, Apollo avoided Baltar's gaze.  "The Cylons don't think of every
possibility."
	Baltar had to agree with that.  As machines, the Cylons were notorious for
not coming up with creative plans during their campaigns that were focused
on destroying their enemies, like the humans.  He was proud of the fact
that since he joined the Cylon forces, more and more victories were Cylon
instead of human.  If it weren't for him and his plan that succeeded in
Apollo's capture, they would never locate the Galactican fleet.  All Baltar
needed now were the coordinates, the single piece of information that he
needed to break Apollo to get.
	"All of that information is extremely helpful, Apollo, but what I really
want is the coordinates of the Galactica.  Her whereabouts will do, since
you've been here for a secton and the fleet has undoubtedly moved.  What is
her course heading?"
	Apollo's eyes widened slightly, but he refused to speak.  This was the one
thing that he could not reveal, vital to the very exaltar!"
	Looking up from Apollo, the human commander's eyes were slightly
off-focused as he stared at his aide.
	"What is it?" he asked, still not disturbed by Apollo.
	"Turn it off.  You will kill him before you can achieve your goal."
Lucifer lowered his voice as Apollo suddenly stopped his cries, lying in a
rigid ball before them.  "His life signs are dropping."
	Alarmed, Baltar quickly deactivated the belt, watching as Apollo's body
lost its rigidly, and shuddered into limpness.  There was no voluntary
movement from him, and for a few microns, Baltar had to look closely to
make sure that his chest was still rising, even if shallowly.  Smiling
slightly, the traitor ignored the close call as he always had with the
previous ones.
	"Well, Apollo," he said, pocketing the control as he approached his
prisoner.  At his voice, the centurions moved to collect him from the deck,
and Apollo seemed to hang from their grasp.  "That wasn't too hard, was it?"
	There was no response.  Baltar kept his smilaltar!"
	Looking up from Apollo, the human commander's eyes were slightly
off-focused as he stared at his aide.
	"What is it?" he asked, still not disturbed by Apollo.
	"Turn it off.  You will kill him before you can achieve your goal."
Lucifer lowered his voice as Apollo suddenly stopped his cries, lying in a
rigid ball before them.  "His life signs are dropping."
	Alarmed, Baltar quickly deactivated the belt, watching as Apollo's body
lost its rigidly, and shuddered into limpness.  There was no voluntary
movement from him, and for a few microns, Baltar had to look closely to
make sure that his chest was still rising, even if shallowly.  Smiling
slightly, the traitor ignored the close call as he always had with the
previous ones.
	"Well, Apollo," he said, pocketing the control as he approached his
prisoner.  At his voice, the centurions moved to collect him from the deck,
and Apollo seemed to hang from their grasp.  "That wasn't too hard, was it?"
	There was no response.  Baltar kept his smile it out."
	Without another word, Apollo shrugged off Starbuck's grip and lay down
with his back to his friends.  Starbuck watched his breathing slow as he
quickly fell asleep.  He looked up to see Boomer watching them.
	"What are you looking at?" he demanded, still feeling hostile.
	"We'll find a way out of here, Starbuck, and all three of us will get out
this time."  Boomer's voice held an optimistic note that he didn't quite
honestly feel.  He had no idea how they would accomplish it, but he knew he
had to try.  "I promise."

Chapter Ten

	Two yahrens earlier, during the victory celebration after the mission, all
of the pilots gathered around Starbuck and Apollo's table, listening to
their story about their adventures aboard the basestar.  Actually, it was
Starbuck's tale.  Apollo added a few details and corrections to the story,
but Sheba remembered them more as corrections to the narrative as Starbuck
started to get more and more creative.  He was in his element, acting as
though he weristence of the future.
Baltar realized this, but he knew that eventually, Apollo would give the
coordinates as readily as the other information.
	"Oh, come on, Apollo.  You know that I'll have to force you again."  He
waited for half a centon, then he brought it back up to one of the higher
settings.  "The coordinates of the Galactica are...?"
	"No!" Apollo shouted.
	"No?" Baltar repeated.  "Apollo, that's not a number.  Try again."
	He raised the belt up to the second highest setting, watching as Apollo
doubled over with pain, his shouts turning into screams.  His body
convulsed onto the deck.
	Baltar watched as the agony continued, oddly feeling no compassion as the
son of his enemy continued crying out.  A centon went by, and Apollo's
voice began to grow hoarse and weak.  Still, Baltar stared at him, his hand
poised on the control to turn it down at any micron.
	"Baltar."  Lucifer's voice was barely heard over Apollo's screams.  The
Cylon repeated himself, this time elevating his voice.  "Be as he took a handful of
Apollo's hair and pulled his head back so he could see his face again.
Apollo's eyes were closed, but they opened slightly to look up at Baltar
with a disorientated expression.  Whether it was out of weakness or
resistance, he didn't speak.
	"I didn't think so," Baltar continued.  "I'll be back in a few centars.
You will tell me what I want to know, because the other information is
useless without it.  Do you understand?"
	Not bothering to wait for an answer, he let go of Apollo and motioned for
the centurions to replace him in the cell.  They deposited him near the
entrance, face first on the deck.
	"Humans are very frail," one of the Cylons stated as the door slid shut on
the human.
	"I'm afraid so."  He turned to face Lucifer, but he continued speaking to
the centurions.  "As soon as he recovers, inform me immediately.  I'll be
in the control center."
	"Is that where you're headed?" Lucifer asked as Baltar began to walk
towards the entrance.
	"Eventually."  Baltae as he took a handful of
Apollo's hair and pulled his head back so he could see his face again.
Apollo's eyes were closed, but they opened slightly to look up at Baltar
with a disorientated expression.  Whether it was out of weakness or
resistance, he didn't speak.
	"I didn't think so," Baltar continued.  "I'll be back in a few centars.
You will tell me what I want to know, because the other information is
useless without it.  Do you understand?"
	Not bothering to wait for an answer, he let go of Apollo and motioned for
the centurions to replace him in the cell.  They deposited him near the
entrance, face first on the deck.
	"Humans are very frail," one of the Cylons stated as the door slid shut on
the human.
	"I'm afraid so."  He turned to face Lucifer, but he continued speaking to
the centurions.  "As soon as he recovers, inform me immediately.  I'll be
in the control center."
	"Is that where you're headed?" Lucifer asked as Baltar began to walk
towards the entrance.
	"Eventually."  Baltae telling a story to Boxey's classmates by using large
gestures to accentuate the action of the story.  The part that Sheba
remembered the most was the description of their entry into the bays.
	"It was huge, just rows and rows of Raiders as far as the eye could see.
The bay itself is higher than the Galactica's, and it was deathly quiet
except for the squadron leaving their ships."
	Sheba knew from watching Apollo's reaction that at least that part was
right, and Starbuck's words now came back to her as she landed her Viper on
the deck of the Cylon landing bay.  Before she opened her canopy, she
looked up and around, taking in the huge bay.  It was empty now except for
a few Raiders, but it was still impressive.  And once they passed through
the bay to reach the cells that were somewhere else on the basestar, they
would find Apollo.
	"Sheba?" Athena's voice was anxious over the comline, and brought her out
of her thoughts.  Sheba glanced over to see her friend's fighter a few
dozen metrons awaaltar!"
	Looking up from Apollo, the human commander's eyes were slightly
off-focused as he stared at his aide.
	"What is it?" he asked, still not disturbed by Apollo.
	"Turn it off.  You will kill him before you can achieve your goal."
Lucifer lowered his voice as Apollo suddenly stopped his cries, lying in a
rigid ball before them.  "His life signs are dropping."
	Alarmed, Baltar quickly deactivated the belt, watching as Apollo's body
lost its rigidly, and shuddered into limpness.  There was no voluntary
movement from him, and for a few microns, Baltar had to look closely to
make sure that his chest was still rising, even if shallowly.  Smiling
slightly, the traitor ignored the close call as he always had with the
previous ones.
	"Well, Apollo," he said, pocketing the control as he approached his
prisoner.  At his voice, the centurions moved to collect him from the deck,
and Apollo seemed to hang from their grasp.  "That wasn't too hard, was it?"
	There was no response.  Baltar kept his smilr looked back to fix his aide with a questioning
glance.  "Why do you ask?"
	"I'll remain here for a few more centons, just to make sure that
everything is in order."
	"Do whatever you want."  Walking quickly, Baltar left the interrogation
center, headed for his quarters.  He felt slightly sleepy after
administering Apollo's torture, and he wondered how much time he would have
before the captain regained enough strength for another session.  Not much
more than four centars, he hoped.  Just enough time for a quick nap.  With
a quick dismissal to the centurions, he yawned and headed for his quarters.

	The deck was cold against Apollo's swollen cheek, slowly cooling the anger
that coursed through his body.  The anger didn't last long, as empty sorrow
quickly replaced it.  He wanted to cry, but his body was too weak and
lacking in moisture to provide tears.  Instead, he made a noise in his
throat, a cry combined with a whine, that comforted him as much as tears
would.
	A sour smell met his nose,r looked back to fix his aide with a questioning
glance.  "Why do you ask?"
	"I'll remain here for a few more centons, just to make sure that
everything is in order."
	"Do whatever you want."  Walking quickly, Baltar left the interrogation
center, headed for his quarters.  He felt slightly sleepy after
administering Apollo's torture, and he wondered how much time he would have
before the captain regained enough strength for another session.  Not much
more than four centars, he hoped.  Just enough time for a quick nap.  With
a quick dismissal to the centurions, he yawned and headed for his quarters.

	The deck was cold against Apollo's swollen cheek, slowly cooling the anger
that coursed through his body.  The anger didn't last long, as empty sorrow
quickly replaced it.  He wanted to cry, but his body was too weak and
lacking in moisture to provide tears.  Instead, he made a noise in his
throat, a cry combined with a whine, that comforted him as much as tears
would.
	A sour smell met his nose,y from hers.  "Are you ready?"
	"I think so.  I'm surprised they didn't notice us."
	"Their scanners are down," Athena told her.  "Didn't I tell you that?
There's nothing for them to scan us with."
	"Thanks for telling me earlier," she complained, then grinned.  "Even if
they did, with all the felgercarb hitting the fan, they probably wouldn't
have noticed us even then.  Come on, let's go."
	She opened her canopy and slid to the deck before it completely opened.
Athena met her a few microns later, her laser already out in the same
left-handed grip that Apollo used.  Seeing that made her long for him, and
she felt her determination build -- they were not going to leave this
basestar without Apollo.
	"Now what?" she whispered.
	"We always have to be on alert for Cylons.  We don't know how many are
still aboard."  Sheba glanced down at her belt, remembering that she
neglected to bring most of her essential equipment.  "Oh, felger, I forgot
to bring my scanner.  Please say you have yours, 'Thena."e as he took a handful of
Apollo's hair and pulled his head back so he could see his face again.
Apollo's eyes were closed, but they opened slightly to look up at Baltar
with a disorientated expression.  Whether it was out of weakness or
resistance, he didn't speak.
	"I didn't think so," Baltar continued.  "I'll be back in a few centars.
You will tell me what I want to know, because the other information is
useless without it.  Do you understand?"
	Not bothering to wait for an answer, he let go of Apollo and motioned for
the centurions to replace him in the cell.  They deposited him near the
entrance, face first on the deck.
	"Humans are very frail," one of the Cylons stated as the door slid shut on
the human.
	"I'm afraid so."  He turned to face Lucifer, but he continued speaking to
the centurions.  "As soon as he recovers, inform me immediately.  I'll be
in the control center."
	"Is that where you're headed?" Lucifer asked as Baltar began to walk
towards the entrance.
	"Eventually."  Balta coming from the grime left by the nameless
prisoners who had occupied the cell long before his arrival.  He wrinkled
his nose, wishing he could move his head so he wasn't forced to breathe in
the stench.
	He opened his eyes to darkness, but he could accurately guess where the
cot was.  Previous experiences had taught him that in this position, it was
on his left, on the other side of the cell.  Even though it wasn't quite
two metrons away, he couldn't gather the strength to crawl.  Instead, he
remained in his uncomfortable position on the floor, breathing shallowly to
avoid the smell.
	Taking his mind off his impossible wants and shivering slightly as the
deck began to sap whatever warmth his body had left, he thought of the
Galactica and the life that was so different from his painful existence
here on the basestar.  He missed his family and friends terribly, and he
longed for Sheba.  They all undoubtedly thought he was dead, but he was
relieved that they wouldn't see him like this.
	Picturi coming from the grime left by the nameless
prisoners who had occupied the cell long before his arrival.  He wrinkled
his nose, wishing he could move his head so he wasn't forced to breathe in
the stench.
	He opened his eyes to darkness, but he could accurately guess where the
cot was.  Previous experiences had taught him that in this position, it was
on his left, on the other side of the cell.  Even though it wasn't quite
two metrons away, he couldn't gather the strength to crawl.  Instead, he
remained in his uncomfortable position on the floor, breathing shallowly to
avoid the smell.
	Taking his mind off his impossible wants and shivering slightly as the
deck began to sap whatever warmth his body had left, he thought of the
Galactica and the life that was so different from his painful existence
here on the basestar.  He missed his family and friends terribly, and he
longed for Sheba.  They all undoubtedly thought he was dead, but he was
relieved that they wouldn't see him like this.
	Picturi
	"Of course," Athena replied, placing her hand on the small mechanism.
	"Good, now scan the basestar for human life signs.  You should pick up
four, and the largest group will be the guys.  Okay?"
	Athena nodded as she pulled the scanner off her belt and activated it.  A
short series of beeps came from the scanner, then Athena entered a few
commands.  She grinned as she looked at Sheba.
	"Four life signs," she reported, "and they're in two different groups.
One is directly below us, and the other three are together.  They're about
three decks above us."
	Sheba scanned their surroundings and spotted the entrance that was in the
middle of the bay.  She remembered Starbuck's tale again as she nodded
towards it.
	"That way."  She held out her hand to Athena, smiling.  "For Apollo?
	"For Apollo," Athena replied, grasping her wrist and shaking it, "and
don't forget Starbuck and Boomer, too."
	"Of course."  Sheba headed towards the entrance to the central core,
almost running in her anticipation tor looked back to fix his aide with a questioning
glance.  "Why do you ask?"
	"I'll remain here for a few more centons, just to make sure that
everything is in order."
	"Do whatever you want."  Walking quickly, Baltar left the interrogation
center, headed for his quarters.  He felt slightly sleepy after
administering Apollo's torture, and he wondered how much time he would have
before the captain regained enough strength for another session.  Not much
more than four centars, he hoped.  Just enough time for a quick nap.  With
a quick dismissal to the centurions, he yawned and headed for his quarters.

	The deck was cold against Apollo's swollen cheek, slowly cooling the anger
that coursed through his body.  The anger didn't last long, as empty sorrow
quickly replaced it.  He wanted to cry, but his body was too weak and
lacking in moisture to provide tears.  Instead, he made a noise in his
throat, a cry combined with a whine, that comforted him as much as tears
would.
	A sour smell met his nose,ng their faces in his mind's eye, he wished that all of this would
end.  He felt frustrated at the helpless position he'd been forced into,
and he was tempted to shout it all out in one exasperated breath.  But that
was useless.  No one could hear him, and he'd just be wasting energy that
he didn't have.
	The door to his cell reopened, and he shut his eyes tightly before he was
blinded again.  He listened to the footsteps coming beside him, then felt
his body being lifted and held as an adult would a child.  Moving across
the room, he was gently placed on the cot, the blanket covering him.
	Opening his eyes, he looked up to see two, then one, then two slanted red
eyes.  Lucifer.  He frowned, wondering what the Cylon wanted from him now.
	"Drink this," Lucifer ordered, holding a cup up to Apollo's lips.  He did
as he was told as the Cylon continued.  "I have estimated that you have, at
the most, three days before you terminate."
	Apollo coughed on the remainder of the bitter liquid, then laughed.ng their faces in his mind's eye, he wished that all of this would
end.  He felt frustrated at the helpless position he'd been forced into,
and he was tempted to shout it all out in one exasperated breath.  But that
was useless.  No one could hear him, and he'd just be wasting energy that
he didn't have.
	The door to his cell reopened, and he shut his eyes tightly before he was
blinded again.  He listened to the footsteps coming beside him, then felt
his body being lifted and held as an adult would a child.  Moving across
the room, he was gently placed on the cot, the blanket covering him.
	Opening his eyes, he looked up to see two, then one, then two slanted red
eyes.  Lucifer.  He frowned, wondering what the Cylon wanted from him now.
	"Drink this," Lucifer ordered, holding a cup up to Apollo's lips.  He did
as he was told as the Cylon continued.  "I have estimated that you have, at
the most, three days before you terminate."
	Apollo coughed on the remainder of the bitter liquid, then laughed. find the men.  She was relieved to
find it unoccupied as she started to climb up.  "Three levels?"
	"Yeah."
	She nodded as she continued climbing, praying silently that they wouldn't
run into a Cylon as they went.  The sound of their boots on the rungs was
the only thing Sheba could hear along with her pulse in her ears, and they
both sounded abnormally loud to her.  I'm surprised that this isn't what
will alert the Cylons to our presence, she thought as she approached the
third deck.
	"Are you sure about this?" she asked, looking down at Athena.  "Three
levels?"
	Athena looked impatient as she pulled out the scanner while hanging onto
the ladder with one arm.  "I calibrated this thing myself, Sheba, so it
can't be malfunctioning.  The guys are on this level, the third one."
	"I hope you're right," Sheba muttered as she opened the hatch.  Empty.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the deck, bring her laser out as she
glanced down the hallway.  She jumped slightly as Athena accidentally
br coming from the grime left by the nameless
prisoners who had occupied the cell long before his arrival.  He wrinkled
his nose, wishing he could move his head so he wasn't forced to breathe in
the stench.
	He opened his eyes to darkness, but he could accurately guess where the
cot was.  Previous experiences had taught him that in this position, it was
on his left, on the other side of the cell.  Even though it wasn't quite
two metrons away, he couldn't gather the strength to crawl.  Instead, he
remained in his uncomfortable position on the floor, breathing shallowly to
avoid the smell.
	Taking his mind off his impossible wants and shivering slightly as the
deck began to sap whatever warmth his body had left, he thought of the
Galactica and the life that was so different from his painful existence
here on the basestar.  He missed his family and friends terribly, and he
longed for Sheba.  They all undoubtedly thought he was dead, but he was
relieved that they wouldn't see him like this.
	Picturi  "So
you're a medtech now?"
	"Cylons do not need medical attention.  Humans do.  I am fully acquainted
with your body's functions, as I am with Baltar's."  The Cylon took
Apollo's left hand.  "Did you find that humorous?"
	"A little."  Apollo found the strength to lift his head so he could see
what was going on.  He could barely feel Lucifer's metallic hands on his
skin.  When the Cylons disabled his Viper, the explosion had badly burned
his hand, and he had injured it further during his escape attempt.  "What
do you think?"
	"Just as I suspected.  An infection has set in, and I have nothing to
combat it."  Lucifer's voice was apologetic as he replaced the hand on
Apollo's stomach.
	"Oh, well."  Apollo brought the hand into a fist, clenching it and
unclenching it without much feeling.  It felt like he had been sitting on
it, and it was just about to start tingling as the blood came back.  Only
this time, it wouldn't tingle.  "I guess that those three days are going to
go quickly."
	He could  "So
you're a medtech now?"
	"Cylons do not need medical attention.  Humans do.  I am fully acquainted
with your body's functions, as I am with Baltar's."  The Cylon took
Apollo's left hand.  "Did you find that humorous?"
	"A little."  Apollo found the strength to lift his head so he could see
what was going on.  He could barely feel Lucifer's metallic hands on his
skin.  When the Cylons disabled his Viper, the explosion had badly burned
his hand, and he had injured it further during his escape attempt.  "What
do you think?"
	"Just as I suspected.  An infection has set in, and I have nothing to
combat it."  Lucifer's voice was apologetic as he replaced the hand on
Apollo's stomach.
	"Oh, well."  Apollo brought the hand into a fist, clenching it and
unclenching it without much feeling.  It felt like he had been sitting on
it, and it was just about to start tingling as the blood came back.  Only
this time, it wouldn't tingle.  "I guess that those three days are going to
go quickly."
	He couldushed against her.  "Careful!"
	"Sorry, I just about lost my balance there."  She shook her head in
annoyance as they began moving forward.  "There's a fork in the corridor up
ahead, and I think they're on the right."
	Moving ahead, Sheba pressed her back against the corner of the wall and
took a quick peek into the hallway while holding her laser at ready.  There
was a group of Cylons gathered in the middle of the hallway, all of them
armed.  She frowned as she quickly ducked back behind the wall, suddenly
afraid that they might spot her.
	"What's wrong?" Athena whispered, putting the scanner away with one hand
as she pulled out the laser with the other.  "Please don't say Cylons."
	"I hate to say it, but there are Cylons."
	"How many?"
	She glanced back to look.  "About five."
	"Five more than I want to see."
	"Same here, but we've got to deal with them."  She gave Athena a wide
grin.  "Are you ready for a shoot-out?"
	"A shoot-out?" Athena repeated, suddenly sounding uncertain.  "I practicng their faces in his mind's eye, he wished that all of this would
end.  He felt frustrated at the helpless position he'd been forced into,
and he was tempted to shout it all out in one exasperated breath.  But that
was useless.  No one could hear him, and he'd just be wasting energy that
he didn't have.
	The door to his cell reopened, and he shut his eyes tightly before he was
blinded again.  He listened to the footsteps coming beside him, then felt
his body being lifted and held as an adult would a child.  Moving across
the room, he was gently placed on the cot, the blanket covering him.
	Opening his eyes, he looked up to see two, then one, then two slanted red
eyes.  Lucifer.  He frowned, wondering what the Cylon wanted from him now.
	"Drink this," Lucifer ordered, holding a cup up to Apollo's lips.  He did
as he was told as the Cylon continued.  "I have estimated that you have, at
the most, three days before you terminate."
	Apollo coughed on the remainder of the bitter liquid, then laughed. tell that Lucifer didn't understand the time analogy, but he
didn't care.  Instead, he closed his eyes again as he prepared to sleep.
	"Baltar will be back in a few centars, and I believe that each time he
will be more intent on getting his information."  The Cylon paused.  "I
hope that your people rescue you soon, so that they may be able to do what
I cannot do."
	Apollo smiled at the thought.
	"I'd like that, too.  To go home."  He sighed.  "I can always wish, but
they're never going to find me here.  Getting me off this ship would be an
act of God, because Baltar will kill me first."
	There was an odd tone to Lucifer's voice as the Cylon backed out of the cell.
	"I would not be so sure of that, Apollo.  Baltar will keep you alive as
long as he feels is necessary.  Even this infection might not cause much of
a problem, I cannot tell."  He heard the door beginning to slide shut.
"Have a good rest."
	Reopening his eyes to the complete darkness, Apollo wondered what that
meant as he waited for tell that Lucifer didn't understand the time analogy, but he
didn't care.  Instead, he closed his eyes again as he prepared to sleep.
	"Baltar will be back in a few centars, and I believe that each time he
will be more intent on getting his information."  The Cylon paused.  "I
hope that your people rescue you soon, so that they may be able to do what
I cannot do."
	Apollo smiled at the thought.
	"I'd like that, too.  To go home."  He sighed.  "I can always wish, but
they're never going to find me here.  Getting me off this ship would be an
act of God, because Baltar will kill me first."
	There was an odd tone to Lucifer's voice as the Cylon backed out of the cell.
	"I would not be so sure of that, Apollo.  Baltar will keep you alive as
long as he feels is necessary.  Even this infection might not cause much of
a problem, I cannot tell."  He heard the door beginning to slide shut.
"Have a good rest."
	Reopening his eyes to the complete darkness, Apollo wondered what that
meant as he waited fored
on the shooting range with Dietra and Brie yesterday, but I don't think I'm
ready for moving targets just yet..."
	"I heard that you had a good time shooting Cylons on Kobol..."
	"Um, that wasn't me.  Besides, I don't think I'd be able to actually hit
one."
	Sheba's grin turned slightly wicked.  "Pretend it's the head of someone
you want to hit."
	"Under the given circumstances, I don't think using Starbuck as a target
is a very good idea," Athena replied, her voice wry.  "Maybe I'll think of
someone else."
	"Baltar?  The Council?"
	She laughed.  "Now that's inspiring."
	"That's what I thought.  When I count to three, you cover me while I jump
into the hallway.  We'll shoot our way to the holding cells."
	They counted to three, then Sheba jumped into the middle of the corridor.
Without checking to see if Athena was followed her, she started firing at
the Cylons.
	"Now, Athena!" she shouted as the first one went down.  "This is fun!"
	"You would think it's fun," Athena muttered, stepping   "So
you're a medtech now?"
	"Cylons do not need medical attention.  Humans do.  I am fully acquainted
with your body's functions, as I am with Baltar's."  The Cylon took
Apollo's left hand.  "Did you find that humorous?"
	"A little."  Apollo found the strength to lift his head so he could see
what was going on.  He could barely feel Lucifer's metallic hands on his
skin.  When the Cylons disabled his Viper, the explosion had badly burned
his hand, and he had injured it further during his escape attempt.  "What
do you think?"
	"Just as I suspected.  An infection has set in, and I have nothing to
combat it."  Lucifer's voice was apologetic as he replaced the hand on
Apollo's stomach.
	"Oh, well."  Apollo brought the hand into a fist, clenching it and
unclenching it without much feeling.  It felt like he had been sitting on
it, and it was just about to start tingling as the blood came back.  Only
this time, it wouldn't tingle.  "I guess that those three days are going to
go quickly."
	He could sleep to overtake him.  Given his weakened
condition, it didn't take long, and he gratefully slipped away from the
torment of consciousness while dreaming of Sheba's warm embrace.

Chapter Five

TWO DAYS LATER

	Sheba inspected her Viper, checking everything according to the preflight
list, happy to see that everything so far was satisfactory.  Nothing
bothered her more than knowing that she had an inadequate flight crew,
which was the case back on the Pegasus, but her crew here on the Galactica,
led by Norine, were first class.  Still, old habits die hard, and Apollo
used to tease her about how she meticulously checked her fighter, but she
always wanted to be prepared for anything that might come across her patrol.
	The memory of the man she had grown to love -- standing not quite over her
shoulder, his green eyes twinkling as he teased her -- made Sheba close her
eyes as she thumped her fist on the Viper's hull in anger.  Nine days had
gone by since Apollo's patrol was shot down, and desp sleep to overtake him.  Given his weakened
condition, it didn't take long, and he gratefully slipped away from the
torment of consciousness while dreaming of Sheba's warm embrace.

Chapter Five

TWO DAYS LATER

	Sheba inspected her Viper, checking everything according to the preflight
list, happy to see that everything so far was satisfactory.  Nothing
bothered her more than knowing that she had an inadequate flight crew,
which was the case back on the Pegasus, but her crew here on the Galactica,
led by Norine, were first class.  Still, old habits die hard, and Apollo
used to tease her about how she meticulously checked her fighter, but she
always wanted to be prepared for anything that might come across her patrol.
	The memory of the man she had grown to love -- standing not quite over her
shoulder, his green eyes twinkling as he teased her -- made Sheba close her
eyes as she thumped her fist on the Viper's hull in anger.  Nine days had
gone by since Apollo's patrol was shot down, and despto Sheba's side.
She wished she felt as confident as Sheba looked as she quickly fired at
the Cylon who appeared to be getting its laser ready to aim at Sheba.  It
wasn't long before all five of the Cylons were down, with none of them
having the opportunity to fire back a single shot.  "That wasn't much of a
shoot-out."
	"Don't worry, 'Thena.  We'll have more chances to shoot Cylons later."
She took a few steps towards the fallen Cylons and tapped one with the toe
of her boot before looking back at Athena.  "How far now?"
	"A few more metrons," she replied.  "Those Cylons must have been the
guards in front of the interrogation cells.  If they need that many guards,
I guess Apollo's been giving them trouble."
	Sheba grinned.  "That's my Apollo."
	They walked down the rest of the corridor and turned another corner, this
time ending up in a large oval room.  Sheba kept her laser out as she
circled the room, looking up at the bright lights that were shining
harshly.  The room had an odd feeling to tell that Lucifer didn't understand the time analogy, but he
didn't care.  Instead, he closed his eyes again as he prepared to sleep.
	"Baltar will be back in a few centars, and I believe that each time he
will be more intent on getting his information."  The Cylon paused.  "I
hope that your people rescue you soon, so that they may be able to do what
I cannot do."
	Apollo smiled at the thought.
	"I'd like that, too.  To go home."  He sighed.  "I can always wish, but
they're never going to find me here.  Getting me off this ship would be an
act of God, because Baltar will kill me first."
	There was an odd tone to Lucifer's voice as the Cylon backed out of the cell.
	"I would not be so sure of that, Apollo.  Baltar will keep you alive as
long as he feels is necessary.  Even this infection might not cause much of
a problem, I cannot tell."  He heard the door beginning to slide shut.
"Have a good rest."
	Reopening his eyes to the complete darkness, Apollo wondered what that
meant as he waited forite thinking that she
was beginning to get over his death, Sheba always found some kind of
stumbling block that would painfully bring his memory back.  It was usually
during the quiet moments where she found her thoughts straying from duty.
	Their relationship was unusual because of the many ups and downs they had
been through together.  When they first met, Sheba had accidentally tried
to kill Apollo, thinking that his Viper was controlled by Cylons.  Then her
baseship, the Battlestar Pegasus, had disappeared, leaving her behind on
the Galactica.  In those days, she was so angry at being left behind that
she had sniped at anyone who had tried to talk to her.  That especially
meant Apollo, since he came from the same background as her, but hadn't
suffered the same kind of losses as she had, or so she thought.
	Despite her rudeness, she found that Apollo was tolerating her behavior
and letting her join his group of friends.  Intrigued, she decided to do a
little research and discovered that he waite thinking that she
was beginning to get over his death, Sheba always found some kind of
stumbling block that would painfully bring his memory back.  It was usually
during the quiet moments where she found her thoughts straying from duty.
	Their relationship was unusual because of the many ups and downs they had
been through together.  When they first met, Sheba had accidentally tried
to kill Apollo, thinking that his Viper was controlled by Cylons.  Then her
baseship, the Battlestar Pegasus, had disappeared, leaving her behind on
the Galactica.  In those days, she was so angry at being left behind that
she had sniped at anyone who had tried to talk to her.  That especially
meant Apollo, since he came from the same background as her, but hadn't
suffered the same kind of losses as she had, or so she thought.
	Despite her rudeness, she found that Apollo was tolerating her behavior
and letting her join his group of friends.  Intrigued, she decided to do a
little research and discovered that he wa sleep to overtake him.  Given his weakened
condition, it didn't take long, and he gratefully slipped away from the
torment of consciousness while dreaming of Sheba's warm embrace.

Chapter Five

TWO DAYS LATER

	Sheba inspected her Viper, checking everything according to the preflight
list, happy to see that everything so far was satisfactory.  Nothing
bothered her more than knowing that she had an inadequate flight crew,
which was the case back on the Pegasus, but her crew here on the Galactica,
led by Norine, were first class.  Still, old habits die hard, and Apollo
used to tease her about how she meticulously checked her fighter, but she
always wanted to be prepared for anything that might come across her patrol.
	The memory of the man she had grown to love -- standing not quite over her
shoulder, his green eyes twinkling as he teased her -- made Sheba close her
eyes as she thumped her fist on the Viper's hull in anger.  Nine days had
gone by since Apollo's patrol was shot down, and desp it, something that Sheba didn't
like.  She saw Athena shivering slightly.
	"I don't like it in here," Sheba said, noticing the doors circling the
room for the first time.  "It reminds me of an arena, where people are
executed."
	"You're probably right about that one."  Athena pointed at the single
closed door.  "They're in there."
	Sheba nodded as she went up and touched the control at the side of the
door.  Nothing.  She pressed it again, but the door still didn't open.
"It's locked."
	"Not solid enough for this, I'll bet," Athena replied, taking her laser
out and fired on the control before Sheba could say anything.  Sparks flew
from the mechanism, then both women could hear a click.  "Just what I
thought."
	"Athena, warn people before you do that again, okay?"  Sheba waved away
the smoke that was coming from the control, wrinkling her nose at the smell
of the burnt materials.  "You could seriously hurt someone like that."
	"Sorry, I just thought --"
	"Don't worry, Athena, as long as you's getting over the deaths of his
wife, brother and mother.
	Pleased with the knowledge that they did have a lot in common, she tried
to get closer to him, but found that she had crossed an unseen boundary as
Apollo began to push her away.  The last straw came when Adama announced
that they were attacking the first basestar, and Apollo suddenly came up
with a plan to board the basestar to destroy its computers.  A little
insight from Athena had told her, as did her instincts when she thought
about it, that Apollo was trying to get himself killed.
	Confronting him with her suspicions on the Raider was the hardest thing
she had ever tried to do.  Of course, Apollo tried to deny it, but Sheba
knew she had hit a nerve by the way he shouted at her.  Once it was in the
open, though, she said that she was in love with him.  The revelation
stunned them both, and by the time Apollo returned from the mission a few
centars later after a narrow escape, things were different.  They began
spending more time ts getting over the deaths of his
wife, brother and mother.
	Pleased with the knowledge that they did have a lot in common, she tried
to get closer to him, but found that she had crossed an unseen boundary as
Apollo began to push her away.  The last straw came when Adama announced
that they were attacking the first basestar, and Apollo suddenly came up
with a plan to board the basestar to destroy its computers.  A little
insight from Athena had told her, as did her instincts when she thought
about it, that Apollo was trying to get himself killed.
	Confronting him with her suspicions on the Raider was the hardest thing
she had ever tried to do.  Of course, Apollo tried to deny it, but Sheba
knew she had hit a nerve by the way he shouted at her.  Once it was in the
open, though, she said that she was in love with him.  The revelation
stunned them both, and by the time Apollo returned from the mission a few
centars later after a narrow escape, things were different.  They began
spending more time tite thinking that she
was beginning to get over his death, Sheba always found some kind of
stumbling block that would painfully bring his memory back.  It was usually
during the quiet moments where she found her thoughts straying from duty.
	Their relationship was unusual because of the many ups and downs they had
been through together.  When they first met, Sheba had accidentally tried
to kill Apollo, thinking that his Viper was controlled by Cylons.  Then her
baseship, the Battlestar Pegasus, had disappeared, leaving her behind on
the Galactica.  In those days, she was so angry at being left behind that
she had sniped at anyone who had tried to talk to her.  That especially
meant Apollo, since he came from the same background as her, but hadn't
suffered the same kind of losses as she had, or so she thought.
	Despite her rudeness, she found that Apollo was tolerating her behavior
and letting her join his group of friends.  Intrigued, she decided to do a
little research and discovered that he ware thinking."  She tapped the panel,
praying that Athena hadn't fused it altogether, but to her relief, it
opened.  She peered inside.

	"Finished with the battle already, Baltar?" Starbuck's voice demanded,
sounding extremely hostile.  "If you come near any of us, I swear to Kobol
right now that you'll regret it!"
	Sheba exchanged glances with Athena as they entered the cell.  "Starbuck?"
	"Sheba?" Starbuck exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised as she spotted
them.  Boomer was sitting on one bunk, as Starbuck sat on the edge of the
other, positioned so the Cylons would have to get by him first before
reaching Apollo.  "What are you doing here?"
	"What do you expect, that we're just here to visit?  We're here to rescue
you, numskull," Athena answered, frowning at the lieutenant as she moved
into the cell, "especially since you've seemed to gotten yourselves into a
nice position."
	"Don't you even start, Athena," Starbuck warned, holding up his hands in
front of his eyes as he spoke.  "But wogether, but after a few days, Apollo told her that he
wasn't quite ready for a new romantic relationship, though he promised that
as soon the time arrived, he would let her know.
	That time had come a few sectars before Apollo's death.  They had become
closer and closer until Sheba knew that things were right between them.
She especially loved the times that Apollo had arranged between them and
Boxey.  It was as though Apollo were testing the waters to see what their
relationship would be like with children, something that endeared him even
more to her.
	But then there was the fatal patrol, and the discovery of his flight
recorder.  All of Sheba's dreams were shattered the moment the Cylons
destroyed Apollo's Viper.  The love that Sheba had felt was now replaced by
hatred for the Cylons, and immense regret that she and Apollo had not
started their relationship earlier.
	"We were both stupid," she muttered as she finished her inspection, "and
fate took advantage of our delay."
	Wiping away theogether, but after a few days, Apollo told her that he
wasn't quite ready for a new romantic relationship, though he promised that
as soon the time arrived, he would let her know.
	That time had come a few sectars before Apollo's death.  They had become
closer and closer until Sheba knew that things were right between them.
She especially loved the times that Apollo had arranged between them and
Boxey.  It was as though Apollo were testing the waters to see what their
relationship would be like with children, something that endeared him even
more to her.
	But then there was the fatal patrol, and the discovery of his flight
recorder.  All of Sheba's dreams were shattered the moment the Cylons
destroyed Apollo's Viper.  The love that Sheba had felt was now replaced by
hatred for the Cylons, and immense regret that she and Apollo had not
started their relationship earlier.
	"We were both stupid," she muttered as she finished her inspection, "and
fate took advantage of our delay."
	Wiping away thes getting over the deaths of his
wife, brother and mother.
	Pleased with the knowledge that they did have a lot in common, she tried
to get closer to him, but found that she had crossed an unseen boundary as
Apollo began to push her away.  The last straw came when Adama announced
that they were attacking the first basestar, and Apollo suddenly came up
with a plan to board the basestar to destroy its computers.  A little
insight from Athena had told her, as did her instincts when she thought
about it, that Apollo was trying to get himself killed.
	Confronting him with her suspicions on the Raider was the hardest thing
she had ever tried to do.  Of course, Apollo tried to deny it, but Sheba
knew she had hit a nerve by the way he shouted at her.  Once it was in the
open, though, she said that she was in love with him.  The revelation
stunned them both, and by the time Apollo returned from the mission a few
centars later after a narrow escape, things were different.  They began
spending more time tould you mind either taking us out of
here, or closing the door?"
	"What?"
	"Our eyes aren't used to the light," Boomer quickly explained.  "The
cell's kept just bright enough so that the light from the outside will
blind us temporarily.  We'll get over it in a few microns."
	"Which we don't have," Sheba finished.  She held her hand out to Starbuck
as Athena helped Boomer up.  "Come on, Bucko, get moving.  You, too, Boomer."
	There was a note to Starbuck's voice that sounded slightly panicked as he
took her hand.  "We're not leaving Apollo!"
	"Of course we're not," Athena replied, sounding indignant.  She glared at
Starbuck for even suggesting the idea.  "He's the other reason why we're
here."
	Sheba got Starbuck to his feet, then went to Apollo's side.  When she had
first entered, all she could see was his back, but as she now rolled him
towards her, she felt herself wanting to cry as she saw his face.  How
could this be Apollo?  The Apollo she remembered didn't look a thing like
this uncons tears that were collecting in her brown eyes, Sheba
climbed the small ladder that led up to her cockpit.  Grasping her helmet
in her hands, she was about to put it on her head when she heard the
distinct sound of Vipers landing.
	Looking at the other side of the bay, she spotted the two ships as they
passed through the force field that separated the bay from the vacuum of
space.  They followed the strobe lights that were placed on the deck until
they taxied to a stop a hundred metrons away from Sheba's Viper.  The
pilots, Bojay and Greenbean, were met by their crews and the bay supervisor
responsible for ensuring that the pilots go through decontamination
procedures.  Nothing out of the ordinary, for once.
	About to check her consoles to see that all the readouts were green as she
waited for Brie to arrive in the bay so they could launch and begin their
patrol, Sheba suddenly heard a commotion from the area of Bojay and
Greenbean's Vipers.  Looking up from her panels, Sheba saw the two pilots
 tears that were collecting in her brown eyes, Sheba
climbed the small ladder that led up to her cockpit.  Grasping her helmet
in her hands, she was about to put it on her head when she heard the
distinct sound of Vipers landing.
	Looking at the other side of the bay, she spotted the two ships as they
passed through the force field that separated the bay from the vacuum of
space.  They followed the strobe lights that were placed on the deck until
they taxied to a stop a hundred metrons away from Sheba's Viper.  The
pilots, Bojay and Greenbean, were met by their crews and the bay supervisor
responsible for ensuring that the pilots go through decontamination
procedures.  Nothing out of the ordinary, for once.
	About to check her consoles to see that all the readouts were green as she
waited for Brie to arrive in the bay so they could launch and begin their
patrol, Sheba suddenly heard a commotion from the area of Bojay and
Greenbean's Vipers.  Looking up from her panels, Sheba saw the two pilots
ogether, but after a few days, Apollo told her that he
wasn't quite ready for a new romantic relationship, though he promised that
as soon the time arrived, he would let her know.
	That time had come a few sectars before Apollo's death.  They had become
closer and closer until Sheba knew that things were right between them.
She especially loved the times that Apollo had arranged between them and
Boxey.  It was as though Apollo were testing the waters to see what their
relationship would be like with children, something that endeared him even
more to her.
	But then there was the fatal patrol, and the discovery of his flight
recorder.  All of Sheba's dreams were shattered the moment the Cylons
destroyed Apollo's Viper.  The love that Sheba had felt was now replaced by
hatred for the Cylons, and immense regret that she and Apollo had not
started their relationship earlier.
	"We were both stupid," she muttered as she finished her inspection, "and
fate took advantage of our delay."
	Wiping away thecious, beaten and almost unrecognizable man.  She felt her eyes
tear as she touched the side of his face, finding his skin hot.
	"Doesn't look too good, does he?" Starbuck asked softly.  He watched her,
seeing her eyes tearing, as he wondered if he should tell her that Apollo
was dying.  No, I won't, he decided.  When we get back to the Galactica,
Salik and Cass will make him better.  I won't make her and Athena anymore
worried than they already are.
	"No.  Gods, he looks like Baltar's been having a field day with him as a
target."
	"Not quite, but it's a good analogy," Boomer told her as he and Athena
approached the cot.  "I can carry him down."
	Sheba shook her head.  "No way, Boomer.  Look, how does this sound for a
plan?  Starbuck, by the look of that bruise, you look like you have a
concussion.  Am I right?"
	"Yeah..." he muttered, shuffling his feet.  "And then Baltar got tired of
torturing Apollo and tried me on for size."
	"What?" Athena gasped, then glanced up at Boomer.  "What about quickly exiting their decontamination chambers as they headed for the lift.
 The expression on their faces made her decide to follow them.
	"Wait up, Bojay!" she shouted as she jumped out of the cockpit and ran
over to them.  "What's wrong?"
	Bojay's face was dour, while Greenbean's wide blue eyes were larger than
usual with fear.  Both of them were impatient as they waited for the lift
to arrive.
	"Guess what happened to us," Bojay muttered angrily.  "Take one lucky guess."
	"You ran into the basestar?"
	"How'd you guess?" Greenbean said.  His usually soft voice was harsh with
sarcasm.  "I'm really beginning to think that the Cylons are deliberately
trying to provoke us into a battle."
	"You don't say?" Bojay replied.  "This is the fourth time the basestar's
made an appearance in two days."
	Sheba frowned, crossing her arms.  "If I get my way, we'll give the Cylons
that battle.  You guys are going up to the bridge?"
	The captain nodded, taking a step forward as the door to the lift opened.
Hquickly exiting their decontamination chambers as they headed for the lift.
 The expression on their faces made her decide to follow them.
	"Wait up, Bojay!" she shouted as she jumped out of the cockpit and ran
over to them.  "What's wrong?"
	Bojay's face was dour, while Greenbean's wide blue eyes were larger than
usual with fear.  Both of them were impatient as they waited for the lift
to arrive.
	"Guess what happened to us," Bojay muttered angrily.  "Take one lucky guess."
	"You ran into the basestar?"
	"How'd you guess?" Greenbean said.  His usually soft voice was harsh with
sarcasm.  "I'm really beginning to think that the Cylons are deliberately
trying to provoke us into a battle."
	"You don't say?" Bojay replied.  "This is the fourth time the basestar's
made an appearance in two days."
	Sheba frowned, crossing her arms.  "If I get my way, we'll give the Cylons
that battle.  You guys are going up to the bridge?"
	The captain nodded, taking a step forward as the door to the lift opened.
H tears that were collecting in her brown eyes, Sheba
climbed the small ladder that led up to her cockpit.  Grasping her helmet
in her hands, she was about to put it on her head when she heard the
distinct sound of Vipers landing.
	Looking at the other side of the bay, she spotted the two ships as they
passed through the force field that separated the bay from the vacuum of
space.  They followed the strobe lights that were placed on the deck until
they taxied to a stop a hundred metrons away from Sheba's Viper.  The
pilots, Bojay and Greenbean, were met by their crews and the bay supervisor
responsible for ensuring that the pilots go through decontamination
procedures.  Nothing out of the ordinary, for once.
	About to check her consoles to see that all the readouts were green as she
waited for Brie to arrive in the bay so they could launch and begin their
patrol, Sheba suddenly heard a commotion from the area of Bojay and
Greenbean's Vipers.  Looking up from her panels, Sheba saw the two pilots
you?  Did
Baltar touch you?"
	"Not really.  I was used mostly to keep Starbuck in line."
	"Quiet!" Sheba ordered, glaring at the three of them.  "Boomer and Athena
can take the Vipers, and you'll give us an escort in the Raider.  How much
time do we have left, Athena?"
	"Time left before what?" Starbuck wanted to know.
	"Before the Galactica starts picking this place apart.  Bojay asked Adama
to delay the attack by thirty centons."
	"We have about fifteen centons left."  Athena looked at her brother's
body, then at Sheba.  "We're not going to have enough time if we have to go
down that ladder again.  What if we run into more Cylons?  Do you guys know
where your lasers are?"
	Starbuck shook his head as Boomer looked thoughtful.  "Maybe.  I'll go
check now."
	"Do that.  Athena, go with him since you have a laser and he doesn't."
	"Sure."
	They quickly left the cell, leaving Sheba and Starbuck alone with Apollo.
Together, they got him to sit up, and Sheba gasped at the limp and thin
feel of hie brushed by Brie, who looked at Greenbean and Sheba with a quizzical
expression.
	"What's going on?" the lieutenant asked, seeing that Sheba didn't have her
Viper helmet with her.  "Aren't we going on patrol?"
	"Go on ahead, Brie, or you can come with us.  We have an important matter
to bring up with the commander."
	"Oh.  The basestar."  Brie laughed, pushing her light brown hair off her
forehead.  "I'm not facing the Cylons by myself, so I'm comin' up with you
three.  To Hades' with the patrol."
	The Galactica was usually quiet during the early morning, and as the
foursome made their way up to the bridge, they noticed a lot of movement as
the delta shift, better known as the deathyard shift, relinquished their
posts to the fresh members of alpha shift.  Sheba watched the fatigued
personnel as they almost staggered towards their quarters.
	"What are you guys doing up here?" Athena asked, coming behind them.  The
commander's daughter was ready to go on duty, and Sheba noticed that she
showed e brushed by Brie, who looked at Greenbean and Sheba with a quizzical
expression.
	"What's going on?" the lieutenant asked, seeing that Sheba didn't have her
Viper helmet with her.  "Aren't we going on patrol?"
	"Go on ahead, Brie, or you can come with us.  We have an important matter
to bring up with the commander."
	"Oh.  The basestar."  Brie laughed, pushing her light brown hair off her
forehead.  "I'm not facing the Cylons by myself, so I'm comin' up with you
three.  To Hades' with the patrol."
	The Galactica was usually quiet during the early morning, and as the
foursome made their way up to the bridge, they noticed a lot of movement as
the delta shift, better known as the deathyard shift, relinquished their
posts to the fresh members of alpha shift.  Sheba watched the fatigued
personnel as they almost staggered towards their quarters.
	"What are you guys doing up here?" Athena asked, coming behind them.  The
commander's daughter was ready to go on duty, and Sheba noticed that she
showed quickly exiting their decontamination chambers as they headed for the lift.
 The expression on their faces made her decide to follow them.
	"Wait up, Bojay!" she shouted as she jumped out of the cockpit and ran
over to them.  "What's wrong?"
	Bojay's face was dour, while Greenbean's wide blue eyes were larger than
usual with fear.  Both of them were impatient as they waited for the lift
to arrive.
	"Guess what happened to us," Bojay muttered angrily.  "Take one lucky guess."
	"You ran into the basestar?"
	"How'd you guess?" Greenbean said.  His usually soft voice was harsh with
sarcasm.  "I'm really beginning to think that the Cylons are deliberately
trying to provoke us into a battle."
	"You don't say?" Bojay replied.  "This is the fourth time the basestar's
made an appearance in two days."
	Sheba frowned, crossing her arms.  "If I get my way, we'll give the Cylons
that battle.  You guys are going up to the bridge?"
	The captain nodded, taking a step forward as the door to the lift opened.
Hs body.  She knew from experience that while Apollo was slight,
he was nicely muscled.  Now, it felt like he had wasted away.
	"He feels like he's lost half his weight!" she exclaimed as she steadied
Starbuck.  Carefully, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.
	"Hmm, not quite, but it's a good analogy," he murmured, trying to
distribute the weight a little better than he had in the landing bay.
"Deja vu, wouldn't you say, Sheba?"
	"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, standing back as she watched him
take a step forward.  Apollo's arms dangled down, and his hands brushed the
back of Starbuck's calves as they swayed back and forth.  The movement
reminded Sheba of the drooping branches of the weeping welig that used to
keep depressed watched near her home on Caprica.
	"Well, you remember what happened on Iblis' planet."
	"Of course," she nodded.  Although her memories of the strange visitor
named Count Iblis were hazy, the last part of his visit were only
fragments.  What she did reno more traces of grief over her brother's death.  At least visibly,
there were no traces of grief.  Like Apollo had done with Serina, Athena
tried to keep her grief as private as possible, only displaying it in front
of close friends and family.
	"To talk to the commander," Bojay told her, then gave her a brief
description of the confrontation.  Athena's blue eyes grew wide with anger
as she listened.
	"Well, he's not scheduled to come up here for another few centars," Athena
replied, "but I think that I can do something to get him up here faster."
	Flashing them a sly smile, Athena turned her back and went to the other
side of the bridge.  Sheba watched as Colonel Tigh came into view and
exchanged a few words with Athena.  Shaking his head in what either could
have been disgust or fatigue, Tigh reluctantly nodded and headed up the
stairs to the command deck where Omega was settling in.
	"He'll be up momentarily," Athena reported, then went to her station at
the base of the command deck, leavie brushed by Brie, who looked at Greenbean and Sheba with a quizzical
expression.
	"What's going on?" the lieutenant asked, seeing that Sheba didn't have her
Viper helmet with her.  "Aren't we going on patrol?"
	"Go on ahead, Brie, or you can come with us.  We have an important matter
to bring up with the commander."
	"Oh.  The basestar."  Brie laughed, pushing her light brown hair off her
forehead.  "I'm not facing the Cylons by myself, so I'm comin' up with you
three.  To Hades' with the patrol."
	The Galactica was usually quiet during the early morning, and as the
foursome made their way up to the bridge, they noticed a lot of movement as
the delta shift, better known as the deathyard shift, relinquished their
posts to the fresh members of alpha shift.  Sheba watched the fatigued
personnel as they almost staggered towards their quarters.
	"What are you guys doing up here?" Athena asked, coming behind them.  The
commander's daughter was ready to go on duty, and Sheba noticed that she
showed no more traces of grief over her brother's death.  At least visibly,
there were no traces of grief.  Like Apollo had done with Serina, Athena
tried to keep her grief as private as possible, only displaying it in front
of close friends and family.
	"To talk to the commander," Bojay told her, then gave her a brief
description of the confrontation.  Athena's blue eyes grew wide with anger
as she listened.
	"Well, he's not scheduled to come up here for another few centars," Athena
replied, "but I think that I can do something to get him up here faster."
	Flashing them a sly smile, Athena turned her back and went to the other
side of the bridge.  Sheba watched as Colonel Tigh came into view and
exchanged a few words with Athena.  Shaking his head in what either could
have been disgust or fatigue, Tigh reluctantly nodded and headed up the
stairs to the command deck where Omega was settling in.
	"He'll be up momentarily," Athena reported, then went to her station at
the base of the command deck, leavimember, though, was clear.  She, Starbuck and
Apollo had spent many nights afterward trying to piece together everything
that had happened on the planet.  There were many gaps, but the part that
she remembered the most was when Apollo had stood up to Iblis, and had been
killed in Sheba's place.
	At least she believed he had died.  Doctor Salik's then-assistant, Doctor
Paye, had verified that Apollo had gone though an intense trauma.  But the
events after Apollo's supposed death and their return to the Galactica were
still unclear to Sheba, as was the source of the coordinates to Earth that
the three of them had given Adama.  No matter what, she'd never forget
helping Starbuck to pick up Apollo's dead body so he could carry him back
to the shuttle.
	"That was different," she said tightly as she followed Starbuck and his
charge to the door.  "He weighed more, and I don't want to think about that
just now.  Apollo was brought back then, but if he dies now, Starbuck,
there's no one to bring him bacng the four pilots at the entrance of
the bridge.
	Adama arrived a few centons later.  His dark brown eyes immediately met
Bojay's, as though he sensed what the captain was about to report.  At her
station, Athena pretended to be busy with her duties, but Sheba could tell
that her friend was listening to the conversation.
	"Let me guess," the commander began, before the pilots could give their
greetings.  "Your patrol has come across the Cylon basestar yet again, and
you wish to give me a report on its activities?"
	Bojay nodded.  "Yes, sir.  Greenbean and I believe that the basestar is
keeping pace with us, and that our patrols will continue to run into the
Cylons until we attack them or vice versa."
	"I see."  Adama fixed Sheba and Brie with a harsh look.  "Lieutenants,
aren't you slated for patrol?"
	For the first time, Sheba realized that coming up with the men hadn't been
such a bright idea.  She looked away from Adama as she tried to come up
with an adequate response.
	"I thought that ino more traces of grief over her brother's death.  At least visibly,
there were no traces of grief.  Like Apollo had done with Serina, Athena
tried to keep her grief as private as possible, only displaying it in front
of close friends and family.
	"To talk to the commander," Bojay told her, then gave her a brief
description of the confrontation.  Athena's blue eyes grew wide with anger
as she listened.
	"Well, he's not scheduled to come up here for another few centars," Athena
replied, "but I think that I can do something to get him up here faster."
	Flashing them a sly smile, Athena turned her back and went to the other
side of the bridge.  Sheba watched as Colonel Tigh came into view and
exchanged a few words with Athena.  Shaking his head in what either could
have been disgust or fatigue, Tigh reluctantly nodded and headed up the
stairs to the command deck where Omega was settling in.
	"He'll be up momentarily," Athena reported, then went to her station at
the base of the command deck, leaving the four pilots at the entrance of
the bridge.
	Adama arrived a few centons later.  His dark brown eyes immediately met
Bojay's, as though he sensed what the captain was about to report.  At her
station, Athena pretended to be busy with her duties, but Sheba could tell
that her friend was listening to the conversation.
	"Let me guess," the commander began, before the pilots could give their
greetings.  "Your patrol has come across the Cylon basestar yet again, and
you wish to give me a report on its activities?"
	Bojay nodded.  "Yes, sir.  Greenbean and I believe that the basestar is
keeping pace with us, and that our patrols will continue to run into the
Cylons until we attack them or vice versa."
	"I see."  Adama fixed Sheba and Brie with a harsh look.  "Lieutenants,
aren't you slated for patrol?"
	For the first time, Sheba realized that coming up with the men hadn't been
such a bright idea.  She looked away from Adama as she tried to come up
with an adequate response.
	"I thought that ik."
	"True," he said, feeling a little sheepish, "but on the other hand, that
ended with a happy ending.  This one will, too."
	An ecstatic Boomer met them in the hallway, and he handed an extra laser
holster to Sheba as he spoke.  "Found them!  And guess what else we found?"
	"What?"
	"A lift!"
	Starbuck exchanged glances with Sheba, and saw that she was immensely
relieved.  He was, too, especially when he found that he had to readjust
Apollo's weight to a more comfortable location on his shoulder.  He hated
to imagine what that would be like on a ladder, several metrons from the
deck.  He forced the image of Apollo's body plummeting to the bottom from
his mind
	"A lift on a basestar?" Sheba repeated.  Despite her relief, she still
wasn't sure if she was hearing things correctly.  "In different
circumstances, I'd ask if you were kidding."
	"Yeah, I wouldn't blame you."
	"That's too good to be true, but why waste an opportunity like that?"
Starbuck smiled as he looked about the hallway.  "Wht might be a good idea to come up and show our support of
Captain Bojay's report.  Personally, Commander, I'm uncomfortable with the
idea of a basestar shadowing our every move."  She wanted to add that she
was one of the warriors who had originally proposed destroying the basestar
in the beginning, but she knew that Adama would not have appreciated the
comment.
	"Very well.  Captain, do you have anything else to report?"
	"We have the coordinates of the basestar, sir, or its approximate
location."  Bojay waited until Adama gave him the signal to continue.
"It's at sector gamma-five-nine."
	"They're maintaining the same course as us," Tigh said, coming into
hearing range as the captain spoke.  "The second sighting yesterday had
them at sigma-five-nine."
	Adama nodded thoughtfully.  "It does seem that she's following us.
Perhaps the time has come for us to challenge the basestar."
	Sheba found herself grinning as Adama began issuing commands to the bridge
crew.
	"Omega!  Alert the flight crewsng the four pilots at the entrance of
the bridge.
	Adama arrived a few centons later.  His dark brown eyes immediately met
Bojay's, as though he sensed what the captain was about to report.  At her
station, Athena pretended to be busy with her duties, but Sheba could tell
that her friend was listening to the conversation.
	"Let me guess," the commander began, before the pilots could give their
greetings.  "Your patrol has come across the Cylon basestar yet again, and
you wish to give me a report on its activities?"
	Bojay nodded.  "Yes, sir.  Greenbean and I believe that the basestar is
keeping pace with us, and that our patrols will continue to run into the
Cylons until we attack them or vice versa."
	"I see."  Adama fixed Sheba and Brie with a harsh look.  "Lieutenants,
aren't you slated for patrol?"
	For the first time, Sheba realized that coming up with the men hadn't been
such a bright idea.  She looked away from Adama as she tried to come up
with an adequate response.
	"I thought that it might be a good idea to come up and show our support of
Captain Bojay's report.  Personally, Commander, I'm uncomfortable with the
idea of a basestar shadowing our every move."  She wanted to add that she
was one of the warriors who had originally proposed destroying the basestar
in the beginning, but she knew that Adama would not have appreciated the
comment.
	"Very well.  Captain, do you have anything else to report?"
	"We have the coordinates of the basestar, sir, or its approximate
location."  Bojay waited until Adama gave him the signal to continue.
"It's at sector gamma-five-nine."
	"They're maintaining the same course as us," Tigh said, coming into
hearing range as the captain spoke.  "The second sighting yesterday had
them at sigma-five-nine."
	Adama nodded thoughtfully.  "It does seem that she's following us.
Perhaps the time has come for us to challenge the basestar."
	Sheba found herself grinning as Adama began issuing commands to the bridge
crew.
	"Omega!  Alert the flight crewsere's Athena?"
	"Holding the lift for us."
	"Then what are we waiting for?" Sheba demanded as she and Boomer started
forward.  "We've got a deadline to meet!"

	After Bojay's conversation with Adama, a small group of Cylon Raiders had
separated from the battle to engage the Vipers.  Dietra was startled at the
independent movement of the Cylons, but she also knew that the nine Raiders
were no match for the four Vipers.
	She brought her Viper up behind the Cylon that was dogging Greenbean's,
waiting carefully for the precise micron when the Raider would move into
targeting range.  The Cylon moved unsteadily, not quite in range, then the
computer's screen flashed to tell her that it was time to fire.  She did,
and smiled as the alien craft exploded into rubble.
	"Thanks, Di," Greenbean called as his fighter sped away from the debris.
"I owe you one!"
	"I know you do," she replied, smiling at the sergeant's obvious statement.
 "You can repay it by buying me a drink at the victory celebration.  An and have them begin to prepare the
fighters for battle.  Athena!  Alert all civilian ships of the upcoming
battle.  Tigh!  Call all the senior pilots and have them meet me in the war
room in twenty centons."  He turned to the pilots.  "And that includes you
four.  I'll see you all there."
	They nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to leave.  Sheba caught
Athena's gaze and gave her a thumb's up.  It was returned with an
enthusiastic grin.
	Apollo, my love, the lieutenant thought as she left the bridge, you're
finally going to be avenged.  I hope that you can rest better now, and let
me go on with my life.

* * *

	The war room was as full as it had been two days earlier, but this time,
the air was crisp with anticipation for battle.  Starbuck could feel it
throughout his body, and he marveled at the prospect of him actually
wanting to go out to face the Cylons.
	It's not exactly something that happens every day, he thought, thinking of
all the other things he could be doing at that centon,t might be a good idea to come up and show our support of
Captain Bojay's report.  Personally, Commander, I'm uncomfortable with the
idea of a basestar shadowing our every move."  She wanted to add that she
was one of the warriors who had originally proposed destroying the basestar
in the beginning, but she knew that Adama would not have appreciated the
comment.
	"Very well.  Captain, do you have anything else to report?"
	"We have the coordinates of the basestar, sir, or its approximate
location."  Bojay waited until Adama gave him the signal to continue.
"It's at sector gamma-five-nine."
	"They're maintaining the same course as us," Tigh said, coming into
hearing range as the captain spoke.  "The second sighting yesterday had
them at sigma-five-nine."
	Adama nodded thoughtfully.  "It does seem that she's following us.
Perhaps the time has come for us to challenge the basestar."
	Sheba found herself grinning as Adama began issuing commands to the bridge
crew.
	"Omega!  Alert the flight crews and have them begin to prepare the
fighters for battle.  Athena!  Alert all civilian ships of the upcoming
battle.  Tigh!  Call all the senior pilots and have them meet me in the war
room in twenty centons."  He turned to the pilots.  "And that includes you
four.  I'll see you all there."
	They nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to leave.  Sheba caught
Athena's gaze and gave her a thumb's up.  It was returned with an
enthusiastic grin.
	Apollo, my love, the lieutenant thought as she left the bridge, you're
finally going to be avenged.  I hope that you can rest better now, and let
me go on with my life.

* * *

	The war room was as full as it had been two days earlier, but this time,
the air was crisp with anticipation for battle.  Starbuck could feel it
throughout his body, and he marveled at the prospect of him actually
wanting to go out to face the Cylons.
	It's not exactly something that happens every day, he thought, thinking of
all the other things he could be doing at that centon,d
don't call me Di!  It's Die-tra!"
	"All right, Die-tra, why don't I repay you by getting that tinhead that's
taken a sudden liking to you?"
	She jumped to attention as she looked down at her scanner.  Sure enough,
there was a Cylon hot on her tail.  She tried shaking the fighter to lose
the Raider, but it stuck to her.
	"He's getting a little too friendly for my tastes," she said, frowning at
her scanner.
	"That's what I thought.  I'm on my way!"
	The Cylon opened fire on her, and as she tried everything she could think
of, she felt her fighter shake.  The displays that suddenly turned red told
her everything she needed to know.  "They've damaged my high engine!  It's
working at a quarter of its power.  Greenbean, get over here now!"
	"Are you okay?" Bojay asked, his voice concerned.
	"Never been better.  The Viper's seen better days, though, but we'll both
be better in a few microns.  Greenbean!"
	"No need to shout, Dietra," came the amused response as Greenbean
destroyed the Cylon before but he realized he
didn't really care about the other activities.  I wanna go out there and
shoot me some Cylons.
	Tigh took the podium as he explained the layout for the battle that he and
Adama had come up with in the short time since calling the meeting.  The
commander remained at his seat, knuckling his chin as he listened to Tigh's
speech.
	"This is a routine battle," Tigh began.  "We've been through this twice
before, but since we're... missing one member of the original team, things
will be slightly different.  Starbuck, you and Boomer will board the
basestar and disable its computer banks."
	"You mean that we'll be executing the 'Apollo Solution,' sir," Boomer
interrupted, causing laughter among the pilots.  Tigh frowned at him while
Adama hid a smile as the lieutenant quickly defended himself.  "Well, he
did come up with the final plan, after all."
	Tigh cleared his throat.  "I see."
	Starbuck laughed and leaned over to whisper into his friend's ear.
	"Nice move, Boom-boom."
	"Than and have them begin to prepare the
fighters for battle.  Athena!  Alert all civilian ships of the upcoming
battle.  Tigh!  Call all the senior pilots and have them meet me in the war
room in twenty centons."  He turned to the pilots.  "And that includes you
four.  I'll see you all there."
	They nodded in acknowledgment, then turned to leave.  Sheba caught
Athena's gaze and gave her a thumb's up.  It was returned with an
enthusiastic grin.
	Apollo, my love, the lieutenant thought as she left the bridge, you're
finally going to be avenged.  I hope that you can rest better now, and let
me go on with my life.

* * *

	The war room was as full as it had been two days earlier, but this time,
the air was crisp with anticipation for battle.  Starbuck could feel it
throughout his body, and he marveled at the prospect of him actually
wanting to go out to face the Cylons.
	It's not exactly something that happens every day, he thought, thinking of
all the other things he could be doing at that centon, but he realized he
didn't really care about the other activities.  I wanna go out there and
shoot me some Cylons.
	Tigh took the podium as he explained the layout for the battle that he and
Adama had come up with in the short time since calling the meeting.  The
commander remained at his seat, knuckling his chin as he listened to Tigh's
speech.
	"This is a routine battle," Tigh began.  "We've been through this twice
before, but since we're... missing one member of the original team, things
will be slightly different.  Starbuck, you and Boomer will board the
basestar and disable its computer banks."
	"You mean that we'll be executing the 'Apollo Solution,' sir," Boomer
interrupted, causing laughter among the pilots.  Tigh frowned at him while
Adama hid a smile as the lieutenant quickly defended himself.  "Well, he
did come up with the final plan, after all."
	Tigh cleared his throat.  "I see."
	Starbuck laughed and leaned over to whisper into his friend's ear.
	"Nice move, Boom-boom."
	"Than it could fire at her again.  "There, we're even."
	"I still think that you owe me one because you took so long," she
grumbled.  To the side, she spotted Bojay and Giles slowly circling the
last three Cylons.  Bojay swept behind them, getting two in a single
barrage of lasers.  The third escape Bojay's attack, and veered directly
into Giles' line of sight.  Before the Cylon realized its mistake, Giles
fired and it was destroyed.
	"That's all of them!" Giles exclaimed.  "At least for now."
	"What a fun way to spend fifteen centons," Greenbean added.
	"Yeah, but that's the fifteen centons that Sheba and Athena were given"
Bojay's voice was bitter and full of worry.  "Look at your scanners,
people.  That big target you see is the Galactica.  She's moving in, and
we're going to have to retreat back to the main battle or risk being caught
in the cross-fire."
	"Why can't we wait for another few centons?" Dietra asked.  "They think
they've got another fifteen centons."
	"I know, but orders are ordersks, Bucko.  And don't call me Boom-boom."
	"May I continue, gentlemen?" Tigh demanded, giving them harsh expressions.
 "All right, Starbuck and Boomer will be taking the Raider onto the
basestar.  Captain Bojay, you and Lieutenant Sheba will lead the squadrons
into the battle."
	Bojay nodded, looking across the table at Sheba who was looking at the
colonel with an intense expression.
	"We won't let you down, sirs."
	"I hope not.  Are there any questions?"
	"What are the odds?" Sheba asked.  Starbuck winced at the question, since
he never liked knowing the odds of a battle beforehand.
	"We're estimating two-to-one, but no more than three-to-one.  No more than
the last two times."  Tigh looked at the warriors, waiting for someone else
to speak.  When no one did, he nodded to Adama.  "Do you have anything to
add, Commander?"
	Adama stood, glancing at his wrist chronometer.  "It is nearly eleven
hundred centars now.  Starbuck and Boomer will launch in one centar, at
twelve hundred, and the squadr but he realized he
didn't really care about the other activities.  I wanna go out there and
shoot me some Cylons.
	Tigh took the podium as he explained the layout for the battle that he and
Adama had come up with in the short time since calling the meeting.  The
commander remained at his seat, knuckling his chin as he listened to Tigh's
speech.
	"This is a routine battle," Tigh began.  "We've been through this twice
before, but since we're... missing one member of the original team, things
will be slightly different.  Starbuck, you and Boomer will board the
basestar and disable its computer banks."
	"You mean that we'll be executing the 'Apollo Solution,' sir," Boomer
interrupted, causing laughter among the pilots.  Tigh frowned at him while
Adama hid a smile as the lieutenant quickly defended himself.  "Well, he
did come up with the final plan, after all."
	Tigh cleared his throat.  "I see."
	Starbuck laughed and leaned over to whisper into his friend's ear.
	"Nice move, Boom-boom."
	"Thanks, Bucko.  And don't call me Boom-boom."
	"May I continue, gentlemen?" Tigh demanded, giving them harsh expressions.
 "All right, Starbuck and Boomer will be taking the Raider onto the
basestar.  Captain Bojay, you and Lieutenant Sheba will lead the squadrons
into the battle."
	Bojay nodded, looking across the table at Sheba who was looking at the
colonel with an intense expression.
	"We won't let you down, sirs."
	"I hope not.  Are there any questions?"
	"What are the odds?" Sheba asked.  Starbuck winced at the question, since
he never liked knowing the odds of a battle beforehand.
	"We're estimating two-to-one, but no more than three-to-one.  No more than
the last two times."  Tigh looked at the warriors, waiting for someone else
to speak.  When no one did, he nodded to Adama.  "Do you have anything to
add, Commander?"
	Adama stood, glancing at his wrist chronometer.  "It is nearly eleven
hundred centars now.  Starbuck and Boomer will launch in one centar, at
twelve hundred, and the squadr.  Maybe if we picked something up on the
comline..."  Bojay paused, completely frustrated.  "None of you have heard
anything either on the main comchannel or on frequency 6,968?"
	"Nope."  Greenbean spoke for them all.  "But they're bound to come out of
there soon enough."
	"Soon enough isn't good enough!  Okay, we're going to retreat now.
Dietra, you take your Viper back to the Galactica.  I wouldn't trust it in
the battle now with that high engine damaged."
	Dietra watched as Bojay's Viper did a complete turn to return to the
battle.  Reluctantly, Greenbean and Giles followed suit, heading away from
the basestar and the approaching battlestar.  She pulled her Viper away
from the men and began to take the long way around to the Galactica.  She
glanced at her scanner again, and was surprised to see three smaller
objects coming out of the basestar.
	"Wait!  Bojay, look at the scanner!"
	Greenbean whooped, and Giles laughed.  Dietra could hear the relief in
Bojay's voice as he spoke.  "I'll be.ons half a centar afterward."
	"Do we get a drink from the Officer's Club beforehand?" Jolly asked.
	The commander laughed.  "Not this time, Lieutenant.  Good luck, by the
way, to all of you.  Dismissed."
	Starbuck was one of the first warriors out of the room, and as he heard
Boomer and Jolly calling for him to wait for them, he wondered what he
should do in the centar before launch.  He had spent the night with
Cassiopia, so he felt that he didn't have to see her so soon, since she
knew before the meeting was called that there would be a battle.
	"Want to come with us to the Officer's Club?" Jolly wondered when he and
Boomer were in range.  The portly lieutenant's face was cheerful, and
Boomer had a grin that Starbuck found contagious.
	"I thought that the commander said that you can't have any ambrosa before
the battle."
	"Ambrosa?" Boomer repeated.  "Did we say anything about ambrosa, Jolly?"
	"No."
	"I didn't think so.  I was planning on having fruit juice, myself.  You,
Jolly?"
	"Fruitks, Bucko.  And don't call me Boom-boom."
	"May I continue, gentlemen?" Tigh demanded, giving them harsh expressions.
 "All right, Starbuck and Boomer will be taking the Raider onto the
basestar.  Captain Bojay, you and Lieutenant Sheba will lead the squadrons
into the battle."
	Bojay nodded, looking across the table at Sheba who was looking at the
colonel with an intense expression.
	"We won't let you down, sirs."
	"I hope not.  Are there any questions?"
	"What are the odds?" Sheba asked.  Starbuck winced at the question, since
he never liked knowing the odds of a battle beforehand.
	"We're estimating two-to-one, but no more than three-to-one.  No more than
the last two times."  Tigh looked at the warriors, waiting for someone else
to speak.  When no one did, he nodded to Adama.  "Do you have anything to
add, Commander?"
	Adama stood, glancing at his wrist chronometer.  "It is nearly eleven
hundred centars now.  Starbuck and Boomer will launch in one centar, at
twelve hundred, and the squadrons half a centar afterward."
	"Do we get a drink from the Officer's Club beforehand?" Jolly asked.
	The commander laughed.  "Not this time, Lieutenant.  Good luck, by the
way, to all of you.  Dismissed."
	Starbuck was one of the first warriors out of the room, and as he heard
Boomer and Jolly calling for him to wait for them, he wondered what he
should do in the centar before launch.  He had spent the night with
Cassiopia, so he felt that he didn't have to see her so soon, since she
knew before the meeting was called that there would be a battle.
	"Want to come with us to the Officer's Club?" Jolly wondered when he and
Boomer were in range.  The portly lieutenant's face was cheerful, and
Boomer had a grin that Starbuck found contagious.
	"I thought that the commander said that you can't have any ambrosa before
the battle."
	"Ambrosa?" Boomer repeated.  "Did we say anything about ambrosa, Jolly?"
	"No."
	"I didn't think so.  I was planning on having fruit juice, myself.  You,
Jolly?"
	"Fruit..  Orange Leader to Purple Leader.
Come in."
	"Orange Leader?" Boomer's voice answered, highly amused.  "I haven't heard
that joke in yahrens."
	"Boomer?  What are you doing in a Viper?  Who's in the Raider?"
	"Me and Sheba," Starbuck responded.  "Figured that you'd leave us on that
basestar all by our lonesome?"
	Dietra smiled.  "I'm glad you got out of there when you did.  The
Commander only gave you fifteen centons to get in and out."
	"Thank Baltar for that," Athena cut in.  "If it weren't for his presence
on the basestar, it might have taken us another ten centons to get back to
the bays and out again."
	"How's that?"
	"He's lazy."
	Bojay laughed for the first time.  "That's good, I think, because you
don't want to be caught in the middle of that!"
	Dietra looked behind her to see the Galactica making her final approach to
the basestar, and before she moved into place, the battlestar opened fire
on the Cylon ship with all her forward laser turrets.
	"Let's get out of here," Boomer sai juice."
	Starbuck had to laugh.  "Fine.  Fruit juice, if you insist.  Thanks for
the offer, guys, but I think I'm going to spend some time with Boxey.  The
poor kid needs some company."
	Somberly, Boomer nodded.  "Tell him we say 'hi.'"
	"Will do."
	Pulling Jolly by the arm, Boomer headed down the corridor away from
Starbuck.  Smiling at his friends' retreating backs, Starbuck turned to go
to the lift.

	The imminent battle had put Adama's nerves more on edge than he wanted to
admit.  He was happy for the warriors, at their delight of finally putting
their personal demons relatively to rest.  For himself, however, he felt
only stress.
	Not wanting to go to the bridge for at least another forty-five centons,
since he knew that Tigh would be in the throes of pre-battle fever, Adama
decided to return to his quarters to get a bit of rest.  Kobol knew that he
needed it.  The muscles at the back of his neck and upper back were tense,
and he knew that the stress from the battle would drain what lions half a centar afterward."
	"Do we get a drink from the Officer's Club beforehand?" Jolly asked.
	The commander laughed.  "Not this time, Lieutenant.  Good luck, by the
way, to all of you.  Dismissed."
	Starbuck was one of the first warriors out of the room, and as he heard
Boomer and Jolly calling for him to wait for them, he wondered what he
should do in the centar before launch.  He had spent the night with
Cassiopia, so he felt that he didn't have to see her so soon, since she
knew before the meeting was called that there would be a battle.
	"Want to come with us to the Officer's Club?" Jolly wondered when he and
Boomer were in range.  The portly lieutenant's face was cheerful, and
Boomer had a grin that Starbuck found contagious.
	"I thought that the commander said that you can't have any ambrosa before
the battle."
	"Ambrosa?" Boomer repeated.  "Did we say anything about ambrosa, Jolly?"
	"No."
	"I didn't think so.  I was planning on having fruit juice, myself.  You,
Jolly?"
	"Fruitd.  "Sheba, Starbuck, let's go back to
the Galactica."
	"No," Bojay cut in.  "Dietra, go with Sheba and Starbuck.  She was headed
there anyway.  Besides, Boomer, I want you with me so we can show those
cadets how to fight a battle."
	"See you all when the battle's over!" Athena called as the group parted
company.

Chapter Eleven

	The wait for the main part of the battle to begin was almost agonizing for
Adama.  He stared at the scanner, wondering if Athena would get off the
basestar in time, and if she would have Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Sheba
with her.  Very slowly, it seemed, the centons had trickled by, the bold
numbers slowly changing until they reached zero.
	"The attack has to begin now," Tigh said.  "Now or never."
	Adama nodded as he turned to the navigator.  "Continue the course toward
the basestar.  I want us to go in at an angle, so if the basestar tries to
fire at us, we won't be in their direct line of fire."
	The officer nodded as she plotted in the course, and looked up  juice."
	Starbuck had to laugh.  "Fine.  Fruit juice, if you insist.  Thanks for
the offer, guys, but I think I'm going to spend some time with Boxey.  The
poor kid needs some company."
	Somberly, Boomer nodded.  "Tell him we say 'hi.'"
	"Will do."
	Pulling Jolly by the arm, Boomer headed down the corridor away from
Starbuck.  Smiling at his friends' retreating backs, Starbuck turned to go
to the lift.

	The imminent battle had put Adama's nerves more on edge than he wanted to
admit.  He was happy for the warriors, at their delight of finally putting
their personal demons relatively to rest.  For himself, however, he felt
only stress.
	Not wanting to go to the bridge for at least another forty-five centons,
since he knew that Tigh would be in the throes of pre-battle fever, Adama
decided to return to his quarters to get a bit of rest.  Kobol knew that he
needed it.  The muscles at the back of his neck and upper back were tense,
and he knew that the stress from the battle would drain what little energy
he had.
	Walking through his outer office, Adama didn't bother checking his
computer for messages.  They could wait until the battle was completely
over, but his body couldn't.  Setting his alarm to go off in thirty
centons, he stretched out on his bed, closing his eyes and trying to rest.
The tension began to ebb as he breathed deeply, but as he fell asleep, he
found that the dream that had been plaguing him since the basestar was
first sighted was paying another unwelcome visit.
	He was a young man again, barely seven yahrens away from becoming the
Rycon's colonel; and another ten yahrens after that to become the
Galactica's commander.  Tall, dark, handsome, and married to the most
beautiful woman in the Colonies.  He was back in his home on Caprica, on
the first full day of the leave he had requested several sectars earlier
when Ila had discovered that she was pregnant.  Now, the time for the
baby's arrival had almost come, and as Adama tried to get himself back into
the routine juice."
	Starbuck had to laugh.  "Fine.  Fruit juice, if you insist.  Thanks for
the offer, guys, but I think I'm going to spend some time with Boxey.  The
poor kid needs some company."
	Somberly, Boomer nodded.  "Tell him we say 'hi.'"
	"Will do."
	Pulling Jolly by the arm, Boomer headed down the corridor away from
Starbuck.  Smiling at his friends' retreating backs, Starbuck turned to go
to the lift.

	The imminent battle had put Adama's nerves more on edge than he wanted to
admit.  He was happy for the warriors, at their delight of finally putting
their personal demons relatively to rest.  For himself, however, he felt
only stress.
	Not wanting to go to the bridge for at least another forty-five centons,
since he knew that Tigh would be in the throes of pre-battle fever, Adama
decided to return to his quarters to get a bit of rest.  Kobol knew that he
needed it.  The muscles at the back of his neck and upper back were tense,
and he knew that the stress from the battle would drain what liat Adama
when she was finished.  "Course set in, sir."
	"Commence."
	"I wonder if they've made it off the basestar yet," Tigh wondering, only
loud enough for him and Adama to hear.
	"Kobol, I hope so, but we can't wait for them if they're not."  Adama
sighed, trying to hide the worried expression on his face.  "But for the
record, I'm praying that all five of them have left."
	Tigh nodded as silence fell between them.  Adama crossed his arms as he
watched the bridge officers finish their preparations.  He let the tension
build as he heard Rigel counting down the time left until they reached the
basestar.
	"Thirty microns," she finally announced.  "Twenty-five.  Twenty."
	"Cylon basestar now in range," Omega said.
	Adama looked down at the scanner, seeing the octagon that represented the
base ship.  It was usually a menacing sight, especially when there was two
or three of them together, but Baltar's ship was now only a nuisance.  A
very painful nuisance that they needed to get rid of.  He intttle energy
he had.
	Walking through his outer office, Adama didn't bother checking his
computer for messages.  They could wait until the battle was completely
over, but his body couldn't.  Setting his alarm to go off in thirty
centons, he stretched out on his bed, closing his eyes and trying to rest.
The tension began to ebb as he breathed deeply, but as he fell asleep, he
found that the dream that had been plaguing him since the basestar was
first sighted was paying another unwelcome visit.
	He was a young man again, barely seven yahrens away from becoming the
Rycon's colonel; and another ten yahrens after that to become the
Galactica's commander.  Tall, dark, handsome, and married to the most
beautiful woman in the Colonies.  He was back in his home on Caprica, on
the first full day of the leave he had requested several sectars earlier
when Ila had discovered that she was pregnant.  Now, the time for the
baby's arrival had almost come, and as Adama tried to get himself back into
the routine of home, he realized that he was very nervous at the idea of
becoming a father.
	Despite her advanced pregnancy, Ila had risen early, telling Adama that
she had a few errands to run as she kissed him.  He had protested, saying
that he could just as easily have done them for her, but she had insisted.
After all, she was the one from whom the children had inherited their
stubbornness.  Once Ila was gone, Adama had fallen back to sleep, finally
getting up centars later.
	The bright midday sunlight was streaming through the kitchen window,
illuminating the table where Adama was sitting, enjoying his simple
breakfast of tea, fruit and cheese.  A warm breeze blew through the room
from the open window.
	His breakfast was interrupted by the comline in the next room, a loud
electronic ring that could be heard throughout the two-level house.
Sighing as he wiped his fingers on the hem of his shirt, he strode over to
the comunit.  Activating it, he discovered a young man dressed in the pale
green uniformttle energy
he had.
	Walking through his outer office, Adama didn't bother checking his
computer for messages.  They could wait until the battle was completely
over, but his body couldn't.  Setting his alarm to go off in thirty
centons, he stretched out on his bed, closing his eyes and trying to rest.
The tension began to ebb as he breathed deeply, but as he fell asleep, he
found that the dream that had been plaguing him since the basestar was
first sighted was paying another unwelcome visit.
	He was a young man again, barely seven yahrens away from becoming the
Rycon's colonel; and another ten yahrens after that to become the
Galactica's commander.  Tall, dark, handsome, and married to the most
beautiful woman in the Colonies.  He was back in his home on Caprica, on
the first full day of the leave he had requested several sectars earlier
when Ila had discovered that she was pregnant.  Now, the time for the
baby's arrival had almost come, and as Adama tried to get himself back into
the routineended to do it
as quickly as possible.  Adama nodded to Tigh, the signal for him to give
the orders to begin the battle.
	"Condition red!  Arm all laser turrets!  Seal all compartments!  Prepare
the ship for heavy attack!" Tigh barked out to the officers, startling a
few of the junior ones.  The lights on the bridge dimmed from their usual
bright intensity to the red alert status lights.  Adama had to blink a few
times to adjust his eyes to the new illumination.  "Shields on positive!"
	"Ten microns," Rigel continued.  Adama marveled that her voice was
remaining calm.
	"When I give the order, fire all forward laser turrets at the basestar
while keeping a circular path around the basestar," Adama ordered loudly,
watching the shield closing over the bridge's star field.  Now he would
have to rely on the Galactica's scanners for information on the battle.
"Continue going in at an angle."
	"Five microns."
	Adama nodded, and without waiting for the helm officer to announce that
they were in full a of home, he realized that he was very nervous at the idea of
becoming a father.
	Despite her advanced pregnancy, Ila had risen early, telling Adama that
she had a few errands to run as she kissed him.  He had protested, saying
that he could just as easily have done them for her, but she had insisted.
After all, she was the one from whom the children had inherited their
stubbornness.  Once Ila was gone, Adama had fallen back to sleep, finally
getting up centars later.
	The bright midday sunlight was streaming through the kitchen window,
illuminating the table where Adama was sitting, enjoying his simple
breakfast of tea, fruit and cheese.  A warm breeze blew through the room
from the open window.
	His breakfast was interrupted by the comline in the next room, a loud
electronic ring that could be heard throughout the two-level house.
Sighing as he wiped his fingers on the hem of his shirt, he strode over to
the comunit.  Activating it, he discovered a young man dressed in the pale
green uniform of a civilian medtech.
	"Captain Adama?" he asked, his voice not betraying what information he had
to give.
	"Yes?"
	"Your wife is here at the Caprica City medical center.  She was brought
here about twenty centons ago."
	Adama lurched forward, feeling his pulse racing.
	"Is she all right?" he demanded, clutching the edges of the comunit tightly.
	"She's gone into labor, Captain, but there are... complications."  The
medtech's voice was impassive as Adama felt an icy grip on his heart.  "She
is requesting your immediate presence."
	"Oh, dear God!" he exclaimed, jumping up and reaching to deactivate the
comline.  "Tell her that I'm on my way!"
	The ride to the med center took only a few centons.  Not thinking clearly,
Adama found himself holding onto the control stick too tightly.  Before he
knew what was happening, he arrived at hospital and found himself entering
the tiny room assigned to Ila.  He paused at the door, not sure what he'd
find.
	The first thing he saw from the doorway was the of home, he realized that he was very nervous at the idea of
becoming a father.
	Despite her advanced pregnancy, Ila had risen early, telling Adama that
she had a few errands to run as she kissed him.  He had protested, saying
that he could just as easily have done them for her, but she had insisted.
After all, she was the one from whom the children had inherited their
stubbornness.  Once Ila was gone, Adama had fallen back to sleep, finally
getting up centars later.
	The bright midday sunlight was streaming through the kitchen window,
illuminating the table where Adama was sitting, enjoying his simple
breakfast of tea, fruit and cheese.  A warm breeze blew through the room
from the open window.
	His breakfast was interrupted by the comline in the next room, a loud
electronic ring that could be heard throughout the two-level house.
Sighing as he wiped his fingers on the hem of his shirt, he strode over to
the comunit.  Activating it, he discovered a young man dressed in the pale
green uniformttack range, he held his arm up and quickly brought it
down.  "Fire!"

	The first strike from the Galactica's lasers didn't catch Baltar by
surprise, but it reminded him of his promise to Adama about killing the
three warriors.  He was close enough to doing it to Apollo, but he wondered
if he could kill all three.  All the deaths attributed to him were
incidental deaths by his actions.  This would be the first time he would
ever kill someone by his own hand.
	The idea thrilled him.
	The basestar shuddered as the Galactica fired again.  Baltar held onto the
armrests as he waited for Lucifer and Golde to give him updates on the
basestar's condition, but the two Cylons were taking their time in giving
their reports.  He knew that Lucifer was only doing it to annoy him, but he
had no idea why Golde was taking so long.
	"Are you firing back?" he wondered, leaning forward in his throne now that
the trembling had finished.
	"We are attempting to do so, but I am not sure if we would hit them,"
Lucif of a civilian medtech.
	"Captain Adama?" he asked, his voice not betraying what information he had
to give.
	"Yes?"
	"Your wife is here at the Caprica City medical center.  She was brought
here about twenty centons ago."
	Adama lurched forward, feeling his pulse racing.
	"Is she all right?" he demanded, clutching the edges of the comunit tightly.
	"She's gone into labor, Captain, but there are... complications."  The
medtech's voice was impassive as Adama felt an icy grip on his heart.  "She
is requesting your immediate presence."
	"Oh, dear God!" he exclaimed, jumping up and reaching to deactivate the
comline.  "Tell her that I'm on my way!"
	The ride to the med center took only a few centons.  Not thinking clearly,
Adama found himself holding onto the control stick too tightly.  Before he
knew what was happening, he arrived at hospital and found himself entering
the tiny room assigned to Ila.  He paused at the door, not sure what he'd
find.
	The first thing he saw from the doorway was the bed, its upper portion
tilted slightly so that its occupant could see him.  Ila smiled in relief
as she saw her husband, her blue eyes red-rimmed and brimming with tears.
Her beautiful dark blonde hair, which was usually pulled back, was now in
disarray and falling onto her forehead.
	"You're lucky you weren't in here a few centons ago," she told him, a
half-hearted attempt at humor that he couldn't believe she was trying.  "It
wasn't a very pretty sight."
	"Are you all right?" he asked her, not appreciating her joke.  He noticed
her swollen belly, which seemed to be larger than he remembered from
earlier.  "Ila, what's going on?"
	Ila stared at him for a micron, then the brave facade completely
disappeared as she burst into tears.  Surprised, he rushed to her side,
taking her hands in his.
	"Adama," she whispered through her sobs.  "The doctors have been in here a
few times.  They've been running tests ever since I arrived.  Oh, Adama..."
	The panic exploded in his chest.  "What do you mean  of a civilian medtech.
	"Captain Adama?" he asked, his voice not betraying what information he had
to give.
	"Yes?"
	"Your wife is here at the Caprica City medical center.  She was brought
here about twenty centons ago."
	Adama lurched forward, feeling his pulse racing.
	"Is she all right?" he demanded, clutching the edges of the comunit tightly.
	"She's gone into labor, Captain, but there are... complications."  The
medtech's voice was impassive as Adama felt an icy grip on his heart.  "She
is requesting your immediate presence."
	"Oh, dear God!" he exclaimed, jumping up and reaching to deactivate the
comline.  "Tell her that I'm on my way!"
	The ride to the med center took only a few centons.  Not thinking clearly,
Adama found himself holding onto the control stick too tightly.  Before he
knew what was happening, he arrived at hospital and found himself entering
the tiny room assigned to Ila.  He paused at the door, not sure what he'd
find.
	The first thing he saw from the doorway was theer replied, strolling over to the base of Baltar's throne.  Actually
strolling!  At a time like this!  Baltar couldn't believe it as the I.L.
continued.  "Our scanners are not accurate enough to detect a moving target."
	"A moving target?  You're making it sound like a battlestar can move as
fast as a Viper."
	"Our scanners can only get an accurate reading on stationary objects like
planets."
	"But they're working?"
	"Yes."
	Baltar leaned back in his throne, considering the possible moves they
could do.  They could sit and wait for the Galactica to destroy them, or
they could fight Adama in the hope that the tide of universal fortune would
lean in their favor.  
	"However," Lucifer continued, "it is also highly probably that we may now
be able to estimate where the Galactica's position is."
	"I see.  Lucifer, you said that we could scan stationary objects?"
	"As close as anything can be to stationary in space."
	Very slowly, a grin came onto Baltar's face as he realized how he could
apply th bed, its upper portion
tilted slightly so that its occupant could see him.  Ila smiled in relief
as she saw her husband, her blue eyes red-rimmed and brimming with tears.
Her beautiful dark blonde hair, which was usually pulled back, was now in
disarray and falling onto her forehead.
	"You're lucky you weren't in here a few centons ago," she told him, a
half-hearted attempt at humor that he couldn't believe she was trying.  "It
wasn't a very pretty sight."
	"Are you all right?" he asked her, not appreciating her joke.  He noticed
her swollen belly, which seemed to be larger than he remembered from
earlier.  "Ila, what's going on?"
	Ila stared at him for a micron, then the brave facade completely
disappeared as she burst into tears.  Surprised, he rushed to her side,
taking her hands in his.
	"Adama," she whispered through her sobs.  "The doctors have been in here a
few times.  They've been running tests ever since I arrived.  Oh, Adama..."
	The panic exploded in his chest.  "What do you mean by tests, Ila?"
	She seemed unable to say the words.  Her mouth moved to form the first
syllable, but a sob escaped her lips during the first few tries.
	"There... There's something wrong with the baby," she finally cried.
"They don't know what it is, but they're trying to find out.  They told me
that they think the baby is going to be...  Oh, Adama, we might lose our
baby!"
	Stunned at his wife's news, Adama stared numbly at where their child was
inside Ila, trying to comprehend what she was trying to tell him.
Everything had been going so well during the pregnancy, outside of the
normal worries that first-time parents seemed to get always have.  He felt
completely numb as he tried to think of something to say.
	"This isn't right, Ila," he said, holding onto Ila's hands tightly as he
looked into her eyes.  "There's nothing wrong with our baby.  He's our
healthy, perfect baby, and this can't change."
	"How do you know that it's a he?" Ila demanded, stopping her tears long
enough to look at him bed, its upper portion
tilted slightly so that its occupant could see him.  Ila smiled in relief
as she saw her husband, her blue eyes red-rimmed and brimming with tears.
Her beautiful dark blonde hair, which was usually pulled back, was now in
disarray and falling onto her forehead.
	"You're lucky you weren't in here a few centons ago," she told him, a
half-hearted attempt at humor that he couldn't believe she was trying.  "It
wasn't a very pretty sight."
	"Are you all right?" he asked her, not appreciating her joke.  He noticed
her swollen belly, which seemed to be larger than he remembered from
earlier.  "Ila, what's going on?"
	Ila stared at him for a micron, then the brave facade completely
disappeared as she burst into tears.  Surprised, he rushed to her side,
taking her hands in his.
	"Adama," she whispered through her sobs.  "The doctors have been in here a
few times.  They've been running tests ever since I arrived.  Oh, Adama..."
	The panic exploded in his chest.  "What do you mean e information he'd gained from Apollo.  If they were lucky and it
worked out, the Galactica would be hit with one shot that would destroy it.
	"Aim for us to go so close next to the Galactica, Adama will think we're
going to ram him.  Of course, he'll think that we're blundering that way,
but he won't be expecting when we fire all of our lasers at him."  Baltar
rubbed his hands together in anticipation.  "The Galactica will be
crippled, and as she licks her wounds, we will head to the fleet."
	"And the fleet is where...?"  Baltar couldn't miss the heavy sarcasm in
the Cylon's voice.
	"Whatever the opposite course is of vector epsilon-twenty-two," he
replied, his grin widening.  He was delighted when Lucifer didn't respond
to him for a few microns, as though computing the idea, and accessing the
possibilities.  The surprise of realizing that my plan will work must be
overwhelming, he thought triumphantly.
	"It might work," Lucifer agreed, beginning to turn away.  "I will make the
necessary prepaby tests, Ila?"
	She seemed unable to say the words.  Her mouth moved to form the first
syllable, but a sob escaped her lips during the first few tries.
	"There... There's something wrong with the baby," she finally cried.
"They don't know what it is, but they're trying to find out.  They told me
that they think the baby is going to be...  Oh, Adama, we might lose our
baby!"
	Stunned at his wife's news, Adama stared numbly at where their child was
inside Ila, trying to comprehend what she was trying to tell him.
Everything had been going so well during the pregnancy, outside of the
normal worries that first-time parents seemed to get always have.  He felt
completely numb as he tried to think of something to say.
	"This isn't right, Ila," he said, holding onto Ila's hands tightly as he
looked into her eyes.  "There's nothing wrong with our baby.  He's our
healthy, perfect baby, and this can't change."
	"How do you know that it's a he?" Ila demanded, stopping her tears long
enough to look at him as though he were crazy.
	"Because he's going to grow up to be one of the greatest warriors in the
history of the Twelve Worlds, and we'll be so proud of him."  Adama smiled.
 "His name will be Apollo."
	It was always at this point that Adama woke up.  Ila and the unborn child
disappeared, leaving behind only the ache of the tragic dream.  The events
of the dream always left him puzzled as he recalled the real memory of
Apollo's birth, where the medtech called to say that Ila was in labor; and
where he entered her room to comfort her during the next eighteen centars
before his first child, healthy and full of energy, came into the world.
Although Apollo had been a breech birth, nothing had gone wrong with either
the pregnancy or the delivery.  He wondered if Ila was punishing him for
not taking the appropriate vengeance for Apollo's death.
	Glancing at the chronometer, Adama saw that he had been asleep for only
five centons, leaving twenty-five more centons before the alarm went off.
Sighing, by tests, Ila?"
	She seemed unable to say the words.  Her mouth moved to form the first
syllable, but a sob escaped her lips during the first few tries.
	"There... There's something wrong with the baby," she finally cried.
"They don't know what it is, but they're trying to find out.  They told me
that they think the baby is going to be...  Oh, Adama, we might lose our
baby!"
	Stunned at his wife's news, Adama stared numbly at where their child was
inside Ila, trying to comprehend what she was trying to tell him.
Everything had been going so well during the pregnancy, outside of the
normal worries that first-time parents seemed to get always have.  He felt
completely numb as he tried to think of something to say.
	"This isn't right, Ila," he said, holding onto Ila's hands tightly as he
looked into her eyes.  "There's nothing wrong with our baby.  He's our
healthy, perfect baby, and this can't change."
	"How do you know that it's a he?" Ila demanded, stopping her tears long
enough to look at himrations."
	As his aide retreated to a nearby console, the other command Cylon
approached Baltar's throne.
	"There is a problem," Golde spoke up, drawing his attention.  "There is no
response from the prisoners' compound."
	"The prisoner's compound?" Baltar repeated, his brown eyes wide.  "What do
you mean, no response?  Are you saying that the prisoners escaped?"
	"Yes."
	"How is that possible?  I tortured both Apollo and Starbuck, and Boomer
shouldn't have been able to get the both of them out!  How did they escape?"
	"I saw two Vipers and one of our Raiders launching a few centons ago,"
Lucifer said with his back still turned to Baltar, his voice carrying an
emotion that Baltar wasn't sure if he was hearing.  Was that satisfaction
he heard?  "I was almost instantly distracted by the more immediate threat
Galactica's attack."
	"You should have told me!" Baltar shouted.  "Now Adama's going to think
I'm a coward that I didn't carry out my threat!  He'll never take me
seriously again!"
	He hea as though he were crazy.
	"Because he's going to grow up to be one of the greatest warriors in the
history of the Twelve Worlds, and we'll be so proud of him."  Adama smiled.
 "His name will be Apollo."
	It was always at this point that Adama woke up.  Ila and the unborn child
disappeared, leaving behind only the ache of the tragic dream.  The events
of the dream always left him puzzled as he recalled the real memory of
Apollo's birth, where the medtech called to say that Ila was in labor; and
where he entered her room to comfort her during the next eighteen centars
before his first child, healthy and full of energy, came into the world.
Although Apollo had been a breech birth, nothing had gone wrong with either
the pregnancy or the delivery.  He wondered if Ila was punishing him for
not taking the appropriate vengeance for Apollo's death.
	Glancing at the chronometer, Adama saw that he had been asleep for only
five centons, leaving twenty-five more centons before the alarm went off.
Sighing, he turned on his side, pondering the real meaning of the dream as
he hoped it would never return.

	After letting Starbuck into his quarters, Boxey went back to the chair
where he had been reading.  Waiting patiently, Starbuck watched the boy as
he looked over the sheets.
	"Whatcha reading?" he finally asked.
	Boxey barely looked up.  "I'm studying.  I have a mathematics exam this
afternoon on multiplication, and I'm just double-checking everything."
	"Do you want any help?"
	This time, Boxey did look up.  A slight grin came onto his face as he
nodded, then the smile disappeared as suddenly as it came.  Starbuck
shrugged inwardly, thinking, Apollo may only be his adopted father, but
they're a lot alike.
	"Thanks, Starbuck."
	"Hey, no problem."  He scanned down the sheets, looking for something to
ask.  "Okay, what's seven times six?"
	"Forty-two."
	He nodded.  "Good.  How about nine times nine?"
	"Eighty-one."
	"Right.  How about eleven times twelve?"
	Boxey pursed his lips as he thought  as though he were crazy.
	"Because he's going to grow up to be one of the greatest warriors in the
history of the Twelve Worlds, and we'll be so proud of him."  Adama smiled.
 "His name will be Apollo."
	It was always at this point that Adama woke up.  Ila and the unborn child
disappeared, leaving behind only the ache of the tragic dream.  The events
of the dream always left him puzzled as he recalled the real memory of
Apollo's birth, where the medtech called to say that Ila was in labor; and
where he entered her room to comfort her during the next eighteen centars
before his first child, healthy and full of energy, came into the world.
Although Apollo had been a breech birth, nothing had gone wrong with either
the pregnancy or the delivery.  He wondered if Ila was punishing him for
not taking the appropriate vengeance for Apollo's death.
	Glancing at the chronometer, Adama saw that he had been asleep for only
five centons, leaving twenty-five more centons before the alarm went off.
Sighing, rd Lucifer make a snide comment under his breath that Adama had
never actually taken Baltar seriously, but he ignored it as the Galactica's
lasers made the ship tremble again.
	"Continue with the plan!" he ordered as he stood to go down to the main
level of the command center, but another barrage of lasers caused the
entire basestar to lurch.  Baltar was thrown down the few steps to land in
an undignified sprawl at the base of the throne.  He lay still for a
micron, completely stunned as he felt something hard dig into his side.
His dazed brain quickly realized what it was.  The control to the belts!
Grinning, Baltar sat up and pulled it out to stare at it.
	There was a feature to the belt that Baltar never had the opportunity to
try, although he'd very nearly come to it with Apollo during the past few
days.  By turning the dial to maximum, the belt would collect enough energy
to paralyze the prisoner's entire body with pain.  Thirty microns later,
cardiac arrest would begin, and if the ship didhe turned on his side, pondering the real meaning of the dream as
he hoped it would never return.

	After letting Starbuck into his quarters, Boxey went back to the chair
where he had been reading.  Waiting patiently, Starbuck watched the boy as
he looked over the sheets.
	"Whatcha reading?" he finally asked.
	Boxey barely looked up.  "I'm studying.  I have a mathematics exam this
afternoon on multiplication, and I'm just double-checking everything."
	"Do you want any help?"
	This time, Boxey did look up.  A slight grin came onto his face as he
nodded, then the smile disappeared as suddenly as it came.  Starbuck
shrugged inwardly, thinking, Apollo may only be his adopted father, but
they're a lot alike.
	"Thanks, Starbuck."
	"Hey, no problem."  He scanned down the sheets, looking for something to
ask.  "Okay, what's seven times six?"
	"Forty-two."
	He nodded.  "Good.  How about nine times nine?"
	"Eighty-one."
	"Right.  How about eleven times twelve?"
	Boxey pursed his lips as he thought about it.  "I don't remember.  I've
always had trouble with the eleven's."
	Getting up to sit next to the boy, Starbuck smiled widely.  "There's a
secret to that.  See, eleven times any number up to nine is just the number
written twice, like sixty-six or forty-four.  When you get to ten, you just
follow the rule that the number being multiplied by ten has a zero added to
the end.  For the numbers over eleven, the middle number is one digit
higher than the last one, like one-twenty-one, or one-thirty-two.  Got it?"
	"I guess."  Boxey sighed as he took the papers from Starbuck.  "When does
the battle begin?"
	Surprised at the boy's perception, Starbuck tried to be enthusiastic.
"Oh, in about two centars.  We'll wipe the star system with them, Boxey,
just wait and see."
	"You're going on that mission, aren't you?  The one you used to go on with
my dad?"
	Boxey's brown eyes held a sad expression, so intense that Starbuck found
that he couldn't look away from him.  Usually in a cheerful mood that he turned on his side, pondering the real meaning of the dream as
he hoped it would never return.

	After letting Starbuck into his quarters, Boxey went back to the chair
where he had been reading.  Waiting patiently, Starbuck watched the boy as
he looked over the sheets.
	"Whatcha reading?" he finally asked.
	Boxey barely looked up.  "I'm studying.  I have a mathematics exam this
afternoon on multiplication, and I'm just double-checking everything."
	"Do you want any help?"
	This time, Boxey did look up.  A slight grin came onto his face as he
nodded, then the smile disappeared as suddenly as it came.  Starbuck
shrugged inwardly, thinking, Apollo may only be his adopted father, but
they're a lot alike.
	"Thanks, Starbuck."
	"Hey, no problem."  He scanned down the sheets, looking for something to
ask.  "Okay, what's seven times six?"
	"Forty-two."
	He nodded.  "Good.  How about nine times nine?"
	"Eighty-one."
	"Right.  How about eleven times twelve?"
	Boxey pursed his lips as he thought  not go out of range, or if
the belt was not deactivated, the prisoner would die.  In Apollo's case, a
minimum exposure would be enough.
	"I'll prove to you, Adama, that I'm not to be messed with," he muttered as
he twisted the dial to the maximum level.  The light turned green, then
switched to red.  He prayed that the Raider was still in range and that
Apollo's belt had not been removed as he replaced the control in his pocket
as he picked himself off the floor.  Smiling widely, he went to Lucifer's
side.  "Began the plan."

	"We'll circle around the Galactica before boarding her," Dietra decided as
the three ships left the basestar.  Starbuck stared at the scanner as he
listened to the lieutenant's words.  "It'll take us about ten centons."
	"Where's the Galactica anyway?" he asked, trying to adjust the scanner.
He remembered the first time he'd used it, wondering if the blips he kept
picking up were simply a malfunction.  "This scanner is worth felgercarb."
	"Take a epsilon-three-zero headabout it.  "I don't remember.  I've
always had trouble with the eleven's."
	Getting up to sit next to the boy, Starbuck smiled widely.  "There's a
secret to that.  See, eleven times any number up to nine is just the number
written twice, like sixty-six or forty-four.  When you get to ten, you just
follow the rule that the number being multiplied by ten has a zero added to
the end.  For the numbers over eleven, the middle number is one digit
higher than the last one, like one-twenty-one, or one-thirty-two.  Got it?"
	"I guess."  Boxey sighed as he took the papers from Starbuck.  "When does
the battle begin?"
	Surprised at the boy's perception, Starbuck tried to be enthusiastic.
"Oh, in about two centars.  We'll wipe the star system with them, Boxey,
just wait and see."
	"You're going on that mission, aren't you?  The one you used to go on with
my dad?"
	Boxey's brown eyes held a sad expression, so intense that Starbuck found
that he couldn't look away from him.  Usually in a cheerful mood that about it.  "I don't remember.  I've
always had trouble with the eleven's."
	Getting up to sit next to the boy, Starbuck smiled widely.  "There's a
secret to that.  See, eleven times any number up to nine is just the number
written twice, like sixty-six or forty-four.  When you get to ten, you just
follow the rule that the number being multiplied by ten has a zero added to
the end.  For the numbers over eleven, the middle number is one digit
higher than the last one, like one-twenty-one, or one-thirty-two.  Got it?"
	"I guess."  Boxey sighed as he took the papers from Starbuck.  "When does
the battle begin?"
	Surprised at the boy's perception, Starbuck tried to be enthusiastic.
"Oh, in about two centars.  We'll wipe the star system with them, Boxey,
just wait and see."
	"You're going on that mission, aren't you?  The one you used to go on with
my dad?"
	Boxey's brown eyes held a sad expression, so intense that Starbuck found
that he couldn't look away from him.  Usually in a cheerful mood that could
bring even Apollo out of the doldrums, Boxey now seemed to be in a
perpetual depression that was getting deeper each day.  It worried
Starbuck, and he wondered if he would ever see the boy's eyes sparkle with
laughter again.
	"Yeah, I'm going on the mission," he said carefully, but with as much
enthusiasm as he could muster.
	"Does Cassie know?"
	"If she doesn't already, she will soon."  Starbuck had to laugh.  "You
sound exactly like your father."
	A hesitant smile appeared on Boxey's face.  "Thanks."
	"Say, if you do well on that exam, why don't I teach you how to play Triad
tomorrow?" he proposed, grinning.  He leaned closer to Boxey.  "And if you
pass with flying colors, we'll have a few hands of Pyramid afterwards.
Sound good?"
	"I guess," Boxey sighed.
	The boy went back to his studying, ignoring Starbuck again.  Watching him
carefully, Starbuck realized that he wouldn't get any more conversation out
of him.  He stood and rumpled Boxey's hair, smiling as his hand was swatted
awaing."
	Sheba nodded to tell him that she had already put the course into the
computer.
	"Thanks, Dietra."  The further away from the basestar the Raider went, the
more relaxed he felt.  He began to feel the tension in his shoulder and
neck ebb, while his head began to feel almost light-headed.  The blasted
belt was the first thing that he'd done something about, by having Sheba
remove it once they'd boarded the Raider.  He could still see her disgusted
expression when he described its function, but he felt so much better now
that it was lying beside him on the deck. The only thing he needed now was
to have his concussion healed, so it wouldn't go off like a gong every time
he moved.
	"Ten centons," Sheba repeated a few moments later.  "Why does that sound
like a long time?"
	"Hey, nine days was even longer."  He paused, looking back at Apollo's
almost peaceful face.  How peaceful could his friend appear to be with his
face looking the way it did, with the bruises and other reminders of his
tocould
bring even Apollo out of the doldrums, Boxey now seemed to be in a
perpetual depression that was getting deeper each day.  It worried
Starbuck, and he wondered if he would ever see the boy's eyes sparkle with
laughter again.
	"Yeah, I'm going on the mission," he said carefully, but with as much
enthusiasm as he could muster.
	"Does Cassie know?"
	"If she doesn't already, she will soon."  Starbuck had to laugh.  "You
sound exactly like your father."
	A hesitant smile appeared on Boxey's face.  "Thanks."
	"Say, if you do well on that exam, why don't I teach you how to play Triad
tomorrow?" he proposed, grinning.  He leaned closer to Boxey.  "And if you
pass with flying colors, we'll have a few hands of Pyramid afterwards.
Sound good?"
	"I guess," Boxey sighed.
	The boy went back to his studying, ignoring Starbuck again.  Watching him
carefully, Starbuck realized that he wouldn't get any more conversation out
of him.  He stood and rumpled Boxey's hair, smiling as his hand was swatted
awacould
bring even Apollo out of the doldrums, Boxey now seemed to be in a
perpetual depression that was getting deeper each day.  It worried
Starbuck, and he wondered if he would ever see the boy's eyes sparkle with
laughter again.
	"Yeah, I'm going on the mission," he said carefully, but with as much
enthusiasm as he could muster.
	"Does Cassie know?"
	"If she doesn't already, she will soon."  Starbuck had to laugh.  "You
sound exactly like your father."
	A hesitant smile appeared on Boxey's face.  "Thanks."
	"Say, if you do well on that exam, why don't I teach you how to play Triad
tomorrow?" he proposed, grinning.  He leaned closer to Boxey.  "And if you
pass with flying colors, we'll have a few hands of Pyramid afterwards.
Sound good?"
	"I guess," Boxey sighed.
	The boy went back to his studying, ignoring Starbuck again.  Watching him
carefully, Starbuck realized that he wouldn't get any more conversation out
of him.  He stood and rumpled Boxey's hair, smiling as his hand was swatted
away.
	"Starbuck?" Boxey called, as the warrior headed for the exit.
	He turned from the doorway.  "Yeah?"
	"Good luck."

Chapter Six

	Boomer wondered what it would look like if, at the victory celebration, he
were to get up and do a victory dance.  The idea suited him fine, since he
had been endeavoring of late to being less reserved and more energetic.
Ever since Dietra had dumped him a few sectars ago, apparently because of
his shyness, he was determined to make Boomer the reserved become Boomer
the outgoing.  He didn't know if it was a stupid wish doomed to failure,
but he was going to at least give it try.
	Focusing his attention back to the control panel of the Cylon Raider, he
studied the controls again, trying to understand them.  He wasn't
succeeding.  According to the notes Apollo had left behind, the differences
between a Raider and a Viper were minimal; and that once a pilot learned
the differences, he or she would have no problems.
	"Yeah, right," he muttered.  Even as a cadet, hrture?  "Ten centons is going to go like this."
	Sheba laughed as Starbuck snapped his fingers, but then they heard
Dietra's voice come over the comline again.
	"Nine days, as in that's how long it took us to fight the basestar?"
	"Didn't I turn that comline off?" Starbuck muttered, but Sheba motioned
for him to give her the communicator.  "Here, I'm giving you to Sheba."
	"Sure."
	"Hey, Dietra.  You see, we've got precious cargo aboard, and it's not
Starbuck and his pretty little injured head."  Sheba gave him a sweet smile
as he winced from her jibe.  "Can you keep a secret for a little while?"
	"You know me, Sheba.  Trusty, dependable Dietra.  What's this precious
cargo you're talking about?"  She laughed.  "Don't tell me that you've got
Baltar with you.  If you do, this time I hope the Council executes him."
	Sheba laughed.  "Something even better, Dietra.  We've got Apollo."
	The startled sound that the lieutenant made over the comline made them
both laugh.
	"Apollo?  Captain Apollo?" Diey.
	"Starbuck?" Boxey called, as the warrior headed for the exit.
	He turned from the doorway.  "Yeah?"
	"Good luck."

Chapter Six

	Boomer wondered what it would look like if, at the victory celebration, he
were to get up and do a victory dance.  The idea suited him fine, since he
had been endeavoring of late to being less reserved and more energetic.
Ever since Dietra had dumped him a few sectars ago, apparently because of
his shyness, he was determined to make Boomer the reserved become Boomer
the outgoing.  He didn't know if it was a stupid wish doomed to failure,
but he was going to at least give it try.
	Focusing his attention back to the control panel of the Cylon Raider, he
studied the controls again, trying to understand them.  He wasn't
succeeding.  According to the notes Apollo had left behind, the differences
between a Raider and a Viper were minimal; and that once a pilot learned
the differences, he or she would have no problems.
	"Yeah, right," he muttered.  Even as a cadet, hy.
	"Starbuck?" Boxey called, as the warrior headed for the exit.
	He turned from the doorway.  "Yeah?"
	"Good luck."

Chapter Six

	Boomer wondered what it would look like if, at the victory celebration, he
were to get up and do a victory dance.  The idea suited him fine, since he
had been endeavoring of late to being less reserved and more energetic.
Ever since Dietra had dumped him a few sectars ago, apparently because of
his shyness, he was determined to make Boomer the reserved become Boomer
the outgoing.  He didn't know if it was a stupid wish doomed to failure,
but he was going to at least give it try.
	Focusing his attention back to the control panel of the Cylon Raider, he
studied the controls again, trying to understand them.  He wasn't
succeeding.  According to the notes Apollo had left behind, the differences
between a Raider and a Viper were minimal; and that once a pilot learned
the differences, he or she would have no problems.
	"Yeah, right," he muttered.  Even as a cadet, he'd never been able to
master flying an alien ship without having a manual at his side.  Apollo,
however, could spend two centons at the cockpit and be able to fly it with
little or no problems.  "Give me anything familiar, and I won't complain."
	He sighed, really wishing that he had a communicator or a hovermobile in
front of him instead of this Cylon deathtrap.  If it were a shuttle
protected by the latest in security systems, he would have disabled it five
centons ago.
	"Any luck?" Athena asked, coming into the Raider.  The commander's
daughter came to sit in the copilot's seat, giving him an encouraging smile.
	"A little."  He picked up the small computer that held Apollo's notes.
"Your brother wasn't one for organized instructions.  He keeps on jumping
from section to section."
	Athena laughed as she took the computer from Boomer's hands, a move that
surprised him.  They only knew each other from the times they'd spent in
Apollo and Starbuck's company, as well as the time two yahrens ago tra repeated, completely stunned.  "The dead
Captain Apollo?"
	"No, the other one," Starbuck said loudly, hoping that Dietra would hear
him.  He grinned at Sheba's pleased expression.  "The Captain Apollo who's
alive, but not so well."
	"Why didn't you say something earlier!" she exclaimed, sounding slightly
insulted.  "We're just going to have to get there quicker!"
	"Thanks, Dietra."
	Starbuck smiled as he settled back in his chair.  He was amused to hear
himself beginning to hum a song that he hadn't heard since he was a child.
He hummed through the first verse, but during the refrain, he couldn't
remember the rest of the tune.  He was surprised when he heard Sheba
actually singing the words.
	"'And in our hearts we know/Love's the way to go/Victory of the heart is
near/The lost loves give a cheer.'"  She grinned at his surprise.  "'Fields
of Victory.'  It's a love song from my father's generation, isn't it?"
	"I think so.  Umbra was such a backwater place that it was a new song
while I wae'd never been able to
master flying an alien ship without having a manual at his side.  Apollo,
however, could spend two centons at the cockpit and be able to fly it with
little or no problems.  "Give me anything familiar, and I won't complain."
	He sighed, really wishing that he had a communicator or a hovermobile in
front of him instead of this Cylon deathtrap.  If it were a shuttle
protected by the latest in security systems, he would have disabled it five
centons ago.
	"Any luck?" Athena asked, coming into the Raider.  The commander's
daughter came to sit in the copilot's seat, giving him an encouraging smile.
	"A little."  He picked up the small computer that held Apollo's notes.
"Your brother wasn't one for organized instructions.  He keeps on jumping
from section to section."
	Athena laughed as she took the computer from Boomer's hands, a move that
surprised him.  They only knew each other from the times they'd spent in
Apollo and Starbuck's company, as well as the time two yahrens ago e'd never been able to
master flying an alien ship without having a manual at his side.  Apollo,
however, could spend two centons at the cockpit and be able to fly it with
little or no problems.  "Give me anything familiar, and I won't complain."
	He sighed, really wishing that he had a communicator or a hovermobile in
front of him instead of this Cylon deathtrap.  If it were a shuttle
protected by the latest in security systems, he would have disabled it five
centons ago.
	"Any luck?" Athena asked, coming into the Raider.  The commander's
daughter came to sit in the copilot's seat, giving him an encouraging smile.
	"A little."  He picked up the small computer that held Apollo's notes.
"Your brother wasn't one for organized instructions.  He keeps on jumping
from section to section."
	Athena laughed as she took the computer from Boomer's hands, a move that
surprised him.  They only knew each other from the times they'd spent in
Apollo and Starbuck's company, as well as the time two yahrens ago when
they were trapped in the Rejuvenation Center by fire.  They weren't very
close, but Boomer admired Athena for her strength and her strong
personality.  Anyone who survived Starbuck has to be strong, he thought as
he watched her read the notes.
	"They're organized," she protested, not taking her eyes off the text.
"He's just referencing one relevant section to the next.  I'm having no
problems at all."
	Boomer laughed.  "Maybe not, but you grew up with him.  You know what his
habits were, more or less.  Not to mention the way his brain worked."
	"Try the less.  Apollo's about seven yahrens older than me.  I'm a yahren
younger than Zac, so we spent most of our time together.  Anyway, Apollo
was always closer to him, for some reason."  Athena smiled as she handed
the computer back.  "This is just a case of great minds who think alike, as
they say."
	He nodded, looking back at the controls.  There was an uneasy silence
between them.  Boomer watched her out of the corner of his eye, wondering
s growing up in the orphanages."  Starbuck smiled slightly.
"After the attack in 7322, you might say that our self esteem was a little
low, so we would celebrate every other colony's victory as our own."
	Sheba nodded as she glanced at him.  There was a slightly sad expression
in his blue eyes, but he blinked it away as he noticed her looking at him.
To Sheba, it was almost as though he were hiding it.  The smile he gave her
was sunny in its optimism, but she knew that was only partly true.
	I never noticed that aspect of his personality before, she thought as she
turned back to the controls.  I used to think that Apollo was the master at
keeping his emotions relatively in check, but Starbuck's a hundred times
better.  Gods, imagine growing up alone, without any family, any support.
I thought it was bad with Father only showing up once or twice a yahren
when I was a kid, but Starbuck had it much worse.
	She listened to the Raider's engines as silence continued in the cockpit.
She didn't mind it when
they were trapped in the Rejuvenation Center by fire.  They weren't very
close, but Boomer admired Athena for her strength and her strong
personality.  Anyone who survived Starbuck has to be strong, he thought as
he watched her read the notes.
	"They're organized," she protested, not taking her eyes off the text.
"He's just referencing one relevant section to the next.  I'm having no
problems at all."
	Boomer laughed.  "Maybe not, but you grew up with him.  You know what his
habits were, more or less.  Not to mention the way his brain worked."
	"Try the less.  Apollo's about seven yahrens older than me.  I'm a yahren
younger than Zac, so we spent most of our time together.  Anyway, Apollo
was always closer to him, for some reason."  Athena smiled as she handed
the computer back.  "This is just a case of great minds who think alike, as
they say."
	He nodded, looking back at the controls.  There was an uneasy silence
between them.  Boomer watched her out of the corner of his eye, wondering
when
they were trapped in the Rejuvenation Center by fire.  They weren't very
close, but Boomer admired Athena for her strength and her strong
personality.  Anyone who survived Starbuck has to be strong, he thought as
he watched her read the notes.
	"They're organized," she protested, not taking her eyes off the text.
"He's just referencing one relevant section to the next.  I'm having no
problems at all."
	Boomer laughed.  "Maybe not, but you grew up with him.  You know what his
habits were, more or less.  Not to mention the way his brain worked."
	"Try the less.  Apollo's about seven yahrens older than me.  I'm a yahren
younger than Zac, so we spent most of our time together.  Anyway, Apollo
was always closer to him, for some reason."  Athena smiled as she handed
the computer back.  "This is just a case of great minds who think alike, as
they say."
	He nodded, looking back at the controls.  There was an uneasy silence
between them.  Boomer watched her out of the corner of his eye, wondering

what she wanted, but just as she seemed to be about to say something,
Starbuck and Sheba came in through the hatch.  Athena sat back in her seat,
her cheeks turning slightly pink as she looked away from him, which incited
Boomer's curiosity even more.
	"What's up?" Sheba asked.  From her tone of voice, Boomer could tell that
she was excited about the upcoming battle.  By the way she stood with one
hand on her hip and the other resting on the third seat, she appeared as
though she were ready to take on the Cylons by herself.
	"Just getting acquainted with the board," Boomer said quickly, glad that
his dark complexion didn't allow him to blush, though he could feel his
face burning nonetheless.  "Athena was helping me decode Apollo's notes."
	Starbuck's blue eyes shifted from Boomer's face to Athena's, his own face
holding an expression similar to the one he used when observing Sheba and
Apollo.  Boomer silently prayed that he wouldn't get any absurd ideas.
	"We have less than twenty centons beat all.  After the stressful events of the past few
days, she would be glad to just lie down on her bunk and sleep.  Maybe even
relax, if she was lucky.
	Relax?  What's that? she wondered, smiling slightly.  And when Apollo was
decently recovered, maybe they could head over to the Rising Star for a
private evening, just the two of them.  She could almost feel his arms
around her, and her smile grew a little wider as she watched the passing
stars.
	"What is that basestar doing now?" Dietra asked a few centons later, her
voice on alert.  Both Starbuck and Sheba snapped out of their private
reveries at the lieutenant's voice.
	"Doing what?" Sheba asked, looking over at Starbuck as he adjusted the
scanner.
	"From what I can tell, she's moving toward the Galactica, in our general
direction," Starbuck frowned, turning his head slightly to look at Sheba.
"Baltar can't know we've escaped yet, can he?
	"I don't know, but do you think he's following us?"  Sheba shook her head
in confusion.  "Um, Starbu

what she wanted, but just as she seemed to be about to say something,
Starbuck and Sheba came in through the hatch.  Athena sat back in her seat,
her cheeks turning slightly pink as she looked away from him, which incited
Boomer's curiosity even more.
	"What's up?" Sheba asked.  From her tone of voice, Boomer could tell that
she was excited about the upcoming battle.  By the way she stood with one
hand on her hip and the other resting on the third seat, she appeared as
though she were ready to take on the Cylons by herself.
	"Just getting acquainted with the board," Boomer said quickly, glad that
his dark complexion didn't allow him to blush, though he could feel his
face burning nonetheless.  "Athena was helping me decode Apollo's notes."
	Starbuck's blue eyes shifted from Boomer's face to Athena's, his own face
holding an expression similar to the one he used when observing Sheba and
Apollo.  Boomer silently prayed that he wouldn't get any absurd ideas.
	"We have less than twenty centons be

what she wanted, but just as she seemed to be about to say something,
Starbuck and Sheba came in through the hatch.  Athena sat back in her seat,
her cheeks turning slightly pink as she looked away from him, which incited
Boomer's curiosity even more.
	"What's up?" Sheba asked.  From her tone of voice, Boomer could tell that
she was excited about the upcoming battle.  By the way she stood with one
hand on her hip and the other resting on the third seat, she appeared as
though she were ready to take on the Cylons by herself.
	"Just getting acquainted with the board," Boomer said quickly, glad that
his dark complexion didn't allow him to blush, though he could feel his
face burning nonetheless.  "Athena was helping me decode Apollo's notes."
	Starbuck's blue eyes shifted from Boomer's face to Athena's, his own face
holding an expression similar to the one he used when observing Sheba and
Apollo.  Boomer silently prayed that he wouldn't get any absurd ideas.
	"We have less than twenty centons before launch," Starbuck began, handing
Boomer a second holstered laser.  "Tigh told me that we're supposed to meet
the commander on the bridge in a few centons, then we come back for launch."
	"Don't bother coming up, Lieutenant, since I'm already down here."
Adama's voice surprised the four warriors, who turned around at his arrival.
	"Aren't you supposed to be resting, Father?" Athena asked, her voice
concerned.
	"I couldn't sleep very well," he replied, smiling wryly, "so I decided to
see Starbuck and Boomer off myself."
	"We appreciate it, sir," Boomer told him, getting up from his seat to put
the holster on.  He felt slightly self conscious as he realized that the
others were watching him.  Clearing his throat, he finished and stood
straight, looking at Adama.  "I think we're ready, sir."
	Adama nodded his approval, though Boomer noticed that he appeared to be
haggard, something that he couldn't remember seeing for yahrens.  The last
time was when Baltar, aided by Borellian Noman and the Eack, I don't think your mission was a very big
success."
	"You're telling me," he sighed.  "Now what?"
	"I suggest we get aboard the Galactica as soon as possible."  Dietra's
Viper began to accelerate slightly.  "We'll be safer aboard than out here
in space.  Besides, my Viper's not up to any action, and neither are you
with Apollo aboard."
	"We're right behind you," Sheba told her, reaching to speed the Raider up,
when she spotted Starbuck looking around the cabin.  She frowned as her
hand paused above the control.  "What are you doing?"
	"Do you hear that?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing together.
	"Hear what?"  She frowned, listening.  The Raider's engines were the only
thing she could hear, but gradually, she could hear a high-pitched hum over
top.  "That?"
	He nodded.  "I was beginning to think the concussion's affecting my hearing."
	"The engines aren't making that noise, are they?"
	"No.  Frak, it's getting louder, too."  His face drained of color as he
looked at Sheba.  "I've only hefore launch," Starbuck began, handing
Boomer a second holstered laser.  "Tigh told me that we're supposed to meet
the commander on the bridge in a few centons, then we come back for launch."
	"Don't bother coming up, Lieutenant, since I'm already down here."
Adama's voice surprised the four warriors, who turned around at his arrival.
	"Aren't you supposed to be resting, Father?" Athena asked, her voice
concerned.
	"I couldn't sleep very well," he replied, smiling wryly, "so I decided to
see Starbuck and Boomer off myself."
	"We appreciate it, sir," Boomer told him, getting up from his seat to put
the holster on.  He felt slightly self conscious as he realized that the
others were watching him.  Clearing his throat, he finished and stood
straight, looking at Adama.  "I think we're ready, sir."
	Adama nodded his approval, though Boomer noticed that he appeared to be
haggard, something that he couldn't remember seeing for yahrens.  The last
time was when Baltar, aided by Borellian Noman and the Eafore launch," Starbuck began, handing
Boomer a second holstered laser.  "Tigh told me that we're supposed to meet
the commander on the bridge in a few centons, then we come back for launch."
	"Don't bother coming up, Lieutenant, since I'm already down here."
Adama's voice surprised the four warriors, who turned around at his arrival.
	"Aren't you supposed to be resting, Father?" Athena asked, her voice
concerned.
	"I couldn't sleep very well," he replied, smiling wryly, "so I decided to
see Starbuck and Boomer off myself."
	"We appreciate it, sir," Boomer told him, getting up from his seat to put
the holster on.  He felt slightly self conscious as he realized that the
others were watching him.  Clearing his throat, he finished and stood
straight, looking at Adama.  "I think we're ready, sir."
	Adama nodded his approval, though Boomer noticed that he appeared to be
haggard, something that he couldn't remember seeing for yahrens.  The last
time was when Baltar, aided by Borellian Noman and the Eastern Alliance,
tried to occupy the Galactica.
	"Good.  Starbuck, Boomer, I wish you luck and may the Lords of Kobol guide
you on your mission."  The commander smiled warmly at the two men as he
added,  "And I know that Apollo is cheering for you as well."
	Starbuck appeared to be uncomfortable, while Sheba and Athena fidgeted
slightly.  Boomer appreciated Adama's words, as though the second part had
been said by Apollo himself.  He missed his friend, but he knew that life
must go on.
	"Thanks, Commander," Starbuck said as Adama shook his hand.  "We won't let
you down."
	Boomer shook the commander's hand, echoing his friend's words, then Adama
turned to leave.  Athena quickly stood and wished them luck before she went
after her father.  Her farewell to Boomer was accompanied by her lingering
fingers on his arm, something that added to his curiosity.  He smiled at
her as before she turned away, and he was pleased to see her face turn
slightly pink as she returned it.  He realized that he would ard that sound once before, and Baltar's the
source of it."
	"Baltar?" Sheba repeated, feeling alarmed.  She had an idea what Starbuck
was talking about, and her suspicion was verified as Starbuck leaned down
away from her.  "Starbuck, you don't mean that belt, do you?"
	He ignored her for a centon as he inspected the Cylon torture device.  The
hum was clearly coming from it, the sound making him shiver slightly as he
remembered the agony the belt had given him.  This time, though, the pitch
was higher, almost at an intensity that reminded Starbuck of an overload.
	"Oh, frak," he swore, jerking his hand away from it.  "What's it doing?"
	"The belt?  Starbuck, it's that belt, isn't it?"
	"Yeah."
	"Then what's happening?  Did Boomer take his off, too?"
	"I saw him get Athena to help him just a few microns before we strapped
Apollo in.  And if I knew what was going on, Sheba, I wouldn't be sitting
here confused, would I?"  He shot her an irritated expression, but it
quickly disappeared as Apollo stern Alliance,
tried to occupy the Galactica.
	"Good.  Starbuck, Boomer, I wish you luck and may the Lords of Kobol guide
you on your mission."  The commander smiled warmly at the two men as he
added,  "And I know that Apollo is cheering for you as well."
	Starbuck appeared to be uncomfortable, while Sheba and Athena fidgeted
slightly.  Boomer appreciated Adama's words, as though the second part had
been said by Apollo himself.  He missed his friend, but he knew that life
must go on.
	"Thanks, Commander," Starbuck said as Adama shook his hand.  "We won't let
you down."
	Boomer shook the commander's hand, echoing his friend's words, then Adama
turned to leave.  Athena quickly stood and wished them luck before she went
after her father.  Her farewell to Boomer was accompanied by her lingering
fingers on his arm, something that added to his curiosity.  He smiled at
her as before she turned away, and he was pleased to see her face turn
slightly pink as she returned it.  He realized that he would stern Alliance,
tried to occupy the Galactica.
	"Good.  Starbuck, Boomer, I wish you luck and may the Lords of Kobol guide
you on your mission."  The commander smiled warmly at the two men as he
added,  "And I know that Apollo is cheering for you as well."
	Starbuck appeared to be uncomfortable, while Sheba and Athena fidgeted
slightly.  Boomer appreciated Adama's words, as though the second part had
been said by Apollo himself.  He missed his friend, but he knew that life
must go on.
	"Thanks, Commander," Starbuck said as Adama shook his hand.  "We won't let
you down."
	Boomer shook the commander's hand, echoing his friend's words, then Adama
turned to leave.  Athena quickly stood and wished them luck before she went
after her father.  Her farewell to Boomer was accompanied by her lingering
fingers on his arm, something that added to his curiosity.  He smiled at
her as before she turned away, and he was pleased to see her face turn
slightly pink as she returned it.  He realized that he would definitely
have to talk to her when the battle was over.
	"You'd better get settled," Sheba spoke up as she checked her time unit.
"Ten centons left.  That can go quickly when you're doing your preflight
checks."
	"Thank you, Commander Sheba," Starbuck said, giving her a mock bow.  "I
just might leave you here to fly into the basestar and take a Viper for
myself."
	"Don't you dare!"
	Holding his hands up in front of him as though he were expecting Sheba to
hit him, Starbuck laughed.
	"You know I wouldn't do that, Sheba.  Good luck with the squadrons, by the
way.  I expect to be back just in time to shoot a few stragglers."
	"I'll try to save some for you, but no promises."  She gave him a pointed
smile.  "Of course, that's only if you two don't forget to waggle your wings."
	A triumphant smile on his lips, Starbuck pointed to the headgear that he
and Boomer were wearing.  Ah, the best part of the mission, Boomer thought
as his hand unconsciously felt the communicator that he had developed a fcried out sharply.  Starbuck glanced back to
see him conscious and sitting upright in his seat.  His green eyes were
wide with shock as he gripped the armrests tightly.  "Felgercarb!  Apollo!"
	"What's happening to Apollo?" Sheba demanded as Starbuck jumped from his
seat, wincing as his head began to throb.  Glancing at Apollo's rigid body,
she spotted the same belt that Starbuck and Boomer had been wearing
earlier.  "Oh, frak!"
	Starbuck reached down to Apollo's waist, all the while trying to remember
how Sheba had undone it earlier.  Take the clasp, bend it back, then bend
it forward and apart.  Come on, if Baltar could open it, I can!
	It wouldn't move.  Starbuck wrapped his fingers around the opposite ends
of the clasp, pulling until he felt the metal bite into his flesh.  Still
nothing.  He could feel Apollo's body beginning to shake against him.
	"Starbuck!" Sheba shouted, her voice frightened.  "Can you get it off him?"
	"No!  It's stuck!" he replied, pulling again.  He winced from the padefinitely
have to talk to her when the battle was over.
	"You'd better get settled," Sheba spoke up as she checked her time unit.
"Ten centons left.  That can go quickly when you're doing your preflight
checks."
	"Thank you, Commander Sheba," Starbuck said, giving her a mock bow.  "I
just might leave you here to fly into the basestar and take a Viper for
myself."
	"Don't you dare!"
	Holding his hands up in front of him as though he were expecting Sheba to
hit him, Starbuck laughed.
	"You know I wouldn't do that, Sheba.  Good luck with the squadrons, by the
way.  I expect to be back just in time to shoot a few stragglers."
	"I'll try to save some for you, but no promises."  She gave him a pointed
smile.  "Of course, that's only if you two don't forget to waggle your wings."
	A triumphant smile on his lips, Starbuck pointed to the headgear that he
and Boomer were wearing.  Ah, the best part of the mission, Boomer thought
as his hand unconsciously felt the communicator that he had developed a fdefinitely
have to talk to her when the battle was over.
	"You'd better get settled," Sheba spoke up as she checked her time unit.
"Ten centons left.  That can go quickly when you're doing your preflight
checks."
	"Thank you, Commander Sheba," Starbuck said, giving her a mock bow.  "I
just might leave you here to fly into the basestar and take a Viper for
myself."
	"Don't you dare!"
	Holding his hands up in front of him as though he were expecting Sheba to
hit him, Starbuck laughed.
	"You know I wouldn't do that, Sheba.  Good luck with the squadrons, by the
way.  I expect to be back just in time to shoot a few stragglers."
	"I'll try to save some for you, but no promises."  She gave him a pointed
smile.  "Of course, that's only if you two don't forget to waggle your wings."
	A triumphant smile on his lips, Starbuck pointed to the headgear that he
and Boomer were wearing.  Ah, the best part of the mission, Boomer thought
as his hand unconsciously felt the communicator that he had developed a few
sectons earlier.
	"With this communicator, I won't have to worry about waggling wings.
Besides," Starbuck's smile turned into a grin, "when I made Apollo do that,
I swear that he turned green."
	"Hey," Boomer protested.  "I don't get motion sickness.  I thought that
I'd get to try the famous wing-waggling.  Apollo has a whole section
dedicated to it."
	"Maybe you will with Starbuck around," Sheba said, then interrupted
Starbuck as he tried to defend himself.  "Good luck, you guys."
	She shook both their hands as Adama had, then left the Raider.  Boomer
settled back into his seat as Starbuck did the same, all the while
complaining.
	"It wasn't me who lost your transmitter, Boomer," he whined as he looked
over his side of the cockpit.  "It was Apollo!"
	Boomer nodded, making a sarcastic acknowledging noise at the back of his
throat.  "Sure, accuse a man who isn't here to defend himself, why don't you?"
	"It was!  Seriously!  What, do you think that I'm always the one who gets
us into troublin in
both his hands and his head as he kept on pulling.  "Frak, what's Baltar
trying to do?"
	"I don't know.  Are you twisting the belt in the right direction?"
	"I think I am!"  He yanked it, only succeeding in getting Apollo to gasp.
The shaking was getting worse.  Starbuck looked down at his friend's face,
feeling even more helpless than before as realization hit him.  "Sheba, I
think Baltar's trying to kill Apollo!"
	Sheba fumbled for her seat belt as she spoke.  "Take my station, Starbuck.
 I'll get it off."
	"No!  See if you can get us out of range.  This may only have a limited
range, so if we get out of here, it'll stop."
	"Do you mind telling me where?" she snapped.  "That frakking basestar is
following us!"
	He glanced back at her to give her an irritated expression.  "I don't
know, anywhere!  How about in the opposite direction?  Behind one of the
planets?  Maybe that way we can get this thing blocked!"
	"Good idea."
	Through his pain, Apollo grasped Starbuck's arm with both of hew
sectons earlier.
	"With this communicator, I won't have to worry about waggling wings.
Besides," Starbuck's smile turned into a grin, "when I made Apollo do that,
I swear that he turned green."
	"Hey," Boomer protested.  "I don't get motion sickness.  I thought that
I'd get to try the famous wing-waggling.  Apollo has a whole section
dedicated to it."
	"Maybe you will with Starbuck around," Sheba said, then interrupted
Starbuck as he tried to defend himself.  "Good luck, you guys."
	She shook both their hands as Adama had, then left the Raider.  Boomer
settled back into his seat as Starbuck did the same, all the while
complaining.
	"It wasn't me who lost your transmitter, Boomer," he whined as he looked
over his side of the cockpit.  "It was Apollo!"
	Boomer nodded, making a sarcastic acknowledging noise at the back of his
throat.  "Sure, accuse a man who isn't here to defend himself, why don't you?"
	"It was!  Seriously!  What, do you think that I'm always the one who gets
us into troublew
sectons earlier.
	"With this communicator, I won't have to worry about waggling wings.
Besides," Starbuck's smile turned into a grin, "when I made Apollo do that,
I swear that he turned green."
	"Hey," Boomer protested.  "I don't get motion sickness.  I thought that
I'd get to try the famous wing-waggling.  Apollo has a whole section
dedicated to it."
	"Maybe you will with Starbuck around," Sheba said, then interrupted
Starbuck as he tried to defend himself.  "Good luck, you guys."
	She shook both their hands as Adama had, then left the Raider.  Boomer
settled back into his seat as Starbuck did the same, all the while
complaining.
	"It wasn't me who lost your transmitter, Boomer," he whined as he looked
over his side of the cockpit.  "It was Apollo!"
	Boomer nodded, making a sarcastic acknowledging noise at the back of his
throat.  "Sure, accuse a man who isn't here to defend himself, why don't you?"
	"It was!  Seriously!  What, do you think that I'm always the one who gets
us into trouble?"
	"Yep."
	Starbuck continued muttering as they finished their preflight checks, then
he stopped and looked at Boomer.
	"Time?"
	"Five centons.  We should be hearing from Rigel soon."
	Looking out the cockpit towards the exit of the launching bay, Boomer
heard Starbuck take a deep breath and let it out slowly.  He did this a few
times, then sighed.
 	"Nervous?" he asked.
	"Not really.  Just a breathing exercise Cass taught me that helps to clear
the mind.  You should try it."
	"Maybe later."
	By the time Rigel's voice came over their comline a few microns later,
they were both relatively ready for what lay ahead.  As he listened to the
bridge officer's voice, Boomer was pleased to hear that her voice sound
clear, as though she were standing beside him.  It was a big improvement
from the Viper's comsystem, which needed a major overhaul and for which
he'd originally designed the communication equipment.
	"Core systems transferring control to Raider," she said, repeating the
words that wereis hands,
and held it in the tightest grip Starbuck could ever remember feeling.  The
trembling was so strong now that Starbuck felt the grip shake slightly as
Apollo struggled to speak.
	"Make it stop," he pleaded.  "Please, Starbuck, just make it stop..."
	"I'm trying, Apollo.  Just hang on," Starbuck told him as he tried
releasing the clasp again.  This time, he felt his hands go numb as a new
surge of energy flowed though the belt and into Apollo, who gasped and went
limp.  His head fell against the back of the chair, and his hands slid from
Starbuck's arm down into his lap.  Starbuck gently touched Apollo's
shoulder to try to get a response, but his friend was out cold.  "Apollo?
Apollo!  Sheba, there's nothing I can do!"
	"Check his pulse!" Sheba told him.  He heard a few clicks from the console
as she spoke.  "Do it!"
	Resting his fingers on Apollo's throat, Starbuck found it.  He glanced
back at Sheba as he felt the weakening pulse.  More frightened than before,
he shook Apollo's shoule?"
	"Yep."
	Starbuck continued muttering as they finished their preflight checks, then
he stopped and looked at Boomer.
	"Time?"
	"Five centons.  We should be hearing from Rigel soon."
	Looking out the cockpit towards the exit of the launching bay, Boomer
heard Starbuck take a deep breath and let it out slowly.  He did this a few
times, then sighed.
 	"Nervous?" he asked.
	"Not really.  Just a breathing exercise Cass taught me that helps to clear
the mind.  You should try it."
	"Maybe later."
	By the time Rigel's voice came over their comline a few microns later,
they were both relatively ready for what lay ahead.  As he listened to the
bridge officer's voice, Boomer was pleased to hear that her voice sound
clear, as though she were standing beside him.  It was a big improvement
from the Viper's comsystem, which needed a major overhaul and for which
he'd originally designed the communication equipment.
	"Core systems transferring control to Raider," she said, repeating the
words that weree?"
	"Yep."
	Starbuck continued muttering as they finished their preflight checks, then
he stopped and looked at Boomer.
	"Time?"
	"Five centons.  We should be hearing from Rigel soon."
	Looking out the cockpit towards the exit of the launching bay, Boomer
heard Starbuck take a deep breath and let it out slowly.  He did this a few
times, then sighed.
 	"Nervous?" he asked.
	"Not really.  Just a breathing exercise Cass taught me that helps to clear
the mind.  You should try it."
	"Maybe later."
	By the time Rigel's voice came over their comline a few microns later,
they were both relatively ready for what lay ahead.  As he listened to the
bridge officer's voice, Boomer was pleased to hear that her voice sound
clear, as though she were standing beside him.  It was a big improvement
from the Viper's comsystem, which needed a major overhaul and for which
he'd originally designed the communication equipment.
	"Core systems transferring control to Raider," she said, repeating the
words that were so familiar.  "Launch when ready.  Good luck."
	Boomer ignited the engines, listening to the alien craft gathering power.
It had a higher pitch than the normal whine of a Viper's engines.  He
waited until Starbuck nodded, the prearranged signal that the ship was
ready.  Holding his breath, Boomer activated the Raider's turbos.  The
thrust from the craft surprised him, but he kept his calm as they shot into
space.

	Instead of being in the Life Center helping Salik set up for the
casualties that they would undoubtedly be receiving within the next two or
three centars, Cassiopia was up in the Celestial Dome, watching her fiancee
go off on another foolhardy mission.  She had stood here two times before,
holding her breath and saying a prayer to the heavens that he would return
alive and relatively uninjured.  Sheba usually joined her here, going
through the same rituals as she, but now that her lover was dead, she was
with the other pilots, preparing for battle.
	"If he isn't risking his neck widers again.  When he spoke, his voice was shaking.
"No, you can't die.  Not now!  Apollo!"
	"Oh, no..." he heard Sheba mutter, then she spoke forcefully.  "Starbuck,
I think I found it.  Sit down!"
	"Wait a micron, I think I might have it this time!"  Starbuck reached for
Apollo's belt again, but he stopped as he heard the anger in Sheba's voice.
	"Apollo doesn't have a micron, Starbuck!" she yelled.  "I'm not going to
argue with you and waste valuable microns!  If you don't sit down now in
the next three microns, I'll smear you across the cabin!  Now go!"
	Glancing at Apollo's pained expression, he reluctantly went back to the
co-pilot's seat.  As soon as he was buckled in, Sheba reached for a control
on the far-left side of the console and hit it.  They were all thrust back
into their seats as the turbos built up to a speed that Starbuck knew
Apollo hadn't discovered during the first two missions.  They shot past
Dietra's Viper and, much to his relief, the humming ceased.  He grinned at
Sheba so familiar.  "Launch when ready.  Good luck."
	Boomer ignited the engines, listening to the alien craft gathering power.
It had a higher pitch than the normal whine of a Viper's engines.  He
waited until Starbuck nodded, the prearranged signal that the ship was
ready.  Holding his breath, Boomer activated the Raider's turbos.  The
thrust from the craft surprised him, but he kept his calm as they shot into
space.

	Instead of being in the Life Center helping Salik set up for the
casualties that they would undoubtedly be receiving within the next two or
three centars, Cassiopia was up in the Celestial Dome, watching her fiancee
go off on another foolhardy mission.  She had stood here two times before,
holding her breath and saying a prayer to the heavens that he would return
alive and relatively uninjured.  Sheba usually joined her here, going
through the same rituals as she, but now that her lover was dead, she was
with the other pilots, preparing for battle.
	"If he isn't risking his neck wi so familiar.  "Launch when ready.  Good luck."
	Boomer ignited the engines, listening to the alien craft gathering power.
It had a higher pitch than the normal whine of a Viper's engines.  He
waited until Starbuck nodded, the prearranged signal that the ship was
ready.  Holding his breath, Boomer activated the Raider's turbos.  The
thrust from the craft surprised him, but he kept his calm as they shot into
space.

	Instead of being in the Life Center helping Salik set up for the
casualties that they would undoubtedly be receiving within the next two or
three centars, Cassiopia was up in the Celestial Dome, watching her fiancee
go off on another foolhardy mission.  She had stood here two times before,
holding her breath and saying a prayer to the heavens that he would return
alive and relatively uninjured.  Sheba usually joined her here, going
through the same rituals as she, but now that her lover was dead, she was
with the other pilots, preparing for battle.
	"If he isn't risking his neck with one buddy," she muttered, crossing her
arms as she tried to get rid of her sudden shivers, "it's with the other."
	She understood why Starbuck, Sheba, and all of her other warrior friends
were so eager to get out there and destroy the Cylons.  Kobol, if she were
a warrior, she'd probably want the same thing.
	"At least he's not Cain," she sighed, remembering her former lover.
Sheba's father was the only man who made her feel like something besides a
commodity, a sense of worth that no one else but Starbuck succeeded in
doing.  If Cain had been in Starbuck's place, he would jump into a Viper at
the first opportunity to battle with the basestar single-handedly.
	Turning to face the rear of the battlestar, Cassiopia spotted a small
circular object hurtling out of the port landing bay.  Knowing that it was
Starbuck and Boomer, she kept her eyes on their ship as they grew smaller.
Eventually, they disappeared into the stars, but she didn't take her eyes
from their last position.
	"Come back to me as she cut back the turbos gently.
	"See?" she smiled at him.
	"How'd you figure which button to hit?"
	"Call it divine inspiration."  She peered out the cockpit and pointed.  He
followed her finger and saw that they were in orbit around a small moon.
"And it worked.  How's Apollo?"
	Getting back up, Starbuck checked his friend again, and felt a chill pass
over him as he placed his fingers against Apollo's throat.  Nothing.  He
quickly put his ear against his chest, hoping to hear at least one beat of
his heart.  Still nothing, and he couldn't hear Apollo taking any breaths
either.
	"Sheba!" he almost screamed, turning away from Apollo's body.  "He's dead!"

* * *

	Rigel looked up from her displays, rubbing her eyes as she felt the onset
of the slight eyestrain that sometimes came during battles.  It always
crept up when she stared at the monitors for too long.  Sighing, she typed
in a few commands into her keyboard, and noted with satisfaction that no
Vipers had made emergency landings sth one buddy," she muttered, crossing her
arms as she tried to get rid of her sudden shivers, "it's with the other."
	She understood why Starbuck, Sheba, and all of her other warrior friends
were so eager to get out there and destroy the Cylons.  Kobol, if she were
a warrior, she'd probably want the same thing.
	"At least he's not Cain," she sighed, remembering her former lover.
Sheba's father was the only man who made her feel like something besides a
commodity, a sense of worth that no one else but Starbuck succeeded in
doing.  If Cain had been in Starbuck's place, he would jump into a Viper at
the first opportunity to battle with the basestar single-handedly.
	Turning to face the rear of the battlestar, Cassiopia spotted a small
circular object hurtling out of the port landing bay.  Knowing that it was
Starbuck and Boomer, she kept her eyes on their ship as they grew smaller.
Eventually, they disappeared into the stars, but she didn't take her eyes
from their last position.
	"Come back to meth one buddy," she muttered, crossing her
arms as she tried to get rid of her sudden shivers, "it's with the other."
	She understood why Starbuck, Sheba, and all of her other warrior friends
were so eager to get out there and destroy the Cylons.  Kobol, if she were
a warrior, she'd probably want the same thing.
	"At least he's not Cain," she sighed, remembering her former lover.
Sheba's father was the only man who made her feel like something besides a
commodity, a sense of worth that no one else but Starbuck succeeded in
doing.  If Cain had been in Starbuck's place, he would jump into a Viper at
the first opportunity to battle with the basestar single-handedly.
	Turning to face the rear of the battlestar, Cassiopia spotted a small
circular object hurtling out of the port landing bay.  Knowing that it was
Starbuck and Boomer, she kept her eyes on their ship as they grew smaller.
Eventually, they disappeared into the stars, but she didn't take her eyes
from their last position.
	"Come back to me, Starbuck," she whispered, wishing that she could get rid
of the sinking feeling at the bottom of her stomach.  It was similar to the
quiet panic that had flooded her body nine days ago when word of Apollo's
demise had reached the Life Center, and she was afraid of what it meant
now.  "Alive."

	Most of the flight to the basestar was uneventful.  As with the other two
missions, Starbuck and Boomer came upon a returning Cylon patrol.  Falling
into the back of the queue, they followed the patrol to their destination.
	"So far, so good," Boomer muttered, interrupting the silence that was in
the cockpit.  The two of them were tensely quiet, even though nothing had
happened so far.
	"That's what it looks like," Starbuck agreed, then remembered the
superstition of "knocking on wood."  Looking around, he couldn't see any
wooden objects, so he decided to rap his knuckles on his head, only
slightly so Boomer wouldn't think he was crazy -- at least no more than
usual.  "Let's hope that it stays that wao far.  Usually, at least one or two
pilots ended back on the Galactica prematurely with battle damage, and it
was her responsibility to make sure they received the proper instructions
on which bay to land in, and how they were to compensate for their disabled
systems.
	Oh, yes, so much fun, she thought as she gave her eyes one last rub.  Give
them permission to launch, and the proper coordinates, help them if they're
in trouble, make sure they land in the proper place.  The only thing I
don't do is fly them and fix them.
	Unconsciously, she put a hand up to touch her hair, not used to her new
hairstyle.  A few sectars before, she'd grown tired of her old hairstyles
that either got in the way when it was down or too annoying to do in the
morning.  Instead, she'd gotten one of her friends to cut it, so that it
was almost at mid-back.  It was easier to take care of now, and she could
always grow it out again if this irritated her as well.
	Twisting some of the loose strands around her fingers, sh, Starbuck," she whispered, wishing that she could get rid
of the sinking feeling at the bottom of her stomach.  It was similar to the
quiet panic that had flooded her body nine days ago when word of Apollo's
demise had reached the Life Center, and she was afraid of what it meant
now.  "Alive."

	Most of the flight to the basestar was uneventful.  As with the other two
missions, Starbuck and Boomer came upon a returning Cylon patrol.  Falling
into the back of the queue, they followed the patrol to their destination.
	"So far, so good," Boomer muttered, interrupting the silence that was in
the cockpit.  The two of them were tensely quiet, even though nothing had
happened so far.
	"That's what it looks like," Starbuck agreed, then remembered the
superstition of "knocking on wood."  Looking around, he couldn't see any
wooden objects, so he decided to rap his knuckles on his head, only
slightly so Boomer wouldn't think he was crazy -- at least no more than
usual.  "Let's hope that it stays that wa, Starbuck," she whispered, wishing that she could get rid
of the sinking feeling at the bottom of her stomach.  It was similar to the
quiet panic that had flooded her body nine days ago when word of Apollo's
demise had reached the Life Center, and she was afraid of what it meant
now.  "Alive."

	Most of the flight to the basestar was uneventful.  As with the other two
missions, Starbuck and Boomer came upon a returning Cylon patrol.  Falling
into the back of the queue, they followed the patrol to their destination.
	"So far, so good," Boomer muttered, interrupting the silence that was in
the cockpit.  The two of them were tensely quiet, even though nothing had
happened so far.
	"That's what it looks like," Starbuck agreed, then remembered the
superstition of "knocking on wood."  Looking around, he couldn't see any
wooden objects, so he decided to rap his knuckles on his head, only
slightly so Boomer wouldn't think he was crazy -- at least no more than
usual.  "Let's hope that it stays that way."
	The basestar appeared in front of them, turning slowly on its ends.  For a
micron, Starbuck was tempted into thinking that it was a helpless ship, not
a ship capable of destroying a battlestar, which was what Adama believed
happened to the Pegasus two and a half yahrens ago.  Only for a micron.
	The leading Raiders swooped down towards to landing bay.  Starbuck held up
his hand, not wanting Boomer to suddenly jump ahead of the other ships and
notify the Cylons that they were there.
	"Ready..." he whispered, then brought his hand down as the Raider directly
in front of them began to move forward.  "Okay, be careful, Boomer."
	Boomer's face had a wry smile as he concentrated.
	"Yeah, I don't want to attract any unwanted attention from flying
sloppily.  Thanks for the reminder."
	Starbuck held his breath as their ship came through the entrance, then
settled on the deck next to the rest of their patrol.  As the hatches to
the other fighters opened, he quickly pulled Boomer down on the floor wie looked at her
monitors again.  It actually wasn't that bad of a job.  She could name a
dozen worse duties that existed in the fleet, but the best part of this
position was working with the communications equipment.  Before the
Destruction of the Colonies, it was the most up-to-date technology in the
Twelve Worlds, and now it was in need of small repairs and fine-tunings to
keep it in decent condition.  Many of the officers on the bridge were
trained in communications, but Rigel was one of the few who could actually
fiddle with the circuits.
	I have to tell Boomer that his idea to readjust the scanning frequency by
a half-percent was pure genius, she told herself.  The scanners' resolution
had improved twofold, and their range had been slightly extended.  However,
the message would have to wait until the battle was long over, when the two
communications experts could exchange ideas.  That is, if he makes it off
the basestar.  Oh, God, please get them off.
	A movement on her monitor caught her y."
	The basestar appeared in front of them, turning slowly on its ends.  For a
micron, Starbuck was tempted into thinking that it was a helpless ship, not
a ship capable of destroying a battlestar, which was what Adama believed
happened to the Pegasus two and a half yahrens ago.  Only for a micron.
	The leading Raiders swooped down towards to landing bay.  Starbuck held up
his hand, not wanting Boomer to suddenly jump ahead of the other ships and
notify the Cylons that they were there.
	"Ready..." he whispered, then brought his hand down as the Raider directly
in front of them began to move forward.  "Okay, be careful, Boomer."
	Boomer's face had a wry smile as he concentrated.
	"Yeah, I don't want to attract any unwanted attention from flying
sloppily.  Thanks for the reminder."
	Starbuck held his breath as their ship came through the entrance, then
settled on the deck next to the rest of their patrol.  As the hatches to
the other fighters opened, he quickly pulled Boomer down on the floor wiy."
	The basestar appeared in front of them, turning slowly on its ends.  For a
micron, Starbuck was tempted into thinking that it was a helpless ship, not
a ship capable of destroying a battlestar, which was what Adama believed
happened to the Pegasus two and a half yahrens ago.  Only for a micron.
	The leading Raiders swooped down towards to landing bay.  Starbuck held up
his hand, not wanting Boomer to suddenly jump ahead of the other ships and
notify the Cylons that they were there.
	"Ready..." he whispered, then brought his hand down as the Raider directly
in front of them began to move forward.  "Okay, be careful, Boomer."
	Boomer's face had a wry smile as he concentrated.
	"Yeah, I don't want to attract any unwanted attention from flying
sloppily.  Thanks for the reminder."
	Starbuck held his breath as their ship came through the entrance, then
settled on the deck next to the rest of their patrol.  As the hatches to
the other fighters opened, he quickly pulled Boomer down on the floor with
him, afraid as usual that the Cylons would spot them through the cockpit
window.

* * *

	Lucifer looked at the chronometer that Baltar ordered the Cylons to place
in the control center.  It was set to the Galactica's time, which Baltar
argued gave him the added advantage of thinking at the same centar as
Adama, whatever that meant.  To Lucifer, it was simply another nuisance
that Baltar insisted upon.
	The chronometer now read almost twelve hundred and thirty centars, almost
the scheduled time for the current patrol to land.  The Cylon patrols
launched every centar, landing in one of the basestar's cavernous bays as a
second patrol launched from another.  It was an effective pattern for the
patrols that Lucifer had devised, and thus far, it worked perfectly.
	Turning to one of the control panels, Lucifer studied the monitor -- again
installed for Baltar's limited human senses -- that showed the information
on the patrols.  On schedule, the incoming patrol entered the bay.
	The design foattention.  The basestar, which had
barely moved a half dozen metrics since the battle began, was now
accelerating towards the Galactica.  Surprised, Rigel twisted around in her
seat to yell up to the commanding officers.
	"Commander!  Colonel!  The basestar is moving!"
	Adama, who had been standing with his back to her position, turned to face
her.  Leaning against the railing that almost encircled the command deck
with his hands, he nodded for her to continue her report.
	"Moving?" he prompted.  "Away from us again?"
	"No, sir, towards us."  She quickly typed in a command into her computer.
"Eighty microns."
	She heard footsteps behind her, and became aware of Tigh standing behind
her.  He leaned over her shoulder to study the displays, then muttered an
oath in a language she didn't recognize as he stood to face Adama.
	"Adama, this doesn't look good," he said, trying to remain calm.  "I think
Baltar's on a collision course.  But that's --"
	"That's totally unlike Baltar?" Adama asked, noddith
him, afraid as usual that the Cylons would spot them through the cockpit
window.

* * *

	Lucifer looked at the chronometer that Baltar ordered the Cylons to place
in the control center.  It was set to the Galactica's time, which Baltar
argued gave him the added advantage of thinking at the same centar as
Adama, whatever that meant.  To Lucifer, it was simply another nuisance
that Baltar insisted upon.
	The chronometer now read almost twelve hundred and thirty centars, almost
the scheduled time for the current patrol to land.  The Cylon patrols
launched every centar, landing in one of the basestar's cavernous bays as a
second patrol launched from another.  It was an effective pattern for the
patrols that Lucifer had devised, and thus far, it worked perfectly.
	Turning to one of the control panels, Lucifer studied the monitor -- again
installed for Baltar's limited human senses -- that showed the information
on the patrols.  On schedule, the incoming patrol entered the bay.
	The design foth
him, afraid as usual that the Cylons would spot them through the cockpit
window.

* * *

	Lucifer looked at the chronometer that Baltar ordered the Cylons to place
in the control center.  It was set to the Galactica's time, which Baltar
argued gave him the added advantage of thinking at the same centar as
Adama, whatever that meant.  To Lucifer, it was simply another nuisance
that Baltar insisted upon.
	The chronometer now read almost twelve hundred and thirty centars, almost
the scheduled time for the current patrol to land.  The Cylon patrols
launched every centar, landing in one of the basestar's cavernous bays as a
second patrol launched from another.  It was an effective pattern for the
patrols that Lucifer had devised, and thus far, it worked perfectly.
	Turning to one of the control panels, Lucifer studied the monitor -- again
installed for Baltar's limited human senses -- that showed the information
on the patrols.  On schedule, the incoming patrol entered the bay.
	The design for the oval Raiders hadn't changed much in the yahrens since
the Annihilation of the human Colonies, but any I.L. Cylons worth their
weight in Tylium could tell the difference between previous models and
their current counterparts.  The Raider at the back of the patrol, which
appeared to be identical to a human's eye, had slight structural
differences that distinguished it as an earlier model.
	Intrigued by the Raider, Lucifer ordered the centurion stationed at the
post to run a check on the fighter's registry number.  Waiting for the
information to come up, Lucifer returned his attention to the scanner,
where it showed that the second squadron was now launching.  The pilots
from the first squadron were beginning to exit their ships.
	"Registry number eight-alpha-six," the centurion reported.  Both Lucifer
and Golde turned to look at it.  "Fighter taken by Baltar to Battlestar
Galactica two yahrens, five sectars, three sectons..."
	"What?" Baltar demanded, looking interested for the first time sing.  "Still, Baltar's
latest tricks are totally unlike his normal style, and he has the
information he gained from interrogating Apollo.  He's trying out his new
bag of tricks against us, but let's just hope that this is the last one.
Helm, move us out of the way, but keep us within laser range!"
	Slowly, almost too slowly for Rigel's tastes, her scanner showed the
battlestar moving away.  The basestar didn't quite compensate for the
change of direction, but instead speeded up.  Rigel felt her stomach sink
as she shouted up to Adama, "Thirty microns!"
	"What?" Tigh said, this time almost in her ear.  "Thirty?"
	"Fire all laser turrets at the basestar!" Adama shouted.  "Now!"
	On the scanner screen, Rigel watched as multiple streaks of red lasers
streaked out from the battlestar and connected with the basestar.  She held
her breath as several explosions appeared on its hull, but it continued its
approach, unimpeded by the Galactica's continued laser barrage.
	"What's it going to do?" she heard sr the oval Raiders hadn't changed much in the yahrens since
the Annihilation of the human Colonies, but any I.L. Cylons worth their
weight in Tylium could tell the difference between previous models and
their current counterparts.  The Raider at the back of the patrol, which
appeared to be identical to a human's eye, had slight structural
differences that distinguished it as an earlier model.
	Intrigued by the Raider, Lucifer ordered the centurion stationed at the
post to run a check on the fighter's registry number.  Waiting for the
information to come up, Lucifer returned his attention to the scanner,
where it showed that the second squadron was now launching.  The pilots
from the first squadron were beginning to exit their ships.
	"Registry number eight-alpha-six," the centurion reported.  Both Lucifer
and Golde turned to look at it.  "Fighter taken by Baltar to Battlestar
Galactica two yahrens, five sectars, three sectons..."
	"What?" Baltar demanded, looking interested for the first time sir the oval Raiders hadn't changed much in the yahrens since
the Annihilation of the human Colonies, but any I.L. Cylons worth their
weight in Tylium could tell the difference between previous models and
their current counterparts.  The Raider at the back of the patrol, which
appeared to be identical to a human's eye, had slight structural
differences that distinguished it as an earlier model.
	Intrigued by the Raider, Lucifer ordered the centurion stationed at the
post to run a check on the fighter's registry number.  Waiting for the
information to come up, Lucifer returned his attention to the scanner,
where it showed that the second squadron was now launching.  The pilots
from the first squadron were beginning to exit their ships.
	"Registry number eight-alpha-six," the centurion reported.  Both Lucifer
and Golde turned to look at it.  "Fighter taken by Baltar to Battlestar
Galactica two yahrens, five sectars, three sectons..."
	"What?" Baltar demanded, looking interested for the first time since he
returned from the holding center, where he had been interrogating Apollo
for the third time that day.  When he entered the control center and begun
to sulk on his throne, Lucifer marveled at how stupid Baltar must be.  He
knew it was impossible for Baltar to get the coordinates of the Galactica
from Apollo.  The three days Lucifer had estimated that Apollo had left
were almost down to one, and the captain was going to take that information
with him to the grave unless Baltar was granted a twisted miracle to
achieve his goal.  Lucifer had seen the determination in the young human's
green eyes, and knew that Baltar would never succeed.
	"Your old fighter is being brought back aboard our basestar," Lucifer
replied, examining the data for himself.  He was worried that it would be
an error, since the large hands designed for centurions often hit the wrong
controls.  To his satisfaction, the information was correct.  "Interesting
development, do you not think?"
	Baltar grinned, his brown eyes ome of the officers who were seated
near her ask in hushed tones, and she was about to respond when the
basestar acted.
	Swooping like an avian of prey Rigel once loved to watch back on Caprica,
the basestar focused the laser turrets that were on the side facing the
Galactica into one huge beam, and it shot toward the battlestar.  The
Galactica shuddered from the impact, then numerous alarms that Rigel had
never heard before went off, drowning out the normal alert klaxon.
	"We have a hull breach!" Omega shouted, and Rigel glanced up to see him
quickly typing commands into his computer.  On the monitors, a diagram of
the Galactica appeared, and Omega selected the main section of the
battlestar, cutting off the forward end that contained the bridge, along
with the engine compartments at the back of the ship.  "Port side, between
the second and third support pylons above the bay."
	"Oh, dear God," Adama whispered, staring at the monitor with shock.  "Give
me a full damage report when it's availablnce he
returned from the holding center, where he had been interrogating Apollo
for the third time that day.  When he entered the control center and begun
to sulk on his throne, Lucifer marveled at how stupid Baltar must be.  He
knew it was impossible for Baltar to get the coordinates of the Galactica
from Apollo.  The three days Lucifer had estimated that Apollo had left
were almost down to one, and the captain was going to take that information
with him to the grave unless Baltar was granted a twisted miracle to
achieve his goal.  Lucifer had seen the determination in the young human's
green eyes, and knew that Baltar would never succeed.
	"Your old fighter is being brought back aboard our basestar," Lucifer
replied, examining the data for himself.  He was worried that it would be
an error, since the large hands designed for centurions often hit the wrong
controls.  To his satisfaction, the information was correct.  "Interesting
development, do you not think?"
	Baltar grinned, his brown eyes nce he
returned from the holding center, where he had been interrogating Apollo
for the third time that day.  When he entered the control center and begun
to sulk on his throne, Lucifer marveled at how stupid Baltar must be.  He
knew it was impossible for Baltar to get the coordinates of the Galactica
from Apollo.  The three days Lucifer had estimated that Apollo had left
were almost down to one, and the captain was going to take that information
with him to the grave unless Baltar was granted a twisted miracle to
achieve his goal.  Lucifer had seen the determination in the young human's
green eyes, and knew that Baltar would never succeed.
	"Your old fighter is being brought back aboard our basestar," Lucifer
replied, examining the data for himself.  He was worried that it would be
an error, since the large hands designed for centurions often hit the wrong
controls.  To his satisfaction, the information was correct.  "Interesting
development, do you not think?"
	Baltar grinned, his brown eyes glinting as he leaned forward in his seat.
Lucifer could tell that he was contemplating something.
	"Doesn't that sound familiar, Lucifer?"  There was something about his
tone that reminded him of Baltar's taunts towards Apollo.  "What does that
make you think of?"
	The information was immediately called up in Lucifer's memory, and if he
had been human, he would have nodded in understanding.
	"The plan that Adama developed with your aid to destroy the first
basestar," he replied.
	"Exactly!  Adama has sent his warriors aboard to destroy us!"
	Lucifer hated the way Baltar always jumped to conclusions, mostly because
so few of them were correct.  Instead, he suggested an alternative, truly
that this was the cast in this situation.  "Perhaps they are simply coming
aboard to rescue Adama's son?"
	"No, no, Lucifer.  You forget that our fighters disabled the Vipers before
we took them aboard.  I ordered that so Adama would believe that they were
killed in the battle."  Baltar shook his head.  "No, te.  In the meantime, where is
that basestar?"
	Omega continued to work at his computer, but stopped as he read the
impossible.  "Commander... it's headed toward the fleet!"

Chapter Twelve

	"Apollo!" Starbuck cried, his voice full of panic.  He just about started
to cry as he reached down to take off the belt that had been impossible to
undo when Baltar's successful attack on Apollo came.  With the energy
current stopped, the clasp came apart easily in his hands, and, furious at
Baltar and at himself, he threw it across the cabin wall where it shattered
against the bulkhead.  His anger disappearing with the broken belt, he
knelt beside Apollo and double-checked to make sure that his earlier
observation was correct.  He shouldn't have bothered.  There still wasn't a
pulse.  He sobbed, "Oh, no, it can't be!"
	"Starbuck, are you sure?"  Sheba hadn't moved from the pilot's seat since
putting the Raider in orbit around the small moon, but she kept on glancing
back at the two men.  Her question sglinting as he leaned forward in his seat.
Lucifer could tell that he was contemplating something.
	"Doesn't that sound familiar, Lucifer?"  There was something about his
tone that reminded him of Baltar's taunts towards Apollo.  "What does that
make you think of?"
	The information was immediately called up in Lucifer's memory, and if he
had been human, he would have nodded in understanding.
	"The plan that Adama developed with your aid to destroy the first
basestar," he replied.
	"Exactly!  Adama has sent his warriors aboard to destroy us!"
	Lucifer hated the way Baltar always jumped to conclusions, mostly because
so few of them were correct.  Instead, he suggested an alternative, truly
that this was the cast in this situation.  "Perhaps they are simply coming
aboard to rescue Adama's son?"
	"No, no, Lucifer.  You forget that our fighters disabled the Vipers before
we took them aboard.  I ordered that so Adama would believe that they were
killed in the battle."  Baltar shook his head.  "No, they're here to blind
our basestar and to leave it vulnerable to the Galactica's attack."
	"Our squadrons will defend us."
	"It didn't work the other times, Lucifer.  Why should it work now?"  He
turned to Golde.  "As soon as the human squadrons are in range, launch all
of our squadrons.  In the meantime, order two centurions from the holding
center to bring Captain Apollo up here.  Tell them to use my lift.  I'm
going to have a word with my old friend, Adama, as soon as the squadrons
attack."
	Both Lucifer and Golde replied, saying, "By your command."  Lucifer saw
Baltar's smile grow mysterious, and Lucifer's sensitive auditory circuits
heard the human mutter, "Never trust Adama."

	Half a centar after the Raider left, Sheba sat in her Viper, waiting for
the signal to launch.  Bojay was speaking to each squadron leader, getting
acknowledgment that the pilots were ready.  Blue was the last on the list
to be checked, and Sheba knew that her pilots were set.
	"Red Squadron ready for launch," Lieglinting as he leaned forward in his seat.
Lucifer could tell that he was contemplating something.
	"Doesn't that sound familiar, Lucifer?"  There was something about his
tone that reminded him of Baltar's taunts towards Apollo.  "What does that
make you think of?"
	The information was immediately called up in Lucifer's memory, and if he
had been human, he would have nodded in understanding.
	"The plan that Adama developed with your aid to destroy the first
basestar," he replied.
	"Exactly!  Adama has sent his warriors aboard to destroy us!"
	Lucifer hated the way Baltar always jumped to conclusions, mostly because
so few of them were correct.  Instead, he suggested an alternative, truly
that this was the cast in this situation.  "Perhaps they are simply coming
aboard to rescue Adama's son?"
	"No, no, Lucifer.  You forget that our fighters disabled the Vipers before
we took them aboard.  I ordered that so Adama would believe that they were
killed in the battle."  Baltar shook his head.  "No, ttruck her as a stupid one, but as she
spotted Apollo, slumped in his seat, she knew that she had to ask.  What if
Starbuck missed a weak heartbeat?  Oh, please let that be the case, she
prayed as Starbuck whirled on her.
	"Would I be crying if I weren't!" he shouted.  "There's nothing!  Do you
hear me?  Nothing!"
	"All right, then."  She made sure that the Raider remained in a constant
orbit before she jumped out of her chair.  Pushing the panicking Starbuck
aside, she went to Apollo's side and double-checked his diagnosis.  She
felt her stomach lurch as she realized that Starbuck was right.  She looked
over at him, her brown eyes wide.  "Oh, my God..."
	"Well, it's great that you noticed," Starbuck said sarcastically, his eyes
still tearing as he stood, looming helplessly over them, "but that doesn't
help him at all!"
	She ignoring him, suddenly overcome with the urge to hold Apollo close to
her and cry, but she quickly shook herself out of it.  No, I can't do that,
she told herself.  Starbuchey're here to blind
our basestar and to leave it vulnerable to the Galactica's attack."
	"Our squadrons will defend us."
	"It didn't work the other times, Lucifer.  Why should it work now?"  He
turned to Golde.  "As soon as the human squadrons are in range, launch all
of our squadrons.  In the meantime, order two centurions from the holding
center to bring Captain Apollo up here.  Tell them to use my lift.  I'm
going to have a word with my old friend, Adama, as soon as the squadrons
attack."
	Both Lucifer and Golde replied, saying, "By your command."  Lucifer saw
Baltar's smile grow mysterious, and Lucifer's sensitive auditory circuits
heard the human mutter, "Never trust Adama."

	Half a centar after the Raider left, Sheba sat in her Viper, waiting for
the signal to launch.  Bojay was speaking to each squadron leader, getting
acknowledgment that the pilots were ready.  Blue was the last on the list
to be checked, and Sheba knew that her pilots were set.
	"Red Squadron ready for launch," Lieutenant Jolly was saying.  "All pilots
are go and waiting for orders to launch."
	"Acknowledged," Bojay replied, his voice crisp with enthusiasm.  "Okay,
Sheba, how's Blue?"
	Although Bojay had officially been Sheba's squadron commander back on the
Pegasus -- though as Cain's daughter, Sheba was really in command -- she
was now more used to Apollo's style of command.  He was always formal, the
complete opposite from Bojay, who preferred being personal.  Each
battlestar commander had his or her own style of command, which was passed
down to the colonel, the flight commander and the squadron leaders.  After
two yahrens on the Galactica, Sheba realized that she preferred the
formality, making Bojay's typically Pegasi attitude slightly disturbing.
It was almost ironic that she was now in command of Blue Squadron, which
was Adama's personal strike wing, while Bojay remained as Silver Spar
leader, their squadron from the Pegasus.
	"Blue Squadron ready, Captain," she replied, deciding not to follow
Bhey're here to blind
our basestar and to leave it vulnerable to the Galactica's attack."
	"Our squadrons will defend us."
	"It didn't work the other times, Lucifer.  Why should it work now?"  He
turned to Golde.  "As soon as the human squadrons are in range, launch all
of our squadrons.  In the meantime, order two centurions from the holding
center to bring Captain Apollo up here.  Tell them to use my lift.  I'm
going to have a word with my old friend, Adama, as soon as the squadrons
attack."
	Both Lucifer and Golde replied, saying, "By your command."  Lucifer saw
Baltar's smile grow mysterious, and Lucifer's sensitive auditory circuits
heard the human mutter, "Never trust Adama."

	Half a centar after the Raider left, Sheba sat in her Viper, waiting for
the signal to launch.  Bojay was speaking to each squadron leader, getting
acknowledgment that the pilots were ready.  Blue was the last on the list
to be checked, and Sheba knew that her pilots were set.
	"Red Squadron ready for launch," Liek's already in hysterics, and one of us has to
try to help Apollo!
	"Starbuck, take the pilot's seat," she ordered as she took Apollo into her
arms and laid him down on the deck.  He looked so vulnerable compared to
the way she remembered him, even worse than he did when Starbuck carried
him on the basestar.  "Bring us up to a gentle speed, so we'll get to the
Galactica, but not too fast so that when we land, Apollo and I won't be
thrown against the bulkhead.  Do you understand?"
	Starbuck shook his head, his blue eyes wide with fright.  "Why didn't I
get his belt off earlier?  We got mine off, I should have taken his off,
too.  Sheba, this is my fault!  Oh, Kobol!  How can I pilot?  I've never
touched those controls before!"
	She whirled on him.  "Starbuck, take the controls, or else I'm going to
put you in that seat.  You do not want me to do that to you.  Do you
understand?"
	Her anger cut through his panic, and he quickly sat down.  As he turned
his back to her, Sheba thought she saw tearsutenant Jolly was saying.  "All pilots
are go and waiting for orders to launch."
	"Acknowledged," Bojay replied, his voice crisp with enthusiasm.  "Okay,
Sheba, how's Blue?"
	Although Bojay had officially been Sheba's squadron commander back on the
Pegasus -- though as Cain's daughter, Sheba was really in command -- she
was now more used to Apollo's style of command.  He was always formal, the
complete opposite from Bojay, who preferred being personal.  Each
battlestar commander had his or her own style of command, which was passed
down to the colonel, the flight commander and the squadron leaders.  After
two yahrens on the Galactica, Sheba realized that she preferred the
formality, making Bojay's typically Pegasi attitude slightly disturbing.
It was almost ironic that she was now in command of Blue Squadron, which
was Adama's personal strike wing, while Bojay remained as Silver Spar
leader, their squadron from the Pegasus.
	"Blue Squadron ready, Captain," she replied, deciding not to follow
Butenant Jolly was saying.  "All pilots
are go and waiting for orders to launch."
	"Acknowledged," Bojay replied, his voice crisp with enthusiasm.  "Okay,
Sheba, how's Blue?"
	Although Bojay had officially been Sheba's squadron commander back on the
Pegasus -- though as Cain's daughter, Sheba was really in command -- she
was now more used to Apollo's style of command.  He was always formal, the
complete opposite from Bojay, who preferred being personal.  Each
battlestar commander had his or her own style of command, which was passed
down to the colonel, the flight commander and the squadron leaders.  After
two yahrens on the Galactica, Sheba realized that she preferred the
formality, making Bojay's typically Pegasi attitude slightly disturbing.
It was almost ironic that she was now in command of Blue Squadron, which
was Adama's personal strike wing, while Bojay remained as Silver Spar
leader, their squadron from the Pegasus.
	"Blue Squadron ready, Captain," she replied, deciding not to follow
Bojay's style.
	There was nothing in Bojay's voice that showed that he was insulted by
Sheba's words as he continued, speaking to every Viper pilot in the
launching bay.
	"Our orders are to go straight into the solar system that the basestar is
occupying," Bojay said, speaking clearly so he wouldn't be misunderstood.
"The Cylons will launch their fighters, and as they do, we're to draw them
away from the basestar so the Galactica will have a clear path.  Each
squadron will have a specific position initially.  Blues and Silver Spars
will go to meet the first wave, followed by the Reds and Greens to back
them up.  Yellows will maintain the rear.  The only ship to be on the
lookout for is the Raider that's carrying Starbuck and Boomer.  All other
Cylons crafts are to be destroyed.  Are there any questions?"
	"How do we know which fighter belongs to Lieutenants Starbuck and Boomer?"
a pilot asked.  He sounded like one of the new pilots who had graduated a
secton earlier.  Sheba pitied him and his cl coursing down his cheeks, and
she knew she couldn't blame him.  Her own eyes were threatening to tear,
but she knew that it would have to wait.  Apollo needed her.
	Tilting his chin up, Sheba tried to remember the training she'd taken a
few yahrens ago for resuscitation.  She hoped it would all come back to her
as she located his breastbone, then pressed down sharply.  She winced as
she felt it move, but she continued, remembering that sometimes
resuscitation did as much damage as it did good.
	She pressed down two more times, all the while saying to him in a voice
that was threatening to break, "Don't you dare die, Apollo.  I'm not going
to let you go, do you understand?  And I promise you that if you do die,
after all this and all the trouble Athena and I went through to rescue you,
I'll never forgive you!"
	She paused, wiping the tears from her eyes with one hand as she felt for a
pulse with the other.  Nothing yet.  She refused to acknowledge the panic
that was building in her own chest asojay's style.
	There was nothing in Bojay's voice that showed that he was insulted by
Sheba's words as he continued, speaking to every Viper pilot in the
launching bay.
	"Our orders are to go straight into the solar system that the basestar is
occupying," Bojay said, speaking clearly so he wouldn't be misunderstood.
"The Cylons will launch their fighters, and as they do, we're to draw them
away from the basestar so the Galactica will have a clear path.  Each
squadron will have a specific position initially.  Blues and Silver Spars
will go to meet the first wave, followed by the Reds and Greens to back
them up.  Yellows will maintain the rear.  The only ship to be on the
lookout for is the Raider that's carrying Starbuck and Boomer.  All other
Cylons crafts are to be destroyed.  Are there any questions?"
	"How do we know which fighter belongs to Lieutenants Starbuck and Boomer?"
a pilot asked.  He sounded like one of the new pilots who had graduated a
secton earlier.  Sheba pitied him and his clojay's style.
	There was nothing in Bojay's voice that showed that he was insulted by
Sheba's words as he continued, speaking to every Viper pilot in the
launching bay.
	"Our orders are to go straight into the solar system that the basestar is
occupying," Bojay said, speaking clearly so he wouldn't be misunderstood.
"The Cylons will launch their fighters, and as they do, we're to draw them
away from the basestar so the Galactica will have a clear path.  Each
squadron will have a specific position initially.  Blues and Silver Spars
will go to meet the first wave, followed by the Reds and Greens to back
them up.  Yellows will maintain the rear.  The only ship to be on the
lookout for is the Raider that's carrying Starbuck and Boomer.  All other
Cylons crafts are to be destroyed.  Are there any questions?"
	"How do we know which fighter belongs to Lieutenants Starbuck and Boomer?"
a pilot asked.  He sounded like one of the new pilots who had graduated a
secton earlier.  Sheba pitied him and his classmates, knowing that their
first battle would undoubtedly be the last for many of them.
	"As soon as they've left the basestar, they'll be on fleet comline 6,968.
It's just below the Colonial frequency, and Starbuck also said that their
fighter will remain on the outskirts of the battle.  Keep your ear to the
frequency, and it should tell us where they are."
	"And don't forget to see if one of them is waggling its wings," Greenbean
added, his voice humorous.
	"Not this time, Greeny."
	"So it's just a routine milk-run," Dietra said, sounding serious compared
to the male pilots' bantering.
	"Right."
	Sheba sighed as the communications quieted down.  She felt nervous, which
was normal for any pilot going out into battle, but this was different.
Opening and closing her fist around the joystick, she tried to force
herself to relax by breathing deeply.  It didn't work, only succeeding in
making her stomach feel queasy.
	What's there to be so nervous about? she chided herself, hearing the
speaker she tried again, this time pressing
harder as she occasionally gave him a breath.  Still nothing.
	Starbuck was watching her instead of paying attention to the controls.
She could feel his gaze like fingers clawing into her back. Sheba paused to
look back at him, feeling the panic turn into fury as it threatened to get
out of control.
	"Don't watch us!" she yelled, feeling her cheeks flame with anger.  "Keep
your mind on what you're doing!"
	He turned away again, so she turned back to Apollo.  She checked for a
pulse again, still feeling nothing.  She went through the procedure a third
time, trying to guess how long they had until they reached the Galactica.
Just a few more centons, Sheba, she thought as calmly as she could.  If you
can get him breathing by then, he'll be fine...
	She willed with her entire being for his heart to start.  An odd thought
popped into her head as she worked.  He said that his heart belongs to me.
The thought made her tears start to flow without restraint.  But if assmates, knowing that their
first battle would undoubtedly be the last for many of them.
	"As soon as they've left the basestar, they'll be on fleet comline 6,968.
It's just below the Colonial frequency, and Starbuck also said that their
fighter will remain on the outskirts of the battle.  Keep your ear to the
frequency, and it should tell us where they are."
	"And don't forget to see if one of them is waggling its wings," Greenbean
added, his voice humorous.
	"Not this time, Greeny."
	"So it's just a routine milk-run," Dietra said, sounding serious compared
to the male pilots' bantering.
	"Right."
	Sheba sighed as the communications quieted down.  She felt nervous, which
was normal for any pilot going out into battle, but this was different.
Opening and closing her fist around the joystick, she tried to force
herself to relax by breathing deeply.  It didn't work, only succeeding in
making her stomach feel queasy.
	What's there to be so nervous about? she chided herself, hearing the
speakerassmates, knowing that their
first battle would undoubtedly be the last for many of them.
	"As soon as they've left the basestar, they'll be on fleet comline 6,968.
It's just below the Colonial frequency, and Starbuck also said that their
fighter will remain on the outskirts of the battle.  Keep your ear to the
frequency, and it should tell us where they are."
	"And don't forget to see if one of them is waggling its wings," Greenbean
added, his voice humorous.
	"Not this time, Greeny."
	"So it's just a routine milk-run," Dietra said, sounding serious compared
to the male pilots' bantering.
	"Right."
	Sheba sighed as the communications quieted down.  She felt nervous, which
was normal for any pilot going out into battle, but this was different.
Opening and closing her fist around the joystick, she tried to force
herself to relax by breathing deeply.  It didn't work, only succeeding in
making her stomach feel queasy.
	What's there to be so nervous about? she chided herself, hearing the
speakers activating as Rigel came on-line.  Dietra worded it perfectly.  A
routine strike.
	"Core systems transferring control to Viper craft.  Blue and Silver Spar
Squadrons launch first, followed by Green, Yellow and Red.  Launch when
ready."  The pretty young bridge officer paused as the pilots began their
last-centon preparations.  "Good luck."
	"Thanks, Rigel," Sheba replied as she looked out her cockpit to see Bojay.
 Her friend gave her a thumb-up sign for success, which she halfheartedly
returned as he launched.  A few microns later, she pressed the turbo button
on her control stick.  Before she could blink, her ship was in space,
followed by the rest of the squadrons.

	To Starbuck's annoyance, the Cylons were still walking past the Raider.
They didn't appear to notice that no centurions were exiting the hatch of
their fighter, which made him as uneasy as it had the last two times.  He
held his laser tightly in his right hand, bracing himself against the wall
of the Raider to steady himself it
really belongs to me, then why doesn't he respond?
	"Dietra," she heard Starbuck say, his voice calmer now, "we've got an
emergency here, and I can't afford to be at the controls anymore.  Do you
have any tow lines with you?"
	"Tow lines?" Dietra repeated.  "Look, Starbuck, what's going on?  First
you tell me that you've got the Captain, then I hear hysterical screaming
and you guys are suddenly behind that moon, and now this!  I had to engage
my full thrusters to catch up with you, and that's not a good thing with
this fighter being in this condition!"
	"I can't talk about the details!" Starbuck snapped, his panic beginning to
surface again.  He gritted his teeth as he used his most authoritative
voice.  Behind him, he heard Sheba working and talking under her breath.
"Now, do you or do you not have that tow line, Lieutenant?"
	"Yes, I have a tow line," Dietra responded with a large sigh, "but I wish
you'd tell me what's going on."
	"Good, and we'll explain everything when we've landed.  Ns activating as Rigel came on-line.  Dietra worded it perfectly.  A
routine strike.
	"Core systems transferring control to Viper craft.  Blue and Silver Spar
Squadrons launch first, followed by Green, Yellow and Red.  Launch when
ready."  The pretty young bridge officer paused as the pilots began their
last-centon preparations.  "Good luck."
	"Thanks, Rigel," Sheba replied as she looked out her cockpit to see Bojay.
 Her friend gave her a thumb-up sign for success, which she halfheartedly
returned as he launched.  A few microns later, she pressed the turbo button
on her control stick.  Before she could blink, her ship was in space,
followed by the rest of the squadrons.

	To Starbuck's annoyance, the Cylons were still walking past the Raider.
They didn't appear to notice that no centurions were exiting the hatch of
their fighter, which made him as uneasy as it had the last two times.  He
held his laser tightly in his right hand, bracing himself against the wall
of the Raider to steady himself s activating as Rigel came on-line.  Dietra worded it perfectly.  A
routine strike.
	"Core systems transferring control to Viper craft.  Blue and Silver Spar
Squadrons launch first, followed by Green, Yellow and Red.  Launch when
ready."  The pretty young bridge officer paused as the pilots began their
last-centon preparations.  "Good luck."
	"Thanks, Rigel," Sheba replied as she looked out her cockpit to see Bojay.
 Her friend gave her a thumb-up sign for success, which she halfheartedly
returned as he launched.  A few microns later, she pressed the turbo button
on her control stick.  Before she could blink, her ship was in space,
followed by the rest of the squadrons.

	To Starbuck's annoyance, the Cylons were still walking past the Raider.
They didn't appear to notice that no centurions were exiting the hatch of
their fighter, which made him as uneasy as it had the last two times.  He
held his laser tightly in his right hand, bracing himself against the wall
of the Raider to steady himself as he listened to Boomer's soft counting.
	"Two hundred...  Two hundred and thirty..."  Boomer laughed slightly.  "I
guess it's good that they're marching in twos."
	"Maybe, but if that's just one squadron..."
	"There are a lot of them, but what's the point in arguing that?  They're
still coming, and we're on a strict time budget."
	"Ah, don't worry, buddy."  Starbuck carefully peeked up at the passing
aliens, then ducked down before they spotted him.  "There's still a few
more to go.  How many are you at now?"
	"Two fifty.  I hope that our warriors can handle four squadrons of that
size."
	"That's their problem, not ours.  We have to get down to the control
center."  Starbuck waited, listening to the heavy noise of the Cylons'
boots hitting the deck.  "Now?"
	Boomer gripped Starbuck's shoulder as he looked out.  "Okay, that's it.
The total is two seventy.  Each Raider has three pilots, so that's about
ninety Raiders in one squadron.  If they still have four squadrons, that'll
be three hundreow attach it to
the hull and bring us back to the Galactica as quickly as you can.  Do you
understood?"
	"Preparing tow lines now," she replied, "and I'm moving into position."
	"Thank you."
	Sheba looked up from Apollo as she heard a loud clang from the top of ship. 
	"What's that?" she demanded, then stared in surprise as Starbuck came to
kneel across from her.  "Just what do you think you're doing?
	He smiled gently as he took her hands away from Apollo's chest.  "Dietra's
towing us back.  We'll have a better chance if we both try.  You give him
breaths, and I'll work on his heart."
	"How long has he been like this now?" she asked, rubbing her hands
together.  She hadn't realized that they had been getting cramped by the
way she was rigidly holding them together as she pressed against Apollo's
chest.
	"I hope not more than five centons," Starbuck muttered, surprised that
even in death, the fever was still raging in Apollo's body.  "When we pass
six centons, that's when the oxygen deprivatias he listened to Boomer's soft counting.
	"Two hundred...  Two hundred and thirty..."  Boomer laughed slightly.  "I
guess it's good that they're marching in twos."
	"Maybe, but if that's just one squadron..."
	"There are a lot of them, but what's the point in arguing that?  They're
still coming, and we're on a strict time budget."
	"Ah, don't worry, buddy."  Starbuck carefully peeked up at the passing
aliens, then ducked down before they spotted him.  "There's still a few
more to go.  How many are you at now?"
	"Two fifty.  I hope that our warriors can handle four squadrons of that
size."
	"That's their problem, not ours.  We have to get down to the control
center."  Starbuck waited, listening to the heavy noise of the Cylons'
boots hitting the deck.  "Now?"
	Boomer gripped Starbuck's shoulder as he looked out.  "Okay, that's it.
The total is two seventy.  Each Raider has three pilots, so that's about
ninety Raiders in one squadron.  If they still have four squadrons, that'll
be three hundreas he listened to Boomer's soft counting.
	"Two hundred...  Two hundred and thirty..."  Boomer laughed slightly.  "I
guess it's good that they're marching in twos."
	"Maybe, but if that's just one squadron..."
	"There are a lot of them, but what's the point in arguing that?  They're
still coming, and we're on a strict time budget."
	"Ah, don't worry, buddy."  Starbuck carefully peeked up at the passing
aliens, then ducked down before they spotted him.  "There's still a few
more to go.  How many are you at now?"
	"Two fifty.  I hope that our warriors can handle four squadrons of that
size."
	"That's their problem, not ours.  We have to get down to the control
center."  Starbuck waited, listening to the heavy noise of the Cylons'
boots hitting the deck.  "Now?"
	Boomer gripped Starbuck's shoulder as he looked out.  "Okay, that's it.
The total is two seventy.  Each Raider has three pilots, so that's about
ninety Raiders in one squadron.  If they still have four squadrons, that'll
be three hundred and sixty Raiders, but if they have five like us, that's
four hundred and fifty.  Starbuck..."
	Starbuck nodded as he saw the Cylons completely leaving the landing bay.
	"I know, the odds are three-to-one, but the Colonel warned them about
that."  He flashed Boomer a grin.  "Hey, it could be worse.  It might be
four or five against one."
	"Yeah, I suppose it could be that."  Boomer pulled out both of his lasers.
 "Ready?"
	"I thought you'd never ask."  Opening the hatch, Starbuck waited until it
hissed open as he glanced out the portal one more time, making sure that
any Cylons were lurking about.  It didn't quite relieve his nervousness,
but he climbed down the short ladder to the deck of the bay.  Taking a deep
breath to calm his racing heart, he waited until Boomer was beside him,
then he began running towards the entrance of the central core.

	The basestar appeared in front of the squadrons, promising the same type
of fight that all battles provided.  Despite this, Sheba still felt uneaon begins to affect the brain.
 I don't think either of us want to responsible for that."
	She nodded, agreeing wholeheartedly as they went back to work.  For every
five compressions Starbuck gave Apollo, she gave him one breath.  In the
meantime, she continually checked to see if Apollo's pulse came back, but
as yet, there was still nothing.  Counting silently in her head, she
realized that at least ninety microns had gone by.  They'd passed the six
centon limit.
	"Starbuck?" she whispered.  "He's not coming back..."
	"Yes, he is!" Starbuck replied, glaring at her.  "Come on, don't give out
on me, too, Sheba!  What happened to the woman who threatened to sit me in
the pilot's seat?"
	"That was when we had a chance."  Sheba shook her head, starting to cry
again.  "Baltar's won.  Whatever that belt did, Apollo just can't be...  We
should stop."
	"But..."  Starbuck gave Apollo a few more compressions before he realized
that Sheba was right.  In complete frustration, he yelled and hit him on
thed and sixty Raiders, but if they have five like us, that's
four hundred and fifty.  Starbuck..."
	Starbuck nodded as he saw the Cylons completely leaving the landing bay.
	"I know, the odds are three-to-one, but the Colonel warned them about
that."  He flashed Boomer a grin.  "Hey, it could be worse.  It might be
four or five against one."
	"Yeah, I suppose it could be that."  Boomer pulled out both of his lasers.
 "Ready?"
	"I thought you'd never ask."  Opening the hatch, Starbuck waited until it
hissed open as he glanced out the portal one more time, making sure that
any Cylons were lurking about.  It didn't quite relieve his nervousness,
but he climbed down the short ladder to the deck of the bay.  Taking a deep
breath to calm his racing heart, he waited until Boomer was beside him,
then he began running towards the entrance of the central core.

	The basestar appeared in front of the squadrons, promising the same type
of fight that all battles provided.  Despite this, Sheba still felt unead and sixty Raiders, but if they have five like us, that's
four hundred and fifty.  Starbuck..."
	Starbuck nodded as he saw the Cylons completely leaving the landing bay.
	"I know, the odds are three-to-one, but the Colonel warned them about
that."  He flashed Boomer a grin.  "Hey, it could be worse.  It might be
four or five against one."
	"Yeah, I suppose it could be that."  Boomer pulled out both of his lasers.
 "Ready?"
	"I thought you'd never ask."  Opening the hatch, Starbuck waited until it
hissed open as he glanced out the portal one more time, making sure that
any Cylons were lurking about.  It didn't quite relieve his nervousness,
but he climbed down the short ladder to the deck of the bay.  Taking a deep
breath to calm his racing heart, he waited until Boomer was beside him,
then he began running towards the entrance of the central core.

	The basestar appeared in front of the squadrons, promising the same type
of fight that all battles provided.  Despite this, Sheba still felt uneasy,
something she now knew she shouldn't be feeling.  She tensed her body as
she heard Bojay speaking to the pilots.
	"We have contact with our target," the blond captain said, his voice crisp
and authoritative.  "Yellows, move to the rear.  Reds and Greens, move
behind Blue and Silver Spar.  Silvers, move up beside Blue.  The Cylons
should be launching their fighters any micron now to intercept us."
	As soon as he finished speaking, the four launching bays on the basestar
began to spit out Raiders by the dozens.  Sheba stared in amazement at her
scanner as the first wave approached the Vipers, while the Cylons continued
to pour out of the entrances.
	Jolly whistled long and low as the human squadrons finished moving into
position.  "Kobol, I've haven't seen this many Cylons at once since
Gamoray, at least.  How many are there?"
	Sheba quickly counted as many as she could, but she gave up as the display
showed more triangles representing the Raiders as they came out of the
basestar.  "I don't  chest before leaning back against wall, covering his face with his
hands.  "Felgercarb, Apollo!"
	Sheba stared at him numbly for a few centons, then felt all the grief that
had been building up inside her for the past secton burst out of her as she
started sobbing.  She put her head on Apollo's chest, holding him tightly
as she wept.
	"We tried," Starbuck continued, his voice muffled by his hands.  He knew
that Sheba wasn't listening to him, but he didn't care.  His entire body
felt numb, number than it had when they came across Apollo's flight
recorder.  "That's all we could do.  But we were so close!  If... I mean,
when we meet Baltar again, I'll kill him.  I really will.  With my bare
hands, if I have to."
	He peeked out of his fingers, watching Sheba with Apollo's body.  He
couldn't believe that there was nothing they could do now.  He recalled
many of the unsuccessful missions that Apollo had pulled him out of during
their friendship, and how at any given time, Starbuck would repay him bysy,
something she now knew she shouldn't be feeling.  She tensed her body as
she heard Bojay speaking to the pilots.
	"We have contact with our target," the blond captain said, his voice crisp
and authoritative.  "Yellows, move to the rear.  Reds and Greens, move
behind Blue and Silver Spar.  Silvers, move up beside Blue.  The Cylons
should be launching their fighters any micron now to intercept us."
	As soon as he finished speaking, the four launching bays on the basestar
began to spit out Raiders by the dozens.  Sheba stared in amazement at her
scanner as the first wave approached the Vipers, while the Cylons continued
to pour out of the entrances.
	Jolly whistled long and low as the human squadrons finished moving into
position.  "Kobol, I've haven't seen this many Cylons at once since
Gamoray, at least.  How many are there?"
	Sheba quickly counted as many as she could, but she gave up as the display
showed more triangles representing the Raiders as they came out of the
basestar.  "I don't sy,
something she now knew she shouldn't be feeling.  She tensed her body as
she heard Bojay speaking to the pilots.
	"We have contact with our target," the blond captain said, his voice crisp
and authoritative.  "Yellows, move to the rear.  Reds and Greens, move
behind Blue and Silver Spar.  Silvers, move up beside Blue.  The Cylons
should be launching their fighters any micron now to intercept us."
	As soon as he finished speaking, the four launching bays on the basestar
began to spit out Raiders by the dozens.  Sheba stared in amazement at her
scanner as the first wave approached the Vipers, while the Cylons continued
to pour out of the entrances.
	Jolly whistled long and low as the human squadrons finished moving into
position.  "Kobol, I've haven't seen this many Cylons at once since
Gamoray, at least.  How many are there?"
	Sheba quickly counted as many as she could, but she gave up as the display
showed more triangles representing the Raiders as they came out of the
basestar.  "I don't know, Jolly, but as Starbuck would say, we just have
more ships to shoot at."  A few of the younger pilots laughed at her words,
but she ignored them as she continued.  "I hope that Starbuck and Boomer
are all right."
	"They're probably already setting their charges," Greenbean said, but
Sheba could tell that he was forcing himself to sound cheerful.  It
unnerved her, knowing that the usually easy-going flight sergeant was uneasy.
	"I hope." she replied.
	"Okay, squadrons!" Bojay interrupted.  "The battle begins when the Cylons
fire the first shot.  On my order, we break.  Remember your squadron's
position.  Ready... break!"
	As the rear half of the Viper phalanx peeled away from the others, the
Cylons opened fire.  The blue lasers missed the humans as Blue and Silver
Spar Squadron evaded the onslaught as they went straight into the middle of
the Cylon ships, firing their own lasers.  The first few Cylons went up in
flames.


Chapter Seven

	There were remarkably very few places in a Cylon
doing the same thing.  But now the cycle was broken, and he knew that
nothing short of the miracle that he'd been kidding Boomer about before
this entire mess of a mission had begun would change things.
	Sheba ignored Starbuck, almost feeling his guilt as her own.  There had to
have been more she could have done.  There must have been, but she had
failed.  Why did Apollo have to be taken again?  They thought that they'd
lost him once, and they'd almost brought him back safely to the Galactica,
but now they'd lost him again.  It just wasn't fair.
	"Apollo..." she whispered, just soft enough so that if he had been able
to, Apollo would have been the only one who could hear her.  "I love you."
	She heard a soft gasp.  At first, she thought it was Starbuck and his
crying, but she realized that it was too quiet to have come from him.  Very
slowly, she began to feel Apollo's chest rise and fall underneath her
cheek.  Cautiously, she raised her head and put her hand against his
throat.  There was an know, Jolly, but as Starbuck would say, we just have
more ships to shoot at."  A few of the younger pilots laughed at her words,
but she ignored them as she continued.  "I hope that Starbuck and Boomer
are all right."
	"They're probably already setting their charges," Greenbean said, but
Sheba could tell that he was forcing himself to sound cheerful.  It
unnerved her, knowing that the usually easy-going flight sergeant was uneasy.
	"I hope." she replied.
	"Okay, squadrons!" Bojay interrupted.  "The battle begins when the Cylons
fire the first shot.  On my order, we break.  Remember your squadron's
position.  Ready... break!"
	As the rear half of the Viper phalanx peeled away from the others, the
Cylons opened fire.  The blue lasers missed the humans as Blue and Silver
Spar Squadron evaded the onslaught as they went straight into the middle of
the Cylon ships, firing their own lasers.  The first few Cylons went up in
flames.


Chapter Seven

	There were remarkably very few places in a Cylonknow, Jolly, but as Starbuck would say, we just have
more ships to shoot at."  A few of the younger pilots laughed at her words,
but she ignored them as she continued.  "I hope that Starbuck and Boomer
are all right."
	"They're probably already setting their charges," Greenbean said, but
Sheba could tell that he was forcing himself to sound cheerful.  It
unnerved her, knowing that the usually easy-going flight sergeant was uneasy.
	"I hope." she replied.
	"Okay, squadrons!" Bojay interrupted.  "The battle begins when the Cylons
fire the first shot.  On my order, we break.  Remember your squadron's
position.  Ready... break!"
	As the rear half of the Viper phalanx peeled away from the others, the
Cylons opened fire.  The blue lasers missed the humans as Blue and Silver
Spar Squadron evaded the onslaught as they went straight into the middle of
the Cylon ships, firing their own lasers.  The first few Cylons went up in
flames.


Chapter Seven

	There were remarkably very few places in a Cylon landing bay for a human
to hide.  Starbuck and Boomer discovered that in a hurry as the Cylon
commander ordered the centurions to their Raiders while the two humans were
walking towards the entrance to the central core.
	Starbuck tried to make himself into a little ball so the large crates of
Tylium the Cylons kept in their landing bays would block him completely
from view.  Trying to keep his racing breath from escaping his lips, he
waited for the centurions to enter their ships, afraid that they would
detect his anxiety.  He remembered feeling this way when, as a young child,
he would play games of "Hide and Go Seek" with the other orphans in Umbra.
	A roar filled the bay as the pilots ignited their engines.  Starbuck
winced as he held his hands tightly over his ears.  If he came out of this
with his hearing intact, he promised himself, he would give up Pyramid
without any qualms.
	He felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him jump and reach for his
laser.  Before he could, he realized that irregular pulse, only once every few microns, but it
was there.
	Impulsively, she kissed him on the lips, then looked over at Starbuck.
	"Starbuck!  We did it!" she nearly shouted as she took Apollo into her
arms, holding him tightly.  She thought for a micron that if her grip was
tight enough, she wouldn't lose him again.  "He's alive!"
	"What?"  Starbuck reached over to feel Apollo's throat, and when he found
the pulse, he laughed and looked at Sheba with tears in his eyes as Apollo
coughed a few times, still unconscious. "My God, I don't believe it."
	"Look lively, you guys!" Dietra called, bringing their attention away from
Apollo to the cockpit.  "We're almost home, but we've got another problem."
	"What kind of problem?" Starbuck asked, leaving Sheba and Apollo for the
pilot's seat.  He saw the Galactica against the background of the fleet and
Baltar's basestar.  "Oh, frak..."

	Baltar wished that he had a recording of the explosion aboard the
Galactica.  Although he'd seen the battlesta landing bay for a human
to hide.  Starbuck and Boomer discovered that in a hurry as the Cylon
commander ordered the centurions to their Raiders while the two humans were
walking towards the entrance to the central core.
	Starbuck tried to make himself into a little ball so the large crates of
Tylium the Cylons kept in their landing bays would block him completely
from view.  Trying to keep his racing breath from escaping his lips, he
waited for the centurions to enter their ships, afraid that they would
detect his anxiety.  He remembered feeling this way when, as a young child,
he would play games of "Hide and Go Seek" with the other orphans in Umbra.
	A roar filled the bay as the pilots ignited their engines.  Starbuck
winced as he held his hands tightly over his ears.  If he came out of this
with his hearing intact, he promised himself, he would give up Pyramid
without any qualms.
	He felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him jump and reach for his
laser.  Before he could, he realized that  landing bay for a human
to hide.  Starbuck and Boomer discovered that in a hurry as the Cylon
commander ordered the centurions to their Raiders while the two humans were
walking towards the entrance to the central core.
	Starbuck tried to make himself into a little ball so the large crates of
Tylium the Cylons kept in their landing bays would block him completely
from view.  Trying to keep his racing breath from escaping his lips, he
waited for the centurions to enter their ships, afraid that they would
detect his anxiety.  He remembered feeling this way when, as a young child,
he would play games of "Hide and Go Seek" with the other orphans in Umbra.
	A roar filled the bay as the pilots ignited their engines.  Starbuck
winced as he held his hands tightly over his ears.  If he came out of this
with his hearing intact, he promised himself, he would give up Pyramid
without any qualms.
	He felt a hand touch his shoulder, making him jump and reach for his
laser.  Before he could, he realized that it was Boomer, who had been
hidden a few metrons away behind an identical stack of crates.
	"They're taking our fighter," he whispered into Starbuck's ear.  "Now what
do we do?"
	The roar disappeared as the Raiders launched.  Carefully, Starbuck looked
over the crates to see that their ship was gone.  Shocked by the
development, he fell back against the boxes.
	"Oh, frak," he swore.  "There aren't any other ships on the other side?"
	Boomer shrugged.  "Other side?"
	"Yeah, the central core connects to the other bays.  We might as well
check to see if there are any ships there before we go down to blow up the
computers."  Starbuck took a deep breath, then stood up as he straightened
his tunic top.  "It's only a minor setback, that's all."
	"Minor?"  Boomer snorted.  "Do you know how to rig it so humans can fly
it?  Our previous expert happens to be dead, I hope you know."
	"Ah, don't worry.  If Apollo could do it, anyone can.  Didn't he say
something about it in those notes of his?"
	"Not realr disabled before, mostly by
fires caused by Cylon lasers during battles like that at Gamoray, this was
the first time he'd seen it done close up.  The memory of the hole in the
Galactica's hull, with the vacuum sucking out the debris, would be a sweet
victory that would remain with him until the day he died, but if he had his
way, there would be another point in his favor in a few centons.
	"Soon," he muttered, almost rubbing his hands together in glee.  He simply
couldn't believe his good fortune.  "First the coordinates from Apollo, and
now he should be dead.  The Galactica is injured, and before long, her
fleet will be destroyed."
	The view screen that had displayed Adama's face centars before now showed
the scanner display.  As Baltar watched, a few blips appeared.  Very
slowly, they were joined by more and more until they filled their area of
the scanner.
	The Galactican fleet.  It was the first time since being marooned on his
planet that he had seen it, and each time before that, it alwit was Boomer, who had been
hidden a few metrons away behind an identical stack of crates.
	"They're taking our fighter," he whispered into Starbuck's ear.  "Now what
do we do?"
	The roar disappeared as the Raiders launched.  Carefully, Starbuck looked
over the crates to see that their ship was gone.  Shocked by the
development, he fell back against the boxes.
	"Oh, frak," he swore.  "There aren't any other ships on the other side?"
	Boomer shrugged.  "Other side?"
	"Yeah, the central core connects to the other bays.  We might as well
check to see if there are any ships there before we go down to blow up the
computers."  Starbuck took a deep breath, then stood up as he straightened
his tunic top.  "It's only a minor setback, that's all."
	"Minor?"  Boomer snorted.  "Do you know how to rig it so humans can fly
it?  Our previous expert happens to be dead, I hope you know."
	"Ah, don't worry.  If Apollo could do it, anyone can.  Didn't he say
something about it in those notes of his?"
	"Not realit was Boomer, who had been
hidden a few metrons away behind an identical stack of crates.
	"They're taking our fighter," he whispered into Starbuck's ear.  "Now what
do we do?"
	The roar disappeared as the Raiders launched.  Carefully, Starbuck looked
over the crates to see that their ship was gone.  Shocked by the
development, he fell back against the boxes.
	"Oh, frak," he swore.  "There aren't any other ships on the other side?"
	Boomer shrugged.  "Other side?"
	"Yeah, the central core connects to the other bays.  We might as well
check to see if there are any ships there before we go down to blow up the
computers."  Starbuck took a deep breath, then stood up as he straightened
his tunic top.  "It's only a minor setback, that's all."
	"Minor?"  Boomer snorted.  "Do you know how to rig it so humans can fly
it?  Our previous expert happens to be dead, I hope you know."
	"Ah, don't worry.  If Apollo could do it, anyone can.  Didn't he say
something about it in those notes of his?"
	"Not really."
	Starbuck sighed as he took out his laser.  "Well, then, we'll just have to
learn.  In a hurry."
	Exchanging nods with Boomer, they started towards the central core.  He
glanced through the entrance, seeing the other bay and the single fighter
that remained.  Flashing his friend a confident smile, he prepared to open
the lid to the core.

	"Squadrons engaged, Commander."
	Athena's crisp voice cut through the tense atmosphere on the Galactica's
bridge.  Nodding his acknowledgment to his daughter, Adama turned his
attention back to Tigh and the last-centon plans they were discussing.
	"Starbuck and Boomer should be almost done with setting the charges," Tigh
commented, reciting the schedule for the battle.  "They're probably on
their way back to their fighters."
	"Hopefully.  Now, Colonel, is the Galactica fully prepared for the
confrontation with the basestar?"
	Tigh smiled as they walked up the stairs to the command deck.  "Almost.
I've notified everyone that they're to take precaution.ays filled him
with an odd feeling.  During his confinement aboard the prison barge, he
had once checked with the fleet computers to see if anyone he had known
from his home colony had survived, simply out of curiosity.  He didn't
blame himself for their deaths when he found no one, even though he had
been branded as a traitor by Adama.
	A traitor?  Him?  It was something that he found nagging at him in the
middle of his sleep periods, but he could usually ignore it without any
problems.  He knew that the Colonies had been slated for defeat ever since
the war began a thousand yahrens before.  Why suffer under the conquerors
when one could make a profit by cooperating with them?  That had been his
philosophy then, back when he was simply a trader with little influence in
Colonial society, and it had proved to be correct, though in a different
way than he had ever anticipated.
	To appease his conscience, he had once tried to make amends.  On Kobol,
when he had told Adama that the path to the Cyloly."
	Starbuck sighed as he took out his laser.  "Well, then, we'll just have to
learn.  In a hurry."
	Exchanging nods with Boomer, they started towards the central core.  He
glanced through the entrance, seeing the other bay and the single fighter
that remained.  Flashing his friend a confident smile, he prepared to open
the lid to the core.

	"Squadrons engaged, Commander."
	Athena's crisp voice cut through the tense atmosphere on the Galactica's
bridge.  Nodding his acknowledgment to his daughter, Adama turned his
attention back to Tigh and the last-centon plans they were discussing.
	"Starbuck and Boomer should be almost done with setting the charges," Tigh
commented, reciting the schedule for the battle.  "They're probably on
their way back to their fighters."
	"Hopefully.  Now, Colonel, is the Galactica fully prepared for the
confrontation with the basestar?"
	Tigh smiled as they walked up the stairs to the command deck.  "Almost.
I've notified everyone that they're to take precaution.ly."
	Starbuck sighed as he took out his laser.  "Well, then, we'll just have to
learn.  In a hurry."
	Exchanging nods with Boomer, they started towards the central core.  He
glanced through the entrance, seeing the other bay and the single fighter
that remained.  Flashing his friend a confident smile, he prepared to open
the lid to the core.

	"Squadrons engaged, Commander."
	Athena's crisp voice cut through the tense atmosphere on the Galactica's
bridge.  Nodding his acknowledgment to his daughter, Adama turned his
attention back to Tigh and the last-centon plans they were discussing.
	"Starbuck and Boomer should be almost done with setting the charges," Tigh
commented, reciting the schedule for the battle.  "They're probably on
their way back to their fighters."
	"Hopefully.  Now, Colonel, is the Galactica fully prepared for the
confrontation with the basestar?"
	Tigh smiled as they walked up the stairs to the command deck.  "Almost.
I've notified everyone that they're to take precaution.  All civilians,
including the children, are in the secure areas of the ship."
	"Excellent."  Adama was pleased to hear that his grandson was out of
harm's way.  He hated the way the war interfered with Boxey's day-to-day
life, something that his children never experienced back on Caprica, but at
least now it wasn't as bad as it was a yahren earlier.  Now, battles rarely
interrupted learning period unless it was an extreme emergency.
	"All laser turrets are operational," Omega reported as they reached the
command deck.  "Awaiting orders to activate."
	"Thank you, Omega."  Clasping his hands behind his back, Adama surveyed
the bridge one final time.  All the officers were composed and professional
in the face of the inevitable battle.  He was proud of them for their
courage and thankful for their faith in him.  "Tigh, I think that, for
once, we're completely ready."
	"More or less."
	Taking a deep breath, Adama turned to the officer seated the navigation
controls.  "Bring us around, Sergeant.  n home world was open and
completely vulnerable to attack, he had been totally sincere.  Adama had
refused him, saying that their destiny lay with Earth, not him.  To Baltar,
that had been the betrayal.  Why would Adama lay his faith in a myth, and
not in the flesh-and-blood reality that he offered?
	But it didn't matter now.  He had more power than he could ever imagine
wielding, even more than he would have had as ruler of Pisceria or if he
had shared the victory with Adama.  Now, he was about to defeat his oldest
and most hated enemy, and after this, who knew what else might follow?
	"We are now within firing range of the fleet," Lucifer reported.  "We
currently have forty ships within our immediate range."
	"Are the ships transmitting any signals?" he wondered.
	"Most are emitting emergency and distress signals to the Galactica.  They
are completely defensive."
	Baltar shook his head.  "I wouldn't be too sure of that.  Chances are that
some ships have been equipped with rudimentary laser tu  All civilians,
including the children, are in the secure areas of the ship."
	"Excellent."  Adama was pleased to hear that his grandson was out of
harm's way.  He hated the way the war interfered with Boxey's day-to-day
life, something that his children never experienced back on Caprica, but at
least now it wasn't as bad as it was a yahren earlier.  Now, battles rarely
interrupted learning period unless it was an extreme emergency.
	"All laser turrets are operational," Omega reported as they reached the
command deck.  "Awaiting orders to activate."
	"Thank you, Omega."  Clasping his hands behind his back, Adama surveyed
the bridge one final time.  All the officers were composed and professional
in the face of the inevitable battle.  He was proud of them for their
courage and thankful for their faith in him.  "Tigh, I think that, for
once, we're completely ready."
	"More or less."
	Taking a deep breath, Adama turned to the officer seated the navigation
controls.  "Bring us around, Sergeant.    All civilians,
including the children, are in the secure areas of the ship."
	"Excellent."  Adama was pleased to hear that his grandson was out of
harm's way.  He hated the way the war interfered with Boxey's day-to-day
life, something that his children never experienced back on Caprica, but at
least now it wasn't as bad as it was a yahren earlier.  Now, battles rarely
interrupted learning period unless it was an extreme emergency.
	"All laser turrets are operational," Omega reported as they reached the
command deck.  "Awaiting orders to activate."
	"Thank you, Omega."  Clasping his hands behind his back, Adama surveyed
the bridge one final time.  All the officers were composed and professional
in the face of the inevitable battle.  He was proud of them for their
courage and thankful for their faith in him.  "Tigh, I think that, for
once, we're completely ready."
	"More or less."
	Taking a deep breath, Adama turned to the officer seated the navigation
controls.  "Bring us around, Sergeant.  Course
thirty-nine-forty-eight-mark-zero.  Light speed."
	"Yes, sir!" the officer replied, enthusiasm in her voice as she complied.
A few microns later, Adama felt the acceleration through the faint
vibrations in the deck.  The quick and steady rhythm of the light-speed
engines made him feel the anticipation of the coming battle, and he felt
himself tense in anticipation.
	"Father!"  Athena's voice changed from calmness to concern.  Her tone
stopped Adama from reprimanding her for not saying "commander" as she was
supposed to.  Instead, he nodded for her to continue.  "The odds are
greater than you anticipated.  The squadrons are fighting against
four-to-one odds."
	"Four-to-one?" Tigh repeated.  "That makes about six hundred Raiders.
Adama, this is some kind of super basestar we're going to fight!  I hope
that its fighter complement is the only thing that's changed!"
	Adama nodded, then noticed that his daughter had a far-away expression in
her eyes as she stared at her monitor.  There was sorrets on their
hulls.  My guess is that they'd be the bigger ones, like the Celestra and
the Rising Star."
	"Neither ships are within range," Golde said.
	"All right, then.  Begin powering up the lasers so we can start what we
came here to do."  Baltar waited for an acknowledgment from Lucifer before
pointing to one of blips at random.  "Fire at that one."

	It was a nightmare.  On one side of Adama, the officers at the
communications center were giving him blow-by-blow reports of the damage
Baltar inflicted to the Galactica, down to the estimated number of dead and
wounded.  Adama gritted his teeth as he heard the numbers slowly rise, from
ten to nearly seventy-five.  He heard someone, he wasn't sure whom, say
that they wouldn't be surprised if it was actually higher.
	The officers on his other side, Omega and Tigh were giving him up-to-date
statistics on the basestar's progress to the fleet.  Baltar's head start
meant that he could inflict as much damage as he wanted before the
Galactica arCourse
thirty-nine-forty-eight-mark-zero.  Light speed."
	"Yes, sir!" the officer replied, enthusiasm in her voice as she complied.
A few microns later, Adama felt the acceleration through the faint
vibrations in the deck.  The quick and steady rhythm of the light-speed
engines made him feel the anticipation of the coming battle, and he felt
himself tense in anticipation.
	"Father!"  Athena's voice changed from calmness to concern.  Her tone
stopped Adama from reprimanding her for not saying "commander" as she was
supposed to.  Instead, he nodded for her to continue.  "The odds are
greater than you anticipated.  The squadrons are fighting against
four-to-one odds."
	"Four-to-one?" Tigh repeated.  "That makes about six hundred Raiders.
Adama, this is some kind of super basestar we're going to fight!  I hope
that its fighter complement is the only thing that's changed!"
	Adama nodded, then noticed that his daughter had a far-away expression in
her eyes as she stared at her monitor.  There was soCourse
thirty-nine-forty-eight-mark-zero.  Light speed."
	"Yes, sir!" the officer replied, enthusiasm in her voice as she complied.
A few microns later, Adama felt the acceleration through the faint
vibrations in the deck.  The quick and steady rhythm of the light-speed
engines made him feel the anticipation of the coming battle, and he felt
himself tense in anticipation.
	"Father!"  Athena's voice changed from calmness to concern.  Her tone
stopped Adama from reprimanding her for not saying "commander" as she was
supposed to.  Instead, he nodded for her to continue.  "The odds are
greater than you anticipated.  The squadrons are fighting against
four-to-one odds."
	"Four-to-one?" Tigh repeated.  "That makes about six hundred Raiders.
Adama, this is some kind of super basestar we're going to fight!  I hope
that its fighter complement is the only thing that's changed!"
	Adama nodded, then noticed that his daughter had a far-away expression in
her eyes as she stared at her monitor.  There was something about her
expression that reminded him of Apollo, and he shivered at the resemblance.
	"Lieutenant?" he asked, looking at her with concern.  When she didn't
respond, he tried again.  "Athena?"
	This time, her tone was professional.  "Commander, we should launch
Reserve Squadron."
	It felt as though he hadn't heard her correctly.  Reserve Squadron, as its
name suggested, was a group of pilots whose normal positions did not allow
them to be permanently posted to the five regular squadrons.  Athena was
Reserve Leader, and an effective one at that, because while they were
rarely called out to do battle, they had an impressive battle record that
gave the other squadrons a run for their cubits.  Despite their record, the
idea of sending his only surviving child into a battle that seemed to be
headed for disaster was the last thing Adama wanted to do.  He also calmly
told himself that this would have also been the case if Apollo weren't dead.
	"Well, our pilots do seem to be outnumbered," Tighrived.
	"We can't go yet!" one of the Galactica's structural engineers exclaimed
over a monitor on the lower level of the bridge, loud enough for Adama to
hear over all of his officers.  "If we attempt to move any faster than half
sublight, the breach in the hull could rupture further.  We could lose the
entire epsilon section if we move, Colonel!"
	"What do you think is more important, a single section on one ship, or
losing several ships?" Tigh demanded, then glanced up at Adama.  The
colonel's face was extremely frustrated as he shrugged.  "Just one centon.
Commander?"
	Adama sighed.  "Get epsilon section evacuated immediately.  We can't wait."
	"Yes, sir."
	"Omega, how much damage did we inflict on the basestar when Baltar made
his strafing run?" the commander continued as Tigh relayed his orders.
	"Moderate to heavy structural damage, sir," Omega replied, frowning at his
reports.  "However, it hasn't impeded his progress.  He's now within range
of the fleet."
	"Lord help us," Adama prayemething about her
expression that reminded him of Apollo, and he shivered at the resemblance.
	"Lieutenant?" he asked, looking at her with concern.  When she didn't
respond, he tried again.  "Athena?"
	This time, her tone was professional.  "Commander, we should launch
Reserve Squadron."
	It felt as though he hadn't heard her correctly.  Reserve Squadron, as its
name suggested, was a group of pilots whose normal positions did not allow
them to be permanently posted to the five regular squadrons.  Athena was
Reserve Leader, and an effective one at that, because while they were
rarely called out to do battle, they had an impressive battle record that
gave the other squadrons a run for their cubits.  Despite their record, the
idea of sending his only surviving child into a battle that seemed to be
headed for disaster was the last thing Adama wanted to do.  He also calmly
told himself that this would have also been the case if Apollo weren't dead.
	"Well, our pilots do seem to be outnumbered," Tighmething about her
expression that reminded him of Apollo, and he shivered at the resemblance.
	"Lieutenant?" he asked, looking at her with concern.  When she didn't
respond, he tried again.  "Athena?"
	This time, her tone was professional.  "Commander, we should launch
Reserve Squadron."
	It felt as though he hadn't heard her correctly.  Reserve Squadron, as its
name suggested, was a group of pilots whose normal positions did not allow
them to be permanently posted to the five regular squadrons.  Athena was
Reserve Leader, and an effective one at that, because while they were
rarely called out to do battle, they had an impressive battle record that
gave the other squadrons a run for their cubits.  Despite their record, the
idea of sending his only surviving child into a battle that seemed to be
headed for disaster was the last thing Adama wanted to do.  He also calmly
told himself that this would have also been the case if Apollo weren't dead.
	"Well, our pilots do seem to be outnumbered," Tigh said, his tone urging
Adama to let the squadron launch.
	"That's true..."  Part of Adama wanted to let her go, but another side
wanted to keep her aboard the Galactica.  However, ever since Apollo had
come aboard his battlestar yahrens ago as a lieutenant, Adama swore that he
would never let his family members interfere with his duty, and now it
mattered even more.  What mattered to the fleet counted more than what
mattered to his family.  Finally, he sighed.  "Assemble your squadron."
	"Yes, sir!" Athena exclaimed, jumping up from her post.  She looked up at
Omega, smiling widely with enthusiasm.  "Order my pilots to their ships,
please."
	The tall bridge officer nodded as he activated the internal comline.
"Reserve Squadron, man your Vipers."
	The resemblance between Athena and Apollo at that centon was so great that
Adama felt his eyes tear.  Why do they have to be so much alike? he
wondered as he blinked quickly to get rid of the moisture.  I wish I didn't
have to do this, but I can't mixd, closing his eyes as he prepared to give out
his next round of orders.  "Tigh, make sure that those evacuations get
started now!  Helm, prepare for a light speed jump to the fleet, and
execute on my command."
	The bridge officers who had been walking from post to post started running
toward their individual stations as Tigh made his way back up to the
command deck.  His face was grey as he approached Adama.
	"They're not all going to get out in time," he said in a whisper.
	"Let's pray that they do."  Adama's stomach felt like someone was standing
on it, and each new development that brought another piece of bad news made
it feel all that much worse.  He was about to bring his hand up to flag the
jump when he heard something new from the communication center, something
that brought him back to the horrifying day of the Destruction: the sound
of civilian distress signals.  "What are they saying?"
	"They're panicking.  The basestar is apparently just sitting there, like a
hunter picking out whi said, his tone urging
Adama to let the squadron launch.
	"That's true..."  Part of Adama wanted to let her go, but another side
wanted to keep her aboard the Galactica.  However, ever since Apollo had
come aboard his battlestar yahrens ago as a lieutenant, Adama swore that he
would never let his family members interfere with his duty, and now it
mattered even more.  What mattered to the fleet counted more than what
mattered to his family.  Finally, he sighed.  "Assemble your squadron."
	"Yes, sir!" Athena exclaimed, jumping up from her post.  She looked up at
Omega, smiling widely with enthusiasm.  "Order my pilots to their ships,
please."
	The tall bridge officer nodded as he activated the internal comline.
"Reserve Squadron, man your Vipers."
	The resemblance between Athena and Apollo at that centon was so great that
Adama felt his eyes tear.  Why do they have to be so much alike? he
wondered as he blinked quickly to get rid of the moisture.  I wish I didn't
have to do this, but I can't mix said, his tone urging
Adama to let the squadron launch.
	"That's true..."  Part of Adama wanted to let her go, but another side
wanted to keep her aboard the Galactica.  However, ever since Apollo had
come aboard his battlestar yahrens ago as a lieutenant, Adama swore that he
would never let his family members interfere with his duty, and now it
mattered even more.  What mattered to the fleet counted more than what
mattered to his family.  Finally, he sighed.  "Assemble your squadron."
	"Yes, sir!" Athena exclaimed, jumping up from her post.  She looked up at
Omega, smiling widely with enthusiasm.  "Order my pilots to their ships,
please."
	The tall bridge officer nodded as he activated the internal comline.
"Reserve Squadron, man your Vipers."
	The resemblance between Athena and Apollo at that centon was so great that
Adama felt his eyes tear.  Why do they have to be so much alike? he
wondered as he blinked quickly to get rid of the moisture.  I wish I didn't
have to do this, but I can't mix kinship and command.
	Before he could finish thinking those thoughts, Omega spoke up again, his
voice full of alarm.
	"Commander!  We're receiving a signal!  It's coming directly from the
basestar!  Their commander wishes to speak with you."
	Exchanging glances with Tigh, Adama motioned for him and Athena to follow
him to the command deck.  A sense of dread began inside him, and his
stomach twisted painfully as he walked.
	"On scanners," he ordered, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the
communication.  The monitors flickered to life, resolving into the image of
a man Adama had hoped that he would never have to see again.
	"Adama, old friend," Baltar sneered, smiling unpleasantly as he spoke.  "I
haven't seen you in, what, eighteen sectars?  Not since that day when you
sent your warriors to drop me off on that wretched rock."
	Bristling at the greeting, Adama forced himself to contain the fury that
always came to life whenever Baltar made an appearance.  He despised the
man, and he dch animal to kill."
	That was the final piece of information for Adama.  Before he could waste
another micron, he brought his arm down.  "Light speed, now!"
	If the star field's shield was up, Adama knew that he would have seen the
stars begin to streak by at a speed that even Vipers rarely surpassed.  The
high speed did not usually affect the inside of the ship, but the stress
caused by the distortion of space around the vessel would, as the engineer
pointed out, make the weaknesses in the hull more susceptible to damage.
He prayed that it wouldn't get any worse than it was already.
	"Five," the helm officer counted, "four... three... two... one..."
	"Bring us out of light speed."  A short blast of electronic noise came
over the speakers, catching everyone on the bridge by surprise.  Adama
brought his hands up to his ears, in a vain attempt to block it as he
turned to Omega.  "What in Hades' was that?"
	Omega gasped, then looked up at Adama, his eyes wide with shock.
"Commander... that was the kinship and command.
	Before he could finish thinking those thoughts, Omega spoke up again, his
voice full of alarm.
	"Commander!  We're receiving a signal!  It's coming directly from the
basestar!  Their commander wishes to speak with you."
	Exchanging glances with Tigh, Adama motioned for him and Athena to follow
him to the command deck.  A sense of dread began inside him, and his
stomach twisted painfully as he walked.
	"On scanners," he ordered, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the
communication.  The monitors flickered to life, resolving into the image of
a man Adama had hoped that he would never have to see again.
	"Adama, old friend," Baltar sneered, smiling unpleasantly as he spoke.  "I
haven't seen you in, what, eighteen sectars?  Not since that day when you
sent your warriors to drop me off on that wretched rock."
	Bristling at the greeting, Adama forced himself to contain the fury that
always came to life whenever Baltar made an appearance.  He despised the
man, and he d kinship and command.
	Before he could finish thinking those thoughts, Omega spoke up again, his
voice full of alarm.
	"Commander!  We're receiving a signal!  It's coming directly from the
basestar!  Their commander wishes to speak with you."
	Exchanging glances with Tigh, Adama motioned for him and Athena to follow
him to the command deck.  A sense of dread began inside him, and his
stomach twisted painfully as he walked.
	"On scanners," he ordered, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the
communication.  The monitors flickered to life, resolving into the image of
a man Adama had hoped that he would never have to see again.
	"Adama, old friend," Baltar sneered, smiling unpleasantly as he spoke.  "I
haven't seen you in, what, eighteen sectars?  Not since that day when you
sent your warriors to drop me off on that wretched rock."
	Bristling at the greeting, Adama forced himself to contain the fury that
always came to life whenever Baltar made an appearance.  He despised the
man, and he didn't need to be psychic to know that the feeling was mutual.
	"Baltar, you haven't changed one iota, have you?" he asked, shaking his
head.  "I trust that you've called to offer your surrender?"
	"On the contrary, old friend.  I'd much rather that you call off your
fighters."  Baltar's smile disappeared slightly.  "My ships will cease to
attack yours if you do so.  It's as simple as that."
	Out of the corner of his eye, Adama saw Tigh frowning.  Baltar's request
made no sense at all, unless the traitor was hoping to delay them for
something.  The commander crossed his arms in annoyance as he fixed Baltar
with a gaze that would have made anyone else back down.
	"And why should I do that?" Adama demanded, his voice lowering as he felt
his fury wanting to be unleashed.  "I have no reason to trust you, Baltar."
	The smile that came onto the traitor's face was a secret one whose meaning
Adama wasn't sure he wanted to know.  Giving a short command to the Cylons
that were behind him, Baltar spoke as t Adena's distress signal being cut off..."
	"Cut off by what?" Tigh asked, then stopped as he realized what Omega
meant.  "Oh, my God..."
	For a micron, Adama didn't know what to do.  He'd had civilian ships
destroyed before, a few by the seemingly invincible pulsar weapon on Arcta
along with two Agro Ships by several Cylon Raiders, but usually at those
times, the Galactica had been with the fleet.  This time, Baltar had
outsmarted him on too many things.  Not just with Apollo, but with the
entire battle.  The anger that Adama had felt earlier inflamed from a
father's outrage to a commander's fury.  He was determined not to let
Baltar win the entire battle.
	"Get his attention," he ordered.  "Fire all laser turrets directly at him.
 Make sure that he knows that he's not alone."
	On the monitors, he watched as the laser turrets took aim at the basestar.
 To his delight, all of them were on target.  The basestar, which had been
motionless in front of the fleet, started returning the laser exchangidn't need to be psychic to know that the feeling was mutual.
	"Baltar, you haven't changed one iota, have you?" he asked, shaking his
head.  "I trust that you've called to offer your surrender?"
	"On the contrary, old friend.  I'd much rather that you call off your
fighters."  Baltar's smile disappeared slightly.  "My ships will cease to
attack yours if you do so.  It's as simple as that."
	Out of the corner of his eye, Adama saw Tigh frowning.  Baltar's request
made no sense at all, unless the traitor was hoping to delay them for
something.  The commander crossed his arms in annoyance as he fixed Baltar
with a gaze that would have made anyone else back down.
	"And why should I do that?" Adama demanded, his voice lowering as he felt
his fury wanting to be unleashed.  "I have no reason to trust you, Baltar."
	The smile that came onto the traitor's face was a secret one whose meaning
Adama wasn't sure he wanted to know.  Giving a short command to the Cylons
that were behind him, Baltar spoke as two centurions came into the view of
the monitor.
	"It's very simple, Adama.  If you don't recall your fighters, I'll kill
him myself!"
	The centurions brought their cargo into view.  It was a limp figure that
barely looked human.  Adama caught a glimpse of the face, but didn't
recognize it due to the bruises and sparse beard that obscured his
features.  The commander shifted his eyes to look up at Baltar.
	"Baltar, quit playing your games.  I --"
	For a micron, a flicker of frustration appeared on Baltar's face, but it
disappeared as he grabbed the prisoner's hair and thrust his head near the
monitor as he shouted, "Look at him!  Do you recognize him, Adama?  Hmm?"
	Adama stared at the monitor, trying to see if the prisoner's face reminded
him of anyone he'd ever met.  They'd lost so many warriors over the past
two yahrens that he couldn't be certain who it was.
	"Take a very good look, Adama," Baltar's voice taunted.  "Very, very
carefully."
	Following the traitor's instructions, Adama carefidn't need to be psychic to know that the feeling was mutual.
	"Baltar, you haven't changed one iota, have you?" he asked, shaking his
head.  "I trust that you've called to offer your surrender?"
	"On the contrary, old friend.  I'd much rather that you call off your
fighters."  Baltar's smile disappeared slightly.  "My ships will cease to
attack yours if you do so.  It's as simple as that."
	Out of the corner of his eye, Adama saw Tigh frowning.  Baltar's request
made no sense at all, unless the traitor was hoping to delay them for
something.  The commander crossed his arms in annoyance as he fixed Baltar
with a gaze that would have made anyone else back down.
	"And why should I do that?" Adama demanded, his voice lowering as he felt
his fury wanting to be unleashed.  "I have no reason to trust you, Baltar."
	The smile that came onto the traitor's face was a secret one whose meaning
Adama wasn't sure he wanted to know.  Giving a short command to the Cylons
that were behind him, Baltar spoke as te.
This time, barely five shots were on target.
	"Damage report!  First on the basestar, then on us."
	Omega smiled as he read out the results.  "Moderate to heavy structural
damage so far, sir.  As for the Galactica, the hull breach did rupture
further, but only a small amount.  Most of the people in the section were
able to get out, and the death toll has stabilized to approximately eighty
victims."
	"That's still too many," Adama muttered, then jumped slightly as Tigh, who
had been occupied at the other end of the command deck, tapped him gently
on the shoulder.  "What is it, Colonel?"
	"I just spoke with Rigel," he said in a murmur.  "She says she just gave
landing clearance to a Viper and Raider.  She added that she doesn't have
any more information other than it was Sheba she was speaking to on the
Raider."
	"Sheba?" Adama repeated, frowning.  "Why isn't she in her Viper?  Who's
with her?  Boomer or Starbuck?  Where's Athena?  And Apollo?"
	"They didn't say, but I'm expecting Sheba and wo centurions came into the view of
the monitor.
	"It's very simple, Adama.  If you don't recall your fighters, I'll kill
him myself!"
	The centurions brought their cargo into view.  It was a limp figure that
barely looked human.  Adama caught a glimpse of the face, but didn't
recognize it due to the bruises and sparse beard that obscured his
features.  The commander shifted his eyes to look up at Baltar.
	"Baltar, quit playing your games.  I --"
	For a micron, a flicker of frustration appeared on Baltar's face, but it
disappeared as he grabbed the prisoner's hair and thrust his head near the
monitor as he shouted, "Look at him!  Do you recognize him, Adama?  Hmm?"
	Adama stared at the monitor, trying to see if the prisoner's face reminded
him of anyone he'd ever met.  They'd lost so many warriors over the past
two yahrens that he couldn't be certain who it was.
	"Take a very good look, Adama," Baltar's voice taunted.  "Very, very
carefully."
	Following the traitor's instructions, Adama carefully studied the pitiful
figure that was directly in front of the monitor by now.  The dark hair,
even if long and unkempt, was in a familiar style, but it was only when the
prisoner opened his eyes that Adama felt his body stiffen.  A sudden flash
of insight came to him as he heard Ila's voice from the dream, saying,
"Adama, we might lose the baby!"
	"Oh, dear God," he whispered as he caught a glimpse of the dark green eyes
that he never thought that he'd see again.  "No, please, no..."
	"It's your son, Adama!  Your precious Apollo!"

Chapter Eight

	"Two more," Starbuck muttered as he attached another solenite charge to
the Cylon computer banks, unaware of the drama developing just down the
hallway.  "All I need is a few more microns."
	"Would you mind shaving off a few of those microns?" Boomer asked as he
glared at Starbuck's blond head, all the while trying to keep his eye on
the two entrances to the computer banks.  He almost expected them to slide
open at any micron, emitting dozens owo centurions came into the view of
the monitor.
	"It's very simple, Adama.  If you don't recall your fighters, I'll kill
him myself!"
	The centurions brought their cargo into view.  It was a limp figure that
barely looked human.  Adama caught a glimpse of the face, but didn't
recognize it due to the bruises and sparse beard that obscured his
features.  The commander shifted his eyes to look up at Baltar.
	"Baltar, quit playing your games.  I --"
	For a micron, a flicker of frustration appeared on Baltar's face, but it
disappeared as he grabbed the prisoner's hair and thrust his head near the
monitor as he shouted, "Look at him!  Do you recognize him, Adama?  Hmm?"
	Adama stared at the monitor, trying to see if the prisoner's face reminded
him of anyone he'd ever met.  They'd lost so many warriors over the past
two yahrens that he couldn't be certain who it was.
	"Take a very good look, Adama," Baltar's voice taunted.  "Very, very
carefully."
	Following the traitor's instructions, Adama carefwhoever her copilot is to
give us a full report as soon as the battle is finished." 
	"I see.  Thank you, Tigh.  I appreciate the information."  He turned away,
not daring to hope that Apollo was with Sheba and her companion.  If they
had been unable to rescue him, what would he do then?  I'll just have to
continue the same way I've gone through this past secton, he thought
bitterly.  Ignoring the pain until I can't stand it anymore.  This time
will be worse, though.  This time, I know that I could have helped him, and
this time, the dream with Ila will be much worse, I know it. 
	Gritting his teeth, he pointed to the basestar on the scanner.  "Focus
alpha laser turrets on the upper position of the basestar, and prepare to
fire on my order."  Omega nodded, waiting for Adama to continue with his
order.  "Fire!"

	Cassiopia couldn't believe the number of people who were being brought
into the Life Center with injuries caused by the explosion.  A large
percentage of them simply had broken bones aully studied the pitiful
figure that was directly in front of the monitor by now.  The dark hair,
even if long and unkempt, was in a familiar style, but it was only when the
prisoner opened his eyes that Adama felt his body stiffen.  A sudden flash
of insight came to him as he heard Ila's voice from the dream, saying,
"Adama, we might lose the baby!"
	"Oh, dear God," he whispered as he caught a glimpse of the dark green eyes
that he never thought that he'd see again.  "No, please, no..."
	"It's your son, Adama!  Your precious Apollo!"

Chapter Eight

	"Two more," Starbuck muttered as he attached another solenite charge to
the Cylon computer banks, unaware of the drama developing just down the
hallway.  "All I need is a few more microns."
	"Would you mind shaving off a few of those microns?" Boomer asked as he
glared at Starbuck's blond head, all the while trying to keep his eye on
the two entrances to the computer banks.  He almost expected them to slide
open at any micron, emitting dozens of Cylons to terminate them.  The
centurion lying outside the outer door was a dead giveaway to their
presence.  "I know that all the squadrons are launched, but who knows how
many are left?  Besides, the Galactica should be beginning her attack any
centon now."
	"Do you want me to blow these computers up properly, or do you want to
risk the chance that they'll be able to salvage some of their scanners?" he
snapped in reply as he placed another charge onto the outer shell of the
computers.  "Okay, one more."
	"One more," Boomer repeated.  "Come on..."
	With the pained concentration of an artist, Starbuck carefully attached
the last one.  He smiled as he rose to his feet, rubbing his hands in
anticipation of the upcoming explosion.

	Adama heard Baltar's evil laughter as he stared into his son's eyes.  He
felt disoriented as he tried to get a glimpse of something -- anything, but
all he could see in the green depths was pain and anguish.  There was no
glimmer of recognition, as though Apollo waully studied the pitiful
figure that was directly in front of the monitor by now.  The dark hair,
even if long and unkempt, was in a familiar style, but it was only when the
prisoner opened his eyes that Adama felt his body stiffen.  A sudden flash
of insight came to him as he heard Ila's voice from the dream, saying,
"Adama, we might lose the baby!"
	"Oh, dear God," he whispered as he caught a glimpse of the dark green eyes
that he never thought that he'd see again.  "No, please, no..."
	"It's your son, Adama!  Your precious Apollo!"

Chapter Eight

	"Two more," Starbuck muttered as he attached another solenite charge to
the Cylon computer banks, unaware of the drama developing just down the
hallway.  "All I need is a few more microns."
	"Would you mind shaving off a few of those microns?" Boomer asked as he
glared at Starbuck's blond head, all the while trying to keep his eye on
the two entrances to the computer banks.  He almost expected them to slide
open at any micron, emitting dozens ond lacerations, but there were
several who had been impaled by pieces of metal.  The number was getting so
high that she was forced to begin triaging the patients.
	I should be in there helping Salik, she thought as she and a medtech named
Arelen pointed the people to the appropriate areas.  The ones with the
worst injuries were being taken care of first, and the other ones were
being taken care of when there was an available medtech.  But I'm not
qualified for doing surgery by myself yet.
	She avoided a patch of blood on the floor that remained from a woman who
had been impaled in the abdomen by a piece of shrapnel.  The woman was now
resting comfortably, but Cassiopia still shivered as she remembered the
agony in the woman's eyes as she was brought in.  There were still more to
come before the day was over, including both the personnel who fought the
smaller fires ignited by the Cylons' lasers, and the pilots.  She knew from
experience that several would arrive on stretchers.
	Not for the firf Cylons to terminate them.  The
centurion lying outside the outer door was a dead giveaway to their
presence.  "I know that all the squadrons are launched, but who knows how
many are left?  Besides, the Galactica should be beginning her attack any
centon now."
	"Do you want me to blow these computers up properly, or do you want to
risk the chance that they'll be able to salvage some of their scanners?" he
snapped in reply as he placed another charge onto the outer shell of the
computers.  "Okay, one more."
	"One more," Boomer repeated.  "Come on..."
	With the pained concentration of an artist, Starbuck carefully attached
the last one.  He smiled as he rose to his feet, rubbing his hands in
anticipation of the upcoming explosion.

	Adama heard Baltar's evil laughter as he stared into his son's eyes.  He
felt disoriented as he tried to get a glimpse of something -- anything, but
all he could see in the green depths was pain and anguish.  There was no
glimmer of recognition, as though Apollo wasn't aware of what was going on
around him.   Adama felt his stomach lurch as he became aware of Tigh
swearing underneath his breath and of Athena's cry of outrage.  It seemed
that every officer on the bridge was either looking at the transmission or
at Adama himself.
	"Did you hear me?" Baltar continued, his brown eyes narrowed with malice
as he pulled Apollo towards him.  "I mean what I said.  Recall your
fighters and call off this battle, and I'll spare your son."
	Adama couldn't respond.  He continued to stare at his son, wondering how
Apollo had survived the apparent destruction of his Viper.  His flight
recorder had been ejected, after all.  And why, of all the possible fates
that could have befallen Apollo, did he have to end up as Baltar's prisoner?
	It was the hardest moment of Adama's life.  The father in him insisted
that he should do whatever he could to save his child, but the military
commander in him, the side that held more power, coldly stated that the
only course of action he f Cylons to terminate them.  The
centurion lying outside the outer door was a dead giveaway to their
presence.  "I know that all the squadrons are launched, but who knows how
many are left?  Besides, the Galactica should be beginning her attack any
centon now."
	"Do you want me to blow these computers up properly, or do you want to
risk the chance that they'll be able to salvage some of their scanners?" he
snapped in reply as he placed another charge onto the outer shell of the
computers.  "Okay, one more."
	"One more," Boomer repeated.  "Come on..."
	With the pained concentration of an artist, Starbuck carefully attached
the last one.  He smiled as he rose to his feet, rubbing his hands in
anticipation of the upcoming explosion.

	Adama heard Baltar's evil laughter as he stared into his son's eyes.  He
felt disoriented as he tried to get a glimpse of something -- anything, but
all he could see in the green depths was pain and anguish.  There was no
glimmer of recognition, as though Apollo wast time in her life, she cursed the Cylons.
	The door to the surgery opened, and Salik walked out, his face looked
tired and old beyond his years.  Sighing, he approached her, and Cassiopia
saw the blood on the front of his tunic.
	"I couldn't save that one," he said, his voice hoarser than its usual
gruffness.  "It took too long to get him in the operating room, and the
blood loss was too substantial.  How many more are left?"
	She watched his expression grow pale as she told him that there was
another six people awaiting surgery.  Since becoming a medtech, Cassiopia
had grown more and more fond of Salik, much in the way she knew Starbuck
and Sheba now felt for Adama, like a kind of father figure.  Kobol knew
that her father hadn't been much of anything when it came to examples when
she was a child, a problem compounded by his almost constant absenteeism.
Salik provided her with the encouragement and confidence that she quickly
came to rely upon, starting when he first saw her skills in rudimensn't aware of what was going on
around him.   Adama felt his stomach lurch as he became aware of Tigh
swearing underneath his breath and of Athena's cry of outrage.  It seemed
that every officer on the bridge was either looking at the transmission or
at Adama himself.
	"Did you hear me?" Baltar continued, his brown eyes narrowed with malice
as he pulled Apollo towards him.  "I mean what I said.  Recall your
fighters and call off this battle, and I'll spare your son."
	Adama couldn't respond.  He continued to stare at his son, wondering how
Apollo had survived the apparent destruction of his Viper.  His flight
recorder had been ejected, after all.  And why, of all the possible fates
that could have befallen Apollo, did he have to end up as Baltar's prisoner?
	It was the hardest moment of Adama's life.  The father in him insisted
that he should do whatever he could to save his child, but the military
commander in him, the side that held more power, coldly stated that the
only course of action he could possibly take was to save the fleet.  If it
meant signing Apollo's death warrant, then that was what he had to do.
	"Father."  It was Athena's voice at his shoulder, gripping his arm
tightly.  He looked at her, feeling as though he were in the middle of his
nightmare again.  "Father, don't listen to him."
	Tigh's words echoed Athena's.  "Adama...  Commander, if you end the
battle, that's one step away surrendering."
	"No, no, I don't want your surrender."  There was something about the way
Baltar ended his phrase that told Adama that he neglected to add the word
"yet."  "The day for our greatest battle has yet to occur."
	Tigh glared at the monitor.  "And what is that supposed to mean?"
	"Whatever you want it to mean."
	"He means that he wants the battle to wait until he can get
reinforcements," a new voice said, startling everyone, including Baltar.
Apollo looked up at Adama, life coming back into his eyes.  "It's the same
old story, Father, just like the Armistice and at Kobol."
	"Shutsn't aware of what was going on
around him.   Adama felt his stomach lurch as he became aware of Tigh
swearing underneath his breath and of Athena's cry of outrage.  It seemed
that every officer on the bridge was either looking at the transmission or
at Adama himself.
	"Did you hear me?" Baltar continued, his brown eyes narrowed with malice
as he pulled Apollo towards him.  "I mean what I said.  Recall your
fighters and call off this battle, and I'll spare your son."
	Adama couldn't respond.  He continued to stare at his son, wondering how
Apollo had survived the apparent destruction of his Viper.  His flight
recorder had been ejected, after all.  And why, of all the possible fates
that could have befallen Apollo, did he have to end up as Baltar's prisoner?
	It was the hardest moment of Adama's life.  The father in him insisted
that he should do whatever he could to save his child, but the military
commander in him, the side that held more power, coldly stated that the
only course of action he tary
first aid and encouraged her to become a medtech; up until he persuaded her
to go for her doctorate.
	"My God," he whispered, looking over at the life pods containing his
patients.  All of them were hooked up to life support equipment, their life
essence draining from them as they watched.  Salik shook his head.  "Well,
I'd better go back."
	Turning her back on the male doctor, Cassiopia saw the door to the Life
Center.  She rushed to meet the fire fighters who were supporting two
injured and slightly bleeding men.
	"They're the last ones who were caught by the breach," the one on the
right said, sitting his charge on the nearest clear space.  "All that are
left are the dead."
	"Arelen!" she called, looking for the medtech.  "We've got more wounded!"
	The blond medtech appeared on her left, looking perplexed.  "We don't have
much more room, Doctor."
	She grimaced at the news.  "We're just going to have to patch the least
injured ones up and get them out of here.  There are still the pilocould possibly take was to save the fleet.  If it
meant signing Apollo's death warrant, then that was what he had to do.
	"Father."  It was Athena's voice at his shoulder, gripping his arm
tightly.  He looked at her, feeling as though he were in the middle of his
nightmare again.  "Father, don't listen to him."
	Tigh's words echoed Athena's.  "Adama...  Commander, if you end the
battle, that's one step away surrendering."
	"No, no, I don't want your surrender."  There was something about the way
Baltar ended his phrase that told Adama that he neglected to add the word
"yet."  "The day for our greatest battle has yet to occur."
	Tigh glared at the monitor.  "And what is that supposed to mean?"
	"Whatever you want it to mean."
	"He means that he wants the battle to wait until he can get
reinforcements," a new voice said, startling everyone, including Baltar.
Apollo looked up at Adama, life coming back into his eyes.  "It's the same
old story, Father, just like the Armistice and at Kobol."
	"Shut up, you!" Baltar shouted, striking Apollo across the face and
throwing his body back into the arms of the centurions.  The two Cylons
backed away with their charge out of range of the monitor, and Adama wanted
to demand Baltar to bring Apollo back.  He was brought back to the present
by the anger in Baltar's voice.  "What's your response, Adama?"

	Starbuck glanced down to make sure that Boomer was close behind him as
they climbed back up the central core.  Relieved at the sight of his
friend's black face close to his heels, Starbuck reached down to his belt
where the control for the charges was attached.
	"Ready?" he asked.
	"Does that really need an answer?" Boomer said dryly.

	"Your response, Adama!"  Baltar's voice was strained.  The cords in his
neck stood out as his voice rose in pitch.  "Now!"
	The silence that stretched out on the Galactica's bridge was tense.  Every
officer knew that Baltar's proposal was an empty one, and they knew that
Adama knew that.  The question they all wantcould possibly take was to save the fleet.  If it
meant signing Apollo's death warrant, then that was what he had to do.
	"Father."  It was Athena's voice at his shoulder, gripping his arm
tightly.  He looked at her, feeling as though he were in the middle of his
nightmare again.  "Father, don't listen to him."
	Tigh's words echoed Athena's.  "Adama...  Commander, if you end the
battle, that's one step away surrendering."
	"No, no, I don't want your surrender."  There was something about the way
Baltar ended his phrase that told Adama that he neglected to add the word
"yet."  "The day for our greatest battle has yet to occur."
	Tigh glared at the monitor.  "And what is that supposed to mean?"
	"Whatever you want it to mean."
	"He means that he wants the battle to wait until he can get
reinforcements," a new voice said, startling everyone, including Baltar.
Apollo looked up at Adama, life coming back into his eyes.  "It's the same
old story, Father, just like the Armistice and at Kobol."
	"Shutts, if
there are any."
	"I know."  Arelen motioned for two other medtechs to help him with the new
arrivals.  Cassiopia watched them locate one of the few empty life pods,
then turned away to check on the patients placed in the third category of
the triage.  These were the lesser wounded, mostly those with slight burns,
broken bones and other normally minor injuries.
	There was a spare bone knitter, so she grabbed it and began treating a
young man's broken arm.  It was a minor fracture, and she had it healed
within a centon.  Smiling at him, she told him not to put too much stress
on the arm for another day, then sent him off.  One less patient.  Only
fifty more to go...
	She motioned for the next patient to come to her, this time with a
somewhat serious cut on her upper arm.  Cassiopia pulled the blood soaked
bandage away from the woman's arm to examine it.  The shrapnel had made a
clear path through the flesh, and the bleeding had almost stopped.  She was
about to begin treatment when she he up, you!" Baltar shouted, striking Apollo across the face and
throwing his body back into the arms of the centurions.  The two Cylons
backed away with their charge out of range of the monitor, and Adama wanted
to demand Baltar to bring Apollo back.  He was brought back to the present
by the anger in Baltar's voice.  "What's your response, Adama?"

	Starbuck glanced down to make sure that Boomer was close behind him as
they climbed back up the central core.  Relieved at the sight of his
friend's black face close to his heels, Starbuck reached down to his belt
where the control for the charges was attached.
	"Ready?" he asked.
	"Does that really need an answer?" Boomer said dryly.

	"Your response, Adama!"  Baltar's voice was strained.  The cords in his
neck stood out as his voice rose in pitch.  "Now!"
	The silence that stretched out on the Galactica's bridge was tense.  Every
officer knew that Baltar's proposal was an empty one, and they knew that
Adama knew that.  The question they all wanted to know was if Adama would
make the proper choice.
	"Well?"
	Adama turned to look at his daughter and his aide, about to order them to
continue with the plans when he heard a deep boom from Baltar's side of the
connection.  Looking back, he saw the doors behind Baltar blow up, belching
fire and smoke into the room.  The traitor screamed as he was struck by a
piece of shrapnel that flew from the ruined door.  Peering into the
suddenly staticky transmission, Adama couldn't see where Apollo had gone,
and he wondered if he had also been hit by the explosion.
	"Dear God," Athena whispered.  Adama knew that she had never seen a
solenite explosion before, and it was always a shock to see one.  The
potent explosive created the most powerful blast that the Colonies had ever
discovered. 
	"Fool!" Baltar shouted, clutching his forehead where the metal had given
him a bloody gash.  "Is that your response?  We're not finished, Adama!  I
not only have your son, but those blasted warriors you sent aboard  up, you!" Baltar shouted, striking Apollo across the face and
throwing his body back into the arms of the centurions.  The two Cylons
backed away with their charge out of range of the monitor, and Adama wanted
to demand Baltar to bring Apollo back.  He was brought back to the present
by the anger in Baltar's voice.  "What's your response, Adama?"

	Starbuck glanced down to make sure that Boomer was close behind him as
they climbed back up the central core.  Relieved at the sight of his
friend's black face close to his heels, Starbuck reached down to his belt
where the control for the charges was attached.
	"Ready?" he asked.
	"Does that really need an answer?" Boomer said dryly.

	"Your response, Adama!"  Baltar's voice was strained.  The cords in his
neck stood out as his voice rose in pitch.  "Now!"
	The silence that stretched out on the Galactica's bridge was tense.  Every
officer knew that Baltar's proposal was an empty one, and they knew that
Adama knew that.  The question they all wantard a commotion at the entrance to the
Life Center.
	"Doctor!" Arelen called.  "You'd better see this one personally!"
	"Can't you handle this one?  I'm in the middle of treating a wound!"
	"Cass!"  Starbuck's voice cut in over the other noise of the Life Center,
an almost pleading tone to his voice.  "Come here!  Please!"
	Surprised at hearing her fiancee's voice, she left the patient and hurried
back to the entrance.  She saw Sheba first, then spotted Starbuck
immediately behind her.  He was carrying something in his arms, and as she
looked closer, she realized that it was a body of a man.
	"What's going on?" she asked, looking up from the body to Starbuck's face.
 She noticed the bruise on his forehead, knowing what it probably meant.
"Who's this?"
	"Where do I put him?" he cut in, ignoring her question as he shifted the
body slightly in his arms.
	"Isn't that Captain Apollo?" Arelen asked, looking shocked.
	"What?"  Cassiopia looked at the bearded face, and barely recognized her
friend.  ed to know was if Adama would
make the proper choice.
	"Well?"
	Adama turned to look at his daughter and his aide, about to order them to
continue with the plans when he heard a deep boom from Baltar's side of the
connection.  Looking back, he saw the doors behind Baltar blow up, belching
fire and smoke into the room.  The traitor screamed as he was struck by a
piece of shrapnel that flew from the ruined door.  Peering into the
suddenly staticky transmission, Adama couldn't see where Apollo had gone,
and he wondered if he had also been hit by the explosion.
	"Dear God," Athena whispered.  Adama knew that she had never seen a
solenite explosion before, and it was always a shock to see one.  The
potent explosive created the most powerful blast that the Colonies had ever
discovered. 
	"Fool!" Baltar shouted, clutching his forehead where the metal had given
him a bloody gash.  "Is that your response?  We're not finished, Adama!  I
not only have your son, but those blasted warriors you sent aboard my
basestar are mine as well!  Consider their deaths as payment for your
mistake.  Next time, I'll take your entire fleet!"
	The monitor flickered off as Baltar cut the connection.  As soon as the
picture was gone, Adama took a deep breath, feeling as though someone had
kicked his stomach.
	"If anyone had asked me what this battle would be like," Tigh began,
shaking his head, "this is the last thing I would think of."
	"What gets me is that they had Apollo all along.  How?  Why?"  Athena put
her hands on her hips, then looked at Adama.  Her blue eyes had an angry
intensity that chilled him.  "I'm going to get my gear.  We'll launch in
five centons."
	She almost ran off the bridge.  Adama watched her leave, wondering if he
might have made a tragic mistake.  His other children had slipped through
his fingers, and he could see Athena following in their footsteps.  It
frightened him to the point of considering to go after Athena to take her
back, but he knew that it was unacceptable and that she wed to know was if Adama would
make the proper choice.
	"Well?"
	Adama turned to look at his daughter and his aide, about to order them to
continue with the plans when he heard a deep boom from Baltar's side of the
connection.  Looking back, he saw the doors behind Baltar blow up, belching
fire and smoke into the room.  The traitor screamed as he was struck by a
piece of shrapnel that flew from the ruined door.  Peering into the
suddenly staticky transmission, Adama couldn't see where Apollo had gone,
and he wondered if he had also been hit by the explosion.
	"Dear God," Athena whispered.  Adama knew that she had never seen a
solenite explosion before, and it was always a shock to see one.  The
potent explosive created the most powerful blast that the Colonies had ever
discovered. 
	"Fool!" Baltar shouted, clutching his forehead where the metal had given
him a bloody gash.  "Is that your response?  We're not finished, Adama!  I
not only have your son, but those blasted warriors you sent aboard "My God...  Starbuck, Sheba, where did he come from?  The Viper...
 It exploded, didn't it?  How could he have survived...?"
	"I don't know the specifics, but I can give you one hint.  Cylons."
	Cassiopia didn't know what to say as Sheba added, "It's a long story how
we got him, but what's important is that he's here now.  He needs help.
Baltar tried to kill him, and he would've succeeded if Starbuck and I
didn't try to help..."
	"Dear God," she whispered, looking over at Arelen.  "Do we have any more
life pods?"
	"One more."
	"Take Starbuck there, and make sure that Apollo gets a complete
examination.  I'll be there in a centon to assist."  She and Sheba watched
as the men went across the room, then Cassiopia turned to her.  "Are you
all right?"
	"I'm fine, but Starbuck has a concussion, and, well, you saw Apollo."
	Cassiopia shook her head.  "No, I mean are you all right?  About Apollo?
It's a huge shock, I know..."
	"To say the least," Sheba laughed, but sounded as though she were close tomy
basestar are mine as well!  Consider their deaths as payment for your
mistake.  Next time, I'll take your entire fleet!"
	The monitor flickered off as Baltar cut the connection.  As soon as the
picture was gone, Adama took a deep breath, feeling as though someone had
kicked his stomach.
	"If anyone had asked me what this battle would be like," Tigh began,
shaking his head, "this is the last thing I would think of."
	"What gets me is that they had Apollo all along.  How?  Why?"  Athena put
her hands on her hips, then looked at Adama.  Her blue eyes had an angry
intensity that chilled him.  "I'm going to get my gear.  We'll launch in
five centons."
	She almost ran off the bridge.  Adama watched her leave, wondering if he
might have made a tragic mistake.  His other children had slipped through
his fingers, and he could see Athena following in their footsteps.  It
frightened him to the point of considering to go after Athena to take her
back, but he knew that it was unacceptable and that she would never forgive
him.
	"Well, we know that they don't have Starbuck and Boomer, because those
charges wouldn't have gone off if they were captured."  Tigh laughed,
startling Adama out of his morose thoughts.  "Baltar's losing his touch!
We can see through his ploys!"
	Adama gave his aide a half-hearted smile, then turned back to impending
battle.

	The pain in his forehead was giving him a headache that surpassed all
previous ones.  Baltar could feel the blood trickling down the right side
of his face, and he wiped at the warm stream, trying to get rid of that
horrible feeling.  He only succeeded in smearing it further onto his face.
	"Report!" he shouted, coughing slightly from the lingering smoke, thanks
to the useless, pitiful excuse for a ventilation system.  "How much damage
did those blasted warriors cause?  And why aren't they captured yet?"
	Lucifer, who seemed to be unharmed from the explosion, finished circling
the three consoles.  When he spoke, his voice didn't sound as disappoimy
basestar are mine as well!  Consider their deaths as payment for your
mistake.  Next time, I'll take your entire fleet!"
	The monitor flickered off as Baltar cut the connection.  As soon as the
picture was gone, Adama took a deep breath, feeling as though someone had
kicked his stomach.
	"If anyone had asked me what this battle would be like," Tigh began,
shaking his head, "this is the last thing I would think of."
	"What gets me is that they had Apollo all along.  How?  Why?"  Athena put
her hands on her hips, then looked at Adama.  Her blue eyes had an angry
intensity that chilled him.  "I'm going to get my gear.  We'll launch in
five centons."
	She almost ran off the bridge.  Adama watched her leave, wondering if he
might have made a tragic mistake.  His other children had slipped through
his fingers, and he could see Athena following in their footsteps.  It
frightened him to the point of considering to go after Athena to take her
back, but he knew that it was unacceptable and that she w
tears.  "Let's just say that I'll be glad when this day is over.  Listen,
do you need any help in here?"
	"Funny you should ask," she grinned.  "I'll put you to work after I check
Apollo."
	Arelen had Apollo laid out in the life pod, and Starbuck hovered around
them, supervising them.  Cassiopia took the diagnostic instrument from the
medtech and held it over Apollo's body.  As the results came onto the
screen, her eyes widened in shock.
	"What happened to him?" she asked, looking up at the two pilots.
"Multiple fractures, an infection, irregular heart beat, sluggish
auto-respiratory system...  There's a lot more, but I can't believe what
I'm seeing just right here!"
	Starbuck grimaced.  "A lot can happen in nine days, dear."
	"Will he be all right?" Sheba asked as she smoothed Apollo's dark hair
away from his forehead.  There was a possessive quality to the motion that
reminded Cassiopia of the way she often touched Starbuck.  She tried to
hide her amused smile as she continued the diagnosiould never forgive
him.
	"Well, we know that they don't have Starbuck and Boomer, because those
charges wouldn't have gone off if they were captured."  Tigh laughed,
startling Adama out of his morose thoughts.  "Baltar's losing his touch!
We can see through his ploys!"
	Adama gave his aide a half-hearted smile, then turned back to impending
battle.

	The pain in his forehead was giving him a headache that surpassed all
previous ones.  Baltar could feel the blood trickling down the right side
of his face, and he wiped at the warm stream, trying to get rid of that
horrible feeling.  He only succeeded in smearing it further onto his face.
	"Report!" he shouted, coughing slightly from the lingering smoke, thanks
to the useless, pitiful excuse for a ventilation system.  "How much damage
did those blasted warriors cause?  And why aren't they captured yet?"
	Lucifer, who seemed to be unharmed from the explosion, finished circling
the three consoles.  When he spoke, his voice didn't sound as disappointed
as Baltar thought it should have.
	"All scanners are damaged, but if we put the special centurions to work
immediately, we will have minimal capability in under a centar."
	Baltar nodded sharply, looking around the room.  "Do it, then.  In the
meantime, take us away from the battle.  I don't want those Vipers finding
us and telling Adama where we are.  And Lucifer... where did those stupid
centurions of yours put Apollo?"
	"Back to the holding cells.  They left a few centons after the explosion
went off."
	"Through the central core?" the human wanted to know.  "And then through
the bays?"
	"Yes."
	Chuckling, Baltar grinned at the Cylon.  It didn't even bother him that
his laughter made his head hurt.
	"Lucifer, I think we've come across a way to catch those blasted warriors."

	It had been almost seven sectars since Reserve Squadron was last called
out for battle, but Athena quickly found herself falling into the routine
that the normal fighter pilots took for granted.  She quickly
doould never forgive
him.
	"Well, we know that they don't have Starbuck and Boomer, because those
charges wouldn't have gone off if they were captured."  Tigh laughed,
startling Adama out of his morose thoughts.  "Baltar's losing his touch!
We can see through his ploys!"
	Adama gave his aide a half-hearted smile, then turned back to impending
battle.

	The pain in his forehead was giving him a headache that surpassed all
previous ones.  Baltar could feel the blood trickling down the right side
of his face, and he wiped at the warm stream, trying to get rid of that
horrible feeling.  He only succeeded in smearing it further onto his face.
	"Report!" he shouted, coughing slightly from the lingering smoke, thanks
to the useless, pitiful excuse for a ventilation system.  "How much damage
did those blasted warriors cause?  And why aren't they captured yet?"
	Lucifer, who seemed to be unharmed from the explosion, finished circling
the three consoles.  When he spoke, his voice didn't sound as disappointed
as Baltar thought it should have.
	"All scanners are damaged, but if we put the special centurions to work
immediately, we will have minimal capability in under a centar."
	Baltar nodded sharply, looking around the room.  "Do it, then.  In the
meantime, take us away from the battle.  I don't want those Vipers finding
us and telling Adama where we are.  And Lucifer... where did those stupid
centurions of yours put Apollo?"
	"Back to the holding cells.  They left a few centons after the explosion
went off."
	"Through the central core?" the human wanted to know.  "And then through
the bays?"
	"Yes."
	Chuckling, Baltar grinned at the Cylon.  It didn't even bother him that
his laughter made his head hurt.
	"Lucifer, I think we've come across a way to catch those blasted warriors."

	It had been almost seven sectars since Reserve Squadron was last called
out for battle, but Athena quickly found herself falling into the routine
that the normal fighter pilots took for granted.  She quickly
dos.  It wasn't hard,
given the seriousness of the situation.
	"He's in pretty rough shape, but I know that Salik can help him."
	"Good," Sheba sighed, and exchanged a relieved expression with Starbuck.
	"But there's nothing you two can do now.  You've done everything you can."
 Cassiopia motioned to Arelen.  "Sheba, go with Arelen, and he'll find
something for you to do.  And you, Starbuck, are coming with me."
	She latched onto Starbuck's arm and steered him away from Apollo's bedside
towards one of the treatment tables.  She glanced up at the bruise on his
head, gauging the size of the bruise and guessing how he obtained it.
	"What are you looking at?" he asked, smiling weakly.
	"Your bruise.  I can't believe you gave yourself another concussion!  You
really did a number on yourself.  Let me guess, you hit your head against a
bulkhead?"
	"Very funny," he complained as he sat on the table.  "I never get any
respect from you.  For your information, I got it while trying to rescue
Apollo, when Iuble-checked her controls, satisfied that the Viper was in perfect
condition.  Taking a deep breath, she prepared to speak her pilots in the
same manner she'd picked up from Apollo during the short time they'd flown
in the same squadron.
	Apollo.  The barely recognizable image of her brother from Baltar's
transmission came back to her.  It was a horrible shock for her to learn
that he was still alive, but not as much as it had been to Adama.  She'd
seen the horror in her father's face when he realized who Baltar's prisoner
was, and she knew that it was tearing him apart to give Apollo up for dead
for the second time.  She wondered what they would tell Boxey once the
battle was over, if she would be able to meet his eyes when they told him.
	There's no way in Hades' that Starbuck and Boomer know about him, so if
they get off the basestar in one piece, that won't do us any good.  She
shook her head firmly as she looked out of her cockpit absentmindedly.  No,
Sheba and I have to come up with a plannted
as Baltar thought it should have.
	"All scanners are damaged, but if we put the special centurions to work
immediately, we will have minimal capability in under a centar."
	Baltar nodded sharply, looking around the room.  "Do it, then.  In the
meantime, take us away from the battle.  I don't want those Vipers finding
us and telling Adama where we are.  And Lucifer... where did those stupid
centurions of yours put Apollo?"
	"Back to the holding cells.  They left a few centons after the explosion
went off."
	"Through the central core?" the human wanted to know.  "And then through
the bays?"
	"Yes."
	Chuckling, Baltar grinned at the Cylon.  It didn't even bother him that
his laughter made his head hurt.
	"Lucifer, I think we've come across a way to catch those blasted warriors."

	It had been almost seven sectars since Reserve Squadron was last called
out for battle, but Athena quickly found herself falling into the routine
that the normal fighter pilots took for granted.  She quickly
double-checked her controls, satisfied that the Viper was in perfect
condition.  Taking a deep breath, she prepared to speak her pilots in the
same manner she'd picked up from Apollo during the short time they'd flown
in the same squadron.
	Apollo.  The barely recognizable image of her brother from Baltar's
transmission came back to her.  It was a horrible shock for her to learn
that he was still alive, but not as much as it had been to Adama.  She'd
seen the horror in her father's face when he realized who Baltar's prisoner
was, and she knew that it was tearing him apart to give Apollo up for dead
for the second time.  She wondered what they would tell Boxey once the
battle was over, if she would be able to meet his eyes when they told him.
	There's no way in Hades' that Starbuck and Boomer know about him, so if
they get off the basestar in one piece, that won't do us any good.  She
shook her head firmly as she looked out of her cockpit absentmindedly.  No,
Sheba and I have to come up with a plan tripped over a Cylon and whacked my head on a crate."
	She raised an eyebrow as she reached for a scanner.  "Trying to rescue
Apollo?"
	"Yes, trying.  It didn't work.  What happened to me in between is another
story."
	Somehow, she managed not to laugh as she ran the scanner over his head.
"My hero."

	Another explosion rocked the basestar, echoing the last large one that had
blown the top of the basestar away.  That explosion had thrown Baltar from
his throne, but this one only shook him.  He held his left arm tightly
against his side, trying to protect the ribs that he had bruised during his
two falls, holding onto the right armrest as he waited for the trembling to
stop.  In the meantime, he watched the smoke come out of the ventilators.
It swirled around the command center and up the base of his throne,
tickling his nostrils to make him sneeze, which made his side hurt more
than before.  He cursed the inefficient air filters that the Cylons had
tried to install as he vainly waved the smo.  We can't just leave him there to
die...
	Her jaw clenched as she next thought of Boomer.  She'd always liked the
black lieutenant, finding him always polite and willing to listen, though
she'd never thought of him as anything more than just as one of her
brother's closest friends.  Even when she was involved with Starbuck
romantically, Boomer remained as Boomer.
	Then came the day they were trapped with Boxey and the other warriors in
the Rejuvenation Center when the Galactica was on fire over two yahrens
before.  The way he'd been firm but caring, making sure that she was all
right, and even consoling her once or twice when she felt that their
situation was hopeless, planted the seed of something inside of her.  It
took close to two yahrens, but she soon became aware of an attraction
toward him.  After all, he was as handsome as Starbuck, but their
conversation on the Raider was the first time she'd been able to voice it,
or even dare to show it.
	And what if Boomer doesn't get off there, uble-checked her controls, satisfied that the Viper was in perfect
condition.  Taking a deep breath, she prepared to speak her pilots in the
same manner she'd picked up from Apollo during the short time they'd flown
in the same squadron.
	Apollo.  The barely recognizable image of her brother from Baltar's
transmission came back to her.  It was a horrible shock for her to learn
that he was still alive, but not as much as it had been to Adama.  She'd
seen the horror in her father's face when he realized who Baltar's prisoner
was, and she knew that it was tearing him apart to give Apollo up for dead
for the second time.  She wondered what they would tell Boxey once the
battle was over, if she would be able to meet his eyes when they told him.
	There's no way in Hades' that Starbuck and Boomer know about him, so if
they get off the basestar in one piece, that won't do us any good.  She
shook her head firmly as she looked out of her cockpit absentmindedly.  No,
Sheba and I have to come up with a plan.  We can't just leave him there to
die...
	Her jaw clenched as she next thought of Boomer.  She'd always liked the
black lieutenant, finding him always polite and willing to listen, though
she'd never thought of him as anything more than just as one of her
brother's closest friends.  Even when she was involved with Starbuck
romantically, Boomer remained as Boomer.
	Then came the day they were trapped with Boxey and the other warriors in
the Rejuvenation Center when the Galactica was on fire over two yahrens
before.  The way he'd been firm but caring, making sure that she was all
right, and even consoling her once or twice when she felt that their
situation was hopeless, planted the seed of something inside of her.  It
took close to two yahrens, but she soon became aware of an attraction
toward him.  After all, he was as handsome as Starbuck, but their
conversation on the Raider was the first time she'd been able to voice it,
or even dare to show it.
	And what if Boomer doesn't get off there, ke out of his face.
	"Damage report, Lucifer!" he shouted, trying to be heard over the annoying
klaxon.  He felt a moment of self-doubt as he wondered, not for the first
time, what he was doing in the middle of a battle.    Lucifer was the
military I.L., purposefully programmed for the command of a basestar.  Let
him figure this out.  "How bad is the damage?"
	"Ninety percent of the upper half of the basestar is almost completely
blown away.  Extensive fires throughout the middle decks, especially in the
centurions' repair chambers."  Lucifer paused as an update came in from the
latest hit from the Galactica.  "The fires are being put out by the vacuum
from the breached decks, but more are being started than are being
extinguished."
	"We are losing," Golde added, and Baltar glared at the gold centurion in
annoyance.  Just like his wife, always stating the obvious.  Besides, he
could feel the basestar dying around him.
	"I can see that, you tinheaded --"  He realized that insulting the Cylon
woeither? she though, remembering
Baltar's words, that the two warriors were his as well.  Am I going to lose
both my brother and the man I'm interested in at the same time?
	"Athena?" Flight Corporal Odina's voice cut through her thoughts.  "You
okay?"
	She smiled slightly at her friend's concern.  She'd originally met Odina
through Cassiopia, when she had brought the new medtech along with them to
a Triad game almost a yahren before.  As it turned out, she also had flying
experience as the pilot of an old-fashioned plane on her family's ranch on
Leo's fertile moon, so she enlisted into Reserve Squadron at Athena's
invitation.  The two tried to spend time together during the few times that
their shifts didn't overlap.
	"Pre-launch jitters, I guess."
	"You sure?" Odina had the annoying ability of telling when something was
wrong, especially when the person didn't want to talk about it.  "You sound
kind of upset."
	"I'll tell you later, okay?  Right now, we should get ready for the
battle."  Swi.  We can't just leave him there to
die...
	Her jaw clenched as she next thought of Boomer.  She'd always liked the
black lieutenant, finding him always polite and willing to listen, though
she'd never thought of him as anything more than just as one of her
brother's closest friends.  Even when she was involved with Starbuck
romantically, Boomer remained as Boomer.
	Then came the day they were trapped with Boxey and the other warriors in
the Rejuvenation Center when the Galactica was on fire over two yahrens
before.  The way he'd been firm but caring, making sure that she was all
right, and even consoling her once or twice when she felt that their
situation was hopeless, planted the seed of something inside of her.  It
took close to two yahrens, but she soon became aware of an attraction
toward him.  After all, he was as handsome as Starbuck, but their
conversation on the Raider was the first time she'd been able to voice it,
or even dare to show it.
	And what if Boomer doesn't get off there, either? she though, remembering
Baltar's words, that the two warriors were his as well.  Am I going to lose
both my brother and the man I'm interested in at the same time?
	"Athena?" Flight Corporal Odina's voice cut through her thoughts.  "You
okay?"
	She smiled slightly at her friend's concern.  She'd originally met Odina
through Cassiopia, when she had brought the new medtech along with them to
a Triad game almost a yahren before.  As it turned out, she also had flying
experience as the pilot of an old-fashioned plane on her family's ranch on
Leo's fertile moon, so she enlisted into Reserve Squadron at Athena's
invitation.  The two tried to spend time together during the few times that
their shifts didn't overlap.
	"Pre-launch jitters, I guess."
	"You sure?" Odina had the annoying ability of telling when something was
wrong, especially when the person didn't want to talk about it.  "You sound
kind of upset."
	"I'll tell you later, okay?  Right now, we should get ready for the
battle."  Swiuld mean nothing, so he looked back at Lucifer.  "How long do we have left?"
	"By the way the Galactica is firing her lasers in bursts every five
microns, I would assume that we have, at the most, ten or fifteen centons
before we are completely overwhelmed.  Perhaps five, if the fires intercept
our energizers located in the lower levels."
	"Have we even touched the Galactica with our lasers?  Did that one strike
do any damage?"
	"As you can see from just looking at the scanner, the Galactica has a very
large hull breach, but it does not seem to be impeding on her performance."
	Baltar pounded the armrest with his right hand.  "Can we hit the breach
again?  Make it bigger?  Maybe we could hit one of their energizers?"
	"We are losing more and more turrets, since the Galactica's lasers are
disrupting the energy lines in the basestar."  Lucifer paused,  "I suggest
that we evacuate."
	"Has my fighter been prepared?"
	"It is waiting for you in the bays."
	"Good.."  Numbly, he descended from his thrtching from the private comchannel Odina had used, she spoke
to the rest of the pilots.  "Everyone ready?"
	Acknowledgments from the other nineteen pilots came through, each of them
sounding as confident as Athena wished she were.  She forced herself to
sound professional as she continued.
	"As all of you know, we're heading into a large battle.  The other
squadrons are outnumbered, so they'll appreciate our help.  Once we launch,
form on me, then we head out to the battle.  When we arrive, break and
fight.  Any questions?"
	"Yeah," replied Sergeant Uta, a computech who had signed into Reserve
Squadron after the last battle.  She had once confided to Athena that she
was itching to get out into space to shoot some Cylons.  Her entire family
was killed the night of the Annihilation on Taura.  "When do we launch?
There's a Raider out there with my name on it!"
	The entire squadron laughed at Uta's words, but Athena only smiled
indulgently.  
	"Soon enough, Uta," Odina answered.  She sounded as theither? she though, remembering
Baltar's words, that the two warriors were his as well.  Am I going to lose
both my brother and the man I'm interested in at the same time?
	"Athena?" Flight Corporal Odina's voice cut through her thoughts.  "You
okay?"
	She smiled slightly at her friend's concern.  She'd originally met Odina
through Cassiopia, when she had brought the new medtech along with them to
a Triad game almost a yahren before.  As it turned out, she also had flying
experience as the pilot of an old-fashioned plane on her family's ranch on
Leo's fertile moon, so she enlisted into Reserve Squadron at Athena's
invitation.  The two tried to spend time together during the few times that
their shifts didn't overlap.
	"Pre-launch jitters, I guess."
	"You sure?" Odina had the annoying ability of telling when something was
wrong, especially when the person didn't want to talk about it.  "You sound
kind of upset."
	"I'll tell you later, okay?  Right now, we should get ready for the
battle."  Switching from the private comchannel Odina had used, she spoke
to the rest of the pilots.  "Everyone ready?"
	Acknowledgments from the other nineteen pilots came through, each of them
sounding as confident as Athena wished she were.  She forced herself to
sound professional as she continued.
	"As all of you know, we're heading into a large battle.  The other
squadrons are outnumbered, so they'll appreciate our help.  Once we launch,
form on me, then we head out to the battle.  When we arrive, break and
fight.  Any questions?"
	"Yeah," replied Sergeant Uta, a computech who had signed into Reserve
Squadron after the last battle.  She had once confided to Athena that she
was itching to get out into space to shoot some Cylons.  Her entire family
was killed the night of the Annihilation on Taura.  "When do we launch?
There's a Raider out there with my name on it!"
	The entire squadron laughed at Uta's words, but Athena only smiled
indulgently.  
	"Soon enough, Uta," Odina answered.  She sounded as thone to the deck.  He slipped
once, jarring his ribs, but he grit his teeth as he spoke.  "Golde, have
your centurions continue to fire at will.  Do anything to buy some time.
Lucifer, come with me."
	His hand brushed again the control to the belts.  No use bringing that
with him.  He had a funny feeling that Apollo wasn't quite dead, but he
didn't have the luxury of thinking about him just then.  He was more
concerned about his own survival.  He took the control and threw it back up
onto the seat of the throne before he followed Lucifer out of the control
center.  He didn't look back when he heard the control miss the seat and
clang on the floor.

Chapter Thirteen

	Adama remembered watching the Atlantia as flames consumed her hull, and
how the final detonation ripped through the sections to make her flare like
a dying sun.  Now, he watched as the same chain reaction began inside
Baltar's basestar, beginning with the barrage of Galactican lasers that had
destroyed the upper half of the ship.ough she were
grinning.  Uta's attitude was very similar to her own when she flew in her
first battle eight sectars earlier.  "Don't count your poulons before
they're hatched."
	"Core systems transferring control to Reserve Squadron," Rigel's voice
said, breaking into the lighthearted bantering.  "Launch when ready."
	Through the noise in her speaker, Athena thought she could hear her father
in the background, his deep voice saying, "Be careful."
	I will, she silently promised as she pressed the turbo button on her
control stick, feeling the burst of power that propelled her Viper down the
launch tubes.

* * *

	Starbuck couldn't get over the feeling of deja vu he was feeling as he
pressed himself against the same stack of containers.  Why couldn't the
Cylons just stay in one place?  It wasn't too much to ask, having them stay
in the control center or whatever the Cylon equivalent of the Officer's
Club was.
	He wanted to laugh, picturing a platoon of drunk Cylons.  It was an absurd
picturetching from the private comchannel Odina had used, she spoke
to the rest of the pilots.  "Everyone ready?"
	Acknowledgments from the other nineteen pilots came through, each of them
sounding as confident as Athena wished she were.  She forced herself to
sound professional as she continued.
	"As all of you know, we're heading into a large battle.  The other
squadrons are outnumbered, so they'll appreciate our help.  Once we launch,
form on me, then we head out to the battle.  When we arrive, break and
fight.  Any questions?"
	"Yeah," replied Sergeant Uta, a computech who had signed into Reserve
Squadron after the last battle.  She had once confided to Athena that she
was itching to get out into space to shoot some Cylons.  Her entire family
was killed the night of the Annihilation on Taura.  "When do we launch?
There's a Raider out there with my name on it!"
	The entire squadron laughed at Uta's words, but Athena only smiled
indulgently.  
	"Soon enough, Uta," Odina answered.  She sounded as though she were
grinning.  Uta's attitude was very similar to her own when she flew in her
first battle eight sectars earlier.  "Don't count your poulons before
they're hatched."
	"Core systems transferring control to Reserve Squadron," Rigel's voice
said, breaking into the lighthearted bantering.  "Launch when ready."
	Through the noise in her speaker, Athena thought she could hear her father
in the background, his deep voice saying, "Be careful."
	I will, she silently promised as she pressed the turbo button on her
control stick, feeling the burst of power that propelled her Viper down the
launch tubes.

* * *

	Starbuck couldn't get over the feeling of deja vu he was feeling as he
pressed himself against the same stack of containers.  Why couldn't the
Cylons just stay in one place?  It wasn't too much to ask, having them stay
in the control center or whatever the Cylon equivalent of the Officer's
Club was.
	He wanted to laugh, picturing a platoon of drunk Cylons.  It was an absurd
picture
	He smiled as he watched the slow destruction.  It was the first time he
had taken perverse pleasure in seeing something destroyed, and he was
shocked at what he was doing.  He thought of the revenge that he had so
desperately wanted only a few days earlier, the revenge that he didn't want
his warriors to carry out.  Now they were in the midst of delivering their
vengeance, and to his surprise, he wasn't feeling as victorious as he
thought he would be.  Instead, he felt empty.
	"Damage report," he asked, still looking at the scanner.  It was starting
to get difficult to recognize the ship as a basestar, and Adama realized
that he was relieved that the battle would soon be over.
	"The basestar is extremely unstable," Omega reported, a smile on his face.
 Adama realized that he hadn't asked for a report on the basestar, but he
didn't object to it.  "There are several breaches, and the entire structure
can't withstand another round of our lasers.  One more well-placed blast
should completely dest, but it almost made him want to explore the rest of the basestar.
Who knew -- he might find a type of grog that would make him rich.
	"What are they doing now?" he mouthed to Boomer, who shrugged.  The Cylons
were swarmed around the few remaining fighters, and since he had the best
vantage point, Boomer would tell him when they left.  If they left.
	Sighing, Starbuck leaned back against the crates, holding the laser to his
chest.  He glanced over in the general direction of the Cylons, remembering
the Kobolian legend of the "Evil Eye," and he wondered if it would work on
Cylons.
	A sound coming from the opposite direction distracted him from his
thoughts.  The hatch to the central core was being lifted.  Moving around
so he could see the Cylons, Starbuck made sure that he kept out of site as
he watched their movements.  Two stepped out of the hatch, the first
holding onto the lid as the second bent back to haul something out of the
well.  Starbuck narrowed his eyes as he realized that it was a ough she were
grinning.  Uta's attitude was very similar to her own when she flew in her
first battle eight sectars earlier.  "Don't count your poulons before
they're hatched."
	"Core systems transferring control to Reserve Squadron," Rigel's voice
said, breaking into the lighthearted bantering.  "Launch when ready."
	Through the noise in her speaker, Athena thought she could hear her father
in the background, his deep voice saying, "Be careful."
	I will, she silently promised as she pressed the turbo button on her
control stick, feeling the burst of power that propelled her Viper down the
launch tubes.

* * *

	Starbuck couldn't get over the feeling of deja vu he was feeling as he
pressed himself against the same stack of containers.  Why couldn't the
Cylons just stay in one place?  It wasn't too much to ask, having them stay
in the control center or whatever the Cylon equivalent of the Officer's
Club was.
	He wanted to laugh, picturing a platoon of drunk Cylons.  It was an absurd
picture, but it almost made him want to explore the rest of the basestar.
Who knew -- he might find a type of grog that would make him rich.
	"What are they doing now?" he mouthed to Boomer, who shrugged.  The Cylons
were swarmed around the few remaining fighters, and since he had the best
vantage point, Boomer would tell him when they left.  If they left.
	Sighing, Starbuck leaned back against the crates, holding the laser to his
chest.  He glanced over in the general direction of the Cylons, remembering
the Kobolian legend of the "Evil Eye," and he wondered if it would work on
Cylons.
	A sound coming from the opposite direction distracted him from his
thoughts.  The hatch to the central core was being lifted.  Moving around
so he could see the Cylons, Starbuck made sure that he kept out of site as
he watched their movements.  Two stepped out of the hatch, the first
holding onto the lid as the second bent back to haul something out of the
well.  Starbuck narrowed his eyes as he realized that it was a roy it."
	"What about us?" he asked again, trying to be more clear this time.  "What
is our condition?"
	"The structural engineers report that the breach is under control, and
that they are starting repairs as we speak.  As for the basestar," Omega's
smile turned into a grin, "of the last ten laser bursts that were fired,
only one has hit us, and it only caused minor damage."
	Standing beside Adama, Tigh wanted to laugh out loud, but he turned the
urge into a slight cough when he saw the conflicting emotions on Adama's
face.  His heart went out to his friend's pain, but he knew that they had
to complete what they started.
	"What do you think?" he asked, trying to get Adama's attention back onto
what needed to be done.  "I think that focusing all our lasers at the
control center and firing at once might be the final blow."
	"What about energizers?" Adama asked.  "Do we know where the Cylons keep
their energizers?"
	"Not really..."  Tigh exchanged glances with Omega.  He knew that the
bridge ofhuman body.
	Much too thin to be Baltar, he thought.  Too bad.  Wish I could see Baltar
dead before his Cylons kill me.
	A third Cylon came out of hatch as the second slung the body over its
shoulder, then they began a procession towards another entrance that
Starbuck vaguely remembered from his brief stay as a prisoner nearly three
yahrens ago.  Passing by him, he was able to catch a glimpse of the
prisoner's face.  He didn't expect to recognize it, but when he did, he
swore violently.
	"Apollo?  What in Hades?" he said, getting to his feet, then shouted to
deliberately attract the Cylons' attention.  "You tinheaded, frakking
astrums!  How dare you!"
	The Cylons turned to face him, the two free centurions reaching for their
lasers.  Starbuck wanted to laugh at their clumsiness as he continued
shouting.
	"Looking for us, are you?  Well, look at this!"  He fired on the
centurions, barely allowing the laser's battery time to cool off as he
watched them fall to the deck.  The one carrying Apollo, but it almost made him want to explore the rest of the basestar.
Who knew -- he might find a type of grog that would make him rich.
	"What are they doing now?" he mouthed to Boomer, who shrugged.  The Cylons
were swarmed around the few remaining fighters, and since he had the best
vantage point, Boomer would tell him when they left.  If they left.
	Sighing, Starbuck leaned back against the crates, holding the laser to his
chest.  He glanced over in the general direction of the Cylons, remembering
the Kobolian legend of the "Evil Eye," and he wondered if it would work on
Cylons.
	A sound coming from the opposite direction distracted him from his
thoughts.  The hatch to the central core was being lifted.  Moving around
so he could see the Cylons, Starbuck made sure that he kept out of site as
he watched their movements.  Two stepped out of the hatch, the first
holding onto the lid as the second bent back to haul something out of the
well.  Starbuck narrowed his eyes as he realized that it was a human body.
	Much too thin to be Baltar, he thought.  Too bad.  Wish I could see Baltar
dead before his Cylons kill me.
	A third Cylon came out of hatch as the second slung the body over its
shoulder, then they began a procession towards another entrance that
Starbuck vaguely remembered from his brief stay as a prisoner nearly three
yahrens ago.  Passing by him, he was able to catch a glimpse of the
prisoner's face.  He didn't expect to recognize it, but when he did, he
swore violently.
	"Apollo?  What in Hades?" he said, getting to his feet, then shouted to
deliberately attract the Cylons' attention.  "You tinheaded, frakking
astrums!  How dare you!"
	The Cylons turned to face him, the two free centurions reaching for their
lasers.  Starbuck wanted to laugh at their clumsiness as he continued
shouting.
	"Looking for us, are you?  Well, look at this!"  He fired on the
centurions, barely allowing the laser's battery time to cool off as he
watched them fall to the deck.  The one carrying Apolloficer was remembering the same thing he was, when fires caused by
the Cylons were raging aboard the Galactica, and how they battled against
the eventuality that they hoped would never happen -- the fires reaching
the energizers and causing the battlestar to explode.  Now, they were
looking for the same thing to do the basestar, almost a kind of ironic
justice.  And I wouldn't be surprised if Baltar was involved with that one,
too, he thought as he considered the possibilities.  "Now, if we go by the
process of elimination, we can assume that they weren't in the upper part
of the ship, so they're somewhere in the lower half.  But where?"
	"Perhaps what we need to do is fire at several different places at once,"
Omega suggested.  "A few strikes might just do the trick, while only one
probably would do lost of damage, but it likely won't destroy it."
	"Agreed."  Adama smiled.  "Good thinking.  Omega, prepare to fire on my
command."
	"Yes, sir!"  The Galactica rocked slightly as the basestar fired a was hit last, and
it fell to the deck, bringing its cargo down with it.
	Feeling the adrenaline rush that came from his outburst, Starbuck
holstered his laser to go to Apollo's side.  Moving him away from the Cylon
corpse, a few microns passed when Starbuck couldn't figure out what it was
that had alerted him to his friend's identity.  Apollo's dark brown hair
was longer now, and his bangs were long enough to go past his eyebrows and
obscure his eyes.  The combination of the bruises and the beard made his
face look only vaguely similar to what he was supposed to look like.  It
was almost as though they were deliberately placed to disfigure his face.
	"If it weren't for your presence, old buddy, I don't think I would have
recognized you," Starbuck muttered, noticing in particular the deep bruise
that encircled Apollo's left eye.  It looked as though it hurt, and it and
the other bruises told Starbuck that his friend had been tortured.  He
shook his head sadly.  "They really got you this time, dihuman body.
	Much too thin to be Baltar, he thought.  Too bad.  Wish I could see Baltar
dead before his Cylons kill me.
	A third Cylon came out of hatch as the second slung the body over its
shoulder, then they began a procession towards another entrance that
Starbuck vaguely remembered from his brief stay as a prisoner nearly three
yahrens ago.  Passing by him, he was able to catch a glimpse of the
prisoner's face.  He didn't expect to recognize it, but when he did, he
swore violently.
	"Apollo?  What in Hades?" he said, getting to his feet, then shouted to
deliberately attract the Cylons' attention.  "You tinheaded, frakking
astrums!  How dare you!"
	The Cylons turned to face him, the two free centurions reaching for their
lasers.  Starbuck wanted to laugh at their clumsiness as he continued
shouting.
	"Looking for us, are you?  Well, look at this!"  He fired on the
centurions, barely allowing the laser's battery time to cool off as he
watched them fall to the deck.  The one carrying Apollo was hit last, and
it fell to the deck, bringing its cargo down with it.
	Feeling the adrenaline rush that came from his outburst, Starbuck
holstered his laser to go to Apollo's side.  Moving him away from the Cylon
corpse, a few microns passed when Starbuck couldn't figure out what it was
that had alerted him to his friend's identity.  Apollo's dark brown hair
was longer now, and his bangs were long enough to go past his eyebrows and
obscure his eyes.  The combination of the bruises and the beard made his
face look only vaguely similar to what he was supposed to look like.  It
was almost as though they were deliberately placed to disfigure his face.
	"If it weren't for your presence, old buddy, I don't think I would have
recognized you," Starbuck muttered, noticing in particular the deep bruise
that encircled Apollo's left eye.  It looked as though it hurt, and it and
the other bruises told Starbuck that his friend had been tortured.  He
shook his head sadly.  "They really got you this time, digain,
but unlike the earlier barrages, it barely affected the crew as Omega
pressed a few buttons on his console.  "All lasers aimed and ready to fire."
	Adama took one last look at the basestar, the ship that was the symbol of
his anguish for the past nine days.  He briefly wondered if Baltar was
still aboard, and he realized that he didn't really care.  He prayed that
the traitor was still aboard as he gave the command.
	"Fire."
	Multiple bursts of the combined laser beams shot towards the basestar,
each one colliding to make small explosions.  Adama held his breath as the
last salvos left the Galactica, and didn't realize he was doing that until
the basestar exploded in a bright wash of light.  He gasped and shielded
his eyes, as did most of the bridge crew.
	"Report!" Tigh exclaimed, his voice muffled by his hands.
	Omega had difficulty reading his monitor while shielding his eyes at the
same time, but he finally came back with a response.  "Cylon basestar is
destroyed!"
	"Completely?" thdn't they, Apollo?"
	To his astonishment, Apollo moaned, then opened his eyes slightly, enough
so that Starbuck could see the green.  He appeared to want to move, but
Starbuck held him down by the shoulder.
	"Keep still, will you?  We'll be gone in a few centons.    We're getting
you out of here."  Starbuck smiled grimly as Apollo gave a small grin of
his own, then his head fell back onto the deck, unconscious.  Getting onto
his knees, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.  He was
surprised at how light he was as he stood.
	"Starbuck, you idiot!" Boomer shouted.  "Get down!"
	His words were punctuated by the sound of lasers going off again.
Hurrying back to the shelter of the crates, Starbuck saw Boomer exchanging
laser fire with the seven centurions who were by the fighters.  
	"Keep them occupied, Boom!" Starbuck replied, attempting to keep Apollo
balanced on his shoulder as he tried to run back.  It was difficult, and
when he found that one or two of the centurions were beginning  was hit last, and
it fell to the deck, bringing its cargo down with it.
	Feeling the adrenaline rush that came from his outburst, Starbuck
holstered his laser to go to Apollo's side.  Moving him away from the Cylon
corpse, a few microns passed when Starbuck couldn't figure out what it was
that had alerted him to his friend's identity.  Apollo's dark brown hair
was longer now, and his bangs were long enough to go past his eyebrows and
obscure his eyes.  The combination of the bruises and the beard made his
face look only vaguely similar to what he was supposed to look like.  It
was almost as though they were deliberately placed to disfigure his face.
	"If it weren't for your presence, old buddy, I don't think I would have
recognized you," Starbuck muttered, noticing in particular the deep bruise
that encircled Apollo's left eye.  It looked as though it hurt, and it and
the other bruises told Starbuck that his friend had been tortured.  He
shook his head sadly.  "They really got you this time, didn't they, Apollo?"
	To his astonishment, Apollo moaned, then opened his eyes slightly, enough
so that Starbuck could see the green.  He appeared to want to move, but
Starbuck held him down by the shoulder.
	"Keep still, will you?  We'll be gone in a few centons.    We're getting
you out of here."  Starbuck smiled grimly as Apollo gave a small grin of
his own, then his head fell back onto the deck, unconscious.  Getting onto
his knees, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.  He was
surprised at how light he was as he stood.
	"Starbuck, you idiot!" Boomer shouted.  "Get down!"
	His words were punctuated by the sound of lasers going off again.
Hurrying back to the shelter of the crates, Starbuck saw Boomer exchanging
laser fire with the seven centurions who were by the fighters.  
	"Keep them occupied, Boom!" Starbuck replied, attempting to keep Apollo
balanced on his shoulder as he tried to run back.  It was difficult, and
when he found that one or two of the centurions were beginning to target
him, he swore as he dodged the laser blasts.
	"It'll be easier when you're down!" Boomer told him.  "Then they won't be
shooting at you, and I won't have to worry about both you and them!"
	"No kidding," Starbuck murmured, quickly moving out of the sight of a
Cylon.  As soon as he moved, he felt Apollo's body beginning to slip, and
as he tried to compensate for the movement, he felt something collide
against his feet.  He was falling forward, Apollo's extra weight pulling
him down.  "Oh, frak!"
	He saw the wall of containers coming toward his head, but his momentum
didn't allow him the luxury of dodging.  He closed his eyes, waiting for
the inevitable crack as he felt himself landing on something relatively
soft.  Then, there was nothing.

	Boomer heard the thud before he realized what it was.  Glancing away from
the two surviving Cylons, he saw Starbuck sprawled on the deck on top of
the body he'd tried to rescue.  Next to Starbuck's feet was the body of one
of the dead centurions.e colonel asked, even though he knew it was unnecessary.
	"Yes, sir!"
	Below them on the main level, the bridge crew cheered as they hugged and
clapped each other on the back.  Tigh laughed out loud, as Omega smiled
widely.  Adama watched their joy for a few microns before finally breaking
into a grin himself.  Tigh took his hand and shook it as hard as he could.
	"It wasn't exactly what I would call a short battle," he said, "but
wouldn't you say that it was worth it in the end?"
	Adama's grin faded a little.  "If Sheba and Athena weren't successful with
what they were trying to do, then....  If they were, Tigh, I'll celebrate
then."
	"Well, whenever you're ready, Adama, there's a bottle of ambrosa in the
Officer's Club with your name on it."
	This time, Adama had to laugh.  "Thank you, Tigh.  I'll have to take you
up on your offer."
	"What are friends for?" Tigh asked, trying to appear solemn, but his brown
eyes were twinkling too much to make his expression legitimate.  "Now, what
do you sdn't they, Apollo?"
	To his astonishment, Apollo moaned, then opened his eyes slightly, enough
so that Starbuck could see the green.  He appeared to want to move, but
Starbuck held him down by the shoulder.
	"Keep still, will you?  We'll be gone in a few centons.    We're getting
you out of here."  Starbuck smiled grimly as Apollo gave a small grin of
his own, then his head fell back onto the deck, unconscious.  Getting onto
his knees, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.  He was
surprised at how light he was as he stood.
	"Starbuck, you idiot!" Boomer shouted.  "Get down!"
	His words were punctuated by the sound of lasers going off again.
Hurrying back to the shelter of the crates, Starbuck saw Boomer exchanging
laser fire with the seven centurions who were by the fighters.  
	"Keep them occupied, Boom!" Starbuck replied, attempting to keep Apollo
balanced on his shoulder as he tried to run back.  It was difficult, and
when he found that one or two of the centurions were beginning to target
him, he swore as he dodged the laser blasts.
	"It'll be easier when you're down!" Boomer told him.  "Then they won't be
shooting at you, and I won't have to worry about both you and them!"
	"No kidding," Starbuck murmured, quickly moving out of the sight of a
Cylon.  As soon as he moved, he felt Apollo's body beginning to slip, and
as he tried to compensate for the movement, he felt something collide
against his feet.  He was falling forward, Apollo's extra weight pulling
him down.  "Oh, frak!"
	He saw the wall of containers coming toward his head, but his momentum
didn't allow him the luxury of dodging.  He closed his eyes, waiting for
the inevitable crack as he felt himself landing on something relatively
soft.  Then, there was nothing.

	Boomer heard the thud before he realized what it was.  Glancing away from
the two surviving Cylons, he saw Starbuck sprawled on the deck on top of
the body he'd tried to rescue.  Next to Starbuck's feet was the body of one
of the dead centurions.
	"Oh, frak," he swore, turning his attention back to the centurions.  Why
did all the missions with Starbuck have to turn out to be disasters?
Taking his frustration out on the centurions, he destroyed them with a few
well-placed bursts of laser.  "Why me?"
	Glancing around to make sure that there weren't any more Cylons in the
bay, Boomer placed his left hand on the deck to push himself up.  He paused
as he felt a heavy vibration start to run through the metal.  Frowning, he
felt the vibrations increase steadily until the waves came every few beats.
	"What is that?" he wondered.  The explosion from the solenite charges
shouldn't have produced an after-effect like that.  Holstering his laser,
his hand brushed against the communicator on his waist.  The communicator.
He smiled suddenly as he pulled it out, activating it to the proper
channel.  "Lieutenant Boomer to Captain Bojay.  Come in!  Repeat, this is
Lieutenant Boomer to Captain --"
	"I hear you, Boomer," Bojay replied a few microns lateray about recalling our fighters?  I think they've done all the
damage they can hope to do."
	"I agree.  Omega, cancel the red alert, and tell the pilots that they can
come home now."
	"Yes, sir!"

	Athena brought her fighter up behind the Cylon that was dogging Brie's
Viper, narrowing her eyes as she waited for it to get directly in her
sights before hitting the fire button with an aggressiveness she didn't
know she possessed.  She grinned as the Cylon exploded, and Brie's Viper
did a slight turn to veer away from her previous course.
	"One more Cylon turns to dust!" she crowed in delight, oblivious to the
chuckles of the more seasoned pilots.  I must be a big change for them from
Apollo.  He's too mature to boast!
	"Thanks, Athena," Brie said a little breathlessly, sounding as though she
had been holding in her breath.
	"How many is that now, 'Thena?" Boomer asked.  Something about the way he
said that made Athena picture him as grinning.
	"Realistically?  Hmm... twenty?  It feels like fiftto target
him, he swore as he dodged the laser blasts.
	"It'll be easier when you're down!" Boomer told him.  "Then they won't be
shooting at you, and I won't have to worry about both you and them!"
	"No kidding," Starbuck murmured, quickly moving out of the sight of a
Cylon.  As soon as he moved, he felt Apollo's body beginning to slip, and
as he tried to compensate for the movement, he felt something collide
against his feet.  He was falling forward, Apollo's extra weight pulling
him down.  "Oh, frak!"
	He saw the wall of containers coming toward his head, but his momentum
didn't allow him the luxury of dodging.  He closed his eyes, waiting for
the inevitable crack as he felt himself landing on something relatively
soft.  Then, there was nothing.

	Boomer heard the thud before he realized what it was.  Glancing away from
the two surviving Cylons, he saw Starbuck sprawled on the deck on top of
the body he'd tried to rescue.  Next to Starbuck's feet was the body of one
of the dead centurions.
	"Oh, frak," he swore, turning his attention back to the centurions.  Why
did all the missions with Starbuck have to turn out to be disasters?
Taking his frustration out on the centurions, he destroyed them with a few
well-placed bursts of laser.  "Why me?"
	Glancing around to make sure that there weren't any more Cylons in the
bay, Boomer placed his left hand on the deck to push himself up.  He paused
as he felt a heavy vibration start to run through the metal.  Frowning, he
felt the vibrations increase steadily until the waves came every few beats.
	"What is that?" he wondered.  The explosion from the solenite charges
shouldn't have produced an after-effect like that.  Holstering his laser,
his hand brushed against the communicator on his waist.  The communicator.
He smiled suddenly as he pulled it out, activating it to the proper
channel.  "Lieutenant Boomer to Captain Bojay.  Come in!  Repeat, this is
Lieutenant Boomer to Captain --"
	"I hear you, Boomer," Bojay replied a few microns later.  His voice was
tense, as though the battle were going about as well as the mission.  "What
is it?  I didn't expect to hear from you any time too soon.  Where are you?"
	"We're still aboard the basestar," he replied, beginning to head towards
Starbuck's unconscious body.  "Listen, what's going on?"
	"You really want to know?  We're outnumbered, and the basestar is pulling
out.  Nice, eh?  Leaving their own ships behind.  Listen, Boomer, I don't
care if you and Starbuck haven't destroyed the control center.  Get out of
there, now!"
	Boomer nodded.  "I knew it, and for once, I hate being right.  Whatever
the Commander has planned, get him to delay it by a few centons. I'll call
you back when we've launched."
	"Talk to you then, Boomer."
	Putting the communicator away, he knew what he'd do next.  He would get
Starbuck and head back to the fighter, even though he regretted leaving the
prisoner behind.  Then they'd launch and head back to the Galactica.  Easy.
	Starbuck's body was limp as Boomer ry, though."  She
laughed as she made her next point.  "They're not much of a challenge."
	"I seem to remember someone shooting a certain blond lieutenant by
accident in training," Brie joked.  "I'm glad you've improved."
	If her friend could have seen her, Athena would have stuck her tongue out
at her.  "That's not fair!  I was a beginner!"
	"I know.  That's why I said that I'm glad you've improved, Athena."
	"Look lively, people!" Bojay snapped, making Athena jump.  She'd never
heard the blond captain being so uptight before, and by the stunned silence
over the comline, she knew that the others were surprised as well.  Hearing
the silence, Bojay gave a short laugh.  "Not that rigid!  Look at the
basestar right now if you don't want to miss a spectacular light show!"
	Turning her head to the left, Athena caught a glimpse of the besieged
basestar.  Earlier, she'd seen a few microns of the battle between the two
base ships, but had been quickly distracted when Jolly called for help.
Now, she coul
	"Oh, frak," he swore, turning his attention back to the centurions.  Why
did all the missions with Starbuck have to turn out to be disasters?
Taking his frustration out on the centurions, he destroyed them with a few
well-placed bursts of laser.  "Why me?"
	Glancing around to make sure that there weren't any more Cylons in the
bay, Boomer placed his left hand on the deck to push himself up.  He paused
as he felt a heavy vibration start to run through the metal.  Frowning, he
felt the vibrations increase steadily until the waves came every few beats.
	"What is that?" he wondered.  The explosion from the solenite charges
shouldn't have produced an after-effect like that.  Holstering his laser,
his hand brushed against the communicator on his waist.  The communicator.
He smiled suddenly as he pulled it out, activating it to the proper
channel.  "Lieutenant Boomer to Captain Bojay.  Come in!  Repeat, this is
Lieutenant Boomer to Captain --"
	"I hear you, Boomer," Bojay replied a few microns later.  His voice was
tense, as though the battle were going about as well as the mission.  "What
is it?  I didn't expect to hear from you any time too soon.  Where are you?"
	"We're still aboard the basestar," he replied, beginning to head towards
Starbuck's unconscious body.  "Listen, what's going on?"
	"You really want to know?  We're outnumbered, and the basestar is pulling
out.  Nice, eh?  Leaving their own ships behind.  Listen, Boomer, I don't
care if you and Starbuck haven't destroyed the control center.  Get out of
there, now!"
	Boomer nodded.  "I knew it, and for once, I hate being right.  Whatever
the Commander has planned, get him to delay it by a few centons. I'll call
you back when we've launched."
	"Talk to you then, Boomer."
	Putting the communicator away, he knew what he'd do next.  He would get
Starbuck and head back to the fighter, even though he regretted leaving the
prisoner behind.  Then they'd launch and head back to the Galactica.  Easy.
	Starbuck's body was limp as Boomer rolled him away from the prisoner.  A
dark red bruise marred the side of his forehead, making Boomer worry about
his friend having a concussion.  It wouldn't be the first, but how many
could Starbuck receive before having some kind of permanent damage?
	The prisoner was lying on his back, head turned to the side.  Boomer
paused, examining the human.  He was alive, but badly injured.  There was
something about the face that was familiar, maybe the profile, that made
him stop and stare.  He pushed the man's hair away from his forehead, and
recognized Apollo.  His heart sank as he looked from one friend to the
other.  There was no way in Hades for him to bring one to the Raider, then
come back to get the other, nor was he strong enough to carry two bodies at
once.
	"Felgercarb."  He reached for Starbuck, then for Apollo, but found that he
couldn't pick either up.  Starbuck had Cassiopia waiting for him back on
the Galactica, but if he left Apollo behind, he knew that he'd never be
able to look at Adn't say anything as she watched the basestar spew debris
around her as the Galactica's lasers hit her.
	"Look at that!" Giles exclaimed, laughing.  "It's almost as pretty as the
pyrotechnic displays I used to see at the Armament Day celebrations."
	The debris flow from the basestar increased as the lasers began more
intense.  Athena held her breath in awe as the ship finally erupted into a
ball of flame.  She watched the flames as they were quickly extinguished by
the vacuum of space, then jumped, taking in a sharp breath, as the other
pilots' cheers over the comline broke her out of her rapture.
	"Yahoo!" Greenbean cheered, his voice almost going up two octaves.  "I
give that one a ten, wouldn't you guys say?"
	"Take off a few points for an extra long routine," Jolly said, laughing.
	"Enough with the chatter!" Bojay snapped.  "There's still a few tinheads
left, in case you fly boys didn't notice.  Just be glad that they're not
human, because if they were, they'd be mightily ticked off at us fo.  His voice was
tense, as though the battle were going about as well as the mission.  "What
is it?  I didn't expect to hear from you any time too soon.  Where are you?"
	"We're still aboard the basestar," he replied, beginning to head towards
Starbuck's unconscious body.  "Listen, what's going on?"
	"You really want to know?  We're outnumbered, and the basestar is pulling
out.  Nice, eh?  Leaving their own ships behind.  Listen, Boomer, I don't
care if you and Starbuck haven't destroyed the control center.  Get out of
there, now!"
	Boomer nodded.  "I knew it, and for once, I hate being right.  Whatever
the Commander has planned, get him to delay it by a few centons. I'll call
you back when we've launched."
	"Talk to you then, Boomer."
	Putting the communicator away, he knew what he'd do next.  He would get
Starbuck and head back to the fighter, even though he regretted leaving the
prisoner behind.  Then they'd launch and head back to the Galactica.  Easy.
	Starbuck's body was limp as Boomer rolled him away from the prisoner.  A
dark red bruise marred the side of his forehead, making Boomer worry about
his friend having a concussion.  It wouldn't be the first, but how many
could Starbuck receive before having some kind of permanent damage?
	The prisoner was lying on his back, head turned to the side.  Boomer
paused, examining the human.  He was alive, but badly injured.  There was
something about the face that was familiar, maybe the profile, that made
him stop and stare.  He pushed the man's hair away from his forehead, and
recognized Apollo.  His heart sank as he looked from one friend to the
other.  There was no way in Hades for him to bring one to the Raider, then
come back to get the other, nor was he strong enough to carry two bodies at
once.
	"Felgercarb."  He reached for Starbuck, then for Apollo, but found that he
couldn't pick either up.  Starbuck had Cassiopia waiting for him back on
the Galactica, but if he left Apollo behind, he knew that he'd never be
able to look at Athena in the face, not to mention Adama, Boxey and Sheba.
Both had been his friends since the Academy, and he valued them evenly.
"For Sagan's sake, please don't make me choose..."
	He balled his fists, cursing fate for forcing him to make this choice.
Why did this have to happen to him?  Closing his eyes, he reached for
Starbuck.  His fingers brushed against Starbuck's jacket when he heard a
loud beep.  Startled, Boomer realized that it was his communicator.
	"Boomer," he said, activating it.
	"It's Bojay.  Look, I don't know what the Commander has planned, but you'd
better get off that basestar.  What's holding you up?  I haven't seen your
ship launch."
	"Um, Bojay, we've got a bit of a problem.  Starbuck's had a run-in with a
Cylon and --"
	"Forget the excuses, Boomer.  I don't care if you have to pull Starbuck by
the scruff of his neck, but if you have to, do it!  Do you understand?"
	He reluctantly nodded, looking back down at his friends.  "Understood."
	"What's that?  Boomer, you're brer
destroying their base."
	Athena wanted to add that she thought it was a fair trade, destroying the
basestar in exchange for what the Cylons did to Apollo, but since only
Boomer knew the real reason as to why she and Sheba boarded the basestar,
she decided not to.  Instead, she smiled as she spotted, then moved toward,
a group of Cylons about to pursue some Vipers.
	There was no communication from the Galactica for a few centons, but
Athena didn't notice until she jumped again when Omega's voice came over
the comline.  Hearing the man's voice briefly placed her back on the bridge
where she would be, at that centon, doing damage control and waiting for
the disabled Vipers to return.  Shaking her head, she felt the slight
pressure of the helmet around her face, and she smiled, cherishing the moment.
	"All squadrons, return to Galactica.  Repeat: break off your attack and
return to the Galactica."	
	"This is Captain Bojay, Galactica.  We only have a few Cylons left, so I
thought it might be a faolled him away from the prisoner.  A
dark red bruise marred the side of his forehead, making Boomer worry about
his friend having a concussion.  It wouldn't be the first, but how many
could Starbuck receive before having some kind of permanent damage?
	The prisoner was lying on his back, head turned to the side.  Boomer
paused, examining the human.  He was alive, but badly injured.  There was
something about the face that was familiar, maybe the profile, that made
him stop and stare.  He pushed the man's hair away from his forehead, and
recognized Apollo.  His heart sank as he looked from one friend to the
other.  There was no way in Hades for him to bring one to the Raider, then
come back to get the other, nor was he strong enough to carry two bodies at
once.
	"Felgercarb."  He reached for Starbuck, then for Apollo, but found that he
couldn't pick either up.  Starbuck had Cassiopia waiting for him back on
the Galactica, but if he left Apollo behind, he knew that he'd never be
able to look at Athena in the face, not to mention Adama, Boxey and Sheba.
Both had been his friends since the Academy, and he valued them evenly.
"For Sagan's sake, please don't make me choose..."
	He balled his fists, cursing fate for forcing him to make this choice.
Why did this have to happen to him?  Closing his eyes, he reached for
Starbuck.  His fingers brushed against Starbuck's jacket when he heard a
loud beep.  Startled, Boomer realized that it was his communicator.
	"Boomer," he said, activating it.
	"It's Bojay.  Look, I don't know what the Commander has planned, but you'd
better get off that basestar.  What's holding you up?  I haven't seen your
ship launch."
	"Um, Bojay, we've got a bit of a problem.  Starbuck's had a run-in with a
Cylon and --"
	"Forget the excuses, Boomer.  I don't care if you have to pull Starbuck by
the scruff of his neck, but if you have to, do it!  Do you understand?"
	He reluctantly nodded, looking back down at his friends.  "Understood."
	"What's that?  Boomer, you're breaking up.  There's some kind of
interference coming through.  Boomer?"
	"You're coming through perfectly, Bojay."
	"Boomer?  Come on, answer me!"  The captain's voice grew frightened as he
began to shout.  "Boomer, you were there a micron ago.  Come on!  Boomer!
I --"
	Boomer winced as a loud whine came through the comline, then static.  He
quickly pocketed his communicator, then scooped Starbuck into his arms.
His whispered apology to Apollo sounded hollow in his ears as he started
jogging towards the Raiders.  The panic at Bojay's signal being suddenly
cut off overshadowed his sorrow at not being able to help Apollo.
	"Almost there," he muttered, more for himself than for Starbuck.  Soon,
they'd be off this godforsaken basestar, and then, he could be angry at
himself.
	"I'd stay where you are if I were you, Lieutenant," a familiar voice
called, very human and very angry.  He tensed as he recognized it.  Baltar.
 What else could go wrong?  "I wouldn't want to shoot you in the back."
	Slowly,vor to the Cylons to just destroy them now.
However, I'm going to start sending the squadrons back one at a time.  Is
that all right?"
	There was silence over the comline as Omega checked with the commanding
officer.  "You have permission to continue as you proposed, Captain.
Galactica out."
	"You heard what we said," Bojay said.  "Silver Spar, you'll continue after
the Cylons.  Blue, Red, Green, Yellow and Reserve Squadrons, return home in
that order.  I'll see you all when we return."
	"Don't you guys need some help?" Boomer asked, sounding concerned.
	"No, we're just cleaning up.  No surprises like what Apollo got."  Athena
bristled at his words, but Bojay continued before she could say anything.
"Now get out of here!"
	The scattered Vipers began to regroup into their squadron formations, and
Athena found most of Reserve Squadron behind her.  A quick head count,
along with checking with the marker beacons, told her that Uta, the rookie
pilot, had survived, but Odina, the seasoned veteran, hthena in the face, not to mention Adama, Boxey and Sheba.
Both had been his friends since the Academy, and he valued them evenly.
"For Sagan's sake, please don't make me choose..."
	He balled his fists, cursing fate for forcing him to make this choice.
Why did this have to happen to him?  Closing his eyes, he reached for
Starbuck.  His fingers brushed against Starbuck's jacket when he heard a
loud beep.  Startled, Boomer realized that it was his communicator.
	"Boomer," he said, activating it.
	"It's Bojay.  Look, I don't know what the Commander has planned, but you'd
better get off that basestar.  What's holding you up?  I haven't seen your
ship launch."
	"Um, Bojay, we've got a bit of a problem.  Starbuck's had a run-in with a
Cylon and --"
	"Forget the excuses, Boomer.  I don't care if you have to pull Starbuck by
the scruff of his neck, but if you have to, do it!  Do you understand?"
	He reluctantly nodded, looking back down at his friends.  "Understood."
	"What's that?  Boomer, you're breaking up.  There's some kind of
interference coming through.  Boomer?"
	"You're coming through perfectly, Bojay."
	"Boomer?  Come on, answer me!"  The captain's voice grew frightened as he
began to shout.  "Boomer, you were there a micron ago.  Come on!  Boomer!
I --"
	Boomer winced as a loud whine came through the comline, then static.  He
quickly pocketed his communicator, then scooped Starbuck into his arms.
His whispered apology to Apollo sounded hollow in his ears as he started
jogging towards the Raiders.  The panic at Bojay's signal being suddenly
cut off overshadowed his sorrow at not being able to help Apollo.
	"Almost there," he muttered, more for himself than for Starbuck.  Soon,
they'd be off this godforsaken basestar, and then, he could be angry at
himself.
	"I'd stay where you are if I were you, Lieutenant," a familiar voice
called, very human and very angry.  He tensed as he recognized it.  Baltar.
 What else could go wrong?  "I wouldn't want to shoot you in the back."
	Slowly, Boomer stopped, holding onto Starbuck tightly.  He gritted his
teeth as he turned to face the traitor.  Blood smeared the right side of
Baltar's face, making him appear like some kind of wrathful demon from the
darkest pit of Hades.  Maybe that's what he is, Boomer thought as he
spotted the Colonial blaster in Baltar's hand.  Four more Cylons flanked
Baltar, while a fifth was picking Apollo's body up from the deck.
	"I think you forgot someone," Baltar said, smiling at Boomer as he
motioned to Apollo.  "But I forgot my manners.  Lieutenant Boomer, how nice
of you to drop in and for Lieutenant Starbuck to drop down.  I have plenty
of room in my cells for more company."

Chapter Nine

	The silence coming over the comline unnerved Sheba.  After Boomer's signal
had been cut off, Bojay had assumed that it was just a communications
breakdown, though he'd decided to give the two lieutenants five centons to
get off the basestar.
	"Time?" the captain asked now, jarring Sheba out of the concentration
adn't.  Athena
closed her eyes and sat back in her seat as she realized that, but when she
reopened her eyes, she saw the other squadrons leaving.
	"Are we going now?" Uta asked.  She had lost all the enthusiasm that she
had held when Reserve Squadron was about to launch, replaced instead with
disillusionment and fatigue.
	"Yes," Athena said, trying to sound encouraging, "we're going right now.
Follow my lead."
	"Good."
	They flew in silence until they came in visual range of the Galactica.  As
soon as they could see their base ship, the pilots began chattering among
themselves.  Athena remained silent as the bridge officers began giving
landing clearance to the squadrons closest to the landing bays.  The
remaining ships lined up, waiting for clearance.
	Seeing the battlestar again gave Athena mixed feelings.  She was glad that
the battle was over, and she was looking forward to the rest she would get,
but there was a downside.  A very big downside.  When she landed, she would
have to turn inaking up.  There's some kind of
interference coming through.  Boomer?"
	"You're coming through perfectly, Bojay."
	"Boomer?  Come on, answer me!"  The captain's voice grew frightened as he
began to shout.  "Boomer, you were there a micron ago.  Come on!  Boomer!
I --"
	Boomer winced as a loud whine came through the comline, then static.  He
quickly pocketed his communicator, then scooped Starbuck into his arms.
His whispered apology to Apollo sounded hollow in his ears as he started
jogging towards the Raiders.  The panic at Bojay's signal being suddenly
cut off overshadowed his sorrow at not being able to help Apollo.
	"Almost there," he muttered, more for himself than for Starbuck.  Soon,
they'd be off this godforsaken basestar, and then, he could be angry at
himself.
	"I'd stay where you are if I were you, Lieutenant," a familiar voice
called, very human and very angry.  He tensed as he recognized it.  Baltar.
 What else could go wrong?  "I wouldn't want to shoot you in the back."
	Slowly, Boomer stopped, holding onto Starbuck tightly.  He gritted his
teeth as he turned to face the traitor.  Blood smeared the right side of
Baltar's face, making him appear like some kind of wrathful demon from the
darkest pit of Hades.  Maybe that's what he is, Boomer thought as he
spotted the Colonial blaster in Baltar's hand.  Four more Cylons flanked
Baltar, while a fifth was picking Apollo's body up from the deck.
	"I think you forgot someone," Baltar said, smiling at Boomer as he
motioned to Apollo.  "But I forgot my manners.  Lieutenant Boomer, how nice
of you to drop in and for Lieutenant Starbuck to drop down.  I have plenty
of room in my cells for more company."

Chapter Nine

	The silence coming over the comline unnerved Sheba.  After Boomer's signal
had been cut off, Bojay had assumed that it was just a communications
breakdown, though he'd decided to give the two lieutenants five centons to
get off the basestar.
	"Time?" the captain asked now, jarring Sheba out of the concentration
brought on by the battle.
	"Less than one centon," Dietra replied, her voice worried.  "I haven't
seen anything coming out yet from the basestar."
	Bojay didn't continue his train of thought as his Viper was targeted by a
group of Raiders.  Sheba went to help him, then found herself in the middle
of a potential Cylon trap.  Reacting quickly, she banked her fighter to the
right, ending up behind a few more Raiders.  Firing at them, she looked
away from the bright explosion as she looked out into the distance.  She
was about to turn away when she spotted a group of small objects heading
her way.  Her curiosity piqued, she veered away from the battle and
switched to the scanner from the targeting computer.
	"What do you know," she murmured as the scanner displayed the results of
an incoming Viper squadron.  Activating the comline, she couldn't help
smiling.  "Bojay!  We've got company."
	The captain's voice was bitter.  "Now what?  Who?"
	"All right, Reserve Squadron, we go to work now!" Athena's her helmet for her headgear that she normally wore on the
bridge.  The thought of her boring station almost made her turn her Viper
around to head into deep space.
	Wouldn't that make people talk? she thought, silently laughing an ironic
laugh as she followed Boomer's lead toward the landing bay.  The
commander's daughter steals a Viper to head out on her own.  Almost as
scandalous as the commander's son being a prisoner of war.
	She stopped her somewhat mutinous thoughts as she remembered her brother.
Although she'd thought of him a few times during the battle, she recalled
him not as the prisoner-of-war she and Sheba had rescued, but as the
captain that everyone admired.  Now, she wondered how he was doing, and
whether she should go talk to him about her feelings of being suffocated on
the bridge.  It could work, but will he understand how I feel?  It can't
hurt to try.
	"Reserve Squadron, prepare to land in starboard landing bay," Rigel
announced, snapping Athena out of her musings.  "Red S voice said.  A
few gasps from the senior pilots accompanied the energetic appearance of
the new Vipers as they burst into the battle.  "Hi, you guys.  Thought you
guys could use all the help you could get."
	Sheba laughed.  "Does the situation really look that bad?"
	"Well..."
	"Girl, you haven't seen us do this."  She activated her reverse thrusters,
holding her breath as she shot backwards into the battle.  A few Cylons
broke formation as she passed by them.  The targeting computer displayed
the closest targets, and she moved in for the kill, making two Raiders blow
up.  "Do you still think that we need help?"
	"Yes, only this time we have to prevent your egos from getting too big."
	Jolly laughed.  "Join in the fun, Reserve Squadrons."
	"Thanks for the invite."
	Glancing at the scanner again, she spotted the basestar's retreat.  She
frowned as she spoke again.  "Any idea what the Commander is up to now?  If
the Galactica comes in when she's scheduled, the basestar will be long gone."
	"Ma Boomer stopped, holding onto Starbuck tightly.  He gritted his
teeth as he turned to face the traitor.  Blood smeared the right side of
Baltar's face, making him appear like some kind of wrathful demon from the
darkest pit of Hades.  Maybe that's what he is, Boomer thought as he
spotted the Colonial blaster in Baltar's hand.  Four more Cylons flanked
Baltar, while a fifth was picking Apollo's body up from the deck.
	"I think you forgot someone," Baltar said, smiling at Boomer as he
motioned to Apollo.  "But I forgot my manners.  Lieutenant Boomer, how nice
of you to drop in and for Lieutenant Starbuck to drop down.  I have plenty
of room in my cells for more company."

Chapter Nine

	The silence coming over the comline unnerved Sheba.  After Boomer's signal
had been cut off, Bojay had assumed that it was just a communications
breakdown, though he'd decided to give the two lieutenants five centons to
get off the basestar.
	"Time?" the captain asked now, jarring Sheba out of the concentration
brought on by the battle.
	"Less than one centon," Dietra replied, her voice worried.  "I haven't
seen anything coming out yet from the basestar."
	Bojay didn't continue his train of thought as his Viper was targeted by a
group of Raiders.  Sheba went to help him, then found herself in the middle
of a potential Cylon trap.  Reacting quickly, she banked her fighter to the
right, ending up behind a few more Raiders.  Firing at them, she looked
away from the bright explosion as she looked out into the distance.  She
was about to turn away when she spotted a group of small objects heading
her way.  Her curiosity piqued, she veered away from the battle and
switched to the scanner from the targeting computer.
	"What do you know," she murmured as the scanner displayed the results of
an incoming Viper squadron.  Activating the comline, she couldn't help
smiling.  "Bojay!  We've got company."
	The captain's voice was bitter.  "Now what?  Who?"
	"All right, Reserve Squadron, we go to work now!" Athena'squadron, proceed to
port landing bay.  Blue Squadron, you will land after Reserve Squadron."
	"Thank you, Core Command," Athena replied.  "All right, Reserve Squadron,
let's show them how a landing is done!"
	As she put her thoughts to the present task, she heard the more
experienced pilots in Blue Squadron begin to banter loudly, and she grinned
as she listened.
	"What time is it, Greeny?" Jolly asked.
	"Not a micron too soon?"
	"Greeny, I'm serious!  What time is it?"
	"Um, almost 1500 centars.  Ouch, we've been out here for over two centars!
 Almost three!  Why do you ask?"
	"Hmm... half a centar to get cleaned up..." the lieutenant mused as Athena
followed the strobe light to where she was to land her fighter.  An orange
clad deckhand directed her to the proper position.  "All right, then.
Listen up, everybody!  You're all invited to the Officers' Club for the
victory celebration."
	"Bet you're hoping the commander's buying, right, Jolly?" Boomer teased.
Athena smiled at his voice.  It wybe we should do something about the basestar," Bojay said, as though
reading her mind.  "At least delay it until the Galactica arrives.  What do
you think, Sheba?"
	"Sounds good, Bojay, but what do you suggest?"
	"Why don't we split up?  We'll take half a dozen of our fighters, leave
the main body of Vipers to fight the Cylons as we head for the basestar.
As for the rest of it, that we can decide when we get there."
	"Sounds like a plan, Cap," Jolly replied.  "Sort of."
	"Then it's agreed.  Sheba, Greenbean, Giles, Dietra, and Athena.  I want
you five to come with me.  Jolly, you and Brie stay behind and supervise
the battle.  Make sure that you don't let any of the tincans through.  Got
it?"
	"Yes, sir!" Jolly exclaimed, then added in a sly voice, "If the Galactica
calls, I'll tell the Commander that you're checking our rear flank."
	Most of the senior pilots laughed, recognizing the line as one that Apollo
had been fond of using.  Sheba merely chuckled, pleased to see that the
battle had al
brought on by the battle.
	"Less than one centon," Dietra replied, her voice worried.  "I haven't
seen anything coming out yet from the basestar."
	Bojay didn't continue his train of thought as his Viper was targeted by a
group of Raiders.  Sheba went to help him, then found herself in the middle
of a potential Cylon trap.  Reacting quickly, she banked her fighter to the
right, ending up behind a few more Raiders.  Firing at them, she looked
away from the bright explosion as she looked out into the distance.  She
was about to turn away when she spotted a group of small objects heading
her way.  Her curiosity piqued, she veered away from the battle and
switched to the scanner from the targeting computer.
	"What do you know," she murmured as the scanner displayed the results of
an incoming Viper squadron.  Activating the comline, she couldn't help
smiling.  "Bojay!  We've got company."
	The captain's voice was bitter.  "Now what?  Who?"
	"All right, Reserve Squadron, we go to work now!" Athena's voice said.  A
few gasps from the senior pilots accompanied the energetic appearance of
the new Vipers as they burst into the battle.  "Hi, you guys.  Thought you
guys could use all the help you could get."
	Sheba laughed.  "Does the situation really look that bad?"
	"Well..."
	"Girl, you haven't seen us do this."  She activated her reverse thrusters,
holding her breath as she shot backwards into the battle.  A few Cylons
broke formation as she passed by them.  The targeting computer displayed
the closest targets, and she moved in for the kill, making two Raiders blow
up.  "Do you still think that we need help?"
	"Yes, only this time we have to prevent your egos from getting too big."
	Jolly laughed.  "Join in the fun, Reserve Squadrons."
	"Thanks for the invite."
	Glancing at the scanner again, she spotted the basestar's retreat.  She
frowned as she spoke again.  "Any idea what the Commander is up to now?  If
the Galactica comes in when she's scheduled, the basestar will be long gone."
	"Maas so rich, so soothing.  Why didn't she
realize that earlier?  Like the time they were trapped in the Rejuvenation
Center together?  Much better than Starbuck's sometimes scratchy tenor.
	"You bet your life on it, Boom," Jolly agreed, laughing.  "He owes us one
since he didn't let us have any earlier!"
	"You had fruit juice, Jolly."
	"Fruit juice, baharii, ambrosa, whatever.  I still had to pay for it!"  He
added a few words in a language that Athena didn't understand, but by his
tone, she knew that Jolly meant it jokingly.  Whatever it was.
	"Watch your tongue," Giles warned.  "One of these days, Jolly, somebody's
going to understand you."
	"I haven't met anyone who could outside of that community since I was
seventeen."
	Athena ignored their next words as she started to shut down all the
Viper's system.  Satisfied that everything was off, she popped her canopy
and slid down to the deck before it finished opening.  The crew chief
responsible for the spare Vipers, an older man named Ezra, metready released their pent-up frustration at being unable to
avenge Apollo's death.  Despite the laughter, she noticed that Athena
wasn't joining in.
	"Okay, people.  Let's move out!  Good luck, Jolly!"
	The six Vipers peeled away from the other fighters, bypassing the battle
towards the last known coordinates of the basestar.  Sheba felt her
nervousness vanish as she watched her scanner for signs of the Cylons.
	"Sheba?"  Athena's voice came over the comline.  "We're on a private
channel.  I think there's something you should know."
	Her well-being disappeared at Athena's words.  "What do you mean,
something I should know?"
	"Make that two things.  Before I left the bridge, the Cylon commander
called Father."
	"Let me guess.  The commander is Baltar?"
	"Yes, but there's more.  Sheba, he...  Felgercarb, there's no easy way to
say this.  He has Apollo."
	She felt as though her entire world had fallen apart as she gasped,
"Apollo?  How long have they had him?  Is he...  Athena, what have they
d voice said.  A
few gasps from the senior pilots accompanied the energetic appearance of
the new Vipers as they burst into the battle.  "Hi, you guys.  Thought you
guys could use all the help you could get."
	Sheba laughed.  "Does the situation really look that bad?"
	"Well..."
	"Girl, you haven't seen us do this."  She activated her reverse thrusters,
holding her breath as she shot backwards into the battle.  A few Cylons
broke formation as she passed by them.  The targeting computer displayed
the closest targets, and she moved in for the kill, making two Raiders blow
up.  "Do you still think that we need help?"
	"Yes, only this time we have to prevent your egos from getting too big."
	Jolly laughed.  "Join in the fun, Reserve Squadrons."
	"Thanks for the invite."
	Glancing at the scanner again, she spotted the basestar's retreat.  She
frowned as she spoke again.  "Any idea what the Commander is up to now?  If
the Galactica comes in when she's scheduled, the basestar will be long gone."
	"Maybe we should do something about the basestar," Bojay said, as though
reading her mind.  "At least delay it until the Galactica arrives.  What do
you think, Sheba?"
	"Sounds good, Bojay, but what do you suggest?"
	"Why don't we split up?  We'll take half a dozen of our fighters, leave
the main body of Vipers to fight the Cylons as we head for the basestar.
As for the rest of it, that we can decide when we get there."
	"Sounds like a plan, Cap," Jolly replied.  "Sort of."
	"Then it's agreed.  Sheba, Greenbean, Giles, Dietra, and Athena.  I want
you five to come with me.  Jolly, you and Brie stay behind and supervise
the battle.  Make sure that you don't let any of the tincans through.  Got
it?"
	"Yes, sir!" Jolly exclaimed, then added in a sly voice, "If the Galactica
calls, I'll tell the Commander that you're checking our rear flank."
	Most of the senior pilots laughed, recognizing the line as one that Apollo
had been fond of using.  Sheba merely chuckled, pleased to see that the
battle had al her, and she
reluctantly gave him the helmet.  Very reluctantly.  She looked after it
longingly, wondering how many sectars it would be before she would wear one
again, when she heard someone call her name.
	She turned to see Sheba pushing past the pilots as they headed for either
of the two lifts.  As she approached, Athena saw that her friend was
fatigued.  Her smile seemed pained, and her entire face looked pinched and
drawn.
	"Are you all right?" Athena asked, looking at her with concern.  "You look
like death warmed over."
	"That would be your brother," she replied as they followed the other
pilots to the nearest lift.  "Anyway, it's nothing that a nice and warm cup
of kakao won't fix.  In the meantime, though, we've got work to do."
	Athena sighed.  "I guess.  You haven't spoken to my father yet?"
	"No, I thought we'd share the fun.  I saw Apollo and Starbuck to the Life
Center, then Cass drafted me into working until the situation was mostly
under control, then she kicked me out.  I weone to him?"
	"They've tortured him.  I didn't recognize him until Baltar told us who he
was."  Athena's voice was strained as she continued.  "Sheba, we have to do
something!"
	"Like what?  We can't communicate with Boomer, so he can't possibly know.
Hades, we don't even know if he and Starbuck made it off the basestar in
one piece!  And if they've already left..."  Sheba sighed, feeling
helpless.  "I just can't think of anything for us to do."
	"But it's up to us to do something, isn't it?  Why don't we go aboard?"
	Sheba had to laugh.  "Are you crazy?  Athena, how do you suggest we try to
get aboard?"
	"If the guys could land in a Raider, Sheba, we'll find a way, too."
	"Heads up, warriors," Bojay said, coming through all the channels.  "Our
target is comin' up!"
	Giles whooped as the Vipers went into a semi-circle formation.  Ahead, a
speck on the horizon turned into the geometric shape of the basestar.
Sheba took a deep breath as she waited for the basestar to make a move.
	"I'm not readybe we should do something about the basestar," Bojay said, as though
reading her mind.  "At least delay it until the Galactica arrives.  What do
you think, Sheba?"
	"Sounds good, Bojay, but what do you suggest?"
	"Why don't we split up?  We'll take half a dozen of our fighters, leave
the main body of Vipers to fight the Cylons as we head for the basestar.
As for the rest of it, that we can decide when we get there."
	"Sounds like a plan, Cap," Jolly replied.  "Sort of."
	"Then it's agreed.  Sheba, Greenbean, Giles, Dietra, and Athena.  I want
you five to come with me.  Jolly, you and Brie stay behind and supervise
the battle.  Make sure that you don't let any of the tincans through.  Got
it?"
	"Yes, sir!" Jolly exclaimed, then added in a sly voice, "If the Galactica
calls, I'll tell the Commander that you're checking our rear flank."
	Most of the senior pilots laughed, recognizing the line as one that Apollo
had been fond of using.  Sheba merely chuckled, pleased to see that the
battle had already released their pent-up frustration at being unable to
avenge Apollo's death.  Despite the laughter, she noticed that Athena
wasn't joining in.
	"Okay, people.  Let's move out!  Good luck, Jolly!"
	The six Vipers peeled away from the other fighters, bypassing the battle
towards the last known coordinates of the basestar.  Sheba felt her
nervousness vanish as she watched her scanner for signs of the Cylons.
	"Sheba?"  Athena's voice came over the comline.  "We're on a private
channel.  I think there's something you should know."
	Her well-being disappeared at Athena's words.  "What do you mean,
something I should know?"
	"Make that two things.  Before I left the bridge, the Cylon commander
called Father."
	"Let me guess.  The commander is Baltar?"
	"Yes, but there's more.  Sheba, he...  Felgercarb, there's no easy way to
say this.  He has Apollo."
	She felt as though her entire world had fallen apart as she gasped,
"Apollo?  How long have they had him?  Is he...  Athena, what have they
dnt to our barracks on Iota deck
to clean up, and after that, I came here to wait for you."  Sheba peered
over Athena's shoulder, frowning.  "Where's Bojay?  Is he all right?"
	"Oh, he's fine.  He and the rest of Silver Spar Squadron decided to stay
behind to finish wiping up the rest of the Cylons."
	Sheba shook her head, making a disproving noise with her tongue.  "Shades
of my father.  You know, men are practically all alike."
	"Not all of them," Athena said under her breath, but when Sheba looked at
her strangely, she quickly smiled.  "Never mind.  Shall we go?"
	They entered the lift, silent as they went to the different levels.  By
the time they passed Beta deck, they were the only people in the lift.
Neither woman said anything, and Sheba found herself thumping her fist
against the side of the lift as they went.  She noticed that Athena was
staring at the door, her gaze distant.
	After what seemed like centars, the door reopened to admit them in the
corridor outside the bridge.  They walking any energy buildups," Dietra announced, her voice
hopeful.  "I think their mission worked!"
	"Thank the lord.  At least one thing is going right," Bojay sighed, then
began giving his orders.  "From now on, we're Purple and Orange Squadrons.
I'm Orange Leader, and Sheba is Purple Leader.  Giles and Dietra, you're
both with me.  Athena and Greenbean, go with Sheba.  We'll circle the
basestar and wait until the Galactica arrives.  Ready?"
	"As ready as we'll ever be!"  Giles sounded excited as Greenbean echoed
his words.
	"All right!  Let's go!"
	Sheba led her two wingmates around to the far side of the basestar,
wondering what Bojay had in mind.  She examined the hull of the ship and at
its cavernous entrances of the bays.  All of the entrances were closed,
their rotating doors shut tightly against intrusion.  Or were they?
	"Athena!  Do you see that?"  Sheba laughed as she spotted one open
entrance.  "I think we've just solved our problem."
	"Maybe...  Hey, what d'you think would happen if ready released their pent-up frustration at being unable to
avenge Apollo's death.  Despite the laughter, she noticed that Athena
wasn't joining in.
	"Okay, people.  Let's move out!  Good luck, Jolly!"
	The six Vipers peeled away from the other fighters, bypassing the battle
towards the last known coordinates of the basestar.  Sheba felt her
nervousness vanish as she watched her scanner for signs of the Cylons.
	"Sheba?"  Athena's voice came over the comline.  "We're on a private
channel.  I think there's something you should know."
	Her well-being disappeared at Athena's words.  "What do you mean,
something I should know?"
	"Make that two things.  Before I left the bridge, the Cylon commander
called Father."
	"Let me guess.  The commander is Baltar?"
	"Yes, but there's more.  Sheba, he...  Felgercarb, there's no easy way to
say this.  He has Apollo."
	She felt as though her entire world had fallen apart as she gasped,
"Apollo?  How long have they had him?  Is he...  Athena, what have they
done to him?"
	"They've tortured him.  I didn't recognize him until Baltar told us who he
was."  Athena's voice was strained as she continued.  "Sheba, we have to do
something!"
	"Like what?  We can't communicate with Boomer, so he can't possibly know.
Hades, we don't even know if he and Starbuck made it off the basestar in
one piece!  And if they've already left..."  Sheba sighed, feeling
helpless.  "I just can't think of anything for us to do."
	"But it's up to us to do something, isn't it?  Why don't we go aboard?"
	Sheba had to laugh.  "Are you crazy?  Athena, how do you suggest we try to
get aboard?"
	"If the guys could land in a Raider, Sheba, we'll find a way, too."
	"Heads up, warriors," Bojay said, coming through all the channels.  "Our
target is comin' up!"
	Giles whooped as the Vipers went into a semi-circle formation.  Ahead, a
speck on the horizon turned into the geometric shape of the basestar.
Sheba took a deep breath as she waited for the basestar to make a move.
	"I'm not readed side-by-side until they reached
the entrance.  Athena turned to Sheba and gave her a broad smile.
	"You do the talking," she said.  "After all, it was your idea."
	"My idea?  Who gave me the idea?"
	"I did, but you're the commanding officer."
	"You little..."  Sheba laughed as they entered the bridge.  "Why does
Apollo put up with it?  When this is all over, I'm going to --"
	Athena quickly put her hand on Sheba's arm, diverting her attention to the
figures up on the command deck.  The laughter had attracted Tigh's
attention, and he looked down at them, his eyes narrowed slightly.  Still
looking at them, he whispered something to Adama.
	"Good luck," Rigel muttered as she walked by the two women, smiling at
them with what appeared to be pity.  "The commander's not in the greatest
mood right now."
	"We figured as much," Sheba replied, using the same hushed tone.
	"Lieutenants," Adama greeted, his voice level.  Athena felt apprehensive
as she and Sheba nodded silently in acknowledgment.  She we --"
	"What are you two talking about?" Greenbean interrupted.  Sheba felt like
hitting herself on the head as she realized that they were no longer on the
private comchannel.  "What problem?"
	"You'll find out in a centon.  Bojay?"
	"What is it?"
	"I know that this is going to sound crazy, but Athena and I are going to
board the basestar."  Before the captain could object, she continued.
"Look, we don't know if Boomer and Starbuck got off the basestar.  Maybe
they didn't even have a chance to destroy the control center.  Either way,
they need help."
	"I see your reasoning, but what about you two?" he said, sounding
immensely concerned.  "Maybe one of us should come with you."
	"No, we'll be fine.  Give us half a centar to find them.  And Bojay --"
	Bojay gave a short laugh as he interrupted her.  "You know, Sheba, the
less I know, the less I have to tell the Commander.  Good luck, Sheba.  I
always knew that you had a lot of your father in you."
	Sheba grinned as she and Athena peeled away one to him?"
	"They've tortured him.  I didn't recognize him until Baltar told us who he
was."  Athena's voice was strained as she continued.  "Sheba, we have to do
something!"
	"Like what?  We can't communicate with Boomer, so he can't possibly know.
Hades, we don't even know if he and Starbuck made it off the basestar in
one piece!  And if they've already left..."  Sheba sighed, feeling
helpless.  "I just can't think of anything for us to do."
	"But it's up to us to do something, isn't it?  Why don't we go aboard?"
	Sheba had to laugh.  "Are you crazy?  Athena, how do you suggest we try to
get aboard?"
	"If the guys could land in a Raider, Sheba, we'll find a way, too."
	"Heads up, warriors," Bojay said, coming through all the channels.  "Our
target is comin' up!"
	Giles whooped as the Vipers went into a semi-circle formation.  Ahead, a
speck on the horizon turned into the geometric shape of the basestar.
Sheba took a deep breath as she waited for the basestar to make a move.
	"I'm not reading any energy buildups," Dietra announced, her voice
hopeful.  "I think their mission worked!"
	"Thank the lord.  At least one thing is going right," Bojay sighed, then
began giving his orders.  "From now on, we're Purple and Orange Squadrons.
I'm Orange Leader, and Sheba is Purple Leader.  Giles and Dietra, you're
both with me.  Athena and Greenbean, go with Sheba.  We'll circle the
basestar and wait until the Galactica arrives.  Ready?"
	"As ready as we'll ever be!"  Giles sounded excited as Greenbean echoed
his words.
	"All right!  Let's go!"
	Sheba led her two wingmates around to the far side of the basestar,
wondering what Bojay had in mind.  She examined the hull of the ship and at
its cavernous entrances of the bays.  All of the entrances were closed,
their rotating doors shut tightly against intrusion.  Or were they?
	"Athena!  Do you see that?"  Sheba laughed as she spotted one open
entrance.  "I think we've just solved our problem."
	"Maybe...  Hey, what d'you think would happen if recognized his
tone from when she was a teenager.  "I'm glad that you could join us."
Neither woman knew what to respond.  Athena simply nodded dumbly again.  "I
want you two to come with me.  Tigh, you have the bridge."
	Exchanging glances, they followed Adama as he led them the way them had
arrived.  He walked slowly, taking measured steps that made Athena
uncomfortable as she tried to match his speed.  Sheba, she noticed,
narrowly missed stepping on his heels when she realized that Adama wasn't
doing his usual stride.  As they walked in silence, Athena knew exactly how
Apollo and Starbuck felt when they were on report.
	"What you two did was rather risky," he started as they came upon an empty
stretch of hallway.  He turned to face them, and, seeing that Sheba was
about to speak, abruptly cut her off as he continued.  "No.  Don't say
anything until I'm finished.  Now, I can't let something as... chancy and
foolhardy as what you did go by unnoticed.  I'm not going to reprimand you
now, but I from Greenbean's Viper.
	"Thanks.  See you guys in a bit."

	Omega wished that Adama would move somewhere else as he tried to go about
his duties.  The commander hadn't moved since Athena's squadron launched,
and his presence was beginning to unnerve Omega.  It was like having
someone standing over his shoulder, though he knew that Adama wouldn't do
that unless Omega brought something to his attention.
	He glanced down at the lower level and spotted Tigh giving Adama another
concerned expression.  Neither knew what Adama might do next.  The
revelation that Apollo was still alive shook Adama to the core, and the
fact that he would be losing him a second time was undoubtedly a horrible
prospect.  Omega wondered how he would react if the same situation happened
to him.  Very early in his career, the older brother who had inspired him
to become a warrior was ambushed and killed by the Cylons during a routine
patrol.  If Omega learned that Isac was still alive and a Cylon captive, he
would be horriing any energy buildups," Dietra announced, her voice
hopeful.  "I think their mission worked!"
	"Thank the lord.  At least one thing is going right," Bojay sighed, then
began giving his orders.  "From now on, we're Purple and Orange Squadrons.
I'm Orange Leader, and Sheba is Purple Leader.  Giles and Dietra, you're
both with me.  Athena and Greenbean, go with Sheba.  We'll circle the
basestar and wait until the Galactica arrives.  Ready?"
	"As ready as we'll ever be!"  Giles sounded excited as Greenbean echoed
his words.
	"All right!  Let's go!"
	Sheba led her two wingmates around to the far side of the basestar,
wondering what Bojay had in mind.  She examined the hull of the ship and at
its cavernous entrances of the bays.  All of the entrances were closed,
their rotating doors shut tightly against intrusion.  Or were they?
	"Athena!  Do you see that?"  Sheba laughed as she spotted one open
entrance.  "I think we've just solved our problem."
	"Maybe...  Hey, what d'you think would happen if we --"
	"What are you two talking about?" Greenbean interrupted.  Sheba felt like
hitting herself on the head as she realized that they were no longer on the
private comchannel.  "What problem?"
	"You'll find out in a centon.  Bojay?"
	"What is it?"
	"I know that this is going to sound crazy, but Athena and I are going to
board the basestar."  Before the captain could object, she continued.
"Look, we don't know if Boomer and Starbuck got off the basestar.  Maybe
they didn't even have a chance to destroy the control center.  Either way,
they need help."
	"I see your reasoning, but what about you two?" he said, sounding
immensely concerned.  "Maybe one of us should come with you."
	"No, we'll be fine.  Give us half a centar to find them.  And Bojay --"
	Bojay gave a short laugh as he interrupted her.  "You know, Sheba, the
less I know, the less I have to tell the Commander.  Good luck, Sheba.  I
always knew that you had a lot of your father in you."
	Sheba grinned as she and Athena peeled away do want to hear your reasons for going aboard the basestar
without any permission."
	The women looked at each other, then Sheba spoke.
	"Commander, at the time, we didn't know whether Starbuck and Boomer had
completed their mission when they were captured, and we knew that Apollo
was aboard.  Since we -- that is myself, Athena, Captain Bojay and a few
other warriors -- were already tracking the basestar so you wouldn't lose
her, I thought that it might be a good idea for us to come aboard to help
out.  I didn't find out until we were about to land that the computers were
already destroyed, so we were able to completely focus our attention on the
rescue."  Sheba caught the suspicious glance that Adama had shot in
Athena's direction, and quickly jumped in again.  "Athena was following
orders, sir.  My orders.  She only provided me with the information I
needed to make the proper decision."
	"I see."  Adama didn't appear to be convinced, so Sheba decided to try one
more tactic.
	"May I speak freefied.
	He sighed as he examined his monitor again.  Everything was going
smoothly, and he was ready to begin giving the commands into the computer
that would activate the laser turrets and lower the defense shield over the
bridge.  All they needed to do was locate the basestar and for Adama to
give the orders.
	But will he be able to? Omega wondered, then chided himself for even
considering that.  During his tour of duty aboard the Galactica, he
couldn't count the number of times that Adama had ordered something that
would endanger Apollo's life, even though Omega knew that it was painful
for him to do so.
	The monitor quickly flashed a new message.  Omega examined it, then looked
back at Adama.
	"Sir, we're receiving a message from Captain Bojay," he reported.  "It's
coming in on the emergency frequency."
	"Put it on," Adama ordered, and Omega had to admire the way he didn't let
his emotions show in his voice.
	"Captain Bojay to Galactica.  Come in, Galactica.  Repeat, this is --"
	"This iswe --"
	"What are you two talking about?" Greenbean interrupted.  Sheba felt like
hitting herself on the head as she realized that they were no longer on the
private comchannel.  "What problem?"
	"You'll find out in a centon.  Bojay?"
	"What is it?"
	"I know that this is going to sound crazy, but Athena and I are going to
board the basestar."  Before the captain could object, she continued.
"Look, we don't know if Boomer and Starbuck got off the basestar.  Maybe
they didn't even have a chance to destroy the control center.  Either way,
they need help."
	"I see your reasoning, but what about you two?" he said, sounding
immensely concerned.  "Maybe one of us should come with you."
	"No, we'll be fine.  Give us half a centar to find them.  And Bojay --"
	Bojay gave a short laugh as he interrupted her.  "You know, Sheba, the
less I know, the less I have to tell the Commander.  Good luck, Sheba.  I
always knew that you had a lot of your father in you."
	Sheba grinned as she and Athena peeled away from Greenbean's Viper.
	"Thanks.  See you guys in a bit."

	Omega wished that Adama would move somewhere else as he tried to go about
his duties.  The commander hadn't moved since Athena's squadron launched,
and his presence was beginning to unnerve Omega.  It was like having
someone standing over his shoulder, though he knew that Adama wouldn't do
that unless Omega brought something to his attention.
	He glanced down at the lower level and spotted Tigh giving Adama another
concerned expression.  Neither knew what Adama might do next.  The
revelation that Apollo was still alive shook Adama to the core, and the
fact that he would be losing him a second time was undoubtedly a horrible
prospect.  Omega wondered how he would react if the same situation happened
to him.  Very early in his career, the older brother who had inspired him
to become a warrior was ambushed and killed by the Cylons during a routine
patrol.  If Omega learned that Isac was still alive and a Cylon captive, he
would be horrily, sir?"
	Adama nodded.  It was the first time she had ever made a request like that
during the two and a half yahrens since she came aboard the Galactica, and
he was curious to know what she had to say.  "Yes, I suppose so..."
	Taking the same stance she knew her father would have used in the same
circumstance, Sheba looked Adama fully in the eyes as she continued.
	"If this were Apollo and Starbuck who had violated orders and gone aboard
the basestar to rescue three warriors who had more or less been written off
as dead, and I think I'd better add that I can guarantee that they would at
any given chance, you wouldn't be giving them half the flak that you're
giving us," she accused, putting her hands on her hips.  "In fact, I can't
think of one occasion where you've seriously reprimanded them for doing
something like that.  If this were the Pegasus, I can tell you that my
father would have been on their cases ages ago!  And they would definitely
think twice about doing anything rash like that from Greenbean's Viper.
	"Thanks.  See you guys in a bit."

	Omega wished that Adama would move somewhere else as he tried to go about
his duties.  The commander hadn't moved since Athena's squadron launched,
and his presence was beginning to unnerve Omega.  It was like having
someone standing over his shoulder, though he knew that Adama wouldn't do
that unless Omega brought something to his attention.
	He glanced down at the lower level and spotted Tigh giving Adama another
concerned expression.  Neither knew what Adama might do next.  The
revelation that Apollo was still alive shook Adama to the core, and the
fact that he would be losing him a second time was undoubtedly a horrible
prospect.  Omega wondered how he would react if the same situation happened
to him.  Very early in his career, the older brother who had inspired him
to become a warrior was ambushed and killed by the Cylons during a routine
patrol.  If Omega learned that Isac was still alive and a Cylon captive, he
would be horrified.
	He sighed as he examined his monitor again.  Everything was going
smoothly, and he was ready to begin giving the commands into the computer
that would activate the laser turrets and lower the defense shield over the
bridge.  All they needed to do was locate the basestar and for Adama to
give the orders.
	But will he be able to? Omega wondered, then chided himself for even
considering that.  During his tour of duty aboard the Galactica, he
couldn't count the number of times that Adama had ordered something that
would endanger Apollo's life, even though Omega knew that it was painful
for him to do so.
	The monitor quickly flashed a new message.  Omega examined it, then looked
back at Adama.
	"Sir, we're receiving a message from Captain Bojay," he reported.  "It's
coming in on the emergency frequency."
	"Put it on," Adama ordered, and Omega had to admire the way he didn't let
his emotions show in his voice.
	"Captain Bojay to Galactica.  Come in, Galactica.  Repeat, this is --"
	"This is Commander Adama, Captain.  What's your situation?"
	"We were in contact with Boomer about twenty centons ago, Commander, but
we lost contact with him.  I believe that he and Starbuck were captured."
	"We're aware of that, Captain.  If that's all you have to report, continue
with the battle."
	"Uh, negative, sir.  We're not presently at the battle."
	On the lower level, Tigh shot Adama a look of surprise before he headed
toward the stairs to the command deck.  Adama shook his head in shock as he
continued.
	"Captain, where exactly are you?  And who is 'we?'"
	"Greenbean, Giles, Dietra and I are presently a few thousand metrons away
from the basestar, Commander.  We're waiting for Sheba and Athena to --"
	Adama's eyes, which were already full of emotions, narrowed at the mention
of his daughter's name.  "What about Athena?"
	"They went aboard the basestar, apparently to rescue Boomer and Starbuck.
It was Sheba's idea, sir."  Bojay sighed suddenly.  "She requested that you
hold back the attack bafterward!"
	She stopped, surprised at her words.  She couldn't remember the last time
she'd compared Adama with her father, Commander Cain.  It only seems to
happen when I'm upset, I guess.  Still, I bet that if Father was in Adama's
place, he would have attacked at the first opportunity, and spared Apollo
those two extra days of agony.  Maybe even the entire nine days.
	"Is that so?" Adama asked, shaking his head slightly.  To both Athena and
Sheba's surprise, he laughed.  "You two weren't here in the early days.
Apollo's first commander constantly put him on report, and I can't count
the number of times I did that with Starbuck.  When they were put together
as wingmen, well, I sometimes regret doing that, because their trouble
never ended.  They were constantly on report.  Still, look where it got
them.  Apollo was a Cylon prisoner of war; and Starbuck is always getting
into all kinds of scrapes that no one else could get into or out of.  I may
have more or less given up on them, but I still fied.
	He sighed as he examined his monitor again.  Everything was going
smoothly, and he was ready to begin giving the commands into the computer
that would activate the laser turrets and lower the defense shield over the
bridge.  All they needed to do was locate the basestar and for Adama to
give the orders.
	But will he be able to? Omega wondered, then chided himself for even
considering that.  During his tour of duty aboard the Galactica, he
couldn't count the number of times that Adama had ordered something that
would endanger Apollo's life, even though Omega knew that it was painful
for him to do so.
	The monitor quickly flashed a new message.  Omega examined it, then looked
back at Adama.
	"Sir, we're receiving a message from Captain Bojay," he reported.  "It's
coming in on the emergency frequency."
	"Put it on," Adama ordered, and Omega had to admire the way he didn't let
his emotions show in his voice.
	"Captain Bojay to Galactica.  Come in, Galactica.  Repeat, this is --"
	"This is Commander Adama, Captain.  What's your situation?"
	"We were in contact with Boomer about twenty centons ago, Commander, but
we lost contact with him.  I believe that he and Starbuck were captured."
	"We're aware of that, Captain.  If that's all you have to report, continue
with the battle."
	"Uh, negative, sir.  We're not presently at the battle."
	On the lower level, Tigh shot Adama a look of surprise before he headed
toward the stairs to the command deck.  Adama shook his head in shock as he
continued.
	"Captain, where exactly are you?  And who is 'we?'"
	"Greenbean, Giles, Dietra and I are presently a few thousand metrons away
from the basestar, Commander.  We're waiting for Sheba and Athena to --"
	Adama's eyes, which were already full of emotions, narrowed at the mention
of his daughter's name.  "What about Athena?"
	"They went aboard the basestar, apparently to rescue Boomer and Starbuck.
It was Sheba's idea, sir."  Bojay sighed suddenly.  "She requested that you
hold back the attack by half a centar.  That was five centons ago."
	"Are they mad?" Tigh muttered as he came behind Adama, so only the
commander could hear.  If he were a pilot, he never would have dared to
board a basestar.  Not unless the situation were really, really desperate.
"Or are they just crazy?"
	"Heroics work both way," Adama replied, appearing to be calm on the
outside.  Inside, however, he was horrified.  Why did Athena board the
basestar?  Is she trying to end up like Apollo? he though frantically.
	"Athena must have told Sheba that --" the colonel mused, but was cut off
by Adama.
	"Possibly," Adama replied, though he knew the truth.  "However, she also
knows that we can't afford to risk losing three of our best pilots."
	"But if they fail, Adama, we'll lose four of our best pilots, as well as
one of our best bridge officers."  Tigh shook his head.  "I still think
they're crazy, but I wish them luck.  Especially when it comes to you,
since I don't know what's worse, the Cylons or your wrath."
	Omegahave hope that you two
won't turn out like them, and this one reprimand is all you'll need."
	There was something about the way he said that last sentence that caught
Athena's attention.  She gave her father a questioning look as she asked,
"What's that supposed to mean?"
	"We'll finish this later," he said firmly.  "Now, I'm headed down to the
Life Center.  You two can either come there with me, or you can go freshen
up."
	They exchanged glances, then Athena sighed.  "We'll come with you."
	"Good."  He motioned for them to start ahead of him, leaving him to think
his troubled thoughts.  He noticed idly as they walked that his daughter
and Sheba reminded him of a feminine version of Starbuck and Apollo, though
in a definitely calmer way.  He chuckled as he tried to picture Sheba
hustling the pilots at Pyramid, but only quietly enough so he wouldn't draw
their attention back to him.
	Deep inside, Adama dreaded going into the Life Center.  He had no idea
what condition Apollo might be in, and he Commander Adama, Captain.  What's your situation?"
	"We were in contact with Boomer about twenty centons ago, Commander, but
we lost contact with him.  I believe that he and Starbuck were captured."
	"We're aware of that, Captain.  If that's all you have to report, continue
with the battle."
	"Uh, negative, sir.  We're not presently at the battle."
	On the lower level, Tigh shot Adama a look of surprise before he headed
toward the stairs to the command deck.  Adama shook his head in shock as he
continued.
	"Captain, where exactly are you?  And who is 'we?'"
	"Greenbean, Giles, Dietra and I are presently a few thousand metrons away
from the basestar, Commander.  We're waiting for Sheba and Athena to --"
	Adama's eyes, which were already full of emotions, narrowed at the mention
of his daughter's name.  "What about Athena?"
	"They went aboard the basestar, apparently to rescue Boomer and Starbuck.
It was Sheba's idea, sir."  Bojay sighed suddenly.  "She requested that you
hold back the attack by half a centar.  That was five centons ago."
	"Are they mad?" Tigh muttered as he came behind Adama, so only the
commander could hear.  If he were a pilot, he never would have dared to
board a basestar.  Not unless the situation were really, really desperate.
"Or are they just crazy?"
	"Heroics work both way," Adama replied, appearing to be calm on the
outside.  Inside, however, he was horrified.  Why did Athena board the
basestar?  Is she trying to end up like Apollo? he though frantically.
	"Athena must have told Sheba that --" the colonel mused, but was cut off
by Adama.
	"Possibly," Adama replied, though he knew the truth.  "However, she also
knows that we can't afford to risk losing three of our best pilots."
	"But if they fail, Adama, we'll lose four of our best pilots, as well as
one of our best bridge officers."  Tigh shook his head.  "I still think
they're crazy, but I wish them luck.  Especially when it comes to you,
since I don't know what's worse, the Cylons or your wrath."
	Omega cleared his throat.  "Ah, sirs, Captain Bojay is still on the line."
	"Captain, we'll delay the attack by a quarter of a centar.  We can't
afford to attack any later than that.  If you get in contact with them,
tell them that I mean it!"
	"Yes, sir!  Oh, Commander, I'm sending the coordinates of the basestar to
you now.  It'll save you a bit of time so you won't have to go searching
all over the star system for it."
	Omega nodded to tell Adama that the coordinates were now safely in the
Galactica's nav computer.
	"Thank you, Captain.  Galactica out."  A grim expression on his face,
Adama faced the officer at the navigation console.  "Sergeant, bring the
Galactica to a halt and hold our current position until I give the command."
	"Yes, Commander," the officer replied as she entered the command into her
console.  A few microns later, Adama felt the slight vibrations in the deck
slow until there was almost nothing left.  His legs felt slightly numb at
the lack of motion, since the Galactica had  was extremely worried about him.
The worry had made the victory over the basestar very short-lived in him.
But now, he simply prayed silently as he walked.  Please let him be all
right.  Please don't take my son from me again.  Haven't I suffered enough?
	The Life Center was nearly filled with injured personnel.  Most were the
wounded from the sections affected by the hull breach, but there were also
a few firefighters who had been keeping the small fires ignited by the
basestar's lasers under control.  Those who were conscious smiled at him as
he passed, their wounds on display for him to see as though they were proof
of their dedication to their duties.  He said a few words to them, mostly
of encouragement, as he scanned the room, looking for his son.
	"Commander?" one of medtechs asked.  "Can I help you?"
	"Where's Starbuck, Arelen?" Sheba interrupted, seeing that Adama was being
overwhelmed by the amount of wounded people that were present in the room.
	"He and Boomer are at the back," Arely half a centar.  That was five centons ago."
	"Are they mad?" Tigh muttered as he came behind Adama, so only the
commander could hear.  If he were a pilot, he never would have dared to
board a basestar.  Not unless the situation were really, really desperate.
"Or are they just crazy?"
	"Heroics work both way," Adama replied, appearing to be calm on the
outside.  Inside, however, he was horrified.  Why did Athena board the
basestar?  Is she trying to end up like Apollo? he though frantically.
	"Athena must have told Sheba that --" the colonel mused, but was cut off
by Adama.
	"Possibly," Adama replied, though he knew the truth.  "However, she also
knows that we can't afford to risk losing three of our best pilots."
	"But if they fail, Adama, we'll lose four of our best pilots, as well as
one of our best bridge officers."  Tigh shook his head.  "I still think
they're crazy, but I wish them luck.  Especially when it comes to you,
since I don't know what's worse, the Cylons or your wrath."
	Omega cleared his throat.  "Ah, sirs, Captain Bojay is still on the line."
	"Captain, we'll delay the attack by a quarter of a centar.  We can't
afford to attack any later than that.  If you get in contact with them,
tell them that I mean it!"
	"Yes, sir!  Oh, Commander, I'm sending the coordinates of the basestar to
you now.  It'll save you a bit of time so you won't have to go searching
all over the star system for it."
	Omega nodded to tell Adama that the coordinates were now safely in the
Galactica's nav computer.
	"Thank you, Captain.  Galactica out."  A grim expression on his face,
Adama faced the officer at the navigation console.  "Sergeant, bring the
Galactica to a halt and hold our current position until I give the command."
	"Yes, Commander," the officer replied as she entered the command into her
console.  A few microns later, Adama felt the slight vibrations in the deck
slow until there was almost nothing left.  His legs felt slightly numb at
the lack of motion, since the Galactica had been almost constantly moving
since the battle of Gamoray, when the lack of Tylium caused the fleet to
come to a halt.  It wasn't a feeling that Adama particularly enjoyed.
"Full stop, sir."
	Adama nodded as he stared at the star field.  "And now," he murmured, loud
enough for only his and Tigh's ears, "we wait."

	Despite their military prowess, the Cylons needed to brush up on their
hospitality skills.  Boomer wrinkled his nose as he tried to ignore the
smell of the cell as he looked for a way to escape.  The dim light barely
lit the walls, and he found himself needing to rely more on touch than
sight in the shadows.
	"Come on," he muttered, "there has to be a way out of here somewhere.  Now
where is it?"
	Near the entrance, he felt a small box next to the doorway.  Prying at the
cover with his fingers, he struggled for a few microns before realizing
that it was sealed tightly shut.  Without any tools, he wouldn't be able to
mess around with the box.  That's what's so frustrating, he thoughen replied, barely looking up from
the charts he had been examining when they entered.  "I'll get someone to
show you the way.  If you'll excuse me..."
	A meek-looking medtech smiled at them and motioned for them to follow her.
 They went past the occupied life pods to the small hallway of private
rooms that was also accessible from the outer hallway.  There, they found
Starbuck and Boomer sitting on two chairs that had been dragged in from
elsewhere.  To Adama's shock, it was outside the room where they had
gathered close to three yahrens before as Serina lay dying.  Feeling numb
at the coincidence, he approached them.
	"How is--" Adama began, but stopped as both men jumped at his voice.
Starbuck looked fatigued, and winced as he bolted upright from where he was
leaning the chair against the wall.  Boomer's reaction wasn't as drastic as
Starbuck's, but he looked up from the section of the deck he was examining.
 "Has there been any word?"
	"Not for the past twenty centons," Boomer replied as S cleared his throat.  "Ah, sirs, Captain Bojay is still on the line."
	"Captain, we'll delay the attack by a quarter of a centar.  We can't
afford to attack any later than that.  If you get in contact with them,
tell them that I mean it!"
	"Yes, sir!  Oh, Commander, I'm sending the coordinates of the basestar to
you now.  It'll save you a bit of time so you won't have to go searching
all over the star system for it."
	Omega nodded to tell Adama that the coordinates were now safely in the
Galactica's nav computer.
	"Thank you, Captain.  Galactica out."  A grim expression on his face,
Adama faced the officer at the navigation console.  "Sergeant, bring the
Galactica to a halt and hold our current position until I give the command."
	"Yes, Commander," the officer replied as she entered the command into her
console.  A few microns later, Adama felt the slight vibrations in the deck
slow until there was almost nothing left.  His legs felt slightly numb at
the lack of motion, since the Galactica had been almost constantly moving
since the battle of Gamoray, when the lack of Tylium caused the fleet to
come to a halt.  It wasn't a feeling that Adama particularly enjoyed.
"Full stop, sir."
	Adama nodded as he stared at the star field.  "And now," he murmured, loud
enough for only his and Tigh's ears, "we wait."

	Despite their military prowess, the Cylons needed to brush up on their
hospitality skills.  Boomer wrinkled his nose as he tried to ignore the
smell of the cell as he looked for a way to escape.  The dim light barely
lit the walls, and he found himself needing to rely more on touch than
sight in the shadows.
	"Come on," he muttered, "there has to be a way out of here somewhere.  Now
where is it?"
	Near the entrance, he felt a small box next to the doorway.  Prying at the
cover with his fingers, he struggled for a few microns before realizing
that it was sealed tightly shut.  Without any tools, he wouldn't be able to
mess around with the box.  That's what's so frustrating, he thought as he
hit it with his fist.  I don't even have the opportunity to try to get out
of here!
	Giving up his quest, he turned back to look at the rest of the small cell.
 On opposite sides of the room were two cots, each one occupied by Starbuck
and Apollo.  Both were still unconscious, though he had the feeling that
Starbuck might regain consciousness at any centon.  As for Apollo, he
couldn't be sure.
	There wasn't much in the cell for him to do but wait.  It wasn't what he
would prefer to be doing, but he had no alternatives.  He stood with his
back against the wall and slid carefully down to the floor, bringing his
knees up to his chest.  He felt an added pressure on his waist, caused by a
belt that the Cylons had placed there against his will.  Its snug fit was
an uncomfortable reminder of the fate that was in store for them with
Baltar, a fate that Apollo had already experienced.  He shivered at the
thought, wondering what he would do when interrogated.
	He shuddered.  If he and Starbuck utarbuck put his head
in his hands.  "Apollo was taken into surgery then, but he was the last
patient to go in."
	Adama sighed, feeling relieved.  "Well, if he was the last one to go in,
then that's a good sign, isn't it?"
	Starbuck and Boomer exchanged glances, which put Adama back on edge.
	"Not really, sir."
	"What are you two talking about?" Sheba asked, frowning.
	"There's more than Baltar just trying to kill him, Sheba," Starbuck told
her as Boomer excused himself and left the corridor.  "I didn't want to
tell you earlier.  Hades, I didn't want to tell you either, Athena.  We had
to get him out of that cell, and if I told you... well, you would have been
distracted."
	"Starbuck!" Athena snapped as she took Boomer's vacant seat.  "Just tell
us everything."
	Taking a deep breath, he told them everything, from the tortures to the
punishments Apollo received to the infection that was slowing killing him,
and finally to their desperate attempt on the Raider to revive him.  When
he was finishbeen almost constantly moving
since the battle of Gamoray, when the lack of Tylium caused the fleet to
come to a halt.  It wasn't a feeling that Adama particularly enjoyed.
"Full stop, sir."
	Adama nodded as he stared at the star field.  "And now," he murmured, loud
enough for only his and Tigh's ears, "we wait."

	Despite their military prowess, the Cylons needed to brush up on their
hospitality skills.  Boomer wrinkled his nose as he tried to ignore the
smell of the cell as he looked for a way to escape.  The dim light barely
lit the walls, and he found himself needing to rely more on touch than
sight in the shadows.
	"Come on," he muttered, "there has to be a way out of here somewhere.  Now
where is it?"
	Near the entrance, he felt a small box next to the doorway.  Prying at the
cover with his fingers, he struggled for a few microns before realizing
that it was sealed tightly shut.  Without any tools, he wouldn't be able to
mess around with the box.  That's what's so frustrating, he thought as he
hit it with his fist.  I don't even have the opportunity to try to get out
of here!
	Giving up his quest, he turned back to look at the rest of the small cell.
 On opposite sides of the room were two cots, each one occupied by Starbuck
and Apollo.  Both were still unconscious, though he had the feeling that
Starbuck might regain consciousness at any centon.  As for Apollo, he
couldn't be sure.
	There wasn't much in the cell for him to do but wait.  It wasn't what he
would prefer to be doing, but he had no alternatives.  He stood with his
back against the wall and slid carefully down to the floor, bringing his
knees up to his chest.  He felt an added pressure on his waist, caused by a
belt that the Cylons had placed there against his will.  Its snug fit was
an uncomfortable reminder of the fate that was in store for them with
Baltar, a fate that Apollo had already experienced.  He shivered at the
thought, wondering what he would do when interrogated.
	He shuddered.  If he and Starbuck underwent interrogation, that didn't
bode well for their futures.  He shivered as he realized that there was a
possibility that none of them would make it off the basestar alive.  He
sighed as he thought of all the missed opportunities that would mean, and
his thoughts turned to Athena.  He would never find out what might have
gone on if he had returned and they could continue the conversation that
Starbuck and Sheba had interrupted.
	The more he thought about it, the more Boomer realized that he had
feelings for Athena, and they weren't, for example, the way he felt for
Cassiopia or Sheba.  They were friends, but Athena, he realized, was
something more.  She may be Apollo's sister, and Apollo was one of his
closest friends, almost like a brother.  Still, that didn't mean that he
thought that Athena was similar to a sister.
	Admit it, he thought.  You never noticed her before, really, except for
her to be Apollo's sister and Starbuck's ex-girlfriend.  You never defined
the relationship, but maybed, Adama's face was whiter than before, and Athena was glad
that she was sitting down.  Boomer appeared from around the corner,
carrying three more chairs.  Gratefully, Adama took one from him and sank
down on it.
	"My God..." he whispered, closing his eyes.  He remembered Baltar's
communique on the bridge, and how he had threatened to kill Apollo.  The
traitor had almost succeeded, and Adama wasn't sure if he could forgive
himself.  "Oh, my God..."
	"Don't worry, Commander," Starbuck said, trying to sound as optimistic as
he could.  "I'm certain that Salik and Cass are taking care of him.  He's
going to be just fine.  In fact," he tried to grin as he looked over at
Boomer, "weren't you saying something earlier about an act of God?"
	"I was?"
	"Yes, you were.  And remember what happens when an act of God occurs, old
buddy?"
	Boomer groaned as Starbuck continued grinning.  "I don't believe this.
Apollo hasn't even recovered from being tortured and practically dying, and
you want me to continut as he
hit it with his fist.  I don't even have the opportunity to try to get out
of here!
	Giving up his quest, he turned back to look at the rest of the small cell.
 On opposite sides of the room were two cots, each one occupied by Starbuck
and Apollo.  Both were still unconscious, though he had the feeling that
Starbuck might regain consciousness at any centon.  As for Apollo, he
couldn't be sure.
	There wasn't much in the cell for him to do but wait.  It wasn't what he
would prefer to be doing, but he had no alternatives.  He stood with his
back against the wall and slid carefully down to the floor, bringing his
knees up to his chest.  He felt an added pressure on his waist, caused by a
belt that the Cylons had placed there against his will.  Its snug fit was
an uncomfortable reminder of the fate that was in store for them with
Baltar, a fate that Apollo had already experienced.  He shivered at the
thought, wondering what he would do when interrogated.
	He shuddered.  If he and Starbuck underwent interrogation, that didn't
bode well for their futures.  He shivered as he realized that there was a
possibility that none of them would make it off the basestar alive.  He
sighed as he thought of all the missed opportunities that would mean, and
his thoughts turned to Athena.  He would never find out what might have
gone on if he had returned and they could continue the conversation that
Starbuck and Sheba had interrupted.
	The more he thought about it, the more Boomer realized that he had
feelings for Athena, and they weren't, for example, the way he felt for
Cassiopia or Sheba.  They were friends, but Athena, he realized, was
something more.  She may be Apollo's sister, and Apollo was one of his
closest friends, almost like a brother.  Still, that didn't mean that he
thought that Athena was similar to a sister.
	Admit it, he thought.  You never noticed her before, really, except for
her to be Apollo's sister and Starbuck's ex-girlfriend.  You never defined
the relationship, but maybe the first thing to do when you go back is to
have a nice long talk with her.  He smiled at the thought of that.
	A groan from the cot on his right brought him out of his somber but
optimistic thoughts.  He looked up to see Starbuck stirring and bringing
his hands up to his head.
	"Oh, my aching head," he moaned, clutching his head.  He stopped as he
opened his eyes, looking about the cell.  "Why is it so dark in here?"
	Boomer smiled grimly as Starbuck sat up, wincing as he did.
	"I can't see!  What's going on?  Boomer?  Are you here?  Apollo?  Come on,
somebody talk to me!  Boomer?"  His voice began to get panicked.  "Boomer!"
	"I'm right here, Starbuck."
	"Why can't I see?"
	"Just wait a centon.  It might take a while for your eyes to adjust to the
light."
	"Light?  Tell me another one," Starbuck laughed, then held his head again.
 "Ouch.  Stop me before I do anything like that again.  How long was I out?"
	"About half a centar, give or take a few centons.  You really whacked your
head age my research into finding a smokeless fumarello?
You're incredible, Starbuck!"
	Despite himself, Adama found himself beginning to chuckle.  "Not that again."
	"'Not again?'" Starbuck repeated, looking at the commander with wide blue
eyes.  "How did you know about that?"
	"Starbuck, there are very, very few things going on aboard this battlestar
that escape my attention."
	The others had thin smiles on their faces, but whatever humor anyone had
quickly disappeared when the door to the room opened to let Cassiopia out.
Starbuck couldn't remember seeing his fiancee looking so stressed before as
he carefully got out of his seat to put his arms around her.
	"Are you all right?" he asked gently, realizing how fatigued she was.
	"We just had a few scares in there," she reported, taking a deep breath
and trying to smile bravely as she prepared to give her report.  "Hello,
Commander.  You've been sending us a lot of patients today."
	Adama shook his head, knowing that Cassiopia preferred to avoid battlnderwent interrogation, that didn't
bode well for their futures.  He shivered as he realized that there was a
possibility that none of them would make it off the basestar alive.  He
sighed as he thought of all the missed opportunities that would mean, and
his thoughts turned to Athena.  He would never find out what might have
gone on if he had returned and they could continue the conversation that
Starbuck and Sheba had interrupted.
	The more he thought about it, the more Boomer realized that he had
feelings for Athena, and they weren't, for example, the way he felt for
Cassiopia or Sheba.  They were friends, but Athena, he realized, was
something more.  She may be Apollo's sister, and Apollo was one of his
closest friends, almost like a brother.  Still, that didn't mean that he
thought that Athena was similar to a sister.
	Admit it, he thought.  You never noticed her before, really, except for
her to be Apollo's sister and Starbuck's ex-girlfriend.  You never defined
the relationship, but maybe the first thing to do when you go back is to
have a nice long talk with her.  He smiled at the thought of that.
	A groan from the cot on his right brought him out of his somber but
optimistic thoughts.  He looked up to see Starbuck stirring and bringing
his hands up to his head.
	"Oh, my aching head," he moaned, clutching his head.  He stopped as he
opened his eyes, looking about the cell.  "Why is it so dark in here?"
	Boomer smiled grimly as Starbuck sat up, wincing as he did.
	"I can't see!  What's going on?  Boomer?  Are you here?  Apollo?  Come on,
somebody talk to me!  Boomer?"  His voice began to get panicked.  "Boomer!"
	"I'm right here, Starbuck."
	"Why can't I see?"
	"Just wait a centon.  It might take a while for your eyes to adjust to the
light."
	"Light?  Tell me another one," Starbuck laughed, then held his head again.
 "Ouch.  Stop me before I do anything like that again.  How long was I out?"
	"About half a centar, give or take a few centons.  You really whacked your
head against the crates.  We've been in this cell for about fifteen
centons."  He glanced over at Apollo's prone body.  "Apollo still hasn't
woken up.  Baltar did a really good job torturing him."
	"No kidding.  I'll kill Baltar the next time I see him."  Starbuck blinked
a few times, then smiled slightly.  "There, I can see.  Kind of, anyway.
Have you seen...  Wait a centon, Boomer.  Did you just say Baltar?"
	"You don't miss much.  We're aboard Baltar's basestar, and I'd imagine
that he's had Apollo the entire time we thought he was dead."
	"Felgercarb."  Starbuck reached across the space between the cots to touch
Apollo's arm.  He was uncomfortably warm to the touch, and Starbuck could
see his pressure suit where it was visible both through the tears in his
uniform and the opening of his uniform tunic.  "We have to get out of here.
 Baltar's going to torture us like he tortured Apollo, isn't he?"
	"Probably."
	"Not if I get my way, he won't."
	"Oh?  And would you mind giving me a few ideas on how ye the first thing to do when you go back is to
have a nice long talk with her.  He smiled at the thought of that.
	A groan from the cot on his right brought him out of his somber but
optimistic thoughts.  He looked up to see Starbuck stirring and bringing
his hands up to his head.
	"Oh, my aching head," he moaned, clutching his head.  He stopped as he
opened his eyes, looking about the cell.  "Why is it so dark in here?"
	Boomer smiled grimly as Starbuck sat up, wincing as he did.
	"I can't see!  What's going on?  Boomer?  Are you here?  Apollo?  Come on,
somebody talk to me!  Boomer?"  His voice began to get panicked.  "Boomer!"
	"I'm right here, Starbuck."
	"Why can't I see?"
	"Just wait a centon.  It might take a while for your eyes to adjust to the
light."
	"Light?  Tell me another one," Starbuck laughed, then held his head again.
 "Ouch.  Stop me before I do anything like that again.  How long was I out?"
	"About half a centar, give or take a few centons.  You really whacked your
head ages
instead of fighting them.  It was her nature to be a healer, not a warrior.
 Sometimes it amused him when he remembered that not only was she involved
with Starbuck, but once with Cain as well, whose reputation as the most
reckless and highly skilled commander in the history of the Colonial
service was legendary.  Cain had sent more than his fair share of warriors
to their deaths.  "It was Baltar, Doctor, not I.  However, I don't think
that this is the time nor the place to discuss who was at fault.  Please,
can you tell me how Apollo is doing?"
	"Very weak," she replied, trying to sound optimistic.  "His heartbeat was
still irregular, and Doctor Salik tried to regulate it.  It's a little
better now, but... well, you can read the reports.  We've healed the more
serious injuries, cured the infection, but his system is so out of whack,
we left the lesser injuries so they could heal by themselves."
	"May we see him?" Sheba asked as the door reopened, and they watched Salik
exit.  Cassiopia repeainst the crates.  We've been in this cell for about fifteen
centons."  He glanced over at Apollo's prone body.  "Apollo still hasn't
woken up.  Baltar did a really good job torturing him."
	"No kidding.  I'll kill Baltar the next time I see him."  Starbuck blinked
a few times, then smiled slightly.  "There, I can see.  Kind of, anyway.
Have you seen...  Wait a centon, Boomer.  Did you just say Baltar?"
	"You don't miss much.  We're aboard Baltar's basestar, and I'd imagine
that he's had Apollo the entire time we thought he was dead."
	"Felgercarb."  Starbuck reached across the space between the cots to touch
Apollo's arm.  He was uncomfortably warm to the touch, and Starbuck could
see his pressure suit where it was visible both through the tears in his
uniform and the opening of his uniform tunic.  "We have to get out of here.
 Baltar's going to torture us like he tortured Apollo, isn't he?"
	"Probably."
	"Not if I get my way, he won't."
	"Oh?  And would you mind giving me a few ideas on how you plan to leave?
I've examined all the walls, and the only way out that I can see if through
that door which is locked from the outside."  Boomer sighed, pressing his
back against the wall as he continued.  "Do you have any suggestions?"
	"Not yet."  Starbuck swung his legs over to put his feet on the floor.
"You know, just before I woke up, I had a dream about my future.  Me, Cass,
the life I hope we'll have together.  You and Apollo, too, especially now
that we know he's alive.  I don't want to give it up.  I don't want to be
forced to give it up, either, but right now, I'm afraid that I won't see
her again, Boomer."
	"You'll see her again, Starbuck.  I promise that we'll all make it out of
here, even if we have to take out the entire garrison by ourselves."
	"Thanks, Boomer, but I don't think that's going to be happening anytime
too soon.  I think we have a better chance of having Adama suddenly appear
at our doorway and leading us out."  Starbuck laughed, making Boomer snort.
 "Yeah, that'ainst the crates.  We've been in this cell for about fifteen
centons."  He glanced over at Apollo's prone body.  "Apollo still hasn't
woken up.  Baltar did a really good job torturing him."
	"No kidding.  I'll kill Baltar the next time I see him."  Starbuck blinked
a few times, then smiled slightly.  "There, I can see.  Kind of, anyway.
Have you seen...  Wait a centon, Boomer.  Did you just say Baltar?"
	"You don't miss much.  We're aboard Baltar's basestar, and I'd imagine
that he's had Apollo the entire time we thought he was dead."
	"Felgercarb."  Starbuck reached across the space between the cots to touch
Apollo's arm.  He was uncomfortably warm to the touch, and Starbuck could
see his pressure suit where it was visible both through the tears in his
uniform and the opening of his uniform tunic.  "We have to get out of here.
 Baltar's going to torture us like he tortured Apollo, isn't he?"
	"Probably."
	"Not if I get my way, he won't."
	"Oh?  And would you mind giving me a few ideas on how yated the question to him, and he frowned.
	"I suppose so," he said, looking as fatigued as Cassiopia did, "but only
under the condition that you're quiet.  Apollo still hasn't regained
consciousness, and he's on life support, though mostly for observational
purposes.  And if anything, and I mean anything, happens, you're all out.
Understood?"
	They all nodded, so Salik moved away from the doorway to let them in.  The
lights had been turned down in the room, but they could all see the bed at
the far side of the room, surrounded by equipment.  Sheba held her breath
as she went to look at him close up.
	Apollo's face was clean-shaven now, but his hair was still long, framing
his pale and bruised face.  The sheet covering his body was up to
mid-chest, and Sheba could see the bruises that her and Starbuck's attempts
at resuscitation had caused.  His hands were resting on his stomach, the
left wrapped in bandages, and an intravenous feeding into his right.  He
looked completely vulnerable, and Sheba ou plan to leave?
I've examined all the walls, and the only way out that I can see if through
that door which is locked from the outside."  Boomer sighed, pressing his
back against the wall as he continued.  "Do you have any suggestions?"
	"Not yet."  Starbuck swung his legs over to put his feet on the floor.
"You know, just before I woke up, I had a dream about my future.  Me, Cass,
the life I hope we'll have together.  You and Apollo, too, especially now
that we know he's alive.  I don't want to give it up.  I don't want to be
forced to give it up, either, but right now, I'm afraid that I won't see
her again, Boomer."
	"You'll see her again, Starbuck.  I promise that we'll all make it out of
here, even if we have to take out the entire garrison by ourselves."
	"Thanks, Boomer, but I don't think that's going to be happening anytime
too soon.  I think we have a better chance of having Adama suddenly appear
at our doorway and leading us out."  Starbuck laughed, making Boomer snort.
 "Yeah, that's getting a little carried away, isn't it?"
	"Just a tad."
	"Okay."  He shook his head, trying to get rid of the crawlon orbs that
remained from his accident.  "Why don't we try to come up with plan?"
	"I'm open to any suggestions."
	"Don't be so smug, Boom.  Maybe we should overtake the Cylons when they
come in.  If it's Baltar, that's even easier.  Use him as a hostage, then
we take Apollo with us and make a break for the bays," Starbuck mused as he
stood, pacing in front of the narrow entrance.
	Boomer nodded.  "It could work if we use Baltar's laser on him and get him
to go between us as we climb down the ladder, but what about Apollo?  I
don't think he's strong enough to go down himself, and what if he doesn't
regain consciousness?"
	"Good point.  Well, whatever we do, I'm not leaving him here."
	At Starbuck's words, Boomer glanced away, still feeling the guilt at
almost leaving Apollo behind.  He hoped that Starbuck didn't notice as his
friend continued.
	"What if we could get a Cylon tou plan to leave?
I've examined all the walls, and the only way out that I can see if through
that door which is locked from the outside."  Boomer sighed, pressing his
back against the wall as he continued.  "Do you have any suggestions?"
	"Not yet."  Starbuck swung his legs over to put his feet on the floor.
"You know, just before I woke up, I had a dream about my future.  Me, Cass,
the life I hope we'll have together.  You and Apollo, too, especially now
that we know he's alive.  I don't want to give it up.  I don't want to be
forced to give it up, either, but right now, I'm afraid that I won't see
her again, Boomer."
	"You'll see her again, Starbuck.  I promise that we'll all make it out of
here, even if we have to take out the entire garrison by ourselves."
	"Thanks, Boomer, but I don't think that's going to be happening anytime
too soon.  I think we have a better chance of having Adama suddenly appear
at our doorway and leading us out."  Starbuck laughed, making Boomer snort.
 "Yeah, that'bit her lip to keep herself from
crying as she touched the side of his face gently, perfectly aware of the
others observing her from behind.
	"He looks a lot better than he did a centar ago," Athena said, trying to
sound optimistic as she looked down at her brother.  She smiled bravely at
Adama, but her father didn't notice as he sat down on the chair next to
Apollo's bed.  Very carefully, he reached out to grasp his right hand,
gently holding it in his.
	"Yes, I suppose he does," Adama murmured, wishing that Apollo would make
some kind of movement that would put his worries to rest.  He remembered
Athena's words nine days ago, when they had first thought that Apollo was
dead, and how Athena wondered why the bad things always had to happen to
their family.  This time, Adama believed he knew the answer.  It was
Baltar's revenge for him seeing through the facade of the peace envoy, and
ruining his hopes for domination.  Baltar's curse, determined to follow them.
	The others seemed to be obliviouss getting a little carried away, isn't it?"
	"Just a tad."
	"Okay."  He shook his head, trying to get rid of the crawlon orbs that
remained from his accident.  "Why don't we try to come up with plan?"
	"I'm open to any suggestions."
	"Don't be so smug, Boom.  Maybe we should overtake the Cylons when they
come in.  If it's Baltar, that's even easier.  Use him as a hostage, then
we take Apollo with us and make a break for the bays," Starbuck mused as he
stood, pacing in front of the narrow entrance.
	Boomer nodded.  "It could work if we use Baltar's laser on him and get him
to go between us as we climb down the ladder, but what about Apollo?  I
don't think he's strong enough to go down himself, and what if he doesn't
regain consciousness?"
	"Good point.  Well, whatever we do, I'm not leaving him here."
	At Starbuck's words, Boomer glanced away, still feeling the guilt at
almost leaving Apollo behind.  He hoped that Starbuck didn't notice as his
friend continued.
	"What if we could get a Cylon to carry him?  Would that work?"  Starbuck
frowned.  "He doesn't weigh much, Boomer, it's just that he's tall."
	"Just be glad Apollo isn't Greenbean, then.  He's even taller."
	"I'll remember that," was Starbuck's wry response as he reached up to feel
his forehead.  His fingertips felt the large welt, and the light pressure
caused him to wince.  "Well, I guess we're going to have to wait for our
opportunity."
	"If it comes," Boomer muttered, staring at the deck.  Even in the dusk, he
could see the grime that streaked the metal.  He grimaced at the sight,
then looked up as he noticed movement from Apollo's cot.  "Starbuck, look!"
	Starbuck was at Apollo's side before Boomer's sentence was finished.  He
looked down at his face, waiting for more motion, but Apollo remained
perfectly still.  Gently, Starbuck shook his shoulder.  "Apollo?  Buddy,
wake up.  Come on, Apollo!"
	Slowly, Apollo opened his eyes, looking about him in confusion.  Starbuck
smiled as he focused on him.
	"Oh, no," he muttereds getting a little carried away, isn't it?"
	"Just a tad."
	"Okay."  He shook his head, trying to get rid of the crawlon orbs that
remained from his accident.  "Why don't we try to come up with plan?"
	"I'm open to any suggestions."
	"Don't be so smug, Boom.  Maybe we should overtake the Cylons when they
come in.  If it's Baltar, that's even easier.  Use him as a hostage, then
we take Apollo with us and make a break for the bays," Starbuck mused as he
stood, pacing in front of the narrow entrance.
	Boomer nodded.  "It could work if we use Baltar's laser on him and get him
to go between us as we climb down the ladder, but what about Apollo?  I
don't think he's strong enough to go down himself, and what if he doesn't
regain consciousness?"
	"Good point.  Well, whatever we do, I'm not leaving him here."
	At Starbuck's words, Boomer glanced away, still feeling the guilt at
almost leaving Apollo behind.  He hoped that Starbuck didn't notice as his
friend continued.
	"What if we could get a Cylon t to his thoughts.  They were satisfied
with getting Apollo back and with the prospects for the immediate future,
not about the real questions.  But I can think about those later, he
thought, pushing them away and hopefully forgetting about them for the time
being.  All that remained was his worry.
	Boomer continued the thread of conversation that was more for Adama's
benefit than anyone else's.  "Before you know it, Commander, Apollo's going
to be back at beating me at Triad in no time, and otherwise be driving us
crazy."
	"In less than no time," Starbuck added, grinning again.  This time, even
Sheba had to smile.  "Actually, what I want to see is what Apollo's going
to do now that he basically owes his life to Sheba."
	"Oh?" Boomer asked, eyeing Sheba critically.  "What's this?"
	"If she hadn't kicked my rear into action," Starbuck continued, "Apollo
wouldn't be here, and we wouldn't be having this conversation."
	"Don't forget that she was in charge of the rescue mission," Athena added,
smilo carry him?  Would that work?"  Starbuck
frowned.  "He doesn't weigh much, Boomer, it's just that he's tall."
	"Just be glad Apollo isn't Greenbean, then.  He's even taller."
	"I'll remember that," was Starbuck's wry response as he reached up to feel
his forehead.  His fingertips felt the large welt, and the light pressure
caused him to wince.  "Well, I guess we're going to have to wait for our
opportunity."
	"If it comes," Boomer muttered, staring at the deck.  Even in the dusk, he
could see the grime that streaked the metal.  He grimaced at the sight,
then looked up as he noticed movement from Apollo's cot.  "Starbuck, look!"
	Starbuck was at Apollo's side before Boomer's sentence was finished.  He
looked down at his face, waiting for more motion, but Apollo remained
perfectly still.  Gently, Starbuck shook his shoulder.  "Apollo?  Buddy,
wake up.  Come on, Apollo!"
	Slowly, Apollo opened his eyes, looking about him in confusion.  Starbuck
smiled as he focused on him.
	"Oh, no," he muttered, closing his eyes again as he raised his right hand
to cover them.  His voice sounded slow and blurred to Starbuck, as though
Apollo was having a hard time forming his words.  "I thought it was just a
horrible dream, seeing you in the bay..."
	"Nope, it's real life.  You've got the real life version of me, and
Boomer, too."  Starbuck grinned as Apollo uncovered his eyes briefly to
look over his shoulder to see Boomer.  "Happy?"
	"Not in the least.  What are you two doing here?"
	"Checking out the Cylon real estate.  I was thinking of moving into a
basestar when Cass and I get sealed."  He laughed at the disgusted
expressions both Boomer and Apollo gave him.  "Sorry, I couldn't resist
that one.  We were on a mission to destroy the basestar.  We came that
close to succeeding, then we spotted you, and, well, here we are."
	"Well, then, we're all doomed."  Apollo sighed heavily, something that
Starbuck never thought he'd miss hearing.
	"Don't give up yet," Boomer said, moving over to kneel next too carry him?  Would that work?"  Starbuck
frowned.  "He doesn't weigh much, Boomer, it's just that he's tall."
	"Just be glad Apollo isn't Greenbean, then.  He's even taller."
	"I'll remember that," was Starbuck's wry response as he reached up to feel
his forehead.  His fingertips felt the large welt, and the light pressure
caused him to wince.  "Well, I guess we're going to have to wait for our
opportunity."
	"If it comes," Boomer muttered, staring at the deck.  Even in the dusk, he
could see the grime that streaked the metal.  He grimaced at the sight,
then looked up as he noticed movement from Apollo's cot.  "Starbuck, look!"
	Starbuck was at Apollo's side before Boomer's sentence was finished.  He
looked down at his face, waiting for more motion, but Apollo remained
perfectly still.  Gently, Starbuck shook his shoulder.  "Apollo?  Buddy,
wake up.  Come on, Apollo!"
	Slowly, Apollo opened his eyes, looking about him in confusion.  Starbuck
smiled as he focused on him.
	"Oh, no," he muttereding mischievously.
	"You gave me the idea, 'Thena.  Don't act so innocent," Sheba replied,
blushing slightly under their praise, and feeling a little on-the-spot with
Adama being present.  She knew that he was just waiting for the opportunity
to continue the berating that he'd started outside the bridge earlier.
"Anyway, I'll just be happy to put this behind us completely."
	"You and me, both," Adama told her.
	"Besides," Sheba continued, looking away from Apollo for a micron to give
Starbuck a pointed smile, "this is all just more of the same.  If I hadn't,
well, rubbed his face in the fact that he was in love with me, I don't know
where we'd be right now."
	Starbuck laughed, nodding his head slightly as he did.  "That's Apollo for
you!  What did Boxey say about him once, about being slow?  Not stupid,
just slow?"
	"That sounds about right," Sheba said, chuckling despite herself.
	"Didn't Mother once say that Apollo's delivery was longest of all of us?"
Athena asked her father.  "She was almo, closing his eyes again as he raised his right hand
to cover them.  His voice sounded slow and blurred to Starbuck, as though
Apollo was having a hard time forming his words.  "I thought it was just a
horrible dream, seeing you in the bay..."
	"Nope, it's real life.  You've got the real life version of me, and
Boomer, too."  Starbuck grinned as Apollo uncovered his eyes briefly to
look over his shoulder to see Boomer.  "Happy?"
	"Not in the least.  What are you two doing here?"
	"Checking out the Cylon real estate.  I was thinking of moving into a
basestar when Cass and I get sealed."  He laughed at the disgusted
expressions both Boomer and Apollo gave him.  "Sorry, I couldn't resist
that one.  We were on a mission to destroy the basestar.  We came that
close to succeeding, then we spotted you, and, well, here we are."
	"Well, then, we're all doomed."  Apollo sighed heavily, something that
Starbuck never thought he'd miss hearing.
	"Don't give up yet," Boomer said, moving over to kneel next to the cot.
"We'll get out of here."
	"Yeah," Starbuck agreed.  "It could be worse, you know."
	"How?  I don't think I can think of anything worse than what I've already
been through."  He frowned as he looked around the cell.  "You guys are
lucky, you know.  You're in the lighted cell."
	"You called this lighted?"  Starbuck laughed as he looked from Apollo's
shadowed face to Boomer's.
	"It's better than the cell they've been keeping me in for the past few
days.  Pitch black."  Apollo closed his eyes, as though he were gathering
energy to continue.  His body shuddered slightly as he spoke again.  "I
hated it.  I thought I'd go crazy if I were in there for another day."
	"How do you feel?" Boomer asked, alarmed at what he was seeing.
	"What?"  Apollo gave a slight smile as he kept his eyes closed.  "How do I
feel?  The way someone who's been tortured is supposed to feel.  You know,
my father could have picked a better time to stage a battle, like a few
days ago."
	"How's that?" Starbuck asked.
, closing his eyes again as he raised his right hand
to cover them.  His voice sounded slow and blurred to Starbuck, as though
Apollo was having a hard time forming his words.  "I thought it was just a
horrible dream, seeing you in the bay..."
	"Nope, it's real life.  You've got the real life version of me, and
Boomer, too."  Starbuck grinned as Apollo uncovered his eyes briefly to
look over his shoulder to see Boomer.  "Happy?"
	"Not in the least.  What are you two doing here?"
	"Checking out the Cylon real estate.  I was thinking of moving into a
basestar when Cass and I get sealed."  He laughed at the disgusted
expressions both Boomer and Apollo gave him.  "Sorry, I couldn't resist
that one.  We were on a mission to destroy the basestar.  We came that
close to succeeding, then we spotted you, and, well, here we are."
	"Well, then, we're all doomed."  Apollo sighed heavily, something that
Starbuck never thought he'd miss hearing.
	"Don't give up yet," Boomer said, moving over to kneel next to the cot.
"We'll get out of here."
	"Yeah," Starbuck agreed.  "It could be worse, you know."
	"How?  I don't think I can think of anything worse than what I've already
been through."  He frowned as he looked around the cell.  "You guys are
lucky, you know.  You're in the lighted cell."
	"You called this lighted?"  Starbuck laughed as he looked from Apollo's
shadowed face to Boomer's.
	"It's better than the cell they've been keeping me in for the past few
days.  Pitch black."  Apollo closed his eyes, as though he were gathering
energy to continue.  His body shuddered slightly as he spoke again.  "I
hated it.  I thought I'd go crazy if I were in there for another day."
	"How do you feel?" Boomer asked, alarmed at what he was seeing.
	"What?"  Apollo gave a slight smile as he kept his eyes closed.  "How do I
feel?  The way someone who's been tortured is supposed to feel.  You know,
my father could have picked a better time to stage a battle, like a few
days ago."
	"How's that?" Starbuck asked.
st in labor for a full day?"
	Adama smiled thinly as he remembered the dream that had been plaguing him
before the battle.  "Ila was in labor for twenty centars with Apollo,
compared to the four centars with you, Athena."
	"That just proves our theory, then," Starbuck laughed again.  "Slow to
come, but always worth it in the end."
	"What's so funny?" a weak voice asked, causing all their laughter to stop.
 Adama felt his worry disappear as he realized that it was Apollo.  Before
he could react, Starbuck beat him to him.
	"Hey, Apollo!  We're so glad to see you awake!"  He grinned at Apollo's
feeble attempt at a smile.  "You really had us scared there for a while."
	"That's my job in life," Apollo replied, smiling slightly, but sounding a
little out of breath.  "Keeping you on your toes."
	Boomer held his finger out as a warning.  "Bad joke, buddy.  You've been
doing enough of that lately.  Scaring us, I mean."
	"It wasn't really planned on.  Sorry."  Apollo tried to sit up, then
became aware o	"I'm dying, that's why."  Apollo opened his eyes to see his friends'
shock.  Boomer gasped as Starbuck's eyes widened.  "I think I've less than
a day left, at the most."
	"Apollo, are you sure?"
	"I am, Boomer.  Hold up my left hand, will you, Starbuck?"  Apollo's smile
was thin as Starbuck did as he asked.  They could see that the skin was red
and swollen, and the angry inflammation ran down his wrist, disappearing
into his sleeve.  "I can't move it anymore.  It's infected, and there's
nothing that can be done here on the basestar.  The infection has already
spread, and beside, the tortures are taking their toll on me."
	"We'll get you out of here," Starbuck told him, his voice firm.
	"I'd like to know how, buddy.  You can't punch or kick Cylons.  That's one
of the ways I hurt my hand.  That, plus my Viper being disabled and trying
to escape."  Apollo took his hand out of Starbuck's grasp and covered it
with the other as he closed his eyes again.
	"Trying to escape?"  Starbuck glanced at Boom the cot.
"We'll get out of here."
	"Yeah," Starbuck agreed.  "It could be worse, you know."
	"How?  I don't think I can think of anything worse than what I've already
been through."  He frowned as he looked around the cell.  "You guys are
lucky, you know.  You're in the lighted cell."
	"You called this lighted?"  Starbuck laughed as he looked from Apollo's
shadowed face to Boomer's.
	"It's better than the cell they've been keeping me in for the past few
days.  Pitch black."  Apollo closed his eyes, as though he were gathering
energy to continue.  His body shuddered slightly as he spoke again.  "I
hated it.  I thought I'd go crazy if I were in there for another day."
	"How do you feel?" Boomer asked, alarmed at what he was seeing.
	"What?"  Apollo gave a slight smile as he kept his eyes closed.  "How do I
feel?  The way someone who's been tortured is supposed to feel.  You know,
my father could have picked a better time to stage a battle, like a few
days ago."
	"How's that?" Starbuck asked.
	"I'm dying, that's why."  Apollo opened his eyes to see his friends'
shock.  Boomer gasped as Starbuck's eyes widened.  "I think I've less than
a day left, at the most."
	"Apollo, are you sure?"
	"I am, Boomer.  Hold up my left hand, will you, Starbuck?"  Apollo's smile
was thin as Starbuck did as he asked.  They could see that the skin was red
and swollen, and the angry inflammation ran down his wrist, disappearing
into his sleeve.  "I can't move it anymore.  It's infected, and there's
nothing that can be done here on the basestar.  The infection has already
spread, and beside, the tortures are taking their toll on me."
	"We'll get you out of here," Starbuck told him, his voice firm.
	"I'd like to know how, buddy.  You can't punch or kick Cylons.  That's one
of the ways I hurt my hand.  That, plus my Viper being disabled and trying
to escape."  Apollo took his hand out of Starbuck's grasp and covered it
with the other as he closed his eyes again.
	"Trying to escape?"  Starbuck glanced at Boomf all the life support equipment he was attached to.  That,
combined with the extreme weakness that seemed to come from nowhere, forced
him to sink back down on the bed.  He closed his eyes as his head started
to spin.  "That wasn't a good idea...  What's all this felgercarb for,
anyway?"
	"You had a very close call," Adama explained, trying to smile without
looking strained.  He squeezed his hand in encouragement.  "Your body
hasn't straightened itself out yet, but I'm sure it's only for a few more
centars."
	"Good.  It's as uncomfortable as Hades," he complained, then opened his
eyes again to look back at his visitors.  "So, what were you guys laughing
at?"
	"Just that Sheba was the one who saved your astrum from the Cylons,"
Boomer explained, "and how this will bring a new element to your guys'
relationship."
	"I see."  Apollo smiled at Sheba, which made his face seem much more
cheerful than it had earlier, even with the bruises.  "That's not something
new."
	"Told you so," she shot back er, an optimistic expression
on his face as he shook Apollo's shoulder again, this time a little harder.
 "Apollo, this is no time for you to go back to sleep.  Tell us everything
you did, all the details, and maybe that could help us plan our own escape.
 How far did you get?"
	"Oh, we made it down to the landing bays.  It was just Silva and I, since
Evania died a few centars earlier.  Her condition was worse than mine is
now, and she never regained consciousness after being captured.  Anyway,
Silva carried around a knife in her boot, and --"
	"A knife?" Starbuck repeated, his eyes wide.  "My God, Tigh's gonna flip
when he hears this.  Why in Hades' would she carry one?"
	"Her family helped found a colony ten yahrens ago.  It was funded by the
Cancerian government, but it failed a few sectars later.  It was very wild,
and whoever couldn't fend for themselves died.  Anyway, she used to it jump
the centurions who came to interrogate us the second time, and she slashed
their circuitry before they	"I'm dying, that's why."  Apollo opened his eyes to see his friends'
shock.  Boomer gasped as Starbuck's eyes widened.  "I think I've less than
a day left, at the most."
	"Apollo, are you sure?"
	"I am, Boomer.  Hold up my left hand, will you, Starbuck?"  Apollo's smile
was thin as Starbuck did as he asked.  They could see that the skin was red
and swollen, and the angry inflammation ran down his wrist, disappearing
into his sleeve.  "I can't move it anymore.  It's infected, and there's
nothing that can be done here on the basestar.  The infection has already
spread, and beside, the tortures are taking their toll on me."
	"We'll get you out of here," Starbuck told him, his voice firm.
	"I'd like to know how, buddy.  You can't punch or kick Cylons.  That's one
of the ways I hurt my hand.  That, plus my Viper being disabled and trying
to escape."  Apollo took his hand out of Starbuck's grasp and covered it
with the other as he closed his eyes again.
	"Trying to escape?"  Starbuck glanced at Boomer, an optimistic expression
on his face as he shook Apollo's shoulder again, this time a little harder.
 "Apollo, this is no time for you to go back to sleep.  Tell us everything
you did, all the details, and maybe that could help us plan our own escape.
 How far did you get?"
	"Oh, we made it down to the landing bays.  It was just Silva and I, since
Evania died a few centars earlier.  Her condition was worse than mine is
now, and she never regained consciousness after being captured.  Anyway,
Silva carried around a knife in her boot, and --"
	"A knife?" Starbuck repeated, his eyes wide.  "My God, Tigh's gonna flip
when he hears this.  Why in Hades' would she carry one?"
	"Her family helped found a colony ten yahrens ago.  It was funded by the
Cancerian government, but it failed a few sectars later.  It was very wild,
and whoever couldn't fend for themselves died.  Anyway, she used to it jump
the centurions who came to interrogate us the second time, and she slashed
their circuitry before theyat Starbuck.
	"One more thing..." Apollo continued, looking over at Starbuck.  "What's
this about being slow?"
	Starbuck and Sheba exchanged surprised looks as the others tried not to
laugh.  None of them had realized that Apollo could have heard their joking
comments.  He must have been semi-conscious when we were talking, she
thought, watching the blond lieutenant scramble for a response.
	"Um, nothing, really," Starbuck said, feeling embarrassed when he saw that
Apollo didn't believe him.  "Just a little joke, buddy."
	"How do you feel?" Athena asked, gently putting her hand on her brother's
shoulder to save Starbuck from any further questions.
	"Sore.  Very sore."  He suddenly yawned.  "Wow, and sleepy, too."
	"You'll be getting plenty of sleep in the next few days," Adama promised,
remarking on how he sounded like Apollo himself did when he was laying down
the law with Boxey.  He smiled to himself as he remembered how as a child,
Apollo would throw temper tantrums his parents would force h knew what hit them.  We got to the bays, where
we were almost immediately recaptured while trying to get a Raider to fly
out of here."  Apollo shook his head, bringing his good hand up to cover
his eyes again.  "I was so stupid!"
	"What do you mean by stupid?" Boomer wondered, noticing that Apollo's
expression appeared to be grieved.  "What happened?"
	"It's my fault we were recaptured.  I insisted that we check the other
cells, to see if there were any other prisoners, which there weren't.  Then
I got us lost.  Look where that got us.  Both Evania and Silva are dead
now; I can't walk and I'll be dead soon."
	"You mean that it might have worked?" Starbuck asked, frowning as he
listened.
	"Exactly.  If I hadn't been so concerned, we might be back on the
Galactica right now."  Apollo laughed bitterly.  "The Cylons weren't
impressed, and neither was Baltar.  I guess it was only fair that I got the
brunt of their anger."
	"Oh, what they'd do?"
	"Well, to basically prevent another escape from Siler, an optimistic expression
on his face as he shook Apollo's shoulder again, this time a little harder.
 "Apollo, this is no time for you to go back to sleep.  Tell us everything
you did, all the details, and maybe that could help us plan our own escape.
 How far did you get?"
	"Oh, we made it down to the landing bays.  It was just Silva and I, since
Evania died a few centars earlier.  Her condition was worse than mine is
now, and she never regained consciousness after being captured.  Anyway,
Silva carried around a knife in her boot, and --"
	"A knife?" Starbuck repeated, his eyes wide.  "My God, Tigh's gonna flip
when he hears this.  Why in Hades' would she carry one?"
	"Her family helped found a colony ten yahrens ago.  It was funded by the
Cancerian government, but it failed a few sectars later.  It was very wild,
and whoever couldn't fend for themselves died.  Anyway, she used to it jump
the centurions who came to interrogate us the second time, and she slashed
their circuitry before they knew what hit them.  We got to the bays, where
we were almost immediately recaptured while trying to get a Raider to fly
out of here."  Apollo shook his head, bringing his good hand up to cover
his eyes again.  "I was so stupid!"
	"What do you mean by stupid?" Boomer wondered, noticing that Apollo's
expression appeared to be grieved.  "What happened?"
	"It's my fault we were recaptured.  I insisted that we check the other
cells, to see if there were any other prisoners, which there weren't.  Then
I got us lost.  Look where that got us.  Both Evania and Silva are dead
now; I can't walk and I'll be dead soon."
	"You mean that it might have worked?" Starbuck asked, frowning as he
listened.
	"Exactly.  If I hadn't been so concerned, we might be back on the
Galactica right now."  Apollo laughed bitterly.  "The Cylons weren't
impressed, and neither was Baltar.  I guess it was only fair that I got the
brunt of their anger."
	"Oh, what they'd do?"
	"Well, to basically prevent another escape from Silim to go to bed
early.  "I won't put you on the duty roster until you're much, much better."
	"I don't think I'm going to argue with that."
	"Good."  Adama noticed Sheba and Athena's amused expressions, and decided
that now might be a good opportunity for him to continued the lecture from
earlier.  "As for you two, I'm still not pleased with what you pulled,
although I admit that I am very pleased with the results.  Since we have
several openings in the ranks now, and considering the fact that we'll be
on alert for the next few days, I think my decision is only fair.  Sheba,
you'll be pulling extra patrols until further notice.  You will be aided by
Athena."
	Athena was about to protest when she realized what her father meant.
"Extra patrols?  Me?  That means that I'm..."  She stopped as the full
implication sank in, then threw her arms around her father.  "I'm a pilot!
Thank you, Father!  You don't know how much this means to me!"
	"Congratulations, Athena," Sheba said as she gave her a hug.  va and I, they broke my
ankle, and before the day was over, separated us permanently.  That's why I
said I can't walk."
	"So, you're saying the Cylons can be caught by surprise?" Boomer asked,
and was answered by Apollo's nod.  Turning his head to the left, he
contemplated the door.  "Starbuck, are you up to any surprises?"
	"Always am."  Starbuck stood and approached the door, examining the
entrance.  There wasn't much space, but if both of them stayed at the
corners and moved at the same time, they shouldn't have any problems
overtaking the first Cylon who would enter.  Smiling, he jerked his thumb
at one side of the entrance.  "I'll take right?"
	"And I'll take left," Boomer replied.
	"It won't work," Apollo predicted, but Starbuck recognized the hopeful
tone in his voice.
	"Apollo, just be quiet and stay there, all right?"  He put his ear against
the door, listening.  He remembered the sound of Cylon footsteps on the
deck the last time he was held aboard Baltar's former basestar over Kobol knew what hit them.  We got to the bays, where
we were almost immediately recaptured while trying to get a Raider to fly
out of here."  Apollo shook his head, bringing his good hand up to cover
his eyes again.  "I was so stupid!"
	"What do you mean by stupid?" Boomer wondered, noticing that Apollo's
expression appeared to be grieved.  "What happened?"
	"It's my fault we were recaptured.  I insisted that we check the other
cells, to see if there were any other prisoners, which there weren't.  Then
I got us lost.  Look where that got us.  Both Evania and Silva are dead
now; I can't walk and I'll be dead soon."
	"You mean that it might have worked?" Starbuck asked, frowning as he
listened.
	"Exactly.  If I hadn't been so concerned, we might be back on the
Galactica right now."  Apollo laughed bitterly.  "The Cylons weren't
impressed, and neither was Baltar.  I guess it was only fair that I got the
brunt of their anger."
	"Oh, what they'd do?"
	"Well, to basically prevent another escape from Silva and I, they broke my
ankle, and before the day was over, separated us permanently.  That's why I
said I can't walk."
	"So, you're saying the Cylons can be caught by surprise?" Boomer asked,
and was answered by Apollo's nod.  Turning his head to the left, he
contemplated the door.  "Starbuck, are you up to any surprises?"
	"Always am."  Starbuck stood and approached the door, examining the
entrance.  There wasn't much space, but if both of them stayed at the
corners and moved at the same time, they shouldn't have any problems
overtaking the first Cylon who would enter.  Smiling, he jerked his thumb
at one side of the entrance.  "I'll take right?"
	"And I'll take left," Boomer replied.
	"It won't work," Apollo predicted, but Starbuck recognized the hopeful
tone in his voice.
	"Apollo, just be quiet and stay there, all right?"  He put his ear against
the door, listening.  He remembered the sound of Cylon footsteps on the
deck the last time he was held aboard Baltar's former basestar over Kobol"I'll be
proud to have you as my wingmate."
	Starbuck helped Apollo sit up so he could hug her as well.  "I'm happy for
you, 'Thena."
	"Thanks, Big Brother."  Starbuck shook her hand, and then she turned to
Boomer.  The lieutenant looked slightly shy, and there was a bit of
fumbling as he and Athena first tried to shake the other's hand.  They
finally ended up giving each other an awkward hug as Athena said, "And
thank you, Boomer."
	Still standing next to Apollo's bedside, Starbuck laughed slightly,
especially when he looked down to see his friend watching his sister
curiously.  Very quietly, so only Apollo and Sheba could hear him, he
muttered, "Thank you, Athena.  You're the first girl since Dietra he's
responded to like a normal, breathing human being.  I was beginning to
worry that Boomer was going to take a vow of celibacy, or become an Atori
priest or something..."
	Still slightly flustered, Boomer shot a dark look at Starbuck, thankful
that his dark skin didn't allow his blush to show,
and he could hear their heavy footsteps now.  Although he was never
subjected to the same treatment as Apollo, he knew that this time would be
different.  Knowing that made him even more ready in anticipation of their
next move. "They're coming!  Come on!"
	Boomer took a few steps towards the door, wishing he still had his laser
pistol with him.  He heard a low hum whose source he couldn't find, then he
felt a twinge of something in his stomach.  Frowning, Boomer felt his
entire abdomen explode into waves of agony.  He clutched his stomach as he
fell to the deck, gasping as he landed on his knees.
	"Boomer?" Starbuck asked as he watched Boomer's descent to the floor.  He
rushed over to his side, trying to ignore the throbbing that the sudden
movement caused to his head as he grasped Boomer's shoulders.  He was
barely aware of Apollo's horrified expression.  "Boomer!  Are you okay,
buddy?"
	He shook his head, balling his fists tightly as he took a deep breath.  "I
don't know...  It just came va and I, they broke my
ankle, and before the day was over, separated us permanently.  That's why I
said I can't walk."
	"So, you're saying the Cylons can be caught by surprise?" Boomer asked,
and was answered by Apollo's nod.  Turning his head to the left, he
contemplated the door.  "Starbuck, are you up to any surprises?"
	"Always am."  Starbuck stood and approached the door, examining the
entrance.  There wasn't much space, but if both of them stayed at the
corners and moved at the same time, they shouldn't have any problems
overtaking the first Cylon who would enter.  Smiling, he jerked his thumb
at one side of the entrance.  "I'll take right?"
	"And I'll take left," Boomer replied.
	"It won't work," Apollo predicted, but Starbuck recognized the hopeful
tone in his voice.
	"Apollo, just be quiet and stay there, all right?"  He put his ear against
the door, listening.  He remembered the sound of Cylon footsteps on the
deck the last time he was held aboard Baltar's former basestar over Kobol,
and he could hear their heavy footsteps now.  Although he was never
subjected to the same treatment as Apollo, he knew that this time would be
different.  Knowing that made him even more ready in anticipation of their
next move. "They're coming!  Come on!"
	Boomer took a few steps towards the door, wishing he still had his laser
pistol with him.  He heard a low hum whose source he couldn't find, then he
felt a twinge of something in his stomach.  Frowning, Boomer felt his
entire abdomen explode into waves of agony.  He clutched his stomach as he
fell to the deck, gasping as he landed on his knees.
	"Boomer?" Starbuck asked as he watched Boomer's descent to the floor.  He
rushed over to his side, trying to ignore the throbbing that the sudden
movement caused to his head as he grasped Boomer's shoulders.  He was
barely aware of Apollo's horrified expression.  "Boomer!  Are you okay,
buddy?"
	He shook his head, balling his fists tightly as he took a deep breath.  "I
don't know...  It just came .  "I heard that, Bucko."
	"Heard what?" the blond lieutenant responded, the epitome of innocence.
"I was just saying that you and Athena worked very well together today.
It's amazing what one simple little mission to a basestar can do, isn't it?
	Apollo, who had been laughing along with the others, stopped as he stared
at his friend.  "A basestar?  What's this about a basestar?"
	"You know, the basestar we just fought?  The one the girls just rescued
our tails from?  That basestar?"
	"I have no idea what you're talking about," Apollo replied, shaking his
head.  "Rescue?"
	Boomer gave Apollo a worried look, then quickly left the room as Sheba
asked, "You mean that you don't remember?"
	"Remember what?" came the confused reply.  "The last thing I remember
before waking up is the controls in the cockpit shorting out, and hearing
Silva's voice as I was blacking out."
	"Oh, frak," Starbuck muttered.
	The laughter had brought a little color back to Apollo's bruised face, but
as he stared at the otso suddenly.  Maybe... maybe it's the belt?"
	"Belt?  What belt?"  Starbuck glanced down at Boomer's waist, spotting the
band of material that was tightly bound around his middle.  He tried to
take it off, but he couldn't find its clasp.  "Where'd this come from?"
	"I'm wearing one, too," Apollo said.  He was leaning back on his elbows as
he surveyed the spectacle his friends were presenting.  "It's Baltar's
newest version of a torture device.  You should be wearing one as well,
Starbuck."
	"Great."  Starbuck became aware of the pressure on his waist.  "Now what?"
	"The Cylons," Apollo replied as the door slid open.  Before he was
blinded, Starbuck saw several dark shapes, blocking the painfully bright
light.  He quickly covered his eyes with his arms.  He heard Boomer gasp
again, but Apollo didn't make another sound.
	"That would be correct, Apollo," Baltar said, his voice full of a smugness
that Starbuck wanted to rub out with his fist.  Or was it his laser?  That
way, he wouldn't have to touso suddenly.  Maybe... maybe it's the belt?"
	"Belt?  What belt?"  Starbuck glanced down at Boomer's waist, spotting the
band of material that was tightly bound around his middle.  He tried to
take it off, but he couldn't find its clasp.  "Where'd this come from?"
	"I'm wearing one, too," Apollo said.  He was leaning back on his elbows as
he surveyed the spectacle his friends were presenting.  "It's Baltar's
newest version of a torture device.  You should be wearing one as well,
Starbuck."
	"Great."  Starbuck became aware of the pressure on his waist.  "Now what?"
	"The Cylons," Apollo replied as the door slid open.  Before he was
blinded, Starbuck saw several dark shapes, blocking the painfully bright
light.  He quickly covered his eyes with his arms.  He heard Boomer gasp
again, but Apollo didn't make another sound.
	"That would be correct, Apollo," Baltar said, his voice full of a smugness
that Starbuck wanted to rub out with his fist.  Or was it his laser?  That
way, he wouldn't have to tou,
and he could hear their heavy footsteps now.  Although he was never
subjected to the same treatment as Apollo, he knew that this time would be
different.  Knowing that made him even more ready in anticipation of their
next move. "They're coming!  Come on!"
	Boomer took a few steps towards the door, wishing he still had his laser
pistol with him.  He heard a low hum whose source he couldn't find, then he
felt a twinge of something in his stomach.  Frowning, Boomer felt his
entire abdomen explode into waves of agony.  He clutched his stomach as he
fell to the deck, gasping as he landed on his knees.
	"Boomer?" Starbuck asked as he watched Boomer's descent to the floor.  He
rushed over to his side, trying to ignore the throbbing that the sudden
movement caused to his head as he grasped Boomer's shoulders.  He was
barely aware of Apollo's horrified expression.  "Boomer!  Are you okay,
buddy?"
	He shook his head, balling his fists tightly as he took a deep breath.  "I
don't know...  It just came hers, not understanding what they were talking about,
the color slowly drained away as he started to feel something like panic
building in his stomach.  He looked from one face to the next.
	"Could someone please tell me what's going?" he demanded.  "Father?
Sheba?  Anyone?"
	Salik came barreling into the room, which made Apollo jump slightly.
Cassiopia and Boomer came trailing behind him, both looking equally concerned.
	"All right, I want everyone but the commander out now," the chief medical
officer ordered, though it sounded more like a barked command.  "Remember
what I said.  If anything happens, you're out.  Now go!"
	Starbuck, Boomer and Athena all touched Apollo on the shoulder before
leaving, giving him encouraging smiles.  Sheba bent down to kiss his
forehead, then quickly followed the others.  Apollo started to watch her
leave, but his attention was quickly distracted by a reflective surface
that Sheba's body had been blocking earlier.  He stared at the face that he
knew was his own,ch the slimy traitor.  "By the way, Lieutenant
Starbuck, I loved your moving performance a few centons ago.  It brought a
tear to my eye.  I believe you missed your calling.  You would have made an
admirable actor."
	"No one can out-do you, Baltar," Starbuck shot back, blinking his eyes to
get them adjusted.  "Why don't you just go to Hades, Baltar?  Of course,
that is if they'll take you."
	"I caution you not to speak to me like that, Starbuck.  Apollo has on
numerous occasions, and he was promptly punished for it.  Weren't you,
Apollo?"  Baltar smiled at his original captive, a smile that made Starbuck
uncomfortable.  He then laughed a laugh that sounded over-exaggerated to
Starbuck's ears.  "Isn't this ironic, though?  The greatest warriors the
Galactica has to offer all together in one Cylon interrogation cell?"
	As his sight finally returned, Starbuck felt fury building in his chest,
and he attempted to stand and charge at the traitor, but Boomer caught his
arm and held him tightly.  His bch the slimy traitor.  "By the way, Lieutenant
Starbuck, I loved your moving performance a few centons ago.  It brought a
tear to my eye.  I believe you missed your calling.  You would have made an
admirable actor."
	"No one can out-do you, Baltar," Starbuck shot back, blinking his eyes to
get them adjusted.  "Why don't you just go to Hades, Baltar?  Of course,
that is if they'll take you."
	"I caution you not to speak to me like that, Starbuck.  Apollo has on
numerous occasions, and he was promptly punished for it.  Weren't you,
Apollo?"  Baltar smiled at his original captive, a smile that made Starbuck
uncomfortable.  He then laughed a laugh that sounded over-exaggerated to
Starbuck's ears.  "Isn't this ironic, though?  The greatest warriors the
Galactica has to offer all together in one Cylon interrogation cell?"
	As his sight finally returned, Starbuck felt fury building in his chest,
and he attempted to stand and charge at the traitor, but Boomer caught his
arm and held him tightly.  His bso suddenly.  Maybe... maybe it's the belt?"
	"Belt?  What belt?"  Starbuck glanced down at Boomer's waist, spotting the
band of material that was tightly bound around his middle.  He tried to
take it off, but he couldn't find its clasp.  "Where'd this come from?"
	"I'm wearing one, too," Apollo said.  He was leaning back on his elbows as
he surveyed the spectacle his friends were presenting.  "It's Baltar's
newest version of a torture device.  You should be wearing one as well,
Starbuck."
	"Great."  Starbuck became aware of the pressure on his waist.  "Now what?"
	"The Cylons," Apollo replied as the door slid open.  Before he was
blinded, Starbuck saw several dark shapes, blocking the painfully bright
light.  He quickly covered his eyes with his arms.  He heard Boomer gasp
again, but Apollo didn't make another sound.
	"That would be correct, Apollo," Baltar said, his voice full of a smugness
that Starbuck wanted to rub out with his fist.  Or was it his laser?  That
way, he wouldn't have to tou but seeing the bruises that covered and slightly
disfigured his features stunned him completely.  He was so surprised that
he barely noticed it when Salik started scanning him.
	"I was afraid of something like this happening," Salik was muttering,
looking down at his scanner with a relatively neutral expression.  He was
taking a few extra microns when he reached his head, Apollo noticed.  "Did
they say how long he was out?"
	"Eight centons was the estimate," Cassiopia replied.  She went to Apollo's
side, grasping his arm.  "You'd better lie back down, Apollo."
	Wide-eyed, he obeyed her without any objections, giving the older doctor
his full attention.  Adama hovered next to the bed, waiting for Salik to
give his report.
	"Eight centons," Salik repeated, musing as he looked up from his scanner
at Apollo.  "That might have been just enough.  We'll have to perform more
tests in the morning, when everything is much quieter.  I'm not sure as to
what extent this is physiological or psychological."
rown eyes were clear from the pain he'd
experienced earlier as he gave him a stern look.
	"Don't you dare," he whispered.
	"Let go of me!" Starbuck hissed, trying to wrench his arm away from him.
"Boomer, he just --"
	"Starbuck."  Apollo's voice was firm.  "Stay where you are."
	"You should thank your friends for restraining you," Baltar said, smiling
benignly as Starbuck caught sight of the laser in his hand.  "I don't think
you would have appreciated the result.  Oh, and I'm sorry for activating
your belt, Boomer, but otherwise, your plan would have succeeded."
	"Too bad it didn't," Starbuck muttered, then added in a louder voice,
"Tell me, Baltar, how exactly did you know what we were planning?"
	"Beside the fact that Apollo has already tried it once?" Baltar asked, an
innocent note in his voice.  "Ever since their little escapade, I ordered
that all the cells should be monitored."
	"Remind me again why we let you go in the first place?"
	"In exchange for the information to disable the baserown eyes were clear from the pain he'd
experienced earlier as he gave him a stern look.
	"Don't you dare," he whispered.
	"Let go of me!" Starbuck hissed, trying to wrench his arm away from him.
"Boomer, he just --"
	"Starbuck."  Apollo's voice was firm.  "Stay where you are."
	"You should thank your friends for restraining you," Baltar said, smiling
benignly as Starbuck caught sight of the laser in his hand.  "I don't think
you would have appreciated the result.  Oh, and I'm sorry for activating
your belt, Boomer, but otherwise, your plan would have succeeded."
	"Too bad it didn't," Starbuck muttered, then added in a louder voice,
"Tell me, Baltar, how exactly did you know what we were planning?"
	"Beside the fact that Apollo has already tried it once?" Baltar asked, an
innocent note in his voice.  "Ever since their little escapade, I ordered
that all the cells should be monitored."
	"Remind me again why we let you go in the first place?"
	"In exchange for the information to disable the basech the slimy traitor.  "By the way, Lieutenant
Starbuck, I loved your moving performance a few centons ago.  It brought a
tear to my eye.  I believe you missed your calling.  You would have made an
admirable actor."
	"No one can out-do you, Baltar," Starbuck shot back, blinking his eyes to
get them adjusted.  "Why don't you just go to Hades, Baltar?  Of course,
that is if they'll take you."
	"I caution you not to speak to me like that, Starbuck.  Apollo has on
numerous occasions, and he was promptly punished for it.  Weren't you,
Apollo?"  Baltar smiled at his original captive, a smile that made Starbuck
uncomfortable.  He then laughed a laugh that sounded over-exaggerated to
Starbuck's ears.  "Isn't this ironic, though?  The greatest warriors the
Galactica has to offer all together in one Cylon interrogation cell?"
	As his sight finally returned, Starbuck felt fury building in his chest,
and he attempted to stand and charge at the traitor, but Boomer caught his
arm and held him tightly.  His b
	"What is physiological or psychological?" Adama asked, pressuring the
doctor for details.  "Why can't he remember what happened?"
	"It appears that Apollo has amnesia, Commander.  It can be caused either
by the repression of traumatic memories, or by trauma to the brain.  Apollo
can very well be suffering from both, but we just won't know for certain
until we get those tests done."  Salik smiled down at Apollo, trying to
look reassuring, but knowing that he was utterly failing in this case.
"Just get some rest, and try not to worry.  If you experience any more
unusual problems, let me know immediately."
	"All right."  Apollo's voice was soft with fear, and Adama held his
shoulder as the two doctors left.  As soon as the door closed behind them,
Apollo looked up at his father.  "Father, what's this about basestars and
amnesia?  What's going on?  Please tell me something.  Anything.  Please?
I'm totally lost..."
	"Apollo, son, I want you to listen to me very carefully."  Adama's voice
was gentlstar, the same plan
that you two unfortunately yet successfully used half a centar ago."
Baltar motioned to the warriors with his laser, his smile fading to an
expression of determination.  "Enough with the small talk, gentlemen.  I
want you three out in the main room.  Boomer, help Apollo.  Starbuck, come
with these centurions."
	Starbuck's eyes widened as two Cylons appeared behind Baltar, entering the
cell to take hold of him by the arms.  He glanced back at Boomer in panic,
just in time to see him go to Apollo's side under Baltar's supervision.
	"Carefully," he heard the traitor caution, then caught an exclamation of
pain from Apollo.  He wanted to go back to help, but the centurions' grip
wouldn't allow him any independent movement.
	The oval room was chilly, and the drab grey walls made Starbuck feel
slightly claustrophobic.  There was only one chair in the room, facing the
opposite direction from their cell.  As Baltar came out, he sat in it,
watching as Boomer and Apollo slowly joined Sstar, the same plan
that you two unfortunately yet successfully used half a centar ago."
Baltar motioned to the warriors with his laser, his smile fading to an
expression of determination.  "Enough with the small talk, gentlemen.  I
want you three out in the main room.  Boomer, help Apollo.  Starbuck, come
with these centurions."
	Starbuck's eyes widened as two Cylons appeared behind Baltar, entering the
cell to take hold of him by the arms.  He glanced back at Boomer in panic,
just in time to see him go to Apollo's side under Baltar's supervision.
	"Carefully," he heard the traitor caution, then caught an exclamation of
pain from Apollo.  He wanted to go back to help, but the centurions' grip
wouldn't allow him any independent movement.
	The oval room was chilly, and the drab grey walls made Starbuck feel
slightly claustrophobic.  There was only one chair in the room, facing the
opposite direction from their cell.  As Baltar came out, he sat in it,
watching as Boomer and Apollo slowly joined Srown eyes were clear from the pain he'd
experienced earlier as he gave him a stern look.
	"Don't you dare," he whispered.
	"Let go of me!" Starbuck hissed, trying to wrench his arm away from him.
"Boomer, he just --"
	"Starbuck."  Apollo's voice was firm.  "Stay where you are."
	"You should thank your friends for restraining you," Baltar said, smiling
benignly as Starbuck caught sight of the laser in his hand.  "I don't think
you would have appreciated the result.  Oh, and I'm sorry for activating
your belt, Boomer, but otherwise, your plan would have succeeded."
	"Too bad it didn't," Starbuck muttered, then added in a louder voice,
"Tell me, Baltar, how exactly did you know what we were planning?"
	"Beside the fact that Apollo has already tried it once?" Baltar asked, an
innocent note in his voice.  "Ever since their little escapade, I ordered
that all the cells should be monitored."
	"Remind me again why we let you go in the first place?"
	"In exchange for the information to disable the basee as his grip on his shoulder grew firmer.  The intensity of the
grip frightened Apollo.  "Do you understand?"
	Not daring to say a single word, Apollo nodded, his green eyes wide as he
looked up at his father.  He wasn't sure now if he wanted to hear what
Adama was going to say, but he would listen nonetheless.
	"That patrol where you and the others were attacked," Adama paused, much
to Apollo's irritation, "well, you are the only survivor.  Besides Giles,
that is.  The ambush was well over a secton ago."
	"A secton ago?" Apollo repeated, not believing what he was hearing.
	"Well, it's almost ten days now, but --"
	"Ten days?  I don't remember ten days going by.  And what's this about a
basestar?"
	"I'll get to that eventually."  Adama took a breath.  "Apollo, we believed
that you were dead.  All Starbuck's patrol found was rubble, and your
flight recorder was recovered from the site of the battle."
	The panicky feeling in Apollo's stomach started to feel more like a
sinking sensation.  He fotarbuck under the centurions'
supervision.  He put his arm around Apollo's waist to help Boomer support
him as he looked at Baltar.  The traitor's brown eyes had a hard glint to
them, and his expression frightened Starbuck as he started to smile again.
	"I've been waiting for this moment for more than a yahren," he began.  "To
have the three of you together so I can repay all my debts.  Now, who shall
I start with?"  He met Starbuck's gaze, holding it for a few microns until
he started to smile again.  "No, not with you, Starbuck.  You'll probably
swain at the first hint of pressure.  Nor do I think I'll begin with you,
Boomer.  Why don't we show them how this is done, Apollo?"
	Apollo looked down at the deck, but refused to answer Baltar's proposal.
	"We have to go through this charade every time," Baltar complained to
Starbuck and Boomer, holding something in his hand as he leaned forward.
It appeared to be a control of some kind, and as he pressed a button on it,
Apollo's body jerked slightlytarbuck under the centurions'
supervision.  He put his arm around Apollo's waist to help Boomer support
him as he looked at Baltar.  The traitor's brown eyes had a hard glint to
them, and his expression frightened Starbuck as he started to smile again.
	"I've been waiting for this moment for more than a yahren," he began.  "To
have the three of you together so I can repay all my debts.  Now, who shall
I start with?"  He met Starbuck's gaze, holding it for a few microns until
he started to smile again.  "No, not with you, Starbuck.  You'll probably
swain at the first hint of pressure.  Nor do I think I'll begin with you,
Boomer.  Why don't we show them how this is done, Apollo?"
	Apollo looked down at the deck, but refused to answer Baltar's proposal.
	"We have to go through this charade every time," Baltar complained to
Starbuck and Boomer, holding something in his hand as he leaned forward.
It appeared to be a control of some kind, and as he pressed a button on it,
Apollo's body jerked slightlystar, the same plan
that you two unfortunately yet successfully used half a centar ago."
Baltar motioned to the warriors with his laser, his smile fading to an
expression of determination.  "Enough with the small talk, gentlemen.  I
want you three out in the main room.  Boomer, help Apollo.  Starbuck, come
with these centurions."
	Starbuck's eyes widened as two Cylons appeared behind Baltar, entering the
cell to take hold of him by the arms.  He glanced back at Boomer in panic,
just in time to see him go to Apollo's side under Baltar's supervision.
	"Carefully," he heard the traitor caution, then caught an exclamation of
pain from Apollo.  He wanted to go back to help, but the centurions' grip
wouldn't allow him any independent movement.
	The oval room was chilly, and the drab grey walls made Starbuck feel
slightly claustrophobic.  There was only one chair in the room, facing the
opposite direction from their cell.  As Baltar came out, he sat in it,
watching as Boomer and Apollo slowly joined Sund it difficult to form the words to his next
question as he looked into his father's dark brown eyes.  They were misty
with emotion, which made him realize that Adama was about to say something
very painful.  He could only remember seeing that expression three times in
his life, all times when family had died.
	"But... I'm not dead, Father.  I'm here, with you.  But what does this
basestar have to do with me?"  Apollo continued to stare into Adama's eyes,
trying to understand what was going on, when he remembered something that
Starbuck had said.  "Starbuck...  Father, he said that we were rescued by
the girls.  That means that..."  He stopped, seeing the emotions on Adama's
face diminish until there was only a single emotion left.  Sorrow.
"Father, was...  Father, are you all saying that I was on that basestar
ever since my patrol was destroyed?"
	"Yes."
	"Oh."  The way he said it, Adama knew that the full implication hadn't
settled in yet.  "So... I guess that's the reason why I'm hurting s, enough to catch both Boomer and Starbuck by
surprise.  "But I want answers, Apollo, and you'll give them to me now.  Or
you can continue playing your little games while I move onto Starbuck and
Boomer."
	That caught Apollo's attention.  He glared at Baltar as he spoke.  "You
don't want them, Baltar.  It's me you want, not them.  Let them go."
	"Why should I do that?" Baltar asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
	"I'm the one who is responsible for most of your defeats.  Your most hated
enemy is my father, remember?"  Apollo laughed bitterly at the mix of
emotions on Baltar's face.  "You hide your emotions as well as I do.  Look,
Baltar, I'm not in the shape I'm in after nine days because you just want
information.  You're out for revenge.  I'm actually surprised that you're
not broadcasting this back to my father."
	Baltar ignored most of Apollo's words, instead focusing on only one part
of his statement. "Sacrificing yourself for your friends?  That's very
noble of you, Apollo.  I'm rather, enough to catch both Boomer and Starbuck by
surprise.  "But I want answers, Apollo, and you'll give them to me now.  Or
you can continue playing your little games while I move onto Starbuck and
Boomer."
	That caught Apollo's attention.  He glared at Baltar as he spoke.  "You
don't want them, Baltar.  It's me you want, not them.  Let them go."
	"Why should I do that?" Baltar asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
	"I'm the one who is responsible for most of your defeats.  Your most hated
enemy is my father, remember?"  Apollo laughed bitterly at the mix of
emotions on Baltar's face.  "You hide your emotions as well as I do.  Look,
Baltar, I'm not in the shape I'm in after nine days because you just want
information.  You're out for revenge.  I'm actually surprised that you're
not broadcasting this back to my father."
	Baltar ignored most of Apollo's words, instead focusing on only one part
of his statement. "Sacrificing yourself for your friends?  That's very
noble of you, Apollo.  I'm rathertarbuck under the centurions'
supervision.  He put his arm around Apollo's waist to help Boomer support
him as he looked at Baltar.  The traitor's brown eyes had a hard glint to
them, and his expression frightened Starbuck as he started to smile again.
	"I've been waiting for this moment for more than a yahren," he began.  "To
have the three of you together so I can repay all my debts.  Now, who shall
I start with?"  He met Starbuck's gaze, holding it for a few microns until
he started to smile again.  "No, not with you, Starbuck.  You'll probably
swain at the first hint of pressure.  Nor do I think I'll begin with you,
Boomer.  Why don't we show them how this is done, Apollo?"
	Apollo looked down at the deck, but refused to answer Baltar's proposal.
	"We have to go through this charade every time," Baltar complained to
Starbuck and Boomer, holding something in his hand as he leaned forward.
It appeared to be a control of some kind, and as he pressed a button on it,
Apollo's body jerked slightlyo much.
It's not because my ship was shot down, but it's because I was a prisoner
of war."
	"I think you're right."  Adama wasn't sure what to do.  He was surprised
to see that Apollo seemed to be taking the news rather well, but the father
inside him told him that there was more to come.
	"Was it..." Apollo began, but found himself unable to ask the question.
"Did the basestar belong to..."
	"Yes, the basestar belonged to Baltar.  When we found out that you were
aboard, we could see that he had tortured you very badly, but even then,
you were giving him trouble."  Adama smiled as he took hold of Apollo's
hand, seeing the stunned expression that had come onto his face.  He tried
to be as reassuring as he could under the circumstances.  "But the basestar
is destroyed now, and you're back with us."
	"I don't remember any of this, Father," Apollo told him.  "Nothing at all.
 You'd think that something like this would be something I'd remember, but
I don't.  What if I..."
	He caught Adama by surp touched, but enough with that.  Give me
the coordinates of the Galactica."
	Apollo went back to being silent, a determined expression on his battered
face.  Starbuck felt him tense again, and he saw his right hand clench into
a fist.  As he watched his friend's agony, he saw Baltar's hand out of the
corner of his eye manipulate something on the control.  He heard Apollo
unsuccessful try to bite back a cry of pain at the same micron as Baltar
continued speaking.
	"The coordinates, Apollo," he said, his voice taunting.  Starbuck
shivered, knowing that if Baltar's voice was this annoying without any
pressure, than to Apollo, it must be maddening.  "I know your father is
headed for Earth, and though I believe he's the biggest fool in the
universe, what is the heading you're taking?  Where is Earth?"
	Nothing.  Apollo closed his eyes, and both Boomer and Starbuck could see
that he was trying not to cry.  I wonder if our presence is comforting him
at all, Starbuck wondered, holding onto Apollo tight touched, but enough with that.  Give me
the coordinates of the Galactica."
	Apollo went back to being silent, a determined expression on his battered
face.  Starbuck felt him tense again, and he saw his right hand clench into
a fist.  As he watched his friend's agony, he saw Baltar's hand out of the
corner of his eye manipulate something on the control.  He heard Apollo
unsuccessful try to bite back a cry of pain at the same micron as Baltar
continued speaking.
	"The coordinates, Apollo," he said, his voice taunting.  Starbuck
shivered, knowing that if Baltar's voice was this annoying without any
pressure, than to Apollo, it must be maddening.  "I know your father is
headed for Earth, and though I believe he's the biggest fool in the
universe, what is the heading you're taking?  Where is Earth?"
	Nothing.  Apollo closed his eyes, and both Boomer and Starbuck could see
that he was trying not to cry.  I wonder if our presence is comforting him
at all, Starbuck wondered, holding onto Apollo tightrise when he started to cry.  He reached out and
helped his son sit up again, then put his arms around him to hold him
tightly.  Very gently, Adama rocked him back and forth while smoothing his
hair, the same thing he used to when Apollo used to cry as a child.
Neither said anything for the next few centons, though Adama had a feeling
that he knew what Apollo was going to say.  "What if I said something to
them?"  And to be honest, he wasn't sure if either of them wanted to know.


Chapter Fourteen

	The corridors of the Galactica were fairly busy for that centar of the
evening.  It seemed like no one aboard the battlestar could sleep in the
aftermath of the battle, but there wasn't one person who seemed to mind.
There was a huge celebration building in the Officer's Club, with plenty of
minor ones being held simultaneously.  The Galactica was geared for
celebration, and nothing short of another Cylon attack would stop it.
	Starbuck found himself dodging the passing crew members as he made hily.  What will I do
when it's my turn?  Or Boomer?
	He glanced over at Boomer, ignoring Baltar's continuous taunts as he
looked at his friend's face.  Boomer was staring intently at Apollo, and
Starbuck could tell by watching Boomer's face that he was thinking the same
thoughts that were going through Starbuck's head.  Sensing Starbuck's
stare, Boomer glanced over and met his gaze. Both could tell that the other
was wondering how long Apollo would last.
	Strength, Apollo, he thought, wondering if his friend hadn't already said
them to himself in the past nine days.  Have strength.  Think of getting
out of here.  Think of exploring the stars the way you love, the way you
will again.  Think of Boxey, Sheba, Athena, your father, even of us.  Don't
give in!
	The only sounds in the room were the sounds of the equipment, the Cylons'
optical sensors, the deep thrumming of the basestar's engines, and Apollo's
labored breathing.  Boomer held his own breath, waiting for what would
happen next.
	Baltar , enough to catch both Boomer and Starbuck by
surprise.  "But I want answers, Apollo, and you'll give them to me now.  Or
you can continue playing your little games while I move onto Starbuck and
Boomer."
	That caught Apollo's attention.  He glared at Baltar as he spoke.  "You
don't want them, Baltar.  It's me you want, not them.  Let them go."
	"Why should I do that?" Baltar asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
	"I'm the one who is responsible for most of your defeats.  Your most hated
enemy is my father, remember?"  Apollo laughed bitterly at the mix of
emotions on Baltar's face.  "You hide your emotions as well as I do.  Look,
Baltar, I'm not in the shape I'm in after nine days because you just want
information.  You're out for revenge.  I'm actually surprised that you're
not broadcasting this back to my father."
	Baltar ignored most of Apollo's words, instead focusing on only one part
of his statement. "Sacrificing yourself for your friends?  That's very
noble of you, Apollo.  I'm ratherly.  What will I do
when it's my turn?  Or Boomer?
	He glanced over at Boomer, ignoring Baltar's continuous taunts as he
looked at his friend's face.  Boomer was staring intently at Apollo, and
Starbuck could tell by watching Boomer's face that he was thinking the same
thoughts that were going through Starbuck's head.  Sensing Starbuck's
stare, Boomer glanced over and met his gaze. Both could tell that the other
was wondering how long Apollo would last.
	Strength, Apollo, he thought, wondering if his friend hadn't already said
them to himself in the past nine days.  Have strength.  Think of getting
out of here.  Think of exploring the stars the way you love, the way you
will again.  Think of Boxey, Sheba, Athena, your father, even of us.  Don't
give in!
	The only sounds in the room were the sounds of the equipment, the Cylons'
optical sensors, the deep thrumming of the basestar's engines, and Apollo's
labored breathing.  Boomer held his own breath, waiting for what would
happen next.
	Baltar s way
though the Galactica's corridors, smiling and waving slightly to them as
they offered their congratulations on his successful mission.  He picked up
his speed during the last stretch, and finally arrived at the door of
Boxey's quarters.
	"Come in," he heard Boxey yell through the door as he knocked, and it
opened to reveal the sullen boy in the opposite doorway.  "Hi, Starbuck.
How'd the mission go?"
	"Not bad, not bad," he said, trying to sound as cheerful as he could.  "A
few surprises here and there, but nothing too bad."
	"Sounds good," Boxey commented as he took one of the chairs near the
entrance.  "I passed the test."
	"Test?"  Starbuck shook his head and winced.  No, the concussion's not
quite healed yet...  "Oh, the multiplication test you had today!  Did you
follow my advice on the nine's and eleven's?"
	"Yeah.  The seven's were the only thing that got me mixed up, but Siress
Jone didn't put too many of those on the test."  Boxey smiled.  "Thanks,
Starbuck."
	"Hey, I'm here ftapped his foot impatiently, then a sly smile appeared on his face.
 Not taking his eyes off Apollo, he stood to go next to the group of
warriors. He placed his lips next to Apollo's ear, whispering something
that neither Boomer nor Starbuck could hear.  Although he was still wracked
by pain, Apollo opened his eyes and widened them in surprise as he met
Baltar's gaze, then he quickly nodded as Baltar returned to his seat.
	"Do you agree?" Baltar asked.
	"Do you promise?" Apollo returned, avoiding his friends' eyes.  His voice
held a hopeful note that sounded painful to Starbuck's ears.  He had an
idea what was going on, but he didn't know how to stop it.
	"You have my word."  It was spoken in a confident voice, the voice of the
man who had promised that the war between the humans and the Cylons would
end after nearly a millennium.  The voice that calmly insisted that the
huge armada of Cylon Raiders was only a welcoming committee, and that the
leaders of the Colonies had nothing to worry about.
 touched, but enough with that.  Give me
the coordinates of the Galactica."
	Apollo went back to being silent, a determined expression on his battered
face.  Starbuck felt him tense again, and he saw his right hand clench into
a fist.  As he watched his friend's agony, he saw Baltar's hand out of the
corner of his eye manipulate something on the control.  He heard Apollo
unsuccessful try to bite back a cry of pain at the same micron as Baltar
continued speaking.
	"The coordinates, Apollo," he said, his voice taunting.  Starbuck
shivered, knowing that if Baltar's voice was this annoying without any
pressure, than to Apollo, it must be maddening.  "I know your father is
headed for Earth, and though I believe he's the biggest fool in the
universe, what is the heading you're taking?  Where is Earth?"
	Nothing.  Apollo closed his eyes, and both Boomer and Starbuck could see
that he was trying not to cry.  I wonder if our presence is comforting him
at all, Starbuck wondered, holding onto Apollo tighttapped his foot impatiently, then a sly smile appeared on his face.
 Not taking his eyes off Apollo, he stood to go next to the group of
warriors. He placed his lips next to Apollo's ear, whispering something
that neither Boomer nor Starbuck could hear.  Although he was still wracked
by pain, Apollo opened his eyes and widened them in surprise as he met
Baltar's gaze, then he quickly nodded as Baltar returned to his seat.
	"Do you agree?" Baltar asked.
	"Do you promise?" Apollo returned, avoiding his friends' eyes.  His voice
held a hopeful note that sounded painful to Starbuck's ears.  He had an
idea what was going on, but he didn't know how to stop it.
	"You have my word."  It was spoken in a confident voice, the voice of the
man who had promised that the war between the humans and the Cylons would
end after nearly a millennium.  The voice that calmly insisted that the
huge armada of Cylon Raiders was only a welcoming committee, and that the
leaders of the Colonies had nothing to worry about.
or you, kid."  Starbuck studied the boy's face for a
micron as he sat next to him, all the while wondering how he should break
the news about Apollo to him.  He decided to do it as lightly as he could.
"Boxey, I need to talk to you about something."
	"Can it wait?  I just found out that I have to move out of here.  Another
family's supposed to be moving in here in the next few days."  Boxey
sighed, oblivious to Starbuck's intensive behavior as he stood to get ready
to start packing.  "Or maybe you can talk while you help me?  I'm going to
be moving to Grandfather's quarters for the time being."
	"You're not moving out of here, Boxey," Starbuck told him.
	"What?" Boxey stopped at his words.  Starbuck's tone was serious, and he
sounded like he was sure of himself.  The last time someone had used a
similar tone was when Sheba told him about Apollo's patrol nine days
earlier.  It made him nervous that Starbuck was using it now.
	"You're staying."
	Boxey's reaction reminded Starbuck so much of Apoll
	"All right, then," Apollo said, taking a deep breath, "but first, turn the
belt off.  Please."
	Baltar nodded, and Apollo relaxed as the traitor shut down the power to
the belt.
	"Go ahead, Apollo.  The coordinates to the fleet are...?"
	"We're headed toward quadrant alpha on vector epsilon-twenty-two."
Apollo's voice was so soft that all of them had to strain to hear him.
"Those are the coordinates we're taking, and it's the only sure way...."
	Starbuck felt like someone had kicked him in the gut as Apollo's words
echoed in his mind.  Apollo hadn't given the precise coordinates,
neglecting the reckoning course as well as the description of Earth's star
system itself, but in the long run, it wouldn't matter.  The Cylons would
focus their basestars in that direction, fanning them out to scour the
solar systems until they came across Earth and the fleet.
	"Apollo!" Boomer gasped, staring at him in shock.  He glanced at Starbuck
expectantly, wanting him to say something to Apollo, but Starbuck cly.  What will I do
when it's my turn?  Or Boomer?
	He glanced over at Boomer, ignoring Baltar's continuous taunts as he
looked at his friend's face.  Boomer was staring intently at Apollo, and
Starbuck could tell by watching Boomer's face that he was thinking the same
thoughts that were going through Starbuck's head.  Sensing Starbuck's
stare, Boomer glanced over and met his gaze. Both could tell that the other
was wondering how long Apollo would last.
	Strength, Apollo, he thought, wondering if his friend hadn't already said
them to himself in the past nine days.  Have strength.  Think of getting
out of here.  Think of exploring the stars the way you love, the way you
will again.  Think of Boxey, Sheba, Athena, your father, even of us.  Don't
give in!
	The only sounds in the room were the sounds of the equipment, the Cylons'
optical sensors, the deep thrumming of the basestar's engines, and Apollo's
labored breathing.  Boomer held his own breath, waiting for what would
happen next.
	Baltar 
	"All right, then," Apollo said, taking a deep breath, "but first, turn the
belt off.  Please."
	Baltar nodded, and Apollo relaxed as the traitor shut down the power to
the belt.
	"Go ahead, Apollo.  The coordinates to the fleet are...?"
	"We're headed toward quadrant alpha on vector epsilon-twenty-two."
Apollo's voice was so soft that all of them had to strain to hear him.
"Those are the coordinates we're taking, and it's the only sure way...."
	Starbuck felt like someone had kicked him in the gut as Apollo's words
echoed in his mind.  Apollo hadn't given the precise coordinates,
neglecting the reckoning course as well as the description of Earth's star
system itself, but in the long run, it wouldn't matter.  The Cylons would
focus their basestars in that direction, fanning them out to scour the
solar systems until they came across Earth and the fleet.
	"Apollo!" Boomer gasped, staring at him in shock.  He glanced at Starbuck
expectantly, wanting him to say something to Apollo, but Starbuck co that he nearly
laughed.  "Would you mind explaining what you mean by that?"
	"I'll get to it eventually.  Now, you know that Triad lesson I promised
you?"  Starbuck tried using a lighter tone, but he could still see the
concern in Boxey's eyes as he spoke.  "Well, I think there's someone aboard
the Galactica now who you'd much rather have as a teacher."
	"Like who?"
	Starbuck couldn't help grinning.  "Your father."
	He stared at Starbuck for a few microns as the words sank in, but their
meaning was incomprehensible to him.  Apollo was dead.  It was the only
reason why he hadn't returned from the patrol, and Boxey knew that if it
had been within Apollo's power to return, he would have days before.
Apollo was resourceful, he'd seen it first-hand.  But why was Starbuck
telling him this?
	"My dad?" he repeated.  "Starbuck, that's not funny.  Dad's dead.  He's
been dead for nine days."
	"Not exactly," Starbuck corrected him, wondering what he should say next.
"Apollo wasn't killed, he was... welouldn't
bring himself to say anything.
	"Thank you, Apollo." Baltar was grinning as Apollo bowed his head in
shame.  "You've just made my life a lot easier."
	"You're not welcome," Starbuck muttered when Apollo didn't respond.  "From
all of us."
	He wasn't sure if the traitor heard his comment as Baltar pointed at
Boomer.  "Lieutenant, hold onto Apollo.  I want to speak to Starbuck
individually."
	Boomer waited until Starbuck removed his arm from Apollo's waist before he
moved him to the side of the room.  The entrance to their cell was blocked
by the centurions, so Boomer planned to lean Apollo next to the wall behind
Baltar.  They had barely taken a few steps when they heard Starbuck cry out
in pain.  Apollo snapped out of his depression as Baltar spoke.
	"Now, Lieutenant, I want you tell me about the Galactica's defenses.
Apollo was never able to give me a full description."  The traitor's voice
wasn't as taunting as it was before, but Starbuck still wanted to make him
shut up despite his tapped his foot impatiently, then a sly smile appeared on his face.
 Not taking his eyes off Apollo, he stood to go next to the group of
warriors. He placed his lips next to Apollo's ear, whispering something
that neither Boomer nor Starbuck could hear.  Although he was still wracked
by pain, Apollo opened his eyes and widened them in surprise as he met
Baltar's gaze, then he quickly nodded as Baltar returned to his seat.
	"Do you agree?" Baltar asked.
	"Do you promise?" Apollo returned, avoiding his friends' eyes.  His voice
held a hopeful note that sounded painful to Starbuck's ears.  He had an
idea what was going on, but he didn't know how to stop it.
	"You have my word."  It was spoken in a confident voice, the voice of the
man who had promised that the war between the humans and the Cylons would
end after nearly a millennium.  The voice that calmly insisted that the
huge armada of Cylon Raiders was only a welcoming committee, and that the
leaders of the Colonies had nothing to worry about.
ouldn't
bring himself to say anything.
	"Thank you, Apollo." Baltar was grinning as Apollo bowed his head in
shame.  "You've just made my life a lot easier."
	"You're not welcome," Starbuck muttered when Apollo didn't respond.  "From
all of us."
	He wasn't sure if the traitor heard his comment as Baltar pointed at
Boomer.  "Lieutenant, hold onto Apollo.  I want to speak to Starbuck
individually."
	Boomer waited until Starbuck removed his arm from Apollo's waist before he
moved him to the side of the room.  The entrance to their cell was blocked
by the centurions, so Boomer planned to lean Apollo next to the wall behind
Baltar.  They had barely taken a few steps when they heard Starbuck cry out
in pain.  Apollo snapped out of his depression as Baltar spoke.
	"Now, Lieutenant, I want you tell me about the Galactica's defenses.
Apollo was never able to give me a full description."  The traitor's voice
wasn't as taunting as it was before, but Starbuck still wanted to make him
shut up despite his l, captured."
	"By the Cylons?"  The boy gasped as Starbuck nodded.  "Is he okay?"
	"Boxey, I want you to listen to me as carefully as you can."  Starbuck
paused, offering up a silent prayer as he prepared to continue.  "Yes, the
Cylons captured your dad, and they've hurt him pretty badly to get
information out of him.  But we've got him back now, and he's going to be
just fine.  It's just going to take some time for him to get back to be his
old self."
	"Can I go see him?"  Boxey wanted to jump and run over to wherever Apollo
was, just to make sure that he wasn't in the middle of a dream that would
leave him with an empty feeling when he woke.
	"Not yet.  Doctor Salik and Cass want to make sure that your dad's
injuries are completely fixed.  Besides, I don't think your dad would want
you up after your bedtime.  Why don't you go in the morning?  I'm sure that
seeing you will be the best thing Apollo's ever seen."  Starbuck smiled,
but it faded as he spotted the tears in Boxey's eyes.  "Hey, donsudden pain.  Instead, he followed Apollo's earlier
example by gritting his teeth against the pain and willing himself to
ignore it, even though he really wanted to scream.
	"Baltar, stop it!" Apollo shouted.  "You promised!"
	Baltar looked at him as though he had missed the obvious.  "Apollo, I
promised that I wouldn't interrogate them about the Galactica's
coordinates.  I never said anything about interrogating them about
something else."
	Before Boomer could react, Apollo threw himself at Baltar.  The momentum
of his body pushed Baltar out of his chair, and they fell to the deck.
Using his right hand, Apollo tried to choke him as Baltar attempted to get
out of his grip.
	"Get him off me, you fools!" Baltar gasped, though Boomer wasn't sure if
he meant the centurions or the warriors.
	His pain stopped, Starbuck watched in amazement as the centurions remained
in the same position.  Baltar glanced at them, his expression almost one of
pleading, before he was forced to return his attention to A
	"All right, then," Apollo said, taking a deep breath, "but first, turn the
belt off.  Please."
	Baltar nodded, and Apollo relaxed as the traitor shut down the power to
the belt.
	"Go ahead, Apollo.  The coordinates to the fleet are...?"
	"We're headed toward quadrant alpha on vector epsilon-twenty-two."
Apollo's voice was so soft that all of them had to strain to hear him.
"Those are the coordinates we're taking, and it's the only sure way...."
	Starbuck felt like someone had kicked him in the gut as Apollo's words
echoed in his mind.  Apollo hadn't given the precise coordinates,
neglecting the reckoning course as well as the description of Earth's star
system itself, but in the long run, it wouldn't matter.  The Cylons would
focus their basestars in that direction, fanning them out to scour the
solar systems until they came across Earth and the fleet.
	"Apollo!" Boomer gasped, staring at him in shock.  He glanced at Starbuck
expectantly, wanting him to say something to Apollo, but Starbuck csudden pain.  Instead, he followed Apollo's earlier
example by gritting his teeth against the pain and willing himself to
ignore it, even though he really wanted to scream.
	"Baltar, stop it!" Apollo shouted.  "You promised!"
	Baltar looked at him as though he had missed the obvious.  "Apollo, I
promised that I wouldn't interrogate them about the Galactica's
coordinates.  I never said anything about interrogating them about
something else."
	Before Boomer could react, Apollo threw himself at Baltar.  The momentum
of his body pushed Baltar out of his chair, and they fell to the deck.
Using his right hand, Apollo tried to choke him as Baltar attempted to get
out of his grip.
	"Get him off me, you fools!" Baltar gasped, though Boomer wasn't sure if
he meant the centurions or the warriors.
	His pain stopped, Starbuck watched in amazement as the centurions remained
in the same position.  Baltar glanced at them, his expression almost one of
pleading, before he was forced to return his attention to A't cry!
I'll stay with you for a while, okay?"
	"Okay."  Boxey wiped the tears away as he smiled tentatively.  "I guess
that's why you said that I'm not moving out of here, right?"
	"Yup."
	"Well, that's one less thing I have to worry about."  Boxey's smile grew a
little stronger.  "Can we play a bit of Pyramid?"
	"Sure."  Starbuck reached into his jacket, looking for his cards, but he
frowned as his hand came up empty.  "What the...?  Uh, Boxey, do you have
any cards?"
	"I'll get them."  Boxey jumped up to leave the room as Starbuck went over
to Apollo's desk.  Placing his hands on the top of the desk, he realized
that in a matter of time, the surface would be cluttered with reports and
other official documents as Apollo would go about the routines again as
though nothing had happened.  Starbuck grinned at the thought.  Then I'll
have to drag him by the arm just to get out of this room, and he'll be
complaining, and I'll just ignore him.  Yep, just the way things should be.
	He laughed as hepollo.
	"Apollo, get off him!"  Boomer came behind Apollo, trying to grab him, but
Baltar's arm smacked him in the stomach, forcing him to fall back.
"Starbuck, don't just stand there.  Do something!"
	Rubbing his side, Starbuck circled the struggling men, looking for an
opening.  He had been involved in physical fights before with Apollo,
mostly during Triad games, and he knew that Apollo's tendency was usually
to get it over with quickly and efficiently.  This time, he knew that
Apollo's anger was getting the better part of him, and that was giving him
a dangerous edge despite his physical weakness.  The question was if
Starbuck wanted to help.  Apollo would probably be doing the fleet an
enormous favor by killing Baltar here and now.
	Growing impatient with his centurions' inaction, Baltar curled into a
ball.  Using all his strength, he kicked Apollo and forced him to fall back
into Starbuck's arms.  Gasping, he felt his throat for damage as he glared
at Apollo with hatred.
	"You shouldn't ouldn't
bring himself to say anything.
	"Thank you, Apollo." Baltar was grinning as Apollo bowed his head in
shame.  "You've just made my life a lot easier."
	"You're not welcome," Starbuck muttered when Apollo didn't respond.  "From
all of us."
	He wasn't sure if the traitor heard his comment as Baltar pointed at
Boomer.  "Lieutenant, hold onto Apollo.  I want to speak to Starbuck
individually."
	Boomer waited until Starbuck removed his arm from Apollo's waist before he
moved him to the side of the room.  The entrance to their cell was blocked
by the centurions, so Boomer planned to lean Apollo next to the wall behind
Baltar.  They had barely taken a few steps when they heard Starbuck cry out
in pain.  Apollo snapped out of his depression as Baltar spoke.
	"Now, Lieutenant, I want you tell me about the Galactica's defenses.
Apollo was never able to give me a full description."  The traitor's voice
wasn't as taunting as it was before, but Starbuck still wanted to make him
shut up despite his pollo.
	"Apollo, get off him!"  Boomer came behind Apollo, trying to grab him, but
Baltar's arm smacked him in the stomach, forcing him to fall back.
"Starbuck, don't just stand there.  Do something!"
	Rubbing his side, Starbuck circled the struggling men, looking for an
opening.  He had been involved in physical fights before with Apollo,
mostly during Triad games, and he knew that Apollo's tendency was usually
to get it over with quickly and efficiently.  This time, he knew that
Apollo's anger was getting the better part of him, and that was giving him
a dangerous edge despite his physical weakness.  The question was if
Starbuck wanted to help.  Apollo would probably be doing the fleet an
enormous favor by killing Baltar here and now.
	Growing impatient with his centurions' inaction, Baltar curled into a
ball.  Using all his strength, he kicked Apollo and forced him to fall back
into Starbuck's arms.  Gasping, he felt his throat for damage as he glared
at Apollo with hatred.
	"You shouldn't  waited for Boxey to return.

	It was the rowdiest victory celebration that the Galactica had seen in a
long time.  Pilots were singing, dancing and talking very loudly in large
groups, and there was a bit of an air of abandon as Boomer walked into the
Officer's Club with Athena at his side.  The music was rather loud,
provided by several pilots on instruments that most of them had built
themselves.  Jolly was leading the makeshift band with his p'iob, an
ancient wind instrument dating back to Kobol, while most of the junior
pilots in the group were banging away on their improvised percussions.
	Boomer heard Athena start to laugh as Corporal Lomas got in front of the
orchestra, and, with a tankard of baharri in his left hand, started singing
a bawdy drinking song about the questionable escapades of three young male
pilots on the eve of being shipped out to fight the war.  It was a very old
one, dating from the first century of the Human-Cylon War, but it still
held a lot of significance to everhave done that, Apollo," he spat, his voice hoarse.
"You're going to wish that you hadn't.  I'm going back up to the control
center to fight the Galactica, but when I return, I'll kill both Starbuck
and Boomer in front of you!  This time, you won't be able to interfere, and
Apollo, I promise you that you're really going to want to.  Once they're
dead, I'm going to give you so much pain, Apollo, you'll think that those
previous tortures were only tender caresses."
	Glaring at each of the warriors in turn, Baltar turned on his heel and
exited.  The centurions moved forward, shepherding the humans into their
cell.  Enclosed in the near dark again, Starbuck sat Apollo down on one of
the cots as he heard Boomer moving around the cell, searching for the
equipment that Baltar had used to spy on them.  Apollo was visibly shaking,
so Starbuck put his arm around his friend's shoulders.
	"Hey," he said gently, "are you okay?"
	"No."  Apollo shook his head, then gasped slightly.  "Oh, lord, I'm so
sorry."
sudden pain.  Instead, he followed Apollo's earlier
example by gritting his teeth against the pain and willing himself to
ignore it, even though he really wanted to scream.
	"Baltar, stop it!" Apollo shouted.  "You promised!"
	Baltar looked at him as though he had missed the obvious.  "Apollo, I
promised that I wouldn't interrogate them about the Galactica's
coordinates.  I never said anything about interrogating them about
something else."
	Before Boomer could react, Apollo threw himself at Baltar.  The momentum
of his body pushed Baltar out of his chair, and they fell to the deck.
Using his right hand, Apollo tried to choke him as Baltar attempted to get
out of his grip.
	"Get him off me, you fools!" Baltar gasped, though Boomer wasn't sure if
he meant the centurions or the warriors.
	His pain stopped, Starbuck watched in amazement as the centurions remained
in the same position.  Baltar glanced at them, his expression almost one of
pleading, before he was forced to return his attention to Ahave done that, Apollo," he spat, his voice hoarse.
"You're going to wish that you hadn't.  I'm going back up to the control
center to fight the Galactica, but when I return, I'll kill both Starbuck
and Boomer in front of you!  This time, you won't be able to interfere, and
Apollo, I promise you that you're really going to want to.  Once they're
dead, I'm going to give you so much pain, Apollo, you'll think that those
previous tortures were only tender caresses."
	Glaring at each of the warriors in turn, Baltar turned on his heel and
exited.  The centurions moved forward, shepherding the humans into their
cell.  Enclosed in the near dark again, Starbuck sat Apollo down on one of
the cots as he heard Boomer moving around the cell, searching for the
equipment that Baltar had used to spy on them.  Apollo was visibly shaking,
so Starbuck put his arm around his friend's shoulders.
	"Hey," he said gently, "are you okay?"
	"No."  Apollo shook his head, then gasped slightly.  "Oh, lord, I'm so
sorry."
	"For what?"  He could see that Apollo was beginning to cry, but he didn't
know what to do about it.  "Apollo, you did what you felt you had to do.
If--"
	"Why didn't you just leave me?" he cried.  "I would have died alone,
without telling Baltar the coordinates, knowing that all of you would be
safe for now.  Look at what's going to happen now!  You're both going to
die, and the fleet's going to be destroyed.  Why?  Because you both had to
save me!"
	"Uh, Apollo," Boomer began, moving slowly across the cell, "if it's worth
anything to tell you this, I was going to leave you behind."
	"Boomer!" Starbuck exclaimed, horrified to hear his friend's confession.
"You didn't, did you?"
	"It's all true."  He gave a cry of triumph, tugging on something on the
wall as Starbuck heard a short snap.  "Got it!"
	"That's great, but you were just going to leave him?  On this basestar?
Where's your heart, Boomer?"
	"At the time, I had more pressing things on my mind," he replied, going to
sit on the oppositey pilot nine centuries later.  Most of
the older pilots started joining in at the chorus, and before long, the
entire room was singing with Lomas.
	"I've never heard that one before," Athena remarked as they threaded their
way to the bar.  As they went, Boomer realized that most of the pilots in
the six squadrons were there, many of them faces that he had only seen once
of twice.  "What are you going to have?"
	"Considering that this is a very special day, I think that baharri and
grog is a little out of the question," Boomer speculated as he looked
around the room.  He spotted Greenbean's blonde head towering over the
others, then turned back to Athena.  "I'll get us something, so why don't
you head over to where Greenbean is?  All the others are probably there,
too.  I'll meet you there in a centon."
	Looking slightly disappointed, Athena headed off towards Greenbean.
Boomer stayed where he was for a moment, wondering if he had said the right
thing, but decided that he would have to think abopollo.
	"Apollo, get off him!"  Boomer came behind Apollo, trying to grab him, but
Baltar's arm smacked him in the stomach, forcing him to fall back.
"Starbuck, don't just stand there.  Do something!"
	Rubbing his side, Starbuck circled the struggling men, looking for an
opening.  He had been involved in physical fights before with Apollo,
mostly during Triad games, and he knew that Apollo's tendency was usually
to get it over with quickly and efficiently.  This time, he knew that
Apollo's anger was getting the better part of him, and that was giving him
a dangerous edge despite his physical weakness.  The question was if
Starbuck wanted to help.  Apollo would probably be doing the fleet an
enormous favor by killing Baltar here and now.
	Growing impatient with his centurions' inaction, Baltar curled into a
ball.  Using all his strength, he kicked Apollo and forced him to fall back
into Starbuck's arms.  Gasping, he felt his throat for damage as he glared
at Apollo with hatred.
	"You shouldn't 
	"For what?"  He could see that Apollo was beginning to cry, but he didn't
know what to do about it.  "Apollo, you did what you felt you had to do.
If--"
	"Why didn't you just leave me?" he cried.  "I would have died alone,
without telling Baltar the coordinates, knowing that all of you would be
safe for now.  Look at what's going to happen now!  You're both going to
die, and the fleet's going to be destroyed.  Why?  Because you both had to
save me!"
	"Uh, Apollo," Boomer began, moving slowly across the cell, "if it's worth
anything to tell you this, I was going to leave you behind."
	"Boomer!" Starbuck exclaimed, horrified to hear his friend's confession.
"You didn't, did you?"
	"It's all true."  He gave a cry of triumph, tugging on something on the
wall as Starbuck heard a short snap.  "Got it!"
	"That's great, but you were just going to leave him?  On this basestar?
Where's your heart, Boomer?"
	"At the time, I had more pressing things on my mind," he replied, going to
sit on the opposite cot.  "You'd just knocked yourself out, and the
basestar was starting to retreat.  We had to launch as soon as possible,
and that meant --"
	"But there was still time for you to get Apollo!"
	"No, there wasn't.  I --"
	"Both of you stop it!"  Apollo was still crying, but his voice was firm.
To Starbuck, he was sounding more like his old self, but any relief he felt
faded when he heard Apollo choke back a sob.  "This isn't helping the
situation at all.  We're all going to die if you two don't stop arguing!
If at least one of you gets out of here, my father might be warned that
I've...  He might know that I..."
	He looked down, unable to continue.  Crossing his arms tightly across his
chest, he seemed to withdraw into himself.  Starbuck became alarmed and
shook him as hard as he could.
	"Apollo!  Listen to me, will you?  Don't fade out.  We need you, okay?"
He shook him again.  "Please, Apollo, stay with us."
	"I'm tired," Apollo whispered, closing his eyes.  "I'm just too tired.
You two figurut it later as he looked
at the barkeep.
	"One bottle of ambrosa, please."
	The barkeep smiled as he handed Boomer a cool bottle and two mugs.
Surprised, Boomer thanked him before turning to follow Athena.  He found
that he had to elbow his way through the crowd, muttering his apologies.
Someone pushed back, and he found himself almost falling into someone
else's arms.
	"Hey, watch it!" a voice exclaimed, then laughed.  "Oh, it's you, Boomer!
I wasn't sure if you were coming!"
	It was Giles.  The stocky pilot had been flirting, apparently
unsuccessfully, with a few female pilots from Reserve Squadron.  His round
face was slightly flushed, and Boomer guessed that he was on his second or
third baharri.
	"How long have you been here?" he asked.
	"Since the beginning, but Boomer, I'm telling you, it's only getting
started!"  Giles motioned to the warriors that were gathered around him
with his mug.  "I was talking to Jolly before this set started, and he's
positive that practically everyone fromhave done that, Apollo," he spat, his voice hoarse.
"You're going to wish that you hadn't.  I'm going back up to the control
center to fight the Galactica, but when I return, I'll kill both Starbuck
and Boomer in front of you!  This time, you won't be able to interfere, and
Apollo, I promise you that you're really going to want to.  Once they're
dead, I'm going to give you so much pain, Apollo, you'll think that those
previous tortures were only tender caresses."
	Glaring at each of the warriors in turn, Baltar turned on his heel and
exited.  The centurions moved forward, shepherding the humans into their
cell.  Enclosed in the near dark again, Starbuck sat Apollo down on one of
the cots as he heard Boomer moving around the cell, searching for the
equipment that Baltar had used to spy on them.  Apollo was visibly shaking,
so Starbuck put his arm around his friend's shoulders.
	"Hey," he said gently, "are you okay?"
	"No."  Apollo shook his head, then gasped slightly.  "Oh, lord, I'm so
sorry."
 cot.  "You'd just knocked yourself out, and the
basestar was starting to retreat.  We had to launch as soon as possible,
and that meant --"
	"But there was still time for you to get Apollo!"
	"No, there wasn't.  I --"
	"Both of you stop it!"  Apollo was still crying, but his voice was firm.
To Starbuck, he was sounding more like his old self, but any relief he felt
faded when he heard Apollo choke back a sob.  "This isn't helping the
situation at all.  We're all going to die if you two don't stop arguing!
If at least one of you gets out of here, my father might be warned that
I've...  He might know that I..."
	He looked down, unable to continue.  Crossing his arms tightly across his
chest, he seemed to withdraw into himself.  Starbuck became alarmed and
shook him as hard as he could.
	"Apollo!  Listen to me, will you?  Don't fade out.  We need you, okay?"
He shook him again.  "Please, Apollo, stay with us."
	"I'm tired," Apollo whispered, closing his eyes.  "I'm just too tired.
You two figure it out."
	Without another word, Apollo shrugged off Starbuck's grip and lay down
with his back to his friends.  Starbuck watched his breathing slow as he
quickly fell asleep.  He looked up to see Boomer watching them.
	"What are you looking at?" he demanded, still feeling hostile.
	"We'll find a way out of here, Starbuck, and all three of us will get out
this time."  Boomer's voice held an optimistic note that he didn't quite
honestly feel.  He had no idea how they would accomplish it, but he knew he
had to try.  "I promise."

Chapter Ten

	Two yahrens earlier, during the victory celebration after the mission, all
of the pilots gathered around Starbuck and Apollo's table, listening to
their story about their adventures aboard the basestar.  Actually, it was
Starbuck's tale.  Apollo added a few details and corrections to the story,
but Sheba remembered them more as corrections to the narrative as Starbuck
started to get more and more creative.  He was in his element, acting as
though he wer the squads is here!"
	"I'm not surprised."
	"And everyone's been making toasts since it started," the lieutenant
continued.  "Bojay just made a speech a few centons ago in memory of the
warriors that died during the battle.  We lost two of our squadrons leaders
this time, so what does that make it?  Three squadron leaders lost in the
last while?"
	"Not quite."
	"Well, whatever."  Giles grinned as he slung his arm around Boomer's
shoulders.  "Come on, buddy, let me buy you a drink."
	"Sorry, Giles.  Already got my poison for the night."  He held up the
ambrosa for Giles to see.
	"Ambrosa?  On a night like this?  That's not poison.  Get over there, and
I'll buy you the best baharri this side of Cylon."
	"We've got the only baharri this side of Cylon, you nut."  Boomer
disentangled himself from Giles grip.  "Besides, this is good enough for me
tonight."
	"Oh!" Giles exclaimed, grinning slyly.  "I get it!  Have fun, you old
romantic."
	Boomer was about to tell him that he wasn't quite right wi
	"For what?"  He could see that Apollo was beginning to cry, but he didn't
know what to do about it.  "Apollo, you did what you felt you had to do.
If--"
	"Why didn't you just leave me?" he cried.  "I would have died alone,
without telling Baltar the coordinates, knowing that all of you would be
safe for now.  Look at what's going to happen now!  You're both going to
die, and the fleet's going to be destroyed.  Why?  Because you both had to
save me!"
	"Uh, Apollo," Boomer began, moving slowly across the cell, "if it's worth
anything to tell you this, I was going to leave you behind."
	"Boomer!" Starbuck exclaimed, horrified to hear his friend's confession.
"You didn't, did you?"
	"It's all true."  He gave a cry of triumph, tugging on something on the
wall as Starbuck heard a short snap.  "Got it!"
	"That's great, but you were just going to leave him?  On this basestar?
Where's your heart, Boomer?"
	"At the time, I had more pressing things on my mind," he replied, going to
sit on the oppositee it out."
	Without another word, Apollo shrugged off Starbuck's grip and lay down
with his back to his friends.  Starbuck watched his breathing slow as he
quickly fell asleep.  He looked up to see Boomer watching them.
	"What are you looking at?" he demanded, still feeling hostile.
	"We'll find a way out of here, Starbuck, and all three of us will get out
this time."  Boomer's voice held an optimistic note that he didn't quite
honestly feel.  He had no idea how they would accomplish it, but he knew he
had to try.  "I promise."

Chapter Ten

	Two yahrens earlier, during the victory celebration after the mission, all
of the pilots gathered around Starbuck and Apollo's table, listening to
their story about their adventures aboard the basestar.  Actually, it was
Starbuck's tale.  Apollo added a few details and corrections to the story,
but Sheba remembered them more as corrections to the narrative as Starbuck
started to get more and more creative.  He was in his element, acting as
though he were telling a story to Boxey's classmates by using large
gestures to accentuate the action of the story.  The part that Sheba
remembered the most was the description of their entry into the bays.
	"It was huge, just rows and rows of Raiders as far as the eye could see.
The bay itself is higher than the Galactica's, and it was deathly quiet
except for the squadron leaving their ships."
	Sheba knew from watching Apollo's reaction that at least that part was
right, and Starbuck's words now came back to her as she landed her Viper on
the deck of the Cylon landing bay.  Before she opened her canopy, she
looked up and around, taking in the huge bay.  It was empty now except for
a few Raiders, but it was still impressive.  And once they passed through
the bay to reach the cells that were somewhere else on the basestar, they
would find Apollo.
	"Sheba?" Athena's voice was anxious over the comline, and brought her out
of her thoughts.  Sheba glanced over to see her friend's fighter a few
dozen metrons awath his guess,
but Giles left before he could say anything.  A little flustered, he
successfully navigated his way to the others.  He found Athena sharing a
table with Greenbean, Bojay, Dietra and Brie.
	"Well, look who showed up," Brie greeted when he arrived.  Her face was
pink with enthusiasm, and Boomer knew that she also had been drinking a
lot.  "It's one of the heroes of the centar!"
	"You're looking at the wrong person, Brie," he replied, motioning with the
mugs before placing them on the table.  "The heroes are Athena and Sheba."
	"Sheba's not here," she replied, grinning.  "Athena is, and so are you.
You're replacing Sheba."
	Not quite following her drunken logic, he smiled slightly as he took the
empty seat next to Athena.  He found himself sitting directly across from
Dietra who, for some reason, seemed to be watching him carefully.  He
looked away, and found Athena doing the same.
	Oh, my, he thought uncomfortably.  Why does this situation seem rather
familiar?
	"You missed all th cot.  "You'd just knocked yourself out, and the
basestar was starting to retreat.  We had to launch as soon as possible,
and that meant --"
	"But there was still time for you to get Apollo!"
	"No, there wasn't.  I --"
	"Both of you stop it!"  Apollo was still crying, but his voice was firm.
To Starbuck, he was sounding more like his old self, but any relief he felt
faded when he heard Apollo choke back a sob.  "This isn't helping the
situation at all.  We're all going to die if you two don't stop arguing!
If at least one of you gets out of here, my father might be warned that
I've...  He might know that I..."
	He looked down, unable to continue.  Crossing his arms tightly across his
chest, he seemed to withdraw into himself.  Starbuck became alarmed and
shook him as hard as he could.
	"Apollo!  Listen to me, will you?  Don't fade out.  We need you, okay?"
He shook him again.  "Please, Apollo, stay with us."
	"I'm tired," Apollo whispered, closing his eyes.  "I'm just too tired.
You two figure telling a story to Boxey's classmates by using large
gestures to accentuate the action of the story.  The part that Sheba
remembered the most was the description of their entry into the bays.
	"It was huge, just rows and rows of Raiders as far as the eye could see.
The bay itself is higher than the Galactica's, and it was deathly quiet
except for the squadron leaving their ships."
	Sheba knew from watching Apollo's reaction that at least that part was
right, and Starbuck's words now came back to her as she landed her Viper on
the deck of the Cylon landing bay.  Before she opened her canopy, she
looked up and around, taking in the huge bay.  It was empty now except for
a few Raiders, but it was still impressive.  And once they passed through
the bay to reach the cells that were somewhere else on the basestar, they
would find Apollo.
	"Sheba?" Athena's voice was anxious over the comline, and brought her out
of her thoughts.  Sheba glanced over to see her friend's fighter a few
dozen metrons away from hers.  "Are you ready?"
	"I think so.  I'm surprised they didn't notice us."
	"Their scanners are down," Athena told her.  "Didn't I tell you that?
There's nothing for them to scan us with."
	"Thanks for telling me earlier," she complained, then grinned.  "Even if
they did, with all the felgercarb hitting the fan, they probably wouldn't
have noticed us even then.  Come on, let's go."
	She opened her canopy and slid to the deck before it completely opened.
Athena met her a few microns later, her laser already out in the same
left-handed grip that Apollo used.  Seeing that made her long for him, and
she felt her determination build -- they were not going to leave this
basestar without Apollo.
	"Now what?" she whispered.
	"We always have to be on alert for Cylons.  We don't know how many are
still aboard."  Sheba glanced down at her belt, remembering that she
neglected to bring most of her essential equipment.  "Oh, felger, I forgot
to bring my scanner.  Please say you have yours, 'Thena."e it out."
	Without another word, Apollo shrugged off Starbuck's grip and lay down
with his back to his friends.  Starbuck watched his breathing slow as he
quickly fell asleep.  He looked up to see Boomer watching them.
	"What are you looking at?" he demanded, still feeling hostile.
	"We'll find a way out of here, Starbuck, and all three of us will get out
this time."  Boomer's voice held an optimistic note that he didn't quite
honestly feel.  He had no idea how they would accomplish it, but he knew he
had to try.  "I promise."

Chapter Ten

	Two yahrens earlier, during the victory celebration after the mission, all
of the pilots gathered around Starbuck and Apollo's table, listening to
their story about their adventures aboard the basestar.  Actually, it was
Starbuck's tale.  Apollo added a few details and corrections to the story,
but Sheba remembered them more as corrections to the narrative as Starbuck
started to get more and more creative.  He was in his element, acting as
though he were fun a few centons ago," Greenbean said.  His face was
also slightly pink, but Boomer wasn't sure if the shy lieutenant was drunk
or simply excited.  His complexion was so pale that it could be either.
"Bojay gave a very stirring salute to the warriors we lost."
	"So I heard."
	"And a very lovely speech it was," Brie said, raising her mug to salute
the captain, who sat back and smiled.
	"How long did it take you to finish cleaning up the Cylons?" Athena asked.
 Boomer noticed that she and Dietra weren't looking at each, and he felt
his stomach sink slightly.  The two were good friends, and he didn't want
to be the element that would promote the breakup of that friendship.
	"Another five centons or so," he replied, his smile turning slightly smug.
 "We really had them running ragged for a little while, but they were
giving us a good fight, for whatever it was worth.  We got them all, though."
	"That's good."
	There was a short silence at the table, especially between Dietra and
Athena, so Boomy from hers.  "Are you ready?"
	"I think so.  I'm surprised they didn't notice us."
	"Their scanners are down," Athena told her.  "Didn't I tell you that?
There's nothing for them to scan us with."
	"Thanks for telling me earlier," she complained, then grinned.  "Even if
they did, with all the felgercarb hitting the fan, they probably wouldn't
have noticed us even then.  Come on, let's go."
	She opened her canopy and slid to the deck before it completely opened.
Athena met her a few microns later, her laser already out in the same
left-handed grip that Apollo used.  Seeing that made her long for him, and
she felt her determination build -- they were not going to leave this
basestar without Apollo.
	"Now what?" she whispered.
	"We always have to be on alert for Cylons.  We don't know how many are
still aboard."  Sheba glanced down at her belt, remembering that she
neglected to bring most of her essential equipment.  "Oh, felger, I forgot
to bring my scanner.  Please say you have yours, 'Thena."
	"Of course," Athena replied, placing her hand on the small mechanism.
	"Good, now scan the basestar for human life signs.  You should pick up
four, and the largest group will be the guys.  Okay?"
	Athena nodded as she pulled the scanner off her belt and activated it.  A
short series of beeps came from the scanner, then Athena entered a few
commands.  She grinned as she looked at Sheba.
	"Four life signs," she reported, "and they're in two different groups.
One is directly below us, and the other three are together.  They're about
three decks above us."
	Sheba scanned their surroundings and spotted the entrance that was in the
middle of the bay.  She remembered Starbuck's tale again as she nodded
towards it.
	"That way."  She held out her hand to Athena, smiling.  "For Apollo?
	"For Apollo," Athena replied, grasping her wrist and shaking it, "and
don't forget Starbuck and Boomer, too."
	"Of course."  Sheba headed towards the entrance to the central core,
almost running in her anticipation toe telling a story to Boxey's classmates by using large
gestures to accentuate the action of the story.  The part that Sheba
remembered the most was the description of their entry into the bays.
	"It was huge, just rows and rows of Raiders as far as the eye could see.
The bay itself is higher than the Galactica's, and it was deathly quiet
except for the squadron leaving their ships."
	Sheba knew from watching Apollo's reaction that at least that part was
right, and Starbuck's words now came back to her as she landed her Viper on
the deck of the Cylon landing bay.  Before she opened her canopy, she
looked up and around, taking in the huge bay.  It was empty now except for
a few Raiders, but it was still impressive.  And once they passed through
the bay to reach the cells that were somewhere else on the basestar, they
would find Apollo.
	"Sheba?" Athena's voice was anxious over the comline, and brought her out
of her thoughts.  Sheba glanced over to see her friend's fighter a few
dozen metrons awaer decided to break it by opening the bottle.  "Anybody want
some?  I'm praying that it's the good stuff."
	"I'm in," Greenbean said, holding his mug out.  The others followed suit,
and Boomer filled them all before putting the remainder in his mug.  Oh,
well, I'm not really in the mood to get drunk.  So much for my earlier
musings.
	"Aren't they playing well?" Dietra finally said, inclining her head
towards the band.  "Jolly was so happy when the other musicians showed up."
	"Do they have a name?" Athena wondered, and Boomer smiled as he realized
that she was asking Dietra the question.
	"He said something about calling them the 'Laughing Daggits' or something
like that, but we'll just have to see."
	As everyone chuckled, Giles wandered up behind them as Jolly's group
started playing a fast jig.  Boomer drummed his fingers on the table to the
rhythm of the music as Giles whispered something in Brie's ear which made
her grin.  He pulled back her chair, then took her hand as they went to
join t
	"Of course," Athena replied, placing her hand on the small mechanism.
	"Good, now scan the basestar for human life signs.  You should pick up
four, and the largest group will be the guys.  Okay?"
	Athena nodded as she pulled the scanner off her belt and activated it.  A
short series of beeps came from the scanner, then Athena entered a few
commands.  She grinned as she looked at Sheba.
	"Four life signs," she reported, "and they're in two different groups.
One is directly below us, and the other three are together.  They're about
three decks above us."
	Sheba scanned their surroundings and spotted the entrance that was in the
middle of the bay.  She remembered Starbuck's tale again as she nodded
towards it.
	"That way."  She held out her hand to Athena, smiling.  "For Apollo?
	"For Apollo," Athena replied, grasping her wrist and shaking it, "and
don't forget Starbuck and Boomer, too."
	"Of course."  Sheba headed towards the entrance to the central core,
almost running in her anticipation to find the men.  She was relieved to
find it unoccupied as she started to climb up.  "Three levels?"
	"Yeah."
	She nodded as she continued climbing, praying silently that they wouldn't
run into a Cylon as they went.  The sound of their boots on the rungs was
the only thing Sheba could hear along with her pulse in her ears, and they
both sounded abnormally loud to her.  I'm surprised that this isn't what
will alert the Cylons to our presence, she thought as she approached the
third deck.
	"Are you sure about this?" she asked, looking down at Athena.  "Three
levels?"
	Athena looked impatient as she pulled out the scanner while hanging onto
the ladder with one arm.  "I calibrated this thing myself, Sheba, so it
can't be malfunctioning.  The guys are on this level, the third one."
	"I hope you're right," Sheba muttered as she opened the hatch.  Empty.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the deck, bring her laser out as she
glanced down the hallway.  She jumped slightly as Athena accidentally
bry from hers.  "Are you ready?"
	"I think so.  I'm surprised they didn't notice us."
	"Their scanners are down," Athena told her.  "Didn't I tell you that?
There's nothing for them to scan us with."
	"Thanks for telling me earlier," she complained, then grinned.  "Even if
they did, with all the felgercarb hitting the fan, they probably wouldn't
have noticed us even then.  Come on, let's go."
	She opened her canopy and slid to the deck before it completely opened.
Athena met her a few microns later, her laser already out in the same
left-handed grip that Apollo used.  Seeing that made her long for him, and
she felt her determination build -- they were not going to leave this
basestar without Apollo.
	"Now what?" she whispered.
	"We always have to be on alert for Cylons.  We don't know how many are
still aboard."  Sheba glanced down at her belt, remembering that she
neglected to bring most of her essential equipment.  "Oh, felger, I forgot
to bring my scanner.  Please say you have yours, 'Thena."he warriors who were already dancing in the middle of the club.
	"If they're out dancing, I think there's a certain young ensign I want to
ask," Greenbean said, pushing his own chair back.  "If you'll excuse me...?
	"Looks like we're running out of stuff to drink," Bojay observed, picking
up the ambrosa bottle and turning it upside-down.  "You want to come with
me to get some more?"
	"Sure," Boomer replied, seeing that it would leave the two women alone to
talk privately.  "You girls want anything?"
	"More ambrosa would nice, thanks," Athena told him, and Dietra nodded her
agreement.  They watched as the men left, then turned to look at each
other.  "So."
	"So," Dietra repeated, looking very serious, then broke out into a grin as
she went to sit next to Athena.  "You little sneak, you.  Interested in
Boomer, eh?"
	"How'd you guess?" she asked, a little surprised.
	"I just know."
	"Look, Dietra, I know that you and Boomer broke up a while ago, but if
you're still..."  She sighed, not sure of h find the men.  She was relieved to
find it unoccupied as she started to climb up.  "Three levels?"
	"Yeah."
	She nodded as she continued climbing, praying silently that they wouldn't
run into a Cylon as they went.  The sound of their boots on the rungs was
the only thing Sheba could hear along with her pulse in her ears, and they
both sounded abnormally loud to her.  I'm surprised that this isn't what
will alert the Cylons to our presence, she thought as she approached the
third deck.
	"Are you sure about this?" she asked, looking down at Athena.  "Three
levels?"
	Athena looked impatient as she pulled out the scanner while hanging onto
the ladder with one arm.  "I calibrated this thing myself, Sheba, so it
can't be malfunctioning.  The guys are on this level, the third one."
	"I hope you're right," Sheba muttered as she opened the hatch.  Empty.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the deck, bring her laser out as she
glanced down the hallway.  She jumped slightly as Athena accidentally
brushed against her.  "Careful!"
	"Sorry, I just about lost my balance there."  She shook her head in
annoyance as they began moving forward.  "There's a fork in the corridor up
ahead, and I think they're on the right."
	Moving ahead, Sheba pressed her back against the corner of the wall and
took a quick peek into the hallway while holding her laser at ready.  There
was a group of Cylons gathered in the middle of the hallway, all of them
armed.  She frowned as she quickly ducked back behind the wall, suddenly
afraid that they might spot her.
	"What's wrong?" Athena whispered, putting the scanner away with one hand
as she pulled out the laser with the other.  "Please don't say Cylons."
	"I hate to say it, but there are Cylons."
	"How many?"
	She glanced back to look.  "About five."
	"Five more than I want to see."
	"Same here, but we've got to deal with them."  She gave Athena a wide
grin.  "Are you ready for a shoot-out?"
	"A shoot-out?" Athena repeated, suddenly sounding uncertain.  "I practic
	"Of course," Athena replied, placing her hand on the small mechanism.
	"Good, now scan the basestar for human life signs.  You should pick up
four, and the largest group will be the guys.  Okay?"
	Athena nodded as she pulled the scanner off her belt and activated it.  A
short series of beeps came from the scanner, then Athena entered a few
commands.  She grinned as she looked at Sheba.
	"Four life signs," she reported, "and they're in two different groups.
One is directly below us, and the other three are together.  They're about
three decks above us."
	Sheba scanned their surroundings and spotted the entrance that was in the
middle of the bay.  She remembered Starbuck's tale again as she nodded
towards it.
	"That way."  She held out her hand to Athena, smiling.  "For Apollo?
	"For Apollo," Athena replied, grasping her wrist and shaking it, "and
don't forget Starbuck and Boomer, too."
	"Of course."  Sheba headed towards the entrance to the central core,
almost running in her anticipation toow to continue.  Instead, she
focused her gaze on her hands as she tried to think of what to say.
	"Look, Athena, you don't need to explain things to me.  You're my friend,
and I don't want a guy to get in between us, even if he's a guy that I
broke up with earlier and with whom you're interested."  Dietra put her
hands over Athena's, trying to get her to look her in the eyes.  "I guess
what I'm trying to say is that I won't get in the way if you and Boomer
start a relationship.  I had my chance once, and I learned that he's not my
type."
	"Really?" Athena smiled.  "You two were a cute couple."
	"Yes, really.  But not as cute you two are."  Dietra laughed, putting her
arm around Athena's shoulders.  "Friends?"
	"Of course."
	By the time Boomer and Bojay returned, the women were giggling and
exchanging a few pieces of gossip.  Boomer smiled with relief when he saw
how close they were.
	"Here you go," he said, placing one bottle on the table, while Bojay put
the other one next to it.  "Pass theushed against her.  "Careful!"
	"Sorry, I just about lost my balance there."  She shook her head in
annoyance as they began moving forward.  "There's a fork in the corridor up
ahead, and I think they're on the right."
	Moving ahead, Sheba pressed her back against the corner of the wall and
took a quick peek into the hallway while holding her laser at ready.  There
was a group of Cylons gathered in the middle of the hallway, all of them
armed.  She frowned as she quickly ducked back behind the wall, suddenly
afraid that they might spot her.
	"What's wrong?" Athena whispered, putting the scanner away with one hand
as she pulled out the laser with the other.  "Please don't say Cylons."
	"I hate to say it, but there are Cylons."
	"How many?"
	She glanced back to look.  "About five."
	"Five more than I want to see."
	"Same here, but we've got to deal with them."  She gave Athena a wide
grin.  "Are you ready for a shoot-out?"
	"A shoot-out?" Athena repeated, suddenly sounding uncertain.  "I practiced
on the shooting range with Dietra and Brie yesterday, but I don't think I'm
ready for moving targets just yet..."
	"I heard that you had a good time shooting Cylons on Kobol..."
	"Um, that wasn't me.  Besides, I don't think I'd be able to actually hit
one."
	Sheba's grin turned slightly wicked.  "Pretend it's the head of someone
you want to hit."
	"Under the given circumstances, I don't think using Starbuck as a target
is a very good idea," Athena replied, her voice wry.  "Maybe I'll think of
someone else."
	"Baltar?  The Council?"
	She laughed.  "Now that's inspiring."
	"That's what I thought.  When I count to three, you cover me while I jump
into the hallway.  We'll shoot our way to the holding cells."
	They counted to three, then Sheba jumped into the middle of the corridor.
Without checking to see if Athena was followed her, she started firing at
the Cylons.
	"Now, Athena!" she shouted as the first one went down.  "This is fun!"
	"You would think it's fun," Athena muttered, stepping  find the men.  She was relieved to
find it unoccupied as she started to climb up.  "Three levels?"
	"Yeah."
	She nodded as she continued climbing, praying silently that they wouldn't
run into a Cylon as they went.  The sound of their boots on the rungs was
the only thing Sheba could hear along with her pulse in her ears, and they
both sounded abnormally loud to her.  I'm surprised that this isn't what
will alert the Cylons to our presence, she thought as she approached the
third deck.
	"Are you sure about this?" she asked, looking down at Athena.  "Three
levels?"
	Athena looked impatient as she pulled out the scanner while hanging onto
the ladder with one arm.  "I calibrated this thing myself, Sheba, so it
can't be malfunctioning.  The guys are on this level, the third one."
	"I hope you're right," Sheba muttered as she opened the hatch.  Empty.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the deck, bring her laser out as she
glanced down the hallway.  She jumped slightly as Athena accidentally
br tankards, ladies."
	The band finished their set, then a few of the warriors started banging
their mugs on the tables.  "Speech!  Speech!  Speech!"  Encouraged by them,
Jolly put his p'iob down and hollered across the club, "Come on, Captain!
Let's hear you give another one!"
	Bojay's face blushed slightly with embarrassment.  "I just gave one!"
	"Half a centar ago!" came the laughing reply.
	He scowled, then grinned suddenly as he pushed Boomer forward.  "Let him
give the speech!"
	"Me?" Boomer asked as Greenbean appeared out of the crowd to show him to
the table that had apparently been used as a podium.  The crowd's murmurs
silenced as he stepped up.  For a micron, he felt confident, but he almost
immediately faltered as he found everyone's focused attention upon him.  He
had never been fond of public speaking, something that his friends,
especially Starbuck and Apollo, seemed to do exceptionally well.  As he
looked at the collective faces of his fellow pilots, he wondered what he
was goinged
on the shooting range with Dietra and Brie yesterday, but I don't think I'm
ready for moving targets just yet..."
	"I heard that you had a good time shooting Cylons on Kobol..."
	"Um, that wasn't me.  Besides, I don't think I'd be able to actually hit
one."
	Sheba's grin turned slightly wicked.  "Pretend it's the head of someone
you want to hit."
	"Under the given circumstances, I don't think using Starbuck as a target
is a very good idea," Athena replied, her voice wry.  "Maybe I'll think of
someone else."
	"Baltar?  The Council?"
	She laughed.  "Now that's inspiring."
	"That's what I thought.  When I count to three, you cover me while I jump
into the hallway.  We'll shoot our way to the holding cells."
	They counted to three, then Sheba jumped into the middle of the corridor.
Without checking to see if Athena was followed her, she started firing at
the Cylons.
	"Now, Athena!" she shouted as the first one went down.  "This is fun!"
	"You would think it's fun," Athena muttered, stepping to Sheba's side.
She wished she felt as confident as Sheba looked as she quickly fired at
the Cylon who appeared to be getting its laser ready to aim at Sheba.  It
wasn't long before all five of the Cylons were down, with none of them
having the opportunity to fire back a single shot.  "That wasn't much of a
shoot-out."
	"Don't worry, 'Thena.  We'll have more chances to shoot Cylons later."
She took a few steps towards the fallen Cylons and tapped one with the toe
of her boot before looking back at Athena.  "How far now?"
	"A few more metrons," she replied.  "Those Cylons must have been the
guards in front of the interrogation cells.  If they need that many guards,
I guess Apollo's been giving them trouble."
	Sheba grinned.  "That's my Apollo."
	They walked down the rest of the corridor and turned another corner, this
time ending up in a large oval room.  Sheba kept her laser out as she
circled the room, looking up at the bright lights that were shining
harshly.  The room had an odd feeling toushed against her.  "Careful!"
	"Sorry, I just about lost my balance there."  She shook her head in
annoyance as they began moving forward.  "There's a fork in the corridor up
ahead, and I think they're on the right."
	Moving ahead, Sheba pressed her back against the corner of the wall and
took a quick peek into the hallway while holding her laser at ready.  There
was a group of Cylons gathered in the middle of the hallway, all of them
armed.  She frowned as she quickly ducked back behind the wall, suddenly
afraid that they might spot her.
	"What's wrong?" Athena whispered, putting the scanner away with one hand
as she pulled out the laser with the other.  "Please don't say Cylons."
	"I hate to say it, but there are Cylons."
	"How many?"
	She glanced back to look.  "About five."
	"Five more than I want to see."
	"Same here, but we've got to deal with them."  She gave Athena a wide
grin.  "Are you ready for a shoot-out?"
	"A shoot-out?" Athena repeated, suddenly sounding uncertain.  "I practic to say.  "Um, hi."
	"Boomer!  Boomer!  Boomer!" they cheered, which made him all the more
nervous.  He remembered something that Apollo had once said about focusing
upon the face of a single person.  Looking over to the side, he spotted
Athena, who smiled encouragingly.
	"If the commander were here, I'm positive that he would give you all his
complete admiration.  You faced some pretty impressive odds today, and I'm
proud that I was able to fly with you for at least half of the battle."  He
smiled, feeling a little more confident.  "We got a bit of a bonus, as
well.  The commander of that basestar that's been dogging us for the past
few days -- and to whom we returned the favor -- was none other than
Baltar.  If we're lucky, he won't be bothering us for a long while."
	The warriors looked at each other, then began to cheer wildly.  He knew
that many of them had been unimpressed when the traitor had been marooned
on the planet after the victory over the first basestar.  Many of them had
been coto Sheba's side.
She wished she felt as confident as Sheba looked as she quickly fired at
the Cylon who appeared to be getting its laser ready to aim at Sheba.  It
wasn't long before all five of the Cylons were down, with none of them
having the opportunity to fire back a single shot.  "That wasn't much of a
shoot-out."
	"Don't worry, 'Thena.  We'll have more chances to shoot Cylons later."
She took a few steps towards the fallen Cylons and tapped one with the toe
of her boot before looking back at Athena.  "How far now?"
	"A few more metrons," she replied.  "Those Cylons must have been the
guards in front of the interrogation cells.  If they need that many guards,
I guess Apollo's been giving them trouble."
	Sheba grinned.  "That's my Apollo."
	They walked down the rest of the corridor and turned another corner, this
time ending up in a large oval room.  Sheba kept her laser out as she
circled the room, looking up at the bright lights that were shining
harshly.  The room had an odd feeling to it, something that Sheba didn't
like.  She saw Athena shivering slightly.
	"I don't like it in here," Sheba said, noticing the doors circling the
room for the first time.  "It reminds me of an arena, where people are
executed."
	"You're probably right about that one."  Athena pointed at the single
closed door.  "They're in there."
	Sheba nodded as she went up and touched the control at the side of the
door.  Nothing.  She pressed it again, but the door still didn't open.
"It's locked."
	"Not solid enough for this, I'll bet," Athena replied, taking her laser
out and fired on the control before Sheba could say anything.  Sparks flew
from the mechanism, then both women could hear a click.  "Just what I
thought."
	"Athena, warn people before you do that again, okay?"  Sheba waved away
the smoke that was coming from the control, wrinkling her nose at the smell
of the burnt materials.  "You could seriously hurt someone like that."
	"Sorry, I just thought --"
	"Don't worry, Athena, as long as you'ed
on the shooting range with Dietra and Brie yesterday, but I don't think I'm
ready for moving targets just yet..."
	"I heard that you had a good time shooting Cylons on Kobol..."
	"Um, that wasn't me.  Besides, I don't think I'd be able to actually hit
one."
	Sheba's grin turned slightly wicked.  "Pretend it's the head of someone
you want to hit."
	"Under the given circumstances, I don't think using Starbuck as a target
is a very good idea," Athena replied, her voice wry.  "Maybe I'll think of
someone else."
	"Baltar?  The Council?"
	She laughed.  "Now that's inspiring."
	"That's what I thought.  When I count to three, you cover me while I jump
into the hallway.  We'll shoot our way to the holding cells."
	They counted to three, then Sheba jumped into the middle of the corridor.
Without checking to see if Athena was followed her, she started firing at
the Cylons.
	"Now, Athena!" she shouted as the first one went down.  "This is fun!"
	"You would think it's fun," Athena muttered, stepping ncerned that exactly what had happened would happen.  Still, knowing
that they had set Baltar back by a lot made them forget about their worry.
	Boomer waited until the noise had gone down before continuing.  It came
sooner than he thought, as though they became quiet as they sensed that he
had more to say.  He cleared his throat nervously, then continued.
	"One more thing."  He looked at Athena, and saw her nod again.  "We also
got another unexpected surprise.  I can't think of any other way to say
this, so I'll get directly to the point.  We've got our Flight Commander
back.  Captain Apollo is alive!"
	The stunned silence that filled the room seemed to stretch forever as many
of the pilots stared at Boomer in complete shock.  It was broken by
Greenbean and Jolly beginning to cheer, and soon everyone was back
celebrating.
	Taking a deep breath, Boomer was about to get down from the makeshift
podium when he spotted Bojay standing near the table, a metron or two away
from Athena and Dietra.  Unl it, something that Sheba didn't
like.  She saw Athena shivering slightly.
	"I don't like it in here," Sheba said, noticing the doors circling the
room for the first time.  "It reminds me of an arena, where people are
executed."
	"You're probably right about that one."  Athena pointed at the single
closed door.  "They're in there."
	Sheba nodded as she went up and touched the control at the side of the
door.  Nothing.  She pressed it again, but the door still didn't open.
"It's locked."
	"Not solid enough for this, I'll bet," Athena replied, taking her laser
out and fired on the control before Sheba could say anything.  Sparks flew
from the mechanism, then both women could hear a click.  "Just what I
thought."
	"Athena, warn people before you do that again, okay?"  Sheba waved away
the smoke that was coming from the control, wrinkling her nose at the smell
of the burnt materials.  "You could seriously hurt someone like that."
	"Sorry, I just thought --"
	"Don't worry, Athena, as long as you're thinking."  She tapped the panel,
praying that Athena hadn't fused it altogether, but to her relief, it
opened.  She peered inside.

	"Finished with the battle already, Baltar?" Starbuck's voice demanded,
sounding extremely hostile.  "If you come near any of us, I swear to Kobol
right now that you'll regret it!"
	Sheba exchanged glances with Athena as they entered the cell.  "Starbuck?"
	"Sheba?" Starbuck exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised as she spotted
them.  Boomer was sitting on one bunk, as Starbuck sat on the edge of the
other, positioned so the Cylons would have to get by him first before
reaching Apollo.  "What are you doing here?"
	"What do you expect, that we're just here to visit?  We're here to rescue
you, numskull," Athena answered, frowning at the lieutenant as she moved
into the cell, "especially since you've seemed to gotten yourselves into a
nice position."
	"Don't you even start, Athena," Starbuck warned, holding up his hands in
front of his eyes as he spoke.  "But wto Sheba's side.
She wished she felt as confident as Sheba looked as she quickly fired at
the Cylon who appeared to be getting its laser ready to aim at Sheba.  It
wasn't long before all five of the Cylons were down, with none of them
having the opportunity to fire back a single shot.  "That wasn't much of a
shoot-out."
	"Don't worry, 'Thena.  We'll have more chances to shoot Cylons later."
She took a few steps towards the fallen Cylons and tapped one with the toe
of her boot before looking back at Athena.  "How far now?"
	"A few more metrons," she replied.  "Those Cylons must have been the
guards in front of the interrogation cells.  If they need that many guards,
I guess Apollo's been giving them trouble."
	Sheba grinned.  "That's my Apollo."
	They walked down the rest of the corridor and turned another corner, this
time ending up in a large oval room.  Sheba kept her laser out as she
circled the room, looking up at the bright lights that were shining
harshly.  The room had an odd feeling toike the others, the blond captain wasn't
celebrating, or even smiling.  He was frowning, his arms crossed, and
before Boomer could do anything, turned on his heel to storm out of the
Officer's Club.  Thankfully, no one seemed to notice.  Still, Boomer stared
after him, a frown of his own appearing on his face.
	Uh, oh, Boomer thought.  I think we're going to have some trouble there...

* * *

	Hot kakao would not cure Sheba's insomnia, which really surprised her.
When she couldn't sleep, she would go down to the eatery and get a cup of
her favorite hot beverage, which usually got her sleepy within half a
centar.  This time, though, every sip simply made her feel more restless.
	It wasn't as though she weren't tired.  If this had been a normal night,
the events of the battle, the rescue and all the problems with Apollo would
have had her asleep centars ago.  No, she just had too much nervous energy
built up inside her. Instead of staring at the bottom of the bunk that was
above hers, she decidre thinking."  She tapped the panel,
praying that Athena hadn't fused it altogether, but to her relief, it
opened.  She peered inside.

	"Finished with the battle already, Baltar?" Starbuck's voice demanded,
sounding extremely hostile.  "If you come near any of us, I swear to Kobol
right now that you'll regret it!"
	Sheba exchanged glances with Athena as they entered the cell.  "Starbuck?"
	"Sheba?" Starbuck exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised as she spotted
them.  Boomer was sitting on one bunk, as Starbuck sat on the edge of the
other, positioned so the Cylons would have to get by him first before
reaching Apollo.  "What are you doing here?"
	"What do you expect, that we're just here to visit?  We're here to rescue
you, numskull," Athena answered, frowning at the lieutenant as she moved
into the cell, "especially since you've seemed to gotten yourselves into a
nice position."
	"Don't you even start, Athena," Starbuck warned, holding up his hands in
front of his eyes as he spoke.  "But would you mind either taking us out of
here, or closing the door?"
	"What?"
	"Our eyes aren't used to the light," Boomer quickly explained.  "The
cell's kept just bright enough so that the light from the outside will
blind us temporarily.  We'll get over it in a few microns."
	"Which we don't have," Sheba finished.  She held her hand out to Starbuck
as Athena helped Boomer up.  "Come on, Bucko, get moving.  You, too, Boomer."
	There was a note to Starbuck's voice that sounded slightly panicked as he
took her hand.  "We're not leaving Apollo!"
	"Of course we're not," Athena replied, sounding indignant.  She glared at
Starbuck for even suggesting the idea.  "He's the other reason why we're
here."
	Sheba got Starbuck to his feet, then went to Apollo's side.  When she had
first entered, all she could see was his back, but as she now rolled him
towards her, she felt herself wanting to cry as she saw his face.  How
could this be Apollo?  The Apollo she remembered didn't look a thing like
this uncons it, something that Sheba didn't
like.  She saw Athena shivering slightly.
	"I don't like it in here," Sheba said, noticing the doors circling the
room for the first time.  "It reminds me of an arena, where people are
executed."
	"You're probably right about that one."  Athena pointed at the single
closed door.  "They're in there."
	Sheba nodded as she went up and touched the control at the side of the
door.  Nothing.  She pressed it again, but the door still didn't open.
"It's locked."
	"Not solid enough for this, I'll bet," Athena replied, taking her laser
out and fired on the control before Sheba could say anything.  Sparks flew
from the mechanism, then both women could hear a click.  "Just what I
thought."
	"Athena, warn people before you do that again, okay?"  Sheba waved away
the smoke that was coming from the control, wrinkling her nose at the smell
of the burnt materials.  "You could seriously hurt someone like that."
	"Sorry, I just thought --"
	"Don't worry, Athena, as long as you'ed to wander around the ship.  She found herself
walking through areas she'd never been to before on the Galactica, and
finished the tour with the kakao.
	She remembered the activity that she had seen in the landing bays.  Some
of the crew chiefs were busy bringing metal sheets out of two shuttles that
appeared to have been landed for a few centons.  Others were busy bringing
them beside all the Vipers that were stored in the launching bays.  Her
crew chief, Norine, had explained that the salvaging ship had gone to the
scene of the battle to pick up some of the disabled Raiders, and even some
of the more intact parts of the basestar.  The metal would then be used to
repair the aging parts on the Vipers.
	There were a few ragged ends on the sheets, and as Sheba watched Norine
work for a few centons, simply out of curiosity to see what would be
repaired on their Viper, when Norine turned around with a big grin on her
face.  Pointing to the scraps that had fallen to the deck, she asked Sheba
if should you mind either taking us out of
here, or closing the door?"
	"What?"
	"Our eyes aren't used to the light," Boomer quickly explained.  "The
cell's kept just bright enough so that the light from the outside will
blind us temporarily.  We'll get over it in a few microns."
	"Which we don't have," Sheba finished.  She held her hand out to Starbuck
as Athena helped Boomer up.  "Come on, Bucko, get moving.  You, too, Boomer."
	There was a note to Starbuck's voice that sounded slightly panicked as he
took her hand.  "We're not leaving Apollo!"
	"Of course we're not," Athena replied, sounding indignant.  She glared at
Starbuck for even suggesting the idea.  "He's the other reason why we're
here."
	Sheba got Starbuck to his feet, then went to Apollo's side.  When she had
first entered, all she could see was his back, but as she now rolled him
towards her, she felt herself wanting to cry as she saw his face.  How
could this be Apollo?  The Apollo she remembered didn't look a thing like
this unconsre thinking."  She tapped the panel,
praying that Athena hadn't fused it altogether, but to her relief, it
opened.  She peered inside.

	"Finished with the battle already, Baltar?" Starbuck's voice demanded,
sounding extremely hostile.  "If you come near any of us, I swear to Kobol
right now that you'll regret it!"
	Sheba exchanged glances with Athena as they entered the cell.  "Starbuck?"
	"Sheba?" Starbuck exclaimed, sounding genuinely surprised as she spotted
them.  Boomer was sitting on one bunk, as Starbuck sat on the edge of the
other, positioned so the Cylons would have to get by him first before
reaching Apollo.  "What are you doing here?"
	"What do you expect, that we're just here to visit?  We're here to rescue
you, numskull," Athena answered, frowning at the lieutenant as she moved
into the cell, "especially since you've seemed to gotten yourselves into a
nice position."
	"Don't you even start, Athena," Starbuck warned, holding up his hands in
front of his eyes as he spoke.  "But wcious, beaten and almost unrecognizable man.  She felt her eyes
tear as she touched the side of his face, finding his skin hot.
	"Doesn't look too good, does he?" Starbuck asked softly.  He watched her,
seeing her eyes tearing, as he wondered if he should tell her that Apollo
was dying.  No, I won't, he decided.  When we get back to the Galactica,
Salik and Cass will make him better.  I won't make her and Athena anymore
worried than they already are.
	"No.  Gods, he looks like Baltar's been having a field day with him as a
target."
	"Not quite, but it's a good analogy," Boomer told her as he and Athena
approached the cot.  "I can carry him down."
	Sheba shook her head.  "No way, Boomer.  Look, how does this sound for a
plan?  Starbuck, by the look of that bruise, you look like you have a
concussion.  Am I right?"
	"Yeah..." he muttered, shuffling his feet.  "And then Baltar got tired of
torturing Apollo and tried me on for size."
	"What?" Athena gasped, then glanced up at Boomer.  "What about e wanted some pieces as souvenirs.  Thinking that the idea was rather
novel, she nodded, then watched as Norine smoothed the rough edges so they
wouldn't tear the skin, and pierced the tops so Sheba could string a cord
through them and wear them as jewelry.
	Putting her kakao down, Sheba pulled the metal out of her pocket and
looked at them.  They were slightly dull, but when they were held up, they
caught minute amounts of light, making them glisten slightly.  Norine had
told her that they could very well be pieces of the basestar, and somehow,
that made Sheba smile.
	"Now what do I do?" she wondered, not worrying about being overheard since
there was no one else in the room at that centar of the night.  "Like Hades
I'm going to be able to sleep..."
	She smiled as she put the metal back into her pocket.  Of course she knew
what she wanted to do.  She wanted to be with Apollo, and she wondered if
she would be able to get into his room without being banned by either
Cassiopia or one of the othercious, beaten and almost unrecognizable man.  She felt her eyes
tear as she touched the side of his face, finding his skin hot.
	"Doesn't look too good, does he?" Starbuck asked softly.  He watched her,
seeing her eyes tearing, as he wondered if he should tell her that Apollo
was dying.  No, I won't, he decided.  When we get back to the Galactica,
Salik and Cass will make him better.  I won't make her and Athena anymore
worried than they already are.
	"No.  Gods, he looks like Baltar's been having a field day with him as a
target."
	"Not quite, but it's a good analogy," Boomer told her as he and Athena
approached the cot.  "I can carry him down."
	Sheba shook her head.  "No way, Boomer.  Look, how does this sound for a
plan?  Starbuck, by the look of that bruise, you look like you have a
concussion.  Am I right?"
	"Yeah..." he muttered, shuffling his feet.  "And then Baltar got tired of
torturing Apollo and tried me on for size."
	"What?" Athena gasped, then glanced up at Boomer.  "What about ould you mind either taking us out of
here, or closing the door?"
	"What?"
	"Our eyes aren't used to the light," Boomer quickly explained.  "The
cell's kept just bright enough so that the light from the outside will
blind us temporarily.  We'll get over it in a few microns."
	"Which we don't have," Sheba finished.  She held her hand out to Starbuck
as Athena helped Boomer up.  "Come on, Bucko, get moving.  You, too, Boomer."
	There was a note to Starbuck's voice that sounded slightly panicked as he
took her hand.  "We're not leaving Apollo!"
	"Of course we're not," Athena replied, sounding indignant.  She glared at
Starbuck for even suggesting the idea.  "He's the other reason why we're
here."
	Sheba got Starbuck to his feet, then went to Apollo's side.  When she had
first entered, all she could see was his back, but as she now rolled him
towards her, she felt herself wanting to cry as she saw his face.  How
could this be Apollo?  The Apollo she remembered didn't look a thing like
this unconsyou?  Did
Baltar touch you?"
	"Not really.  I was used mostly to keep Starbuck in line."
	"Quiet!" Sheba ordered, glaring at the three of them.  "Boomer and Athena
can take the Vipers, and you'll give us an escort in the Raider.  How much
time do we have left, Athena?"
	"Time left before what?" Starbuck wanted to know.
	"Before the Galactica starts picking this place apart.  Bojay asked Adama
to delay the attack by thirty centons."
	"We have about fifteen centons left."  Athena looked at her brother's
body, then at Sheba.  "We're not going to have enough time if we have to go
down that ladder again.  What if we run into more Cylons?  Do you guys know
where your lasers are?"
	Starbuck shook his head as Boomer looked thoughtful.  "Maybe.  I'll go
check now."
	"Do that.  Athena, go with him since you have a laser and he doesn't."
	"Sure."
	They quickly left the cell, leaving Sheba and Starbuck alone with Apollo.
Together, they got him to sit up, and Sheba gasped at the limp and thin
feel of hi medtechs.  Her smile turned into a grin as
she remembered that the room was accessible from the outer hallway, and as
she stood to dispose of her mug, she decided that she would go see him.
	The hallways were almost as empty as the eatery had been.  There were a
few other people walking around, and she guessed that they were also
suffering from insomnia caused by the battle.  They didn't seem to notice
her as she walked by, so she ignored them as she made her way to her
destination.
	Please don't let Cass catch me, she prayed as she entered the hallway, but
to her immense frustration, she caught sight of the doctor's slight
smock-covered figure ahead of her.  Before she could turn away, Cassiopia
spotted her and smiled.
	"I was wondering when you were going to show up," she greeted, her smile
becoming slightly sly.
	"You mean I was expected?" Sheba replied, glancing at the door of Apollo's
room, feeling slightly impatient.
	"Well, at least I did, anyway.  He was asking about you a few centarsyou?  Did
Baltar touch you?"
	"Not really.  I was used mostly to keep Starbuck in line."
	"Quiet!" Sheba ordered, glaring at the three of them.  "Boomer and Athena
can take the Vipers, and you'll give us an escort in the Raider.  How much
time do we have left, Athena?"
	"Time left before what?" Starbuck wanted to know.
	"Before the Galactica starts picking this place apart.  Bojay asked Adama
to delay the attack by thirty centons."
	"We have about fifteen centons left."  Athena looked at her brother's
body, then at Sheba.  "We're not going to have enough time if we have to go
down that ladder again.  What if we run into more Cylons?  Do you guys know
where your lasers are?"
	Starbuck shook his head as Boomer looked thoughtful.  "Maybe.  I'll go
check now."
	"Do that.  Athena, go with him since you have a laser and he doesn't."
	"Sure."
	They quickly left the cell, leaving Sheba and Starbuck alone with Apollo.
Together, they got him to sit up, and Sheba gasped at the limp and thin
feel of hi
ago."  Cassiopia laughed.  "He's a really stubborn patient, you know.  I
didn't know that, because this is the first time we've treated him for
anything really serious.  At least since I started to work here, anyway.
He woke up when I was in the room with a medtech, and as soon as we removed
the life support equipment, he insisted that he walk around the room for a
few centons.  He said that he wanted to stretch his legs."
	"How did he do?"
	"He needed some help, and he kept on tripping over his own feet.  He's
also still limping slightly from that ankle injury that he received on the
basestar, but he kept on trying until he had a slight shuffle.  He'll be
back to his old self in a few days, I'm positive of that."
	"Well, being stubborn is what allowed him to survive everything that
happened on the basestar."  Sheba had to laugh.  "Hades, that's almost the
main part of his personality!  Why do you think it took us so long to get
together?"
	"Don't be so hard on him," Cassiopia scolded, but hes body.  She knew from experience that while Apollo was slight,
he was nicely muscled.  Now, it felt like he had wasted away.
	"He feels like he's lost half his weight!" she exclaimed as she steadied
Starbuck.  Carefully, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.
	"Hmm, not quite, but it's a good analogy," he murmured, trying to
distribute the weight a little better than he had in the landing bay.
"Deja vu, wouldn't you say, Sheba?"
	"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, standing back as she watched him
take a step forward.  Apollo's arms dangled down, and his hands brushed the
back of Starbuck's calves as they swayed back and forth.  The movement
reminded Sheba of the drooping branches of the weeping welig that used to
keep depressed watched near her home on Caprica.
	"Well, you remember what happened on Iblis' planet."
	"Of course," she nodded.  Although her memories of the strange visitor
named Count Iblis were hazy, the last part of his visit were only
fragments.  What she did recious, beaten and almost unrecognizable man.  She felt her eyes
tear as she touched the side of his face, finding his skin hot.
	"Doesn't look too good, does he?" Starbuck asked softly.  He watched her,
seeing her eyes tearing, as he wondered if he should tell her that Apollo
was dying.  No, I won't, he decided.  When we get back to the Galactica,
Salik and Cass will make him better.  I won't make her and Athena anymore
worried than they already are.
	"No.  Gods, he looks like Baltar's been having a field day with him as a
target."
	"Not quite, but it's a good analogy," Boomer told her as he and Athena
approached the cot.  "I can carry him down."
	Sheba shook her head.  "No way, Boomer.  Look, how does this sound for a
plan?  Starbuck, by the look of that bruise, you look like you have a
concussion.  Am I right?"
	"Yeah..." he muttered, shuffling his feet.  "And then Baltar got tired of
torturing Apollo and tried me on for size."
	"What?" Athena gasped, then glanced up at Boomer.  "What about s body.  She knew from experience that while Apollo was slight,
he was nicely muscled.  Now, it felt like he had wasted away.
	"He feels like he's lost half his weight!" she exclaimed as she steadied
Starbuck.  Carefully, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.
	"Hmm, not quite, but it's a good analogy," he murmured, trying to
distribute the weight a little better than he had in the landing bay.
"Deja vu, wouldn't you say, Sheba?"
	"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, standing back as she watched him
take a step forward.  Apollo's arms dangled down, and his hands brushed the
back of Starbuck's calves as they swayed back and forth.  The movement
reminded Sheba of the drooping branches of the weeping welig that used to
keep depressed watched near her home on Caprica.
	"Well, you remember what happened on Iblis' planet."
	"Of course," she nodded.  Although her memories of the strange visitor
named Count Iblis were hazy, the last part of his visit were only
fragments.  What she did rer tone was light.  "He
might be difficult, but he's also in need of a lot of support.  I'm sure
that you won't be lax in that area."
	Sheba started to laugh.  "You have such a technical way of putting that,
you know, Cass?"
	"Thank you.  I've been aiming to achieve that for a while, now."  She
motioned to the door.  "Well, aren't you going to go in?"
	"You mean you don't object?" she asked, rather surprised.
	Cassiopia started to laugh.  "Hades, no.  In fact, your presence is
probably going to do him more good than harm.  Just don't get too rough
with him, if you know what I mean."
	She gave Sheba a quick hug, still laughing, and left the hallway.  Sheba
watched her go, an uncertain expression on her face, then opened the door
to go into Apollo's room.  It was a little darker than it had been earlier,
but she could still see the life support equipment sitting against the
wall, away from Apollo.  She smiled as she went up to him.
	He was sleeping on his side now, with his right hand curled protmember, though, was clear.  She, Starbuck and
Apollo had spent many nights afterward trying to piece together everything
that had happened on the planet.  There were many gaps, but the part that
she remembered the most was when Apollo had stood up to Iblis, and had been
killed in Sheba's place.
	At least she believed he had died.  Doctor Salik's then-assistant, Doctor
Paye, had verified that Apollo had gone though an intense trauma.  But the
events after Apollo's supposed death and their return to the Galactica were
still unclear to Sheba, as was the source of the coordinates to Earth that
the three of them had given Adama.  No matter what, she'd never forget
helping Starbuck to pick up Apollo's dead body so he could carry him back
to the shuttle.
	"That was different," she said tightly as she followed Starbuck and his
charge to the door.  "He weighed more, and I don't want to think about that
just now.  Apollo was brought back then, but if he dies now, Starbuck,
there's no one to bring him bacyou?  Did
Baltar touch you?"
	"Not really.  I was used mostly to keep Starbuck in line."
	"Quiet!" Sheba ordered, glaring at the three of them.  "Boomer and Athena
can take the Vipers, and you'll give us an escort in the Raider.  How much
time do we have left, Athena?"
	"Time left before what?" Starbuck wanted to know.
	"Before the Galactica starts picking this place apart.  Bojay asked Adama
to delay the attack by thirty centons."
	"We have about fifteen centons left."  Athena looked at her brother's
body, then at Sheba.  "We're not going to have enough time if we have to go
down that ladder again.  What if we run into more Cylons?  Do you guys know
where your lasers are?"
	Starbuck shook his head as Boomer looked thoughtful.  "Maybe.  I'll go
check now."
	"Do that.  Athena, go with him since you have a laser and he doesn't."
	"Sure."
	They quickly left the cell, leaving Sheba and Starbuck alone with Apollo.
Together, they got him to sit up, and Sheba gasped at the limp and thin
feel of himember, though, was clear.  She, Starbuck and
Apollo had spent many nights afterward trying to piece together everything
that had happened on the planet.  There were many gaps, but the part that
she remembered the most was when Apollo had stood up to Iblis, and had been
killed in Sheba's place.
	At least she believed he had died.  Doctor Salik's then-assistant, Doctor
Paye, had verified that Apollo had gone though an intense trauma.  But the
events after Apollo's supposed death and their return to the Galactica were
still unclear to Sheba, as was the source of the coordinates to Earth that
the three of them had given Adama.  No matter what, she'd never forget
helping Starbuck to pick up Apollo's dead body so he could carry him back
to the shuttle.
	"That was different," she said tightly as she followed Starbuck and his
charge to the door.  "He weighed more, and I don't want to think about that
just now.  Apollo was brought back then, but if he dies now, Starbuck,
there's no one to bring him bacectively
over the still-bandaged left, bunching the sheet against his chest.  He
reminded her of a little child, and as she took the chair next to the bed,
she smiled as she watched him sleep.
	I wonder when he's going to wake up? she thought, wondering if she should
touch him or not.  She was very tempted to do that, but she was more
worried that he wouldn't be getting the rest he needed to recover fully.
Instead, she contented herself with simply watching him and listening to
his steady breathing, enjoying the knowledge that he was there.  She found
herself relaxing and beginning to yawn as she did, finding that his
rhythmic breaths were helping to get rid of her insomnia.  Before she could
think about it, her chin fell forward on her chest, and she was fast asleep.
	Something woke her a few centars later, and for a micron, she thought it
was Apollo.  One glance, though, told her it was Boxey, who was standing at
his father's bedside, looking down at him with wide eyes that were brimming
withk."
	"True," he said, feeling a little sheepish, "but on the other hand, that
ended with a happy ending.  This one will, too."
	An ecstatic Boomer met them in the hallway, and he handed an extra laser
holster to Sheba as he spoke.  "Found them!  And guess what else we found?"
	"What?"
	"A lift!"
	Starbuck exchanged glances with Sheba, and saw that she was immensely
relieved.  He was, too, especially when he found that he had to readjust
Apollo's weight to a more comfortable location on his shoulder.  He hated
to imagine what that would be like on a ladder, several metrons from the
deck.  He forced the image of Apollo's body plummeting to the bottom from
his mind
	"A lift on a basestar?" Sheba repeated.  Despite her relief, she still
wasn't sure if she was hearing things correctly.  "In different
circumstances, I'd ask if you were kidding."
	"Yeah, I wouldn't blame you."
	"That's too good to be true, but why waste an opportunity like that?"
Starbuck smiled as he looked about the hallway.  "Whs body.  She knew from experience that while Apollo was slight,
he was nicely muscled.  Now, it felt like he had wasted away.
	"He feels like he's lost half his weight!" she exclaimed as she steadied
Starbuck.  Carefully, he lifted Apollo to sling him over his shoulder.
	"Hmm, not quite, but it's a good analogy," he murmured, trying to
distribute the weight a little better than he had in the landing bay.
"Deja vu, wouldn't you say, Sheba?"
	"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, standing back as she watched him
take a step forward.  Apollo's arms dangled down, and his hands brushed the
back of Starbuck's calves as they swayed back and forth.  The movement
reminded Sheba of the drooping branches of the weeping welig that used to
keep depressed watched near her home on Caprica.
	"Well, you remember what happened on Iblis' planet."
	"Of course," she nodded.  Although her memories of the strange visitor
named Count Iblis were hazy, the last part of his visit were only
fragments.  What she did rek."
	"True," he said, feeling a little sheepish, "but on the other hand, that
ended with a happy ending.  This one will, too."
	An ecstatic Boomer met them in the hallway, and he handed an extra laser
holster to Sheba as he spoke.  "Found them!  And guess what else we found?"
	"What?"
	"A lift!"
	Starbuck exchanged glances with Sheba, and saw that she was immensely
relieved.  He was, too, especially when he found that he had to readjust
Apollo's weight to a more comfortable location on his shoulder.  He hated
to imagine what that would be like on a ladder, several metrons from the
deck.  He forced the image of Apollo's body plummeting to the bottom from
his mind
	"A lift on a basestar?" Sheba repeated.  Despite her relief, she still
wasn't sure if she was hearing things correctly.  "In different
circumstances, I'd ask if you were kidding."
	"Yeah, I wouldn't blame you."
	"That's too good to be true, but why waste an opportunity like that?"
Starbuck smiled as he looked about the hallway.  "Wh tears.  His arms were tightly crossed, clutching what appeared to be a
quilt against his chest.
	"Boxey?" she asked gently, and it took a micron or two for him to respond
to her voice.
	"Starbuck said that the Cylons hurt him badly," he said, his voice almost
hushed, "but I didn't think he would look that bad."
	"'Look that bad?'" she repeated, examining what she could see of Apollo's
face.  "Do you mean the bruises?  They'll be gone in a few days, I'm sure.
Cass told me that he's going to be just fine."
	"She told me that, too, but he doesn't look it."
	Looking from father to son, Sheba realized that she had to take Boxey's
mind off Apollo's physical condition.  She eyed the quilt, admiring its
intricate yet simple pattern.
	"What's that you have there, Boxey?" she asked, motioning to the quilt.
	"A blanket from Dad's room.  I asked him where he got it once, and he said
that his mom made it for him.  Usually it's in my room, but," he paused and
looked down at the the fabric, "well, I thoughtere's Athena?"
	"Holding the lift for us."
	"Then what are we waiting for?" Sheba demanded as she and Boomer started
forward.  "We've got a deadline to meet!"

	After Bojay's conversation with Adama, a small group of Cylon Raiders had
separated from the battle to engage the Vipers.  Dietra was startled at the
independent movement of the Cylons, but she also knew that the nine Raiders
were no match for the four Vipers.
	She brought her Viper up behind the Cylon that was dogging Greenbean's,
waiting carefully for the precise micron when the Raider would move into
targeting range.  The Cylon moved unsteadily, not quite in range, then the
computer's screen flashed to tell her that it was time to fire.  She did,
and smiled as the alien craft exploded into rubble.
	"Thanks, Di," Greenbean called as his fighter sped away from the debris.
"I owe you one!"
	"I know you do," she replied, smiling at the sergeant's obvious statement.
 "You can repay it by buying me a drink at the victory celebration.  Anmember, though, was clear.  She, Starbuck and
Apollo had spent many nights afterward trying to piece together everything
that had happened on the planet.  There were many gaps, but the part that
she remembered the most was when Apollo had stood up to Iblis, and had been
killed in Sheba's place.
	At least she believed he had died.  Doctor Salik's then-assistant, Doctor
Paye, had verified that Apollo had gone though an intense trauma.  But the
events after Apollo's supposed death and their return to the Galactica were
still unclear to Sheba, as was the source of the coordinates to Earth that
the three of them had given Adama.  No matter what, she'd never forget
helping Starbuck to pick up Apollo's dead body so he could carry him back
to the shuttle.
	"That was different," she said tightly as she followed Starbuck and his
charge to the door.  "He weighed more, and I don't want to think about that
just now.  Apollo was brought back then, but if he dies now, Starbuck,
there's no one to bring him bacere's Athena?"
	"Holding the lift for us."
	"Then what are we waiting for?" Sheba demanded as she and Boomer started
forward.  "We've got a deadline to meet!"

	After Bojay's conversation with Adama, a small group of Cylon Raiders had
separated from the battle to engage the Vipers.  Dietra was startled at the
independent movement of the Cylons, but she also knew that the nine Raiders
were no match for the four Vipers.
	She brought her Viper up behind the Cylon that was dogging Greenbean's,
waiting carefully for the precise micron when the Raider would move into
targeting range.  The Cylon moved unsteadily, not quite in range, then the
computer's screen flashed to tell her that it was time to fire.  She did,
and smiled as the alien craft exploded into rubble.
	"Thanks, Di," Greenbean called as his fighter sped away from the debris.
"I owe you one!"
	"I know you do," she replied, smiling at the sergeant's obvious statement.
 "You can repay it by buying me a drink at the victory celebration.  An Dad might like having it
here."
	"I think that's a wonderful idea!" she declared, standing up.  "How about
if we both cover him up?"
	"If you want to."
	"Good."  She stood and took one corner of the quilt, moving to Apollo's
other side.  Very carefully, they covered him with it.  Sheba stood back to
admire the full pattern, then looked back at Boxey.  "You know, that just
might make him get better all the more faster."
	"I hope so."
	He continued to look at Apollo, not saying anything for a few centons.
Sheba gently touched him on the shoulder, wondering why he was being so
silent.  It wasn't the first time she had seen Boxey since telling him
about Apollo's patrol, but now more than ever, she remembered how the boy
had cried in her arms for a few microns before yelling at her and running
away.  She cried along with him before he had his tantrum, and then tried
to bury her grief with her duties.  When she visited Boxey, usually in
Boomer's company, they avoided talking about Apollo more ofted
don't call me Di!  It's Die-tra!"
	"All right, Die-tra, why don't I repay you by getting that tinhead that's
taken a sudden liking to you?"
	She jumped to attention as she looked down at her scanner.  Sure enough,
there was a Cylon hot on her tail.  She tried shaking the fighter to lose
the Raider, but it stuck to her.
	"He's getting a little too friendly for my tastes," she said, frowning at
her scanner.
	"That's what I thought.  I'm on my way!"
	The Cylon opened fire on her, and as she tried everything she could think
of, she felt her fighter shake.  The displays that suddenly turned red told
her everything she needed to know.  "They've damaged my high engine!  It's
working at a quarter of its power.  Greenbean, get over here now!"
	"Are you okay?" Bojay asked, his voice concerned.
	"Never been better.  The Viper's seen better days, though, but we'll both
be better in a few microns.  Greenbean!"
	"No need to shout, Dietra," came the amused response as Greenbean
destroyed the Cylon beforek."
	"True," he said, feeling a little sheepish, "but on the other hand, that
ended with a happy ending.  This one will, too."
	An ecstatic Boomer met them in the hallway, and he handed an extra laser
holster to Sheba as he spoke.  "Found them!  And guess what else we found?"
	"What?"
	"A lift!"
	Starbuck exchanged glances with Sheba, and saw that she was immensely
relieved.  He was, too, especially when he found that he had to readjust
Apollo's weight to a more comfortable location on his shoulder.  He hated
to imagine what that would be like on a ladder, several metrons from the
deck.  He forced the image of Apollo's body plummeting to the bottom from
his mind
	"A lift on a basestar?" Sheba repeated.  Despite her relief, she still
wasn't sure if she was hearing things correctly.  "In different
circumstances, I'd ask if you were kidding."
	"Yeah, I wouldn't blame you."
	"That's too good to be true, but why waste an opportunity like that?"
Starbuck smiled as he looked about the hallway.  "Whd
don't call me Di!  It's Die-tra!"
	"All right, Die-tra, why don't I repay you by getting that tinhead that's
taken a sudden liking to you?"
	She jumped to attention as she looked down at her scanner.  Sure enough,
there was a Cylon hot on her tail.  She tried shaking the fighter to lose
the Raider, but it stuck to her.
	"He's getting a little too friendly for my tastes," she said, frowning at
her scanner.
	"That's what I thought.  I'm on my way!"
	The Cylon opened fire on her, and as she tried everything she could think
of, she felt her fighter shake.  The displays that suddenly turned red told
her everything she needed to know.  "They've damaged my high engine!  It's
working at a quarter of its power.  Greenbean, get over here now!"
	"Are you okay?" Bojay asked, his voice concerned.
	"Never been better.  The Viper's seen better days, though, but we'll both
be better in a few microns.  Greenbean!"
	"No need to shout, Dietra," came the amused response as Greenbean
destroyed the Cylon beforen than not.
	"Do you think you're going to be all right?" she asked, sitting down as
she realizing that she wasn't able to think of anything better to say.  As
an only child growing up with only older cousins, she'd never really been
exposed to younger children, and she avoided any baby-sitting jobs.  Now,
she was overcome with the same awkwardness she usually did whenever she was
alone with Boxey, and it was especially aggravated by the fact that he had
run from her when she told him of his father's demise.  She was still
shaken by his reaction, and she wondered how he would deal with it now.
	"I will," he replied, and for the first time, she noticed a slight
maturity that she had never seen in someone as young as Boxey.  It was the
jaded tone that she often saw in warriors who had seen and lost too much.
"But I'm just glad that my dad is back."
	"I know how it feels, losing a parent.  My mother died when I was maybe
seventeen, and my father was gone a lot, too."  She stopped, knowing that
the it could fire at her again.  "There, we're even."
	"I still think that you owe me one because you took so long," she
grumbled.  To the side, she spotted Bojay and Giles slowly circling the
last three Cylons.  Bojay swept behind them, getting two in a single
barrage of lasers.  The third escape Bojay's attack, and veered directly
into Giles' line of sight.  Before the Cylon realized its mistake, Giles
fired and it was destroyed.
	"That's all of them!" Giles exclaimed.  "At least for now."
	"What a fun way to spend fifteen centons," Greenbean added.
	"Yeah, but that's the fifteen centons that Sheba and Athena were given"
Bojay's voice was bitter and full of worry.  "Look at your scanners,
people.  That big target you see is the Galactica.  She's moving in, and
we're going to have to retreat back to the main battle or risk being caught
in the cross-fire."
	"Why can't we wait for another few centons?" Dietra asked.  "They think
they've got another fifteen centons."
	"I know, but orders are ordersere's Athena?"
	"Holding the lift for us."
	"Then what are we waiting for?" Sheba demanded as she and Boomer started
forward.  "We've got a deadline to meet!"

	After Bojay's conversation with Adama, a small group of Cylon Raiders had
separated from the battle to engage the Vipers.  Dietra was startled at the
independent movement of the Cylons, but she also knew that the nine Raiders
were no match for the four Vipers.
	She brought her Viper up behind the Cylon that was dogging Greenbean's,
waiting carefully for the precise micron when the Raider would move into
targeting range.  The Cylon moved unsteadily, not quite in range, then the
computer's screen flashed to tell her that it was time to fire.  She did,
and smiled as the alien craft exploded into rubble.
	"Thanks, Di," Greenbean called as his fighter sped away from the debris.
"I owe you one!"
	"I know you do," she replied, smiling at the sergeant's obvious statement.
 "You can repay it by buying me a drink at the victory celebration.  An it could fire at her again.  "There, we're even."
	"I still think that you owe me one because you took so long," she
grumbled.  To the side, she spotted Bojay and Giles slowly circling the
last three Cylons.  Bojay swept behind them, getting two in a single
barrage of lasers.  The third escape Bojay's attack, and veered directly
into Giles' line of sight.  Before the Cylon realized its mistake, Giles
fired and it was destroyed.
	"That's all of them!" Giles exclaimed.  "At least for now."
	"What a fun way to spend fifteen centons," Greenbean added.
	"Yeah, but that's the fifteen centons that Sheba and Athena were given"
Bojay's voice was bitter and full of worry.  "Look at your scanners,
people.  That big target you see is the Galactica.  She's moving in, and
we're going to have to retreat back to the main battle or risk being caught
in the cross-fire."
	"Why can't we wait for another few centons?" Dietra asked.  "They think
they've got another fifteen centons."
	"I know, but orders are orders details of Cain's affair with Cassiopia was not exactly something
Apollo wanted Boxey to hear.  Even so, she remember the day she had
returned from the Academy and discovered them together.  The anger and
betrayal she felt as she realized that her mother's memory was being
replaced by another woman in Cain's mind was very similar to what she was
afraid of doing to Boxey with Serina's memory.
	"I hope he doesn't go back to being the way he was when my mom died,"
Boxey continued, fingering the fringe of the quilt as he spoke.  "I like
him better when he's happy."
	"We all do, Boxey," Sheba replied, picturing Apollo's smiling face in her
mind's eye, and remembering how much she'd missed it.
	"Did you know, Sheba, that he's been the happiest when you're around?" he
said, smiling shyly, but she knew slyness when she spotted it.  "Especially
when it's the three of us."
	She laughed.  "Oh?  You think so?"
	"I know so.  I even heard Dad and Starbuck talking about it once."
	"What do you know..."  She.  Maybe if we picked something up on the
comline..."  Bojay paused, completely frustrated.  "None of you have heard
anything either on the main comchannel or on frequency 6,968?"
	"Nope."  Greenbean spoke for them all.  "But they're bound to come out of
there soon enough."
	"Soon enough isn't good enough!  Okay, we're going to retreat now.
Dietra, you take your Viper back to the Galactica.  I wouldn't trust it in
the battle now with that high engine damaged."
	Dietra watched as Bojay's Viper did a complete turn to return to the
battle.  Reluctantly, Greenbean and Giles followed suit, heading away from
the basestar and the approaching battlestar.  She pulled her Viper away
from the men and began to take the long way around to the Galactica.  She
glanced at her scanner again, and was surprised to see three smaller
objects coming out of the basestar.
	"Wait!  Bojay, look at the scanner!"
	Greenbean whooped, and Giles laughed.  Dietra could hear the relief in
Bojay's voice as he spoke.  "I'll be.d
don't call me Di!  It's Die-tra!"
	"All right, Die-tra, why don't I repay you by getting that tinhead that's
taken a sudden liking to you?"
	She jumped to attention as she looked down at her scanner.  Sure enough,
there was a Cylon hot on her tail.  She tried shaking the fighter to lose
the Raider, but it stuck to her.
	"He's getting a little too friendly for my tastes," she said, frowning at
her scanner.
	"That's what I thought.  I'm on my way!"
	The Cylon opened fire on her, and as she tried everything she could think
of, she felt her fighter shake.  The displays that suddenly turned red told
her everything she needed to know.  "They've damaged my high engine!  It's
working at a quarter of its power.  Greenbean, get over here now!"
	"Are you okay?" Bojay asked, his voice concerned.
	"Never been better.  The Viper's seen better days, though, but we'll both
be better in a few microns.  Greenbean!"
	"No need to shout, Dietra," came the amused response as Greenbean
destroyed the Cylon before.  Maybe if we picked something up on the
comline..."  Bojay paused, completely frustrated.  "None of you have heard
anything either on the main comchannel or on frequency 6,968?"
	"Nope."  Greenbean spoke for them all.  "But they're bound to come out of
there soon enough."
	"Soon enough isn't good enough!  Okay, we're going to retreat now.
Dietra, you take your Viper back to the Galactica.  I wouldn't trust it in
the battle now with that high engine damaged."
	Dietra watched as Bojay's Viper did a complete turn to return to the
battle.  Reluctantly, Greenbean and Giles followed suit, heading away from
the basestar and the approaching battlestar.  She pulled her Viper away
from the men and began to take the long way around to the Galactica.  She
glanced at her scanner again, and was surprised to see three smaller
objects coming out of the basestar.
	"Wait!  Bojay, look at the scanner!"
	Greenbean whooped, and Giles laughed.  Dietra could hear the relief in
Bojay's voice as he spoke.  "I'll be. smiled, almost tempted to ask Boxey what else
he had heard, but she remember another time when Apollo had grounded Boxey
for repeating everything that he heard.  "Never mind."
	"Sheba?" Boxey looked at her, totally serious.  "I just wanted to tell you
that you're the closest I have to a mother.  I... I thought it was
important that you knew that."
	Boxey didn't seem to know how to continue, so Sheba awkwardly spoke.  "Why
don't we wait for your dad to wake up, okay?"
	"Okay."  He sat next to her on the chair, and she put her arm around him.
	"And thanks, Boxey," she told him, realizing what he meant.  "That's the
most wonderful thing anyone has said to me in a long time."
	She felt him beginning to fall asleep against her, and she smiled as she
looked down at him.  Very soon afterward, she found herself starting to get
sleepy again, so she closed her eyes.  She jumped slightly a few centons
later -- or what felt like centons -- when she felt something touch her
hand, which was resting on the a..  Orange Leader to Purple Leader.
Come in."
	"Orange Leader?" Boomer's voice answered, highly amused.  "I haven't heard
that joke in yahrens."
	"Boomer?  What are you doing in a Viper?  Who's in the Raider?"
	"Me and Sheba," Starbuck responded.  "Figured that you'd leave us on that
basestar all by our lonesome?"
	Dietra smiled.  "I'm glad you got out of there when you did.  The
Commander only gave you fifteen centons to get in and out."
	"Thank Baltar for that," Athena cut in.  "If it weren't for his presence
on the basestar, it might have taken us another ten centons to get back to
the bays and out again."
	"How's that?"
	"He's lazy."
	Bojay laughed for the first time.  "That's good, I think, because you
don't want to be caught in the middle of that!"
	Dietra looked behind her to see the Galactica making her final approach to
the basestar, and before she moved into place, the battlestar opened fire
on the Cylon ship with all her forward laser turrets.
	"Let's get out of here," Boomer sai it could fire at her again.  "There, we're even."
	"I still think that you owe me one because you took so long," she
grumbled.  To the side, she spotted Bojay and Giles slowly circling the
last three Cylons.  Bojay swept behind them, getting two in a single
barrage of lasers.  The third escape Bojay's attack, and veered directly
into Giles' line of sight.  Before the Cylon realized its mistake, Giles
fired and it was destroyed.
	"That's all of them!" Giles exclaimed.  "At least for now."
	"What a fun way to spend fifteen centons," Greenbean added.
	"Yeah, but that's the fifteen centons that Sheba and Athena were given"
Bojay's voice was bitter and full of worry.  "Look at your scanners,
people.  That big target you see is the Galactica.  She's moving in, and
we're going to have to retreat back to the main battle or risk being caught
in the cross-fire."
	"Why can't we wait for another few centons?" Dietra asked.  "They think
they've got another fifteen centons."
	"I know, but orders are orders..  Orange Leader to Purple Leader.
Come in."
	"Orange Leader?" Boomer's voice answered, highly amused.  "I haven't heard
that joke in yahrens."
	"Boomer?  What are you doing in a Viper?  Who's in the Raider?"
	"Me and Sheba," Starbuck responded.  "Figured that you'd leave us on that
basestar all by our lonesome?"
	Dietra smiled.  "I'm glad you got out of there when you did.  The
Commander only gave you fifteen centons to get in and out."
	"Thank Baltar for that," Athena cut in.  "If it weren't for his presence
on the basestar, it might have taken us another ten centons to get back to
the bays and out again."
	"How's that?"
	"He's lazy."
	Bojay laughed for the first time.  "That's good, I think, because you
don't want to be caught in the middle of that!"
	Dietra looked behind her to see the Galactica making her final approach to
the basestar, and before she moved into place, the battlestar opened fire
on the Cylon ship with all her forward laser turrets.
	"Let's get out of here," Boomer sairmrest.
	"Sheba?" a voice whispered, and she realized that it was Apollo.  He was
smiling at her, so she took her arm from around Boxey's shoulders so she
could kneel next to the bed.  "Good morning."
	"Good morning, sleepy head," she said, then kissed him.  The kiss seemed
to catch Apollo by surprise, making him wince as she touched a bruise on
his chin, but he relaxed after a micron.  When they reluctantly pulled back
a few microns later, his grin was wider than before, and Sheba had one of
her own.  "How are you feeling?"
	"Surprisingly well.  I don't hurt as much as I did yesterday," he said,
sitting up and stretching out his arms.  Sheba saw that he did appear to be
better.
	"I heard about your little stroll in the middle of the night."
	"That?  It was fun."  He glanced at Boxey.  "I hope he wasn't giving you
any trouble."
	"Boxey?" she laughed, then lowered her voice as she realized that he was
still asleep.  "Oh, no, he wasn't bothering me.  We had a nice
conversation, and he even broud.  "Sheba, Starbuck, let's go back to
the Galactica."
	"No," Bojay cut in.  "Dietra, go with Sheba and Starbuck.  She was headed
there anyway.  Besides, Boomer, I want you with me so we can show those
cadets how to fight a battle."
	"See you all when the battle's over!" Athena called as the group parted
company.

Chapter Eleven

	The wait for the main part of the battle to begin was almost agonizing for
Adama.  He stared at the scanner, wondering if Athena would get off the
basestar in time, and if she would have Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Sheba
with her.  Very slowly, it seemed, the centons had trickled by, the bold
numbers slowly changing until they reached zero.
	"The attack has to begin now," Tigh said.  "Now or never."
	Adama nodded as he turned to the navigator.  "Continue the course toward
the basestar.  I want us to go in at an angle, so if the basestar tries to
fire at us, we won't be in their direct line of fire."
	The officer nodded as she plotted in the course, and looked up .  Maybe if we picked something up on the
comline..."  Bojay paused, completely frustrated.  "None of you have heard
anything either on the main comchannel or on frequency 6,968?"
	"Nope."  Greenbean spoke for them all.  "But they're bound to come out of
there soon enough."
	"Soon enough isn't good enough!  Okay, we're going to retreat now.
Dietra, you take your Viper back to the Galactica.  I wouldn't trust it in
the battle now with that high engine damaged."
	Dietra watched as Bojay's Viper did a complete turn to return to the
battle.  Reluctantly, Greenbean and Giles followed suit, heading away from
the basestar and the approaching battlestar.  She pulled her Viper away
from the men and began to take the long way around to the Galactica.  She
glanced at her scanner again, and was surprised to see three smaller
objects coming out of the basestar.
	"Wait!  Bojay, look at the scanner!"
	Greenbean whooped, and Giles laughed.  Dietra could hear the relief in
Bojay's voice as he spoke.  "I'll be.d.  "Sheba, Starbuck, let's go back to
the Galactica."
	"No," Bojay cut in.  "Dietra, go with Sheba and Starbuck.  She was headed
there anyway.  Besides, Boomer, I want you with me so we can show those
cadets how to fight a battle."
	"See you all when the battle's over!" Athena called as the group parted
company.

Chapter Eleven

	The wait for the main part of the battle to begin was almost agonizing for
Adama.  He stared at the scanner, wondering if Athena would get off the
basestar in time, and if she would have Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Sheba
with her.  Very slowly, it seemed, the centons had trickled by, the bold
numbers slowly changing until they reached zero.
	"The attack has to begin now," Tigh said.  "Now or never."
	Adama nodded as he turned to the navigator.  "Continue the course toward
the basestar.  I want us to go in at an angle, so if the basestar tries to
fire at us, we won't be in their direct line of fire."
	The officer nodded as she plotted in the course, and looked up at Adama
when she was finished.  "Course set in, sir."
	"Commence."
	"I wonder if they've made it off the basestar yet," Tigh wondering, only
loud enough for him and Adama to hear.
	"Kobol, I hope so, but we can't wait for them if they're not."  Adama
sighed, trying to hide the worried expression on his face.  "But for the
record, I'm praying that all five of them have left."
	Tigh nodded as silence fell between them.  Adama crossed his arms as he
watched the bridge officers finish their preparations.  He let the tension
build as he heard Rigel counting down the time left until they reached the
basestar.
	"Thirty microns," she finally announced.  "Twenty-five.  Twenty."
	"Cylon basestar now in range," Omega said.
	Adama looked down at the scanner, seeing the octagon that represented the
base ship.  It was usually a menacing sight, especially when there was two
or three of them together, but Baltar's ship was now only a nuisance.  A
very painful nuisance that they needed to get rid of.  He intght in the quilt for you."
	"That's good.  How'd you two get in here, anyway?  I thought that the only
person the sentries were letting in was my father."
	She smiled mysteriously.  "That's for us to know."
	Apollo laughed, then Sheba did, too, but for a different reason.  His hair
was falling into his face, making him look like some kind of stowaway from
the old stories that Sheba used to love reading when she was younger.  As
he looked at her curiously, she leaned forward and caught all of his hair,
pulling it together at the back of his head.  She smiled as she looked at
the result.
	"You needed a haircut when you left, but now you really need one," she
told him, still smiling, but not letting go of his hair.  "Unless you want
to grow it out a little more and go for a new style.  Go for a kind of
debonair look."
	"Only if you cut yours," he teased back.  She knew that Apollo loved her
hair the length it was, and he would probably be more upset that she would
be if she cut it.
	"Mine?  Oh, ..  Orange Leader to Purple Leader.
Come in."
	"Orange Leader?" Boomer's voice answered, highly amused.  "I haven't heard
that joke in yahrens."
	"Boomer?  What are you doing in a Viper?  Who's in the Raider?"
	"Me and Sheba," Starbuck responded.  "Figured that you'd leave us on that
basestar all by our lonesome?"
	Dietra smiled.  "I'm glad you got out of there when you did.  The
Commander only gave you fifteen centons to get in and out."
	"Thank Baltar for that," Athena cut in.  "If it weren't for his presence
on the basestar, it might have taken us another ten centons to get back to
the bays and out again."
	"How's that?"
	"He's lazy."
	Bojay laughed for the first time.  "That's good, I think, because you
don't want to be caught in the middle of that!"
	Dietra looked behind her to see the Galactica making her final approach to
the basestar, and before she moved into place, the battlestar opened fire
on the Cylon ship with all her forward laser turrets.
	"Let's get out of here," Boomer saiat Adama
when she was finished.  "Course set in, sir."
	"Commence."
	"I wonder if they've made it off the basestar yet," Tigh wondering, only
loud enough for him and Adama to hear.
	"Kobol, I hope so, but we can't wait for them if they're not."  Adama
sighed, trying to hide the worried expression on his face.  "But for the
record, I'm praying that all five of them have left."
	Tigh nodded as silence fell between them.  Adama crossed his arms as he
watched the bridge officers finish their preparations.  He let the tension
build as he heard Rigel counting down the time left until they reached the
basestar.
	"Thirty microns," she finally announced.  "Twenty-five.  Twenty."
	"Cylon basestar now in range," Omega said.
	Adama looked down at the scanner, seeing the octagon that represented the
base ship.  It was usually a menacing sight, especially when there was two
or three of them together, but Baltar's ship was now only a nuisance.  A
very painful nuisance that they needed to get rid of.  He intended to do it
as quickly as possible.  Adama nodded to Tigh, the signal for him to give
the orders to begin the battle.
	"Condition red!  Arm all laser turrets!  Seal all compartments!  Prepare
the ship for heavy attack!" Tigh barked out to the officers, startling a
few of the junior ones.  The lights on the bridge dimmed from their usual
bright intensity to the red alert status lights.  Adama had to blink a few
times to adjust his eyes to the new illumination.  "Shields on positive!"
	"Ten microns," Rigel continued.  Adama marveled that her voice was
remaining calm.
	"When I give the order, fire all forward laser turrets at the basestar
while keeping a circular path around the basestar," Adama ordered loudly,
watching the shield closing over the bridge's star field.  Now he would
have to rely on the Galactica's scanners for information on the battle.
"Continue going in at an angle."
	"Five microns."
	Adama nodded, and without waiting for the helm officer to announce that
they were in full adon't spoil it, Apollo.  I was hoping that we could match.
They always say that Starbuck and Cassiopia match each other because
they're both blondes.  Since our hair are different shades of brown, we
should at the very least have matching hairstyles."
	"It could work, but I don't think the flight commander would be taken very
seriously, looking like that," he told her, laughing.
	She faked a pout, then sighed loudly as she let go of his hair, tucking it
behind his ears to make sure that it didn't fall into his face again.
"Hades, Apollo, I've missed you."
	"And if I remembered anything," he said sincerely, "I'd probably say that
I missed you, too."
	Smiling at the man she loved, Sheba suddenly felt guilty at ever thinking
that he was dead, and, even worse, that she was ready to move on.  She
paused, resting her hands on Apollo's shoulders as she studied his face.
He noticed her hesitation that lasted for a few microns, and reached up to
grasp her hands in his.  When she met his gaze, she could d.  "Sheba, Starbuck, let's go back to
the Galactica."
	"No," Bojay cut in.  "Dietra, go with Sheba and Starbuck.  She was headed
there anyway.  Besides, Boomer, I want you with me so we can show those
cadets how to fight a battle."
	"See you all when the battle's over!" Athena called as the group parted
company.

Chapter Eleven

	The wait for the main part of the battle to begin was almost agonizing for
Adama.  He stared at the scanner, wondering if Athena would get off the
basestar in time, and if she would have Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Sheba
with her.  Very slowly, it seemed, the centons had trickled by, the bold
numbers slowly changing until they reached zero.
	"The attack has to begin now," Tigh said.  "Now or never."
	Adama nodded as he turned to the navigator.  "Continue the course toward
the basestar.  I want us to go in at an angle, so if the basestar tries to
fire at us, we won't be in their direct line of fire."
	The officer nodded as she plotted in the course, and looked up ended to do it
as quickly as possible.  Adama nodded to Tigh, the signal for him to give
the orders to begin the battle.
	"Condition red!  Arm all laser turrets!  Seal all compartments!  Prepare
the ship for heavy attack!" Tigh barked out to the officers, startling a
few of the junior ones.  The lights on the bridge dimmed from their usual
bright intensity to the red alert status lights.  Adama had to blink a few
times to adjust his eyes to the new illumination.  "Shields on positive!"
	"Ten microns," Rigel continued.  Adama marveled that her voice was
remaining calm.
	"When I give the order, fire all forward laser turrets at the basestar
while keeping a circular path around the basestar," Adama ordered loudly,
watching the shield closing over the bridge's star field.  Now he would
have to rely on the Galactica's scanners for information on the battle.
"Continue going in at an angle."
	"Five microns."
	Adama nodded, and without waiting for the helm officer to announce that
they were in full attack range, he held his arm up and quickly brought it
down.  "Fire!"

	The first strike from the Galactica's lasers didn't catch Baltar by
surprise, but it reminded him of his promise to Adama about killing the
three warriors.  He was close enough to doing it to Apollo, but he wondered
if he could kill all three.  All the deaths attributed to him were
incidental deaths by his actions.  This would be the first time he would
ever kill someone by his own hand.
	The idea thrilled him.
	The basestar shuddered as the Galactica fired again.  Baltar held onto the
armrests as he waited for Lucifer and Golde to give him updates on the
basestar's condition, but the two Cylons were taking their time in giving
their reports.  He knew that Lucifer was only doing it to annoy him, but he
had no idea why Golde was taking so long.
	"Are you firing back?" he wondered, leaning forward in his throne now that
the trembling had finished.
	"We are attempting to do so, but I am not sure if we would hit them,"
Lucifsee the unspoken
question in his eyes.
	"I'm okay," she said breathlessly.
	"Are you sure?" he asked gently.  "I mean, you were all pretty certain
that I was dead, or at least that's the impression I got from Father.  I'm
sure that a few thought that I was still alive somewhere, but generally
speaking, I was dead to the universe."
	"I know, and I admit that I was one of them."
	"Sheba?"  His voice was serious, and his grip on her hands grew firmer.
"Do you think that this has changed things between us?  To me, nothing has
really changed; in fact, most of what I'm going through is just a reaction
to what I've been told happened.  But you lived through it, and you were
going to make a decision, regardless of what happened.  What do you think?"
	She shook her head.  "I don't think it makes a difference anymore.  If
we'd found you several sectars later, or even after several yahrens, I
suppose we'd be having major problems.  You were only gone for nine days,
Apollo, and I was still dealing with that Adama
when she was finished.  "Course set in, sir."
	"Commence."
	"I wonder if they've made it off the basestar yet," Tigh wondering, only
loud enough for him and Adama to hear.
	"Kobol, I hope so, but we can't wait for them if they're not."  Adama
sighed, trying to hide the worried expression on his face.  "But for the
record, I'm praying that all five of them have left."
	Tigh nodded as silence fell between them.  Adama crossed his arms as he
watched the bridge officers finish their preparations.  He let the tension
build as he heard Rigel counting down the time left until they reached the
basestar.
	"Thirty microns," she finally announced.  "Twenty-five.  Twenty."
	"Cylon basestar now in range," Omega said.
	Adama looked down at the scanner, seeing the octagon that represented the
base ship.  It was usually a menacing sight, especially when there was two
or three of them together, but Baltar's ship was now only a nuisance.  A
very painful nuisance that they needed to get rid of.  He intttack range, he held his arm up and quickly brought it
down.  "Fire!"

	The first strike from the Galactica's lasers didn't catch Baltar by
surprise, but it reminded him of his promise to Adama about killing the
three warriors.  He was close enough to doing it to Apollo, but he wondered
if he could kill all three.  All the deaths attributed to him were
incidental deaths by his actions.  This would be the first time he would
ever kill someone by his own hand.
	The idea thrilled him.
	The basestar shuddered as the Galactica fired again.  Baltar held onto the
armrests as he waited for Lucifer and Golde to give him updates on the
basestar's condition, but the two Cylons were taking their time in giving
their reports.  He knew that Lucifer was only doing it to annoy him, but he
had no idea why Golde was taking so long.
	"Are you firing back?" he wondered, leaning forward in his throne now that
the trembling had finished.
	"We are attempting to do so, but I am not sure if we would hit them,"
Lucifer replied, strolling over to the base of Baltar's throne.  Actually
strolling!  At a time like this!  Baltar couldn't believe it as the I.L.
continued.  "Our scanners are not accurate enough to detect a moving target."
	"A moving target?  You're making it sound like a battlestar can move as
fast as a Viper."
	"Our scanners can only get an accurate reading on stationary objects like
planets."
	"But they're working?"
	"Yes."
	Baltar leaned back in his throne, considering the possible moves they
could do.  They could sit and wait for the Galactica to destroy them, or
they could fight Adama in the hope that the tide of universal fortune would
lean in their favor.  
	"However," Lucifer continued, "it is also highly probably that we may now
be able to estimate where the Galactica's position is."
	"I see.  Lucifer, you said that we could scan stationary objects?"
	"As close as anything can be to stationary in space."
	Very slowly, a grin came onto Baltar's face as he realized how he could
apply the fact that you were gone.  No
matter how hard I tried, I couldn't resign myself to putting your memory
aside."
	"All right."  He sighed loudly.  "Frak, why do I have to have the worst
luck on this entire battlestar, if not the whole entire fleet?  At least I
know one thing for a fact.  I love you, Sheba.  The question -- for me,
anyway -- is do you still want me?"
	"That's a stupid question," she retorted.  "Does it really need an answer?"
	"It would help clarify the situation a bit," he told her.  "I'm sorry, but
I guess that I'm not the most secure person right now.  I think what I need
is to know that I have at least one thing that's stable in my life."
	Sheba examined his green eyes, seeing how sincere and hopeful they were.
She sighed as she brought her arms up to encircle his neck.  "I love you,
Apollo, with all my being, and I'll always be there for you."
	"Thank you," he replied, closing his eyes in relief.  He pulled her in
close to him, and they kissed again.  This time, it was more ended to do it
as quickly as possible.  Adama nodded to Tigh, the signal for him to give
the orders to begin the battle.
	"Condition red!  Arm all laser turrets!  Seal all compartments!  Prepare
the ship for heavy attack!" Tigh barked out to the officers, startling a
few of the junior ones.  The lights on the bridge dimmed from their usual
bright intensity to the red alert status lights.  Adama had to blink a few
times to adjust his eyes to the new illumination.  "Shields on positive!"
	"Ten microns," Rigel continued.  Adama marveled that her voice was
remaining calm.
	"When I give the order, fire all forward laser turrets at the basestar
while keeping a circular path around the basestar," Adama ordered loudly,
watching the shield closing over the bridge's star field.  Now he would
have to rely on the Galactica's scanners for information on the battle.
"Continue going in at an angle."
	"Five microns."
	Adama nodded, and without waiting for the helm officer to announce that
they were in full aer replied, strolling over to the base of Baltar's throne.  Actually
strolling!  At a time like this!  Baltar couldn't believe it as the I.L.
continued.  "Our scanners are not accurate enough to detect a moving target."
	"A moving target?  You're making it sound like a battlestar can move as
fast as a Viper."
	"Our scanners can only get an accurate reading on stationary objects like
planets."
	"But they're working?"
	"Yes."
	Baltar leaned back in his throne, considering the possible moves they
could do.  They could sit and wait for the Galactica to destroy them, or
they could fight Adama in the hope that the tide of universal fortune would
lean in their favor.  
	"However," Lucifer continued, "it is also highly probably that we may now
be able to estimate where the Galactica's position is."
	"I see.  Lucifer, you said that we could scan stationary objects?"
	"As close as anything can be to stationary in space."
	Very slowly, a grin came onto Baltar's face as he realized how he could
apply the information he'd gained from Apollo.  If they were lucky and it
worked out, the Galactica would be hit with one shot that would destroy it.
	"Aim for us to go so close next to the Galactica, Adama will think we're
going to ram him.  Of course, he'll think that we're blundering that way,
but he won't be expecting when we fire all of our lasers at him."  Baltar
rubbed his hands together in anticipation.  "The Galactica will be
crippled, and as she licks her wounds, we will head to the fleet."
	"And the fleet is where...?"  Baltar couldn't miss the heavy sarcasm in
the Cylon's voice.
	"Whatever the opposite course is of vector epsilon-twenty-two," he
replied, his grin widening.  He was delighted when Lucifer didn't respond
to him for a few microns, as though computing the idea, and accessing the
possibilities.  The surprise of realizing that my plan will work must be
overwhelming, he thought triumphantly.
	"It might work," Lucifer agreed, beginning to turn away.  "I will make the
necessary prepattack range, he held his arm up and quickly brought it
down.  "Fire!"

	The first strike from the Galactica's lasers didn't catch Baltar by
surprise, but it reminded him of his promise to Adama about killing the
three warriors.  He was close enough to doing it to Apollo, but he wondered
if he could kill all three.  All the deaths attributed to him were
incidental deaths by his actions.  This would be the first time he would
ever kill someone by his own hand.
	The idea thrilled him.
	The basestar shuddered as the Galactica fired again.  Baltar held onto the
armrests as he waited for Lucifer and Golde to give him updates on the
basestar's condition, but the two Cylons were taking their time in giving
their reports.  He knew that Lucifer was only doing it to annoy him, but he
had no idea why Golde was taking so long.
	"Are you firing back?" he wondered, leaning forward in his throne now that
the trembling had finished.
	"We are attempting to do so, but I am not sure if we would hit them,"
Lucifpassionate,
but after a few microns, Sheba pulled back.  Apollo looked at her with
concern.  "What's wrong?"
	"Nothing really," she told him in a reassuring voice.  "It's just that I
almost forgot!"
	"Forgot?  Forgot what?" he repeated, surprised.  He watched her curiously
as she reached into her pocket.  "What do you have there?"
	"Close your eyes," she ordered, grasping the scraps and their cords with
her fingers, waiting until Apollo did as she asked.  "Hold out your hand."
When his right palm was facing up, she placed one of the scraps in his
hand.  "Open your eyes now!"
	"What is this?" he asked, holding the scrap up so he could see it
properly, the cord snaking down his wrist.
	"Don't you know how to say thank you for a present?" she teased.
	"Thank you, Sheba, but what is it?"
	"It's a piece of hull."
	"Hull?"  Apollo held it up to the poor light, and it rotated in the air.
The metal glistened slightly, reflecting onto his face.  He stared at it,
almost transfixed.  "What kind of hulle information he'd gained from Apollo.  If they were lucky and it
worked out, the Galactica would be hit with one shot that would destroy it.
	"Aim for us to go so close next to the Galactica, Adama will think we're
going to ram him.  Of course, he'll think that we're blundering that way,
but he won't be expecting when we fire all of our lasers at him."  Baltar
rubbed his hands together in anticipation.  "The Galactica will be
crippled, and as she licks her wounds, we will head to the fleet."
	"And the fleet is where...?"  Baltar couldn't miss the heavy sarcasm in
the Cylon's voice.
	"Whatever the opposite course is of vector epsilon-twenty-two," he
replied, his grin widening.  He was delighted when Lucifer didn't respond
to him for a few microns, as though computing the idea, and accessing the
possibilities.  The surprise of realizing that my plan will work must be
overwhelming, he thought triumphantly.
	"It might work," Lucifer agreed, beginning to turn away.  "I will make the
necessary preparations."
	As his aide retreated to a nearby console, the other command Cylon
approached Baltar's throne.
	"There is a problem," Golde spoke up, drawing his attention.  "There is no
response from the prisoners' compound."
	"The prisoner's compound?" Baltar repeated, his brown eyes wide.  "What do
you mean, no response?  Are you saying that the prisoners escaped?"
	"Yes."
	"How is that possible?  I tortured both Apollo and Starbuck, and Boomer
shouldn't have been able to get the both of them out!  How did they escape?"
	"I saw two Vipers and one of our Raiders launching a few centons ago,"
Lucifer said with his back still turned to Baltar, his voice carrying an
emotion that Baltar wasn't sure if he was hearing.  Was that satisfaction
he heard?  "I was almost instantly distracted by the more immediate threat
Galactica's attack."
	"You should have told me!" Baltar shouted.  "Now Adama's going to think
I'm a coward that I didn't carry out my threat!  He'll never take me
seriously again!"
	He heaer replied, strolling over to the base of Baltar's throne.  Actually
strolling!  At a time like this!  Baltar couldn't believe it as the I.L.
continued.  "Our scanners are not accurate enough to detect a moving target."
	"A moving target?  You're making it sound like a battlestar can move as
fast as a Viper."
	"Our scanners can only get an accurate reading on stationary objects like
planets."
	"But they're working?"
	"Yes."
	Baltar leaned back in his throne, considering the possible moves they
could do.  They could sit and wait for the Galactica to destroy them, or
they could fight Adama in the hope that the tide of universal fortune would
lean in their favor.  
	"However," Lucifer continued, "it is also highly probably that we may now
be able to estimate where the Galactica's position is."
	"I see.  Lucifer, you said that we could scan stationary objects?"
	"As close as anything can be to stationary in space."
	Very slowly, a grin came onto Baltar's face as he realized how he could
apply th?"
	"The basestar's hull."  She held out her scrap for him to see.  "Or so I
was told, anyway.  See, I've got one, too.  Consider it to be a good luck
charm to get rid of all that bad luck."
	"It could very well be one!" he laughed as she took the scrap and hung it
around his neck.  "Knowing you, Sheba, this could almost be some kind of
promissory gift."
	She kissed him on the nose.  "Only if you want it to be."
	"How did I know that you were going to say that?" he asked, smiling.  He
appeared to want to say more when Boxey stirred in the chair, starting to
rub his eyes.  Apollo smiled at Sheba for a micron, then turned his
attention to his son.
	"Dad!" Boxey shouted joyfully as soon as he realized that Apollo was
awake.  He jumped out of his chair and into Apollo's arms before Sheba
could tell him to be careful.  He threw his arms around Apollo's neck and
hugged him tightly.  "I missed you."
	"I missed you, too," Apollo said, hugging him back.
	"I kept on telling everybody that I knew, withorations."
	As his aide retreated to a nearby console, the other command Cylon
approached Baltar's throne.
	"There is a problem," Golde spoke up, drawing his attention.  "There is no
response from the prisoners' compound."
	"The prisoner's compound?" Baltar repeated, his brown eyes wide.  "What do
you mean, no response?  Are you saying that the prisoners escaped?"
	"Yes."
	"How is that possible?  I tortured both Apollo and Starbuck, and Boomer
shouldn't have been able to get the both of them out!  How did they escape?"
	"I saw two Vipers and one of our Raiders launching a few centons ago,"
Lucifer said with his back still turned to Baltar, his voice carrying an
emotion that Baltar wasn't sure if he was hearing.  Was that satisfaction
he heard?  "I was almost instantly distracted by the more immediate threat
Galactica's attack."
	"You should have told me!" Baltar shouted.  "Now Adama's going to think
I'm a coward that I didn't carry out my threat!  He'll never take me
seriously again!"
	He heard Lucifer make a snide comment under his breath that Adama had
never actually taken Baltar seriously, but he ignored it as the Galactica's
lasers made the ship tremble again.
	"Continue with the plan!" he ordered as he stood to go down to the main
level of the command center, but another barrage of lasers caused the
entire basestar to lurch.  Baltar was thrown down the few steps to land in
an undignified sprawl at the base of the throne.  He lay still for a
micron, completely stunned as he felt something hard dig into his side.
His dazed brain quickly realized what it was.  The control to the belts!
Grinning, Baltar sat up and pulled it out to stare at it.
	There was a feature to the belt that Baltar never had the opportunity to
try, although he'd very nearly come to it with Apollo during the past few
days.  By turning the dial to maximum, the belt would collect enough energy
to paralyze the prisoner's entire body with pain.  Thirty microns later,
cardiac arrest would begin, and if the ship didut a doubt, that you
weren't dead," the boy stated loudly.  "I knew that you were still alive,
but everybody told me that I was wrong."
	"We'll never doubt you again," Sheba promised, smiling widely.
	"Good.  Dad, you're never going to leave again, are you?" he continued,
still hugging his father.  This time, Apollo found his grip to be tighter,
almost desperate.  "Promise that you won't."
	"Uh, Boxey," he began, looking perturbed as he glanced at Sheba, then back
at Boxey, "I want you to listen to me very carefully.  All right?"
	He nodded, letting go of Apollo and listening carefully, his brown eyes
wide with anticipation.  "Yes, Dad."
	"Good.  Now, I know that I haven't been the most responsible of parents,
and that I've let you down a lot.  I guess that this is the worst thing of
all for you, but you have to understand, Boxey, that I never wanted this.
I was irresponsible after your mother died, but now, I'd hoped that I
changed my ways."  Apollo sighed, then continued.  "What I guess I'm se information he'd gained from Apollo.  If they were lucky and it
worked out, the Galactica would be hit with one shot that would destroy it.
	"Aim for us to go so close next to the Galactica, Adama will think we're
going to ram him.  Of course, he'll think that we're blundering that way,
but he won't be expecting when we fire all of our lasers at him."  Baltar
rubbed his hands together in anticipation.  "The Galactica will be
crippled, and as she licks her wounds, we will head to the fleet."
	"And the fleet is where...?"  Baltar couldn't miss the heavy sarcasm in
the Cylon's voice.
	"Whatever the opposite course is of vector epsilon-twenty-two," he
replied, his grin widening.  He was delighted when Lucifer didn't respond
to him for a few microns, as though computing the idea, and accessing the
possibilities.  The surprise of realizing that my plan will work must be
overwhelming, he thought triumphantly.
	"It might work," Lucifer agreed, beginning to turn away.  "I will make the
necessary prepard Lucifer make a snide comment under his breath that Adama had
never actually taken Baltar seriously, but he ignored it as the Galactica's
lasers made the ship tremble again.
	"Continue with the plan!" he ordered as he stood to go down to the main
level of the command center, but another barrage of lasers caused the
entire basestar to lurch.  Baltar was thrown down the few steps to land in
an undignified sprawl at the base of the throne.  He lay still for a
micron, completely stunned as he felt something hard dig into his side.
His dazed brain quickly realized what it was.  The control to the belts!
Grinning, Baltar sat up and pulled it out to stare at it.
	There was a feature to the belt that Baltar never had the opportunity to
try, although he'd very nearly come to it with Apollo during the past few
days.  By turning the dial to maximum, the belt would collect enough energy
to paralyze the prisoner's entire body with pain.  Thirty microns later,
cardiac arrest would begin, and if the ship did not go out of range, or if
the belt was not deactivated, the prisoner would die.  In Apollo's case, a
minimum exposure would be enough.
	"I'll prove to you, Adama, that I'm not to be messed with," he muttered as
he twisted the dial to the maximum level.  The light turned green, then
switched to red.  He prayed that the Raider was still in range and that
Apollo's belt had not been removed as he replaced the control in his pocket
as he picked himself off the floor.  Smiling widely, he went to Lucifer's
side.  "Began the plan."

	"We'll circle around the Galactica before boarding her," Dietra decided as
the three ships left the basestar.  Starbuck stared at the scanner as he
listened to the lieutenant's words.  "It'll take us about ten centons."
	"Where's the Galactica anyway?" he asked, trying to adjust the scanner.
He remembered the first time he'd used it, wondering if the blips he kept
picking up were simply a malfunction.  "This scanner is worth felgercarb."
	"Take a epsilon-three-zero headaying
is that I can't promise that something like what just happened won't happen
again, but what I will promise is that I'll do my best to stay in one piece."
	"Then you weren't trying when you were shot down?" Boxey demanded, his
voice suddenly harsh as his eyes began to tear.  "You didn't care?  You
wanted to die?"
	"No, of course not!" Apollo exclaimed, giving Sheba a shocked expression.
He knew that if she had known that Boxey was holding that much anger
underneath the surface, she would have warned him.  By her stunned
expression, he knew that she was just as surprised.  "My being captured was
one of those things that you can't do anything about.  And I did care,
Boxey.  I really do."
	"Are you sure?"
	"Of course I'm sure!  Besides, I have you, and that's all that matter now."
	Boxey suddenly grinned at Apollo's words, which made both him and Sheba
relax.  He threw his arms around his father's neck again, and said in a
mischievous tone that only Apollo could hear, "And don't forget Shebarations."
	As his aide retreated to a nearby console, the other command Cylon
approached Baltar's throne.
	"There is a problem," Golde spoke up, drawing his attention.  "There is no
response from the prisoners' compound."
	"The prisoner's compound?" Baltar repeated, his brown eyes wide.  "What do
you mean, no response?  Are you saying that the prisoners escaped?"
	"Yes."
	"How is that possible?  I tortured both Apollo and Starbuck, and Boomer
shouldn't have been able to get the both of them out!  How did they escape?"
	"I saw two Vipers and one of our Raiders launching a few centons ago,"
Lucifer said with his back still turned to Baltar, his voice carrying an
emotion that Baltar wasn't sure if he was hearing.  Was that satisfaction
he heard?  "I was almost instantly distracted by the more immediate threat
Galactica's attack."
	"You should have told me!" Baltar shouted.  "Now Adama's going to think
I'm a coward that I didn't carry out my threat!  He'll never take me
seriously again!"
	He hea not go out of range, or if
the belt was not deactivated, the prisoner would die.  In Apollo's case, a
minimum exposure would be enough.
	"I'll prove to you, Adama, that I'm not to be messed with," he muttered as
he twisted the dial to the maximum level.  The light turned green, then
switched to red.  He prayed that the Raider was still in range and that
Apollo's belt had not been removed as he replaced the control in his pocket
as he picked himself off the floor.  Smiling widely, he went to Lucifer's
side.  "Began the plan."

	"We'll circle around the Galactica before boarding her," Dietra decided as
the three ships left the basestar.  Starbuck stared at the scanner as he
listened to the lieutenant's words.  "It'll take us about ten centons."
	"Where's the Galactica anyway?" he asked, trying to adjust the scanner.
He remembered the first time he'd used it, wondering if the blips he kept
picking up were simply a malfunction.  "This scanner is worth felgercarb."
	"Take a epsilon-three-zero heading."
	Sheba nodded to tell him that she had already put the course into the
computer.
	"Thanks, Dietra."  The further away from the basestar the Raider went, the
more relaxed he felt.  He began to feel the tension in his shoulder and
neck ebb, while his head began to feel almost light-headed.  The blasted
belt was the first thing that he'd done something about, by having Sheba
remove it once they'd boarded the Raider.  He could still see her disgusted
expression when he described its function, but he felt so much better now
that it was lying beside him on the deck. The only thing he needed now was
to have his concussion healed, so it wouldn't go off like a gong every time
he moved.
	"Ten centons," Sheba repeated a few moments later.  "Why does that sound
like a long time?"
	"Hey, nine days was even longer."  He paused, looking back at Apollo's
almost peaceful face.  How peaceful could his friend appear to be with his
face looking the way it did, with the bruises and other reminders of his
tord Lucifer make a snide comment under his breath that Adama had
never actually taken Baltar seriously, but he ignored it as the Galactica's
lasers made the ship tremble again.
	"Continue with the plan!" he ordered as he stood to go down to the main
level of the command center, but another barrage of lasers caused the
entire basestar to lurch.  Baltar was thrown down the few steps to land in
an undignified sprawl at the base of the throne.  He lay still for a
micron, completely stunned as he felt something hard dig into his side.
His dazed brain quickly realized what it was.  The control to the belts!
Grinning, Baltar sat up and pulled it out to stare at it.
	There was a feature to the belt that Baltar never had the opportunity to
try, although he'd very nearly come to it with Apollo during the past few
days.  By turning the dial to maximum, the belt would collect enough energy
to paralyze the prisoner's entire body with pain.  Thirty microns later,
cardiac arrest would begin, and if the ship did."
	"That's right.  I have you and Sheba."  He smiled at Sheba, who was trying
not to laugh.
	"Much better," Boxey declared, sounding rather smug.  "Besides, Starbuck
told me to remind you that you're supposed to teach me how to play Triad."
	"As soon as I get better."
	"It's a deal."  Apollo almost choked at how Boxey sounded like Starbuck,
but the boy didn't notice.  "When you're better."
	Looking smug, the boy reached out to grasp Sheba's hand, and placed it
gently in Apollo's.  Making sure that the adults' grip was firm, and that
they wouldn't let go of each other, he put his arms around both their
shoulders, bringing them together.  Apollo found his head touching Sheba's,
and they exchanged amused smiles.  Boxey didn't mind, because he was happy
about something else.
	For the next few microns, surrounded by the two adults he cared for the
most, Boxey remembered what it was like during those brief days three
yahrens ago to have a full set of parents to make a real family.  For the
first ting."
	Sheba nodded to tell him that she had already put the course into the
computer.
	"Thanks, Dietra."  The further away from the basestar the Raider went, the
more relaxed he felt.  He began to feel the tension in his shoulder and
neck ebb, while his head began to feel almost light-headed.  The blasted
belt was the first thing that he'd done something about, by having Sheba
remove it once they'd boarded the Raider.  He could still see her disgusted
expression when he described its function, but he felt so much better now
that it was lying beside him on the deck. The only thing he needed now was
to have his concussion healed, so it wouldn't go off like a gong every time
he moved.
	"Ten centons," Sheba repeated a few moments later.  "Why does that sound
like a long time?"
	"Hey, nine days was even longer."  He paused, looking back at Apollo's
almost peaceful face.  How peaceful could his friend appear to be with his
face looking the way it did, with the bruises and other reminders of his
torture?  "Ten centons is going to go like this."
	Sheba laughed as Starbuck snapped his fingers, but then they heard
Dietra's voice come over the comline again.
	"Nine days, as in that's how long it took us to fight the basestar?"
	"Didn't I turn that comline off?" Starbuck muttered, but Sheba motioned
for him to give her the communicator.  "Here, I'm giving you to Sheba."
	"Sure."
	"Hey, Dietra.  You see, we've got precious cargo aboard, and it's not
Starbuck and his pretty little injured head."  Sheba gave him a sweet smile
as he winced from her jibe.  "Can you keep a secret for a little while?"
	"You know me, Sheba.  Trusty, dependable Dietra.  What's this precious
cargo you're talking about?"  She laughed.  "Don't tell me that you've got
Baltar with you.  If you do, this time I hope the Council executes him."
	Sheba laughed.  "Something even better, Dietra.  We've got Apollo."
	The startled sound that the lieutenant made over the comline made them
both laugh.
	"Apollo?  Captain Apollo?" Die not go out of range, or if
the belt was not deactivated, the prisoner would die.  In Apollo's case, a
minimum exposure would be enough.
	"I'll prove to you, Adama, that I'm not to be messed with," he muttered as
he twisted the dial to the maximum level.  The light turned green, then
switched to red.  He prayed that the Raider was still in range and that
Apollo's belt had not been removed as he replaced the control in his pocket
as he picked himself off the floor.  Smiling widely, he went to Lucifer's
side.  "Began the plan."

	"We'll circle around the Galactica before boarding her," Dietra decided as
the three ships left the basestar.  Starbuck stared at the scanner as he
listened to the lieutenant's words.  "It'll take us about ten centons."
	"Where's the Galactica anyway?" he asked, trying to adjust the scanner.
He remembered the first time he'd used it, wondering if the blips he kept
picking up were simply a malfunction.  "This scanner is worth felgercarb."
	"Take a epsilon-three-zero headime since Serina's death, he felt that he was closer to getting his
wish than ever before.

Chapter Fifteen

	It was completely unlike Bojay to have sleepless nights, but this, in all
sense of the expression, was a complete exception.  He felt like he was in
a daze, and he had walked around the Galactica, sticking to the areas that
weren't densely populated.  He didn't know what he would do if he ran into
someone that he knew, whether he would be civil to them, or whether he
would take out his anger on them.
	"We've got our Flight Commander back.  Captain Apollo is alive!"
	The last part of Boomer's speech echoed through Bojay's mind.  It couldn't
be!  He remembered being at the senior officer's briefing where Apollo's
flight recorder had been played back.  The voices... the holographic
projection of the scanner screen... everything that they had seen showed
that Apollo was dead.  That was the only way to explain it.  The Viper
exploded, and the flight recorder ejected into space microns beforture?  "Ten centons is going to go like this."
	Sheba laughed as Starbuck snapped his fingers, but then they heard
Dietra's voice come over the comline again.
	"Nine days, as in that's how long it took us to fight the basestar?"
	"Didn't I turn that comline off?" Starbuck muttered, but Sheba motioned
for him to give her the communicator.  "Here, I'm giving you to Sheba."
	"Sure."
	"Hey, Dietra.  You see, we've got precious cargo aboard, and it's not
Starbuck and his pretty little injured head."  Sheba gave him a sweet smile
as he winced from her jibe.  "Can you keep a secret for a little while?"
	"You know me, Sheba.  Trusty, dependable Dietra.  What's this precious
cargo you're talking about?"  She laughed.  "Don't tell me that you've got
Baltar with you.  If you do, this time I hope the Council executes him."
	Sheba laughed.  "Something even better, Dietra.  We've got Apollo."
	The startled sound that the lieutenant made over the comline made them
both laugh.
	"Apollo?  Captain Apollo?" Dietra repeated, completely stunned.  "The dead
Captain Apollo?"
	"No, the other one," Starbuck said loudly, hoping that Dietra would hear
him.  He grinned at Sheba's pleased expression.  "The Captain Apollo who's
alive, but not so well."
	"Why didn't you say something earlier!" she exclaimed, sounding slightly
insulted.  "We're just going to have to get there quicker!"
	"Thanks, Dietra."
	Starbuck smiled as he settled back in his chair.  He was amused to hear
himself beginning to hum a song that he hadn't heard since he was a child.
He hummed through the first verse, but during the refrain, he couldn't
remember the rest of the tune.  He was surprised when he heard Sheba
actually singing the words.
	"'And in our hearts we know/Love's the way to go/Victory of the heart is
near/The lost loves give a cheer.'"  She grinned at his surprise.  "'Fields
of Victory.'  It's a love song from my father's generation, isn't it?"
	"I think so.  Umbra was such a backwater place that it was a new song
while I waing."
	Sheba nodded to tell him that she had already put the course into the
computer.
	"Thanks, Dietra."  The further away from the basestar the Raider went, the
more relaxed he felt.  He began to feel the tension in his shoulder and
neck ebb, while his head began to feel almost light-headed.  The blasted
belt was the first thing that he'd done something about, by having Sheba
remove it once they'd boarded the Raider.  He could still see her disgusted
expression when he described its function, but he felt so much better now
that it was lying beside him on the deck. The only thing he needed now was
to have his concussion healed, so it wouldn't go off like a gong every time
he moved.
	"Ten centons," Sheba repeated a few moments later.  "Why does that sound
like a long time?"
	"Hey, nine days was even longer."  He paused, looking back at Apollo's
almost peaceful face.  How peaceful could his friend appear to be with his
face looking the way it did, with the bruises and other reminders of his
tore Apollo
was sent into oblivion.
	But that wasn't the way it happened, was it? he thought angrily.  He had
heard a few junior technicians discussing it in the hallway.  Was it
possible for the recorder to eject prematurely, before the Viper was
actually destroyed?  Evidently, that's what happened.  Bojay remembered the
last scene, where they heard Apollo cry out when the control panel began to
spark and burn his hands.  Could it be that the same energy surge also
caused the flight recorder to eject?
	That has to be it, Bojay thought, crossing his arms tightly around his
middle.  He wanted to get rid of the slightly nauseous feeling in his
stomach.  It felt like someone had kicked him hard.  He didn't think he'd
be sick, but he felt like it.  Felgercarb!  Why did the son of a lupus have
to survive!
	"We've got our Flight Commander back.  Captain Apollo is alive!" Boomer's
voice whispered in his head.
	Where would have Apollo gone after the flight recorder ejected?  Bojay
knew the answer to thtra repeated, completely stunned.  "The dead
Captain Apollo?"
	"No, the other one," Starbuck said loudly, hoping that Dietra would hear
him.  He grinned at Sheba's pleased expression.  "The Captain Apollo who's
alive, but not so well."
	"Why didn't you say something earlier!" she exclaimed, sounding slightly
insulted.  "We're just going to have to get there quicker!"
	"Thanks, Dietra."
	Starbuck smiled as he settled back in his chair.  He was amused to hear
himself beginning to hum a song that he hadn't heard since he was a child.
He hummed through the first verse, but during the refrain, he couldn't
remember the rest of the tune.  He was surprised when he heard Sheba
actually singing the words.
	"'And in our hearts we know/Love's the way to go/Victory of the heart is
near/The lost loves give a cheer.'"  She grinned at his surprise.  "'Fields
of Victory.'  It's a love song from my father's generation, isn't it?"
	"I think so.  Umbra was such a backwater place that it was a new song
while I was growing up in the orphanages."  Starbuck smiled slightly.
"After the attack in 7322, you might say that our self esteem was a little
low, so we would celebrate every other colony's victory as our own."
	Sheba nodded as she glanced at him.  There was a slightly sad expression
in his blue eyes, but he blinked it away as he noticed her looking at him.
To Sheba, it was almost as though he were hiding it.  The smile he gave her
was sunny in its optimism, but she knew that was only partly true.
	I never noticed that aspect of his personality before, she thought as she
turned back to the controls.  I used to think that Apollo was the master at
keeping his emotions relatively in check, but Starbuck's a hundred times
better.  Gods, imagine growing up alone, without any family, any support.
I thought it was bad with Father only showing up once or twice a yahren
when I was a kid, but Starbuck had it much worse.
	She listened to the Raider's engines as silence continued in the cockpit.
She didn't mind it rture?  "Ten centons is going to go like this."
	Sheba laughed as Starbuck snapped his fingers, but then they heard
Dietra's voice come over the comline again.
	"Nine days, as in that's how long it took us to fight the basestar?"
	"Didn't I turn that comline off?" Starbuck muttered, but Sheba motioned
for him to give her the communicator.  "Here, I'm giving you to Sheba."
	"Sure."
	"Hey, Dietra.  You see, we've got precious cargo aboard, and it's not
Starbuck and his pretty little injured head."  Sheba gave him a sweet smile
as he winced from her jibe.  "Can you keep a secret for a little while?"
	"You know me, Sheba.  Trusty, dependable Dietra.  What's this precious
cargo you're talking about?"  She laughed.  "Don't tell me that you've got
Baltar with you.  If you do, this time I hope the Council executes him."
	Sheba laughed.  "Something even better, Dietra.  We've got Apollo."
	The startled sound that the lieutenant made over the comline made them
both laugh.
	"Apollo?  Captain Apollo?" Dieat.  The basestar.  It was the only possible
explanation, but what he wanted to know was what Apollo did there.  He
didn't know anything about Apollo's condition, but he could guess that
after being on a basestar, the other captain was probably in need of
serious medical attention.  He remembered his own injuries that a Cylon
laser had inflicted on him on Gamoray, and how much that had incapacitated
him.
	Boomer said that the basestar was commanded by Baltar.  Bojay could
remember hearing Sheba telling the rest of Silver Spar Squadron about her
father's hatred of the man.  Although it wasn't clear to any of them what
exactly the trader had done to Commander Cain, Bojay had his suspicions,
especially after learning how the Colonies had fallen to Baltar's betrayal.
 He began to wonder if Baltar had anything to do with the Fifth Fleet's
defeat at Molecay, but he knew that he could never be certain.  Now, he
wanted to know if they had a second traitor on their hands.
	I'm positive that's what he dis growing up in the orphanages."  Starbuck smiled slightly.
"After the attack in 7322, you might say that our self esteem was a little
low, so we would celebrate every other colony's victory as our own."
	Sheba nodded as she glanced at him.  There was a slightly sad expression
in his blue eyes, but he blinked it away as he noticed her looking at him.
To Sheba, it was almost as though he were hiding it.  The smile he gave her
was sunny in its optimism, but she knew that was only partly true.
	I never noticed that aspect of his personality before, she thought as she
turned back to the controls.  I used to think that Apollo was the master at
keeping his emotions relatively in check, but Starbuck's a hundred times
better.  Gods, imagine growing up alone, without any family, any support.
I thought it was bad with Father only showing up once or twice a yahren
when I was a kid, but Starbuck had it much worse.
	She listened to the Raider's engines as silence continued in the cockpit.
She didn't mind it at all.  After the stressful events of the past few
days, she would be glad to just lie down on her bunk and sleep.  Maybe even
relax, if she was lucky.
	Relax?  What's that? she wondered, smiling slightly.  And when Apollo was
decently recovered, maybe they could head over to the Rising Star for a
private evening, just the two of them.  She could almost feel his arms
around her, and her smile grew a little wider as she watched the passing
stars.
	"What is that basestar doing now?" Dietra asked a few centons later, her
voice on alert.  Both Starbuck and Sheba snapped out of their private
reveries at the lieutenant's voice.
	"Doing what?" Sheba asked, looking over at Starbuck as he adjusted the
scanner.
	"From what I can tell, she's moving toward the Galactica, in our general
direction," Starbuck frowned, turning his head slightly to look at Sheba.
"Baltar can't know we've escaped yet, can he?
	"I don't know, but do you think he's following us?"  Sheba shook her head
in confusion.  "Um, Starbutra repeated, completely stunned.  "The dead
Captain Apollo?"
	"No, the other one," Starbuck said loudly, hoping that Dietra would hear
him.  He grinned at Sheba's pleased expression.  "The Captain Apollo who's
alive, but not so well."
	"Why didn't you say something earlier!" she exclaimed, sounding slightly
insulted.  "We're just going to have to get there quicker!"
	"Thanks, Dietra."
	Starbuck smiled as he settled back in his chair.  He was amused to hear
himself beginning to hum a song that he hadn't heard since he was a child.
He hummed through the first verse, but during the refrain, he couldn't
remember the rest of the tune.  He was surprised when he heard Sheba
actually singing the words.
	"'And in our hearts we know/Love's the way to go/Victory of the heart is
near/The lost loves give a cheer.'"  She grinned at his surprise.  "'Fields
of Victory.'  It's a love song from my father's generation, isn't it?"
	"I think so.  Umbra was such a backwater place that it was a new song
while I wad there, he thought, feeling the nausea
increase a bit more.  If I were a Cylon commander with a captured human
prisoner, I'd interrogate him until I was certain to get everything I'd
want to know.  But that's not something that'll work in our favor right
now.  I want to know how much time we have left before Apollo's betrayal
kills us, and what exactly did he tell them?
	He hadn't seen Sheba that evening, nor that night.  He'd waited for her at
the victory celebration, hoping to ask her for a dance.  He had it all
planned out.  Jolly's band would play a slow dance, which would give him
the opportunity to ask several more questions.  Questions that would change
his future, he hoped.  Questions that he'd been unable to ask nine days
ago.  Questions that he'd never be able to ask her.
	She's with him, I know it, he bitterly thought, feeling his eyes fill with
tears.  Were they of regret?  Mourning?  Lost opportunities hurt more than
lost people, he knew.  It didn't make him feel any better.  It's ck, I don't think your mission was a very big
success."
	"You're telling me," he sighed.  "Now what?"
	"I suggest we get aboard the Galactica as soon as possible."  Dietra's
Viper began to accelerate slightly.  "We'll be safer aboard than out here
in space.  Besides, my Viper's not up to any action, and neither are you
with Apollo aboard."
	"We're right behind you," Sheba told her, reaching to speed the Raider up,
when she spotted Starbuck looking around the cabin.  She frowned as her
hand paused above the control.  "What are you doing?"
	"Do you hear that?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing together.
	"Hear what?"  She frowned, listening.  The Raider's engines were the only
thing she could hear, but gradually, she could hear a high-pitched hum over
top.  "That?"
	He nodded.  "I was beginning to think the concussion's affecting my hearing."
	"The engines aren't making that noise, are they?"
	"No.  Frak, it's getting louder, too."  His face drained of color as he
looked at Sheba.  "I've only hes growing up in the orphanages."  Starbuck smiled slightly.
"After the attack in 7322, you might say that our self esteem was a little
low, so we would celebrate every other colony's victory as our own."
	Sheba nodded as she glanced at him.  There was a slightly sad expression
in his blue eyes, but he blinked it away as he noticed her looking at him.
To Sheba, it was almost as though he were hiding it.  The smile he gave her
was sunny in its optimism, but she knew that was only partly true.
	I never noticed that aspect of his personality before, she thought as she
turned back to the controls.  I used to think that Apollo was the master at
keeping his emotions relatively in check, but Starbuck's a hundred times
better.  Gods, imagine growing up alone, without any family, any support.
I thought it was bad with Father only showing up once or twice a yahren
when I was a kid, but Starbuck had it much worse.
	She listened to the Raider's engines as silence continued in the cockpit.
She didn't mind it at all.  After the stressful events of the past few
days, she would be glad to just lie down on her bunk and sleep.  Maybe even
relax, if she was lucky.
	Relax?  What's that? she wondered, smiling slightly.  And when Apollo was
decently recovered, maybe they could head over to the Rising Star for a
private evening, just the two of them.  She could almost feel his arms
around her, and her smile grew a little wider as she watched the passing
stars.
	"What is that basestar doing now?" Dietra asked a few centons later, her
voice on alert.  Both Starbuck and Sheba snapped out of their private
reveries at the lieutenant's voice.
	"Doing what?" Sheba asked, looking over at Starbuck as he adjusted the
scanner.
	"From what I can tell, she's moving toward the Galactica, in our general
direction," Starbuck frowned, turning his head slightly to look at Sheba.
"Baltar can't know we've escaped yet, can he?
	"I don't know, but do you think he's following us?"  Sheba shook her head
in confusion.  "Um, Starbualmost as
though I've lost her.  Sheba's never going to leave him in the near future,
or at least until he's stronger.  Maybe... maybe if I can get her, and all
the others, to see the light about Apollo...  Get them to see that Apollo's
no better than Baltar now...  I might be able to succeed if I do that.
	"We've got our Flight Commander back.  Captain Apollo is alive!"  Boomer's
words whispered one last time before Bojay made a conscious effort to
repress them.
	"Not for long.  If I have my way, he's not going to want to be on the
Galactica for very much longer," he swore, hitting his left fist against
the bulkhead.  Although it hurt him, it made him forget about the pain in
his heart.

	For the first time in days, Adama awoke from a good night's sleep.  He
stretched, marveling at how rested he felt.  He felt so good that he
wondered for a micron if he were a different man.  Everything felt
different, including the dream.  Instead of meeting Ila and their stricken
baby, he went through everard that sound once before, and Baltar's the
source of it."
	"Baltar?" Sheba repeated, feeling alarmed.  She had an idea what Starbuck
was talking about, and her suspicion was verified as Starbuck leaned down
away from her.  "Starbuck, you don't mean that belt, do you?"
	He ignored her for a centon as he inspected the Cylon torture device.  The
hum was clearly coming from it, the sound making him shiver slightly as he
remembered the agony the belt had given him.  This time, though, the pitch
was higher, almost at an intensity that reminded Starbuck of an overload.
	"Oh, frak," he swore, jerking his hand away from it.  "What's it doing?"
	"The belt?  Starbuck, it's that belt, isn't it?"
	"Yeah."
	"Then what's happening?  Did Boomer take his off, too?"
	"I saw him get Athena to help him just a few microns before we strapped
Apollo in.  And if I knew what was going on, Sheba, I wouldn't be sitting
here confused, would I?"  He shot her an irritated expression, but it
quickly disappeared as Apollo at all.  After the stressful events of the past few
days, she would be glad to just lie down on her bunk and sleep.  Maybe even
relax, if she was lucky.
	Relax?  What's that? she wondered, smiling slightly.  And when Apollo was
decently recovered, maybe they could head over to the Rising Star for a
private evening, just the two of them.  She could almost feel his arms
around her, and her smile grew a little wider as she watched the passing
stars.
	"What is that basestar doing now?" Dietra asked a few centons later, her
voice on alert.  Both Starbuck and Sheba snapped out of their private
reveries at the lieutenant's voice.
	"Doing what?" Sheba asked, looking over at Starbuck as he adjusted the
scanner.
	"From what I can tell, she's moving toward the Galactica, in our general
direction," Starbuck frowned, turning his head slightly to look at Sheba.
"Baltar can't know we've escaped yet, can he?
	"I don't know, but do you think he's following us?"  Sheba shook her head
in confusion.  "Um, Starbuck, I don't think your mission was a very big
success."
	"You're telling me," he sighed.  "Now what?"
	"I suggest we get aboard the Galactica as soon as possible."  Dietra's
Viper began to accelerate slightly.  "We'll be safer aboard than out here
in space.  Besides, my Viper's not up to any action, and neither are you
with Apollo aboard."
	"We're right behind you," Sheba told her, reaching to speed the Raider up,
when she spotted Starbuck looking around the cabin.  She frowned as her
hand paused above the control.  "What are you doing?"
	"Do you hear that?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing together.
	"Hear what?"  She frowned, listening.  The Raider's engines were the only
thing she could hear, but gradually, she could hear a high-pitched hum over
top.  "That?"
	He nodded.  "I was beginning to think the concussion's affecting my hearing."
	"The engines aren't making that noise, are they?"
	"No.  Frak, it's getting louder, too."  His face drained of color as he
looked at Sheba.  "I've only hey joyful micron of all of his children's births.
	Pulling his brown robe over his pajamas, he wandered barefoot into his
outer office.  He was so cheerful that he almost expected bright sunshine
to come in through the window.  Instead, he looked out and saw a few of the
passenger ships.  He watched them for a few microns, thinking of the Adena
and her lost crew.  He would have to sit down with Tigh and rethink their
strategy, now that the Cylons had a new possibility when it came to battle.
	There were several messages waiting for him when he sat down at his desk.
As he waited for them to download, he accessed Apollo's file.  The first
thing that greeted him was the picture.  He examined it for a few microns,
and decided that as soon as the bruises faded completely from Apollo's
face, he would have him take a new one.  While he was at it, he would have
all the warriors' pictures updated, since there were some that were
undoubtedly older than Apollo's.
	Skimming down to the status section, he wascried out sharply.  Starbuck glanced back to
see him conscious and sitting upright in his seat.  His green eyes were
wide with shock as he gripped the armrests tightly.  "Felgercarb!  Apollo!"
	"What's happening to Apollo?" Sheba demanded as Starbuck jumped from his
seat, wincing as his head began to throb.  Glancing at Apollo's rigid body,
she spotted the same belt that Starbuck and Boomer had been wearing
earlier.  "Oh, frak!"
	Starbuck reached down to Apollo's waist, all the while trying to remember
how Sheba had undone it earlier.  Take the clasp, bend it back, then bend
it forward and apart.  Come on, if Baltar could open it, I can!
	It wouldn't move.  Starbuck wrapped his fingers around the opposite ends
of the clasp, pulling until he felt the metal bite into his flesh.  Still
nothing.  He could feel Apollo's body beginning to shake against him.
	"Starbuck!" Sheba shouted, her voice frightened.  "Can you get it off him?"
	"No!  It's stuck!" he replied, pulling again.  He winced from the pack, I don't think your mission was a very big
success."
	"You're telling me," he sighed.  "Now what?"
	"I suggest we get aboard the Galactica as soon as possible."  Dietra's
Viper began to accelerate slightly.  "We'll be safer aboard than out here
in space.  Besides, my Viper's not up to any action, and neither are you
with Apollo aboard."
	"We're right behind you," Sheba told her, reaching to speed the Raider up,
when she spotted Starbuck looking around the cabin.  She frowned as her
hand paused above the control.  "What are you doing?"
	"Do you hear that?" he asked, his eyebrows furrowing together.
	"Hear what?"  She frowned, listening.  The Raider's engines were the only
thing she could hear, but gradually, she could hear a high-pitched hum over
top.  "That?"
	He nodded.  "I was beginning to think the concussion's affecting my hearing."
	"The engines aren't making that noise, are they?"
	"No.  Frak, it's getting louder, too."  His face drained of color as he
looked at Sheba.  "I've only heard that sound once before, and Baltar's the
source of it."
	"Baltar?" Sheba repeated, feeling alarmed.  She had an idea what Starbuck
was talking about, and her suspicion was verified as Starbuck leaned down
away from her.  "Starbuck, you don't mean that belt, do you?"
	He ignored her for a centon as he inspected the Cylon torture device.  The
hum was clearly coming from it, the sound making him shiver slightly as he
remembered the agony the belt had given him.  This time, though, the pitch
was higher, almost at an intensity that reminded Starbuck of an overload.
	"Oh, frak," he swore, jerking his hand away from it.  "What's it doing?"
	"The belt?  Starbuck, it's that belt, isn't it?"
	"Yeah."
	"Then what's happening?  Did Boomer take his off, too?"
	"I saw him get Athena to help him just a few microns before we strapped
Apollo in.  And if I knew what was going on, Sheba, I wouldn't be sitting
here confused, would I?"  He shot her an irritated expression, but it
quickly disappeared as Apollo in in
both his hands and his head as he kept on pulling.  "Frak, what's Baltar
trying to do?"
	"I don't know.  Are you twisting the belt in the right direction?"
	"I think I am!"  He yanked it, only succeeding in getting Apollo to gasp.
The shaking was getting worse.  Starbuck looked down at his friend's face,
feeling even more helpless than before as realization hit him.  "Sheba, I
think Baltar's trying to kill Apollo!"
	Sheba fumbled for her seat belt as she spoke.  "Take my station, Starbuck.
 I'll get it off."
	"No!  See if you can get us out of range.  This may only have a limited
range, so if we get out of here, it'll stop."
	"Do you mind telling me where?" she snapped.  "That frakking basestar is
following us!"
	He glanced back at her to give her an irritated expression.  "I don't
know, anywhere!  How about in the opposite direction?  Behind one of the
planets?  Maybe that way we can get this thing blocked!"
	"Good idea."
	Through his pain, Apollo grasped Starbuck's arm with both of h greeted by the horrible words
he'd been forced to type in almost ten days earlier.  He selected the text
and, with a flourish he never would have used anywhere else, deleted them.
The cursor reappeared, blinking at him, patiently waiting for him to type
in a new sentence.
	"What to say?" he mused, knuckling his chin.  He would have to talk to
Salik and Cassiopia about Apollo's health before making any final
decisions, but he could put the conversation off by a few days as he waited
for his son to recover.  He knew that his son was eventually going to be a
commander sometime in the future, and Adama knew that experience in all
aspects of the running of a battlestar was invaluable.  Now that Athena was
assigned to Viper duty, Adama wondered if he should put Apollo on bridge
duty for a period of time.  He found that the idea had some merit, so he
decided to discuss it later with Tigh.  In the meantime, he decided to put
in the best thing he could think of.  He muttered underneath his breath as
heard that sound once before, and Baltar's the
source of it."
	"Baltar?" Sheba repeated, feeling alarmed.  She had an idea what Starbuck
was talking about, and her suspicion was verified as Starbuck leaned down
away from her.  "Starbuck, you don't mean that belt, do you?"
	He ignored her for a centon as he inspected the Cylon torture device.  The
hum was clearly coming from it, the sound making him shiver slightly as he
remembered the agony the belt had given him.  This time, though, the pitch
was higher, almost at an intensity that reminded Starbuck of an overload.
	"Oh, frak," he swore, jerking his hand away from it.  "What's it doing?"
	"The belt?  Starbuck, it's that belt, isn't it?"
	"Yeah."
	"Then what's happening?  Did Boomer take his off, too?"
	"I saw him get Athena to help him just a few microns before we strapped
Apollo in.  And if I knew what was going on, Sheba, I wouldn't be sitting
here confused, would I?"  He shot her an irritated expression, but it
quickly disappeared as Apollo cried out sharply.  Starbuck glanced back to
see him conscious and sitting upright in his seat.  His green eyes were
wide with shock as he gripped the armrests tightly.  "Felgercarb!  Apollo!"
	"What's happening to Apollo?" Sheba demanded as Starbuck jumped from his
seat, wincing as his head began to throb.  Glancing at Apollo's rigid body,
she spotted the same belt that Starbuck and Boomer had been wearing
earlier.  "Oh, frak!"
	Starbuck reached down to Apollo's waist, all the while trying to remember
how Sheba had undone it earlier.  Take the clasp, bend it back, then bend
it forward and apart.  Come on, if Baltar could open it, I can!
	It wouldn't move.  Starbuck wrapped his fingers around the opposite ends
of the clasp, pulling until he felt the metal bite into his flesh.  Still
nothing.  He could feel Apollo's body beginning to shake against him.
	"Starbuck!" Sheba shouted, her voice frightened.  "Can you get it off him?"
	"No!  It's stuck!" he replied, pulling again.  He winced from the pais hands,
and held it in the tightest grip Starbuck could ever remember feeling.  The
trembling was so strong now that Starbuck felt the grip shake slightly as
Apollo struggled to speak.
	"Make it stop," he pleaded.  "Please, Starbuck, just make it stop..."
	"I'm trying, Apollo.  Just hang on," Starbuck told him as he tried
releasing the clasp again.  This time, he felt his hands go numb as a new
surge of energy flowed though the belt and into Apollo, who gasped and went
limp.  His head fell against the back of the chair, and his hands slid from
Starbuck's arm down into his lap.  Starbuck gently touched Apollo's
shoulder to try to get a response, but his friend was out cold.  "Apollo?
Apollo!  Sheba, there's nothing I can do!"
	"Check his pulse!" Sheba told him.  He heard a few clicks from the console
as she spoke.  "Do it!"
	Resting his fingers on Apollo's throat, Starbuck found it.  He glanced
back at Sheba as he felt the weakening pulse.  More frightened than before,
he shook Apollo's shoul typed.  "'Off-duty until further notice -- health reasons.'"
	He smiled as he saved the changes.  Enough information so no more
questions would be asked, or at least he hoped so.  He had the feeling that
if the Council got any hint of what had happened, there would be Hades to pay.
	Satisfied for the time being, he went back to check his messages.  Most of
them were simply reports from the battle, and he glanced at them to see
what they had to say.  He felt his good mood diminish for a few microns as
he read about the damage caused by the hull breach, along with the eighty
personnel killed, but it passed as soon as he read how it was being
repaired as quickly as possible.  It might have been a lot worse.  We might
have lost the one hundred wounded as well.
	As he read, he wondered when Starbuck and Boomer would turn in their
reports about the events on the basestar.  He hoped that they would be on
his desk within the next day, but he would be lenient with them, knowing
how traumatic the last dacried out sharply.  Starbuck glanced back to
see him conscious and sitting upright in his seat.  His green eyes were
wide with shock as he gripped the armrests tightly.  "Felgercarb!  Apollo!"
	"What's happening to Apollo?" Sheba demanded as Starbuck jumped from his
seat, wincing as his head began to throb.  Glancing at Apollo's rigid body,
she spotted the same belt that Starbuck and Boomer had been wearing
earlier.  "Oh, frak!"
	Starbuck reached down to Apollo's waist, all the while trying to remember
how Sheba had undone it earlier.  Take the clasp, bend it back, then bend
it forward and apart.  Come on, if Baltar could open it, I can!
	It wouldn't move.  Starbuck wrapped his fingers around the opposite ends
of the clasp, pulling until he felt the metal bite into his flesh.  Still
nothing.  He could feel Apollo's body beginning to shake against him.
	"Starbuck!" Sheba shouted, her voice frightened.  "Can you get it off him?"
	"No!  It's stuck!" he replied, pulling again.  He winced from the pain in
both his hands and his head as he kept on pulling.  "Frak, what's Baltar
trying to do?"
	"I don't know.  Are you twisting the belt in the right direction?"
	"I think I am!"  He yanked it, only succeeding in getting Apollo to gasp.
The shaking was getting worse.  Starbuck looked down at his friend's face,
feeling even more helpless than before as realization hit him.  "Sheba, I
think Baltar's trying to kill Apollo!"
	Sheba fumbled for her seat belt as she spoke.  "Take my station, Starbuck.
 I'll get it off."
	"No!  See if you can get us out of range.  This may only have a limited
range, so if we get out of here, it'll stop."
	"Do you mind telling me where?" she snapped.  "That frakking basestar is
following us!"
	He glanced back at her to give her an irritated expression.  "I don't
know, anywhere!  How about in the opposite direction?  Behind one of the
planets?  Maybe that way we can get this thing blocked!"
	"Good idea."
	Through his pain, Apollo grasped Starbuck's arm with both of hders again.  When he spoke, his voice was shaking.
"No, you can't die.  Not now!  Apollo!"
	"Oh, no..." he heard Sheba mutter, then she spoke forcefully.  "Starbuck,
I think I found it.  Sit down!"
	"Wait a micron, I think I might have it this time!"  Starbuck reached for
Apollo's belt again, but he stopped as he heard the anger in Sheba's voice.
	"Apollo doesn't have a micron, Starbuck!" she yelled.  "I'm not going to
argue with you and waste valuable microns!  If you don't sit down now in
the next three microns, I'll smear you across the cabin!  Now go!"
	Glancing at Apollo's pained expression, he reluctantly went back to the
co-pilot's seat.  As soon as he was buckled in, Sheba reached for a control
on the far-left side of the console and hit it.  They were all thrust back
into their seats as the turbos built up to a speed that Starbuck knew
Apollo hadn't discovered during the first two missions.  They shot past
Dietra's Viper and, much to his relief, the humming ceased.  He grinned at
Shebay was for them.  For all of us.
	The last message was a delightful surprise for Adama.  It was from Siress
Tinia, the elected President of the Council.  The election a few sectars
earlier had pitted Adama against her, and two other sires on the council in
a heated race.  Almost everyone had voted for Tinia, including Adama's own
children, giving her the undisputed majority.  Outside the world of
politics, they were involved in an on-again, off-again relationship that
was kept relatively private.
	"Good morning, Adama," she said warmly.  "I called the bridge a few
centons ago, wanting to congratulate you on your successful battle, but I
got Tigh instead.  He told me, much to my surprise, that you were in the
Life Center, with your son!  Adama, I'm so happy for you!  I hope that
Apollo is doing well.  Don't worry, I know what you're going to say.  No
one else on the Council knows, but I don't know how long that will last.
This might be the political fuel some of the sires will want to use to get
is hands,
and held it in the tightest grip Starbuck could ever remember feeling.  The
trembling was so strong now that Starbuck felt the grip shake slightly as
Apollo struggled to speak.
	"Make it stop," he pleaded.  "Please, Starbuck, just make it stop..."
	"I'm trying, Apollo.  Just hang on," Starbuck told him as he tried
releasing the clasp again.  This time, he felt his hands go numb as a new
surge of energy flowed though the belt and into Apollo, who gasped and went
limp.  His head fell against the back of the chair, and his hands slid from
Starbuck's arm down into his lap.  Starbuck gently touched Apollo's
shoulder to try to get a response, but his friend was out cold.  "Apollo?
Apollo!  Sheba, there's nothing I can do!"
	"Check his pulse!" Sheba told him.  He heard a few clicks from the console
as she spoke.  "Do it!"
	Resting his fingers on Apollo's throat, Starbuck found it.  He glanced
back at Sheba as he felt the weakening pulse.  More frightened than before,
he shook Apollo's shoulin in
both his hands and his head as he kept on pulling.  "Frak, what's Baltar
trying to do?"
	"I don't know.  Are you twisting the belt in the right direction?"
	"I think I am!"  He yanked it, only succeeding in getting Apollo to gasp.
The shaking was getting worse.  Starbuck looked down at his friend's face,
feeling even more helpless than before as realization hit him.  "Sheba, I
think Baltar's trying to kill Apollo!"
	Sheba fumbled for her seat belt as she spoke.  "Take my station, Starbuck.
 I'll get it off."
	"No!  See if you can get us out of range.  This may only have a limited
range, so if we get out of here, it'll stop."
	"Do you mind telling me where?" she snapped.  "That frakking basestar is
following us!"
	He glanced back at her to give her an irritated expression.  "I don't
know, anywhere!  How about in the opposite direction?  Behind one of the
planets?  Maybe that way we can get this thing blocked!"
	"Good idea."
	Through his pain, Apollo grasped Starbuck's arm with both of h as she cut back the turbos gently.
	"See?" she smiled at him.
	"How'd you figure which button to hit?"
	"Call it divine inspiration."  She peered out the cockpit and pointed.  He
followed her finger and saw that they were in orbit around a small moon.
"And it worked.  How's Apollo?"
	Getting back up, Starbuck checked his friend again, and felt a chill pass
over him as he placed his fingers against Apollo's throat.  Nothing.  He
quickly put his ear against his chest, hoping to hear at least one beat of
his heart.  Still nothing, and he couldn't hear Apollo taking any breaths
either.
	"Sheba!" he almost screamed, turning away from Apollo's body.  "He's dead!"

* * *

	Rigel looked up from her displays, rubbing her eyes as she felt the onset
of the slight eyestrain that sometimes came during battles.  It always
crept up when she stared at the monitors for too long.  Sighing, she typed
in a few commands into her keyboard, and noted with satisfaction that no
Vipers had made emergency landings sthe upper hand in some of the issues we'll be facing in the upcoming meeting.
	"Anyway, contact me when you can to arrange some time for us to go over
the minutes for the next meeting, especially with what the military's
viewpoint is on most of them.  And maybe some dinner afterward?  Talk to
you soon.  'Bye."
	Her dark-haired image faded from the screen, and Adama smiled as it
remained in his mind's eye.  She reminded him of Ila, especially with the
same inner strength they both seemed to share, along with the optimism that
shone brightly out to the world in times of crisis.
	I'll have to call her, he thought, closing his eyes and remembering the
last time they had been together.  It was a warmth that he never thought
that he'd be able to feel with any other woman after Ila's death, and
sometimes, the thought that he would never have to spend the remaining
yahrens of his life alone, brought him such joy.
	An insistent noise brought Adama out of his reverie.  While thinking about
Tinia, a new mders again.  When he spoke, his voice was shaking.
"No, you can't die.  Not now!  Apollo!"
	"Oh, no..." he heard Sheba mutter, then she spoke forcefully.  "Starbuck,
I think I found it.  Sit down!"
	"Wait a micron, I think I might have it this time!"  Starbuck reached for
Apollo's belt again, but he stopped as he heard the anger in Sheba's voice.
	"Apollo doesn't have a micron, Starbuck!" she yelled.  "I'm not going to
argue with you and waste valuable microns!  If you don't sit down now in
the next three microns, I'll smear you across the cabin!  Now go!"
	Glancing at Apollo's pained expression, he reluctantly went back to the
co-pilot's seat.  As soon as he was buckled in, Sheba reached for a control
on the far-left side of the console and hit it.  They were all thrust back
into their seats as the turbos built up to a speed that Starbuck knew
Apollo hadn't discovered during the first two missions.  They shot past
Dietra's Viper and, much to his relief, the humming ceased.  He grinned at
Shebais hands,
and held it in the tightest grip Starbuck could ever remember feeling.  The
trembling was so strong now that Starbuck felt the grip shake slightly as
Apollo struggled to speak.
	"Make it stop," he pleaded.  "Please, Starbuck, just make it stop..."
	"I'm trying, Apollo.  Just hang on," Starbuck told him as he tried
releasing the clasp again.  This time, he felt his hands go numb as a new
surge of energy flowed though the belt and into Apollo, who gasped and went
limp.  His head fell against the back of the chair, and his hands slid from
Starbuck's arm down into his lap.  Starbuck gently touched Apollo's
shoulder to try to get a response, but his friend was out cold.  "Apollo?
Apollo!  Sheba, there's nothing I can do!"
	"Check his pulse!" Sheba told him.  He heard a few clicks from the console
as she spoke.  "Do it!"
	Resting his fingers on Apollo's throat, Starbuck found it.  He glanced
back at Sheba as he felt the weakening pulse.  More frightened than before,
he shook Apollo's shoulo far.  Usually, at least one or two
pilots ended back on the Galactica prematurely with battle damage, and it
was her responsibility to make sure they received the proper instructions
on which bay to land in, and how they were to compensate for their disabled
systems.
	Oh, yes, so much fun, she thought as she gave her eyes one last rub.  Give
them permission to launch, and the proper coordinates, help them if they're
in trouble, make sure they land in the proper place.  The only thing I
don't do is fly them and fix them.
	Unconsciously, she put a hand up to touch her hair, not used to her new
hairstyle.  A few sectars before, she'd grown tired of her old hairstyles
that either got in the way when it was down or too annoying to do in the
morning.  Instead, she'd gotten one of her friends to cut it, so that it
was almost at mid-back.  It was easier to take care of now, and she could
always grow it out again if this irritated her as well.
	Twisting some of the loose strands around her fingers, shessage had come onto his monitor.  Still smiling, he accessed
it, seeing that it was a recording like Tinia's had been.
	"Hello, Old Friend," Baltar's voice greeted, making Adama freeze and his
smile fade completely off his face.  "I just wanted to congratulate you on
your victory.  You really managed to outdo yourself.  Oh, before you order
the bridge to track where this message came from, I should tell you that
it's coded and scrambled."  He laughed.  "Even my I.L. would be hard
pressed to locate it."
	"Quit gloating, Baltar," Adama said to the image, gritting his teeth in
anger.  "Why did you call?"
	"And now, you must be wondering why I've called you."
	"I can guess, considering that you very nearly killed my son."
	"I'm on my way now to see the Imperious Leader, and while I'm there, I've
a very interesting little tidbit of information to give him.  You'll have
to thank Apollo for me."  The traitor grinned, as though knowing that Adama
would lurch forward in his seat in surprise.  "Why don' as she cut back the turbos gently.
	"See?" she smiled at him.
	"How'd you figure which button to hit?"
	"Call it divine inspiration."  She peered out the cockpit and pointed.  He
followed her finger and saw that they were in orbit around a small moon.
"And it worked.  How's Apollo?"
	Getting back up, Starbuck checked his friend again, and felt a chill pass
over him as he placed his fingers against Apollo's throat.  Nothing.  He
quickly put his ear against his chest, hoping to hear at least one beat of
his heart.  Still nothing, and he couldn't hear Apollo taking any breaths
either.
	"Sheba!" he almost screamed, turning away from Apollo's body.  "He's dead!"

* * *

	Rigel looked up from her displays, rubbing her eyes as she felt the onset
of the slight eyestrain that sometimes came during battles.  It always
crept up when she stared at the monitors for too long.  Sighing, she typed
in a few commands into her keyboard, and noted with satisfaction that no
Vipers had made emergency landings sders again.  When he spoke, his voice was shaking.
"No, you can't die.  Not now!  Apollo!"
	"Oh, no..." he heard Sheba mutter, then she spoke forcefully.  "Starbuck,
I think I found it.  Sit down!"
	"Wait a micron, I think I might have it this time!"  Starbuck reached for
Apollo's belt again, but he stopped as he heard the anger in Sheba's voice.
	"Apollo doesn't have a micron, Starbuck!" she yelled.  "I'm not going to
argue with you and waste valuable microns!  If you don't sit down now in
the next three microns, I'll smear you across the cabin!  Now go!"
	Glancing at Apollo's pained expression, he reluctantly went back to the
co-pilot's seat.  As soon as he was buckled in, Sheba reached for a control
on the far-left side of the console and hit it.  They were all thrust back
into their seats as the turbos built up to a speed that Starbuck knew
Apollo hadn't discovered during the first two missions.  They shot past
Dietra's Viper and, much to his relief, the humming ceased.  He grinned at
Shebae looked at her
monitors again.  It actually wasn't that bad of a job.  She could name a
dozen worse duties that existed in the fleet, but the best part of this
position was working with the communications equipment.  Before the
Destruction of the Colonies, it was the most up-to-date technology in the
Twelve Worlds, and now it was in need of small repairs and fine-tunings to
keep it in decent condition.  Many of the officers on the bridge were
trained in communications, but Rigel was one of the few who could actually
fiddle with the circuits.
	I have to tell Boomer that his idea to readjust the scanning frequency by
a half-percent was pure genius, she told herself.  The scanners' resolution
had improved twofold, and their range had been slightly extended.  However,
the message would have to wait until the battle was long over, when the two
communications experts could exchange ideas.  That is, if he makes it off
the basestar.  Oh, God, please get them off.
	A movement on her monitor caught her t I play it for you?"
	Baltar reached for something beside the monitor, and a very weak and
anguished whisper, barely recognizable as his son's, came over the speaker.
 "We're headed toward quadrant alpha on vector epsilon-twenty-two.  Those
are the coordinates we're taking."
	"Oh, my God...." Adama said.  He knew that it was inevitable that Apollo
would have given some information during his captivity and torture, but
never in his worst nightmare did he ever think the Cylons would have the
knowledge of Earth's coordinates.
	"I'm looking forward to our next encounter," Baltar continued, still
smiling.  "Until then, Old Friend."
	His image faded from the screen.  Adama continued to watch the monitor for
a few microns afterward, feeling sickened and helpless as he stared at the
darkness.

	Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a
rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest for a shining planet known as Earth.o far.  Usually, at least one or two
pilots ended back on the Galactica prematurely with battle damage, and it
was her responsibility to make sure they received the proper instructions
on which bay to land in, and how they were to compensate for their disabled
systems.
	Oh, yes, so much fun, she thought as she gave her eyes one last rub.  Give
them permission to launch, and the proper coordinates, help them if they're
in trouble, make sure they land in the proper place.  The only thing I
don't do is fly them and fix them.
	Unconsciously, she put a hand up to touch her hair, not used to her new
hairstyle.  A few sectars before, she'd grown tired of her old hairstyles
that either got in the way when it was down or too annoying to do in the
morning.  Instead, she'd gotten one of her friends to cut it, so that it
was almost at mid-back.  It was easier to take care of now, and she could
always grow it out again if this irritated her as well.
	Twisting some of the loose strands around her fingers, shattention.  The basestar, which had
barely moved a half dozen metrics since the battle began, was now
accelerating towards the Galactica.  Surprised, Rigel twisted around in her
seat to yell up to the commanding officers.
	"Commander!  Colonel!  The basestar is moving!"
	Adama, who had been standing with his back to her position, turned to face
her.  Leaning against the railing that almost encircled the command deck
with his hands, he nodded for her to continue her report.
	"Moving?" he prompted.  "Away from us again?"
	"No, sir, towards us."  She quickly typed in a command into her computer.
"Eighty microns."
	She heard footsteps behind her, and became aware of Tigh standing behind
her.  He leaned over her shoulder to study the displays, then muttered an
oath in a language she didn't recognize as he stood to face Adama.
	"Adama, this doesn't look good," he said, trying to remain calm.  "I think
Baltar's on a collision course.  But that's --"
	"That's totally unlike Baltar?" Adama asked, noddi as she cut back the turbos gently.
	"See?" she smiled at him.
	"How'd you figure which button to hit?"
	"Call it divine inspiration."  She peered out the cockpit and pointed.  He
followed her finger and saw that they were in orbit around a small moon.
"And it worked.  How's Apollo?"
	Getting back up, Starbuck checked his friend again, and felt a chill pass
over him as he placed his fingers against Apollo's throat.  Nothing.  He
quickly put his ear against his chest, hoping to hear at least one beat of
his heart.  Still nothing, and he couldn't hear Apollo taking any breaths
either.
	"Sheba!" he almost screamed, turning away from Apollo's body.  "He's dead!"

* * *

	Rigel looked up from her displays, rubbing her eyes as she felt the onset
of the slight eyestrain that sometimes came during battles.  It always
crept up when she stared at the monitors for too long.  Sighing, she typed
in a few commands into her keyboard, and noted with satisfaction that no
Vipers had made emergency landings se looked at her
monitors again.  It actually wasn't that bad of a job.  She could name a
dozen worse duties that existed in the fleet, but the best part of this
position was working with the communications equipment.  Before the
Destruction of the Colonies, it was the most up-to-date technology in the
Twelve Worlds, and now it was in need of small repairs and fine-tunings to
keep it in decent condition.  Many of the officers on the bridge were
trained in communications, but Rigel was one of the few who could actually
fiddle with the circuits.
	I have to tell Boomer that his idea to readjust the scanning frequency by
a half-percent was pure genius, she told herself.  The scanners' resolution
had improved twofold, and their range had been slightly extended.  However,
the message would have to wait until the battle was long over, when the two
communications experts could exchange ideas.  That is, if he makes it off
the basestar.  Oh, God, please get them off.
	A movement on her monitor caught her ng.  "Still, Baltar's
latest tricks are totally unlike his normal style, and he has the
information he gained from interrogating Apollo.  He's trying out his new
bag of tricks against us, but let's just hope that this is the last one.
Helm, move us out of the way, but keep us within laser range!"
	Slowly, almost too slowly for Rigel's tastes, her scanner showed the
battlestar moving away.  The basestar didn't quite compensate for the
change of direction, but instead speeded up.  Rigel felt her stomach sink
as she shouted up to Adama, "Thirty microns!"
	"What?" Tigh said, this time almost in her ear.  "Thirty?"
	"Fire all laser turrets at the basestar!" Adama shouted.  "Now!"
	On the scanner screen, Rigel watched as multiple streaks of red lasers
streaked out from the battlestar and connected with the basestar.  She held
her breath as several explosions appeared on its hull, but it continued its
approach, unimpeded by the Galactica's continued laser barrage.
	"What's it going to do?" she heard so far.  Usually, at least one or two
pilots ended back on the Galactica prematurely with battle damage, and it
was her responsibility to make sure they received the proper instructions
on which bay to land in, and how they were to compensate for their disabled
systems.
	Oh, yes, so much fun, she thought as she gave her eyes one last rub.  Give
them permission to launch, and the proper coordinates, help them if they're
in trouble, make sure they land in the proper place.  The only thing I
don't do is fly them and fix them.
	Unconsciously, she put a hand up to touch her hair, not used to her new
hairstyle.  A few sectars before, she'd grown tired of her old hairstyles
that either got in the way when it was down or too annoying to do in the
morning.  Instead, she'd gotten one of her friends to cut it, so that it
was almost at mid-back.  It was easier to take care of now, and she could
always grow it out again if this irritated her as well.
	Twisting some of the loose strands around her fingers, sh