~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mad about Starbuck -- Episode III

Reyana didn't get back to the cadet barracks until late that
night, right at
curfew.  And I was just dying to know how her first date had
gone.  Since I
knew that they were going over to the Rising Star, and,
remembering how nice
that private suite had been, I was almost  surprised that
she returned at
all.  However, missing curfew was probably not a good way to
discourage the
criticism we were already getting.

I was also ready for Rey to return, though, because I was
getting sick of
putting up with the constant stream of insults and nasty
comments that I'd
been getting from Nikki from the moment she had returned to
the barracks
around 2300.  Where Shyra was, I didn't know and couldn't
have cared less.
In fact, I'm sure they both would have been on me, had she
been there.  So
dealing with just Nikki was more annoying than anything.  As
I was sitting
on my bunk, pretending to study, she kept passing by.
Sometimes, she would
just knock my book.  At other times, she would purr some
degrading comment,
such as, "He'll use you and dump you, you know, as soon as
he's bored with
you - which shouldn't take long."

I would either ignore her, or just smile and chant quietly,
"You're just
jealous. You're just jealous.  You're just jealous . . ."
It was juvenile,
but it felt good.

I was quite happy, then, when Reyana finally floated back
right at the last
micron before curfew.  However, it was obvious that she was
not up to
talking.

"Too much ambrosa, again, hmm?"  I whispered as she crashed
into her bunk,
still in her dress, her eyes already closed.

I couldn't understand her reply, but the smile that still
danced across her
lips told me all I needed to know.

*******

After that, the other cadets seemed to ignore us, mostly.
In fact, while
Nikki and Shyra had never bothered to make any friends among
the ranks of
the cadets, Reyana and I were finding that we, also, were
receiving more
disapproving looks from them.  Most never said anything, but
there was an
air that we had crossed some invisible social line.  The
others were mostly
polite but distant with Reyana and me and didn't go out of
their way to
include us in conversations or the locker-room banter.  Not
any more.  Maybe
it was my imagination.

But it was just the feeling I got as several sectons passed
and we neared
graduation.  However, I have never been much for
socializing, so their
attitudes did not bother me.  I had known that with Rey and
me both so
openly dating our Flight Instructor, that we would be
inviting
disparagement.  I didn't care.  I almost died during what
was supposed to
have been a safe training exercise, so life was too short,
too uncertain, to
waste.  If a cadet dare had evolved, somehow, amazingly,
into a true - if
rather untraditional - relationship, I was willing to put up
with the
felgercarb.  If the three of us were comfortable and happy
with the
arrangement, then the others would just have to deal with
it.  And I wasn't
going to bother trying to explain our own reasoning to them;
it was enough
that the three of us were content with it.

Plus, we made certain that during duty centars, we kept
ourselves totally
professional.  If anything, Starbuck was more formal, more
reserved, with us
than he was with the rest of the cadets.  Only occasionally,
when no one was
looking, would he slip our way a brief but captivating
smile.  In fact, with
graduation only three sectons away from when he and Reyana
had had their
night at the Rising Star, we had decided that any more
romantic interludes
could wait until we were full warriors.  Then, at least, we
would be
crossing one less social line and no longer be
"fraternizing" with our
instructor.

But, oh Lords, the wait was both exciting and frustrating.
Already, I had
plans in my head for how, during our next time together,
Starbuck would see
much less of my serious side and much more of my usually
hidden fun-loving
side. The celestial chamber encounter had been . . . Heaven,
unforgettable .
. . but I wanted to show the lieutenant that it wasn't just
Rey who enjoyed
the gambling and games. No, no.  Even the flying was as
exciting to me; I
knew why he was addicted to his life as a warrior.

We still saw Starbuck, though, during meal periods,
sometimes, and twice in
the Officer's Club, when the cadets were given permission
once a secton
during those last three sectons to mingle with the *real*
warriors.  The
first night that the cadets had invaded the O.C.,  Reyana
and I had noticed
Starbuck there with his circle of friends - Captain Apollo,
Lt. Boomer, and
Lt. Sheba.  He had waved but then had fallen back into some
deep discussion
he seemed to be having with them.  The second time we had
gone to the O.C.
they were there again.  But this time, Starbuck had motioned
for us to join
them.  Mortified and terrified, we had shaken our heads and
had declined,
finding a table as far as possible from them.  Starbuck had
shrugged and had
seemed willing to let the matter drop, since we had agreed
never to pressure
one another into doing something that was uncomfortable.
Sitting around
with Starbuck's peers and our superiors was about as
uncomfortable as I
figured it could get!  However, it was Lt. Boomer who came
over to our table
to try to convince us otherwise

"Hey," he said, "come on over and join us.  We won't bite."

"Uh, no thanks," Reyana had answered.  "We wouldn't want to
intrude -"

"Look," said Boomer, smiling, "we're Starbuck's friends. We
only give him a
hard time because he's so easy to tease.   And if it makes
you feel any
better, Lt. Sheba is also dating her superior officer, Capt.
Apollo, you
know."

"No, really," I said, shaking my head.  "I just don't think
-"

"Hey, ladies," Boomer said, "In another secton, you'll be
full-fledged
ensigns.  So what's a few days?"

"Uh, really, I, uh -"

"Come on," Boomer said with a smile.

It was obvious that Boomer would not take "no" for an
answer, and with
people already staring at us, or so it felt, I supposed it
couldn't get any
worse.  So we reluctantly agreed to join them.  It was the
most awkward
centar I have ever spent, I think.  Starbuck looked pleased
and did his best
to include us in the conversation, but I sensed that he was
a bit uneasy, as
well.  It may have been because Capt. Apollo remained
gracious but distant
with us, not exactly rejecting us, but not very accepting
either.  Lt. Sheba
gave us odd looks and wry smiles from time to time, so I
never did figure
out how she felt, exactly.  Lt. Boomer was the only one who
seemed
comfortable with us there.  Still, I was quite relieved when
we were able to
make our exit politely as our curfew approached - a centar
earlier for
cadets.

"Lords, that was *weird*,"  whispered Reyana as we headed
back.

"Yeah," I agreed.  "Not exactly a rip-roaring success in
getting along with
his friends."

"At least, Lt. Boomer acted like we almost belonged."
Reyana gave me a
relieved smile as we finally reached the barracks.

*********

The following day brought our most challenging simulator
session and our
final exam before graduation.  This was it.  Although we
still had five days
after this until we were promoted to either Red, Blue, or
Silver Spar
Squadron, the rest was supposed to be routine and easy -
just a couple more
written tests.  Mostly, the five day period was to give
Captain Apollo and
Colonel Tigh, along with our instructors, Starbuck and
Boomer, time to work
out the assignments.

During this session, we would be flying as a squadron and
face attack by a
large force of Cylons.  To graduate, we had to achieve a
minimum score, even
if we ended up blown to bits.  The simulation was supposed
to test not only
our basic flying skills, but our ability to function as a
coherent
squadron - as a team.  Anyone who failed, though,  also had
the five day
period to retake the test in order to graduate with his or
her class.

As we settled into our simulator cockpits, I was tense - too
tense,
probably.  If I didn't relax, I would make stupid mistakes,
so I tried to
take deep breaths and pretend that this was just a routine
practice run - no
stress, not stress.  I glanced at Reyana, who was in the
simulator to my
left.  She looked determined and ready.  However, I knew her
well enough to
know that she was as nervous as I was inside.  She just did
a better job at
hiding it.

A hand brushed my shoulder on my right.  "You'll do great.
Just relax,"
Starbuck said softly, then moved on.

A moment later, the simulation began.  We launched as the
red alert klaxon
sounded, flying out into a wall of Cylon raiders,
outnumbered 3-1.  With the
adrenalin rush, though, I felt myself relaxing and felt the
maneuvers coming
easily.  I really felt ready for this - to fly and fight to
defend the
Fleet - after the sectons and sectons of training and
practice runs.
Everyone else seemed to be equally prepared, because after
five centons, all
had passed the minimum requirements.  All were graduating!
The pace of the
battle was becoming more intense, though, more challenging.
The Cylons were
using more difficult maneuvers, and I nearly smashed into
the Galactica, at
one point, after escaping a nasty trap that three raiders
had tried to pull
on me.  Reyana had come to my defense too.  A moment later,
I returned the
favor.

The first of our squadron to be obliterated, it turned out,
was Shyra.  I
tried not to feel smug, but it meant that for this exam, at
least, she would
finish ranked *last.* Very soon, however, more and more
pilots were shot
down.  The number of Cylons was never-ending and the
difficulty level kept
increasing, so the only way to end the simulation was to
explode.  Reyana
held on the longest.  I finished third.  I was quite happy
with that as I
climbed out of the mock cockpit.  Reyana was ecstatic.  She
was ranked
first!

Lt. Boomer's squadron had done just as well as we had.  As
the exam ended,
all 16 of us grouped around the two instructors, feeling
elated and
light-hearted.  We were almost there!  Only five more days
and we would be
full warriors!  Boomer waved to get eveyone's attention.
"Listen up,
cadets,"  he said, shouting, at first, to be heard over our
excited voices.
"We are adjourning to the Officer's Club to celebrate your
upcoming
promotions!"

A cheer went up.

"Oh, and Starbuck's buying,"  Boomer added, then ducked his
friend's playful
punch.  He motioned for us to follow him.

While we waited for the group to trickle out the door,
Reyana and I were
almost bouncing off the walls.  I kept slapping her shoulder
and saying,
"Way to go, Rey!"

And she kept uttering profound comments, such as, "All
right!"  or "Yes!"

As we got closer to the door, we were looking around for
Starbuck, wondering
if he had  gone ahead with Lt. Boomer.  As it turned out, we
spotted him in
the back next to the simulators.  He was talking with one of
the cadets.  It
was Shyra.  My curiosity shot through the roof.  "I wonder
what *that's* all
about?"  I whispered to Reyana, pointing towards the two.
"Come on."

We stepped back a few paces.  After the rest had filed out
of the simulator
room, we could hear their discussion in the sudden quiet.

"Can't it wait?" asked Starbuck, sounding a bit exasperated.

"If we wait," Shyra responded, sounding serious, "then it
won't be fresh in
my mind.  I really want to know what I could have done
differently. Please,
I just want to see the replay tape.  Just once."

She sounded sincere.  Too sincere, in fact. Something didn't
feel quite
right.  However, we were still so roused up because of our
successes and the
great relief of being so close to graduation that we let it
pass.

Starbuck looked over, noticing the two us waiting.  He
looked back to Shyra
and sighed.  "Fine, fine.  We'll run the replay."  He turned
an apologetic
gaze to Rey and me.  "Go on to the O.C.  I'll meet you there
once we clear
this up, okay?"

We nodded and waved, heading on out.  We were just too
wrapped up in our
excitement to wonder about Shyra's sudden interest in her
academic
performances, when it had never bothered her before.
Instead, we were
laughing and joking about how sweet it was that *she* had
finished last.  We
barely noticed Nikki in the hallway, and we just assumed
that she was
waiting for Shyra.
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***************

By the time we got to the Officer's Club, Lt. Boomer and the
others had the
celebration well under way.  He was in the middle of
proposing a toast as we
slipped in and grabbed one of the few empty tables that
remained, near the
door.  When he had finished, he came over our way, grinning.
"Nice flying,
ensign!"  he said to Reyana.

"See," she answered, "all those simulator crashes *did* pay
off!"

Boomer chuckled and motioned for the bartender to send some
drinks our way.
"Where's you instructor?" he inquired quietly after the
bartender had left.
He must have been surprised that Starbuck wasn't in the
thick of the
celebration.

"Detained," I grumbled.  Boomer gave me a curious look.
"He'll be here
shortly, I imagine,"  I added.

Boomer nodded and moved on to talk with the other cadets.
It was nice to
see that he was as excited as we were.  He and Starbuck both
made great
instructors with their casual, yet resolute attitudes,
joking around lots of
the time, yet serious when it counted.  They both used humor
- at each other
's expense, usually - to put the cadets at ease and to
emphasize important
points.  And the interest and pleasure they took in watching
us progress and
grow from scared, inexperienced cadets into eager, confident
warriors showed
in their genuine enthusiasm.  They made quite a team as
instructors.

Reyana and I were soon lost in our discussion of the
simulator exam,
reliving the excitement, and then wondering about squadron
assignments.
Since we were wingmates, we knew we would be assigned to the
same aquadron,
which was a vast relief.  As to whether it would be Red,
Blue, or Silver
Spar, we didn't know.  And we weren't sure whether we wanted
to be a part of
Blue Squadron, or not.  That was Starbuck's squadron, led by
Capt. Apollo.
It might be fun to fly with Starbuck.  It also might be
awkward.  Lt. Sheba,
we noted, was a member of Blue Squadron.  If she and Apollo
could work it
out, then perhaps . . .?  Then again, it might be a relief
to be on our own.
Boomer was Flight Commander for Red Squadron, and Capt.
Bojay led Silver
Spar.  My preference was leaning towards flying with Boomer
in Red Squadron.
Less, pressure, I figured, than flying under the critical
eye of Capt.
Apollo.  Reyana was teasing me that I was more intimidated
by the captain
than I probably should be.  After all, he was Starbuck's
closest friend.
All the more reason to *not* be with Blue Squadron, I
argued.  Rey, I think,
wanted the thrill of flying with Starbuck and even
challenging him, perhaps.
I could just see the two of them sending Apollo  into a
apoplectic  fit by
breaking formation and racing off, trying to out maneuver
one another.

We were still debating the issue when Nikki strolled into
the O.C.  She
looked smug.  I started; alarm bells sounded in my head
right away.  And as
she walked by our table, she said, speaking to the group of
cadets behind
us, but clearly intending the comments for us, "Guess what I
saw?"  She
paused a beat, then cast a quick glance our way.  "Starbuck
kissing Shyra!
In the simulator!  Looked like a hot one, too!"  Her voice
was not loud
enough for Boomer to hear.

The cadets gave her the appropriate reaction by saying, "No
way!  Come on!"

"Yes, I swear!"  she said, sitting down at the table with
her back to us.
"I was waiting for Shyra.  She wanted to see the replay of
her simulator
run, and when I went to check on what was taking so long -
there they were,
arms around each other, locked in one hades of a kiss."
Nikki lowered her
voice at that point to whisper to the others, knowing that
she had had the
desired effect on Reyana and me.

We were shocked and didn't believe a word of it.  From the
look on Rey's
face, I could tell that she was about to explode out of her
seat and attack
Nikki.  "Don't!"  I hissed.  "It'd give her just the react
she wants.

Reyana was red in the face.   "Look, those two snakes can
say whatever they
want about us.  It doesn't bother me.  But when they make up
wild tales like
that about Starbuck -"

"I know.  I know.  I'd love to just strangle her,"  I
whispered fiercely,
still gripping Reyana's arm.  "But I *won't* give her the
satisfaction here,
in front of Lt. Boomer and all the others."  Rey was too
angry to say
anything, so I went on.  "Look, I bet that's her plan,
anyway.  To get one
of us to start a fight.  Get put on report.  You know."  I
stared into her
blazing eyes.  "So stay calm!"

I glanced around.  Nikki and the cadets were still
whispering.  Some were
shaking their heads, apparently viewing her tale as the
fabrication we
*knew* it was.  Lt.  Boomer was oblivious to the near-
commotion, being off
on the other side with a group from his squadron.

He did look up, however, when Starbuck walked into the O.C.
finally.  My
heart nearly stopped when I saw the odd expression on
Starbuck's face as he
paused just inside the entrance.  He looked . . . tense.
And furious.  His
jaw was clenched and his eyes were blazing.  He didn't even
notice us.  He
spotted Boomer and went straight for him.  Boomer also
observed his friend's
countenance, because his smiled faded into a puzzled frown.
Starbuck
motioned for him to come, and the two walked back out into
the corridor,
beyond earshot.

Reyana looked as shocked as I felt.  "What in the name of
hades is going
 on?"  she whispered.  Then we noticed Nikki watching us out
of the corner
of her eye, a faint smile on her lips.  This time it was
Reyana grabbing me
as I nearly flew from my seat at her.  "Stop!"  she
whispered fiercely.  "We
need to find out what's going on first!"

I took several deep breaths, staring at the still-full glass
in front of me.
Finally, I said softly, "What do you suppose . . .?"

Reyana shook her head.  "I don't have a clue. Maybe -"

Starbuck and Boomer came back in, more slowly than they had
departed.
Starbuck still looked tense, but calmer.  When he saw us,
this time, he
flashed his trademark grin and grabbed the open seat at out
table.  If he
noticed Nikki at the table behind us, he ignored her. And as
perceptive as
he is, I'm sure he did notice.  He said to Boomer, "Thanks,
buddy,"  then
gazed at us, the smile still in place.  It looked forced,
though.

"What's wrong?"  Reyana whispered.  She looked as concerned
as I felt.

"Just . . ." he started to say, cast a quick glance in
Nikki's direction,
then said, "Nothing.  Nothing worth ruining the celebration
over."  He waved
to the bartender.  "Yo!  An ale, please!"

It was apparent that the discussion was closed, for now.  We
sure as heck
would not let it drop, once we had the chance to talk to him
in a quieter
place.  At the moment, however, I knew he had the right
idea.  Just let it
go.  So I smiled at him.  "Okay, in five days, you owe me
the next date,
remember?"

His grin loosed a bit.  "How could I forget.  It's been a
long three
sectons, you know.  How about -"

"I've got it all planned out,"  I said, interrupting him.
He gave me an
astonished look.  "I thought you were the shy, quiet one."
He grinned at
Reyana. "And  Rey's the bold, wild one.  You know,
opposites.  Keep me on my
toes."

"So you thought,"  I said coyly.  "I keep the real, inner me
well hidden.
But next time--"  I stopped and stared at him without
blinking and ran my
tongue across my lips.

Starbuck's face went all serious.  "Not now, okay?"  he
said, a touch of
irritation in his voice.

"Yeah, sure . . ." I answered, puzzled and a bit hurt.

Starbuck's eyes clouded for a micron, then the smile went
back up.  He tried
to look apologetic, then turn to Reyana.  He sat back in his
seat and raised
his tankard.  "To our number one and number three cadets!"
he said.  "That
was some great flying, Rey!"

I felt even more puzzled and now worried.  Everything he did
and said, at
the moment, looked forced.

Reyana was about to respond with one of her sarcastic
comments when Starbuck's smile vanished again.  I looked up
to see Capt. Apollo standing in the
entrance to the Officer's Club.  He was staring at Starbuck,
and his face
was cold and formal.  Not a trace of camaraderie visible, he
was totally in
the role of captain and superior officer as he said,
"Lieutenant, the
commander wants to see you in his office.  Now."

*******

Starbuck did not return for the rest of the
celebration, and while I was riding high on my
achievement of being ranked first, it just wasn't as
sweet without Starbuck there.  Especially the way he
was called away.  It didn't take a genius to figure
out that Starbuck was upset about something, and so
was the Captain.

Aliana asked me at one point what I thought was up,
and I hazarded a guess that Starbuck was probably in
trouble.  I mean, he practically bragged about how
much trouble he could get into at times.   I tried to
blow it off, so that Aliana would enjoy the
celebration.  It isn't very often that she cuts loose.
 But I had a nagging suspicion that somehow it had to
do with Nikki's little announcement.  I tried a couple
of times to pull Lt. Boomer aside to find out, but he
was always with someone.

As the celebration wound down, I noticed that Lt.
Boomer had left us to join his and Starbuck's friends
Lt. Sheba and Capt. Bojay.  They were deep in
discussion, and I tried to sidle up to overhear.  I
just knew it had to be about Starbuck, but I never got
the chance to get close.  As soon as I had my
opportunity to break free from the other cadets, Lt.
Boomer had left the conversation to come and remind us
that we were still Cadets and had a curfew.

It was just as well.  I wasn't in the mood to party,
and now that the adrenalin from the test was out of my
system, I was feeling tired.  And if Nikki flashed me
one more wicked smile, I was going to have to get up
and wipe it off her face.

As we all gathered for one last toast, Aliana pulled
me away from the group.  "You don't think Nikki and
Shyra have something to do with Starbuck being in
trouble do you?  Do you believe that Starbuck kissed
Shyra willingly?  I thought he had more taste than
that?"  Aliana whispered.

"I don't know.  What do you think?"  I said, rubbing
my temple to soothe away the headache that was
threatening to come on.

"Just a feeling from the way Nikki is smiling like the
feline that's caught the bird."

"Yeah she does seem a little too pleased with herself,
especially with how low her score is.  We need to keep
an eye on her."

Lt. Boomer came over again to remind us that it was
time we headed back to the barracks, and he escorted
all of us to the door.  Aliana and I were the last to
leave, and as we passed our instructor he clapped me
on the back to congratulate me again for my high rank.
 Then he said softly, "Lay low."  Neither Aliana nor I
could ask why, as he literally pushed us out the door
of the club.

"See," Aliana hissed.  "Starbuck is in trouble, and
we're probably in trouble too."

"I don't know."  I said suddenly feeling very tired.

"We need to find out what's going on!"  Aliana turned
around and started to head back into the club.

"Uh, Cadet Aliana, we have a curfew, remember?"  I
said grabbing her arm before she could get too far.

"I can't sleep knowing something's wrong!  I've got to
find out what's happened!"

"Aliana," I said, seeing that Nikki was waiting for us
in the corridor with that evil grin on her face. "I
think we're going to find out more back in the
barracks than we could from Lt. Boomer."  I pointed to
Nikki.

"I told you those two were up to no good!"  Aliana
said, striding down the corridor towards Nikki.

"Aliana, what happened to Starbuck?"  Nikki asked
innocently when Aliana had caught up to her.  Too
innocently in my opinion.

"I don't know Nikki, why don't you tell me?"  Aliana
said sarcastically.

"Why whatever do you mean?"  Nikki said, feigning
ignorance.

"Look Nikki," I said, trying to sound threatening.
"Why don't you just cut through the felgercarb.
You've had your fun, now tell us what's going on."

"I really don't know what you mean."  Nikki turned to
walk a few feet away from us.  She stopped and turned
back, "But you should have seen that kiss!"

It was my turn to hold Aliana back, as Nikki
practically sprinted down the corridor away from us.

"She's baiting the trap."  I hissed.  "Don't fall for
it."

"I don't think we're the ones she's trying to catch.
I'm worried about Starbuck."  Aliana turned again
towards the Officers Club.

"I know what you're thinking Ali, but Starbuck is a
big boy.  He can take care of himself.  The best thing
we can do right now is go figure out what Nikki and
Shyra are up to."

I headed towards the barracks, hoping that Aliana was
following.  I was afraid to look.  I knew I would only
be moments behind her if she went back to confront Lt.
Boomer, but I also knew it wasn't a smart move right
now.  I was trying to be smart.  I was trying to keep
my cool.  I knew the source of our problems were in
the barracks, waiting.  The trap had been set.  The
only thing left to do was to see just how big a trap
it was before we tried to tackle it.

I walked into the barracks to find Nikki and Shyra
sitting on their bunks smiling.  They were waiting for
us.  I had the eerie feeling that the trap had already
been sprung.  Aliana brushed past me and strode up to
Shyra before I had a chance to stop her.

"What did you do?"  Aliana demanded.

"I don't know what you mean."  Shyra said, baring her
teeth in a victory smile

"Besides, she was told by Command not to talk about
it."  Nikki added.

"What about command?"  I asked, backing up Aliana.

"It seems Starbuck has been a very bad boy, very."

Shyra didn't get a chance to finish as I shoved her
and she fell backwards into her bunk.

"Cadets!  Is there a problem here?"  It was Lt.
Athena, who was the duty officer for all the female
barracks that night.  I had forgotten that she usually
does a check right at curfew.  I had forgotten that we
were in a barracks full of witnesses.

I also had forgotten to do the job right, as Shyra had
merely landed in her bunk without a scratch.

"I was just helping Shyra into her bunk, isn't that
right Aliana?"  I said.  I glared at Shyra daring her
to say anything.  I swear I would kill her if she made
an issue out of this.  Shyra must have sensed how
deadly serious I was, as her smile slipped.

"Cadet Shyra, is there a problem here?"  Lt. Athena
asked her, seeing the look on my face.

"There's not a problem, right Shyra?"  Aliana said.
The menacing tone of her voice made my knees quake.

Lt. Athena looked from Aliana, to me, then to Shyra.
"I don't know what's going on here, but I suggest you
all get some sleep.  You have a busy day tomorrow."

"Some busier than others."  Shyra said, her leer
returning to her face.

I swear had Lt. Athena not been standing there I would
have knocked all of Shyra's teeth out.

"You watch yourself Shyra."  Aliana said, then headed
towards her bunk.

Shyra just laughed.  I took a step towards her,
wanting to kill her, but Lt. Athena stepped in front
of me.  "Cadet?"  She posed it as a question, but I
recognized an order when I heard one.  I thought it
best to not say a word.  I knew that whatever words
came out of my mouth would be vile and most certainly
get me on report.  Not how I really wanted to end the
day I had ranked first.

I undressed and climbed into my bunk without speaking
to anyone.  I looked around before the lights went out
and noticed that half the cadets were grinning at me,
the same evil grin that was on Nikki and Shyra's face.
 But I also noticed that the other half of the cadets
were flashing me looks of sympathy or concern.  The
odds appeared to be evenly split.

Aliana whispered to me from her bunk beside me, "I
can't sleep knowing Shyra has gotten Starbuck in
trouble!"

I rubbed my temples, knowing that my throbbing head
was going to be keeping me awake.  "I know, I know.
But there's nothing we can do about it now.  Not with
the Commander's daughter as watch dagget.  We are in
the spotlight enough as is."  The lights went out, and
I rolled over and tried to get comfortable.  "We'll
just have to ask Starbuck in the morning."

I tried to fall asleep, but it evaded me most of the
night.  When I did sleep I dreamed of raiders pursuing
me, all painted with these evil leers on the front.

*******

The next morning Nikki and Shyra were in true form.
They were constantly underfoot, trying to trip us up.
I tried to keep my composure, but I woke up with the
remnants of a nasty headache, and was not in the mood
to deal with much of anything.  Aliana woke up ready
for a fight.  Every time Shyra tried to sidle up to
me, Aliana was there, ready for battle.  Nikki was
able to lob a few insults our way at breakfast, but
surprisingly some of the other cadets came to our
defense before we could respond.  Aliana and I were
both surprised at the sudden support, but apparently
we weren't the only ones who were sick of Nikki and
Shyra's dirty deeds.

Aliana repeatedly said to me that she couldn't wait to
see Starbuck, to find out just what was going on.  I
kept reminding her that we'd probably have to wait
until after class, but I wasn't sure I could be that
patient.

Unfortunately we wound up with seats in class right
behind Nikki and Shyra.  I tried to ask around if
someone would switch with me, and was getting up to
change seats when Lt. Sheba came in the room and
called the class to order.  I stood there like an
idiot, until Capt. Bojay entered the room and
suggested I take my seat.  Lt. Boomer came in the room
and announced that we would be going over yesterday's
test with two of the Galactica's and the Pegasus' best
warriors.

Aliana leaned over and whispered in alarm, "Where's
Starbuck?"

I was too shocked to respond.  I knew that Lt. Sheba
and Capt. Bojay had never taught a class.  Rumour
among the squadrons was that they both thought it was
beneath them.  That training should be left to the
injured warriors, or those too old to fly.

Aliana whispered to me again, but I just shrugged and
flashed her a bewildered look.

It was Nikki who finally asked.  "Uh, Lt. Boomer Sir,
shouldn't Lt. Starbuck be going over this with us?"

That's when I knew that something was definitely up
with Starbuck.  All three instructors looked at each
other before Lt. Boomer finally answered.  "He has
been called away on other duties.  Now if you notice,
the opening run you were all in formation, but some of
you here on the edges needed.

"Lt. Boomer Sir?"  Nikki interrupted again.

"Yes Cadet?"

"Will he be back as our instructor tomorrow?"

Shyra about gave herself whiplash looking back to
check our reactions as Lt. Sheba answered. "I'll be
filling in for Lt. Starbuck until your graduation."

I stifled a yelp as Aliana kicked me under the table.
I tried not to react, I tried not to give Shyra the
satisfaction, but I was in shock.  Starbuck had never
been called away for duty before.  Things were pretty
quiet in this sector.  The patrol schedules had been
routine, with none of the changes that usually
indicated trouble.

I shot Aliana a perplexed look, and noticed that she
was beyond shocked.  I think it would be safe to say
she was about to have a conniption fit.  I made a hand
motion for her to calm down.

"Cadet Rayanna, is there a problem?"  Lt. Sheba asked.

"Uh, no, Sir, uh, Lieutenant, I was just showing Cadet
Aliana how the raiders came in three to a formation."
I replied trying to cover myself.

"Cadet Rayanna was ranked first, is that correct
Boomer?"

"Yes, Cadet Rayanna had the privilege of being ranked
first for this test."  Lt. Boomer answered Lt. Sheba.

"Cadet, why don't you come to the front of the class
and discuss your strategy."

"Uh, that's okay Lieutenant."  I answered, wishing I
could just slide under my desk.

"It wasn't a request Cadet."  She motioned for me to
join her.

I walked to the front of the room as slowly as I
could.  I was not up for this today.  My head still
hurt and now my stomach was in knots.  Between the
frantic looks from Aliana, and the nasty leers from
Shyra, it's a miracle I survived the few centons it
took for me to stutter through my version of battle.

"Thank you Cadet Rayanna.  That was very insightful."
Capt. Bojay said, dismissing me back to my desk.  I
died of embarrassment as he continued.  "As Cadet
Rayanna has illustrated for us, sometimes your success
in battle can be based on skill, and sometimes on pure
dumb luck."

I tried to laugh along with everyone, but Shyra's
cackle crawled up my nerves.  I struggled to take deep
breaths to keep my cool.

The rest of class was pure torture.  It's a good thing
that Lt. Sheba and Capt. Bojay aren't regular
instructors.  They were humorless and impatient.  They
were also very oddly distant, always remaining at the
front of the class. Even Lt. Boomer would not mingle
amongst us.

Lunch didn't even feel like a break as Nikki and Shyra
shadowed us in the mess hall.  Aliana was ready to
explode with worry and confusion.  I had no answers
for her, only more concerns.  Lt. Boomer made a point
of not eating with us cadets.  Up to this point our
instructors had joined us for lunch, laughing and
joking with us and providing us with an opportunity to
ask questions in an informal environment.  Today, when
many of us had more questions than ever before, Lt.
Boomer was absent.  When we returned from lunch, he
was cold and formal.

I began to regret having been ranked first as Lt.
Sheba consistently called upon me to answer questions,
or much to my horror, to have me offer suggestions to
other Cadets.  I think the most insightful thing out
of my mouth all day was, "Uh, I don't know."

When class ended all I wanted to do was take a turbo
and crawl into my bunk and pretend it was all a bad
dream.  As we were leaving the classroom, Lt. Boomer
waited for each one of us at the door to offer a word
of encouragement.  It was like a doctor giving you a
lollipop after jabbing you with a really big needle.
It was nice, but didn't make up for the shot.  Aliana
was in front of me, and I didn't hear what the
Lieutenant said to her, but suddenly her eyes flared,
and she nodded ascent.

To me he said, "It will get better Rayanna."

"Yeah, right.  Remind me not to ever finish first."

Lt. Boomer smiled, his first one for the day it
seemed.  "Don't worry, Aliana has the answers."

I shot him a puzzled look, but he had moved on to the
next cadet.  Aliana waited for me with a very
determined look on her face.
"Look, whatever it is you have planned, count me out.
I just want to go to bed."  I said to her, knowing
that I probably wouldn't be seeing my bunk until
Aliana had completed whatever mission she had planned.

"Starbuck is going to be waiting for us in the
Celestial Chamber after dinner."  She said, so softly
I barely heard her.

"Okay, good.  I want to punch him for not being here
today.  You know, this viper pilot thing isn't so much
fun without him around."  We headed off towards the
mess hall.  I grumbled most of the way, but it was
just to hide my nervousness of what Starbuck had to
tell us.  I had a feeling that we were in just as much
trouble as he was.  I certainly wasn't in Lt. Sheba's
good graces today.


********

We were able to ditch Nikki in the mess hall.  However
I thought it very curious that Shyra was not there.
If I thought I could speak to Nikki without doing her
bodily harm I might have asked where her boss was.  I
thought it best to leave it alone and just enjoy the
respite from the little serpent.  I got myself some
food, but noticed that Aliana did not eat.  She sat
there tapping her foot and checking her chrono every
centon.

I leaned over to her and said, "Remind me never to get
you worried.  You're a basket case."

"Just hurry up and finish, okay?"  She snapped at me.

"Okay.  You should eat you know."  She just looked at
me like I was stupid.  Yeah, I barely ate myself, but
I knew we couldn't just bolt for the Celestial Dome,
wherever that was.  I knew we had to take our time,
act casual, and wait for our chance to sneak away from
the others.

Aliana wasn't that patient and finally informed me
that I was done, and it was time to go.  I was out of
breath trying to keep up with her as she led me
through the maze of the corridors to right above the
main thrusters.  She handed me ear protectors and
pointed to an up ladder.

"I thought you said it was a romantic place?"  I asked
sarcastically.

She didn't answer me.  She just looked at me with that
worried face of hers.  "Ali, it's going to be okay."
I said, but she didn't hear me through the ear
protectors as she began to climb the ladder.  She
opened a hatch above our heads and a hand reached down
to help her up.  The same hand reached for me and I
looked up into Starbuck's face.  I flashed him a smile
I was so relieved to see him.  Then the smile froze on
my face as I swear Starbuck had the same worried face
as Aliana's.

"Where the hades were you today?"  I practically
yelled at him as I continued to hold his hand.

Aliana cut me off by reaching out to hug him.
Starbuck gave her a quick squeeze before disengaging
and backing off.  That's when I noticed that Lt.
Boomer was in the room.

"What's wrong?"  Aliana quickly asked.

"Ladies, we have a bit of a problem."  Lt. Boomer
began.

That's when Starbuck exploded.  "That's an
understatement!  That little she-devil, I swear, if I
ever get my hands on her."  He turned and kicked at
the base of the podium of a control center.  The metal
rang from the impact.

"Uh Starbuck, I think that's the problem, you did get
your hands on her."

"Very funny Boomer!  This is no time for jokes!"
Starbuck shot him a look that could melt metal.

"So let me guess, this has something to do with Shyra
and that kiss?"  I ventured.

Starbuck suddenly looked guilty, too guilty.  I felt
my own anger begin to rise.

"How did you know?"  Starbuck asked.

"Nikki was happy to announce it to the whole class."
Aliana added.

Starbuck turned away swearing.  Aliana bridged the
distance between them, putting her hand on his arm.
"Starbuck, we knew it wasn't your fault.  She's been
toying with you for a while now."

"I didn't kiss her!"  Starbuck said, yanking his arm
from Aliana.

"Starbuck, the tape says otherwise.  Even the
Commander had to concede that you two kissed."  Boomer
said.

I suddenly was angry too.  "Does the Commander get
involved in everyone's relationships?"

"When it involves Cadets and sexual harassment, yes."
Boomer answered calmly.  "Look, let's all calm down
and find a solution to this."

"Well, what exactly did happen then?"  I asked Boomer.
 But it was Starbuck that answered me.

"That she dagget asked me to stay after the test and
run through it again with her.  She kept insisting
that I get closer and show her exactly what to do by
putting my hands over hers.  Next thing I know, she's
rubbing against me and kissing me."  Starbuck paced as
he explained.  "I pushed her away!  Even the Commander
had to admit that I pushed her away!"

Starbuck suddenly punched the wall of the dome with
all his might.  He pulled back from the pain and
cradled his fist.  Aliana approached him again, gently
placing her hand on his arm again.  She's much braver
than I am.  There was no way I was getting close to
Starbuck in the mood he was in.

"Don't do that.  Don't hurt yourself."  She said
calmly.

"I'm in deep trouble.  You two are off limits.
Official orders."  He said, a little calmer, but still
angry.

"Why, what did we do?"  I asked angrily.

"Shyra is claiming that Starbuck came on to her.
She's filing sexual harassment charges."  Boomer
interjected.  "The Commander has already ruled that
the findings are inconclusive.  But to be on the safe
side, Starbuck has been pulled as an instructor, and
the Commander told him to keep his distance from you
two until you're full ensigns, maybe longer."

"Inconclusive!"  Starbuck yelled, and made to punch at
the wall again.  He pulled back at the last micron,
and punched the air instead.  "I pushed her off me!"

Aliana pulled back to where I was and we all let
Starbuck rant for a little while.  All we could make
out was a bunch of swear words follow by an occasional
 "Inconclusive!"

"The Commander knows that Bucko."  Boomer tried to
calm Starbuck down.  "The tape even shows that, but
the tape also shows that she kissed you and up until
then you weren't backing away."

"She had me in a corner!"  Starbuck turned as if he
was ready to pounce on Boomer.

"Wait a minute, what tape?"  I asked, trying to follow
the flow of events.

"We usually tape most of the training sessions, for
our own purposes.  To analyze how to better train
pilots.  Well, the tape was still running from the
test when Starbuck was with Shyra.  I have to admit
she's good.  She had Starbuck's back to the camera, so
all you could really see is her face.  You can't
really see Starbuck's expression.  From the tape,
well, I know Starbuck, I can tell he wasn't the one
pursuing."

"You are fraking right I wasn't!  I kept backing
away!"  Starbuck interrupted.

"Up to a point, yeah you were, but then the tape shows
you came towards her."  Boomer stated.

"She had me against the panel!  I had to get out of
the situation!  I thought you were on my side?"
Starbuck ranted.

Boomer rolled his eyes, then turned back to me.  "From
the tape, that's when Shyra made her move.  It looks
like Starbuck walked into the, uh, situation."

"I did not kiss her!"  Starbuck went to punch the wall
again, only a little softer this time.

"The Commander is on your side Starbuck.  He knows
you.  He can tell that you were trying to back out of
the situation and you did push her away.  But she is a
female cadet.  He has to take the report seriously.
Inconclusive was the best he could do.  You're lucky
he didn't dock you some pay and put you on deep space
recon."

"Shyra has been out to get us since we started
training."  Aliana said.  "And if I recall she was the
one who really put us up to trying to beat Starbuck at
Pyramid."

"Yeah, she did.  That's right.  She wagered the most
money on it."  I added remembering back to how all
this began, a dare between squad mates.  "At the time
I thought she was just out to see us humiliated.  She
didn't think we could do it, you know, being all
brainy and in her opinion, homely."

"Yeah, but there was more to it.  Didn't she say
something about seeing Starbuck get his due?"

"I think so.  Hard to remember now, I just wanted to
prove to her that we could beat Starbuck at cards."

"I let you win."  Starbuck spoke up, starting to calm
down.  "So she's out to get me, that much is clear.
But why?"

"Well, weren't you the one who thought she shouldn't
be in this class because her marks weren't high
enough."  Boomer recalled.

"Yeah, they were low.  I mean, for a shuttle pilot
they weren't bad.  I guess if I saw some natural
ability in her I wouldn't have made such a big deal
about it.   But she just isn't that good.  You know, I
don't even know how she got reinstated in the class?"
Starbuck asked puzzled.

"I do."  Boomer answered.  "Apollo said something
about powerful friends and that she deserved a chance
to try.  He said that if she failed we could prove
that she wasn't cut out for it."

 "Wait a minute, what friends?"  I asked.

 "I don't know that one."  Boomer answered.

"I know she spends a lot of time on the Rising Star."
Starbuck added.  "I'd see her on the dance floor,
before she was a cadet."

"I bet you did, with those skimpy dresses she wears."
I said, my tone harsher than I meant it to be.

Starbuck flashed me an annoyed look, but Aliana jumped
to his defense.  "Who wouldn't look?  She has it all
nicely displayed for the whole fleet to see."

"You should have seen the one she was wearing when
Starbuck and I went over to the Rising Star.  Slit
from here to here."  I said, motioning down my whole
side.

"Didn't Shyra disappear as soon as we docked?"
Starbuck asked.

"Yeah she did.  But I'm not sure where she could go
since there wasn't a Triad game.  Unless she went to
the dining lounges or to private quarters."  I said,
remembering how Starbuck and I had seen Shyra on the
shuttle to the Rising Star, but she had disappeared
shortly after arrival.  Nikki we had seen sporadically
throughout the evening on the dance floor or at the
gambling tables, but Shyra had vanished.

"She misses curfew a lot."  Aliana added.  "If we can
somehow prove that she is trying to get Starbuck in
trouble, maybe we can clear all this up."

"That might be kind of hard.  You should see the
security tape."  Boomer said, casting Starbuck a
disapproving look.

"She does NOT need to see the tape!"  Starbuck said, a
little too guilty for my tastes.

"Yeah, that case is closed, sealed with a kiss."  I
said, and was rewarded by another nasty look from
Starbuck.   I knew I should stop, but I was mad that
Starbuck had gotten himself into this mess.  If he
would have just backed away sooner, or avoided Shyra
completely, we wouldn't be off limits.  I didn't
appreciate being officially told to leave him alone.
I was having fun and did not want the party to end.  I
began to think quickly.  "Maybe.if we can dig up our
own case, maybe we can get Starbuck's dropped."

"What kind of case?  Dig up some dirt you mean?"
Starbuck asked suspiciously.

"Prove that she is out to get you."  Aliana added.
"It seems pretty obvious to us.  Now we just need some
proof."

"Finding out who her friends are might help."  I said.

"Or what business a Colonial Cadet has tramping around
the private quarters of the Rising Star."  Aliana
added.

"I bet we could find out."  I flashed Aliana a wicked
grin.

"We could definitely follow her, find out where she
goes when she shows up late for curfew."  Aliana
grinned back.

"Look, I don't want you two involved in this."
Starbuck said protectively.

"We are already involved, remember?  Off limits until
we're ensigns, or longer?"  Aliana stated.

"Yeah, that's true."  Starbuck conceded.

"I've waited this long to get my hands on a good man.
I'm not waiting any longer!"  I said with a smile.
"No offense Boomer."

"None taken, I think."  Boomer said, then winked at
me.  "You know, you'd think Starbuck would set me up
eventually.  He seems to always have more than enough
women.  You'd think that he would share once or twice.
 Especially with all the cadets throwing themselves at
him.  He could throw one or two my way."

"Boomer!"  Starbuck protested.

Boomer held up his hands in submission, "I'm just
kidding Bucko.  Well, sort of, I mean."

Starbuck cast him a glare.

"Actually Boomer, I bet we could find you a date
pretty easy.  I noticed Lexia giving you the eye the
other day."  I said.

"Really, you don't say?  She is kind of cute."  Boomer
said putting his arm around me.

"Oh yeah, and if that doesn't work, I know Brigitte
thinks your hot."

"Hot, I'm hot?  Did you hear that Starbuck?"

"You're supposed to be working on solving my problems,
not Boomer's!"  Starbuck whined

"Well Shyra disappeared already for the evening.  Why
don't we take the opportunity to see what we can dig
up in her personal locker?"  Aliana suggested.

"Boomer, do you think you could get the code to the
locker."  Starbuck asked, putting his arm around
Aliana.

"That would definitely be a violation.  I'm not sure I
could pull that off."

"Well, I could accidentally read it over your
shoulder."  I suggested.  "I bet we could get that
ruled inconclusive."  I flashed Boomer a flirty grin.

"HEY!"  Starbuck yelled.  I couldn't help but to
laugh.

"Gotchya!"  I said smiling.

"Don't tease with me!"  Starbuck added, reaching to
pull me from under Boomer's arm.  Starbuck placed his
other arm around me.

"You know, it serves you right for kissing Shyra!"  I
teased.

"She has a point Starbuck.  I know you're hard to
resist, but really, how many cadets do you need?"
Aliana teased.

"You know, off limits sounds like a good idea right
now!"  Starbuck complained as he tried to disengage
his arm from around our shoulders.   Aliana wouldn't
let him, and held on.

"We're just teasing.  It will be alright Starbuck."
Aliana said.

Starbuck sighed and I snuggled into him, rubbing my
hand down his back.

"I know you're just teasing."  He finally said
relaxing.  "It's just, well, I don't like being in
trouble when it's not my fault."

"Then next time maybe you should watch your back.  I
can't do it all the time for you buddy."  Boomer said.

"You know, someone should warn me that women are more
devious than Cylons."

"Uh, I would think with all of your experience you
would already know that."  Boomer said laughing.

"So maybe I will throw a few your way and see how you
like it."  Starbuck joked.

We didn't linger too much longer.  Just long enough
for Starbuck to show me what was so special about that
little metal dome.  The stars were so beautiful!  We
thought it might make a great place for Boomer's first
date with Lexia.


******

We convinced Boomer to give us the code to Shyra's
locker right then.  Starbuck wasn't too pleased to
just say good-bye and watch the two of us walk away
with Boomer.  But we were "off limits" so he didn't
have much of a choice, and besides, we could justify
our presence with Lt. Boomer.  We had questions about
our training, or something.  But I also noticed that
Starbuck lurked around the squadron duty office while
we were there with Boomer.  I felt kind of bad for
teasing him as it was obvious that he was feeling a
trifle jealous, or at the very least was feeling the
effects of his restriction from us.  I get the feeling
that Starbuck isn't used to being told no about much
of anything.

Once we got back to the barracks, I was suddenly very
awake.  We needed to wait until all the other cadets
were asleep before we attempted to open Shyra's
locker, which gave us a lot of time to sit and wait.
Aliana did her best to give me a headache and put me
to sleep by lecturing me.  She started by getting on
me about how much I tease Starbuck.  She thought I was
downright cruel to him at times, and I tried to
explain to her that was how I dealt with pressure.  I
thought she knew that about me, that I couldn't take
too much seriousness without popping off some smart
remark.  I reminded her that Starbuck was the same way
at times.  He was known for his smart remarks.  She
lectured me about how one day my smart mouth would get
me into trouble.  She moved on to how I should be more
professional in class and prepared with more
insightful answers than, `It just seemed the right
thing to do' and `but, gee, it worked'.

I humored her until she got on me about Lt. Sheba
harassing me in class, and reminded her that she had
answered a few questions like she was quoting from
some text book.

 "The viper's velocity and pitch called for a change
in the yaw."  I said mimicking her in a monotone
voice. "What the does that mean?  Can you actually
quote those manuals?  You know you need to lighten up,
listen to your instincts once or twice."

"I listen to my instincts.  I came in third if I
recall.  It wouldn't hurt you to actually read the
manuals instead of just using them as a booster seat
in your viper."

We continued back and forth until she finally
suggested that maybe we should do a little studying
until lights out.  She was right.  I couldn't afford
to let my studies slip this close to graduation.  And
despite her accusation, I did read the manuals.

I guess the manuals did the trick, because next thing
I remembered was Aliana nudging me awake and pointing
out that everyone else was asleep, including Shyra who
had snuck in a few minutes after curfew.  We snuck
over to the lockers and keyed in the code.

"Everything seems to be in order."  Aliana said
regretfully.  Sure enough, on the surface, everything
looked neat and tidy.  I guess that's what tipped me
off.

"Yeah, too much in order.  That's not like Shyra.
Isn't Nikki always making her bunk and picking up her
towels from the floor?"  I reminded Aliana.

"Yeah, that's right."  Aliana didn't hesitate and
began rifling through the piles of pants and tunics.
Near the back and on the bottom she pulled out what
appeared to be a fancy fumarello case.  It was silver
and engraved with a Council of Twelve seal.  "What do
we have here!"  Aliana whispered in glee.  She popped
it open and then said disappointed.  "Oh they're just
fumarellos."

"Those aren't fumarellos, at least not the legal
kind."  I pulled one of the sticks out and sniffed the
fresh tobac.  "Those are plant vapors."

"How would you know?"  Aliana asked.  "You've never,
have you?"  She asked suddenly wary.

"No, of course not.  But I had an older brother who
was in trouble a lot.  Once you've smelled plant
vapors, well, it's pretty identifiable.  Hey, look
what's down there."  I pulled out a box, opened it and
found a plethora of pills.  "These don't look
prescribed by the Life Center."

Aliana dug deeper and found a money pouch.  She
carefully opened it, but had to stop before the sound
of the tinkling cubits woke the whole bunkroom.
"There's more than a secton's pay in here!  We haven't
even been paid for our training time yet.  How did she
save this much?"

"I doubt she saved it."  I replied.  I opened her
makeup kit to find a stash of cosmetics, many still
sealed in their original packages.  "Hey, you can't
even find this stuff on the black market!  I know I've
tried!  This one still has the price tag from the
Caprican Capital Mall.  Wow, it wasn't cheap back then
either.  This stuff must be worth a fortune!

"This should be enough to get her kicked out of the
service!"  Aliana smiled, but then her smile slipped.
"But that won't get Starbuck out of trouble.  We still
need to follow her.  We need to catch her in the
middle of some of this black market activity."

"Yeah, I'm not sure they'd believe us about all this
stuff anyway.  They might think we planted it."

Aliana nodded knowingly.  "Okay, so we are agreed.
Next time she leaves the Galactica, we follow her."

"I think we should still let Boomer know about all
this.  Maybe he can arrange for an inspection or
something."

Aliana agreed and went to work putting everything back
the way she found it.  We snuck back into bed.
Neither of us could sleep though as we plotted our
revenge.


=====


Even though Reyana and I are opposites in many ways, at times we
think so
much alike that it's scary.  I guess that's why we're such close
friends;
our differences complement each other but we share the same
fundamental
beliefs and ideas.  Thus, when we awoke, there was no need to say
what we
intended to do.  It was understood.  We would speak with Lt.
Boomer the
first chance we got - hopefully, right after the morning classes -
about
arranging a "surprise" locker inspection, and then we would follow
Shyra the
next time she went out without her sidekick, Nikki.  We hoped it
would be
soon, because in just four days we would all be reassigned to our
official
squadrons, and the chances that we would be placed in the same
squadron as
Shyra and Nikki was slim to none.

So we said nothing beyond our normal morning banter as we got
ready for the
morning classes.  We even both resolutely ignored all of the looks
and snide
comments that Shyra and Nikki kept sending our way.  Eventually,
our lack of
response must have bored them, because they finally left us alone
- for the
time being.  We were just about to head out for class when the
signal from
the intercom sounded.  A moment later, Colonel Tigh's voice boomed
out of
the loud speaker.

"Attention all personnel.  All first-rotation activities are
cancelled.  The
commander will be holding a mandatory briefing in one centar.  The
purpose
will be clear once you hear what the commander has to say.  Again,
that's in
one centar.  All available personnel should meet in the assembly
hall at
0880.  Colonel Tigh out."

"Now I wonder what's up?" grumbled Reyana as we stood on the
threshold a
moment before turning back around.

That meant all morning classes were cancelled.  And we'd probably
have to
wait until later to speak with Lt. Boomer.  So, while pretending
to be
resting on my bunk, I used the extra 80 centons to try to imagine
just where
Shyra might be acquiring her illegal goods. By the time we had to
leave, I
still had no idea.  I hoped - no, prayed - that we could learn
something
useful by following her.  It seemed to be our only chance of
finding a way
to pressure her into recanting her accusations against Starbuck -
the only
way to clear his service record of that idiotic "inconclusive"
ruling.

We filed into the _Galatica's_ huge assembly chamber along with
all the
other warriors, other personnel, and even some civilians.  I did a
double
take when I thought I spied several Council members up near the
front.
"Look!"  I whispered to Reyana, pointing.

"Whoa, the big-wigs are here," she said.  "Must be an important
announcement."

"Indeed."  We looked for the members of Red Squadron, hoping for a
chance to
get close to Lt. Boomer, but he was with Apollo, Starbuck, Sheba,
and the
others, so we kept our distance.  Instead, we ended up near the
back close
to some of the maintenance workers with whom we used to work.
From our
vantage point, we could see Lt. Starbuck but doubted that he knew
where we
were.  Oh, well.  At least, Nikki and Shyra were nowhere within
eyesight.

At precisely 0900, the commander walked out onto the raised
conference
platform.  The crowd immediately hushed.  He cast a slow, stately
look
across the gathered people, and it was then that I noticed the IFB
cameras
were there.  So this was a Fleet-wide announcement.  My curiosity
was
soaring.  I glanced at Reyana, who raised her eyebrows and
shrugged.  The
commander began to speak in his deep, patient voice that had
inspired me
from the moment I had heard it broadcast over the intercom of the
rickety
Virgus freighter.  I think his voice, which radiated confidence
and inspired
hope, had saved many from the depths of despair during those first
sectons -
including me.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Fleet," he began.  "I have called you
all
together to talk to you about our future."  He paused and smiled
to show
that what he was about to say was good news.  I hoped.  He
continued.
"After nearly a yahren of traversing the depths of new, previously
unexplored regions of space, I want to emphasize the positive
aspects of our
situation.  No need to review all that we have endured since
fleeing the
Colonies.  Be it enough to remind you that we *have* endured and
survived.
And given time, we might even begin to thrive again.

"It is with cautious optimism that I point out that, while we have
not yet
eluded the Cylons, we have seen no trace of a base star since our
triumph
over a sectar ago.  The few Cylons that we've encountered have
come from
remote bases - which we have destroyed.  With our series of course
adjustments, I believe that even if they were able to transmit our
previous
coordinates and heading back to the Cylon Empire, they will find
no trace of
us once any base stars reach that location.  I do believe that we
are at the
outer fringes of the Cylon occupation.  And soon, we should be
well beyond
their reach."  Adama paused again, looking confidently across the
crowd and
into the IFB cameras.

"Now," he continued, "it is time to speak of rebuilding our
civilization and
reestablishing humanity's strength.  While it is too soon to talk
about
settling permanently on any planet, be it Earth or another life-
supporting
world, it is time to think about how we should prepare for the
future.  At
this point," the commander said, his tone becoming more solemn, "I
will
remind you that we teeter somewhat on the brink - our current
population is
around 300,000.  And it is probably not necessary to tell you that
women
outnumber the men almost four-to-one.  But I'll come back to
that."  He
smiled again.  "It also needs to be known that conditions in the
Fleet have
otherwise stabilized.  We have established a solid, well-balanced
sustenance
program consisting of a combination of recycled and reprocessed
nutrients
and newly grown foods from the agro ships.  No one lacks food or
nutrition.
In fact, we have a comfortable system that is ready to handle some
expansion."  He paused again as we pondered the word "expansion."

And when he began to speak again, he assumed his most theological
tone.
"The Book of the Word speaks of a time, many millennia ago, just
shortly
after the Great Exodus from the dying world of Kobol, in which
humanity
faced a trial not dissimilar to the one we now face.  In settling
the new
worlds, the people faced famine, starvation, and wide spread
epidemics
caused by local microbes to which the people had no immunity.  The
numbers
on each of the Twelve Worlds were reduced to somewhere probably
close to
what we now face - less than a half million.  Yet each world
survived,
endured and eventually thrived.  But not without many sacrifices,
including
a suspension of traditions ways of viewing relationships between a
Man and a
Woman."

I felt my heart skip a beat.  Could he possibly be about to . . .?
"In
times of plenty, the Book of the Word tells us that a Man and a
Woman shall
take the holy vows to be sealed as one for all eternity.  But we
are not
blessed yet with 'times of plenty.'  We teeter on the brink of the
total
collapse of the human race if we do not rebuild our numbers,
slowly but
steadily.  We face a similar time to when the first descendents of
Kobol
made the decision to forgo, for a period of time, those
traditional vows,
and encouraged all to spread the seeds of humanity as widely as
possible, to
ensure survival and to guard against the degradation of our
genetic codes."
Adama paused as a quiet murmur swept through the crowd.  So, he
*was* going
to publicly support our untraditional arrangement.  I cast a
startled glance
at Reyana, who looked both nervous and amused at the same time.

The commander continued.  "Given our current imbalance of men and
women, it
will be necessary - no, vital - for many to be willing to forgo
the
traditional one man-one woman union.  Our numbers simply cannot
support it,
anyway.  At this period in our history, I must strongly urge *all*
women of
childbearing yahrens to have at least one child.  And given our
current
status, some, if not many, of those children will need to be
conceived
without traditional sealing vows.  All parents, especially the
mothers, and
all children, I pledge to you, will be supported and protected,
because they
*are* our future."  He paused again to stare sternly around the
assembly
hall.  "I also promise you that if we do not embrace this
nontraditional
concept, our numbers *will* dwindle until nothing we do can save
us.  Yes,
it is that important and that critical."

"But can we support an increase in the population since we are
still
confined to our ships?  The answer is yes.  Yes, we can.  Already
we have
salvaged enough materials to not only repair the aging ships but
to also
construct *new* ones.  In fact, one ship is already under
construction.  It
should be space-worthy in only four sectars.  So, yes, yes we are
ready to
begin our expansion.  After over a yahren, I firmly believe we are
ready."

The commander was so convincing that I wanted to jump up and
applaud, but
the mix of startled murmurs and confused faces kept me quiet.  It
was
apparent that it would take time for many to accept this new and
radical
proposal.  I craned my neck to catch a glimpse of Starbuck, just
in time to
see him grinning as he poked Boomer in the ribs.  And Reyana,
though still
clearly embarrassed, was smiling cautiously.  Our arrangement now
had the
official approval of the commander, himself.  We could pursue our
three-way
relationship openly and without embarrassment - once we had erased
Shyra's
false accusations, I reminded myself bitterly.

The commander was nearly finished.  "So to you all, I say think
about what I
have said.  *Think* about it.  If it were not vital for our
survival, I
would not propose it to you, I think you realize that.  Be it also
known
that is proposal has been approved by the Council of Twelve, who
also
recognized its importance.  So, finally, for now, I ask you -
especially all
of our young women - to think about this proposal.  The survival
of the
human race is in our own hands.  Thank you.  Thank you all."  With
that, the
commander nodded several times and quietly exited the assembly
hall.

As the people slowly filed out, talking in hushed tones about the
commander'
s proposal, Reyana and I stood frozen in place, just staring at
each other.
"Wow," I finally managed to say.  We were so surprised that we
forgot to
look for Lt. Boomer until nearly half the people had exited.
"Frak," I
muttered, looking around and jabbing Reyana with my elbow.  "Did
you see
which way he went?"

"'He' who?" asked a voice from behind us.

"Ugh!"  I exclaimed, startled.

"Boomer!" said Reyana, smiling gleefully.

The lieutenant made shushing motions, then said quietly, "Meet me
in ten
centons in the landing bay at the training viper."  He then went
on to act
as if he were just answering questions before our last exam later
that
afternoon.  And since the topic was viper mechanics, the landing
bay was
actually a logical place to meet.

As he moved off, I noticed that Shyra and Nikki were staring at us
from
halfway across the assembly hall.  I couldn't help myself.  I gave
them a
huge, triumphant grin as Reyana and I finally exited.  It was
obvious that
the commander's message was not lost on them - or the fact that it
legitimized our three-way relationship.  Our victory, at the
moment, though,
was bittersweet, since we were "off limits" to Lt. Starbuck,
still,
regardless of any announcements made by the commander.  I felt
very
frustrated.

********
We were ready and waiting in the landing bay before ten centons
had passed.
At last, we saw Lt. Boomer approaching.  We were close to bursting
in our
eagerness to explain what we had found, and he had not even
stopped when we
both started talking at the same time.

"Whoa, whoa!" he said, holding up both hands.  "Slow down and one
at a time,
please."

I took a deep breath, glanced at Reyana, then explained what we
had found in
Shyra's locker the previous evening.  Boomer's response was a
frown that
deepened as I listed the various items we had seen.  When I
finished, he
gave us a serious look.  "The black market is not something that
inexperienced cadets should be messing around with," he said.  "I
want you
two to back off.  Don't follow her."

"Now wait -" I started.

"I'm afraid that's an order."

"Hold on!" insisted Reyana, glaring at the lieutenant.  "What
makes you
think we can't take care of ourselves and handle something like a
little
black market trading?"

"'Little'?" said Boomer, eyebrows raised.  "That was not 'little'
what you
described.  That was big time, heavy dealing.  The kind that can
get deadly
if they feel threatened or suspicious.  My decision stands.  Back
off."

"But -" Reyana was still glaring at him.

"No," he said, interrupting.  "Look, I've got a friend who's a
Colonial
security guard."  Boomer tried to soften his expression.  "He'll
be able to
put her under surveillance.  I'm sure we'll be able to get enough
evidence
that way to convince her to drop her accusations."  He stared at
us without
blinking.  "So tell me you'll follow orders and back off."

"No," said Reyana.  I got to admit that she has guts, sometimes.
"I won't
do that."

Boomer sighed.  "Well, at least, you're honest.  And you are
obviously aware
that I won't be able to officially discipline you two because what
we're
doing is 'unofficial' and off the record."  Reyana was smiling
triumphantly
at him.  "Okay, but let me repeat - this sounds very dangerous.
Be careful.
And try keep me informed, okay?"

We agreed to that much.  However, it was not as if he were readily
available
for us to find, though.  When I mentioned this, the lieutenant
frowned.  "I
know.  Do your best, okay?  And I'm still going to talk to my
security
friend."  He pointed a finger at us both.  "And be careful."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To our chagrin, Shyra stayed put that evening, even though we were
officially finished with all of our class work and had been given
the next
four days as a furlon before being promoted and assigned to our
new
squadrons.  The last exam had been that afternoon - viper
mechanics.  I
could have completed it in my sleep.  It had been that easy.  And
I was glad
that we didn't have to return to that classroom anymore; watching
Sheba and
Bojay grudgingly and humorlessly conduct the class had been
downright
painful.  A painful reminder of, all personal feelings aside, just
how
*good* an instructor Starbuck had been.  It was a less than joyous
end to
our training.

So we had been certain that Shyra would celebrate her free time by
spending
some of those accumulated cubits and would give us the chance to
try to
follow her.  But she didn't.  She and Nikki, instead, went to the
O.C. to
drink and play cards with each other, alone, and seemingly
unconcerned that
everyone else seemed to give them a wide berth.  We had followed
them into
the O.C. and had stayed just long enough to realize that Shyra did
not have
time to go anywhere before curfew.  So we went back to the
barracks feeling
out of sorts and depressed.  And we had just three days, now.  We
also
realized how much we missed our interactions with Lt. Starbuck -
how much we
had truly fallen for him, cast under the spell of  his
irresistible charm,
in just a matter of sectons.

The next day passed slower than slow, with nothing official to do.
With no
family to visit, we spent the day in our most casual civilian
clothes, just
lounging around in the barracks.  What we were really doing,
though, was
making sure that if we were going to trail Shyra, we didn't stand
out loud
and clear in our uniforms.  This way, we hoped that we would blend
in with
the populace.  If.  If we ever got the chance to follow her.  We
even had
our plan in place for just how to trail her unseen.  We figured
that as soon
as she started getting ready to go out - we had noticed that she
spent a
good deal of time preening on the nights she left alone - we would
head to
the landing bay, given that she had only one way off the
_Galactica_.  We
hoped that we'd be able to board whichever shuttle she took
without her
noticing.

Afraid that we might somehow miss her, Reyana and I skipped
dinner,
pretending to be involved in a Pyramid game on my bunk while most
everyone
else trickled out to go to the commissary.  Out of the corner of
my eye, as
the last few seemed to be leaving, I noticed Nikki saying
something to
Shyra.  And then she, too, left - alone.  Shyra, instead, headed
into the
turbowash.  "Look!"  I whispered to Reyana.  She was pretending to
look at
her cards, but I could tell from her smile that she had been
watching Nikki
and Shyra, as well.

"Let's go," she whispered back.  If it turned out that Shyra was
just
running late for dinner, then the worst that could happen was that
we sat in
the landing bay watching all the shuttles take off and land.

Once there, we checked a computer console to see what shuttles
were running.
For most destinations in the Fleet, a shuttle flew only a couple
of times a
day.  But to the Rising Star, one was available almost every
centar, since
about half the squadron members were on furlon.   The next one
departed in
50 centons, in fact, and a small group of people had already
gathered.  We
mingled in with the crowd, keeping a close eye on the turbolift.
After 40
long centons, as people had already started to board the shuttle,
our wait
was rewarded.  Shyra stepped off the turbolift and walked towards
the
shuttle.  Her long, black hair was pulled up, and  she was dressed
in a
short, tight gown that hugged every curve and had a neckline that
plunged to
her navel, almost.  To me, she looked like a she-tiger on the
prowl, the way
she strode, purposefully and confidently, a slight smile on her
face, her
eyes straight ahead, but obviously aware of the stares and leers
she was
receiving from all of the nearby males.

"Disgusting," whispered Reyana as we boarded the shuttle.

Shyra had taken a seat towards the back.  We slipped into a couple
near the
front.  Our goal was to avoid being seen, yet to not appear like
we were
being furtive, should she notice us.  I felt tense and pumped with
adrenaline, staring at the floor or out the portal, my fingers
tapping on my
knees, while we endured the 10-centon ride to the Rising Star.  As
soon as
the hatch opened, Reyana and I exited and mingled in the Rising
Star's
shuttle lounge with the crowds who were waiting to depart.  A few
moments
later, Shyra strode through the docking bay entrance and headed
straight for
the lift.  We had no choice but to join the rest of the people who
filed
into the turbolift once it arrived.  Shyra was at the entry pad,
selecting
her level as we walked past her.  She seemed to be doing more than
just
debating whether to go up to the entertainment level or, for
whatever
reason, down to the triad courts - the only two options available
to
visitors.  And as we passed her, she turned to give us a wicked
smile.  So
much for being unnoticed.

We ignored her, though, and pressed in with the crowd to the back
of the
lift.  A moment later, the door opened and everyone exited into
the vast
entertainment hall.  Well, we *thought* everyone had exited, but
when we
stopped to scan for Shyra, she was nowhere to be seen.  "Frak!"  I
muttered.
"Do you see her?"

Reyana was peering hard throughout the crowd.  "No.  So how could
she
disappear like that?  At the very least, with that dress, we
should be able
to follow the trail of drooling men!"

"Humph," I grumbled.  I did not see her anywhere.  Then I noticed
that the
lift had gone up instead of back down.  "Look!"  I jabbed Reyana
in the
ribs.  "You don't suppose . . .?  The lift just stopped on a
restricted
level.  You know, privately maintained suites."

"Great, just great," muttered Reyana.  "It's a good guess that
that was her,
since she's obviously not on this level.  And it'd make sense,
too."

"Yeah, except, how do we get up there?  Those levels are
accessible through
special codes, only."

Reyana narrowed her eyes, thinking, then suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Come on!
I've got an idea."  She jabbed the lift pad and kept muttering,
"Come on!
Come on!" as we waited for the doors to open.  When they finally
did, we had
to wait for the people to file out.  We hurried in, but the lift
soon filled
with more people.  I was curious as to what Rey was up to, because
she
pushed the pad for the triad courts.  I had an inkling, though,
when the
turbolift stopped at the docking lounge and everyone exited,
except us.  We
were alone as we traveled down to the deserted triad courts.

"You're not planning to . . .?"  I asked with a grin when Reyana
pushed the
emergency stop button.

"Once again," she murmured in reply, "our training in maintenance
pays off!"
She flipped open the control panel, exposing the circuits beneath
it.
"Which level do we need?" she asked after a few moments of cross-
wiring and
rerouting of the circuits.

"Level 4," I said.  "Can you do it?"

Reyana released the emergency stop and touched two wires together.
The lift
jerked for a moment, then started up.  "Ta da!" she whispered.
She quickly
shut the panel.  My heart was pounding as we passed the
entertainment deck
and passed level 3.  At level 4, I held my breath as the lift
settled and
the doors opened.  Given that this was a restricted level, we had
no idea
what to expect, but we were quite sure that anyone there would
instantly
know that we did not belong.  Cautiously, we peered out.  The
corridor was
empty.  We slipped out quickly and looked frantically around for a
place to
hide.  On either side, the passage turned a corner after several
metrons.

The only door, next to the lift, was marked "storage," and we
quickly
hustled into it when we heard voices echoing from around a bend in
the
corridor.  We could just barely hear the footsteps as they passed
by.
Reyana pressed the manual release on the door, which allowed her
to pull it
open just a crack.  All seemed quiet again.  I thought the
thumping of my
heart must be audible throughout the ship as we snuck out and
headed in the
direction in which the passersby had gone.  As we peaked around
the corner,
we could see that two doors were open, one close by and to our
right, and
the other further down the corridor and to our left.  Voices, two
voices,
were audible from the one on the left.

"I have some lovely new things to show you,"  said one voice, a
male's
voice.

We heard several microns of "oohs" and "ahs" as the other person
must have
been examining these new things.  I was getting very tense,
though, standing
out there in the open.  We really needed somewhere else to hide.

"This is extraordinary!"  It was Shyra's voice.

'Now, now, my  dear, you may have whichever you want, but not now.
First
things first."  The voice sounded too coy.  It was time to find a
place to
conceal ourselves.  Not knowing what else to do, we moved silently
but
quickly to the closer open chamber and cast a quick glance in.  It
was
vacant, for the moment, but a large bottle of ambrosa sitting next
to the
huge bed indicated that it would probably not be for long.

I'm not sure if the Fates were smiling on us or laughing at us
that evening
when we decided to enter the private chamber.  Its design was
almost
identical to the private suite we had shared with Lt. Starbuck
during our
Pyramid-playing, fire-fighting evening, so we headed straight for
the
closet.  It was filled with elegant, expensive gowns, some made
with
materials that would have cost a fortune even before the Great
Destruction.
We pulled the rare and probably priceless dresses around us as we
settled
in, leaving the door cracked ever so slightly.  About five centons
later, we
heard muffled voices that grew louder as someone entered the room.
Reyana
was closest to the small slit in the closet door and she was
peering through
the crack.  I heard the two voices: one, an oily male voice that
seemed
vaguely familiar and the other - definitely Shyra purring like
that
she-tiger.

"Holy frak,"  Reyana whispered.  "You'll never guess who Shyra's
been
sleeping with -"

I jabbed her quietly in the ribs but said nothing.  That voice . .
. where
had I heard it before?

"It's Sire Uri," Reyana finally informed me.  Yes!  Now I
recognized those
smooth tones as the same ones he had used on the crowds at
Carrilon to try
to convince the people that the Fleet should lay down its weapons.
We had
been in that chancery that fateful night and had heard his speech,
before
the Cylons opened fire.  We had thought he was full of equis dung
then, and
had almost laughed when the halls had started exploding around us.
He made
my stomach churn.  How and why he still had enough influence to
own private
suites on the Rising Star was beyond me.  I guess he was so slick
that
nothing could legally be done.  Not yet, anyway.

I began to hear the unmistakable noises of kissing as the talking
stopped.
"Oh, frak . . ." muttered Reyana, "I think I'm going to be sick."

"Just do it!"  I whispered, feeling sorry for her, but not about
to risk
moving around in the narrow confines of the closet to switch
places now.

Reyana sighed and withdrew a small camera from her pocket.  "I
can't look,"
she whispered as she pointed it through the crack.

"Wait."  I grabbed her arm and whispered intensely, "Is the flash
off?"

"Yes, yes, of course."  Rey sounded very nervous.  "Now let go so
I can do
it."   The noises were getting hotter and heavier as Reyana, eyes
averted,
snapped photo after photo.  Eventually she slid the camera back
into her
pocket.  "If that doesn't do it, then nothing will," she mumbled.

I decided that if I could survive this, I could handle anything
that my life
as a warrior might throw at me.  The sounds of those two lusting
after each
other went on for nearly a centar.  The phrases they used, the way
Shyra
used all her obvious talents with him - I'd just as soon forget,
but
probably won't, so disgusting was it.  Finally, they both
disappeared into
the turbowash.  "Let's move!" whispered Reyana.

We shoved the door open and closed behind us and moved as fast as
we dared
to the chamber doors.  We palmed the pad and stepped through as
soon as the
doors had opened wide enough, then pressed it again so that they
closed.
The corridor still seemed deserted.  All we had to do was get
around the
corner and back onto the lift.  We should have had enough
incriminating
evidence to convince Shyra that it was better to tell the truth
about
kissing Starbuck, rather than have it known she was sleeping with
Sire Uri.
No self-respecting warrior would be caught dead with him - let
alone nude!
We were that close to achieving our objective.  We started for the
turbolift, moving quickly but quietly.

"Halt!"  A loud voice boomed out behind us from the other
direction.

We swung around to see a security guard.  He had his laser leveled
at us and
an expression on his face that indicated that he would use it.  We
froze and
raised our hands.  What was the worst he could do to us, we
figured - charge
us with trespassing and get us kicked off the Rising Star?  We
were wrong.


*******

The security guard, a tall, burly guy with cropped black hair and
a thin
moustache, motioned for us to move into the chamber across the
hall from the
private suite.  "I don't know how you two got up here," he
growled,  "and I
don't know what you've seen or heard, but we can't afford to take
any
chances."

I didn't like the sound of that.  I felt wobbly as Reyana and I
entered the
room.  Then stopped short at what was in front of us.  My mouth
dropped
open.  Arranged on a table were a vast assortment of items -
clothing,
jewelry, drinks, fumarellos, perfumes, cosmetics --  all quite
luxurious,
all quite exquisite, and all very much illegal.  My heart skipped
several
beats when I saw that there were weapons, too.  Boomer's warning
about the
seriousness of the black market trade echoed in my head.

"Move!"  The guard had pushed Reyana into me, and I stumbled
forward.  "Sit
down!" he ordered, motioning towards some chairs that lined the
wall to my
left.  We each took a seat.  A glance at Reyana showed me that,
although her
face was expressionless, she was equally tense; I could see how
tight her
jaw was clamped.  I was trying desperately to keep my own
expression
passive, too. But I felt close to panicking when the guard pulled
out a pair
of shackles.  One pair.  After a moment's consideration, he
decided to
fasten the two of us together.  I knew he wanted a way to secure
us in
place, but - thank the Lords of Kobol! - he didn't yet have a way.
He
thought quite hard about it, though, examining the chairs and
looking around
the room, before finally just clamping the shackles on our wrists
- my right
and Reyana's left.  He narrowed his eyes.  "If you move," he
growled, "You'
re dead.  Understand?"  Then he moved to stand at the entrance,
where, I
guess, he could watch the corridor, as well, and continued to
glare at us.

My mouth was so dry.  And I felt like my heart would explode, as
rapidly as
it was pounding.  This was nuts!  Even after Boomer's warning, I
had not
believed that Shyra would be involved in anything this serious or
. . .
deadly.  But as I watched the menacing security guard, I realized
that we
were in trouble.  Big trouble.

Eventually, after about ten agonizing centons, we heard movement
and voices
approaching.  The guard stepped out into the corridor to intercept
them.

"What?!" said Uri, obviously not very happy about this new
development.  A
moment later, he entered the room and stopped to stare at us.
Behind, Shyra
stepped in.  And froze when she saw us, her eyes going wide.
When Uri
turned to motion her to the other side of the room, I noticed that
she
concealed her recognition of us quickly.  Her expression became .
. . cold
and unreadable.  Powerful friends, indeed!  Lords, so it had been
Sire Uri
who had been backing Shyra's admittance to the service.  He must
have had
connections to other council members, though, because I did not
see Captain
Apollo or Colonel Tigh - and certainly not the commander! - giving
in, had
it just been Uri.  No, for them to decide that she "deserved a
chance,"  Uri
must have been working through several other important Council
members, at
least!  I felt lightheaded.  This was not good, not good . . .

Uri pursed his lips and cast a look at the guard.  "A most
unfortunate
development," he said.  Then he spoke to us.  "Ladies, you chose a
very
inconvenient time to 'drop in.'  I don't know how you did it -"
He shot a
glare at his security man.  "But, I'm, afraid that I can't just
let you walk
out of here."

Reyana had finally found her voice.  I was still too terrified to
possibly
speak, but she managed to glare at Uri.  "And just what do you
plan to do
with us?  We've got friends, too, you know.  And when we don't
show up, they
'll come looking for us.  You don't think we're here on our own,
do you?"

I forced myself not to stare at Reyana.  Lords, but what a bluff!
Too bad
we *were* here on our own.

Uri laughed.  Not a good sign.  "You don't think I could manage
all of
this -"  He made a sweeping gesture with his hands towards the
horde of
illegal items.  "-- without being able to handle a couple of
foolish, young
intruders."  He gave us an evil smile.  "'Accidents' happen, you
know . . ."

Frak.  Oh, frak, oh, frak, oh, frak.  Not good.  Not good at all.
I was
trembling.  I shot a quick glance at Shyra.  And noticed that she
looked
horrified for just an instance at what Uri had just said.  I
wondered if,
just maybe, this was going too far, even for her.

"What kind of 'accident"?"  asked Reyana.  Frak, but she was
looking so
calm!  But I knew her.  I knew that she was as terrified as I was
but better
able to control it.

Uri seemed to ponder that question for a moment.  I wanted to kick
Rey.  It
seemed to me that she was helping them plot our demise, as well as
trying to
buy some time.  Not good, not good!  He finally gave us another
twisted
smile.  "It will be most unfortunate when you two very foolish and
very
drunk girls stumble into the maintenance room on the triad deck.
It's full
of lots of hazardous equipment, you know.  A careless person could
get
electrocuted.  Such a shame, such a waste of youth . . ."

A weird sort of calm had come over me.  A deep instinct had
overridden the
panic and was telling me to stay calm, stay calm and to think, to
*think.*
To wait and to analyze the situation.  There was one guard and two
of us.
Okay, he was a *big* guard, but we had defensive training.  As for
Uri, he
looked too fat and too smug - too used to having others take care
of him --
to know how to actually be able to fight for himself.  And Shyra?
I darted
a look in her direction.  She looked . . . tense and very
uncomfortable.
She might not actually help us, but I didn't think she would
hinder us,
either.  I hoped.  Should we get the chance to actually do
something.  I
glanced at Reyana.  She had a determined glint in her eyes; we
were still on
the same wave length, I could tell.  Besides, all of our survival
training
had taught us to never give up.  Be calm and patience and wait for
a
possible chance.  And be ready to move in an instant.

Uri must not have been satisfied with our lack of response to his
statement.
He narrowed his eyes and walked up to Reyana.  "Then again," he
said,
gripping her chin with his pudgy fingers, "perhaps they should
just
disappear."  Rey looked ready to bite him.  I prayed for her to
keep her
cool.  "I could find a use for two such young and innocent looking
girls. .
."  The implied threat dripped from his voice.  He let go of
Reyana none too
gently and then looked at me.  I met his stare.  He took the same
hand and
ran it through my long hair, making sure that he brushed against
me as he
followed it down my shoulder and across my chest.  I stiffened
despite my
resolve, enough to elicit as chuckle from him.

And to give him an idea.  A nasty idea.  A slow, sick smile spread
across
his lips.  "Durley," he said to the guard, "feel like having some
fun before
we decide how they should 'disappear'?"

I struggled to stay still and concentrated on breathing.
Breathing in slow,
controlled breaths.  Even Shyra, I noticed, looked upset by what
they seemed
to be plotting.  Her eyes went wide, and she stared from us to Uri
and back.
The sire noticed, too.  "Shyra, dear," he said.  ":Why don't you
head back
for tonight.  I promise you can have your pick of the goods the
next time.
Now go!"  He motioned towards the door with his head.  Shyra
hurried on out.
What, I wondered, was the hold he had on her?  How could he feel
so
confident that she would just ignore the fact that they were
obviously
planning to murder us - and worse.  Did he think that she was as
purely
corrupt as he apparently was?  Was she?  Or did he have her so far
down in
his pocket that, despite how she might feel about their intended
actions,
she
did not dare say anything?  I didn't know, but wasn't going to
count on her
for any assistance.  We seemed to be on our own.

Durley was grinning.  "I'm sure we can think of a story to explain
the
disappearance of these two."  He studied us for a moment, taking
in our
common appearance.  Fortunately, dressed as we were in plain
tunics and
skirts, we looked pretty defenseless and harmless.  I hoped.  His
gaze had
settled on Reyana.  "I want this one . . ."  He put the laser in
his holster
and moved towards us, taking out the key to the shackles.

Uri was leering at me.  I felt sick.  Reyana, I noticed with a
quick glance,
looked terrified and determined all at the same time.  "Use the
other room,"
he said, tossing the guard an entry card.  He moved closer,
practically
drooling, as he waited for Durley to undo our restraints.  He let
the
shackles fall to the floor and grabbed Reyana by the arm, pulling
her to her
feet.  Uri was reaching for me as I watched her.  I didn't want to
do
anything, because she had the stronger opponent and would need the
element
of surprise.  Uri had his hand on my arm and was dragging me out
of the
chair.  And the leech just couldn't wait.  As he pulled me up to
him, he
started slobbering down my neck and groping around with his free
hand.

And Durley looked very pleased by the show Uri was giving him.  He
was
grinning a nasty grin at us.  I gave him a sick, frightened look
and tried
to wiggle away from the sire.  Durley started to laugh.  And was
cut off
when Reyana suddenly twisted her arm free from his loosened grasp,
swung
around, and in one graceful, fluid motion, kicked him where it
counts.
Hard.  He doubled over.  She did not relent, though.  She slammed
a fist
into his head, sending him sprawling to the floor.

Uri had been caught totally by surprise, and before he could
tighten his
hold on me, I twisted around so that I pulled free from the hand
on my
wrist.  He was not our biggest worry, though.  Durley was
recovering and
looking like an enraged bull.  Reyana threw herself on him, trying
to grab
his laser.  Reyana got to it first, but then the guard grabbed her
wrist.  I
looked frantically around for a way to help.  And saw the weapons
on the
table.

"No!" roared Uri as he snatched at  me.  I dodged and dove for the
guns and
lasers, grabbing one.  Lords, I hope it worked.  Durley was on top
of
Reyana, one hand still gripped around the wrist that held the
laser, the
other  pulled back about to strike her on the head.

"Freeze!"  I screamed.

Uri froze.  Durley stopped his swing to look at me.  And laughed.
Oh, Lords
. . . I pulled the trigger.  The laser beam seared past his ear,
singing his
hair.  He dropped his hand, forgetting about Reyana.  Big mistake.
She was
furious.  She scrambled out from under him, still holding the
laser, and
slammed it into the side of his head.  He crumpled to the floor,
unconscious.

Uri was backing into the corner, looking terrified.  I could still
feel the
wet drool on my neck.  I was breathing in ragged breaths as I
stalked
towards him, very much intent on one thing.  I pointed my laser at
him.

"No!" screamed Reyana.  "Wait! Don't!"  I shot a glance at her.
She had a
pleading look on her face.  And I realized what I was intending to
do.  I
dropped the laser, feeling suddenly very light headed, and sat
down on the
floor.  Reyana aimed her gun at Uri, but was staring at me.
"Let's get out
of here!" she said.  She stepped past Durley and reached out to
help me to
my feet.

The sound of footsteps in the corridor stopped us. They were
echoing as if
running and were headed this way.  "Move and you're dead!" Reyana
hissed at
Uri.  Then she pulled me out of sight, next to the open door,
laser held
ready.

The footsteps stopped at the threshold.  "In here!  It came from
in here!"
said a deep voice.  A familiar voice.  A wonderfully, delightfully
familiar
voice!

"Boomer!" we both shouted at the same time.  We stepped out where
he could
see us.  Reyana had sense enough to keep her weapon pointed at
Uri.  I flung
my arms around Boomer's neck, giving the startled lieutenant a
relief-filled
hug before stepping back.

Boomer, looking amazed, moved into the room.  He was followed by a
Colonial
security guard and Captain Apollo.  They were looking from us to
the two men
behind us.  The last person to enter the room was the last person
in the
Fleet I would have expected to see.  My jaw dropped.  "Shyra!"

********

It had happened all so fast, that it wasn't until the
shuttle ride back to the Galactica that I realized
just how serious it had all been.  We had really only
been hoping to catch Shyra up to something so that we
could get her to recant her accusations against
Starbuck.  We hadn't planned to stumble upon the
largest smuggling ring in the Fleet, as well as free
Shyra and several other young gals from virtual
slavery.  We had gotten in deep and almost forfeited
our lives for our carelessness.  Our luck had held,
this time.  And that's what it was, pure dumb luck.

We owed our lives to Shyra, I knew that from Boomer
telling us that it was Shyra that had alerted him to
our predicament.  But I wasn't quite ready to be
overly gushing with my appreciation.  If it wasn't for
her we wouldn't have been in the predicament in the
first place.

We had gotten into deep trouble without even meaning
to, and it could have gone the wrong way.  This was
running through my head on the shuttle ride back to
the Galactica when Boomer came and sat by me.  I guess
I had a distressed look on my face, or maybe it was
the fact that I was starting to hyperventilate.

"Are you okay?"  Boomer asked softly.

"Yeah."  I said trying not to sound out of breath.

"You don't look okay."

"Sorry, I'm just thinking about how close we came to
really being in trouble.  Thanks for showing up when
you did."  I said.

"Yeah thanks!  It was getting bad."  Aliana added from
where she was sitting on my other side.  She had a
pained look to her face, like she was trying not to
cry.  I also noticed that she was sitting so she
wouldn't touch anyone or anything, very stiff and
trying to make herself as small as possible.

I looked at her, but suddenly all I could see was Sire
Uri slobbering all over her.   I dropped my head and
gagged.

Boomer reached out to rub my back.  "You're going to
be okay."

"Sorry, just a bad taste in my mouth."  I said, but I
didn't attempt to look at Aliana.  I didn't think I
could look at her again until she had thoroughly
cleansed herself of that man's slime.

"Sire Uri has that affect on a lot of people.  Are you
going to be okay, because when we land the Commander
wants to talk with you two."  Boomer flashed me a
sympathetic look.

"Oh Lords, so how much trouble are we in?"  I asked,
feeling like I might need to be sick again.

"You've been hanging around Starbuck too long."
Boomer laughed.  I flashed him a look to let him know
that I didn't get the joke.  "Well it seems you two
have single handedly found one of the largest stashes
of Black Market goods and led us onto a bunch of very
bad people.  The Commander wants to decorate you as
heroes."

"No really Boomer, give it to us straight.  How much
trouble are we in?"  Aliana asked.  She sounded
scared.

Boomer laughed again.  "Well, since Shyra is saying
she's going to drop the charges against Starbuck in
exchange for not being prosecuted, Starbuck is
probably all yours again. I'd say you're in for a lot
of heartache."  He laughed and got up to walk over by
Capt. Apollo.

Aliana and I didn't speak the rest of the shuttle
ride.  I just couldn't bring myself to look at her,
let alone talk to her about what had happened to us.
I was pretty sure that she was just trying to hold it
together until we saw the Commander.  It was good news
that we had cleared Starbuck, I just hoped for Sagan's
Sake he knew the price we paid for him.  He owed us
big time!

When we landed Aliana and I followed Capt. Apollo to
the Commander's office while Boomer tracked down
Starbuck.  We were obviously interrupting the
Commander from some sort of paperwork, but he set it
aside and welcomed us in.

"Well, Cadet Aliana, and Cadet Reyana, come in.  You
have done us a great service!"  The Commander reached
out to shake our hands, and I felt like a silly girl
as my knees began to shake.  Here was the savior of
the human race shaking my hand.  I wanted to tell him
how much he had meant to me, to all of us in those
first days after the destruction.  How it was his
voice over the com speakers that kept our sanity.  But
all I could do was mutter something intelligible that
I think was "you're welcome" or something just as
stupid.

"I see that this is the second time you have saved the
Rising Star from disaster, is that right?  Something
about a Tylium leak and a fire in the engine room."

"That's correct sir.  With the help of Lt. Starbuck."
Capt. Apollo added, giving us a wry grin.

"Well, maybe we should assign you two to Captain the
Rising Star on your graduation.  Apollo, remind me to
transfer Starbuck to the Rising Star too, since he is
always there anyway."

Neither of Aliana and I knew what to say and just
looked at each other.

"Cadets, due to your investigative work we have
confiscated several store houses of illegal goods.  I
do want to thank you."  He sounded sincere, but there
was a distinct mirthful sparkle to his eyes.

We were saved having to come up with some sort of
response when Starbuck sauntered through the door.

"You wanted to see me sir?"  Starbuck made it sound
like he just stopped by to say hi.

"Yes, Lieutenant, thank you for joining us.  It seems
that Cadet Shyra has dropped all charges against you."

"Really, you don't say?"  Starbuck said feigning
ignorance of the day's events.

"Yes."  The Commander openly smiled at Starbuck.
"Yes, it seems these two cadets have uncovered a
rather large black market ring involving Sire Uri and
Cadet Shyra.  Apparently Sire Uri put the Cadet up to
making her accusations against you."

"See, I told you I was innocent!"  Starbuck said very
smugly.

The Commander shook his head.  "Yes, so it seems, this
time anyway.  Although who could blame me for my
ruling considering your rather, how shall we say,
colorful past."

"Colorful past?  I'm offended."  Starbuck said
mockingly.

"Hmmm, well let's see, there was Aurora, Athena,
Noday, Cassie.shall I go on?  Or shall we just
consider the case closed?"

"Uh, case close, but innocent instead of
inconclusive?"  Starbuck asked with a twinkle in his
eye.

"Yes, once again Starbuck, you have come out on the
winning side of this game."  The Commander said
condescendingly, but with a smile on his face.  "Now
Starbuck, I'm told that these two cadets took on Sire
Uri and his guards using hand to hand combat skills
learned in their training."  The Commander turned to
us with a smirk.  "Would you two Cadets care to
demonstrate for me?  I'm sure Lt. Starbuck wouldn't
mind standing in for Sire Uri's guard, would you
Starbuck?"

"Uh, you know, I have seen these two gals in action.
They are pretty impressive.  I think I'll just take
your word for it that they handled themselves well."

"Are you sure?  No?  Well, perhaps another time."  The
Commander turned back to us.  "All kidding aside, you
two were very lucky in how things went today.  From
Boomer's report, you two were in serious trouble and
have only the Lords to thank for not winding up dead!"
 The Commander's gave us a stern look that seemed very
paternal.  But I also noticed he was very serious.
"Some of Starbuck's luck must have rubbed off on you
two, but I wouldn't push that luck too far if I were
you.  Even Starbuck's luck runs out sometimes.
Perhaps next time you will go to your superiors with
your problems."

We both mumbled "Yes sir's".

Starbuck spoke up and said, "He's right you know.  I
told you two to stay out of it, that we would handle
it."

"We were already onto a connection between Shyra and
black market goods."  Capt. Apollo said.  "Of course
you two solved the case much quicker than we probably
ever could."  Apollo conceded, "But almost at the
expense of your lives.  I hate training good Cadets
just to lose them to a lowlife like Uri."

We both mumbled another "Yes sir" and I prepared
myself for more lecturing, when the Commander changed
the topic.

"I see that you two will be graduating soon.  I hear
you are both at the top of your class.  And I want you
to know, that I consider you to be full Ensigns as of
now."  The Commander produced from his desk drawer
insignia pins for Ensign rank.

He turned to Starbuck and said, "And no longer off
limits.  In fact, I expect to see you and Aliana and
Reyana at the next dinner we have."

Starbuck for once kept his smart remarks to himself.
Maybe he noticed that Aliana and I weren't very
comfortable with all the teasing.  We were both trying
to fathom that we had just been invited to dinner with
Commander Adama.

Starbuck noticed that neither of us looked exactly
thrilled at the moment and he made a comment about it
being a long day for us and maybe we should get some
rest.  He was right, it had been a long day, and after
all I had witnessed that day, well, I needed a long
turbo.  I was definitely not going anywhere near
Aliana until she had had a very very long turbo, with
lots of soap!

As we made our exit, Capt. Apollo shook each of our
hands and thanked us for clearing Starbuck's name.
"He is one of our best instructors and we'd hate to
lose him.  You are each a credit to his training."

As we left the Commander's office, I breathed a huge
sigh of relief.

"Boy am I glad that's over!"

"Me too."  Aliana said.

Starbuck put his arm around each of us and said, "You
two really shouldn't have done what you did tonight,
but thanks."

Aliana started to say it was no big deal, but as she
spoke I could hear Sire Uri's slobbering.

"Starbuck, you owe us, you owe us big!"  I said
cutting Aliana off.

"Don't I know it!  You two deserve dinner and drinks
and."  Starbuck trailed off suggestively.

"Starbuck, you have no idea how much you owe us!"
Aliana said.

"Oh I intend to repay you."  He cast each of us a very
seductive look.

"Uh Starbuck, no offense, but tonight I am really not
in the mood, what about you Aliana?"

"Uh Rey, you may have had to witness it, but I was on
the receiving end, remember?  Sorry Starbuck, but I
need a long turbo before I'm going to feel human
again."

"What are you two talking about?"  Starbuck said
perplexed and concerned.  "And what was the Commander
talking about "hand to hand" combat.  All Boomer told
me is that you found Shyra with Sire Uri with a load
of illegal goods, so she dropped the charges."

I closed my eyes and shuddered remembering how close
we came to "having some fun" with Sire Uri and his
guard.

"Yeah, you know Starbuck, you may not want to touch
Aliana right now.  It could be contagious."  I said.

Starbuck looked at me confused.

Aliana started to say, "Well Starbuck, Sire Uri and
his guard decided that maybe."

I cut her off before she could say anymore.  "You know
Ali, why don't we let Boomer tell him.  I'm not sure I
can relive it without getting sick."

"What happened?!"  Starbuck asked alarmed now.

"We'll tell you later, over that dinner and some
drinks you owe us!"  Aliana said.

We had reached our bunk room and bid him good night,
with a very chaste kiss on the cheek.

"You're not just going to walk away and not tell me
what happened?"

"Ask Boomer."  I called to him.

"But I have the night off.  I have drinks to
celebrate.  You're not off limits anymore!"  He
whined.

"Good night Starbuck."  I said

"Remember, you owe me!"  Aliana said.

We both headed for the turbowash, where we stayed for
at least a centaur.  I loaned Aliana an extra bar of
soap.