*********
Colonial Movers offers climate-controlled atmosphere
on all their containers.

Because space freeze burn 
can leave you feeling a little cold 
towards your shipper.

**********

Captain Rayanna had been busy for the rest of the
cycle repairing the evaporator on Container number
one.  She stripped wires and greased valves while
dictating message responses to Jack over the com link.
 All of the interfleet memos had caught up to her. 
She could hear her father’s voice as he said, "Be
careful what you wish for, you just might get it." 
Rayanna hated that her father was always right.

Several of the newer messages were from other Captains
pledging their support.  Rayanna knew that some of the
support was due to loyalty to her father and she was
surprised and touched that so many would remember him
after his death.  But she also knew that a lot of
support was due to Jack’s efforts.  Jack had worked
with her dad for over ten yahrens and had many
connections of his own. 

Rayanna didn’t want to guess how much of the support
was due to Captain’s complaints with command orders. 
It seemed that many of the civilian captains had been
forced to follow orders that they did not appreciate. 
In fact, it had not been her idea to report engine
problems and a need to pull back in the fleet.  That
had been Capt. Harcek’s idea.  

Jack had agreed and reported the problem to the
Galacita before Rayanna had a chance to decide if that
was the best action to take.  She and Jack had argued
over the decision.  In fact, it was one of the few
times they had ever disagreed.  Jack had treated
Rayanna as Captain and owner of the ship ever since
her dad had died.  But she knew she couldn’t hold on
to the ship and crew without him.  It was something
that remained unspoken between them.  Jack never
second-guessed her orders.  If they were wrong, he let
her learn from the mistake before offering his
suggestions.  Of course Rayanna usually asked for his
advice first before issuing orders.  Jack had been
there for her after her dad died, and he was here for
her now.

She just wasn’t sure about committing such a mutinous
act.  Her crew was anxious and Jack kept reassuring
them that everything would be fine.  They all breathed
a sigh of relief when several of the other cargo and
transport carriers began reporting that they needed to
slow due to engine problems and began taking up
positions near the Colonial Movers and Capt. Harcek’s
Virgon Transport.  One carrier was even armed.  Not
heavily, but at least enough to provide a sense of
security.

Rayanna also knew she had Siress Blasie to thank for
all her efforts.  Rayanna had a suspicion that it was
Siress Blasie’s presence on her ship that encouraged
the Galactica to slow and remain within contact range
and Rayanna had already spoken to a Colonel about the
communications issue.

The next message after that had been the one that
surprised her the most.  It had been from a member of
the Council of Twelve.  Rayanna had an instant dislike
for the man, but she couldn’t refuse his offer of a
chance to discuss the current issue and state her
position before the council.  

Rayanna was playing with the big boys now, thanks to
Siress Blasie.  The least she could do was to get the
evaporator up and running.  That, and conveniently
forget to collect next sectar’s rent from the
passengers in container number one.

Rayanna had gotten the evaporator running again and
wasn’t meeting with the council until early next
cycle.  So with the few centaurs she had before sleep
cycle, she watched the evaporator, fine-tuning and
making adjustments to see that it kept running.  She
was listening intently to the humm while adjusting
another valve, when the buzz from her com jolted her
to attention.

"Yeah what now Jack?"  She snapped, having clipped her
hand on one of the gears as she yanked it out in
surprise.

"We’ve got company."  He replied.

"Great.  Tell them thanks for their support, the
usual, and I’ll get with them later."

"Rayanna, it’s not that kind of company.  A viper from
the Galactica.  It’s Lt. Starbuck and he’s asking for
you."

"I’m on my way."  Rayanna answered already sprinting
for the lift.

Rayanna rounded the corner almost running over Siress
Blasie.

"Oh Siress, I’m so sorry!"

"That’s quite alright Captain.  I know you’ve been
busy."  The Siress said in her slow and melodic voice.
 " I was wondering if I could take a moment of your
time to discuss a few things."

"Oh, I’m sorry.  Actually I have an urgent matter on
the bridge that needs my attention."

"Well, perhaps after that then."

"Most definitely Siress Blasie.  In fact, I was going
to look for you once I was finished with this
evaporator."  

"Oh yes, thank you so much.  The air is already much
fresher."

"Well, if you’ll excuse me then."  Rayanna made to
walk away, but the Siress held her position in the
middle of the corridor.

"Why don’t I join you on the bridge?  That way you
won’t have to seek me out once you are finished? 
Okay?  Shall we?"  The Siress turned and walked onto
the lift that was waiting.

"Uh, yeah, okay."  Rayanna couldn’t find the words to
refuse the Siress.  She was very conscious of the
class and power that Siress Blasie represented.  It
wafted from the Siress like the Siresses expensive
perfume.  Rayanna was suddenly very aware of the
layers of grease on her own clothing and her odor of
sweat.  In the lift, Siress Blasie made polite small
talk as Rayanna tried to stand as far away as possible
from the Siress, lest any grease should wind up on the
Siresses exquisite gown.

When they reached the bridge, Siress Blasie said,
"I’ll just take a seat here out of the way until you
are done."  Taking a seat at the back of the room that
was indeed out of the way.  She then gave Rayanna a
polite smile and made a shooing motion towards the
center of the bridge.

"About time you got here!"  Jack said, then took
notice of Siress Blasie, who waved politely to Jack. 
"Oh, had other matters to take care of I see."

Rayanna flashed Jack a look, ignoring his comment. 
"So what does the Lieutenant want?"

"I don’t know.  Keeps asking to speak to you and
offering to land.  I told him you’re working on a
problem with the atmosphere controls on the bay."

"Thanks for thinking of that one.  I wasn’t sure how
we were going to keep warriors off the ship if they
insisted on landing."

"No, that problem’s for real.  It’s okay though.  I’ve
got Caius working on it. Should have it fixed in about
twenty centons."

Rayanna shook her head in dismay, then opened the com
link to the Viper.

"Nice to see you again Lt. Starbuck.  What brings you
back here?"

"Well, I’ve been assigned to provide an escort for
your shuttle to the council meeting tomorrow, and I
had a few centaurs to kill.  So I thought I’d check up
on you.  Boy, you have been busy haven’t you?  I mean,
first an evaporator goes down, then engine problems,
and now you’re having atmosphere problems in your
landing bay.  It’s been a busy day for you."  

"I appreciate you checking up on us., but we’ve got it
all under control."

"I’m sure you do," Starbuck interrupted.  "You strike
me as a very capable captain.  It is funny though how
you started having engine problems right after we
left."

Rayanna waited a beat before responding, trying to
gauge the Lieutenant.  When it was apparent he had
nothing further to add, she responded, "Well, you know
how those things happen.  You just never know when
these old engines are going to act up."

"Yeah, that’s true.  But it sure is funny how several
other ships started having engine problems too."  

"Alright," Rayanna thought to herself.  "So the
Lieutenant has figured things out.  Give the smart
warrior another medal."

Rayanna spoke to the pilot again, "I’m sure those
other captains aren’t laughing."

The pilot didn’t hesitate before responding, "Oh I’m
sure they don’t appreciate the irony of the situation
like I do.  But you say you have it under control?"

"Yes, all under control."

"Well then I was wondering, since it’s all under
control, if maybe you’d like to head over early and
maybe catch some dinner on the Rising Star.  I’m sure
I could arrange some accommodations for you for the
night, and then you’d be there first thing at the
beginning of the cycle.  I mean, there’s no telling
how far behind the fleet you may wind up.  It might
take you a while to catch up."

Rayanna did not know what to think  She thought out
loud to Jack, "What is this guy up to?"

Jack shrugged his shoulders.

The pilot continued.  "Dinner’s on me.  I hear there’s
a new band in the lounge.  You could use a break after
such a long day.  It would be like a date."

Rayanna would be lying if she didn’t admit she was
tempted.  She had only been to the Rising Star once
and it was with a bunch of her crew.  They had had a
terrific time.  Well worth the hangovers they all
suffered the next cycle.  But Rayanna knew the warrior
had to be up to something.

The pilot interrupted her thoughts, "So what do you
say?  Will you go out with me to the Rising Star?"

"What is this guy up to?"  Rayanna said aloud again.

Siress Blasie spoke up from the back of the bridge. 
"Oh I assure you Captain, Lt. Starbuck is a very
forthright fellow.  In fact, I’m quite familiar with
the warrior.  I’m sure he only has the best
intentions.  I would take him up on his offer if I
were you."

Both Jack and Rayanna stared back at the Siress,
having forgotten her presence.

"So what do you say Rayanna, is it a date?"  The pilot
asked again.

Rayanna flushed crimson as she answered the pilot. 
"Sure, yes, sounds great.  Give me about thirty
centons to solve the atmosphere problem, then I can
launch the shuttle and meet up with you."

"Great!  I’ll be waiting!"  The pilot signed off.

Jack gave Rayanna a warning look.  "What are YOU up
to?"  he asked.

"Just playing the cards I’ve been dealt."  Rayanna
cast a look back at Siress Blasie, and added, "Siress
Blasie vouches for him.  Besides, I haven’t eaten yet.
 I hear its Potar Roots again."

Jack shook his head.  He looked worried.  "I don’t
like this."

"I know.  I’ll be careful.  You’ve got control of
things here?"  Jack nodded.  "Okay, I’m going to go
clean up.  Let me know when you’ve solved the
atmosphere problem."

"Oh Captain, I suggest you wear that black uniform you
have."  The Siress spoke up from the back of the
bridge.  "You look quite good in that outfit."

"Oh yeah, Siress Blasie, what did you want to speak to
me about?  I have a few moments."

"Oh, it was nothing really.  It can certainly wait
until another time.  You go and enjoy yourself." 
Siress Blasie flashed a smile that Rayanna thought
looked an awful lot like Lt. Starbuck’s smile.  The
Siress left the bridge humming to herself.

"What was that all about?"  Jack grumbled.

Rayanna answered puzzled, "I don’t know.  But she is
on our side, right?"

"I think she’s on our team.  But she’s known for
changing the rules to the game.  You watch yourself."

"I will.  I’ll bring you back something from the
Rising Star."  Rayanna added.

"Just don’t bring me anything from the Agro ship."

"I know, I’ll bring you Potar Roots soufflé, or how
about Potar Roots in a bernaise sauce?"

Jack groaned at the joke.  "Not funny Captain. 
Command orders will be the least of your concerns if
you keep feeding the crew Potar Roots!