(Author's note:  This story takes place about 6 months after the episode
"Hand of God.")

The Gaziantep Escape
by Rae


	It had been too quiet for too long.  And that bothered the
Commander of the last colonial battlestar more than he could put into
words.  
	No Cylons, no encounters with other hostile forces.  Nothing but
peace and quiet.  Well, almost.  The white-haired commander thought to
himself that he would rather deal with the hostile forces that laid out
there in the deepest reaches of space rather than the ones that he had
to deal with here in the confines of the fleet itself.  The overly
pompous, preening group of individual that called themselves the Council
of the Twelve had been hounding Adama for several sectars about a
variety of political agendas but most pressing was the not-so-new plan
of the council to bring the fleet back under civilian control.  This was
something they had done several times in the past, only to relinquish
control back to Adama when they felt afraid or threatened by something
that the fleet encountered.  
	It was beginning to feel to Adama that he was locked into a
never ending tug-of-war with the council, who would never give up their
fight for things to be the way they were before the destruction of their
worlds.  Contrary to popular belief, Adama would like nothing more than
to relinquish one more heavy and pressing burden from his shoulders, but
with the constant threat of annihilation from the Cylons and other
unknown forces that laid ahead of him, he felt that he should not end
martial law and give full control of the fleet back to the council.
	Commander Adama sighed as he put his head back against the rest
of the shuttle seat and closed his eyes.  Unfortunately for Adama at the
micron the Council had brought to the table another item which disturbed
Adama's troubled mind as of late.  The council wanted to end the
journey.  They felt that the people were tired of this possibly endless
journey, with there being no tangible proof that Earth was a reality
besides in myths and stories of half drunken space explorers.  The
Council felt strongly that the people were very tired, even discontent
with the journey to find the descendents of their sister tribe.  That
the people overwhelmingly wanted to settle on one of the habitable
planets that they passed.  Adama was well aware of the fact that the
next system the fleet was preparing to travel through would be a very
tempting one indeed.  The Council may well decided to end their journey
to settle on one of the habitable planets.  The seemingly hospitable
system ahead of them consisted of 7 planets with 5 of them scanning as
compatible for human existence.   
	As President of the Council, plus Military and Fleet Commander,
Adama had tried to make them see reason over the course of the past
several sectars but they were past listening to him.  Several newly
elected members to the council were making their wishes known and
pushing the older members into something that Adama felt was not right
for the fleet.  They had only been in space for nearly two yahrens.  It
was like the council thought that Earth would be easy to find.  That
they would find it in just sectars, not the yahrens as Adama felt
strongly it would take.  
	The coordinates that they were following were the ones that
Apollo, Sheba and Starbuck revealed after their encounter with Count
Ibis, something the council was not enlightened to.  Adama knew in his
heart that these coordinates were not ones given to the trio by the
diabolic individual that they all knew as Count Iblis, but Adama could
give not give any tangible information on where Apollo, Sheba and
Starbuck had acquired the information from.  And for reasons that he did
not wish to discuss, Adama did not push for more enlightening
information from the three.  Those reasons included the fact that Dr.
Paye had found that Apollo had suffered some sort of traumatic duress,
cause unknown coupled with the account that Starbuck and Sheba both
remember Apollo dying at the hand of Count Iblis.  Whatever had happened
out there, Adama was thankful that he still had his son, alive and well.

	The information that the three revealed gave no indication how
long it would take to reach this planet.  Only that the coordinates were
Quadrant Alpha, nineteen million sectars by epsilon vector 22 on a
circular reckoning course of 000.9.  And it was in a system with 9
planets and 1 sun.  No information was imparted to him about the
civilization, their technology or any other information that Adama felt
he needed.  But with this information, he at least they had a direction
to go in instead of wandering aimlessly in space, hoping that they might
stumble upon the world that the stories spoke of.  Adama had his faith
to guide him and keep him counsel,  but the Council of the Twelve was
another matter entirely.  
	Adama had noted though that one of the new members of the
Council, a young man by the name of Ramses seemed to not be in the same
train of thought as were his constituents.  The young man seemed to
listen to the arguments made by Achmed of Scorpia and Gherin of
Sagittaria.   Tabrina of Aquaria kept her own counsel during the debate
presented by the two men, but did ask some pointed questions which
seemed to ruffle Gherin, but not Achmed, who answered her with what
Adama deemed as over confidence.  Ramses also posed some probing
questions regarding the colonization question to the two men, which they
seemed to answer well enough to please the other members of the council,
but their answers did not seem to appease Ramses' concerns.  He kept
that dubious look on his features even after the meeting was adjourned.
Adama hoped that meant that another member was on the side of continuing
the journey, even if he might disagree about finding Earth.
	Adama grew very weary of the political games that he had to deal
with out of men and women who sometimes acted as though they were no
older than Boxey.  There were times when Adama felt that he would rather
deal with a group of eight-yahren olds compared to the so-called mature,
educated adults that made up the council.  Tinia, Ramses and several
others were all that seemed to support Adama in his desire to continue
on in the quest.  The remainder just wanted to have back the creature
comforts that they had in the colonies.  When Tabrina tried pointing out
to them the hard work that was needed to create a home for their people
on any world, the over-pompous fools just nodded their heads in
agreement, claiming they knew what they had to do.  That fact made Adama
the angriest.  These group of lazy self centered men and women expected
others to do their labors for they while they sat back and enjoyed the
fruits of those labors.  And that Adama thought was deplorable.  
	"Father, is everything alright?"  
	Athena's soft voice broke through Adama's thoughts.  He opened
his eyes and looked at the concerned expression on his only daughter's
face.  He admonished himself for letting his thoughts show clearly on
his face that Athena could pick up on it.  Adama stole a glance over to
Apollo who was sitting with his back to his father and sister,
conversing with his friends.  At least Apollo did not notice.  Adama
smiled lovingly at his concerned daughter as he reached out and wrapped
her small hand between both of his.   
	"Everything's fine Athena.  Just fine."  Adama replied
reassuringly as he continued to hold her hand.  Athena returned her
father's smile with one of her own.  
	"It was just the look on your face.  So stern.  Usually I see
that expression when something is troubling you."  Athena then broke out
into a slight smile full of mirth.  "Or when Apollo, Zac or I did
something wrong that you were going to punish us for."
	Adama smiled indulgently at her.  "I will admit, you three were
a handful at times.  Especially when you would fight amongst yourselves.
Either you and Apollo against Zac or your brothers fighting with you.
There were times I wondered if your mother should have been nominated
for sainthood for putting up with the three of you or if she had finally
lost her mind from all the bickering and the noise that you three could
create."
	Athena just chuckled.  "There were times I bet you were very
glad to return to the Galactica and to the people under your command who
would listen and do what you told them without question."
	"Instead of being with the three people who it seemed would
never listen to a word I said.  I would have gotten a better response at
times by talking to the tree outside the front entry way than to any of
you.  At least it felt like that when you were teenagers.  When you were
younger, it seemed like it was a lot easier to deal with all of you."
Adama chuckled at the memories long gone of his children when they were
young, and then when they seemed to change overnight into people Adama
wasn't sure he knew.  Or even wanted to know.  
	"But you missed us when you were gone."  Athena gazed at her
father, a man that she loved dearly and admired more than any other man
she knew.  The look on her face was a mixture of a smile, but a slight
misty look of regret for all the times they had been apart.  
	Adama felt himself go a little misty at the thoughts of how much
he had missed his wife and children when he had to report for duty.
"Yes, Athena.  I missed all of you very much."  Adama felt a lump in his
throat as he knew he had to turn this conversation around.  "But I do
admit that I was glad for the escape when you and Apollo would start
your mutual screaming matches at each other.  And poor Zac would
practically lose his skin when he would try to come between you two and
make peace."
	Athena put on the best 'put out' look that she could muster.
"Apollo and I never screamed at each other.  We just loudly discussed
things."  Adama gave his daughter a sly knowing look.  Athena's
expression was one of total innocence, but under her father's knowing
look she finally sighed her acquiescence, giving her father a smile in
return.  "Okay.  We screamed at each other.  But we eventually would
make peace."
	Adama just laughed and sat back in his seat, as he slipped back
in his own thoughts and remembrances of the trying but also good times
in his children's lives.  Each one of them had been a handful in their
own individual way.  Of the three, Apollo had been the most
argumentative, the most stubborn.  The one who tried to test the
boundaries of his father's patience every micron of the day.  As a child
he had been an explosive bundle of energy, but he had also been quiet
and so easy going,.  Then one day, when Adama had returned from a eight
sectar mission, it seemed that his oldest child had changed on him
within a blink of an eye.  Adama almost swore that someone has spirited
away his small, sometimes quiet, thoughtful son and left in his place a
very tall to the point of almost gangly, unbelievably slender,
dark-haired, green eyed 13 yahren old with a large chip on his shoulder
and the attitude to match.  One who felt that HE was right and that his
parents had _never, ever_ been teenagers.  It was inconceivable to him
that they had ever wanted to have fun, run with friends, and generally
have a good time.  Adama had found his patience sorely tested on many,
many occasions with his headstrong son.  
	Athena tried his patience in a different way.  One secton, she
was such a sweet, loving girl, the next she was moody, argumentative
with her brothers (usually screaming at the top of her lungs about her
privacy), and constantly testing her mother's seemingly endless
patience.  Adama could not believe the day he had been awakened his
first morning home on leave by the angry yelling of Apollo and Zac at
the door of the lavatory.  He had arisen to find out that Athena was in
there and had been in there, with the door locked for over 90 centons.  
	When she finally emerged another 10 centons later, Adama felt
like he had been punched in the stomach.  Before him was his little
girl, or rather the young girl who USE to be his little girl, her long
dark hair perfectly curled, makeup on her face making her look older
than her nearly 13 yahrens, her deep blue eyes seeming larger, more
expressive than they had ever been before.  Adama had taken a long look
at her, not realizing that he was staring until Athena had looked at him
strangely.  Where had his little girl gone?  When had she started to
mature and develop into a young woman almost over night?  His fatherly
patience had been put to the ultimate test that sectar.  It seemed to
him that if Athena was not on vid-comm with her young girl friends, then
she was tying up the vid-comm talking with boys.  At that time, Adama
had been unsure who was worse - Apollo or Athena.  He had just been
thankful at the time that Zac was still a young boy with the curiosity
and energy of a young boy. .  
	Zac had always been the easy going, fun loving child.  The
prankster.  So when suddenly he seemed to change and begin his trek into
the strange unique world of adolescence, Adama had been worn down
considerably by his two older children.  Apollo was already at the
Academy and was going through even more changes, the ones that military
training brought out of every cadet that passed through the thresh hold.
Athena was in her last years of secondary school, getting ready to
graduate while trying to make up her mind if she would rather attend the
Caprican University, rather than accept her commission at the Caprican
Military Academy in addition to her dreaming of life, love and being the
sole object of the attentions of one Cadet Starbuck.  
	Suddenly it seemed to Adama, Zac had discovered that he had it
made when he crossed the boundary that separated the young boy he had
been from the dark void that harbored the strange new wonderful world of
adolescence.  And Zac totally reveled in the fact that he got to do many
things that his two older siblings had either never been permitted to do
or had to fight for the permission to do.  Apollo and Athena always made
sure Zac knew THEY paved the way first for him.  And Zac relished the
fact that he never had to fight for what he wanted.  He would just ask
and run out the door when his parents would casually reply, 'Go ahead.'
	Adama just sat there in the shuttle and longingly smiled at the
memories of his children's growing up yahrens.  Now with all that they
had been through in the past several yahrens, his offspring's childhood
yahrens seemed like they happened so long ago.  But it really wasn't.
Looking now at the present made Adama feel slightly more than a little
melancholy.  It made him wish things were different.  That Ila and Zac
were with them.  That they were a whole family again.  Adama just leaned
back and wondered if his thoughts were taking such a turn because it was
time for Samhain, a festival that celebrated the beginning of the three
secton holiday season.  A celebration with strong ties to home and
family life.
	Back on Caprica, the weather would be starting to turn colder
with the beginning of the Geamhradh or winter season.  Foghara or
harvest time was coming to a swift end and the days on Caprica were
turning cold.  During the celebration of Samhain, the uniquely
ornamental decorations would come out and the city would become a
festive place.  Holiday parties, shopping for presents, attending
religious services and special religious events.  Adama remembered how
Ila always loved the season and reveled in the decorating, the shopping,
the parties and the holiday baking.  All of it culminated on the final
day of the celebration.  The day of Candlemass.  The day when families
thank the Lords for the blessings they bestowed upon their people.
	Now Adama had been asked to preside over the celebration of the
beginning of Samhain.  It was an honor not bestowed lightly.  Adama had
been going to turn down the honor because of the present troubles with
the council and factions of the fleet but Apollo and Athena had been
appalled that their father was even considering declining.  They had
practically badgered Adama till he finally conceded to their pleas.  And
tonight was the night that began Samhain.  Tonight was a night of food,
drink and celebration.  Tomorrow night was the celebration for the
children.  Boomer had promised to bring Boxey over to the Gaziantep
early tomorrow evening so that he could participate in the children's
party, and they could all spend time together as a 'family.'  Adama had
looked pointedly at Boomer when he had said the word 'family' to the
young warrior, making sure that Boomer knew that he was expected to be
there also, with Lt. Dietra accompanying him if he wished.  
	Athena watched her father intently as he sat back with his eyes
closed and took in the smile that was on his face.  She had so hoped
that he would enjoy himself this evening.  It had been a very long time
since her father had done anything for his own enjoyment which included
being away from the Galactica and the responsibility that he had carried
for what seemed to Athena to be forever.  She planned on making sure
that nothing intruded on their time together as a family, including the
problems of the fleet or of the council.  She wanted everything to be
just right when she sprung her surprise on her father and brother
tonight.  As Athena glance over to where Apollo and Sheba were sitting,
she was glad that Sheba had not mentioned to Apollo anything about her
plans for tonight.  And at least with Sheba there, Apollo might not jump
into his usual over-protective, older brother mode.
	Athena turned her attention back to her father  and smiled
happily as she said, .."You are going to have 3 whole days in mine and
Apollo's company, besides the company of Sheba, Starbuck, and Cassie.  I
know what a drain it will be on you to be in Starbuck's company and
whatever he dreams up to get into."  Athena teased, her eyes sparkling.

	"I think I can bear to be with all of you for three days as your
father without turning into your Commander.  I also think I can even
handle Starbuck and whatever in the 12 worlds he can dream up to get
into.  Colonel Tigh is not supposed to disturb me unless the situation
is desperate.  The fleet is in his very capable hands for the next three
days."
	"Well he must have agreed with Apollo and I that you needed some
time to yourself and time with us."
	"He practically tied me up and put me in this shuttle at laser
point when I suggested at the last micron that maybe I shouldn't go with
the way that the council has been acting lately."
	"Well you need a rest and enjoy yourself.  Have some fun.  And
you need to spend some time with us, especially at this time of the
yahren.  Samhain and Candlemass is a time for family.  And you have a
large one, blood and extended.  Tonight it's just the six of us.
Tomorrow Boomer and Dietra will bring Boxey over for the children's
party.  And the third day is a family day with the religious service of
Samhain in the morning and a celebration the rest of the day."
	"Just one thing Athena," Adama motioned to his clothes that he
was wearing.  "Why the edict of no uniforms?"
	"Because we are going to act like a normal family with no
military overtones.  This is a holiday -- a celebration.  You never wore
your command uniform to the celebrations when we were growing up.  Even
though the colonies are gone now and circumstances have changed, you can
still wear something else besides that uniform, father."  Athena started
laughing.  "You think it was hard getting you into civilian clothes, you
should have seen Sheba, Cassie and I trying to get Apollo and Starbuck
into civilian clothes.  Now that was something to see."
	Adama looked back over to where Apollo, Sheba, Starbuck and
Cassie were sitting, all dressed in civilian attire, laughing at
something that struck the four as very amusing.  It never ceased to
amaze him at how different Apollo acted when he was not in uniform
compared to when  he was.  Gone was the military Captain, and in his
place was this warm, fun loving person that Adama knew as his son.
Sheba leaned over and whispered something to Apollo, to which he got a
grin on his face and looked at Starbuck.  Whatever it was, Starbuck was
going to be at the receiving end of something.  Adama just chuckled to
himself at the thought.  
	"How hard was it?"  Adama inquired.  "It looks like you 3
succeeded in your mission."
	"Oh I gave up."  Athena admitted freely.  "I just let Sheba and
Cassie handle them.  Apollo is in civilian clothes under the threat from
Sheba that if he did not put them on willing, then she would put them on
him herself.  And she meant every word she said too.  Fortunately for
him, Apollo knew that she meant every word of her threat and was not
afraid to carry it out.  So he gave in.  Now Starbuck, on the other
hand, would have enjoyed that threat from Cassie just a bit too much, so
she just took all of his uniforms and had Boomer swipe Starbuck's last
uniform while he was in the turboshowers.  Boomer left Starbuck only a
set of civilian clothes so he had no other choice in the matter.  Either
wear them or go naked.  Apollo, Sheba, Cassie, Boomer and I did have a
bet going on as to which way Starbuck would go."
	"Well, I'm glad he made the right decision, given his two
choices."  Adama sat back, relaxing as he gazed over at the 4 young
people across from him.  After about 5 centons, he decided to turn his
attention to the interactions between his son and Cain's daughter.
Adama had seen the sparks fly between them when those two met and Adama
felt then that it was more than just antagonism driving their sometimes
very heated confrontations.  Something that they seemed not to notice,
but Adama had seen those kind of sparks before.  It was the same spark
that happened between himself and his wife when they met for the first
time.  But where Adama and Ila had given into that spark, Apollo was
running from it.  At least he had been but now it seemed the tide was
changing to another direction.  
	Adama knew that Apollo still grieved for Serina, but in recent
sectars, he could not remember Apollo mentioning Serina once.  It had
also not escaped Adama'a notice that the last time he had been in
Apollo's quarters that Serina and Apollo's sealing holopic was not in
its usual place on his son's desk but now delegated to the bookcase in
Apollo's quarters, along with other family holopics that his son kept.
Plus it had not escaped Adama's notice that Apollo spent an increasing
amount of  time in to company of Starbuck, Cassie and Sheba, or in just
Sheba's company, instead of alone in his quarters or with Boxey.  Maybe
finally, Adama's fervent hope was coming true -- Apollo was finally
willing to open himself up for another relationship.  One thing about
it, Adama knew his son had met his match with Sheba.  She was a lot like
her father, but the astute commander could also see in Sheba her
mother's determination to get what she wanted. 
	Adama smiled broadly as he thought of his old friend and what
his reaction would be to the tenuously forming relationship that was
developing between Adama's son and Cain's daughter.  Adama knew that
Cain would just love this situation especially after his run ins with
Apollo concerning Gamoray.  That the swaggering commander would not pass
up an opportunity like this to extract his so-called 'revenge' on
Apollo.  Adama chuckled at his thoughts of Cain and what his friend
would attempt to pull on his son if the Pegasus was still out there and
met up with the fleet again.  Adama had seen his old friend in action
many times before, but Cain did not know Apollo.  It would definitely be
something to see and Adama hoped fervently that what was developing
between Apollo and Sheba would come to fruition.  For both their sakes.
	Adama could see for himself how much Sheba cared for Apollo,
even though she was trying to carefully conceal those feelings due to
Apollo's seeming reluctance to reciprocate.  Adama suspected thought
that Apollo has been dealing with his feelings for Sheba for a long time

and was now probably ready to open himself up to those feelings that he
had fought with for all this time and was now acting on them.  Maybe,
just maybe, Adama mused, he would have the pleasure of presiding over
the sealing of his son a second time.  Possibly to the young woman at
his side.  Only time would tell.  
	Adama sat watching the shuttles begin its approach to the
Gaziantep.  He decided at that moment to push the thoughts of the
council and every thing else from his mind, focusing instead on his
family and the enjoyment of the celebration that laid ahead.  This might
be an interesting and pleasurable holiday time at that.
	Adama never suspected that it was going to be a holiday that he
would not soon to forget.  

*********
	"It is not going to work.  It is definitely NOT going work and
you are just plain crazy to think that it will."  The golden
blonde-haired man ran his hand through his shoulder length hair and then
looked back at the group of 4 others sitting to one side of the room.
The two women sat there quietly, watching and waiting for the
dark-haired man's response to the accusation.  They both knew as well as
anyone else in the room that Givon hated to be questioned regarding any
decision, any plan that he came up with.  He just expected them to obey
his will and carry out his orders to the letter.  
	But Caleb was questioning him on this plan of action and to
Givon that was a big insult to his personal code of honor.  'Damn
Scorpian!' though Caleb angrily as he cautiously watched the dark man's
face for some reaction to Caleb's vocalized opinion.  Caleb's
frustration with Givon was evident in his crystal blue eyes and in the
guarded expression on his features.  He wished he understood the man
better, but in the yahren that he had been with this group, he found
that he knew Givon no better now than when he first met him after Givon
had made an impassioned speech to a crowd on the Apotholise.  But this
latest plan of his bordered on purely madness.  What did he hope to
accomplish with this plan?  Commander Adama was not known as a man who
gave in to demands no matter who they were issued by - whether it be the
Council of Twelve or some fanatical group that wanted something for
themselves.  
	Caleb joined this group nearly a yahren ago because he believed
that Givon was really into listening to the needs of the people and
dedicated to making their lives better in the long run.  But in time,
Caleb discovered the hard way that Givon wasn't the least bit
interesting in what the people wanted, desired or needed, but what Givon
wanted, desired and needed.  The dark-haired, olive skinned Scorpian was
the last decendent of a long line of rulers from the Ishtaria desert
region and he believed that he should be given respect and tribute that
befitted his former station.  Caleb was just beginning to believe that
all Givon really was, was just a selfish bastard interested in his own
pleasure..  But unfortunately, Caleb thought that the others in the
group fully believed in Givon and were willing to follow him and do his
bidding, no matter what the outcome or the consequences.
	And Caleb himself wished that he knew for his own peace of mind
just what was this man's strange but still very compelling appeal?  What
was it that people were willing to give their lives for him?  Caleb was
positive could see what that appeal was for Amadika and Charis -- purely
sexual attraction.  Givon was a very attractive man.  The only problem
was that he knew it and made each woman a conquest.  Charis had been
Givon's lover for the past yahren.  A lovely young woman by the name of
Laoise had been her predecessor, but Givon had cast her out because she
had fallen out of favor with him.  Givon claimed that she had betrayed
him and the group, but for some reason Caleb suspected more than what
Givon was telling or hinting at.  He knew of Givon's violent temper.
Caleb also knew that Laoise had been a young woman with strong opinions,
who would vocalize those opinions at times without thought to the
consequences for her actions.  Perhaps she had spoken out one time too
many for Givon's comfort.
	Caleb cast an eye to the other woman sitting there beside
Charis.  Amadika.  For all of Givon's attempts to make the her another
one of his conquests, the dark skinned woman did not seem the least bit
interested in Givon, but Caleb felt that it was just a matter of time.
The taurian woman was very beautiful to even Caleb's eye and he had
thought that from the first time he met her over 4 sectars ago  She had
joined them while they were working on a project on the Celestra.  Givon
had been impressed with her knowledge and skill with electronics and had
convinced her that she was wasting her talents on a ship that was on a
fool's mission.  Caleb had wondered if she was disillusioned with the
quest the fleet was on, or if there was more to her than met the eye.
She was very silent and closed mouth about herself and her past so that
left Caleb wondering all the more about her.  And it made her even more
attractive to his own self.  Then a soft deep voice broke Caleb's
thoughts.   
	"What makes you think that we will not succeed with Givon's
plan, Caleb?"  Beval asked quietly, his soft voice broke through the
tension between the two men.  Beval was not blinded by Givon's so-called
vision, nor was he blind to the scorpian's need for people to postulate
before him and give tribute that he felt he deserved.  But what Caleb
did not understand was just why Beval believed in Givon as strongly as
he did.  Caleb knew that Beval saw the dark-haired scorpian for what he
truly was, but that still did not stop the dark skinned Cancerian from
joining this group over a yahren ago, just before Caleb joined.  And it
did not stop or hinder in any way his strange devotion to Givon.
	Bevel knew of Caleb's scrutiny of him as he sat there waiting
for a response from Givon.  Unbeknownst to Caleb or anyone else in the
group, Beval himself had his own reasons for joining this strange
hodge-podge of people.  He desired to walk through fields of green grass
again.  To smell the freshness of a spring breeze as he awoke to a new
day.  He had survived the Cylons and their deceptions when the rest of
his family had not.  Try as he might, Beval could not understand why the
Gods had blessed him -- singled him out for survival.  He should have
died on Canceria under the weight of the same columns that had taken the
lives of his father, brother and 2 uncles.  He should have died in the
temple while given tribute to Kahl, the god of deliverance.  But he was
here, amongst the group of other survivors.  But he did not plan to
stay.  And Givon's ideas had fit into Beval's ideas perfectly for the
moment.  
	Caleb turned and looked at the dark-skinned cancerian, wishing
that someone in this room believed as he did -- that Givon was leading
them on a fool's errand.  
	"What makes you think that it will succeed?"  countered Caleb as
he walked over to stand in front of Beval.  The Cancerian gave Caleb a
look that boarded on insolence and that irritated Caleb more than he
could say.  "What makes you think that Commander Adama is going to be
concerned about a single ship that has to stop for repairs because of an
explosion or some sort or a malfunction?  It happens all the time.
These ships are in questionable shape at best.  What we have is in this
fleet is whatever could be found that could fly and make good our escape
before the Cylons returned to kill all of us."
	Given moved his head from side to side as he walked over to
stand beside Caleb.  "You were not listening to what I said.  I said
that the first ship to have an 'accident' would be only that -- the
first ship.  If he does not agree to our demands, which are the demands
of many of the people in the fleet and not just ours, then we will
sabotage another, and another and another until the Caprican enslaver
agrees to release us from our prisons."
	Caleb just rolled his eyes and sighed showing his disbelief of
Givon's claims.  "Adama is not a fool.  He will send his warriors to
investigate what happened to cause the ship to break down and to assist
in repairs."
	"Not a fool?  What do you call a man who is looking for a myth?
A star legend?  There is not a single shred of tangible proof that this
planet exist except in story and legend.." replied Givon sarcastically.
	"Perhaps you could call him a man of faith," replied Amadika in
her soft, lightly accented voice.  "Those men are rare indeed."
	"A man of faith"  Givon scoffed.  "He is no better than a slave
driver.  Delegating us to live in these worthless pieces of junk,
aimlessly wandering through the stars in search of a planet that does
not exist.  We get scraps to eat while the people that serve under him
on that battlestar eat the best foods and have plenty of food so that
their stomachs are full at night.  They have plenty to drink, are not
confined to quarters that are cramped and substandard with no hope of
any privacy.  They have no fear that the battlestar will suddenly stop
running to drift aimlessly amongst the stars."
	"It is our protection, Givon.  And so are those people who serve
aboard her.  The risk their lives for us every single day." replied
Caleb, his tone showing his frustration with Givon.
	"Who's side are you on, Caleb?"  Givon advanced on the blonde
man, his dark eyes glittering dangerously.  "I thought you wanted to
live on a planet.  Have a life that was worth living.  Not be delegated
to the darkness of these floating derelicts in the vastness of space.
You want to find a woman to love, seal with her and raise children on a
planet with sunshine, plenty of food to eat and water to drink.  Green
grass that they can play in.  Solid ground under their feet."  Givon's
eyes narrowed as they took in Caleb's worried expression.  "Or have you
changed your mind now?"
	"No, I have not changed my mind."  Caleb replied quickly.  "I
just don't think we should have to resort to violence to achieve our
goals.  And especially now, at this time of the yahren."
	"That is what is so perfect about it.  The celebrations for
Samhain and Candlemass that will be going on the Ganzantep, and because
of the number of people that will be in attendance for the celebrations,
it is something that would be totally unexpected.  The fact of the sheer
number of people that will be there at one time from all over the fleet
will make it even more tragic and make it more urgent for the Commander
to give us what we demand."
	Caleb didn't want to believe what he was hearing.  "You're
willing to create havoc on a ship full of people celebrating a religious
holiday season?  Givon, do you realize the possible implications and
ramifications of doing something like that?  It is not something that
Adama is going to close his eyes and ignore in the face of your
demands."
	Givon just gave Caleb a sly smile as he slaundered away from
determined blonde haired man.  "Oh, I think he will not be in a position
to negotiate too much.  Caleb, do you happen to remember what colony
celebrated Samhain and Candlemass?"
	Caleb thought carefully at the question posed to him.  He knew
that there was some detail that Caleb had not thought of with that
question.  And that bothered him.  Caleb was a stickler for detail.  Now
Givon had the upper hand in this debate and that concerned Caleb.  
	"Caprica."
	"And what planet is our esteemed commander from?"
	The realization of what Givon was thinking hit Caleb.
"Caprica."  Another thought crossed Caleb's mind quickly.  "If you have
some thought that Adama is going to be at that celebration because it is
a holiday from his home world, then you have another thing coming.  It
is a well known fact that Adama rarely, very rarely leaves the Galactica
for any social event."
	"Ah, but it has come to my attention that Commander Adama has
been invited to preside over the Samhain celebration.  And,"  Givon
raised his hand to stop the comment that Caleb was starting to say.  "he
has accepted the invitation.  He will be attending the full three days
of the celebration.  He will be there, along with his son and daughter
if my source is accurate.  So Adama will have all the more reason to
negotiate with us.  If not to save his own skin, then to save the lives
of his son and daughter."
	"Givon, it is a well known fact that Adama will not negotiate
with anyone involved in terroristic tactics.  Even if it is to save his
life, or the lives of any member of his family."  Amadika stated firmly
as she looked steadily at Givon.  She wondered if he was too taken by
his own plan to see the flaws in his thinking.  Amadika was not a
foolish woman and hated taking unnecessary risk to achieve a goal.  And
right now, Givon's plan depended on the Commander being willing to
negotiate because of a danger to his life or the lives of his loved
ones.  And there was no guarantee that he would.
	"Oh, he will negotiate with us.  Besides himself and his family,
there will be at least 380 other people at this celebration.  Maybe
more.  If he will not do it for himself or his family, he will do it to
spare the lives of those people.  Those so-called 'innocents.'"  Givon
replied confidently.  As he turned and faced the others, Amadika
shuttered involuntarily at the look that was in the Scorpian's eyes.
Not quite madness, but something that she would estimate was very close
to it.  Now Amadika wondered to herself how far she would go to do what
she had to do.  To fulfill everything she needed to accomplish with this
group.  
	"I just hope that you are right."  Beval slowly stood up to his
full height as Givon took a step back from the tall, muscular man.  "I
am not in the mind to start threatening innocent women and children to
attain a goal.  Your plan is viable if the explosive charge is contained
to the engines and causes damage that is repairable.  And if there is no
real danger to those in the upper levels."
	"I am not a mercenary, Beval.  I do not make war on women and
children.  That has never been the way of my people.  No, but the threat
will be enough to ensure that Adama gives us what we desire.  Aster and
Tagma have guaranteed me that the explosion will be contained to the
engine room.  I have already selected the people that will secure the
area where the celebration is taking place to keep our hostages
contained.  Everything is planned out.  All we have to do is deal with
the Commander after the plan is in action."
	Beval nodded his head slowly in agreement with the plan that he
heard.  Everything seemed to be under control and to him the plan seemed
to be a viable one.  He looked over at Amadika who was just sitting
there staring straight at Givon with a mixture of emotions on her face
that he could not decipher.  Caleb just remained disbelieving of
anything that Givon said and his expression clearly showed his thoughts.
Beval wondered about him and his strong arguments against what they were
planning to do.  Part of Beval wondered why he was even with the group
if he did not want to do anything to further them getting out of the
fleet and living on a planet.  
	Then Beval turned his attention to the quietest member of the
group.  Charis just sat there, her face unreadable as she listened to
the discussion, but not contributing to it in any way.  Her eyes
followed Givon's movements and then roved over Caleb with not a hint of
emotion in them.  Beval promised himself that he was going to keep an
eye on her.  Something was not right with that woman.  He did not trust
her.  She was like the high-bred sun cat on Canceria that lived in the
high mountains.  It watched it's prey quietly, silently, then without
any warning, would strike for the kill.  Even in captivity, you could
not trust the sun cat.  Beval planned to be on his guard with her.  
	Givon seemed to be pleased with the reaction that he was getting
from the people assembled and felt strongly that he had successfully
countered any of the annoying Caleb's arguments against Givon's plan.
It was a good plan.  A viable plan.  He would have Adama where he wanted
him, submissive to his will and at Givon's mercy.  The white haired
commander would listen to what he had to say and then Adama, in turn
would give him what he wanted.  The power, the authority would be with
Givon and against Adama and that pleased Givon more than he could say.
He would show his followers and the spirits of his ancestors that he was
a true leader of his people.  That his own father's words of Givon's
cowardice would be proven as the lie that it was.  
	Givon smiled as he looked at each person's expression, then
said, "Any other questions?"  He smiled even broader at the silence that
greeted his question.  "Then let us begin our flight to freedom and the
strongest person will be the victor of the spoils."

********
        It was a time of celebration and spending time with family and
friends.  And it just happened to be Apollo's favorite time of the yahren.
The Samhain which culminated on the final day called Candlemass.  Even
though its basis was totally religious, the people of Caprica who followed
the teachings of the Koboliana and many more who did not follow the
teachings had made the 3 sectar time into a celebration.  For those who
were deeply religious, it was a time of religious study and renewal.  A
celebration of faith.  A time of thankfulness of the blessing of life.  But
for those who were not religious, the holiday meant a time of celebration,
of family gatherings, brightly decorated homes and businesses. parties and
presents.  It had never fail to surprise Apollo how attendance at the
religious services at the Koboliana Chapels rose dramatically during the
holiday season, then dropped off slowly back to its normal levels after the
celebration of the New Yahren.

        When he was growing up on Caprica, his mother would always be
baking some special treat for the season and preparing feasts with special
holiday confections for gatherings with their family and close friends.
Apollo remembered when he was small, shopping with his mother for the
special decorations that she would put on display every yahren.  She would
buy special keepsake decorations for each of them, telling them that when
they married and had children, then she would give them the special
decorations that were theirs for their own family's special holiday
displays.  There were the ornaments that he and his siblings would make
every year;  special ones that they would give to both sets of grandparents
and to the many aunts and uncles on both sides of the family.  Plus the
ones that the three of them would create with love and care for their
parents.  It was just a very special time of the yaharen.  With a special
love and closeness that Apollo found himself desperately missing.

        When his father had told him and his sister of the special honor
that was being bestowed upon him, Apollo and Athena both were excited and
pleased.  But then Adama told him that he was considering turning the
request down because of all the problems that Adama had to deal with at the
present time.  Apollo and Athena were both upset with his decision and let
their father know of their mutual displeasure in no uncertain terms.
Finally, he had given in to their pleas and accepted the honor of presiding
over the Samhain festivities.  Apollo had invited Starbuck and Boomer to
join them since he knew that his father felt that they were practically
members of his family.  Since both were Caprican, they knew the
significance of Samhain season and Candlemass.  And Apollo knew both were
touched by the invitation.  

        Apollo made sure that both his friends understood that Cassie and
Dietra were also more than welcome to join then at the celebrations.
Apollo wasn't sure how Cassie or Dietra would feel about a caprican
holiday, seeing that neither of the two women were not from Caprica.  But
Cassie had been excited and Dietra had heard of the celebration, but had
never had the chance to ever attend.  Both women were excitedly looking
forward to it.

        That left Sheba.  When Apollo had invited her to join them, Apollo
could see that she had been touched by his invitation, and maybe a bit
unsure how to take the invitation from him.  Apollo knew that each planet
had celebrated this time differently and had different traditions.  Sheba
had been raised on Gemon with it's traditions instead of the traditions of
her mother's home world.  But to Apollo, his invitation for Sheba to
accompany him touched something else inside of him.  Something that he was
not quite sure if he was ready to admit or deal with.  But her acceptance
was very important to him.  After he had taken her hand and asked her if
she would come, she had agreed.  Apollo had been very happy when she
accepted.  

        As it worked out, Boomer and Dietra each had patrols for the
Opening events to be held on the Gaziantep tonight, but they would be
joining the others the next morning and were willing to bring Boxey with
them for the rest of the festivities.  Boxey had been so excited as he had
watched his father dress for the evening.  He understood why he could not
join them tonight, but looked forward with barely contained excitement to
tomorrow's festivities.  Especially since the day was centered around
children.  And Apollo had to smile at the pride Boxey displayed that his
grandfather was going to preside over the opening festivities.  

        Now in the company of his loved ones, Apollo was letting his ever
vigilant guard down and that was something he rarely did.  But now, in the
comforting presence of friends and family, dressed in his civilian finery
for the occasion, he dropped his guard and his persona of Captain in favor
of a relaxed, teasing demeanor that was the Apollo that he showed to so
few.  And something else Apollo realized with a start as he sat there
listening to the light, teasing bantering between Cassie, Sheba and
Starbuck, was that he had not thought of Serina once during the past
sectar.  Not even in passing.  And he felt a little perplexed by that
realization.  And it bothered him a little.  

        It was something that he was noticing with more regularity -- that
his thoughts were not on Serina and his memories of her.  Instead they were
being filled with his position on the Galactica, his family, his son, his
friends and enjoying life more every single day.  And that surprised him as
well as drew his thoughts into a puzzling direction.  

        Was it finally happening?  Was it as his father, his sister and his
friends had forecasted after Serina's death, when he had been so overcome
with his grief that he rebuffed their attempts to comfort?  That she would
become just a memory to him some day?  A treasured memory, but a memory
just the same.  Apollo realized that the pain of her loss had diminished
more and more as time had passed.  In fact now that he thought about it,
his thoughts were straying more and more each day to the woman beside him.
As Apollo quietly stole a glance at Sheba, whose hand was grasped firmly in
his own, he realized that even though he had tried thinking and feeling
about her as he would any of his friends, he knew that his feelings for her
were more than just friendship  -  how he thought of Starbuck, Boomer, and
even Cassie.  

        Instead he found that his thoughts, actions and feelings towards
her were taking a decidedly different turn.  A turn that he did not want
them to take, but found that they were going in that direction more and
more.  Apollo had known when he left on that mission to destroy that
basestar, that he was feeling too comfortable to Sheba.  Too close.  He had
not felt that way since Serina.  And his thoughts about her were taking a
very decidedly different turn - a turn that six sectars ago he would have
fought against.  Now though, the more that he thought about this turn in
his emotions regarding Sheba, his feelings, he found that he really wasn't
interested in putting up a fight with himself anymore.  That he found Sheba
compelling.  Perplexing at times.  

        Apollo had observed lately the many moods and facets of Sheba's
personality.  She could be very funny, even when she messed up a punch line
to someone else's joke.  And she loved to tease Apollo.  Torment him to the
point that he couldn't stop laughing with her, or was so flustered by her
teasing he couldn't think of a good retort so Apollo would just stutter as
he tried desperately to think of a good come back.  Her pensive mood where
Apollo would do just about anything to make her smile at him.  Her loyalty
to her friends, the love that she willingly shared.  But he also called her
confusing, irritating, stubborn, plus argumentative just to name some more.  


        But Apollo also found that he looked forward to their verbal
sparring matches, sometimes just to see how angry he could really get her.
He looked forward to sitting with her in the Officer's Club, even if
Starbuck and Boomer were with him.  He found that he truly listened to what
she had to say.  Asked her opinion on things more easily and readily than
he had in the past.  He discovered that she was really nothing like the
first impression he had of her.  That most of that was a defense  --  a
defense at being Commander Cain's daughter.  A defense that he knew very
well himself.  

        Apollo sat back as he watched with a smile of bemusement as Cassie
point out something that Starbuck did not want to hear.  And true to form,
Starbuck was having none of it.  Sheba was beside Apollo, laughing as she
knew as well has Apollo himself did that Starbuck had been caught somehow
and was not going to give in gracefully.  No, he was going down fighting.
Apollo watched how her dark eyes seemed to light up with mirth and
happiness as she egged Starbuck on.  When they had first met, Apollo had
thought that she was one of the most obstinate, stubborn, and most
irritating woman that he had ever met in his life.  He felt such a dislike
for her, but it was tempered with this intense attraction for her that he
fought stubbornly against.  She affected him in ways that he had not felt
since Serina and he had sworn not to feel that way for any woman again.
But he kept losing the battle where Sheba was concerned.  She was just too
much like him, so devoted to her father.  Nothing he or anyone else could
say would sway her from her stance of total support for Cain and his ideas
at Gamoray.  Not even if they were foolish and not in the best interest of
the civilians that they were protecting.  

        But in reality, the more Apollo thought about it, was he so
different from Sheba?  And it slowly dawned on him that if all things were
considered, that he was _not_ that much different from Sheba.  Apollo was
solidly by his father's side, believing fully in his father's ideals and
his dreams.  And Apollo would fight anyone who said anything against his
own father.  Slandered him, or disagreed with Adama's dreams.  And back at
Gamoray, that was exactly what it was.  Two commanders, with different
styles of command and different ways of getting things done, clashing over
the direction necessary to achieve the objective.  Because Adama received
his commission before Cain, his word was final.  And Cain was not going to
listen.  

        That set the stage for the Commander's daughter and the Commander's
son to clash headlong into each other, both staunchly supporting a father
that they adored, idolized, and totally believed in.  It was funny to think
that Cain was Apollo's boyhood idol.  Apollo had studied everything about
the zealous, overly confident commander -  his tactical strategies at the
Battle of Alomar, the Varcona skirmishes with the cylons, the encounters
with the Akranian Starships.  Apollo had collected, studied and memorized
everything he could regarding Cain, his career and his battles tactics and
strategies.  He could remember seeing Cain from a distance a different
military social events that Apollo had been required to attend.  But the
young Apollo seemed to always escape from the adult functions to run
outdoors, doing things kids always seemed to do, never taking the time to
meet the man he admired.  Missed opportunities.  There were times when
Apollo wondered if he had taken the time to meet Cain, would he have met
Sheba then too?  And how would his life have changed if he had taken the
opportunities that he passed by and met her then instead of when he did?  

        Apollo pushed those thoughts out of his mind as he sat there
struggling with feelings that he was not quite sure he was ready to deal
with concerning the woman beside him.  He had continually fought his
emotions regarding how he felt about her until Apollo realized recently
that he should just give up the fight.  Give in to what he was feeling.
When Sheba fell under the spell of Count Iblis, and he willingly gave his
life to save her own, Apollo had denied what he felt for her even then,
hiding behind the guise of close friendship.  Starbuck would just give him
looks that only Starbuck would dare give to Apollo. Or make comments that
had Apollo biting his tongue so that the crass retort he wanted to say
would not slip past his lips.  But Starbuck knew what his friend was
thinking and would just smirk because he _knew_, then move on.  

        Finally, Apollo started spending more time in Sheba's company.
Looking forward to evenings out with her in the company of Cassie and
Starbuck, or just private times alone together, talking with her.  Sharing
with her things that Apollo didn't feel that Starbuck or Boomer would
understand.  Such as being his father's child and the legacy that he had to
live up to.  Understand how he was always under the microscope with others
who were waiting for him to make a slip, a mistake, an error that they
could use against him or his father.  That no matter how much he wanted to
break out and be himself, no matter how much he wanted to deck someone who
made a derogatory comment against his father, Apollo had to always let
whatever had angered him slide without retaliation or retribution.  Sheba
understood these things.  She had lived her life in the same house of
glass.  Even with Cain gone, his fate unknown, Sheba still had to prove
herself time and time again to people on the Galactica.  And live up to her
father's legend.  Just as Apollo had to live in his father's shadow.

"Two cubits for your thoughts." a soft voice intruded.  Apollo looked over
in surprise as Sheba sat there quietly watching him.  Apollo glanced over
across the aisle at Starbuck and Cassie, both were talking quietly to each
other, and preparing to land on the Gaziantep.  Apollo turned to look back
at his father and sister only to discover that they were also sitting
quietly, his father's eyes closed as he leaned his head back against the
headrest of the shuttle seat and Athena looked as though she was in deep
contemplation about something.  Apollo turned his attention back to Sheba.

        "Is anything wrong, Apollo?" 
        Apollo shook his head.  "No, nothing's wrong.  Just lost in my
thoughts."

        "Anything you want to talk about?" 
        "Nothing important.  Just thinking about some things." 
        "Well," Sheba replied as she disentangled her hand from his and
fastened her restraint in preparation to land on the Gaziantep.
"Hopefully, those thoughts were not pertaining to duty or to the Galactica
in any way, shape or form.  You are suppose to be resting, relaxing and
celebrating.  You promised me food, good ambrosia and dancing tonight and I
am looking forward to it so you'd better deliver."  Sheba tried to be
upbeat and flippant, keeping her feelings out of what she said.  She wished
she could add that she was looking forward to the pleasure of his company
while sharing this Caprican holiday.  

        Apollo gave Sheba a smile that nearly knocked the normally
confident woman off her stride, then he turned to fasten his seat
restraint.  She was trying to keep this trip light and not too serious but
Apollo's actions this whole flight over to the Gaziantep was making it very
difficult for her to do.  Here she had been working determinedly trying to
keep her emotions under a tight rein considering the fact she knew that
Apollo wanted nothing to do with a 'relationship' at that micron.  

        The way Apollo termed it over two sectars ago, they were 'very
close friends.'  Of course as Cassie pointed out to her many times the past
several sectars, just how many "close friends" held hands as they did,
preferred each others company alone and away from other people, went to the
Rising Star for private dinners.  Cassie had laughingly told Sheba one time
that for as close as Starbuck and Apollo are, if Apollo ever took Starbuck
over to the Rising Star for a private dinner, that Cassie would have to
seriously re-evaluate her relationship with Starbuck.  Sheba had just
smiled, wishing she could put some stock in Cassie's observations.  But
Sheba had been disappointed before in relationships.  

        Even though Sheba was not really content with the slow pace of her
growing relationship with Apollo, but she was willing to do whatever it
took to make Apollo comfortable with her.  She knew how much he had loved
his wife and how much he grieved for her, almost acting obsessed with her
memory.  She thought of the changes that had occurred over the past 6
sectars between them -- since the confrontation between the two of them on
the cylon fighter.  When she accused him of having a death wish.  When she
told him how she felt.  And when she kissed him.  

        Sheba let her mind drift back over the memories of that time.
Sheba had waited quietly in the wings when Apollo returned from that
mission, waiting for him in the Celestial Dome, crying and praying for his
safe return.  She had ran to the landing bay from the bridge then watched
as Cassie greeted Starbuck in a fashion Sheba wished fervently she could
have done with Apollo.  As Adama had passed her to greet his son, Sheba had
slipped away into the shadows for the first time in her life, afraid that
she had totally ruined any future she had with Apollo by her actions in the
raider.  Afraid she had ruined their friendship even.  But to her surprise,
Apollo had searched for her all over the Galactica where finally he had
found her in the observation dome.  Alone, looking at the stars.  They had
sat there quietly for what seemed to be an eternity, then he had taken her
hand in his and held it, not saying a word.  Sheba finally looked at him,
unsure of what to say.  Unsure what any of what was happening meant and
afraid to ruin the moment by jumping to conclusions and doing something
impulsive.  He had finally spoke, agreeing with her observations.  

        But then he had asked her for patience with him.  That he was
confused about what he felt for her and unsure if he was ready for another
relationship.  Especially one with a warrior.  He asked her for patience
and when he was ready, he would let her know.  Sheba was not known for
patience, but for this man, she felt that she would have the patience that
would marvel the tales of the infinite patience of the Twelve Lords of
Kobol.   

        Surprisingly, Starbuck of all people had also cautioned her to give
Apollo time and space.  Let him move forward at his own pace and he would
eventually open himself up to her.  She was grateful for the fact that
Starbuck, whose friendship with Apollo and protectiveness of him was part
of Galactica legend, believed in her enough to impart those words of advice
to her.  She hugged Starbuck in thanks for being there for both Apollo and
her.  But what next had struck them both as humorous was Apollo had rounded
the corner as Sheba and Starbuck had hugged each other.  The Captain had
just stood there with a funny look on his face, which had quickly
disappeared, but Starbuck had smiled at that look, almost pleased with
himself.  Starbuck had then whispered to her, "Just listen to ole Uncle
Starbuck.  I won't steer you wrong."

        Sheba leaned back in her seat as the shuttle completed its final
approach to the ship, her eyes closed as she tried to contain her
excitement about the evening.  She felt something nudge at her hand that
rested in her lap, and then smiled to herself as she felt the warmth of
Apollo's hand envelop hers.  Maybe Starbuck knew what he was talking about
after all.  Sheba had nearly danced down the corridor a secton ago when
Apollo had kissed her goodnight.  Sheba had tried to keep her hopes
contained, but she was sure that she had felt something there between them
when they had kissed.  Time would tell.  

        Sheba heard the shuttle pilot clear for landing and then centons
later felt the shuttle come to rest on the landing bay.  

        "Finally, 3 days of nothing but enjoyment."  Starbuck said happily
as he unbuckled his seat restraint and rose to his feet with Cassie
following right beside him.  "I can't wait."

        Sheba opened her eyes and looked over at him with a smile on her
face.  Starbuck and enjoyment went hand in hand.  At least there was no
chancery on this ship so Sheba felt confident that they would not have to
worry about Starbuck trying to borrow cubits off of them during their time
here.  Sheba knew that Cassie was happy that there was no gambling
establishments here on the Gaziantep.  She felt that she would have
Starbuck's undivided attention for a change instead of having to share his
attentions with an attractive pyramid dealer.  

        Sheba unbuckled her restraint and stood to follow the crowd out of
the shuttle.  Since this was a civilian transport shuttle, it held about
100 people so departure from it was slow.  Everyone was dressed in their
very best for the Samhain festivities and seemed to be in no hurry to get
off the shuttle.  Sheba felt Apollo place a hand on her waist from behind
and say softly to her, "I hope that you have fun here at the Samhain
events.  I know they don't celebrate the holiday like this on Gemon..."

        Sheba turned slightly around to look at Apollo over her shoulder.
"And I plan to have a wonderful time here with you.  No, on Gemon the
holidays are subdued compared to this, but honestly Apollo, this looks like
it's going to be a lot of fun."

        Apollo smiled at her, then replied, "Well, I know that both of us
wanted some time to ourselves while we're here."

        "Apollo, we will get that time.  This is an important family event
from your home colony.  And honestly, in the yahren I've been here on the
Galactica, I have rarely seen your father leave the ship to do anything but
take care of official fleet business.  I think it's wonderful that he is
going to preside over the occasion and spend time with you and Athena."

        "Well, he's also going to be spending time with you since we're
here together."

        Sheba's heart skipped a beat at that statement and what Apollo
could possibly be saying, then she pulled herself quickly together.  "I am
very glad that we are here and your father is with us. He needs to get away
from all that responsibility and relax.  Be himself.  Cassie and Starbuck
feel the same way.  I just can't wait to meet the new man in Athena's life
while we're here."

        Apollo looked surprised at this information.  "New man?  What new
man?  Who?  She hasn't said a word to me about a new man in her life."

        Sheba was saved from answering by the pushing of the crowd as they
were forced quickly forward and out of the shuttle.  Sheba could see as she
emerged from the shuttle that Cassie and Starbuck had moved over to stand
by a support beam several metrons away.  Sheba glanced back at Apollo who
was still looking at her, patiently waiting for an answer.

        "Look, Apollo.  Athena hasn't said very much about him except that
he was planning to join us over here tonight.  I don't know who he is or
very much about him at all.  I know that he serves on the Galactica, that
he is also a lieutenant, and that he is very nice."

        "You've met him?" 
        "No.  That is just what Athena has told us.  I honestly thought
that she had told you.  She told Cassie and I when we were on our shopping
excursion yesterday."  Sheba looked pointedly at Apollo.  You know, maybe
she knew that you would react like this and decided not to tell you for
that reason.  You know, you can be very over protective and intimidating
when you want to be." Apollo opened his mouth to say something and Sheba
just pointed a finger at him which effectively silenced him, "so why don't
you just be quiet about it and let her handle this her own way.  Okay?  You
know, Cassie's right.  You do act for the most part like a typical Caprican
male.  Some day maybe we, the women in your life will convince you that we
can take care of ourselves and don't need you to stand guard over us."

        "I know that all of you can take care of yourselves."  Apollo said,
sounding not very convincing.  Then he growled, "And I do _not_ stand guard
over you, Athena or Cassie."

        "Yes you do."  Sheba said firmly, then reached out to rest her hand
on his arm.  "You get very intimidating if you think someone or something
is going to hurt us or threaten us in any way."  Apollo opened his mouth to
say something in retort, but Sheba stopped him.  "What about two sectons
ago on the Rising Star when that drunken man went after Cassie?  Or last
secton when I got into that argument with those two warrors from Silber
Spar in the Officer's Club?" 

        "Well that was..." 
        "That was what?  Cassie was handling her problem and I was doing
fine at handling those two pilots.  You have to stand back and let us make
our own mistakes, fight our own battles.  You say you know that we can take
care of ourselves.  Fine, then act like it.  Trust Athena.  She's a big
girl now Apollo."

        "But..."  Apollo wished he could make her understand but quickly
fell silent with a look from Sheba, who then smiled and started over to
where Starbuck and Cassie stood.  Apollo sighed, turning to look behind him
to see if his father and his sister had disembarked yet, the followed.
Maybe Sheba had a point.  Yes he'd admit it.  He was protective of Sheba,
Cassie and Athena.  

        Athena.  She was his little sister and his best friend when they
were kids.  Over the course of his life, his mother had told him countless
times that he was the oldest and he was suppose to look out for his younger
siblings and take care of them.  And he had.  Took care of unwanted
admirers, dried Athena's tears when some boy had broken her teenage heart,
listened carefully when she told him her problems, kept her secrets,
covered for her with their parents when he could, fought her battles for
her when he could.  The only time Apollo forced himself to stand back and
stay out of a relationship Athena was involved in was when she was dating
Starbuck.  

        And that had been a hard call to make.  He loved his sister and he
cared deeply for his friend.  But to keep the peace and preserve his own
sanity, not to mention his skin, he kept out of that relationship.  Even
when Athena got angry with Starbuck when he turned his attentions to
Cassie.  But what could she expect when she had turned Starbuck down when
he asked her to seal with him?  Apollo had heard both sides, and even
though he loved his sister, in this instance Apollo had sided with
Starbuck.  Which annoyed Athena more.  Now, she had a new man in her life.
Apollo found himself very curious at that micron.  

        "Are you ready for fun, food and whatever else the night brings?"
Starbuck said laughingly to his friend as Apollo and Sheba made their way
over to where Starbuck was standing with Cassie.  

        "You're in a rather upbeat mood for a man who has his Commander for
a festival companion tonight."  Apollo smiled at his friend, knowing that
Starbuck was hoping that he and Cassie could slip away.  The funny part was
Apollo had the very same idea himself - to slip away and spend time with
Sheba tonight.  Just the two of them making the rounds of the Samhain
festivities.  Apollo just wasn't sure when he would be able to get away.
Samhain has always been so special to his family.  The first one that had
passed without Ila and Zac had been very difficult, so none of them had
attended the small celebration that had taken place.  

        Now, this yahren, Apollo was more upbeat.  Happier.  And that
happiness that he felt he had to attribute to many things.  But one very
important reason.  Sheba.  Apollo planned on making the most of this
holiday and sharing it with her made him very happy and upbeat.  He wanted
to show her everything that was the Samhain and Candlemass since this was
her first time to the Caprican traditional celebration.  He had even bought
for her a special present.  When he had seen it on one of the ships, he had
been unable to pass it up.  A Koboliana cross with a Caprican sun crystal
in its center.  

        The price he had paid for it had been a bit above what he had
thought it was worth, but he had to have it.  His mother had worn a
necklace just like this one, as had both his grandmothers before her.
Athena had been given one on her 12th yahren natal celebration.  And when
Apollo had seen it there, amongst the discarded collection of cheap
trinkets and the like, he had been drawn to it.  It had stood out, almost
beckoning him to it, to purchase it.  The quality of the stone and the
outstanding workmanship of the delicate depiction of the religious relic
had shone through and Apollo had immediately thought of Sheba when he saw
it.  And tonight, after his father gave the invocation, Apollo planned on
giving it to her.  For some reason, he knew she would love it.  

        Apollo turned at the sound of his father's and Athena's voices,
watching as they made their way through the crowded landing bay towards
them.  

        "Well," his father said as he looked at the small group before him,
"we need to get along to the entertainment area.  I have 2 centars until I
open the Samhain."

        "Then what are we waiting for?"  Starbuck said excitedly as he
grabbed Cassie's hand and led the way with the other's laughing and
following in his wake.  

********* 
        The darkness was all around her, with dim glimpses of light breaking
through the almost total darkness at times.  Silence that for some reason
seemed to echo off the metal of the corridor greeted her as she walked
almost soundlessly down the passages that were barely used in this section
of the Gaziantep.  The only people that she had ever seen come down this way
were the technicians, support personnel and maintenance but even the
presence of those individuals down here was few and far between. 
        No, this was the safest way.  The way in which she would not get
caught, which meant that she would have to return to her quarters and be
treated like a little child.  No, she would finally get to see what everyone
on the ship had been talking about for over a sectar.  Samhain and
Candlemass.  Caprican holidays, not celebrated on her home world of Scorpia
at all.  She had never seen a celebration the likes of the one she had been
hearing about for so long now.  That was if the tales that she was told by
her friends were true.  But in a way, there had to be some truth in what
they said considering what she was hearing from people throughout the ship
about the night to come.  
        Her friend Natisha was Caprican and had celebrated the holiday many
times before the destruction and since she was so much older and wiser than
Claryrse, the younger girl listened to her memories of when the colonies
still existed.  Natisha had told her in a voice tinged with remorse that she
could remember the holidays where her parents put on their finest attire,
heading out into the nights of the Samhain to attend party after party.  And
there were many.  Claryrse had sat silently waiting for her friend to
continue, watching as Natisha tried to quickly brush away the tears that
were rolling from her blue eyes.  Then Natisha continued, telling her of the
glittering, brightly colored decorations that had adorned their home outside
Caprica City, the lights that her father would carefully place in the trees
that lined their property and the decorations that would make their dreary
winter covered lawn seem not so dreary anymore.  
        And the presents.  Boxes covered with brightly colored papers in
hues of crimson and gold.  Rich purples and festive pinks.  Colors the full
spectrum of the wheel and ribbons and bells, and doo-dads and other
decorative attachments to make the packages seem even more special.  Natisha
had told Claryrse that she felt like it was almost a crime to tear the
pretty brightly colored paper off the present to see what was inside.  But
tear she did every yahren, eager to see what was contained inside.  And
Natisha told her that she always loved what was in her presents, no matter
what it was because it was a present bought for her.  
        Claryise pushed her long reddish brown hair back from her face as
she continued down the corridor carefully listening for signs of anyone else
coming her way.  Her clear green eyes shone in anticipation as she finally
came to the doorway that would lead her up into the main club area.  The
music was louder here and Claryise felt a knot of excitement form in her
stomach.  If only her sister could have joined her in her adventure, but
Tyrene was just too frightened of being caught by someone.  Claryise knew
that their older sister Lourdes would be angry if she had caught them
disobeying her orders, but Claryise felt that seeing and experiencing the
Samhain was worth any punishment that she would have to endure at the hands
of her older sister.   She just wish Tyrene had seen it that way.  
        Claryise reached up and grasped the doors handle with both of her
small hands and pulled down with all her might to open the door.  She was
rewarded with the loud click that told her that she had done it.  Carefully,
she opened the door and peered on the other side, satisfied that all was
clear when she saw an empty corridor.  She pulled it open a little, just
making an opening big enough that she could fit through, since the door was
so heavy.  Once through, she noiselessly closed it, locking the handle in
place.  
        The young girl slowly made her way down the corridor, still on alert
for voices of anyone else coming.  She knew that she had to pass the engine
room before she made the climb up to the main club area where she could slip
into the celebration unnoticed.  Suddenly she heard what she hoped that she
wouldn't hear - voices.  Men's voices.  Panic welled up as Claryise looked
for a place to hide, her heart pounding as she noticed a darkened doorway
and slipped into it, leaning back as far as she could hoping that the men
wouldn't see her as they passed.  
        "....you be quiet?"  One of the men's voices said harshly.  "You're
going to get us caught down here!"
        Claryise was curious.  Why was the man so worried about being caught
down here?  Was he and the others with him trying to sneak into the
celebration too?  Maybe they were not Caprican either and were as curious as
she was about this holiday.  Claryise listened carefully to their
conversation, silently wishing that they would hurry up so she could get up
there.  She didn't want to miss a micron of anything.  Lighthearted music
emanated from the passageway ahead, but Claryise's curiosity level rose as
she noticed that the men's voices were not coming from the direction she
just came in, bur from ahead of her.  And they were coming towards her.  The
celebration was in the *other* direction.  
        "No I'm not!" replied the other voice irritated.  "You are!  You're
acting so damn edgy.  Will you just stop it and just do what you were told?"
        The sound of metal scraping was what Claryise heard next.  She had
to cover her ears because the scraping sound hurt her young ears.  Finally
it stopped and she uncovered them with a small sigh of relief.  What were
these men doing down here?  Claryise wanted to stick her head out and see if
she could see what they were doing but decided against it.  They were
probably doing nothing but their job, but if they were doing their job, why
did they not want to get caught?  Now she was confused as her eight yahren
old mind tried to understand what they were up to.  
        "SHHHHH!!!!!"  someone hissed.   "You two are making enough racket
to wake the dead.  Just do what you were told to do and shut up!"  The other
voice sounded very angry, but Claryise couldn't tell if it was a man's voice
or a woman's.  She heard some soft noises that she wasn't sure of, then
heard the third voice speak.
        "There, now do what you were ordered to do.  Connect it here and
here and let's get the hades out of here before someone comes by and catches
us."
        "Yeah, make sure the timer is set too.  90 centons.  From what I
heard upstairs, Commander Adama should have opened the Samhain and there
should be quite a crowd upstairs."  The second voice said a little
excitedly.  
        "Well, they will all be in for quite a surprise when this baby kicks
in."
        "Fireworks for the Samhain.  This should get everyone's attention.
Including Commander Adama's."  Claryise wasn't sure who said that because
everything was getting confused now.  She just wanted to get up to the
party.  She wished they would just do whatever and leave.  
        "There!  Set for 90 centons."  Scraping sounds came again but not as
loud this time.  Claryise laid her head on the bulkhead in back of her, her
heart beating rapidly.  Finally.
        "Now lets get out of here and report back so we can get out of
here."
        "I'm for that."  
        Claryise pushed herself back as far as she could into the doorway,
then watched as three dark figures hurried by her.  She heard the door at
the end of the passage open then shut with a click of the door handle, and
she breathed a sigh of relief.  Quickly she darted out of her hiding place
and ran as fast as she could down the corridor, not even noticing which of
the engineering panels the three had been working on.   She wanted to get up
to the party and the laughter and music that she heard hurried her on.  She
stopped and breathlessly opened the door, her eyes wide as she watched the
proceedings in front of her.  People dancing, laughing and eating.  Drinking
and hugging each other.  People seated at tables and candles burning
everywhere.  Brightly colored decorations hung from the ceilings and the
tables were decorated with center pieces that shone and sparkled.  This was
more than the young child could have ever imagined.  Carefully she opened
the door and slipped quietly into the crowd.  She planned to find a really
special place to watch everything that the night brought for her.  The
incident with the three people was soon a distant memory.  

**********
        The music and the laughter the emanated from the room ahead of them
carried itself down the hall  like a leaf drifting on a light lilting
breeze.  Light notes of classical Caprican Samhain melodies from the great
masters of music, some composed over 1000 yahrens ago drifted and hung in
the air creating an atmosphere of solemnest, but at the same time a feeling
of celebration that had not been felt since the destruction.  Starbuck led
the way down the dimly lit corridor which led to the main entertainment area
where the celebration was taking place.  He heard the music change to a
light Caprican melody that he had heard may times in his life and it made
his heart beat a bit faster. 
        As Starbuck stared at some of the people they passed in the corridor
and in the waiting area, he knew he should try to use this opportunity to
introduce himself around the assembled patrons of this celebration.
Starbuck would be rubbing shoulders tonight with the great and near greats
that were here tonight.  As he stole a glance back in Apollo's direction to
gage his friend's reaction to all of this, he could see that the dark-haired
man was unaffected by what was going on around him.  And why should he be?
Apollo had grown up with this all around him.  Sheba on the other hand was
staring at everything with wide-eyes, seeming very impressed by what she saw
and heard.  Cassie held on to Starbuck's hand as they followed the hostess
down the corridor, her eyes taking in the sights and the sounds of the
celebration with wonder and amusement.  
        Smells of delicacies that Starbuck had not tasted since before the
destruction wafted though the air.  The smells of rich garlic and other
spices mingled with the smells of different dishes from the many regions of
Caprica.  Starbuck smelled something familiar.  Something that had been a
favorite of his when he had visited Apollo's home on the outskirts of
Caprica City. A stroganoff that Siress Ila would make just for him when he
would come to visit.  He could almost taste the rich flavor of the
vegetables and meat that had been sautéed then covered in a rich dark gravy.
Starbuck's mouth was watering.  The smell of freshly made Samhain treats
filtered through the air intermingling with the scents of the other
delicacies that were being served here this night.  That was something else
that bothered Starbuck now that he thought of it.  Where did this place get
the food that they were serving?  
        Suddenly, it seemed to Starbuck that they arrived at the entrance to
Phenomena, the entertainment area where the Samhain festivities were being
held.  A darkly attired man waiting at the entrance who smiled at them in
welcome and motioned for the group to follow him through the doors.  What
laid beyond those doors made the women gasp in wonderment.  Starbuck noticed
that Apollo's eyes also grew a little wider with surprise, while the
Commander just stood there taking in everything he saw before him.  Starbuck
himself had to admit that he was _definitely_ impressed by what he saw.  
        What laid before them was a massive area, open and airy with
walkways suspended metrons into the air above them.  There was at least by 8
levels of walkways.  People standing on them observing what was happening
below them, taking in the celebration with drink, food and merriment.
Starbuck's gaze fell to the dance floor where he observed as the people on
the dance floor twirled and seemingly float as they moved in time to the
music.  Laughter abounded and in the length of Starbuck's memory of Samhain
parties and events, he could not remember one that he had attended that was
as colorful, as loud or as pleasure filled as this one.  It was
almost...scary.
        "It's like the destruction never happened."  whispered Athena ever
so softly, but Starbuck heard her works and agreed with her completely.
"This rival some of the parties that we attended on Caprica."
        The darkly attired man stopped beside a table set close to the dance
floor and motioned for them to be seated. 
        "This place is just unbelievable." Starbuck whispered to Apollo as
he pulled out a chair for Cassie..
        "You just said a mouthful." Apollo replied as he did the same for
Sheba, then sat down beside her, his eyes wandering around the room, trying
to take in everything that was here.    
        "I haven't seen anything like this since the destruction.  This is
just so..."  Cassie seemed at a loss for words. "So..."
        "Unreal."  Sheba finished for her as she turned to Apollo, her look
confused.  "I understood that the flight from the colonies was rushed and
there wasn't enough time to gather anything but what was necessary to our
people's survival."
        Apollo just shook his head.  "I guess some people gathered more
things than others.  Maybe this stuff was already here.  From what I
understand this was a wealthy merchant's ship from Caprica.  Privately
owned.  So who knows what was here and if it was transporting anything
before it was pulled and put into service after the destruction."
        "Well I have to say I haven't seen anything decorated like this
since Caprica."  Athena said quietly.  
        "Neither have I."  Replied her brother quietly.  The sights and the
sounds reminded him of a party that he had attended before the destruction.
A young woman that Apollo had been seeing for several sectars had invited
him to her parents Samhain party.  What he had seen when he arrived had been
nothing like his own family's parties.  Apollo had thought it was overdone,
gaudy and attended by people who were more interested in their own personal
pleasures than in celebrating the true meaning of the holiday.  He had left
shortly after arriving and never heard from the young woman again.
        Sheba was looking around in awe and wonderment.  Never had she been
to a party such as this one.  She had understood that this was a family
holiday, a religious holiday for the followers of the Koboliana.  Sheba
stole a glance over to Apollo and could see plainly that he had not expected
anything like what they were seeing here.  As she then glanced to the
Commander, she could see that his face was almost like it was set in stone,
his eyes sparkled with silent anger as he took in what he was seeing here.
Sheba took his look to mean that this was not what they had expected, but
now they were here and Sheba planned to make the best of it.  To enjoy the
evening that was ahead.  Sheba reached out under the table and grasped
Apollo's hand in hers.    
        Adama muttered grimly under his breath as he quietly picked up the
agenda of the evening and looked over the listing of the foods being served
on the buffet tables set up around the room.  Foods he had not had in a long
time were listed there along with an outline of the evenings events.  He
tried to push his reaction to this place to the back of his mind and
concentrate on the night ahead of him.  Some time that he sorely needed to
spend with his family.  Adama was determined not to ruin the time he had
with them away from the military structure of the Galactica.  
        Apollo glanced over at his father wondering what he was muttering so
low that Apollo couldn't hear it, but the oldest son had a good idea what
his father was muttering about.  Concern clouded his mind for he didn't want
anything to spoil this evening, not even his father's sometimes overly
concerned view on things.  Apollo could see some of his father's concerns
and even shared a few, but all in all this was a special time and a special
celebration.  Apollo could remember his mother saying that even in the worse
of times, people needed something to boost their self worth and their
spirits.  To give them hope for the future.  What was a little glitter and
glitz compared to the happiness he could clearly see on many of the
attendees to this party.  It was even boosting his own spirits.  
        Apollo felt Sheba gently take his hand and give it a squeeze.  He
glanced over and smiled at her in return then turned his attention to his
own agenda.   Apollo figured from his father's silence that he was not going
to say anything more and the young captain knew better than to question him
at the present time.
        Starbuck chuckled as he showed his agenda to Cassie  
        "Look at all of this.  Foods I haven't had in yahrens and they are
being served here tonight.  Caprican stroganoff, Tyrian canabash, bakra with
dip.  And look at the desserts.  I feel like I've gone to heaven for the
night."
        "I can't believe all of this food.  And look at the drinks that are
being served.  This is just unbelievable."  Sheba said excitedly. 
        "We never celebrated this way on Gemon.  Lights and decorations,
yes.  But all this food and a lot of it is the most mouthwatering sweets.
Along with the ambrosia and other liqueurs."  Cassie said with the same
excitement as Sheba.  
        'It's just so unbelievable."  Sheba looked at Apollo who had an
unreadable expression on his face as he looked around the room and then slid
a glance over to his father, who was not paying any attention to what was
going on around him but seemed intent on reading the paper in front of him.
This disturbed Sheba somewhat.  Apollo looked possibly even a little
apprehensive.  But why?  Sheba looked over at Athena who seemed more
interested in the surrounding crowd than in what was going on between her
father and her brother.  Sheba kept her concerns to herself and looked
around the room.  
        Dancing, mingling, and some people doing a bit more than just
mingling were milling around them.  Laughter abounded and many people were
making toasts with the clinking of glasses that sounded like a chorus of
ringing bells, one after another in intermittent intervals.  Toasting what
Sheba could only imagine.  The Samhain, life, love, conquests, finding Earth
-  the list was endless.  Sheba herself felt that she might have something
to toast tonight, something more than greeting in the Samhain if she was
reading the signals she was receiving accurately.  But who could be sure.
She had been wrong before.  Sheba felt a heavy weight come over her with her
new thought of doubt.  Only time would tell if her feelings and a hexlar
fortune teller were accurate.  
        Sheba smiled faintly as she remember the night a sectar ago.  The
fortune teller had been a dare from Cassie one night when they had been over
on another of the ships for an evening away from military matters.  Sheba
had not even wanted to listen to the heavily made up woman, but through
Cassie's gentle coaxing she had sat down to hear what the woman had to say.
And what she had said had amazed, frightened and excited Sheba in equal
parts.  Amazed her that the woman seemed to know things about her that she
had never told anyone, frightened that the woman was so accurate without any
prior knowledge of Sheba, and finally excited for what the woman imparted to
her about her future.  That there would be much happiness in store for her
with the dark haired man of her dreams.  That he was worth waiting for and
that with patience, she would have what she desired most.  
        Just how close was she in achieving her goal?  Patience was
something Sheba had never had in great supply, but she was learning to walk
carefully where Apollo was concerned.  Now she hoped that her 'patience' was
paying off.  But she was just so unsure at the micron.  One centon he seemed
to be quiet and withdrawn, then the next centon he was laughing and joking
with her.  Making her feel so special.  Maybe Cassie was right after all.
And Starbuck.  Sheba looked over at the two people in question who were
looking around the celebration with wide eyes, trying to take everything in.
Then she glanced again at Athena who seemed to be a bit on edge.  But why?
Sheba pushed the question aside and turned her attention back to her own
program.  
        Athena caught Sheba's curious glance and tried to look at ease at
that micron.  She knew that she was giving too much away and she wanted
everything to be just right when her father and brother met Ranen.  But
where was he?  Athena glanced at her chronometer on her slender wrist and
looked at the time again with some frustration.  Figures!  A man who always
seemed so punctual is late to meet her family and friends.  Athena tried to
get her racing heart and her rising levels of excitement and trepidation
under control.  She knew that her father and her brother were going to want
to know everything about this man.  Including why Athena had kept him a
secret all this time.  
        Athena looked over the crowd again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the
dark haired man that she had such a mixture of feelings for.  Even though
she had known him for only a sectar, she felt like she had known him
forever.  She had never felt at ease with a man in such a short time as she
did with Ranen.  She laughed a lot more with him and she felt that she could
talk to him about anything and everything that was on her mind.  She
couldn't even do that with Apollo anymore.  Since the holocaust Apollo had
become just a bit harder to talk to because of his responsibilities and his
emotions regarding the deaths of their mother and brother, then the added
loss of Serina.  
        But now, she thought that maybe Apollo was finally coming out of the
emotional vacuum that he had been in for so long.  The looks that were
passing between him and Sheba were telling a story that she was glad to see.
Very glad to see.  Apollo was finally coming back to the land of the living,
just as she was.  Apollo with Sheba and herself with Ranen.  Hopefully,
because of Apollo's new outlook, maybe, just maybe Ranen will make it
through her brother's protective instincts unscathed.  Relatively unscathed.

        Her father was a different matter all together.  Where Apollo would
confront a person up front, Adama's approach was slow and cautious, watching
and waiting.  Questions would come slowly as he formulated his opinion of
someone.  But there was another factor that neither one of her brothers had
never had to contend with as they entered relationships - the fact that she
was the only daughter.  Her father's little girl and no matter how she old
she was, she would always be his little girl.  Athena took a deep breath as
she silently prayed that this evening would go as she had planned - smoothly
with no inquisitions, outburst, or third-degrees.  Now where the Hades was
Ranen?
        Starbuck and Cassie were in equal parts wonder and excitement at
what they were seeing.  Starbuck kept a firm grip on Cassie's hand as he sat
there at the table, watching all the people celebrate the Samhain in a
fashion that he had never had the chance to experience.  Sure he had been to
many Samhain celebrations, both as a child and as an adult, but this one was
different.  As a kid, they had been events planned for the poor orphans who
were now foster children.  Never had Starbuck felt a part of a family
Samhain celebration, and there had been many times as a child that he had
dreamed of having 2 parents that loved him.  A home that was his own, where
no social worker would come and take him out of just as he was feeling like
he fitted in there.  Samhain was always the hardest time of the yahren for
Starbuck, no matter how hard he tried to keep his emotions level and calm.
The presents, the happy kids, the laughter, the parties, the decorations.
He hated it all.  
        Then he met a shy 15 yahren old boy in a science class one day and
Starbuck's life changed dramatically with that meeting.  The friendship that
grew between himself and Apollo was something that neither one understood.
Starbuck joked one time that they were 2 parts of a whole.  Twins that had
been parted at birth and who now had found each other.  Apollo had laughed
at that and in some ways had agreed with Starbuck's evaluation of the bond
they shared.  The two boys had accepted the friendship that they shared with
all the naturalness as breathing.  And it had done nothing but grow and
deepen over the ensuing yahrens.  
        Apollo had taken Starbuck to his house to celebrate his first
Samhain with a real family.  Siress Ila had treated him as another son and
there had been presents for him under the tree.  Things that he had wondered
at the time how the Siress had found out he wanted.  He found out later that
Apollo had been thoroughly pumped for information by his mother, and that
factor, the factor that this woman who had three children of her own could
still have enough love and caring to include an orphan in her world had
touched Starbuck as nothing else had.  And for the first time in Starbuck's
entire existence, it had not mattered that he had no parents to share this
time with.  He now had a family who cared about him, who treated him the
same as they treated each other.  Commander Adama had came around slowly,
even though he blamed most of the trouble that Apollo got into on Starbuck's
influence.  But eventually, the Commander had taken the orphan under his
wing and treated him like another son.  
        And now as he had for many yahrens, he was sitting with his 'family'
and the woman that he cared about more than any of the other women that he
had ever been involved with.  And as he looked around the room with wide
eyes and unbridled excitement, he knew that this celebration was going to be
different than any other that he had been at, as a child or as a teen with
Apollo's family, or even as an adult.  This night was going to be one that
he would never, ever forget. 
        How little did Starbuck know just how accurate his estimation would
turn out to be.


	Sheba had accused him of having a death wish because of Serina.  She
had told him that he didn't have the corner on loneliness and she felt
that
emotion herself more than she cared to feel it.  Then she had in a round
about way told Apollo that she loved him, leaning over and kissing him
gently on the lips.  When she had broken the gentle contact between the
two
of them, Sheba had felt the confusion he had felt by her actions, seen
it in
his expressive green eyes, but she had also seen something else.  A look
that meant that he had also been grappling with her observation himself.
And she was right in the end.  Two people who snapped at each other for
no
reason were trying to hide their real feelings.  
        Sheba was snapped out of her reverie by the silence that filled
the
room.  The musical chiming of the bells was gone and the silence that
followed surprised Sheba for the size of the crowd that was in the room.
She watched as the Revered Elder stepped back and turned to face the men
and
you woman that stood silently behind him.  The line did a half bow of
respect to the elderly man who waved his hand in acknowledgement of
their
respect.  Sheba watched as the Revered Elder quietly left the podium and
sat
down in a large wooden chair place beside the rise in the floor.  
        She was about to question Apollo as to why he was there and what
was
happening when Commander Adama stepped up to the altar.  His eyes seemed
to
look around the room over the crowd that was assembled there.  When his
gaze
rested on her and Apollo, she saw a flicker of a smile play over his
lips
and a light flicker in his eyes.  Then she saw his gaze shift to Cassie
and
Starbuck who were standing not that far away from them.  She could have
swore that she saw the commander nod his head in approval.  
        Sheba smiled to herself and then said in a hushed whisper to
Apollo,
"Your father seems to approve of what he sees between us."
        Apollo raised his head and smiled at her.  "Would you think
otherwise?"
        Sheba searched his expression for something that would clue her
into
what was happening tonight between them, but could find nothing there
that
would outright say.  She just slightly shook her head and then turned
her
attention back to the podium, her mind still confused and wondering.  
        Commander Adama quietly looked at the crowd and then began to
speak.

        "Over 7 millennia ago, the human race had reached its lowest
point
in it's existence.  Sin was rampant amongst the people.  The tribes were
scattered and distant, intent on non-acceptance of their differences
with
each other.  Instead it was felt that death and destruction were more
affable than working together, accepting their differences and living in
peace."  
        "The Great Creator of all things felt a great sadness that his
children could not live peaceably, so in his infinite wisdom he sent to
his
people the Messiah.  Born of a woman of unknown origins, the Messiah
grew
and astounded the leaders of the 13 tribes.  So impressed were they,
that
they called for the end of all hostilities and asked the young man to
help
them in their journey to find peace.  The Messiah graciously accepted
their
request and chose one man from each of the 13 tribes to learn at his
side."

        "The leaders thought that the young Messiah would want to teach
men
of noble birth, but the Messiah surprised them by rejecting the young
nobles
that they brought before him.  Instead the Messiah went out into the
populace, out with the common people to choose the one that would learn
from
him.  The people were amazed that the Messiah would choose common people
to
learn from him.  But in the end, the people saw the wisdom of the young
Messiah's ways.  The 13 young men grew and evolved into the men that we
know
on this day as the Lords of Kobol from the Book of the Word."  
        "Though their teachings and their guidance, we the people of the
Colonies grew to be what we are today.  Samhain and Candlemass are the
holiest of our religious seasons.  It is a time for reflection on the
past
yahren of our lives and think of the new yahren to come.  It is a time
for
the celebration of family and our friendship with others.  It is a time
for
renewal, rebirth and rededication to the teachings of the Lords of Kobol
to
our people."
        The Commander raised his right and said in a voice that was
hushed
with its resonance, "May you find joy and peace as you take the time
during
this holiest of seasons to reflect, rededicate and renew yourself to the
teachings of the Lords of Kobol.  May you go into the New Yahren with a
spiritual renewal that will bless you all through the yahren."
        The chimes rang out again 12 times for each of the 12 Lords of
Kobol, and Sheba heard a ripple start through the crowd as all bowed
their
heads for a centon, murmuring, "May the Lords of Kobol bless you."  With
that she knew the ceremony was over.  People started back to the party
that
was happening before, and the music started playing again, but Sheba and
Apollo stood there for another few centons, neither wanted to break the
embrace that they were standing in.  But they knew they were going to
have
to.  
        "All right, you two, break it up.  People are going to think
that
you might actually like each other."
        "Starbuck!"  Cassie admonished him.  "Pay no attention to him."
        "I never do, Cassie."  Apollo said, still holding on to Sheba to
prove his point.  Sheba just giggled and stood there for a few centons
longer, the crowd milled around them.  Apollo let go of Sheba finally,
but
kept a grip in her hand.  "There.  Now are you happy, Starbuck?"
        "There is so much to do here, I don't even know where to start.
Four entertainment areas, food and drink flowing.  You would almost
think
we'd died and gone to heaven."  Starbuck smiled as he held on to
Cassie's
hand, his fingers intertwined with hers.  
        "Well, I for one think we should enjoy it while we can.  The
Commander is heading back to our table and it looks like dinner is being
served."  Cassie looked at Starbuck.  "And I definitely don't plan on
missing this meal.  Even for you, Starbuck.  It smells heavenly."
        "I know I plan to enjoy it myself."  Sheba agreed with her
friend.
"No telling when we'll get to eat like this again."  Apollo nodded his
agreement as they started over to the table.  
        The two couples arrived at the table, sitting down just as the
server placed the last of the plates of food on the table.  Apollo stole
a
glance at the two vacant chairs on the left of his father, and was just
about to ask where Athena was when he looked up to spot her making her
way
through the crowd with a tall, light brown haired man in tow.  He could
see
that her face was aglow with pleasure as she made her way to their
table.
The young man was laughing about something as they stopped for a crowd
of
people that crossed their paths.
        As Apollo looked over at Sheba, he was surprised to see that for
some reason Sheba was just staring at Athena and her companion as she
sat
there.  The expression on her face was one that Apollo was unsure what
to
make of.  Shock.  Disbelief.  Apollo was unsure just what he was seen or
the
reason why she was staring at them, but he knew that something was up.
Quickly the look disappeared and one of barely concealed annoyance came
over
her features.  Now Apollo knew  that something was definitely wrong.  It
couldn't be Athena that Sheba had that look on her face for, so it had
to be
the man that Athena was with.  But why?
        Blissfully, Athena made her way through the crowd, holding on to
Ranen's hand to be sure that she didn't lose him again.  She was excited
and
very pleased that he finally came over to the Samhain celebration since
he
was not from Caprica.  Being part Taurian and part Scorpian, Ranen
really
didn't celebrate the Samhain the way that Capricans did.  She knew that
when
she invited him to the celebration, that he had hesitated for a micron
before accepting.  Both Tauria and Scorpia were very reserved in their
observations of the holiday, so for Ranen to come to an outgoing
exuberant
celebration was something for him.  
        Athena though was glad that he attended for another reason.  He
would finally get to meet her father and her brother out of the military
setting.  She knew that her father would be very courteous to Ranen, but
her
over-protective older brother was another matter entirely.  Apollo would
make sure that he found out all he could about Ranen and the thought of
him
doing that bothered Athena.  She really wanted to have a chance with
this
man.  In the short time that she had known Ranen, she felt like she had
connected with him in a way that she had not connected with any other
man.
Not even Starbuck.
        And that realization surprised her.  She had always envisioned
ever
since she was a young girl that she would grow up, join the colonial
service
as a warrior and marry Starbuck, the man of her dreams and fantasies. 
But
then her fantasies were ruined with the destruction of the colonies and
her
relationship with Starbuck was a casualty of war.  Since then she had
sunk
into a depression and berated herself over the mistakes she made with
Starbuck and the downfall of their relationship.  He had been more than
her
lover, he had also been her friend and she missed that friendship in the
end
more than she missed him as a lover.  
        Athena realized over time that she had no one to blame for the
ending of their relationship but herself.  She was the one who pushed
him
away and into Cassie's arms.  And she had to understand and come to
terms
with the facts.  Not blame Starbuck or Cassie.  She couldn't even blame
Apollo, which she had on many occasions.  And why not?  He was
Starbuck's
best friend. 
        But now Athena realized how wrong she had been.  And now she had
another chance at a promising relationship.  It had been by sheer luck
that
she had met Ranen over in the Corpius the last time she had been there
with
Apollo and Sheba.  That night as she had many other evenings when she
was
out with them, Athena had felt like a third wheel with her brother and
the
woman that Athena knew was in love with him.  In as much as Athena knew
that
her brother was in love with Sheba, she knew that nothing was going to
happen between the two of them with her there acting like a chaperone. 
So
Athena had taken the opportunity and melted into the crowd that night,
hoping to make it to the launching bay to catch the next shuttle back to
the
Galactica.  Instead, in her haste to make her escape she plunged right
into
a lieutenant with a drink in his hand that he ended up wearing all down
the
front of his uniform.  
        Athena had been so upset about the accident that she tried to
help
the young man clean up somewhat, but proceeded in the end to make things
worse.  As she tried to make amends for her clumsiness, she found
herself
drawn to the man before her. and as the night wore own, Athena found
herself
falling under a spell that this man had somehow woven around her. 
Athena
ended up missing the shuttle back to the Galactica and spending the
entire
evening in the company of Ranen.  
        Now the two of them laughed about their first meeting and how
their
relationship developed afterwards.  And Athena found herself falling for
this man like she had fallen for no other.  Not even Starbuck.  Ranen
only
had to  look at her with his deep hazel eyes which made her wish that
they
were someplace private so no one could disturb them.  She wanted to run
her
fingers through his soft light brown hair that seemed to curl instead of
lay
straight the way he wanted.  Athena smiled.  There was a lot of things
that
she wanted to do with this man and tonight was the first night of 3 that
they had together.  
        But first was dinner and spending time with her family and
friends,
then she would see what the night brought.  
        Was everyone going to be surprised!

	 The number of people that were attending the Samhain party seemed to
have grown larger with ever passing centon the austere commander thought
silently to himself.  The holiday seemed to be drawing Caprican's, and
even
some non-Capricians out in droves for the festival - something to take
their
mind off their troubles, worries and concerns.  The happy laughter, the
abundance of food and drink reminded him of Samhain's past, but those
were
the days before the destruction of their worlds.  Before the cylons
ended
their way of life permanently.  Before they became refugees in search of
a
new world.  When food and drink were in plentiful and life was good. 
Even
with the Thousand yahren war with the Cylons, life was still good. 
Better
than what they lived now.  
        Adama quietly looked at the young people gathered with him at
the
table this night.  His children - Apollo and Athena, the lights of his
life.
His adopted children - Starbuck, Cassiopeia, and Sheba.  And in his
absence,
Boomer.  His family.  He had lost so much with the deaths of Ila and
Zac.
Then the tragic death of his new daughter-in-law, Serina just when Adama
had
thought that his family was coming to terms with the losses they had
suffered.  The addition of Serina's son, Boxey into the family  -  a
family
that was not his by blood, but Adama had come to love the boy as though
he
was his own flesh and blood grandson.  
        The Commander sighed quietly to himself as he tried to shake of
the
dark thoughts that clouded his mind and heart as he turned his attention
to
the happenings around him.  Maybe there was a reason to celebrate the
Samhain again.  They had survived so much in the past yahren.  But he
had
had  his doubts when he had arrived here and seen the opulence that
seemed
so out of place in a fleet that was barely surviving.  Maybe he was
being
too harsh.  The Samhain and Candlemass were traditional Caprician
holidays.
This food could have been stockpiled just for this special occasion, but
it
seemed unlikely.  But who really knew at that micron?  Adama had not
been
privy to the plans for this celebration, only asked to give the
invocation
to start the celebration and preside over the three day event.  
        As Adama gave the subject some deeper thought, he realized that
he
really did not know much about the man that had spearheaded this event,
Sire
Tiernan.  All he knew of him was that he had been a merchant on Caprica
and
that his arguments to hold this celebration had the full support of the
council.  Adama found that he also could not bring himself to refuse the
man
and his request, even if he had not had the full support of the council.
The people were tired, weary and in need of some semblance of the life
that
they use to have.  Adama had seen no harm that could have came from
holding
the celebration, only the good that it would do the population.  Give
them
respite from the struggles of daily living.  
        But now, seeing all of the food that was here along with the
abundance of drink, Adama was concerned that maybe this would be fuel to
the
fire of discontentment that was smoldering within the ships of the
fleet.
Adama had gone to his children with his worries and concerns.  Apollo
and
Athena had listened to his concerns, but had not agreed with them.  They
felt that holding the celebration was showing the people that they were
not
totally under the stringency of military law.  That there was still some
room for religious and personal freedoms.  And the Samhain was that - a
religious holiday to celebrate the Lords of Kobol and their teachings. 
A
celebration leading up to the Caprican New Yahren celebrations.  So with
that in mind, Adama had signed the orders for other religious groups
from
the other colonies to have their own festivities, making sure that all
was
fair to each group.  
        Adama turned slightly in his chair and saw the small form of
Siress
Nadia coming towards his table.  She was Sire Tiernan's assistant in
charge
of making sure that everything went according to schedule.  The young
woman
had impressed Adama from the start with her quiet demeanor along with
her
ability to get this large event organized and running smoothly.  About
the
age that Zac would be now if he had lived, she was a pretty young woman
with
long golden brown hair that she wore in a single braid that fell gently
down
her back.  Dressed conservatively in a dark dress that fell to the
floor,
she seemed much older than her years.  Considering who her husband was,
Adama was surprised that she still possessed the lightness of heart,
compassion  and charming manner that she had displayed to him earlier.  
        Adama shook his head as he thought of Sire Declan and the
meetings
that Adama had with the man in the past.  The man was barely older than
Apollo, but acted as though he was older than Adama himself.  A cold,
calculating man who wanted nothing to do with anything that might be
deemed
"manual labor", Adama found Declan to be almost heartless towards the
plight
of his fellow man.  Only concerned in his own creature comforts, hiding
constantly behind his interpretations as a 'learned man' of the
teachings of
the Book of the Word, besides going to the extremes of the Koboliana
religion.  The Commander disliked the cool man and all that he seemed to
stand for.   
        Adama stood and waited patiently for Nadia to make her way to
his
side.  She smiled that charming, shy smile of hers and Adama felt his
heart
lift a little.  He remembered several times he had seen her when she was
but
a young girl in the company of her parents as some event that they had
all
attended for one thing or another back on Caprica.  She had been a
charming
child then and now she had grown into a lovely young woman.  Such a
waste.
Adama fleetingly remember the saying that he always told his children -
that
love was blind.  But the aging commander wondered to himself if the
sealing
between Nadia and Declan was one of love or one of convenience.  Adama
remembered Nadia's father as a man who never passed an opportunity to
further his own ambitions.  But to sell or trade his own daughter into a
marriage of convenience?  The thought was inconceivable to the paternal
side
of Adama.  
        Adama was unsure if her father would have done that to his only
daughter but how often in the past had Adama misread a person?
Underestimated what they were capable of?  And how many times had that
mistake been costly?  Now Adama did not underestimate anyone's abilities
or
motives for actions.  He was suspicious until he was proven otherwise
and
that had been a wise course of action since the destruction.  Adama
found
that sometimes even his own children, who questioned people's motives
when
the situation seemed to warrant it were themselves sometimes too
trusting.
But they were young and still learning.  Adama had lived a long life and
had
learned much during that life.  Some of his lessons were driven home in
a
way that Adama wished could have been less emotionally trying.  But they
were lessons well learned.  
        As Adama took Nadia's hand in his, he felt a coldness in her
fingers, a slight shaking as he enveloped her small hand in the warmth
of
his.  Adama wondered why?  Was she nervous about something?  Or upset?
Looking at her face and into her dark hazel eyes, the astute commander
could
see nothing that on her outward appearance would belie anything
bothering
the young woman.  But still.  There was something...  Something he just
was
not sure he could put his finger on.  
        "Commander," Nadia said quietly  "how wonderful of you to agree
to
open the Samhain festivities and preside over the celebration."
        Adama could not help himself as he smiled charmingly at the
young
woman, hoping to alleviate whatever might be bothering her.  
        "Well it is an honor that you chose me, out of all the people
that
could have been selected."  Adama said graciously, as he started to lead
her
away from the others at the table.  "And were more deserving of the
honor
than I am."
        "Commander,"  Nadia admonished, "how could you not believe that
you
are very deserving of the honor?  You, who have led us in our journey
and
away from death and destruction?  You are richly deserving of more than
any
one person or even group of people can give to you.  Now come, it is
time
for us to open the celebration.  Three days of events making the opening
of
the Samhain festival a memorable occasion."  Nadia smiled brightly as
she
and the Commander walked towards a group of men in the center of the
room.  
        Adama kept his face pleasant as he recognized the portly form of
Sire Tierman, his round face looked concerned as he listened to the
whispered words of one of the men beside him.  Adama recognized the man
as
Sire Fintain, a small, reed thin, nervous-looking man who always seemed
worried about someone or something.  He was a pessimist from the word
go,
and Adama felt that no matter how bright and festive the occasion,
Fintain
always found something to worry about.
        Adama steeled himself as he approached the group of men,
preparing
himself to withstand time in their company.  Adama had never had time
for
self centered individuals and this group was no exception.  The only
relief
that Adama found was the company of Siress Nadia and in the presence of
Sire
Muiris, a man that Adama had known for many yahrens who he found to be
an
honest and straightforward man.  
        Muiris was the first person to walk up and greet Adama, a smile
of
welcome, for he knew from experience that Adama did not have the
patience
for prima-donnas such as the men at this gathering.  
        "Adama, how are you?"  Muiris said quietly, his voice deep and
gravely.  
        Adama clasped arms with his old compatriot.  "Just fine, Muiris.
And yourself?"
        "Just fine.  A Samhain celebration.  The last thing that I
thought
that I would ever live to see again, let alone participate."  Muiris
looked
around the room.  "But here it is.  And you are the man selected to
preside
over the opening's festivities.  I for one am glad that you accepted the
invitation, Adama.  You have carried the weight of command of this fleet
of
derilect ships since the destruction and I honest have to say that I
have
never really seen you out amongst the people for any rest or recreation.
You take your job a little too seriously, Adama.  But you were always
like
that."  Muiris smiled as he clasped Adama's shoulder,  "I honestly don't
expect you to change now.  But it is a pleasure to see you away from the
bridge taking some time to enjoy an evening out." 
        "Adama nodded in agreement.  "I have to admit it has been a long
time since I have left the Galactica."
        "Did you bring your family with you to enjoy the Samhain?  I
remember that you have a son and a daughter that survived with you?"
        Adama nodded.  Time had been a great healer for the pain of
Ila's
and Zac's deaths had diminished a lot in the past nearly 2 yahrens.  He
was
able to speak about them, remember them without a lot of the remorse
that he
had felt in the past.  
        "Yes.  My son Apollo and my daughter Athena are here with me."
        "Good!"  Muiris smiled fully.  "Samhain and Candlemass are
holidays
meant for family.  I take it they are enjoying themselves here this
evening."
        "Yes, they are."  Adama said with some cautious lightness of
tone as
the two men walked over to the rest of the waiting group.  He had never
been
on real 'friendly' terms with Muiris over the course of the yahrens,
even
though they had known each other since his training in diplomatic
studies at
the Caprican University.  They had met many times, been dinner
companions,
socialized at the necessary diplomatic, political and military
functions.
Their wives had served on the same philanthropic committees.  Adama had
never known Muiris to be prone to falseness of words or to cave in to
pressure from others.  He had character and was always a man who spoke
his
mind.  Tactfully, of course.  But now this over friendliness that he was
displaying this evening had Adama slightly on edge.  This was not the
Muiris
that he had known in the past and Adama was at a loss as to the reason
for
his actions.  
        Adama noticed that Nadia had moved over to the side of her
husband
and was speaking to him softly.  He did not look to be very happy with
what
she was saying to him at that micron, and for that matter, she did not
look
to pleased with him.  Adama wondered faintly what was their disagreement
this evening, but decided not to pry.  
        "Commander,"  Sire Tierman said happily with a large smile on
his
face.  Adama noticed the redness of his eyes and the unusual brightness
of
them.  The Sire even seemed to be a bit unsteady on his feet, but it was
not
to the point where people would notice since most of them were in the
same
state he was anyway.  Adama had just had too much experience in dealing
with
people who were intoxicated.  In their teenage yahrens, Apollo and Zac
had
both tried getting past their father when both had too much Ambrosia to
drink and found that they never quite made it, wondering how he always
knew
when no one else seemed to notice.  When they had entered the military,
they
quickly discovered why their father could spot when they had been
drinking
even just a little alcohol.  
        Adama inwardly just sighed.  This was a religious holiday and he
for
one was going to give it the respect it was due.  
        "Sire Tierman, are we ready to open the Samhain festivities?"
Muiris questioned, but with enugh firmness to make the man seem to snap
out
of his drunkenness.  
        "Of course.  Commander, if you would please step up to the
altar.
Fintain, would you signal the chimes to ring to start the ceremony?"
        Fintain nodded, then turned and waved his hand as Adama stepped
up
to the altar.  Softly the chimes started ringing until the room fell
into
silence.  Adama saw Apollo out of the corner of his eye moving towards
the
center of the crowd with Sheba close to his side.  Starbuck and Cassie
were
as close as they could be, but the density of the crowd separated the
two
couples slightly.  Adama gazed around the room, questioningly as he
looked
for the one person who was missing from the group.  Athena.  
        As Adama scanned the crowd, he did not see his dark haired
daughter
anywhere in the room.  He wondered where in the name of Kobol she had
disappeared to in such a short time.   But he wondered if her
disappearance
had anything to do with her preoccupied state she seemed to be in since
they
arrived here earlier.  She had seemed to be searching the crowd herself
for
someone.  She had not said anything about some one else joining them at
the
celebration, but if Athena was expecting someone or had invited an
escort to
join her tonight, then Adama would make sure that he was welcome.  For
Athena's sake.  At this point in time, all Adama wanted was for his only
daughter to be happy with a man who would love her and care for her.  
        Adama had worried that neither of his children would find
happiness
with someone.  But then Apollo fell in love with Serina after the
holocaust.
The young couple had been very happy until a cylon laser ruined that
happiness.  Then with the depression that Apollo had fallen into after
his
wife's death, Adama had feared that his son would never allow himself to
find happiness and love again.  But then the fleet came upon Gamorray.
Apollo out on patrol with Starbuck was nearly blasted out of the stars
by a
woman who could match him skill for skill.  Sheba said it was the grace
of
the Lords that stopped her from blasting Apollo out of the stars that
day.
Apollo joked that it was the fates laughing with glee as they planned to
have this woman torment him for the rest of his days.  
        Adama smiled to himself as he glanced at Apollo and Sheba as the
chimes continued to ring out.  Sheba leaned over to Apollo and whispered
something in his ear to which he turned and replied.  The looks that
passed
between the two of them was something that Adama was grateful to see. 
He
knew that Sheba loved his son, but that Apollo presently had some
difficulty
reciprocating those feelings openly.  The dark haired captain felt that
he
was disgracing Serina's memory if he looked at another woman.  Adama
knew
how wrong that line of thinking was, but he also knew that he would
never be
able to shake that thinking with all his fatherly wisdom and advice. 
Apollo
would have to find out the truth for himself.  
        And he had.  Adama had known from the beginning of their
relationship, even though it was as antagonists, that Apollo and Sheba
were
meant for each other.  That their destinies were intertwined.  They
fought
like daggits and felines then ever so slowly the gauntlet of friendship
was
extended between the two.  Adama watched with carefully contained
optimism
as the two of them formed a friendship that wove itself over time into
the
solid binding fabric that it was now.  And now, nature was taking it's
course with those two.  Now if only Athena would find someone to share
her
life with.  
        Adama felt a small shroud of sadness come over him at the
thought of
his daughter.  So much like Ila in personality.  Athena had a warm and
giving heart, a generous nature.  Fiercely protective of those she
loved,
Adama had seen her many times defend her brothers to the bitter end no
matter what the cost to herself.  He had watched her staunchly come to
his
defense many times when his detractors were saying what they felt would
turn
the people against him.  But on a romantic level, he had seen Athena
turn a
cold shoulder to that part of her life.  Even though she pushed and
prodded
her brother back into a relationship, she herself avoided them like she
would avoid a Pisciean python. 
        Adama could not blame Starbuck for turning his affections away
from
Athena.  She had brought that on to herself by her own admission. 
Apollo
had kept silent on the subject of his sister and his best friend, but
Athena
told the story to her father herself.  She knew where the blame laid in
the
end - on her own shoulders.  Tired of her attitude of hiding like a
wounded
carnivore, Apollo had told her countless times that she needed to get
out
more.  Meet other men.  Try her hand at another relationship.  Apollo
had
even taken his sister over to the Corpius with him and Sheba one night.
Apollo had been worried when she had quietly disappeared, but figured
that
she had just decided to leave like she had done several times before
when he
had taken her out with him and his friends.  Adama knew that Apollo had
hope
that maybe, just maybe something had happened that night.
        And all the signs pointed to the fact that indeed something had.
Lately, Athena had seemed different.  Happier.  She was smiling more
than
Adama and Apollo had seen in yahrens.  She had even requested leave
several
sectons ago and had been gone for her complete leave.  In fact, Apollo
had
commented that she had been a few centars late in returning from her
furlong.  Adama had wondered if his son was concerned or worried, but to
his
surprise, Apollo had been grinning like a feline who swallowed the rare
bird.  And that grin was contagious as Adama found himself hoping that
Apollo's speculation about his sister's late return was true.  Athena
deserved happiness.  
        So he hoped that the person she was looking for was a man that
she
had met that would make her happy.  Make her forget the mistakes that
she
made with Starbuck and move forward.  Starbuck had moved on.  Apollo had
overcome his own emotional upheavals and moved on.  Now it was time for
Athena to do the same thing.  
        Adama's thoughts were interrupted by the change in the pealing
of
the chimes and he knew that he would have to give his opening speech
very
soon.  He saw the Revered Elder come up to the altar with his altar boy
who
knelt in reverence to the aged wooden altar then proceeded to light the
first candles in the large display of candles that would burn during
Samhain
and Candlemass.  The Revered Elder slowly took his place behind the
structure and began his invocation to open the Book of the Word.  
        Apollo watched from the crowd that had quickly formed around the
altar as his father took his place behind the symbols of the Koboliana
that
decorated the large wooden altar.  He stood respectfully as the Revered
Elder came forward with his altar boy and the traditional ceremony for
opening the Book of the Word was began.  Apollo had been in this
position
many times in the yahrens since his childhood, but this time there were
so
many changes.  His mother and brother were not here to join in the
family
festivities.  Their worlds were gone.  They were living...no wandering
in
space searching for a new home.  Serina was not here for what would have
been their second Samhain celebration since they were sealed.  But for
some
reason that Apollo was not sure he quite understood, the pain did not
seem
as great as Apollo had thought it would be when this time came.  
        He reached out his hand to the woman at his side and pulled her
to
stand in front of him.  Apollo gathered her to him by wrapping his arms
around her waist and pulling her back against him.  He smelled the light
scent of her perfume mingling with the sweet scent of her hair which
created
a tugging at his very being along with his heart beating a little faster
as
he held Sheba close to him.  He found himself wishing that they could be
alone together very soon in their accommodations for there were things
that
he needed to say to her.  Things that he was slowly coming to realize.  
        Love.  He had loved Serina with all his soul and could never
love
another.  Or rather so he thought.  Now here was a woman who burst into
his
life in a viper cockpit, ready to blow his astrum out of the stars.  She
has
fought with him, argued with him till they were both willing to throw in
the
towel just to have someone win the argument.  She has made him laugh
when he
thought he had lost the ability to laugh.  She has quietly sat with him
when
he just wanted some time of silence because the weight of his thoughts
were
so heavy.  Never has Sheba been afraid of his moods or his words.  
        Many times she has stood toe to toe with him.  Apollo smiled to
himself.  The last time they had a heated argument, Apollo shut her up
the
only way he could think of at that micron - he kissed her.  Soundly. 
And as
Apollo remembered it, they were both quiet for a very long time.  So
long
that when they finally parted, neither one of them could remember what
they
were arguing about.  Sheba called it an unfair tactic.  Apollo called it
sound strategic maneuvering.  Basically, he blindsided her by doing
something she never expected.  And he won the argument as far as he was
concerned.  
        The emotions this woman stirred within him both scared him and
intrigued him.  He knew the moment she walked into a room.  He knew if
there
was something bothering her.  In fact, Apollo knew Sheba better than he
ever
knew Serina.  He was still trying to figure out and understand certain
aspects of his wife when she was killed.  They had met, fell in love and
sealed so quickly that there had not been time to learn everything about
each other.  Many aspects of Serina had been a mystery to Apollo just as
many aspects of him had been a mystery to her.  Reflecting back, Apollo
looked at that time as something very precious to him.  The Lords gave
him
something wonderful that he never thought he would experience again and
he
cherished the memory.  He only wished they had longer and had taken more
time to learn about each other.  
        Like Samhain.  Boxey could not remember ever attending a Samhain
celebration and Apollo had wondered why.  That was just another part of
Serina that Apollo was never going to find the answer for.  But Apollo
was
planning to make sure that Boxey experienced his first Samhain to its
fullest.  Tomorrow was the day for the children.  A family time.  And
all of
them planned to spend it together.  Even Starbuck and Cassie, along with
Boomer and Dietra.  
        Apollo smiled at the remembrance of the excitement and
anticipation
that Boxey had displayed as he had told his son about Samhain.  Sheba
had
stood smiling as she had watched Boxey's exuberant reaction to the news.
The young boy had asked her more than once if she would be there with
them
and she had kept replying 'yes' over and over again.  Boxey seemed to
have a
million questions for his father, who seemed immensely relieved when
Adama
had arrived in the launch bay so that he could answer Boxey's questions
in
his usual calm and quiet manner.  
        Apollo had found that his patience had been sorely tested by the
excitement of the small boy, and it was Boxey's high emotions that had
Apollo wondering about Serina's celebration of the Samhain.  Boxey had
told
Apollo several times that he had never ever been to a Samhain
celebration
but Apollo had thought the boy had just forgotten like many small
children
do.  But the more he thought about it, the more he believed that his son
had
never been to a celebration and quietly wondered why.  But it was a moot
question since Serina was now dead and as far as he knew there were no
other
survivors of her family aboard the fleet.  
        Apollo listened to the chimes as they sang out their sweet music
throughout the room.  People had fallen silent and were watching
expectantly
as the Revered Elder went through the motions of the symbolic ceremony. 
As
he carefully bowed to the open Book of the Word, Apollo silently said a
silent prayer heaven ward, thanking the Lords for blessing his life as
they
had - with his family, with his friends and with the woman that he held
in
his arms.  His heart beat a little faster as he closed his eyes as he
rested
his head against Sheba's, praying for continued blessings, and asking
the
lords to watch over them.  
        Sheba sighed and closed her eyes as she felt Apollo's head rest
against hers.  She felt safe, secure and loved as she stood there with
him,
his arms around her.  This was what she had dreamed of and hoped for and
now
it was coming true.  The chimes were soothing and lulling her mind into
a
tranquil state.  Such a beautiful sound, the light pealing of the bells.
This holiday was so different that what she experience on Gemon.  
        On Gemon it was for the most part a holiday for the adults. 
Gifts
were exchanged but it seemed that the whole season was a bit more
subdued.
Usually the only people that were at her home during the season were her
mother and herself.  Cain was usually off commanding his battlestar and
his
parents had died before Sheba was born so she had never got to see them
or
know them.  Sheba's maternal grandparents use to come over as often as
they
could but they only stayed for dinner and after dinner drinks.  Once
every
so many yahrens, her 2 aunts and their families would join her maternal
grandparents.  Sheba always looked forward to those holidays.  But as
her
cousins grew older, her aunts stayed home tending more to each of their
own
family's needs.  Her maternal grandparents passed on when she was 12
yahrens, so the holiday was left to just Sheba and her mother. When her
mother died 5 yahrens later, then it was just Sheba and her sporadic
visits
from her father, until she joined him on the Pegasus. 
        The sense of family that Apollo grew up with was something that
Sheba had wished for ever since she was a very small girl.  To have
siblings, a large family was something that she dreamed of more than she
ever told anyone.  Like Starbuck, she had wanted something more even
though
she loved her parents dearly.  Sheba got a large dose of what it was
like to
belong to a close family when Adama accepted Sheba into his family when
her
father disappeared at Gamorray.  She watched the close relationship that
Adama had with Apollo and Athena and in a way seemed jealous of it for
it
was something that she had only recently attained with her own father
since
she had been stationed on the Pegasus.  Sheba had seen the caring that
the
Commander felt for people who were not members of his family, but he had
came to love and care for them anyway.  Starbuck, Cassie and Boomer. 
And
Sheba silently watched the Commander's face alight with love and caring
for
his newly acquired grandson - another not of his own blood, but still
someone he loved dearly.  
        Then as she seemed to find herself wrapped up in some spell,
Sheba
found herself falling in love the dark haired Captain, the man that she
swore she would never even be friends with because of his actions
towards
her father at Gamorray.  But she got to see and understand Apollo more
and
more.  She became his friend.  Then she became his companion at dinners,
evenings out with Cassie and Starbuck.  Or even evenings out by
themselves.
Then when Apollo volunteered for that mission to the base star, Sheba
knew
without a doubt just what her feelings were for him.  She was in love
with
Apollo and she had to tell him what her feelings were before he left,
because she may never have had another chance.  

     The number of people that were attending the Samhain
party seemed to have grown larger with ever passing
centon the austere commander thought silently to
himself.  The holiday seemed to be drawing Caprican's,
and even some non-Capricians out in droves for the
festival - something to take their mind off their
troubles, worries and concerns.  The happy laughter,
the abundance of food and drink reminded him of
Samhain's past, but those were the days before the
destruction of their worlds.  Before the cylons ended
their way of life permanently.  Before they became
refugees in search of a new world.  When food and
drink were in plentiful and life was good.  Even with
the Thousand yahren war with the Cylons, life was
still good.  Better than what they lived now.
Adama quietly looked at the young people gathered with
him at the table this night.  His children - Apollo
and Athena, the lights of his life. His adopted
children - Starbuck, Cassiopeia, and Sheba.  And in
his absence, Boomer.  His family.  He had lost so much
with the deaths of Ila and Zac. Then the tragic death
of his new daughter-in-law, Serina just when Adama had
thought that his family was coming to terms with the
losses they had suffered.  The addition of Serina's
son, Boxey into the family  -  a family that was not
his by blood, but Adama had come to love the boy as
though he was his own flesh and blood grandson.
The Commander sighed quietly to himself as he tried to
shake of the dark thoughts that clouded his mind and
heart as he turned his attention to the happenings
around him.  Maybe there was a reason to celebrate the
Samhain again.  They had survived so much in the past
yahren.  But he had had  his doubts when he had
arrived here and seen the opulence that seemed so out
of place in a fleet that was barely surviving.  Maybe
he was being too harsh.  The Samhain and Candlemass
were traditional Caprician holidays.  This food could
have been stockpiled just for this special occasion,
but it  seemed unlikely.  But who really knew at that
micron?  Adama had not been privy to the plans for
this celebration, only asked to give the invocation to
start the celebration and preside over the three day
event.
As Adama gave the subject some deeper thought, he
realized that he really did not know much about the
man that had spearheaded this event, Sire Tiernan.
All he knew of him was that he had been a merchant on
Caprica and that his arguments to hold this
celebration had the full support of the council.
Adama found that he also could not bring himself to
refuse the man and his request, even if he had not had
the full support of the council. The people were
tired, weary and in need of some semblance of the life
that they use to have.  Adama had seen no harm that
could have came from holding the celebration, only the
good that it would do the population.  Give them
respite from the struggles of daily living.
But now, seeing all of the food that was here along
with the abundance of drink, Adama was concerned that
maybe this would be fuel to the fire of discontentment
that was smoldering within the ships of the fleet.
Adama had gone to his children with his worries and
concerns.  Apollo and Athena had listened to his
concerns, but had not agreed with them.  They felt
that holding the celebration was showing the people
that they were not totally under the stringency of
military law.  That there was still some room for
religious and personal freedoms.  And the Samhain was
that - a religious holiday to celebrate the Lords of
Kobol and their teachings.  A celebration leading up
to the Caprican New Yahren celebrations.  So with that
in mind, Adama had signed the orders for other
religious groups from the other colonies to have their
own festivities, making sure that all was fair to each
group.
Adama turned slightly in his chair and saw the small
form of Siress Nadia coming towards his table.  She
was Sire Tiernan's assistant in charge of making sure
that everything went according to schedule.  The young
woman had impressed Adama from the start with her
quiet demeanor along with her ability to get this
large event organized and running smoothly.  About the
age that Zac would be now if he had lived, she was a
pretty young woman with long golden brown hair that
she wore in a single braid that fell gently down her
back.  Dressed conservatively in a dark dress that
fell to the floor, she seemed much older than her
years.  Considering who her husband was, Adama was
surprised that she still possessed the lightness of
heart, compassion  and charming manner that she had
displayed to him earlier.
Adama shook his head as he thought of Sire Declan and
the meetings that Adama had with the man in the past.
The man was barely older than Apollo, but acted as
though he was older than Adama himself.  A cold,
calculating man who wanted nothing to do with anything
that might be deemed "manual labor", Adama found
Declan to be almost heartless towards the plight of
his fellow man.  Only concerned in his own creature
comforts, hiding constantly behind his interpretations
as a 'learned man' of the teachings of the Book of the
Word, besides going to the extremes of the Koboliana
religion.  The Commander disliked the cool man and all
that he seemed to stand for.
Adama stood and waited patiently for Nadia to make her
way to his side.  She smiled that charming, shy smile
of hers and Adama felt his heart lift a little.  He
remembered several times he had seen her when she was
but a young girl in the company of her parents as some
event that they had all attended for one thing or
another back on Caprica.  She had been a charming
child then and now she had grown into a lovely young
woman.  Such a waste.  Adama fleetingly remember the
saying that he always told his children - that love
was blind.  But the aging commander wondered to
himself if the sealing between Nadia and Declan was
one of love or one of convenience.  Adama remembered
Nadia's father as a man who never passed an
opportunity to further his own ambitions.  But to sell
or trade his own daughter into a marriage of
convenience?  The thought was inconceivable to the
paternal side of Adama.
Adama was unsure if her father would have done that to
his only daughter but how often in the past had Adama
misread a person? Underestimated what they were
capable of?  And how many times had that mistake been
costly?  Now Adama did not underestimate anyone's
abilities or motives for actions.  He was suspicious
until he was proven otherwise and that had been a wise
course of action since the destruction.  Adama found
that sometimes even his own children, who questioned
people's motives when the situation seemed to warrant
it were themselves sometimes too trusting. But they
were young and still learning.  Adama had lived a long
life and had learned much during that life.  Some of
his lessons were driven home in a way that Adama
wished could have been less emotionally trying.  But
they were lessons well learned.
As Adama took Nadia's hand in his, he felt a coldness
in her fingers, a slight shaking as he enveloped her
small hand in the warmth of his.  Adama wondered why?
Was she nervous about something?  Or upset? Looking at
her face and into her dark hazel eyes, the astute
commander could see nothing that on her outward
appearance would belie anything bothering the young
woman.  But still.  There was something...  Something
he just was not sure he could put his finger on.
"Commander," Nadia said quietly  "how wonderful of you
to agree to open the Samhain festivities and preside
over the celebration."
Adama could not help himself as he smiled charmingly
at the young woman, hoping to alleviate whatever might
be bothering her.
"Well it is an honor that you chose me, out of all the
people that could have been selected."  Adama said
graciously, as he started to lead her away from the
others at the table.  "And were more deserving of the
honor than I am."
"Commander,"  Nadia admonished, "how could you not
believe that you are very deserving of the honor?
You, who have led us in our journey and away from
death and destruction?  You are richly deserving of
more than any one person or even group of people can
give to you.  Now come, it is time for us to open the
celebration.  Three days of events making the opening
of the Samhain festival a memorable occasion."  Nadia
smiled brightly as she and the Commander walked
towards a group of men in the center of the room.
Adama kept his face pleasant as he recognized the
portly form of Sire Tierman, his round face looked
concerned as he listened to the whispered words of one
of the men beside him.  Adama recognized the man as
Sire Fintain, a small, reed thin, nervous-looking man
who always seemed worried about someone or something.
He was a pessimist from the word go, and Adama felt
that no matter how bright and festive the occasion,
Fintain always found something to worry about.
Adama steeled himself as he approached the group of
men, preparing himself to withstand time in their
company.  Adama had never had time for self centered
individuals and this group was no exception.  The only
relief that Adama found was the company of Siress
Nadia and in the presence of Sire Muiris, a man that
Adama had known for many yahrens who he found to be an
honest and straightforward man.
     Muiris was the first person to walk up and greet
Adama, a smile of welcome, for he knew from experience
that Adama did not have the patience for prima-donnas
such as the men at this gathering.
"Adama, how are you?"  Muiris said quietly, his voice
deep and gravely.
Adama clasped arms with his old compatriot.  "Just
fine, Muiris.  And yourself?"
"Just fine.  A Samhain celebration.  The last thing
that I thought that I would ever live to see again,
let alone participate."  Muiris looked around the
room.  "But here it is.  And you are the man selected
to preside over the opening's festivities.  I for one
am glad that you accepted the invitation, Adama.  You
have carried the weight of command of this fleet of
derilect ships since the destruction and I honest have
to say that I have never really seen you out amongst
the people for any rest or recreation. You take your
job a little too seriously, Adama.  But you were
always like that."  Muiris smiled as he clasped
Adama's shoulder,  "I honestly don't expect you to
change now.  But it is a pleasure to see you away from
the bridge taking some time to enjoy an evening out."
Adama nodded in agreement.  "I have to admit it has
been a long time since I have left the Galactica."
"Did you bring your family with you to enjoy the
Samhain?  I remember that you have a son and a
daughter that survived with you?"
Adama nodded.  Time had been a great healer for the
pain of Ila's and Zac's deaths had diminished a lot in
the past nearly 2 yahrens.  He was able to speak about
them, remember them without a lot of the remorse that
he had felt in the past.
"Yes.  My son Apollo and my daughter Athena are here
with me."
"Good!"  Muiris smiled fully.  "Samhain and Candlemass
are holidays meant for family.  I take it they are
enjoying themselves here this evening."
"Yes, they are."  Adama said with some cautious
lightness of tone as the two men walked over to the
rest of the waiting group.  He had never been on real
'friendly' terms with Muiris over the course of the
yahrens, even though they had known each other since
his training in diplomatic studies at the Caprican
University.  They had met many times, been dinner
companions, socialized at the necessary diplomatic,
political and military functions.  Their wives had
served on the same philanthropic committees.  Adama
had never known Muiris to be prone to falseness of
words or to cave in to pressure from others.  He had
character and was always a man who spoke his mind.
Tactfully, of course.  But now this over friendliness
that he was displaying this evening had Adama slightly
on edge.  This was not the Muiris that he had known in
the past and Adama was at a loss as to the reason for
his actions.
Adama noticed that Nadia had moved over to the side of
her husband and was speaking to him softly.  He did
not look to be very happy with what she was saying to
him at that micron, and for that matter, she did not
look to pleased with him.  Adama wondered faintly what
was their disagreement this evening, but decided not
to pry.
"Commander,"  Sire Tierman said happily with a large
smile on his face.  Adama noticed the redness of his
eyes and the unusual brightness of them.  The Sire
even seemed to be a bit unsteady on his feet, but it
was not to the point where people would notice since
most of them were in the same state he was anyway.
Adama had just had too much experience in dealing with
people who were intoxicated.  In their teenage
yahrens, Apollo and Zac had both tried getting past
their father when both had too much Ambrosia to drink
and found that they never quite made it, wondering how
he always knew when no one else seemed to notice.
When they had entered the military, they quickly
discovered why their father could spot when they had
been drinking even just a little alcohol.
Adama inwardly just sighed.  This was a religious
holiday and he for one was going to give it the
respect it was due.
"Sire Tierman, are we ready to open the Samhain
festivities?" Muiris questioned, but with enugh
firmness to make the man seem to snap out of his
drunkenness.
"Of course.  Commander, if you would please step up to
the altar. Fintain, would you signal the chimes to
ring to start the ceremony?"
Fintain nodded, then turned and waved his hand as
Adama stepped up to the altar.  Softly the chimes
started ringing until the room fell into silence.
Adama saw Apollo out of the corner of his eye moving
towards the center of the crowd with Sheba close to
his side.  Starbuck and Cassie were as close as they
could be, but the density of the crowd separated the
two couples slightly.  Adama gazed around the room,
questioningly as he looked for the one person who was
missing from the group.  Athena.
As Adama scanned the crowd, he did not see his dark
haired daughter anywhere in the room.  He wondered
where in the name of Kobol she had disappeared to in
such a short time.   But he wondered if her
disappearance had anything to do with her preoccupied
state she seemed to be in since they arrived here
earlier.  She had seemed to be searching the crowd
herself for someone.  She had not said anything about
some one else joining them at the celebration, but if
Athena was expecting someone or had invited an escort
to join her tonight, then Adama would make sure that
he was welcome.  For Athena's sake.  At this point in
time, all Adama wanted was for his only daughter to be
happy with a man who would love her and care for her.

Adama had worried that neither of his children would
find happiness with someone.  But then Apollo fell in
love with Serina after the holocaust. The young couple
had been very happy until a cylon laser ruined that
happiness.  Then with the depression that Apollo had
fallen into after his wife's death, Adama had feared
that his son would never allow himself to find
happiness and love again.  But then the fleet came
upon Gamorray. Apollo out on patrol with Starbuck was
nearly blasted out of the stars by a woman who could
match him skill for skill.  Sheba said it was the
grace of the Lords that stopped her from blasting
Apollo out of the stars that day. Apollo joked that it
was the fates laughing with glee as they planned to
have this woman torment him for the rest of his days.

Adama smiled to himself as he glanced at Apollo and
Sheba as the chimes continued to ring out.  Sheba
leaned over to Apollo and whispered something in his
ear to which he turned and replied.  The looks that
passed between the two of them was something that
Adama was grateful to see.  He knew that Sheba loved
his son, but that Apollo presently had some difficulty
reciprocating those feelings openly.  The dark haired
captain felt that he was disgracing Serina's memory if
he looked at another woman.  Adama knew how wrong that
line of thinking was, but he also knew that he would
never be able to shake that thinking with all his
fatherly wisdom and advice.  Apollo would have to find
out the truth for himself.
And he had.  Adama had known from the beginning of
their relationship, even though it was as antagonists,
that Apollo and Sheba were meant for each other.  That
their destinies were intertwined.  They fought like
daggits and felines then ever so slowly the gauntlet
of friendship was extended between the two.  Adama
watched with carefully contained optimism as the two
of them formed a friendship that wove itself over time
into the solid binding fabric that it was now.  And
now, nature was taking it's course with those two.
Now if only Athena would find someone to share her
life with.
Adama felt a small shroud of sadness come over him at
the thought of his daughter.  So much like Ila in
personality.  Athena had a warm and giving heart, a
generous nature.  Fiercely protective of those she
loved, Adama had seen her many times defend her
brothers to the bitter end no matter what the cost to
herself.  He had watched her staunchly come to his
defense many times when his detractors were saying
what they felt would turn the people against him.  But
on a romantic level, he had seen Athena turn a cold
shoulder to that part of her life.  Even though she
pushed and prodded her brother back into a
relationship, she herself avoided them like she would
avoid a Pisciean python.
        Adama could not blame Starbuck for turning his
affections away from Athena.  She had brought that on
to herself by her own admission.  Apollo had kept
silent on the subject of his sister and his best
friend, but Athena told the story to her father
herself.  She knew where the blame laid in the end -
on her own shoulders.  Tired of her attitude of hiding
like a wounded carnivore, Apollo had told her
countless times that she needed to get out more.  Meet
other men.  Try her hand at another relationship.
Apollo had even taken his sister over to the Corpius
with him and Sheba one night. Apollo had been worried
when she had quietly disappeared, but figured that she
had just decided to leave like she had done several
times before when he had taken her out with him and
his friends.  Adama knew that Apollo had hope that
maybe, just maybe something had happened that night.
        And all the signs pointed to the fact that
indeed something had. Lately, Athena had seemed
different.  Happier.  She was smiling more than Adama
and Apollo had seen in yahrens.  She had even
requested leave several sectons ago and had been gone
for her complete leave.  In fact, Apollo Had commented
that she had been a few centars late in returning from
her furlong.  Adama had wondered if his son was
concerned or worried, but to his surprise, Apollo had
been grinning like a feline who swallowed the rare
bird.  And that grin was contagious as Adama found
himself hoping that Apollo's speculation about his
sister's late return was true.  Athena deserved
happiness.
        So he hoped that the person she was looking
for was a man that she had met that would make her
happy.  Make her forget the mistakes that she made
with Starbuck and move forward.  Starbuck had moved
on.  Apollo had overcome his own emotional upheavals
and moved on.  Now it was time for Athena to do the
same thing.
        Adama's thoughts were interrupted by the
change in the pealing of the chimes and he knew that
he would have to give his opening speech very soon.
He saw the Revered Elder come up to the altar with his
altar boy who knelt in reverence to the aged wooden
altar then proceeded to light the first candles in the
large display of candles that would burn during
Samhain and Candlemass.  The Revered Elder slowly took
his place behind the structure and began his
invocation to open the Book of the Word.
        Apollo watched from the crowd that had quickly
formed around the altar as his father took his place
behind the symbols of the Koboliana that decorated the
large wooden altar.  He stood respectfully as the
Revered Elder came forward with his altar boy and the
traditional ceremony for opening the Book of the Word
was began.  Apollo had been in this position many
times in the yahrens since his childhood, but this
time there were so many changes.  His mother and
brother were not here to join in the family
festivities.  Their worlds were gone.  They were
living...no wandering in
space searching for a new home.  Serina was not here
for what would have been their second Samhain
celebration since they were sealed.  But for some
reason that Apollo was not sure he quite understood,
the pain did not seem as great as Apollo had thought
it would be when this time came.
        He reached out his hand to the woman at his
side and pulled her to stand in front of him.  Apollo
gathered her to him by wrapping his arms around her
waist and pulling her back against him.  He smelled
the light scent of her perfume mingling with the sweet
scent of her hair which created
a tugging at his very being along with his heart
beating a little faster as he held Sheba close to him.
 He found himself wishing that they could be alone
together very soon in their accommodations for there
were things that he needed to say to her.  Things that
he was slowly coming to realize.
        Love.  He had loved Serina with all his soul
and could never love another.  Or rather so he
thought.  Now here was a woman who burst into his life
in a viper cockpit, ready to blow his astrum out of
the stars.  She has fought with him, argued with him
till they were both willing to throw in the towel just
to have someone win the argument.  She has made him
laugh when he thought he had lost the ability to
laugh.  She has quietly sat with him when he just
wanted some time of silence because the weight of his
thoughts were so heavy.  Never has Sheba been afraid
of his moods or his words.
        Many times she has stood toe to toe with him.
Apollo smiled to himself.  The last time they had a
heated argument, Apollo shut her up the only way he
could think of at that micron - he kissed her.
Soundly.  And as Apollo remembered it, they were both
quiet for a very long time.  So long that when they
finally parted, neither one of them could remember
what they were arguing about.  Sheba called it an
unfair tactic.  Apollo called it sound strategic
maneuvering.  Basically, he blindsided her by doing
something she never expected.  And he won the argument
as far as he was concerned.
        The emotions this woman stirred within him
both scared him and intrigued him.  He knew the moment
she walked into a room.  He knew if there was
something bothering her.  In fact, Apollo knew Sheba
better than he ever knew Serina.  He was still trying
to figure out and understand certain aspects of his
wife when she was killed.  They had met, fell in love
and sealed so quickly that there had not been time to
learn everything about each other.  Many aspects of
Serina had been a mystery to Apollo just as many
aspects of him had been a mystery to her.  Reflecting
back, Apollo looked at that time as something very
precious to him.  The Lords gave him something
wonderful that he never thought he would experience
again and he cherished the memory.  He only wished
they had longer and had taken more time to learn about
each other.
        Like Samhain.  Boxey could not remember ever
attending a Samhain celebration and Apollo had
wondered why.  That was just another part of Serina
that Apollo was never going to find the answer for.
But Apollo was planning to make sure that Boxey
experienced his first Samhain to its fullest.
Tomorrow was the day for the children.  A family time.
 And all of them planned to spend it together.  Even
Starbuck and Cassie, along with Boomer and Dietra.
        Apollo smiled at the remembrance of the
excitement and anticipation that Boxey had displayed
as he had told his son about Samhain.  Sheba had stood
smiling as she had watched Boxey's exuberant reaction
to the news. The young boy had asked her more than
once if she would be there with them and she had kept
replying 'yes' over and over again.  Boxey seemed to
have a million questions for his father, who seemed
immensely relieved when Adama had arrived in the
launch bay so that he could answer Boxey's questions
in his usual calm and quiet manner.
Apollo had found that his patience had been sorely
tested by the excitement of the small boy, and it was
Boxey's high emotions that had Apollo wondering about
Serina's celebration of the Samhain.  Boxey had told
Apollo several times that he had never ever been to a
Samhain celebration but Apollo had thought the boy had
just forgotten like many small children do.  But the
more he thought about it, the more he believed that
his son had never been to a celebration and quietly
wondered why.  But it was a moot question since Serina
was now dead and as far as he knew there were no other
survivors of her family aboard the fleet.
Apollo listened to the chimes as they sang out their
sweet music throughout the room.  People had fallen
silent and were watching expectantly as the Revered
Elder went through the motions of the symbolic
ceremony.  As he carefully bowed to the open Book of
the Word, Apollo silently said a silent prayer heaven
ward, thanking the Lords for blessing his life as they
had - with his family, with his friends and with the
woman that he held in his arms.  His heart beat a
little faster as he closed his eyes as he rested his
head against Sheba's, praying for continued blessings,
and asking the lords to watch over them.
Sheba sighed and closed her eyes as she felt Apollo's
head rest against hers.  She felt safe, secure and
loved as she stood there with him, his arms around
her.  This was what she had dreamed of and hoped for
and now it was coming true.  The chimes were soothing
and lulling her mind into a tranquil state.  Such a
beautiful sound, the light pealing of the bells. This
holiday was so different that what she experience on
Gemon.
On Gemon it was for the most part a holiday for the
adults.  Gifts were exchanged but it seemed that the
whole season was a bit more subdued. Usually the only
people that were at her home during the season were
her mother and herself.  Cain was usually off
commanding his battlestar and his parents had died
before Sheba was born so she had never got to see them
or know them.  Sheba's maternal grandparents use to
come over as often as they could but they only stayed
for dinner and after dinner drinks.  Once every so
many yahrens, her 2 aunts and their families would
join her maternal grandparents.  Sheba always looked
forward to those holidays.  But as her cousins grew
older, her aunts stayed home tending more to each of
their own family's needs.  Her maternal grandparents
passed on when she was 12 yahrens, so the holiday was
left to just Sheba and her mother. When her mother
died 5 yahrens later, then it was just Sheba and her
sporadic visits from her father, until she joined him
on the Pegasus.
The sense of family that Apollo grew up with was
something that Sheba had wished for ever since she was
a very small girl.  To have siblings, a large family
was something that she dreamed of more than she ever
told anyone.  Like Starbuck, she had wanted something
more even though she loved her parents dearly.  Sheba
got a large dose of what it was like to belong to a
close family when Adama accepted Sheba into his family
when her father disappeared at Gamorray.  She watched
the close relationship that Adama had with Apollo and
Athena and in a way seemed jealous of it for it was
something that she had only recently attained with her
own father since she had been stationed on the
Pegasus.  Sheba had seen the caring that the Commander
felt for people who were not members of his family,
but he had came to love and care for them anyway.
Starbuck, Cassie and Boomer.  And Sheba silently
watched the Commander's face alight with love and
caring for his newly acquired grandson - another not
of his own blood, but still someone he loved dearly.

Then as she seemed to find herself wrapped up in some
spell, Sheba found herself falling in love the dark
haired Captain, the man that she swore she would never
even be friends with because of his actions towards
her father at Gamorray.  But she got to see and
understand Apollo more and more.  She became his
friend.  Then she became his companion at dinners,
evenings out with Cassie and Starbuck.  Or even
evenings out by themselves. Then when Apollo
volunteered for that mission to the base star, Sheba
knew without a doubt just what her feelings were for
him.  She was in love with Apollo and she had to tell
him what her feelings were before he left, because she
may never have had another chance.
     Sheba had accused him of having a death wish because
of Serina.  She had told him that he didn't have the
corner on loneliness and she felt that emotion herself
more than she cared to feel it.  Then she had in a
round about way told Apollo that she loved him,
leaning over and kissing him gently on the lips.  When
she had broken the gentle contact between the two of
them, Sheba had felt the confusion he had felt by her
actions, seen it in his expressive green eyes, but she
had also seen something else.  A look that meant that
he had also been grappling with her observation
himself. And she was right in the end.  Two people who
snapped at each other for no reason were trying to
hide their real feelings.
Sheba was snapped out of her reverie by the silence
that filled the room.  The musical chiming of the
bells was gone and the silence that followed surprised
Sheba for the size of the crowd that was in the room.
She watched as the Revered Elder stepped back and
turned to face the men and young woman that stood
silently behind him.  The line did a half bow of
respect to the elderly man who waved his hand in
acknowledgement of their respect.  Sheba watched as
the Revered Elder quietly left the podium and sat down
in a large wooden chair place beside the rise in the
floor.
She was about to question Apollo as to why he was
there and what was happening when Commander Adama
stepped up to the altar.  His eyes seemed to look
around the room over the crowd that was assembled
there.  When his gaze rested on her and Apollo, she
saw a flicker of a smile play over his lips and a
light flicker in his eyes.  Then she saw his gaze
shift to Cassie and Starbuck who were standing not
that far away from them.  She could have swore that
she saw the commander nod his head in approval.
Sheba smiled to herself and then said in a hushed
whisper to Apollo, "Your father seems to approve of
what he sees between us."
Apollo raised his head and smiled at her.  "Would you
think otherwise?"
Sheba searched his expression for something that would
clue her into what was happening tonight between them,
but could find nothing there that would outright say.
She just slightly shook her head and then turned her
attention back to the podium, her mind still confused
and wondering.
Commander Adama quietly looked at the crowd and then
began to speak.
"Over 7 millennia ago, the human race had reached its
lowest point in it's existence.  Sin was rampant
amongst the people.  The tribes were scattered and
distant, intent on non-acceptance of their differences
with each other.  Instead it was felt that death and
destruction were more affable than working together,
accepting their differences and living in peace."
"The Great Creator of all things felt a great sadness
that his children could not live peaceably, so in his
infinite wisdom he sent to his people the Messiah.
Born of a woman of unknown origins, the Messiah grew
and astounded the leaders of the 13 tribes.  So
impressed were they, that they called for the end of
all hostilities and asked the young man to help them
in their journey to find peace.  The Messiah
graciously accepted their request and chose one man
from each of the 13 tribes to learn at his side."
"The leaders thought that the young Messiah would want
to teach men of noble birth, but the Messiah surprised
them by rejecting the young nobles that they brought
before him.  Instead the Messiah went out into the
populace, out with the common people to choose the one
that would learn from him.  The people were amazed
that the Messiah would choose common people to learn
from him.  But in the end, the people saw the wisdom
of the young Messiah's ways.  The 13 young men grew
and evolved into the men that we know on this day as
the Lords of Kobol from the Book of the Word."
"Though their teachings and their guidance, we the
people of the Colonies grew to be what we are today.
Samhain and Candlemass are the holiest of our
religious seasons.  It is a time for reflection on the
past yahren of our lives and think of the new yahren
to come.  It is a time for the celebration of family
and our friendship with others.  It is a time for
renewal, rebirth and rededication to the teachings of
the Lords of Kobol to our people."
The Commander raised his right and said in a voice
that was hushed with its resonance, "May you find joy
and peace as you take the time during this holiest of
seasons to reflect, rededicate and renew yourself to
the teachings of the Lords of Kobol.  May you go into
the New Yahren with a spiritual renewal that will
bless you all through the yahren."
The chimes rang out again 12 times for each of the 12
Lords of Kobol, and Sheba heard a ripple start through
the crowd as all bowed their heads for a centon,
murmuring, "May the Lords of Kobol bless you."  With
that she knew the ceremony was over.  People started
back to the party that was happening before, and the
music started playing again, but Sheba and Apollo
stood there for another few centons, neither wanted to
break the embrace that they were standing in.  But
they knew they were going to have to.
"All right, you two, break it up.  People are going to
think that you might actually like each other."
"Starbuck!"  Cassie admonished him.  "Pay no attention
to him."
"I never do, Cassie."  Apollo said, still holding on
to Sheba to prove his point.  Sheba just giggled and
stood there for a few centons longer, the crowd milled
around them.  Apollo let go of Sheba finally, but kept
a grip in her hand.  "There.  Now are you happy,
Starbuck?"
"There is so much to do here, I don't even know where
to start. Four entertainment areas, food and drink
flowing.  You would almost think we'd died and gone to
heaven."  Starbuck smiled as he held on to Cassie's
hand, his fingers intertwined with hers.
"Well, I for one think we should enjoy it while we
can.  The Commander is heading back to our table and
it looks like dinner is being served."  Cassie looked
at Starbuck.  "And I definitely don't plan on missing
this meal.  Even for you, Starbuck.  It smells
heavenly."
"I know I plan to enjoy it myself."  Sheba agreed with
her friend. "No telling when we'll get to eat like
this again."  Apollo nodded his agreement as they
started over to the table.
The two couples arrived at the table, sitting down
just as the server placed the last of the plates of
food on the table.  Apollo stole a glance at the two
vacant chairs on the left of his father, and was just
about to ask where Athena was when he looked up to
spot her making her way through the crowd with a tall,
light brown haired man in tow.  He could see that her
face was aglow with pleasure as she made her way to
their table.  The young man was laughing about
something as they stopped for a crowd of people that
crossed their paths.
As Apollo looked over at Sheba, he was surprised to
see that for some reason Sheba was just staring at
Athena and her companion as she sat there.  The
expression on her face was one that Apollo was unsure
what to make of.  Shock.  Disbelief.  Apollo was
unsure just what he was seen or the reason why she was
staring at them, but he knew that something was up.
Quickly the look disappeared and one of barely
concealed annoyance came over her features.  Now
Apollo knew that something was definitely wrong.  It
couldn't be Athena that Sheba had that look on her
face for, so it had to be the man that Athena was
with.  But why?
Blissfully, Athena made her way through the crowd,
holding on to Ranen's hand to be sure that she didn't
lose him again.  She was excited and very pleased that
he finally came over to the Samhain celebration since
he was not from Caprica.  Being part Taurian and part
Scorpian, Ranen really didn't celebrate the Samhain
the way that Capricans did.  She knew that when she
invited him to the celebration, that he had hesitated
for a micron before accepting.  Both Tauria and
Scorpia were very reserved in their observations of
the holiday, so for Ranen to come to an outgoing
exuberant celebration was something for him.
Athena though was glad that he attended for another
reason.  He would finally get to meet her father and
her brother out of the military setting.  She knew
that her father would be very courteous to Ranen, but
her over-protective older brother was another matter
entirely.  Apollo would make sure that he found out
all he could about Ranen and the thought of him doing
that bothered Athena.  She really wanted to have a
chance with this man.  In the short time that she had
known Ranen, she felt like she had connected with him
in a way that she had not connected with any other
man. Not even Starbuck.
And that realization surprised her.  She had always
envisioned ever since she was a young girl that she
would grow up, join the colonial service as a warrior
and marry Starbuck, the man of her dreams and
fantasies.  But then her fantasies were ruined with
the destruction of the colonies and her relationship
with Starbuck was a casualty of war.  Since then she
had sunk into a depression and berated herself over
the mistakes she made with Starbuck and the downfall
of their relationship.  He had been more than her
lover, he had also been her friend and she missed that
friendship in the end more than she missed him as a
lover.
Athena realized over time that she had no one to blame
for the ending of their relationship but herself.  She
was the one who pushed him away and into Cassie's
arms.  And she had to understand and come to terms
with the facts.  Not blame Starbuck or Cassie.  She
couldn't even blame Apollo, which she had on many
occasions.  And why not?  He was Starbuck's best
friend.
But now Athena realized how wrong she had been.  And
now she had another chance at a promising
relationship.  It had been by sheer luck that she had
met Ranen over in the Corpius the last time she had
been there with Apollo and Sheba.  That night as she
had many other evenings when she was out with them,
Athena had felt like a third wheel with her brother
and the woman that Athena knew was in love with him.
In as much as Athena knew that her brother was in love
with Sheba, she knew that nothing was going to  happen
between the two of them with her there acting like a
chaperone.  So Athena had taken the opportunity and
melted into the crowd that night, hoping to make it to
the launching bay to catch the next shuttle back to
the Galactica.  Instead, in her haste to make her
escape she plunged right into a lieutenant with a
drink in his hand that he ended up wearing all down
the front of his uniform.
Athena had been so upset about the accident that she
tried to help the young man clean up somewhat, but
proceeded in the end to make things worse.  As she
tried to make amends for her clumsiness, she found
herself drawn to the man before her. and as the night
wore own, Athena found herself falling under a spell
that this man had somehow woven around her.  Athena
ended up missing the shuttle back to the Galactica and
spending the entire evening in the company of Ranen.
Now the two of them laughed about their first meeting
and how their relationship developed afterwards.  And
Athena found herself falling for this man like she had
fallen for no other.  Not even Starbuck.  Ranen only
had to  look at her with his deep hazel eyes which
made her wish that they were someplace private so no
one could disturb them.  She wanted to run her fingers
through his soft light brown hair that seemed to curl
instead of lay straight the way he wanted.  Athena
smiled.  There was a lot of things that she wanted to
do with this man and tonight was the first night of 3
that they had together.
        But first was dinner and spending time with
her family and friends, then she would see what the
night brought.
        Was everyone going to be surprised!

************


     Her dark eyes scanned the exuberant crowd until she
felt the bleakness of the situation come over her.  It
was like she was on a hopeless quest but because of
the latitude of the situation, she had no other choice
at this point.  She had to find her contact and pass
along what she had learned from her source inside so
far.  So that a disaster would hopefully be averted in
time because now the situation was getting quite
dangerous. Disabling a ship was risky business.  You
had to be an expert in explosives considering that the
explosive charges that are set to disable may set off
a chain reaction with all the flammable substances
that are stored and used there.  The result could be
more than a disaster.  It could be catastrophic for
the fleet.  Besides the loss of life, there was no
telling if there were any other ships that could be
damaged beyond the point of any repair.  The ships
were crowded as it was.  The loss of any ship was a
sign of big trouble.
     Her eyes scanned the crowd as she made her way
through the pressing throng of party goers.  How would
she be able to find him in all of this? People were
pressed together so tightly in this room that it would
virtually be an impossible task to find anyone.  Even
the person that you came to the festivities happened
to get separated.  But to find someone that she was
suppose to meet here.  She knew she should have asked
him for a specific location.  Under a light, in a
corner, by a table, somewhere specific and not left to
fate's hand.  Beads of perspiration appeared on her
brow.  The heat emanating from the pressing bodies was
becoming oppressive.  She wished desperately for some
cool, fresh air, but that was like wishing for a
blessed miracle
     She *had* to find him.  There was just no other
choice.  It was imperative with innocent lives hanging
in the balance.  She tried standing on her toes and
seeing if she could see him somehow above the heads of
the crowd.  But as her eyes searched the faces before
her, she did not see the man that she needed to speak
to so urgently.  Frustration was building in her to
the point that she just wanted to scream and shout but
she knew that no one would hear her.  No one would
listen.  And she knew, if they did, then panic would
ensue from the people rushing blindly to the exits
trying desperately to get off the ship.  It would be
almost as devastating as if the explosion happened.
People would be crushed and trampled in the rush to
escape.
     The young woman closed her eyes to try to shut out
the images that suddenly flashed in front of her, and
no matter how hard she tried to wipe them from her
mind, they stayed there -- a constant reminder.
Images of another time, another place.  A place that
had once been a place of happiness and security for
her.  A place that she knew so well.  A beautiful
place of green fields, of big trees, blue skies and
family surrounding her. Good friends and neighbors
that were willing to help you when you needed a hand.
The small town that they lived near - where her family
had been born and lived their lives, where they had
done business for generations. Everything she knew and
loved and thought that her own children, grandchildren
and so on would be born, grow up here and live out
their lives in their small corner of Aries just as she
was doing.
     In one fateful night, in the very early morning
centars of a new day, everything was gone.  All the
security that she had ever known. Everything that
mattered to her.  There was no warning, no sirens, no
clues from the early morning broadcasts on the vid.
Peace was at hand.  After a thousand yahrens of war,
there was finally going to be peace.  It was
everywhere - in the newspapers, on the vid,
proclamations stating that peace was at hand.  Her
grandfather and scoffed at the idea --- peace with
such a hateful race as the cylons.  He couldn't see it
happening.  The cylons hated the humans with every
fiber within their mechanical bodies he had said.
Nothing would ever change that.  They were up to
something, the elderly man had said.  They were
definitely up to something.
     How right he had been.  The raiders came out of the
skies, lasers blasting everything in sight.  Wave
after wave that she thought it would never end.  Her
father, her mother, her sisters and brothers all dead.
 Her aunts and uncles that lived so close to their
farm - well their homes did not exists anymore.  She
along with 2 of her cousins, her grandmother and her
insightful grandfather ran into the woods to escape.
They made their way to town, thinking that they would
be safe there, but they would find that was a false
hope.
     Fear and panic had taken over the minds of the people
in the town. Fires burned around them as the cylons
swooped down from the skies, fining their deadly
lasers at the buildings which contained the population
of her town.  Later she would find out that it was
that way all over Aries, and the rest of the 12
colonies.  Even settlements on distant moons and
outposts were struck.  Memories of the raiders
swooping down and doing strafing runs after the people
that were mindlessly running,  helpless against the
power in the air.  Shooting them down to the ground.
Killing them as they ran, unable to defend themselves.
 Many praying for help from the colonial fleet that
they had been taught from their earliest memories to
trust and have faith in.  But they never came.  Later
she and her family found out that they had been the
first to pay with their lives in the stars above
Aries.
     She tried to suppress the memories of the screams,
the cries of people, injured, dying.  Men, women,
young or old.  Children.  The infants, toddlers, young
children.  The most innocent of lives, crying for
comfort from their mothers, fathers, siblings, family.
 Anyone.  The memories were becoming clearer, louder.
She covered her ears to stop the sounds even though
they were not around her now but memories of a night
that seemed to have happened not that long ago.  She
had to win.  She had to stop remembering.  The doctor
told her.  So she concentrated and found that after a
few centons that the sounds gradually faded away to
nothingness.  She expelled a immense sigh of relief as
she slowly removed her hands from her ears and opened
her eyes, steeling herself to be able to handle the
stares and pitying looks of the people around her.
     To her surprise, the people mingled around her, none
of them seemed to be paying attention to her.  They
laughed and carried on as though they were still on
the worlds that they loved.  Only she knew what was
going to happen this night and she had to pass on that
information to her contact. He had to be here.  Their
compatriot on the inside had risked their life to get
this information to her.  The contact between her and
the informant had been risky with all the people
around them.  Neither one of them knew who was
watching their meeting.  Who was listening.  Who would
turn the tide on them, causing their termination
because of what they knew.  Who they worked for.  Who
was to say that they were still in danger from the
group that planned this hideous crime?  Disrupting the
Samhain festival, endangering many hundreds of lives.
Holding this ship for what still could only be termed
as ransom.  Desperation took hold, but it was coupled
with a renewed determination.
     Where was he?  Dear God in heaven where was he?

******************

     Caleb watched the proceedings happening below him
from the first of the walkways that were suspended
above the crowd below.  The laughter and music drifted
to his ears as he stood there.  His heart weighted a
heavy burden as he hated the thought of how the
evening would end for these people tonight.  And in
truth, he hated being a part of it.  But he could not
just up and walk away from the situation no matter
what his feelings were.  It would not be tolerated.
He knew that he would not get far.  No one just
'left.'  But as far as Caleb was concerned, Givon was
crazy and the others were following the self centered
scorpian down the path to their own doom and
destruction. Caleb was not going to join them.
Caleb's thoughts turned to another member of the
group, one who invaded his thoughts with much
frequency these days. He was not going to let Amadika
follow Givon to her doom either.
     Caleb tried to steer his thoughts away from the
beautiful dark skinned woman.  Her skin reminded him
of the finest gemonese Kakao, a soft light brown that
seemed to glow with a light all its own.  Velvety  to
the touch, and if Caleb got up close to her, he could
smell the gentle scent of flowers, just like the ones
that his mother grew in her flower gardens back home.
Caleb could remember that scent on the breeze when he
was a child, coming through his bedroom window as he
would lay down for bedtime and the security he derived
from that scent.  He remembered during the summer and
early fall seasons, how his mother would fill the
house with bouquets those flowers, humming softly to
herself as she arranged them in their vases.  His
father never minded the light blooms sitting in the
living area of their home for he knew that his wife
loved her garden.  If it made her happy, then he was
happy.
     Caleb's thoughts turned as he thought about his
parents, remembering the happy times of his childhood.
 He remembered how much his parents loved each other,
were devoted to one another.  As a child, their love
seemed to grow every day and it was enough to
encompass him and his siblings.  He remembered
commenting to his brother one time that he hoped that
he could find the love and happiness that their
parents shared when he grew older. Now that he was an
adult, Caleb wondered if that happiness was something
that was ever going to find him.  His parents were
dead, his siblings gone and amongst the fleet of
survivors, Caleb had never found a woman that he felt
he could love for the rest of his days.
     Until he joined Givon's movement and met the elusive
Amadika.  Her quiet demeanor had caught his curiosity
as quickly as her beauty had caught his eye, but her
aloofness made him take a step back.  He had noticed
for quite a while that she set herself apart from the
others, being cordial but not acting like she wanted
to be the best of friends with any of them.
Unfortunately, Caleb noticed quickly that she had not
escaped Givon's notice either, but fortunately for
Caleb, even thought Givon had made several advances
towards her, Amadika never seemed interested in giving
him the time of day.  Caleb thanked his lucky starts
that as far as Amadika was concerned, Givon was the
leader of the group and that was all he would ever be
to her no matter what the scorpian felt for her.
     But now Charis was another matter completely.  The
tawny blonde haired woman was not blind to Amadika's
obvious charms and she was also very aware of Givon's
roving eye and sexual prowess with the ladies.  She
knew that there had been many women in Givon's favor
before her and that there would be countless others
after her as well, but she was determined that her
duration would be as long as possible.  And it seemed
to Caleb that Charis was also very discreetly looking
for a replacement for Givon.  Well, Caleb mused, she
had no choice but to be as discreet as possible if she
wanted to live for very long.  Givon's belief that he
should not limit himself to just one woman was fine in
his mind, but his warped sense of morality made it
unthinkable that any woman would want to be with more
than one man. Especially if that woman was his for the
centon.  Turnabout was not fair play in the olive
skinned scorpian's way of thinking.
     Caleb was as aware of Charis' hatred of Amadika and
her distrust of the woman who she considered a rival
as everyone else in the group.  Charis had pointed out
when they were deciding if they would admit Amadika to
the group that not much could be found out about her.
No matter who they questioned on her ship of origin,
people did not seem to know much, if anything about
her.  She stayed to herself, but would assist someone
who needed a hand.  Her work assignment praised her
dedication to her job, but did not know much about her
otherwise.  And when Givon had ordered a background
check from the personnel computer, the information in
that report had also been a bit sparse.  Charis had
debated and argued the facts for over a centar before
Givon had slammed his fist on the table and shouted
that that was enough.  Caleb had not been the least
bit surprised when Givon had decided to admit Amadika,
but Charis had looked as though she had been shot with
a laser with the stunned expression that came across
her features.
     And from that point on, Charis had seemed to make it
her purpose in life to find out all she could about
the woman that she considered a threat to her status.
Caleb had watched her with idle curiosity, but had
decided early on not to interfere.  Anyone with eyes
could see that Amadika could more that easily take
care of herself.  And Charis had also found that out,
abet the hard way, but she had found out.  All the
while Amadika continued to remain courteous to the
angry woman, but the bitter and hateful Charis was not
reciprocating the courtesy.  Charis was carefully
being shunned by the others because of her attitude.
Caleb could remember when Charis was a totally
different person - warm, full of laughter, very
understanding with her fellow members.  But that all
changed the more and more she came under Givon's spell
and then became his lover.  It was sad to see for
Caleb truly missed the old Charis.
     Honestly though, Caleb was fascinated by the woman
that Charis hated so much.  Intrigued.  Found that he
felt his heart beat a bit faster when anyone mention
Amadika's name or when she just happened to enter a
room. Wished that the lovely woman with the large dark
eyes was around when she was not in the room close to
him.  Lords, he thought to himself, I really have it
bad for her.  He smirked as he considered the very
real and present possibility that his feelings were
being also being reciprocated by the woman in
question.  True it was more than likely only a very
tiny seed within Amadika, but that seed might be
starting germination.   Caleb hoped it was not his
imagination that she seemed to share a possible
interest in him.  He thought that he had caught her on
several occasions glancing at him, a certain look in
her dark eyes, but he never said anything to her and
she never made a move towards him.  His curiosity was
about to go into overdrive concerning the mysterious
woman of his dreams when he heard a sound beside him.
A server had dropped a tray and was bending over to
pick up the shards of glass that were littered on the
floor of the walkway.
Caleb was further shaken out of his reflections when
he caught sight of someone he had hoped would not be
at the celebration tonight.  Commander Adama.  There
he was, the great man himself, walking through the
crowds of people.  No military security with him, no
council security even.  The great man actually off of
the battlestar that he commanded walking unguarded
amongst the people?  Then Caleb shook his head as he
noticed the people walking close behind towards the
table that the Commanders stopped and sat down at.  He
recognized the Commander's son, Captain Apollo.  He
had seen pictures of the Commander's offspring many
times in the course of his association with Givon.  It
would be hard to miss either one of them or not
recognize them at an event but he was unsure of the
lovely young woman at the Captain's side.  Definitely
not his sibling, but for some reason, she seemed
familiar although Caleb was not sure where he had seen
her before or where he knew her from.
     Caleb could not mistake the dark blond-haired man
with the striking blonde woman close to his side.  Lt.
Starbuck.  Wingmate of the Commander's son and
daredevil hero to the fleet.  Another colonial warrior
to have to contend with if the time came.  No wonder
the Commander did not have an escort or a special
guard.  He had two of the best warriors in the fleet
at his side.  Caleb's eyes glanced over the women
again, but he dismissed them. They were not important
right now.  He watched silently as they sat down at
the table, a server coming over and filling their
glasses with ambrosia. That was something Caleb missed
from the colonies.  Good ambrosia.  It had been a long
time.  And the smells of the food drifting through the
air were making his stomach rumble and his mouth
water.  Caleb was very tempted to leave his post and
indulge in the offerings below.
     He glanced over to one of the tables heavily laden
with food and saw the unmistakable form of Beval
standing beside Givon.  The large dark skinned man was
scanning the crowd, for who Caleb didn't know, but he
knew that if he left his post now, there would be
hades to pay later.  He had been with the group long
enough to know that.  Caleb sighed in resignation at
that fact and went back to watching the crowd below
him, his stomach gently rumbling within..
     "Are you hungry?"  a soft voice beside him said
quietly.
     Caleb turned and was surprised to see the object of
his most inter most fantasies standing there beside
him, in her small hand was a plateful of delicacies
from the party below.
     "Ah, yes I am."  Caleb reached out and took the plate
that she held out to him from her.  "Thank you."
     Amadika seemed to shake off his thanks.  "I hadn't
seen you leave this skyway since you were posted up
here, so I knew that you had not had time to eat
anything."  She looked down at where Givon was
standing talking to Beval, then nodded at the two men.
 "And I know how Givon would react if you even tried
to leave here, so I thought I would bring you up a
plate.  I hope you like what I selected."
     Caleb nodded as he stuffed one of the lightly browned
pastries in his mouth.  After a few microns he
replied, "Everything is perfect.  Did you get to eat?"
     "A while ago."  Amadika looked over to where
Commander Adama was sitting with members of his
family.  She took a mental note of who he had with him
at his table.  They were people that she had fully
expected to be there.  The Commander's son and the
woman that she had heard rumors that he was involved
with.  The Captain's friend and wingmate, Lt. Starbuck
along with the med tech that he had been linked to
over the past couple of yahrens.  She did not see the
Commander's daughter, even though Amadika would have
sworn that she saw the woman earlier, the thought
filtering across her mind as to where she had
disappeared to.
     Amadika was getting very nervous at the situation
that was developing, but she knew that she had to
suppress that nervousness before it began to interfere
with what she had to do.  She wasn't sure what she
should do about the situation now, but she had a very
nagging feeling that something was going to go very
wrong with the plan that Givon had devised. Plus
considering the fact that he chose two bumbling fools
to set the charges made her even more antsy.  What if
someone caught them while they were setting the
charges?  What if they used too much explosive, or for
that matter too little?  What if something went wrong?
 This ship was battle scarred by the several yahrens
in space and the cylon attacks.  No place to stop and
properly repair these vessels the way that they should
be left room for haphazard repair techniques with
parts that were substandard or recycled from other
vessels that had been scrapped and cannibalized before
they left the colonies.  The situation was inviting
disaster.
     Amadika stole a glance at the blonde-haired man
beside her.  Caleb. She fleetingly wondered why a man
such as him was with a group like this?  A group that
was bent on using terrorist tactics to get what they
wanted?  He did not seem to belong here with Givon and
his band of followers.  He had a conscious.  He had
morals and beliefs.  He injected a sometimes heated
voice of reason into a situation, which unfortunately
for Givon, the scorpian chose to ignore more times
than not.  Amadika had to agree with Caleb's arguments
that this plan was foolhardy.  She had seen Commander
Adama in action both here within the fleet and back on
the colonies.  She knew that the man was not going to
give into terrorist tactics and games.  That Adama did
not negotiate well when his back was against the wall.
 He would take a hard line with Givon which would only
incense the self proclaimed prince even more.
     Givon.  Amadika looked over the crowd and finally
found the person she was looking for.  Givon, self
proclaimed prince and definite egomaniac fanatic.
Amadika kept her face stoic so that she would not give
away the intense disgust that she felt for the man.
She knew that he lusted after her, desired her and
planned on making her his next conquest until another
came along that captured his fancy but she wanted
nothing to do with him. Unfortunately the man did not
know the meaning of the word 'no' so he persisted in
his pursuit of her which forced her to keep turning
him down. Amadika knew that he was becoming more
determined in his pursuit the more that she spurned
his affections.  Another detail that Amadika was aware
of was that Charis had Amadika in her sights.  If she
was not careful, Charis could cause problems that
Amadika did not need right now.  But in as much as
Amadika could not get Givon to understand the meaning
of 'no,'  Charis could not understand that Amadika did
not want or desire Givon.  The tawny blonde-haired
woman thought that Amadika was putting on a ruse to
throw Charis off the track besides make the lusting
scorpian want her more.  Nothing could be further from
the truth!
     Amadika felt a shutter go down her body as Givon, who
must have sensed her watching him, looked up straight
at her.  A half smile came to his lips and a predatory
gleam came to his eyes.  He must have thought that it
was alluring or sensual to her, but it only repulsed
her filling her with intense disgust for the
overbearing man.  Amadika stood up and turned her
attention back to Caleb, who stood there, watching the
crowd, slowly eating the food that she had brought
him.  The differences between the two men were like
night and day.  Caleb struck Amadika as being a man of
many different layers.  If she would peel away one,
then she would find something about him that he did
not want known to the rest of the world.  She knew
that he was intelligent and well educated, that he had
a sense of humor that she found very unique.  A
sensitivity and a kindness that made her wonder just
why he was here, plotting to injure, possibly kill
many innocent people.
     "Is everything set and ready?"  Caleb asked as he
finished off another one of the pastries on his plate.

     Amadika blinked in surprise at being caught staring
at him, lost in her thoughts.  She quickly recovered
her composure and looked impassive.
     "Everything is set."  She glanced at her chronometer,
then back to Caleb, who was eating another pastry.
"Another 45 centons and the show will begin."
     Caleb looked over the railing at Givon, who had
turned his attention back to Beval.
     "Our fearless leader looks calm, cool and collected.
Not much like he is concerned about anything but the
temperature of his ambrosia."
     Amadika decided to venture into a questioning mode
with Caleb, hoping that the handsome man would answer
her honestly since he was not near any of the others
of the group, none of which she trusted.
     "Do you think this plan has any chance of success?"
Amadika looked straight into the now cautious eyes of
Caleb, who seemed for a micron surprised at her
question, but also leery of answering it honestly.  "I
want the truth, Caleb.  I have my own doubts.  There
are too many factors that can come into play here."
     Caleb sighed.  "Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one
who is a little shaky about this plan,"  he replied
tentatively, trying to feel out just what this woman
was up to.  He was very unsure if he should be so bold
to discuss his disagreement with the plan that Givon
had devised, but he was letting his feelings for this
woman before him rule his head.  And even though Caleb
knew that could be a dangerous move, he still had to
be sure. He guessed that he would have to pay the
consequences if he was wrong about her.
     Amadika could hear the caution in his voice as he
answered her question.  She knew that everything that
was going to happen within the next 45 centons was
going to have to depend on trust being formed between
her and Caleb.  She felt in her gut that this plan was
doomed and the loss of life that could happen was
staggering to her.  Unacceptable.  She did not get
into this organization to kill people.  She got into
it for her own reasons. Reasons that she could not
reveal to anyone, not even the man that stood before
her.  Even though she felt she knew where he stood
regarding things that Givon has done or said, there
were some things that were just too dangerous and
chancy to reveal to anyone.  It was the name of the
game.
     "He's playing with fire, Caleb.  He's taking a big
chance with the lives of these people."  Amadika moved
over to stand close to Caleb. "There's a chance that
this ship could be destroyed.  Are you ready to die
for this cause?  Is it worth your life?"
     Caleb's eyes widened slightly.  "Aren't you just
exaggerating a bit?"  He looked around when he
realized just how loud he was talking. Seeing that no
one was paying any attention, he lowered his voice as
he spoke.  "The charges that are being set are not
strong enough to do that kind of damage to his ship.
Just cripple it."
     "Take a look around Caleb.  Just what kind of shape
this vessel is in.  It really wouldn't take much to
finish it off.  A large charge, a small charge.  A
charge large enough to disable the engines could
possibly set of another chain of events that could
lead to this ship blowing up.  What if there is a
small leak in the engines that no one has discovered
yet?  What if the people that are setting the charges
uses too much explosive?  Are you catching my drift
here?"
     Caleb hesitantly nodded.  He was.  He himself had
thought of the possible scenarios of things that could
go wrong.  He just didn't like the fact that Amadika
was voicing them out loud.  But she was right.  These
vessels were in bad shape.  There was no time in their
escape from the cylons to check every ship for space
worthiness.  They had to pack and run, cut their
losses and get the hell out of the colonies before the
cylons returned with their extermination squads to
finish off the humans that survived the first attack.
So they grabbed what they could, what had survived
intact.  The survivors put into space the lowest of
the low in some cases.  Ships that had not been
pressed into services for some yahrens.  Some were not
even built for long range space travel.  They were
meant only to hop from colony to colony.  Inter
colonial transport.
"So what do we do, Amadika?  What in the name of kobol
do we do?  Warn someone?  Thwart Givon?  You know that
we will be the ones to pay the high price if we do
that."
     "Are you willing to let these people possibly die?
Are our lives worth 2, 3 or 4 of theirs?  Maybe even
more?  People live on this ship, Caleb.  There are
children on this ship, living in the decks below and
above this area.  Elderly men and women.  We are not
just talking of the people in at this celebration.  We
are talking of many, many more if something goes
wrong."
     "So what do you suggest we do, Amadika?"  Givon
disposed of his empty plate and turned to the woman in
front of him.  "Just what do you suggest we do?  Tell
the Commander?  Walk up to his table and say, 'excuse
me Commander Adama, but do you know that this ship has
explosives on it that are to detonate in less than 80
centons?'  Come on Amadika.  And if we go to the
blackshirts, or to the colonial warriors, how are we
going to explain what we know and how we know it
without incriminating ourselves?  I don't want to
spend the rest of my life on the prison barge."
     "Well, we are headed there anyway if we get caught.
Right now its just a plan and no one knows that we are
involved.  We are safe.  But we won't be for long."
Amadika pointed out to Caleb.  "Either we are going to
get taken down for terrorism, or we are going to go
down for multiple termination.  OR we could die
ourselves if something goes wrong.  Which of the three
choices do *you* like, Caleb?  No matter how this
turns out, we are going to the prison barge.  Or
burial in space."
     Caleb made a face of displeasure.  "Neither of them
are really too appealing."
     "You know what I can't figure out, Caleb"
     "What?"
     "Why a man like you is involved with a group like
this?"
     Caleb smiled in amusement.  "I had just been thinking
the same thing about you."
     "If we live through this, I hope you'll tell me the
story."
     "It's not that interesting."
     "You might just be surprised what I find
interesting."
     Caleb wanted to pursue the line that the conversation
was now following, but he knew there was not much
time.  35 centons.  That was all the time they had.
     "All right.  We agree that we both feel something is
going to go wrong.  What do you suggest we do to stop
it?"  Amadika looked thoughtful.  "The only thing that
I can think of is to go down and disarm the charges.
No attention is drawn to us and we stop a potentially
disastrous outcome."
     "You know, Givon will have our heads for this."
     "First he has to figure out that it was us and not
the bumbling of the idiots that he sent to set the
charges.  I think the blame is going to be put on the
shoulders of the those three because it is the easiest
way to find blame.  Givon is not going to be looking
for any complex answers to the failure.  He is going
to want the simplest so he can take out his
retribution on them."
     Caleb smiled.  "I like the way your mind works."
     "Are you in?"  Amadika asked with a twinkle in her
eye.
     Caleb nodded his agreement as he sent a silent prayer
of divine intervention to the powers above.   "I'm
in."  then he muttered quietly under his breath,  "I
just hope that we both live to talk about what we're
doing tomorrow."

*******************


     Athena stopped suddenly behind a cluster of people
who had decided that they were not going to move one
iota but just stay standing right where they were,
blocking the path that Athena was taking to her
family's table.  With her hand firmly grasping
Ranen's, she stood there impatiently looking at the
five people sitting at the table that was really not
that far away, but could have been light yahrens at
that micron.  As she looked at her father, the
euphoria that she had felt just centons before
dissipated quickly and trepidation started working its
way into her heart.  Nervousness came next as she felt
her hands suddenly started to feel damp.  Her heart
started bearing a little faster as she watched Apollo
turn towards Sheba and whisper something to her.
Athena looked then at Starbuck as he poured Cassie a
glass of ambrosia, and she felt her nervousness
increase.
     'Why am I so nervous?' Athena thought to herself as
she tried to get control of her feelings at that
micron.  'I've brought men home to meet my family
before.  Many times before for that matter so why
should this time be any different?'
     She knew the reasons why -- because she had not had a
relationship with any man since her breakup with
Starbuck.  Because of how she reacted to the ending of
that relationship and that because of the intensity of
her reaction, her father and brother were a little
more protective.  A little more cautious about their
acceptance of any man in Athena's life.  She knew that
her brother had strong opinions about any man who
expressed and interest in her.  She had been so
devastated by the ending of a relationship which she
had mistakenly thought would last forever.  That she
would be sealed to this man someday.  And the fact
that Starbuck was still in her life since he  was and
still is Apollo's best friend made the ending of their
romance even harder for her to accept and get over.
She knew that Apollo had been torn - not knowing how
to approach his sister since he was still friends with
her former lover plus understanding Starbuck's side of
the matter.   The hardest fact for Athena to accept
had been the fact that Starbuck had another lady in
his life -- Cassie -- and so soon after the
deterioration of their affair.
     Athena regretted her actions now as she looked back.
She knew that Starbuck felt that their breakup was his
entire fault, just as she was berating herself that
the ending was all her fault.  Now she was finally
coming to terms that they were BOTH at fault.  That it
takes two to make a relationship and two to break one.
 It was hard for Athena to accept the fact that she
was to blame, but now she had to come to terms with
the fact that in reality they were both at fault, not
just one of them.
     Ranen had helped her come to terms with that.  And in
fact, he had encouraged Athena to extend the hand of
friendship to a man who was her friend long before he
became the man that she fell in love with 4 yahrens
ago.
     "A cubit for your thoughts."  The deep quiet voice
whispered in her ear.  Athena smiled and turned to
face Ranen, her eyes bright and shining as she looked
up at the handsome lieutenant.
     "I don't think my thoughts are worth a cubit right
now."  Athena smiled at Ranen.
     Ranen smiled at her, his eyes glittered at they gazed
upon her face.  "They are to me.  In fact they are
worth a lot more than just a cubit."  Ranen looked
deeply into Athena's blue eyes, puzzled by what he saw
there.  "Is everything all right?  Something wrong?"
     Athena shook her head as she turned to face Ranen,
her hand still tightly clasped in his.  "No, nothings
wrong.  I'm just excited, and a little nervous that
you're going to be meeting my father and my brother."
     Ranen smiled indulgently at Athena.  "You seem to
forget, I already know both of them.  Of course not on
a personal basis, but your father is the fleet
commander and the commander of the Galactica.  There
is not a person in this fleet who does not 'know' your
father.  And your brother is my superior officer.
Captain of the Squadrons and I have had many dealings
with him over the yahrens."
     "Well, now you're going to have dealings with them on
a very different level - a personal one.  That is very
different than what you see on the bridge or in the
squadrons."  Athena's tone turned serious because she
wanted this man that she cared a great deal for to
understand what she was saying to him.  She wanted her
father and brother to like him.  To accept him.  But
she knew them very well plus she knew how
overprotective they were of her.  The only thing she
could hope for was that Cassie and Sheba would come to
her assistance.
     "And you don't think I can handle that?  Impress them
with my sincerity?  My charm and my wit?"  Ranen tried
to tease Athena, but no smile came to her face.
     The group in front of her and Ranen finally moved on,
so the people behind the couple began to push forward.
 Athena knew that she was not going to be able to
prepare Ranen for meeting her family, so she tried to
give him some clues.
     "Remember, they are not easily impressed.  Charm and
wit will not turn them around to your side."
     Ranen made a face and shook his head as he began
followed behind Athena.  He could not believe that the
Commander and the Captain were going to be as
difficult as Athena was making them out.  He could see
them being overprotective.  She is the only
daughter/sister, but he really felt that Athena was
going just a little overboard with her concerns.
Maybe she was just nervous about him meeting her
family, feeling that he might be intimidated by them,
but what he felt was totally the opposite.
     He *wanted* to meet the two most important men in
Athena's life.  He wanted to meet them and they to
meet him.  To have an understanding.  'Put your best
foot forward,' as his grandmother use to say.  Ranen
found Athena different than all the other women he had
dated over the yahrens.  There was just something
about her that had attracted him from the start.  His
wingman Janius had laughed and said that it was her
obvious beauty, and if you really wanted to get
technical, her family connections.  Ranen had waved
his hand as if to brush aside his wingman's caustic
comments.  The one thing that Ranen wished he could
wipe away thought was his friend's long clear memory.
Janius had been friends with Ranen since the Academy
on Scorpia.  They had become roommates in their second
yahren, and after some growing pains, they had become
stead-fast friends.
     Ranen just wanted to forget his youthful past with
women and how deplorably he had acted towards many.
There was one though, in particular, that he had never
forgotten and he had wished for the opportunity to
sincerely apologize to her for the stupid things he
had done.  She had been a young woman whom he had met
when she came to the Scorpian Academy from the
Caprican Academy for advanced tactical training.
Young and beautiful, naive and innocent.  Ranen had
been a different person back then but now, as he
reflected back upon that time, he wished he had done
things differently for the feelings that he found
later that he had for that young woman were a poor
consolation in deed.  He had wondered about her over
the yahrens, unsure of what his feelings were for her,
but knowing that he had to set things right with her
some day.
      Ranen's thoughts were interrupted by their
arrival at the Commander's table.  As he came face to
face with the infamous commander. Ranen wondered what
he was going to say to him.  Hopefully his own nerves
that he felt slowly beginning to come to the surface
starting with his knees beginning to knock, would keep
themselves to a minimum.  Ranen wanted to make a
favorable first impression on the man.  After all,
Ranen was trying to begin a relationship with his
daughter.  A woman who had set Ranen on fire from the
first moment he saw her walking across the flight
deck.  A woman who affected him in ways that had only
happened once before, and that was a long time ago, in
another life.
"Father," Athena began as Adama looked up, his eyebrow
raised at the sight of the young man beside his
daughter.  "This is Lt. Ranen and I have invited him
to join us tonight for the festival."
Apollo looked at his sister curiously and then to the
man at her side.  Lt. Ranen.  Apollo could not quite
place him in the warrior contingent, but he knew that
his designation was as a viper pilot, so that brought
him under Apollo's command.  Apollo thought that maybe
he had met him before, but he was unsure where or
when.  He would remember, Apollo was sure of that.
But what bothered Apollo most at that centon was the
stare he had noticed that Sheba was giving the
handsome man at his sister's side.  The expression on
her face was one that Apollo was not sure he cared to
analyze because he was worried about what he might
discover.  The expression was not one of female
interest in a handsome man.  No.  It was evident that
Sheba was very surprised, almost shocked, to see
Ranen, but why?  Did she know him?  And the more
important question in Apollo's mind at the micron --
if she did know him, how well?
Apollo tried to shake off the torrent of thoughts that
were beginning to enter his mind, whirling around.
What he should be concerned with was here and now.
The woman that he was with this evening.  The same
woman that he had very strong and deep feelings for
-- feelings that he had planned to act on tonight.
But Apollo's mind was filled with questions that he
was unsure of the answers - questions that Apollo had
the feeling were concerning the past.  When the
colonies were still in existence.  When life was so
different than it was now.  Apollo looked over at
Sheba again, noticing that she had composed herself as
she turned her attention to the plate of food in front
of her.  Her face looked tense and Apollo reached over
to touch  her hand that she had placed on her lap.  He
was surprised to find her fingers cold and clammy, so
he wrapped her hand in his.
This bothered him a great deal.  Apollo continued to
watch Sheba as she picked at the food on her plate,
not seeming the least bit interested in what was
before her.  She seemed distracted and very tense with
her hand still gripping Apollo's.  The dark haired
captain turned his attention back to his sister and
the man that she brought to their gathering.  He took
a hard look at the man that seemed to be close to
Apollo's own age, wondering about him all the more.
Something about him was greatly disturbing Sheba.
But what?  Who was he to her?  The more questions that
came to Apollo's mind, the more everything bothered
him and the bigger the knot got in his stomach.  He
was more than a little afraid now about the answers to
those questions.
Sheba kept her attention on the food that now held no
interest to her.  Her appetite which was healthy when
she came to this celebration had evaporated and now
the cold knot of tension filled her stomach.  She kept
her head down in a vain attempt to block out the
person that she saw standing there before Adama, with
Athena at his side.  A person she had thought...no
HOPED had died during the destruction.  A man that she
had not seen or heard from in over 12 yahrens.  Ranen.

Shock numbed her mind when she looked up and had seen
his face before her.  A face that she had prayed that
she would never see again in this lifetime.  But here
he was, very much alive and within the fleet.  And
still a warrior.  Sheba wondered how she could have
missed seeing him or hearing his name amongst the
warrior contingent aboard the Galactica.  She knew a
lot of the pilots, but somehow he had avoided her
detection even though she had no idea at thaat micron
what she would have done if she had known he was here.
 Dread was filling her mind as she wondered what his
reaction would be to seeing her again, here amongst
the family of Commander Adama.  She knew that everyone
back in the colonies had thought that the Pegasus had
been destroyed with the rest of the fifth fleet at
Molechey, but here she was and here he was.  Two
people who should never have been together in the
first place.  Anywhere.
But he was here and there was nothing that she could
do about it so she would just have to accept it and
deal with it.  But she didn't want to deal with Ranen.
 She had left all of that behind her when she had
walked away from the situation.  Sheba stole a glance
at Athena's smiling hopeful face and she felt her
heart sink.  This was the happiest that Sheba had ever
seen Apollo's sister in the yahren that they had known
each other.  Athena practically glowed with the inner
happiness that she was feeling, and while Sheba began
to feel guilt about her feelings of hatred towards
Ranen, she was beginning to worry more for her friend.
 Athena had been depressed and introverted for so long
that it was like a breath of fresh air to see the
young woman like this.  Apollo had commented several
times to Sheba that he wished Athena would get over
her feelings regarding Starbuck and get on with her
life.  That there were many other men out there that
would love a chance with his younger sister.
But Sheba knew the obstacles that the interested young
men faced even though she knew that Apollo was not
seeing his sister's point of view.  Sheba had first
hand experience at being a Commander's daughter.  Many
a suitor had ran the other direction when confronted
with the visage of Commander Cain.  Even though
Commander Adama was different in style than Cain,
Sheba still knew that when it came to his offspring,
that she would rather face a raging wild animal than
their  venerable commander.  And Athena was his only
daughter.  Even though Adama was protective of his
son, there was still the fact that Apollo was his son.
 He could take care of himself where fathers seemed to
have a belief that their daughters needed their
father's protection from everything that may hurt them
physically or emotionally.
Sheba fought a war within herself.  Should she say
something to the Commander about the man before them?
Should she say something to Apollo?  But then she
would have to explain to Apollo how she knew what she
knew about Ranen.  With the Commander, Sheba knew that
she would just have to highlight her relationship with
Ranen, where Apollo would demand details. Especially
concerning her animosity towards Ranen.  Honestly
though, Sheba dreaded dredging up the whole affair all
over again.  She would have to explain one of the most
painful and embarrassing times of her life.  Sheba
knew what would happen next - she would have to deal
with Apollo's reactions, one of which would be anger
over the whole thing.
She looked at Ranen again, careful to make certain
that he did not see her staring at him but she had
little to concern herself in that department.  Ranen
was looking nervously at Commander Adama and was
totally focused on the man in front of him.  Looking
intent on making a good impression, Sheba took in that
he actually looked as though he seriously wanted to
make a good impression.  She noted the fact that he
had Athena's hand clasped tightly in his.  Sheba
thought if she looked hard enough she would see little
beads of perspiration on his upper lip indicating his
nervousness.  All of this surprised Sheba a great deal
for the Ranen she remembered was confident to the
point of being almost cocky.  Always cool in any
situation, Sheba could not remember ever seeing him
sweat, even when he was introduced to her father.
Most men would consider passing out but Ranen looked
Cain right in the eye and never flinched.  That had
impressed her father a great deal as it had her.
But what had she known back then?  How could she have
foreseen the way things turned out between the two of
them?  She had been young and naive in many respects
regarding men and relationships.  Now she was working
on building a relationship with Apollo and was happy
with how far they had progressed in the sectars since
she confronted him in the raider.  True, she was
normally a patient person but with Apollo she was
willing to have patience and work on the relationship
between them slowly.  Her mother had always told her
that if you want something to last, then you took your
time with it and built whatever it was the right way.
Another thing that her mother had always told her was
to forgive and forget.  Sheba sighed as she turned her
attention back to her plate.  For Athena's sake Sheba
would be cordial to Ranen, but if she saw anything
that would hurt her friend, Sheba would be the one to
spill all that she knew about him to Apollo.
Curiosity killed the feline, but Starbuck swore that
his curiosity was about the get the better of him and
if he died because of it, oh well.  The man that stood
before him with his hand firmly clasped in Athena's
was someone who had raised Starbuck's curiosity.  Not
just because he was in the company of a woman that
Starbuck had loved and wanted to seal with at one
time.  No.  His curiosity about the man in front of
him was from what he had heard about the man amongst
the pilots.  Starbuck was not always one to sit by and
listen to idle gossip, especially the stuff that
circulated around a battlestar.  He had always laughed
 when he would hear a man complain about how women
were busy gossiping about one person or another.
Starbuck considered men, especially the male pilots,
of being the worse gossips on the ship.
Starbuck never really cared about what they said about
him.  Usually it was fueled by their jealousy of his
skill with either a viper or the ladies.  He never
really listened to the scuttlebutt about Apollo
because he figured that was fueled by the fact that
Apollo was in command of the squadrons plus he was the
Commander's son.  His friend had proven himself time
and again, so usually the gossip was from the newer
pilots that knew nothing about the man they were
serving under.  But Starbuck knew who this man before
them was before Athena had introduced him to them.
Ranen.  Lieutenant.  Viper pilot with some skill since
he had survived this long.  Formerly of the Atlantia.
His wingmate was Janius, the biggest jerk that
Starbuck had ever met in his career, next to a few
others that Starbuck could name off the top of his
head.
     What bothered Starbuck about Ranen was some of the
rumors that he had heard about the man.  Nothing that
could be proven, just scuttle from the pilots for
right now.  Starbuck looked over at Athena's happy
face, which he found was something that he was happy
to see.  Her blue eyes alight with happiness and if
this man was the reason for that look that was on her
face once again, then Starbuck was thankful to Ranen.
But the rumors, and his own questions about the man.
Starbuck was going to double check with Jolly and
Giles when he got back to the Galactica about the
scuttle regarding Ranen.  To make absolutely sure that
Starbuck had the information right before he did or
said anything to the lieutenant.  All he needed was
for Athena to find another reason to be angry with
him.  Sticking his nose into her business was one sure
way of raising her ire.  He had worked too hard on
rebuilding his friendship with his former girlfriend
and definitely was not planning on ruining it now.
Starbuck knew he had to now put on the show of his
life, by keeping his questions and curiosities about
the good lieutenant to himself.  Starbuck watched
carefully as the Commander stood and looked at Ranen,
his own questions about the young man and Athena
reflected on his face but just for a micron.  If
Starbuck did not know the Commander as well as he did,
he would never have seen it.  Starbuck knew Ranen
didn't for the man looked like he was ready to jump
out of his skin as he shuffled for a micron, then
stood straighter as he looked at his Commander.
Starbuck was hoping that the Commander would chew the
little insecta up, but he knew better.  Adama's
greatest strength was in the fact that he could stand
there and size up a person by just looking at them,
observing them.  His eyes were his greatest asset for
it gave him the ability to stop most people in their
tracks with just a look.
"Lieutenant," Adama was surprised to see this young
man in the company of his daughter.  Athena had been
in a shell of her own making since the destruction and
the ending of her relationship with Starbuck.  Now
here she was in the company of a young man.  Well,
maybe there was definite hope that Athena was going to
spread her wings again and venture into another
relationship.   Adama only wished for his daughter's
happiness and had prayed fervently that Athena would
come out of her self-imposed exile from relationships
to try again. From the glow gracing his  daughter's
beautiful face, so much like his Ila's, it  looked as
though his prayers were about to be answered.

(To be continued...


     `Where in the name of all that's holy IS HE?!?!?!'
Her dark eyes continued to scan the increasingly
exuberant crowd.  He was late, so very late.  She had
to get back or she was going to definitely be missed.
That could cause complications that they did not need
right now.  She had worked too hard to get where she
was, and she was not going to have it ruined by
someone who could not be at a meeting point on time!
The aggravation that she felt was beginning to show on
her face, because of the strange look that she was
getting from the couple in front of her.
"Hey, sweetheart," said the man, his voice slurred
from too much drink and celebration.  "Your boyfriend
stand you up?"
"Leave her alone, Mika." said the woman beside him in
her lightly accented voice, her annoyance with her
companion showed clearly on her dark skinned face.
"You have had *too* much to drink tonight, which
causes you to have loose lips and a big mouth.  This
lady does not need to listen to you and your insolent
drunken comments."
"Honey, it's a holiday!  It's a time to celebrate!
What in the name of hades have we had to celebrate
lately, Lani?" the man she called Mika replied
jovially, as he placed his arm around his companion's
waist.
"How about being alive!"  Lani replied irritated.  She
turned her attention to the woman.  "I'm sorry if he's
bothering you.  Not enough food and too much wine at
this party."
"It's okay" she assured the woman called Lani as she
tried to keep her voice upbeat to match the tone of
this party.  This was all she needed!  Where in the
hades was he?  This lateness problem of his was
getting ridiculous now!  She looked at her chronometer
again and felt the apprehension fill the pit of her
stomach like a hard knot that refused to move.
"I just want to have a good time tonight, Lani."
Mika's voice raised as Lani shushed him, her annoyance
with him was growing and slowly turning to anger each
time he opened his mouth.  He dropped his voice to a
mock whisper.  "Here, does this make you happy?  All I
want is for us to have a holiday like we use to have
on Caprica?  Is that too much to ask for?"
"No, Mika, but you were never a drunk and now you are
turning into one.  This is a party and a celebration.
We use to have good times at the parties we attended
in Caprica City, but lately, all you have wanted to do
is drink, and I for one am sick and tired of it."
"Well, I'm sorry.  What more can I do?"  Mika held her
even more tightly to him as she tried to shrug off his
arm and push away.
"Quit drinking.  Go back to being the man you were
before the holocaust."
Mika paused for a moment, his expression and deameanor
changed from that of a drunk, to that of a sober man.
"We have lived through hell and beyond.  How can I go
back to being the same man I was on Caprica after
everything we have gone through?"
"Erika!"  The woman turned her attention away from the
disagreeable couple in front of her, turning to the
sound of the familiar voice, she saw her contact
trying to push through the crowd.
"Looks like you have been found."  Lani tried to smile
brightly, but was clearly disturbed by what Mika had
said.  "Happy holidays to you."
"Same to you."  Erika smiled, hoping some warmth was
there in her voice.  Right now, there was she was
sadly lacking in the holiday spirit that everyone else
seemed to have an abundance of.  She watched as Lani
dragged Mika with her into the crushing crowd, then
started to turn in the direction that her contact was
arriving from.
"Thank the Lords I found you."  The tall man broke
through the throng to reach her, reaching out and
grabbing her arm to finish turning her towards him.
This crowd was more than even he expected for this
holiday celebration and it didn`t help that the
shuttle he came here on was standing room only.  The
thought crossed his mind fleetingly about the load
capacity of this old derelict, but the anger snapping
in the dark eyes of the woman before him tossed the
thought right out of his mind.
"Where have you been?  You're late!" Erika said
angrily as she looked at the tall, dark blond haired
man that stopped before her.
"Have you seen this crowd???  Have you no idea how
difficult it was to even get on a transport to get
over here?"  The man's voice grew strident as he tried
to keep his voice down.
"Do you realize how many people may die if you don't
get this information out?!  I'm not clear on just how
much time we have, but I am going to guess that it
isn't much.  A couple of centons at the most!"
"A couple of centons?"  the man's expression
registered shock.  "Your message said this was urgent
but not that time was of the essence.  Even though it
would not have changed how long it took me to get
here, they might have been able to send someone else
to make contact with you.  Someone that was here!"
The man turned, trying to quickly compose his racing
thoughts.  This was not good, not good at all.  He
wished that Erika had just giving him a clue,
something, anything to indicate that this was going to
be a race against time, but she didn't.  Now their
backs were against the wall and he could not see any
way out.  Now with all these people here, almost
packing into the small confines of this rust-bucket.
He tried to look over the crowd that was pushing
against him, then turned his attention back to Erika,
his expression composed.  Nothing on his features
showed the panic he felt inside.  There would be time
to give into the panic later, now was a time for
decisive action.  "What have you found out?"
"Our source inside communicated that the leader was
planning on disabling this ship, taking it over and
holding the people here to celebrate the holiday
hostage."
He couldn`t stop the incredulous look that crossed his
features.  "Is he nuts or just plain insane?!  There
is no way that he is going to get his demands met!
Commander Adama."  the man started to say in
disbelief.
".is here!"  Erika pronounced with a flourish.
The man's expression turned to shock.  "WHAT?!?"
"You heard me!  Commander Adama is here.  He is the
guest of honor and just gave the opening prayer of the
festival."  Erika took a breath and continued, her
tone rushed.   "Also here is his son and daughter."
"Oh my Lord!"  the man felt even more shocked than he
felt just a few microns before.  This was beyond
belief.  It was a well known fact that Adama almost
never left the Galactica.  He was a man dedicated to
his duty to the survival and protection of his people.
 Erika's voice broke through his thoughts.
"Yeah, they hit the big one this time.  All this time,
everyone thought that Givon was just an overly
spoiled, pampered, power hungry nut.  Well, he hit the
jackpot this time.  Commander Adama and his children
are here.  Captain Apollo and Lt. Athena.  Also here
is Lt. Starbuck and his companion.  And for just a bit
of topping on the cake, Lt. Sheba, who happens to be
the daughter of the legendary Commander Cain and
various other high ranking members of the Caprican
power hierarchy are here."
The tall man seemed to come out of his shock.  "What's
his plan?"
Erika felt frustration sweep over her.  Banyon did
everything in his power to irritate her and make her
life miserable.  Why they were teamed up together was
beyond her, but the Powers That Be of the agency
seemed to think that the two of them would be able to
complement each other.  The skills that one lacked,
the other had in abundance, but Erika was at the point
that she just wished Banyon would do his job and get
help here and fast.
She took a deep breath, counted silently to 10, then
said in a strident voice.  "Just what I said.  Disable
the ship, make his demands and hope the Commander is
in the mood to negotiate.  If he's not, the Council of
Twelve will all too willingly, and we all know overall
what a bunch of twits they are."
"You've been listening to the boss too long.  He calls
them `The Council of Twits'."
"He's not too far off the mark.  Look, Banyon, you
have to get a message to our superiors.  Then we need
to find Givon and his crew.  They're here somewhere. "
"Like looking for a needle in a haystack."  Banyon's
gaze scanned the surging crowd.
"Well, it's a needle we are going to have to find and
fast.  This could be a recipe for disaster.  This ship
is old, very old and one mistake, one miscalculation
could bring everything down around us.  A lot of
people could die."  Erika looked intently at Banyon.
"I will not let another holocaust happen again.  I
will not let other innocent people die without trying
to stop it."
Banyon stared at her intently.  In the few yahrens he
had known and worked with this woman, she had always
seemed so driven to save the survivors, to make sure
they made it to live another day.  But, she
seemed.different right at this micron.  He couldn't
put his finger on it, but there was *something* not
right.  A thought flashed in his mind.
"You expect something to go wrong.  You are expecting
a disaster."
Erika showed her distaste for the leader with her next
words.  "This is Givon.  He is the most dangerous kind
of a fool.  One who thinks that everything he does
will go exactly as he plans.  This ship is old, older
than the Galactica.  She desperately needs refitted,
repairs, and upgrading and none of it will she receive
anytime soon.  A simple explosion in this old ship
could easily get out of hand and cause a disaster and
we have no place to run to.  People will most
certainly die if this plan goes through.  It is widely
known that Givon is not known to be picky about his
followers nor does he check out their skills or lack
thereof, so yes, I expect a disaster."
Banyon nodded his agreement with her assessment.
"I'll make the report." Banyon replied sternly.  "I'll
also make sure that search teams are sent to the
engine rooms and any other possible target, then I
will be back to help you find Givon."
Erika nodded, then turned to quickly disappear into
the crowd.

***********

     The lightheartedness of the music and the happy sound
of the people's laughter and lighthearted gayety made
Claryise feel as though she had died and gone to
heaven.  The food smelled and tasted like nothing that
she could ever remember in the over 7 yahrens of her
life.  Definitely not at all like the small amount of
rations that her oldest sister Lourdes had to stretch
to feed them in the small cramped space that they
called their quarters.  Her mouth savored the flavors
of the rich, spicy meats and cheeses, creamy puddings
and fresh breads, sweet fruits and vegetables that she
had not tasted in so long.  Claryise even forgot how
she had always stubbornly refused to eat those
vegetables for her parents as she had reached up and
snuck some more of the food off the heavily laden
tables.
As she stuffed the rich, strongly seasoned cheese into
her mouth, she thought to herself, `So this was what
it was like to celebrate the Samhain.'  It was
everything that Natisha said it was.  This was what it
was like to be an adult and get to attend the party
where all you do is laugh and eat.  No wonder her
older sister had look forward to tonight with excited
anticipation, the likes Claryise had not seen in
Lourdes for a long time.  As the young girl sat hidden
under the table greedily consuming her bounty, her
thoughts drifted to the past, when her parents were
alive.  To her life back on Scorpia, before the cylons
came and changed everything.
It was funny, she thought to herself.  She could
barely remember her parents and that bothered her more
than she thought possible.  Even though Claryise still
had her two sisters, plus her grandparents who lived
on another ship apart from them, the memories of her
parents was something that Claryise wished that she
could hold on to, or at least hold on to better than
she was right now.  She was often jealous of the fact
that both of her sisters had clear memories of their
parents while Claryise's memories were foggy and
somewhat distant, although she could remember her
mother more clearly than she could remember her
father.  She didn't understand that either since her
mother was around less than their father was.  At
least she could remember her mother's face where all
her memories of her father, such as his face and the
sound of his voice, were almost gone from her mind.
All Claryise could remember of her father was that he
was very tall and had really dark hair and.something
else.  Claryise thought for a micron as she sat there
stuffing another piece of dark cheese into her mouth.
Ah.his laughter.  She could remember his laughter and
how he seemed to always be laughing, making jokes and
teasing her along with her sisters and brothers until
they would shout at him in frustration.  The sound of
his laughter would make her feel all happy and mushie
inside.  She could remember how his eyes would almost
seem to light up with that laughter.  And.his love of
animals.  He was a trainer of Scorpian Equines, some
of the most beautiful equines in all the 12 colonies,
and her father loved those animals so much.  In truth,
he loved all animals and would tend to them if she or
her siblings would bring an injured animal home to
him, just as he would let them care for a homeless or
unwanted animal until they could find a caring home
for it.
But her mother, her beautiful mother was the person
that Claryise remembered the most about, but for the
life of her could not understand why that was so.
Where her father was around the farm all the time, he
was mainly occupied in training his purebred scorpian
equines for the people who paid him at lot of money to
do just that.  Her mother, on the other hand was not
really around Claryise and her brothers and sisters
all that much.  She always seemed to be working,
either around the house, or out in the barn or at her
job in town.  When she wasn't working, her mother
seemed just too tired to even read them a story, but
for whatever reason, her mother was the one parent
that Claryise could remember most about.  Maybe she
remembered her more clearly because her mother never
could spend the time with Claryise that she wanted.
Lourdes talked about their parents all the time.
Where Lourdes and Tyrene looked more like their
father, Lourdes' told Claryise often about how much
she looked like their mother.  The same reddish brown
hair, the same smile, but Lourdes also said that her
eyes were exactly like their father's.  That same
clear green with some flecks of blue thrown in for
good measure, but Lourdes told her that the blue in
her eyes never showed until she would get angry or
upset.  Claryise stuffed another piece of cheese into
her mouth chewing slowly as she thought about her
parents.  They seemed happy to her, but were they?
With her mother always gone and her father with his
horses, they seemed to be apart more than they were
together.
Claryise tried to think about the times her parents
were together with her siblings, but the memories were
fleeting.  She wanted to keep a hold of everything
that she could, wondering if the time would come where
she wouldn't remember her parents at all.  Claryise
never wanted that to happen because she loved her
parents, no matter what.  She loved them and she knew
that they loved her.  Her mother would tell her when
she came in to tuck Claryise in for the night how much
she loved her and to have sweet dreams.  Claryise
stuck another piece of cheese into her mouth as she
brushed away with the back of her hand the tears that
escaped and rolled down her cheek.  She was not a
crybaby, but she just couldn't help it.  Every time
she thought of her family, she cried.  She even cried
over her younger brother Buryl, who thought that
teasing and tormenting Claryise was the best thing in
the 12 worlds.  She had felt that she hated him and
had told him so, in fact shouted it at him, only
centons before the attack came.
Claryise angrily brushed the sudden rush of tears
falling down her cheeks away with her hand, then
stuffed another piece of cheese into her mouth.  She
hated feeling like this, and she wanted it to go away.
 Maybe that's why wanted to come here so badly.  Maybe
she wanted to forget the sadness that she felt when
she thought of her family that was gone.  She wanted
to be strong, especially for her sister Lourdes.
Her sister didn't know that Claryise heard her crying
at night and that the sound of her crying made
Claryise cry too.  That's why Claryise would not show
any signs of sadness or grief in front of her oldest
sister.  She felt that was the only way to protect
Lourdes from feeling any more pain, crying any tears
over her.  She knew her sister worried more than she
let on -- food was scarce, water was rationed, and
their quarters are small and cramped, but her
grandmother told them repeatedly that they were lucky
they were alive.  They were lucky that they gathered
what possessions survived the attack.
Claryise even grabbed her little feline and hid her in
her possessions to get her aboard the ship.  No one
outside of her, Tyrene, Lourdes and their grandparents
knew she was there.  Kitya didn't eat that much and
she didn't drink that much.  Claryise shared her
rations with her pet, as did her sisters.  They had a
place for Kitya to go to the bathroom and had
fashioned a feline box so that Kitya had a place to
stay hidden when the girls left their quarters, so
Claryise felt that everything was fine.  But she knew
that others would not feel that way.  She had heard
things, things she didn't like, so she kept the secret
of her feline close to her heart.  Not even her best
friend Natisha knew.
Someone bumping the table that she was hiding under
brought Claryise's thoughts back to the party.  She
hoped that Lourdes was having a good time here as she
parted the tablecloth and looked out at the feet that
seemed to be everywhere.  Well, there was no way that
she was going to get out of here and make her way to
any of the other tables, so she sat back and stuffed
another piece of cheese in her mouth.

**********

     Eyes darted across the crowded room taking in all the
people partaking of the abundance of food and drink.
Such a waste, he thought.  Such a terrible waste.
These people, these refugees acting as though nothing
in all of the twelve worlds was wrong.  They acted
like they were still living on Caprica.  In the safety
and security of the colonies.  That there was an
abundance of everything like there was before.  Such
fools.
     He shook his head as he walked amongst the party
goers, frustration and annoyance both being felt at
the heart of his being.  How long had it been?  Over a
yahren.   Nearly two?  Not that long since the end of
the life they all knew, not long at all.  Memories of
the life that they lost flooded his mind as he looked
at the people before him.  Looking for familiar faces
that he knew he would not find.  They were dead.  All
dead.  His friends.  His family.  His beloved Letitia.
 His 2 sons, Dylan and Micha.  His little daughter
Layla.  All dead.  All lost to him.  His farm on
Caprica.  The life that he had built on the
foundations of his ancestors.  All destroyed as though
it had never been.
But it had been.  It had existed.  He had worked so
hard to help build that farm on a more stable business
foundation, to secure it's continued existence for his
children and his grandchildren just as his grandfather
and father had done.  His shoulders sagged slightly
making him seem older than he really was as he made
his way through the crowded throng of partygoers.  Now
it was all gone.  His future was a shambles, what
dismal future he had left.
     His family was gone.  His reason for living was gone.
 Hatred burned in him like a fire in the pit of his
stomach.  He hated this holiday.  He hated it with a
passion.  It was a crock.  A farce.
     He stopped and looked around the crowded room, the
hatred continued welling up in him.  All of this to
celebrate a God...a creator that deserted them.  Left
them to an existence that they were living now.  This
was not life.  This was not any way for them to live.

     His mind thought about death.  What was it like?  He
reached in his pocket and felt the small but effective
plyant square of explosives.  Maybe, just maybe, if he
was lucky, he would soon find out.

*********


********

     The dark haired man slowly walked over to his viewing
portal, stroking his mustache and beard thoughtfully
as he looked over the report that arrived just a few
microns ago.  It was disturbing, very, very
disturbing.  How had they come to this?  To hear about
this proposed settlement idea on the floor of the
Council's chambers was one thing, especially out of
preening fools such as Achmed and Guerin, but to find
out that this idea, plan, fool's dream, whatever, was
not just confined to some idealistic, simple-minded
elected fools was another.  This was sheer insanity!
These men and women were in need of commitment!  They
were dangerous to society, what little society was
left.  There was not a way in the 12 worlds that this
fleet could survive a resettlement at this micron.
Ramses shook his head slowly from side to side as he
read the report further.  Did they completely loose
all sense of reality?  That Count Iblis stirred up
more dissention amongst the survivors than anyone was
fully aware of.  That demi-god planted a small seed of
an idea, which was finding a planet to live on, NOT
finding Earth, along with questioning Commander
Adama's ability to lead the fleet in some addle
brained fools head and now they were paying the price
as these seeds were taking root.  Hades, they were
past taking root, they were growing out of control.
Did these people not realize that there was more to
resettlement than just finding a planet whose
environment was comparable to the colonies?
To settle *anywhere* the Fleet would have to find the
*perfect* system to settle in.  Even if they found the
perfect place tomorrow, there was at least 2 yahrens
of study and research that would have to be done
before all people of the fleet were settled on a new
home planet.  There would have to be lengthy studies
of air, water, planetary atmospheric conditions and
patterns.  Let's not forget, the human race has needs
that have to be met - food, natural resources,
seasonal cycles, weather pattern, animal and plant
life would have to be studied and studied again.
There would be so much to do, just thinking about it
almost boggled Ramses' mind.  What were these
misguided fools thinking of???  Were they even
thinking?  Obviously not!
     Ramses knew that Achmed and Guerin had literally lost
the reasonable and rational portion of their minds
since those two were amongst several of the elected
Council who fell deeply under Count Iblis' spell.
Achmed was the son of a high ranking official on the
Taurquire region of Scorpia.  He was use to having
someone else clean up after him, prepare and take care
of everything for him, while he did just as he
pleased.  Guerin, however was another story.  His
family were farmers and ranchers on Sagittaria.  He
knew what it was to put in a hard days work to be able
to eat and have a home.  Ramses was in the dark as to
where Guerin was coming from with this resettlement
idea.  He only wished he had had more time after the
Council meeting to talk with Guerin alone, away from
Achmed, to get his true insight on this idea and where
he was coming from.  Was he just under Achmed's
influence or was this truly something he believed in?
Still, even to broach this delicate, if not explosive
subject to the Council at this time was sheer
insanity.  Commander Adama had to be commended for
keeping his temper in check with the Council.  Even if
his quest for their sister tribe was not an option, if
they were wandering without any real direction, the
direction that would need to be taken would be that
the survivors would need to find a new place to
settle.  To re-group.  To grow.  Ramses felt the
beginnings of a headache make itself known by the
twinges of pain he felt in his temples.  He knew that
re-settlement was a future goal, whether it be on
Earth or on another planet they encounter in their
travels.  What did the Council, and for that matter,
the population think?  That they were going to wander
around aimlessly in space for yahrens to come?
     But, in truth, Ramses had to admit that he had heard
the rumblings regarding re-settlement for quite a
while, even as far back as since their adventure at
Carillon.  Find a planet or for that matter several
planets, rebuild what the people had in the colonies,
build weapons that can be used against the Cylons,
then strike!  Bring the Cylon Empire to its knees!
Ramses had admitted aloud that he disagreed with that
rhetoric, but what can you tell people who were raised
and lived their whole lives during wartime?  People
who have never known peace and what fortunes it can
bring?  All they have ever known is war, war and more
war.  A thousand yahrens is a hell of a long time to
fight a war with a bunch of machines.  That is all the
Cylons are -- a bunch of sophisticated machines.
There are no more *real* cylons -- they didn't last
the war's duration.
If Ramses alone had to draw a conclusion as to who was
at the forefront of this movement for re-settlement,
he would have had to point his own finger at Achmed
for one, but also at Shek Hassan of Scorpia, who
happened to be Achmed's great-grandfather.
Thankfully, the great-grandson could assess a dire
situation more quickly than his great-grandfather or
neither would have survived the holocaust, even though
Achmed detesting leaving his home world, feeling that
they would have stayed and fought for their homes, for
their freedom.  But when he saw the Cylons marching
through his village, murdering any humans that
survived the initial attack, he grabbed his
grandfather, what remained of his family along with
whatever they could find to bring with them, running
to the evacuation site.  As Achmed had told the tale
to Ramses, he realized then there was no hope, nothing
left of the sophisticated and highly technical
defenses of each colony, nor was there anything left
of even the mighty battlestars that defended their
homes.  The cylons had effectively destroyed them
along with everything else.  So he left, vowing then
to return to reclaim what was theirs.  Ramses had to
give Achmed credit, at least he had listened to the
call to leave.
Unfortunately, Achmed's great grandfather was raised
on the belief that since he was royalty, he should
rule and everyone should bow down to him and his
decisions.  Ramses knew that the Shek was a man who
felt that he should have been elected to the Council
of Twelve and made it's President.  It was well known
around the Council table that the elderly Shek felt
strongly that there was no one with the ability to
lead the people except himself.  Shek Hassan felt that
he was meant to rule all of the survivors of all the
colonies, since he was the senior member of the Yassin
line.  Ramses just felt the old Shek was very narrow
minded.  It seemed that it was convenient for him to
forget that Commander Adama was descended from a very
old and respected bloodline, as well as several other
members of the Council.
     As Ramses read the report further, he was not the bit
surprised by the information contained in this next
section.  The second part of the report was from an
operative who had penetrated inside a very small but
radical re-settlement movement.  This individual's
report was regarding a potentially dangerous situation
that could be devastating to the fleet if it was not
stopped.  Rameses sighed as he read the name of the
leader of the group.  Why was he not surprised?  The
leader was none other than Givon. a Scorpian tribal
prince who just happened to be the nephew to Shek
Hassan.  This was just unbelievable.  No, no, that
wasn`t quite accurate.  He should have expected it,
given what he knew about Givon.
The tired councilor groaned inwardly as he placed the
report on the table beside him, then looked out his
view port at the stars passing by.  Why did he have a
suspicion that it could be Givon.  Who else?  Ramses
knew Givon, not well, but he had met him back on
Scorpia when he was then the first in line for his
father's title and the power that came with it.
Ramses had socialized in the same social circle as
Givon beside attended several diplomatic functions
with his parents where the Scorpian leadership was
also in attendance.  Even then, Ramses had heard
rumors, not proven to be true, but rumors and
rumblings still the same about Givon and his quest -
to be Shek!  He did not want to be the heir to his
father's lands, he wanted to unseat his uncle and have
it all.
     Ramses' gaze moved to the multitude of stars passing
outside of his portal.  At least he never coveted his
father's position, serving on the Marrousea District
High Tribunal.  From a colonial diplomat to a Chief
Overseer of the Virgonian Tribunal.  Ramses never
wanted the stress and burdens his father carried with
his career in the diplomatic corps, then to the
courts, but now as a member of the Council of Twelve,
Ramses himself had the stress and burden in abundance.

     Ramses knew what he needed to do, knew the order that
he needed to give.  He still needed more information
about the overall situation.  This report was 24
centars old.  Hopefully, the situation was not as
critical as the operative was suggesting.  Ramses
could only pray that the decision he was about to make
was the right one.

*****