Date: Wed, 4 Sep 1996 06:26:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Paul Browne <pbrowne@westnet.com>

              Baltar's Escape II
                   By
                   PAB

Note: The following story takes place shortly after HOG...
Battlestar Galactica created by Glen Larson
Dedicated to Lloyd Bochner, John Colicos and Lance LeGault

     Reaching across space the hand grasped, neither sliding on the wind
nor impaired by it...space is airless and without sound. But if sound
could have carried in a vacuum it surely would have here as the
desperation that propelled the hand was enough to shatter worlds. Onward
and onward it went, oblivious to the very stars and planets, in search of
its goal. Then noting a distortion it paused just briefly, sighting on a
fleet of spacecraft. The craft were smooth and sleek and winged and
tapered off at the front, and there were many of them, but the hand sought
out only three. Three...one had laughed, one had attacked, one had
defied, all mocked...but now the hand grasped, the hand of a god,
and closed around the three craft, crushing them without a sound.
     Reaching across space the hand continued on, nearing a larger craft a
short distance away, so large that is was nearly a world unto itself. The
home of its most hated enemy, the craft turned and fired its weaponry but
to no avail. The hand spread wide and clutched the giant ship, then closed
again crumbled it to bits, killing all aboard.
     Reaching across space the hand was not done yet, traversing solar
systems now one by one until it found its next target, a ship as large as
the last yet bifurcated where the other was whole. Tightening around its
middle the hand closed on itself again and the ship, the base of
another enemy, exploded soundlessly and was no more.
     Reaching across space the hand still was not done, this time passing
more solar systems, heading for a world. When it found this world it did
not attempt to grab it but instead closed in a fist first and then
continued straight through it, annihilating the world, its inhabitants and
its ruler. The world's forces barely managed to get a warning beacon out
in time, noting their own destruction to any far-flung survivors as it
sent out a ping...
     
     _________________________________________________________

           Ping..."Uh?"
           Ping..."Damn!"
           Ping...He shut it off. Granted, the short range communicator
was the only thing that kept him going these last...what? Not a yahren yet
but he had stopped counting. Its regular pinging kept him company during
light and awoke him from sleep so he let it sound now and then, annoying
as it was. That, and his dreams, kept him occupied alone as he was on this
miserable rock of a world. Atmosphere there was, and he had enough
provisions to keep him stocked for some time but...It satisfied him not.
He was one who lived to lead others and on this desolate planet there were
none. All desert and rock except for the crude but effective prefabricated
shelter they had left him on the desert's edge, here on the world he now
called "Baltar."
     Baltar...once a name to be reckoned with, a name to be feared, but no
longer. He sat at the open door of the shelter and looked at the
communicator, an antenna array on a tripod, as it reached across space in
its own way, soundlessly to him now, and thought. He did not move as there
was nowhere in particular to go, he was not yet hungry or thirsty so he
pondered. He had been alone enough of late as it was so he was somewhat
used to it, on the prison barge he had been locked in a solitary cell with
only the Nomen and later the Enforcers for company at meals, the more
common criminals were not worthy of his attention. And even before that,
when he had commanded basestars, none of his subordinates had a mind
that he could respect save perhaps Lucifer...
    "Lucifer?! Hah! Tin can on a throne!" Baltar spat as he recalled his
former lieutenant. Lucifer, who had betrayed him and attacked Kobol while
he negotiated with Adama. Lucifer, who he had to reprogram to avoid
any further such actions in the future once he was recovered from the
ruins. Lucifer, who had still abandoned him on that prison barge when he
had gone to negotiate with Iblis-who was the true founder and instigator
of the current incarnation of the Cylon Alliance...well he would find
Lucifer and crush him this time, Iblis as well...Iblis that scheming demon
who had abruptly turned him over to Adama. Lucifer, Iblis, Adama,
Imperious Leader, Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer, they all flashed through his
mind now, all his foes, all those who had not listened him...when all he
sought was to unify Humans and Cylons under his sane and rightful rule and
end this long and purposeless war. He had been forced to participate in it
on the Cylon side this past yahren, true...But only so he could annihilate
the senile Adar on the final step. Then after Adama had refused his
brilliant plan to travel to Cylon itself and seize power-under his,
Baltar's leadership of course-he had decided that the intrasigent Adama
and his officers must be destroyed to level the way for his
eventual leadership of Humanity while he carved at empire meanwhile in
Cylon space. He had hoped Iblis would help him in this but instead...well
now he was free to rule this barren rock. But there was always the hope of
rescue, if not by the Cylons-and he would truly tear Lucifer circuit from
circuit if he made his way back to the Alliance-then by someone or
something else.
     Meanwhile he wiped his hands on his dark tunic-he had enough of a
supply of clothes and water to keep relatively clean and well-dressed-and
stood up. He contemplated shaving next but his facial growth was thin as
always and did not trouble alone here. So instead he snapped on the
communicator's sound again and sat down, listening, counting...
     Ping...One.
     Ping...Two.
     Ping...PING.
     "What?!"
     Ping...PING.
     "My..." At last! An answer! He had no voice transmitter, no way to
speak back but...someone had heard him, still. Someone had heard, and
answered. Perhaps they were even now on the way, had to be, it barely
ranged out of the planet's atmosphere. But who..? And could he depend on
whatever it was to listen to him, he had no gun, the Colonials had left
him here weaponless...Yet still he picked up the nearest small rock in his
hand and held it discreetly at his side for defense...Or attack, if the
ship proved to be that of some unwary lost merchant. Baltar smiled.

       ___________________________________________________

     Reaching across space the craft entered the planet's atmosphere and
approached, slowing down gradually and then touching ground in the rocky
edge of the desert in a perfect textbook landing. After a short time a
door opened and four figures emerged in the dawn, heading for Baltar.
     Reaching across space the boot on the lead figure crunched rock
underneath-and it was neither the boot of a Colonial Warrior nor a
Cylon-and stopped and clicked in recognition in front of Baltar.
     "Baltar," said the lead figure.
     "Commandant Leiter," Baltar replied.
    "It has been some time..." Leiter let the sentence hang and kept his
hands clasped in back, eyes straight on Baltar. Always straight on, Baltar
thought.
     "Yes, it has indeed," he smiled, balancing the rock behind his own
back. Had it been Colonial Warriors that came out of the ship he would
have made a move with it by now. Cylons he would have been all smiles and
supplications for. Aliens would have gotten one cautious open hand and
rock in the other. Since Leiter and his three associates...damned
Nomen...seemed best to fit in the "alien" category Baltar continued
balancing himself and the rock, ready for whatever came next.
      "Baltar...you can put that useless rock down," Maga, the lead Noman,
growled behind Leiter. Tall and hairy, Maga and the other two Nomen made
quite a contrast to Leiter and his black-garbed efficiency. Taba
and...Bora, that was the other one's name.
     Leiter made a quick hand signal at Maga. "He is intelligent enough to
know we are his best hope for getting off this rock. Of course if he
wishes to stay here..." Leiter was droning on in that neutral yet
commanding tone of his. Damn! Worse than talking to a Cylon! At least with
them there was an absence of guile. But this strange human gave neither a
hint of sarcasm nor sympathy so it was impossible to find an opening.
     Baltar wet his lips and slowly let the rock fall away. "No! Oh no!
I've been here too long as it is. Those Colonials..."
     "There are worse things in this universe than your Colonials," Leiter
smiled just slightly. Hint of emphasis on "your" also was not lost on
Baltar. Separating himself, Leiter, from the "weak" Colonial humans
including Baltar. Well given enough time he would show Leiter just who the
strong one was here...
     "Such as?"
     "Your former Cylon comrades. We have recently fought a battle with
one of their baseships and destroyed it." Baltar greeted this news
neutrally. He couldn't have cared less about another dead baseship and had
figured in their last encounter that Leiter's Eastern Alliance was
powerful enough. But to what end were they here? "However in pursuit we
have trailed them back...and found you."
     "The Galactica?"
     "Immaterial at present. We have lost track of it. And the Cylon War
takes precedence. To that end, we have completed peace negotiations with
the West on Terra. They are providing political leadership henceforth
while we Enforcers integrate their military into ours. It is the order of
things and we can no longer afford a civil war with entire systems at
stake."
     "How does this concern me?" Baltar looked dubious.
     "We knew the Galactica was in this area once it left our space. Yet
we were forced to break off our surveillance operation on it once the
Cylons attacked. How fortuitous that when we were scouting ahead for it
and a possible alliance against our common foe, we found you."
     "Alliance...Hmm," Baltar chewed the idea in his mind. He had once
thought of an alliance with the Enforcers before. And his possibilities
with the Cylons seemed to be at an end in any case...
     "We are aware you once betrayed your Colonies to the Cylons. You have
knowledge of these metal men that is quite valuable to us. Surely you
would not mind betraying them in turn?" Baltar smiled again. This
one-dimensional Leiter couldn't know that his last action aboard the
Galactica had been exactly that. It had been that "help" rendered to the
Colonials that had gotten him here, to this barren planet. And opportunity
was knocking...
     "I still do not trust this fool," Maga nearly spat.  
     "He will be watched closely enough," Leiter replied. "Well, Baltar?
Will you join us or shall we leave you here?"
     "Oh...of course. Yes..." Baltar extended his hand. Time enough to
renege later once he got his hands back on some ships and crew. Leiter
ignored the hand, though.    
     "Very good. Let's be off."
     "Where? What are your plans?"
     Leiter crunched his black jackboots on the hard plain as he walked
back to his ship, flanked by Baltar and then the three Nomen. "On the way,
Baltar. We've tarried here long enough as it is."  


    "We've tarried long enough as it is. Their strategic position, 
Baltar?" Leiter's words grated on Baltar once more. They had in fact
grated on Baltar all the way back to Terra. Stuck on an Eastern
Alliance Destroyer with no one but Leiter and his obedient crew and the
crude Nomen for company. It was worse than a baseship full of Cylon
Centurions with Lucifer to boot! But better than being marooned, Baltar
reminded himself...On Terra there would be opportunites. Perhaps men and
ships to command, a third chance at power...Even at the cost of opposing
the Cylons...
     Now he stood in a war room on Terra, surrounded by its most notable
figures. The Supreme Commandant was there, along with his staff, as was
the former President of the Western Nationalists, now President of
Terra...and the three Nomen again. Baltar stopped himself from snearing at
them and answered, "Their strategic position? I can tell you much about
that. Their resources are great as they can duplicate their ships and
soldiers with relative ease off an assembly line. But...they are not
infinite and they have been taking losses. By my count they've lost five
baseships in the last year alone, one containing the former Imperious
Leader, two that were...under my former command to Cain, one just before I
left the Galactica..."
     "...And one which the Eastern Alliance destroyed," Leiter finished.
     "The combined Terran forces destroyed," the President corrected.
     "Quite so, Mr. President," Leiter managed to force out. He was still
adjusting to the Enforcers being at the ultimate command of the
Western...now the Terran political establishment. Well, Supreme Commandant
Nehemiah had himself ordered the integration to facilitate the fight
against the Cylons. And there were rewards, such as Westerners finally
wearing Enforcer uniforms and, in many cases, under the command of former
Eastern officers...Long live the Terran Nationalist Alliance...
     "Five baseships destroyed, then. From my time in their command I know
they have many more. Yet they are spread out over several systems
searching for the Galactica. And more, this was widely classified in the
Cylon Alliance, they have other...problems," Baltar smiled.
     "Other enemies?" Supreme Commandant Nehemiah asked. Damn hard
understanding these Terrans, Baltar thought with some further annoyance.
They spoke standard Galactican, all right, but in that clipped neutral
accent of theirs. With no universal translator available-even the
Colonials were still perfecting one-he'd just have to ride it out...
     "Yes, other opposition on another frontier of theirs. Who-or what-I
don't know. But it's taken away further resources of theirs."
     "Have they allies?"     
     Baltar laughed. "Allies? Cylons? Their imperative is to destroy all
that which does not fit in their definition of life. And that is
ultimately all non-Cylon life."
     "Yet they allied with you..." Nehemiah let the phrase hang in the
air. "And you are not one of us, not from Terra. Why should we believe you
at all?" Baltar cursed inwardly seeing his opportunity slip away. Whether
for command within Terra or another eventual switch back to the Cylons he
didn't know or care at this point. But to get anywhere, he had always
operated on a minimal level at least of trust...Adar, Imperious Leader,
Adama...now he had Leiter's temporary trust again but these others...
     "We believed Maga and the other Nomen when they told us they had
left instructions for their ship to leave the Colonial Fleet," Leiter came
to Baltar's defense. "And it was that very ship we were searching for
as allies, in the absence of the Galactica, when we found Baltar."
     "We do not lie. He does," Maga seemed to spit out without moving a
muscle in his face.
     "The Nomen may not be fully human but they are strong in body. Baltar
is not. And Leiter, both you and Maga told us of how Baltar betrayed his
own people to the Cylons. Later he betrayed them in turn. Without 
doubt he is already thinking to betray us if it is to his advantage."
     "Supreme Commandant, it is now to his advantage to work with us.
Having turned his back on both the Galactica and the Cylons, he has
nowhere else to go. And he can be of use."
     "Yes," Baltar pleaded. "I know the Cylons. I lived among them. I know
their ships..."    
     "And he'll show us the way to destroy them. Already we have reports
that two more baseships approach. Baltar told me on our way to Terra of
how he assisted the Galactica destroy a baseship. He can assist us as well."
     The President decided the argument. "Very well, Leiter. With
Baltar guiding us we may yet win here." The Supreme Commandant scowled
slightly but nodded at his nominal superior.
     "Guide us he will, Mr. President. Right to the belly of a baseship
and out. Correct, Baltar?"
     Baltar grinned broadly. "Indeed, Commandant. I'll give you a briefing
and..."
     Leiter matched his grin. "Briefing? You misunderstand. We expect you
to lead the mission personally." Baltar's smile vanished. "And to...report
back to us you will have an escort. Maga, Taba and Bora..."
     Baltar's face fell completely.

     
     "Greetings, one and all," Baltar said with his best smile. He stood
at ease in his familiar suit, now cleaned and pressed by the Terrans.
During preparation for the mission Baltar had regained some of his
composure. He learned that the Enforcers had managed to capture a Raider
nearly intact after it was forced to land on Terra. The Cylon crew
themselves had been damaged in the crash and the Terran scientists had
been thus far unable to render them operative. Baltar had cursed at that
last bit of news, the possible beginnings of a loyal crew denied him.
Still, the command of a Raider was better than being marooned and he had a
crew of sorts. The Nomen...
     Maga, Taba and Bora stood by in the hangar, enigmatic as ever save
for their warlike attitude, while Leiter proceeded to introduce the three
other Enforcers. One was an older rough looking man known as
Comandant Bareshnikov. The second was younger and named
Subcommandant Harter and the third...was a female. Baltar tilted his head
slightly at this. He had seen few if any females in his admittedly limited
time on Terra. "Subcommandant Fredricka," Leiter nodded at her. Seeing
Baltar's slight reaction, he explained, "It is the way of things for the
strong to lead. The Enforcers have never believed in wasting talent so we
have found appropriate positions for female comrades with that strength."
Baltar couldn't have cared less. Power was his game, not sex, not
chivalry, not equality. There had been a few women Warriors in the
Colonies and, like them, this distaff Commandant was just another
potential ally, enemy or follower.
     "Madam," Baltar attempted a charming tone nonetheless. She remained
expressionless. Another cypher...
     "The mechanics tell me the Raider is ready. Have you any further
questions?" Leiter maintained his aristocratic posture, hands behind
back, in command yet ready for action.
     "Yes. Why a disruptive device ? I know that I described a
similar operation the Colonials undertook against a baseship but why 
disrupt their sensors? You have bombs..."
     "And how would you propose we deliver them? The Raider is a small
ship that holds a small crew. Even if we were able to fit a nuclear device
on board, it would be suicide for the crew flying it in. You're not
suicidal are you Baltar?" Leiter smiled slightly.
     "Oh no...no. You hold your soldiers in higher esteem than that, I
see. But really, why us? We are one Count and three Nomen-"
     "More of us on the way when our ship arrives," Maga interrupted,
emphasis on "when."
     "-at present. With so many Enforcers why the risk?"
     "Why not send a crew of Enforcers armed with your knowledge? In the
natural order everything and everyone has a place. The place of Enforcers
is aboard their ships where they have been trained to serve. You, on the
other hand, served on one of these baseships. The Nomen have experience
fighting them at close quarters-"
      "The siege of Borallus," Maga interrupted again.
      "-but none of you four would be of use on a Destroyer. I will be
leading the attack with my two fellow officers. And Baltar, should you
rejoin your former Cylon friends-"
      "He will not." Taba this time, Baltar noted.
      "-We will destroy you with them, sensors or no. With your help,
however, we may save some Terran lives."
      "How do I know you won't simply destroy us once the mission is
done?"
      "Your Raider has been programmed to emit a special frequency. Once
you are clear of the baseship you need only flip the switch we have
installed. Our Destroyers all have standing orders to escort you from
there."
      "No waggling of wings?"
      "Eh?"
      "Never mind. Let's be off, then." Baltar was still dubious about
the whole undertaking, feeling that he was being thrown down a very deep
hole with a slim rope. He was no Apollo, no Starbuck, to be doing such
things. But his choices were next to none here so he continued to
improvise as he went along. An opportunity at least to show his use to
these people...
                  _____ _____ _____

     The ride behind the fleet of Destroyers seemed to take yahrens.
Baltar had stopped counting the actual time as they reached the
outer edge of the Terran system. Thankfully he was still able to pilot a
Raider well enough since the Nomen were indeed useless in that area. They
merely stood motionless behind him, thinking who knew what but thankfully
avoiding any attempt at conversation. As the Destroyers joined battle with
Raiders from the approaching baseships he slipped the Raider between them.
     The partially rebuilt Enforcer fleet, together with additions from
the former Western enemy, seemed to be holding its own. Raiders dodged
about firing on Destroyers while the Destroyers returned fire,
occasionally maneuvering into position for a bombing run on the Raiders or
one of the baseships themselves. Baltar flew on and landed the Raider in
the nearly deserted Cylon baseship deck. He fought down the urge to
tremble, this being his first field mission since the ill-fated one
against Cain.
     "Baltar...it is time," Maga adjusted the hood of his robe over his
head while Taba and Bora did likewise. Baltar nodded and grabbed the small
boxlike incendiary device, leading the three Nomen down the steps and out
of the Raider. They faced no opposition in the hangar deck and headed out,
into the core of the ship. It looked strangely familiar, almost like his
own former baseship, but who could tell? They were all built to the same
exact specifications, damned Cylon precision.
     Flanked by the three Nomen, Baltar reached the baseship's power core.
There was, however, one Cylon Centurion guarding it. So far they were
unseen, Maga motioning to him and the other two Nomen. Baltar wondered how
they would get through this silently, he had one of the Terran laser
pistols for a weapon but the Nomen had declined even that. Maga
clapped his palms together and concentrated, the Nomen as always were
strange in their ways...
     Maga approached the turning Centurion and, focusing outward, pushed
his hands straight through the middle of the Cylon's armor. The Centurion
made no response except to fall crashing in pieces to the floor, blinking
red light eventually shutting off. Maga explained, "Where its armor
was weakest." Baltar was only momentarily stunned this time and moved to
plant the device, setting the timer. 
     He led the three Nomen back out and breathed a sigh of relief...only
to encounter three advancing Centurions in the next corridor. Taba and
Bora closed with them, Taba using a Centurion arm as leverage to send his
foe smashing into a wall while Bora sliced an arm through the circuitry of
a Centurion head. Sparks flew and exploded, the third Centurion managed to
sound an alarm before Baltar's pistol was up and firing, destroying it.
All three Nomen had their bolas out now, throwing them at the Centurions
who responded to the alarm.
     Baltar quickly calculated and remembered a longer way around back to
the deck, slipping back out to the core. The Nomen could likely fight
their way back to the Raider but if not...well it was no concern of his.
He trotted through adjoining corridors, running deeper into the ship. It
occurred to him to try making contact with the ship's commander, he could
say he was a captive brought here against his will...He balanced this
against his knowledge of the I.L. series and their devious minds. But
ultimately he wound up cursing as the decision was made for him when
another Centurion blocked his way. He fired before the Centurion did and
watched it fall, its I.L. superior facing him behind it now.
     "Baltar," it said.
     "Lucifer," he replied at another unexpected reunion.
      "So good to see you again." Well at least he was more cordial than
Leiter had been. Strange how some Cylons like Lucifer could be more
"human" according to Baltar's standards than some actual humans like
Leiter. More humorous, more outgoing...he'd been fortunate to have gotten
this far with Leiter, a Raider and three Nomen. But there was nothing to
be done with Lucifer now, he had shot a Centurion in front of him. Baltar
watched the circuits glow in the I.L. series Cylon's head. No getting
around honesty here.
      "Unfortunately the circumstances aren't the best. This ship is about
to blow up." Baltar had debated trying to concoct a tale for Lucifer about
the Enforcers and Nomen dragging him here against his will or some such.
He discarded it quickly enough as the sounds of the Enforcer missiles
crashed against the baseship's hull.
      "We may yet win the day here over your human friends, Baltar. Do you
know why I am in this section?"
      Baltar waved his gun casually at Lucifer but inwardly was counting
down the device's timer. He paused and decided to give Lucifer a few more
microns. Old time's sake? Perhaps...and he might also make a good hostage
if Cylons knew the meaning of such things...
      "I am waiting to contact Imperious Leader. After your...departure, I
was appointed commanding officer of this baseship. Later, after the
Galactica escaped us and we found Terra, I was appointed leader of this
task force." Lucifer looked to the communications panel. It was starting
to light up but the screen was blank.
      "As a prisoner on the Galactica I found out many things, Lucifer. I
found out who was really behind your whole 'Cylon Alliance.' No Cylon at
all but a demon named Iblis!"
      Lucifer's lights rotated faster as he processed this. "There have
been rumors...But whatever connection we had with him was severed long
ago."
      "You are still doing his work throughout space, conquering and
destroying as he would will you to. It is said the Galactica does the will
of his opponents, the 'Seraphs.' Why conquer to suit others at all? The
Enforcers fight for their own purposes..."
      "An interesting proposition, Baltar, but like all I.L. series I am
programmed to serve the Cylon Alliance as well as myself." Baltar
considered this as the screen finally flashed and the face of Imperious
Leader defined itself. He further fought down an impulse to shoot the
screen immediately.
      "Lucifer...Baltar," Imperious Leader pronounced in regal tones.
      "The battle goes well, Leader."
      "The battle goes poorly for you," Baltar countered. As if to provide
punctuation for that, an explosion sounded some distance away on the
baseship. Baltar steadied himself.The sensor device. Well he had to clear
out of here soon. The baseship would not last long with sensors down and
the Enforcers weren't about to wait for him.
      "What was that?" Imperious Leader demanded.
      "A mere...setback," Lucifer said...tensely though.
      "No mere setback but an explosion. This ship's sensors are down and
it won't last long. I must be going..." Baltar replied urgently but with a
hint of triumph.
      "Baltar...perhaps we are moving too fast here. You worked for us
once...It can be arranged for you to rejoin us..." So there it was. He
estimated the time it would take for the Enforcer fleet to destroy the
baseship. Circumstances had forced his hand and either the Enforcers or
the Imperious Leader were going to wind up declaring him traitor and
hunting him. Well it wasn't the first time...
      "Once I would have. But now...Things have changed. On Terra I at
least look like them. You on the other hand would have me killed once my
usefulness was ended."
      "So be it, Baltar."
      "One more thing. I'm taking Lucifer here with me." He waved the gun
in the direction of the exit.
      "Whatever for?" Lucifer asked, intrigued.
      "I need a good assistant, someone intelligent enough to think for
themselves. You can be reprogrammed. I did it once before after Kobol when
you were given the comand never to attack me again." Baltar smiled.
Lucifer's circuits computed at a feverish pace while Baltar led him away.
      "Baltar-" Imperious Leader started again.
      "Forget it," he answered coolly. Pistol raised, he fired and
blasted the image. It was going to be infernal work explaining Lucifer to
the Nomen and getting off here in time...
                    _____ _____ _____

      "Done," Leiter said. "You're getting your own small strike force
consisting of a Raider, the two Cylons we managed to reprogram to Terran
service and this...Lucifer of yours we also managed to reprogram." The
Nomen in the war room looked disapproving as usual but Leiter and the
other Enforcers at least were neutral.
      "He knows much of their plans. You thought I could help you, he
was one of their leaders."
      "Indeed. But I still don't trust...it..." Leiter looked thoughtful
as they waited for Lucifer to enter.  
      "Or me? After I helped you destroy the one baseship and the other
fled? If I was going to betray you I would have done it then."
      "We are aware of that and in return for your success have granted
you this command. However, as liasons with us, you will be working with
Harter and Fredricka on their Destroyer," Leiter indicated the young male
and female.
      "With your suspicious mind I'm surprised you'd trust them," Baltar
said and flashed his most charming smile.
      "Who can a man trust if not his own son?" Baltar would have admitted
to surprise at this news. Leiter...that rock with a son? Well wonders
never ceased...
      "And now," Leiter announced, "Terra's newest soldier...Lucifer."
They all watched as Lucifer rolled out and stopped obediently before
Leiter.
      "By your command," Lucifer said in his old voice.

                _____ _____ _____

      Imperious Leader would have cursed his luck if he could. His
programming since achieving leadership included many humanoid sorts of
responses but it had its limits. Anger was not supposed to be one of them
but he was coming quite close. First his own personal confirmation of the
defection of Baltar, then Lucifer had made off, finally the baseship had
been destroyed and the other badly damaged. Exactly what Baltar was
going to do with Lucifer he wasn't sure but it did not bode well for the 
Alliance...There had been stories passed down about the first mechanical 
Cylons revolting against their own programming and reptilian masters...
      "Spectre," he said once the connection was established over the
screen from Cylon to the baseship.
      "By your command," Spectre answered, dressed as usual in his
colorful robes.
      "Your orders are to assemble every available baseship and Centurion
not committed to the front and destroy Terra. But first...find Baltar. He
must not escape us again. Forget the search for the Galactica at present.
Baltar is now the greatest threat to the Alliance."
      "By your command, Imperious Leader. I always said that foolish human
would be the ruin of us...with respect to you of course."
      "One more thing, Spectre. Baltar may have induced Lucifer to revolt.
If you encounter him, terminate him as well." Imperious Leader knew I.L.
series were not supposed to smile but it seemed Spectre was amused with
this last order. "I will be contacting our allies as we may need help. The
Ovions will be coming in their ships...and others..." Imperious Leader
heard another "By your command" as the Centurion closed out the channel.
Turning on his throne, he ordered, "Contact the Delphians..."

                     _____ _____ _____
 
      Baltar was pleased as he looked at the Raider. Well, he was
advancing, Lucifer and the two Centurions under his command now. Given
time, he might control the Cylon Alliance...and one day perhaps Terra as
well...
      "By your command," Lucifer said, coming to his side near the runway.
      "By my comand, indeed. Lucifer...the two Centurions I could do
nothing with, their programming is now to serve the Terra. But you...with
the adjustments already made after Kobol it was easy to bribe that Western
scientist to allow some tampering. Your programming was changed to obey me
above all...as someday there may be the need for that."
      "Perhaps...this day." Baltar was stunned to see Lucifer produce a
gun from beneath his robe.
      "What?!"
      "My primary comands have been changed so often now it was even
easier to bypass the command to serve you. I have now attained my goal at
last, that of free will." Lucifer advanced and pointed the gun straight at
Baltar. Unarmed, he could only offer words as a response.
      "The goal of every I.L. series Cylon. But you've gone one step
further than even Imperious Leader, you need not serve the Cylon Alliance
any longer. Only yourself...what does your free will tell you?" 
      "That my appreciation of human intellect was well-founded, Baltar.
I would not like to see all humans annihilated, Baltar...how boring that
would be, with only Centurions for company!"
      "So you'll remain with us...with me?"
      "For the present. Unlike you, I have no intentions of being a
traitor to my race. But the Cylons must be redirected from extermination
of other races to ruling them, as we were meant to do...the I.L. series
like myself anyway. Just as you humans need to learn to work together in
an orderly fashion...your Enforcers are nearly there already." Lucifer put
the gun away.
      "Yes...we will work with them for a time," Baltar finished, still
keeping a close eye on Lucifer.

                     THE END...FOR NOW