BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION The surviving MAIN characters are IMMORTAL!!! They cannot be killed, but they CAN be temporarily disabled/comatose, if you get my meaning. Crossovers are permitted, but BE CAREFUL!!! Remember that the Galactica cannot ever find Earth so that we can keep adding stories. Also, this takes place 17 yahrens after the original BG series, and of course, ignoring BG80. E-mail me at jchin01@kepler.poly.edu Well, Here we go... #11 There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive, somewhere beyond the heavens. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: THE NEXT GENERATION CELEBRATIONS AND CEREMONIES Written by Joe Chin Based on Battlestar Galactica Created by Glen A. Larson Apollo's Journal The captured basestar is a great addition to the fleet. Over the seventeen yahrens of being in space, most of the people of the fleet are familiar with some kind of ship operations. The reassignment of the various people has somewhat relieved a very small amount of the overcrowding throughout the fleet. Maga of the Borelian Nomen had pointed out that the fight for the basestar has also further relieved a bit of the overcrowding as well. 'These people died honorably, for their people,' pointed out Maga. Still, the cultural differences between us Colonists and the Borelian Nomen. Maga is a Borelian Nomen, but I am a colonist. Fifty two people had died in obtaining that basestar, thirty-three citizens of the Twelve Colonies and nineteen Borelian Nomen. We have not encountered any Cylons since that incident, but I know that they are still stalking us. But at least it gives us time to relax. The Council of Twelve wants to hold a party on the Colonial Basestar Adama, now that it has been fully repaired and is fully operational, and is the new ship of the fleet. They want me and Starbuck to attend, with whoever we want to bring with us. On a more personal note, it has only been a secton, and I found myself missing my wife ever since she left the Galactica to take command of the basestar, in which against my better judgment, the Council of Twelve has named it, The Colonial Basestar Adama. The sound of scraping glass echoed around the sparse room as the doors to the basestar command center turned into Sheba's personal quarters as Sheba entered the darkened room. Clearly, she was exhausted. She just went straight to the bed, and pretty much fell on it on her back. Then she took a deep breath, and exhaled. She got up, turned on the lights, and sat at her desk. She picked up a double-frame, and stared at it. One picture in the double frame was of herself and Apollo, and the other one was of Troy and Hera, with Boxey behind them. Looking around the circular room, the bed and table that she was sitting at was right next to each other, along with a four-drawer dresser. On the top of the dresser, was two sashes full of laser boles. The pedestal with the Cylon commander's throne on top of it was still there in the middle of the room. Other than that, the rest of the room was bare. "This is the bridge," remarked Kritter. He was with Boxey, Toria, Tannia, Mojo, and Valka, and the quintet was off duty, and taking a tour of the basestar. The six exited through the other exit, into a roomful of computer equipment. "Unlike our usual Colonial vessels," he continued, "the bridge is in the middle of the lower hull of the basestar." He signaled towards the right to a doorway, saying, "And this is where the computers for the control center, or the bridge, are. Above us is Colonel Sheba's quarters..." Apollo and Starbuck walked down the hallway, and both entered one of the rooms together. Starbuck pressed a few buttons at one station and Apollo did the same at another. "I really miss Sheba, Starbuck." "I think I know how you feel, Buddy," responded Starbuck. He was throwing switches and pushing buttons at a station. "I mean if Cassiopeia was transferred to the Adama instead of Doctor Joycelyn-" He paused. "Everything here is all set, Pal." "I'm all set here, too." "You know," remarked Apollo, changing the subject as they left the room. "Ever since my father died, I don't get to fly a viper too often, only to get myself from here to there." They both made a U-turn, from one doorway into another. "Neither do I, except when I had to abandon the Olympus. That's one of the things I miss as a Colonel and the Galactica's exec." They both walked over to the simulator vipers in the adjoining room. They climbed into them, and then the cockpits closed. "Just like old times, huh?" remarked Starbuck. "Yeah, Starbuck, just like old times." Cassiopeia sat in her quarters, with the Book of the Word opened up in front of her. Troy, Dillon, Hera and Pandora sat around her. The mechanical daggit, Muffit, also sat at attention on the floor between Troy and Dillon. "Where's my father, Aunt Cassiopeia?" asked Hera. "Yeah, and where's Father?" asked Dillon. "Both of them are in the viper simulators." The questions started pouring in from the four of them. "At this time of the cycle?" "Are they retraining in vipers or something? I thought that it only gets used during the morning for cadets." "Why? They are in command of the Galactica. They send others to go out in vipers." "Retraining? I thought that being in command of the Galactica meant not having to fly a viper again." "Are they in that training room?" "I wanna go watch." "Is Boxey with them?" "Why did my mother have to go away?" The door rang, signaling that someone was outside. "Come in..." said Cassiopeia. Athena walked in. "Just came by to see how you and the children were doing..." "They want to go and watch Apollo and Starbuck in the simulation patrol," pointed out Cassiopeia. "Well, come on... All of you." said Athena. The four children ran out of the room, followed by Cassiopeia. *You're cleared to launch, Boxey and Mojo.* said Aurora's voice. *I hope that you enjoyed your tour.* Two vipers emerged from a launch bay of the green basestar. They both flew in formation, heading for the Galactica. *That basestar is hardly anything but launch bays and landing bays,* remarked Boxey. *That basestar can hold as many as four hundred Cylon fighters,* remarked Mojo. *I wonder if Apollo and Starbuck are correct in saying, 'three-hundred fighters?'* *Well, how many of those Cylon fighters have your people gathered up to turn into the Nomen daggits?* *I believe about two-hundred. But We're not sure how many fighters the basestar managed to launch before we damaged their launch bays.* *That is true.* The two vipers approached the landing bay aboard the Galactica. *Boxey and Mojo requesting landing clearance,* said Boxey. *Clearance to land granted, Boxey and Mojo. Welcome home.* The two vipers simultaneously entered the landing bay, both touching down simultaneously. In the simulation room, Starbuck and Apollo were heading towards an entire squadron of Cylon raiders heading in their direction. The raiders in the front row started firing, and so did Apollo and Starbuck in their 'vipers.' The two 'vipers' managed to evade the Cylon lasers, but some of the Cylons were not so lucky. In the adjoining control room, Athena said, "Watch this," with an evil grin on her face. Starbuck and Apollo were surrounded by the Cylon fighters, and it seemed that they were being forced towards a planet. From the other side of the planet emerged a basestar! "Oooh, that is so cruel, Athena." commented Cassiopeia. The two women, along with the four children were giggling. What they did not realize was that Sheba came over for a visit, and was watching the whole thing, laughing silently to herself. Boxey and Mojo also walked in behind her. *FRAK!* cried Starbuck as he saw the basestar. The two vipers veered away from the basestar, trying to fight their way away from it. However, evasive maneuvers resulted in them getting closer to it. Laser fire from a laser turret on the basestar hit Apollo's viper. *I'm hit, Starbuck!* cried Apollo. He tried steering it, but kept on going straight. *I cannot maneuver this viper. Well, time to pull a Mojo.* He hit the TURBO button on his control stick. Then as he was about to crash into the basestar, he heard Starbuck scream, *FRAK!* The simulation ended. "Want to try again?" asked Starbuck as he climbed out of the simulator viper. "We have a big, long, cycle ahead of us, Starbuck," answered Apollo. "We should probably shut down and try again another time." They both started walking out of the room. "Well Apollo, you haven't really lost your touch." "Well, considering that I had to relaunch when attempting to land on the Olympus because I did not slow down enough when Athena and I were trying to land..." They entered the control room to see the crowd in there. "That was YOUR doing, Athena," accused Starbuck. "Programming that Cylon basestar into the simulation." The three ladies giggled, along with the four children, and Boxey and Mojo. Apollo noticed Sheba. "Could not wait until tomorrow to see me, huh?" "No, I could not," responded Sheba. The two of them walked out of the room. Outside, Apollo said, "I AM glad to see you, Sheba, but..." He paused. "I know, I should be aboard the Adama." "Precisely. It is one thing if I came over to the Adama, because Starbuck has a lot more battlestar command experience than Bojay, and we all know a lot more about a battlestar than about a basestar. But- welcome back, even if it is for a few centons." He gave her a hug. "I think that the REAL reason you're so defensive like this is because you're embarrassed about that simulation." "Well, you know Athena." Apollo gave Sheba a half smile. "I'll tell you what. Why don't Troy and Hera and I go back with you, and spend the night over on the Adama." "But that bed I was issued is very small. Besides, where will the children sleep?" "Uh, we can figure something out." "Well, I would like to have you over, but I don't think that right now would be a great time. Well, I guess I should get back to my ship." It was the beginning of the next cycle. A 'daggit' was heading towards the green basestar. The daggit was a Cylon raider, repainted green, with a third turbo generator and nozzle on the top of the rear end that gives it greater maneuverability. Inside of it, Taba sat on the right hand side, with Maga on the left. The chair behind it was empty. Maga was the actual pilot, and Taba sat in his seat, looking bored. *Chancellor of the Borelian Nomen requesting clearance to land,* said Maga's voice as the fighter approached the green basestar. *Clearance to land granted, Maga,* responded Sheba's voice. *Welcome aboard.* "...Never thought that this could be done," Sire Gaylin said into the microphone in his hand, He was giving a speech. "Even if this basestar belonged to our enemy, namely, the Cylons, I would like to thank Commander Apollo of the Galactica for his leadership in obtaining this vast ship. Apollo? How about a few words?" They were aboard the green basestar. In one of the rooms, many people were seated. In the front row were Tinnia, Solon, Apollo, Sheba, Toria, Boxey, Mojo, Maga, Taba, and an empty chair. Apollo got up and went to the front of the stage, and Gaylin handed him the microphone. "Good job, Commander," said Gaylin as he gave him a pat on the back. Apollo took the mic, and as soon as Gaylin was seated, he spoke. "I don't really deserve the credit for taking over this basestar. It was the Borelian Nomen that made this almost impossible mission a success. I only went with them." From the audience, someone asked, "What possessed you to implement such a daring mission, Commander?" "Well," said Apollo. "We found the basestar hiding," he explained. "Originally, as my father, Commander Adama, had done seventeen yahrens ago, I wanted to destroy it and move on. It was either that, or turn the entire fleet around and go a much longer way. As many of you know, a Borelian Nomen, Ensign Mojo, is one of our Colonial warriors. It was HIS idea, and after insisting that I speak to his father, Chancellor Maga, about it, the mission was a go. It was mostly Chancellor Maga's and his chief assistant's leadership that made this mission a success." Apollo nodded to Maga. "Chancellor? A few words from you?" Maga got up, and he and Apollo 'shook arms' as the microphone changed hands. "It was a glorious day for ALL Borelian Nomen," exclaimed loudly Maga into the microphone. "It gave me great pleasure when Commander Apollo contacted me on the Groof to tell me of what my son had proposed. And it was a great honor to help him..." Gaylin and Tinnia, and everyone sitting around them seemed to be fascinated as Maga droned on. "Bora and Charka took the lower decks; Apollo and I took the upper decks..." Starbuck and Boomer sat in another area. Starbuck said, "He is actually telling a centon-by-centon account of how they TOOK the basestar..." "Yeah, and -I- was left in command of the Galactica," said Boomer. "QUIET!" someone behind them whispered angrily. Finally, Maga was coming to a close. "... And it was an honorable cycle for ALL Nomen, and it was a great gift to give my friend Apollo. It was a wise choice in choosing the commander, his mate, Colonel Sheba... Stories are still told about how she defeated three Borelian Nomen in fair hand-to- hand combat." Sheba, sitting between Apollo and Toria, blushed. "Sheba, as the commander of this battleship..." said Maga. Sheba wanted to crawl under the chair she was in and hide. "... You should have something to say," finished Maga. Apollo and Toria both gave Sheba a small shove off the chair to get her up there. "The Council of Twelve would have been completely against taking that basestar, rendering it too much of a gamble with human and Borelian lives..." said Gaylin, acting President of the Council of Twelve. Gaylin and Tinnia were conversing with Maga and Apollo at the gathering after the speeches. Tinnia cut him off with, "But it was a huge success. We have another ship in the fleet to transfer passengers to, and another battleship to help the Galactica protect the fleet." "Chancellor Maga of the Borelian Nomen was the real person who did the job for us," pointed out Apollo. "As I had said up there," he finished. "Ah, Apollo..." responded Maga. "It was a GLORIOUS battle," he boasted, drowning out all of the ambient room noise of everyone conversing with each other. "We NEEDED a good fight, and taking this basestar WAS that good fight. And it was an honor fighting side-by-side with you." Gaylin argued, "But Chancellor... Fifty people died in that battle." "Fifty TWO people died HONORABLY for their people, Sire. They gave their lives so that ours will be better." "But what would happen if it was you or Commander Apollo? I understand most of those capable of command boarded the basestar. YOU, Chancellor Maga, as leader of the Nomen, you are the one man who holds your people together, who gives strength to your people." "A leader is only as good as his people, Sire," said Maga. "Take Apollo... He is a good Commander. He is resourceful, and very respected, but he is good because of the support of your Colonial warriors and crew." "Yes, and if Commander Apollo had died in that battle..." "Another one would lead. And with the support of the colonial warriors and those who work for him, he would lead honorably." "Speaking about leading," Tinnia broke in, talking to Apollo. "You were nominated to represent the Colony of Caprica, Commander. All you have to do is accept the position as Councillor." "I'm honored, Siress," responded Apollo, showing surprise. "But I am a colonial warrior, not a politician, I'm not my father. I don't do politics. I'm a Colonial warrior. That's what I am." Tinnia answered, "You may not be your father, but he was both, a Colonial warrior AND a politician. There is nothing wrong with being both, Commander. You have more potential than you think. The votes speak for themselves, and you did not even put in a bid for yourself! But- there will be a chair waiting for you if you change your mind." Maga said to Apollo, "The chance for glory has been handed to you, Apollo. All I have to do is..." He reached his hand out in front of him, closed it into a fist, and pulled it back towards himself. "... TAKE IT!" Gaylin said to Maga, "Chancellor, as leader of the Borelian Nomen, a thirteenth position has been opened. As unconventional as it is, the Quorum has offered you a place on the Council, being that there are enough Borelians in the fleet to warrant representation. It would be an honor to have you attend our meetings, and help make decisions for the fleet." "I accept," said Maga. "You should too, Apollo." "I agree with the Chancellor," said Gaylin. "As do I," said Tinnia. "But I am in command of the Galactica, and the entire fleet. And I have two young children to take care of. It may be a bit much for me." "Your father managed it," responded Tinnia. "And he had THREE children. Also, I am in command of the orphan ship with MANY children to take care of, and I manage." "But my father's children were all grown up. I mean, we were no longer dependent on my father doing things for us." "But who takes care of your children while you're on duty? I doubt that they are on the bridge with you while you are on duty, are they?" asked Tinnia. "No. They are in class during that time." Maga's and Gaylin's eyes both went back and forth, almost synchronously, back and forth between looking at Apollo and Tinnia as they kept talking. "And who takes care of the children of the night crew? Do they sleep and go to class while THEIR parents are on duty?" "Other off-duty crew help out." "Well, why can't they help out the man they voted for in that fashion?" Apollo was silent in thought. Sheba, Taba, Boxey, Toria and Mojo were holding their own conversation elsewhere in the room. "And for a few sectons, I was stripped of being a Nomen of the code as well in the past," Taba said. "The lesson that I learned is that you must also know when to act and when not to." "You did?" asked Mojo, surprised. "It was said that it was your first battle as a Nomen, but didn't you, my father, and your father have to fight your way from the Eastern Alliance?" "Our fathers did all the fighting. All I did was distract the guards, and then boarded one of their destroyers and prepared it for launching. And then my father piloted it and your father handled the weaponry as we got away to get back to the fleet. After that, it was practice our combat skills and pray, practice our combat shills and hear stories of glorious battles, and practice our combat skills and maybe a blood hunt here and there. Maga was REALLY tough on us after Sheba..." Taba turned to her, and bowed to her. "... managed to defeat three Borelian Nomen in fair hand-to- hand combat." Sheba said, "I was just lucky." Taba said to her, "Those three Nomen made their errors that gave you your advantage, Colonel. That was what Chancellor Maga had said. Their poor judgment was their defeat. But-" He turned his attention to Mojo. It was obvious that Sheba is a trained fighter. I would have like to try her out." "Taba?!" Mojo looked at his friend with shock. "The Colonials are our allies now." "I know... That's why we're here talking together and drinking together instead of fighting." Taba's face showed fear, a surprising sight for Boxey and Sheba. "If I DID challenge her, your father would make a dangling corpse out of me. He may even make 'cragh' out of me if he heard me say that." "You only SAID it, Taba. You did not DO it. At most, he would challenge YOU. But I won't tell him if you don't." The two Nomen let out belly laughs. Sheba, Boxey, and Toria joined them in their laughter as well. Maga, Apollo, Gaylin, and Tinnia approached them. Sheba said to Maga, "That was one great speech you told, Chancellor Maga." "Please, Sheba, call me 'Maga.' Our houses are great friends, you know." Tinnia looked at Mojo, and said, "Ensign Mojo?" Mojo stiffened, saying, "Yes, Siress?" "Did you really jump in front of that Cylon Centurion to get hit with that laser shot to save Captain Athena?" "Yes, Siress." "He did," said Taba. "Chancellor Maga would not lie about it. Besides, I saw him jump in front of her and getting shot." "Taba..." Maga looked at Taba. "I did, Chancellor. I saw it happen." "How about YOU tell us about YOUR part, Taba?" Apollo was trying to be diplomatic, trying to avoid another conflict between Maga and Taba. "After all, the Chancellor assigned you and Mojo to lead the attack on the basestar commander." The nine of them went and sat at two tables in a corner. "With the party going on at the Adama, all we need is a Cylon attack right now," said Starbuck to Boomer. They were both on the command deck standing behind Omega, who was at his usual station. "Yeah, you WOULD say something like that, Starbuck," remarked Boomer. "But our patrol is overdue." "Jolly and Greenbean?" Starbuck looked at his wrist. "Yes, Starbuck. Should we send a shuttle probe out for them?" "Oh, knowing Jolly, they probably landed on the Adama to get something from the party." Boomer turned to Athena, saying, "Contact the Adama, Athena. See if Jolly and Greenbean landed there." "I doubt that," commented Rigel, "Or we would have picked them up on our scanners." "Perhaps," responded Starbuck. "But that basestar has landing bays on the other side as well. If they went in on the other side... Our sensors cannot scan the other side of a ship, you know." Athena smiled, and nodded to the commanding officers. "Well Athena?" asked Starbuck. "What?!" "Greenbean and Jolly DID land on the Adama," said Athena. "And two more vipers from the Adama launched to carry on the patrol." "That's Jolly..." said Boomer. Back at the party, Jolly and Greenbean sat at a table with their plates piled up. "Don't you think that we should at least alert the Galactica that we're back?" asked Greenbean. "Let's eat first," said Jolly. "Besides, they would have scanned us approaching anyway." On patrol was Sergeant Boxey of Blue Squadron of the Galactica and Ensign Toria of Silver Spar Squadron of the Adama. *That was kind of you to take Ensign Tannia's place on this patrol so that she could attend the party,* commented Toria. *Well, we had our fill there, and she did not,* responded Boxey. *And she is assigned to that ship.* After a brief pause, he then said, *Besides, we have not gone out on patrol together since we annexed the Adama into the fleet.* *That's true, but isn't Mojo a better wingmate?* *He IS my friend, Toria, and a full warrior according to Borelian Nomen standards, but...* Boxey trailed off. *I think that what I am saying is that...* Again Boxey paused. Suddenly, *Toria, let's get sealed.* *WHAT!?* Meanwhile, on the Galactica, Starbuck commented on the patrol. "Whoever is piloting that viper on the front seems to fly just like Boxey." "Yeah, Starbuck," responded Boomer. "How can you tell?" asked Omega, turning to look at Starbuck. "I'm not sure," said Starbuck. "I just can. After all, I taught him, and he was MY wingmate for a short while after graduating the academy training." "And after that, he was MY wingmate," continued Boomer. "And seeing the two vipers, I am sure that Boxey is on patrol to allow someone on Silver Spar Squadron to attend the party." Athena's mouth fell open as she heard it in her headphones. "I don't believe this," she commented. "What?" asked Rigel. "What Don't you believe?" asked Boomer. "If that's Boxey out there," said Starbuck, "then I'll believe anything." "I'll transfer what I just recorded up to your station, Omega." Omega punched a few keys on the keyboard, and then the trio on the command deck listened to the audio. *Toria, let's get sealed.* said Boxey's voice. *WHAT!?* "Frak! I don't believe it," said Starbuck. On the bridge of the Adama... "You won't believe this, Captain Bojay," said Aurora. Bojay turned his head. "What?" We just received a data packet from the Galactica," said Aurora. She removed her headphones off her head, and held them out to Bojay. "Listen to this," Bojay accepted it, and listened. "What is Sergeant BOXEY doing out there on patrol?" He then punched in a sequence on Aurora's station and said, "Commander to the bridge." Aurora found herself giggling. Toria and Boxey both climbed out of their vipers right after they landed. They two ran up to each other, and collided into each other with a hug. Then they walked out hand in hand. "Come on, Toria," said Boxey. "We're wanted in the control center." "That was the... craziest thing you ever did, Sergeant," lectured Apollo to Boxey. "What did you think you were doing when you went out there on patrol with Ensign Toria?" "Father, it just happened," said a nervous Boxey. "... Commander." He realized that Apollo referred to him as 'Sergeant.' Sheba, too, were giving stern looks at Boxey and Toria. "I only meant to give Ensign Tannia some time to attend the party, Commander," said Boxey to Apollo. He looked down at his feet. "That was all I intended to do. But- this was MY doing." He looked at Sheba, saying, "Please, if there is any reprimand, just reprimand me. Toria... only reacted to what -I- did." "Just like in the viper bay when we first encountered the Olympus," commented Sheba. "Well, Sheba," chimed Apollo, "You and Starbuck used to talk about strange things when you two went out on patrol together. And I think that idea about you and he switching places in our quarters one night as a prank to pull on me and Cassiopeia." "What?!" responded Sheba. "You heard that?" "No, but Athena and Tigh did. And they told me about it." Sheba almost fainted. Instead, she turned to Toria, and said, "I must talk to you in private, Ensign." Apollo then said to Boxey, "We, too, must talk, Son." "Am I in trouble?" asked Toria. They were in Sheba's quarters. Toria was sitting in the chair there, and Sheba was standing, leaning on the pedestal that the basestar's Cylon commander usually sat. "No, Toria," responded Sheba. "You have told me that I am the closest person you have to a mother, and I know that you have many questions to ask." "Uh, I cannot think of any at the centon. I'm just..." "You feel like you are floating on air?" "Yes." "That was how I felt when Apollo asked ME to marry him," said Sheba. "Well, I'll give you two sectons of a furlon when the sealing takes place, depending on what Commander Apollo says." "So, what did Toria say, Boxey?" asked Apollo. Boxey and Apollo were in one of the landing/launch bays. "She said that she wanted to get sealed." "Are you sure that you want to go through this? I can tell you from experience the good things and bad things about getting sealed, especially to another Colonial warrior." "I know about it, Father. There is the fear of losing her in battle with the Cylons or some other hazardous job." "Yes, Boxey, there is that..." "So you know how -I- felt when you had to go out on a mission when I was a boy." "But I always came back alive," responded Apollo. "Now, we should perform the ceremony on the Galactica..." "In the Astrodome? Where you proposed to Sheba?" "Not be enough room up there, Boxey. I was thinking, more like, in the officer's club. Also, another thing, Boxey. Getting sealed changes your entire lifestyle. I mean spending time in the viper simulator with Mojo will not be as often as you do now." "I see," said Boxey. "But I love her." "My father approved of our two sectons furlon," said Boxey to Toria. "Yes, Boxey," she responded. "Colonel Sheba told me." The two of them embraced. "My father will perform the ceremony himself." All of a sudden, the door chimed. "Leave it," said Toria. "It might be important," said Boxey. He then turned towards the door, saying, "Come in." The door opened, admitting Athena, Mojo, Kritter, Tannia, Saul, Diana, and Deedra. "I reserved a few tables for us on the Rising Star," announced Athena. "You two are our guests of honor." Boxey and Toria looked at their friends. "We're honored," said Boxey. Boomer, Starbuck, Apollo, Sheba, Cassiopeia, Troy and Hera, and Dillon and Pandora were already in the room when the nine of them got to the Rising Star. Starbuck and Apollo each pulled out a chair for Toria and Boxey as they all sat down. "Thank you, Father," said Boxey to Apollo. "Thank you, Colonel," said Toria to Starbuck. Several attendants of the Rising Star brought in trays piled up with full plates, and distributed them. Boxey got out of his chair, and stood behind Toria with his hands on her shoulders, and said, "I know that you all know, but... Toria and I are getting sealed." Everyone clapped their hands as Boxey returned to his chair. "And out in space while out on patrol," added Starbuck. "of all places." Everyone laughed, and then started eating. Out in space, the Battlestar Galactica and the Colonial Basestar Adama moved forwards side-by-side, followed by the Rising Star. Moving slowly behind the three ships was the rest of the rag-tag fleet, and trailing the fleet was the Borelian freighter, Groof. Back on the Rising Star, attendants were taking away the empty plates. "Arrangements were made by Starbuck and myself," said Apollo. "The ceremony will take place on the Galactica in the Officer's club, where my father married Sheba and myself, Cassiopeia and Starbuck, and Aurora and Damon, all at the same time." Sheba and Cassiopeia giggled. "Well," said Starbuck, "This is one happy occasion." "Too bad that Buck was not here with us," pointed out Tannia. "Who is... Buck?" asked Mojo. Toria got up, and walked out. Boxey, seeing the look on her face as she moved, got up and followed her. "Did I say something wrong?" asked Mojo. "I think -I- did, Mojo," responded Tannia. Diana then ran out, saying, "I've better go and see what they're up to." Toria walked down the corridor, followed by Boxey calling her. "Toria, PLEASE talk to me." Toria ignored him and kept moving. Finally, he caught up with her in the launch bay. "Toria, what's wrong?" asked Boxey. "Please, talk to me. If we are going to get sealed, we have to be able to talk to each other." "There isn't going to be a sealing, Boxey," she said as she climbed into a viper. "What?" responded Boxey. "Toria, please-" "I need to be alone for now, Box." With that, the canopy closed. Boxey jumped into another viper as Toria's viper launched. Then he, too launched. Out in space, Boxey followed Toria. *We are on a secure channel,* said Boxey. *No one can hear us.* *LEAVE ME ALONE!* was Toria's response. The viper in front came to a full stop, allowing the trailing one in front. Then Toria fired her lasers. *That was a warning shot, Boxey. Now, just LEAVE ME ALONE!* With that, she fired her turbos, and headed for the Adama. On the bridge of the Galactica, Rigel asked Omega, "What the frak is going on out there?" "Apparently, one viper just fired upon another. Contact the Rising Star. Get Commander Apollo." "Yes, Sir." Apollo, Starbuck, and Sheba were all on the bridge of the Rising Star with Sire Gaylin and Siress Tinnia. On a scanner at one of the stations there, was Omega's face. *Boxey has just landed, Commander.* "All right, have him wait for me, Athena and Starbuck on the bridge. I'm getting ready to return in a shuttle." *Yes, Sir,* he responded just before he faded off the scanner. On another scanner was Bojay. *I cannot believe that she did that,* he said. "Well, believe it, Bojay. That's an order," said Sheba. "Also I want Ensign Toria confined to quarters until further notice. And have Valka and Doctor Joycelyn guarding her." *Yes, Commander,* he responded. Then he faded off the screen. "Whatever was going on out there," said Tinnia, "You've better get it under control. I will NOT have Colonial warriors fighting it out in vipers, especially so close to the fleet." "Don't worry, Siress," responded Apollo. With that the three stormed off the bridge. Sheba was the last one out. She turned to Siress Tinnia, saying, "If possible, I would like Sire Solon to join me in my return to the Adama." "I'll talk to him, Colonel," responded Gaylin. With that, Sheba walked out. Sheba climbed out of the shuttle, followed by Sire Solon, Tannia, Kritter, and Diana. "Thank you for coming, Diana," said Sheba. "It is part of the job, Colonel," responded Diana. "Cassiopeia did say that you counseling skills surpass those of her own, and of Doctor Joycelyn." "So I have been told, but..." she trailed off. They were out of the landing bay, walking down the corridor. "What did you want ME for?" asked Solon. "Just for in case I want Toria arrested. I just hope that it does not get that far, but your presence may help me." On the Galactica, Apollo, Athena, and Mojo waited outside a door in one of the corridors. On the other side of the door, Boxey said, "Come in." Apollo and Mojo both walked in. You all right, Box?" asked Apollo. "Yeah, I'll be fine." "All right," said Apollo. "I now have a load of work to do, and I got to put Troy and Hera to bed, so I'll be in my quarters." With that, Apollo and Mojo walked out, leaving Boxey and Athena in Boxey's quarters. "I'm here if you want to talk, Boxey," she said. "I just cannot believe that this is happening," said Boxey. "Don't worry, Boxey," she said. She had said those three words to him so many times since he lost his mother, Serina, seventeen yahrens ago. "I just don't understand it, Aunt Athena." "Well, Boxey," she said, "I think that Toria is just... scared. Just give her time, all right?" "I guess so." Aboard the Adama, the quintet was outside Toria's quarters. Sheba punched a code on the panel beside the door, and the door slid open. Toria was sitting on the side of her bed with her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands. "Ensign Toria," voiced Sheba to announce herself. Toria looked up at her. "What the frak did you think you were doing when you fired upon Boxey out there?" "Trying to get him to leave me alone." "Well, I can imagine what Commander Apollo and Sergeant Boxey are going through, and our embarrassment because Sire Gaylin and Siress Tinnia were called to the bridge of the Rising Star when they saw what you two were doing out there. I mean, from what a bridge officer there reported, you narrowly missed him, and you narrowly missed the bridge of the Rising Star." "The Bridge of the Rising Star!? We were flying towards the Adama at the time. And we were not near any other ships when I fired my lasers." "Well, in any event, you are confined to quarters. Furthermore, Diana will be here, and I expect you to go see her at the Life Center." "I do not need counseling, Colonel." "That's an order, Ensign," responded Sheba. "Or do I have to place you under arrest?" On cue, Sire Solon walked in. "For what?" asked Toria. "For the attempted murder of a Colonial Warrior. Reckless endangerment-" "But it was just a warning shot." "That's not what the bridge personnel on the Galactica, the Adama and Rising Star saw. Now, are you going to talk to Diana or do you want to spend the night in the Adama's brig?" Sheba looked around. "Where IS the brig anyway?" Sire Solon broke out laughing at that question. After a few microns, everyone ended up laughing, including Toria. "Well, Toria," said Sheba. "Go see Diana after getting some sleep." "OK, Commander," responded Toria. Sheba then said, "Look, Toria, you are one of the best Colonial warriors I have. I cannot have any of my warriors under emotional stress, all right." "I understand." Sheba turned to Solon, saying, "Thank you for your time, Sire." "No problem, Colonel," he responded with a half a smile. Sheba then turned to Tannia, saying, "Can you take him back to the Rising Star, Ensign?" "Yes, Commander," she responded. With that, she turned and started walking away, followed by Solon. Sheba turned to Toria, and said, "Now, Toria, get some sleep. You seem to need it." With that, she turned and started walking out. "Sheba?" Sheba turned back around. "Yes?" "Did YOU have doubts when you married Commander Apollo?" "Yes, I did. And Apollo was a captain at the time, not the commander." "Oh." Toria managed to stifle her urge to laugh. "Well, you're the closest person to a mother than I ever had... when I decided to go for my training, and transferred to the Galactica from the orphan ship. I mean, Siress Tinnia is a caring person, but she was spread very thin because there were so many of us." She paused for a few microns. "I'm worried, Sheba. It's just that... we're both Colonial warriors. What would happen if one of us got killed out there? I'd be devastated if Boxey..." She trailed off. "Or if I got killed, what would happen to Boxey?" "Well, Boxey had to deal with it all his life. Every time Apollo went on a dangerous mission, Boxey used to worry all the time. His mother DID get killed when he was ten yahrens old, you know." "Did you know her?" "I did not know Serina personally, but everyone knew her because she was the star newswoman for I-F-B. I used to watch her all the time, just to try to get the latest on the war effort, until my father and I were sent out to Molekai with the Fifth Fleet." "Well, what made you decide to marry Apollo in the end?" "Well, Apollo was the one who was unable to go through with it; after all, he married Serina and then lost her. And he was afraid of losing me as well. Commander Adama sat down with both of us, and Doctors Salik and Cassiopeia. His advice to us were: 'If we don't get sealed, and one of us got killed... we would regret it.' So, we got sealed. And, Troy and Helen are proof that we did the right thing." "What do YOU think? I mean, of me and Boxey." "Well, it is NOT up to me. I cannot tell you whether to go through with it or not, not as the person you say is the closest thing to a mother, or as your commander. Talk to Diana tomorrow, and you decide yourself." "Thank you, Sheba." With that, Sheba left. Tannia and Diana went to the command center, and Diana almost bounced off the shaded glass doors. "Wait," said Tannia. She pressed a button beside the doorway. "Kritter added circuitry to the door so that people cannot just merely walk through it. And you almost..." The two young women laughed. "Enter," said Sheba. Tannia and Diana walked in, to see Sheba sitting on the Cylon commander's throne on the pedestal. They both looked up to Sheba. "I guess I should say, 'By your command?'" remarked Diana. "I was just trying out this chair up here. It IS relaxing. Well, I guess that I should respond, 'Speak, Med-tech.'" "Well, I just spoke with Tannia here, and she feels that it was her fault that the entire incident happened because she spoke of Ensign Buck." "Well," said Sheba. "Tannia should not be the one to blame for the incident. She did not fire upon a fellow Colonial warrior in her viper." Sheba pressed a button on the arm of the chair, and a ladder emerged on the side. She then got out of the chair, and climbed down the ladder. "I have an idea... Why don't you two talk about it tomorrow, before your appointment with Toria. Or, at least, leave Toria waiting for a short while, and then have Toria come in with both of you there." "All right, Colonel," responded Diana. With that, they both left. Starbuck and Apollo were walking down the corridors together. "Does Troy and Helen know what happened out there?" asked Starbuck. "No," answered Apollo, "but if Sheba had done that to me-" "You would both end up in the Galactica brig." "Charged with attempted murder of a Colonial warrior, and then convicted by a tribunal, and probably be dead on the Prison Barge." They both went into the control center of the simulator, and started pushing buttons and flipping switches to set things up. "All set here, Starbuck," said Apollo. "At least Athena is not here to throw a basestar at us," remarked Starbuck. The two of them laughed. Out in space, the Battlestar Galactica and the Colonial Basestar Adama moved forwards side-by-side. Moving slowly behind the three ships was the rest of the rag-tag fleet, and trailing the fleet was the Borelian freighter, Groof. Aboard the Adama, Toria walked into the Life Center. Doctor Joycelyn approached her. "Hi, Doctor," said Toria. "I was ordered to report here to see Diana." "Yes, Ensign Toria," responded Joycelyn, "but an unexpected appointment came up, and they seem to be still in session." Joycelyn pushed the button beside the door. "Come in." Toria walked in, seeing Diana and Tannia. "Hi, Tannia, what are YOU doing here?" "Well, I needed a counseling session with Diana," she responded. "Toria, I'm sorry for mentioning Buck last night." "It was not your fault, Tannia," said Toria. "I have been afraid of this all along." She turned to Diana, saying, "Well, Diana, what should I do?" "I cannot tell you what you SHOULD do," responded the med- tech, "But- do you love him?" "Yes I do," responded Toria immediately. "Well, let me tell you about someone that I know, Toria." Toria sat down on the sofa against the wall beside Tannia. {Cadets Tannia and Buck were in front of a terminal, trying to get a project done for the engineering part of their studies. "Boxey may have an answer for this part," remarked Tannia. "You really like him, don't you?" Buck asked, with a hint of bitterness in his voice. "He is a smart guy, Buck. I respect him for that. He is a nice person, but..." She trailed off, and then kissed him on the cheek. Buck was surprised, but he then said, "Well, Toria finished hers already. Why don't we ask her?" "All right, but don't be surprised if she takes us to Boxey. After all, she and Kritter had his help with it."} "There was love there for a short while as they worked on their project together," stated Diana. "And they had the help that they needed..." {"There," said Toria. "All done." Boxey and Toria were in the work room with Tannia and Buck. "Care to join us for dinner in the Officer's Club?" asked Boxey. "Kritter, Saul, and Diana will be there." "Sure," said Tannia. "We will join you shortly." She looked at Buck. "Well, I'm a bit tired from this project." "Come on, Buck. After all that work we did, we deserve a break from it." "All right," he said. With that, they followed Toria and Boxey out of the room. They stayed pretty far behind them. Tannia said to Buck, "I don't think I am ready for a relationship right now, Buck. I mean, I AM in love with you, but... Well, it's not you, it is me that's not right." "I understand, Tannia. Just so you know... I really like you, and YOU are what made this hard and unpleasant task easier to bear."} "Just so you know," finished Diana, "she decided not to pursue the relationship because she was afraid of losing him. Now, he is dead, and she regrets not pursuing the relationship." Toria looked at Tannia, with a questioning look on her face. "Yes, Toria," said Tannia, answering the unasked question. "That person that she was talking about was me, and Buck." "So, you are saying that I SHOULD go through with getting sealed?" asked Toria. "The only person that can answer that one is YOU, Toria. Listen to your heart," advised Diana. "Take a listen to it when he is calling for you." Toria looked up at Diana, listening intensely. "Listen to your heart," repeated Diana. "There's nothing else you can do." Toria nodded to Diana. "I will have to really think about this." "All right, Toria." The three walked out of the room. Mojo and Boxey were in the Boxey's quarters. "I think that I would like to resign as a Colonial warrior, Mojo. Do you know if your father has need for a fighter pilot? That's what I can do, work for your people." "You will have a rough time, Box," answered Mojo. "Besides, it will need much more than your training and experience as a Colonial warrior to be a true Nomen." "Well, at least, perhaps I should get sealed to a Borelian Nomen woman. At least, she will be honorable." Mojo groaned, and then let out a long, loud belly laugh. "I am not joking, Mojo," exclaimed Boxey. "All right, Box. Let's launch in two vipers and talk to my father." Two vipers streaked their way across the fleet. They both approached the Groof at the rear of the fleet, and then slowed down. The two vipers slowed down, and went into the landing bay. As the two climbed out of their vipers, Boxey asked, "Don't you need to request clearance to land?" "Only when there is a lot of activity, Box," responded Mojo. "... Think about it, Son of Apollo," exclaimed Maga. "It takes a lifetime of training to be a Nomen. You are already a man, not a small boy. It will be hard. By the way, what did Apollo have to say about it?" "I did not talk to him yet," responded Boxey. "I wanted to talk to you first." Maga turned to Mojo, saying, "I want to talk to you, my son." With that, Maga and Mojo went into a room off the bridge. Meanwhile, a lone viper approached one of the Galactica's landing bays. *Sergeant Boxey's future wife requesting to land.* *Clearance to land granted, Ensign,* responded Athena's voice. *You mean you WILL get sealed?* The viper went into the landing bay. *If Boxey still wants to go through with it.* "Box!" cried Maga from the room. "Yes, Chancellor," responded Boxey as he ran up to him, and then into the room. "The reason why you are here right now is because there are things that Mojo felt that -I- should tell you as an elder Nomen, but a Nomen who runs away from his troubles like YOU just did... would be stripped him of his Nomen rank and thrown into the brig. But- since you do not know that much about the ways of a Nomen, I am being tolerant. Do you love her? This... Toria?" He looked at Mojo, and then back at Maga. "Yes, Chancellor." "THEN WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" screamed Maga. "YOU SHOULD BE TRYING TO WIN HER BACK!... instead of being here." Boxey cringed. Maga placed a hand on Boxey's shoulder, and said to him, "A Nomen of the Code would confront his problems and sorrows instead of running away from them. Not only because it is the honorable thing to do, but also, you can give up everything to start over, and it may start off easy despite the hardships of establishing a new life. But- after awhile, those sorrows catch you when you least expect it to." "You are right, Chancellor..." "Please, my young friend, call me Maga." "And thank you for the advice, Maga." "You and Mojo take a Nomen daggit back... Your vipers are in the process of being refueled, and you want to hurry and catch her." "Thank you, Maga." With that, Boxey and Mojo put their right fists on their left shoulders, as if they were both synchronized, to salute to Maga, and then ran out. Toria walked into the Officer's Club, and found Rigel emptying out a large mug that covered her face, into herself. "Hi, Toria," said Rigel. "What brings you to the Galactica?" "I'm trying to find Sergeant Boxey." "I had just cleared launching clearance for him and Mojo right before Captain Athena ordered me off duty for my twenty centon furlon." "Where was he going?" "To the Groof, for some unexplained reason." "Thanks you Rigel." With that, Toria ran out. Out in space, a viper headed on one direction as a Nomen daggit headed in the other, passing each other. Toria muttered to herself, "Where are those Borelian Nomen going? Must be Maga and Bora going to the Adama on Council business or to help out with some repair job." In the daggit, Mojo said, "A viper seems to be heading towards the Groof." "Must be my father going to talk to your father," responded Boxey. "Did you say anything to him?" "I was with you all the time, Box. We went straight from your quarters to our vipers right after you told me your intentions. Even a Nomen of the Code cannot run to Commander Apollo and get back to your side that fast." Mojo let out a belly laugh, and Boxey laughed right along with him. The basestar Adama seemed to be approaching right in front of them, and Mojo pressed a button, saying, "Ensign Mojo of the Borelian Nomen requesting clearance to land." *CLearance granted, Ensign,* responded Aurora's voice. A viper landed in the landing bay, amongst a landing bay full of Nomen Daggits and two other vipers being refueled. The cockpit canopy opened, and the pilot jumped out. Toria removed her helmet, tossed it into the cockpit, and ran up to the nose and jumped. Toria arrived on the bridge of the Groof, and ran straight to Maga. "Chancellor. I came to find Boxey." "Ah, the woman that Box loves," commented Maga. "He left with my son in one of our daggits." "Thank you, Chancellor," she responded, and ran back towards the landing bay. Boxey and Mojo waited by Toria's quarters, pressing the button beside the door. Mojo said, "Let's go to the Command Center and ask Sheba where she is." "All right," responded Boxey. The two of them broke to a run. "Last one there buys the Borelian blood grog," commented Boxey. Mojo laughed, and they both ran faster, with Mojo in the lead. Toria was out in space, resisting the temptation to fire her turbos. Her thumb went for the TURBO button, and then closed around her other fingers on the control stick. "No use in crashing into one of those slow moving barges of the fleet. It won't get me ANYwhere," she muttered to herself. "Where is Toria?" asked Sheba to Aurora in the control center of the Adama. Boxey and Mojo were standing behind her. "She went to the Galactica looking for Boxey," responded Aurora. "Thanks, Aurora," responded Boxey. "And Thank you, Colonel," said Mojo. Sheba turned around to find both of them gone. A lone Nomen daggit headed for the Galactica. *Nomen Daggit to Galactica,* called Boxey. *Is Toria aboard?* *She headed towards the Groof looking for YOU, Boxey,* responded Athena's voice. The daggit turned, and then sped up. On the bridge of the Galactica, Sheba was on one of the scanner monitors and Maga on another. "We've got to stop them chasing each other," commented Apollo. "They're burning off fuel chasing each other like this." "I got an idea," said Starbuck with an evil grin on his face, "But- I need your approval for this..." The Nomen daggit approached the Groof. *Father,* said Mojo's voice. *Is Toria still there?* *No, she went back looking for you two,* replied Maga. *But land that daggit and take back your two vipers. The Groof's scanners tell us that she went towards the basestar.* *Ensign Toria requesting clearance to land,* said Toria's voice. *Clearance granted, Ensign,* said Rigel's voice. The viper came to a full stop in the landing bay, and she noticed Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer, and Athena standing there. She climbed out of her viper, and said, "Where's Boxey?" Starbuck said, "Toria, I am placing you under arrest." "WHAT?!" Apollo spoke. "You are charged with attempted murder of a Colonial warrior." "But that was just a warning shot. Download it from our CORA units... I had told Boxey-" "Boxey's NOT the one pressing charges. He refused to press charges, but -I- am on behalf of my son," remarked Apollo. "No let's go before I also charge you with resisting arrest." Apollo led the way, silently laughing. It was a good thing that she was not able to see his face; Apollo was not being good at controlling his emotions. Two vipers headed for the Galactica. *Sergeant Boxey and Ensign Mojo here,* said Boxey's voice. *Is Toria aboard?* *She has been arrested,* said Rigel's voice. *Wha-?* *Clearance to land granted, Boxey... Land aboard the Galactica and Commander Apollo will explain everything. Besides, Ensign Toria has been asking for you.* "What is the meaning of this?" asked Boxey. He was confronting Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and Athena. The duo did not notice that the four were dressed in full dress uniform; capes, the works. "Oh, good, you're here, Boxey," said Starbuck. "You know that Toria has been asking and waiting for you while you were on your Blood Trails for each other." Boxey followed the four bridge officers, and found Sheba guarding the cell. "What are YOU doing here, Sheba?" Starbuck spoke. "Sheba is here because she wanted to try to talk Apollo into dropping the charges, because Toria is her pride and joy. After all, she taught Toria all she knows about being a Colonial warrior. Apollo pressed charges because you love her too much to take that action yourself, and Sheba refused to as well, saying that what Toria needed was counseling." All of a sudden, Tannia, Kritter, Saul, Diana and Cadet Deedra walked in. Finally, Apollo turned around, with a huge, silly grin on his face. He nodded to Sheba, who punched in a code on the panel beside the cell door, and the door opened. Sheba signaled to Toria, who walked out. "BOXEYYYyyy..." cried Toria as she ran up to Boxey. The two of them hugged. She then said, "Boxey... I was going to tell you that I wanted to get sealed to you, but..." She trailed off as she looked into Boxey's sad eyes. "Well, if you are going to serve your sentence out in the Galactica's brig, let's get sealed next cycle. If you ARE convicted, I'll move my quarters right into your cell until you've served your sentence." The two of them hugged each other again, and then kissed. "Apollo," said Starbuck. "I think that this centon is a good time to drop the bole." Apollo nodded to Starbuck, and pulled a gold box. Boxey recognized it, and then finally noticed that Apollo, Starbuck, Athena, Sheba and Boomer were all dressed in full dress uniform, as if they were going to attend an important engagement. "But we are not even DRESSED for it." "Well, get to it!" ordered Apollo. "We assemble in the Officer's Club in five centons." He turned to Starbuck, and smiled. Everyone scrambled out of the area. Athena turned to Starbuck, you really outdid my throwing that basestar at you guys in the simulation room with your idea, Starbuck." He gave her a silly look. "Will the protector of Toria consent to relinquishing his responsibilities to Boxlietner, the man to whom she consented to be married?" asked Apollo. They were all assembled in the Officer's Club. "Yes," replied Starbuck. Since she had no parents, Starbuck was the closest man that she had as a father. "The words that I'm about to speak, are the most powerful in all the universe. They seal a union between this man and this woman... which is not only for now, but for all the eternities. Boxlietner... Toria... Under the eyes of God, bound by the symbol... the faiths of the Lords of Kobol, I declare you sealed." Everyone cheered, and shook hands with Boxey and Toria. Mojo said to him, "You owe me blood grog, Boxey. I made it to the command center first." The two of them laughed. "What was that all about, Boxey?" asked Toria. "A bet I made with Mojo so that we had another reason to run faster." Toria looked at both of them with a funny look. After a generation of fleeing from Cylon treachery, the last battlestar, Galactica, leads a ragtag fugitive fleet on a long and lonely quest. A shining planet known as Earth. Note: Some of the dialogue in this was shamelessly taken from stuff written by Per Gessle. If anyone knows who he is, that person can probably guess what I was doing while and/or before I wrote that part in:)