Battlestar Galactica: So Near, So Far
Virtual Season 5, Episode 1
Written by Eric Paddon
July 25, 2020

From The Adama Journals

     I find myself in a curious state where emotions of happiness and
apprehension seem to co-exist within me on a constant basis.  The
happiness stems from the fact that for the fourth time collectively, I am
a grandfather, as Sheba has just centars ago, given birth to her
firstborn child, a healthy beautiful girl named Bethany.  Named in honor
of her late mother, who I always remember as a woman of incredible grace
and dignity as befitting the great actress on the Caprican stage she was. 
And also.....the dearest friend since childhood of......Ila.
     And therein, lies the state of my apprehension.  This incredible
revelation from Bojay that like Sheba before and......myself as well, he
has experienced the same dream.  The dream of being in the Pegasus
landing bay and seeing a shuttle landing in there and being opened
up......with her inside.  And Cain's voice saying...... "Her name is
Ila."
     This revelation came only a centar ago.  After our initial
celebrating of the joyous news surrounding Bethany's birth that took
place in my quarters, Apollo and Bojay went to the Officers Club and in
the course of the conversation,  Bojay revealed his experience.  It
brought the two of them scrambling back here just as I was prepared to
finally retire from the night.  And the news compelled me to reveal
things I have learned in only the last sectan from Dr. Tarnia, that it
isn't just Bojay, Sheba and myself who have had these......visions.  It
has also happened to two people in our ranks who like Bojay and Sheba are
former members of the Pegasus crew, who were evacuated to us as 
"non-essential personnel" just before Cain took his ship into battle
against the two baseships.  These people have independently, and with no
knowledge of the other's experience, described dreams of seeing people
they know from the Pegasus.  These are not visions of them dead as
celestial beings or spectral apparitions, but dreams of normal, routine
life aboard the ship......with unusual twists that defy explanation to
them.
     Technician Hummer from the Electronics Lab for instance.  He says in
his dream, he saw the Pegasus Chief Scientist, Dr. Arnoff working in his
lab, alongside several Cylons.  Three or four, he thought.  Working with
the same ease like we've done with the Cylons from Baltar's ship.  As
though somehow the Pegasus was experiencing its own version of the
Detente.  And he also says at one point, a woman entered the room that he
didn't recognize.  Hummer said he never could make out any dialogue
except a general murmuring but at one point, he was sure that Dr. Arnoff
referred to her as "the Professor."  And when Tarnia asked him to
describe her.......he described a woman that matches Ila perfectly.
     A woman named Carina, who is presently assigned to the maintenance
division on the Celestra told Tarnia how she had dreamt of seeing her
bunkmate from the Pegasus, a Bridge Officer named Kylie.  In her dream,
Kylie was having a personal conversation inside what she believed to be
the VIP guest quarters of the Pegasus.  And Kylie was talking to a woman
she didn't recognize but whose description, which she gave to Tarnia,
again matches Ila.
     What am I to make of all this?  Does this truly represent visions
into......the reality of what is happening now?  I have always known that
Cain and the Pegasus still lived.  That confirmation came from Sheba
during that terrifying experience she and Apollo had aboard the Derelict
and found themselves surrounded by the enslaved minions of Count Iblis. 
Minions that included the crew of the lost Battlestar Callisto.  And
Commander Byrne's lost compatriots from Earth, Timothy Harms and
Jean-Pierre St. Claire.  And all alone......a solitary member of the
Pegasus crew.  Sheba said she recognized him as a young ensign from
Silver Spar group named Wynn.  The fact that he was the *only* member of
the Pegasus crew present aboard the Derelict, suggested that he'd become
lost during a patrol and found himself ensnared forever in that
Hades-like crypt.  But Ensign Wynn's presence among his minions was
clearly the key as to why Iblis used the Derelict to tempt Sheba on that
occasion.  By presenting her with the vision of an actual Pegasus crewman
who'd been enslaved......Iblis wanted Sheba to believe that her father
was also trapped and that only by submitting, could she save him.  But
Sheba saw through his deception then......and from it could come away
knowing that her father had indeed survived that confrontation with the
two baseships, but not knowing anything of where he was now.
     So I know in my heart that Cain and the Pegasus lives.  But can it
really be possible that.......Ila lives too?  But how, when there was
such *finality* and *certainty* in me that she'd been home the night of
the attack?  And if she lives, how could events conspire to place her on
the Pegasus?  Especially when I know of no technology that could make it
possible for her to reach them in a one person shuttle?
     I want to believe it.  I so want to believe it.  How I ache to think
it possible, and yet.....I feel restrained because the specter of Iblis
and other forces in this universe like him, weigh so heavily on my mind. 
The power of illusion that this Dark One can generate to deceive Apollo
and Sheba into believing that six yahrens of their lives went by in a
blissful Paradise where they had three non-existent children, can surely
in theory infiltrate the minds of the unsuspecting and the vulnerable
through dreams.  They can easily be the instruments of the Dark Forces as
they can be Oracles from the forces that are Divine.
     But is that really the source of my skepticism?  Is it fear of the
power of Iblis or some other demon or is it......myself?  Fear of seeing
my beloved again, alive all this time......and asking myself, why we'd
ever been parted?  Why could she not have been by my side these last
three yahrens to ease the burdens I've been forced to carry in this long
trek that has taken me so far from the rubble of our house on Caprica
which I thought was her tomb?  Would I find myself.....railing before the
Almighty and the Lords about the seeming......injustice of it all?
     Even Apollo I sense is somewhat reluctant to believe it.  Perhaps
it's because he hasn't experienced one of these dreams himself, and
neither has Athena.  He knows that it can't be avoided when he's heard
Bojay describe the same scene that I've seen and Sheba has seen.....but
perhaps he wonders why he's not experienced such a vision if it's true? 
And why not Athena, who was the living embodiment of Ila's personality in
those pre-Destruction days?
       I need resolution on this point.  Soon.  Not even the joy I feel
over the safe and healthy birth of my granddaughter Bethany can chase
away this apprehension I feel within me over this matter. Until it is
resolved.....I am liable to be much less than what is expected of me to
lead my people.  

Chapter One

     "There she is, Boxey," Athena said as she placed her finger on top
of the stasis chamber in the Life Station.  "You have a beautiful baby
sister."
     Her nephew was forced to stand on his toes to see through the
transparent glass.  The newborn infant lay on a white sheet, arms
stretched out and fast asleep.  A perfect picture of innocence that made
Athena recall the birth of her twins, Ila and Zac, only sectars ago.
     It's so wonderful to see the seeds of a new generation taking hold,
she thought.  First with Boxey.  Then my babies, and now Apollo and Sheba
have one of their own.  It's like......the old days.
     She stopped herself from thinking any further.  Even now, it was
still hard for her to think too much of the loved ones lost like Zac and
Ila, even though she'd felt compelled to honor them by naming both of her
babies after them.  A residual reminder of how some scars of the
Destruction could never completely heal even in the midst of new joys
such as this.
     "She looks just like Mom!" Boxey said, his face a picture of wonder. 
He'd been pleased by the birth of his cousins, but Athena knew it was
more special when it was a sibling.  It meant there was a deeper bond
that would last a lifetime.
     "I'm glad she does," his aunt said as she then lowered herself down
to whisper his ear, "After all, we wouldn't want her to look like your
father with that big thing on his face, would we?"
     Boxey let out a giggle and playfully tapped his aunt on the
shoulder.  "Just watch me someday!"
     Lords help us!  But that does speak volumes to how much Boxey
idolizes his father.
     Cassiopeia at that moment came up alongside them, "Well, after that
scare Sheba gave us when she went into labor, things couldn't be better. 
Heart rate is normal.  Life signs all stable.  Little Bethany can come
out of the stasis chamber in a few centars."
     Athena looked at her, "And Sheba?"
     "Oh.....she'll probably be coming around now after her rest." the
doctor motioned to Sheba's chamber located right next to the one that
contained her baby.  "I hope Apollo gets here before she comes round. 
It'd be better if she sees his face first."
     No sooner were the words out then Apollo entered, looking strangely
more subdued than he was not long ago just after the event had taken
place.  Bojay, showing just the slightest trace of a limp on his new
appendages, trailed him.  Cassiopeia noticed how he too looked more
subdued than excited.
     "Hi," Cassiopeia said, and then noticing the expressions on them
then added, "Somebody spike the punch with tranquilizers or something?"
     "Sorry," Apollo managed to smile weakly, "A....couple things came
up.  Just wanted to see how they're doing now."  He then looked over and
saw his son and his smile grew wider.  "Boxey!" he extended his arms and
his son ran to him.  Lifting him up and giving him a kiss he then asked,
"How does it feel to be a big brother at last?"
     "It feels neat!" his son said happily.  "She's beautiful!"
     "I'm going to expect you to protect her from all the other boys in
the Fleet when she gets older," Apollo said mischievously as he set him
down.  He then went over to exchange greetings with his sister.
     "Do me a favor," he whispered in her ear, "Take Boxey back to his
quarters for now."
     "Something wrong?" Athena frowned.  "Cassiopeia was right, you do
look like you've been on tranquilizers."
     "I'll explain later," her brother said.  "Can you just do it?"
     Reluctantly, Athena nodded and took Boxey out by the hand.  Once
they'd gone, Apollo moved back to the stasis chamber where his wife lay.
     "No post-partum side-effects," Cassiopeia motioned to the instrument
panel behind Sheba's chamber.  "She's just been......exhausted.  That was
a brief scare she put us through during labor."
     "Well.....you and Salik proved why you're the best when it comes to
any kind of surgical procedure," he looked down at his wife.  Her eyes
were still closed but she was beginning to stir once again.  "Even if she
always wished she could have had a total natural childbirth."
     "Not this time," Cassiopeia said.  "It's up to the both of you if
you want to try again in the future."
     "Don't rush us," Apollo slowly felt his good spirits coming back as
he saw Sheba's head come upright.  Slowly, her eyes opening to look at
him.
     "Apollo....." she murmured.
     "Hi," he smiled brightly.  "Feel rested?"
     "Apollo....." his wife seemed to struggle to come upright but
Cassiopeia was immediately in front of the stasis tube.
     "Don't raise yourself, Sheba.  Just keep lying where you are. 
You'll need a few more centars to get your strength back."
     "Listen to the doctor," Apollo said.
     "Apollo," her voice became more clear.  "Did.....you tell Adama?"
     "He knows he's a grandfather.  He'll be down here later this evening
if he can get away."
     "No," she slowly shook her head, "About.....what I told you. 
What.....I saw......my.....my father and.......your mother."
     Inside, Apollo felt himself tensing again, and standing behind him,
even Bojay's smile was becoming a straight line.
     "Sheba," he reached down and took her hand, "We've talked about that
dream before.  There's no need to go over it again, now."
     "Dream?" Cassiopeia was frowning but Bojay motioned his hand to
indicate she stay silent.  
     "No," Sheba shook her head.  "I don't mean.....the first time.  I'm
talking about.....just now.  While.....I was in labor, I......had
another......vision.  Only.....this was different from.....before."
     Apollo felt his inner concern, magnified already by what Bojay had
told him in the Club, and what his Father had then revealed about the
dreams of two ex-Pegasus crew members, increase to new levels.  He leaned
his head down so she could whisper in his ear.
     "Tell me, Sheba," her husband said gently.  "Tell me....what you
saw."


     "What's this all about?" Cassiopeia asked Bojay as he led her to the
far side of the Life Station, out of earshot of Apollo and Sheba for now.
     "Very complicated story," Bojay said.  "It concerns......dreams the
Commander's had, that Sheba's had and......I've had."
     "Of what?"
     Bojay took a breath and told her of the three identical dreams that
had taken place.  Commander Cain's former lover felt her eyes widen as
she heard the news.
     "Are you......sure you saw Adama's wife?  You never met her before."
     "No, I haven't," Bojay admitted.  "But I've seen her picture in
Adama's quarters even though it's a picture from over twenty-five yahrens
ago.  And I heard that voice.....*Cain's* voice say, 'Her name is Ila.' 
That's the same thing Adama heard in his dream and Sheba heard in her
dream.  And that's not all.  Apparently there's other ex-Pegasus crew
having dreams of Ila working and living aboard the Pegasus."
     Cassiopeia shook her head in amazement.  "I can buy the idea of Cain
being alive, but.....this just seems too much to grasp if it's really
true.  It certainly can't be a coincidence but.....isn't there anything
in between?"
     "I don't see how," Bojay said.  "Either we're looking at an
incredible coincidence, or.....we're seeing a vision of something that
logic tells us just can't be so."
     Just then, Apollo came over.  This time, he seemed like he was
trembling.
     "We've got to talk to the Commander again."


     Several centons later, they were back in Adama's quarters which
still had the lingering residue of the celebration party that had taken
place for Bethany's birth four centars ago.  Almost on impulse, Apollo
found himself picking up a crumb of elegant pastry from a largely empty
plate that still remained on the table alongside an empty silver punch
bowl.  He found that the tiny piece seemed to settle his inner anxiety
just a bit.
     "Let me see if I understand you correctly," Adama said when Apollo
finished explaining what Sheba had told him.  "Sheba had.....visions of
being with Cain.  As though....they were crossing over into different
realms and meeting each other on the Ship of Lights."
     "Something like that," Apollo said.  "Sheba said she was first on
the Pegasus for a few centons seeing some of the people moving about,
specifically the executive officer, Colonel Tolen and their senior bridge
officer.......I don't know his name."
     "That would be Major Ham," Bojay said.
     "Yes, Ham, that's it.  They were talking to each other going up to
the Bridge about how 'the Professor is a part of his family.  More like a
peer than a subordinate.'"
     Adama took this in and then said simply, "Ila?"
     "Yes," his son said.  "And when they arrived on the Bridge, there
she was.  Sitting at a work station making computations and talking about
some big transmission that was going to be attempted......tomorrow."
     The Commander had his arms folded.  His expression stoic and firm. 
Bojay could tell it was the posture of a man trying to force back all
traces of emotion that were threatening to explode on the surface.
     "What sort of transmission?"
     "Something that.....would take up large quantities of power and how
the timing window might be small.  That was all she could make out
because then everything around her changed.  Now she was in the Ship of
Lights again, and she saw her mother and talked with her."
     "Her mother, Bethany?"
     "Yes.  And then.....she saw Cain."
     "But her mother's dead,"  Adama interjected with a rush of emotion
for the first time, "Does that mean she's seeing Cain dead, too?"
     "No, she says Cain wasn't dead.  She said Cain....was dreaming just
like her, only he had crossed over and witnessed.....life aboard the
Galactica in the same way she was witnessing life aboard the Pegasus at
the same time.  And Cain said he saw her in the Life Station and then he
saw Cassiopeia and----," he turned to his left, "you, Bojay.  Talking to
each other.  And then you got up and left to come back down here."
     The former Pegasus pilot shook his head in amazement, "I *was* with
Cassiopeia part of that time.  And yes, then I did come back here.  Sheba
couldn't have known that unless......"
     "Unless Cain was having something similar to what.....at least five
of us have had?" Adama finished, his voice faintly quivering.  "If so,
then this makes the likelihood of all this being true even more so!"
     "Yes," Apollo nodded.  "As if.....these are messages of some kind
preparing us to expect.....contact.  And if.....this vision she saw of
Mother is really true, maybe it means.....they plan to contact us via a
transmission and not because they're in close proximity to us."
     "Some kind of extraordinary transmission," Adama's mind was trying
to keep up with all this.  "But.....how?"
     "I don't know, Father," Apollo shook his head.  "But if it's meant
to contact us, then it's going to happen within the next twenty-four
centars."
     Adama dimly shook his head, the disbelief showing as he moved about
the room, finally stopping in front of the porthole behind his desk where
the starry expanse of space shone through.
     "This is just.....incredible to comprehend," Adama said.  "They
couldn't possibly be in close proximity to us, so......if they have the
means to send such a transmission, how are we supposed to receive it? 
Does it come over the old com-line Alpha frequency?  And.....how could it
be more than a one-way message when the laws of science say we couldn't
possibly talk back to them?"
     "Father," Apollo said, "According to Sheba, Cain said we have a way
to receive any signal from them."
     "How?" 
     "He said we had to open the receivers on the Baseship.  I.....don't
know what that's supposed to mean."
     His father's eyes narrowed.  His mouth open slightly as though
another startling revelation was occurring to him.  Without saying
anything he went back to his desk and pressed the unicom.  "This is
Commander Adama.  Lieutenant Starbuck, report to my quarters immediately. 
Immediately!"


     Five centons later, the blonde lieutenant had staggered in wearing a
rumpled uniform he'd fallen asleep in.  The result of what he knew had
been a few too many glasses of celebration punch following the birth of
Bethany.  
     "Starbuck, I need your full attention, now!"
     "You've got it, sir, you've got it," he stifled a yawn and rubbed
the back of his neck.  
     "I want you to recap something you briefed me on a couple sectars
ago about something you saw on the Baseship, " the Commander said, "Some
incredible transmission and receiving station."
     "Oh," Starbuck took a breath, "That.  Well....apparently before
Baltar defected, his ship was capable of doing instant communication with
the Cylon command post at Gomorrah."
     "*Instant* communication?" Apollo was taken aback.  "Real time,
direct conversation?"
     "Yeah, yeah," slowly the cobwebs were disappearing from Starbuck's
brain as he began to grasp just how serious the mood was in the room.  A
total contrast to the joy of the party that had taken place in this same
room not too long ago.  "And.....the centurion who runs that part of the
complex......Dunamis, I think his name is.  He said that when the thing
was in use, distance wasn't a factor.  But it couldn't be used often
because an active transmission and reception creates a power drain that
takes time to compensate for."
     "And this transmission and receiving station, Starbuck," Adama made
no further attempt to conceal the emotion he felt, though he tried to
keep it nuanced, "Is it still working?"
     "Well.....I'm not sure if it works, Commander.  Baltar had it turned
off after he defected because there wasn't any need for him to talk to
the Cylon outer capital any longer."
     "Turned off?" the Commander pressed, "Not dismantled, just turned
off?"
     "Yeah," Starbuck nodded and he then frowned.  "Good Lords of Kobol."
     "What?" Apollo seldom heard Starbuck invoke the Lords that way.
     "When.....Ayesha and I were inspecting that area and we learned for
the first time what it was, Dunamis asked Ayesha if he should have a work
team dismantle it since it wasn't in use any longer.  And....she looked
at me for advice and I told her she shouldn't."
     "Why?" Bojay found this news incredible on top of everything else.
     "Well that's just it, I don't *know* why!" Starbuck said.  "I just
had a.....gut feeling that it wasn't a good idea to take it apart."
     "Your gut feeling, or maybe some hidden outside influence?" Apollo
asked.
     "Huh?" he looked at his friend.
     "Whatever it was, that advice of yours may be the most important
thing you've ever done, Starbuck," Adama said.  "I want you to contact
Commander Moray and tell him you're coming over to the baseship
immediately on a matter of the highest emergency.  Obviously if Baltar
and Ayesha are up, fill them in on it too.  You're to report to where
that transmitter/receiver is and begin preparations to have it
reactivated.  And then, once it's active, you and the Cylon team will
work on the logistics of having anything those receivers are capable of
picking up, appearing on the Galactica's receivers too."
     "When?"
     "Right *now*, Starbuck," Adama emphasized.  "We don't have a micron
to lose on this."
     "All right, all right," he sighed as he headed for the door and then
stopped in his tracks.  A frown lining his face.
     "Um, Commander....." he said, "Just *who* are we supposed to be
talking to on this thing?  This can't be because you want to talk with
the Cylons on Gomorrah."
     "No," Adama shook his head, "I had.....more in mind, someone who
used to operate in the vicinity of Gomorrah."
     Light slowly dawned on Starbuck, "Ohhhhh."  Without saying another
word, he was out the door in a flash.
     "Father, what else can we do?" Apollo asked.
     "Much," slowly the command edge was returning to Adama's voice. 
Apprehension now giving way to determination.  For the first time, he was
seeing the beginnings of a plan he could initiate that might bring the
closure he desperately needed on this whole matter.  "Bojay, get down to
Wilker's lab.  I want him and his staff up and I want you to find out
from the donor of your new appendages what he knows about this long-range
transmitter and how it functions."
     "Yes, sir," Bojay was also soon out the door and even on his new
cybernetic leg he was looking remarkably agile.
     When the door closed, Adama looked back at his son.
     "Apollo," he said, "I want you to go tell Athena everything
about.....all these dreams that have taken place, and all these visions. 
She's been kept in the dark long enough.  Tell Boomer also, and......you
might as well tell Boxey what it all means too."
     "I will," his son slowly made his way over and then turned back to
face his father.  "Father.....do you *really* think she's alive?"
     "The Lords will tell us one way or another, son," Adama said. 
"I'm.....going to keep an open mind and let them reveal what the answer
is to me."


     Dr. Tarnia, the Fleet's sole specialist in the field of
psychological counseling, out of necessity had to maintain an "office" on
both the Galactica and elsewhere in the Fleet so she could divide her
casework between those designated with military assignments and those who
were civilians.  For the most part, it required her to handle as many as
a dozen at a time, with sessions limited to no more than a half centar or
a centar if the case represented something more serious.  Although the
task had at times been overwhelming, she had never wavered in her
commitment.  She'd dealt with one crisis in the early days of the Detente
when the aftermath of Sergeant Mattoon's breakdown had led to a number of
warriors with hidden feelings of anger and distaste over the situation
seeking her out.  And again when she'd taken the role of hearing the
pent-up feelings of the Earth prisoners who'd been captives of the Risik
for so many yahrens.  She understood the importance of her role in the
Fleet and it was up to her to provide that service and to also train
successors who could carry on tasks like this for the future.  Especially
if the discovery of Earth remained a distant goal.
     For Tarnia, there would always be one person in the Fleet who meant
more to her than anyone else.  Copernicus.  The young man she had taken a
responsibility for on Sagittaria in the immediate yahrens before the
Destruction in a residential facility for the partially disabled that
she'd worked at.  Copernicus had suffered since childhood from a
neurological disorder that left him, as she'd noted in her report,
"unable to handle all of the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations that
the average person processes subconsciously every centon."  Leaving him
uncomfortable in large crowds of people and incapable of openly
expressing himself on an emotional level.  But thanks to the compassion
of his adoptive parents and good teachers like Tarnia, he had managed to
survive, and above all made use of his prodigy like genius for
understanding electronic equipment, which included selling his own
inventions.  Anything technical or electronic held a great fascination
for him, to the point of obsession.  Whereas people were random and
unpredictable, stressing his sensory controls, the physics behind all
electronic devices never changed and were second nature to him, almost. 
Had his disability and his inability to deal with people and new
situations not hampered him, he could have become the wealthiest of
electronics industrialists on Sagittaria.
     It was Tarnia who'd saved Copernicus the night of the Destruction. 
Because the facility he lived at hadn't taken any hits, he'd remained
holed up in the perceived safety of his room.  Not wanting to venture out
into the chaotic tumult of frantic people heeding Commander Adama's
message that they needed to evacuate to the aerodrome to reach the Exodus
and escape the pending horror of Cylon occupation forces.  Even though
Copernicus always trusted Tarnia so instinctively, this night, his terror
over the explosions he'd heard and the mass tumult of frantic noises he
could hear from his windows, had made him reluctant and scared to leave. 
Ultimately, Tarnia was  forced to drag him out until they'd reached the
aerodrome and safety aboard the giant passenger ship Sagittarius. 
     In time, Copernicus, with Tarnia's continued guidance and
friendship, had managed to settle down into an existence that was in his
comfort zone where he repaired the private and personal electronics of
his fellow passengers.  Whether it was a broken personal com-line or
telecom, or an old portable video entertainment device or a personal data
storage computer, Copernicus could handle it with a craftsmanlike
precision that would have drawn the envy of all certified maintenance
workers. 
     But life aboard the Sagittarius carried with it, a ticking time bomb
threatening the neat, ordered stability of Copernicus's new life.  The
ship was also home to the radical religious sect the Il Fadim and their
charismatic but mentally unhinged leader Sherok.  Devoted to the "Old
Teachings" as they called them, with a fanaticism that made even the most
devout of men like Adama feel uneasy.  Ultimately, those fears were borne
out when a faction of the Il Fadim, lead by Sherok, detonated a bomb
aboard the Sagittarius that injured many, including a visiting Starbuck. 
And then, Starbuck was taken captive by Sherok and his band.  But thanks
to Copernicus finding strength and courage in himself (borne from his
rage  that the Il Fadim had totally destroyed his private niche with its
electronics equipment) Starbuck was rescued from Sherok and his minions.
     From this incident, did Tarnia find her profile in the Fleet
elevated to that of professional psychological counselor.  And Copernicus
found himself thrust, somewhat awkwardly, into a place in Dr. Wilker's
lab where his expertise astounded the entire staff......but where the
young man's inner disorder made it hard for him to be integrated into a
command type structure.  Left to his own devices, with no voices giving
orders in his ear, Copernicus could let his work run free and to its
fullest potential.  But in a structured order of obeying orders from
Wilker and interacting with fellow technicians.....that was always more
of a challenge for the Sagitarian.
     Then, came the unexpected revelation about Copernicus that no one,
not even Tarnia had known.  That he was in fact the illegitimate son of
Sire Uri, the result of a long ago affair with a Sagitarian actress he'd
been "sponsoring" in his capacity as a philanthropic patron of the arts. 
Uri had quietly arranged for the adoption of Copernicus and had even
named the boy his heir.  A fact learned only in the wake of Uri's suicide
during the Galactica's time at Brylon Station.  A suicide triggered by
the fact that Uri was on the verge of being charged for his role in
several murders.  Murders committed to conceal the fact that Uri had been
among those plotting with Baltar to sell out humanity to the Cylons for
his own purposes.  The victims had included Baltar's pilot, Charybdis,
who had been languishing in the Prison Barge.  And even Uri's own niece
Xianthippe and her husband Tobias.
     The full extent of Uri's scandals had never been publicly revealed
for the sake of Fleet morale.  And in the wake of his death, his will had
named Copernicus as the sole heir to a still existing fortune of well
over one billion cubits.  Adama had been named executor of the will and
initially, he and Tarnia had agreed not to immediately reveal this news
to Copernicus.  They had used some of the initial legacy to get
Copernicus set up with a new electronics repair kiosk of his own on the
merchant ship Pathmain, which catered more to the middle and lower
classes of the Fleet in contrast to the shops on the Rising Star.  Such a
location better suited Copernicus's personality, keeping him out of the
spotlight from the elite who might want to exploit him, and letting him
connect more with the ordinary rank and file he wanted to help most.
     As it turned out, when Copernicus had finally asked Tarnia and Adama
where the money for the kiosk had come from, they had told him and to
their astonishment, Copernicus said he'd already known about Uri being
his father.  And that Uri had more than once visited him on Sagitaria,
and made him promise never to tell of his father's visits, not even to
Tarnia.  
     Since then, as the Fleet had gone through its experiences with races
like the Ischt'k, the Otaligim, and eventually the Risik, Copernicus had
remained in his quiet comfort zone aboard the Pathmain, content in his
work and his life.  And other than checking up with him occasionally to
make sure that his affairs were in order, Adama had kept his distance. 
Not wanting to exploit the young man's skills in ways that weren't
absolutely necessary.
     But now......as Tarnia took the call in her Office located on the
Hospital Ship that serviced the rest of the Fleet, she was being told by
Adama that Copernicus's skills were needed aboard the Galactica.  And
once Adama was through explaining the situation to the psychologist,
Tarnia knew that it had to be done.  She had already listened to Bojay
and to Sheba and to Adama about their dreams in the past.  And she had
reported the dreams of Technician Hummer and Maintenance Worker Carina to
Adama.  She understood exactly the stakes that were involved and why
Copernicus's skills were absolutely necessary.
     "I'll have him in Dr. Wilker's lab within a centar," she said before
setting the telecom down and then contacting the captain of the Hospital
Ship to have a shuttle ready to take her to the Pathmain.

Chapter Two

     Starbuck had no trouble clearing his arrival aboard the baseship
after passing on Adama's message to Commander Moray, since Baltar and
Ayesha were both still asleep at that point.  When his shuttle arrived on
the baseship though, its commander was there to greet him.
     "Lieutenant," Baltar's tone was deferential, "Moray has informed me
of the situation.  As always, we are at your disposal."
     "Thank you, Baltar," even though Starbuck had made his peace with
Ayesha, and even though he now had a better understanding that a reformed
Baltar was better for the Fleet, old wounds could never heal completely. 
It would always take great effort for Starbuck to be diplomatic and
polite in the one-time traitor's presence.  This time though, knowing
what the stakes were, he *had* to perform all that unnatural gift of
diplomacy to the maximum effort.
     "If you'll come this way," he motioned, "You already know where
this.....transmitter is."
     "Yes.  On Level Three.  Centurion Dunamis."
     "Moray has dispatched a team of a half dozen technicians who will
restore it to an active condition," they began to walk toward the Central
Core turbo lift.  As they neared it, Baltar hesitantly glanced at
Starbuck but when he spoke he was facing forward.
     "Lieutenant, I......do want to assure you and Adama there was no
intent on my part to hide the existence of this device," Baltar said with
an air of defensiveness.  "I.....only perceived it as unnecessary once
events in the matter of my......defection had run their course."
     "The commander accepts that," Starbuck bit down on his unlit
fumarello, his face also forward but noting the tone in Baltar's voice. 
"After all, Baltar, keeping it off all this time is the greatest proof of
your sincerity for the last yahren.  If it had still been active, we'd be
wondering why you were talking to whoever's on the other end at the Cylon
outer capital."
     Baltar pursed his lips, "Commander Spektor isn't someone I'd want to
exchange words with again.  Even if he got his job as a result of my
recommendation."
     Starbuck stopped and frowned, "Spektor?" he turned and looked at
him.
     "Yes," Baltar wasn't sure why Starbuck asked.
     "An IL Cylon, just like Lucifer and Septimus?"
     "Yes," the one-time traitor's frown deepened, "Do you......know
him?"
     "If he's who I think he is, I certainly know of him.  I almost met
him in the flesh once."
     "Where was that?"  They resumed walking.
     "A swampy hole of a planet called Attilla.  I crashed my viper there
once."
     Now, Baltar stopped and looked at Starbuck with bewilderment. 
"*You* were the one who crashed on Attilla?"
     "You knew about that?"  Starbuck was finding it amazing that he was
actually trading war stories with Baltar.  "If you knew about that, why
did you recommend him for a job like running Gomorrah?  Spektor didn't
exactly distinguish himself there."
     Baltar let his words sink in and slowly, he began to laugh.  Long
and with irony in a way that sounded unnerving to Starbuck, and left him
totally confused.
     "Lieutenant," Baltar was grinning, "Am I correct in assuming that
when you left Attilla, things had.....dramatically changed?"
     For the first time, Starbuck had an inkling of what this all meant
and even he was beginning to see the humor in it.
     "Well......yeah.  The remaining humans on the planet and I.....we
drove Spektor and his garrison out.  We sabotaged their petrol dump and
their fighters......and they withdrew."
     Baltar laughed again, "Spektor told me a very *different* tale!  He
said the warrior who crashed died due to his injuries, and that he wanted
to withdraw because the entire population had been exterminated and there
was no reason to maintain a presence any longer.  So  I congratulated him
on a job well done and that's why I recommended him for the job on
Gomorrah when it opened up.  All because of his outstanding work at
Attilla!"
     As they stepped into the turbo lift, suddenly Starbuck found himself
laughing along with Baltar.  It was the funniest thing he'd heard in a
*long* time.


     "Your new legs......agree with you, Lieutenant?"
     Bojay tried not to let any impatience overwhelm the gratitude he
knew he still had to feel.  "Yes, Septimus, they do.  Thank you.  But I'm
not here about that.  I have to ask you something about a feature of the
Baseship that you should be familiar with."
     "That would depend.  My lengthy period of......deactivation as it
were, did dim some of my functional memory banks regarding the operation
of the Baseship."  the disabled IL sighed.  Even though he was able to
still function, and had been working closely with Major Croft's new Fleet
Intelligence Unit (FIU), the process of making him fully ambulatory again
was still a work in progress.  For the time being, Septimus remained
confined to a wheelchair like device that had to be propelled by an
attendant.
     "This concerns something extraordinary you had," the former Pegasus
pilot said.  "It concerns the ship's ability to talk directly to
Gomorrah."
     "Oh yes," Septimus said thoughtfully.  "That was by far the most
*remarkable* breakthrough in Cylon technology I ever experienced."
     "How was it achieved?"
     "That......eludes me.  It was a breakthrough more or less presented
to us at the time my Baseship, that is the one I commanded, and Lucifer's
Baseship were retrofitted at Gomorrah and before we resumed our
search.......for you."
     Bojay had to mentally remind himself that Septimus had at one time
commanded the Baseship that was destroyed in the battle that resulted in
Baltar's defection.  "How often did you use it?"
     "Not......too often.  The inherent risk of overuse of this
breakthrough was that it drains power levels on the ship.  A conversation
lasting in excess of.....fifteen centons could result in a systemwide
power level drop of five percent to the entire Baseship.  Upon
termination of the contact, the recharging of power levels to normal
capacity could last as much as one full centar."
     "Does that power level drop at the same ratio if conversation
exceeds fifteen centons, or does it accelerate?"
     "Hmmmm.......I am trying to recall if there was ever a conversation
that lasted in excess of fifteen centons.  I believe......yes, there was
one occasion where conversation lasted in excess of a centar.  That was
because we had a relay-conversation in place."
     "A relay conversation?" Bojay was carefully recording all of this. 
Once he had all of this information he would need to pass it along to
Starbuck and the Cylon technicians aboard the Baseship.  They already
knew that Septimus, given his past history with the Centurions and the
fact that the revolt of the Centurions had been directed squarely at
higher brain class, could not at  this time, directly interact with the
Centurions.  The centurions knew that more than once, Septimus had been
reactivated in his partial condition, starting with the treason trial of
Sire Galerius, Sire Elegabalus and the rest of the Il Fadim members who
had ultimately been banished to permanent exile on an isolated planet. 
And then for a second time on Ayesha's recommendation to assist in
Bojay's recovery from crippling injuries that had left Bojay without both
legs above the knees.  And Commander Moray had also been briefed
regarding the use of Septimus's memory banks to help with the FIU.  None
of these events had met with any objections or protests because they
understood that the Colonials could make use of Septimus provided that it
was in a subordinate state.  But the Colonials were keenly aware that
anything more could  potentially disrupt the Centurions belief that their
revolt against Cylon authority had resulted in better opportunities for
them.  That was one of the reasons why Dr. Wilker had been ordered to "go
slow" in the process of making the IL fully ambulatory again.
     "Yes, a relay conversation," Septimus answered Bojay's question. 
"We had the ability to communicate with Gomorrah.  Gomorrah had the
ability to communicate with the Imperious Leader on Cylon.  So by having
two open channels, we could also communicate with the Imperious Leader on
Cylon via Gomorrah."
     "That's amazing," Bojay was fascinated to hear this description of
something that up to this day defied all standards of known science. 
"Then....that would indicate there's a limit to how far the primary
signal can travel?"
     "Theoretically, no.  If we had wanted to communicate directly with
His Em.....that is the Imperious Leader," Septimus quickly corrected
himself from using the title of deference for the Cylon ruler, "We could
have done so.  But we anticipated that for a more distant connection, the
transmission might not have been as reliable.  And there was also the
risk that the power level drainage could be greater."
     "But you never tested it that way," Bojay noted.  "It's possible
that if you'd communicated directly with Cylon, the quality of
transmission would have been the same, and the power drainage consistent
with transmission to Gomorrah."
     "It is possible," the IL conceded.  "We considered it foolish to
make such an attempt when we had the relay set-up through Gomorrah.  Not
to mention the fact that the Commander of the Outer Capital is entitled
to be present in any such discussion as well.  To not include him would
be a breach of protocol."
     "So it would," Bojay noted.  "But we haven't answered the initial
question.  In this longer conversation, was the power level drop ratio
consistent or accelerated?"
     "I now recall that it was.....consistent.  That would mean a 5%
power drop for a 15 centon conversation, and 20% for a centar
conversation."
     "Two more questions," the Pegasus veteran said, "Is it possible to
receive signals of a similar nature, though not identical to that which
comes from the transmitter on Gomorrah?"
     The silence from the IL almost suggested to Bojay that Septimus was
doing the equivalent of frowning.
     "I am confused," he said, "You are aware of other venues that
possess the same technology?"
     "It's a possibility that there might exist something like that in
the known universe," Bojay decided he wasn't prepared to reveal all to
the advanced brain Cylon.  "If it does, would your receivers be able to
receive such signals?"
     "I would presume if the principle is the same upon which the Cylon
transmission is based, the answer would be yes.  And you would be able to
use the transmitter to engage in conversation with the source of such an
alternate signal."
     Hallelujah, Bojay felt a wave of relief.  The worst thing he could
have heard was that the Baseship system was only compatible with whatever
Cylon transmission/receivers existed on Gomorrah and elsewhere. 
Unwittingly, Septimus had proved that Commander Cain's comment in Sheba's
vision was genuine information.
     "One last question.  Can messages sent and received by the
baseship's system be transferred to other stations for use?  I'm talking
about as a relay transmitter and receiver to and from the Baseship
system.  Let's say we used the normal communication bands here on the
Galactica and then tied them into the Baseship system.  Under this model,
the Galactica  Bridge could talk to Gomorrah by first going through the
Baseship terminal.....and receiving the signal on the Bridge terminal
through the same principle."
     "Yes.  Yes, that is a theoretical principle that works provided that
the terminal on the Baseship is keyed open to act as the main gateway
through which the message coming and going passes through.  The delay
would be based only on the proximity between where the Galactica is and
where the Baseship is."
     "Which in this case is insignificant."
     "Precisely," Septimus nodded.  "All you would have to do is use the
appropriate wireless network to connect the terminal of your choosing on
the Galactica to the main system network aboard the Baseship."
     "Thank you, Septimus," Bojay rose.  "You have been most helpful."
     "I am glad to have provided you with assistance again as I did the
last time," the IL said.  "Is this......more helpful to you than your
new.....features?"
     Bojay looked at him thoughtfully.  "All things considered......it
very well may."


     Boxey, accompanied by his beloved Muffit, had been keeping a
protective eye on his two cousins while Apollo talked with Athena and
Boomer in the next room.  The little boy, already awed by the sight of
his new baby sister, could now look at his twin cousins and collectively
realize for the first time that he was going to be someone that three of
them would be looking up to as they got older.  For the first time.....it
made him more cognizant of just how much closer he was to actually
leaving his own childhood behind.  And it was something that excited him
tremendously.
     The door slid open and his father walked in.  His expression was
subdued but when he spoke to Boxey, there was only the gentle tone of
parental kindness.
     "Boxey?" Apollo said.  "Let me talk to you for a centon."
     He turned around and came up to his father who had his arms
outstretched.  Even though Boxey was getting older and heavier, Apollo
still loved to pick him up and his son still enjoyed being picked up.  It
was because he knew it wouldn't be too long before that would no longer
be possible, that Boxey needed to enjoy each of the remaining times left
that it happened.
     Apollo kissed his son and he playfully touched his beard in return,
showing once again how he approved of his father's new look as much as
Sheba did.  More than once Boxey had vowed that he was never going to
shave once in his life when he grew up.  Apollo had gently told him that
he needed to make that decision for a reason other than just admiring the
way his father looked, but he had confidentially told him with a twinkle
that if Boxey went his whole life without ever shaving it would be a
great achievement.
     Apollo sat down in a chair so  Boxey could now rest on his knee. 
Muffit slowly made his way over from the cribs that contained baby Ila
and baby Zac and settled by Apollo's feet.
     "Boxey," his voice was gentle and serious, "I want to talk to you
about two people.  Two people you've never met.  They probably don't
understand the relationship they have to you, but......we may end up
hearing from them sometime in the next day, and if we do......then
they'll be as important to you as any of the people who've loved you in
your whole life."
     "Who?" the little boy frowned.
     "Well.....let me put it this way.  You love your Grandpa very much,
don't you?"
     "Yeah," he nodded.  
     "That's because your Grandpa is my father.  That's how it works in
life.  Athena is your aunt, because she's my sister.  Boomer is your
uncle, because she's married to my sister.  Those are bonds of family
that tie us all to each other forever."
     "I know," he said simply, not knowing what his father was going to
say, but he was obediently listening.
     "Then.....if you had a chance to actually see and talk to.....your
Mom's father, he'd be your Grandpa too, right?"
     "Yes," Boxey nodded, "Mom's told me about Grandpa Cain and how he's
really my Grandpa too now."
     "I'm glad she's already told you that, Boxey," Apollo was sure Sheba
had brought that up before but he needed to confirm that.  "And if you
could talk to him......you'd love him as much as you love Grandpa,
right?"
     "Yes," he then frowned, "Is he coming back?"
     "Well.....we don't know Boxey.  All we know is he might be in touch
with us, and we want to prepare you for that possibility.  Because if he
does, we want him to know that he's not just a Grandpa because he has
Bethany now, but because.....he has you too.  You're his daughter's son
now, and that makes you his grandson just as much as you are Adama's
grandson because you're *my* son.  It works the same way.  You're as much
a part of the House of Cain as you are the House of Adama, and you need
to always be proud of that."
     "I am, Dad," Boxey's face brightened, "I love hearing Mom tell me
stories about him.  And Muffit loves them too!  Don't you?" he looked
down at his pet who let out an approving bark.
     "That's good, Boxey," Apollo took a breath.  The easy part was over,
because Boxey had always been conditioned to believe that his Grandpa
Cain was out there somewhere, alive and well.  Now would come the more
difficult part that was likely to be more confusing to him.
     "Now Boxey, there's something else," he went on, "You may be hearing
soon from more than just Grandpa Cain.  You may be hearing from.....your
grandmother too."
     The frown returned to his face, "But.....I don't have a
grandmother."
     "Yes, you do, Boxey," Apollo said.  "Even if you go your whole life
without meeting them, Sheba's Mom, whom we named Bethany after, is your
grandmother.  And so is my Mom, who Athena named your Cousin Ila after. 
And it's......your grandmother Ila that you may end up getting to see and
hear."
     "But.....I thought she died on Caprica."
     "Well.....that's what I thought, and your Grandpa thought.  We
looked for her that night the Cylons attacked and the night I met you and
your Mommy for the first time.  But.....we just assumed, Boxey.  We never
saw anything......specific.  We could have been wrong about Grandma Ila. 
And it's possible......that maybe she's with Grandpa Cain now."
     Apollo studied his son's face, hoping that he wasn't going to ask a
question on the order of how if his Grandma Ila could seemingly "come
back" then could his own Mother, Serina, also come back?  And then would
he have to try to explain all over again how final death was, and how
this wasn't a case of "coming back" in that sense?
     But Boxey surprised him by showing how mature he was becoming for
his years.
     "I....understand, Dad," he said.  "It's not like......she's coming
back from where Mommy is now.  It just means.....you missed seeing her
before we left Caprica."
     "Yes," Apollo nodded, relieved that he understood the difference and
amazed and awed by his insightful maturity.  "Yes.  And not because we
didn't mean to miss her.  It.....looks like she was able to find your
Grandpa Cain, and.....this way we'll be able to maybe hear from them at
last."
     "But they may not be staying with us?"
     That was a question that had been haunting Apollo ever since he'd
been forced to confront the emerging reality of the situation.  If it was
true that his mother lived and was with the Pegasus......then why weren't
they trying to reach them more directly?  The very fact that it needed to
come by this means of extraordinary long-range communication was on one
level slightly ominous from Apollo's standpoint.  Because of itself, it
indicated that wherever the Pegasus was, it had to be very far away.  And
that meant they were not likely to be rendezvousing with the Fleet
anytime soon.
     And if that's the case.....is there a reason for that?  A reason
that makes them go this route because maybe.......
     He realized he was getting way too ahead of things to dwell on these
points.  Especially when the final moment of confirmation that a message
would be coming hadn't been dealt with.  He needed to look at things as
they were based on what he knew.
     "I......can't say, Boxey.  Just like I can't say 100% that we're
going to get a message from them.  It's just that.....there's a very good
chance we will and I want you to be prepared for it, if and when it does
come in."
     "Will I get to see them?"
     "Yes, Boxey," he kissed his son on top of the head, "You will."
     The door opened and he saw Athena standing in the entryway.  Her
expression was also subdued as the revelation from her brother had caught
her off-guard completely.
     "Now in the meantime," Apollo gently set his son down, "You get back
to looking after your cousins for now.  I'll let you know when something
happens.  I promise."
     "Sure, Dad," he smiled and moved back over to the two cribs with
Muffit trailing.  Apollo then followed Athena back into the next room. 
Boomer, he noticed, was no longer there.
     "Boomer's gone down to Wilker's lab to help," she said. 
"And.....there was something I had to say to you in.....private."
     "Sure."
     "Apollo.....when this thing gets hooked up.......someone has to
stand by to monitor it and wait for something to come in, right?"
     "Yes," he nodded, "They're going to try to get it hooked up so that
even though the signal would have to come through the Baseship, we'd be
able to relay it to the key stations on the Galactica.  That way it can
be received and responded to from here."
     "When it's in place, I want to be the one monitoring it," Athena's
firm tone indicated this wasn't something she was going to take a no
answer for.  "It has to be me."
     Apollo wasn't sure how to react to that.  "Well.....I guess that
could be arranged.  It could be any one of us that stands by waiting,
but-----,"
     "There are four people who have the biggest vested interest in being
the first to receive this message, if in fact a message is coming,
Apollo," she went on.  "You, me, Sheba and Father.  Sheba is still
recovering and may not be discharged in time.  Father has his hands full
as it is and can't just sit in front of a screen waiting.  You have your
duties, but even if you didn't, there's the fact that if a message comes
through.......you don't look like you did the last time Cain
or.....Mother saw you."
     Apollo was ready to make some self-deprecating crack or a joke about
her remark, given how she'd never fully gotten used to the change in his
appearance, but he stopped himself because he realized it was a
legitimate point.
     "It's a fair point," he said, "And.....you are the expert in
communications.  But.....I can tell it's more important for you to see
proof that......Mother is alive."
     Athena lowered her head and folded her arms, "Yes, there is," she
said.  "The idea of her gone......it scarred me even more than Zac's
death.  It.....made me think how naive and foolish I'd been with my sunny
outlook on life that I inherited from her.  It......," she took a breath
and shook her head, "It made me renounce my faith in God and everything
else about the goodness of the Lords I used to believe in as a child. 
And....even though I've felt myself slowly returning to faith over the
last yahren.....it's never come all the way back to what it was. 
But.....if Mother really is alive, then.....it would be the biggest
confirmation in my heart that.....I was wrong to lose faith the way I
did."  
     She began to pace about the room with a restless air, "That's why I
want to be the first......if we're going to hear from her.  If it turns
out......all that you've said is true.  Because I want to believe it so
much.  I want to.....believe the way I used to believe again."
     Apollo's brotherly intuition suddenly kicked in.  "I get the feeling
there's something else to all this.  Something.....you've never mentioned
before."
     Athena stopped her pacing and looked at him, "There is. 
I've......never told anyone about this before, Apollo, but......when that
Ziklagi monster, Korax caused that shuttle crash on Brylon Station that
put me in a coma.......there was a time during that, when I was out cold
to the universe, and I had this strange sensation of......being tempted
by something.....hideous.  That the lives of my unborn babies depended on
it."
     Apollo felt his flesh crawl upon hearing this, "Iblis?"
     "I honestly can't remember," his sister said.  "I.....know all about
what you and Sheba have gone through with him, but......I've never been
impacted by that, so......if he has done something similar with me, it
doesn't seem to leave a big impression on me.  But......the thing I do
remember is that......I was getting help from loved ones to fight this
temptation off, and fighting for my life and my babies.  Loved ones who
were.....dead."
     Apollo felt his uneasiness increasing, "And you saw Mother, then? 
Which would mean that she couldn't possibly be-----,"
     "No, no, no!" Athena whipped around, her voice hastily apologetic. 
"No, that's not what I was going to say.  I *didn't* see Mother!  That's
what I've always remembered as so strange about the experience.  I can
remember Zac, and I can remember Serina, but......not Mother.  She wasn't
there.  Which means.......if that really happened to me, then wouldn't
she have been there with Zac and Serina?  And if she wasn't
there......that could only mean that all this time she's been alive!"
     Apollo looked into her blue eyes which she'd inherited from her
mother.  So much of Athena had come from her mother with the exception of
her dark hair.  But it was enough to explain why the loss of her mother
had always traumatized her so much.
     "And that's why your lingering skepticism didn't kick in when you
heard me tell you about all this?" he asked.
     "I guess," she admitted.  "I.....have a *reason* to believe it's
true just as much of a *need* to see that it's true.  But......I need to
see it resolved, Apollo.  That's why I need to pull that duty of
monitoring for the transmission as soon as everything's in place."
     "I'll see to it," Apollo said quietly.  "It's going to be at least a
couple centars before things will be ready, so maybe you can take care of
setting up Boxey and the twins for when we all start going on
the......long vigil."
     "I will," Athena felt grateful.  "Thank you, Apollo."
     The two of them shared a brother-sister embrace as deep as any that
either could remember.  And then, he left to see the progress of events
in Wilker's Lab.

Chapter Three

     "Here she is, Sheba," Cassiopeia said as she handed the wrapped baby
to her mother.  "Congratulations."
     Sheba, now lying upright in her stasis chamber, took her newborn
daughter in her arms and immediately felt an inner surge of joy filling
every part of her body.  Not just because the dangers that had come up
during labor had passed.  And not just because little Bethany was a
perfect picture of health.  There was also within Sheba a sense of joy
that she'd been given back something that had once seemed so real to her
and yet had only been an illusion.  The illusion of a beautiful baby girl
who'd looked exactly like Bethany and had been named Bethany.  
     But it had all been a cruel, sick joke perpetrated on her and Apollo
by the Dark One who had with seeming obsession, tortured her existence
multiple times in the past two yahrens.  Nothing greater than that
occasion when he had placed Apollo in a non-existent realm and allowed
them to experience the bliss of not one, but *three* children in the kind
of setting and lifestyle they had always deep-down yearned for.  The
false "Bethany", because she had been the first of the three children,
had been the one hardest for Sheba's mind and memory to let go of.  Even
after Apollo (with the help of the Ship of Lights being who had once been
Colonel Delambre of the Battlestar Callisto) had managed to break her
free from the illusion and realize the horror of it all.  
     Sheba had returned to the Galactica emotionally scarred and
traumatized in ways that had taken sectars to get over.  Indeed, so great
was Sheba's depression that at her lowest point, she found herself losing
the very will to live.  Venting her inner feelings of anger and
depression by even assaulting a Cadet at one point.  But
then......salvation and rescue had come to her in the prayers and offers
of self-sacrifice from Starbuck......and even from Boxey and Apollo,
which in another experience on the Ship of Lights, not dissimilar to what
she had gone through only centars ago, freed her from the black
depression of mental trauma imposed on her by Iblis.
     And in the wake of her restoration, a new beginning in Sheba's life
seemed to take place.  Renewed marital happiness with Apollo.  Renewed
self-respect and devotion to her duties.  And then....the joy of
realizing that she was pregnant......with a child that she was convinced
would be *exactly* like the one she had only imagined and lost.  The
Lords had answered that prayer by letting it be a girl, that she could
name in honor of her dear mother.
     And now, as she held Bethany tight to her with all the maternal
affection she could summon, her mind was racing about how another prayer
was seemingly on the verge of being answered.  The chance to actually see
her father again and talk with him.  Yes, she had seen him in a vision
that had taken her to the Ship of Lights again, and she had heard his
message about turning the receivers on.......but if that signal came
through, it would at last, give her a connection to him in the real
world.  A chance to re-connect and bring her father up to date on her
life, and how she had found happiness as Apollo's wife and as the new
mother of Apollo's son, Boxey and the mother of their firstborn.  To let
Cain know that he was now twice a grandfather in every sense of the term.
     And if it was true that Ila, Apollo's mother was there with her
father, there was also the desire to tell her with pride that she was
Apollo's wife.  And that she and Cain were forever linked through the
common tie of family.  Above all, she wanted to hold little Bethany up to
the screen and let Ila and Cain *see* the proof of how they were
permanently tied to each other.
     Certainly there were questions in Sheba's mind that were still hard
to comprehend.  Chief among them, the fact that her inner instinct told
her that this contact wasn't going to mark the beginning of a permanent
reunion in the truest sense.  It was a point she couldn't grasp or
completely understand, but it was as if she realized  she couldn't raise
her expectations of what this would mean to an unrealistic level. 
Instead, she would accept on faith exactly what this communication would
mean, and be grateful to the Lords for whatever came from it.
     But as she continued to hold her baby tight and gently rock her,
Sheba's eyes darted about the room and she realized something important
had to change.
     "Cassiopeia," she said, "How.....soon can we get out of here?"
     The doctor smiled at her.  "You want to be sure you don't miss any
important messages?"
     Her eyes widened, "You.....know?"
     "Bojay told me," Cain's former lover sighed.  "Right now, they're
working on getting the system hooked up so if there's a message
from......somewhere coming in soon, we'll be ready for it.  They'll try
to have a relay set up in Adama's quarters so.....that should be the
place to do it from as far as you're concerned.  I'll have you out of
here in a centar."
     "Thank you," Sheba whispered, "And....Bethany too?  She can be with
me?"
     "Yes, she can.  However, I'd advise having you two leave here on a
cart, and not on foot," she paused and then added, "Preferably one pushed
by me."
     "Of course!" Sheba nodded vigorously, "Of course.  My goodness,
Cassie----you have as much right to be there when this happens as any of
the rest of us do."
     "Thank you," she smiled.  "It means so much to hear you say that. 
And I promise.....I wouldn't think of monopolizing the time on any
hook-up, especially when it could mean more than just him making
contact."
     Sheba nodded and tenderly kissed her baby.  Feeling content for now.


     "What's the situation over there, Starbuck?"  Dr. Wilker was tied in
on the com-line to the Baseship.
     "I tell you these technicians are *really* fast workers!" the
lieutenant's voice came through.  "All it took was turning on several
switches to get it powered up.  But Dunamis needs to do some inputting to
make it functional and ready to be used, and then Commander Moray wants
to make sure he's channeled which part of the Baseship should go through
the power drop that comes just from keeping it turned on all the time."
     "About how much power drain is there from having it turned on but
not in active use?"
     "Well, according to Moray, just having it on in a state of readiness
isn't really much of a problem.  If the thing were on for a sectar and
nobody called in or out, you'd only go through a one percent power drain
to systems.  What Moray wants to do is have the power drop come from one
of the least essential areas of the Baseship and not come equally from
all systems.  That way when it's being used, the bigger power drain won't
impact critical systems."
     "Okay, we'll get back to you," the Chief Scientist turned off the
com-line and turned to his assembled group of technicians in the ship's
Central Communications Core, which now included the just-arrived from the
Pathmain, Copernicus.  The young man of thirty seemed overwhelmed to be
back in this kind of setting for the first time in nearly a yahren, and
he had exchanged minimal greetings with his former colleagues Technician
Hummer and Sergeant Komma, the electronics whiz from Colonial Security. 
Even so, they could tell from his eyes that he was anxious to become
involved with what Tarnia told him was a matter of the highest importance
to the Fleet.  That while it wasn't necessarily something only he could
do, his presence and his expertise would provide the extra level of
security needed to insure its success.
     "Okay, everyone," Wilker said, "Let me remind you what's at stake. 
We're waiting for the receiver/transmitter on the Baseship to become
active and ready to be used.  Then, the goal is to make sure we have the
network relay in place so that the Galactica has the ability to use her
own terminals to transmit and receive messages that would go through the
Baseship terminal."
     "Relay from the Baseship to Central Communication Core on the
Galactica to designated terminals throughout the ship," Copernicus
abruptly spoke up.  His eyes had narrowed in a way that suggested a great
mind concentrating and synthesizing the situation.  "A message coming
from the outside goes through the Baseship and will then automatically be
relayed to the designated terminals so that their return transmission
will go back through the network relay to the Baseship and then back to
the original sender, with loss of time dependant solely on the proximity
between the Galactica and the Baseship.  This is a principle based on the
network communication relay system first developed on
Sagittaria........."
     With anyone else, Wilker and all others present would have
interjected at this point about how none of that was necessary to go
over.  Because it was Copernicus though, they took a step back and let
him finish.  It was simply part of his nature that the only time he ever
felt comfortable expressing himself and talking at length was on fine
technical matters related to the work that was his life, and gave it
meaning.  Cutting him off in mid-sentence, Tarnia had warned once, could
be misinterpreted as disapproval and drive him back into his shell and
increase the natural barriers of reserve his condition had created.
     When it was clear that he was done, Wilker nodded politely, "Thank
you, Copernicus.  Yes, that's what we're trying to duplicate here so that
the Galactica never has to ask a Cylon technician on the Baseship to do
anything more than just make sure the main system is functioning.  The
instant communication and reception would be as if the main system wasn't
there at all."
     "So this means our ability to use this is always going to be
dependent on staying real close to the Baseship?" Komma asked.  "If we
ever went our separate ways, we'd lose it completely?"
     "That *is* the general idea, Komma," Wilker said.  "Maybe in theory
we could develop the capacity to receive such signals on the normal
channels and terminals without the main system, but certainly not to
transmit.  Not unless we rebuilt the system from scratch here on the
Galactica.  And that's something we certainly can't do in the near-term."
     "Which terminals are we going to route this to?" Hummer was trying
to hide the anticipation in his voice.  He was one of the two additional
ex-Pegasus crewmen who had experienced dreams of the ship, and he was
anxious to learn the meaning of why he had seen four Cylons in the lab of
his old superior, Dr. Arnoff.  "All of the ones on the Galactica?"
     "No, no.  Nothing that complex.  The Commander wants us to make sure
the relay is set for two terminals only.  The Com-Line Alpha channel that
goes directly to the Bridge, and the one in the Commander's quarters. 
Nowhere else.  Now....." he pointed to the terminal, "Isolate here, our
direct channel to the Baseship that lets us have visual hook-up with
their Command Center.  Starbuck and the Technicians on the other end are
going to make sure the system is first channeled into that, and then once
that's in place, we'll have the ability to tap into it and transfer the
signal to the two monitors indicated elsewhere on the terminal.  The
Bridge monitor and the Commander's quarters."
     "We won't know if this relay hook-up actually works until a message
comes in, won't we?" Komma asked.
     "After it's in place, there will be a test transmission from the
Bridge and the Commander's quarters to the Baseship terminal, which will
at least verify that we're in synch with them.  And if we're in synch
with them, then we'll be in synch with whoever sends a signal the
Baseship receiver picks up, and be able to talk back to them.  It's
complicated but it has to be done."
     "Someone would have to be stationed on permanent watch on the
Baseship if we didn't have this in place," Copernicus volunteered.  "And
then we'd have to resort to more primitive forms of relay which would
presumably take up a great deal of wasted time and make it more difficult
to sustain a conversation."
     "Exactly!  That's right!" Wilker exclaimed, hoping that his
statement of approval would be enough to keep the Sagitarian from going
any further.  "This will make it efficient in every sense of the term."
     "So we just wait for Starbuck to give us the green light and get the
relays in place," Komma said.
     "That's it.  He gives the word, and then we get to work and have it
in place as soon as possible."
     "And after that?" Hummer asked.
     The Electronics Scientist folded his arms and almost smirked, "Then
after that....it's out of our hands and we just hope that this signal
does come through."
     "I hope it does," the ex-Pegasus crewman said.  "I only wish I could
talk to them.  There's so many people there I know----,"
     "We understand, Hummer," Komma said.  "There's at least one or two
old friends of mine who were still on the Pegasus."
     "All right, let's keep the small talk down," ordinarily, Wilker
didn't talk like a disciplinarian.  He was more prone to being overly
long-winded himself when it came to explaining things, but the magnitude
of this job, and what it meant was overwhelming him more than usual
inside.  Dr. Arnoff, the Pegasus Chief Scientist was an old friend and
colleague he'd collaborated with at some scientific panel discussions in
the yahrens before the Pegasus disappeared at the Battle of Molocay.  He
understood that a screw-up on a job like this in getting a relay in place
could be damaging to Fleet morale if the lost battlestar was trying to
contact the Galactica. 
     He heard the com-line beep and then heard Starbuck's voice, "Okay,
Doc.  She's plugged into the main Cylon Command center terminal and we're
ready to transmit to you in Central Comm Core.  As soon as you see my
face on the monitor, that means phase one, complete."
     "Okay.  Stand by, Starbuck."  He motioned to the three technicians
who began to work on the main terminal to adjust the settings that would
in effect represent a transmission from the long-range terminal to be
picked up on the Galactica.
     Copernicus then pressed a monitor switch on the table, and
immediately he saw Starbuck's face on the other end.
     "Hey, Copernicus old pal!" Starbuck smiled brightly at the man who
had saved his life from the Il Fadim.  "Good to see you again......in
more ways than one!"
     The Sagitarian managed a friendly smile and nod before he moved away
to let Wilker take charge.
     "Thanks, Starbuck.  Phase one complete.  We're now getting set for
Phase Two which is establishing relay to the Commander's quarters. 
Please confirm on my normal com-line to you if you get a signal there."
     Another two centons of work by the three technicians and then the
switch was activated.  It only took less than a micron before Wilker
heard Starbuck's voice in his ear.
     "The Commander sees me.  Reminds me to get back here when all
systems are in place. Phase Two complete."
     "All right.  Readying ourselves for Phase Three and the Bridge
link."


     Athena had arrived on the Bridge trying to keep herself a picture of
calm, but when she entered almost all activity came to a stop.  Glances
from Omega, Rigel, Wu and every other bridge crewman as they saw her
settle in the chair on the upper level near the terminal where any
Com-Line Alpha signal would come through.  They had all heard the rumors
by this point about what was going on and the reasons for it.  Most of
them not understanding how it could be possible, but all understanding
the basic message that the Galactica, for whatever reason that defied all
known scientific laws, might be hearing soon from their missing brethren
aboard the Pegasus, nearly three yahrens since they'd last seen her.  And
that the terminal where Athena was now placing herself at was very likely
the place where such a message would first be seen.
     Athena was oblivious to all the eyes resting on her, but it didn't
go unnoticed from the Executive Officer.
     "All right, everyone!" Colonel Tigh barked, "Back to work!  You've
got your duties and Lieutenant Athena has hers!"
     Slowly, all the faces turned away from the Commander's daughter and
back toward the monitors.  Tigh slowly made his way up to her station,
hands behind his back, the picture of command authority.
     "Athena," he leaned down and said in a low, sympathetic tone, "Good
luck."
     "Thank you, Colonel," she said as she settled herself deeper into
her chair to try and get more comfortable.  A potentially long vigil
awaited her and she needed to keep herself relaxed.
     Her heart skipped a beat when she saw a burst of color on the
monitor, but then reminded herself quickly before the image of Starbuck
formed, that this was just a systems relay test.
     "You read me clear, Athena?" her one-time boyfriend asked.  He was a
picture of dead seriousness, which was uncharacteristic of him.  As
though he recognized that this was one time it would be very
inappropriate.
     "I copy, Starbuck," she acknowledged.  "All set on this end."
     "All right.  It's out of my hands now.  Anything that comes in to
this terminal from the outside should kick in automatically and go to
your terminal for initial reception.  If your terminal is off, it will
activate in the Commander's quarters and if both are off, it has to be
answered here."
     "I understand," Athena calmly exhaled, "Thanks Starbuck.  Talk to
you later."
     His image faded and Athena could only settle back now and wait. 
Behind her, Colonel Tigh gently paced back and forth, keeping one wary
eye on the Bridge personnel to make sure they were still attending to
their duties......and the other eye over Athena's shoulder.

     "Commander," Starbuck reported back this time on the regular
com-line, independent of the receiver/transmitter he'd just been working
on, "The Bridge relay works.  Commander Moray has all technicians
standing by in case anything goes wrong on this end......I'm ready to
stay here in case I'm needed."
     "Negative, Starbuck.  Get back here now and let them handle any
problems if they happen on that end."
     As soon as he switched the com-line off and moved away from his
desk, he saw Apollo frowning at him.  His son had been the first to
arrive for what would be the vigil from the family end of things in
Adama's quarters.
     "Father," he said, "Shouldn't Starbuck stay on the Baseship in case
the relays on this end go out?"
     "He doesn't have to, son," Adama collapsed into a chair across from
his desk and away from his terminal.  "Starbuck deserves to be here when
it happens as much as the rest of us.  Not on the Baseship manning what
amounts to a backup console."
     "But Father.....if the relays here go out and the only way it can be
answered is on the Baseship, then that means the first face Cain would
see is either a Cylon technician or Baltar."
     His father looked over at him and smiled, "That may not be as
relevant as you think it is, Apollo."
     "I don't understand."
     "Remember what Cain supposedly said in the vision?  He was telling
us to turn the receivers on the Baseship on.  That means if that vision
is true, then Cain already *knows* there's a baseship with us.  Which
means he wouldn't be the least bit surprised if a Cylon technician might
have to answer it to explain the situation."
     "Good Lords," Apollo whispered as he realized he hadn't made the
connection.  "Then that would mean----,"
     "It would mean Cain knows more about what's happened to us than we
do about him," Adama sighed and looked up at the ceiling.  "And.....if
this transmission is meant to happen, I don't think the relays are going
to suddenly go out on us at the last possible micron.  But......just to
be on the safe side, I'll tell Wilker's team to stand by on a yellow
alert status.  That means Copernicus isn't released from duty.....yet. 
Not until this whole thing is over."
His voice faded slightly as he repeated the words, "Not until this whole
thing is over."
     Another silence filled the room and then Apollo looked over at him,
"Father.....I just remembered something.  Couldn't we have used the
Herneith bracelet in some way?  It's the only known piece of Kobollian
technology in the Fleet and it was used for transmitting purposes
originally."
     Adama slowly shook his head.  "It would take too much time to get
that released from Libran authority, and on top of that, we've never made
any study of it to get a true indicator of how you're supposed to use it
for transmitting purposes."
     "Because of the ancient prohibition against Kobollian technology?"
     "That....still weighs on me, Apollo.  But not as much as you think
it does.  I still respect the prohibition and why we've lived by it as a
people, but......we may be entering a time when that prohibition is no
longer relevant to our lives.  I'm open to reconsidering it, but.....not
for this.  There isn't enough time and besides, if a vision from above
tells us to trust the baseship receivers then that's what we go with."
     The com-line sounded and he answered it.
     "We're set, Commander," he heard Wilker's voice.
     "Thank you, Doctor," Adama said.  "Your team is to remain in Yellow
Alert standby for now in the Lab in case something else comes up.  You
won't be released from that status until after the......situation is
over."
     "I understand, sir," Wilker said.  "Does.....that apply to
Copernicus too?"
     "It does."
     "Well then, sir......with your permission, I'd like to give him
something of a new assignment while we wait this out."
     "Well....his mind is better attuned to work than idleness, so go
right ahead."


     Boomer had come down to Wilker's Lab prepared to offer his own
expertise in electronics to the team, but Copernicus's presence had
effectively guaranteed that they had enough.  While the team worked in
the Central Communications Core down the hall from the Lab, the
commander's son-in-law found himself waiting......with only the less than
intact remains of Septimus for company.
     "Your bearing suggests you are nervous."
     Right away, Boomer got an unnerving reminder of how the IL had the
same voice as that of the former Council member, Sire Geller.  And that
was no coincidence.  Decades ago, as a Sagitarian trade merchant, Geller
had been taken prisoner by the Cylons and his voice had been recorded and
stored in a file of voice recordings to be used for an entire class of IL
Cylon robots, of which Septimus was one.  And Geller had also been
brainwashed to one day be activated as a sleeper agent for the Cylons,
which took place during the period when the Galactica had been at Brylon
Station.  Using the stolen Herneith bracelet, which contained the only
known example of Kobollian technology in the Fleet, to transmit messages
back to the Cylon Empire.  The discovery of Geller as an unwitting mole
had taken place just on the eve of the battle that saw Baltar's defection
and the beginning of the Detente.  Ever since, Geller had been spending a
troubled retirement in an uncertain recovery period, still haunted by the
after-effects of his brainwashing experience.  He had never been told
about his voice being the same as that of a Cylon robot, and when
Septimus had to be activated to testify at the Il Fadim trial, Geller's
attendants on the Senior Ship had made sure he hadn't seen any of the
coverage.
     "Maybe I am," Boomer decided he could afford to be flip with the IL
since unlike the centurions who were to be regarded as equals, he knew
Septimus was being kept active in a subordinate position.  "Nothing too
important."
     "And yet, Dr. Wilker's senior staff had to attend to what they
considered a most urgent matter."
     "It happens," Boomer shrugged.  "I'm sure you had to do the same
thing in the good old days for you,"
     "I don't know what you mean by the 'good old days'," the IL said.
     "Um....the days when you could move about the way you used to."
     "Oh.  Yes, I suppose those were good days for me compared to my
present condition."
     The door opened, mercifully ending for Boomer what he found to be a
boring and insipid conversation.  Wilker entered, followed by Hummer,
Komma and the quiet looking Copernicus.
     "Well?" Red Leader got to his feet.
     "Success, success, we've done it," there was mock mirth in the Chief
Scientist's voice. "The relays are in, the receiver is on......now it's a
question of waiting to see if anyone's going to call in.  We're just
waiting on standby in case the relay goes out or there's a sudden
disruption of some kind."
     "I see," Boomer said, "Well......great to know you guys are on top
of things.  I've got to head back to my quarters and pick up my kids
because......"
     "We understand, Boomer," Komma said, "Good luck."
     They stepped aside to give Boomer a clear path to get out and then
the three technicians dropped into the chairs in front of the work
tables.  Wilker though was headed to a work table in the back of the room
where a square, non-conductive box sat which had a number of warning and
danger markings on it.  The most prominent being the one on the front
that said, "DO NOT OPEN!"
     "Say, Copernicus," Wilker said aloud.  "Could you come back here and
have a look at this?  We've been stumped completely by this thing for the
last couple sectars and all that time, we never realized you might be
able to tell us something about it we can't."
     The socially awkward young man bowed his head slightly but seemed
pleased to know he was needed.  "I......am happy to help.  What....is
it?"
     Komma, who had collapsed into a chair didn't look up, "It's a virus,
Copernicus.  A virus that spread so fast it caused just about every
system on the Galactica to shut down.  We had to use advanced
triangulation to get it contained."
     "Oh.....," he nodded.  "Yes.  Yes.....you.....used that gaming
symbol to warn the Fleet to keep it from spreading, didn't you?  I
remember my.....gaming friends telling me about that."
     That caused the heads of Hummer and Komma to perk up, while Wilker
tried not to frown, knowing that Copernicus might react wrongly to his
reaction.  Even so, his eyebrows went up.
     "Your.....gaming friends, Copernicus?"
     "Why......yes.  I......have a small group of friends who.....I know
from the Pathmain and where I.....live.  We.....get together on
occasion."
     "You could have joined our group!" Hummer exclaimed.  "The Doc's had
his own gaming operation going for over a yahren now!  That's how we knew
how to use that symbol."
     "Ah.....let's not be *too* vocal about that, Hummer," Wilker said
with the gentlest reproach.  "Besides......we formed our little group
after you set yourself up on the Pathmain.  You couldn't have known
that."
     "No......I suppose not.  I....am sorry I have not remained in touch
all this time, but......my work has been quite extensive, and........."
     "You have nothing to apologize for, Copernicus," Komma said gently,
knowing what kind of inner barriers existed in the young man.  "We're
glad you're doing what you want to do with your life.  Except of course
when the Commander demands our attention, like right now."
     "Yes," Wilker wanted to steer the conversation back to the point. 
"And.....since we have to wait, maybe you could help us understand this. 
The.......code itself for this virus has been transcribed and is on the
monitor next to the box.  But......it's nothing like any code we've ever
seen in our lives."
     "The sad unfortunate limitation of even the most advanced of human
minds," Septimus suddenly spoke up from the other side of the room, his
voice a sigh of sadness more than a putdown.
     "Come on Septimus," Hummer snorted, "Not even *you* could figure out
what that code was when we let you take a gander at it."
     "I allow for the fact that even my mind is limited in some
respects," Septimus said, "After all.....I find myself in this position
because of what my mind failed to anticipate in regard to the feelings of
the centurion class."
     Whether the self-deprecation was intentional or not, it made Hummer
and Komma laugh just the same.
     "Well anyway, here it is," Wilker hoped there'd be no more
distractions as he led Copernicus over to the table.  "I mean look at
that.  Have you ever seen anything like that before?"
     Copernicus looked down at the transcribed code on the small monitor. 
His eyes studying it.....and widening in amazement.  A reaction that
Wilker wasn't prepared for.
     "Copernicus?" he asked haltingly.
     "I am familiar with this code," the electronics genius said.  "In
fact....it is very familiar to me."

Chapter Four

     After doing all he could do in the Electronics Lab, Bojay had been
told by Adama to stand down and go back to his normal routine.  He told
him that if the moment came, there would be a unicom announcement about
it.  Whether he could guarantee that Bojay would get a chance to actually
see part of any transmission was still an open question.
     "Too many people would want to see it, and there'd be so little
time," Adama had said.  "I know how much it means to you to be able to
see this, Bojay.  If Cain is there, I know you have a right to let him
know you're okay.  But I don't think you should be part of any vigil down
here when you already shared in one just last night."
     Reluctantly, the ex-Pegasus warrior had agreed.  He decided to go to
the training room and use the equipment that he'd been testing his new
cybernetic limbs on.  It would give him a chance to burn off some tension
in a pro-active fashion.
     When he arrived, changed into workout clothes, he was surprised to
see his wife, Gayla, a picture of toned perfection, already there and
energetically pedaling a stationary cycle.
     "Hi, Gay," he settled himself on the cycle next to her.  "I thought
you had work duty today."
     His wife the agro-tech, managed to smile even though she was
breathing heavily from her vigorous activity, "I was half-way to the
launch bay to catch my shuttle to the Agro-Ship when I got a telecom from
Carmichael that my work duty for the next two cycles is cancelled by
order of the Commander," she glimpsed over at him and smiled, "So I
figured I'd head down here.....especially when the Commander  then told
me you were likely headed here."
     "Well, I'm glad you're here, Gay," he sighed and began to pedal. 
His new legs still felt heavier on the cycle.  Bending and straightening
the cybernetic knee was by far the toughest part, but he was determined
to make it work.  The cycle had been part of his routine for yahrens and
he wasn't going to lose that part of his life.
     "I know what you're going through," she said quietly.  "And.....I do
know what this would mean to you.  After all you've been
through......you'd really deserve it."
     He managed a smile, "My reward for all the pain and hardship that
seemed to attach itself to me of late?" he gradually picked up his pace
even though his artificial knee was still not bending consistently and
making it awkward.  "Crashing on Kradina, and then losing half of myself,
and then dealing with that crazy lunatic Charka and.....nearly losing you
to him as well?"
     "Yeah," she said simply.  "Something like that."
     "Hey, don't think the fact that I'm married to you now isn't reward
enough!" he leered at her. "*That's* my reward.  This......would be
something else.  Something else entirely."
     "What?" Gayla asked.
     Bojay slackened his pace on the cycle and his expression grew
thoughtful, "Closure," he said, "Just simple......closure on a part of my
life that's never been completely closed.  It's never consumed me or
haunted me or anything like that.  It's just been like.....a tiny
persistent little itch in a place you can't scratch.  Just enough to
irritate you that you don't know what happened to so many good friends of
yours, and are they okay.  I mean......I didn't have the emotional tie of
losing a father like Sheba did, but.....those guys on the Pegasus were
the ones who really made a warrior out of me.  Especially after I'd been
a foul-up during my first tour aboard the Galactica."
     "You?" she lifted an eyebrow and wiped away the sweat she'd worked
up on her brow.  
     "Yeah.  I really wasn't fun to be around then.  Keeping to myself,
thinking I was above all the pranks and the ribbing.  When I got to the
Pegasus, the first thing Cain did was read me the riot act for letting a
good commander like Adama down by not showing I could integrate  with the
warriors off-duty as well as on-duty.  And that if I was going to become
a good warrior, I had to do more than show my combat skills, I had to
integrate myself to the team and be part of their circle.  And I followed
that advice and that's how those guys became kin to me as much as Apollo,
Starbuck, Boomer and everyone else here have been the last three
yahrens."  He let out a sigh, "I still miss them a lot."
     "I've never heard you talk about them," Gayla said.  "Not even their
names."
     Silver Spar Leader stopped pedaling and a thoughtful look came over
his face.
     "You know, you're right," he said.  "It's as if.....all this time,
honoring the family I've got here on the Galactica makes me just not want
to talk openly about them.  Like not talking about a wife who died, even
though you never stop thinking about her."
     Gayla suddenly gave his new arm a firm tap.  "May I remind you, I'm
the *expert* on learning how to stop thinking about a former spouse?"
     He let out a laugh, "Gay, I love you!"
     "I love you, and.....I know what you really meant," her voice became
gentle again as she stopped pedaling too.  "Tell me about a couple of
them.  And I don't mean Cain.  I know enough about him."
     "Okay," her husband said.  "I'll start with Skyler.  He was number
three in the Squadron, which means he likely took over after Sheba and
I.....left.  He was the one who trapped me into my first hazing aboard
the Pegasus.  Feeding me a line about how new pilots aboard the Pegasus
were always granted the privilege of three extra centons turbo-wash time
to get the space residue of their last assignment off so they could
really start 'clean' aboard their new ship.  Well, exhausted as I was
after a long shuttle flight over to report to my new ship, I took up that
offer.....and when I got out of the turbo-wash, my uniform and
um.....essentials were gone from my locker and in its place was the kind
of fashion ensemble only the cheapest of socialators would ever wear.  In
order to get back to my own clothes, I had to walk clear down a long
corridor from the turbo-wash to the barracks......wearing what they'd put
in the locker."
     Gayla was giggling at first and then it turned into a sustained
laugh.  Because Bojay knew his wife was forming a mental picture of the
scene and enjoying every minute of it.
     "Yep," he said dryly, "Complete with the tightest push-up stay
underneath and stilettos two sizes too small on the feet!"
     "That's priceless," she wiped her eyes, "And.....when you got to the
barracks.....they serenaded you with whoops and whistles, right?"
     "Oh yeah," he said, "But not before during my walk through the
corridor, there was Colonel Tolen the Executive Officer eyeballing me
with a little smirk, and waiting for me to stand at attention. And of
course I did, waiting for him to come alongside me."
     "And what the exec say?"
     "All he said was, 'Carry on, Lieutenant,' and he walked away."
     "That's great," Gayla said.  "Just great.  And.....the way you took
it....made them treat you as kin."
     Her husband nodded, "And from that centon on......that
group......that ship.....it was my family.  Until the day I lost it and
found myself on the Galactica because I'd gotten hurt during the commando
assault on Gomorrah and got evacuated here.  That.....took a little while
to adjust to, but.....not too long because by then, I'd learned my
lesson.  I learned to accept that I was back here now and that I had to
be the kind of guy I hadn't been the first go-round.  And that was by
treating everyone here the same way the guys on the Pegasus treated me."
     "But ...no more hazing rituals?" she asked mischievously.
     "Oh.....not on the veterans," he returned it.  "Anyway.....it was
more than just Skyler.  There was Angus, Banker, Paris.......old Dr.
Laughlin who talked with the thickest Aerian brogue you ever heard."
     "What about the women?" she asked, "Anyone of note, besides Sheba?"
     "Not among the pilots.  We had a lot of women in the service, tech
and maintenance areas.  A lot of them got evacuated to the Fleet,
but......I never kept in touch with them or the rest of the other crew
that got evacuated.  They were part of a different circle," he paused. 
"Next to Sheba, the most talented woman on the Pegasus was Bridge Officer
Kylie."
     "Tell me about her."
     "Well, she was a pretty good shot with a laser and was first in her
martial arts group.  But for some reason she ended up in Bridge detail
and was manning the helm and scanners when I left." a faint smile formed
at the edge of his mouth, "There were more than a few of us who thought
she took Bridge duty because she was in love with Cain."
     "Really?" his wife was intrigued, "Did Sheba think that?"
     "Well.....that's one secret we never let Sheba in on.  And.....I'd
prefer you not mention it to her, Gay."
     "I won't," she promised.  "But.....it was all unrequited on
this.....Kylie's part?"
     "Seemed that way, but to be fair, Kylie was always a total
professional and really damned good at her work.  And she's probably
become more important, because.......her old bunkmate, Carina is in the
Fleet and had a dream just like mine.  Only in hers, she saw Kylie with a
woman who fits the description of Adama's wife, Ila."
     Gayla dismounted from the cycle so that she was now standing
alongside her husband, touching his side with one hand and his shoulder
with the other.
     "Thanks for sharing all that with me," his wife said tenderly.  "And
I'll stand by what I said.  You deserve to hear about them again."
     "God willing, I will."
     His atheist wife could only smile.


     "You can decipher this code?" an incredulous Septimus asked.  The
revelation from Copernicus, coming after barely a few microns glimpse at
the transcribed text and characters had left Wilker, Hummer and Komma
speechless.
     "I can.  I've seen it before," Copernicus replied.
     "Where have you seen this code?" Wilker managed to ask, astounded. 
     "I...well- it's...see..." he looked down, embarrassed - a look one
didn't typically associate with the somewhat socially awkward youth. 
"It's.....related to that gaming group I mentioned a little while ago. 
You see....."
     "Copernicus..." Wilker interrupted, not daring to show any
irritation he might have felt ordinarily because the stakes were so high;
and even if they weren't, he knew he shouldn't.  That the young man's
difficulty expressing himself--- which ran the gauntlet from his current
state of not being able to get to a point, to being so long-winded in
explaining every possible detail about a matter------ was, to an extent,
beyond his control.  Also, while suffering from some mental limitations,
he was also gifted, with an intelligence quotient significantly above
average. Gently, he added, "Try to focus. Take your time."
     "I'm sorry, sir- er, Doctor.  I was trying to say that......my
little circle of gamers was also a hacking collective. It's what I was
able to do. I've always been a techie, and you know how I...well, my
problem...talking...to people...with people? It's different when you're
speaking through a telecom or digi-link. All you hear is the sound of a
voice, or text messages on a screen; you don't have to look at facial
expressions, gestures...I struggle with visual input...with people,
anyway. With electronics, it's a lot easier. Gaming, splicing...it's an
easy world for me to thrive in and, well...make connections. And, being
hackers, splicers, whatever term you wanted to use we- well, we did what
hackers do. And this code...well, like I said, I've seen it before. We
called it 'Specter Protocol'."
     "Spektor?" Septimus asked, taken aback.
     "Not Spec-TOR, Spec-TER, Commander Septimus," he replied.
     The IL Series Cylon chucked,  "Oh dear boy, none of that 'Commander'
felgercarb.  My time as a Commander in 'his Eminence's' forces is long
past.  I've come to accept that." 
     Not even Copernicus failed to note the sarcasm in the former
Baseship Commander's delivery as he referred to the Imperious Leader.
     "I merely found the use of that term...Spec-TER... off-putting,
given my history with a particularly unpleasant individual by that name,
even if he is part of the same model group I am and has the same voice! 
Do you know how *irritating* it is to talk to someone you can't stand and
he talks back sounding just like you?"
     Wait until you meet Sire Geller someday, Wilker couldn't help but
think.
     Septimus went on and in an all-too-humanoid gesture, shuddered at
the mention of his former Superior. "Devious to the last of his faulty
diodes and with a second-brain full of corrupt programming; and to think,
he's firmly entrenched on Gomorrah, with nay a hint of rebellion in his
Centurion ranks and near complete support from the civilian models, so
he's highly unlikely to be removed by the current Leader for cause, no
matter how well deserved.  Bah!  Regardless of my present circumstances I
thank the Makers for the fact that I no longer have to listen to his
daggit drivel. Please, continue."
     While seemingly lost on Copernicus, Wilker, Hummer and Komma
mentally noted the reference to, 'the Makers', one they'd heard in one
form or another previously; it wasn't lost on any of them that, whoever
they were, they held a place in the Cylon psyche similar to that of the
Lords of Kobol.  But that was among the least of their current concerns.
     "Oh, uh- right...Spec-TER Protocol...it was a holo-fic reference...a
Colonial Intelligence operative seemingly 'going rogue' to hunt down
people committing financial crimes using malware that's almost impossible
to trace - hence the term 'specter' - they don't realize is Cylon in
origin.  We thought it was a 'rat app' when we first found it in
Sagittaria's Internal Revenue Bureau server farm, but we only started
calling it that after we'd seen it in databases connected to the
Sagittaria Security Trust, the Royal Bank of Libra and Caprican Permanent
Assurance."
     "Wait a centon," Komma exclaimed.  "You hacked the CIRB and the
Royal Bank of Libra?  For what reason?  I know you wouldn't want to
steal, Copernicus, but still......"
     Copernicus looked back at him with just a trace of defensiveness. 
"It wasn't to try and steal any cubits.  We were actually trying to prove
to the intelligence agencies that it *could* be done.  Although.....
can't say that was the only reason.  You see, my father, Sire Uri......oh
wait, that's right, you don't know about Sire Uri being my father."
     "No!" Wilker's eyes widened as did those of Komma and Hummer.  "Did
you.....just learn that recently?"
     "No, I *always* knew that, but......I had to keep that a secret. 
Even from Tarnia.  But they found out after he died and I inherited his
estate.  That's......that's the reason I got my own kiosk on the
Pathmain.  Not because of any of *this* that I've been talking about just
now."
     "We never would have thought that for a micron about you,
Copernicus," Hummer said with a gentle reassurance.  "Go on."
     "Anyway.....this goes back to the earlier days when my father would
visit me.  He'd.....started doing that more after my parents who raised
me died.  He'd ....he'd never really been interested in my hobbies, but
every now and then he'd pretend to be; I know sometimes I can...ramble.
It's gotten better- easier, lately. Dr. Tarnia...she's always helped me,
but more over the last yahren and a half than even...before. So,
right...my father; one time, about a yahren before the Destruction, I
rambled more than I should have. I didn't realize it at the time because
he didn't...talking to one person is easy enough, but I don't always
catch things because it can be hard to focus. I thought about it later,
but he didn't seem to be more interested then than any other time, but a
few sectars later he asked me to...to splice some financial accounts.
Again, not to steal, just to see how much was there and, if possible,
where the cubits came from."
     For Wilker and Hummer, who knew Uri had been involved with the
deaths of at least four people prior to his own suicide, these new
revelations, coming on top of Copernicus's revelation about his
relationship to the man, were staggering.  For Komma, who because of his
position in Colonial Security was the only one in the room who knew the
full truth about Uri's crimes that had been covered up from the public,
it bordered on the surreal to think that there was yet more to learn
about the evil nature of this man.  One whose public image had been that
of a great Patron of the Arts during the so-called "Renaissance Days of
Caprica."
     "To what end?" this, oddly enough, from Septimus, "And, if you don't
mind, can you explain what the term, 'rat app' signifies?"
     "Oh...yes, well- uh, a rat app... it's like, well- 'rat' is an
ancestral Gemonese language word for a certain type of rodine, a
bilge-daggit.  I think the people from Earth use the same term. 'Rat app'
was less of a mouthful than 'bilge-daggit app', and it's a pretty
accurate way of describing what rat apps do: infiltrate weak spots in
digital architecture that aren't readily apparent and scurry away when
they're discovered.  They also have an uncanny ability to hide in parts
of that architecture that aren't easy to access.  Do Cylons have as much
trouble dealing with them as humans?"
     "Oh, I'm afraid they do, my young friend, and that due to the
idiosyncrasy of our programming: our primary Edict serves that
higher-level organics are to be subjugated or, and this is particularly
true of humans, eradicated - primarily because of the damage they inflict
upon natural environments, which we are tasked with preserving. This
causes us to not have the option of simply...what is the human term,
'Telecomming the exterminator'? Using chemical agents to defeat anything
more than an insecton infestation is expressly forbidden.  And yet, the
Leader tasks us with doing just so - and worse - to higher-functioning
sentients," Septimus shook his head. "The wastefulness...the
illogic...and yet we imagine ourselves to be such a higher order of
intelligence. It's so obvious the Centurions - Centurions! - were able to
see it...somehow.  And yet my class, ostensibly so much more intelligent,
turns a blind optical sensor to it.  That's how I met my initial demise. 
That is how that arrogant fool Lucifer met his."
     The expression hung in the air, with both human and Cylon
contemplating the truth, the serendipity and even the darkly humorous
ridiculousness of it; of course, it also represented another instance of
the conversation going askew.  
     Wilker, often accused of being long-winded himself, enjoyed such
exchanges in different circumstance, but even he could see the potential
for Septimus and Copernicus literally losing themselves in too idle
banter.  He focused on the young man; "Back to your father, if you don't
mind...you said he'd never asked you to use your...hacking talents for
his benefit before that?"
     "Right, and if he wanted to know something more than how much money
was in the accounts or where it came from, he never told me. He just gave
me a list of four names and said he wanted to know about any large
transactions within a certain time frame."
     "And all this happened within a few sectars of the Destruction?"
Komma interjected.  A sinking feeling was developing within him that many
more people were involved in Baltar's treachery or, at least, had
knowledge of it.  
     And *that*, Komma realized, could be a complicated matter to pursue. 
Because with Baltar now living in a state of permanent amnesty, bringing
charges against anyone else for whatever role they played in the
Destruction was liable to open up a new wave of public backlash against
the status Baltar now enjoyed under the terms of the Detente.  To be
sure, something like this had to be investigated......but where it could
go in terms of actual punishment was no longer as clear-cut as it might
have been before Baltar's defection.  Already, he could envision Adama
ordering a matter like this be handled with the greatest delicacy
possible.
     "It was no more than...sev- seven; he came to me...I...he- well, it
was one night where I was seeing one of my circle in person. It was rare
then. Not that's its much less rare now but...I- Dr. Tarnia says I need
to constantly work on communicating in-person. It was easier to talk to
them because I knew them and we had things in common. My father...well,
he didn't seem to care that he was talking about committing a crime in
front of anyone. It's hard...at least it's hard for me...to read people. 
Again, it's easier now, but back then...I suppose it seemed odd even then
for my father to talk so openly about committing a crime in front of a
random person he didn't know. And, well...that person actually helped me
track down the information, so I guess it didn't matter in the end. He's
one of the two that are alive in the Fleet."
     "Copernicus," Komma said gently.  "You realize that we have to let
the Commander know about all of this?  I mean.... .you might have avoided
any problems with Intel because of your father, but your friends could
have gotten the book thrown at them!" 
     "A couple of people in my circle got door-knocks from either the
Colonial Investigative Bureau or Colonial Security - some from both, but
not because of the CIRB or the financial institutions."
     That surprised Wilker, who while eager to hear more of the story,
wanted to get back to the matter of the virus. "So, to wrap this back
around to the beginning, you found this," he pointed back to the monitor
next to the box that the virus had been trapped in, "what you thought was
a 'rat application' in more than one nonpublic digital database?"
     "Well...I saw...something that resembles...I saw code similar to
this in those databases, yes. And, yes, we thought it was a rat app at
first, but we realized pretty quickly that it was a lot more advanced.
Because we found it in more than one place, all financial institutions,
we thought it was a highly advanced security application meant to
stop...well, meant to stop us. Not- er, well not us specifically but
people like us...hackers.  But the way it worked its way thorough the
various systems...well, you saw what it did to the Galactica.  If it had
been part of the CIRB's or Royal Libra's native software, it would
have...uh...this is hard to explain, especially for me, but...well, you
know that different pieces of a specially-designed digital apparatus have
to...you know, 'fit' together? This didn't 'fit'.  Not only was it able
to move from one addressing space to another without corrupting the
existing data, it also didn't leave a trace, none. Malware...well, the
sort of malware you typically see even in specialized systems created by
Government contractors leaves a trace: operating system registry entries,
orphaned files, corrupt initialization strings...sometimes just an out of
place graphics file."
     "Like our flare message to the rest of the Fleet," Hummer muttered. 

     "So it's fair to say you recognized its adaptive nature," Wilker
offered.  
     "Exactly," Copernicus nodded. "Only a program based on an adaptive
algorithm...well, I found out later it was multiple adaptive algorithms,
made sense.  I'd never seen one like this, though. I came up with a
theory...at this point it was only three sectars before the
Destruction...and one of my circle...probably the one that was the most
distant acquaintance...I didn't know who he really was; none of our group
knew who he was...he was probably the best of us at removing his digital
footprint...not that he ever really left one...he had to be good, because
he was really into slicing Colonial military servers. He claimed that
he'd been contracted to help discover and patch vulnerabilities. We
didn't believe him at first. Some of the others give him a hard time
about it, but...well, he showed us. And every time he showed us an
exploit, those exploits got patched."
     "So," Wilker cut in, again trying to keep the conversation on point,
despite being so intrigued by the story, and grateful for the fact that
it had taken their minds off the tense subject of waiting for a potential
message from the Pegasus  "three sectars before the Destruction..."
     "Ah, right. So, one evening cycle...the sectan they announced the
negotiations, actually, he comes to us...he never seemed to lose his
composure; he was always calm, collected and...I'm not sure if 'detached'
is the right word, but that's how it seemed. But this one time
he's...maybe not in a panic, but he's not the same cool, totally
in-control player he's always been. He tells us all that the primary
Caprican defensive mainframe is being brigaded. I hadn't seen Specter
Protocol in sectars at this point and I was expecting...hoping, maybe...I
know that's terrible given what happened, but I really wanted to catch it
again so I could get a look at the code. I was sure it would be there,
but I was wrong."
     "How so?" Septimus asked, now fixated on this particular aspect of
the conversation; he'd not yet contributed what he suspected about the
code.  When he had first been allowed to "take a gander at it", as Hummer
had said earlier, he had seen something that was only vaguely familiar at
best to him, but not something he could give a definitive answer to. 
Rather than say that at the time, he found that a self-deprecating answer
rooted in ignorance was something the humans he was now working with
could appreciate and even.....respect.  And so he had decided that his
vague theory could wait until he'd recharged his mental capacity further. 
Now, thanks to Copernicus's story and his more constant study of the
formula, he could feel his older, familiar instincts reasserting
themself.  His primary processors speeding up greatly, calculating odds
and variables in highly machinelike fashion.  Simultaneously, his
creative and, he noted with a sense of irony, human-like second-brain
circuitry was at last forming a theory.
     "Well, it wasn't there. If there was an impenetrable system out
there, it would have been a primary Colony's defense mainframe, and all
of a sudden only sectars after we discovered We never figured out how
exactly it got into the CIRB, First Libra or the others, but...we," he
trailed off, giving the impression of considering something that had, at
the time, genuinely scared him. "We knew right away that whoever was
brigading the mainframe was getting in through a... 'Unsecure' doesn't do
it justice...it was a wide-open back-landing bay, one that...by all the
Lords look like it had been placed in the system on purpose. At least,
that's how it seemed to me. The thing was... it would have been...I hate
to say impossible, because not much is truly impossible, but finding this
back-landing bay would have been tough, even if you were looking for it,
without already knowing where it was. If my... associate hadn't told me
about it, I wouldn't have found it. It got me thinking that maybe he...
well, the only way he could have known about it was if he really was a
Government security contractor."
     "And you're sure this wasn't a legitimate remote-access pathway for
people who might have needed to access the system without direct physical
access?" Komma asked.
     Copernicus shook his head. "If you know what you're looking for, you
know how to spot legitimate remote gateways. We... I'm kind of ashamed to
admit it, but we went into the planetary defense mainframes for a few of
the other Colonies."
     "Holy Frack," Hummer sucked in his breath, amazed that something had
happened to completely take his mind off the subject of his own dream
about the Pegasus and the pending communication they were still waiting
for.
     "I know, I know... but we had to know... you know?"
     The other three men in the room exchanged glances.  Amazed as they
both were by the story they were being told, they understood where he was
coming from.  
     "All the planetary defense systems were standardized. There wasn't
one system made specifically for Caprica, an entirely different system
for Sagittaria and still another for Aquaria. And they were built such
that even people with security clearances couldn't remote-access
essential functions easily. From what our associate told us, you had to
have a certain type of clearance, which got you a specialized PDA with a
proprietary operating system and a unique ID tied to your personnel file.
Oh, and the PDAs used biometric security; if the fingerprint and retinal
scans didn't match, the device would lock itself down."
     Komma, who'd spent time in a digital security detachment on Aries,
knew that such devices existed, and were used to limit access to digital
defense assets among low-level military personnel and civilian
contractors. The problem, counter-intuitive as it may be, was that there
could be such a thing as too much security. The measures Copernicus
described were completely appropriate in most circumstances, but he could
imagine quite a few scenarios where they could needlessly impede
legitimate use of the system. He could see why someone like Copernicus,
or even his well-informed associate might see a failsafe option - which
Komma strongly believed this 'back-landing bay' to be - as an 'unsecure'
exploit. "He's not wrong, Doc."
     Wilker nodded, but, but only slightly, seemingly lost in
concentration.
     Finally, the technician who was also a Colonial Security Guard when
he wasn't working the lab, decided that he had to get back to the other
delicate matter.
     "Copernicus," Komma said, "You're going to have to give us the names
of these people you've been mentioning.  The ones on that list you said
your father gave you.....and also the names in this......circle of
yours."
     He looked at him, "The names?  Oh.....yes."  Now that the question
dealt with something that wasn't technical, the hesitancy had returned. 
"Yes....yes, I understand."
     "As a matter of fact," he slowly pulled out his own com-line, "It
might be better if we arranged that to be done......elsewhere."

     Slowly, they'd started to arrive in Adama's quarters.  Apollo had
been first, and then it was Boomer, accompanied by Boxey who was pushing
a pram that held both his cousins, Zac and Ila.  A half centar passed and
soon a cart was pushed in by Cassiopeia that held Sheba, who was clasping
her wrapped, newborn daughter Bethany tightly to her.  Her arrival gave
Adama his first chance to see his new granddaughter and hold her with
love and pride.  And then, the baby was passed to Boomer who took delight
in holding her up in front of her two older by a half yahren cousins. 
Both little Ila and little Zac let out happy squeals of excitement at the
sight of Bethany and pointed their little fingers as if wanting to reach
out and touch her.
     Boomer then handed her to Boxey who was still holding her with big
brother protectiveness when Starbuck finally entered.  He was all too
happy to get his first look at his unofficial niece though Cassiopeia
couldn't help but notice how holding a baby wasn't something that came
easy to him.  Still, whatever awkwardness Starbuck might have had there
was more than compensated by the obvious affection he was ready to show
for the newest addition to what was just as much his family.
     Finally, Starbuck handed Bethany to the proud father.  Like Sheba
before, Apollo found himself captivated by her face and how she was
totally the image of what they had only known before in an illusion. 
That alone was an answered prayer as far as he was concerned and told him
that if things didn't somehow work out regarding this transmission that
they continued to wait for, it still didn't change the fact that this had
been a day of blessing for them.  The forward momentum of their life was
never more clear than it was now.
     And I won't ever let *anything* or *anyone* potentially harm our
daughter, he thought as he continued to gently rock Bethany in his arms. 
She'd finally opened her eyes, which like most newborns were blue, though
given Sheba's brown and his green ones, that would change within a
yahren.  For now though, there was nothing but a look of pure captivated
wonder staring back at him.  
     Somewhat reluctantly, he handed her back to Sheba who once again
instinctively held Bethany tight with a maternal fierceness that everyone
couldn't help but notice.  Reminding them of how much this meant to Sheba
and how determined she was to enjoy every aspect of motherhood and
raising a child from the beginning.  Becoming Boxey's stepmother had been
good preparation for the general role of being a parent and understanding
the basic responsibilities.  But this.....would be something different.
     The happy talk and fascination over the new baby was managing to
obscure the inner tension of waiting for the message they were all
convinced would come.  As a result, when Adama's telecom sounded, it sent
a jolt through the room that caused all the conversation to stop and a
hush to come over.  They knew this wasn't the message, but they also knew
that if Adama was being bothered with something at this point, it had to
represent something serious.
     "Yes?" the commander answered it.
     "Commander, this is Sergeant Komma.  I'm down in Wilker's Lab, and
no, this has nothing to do with the relays.  They're operating fine. 
Something else has come up that......I really don't think can wait, sir."
     "What exactly do you mean, Sergeant?"
     "Well.....the good news is that......Copernicus knows what the virus
is."
     Adama reacted with mild surprise, "That certainly is good news,
Sergeant.  I'm glad to know that problem that's been lingering for a long
time is finally solved.  But.....I wouldn't need a full briefing on that
now."
     "Well, it's not just that, sir.  It's how he happens to know it, and
what it means.  And....I really think you need to hear him explain it to
you, now, sir."
     "Sergeant," Adama said patiently, "You understand what the situation
I'm dealing with is.  I don't want to have to conduct matters elsewhere
on the ship if they can wait."
     "I do understand that, sir, believe me.  If this came from anyone
else, I would have deferred action until after the present situation is
resolved, but.....it's because it's Copernicus sir, that I think you have
to hear him while he's in the best frame of mind to repeat all this."
     The Commander's eyes narrowed.  "I.....see what you mean, Sergeant. 
If.....he knows he has to talk to me about something, it......would be
better for his state of mind to have it all done now and be.....relieved
of the burden to have to wait to explain it all over again?"
     "Yes, that's what it seems like to me, sir."
     "Can you have Castor come down and escort him to me?  If you
accompany him that would just leave Wilker and Hummer to monitor the
relays if something happened."
     "Sir, Lieutenant Castor is on furlon for the day, and frankly.....I
think I'd better be the one to accompany him since he'll be talking about
a lot of technical things that I can clarify if necessary."
     Adama sighed.  "All right.  If things are running fine with the
relays, then bring him to the Council Chamber room and I'll listen to
what he has to say.  And I'll make sure Tarnia is there too so that
should make him even more relaxed."
     "Yes, sir."
     The Commander shut off his telecom and looked over at his gathered
family who had only heard his side of the conversation.  He rose and
gently explained the matter.
     "Copernicus is someone we all owe a debt to in so many ways," Adama
said.  "And given all that he's gone through in his life, and the
adjustments he's had to make in the face of his condition......I feel I
owe it to him to let him talk at what represents his greatest
convenience."
     "I understand completely, Commander," Starbuck said.  "Especially
since I owe him the biggest debt of all."
     "And if I happen to be in the Council Chamber when
something.....happens, it won't matter much.  Especially since Athena
will be handling the initial contact.  I'll simply put matters on hold
and get back here right away."
     "You do what you have to do, Father," Apollo said.  "We understand."
     "You want me to go back to the Lab if this means they're going to be
shorthanded?" Boomer asked.
     "No, don't bother, Boomer.  I'm prepared to.....trust the quality of
their work that nothing's going to go wrong there," he picked up the
unicom.  "Dr. Tarnia, please report to the Council Chamber room
immediately."
     And then, not waiting to delay things, he left the room, trying not
to show any inner frustration over the fact this had come up at this
particular moment.

Chapter Five

     Lieutenant Castor, was, as Komma had said, on a much needed furlon
for the cycle.  Glad to be away from his twin responsibilities as head of
the Colonial Security division *and* deputy leader of Major Croft's Elite
Squadron.  One job rooted in the bureaucratic details of basic military
security and investigative work.  The other rooted in keeping his skills
sharp as an assault team warrior for planetary missions whenever needed.
     As Castor stepped aboard the shuttle Canaris for the Rising Star, he
thought of his recent work investigating a series of grisly murders that
had turned out to be the work of a female demon called a succubon. 
Killing beautiful women so she could assume their physical form and then
feed off the life forces of unsuspecting men.  The trail of bodies had
been extensive, and one near victim had been one of the best men in the
Security Division, Sergeant Thomson.  Who'd distinguished himself on the
"Weather Planet" and again when he'd help defuse the potentially
catastrophic situation involving Sergeant Mattoon.  The thought of nearly
losing a good man like Thomson to something that horrible and evil, had
been haunting the Security Chief ever since.
     At least I've gotten over all those putdowns from the Empyrean Wise
Woman for being so skeptical at first about what a "succubon" was, he
thought as he settled back in his seat with the other six passengers
who'd boarded too.  Unlike a conventional military shuttle, the Canaris
would be "making the rounds" and stopping at a number of civilian ships
to ferry additional passengers to the Rising Star.  Ordinarily, Castor
would never have gone this way in such a roundabout fashion, but this
time there was a reason.  The fact that the Canaris would also be
stopping at the Constellation.  The former pirate vessel that now housed
the majority of the Earth natives led by Commander Kevin Byrne, who was
also the ship's captain.  Those in her crew would also be boarding the
passenger shuttle for the journey to the luxury ship.  Including the
ship's master at arms, Sergeant Lauren Wagner.  Giving Castor a reason to
come this way to the Rising Star instead of the usual way.
     His crush on the former Montana Deputy Sheriff and part-time Air
National Guard Sergeant on Earth had begun almost immediately after her
arrival when she'd been rescued from the first of the Risik vessels
they'd encountered.  Despite Lauren's many inner demons over her
experience at the hands of the Risik, who had held her in a state of
suspension for the equivalent of forty Earth years and experimented on
her, she had a basic attitude combined with her blonde beauty that he
found captivating.  As a member of Elite Squadron, he'd been able to take
part in several missions with her and other members of the Constellation
team, starting with the second Il Fadim crisis, followed by the boarding
of a Risik cruiser that had rescued the Earth woman Jessica Clemens.  
      Only once though, had Castor found the courage to ask Lauren out
for a date on the Rising Star, which had led to one night of intimacy
that he could honestly say was the happiest night of his life.  And left
him wanting and hoping that it would just be the beginning.
     But too much had gotten in the way since then, even though they'd
continued to work together in so many missions of importance.  The battle
at Ne'Chak and the rescue of more than fifty additional Earth prisoners. 
The interrogation and trials of the Risik war criminals, including her
original torturer which had given Lauren the chance to vent years of
pent-up fury over what had happened to her.  And finally, the recent
boarding of a Risik vessel that contained a number of native Risik
refugees, fleeing the tyranny of their home society.  Castor could tell,
even as they'd kept working together, that while she had  enjoyed their
one night stand, she wasn't ready to take a step further.  Not with all
these lingering issues of her past that had still been unresolved. 
Including memories of those she'd known and loved on Earth and been
parted from against her will that had included a boyfriend. 
     Castor knew that Lauren's attitude wasn't uncommon among the Earth
natives.  While all of them were grateful to the Colonials for being the
instruments of their salvation from Risik tyranny, they seemed largely
reluctant to test the waters in terms of potential relationships with the
Colonials because they carried their memories of the past.  Indeed, it
was one reason why they largely stayed congregated amongst themselves
aboard the Constellation and the Adelaide, under the command of Byrne's
former crew mate, Cedric Allen.  The only cases where any outside
relationships had formed were Commander Byrne's brief affair with Siress
Lydia (which had ended once Byrne saw the true nature of her character)
and his daughter Jena Byrne's ongoing relationship with Sire Pelias.
     Now though.....with the latest episode involving the Risik behind
them, and the feeling that Risik space was behind them for good, Lauren
had dropped subtle signals to Castor during their last work meeting that
she was ready to be asked out again.  And Castor had finally summoned the
courage to do so.  Getting an enthused yes from her and a promise that
not once would the word "Risik" be spoken or discussed during their time
together.
     So here he was now in his dress uniform, with all the cubits he
could save for the occasion, riding to the Constellation where she would
come aboard, and then.....hopefully from Castor's standpoint, more than a
second isolated time of intimacy.  What he hoped for was a sign that she
was ready to take things to something more than that.  Where he could
enjoy her company more.....and also give her some greater recognition for
her natural talent and ability.
     His thoughts of Lauren and what she'd be wearing when she came
aboard were broken by the sound of the shuttle's captain from up front.
     "Hello everyone, this is your captain.  We'll be docking with the
Constellation in about fifteen centons, and proceeding from there to the
Rising Star.  As you wait, we would like to at this time offer as a
courtesy convenience to you, the IFB network feed on the forward central
monitor." 
     Oh great, Castor rolled his eyes.  Not my idea of fun.
     The screen at the front end flickered on and the Security Chief's
eyes glazed further at the sight of Zara and Zed.  The two co-anchors
with the perpetual air of self-importance about everything they ever
said.  
     ".......we want to stress again, that this is an unconfirmed rumor,
although we have heard it from multiple sources aboard the Galactica. 
That apparently, they are anticipating the possibility that a long-range
signal of some type, presumably from the Battlestar Pegasus, which has
not been heard from since the Battle of Gomorrah, three yahrens ago,
*might* be received sometime today."
     Abruptly, the glazed look in Castor's eyes disappeared and he
snapped to rigid attention in his seat to listen.
     "No one can offer any specifics on this.  If it were true though,
this would certainly be a great boost to the morale of the Fleet, to
finally learn at long last what happened to the great battlestar of the
legendary Commander Cain......."
     "My God," Castor whispered as all kinds of thoughts raced through
his mind.  Thoughts of a good friend of his from Recruit training on
Caprica named McCalla, who had beaten him out for the honor of being
first in the martial arts class.  The two of them had been part of a
triad league among recruits which was where he'd first learned the game. 
As far as Castor was concerned, McCalla was the reason why he'd become a
good triad player in his own right.
     He'd lost track of McCalla after they'd received their assignments
as Colonial Security personnel.  Unlike Academy graduates, recruits could
find themselves shipped out on a micron's notice with no time to tell any
of their friends which ship they'd gotten.  That had been the case with
McCalla.  Castor knew his friend was on a battlestar, but he had no idea
which.
     Nearly three yahrens ago, he'd discovered that his friend had been
on the Pegasus all this time.  But the circumstances in which he'd
discovered this hadn't been pleasant.  It had come during that awkward
period when Adama had relieved Cain of command for disobeying orders in
the mission to capture two Cylon tankers.  When Adama had decided that
the Pegasus would give up some of its fuel reserves to alleviate the
shortage problem in the Fleet and allow them to escape the Cylon pursuit
in the Gomorrah quadrant.  He'd ordered Apollo, Boomer, Starbuck and
several others to go over to the Pegasus to arrange the transfer of fuel. 
Castor had accompanied them, and they'd run into a group of angry Pegasus
warriors, led by Sheba and Bojay, who were refusing to let the fuel be
transferred.  Standing up for their relieved Commander and saying as many
nasty epithets as they could about Adama's decision.  Despite Apollo's
attempt to act as a peacemaker, the anger of the Pegasus crew was too
great and soon events had reached a standoff.  With the Galactica
warriors, Castor included, pulling out their laser pistols, pointing them
at the Pegasus group and ordering them to stand aside.
     And that.....was when Castor, his pistol trained on the Pegasus
group, finally saw the face of the third man from the left in the row
behind Sheba and Bojay.  His old friend, McCalla.
     He could remember his eyes widening in shock, since he hadn't known
McCalla had been on the Pegasus, though it explained why he hadn't heard
anything from him in the two yahrens before the Destruction.  He could
then see McCalla's eyes finally locking on him and recognizing him.  And
a pained look briefly flashing over him as though in that centon,
Sergeant McCalla realized how terrible it was for warriors to be doing
this to each other, no matter how strongly they felt about what had
happened to Cain.
     The standoff ended with a red alert and a Cylon attack that had to
be attended to.  Castor had re-holstered his pistol and just had enough
time to see McCalla turning back with a sorrowful expression that this
was how their reunion had taken place, before he disappeared down the
corridor to get back to his station.
     That had been Castor's only chance to see his friend again.  The
second one hadn't come before the Pegasus had disappeared.  Leaving him
to wonder if McCalla was alive all this time. And now, if the report he'd
spent five centons watching was correct, there was actually for the first
time in three yahrens a chance to know the answer.
     So lost was he in his thoughts about his old friend, that he barely
took notice of the fact that the IFB feed had been silenced as the
shuttle docked with the Constellation.  And when Lauren Wagner entered
the passenger compartment, strolling down the aisle dressed in her finest
civilian outfit, Castor was still off in his private little world of the
past.
     "Hey," the Earth native playfully nudged his shoulder as she sat
down next to him, "You look like you've gone away to La La Land."
     Castor came out of his reverie and when he saw how Lauren looked,
her blonde hair cut short but stylishly feminine; her blue eyes casting
their penetrating gaze; and her custom-made red dress clinging to her, he
hated himself for being distracted when she'd arrived.
     She's not going to say the word Risik to me, and unless a message
actually *does* come through, I'm not going to say the word Pegasus to
her.

 
     With gentle encouragement from both Tarnia and Adama, Copernicus was
able to repeat everything he'd said in the Lab in a more relaxed, less
rambling way than the young man was accustomed to doing.  In the end,
Adama had the full story in half the time it had taken for the Lab
scientists to learn it.
     "Copernicus, this has been very helpful to us," Adama said when he
was finished.  "I know this is not an easy subject for you to revisit,
but......there is much for us to learn from it."
     "Thank you, Commander," he nodded, and then glanced over at the
woman who had been his mentor and protector for so long, "I have....done
well?"
     "Yes, Copernicus," the psychological counselor said with gentle
pride.  "You have."
     "And.....I haven't done anything wrong, because of these......things
I talked about?"
     "Nothing that you need worry about, Copernicus," the Commander shook
his head gently.  "There are some matters we have to check, but......none
of it concerns you.  We'll attend to everything else from here on in." 
He looked over at Komma, who had remained patiently off to one side this
whole time.  "Sergeant, you and Copernicus are to go back to the Lab and
resume Yellow Alert standby on the relays."
     "Yes, sir," the Security Guard rose and then hesitated slightly,
"You don't want to initiate a search on those names.......?"
     "It'll keep until tomorrow, Sergeant," Adama interrupted, "I'd
rather wait until Castor returns so he can organize the preliminary
investigation.  As of now, you're needed back in the Lab with your fellow
tech wizards."
     "Yes, sir," he nodded and then with a smile, motioned to Copernicus
who returned it and followed him out, leaving the commander and the
therapist alone.
     "It's amazing how he's kept these barriers within himself about his
real father," Tarnia said.  "He never told me he knew who his real
parents were, or that Uri made all those visits to see him on Sagitaria. 
But when information gets presented to him that makes him feel he *has*
to tell me or those he regards as friends, that's when he opens up."
     Adama nodded.  "When we told him about Uri naming him his heir, he
felt he had to admit that he knew he was Uri's son.  But seeing the virus
was the only thing that would have made him open up about Uri's visits to
him before the Destruction."
     "And those visits were rooted in finding ways to exploit his son, by
using Copernicus's talents for his own corrupt purposes," Tarnia added
with disgust, "What a monster."
     "Yes," the Commander sighed, "And....I blinded myself to his true
nature.  I thought he was a basically good man gone bad because of his
devotion to excess.  The more I look back.....the more I realize I
blinded myself because Uri did my wife some favors  in her career."
     "Favors?" Tarnia raised an eyebrow.
     The commander realized the irony of talking about his wife at this
particular moment, but went on.  "Ila....was on the Faculty at the
Caprican Fine Arts Institute.  Part of her job was to lobby the Elite
Class for contributions to the Institute and the Arts in general.  To
sponsor workshop programs and scholarships for aspiring actors, musicians
and playwrights.  She.....had a charm and tenacity in making her pitch
proposals, and Uri was probably the most receptive.  Of all the Elite
Class members who bankrolled the Institute, Uri's name was always at the
top.  And.....Ila was able to advance on the Faculty thanks in part to
the lobbying work she did.  Of course, she had to be a great teacher to
also justify that, but she knew what else she had to do."
     Tarnia looked at him sympathetically, feeling her professional
instincts kick in.  "You should always believe she got to where she was
because of her own gifts.  She didn't need Uri's generosity for that."
     "Oh, I'd never think less of her accomplishments," Adama said. 
"But.....it does show how a man like Uri could deceive a woman of her
intuition, just as he deceived me."
     The counselor/therapist then chose her next words carefully,
"If......you should happen to hear from her again.......I wouldn't waste
precious time in the conversation just to tell her what kind of man her
career benefactor really was."
     Ila's husband smiled thinly at her, "Not in this......first contact. 
If it does happen."
     She returned it, "Where will you take this investigation next?"
     "Well.....I intend to do my best to keep Copernicus out of it from
this point on, with no more than just a  minor follow-up.  It's not going
to be as extensive as it seems, because at least one, if not two of the
names on that list are dead.  Colonial Security will have to do a
background check on the others, as well as any acquaintances there might
be of the dead ones, but I can let that go until tomorrow.  There's only
one matter I want to check today."
     Tarnia rose, "Then I guess I can return to my office, here on the
Galactica, and wait the rest of this out until Copernicus is released
from Yellow Alert status." 
     "Yes, that would be helpful to him.  Thank you again for all your
help, Tarnia."
     As soon as she was gone, leaving Adama alone in the Chamber, the
Commander reached for the com-line that would connect him with the
Bridge.


     Conversation in the pleasure centers of the Rising Star had become
considerably muted from the instant the IFB broadcasts regarding rumors
of potential contact with the Pegasus had begun.  The Astral Lounge,
noted for loud music and dancing, had taken on more the hushed tone of
house of worship as the IFB continued to give whatever "analysis" it
could of the rumor and its potential meaning, for which a number of
supposedly expert guests they could find on short notice could offer
their speculative thoughts.  Even the swimmers in the Aquacade were
finding themselves being quiet so as not to drown out the noise from the
overhead monitor.
     Only in the Empyreal Lounge was there something close to normal
activity, and that was because the lounge was noted for always keeping
the volume off on video monitors to facilitate a mood of quiet
conversation and relaxation.  Consequently, the majority of those
visiting the Lounge, with its split-level structure and breathtaking
two-story picture window view of the stars, were among the few people
carrying on in ignorance of the rumors.  That included the two members of
the Council of Twelve, sharing drinks over a small lounge table.
     "Thank you for seeing me, Sire Pelias," Siress Tinia said, "This is
a matter that I hope you'll be discreet about.  I don't want Adama
finding out I've talked to you about this."
     "Since you've been Adama's biggest ally for quite some time, I can't
imagine what you'd want to keep secret from him."
     "It's for his own benefit that he not know I'm raising this subject
with another Council member," the attractive Siress said.  "It
concerns.....a problem we have on the Council.  Namely, our
Vice-President."
     "Ah, yes," Pelias said with an air of disgust.  "You should hear the
epithets Jena has used to describe her.  And that doesn't include the
worse ones she's heard from her father.  It's almost impossible to think
that just sectars ago, Lydia and Commander Byrne were lovers."
     "And therein lies the root of why she's become a serious problem,"
Tinia said.  "An affair with Commander Byrne was a strategic stroke of
brilliance on her part.  Ingratiate herself to a man who'd been devoid of
female companionship for nineteen yahrens and act all sweet and
reasonable to him, so that way.....if there was a moment to challenge
Adama on something serious, she'd have Byrne's backing.  I'm sure that
was the reason she threw herself at Byrne after we took him and Jena
aboard."
     "Jena's said the same thing.  She had bad vibes about her from the
start and tried to warn her father, but it wasn't until the whole flap
over the Jessica Clemens leak made him see just how opportunistic she
really is."
     "The only thing I'll say in fairness, is that if we judged people by
the fact they leaked to the IFB, we'd probably have no one but Adama left
on the Council," Tinia said.  "But with Lydia, her track record obviously
goes beyond that.  All the double-dealing that went on between her and
Antipas before his downfall gave her a taste for being power hungry. 
It's obvious she wants an incident to use as a pretext to undermine
Adama, and run with it.  And I have a horrible feeling that she's already
tried to do that."
     "That whole Charka mess?" Pelias snorted, "Sure, she tried to save
face for her insipid 'work-release' program by blaming Adama's leadership
at the Council meeting we had on that.  But she never had a chance of
making that argument stick.  Not when she was the reason why Charka was
out of the Prison Barge in the first place."
     "Yes," Tinia said, "And that's exactly why I find the whole thing
that led to the incident, very....suspicious."
     The former warrior, and nephew of the late Sire Feo, frowned.  "Are
you suggesting she put Charka up to that?"
     "That's exactly what I'm suggesting.  And no, I have no proof.  Just
a very bad intuitive feeling about it."
     "But she'd have to be insane to do that!" Pelias was stunned, "I
know Lydia is opportunistic, but she always struck me as the type who
knew how to bide her time when looking for an opportunity.  Why resort to
something that drastic, when it could risk a treason charge against her?"
     "If I'm right, the answer lies in her affair with Jena's father.  Or
rather, the *end* of it.  I think that knocked Lydia off her stride
completely.  She lost her best chance to form a powerful alliance against
Adama one day, and  who else is there in the Fleet she could sink her
claws into who could serve her purpose the same way she thought Byrne
could, and Antipas before that?"
     Pelias shrugged, "No one I can think of.  Except maybe.....Sire
Xaviar?"
     Tinia shook her head, "Too much his own man.  I can see him falling
victim to Lydia's physical charm, but not to become a junior partner in
the relationship.  And after Antipas, Lydia won't settle for that role
again.  The reason Byrne was perfect for her purpose was because he
doesn't harbor ambitions of political leadership.  And when she lost that
link when Byrne ended the affair......all of a sudden, she starts a
work-release program?  And just happens to insure that the only hardened
killer left in the Prison Barge who didn't get marooned with Antipas and
the rest, is in it?  That's one coincidence I'm not buying.  I think she
saw all her carefully laid hopes and dreams for the future collapsing,
that she thought she had to desperately come up with something quick and
drastic."
     "But you have no proof."
     Tinia leaned back and sipped her drink, "*I* have no proof.  I can't
help but think Adama has something on her he hasn't told us."
     "But if he has it, why not expose her now?" Pelias parried.  Being
involved with Jena Byrne had given him ample opportunity to increase his
natural dislike for the Council Vice-President, but he knew he had to
play devil's advocate.
     "Maybe it isn't the kind of proof that would pass muster before a
Tribunal and he can't afford making her look like a persecuted victim,
which would play into her hands perfectly.  All I know is that Adama
won't touch the Charka incident any longer.  But if my hunch about Lydia
being responsible for it is right, then our Vice-President is a ticking
time bomb, and we have to do something about it."
     "Do we?" Pelias felt he had to play devil's advocate once again. 
"You know what I think of her, Tinia, but if Adama's not using the Charka
incident to come down on her, maybe we
shouldn't try to come down on her.  After all, Lydia didn't cause any
trouble during our dealings with the Eirenians.  Or with the Risik
situation last sectar."
     "Granted," Tinia conceded, "Lydia stayed out of the way and didn't
interfere with any of that.  But I don't think we can afford to take
another risk with her.  And if you agree with me, we need to find at
least six other Council members who'll also agree with us."
     "To do what?"
     "Declare a vote of no-confidence in her as Vice-President and force
her to give up the position.  If she loses the title, then she knows her
influence is on the way out and maybe.....assuming sanity has returned to
her, she'll resign from the Council and go back to being the kind of
person she was before Antipas made her drunk with power."
     "A supreme hedonist," Pelias said dryly.
     Tinia smiled mirthlessly, "Better to have her waste away in Elite
Class with a harem of men treating her like an Aerian fertility goddess,
then see her still looking for a pathway to power over the Fleet. 
Especially if she's already tried using a killer to run free and nearly
kill more people."
     Pelias rolled what was left of his drink in his chalice, absently. 
"And.....you want eight of us to spring this surprise on Lydia without
Adama's knowledge, so he can have total deniability when it happens?"
     "If he doesn't have it, then Lydia would still have a political
weapon to use against him by rallying the people to her side.  Adama
can't suspect a thing about this."
     "You have my vote," the young Councilman said.  "But getting six
more won't be easy.  And if any one of them were to say no, what's to
stop them from going to Lydia and causing a backlash against us?"
     "I'm ready to take that chance," Tinia said firmly.  "One way or
another, Lydia must go."


     Colonel Tigh could tell that despite his blunt admonition for
everyone to get back to work, most of the personnel on watch, even those
as reliable as Omega and Rigel, were finding it hard to pour themselves
into it.  Almost every centon that went by saw someone turn their head
just a bit to try and catch a glimpse of Athena on the Upper Deck. 
Hoping to see a change in her expression, and if they couldn't see her
face, then perhaps a change in body language would indicate something.
     And that included him.  Pacing behind her, keeping an eye on
everyone else, but casting a glance just the same.  It made him the
proverbial "bad cop" of the command structure.  The one everyone expected
to lose his temper in ways that Adama would never display, with anyone
who stepped out of line.  That was why the crew always saw Tigh as the
perfect Executive Officer to Adama.  With Tigh acting as the rigid
disciplinarian who could strike fear in the hearts of everyone, it was
easier for Adama to maintain the aura of the noble, lordly father figure
that the crew always looked up to.
     Tigh knew that was his role and accepted it.  And he knew how much
Adama appreciated him as a friend who was from his generation as a
warrior and had flown with him on the Battlestar Cerberus when Adama was
a Captain, and Tigh an Ensign.  That early bond cemented Tigh as a man
who could offer valued counsel and advice that Adama would always listen
to with respect, whether he followed it or not.
     Yet there were days when the Executive Officer could feel worn down
by his role.  When he wished he could open up and declare how tired he
was of having to be the "bad cop".  And how tired he was of hiding his
emotions from the rest of the crew in order to maintain their respect. 
He knew Adama faced the same pressure, but there was always one key
difference.  Adama still had family members he could lean on and share
his personal burdens with.  Tigh had......nothing.  No one to open up to
in a true family context regarding his inner demons and thoughts.  Nor
could he count on the camaraderie of warriors his own age that he could
be candid with, in ways that he couldn't with Adama.  And as for romantic
relationships, Tigh hadn't experienced any since the death of the only
woman he'd  been married to, and that was more than twenty yahrens ago. 
That event had driven him into a shell as far as deeply personal
relationships went, and the only compensation he had left was his
friendship with Adama.  Who was by now the commander of the Galactica and
whose belief in Tigh's greatness as a warrior resulted in a new
assignment that saw Tigh become strike commander of Blue
Squadron......followed by a promotion to Major and becoming Senior Bridge
Officer.....and ultimately to Colonel and the pinnacle of his career as
Executive Officer.  Where Tigh spent five yahrens in preparation for a
moment when perhaps, command would become his,  once Adama decided to
retire.  And more than once, in the period leading up to the Armistice,
Adama had suggested that was going to happen sooner than later.
     The Armistice had become the Destruction, and changed Tigh's life
forever in more ways than one.  Separated forever from the few relatives
left in the Colonies that he'd long since lost touch with, and who all
perished.  And separated forever from the hope of ever commanding the
Galactica.  He'd come to accept that, knowing Adama's need for him
depended on that.  And he could say truthfully, as he did in the period
following the Destruction, that he was content with his role and no
longer harbored the higher dreams he'd once had.
     But a subsequent event had given him one chance to experience that
dream.  Except it had been a nightmare.  Being forced to take command of
the Pegasus when Adama had relieved Cain.  Being forced to assume her
bridge and see the cold, hostile stares of a crew that was fiercely loyal
to the Juggernaut and was now expected to heed the orders of an outsider. 
None of them had openly defied him.  But Tigh could sense the hostility
that seemingly bordered on hate.  When he'd asked the Bridge Officer in
charge of the scanners to give him a readout, she had given it to him and
put a hard inflection on the word, "Sir!" at the end of her sentence that
seemingly summed it all up for Tigh as to what he'd walked into.  The
crowning insult coming when Cain had radioed ahead to inform Tigh that he
was resuming command in the face of an incoming Cylon attack.  How the
message just happened to be keyed in for the entire Bridge crew to hear,
and how when it was over, all of them let out cheers in unison.
     Colonel Tolen, the Pegasus Executive Officer who'd been bypassed for
the role Tigh had been thrust into because of seniority, had been the
only one who tried giving him some kind of reassurance, telling him,
"It's nothing personal, sir."  But it had come off as half-hearted to
Tigh, with little regard in his mind for what he'd been forced to go
through.  Diplomacy and tact though, and living up to the standard Adama
expected of him, had forced him to hold his head up high and say simply,
"I quite understand.  Who can fight a living legend?"
     Cain at least, had been gracious to him.  Before Tigh left the
Pegasus to resume his place on the Galactica, the Juggernaut had taken
him aside and said something that had partially healed Tigh's bruised ego
and helped restore his own sense of self-respect.
     "Colonel," Cain had said, "I regret the circumstances that put you
in an unfair position.  Adama is lucky to have a man like you by his
side.  Keep serving him well."
     That was why Tigh never carried any bitterness toward Cain in all
the time since the separation.  But now that contact with the Pegasus
again was conceivably near after all this time, it forced Tigh's mind to
relive that painful memory for himself.  To think of the totality of his
life and what he'd accomplished and not accomplished.  Of what he was
now, and whether he felt content with that.  It was, he realized, the
most self-reflective about himself that he'd ever been.
     If we hear from them......can I push all those bad memories the
Pegasus represents to me, and enjoy it for what it *truly* means?  Can I
rise to the occasion as Adama has always expected me to do, or will I let
the joy of this occasion be sullied in a sea of silly self-pity over a
personal slight from the past?  That was the kind of question he wished
he could pose to a peer from his generation other than Adama.  Or to a
wife that he no longer had.  He had neither.  He could only look within
himself and answer it.
     If I'm truly the warrior and man Adama's always thought I
am......yes, I can.  If it happens......this *will* be a happy time for
us all.  Including me.
     He had just finished that thought when he heard his friend's voice
on his com-line.  "Tigh, I need you to contact the Baseship.  Tell Baltar
I have to speak to him on the private Council line, immediately."
     "Yes, sir," Tigh responded quickly.  "How long do you anticipate
talking to him?"
     "I don't know, Tigh.  But in the event something happens while we're
talking, he'll find out right away from the technicians monitoring the
main receiver, and you'll activate the unicom telling me, and we'll both
terminate the connection.  Just get me hooked up and maintain watch.  I
know it must be getting anxious up there, but that's how it has to be for
now."
     "Of course, sir."
     Adama paused and then added, "Is Athena bearing up?"
     "Perfectly, sir.  She's like all of us.  Anxious......but prepared."
     "Thank you."
     The Executive Officer let out a sigh as he made his way over to
initiate the connection with the Baseship.  Hearing Adama's voice had
chased the last bit of uncertainty from his mind.  He *wanted* to see
that transmission come in and be able to shout for joy that the Lords had
made it happen.
     Let my faith be rewarded.

Chapter Six

     Can it really be so?  Baltar thought as he sat in the Command Center
of the Baseship.  Did I actually laugh with Starbuck, as though we'd
suddenly become comrades sharing stories of shared experiences?
     Not for the first time that day, or the hundredth time in the last
two sectars,  had Baltar pondered this and other things that reflected an
intangible......yet distinct change in how his day to day existence
seemed to him.  Increasingly, uneasiness.....awkwardness.....lingering
fear......the old smugness and haughty air of superiority were fading
more from him.  Replaced more and more by a sense of what he could only
call......serenity.
     Yes, he knew his existence was still for the most part, like that of
a prisoner.  He still couldn't comprehend the thought of ever leaving the
secureness of the Baseship to experience any facet of life as it was in
the Fleet.  He still knew that for the vast majority of the 70,000
survivors of the Destruction, his name was a name they likely still
rolled off their tongues in a way that made them want to spit and use
some colorful, vulgar epithet.  Even if doing that in public was
considered unseemly in the age of Detente, it still represented the
majority private sentiment of his fellow humans.
     And yet......that no longer seemed to matter to Baltar.  He could
somehow.....accept that now.  Accept that when he considered where he'd
been two and a half yahrens ago, locked away in the Prison Barge, or a
yahren and a half ago, when he'd been marooned on an isolated planet, his
life was now......satisfying.  Not in the material sense, though he
couldn't deny that in his position, he enjoyed a level of material
benefits as good as what he'd known in the old days.  For the first time,
he was feeling satisfaction in what he could only call.......a spiritual
sense.
     Because that voice has stopped whispering in my ear.  Repeating the
same things over and over that he'd done ever since the Prison Barge, 
and on the planet, .and then here.  Trying to get me to.......do what? 
To trust him to take charge of me?  All so that I can do....what?
     But his gratitude that the voice was gone, didn't make him fool
enough to believe it had disappeared forever.  Not when he had formed so
many definite opinions of that voice.  The voice coming from a
white-robed man commanding him to kneel in submission before the Council
when his surrender had been compelled......and then later conversing with
him in his cell.  A conversation he'd never shared the details of with
anyone, because even now, he was still too frightened by the
implications.
     "I remember that voice.....the voice of the Cylon Imperious Leader."
     "The Cylon's a machine."
     "Now they are, yes!  But once they were a race of reptilian beings
who allowed themselves to be overcome by their technology, and saw their
own creation turn on them and destroy them."
     "And when did this happen?"
     "A thousand yahrens ago.  At the onset of the thousand yahren war
with the humans."
     "And in order for my voice to be that of the Imperious Leader, it
would have to have been transcribed and placed into the essence of the
first machine leader, a thousand yahrens ago.  I would have to be a
thousand yahrens old!"
     The same voice.....later appearing to him again on the planet to
torture him with promises of new opportunities.  The same
voice.....whispering into his ear at irregular intervals ever since his
defection.  Telling him that he should not settle for his current
existence.  Refusing to be impressed by his refusal to listen.
     Until....about two sectars ago, the voice had stopped.  As though
somehow it had been driven away from his presence to torture him.  And
increasingly, he was convinced that only one thing was responsible for
that.  The very thing that had been keeping his sanity from cracking and
giving into the voice's taunts during the Detente.  The unexpected return
of Ayesha to his life.
     Ayesha, he thought, what did I do to deserve your coming back to me? 
And why even now, do you find me worth saving?  Especially when......you
could have known greater happiness for yourself without me?
     He was no longer ignorant or naive about the relationship she'd had
with Starbuck's father, Chameleon, in the days when she had every right
to think her husband would never be a part of her life again.  When she'd
been living a new life of anonymity as Claudia, a compassionate care
giver to the needy on the Senior Ship, where she'd met Chameleon.  Ayesha
had recently found the courage to level with him about what she'd
experienced with Chameleon, and how there was a part of her heart that
still loved and always would love the man she might have spent the rest
of her life with.  
     "Whenever I asked you the reasons why you did what you did, you were
always candid with me," she'd told him that night, not long after the
voice in his ear had suddenly stopped.  "I owe you nothing less in
return, Baltar.  And understand this.  The feelings I have for Starbuck's
father are those of a woman who never belonged to you.......just as the
woman who is your wife.....who will never let anything happen to
you........doesn't belong to him."
     He might have once found such an explanation baffling and hard to
grasp.  Had the voice still been present, it might have taunted him with
words about how she was not truly faithful to him.  That if she could
follow her heart, she would gladly leave and abandon him for Starbuck's
father.  That he was a fool to keep trusting her.  And he might very well
have listened.
     But not now.  Somehow......thanks to her guidance, and her sense of
total self-regard for his well-being.....he had accepted her
explanations.......along with her admonitions whenever he felt like
making some put-down of someone on the Galactica he'd had a negative
experience with in the past.  The reward, he now realized for accepting
such admonitions, along with her explanations, was a simple peace of mind
he couldn't recall knowing at any time in his life.  And now that he had
it......he didn't want to let go of it.
     Even if the voice were to return again and try a new wave of attack. 
He *had* to resist it.  With every last ounce of his strength.
     His thoughts were broken by a message from Commander Moray that
Adama wanted to speak to him on the Council line circuit.  This was the
band Baltar used whenever he was needed for consultation over matters
that came up in a Council session.  He frowned, because the ongoing
situation regarding this communications set-up couldn't possibly have
left Adama any time for a Council meeting.  But when he answered it, and
saw his old adversary from days long past, he could tell he was alone.
     "Yes, Adama?  This isn't about the communications matter?"
     "No, Baltar, it isn't.  Though I will take a micron to express my
appreciation and gratitude for getting it back on-line as quickly as your
crew was able to."
     "They are quite efficient," he managed a weak smile.  "Ayesha is.
....standing by with Dunamis and the rest of the technicians to keep an
eye on things from this end.  When something happens.....the power drop
on the Baseship will be noticeable initially before the signal becomes
visible."
     "Thank you.  I appreciate that information," Adama said, "But what I
wanted to talk to you about concerns another matter entirely.  Something
that perhaps should have been addressed long ago but has become necessary
as a result of......certain new facts that have come to my attention."
     The weak smile faded and was replaced by an air of concern.  In his
earlier, less confident days, it might have been an early sign of panic
and alarm, but he tried to let his newfound serenity act as a firewall
against that.  "Yes?"
     "Baltar," Adama took a breath, "Is there.....anything you'd like to
say to me regarding what you know about.......Sire Uri?"
     The concerned look was suddenly replaced more by one of slight
confusion as his eyebrows went up.
     "Sire Uri's dead," he said simply.  "A suicide, I believe."
     "Yes," Adama's tone remained normal and non-confrontational. 
"Before your defection took place.  What can you tell me about what you
knew about him?"
     Baltar slowly took a breath.  For just the tiniest fraction of a
micron.....he could sense the presence of the one behind the voice.  As
if it were on the verge of speaking his tortures to Baltar once again. 
It was the sensory awareness of it that made him say what he said next.
     "Adama.  There's no reason to play games with me.  You found out
that Uri collaborated with me for his own self-centered reasons.  I'd be
a fool to deny that.  I admit, I didn't volunteer that information to you
before, but......at the time it scarcely seemed relevant when I learned
that he was dead.  Whatever judgment he faced for his actions, has been
administered by the Lords.  I saw no purpose dredging up further matters
of unpleasantness when we were establishing genuine cooperation between
human and Cylon for the first time."
     "I can respect that sentiment, Baltar," Adama again was keeping his
voice without any hint of accusation or confrontation.  "There is indeed,
little point in belaboring matters about the dead.  What I'm more
concerned with is if there are people still living who might have to make
a clean breast of matters regarding their actions prior to and during
the........"  he deliberately left the last word off.
     "Adama," Baltar knew he couldn't let himself sound offended or
annoyed.  "At this point......more than three yahrens later, even I'm not
sure I know the answer to that.  You knew the names of my inner circle
that worked for me and did my bidding.  Except for Charybdis, none of
them survived the Destruction.  And I'm also aware that Charybdis is dead
too.  You are also, I know, quite aware that Ayesha had no knowledge of
my plans because you personally exonerated her."
     "I'd like to return to the matter of Charybdis," Adama said. 
"You're aware that Uri was the one who had him killed?"
     A look of genuine surprise came over him, "No, Adama, I wasn't aware
of that.  I only checked his name in the data base and all it said was
the one line 'terminated.'.  But I suppose that makes sense if Uri
thought Charybdis had some knowledge of his being implicated in the
overall plot.  Anyone who was in my circle could have known about Uri
being involved."
     Adama waited a micron before asking his next question, as he
seemingly studied each detail of Baltar's face.
     "Then you're saying that Charybdis never met Uri at any time during
all of this?"
     Again, Baltar's eyebrows went up.  The genuine confusion had
returned.
     "Not to my knowledge," he finally said, "Uri's role in the whole
affair was to make sure he had a piece of the action and preserved his
standing if destruction was going to happen.  He didn't need to meet with
an underling like Charybdis.  Once I assured him he was "in", that's all
that mattered to him."
     Adama knew it was time to drive his point home.  "Baltar, what would
you say if I were to tell you that we have a digital recording of
Charybdis and Uri meeting together and clearly discussing the general
plot?"
     Confusion was now replaced by bewilderment.  "I *never* used
Charybdis as a go-between with Uri!  If he had any meeting with Uri about
the plot, I never knew about that!"
     The Commander was realizing that things were getting more complex
than he could have imagined, "Baltar.....did you personally pick
Charybdis to perform the sabotage work, or did he volunteer for that
assignment?"
     "Why......he volunteered for that, Adama.  I knew Charybdis's skills
as a pilot and an aide.  His job was......" He uneasily swallowed as
though he was ashamed to have to repeat this detail, "His primary job was
to get me off the Atlantia safely before any attack began.  The fact that
he presented himself as a computer expert, capable of programming a virus
that could sabotage the entire Colonial defense network, was more like
a.....happy dividend."
     "Well it would seem, Baltar, that Charybdis wasn't as much of an
expert as he made himself out to be."
     "I don't follow you."
     Adama sighed as an ironic smile formed on his lips.
     "No, Baltar.  I don't think you do.  And.....in all honesty, I'm
glad to know that."
     The one-time traitor stared blankly at him.
     "What it means, Baltar is that I have absolutely no reason to doubt
your candor about anything you've said in this conversation.  And
that.....reassures me greatly.  Just as a good deal more that's happened
in this past yahren has ultimately......reassured me."
     Slowly, confusion and apprehension disappeared from Baltar's face
and bearing.  Replaced with relief.  And a return to the serenity he'd
felt about himself before Adama had made his communique to him.
     "Thank you, Adama.  That.....means a great deal to me."
     "Of that I'm sure.  Before I go, there are just a couple final
questions.  What can you tell me about.......Count Mikkos?"
     His eyes narrowed upon hearing this name from his past, "You knew he
was my cousin. And yes, I did warn him about what was going to happen,
because I wanted to make sure he protected his business interests."
     "When was that?"
     "Oh.....approximately one sectan before the Destruction."
     Much later than when Copernicus met him,  Adama thought as he made a
notation.  "And you had no knowledge of him dealing with Uri, either?"
     "Certainly not!" Baltar said instinctively and then he suddenly grew
reflective.  As if he feared some old impulse of familial loyalty had
made him answer too quickly and if he didn't amend his remarks, he just
might find a Voice whispering in his ear once again.  "That is to
say......not beyond matters of what I  presumed to be normal business
interests.  Of course....when I say normal business interests, I don't
mean conducted entirely within the statutes of Colonial law. 
Mikkos.....like myself, knew how to look for advantages to exploit.  His
approach to business.....much like my own, could best be described as
amoral."
     There was no immediate response from Adama, as if he sensed that
Baltar had more to say on the matter of his cousin.  After another
micron, Baltar cleared his throat and continued.  "Of course, my cousin,
I will confess, did share my......existing sentiments at the time about
the nature of the struggle and had no moral objections to what I had
foolishly hoped to achieve as a result of the....." he tried not to choke
on the word, "....bargain I made with the Imperious Leader.  I'm sure
you're aware that he was quite......vocal about what he felt were Adar's
failings as a leader......as well as Adar's predecessors when it came to
the overall prosecution of the War."
     Adama nodded.  He had clear memories of Baltar's cousin writing
several opinion pieces in prominent Colonial journals that were critical
of Adar and the overall history of Colonial leadership in the past two
hundred yahrens.  It had always puzzled Adama that Mikkos had grown
silent on public affairs during the period of negotiations leading up to
the Destruction.  Now he finally understood why.
     "So that was why I knew he could be trusted to know things as the
event drew near," Baltar went on, "But as far as taking him into
confidence during the earlier preparations?  No.  I was more interested
in sparing the members of my family from knowing that until the last
possible micron.  And.....even with Ayesha, you already know how I never
found the nerve to tell her."  
     "Then it's possible that the reason Mikkos raised no moral
objections when you did tell him, was because.......he might have been
engaged in his own plot independent of your own?"
     Baltar's frown returned, "With Uri?  Mikkos and I had a reasonably
close relationship.  Not quite akin to that of brothers, but more than
the distance a cousin relationship usually suggests.  It wouldn't have
occurred to me that he'd withhold knowledge of that.  But......" he
allowed himself a shrug, "if he was plotting with Uri he was doing that
on his own."
     "And......you can confirm his death."
     "His estate was reduced to ashes that night, Adama.  I had
absolutely no reason to think he did survive, but then again......I
thought the same of Ayesha."
     And up to now, I've been thinking the same of Ila.  "And.....Siress
Rosalind?"
     Baltar suddenly burst into an involuntary laugh, "Adar's old
mistress?  Good Lords of Kobol, Adama, that delusional schoolmarm was the
*last* person I would have approached.  The only time I saw her in that
period was when I visited Adar at his private retreat.  That was  before
the......... *official* onset of negotiations, and she as always was
hanging tight to him."
     The Commander couldn't have possibly missed the emphasis, or the
decidedly awkward pause.  That confirms another detail in Copernicus's
account.  "Go on." 
     "Adar had been... less than receptive to my early overtures on the
matter, which came at a time when the two of them were... having a
difference of opinion as to the... exclusivity, shall we say, of their
relationship."
     Adama narrowed his eyes.  He was aware of rumors surrounding  Adar's
relationship with the Siress - an advisor in education, if he recalled
correctly, but a minor one.  Neither of them were married, so Baltar's
reference to her as his 'mistress' wasn't quite accurate, but given the
nature of the rumors, he could see some accuracy in the term.  He also
remembered how the relationship had led to serious repercussions in the
make-up of Adar's inner circle.
     "As I recall, Sire Anton resigned as the President's chief aide and
went into retirement because he thought Adar was getting too distracted
by the whole Rosalind business as it was being covered in the media.."
     Baltar let out an ironic chuckle, devoid of mirth.  "Not to mention
the fact there was no love lost between Anton and Rosalind.  She'd
whispered poison in a great many ears about him looking down on women,
which you and I both know isn't true about Anton.  He just disapproved of
her specifically, and not just because of her perceived influence over
Adar."
     "Why, in addition to that?"
     "Her aspirations were no secret, and there were no shortage of
people who believed that she was, to put it mildly, unqualified for
higher office.  That sentiment was especially strong in Anton, who seemed
to know her record better than most.  Combined with the fact that he'd
seen her maneuver Adar into making several... questionable decisions..."
Baltar paused, briefly, looking greatly uncomfortable. "...beyond going
along with my... endeavor..."
      Adama could tell that the discussion was hitting his old rival in
some uncomfortable places, which wasn't unjustified. Still, he felt
sympathy in that moment for the man - of a sort he'd felt bubbling up on
several previous occasions since he and his crew joined the Fleet, but
which he'd intentionally tempered down.
     "Go on," he offered, gently, after several microns had passed.
     Clearing his throat, Baltar continued; "Yes, so... for all her
failings, she did have a bureautician's tongue.  Adar used to say, 'That
woman could sell sand to a Skorpian Chieftain.'"
     Both men chuckled. Adama himself had never heard Adar express such
sentiments, but it was something he could picture the late Council
President saying.
     "There was some speculation," Baltar continued, feeling more
relaxed, "That if she chose to run for a seat on the Council, she had an
outsider's chance in a 'new era' of Colonial-Cylon peace.  And Adar made
it clear that if she did run, she'd have his formal endorsement.  That,
to the best of my recollection, was when Anton reached his breaking
point.  And.....at the time, it was something I welcomed.  His resigning
then,  inadvertently served my purposes since he would have provided a 
counterweight to what Rosalind was whispering in Adar's ear.  By the time
I saw them at Adar's retreat, Anton was out of the picture, and they'd
reconciled their differences.  After previously being skeptical of my
proposals regarding a truce with the Cylons, he was now quite receptive
to what I had to say.  And all the time, she was chiming in on how it
would be a good thing to pursue and how great Adar would be remembered as
a peacemaker."
     "And she was doing this on her own without any consultation with
you."
     "Completely.  I just considered myself fortunate that she
unwittingly serving my purpose.  But being part of the plot?  I just saw
her as a naive fool trying to assert her place as his consort, or
deluding herself into thinking she might one day be his potential
successor.  I never saw her again after that day."  
     Another nod as the Commander made a note to talk with Sire Anton at
some point.  Adar's former aide had been one of his allies on the Council
of Twelve before retiring just after the onset of the Detente.  "What
about the name......Ashera?"
     Seriousness returned to Baltar's expression.  "The way you mention
that name, Adama, it sounds like it means nothing to you."
     Adama allowed himself a smile, "In all candor, Baltar, it doesn't."
     "She was an intelligence operative.  I can't recall for which
agency.  But.....she was part of Adar's intelligence team responsible for
submitting him reports on the evaluations of my progress in the
negotiations.  One of the things Adar expected of me was to answer any
objections his intelligence analysts were presenting.  It's because she
was the only woman on that team that.....her name stood out."
     "Hmm," Adama thought carefully as he made a note, "That's helpful,
because you've jogged my memory about her name.  Without getting too
bogged down in the details......is it possible that someone in her
position could have studied your reports to Adar and decided on their own
that......something was amiss?"
     "Are you suggesting that someone in her position, ahead of time
could have *also* had the ability to take part in this parallel plot of
Uri's you're describing?  If that's what you're getting at Adama, I'd
certainly have to say it's possible but I can tell you nothing else.  She
was just a name on reports Adar was willing to share with me."
     "I have absolutely no reason to doubt you on that, Baltar," Adama
put his stylus down.  "Thank you very much.  You've.....made me realize
that there's still much to learn about the events of that night that
require us to......see things not as neat and orderly as we once did."
     "Adama," his voice dropped to one of quiet gratitude, "If.....in
anyway, what I've had to say can serve as some kind of penance, however
tiny......I'm grateful for that."
     The commander gave him a polite nod of acknowledgment, "Good day,
Baltar."
     And then the connection was ended.  Leaving Baltar alone in the
Command Center to slowly exhale, bow his head and clasp his hands in
thanks.


     Adama slowly gathered himself as he rose from the Council President
chair.  Filing away the notes he'd taken, and securing the recordings of
both the interview with Copernicus and the conversation just concluded
with Baltar.  He would make sure all of this would be reviewed thoroughly
when the preliminary investigation that he knew was warranted, would
begin.
     But that is for another day, he thought as he adjusted his com-line
to tell Tigh that he was on his way back to his quarters, and that he
would be handling no other matters short of sudden military attack on the
Fleet.


     For those who'd remained in Adama's quarters, the centons that
turned into centars were becoming in many respects as tense as what most
of them had gone through the night before as they'd awaited news of Sheba
giving birth.  The happy small talk centered on baby Bethany and passing
her around had kept them occupied at first, with Starbuck proposing to
lay odds on which of the three members of "Tomorrow's Generation" would
grow up to become pilots, drawing laughs.  Apollo admitted that he liked
the term "Tomorrow's Generation" to describe the children of both
branches, which prompted an immediate proposal from Boomer that Boxey be
voted President of "Tomorrow's Council".  Which in turn brought a hearty
unanimous "AYE!" from everyone and a teasing warning to Boxey from his
parents that if he voted no, he'd get no mushies for a sectan.
     But then.....the wait grew longer and the air of tense quiet that
Colonel Tigh had seen on the Bridge, seemed to take hold in Adama's
quarters too.  As though all of them felt they'd done all they could to
get their minds off the subject of what they were certain would still
come.  And which now they felt on edge waiting for.  By the time Bojay
returned, at the insistence of Gayla who had seen how restless her
husband had become, there was very little idle talk going on.  And when
Adama returned, it was almost silent, save for the occasional cry or
chortle from the three infants.
     Attempts to break the silent tension with lighthearted quips from
someone were generally met with no more than a chuckle at best, and no
follow-up from anyone else.  Adama knew the tension didn't stem from any
fear that perhaps all the preparations and the long waiting game was for
nothing and rooted in a false hope.  His faith in the visions that had
been received was unshakable and it meant that *something* had to happen
eventually, and on this day, if Sheba's vision had been accurate.  The
only question was when would it happen.  And what would the nature of the
message be, and what would it reveal.  
     Everyone's suddenly getting introspective, Starbuck thought as he
chewed on an unlit fumarello.  He found that keeping them unlit, tended
to help him cut down when he felt like smoking to ease some inner
tension.  If he wanted to smoke for the simple enjoyment, then he was
still prone to give in.  Even though he'd heard more than his share of
suggestions from Cassiopeia that he give them up entirely.
     I won't give them up, Cass, but all the same keep suggesting. 
It's....somehow endearing when it comes from you.
     As he looked over at Cassiopeia, who was taking her turn holding
Bethany and giving a Sheba a respite, he thought of how this was going to
be very significant for her.  Just as he was knew  that Adama, Apollo and
Sheba would experience their moments of reunion, so too would Cassie get
her moment, given the importance Cain had in her life.
     And what will it mean to her, to see him alive?  And for him to see
her alive and well?  Will it be just a time for pleasant memories and
mutual gratitude?  Or.....is it going to reignite whatever.....spark they
once had together?  Will Cain take the news that she's still not sealed
as a sign that......she's still available?
     He certainly knew that over the last two and a half yahrens since
Cain's disappearance, Cassie had more than proved to him that she was
over Cain, and that he was the love of her life.  Just as she knew that
he had long since put aside his penchant for having a wandering eye that
sought to juggle multiple relationships at once.  Before the Destruction
it had been with Athena and a girl named Aurora.  Then after a time when
it seemed like Athena was meant to be the one in Starbuck's life, the
Destruction and Cassiopeia's arrival changed that.  For a time, Starbuck
had resumed his old habits by trying to keep things balanced with both
women before finally realizing that it was Cassiopeia he felt the
stronger bond with.  And since then, he'd stayed true to Cassie.  There'd
been rough periods during that time that had threatened the relationship. 
His anger over Cassie not telling him the truth about Chameleon had led
to a rupture (even though he realized eventually that his father had been
responsible for that), and his subsequent depression over the death of
Cadet Jada at the hands of a Ziklagi shapeshifter had made things worse. 
But he'd recovered from that, and once he had, he remembered how precious
Cassie was to him.  Their relationship hadn't gone through any rough
periods since.
     Then why, after all this time when Apollo, Boomer and Bojay have
gotten sealed, I've still held  back?  Why, when it's obvious  I couldn't
possibly think of anyone else in my life but Cassie, have I still
hesitated?  Is it all because of my own little insecurities?  Or is there
a part of me that's waited for this moment to hear from Cain again?  Is
that a sign it's time to act?
     A lot had been happening in his life of late that had made him take
a closer look at himself.  The words of Ama, in particular, had been on
his mind.  "You are a good man, Lieutenant Starbuck.  You have the
capacity to be a great one."
     Those words of advice had stayed with him as he'd taken the tough
step of letting go of old bitterness and reconciling himself to the woman
who might have been his stepmother, but who had instead reclaimed her
position as Baltar's wife.  Of burying his old thoughts about Baltar
today to even share a hearty laugh about something they could both find
amusing.
     And maybe......being a great man means finally learning when it's
time to stop being afraid of doing......something else.
     He still had no idea of what was going to transpire in this
communication that everyone was on-edge with anticipation about.  But he
already had some idea of what was going to transpire for himself after it
was over.


     As Baltar finished his conversation with Adama, his wife was at that
moment in the communications section.  She'd been briefed on the
situation by Starbuck before his return to the Galactica and decided that
she would become the unofficial monitor aboard the Baseship.  Letting
Dunamis and the other centurion technicians perform the initial relay
switch when it happened, but just in case there were complications
whoever was trying to initiate contact would see her face and get an
explanation from a human voice.
     The waiting vigil gave Ayesha a chance to think more about her
situation.  How more clearly defined it was to her ever since her
reconciliation with Starbuck and her confrontation with someone......or
some *thing* that she could only describe as the personification of Evil. 
The source of all that had tortured her husband endlessly for the past
yahren.  And how she had managed to stand up to that Evil and declare
boldly that she would do all in her power to save her husband's soul from
him.  And that realization was all she needed to put her own heart and
soul at peace in terms of where she was now.  She would never deny the
past and what she had felt, and still felt in her heart about Chameleon,
but it would never interfere with her life from this point on.  The Lords
had chosen her for another purpose and she would never betray that
purpose, ever.
     Especially since I can't be naive that the threat from
that......Evil is gone for good.  I found the strength to stand up to him
once, but if he represents something that powerful.....he'll likely try
again, and he knows that the only way to get to Baltar is
through......me. 
     And I won't let him, she vowed.
     Her idle pacing in front of the terminal stopped when she heard a
series of clicks and chimes emit.  Overhead, there was a slight dimming
of the lights which indicated just one thing......A power drop.
     "Signal is being received," Dunamis reported.  "Transferring relay
signal to the Galactica."
     This is it, Ayesha thought, feeling the anticipation herself, even
though she had no personal stake in the outcome.  She knew that the most
significant moment in the history of the Fleet since the Detente had at
last arrived.  


     No one who was on the Bridge would ever forget what they were
thinking or doing when the long centars of silent waiting and wondering
finally came to an end.  Almost all of them had expected it to come with
a change in Athena's body language or bearing.  That was why they kept
sneaking looks up at her, seeing if there was any sign that it was
finally happening.
     But it wasn't those sneaking glances at Athena who got the first
indication.  Instead it was Omega.  Reliable, unexcitable, efficient
Omega who experienced the first indication   because he'd been keyed in
to monitor scan readings on the Baseship at that particular instant.
     "Colonel Tigh!" he'd bolted up, his voice at a higher level than
anyone who'd known him had ever heard.  "The Baseship is registering a
distinct power level drop!"
     A loud murmur erupted from all corners of the Bridge, and now every
head was trained on the upper level.  After many long centars of vigil,
Athena had sprung forward in her chair and was aggressively making
adjustments to the monitor in front of her.
     Behind her, the Executive Officer, in response to all the frenzied
chatter that erupted, gave out a command louder than he did when sounding
Battle Stations. 
     "Quiet!  QUIET!  Anyone who talks is on REPORT!"
     Like a curtain rapidly descending, the chattering stopped.  And now,
no one even dared  make a whisper as all the eyes remained trained on
Athena.
     She could see in front of her, the screen that had been blank all
this time suddenly coming to life.  First, it was just a bright wall of
white that bent slightly in the middle.  But then.....it formed to an
image of crystal clarity.  
     No matter how much Athena's mind had tried to condition herself to
the idea, there was still a feeling of numb shock in every part of her
body.  As though the part of her that had lost all faith in miracles
following the Destruction was trying to make some protesting assertion
that what she saw in front of her on the monitor couldn't possibly be
real.  But nonetheless, it was there.  The image of a woman who looked as
if she might have been in her early to mid-forties had Athena not known
the true age was more than ten yahrens older.  Dressed in a conservative
style green and white tunic reminiscent of what female Council members
wore.  Her darkish blonde hair styled elegantly, showing a few silver
streaks on the side.  Her face.....an older version of Athena's with the
same blue eyes that opened to wide-eyed wonder as it became clear that
she could see her.
     "Mother......?" Athena could barely force the word out.
     Ila's face broke into a warm, maternal smile.
     "Hello, Sunshine," her voice came through clearly.  "I've missed you
so."

Chapter Seven

     Everyone on the Bridge was frozen in place.  No one daring to make a
sound.  With the exception of Tigh, no one on the Bridge was expecting to
learn that Athena's mother and Adama's wife was now aboard the Pegasus. 
And even Tigh was stunned that it was Ila who had made the initial
transmission rather than Cain.
     Athena managed to adjust herself, knowing that she had to fight back
all the emotion that wanted to spill out from her.  Without taking her
eyes off her mother, she managed to straighten herself but to her horror,
the words were sticking in her throat.
     Ila immediately sensed her plight, "It's okay, Sunshine," she
repeated gently.  "Just gather your strength.  Before we can talk about
anything personal, I need you to stand by and wait for a data
transmission that I'm sending over this line right now."
     Her hand moved down as though she were pressing a button on a
terminal that Athena couldn't see.  "If our calculations are correct, you
should be receiving it at the same speed that enables us to talk in real
time.  So check your relay on your end and tell me if you see the file."
     Athena looked down and slowly nodded, able to fight the emotion back
because this concerned a technical matter that required all of her
attention.
     "Yes," her daughter nodded.  "Yes, we have it."
     "Good.  Now transfer it to a console that can open the file and
confirm that it plays back on your end.  The file is a two centar
recording made by Commander Cain that summarizes in full detail
*everything* the Pegasus has experienced since the Battle of Gomorrah. 
Don't play back the full message because your father needs to see it
first.  Just confirm that you can see Cain talking and that it works."
     She nodded even more vigorously, "Transferring."
     "Omega!" Tigh barked from his position just five feet behind Athena
but out of the direct sight line of Ila.  "Give me confirmation, on the
double!"
     "Yes, sir!" the Bridge Officer broke the silence from the ranks of
everyone else.
     "Colonel Tigh?" Ila spoke up, recognizing his voice.  "Colonel are
you there?"
     The Executive Officer moved up and leaned over Athena's shoulder so
he could see her.  He couldn't contain himself as he gave her a broad
grin, "Yes, Ila.  It's so good to see you!"
     "I'm glad to know you're still there.  You've always been the rock
for him."
     "Confirmed!" Omega shouted.  "No issues of file corruption
whatsoever."
     "I could hear him," Ila smiled before Tigh could repeat.  "Okay, I'm
sending two more files.  The second is also a two centar recording.....by
me.  I.....explain a lot that I may not have time to explain during this
connection.  And the final one, is a one centar recording of short
messages made by various members of the Pegasus crew and directed to a
number of specific individuals in the Fleet.  Make sure that each
individual message in that recording gets to the person it's intended
for."
     "We'll do that," Athena felt her strength back.  Now the shock had
faded and there was a determination to not waste a single micron of this
precious miracle she was experiencing now.  When she saw the two new
files appearing, she wasted no time transferring them again to Omega's
station.  "Files received."
     "Lords be praised," Ila sighed and then glanced off to her left,
"Okay.  We've made sure that regardless of what gets said and doesn't get
said during this live connection, you have the files that tell the
complete story.  That means for the next fifty-seven centons, Cain and I
can talk about anything to as many of you we can make time for.  That's
how long we intend to keep this connection open because it's the maximum
length we can manage the power drainage factor on our end.  If power
drainage proves to be an issue on your end, let us know.  But
remember......we do have the ability to keep doing this and so do you! 
It's just that it can't be constant use."
     "We understand," Athena nodded and then managed to ask,
"Mother.....how?"
     Ila sighed, "I sum it up better in the recording, darling.  Let's
just say for now......the Lords do work miracles.  And that's why I also
had this feeling that if you knew we were going to be sending a message
and that you were going to hear from me.....then you'd be the one manning
the terminal.  I just *felt* it within me.  Because, I know that
everything that happened that horrible night had to be hardest on you,
Sunshine.  You'd always been so full of life and optimism, just like me. 
And.....I went through all of that too."
     "Mother," Athena was slowly adjusting to the reality of her, "Do you
know about----,"
     "Yes, I know about Zac," she cut her off.  "We don't need to mourn
him again, Athena.  I've seen where he is now, and I'm at peace with
that."
     Her daughter felt her eyes glistening as she heard this confirmation
of something else she'd never been sure of, during that period of
comatose on Brylon Station.  "I've seen him too."
     "That's wonderful," for the first time there was a hint of a quiver
in her mother's voice. "I'm so glad you're at peace about him, Athena. 
And.....I hope it's also true of Apollo and your father."
     "It is," Athena managed to say.
     "Now let me hear you confirm all the happy news I know about," Ila
went on.  "I understand you've already twice made me a grandmother!"
     Athena was startled to realize she knew that, "Mother, you......know
all that?"
     "We know a lot about what the whole Fleet has gone through, Athena,"
her mother's voice grew serious.  "Up to the time you fought the Risik at
Ne'Chak.  Wait to hear the recorded message for the explanation on that
and tell me about your children and that husband of yours!  And yes, I
know you married Boomer.  And I know Apollo married Cain's daughter.  I'm
so happy for all of you."
     "Thank you, Mother," things were moving so fast for Athena and she
wondered how anyone else in her family was going to be able to take all
of this in .  "Yes......things.....fell apart between Starbuck and me,
but.....we're still good friends.  Boomer and I, we just.....kind of came
together a couple times on missions and before you knew it, we were in
love and sealed.  Although, we weren't the first to get sealed.  Apollo
and Sheba beat us by a couple sectars.  We only beat them when it came to
having children first."
     "Twins," Ila sighed, "And you named them.....?"
     "For Zac and......for you, Mother."
     For the first time, Ila looked like she was at a loss for words and
that she'd be overcome by emotion.  But it managed to pass and she went
on.
     "Before we're done," she said.  "You'd better let me have a look at
them!"
     "I will!" Athena nodded vigorously, "They're down in Father's
quarters, along with Apollo and Boomer and Sheba and everyone else!  I
can transfer the relay so you can talk to Father, now!"
     "Wait!" Ila held up a hand and admonished.  "Not just yet, Sunshine. 
The first person your Father has to speak with is Cain.  Before you
switch the relay, let me turn this over to him.  I'll be back on the
connection later.  We still have almost fifty-five centons before we have
to end all this.  So this isn't goodbye yet."
     Ila got up and moved out of the camera range so that all was on the
screen was the background setting, which for the first time, Athena
realized looked similar to the Electronics Lab on the Galactica and
clearly had to be the counterpart on the Pegasus.
     "Athena," Tigh leaned over and whispered to her, "Get down there,
now.  I'll handle the relay switch."
     Choking back the tears, Athena rose and started to run from the
Bridge as fast as she could.  The sobs becoming more vocal with each
step.  Tigh slid into the vacant chair just as Commander Cain emerged on
screen from the right.
     "Colonel Tigh, it's good to see you again," the Juggernaut's voice
was firm, friendly but all business in contrast to Ila's.  "Athena's left
to join the others?"
     "Yes, she has, Commander," Tigh was going to treat him with the
utmost respect and not be informal.  "Before I switch the relay, may I
just say, how relieved and grateful we are to know that you've been alive
and well all this time."
     "We appreciate that, Colonel," Cain said.  "Just as we're grateful
to know that you've managed to stay together and continue your journey. 
Incidentally.....before you make the switch, since I'm talking to you,
I'll let you know ahead of time that one of the personal messages in that
third file is for you."
     Tigh frowned, "For me, sir?"
     "Yes.  From.....your counterpart on the Pegasus, Colonel Tolen.  I
don't mean to step on his remarks, but......it does concern his regrets
over what happened the last time you two met. And he wants you to know
that he has the highest respect and admiration for you as an officer and
a warrior.  And those are also, I might add, the sentiments of every
member of the Pegasus bridge crew."
     The Executive Officer felt deeply touched to hear this.  To know
that all this time, the faces that had been so hostile to him during
their one period of contact, truly regretted what they'd subjected him
to, made him realize he could let go of the matter....forever.
     "Thank you, sir," Tigh kept his composure and his dignity.  "Please
let Colonel Tolen and the Bridge Crew know, that I salute their devotion
as fine warriors who have honorably served you and our Nation."
     "I will," Cain acknowledged.  
     "Switching relay now, sir."
     The Executive Officer pressed the button and as soon as Cain's image
faded from the screen, he let out a long slow exhale and leaned back in
his chair.......oblivious to the thunderous sound of cheers and excited
chatter that had now erupted on the Bridge.
     Tigh only smiled and then said in a low tone that no one could hear,
"Carry on."
     

     Even though no one had remembered to send a com-line message to
Adama's quarters or broadcast a unicom announcement that contact had been
made, everyone in the room already knew it had happened.  The blinking
lights on Adama's terminal alerted them to that.  If Adama had so
desired, he could have interrupted the relay to the Bridge and taken over
the conversation.  But he didn't dare.  He and everyone else knew that
whatever Athena was saying in that initial contact was her time, and they
had no intention of intruding on it.
     During the wait, no one said a word.  But from outside the corridor,
they could hear the noises of crew members who had been getting texted
com-line messages from Bridge personnel and were now letting out whoops
punctuated with, "They're really out there!" and other exclamations.
     Finally, Adama saw the monitor light up......and the crystal clear
image of Cain looking back at him.
     "Cain!" Adama exclaimed, getting the first word in, "Our instincts
proved right!"
     "So have ours, Adama," the Juggernaut smiled.  "We.....knew you had
the means to hear from us......and we were sure by this point you were
waiting."
     The volume was up high enough for everyone in the room to hear the
other side of the conversation, though the angle of the monitor only
permitted Adama to see him.  Each person in the room wanted to unleash
all their emotions at that point......but knew they couldn't.
     The instant he heard Cain's voice, Apollo locked his eyes on Sheba,
wanting to see her reaction.  Like the others, she didn't make a sound. 
But he could see her lips forming a smile of joyous relief.  Her eyes
glistening with tears that began to stream down her cheeks.  Her body
trembling so much that Cassiopeia felt compelled to take baby Bethany out
of her arms.  And that required incredible self-control on Cassiopeia's
part given how much it meant for her to hear Cain's voice again.
     "I scarcely know where to begin," Adama wasn't going to press the
matter of Ila, yet.  "So much has happened.  And it's been so long."
     "Well, you'll be glad to know Adama, that we won't have to waste too
much of the precious time we have getting bogged down in details."
     The door then opened, and Athena entered, trembling and crying. 
"She's alive!" she exclaimed.  "Dear Lords, I've talked to her!"
     Her Father's head darted over and motioned Boomer to get his wife
relaxed.  For Apollo, hearing the confirmation of the news this way was
like getting hit with the power of a thunderbolt as he reached out to
help Boomer settle her down.
     "I can tell Athena's just arrived," Cain said.  "I don't blame her. 
She and her mother had a very nice reunion.  And I'll have her back on in
just a little bit, Adama.  Your time with her will come and I know it
means more to you than anything else that's going to happen in this
conversation.  But.....you and I have to talk about more official things
first, before we get to the personal things.  I hope that's agreeable to
you."
     "Oh, it is Cain, it is!" the slightly higher-than-normal pitch in
Adama's voice told everyone in the room how he was struggling inside to
juggle his duty and his responsibility as Commander and Leader, with the
fact that he'd just heard the confirmation of something that he'd never
once considered possible.  "Yes, by all means, we have to discuss matters
of business, first."
     "But the good news, Adama, and Athena will confirm this, is that we
don't have to get bogged down in it.  We've already sent separate
recordings, each running two centars long that have been downloaded on
your end.  One from me, and one from Ila summarizing everything we've
gone through.  You can consult those later.  All I need to do at this
point is summarize the basic situation that exists, and what it means for
us from this point forward.  And once we've done that, it'll be a lot
easier to take the time we've got left," he glanced off to his left as
though he were staring at a chronometer that was likely showing a
countdown, "to talk about the things that matter more to us.  We have a
little over fifty-two centons."
     "Of course," Adama nodded vigorously as he collected himself,
knowing that he could afford to wait just a little bit longer for what it
was he wanted most.  "Where do we begin?"
     Cain let out a sigh and the happy aura faded from his face. 
"Adama.....I think I'd better get the bad news out of the way.  The
quicker we accept that point, the easier it'll be to move on with
everything that's good."
     Already, across the room, an inkling of what Cain meant was starting
to develop.  It didn't remove completely the inner air of happiness that
everyone had been experiencing......but it did diminish slightly.
     Adama felt his emotions going back into the bottle and the top
sealing shut.  He was once again the picture of the firm commander.  And
it was enough to tell him what Cain was trying to put delicately, and
which Adama knew needed to be put bluntly.
     "Cain, I think I understand what you're going to say.  This
communication, nor any other communication we might have, does not mean
there'll be an actual reunion of our ships.  In fact.....you're going to
tell me that it's not going to happen at all."
     The Pegasus commander had a distinct look of sadness.  In all the
yahrens that Adama had known Cain, he'd never seen him look this
regretful before.  Which told Adama that Cain had lost something of his
swagger during the last two and a half yahrens.
     "Yes, Adama," he finally said.  "I'm afraid that's exactly it.  Your
Fleet.....and my ship are headed in opposite directions and there's
nothing we can do to change that.  We can keep talking to each other.  We
can keep communicating with each other.  But as far as actual physical
reunion......that's another thing entirely.  And.....believe me, I am
sorry."
     The emotional smile had faded on Sheba's face.  Replaced by a look
that was more one of sorrow, but she wasn't giving in to an outburst over
it.  Nor was Athena, who was still trying to recover from the experience
she'd already had talking with her mother, that she couldn't yet
comprehend fully what Cain had just said.
     Starbuck saw Cassiopeia stiffen just a bit when she heard him say
the words with such sad finality.  But it seemed to pass quickly from
her, as though there was already some kind of acceptance.  His own
reaction was more a sense of puzzlement over what else Cain was going to
reveal.
     If anyone in the room had a largely negative reaction to the news,
it was Apollo.  The meaning of what Cain said was confusing to him from a
purely cosmic sense.  Mother is alive, but we're not going to see her
with us again?  Why?  The son who had never realized until now just how
much he missed his mother couldn't connect with that idea yet.  Not until
he heard more information.
     Adama though, was a picture of acceptance, "I.....expected that
would be the case.  If you were planning an actual reunion, you wouldn't
be communicating with us over a long-range signal such as this that
defies all known standards of science."
     "But thankfully not the science of our ancestors," Cain said as
though he were trying to move away quickly from the unpleasant thing he'd
just uttered.  "I'm sure that scholarly mind of yours realizes that our
ability to speak comes entirely from principles of Kobollian technology."
     "I......confess, I haven't fully grasped that connection, but......I
do see how it forms a basis for it," he then asked, "Approximately where
are you now?"
     "Our.....exact position is roughly somewhere between the Terra
System and Gomorrah.  We've been to the former.  We're headed for the
latter.  To answer one of your next questions, we've been out as far as
Brylon Station and the location of your battle with the Cylons that ended
with an unexpected outcome for you at the time.  That's how we knew you
had receivers at your disposal capable of receiving our signal."
     Adama brought his hands together, "Then you know......everything
that's happened to us since we parted."
     "Most of it.  At least as far up to your rescue of those Earth
prisoners at Ne....." Cain seemed to struggle and then suddenly, Adama
heard the distinct voice that he knew to be that of his wife, coming from
off-camera, saying, "Ne'Chak!"  He felt the wave of emotion going through
him again and felt a great sense of irony.  He had received his first
tangible confirmation about Ila, and it had come in the form of an
off-camera stage direction.
     "Ne'Chak," Cain glanced over and then back at the camera, "Yes. 
We.....had a minor tangle of our own with the Risiks.  In the process we
captured some data discs of theirs and one of them was your message to
them after you liberated those prisoners."
     "How long ago was that?" Adama asked as he felt the cap being put
back on the bottle of his inner emotions again..
     "About four sectars ago.  Have you had any run-ins with them since?"
     "As a matter of fact we have.  Some dissidents in their ranks were
fleeing and we gave them asylum and destroyed some pursuit ships. 
But.....our last confrontation with them didn't  indicate they were aware
of you."
     "I'm not surprised.  As I said, our engagement with them was very
minor.  We only battled one scout ship that never returned to its home
base and I wasn't anxious to go looking for more of them.  Ruthless as
they are, they don't have anything to do with our struggle and  our
objective, which is to get back to charted space."
     "I understand," Adama nodded, "But how did you come to be that far
out in uncharted space to begin with?"
     Cain sighed, "It wasn't by design, Adama.  What happened was
that......one micron, we were in the Hattari System, which as you know
isn't that far out in the Alpha Quadrant.  Then suddenly......something
mysterious happened and the next thing we knew, we'd been hurled far
across the stars into uncharted space.  And not too far from where you'd
been recently."
     The Galactica commander nodded again, "This 'mysterious thing' you
say happened......I presume consisted of a strange display of......white
lights moving at incredible speed?"
     For the first time, it was Cain's turn to be surprised, "Why yes! 
Yes, it was.  You've encountered that phenomena before?"
     "We have.  But as you say, Cain, those are details that can wait for
another time.  Perhaps in a message we can send you in the future."
     "Yes.  You do have that capability as much as we do, Adama.  And it
is the most effective way to communicate over the long-haul.  Live
communication is wonderful to have, but as I'm sure you can tell, it
raises issues in power drainage.  This conversation we're having is going
to cause a 20% power loss, and it'll take at least four or five centars
to fully recharge."
     "We calculate the same levels on this end," Adama said.  "So.....in
the future, we should only permit shorter contact.  Based more on sending
recorded message files.  With live contact to be reserved for
more......special occasions."
     "Yes.  We'll always have our signal receiver active, Adama.  Just as
I'm sure you'll have yours active too.  But as you say, future contact is
a privilege that neither of us can afford to abuse."
     "I think working out a reliable formula of how often we contact each
other can be arranged.  And not necessarily today."
     "Yes.  I'll in fact, let you know that the next time we contact you
will be ....after we take care of business at Gomorrah.  Once we've done
that, the future is going to look brighter for us.  In so many ways."
     "You're going to try to conquer the planet all by yourself?" for the
first time, he began to feel uneasy.
     "Not all by myself, Adama," Cain smiled.  "I have some interesting
new weapons at my disposal, courtesy of our mutual acquaintances, the
Zykonians.  We're drawing up a battle plan that will make use of them. 
And we have one other thing to capitalize on.  We've discovered the
situation you've experienced with the Cylons......isn't unique."
     The words sank in.  "You're talking about more cases of centurion
disloyalty?"
     "Yes, I am.  And ....that ties in to why the Pegasus is headed for
home.  Our final destination is the Colonies where we intend to take out
the Cylon Empire itself.  Not all by ourselves, but with the help of
Cylons who've turned against the Empire, and also.......a Resistance
movement.  A Resistance movement that your wife has been an active part
of for the last three yahrens."
     A sharp intake of breath went up from across the room.  This was the
one piece of news none of them, not even Sheba and Bojay with their
dreams and visions that had foreseen this contact, ever expected.
     "That basically sums up our situation, Adama.  We were somehow
thrust across the stars so we could learn the key information about what
you've gone through the last two and a half yahrens, and what the status
is of your search for Earth.  And in the process of making our way back,
we've found and learned things that will help us do what once seemed
unthinkable.  We intend to take back our homes and what rightfully
belongs to us.  And because of what we've found......we'll be able to
tell you all about it while you continue on to Earth.  As we know you
must......and should."
     Adama's mind was trying to take in everything he'd heard, "In other
words.....you don't plan on trying to convince us to turn around and join
you?"
     "No," the Juggernaut grew quiet, "That would be wrong of me, Adama. 
Not when you've put so much into leading your people safely to Earth. 
And especially not now when you have a large number of Earth natives who
I'm sure are expecting you to take them home.  I know your own sense of
duty and integrity dictates completing the task you were chosen for. 
Don't lose sight of that, Adama.  Stay true to it.  What I'm leading the
Pegasus into is something I think is winnable.....but it will have its
risks.  Risks that 70,000 people who simply want to find a home to live
on in peace shouldn't be asked to go through.  That's what you have to
do, Adama.  Because you know it's still the best thing for your people to
keep moving forward and leading them to Earth."
     Cain then dramatically paused and added, "And before I let her
rejoin this conversation......I want you to know that Ila agrees with me
completely.  Even though it's the hardest decision she's had to make, and
one that I wish she could have chosen differently.  For her sake, and for
your sake and your entire family's.  But.....your wife is a woman of
great courage and integrity, Adama.  And I say this from the bottom of my
heart.  She's made an incredible difference to us.  Without her.....we'd
have no optimism at all about actually winning this struggle.  Her
arrival.....literally changed the Pegasus from a ship that consisted of a
foolish egotist for a commander and a dead man walking crew into
something meaningful again." he then added, "The decision I made to leave
you, Adama, was impulsive, foolish and not well-thought out.  The Lords
atoned for my mistake when they sent your wife to our ranks and made me
learn for the first time there actually was a Resistance movement in the
Colonies doing great things and making great strides.  Together.....we've
become a team you can be proud of."
     As her father continued to talk, showing a vulnerability and
humility that she'd never  heard in her life, Sheba was thinking back to
her vision of the night before.  Remembering the words of Colonel Tolen
to Major Ham.  She's part of his family.....more like a peer..... That
was something her Father had never had before in his military life.  In
all of his yahrens of command there had been no true "peers" to him. 
Only subordinates, loyally expressing their devoted awe to the legend
that was Commander Cain.  All of them good warriors who excelled because
of their loyalty, but unquestioning in their attitude toward him and that
was what her father expected because he would generally brush off or
dismiss challenges to him by falling back on his laurels.  And Sheba knew
that as a warrior, she had fallen in that category of those who blindly
followed him without question.  She might have been family, but she was
still a subordinate.
     Somehow, Ila, had been different.  Making her father realize for the
first time that it took more than simple bravado and basic military
genius to be successful.
     And yet.....his reliance on her......means Adama, Apollo and
Athena......can never have her back!
     "That's.....about the size of everything, Adama," Cain said. 
"Probably just one bookkeeping point for your Fleet records.  We're
carrying a family of four that was originally part of the Fleet and
stayed behind at Brylon.  An agro-tech couple named Wallis and Kelli and
their two little children.  They got disenchanted with Brylon and
thankfully the Zykonians let them go with us.  They've been an invaluable
help to us on what you experienced between Gomorrah and Brylon."
     Adama, while trying to come to terms with the revelations about Ila,
still kept his command face firmly on, "Thank you, Cain.  I....do recall
their case, and am glad to know they're all right.  Have you suffered any
casualties since we parted?"
     "Thankfully, only two.  Though that's largely a testament to my
avoiding combat as much as possible all this time.  If there are any
family members of Sergeant Doyle of Colonial Security, or Ensign Wynn, a
Viper pilot, please let them know."
     As he wrote them down, Adama's eyes narrowed at the second name,
while on the other side of the room, both Apollo and Sheba felt their
bodies tense.  
     "I'll see to it," the Galactica commander said simply.  "How did it
happen?"
     "Well, the sergeant was killed on a planetary expedition not long
before we found Ila.  Ensign Wynn disappeared on patrol a little over two
yahrens ago and was never heard from again."
     Impulsively, Apollo squeezed Sheba's hand and she reciprocated by
squeezing his even tighter.  They knew what had happened to Ensign Wynn,
but they also knew that this wasn't going to be the right time to explain
that to Cain.
     "Yes, it happens," Adama also knew it would be a waste of time to
bring up the matter of Ensign Wynn and the Derelict and Count Iblis at
this time.  "Are there any questions you have regarding our general
situation that you need to know?"
     "Just two," Cain said carefully.  "Can you confirm for my benefit if
you've emptied out your Prison Barge along the way?"
     The Commander's eyebrows went up, "If you mean did I choose to leave
a number of our prisoners marooned on a planet as alternate punishment,
the answer is yes.  But if you've only been as far as Brylon Station, you
couldn't possibly have been in proximity to that location."
     "We weren't.  We saw a reference to a Colonial settlement in some
Zykonian files that Ila and I deduced referred to prisoners since your
experience with Wallis and Kelli indicated that you don't let people
leave the Fleet voluntarily."
     "Well that's very interesting to know the Zykonians are aware of
them, though it makes no difference to us in the long-run," he paused,
"While we're on the subject of prisoners, did those data discs you
captured from the Risik indicate anything about the location of other
planets where they might be holding Earth prisoners?  I know there are a
number of people in my ranks who are interested in that subject."
     "I'm afraid I can't offer anything on that, Adama.  The Risik
material we captured pertained strictly to you.  I hope you've seen the
last of them, because I got the distinct impression just from going up
against one scout ship that they're rather fixated on you."
     "They are," Adama admitted, "And also on Earth, as I'm sure you
learned from their files."
     "I did.  And that certainly makes it more important for you to
continue to Earth, so that Earth has a viable long-term defense against
them."
     "Yes.  But fortunately, the Risik are not on the same technological
level as us, so that means inevitably we have to outrun them, and it's
not likely their technology will catch up to our level in the near-term."
     "That's good to know."
     "What was your second question?"
     "Well, in regard to this ...Detente arrangement you've made with the
crew of the one Cylon baseship......How is their commander behaving?"
     Adama found himself smiling, "You will be pleased to know, Cain,
that the Commander of the Baseship has been a model example of
cooperation and keeping his word.  And I have every confidence it's going
to continue that way," he added, "It helps that his wife was among our
survivors and has acted as a modifying influence on him."
     For only the second time, it was the Juggernaut's turn to be
surprised by a revelation.  "Is that a fact?  Well.....I guess the Lords
really know how to work their miracles in many ways.  If he's really on
the straight and narrow, and given you the equivalent of a second
battlestar, it's had to have made a big difference for you."
     "It has.  It takes getting used to, as far as working with Cylons as
allies instead of enemies is concerned.  But circumstances have made us
learn the lesson of when it comes time to let go of past prejudices and
adjust to the new reality."
     "We've had to learn that too," Cain said, "We have four centurions
in our ranks that we recovered from an abandoned outpost in the Hattari
System.  We discovered their contempt for the Cylon hierarchy is quite
high.  And they've become invaluable to us.  Their leader, Commander
Cobre, helped us synthesize the final touches on putting together our
transmission capability."
     "And this is also happening back in the Colonies?"
     "That.....is something Ila can explain better, and I'm sure she has
in her message tape.  I think," Cain glanced over to his left again, and
there was no doubt in Adama's mind he was looking at a chronometer, "We
have forty-six centons left, and it may be time for us to use that
wisely."
     "Of course," Adama then looked down at a note that had been passed
over from the group.  A note outlining what they felt the order should be
in terms of who had their turn next.  He nodded his assent.  "Cain,
before you bring anyone else in, I have a former member of your crew who
wishes to pay his respects."
     He motioned Bojay over.  The ex-Pegasus flyer nervously took a
breath as he walked across the room to where Adama was looking at the
monitor.  Wondering if his cybernetic legs would collapse under him. 
When he looked down and saw Cain, his one good arm went up in a rigid
salute.
     "Why Bojay, you old hotshot.  At ease!" Cain laughed and said with
total disarming charm, "Good to see you!"
     "An honor, sir," Bojay felt his mind going back to the sense of
trembling awe he'd felt the first time he'd met the Juggernaut.  "It's
an....answer to prayer to see you again."
     "Well.....they do make their own miracles even bigger than me,
sometime, Bojay," Cain waved his swagger stick, his tone again amazingly
humble, "I'll bet you and Sheba have done your job bringing the Pegasus
touch to the Galactica!"
     "We've done our best, sir.  And......I want you to know, I haven't
forgotten the advice you gave me that first time I reported to you.  I've
applied that to my second tour of duty here on the Galactica and made
sure it's not been like my first."
     "Well, that's real good, Bojay," Cain smiled with pride, "Real good. 
Incidentally.....there is a third tape in the batch we sent that consist
of short personal messages from the crew to various people.  Everyone in
Silver Spar has a message for you and they wish you the best."
     "I wish it to them too, sir," Bojay found himself still standing at
attention because it was the only way to keep his dignity instead of
letting his emotions get the better of him.  "It's.....Skyler commanding
Silver Spar now?"
     "Yes, it's Skyler.  He knows he had some big boots to fill when you
and Sheba left, but he's come through, and so have the rest.  Angus,
Banker, Paris, Tegran.....well I'd just waste too much time naming all of
them, but they've all lived up to your example."
     "Thank you," Bojay tried not to let his voice crack, "Sir.....what I
am as a warrior, I owe to you and the advice you taught me.  It was a
great honor and privilege to serve under you."
     "Just keep doing the same for Adama," again Cain was disarming, "God
bless, Bojay."
     "And you and all who serve you, sir," Bojay impulsively saluted him
again, and this time Cain returned it.  Without saying another word, the
former Pegasus pilot turned and left the room.  Not releasing his inner
emotions until he was back in his quarters, with Gayla's shoulder to lean
on.


     Slowly, like a storm blowing itself out, the frenzied cheering and
chatter on the Bridge was starting to return to normal.  But Tigh still
sat collapsed in the chair on the upper level, still lost in the reverie
of it all.
     "Colonel?" Omega managed to get to his station.  "Sir?"
     "Hmmm?" the Executive Officer looked up.
     "The.....rumors are still flying all over the Fleet about what's
happening.  Shouldn't there be a message telling them that we've made
contact?"
     "Good Lords, you're right," Tigh finally snapped himself back to
attention as he realized he should have made the announcement before the
relay switch to Adama's quarters was made.  He at least took comfort in
the fact that he'd be forgiven for the lapse later.
     "People of the Fleet, this is Colonel Tigh," he spoke into the
device.  "At this time, I will only confirm that we are currently engaged
in contact via *long-range* transmission with the Battlestar Pegasus. 
This is *not* a prelude to any kind of actual reunion.  Commander Adama
will provide more details to you at a later time.  For now.....rejoice in
the knowledge that our brothers aboard the Pegasus still live!"
     

     Across the Fleet, the announcement filled the corner of every ship,
from the smallest freighter to the Rising Star and to the Earth passenger
vessels Constellation and Adelaide.
     Reactions ranged from thunderstruck to excited to confused to
incredulous and in at least one instance, in the Elite Class section of
the Rising Star, outright cynicism.
     The Pegasus?  Siress Lydia thought as she sat upright in her bed,
her sheet covering her naked upper torso as she heard the unicom
announcement.  Next to her, her loyal pilot, Jarvik, was passed out
completely after too much ambrosia before and during their lovemaking. 
That didn't matter to her, since Jarvik was someone she regarded as a
convenient safety valve for sexual pleasure.  Someone to use only when
she lacked a lover who represented a more formidable target of
opportunity like Commander Kevin Byrne had, and Sire Antipas before. 
Jarvik could satisfy the physical need, but not the lust for playing the
game of political intrigue.
     I need someone who can help me with that, she thought.  If I tried
something as foolish again as that whole Charka stunt was, I'd be
finished.  Of course if they ever found out I actually shot and tried to
kill Chief Varica, I *will* be finished!
     No.  She needed a new target.  Someone she could recruit to a point
of view that would put them in opposition to Adama on a matter of major
importance.
     And in the unicom announcement just made, Lydia was sure she'd found
the issue.  Now the next phase was learning what it meant.....and taking
the opposite position of whatever Adama said it represented.

Chapter Eight

"It's time you get your chance to see her," Cain smiled and motioned to
his left, "Come 
back in, Ila."
     Adama felt his body tense and his fingertips coming together as he
watched.....and finally saw her walk into camera view, taking her place
next to Cain.  Unchanged completely from the last time he'd seen her,
more than three yahrens ago.  Still possessing that ability to look more
than a decade younger than she actually was.  There had been times when
he'd taken her out to a restaurant in Caprica City and been forced to
endure waiters noticing her still youthful beauty and his prematurely
white hair, and asking him if he and his daughter wanted a table.
     He felt his facial features lock up because they were threatening to
explode in a breakdown he couldn't permit himself.  He could feel his
eyes growing moist for the first time since that awful night when he'd
walked through the ruins of their house......where he'd been *convinced*
she'd been, and found the box with the holopictures of her.
     "I'm sorry, Ila.  I was never there when it mattered.  Never."
     But now.....the realization that he would never again be haunted by
that night, allowed him to regain his composure.
     He could see that his wife was undoubtedly going through an
identical struggle.  The deep breaths she was taking.  The need to
balance the human desire for letting her emotions go with the desire to
let this reunion be proper and solemn.
     Not yet,  he thought.  Not yet.  Cain said we'd have the last words
to ourselves.
     "Hello, Adama," she finally spoke, with just the faintest crack in
her voice.  "It's....so good to finally be able to see you.....live."
     "Ila," he managed to whisper, "It's.......such a miracle.  Even with
all my faith, I never thought this could be possible."
     "But it is," she took a breath and smiled, "I knew you were looking
good.  I.....watched that recording you made for the Risiks over and
over.  The only thing wrong with it was.....you never smiled once in it."
     He broke into a chuckle, "They.....weren't the kind of people worth
smiling at."
     "I found that out too.  You'll get a chance to learn about that
later."
     Adama looked down at the note passed to him previously regarding who
should go next.  
     "Well, I.....understand you had a chance to talk a few centons with
Athena.......Now you should get a chance to see her husband and.......our
grandchildren."
     As he motioned them to come over, each one of them holding a baby in
their arms, Adama could see his wife trembling slightly.  Cain had moved
a few steps back, not completely out of the frame by clearly cognizant
that unlike those who were yet to be heard from, this would be completely
Ila's moment.
     "Hello again, Mother," Athena smiled and right away Adama noticed a
sound in his daughter's voice he hadn't heard since before the
Destruction.  The effervescent sound of someone with an optimistic view
of life and the future.  The sound that had been silenced, seemingly
forever on the night of the Destruction when Zac had died before her eyes
and she'd been led to believe that her Mother was gone too.
     "Hello again, Sunshine," her mother said back with love.  "You
brought that husband of yours with you?"
     "Yes," Athena then lifted her daughter into the air so Ila could see
her namesake while next to her, a beaming Boomer did likewise with baby
Zac.  "And here are our children.......Grandma Ila."
     Would it be the heavier emotion of tears or a happier looking
reaction?  At first, Athena and Boomer thought it was going to be the
former, but Ila managed to surprise them, suddenly switching herself to
happy mode.
     "Hello babies!" she smiled proudly, her voice rising to a higher
baby-talk level pitch that Adama immediately recognized.  It was the
sound of how she always talked to each of her children in the early days
of bringing them up.  She then waved at the camera, "Hi!  I'm your
Grandma!"
     "See there?" Athena whispered in little Ila's ear and held her arm
out and waved it back for her, "That's your Grandma!  We named you after
her!"
     Boomer, never completely comfortable with these kind of moments in
front of a group, was submerging all of those instincts as he also tugged
at little Zac's hand to make it wave back.  "Wave to Grandma, Zac!"
     "Hi!" Ila kept waving and talking in that sing-song style.  "Little
Ila, Little Zac!  Grandma's right here and she wishes she could reach
through and give you both a big hug!"
     On the opposite side of the room, Starbuck glanced at Apollo and saw
how his eyes were filling with tears.  He realized that his friend was
going through the rekindling of memories from long ago in his childhood. 
Experiences that Starbuck, as an orphan had never known.  He envied so
much the fact that Apollo had such memories to draw from......but he also
realized how much pain went with that joy as well.
     "Which one gives you more trouble?" the sing-song tone continued
unabated.  
     "So far, it's a draw!" Boomer chimed in, trying not to be
overwhelmed by the realization that he was looking for the first time at
his mother-in-law.  It had always been somewhat surreal to think of the
Commander as his father-in-law.  This exceeded that.  "They have a way of
crying in unison that makes you think a red alert just went off!  But we
love it!"
     "I keep telling him, they take too much after him," Athena said with
a good-natured put-down.  "You always said I was *never* a wailer,
Mother!"
     "No, but you *were* a feisty kicker!" she answered.
     Standing off to one side so he could keep the space clear for them,
Adama found himself smiling and wiping his eyes for the first time.  But
not saying a word or interjecting a thing that would take away from their
time with Ila.  
     "They look just like you, Boomer!" Ila said as she could now see
that her grandchildren were now staring directly at her and without any
assistance from their parents were reaching their tiny arms out toward
her.  
     "I just hope your namesake doesn't stay that way," he grinned. 
     "If you need any tips on how to handle them if they get out of line,
I'll be glad to pass them along," Ila's tone slowly returned to normal,
as though she sensed how limited the time was and she needed to start
dialing her exuberance back.
     "What's the prescription for refusing to eat mashed protein?" her
daughter quipped.  The shock of seeing her mother alive again had worn
off for her, and now, she had embraced her tele-presence as a normal fact
of life.  As though the realization that Ila was there, and it would be
more than just a one-time contact if the Lords continued to bless her,
was enough for Athena.  There was some regret that it wasn't going to be
a full, physical reunion, but in Athena's mind, that was secondary to the
greater meaning of the event.
     I have my Mother back.  That's more than I could have ever asked
for.  Even if I can only see her on a video monitor from this point
on.......I can accept that.
     There were three more centons of happy, family talk, and then
finally, as they glimpsed back over their shoulder at Apollo and Sheba,
they realized it was time for them to step aside.
     "Mother," Athena said.  "We.....have to go now."
     "I understand," Ila nodded, "Just.....hold them up to the screen as
close as you can?"
     The proud parents obliged so that the faces of the twins were
directly in front of the monitor.  Both little Ila and little Zac were
now reaching out and touching the screens and letting out happy coos of
awed delight as they could see their grandmother step forward so her face
was almost flush against the monitor on her end.  And both Athena and
Boomer could see her expression change to one of teary-eyed love.
     "Goodbye, little Ila and little Zac," her voice dropped to a soft
whisper, "Your Grandma loves you both......and she'll see you again,
soon."
     They could see her twice blowing a kissing and then touching the
screen, once for each baby.  And then, she slowly stepped back and
reluctantly they drew their babies back.  Both of them, not wanting to be
pulled away at that point began to cry for the first time.
     They know, Athena thought.  Their little innocent minds *know*!
     "Boomer," Ila regained her composure, "Thank you for making my
daughter happy and blessing her.  I'm.....proud to be your mother-in-law
and that you're part of the family."
     "I'm proud to be part of it, Ila," Boomer kept his tone filled with
dignity and respect.  "And I'm so happy that you're no longer just a
figure in stories to tell them as they get older, but someone they'll
actually get to know and talk with."
     "Goodbye, Mother," Athena felt only peace in her heart.  "I love
you."
     "I love you, Sunshine."
     The next centon of Athena and Boomer moving out saw Adama move
briefly back in front.  He could see Cain whispering something in Ila's
ear and she then nodded and drew back closer into the field of vision.
     "They're beautiful babies," Ila said.
     "They are," her husband smiled.  Overjoyed that she'd had a chance
to see them.
     "Now before we go further," his wife said, "I want to say hello to
the little boy who made me a grandmother for the first time.  Is Boxey
there?"
     There was a brief surprise from everyone in the room that she
automatically knew his name and her relationship to him.  None more so
than from Boxey, who had been sitting patiently with a sense that this
wasn't going to be as big an occasion for him as it would for everyone
else.  Even though he'd understood everything his father had told him
about how Ila was his grandmother, there was also in Boxey a sense that
they'd have to explain to her who he was, and that had struck him as
awkward.  She would understand right away that little Ila and little Zac
were her grandchildren and that little Bethany was her granddaughter. 
But would it be different with him?
     But it hadn't been that way.  No one had to explain to Ila who he
was.  She'd *known*.
     "Boxey?" Adama looked over at him and motioned, "Come over here!"
     "Go ahead, Boxey," Sheba whispered in his ear, "Go meet your
grandmother!"
     "Yeah, Boxey," Apollo buried his own mixed feelings long enough to
smile encouragement as well.  "Go over there."
     The little boy was already feeling tears forming in his eyes as he
ran across and into his grandfather's lap, as he'd moved his seat back in
front of the monitor.  And then, Boxey turned and saw the face that he'd
only seen as a holopicture on Adama's desk looking back at him with a
quality that suggested she'd known him just as long as his father and
grandfather had.
     "Hello, Boxey.  I'm your Grandma."
     It was too much for him to handle.  He had expected so little this
night.  Thinking maybe it would be a nice, polite but formal introduction
that over time could develop into something he could appreciate. 
Instead......the bond had been formed already.  He immediately began to
cry as he reached out to touch her face on the screen.
     "There, there," Adama comforted him and gave him a kiss, "It's all
right.  From now on, she's going to be part of your life as much as the
rest of us are."
     "I'm....I'm sorry, I-," Boxey wished he could talk.  He was too
overcome by the moment.
     "I know, I know, Boxey," Ila said.  "It's a wonderful night for you
and for all of us.  We're all part of the same family.  And I've heard so
much about you because there's a nice lady on the Pegasus named Kelli who
used to work on the Agro-Ship, and she told me all about you. And how
much you've made your father and grandfather happy.  It's so wonderful
that you came into their lives and been there for them.  You're a
precious gift from the Lords, Boxey and don't you ever forget that."
     Her voice grew more gentle, "Don't worry if it's too hard to talk. 
We're going to get a lot of opportunities to know each other in the
future.  And maybe you can tell me all about the time your brave little
daggit saved everyone in the Rejuvenation Center!"
     The fact that she even knew about Muffit gave him the strength to
overcome his emotional reaction to her, and for the first time he managed
to wipe away the tears and speak.
     "Thank.....thank you......Grandma.  I know Muffy's going to love you
too!"
     "We had a daggit once, when your father was your age," Ila said
sweetly.  "Did he ever tell you about that?"
     "Yeah!"  Boxey brightened, glad that he'd found something he could
talk coherently about with her, "Yeah, her name was Amber!"
     "That's right!" Ila was so happy she'd found the bonding moment,
"She was a good daggit.  We had her for twelve yahrens.  She always did
what she was told and never ran around with the strays in the
neighborhood!  But you never have to worry about that with Muffit,
right?"
     "Robots don't have that problem," he giggled.
     "No, I guess they don't," she returned it.  "Oh, Boxey, I could talk
to you for centars!  But.....you understand why it can't be too long this
first time?"
     "Yeah," he nodded, "You want to talk to Dad and Mom and you want to
see my baby sister too!"
     "That's right!" she said proudly, "And how does it feel to be a big
brother?"
     "It's only been a day," he said, "But I like it!"
     "If you're as good a big brother as your father was to his siblings,
you'll do wonderful!" her tone then took on a mischievous tone, "And you
also make sure that Grandpa of yours stays out of trouble too!"
     Boxey turned around to look at Adama.  His expression had also taken
on a twinkle, "Yes, you do that, Boxey.  I don't want that pretty lady
mad at me!"
     He let out a happy grin and giggle, and then climbed off Adama's lap
so he could get even closer to the monitor and touch the image.
     "Goodbye, Grandma," Boxey said, "I love you."
     "I love you too, Boxey."
     He turned and ran back into his father's arms.  Apollo, almost
completely overcome with emotion, gave his son a kiss and then sat him
down.  And as Adama turned to motion him over.......he realized that his
turn alone, was next.
     For the first time, Starbuck felt relaxed enough to lean over and
whisper in Cassiopeia's ear, "Want to lay odds on how she'll react to how
her son looks now?"
     Cassiopeia couldn't help but roll her eyes and laugh, "Only you,
Starbuck.  Only you."
     "Hey, that's why you love me, right?"
     The former lover of Cain suddenly realized that there was a double
purpose to the question in light of the event.
     "Yes, Starbuck," she said simply, "I do.  And *that*....hasn't
changed."


     Apollo tried not to tremble inside.  Now that he was adjusted to the
reality of his mother being alive, the thought of facing her for the
first time in more than three yahrens.....after so many changes in his
life, almost terrified him.  He had married twice.  Become a father to
two children.  Gone through more harrowing experiences of life and death
than he cared to recall.  Embraced a new image for himself and an outlook
on his life that he wasn't all that sure she'd completely understand, if
she was still expecting to see her son largely unchanged from the
younger, and less mature man he'd been more than three yahrens ago.  It
was enough to make him recall the feeling of being just ten yahrens old
and having to face her when he'd done something she'd disapproved of. 
Not that he was actually expecting to hear disapproving words from her. 
It was just the reawakening of a feeling that he couldn't avoid no matter
how much he tried, and wanted to think only of how wonderful it was to
see her again and know that she'd been alive all this time.  Seeing and
hearing her during the talks with Athena and Boxey had failed to make it
go away.
     Is that why I didn't have a vision of her being alive like Sheba
did, and Father did, and even Bojay?  Because deep down,  I've just taken
too much for granted the idea of her being dead?  Because I've been too
used to the idea of life without her, and I feel awkward having to
explain everything about me since?  And am I also uneasy because I still
don't understand *why* she can't be with us again, if she's alive?  Does
she feel some kind of obligation to stay with Cain?  And if she does,
what is it, and why?  
     As he drew closer, he tried to push those thoughts out.  Enjoy this
moment.  Push all those thoughts out of your mind.  He wondered if that
sentiment was some kind of hidden inspiration from beyond whispering in
his ear.  Whatever the case, he felt some of the trepidation fading as
his father stepped aside to let him sit down in his chair and face her
directly.
     "Hello, Apollo," Ila smiled without even batting an eye over the
fact that his appearance had changed.  "It's so good to see you.  I've
missed you."
     Apollo managed to contain himself, "I've missed you, Mother," he
managed to get his words out.  "We.....all have.  We thought----," he
broke off.
     "I know, I know," she said with maternal gentleness, "And don't ever
reproach yourself.  None of you could have known about what happened,
when there was so much that had to be done during those terrible days. 
It's so wonderful to know from what I've learned and been told, that
you've been the *best* in serving your Father as a warrior.  I'm proud of
you, son."
     He could feel himself start to relax at last,   "Thank you, Mother."
     "And I also know the burdens you've had to carry within yourself all
this time, Apollo," Ila said gently.  "Losing Zac.  Thinking you lost me. 
And......I do know about Serina.  It was so unfair to you to find love at
last, and then lose it so quickly, but at least the Lords gave you a
precious legacy of her in Boxey to bring up as your own.  And now they've
blessed you again with Sheba and a new baby.  You are blessed, my son."
     "And knowing you're alive is such a blessing too," Apollo said and
then added impulsively, "I.....only wish you could be here too, and be
part of our lives again."
     His mother sighed, "I wish I could too, Apollo.  And that's the one
difficult thing about all this.  But.....when you get a chance to see the
recorded message I sent......you'll understand why it has to be this way. 
And.....it just offers a reminder of how sometimes, the sacrifices in
life we're called to do, aren't usually things we *want* to do, but
*have* to do."
     The gentle parental tone of her voice.  So familiar to him from so
many occasions he could recall while growing up.  When his father would
often be away, and she had he primary task of raising the children even
when balancing that with her own professional career as an Academician. 
It made him accept for now what she said, and left him incapable of
questioning it in her presence.  But whether he'd still feel at ease
afterwards.....that could still be another thing entirely.
     "And speaking of recorded messages," Ila went on, "Colonel Tolen of
the Pegasus has one for you on that other recording.  It concerns
something that happened just before I was rescued, when he and several
warriors took part on a mission on a planet called.......Equellas."
     Apollo's eyes widened at this, as did Sheba's, since she was the
only person he'd ever shared the secret with, about his time on that
planet.  And ironically, that had been just a few sectars ago when he'd
found her brooding about the fact that after all this time nothing had
ever been learned about what happened to the Pegasus, and how frustrating
there was no closure on that subject.  Apollo had shared his experience
on Equellas with Vella and Puppis as his way of empathizing how hard it
was to not have a sense of closure about something.  And now.....to
realize there was going to be closure about that incident in his life on
the same day the story of the Pegasus achieved some closure at
last......was almost too much to comprehend.
     "I don't know all the particulars," she went on, "But I think you'll
find that what he has to say is basically good news."
     "Tell Tolen I appreciate that," Apollo said rapidly.  "I really do."
     "And you're also going to find out in my message about the follow-up
work we did on Terra and at Paradeen," she added.  "I had a chance to
meet Michael and Sarah.  They're doing fine and send you their best."
     "I'm glad to know that," for the first time he felt relaxed to ask
lightly, "Did you.....also get to meet Vector and Hector?"
     His mother laughed.  "Oh yes!  They're a very interesting team.  And
it was really fun to see how Commander Cobre, the leader of our group of
centurions, got along so well with them, too!"
     "I would have loved to have seen that," for the first time Apollo
smiled and let out a chuckle.  "Seeing a Cylon interacting with other
types of robots."
     "Do you interact with them, well?"
     "Oh.....we've gotten used to them.  And they're all taking names of
their own now, even if they never had any before.  It helps them seem
more like......people to us.  And that ends up being a big help."
     "Just keep encouraging that, Apollo," she said, "The more these kind
of Cylons are encouraged to think of themselves as appreciated for what
they are and what they can do......the more helpful they become
ultimately.  I've seen a lot of that in my work even before I came to the
Pegasus.  Don't ever let the old prejudices come back when it comes to
the Cylons you're working with now.  I know that's probably easier said
than done for some people in the Fleet, but it's the way things have to
be if the principles we hold dear really have any meeting."
     "That's sound advice, Mother," her son said as he thought of how she
was now reverting to the mode of a teacher, who could easily compel the
students in her classes to listen to every word she said.
     "And now on to other things," a twinkle entered her eye, "Is that
new look of yours very....recent?"
     There it was.  And Apollo realized that his mother had just been
waiting for the right moment when she was sure he'd be relaxed and not in
a state of awe or uneasiness over seeing her again after all this time. 
Standing off to one side, Adama also realized that had been Ila's
thinking.  And it reminded her husband of just what a good parent Ila had
always been.
     "Yeah," he managed to chuckle.  Glad that he wasn't feeling any
embarrassment at all.  "Yeah, it is kind of recent.  I......kind of
decided to......"
     "To go full ancient Kobollian?" she finished and smiled.  "I'll be
honest, Apollo.  It actually suits your personality.  You've always been
so devoted to the ways of the past just like your Father, but what makes
you different from him is that he loves to just study the past.  You'd be
more at home living in it.  And I think that's a noble quality if it
means living the standards of a noble past to be a better
warrior......and a better man in the present.  And there's no doubt that
you've become a better man with all that you've done and accomplished. 
Be proud of what you are, and what you choose to be."
     "Thanks, Mother," he managed to smile.  Realizing again that he'd
done his mother a disservice not to think she would treat what had been
an important decision in his life......to embrace not just the ways of
the ancient Kobollian tradition, but to also reach out to the shared
traditions of the Zohrloch race......with anything less than total
respect.
     "And I would assume of course," Ila's voice took on the mischievous
edge once again, "That your wife approves of the new look too."
     "She does," he smiled back and managed to laugh.  Across the room,
Sheba, holding Bethany once again as she waited her turn, also smiled and
gave a thumbs up sign.
     "That's always the most important consideration in *any* marriage,"
she sighed.  "Apollo......I'd love to see Sheba and.....your daughter,
now.  And to save some time.....I'm going to let Cain come back in."  She
motioned her arm to her left.  At the same time, Cassiopeia began to push
Sheba's Life Station chair over.  Starbuck, meantime, casually joined in
the procession but respectfully kept himself several paces back so as not
to intrude on the crowded space behind Adama's desk, which the Commander
had stepped away from completely.  Sheba's chair was moved alongside the
one Apollo was seated in, and for the moment, Cassiopeia took a step back
so she'd be out of view initially.  She had no desire to intrude on what
would be Sheba's moment.
     Cain meanwhile, had returned and taken his place alongside Ila.  His
expression immediately brightened as he saw his daughter, son-in-law and
granddaughter before him.  And finally, Sheba's eyes locked on to her
father's.
     "Hello, Baby," Cain said and then smiled impishly, "Did
you......sleep well?"
     His daughter relaxed, and instead of crying, she smiled back at him
and nodded vigorously, "Yes.  Yes, I did."  And then she added, "Did
you?"
     "Ha!" her father laughed, "Yes.  Yes, I had a *very* relaxing
night's rest that I'll never forget.  Ever."
     His voice then grew serious, "I meant what I said.  That I'd get
back to you."
     "And I listened exactly to what you said," she answered.  "That's
why everything was in place today with the......receivers."
     "I knew you'd listen, Baby," he went on.  "That's why we were so
confident that once we tried to make contact, you'd be there to answer
us.  And from now on......no more long separations of wondering what
we're doing.  We're *always* going to keep in touch."
     "I'm so glad," she tried not to show any signs that she was going to
break down.  What she wanted to do most right now was show how strong she
was and how she'd been able to survive and endure in her new life,
separated from him.  So that he didn't have to ever worry about her
well-being again.  "I want us to be in touch.  So you can see not just
me, but....." she then held out the wrapped form of little Bethany who
had fallen asleep again and was a picture of quiet innocence, "your
granddaughter.  Yours *and* Ila's!"
     Up to now, no matter who they'd talked to, Cain and Ila had largely
been in control of their emotions.  Clearly, they had  come to this with
all kinds of careful preparation regarding who to talk to and what they
needed to say.  They understood how the greater emotional reactions would
be coming from those on the Galactica, who had been unaware of them for
so long, whereas the Pegasus had been aware of so much that had happened
on the Galactica.  Consequently, the more emotional reactions had come
entirely from the Galactica side.
     But now, as Ila and Cain for the first time saw the living proof of
how they were forever tied to each other through the common bond of
family......it seemed to cause more of their inner emotions to slip
through.  For the first time, Ila's tears were visible.  And while Cain
wasn't on the verge of showing any himself.....his body language showed
how important this was to him.
     "This is Bethany," Sheba held her with pride.  And as soon as she
uttered the name that had been that of her mother, and Cain's
wife......for the first time, Cain actually seemed to tremble.
     "You picked a good name," Ila said quietly and wiped her eyes,  
"She was the dearest friend I ever had, and a great woman.  And I know
she'd be so proud of you all."
     "She *is* proud of you.  I know she is." Cain abruptly said, choking
back the emotion before it had a chance to show any outward
manifestation.  And then a vigorous clearing of the throat and his voice
returned more to the old Cain.  "Don't let bringing her up get in the way
of  you getting back into a cockpit someday!"
     Sheba smiled.  "I intend to fly again.....some day."
     Ila kissed her hand and then pressed it against the monitor.  "I
love you, little Bethany," she whispered.  "You be a good girl."
     "We'll make sure she is," Apollo said, "And Boxey will help to."
     "Oh that reminds me," Cain said, "I'm.....sorry things were so
crowded I didn't join Ila when she was talking to him, but......Boxey, if
you're still listening, come back up here!"
     Boxey, somewhat surprised to be called again hurried across the room
and managed to squeeze himself in between Starbuck and Cassiopeia so that
he could pop up in the narrow space between Apollo's chair and Sheba's
Life Station chair.
     "Well there you are," Cain got a good look at him and smiled. 
"You're a fine looking young man, Boxey.  And you're just as much my
grandson too as your Grandma Ila is!  And maybe next time we'll get a
chance to talk a bit too!  Your mother's probably told you too many
stories about me......even if they are all true."
     Boxey, touched that Cain had remembered him flashed a smile. 
"Thanks, Grandpa Cain!"
     "You're welcome, son," Cain felt like he was back on an even keel  
"Apollo.....I won't bother to ask how you got away with such a blatant
disregard for regulations, but......all the same, thank you for being
there for my girl, and for making her happy.  I'm only sorry I wasn't
there to give her away at the sealing ceremony."
     "Thank you, sir."
     "Ah, ah," Cain held up an arm, "Never use that term with me, again!"
     It managed to relax Apollo, who had been feeling the trepidation
again, facing Cain for the first time as the Juggernaut's son-in-law. 
"Cain......I'm honored that your daughter found me worthy of being her
husband......and I'm honored to know that our marriage means two great
families of warriors will always be united."
     "And that's the greatest gift you could ever give me," Cain said
with deep sincerity.  "Just making Sheba happy for the rest of her life. 
That gives me such great peace from this time on."
     The Juggernaut's eye wandered over to look at the off-screen
chronometer.  "We've....still got about twenty-five centons.  I know
that's not long enough to cover everything we want to do, Baby, and I'm
sorry we can't make time for just the two of us.....but for this first
contact......it's more important that we leave enough time for Ila and
Adama.  We'll get our chance alone another time."
     "Of course, Father," Sheba said.  She didn't feel cheated in the
slightest that this first contact hadn't given her the kind of personally
intimate talk with her Father she might have wanted.  It was more
important just to know that contact had been made and that another
opportunity for them alone would come someday.
     "And that's.....why sending recorded messages is probably going to
be a lot more efficient for both our sides as things go forward," Cain
said.  "That way we can gather our thoughts a bit more......and the other
can do the same sending back a reply.  I think in time it'll be as good
as the days when I used to send you and your mother those little messages
that I'd have to drop off at a space port so they could be sent back to
Caprica.  Even better in fact."
     "It's wonderful we've been able to work all of this out."
     "So.....," Cain wanted to at least squeeze a bit more out of this
part of the chat, even if it couldn't be as private and intimate as he
would have liked.  "Tell me a little about the sealing ceremony.  Who
acted as protector designate?"
     "It was Bojay," Sheba said.  "And.....he didn't get a chance to
mention it, but he's also sealed now.  To an agro-tech worker named
Gayla."
     "That's wonderful."
     "I'm sure you looked lovely," Ila said.  "I wish I'd been there
too."
     "Well we did have the ceremony recorded.  We could always send that
next time," Apollo said, "And also Athena's wedding to Boomer.  And
Bojay's as well."
     "Those would be wonderful," Cain said and he then seemed to choose
his next question carefully, "Ah....has anyone else I know gotten sealed
as well?"
     Apollo gently exhaled and tried not to look over his shoulder at
either Starbuck or Cassiopeia, "Well.....no.  Nothing we can report on
that.  Of course....there are a lot of  ex-Pegasus crew members that I'm
sure we can check on and give a full report on what they've done since
they came over to the Galactica."
     "That'd be much appreciated, Apollo," Cain's voice suddenly returned
to an all-business level.  "I know the crew of the Pegasus will be glad
to know how they're doing.  I just can't thank your Father enough for
giving everyone who served under me a chance to feel at home and be part
of a new family experience on the Galactica."
     Thank you, buddy, Starbuck felt glad Apollo had managed to defuse
that subject.
     "Father," Sheba felt much stronger now and decided she needed to do
this.  "There is....someone else who wants to get in a quick word."  She
looked over her shoulder and with a nod of her head motioned Cassiopeia
to step in front of the monitor.  Boxey, knowing that things were getting
too crowded squeezed himself back out as he gave a final wave to the new
grandparents in his life, who in turn gave a final wave back to him
     Cain's former girlfriend took a deep breath.  But before she took a
step, she looked over at Starbuck and extended her hand.....indicating
that she wanted him to take it and walk with her, so that Cain would see
him as well.  Without any hesitation, he did so.
     Once they took their places standing behind Apollo and Sheba, they
were in full view of Cain and Ila.
     "Starbuck!" Ila exclaimed before Cain could get a chance to say
anything, "It's so good to see you!"
     "Well, its good to see you, Ila," Starbuck felt just a twinge of
guilt, remembering how the last time he'd seen her, she'd been convinced
that she was going to become his mother-in-law someday.  "I'm really
happy to know you're alive and well."
     Ila and Starbuck continued to talk for the next two centons.  And
during that time, Cassiopeia and Cain found themselves staring at each
other with mutual smiles.  And making sure that she wrapped her arm
around Starbuck's in a way that Cain couldn't possibly miss.  Allowing
her to say what she wanted to say to him.....without having to say a
word.
     "Apollo is still my conscience," Starbuck was saying to Ila, "Along
with the Commander, and so many other good friends.  In fact.....I even
found my real father!  He's alive and living in the Fleet."
     "Why that's wonderful, Starbuck!" Ila said.  "I know how much that
always meant to you. What's his name?"
     "His name's Chameleon," Starbuck said and then added in his
trademark style.  "And.....I finally have a *little* understanding of
where I picked up some of my habits."
     "Ha!" Ila laughed and then finally, her eyes focused on Cassiopeia,
"And you must be Cassiopeia?"
     "Yes, I am," she was surprised Ila had addressed her, but realized
that it was actually better that she had.  "I guess you've heard a lot
about me."
     "Oh, she has, Cassie," Cain finally spoke to her for the first time,
his voice gentle.  "There's a lot she knows about you.....and all the
other people who've been special in my life.  It's good to see you're
doing well too."
     "And you too, Cain," she stopped herself from adding 'you old war
daggit'.  That wouldn't have been right in this setting.  "I always knew
you were out there.  Two baseships couldn't possibly get rid of you."
     "Well.....I was lucky," the Juggernaut sighed.  "The next time I
take on a Baseship.....I'm going to have a lot of help."
     His eyes shifted to the unseen chronometer again, "Well....it's
getting down to the point, where.....I really want to make sure that Ila
and Adama have some private time for themselves.  So.....Cassie,
Starbuck......really good seeing you again.  You take care of yourselves
and.....take care of each other," he added with just a hint of emphasis.
     "Thank you, Commander," Starbuck said, feeling more confident than
ever.  "It's been an honor."
     "And Sheba," Cain looked back at his daughter again.  "I'm.....so
proud of you.  Proud of what you've done as a warrior in your own right. 
And proud that you've made your own life for yourself with Apollo and
your family on the Galactica.  Whatever you do from this point
on.......don't ever feel any pressure on yourself because you're my
daughter.  Always trust your own instincts and your own judgment of what
you think is right."
     Sheba looked at him with warmth, "No matter what I am or what I do. 
I am *always* proud to be your daughter."
     She held up little Bethany one more time to the screen giving Cain
and Ila one last chance to wave goodbye to their granddaughter.  Ila got
in one more sing-song, "Goodbye, little Bethany!" before Sheba
reluctantly pulled her back and Cassiopeia began to move Sheba's Life
Station Chair out.  Once it was clear of the space, Apollo and Starbuck
turned to leave, which would give Adama a chance to settle back in,
behind the desk.  The whole maneuvering took three centons until finally,
everyone else was by the door, with Apollo holding Boxey by the hand. 
They all burst into a chorus of goodbyes that Ila and Cain would be able
to hear before they stepped out the door.
     Leaving Adama alone in the room.
     Cain took a breath and turned to Ila, "The next fifteen centons are
all yours.  Totally private.  I'll come back when it's time to wrap this
up."
     He stepped out of view, leaving Adama and Ila all alone for the
first time to face each other, and to share everything they wanted to say
in so little time.

Chapter Nine

     For almost a half centon, Adama and Ila just looked at each other. 
Unable to say anything, or perhaps unsure how the ice should at last be
broken after so long. 
     Finally, perhaps after her eyes had just taken the briefest of
glimpses at that unseen chronometer, she finally broke into a smile,
"Alone at last."
     Her husband smiled back, "Like we always said to each other after we
finally put all the children away to bed."
     "And went out on the deck of the house looking at the sea and
just....talking about how good life was to us......even if we were always
so far apart so much of the time," she went on wistfully.
     "Yes," he nodded, "I remember those nights so well, Ila."  
     "I dreamed about them a lot these last three yahrens," the first
hint of emotion entered her voice.  "Especially early on.  When.....it
was the hardest.  You'll.....get a sense of why the first yahren was
hardest......later."
     "Ila," he came forward in his chair so he could get closer to her
image, "I don't care if it's in the recording.  Please tell me what
happened that night.  I went through what was left of the house with
Apollo.  I was so......*sure* you couldn't have been anywhere else.  I
just seemed to *feel* it, even though it wasn't what I wanted to
believe."
     His wife sighed, "Yes.  I know.  You thought I wouldn't have been
anywhere else, and but for a miracle, that's where I would have been. 
Toasting the Armistice with a glass of ambrosia all by myself out on the
deck, thinking more of all the nights in the future we were going to have
to ourselves.  But.....I got a telecom at the last possible centon from
Zakiya inviting me to a reception at the Astral Needle.  That telecom is
why I'm alive."
     "Zakiya," Adama thought as he remembered Ila's best friend on
Caprica, next to Bethany. "I thought she moved to Gemon to be near her
children."
     "She did......but she came back to Caprica because she wanted to
touch base with me to celebrate the Armistice.  And.....more for her
sake, I accepted the invitation and went down to the Needle, and that's
where I was when the attack began."
     Adama's eyes narrowed as a terrible image filled his mind.  "The
Needle collapsed!  I remember seeing what was left of it when we overflew
the city.  How did you ever survive that?"
     "We were still at ground level when it happened," she said, "Zakiya
and I were trapped inside a bomb shelter by the Needle for two sectans
until we were dug out."
     "Two sectans....." Adama whispered in horror.
     "Yes, I know.  And you had to get all possible survivors out of
there in only three cycles. But Adama......please.  Don't *ever* feel
like you didn't do enough to try and find me.  There wasn't anything you
could do.  And.....painful as this is for the both of us to
realize......I truly feel that the Lords meant for this separation to
happen.  Because.....we were being assigned different tasks from that
night forward.  Yours was to lead all the people you could assemble to
Earth.  And mine.....was to become part of the Resistance movement when
it finally emerged a whole yahren later."
     Her husband could feel his composure shaking, "If there really is
such a viable Resistance movement......then I could have stayed behind
and fought.  I could have....."
     Ila vigorously shook her head, "No.  No!  Adama, please......don't
ever say that.  You know that would have just meant 70,000 more people
would have died, and the Galactica  would have died, and you and Apollo
and Athena would have been as dead as Zac was.  The movement we have
now.....it wasn't possible that night.  The only reason it's there now is
because of what happened after a whole yahren of......total Hell went by
for us.  And please.....in this precious time we've got left, don't make
me go over the details of that.  It's in the recording, and I'm in a more
sober, clear-headed frame of mind there.  Let's.....just not talk about
that, now."
     Her plea had the effect of calming his emotions, "All right," he
said quietly.  "All right.  I....can imagine, it's been very hard for you
these last three yahrens.  You've probably.....been through more
life-threatening experiences than just that first night."
     "I have," Ila admitted, feeling more calm herself.  "Just as I know
you've been through your share of them."
     "Which ones do you know about?" Adama found himself wanting to know
just how much his wife was aware of.
     "Oh.....I know you were nearly killed when a Cylon suicide attack
hit the Bridge of the Galactica.  And I know about the Ziklagi attempt to
kill you and your negotiating team when you worked out the truce with the
Zykonians.  Have there been others as bad as that?"
     "There have.  And not necessarily the result of military
engagements.  In fact....."  he suddenly felt an inner urge to unburden
himself about something.  "I'll let you in on something that very few
people know.  I was almost forced to go through a Tribunal on a wrongful
charge of premeditated termination."
     Ila's eyes widened in disbelief, "You what?"
     "Yes," Adama nodded, "And the man I was alleged to have terminated
was someone you were acquainted with.  My old rival for your affections,
Major Dorian."
     Ila shook her head vigorously as she heard a name from the long-ago
past she'd purposefully tried to forget. "That snake  was *never* a rival
to you.  Yes, I dated him a few times before we met but that meant
nothing to me!  And he died yahrens ago!"
     "His skeleton was found sealed inside the plates on the Orlop Deck
by a maintenance crew," her husband let out a grim chuckle, "With my
long-missing laser pistol still in his holster *and* proved to be the
murder weapon.
     His wife tried to come to terms with that, "They shouldn't have
suspected you even if an old pistol of yours was the murder weapon!"
     "Well.....I did have a motive.  You see, I never told you this, but
Dorian never got over the fact you and I became sealed, so he abused his
position as an investigative officer to threaten not just me, but also my
father, who was commanding the Galactica then.  It was a typical
technique of Dorian's, to try and blackmail people he had grudges
against, with false evidence of crimes they never committed."
     "No wonder I threw him over," Ila felt a wave of revulsion go
through her.  "But....did you actually confront him?"
     "Yes, I did," Adama felt a strange catharsis sharing this, since
he'd kept all the details about Dorian secret from Ila about what his old
friend turned enemy had been up to for so many yahrens.  Now that she'd
returned to his life, he felt a need to confess what he'd never told her. 
Even if it was something that didn't matter in the greater scheme of
things, it still represented a piece of "unfinished business" that he
finally had an opportunity to take care of.
     "I was visiting my father on the Galactica while she was in
spacedock for repairs," he went on, "That was when Dorian contacted me
and demanded we meet to discuss what he supposedly had on both my father
and me.  All of which I knew was total felgercarb, but I also knew he was
in a position to make things difficult for my father and me."
     "Why didn't you tell me?" his wife asked.
     Her husband sighed, "I......didn't want you to become involved, Ila. 
It.....wasn't the sort of thing I wanted you to worry about,
because......I thought I could take care of it.  I never even told my
father about it, so it wasn't a case of just shielding you.  I suppose if
I had told you about what he was up to, you.....would have tried to talk
me out of facing him."
     "I would have," Ila admitted, "But I'm sure you wouldn't have
listened."
     He knew her comment was rhetorical so he continued. 
"Anyway......after we had a confrontation in the Officer's Club, I
challenged him to another fight in some place private.  That ended up
being the Orlop Deck, and we had it out and I left him
unconscious.....and without realizing it, left my laser pistol with him. 
It was a foolish thing for me to forget, but.....that will tell you just
how angry I was that I wasn't thinking clearly."
     "And then?"
     "It turned out, one of Dorian's underlings, a man named Tabor, was
also being blackmailed by him and when he came looking for him, he saw
what I'd done to Dorian and used that as his chance to kill him.....with
my laser pistol that I'd dropped and forgotten to retrieve.  Then Tabor
sealed his body inside the hull that was being repaired and that was the
end of that for over twenty-five yahrens.  Until the skeleton was
unearthed a yahren and a half ago with that damning evidence pointing to
me."
     "You actually take the time to prosecute crimes from that long ago?"
Ila asked.  "Does any of that really matter after all these yahrens, and
after the whole Destruction turned everything upside down?  I mean-----"
she trailed off, her tone still incredulous.  
     "The fact this was a long-ago crime in the pre-Destruction universe,
wasn't relevant," he said.  "Our current codes allow some leeway when it
comes to pardoning lesser pre-Destruction offenses, but never
termination.  I had no choice but to face the prospect of Tribunal if
exculpatory evidence wasn't found in forty-eight centars."
     "And how in the name of Kobol were you exonerated?" Ila found this
story more disturbing than the other two incidents she'd learned about. 
The idea of her husband dying honorably in battle, or at the hands of a
political terrorist while doing his job was something she could accept. 
The idea of Adama being imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit wasn't.  
     "Well, to make a long story short, we discovered that the real
killer, Tabor, had changed his identity after killing Dorian and in the
most Providential stroke possible from my standpoint, was working on the
Galactica under his new identity of Sergeant Decker.  We were able to
track him down and......even though he was eventually killed, he did
confess to the whole sordid matter.  And once that was done, propriety
dictated we cover the whole matter up so the Fleet doesn't know I once
faced a termination charge.  And.....I'd rather you not tell Cain about
it."
     "I won't,"  Ila's  voice was trembling slightly.  "And you're right,
it was Providential.  What were the odds Dorian's real killer would have
survived the Destruction *and* been working on the Galactica under his
new identity after all these yahrens?  He could have retired or been
transferred yahrens before and you would have had no suspect!"
     "I'll admit those are odds that not even Starbuck would have taken,"
he managed to force a smile.  He could see how much Ila was shaken by
this tale.  That was why he'd purposefully left out most of the details
surrounding Tabor's capture and death.  Given her state, it would have
been far too much to tell Ila that Sheba had been badly injured by Tabor
when she got too close to the truth.  Or that Boxey's life had been in
danger when Tabor kidnaped him.
     "I guess.....what bothers me about that, Adama, is......the idea
that after all you've done for the people, and with all that you're
responsible for in leading them to safety......how could they possibly
think of disrupting everything by arresting you over something
as......irrelevant as what happened to an evil man thirty yahrens ago? 
Lords of Kobol, it's not that I'd ever think for a micron that you
actually *did* something like that, but.....even if you hadn't found
Dorian's killer, it shouldn't have mattered."
     Her instinctive defense of him warmed his heart because it was a
quality of hers that he'd seen so many times in Apollo over the last
three yahrens.  
     "I'm assuming you don't deal with those kind of matters in the
Resistance," he finally responded to her.
     "No," she shook her head, "The way we operate, it doesn't matter
what you did before the Destruction.  So long as you're an active part of
the team, you've earned your pardon for anything you did before that. 
I'm not saying we have murderers in our ranks, but.....if a valuable
member of our team had killed someone thirty yahrens ago as bad as Dorian
was, and we found evidence of that......none of us would give a daggit's
felgercarb about it."
     "I understand," he said.  "What you're dealing with.....clearly it's
something where there's no time to think about the fine points of the
Legal Codes.  I......don't have that luxury.  What lets the population
accept the long-haul of our journey to Earth is being able to maintain as
much of the veneer of Colonial Society as they knew it.  And that means
the Codes on a crime like termination have to stay even if.....it can
lead to complications."  Like it almost did with Starbuck too, he added
to himself.
     "I guess so," there was a sad acceptance in her tone.  "Lords, if
that.....Tabor or whatever his name was, were already dead......"
     "But he wasn't," Adama interrupted.  "He was still alive and still
serving on the Galactica, so the truth was able to come out.  Perhaps
ultimately.......the Lords had as much a hand placing Tabor aboard the
Galactica as they did in making Zakiya telecom you that night."
     Slowly, his wife nodded her head as she realized his deeper point.
     "Yes.  They had to have," Ila whispered and as her eyes darted
toward and back from the chronometer, she realized that more time had
elapsed than she would have liked, and that she needed to get to more
important matters while there was still time left.  
     "They had to have," she repeated with more strength, "Just like I
know the Lords have had a hand in every part of my life since then."
     The reality of the present situation came back to Adama.
     "Ila," he asked, "Why were you in a shuttle that ended up on the
Pegasus?"
     His wife managed to smile weakly, "You.....had a vision of that?"
     "I did," Adama nodded, "Sheba did too.  That's.....what prepared the
way for us to realize you were still alive.  But you couldn't have been
trying to reach the Pegasus."
     "I wasn't," she sighed sadly, "I was trying to reach you."
     "That's what I.....suspected.  You couldn't possibly have known the
Pegasus was out there, but.....you knew I was out there."
     Ila nodded and wiped her eyes, "We.....knew you'd gone in the Alpha
Quadrant.  You'll find out how we knew.  I.....volunteered to go in that
shuttle and spend three yahrens in suspended animation, hoping I'd catch
up to you and tell you all about the Resistance.  My job....was to
convince you to come back and join our effort."
     Her husband winced and closed his eyes, trying to take that in.
     "You can guess the rest," Ila went on.  "My shuttle was programmed
to lock onto the trail of a battlestar.  Since we thought there was only
one battlestar left......we were sure it would find you.  Instead, it
found the Pegasus, and that's where I've been the last five sectars."
     He looked at her again, "And your shuttle.....?"
     A pained expression came over Ila's face as she closed her eyes and
then lowered her head, shaking it slightly.  Adama knew this was going to
be the most difficult part of their talk.
     "The Zykonians repaired the hyperdrive in it," she could only manage
a whisper.  "If I wanted to use it.....to go out and find you......I
could."
     Adama realized that he needed to put his own sense of pain aside and
comfort her.  "But you.....won't.  Not now at least."
     His wife nodded but didn't look up at him.
     "Because.....you can't," he now for the first time realized how
great her own burden had been.  As great as the one he had borne all this
time.  "Because......if you did.  You'd feel as if you betrayed a cause
you've given so much to these past three yahrens."
     Ila looked him in the eye, "Just as I know if I made you turn the
Fleet around to come back to the Colonies......you'd feel as if you
betrayed the cause you've given so much to these past three yahrens.  Not
to mention.....the responsibility you have to all the Earth people who
are counting on you.  Just as I have a responsibility to the people I'm
leading Cain back to."
     In that instant.....Adama felt all of his own personal pain and
anguish vanish.  However much he desperately wanted her by his side. 
However much he ached to hold her in his arms and make love to her. 
However much he needed the constancy of her wisdom and insight.  He now
saw the price that would have come with that.  The very betrayal of
everything that made Ila who she was, and why he had loved only her. 
Just as Ila knew that if he did as her heart ached for him to do......he
would no longer be the man she loved either.
     "We're both people of deep faith, Adama," she went on, "We've
somehow managed to keep our faith in spite of what happened to us three
yahrens ago.  Because we're convinced that the Highest Power does have
the ability to lift people up in the face of the darkest tragedies.  How
could.....either of us turn our backs on the calling we've heard in
ourselves?  It's not that I know things are going to end with absolute
victory in the Colonies, anymore than you know that your journey to Earth
is going to end with Utopia and Paradise.  The important thing
is.....we're answering the call.  We're showing that we're prepared to
answer the call even at the highest personal cost to ourselves, which in
our case is......our ability to be together.  Until we've fulfilled our
callings.......we can't be together."
     "Yes," Adama said simply as he nodded, "Yes.  But.....because we
know how to answer the call......we both know that.......Eternity is
still meant for us one day."
     A smile returned to Ila's beautiful face, "I believe that too," she
whispered.  "With all my heart."
     "Then that will sustain us from this point on," Adama said, with
rising inner confidence.  "You are my wife.  And I remain true to you
always."
     "And you are my husband," Ila's eyes were welling up, "I have been
true to you since that night.....and I will remain so always."
     And then......impulsively, Ila began to sing.

     "Sometimes in the morning when shadows are deep.
     I lie here beside you just watching you sleep."

     As Adama heard the opening lines of what had always been their
song......ever since the night of their first date when they had heard it
in a musical theater play......he felt the tears forming in his eyes.  He
allowed her to finish the verse in her untrained, but lilting alto.

     "And sometimes I whisper what I'm thinking of
     My cup runneth over with love."

     And now, Adama, to keep himself from having a breakdown, took the
second verse in his
rich bass-baritone, just as they'd done so many times around the spinet
in their long-gone home.

     "Sometimes in the evening when you do not see
     I study the small things you do constantly
     I memorize moments that I'm fondest of
     My cup runneth over with love."

     And then.......the third verse.....together...... as their hands
simultaneously touched the screens in front of them, as if they somehow
hoped they would be able to reach across the vast distance of space that
separated them and let their hands come together.

     "In only a moment we both will be old
     We won't even notice the world turning cold
     And so, in these moments with sunlight above
     My cup runneth over with love."

     Once the last note of their duet ended, Ila lowered her hand and
then kissed the screen.
     "I love you, Adama," she whispered, the tears were streaming down
her face but she wasn't letting herself break down.
     "I love you, Ila," he looked back at her adoringly and his voice
picked up in strength, "This isn't an end for us.  It's just part
of.....a new beginning in our lives.  It's not.....all of what we wanted
but......it's more than any of us had any right to expect."
     "Yes," Ila nodded.  "It is.  We're......together again......even
when separated."
     From off-camera, Adama could hear the sound of a door opening and
the slow pace of footsteps.......until finally, the sad-faced form of
Cain entered.  He came up to Ila and gently placed his hand on her
shoulder.
     "It's time, Ila," the Juggernaut said simply.
     Slowly, she nodded and managed to collect herself.  She looked up at
her husband and smiled one last time.  "We'll be in touch."
     And then, she turned to her left and was gone from Adama's view.
     "Adama," Cain sounded emotionally spent.  "If at any time in the
next two sectans, you or anyone in your crew want to send messages to us,
they can do that.  But we can't allow any more live discussions until
after we've taken care of matters at Gomorrah.  The next live discussion
will be after the battle.  That may not be for as much as a full sectar
because it depends on the logistics of the battle plan I'm putting
together.  We'll be keeping our transmitter/receiver active at all times,
except for any Red Alert situation when it will be turned off to avoid
power drainage issues."
     "The Lords watch over you and your brave crew as you go into battle,
Cain," Adama could barely muster the strength to say the words.
     "Thank you, Adama.  May they watch over you too in your journey to
Earth."
     He made a gesture to his right......and then Cain's image
disappeared from the screen.  The lights on the terminal on Adama's desk
went off, indicating the connection was now broken.
     And for the first time since the night of the Destruction when he'd
walked through the ruins of his house, Adama lowered his head and cried.


     Far across the reaches of space in the Electronics Lab of the
Battlestar Pegasus, Cain slowly walked across the room, his expression
dazed and spent.  His mind barely registered the voice of Dr. Arnoff over
the intercom from the next room, telling him that the total power
drainage over the course of a full centar had been 21% and the battlestar
would need at least five centars to fully recharge the systems.
     He walked over to the bench at the far end of the room near the
door, where Ila was.  Her body was hunched over and turned slightly
inward, as though she were trying to hide as much of her emotional
collapse from view.  But the sound of her muffled sobs couldn't be hidden
as Cain gently sat next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
     "It's okay, Ila," he said with all the compassion he could muster. 
"It's okay."
     "I know," she barely forced her words out and sniffed repeatedly to
try and stop the tears.  "I know.  It was.....it was everything I'd hoped
for."
     "And for me too," Cain said gently, "We.....have a beautiful family,
don't we?"
     She managed to turn and straighten herself, and as she wiped the
tears away she nodded.
     "Yes......We do."
     "And......I guess you won our little bet about......Apollo's
appearance."
     His remark had its intended effect as she broke into a smile and the
tears were replaced by laughter.  "Yes.  Yes, I did!"
     "Well.....you tell me how I should pay up.....short of duplicating
his example."
     Ila took several deep breaths and nodded as she slowly rose from the
bench, which made Cain get up as well.
     "I know you think she's indispensable to the Bridge," her voice was
slowly returning to normal, "But you really need to let Kylie take a few
centars off her shifts so she can spend some time looking after those
children of Wallis and Kelli.  They adore her and she adores them."
     Cain lifted an eyebrow since he hadn't expected her to be so
forceful with the request.  But he nodded, "Consider it done."
     "Thank you," Ila smiled , "So now it's.....back to work for us?"
     "If you want to."
     "I want to."  And then she added, "I *need* to."
     With a gentlemanly motion, he opened the door and together they
walked out of the Lab.  The Commander and the Professor.....ready to face
the new challenges before them.

Chapter Ten

     "People of the Fleet," Adama's voice filled nearly ever corner of
the 220 ships, whether through video monitors, audio com-lines, or
personal computer devices.  "In this somewhat lengthy address, I will try
to summarize the remarkable story of our contact this day with our
no-longer lost brothers and sisters of the Battlestar Pegasus, which
after three yahrens, we were in contact with today for a full centar. 
During that time we exchanged valuable information regarding what has
happened since then......and what the future holds for them as well as
ourselves.
     "I must at the outset emphasize that what has happened with the
Pegasus is not a prelude toward any kind of eventual reunion between our
ships.  It is not a sign of the Pegasus being close enough to contact
us......but the harnessing of a technology that until now, has never been
scientifically possible in our living experience.  That was not the case
though of our ancient ancestors on Kobol, who possessed technologies and
scientific capabilities that literally defied the standards of what we've
regarded as the natural laws of the universe.  Laws that we thought could
not be overcome.  Particularly in the area of communications.  We have
been taught that distance across space means that any attempt to
communicate across the vastness of it, can only be one way, and requires
waiting many yahrens or eons even before a message is received.
     "But this is no longer true.  Like the ancients we descend
from......we can now communicate instantly across the infinite to those
who possess the same technology.  The Pegasus has developed this
technology for themselves.....while we find ourselves the up-to-now
unwitting possessors of it, thanks to a communications system that
already existed in the Cylon Baseship of Commander Baltar......"


     In the Officers Club of the Galactica, Giles shook his head with a
rueful air as he sipped his ale.  "That's being a little
over-deferential, isn't it?"
     His date for the evening, Sergeant Mackin, the occasional member of
Red Squadron when she wasn't doing shuttle duty, sipped her drink and
shrugged,  "Ordinarily, I'd agree.  But.....after a yahren is it really
worth it to say nasty things about him any longer?  I mean......has he
done anything *other* than be a good boy?"
     "No, he hasn't done anything now," Giles conceded, "It's......just
what he did *then*, that's always the kicker."
     "I get it," Mackin signaled the Protean bartender Freeman (formerly
Assault 9) to give her a refill, "But then again......the same thing's
true of his crew and we've learned to stop saying nasty things about
them."


     "........a system that the Cylons had managed to independently
develop themselves in order to facilitate direct communication between
the outer capital of Gomorrah and their capital ships.  It was only
because of the foresight of Baltar and Commander Moray in not dismantling
this system following the events of the Detente, that we were able to
receive the signal from Commander Cain and the Pegasus this day.  And it
will also allow us to receive future signals from the Pegasus, as well as
initiate them ourselves.  I would incidentally, like to give special
recognition to the Cylon technicians led by Centurion Dunamis in
reactivating the communications link aboard the Baseship.  Also, to the
members of our own Electronics team on the Galactica, led by Dr. Wilker,
who installed the relay systems that will allow signals to and from the
Pegasus to be initiated and received on the Galactica as well."


     As Tarnia rode the shuttle with Copernicus that would take him back
to the Pathmain,  she felt glad that Adama was respecting the young man's
privacy by not mentioning his name in the broadcast.  She could tell that
Copernicus was pleased that he'd done so well in his work aboard the
Galactica, and that Adama had been satisfied with all the answers he'd
given to his questions.  Now, the electronics genius she had counseled
for so many yahrens, could go back to the quiet life he had prospered in
for the past yahren.
     Well done, Copernicus, she looked over at him with pride.  Well
done. 
     Ironically, had Tarnia been able to read his thoughts at that
instant, she would have discovered that Copernicus, despite his outward
projection of calm and satisfaction.....was far from at peace with
himself.
     Despite the satisfaction of yet again providing vital aid to the
Commander and Dr. Wilker, and forming deeper meaningful connections with
Komma and Hummer, young Copernicus was weary about what lay ahead. 
     He knew the implications of all he'd revealed this cycle, which
included potentially serious problems for some of the only people he'd
been close with in his life prior to the Destruction.  The very people
with whom he'd committed felonies against the Colonial Union when they'd
intruded on the computer systems that managed the defense grids for all
of the Twelve Worlds.  He'd revealed that some of his former associates
were alive and well within the Fleet - one performing vital technical
services on any number of ships, and another who'd just qualified as a
Viper pilot and was involved in an intimate relationship with an officer
in Security.  It was true they hadn't committed the sabotage which
facilitated the Cylon assault.  Indeed, they'd very likely discovered the
means by which that was accomplished , and that they'd done what they did
in the hope of raising awareness of how vulnerable the defense grids
were.  Nonetheless, his associates.....his friends, would now be looked
at with suspicion. 
     It was true that most pre-Destruction criminality had been legally
forgiven, and that for the most part, only crimes of direct termination
were still being prosecuted.  Baltar's pardon, had largely made most
people realize the futility of meting out punishment for crimes that
belonged to a different time in history.  But that only meant that in
most cases a person wouldn't face Tribunal.  Would his friends be able to
continue to live their lives as they had now that their identities had
been revealed?  Would their view of him change now that he'd done what
he'd done? 
     And there was the matter of a third associate, perhaps the one most
central to all he'd revealed, who'd also survived, but who'd maintained
his anonymity, maintaining contact via occasional transmissions employing
encryption more sophisticated than even Spectre Protocol.
     I have to warn them, Copernicus thought with determination.
     This could complicate his own life, he knew, if any of these
associates of his did something stupid, but he owed them a warning.
     He only hoped that Tarnia wouldn't be too disappointed with him. 



     "What then, does the Pegasus have to tell us about what she has done
in the nearly three yahrens since we last saw her at the Battle of
Gomorrah?  Much.  And not simply about her own activities, but activities
that are taking place elsewhere......."


     Prior to the broadcast, Colonel Tigh had spent the better part of
two centars with Adama watching the entire recording of Commander Cain's
message.  It had been revealing and spellbinding to the Executive
Officer.  And it had also left him with one concern.  That perhaps it
wouldn't be wise to immediately reveal the news of a Resistance movement
to the Fleet as a whole.
     "There are risks to that, Adama," Tigh had pointed out, "Some people
might very well take that news to----,"
     But the commander had cut him off in mid-sentence.  
     "Tigh, I know exactly what you're getting at.  But it can't be
avoided.  If the people are going to be exchanging messages with the
Pegasus crew they're going to find out about the Resistance.  And if I
were less than candid about the situation tonight, that would leave me
open to accusations of cover-up.  The information has to get out right
now.  If that leads to repercussions......we'll deal with them later."
     I hope there aren't any, Adama, Tigh thought as he watched the
broadcast from the Upper Level of the Bridge.  May this happy day not
lead to new problems tomorrow.


     "First, the Pegasus spent two and a half yahrens operating
independently in the charted regions of the Alpha Quadrant, in what
Commander Cain describes as a down period of rebuilding and resupply. 
Her activities were confined to occasional covert raids on Cylon fuel and
ammunition depots, along with covert trade missions for foodstuffs in the
isolated pockets of humanity that exist in the outer edges of the
original Colonial Frontier.  This included visits to places that we
ourselves encountered in the early part of our journey such as the
Serenity Colony......."


Hmmm, Starbuck thought as he sipped from his mug at the Rogelio's Gourmet
Java stand
aboard the Rising Star.  I wonder if Nogow's still got my old job?  I
should ask about that some time.
     "What does it all mean, Mommy?" the fair-haired girl of six named
Cassy asked her mother, who ran the kiosk.
     Mairwen squeezed her daughter's hand.  "Something wonderful, Cassy. 
It means.....your uncle's alive."
     Starbuck abruptly swung his head around from his view of the video
monitor carrying Adama's message.  Mairwen and Cassy had been friends of
his ever since the freighter they'd originally lived on, the Spica, had
undergone a crippling explosion and forced an evacuation of all people
aboard.  It was during that evacuation mission that Starbuck discovered
little Cassy and her mother living in conditions that were worse than
squalid.  Seeing Cassy's plight as not dissimilar to his own experience
growing up in orphanages, he had taken a protective interest in their
well-being that over time led to Mairwen being hired by Siress Belloby to
run a java kiosk she owned on the Rising Star.  
     "Uncle?" Starbuck asked with surprise
     "Yes," Mairwen sighed.  "My brother, Sergeant Tegran.  He's a viper
pilot with them.  And I haven't seen or heard from him since before they
shipped out for Molocay.  The way things were aboard the Spica.....I
never found out we'd been in contact with the Pegasus the last time until
it was too late."
     "I wish I'd known," the warrior said, feeling a sharp jab of regret,
given how much Mairwen and Cassy had meant to him as friends.  "I'd have
said something to Cain when I had a centon with him earlier today."
     "Starbuck, it's okay," Mairwen said reassuringly.  "I.....guess I
was just bothered that I didn't get a chance the last time, that......I
didn't feel like sharing that part of my story.  Which was rough enough
as it was."
     "Yeah, it sure was," he cast a glance at little Cassy, thinking back
to that day on the Spica, seeing her clutching a faded and dirty plush
equine toy that represented her only possession saved from the
Destruction, and how much it had touched his heart at the time. 
"She's......never met him?"
     "No," Mairwen shook her head.  "But......he knew she was on the
way."
     She looked up at the screen as Adama's speech continued.  "We are
going to be able to talk to them again?"
     "We are," Starbuck said firmly.  "And you're going to get word to
him.  That's a promise."
     Along with something else I have to do, he thought as he finished
his java.  After paying the bill and saying goodbye to the proprietor and
her daughter, he turned and headed down toward the central part of the
shopper's plaza.  Leaving Mairwen to wonder why Starbuck would be going
to an area where the only kiosks still open at this time of the cycle
were a jeweler and a tailor.


     ".......This was not a time when the Pegasus engaged in any
significant military engagements with either the Cylons or other
adversaries.  Stealth and rebuild was their approach and because of that,
Commander Cain informs us that of those who were still part of his crew
three yahrens ago at the time of the separation, only two have perished. 
We are withholding their names at this time, until it can be ascertained
whether or not they have family members in the Fleet."


     Ensign Wynn, Sheba thought as she lay in the Life Station watching
the broadcast.  Following the end of the transmission, Cassiopeia had
insisted she go back for one more day's recuperation before she'd be
discharged and allowed to go back to her quarters with her new daughter. 

     Oh, Father, can we ever *explain* to you what happened to Ensign
Wynn, and who was responsible for it?  You never showed much regard for
Higher Powers, because you always saw yourself as the highest power in
the Universe.  Although....the way you looked today and in that  dream
last night......it was as if you'd finally changed your mind about all
that.  Maybe you can comprehend what kind of.......monster there is out
there, who's had his sights on *me* all this time.  All because he once
took advantage of how lonely I was feeling after I'd lost you, and
because I hadn't yet realized Apollo's hidden feelings for me.  
     If there was one thing she wasn't sure she could ever be completely
candid with her father about, it was the magnitude of how many times
Iblis had gone after her.  Would that revelation shake her father's faith
in how well Apollo and her extended family had protected her?  Would it
make him suddenly lose faith in her own abilities and get him to thinking
she still needed his protection in some way?
     She tried to shake that concern off, and not let it ruin how special
the day had been for her.  To finally see him again.  To share her baby
with him and with Ila, who Sheba could think of as a mother figure just
as she'd learned to do with Adama as a father figure.  The fact that Ila
had been so close to her own mother made that even easier for her.
     She looked over at the incubator that had been rolled in next to her
bed which allowed her to look over and cast an adoring, maternal eye on
little Bethany.  Once again, she was struck by how identical she was to
the Bethany she'd believed to be real but wasn't.  And how that was an
answered prayer as much as the reunion of today had been.
     I won't ever let *anything* destroy what I've gained today, she
vowed.  Especially not that monster who will *never* control me, ever!
     But within that vow was the realization that sooner or
later......her father did have to know about the enigma of Count Iblis. 
And the first time she had a private talk with him, in the same way Adama
had known with Ila today, was likely going to be her opportunity.


     "A little over five sectars ago, three significant events happened
to the Pegasus that launched her down the path that culminated today with
this first contact.  The initial event was an expedition to recover
ammunition from an abandoned Cylon garrison on the planet Delta Aquinas
in the Hattari System......"


     With Boxey fast asleep, and his wife and daughter confined to the
Life Station for one more night, Apollo decided to watch his Father's
speech from the isolation of his chambers.  Earlier, he had seen Colonel
Tolen's message for him that explained everything about the Delta Aquinas
mission and how it had also taken the Pegasus  team to Equellas. 
Answering at long last, the questions that had haunted Apollo about Vella
and Puppis, and the promise he'd made  that could never be kept. 
Revealing answers about who Vella's husband Martin had been, and what had
happened to the planet in the wake of Apollo's ridding the menace that
had been the lone centurion called Red-Eye.  Some of the answers had been
troubling to Apollo, such as the fact that he'd overlooked the presence
of a wrecked Colonial shuttle filled with the ammunition taken from the
Cylon garrison on nearby Delta Aquinas.  And how after his departure,
that ammunition had been used by a new crime lord to start a new reign of
terror.  But for the arrival of Martin's old Pegasus wingmate Tolen and
the rest of his team looking for that ammunition to restock the
battlestar, the new and greater menace would have continued unabated.
     At least Vella and Puppis didn't blame me for that, or blame me for
making a promise I couldn't keep, he thought.  It was such a foolish
thing to do.  Just because there was a part of me that *wanted* to stay
there, and might have stayed there......but for Boxey.  As if I thought I
could make it easy for them by giving some hope that I might come
back......But how was that ever going to happen?
     All of that had troubled him for more than three yahrens.  And
because he'd never talked about his experience on Equellas with anyone
until he'd mentioned it to Sheba four sectars ago, the guilt had never
faded completely.
     At least he could look at Tolen's message about Equellas, and
realize that he could finally close that chapter in his life.  He had
nothing to feel guilty about.  If he'd made mistakes, the Lords had made
things right by leading Martin's best friend Tolen to the planet.  And
giving Tolen a chance to purge his own feelings of guilt regarding the
events of Martin's disappearance a decade before.
     But if Apollo could feel at peace regarding the events of Equellas
thanks to today's contact, he wasn't all the way there about a more
important matter.  The fact that his mother had chosen to stay with the
Pegasus instead of using the shuttle she still had at her disposal. 
Which meant the reunion with her would never be more than the occasional
short talk on a monitor.
     He had seen his mother's unedited message regarding her experience,
and he couldn't deny the conviction in her voice about the meaning of the
Resistance and what she'd done for it. He couldn't deny what Cain's
presence would mean for such a movement.  And he was proud of how his
mother had demonstrated her own courage more than once, including at
Terra.  What wasn't fully settled in his heart, if it was in his mind,
was why his mother was so determined to take this burden on herself.
     Does this *have* to be your burden, Mother?  Isn't it enough just to
give Cain all the information he needs on the Resistance and then you
could go and consider your work done?  Or.....does the Resistance
ultimately mean......more than being with us again?
     Apollo knew that last question was unjust and he hated himself for
even asking it in his mind.  He had seen in his mother's face the joy and
happiness of seeing her husband and children again, as well as seeing new
additions to the family in Boomer, Sheba and the grandchildren.  It
especially touched Apollo to know that she'd already been aware of Boxey
and of Serina too.  For him, it was just......one unsettled matter in his
heart that hadn't yet caught up to what his mind knew.  Just like it had
been with the Equellas matter until now.
     I need a talk with Father to straighten me out.  Because he's
probably done better than me at this point, and Lords know the greater
burden's been on him.
     He would see him.  And maybe tomorrow......he'd have the total peace
he wanted.
 

     "In the course of that mission, the Pegasus reactivated four Cylon
centurions, including the garrison commander, whose name was Cobre, and
for the first time discovered what we ourselves bore witness to last
yahren at the onset of the Detente.  That there is within the centurion
class, a capacity for disenchantment with the nature of the Cylon Empire,
and that centurions have been misused by the higher classes.  This was
the sentiment that Commander Baltar first saw and capitalized on to
negotiate what has been a productive arrangement of human-Cylon
cooperation ever since......"


     "Baltar?" Ayesha asked him gently as her husband's eyes remained
riveted on the monitor, watching the speech.
     The one-time traitor seemed like he was in a daze, "He's actually
praising me to the entire public," he said aloud.  "Praising me."
     "Why shouldn't he?" Ayesha drew closer to him, "You've acted
honorably in every important way.  Adama is simply speaking the truth."
     "It's just that," he shook his head, "I......never thought this
would be possible.  Even....when this all began a yahren ago.....I almost
expected it to be.....a temporary move to survive, and that it wasn't
going to last."
     "But it has," his wife spoke in that equal mixture of gentleness and
firmness she had learned how to master.  "And much else has happened that
you never expected."
     Baltar turned to look at her, "I never expected you.  Or that....you
would want to come to me again.  But I'm glad you did, Ayesha."
     She smiled but said nothing as she extended her arms.  But even as
they held each other, her own mind couldn't avoid the subject of how she
would always be a conflicted soul.
     What I feel for you isn't true romantic love, Baltar.  That
feeling......I left forever with another.  But that doesn't diminish my
love for you as your wife......and the love of you as a human being who
wants you to be saved.  And to see you saved.......I would give up
anything.  Even the love that my heart wanted most.  


     "The Pegasus had barely begun to realize the potential these four
Cylons could be used for when the second major event happened.  The
arrival of a shuttle that had been launched from the Colonies containing
a passenger with a message of courage, bravery and Resistance taking
place in the home worlds.  The passenger in that shuttle......was the
distinguished Academician and Professor of Drama and Music at the
Caprican Fine Arts Institute......and my wife......Ila."


     Elsewhere on the Rising Star, in the Empyreal Lounge, Siress Tinia
was watching in fascination.  And then, when she heard the revelation of
Adama's wife being alive, a jolt went through her.  And inside of
herself, she could feel the idle daydreams she'd never shared with anyone
disappearing with the rapidity of fog burning away under a bright morning
sun.
     Never think those thoughts again.  Ever.

     
     "Professor Ila's account of the Resistance gives us a more hopeful
answer to a question that often haunts us about what became of those who
were left behind in the wake of the Exodus, due to lack of ships, and the
lack of time we had to get ready due to the oncoming might of the Cylon
Occupation Forces.  I want to first emphasize that Professor Ila does not
fault our decision to leave when we did.  The Resistance movement she was
part of began as a disparate group of disorganized survivors that for one
yahren was forced to go underground and hide in locations inaccessible to
Cylon search parties and to harness resources that were unaffected by
Cylon attempts to poison what was left of the planets.  Absolutely
*nothing* could be done in that first yahren, and had those of us who are
part of the Fleet now remained behind......we would surely have died."


     Athena had finished attending to her two babies, and after making
sure they were asleep joined Boomer in their chambers.  As he watched her
move about the room putting things away, he could hear her humming.  A
smile lining her face as she performed her tasks, and a more buoyant
spring in her step.  When she reached their bed, she stopped and saw her
husband looking strangely at her.
     "What?" his wife asked.
     "There's something really.......different about you, Athena," he
said.  "And I don't mean that in a bad way.  It's just.....amazing to see
what those talks with your mother did to you."
     Athena smiled and dropped on to the bed next to him.
     "I literally feel like I've been reborn, Boomer," she said. 
"Marrying you and having the twins helped me move past the pain and
sorrow of what I went through that night, but......this was the day the
scar healed completely.  Seeing her again......and hearing her
voice......that was the only thing in the Universe that could make me
what I used to be inside and what I used to believe.  It's like being
made whole once again."
     She let out a buoyant happy sigh.  "I feel like......well.... like
a......"
     "A burst of sunshine," Boomer suddenly said as he realized the
meaning of Ila's name for her daughter.
     She turned and looked at him and then she nodded.  And then she
happily fell into his outstretched arms.


     "What's been accomplished since, has required a careful effort of
coordination not simply among disparate Resistance factions that existed
on each of the twelve planets......but also required tapping into the
ranks of Cylon centurions, who like the crew of Commander Baltar's ship,
and like the four centurions found by the Pegasus on Delta
Aquinas......are willing to work with humans against the oppressive order
that they themselves have been the victims of......."


     "By the Makers," Commander Septimus seemed to whisper and exclaim
simultaneously as Dr. Wilker worked on sizing up the incomplete IL for
making him ambulatory once again.  "It was more widespread than I ever
dared to suspect!"
     His curiosity finally overwhelming him, Wilker decided to query him
on the subject; "Septimus, who are these 'Makers' you keep referring to?"
     Septimus considered the question for several microns, but before he
could respond, he was overwhelmed by a 'feeling' of being... disconnected
from himself.  A sensation he suddenly recalled experiencing before. 
     "Oh my." 



     "This is the fight.....and the cause that Commander Cain.....and
Professor Ila are dedicated to pursuing.  It is why the Pegasus will not
be reunited with us......because her Destiny is the not the same as ours. 
It is one that will take her back to aid in that effort.....making use of
information and resources gathered as a result of the third significant
event that has happened to her so far......"


     Sire Xaviar, member of the Council of Twelve, watched the broadcast
in his private quarters in Elite Class, and felt his emotions giving way
from shock and amazement......to ones of dubiousness.  As he listened to
it continue, he reached for a notepad and stylus and began to write down
some questions that he knew he wanted to raise at the next Council
meeting.
     He was in the middle of writing, when his telecom rang.  "Hello?"
     "Hello, Xaviar," he heard the unmistakable sound of Lydia's voice,
"I was wondering what you think of all this?"
     The Council member put down his stylus and decided he needed to talk
to the Vice-President.


     "It was not long after the arrival of Professor Ila, that the
Pegasus underwent an unexplained phenomena that resulted in the ship
being hurled across the stars from a point in charted space......all the
way into regions previously unmapped by them, but which we have passed
through in the course of our journey.  The Pegasus was actually as far as
Brylon Station, where they enjoyed the hospitality of the Zykonians as we
did during our own stay.  They learned of our experience there, and I am
pleased to report that the truce we negotiated between the Zykonians and
the Ziklagi, is at the present time still holding."


     The person the Fleet knew as Academician Sarah, was working late in
her office listening to the broadcast on an audio line.  For the most
part, this news dealt with matters that were largely unfamiliar to her
and didn't make the same impression as it did for the overwhelming
majority of the population.  On the last line though, her head darted up
and she felt a measure of satisfaction at this piece of news which unlike
the story of the Pegasus and the story of the Resistance, did hold a
personal interest to the woman who was really Nizaka, a Ziklagi-born
shape-shifter.


     "The Pegasus has also had one minor entanglement with our principal
adversaries of recent times, the Risik.  While it was only with one scout
vessel, the incident allowed the Pegasus to capture Risik copies of the
data discs we sent to the Risik leadership following the war crimes
Tribunal.  Consequently, the Pegasus is fully aware of the situation
regarding the Earth prisoners liberated from Ne'Chak, and our
responsibility to them, as equals in our population."


     Lieutenant Castor and Lauren Wagner had tried to ignore the
broadcast at first.  No matter how much of a vested interest the Security
Chief had in the Pegasus, and in the fate of his old friend McCalla, he
didn't want any precious time with Lauren wasted.  He could rationalize
that on the grounds that he'd be up to speed with a full briefing the
next day once he reported to work.  
     However, as had been the case the first time they'd been together,
the walls of their room did not block the sound.  And because the people
in the adjoining rooms had the broadcast on with the volume turned up,
they could hear every word being spoken.  Finally, it was too much even
for Lauren and she suggested they listen to the whole thing. 
Reluctantly, Castor had turned on the video monitor in their room.  When
Adama got to the part about the Pegasus encounter with the Risik, the
American born woman let out a contemptuous smirk.
     "Well, at least they know what kind of bastards those creatures
are."
     Castor knew how much her blood could still boil on the subject, and
from his standpoint, it was her only flaw in what was otherwise,
perfection.  He decided to try and defuse the moment as best he could.
     "That means Commander Cain saw your message to them, and knowing
him, he'll probably want to sign you up for his crew!"
     It had the effect he'd hoped for as she suddenly relaxed and turned
her head toward him, smiling.  "You mean he doesn't have a hang-up about
kick-ass women warriors?"
     "Let's just say he admires tenacity and dedication......in men and
women."
     She threw him a seductive look and rolled on top of him, "Do you
admire it too?"
     "Very much," Castor looked into her face, which had captivated him
for so long now, "In fact.....I was wondering....."
     "Yeah?"
     He took a breath, "Have you ever......considered.....transferring to
the Galactica?"
     The seductive playfulness disappeared from her face, replaced with a
frown.  She rolled back next to him, no longer in the mood to continue
passionate foreplay at this moment.
     "To do what?" she asked.
     Castor reached for the remote to mute the sound on their own
monitor.  Adama's voice could still be heard in the adjoining rooms, but
for now they'd found something else to let them ignore it.
     "Well.....I really think it's high time our own Security division
became a little more.....integrated.  There's never been a prohibition on
women in Colonial Security, but.....we've been lacking in them. 
And......you'd really fit right in since your original background on
Earth is law enforcement.  I'd make you my deputy and see to it that you
had the equivalent of a promotion to officer rank."  He then added, "And
it wouldn't affect your eligibility for ground assault and combat, just
like it doesn't with me.  We'd both still be active members of Elite
Squadron."
     Lauren's expression grew serious.  It was clear she hadn't expected
this.
     "Do you have another reason for making this offer to me?"  She
asked.
     "Yes," Castor nodded, "I'm falling madly in love with you
and......it drives me crazy that we end up seeing more of each other when
we're about to perform a joint combat operation than we do in places like
this.  If you transferred to the Galactica and joined me in the Security
Division, we'd be able to work together all the time and *really* get to
know each other better."
     She took a break and leaned her head back against the base of the
bed.  It was obvious she'd been deeply touched by his candor and the
meaning of what he'd said.  Leaving her almost at a loss for words.
     "Lauren?" he gently prodded.
     "If I did that I'd have to bunk on the Galactica," she finally
spoke, looking up at the ceiling,   "I'd.....be giving up everyone I know
on the Constellation."
     "You'll get to see them often."
     "But.....it wouldn't be the same," she turned and gently touched his
cheek, "Castor.....I think you're terrific.  You're the only man I feel
comfortable going out with, and I love being with you.  But.....you're
asking a lot."
     "Am I?" he tried not to sound protesting.
     "Right now, yes," Lauren said gently.  "Castor......I'm grateful
that you and everyone else in the Fleet have welcomed me and made me feel
at home, but.......all of you still come from an alien culture to me. 
You're not part of the world I knew on Earth.  On the Constellation, with
Jessica and Jena and everyone else from Ne'Chak.......I can still talk
the same......language, if you know what I mean."
     "Yeah, I guess I do," Castor admitted, trying to hide his
disappointment.  "Easier to talk with those from your own neighborhood,
basically."
     "It's more than that......." Lauren said, "They've helped
me....adjust.  They've made me accept the fact that I'm really out here
in space and even when I do see home again, it won't be the home I knew. 
They've......helped me keep my sanity after everything I went through. 
If I had to suddenly uproot myself and bunk with people I have nothing in
common with.....that could open up a lot of old nightmares I'm still
trying to get over."
     "I'd be there," he said.
     "Yeah......but are you offering enough to make it worth my while?"
she asked gently as she ran a finger over his chest.  "Maybe if.....you
were asking me to come over and I *wouldn't* have to bunk with total
strangers, I might......feel different?"
     Castor found that even though there were things he wanted to say, he
couldn't say them at that instant.  To his horror, he found he still
lacked the courage to go further than he'd prepared himself to do.
     "I......don't know if I'm at the point where I can make the
offer.....along those lines yet."
     Lauren smiled, "I understand, and that's okay.  Something like this
is......pretty new for you too, isn't it?" she lightly kissed him, "Let's
just keep it status quo for now and......try harder to have more nights
like this in the meantime, because......you're the only guy I'll say yes
to a date with, Castor."
     Her gentle words and touch managed to take the sting out of her
rejection as they resumed their lovemaking.


     "It was in these regions of space that the Pegasus also found
valuable clues that enabled them to develop the transmission technology
they employed with us today.  They were able to capture an IL Series
Cylon named Lucifer, who had been marooned one yahren ago, and completely
mined his data banks.  This gave them extensive information on not just
the Cylon Empire's infrastructure, but also the principal information on
how the Cylon breakthrough in advanced communication had taken place."


     Ayesha had fallen asleep by this point, but Baltar was still
watching.  And when he heard the news about his former subordinate, his
reaction was nothing at all like it might have been if he'd heard the
news only a few sectars ago.  Back then, he would  have gloated and
laughed and shouted at the top of his voice, "Lucifer, you're FINISHED!"
     But now......he felt strangely subdued.  As if he sensed that there
wasn't any real purpose behind celebrating the downfall of his old
acquaintance and nemesis.  
     And there was something else.  Something in the back of his mind
that he couldn't quite put his finger on but he knew it had been stirred
by Adama's revelation of Cain and his crew having access to the IL's
"deep memory".  As though there was something more to be found in it than
what Adama had mentioned just now.  
     What was it?  Something that......I should know?  But why would I
know?  And how?  
     If only he could remember what and why he felt that way.  But the
thought dissipated as quickly as it came, leaving him with only the sense
that having access to Lucifer's knowledge and a communications channel
with the Pegasus would be beneficial in the future for reasons that went
beyond what was already evident.  
     He decided there was no point in further dwelling on it.  His
dealings with the IL were best considered a closed chapter in his life. 
Glancing over at his sleeping wife, he realized that his ability to move
on from his troubled past was yet another testament to the change she'd
brought over him. 
     By contrast, in the Command Center of the Baseship, the news was
greeted by Commander Moray with a deep sense of......satisfaction.  As
well as vindication in his mind for the path he and his fellow centurions
had taken.


     The blinking lights in the IL's head appeared to slow, and then dim
slightly, only to start pulsing with much more ferocity as he did his
best to redirect his system processes to fighting what he perceived to be
a malfunction.
     "Septimus?"
     "Stand by, Doctor; I seem to be experiencing... difficulty accessing
certain critical memory sectors.  This is reminiscent of when I was being
used as a recording device against my will - a state of affairs that
still confounds me, since it would take a human of great intelligence and
proficiency with the machinery of artificial intelligence such as you to
manipulate me in such a way."
     Wilker attempted not to let his worry show.  Given how perfect the
day had been up to this point, the last thing he wanted was to see it end
on a sour note.  "Is this a... potential security concern?"
     "I do not... stand by, please."
     Wilker took a step back as the IL's lights slowed to normal, dimmed,
then became almost dormant. 
     "Do...not be......alarmed, good... Doctor; I am attempting... to
reroute my... my...... how interesting!"
     "You keep saying that, but this is becoming extremely disturbing."
     "I assure you that... that... you asked me about...... the Makers...
I appear to have access to certain deep memory sectors that have been...
hidden from me..."
     Again, the lights resumed their normal luminosity and sped up.
     "I wonder, Doctor, if you have another autonomous data node such as
the one used to house the virus independent of any of Galactica's data
networks?"
     "Of course, but----,"
     "Connect me to one, quickly!"
     Hesitating for only a micron, Wilker did as directed.  After all the
work he'd done with the  IL,  in both active and inert states,  he knew
intellectually what Septimus was and wasn't capable of as far as
accessing or potentially damaging the Galactica's vital computer
infrastructure was concerned.  He at least could reassure himself that
performing this action wouldn't give Septimus any opportunity to damage
them.  After all this time, Septimus had become more of a colleague.  He
was more of an ally.
     Croft trusts him to be part of his FIU group.  That means I can
trust him, too!
     Not more than a micron passed between the completion of the
connection and the initiation of a data transfer.
     "I do not know exactly what is happening, nor why I only remember
these events when the happen, but I am going to attempt a tactic to
preserve this data I presently have access to. I will be going into
partial hibernation mode; it is imperative that the connection between
myself and the data node not be disturbed. This could be very important,
Doctor."
     "I understand," Wilker said.
     Again, the IL's lights slowed, almost to a stop, then dimmed almost
to the point of going completely dark; finally, his eyes stopped
oscillating, then went dark.
     The Electronics Chief could only shake his head in amazement, as he
turned his attention back to the monitor and the rest of Adama's speech.


     "The Pegasus also journeyed to the so-called 'Weather Planet' and
found examples of Kobollian transmission technology that we had
overlooked during our time there.  And still more Kobollian transmission
technology was discovered when the Pegasus recently visited the Planet
Terra, which we are also familiar with.  Their discovery also enabled
them to learn the final secret of Terra's origins and its true connection
to the 13th Tribe.  According to Cain, Terran civilization itself was
built from the ground-up by directly copying what was taking place on
Earth during the first several thousand yahrens of that planet's
development.  All of this made possible by Kobollian technology on Terra
tapping into signals from the very satellite the 13th Tribe used to learn
about Earth, and which has remained in Earth orbit all this time since. 
The name of this satellite is called.....the Black Knight.


     In his quarters on the Constellation, Commander Kevin Byrne was
listening to Adama's broadcast with a great level of detachment.  While
Byrne was familiar with the story of the Pegasus and Commander Cain from
various briefings and conversations over the past yahren, it was a
subject he still hadn't studied deeply.  His executive officer, the
Colonial Captain Dante, was off-duty for the night and that left him with
no one to bring in as a technical consultant to help him understand the
specifics of the broadcast as it progressed.  But when his ears heard the
words "Black Knight", he suddenly bolted out of his mostly detached
stupor.
     "Son of a bitch," he said under his breath, "The sucker really
exists!  It really exists!" 
     His mind went back to a long ago time on Earth when he'd read the
rumors of a satellite supposedly in Earth orbit that had been sent by an
alien race thousands of years ago to monitor Earth.  It had been the pet
theory of a 1950s UFO researcher named Donald Keyhoe.  Skeptics had said
Keyhoe wasn't actually serious about such claims, but advocates would
always claim that such a satellite had been seen during some NASA
spaceflights.  Supposedly by Gordon Cooper during his Mercury flight in
1963, and during a Space Shuttle flight in 1998 (though NASA had
dismissed the sighting as a case of space debris).  
     And now, just as the Risik had confirmed the truth of so many UFO
sightings and abductions from the 1950s onward, so had the Battlestar
Pegasus confirmed the truth of another aspect of UFO culture.
     At this rate, there's almost nothing left to debunk!


     Down in the ward room of the Constellation, the ship's mixed
population of Colonials and Earth natives was watching with varying
reactions.  For the Colonials, it was unbridled excitement.  For the
Earthers, it was mostly amazement as they tried to keep up with the
volume of information, and tried to ask their jubilant Colonial friends
to explain matters further.
     Father Desmond Fisher, the clergyman, couldn't help but think of the
many spiritual and scriptural insights he could draw from these events. 
But none more so than how this news struck him as a humbling reminder of
how the Providential hand that guided the course of history in the
universe could take an event that had so clearly caused pain to so many,
in this case the separation from the Pegasus, and use it for a higher
purpose it had been intended for.
     

     "And now......with all of that information and technology
obtained......the Pegasus was able to make the first of what we hope will
be many transmissions to us from wherever she is as she makes her way
back to the Colonies to take part in the Resistance effort.  The use of
this communications device is restricted only by the fact that its
operation contributes to serious drainages of power.  The conversation we
had today, lasting one centar, resulted in a nearly 20% power level drop
on the Baseship, and something similar no doubt occurred on the Pegasus. 
Consequently, future contact will be much more limited in nature.  But
while lengthy live communication will not be practical, we do have the
ability to transmit recorded messages in data files of up to two centars
in length.  Several such messages have already been received, including a
number of short messages from various members of the Pegasus crew to
their friends, family and former shipmates who are now with us in the
Fleet.  We will be processing these messages so that they will be
delivered to their intended recipients in the Fleet over the course of
the next several cycles.  And we will also be establishing some
guidelines for the delivery of messages that will be sent to the Pegasus
over the course of the next two sectans.


     The effects of a bottle of ambrosia continued to ring through
Jarvik's head as he sullenly entered his quarters and tossed his bag
across the room.  Just a centar ago, he had awaken in Lydia's bed in
Elite Class, only to be told that it was time for him to go back to his
own room, located in the less spacious crew area of the Rising Star.  A
place that might as well have been a million light yahrens from Elite
Class, with the one saving grace being that it was at least a private
room that he didn't have to share with anyone.
     It wasn't the first time Jarvik had gone through one of these sudden
evictions.  Whenever Lydia was between lovers, his job was to oblige her. 
And in more than eleven yahrens as her pilot, he'd done so because he'd
long ago concluded that making love to a woman like Lydia on rare
occasions was more exciting than having a permanent relationship with any
other woman.
     "And that makes you lower than the lowest class of socialators!" the
echo of a voice from his past filled his mind.  A voice he'd long ago
shut out and cut off from his life and consigned to the ash heap of bad
memories.  Vowing to never give it any thought again because as far as
Jarvik was concerned, that voice had forfeited all rights to have any
influence on him long before he'd met Lydia and gone to work for her.
     Except.....the voice of his father was now going through his mind
again.  Because the sound of the unicom, carrying Adama's message in all
areas of the Fleet, had just revealed to him that his father was no
longer among the dead, but among the living. 
     Is that why I suddenly hate myself?  Jarvik thought as he dropped
onto his narrow cot of a bed.  Is that why all of a sudden......all these
yahrens suddenly don't feel like they've been worth it?  That maybe I'm
tired of being her plaything interlude?
     Maybe it won't matter, he thought.  We didn't even try to contact
each other the last time the Pegasus was here.  Maybe he hasn't changed a
bit, because he thinks I haven't changed.
     But is that true?  Am I still the same?  Or am I tired of all this?
     Only time, he realized, would tell on that.


     "Right now, the Pegasus is proceeding to Gomorrah in order to begin
the first of what will undoubtedly be many significant campaigns on
behalf of the Resistance.  Through the use of their new technologies,
which include the Zykonian ones we have also received; through the
utilization of captured Cylon data from the memory banks of IL Cylon
Lucifer; and through the cooperation of the enlightened centurions in
their ranks......Commander Cain is convinced they can prevail.  Once they
do......they will contact us again.


     Bojay had missed most of the broadcast because he'd instead watched
the short video message of Silver Spar Group for him over and over. 
Studying the smiling faces of all his old comrades.  They had all kept
themselves in good physical condition so consequently, none of them
looked different to him after three yahrens. 
     As Squadron Leader, Captain Skyler had spoken for the entire group.
     "Bojay," Skyler had said as he stood in front of the barracks
lockers.  "We hope you're taking care of yourself and upholding the honor
of the Pegasus aboard the Galactica.  We've never forgotten the fun you
brought to our ranks, combined with the best flying skills of anyone who
didn't inherit it directly from Cain.  And to show you how much you're
still in our hearts and always will be......the men of Silver Spar Group
now present to you.......your barracks locker...... a permanent monument
to the greatness of Lieutenant Bojay of Silver Spar Group!"
     On cue, Skyler pulled open the locker.......revealing the outlandish
socialator outfit Bojay had been forced to wear during his hazing
ceremony, hanging neatly in it, with the black stilettos underneath.  On
cue, the entire Group laughed and roared with whoops and whistles that
Bojay found himself grinning at, every time he played it back.
     "You really loved those guys, didn't you?"
     He shut off the monitor and looked over at his wife, "Yes, Gay, I
did.  And I still do.  Even if they do belong to a part of my life that's
over now."
     Gayla smiled at him, "I told you, you deserved to hear from them. 
It almost makes me want to thank someone for making it possible."
     "Oh Gay," he sighed as he took her in his arms, "Will you *ever*
change?"
     "Keep trying hard and I just might."


     "Finally, I would like to address a subject that undoubtedly this
message raises in some of your minds as to whether or not, the news about
the Resistance movement taking place in our former home worlds, and the
fact that the Pegasus is lending her support to it, in any way changes
our present objective......which is our journey to the planet Earth.  I
am now offering my reassurance to the entire population that it has *not*
changed!


     Commander Byrne had finished his musings about the Black Knight when
suddenly the significance of what the broadcast had been about, finally
sunk in.  Until Adama had made his remarks, it never occurred to him that
the idea of turning around might be something a lot of Colonials would
find more appealing than continuing the journey to Earth.  Especially if
there was a possibility they could  regain the homes they'd lost because
of the Cylon Holocaust.
     But if that were to happen.......people like him, his daughter Jena,
Cedric Allen, Lauren Wagner, Jessica Clemens, and the rest who'd been
liberated at Ne'Chak would find themselves right back in the same
position they'd been in before the Galactica came into their
lives.......as prisoners, cut off from home.
     This could mean trouble, he thought, as he made a mental note to
have a long talk with Cedric Allen in the morning.  Really big trouble.


     "Our destiny, to discover the planet of the lost 13th Tribe, was
laid out for us when it became clear there was no hope whatsoever of our
ability to fight for our homes.  As I have emphasized earlier, based on
the firsthand account of my wife, Professor Ila, staying behind then
would have amounted to suicide.  And she has also warned that in spite of
the advances that have been made, and even with the support the
Resistance has gained through the cooperation of enlightened
Cylons......the outcome is by no means a foregone conclusion.  To subject
you, the people of the Fleet, to a minimum of three to four yahrens of
backtracking our way through hostile regions of space that would include
re-crossing the frontiers of the Risik and the Ziklagi would be folly. 
Not to mention that even if we did not suffer potentially serious losses
along the way, we would then face a war footing totally unsuitable for
the needs of our population that is in need of a stable home world to
settle ourselves someday......which Earth represents to us. 


     "And furthermore, there is the moral imperative we owe to our
brothers and sisters from Earth who have joined our ranks over the course
of our quest.  Whether rescued from a marooned condition like Commander
Kevin Byrne, or from a state of barbarous imprisonment, like the people
from Ne'Chak......we have embraced you as our own.  And we have treated
our quest for Earth as part of your desire to return home.  Tonight, I
give you my solemn and sacred pledge that we will *never* abandon our
obligation to you.


     In the Constellation ward room, some of those watching, Earth and
Colonial alike, also had a chance to realize the meaning of what Adama
had just said.  
     Airman Brandon Reynolds, USAF, the only one from his service branch
who had been freed from Ne'Chak, noticed across the room that two of the
Colonials in the Constellation's crew suddenly had different expressions
from what they'd been just a few moments ago.  The expressions of
happiness and jubilation had now taken on a different tone.  One that
suggested.....disappointment.
     The young airman from Washington State, whose only desire was to
finally get home again, did not find that to be an encouraging sign. 


     "I know that for some, a decision like this, will carry with it, its
own level of personal pain.  Perhaps in the coming sectars as the Pegasus
makes her way closer to home, we will learn more about those who are
still alive in the Colonies as active members of the Resistance.  And in
the course of that we may learn that some of our friends and loved ones
that we thought dead, are in fact alive.  And there will be the desire
and wish that we could make possible a reunion with them, if we would but
only turn around and abandon the journey to Earth.
     "I will only say.....I share that sense of pain and loss that many
of you may come to know in the future as more information becomes
available to us.  For I am already experiencing it.  As today, I learned
that my wife, Professor Ila, whom I believed dead in the rubble of
Caprica, is in fact alive.  But my ability to know reunion with her will
never come to pass.  Because she, as befitting the noble woman she is,
understands where her Destiny lies......and similarly understands where
our Destiny lies.  Which is why even she has insisted that we have no
obligation or need to abandon our journey......and our word and our
integrity.
     "Tomorrow, the Council of Twelve will meet to discuss the further
ramifications of today's contact with the Pegasus, and I pledge that an
implementation for sending messages to the Pegasus will be our first
priority.  We will utilize these wondrous gifts given to us by the Lords,
to insure that we will never again be parted verbally or spiritually from
our brothers and sisters of the Pegasus......and also our brothers and
sisters who are still home fighting for their freedom.
     "Thank you......and may the Lords of Kobol bless you all."


     "No, I can't say I'm happy that he's dismissed the idea completely
without even a
pretense of discussion with us," Sire Xaviar said as he continued to
press the telecom to his ear.  "At the very least he should have held
back from mentioning that to the people."
     "I wouldn't call it sound leadership on his part," Lydia said.  "We
need to force a Council vote on the issue, and perhaps even look into
having the people decide this.  Let *them* decide where we should go."
     "Now let's not get too far ahead," Xaviar cautioned.  "I don't want
us to issue resolutions or make demands tomorrow.  I just want to see
some further discussion.  Maybe in the end, Adama will have a sensible
reason for why we have to go on.  I just don't want to see us committed
right now."
     "Fair enough," Lydia said.  "We'll keep it appropriately low-key."
     When the Councilman hung up his telecom several centons later, he
was warily shaking his head.
     I'll welcome your support on anything I care about, Lydia, but you
are *not* going to make me your obedient lap-daggit like you did,
Antipas!

Epilogue

     The long day was over for Adama.  In the course of it, he had
celebrated the birth of a new granddaughter, and seen the return of two
people dear to him against all possible odds.  Then, he had watched two
lengthy recorded messages from them both, and forced himself to
synthesize all of that information he'd learned into a speech to the
entire population he was responsible for.  Hoping they would understand
the true meaning of the day and the ramifications it would hold.
     As he put on his robe and prepared himself for bed, he thought of
Ila's recorded message, which he had watched after he'd recovered  from
the end of the live transmission.  For two centars, he saw her, a picture
of collected wisdom sitting in what she explained was her combination
office and quarters aboard the Pegasus.  Explaining in full detail
everything that had happened to her from the night of the attack to the
day of transmission.
     Some of the things she'd described in such vivid detail had brought
the tears back.  Her description of being trapped in the bomb shelter of
the Astral Needle and how she'd been able to hear his recorded message of
warning to the people of Caprica that they needed to evacuate to the
Aerodromes as quickly as possible to join the Exodus.  But she'd been
unable to act.  Or her shock at awakening from the suspended animation
aboard her shuttle expecting to hear his voice and to see the
Galactica.....only to realize it was Cain's voice and she was on the
Pegasus.  And having to learn for the first time that Zac, the baby of
the family that she'd smothered so excessively while bringing him up, was
dead.  And finally, the pain of her decision, even after the Zykonians
had fixed her shuttle, that she couldn't bring herself to use it.
     But there had been other things she'd described that made him smile
and even brought laughter to him.  Her account of how she and Cain had
learned of Apollo and Sheba being married.  The amusing sight of the
Paradeen robots Hector and Vector interacting with the Cylon command
centurion, Cobre.  Or how a chance encounter with the Calcoryan,
Ozko-Boulzakian at Brylon Station had led her to discover the story of
what the Galactica had done between Brylon and RB 33 Station.  All
because Ozko happened to get her attention because he was playing *their*
song, which he'd learned from Adama during his time on the Galactica.
     Above all, there had been many moments she'd described that left him
feeling proud of her.  The multiple occasions of risky missions as a
Resistance member on Caprica.  Her courage under fire when she and Cain
had been held hostage by Adama's old enemy Commandant Leiter of the
Eastern Alliance (Adama had no regrets that Leiter was dead now, and the
Eastern Alliance philosophy of the "Natural Order" shattered forever). 
Working selflessly in the bowels of a cave on the Weather Planet to crack
the secrets of how Kobollian transmission concepts worked.  And the
repeated incidents when Ila's skills as a diplomat, which she insisted
she'd learned from him, had served her in good stead at Brylon and again
at Terra.  
     He understood what Cain meant, when the Juggernaut stressed
repeatedly in his own message, that Ila had become indispensable to him. 
Not because she just happened to be there to tell Cain there was a
Resistance movement underway in the Colonies and she needed to brief him
about it.  It was because she was an active member of the Pegasus crew,
doing things no one else was capable of doing.  Providing the skills in
diplomacy and scholarly knowledge that were beyond Cain's comfort zone. 
And above all, putting Cain at ease by being there as a family member and
a peer he could trust and confide in.  It was enough to remind Adama that
in contrast to himself, where he'd never been without the wise counsel of
close family and friends, Cain had been all by himself, trapped in the
private isolation that came from being a "Living Legend" to his people. 
Ila had changed that for him.  Giving him a true friend and confidant he
could trust, especially once the tie of family through Apollo and Sheba's
marriage was learned.
     As Adama settled himself into bed, he found himself totally at peace
with events.  There would always be a void caused by the fact that his
reunion with Ila could never be a physical one.  But he now had more than
enough to sustain him, and move past the pain of physical separation.
He had the ability to talk to her again and to let her know what was
going on in his life.  In a strange, ironic way, it wasn't all that
dissimilar to what his life had been like during so much of his marriage
when his duty had kept him away from home......but he still had the
ability to write letters or record messages that could be deposited at a
space liberty port for transport back to Caprica.  The only thing that
was missing......was the promise of coming home one day.
     But so long as Ila was truly making a difference in the life of the
Pegasus and the life of the Resistance movement.......then he would have
something more meaningful than mere physical reunion.  He would have his
deep admiration and appreciation for the totality of who she was, and why
she was the only woman he would ever allow himself to love.
     He thanked the Lords that even during three yahrens of believing her
dead, he had stayed true to her, and resisted all thoughts of seeking the
company of another woman for companionship.  There had been rare
occasions when he'd wondered if Siress Tinia might be someone to
contemplate the thought of a personal relationship that went beyond what
they enjoyed as friends and fellow Council members.  The fact that he'd
pushed those thoughts aside, he now could look back and regard as divine
intervention.  If Ila had truly been dead, he might have been open to the
idea.  Now his mind was forever closed on the subject.
     Before extinguishing the light, Adama took a final look at the
holopic of her on the end table.  The same one he'd kept all this time
and which he remembered studying that night after the dreams of her on
the Pegasus had begun, and he'd felt the old emotions of wondering why
she couldn't have been with him all this time, surfacing again.
     But now, Adama  knew the answer to that question.  And he was
totally content with it
     Many challenges and tasks awaited him tomorrow.  He would need to
launch the investigation into the issues Copernicus had brought to his
attention.  He would need to set up an interview with Sire Anton about
Adar's one-time mistress, Rosalind.  He would also need to convene a
Council meeting where undoubtedly, he was bound to hear at least one
voice telling him it was the Fleet's patriotic duty to abandon Earth and
go home to join the Resistance.
     But not until tomorrow.
     "'My cup runneth over.....with love.'" he sang softly to Ila's
image.  And then, the light was off and he was fast asleep.  The end for
Adama, of what had been a perfect day.


Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar Galactica, leads a
ragtag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest.  A shining planet.....called
Earth.