10 – Beginnings

Exiting the Ward Room, Laura crossed the CIC, returning to her seat next to Duella, her eyes moving around the room before she slid into the seat.

“Ready?” Duella glanced at her.

“The vipers will be launched in five minutes, they’ll start their attack three minutes after the last one launches.” Laura took a breath. “As soon as they clear the cloud, the first of the civilian ships head out. We’re basing their exit points on the locations and intervals that Kara…Starbuck logged.”

“We’ll make it.” Reaching out, she touched the older woman’s hand. “We will.”

“We’re going to lose some.” Laura murmured, watching Bill and Colonel Tigh talk in front of the Dradis console. Felix had explained its operation to her earlier, and shown her how they’d tracked the different vessels, their identity codes, and status. “We’re sending some of those pilots out and will never see them again.”

“They each…” Duella took a breath, “every single one of them believes they’ll be the one coming back. And if they don’t, they’re going out doing what they love doing most. Flying…and doing what they’ve been training to do.”

“It doesn’t make it any easier.” She shook her head as Duella straightened. “What?”

Holding up a finger, Duella raised her voice. “All vipers locked and loaded sir.”

Bill nodded slowly, his eyes meeting Laura’s for a moment before returning his attention to Duella. “Patch me through to them.” When she nodded at him, he continued. “Pilots. Stick to your training and listen to your squadron leaders. Know that all of our thoughts are with you, and go do what you do best. Fly, shoot…and defend your colonies. So say we all.” As the crew of the CIC echoed his last statement, Laura joined in on the last two words, wondering if that was a Galactica tradition or a Fleet one. “Galactica pilots!” His voice changed from the husky tone to a commanding one in a single statement. “Fly. And go get those godsfrakkin’ Cylons!” As the chorus of yells came back over the com, he nodded at Duella, who cut the channel. “Send the signal to the rest of the ships; they need to be in position as designated. Doctor Roslin?”

“All ships received verbal as well as transmitted confirmation of their location around Galactica as well as the jump locations.” She took a breath, half listening as Duella murmured into her headset, giving the final go ahead to the rest of the fleet. “There were two ships whose jump drives have failed, we’ve re-located the passengers and the captains have set the controls on auto pilot to be utilized as additional decoys. Working with Colonel Tigh, additional munitions have been placed on those vessels.”

When Bill glanced over his shoulder, Tigh shrugged. “We offloaded as much as we could with the time allowed. Putting something extra in two vessels didn’t take that much away; we had the Marines rig it.”

“Good thinking.” Bill nodded.

“Thank her.” Tigh raised an eyebrow. “Her plan.”

“Trojan horse.” Laura explained. “One of the earliest, yet underused strategies.”

“Thank you, Specialist Roslin.” Turning back to the Dradis console he took a breath and gazed at the Vipers as they appeared on the screen. “Maneuvering thrusters, go. Shipwide announcement.”

Duella swallowed and switched the control in front of her. “Attention Galactica, brace for incoming fire in five…four…three…two…one…” As if on cue, the com was suddenly filled with the yells and calls from the pilots as they engaged the Cylons. “Commander,” She called, “civilian vessels starting to jump…”

“Decoy vessels engaged on the outer flanks.” Tigh reported.

“Galactica fire at will.” Bill grasped the side of the table as the ship shuddered. “Damage report?”

“Some minor damage.” One of the crewmen called. “No hull breach…wait, hull breach along the port side, sector three, containment crew responding.”

“Two thirds of the fleet has jumped…” Dee yelled out over the noise of the ship, breaking off as Galactica tilted and sparks flew from a panel. Pulling herself back to her seat, she resumed her status check. “Three ships having trouble with their jump drive, including Colonial One.”

“Get the vipers away from the Trojan ships…” Tigh called, grabbing the edge of the console as the ship tilted again. “That was the Estonia…”

“All ships away except Colonial One.” Dee called.

“Recall all vipers, prepare for jump.” Bill yelled over the groaning of the ship.

After a moment, Duella called back, “All vipers en route back except Starbuck and Apollo…” Her eyes flicked up, “Apollo’s lost all power. Reporting dead stick. Attempting to restart. Starbuck’s not responding.”

“Frak.” Bill looked up at the Dradis console in time to see Colonial One flick off the screen. “Patch me through to her.”

“All other vipers…” she broke off as the ship shuddered again, “second decoy ship destroyed.”

“Starbuck, get your viper back here now…you have to head back now!” Bill yelled, hearing Duella call out the other remaining pilot’s call signs as they landed. “Starbuck!” He met Laura’s almost panic stricken face. “Starbuck! What do you hear!”

“What?” Came the staticky reply. “Take that you Cylon bastard!”

“Starbuck, get your ass back here right now!” He yelled again then glanced at Duella. “Apollo?”

“Nothing.” She winced as a shower of sparks fell around her.

“Kara – what do you hear?” Bill grabbed at the console.

“Sir?” Breaking off from her commentary of the Cylons, her voice was faint. “Commander?”

“Starbuck, what do you hear?” He called again.

“Nothing….but the rain…frak! Sir!”

“Then bring in the cat…” Biting back his emotions, he glanced at Duella, who shook her head. “Prepare for jump as soon as she lands.”

“Hey…Apollo!” At the call, he looked up, “Hold still!”

“What the frak is she doing?” Saul spun, “she wouldn’t…”

“Would. Sir.” Duella breathed out, staring at the Dradis console she could see, watching Kara’s viper merge with another spot then hurtle toward Galactica.

“Start to close the landing pod, final preparations for jump.” Bill yelled. “Full weapons array to cover them…”

Seconds later they could hear the scream of metal hitting metal as the interlocked vipers hit the landing pod floor hard and skidded. “Galactica is prepared for jump…” Gaeta yelled, his voice almost drowned out by Duella’s.

“Full volley of nukes launched at Galactica.” Her voice barely trembled. “Impact in ten…nine…eight…seven…six….five…four…..” In the sudden silence of stretched space, her voice trailed off.

“Jump completed…” Gaeta managed to get out when the silence ended, the sputtering, groaning sound of a wounded Galactica around them. A moment later, he looked up. “All civilian vessels accounted for.”

“Good.” Bill took a deep breath and looked around the CIC. “Full damage assessments, we need to get repairs done, Contact the President and let him know we’re sending a raptor over for him.” Gazing at the clock, he thought for a moment. “Doctor Roslin, Lieutenant Gaeta, go ahead and start planning the next jump, as soon as you have coordinates, transmit them so if we’re followed…”

“Which direction?” Gaeta glanced at Laura before returning his attention to the Commander.

“Still away. For now.” He shook his head. “I’m heading down to the Landing Bay, Colonel, you have the CIC.” Pausing at the hatch, he turned and surveyed the CIC crew. “Good job everyone…” Gazing at Duella, he took another breath. “I want repairs completed best we can in four hours, memorial service in five.”

“Yes sir.” She nodded and bent toward her console as Gaeta approached Laura.

Just over five hours later, Laura was standing next to Duella as a Priestess read from the scriptures. She’d arrived before the ceremony, or service, in time to stand in the shadows and watch as Bill moved from covered body to covered body, taking the time to kneel next to each of them. Now, listening to the Priestess, she could almost feel the weariness…the ennui from the personnel around her. They cared, but they were so far away from everything, anything they’d known…shell shocked, she’d read about, but this…this was…letting her gaze wander, she watched Richard, an appropriately solemn expression on his face as he watched, his eyes however…she knew he was only half listening his mind racing…which in all fairness was what hers was doing.

Suddenly, she realized that Bill had stepped forward and questioned the Priestess. And now…her eyes widened as he continued. He had to be out of his mind…there wasn’t….there were only twelve colonies, sure, they’d all heard the myths of a thirteenth colony, but how the frak would he know…his voice however…suddenly she found herself chanting with the others around her, echoing the four words she’d heard him say earlier, which now he turned into a battle cry for all of them, the words echoing across the wireless waves into all the ships…softening into a benediction before he returned the podium to the Priestess.

“Quite a speech.” She stopped in front of him a few minutes later, the impromptu cheers still sounding around them.

“They…we need it.” Bill gazed at the melee around them before returning his attention to her. “You holding up all right?”

“For a schoolteacher?” Her lips curved upwards. “Managing. We have the next two jump coordinates plotted and relayed.”

“Good.” He took a deep breath and gestured to the side, absently touching her back as they moved through the crowds of people. “Thank you. The Trojan ships may have just given us enough time to get Starbuck and Apollo and jump.”

“Thank you for deciding we needed to survive together.” She sighed softly.

“By the way, I have good news, and not so good news.” His eyebrow lifted.

“Not so good?” Laura followed him as they moved through the crewmembers still milling around. “And, I need to talk to you, but not here.”

“I have about thirty minutes until the President wants to speak with me.” Bill glanced around the open area, spying Adar surrounded by his aides, Saul Tigh nearby.

“I don’t have to be there, do I?” She winced as her arm brushed against the frame of the hatch they were passing through.

“Not this time.” He stopped and looked at her. “Hold on…” Brushing her hair back, he whistled, “landed on your side?”

“Is it black?” Laura sighed. “And yes. Feels as though my arm and leg stopped the floor from hitting the ceiling.”

“Deck.” He grinned, “but I get the meaning.”

“Deck.” She repeated. “Nothing’s broken, and it’s not near the injuries that others have. Just a few bruises.”

“If you’re sure.” Opening the hatch to his quarters, he gestured toward the couch. “Drink?”

“Please.” Sinking into the leather, she leaned back and watched him. “You said there was news?”

“Indeed.” Handing her a glass, he sank down next to her. “Your temporary quarters? They were in the part of Galactica that was damaged…”

“How bad?” She sipped the ambrosia and hissed slightly at the bite of the liquor.

“You mind bunking in with someone else for a bit?” He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

“You inviting me?” Gods, she thought, that was as juvenile as it could get….

Bill’s eyebrow lifted. “Well, you did say we needed to start making babies.”

Laura burst out into laughter. “How very flattering, Commander.”

“Back at you, Doctor.” He lifted his glass toward her, chuckling. “However, I was referring to you joining some of the other specialists, just until repairs are affected.”

She wrinkled her nose. “I suppose.” Her hand wandered the couch, “and, if it’s too noisy, I know where there’s a comfortable couch to borrow.”

“Any time.” He took another swallow of the ambrosia.

“You took a chance out there.” She finally spoke again as they stared across the room. “There’s no Earth.”

“There’s a legend.” He glanced at her. “And we need a focus to believe in. Right now.”

“Richard will call you on it.” Laura sighed and turned to face him. “You need to be prepared.”

“Tell me about him.” Matching her position, Bill took another swallow of his ambrosia.

She absently swirled the glass, staring at the liquid for a moment before speaking. “Richard Adar, we were teachers together, years ago. Someone said something about a representative spot on the school board; he ran for it, charmed his way into politics. He…” she hesitated for a brief moment before continuing. “He has the ability, and the knowledge to surround himself with knowledgeable people, people who truly do care about what they’re doing, and not so much about the credit.”

“A figurehead.” He nodded. “Go on.”

“Yes, but one that has no qualms…his family was wealthy, privileged.” Laura took a sip. “Which isn’t a bad thing, except that he really doesn’t have a concept about consequences. There was always someone that needed something from him, so they would bail him out, cover for him. He’s not a bad person, I don’t think, but he is…intelligent. More intelligent than many give him credit for. Lately though…he’s been having these mood swings, he’s been blaming them on migraine headaches, which he’d never had before.”

“What kind of teacher was he?” Bill asked, standing and crossing the room to pick up the bottle again. When Laura held up her glass, he returned and filled it before setting the bottle down on the table in front of them.

“Popular.” She mused, “He taught Language Arts…the students liked him, he was the cool teacher, the fun one…the one with the neat car, and nice clothes…his curriculum wasn’t anything shattering, but it was within guidelines.”

“And you?” Bill took a swallow. “You said…”

“We went out for about four months. Five if you count the time he picked me up when I had a flat tire in the rain a few weeks later.” Laura sighed. “We’re about the same age, I thought we’d have the same interests…but we didn’t. He wanted our interests to be all his and I didn’t see a future with someone who wanted me to change for him. I broke it off, right after he won the School Board position. I figured he’d find someone in his own…social circle and marry her. Which he did.”

“Really.” At the statement, Bill blinked. “But…”

“I said he married her, not that he was faithful to her.” She shrugged. “I actually like…liked her. She was fun when she wasn’t around him, the few times I got to see her that way. And, about seven months ago, she divorced him.” Her lips twitched. “We’d get together for lunch every week or so, she’d been a receptionist at the school I’d taught at before taking leave.”

“Wise woman.” He glanced at the clock. “He’ll be here in a few…” as a knock sounded at the hatch, their eyes met. “He’s early.”

“I don’t want him…it’s just more trouble than…” Laura tossed her drink back and grabbed the bottle as she stood.

“Here.” Taking the bottle and her glass, he nodded toward the back of his quarters. “You should be out of sight around the corner.”

“Thank you.” With a sigh of relief, she silently moved around the corner, pausing before disappearing. “Bill?” he turned to gaze at her as he set the bottle and glasses down on the tray and picked up a towel he’d left there earlier when he’d returned to get ready for the ceremony. “I told you earlier. Don’t underestimate him. He can be dangerous when cornered.”

He met her eyes, reading the warning in them before nodding slowly. “We’ll finish the conversation later.” She returned the nod and disappeared into the shadows as he turned toward the hatch. “Enter.”

“About time.” Richard Adar strode into the room, his eyes sweeping the shaded area, “Are you maintaining Military Law over the fleet?”

“No. We need to remain on alert, and regain a balance.” Bill indicated the table as he tossed the towel back on the drink cart. “A drink, President Adar?”

“Water.” His lip raised in a partial sneer as he eyed the dusty bookshelf before seating himself at the table. “You lied out there. I could expose you.”

“Lied?” Setting a glass in front of the other man, Bill gazed at him as he took the other chair, his own glass of water in his hand.

“There is no Earth.” Adar stated coolly. “You lied.”

“It’s a legend. Legends have to have their basis in something.” Bill gestured slightly. “And right now, the people need hope. And a focus.”

Adar inclined his head. “Point taken.” He smiled. “I want something from you then. In order to keep your secret.”

“Something from me?” He sipped the water, wondering what Laura was making of the conversation.

“I’d say I want Laura Roslin back on Colonial One, but she’ll be back there soon enough.” He chuckled and raised his glass. “I’m sorry, Specialist Roslin. Since you’ve conscripted her to be part of your crew.”

“She’s a valuable asset.” Bill nodded thoughtfully. “As a matter of fact, some of her theories and plans have saved thousands of lives already.”

“Still. Laura Roslin is a silk, satin, and lace woman. Not…” Richard gestured around the room, “cotton and metal…she’ll run back to a comfortable existence soon enough. She knows where she should be. No, I want a balance. Military and civilian. You maintain the military, I’ll maintain the civilian. Should we need to revisit the balance due to any future Cylon activity, we will. An equal balance for now.”

Bill gazed at him thoughtfully, sipping his water as he mused Adar’s statements, both about Laura and the balance he wanted to maintain. “We serve the people, not at the government’s pleasure.”

“Agreed.” Richard set his glass down and stood, extending his hand.

“Agreed.” Bill stood and took the other man’s hand.

“Well then.” With a final glance around the room, he grimaced. “I’ll be heading back to Colonial One now, to figure out what we’re going to do next. I’d like to meet tomorrow morning?”

“Agreed. Seven hundred? I’ll arrange for a raptor to be sent over to transport you.” Bill moved with him toward the door.

Richard snorted softly. “I’ll be ready to transport at eight thirty, we’ll meet at nine. The Briefing Room.”

“I’ll arrange it.” With a final handshake, Bill waited until the other man had stepped through the hatch before swinging it shut. Turning, he faced Laura, who’d just stepped back into the room. “You heard?”

“I heard.” She nodded slowly. “And you heard what he thinks of me.”

His face relaxed into a smile. “Has he always underestimated you that much?”

“Yes.” Laura replied simply, crossing the room to face him. Leaning forward, she brushed a kiss across his cheek and let her lips touch his ear. “And he has no idea of what sorts of silk and lace I like.”

“Hmm.” Letting his hand rest on her waist, he chuckled. “Intriguing, Specialist Roslin.”

“Indeed.” Stepping back, she eyed him for a moment before returning to the couch, bending over to unlace her boots. “And, since I’m still waiting on new quarters to be assigned, and I’m about to fall asleep, I’m going to borrow your couch, at least until the President’s party has departed.” Stretching out, she turned on her side and curled up. “Commander.”

“Specialist.” Moving back to his rack, he grabbed a blanket and shook it out, draping it over her.

“Thanks.” Laura murmured, already drifting off.

“Welcome.” Brushing a kiss across her cheek, he watched her smile sleepily before sighing into unconsciousness as he returned to his desk to start reviewing the damage reports piled there.