Word Count: 9,956
Date: 10/29/05
Series: Mini
Rating: T
Category: Relationships
Pairing/Focus: Lee, Kara
Warnings:
Summary:
Spoilers/Disclaimers:
A shrill beeping and the vibrating of her PDA woke Kara from her sleep. With a groan she grabbed at it, trying to shut it off. Who the hell had put the frakking thing there anyway? It sure as hell hadn’t been tucked under her arm when she’d gone to sleep. She managed to focus her eyes and looked at the unit; there was a text message:
"Good morning sleepyhead, hope you enjoyed your wakeup call," it began. Frak! She was going to get Lee for this...
"Seriously though, I figured I would let you sleep til the last minute. We were planning to start the mechanical surveys of the fleet vessels at 0900. That should give you plenty of time to get up and get down to the flight deck. We also have a vessel being brought aboard. They radioed us for assistance just a few minutes ago. Not sure exactly what is wrong, but its a small cargo ship, carrying food and medical supplies. The ship is The Blue Star, and her captain is Carrigan Diarta. It should be aboard before we begin our surveys. See you in 30 on the flight deck. Apollo"
Carrigan Diarta... that name was very familiar. Kara moved to get up, every muscle screaming in protest as she raised herself upright to sit on the edge of her bunk. Her discomfort wasn’t unexpected though, given the graceful landing she had made on the previous day. She was just thankful to be alive. Thirty minutes... that would give her just enough time to wash up and get down to the deck. She grabbed a towel and headed to the showers.
Fifteen minutes later – colder, cleaner and definitely more awake – Kara painfully wrestled her way into her flight suit and set out towards the hangar bay. Upon arrival there, she could see a flurry of activity as a small frigate was being unloaded from the landing dock. Although small for its class, it barely fit through the hatchway and into the bay. She could see Lee and Tyrol standing nearby, so she walked over to where they were watching the transfer of the ship.
"So, that’s The Blue Star... huh?” Tyrol asked absently. “Any Idea what her captain is like?"
"Well I don't think I'm that bad."
The reply had come from inside the small vessel, but the owner didn’t appear until a few minutes later.
Kara turned and nodded to Tyrol. "Good morning Chief. How bad does it look?"
Specialist Cally ducked into the group, easily fitting beneath the Chief's arm with her clipboard in hand and turning towards him without any regard to the two officer’s presence.
"I've finished the preliminary," she was saying briskly. "You're right, we have three more crewman down to exhaustion. I think Evans and Rigel are going to be next; they look ready to drop. Most of the Vipers are going to be salvageable, but the two that came in locked are a mess. I don't think we'll be able to use them for anything except spare parts. Captain Apollo asked me about them, and he got really mad when I told him, so you can expect him to be looking for you."
She looked up at her chief, tired eyes barely focusing. She hadn't been one of the lucky ones to make it to a bunk since this mess had started, or perhaps she was lucky after all. Quarters would be nearly empty, and she didn't want to be there. It was easier to work.
"I guess I should have been a little more Politically Correct when I told him they were a total loss, but anyway it's done. At least I didn't have to tell Starbuck. I'll leave that to you." Finally her expression seemed to register that the Chief wasn't looking at her, but rather over her shoulder, and his expression was totally unreadable. Turning to see the small group of officers standing there, Cally felt her face blush bright red. "Frak," she muttered.
"But I guess that's just a matter of opinion,” the pilot continued as she exited her vessel. Abruptly, Carrie stopped as she looked up and saw Lee standing there and Kara walking up behind him. "Well...long time, no see huh?"
While both of the officers gaped at the new Captain, Chief Tyrol had other things on his mind. "What's this all over my deck?" he asked, his voice just outside of panic. He ducked under the ship, which was slowly settling off kilter onto the deck of the Galactica. "Its bad enough I've got crazy pilots crashing,” he muttered, glaring up and then catching a glimpse of the Lieutenant who had just walked up and was giving him a challenging look. “Oh! Good morning Sir, Lieutenant Thrace." Tyrol drew himself from his inspection beneath the ship and into a semblance of attention after catching sight of the trio of officers with their eyes trained on him.
Kara's eyes went wide, but not at the Chief’s accusations regarding her flying – or rather her landing. Looking back at her was a face that she hadn't seen in a little over two years. Although she was vaguely aware that Carrie had been on the deck when Zak’s crash had happened, and present again at the funeral, most of that particular time was a blur. Her clearest memories were instead of the young, dark-haired girl giving Lee one hell of a hard time on the way out of her old apartment. Kara couldn't help but smile. "Carrie... where the frak have you been."
Stepping around her new CAG, Kara gave Carrie a quick, uncharacteristic hug that she was sure raised more than a few eyebrows. She was not known for hugging anyone. But Carrie was not just anyone; she was a friend. "Good to see you again," she said.
Carrie pulled away from the hug and shrugged, with a slight smile. "Everywhere but here it seems. God, I've missed not getting into trouble with you! So, where's Lee-"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Lee elbowed Kara aside and launched into full Captain mode.
Apollo, thankfully, didn’t bother to take offense at either what the Specialist had said or the profanity which had followed. "Specialist Cally, Lieutenant Thrace, Chief Tyrol, and Captain Diarta good to see you all here and in one place. Captian Diarta it's nice to see you've still got it. Thank you for not breaking Chief Tyrol’s deck. We did enough damage to it yesterday.”
Apollo pulled out his PDA. "I'm uploading the itinerary for the next 48 hours." Apollo looked at Carrie. “You too Carrie. I'm hoping to put you to work as well." Apollo then scanned the group to ensure that everyone had the breakdown of event."
"Tyrol you know the Galactica like the back of your hands, for this reason I would prefer that you remain on board until all the necessary repairs are made, including the two most seriously damaged Vipers from yesterday. Lt. Thrace I want you to have our pilots assist Chief Tyrol’s engineers during there inspections. Specialist Cally please circulate the itinerary to the other crew members in the customary fashion, Level Blue. Capt. Diarta Now that I know you haven't lost it, please be advised that you've been re-mustered. Kit and Quarters have already been prepared for you. All Colonial fighters still breathing are being called to arms.” Apollo again addressed the entire group again. "You know your tasks go to work. Capt Diarta would you care to follow me.
When he had finally stopped and asked her to follow him, Carrie did, albeit somewhat hesitantly. After the ass-whooping they had all gotten yesterday, this wasn't going to go over well.
"Erm, 'Captain'? Slight problem. I… um, can't fly your planes. Viper or Raptor, whatever. I-I don't do that anymore." She stammered nervously, waiting for the onslaught.
"Capt Diarta you have only 2 choices: fly or die in the blackness of space. All Colonial fighters are being recalled, as I said. And you appear to be still breathing.” He said no more as he led her down a long corridor, finally stopping at a nondescript metal hatch. Apollo opened the door to her quarters. "There's a letter on your bed. Your final brass is inside. If you had of stayed and met your ghosts, that would have been your starting rank, and your first assignment." Apollo lookdown and his feet. "Carrie we all ran after Zaks death, but now I – we – have no choice but to visit our ghosts. I'm just glad you’re alive to do it."
Carrie nodded slowly. "I wish I could say the same thing." She looked around at the quarters and picked up the envelope. She opened it, allowing the metal rank to fall out unnoticed, and focused instead on the letter, skimming it quickly. With a resigned sigh, she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. "So...Tell me where the uniform is and where I'm meant to be and I'll be ready." She added a smile "I'm gonna live to regret this; I just know it."
Lee smiled. “Welcome aboard full Lieutenant Diarta, Galactica is – and was – meant to be your first assignment. Your uniform is in your locker, and judging by your appearance I think it may be a little too big on you now." Lee turned back towards the hatch. "Report to CIC in twenty minutes, to Commander Adama and Colonel Tigh. There you'll receive your reporting orders." Lee closed the door behind him.
It wasn't until Lee had closed the door, Carrie had put the uniform on (which wasn't all that big after all) and looked at the dogtags which she had hung around her neck that she realized what Lee had said; full Lieutenant. Okay, she had definitely missed something somewhere along the line.
She hung around her quarters for a bit before heading up to CIC. Everyone looked busy and tired. She almost felt bad for not being there during the attacks. Almost.
Once she’d made it as far as the CIC, she spotted the Commander and slowly walked over, saluting when she got near. "Commander Adama? I'm Ca… Lt. Carrigan Diarta. It's good to see you again, Sir. We met once before at... the funeral. I wish these were better circumstances to meet again."
Commander Adama looked up from the map of the Prolmar sector at a pretty young woman who looked thoroughly spooked. Diarta? He remembered signing the paperwork to reinstate her commission, but had she been at Zak's funeral too? He let his mind work for a moment as he saluted back then he held out his hand to shake hers. "Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Thanks for taking up the colors again. Zak's funeral seems so long ago, like it happened in another lifetime. Let me see, your call sign is… Nightsky, right?"
Carrie shook Adama's outstretched hand and nodded. "Yeah it does," she said softly before looking up and regaining her composure. "Yes, Nightsky, that's right. And, thank you, Sir. For... reinstating me." Okay, that had been hard to say. And lying to the Commander, she thought with a wince. Not her best idea. As her hand started to shake, she ran it nervously through her hair. "Um… Apollo told me to report here. I'm guessing you should give me something to do huh?" She knew her voice must have given away that she was nervous, but she couldn’t think of anything to do about it.
Commander Adama watched Nightsky's clearly shaky gesture. Shanghaied pilots could blow morale to frakking hell. It would be best if he knew what this young woman's issues were going to be. Perhaps she'd be honest and tell him, but more likely not. He wouldn’t know until he tried. "Why did you leave the military, Nightsky? You abandoned a promising career."
"Sir the updated damage report." Tigh placed the folder next to Adama before making his way over to the tactical station where Gaeta was still working away.
Carrie was silent for a moment while a Colonel dropped off something and walked off, just staring up at Adama. Why the hell did he have to ask that? Whether she wanted to answer or not, she thought it best to get it over and done.
"People die shipping cargo,” she began. “I've seen it first hand. But seeing that Viper blow up just... If you die shipping cargo, it's an accident. If you die in a Viper, you were asking for it. I just...started to value my life a little more. Although that didn't last long,” she said with a smirk. “Guess that's why I agreed to do this."
Commander Adama glanced at the folder Tigh had just put under his hand. He knew what that was. Bad news. Today everything was bad news except for the fact they were still alive.
"Thanks for telling me the truth, Nightsky. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your voluntary return to service. We not only need your help, we need your courage and your resolve." He paused a moment considering. "You had an outstanding record at the Academy. And I remember you were on that last mission with Zak, Lee and Kara. You don't know how much I appreciated you bringing back both my boys alive. You did a good job so I'm going to offer you some options."
He tapped the folder that Tigh just put down. "This is the Viper damage report. I haven't looked at it, but I'm guessing that there are a lot of Vipers in need of serious help. You can assist on the flight deck repairing Vipers, and also by flying patrol in planes that are held together with chicken wire and wishful thinking. We're flying patrols to keep an eye out for Cylons as well as to keep anyone in our little fleet from bolting. It's going to be like herding spidercats for awhile, at least until they realize that they can never go home again."
The Commander picked up another folder, which was pushed back further on the table. "As for you, there are a number of options. As you are essentially a volunteer, I’m going to give you a choice in the matter. We will soon need someone to pilot on long patrols in an FTL jump vessel looking for water, Tylium, liquid oxygen and so on. You're welcome to put your name in for that as well. I can't guarantee you'll be chosen." He put that folder down and picked up a long narrow sheet of printout. "To be honest with you, Nightsky, this is the assignment I'd like you to choose. In a quick check of registration numbers, we have discovered that one of the medium sized cargo vessels in our rag tag fleet, the Blue Moon, is not in our database. This could be for any reason. It could simply be a new commission, or it could something worse. It could be a pirate, a mercenary, or even a Cylon. They've asked for repair assistance and I need to send a team." He gestured for her to lean close. "Since you were on that mission two years ago, I don't have to tell you that there are human-looking Cylons. Also, I was hoping that since you had been working in private shipping you might know what to look for. If you decide to take this mission, I'd like you to take this printout to the CAG and tell him to pick a top priority team." He watched the young lieutenant closely to see how she would respond to the choice. Nightsky hadn't said anything, so he resorted to prompting. "So which one will it be?"
Carrie's thoughtful expression widened into a grin and tilted her head. "You honestly have to ask?" Taking the printout she said, "CAG, top priority team. Got it." With that, she turned and headed of out of CIC.
It wasn't until she had gotten quite away from CIC that Carrie realized she didn't know who or where the CAG was. She had also forgotten to wait for dismissal from the Commander. Probably not an auspicious start, but what was done was done. Not having a clue how else to glean the information, she stopped a couple of people to ask and soon got a roundabout answer that sent her heading in the direction of Pilots’ quarters with a smile on her face. At the very least it would be one less new name to remember.
Knocking first, she eased open the hatch and glanced in to see Apollo at his desk. "CAG right?" she asked with a grin. She put the printout in front of him "Adama wants a top priority team on this." Then, sitting in a chair nearby, she asked him, “So...How you been?”
Galen Tyrol wasn’t all that happy about the new CAG or his orders. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck on the Galactica when there was work which had priority. Yes, it was his ship, but he couldn’t do everything from inside her bays. Tyrol's face had shown shock at the order, and then given way to near rage before cooling off. He had thrown a salute at Captain Adama's back as he rumbled almost inaudibly.
"Sir, yes Sir." He ground his teeth for a moment, before the exhaustion finally drained all the anger right out of him. "Cally, good work. Pull those two, tell them to get four hours of rest and to report back to me before they go back on shift. Find Torensten and Drikts, too. Tell them to get some rest and then report to the Lieutenant here for the checks."
Tyrol was going to be damned if he was going to give up a 'good' deck crew right now, not when they only had frakking half the ships back together, and the other half were laying in pieces across the deck. He had not had enough of his crew left to work miracles overnight, though he had tried. The two men he had left to assign were good enough, just difficult to work with, and more than a little stubborn.
"Pull anything we need from the Commander's old bird. It will fly again, just in several other ships. Put someone on the Captain's seven. Have them replace the blown out canopy, but leave the rest of the cleanup on that for later." Call him petty, but pretty boy, goody two shoes could just fly his own damn Viper the next time around, and if it still had a little blood smeared over the instruments, maybe the man would learn to pitch in. "Leave the one Starbuck flew alone for now. Just have a crew put a laser alignment on it and see if the frame's still straight. Oh, and try and get some sleep yourself."
Tyrol reached out and gave Cally's shoulder a squeeze before he turned back to the Lieutenant who was still standing before him. "It doesn't look good I'll tell you that right now,” he admitted. “The Cylons could knock us over with a wet tissue and a flyswatter. I don't have half the birds back together. I don't have the crews since that bas... " Tyrol let out another breath and looked at the freighter, changing the topic before he lost his temper once again. "This crate might fly again, but I wouldn't trust her through a jump. They only start leaking hydraulic fluid this bad when the main spin mounts get torqued beyond specs, and that springs the whole frame. It won't take another jump."
Lee sat in his office going over the mounds of paperwork left behind by Ripper. Frankly Lee thought to himself, he should toss the lot. Hell, it was the end of the world; who'd know? Well he'd know, he thought with a sigh. He’d never done things half-way, and he couldn’t find it in him to start now. And at the moment he was in an awkward spot. The only two pilots who knew him were Thrace and Diatra. Hopefully, in the mounds of paperwork – and provided that Ripper was more meticulous with his personnel profiles than he had shown to be in other areas – there would be details on his pilots that would better help him know what the crew was like. He knew that he would have to rely heavily on Kara for support in leading his pilots. Lee just hoped that Kara wasn't mad at him for leaving. He had a lot of making up to do: Carrie, Kara, and Dad – all in one spot.
"Well, meeting at twenty-thirty hours. Time to meet the flight crew," Lee thought out loud. Just then, he looked up to see his door open. It was Tyrol, and he was looking decidedly pissed. Great! What next?
Chief Tyrol stepped into the CAG’s quarters without invitation, and if the Captain did not like it, well it was just too bad. He should learn how to brace the latch so you couldn’t open it, like Ripper had. He tossed a clipboard on the desk and then straightened and tightened to attention. "The list of combat ready and combat lost Vipers sir, as you requested."
"Thank you, Tyrol.” The Captain at least had the courtesy to look at the reports he’d been handed rather than adding them to the mounds on his desk. “I see from these reports that you’re the Miracle whip. I also know just how many crewmen you lost. I'm sorry.” Apollo looked at the paper for a bit longer. "This is not good, not good at all…
"Tyrol we have 50,000 people to take care of here. Right now, I have Boomer reviewing all the manifest for any and all available pilots, as well as searching for all former Colonial Fighters to be re-mustered back into the crew. Here are the passenger manifests, beside each name is a skill or trade. Have one of your crewmen look through it and see if you can find anyone among the civilian vessels that you can use to vet out your crew.”
Tyrol nodded his understanding and tried not to be grateful for the consideration. "If you look at the notes on the down-checked birds, you have another eight that you can add to the twenty-seven effectives, if you have pilots that can fly something without gimbals. Some of the others that I have labeled as effectives have misaligned thrusters." At the Captain’s nod, Tyrol paused for a moment before continuing. "If you will excuse me sir I've got crew to visit in the life station before I run out of caffeine and nerves."
Kara left the flight deck to head for the ready room and crew quarters. She needed four pilots. There were two inspection crews going out, and each needed two qualified pilots. The most appropriate question would be who could they spare and who should they keep close just in case all hell broke loose once more. A more practical question was who was conscious.
This day was definitely not going as well as she had hoped. She hadn't had much of a chance to talk to Lee since telling him that she had been responsible for setting off the chain of events that would eventually lead to his brother's death. She knew he probably hated her, but it would be good to know for sure.
Less than forty-eight hours ago she had thought him dead as well, and when she had confessed, she had been afraid she wouldn't come back alive. If there was one thing she wanted, it was for Lee and his father to patch the rift that had grown between them. She hadn’t been able to live with the thought of her own actions causing that chasm.
Still, a part of her had hoped that she would come back, and that he just might forgive her eventually. After all, she was still very much in love with him. Two years apart had done nothing to change that. The only real complication now was that Carrie was alive and well... and aboard the Galactica. Kara knew that there was definitely something between Carrie and Lee, or there had been. That much had been obvious that night in her apartment.
I guess some of us just aren't meant to get a break, she thought to herself as she approached the ready room. It was about half-full of people. Good, that meant she didn't have to wake anyone up.
"Alright, Listen up!" she shouted. "I need four pilots for maintenance surveys, and I need them now! If no one volunteers I'll start randomly kicking asses down to the flight deck. Am I clear?" She glared around the now silent room "So, who's gonna go?"
Thankfully, she didn’t wind up kicking anyone. She got her “volunteers” in record time, and went on her way to let Lee know what was going on. Kara arrived at the door of the CAG office just as Tyrol was leaving. She grabbed a hold of the hatch before it even had a chance to close, and stepped inside. She walked over to the desk and dropped a data pad down in front of Lee.
"I've assigned Dodger, Bandit, Zepher and Rigger to pilot the maintenace shuttles, Sir." She said in a very sharp, business like tone. "Track, Chrome. Sparks and Spitz all have mechanical training so I've sent them down to the hangar to pull extra duty as well. You may want to keep a close eye on Crashdown. He's been known to be a trouble maker, Sir.
"I will be in the briefing room rewriting the flight boards, Sir." Kara paused for a moment, her voice becoming a little more solemn. "Rogue Squadron is still listed as primary flight group." Her voice once again returned to its former military tone. "If that will be all, Sir?" She requested.
"No it will not, Lt. Thrace. I've been on the Galactica for only a few days, but you've been here a few years. I'm sorry about how I reacted in the brig. When you told me how you passed Zak in basic flight I wanted to take all my anger I had towards my father and give it to you, then you turned around and saved my ass. I can't help but walk by the our two birds on deck without realizing just how much off a selfish ass I've been."
Starbuck looked up at Lee as if ready to comment, but he cut her off. "No, wait, I don't need the superior asshole comment. Many of our crew have lost everyone they ever cared for. I consider myself lucky I still have you and my father.”
Kara smirked, watching Lee closely, then locking eyes with him before speaking. "You have Carrie too..."
“Well, we had one night,” he admitted thoughtfully. “And I think that.... after Zaks death we went our separate ways. I believe that our relationship is probably over, but considering the way things are going these days, I do feel a need to make peace with that as well.”
Kara looked at Lee a moment longer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she bit her lip. "Right," she said simply. Then she turned and stalked out of the room, slamming the hatch closed behind her.
Once in the hallway, she turned down the passage that led to the pilots’ briefing room. She went inside, she closed the hatch, and then turned and punched the first chair she saw as hard as she could. Feeling somewhat better, she set about the task of removing the names of the dead pilots from the flight board.
"BattleStarGalactica, request permission to board?"
This had proved to be a very lousy vacation for the Iceman. He had hoped to get away with Panther to Tauron for a couple of days, and instead he’d found himself surrounded by Cylon's. If it had been anyone else, they surely would have been dead. It had taken two days to find the Galactica, but a little bit of common sense had served him well. Now the only problem remaining was bringing a Cylon fighter on board the Galactica without being shot out of the sky.
"This is former Sergeant Taliesin Duncan, Call sign Iceman. Request permission to bring the cat aboard, and I would appreciate if you have your little neighbors stop shooting at me. Frak!"
Petty Officer Dualla looked up from the Comm panel. "Commander, Sir, there is a Sergeant Taliesin Duncan requesting permission to board. His ship is registering a cylon signature. He also said something about a cat?" Dualla couldn't help but look confused as she waited for a reply.
"Is that Dualla on the comm?” Iceman asked. “Lords of Kobol, could you please call a cease fire until my identity is confirmed! I'm having a bad enough day as it is."
Adama looked at Specialist Dualla. "Duncan?" he asked in momentary confusion. "And he's got Panther? How did he get off Caprica?"
Dualla shook her head and responded, "He's just asking for permission to land, Sir, and he says that he's got the cat."
Adama laughed. Dee looked very confused about the fuss a Colonial sergeant was making over a little furry pet. "It's a C - A - T, a Combat Assisted Transmitter, not an animal but a Cybernetic – a valuable little piece of technology that I'll be glad to have here on the Galactica. But Duncan and Panther appearing out of nowhere… that makes me suspicious. Give the permission to land, but have a team of Marines there when he docks. Don't let him pop his hatch until they secure the CAT. It thinks it's a real cat and it can run like a bat out of Hell. Bring them up both up to my office." Turning to Colonel Tigh, the Commander said, "I'd really like you to sit on this meeting with Duncan, Saul. I'll need your input."
"Frak you guy are slow," Duncan muttered as he landed his Raider on the flight deck. He opened the hatch and removed his respirator. "Come here Panther. We’re home." Duncan picked up Panther and it quickly scurried up to his shoulder. "Thank The Lords! Fresh air..." Then Duncan looked around to see what he considered to be a bunch of trigger-happy Marines looking back at him. "And company too," he muttered under his breath.
(sgt Duncan)Sir you never told me Panther was a CAT. Their highly Classified. And quite franky I thought they were all destroyed after the war. Although I have to admit I kinda thought something was funny when I buried him outside, and he was on my doorstep the next day alive and well. I haven't used one of these units in over 40 years, but I think I can brush up on it.
In his office, Apollo eyed Carrie with humor. “You took the call, huh? I knew you would...”
Carrie rolled her eyes. "Is it common knowledge that I'll always accept a challenge?" she asked, amused.
“Only to people who know you,” he said. At her expression, he shook his head. “Okay, that was lousy. I'm just glad to see you. I sorry I never spoke to you after Zak's death. I just needed some space.”
"It's okay. I doubt you'd have been able to find me anyway. I was… lousy." She tapped her feet and looked around the CAG quarters. "You've done okay though. So, did you and Kara ever...?"
"No, and honestly and I haven't seen her in two years either. I don't know what she believes, but I know she's upset and she's not talking to me." Then, in an attempt to divert the subject from personal matters, he spoke again. "At twenty-thirty hours we'll have a pilots meeting, and after that we can discuss putting together our complement for this assignment"
"Have you tried talking to her?” she asked, with the innate tenacity he’d come to expect from only two people in his life. “It's not easy for people to just start telling others their problems. Its a sharing thing... Okay, I sound like a shrink now!" Carrie smiled.
“Carrie have you tried reasoning with one-hundred, thirty pounds of dynamite?”
Carrie had to stifle a laugh at this. "She can't be that bad!"
His glare told her that he thought differently. “I can’t talk to Kara,” he said softly. “I wish it was that easy.”
"It is easy! All you have to do is say 'Hi! There's something on your mind, and you can tell me.' Its not like I'm telling you to swear your undying love; that at least should wait another few days," Carrie added with a grin, and then she sighed. "It's probably a lot easier than you think Lee..."
“Okay,” he told her sarcastically. “But the last time I took your advice I got hit in the face. What makes you think that this will be any better?”
"Is it my fault that you're totally incompetent when it comes to talking to people?” she asked rhetorically. “No. And maybe you should have checked to see if Zak was there before you went around. I didn't think I'd have to tell you to do that!" Carrie shook her head and gave in to another smile. "What? Do you want me to write you a checklist of things to do and say when dealing with Kara?"
“You know what,” Lee grumbled. “You’re stubborn, annoying, and a pain! All good qualities, but are your torturing Kara in the same manner your torturing me?”
"I haven't really talked to Kara," Carrie admitted. "Like I said... I disappeared." Then she must have decided that they’d dealt with enough personal business. Either that, or she was just better at asking them than she was at answering.
“Twenty-thirty,” she said, showing him that she had indeed heard his attempt to get to business earlier, even if she hadn’t gone along without getting her piece said first. “Got it. So, what do I do now? ‘Cause forgive me, but I have no idea how this whole 'battlestar' thing works."
“The best way of putting it is we’re bound for Earth,” he explained. “And were running. Our objective is simple: survival of the species and evasion of the Cylons. The Galactica's job is to keep everyone alive and provide cover for the rest of the ships in the event of detection. Or at least were going to die trying.”
At that statement she frowned and her eyes narrowed. "Earth is real?” she asked incredulously. “I thought the 13th colony was just a story. And you mean we’re really trying to go there?”
They certainly looked like Duncan and Panther. Duncan still towered over the Marines around him like a moving mountain. Panther still purred. But their ID needed to be proved. Adama nodded perfunctorily at what might be his old friend, took Panther out of his hands and looked him over. All the markings were the same, even the small scar on the pad of his left foot. Only one thing would tell for sure.
Adama took his PDA off the desk and punched in the access code for a download. It took a couple of minutes. Taking it out, he began scanning the data for the last few days.
Finally, he looked up and smiled. "They're ok." He dismissed the Marines and held out his hand to Duncan, "Glad to have you aboard, you old rascal."
Turning to Tigh, Adama said, "You would not believe what these two have been through getting here." Then he continued, "We need to call a command staff meeting immediately. Set one up, will you?"
"Well that should be relatively easy sir, considering we're just about the only senior staff left." Tigh shook his head and took a long look at the man in front of him, his eyes narrowing. The commander was welcoming him in, but still. A Cylon raider? “I'll pass the word to Lieutenant Gaeta, Captain Adama and Captain Kelly. Is there anyone else you want in on this?"
Kara looked around the briefing room. It looked pretty much ready for the meeting later. The names of the deceased pilots had been replaced on the flight board with those of the current pilots they had, although there were significantly fewer of them. But, at least it was done now.
It had been hard at first, taking the names down, but after venting it out on the chairs around the room, she had felt a little better. Of course, that had meant that she had to straighten the chairs back out later, but it had been worth it.
It was only thirteen-hundred, but she was glad for a change. She was on a split shift. Now she only had four hours to kill until she had to be back down on the flight deck for short range patrol, to be followed by the pilot's meeting.
Kara left the briefing room and went back to quarters to change into some workout clothes. Best place she could think of to kill some time was in the gym.
“Good evening crew. By now, most of you have either met me directly or indirectly. Obviously, the first thing that goes through your head is probably, ‘that’s Commander Adama's son.’ Well yes, it's true, and it is for that reason you haven't seen me on the Galactica before now." Lee looked over at Kara sitting at the front of the room, playing with her fingers. "Lt. Thrace could you do roll call." Lee handed her a clipboard that he hoped was up to date. "When you finish, I would like a moment of silence for our fallen members."
Kara took the clipboard and quickly went through the roster. Surprisingly, everyone was present and accounted for. At least, everyone who was left. Kara tossed the clipboard back to Lee and took her seat once more, looking more past Lee than at him. She hoped like hell he wasn't as long winded as he used to be. If there was one part of flying she hated, it was briefings.
Looking around the room was a reminder of how many had been lost. Most of the faces in the group were young, still rooks. The best of Galactica's pilots had flown out at the decommissioning. It was a group she would have been part of, had Tigh not started the fight that had landed her in the brig. With a sigh, she leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, fighting back the feeling of sadness that was creeping over her. There would be time for that later.
After a long moment, Lee spoke. "Lord's of Kobol,” Lee said quietly. “Take our warriors to your Great Hall."
As Lee raised his head from the prayer, he heard the room speak in unison, “So mote it be.”
He took a breath before continuing. “I would also like you all to give a warm welcome to the newest addition to our crew, Lieutenant Carrigan Diatra. Lieutenant Diatra, would you mind introducing yourself?”
Carrie scowled when he did that. Just what she needed. She wished she could just tell him ‘no’, but she didn’t think that would help her standing with her fellow pilots. Standing up, she turned to face the room, noting hat many of them where about her age. It made it even worse.
"I'm Lt. Carrigan Diarta, callsign: Nightsky. I've spent the last two years flying cargo ships. Let me warn you now, anyone who brings up old rumors about me or even mentions my reputation, I will personally gut like a fish." She ended her introduction with an innocent smile and sat back down, arms crossed, looking to Lee with a smug look on her face.
He looked slightly stunned, but only for a moment. “Okay, then on to business. We have a few things to cover. First, regarding our pilots, FTL patrols are going to be implemented at oh-nine-hundred to determine when you’ll go on patrol. You'll be looking for Cylons, water, Tylium, liquid oxygen and so on. Each FTL Patrol should be at the most 8 hours. Yes this means everyone will be volunteering.
“Second, to our repair crews. Those of you on repair detail will stay there until further notice. Take advantage of the opportunity to get to know your Vipers. It's always in your best interest to know your craft, whether you’re fixing it or flying it.
“Next, Security sweeps will begin tomorrow for all personnel on the Galactica. For those of you not currently assigned, you will be assisting the Marines with this detail. You be going from ship to ship once the Galactica is clear. Before you leave, plug in to receive your downloads. This is your checklist, so use it. Also, make note of any mechanical fitness issues that you observe. This will make it easier on Chief Tyrol's crew later.
“And last, I need two volunteers for special assignment. Lieutenant Diatra, you're already part of this and not included in the two. Any questions?” He waited for the requisite few seconds in case there was any doubt as to who went where, and then dismissed most of the group with a reminder to plug in their PDA’s so that they had the appropriate information before leaving. Sometimes, a lack of general networking was a pain in the butt. He requested that Starbuck and Nightsky stay behind.
Kara sat back in her chair and waited as the pilots filed out of the room after the briefing. Taking the rare opportunity, she closed her eyes for just a moment, feeling a little tired after the unusual few days they had just been through. Opening her eyes only moments later, she looked around the room again. The only occupants were Carrie, Lee, herself, and Boomer. Kara turned her attention to Lee at the front of the room once more. "So, what's the assignment, Bossman?" Kara asked with a trademark smirk.
Lee didn’t rise to the bait. “Investigate the arrival of a ship called the Blue Moon. As far as we can tell. there are literally no records of this ship in any of our Colonial data bases. This means one of two things: Cylon infiltrators, or mercenary smugglers. Due to Lieutenant Diatra’s recent experience, she will be lead on this operation. I expect the three of you to come back in one piece. No heroics; I don't want to lose any more pilots. Departure will be at twenty-two hundred hours.
“Last but not least the rumors are true the ‘Iceman’ is here, and if I can arrange it with command I will have him on the mission too.
Kara looked at the clock on the wall and bit her lip, thinking for a minute. "Twenty-two-hundred, huh? Well, lets hope the coffee is strong today." Kara stood and saluted Lieutenant Diarta and Captain Adama "See you in an hour. I'll be in quarters Sir."
Kara didn’t wait for a formal dismissal, but turned and left the briefing room. Kara saw that Carrie was watching her leave, and heard a quiet, “I should go get ready too,” which was accompanied by Carrie’s weak smile. Knowing her, she was probably going to go meditate before the mission.
Kara returned to the pilot's quarters and set about preparing for the mission. Taking out a lock box from the bottom of her locker, she sat down on the bunk to clean her sidearm. If how things were going so far was any indication, she was going to need it in good working order.
Boomer walked in behind Kara, then immediately jumped back when she realized her mistake. Not having heard her, Kara swung around and barely missed her.
“Sorry... A little jumpy,” Kara said with a shrug.
“Lords, girl!” Boomer said with a hand over her heart which was currently beating far too fast. “I don't care how long you've been on duty, you need to cut back on the coffee or something!”
Kara smirked as she walked to her locker and took out both her sidearm and a small, regulation cleaning kit. “Yeah, something like that. By the way, I’m glad you’re coming along on the mission.”
Sharon just shrugged as she watched. “Do you think we’re going to need to use our side arms?” she asked. “I can’t remember the last time I was in target practice. Then again, from what I recall I don’t want to remember it.” She cocked her head to the side and gave Kara a pointed look. “You were a natural shooter in the academy,” she remarked.
Kara gave a nearly identical shrug as she worked to clean the weapon. “You never know,” she said. “We have no idea what to expect in the Blue Moon.” She pulled her own sidearm and checked the barrel alignment. “The way I look at it is this: if they were on the level, that ship would be registered. They’re hiding something.”
“The question is what,” Boomer agreed. “With any luck, it’s something we need – or want – that they just don’t want to share. Don’t suppose we’ll have that kind of luck, though.”
“Well, that’s why we’re going,” Kara said. “If they want our help, they’re going to have to cooperate.” She slipped her sidearm back into its holster and tucked away the cleaning kit. “Are you sure you’re up for this, Sharon?”
Boomer sighed. “As ready as I’m going to be,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Have you told Tyrol you’re going?”
Boomer’s eyes widened in surprise. “And have him tell me not to go? Not quite.”
Kara grinned as she sat down on her bunk. “Yeah, he’s almost as protective of you as he is of his birds.”
“But I’m not the kind of girl who needs to be protected,” Boomer said bitterly.
Kara laughed at that. “You’re telling the wrong person,” she remarked. “Tell him, not me.” She grabbed a cigar from the shelf at the head of her bed and checked the time. “We roll in thirty,” she said thoughtfully.
Boomer nodded. “Believe me,” she said, taking a seat next to Kara rather than going to her own bunk. “He’s not real thrilled about woman in the military to begin with.”
“Gee, and I thought it was just me he didn’t like,” Kara said sarcastically.
Sharon shook her head. “But at least I know the raptors are always first in the maintenance rotation,” she told her friend with a wink.
“Especially the ones with the bad gimbals,” Kara added dryly, nudging Boomer and getting a laugh.
“I’d like to find one that has good gimbals,” Sharon said with a smile.
“Face it... you two love to fight.”
Sharon gave an agreeable nod. “Who wants to date a pushover? If nothing else he's a challenge.”
Kara swung her feet over the edge of the bed and stood, walking the short distance to her locker. After opening it, she took the picture there and folded it in half, tucking it carefully back into one side. “That’s true,” she said thoughtfully. “There’s more fun in the fight.”
“He keeps my blood pumping in more ways than one,” Boomer added with a wink.
“A good run will do that, too,” Kara reminded her friend.”
“Girl, you need more than a good run! What are we going to do with you?”
Kara gave a laugh, but it even sounded forced to her own ears. “Yeah, like that will ever happen,” she said softly.
“What about Apollo?” Sharon asked earnestly. “I’ve seen you look at him,” she added. “Well, at least without decking him. That’s a start.”
Kara grew silent for a moment.
Boomer’s eyes widened. “Did I hit on something?” she asked anxiously.
“He’s taken,” Kara said with as little resentment as she could manage. “And I have decked him… just not in the last forty-eight hours.”
“Taken by whom?” Boomer asked in surprise. She stood and placed her hands on her hips as she faced Kara. “Come on, spill it! Besides, I’m sure you can take her.”
Kara gave a sad smile. “Yeah, I probably could,” she admitted. “Except that she’s half-decent.”
Boomer’s eyebrows raised as she regarded her friend. “And you’re letting that stop you?” she asked. “Who is it, anyway? Is she cute?”
Kara gave a shrug, checking her watch again but finding that there was no urgent need to start out for the hangar bay just yet. She wasn’t getting out of this discussion. “She saved my ass a couple years back,” she admitted.
“Now that’s saying something,” Boomer said as she walked to her own locker and opened it. “Did it involve getting out of the brig, or something bigger?”
“Much bigger,” Kara said.
“Go on,” Sharon prompted. “Who is it?”
“Unfortunately, I can’t tell you much. It was classified.”
“Oh, now this is really getting interesting,” Boomer said as she removed her own sidearm and carried it over to where Kara was standing. “How can Apollo’s girlfriend be classified?”
“How she saved my ass is classified,” Kara corrected. “And you’ve met her… more than once, I’m sure. I think you were in the same graduating class at the Academy.”
“Okay,” Sharon said with frustration. “Am I supposed to guess?”
Kara gave a frustrated sigh.
Boomer looked up as though searching for an answer on the ceiling. “Who else is here from my graduating class?” she asked herself aloud. Then, with a shake of her head, “No one I wanted to keep up with,” she admitted.
“Okay, fine,” Kara said in irritation. “It’s Diarta. You know, the lead on our mission?”
“No!”
“Yes,” Kara corrected.
“Since when?” Boomer asked.
“They hooked up two years ago,” Kara explained.
“What ever happened to the guy who was like a permanent appendage to her in the Academy?” Sharon asked.
“They split after the…” Kara began, and then stopped. “Just before she and Lee got together,” she corrected. “You remember that stretch when were were all incommunicado for nearly three weeks?”
“You have been holding out on me, big time!” Boomer declared, crossing her arms before her and assuming a less than casual lean against the lockers. “Lords, you’re kidding! You’re not kidding?”
Kara glared. “No.”
“How did you find out?” Sharon asked. “Did Apollo tell you? He doesn’t seem the type to kiss and tell.”
Kara shrugged. “Well, when we got back, I threw a party. They left together.”
“I remember that party,” Boomer said with a grin that quickly faded. “Okay, I remember parts of that party. How do you remember that party?”
“Different party,” Kara told her. “This one had only the three of us in attendance.”
“Now that could have gotten interesting,” Sharon said with a sly grin.
Kara answered with a smirk. “Not near as interesting as I would have liked,” she admitted.
“This is the problem with dating Tyrol,” Boomer said in aggravation. “I have a problem keeping my mind out of the gutter.”
Kara stopped, biting her lip, while Boomer just laughed. “Forget I just said that,” Kara requested with a faint blush that she would never admit to.
“Whoa! Back up, I’m am not forgetting you said that!”
“Never mind,” Kara grumbled.
“Where was Zak during this little party?” Sharon asked curiously.
“Not there, that’s for sure,” Kara said in a somber voice. “We were all too made at him. And that’s a whole other story.”
“So,” Sharon asked casually, “Was that a one-time thing, or do you still have feelings for him? ‘Cause, that could get a little weird.”
“Nothing happened with Lee and I,” Kara said carefully. “Lee left with Carrie. Zak showed up later and we got into a good old fight.”
“And then Carrie broke up with what’s-his-face,” Sharon concluded. “He was hot,” she recalled fondly.
“They had split up before the party,” Kara said wryly.
Sharon gave a shrug. “So maybe he was just a rebound guy,” she suggested. “What makes you think they’re still an item? Did Zak tell you about it?”
“No,” Kara said quietly. “I could see it when they saw each other this morning. Just call it a little bit of intuition and experience.”
Sharon shook her head. “This is definitely going to get interesting,” she decided. “Does she know that you know?”
Kara shrugged. “Not that I know of.”
Boomer looked Kara for a moment, wondering how much further she could push. She decided that discretion was the better part of staying alive. “So, how mad at me do you think Tyrol is going to get?” she asked, changing the subject.
Kara laughed. “About as mad as he was when I trashed the Vipers yesterday,” she suggested, and then laughed.
Boomer joined her. “I’m surprised he isn’t in the brig after that one,” she admitted.
“Him and me both,” Kara said sheepishly.
“You don’t know how I had to calm him down after that,” Sharon informed her imperiously
Kara gave her friend a wink. “Admit it; you enjoyed it!”
Sharon’s expression didn’t show any denial. “I have my ways. And yes, I enjoyed every minute of it.”
Shaking her head and smiling despite herself, Kara looked over at the clock. “We’re due on the deck in five. Let’s go.”
“After you,” Sharon said, gesturing Kara before her.
Kara headed for the hatch with Boomer close behind.
Captain Adama found the commander in the CIC, and he could tell that his father obviously hadn't slept, but Lee understood. The intel that Sergeant Duncan had Shared with them had been rather nightmarish and disturbing. "Commander, Sir, since Sergeant Duncan has been debriefed and we have all been brought up to speed on his adventures, I would like to request that he be allowed to join Lieutenant Diatra on her ops."
"Permission granted, provided Duncan agrees,” the eldest Adama said. “He hasn't had much time for a rest. Oh, and don't forget that the Blue Moon wants repairs. They'll be looking for us to send an engineer."
"Thank you, Sir. I assume you briefed him about Blue Moon. Do you know if he's in his quarters?"
“I believe he is,” Adama said.
"I'll go and wake him," Apollo said, snapping his father a salute and immediately leaving CIC. He went directly to Sergeant Duncan's quarters, passing by Chief Tyrol and Lieutenant Valerii in the middle of an apparent argument. He considered whether or not to step in, and finally decided that he didn’t really have a choice. "Chief Tyrol, is Captain Kelly briefed and ready for the mission?"
Tyrol’s answer was brief to the point of rudeness, and gave Lee no information he really didn’t already have. But it served it’s purpose in that by the time the Chief was finished, Lieutenant Valerii was half-way down the hall and the argument was over. At least, it was over the time being.
With a sense of accomplishment, Captain Adama arrived at Sgt. Duncan's quarters. Frankly he felt rather guilty asking the old man to join the mission, but it was obvious that if anyone could flush out a Cylon it would be the Iceman. But hell, it was already twenty-one, fifty-five, and there was not much time to get ready and go.
Kara was well on her way to the hangers when she heard something that made her stiffen. As soon as Kara heard Apollo's voice, she sped up her pace, disappearing around the nearest available corner. She decided it would be a very good time to go and do preflight check on the Raptor they would be taking out. If it also kept her out of the path of her CAG until time for the mission, then that was a very good thing. She made her way down to the hangar bay using a side corridor rather than the main entrance, regardless of the route taking a bit longer.
The Raptor was sitting in the center of the hangar and no one was in sight. Thank the lords, she thought to herself. The last thing she wanted was to have to put up with a bunch of people. For a ship that had just been through a battle and had lost so many, the Galactica was feeling strangely overcrowded.
She had just finished the perimeter check and was coming around to the ramp when she literally ran into the only person on the ship that she wanted to deal with less than Lee.
"Is there a need to be in that much of a hurry, Lieutenant Thrace?" Tigh growled as he staggered back from the impact, the sudden contact catching him off guard. If it had not been for the fact he had heard the rapidly approaching boot steps, he probably would have fallen. Internally, he cursed the luck that had brought him here, but he had needed the updated reports on ship repairs. The fleet was a sitting duck without more Vipers. "You could try walking you know.
Kara nodded, mumbled something that she hoped she wouldn’t get imprisoned for, and walked carefully around to the Raptor’s entrance with both fists clenched. Hitting the XO again wouldn’t be a good idea under the circumstances. Kara caught sight of a familiar face almost immediately, although he didn’t look any happier than Tigh had.
"Sorry, Chief,” Kara grumbled as she climbed up into the Raptor. With a sudden flash of inspiration, she slipped into the back of the craft and to the rear nav controls. She'd be damned if she was sitting up front for this one.
A few minutes later, the mission crew began to file in. A strangely subdued Boomer took her place at the front, followed closely by Nightsky. Sergeant Duncan’s entrance wasn’t nearly as subtle.
The Iceman shouted to the others as he ran onto the flight deck. For a man pushing 70 he was obviously in exceptional shape, and built like a rock. "Wait up kiddies, I don't wanna miss the party." He made it just in time climbing aboard, and moving towards his seat. Opening the bag he was carrying, he removed a Cylon Centurion head and placed it on his lap.
Kara maintained her silence until Sergeant Duncan had arrived carrying a Cylon head, then she couldn't help but laugh to herself.
Upon seeing the disembodied head, Carrie shuddered. "Can I ask why the hell you have that thing?"
"This is Uncle Ed. Say hi to the people, Uncle Ed."
Uncle Ed emitted a rather garbled, "By Your Command."
"Okay, so he's a little slow,” Iceman said with a wink. “It's my get out of jail free card. You kids don't know much yet, do yah. Cylons are networked, so if there are Cylons aboard, this little baby will get updated and we'll have a better idea of what's going on. If there are none, then I brought an over rated toaster with me, and no worries! This thing cannot transmit any more that its own signature.
Kara managed to regain her composure during Duncan's explanation, and she waited for Duncan to take his seat before speaking to him.
"Sergeant Duncan, it’s good to see you again. I never did get the chance to thank you for the last time." Kara gave him what was probably the first genuine smile she'd had since the initial attacks.
"Starbuck, Nightsky, and Boomer! This is an old man's dream. I'm surrounded by the three most beautiful ladies on the Galactica, and it's good to see all of you, too. Just think of me as your chaperone.
(to be continued…)