Battlestar Galactica: Somewhere In Time
By Shawn L. Scialo
(Inspired by the Motion Picture "Somewhere In Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour)
*A snippet of a speech given by Adama in this story is borrowed from the novelization of "The Tombs of Kobol". I just thought that it was fascinating and added some historical background for the Colonies as well as some interesting foreshadowing. Trust me. (
Chapter One
The main gambling den of the Rising Star bustled with its' typically raucous energy provided by hundreds of enthusiastic patrons. The bells and whistles of chancery machines provided a steady hum over the occasional screams of both joy and disappointment coming from the Colonials here to enjoy their leisure period. Viper Pilots were represented in exceptionally large numbers this night as Blue Squadron enjoyed their first furlough in over a quarter yahren.
There was a clear division of the Colonial people though. The young space-born generation that had never known their home worlds partied like there was no tomorrow. To them, the coming holiday was just a great excuse to indulge themselves. Their elders, meanwhile, where noticeably more subdued. Oh, they were enjoying themselves, but they just couldn't allow themselves to let loose so close to the 25th anniversary of the Holocaust.
As usual, of late, Colonel Apollo was in a bit of a funk. Friends and family alike had been worried about him for some time now. He just wasn't himself. Of course, many men and women throughout the fleet were experiencing some form of depression as the dreaded anniversary date approached.
Captain Starbuck was an exception. Starbuck was as happy as a daggit puppy playing with a Triad ball made of fresh Mushies. He had just been sealed to Cassiopeia a Secton earlier and despite the fact that he had seemingly tried to avoid career advancement most of his life, he had just been promoted to the rank of Captain. Earlier in the day, he had received his Captain's insignia from Colonel Apollo, the man he was replacing as Strike Leader of Galactica. Starbuck was on a roll and he had begged his lifelong best friend to join him in celebrating by whooping it up all night on the Rising Star.
"Ya' know buddy, this reminds me of the old days", sighed Starbuck as he pulled his latest winnings from the center of the Pyramid table.
"Yeah", slurred Apollo as he took another sip of his ambrosia.
The dealer pulled Apollo's cubits' away and began to shuffle a new deck of cards. Starbuck extinguished his fumerello stub, and then quickly ignited a new cigar. He starred at the fumerello a long moment before pressing it against his lips.
"This reminds me of Boom-Boom", sighed Starbuck in a somber tone. "He made one heck of a frakkin' fumerello mixture."
"Starbuck", said a suddenly alert Apollo. "Do you realize that Boomer's been gone for almost 5 yahrens now?"
"I know", said Starbuck. "Sometimes it feels like yesterday, others it feels like a millennium. I mean---where has the time gone?"
"Time. It feels like a predator hunting us all down", offered Apollo. "Boomer, Jolly, Greenbean, Bojay---none of them made it. How come we're still here?"
"You have the protective aura of Starbuck around you, my friend", said Starbuck with a smile.
Two more players sat down to join Starbuck and Apollo. One was an elderly man, probably President Adama's age; while the other was a mature woman probably in her middle- aged yahrens. This new development left Starbuck slightly annoyed. He had enjoyed the tranquility of having the Pyramid table all to themselves. Apollo was a little more cordial, offering each new player a friendly hello.
"Time is many things, Colonel Apollo. A predator, a protector---even a teacher", said the woman to Apollo.
"Do I know you?" asked Apollo. "You do look very familiar to me."
"No. But I know you. I feel you", answered the woman.
Starbuck rolled his eyes at Apollo, even though his friend was facing the other way and could not see him do it.
"Ma'am, you have me at a disadvantage", said a confused Apollo patiently. "You are?"
"I'm sorry, Colonel", said the woman as she extended her hand. "My name is Lyra. I hail from Caprica and am currently billeted on board the freighter, Capricorn One."
"I see", interrupted Starbuck. "My name is---"
"Starbuck. Captain Starbuck", said Lyra.
Apollo and Starbuck exchanged puzzled glances. Who in the world was this woman?
"You should see your faces", laughed Lyra. "As it happens, I am a clairvoyant. However, I certainly do not need to be touched to know you two gentlemen. I mean---you are both somewhat celebrities amongst our people."
"Clairvoyant, huh?" said an unimpressed Starbuck.
"Please place your bets", said the dealer.
Starbuck and the dealer, a short pudgy man, shared a moment of clairvoyance themselves. Neither one believed the woman's boast. Why else would they continue to let her play? Wouldn't she be able to read the cards before they were dealt?
Each player flipped several cubits on the table. The old man played it pretty conservative. Starbuck, ever confident, offered up what looked like half a sectons' pay. Apollo played the minimum allowed at this particular table. Lyra reached into her purse and pulled out a large bag. She quickly emptied its' contents onto the table. Hundreds of Cubits poured out, followed by a loud thud. The thud came courtesy of a large, golden amulet that was five times the size of a cubit. The dealer quickly scooped up the amulet, tested it on his scanner, and placed it back in Lyra's pile. Apparently, it was of good grade.
The hand played out fairly quickly. Starbuck began to sweat profusely as it became obvious that he would have little chance to win. Apollo, meanwhile, began to sober up as his confidence level soared. He was one lucky card away from a perfect Pyramid! Lyra barely looking at her cards, smiled at Apollo.
"Colonel, it's to you", said the dealer.
"I call", said Apollo confidently.
All four players laid their cards out on the table. The dealer then gave each player their final card. When Apollo received his card, Starbuck and the old man both hit the table in disgust. Lyra smiled.
"A perfect Pyramid! Winner!" exclaimed the dealer.
"Congratulations, Colonel", smiled Lyra. "Use my gift well."
Apollo returned Lyra's smile, even though he had no idea what she was really talking about. As he pulled his winnings in, he felt a hard slap on his back.
"Hey! Not bad, pop!" exclaimed Troy.
"Hey, Boxey!" exclaimed Starbuck. "Your old man is suddenly the second coming of Chameleon."
Apollo swiveled his chair around to face his only son, Serina's son. Boxey had grown into a fine young man. He was, of course, now a warrior who had long ago dropped the nickname Boxey in favor of his given Kobolian name, Troy. Troy had been raised by Apollo on the Galactica ever since he was seven yahrens old. The boy who had grown into a talented 32- yahren old fighter pilot adored his stepfather but he clearly had the blood of Serina running through his veins. In fact, he looked so much like her that it sometimes upset Apollo to study his own son's face too closely.
Serina had been prevalent in Apollo's thoughts for some time now. Really, ever since he had decided that he would ask Sheba to Seal with him. Although he had made the decision with his heart, his head had not allowed him to actually pop the question yet. For her part, Sheba had been more than patient. On more than one occasion through the yahrens, she had broken up with Apollo because of his inability to commit. He felt that if he didn't ask her to marry him soon, he might just lose her forever.
"Your uncle Starbuck is overstating things a tad, as usual", said Apollo with a smile. "Where have you been?"
"Me? Oh, you know. Just clowning around with the fella's", answered Troy.
Apollo continued to secure his winnings in every available pocket on his uniform. Finally, only the strange amulet was left. It was clearly too big to fit anywhere on his person.
"What the frak is that?" asked Troy a bit loudly.
"Some ancient artifact he won from some old fossil", quipped Starbuck.
Starbuck's sarcasm about the strange woman reminded Apollo that he had lost track of her after his winning hand. His eyes darted from one Chancery table to the next. She was nowhere to be found.
"Something wrong dad?" asked Troy.
"No. I just don't feel right about keeping this amulet. It looks like something that could be a family heir-loom", explained Apollo.
"Well, you could do one of two things", offered Starbuck as he puffed away on his fumerello. "You could give it to me since I've nearly lost my shirt tonight---"
"Or?" said Apollo playfully.
"Or tomorrow, we can check fleet records pertaining to citizens stationed on Capricorn One, track down this loon, and give her her fancy medallion back", said Starbuck reluctantly.
"Sounds like a plan!" exclaimed Troy as he pulled his father towards the door. "In the meantime, the night is still young and the Miss Rag-Tag fleet pageant is about to begin! Let's go!!!"
"Boxey! That pageant is totally degrading to women", argued Apollo. "I'm the Galactica's XO. I couldn't possibly attend something like that."
"You're right, dad. I don't know what I was thinking", said an apologetic Troy. "Starbuck? You still game?"
"Lead the way, nephew!" Starbuck answered with a grin.
Apollo shook his head in disbelief.
"Have a good night buddy!" shouted Starbuck.
Shortly after being abandoned by Starbuck and Troy, Apollo found himself alone in his quarters on the Galactica. He changed rather lazily before falling into his bunk. He laid there for several centons just staring at the ceiling before slowly turning his head to view the amulet. He had placed it on an endtable on the other side of the room. If he didn't know any better, he would swear that the thing had a strange white glow emitting from it. His ears buzzed and somehow he knew it was due to the amulet in some way, shape or form.
Suddenly, Apollo felt sleepy-dizzy even. He closed his eyes but for a micron. When he opened them again, he could not believe his eyes. His heart pounded through his chest. He blinked once hard, trying to get his bearings. He was no longer on the Galactica. He was on a planet! It was broad daylight on what looked to be a gorgeous summer day.
"What the frak! Can I be dreaming?" he said aloud to himself.
Apollo was sitting in the middle of a large, open field in what could possibly be a park of some kind. He rose slowly from the blanket he was sitting on and carefully studied the area. In the distance, he could see a skyline. He immediately recognized it. It was Caprica City!
Somehow, Apollo was back on Caprica!
TO BE CONTINUED
By Shawn L. Scialo
(Inspired by the Motion Picture "Somewhere In Time" starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour)
*A snippet of a speech given by Adama in this story is borrowed from the novelization of "The Tombs of Kobol". I just thought that it was fascinating and added some historical background for the Colonies as well as some interesting foreshadowing. Trust me. (
Chapter One
The main gambling den of the Rising Star bustled with its' typically raucous energy provided by hundreds of enthusiastic patrons. The bells and whistles of chancery machines provided a steady hum over the occasional screams of both joy and disappointment coming from the Colonials here to enjoy their leisure period. Viper Pilots were represented in exceptionally large numbers this night as Blue Squadron enjoyed their first furlough in over a quarter yahren.
There was a clear division of the Colonial people though. The young space-born generation that had never known their home worlds partied like there was no tomorrow. To them, the coming holiday was just a great excuse to indulge themselves. Their elders, meanwhile, where noticeably more subdued. Oh, they were enjoying themselves, but they just couldn't allow themselves to let loose so close to the 25th anniversary of the Holocaust.
As usual, of late, Colonel Apollo was in a bit of a funk. Friends and family alike had been worried about him for some time now. He just wasn't himself. Of course, many men and women throughout the fleet were experiencing some form of depression as the dreaded anniversary date approached.
Captain Starbuck was an exception. Starbuck was as happy as a daggit puppy playing with a Triad ball made of fresh Mushies. He had just been sealed to Cassiopeia a Secton earlier and despite the fact that he had seemingly tried to avoid career advancement most of his life, he had just been promoted to the rank of Captain. Earlier in the day, he had received his Captain's insignia from Colonel Apollo, the man he was replacing as Strike Leader of Galactica. Starbuck was on a roll and he had begged his lifelong best friend to join him in celebrating by whooping it up all night on the Rising Star.
"Ya' know buddy, this reminds me of the old days", sighed Starbuck as he pulled his latest winnings from the center of the Pyramid table.
"Yeah", slurred Apollo as he took another sip of his ambrosia.
The dealer pulled Apollo's cubits' away and began to shuffle a new deck of cards. Starbuck extinguished his fumerello stub, and then quickly ignited a new cigar. He starred at the fumerello a long moment before pressing it against his lips.
"This reminds me of Boom-Boom", sighed Starbuck in a somber tone. "He made one heck of a frakkin' fumerello mixture."
"Starbuck", said a suddenly alert Apollo. "Do you realize that Boomer's been gone for almost 5 yahrens now?"
"I know", said Starbuck. "Sometimes it feels like yesterday, others it feels like a millennium. I mean---where has the time gone?"
"Time. It feels like a predator hunting us all down", offered Apollo. "Boomer, Jolly, Greenbean, Bojay---none of them made it. How come we're still here?"
"You have the protective aura of Starbuck around you, my friend", said Starbuck with a smile.
Two more players sat down to join Starbuck and Apollo. One was an elderly man, probably President Adama's age; while the other was a mature woman probably in her middle- aged yahrens. This new development left Starbuck slightly annoyed. He had enjoyed the tranquility of having the Pyramid table all to themselves. Apollo was a little more cordial, offering each new player a friendly hello.
"Time is many things, Colonel Apollo. A predator, a protector---even a teacher", said the woman to Apollo.
"Do I know you?" asked Apollo. "You do look very familiar to me."
"No. But I know you. I feel you", answered the woman.
Starbuck rolled his eyes at Apollo, even though his friend was facing the other way and could not see him do it.
"Ma'am, you have me at a disadvantage", said a confused Apollo patiently. "You are?"
"I'm sorry, Colonel", said the woman as she extended her hand. "My name is Lyra. I hail from Caprica and am currently billeted on board the freighter, Capricorn One."
"I see", interrupted Starbuck. "My name is---"
"Starbuck. Captain Starbuck", said Lyra.
Apollo and Starbuck exchanged puzzled glances. Who in the world was this woman?
"You should see your faces", laughed Lyra. "As it happens, I am a clairvoyant. However, I certainly do not need to be touched to know you two gentlemen. I mean---you are both somewhat celebrities amongst our people."
"Clairvoyant, huh?" said an unimpressed Starbuck.
"Please place your bets", said the dealer.
Starbuck and the dealer, a short pudgy man, shared a moment of clairvoyance themselves. Neither one believed the woman's boast. Why else would they continue to let her play? Wouldn't she be able to read the cards before they were dealt?
Each player flipped several cubits on the table. The old man played it pretty conservative. Starbuck, ever confident, offered up what looked like half a sectons' pay. Apollo played the minimum allowed at this particular table. Lyra reached into her purse and pulled out a large bag. She quickly emptied its' contents onto the table. Hundreds of Cubits poured out, followed by a loud thud. The thud came courtesy of a large, golden amulet that was five times the size of a cubit. The dealer quickly scooped up the amulet, tested it on his scanner, and placed it back in Lyra's pile. Apparently, it was of good grade.
The hand played out fairly quickly. Starbuck began to sweat profusely as it became obvious that he would have little chance to win. Apollo, meanwhile, began to sober up as his confidence level soared. He was one lucky card away from a perfect Pyramid! Lyra barely looking at her cards, smiled at Apollo.
"Colonel, it's to you", said the dealer.
"I call", said Apollo confidently.
All four players laid their cards out on the table. The dealer then gave each player their final card. When Apollo received his card, Starbuck and the old man both hit the table in disgust. Lyra smiled.
"A perfect Pyramid! Winner!" exclaimed the dealer.
"Congratulations, Colonel", smiled Lyra. "Use my gift well."
Apollo returned Lyra's smile, even though he had no idea what she was really talking about. As he pulled his winnings in, he felt a hard slap on his back.
"Hey! Not bad, pop!" exclaimed Troy.
"Hey, Boxey!" exclaimed Starbuck. "Your old man is suddenly the second coming of Chameleon."
Apollo swiveled his chair around to face his only son, Serina's son. Boxey had grown into a fine young man. He was, of course, now a warrior who had long ago dropped the nickname Boxey in favor of his given Kobolian name, Troy. Troy had been raised by Apollo on the Galactica ever since he was seven yahrens old. The boy who had grown into a talented 32- yahren old fighter pilot adored his stepfather but he clearly had the blood of Serina running through his veins. In fact, he looked so much like her that it sometimes upset Apollo to study his own son's face too closely.
Serina had been prevalent in Apollo's thoughts for some time now. Really, ever since he had decided that he would ask Sheba to Seal with him. Although he had made the decision with his heart, his head had not allowed him to actually pop the question yet. For her part, Sheba had been more than patient. On more than one occasion through the yahrens, she had broken up with Apollo because of his inability to commit. He felt that if he didn't ask her to marry him soon, he might just lose her forever.
"Your uncle Starbuck is overstating things a tad, as usual", said Apollo with a smile. "Where have you been?"
"Me? Oh, you know. Just clowning around with the fella's", answered Troy.
Apollo continued to secure his winnings in every available pocket on his uniform. Finally, only the strange amulet was left. It was clearly too big to fit anywhere on his person.
"What the frak is that?" asked Troy a bit loudly.
"Some ancient artifact he won from some old fossil", quipped Starbuck.
Starbuck's sarcasm about the strange woman reminded Apollo that he had lost track of her after his winning hand. His eyes darted from one Chancery table to the next. She was nowhere to be found.
"Something wrong dad?" asked Troy.
"No. I just don't feel right about keeping this amulet. It looks like something that could be a family heir-loom", explained Apollo.
"Well, you could do one of two things", offered Starbuck as he puffed away on his fumerello. "You could give it to me since I've nearly lost my shirt tonight---"
"Or?" said Apollo playfully.
"Or tomorrow, we can check fleet records pertaining to citizens stationed on Capricorn One, track down this loon, and give her her fancy medallion back", said Starbuck reluctantly.
"Sounds like a plan!" exclaimed Troy as he pulled his father towards the door. "In the meantime, the night is still young and the Miss Rag-Tag fleet pageant is about to begin! Let's go!!!"
"Boxey! That pageant is totally degrading to women", argued Apollo. "I'm the Galactica's XO. I couldn't possibly attend something like that."
"You're right, dad. I don't know what I was thinking", said an apologetic Troy. "Starbuck? You still game?"
"Lead the way, nephew!" Starbuck answered with a grin.
Apollo shook his head in disbelief.
"Have a good night buddy!" shouted Starbuck.
Shortly after being abandoned by Starbuck and Troy, Apollo found himself alone in his quarters on the Galactica. He changed rather lazily before falling into his bunk. He laid there for several centons just staring at the ceiling before slowly turning his head to view the amulet. He had placed it on an endtable on the other side of the room. If he didn't know any better, he would swear that the thing had a strange white glow emitting from it. His ears buzzed and somehow he knew it was due to the amulet in some way, shape or form.
Suddenly, Apollo felt sleepy-dizzy even. He closed his eyes but for a micron. When he opened them again, he could not believe his eyes. His heart pounded through his chest. He blinked once hard, trying to get his bearings. He was no longer on the Galactica. He was on a planet! It was broad daylight on what looked to be a gorgeous summer day.
"What the frak! Can I be dreaming?" he said aloud to himself.
Apollo was sitting in the middle of a large, open field in what could possibly be a park of some kind. He rose slowly from the blanket he was sitting on and carefully studied the area. In the distance, he could see a skyline. He immediately recognized it. It was Caprica City!
Somehow, Apollo was back on Caprica!
TO BE CONTINUED