Last of the Great American Heroes

By Innana

Disclaimer. I don't own any of the Buck Rogers characters and have made absolutley nothing from this story. I did, however invent a couple of my own dubious characters.

I felt that there were so many unfinished story threads in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, it was a great show and a shame it was cancelled. It will live on in our hearts and in our stories Thanks to White_eyebrow for the beta.

Chapter 1 - Aftermath

Buck Rogers strolled into the bar. A dozen or so crew members were already there, lounging on the oversize chairs. The murmurings of their chatter drifted across the room, flooding his senses. The rec room wasn't somewhere Buck frequented very often but it made for a welcome change from the solitude of his cabin.

He could have gone to see Wilma or Hawk but he figured he wasn't the best company right now. Besides, they had both put themselves out for him so much in recent days that he didn't want to be any further burden on them.

He ordered a glass of vinol, wishing that it was a good malt scotch.

The recent accusations of treason had hit him hard. Harder, than anyone realized. Even though he had been vindicated, he couldn't go back in time to the 20th century and prove his innocence there. The thought that his family and loved ones may have all gone to their deaths believing him a traitor cut him like a knife. Trying to return to his normal routine aboard The Searcher had proved impossible. He had been putting on a brave front during the day only to spend the evenings brooding in his quarters.

He lifted the drink from the counter, staring into the contents of the glass for a moment and downed the rose coloured liquid. He grimaced at the sweet aftertaste and ordered another.

"Captain Rogers."

He looked up to see a young woman standing by his side. He raised an eyebrow as he cast an eye over her delicate features and soft curves.

The petite blond fidgeted nervously at first; Buck's encouraging smile put her at ease, "I just wanted to say that I'm glad they found you innocent, and that you had my full support."

Buck sighed and continued to nurse his drink. Everyone on board was aware of the accusations. News like that traveled very fast on board a ship like this. He'd rather be left alone to drown his sorrows in vinol but he knew how much support and encouragement his fellow crew members had given him during his ordeal. It would be rude not to acknowledge this—especially towards someone so attractive.

"Thanks," he replied and offered her a seat on the stool next to him. "That means a lot - er sorry I don't know your name."

She straightened. "Callie," she replied, smiling as she sat down.

"Buck." He shook her hand. Looking to the bartender, Buck tapped the counter-top. The bartender nodded in understanding and served the young lady a glass of Vinol.

They chatted for a while. Several crew members had chosen to stay behind on the recent visit to Earth and Buck learned that Callie was one of the replacements, only a few months out of flight academy. She was tactful enough to not mention the trial again and he was grateful for that. As more people filed into the bar it started to feel overcrowded.

"Perhaps," Callie whispered, "we should go somewhere a little quieter."

Buck nodded in agreement. Well if he couldn't find solace in alcohol then maybe, like many times back on Earth, he could find it in the arms of a pretty girl. They slipped out of the bar and down the corridor towards the elevators.

Back in his cabin Buck turned up the volume on his audio system and poured out two glasses of vinol from the bottle that he had purchased from the bar. He strode the few paces over to the couch and settled down next to where Callie was seated.

She took the proffered glass from him and smiled. Buck looked into her eyes. Her blond hair, delicate features and pale complexion gave her a slightly Scandinavian look. He briefly wondered with some amusement, if the Swedes, Finish and Danes were having sauna parties on another planet somewhere. A huge proportion of Europe had been obliterated by the holocaust and had remained largely un-inhabitable except for major cities, just like the former US.

She noticed his admiring gaze and snuggled a little closer to him. "What's this?"

"The music? It's by an artist called Phil Collins, It's called, 'In the Air Tonight', do you like it?"

Callie cocked her head, unsure. "Well it's – different from anything else I've heard."

He snorted and ran his fingers lightly over her cheek. "Well I'm sure it will grow on you."

She gazed up at him her lips slightly parted. "I'm sure it will Buck."

She slipped her arms around his shoulder and they both leaned forward till their lips touched. Buck wrapped his arms around her and just for a moment he forgot all about his recent woes.

The chime of the doorbell brought them out of the moment in an instant. He pulled away from Callie reluctantly and rolled his eyes. Great timing whoever you are.

"Let it ring!" Callie said as she place a finger on his chin, drawing his lips back into hers.

The sound was repeated and Buck broke it off. Whoever it was wasn't going to take the hint. His eyes widened when he heard the familiar voice on the other side.

"Buck, it's me." Wilma paused for a moment. When there was no response she called out again, "Buck – are you all right?"

He forced a smile through clenched teeth as he glanced back at his attractive companion. "It's Wilma - er, Colonel Deering." He sighed. "Look, I'd better answer the door, otherwise she might just get Twiki to override the security code."

She nodded reluctantly and her gaze followed him as he got up from the couch and strode over to the door. He pressed a button on the control pad which controlled the locking mechanism and the thick metal door split into two horizontal halves.

Buck felt a little awkward as he stared into the face of his friend and colleague.

"Er – Wilma it's a little inconvenient right now."

"Oh!" her keen military-trained eyes quickly scanned the room. She frowned when she saw Callie seated on the couch, sipping from the glass of Vinol and looking a little uncomfortable.

"Buck – what's going on?" Her eyes grew wide and questioning.

"Er - this is Callie, she was just..."

"On second thoughts, I can pretty much guess what's going on!" Wilma glared at him. "I came to see how you were but obviously you have plans for the evening and they don't include me. Goodnight Captain Rogers."

She spun on her heels and her footfalls echoed on the laminated floor as she stormed off down the corridor.

Buck could only stare after her, his mind once more in turmoil as she disappeared round the corner.

Callie got up from the sofa and moved to his side. "Are you and Colonel Deering…?"

"What? No!" he shot back, then sighed, "it's sort of - complicated, I..."

"Always is," she mumbled. "Look maybe I'd better go."

He nodded. "OK!" the moment had somehow passed now anyway.

After the young woman had left, he wandered over to the tiny porthole and stared at the spectacular star-filled sky. The familiar feeling of despair and loneliness came flooding back, washing over him like a shower of rain. The fling with Callie had been his last ditch attempt at finding comfort from the recent events. Despairingly he drummed his fingers over the metal frames, lost in thought.

He had joined the Searcher's mission into space to escape the ghosts of the past, ghosts which haunted him every time he flew over the ruined landscape that was his homeland. the desert that was once Lake Michigan.

The trial for treason had been a cruel reminder of everything he had left behind. Buck was now a prisoner of his own mind – and there was nowhere to run and nowhere left to hide. As he stared at the swirling green gaseous cloud of a distant nebula, he had a vision, a sudden recollection someone he had met recently, realisation that there was indeed someone who maybe had the answers, It was a difficult decision, but his mind was resolute. In the solitude of his quarters, he started making plans.