The Measure of Command
It wasn't supposed to be like this, Felix thought grimly. Laura Roslin had escaped, along with Lee, Starbuck, and Baltar. Tom Zarek was still waiting for information, as if he was the one in charge. But Zarek was a man with delusions of being a martyr, and martyrs don't make for good leaders. That's why he was the one calling the shots, here on the bridge.
Gaeta gauged the looks in the faces of those around him. Half of them looked back at him with contempt and hatred. Even the loyal Marines seemed uncertain. He needed to find a way to become the Fleet's voice now, not just in name but in action.
There was still the matter of Athena and Hera. Gaeta had no personal ill will towards Kara's daughter, but the Agathons were a different matter. They were a sick reminder of the way the original had betrayed the Fleet and shot the Old Man.
The Old Man…what was he going to do about Adama? He had reacted without fear and hesitation throughout the entire revolt. Gaeta had been the one sweating in the Old Man's chair. Part of him felt sorry for what he had to do. But the former Commander had lost perspective. Something had to be done, and the trial was the only way.
Speaking of the law…the Quorum would have to be dissolved when this was over. They'd served a mostly symbolic function. Like Tom Zarek, they would no longer be needed. Order and survival would have to come first. The high ideals that Lee had spoken of at Baltar's trial would have to wait.
He was sure he could find a way to reason with Lee. Apollo had already voiced his own displeasure with the Cylon alliance. He would be upset about Adama, of course…but Lee was ultimately a realist. At least, Gaeta hoped he was. And he would need someone with an eloquent voice who could be the face of the new government-once Zarek was out of the picture.
For the first time, Gaeta began to relax. The Cylon base ship wasn't going anywhere, and they had Adama and Colonel Tigh. Lee and the others would be back.
After all, he was running the show now.
THE END