Disclaimer:
Battlestar Galactica is owned by some... guy. It ain't me, that's all I know! Mores the pity.
The Newness of Ancient Space Stations
Starbuck was grouchy. He missed a pyramid game. Again.
"Cheer up Starbuck!" His friend and commanding officer chirped. "We get to check out another worthless piece of left over technology."
"Ah, sarcasm." Starbuck thought. Looking at his friends pinched face he stated in mock shock, "Why Apollo! The gods would think you were upset being saddled with a couple scientists."
A shared glare and they broke out laughing quietly with each other. It was true. They were flying a shuttle with two scientists, Boomer, and Medtech Cassiopeia to a nondescript space station orbiting a dead world. True they were also missing a Pyramid game and a wife, respectively, but such was the life of a Colonial Viper Pilot!
Apollo leaned back in his seat reflecting on the past two yahrens. It was hard to believe the fleet had made it as far along its trek through the void of space, so far from the Twelve Colonies. So far from home forever lost to the hated Cylons. Most of the ships were dangerously close to falling apart! The Battlestar Galactica, their base ship, was in need of serious repairs if it hoped to continue to protect the last remnants of humanity.
"I wonder what Sheeba and Boxey are doing right now?" He thought wistfully.
"Wondering what Sheeba and Boxey are doing right now?" Starbuck asked him.
Startled out of his morose thoughts, agape, Apollo asked, "How did you know what I was thinking?"
"Well, your father always did say we shared a brain." Starbuck joked.
"That's Commander Adama to you Lieutenant." Apollo returned in mock anger. "Besides, where else would I be, but with the woman I love and my only son?"
"True, true." Starbuck said. Sighing he groused, "Frak, man can't even smoke a decent fumarello in these shuttles."
Distracting them Boomer, fellow pilot and budding scientist, whispered over his friends shoulders, "Not wanting to interrupt your grouse fest, but we're just a few centons away from the 'worthless piece of left over technology'."
Apollo had the grace to be embarrassed, "Oh, you heard that, huh?" he said over his shoulder.
Boomer leaned in closer and whispered conspiratorially, "Don't worry." he confided. "I am with you on this. It's a fools errand."
Patting Apollo's shoulder he stated, "Don't worry Captain. We'll get you home to your wife and son ASAP!"
Centons later, sensors aboard the derelict space station reported an anomaly to its central computer. The computer digested the info and decided to turn on the lights and bring life support online. Then it returned to idle mode and ... waited.
"Docking complete, Captain." Starbuck reported. "Should we send in the giks to test the atmosphere?"
"Starbuck." Apollo warned. "Be nice." The frustrated Captain couldn't help but smile at his friends joke. The scientists, however, were far from amused.
Technician Lim whined nervously, "Very funny guys. Uh, you're not really gonna send us out there first are you?"
A short, thin man his voice matched his body. It was high-pitched, thin, and reedy. But overall he was well liked and everyone treated him like a kid brother. Being young didn't help either, but this scientist was game and full of energy. His fellow scientist was his total opposite and his superior. A droll, middle aged man Dr. Danre scowled at everything.
Even now he scowled at his assistant and the pilots grumbling, "Oh Lim relax. Of course they will not send you first. That is their job." He turned his attention back to his pad studying it intently.
Starbuck started forward, "Why you ..." but Apollo stopped him shaking his head. Patting Lim's shoulder Apollo stated quietly, "No, Lim. Danre is correct, that is our job."
Checking their blaster Starbuck and Apollo gathered around Boomer whom was checking the atmosphere indicators at the airlock.
"Well, Lieutenant? We good to go?" Apollo asked.
"Weellll ..." Boomer hedged. "Atmosphere is optimal, temperature is optimal, there's even gravity in the station."
Starbuck raised an eyebrow and asked, "So?"
"Don't you see? Its too perfect!" Boomer stated.
"All right." Apollo decided. "We go in carefully and cautiously. You three stay here while we check it out."
The scientists and Cassiopeia nodded hurriedly in agreement. Cassie gave a Starbuck a passionate good luck kiss on his way out the shuttle. Then she shut and locked the airlock behind them. She leaned her head against the airlock door and muttered a small prayer. She spun in shock when she heard Dr. Danre respond with a heartfelt "amen".
He exclaimed, with a half smile, "What? They do their jobs well, but every little bit helps."
The corridors of the space station were well lit. The walls, floor, and ceiling were white and very clean. Everything looked brand new, which unnerved the three warriors. They cautiously moved through the empty corridors slowly making their way to the Command Center. The pilots did not speak, using hand signals to communicate, drawing ever closer to their goal.
"Apollo." Boomer whispered. "Scanner shows we're at the Command Center."
"Good job Boomer. We made good time." Apollo returned quietly. Boomer nodded, then immediately bent to the door controls trying to open the bulkhead door.
Starbuck whispered, "Ah, I for one am glad when things go smoothly. But," he continued at a normal volume. "Why are we whispering?"
Boomer and Apollo share a questioning glance. They looked back at Starbuck and shrugged their shoulders not having an answer for him. The portal to the command center chose that moment to beep causing the three warriors to jerk their attention back to the door. They move slowly inside with drawn weapons panning the interior, searching for any signs of danger.
"All clear!" Starbuck and Boomer called out. Apollo nods in satisfaction as he pulls out his communicator. Raising the shuttle he informs the others, "Cassie, its clear. Boomer is staying to begin the preliminary survey. Starbuck and I are coming back to the shuttle to get you and the scientists."
"Understood Apollo." She responded calmly. "Though I think you might want to hurry. Dr. Danre is in danger of breathing a little faster than usual." Cassie added jokingly. There was a muffled, "Indeed." in the background and Apollo cut the feed.
"Boomer? Do the hoodoo that you do." Apollo smirked. Boomer raised one eyebrow in surprise. It wasn't everyday he heard his commanding officer joke like that. Gesturing to Starbuck Apollo ordered, "Well Lieutenant, let's go get your woman. Though I think your starting to rub off on her!"
"You know me Captain. I like to 'rub'." Starbuck rejoined.
"Ohhh, Starbuck. That was bad." Apollo quipped as they headed down the corridors to the berthing bay.
Boomer chuckled under his breath, relieved that his Captain was in better spirits than usual.
"Must be his sealing with Sheeba." He thought happily. Boomer hummed while he began inspecting the equipment.
Out of the corner of his eyesight he noticed one panel light up and start blinking. He slowly approached readying his scanner to check for booby traps. Suddenly a monitor snapped to life! He stopped, gasping in surprise he asked the figure on the screen, "Who are you?"
It was the last thing he remembered. Snap! Crackle! Pop! And a flash of light! The control room was empty again.
"Starbuck! I was beginning to worry!" Cassie cried, falling into her lover's arms. Apollo squeezed by them letting the two share a tender moment.
"Lim, Dr. Danre. Are you both ... ready?" Apollo trailed off. The two scientists all but flew out of the shuttle in their haste to explore new technology! Sheepishly grinning Apollo shook his head and followed in their wake. Smacking Starbuck on the back in passing he called out, "Either get a room you two or move your astrums!"
Blushing like school children Cassie and Starbuck hurried to catch up with the group after locking down the shuttle. Running around the nearest corner the couple were brought up short by the other three waiting for them. Technician Lim and Dr. Danre were deep in conversation and Apollo simply smirked. The two lovebirds actually blushed, but then Starbuck straightened realizing he had nothing to be embarrassed about!
"Lieutenant Starbuck. Would you be so kind as to take point?" Apollo gestured, waving Starbuck forward.
Starbuck hesitated for just a moment, then gave Cassie a kiss and strutted to the fore. "Sure thing Captain." Starbuck replied.
Walking quickly, yet quietly, the party made their way to the Command Center. Half way there Starbuck perked up raised his fist signaling a stop. Starbuck held his ground for a few microns, listening. Then shaking his head he gestured the party onward.
Arriving in the Command Center the two scientists immediately brought out there scanning and recording equipment. As they were setting up Cassie asked, "Where's Boomer."
"I was wondering the same thing." Starbuck remarked.
Apollo considered where his friend might have gone. He called out, heading for the portal, "Starbuck, Cassie. Stay here and assist the doctor and his assistant. I'm heading to the power plant."
"Yes sir." Starbuck responded. Then he whipped back to Apollo inquiring, "Do you know where it is?"
In answer Apollo simply pointed to the map on the wall at the entrance as he passed through it. Starbuck scratched his head wanting to go with Apollo to check on Boomer. But he knew his duty, even if it wasn't his favorite thing to do at the time.