Prologue- setting 'the underbelly' Battlestar Galactica 2200hours
His skin rose in small bumps as he swung the torchlight across the darkened cramped space. The hair on the hand holding the torch was standing upright as he shivered. Yet it was not cold down here. The pipes and wires that wound there way through the narrow corridor of the underbelly should actually make it warm and stuffy. It is just pure atmosphere his mind told him,Starbuck could not have picked a better place to stage her story. The underbelly was a dark cramped space at the bottom of Galactica through which many of the pipes and wiring that supported essential services ran. He could barely stand upright in here and the place had a smell about it that he was sure would sink into his skin. Yep it was all Kara's fault.
Lee reflected that his troubles always seemed to come from her. He would not be down here now otherwise. Dragging his mind back to the task at hand Lee swung his torch light toward the tangled mass of pipes, "come on out Frost, Tollen, this is not funny". His voice was pitched in the no nonsense authority of a leader.
There was no answer . The gaps between the pipes were wide enough to provide hiding spaces for pilots or …something else his mind told him.
Don't be like that Lee his told himself. The nightmares he suffered as a child from watching anything scary had faded long ago. Now they were replaced by nightmares about the all too real foe that they faced. How could anything be scarier than a cylon.
It was all about how you tell a story and Kara had done that very well. Part of him was sure there was something here lurking in the darkness. Yet it was just a story...
His head suddenly snapped to the left as he heard movement. "All right come out now", he demanded loudly focusing torchlight on a tangle of piping that was more convoluted than the rest. It was like the thick root of a tree he remembered from a park in Caprica. Yet the cold unyeidling metal made it seem a lot more forbidding than that tree.
When nothing happened Lee inched closer, his heart beat was speeding up and drops of sweat were beginning to run down hisback. But part of him still suspected this was an elaborate joke, Lt Markus Tollen had been given his call sign Joker for pranks like this. However it was not funny to go AWOL he told himself.
"Come on out now you two and I might forget your failure to turn up for duty". It was not exactly true because while he could certainly forget Colonel Tigh and his father would not be so forgiving. But he made it sound convincing hoping he could get out of here soon.
Stepping right up to the piping and shining the torch down through the mass, Lee felt his previously thumping heartbeat falter for a second.
He was looking at a puddle of blood." Sometimes the only trace of the victims would be blood", a line in Starbucks story came rushing back to him.
Its just a frakking story, he reinforced to himself, "not true, not true". Heck maybe it was not even blood but something from the mess hall made to look scary. Perhaps right now the two pilots were laughing themselves sick over his reaction.
Leaning over he placed a hand in the substance then raised it to his nose noting it definitely had the right smell and texture.
So it was blood but there was only one pool, surely that did not mean anything. Lee leaned over further trying to see beneath the tangle of pipe.
It was then that he felt something touch the back of his neck, cold like ice, it sent a shiver up to his body making the hairs on his neck stand on end. Then cold sensation rapidly changed into a burning pain as he felt a sharp pinlike prick. "It injects its victim in the neck", it was like Starbuck was speaking right into his ear.
He reached his hand to touch his neck and felt that familiar wetness of blood. Shooting his body upright Lee dropped the torch as the pain became more intense. Darkness fell around him . He took a few steps hoping to navigate his way out of the underbelly. His head began to swim and a sick feeling settled into his stomach. "It's just a story", he told himself firmly, "nothing is wrong". All I need is to get out of here. But his body would not respond.A numbness crept down over him in seconds. When he hit the ground he barely felt the pain. His eyes remained open watching the weird flickering from the still lit torch as it rolled.
Then the blackness of the room was echoed in his mind as everything faded out around him.
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Chapter one- The dying time
6 hours ago….
Lee lay on the bed in the med bay listening to the erratic beeping of the machines that indicated unstable vital signs. "Just relax Captain", the medic requested as he inflated the cuff around his arm. But that beeping was distracting him as it became more pronounced. "Focus on me please captain", the medics request was harsh. But he could not because the sound changed and alarms went off. "Crash cart now", he heard the scream through the fog that began to settle over his mind. The alarms continued to scream loudly making his ears ring painfully, he could feel the medics hand clamped around his own. Then came the scream of the defibrillator, "again", the voice was urgent. "Captain",he was being shaken now and was trying to force his mind back to the room. However it was still elsewhere listening to the sounds until it heard that one final sound, "call it 2200 hours", it washed over him.
"Captain", Cottles voice brought him back to himself as he looked toward the opening curtains to see the CMO arriving. He did not want to look at what he held in his hands but his eyes centered on that spot anyway , dog tags still crusted with blood slowly swaying. "Lt. Harlow is dead Captain", Cottle's voice was gruff as he handed Lee the tags. Lee just nodded feeling like he was unable to feel the pain of loss deeply. Harlow was just another one of the many lost in the battle with the cylons. This was war and you learnt to move on quickly. Cottle came closer and sat himself beside Lee on the bed. "Your xrays are clear Captain, no permanent damage, though you will feel sore for a few days." Lee noted Cottle didn't tell him not to fly. He was siff sore, but it was not enough to ground him when they were fighting for their lives. Today he had survived because he was a better pilot than Lt. Harlow. The kid should never have been in the air, his mind bitterly told him. Harlow had barely qualified and in the back of his mind Lee had always know this day would come. He had of course offered as much advice and training as he could in war conditions. But it was not enough, it never is, was another bitter thought. None of them had expected this war or were even prepared to fight it, but they had to because the price of losing was extinction. Now there was one less person in the dwindling human race, that made the cost even higher. Harlow had been in his early twenties and had been the last surviving member of his photo would be placed alongside many others in the chamber of remembrance. Lee wondered how many more faces that place could hold.
Cottle was clearing his throat and had a serious look upon his face forcing Lee to focus upon him. "I need to tell you something else, I'm still deciding whether to make this part of my official report", Cottles tone was urgent and he was giving Lee a measured look. Lee swallowed instinctively knowing he was not going to like what Cottle was going to say. "Harlow had a quantity of alcohol in his bloodstream, not enough to be officially drunk, but enough to impair his reflexes"
The measuring look was back focused on Lee , not an accusation, not yet, but a sharp prod of disapproval .He was looking at laying blame and Lee was quick to answer, "he only had one drink Doc, I know I was there".Thinking back Lee clearly remembered the card game and the bottle that was being passed around. Anybody who was flying in the next couple of hours knew the rules and would not disobey with him present. He remembered Harlow taking only one swig then passing as the bottle continued its passage amongst the pilots. Harlow was a young nugget and would not disobey his orders without provocation. Cottle wet his lips, "levels in his blood indicated more than one son",he told him. There was a number of responses Captain Lee Adama could have given to that piece of information but Cottle was not prepared for the outburst that spat forth from his lips. Lee knew exactly where the provocation would have come from "starbuck". Lee felt anger grow within him, she had thrown his orders back in his face. Starbuck enjoyed a drink, he knew that. Heck they all had a little bit to get them through the day. But the rules on flying under the influence were clear. Starbuck though was never one for playing strictly by the rules. He knew she had a private stash somewhere as he had seen the bottle appear on other occasions.
So far there had been no reason to object to this. Being the best pilot in the fleet often allowed Starbuck a little leeway and being his dead brothers fiancé and his friend gave her even more leverage . But now he had to act because he was sure that as soon as his back had been turned she had given the bottle of booze to Harlow and perhaps others as well, some friend she was. It was a blatant disregard for his orders. He knew she often liked to push it with superiors and as yet he had nothing to object over that as it was usually Tigh she aggravated. But now he was experiencing the full force of being 'starbucked' and it was extremely unpleasant.
"I am going to kill her", the way he said it actually had Cottle putting his hand on Lees arm. "Steady Captain", he warned. "No this is serious doc", Lee countered, Cottle nodded, "yes I agree, but I have no doubt you can handle it effectively." Lee slid off the bed and teetered on his feet for a minute, Cottle reached over to steady him. Finding his balance again Lee gave the closed curtains where the corpse of Lt. Harlow lay one last look. "It won't happen again", he told Cottle firmly .
As he strode away Lee knew his parting words were ones he would have to repeat to the XO. That would definitely not be fun as he knew Tigh would enjoy giving him a dressing down. Being the commanders son as well as CAG was not easy and he was sure Tigh secretly expected him to fail miserably. So to counter what he knew was coming it was better to deal with Starbuck himself first so that Tigh had less to scream about.
He marched down the corridors of the Galactica toward the flightdeck muttering to himself under his breath. Crew men took one look and kept out of his way. Lee did not realize there were times when he was exactly like his father. He was still struggling with the relationship and would not accept that they had anything in common. But right now his persona to anyone who saw him was reflective of Commander Adama in his best angry command officer role.
Finally reaching the flight deck he stopped for a minute to watch the antics of Starbuck as she jumped down from her viper to conduct a little victory dance. "That's another 5 less toasters in the world, oh yeah, ohh yeah, '" Around her the deck crew were gathered and were smiling obviously enjoying both the display .
He stormed through their midst and grabbed starbuck by her collar, "you are a total frak up with no regard for the rules". They should not be celebrating with you, but condemning you".
Kara's celebratory mood vanished as she looked into Lee Adamas eyes and saw intense anger. As yet though she had no idea of the cause, was he not happy she had killed more cylons. Perhaps he just disliked her being the centre of attention. She tried to brush off his hands but found they were tightly fixed. Putting on her best glare she challenged, "whats your problem captain,don't like a little celebrating" . Around her the deck crew shifted restlessly. At the moment they were firmly on Starbucks side and the CAG was the one spoiling her moment of triumph. Unaware of the mood,Lee twisted the material around the collar of her uniform tightly, "my problem", he growled harshly. Kara found it restricted her breathing somewhat and she began to feel increasingly anxious. This was not a Lee she recognized and it was beginning to scare her. His face was red and his breathing intense, whatever his problem it was a lot more serious than just doing a dance on the flight deck. Finally Lee spat it out in a shout that echoed across the deck, "my problem Lt. is that I have one less pilot because of you".
Kara stared at him blankly having no idea what he was referring to .She knew she had performed well in the battle and had actually prevented one nugget being shot down. What was Lee's problem. Her look just made Lee angrier, did she not even know what had gone on, did she not care, he lifted her one inch off the deck by the collar." Lt Harlow died moments ago in the med bay Starbuck. His death was not just caused by the cylons who fired the shot, some of the blame rests with you", Lee growled. It was a serious accusation that cut through the air of the flight deck. Those who had tried to just get on with their work and ignore the confrontation between Starbuck and Apollo were now mesmerized as they waited to see what would happen. The others who had taken Starbucks side without knowing the facts were wavering. They had no doubt in their minds that the CAG was angrier than they had ever seen him before. He had an intensity about him that was almost chilling.
Lee was totally unawre that he and Kara were the centre of attention. His anger was still boiling over as he felt Kara did not understand how serious her actions had been. Kara was reeling from the shock of his attack, she mourned with him about Harlows loss. But felt it had been inevitable as he was not a good pilot. But how was his loss her fault? She pulled his hands away roughly, finding her feet back on the deck and demanded "my fault, come on Lee". He reached forward and grabbed her again pulling her off her feet and yelling, "that's captain Lt. Not your fault well let me spell it out for you. Harlow might have survived if he had been a little faster with his maneuvers. But the alcohol in his system slowed his reaction time. I know he only had one drink at the game last night. So where did he get the rest Kara", Lee demanded as he shook her again. "You are the only one I know of with an illegal supply. So you just slipped him one more drink thinking that would never know. Well I do know", Lee was now so angry that spittle flew from his mouth. His hand slid down his pants to the butt of his gun and before he knew it he had pulled it free. He had not been serious when he had said " I am going to kill her " to Cottle. But now he was.
"Maybe there is only one way to solve this lack of regard you have for my orders Lt.,he shouted. Lee was no longer even aware of what he was doing. All the anger he held inside about the destruction of his world, his difficulties with his father and the deaths of many pilots was spilling over.
Around him the majority of the shocked deck crew were unsure what action to take. Only Chief Tyrol was brave enough to intervene. He could actually sense that Lee Adama may be angry enough to shoot Kara Thrace and could not condone that happening. He stepped forward and grabbed Lee's arm, "come on Captain, this is not the way to solve the issue". The words permeated through the angry fog of Lee's mind and he finally became aware of the fact he was standing in the middle of the flight deck pointing a weapon at one of his own pilots. He saw the fear on Kara's face and the small tremors that ran through her body.
Kara did not dare move as fear anchored her feet firmly to the deck. All she could see was the muzzle of the gun pointing at her. She could almost feel the anger dripping from Lees pores and it made her increasingly fearful . Her senses and reflexes were trained to high military precision and they were warning her Lee Adama was deadly serious. She made herself look as non threatening as possible and tried to calm him down . To do that she knew she had to be totally honest, "okay I gave him more for the road but he was not drunk Captain, I swear". She stared at him intently and put a lot of depth into her next words", I would not do that", her voice shook despite her best efforts.
Lee remembered Cottles words, Harlow had not actually been drunk, therefore quite able to fly. If he had felt at all unsure of his own abilities then he could have asked to be relieved. Even though Starbuck had played a part Harlows death had not been entirely her fault. He lowered the gun and heard an audible sigh of relief around him. Becoming aware of the number of people looking at him , Lee barked, "back to your duties". They scurried away quickly heads down and not daring to look Lee in the eye. He guessed they'd be talking about this for ages. But what they said was not his concern the Lt. standing in front of him was. "We still have to talk about this Lt., follow me", he told Kara . His tone now was wary and he felt tired. Lee moved Tyrols hand from his arm and told him, "stand down chief". Tyrol saw that the look in the captain eyes had changed and that Lt. Trace was no longer in danger. He took a quick step backward and sagged in relief.
What the heck had he been thinking Lee wondered, for a moment he had lost control and as CAG he should not be doing that. He had honestly been ready to shoot Kara and that was a frightening thought. Thankfully Tyrol had been brave enough to intervene.
His office had always been the more appropriate place for this discussion. Now the whole ship would know what had happened and he would be explaining things to both Tigh and his father.
Perhaps he was the screw up and not Kara. Either the XO or his father may just remove him from duty because of today's actions. Perhaps they would be right to do so. He could do nothing about that now . He would at least go out knowing he had resolved the problem of illegal drinking.
Turning he walked off the flight deck back toward his office . Kara followed after him, still shaken but no longer fearing for her safety
Once inside Kara was quick to apologise, "I should not have given him that extra drink Lee, it was just…"
"Just what, a bit of fun, a little poke at my orders Kara, I have had enough, " Lee meant it to sound like an order but somehow it just came out as sounding lost.
Looking over at him Kara could see the lines of tiredness and stress on his face. That look was mirrored upon all of them, though on Lee it looked deeper. She forgave him for almost shooting her and decided that perhaps just maybe he had a point. "It just that drinking is about forgetting Lee. If the pilots stop for a moment they remember what they lost, who they lost and what is left. They look and wonder if there is a future. " it was a serious speech for 'starbuck' but it was spoken from the deep recesses of her own mind. An image of Zac Adama floated in front of her eyes and would not vanish. She had loved him with all her being and could not forget what that felt like.
Lee slumped into his chair, he knew what she meant, sometimes he thought about home and other loved ones ,especially his mother. But his tone was still firm as he told Kara, "I know but drinking is making us lose. All the cylons have to do then is wait for us to destroy ourselves. It is senseless and needs to stop. You seem to be the one with the influence there so my orders are to find another way to entertain our pilots." Even though he was the CAG he knew he was still the newcomer, the one who commanded because he was the highest ranking pilot left standing. If this had been Atlantia he would not be CAG. But here he was ,still having a lot to prove. Dealing with the popular hotshot pilot Starbuck was one of his major challenges. He knew that if she led by example the other pilots would follow. "Find another way to entertain the troops Lt. that is an order".
Kara saluted him in acknowledgement that she took what he said very seriously , "yes sir, I will". It was a vow that was deeply ingrained. If Lee had snapped she could be dead and that was a very sobering thought. She would not let him down.
But what to do, all sorts of ideas rolled around in her mind. Entertainment in any other form than liquid was not her strong point. She could sing but had no doubt she sounded truly awful.
She remembered coming on this battlestar as a young nugget and being entertained herself by one of the crew. It still stuck in her minds from all those years ago. Perhaps she should try it herself.
"Tonight Kara Trace you are going to become a storyteller and it will chill them all to the bone", she told herself.