Title: Choices

Disclaimer: not me

Timeframe: AU Season 1; pilot episode. When the Galactica and the Civilian fleet decide to leave and search for Earth. President Roslin is onboard Galactica not the Colonial One; Starbuck refuses to leave Apollo behind when ordered back to Galactica

!VOTE! profile page: who should find Apollo & Starbuck? (the poll has 4 choices) poll ends at end of the month

"All vipers return at once," ordered Commander Adama.

"Vipers 23 and 45 aboard," Dee stated.

"Good, prepare to follow the flight as soon as the bay is secured," Adama stated as he joined Tigh at the command console. "How are we doing?"

"Still missing two vipers."

"It's Starbuck and Apollo," Dee called out.

"Starbuck, Apollo return at once," ordered Tigh.

Viper

"Starbuck get back to Galactica," ordered Apollo as he fought for control of his viper.

Starbuck ignored him as she concentrated her fire on the approaching cylon raider.

"Damn it Kara get the hell out of here," he exclaimed as his viper took another hit.

"No way Lee," she countered as she engaged another raider.

Galactica CIC

"The baystars are closing in," Tigh stated as Roslin entered CIC.

"What's going on?" she demanded. "The fleet is safely away, why are we still here?":

"We have two fighters still outside," reported Gaitea as he approached the Commander with a status report of the situation; "Sir..." His question was cut off when the commander ordered him to jump the ship.

"Sir?"

"You heard me," Adama stated as he walked off the bridge.

"You heard him," Roslin stated. "Jump."

"Yes ma'am."

"Lords of Kobal," Tigh started as was joined by the rest of the bridge officers. "Watch over those we 

leave behind."

"I can't believe..." Dee trailed off as Tigh gently squeezed her shoulder. "If anyone can survive, it'll be those two."

"How many did we lose?" Roslin asked Gaitea.

"Five Viper pilots," he sighed as he read off their names for her, "Lt Cory "Hotshot" Bridges, Lt Samuel "Tag" Tagert, Lt Ann "Kit" Kilmerish," he paused as he tried to speak past the lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. "Lt...Lt."

Tigh cut him off as he grimly stated the last two names, "Lt Kara "Starbuck" Thrace, Capt Lee "Apollo" Adama."

"Oh gods," Roslin whispered as she realized just who those last two vipers they had left behind where piloted by.

"Begging your pardon madam president but get the frack of this ship," ordered Tigh as he headed toward Adama's stateroom.

TBC

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