New Blood, Old Friends and Enemies All Around

I guess I should state that this is based upon someone else's property. I'm really just a literary squatter.

I began writing this story sometime during the middle of the first season. As I was reading spoilers for the second half of the season, the idea for this story came to me. It's completely AU as I had no idea how all of the issues of season 1 would be resolved, nor did I feel that it was my place to try and resolve them.

This story is set sometime in the middle of the second season based upon the assumption that President Roslin is back in office, Commander Adama survives his wounds and all of the major characters end up back with the fleet.

Thanks for reading.

Chapter One

Colonel Tigh enters Commander Adama's quarters to find him sitting in bed reviewing paperwork. Tigh waits until Adama waves him over, and then crosses the room and reports, "the fleet has taken cover in the small system within the cluster of nebulas we discussed earlier. There have been no sign of cylons in the sector, but I have sent the CAP on a wide dispersement pattern and we have 3 raptors patrolling the nearest systems for any signs of the enemy."

Adama comments, "it wouldn't hurt if they found some resources either."

Tigh agrees, "no, it certainly wouldn't. We currently have six ships in the fleet with non-working FTL drives. So we could certainly use a little quiet for a day or two."

Adama nods, "I haven't heard from the President in a few days, has there been any word on what's going on in the fleet?"

Tigh shrugs, "who cares what the civies do? All they do is whine and complain. I just figure our dear President will call when she needs our troops to pull her out of the fire." Tigh pauses for a moment, "I'm concerned about spreading the squadron out too thin. If cylons do show up…we'll have a hell of a time forming any sort of decent defense."

Adama replies, "I'd rather know they're coming and have time to make decisions than have them drop in on our doorstep unannounced."

A raptor flies between a large planet and one of it's moons on long range patrol. The ECO calls out to the pilot, "hey, Burnout! I'm picking up what looks like a descent sized ship on the other side of this moon."

Burnout replies, "how can you tell? There's so much interference in this system. Are you sure you're not seeing some sort of static?"

The ECO calls back, "I'm pretty sure. It's odd, the thing keeps popping up on the edge of the scope, but then it jumps off the screen. We had better check it out…just not too close."

The pilot moves the ship closer to the moon. Suddenly as the ECO watches the screen, it goes from almost completely static to completely clear. He says, "what the…frak! There are fou…five fighters right on top of us!" He looks over at Burnout, "we're surrounded."

In the CIC of the Galactica, Petty Officer Dualla announces, "sir, raptor two is coming in from patrol, and they appear to have a large ship coming in from the FTL with them."

Tigh asks immediately concerned, "what kind of ship?"

Lieutenant Gaeta scanning his monitors chimes in, "it's a large cargo vessel with colonial military markings. It's heavily armored and has four gun turrets. We're not picking up any nukes, but it's hard to scan through her hull." He looks up, "it's charter lists it as the "Nebula Chaser.'"

Tigh calls out, "well, don't take our guns off her. And call in the CAP for cover." Then he says to Dualla, "patch me through to raptor 2."

Dualla replies, "we're getting a message from inside the Chaser."

Tigh corrects her, "you mean from the Chaser."

She replies, "no, it appears to be coming from a source inside the ship's hull." As she says this, the Chaser's cargo bay doors slide open and a group of Mark II vipers and raptors exit the ship heading toward the Galactica.

A voice calls over the radio, "Tell everyone on the Galactica that Lieutenant Jolly has finally made it home!"

Burnout, the raptor pilot, calls out over the radio, "look, what we found!" Everyone in the CIC applauds and cheers as Dualla calls out that a group of 19 vipers and 3 raptors has requested permission to land and join the fleet.

Tigh is the only one who doesn't appear happy, he orders Gaeta, "continue to track those ships with our guns. If any of them so much as look like they are going to break formation, blow them out of space."

In the hangar bay, the flight crews and pilots stand watching and applauding as the vipers and raptors land. Apollo and Starbuck stand apart and watch the pilot of the lead viper take off his helmet and begin stepping down from his cockpit. They both appear dumbstruck as the man turns and looks them both over. They continue to stare until the pilot says to Apollo, "what? Not even a courtesy hello for the guy that got you through flight school?" Apollo and Starbuck both rush over and hug the new pilot. Apollo exclaims, "Jordan! Where did you come from? Where did all of you come from?"

Starbuck breaks in, "we thought that you were…lost with the rest of the Galactica's response force when the cylons attacked."

Colonel Tigh comes walking quickly onto the flight deck. He approaches the new pilot, Jordan and asks, "what the devil is going on? Jolly, where in the blazes did you come from?" The collection of new pilots, all form a presentation line behind Jordan and stand at attention.

Jolly says, "Lieutenant Jordan Nevlin, reporting for duty sir. I was just about to explain to Captain Adama and Lieutenant Thrace here, that during the attack, just before my ship's power was sapped by the cylons, I was ordered to take over for the CAG. The weapon hadn't quite shorted out my ship yet. I was at the rear of the formation, so I hit my reverse thrusters to move around the other fighters into position when my power went. The inertia from the thrusters moved me farther out of formation when the nukes hit. Between the thrusters and the initial explosion, my ship was thrown from the blast area. My front end completely disintegrated and none of my systems functioned. I was about to give up hope, when a group of Mark II vipers that were to act as the Galactica's honor guard when she made it to Caprica arrived. They rescued me and then we found a group of raptors and a cargo ship under attack. We were able to rescue them, stow the fighters and then we all FTL'd the hell out of there…sir."

Tigh looks them all over while a group of marines approach the group from behind. "And what have you been doing since then? And how do we come by the pleasure of your company?"

Jolly replies, "well sir, we've been jumping system to system ever since. We've been running wherever we might have a chance to replenish our supplies. We have taken our losses and are now down to 19 vipers and 3 raptors. And most of those are in serious need of repairs. But Colonel, my squadron, as it is, is at your disposal."

It's then that the marines move in and surround the new pilots with rifles drawn. Jolly responds in shock, "what the…?"

Tigh interrupts him, "all of your pilots need to be placed into custody until we can clear you."

Jolly takes an angry step forward, many of the marines tense and point their weapons menacingly at Jolly, "clear us of what?"

Tigh responds, "of being cylon agents." And he turns and begins walking away.

Jolly begins to go after him, but Apollo steps in front and holds him, "it'll be alright, Jordan. We have to be careful. It'll be alright, trust me."

Petty Officer Dualla enters Commander Adama's quarters and stands at attention. Adama tells her to "enter." Dualla says to him, "The Colonel asked me to give you his status report while he attends to the new pilots."

Adama asks, "what do you mean attend to the new pilots?"

Dualla hesitates for a moment, then replies, "he has taken all of the new pilots into custody, until it can be determined that they aren't cylon agents trying to infiltrate the Galactica."

Adama looks concerned, "he's put the new pilots in the brig?"

She responds, "no sir. He's placed them in sequestered quarters under guard. He's also arranging for replacements to be sent out to the Nebula Chaser, so that it's crew can be tested also."

Adama smiles without humor, "so the Colonel believes that it's a little too big of a coincidence that when we are desperate for fighters, we just happen to run into a small squadron of fighters?"

Dualla nods, "yes sir. He feels it would too great a risk to give them free run of the ship until we can establish that none of them are cylon agents."

Adama continues, "that's why he's a great XO. He knows to put up his guard when everyone else is a little too quick to celebrate. I understand his misgivings, but we need those pilots." He pauses for a moment, "have Lieutenant Gaeta work with the Vice President to get these tests done as quickly as humanly possible. Tell Gaeta he has my full authority to do anything necessary to light a fire under our dear Doctor Baltar's rear."

Apollo walks past the two armed marines guarding the room where Jolly and some of his pilots are being held. One of the marines opens the locked door for him to enter. He finds Jolly lounging on a cot while three other sequestered pilots play cards at a small table. Jolly stands up upon seeing Apollo and says, "believe it or not this is the nicest place we've been in for months, but your welcoming committee needs some work Lee."

Apollo explains, "listen Jordan, we have the last survivors of the colonies to protect. We can't let you run loose until we're sure that none of you are cylon agents."

Jolly laughs, asking "do we look like a toasters? what kind of idiot would make a deal with the cylons? Anyone that might have been tricked into helping the cylons would have been fried to a crisp by now."

Apollo replies upon seeing the confused looks from all the pilots, "you don't know…" He pauses for a moment, then says, "the cylons can now look human. They have developed models to look and act human to perform as sabotage agents. We have to be absolutely sure that none of you are a risk to the fleet before letting you go. I'm sorry, but it has to be this way."

The pilots exchange concerned looks, finally after an awkward moment, a small female brunette pilot asks Apollo, "so Captain, exactly how do we go about establishing our humanness?"

Apollo looks directly at her for a moment, then says to them all, "Our Vice President is Dr. Gaius Baltar. He's developed a test to determine if someone is a cylon or human. However, with this many people…I'm not sure how long it will take. Hopefully not more than a few days."

Jolly looks concerned for a moment, then says to Apollo, "well, then I might as well start introducing you to your new pilots. He points to the small brunette woman, "this is Slider." Then pointing to a large bald man, he says, "this is Saber." And then pointing to a younger tall blond guy, "and that's Whiplash."

Apollo nods and says, "welcome. I guess I'm your new CAG."

Jolly smiles mischievously, "I see Starbuck made it out. Figures..maybe even the cylons have some standards."

Apollo admonishes him, "you're not back an hour and already you have to start that up again? Are you ever going to ease up on her? Look that pissing contest crap was ok once upon a time. But I need all my pilots focused on protecting the fleet, not constantly trying to one up each other."

Jolly puts his hands up, "alright, alright. I'll be good. Wouldn't want to start off on the wrong foot with my new CAG." Jolly pauses for a moment then says, "Lee, it's really good to see you. I had pretty much given up hope of ever seeing anyone again. And to be back aboard the Galactica…it's like coming home."

Apollo smiles, "I know what you mean. I'm glad you're back. We need good people and good pilots." Apollo pulls out a handful of cigars, "if I know you at all, you have probably been dying for one of these." Jolly eagerly grabs the cigar and smells it. He hands the rest to the other pilots.

Apollo goes to leave but turns and says, "Jordan, I'm not kidding about expecting you and Starbuck to get along. This is a surprisingly small ship and we don't exactly get a lot of shore leave…so behave." He continues with a smile, "that's an order from your new CAG."

Jolly says between puffs on the cigar, "don't worry about me Lee, that's why they call me Jolly. Because I'm just so happy go lucky." Before Apollo can leave, Jolly asks, "hey Lee, I have to ask you one question…"

Before he can get the question out, Apollo puts his hand on Jolly's shoulder, "Jordan, you are an amazing pilot. I'd fly with you anytime, anywhere, but Starbuck is a little better." Apollo smiles to himself as he leaves the room.

Jolly turns to the other pilots, "he was just kidding. He's always been a big kidder."

On Colonial one, Billy has just briefed President Roslin regarding the appearance of the pilots and vipers. Roslin looks pained and shows it as she sits heavily in her chair. Billy moves to help her, but she declines with a smile. "The pain just reminds me that I'm not a cylon spy. It's probably healthy...spiritually speaking." She pauses for a moment then says, "I hate to forcast rain on everyone's sunny day, but I have to admit that I'm skeptical that our fortunes can turn so good so quickly. But maybe I've become too pessimistic. We certainly are due for some good luck. What has Commander Adama's reaction been?"

Billy shrugs, "I don't think anyone knows. Colonel Tigh has been handling everything."

Roslin rolls her eyes and sighs, "at least, we know the man isn't going to be soft."

Billy continues, "as far as we know, Commander Adama is still recovering from his wounds in bed. The Colonel has ordered all of the new pilots to be kept under guard until Dr. Baltar can perform his cylon test on them."

Rosalin doesn't look any happier, "let's just hope that the Vice President's cylon detector proves a little more reliable than he has."

Dr. Baltar and Lieutenant Gaeta are both working in the lab. Baltar explains to Gaeta in a tone expecting Gaeta not to understand, "now you know the digital sequencer is to be used in the first, third and sixth steps, but only if you receive redundant RNA buffers affected by particle respiration during the DNA re-splicing."

Gaeta nods as if it's obvious, "right, only if the DNA particles show effects of the re-splicing, otherwise your program will reflect any refraction changes in the RNA."

The more apparent it is that Gaeta has done his homework the more nervous Baltar gets. Suddenly, Six appears beside Baltar, she coos in his ear, "you know that he can see right through your techno-babble don't you?" As Baltar tries to point out another aspect of the process, she continues, "don't you think anyone is ever going to notice that your cylon detector never actually finds any cylons?"

Baltar says a little too loud, "of course." He then collects himself, "I mean, of course, you want to remember to collect three DNA samples from different sites of the body…to…uh…"

Gaeta completes his thought, "to make sure that the cylons haven't managed to fool us in one area of DNA collection."

Six whispers, "lucky for you that Boomer never told anyone that you tested her and said she was human. Maybe she's just waiting for the right moment."

Then all three turn to look at the entrance as a man in his military casual uniform enters the lab escorted by an armed marine. Jolly smiles and says, "Lieutenant Nevlin, reporting for cylon testing, doc." He begins to remove his shirt, but Baltar stops him.

Baltar says with some amusement, "Lieutenant, what exactly are you doing?"

Jolly replies, "I'm getting undressed, so we can get this test over with and I can get flying again, doc."

Baltar smiles retrieving his smug demeanor, "well, I think we'll all be more comfortable with your clothes on." Then saying as if to a small child, "I'm not a medical doctor. I'm a scientist."

Jolly smiles, "so you're not a real doctor?"

Baltar returns his smile, "if you mean to ask me if I'm a medical doctor. The answer would be no. However, I have more advanced degrees and awards than you have hours logged on your viper."

Jolly replies, "then I don't really have to call you doc then?"

Baltar replies without much humor, "most people call me, Mr. Vice President."

Jolly whistles acting sarcastically impressed, "I'll just stick with doc. Now lets get going doc, so I can get past this nonsense and get back my squadron's flight status."

Just then Starbuck pushes her way past the marine into the room. She challenges Jolly by pushing him. "What the hell is your problem!"

Jolly replies, "well, right this moment, the fact that everyone thinks I'm a cylon spy would probably rank right up there. Somewhere between everyone I know and care about being blown up by cylons and not being able to find a pair of flight boots that fit just right."

Starbuck is about to give an angry reply but then Baltar interrupts, "Lieutenant Thrace, I'm in the middle of very important work here, perhaps you could take your little tantrum back to the playground."

Starbuck gives Baltar a nasty look, but ignores him, "look Jordan, I know you were ticked when I made flight instructor and you didn't. But you can't expect to beat those kind of odds. Out fighting and running the entire cylon fleet, sure I can buy that. But the idea that you can out fly me…come on. Some stories are just too far fetched to believe. And you are just going to have to learn that I'm top dog around here and get used to eating my left overs…again."

Jolly smiles, "I'm sorry, I thought Apollo was the CAG. He will probably be surprised to know that Adama promoted you."

Starbuck throws back, "this has nothing to do with rank and you know it."

As they argue, Six strokes Baltar's ear and says seductively, "she is so feisty. So much fire…but not for you. That must be very frustrating. But since they are just going to execute you for being a cylon spy because your detector doesn't work, it probably doesn't matter." Baltar looks green and pretends to be adjusting controls on the computers.

Jolly rips while getting in Starbuck's face, "well, you better hope and pray to the gods that I am a cylon because the top dog is about to be fixed."

They stare each other down, and then both break into smiles and then begin to laugh, finally Jolly breaks the silence, "can't believe how much I missed sparring with you, Starbuck."

After they look fondly at each other for a moment, Jolly admits, "Starbuck. I suppose I do owe you an apology of sorts. Way back when, the night before the testing for the flight instructor spot, I readjusted your starboard thrust stabilizer to throw you off, just a little bit. I figure it probably dropped your flight performance score by around six points."

Starbuck smiles and says while leaning into him intimately, "yeah, I found out and switched vipers on you right before the test." She begins to walk out, but then abruptly turns, "and, exactly how many points did I beat you by again?"

Jolly shakes his head in half humor and half anger and mutters, "I believe it was six." And with that she walks out laughing.

Six comes around and puts her arm around Baltar, she says, "don't worry. God has a plan for you and he always finds a way." Kissing Baltar's neck and stroking his chest she continues, "if you trust in God, he will provide you with the perfect person to single out from the herd." As she says this, Baltar is staring at Jolly decisively.

Apollo walks across the flight deck to find chief Tyrol, he asks "chief, what's the story on our new ships?"

The chief responds not looking up from the part he is working on, "personally sir, I think it should be a crime punishable by death for a pilot to try and work on his own ship." After a moment's pause he continues, "to be honest, those ships have been run through the ringer."

Apollo asks, "what's the bottom line?"

The chief clears his throat, "of the 19 vipers brought on board, I think I can get 16 of them in fighting shape again. The others will have to be used for parts, what little of them is left." Holding up the part he is working on, he admits, "I don't even know what this is. I think they were using it to adjust fuel flow." He pauses and throws the part aside, "The good news is that I think we can get all 3 raptors going in a short amount of time."

Apollo comments, "well, that's 16 vipers and 3 raptors that we didn't have yesterday. Not to mention the pilots."

The chief begins to walk towards another viper obviously in the middle of some sort of major repairs, but he turns to Apollo, "Excuse me, sir? It's been awhile, and I was just wondering if a decision has been made regarding the fate of Boom…Lieutenant Valer…the cylon agent?"

Apollo just shakes his head, turns and begins walking the other way. The chief grimaces and returns to work.

Petty officer Dualla asks for permission to enter Adama's quarters. Adama replies, "granted." She enters with a collection of charts and papers under her arm to find Adama and Tigh talking at Adama's desk.

She reports, "Sir, Colonel Tigh requested that I pull the logs from the cargo vessel 'Nebula Chaser.'"

Adama asks, "what did you find?"

She replies, "It would be easier to show you." At this she unfolds a very large starchart with two long zigzagging lines running across it, one red and one blue. She says, "the red line shows the fleet's FTL jump log since the initial cylon attack, the blue line shows the Chaser's."

Both Adama and Tigh appear astounded as the lines run parallel and then cross each other at several places.

Tigh remarks, "they were at the armory just a few days after we were."

Dualla replies, "I looked at both the Chaser's pilot's log and Joll…Lieutenant Nevlin's log to see if there are any commonalties to the logic behind their FTL coordinate decisions."

Tigh looks impatient, "and?"

Dualla hesitates for a moment, then says, "it was inevitable that we would meet up with them. It appears between the opportunity to replenish supplies, the legs of their FTL and cylon attacks, they were essentially being herded along our course."

Tigh looks at Adama, "or they were influenced by a cylon agent."

Adama looks at Dualla, "you are exused, and make sure this stays in this room."

Dualla replies, "yes sir" and leaves.

Adama orders, "make sure that the new pilots are fed and given whatever they might need. But keep the guards on them until the test results are back."

Tigh stands up and begins to leave, "potential cylon agents everywhere you look, constant concern regarding dwindling resources and the potential of a cylon basestar showing up at any moment, sounds pretty much like business as usual."

Baltar is organizing different DNA samples, when the next pilot is escorted into the lab by an armed marine. He says without looking up, "please excuse me, I'll be ready for you in just a moment."

The pilot Slider says, "no problem Mr. Vice President, would you like me to wait outside?"

Baltar looks up upon hearing a female voice, he looks Slider over, a cute shortish brunette with brown eyes. He replies breaking into a smile, "don't be ridiculous. Please come in and have a seat." He gestures towards a chair across from the main table.

Slider sits and smiles back at him, "so, you're not only the head scientist, but also our Vice President. That's very impressive."

Baltar beams at the complement, he replies in a modest tone that is almost believable, "well, these days we all have to wear many hats, don't we?"

Slider smiles, nods and replies, "yeah, I suppose that's true."

Baltar comes from around the table and stands in front of her. He then holds out his hand, "I'm Dr. Gaius Baltar, your Vice President, and you are?"

Slider smiles taking his hand, "my call sign is Slider. That's pretty much what everybody calls me."

Baltar takes her hand into both of his and replies, "well, it's certainly been the bright spot in my day to meet you…Slider. So please, call me Gaius." He then asks, "Slider? Did you pick up the name because you're an athlete?"

Slider smiles nervously, "no, it's just a pilot thing. You know, just a silly nick name."

Six, standing behind Slider, slowly traces her finger along the back of Slider's chair. She says to Baltar, "looks like Gaius has found a new toy. Giving up on Starbuck so easily?"

Baltar looking nervous for just a moment says to Slider, "well, that's a much better nickname than some I've heard. I suppose it could have been much worse."

Six continues coming around to stand beside Baltar, all the while appraising Slider. "She's cute, not your usual type, but very cute."

Slider replies to Baltar, "yes, I'm sure it could have been."

Six whispers, "you know, I think she would make the perfect cylon agent. Innocent and appearing somewhat vulnerable, but you can tell she has a very tough streak running through her."

Baltar says to Slider, "well, you certainly are a breath of fresh air here on the Galactica. I certainly hope that we see a lot more of you."

Six strokes Baltar's hair as she says, "yes, I think she just might make the perfect example. She's your chance to prove that your work is essential to the survival of your people."

Baltar asks, "sooo…has anyone shown you around yet? Perhaps this nice guard would be kind enough to allow you to escape your shackles for a little while later?"

Slider smiles sadly, "I'm sorry, but besides being in lock up…I'm kind of involved with someone…Joll…Lieutenant Nevlin and I have an…understanding. If you get my meaning?"

Baltar gives her an understanding nod, "of course, I understand."

Apollo is standing just outside of the lab insuring that all of the new pilots are tested. A short cute brunette leaves the lab accompanied by her marine guard. Apollo remembers her from his discussion with Jolly earlier.

She catches him staring at her, so she salutes and asks, "can I help you sir?"

Apollo embarrassed asks nervously, "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name earlier."

She walks closer to him and says, "Lieutenant Frankie Warrant, but everybody calls me, Slider."

Apollo smiles, "nice to meet you. I can't wait to fly with you." There is an awkward silence, so he clarifies nervously, "I mean, fly with all of the new pilots of course."

She looks at him as if amused and says, "it'll be a pleasure, sir."

Apollo looks down, "you can just call me Apollo."

Slider smiles at him, "why did they call you Apollo?"

Apollo smiles nervously, "who knows, it's just a call sign. Why did they call you, Slider?"

She replies with an embarrassed smile, "during flight school, I would tend to slide around on the cockpit seat." They look at each other for a moment, then Slider says, "well, I guess I had better get going." As she turns to leave, she replies, "see you on the flight deck, Apollo."

As Colonel Tigh enters the CIC, Lieutenant Gaeta announces, "sensors are picking up ships that have just come off an FTL jump." He scans the monitors, "looks like 25 of them. They are definitely cylon raiders. They came in on the far side of the system…ETA 7 minutes."

Tigh looks over at Petty Officer Dualla, "are all of the ships prepared to FTL out of here?"

Dualla shakes her head, "four ships are still working on their FTL drives. They won't be able to jump for another 40 minutes."

Tigh groans, "I guess it was too much to expect another squadron of vipers to drop out of the sky on us." He begins barking out orders, "have the fleet assume standard defensive positions. Have the Nebula Chaser take a position at the far side of the civilian ships. She has a few cannons on her, she might be able to help if any cylons manage to make it into the flock."

He turns to see Adama walking slowly towards him, leaning heavily upon a cane. Adama says gravely, "I guess we are going to need every advantage we can get." Tigh picks up the phone.

On the flight deck a group of marines ushers Jolly and his pilots towards the vipers being prepped by the launch crews. Jolly sees Apollo and Starbuck, who are instructing pilots to their vipers. Apollo calls to Jolly, "think your crew can put up with doing some actual work?"

Jolly beams, "are you kidding? You call this work? Compared to launching out of the Chaser, this is like flying first class." Coming closer to Apollo he continues, "Lee, I don't mean to step on toes as you're the CAG, but my crew and I have been together for awhile. So I suggest that I take my crew on one vector and you take the Galactica's crew on another and we prong them." After a moment, he says, "just this time, to get them used to working with your pilots, but it's your call."

Apollo nods, "no problem, let's do it," and then Apollo runs for his viper. Starbuck gives Jolly a nasty look as they both run for their ships.

As they are in the launch tubes, Starbuck calls out to Apollo, "I can't believe you are giving him his own squadron."

Apollo responds defensively, "I'm not, I agreed to allow him to take point with the new pilots on this mission, until they get comfortable fighting in a larger group." And with that Apollo launches out of the Galactica.

Starbuck mutters, "the bastard got his own squadron." And then she launches.

From the Galactica, fighters separate into two attack groups and rush to meet the incoming cylons. Apollo calls out, "all of you new pilots, the best strategy is to chase the cylons into the fire from the Galactica's guns, but make sure you stop short of entering the firing pattern yourself."

Jolly adds, "to my pilots, just in case you've forgotten, our job is to protect the fleet first, destroy the cylons second. Herding the cylon attack group away from the fleet is more important than destroying individual ships."

One of the new pilots, Whiplash, calls out, "and remember…"

All of the new pilots chant out, "don't shoot, till you see the red of their eye."

Just then the cylons launch a series of missiles, which fire from the Galactica's rail guns and vipers immediately take out. Both groups of vipers reach the cylons and it immediately becomes a free for all. A viper almost immediately is destroyed in a huge explosion.

After the bulk of the cylons have been destroyed, of the four remaining cylon raiders, two use their FTL drives and escape. While the two remaining cylons head off towards the civilian ships. Apollo, in his faster Mark VII viper chases one down and destroys it. Two vipers fall in right behind the last raider. Jolly appears to have the cylon in his sites when the other viper practically cuts him off as he fires causing him to miss the cylon. He yells, "frak! Whoever you are, you had better get out of the way!"

Starbuck replies, "get out of the way? I am the way." And the two vipers nearly collide as they both try to get a shot at the cylon. Just as Starbuck has a lock, suddenly a third viper with a large black streak down the side comes from the side and destroys the cylon while crossing their trajectories and forcing Jolly and Starbuck to veer dramatically.

They both hear a feminine voice, "sorry, just couldn't watch you guys play around with him anymore."

Jolly yells, "Slider! Never…ever…cross my path and show me up when I'm showing up Starbuck! Do you understand me!"

Then Apollo chastises all of them. "Knock it off and get back to the Galactica, the fleet is ready to FLT out of the system." As the ships get back into formation for landing, he adds, "nice shooting Slider." Starbuck bristles in her cockpit.

Back in the secured quarters, Starbuck, Jolly and a few of his pilots are playing cards. Starbuck says to Jolly, "you'll be pleased to know that Colonel Tigh still hates my guts."

Jolly smiles adjusting his cards and smiling at his pilots, "Excellent judge of character that man."

As Slider bets, she says to Starbuck, "you know that none of us actually has any money, right?"

Starbuck smiles, "then it's your lucky day that I'm a very generous distributor of credit. You don't seem to be afraid of taking risks."

Slider smiles back at her mischievously, "if the return is worth it. Like making you and Jolly eat an exhaust muffy."

Saber, a large bald man calls the bet. Everyone groans upon seeing Starbuck's cards, except Jolly. He lays his hand down and takes the smile from Starbuck's face. He grins, "guess, I'll be deciding whether to offer credit or not." He continues giving Starbuck a leering smile, "I think you'll find my terms both fair and extremely enjoyable."

Starbuck gives him a sarcastic smile and says, "in your dreams."

Jolly fires back, "well once, but I had to have been blindingly drunk."

Sometime later, they are betting upon a pile of miscellaneous flight gear sitting on the table. Starbuck and Jolly appear to be the only ones left in the hand.

Slider leans back and asks Jolly, "so how far do you and Apollo go back?"

Jolly looks at Starbuck who all of a sudden isn't smiling. Jolly responds, "all the way back to the first day of flight school. We were bunk mates."

Slider follows up obviously trying not to appear casual in her questions, "so what was he like?"

Jolly replies studying his cards, "pretty much the same really. Great guy…uptight, but a great guy. Let's just say Apollo was the CAG long before anyone gave him the title." He looks at her slyly. "Why do want to know? You looking to shine the good Captain's boots?"

Slider blushes, "no, I'm just curious that's all."

Jolly smiles, "I'm just messing with you. Apollo's absolutely the best. If I was a woman I'd do him."

Saber calls out, "if you were a woman, we couldn't get you into your viper because you'd be too busy in your rack touching yourself."

Everyone laughs except for Starbuck, she looks at Jolly then Slider, "I thought you two were…"

Jolly replies, "that's ancient history." He looks at Slider, "like what? Four, five weeks ago?"

Slider nods, "yeah, that sounds about right." But then after a moment of hesitation, she remembers to say to everyone, "but if anyone asks we're still an item. I had to tell Dr. Cylon that you and I were together to put him off."

Jolly laughs, "really? Wow Slider, hit on by our Vice President. You are really coming up in the world."

Slider replies laughing back at him, "could you even imagine someone falling for his insincere swarmy pick ups. You'd have to have some serious self-esteem issues to fall for that crap."

Starbuck snaps, "can we just play cards here?"

The door opens and three marines enter with Commander Adama, who is leaning heavily on his cane. Everyone immediately stands at attention. Adama calmly instructs everyone to leave except Jolly. Everyone files out quickly, Starbuck gives Adama a questioning look, but he ignores her.

Once everyone leaves, a marine handcuffs Jolly's hands behind his back. He resists at first, but the marine explains that anyone not cleared by the cylon detector test must be cuffed if left with Commander Adama. The marine then goes behind Jolly to watch over him. Adama tells him that it's ok and to leave them. The marine looks as if he is going to question the order, but then thinks better of it and leaves.

Adama sits where Starbuck was sitting and gestures for Jolly to sit. As Jolly sits Adama admits, "Lieutenant, we would have been in a real jam today if you and your pilots hadn't been here to help."

Jolly looks down, "we lost Vapor and Skidmark today. Both really good pilots…and good friends. I know Apollo lost three of his pilots as well." Then Jolly looks right at him, "sir, I have to tell you that today was the first time in months that I actually felt like I was part of the human race again."

Adama asks, "really?"

Jolly nods, "yes, sir."

Adama gives him a discerning look, "I know you and Lee have been friends for a long time. And you and Starbuck have an interesting relationship to say the least. That's what makes this so difficult."

Jolly looks concerned, "what's so difficult, sir?"

Adama takes his glasses off and cleans them on his jacket, and then he puts them back on. "The results of Dr. Baltar's cylon tests are back and one of your squadron was determined to be a cylon agent."

Jolly looks astonished, "are you sure the test is correct? I have lived with these men and women every moment of every day for months and I would…HAVE trusted everyone of them with my life countless times."

Adama replies, "Dr. Baltar is quite certain."

Jolly nods, "who is it? I'll rip them apart myself."

Adama replies, "it's you, Lieutenant. You are the cylon."

Jolly almost laughs, "me! is this some sort of joke? Starbuck is playing with me?"

Adama just shakes his head, "no, I'm sorry, this is no joke. I have to have you placed in the brig until we can decide what to do with you."

Jolly looks like he has been hit. "Sir, this is a mistake, I'm a loyal HUMAN! Do you know how many cylons I've shot down?"

Adama just looks sad and replies, "it doesn't matter. You may be programmed to not even know you are a cylon until something triggers you to act. I'm sorry but we can't afford to take risks."

Jolly looks down, "so when you say, decide what to do with me, you mean, decide when to execute me?"

Adama remains silent. Jolly slaps his thighs, "well ok, thanks a bunch for coming by. I'll go to the brig and then we'll find a way to prove this is all one big misunderstanding."

Adama stands and goes to leave and then turns, "I wanted to come here and face you personally. You have been one of our family here at Galactica and I wish there were more options to handle this. But we just can't take any chances."

Jolly nods and says before Adama can turn, "sir, if I am going to face our makers, then there is one last question I need an answer to?"

Adama replies, "look Jolly, you are a very talented pilot, but Starbuck is a little better. Sorry."

Jolly throws up his hands and says, "how did you know I was going to ask you that?"

Adama almost smiles as he leaves. The marines enter to take Jolly away.

Baltar walks down the corridor while six is berating him. People moving up and down the corridor watch him as he goes by because he looks as if he's walking through a rain shower.

Six says sternly, "why did you pick him? I thought we agreed on the girl!"

Baltar mumbles, "listen, Lieutenant Nevlin is the logical target. He and Boomer were the only pilots to make it out of the massacre of the Galactica's response force. It only makes sense that they would both be cylon agents."

Six replies, "why don't you just admit that you have a weakness for women that reject you. I'm sure that Starbuck coming in to speak to him and completely ignoring you had nothing to do with it as well. Really Gaius, sometimes I wonder why I love you."

Baltar defends himself, "this has nothing to do with Starbuck or Slider. It is simply a matter of not wanting people pouring over my results. The more circumstantial evidence I can provide to back up my conclusions, the less anyone will think to challenge my conclusions. Not to mention I found him to be a pain in the ass." As they continue to walk, he says, "besides for all you know he really did test positive."

Two marines lead Jolly into the brig area. The brig controller outside the cell room hits a buzzer and the cell door opens. There are two cots on either side of the cell. Someone is sleeping with the covers over them on one of the cots. One of the guards takes off Jolly's handcuffs and pushs him into the cell.

As the cell door shuts with a thud and the marines turn to leave, Jolly says sarcastically to the guards, "call me." He sits down heavily on the cot and the person across from him rolls over. Jolly yells out, "Boomer!"

Boomer smiles and jumps up and they hug each other. Jolly can't seem to stop grinning, "I thought you…you know with the rest of the squadron."

Boomer smiles back, "I thought the same about you." They sit back down and stare at each other smiling for a moment. Finally Jolly asks good naturedly, "so what are you doing here? Colonel Tigh finally catch you and the chief in a storage locker?"

Boomer's smile fades and she says reluctantly, "apparently I'm a cylon."

Jolly smiles without humor, "apparently there's a lot of that going around. Did you fail Dr. Baltar's ever trusty cylon detector too?"

Boomer looks confused for a moment, "actually, I passed."

Jolly asks, "then how could they possibly suspect you of being a cylon?"

Boomer looks down again, "I shot Commander Adama…but I don't remember doing it."

Jolly looks overwhelmed by the statement and is left speechless. Finally, he says in a low voice, "I guess that's fairly conclusive evidence."

She crosses the distance between them and kneeling takes his hands, he appears to be somewhat uncomfortable, "listen Jolly, there's something weird going on with me. I know that. But I could never do the things the cylons have done."

Jolly is looking for something, anything to say, but then they both turn to see Starbuck standing outside the cell. She gives a cold smile, "am I interrupting something? Far be it from me to interrupt a little cylon love."

Boomer looking embarrassed, sits back on her cot. Jolly stands up and walks to the cell door. They stare at each other for a moment, finally Starbuck says, "put your right arm through the bars."

Jolly asks confused, "what?"

Starbuck is inpatient, "just put your right arm through the bars." Jolly does. Starbuck quickly grabs his arm and twists it back against the bars.

Jolly exclaims, "ow, ow, ow," as she keeps the pressure on. She points to a round scar on his forearm, "do you remember how you got this scar?"

Grimacing from pain, Jolly responds, "yeah, and since you gave it to me, I would hope that you remember too."

She continues with questions not releasing his arm, "where and when?"

Jolly looks at her for a moment, then says, "Caprica. At the flight base. It was the first time we met. Somehow we had both managed to get assigned to the same viper during a training mission. We argued about who's it was and you burned me with a cigar."

Starbuck lets go of his arm and he pulls it into the cell and begins to rub it. Then he smiles, "but I got the viper."

She breaks a small smile at him and puts a hand up to her face, "yeah, my jaw was sore for weeks."

They look at each other for a moment, and then he finally asks, "so what do you want Starbuck? Are you here for a congical visit?"

Starbuck shakes her head, "why do you always have to be such an ass?" Then she turns and leaves.

Jolly falls back on his cot. He and Boomer are both laying down staring at the ceiling. Finally, Jolly asks, "Boomer, since we're probably going to be executed and all, I was wondering…and I want your honest opinion because this is important. Who's the better pilot, me or Starbuck?"

Without missing a beat Boomer says, "Jolly, you are a much better pilot than Starbuck."

He looks over at her, "really?"

Boomer smiles at the ceiling, "no."

Apollo addresses the pilots in the mission briefing room. All of the pilots not currently flying on the CAP are there, including the new pilots.

Apollo says, "it's nice to see this room almost full again. I want to officially welcome all of the new pilots to the Galactica as your flight status is now official." Everyone cheers, is smiling and appears happy, except Starbuck. Who sits with her arms folded. Apollo continues, "I know many of you notice that there is one noticeable person missing." He pauses for a moment then continues, "Lieutenant Nevlin has been taken into custody. It appears that test results have shown him to be a cylon agent."

A murmur of protest arises throughout the room. A couple of people start shouting out questions to Apollo. Slider looks down the row she is sitting in and gives the pilot Saber a raised eyebrow. He nods back at her.

After a few moments, Apollo is able to get control back over the room, he says, "I know we've all lost family, friends and loved ones. There isn't a person in this room that hasn't lost many that were dear to them. All I can say is that for those of us that were friends with Jolly, we should remember the good things and accept that he's gone. I wish I could tell you that Jolly is going to be the last casualty, but he won't be. But what we have to do now is to go out and do our jobs. There are almost 50,000 people depending on us to be there to protect them. Don't forget that all of our futures depend on our keeping our minds focused on the job."

Apollo pauses for a moment, and then continues, "on that note, my last comment is that during our last encounter with the cylons, there was some showboating going on between a couple of pilots." Starbuck glowers at Apollo, and throws an obscene gesture his way. Apollo smiles, "very mature. I would have thought that the way Slider out flew you that you'd appreciate what I'm saying."

There is a bit of "ooohing" by the other pilots at Starbuck, who has turned red. Apollo finally continues, "but seriously, I think the cylons are competition enough without us killing ourselves in juvenile stunts. I hope I have made myself clear on this."

In the brig, Jolly and Boomer are each sitting on their cots not speaking, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally Boomer says, "if they really think that we are both cylons, why would they put us in the same cell? Doesn't that just make it easier for us to collaborate?"

Jolly responds, "they're probably observing us to see if we have some sort of secret cylon handshake or something."

They both look over to see that Chief Tyrol has entered the brig. He doesn't say anything for a moment looking unsure of himself. Finally he says, "hi Sharon."

She sits up and replies sarcastically, "hi? We're done remember? So I can't think of any good reason for the Chief of the flight deck to be visiting the brig."

The chief clears his throat, "I…uh…found this and thought that you might want it." She comes to the bars and he hands her a locket. "The guards inspected it and said that it would be ok for you to have it."

Boomer looks at it fondly for a moment, then the moment fades and she hands it back to him. "You gave this to me, I don't think I'll really need it when they finally get around to throwing me out of the air lock." She hands it back to him.

He reluctantly takes it, asking "are you sure?"

She replies coolly, "yeah, I'm sure. Go find someone that you do believe in to give it to." The chief takes the locket and turns around and leaves the brig.

Jolly says, "you were kind of hard on him."

She shoots back, "he dumped me. He doesn't believe in me, so what am I supposed to do?"

Jolly softly interjects, "well, you did shoot the Commander. That's got to complicate the relationship."

She softens as she says, "it'll be better for him if he just makes a new start and forgets all about me."

Jolly shrugs, "you're probably right." Changing the subject, he says, "you know, I remember the first day you came aboard the Galactica."

She replies skeptically, "you do not."

He assures her, "of course I do. I had a huge crush on you for the longest time. It was a crush at first site."

She doesn't believe him, "you had a crush on me? You were way too busy fighting with Starbuck to notice some rookie."

He says, "I think just about every guy in the squadron did, and a couple of the women."

She asks slyly, "and just how long did you harbor these lustful thoughts regarding your fighting comrade?"

Jolly replies, "right up until I found out you were a cylon." But then says seeing her sad look, "I think we all gave up when you started sneaking off with the chief. It's hard to hit on someone when their boyfriend works on the ships that you depend on to keep you alive. Besides if it wasn't the chief, I still would have had to fight off Helo."

She smiles and says, "gutless. If you had really cared, you would have fought them off."

Apollo and Slider are talking and walking down the corridor. They come to the door of the room that held the new pilots while being sequestered. Slider stops, "I think I still have a really good bottle of wine stashed in my gear. Want to come in and have a glass or two?"

Apollo thinks for a moment and then nods, "sure, why not?"

As they enter the room, they see that no one else is there. Slider reaches into a duffel bag and pulls out a bottle of wine and a couple of cups. As she pours, Apollo asks, "where did you get wine?"

Slider pauses as she recollects and then responds, "when we were scavenging for supplies, we came across a cruise ship that had been ripped apart. We were able to find some food and of course plenty of alcohol." She adds, "which considering the spotty nature of the cargo ship's water recycling system turned out to be a true blessing."

They both sit by the card table and Apollo drinks, "that's really quite good."

Slider asks, "so Jolly says you guys go all the way back to flight school. What was Jolly like in flight school?"

Apollo looks uncomfortable with the topic, "he was a…he was a good guy."

Slider says sarcastically, "wow, that's a ringing endorsement."

Apollo tries to find the words, "he and I were great friends, it's just not a very good subject…now. You know."

Slider nods, "yeah, hard to believe you can be so close to someone and they turn out to be a traitor…although I guess he's not really a traitor …as he was always a cylon. Really kind of scary if you think about it."

Apollo asks, "so how close were you to Jolly?"

Slider blushes and shifts in her seat, "we are…were very close. We may have rescued him, but he really saved our cans during the holocaust. When the attack happened, none of us really had a clue what to do, but Jolly pulled us together." There is a moment of awkward silence then Slider continues, "after a few days, we were all so shell shocked and feeling alone in the universe. Well, Jolly and I…we had a brief relationship. It didn't last very long. I think we were both just trying to find something to hold on to. We decided to just stay very good friends. I think we have a friendship probably a lot like you and Starbuck."

Apollo just kind of nods. Slider asks, "so is there a mrs or want to be mrs Apollo waiting for you on the ship somewhere?"

Apollo smiles, takes another drink and replies, "no, I'm pretty much flying solo formation these days. It's not an area I typically excel at."

Slider leans into him, "I don't know, you seem to be doing ok so far." She smiles, "not great mind you, but ok."

Apollo smiles back, but then squints as if he is having trouble seeing. Slider asks, "are you ok? You look a little pale."

Apollo says, "I think I'm ok, but all of a sudden I don't feel real great." And then he collapses falling out of the chair on to the floor.

Starbuck requests permission to enter Commander Adama's quarters. He responds, "permission granted."

She enters looking like she's about to burst. Adama sitting at his desk finally asks, "what's on your mind, Starbuck?"

Starbuck hesitates for a moment, then blurts out, "are you sure we're doing the right thing with Jolly?"

Adama puts his pen down and looks at her, "what do you mean?"

She steps closer, "are we sure about the test results? I mean, he hasn't actually done anything wrong."

Adama replies, "our Vice President is quite certain of the test results. He assures me that there was no mistake."

Starbuck rolls her eyes, "do you really feel that Gai…Dr. Baltar is a truly trustworthy source of information. He can be a little odd."

Adama nods, "certainly our vice president has shown that he has an eccentric side, but he's a scientist. Of course we see him as a little off. But I don't have anyone else."

Starbuck looks like she is going to say something, but then doesn't. She switches gears, "it doesn't really make sense that Jolly would be a cylon agent, if you think about it."

Adama looks almost amused, "how so?"

Starbuck goes on, "well, think about it. A cylon agent would want to stay low key and avoid attention right? Does that sound like Jolly to you?"

Adama shakes his head and smiles at her. So Starbuck keeps going, "he's usually a complete ass. I don't think the cylons would know how to program someone that irritating."

Adama explains in a fatherly manner, "the test results were conclusive. The real point here is…we can't hesitate when confronted with cylon agents. It's obvious that the cylons created these models to make us conflicted and unsure of ourselves. But if we in the military protect those that we have personal feelings for, what kind of message will that send to the rest of the fleet? No, we must act decisively to set an example."

Starbuck asks, "what about Boomer…the Boomers? We've kept them in the brig for weeks. Why haven't we shoved them out of an airlock?"

Adama thinks for a moment, "with them, we have a unique opportunity to study the differences between two of the same model. By observing them we may be able to find better ways to identify cylons. Also one of them is pregnant and it appears that is a part of the cylon master plan. Anything that can help us figure out exactly what that is, I consider important."

Starbuck nods, "I know I have no evidence or good reason for you to not go through with this, but my gut is screaming that something here is wrong. You were a fighter pilot, you know that sometimes you just have to trust your gut."

Adama remains silent, finally Starbuck says, "so I guess that's it."

Adama considers for a moment, "did Jolly have any family?"

Starbuck replies, "he always said that he wasn't close to his family. I know that neither Lee nor I have ever met any of them, and they aren't listed on any of the survivor lists."

Adama nods, "I'll have Lieutenant Gaeta run the test again. Just to make sure."

Starbuck getting a little emotional says, "thank you sir." And then leaves.

Jolly and Boomer are awakened by the sound of voices in the control area just outside of the holding cells. The controller asks, "what do you want him for?"

A deep voice responds, "Captain Apollo has ordered us to bring him for questioning. I think they found something on one of the new vipers they think might be a cylon device." There is a buzzing sound as the lights come on and two marine guards come into the cell area. The smaller of the two guards instructs Jolly to leave the cell and places handcuffs on Jolly behind his back. The larger one says, "we have orders…"

Jolly cuts him off, "yeah, I just heard you. You were only right there."

As the guards escort Jolly through the corridors, Jolly says to the taller guard, "Saber, what the hell is going on?" Saber replies, "I'm ordered to take you to Captain Apollo." Then Jolly looks at the other guard, "you didn't have to make the cuffs quite so tight Whiplash. All evidence to the contrary, I might need to use my hands again someday."

They eventually come to the room that the new pilots were sequestered in. They enter and find Slider wearing a flight suit and Apollo lying naked on what was Jolly's cot. Once the door closes Jolly turns on them, "what the frak is going on!"

Slider throws him a flight gear bag and says, "what does it look like? We're breaking out of this dump."

Jolly walks over to Apollo, as Slider says, "he's fine. I just spiked his wine. He'll wake up and not know what happened."

Jolly asks, "and why is he naked?"

Slider smiles innocently and shrugs, "I tossed his clothes into the waste disposal chute. Let's face it, he's uptight. Cute, but uptight. If he wakes up without any clothes, I figure it'll take him a while to get the guts to go do anything about it. Which gives us plenty of time for our getaway."

Saber comments, "plus, since we were using him as the excuse to get you out of the brig, it was important that he not be available if the controller had questions."

Jolly crosses his arms, "so you think they are just going to let us leave?"

Slider shakes her head, "of course not. I have Pagan, Rebel and FreeFall distracting the flight crews, so we will be able to…temporarily…take over the flight deck. Hotwire and Rover are fixing communications so after we have launched, the flight crews won't be able to alert anyone. And Topper, Vandal and Nosedive are securing the 'Chaser' and on my word everyone else is just ready to hop on out."

Jolly asks, "and what if the CAP comes after us? You plan on shooting down the fleet's vipers?"

Saber points at Whiplash, who says in an uncanny impression of Apollo, "This is Captain Apollo, there is reason to believe that there is a threat to Colonial One. You are to take up defensive positions around her and not leave your post under any conditions. We'll relieve you on CAP until the crisis is resolved."

Jolly thinks for a moment, "this is the best laid out plan for an utterly stupid idea that I've ever seen. So you want to get back on that cramped cargo ship and fight cylons everyday with no relief except the eventuality of running out of supplies or into a basestar?"

They all shrug. Saber says, "we aren't going to sit by while they execute you. You aren't a cylon, you could have killed all of us anytime you wanted to."

Jolly replies, "Well, I'm not leaving. Look I'm very touched that you all care enough about me to do something this dumb, but I won't have all of your lives thrown away for me. The whole squad has a new chance for a life here on the Galactica and I won't be the reason that you don't get it. Boomer had just destroyed an entire cylon basestar just minutes before shooting the Commander. I can't…won't be responsible for something like that happening. I'd rather be executed than do something like that. Plus the fleet needs you, we can't leave the last people alive without the protection your fighters provide."

Jolly places his hands behind his back, "please just take me back to the cell. Before the whole squad ends up in the brig…there aren't enough racks." Slider, Saber and Whiplash look at each other unsure what to do. Finally, Slider nods to Whiplash who places the handcuffs back on Jolly.

Apollo wakes up and instantly notices that he isn't wearing a shirt. He lifts the covers to see that he is naked underneath them. He looks up to see Slider in a flight suit standing over him. She beams, "good morning sunshine."

Apollo looking baffled responds, "last night, did we…uh?"

Slider quickly kisses him on the forehead and says, "no, but don't worry, I understand it happens to every guy sooner or later." Then looking down at the sheet, "looks like you're cured already, must have just been all that wine. Well, gotta go, I'm late for my turn on CAP."

As she rushes out, Apollo sits up and begins scanning the room for his clothes. He calls out, "Slider!" But the door closes and she's gone.

Baltar walks into his lab and is surprised to find Lieutenant Gaeta already working. He says, "excuse me Lieutenant, but I remember telling you that I wouldn't be in need of your services today. I don't want to take you away from your very important CIC work."

Gaeta looks nervous while saying, "I was specifically ordered to rerun the test on Jolly today."

Baltar seems a little put out, "ordered by whom?"

Gaeta replies, "Commander Adama, himself."

Baltar composes himself after thinking for a moment, he walks towards the equipment saying, "well…will you tell the Commander that I will be happy to run the test on Lieutenant Nevlin again and I'll bring the results to him myself the moment they are complete."

Gaeta shakes his head, "I'm sorry sir. I was ordered to complete the test myself. I know it might not make sense to a civilian, but Commanding officers can be very picky about their orders being followed to the letter. And I was instructed to perform the test."

Baltar in nervous mode says, "yes of course. I wouldn't want to put you in an awkward position with the Commander."

Suddenly, Six is there and talking into Baltar's ear, "I told you to pick the girl. Apparently, Jolly has friends that are bending the Commander's ear. Perhaps a certain fiery blond pilot has taken up his cause. If she wanted the good Lieutenant cleared, I bet the Commander would do almost anything for her. Probably have Gaeta run through your entire program and quality check every test you've run before he's done."

Baltar grabs the phone as Gaeta looks at him inquisitively. On the other end, Colonel Tigh answers the phone. He answers out of temper, "what?"

Baltar is visibly shaking now, "I…uh…need to speak with Commander Adama, right away."

Six says while running her hands through his hair, "if you want me to help you, this might be a good moment to tell me the results of Jolly's test."

Baltar says, "does it matter anymore? This has become bigger than him."

Tigh says, "hell yes it matters why you want to talk to him, Mr. Vice President. He's very bus…"

Adama takes the phone from Tigh, "what can I do for you Mr. Vice President?"

Tigh says while walking away, "what a prima donna."

Baltar tries to steady his voice, "I understand that you would like the test on Lieutenant Nevlin run again. I would be happy to take care of that, so Lieutenant Gaeta can attend to his other duties." Baltar tries to smile, "wouldn't want him to get into trouble on my account."

Adama replies, "Mr. Vice President, I understand how valuable your time is and that the cylon detector while essential, does take a lot of your time away from matters of government of the fleet that must be pressing. When I decided that we should run a second test before executing someone suspected of being a cylon agent, I didn't want to add to your otherwise already full schedule, so I decided that Lieutenant Gaeta should run those himself. It's just to ease your burden."

Six says, "did you notice now that he says 'suspected cylon agent', it's no longer the cylon agent."

Baltar says near stuttering, "I really don't mind."

Adama replies, "you are far too giving of your time, Mr. Vice President, so the more Lieutenant Gaeta can do, the less we'll need to steal your time from matters of state."

And Adama hangs up. Baltar slowly hangs up the phone and walks out of the lab. Baltar stops at a bulkhead to think but Six is right there tormenting him, "Gaius, what will you do? Not only is he doing this test, but he might be stealing your only chance to cover yourself right out from under you. Perhaps if you trusted me, these little messes wouldn't happen."

Baltar says, "there needs to be an accident, something that can make this go away."

Six smiles, "now you're talking. What kind of accident is our dear Lieutenant Gaeta going to have?"

Baltar responds, "not him. Killing him would only temporarily solve the problem. It's obvious that Adama wants to have someone looking over my shoulder. So the solution is removing the test."

Without warning, Six hits Baltar with her elbow in the gut. He doubles over in pain. She says angrily, "we have discussed this before. The test has to remain. There will have to be another way for you to weasel out of this situation that you have created."

When he catches his breath, he asks, "why? What exactly do you gain by keeping a cylon detector around?"

She puts her hand on his face and gets her lips right up to his ear, "because very soon there is a test that I will need you to run for me."

The door opens and Apollo is standing there with a sheet around his waist. Starbuck angrily throws a folded up uniform at him. He catches it and says, "nice to see someone else is having a good morning too."

Starbuck enters the room pushing past Apollo. Apollo lets the door close and after an awkward silence asks, "so what's gotten you so riled up?"

Starbuck thinks for a moment obviously emotional, "first of all, how did you end up in this room without a uniform?"

Apollo replies, "that's hard to explain. You see…"

Starbuck cuts him off, "I don't really care. The problem I have is you."

Apollo almost laughs, "me? What did I do?"

Starbuck shakes her head, "they are going to execute one of our best friends and you don't seem to give a frak. You act like he's already dead."

Apollo replies as he slips the pants on underneath the sheet. "Look, the best way to handle this is to treat Jordan as if he died in combat. As far as I'm concerned, I'm going to remember Jordan as if he died fighting. That's how I want to remember him. I think that's how he'd want it too."

Starbuck laughs, "why don't we go ask him. He's still alive, Lee!" She continues, "you've known him a lot longer than I have, but I…not you…I had to go to the Commander…your father…and beg for him to give Jordan every chance possible. Where the hell have you been? Oh I see, you've been too busy Sliding around with your new girlfriend to care."

Apollo explodes with anger, he closes the distance between them. "I care, but there isn't anything I can do about it! How can I say that Jordan should get special attention just because he's our friend? The test results are the test results and it doesn't matter how badly I want…or even need them to be different."

Starbuck storms past him out of the room, as she is about to leave she turns, "tell you what Lee, if I'm ever up against the wall, don't bother to help me. Just remember fondly that I died fighting." And she exits the room.

Jolly and Boomer are each given a small tray of food. They eat on their cots. Jolly says, "at least, they are feeding us, so we won't starve. Or can we starve? I guess I don't really understand how this whole 'being a cylon' thing works yet?"

Boomer snaps, "would you shut up about it? I'm so sick of talking about cylons, I wish I had never been born."

Jolly ignores her complaint, "do you think we were born? Or created on some sort of assembly line?"

Boomer lets her tray drop to the ground and puts her head in her hands. Jolly sets his tray aside and comes over and sits next her. He says, "hey, I'm sorry. I'm just completely overwhelmed, scared and confused and the only way I know how to deal is to treat the situation as absurd as it is. This whole thing is just crazy. I didn't mean to upset you."

Without looking up, she sobs, "I'm not upset."

Jolly replies, "of course not. What I meant to say, is that I wouldn't want to give you a reason to kick my ass." He can see her smile abit, so he continues, "you know, Apollo tried to make that my callsign?"

Boomer looks up, "what?"

Jolly smiles while putting his arm around her, "back in flight school, Apollo tried to make my official fighting name Jack Ass. It's true."

Boomer smiles and asks, "Apollo has a sense of humor?"

Jolly replies, "yeah, sure he does. He usually stores it in his locker, he doesn't like for it to see the light very often, but every once in awhile he lets it out for air."

Boomer follows up, "so why don't they call you Jack Ass?"

He says, "because I had everyone start calling him 'tight ass.' If you had to choose between being called Apollo, son of the gods or tight ass, which would you pick? So we decided to call it a draw."

Boomer places her head on his shoulder, "it's just so hard. There's a woman in another brig on this ship that looks just like me. Apparently, she knows everything I do. Can you understand how weird that is?"

Jolly thinks for a moment, then responds, "no, I can't, but that's lucky for you."

She asks, "why?"

He explains, "because you could be stuck in this tiny cell surrounded by a bunch of me. If you think one is annoying…" Boomer laughs lightly and they sit there for a moment. Jolly drifts into what is apparently a very deep and disturbing thought.

President Roslin is in Commander Adama's quarters sitting on his couch. He is standing pouring them a couple of glasses of water. She asks as he walks over and hands one to her, "so how are the new pilots working out?"

He replies, "very well. They have already been integrated with our squadron and are performing as well as any of our pilots."

She smiles, "that's excellent. They certainly couldn't have been more needed." They sit for a moment, Roslin continues, "and of the pilot found to be a cylon? What is happening with him?"

Adama clears his throat, "I'm having the test run again for confirmation and if it comes back positive, we'll execute him."

Roslin seems confused, "and why are we running the test again?"

Adama responds, "if we are going to execute someone based upon one test…one criteria, I think the least we can do is to make sure that we got it right. Also, since this is the first cylon we've discovered through the Vice President's cylon detector, it seems prudent to insure that the test results can be replicated."

Roslin asks, "so my having to deal with an offended Vice President and your having Lieutenant Gaeta run the second test…is that ensuring the test is reliable or that our Vice President is reliable?"

Adama says without further explanation, "both."

Roslin nods and follows up, "and what about the multiple copies of the raptor pilot that we've been holding for awhile now?"

Adama's only reply, "if you have a point to make Madame President, I think it would be best to just say it."

She pauses for a moment to collect her words, and then says, "in the past, when we have come across cylon agents, we haven't hesitated to execute them. Now we have three agents in the brig on the Galactica and no definite plans on what to do with them. And I shouldn't have to add that one of them is guilty of shooting you." She adds trying to display a bit of humor, "Even I authorized the execution of a cylon. People are going to think that you're the softie and I'm the hard ass."

Adama replies, "Madame President, I killed the first cylon agent back at the armory. The reason we haven't hesitated, including the one that you threw out of the airlock is that we knew without testing that they were in fact cylon agents. Lieutenant Nevlin has performed no espionage. We have no evidence other than the test results to implicate him. If there is any chance that an error has been made, once I execute him, I can't exactly take it back."

She responds, "I know the military doesn't care about the opinions and rumors that run rampant in the rest of the fleet. But I have a lot of scared people to look after. And they are terrified of the idea that cylons might be living right next to them. And now it appears as if the military command is hesitant to deal with cylons that are found within their ranks. The rumors have already begun."

Adama corrects her, "we have not hesitated, we have them safely in the brig. In this war, we haven't had a lot of assets. It's possible that these agents are an asset that we can exploit against the cylons. I don't want to destroy something that might make the difference because the people, whether civilian or military are scared. Also, as we find more and more agents, I think we need to have a definitive system for determining guilt and punishment. I won't execute people out of hand." He pauses, then asks, "if I remember correctly, weren't you opposed to the death penalty?"

She corrects him, "I still am. But these are not people, they're cylons. I thought you understood the difference."

In the lab, Baltar is hovering around as Lieutenant Gaeta is trying to work. He continues to come up with excuses to come to the lab and bug Gaeta as he tries to accomplish the second testing on Jolly. Baltar says in a nervous tone, "did you remember to reverse the sequencing in the third stage of the test?"

Six has straddled a chair with her head resting on her arms and appears bored. Gaeta exasperated responds, "yes, I remembered."

Baltar continues, "because it's really crucial to the end results…if you reverse the sequencing."

Finally, Gaeta gets the nerve to say something, "listen Mr. Vice President, I really have to finish this. I would be happy for you to double check the findings once the test is complete, but I really need to get this done."

Baltar smiles, "yes, yes, I'll be happy to double check your work. Two pairs of eyes are undoubtedly better than one, right?"

Gaeta reluctantly says, "well, a few pairs of eyes, you'll receive a copy and the commander and the president."

Six comments, "now you're relegated to a distribution list. That airlock idea just looks better and better, huh Gaius?"

Baltar composes himself and begins to slowly leave, "of course, so I won't keep you. I had better get going anyway."

As soon as Baltar leaves the room, Gaeta gets up to go to the bathroom and leaves the lab. A few moment later, Baltar comes back into the room. He mutters, "about time. He must have a bladder made of iron." Baltar rushes over to the computer and begins hitting keys. He's shocked, "I'm locked out. Sometimes I think that he doesn't completely trust me."

Six says sarcastically, "how ungrateful."

Apollo watches as Slider opens and exits the cockpit of a recently landed viper. As she talks to the flight crew pointing out certain spots of the ship, Apollo walks up to her.

Slider turns around and smiles at him. Apollo asks, "Lieutenant, can I talk to you?"

Slider gets a serious look and salutes him, "certainly sir." They both walk across the flight deck towards the lockers.

Apollo looks nervous and asks, "so how was CAP?"

She almost laughs, "the CAP was fine. No cylons or anything else for that matter within light years."

Apollo nods, "that's good…very good."

Slider gives him a sideways look, "is there something else you wanted to talk about sir?"

Apollo replies, "you don't have to call me sir." After an awkward pause he says, "I just wanted to apologize for last night?"

Slider asks, "apologize?"

He continues, "if I did anything…inappropriate, I just want you to know that I am very sorry."

Slider smiles and blushes, as she puts a hand to his cheek, "that is so cute. But unfortunately, you were a complete gentleman the whole time."

He smiles and says, "that's…good. It's that I just can't have two of my best pilots hating my guts."

Slider asks, "who else would hate your guts?"

Apollo responds, "oh Starbuck thinks that I'm a disloyal jerk for writing off Jolly. She thinks that we should be fighting for him."

Slider thinks and says, "well, I don't know about the disloyal jerk part, but I actually agree with her, but I don't think that's the only reason she is mad at you."

Apollo looks confused, "really, what else could there be?"

Slider replies, "she thinks I'm trying to steal you away from her."

Apollo laughs, "sorry, but you are so way off base. Not Starbuck."

Slider says, "that would explain why she threatened to kick my ass if I tried to get into the shower before her this morning."

Apollo shakes his head, "that's just Starbuck, she comes across like that sometimes."

Slider replies, "I wasn't even near the showers."

He still makes excuses, "she's just upset about Jolly. Trust me, the last thing in the world Starbuck would be jealous of is me."

Slider begins to enter into the locker room, she turns, "well, all that may be true, but mark my words, she thinks I'm trying to steal you away." And then says with a wink, "of course, she might be right." And she leaves Apollo standing there.

Jolly has been brought to Commander Adama's quarters escorted by two marines. He is cuffed behind his back and at his ankles. The two marines take up position behind him, but Adama orders them to leave. They reluctantly obey the order. Adama tells Jolly to sit. He says, "I think you should hear this."

He turns the nob on his radio equipment and there is the noise of a group of reporters all trying to ask questions, finally a woman asks, "Mr. Vice President, do you think that the military is protecting cylon agents?"

Baltar's voice in his most charming mode says, "I can assure you that is not the case. I'm sure that any delays are purely for strategic reasons."

Another reporter shouts out, "Mr. Vice President, so you don't think that Commander Adama is dragging his feet on executing known cylon spies?"

Dr. Baltar smoothly replies, "no, I'm sure Commander Adama's ordering redundant testing for the pilot currently under arrest is simply a case of his being a very thorough man."

Another reporter asks, "how many other times has the Commander ordered second tests?"

Dr. Baltar smiles ever so slightly, "actually never, but I'm sure he has very good reasons."

A reporter asks, "when will you have the results of the second test?"

Baltar replies, "well, I don't know. Commander Adama asked someone else to perform the test. I haven't been involved."

A reporter shouts out over the crowd, "is the new person performing the tests from the military?"

Baltar hesitates for a moment, "well, yes. But this individual has been very useful to me in the past."

The same reporter follows up, "is the person performing the test even a scientist?"

Baltar shrugs, "not per se, no. However, this officer is very competent. In fact, he's one of Commander Adama's command officers."

The reporters begin shouting again and Adama turns it off. He looks Jolly over and says, "Lieutenant, you don't have to be a prophet of Kobol to see where this is headed. You're options are running out fast. I'll wait until Gaeta has the test results, but if there's been no mistake, then I'm going to have to move quickly. Do you understand what that means?"

Jolly looking nervously, just nods. Adama continues, "time is running out and the mobs are starting to form. That leaves me with some difficult decisions. I may have to create a solution before the results are even back."

Jolly looks Adama in the eye, "sir, I know…I'm a bit of a screw up. Probably only second to Starbuck in terms of being a pain in the ass, but I would never do anything to place the fleet at risk. I want you to know that I understand what you have to do. The security of the fleet is more important than one person's life."

Adama looks him over again, "somehow I had a feeling you would understand."

Starbuck enters the brig area to find Slider talking to Jolly through the bars. Slider upon seeing Starbuck says to Jolly, "I'd better go, but I'll come talk to you later. Take care of yourself, ok."

Jolly says with a sad smile, "I'll be here."

As Slider passes Starbuck, she says, "hey."

Starbuck just nods and walks past. She asks Jolly, "where's your little cylon buddy?"

Jolly says without emotion, "she was gone when the guards brought me back. With our Vice President all but accusing the Commander of being soft on cylons, they probably decided we were getting along too well. She's probably in another cell somewhere on the ship."

Starbuck nods, "well, don't worry. Gaeta's a very dependable guy. He'll get to the bottom of this."

Jolly looks at her, "get to the bottom of what?"

Starbuck explains, "once the second test is finished, we'll have proof you aren't a cylon."

Jolly looks almost menacing, "and how do you know I'm not a cylon?"

Starbuck tries to smile but can't quite make it, and replies, "Jordan? Don't be stupid. You're no cylon. I've know you too long to believe that you were a robot the whole time."

Jolly looks at her discerningly, "Starbuck, does anyone really know someone else?" He looks at her with a pained expression on his face, as he grips the bars he says, "I don't even think I know myself anymore."

Starbuck places a hand on top of his, "it's ok to have self doubt. Trust me, I'm chock full of them. But you can't give up." She smiles weakly, "it's not over until…"

Jolly finishes for her, "until they throw me out of an airlock?" He pauses, then breaks into a smile, "do you think I have to be thrown out of an airlock? Or can I choose my poison, as they say."

Now Starbuck looks sad, "I don't think it really matter…can we not talk about that."

Jolly continues, "because if they throw me out an airlock, my hair is just not going to look right. And I want to go out the way I lived…gorgeous."

She smiles, "you really are a complete ass. You just can't help it can you?"

From behind them, someone says, "he's a complete jack ass actually."

They both turn to see Apollo enter the room. Starbuck self consciously removes her hand from Jolly's. Apollo walks over to them, "I thought I should come check out your new pad."

Jolly replies, "wow Lee, that was personable and almost funny in a vague kind of way." He looks Apollo over then turning to Starbuck, "maybe he's the cylon?"

Starbuck smiles and then examining Apollo says, "let's see…robotic…seemingly emotionless…aloof from all socialization…there might be a case to be made here."

Apollo looks offended, "let's not get morbid here. I just came by…because I thought you could use a few of these." He hands Jolly three cigars.

Starbuck nods her approval, "you'll like those. I have a stash of them I've been hording, and I'm down to my last thre…" She slugs Apollo hard in the arm. "You bastard!"

Apollo smiles and shrugs. Starbuck quickly reaches through the cell bars and grabs two of the cigars back. Jolly smiles, "that's ok, the way things are going, I'll only have time to smoke one of these anyway."

Starbuck admonishes Apollo, "can't believe I'm going to have to report the CAG for stealing."

Jolly says looking at Apollo, "Lee, thanks for coming by."

Apollo looks embarrassed, "I was in the neighborhood anyway."

Baltar is on the phone in the lab and it's obvious from his manner that he's being chewed out. He replies nervously, "well, I 'm sorry Madame President. Should I call you Laura, since I am Vice…ok, Madame President, yes I understand completely…I never meant to imply…no, no, I have complete confidence…you did tell Commander Adama how much I respect…hello? hello?" He hangs up the phone and says to Gaeta who is working, "was it something I said?"

Gaeta responds tentatively, "actually Mr. Vice President, I think it was several things you said."

Six who is standing beside Baltar says as she massages his shoulders, "forget about her. People of greatness are never appreciated by those around them. Most just don't have a vision far enough into the future to understand. But I do."

Baltar shrugs her off and says to Gaeta, "you understand don't you? I was ambushed by reporters. I didn't say anything to impune you or Commander Adama. You know I have complete confidence in your work?"

Gaeta kind of shrugs and says without conviction, "sure Mr. Vice President, if you say so." He stands up to leave, "I need to report to CIC." And then he leaves.

Six asks playfully, "I bet shoving him out of an airlock doesn't seem like such a bad idea now, does it?"

Baltar looks at Gaeta's computer, tries to access it, but finds it's locked again. Baltar overcomes his nervousness and says, "no, that still wouldn't be enough. The problem here is that someone else always has the authority to take my work away from me. If it weren't him, it would just be someone else. And there just aren't enough airlocks on this ship to get rid of everybody. What I need is autonomy. Authority to do what I want, not answering to anyone else."

Six purrs, "I knew God had a plan for you, Gaius. I'm just turned on that you are starting to see the potential." Baltar and Six kiss passionately.

Jolly is sleeping on his rack when he hears the buzz of the cell door being opened. He looks up to a blurry image of a female marine standing there. He allows his eyes a chance to focus and asks, "Boomer, what the frak are you doing?"

Boomer replies, "it's time to go. Come help me."

Jolly rises from his cot and follows her to the control room. The controller is slumped over his chair and there is an armed marine lying on the floor. Jolly gulps, "did you kill them?"

Boomer shakes her head, "I knocked them out." She holds up what looks like a small aerosol can and explains, "since cylons have been able to breach security, Colonel Tigh had all of the marines on guard duty fitted with heart monitors as part of their uniforms. If you kill one, all sorts of alarms go off. Now help me get them into the cell, because I have no idea how long this stuff will keep them out."

Boomer and Jolly get the men dragged into the cell. Jolly trades uniforms with the marine. Boomer encourages him to get moving, but Jolly grabs her arm. "How did you get out of your cell?"

Boomer explains as quickly as she can. "I was sleeping when the door buzzer went off. I got up to find my door open and the controller and guard knocked out. There was a message on the computer screen. Someone had typed that a friend had decided to help us get off the ship."

Jolly asks, "there's another cylon agent aboard ship?"

Boomer shrugs, "I was left with this can of gas and instructions that a raptor is being prepped for patrol. Supplies have been stored on board for us. Now I can't explain everything. If you want to be executed, you can stay here, otherwise you are going to have to trust me."

Jolly thinks for a moment, "ok, I don't see that I have many options."

Lieutenant Gaeta walks into CIC and starts going through reports and checking equipment readings. When he comes beside Petty Officer Dualla, she comments, "I didn't think you worked here anymore."

Gaeta shakes his head, "I will be so happy when this test is over and done. Who would have thought I would miss the CIC."

Dualla jokes, "it'll be good to have you back because you are very competent and have been sooo useful for us in the past."

Gaeta gives her a dirty look, "shut up. The test is minutes from completion. Within the hour my life will be back to normal. No more, Mr. Vice President looking over my shoulder." And he goes to check other readings.

Starbuck is pulling out her flight gear from her locker when Apollo walks in. He comes to his locker and begins pulling his gear out. Starbuck laughs, "I can't believe you had the audacity to steal your best pilot's stogies. You are the worst CAG ever."

Apollo smiles, "it was a gesture. And who ever declared you to be my best pilot?"

She smiles, "I believe you did. You told Jordan that I was better than him."

Apollo laughs, "I told him that you were better than he was. I never said you were my best pilot."

Starbuck continues the argument, but is interrupted when Slider pokes her head into the room. She says to Apollo, "hey I forgot to ask you what time?"

Apollo responds, "I was thinking 5:30pm?"

Slider noticing Starbuck is staring intently at her loses her smile and says, "5:30 would be great. See ya then." And she leaves.

Starbuck says to Apollo, "so Slider is moving on to you now, is she?"

Apollo challenges her, "what does that mean?"

Starbuck counters, "Jolly was running the show and she and he had a thing. Now she has her sights on you. Sounds like someone likes to sleep with the boss."

Apollo snaps, "why do you care who I or she sleeps with. You're the one always telling me that I need to get laid."

Starbuck fires, "I thought you said that you hadn't slept with her?"

Apollo says, "I haven't…didn't…not yet anyway."

Starbuck snaps, "so you do plan to though!"

Apollo tries to reply coolly, "I don't have any plans except dinner. Whatever happens, happens. I don't see why you care all of a sudden. It's not like you let me critique your dating habits."

Starbuck argues, "but you do, Lee. You always have an opinion of what I do and who I see."

Apollo grabs his gear, "I only care when the number of men you've slept with hits some sort of mathematical milestone or gets in the way of you doing your job." And Apollo storms out, while Starbuck looks like she is going to cry.

Jolly and Boomer stop when they come to the bulkhead just outside of the flight deck. Suddenly, Jolly looks at her and hands her his rifle, "I have to go take care of something."

Boomer asks, "what? We have to go. It's too late."

Jolly looks determined, "no, I have to do this…I can't go until I do this. I just can't." As he moves to leave, he says, "if I'm not back in time, go without me."

Boomer grabs his arm and says, "Jordan, come back."

Jolly smiles and says, "by your command."

Baltar breaks away from Six's embrace, smiles at her and then suddenly grabs the chair and tries to bring it down upon the lab equipment. Six grabs him from behind screaming, "NO!"

Baltar says almost out of breath, "this is the only way, trust me." And he finally manages to bring the chair down on the computer equipment.

Six punches Baltar in the face and he falls down. On the ground he realizes that his hand is on a metal rod that has broken off from the bottom of the chair. Six kicks him, but he manages to get up and start smashing equipment with the rod. She continues to pummel him as he brings the rod down on anything he can. Six screeches as she grabs him and throws him against the wall, "we need this! This isn't yours anymore, it belongs to God!"

Baltar manages to spit out as Six holds him against the wall with her arm on his throat, "God needs me, right? I can always build another cylon detector, but good luck building a new Gaius. Creating a new detector will give me the time I need to establish my plan, and then…we will be in charge…of everything." Suddenly Baltar and Six both look over at the doorway and Jolly is standing there with a pistol aimed at Baltar.

Jolly enters the lab, finding Baltar leaning with his back against the wall yelling at no one. Upon seeing Jolly's gun, Baltar drops the metal rod. Jolly looks around and says, "well doc, looks like someone beat me to the punch." He sees that Baltar's face is covered with blood, Jolly asks, "who did that? Did a cylon agent beat me here?"

Baltar replies while wiping his face with his shirt tail, "not exactly." Never taking his eyes off the pistol, Baltar asks, "what are you doing out of the brig, Lieutenant Nevlin?"

Jolly smiles, "I'm making my big getaway, but I needed to complete my last mission before heading off." Jolly looks at all of the wrecked equipment, and asks, "I need to know. Did my test results really identify me as a cylon? Or are you playing some sort of game?"

Baltar tries to joke, "it depends on what response will get you to point that gun in another direction."

Jolly gives him a cruel smile, "that would have to be one interesting response doc."

Baltar becomes nervous again and puts his hands up, "listen Lieutenant, I don't really know what to say."

Jolly replies, "the truth would be a good start. But I get the feeling that it's been a long time since you said anything remotely close to the truth."

Baltar agrees, "I can see that you are a very astute judge of character. However, Lieutenant Gaeta is completely trustworthy and his results should be available very soon. We could sit and wait…have a cup of coffee."

Jolly shakes his head, "I need to know now! I don't exactly have a lot of time here, so…" Jolly concentrates his aim and indicates a willingness to shoot.

Baltar starts babbling in terror, "look, you don't understand! The test is complex!" As he can see that Jolly isn't moved, he continues talking, "the truth is….the truth is… that I'm not really sure."

Jolly looks at him incrediously, "what do you mean you aren't really sure?"

Baltar responds, "let's just say that the test results can be somewhat open to conjecture."

Jolly spits in disgust, "but you were willing to have me executed?" After a moment, Jolly smiles, "well, I guess there is one last thing I need to do here."

Baltar is shaking as he says, "please…don't kill me. I can help you…I am one of you."

Just as Jolly pulls the trigger, Lieutenant Gaeta tackles him from behind. The shot goes wild and the gun flies from Jolly's hand. Gaeta and Jolly struggle, eventually after an initial struggle, Jolly hits Gaeta hard across the jaw and throws him over the lab table. He looks up to see that Baltar now has the pistol aimed at him.

Jolly raises his arms and Gaeta slowly lifts himself from the ground and asks Baltar, "are you ok?" Baltar nods nervously. Gaeta goes to the phone saying, "I'll call security."

But Gaeta never gets to the phone as Baltar turns and shoots him in the back. Gaeta falls to the ground and blood begins to pool on the back of his uniform. Jolly jumps Baltar and the two struggle for the gun. Jolly hits Baltar and he falls but as he hits the ground the gun goes off and blood splashes from Jolly's left arm.

Baltar continues firing wildly as Jolly runs from the room. After a moment, Baltar slowly stands as he surveys the damage done to the lab. He laughs out loud and says to Six, "this worked out well, don't you think?"

Six asks from behind him looking down at Gaeta, "why did you decide to kill him now?"

Baltar responds hesitantly as if not sure what he has just done, "I don't know what he heard. Besides now that Jolly has killed an officer, there is no way they will take him alive. Not that anyone would believe that I wrecked my own lab." He walks over and stands over Gaeta's body trying to decide if he should make sure he is dead when three marines storm into the lab. Baltar cries, "Lieutenant Nevlin did it!" and drops the gun.

On the flight deck, the chief and crew are discussing the next round of repairs to begin on the new vipers. Two pilots are walking quickly to a prepped raptor waiting to be launched. One says to the other, "looks like they are going to throw her out the door whether we're here or not."

Apollo storms on to the deck with Starbuck following right behind. She calls, "Lee…" But she doesn't get a chance to finish as alarms begin to go off all over the ship. Everyone looks around, and then suddenly two people dressed in marine uniforms rush on to the flight deck firing their rifles.

Everyone hits the deck or dives for cover, except Starbuck and the chief. They watch as Jolly and Boomer run to the waiting raptor, firing their rifles high in an attempt to not actually hit anyone. Starbuck ,who hasn't taken cover, shouts out, "Jolly! What are you doing!" She begins running towards the pair, but then Apollo grabs her and pulls her behind a repair cart.

As Jolly is about to enter the raptor, he spots that one of the raptor pilots laying prone on the ground has gotten his sidearm out of it's holster. Jolly says, "don't even think about it Hermes! Not unless you want to learn to fly left handed." The pilot shoves the pistol away.

Boomer makes it to the raptor and hears the chief shout, "Sharon! Wait!" But Boomer closes the hatch and rushes to the pilot's seat.

Jolly gets in her way, "I think I had better fly. I don't know how to run anything on this boat, except the pilot's seat." As he sits, he grabs his left arm in pain, noticing that blood is still running down his arm. Boomer starts to argue, but realizes that there isn't time. She takes a seat in the ECO's chair. As marines run towards the raptor firing, the ship engines flare and propel it down the launch tube and away from the Galactica.

The raptor rushes at top speed away from the Galactica. Boomer shouts to Jolly, "veer starboard quickly and take a vector underneath the engines."

Jolly asks, "why?"

Boomer replies, "because I don't want to fly right in to the Galactica's guns."

He agrees, "ok, good point. You had better enter the coordinates for the FLT jump."

Boomer looks confused, "I don't have any coordinates."

Jolly yells, "what do you mean you don't have any coordinates! Don't cylons have some sort of programming telling them where to go."

Boomer snaps back, "you tell me!" Boomer starts doing calculations and then says, "we have three vipers coming in. Looks like the CAP."

Apollo's Mark VII viper launches out of the tube with Starbuck right behind. Apollo calls over the radio to the pilots of the CAP. "This is Capt. Apollo, I want you to stop that raptor at any cost. Jolly and Boomer are making a run for it. Disable it if you can, if you can't, take it out."

A voice comes back, "this is Saber, Whiplash and Pagan on CAP. I don't see a raptor, we'll head over to the port side of the Galatica to find her."

In the raptor cockpit, Jolly and Boomer watch with sighs of relief as the vipers rush right by them and fly back towards the Galactica.

On the raptor it appears that Boomer has almost finished her FTL calculations. However, Apollo's faster Mark VII viper has outdistanced Starbuck and is hot on their trail. Jolly begins maneuvers, but quickly realizes that the raptor is no match. He says, "this thing is actually pretty agile, but I can't beat him unless we do something unexpected." He turns back to Boomer, "when I say to, launch the missile counter defenses."

Boomer shouts back, "vipers don't have missiles."

He replies, "just do it when I say."

Apollo is as close as he dares get to the raptor to get a clean shot and he places his thumb on the firing control. Suddenly, he is overcome by a flash back of firing on the Olympic Carrier. His mind fills with sudden confusion and doubt, he moves his thumb from the firing button and he hesitates firing.

Jolly suddenly slows the ship so that Apollo's nose is practically in his engines and yells, "Now!"

Boomer launches the counter measures, which begin to spin and fire. One veers off into space, but the other flies right into Apollo's viper, crashing against the port thruster and forcing Apollo into a spin. As Apollo fights to get control of his ship, Starbuck rushes past.

Starbuck calls out, "Lee, are you ok?"

He replies as he finally gets control of the ship, "I'm fine, but my ship lost main thrusters and weapons systems. It's up to you. Do not let them get away!"

Starbuck hits her main thrusters to catch the raptor, but is shocked to find it flying directly towards her. For a moment, Jolly has his thumb on the firing button, but then quickly takes it off.

The two ships nearly collide, and Jolly laughs into the radio, "I always knew you and I would go head to head someday."

Starbuck makes a quick direction reversal and flies after the raptor. She flies desperately to get the raptor in her sights. She mutters angrily, "better get flying cylon." After some maneuvering she finally gets a good bead on the raptor as she places her thumb upon the firing button, only to hear Jolly say, "but I guess not today."

She fires and as the rounds streak towards the raptor, there is a flash of light and then the raptor is gone. The rounds continue flying past the spot where the raptor was a moment before. Starbuck screams, "FRAK!"

Colonel Tigh enters Commander Adama's quarters looking haggard and tired. Adama is at his desk working and says without looking up, "so they are away?"

Tigh sighs, "yeah, it'll take days to clean up the mess, but they made it out."

Adama just nods, continuing not to look up. Tigh says, "you realize we went to all of this trouble to let two cylon spies get away."

Adama corrects him, "one spy and one probable spy." He places his pen down, "at worst, we let two cylons go. And the cylons seem to have plenty to spare, so two more or less won't make much difference. At best, we have sent a spy that might be able to give us some desperately needed information. So far the cylons have constantly done what we didn't expect when we didn't expect it. I think if we are to survive, we'll need to start pulling some surprises of our own. And we won't get that without risk."

Tigh shakes his head, "if Jolly is a cylon, then we don't get anything. If Jolly isn't, they will probably kill him as soon as his ship sets down. Assuming they don't destroy the ship on sight anyway."

Adama finally looks up, "Jolly understood the risks. I explained to him that I didn't expect his return either way. He didn't have many options and said that he'd rather die by the cylons than us." After taking a deep sigh, "so how many people know about our letting them go?"

For the first time Tigh looks like he might smile, "including the two people in this room? Two."

Adama looks confused, "who knocked out the guards and planted all of the 'cylon agent' information?"

Tigh replies, "any job worth doing is worth doing right. Plus I wanted to make sure that Boomer wasn't given any clues that Jolly was really working for us. Remember, some of us didn't rise through the ranks in a cushioned viper cockpit. I still know how to get the dirty jobs done."

Adama smiles, but then looks sad, "and Lieutenant Gaeta?"

Tigh sits down across from Adama, "doesn't look good. Hard to have much faith in a guy that plugs his own shipmate in the back."

Adama shakes his head, "I'm not convinced Jolly did it."

Tigh replies, "it was the gun I left for him so he was there in the lab. And someone beat up our dear Vice President pretty good. Can't imagine that dandy messing up his own hair. Somebody beat him up."

Adama says, "there were two men in the room when Gaeta was shot. Baltar was holding the gun when the marines arrived. As far as I'm concerned there are two suspects."

Tigh nods anticipating Adama's next question, "the lab was trashed. All of the test results were lost, including Jolly's." Tigh gets up to leave, "should I throw the CAP pilots into the brig?"

Adama replies, "no, tell Captain Apollo that it's time for him to learn to discipline his own pilots."

Tigh nods, then stops and turns, "permission to speak freely, sir?" Adama nods. Tigh swallows then says, "a lot of things went wrong, but it could have been much worse. This was a hell of a gamble to take based upon some gut feelings."

Adama thinks for a moment, "somedays gut feelings is all you get to go by."

Tigh counters, "I guess…but I shouldn't need to inform you of the irony that your guts are still recovering from gunshot wounds." And then Tigh leaves his quarters.

End of Chapter One...