The One That Got Away
You were mine
Somewhere in time
I'll look for you first
In my next lifeThere's always one that gets away
The one that sneaks up on you that slips away
Slips away
In a closed off corner of my heart yeah yeah yeah yeah
I I'll always see your face
The one that got away
(Pink, The One That Got Away)
Major Fisk was sitting at his desk. It was his last day at the base. He would go serve on Battlestar Pegasus under the command of Commander Cain. But he had one last thing to do. Which was to point a certain lieutenant Thrace on her rank in the military. Apparently she had offended her commander of the Battlestar Triton and he was going to file some charges against her. He was able to prevent that, because he had read Thrace's file and she was a brilliant viper pilot. And he couldn't let a pilot like her being court-martialed. So he convinced the commander to drop the charges and in return he would deal with Thrace.
"Enter." he called out when he heard a soft knock on the door.
Kara entered the room. She knew it wasn't a good idea to hit her commander, but she couldn't help it. That day she had received the news that her mother had died. And although she had said that she never would come back, she still had some regret that she never was there on the side of her mother's bed when she died. And especially that day her commander had to ride her ass so hard, so she snapped and hit him with her well known right hook. If it had been any other day she would have sucked it up, but not that day. So, she had spend a few days in the Tritons brick and was now probably facing charges. Gods, she hoped not, because that would mean that her carrier in the military would be over. That she could never fly a viper again, the one thing she was born to do.
"Major Fisk, sir" Kara saluted
"Lieutenant Thrace, take a seat"
Kara walked to the chair in front of the desk and took place.
Commander Fisk began again, "So, I heard you don't respect authority. I have a complaint from commander Ruth that you hit him with no reason. Do you care to explain yourself lieutenant?"
"I have no explanation for it, sir." Kara answered. She would rather face the consequences then tell him that the reason she had hit him was the death of her mother. Because then he would be asking questions about her mother and she didn't want to tell anyone about that part of her life. That part of her life was done.
"You haven't or won't give it."
"haven't, sir."
" I've read your file Lt. Thrace it's not like he is the first you hit. There are others as well, some fellow pilots. Now fights between pilots is not uncommon, but you are the first officer I have met that hit her own commander."
"I know what I've done was wrong, sir. So I will face the consequences, sir" Kara muttered
"Good, because I read your file lieutenant and it seems that you're quiet some viper pilot. The highest grate ever in sims. So it would be a shame if we lose an asset like you. That's why you're going to share your flying skills with other people."
Kara felt relieved when she heard that she wouldn't be facing charges. Gods, she could even keep flying.
Major Fisk continued, " so you're going to teach basic flight at flight school. But if you frak up again, you're out. understood. I lobbied a lot for you to keep you in the military."
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir" kara said.
Frak, she thought. I have to teach some nuggets how the fly. Well, you reap what you sow, Thrace.
But everything was better than being thrown out of the military. If she could only fly when she would teach at flight school then she would.
"You'll start in two weeks, so you better go pack and report at flight school at 1500. Dismissed."
and with that Kara rose out of the chair, saluted Fisk and walked out of his office to go pack and report to the Academy. Teaching some frakking nuggets.
xxx
Lee Adama was at flight school. He had promised his brother to help him install his room. Zak was going to start this year. Lee strongly doubted that Zak would succeed at flying a viper. He barely made it through the Academy, always on report for some infraction of the rules, always a few steps away from being bounced out. So, when Zak applied for flight school it was turned down. Until his father had made a few phone calls and Zak was in. That made the relation between Lee and his father even more strained then it already was. Lee was pissed at his father. He had found it unacceptable that his father had pulled some strings to let his youngest son join flight school. He had tried to talk his brother out of it, to study something else. But unlike Lee, Zak worshipped his father and he would do anything to become him. So Lee hoped for the best.
"Frak, Zak. How many of those boxes did you bring. It's like you are going to live here the rest of your life."
"Hey, don't mock with me Lee. I want to be prepared for everything."
"Ok, you can be prepared but it's like you robbed our house." Lee grinned
"yeah, yeah. I know, which remind me of something. I forgot a box in the car. can you unpack these Lee, I'll get the other one."
"oh, no. I'll get the box, you can unpack. It's your stuff and I'm not gonna put it away for you"
"Ok, fine. I'll unpack, you get the other box." Zak muttered.
xxx
Kara arrived at the academy in the midday. She parked her car in front of the entrance, then she didn't have to walk to far with her stuff. When she walked in the direction of the entrance, she saw another man unloading a box out of a car. He looked nice, she thought by herself. Short brown hair, body of an athlete, he looked like the man she saw when she was running away from her mother.
And then it hit her. It was the same man. It was strange she never really met him, but somehow the guy had crept under her skin and since that day she had to think a lot of him. She even had some nice dreams involving him. And she always felt a sting of disappointment when she woke up and realised it was just a dream. And now he was here unloading a box out of his car, the Gods giving her the chance to speak to him. She was on her way to him when she realised that she only had ten minutes left to report at flight school and she didn't want to come in late. With heavy feet Kara turned around and walked away from the man in her dreams in the other direction. Maybe after that she had reported for duty she could try.
Kara walked to the office of the major and knocked on the door of his office.
A faint "Come in," could be hurt from the other side of the door. Kara entered the room and saluted. She was surprised when she saw the major. She had thought that he would be older and fatter, like most of the majors she knew. But instead it was a man begin thirties, his short brown hair wasn't lying perfectly combed but looked a bit messy. His nose was a bit sharp and his eyes were grey-brown, not like him, she thought. But he was an attractive man nonetheless.
"Lt. Thrace reporting for duty, sir" Kara said.
"Major Vaughn, take a seat Lt. Thrace." He smiled at her and took a seat himself. "I've received a phone call from major Fisk this morning, he told me that you would be our new flight instructor."
"I am, sir." Kara felt a bit nervous, she hoped that he wouldn't lecture her about her responsibilities now that she was known for hitting her commander.
"He told me, that you're here because you had hit your superior."
And here we go, Kara thought
"But he also told me that you're an amazing pilot." Vaughn continued, "And I know commander Ruth, he has a way to bring the worst in people up." he said with a small smile.
She felt the nerves she had disappear and returned the smile. "Well, it still was no reason to hit him, sir."
"That is true lieutenant." Vaughn smirked, "So, let's go to the topic of the day. You are going to teach basic flight. Here is the list with all your students." he handed Kara a map with names on it.
The first name she read was Adama Zak. She had heard a lot of commander Adama and felt the nerves rise up again. There would be lying more pressure on her than she had thought. They always watched guys like Zak more closely, to make sure that they were doing well. They couldn't let a son of a commander fail. She wanted to look further when major Vaughn spoke up again.
"I know that it's a lot, but half of them will be out at the end of the year, not everyone is cut out for vipers."Vaughn said, "If you have any questions just shoot."
"No, sir. Everything is clear."
"Good, then I will show you around and introduce you to some other teachers. I'm the head of flight school by the way. So if you have any problems you come to me."
"I will, sir" Kara answered.
xxx
He was walking in the direction of the mess hall, gods he was so hungry. After bringing in the last box to Zak's room Lee went in search to find some food. That's when he saw her again. She was walking in her BDU's again, following another man. It was strange he only saw her once, but since the day he saw her running, he had to think a lot about her.
The worst part was that he never really missed Gianne, but damn he had missed her.
The day after Gianne left Lee had tried to find her, had wandered a bit in the streets in the hope that he would see her again. He never did. And now she was their maybe 100 ft away from him. He sure as hell didn't want to miss this opportunity. He was on his way to her when he saw her enter a room. He stopped in front of the door reading 'TEACHER'S ONLY'. Frak, he couldn't go in there. Hehad to wait until she was done. Fine then he would go after food first and try again later.
Lee had finally grabbed some food, when he heard his phone ring. He paused and picked up his phone.
"Lee Adama." he said
"Lee, It's Zak. Where are you."
"I'm on my way to your room, why?"
"Mom called, she wants us to come over for dinner. She will expect us in two hours, so we better hurry. Something with her new boyfriend she wants us to introduce to." Zak said tediously.
Frak, Lee thought.
Why did his mother have to pick this day to introduce them to her new boyfriend. "Fine. I'm on my way." Lee said annoyed and ended the call. He hated the idea that he would once again miss the chance to speak to her again. On his way back to Zak, Lee made a detour passed the 'Teachers Room', hoping that maybe she would just leave when he would pass there. But when he moved past the room the door was still closed. With disappointment clearly visible on his face, Lee walked to Zak's room.
Lee arrived at Zak's room, still mad at his mother for her 'great timing' once again.
"Hey, Lee. Seems like it was a waste of time to look for food, since mom asked us." Zak mocked
"yeah, whatever." Lee shrugged
"Hey, don't blame me. I'm not the one who asked to go to dinner. And it is not something that stands on my favourite thing to do list either."
"I know Zak, it's just...I had other plans."
"Plans? Like what? Are you going to a party I don't know of, or even better you have a date that you don't want me to know of. Gods Lee, it's about time that you started dating again. Ever since Gianne left your just so tight up."
Lee felt the anger rise up. "You leave Gianne out of this. Ok Zak. I don't want to hear her name ever again." Lee had tried to call her a few times since she ran away, he even went to her house and that of her parents but she never picked up the phone or opened the door for him so he eventually gave up.
"Fine, I'll leave her out of it" Zak said with his hands raised in surrender, " But can you at least look a bit happier, I don't think mom would be happy if she sees you like this."
"I'm sorry, Zak. I just have a lot on my mind."
Like the blond girl I saw running and is now here in the teachers room a few clicks away from me and still I don't have the chance to talk to her. Lee thought.
"It's ok, Lee. I know that the last couple of weeks have been hard for you." Zak said in a sympathetic voice.
"It's ok Zak. So you're ready? Because mom will have our asses if we are too late." Lee said, trying to enlighten the mood they were evolving in.
"Yeah, I am. Come on." Zak putted his arm loosely around his brother's shoulders and they both walked out.
When they walked through the corridors Lee scanned the rooms one last time in the hope that he would see her. And when they entered the parking lot and Lee still hadn't seen her he felt the hope convert to sadness. Lee started the car and left the parking, looking one last time in his rear-room mirror.
But he didn't see her.
xxx
Frak, Kara thought.
It had taken much longer than expected. Almost everyone of the teachers were there and they all wanted to welcome her personal. So, instead of a half hour, like she hoped it would be, it was more like two hours later. She hoped the guy would still be here. At least he wasn't a teacher, of that she was sure when he wasn't there with the rest of the squadron to greet her. So, that basically left one option open, he was a student. which wasn't much better, because teachers weren't allowed to have relationships with students. But one step at a time. First she had to find him.
Kara walked through the corridor of the students, she remembered this place so well. Gods, she only was here last year graduating with the highest flying score ever. Her teachers had told her that she was a natural, destined to fly. The funny thing was that she never really wanted to go to the Academy and after that flight school. She wanted to play Pyramid on a professional level. But her school record wasn't that great that she would get a scholarship for college. So, when she was looking for a solution she discovered that the Academy had one of the best Pyramid teams on college level. And thanks to her mother, who had served in the cylon war, she had a place at the Fleet Academy if she wanted. So she entered the Academy with the thought to resign after she served her years.
But then some idiot had tackled her during a Pyramid game and shattered her whole knee. They had tried to fix her knee as best as possible, but told her that her career in Pyramids would be over. So she took the entrance exam for flight training and that is where she discovered her love for flying, it was better than Pyramid ever could be to her. It gave her a freedom she never felt before, flying was the only thing in her life where she wasn't a screw-up. So she became the best pilot in the entire fleet beating all the records, she was a natural.
And now looking for a guy she only saw twice but remembered so well.
She didn't find him in the corridor of the students. Maybe in the mess hall, she thought. So she went to the mess hall, searching for him, but he wasn't there either. There weren't much places left. Of course there were the classrooms and the gym, but she was sure he wouldn't be there. Students weren't even allowed there now. The only place left were the toilets and she wasn't that desperate to go look over there. Or maybe she was , it was her proud that wasn't. So when she ran out of places to look, Kara wandered to her room to unpack her stuff. All hope of finding him gone. Until she realised that he had a car standing outside. She turned in her steps and walked as fast as she could to the parking lot. She would have ran, if the corridors weren't full of people.
If the car was still there, he would still be here, somewhere. She thought.
When Kara left the entrance of flight school, she looked for the car, but the spot where the car stood was empty.
She had missed him.
xxx
William Adama was on his new Batllestar Galactica. After he refused to do the lie detector test he was transferred to the Galactica. It was an old Battlestar that had served during the cylon war it was one of the few ones that still was active after the cylon war. There were only three other Battlestars from the cylon war active and the other two would soon be send on retirement. The newer ones were bigger in size and firepower, they also were more advanced, they were all linked to a computer network now. Designed by a guy named Gaius Baltar. Galactica didn't have it and never will. Bill refused to link Galactica to the network, he was still sceptical about computers. And after what he had seen at his last mission he was afraid that the cylons would return. A network would give them the chance to infiltrate the defence system. He had tried to convince admiral Nagala of that, but he neglected it. Saying that the cylons wouldn't return.
The only people who believed Bill were on the Galactica serving under him. One of them was his CO and best friend colonel Saul Thigh. He also had served under his command on Battlestar Valkyrie and had followed Bill to the Galactica. Never leaving his side. Always supporting him, no matter what decision he made.
"40? I never paid more than 30 on Picon." Saul said.
It was obvious to Bill that Saul was drunk, but Bill didn't really realize it, because he had his fait share of shots as well. He was with Saul and his wife Ellen in a striptease bar. Usually Bill would never go to such bars, but Saul had convinced him to go anyway. To celebrate his new job, he had said. So Bill went with Saul and Ellen to this bar.
"This ain't Picon" The dancer answered.
"Ah, alright you got me there. This ain't Picon. Alright. 40."
"Show him a good time." Saul said to the dancer.
"I don't want a lap dance, Ok" Bill muttered.
"Try it, you'll like it." Saul said.
"Keep the forty he deserves it, thank you." Bill said to the dancer.
"So you're gonna take the job or not?"Saul asked Bill
"Maybe I should just do it. Letting my pride get in the way." Bill said and he took another shot, feeling the liquor run through his veins.
"Now, you're talking. Who cares? It is one hour of your time and then you have a whole new life, a life without midnight watches, or drills, or fleet politics, inspections or any of that crap. Life, hehe, You get to be here every night."
"He won't be here every night," Ellen interrupted with three more shots for them, "you barely getting him here once." Ellen raised her glass and toasted, "to retirement."
"what do you say now." Saul said, pointing his index finger at Bill.
"To retirement." Bill toasted.
"yeah, yes" Saul and Ellen cheered, drinking their shot.
"Wow, you're fired up." Saul said after Ellen gave him a passionate kiss.
"You ain't seen nothing yet, help me up boys, help me up." Ellen said and they both helped her on the platform for the dancers.
"Yeah, look at that, she's the finest kind my Ellen, the finest kind." Saul shouted, while Ellen was dancing on the platform
"You wouldn't do it." Bill interrupted after a few moments.
"For that kind of money, for the gods I would."
"No, you wouldn't. Look me in the eye and tell me that you do it." Bill shouted, "Would you do it for a civilian desk job. I wanne hear it to come out from your mouth. Say it!"
Saul didn't say anything, just looked at Bill and then at his wife who was still dancing on the stage.
"I frakking new it." And Bill took another shot, drinking himself in oblivion.
One of the other men Bill was proud of to have on board was his chief of the deck, Gaylon Tyrol. He was a man that had authority and respect from his deckhands. Always knowing where the problem was. He was a man who knew his job. Bill had found it a bit strange that a man with so much experience served on Galactica. So he had asked the Chief about it.
" Chief Tyrol, take a seat, do you want a drink." Adama asked taking the bottle of Ambrosia in his hands
" yes, Thank you, sir." Tyrol said
"I was wondering why you serve on an old ship like Galactica, instead of the new Battletars," Adama began, "I have never seen a Chief that did his job with so much passion, you could get a job on every Battlestar if you want. Now I know that I could have read you're file but I want to hear it from you."
Tyrol shifted in his chair and started to talk. "I was reassigned to the Galactica, sir."He paused for a moment, trying to think how to continue. " I served on Battlestar Colombia before, until one of the viper pilots was killed in the launch tube. His plane had caught fire, due to a valve that wasn't properly set. I was the one responsible for the accident because I cleared it for launch. They didn't want to end my carrier, because of my record, but they reassigned me to Galactica. So that's why I'm here sir."
Bill felt a small smile settling on the corner of his mouth. " Apparently the Galactica is the ship for the frak-ups." Bill laughed. The chief had to laugh with him. He had heard the story of why Adama was put here.
"To frak-ups." Chief toasted
"To frak-ups." Bill toasted.
Yes, he was actually happy that he was the commander of this old bucket. Even if it meant the end of his career.
xxx
Since the death of her sisters and father, Laura felt lost. She had tried to pick up her life and was teaching again, but it wasn't the same anymore. The teacher, Laura Roslin, who won the Teacher of the Year prize, was gone. The passion and love she felt when she was teaching gone. The fire in her eyes when she shared some of her knowledge with her students was gone. She didn't dislike it or hated it, but it was like when she was teaching now, it didn't reach its destination like it used to. She had lost her purpose, teaching didn't feel like her destiny anymore, like it once felt.
The funny thing was that a few days after the death of her sisters Mayor Richard Adar had called her and asked her if she wanted to join his campaign for president. Apparently winning the award of Teacher of the Year had caught his attention and someone like Laura would be a fine addition to his staff. When he called with that question Laura was so angry, not really on him, but on life in general. So she wasn't really kind on the phone. That call had made her even more angry at life, she may have lost everything but the world still spinned madly on. But now after a couple of weeks she had some time to think about it and she was heavily considering it. Especially now that she didn't feel the joy in teaching anymore.
Maybe it was time to try something else, she thought.
Laura picked up the phone and called the cabinet of Adar.
"Hello, this is Laura Roslin, is it possible to talk to Mayor Adar?"
"Yes, just a minute. I'll put you through." the woman on the other line said.
"This is Mayor Adar speaking, what can I do?"
"Hi, this is Laura Roslin, you called me a couple of weeks ago with the question if I wanted to join your staff."
"Yes, I remember and I also remember that you weren't interested. You made that quiet clear."
"I know, and I want to apologise for that. I wasn't really myself that day."
"It's Ok, I heard that you had lost your sisters and father a few days earlier. I'm sorry. I didn't know at that time. But if you call to apologise it's not necessary, I understand..."
"No, that's not why I called, at least not the main reason." Laura interupted; " I was wondering if that offer still stands?"
"Yes, it still does. If you're still interested you can come by the office tomorrow."
"I will do that. Thank you."
"You're welcome and I'll be expecting you."
And Laura ended the call, ending one part of her life and beginning a new.
