They met in Levi's quarters: Tom, Asok, Danny, Dale, Marissa, Levi, and Playa. Playa had a series of notes spread out on the table before them.

"The big news first," Playa was saying. "I was able to speak to Adelle DeWitt."

"Really? I knew you were good, but I didn't expect that." Tom was impressed.

"Don't get too excited," Playa said. "She didn't admit to the technology being used now. However, she did tell me about the Agency on Caprica."

"That's something," Danny pointed out. "Proving the technology existed at all will make it easier to convince everyone."

"True," Playa said, tapping her pen against the table. "However, proving it's in use now…"

"There are three Actives," Marissa said with a scowl. "And they've interacted with others-"

"And that's your trouble," Playa sighed. "Look," she said, addressing Tom, "I understand your point about free will. But the fact is, everything we've seen these Actives do has benefited the Fleet. If Laura Roslin was making hookers and sex toys, you'd have an easier time rallying the troops. But everything we've got evidence for… she's making doctors and psychologists and mechanics and soldiers. They even made the algae taste better. How are you going to fight that?"

"It's a matter of free will," Tom said. "If she gave these people a choice, that's fine. I don't like it, but if there's honestly been a choice, I guess…" he struggled. "No! They didn't have a choice! All their choice has been taken away. No one is really in a position to make a free and informed decision with the state of the Fleet being what it is- there is duress every place you look!"

"Right," Playa said, well accustomed to Tom's tirades from long days on New Caprica. "Anyway, I'm pulling together a piece on the Agency on Caprica. The only thing is, that will give Roslin the heads up that we're on to her."

"She's not stupid." Tom said. "She knows that already."

"Good point," Dale said. "The word on Galactica is that rumors are dying down into fact."

"What do they think of it?" Levi asked. "After all, they know the Actives best."

"They don't think of it much," Dale said. "Anna says that everyone has sort of moved on. The truth is, most of the people that would care a lot are on the Astral Queen, not the Galactica."

"Did you talk to Skulls?" Tom asked Playa. "He's the best one to tell us if Racetrack and Narcho made a choice."

"Unfortunately, Sharon Agathon claimed she didn't have clearance to get onto the Astral Queen."

"She might be right," Tom admitted grudgingly. "She's a pilot. They don't usually have the right clearance. The one that might have a shot at getting us in there is Hoshi."

"Come on," Marissa said, "a CIC officer is not going to help you. Not one that you claim is in Adama's pocket."

"He might," Dale said, tapping the chart that Playa had made. "He's Gaeta's partner, right?"

"Actually, he's more than that," Playa put in. "He's Noel Allison's brother-in-law." She turned her attention to Tom. "Give him some time. I don't think his loyalty to the Admiral is as assured as anyone thinks it is, himself included."

"What do we do in the meantime?" Asok asked. "Standing idle only lets Roslin increase her power, and all the while the Cylons modify our ships and make themselves at home in our Fleet."

Playa looked from face to face. "You're really serious about this?" she asked. "You really want to take Roslin out of power?"

"I killed the entire Quorum," Tom said harshly. "Did you think that was a joke? This alliance with the Cylons must come to an end."

Playa's face hardened. "I'll see what I can do about getting you on the wireless," she said.

***

Laura had never met Zak Adama, but she had no reason to believe that the person now inhabiting Gaeta's body was anyone but Zak Adama. She knew the scan existed, and as Bill and Gaeta talked, it was clear that the memories were genuine.

Of course, that only made everything even harder.

Helo was seeing it, too. As Bill and Zak talked, Laura moved closer to him. "Will you be able to get Gaeta out of here?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah. Zak won't be the problem… I don't think." Helo frowned. "Let me put it this way- it's never been a problem before." His frown deepened. "I don't know if this imprint will fight me at all because of the personal connection. But the Admiral…."

"Right." Laura was about to say more when there was a soft knock on the hatch.

"Bill? It's me."

Tigh. Laura realized where he must have been a split second before Lee Adama stepped in.

"What's going on?" Lee asked.

Gaeta fumbled for his crutches. "Lee?" he pulled himself to his feet. "Lee? Is it really… what the frak are you wearing?" he began to laugh incredulously. "I thought for sure I'd see you in a pilot's uniform, or tanks, or even just civvies. But a suit? You're joking, right?"

"I'm not- Zak?" Comprehension dawned fast in Lee's eyes. He swung around to face his father. "This is Zak?"

"This is Zak," Bill confirmed.

"No. No. This is a joke. This is a- no. Zak's dead."

"So everybody keeps telling me," Zak muttered. "I wish you'd all stop rubbing it in, although from what I gather, I seem to be the lucky one."

Lee turned around to face Laura. "You did this?" he asked.

"No," Laura said stiffly. "I did not."

"Helo?"

"Not me. We just wanted someone who would cooperate with Cottle after yesterday's Sagittaron aid worker. This is all Topher."

"This is unbelievable." Lee sat down slowly, shaking his head. "Absolutely unbelievable."

"I have to agree," Laura said. Bill shot a glare at her, but she ignored him. "Colonel. Captain. Perhaps we should give the Adama men some time alone."

Her word was law, and Tigh and Helo followed her out without protest. The hatch closed behind them, and Tigh made a face. "Think it's wise to leave them alone with him?"

"It's what we're going to have to do," Laura said firmly. "I need to go over to the Persephone, and you two are coming with me."

***

"What I don't understand," Zak said, "is why you did this." He gestured at himself.

"Why we made Actives?" Bill said. "It's really helped the Fleet."

"No. Why you brought back me," Zak said. "I mean, what would you need me for?"

"You even have to ask that?" Bill said, his voice rough.

"Yeah, I do," Zak said, "because what you're doing – the Actives - makes sense to me. But I'm not the kind of person you should be bringing back. You've got plenty of pilots, and I'm not someone that can save lives. That's not false modesty- it's just that's what I am. I'm a pilot."

"It's a valid question," Lee agreed. His face was still pale, and he was playing with a little figurine that sat on the table. "Not that I'm not glad to see you," he amended hastily. "Or hear you. Or whatever it is. But why did you do it?" he asked Bill.

"I didn't," Bill admitted. "It was an accident. Luck. Gods. Whatev-"

"Gods?" Zak snorted. "Since when do you believe in the Gods?"

"I didn't say I did," Bill said. "But I no longer dismiss the possibility."

"You," Zak said, eyes widening. "You're finally understanding faith?"

"I've always understood it," Bill said. "I've just never had it."

"Right," Zak said. An awkward silence descended for a moment. Then Zak cleared his throat. "What about Mom?" he asked. "Did she make it off?"

He already knew the answer; Bill could see it in his face. But the tenseness in his shoulders and the way his fingers twitched meant that he was still hoping against hope that she did. "No," he said, before he could dwell on it. "Most people didn't."

Zak deflated, but he nodded. "Yeah. Guess I'm lucky that you two and Kara made it off." He turned to Lee. "How… how was Mom?"

"Good," Lee said stiffly. "She was going to get married."

"Bruce?"

"No. Someone she met later."

It took Zak a minute to process that. "What about you?" he asked Lee. "Did you ever marry?"

"After the attacks," Lee said. "Her name was Dee."

Zak brightened at that news. "Can I meet her?" he asked, leaning forward.

Lee's face went stony. "No. She's dead. She committed suicide."

The words hit an unhealed would deep inside of Bill, and he closed his eyes, trying to shut out the image of Dee under that sheet, and the damage the gun had done. Of all the failures he had racked up on this trip, Dee hurt the most. The guilt threatened to rise up and consume him, and he pushed it back down ruthlessly and opened his eyes.

Zak was crying.

Bill stared. It wasn't noisy sobs, or even anything overt. There were just silent tears tracing their way down his face as he struggled for something to say to Lee. Lee looked worried as well.

"Zak…."

"Dee's dead?"

There was something about the way he said it that didn't sound like Zak at all, and it hit Bill again like a maglev train that this was Gaeta. Gaeta, who had been Dee's best friend for years, who had served as Dee's witness when she'd married Lee. Who had sat a long, lonely vigil outside the morgue, some little memory reminded him in a whisper.

"I'm sorry," Zak said, wiping at his face. "I mean, it's horrible news, and I'm really sorry to hear that, Lee, but I don't know why I'm…" he stared at his hands, and then shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said more firmly.

"Thanks," Lee said, sounding as shaken as Bill felt.

The man in front of them was all Zak again, with straight shoulders and a cocky smile forcing away the sadness in his expression. "I have an idea," Zak said. "If we can get a wheelchair, maybe you can show me around. I never did get stationed on a battlestar. I'd love to see it."

Once, Bill had dreamed that both his boys would be officers in the Fleet, serving on battlestars. And here they were, Lee and Zak, on his ship. He felt himself smiling- really smiling- and he nodded. "We'll get a wheelchair," he said, and his heart lifted at the look in Zak's eyes.

***

"Wait for me here," Laura ordered Helo and Tigh. "If I'm not back in a half-hour, come looking for me." They both saluted.

Laura strode through the halls of the Persephone. The effect was slightly marred by the slower pace she needed to move at, but there was no mistaking a very crucial fact: the President of the Colonies was pissed.

Adelle's private quarters were next to the Actives' room. Laura threw the door open without knocking. Adelle was sitting at a desk in a small room, writing something out in longhand, her hand supporting her forehead. The tiny room was neatly arranged, with a thick, beautiful comforter on the bed and a nearly-empty bottle of perfume glistening on the dresser. The light was not as harsh in this room as it was on Colonial One or Galactica, and a small tea service sat on the end table.

"President Roslin," Adelle said, rising to her feet gracefully. "How lovely to see you. To what do I owe this intrusion?" The words were polite, but Laura could hear the steel beneath her tone.

"I gave very explicit orders that Zak Adama was not to be loaded into an Active," Laura said.

"So you did," Adelle said, with a touch of a smile. "I hadn't realized that you were operating under the perception that you were giving us orders."

Laura had expected something like this, but it still was disarming to actually hear it. Nevertheless, her blood burned with the promise of combat, and she crossed her arms. "I am the President of the Colonies," she said. "And this was done in conjunction with the Admiral of the Fleet. I was not aware that we needed to be more explicit."

Adelle shrugged. "Technically, I could say I don't recall voting for you. However, I did, when you ran against Baltar." She smiled, a very cold expression. "I am not a philanthropist, President Roslin. I am a businesswoman. And yes, the Agency worked for the Caprican government on numerous occasions. Our work is impeccable, and as you might imagine, our rates are extremely high. We don't do our work because it entertains us, Madame President. This is business."

"Business," Laura said. "You are the one operating under interesting presumptions, if you think that anything in the Fleet is 'business as usual.'" She looked around the room again. Although there were small luxuries, Laura suspected that Adelle had them because she had never been down to New Caprica, not because she was a trader on the black market. "What are you hoping to gain from us? You don't show the signs of someone buying into the decadence-at-the-end-of-the-world lifestyle."

"No, you do have a point," Adelle said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If I presented you with a bill, there wouldn't be enough cubits left in the Fleet to even cover a fraction of that. And it wouldn't matter, because cubits are merely scraps of shiny metal these days. But once we arrive on a planet, there will be more that will be of interest and use to me."

"I see."

Adelle moved to pour tea. Without asking, she poured a cup for Laura as well. The water steamed as she poured it into the cups, and the scent of algae with a hint of cinnamon filled the air. "I realize, of course, it does leave the government in a very uncomfortable position," Adelle said, sitting back down and crossing her legs. "Please, Laura, sit." Laura sank into a chair. "And believe me, I do understand your discomfort. It's not a position I would much like to be in. Unfortunately, not knowing what sort of planet we will end up on makes it very difficult for me to be specific."

"Be specific anyway," Laura said firmly. "I'm not unreasonable. You have done humanity a great service so far, and you do deserve to be compensated for it. But you can understand the fact that I don't like favors being held over my head when I hold so many people in my hands."

"No, I do appreciate that." Adelle settled back. "While our economic system is in turmoil and there's not much in the way of comforts to be had at this time, I would expect that once we find a habitable planet, I would be able to secure suitable housing as soon as possible. I do despise camping, and the sooner that I have indoor plumbing and a hot shower, the happier I will be. And the same goes for Topher, Victor, and Sierra."

Laura eyed her suspiciously. "That can't be all."

"Hardly," Adelle laughed. "But asking for plum work assignments will be unnecessary. All four of us will be able to work any job we wish; you would be a fool to assign minds like ours to simple drudgery."

Laura couldn't deny the truth of that. "You're not asking for a position in the government?" she said. "Given how many political and social experts you've worked up for me to examine, I can't help thinking that you might have a leaning in that direction."

Adelle arched an eyebrow. "Perhaps," she said. "It depends on what sort of planet we find and who is in charge. Frankly, if we find another New Caprica, I want nothing to do with it." She smiled. "Laura, please relax. Whatever I ask for, I doubt it will be something you will not willingly give. Not after what you've given others."

For a moment, Laura almost found herself smiling. But then she remembered what she'd left in Bill's study, and she steeled herself again. "And Zak Adama?" she asked.

Adelle shrugged. "Isn't there anyone who died that you'd like to see again, after your pet Cylons destroyed the world? I know I certainly have a list. When Topher told me that that was indeed the Admiral's son…."

"Out of the kindness of your heart?" Laura asked suspiciously. "You just informed me that you are a businesswoman."

"An exception that proves the rule," Adelle said. "I wouldn't have agreed to it if I'd had a specific imprint."

Laura took a sip of tea to disguise her thought process. She wasn't naïve enough to believe Adelle wholly, that imprinting Zak Adama onto Gaeta was a simple, innocent act of magnanimity. DeWitt had an agenda, but Laura couldn't figure out how exactly Zak would play into whatever agenda she could fathom.

"Do you anticipate any problems with removing Zak Adama from our Active?" she asked.

Adelle looked so surprised that Laura judged her reaction genuine. "Of course not," she said. "We have done this before. We've had one or two instances where the person imprinted on the Active tried to evade being taken back and led the handler on a merry chase, but in this case, with Gaeta at a severe physical disadvantage, I don't anticipate any problems."

That was a small comfort. Laura sighed. "All right," she said. She put her tea cup down firmly. "I want Zak Adama out of Gaeta's body by nine o'clock tonight."

"Of course," Adelle said. "Just make sure Helo has him here by then."

Laura nodded and stood up. "Thank you for the tea," she said stiffly, and then let herself out before Adelle could do so.

***

"I don't like this," Saul informed Helo.

"You think I do?" Helo leaned against the wall, checking his sidearm.

"As if we don't have enough problems. We don't need ghosts," Saul growled.

"Ghosts." Helo put the gun down. "Yeah."

He had that voice going, the one that meant he was questioning an order without actually saying it. "What? You think it's anything else?" Saul asked.

"No, ghosts is a great way of putting it," Helo agreed. "It's just…"

"It's just what?" Saul. "It's not Gaeta in there. You know that."

"I know, sir. I'm the one that sees him without the imprint." Helo sat down on the Raptor. "Can I ask you a question, sir?" Saul didn't answer, and Helo took that as consent. "Are you ever going to get your memories back?"

"Wasn't sure about it, but now there's no way in hell," Saul said, after thinking for a moment. "You see the look on Roslin's face? She didn't order this imprint. And I know Bill didn't, either. You think I'm going to trust my brain to these two after that?"

"Can't say I blame you," Helo said glumly. "It's just… Gaeta used to be a friend of mine."

"Which is why he locked you and your family in a cell and would've killed you all without a second thought."

"After I told him I wasn't going to save his leg."

"He's a soldier," Saul said. "That's what happens during war. Sometimes people get screwed."

"I know." Helo's response was cross, and Saul was sure he was thinking of Hera. Not that he could blame him. Everyone had their demons these days; Gaeta and Helo weren't anything special. Helo retreated into a moody silence.

Saul glanced around small workspace where they were waiting. The Raptor didn't actually dock inside the Persephone, but rather on a bay outside, joining up with the airlock. They were waiting in what qualified as the deck on the Persephone, a small workplace with two tool benches and a small parts locker. This entire mess with Zak was making him twitchy, and he knew it. Bill didn't need this shit, especially if it just drove him deeper into the bottle. Of course, no matter how this turned out, it was too late. The damage was done.

Saul sighed and checked his watch. Fifteen more minutes. He wished he could shake the feeling that this entire operation was falling down around their ears.

Five minutes later, Laura Roslin appeared, an odd mix of agitated and satisfied. "All right," she said. "I told Adelle she's got until nine tonight to get Zak out of Gaeta's body." Helo looked up at that. "Now let's get Zak away from Bill."

"You really think she's going to do it?" Saul asked.

"Yes. I do." Laura spoke with a determined confidence. "Let's go."

***

There were glares as the made their way around the Galactica, and it took Bill a few moments to remember why. The rest of the crew wasn't seeing Zak; they were seeing Gaeta. He ignored them and continued on, pushing the chair.

"Gods," Zak sighed, reaching out from his wheelchair and touching one of the battered walls. "I would have loved a chance to serve on one of these things. Even one as old as Galactica."

"You should have seen the Pegasus," Lee put in from beside him. "Now that was a ship."

Zak frowned. "Funny thing is, I did," he said.

"Topher made a few patches for the imprints," Bill explained to Lee, "so they remember what's happened since the Colonies and don't get lost in a panic attack when they realize what's happened."

Lee nodded, but Zak wasn't really listening. Instead, he looked back up at Bill, smiling the mischievous smile he'd always given before he asked for something he knew his parents would refuse. "So, is there any chance a nugget can see the CIC?" he asked. "Or doesn't being the Admiral's dead son come with any privileges at all?"

"Maybe we shouldn't," Lee said. "You saw how he reacted when we said…" he mouthed the word Dee at Bill. "The CIC was Gaeta's world."

"Come on, big brother," Zak teased. "I promise I won't touch anything or blow anything up."

"We can do it," Bill said. "We won't go in; we'll just stand in the door."

"It's a bad idea," Lee muttered, but he didn't object any more.

"Just wait," Zak said. "I fully intend on using my privilege to see where the Quorum meets next. And the pilots' ready room. That's a place I never got to go. I think I-"

He said more, but Bill wasn't hearing it. This had been a bad idea, and the reason why was coming down the hall right now, and then stopping in his tracks.

"Sir," Hoshi said stiffly, his eyes on the man in the wheelchair. "I wasn't aware you were bringing a new navigator in."

"Oh, I'm not a navigator," Zak said easily, with his characteristic friendliness. "I'm Zak." He extended his hand. "Zak Adama."

Hoshi stared at it, and then looked up at Bill. Then before anyone could say a word, he spun on his heel and headed the other way down the hall, as fast as he could without running.

"Frak," Bill said.

"What happened?" Zak asked.

"Dad, this is a bad idea," Lee said. "Too many other people in there are going to react to Gaeta. Let's just go to the ready room, put everything in order, and get Helo."

Lee was right; some level of Bill acknowledged that. But he looked down at Zak, looking up at him with confusion but excitement and gratitude, and the pull of that was too strong. He put his hand on Zak's shoulder. "This is my son. I have a chance to put our family back together, even if it's just for a little while."

"By tearing another man's family apart," Lee pointed out.

Bill snorted. "That family was torn apart when two of them mutinied," he pointed out. "That's not my fault."

Lee looked down the corridor Hoshi had disappeared down. "Someone should talk to him."

"So go ahead."

Lee glared for a long moment angrily, then spun and walked away, his fists clenched at his sides. Bill stared after him, anger rising. He found himself reaching for the flask he kept in his jacket.

"You know," Zak said quietly, before Bill could pull the flask out, "I know I'm not real."

"What?" He looked down at the man in the wheelchair.

"I know I'm not real. I feel real. I know I'm me, and I feel like myself. But when I look in the mirror- and I have seen a mirror- that's not me looking back. And I know it. Even sitting right here… I want to go through that door, and I have no idea why. I don't give a frak about the CIC." He looked down at his body, and then back up at Bill. "Who am I?"

"You're Zak. You're my son." Zak's eyes stayed fastened on him, and Bill sighed. "His name was Felix Gaeta. He was my tactical officer, until he committed mutiny. He took my ship."

"And your ship has always been the most important thing to you," Zak muttered, looking away towards the CIC door. It was Gaeta talking again, Bill knew it, but it cut deeply.

"No. It hasn't." Bill put his hand on Zak's shoulder. "But I've been made aware it seemed that way." He sighed. "You wanted to see the ready room?"

"Yeah. Let's go there instead."

Bill nodded and took the wheelchair handles, turning them away from the CIC. But as he headed down the hall, Gaeta looked over his shoulder one more time.

***

"What do you think?" Sharon asked, kneeling down beside Figurski.

"I think the whole damn thing is ready for the junk heap, Lieutenant," Figurski said, sighing with frustration. "But I think we can replace the fuel lines and that will help for a bit. You've got a lot of coke built up in there."

"Great," Sharon sighed heavily. "Do we even have fuel line left?"

"We're out of the polymeric stuff," Figurski said. "But I think I can rig you something from stainless steel tubing. It won't last as long- the steel tends to catalyze the reaction- but it will keep you flying for a little longer."

"Let's do it then," Sharon agreed.

Figurski nodded, and then looked up. "You looking for me, Lieutenant?" he asked the intruder.

"No, actually. I'm looking for Lieutenant Agathon." Sharon recognized the voice before she even turned around, and closed her eyes. It had only been a matter of time, she supposed.

"Lieutenant Hoshi," she said, standing up. She turned around to face him and almost drew back at the expression on his face. His eyes were angry and his lips were pressed together so tightly that the skin around them was white. "What do you need?"

He glared at Figurski for a long moment, until Figurski muttered something about checking the supplies and disappeared. Then he pulled her against the Raptor. "I need to see Zarek."

Sharon's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you think I know anything about Tom Zarek?"

"Playa Palacios." Hoshi spat out. "She said if I wanted to see him, you'd take me there."

"Because a reporter is an authority on what I have clearance to do. Why should I do something like that?"

"Because you frakking owe me," he snapped.

Sharon blinked. "I owe you?" she demanded. "I've barely spoken to you. What the frak could I owe you?"

She expected him to say something about Gaeta's leg and Helo not making the jump back, or even her forcing the mutiny on the Demetrius. Instead, he just pulled back. "I had a daughter, too," he told her. "Back on the Colonies."

It wasn't the kind of thing that should matter, and there were a million things she could have said. But as she looked at the naked pain on his face and felt the guilt shoot through her, she knew it mattered. It mattered more than any other argument he could have prepared. "We'll need a launch code."

"I've got one."

"I won't have anything to do with Zarek. He nearly killed my daughter."

"Fair enough," Hoshi said. "All I'm asking is to get there."

Sharon nodded. "All right. Get in."

***

The ready room was empty. Zak's face lit up as they entered it, and he looked around like a pilgrim in a temple. Bill watched him, remembering that long-gone thrill of reporting to the ready room for the first time. Zak took control of the chair himself and wheeled around, looking at the podium, the displays, and the front row of chairs. He touched the leather reverently.

"It's too bad I can't take a Viper out," he said softly. He looked down at the half-leg in disgust.

"You don't have your wings yet anyway," Bill reminded him.

"I know."

He didn't have to think of what Lee had said, about his expecting his sons to follow him into the cockpit; the thought had been in his soul the entire time Zak had been in Gaeta. "What would you do now that you've lost your leg?" he asked, when Zak fell silent. "If you could do anything?"

"Go to medical school." Zak's answer was immediate but casual. "I could get the Fleet to pay for it, I'm sure, and then maybe serve on a battlestar or whatever." He wheeled himself to the podium. His face didn't hold any resentment; it was hard to tell if this really was a backup plan, or if it was a dream that was being squashed to follow in his father's footsteps. But Zak changed the subject. "I'm kind of surprised to see Lee in a suit and not a jock smock."

"He's done his share."

Zak glanced up at him. "His share? He's the Vice President of the Colonies, essentially, from what you've told me. That sounds like Lee's been doing a lot more than his share." Bill didn't answer. "Vice President," Zak said, shaking his head. He gripped the edges of the podium. "I always knew Lee would go far."

"He used to be CAG," Bill heard himself saying. "And Commander of the Pegasus."

"Wow." Zak looked dazed at that. "That's just… the funny thing is, I remember the Pegasus, and I know about it, but…" he shrugged. His hands tightened around the podium and he pulled himself to standing, looking around. He smiled. "What a view," he said. "This is what you and Lee and Kara see… this is what I would see… if things were different…" He ran a hand down the smooth wood. "I know this view," he said, so softly Bill could barely hear him. "I've never been here, but I know it. When you said flight runs in the Adama blood… that you're not a man until you get your wings… you were right." He looked at Bill, his eyes wide. "You were right."

"No," Bill said. "I wasn't."

Zak snorted. "Right. Then why do I feel like I've been here before?"

Because that's where Gaeta would stand to brief the pilots on missions. The knowledge flared in Bill's mind before he could push it away. He told himself he was being paranoid, but between Zak's reaction outside the CIC and to Dee's name, he was having a very bad feeling about this. Zak's fingers tightened around the podium, and Bill realized he was in pain. He moved forward and grabbed his arm, helping him to sit.

He'd touched Zak twice before this, but now, with his and around his arm, he realized how strange this felt. Zak had been bigger, taller, broader than Gaeta. "Let's go down to the hangar deck," he said, pulling his hand away once Zak was seated. "To the Vipers."

Zak's eyes lit up. "Sounds great."

***

The Raptor was uncomfortably silent. Sharon was grateful; Hoshi's revelation had left her deeply unsettled, and she really didn't feel like talking about it. She remembered that day, when her raider had swept over Caprica and the Cylons thought that they were gaining freedom and justice. She'd thought they were gaining freedom and justice.

"Why did you do it?" Hoshi asked suddenly.

"We didn't know better," Sharon said through clenched teeth. "We didn't understand what life really was, how variable it is. I didn't understand."

Hoshi blinked at her. "I didn't mean that," he said. "I meant why did you help Zarek escape?"

"Oh. Because tampering with a soul is a line that should not be crossed."

"You believe in souls?" he asked, surprised.

"Yes." She looked straight ahead. "And no matter what Zarek's done, he has one. Gaeta, too."

Hoshi swallowed hard. "I don't expect you to ever forgive Zarek," he said bitterly, "but you were friends with Felix. Are you forgiving him?"

Sharon's heart hardened. "He put Hera in danger," she said sharply. "You've lost your child. Do you think you can ever forgive those that threatened them?"

"No."

"There's your answer." He didn't say anything, and the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. "The question is, do you forgive him?"

"I don't know," Hoshi said. "I owe it to my uniform to say no. I owe it to Julie and Matthew to say yes."

"And Felix? What do you owe him?"

"The chance to make up my own mind, face to face. The chance for him to defend himself."

"Guess I can't argue with that," Sharon admitted, and they flew the rest of the way in silence.

***

Kara was working on the drill schedule when Lee opened the door of the conference room. "What is it, Lee?" Kara asked tiredly as he came towards her. But her exhaustion disappeared as she saw the look on his face.

"It's Zak," Lee said with no preamble.

"Zak?" Kara asked, furrowing her brows in confusion. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"You'd better come with me. I'm serious, Kara. You're not going to like this."

Then why haul me into it? Kara wanted to say, but her legs were already moving. "What's going on?"

"Zak was on one of those imprints for the Actives," Lee said. "I don't understand it all, but the managed to resurrect Zak."

"You're frakking kidding me," she said, stopping in her tracks for a moment. Lee didn't stop, and Kara caught back up to him quickly. "The Old Man ordered this?"

"No. It was just done. But Zak's in Gaeta's body."

There was something so inherently repulsive about that that Kara found bile rising in her throat, but she quickened her pace. "Where are they?"

"I don't know. I left them outside the CIC."

"Let's find them. Now."

***

The Raptor docked on the Hitei Kan. "He's on this ship," Sharon said. "But you're on your own. I'll come back for you in two hours."

"Thank you." Hoshi climbed out of the Raptor. "I mean it. I know this is a big risk for you."

Sharon nodded, and he lifted a hand.

"Hoshi," she called as he started away. He stopped and turned. "I don't know what to say," she said. "'I'm sorry' doesn't even begin to cover it."

He nodded stiffly.

"What planet did you live on?" The words were difficult and tasted bitter.

"Scorpia."

She closed her eyes. "I know it doesn't make things right, but I was stationed on Caprica. I've never set foot on Scorpia."

Hoshi nodded, his face tight. "Thank you."

Sharon watched him disappear into the Hitei Kan, and then started the Raptor. She had the uneasy feeling she should have stayed.

***

The look on Zak's face as they entered the hangar deck was everything Bill had ever wanted it to be. It made him forget, just for the moment, that Galactica was in her final days and made him remember the first time he'd ever set foot on a battlestar, and the sight of the Vipers lined up below him. They looked down from the catwalk together.

"Gods." Zak breathed the word, reaching out and gripping the railing. "What I wouldn't give to…."

"I know."

"Which one is Kara's?" Zak asked eagerly, leaning forward like a child pressing his nose to the glass.

Bill was about to point it out when someone grabbed him by the shoulder, and he whirled around to face Kara herself.

"Tell me Lee's wrong, sir," she said urgently. "Tell me that Zak isn't in there." She pointed angrily at Gaeta, her eyes blazing.

Bill didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked over her shoulder to see Lee standing there, arms crossed, eyes dark.

"I had to tell her," he said. "She deserved to decide if she wanted to see him or not for herself."

"It's really true?" Kara turned to look at Zak, who was looking up at her with confusion. "Zak?"

"Kara." Zak turned the whole chair around. A smile began at the corners of his mouth and then spread like a sunrise over his features. "It really is you." He laughed, and then looked up at Bill. "And you said she really said 'yes'?" But the joy that Bill expected was marred by something else. Zak seemed to be scanning Kara for something, but Bill couldn't see what, if anything, was causing him to do so.

Kara drew back. "You're not Zak," she said, shaking her head.

"I am." Zak was trying to rally. "I can show you. You remember the time we climbed to the top of the acropolis and sat on the steps of the Temple of Nike and looked down over the city, and you said that the thing about flying was you couldn't see the lights like that from the cockpit? Or when we went to my great-uncle's grave and I sang that song that he used to sing me when I was a kid?" He began to sing. "Alone she sleeps in the shirt of a man, with my three wishes-"

"Stop!" Kara ordered, her face white. Bill couldn't breathe. He'd forgotten that "My Three Wishes" had been Larry's favorite song, and to hear it sung again, but by Zak, in Gaeta's voice…

The world began to spin.

"Don't sing that again," Kara warned, her voice taut. "It's not that I don't…" she shook her head in frustration.

"Kara," Zak tried, wheeling closer.

"Stay away from me," Kara said angrily, stepping back. She looked at Bill. "You're really not seeing a problem with this, sir?" she demanded. "Put Gaeta back in his own body. Let him go, lock him up, shoot him- do whatever you have to do. I'll pull the trigger if you're too much of a coward to do it yourself, sir. But this… this thing… this is not Zak."

Bill's jaw tightened. "It's not cowardice that's kept me from shooting Felix Gaeta. It's necessity."

Kara just shook her head.

Lee stepped up. "This isn't Zak, Dad" he said, pointing at the wheelchair.

"You've heard him. This is Zak." Something was eroding inside him, and Bill clung to it more tightly to stop it from happening. But Kara grabbed his shoulder.

"This is just a memory, sir!" she said, gesturing angrily. "It's a frakking good one, yeah, but it's a bunch of zeros and ones downloaded into Gaeta's brain! That might be a personality or a history, but it's not a soul."

"I've got a baseship of Cylons who would beg to differ with you," Bill said harshly. "And I'm sure Sam would, too. Besides, after everything that Gaeta's done, he deserved to die."

"After everything Gaeta did, he did deserve to die," Lee said firmly. "He might have committed mutiny, but he served the Fleet seven years before that. He got information to the Resistance on New Caprica. He's fought in battles and not questioned your orders for years. And he surrendered. In the end, he realized he was beaten and he surrendered, instead of costing more lives. He deserved to die, and to be at peace. Kara's right, Dad. Whatever is in that wheelchair is an agglomeration of Gaeta and Zak, and that's just… it's not right."

Lee turned to Zak, who was watching him open-mouthed. "I'm sorry," he said stiffly. "I know that you think you're really Zak. I've seen enough of these imprints to know how this works, and yeah, as far as you know, you areZak. But you're not, and I can't do this. You died six years ago, and as much as I hate it, I'm at peace with that." When Lee looked at Bill, his eyes were wet and he shook his head. "I can't do this, Dad. You're on your own."

Kara didn't need to say anything. The way she spun on her heel and left before Lee even finished speaking said it all.

Zak sat quietly, head bowed, and Bill stood beside him, hand on his shoulder.

***

"What are you going to do about it?" Kara demanded as they walked through the halls.

"What am I going to do about it?" Lee asked, surprised. "This is my father and Roslin. What makes you think I can do anything about it at all?"

"You're Vice President. Make Roslin see reason," Kara said.

Lee stopped suddenly, turning to face her. He looked tired and strained, worse than he'd looked in a long time. "Look," he said, "I can talk to Roslin, but she does have her reasons, and you've got to admit, they've been pretty good ones."

"There have been good outcomes," Kara had to concede. "But a soul-"

"Souls are superstition," Lee snapped. "Or religion. You don't know that there is a soul, not the way you mean. And that," he pointed back down the hall at the hangar deck, "if anything, it's a copy, a simulation… an avatar. It's a collection of data loaded into an organic matrix. But it's not a soul."

"Want to bet yours on that?" Kara shot back, shaking with fury. She wanted to reach out and grab Lee by the shoulders, to shout at him what she'd seen on Earth, to make him see. And he must have seen some of it, because his face softened.

"Look, I'll take to Roslin, okay? But I don't know that I can make her listen, and I don't know what else I can do."

"Yeah. You do that," Kara said. She stormed off. Lee might not be able to help, but she had an idea there was someone on this ship that would listen to her. She just had no idea where to find him.

***

"Hey, Zarek!" Marissa called out over the noise of the line. "There's someone here to see you!"

Tom pulled away from the line, wiping his arm across his forehead and leaving a sooty streak, he was sure. But Marissa's stance and grim smile promised some sort of action.

He didn't recognize Hoshi at first. The man had actually had the common sense not wear his uniform, and he stood awkwardly, waiting for Tom to come over, his hands shoved in the pockets of a worn pair of jeans. He looked extremely uncomfortable, but as Tom got closer, he could see resolution etched into Hoshi's features.

"Lieutenant," he said graciously, extending his hand as if Hoshi had come to his office on Colonial One. "How can I help you?"

Hoshi stared at his hand for a long moment with an expression of disgust, then took it and dropped it quickly as if it would contaminate him. "You know why I'm here," he said without any preamble. "I want Felix and Noel and Racetrack out of whatever they're doing."

Interesting that he included Racetrack as well. As far as Tom knew, there was no personal connection between Hoshi and Racetrack. He made a note of it, and clapped Hoshi on the back, pushing him more than guiding him away from the lines and to a more isolated corner. "We're on the same page, then," he said. "But just so you know, if Adama finds me, then you can kiss any chance of getting any of them out of this slavery goodbye."

Hoshi shot him a disgusted look. "I'm aware of that," he snarled. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here to begin with. So let's cut right to the chase. What do you need from me?"

No bullshit. Tom instinctively recognized that prose would be wasted on this one; he didn't need justifications, just marching orders. "We need to talk to Hamish McCall- Skulls, I believe- over on the Astral Queen."

"Done," Hoshi said. He glanced at his watch in an automatic sort of gesture. "I'll be here with a pilot at 2200 hours tonight. We'll have one hour."

"Make sure it's someone you can trust," Tom cautioned.

Hoshi's withering glare spoke for itself.

"There is something else I want to know," Tom said. Hoshi raised an eyebrow. "What's Racetrack to you? I get Felix and Narcho, but Racetrack?"

"She helped me save Felix," Hoshi said shortly. "I owe her one."

"Could have paid her back by being on our side," Tom muttered. "You refused to follow us. Interesting that you're so willing to put your neck on the line now just because you owe her one."

Hoshi blinked. "I didn't refuse to join you," he said. "I was never given an option."

Of course. Tom should have realized that. The weeks on the Hitei Kan were throwing him off his game. "What would you have done?" he asked. "If you'd known what we were doing?"

Hoshi shrugged. "I honestly don't know," he said. His face fell back into harsh, determined lines. "But I know what I'm doing right now. 2200 hours, Zarek."

"2200 hours," Tom agreed.

***

"She looks different," Zak said quietly.

"What?" Bill looked down at him.

"She looks different. Kara."

"She's just upset. She'll come around."

Zak shook his head. "That's not what I mean, Dad. She looks older. Her hair looks different and she has new tattoos and there are lines…" he broke off in frustration. "The last time I saw her was yesterday. Which obviously wasn't yesterday, but it was yesterday for me."

You'll get used to it. Bill opened his mouth to say it, and then the realization washed over him. Zak wouldn't get used to it. He stood there for a long moment, staring at the man watching him.

As if summoned by the conversation, Helo appeared. He glanced at Bill apologetically, and then turned to Zak. "Zak, it's time for your treatment."

Bill waited with bated breath, but Zak just nodded. "Yeah. I could use a treatment." He began to follow Helo.

"Wait," Bill said. They both stopped. "I'll come with you."

***

I'm sorry that I wasn't there more when you and your brother were growing up. I'm sorry you felt so alone. I'm sorry that you never went to medical school, and I'm sorry you never told me. I'm sorry that Lee had to shield you, and I'm sorry I trusted your mother. I wish your death had been different… I wish your life had been different. I wish you'd had everything you wanted. I wish you hadn't died, and taken a part of me with you.

All words that went unsaid as Bill stood in the imprint room, flanked by Laura on one side and Helo on the other. He watched, his face stony, as the blue light glowed around Zak's head, but this time he was able to hold his son's hand as he died once again.

"Destroy the imprint," Laura told Topher quietly. "And this time, it's an order."

"Yes, Madame President," Topher answered.

The hand in Bill's went slack, and all traces of Zak faded from Gaeta's face. Laura's fingers fumbled for Bill's and she squeezed, but she said nothing more.

The light faded, and Gaeta sat up. His face was empty and pleasant, and Bill looked away.

"Did I fall asleep?" Gaeta asked.

"For a little while," Topher answered.

"Shall I go now?"

"If you like."

"Here, Gaeta." Helo stepped in, extending his arm, and Gaeta reached for it. Helo helped him to his feet. "Lean on me," he ordered gently. Gaeta obeyed, and Helo helped him from the room. As he passed, Bill imagined that he could see a flash of Zak in Gaeta's eyes, just one last time.

Topher cleared his throat. "The imprint is deleted," he told Laura.

It was the right thing to do, he knew that. But Bill still didn't trust himself to speak.

***

Hoshi smelled like tylium. Kara noticed it as she backed him against the locker. "All right," she said, slamming her hand against the metal, "we're not playing games."

"Never was a game, Captain," Hoshi said, glaring back at her. "What do you want?"

"I want in."

"In on what?"

"I know you're planning on bringing this imprint project down. There's no frakking way you're not by now."

"You think I'd tell you if I was?" Hoshi asked incredulously. "How stupid do you take me for, Thrace?"

"I might think you're a moron, but the Old Man doesn't. If he wanted a mole, he wouldn't send me. He'd send one of your Pegasus buddies. You think he'd believe you'd tell me a damn thing?" Hoshi didn't answer, but the expression in his eyes wavered. Kara snorted. "The only thing I'd trust you to tell me is directions to the nearest airlock."

"And why the frak would you want to help? What's in it for you?"

"Because it's Gaeta. And the only way I'd go against the Admiral over Gaeta is if the Old Man was wrong. He's wrong."

Hoshi's eyes narrowed as he considered her. Finally, he nodded. "2145," he said. "Be on the hangar deck with a Raptor. I'll have a code."

"Got it."

"You frak me over, and you will pay. Even if I'm dead, I will find a way to sic a Two on you."

It was an empty threat, but it made Kara's skin crawl anyway. She shook her head in disgust. "Never thought I'd say this, but gods, did Gaeta find someone perfect for him. 2145. See you then, Lieutenant."