Title:
Faoi Dheireadh
Part:
7
Rating:
PG, maybe PG-13 later
Pairing:
A/R
Summary:
The survivors of the Holocaust have finally reached Earth, but they
find out that's not the end of their problems
Beta:
none as yet (please be kind!)
Note:
I do want to thank Vi, Marta,
Axelradjr, and AlbertG for their expertise. Without their input this
story would not be what it is today. Be warned, this takes place
sometime near the end of season two. Anything after Epiphanies are
conjectures from the author's warped mind. . .
Disclaimer:
Battlestar Galactica and its
characters are creations of Glen Larson and copywrited by Universal
Studios. I make no money off of this.
Colonial
speach: " "
English
speach: ' '
Chapter Seven
"Are you sure this is the right thing to do, Bill?" Laura asked as she stepped through the door into Adama's quarters. "And what was that you and Lee were talking about?"
Adama closed the door behind him. "It's the best we can do for now. I'm not sure how far we can trust them." He walked over to a side cabinet and retrieved a bottle with two glasses. "And at this time I do not wish to discuss the issue with Lee." Adama handed her a glass of water then sat down on the couch.
The sudden awkward silence was cut short by comm buzzing. Getting up, Bill went over to his office area and picked up the receiver, "Adama. . .yes, I did. . .Helo. Have him report here." Terminating the conversation he placed the receiver back in its wall socket.
"Everything's changed, Bill," Laura's voice came from behind him.
Turning around, he gave a single nod as he went back over to his couch to sit down.
"I can understand you not wanting to talk about. . ." she let her voice drift off.
"It's something few people know about." He shook his head, not willing to comment any further on it, then changed the subject. "Commander O'Neill chose the officer that accompanied her to be their liaison."
"I'm not sure she'll be able to understand us." Laura looked around the room for a moment before setting back on Adama.
"I know, but we've never had to deal with this type of issue before, even within the Colonies. We might - -" he was interrupted by a knock at the door. Getting up he walked over to the door and opened it up. Lt. Agathorn was standing just outside.
"Sir, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Lt. Please step inside." He would have brought the young lieutenant to his table, but it was covered with Laura's work, so they stayed somewhat close to the door. After closing it he turned to face the ECO. "I have a job for you, Helo. For the time being I am assigning you to be our liaison on our visitor's ship."
"Sir?" Helo blinked in surprise.
"I want someone over there that I can trust. I do inform you that there will be very few people you will understand."
"Yes, Sir." Helo nodded, still in shock. After a moment or two he seemed to shake himself out of it. "How long will I be there?"
"Until we can find a suitable replacement," Laura spoke for the first time.
"But what about. . ." the young lieutenant faded off.
Adama stepped closer and hardened his expression. "Lt. Agathorn, you are a Colonial Officer first and foremost, do not forget that."
Lowering his head, Helo finally nodded. "Yes, Sir."
"Good. I expect them to send over another shuttle. Talk to Colonel Tigh and get a transceiver so you can make daily reports, and collect your gear. Dismissed."
"Yes, Sir." Helo saluted and turned on his heels to exit the quarters.
"How long?" Laura asked while going back over to the couch when they were alone once again.
"I'm not sure, though I do expect him to head to the brig first." Sitting down beside her, he gently brushed a lock of her hair off her cheek and tucked it behind her ear. She closed her eyes and leaned into the warm touch.
"Bill?" she asked quietly. "I will have to talk to the Quorum and then the fleet. If we could see everything on Colonial One you can be sure so could everyone else." Opening her eyes, she looked at him for a moment before pulling back and picking up her glass.
"How soon?" he asked seriously.
"Well, with the Quorum, it will have to be very soon. Normally I would have this on Colonial One, but with it out of commission, I'm going to have to have everything here, including the message to the fleet."
Bill nodded as he rose and walked over to his table. Searching through the stacks, he found what he was looking for and returned. "You will need to think about what you want to say to everyone."
Laura slowly reached out and took the notebook and pen offered. "At least I'll not be disturbed with government matters when trying to figure out what to say."
oOoOo
Lt. Gaeta looked at the woman before him. Her uniform was of a color he would have never thought, brown. It was somewhat formfitting, which he thought might be a bit of a problem. With her not knowing the language made him uncomfortable. It was nothing he would have ever expected. The population of the Colonies all spoke the same language. She was obviously human, but spoke something different. "Ma'am?" he tried, not expecting her to understand. Not getting her attention, he stepped over to her and touched her shoulder. She jumped and immediately took what looked like an defensive posture. Stepping back he raised both hands to show that he meant no harm. "Sorry."
For a moment she stayed there, breathing hard. Finally calming down somewhat she looked at him in confusion then looked at the instrument she held in her hand. Pressing a few buttons she shook her head with what looked like frustration, then ran her hand through her short hair.
What do I do, he asked himself. Better yet, what do I start with first. Making his decision he tapped his chest with his finger and said, "Felix."
She looked at him for a long moment before answering in the same way, "Angela." She looked down again and pressed a few buttons. What she said next surprised the tactical officer, "I am learning, please be patient." Her accent was odd, but he could completely understand her. He nodded.
Angela's expression relaxed, as if relieved that he could understand her.
"Come." He indicated the door and hoped that she would know to follow him. This would be a long few days or weeks until she learned enough to communicate with the rest of the crew, he thought.
Stepping into the corridor he glanced back to see if she had followed. Breathing a sigh of relief seeing her just behind him, he gave her a quick nod and moved off towards the guest quarters. She would be staying there until either a new liaison officer came on board, or she be assigned somewhere else. With each turn he continued to glance back, just to make sure she was still there.
"Where?"
Gaeta stopped and turned to look at her. "Guest quarters." He turned back around and continued. When they reached their destination it was only around the corner from Adama's. For a moment he hesitated, not entirely sure if their Admiral was staying in these, or the President. With Colonial One out of commission for the time being, he knew the President had decided to stay on the Galactica for now. Not taking the chance, he went to the second guest quarters and opened the door. It was somewhat sparsely furnished, but much more spacious than any of the officer's quarters.
'Thank you,' she said quietly as she stepped through the door and into where she would be staying for the time being.
Gaeta furrowed his brow for a moment, not quite understanding what she said. It took a moment before he realized that was the other language. It was more guttural, but not harsh sounding. Giving her a slight smile, he went over to the comm and punched a few buttons. "Dee, could you get me the Admiral please? Yes, I'll wait. . .Sir. . .yes, we're in the secondary guest quarters. . .The Colonel, pardon my language, dumped it in my lap. . .When. . .all right, but she doesn't understand much of anything. Yes, Sir." He placed it back in its cradle and turned back. For a time he was at a loss for words, not exactly sure how he would do this. Adama did want her in the CIC soon enough, but didn't know when she could go.
oOoOo
Mair stepped out of the shuttle leaning heavily on the door frame. Taking a step she then leaned heavily on her cane. What she needed was to get to her quarters and take her medicine, but that wouldn't do today. She needed to contact the Admiralty and tell and request with hindsight the liaison situation. Of course, she knew they would be angry with her, and also push her to take a medical retirement, but she wouldn't, she couldn't. They needed her out here, and her superiors knew that. There was no one nearly as qualified as she was that was available to take over. Even the men and women beneath her weren't at the same level she was. Knowing what needed to get done, she would do it and then take the medicine and be out for several hours.
There was nothing wrong with her, that much the scans stated, but her crew all knew what she had. When needed, they would vouch for her. That was something she would always be in debt to them. Which is why it was so hard for her to have Angela as her liaison. She would be loosing one of her officers, and that's something she never accepted gracefully.
Making it to the elevator, she leaned against the wall while directing it to the communications level. Within a moment the door opened. Taking a step forward she could feel as well as see the crew turn to her. Before she could take another wobbly step, Jack came up to her while shaking his head.
'Don't even say it,' she commented while leaning heavily against him. Using her cane as a pointer she indicated Harris. 'Over there.'
Jack nodded and helped her over. Sitting heavily in a chair she hissed in pain while closing her eyes. 'Harris, I need you to send a message to the Admiralty about what happened.'
'Commander, are they refugees?'
She nodded while slowly calming her breathing.
'Where's Angela?'
Mair looked up and saw that Jack was looking to the door she had just emerged from. 'She is our liaison for now. That is until Admiralty decides to get off their collective duff and send a professional out here.'
'Anything else you want to tell them?' Jack asked while raising an eyebrow.
'Only that we're going to need a couple of capital ships out here, preferably ones that have big guns. I also need to contact them again, we're going to have to send over another shuttle with Angela's things along with a transponder for her pda.'
'Yes, Ma'am,' Harris nodded letting his fingers flit over the communications console. Bringing up the emc controls, Harris had the signals transmit through jamming equipment. 'You're on.'
'Thank you.'
"Admiral Adama?"
"Yes Commander?"
"I will be sending over another shuttle with Lt. Glennan's personal items. I will also have a transponder sent over so she will not be completely cut off from us."
"I understand. I will have our officer return on that shuttle."
"There is one other thing. I will be contacting my superiors and asking for a couple of our capital ships sent out here. Admiral," she acknowledged him then had the transmission cut. 'Harris, per my orders, contact the Admiralty and tell them what we need. You will know where to find me.'
Taking a deep breath, Mair used her cane and pushed herself to her feet and slowly limped out of the command center and back to her quarters.
TBC...
