BSG 10 NOTE : CHAPTER MODIFIED _ JOHN DOES NOT REVEAL WHO HE IS
In the control room of the Base Star, Laura Roslin stood beside several Cylons as they moved the ship back into the colonial fleet. Receiving targeting signals from Galactica, they moved away in case Zarek started shooting at them, hoping he wouldn't be insane enough to shoot into the civilian ships. They too had heard Garfield's announcement.
"We can find no ships other than colonials," a Six said, "Whoever they are, we can't pick them up."
"Which means they have a critical tactical advantage," a Four agreed. "Should we jump?"
They looked at each other. "No," an Eight said. "Garfield indicated he would stop any hostile actions. If they mistake a spool up for weapons charging, they may fire on us. Since we don't know where they are, they could have us targeted right now."
"Agreed," A Six said. "We should announce to Garfield we will not become involved."
Another announcement came over the comms. "This is Garfield. Ships that have your drives warmed up, stand them down. Any attempts at a jump will cause your ship to be disabled and boarded. Your entire fleet is in our sights. Stand your drives down, now."
A Six replied, "Garfield, this is the Base Star, we have no hostile intentions. We would ask you to come aboard so we can discuss the situation."
"Base Star, this is Garfield. I'll find out. Until his Majesty gives further orders, stand fast."
"We have an entire alien battle fleet hiding out there," Laura said, understanding the situation.
"Garfield, this is Galactica! If you fire on any Colonial ships, we will return fire. Show yourselves!"
"Galactica, you shoot, and we'll ram so many missiles up your ass, you won't know what hit you. By the way, your point defenses are already compromised," Garfield stated.
The reply from Galactica was a shout of defiance. "If you're so powerful, show yourselves!"
"We'll talk In sixteen minutes. Garfield out."
Laura wondered aloud, "What happens in sixteen minutes?"
.
Lee quickly discovered how mis-matched the rebels – or any of them were against these Spartans.
The first place they found resistance was at an armory. Peeking around the corner, Lee saw four men, one of them a marine, standing guard.
"Can you take them out?" Lee asked a Spartan. The armored cyborg nodded, and motioned him back. Two cyborgs moved up and vanished in a waver of air. Lee heard them walking slowly around the corner, then nothing for a couple minutes.
"They can become invisible?" Lee asked John quietly.
"For short periods of time. Gives them a nice edge," John said with a grin.
A yelp was all that was heard, then John said, "Clear, let's go."
Lee ran to the armory to find all four men passed out and handcuffed, lying face down on the floor.
They secured the armory and left a Spartan standing guard, then went on to Admiral Adama's quarters. Outside the Admiral's door, the scene was repeated. Two guards taken down quietly, then their squad was outside the shut door.
"They probably have guards inside. They might kill the Admiral before we can even stun them," Lee mussed.
"I have an idea, get clear of the door and the immediate passage," John said. He spoke some orders to the Spartans, they moved back to each side of the door. In a wavering of air, they vanished. John took small pistol devices from two others and put them up the long sleeves of his shirt. He then stood in front of the door and knocked.
John opened the door and peeked in. "Hello? Someone wanted to see me?" he asked.
.
An older dark haired man sat behind Adama's desk. A younger one sat on the side. John could see Adama handcuffed in front of the desk. Marines bracketed the door. As everyone looked at him, John stepped in, pushing the door wide open.
Hands folded in front of him, John said, "The guards outside said you wanted to see me?" he asked innocently.
"Ah yes!" the man behind the desk said with a wide smile. "The man who can take us to civilization. Come on in!"
John did, leaving the door open as he walked up to stand beside Adama. "John Richardson, and you are?" he prompted.
"Tom Zarek, the new president," Zarek said, extending his hand.
John ignored his hand. "You've held an election then?" John asked, to which Adama let out a grunt.
"I am the people's popular choice to lead them to a new home, far away from any Cylons," Zarek boasted.
"I see," John mussed. "And you became popular by staging a mutiny on this ship, and killing the current ruling body, is that correct?"
Angry, Zarek stabbed the desk as he said, "I did what HAD to be done. The people will thank me! You can cooperate with me, or you'll find yourself leaving out an airlock!"
John let out a huff and said, "I've hear enough. Take'em out."
The guards in the inside of the door jerked and fell. At the same time, John pulled his pistols and pointing one at Zarek, and the other at the younger man that bore Adama's Admiral bars, he shot. Pale blue bolts came from the weapons. Both men spasmed and fell.
"Secure the area, get those cuffs off Admiral Adama," John ordered. He turned as Spartans appeared, and more came in. He handed the weapons back to his soldiers.
Admiral Adama let a Spartan use a small tool to cut the cuffs off. As he rubbed his wrists, he eyed John and asked, "What now? Are you taking the ship over?"
"We're following his orders," John said, pointing to Lee as he came in.
Admiral Adama nodded in satisfaction. Looking over at the limp Lt. Gaeta, he said, "He should have lived to see trial."
"They aren't dead," John explained. "They'll wake up in a couple hours."
"Mr. Richardson seems to have the resources to do quite a few things," Lee told her father.
"I take it that this Garfield is working for you?" Admiral Adama asked.
"Yes, as are these soldiers and a few other assets," John said.
Admiral Adama nodded. Shifting his gaze between them, he said, "Let's get control of my ship back."
.
A short while later, the rebel command crew in CIC was out on the floor, and Admiral Adama was once again in command as Spartans helped Adama's marines carry out the unconscious, and mop up the remaining rebels throughout the ship. John stayed in CIC long enough to ensure the Galactica was solidly back in Adama's hands, then used a comms channel to order Garfield to stand down, and the Spartans to assemble at the airlock for departure.
"It's over?" Starbuck asked.
"The ship is back in our hands," Admiral Adama told her.
Starbuck shifted her gaze to John. "How about that explanation?" she asked firmly.
John coughed and said, "Yes, or course. Admiral, if you would excuse us, please?"
Eyeing John, Admiral Adama said, "Hold on for a few minutes. I have some questions myself."
.
They went back to Adama's quarters. They took seats around a small table. Starbuck's face was tense, like she was dying to know what happened to her, but afraid to at the same time.
"Starbuck, what do you remember?" John asked.
"Not much. We were in a system, skirting the upper atmosphere of a gas giant. I thought I saw a raider and dove to chase it. The next think I know, I was at Earth. I shot some pictures with my gun camera, then somehow found the fleet again. Only after I got back, my Viper was brand new, I mean the paint wasn't even scratched. I found out then I wasn't gone hours, but months. That Viper also picked up on a distress signal. We followed that signal to Earth, and that's where I found my body." As Starbuck finished, her voice hitched. "I had to burn my own corpse."
John nodded. "That was my screw up, you were never suppose to find your old body," he admitted.
"So what am I now?"
"Same as you always were," John told her. "Back at that gas giant, we had a cruiser tracking you just inside the atmosphere. Apparently the cloak was flickering, and you thought it was one of these raiders. You dove right into the cruiser, your viper destroyed itself against the shields. Lucky for you, they had the hangar doors open to get detailed intel on your ships with portable equipment. Your cockpit landed inside the hangar. Your body was fried, but your brain was still alive. Medics acted fast enough to save your brain. We reconstructed you."
"I am a Cylon then," Starbuck said.
"No," John said slowly, "Your current body is a clone of your old self, made from your DNA. You are the same as before. We did copy your memories, everything you knew, so we could find out more about you. Once your body was complete, which took a few months, we build you a new ship from your memory and sent you back to your fleet." John cracked a smirk and added, "We did put pieces of your ruined Viper on Earth to give you a signal to fix on, but unfortunately, the team that left your viper there, also left your body."
Starbuck nodded. "You have been following us for some time then," she concluded.
"Yes."
"You were dead in that passage, how did you come back?"
John shrugged. "I can't die. Kill me, and my body regenerates and I wake up. Usually sore as hell."
Staring at him, Starbuck asked, "How old are you?"
John frowned. "I was born on Earth fifteen... sixteen hundred years before the Apocalypse. That was..."
"Twenty five hundred years ago, by our calculations," Starbuck said, her eyes locked on him.
"Sounds about right," John agreed. "It's no exaggeration when I say I've seen it all. That's what did in the Earth, the same thing you people just went through with the Cylons. Our - Cylons you can call them- claimed Earth, most of the humans moved to Mars, but a lot of them weren't happy about them taking over our home planet. There was a big war in which everyone lost. Two habitable planets destroyed, and we'd only gotten Mars habitable in the last hundred years before that. That is the result of nuclear madness. There were very few survivors. Once the fires settled, Tabitha and I returned to Earth. We found a few left alive, but not the ones we were looking for. My wife and her sister... let's just say we didn't find them."
"Tabitha is a relic too?"
John chuckled at the way she said it. "Younger than me by about twelve hundred years, but yes. My wife and I couldn't have children, so we had Tabitha made. Years later, the new 'synthetic humanoids' came out that were partially biological, so we had Ellen. Ellen was easier to raise, she grew on her own. Ellen didn't need to have parts replaced to simulate her body aging. Unfortunately, that meant she was like any other human. The Apocalypse came, and she died along with everyone we knew. Tabitha is the only family I have. I guess that's why we took a personal interest in this case."
Studying him now, Starbuck asked, "Who are you, really?"
"At one time, I was just a warrior named Duncan McLeod. That was ... a very long time ago. Now, I'm someone who can make a difference to people like you who need help. Not only survival help, but also education help so we can prevent catastrophic wars like what happened to us, from happening again," John explained. "Unfortunately, we didn't know about your people until an exploration ship ran across a couple base stars. That ship got away thankfully, and the aggressiveness of those Cylon ships alerted the government. Forces were sent to investigate. And yes, we're watching them as closely as we're watching you."
"What are you going to do about them?" Admiral Adama asked.
"It depends upon the High Council. They will discuss it and come up with their recommendations to the King. The King will decide and take action."
"What could happen?' Starbuck pressed.
"Well," John mussed, "For your refugee fleet, worst case is you're turned around and banned from Imperial space. Another scenario, you could be put under an overseeer, like what happened to the remnants of my people. That means you're allowed to settle and make a home, but a governor rules over you and runs your education system, and Imperial peace keepers would be the law and your military. We were governed for five hundred years before elections with our own people were allowed. Another possibility is your people are deemed able to rule yourselves, OR it could be some modified form of government, where you're allowed to make your own decisions, but an overseer would have some say over your government."
"And the Cylons?"
"Could be anything from mandatory re-education, to irradication. Attempted genocide is very highly frowned upon by every civilized culture that I know of."
"They will be dealt with," Starbuck stated.
"Absolutely."
Starbuck laughed. "Excuse me, but it is such a relief to know they are not going to get away with what they've done."
"Understood. You good now?" John asked.
Starbuck nodded.
"You give your recommendations to the High Council then?" Admiral Adama asked.
"That's right. I send all the information we've gathered, as well what I see as the best solution, then they take everything they have into consideration, and make their recommendations," John told him.
"What have you recommended?" Admiral Adama asked bluntly.
"I have not sent in my entire report yet. As soon as I do, I will inform you and the President."
Admiral Adama leaned closer and said, "That is not what I asked. Can you tell me what you recommend?"
John eyed him, then nodded and said, "All right. I have not decided. I am leaning strongly towards a habitable planet for your people to live on with UT support in all areas. Seeing how you are having trouble with rebels, and understandably so, I am also considering a law enforcement regiment and a diplomatic oversight. That means you would retain your own government, but certain things like major laws and education would be monitored by the assigned diplomat. A fleet liaison would come by four times a cycle to check on your situation and recommend any changes."
"What about our home planets?"
John shrugged. "They are your planets. Once we're done with them, they are all yours."
"What are you doing with them?"
"At the moment, survivor recovery. The Twelfth Fleet is in that area, watching Cylons and retrieving any humans they can find," John said, then cracked a grin. "I'm sure it's driving the Cylons nuts that humans are disappearing under their noses, but once the council makes their decision, I have the feeling they will be much more upset."
"How many survivors do you have?"
"Not an overly large group. Last report I heard was around sixty thousand. Most in desperate need of medical care from being planet side, a few from random ships we found," John told him. He then added, "Before you ask, in accordance with the rules of war, we cannot release any colonial humans or Cylons we currently hold. We have to maintain a neutral status until High Council gives their recommendations."
Adama's eyes widened. "Sixty thousand? We don't have that many people in the fleet!"
"I know that," John agreed. "They are being cared for and kept updated on your situation. They know there still is a colonial government of some form, and recognize your President."
"You have stealth ships," Starbuck said in understanding.
"Every military ship uses stealth technologies, it is a basic tactical mechanism," John replied.
Admiral Adama frowned in thought for a moment, then asked, "Are we being held?"
"Yes, you are. There is a battle fleet encircling your fleet. Nothing in or out of the confinement area until the High Council gives their recommendations."
"Thank you for your honesty," Admiral Adama said with a huff.
"If you need anything, we'll do our best to provide it. To ease the overcrowding on some of your ships, interstellar transports are en-route."
"Again, thank you," Admirla Adama said, and got up. "I have a ship to run, if you will excuse me."
"By all means, Admiral. I will be sure to keep you and the President informed of any news," John told him.
.
Tom Zarek and Lt. Gaeta were tried and executed for treason. John was invited to view the trial and punishment, but he declined. Not long after their trials, Tabitha was repaired. Admiral Adama requested she return to Galactica to testify on the numerous other trials for the rebels.
Tabitha was eager to return. Five of the the royal servants, Valarie, Niri, Alani, Yara, and Tarini also demanded to be allowed to accompany her. John hesitated, then decided to allow it. It would give him a chance to see the Colonials reactions to other non-humans.
The day after the executions, John stood in the hangar bay with Lee and Admiral Adama, Laura Roslin, The Six named Natalie, Saul Tigh, and many crew hanging back from the official welcome party as they waited for Tabitha's arrival.
As they waited, Admiral Adama asked John in an offhand manner, "Have you ever been to the Twelve Colonies?"
"No, though most likely we'll be visiting them some time in the near future," John said just as nonchalantly.
"Colonel Tigh seems to recall seeing Tabitha there a while back," Adama said, looking at John for a reaction.
John eyed Tigh, and said, "I highly doubt it. What about it, Saul, do you remember seeing Tabitha at one time?"
"Just a frackin vision I had back in Earth," Tigh said roughly. "Must have been the radiation."
"You were married, weren't you?" John asked. "Her name was ... Ellen, right?" he asked as if straining to remember.
"Yeah," Tigh said shortly.
"That's a sore subject," Admiral Adama said quietly. "She died."
"I am sorry," John said sincerely. "She was human, I take it?"
Tigh nodded and muttered, "Most of the time." He then asked, "How'd you know I was married?"
"Heard people talking. That's all," John offered.
Over Admiral Adama's communication link, they heard, "Garfield is entering the port landing deck."
Everyone looked waiting for the mysterious Garfield to come into the hangar deck. They waited, and no ship came in. A female deck crew member let out a yelp, then spun to look behind her as she held a hand to her butt, the other hand raised to slap someone.
John shook his head. "Behave yourself, Garfield!" he announced.
"Hey, Boss." came a voice above the empty deck where the ship was suppose to park.
John let out a sigh and said, "Stop showing off," he said in an irritated tone.
The air seemed to waver. Ten feet above the deck, a sleek dull black craft appeared. Shaped like a fighter, the craft was considerably longer and wider. Oval outlines in the sharp nose showed where gun or missile ports were hidden. Long slots along the sides looked to be wing roots. The tail was 'V' shaped, and sported four long engines, two on each side of the hull. The ship spoke. "Sorry, Boss," it said, then extended landing gear and settled down. A jointed boom extended from one side of the ship behind the nose, grippers on the end splayed out as the boom waved.
"Greetings everyone, good to see you!" the ship said happily.
John explained, saying, "Admiral, Mr. President, this is Garfield, a MK 4 Shadow Cat."
"Your fighter craft are intelligent like our Raiders?" Natalie asked as she stared at Garfield.
"Excuse me, young lady," Garfield said indignantly. "I am more than just a fighter. Sure, I can whip anyone's ass, but me and my team also do deep space exploration, research and rescue." His voice took a deeper tone as he said, "The most recent rescues being when we had to play 'catch' with the people you were shooting out of airlocks."
"Wait!'" Chief Tyrol barked as he approached Garfield, staring at the ship.. "You're saying crewman Ellis isn't dead? That Cally is alive?"
"Crewman Ellis is fine and waiting until he can return to you. Cally Tyrol is still in intensive care, last I knew," Garfield told him.
A hatch on the side of Garfield opened. Tabitha stepped out, wearing a sleeveless red blouse trimmed in gold, and a knee length plaid skirt, with a gold sash tied around her waist. Behind her five green skinned women in brief gold tops and mid thigh skirts followed. The first two wore backpacks.
Not noticing them, Chief Tyrol asked, "Can I see her?"
"Not until his Majesty allows Colonials on any Imperial ships. Sorry," Garfield told him.
Tabitha came up to Chief Tyrol and said sympathetically, "I'll let you know the moment you'll be allowed to visit."
"Tabitha," Chief Tyrol said with a start, just noticing her. "Have you seen Cally? How is she?"
"Confused and hurting, but she's out of danger. Please believe she is being well cared for," Tabitha told him. Walking over to Admiral Adama, Tabitha said, "Our report is on it's way to the High Council. We should know in a few weeks what their recommendations are to his Majesty. Until then, please maintain course and speed. Our forces will act as a shield for your fleet. You don't have to worry about Cylons attacking you, we are currently tracking the bulk of their ships pending the High Council's recommendations," Tabitha explained.
"Where are they?" Lee asked.
"Currently, the closest Cylon ship not with this fleet is two hundred thirty light years distance. If they move toward you, we will intercept them."
"Excuse me, Tabitha, I'd really like to see my wife," Chief Tyrol said firmly.
Tabitha turned to him and said, "If Garfield takes you to see her, you won't be able to come back."
"Admiral?" Chief Tyrol asked, looking at him pleadingly.
"Garfield," John asked loudly. "Can you get Chief Tyrol to see his wife, and not let him see the rest of the ship? If you can do that, I'm sure he'll be able to go pay her a visit and return."
"OK, Boss, I can do that," Garfield said with a sigh.
One of the green women strode up to John and in a low voice, rattled on in their language. John rolled his eyes, and motioned to Chief Tyrol as he replied. The woman all but hissed her reply to John.
John explained the conversation. "Valerie here will escort the Chief to go see Cally, and bring him back. If that is all right with you, Admiral."
Adama tipped his head toward Garfield as he told Chief Tyrol, "Go, but remember to be back for quarters."
"Yes, sir!" Chief Tyrol said quickly.
Begrudgingly, Valerie shrugged off her backpack and tossed it to another green skinned woman, then walked back to Garfield, motioning Chief Tyrol to follow her. They entered the ship and the hatch closed.
Garfield lifted up, waved his boom and said, "Bye guys," then vanished in another waving of air.
Motioning to the green skinned women, Tabitha said, "Our Admiral insisted I bring these servant women back with me. May I introduce, Niri, Alani, Yara and Tanari." Each one bowed as they were introduced.
Casting a curious eye at Tabitha, Lee asked, "The Agathons daughter, Hera, called you a princess. I am guessing she is correct?"
Tabitha nodded. With a wince, she said, "Please forgive us. We needed to know how you would react to ordinary people."
With a chuckle, Lee glanced at John and said, "You are both very far from ordinary. May I ask if we could talk to his Majesty directly, since he holds our fate in his hands?"
"I'm sorry, but this fleet has been entrusted to me," Tabitha told him. "I can assure you, however, that I do hold a large influence on his Majesty's decisions."
"Is the King an android also?" Laura Roslin asked, not looking happy.
Tabitha gave her a blank look and stated, "I have explained before that my Father is human."
One of the green skilled servant women came up to the side of Tabitha and whispered a few words as she bowed.
Tabitha nodded to her. Scanning over the welcoming party, Tabitha located her previous guard, then smiled and asked, "Eddie! Are you going to be guarding me again?"
The marine blushed at her calling him by his first name. He looked at Admiral Adama.
"If that is what your Highness wishes," Admiral Adama offered.
"Yes, please," Tabitha said. "Eddie is brave man, and I know he can keep his cool under stress. You should feel proud to have him under your command."
With a cough, Saul Tigh said, "We usually do not call our marines by their first name."
"My mistake, Private Bower," Tabitha said, correcting herself.
"Corporal Bower now," a marine officer said.
"All this time," Lee said quietly as he eyed Tabitha. Straightening himself, he said, "Let me say we deeply regret having you become involved with that mutiny. I also have to ask, why did you come yourself? Why not send agents to watch us?"
"It's personal. Besides, if we would have sent agents, they would be dead by now. I don't like risking people's lives if it can be helped," Tabitha explained.
"Not all your people are immortals and indestructible androids?" Laura asked.
Tabitha cracked a grin. "Hardly. If you were going to investigate an unknown entity, wouldn't you want to send in only your best and most durable?" she asked.
"I am slightly confused," Admiral Adama said and eyed John. "If Tabitha is the Princess in charge, then why do you give the recommendation to the council?"
John bowed and said, "I am Princess Tabitha's partner. If there was an adverse reaction by you to learning who we are, then I run interference while Tabitha escapes."
"Why the frack would she need to escape?" Saul Tigh asked. "She's tougher than anything we've ever seen."
"Assaulting a member of the Royal family carries the death sentence," John said in a foreboding tone.
"Which has been commuted for this confinement area," Tabitha added quickly. "You did not know who I was, so please do not go executing people who shot at me."
Lee let out a dry chuckle and bowed to her. "Thank you, your Highness. I take it you will carry out the King's will once our fate as been decided?"
"Correct. Once the decision is made, I will inform you so we can get started on obeying his command as smoothly as possible."
Natalie Six had been listening intently. Stepping forward, she eyed Tabitha in wonder. "Your Empire allows you, an android, to be a Princess?"
Casting Natalie a smirk, Tabitha said, "Yes. That can happen when you grow up. And you will be required to grow up, as will your centurions. It may be the hardest thing you have done."