LOCATION: ALPHA SPACE STATION; approximately 200 miles above the surface of planet Earth
CORRIDOR B
PATROL OFFICE: 10B; TEMP. ASSIGNMENT: FIGHTER SQUADRON 1; LUNA FORCE
YEAR: 2315
Almost immediately after they'd returned home from the observation deck Bill took Laura to bed. In the beginning he'd questioned whether or not he should succumb to her sudden eager and vehement advances. She was in such a vulnerable state but he couldn't deny the need for reconnection that they both deeply craved. They needed each other in every way possible. At first it had started off fluid, rhythmic and familiar but it quickly turned into a desperate frantic pursuit toward release. Not just a pursuit of physical release but a feverous quest to purge all of the sorrow and pain they'd ever experienced together; a way to extinguish any aching anger or resentment that had been left unresolved. Laura had been insistent, almost aggressive in her movements. There was a desperation in her eyes in place of passion that had almost made Bill stop in the midst of it all, but in the end he couldn't hold back. He knew that something wasn't right and yet he convinced himself that they couldn't deny each other a chance to give and receive what the other needed.
Spent from both the trials of the arduous day and their subsequent almost rabid union Laura was quick to drift off to sleep. Bill hoped that it was a sign of evolving contentment and not just total emotional exhaustion. There was still so much she didn't know. He had so much to tell her and yet there was still so much he didn't know himself. As Laura slept he couldn't help but observe her unclad form on the rack. It felt perverse to be studying her dozing body for signs of something she herself had no knowledge of, but his morbid curiosity was dominating. Bill found freckles in the same places he remembered them before and he was happy to find smooth inviting curves where he'd last seen only the gauntness of her illness. He found no scars, no obvious surgical marks or impressions. There was nothing to show that her body in its former unconscious state had been through what he'd been told. He thought that he must have run his eyes up and down the expanse of her flesh about twenty times as he sat there. The faded remnants of what Bill thought could have possibly been some small stretch marks were the only hints that Laura had once carried his baby. When he couldn't justify studying her any longer he had covered her in two layers of blankets, as if the second layer somehow made up for his shameful voyeurism. It was then he decided to leave the cabin to find their child.
Less than an hour later he sat facing that child; a grown woman of twenty-two who he was pretty sure was doing her best to stare him into the floor.
"I'm not very good at this I guess," Bill offered.
They sat in the sterile office on opposite sides of the lucite desk. Bill noticed that instead of moving both seats together as Saul had done, Katya had taken her seat at the desk's head, inviting him to take its receiving chair. It was her right. The office was assigned to her squadron and she was a captain aboard the station. He was just her guest in a military space but he could tell that every move she'd made since they'd left the Tigh's cabin had been calculated to guard herself. The large desk, though translucent, served as an obvious and intentional barrier between them. Unlike Saul, Katya had turned on the room's recessed overhead lighting leaving no shadows to hide in. The wall behind her had its screen capabilities activated and its glow backlit the young woman, tracing her silhouette in a muted radiance that gave her even more of an authoritative presence. Bill was impressed by the girl's foresight. Had he been a different man he might have even been intimidated by her instead of saddened by the circumstances that were fueling her measured defenses.
"That's alright, Sir," She told him with a hint of a bemused smile as she folded her hands in front of herself on the desk. "If you were practiced at confronting illegitimate children I'd be even more disturbed."
Bill let out a short chuckle at her smug little quip. It was a trace of the smart-mouthed young soldier he'd been in the company of only days before. He could deal with that version of Katya much better than the cool detached nature of the woman who seemed to sit before him. He hoped it wasn't the last sign of it.
"Saul's told me that you've known the whole time," He started.
"I've known my whole life," She corrected tersely.
Bill frowned as he heard the deliberate frost in her voice abruptly return. He inhaled deeply. If he could make it through the field of landmines that was Laura's current state of mind then he could get through Katya's too.
He nodded in concession.
"Right," He said with a squint. "Saul told me. We uh, ran in to a friend of yours."
"Margot," Katya said confidently. "Spitting image, isn't she?"
Bill nodded again, surprised by her sudden candor.
"I have to wonder how long this would have been kept from me had I not had that chance meeting," He posed.
"As long I could have helped it," Katya answered honestly.
Bill couldn't help but wince at her answer. Saul told him that as a child Katya had been more than eager to know them. It was obvious that was no longer the case.
"That wouldn't have been very long though," She began to justify. "Please don't think that Uncle Saul would have continued to keep it from you. He would have had to tell you before the download on Beta Station because of Lt. Bishop. Blazer has no intention of hiding his identity from his birth parents. The Colonel would have told you whether I wanted him to or not. Besides, everyone else on station knows exactly who I am," She added with a smirk. "You would have found out somehow. It wasn't Uncle Saul's intention to lie to you. It never has been. He only withheld it this long for your own benefit…and maybe partially mine," She admitted. "Please don't hold it against him," She asked earnestly.
Bill glanced at his lap and then back before responding.
"You don't have to apologize on behalf of Saul Tigh, Captain. He and I have been through more than I can tell you. We answer to each other. To alleviate your concerns though, I don't hold it against him," He answered. "It's not an easy thing to tell."
Bill's stomach rolled at the thought. How could he be upset at Saul for keeping the secret for a few days when he'd then done the same to Laura for almost as long?
"I don't mean to speak on behalf of his merit," Katya clarified. "I understand you've been witness to it far longer than I have. I only intend to speak on the behalf of my family. Anything my parents have done has been with the intent to help," She explained.
Though Bill had witness the interactions of the Tigh's familial unit over the past few days it was only as Katya spoke of the man who raised her that Bill started to see the depth of their connection. Saul hadn't just babysat his daughter in his absence. He'd become the father she was missing.
"I see that, Captain," Bill tried to assure her. "You seem to care for Saul very much."
"Of course I do," Katya said intently. She was annoyed over his observation of what she felt should be so obvious. "I love him. Ellen too. They're my parents. The only ones I've ever really known, that is. My father died when I was seven. I loved him, but it gets harder to remember him every day. I remember everything Saul and Ellen have ever done for me. Alexi and Blazer; they know what it's like to feel orphaned by the war, but I never had to feel that because of the Tighs."
Bill let his breath out slowly. He was starting to think he had more to thank Saul and Ellen for than he understood.
"They are certainly very proud of you as well, Captain," Bill told her.
She nodded a small gesture of appreciation.
For a moment Bill wasn't sure where to take the conversation. He could already tell that Katya wasn't going to offer to steer it for him. The meeting had been his request and she wasn't going to let him forget it. Every word, every move she made was a strategic effort in hiding her emotions. If he hadn't already known that she was Laura's at this point he would have started to wonder.
"You mentioned the Lieutenant; Blaze, right?" He asked not as much for confirmation as to keep her talking.
"Yes, Sir."
"I'll admit that when I found out who he was I felt almost foolish. Now I feel like I knew in some way the moment I met him. I just didn't know what I knew," He tried to joke.
Katya gave half a smile.
"He reminds me so much of his…his father," Bill said with some hesitation.
He wasn't sure what titles were typically used but he decided that he was going to call the man what he was. Helo was the boy's father.
Katya shrugged.
"I'm afraid I don't have any reference for that, but I've heard Uncle Saul say the same," She confirmed in a somewhat lighter tone.
"Helo was one of the most well meaning and loyal men I ever knew," Bill recalled as he looked to the feed on the screen behind her. It was so bizarre to think that he would soon be meeting up with the man again. "Dedicated pilot too," He added.
"Well that's Blazer too," Katya confirmed with a sense of pride.
"Helo just wasn't quite as…"
"Goofy?"
Bill gave half a chuckle in response.
"I'm sure the knowledge of their character helps," Katya posed. "But I'm surprised you didn't see it in Alexi first. I always saw such a strong resemblance to his mother, even more so when he was younger. It's hard to compare though, now that her body is gone," She said losing the lightness in her voice toward the end.
"It came to mind soon after I realized," Bill admitted. "I have to say besides his hair color I don't see much of his father in him. Certainly not his personality."
"Well I can tell you Alexi would be happy to hear you say that. We know the stories. We know how Baltar and Caprica Six helped in the destruction of your colonies. Uncle Saul has never really kept how he felt about the scientist to himself. He says he was a spineless liar and a traitor and Alexi has always been ashamed of it."
"Things were more complicated than that," Bill considered. "But I won't deny Saul's evaluation of the man. From the short time I've spent with your husband it seems to me that he couldn't be more different than Gaius Baltar if he tried."
After all of Saul's negative stories Katya was glad to hear the Admiral's evaluation of Alexi.
"He might be more like him than you think," She said, deciding to divulge a bit more. "The man was supposed to be a genius. I know Alexi doesn't look like it with all of his muscles and guns and that brooding face, but he's actually a brilliant mathematician. He could have made quite a career of it within the system but he didn't have the interest. He was driven to serve his people in a more hands-on way," She explained.
"Then he's inherited one of his father's only valuable qualities," Bill acknowledged.
Katya nodded offering a whisper of a smile in return. The entire time she'd been sitting across from the man she'd been using all of her inner strength just to keep her collected appearance. The tedious small-talk was starting to wear on her nerves. She wasn't sure how much longer she would be able to keep up her false composure.
"And then there's you," Bill surprised both himself and Katya with the sudden turn of conversation.
Katya stilled in her seat and steeled her jaw. She wouldn't respond to him just yet. She wanted to see how much he would offer up before she spoke in return. She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head waiting for him to go on.
Though Bill knew that Katya probably intended to irk him with her silence he was actually gaining some confidence as he watched the girl. He knew the look she was giving him. He knew it so well. If she was going to start using selections from Laura's greatest hits then the conversation wasn't going to be as hard as he.d initially thought. He had to fire something at her. Something that would rattle her walls. He met her cobalt to cobalt before he spoke, making sure he had her gaze captive to his.
"You're my daughter," He said intently.
Behind her porcelain bluff Katya felt as if she was ready to shatter. What she'd just heard had been long since lost to her childhood imagination. The man, the words; it all fit and yet there was no joy or relief gained. She still felt anger, she still felt sadness and now she felt as if she were on display.
"I'm a stranger," She said coolly as if to challenge him.
"I don't want you to be," He instantly returned. He wouldn't give her the time to deflect. "I hope you don't want to be either," He offered.
Katya was entirely frustrated with herself. Bill was saying all the right things. He wasn't even being pushy about it and yet it didn't feel the way she'd thought it would.
"Why?" She countered.
"Why, what?" He shot back giving her a bit of a scowl.
If she was giving it he decided she could take it.
"So what? You know that I'm your daughter now, at least genetically," She pressed. "And that's the only reason you want to get to know me?"
"That's all the reason I need, Katya," He said putting his palms on the table and leaning in. "If you're trying to tell me that you don't understand that then I can't explain it to you but I think you do understand. I think you understand it perfectly," He finished sharply before settling back in his seat.
Saul had told him that Katya grew up wanting nothing more than to know her birth parents. Even if it wasn't true now she'd known the feeling once. He was grateful to have the bit of valuable information as he countered her evasive argument.
Katya couldn't help it when her brow rose in surprise. Saul was right; Bill Adama was a force and she was starting to feel like just a talented amateur. It was starting to hurt to keep her face so stoic anyway. She took her eyes from his, briefly glancing down at her hands. He had her and she felt more impressed than defeated. She shrugged at him in concession.
"Fine, maybe I do," She granted.
"For your information, Katya, despite a bit of an attitude problem that I think you have, I happen to like you. I think you're a very bright young woman and you seem to be a model soldier. Besides that, I love Saul Tigh like a brother and when he introduced me to the girl he'd raised I wanted to know her right away. Even before I knew that she was my own daughter. Is that enough reason for you, Captain?"
She considered his words for a moment.
"Yes, Sir," She nodded in response. "I suppose I wouldn't mind that," She told him after a beat, trying to make her tone sound as noncommittal as possible.
She was losing the battle to keep up her neutral front. She had to swallow hard to stave off the emotion that was rising in her throat. If she let it get to her eyes she'd be in trouble.
Bill let out a long breath as he sat back in his seat.
"That's good," He said, but before he could reflect on his minor victory Katya threw something else at him.
"I just hope it doesn't cause you too much trouble," She coyly tested.
This man seemed to be willing to work with her but there was still a piece missing. She needed to know what Laura's reaction had been. She trusted it hadn't gone over well. The woman obviously wasn't beside him participating in his gesture which said enough. Even so, Katya wanted to know at least something about what happened when she'd found out.
"What do you mean?" Bill said as his brows came together.
Katya shrugged.
"Well, I mean your other half is missing," She smirked. "Ms. Roslin obviously doesn't share your feelings. You came to me alone. I mean, I'm not surprised by any means. It's just that if she was at all against you coming then I'm not sure I feel comfortable with that. To be honest, I don't know if I want the burden of knowing I'd caused problems between you two. She and I may not get along, but even I see that you're all she has here. I can't damage that for her."
Bill looked at his lap through the clear surface of the desk. Perhaps he should have started their conversation differently. Katya obviously thought that Laura was absent by choice. Even worse, now he had to admit his own omission. He looked back at the young woman and let out a sigh.
"I haven't told her yet," He admitted.
Katya felt her eyes double in size. The woman didn't know. She still had no idea.
"Excuse me, Sir?" She asked wondering if she'd misheard.
Bill felt the pit in his stomach harden into a rock.
"As I said before, it's not any easy thing to tell," He weakly defended.
Katya wasn't sure how to feel. She had been waiting to hear something entirely different but as far as Laura Roslin knew she was still just Saul and Ellen's spoiled brat.
"I understand," Katya offered. "It's just...well, if you're planning on trying to keep it from her, as much as I'd like to say otherwise, I don't think it's going to work. Not unless you plan on keeping her locked up in your cabin and banning visitors and taking her network access away. I told you that it's common knowledge. She may find out from someone else instead," She cautioned.
Bill shook his head. The way Laura had been acting he probably could keep her secluded and clueless rather easily if he wanted to but he didn't.
"I'm not hiding it from her. I just haven't figured out how to tell her yet."
"I'm sorry," She old him. "I don't have a suggestion for you, Admiral."
Katya could see that he was truly troubled by what he was going to have to do. Sometimes Ellen called him 'the totem pole' but he sure didn't look like that now. He looked worried and a little scared too.
"I'm sure it's made much worse by the fact that it's me, Sir. I know that she can't stand me and to be honest I really don't like her either," Katya paused, "But, I am sorry that I've caused her so much trouble. I promised Uncle Saul that I'd keep my distance from her from now on. It was just...that day on Beta…" She stopped and started over. "I don't think that she really understands all that…"
"Laura hasn't been herself," Bill curtly interrupted.
Katya didn't know what to say. Was he just making an excuse for her? She didn't know the woman but Laura Roslin sure as hell wasn't acting like the person she'd heard she would be. Maybe there was something more to what Saul had alluded to. She thought Bill might expand but he offered no other explanation.
"I'm not keeping this from her because of the catty little feud you two have going on," Bill insisted. "That has nothing to do with it. That won't matter in the long run, Katya."
She wasn't buying his line but she'd let it go for now. She was starting to truly feel sorry for the man in front of her and for the woman who was waiting for him at home.
Truthfully she had always felt that way, even before their personalities had been there to get in the way. Her people needed them and she wasn't sorry that they were brought back but she knew the rest of what had been done to them wasn't right.
Bill's focus was on the image screen behind her.
"Admiral?"
When he finally gave her his eyes she looked away from his.
"You told me before not to apologize for my Uncle Saul because he's here to speak for himself…" She stopped to allow herself to will back the sudden threat of tears and she didn't start again until she was sure that they wouldn't surge forward. "But my father is long gone. There's no one else to apologize for what was done to you or Ms. Roslin, and somebody needs to because it wasn't right. Believe me; I know every detail of how I got here and I know it shouldn't have never happened. I know you probably think I can't understand what it's like to learn that such a violation happened before you were even around to know it but I do. I've lived it every day of my life. Whatever was done to you both, well, I was the end result," She shrugged and smiled sadly. "I know all too well what it feels like to be part of this screwed up science project. I'm sorry that you have to put that burden on Laura now."
When she finished she finally looked up at him. She knew her cheeks were probably red from trying so hard to hold back the urge to break down. His face looked somewhat hardened and she worried he'd been offended by her attempt at relating their plights. She almost jumped when she heard him clear his throat.
"Katya, you don't get to apologize for a crime you were also the victim of. Do you understand that?" He asked. He could tell by the look on her face that she didn't. "If you don't understand that yet then I think you'd do yourself a service to try and figure it out," He told her.
Bill decided that it would have to be a topic for another time. The girl obviously had so many issues wrapped up in her creation that she couldn't tell where the project ended and she began. It hurt him to see it.
"Then I'm not sure what else I can do to help you, Admiral," She told him.
He nodded.
"You did a lot by agreeing to talk with me," He offered.
Katya needed a break. She looked back at the screen behind her. Something about the way the light was reflecting in her peripheries caught her attention. As she watched she thought the traffic pattern in Orbit looked odd. She checked her station cuff to look at the time before glancing back to the wall's screen for another look.
"Captain?" Bill called regaining her attentions.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Saul told me that you were very involved with the lab here on Alpha," He started.
"That's true. I grew up there going to work with my foster father. Even once he was dead Saul and Ellen took me all the time. When I was old enough I went on my own. It was kind of a home away from home, I guess you could say. I mean I was born there," She mused with a shrug.
Bill grimaced.
"Well that's kind of what I'm getting at. Part of the reason I'm having trouble telling Laura what was done to her is because I'm not even sure what to tell her," He clarified. Katya raised an eyebrow as he spoke. "What I mean to say is, you told me that you know every detail about how you got here. I know next to nothing. What am I supposed to tell Laura?"
Katya licked her lips and sighed. She quickly checked the screen behind her before starting her answer.
"Did you ask Saul about this?" She said turning back to face him.
Something about getting a question for an answer made Bill feel uneasy.
"Somewhat. He told me that Ellen would have better answers," He admitted.
"That's true," Katya mused rolling her eyes.
Everyone was passing the buck on this one.
"I asked him if some sort of surrogate was used," Bill added. "He said that wasn't the case."
Katya shook her head.
"If you're asking me if some other woman was involved then the answer is no," She told him glancing over her shoulder once more.
Bill wondered if he was just losing her interest or if there was something more pressing at hand.
"Is everything okay, Captain?" He asked.
"Sorry," She said turning back around in her seat. "Go on," She told him.
Bill furrowed his brow.
"So then Laura did give birth to you?"
"Yes...well…you know...her body did, at least," She clarified.
It suddenly felt so strange to associate their personalities with their once vacant forms. She had to remind herself that they weren't there back when everything was done to them.
Bill looked at Katya inquisitively hoping she that would expand. He didn't understand how it was possible.
Katya couldn't help but smile at the bewildered look on Bill's face.
"I'm sorry to seem so vague and illusive with you, Admiral. It's just, well…" She paused to consider how to phrase her words. She didn't know the man well enough not to second guess how direct to be. "Look, I am by no means a prude. My father was a doctor. I grew up pretty comfortable with the human body. Everything was scientific with him; everything had a use and purpose. Then I moved in with the Tighs who I'm sure I don't have to tell you, were slightly unconventional parents. Ellen never taught me to be shy about talking about things of a sexual nature. She's been a wonderful mother but her idea of enforcing my curfew as a teenager was to wait up until I got home and then say 'Smile if you got some tonight' as soon as I walked in the hatch," Katya started to laugh as she watched Bill's disgruntled reaction. "Anyway, Sir, my point is; I hope you don't take offense when I tell you that your part in my birth was quite...minimal." As she saw him scowl she palmed her forehead. She immediately decided to re-phrase, "It was immensely important. I obviously wouldn't be here without you. It was just minimal in comparison. I've seen every recorded feed and read every log taken. Your bodies used to come out of stasis all the time for chamber maintenance and physical evaluations. You were even out last month for a pressure change issue. They've always had you back within the span of a day or so," She explained. "But when they took your bodies out in preparation for my…creation…let's call it...well, you were back in your chamber within a just few hours, but Laura's body was out for months," Katya went on. "And believe me they didn't do anything nearly as fun to her body as they did to yours. I just feel like now that she's actually in it maybe she should know what happened to her body before any more people do," She proposed.
Bill supposed she had a point. Now that Laura occupied that body it was her business. Maybe she should be the one to tell him the details eventually.
Katya bit her lip as she watched Bill's face. There was the totem pole. She'd have to tell Ellen she finally saw it.
"Look, I don't expect her to want to talk to me about anything, let alone this but Ellen can tell her whatever she wants to know. There are others in the lab familiar with the process as well," Katya explained. "There's no one left from the time when it actually occurred, but Dr. Sydra Kahdim, for instance, is well versed in your body's complete history. I've noticed that Ms. Roslin seems to have about the same amount of patience for Aunt Ellen as she has for me so if she doesn't want to talk to Ellen about it, Sydra is sweet and very intelligent. She would be able to help her learn anything she felt she wanted to know. Plus, when you two are ready you're going to have the same access to Alpha's lab files and recordings that I do. You could watch the whole damn thing on video if you wanted to from conception to birth, not that I recommend it," She tried a joke but Bill looked more disturbed than before and he suddenly wasn't so chatty.
Katya considered that perhaps she had just given him too much information by not giving him any. Either way she needed to leave him with something more reassuring.
"Sir, I think it's important that you remember that you both essentially just got here. What I mean by that is, you weren't around to experience anything those bodies have been through within the few decades they've existed. You're only in them now because Ellen was able to put you there. If she hadn't been able to they would have just eventually been discarded. No one else would have been put in them to bear this burden. So maybe it's best not to think of anything in the past as having happened to you personally. Ellen says our bodies are just vessels; that without our consciousness in them they're nothing more than a conduit. She says it's the same no matter if you're cylon or colonial or earthling. She says even the centurions have a basic consciousness. She says even the bots might develop souls one day…if they haven't already, but either way our exterior is just that; a shell. So if it helps with processing any of this then maybe you should keep that in mind and make sure that Ms. Roslin does as well. If you just help her to think of it that way then...nothing was done to you directly and then…then I don't belong to you. I belong to those lifeless bodies which essentially don't exist anymore," She posed sitting back in her seat.
Bill hadn't said anything in awhile. Katya was starting worry. Never mind that Saul was going to kill her if Bill Adama came out of their meeting half out of his mind, she wanted to get going. She didn't regret the conversation. She was actually starting to be rather glad that she'd agreed to come but for now she didn't have much else to say to the man. She needed time to process all of it.
She was eager to leave. She wanted to call down to Flight Control and find out what the hell was wrong with the traffic. It was bugging her and pulling her attentions away from ending the meeting.
"I watched you fly today," Bill finally said catching her off guard.
"Excuse me?"
"Today, I took Laura to the observation gallery on the civilian side of the station. Saul told me that you'd be flying your patrol shift while I was there," He explained.
Katya nodded but she still had no idea where he was going with this.
"Obviously I couldn't tell which ship you were in...but I knew you were out there while I watched," He went on, "Laura didn't know but I did."
She wasn't sure what to say to that. She was glad Saul hadn't told her that Bill would be watching her. Though she had only been making routine ellipses all day it would have made her nervous knowing that Bill Adama was observing her fly.
"Katya...Saul and Ellen and the people here…they went through a lot of trouble to make sure that they brought the right people back," Bill started slowly. "They recreated our bodies. They made sure that they were identical and then they worked tirelessly to make sure that our souls rejoined them. I'm not saying that what Ellen taught you about our bodies being vessels is wrong. I just know that she and Saul wouldn't have risked everything by boarding a super heated battlestar to make sure that they had the means to recreate them if she didn't believe the soul and the body were somehow intrinsically connected. Ellen knew that she needed one to get the other. As sure as she knew that, I know that you're my daughter; soul, body, whatever. And...I know that you're the daughter of the woman I love. And I won't tell her otherwise just to placate her because it isn't true," He told Katya as he followed with a hard swallow. "And even if you could convince me somehow that it was true, I know that you're the only child that Saul Tigh has ever had and that he loves you very much. He's my brother. You're my family either way, Katya. So please don't try and convince me again that we don't belong to each other," He finished sternly.
Katya was stunned at his words. She could feel that she'd gone slack-jawed but she couldn't get herself to close her mouth. She didn't know how to answer him. He seemed so resolute that she couldn't argue and even so she didn't really want to. When she could finally move her mouth to speak she still wasn't sure what was going to come out of it. When she uttered the first surprise syllable it was drowned out by a harsh and near deafening buzz.
"Shit!" Katya shouted as she sprung out of her chair knocking it over.
The buzzing on the station com system repeated over and over and the station emergency lights pulsated red in time with them. She quickly turned to watch the screen behind her. She'd known that something had to be off. A look to the screen's feed showed that the system was clear of most traffic but Katya thought that she saw raiders starting to gather in formation. That was always their first sign of trouble. The guardians always knew it was coming before they did.
"Dammit!"
ACTION STATIONS ACTION STATIONS
ALPHA SET CONDITION ONE
FLIGHT SQUADRONS 1-3 REPORT
Bill was already out of his seat when she turned around to face him.
"Admiral, I have to go and you need to get back to Laura now," She told him shouting over the constant alarm.
The hatch opened and Bill's marine guard stepped in.
"Captain," The guard called.
"Corporal, call for a second escort to join you en route and escort Admiral Adama directly back to his cabin. And send a message to Sergeant Petrov; I want extra marine security in front of their hatch. When you get him there don't let him or Ms. Roslin leave until you hear otherwise from the Tighs. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Katya nodded curtly to the marine and turned to Bill.
"I'm sorry, Admiral. I have to leave you now. Please stay with the corporal until you're securely in your cabin. Colonel Tigh is going to have to report but wait for Ellen's call," She explained as she made her way to the hatch.
REPEAT
ACTION STATIONS ACTION STATIONS
ALPHA SET CONDITION ONE
FLIGHT SQUADRONS 1-3 REPORT
REPEAT
LUNA FORCE, ANGEL FORCE AND HOT WING SQUADRONS REPORT TO FLIGHT DECK
The familiar buzzing sound was bringing back an eerie sense of recall to Bill. He felt the urge to spring into action but there was nothing for him to do. As he watched the captain recede toward the door he realized that she was most probably about to report for combat. He'd watched his children do it for years before. He'd done it himself. It wasn't as if the feeling was unknown to him but he had just met the girl and he knew, as he always had when he sent his children out to battle, that she might not return. He felt a pull to stop her before she left, to send her off with something profound, to embrace her just once, but he couldn't. He tried to think of what he would have said to Lee or Kara or to any of the other young souls he'd commanded as he sent them into enemy fire.
"Captain," He called before she cleared the hatch.
'Yes, Sir," She answered quickly turning to face him.
"Good hunting."
Katya nodded before turning to exit and leaving Bill alone with only the buzzing alarm and the marine in the room.
What would he tell Laura if she didn't come back?
"Sir, we should go," The corporal told him.
Bill nodded and left for his cabin guided by his escort.
LOCATION: ALPHA SPACE STATION; approximately 200 miles above the surface of planet Earth
CORRIDOR B
MILITARY QUARTERS
YEAR: 2315
When Saul had enlisted in Orbit Patrol years before the position he'd taken on station was largely administrative. Though he kept his rank from the Colonial Fleet under Comdr. Kaplan's authority due to his knowledge and experience, his days of the high pressures of being an Executive Officer were long behind him. He was glad to serve aboard Alpha Station as their Aviation Resource Superintendent. He was able to perform many of the duties that he had as XO but in a more specialized capacity and without all of the damn stress. He oversaw the aviation training program. He kept tabs on its standardization, flight requirements and he updated and monitored compliance of Orbit Patrol policy. Generally speaking he kept tabs on all aeronautical procedures and yelled at a bunch of kids all day long. Often he would take shifts within the control room to lighten the load for the commander and his second. It kept Saul content. Had he not acquired the position He wasn't sure what he would have done with himself. Ellen was technically the resurrection project's leader. Though she gave much of the responsibility to Michelle Le Blanc in order allow the Earth Orbit Committee a sense of control Ellen was still at the top of the chain. She was the one who constantly station hopped between all of the labs and traveled to the basestar and back working feverously to complete their goals. Saul wasn't of much help to her and though he loved spending time with Katya the permanent title of 'stay at home dad' had never sat well with him. Thanks to Cmdr. Kaplan he had found a solution. Saul's service made him feel needed. It allowed him to contribute and it kept his mind sharp.
Saul had reported to duty as soon as he'd heard the emergency com system sound. The alarm had almost been welcome. He and Ellen had been in the middle of a heated argument. Their shouting had scared Alexi away soon after Katya left with Bill. He'd excused himself, taking some leftovers and leaving them to their bickering. Though Saul and Ellen both dreaded what the alarm meant it had given them an excuse to shelve their argument for later and had offered Saul an immediate out.
The Colonel's reprieve hadn't lasted long. When he reported to his jurisdiction his subordinate Chief Enlisted Manager had relieved him on a direct order from the Commander.
Kaplan's instructions were for Saul to leave his duties in the capable hands of his CEM and take charge of ensuring the safety of Bill Adama and Laura Roslin. Even though Saul had messaged Alexi and ordered him to do the same he didn't have to be told twice. Before leaving his cabin he'd told Ellen that he would be calling for the marine guards to find Bill and Laura and ordering them to bring them to her.
When the station was set to a high alert a centurion was always stationed in front of the Tigh's hatch. Centurions were a constant presence aboard each station; mostly posted near the flight pods and other entry points. They served as extra guardianship to the people on the stations the same as the Raiders did in and around Orbit. The stipulation that one be allowed to stand guard at the hatch of the Tigh's home during high alert times was just one of the conditions agreed to when Saul and Ellen moved aboard. They found out quickly that having command of a basestar, their own platoon of highly developed robots and a fleet of unmanned fighter crafts got them pretty much anything they requested. Saul almost called for a centurion to join Laura's marine escorts as they brought her to Ellen but he thought better of it. He didn't know if Bill was with her. He'd gone off with Katya and as far Saul he knew Bill and Laura were on two different sides of the corridor. He wasn't sure how Laura would react to a centurion, especially without Bill there so he'd left it up to Alexi's platoon.
When Ellen messaged Saul that Laura had arrived safely but indeed without Bill, Saul headed toward the Luna Force office where he knew Katya had taken him. There was no way that she was still with him. Her squadron had been called and she undoubtedly had reported right away. Saul just hoped that she'd stayed around long enough to give their marine guard proper instructions.
As the colonel rushed through the halls getting side swiped by officers running in every direction he hoped Ellen would come up with a decent excuse as to where Bill was. Now that Laura had arrived she'd seen he that wasn't at their cabin.
Despite Saul's many attempts at messaging Bill on his cuff he'd gotten no reply. The same went for the marine he'd left with. Something had to be wrong with their wireless system. The marine should have gotten right back to him. Just when he decided to double back to check an alternate route Bill and his escort appeared at the apex of the hall.
"Bill!" Saul called from a just a few yards away.
"Saul, tell me you know Laura's safe," He shouted back.
When the two met Saul turned on his heels to walk with them.
"She's safe. She's with Ellen. Pick up the pace boys!" The colonel shouted to the two marines.
"Saul what the hell is going on!?" Bill shouted over the alarm that still buzzed in their ears. "We haven't been boarded have we?"
"No, no! We haven't had that happen in years. If we had the com would have reported it. Still, just in case that does happens I want you and Laura where I can see you," Saul told him. "It's probably just an atmosphere breach but I haven't heard any reports yet. Cuffs are acting up. Transmissions are spotty. I can't get a damn message through and I'm having troubling receiving data. When we get back to the cabin I'll pull up the feed and get us a sit-rep," He assured. "Did Katya tell you to head to my cabin?" Saul asked as they hurried along.
"No. The corporal and I were headed to mine. She wanted me to get to Laura. She told me to get to her and then wait for your instruction."
Saul nodded. That wasn't the plan they'd settled on for such an occurrence but Saul considered that Katya had probably done the right thing. Bill wouldn't have headed anywhere except in Laura's direction anyway.
"Look, Bill, I know we won't be able to talk about it when we get to my quarters since Laura's already there, so did you and Katya get to talking at all?" He asked doing his best to speak through the constant ambient interference.
"Yeah, Saul we did," Bill answered through harsh breaths as they took up a near jogging pace. "It wasn't easy. That kid knows how to be a real pain in the ass."
"Don't I know it," Saul mused back between buzzes.
"She came around a bit though."
"Good to hear."
"She thinks the world of you and Ellen," Bill told him.
"I know that too," Saul said proudly.
"I'm grateful she's had you," Bill added. Saul only nodded as they turned down another hallway. "I was glad to talk to her. It felt…right. And now this," Bill said shaking his head.
"Can't think about it, Bill. You know that as well as I do. Besides, she'll be okay. Koshka hardly ever even takes a hit in combat. You should see her dart and dodge in that bird. They don't call her 'the cat' for nothing."
As they came up to the hatch Bill stopped dead in his tracks. Flanked by Sergeant Petrov and another marine guard was a cylon centurion scanning him with his red flitting eye.
"It's alright Bill," Saul assured him. "Ellen and I always have one on guard during high alert. C'mon," He said taking the lead.
Saul saluted the other guards.
"Sit-rep, Sergeant," Saul barked at Alexi.
"Both Mrs. Tigh and Ms. Roslin are safely inside, Sir," Alexi told him with his signature halting tone.
"Cut the crap, Lex," Saul said dismissing the boy's formality. "What the frak did Ellen tell Laura when she got here?"
Alexi's face went unchanged as he looked over to Bill. The man seemed worried. He couldn't wait for Katya to tell him what had happened between them. He just hoped she would return in one piece to do so.
"Ms. Roslin was visibly upset upon our arrival, Sir," Alexi answered. "She wasn't too comfortable with Vladi here," He added, motioning toward the centurion with a bob of his head.
Bill scowled. Were they really naming the damn things now? He wondered how the frak they could even tell them apart.
"What line did Ellen feed her?" Saul asked.
"All I know is that Ellen told Ms. Roslin that Admiral Adama was with you, Colonel. I took my post out here once she was settled. Good luck, Sir," He ended flatly.
Saul grimaced at the boy's distinctly dull diction.
"For crying out loud," He grumbled as he scanned his cuff at the hatch panel. "Alexi, you let us know if you hear from Katya first. C'mon Bill," Saul prompted, motioning for him to pass the centurion.
"As you were, Corporal," Saul said nodding to the second marine guard. "You too, Vladi," He acknowledged centurion as he went to open the hatch.
"You're frakking naming those things now?" Bill groused under his breath.
"Just that one," Saul told him matter-of-factly. "That's Vladi. Kat named him."
As soon as they entered the cabin Laura jumped up from the sofa and found her way into Bill's arms.
Ellen kept her seat. She leaned her elbows into her lap and hung her heavy head down to rest in her palms.
The sound of the alarm was softer in the cabin. Ellen had been able to lower the volume of the cabin com system before anyone arrived but it still rang faintly and could all feel the ominous vibration it created aboard the station as it reverberated through its walls.
"Bill, where the hell have you been?" Laura asked as she held on to him, "I woke up and you weren't there," She said into his neck.
When the alarm had startled her from a deep sleep she'd been terrified. Bill was gone and there was obviously something very wrong. There was a loud banging at the hatch and she could hear the marine guards bellowing for her to please open up. When she got out of the rack her inner thighs were sore and stiff. She felt the telltale ache deep inside that immediately reminded her of what happened between her and Bill when they'd first returned home. She could barely walk at first and she wondered just how rough she and Bill and really been with each other. It was then that she'd finally realized that the body she was in had never been used quite that way before. The thought left her even more flushed and flustered than before.
Laura hardly had time to throw clothes on before an over-anxious Alexi decided to let himself in to retrieve her. He'd given her a curt apology before ushering her out of the cabin. When she'd made it to the Tigh's Bill was nowhere to be found and Ellen was a mess. Her answer as to where Bill and Saul were had been vague but then again everything Laura was asking Ellen was getting a vague answer, not to mention slurred. She eventually gave up speaking to the intoxicated woman all together. They'd sat and waited in silence listening to the dulled sound of the menacing alarm.
"I'm sorry," Bill offered with a squeeze to her tense shoulders. "I left a message with the guard. I didn't think this would happen. I shouldn't have left you like that."
Saul sat beside his wife and spoke in a low tone.
"What the frak did you wind up telling her? The man's flying blind," He whispered rubbing his upper lip to muffle the sound of his voice.
Ellen leaned up with a huff and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I said he was with you and that you both just stepped out. Is that alright with you, Saul?" She snarked, leaning limply onto the arm of the sofa.
Saul ignored her irritation and quickly got up to make his way to Bill and Laura.
"Sorry, Laura, that was my fault," Saul swiftly told her. "I asked Bill to come over and we just stepped out for a sec. I thought I'd show him the control room but then the station com went off and we never made it there," He lied.
Bill felt a wave of heat rush to his face. Now he was actually lying to her and getting other people to help. He couldn't do it much longer.
"Are we in danger?" Laura asked Saul as she hung on to Bill's arm.
"We're always in danger, Laura," Ellen called from the couch reaching for her drink on the end table. She took a big swig before she continued. "It's just like it was before. We live in fear," She added with definite inebriation in her speech.
She got up and left for the head, not bothering to excuse herself.
Saul ignored her performance hoping that the others would as well.
"We haven't had an atmosphere breach in months," He answered once Ellen cleared the room. He wouldn't apologize for her. If she wanted to act that way it was fine with him. He had more important things to think about. "It's been quiet. That was why we went ahead with your download. There's been a lull in combat activity and it seemed like a good time. Who knows what sparked this. It could be a coincidence. It's doubtful that they found out about your resurrection," Saul explained.
"Yeah right," Bill scoffed. "So much for your so called secure system," He said waving his station cuff around for effect.
"Look, we don't know that." Saul defended. "Until I hear officially that something like that's happened I'm not going to assume. You two are here with us as a precaution. If the bots were anywhere near the station we'd already know about it," He told them. "Now sit down and try to relax. I'm gunna dial direct into the feed and try to get a sit-rep," He said as he made his way to a small desk in the corner to retrieve his tablet.
Bill guided Laura to the sofa with a reassuring hand at the small of her back.
"Bill, I don't like this," She whispered. "There's a frakking toaster outside the door," She told him with wide eyes.
"Yeah I know and apparently he has a name," He added.
Laura just squinted in confusion as she sat.
She couldn't get her heart to stop pounding. It had been that way since she'd abruptly woken. She had a brief recall of being in Galactica's CIC. She thought of Saul and Bill watching for enemy contacts on DRADIS, barking orders and making decisions meant to serve and protect the fate of the civilian fleet, all while a similar alarm sounded. Things were so different now. Their old enemies were now seen as some sort of guardian race and she and Bill were the ones being protected. Bill stayed standing, obviously too anxious to sit with her. He was so used to being productive during times like this. She could see that he felt completely out of his element.
Ellen was silent as she returned to the room but once she made her way to the kitchenette she started to make some noise.
"Can I fix anyone a drink?" She offered without sounding much like she actually cared to do so.
As she began to make a fresh one of her own she banged her glass down hard against the counter. She dropped in ice cubes with unnecessary effort making sure that each one clanked sharply against glass. After returning the ice tray she slammed the cooler door as a finale.
"Are you alright, Ellen?" Bill asked more as an accusation than as a gesture of concern.
She let out a bitter laugh then turned to face him while taking a sip of her drink.
As he saw the look on her face Bill decided that he might need a drink after all. He started to make his way toward the kitchen to fix one on his own. He didn't need shards of glass added to his.
"No, Bill I'm not," Ellen finally answered with a caustic smile. "I'm not usually alright when I know that my child is most likely in the midst of enemy fire," She informed him, her words laced with contempt. "You'll excuse me if I'm not exactly pleasant as I wait to find out if she's coming back." She paused and cocked her head to the side as she looked at him, "I know you understand exactly how it feels," She added, slyly testing his boundaries.
She was still angry at Bill for taking Katya away from their family dinner. It had been enough to set her jealousy ablaze. Now that she was aware that Bill knew and Laura didn't she'd be damned if she wasn't going to have some fun with it.
"Ellen," Saul warned from the desk.
His face was immersed in the projection over his tablet and he had one earpiece in, obviously listening to some kind of patrol transmit. He was too involved with it to stop his wife from making an ass out of herself. She'd been drinking even before the family meal they were supposed to have, though at first it had just been to relax. Once Katya left with Bill she'd been in no mood to eat. Their dinner still sat unmoved on the warmers. She'd only dished out a few portions and sent them home with a hungry Alexi who was eager to get away from the tension in the air. She was irritated by Bill's visit and she couldn't help but be resentful that it had ruined a pleasant night with her family. She had been looking forward to it, especially after the recent emotional tidal wave she and Katya had been through together only days before. The girl was finally in better spirits and Ellen was so happy to hear it in her voice. It felt good knowing that they would all be together for a night, just the four of them. They hadn't done it since before Bill and Laura resurrected. Bill had ruined it all.
Once Alexi was gone Ellen was alone with Saul. She picked a fight with him in her displaced disappointment. She'd admonished him for pushing Katya into going with Bill. She tried to hide her jealousy under the guise of looking out for the girl's best interests. She accused Saul of not allowing Katya make her own choices. She told him that he was pressuring her and that she had probably just gone with Bill to comply with his wishes. It was when she accused him of caring more about Bill's feelings than Katya's that Saul started to fume in return. He knew exactly where all of Ellen's anger was coming from and he didn't hesitate to call her on it. He told her that she was letting her envy and her insecurities take over. It only made her shout louder at him in stubborn denial and pour herself a stiffer drink.
Ellen had momentarily sobered when the alarm went off and Saul left but once Laura was delivered to the cabin she settled back into her resentful intoxication. She hadn't said much to Laura while they were alone. She just apathetically answered her questions as they sat there. She made no attempt to hide her disposition. She didn't care. Her family was supposed to be eating dinner together and now Katya was flying directly into mortal danger. She hadn't even hugged her goodbye when she left. Ellen had never gotten used to the girl's career. Sometimes she even blamed Saul for her choosing it, for telling her all his stories about vipers and raptors and Starbuck and Apollo. She blamed him for encouraging the girl's obsession with flight.
Most days Ellen could handle it even if there was known combat in Orbit but right now her nerves were shot. She was drunk, miserable, tired and scared. Most of all she missed her baby.
"Yes, Ellen," Bill said knowing that she was doing her best to goad him, "I do know how that feels…exactly," He added knowing it would step on her toes.
She gave him a caustic chuckle and walked back to sit on the sofa and sip at her drink. She inwardly smiled when she saw the utterly confused look on Laura's face over Bill's response.
As Ellen sat and watched Laura the alcohol in her body just served to surge the irrational resentment toward her. She hated the woman for a dozen insane reasons. Ellen resented Laura for getting to carry the baby girl that she'd raised and loved, even though she had no memory of it. She hated that Laura would never appreciate what a sweet child Katya had been, even though it wasn't her fault for missing it. And now she hated that Laura got to sit there oblivious while she had to bear the anguish of being a mother to a soldier, even though she could easily share the burden with her. Ellen knew it was crazy and she knew it would fade as the booze wore off but at the moment she couldn't help it.
LOCATION: INNER ORBIT; approximately 80 miles above the surface of planet Earth
TERRESTRIAL ATMOSPHERE BORDER
SQUADRON: LUNA FORCE
RED ALERT; ACTIVE COMBAT
YEAR: 2315
They were coming up to atmosphere line before they knew it. The first squad of cylon Raiders was already in active combat with a fleet of Airbots and the second was hanging back waiting, serving as a buffer until they were joined by Orbit Patrol. Suddenly Katya was regretting her earlier wish for a more exciting day at work.
"Koshka, Slip-Shot, Mac Man, Blazer follow me. We're gunna form a stinger behind the nearest Raider in range. Blazer take the tail. Follow the Guardians, people."
The Patrol CAG's voice seemed to echo even the small confines of Blazer's cockpit.
"10-4, Major," Blazer told his team over the com. "Falling back. File in when ready. Koshka,!Mac Man, Slip-Shot, let's hold hands."
"Got it Blazer," Katya answered. "Leading them in now."
"10-4 Captain, I'm your wingman. Slip-Shot take Mac Man," Blaze directed the pilots in his formation.
"You always take the cat, Blazer," Slip-Shot complained over the com.
"Yeah, and I usually wind up with claw marks," Blaze returned.
A mock hiss came through the com from Mac Man's line.
"To be fair, Blazer," Katya piped in, "you're usually asking for it."
"That's a big 10-4, Cap," He replied before the CAG's voice came in again.
"Coming up on a Guardian now. Only break formation when once the Raider fires. Don't strip. Repeat; do not strip. If something get's past you let the next squad get it. Stay within the fence and stay in range. Don't let em' chase you off."
"Affirmative, Major," Katya answered for the flight team.
"Why can't these things come bother us during the day?" Slip-Shot casually observed through his line. "I was about to get some rack time. Took a shower and everything."
"You take showers, Slip?" Blazer chaffed. "Could'a fooled me."
"Man, I hope she does claw your face off," The pilot responded in jest.
"Just give me a reason," Katya threw in.
"Call it a personal favor, Koshka?" Slip-Shot proposed.
Once behind the cylon raider the team followed in formation. Now they just had to hope that the first squadron of raider's hadn't let much get passed them.
"Hey, is our lead Guardian a cousin of yours, Blazer?" Mac Man ribbed.
"Ha. Funny; cylon jokes. I get it," Blaze dead panned.
"Forget it, Slip," Katya bit. "I found my new scratching post. Shut the fuck up, Mac Man," She warned.
"Meow, Captain," He answered. "Testy today."
"Keep your eyes open," The CAG reminded. "Stay back at least three paces from the guardian. Once it shoots then fire at will. Remember weapons tight til' you see that Raider fire." His voiced paused for a moment leaving dead air to fill their cockpits. "Shit, Koshka, you see what I see?" His voice returned in alarm.
"Oh, tally that, Major," She confirmed. "Looks like we got three Airbots coming in a tight V. Get ready."
Only fifteen seconds later, the lead raider was firing.
"WEAPONS FREE! THEY'RE SPLITTING! GO AHEAD AND BREAK! BREAK! BREAK!" The Major shouted as he followed the raider in pursuit of the center Airbot.
Each team split off following the two airbots that braced the cylon.
"You got me Blaze?" Katya called.
"You know it," He assured.
"Flank me, I'm going for it."
"Let's do this."
They were in active pursuit for eighteen minutes before the raider shot down their first Airbot. Soon after, Mac-Man took out a second.
"I can't get this flinty son of a titanium bitch," Katya called over the com, still unable to knock out her intended target.
"Tell me about it," Blazer confirmed.
The third and last Airbot was proving to be surprisingly shifty.
"I'm coming in," Slip-Shot replied, turning around and heading toward the pair. "Let's see if I can help you two out."
"Motherfucker!" Katya swore, "Blazer, Blazer, no joy, no joy! I lost contact!"
"Koshka break left! Break left, now, now!" Blaze roared over the com but it was too late.
Katya felt the rumble at her tail right before she started to spin.
"I'm hit! I'm hit!" She shouted as her mayday alarm blared in her ears.
"Slip-Shot, break left! Break left!" Blazer shouted so hard he felt himself go hoarse but the incoming pilot had no time. Blaze watched Katya's Falcon side spiral right into Slip-Shot's cockpit shield. "Mayday, Mayday! Two birds down! Koshka! Koshka, come in! Dammit!"