Hearts and Fates Entwined

By: Fairedust

Part three

Chapter 10

On the Pegasus:

The Pegasus was one of the newest Battlestars in the Colonial Fleet. She was truly state of the art. Everything here worked. There was much more room aboard for the personnel to move about in. The passages were far wider. The living quarters were much larger. The gyms were better equipped. Their showers were not timed, as they were aboard the Galactica. Also, in place of showering in luke warm water, they had steaming hot water available. In place of flying the retired Mark II vipers, that had been placed aboard the Galactica as museum pieces; this Battlestar was fully equipped with the newest Mark VII vipers. This ship even had the proper replacement parts available. No more creative thinking was required to keep these birds in the air. The list of improved accommodations seemed limitless. Anyone being transferred over to this new ship should be whistling a happy tune and doing a Tauran jig. Lee and Kara were miserable.

Neither of the two pilots had wanted this transfer. Both had in fact protested mightily with the Commander, only to be shut down. It didn't matter how bright and shiny this younger Battlestar was. The atmosphere among the crew seemed dark and sinister. Both felt more like the sacrificial lambs, than the Ace pilots they really were. To make matters worse, both were billeted in separate quarters. They didn't even have each other close by, to watch each other's backs.

For Kara, the situation was uncomfortable and annoying. When the other unfamiliar pilots gave her haughty looks and comments, she was able to brush them off with her ever present, cocky Starbuck persona. As far as she was concerned, this was all just some sick game the Admiral was playing. Punishing both Lee and herself, but also the Old Man. She figured the other pilots would get over their snobbery and high handed manor, once they witnessed her skills in the cockpit. If they didn't, Starbuck was determined to not let it get to her. She was used to always being on the outside anyway. What was it she had told the Old Man and Lee? She lived 'outside the box.' As long as she was able to sit in her cockpit, her shiny new cockpit no lees, she'd be happy.

For the most part she was able to content herself with being able to fly these newer birds. And like she figured, once the other pilots realized she really was as good as her hype, they generally just steered clear of her. They never allowed her to join in, but that was just as well. At least she didn't feel a threat was lurking around every corner, waiting to pounce. Soon, she was even able to relax enough to enjoy the blessings of showering for as long as she liked, in steaming hot water. For everything she missed since the Cylon attack, this had to be the biggest.

Due in part to conserve energy and part due to old faulty or damaged equipment on the Galactica, most of the boilers had been turned off. Then when their main boiler had blown, well the poor Old Girl just didn't come with replacement parts. Everyone aboard the Galactica had been forced to endure 'cold' showers. It wasn't until George had been able to fabricate some and modify other parts, that they were now able to have lukewarm water. Something everyone aboard had cheered about.

For Lee the situation was more than just uncomfortable and annoying. He'd become used to commanding his pilots. Now he was just one of the pack again. But even that wasn't correct. He was made to be less than the rest of the pilots in the room. He was relegated to being a rook, the new guy. Much like Kara was in the beginning. But unlike her, he was forced to stay at the bottom. In the beginning he was also allowed to fly vipers. But for some reason, unknown to him, they decided to switch him over to Raptors. They had him flying Raptors for crying out loud! How insulting was that?! But with his trademark 'by the book' ways, he refused to complain. He would do as he was ordered to do, how he was told and when he was told.

Off the hanger deck was much more difficult for him too, than it was with Kara. She seemed to be able to wrap her Starbuck persona around herself like a shield, and bull dog her way thru. Regs never had held much weight with her. But for Lee, even his Apollo mask was finding all the animosity difficult to deal with. Having the Commander as his father had given him years of practice dealing with other's animosity or even other's jealousy. Everywhere he been, from the Academy thru his posting on the Atlantia, he had always had to do better than others. He not only had to prove he was good enough to be a pilot and an officer, he had to measure up to his father's legacy. He always felt he measured up to the task. But this felt different. It felt as if the deck was stacked against him. Like he was never meant to come out on top, no matter how hard he tried.

He was beginning to feel singled out. Kara being in a different bunk room and scheduled on different shifts made it difficult to ever see her. He'd always been known as somewhat of a loner, but this was beginning to push him beyond his limits. Before he never had the worry about being a target. Now he found himself constantly looking over his shoulder. He rushed thru his showers, hoping to catch one in solitude. Being wet and naked, on a slick floor was not someplace he wanted to get cornered. He couldn't even relax on his bunk.

Kara ran into him one day and she noticed the dark circles under his eyes . She was surprised to realize just how long it had been since she'd talked to him, really talked to him. It seemed to her, they were always just crossing paths nowadays. Being in different bunk rooms and different shifts made seeing each other difficult. With concern "Hey Apollo? How you holding up?"

Even though this was Kara, he felt uncomfortable unloading on her. This transfer had been hard on her too, if the dark smudges under her eyes were any indication. Could he really tell her how he felt? Would she understand or would she just think he was overreacting? Or worse, would she think he was weak? At the last moment, he decided to hold back. "I'm fine Starbuck. I admit, I miss my Bird. But I'm doing fine."

Kara wasn't sure she believed him. He looked a little frazzled. She was just about to bully him into talking to her, really talking; when the CAG called her over. With an apologetic look to Lee, she moved away. Lee gave her a nod in response, and continued on his way.

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"So Major. How is it going for our young Adama?"

"Well Sir, I have to admit he's holding up better than expected. I've had the other pilots keep him at arms length as you requested. I'm not sure how much longer that's going to last. They all see his skill in that Viper. He really is an amazing pilot, nothing like Starbuck of course. But to be honest, he's just about the only pilot we have who has a chance of keeping up with her. " the Major said a little nervously.

"You obviously didn't come here unprepared. What do you suggest we do to break him down some more. It is simply unacceptable to see him preening about with that superior attitude of his, simply because of his father's good name. He must be taught to obey, to submit." she said in her calculating manor.

The Major believed it was only the superior attitude the Captain had, that bothered the Admiral. Not seeing her true motives, he answered eagerly in an effort not to bring her wrath down upon his own shoulders. "Perhaps if we pull him from Vipers and put him on Raptors, that will quash that superior attitude of his. Make him more, shall we say, submissive."

"Agreed. Let's give that a little time, see what happens. If he bucks you, you have the authority to demote him. Also, I want him to see as little of Lt. Thrace as possible. I don't want him to poison her with dissension. She looks very promising."

The Major didn't understand the Admiral's personal interest in Lt. Thrace. To be sure, she was an exceptional pilot. But she was also a known pain in the ass. She was known for bucking authority whenever she pleased. Adama, was for the most part, known for just the opposite. From what he'd heard, read in his file and seen here on the Pegasus, he was a by the book type officer. But he knew better than to question this woman's motives. She was never to be questioned, she was only to be obeyed. "Yes Sir. Will there be anything else?"

"Yes. As a matter of fact there is. Along with his change over to Raptors, I want to be sure the other pilots in his bunk room keep a 'watchful' eye on him. I don't trust him. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir. I believe I do." With that he saluted and left her office. He had a very bad feeling about this. He did know what she meant. He was just given the authority to have him singled out as a target if things didn't progress as quickly as the Admiral wanted. He just hoped it didn't come to that.

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Adama was in his office having a meeting with the President, when Tabitha managed to burst into the room. The President's guards were struggling to restrain her as Adama's door guards struggled to free her from their grip. Even though this seemed to be escalating into something serious, both of the Fleet leaders couldn't restrain the laughter from their eyes at the odd looking sight. Roslin decided to say something before the men ended up either hurting each other, hurting the tiny woman or breaking all of the furniture.

"Gentleman. Please. Do you really think all this is necessary?" she said with humor showing thru her voice. At hearing her, the men all froze in place. Tabby saw their momentary distraction as her opportunity. She squirmed out of the pile of bodies and quickly scooted over to the Commander's desk. When the men all noticed the child sized woman was no longer being held by any of them, they all sheepishly looked toward their respective commanders..

In a commanding voice, Adama ordered. "That will be all." The look on the Commanders face left no room for doubt. All four men knew they had just been dismissed. As they left they continued to eye each other, but didn't say a word. Once they were gone and the hatch closed once more, both the President and Commander looked down at where Tabby had managed to kneel before Adama's chair. At seeing her pained expression, both mistakenly thought she may have been injured in the scuffle.

"Tabitha?" they both said. When she continued to stare at only Adama, it was he who continued. "Tabitha? Are you alright? They didn't manage to really hurt you, did they?" When she shook her head, he noted a single tear broke free from her cat shaped, amethyst eyes. He looked up at Laura, then back down to Tabby. "Tell me what's wrong, Tabitha." he ordered gently. Tabby glanced quickly over at Roslin, then back into Adama's face. He knew it must be very important for her to burst in here the way she had, but he could sense her reluctance to say anything in front of the President. He knew Tabby generally steered clear of her. The President made her nervous for some reason. Realizing Tabitha wouldn't or couldn't say anything in Laura's presence, he reached for the tiny woman's hand. Leading her over to his sleeping area, he prompted once more. "Alright, Tabitha. It's only me here to hear you. What was so important that you couldn't wait until after my meeting?"

"Lee!!" burst from her lips. She began to breath heavily, as if she were trying to regain control. Her face took on a look of concentration.

"What do you mean, Lee?" He too burst out. What was wrong with his son? He remembered how this woman claimed to be able to feel him, even from a great distance. He had been given no report of anything happening to his son, but was it possible Tabitha had sensed something? That she would really know, even before any report could be sent to him? Grabbing her by her shoulders, he brought her focus back to himself. "Tabitha. What about Lee?"

Neither of them had noticed Roslin stood up from her chair, at hearing Lee's name. She truly cared for this young man. He had been with her from the beginning. From before she was even sworn in with the Sacred Scrolls. Knowing they had moved off for privacy, but not caring at the moment, she stepped closer to the two.

"He's …. afraid. ….. He's been singled out. ………Cain, she wanted him all alone. Now the crew…. He's been singled out. I feel it. He's not safe, Bill." Anxiety was flowing off her in waves. It wasn't that he didn't believe her. He just didn't know what he could do about it. He couldn't just call over there and accuse his Superior Officer of wrong doing, with no proof. Just as he knew he couldn't order her to return his son to him. This would certainly take some finesse.

"Bill. If she's right, we have to do something. I never trusted that woman, but still. She wouldn't be doing this with no purpose. Even she's not insane enough to lose an asset like Lee. Especially for no reason or gain." Laura said with concern and worry.

Both Bill and Tabby flinched at hearing her voice so close. It was obvious to them both, the woman had heard their brief conversation. First giving Tabitha an apologetic look, he then looked over his shoulder to see Roslin pacing just a few feet away.

Roslin's mind was already churning with possibilities. She refused to just sit here and do nothing. The Captain needed their help. The whys and hows of them knowing this, were irrelevant to her. For some reason, she trusted what Tabitha had said without question. Her problem was, she knew she didn't have enough information to come up with a solution. With that in mind, "Bill, you have to know something. There has to be something this domineering woman is after. She must have some type of agenda here." Laura noted the look shared between the two, before they both looked back in her direction.

"She wants me on her ship, Laura. For some reason I am unaware of, she wants me on her ship. When she tried to order Bill to send me over before, he refused. He informed her I was a civilian. Thankfully before it got out of hand, I showed up here with a couple of lunch trays. I'd intended to have lunch with Bill." Tabby said in her standard calm voice.

Laura knew there had to be a lot more to this story. It was Bill who continued. "The Admiral said she was short staffed in her Life Station. She was here to acquire someone from the Galactica. She tried to order Tabitha to the Pegasus." Laura gave him a look to continue. "Tabitha refused, quite eloquently." At the President's raised brows, he took a breath to add - but was cut off by Tabby.

"I knew something wasn't right as soon as I entered the room. Bill was looking highly agitated, even though he was hiding it well. It was when the woman actually started speaking, I realized what was wrong. She wanted me on her ship. No, I don't know why she was so fixated on me. That she was, was never in doubt." She looked at Bill for confirmation. At his nod, she continued. "Well, I don't like her. And I told her so. Told her she had no right to order me to her ship. I'm a Civilian. I told her I had your permission to be here on the Galactica."

"I see." Roslin was putting the pieces together. "So you think she is doing this 'single out' thing to Lee, to get you on her ship." It wasn't a question, but a statement. "Do you think you'd be safe on her ship? Do you think she would harm you, if you went?" Laura was looking at the small woman with speculation and question. Bill looked at Tabitha with concern. He knew this woman very well by now. He knew if Tabitha thought she could protect his son in any way, she would. Regardless of what it may or may not do to herself.

Tabby gave her answer almost instantly, looking Adama full in the eyes. "She can't harm me in any way that matters. She could never make me do anything I didn't want to do. Only I control me." Although Roslin wasn't sure she totally understood that answer, she noted it seemed to reassure Bill. "But if I were to give her what she wants; if I move over to her ship, she may back off of Lee. If she doesn't, maybe I could deal with that issue myself. Either way, I'd be there to watch Lee's back and get you any information you may require."

Laura was known for her negotiation skills, it was an area she excelled at. "Tabitha, may I suggest you agree to transfer over, with conditions?" She had both of the undivided attention once more. "Agree to go over with the condition of bunking in with Lee, just like you did here. Bill can impress this as a necessity. For the Commander's peace of mind, you are to be housed with 'family'. I believe I can help impress that demand also. Being you're a civilian and are such a tiny woman; it would be best for all if you were only bunked in a room where there would be a family member there to see to your 'safety'.

Both Bill and Tabby had to agree with Roslin's tactics. It seemed to be a completely reasonable request. Cain would be getting what she wanted, Tabitha. They would be getting what they wanted. Someone to help Lee. Someone Bill trusted would be able to watch his back. Bill only hoped this wouldn't blow up in all of their faces. The thought of all his children being on the ship with that tyrant, felt like a Raptor was sitting on his chest. He'd not realized until this very moment, it was Tabitha who had eased the weight in his chest.

He slowly walked over to his desk, to place the call. He knew he was going to add another very specific request. Tabitha must be allowed to come back to the Galactica on a weekly basis. He would present it as HIS need to see his daughter. A civilian daughter who had never had any desire to enlist. But in reality it was so Helo could take her to the observation lounge as he had been doing since Lee's transfer.

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tbc