Who Are You

by David Falkayn

AU diverges from canon with the Kobol/Caprica story arc while keeping to spirit of canon. Alessandra d'Orsini, Contessa Terranova and an officer in the Terran Navy is sent to investigate a previously uncharted area of space. One problem: She's a model Six Cylon who was found by the Terrans ten years earlier. Adama, Roslin, and the others discover that choices have consequences.

21. Chapter 20 Exchanging Pleasantries

WHO ARE YOU

CHAPTER 20: Exchanging Pleasantries

"Galactica…Pegasus…this is Contessa Alessandra d'Orsini speaking to you from the Elysia do you read me?"

As the Contessa's voice came through the loudspeaker, Colonel Tigh turned to Adama and inquired, "So, do we answer or ignore it?"

"We answer." Admiral Adama responded as he picked up the receiver. "This is Galactica Actual. Is this Elysia Actual?"

"Admiral?" Major Shaw inquired as the voice came through the Pegasus's intercom.

"We listen for now." Cain replied.

"It's me." Alessandra replied to Adama's query in a whimsical tone. "I've never gone in for all that military-style jargon—much to the annoyance of my old Academy instructors. Am I speaking with Commander Adama?"

"This is Admiral Adama." The rugged commander of the Colonial fleet responded.

As she heard his response, Cain's hands clenched into fists. Gritting her teeth, she held back her retort as she continued to listen to the conversation between her enemies.

"Congratulations, Admiral." Alessandra replied, "I just got promoted by the Home Office as well. Full Commander…brevet Captain."

"Why have you contacted us?" Adama demanded, ignoring the Terran's mocking attempt at small talk. "You got what you wanted."

"True." The Contessa replied, "But I have some things you might want. I'll let two of them speak with you now." Motioning Starbuck and Apollo to the Communications console, Alessandra stepped back.

"Father?" Lee spoke first as Kara cleared her throat.

"Sir?"

"Lee? Starbuck?" Adama exclaimed, his voice momentarily choking up. "How did you end up there?"

"I was picked up after my viper was shot down, Sir." Kara reported.

"My raptor was damaged as a result of…internal difficulties." Lee answered back, "I can't get into the technical details now…"

"Cain's man tried to do your son in, Admiral Adama." Alessandra interrupted, "Isn't that right, Helena?"

"Admiral Cain…" Adama rumbled threateningly, "If you are listening in, you had best answer. Did you order Major Taylor to kill my son?" Hearing nothing but static on the other end of the line, Adama growled.

"I've got his raptor here." Alessandra interjected in a quiet voice, "You can have someone check it out if you want. You'll find we're telling the truth."

"Right now, I want to speak to my son and Lieutenant Thrace." Adama replied.

"Of course, Admiral." The Contessa replied.

"Lee? Kara?"

"Yes, Father." Lee responded.

"Sir?" Starbuck answered back.

"Are you all right? Are you being treated well?" Adama asked.

"Yes, Sir." Lee answered back, adding, "I still miss Caprica's blue skies though."

"We've been treated properly, Sir. Probably better than we would have treated the Contessa if situations were reversed." Starbuck added, "You still want me to bring in the cat?"

Sighing in relief, Adama muted the mic as he turned to his XO. "They're in good condition, Saul."

Turning towards her guests, Alessandra winked, "So…I take it Old Man Adama picked up on your coded message that everything's hunky-dory?"

Shaking his head, Lee replied, "Yes, he did." As he spoke, Admiral Adama's voice came through the intercom.

"What are you asking for their return?"

Laughing, Alessandra replied, "Why…nothing…although I wouldn't say no to a case of ambrosia if you offered." Her laughter dying down, the Contessa continued in a more serious tone, "There are no preconditions other than the standard—plus one or two teensy-weensy little things—nothing to get your panties all tied up in knots over. We'll get to those in a moment. Right now though, you're probably interested in my 'guest' list."

"We are." Adama replied in a flat voice as Tigh, Roslin, Cain, Shaw, and the everyone in both the Galactica and Pegasus CiCs listened in.

"All righty then." Alessandra answered back in a deliberately light tone. "Besides Captain Adama and Lieutenant Thrace, I also have three other 'guests' wearing Colonial uniforms who want to return home: Major Taylor from the Pegasus. Don't worry, he's safely locked up now."

"Stinger." Cain whispered as she listened in to the open conversation.

"…and Lieutenants Margaret Edmondson and Hamish McCall from the Galactica."

"Racetrack and Skulls are alive as well." Colonel Tigh whispered. "Thank the gods."

The Contessa continued to speak as the Colonials listened, "I also have refugees from one of Cain's little scavenging runs." Pausing for a moment, Alessandra's voice now took on a sharper edge, "Helena and Kendra, darlings…you committed the primary sin in the war criminal's handbook—you left witnesses alive who can identify you!" The sarcastic edge now gone from her voice, the Terran agent continued, this time without a trace of levity, "Most of the survivors have requested asylum within the Empire, which I, in my capacity as a peer of the Realm, have granted. They don't want anything more to do with you Colonials—and I can't say as I blame them. A few do wish to return to you—so long as President Roslin and Admiral Adama are calling the shots. They will not return if Helena Cain is in any position of authority. Those who wish to return, will be permitted to do so, of course."

"Thank you." Admiral Adama acknowledged, "And the cylons who were our prisoners—Gina Inviere and Sharon? What about them? And what about Dr. Baltar, and Lieutenant Agathon and Chief Tyrol? What of their status?"

"Sharon, Karl, and Gina have requested and have been granted Imperial protection. You're not getting your hands on them again—so put that thought right out of your mind. That's non-negotiable." The Contessa snapped back. "Chief Tyrol has requested that he be permitted to return to the Galactica. That request will be granted—provided I have assurances that all charges against him are dropped and that he is reinstated with his original rank and pay grade intact."

"I'll have that for you in writing." Adama responded.

"So…" Kendra whispered, "Thorne's murderers walk."

"Patience, Major." Admiral Cain admonished. "There will be time."

"Good." The Contessa declared in answer to Adama's pledge. "Dr. Baltar will also be returned to you."

"Anything else?" Adama grimaced.

"The usual in these situations is that you are permitted to send over under a flag of truce a senior officer who will have full access to my guests to ensure that they have been treated properly and that their wishes to stay or return are genuine. You or President Roslin may also send over an officer to take any statements from survivors or my other guests to use in any criminal proceedings you might wish to conduct. You can also send over a doctor and nurse to ensure that my guests have been properly cared for. After everyone's been satisfied, then I'll turn your people over to you. Sound reasonable to you?"

Turning to the admiral, Colonel Tigh whispered, "I hate to say it…but she's giving us better terms than we'd have given her."

"You're right, Saul." Adama nodded his head. "What of Major Taylor?" The Admiral inquired, addressing the Contessa. "He is under Admiral Cain's command—not mine."

"Cain may send a single representative—not herself or Shaw—to pick him up and return him to Pegasus." The Contessa further warned, "If she or Shaw set foot on my ship, I will slap them in irons. Imperial warrants for piracy and war crimes have been issued against them both."

"And your cylon…guest…Gina…" Adama inquired, "What about her? She took part in genocide. Should she not be punished as well?"

Alessandra took a deep breath and answered back, "If it is determined that she or any other cylon willingly gave personal consent to the attack on the Colonies or committed war crimes, then that individual will be charged accordingly. If you have evidence that she did so, then you may present it and you will receive a fair hearing. Fair enough?"

"That…" Adama let out a breath and exhaled, "…is reasonable given the circumstances. Very well. I'll have an unarmed raptor with Colonel Tigh, Doctor Cottle and a nurse, and a representative of the President sent out in…twelve hours? I'll need to contact the President and she'll need to pick a representative, plus, it's well within our sleep cycle now."

"Twelve hours is fine." Alessandra agreed. "No need to rush. And…will the Pegasus be sending someone to the party?" Hearing nothing but silence from Cain, the Contessa snorted, "I guess not. Looks like you'll be bringing Major Taylor back with you, then."

"What about your other conditions?" Adama inquired.

"Oh…" Alessandra chuckled, "Those. First, I want members of the media to accompany you. They will be broadcasting everything live. Anyone pulls any stunts—the entire fleet sees it. That makes sure everything's on the up and up."

"Very well." Adama sighed.

"Great." Alessandra grinned as she dropped her next bombshell. "One of those reporters must be Playa Palacios. I've caught her broadcasts. I think we can rely on her to be fairly nonbiased in her coverage—don't you?"

"Agreed." The Admiral exhaled, "Anything else?"

"Yeah." Alessandra grinned, "Bring along a case of ambrosia and I'll trade you a case of Terran booze. Call it an effort to break the ice a little. Your call…but I think you'd like scotch and from what I've heard of Colonel Tigh, he might like some genuine Polish vodka."

"Agreed." Adama replied as the transmission ended and he turned to his XO. "Prep a raptor, Saul."

"I'll have it prepped and a squad of marines ready to go." The XO replied.

Shaking his head, Adama directed, "No…we'll do this her way."

"Sir?" Saul exclaimed, "We could probably take her ship…"

"Doubtful.' Adama replied with another shake of his head, "Besides, she's probably prepared for us doing just that. No. She has our people and she's willing to return them without ransom. We'll take that and call it a good day. Now, if you don't want to go, I'll put Doc Cottle or Captain Kelly in command instead."

"No, No, Admiral…" Tigh quickly interjected, "I'll go. I have to admit, I'm curious to see this ship of hers."

"Excellent." Adama smiled as he regarded his old friend, "Take Doc Cottle, a nurse of his choice, and two crewmen to carry the crate of ambrosia and whatever it is that she's offering in return."

"You're actually going to go through with that trade?" An astonished Colonel Tigh exclaimed.

"Yes." Adama nodded his head. "Cain should be finishing her repairs soon and we have to be ready for her to do anything. I'd much rather have Elysia either on our side or a friendly neutral rather than a potential threat should Cain decide to attack. Besides…" The admiral added with a crooked grin, "…aren't you at least a little curious about how this 'Terran' booze tastes."

Shaking his head, the XO acknowledged his orders, "I'll get right on it, Sir."

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"Orders, Sandi?" Bridgette asked, her holographic image appearing on the bridge next to a surprised Lee and Kara.

"Don't do that!" Starbuck exclaimed. "You scared the living crap out of me!"

Chuckling, Bridgette teased, "I'm a baaaaad AI."

"Motherfracking…." Kara muttered under her breath as Alessandra stifled a giggle.

Gaining control over her emotions, the Contessa answered her friend, "Bring us in far enough away from both battlestars where we can react quickly enough to a threat from either or both if we have to, but close enough to the civilian fleet where we can assist Adama if Cain decides to be stupid…"

"You think Admiral Cain will actually attack the civilian ships?" Lee inquired.

"She tried to bump you off and has a track record of engaging in piracy." Alessandra flatly responded, "So, yes. I think if she feels desperate enough, she might try to pull something. I want to be ready to help if she does." Turning back to Bridgette, she further instructed, "Bring us in where we can come to their aid, but not so close as to spook them any more than they're already spooked."

"Gotcha, Sandi." The perky Bridgette responded with a grin.

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"Orders, Admiral?" Major Shaw inquired as the transmission from the Elysia terminated.

"How long until repairs are completed?" The Admiral asked as she calculated her next move.

"Approximately eighteen hours, Ma'am." Shaw replied, "Captain Garner was able to shave a few hours off his estimate by having his people work double shifts."

"Excellent." Cain replied, "Have the Galactica crewmen and any crewmen of ours that are unreliable moved to the ejectable cargo holds. Once we're fully repaired, I want you to eject those holds and launch a missile strike on Cloud Nine and as many of the ships in the civilian fleet as possible. You're authorized to use nukes. That will cover our fold and force Adama and his new ally to either write off casualties or delay pursuit while they deal with our missile barrage and conduct SAR and clean up afterwards. I'm willing to wager that Adama will choose to save his people first."

"And the cylon?" Shaw inquired, "Wouldn't she pursue?"

"Possibly." Cain nodded her head, "But I'm betting she and Adama are allies and that she'll remain to help him and the civilians."

"Adama has betrayed us, so, he gets what he deserves." Major Shaw declared, "But the civilians…"

"Regrettable casualties." Cain tersely answered back.

"Understood." Shaw acknowledged, "So…what's our course?"

"Caprica." Admiral Cain responded. "We move quickly enough, we can beat our rivals to the first piece of the puzzle. We crack this puzzle—we destroy the cylons and win this war once and for all."

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"Admiral!" Dee called out, "The Elysia is moving."

"What's it's course?" Admiral Adama replied.

"Bearing 170 Carom 20." Petty Officer Dualla replied. "She's holding station now."

"Saul…" The admiral turned to his XO.

"Aye, Sir." Colonel Tigh replied, anticipating what his old friend wanted. Almost immediately the new positions for the two battlestars, the Terran ship, and the civilian fleet appeared on the dradis screen.

"That's interesting…" Adama mused as he studied the board. "You see what she did, Saul?"

"Yeah." The white-haired XO nodded his head, "She's positioned herself between the Pegasus and the civilian fleet while at the same time keeping distance from Cain and us." His head then jerked up in surprise. "You think she's warning us that she'll attack the civilians if we break our agreement."

"No." Adama shook his head, his respect for the contessa growing a little in spite of himself, "Just the opposite in fact. She's positioned herself to defend the civilians. Also note her position. While she's not ignoring us, she considers Pegasus the bigger threat."

"Well she should." Tigh growled, "It's a more powerful vessel."

"True." Adama nodded his head, "But I also think she's telling us something else: that she distrusts Cain more than she does us."

"Can't blame her for that." Tigh nodded his head. "So…how do we respond?"

"We reciprocate her gesture." Adama declared, "Strengthen our patrols monitoring Pegasus and decrease the patrols watching Elysia. Hopefully, she'll see that as us picking up on her intentions."

"Will do." The colonel replied as he issued the appropriate orders.

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Watching the holographic display on the Elysia's bridge, Lee and Kara turned towards their host, "Thank you." Lee said as he nodded his head at the display. "I see what you're doing."

"Yeah." A reluctant Kara agreed, "Thanks."

"Like I said, they're not a part of this." Alessandra smiled, her grin growing wider as she pointed to the display. "Looks like your father picked up on the hint."

"I see!" Kara exclaimed, "He's shifting forces more to the Pegasus."

"Right." Alessandra nodded in agreement her smile even brighter, "No reason to keep you or your pals locked up. Consider yourselves on parole. You can break the good news to your mates that you're all going to get sprung soon and then you can hang out at the lounge with us or the gym or go back to your quarters and crash out if you'd like." Her smile momentarily disappearing, she added, "That's dependent on everyone's good behavior, of course. And…the pilot from the Pegasus…what's his face…

"Stinger." Starbuck interjected, barely repressing a snort.

"Yeah…him." Sandi remarked, "He stays locked up until we put him on the shuttle back." She then turned her gaze to Lee, "I'd think that you'd agree with that."

"I can live with that." Starbuck replied, turning to her old friend, "You don't want Stinger running around loose, do you, Lee?"

"No way." Lee exclaimed. "Put him in irons for all I care."

"Great!" Alessandra grinned, "Bridgette will be waiting for you when you arrive at your friend's cells to spring 'em loose."

"See you there, guys!" Bridgette grinned as her image faded away.

"I hate it when she does that." Kara groused as Alessandra laughed.

Activating her comm, the Contessa spoke, "Cam? Val? The swap is on in twelve hours. We're keeping the guy from Pegasus locked up until it's time for him to go, but I'm gonna go ahead and grant paroles to those other two. You wanna be dears and meet Bridgette and Lee and Kara at their cells? Also, can you tell our other guests to meet me in the lounge in…oh…about six hours."

"Sure thing, Sandi." Cameron replied. Turning to Valera, he smirked, "Well…you ready to give Racetrack and Skulls the good news?"

"Yeah." Valera replied with a grin that soon disappeared to be replaced with a worried frown, "Maybe Margaret's cooled down enough to think straight now."

"Won't hurt to try." Cameron responded, placing an arm around the redhead's shoulder. "Let's go."

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"They're letting the two of you out." Kara said, relaying the good news to Racetrack and Skulls as Cameron and Valera looked on, "But you're going to have to stay locked up, Stinger." The blonde pilot declared as she glared at the Pegasus CAG.

"Why are they keeping Major Taylor locked up?" Skull inquired.

"Yeah." Racetrack added, declaring, "If he stays locked up, so do we."

"Major Taylor attempted to murder Captain Adama." Starbuck replied.

"Do you have evidence?" Racetrack asked, disbelieving.

"Yeah." Kara nodded her head. "Besides the physical evidence of the damaged cockpit and fired weapon, the flight recorder confirmed it. Stinger apparently received orders from Admiral Cain to kill Captain Adama."

"Is that true, Major?" Racetrack asked as she turned to the Pegasus CAG.

Nodding his head once, Stinger replied, "Yes. I was ordered to execute Captain Adama in the event Commander Adama proved a traitor—which he did."

Racetrack's slap stunned the Pegasus CAG. "I hate the cylons, but neither Commander Adama nor his son are traitors!" Turning to Starbuck, Racetrack announced, "Lieutenant? I still don't like or trust any cylon—especially the godsdamn AIs here, but I promise you, Skulls and I won't make any more trouble while we're here. Just promise me that I won't have to pretend to be nice to that cylon and the other AI."

"No one's asking you to kiss 'em." Kara replied, "Just don't do or say anything to piss them off."

"We promise." Skulls answered back as both he and Racetrack nodded their heads.

"Good enough for you?" Kara asked as Bridgette's holographic image appeared before the cell door.

"Works for me." Bridgette replied with a grin. "You can leave your cell now." Bridgette smiled to Racetrack and Skulls as the force field shimmered once and then faded away. Her holographic visage turning to Stinger, the Terran AI warned as a gun turret targeted the Colonial officer. "You stay put. You're a bad man and you're not going anywhere until your people come to pick you up."

As the two Colonial officers exited their cell, Valera called out to her old friend, "Margaret? If you want to talk, I'll be in the lounge. Come up and I'll buy you a drink.", adding, "We're having a party for you two and everyone going back to the Galactica."

"And I'm cooking up a steak dinner for the two of you…" Bridgette chimed in. Then, her lips curled up in a sardonic grin, she quipped, "But only because you're Val's friend." The AI then glared at Stinger, "But you don't get any—it's combat rats for you. Rats for a rat."

Margaret remarked, her eyes ice cold daggers as she glared at her superior officer, "Do something to piss her off, Sir...please!"

"Don't worry…" Bridgette's voice responded, "If he does I'll be sure to take pictures."

"I still don't like you." Margaret growled as she and her partner walked down the corridor.

"That's okay…" Bridgette countered, "I don't like you much either." She then added, her playful tone returning, "Your steaks will be ready for you in the galley in…oh…one hour. And don't forget the party in the lounge this evening."

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"You want us to do what?" A surprised Doc Cottle asked as he lit another cigarette.

"You and a nurse are to go with me to that alien ship." Colonel Tigh growled. "That Contessa is releasing Racetrack and Skulls and a bunch of refugees she picked up. She's allowing us to send a doctor and nurse to check everyone over to make sure that they've been treated properly."

"Hmph." Cottle snorted and then, exhaling a plume of smoke, responded, "Well…it looks like at least someone around here's trying to play by the rules." Taking a deep breath, the doctor called out, "Ishay! Get your stuff together, we're making a house call!"

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"So, here's what's going on…" Roxanne announced to her fellow refugees gathered in Elysia's conference room that had been converted into a makeshift classroom, "A transport from the Galactica will be coming here in about twelve hours. They're going to interview us about what happened back on the liner and there'll be a doctor to check us out…"

"I've never felt better." One of the refugees, a young man, called out, "That hologirl fixed my broken leg up as good as new."

"So…" Tobias, another one of the refugees inquired, "They're going to do something about Cain?"

"I don't know." Roxanne truthfully answered. The Pegasus is newer and bigger than the Galactica. There might not be much they could do. That's why the decision to stay or go back with the Galactica people has to be a decision each of you must make for yourselves."

"What are you going to do, Roxanne?" A voice called out.

"I'm taking my chances with the Empire." The young mother responded. "It's time for a new beginning and, while the Empire isn't perfect, it's better than what we have now." As she finished her words, several people nodded their heads in agreement.

Shaking his head, Tobias replied, "I'm sorry, Roxanne, but I'm going to go back with the Colonials. I'm Colonial. I think Adama and Roslin can maintain control and I'd rather take my chances with my own people."

"I understand, Tobias." Roxanne smiled back as a few other refugees muttered their agreement with the man. "This is a voluntary decision on everyone's part. You have time to make up your minds. Think about what you want to do—and yes, what you're willing to give up because, regardless of which choice you make, you're going to give up something of value. Those who stay here will have to give up their old lives as Colonial citizens and embrace a new way…a new path. That won't be easy. Those who go back to the Galactica will face an uncertain future, but they'll face it with familiar faces and familiar institutions. But still…it'll be tough for you as well. If any of you have any questions or want to talk, just come to me or Lyla and we'll try to answer them."

As her fellow refugees filed out of the gym, Roxanne turned to the former Pegasus ECO, "Well…I'm glad that's over with."

"You did good, Roxanne." Lyla smiled back. "I think most of them are going to stay, but there'll be a few who decide to go."

"What about you?" Roxanne asked, "I'm sure Adama would give you your commission back if you asked."

Shaking her head, Lyla responded, "I'm staying here. I can't go back. Not after everything that's happened and not after Buster died. No…for better or worse…the Empire's my home now."

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"I need you to do a favor for me, Billy." President Roslin said to her aide standing in front of her desk on Colonial One. "Admiral Adama just informed me that he's sending a raptor to that cylon's ship to recover some prisoners she's holding and also to pick up some Colonial refugees."

"Refugees?" Billy inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes." Roslin nodded her head. "The Contessa said that they recovered them from some Colonial ships that had been stripped by Admiral Cain. I need someone to go over there and take statements from the witnesses."

"Wouldn't a justice officer be a better choice?" Billy demurred.

"Normally…" Roslin sighed, "Yes. But I need someone I can trust who will also be sensitive in his inquiries. I think you're the best person for that. But…this is volunteer. If you don't want to go, I'll get someone else."

"No." Billy shook his head, "I'll go. Besides…" He hesitated for a moment and then decided to speak. "I have some questions I need answered."

"Questions?" Roslin interjected as she raised her eyebrows.

"The Contessa and her people were on Picon. I need to know more about what happened to my parents. I'm hoping they can answer my questions."

"I see." The president nodded her head. "I hope you find your answers. Colonel Tigh will be leaving in twelve hours. You might want to get some rest before going."

"Thanks." Billy smiled as he turned to leave. "I'll be ready."

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"Hey Playa!"

Hearing her name called out, Playa Palacios turned her head to see her producer, Carl Jorgensen, holding a phone in his hands.

"You'll never guess who that was!" Richard exclaimed, pointing to the phone.

"Who?" Playa replied, shaking her head.

"The Old Man himself!" Carl declared, "Admiral Adama! He wants you to go on the shuttle for the prisoner exchange. You're getting a personal sitdown with the mystery Cylon!"

"You better not be yanking my chain!" Playa warned as her heart skipped a beat. "Cause if you are…"

"I'm not." Carl replied in a serious voice. "This Contessa insisted on you and at least one camera person to come over as part of the terms of the exchange. She wants everything public."

"Keeps Cain, Adama, and Roslin honest." Playa surmised, "Smart move. Anything else?" The reporter inquired.

"Yeah." Carl nodded his head, barely keeping his enthusiasm in check. "She and her crew are willing to have you interview them. She says you can ask any questions you want, and she'll answer them to the best of her ability." He then added almost as an afterthought, "So long as it doesn't involve disclosing classified information. So…" He asked, "What do you want me to tell 'em?

"Tell 'em I'm in!" Playa squealed with glee. "When and where?"

"Adama says he'll send someone to get you and your crew about an hour before departure."

"What about James and Sekou?" Playa asked, referring to her fellow Capital Gang anchors.

"Same thing." Carl replied, "Apparently, she didn't limit the number of reporters, but she was adamant about you being there. From what I heard from a confidential source…" Carl lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper as he drew closer to his reporter, "She's been monitoring our broadcasts and feels that she'll get a straight deal from us."

"Well…" Playa remarked as she picked up her purse, "If she doesn't mind answering hard questions and plays straight with me, I'll play straight with her."

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"Admit it!" Skulls exclaimed as he and his partner walked down Elysia's corridor towards the lounge, "That steak was delicious!"

"Better than the field rats we'd been eating." Racetrack reluctantly admitted.

"Heh." Skulls snorted, "You scarfed that beef down in record time." He further remarked, "And didn't it feel good to take a shower without having to worry about freezing?"

"We're prisoners, Hamish!" Margaret retorted as they entered the lounge, "Don't forget it."

"I'm not." Skulls replied, "But at least we're no longer locked up—that's better—isn't it?"

Entering the lounge, Racetrack and Skulls stood at the doorway, mouth agape as they took in the luxurious furnishings. "Damn…" Skulls exclaimed in a hush voice, "This is better than anything on Cloud Nine."

"Maybe. Maybe not." Racetrack sniffed as she spotted the little group gathered around Sharon laughing and talking. "Over here." She muttered, gesturing to a spot on the opposite side of the bar from where the others were sitting. I don't want to be anywhere near those…people."

"All right, Margaret." Hamish sighed, "You're the boss."

"What are you two wallflowers having?"

Looking up, Racetrack and Hamish immediately recognized Bridgette, this time, her hair dyed emerald green and wearing a low-cut corset and miniskirt with black leather boots.

"Damn!" Hamish whistled, "Give a guy some warning next time."

Chuckling, Bridgette again inquired, "So…what do you two guys want? Drink are free you know—provided you get out and mingle later."

Seeing his pilot's nod, Hamish replied, "Do you have any ambrosia?"

"Nope." Bridgette shook her head, "Sandi's trying to score us some from your boss. How's about a bourbon for you." The perky AI then smirked, "And a kamikaze for your friend. A sour cocktail for a sourpuss." Bridgette teased as two drinks appeared before the two Colonial officers as a part of the bar slid open and the cocktails were delivered, "Neat…isn't it?" Bridgette smirked as the two officers took tentative sips of their drinks. Seeing the smiles on the two Colonials faces, the Terran AI smirked, "Told ya I mixed a mean cocktail!"

As Racetrack nursed her drink her eyes occasionally drifted to the woman seated at the other end of the bar wearing a burgundy cocktail dress with ruby inlaid gold earrings and a gold chain belt. Shaking her head, the raptor pilot let out a soft snort.

"What was that for?" Her partner, Skulls, asked as he sipped his bourbon.

Shaking her head, Margaret sipped her drink, "I can't believe that's Ripper."

"What do you mean?" Her ECO asked.

"Look at her." Racetrack replied, "Dressed up and acting like some uptown Picon City princess. Ripper used to wear t-shirts and jeans and could cuss and drink with the best of 'em. You'd never catch her looking and acting like she does now."

"Well…" Skulls waved his arm in a sweeping gesture, "Take a look at this place. Next to this, almost any Colonial luxury yacht would look like a tramp steamer. Can't say as I blame her for wanting to play dress up."

Margaret shook her head, "The Ripper I knew was different. She wouldn't have gotten herself involved with a cylon—much less a woman. She was as straight as they came."

"Why don't you go talk to her. Find out what's going on?" Hamish urged.

"No." Margaret shook her head, "Like I said, she's not Ripper—not anymore."

"Maybe not." Skulls countered, "The Ripper you knew might be gone now. But, would it hurt to get to know Valera?"

"I guess not." Margaret sighed as she stood up and slowly made her way towards her old friend. "Ripper…Valera?"

Watching as his pilot slowly made her way towards her former friend, Hamish heard a soft voice.

"Thanks."

Turning back, Skulls immediately recognized Bridgette. "Thanks for what?"

"For getting her to at least talk with Val."

"Not sure what good it'll do." Hamish replied, shaking his head, "Racetrack can be awful stubborn."

"So can Val…" Bridgette sighed, "But at least it's a start." The AI explained, "Val and Cam are good friends of mine and this dustup between her and your friend has been tearing her up. So…" Bridgette finished as she freshened the Colonial officer's drink, "Thanks from me for trying at least."

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"Oh!" Val exclaimed as she noticed Racetrack approaching, "Margaret! I'm glad you took me up on my offer to talk." She smiled as she patted the stool next to her, motioning for her to sit down.

Seeing the look of hope and anticipation on her old friend's face, the faintest hint of a grin crossed the Galactica pilot's face only to disappear quickly, to be replaced by a frown. "Sure. We can talk." Pausing for a moment, Racetrack then asked, "What happened…why did you…"

"It's a long story…' Valera replied, "You sure you're up for it?"

"Yeah…I guess…" Margaret answered back. "I guess I owe you that much at least."

"Okay…" Val responded, "Here goes…I told you a chunk of it already. How Cam and I misjumped and found ourselves in the Empire and then a little bit about some of the stuff we saw there and here…right?"

"Yeah." Racetrack nodded her head as she sipped her drink, "But I got a feeling there's more."

"There is." Valera confirmed, "Let Bridgette top off our drinks and I'll tell you the whole thing from start to finish—nothing left out—then, if you have any questions, I'll answer them, and we can go from there—fair enough?"

"Yeah." Racetrack again nodded her head, "Fair enough…go ahead, I'm listening."

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Val filled her in on everything that happened to her until, her story completed, she let out a deep sigh as she lit one of Alessandra's cigarettes. "So…" The redhead inquired as she looked her old friend in the eyes, "Got any questions?"

"About a million" Racetrack responded with a sigh of her own. "But I guess the big question is…are you the same Ripper I knew from flight school?"

"No." Valera replied, shaking her head. "Ripper's gone. I'm just Valera now. And yes…I'm finding out new things about myself…"

"Hmphf." Racetrack replied with a snort, "So I've noticed."

"Yeah." Valera nodded her head, "I like to dress up now and I'm getting an appreciation for different things—and for different ways of thinking—about a lot of things. And yes, much of that is due to Sandi and Bridgette—and also Cam, Karl, and Sharon. Yeah…" Val declared as she continued to try to reach her old friend, "Me, Cam, and Sandi are lovers and yeah, sometimes…" Hearing Bridgette's snort, Valera chuckled, "Ok…a lot of times…we can get carried away with each other…but when you're in love, you do that sometimes—and we are very much in love." She said in a warm voice. "But there's more. You see…us, Bridgette, Sharon and Karl—and yeah, Leo and Lyla too—we're a family. Right now, it's us against this corner of the universe—and we're not going to back down. So…" Valera asked, her body stiffening as she offered her hand in friendship, "We okay?"

"Yeah." Margaret replied as she tentatively at first took her friend's hand, her grip gradually firming, "We are."

"Great!" Valera grinned as her face revealed her relief. Eying Sandi and Cameron talking with Helo and Sharon, the redhead motioned with her cigarette, "I'm gonna go join my babes. Why don't you go over there where the Chief, your ECO, and Bridgette are talking and see what they're up to. Then, come over and join us if you want."

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Putting herself in between Cam and Alessandria, Valera draped an arm around each of her lover's shoulders. Smiling at them and at Sharon and Helo, the redhead asked, "So…what's everyone talking about?"

"Nothing much." Cameron replied with a grin, "We were taking bets on whether Cain would try to pull a fast one or not."

"Sucker bet." Valera joked, "You just know Cain's gonna be a dumbass."

"Yeah." Alessandra affirmed with a nod on her head, her jovial tone temporarily vanishing to replaced with a much more serious demeanor, "We're gonna need to make some plans and I'm gonna have to contact Adama in a bit and clue him in—although he's already getting ready for it. He's a smart cookie." The smile returning to her face, the contessa affixed another cigarette into her long silver cigarette holder, "But that can wait 'til later. Right now—we party."

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"What are you talking about, Chief?" Margaret Edmondson inquired as she joined the group standing by the bar.

"I was telling Bridgette…" Tyrol responded with smirk, "That we all might need to rethink some things about the other. Like…for instance, Lieutenant, weren't you involved in that prank that Captain Thrace pulled on Captain Adama?"

"You mean that prank?" Margaret laughed, "The one where she got the stripper from the Prometheus to come in during the morning roll call and do her routine?"

"I remember that one Chief." Skulls laughed.

"Yeah." Racetrack laughed. "CAG was so steamed that he threatened to ground us for a whole year."

"Then Commander Adama came in, took one look at what was going on..." Skulls continued, "...turned around and just walked out without cracking a smile."

"That's because he was laughing his ass off the moment the briefing room door closed behind him." Tyrol recounted.

"Heh!" Bridgette laughed as she glanced at Racetrack, "I didn't think you had a funny bone."

"Well…I do." Margaret countered.

"So do I…" Bridgette teased, "You should see the pictures I took of you getting out of the shower after I turned the water temp way down…"

"You didn't!" Racetrack gasped.

"I sure did." Bridgette smirked. "But I promise I won't show them..." Seeing the look of relief on Racetrack's face the Terran AI added, "Thanks for patching things up with Val, it means a lot to me."

"Yeah…Rip…uh…Val…told me." Margaret replied, adding, "Look—I can't even begin to understand what's going on here with you guys, but she seems happy."

"She is." Bridgette declared, her holographic image smiling. "So…" The perky AI commanded as she refreshed Racetrack's drink and motioned to where Valera was laughing along with her lovers and Sharon and Helo, "Why don't you go join them and for God's sake, HAVE A GOOD TIME!"

"Lieutenant...you heard the lady." Galen quipped with a big smile. "Please, Sir." He pleaded, his smile disappearing, "Get to know them. They don't have to be the enemy. And one day we might just need them."

"All right, Chief…Bridgette!" Racetrack relented with an exasperated sigh. "I'll go over and make nice. Oops…better wait a bit." Margaret motioned towards the blonde Colonial officer approaching Alessandra and the others."

"Blondie better behave herself." Bridgette remarked in a low voice as she also quietly observed developments.

"It'll be okay…" Galen whispered in an effort to ease tensions, "See…" He remarked, jerking his head in the direction of Lee Adama who was moving to intercept the headstrong Starbuck. "If anyone can cool her jets, it's him."

"Let's hope so." Hamish whispered back as Margaret looked on, "Things were just starting to calm down around here."

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"Going over to say hi?" Apollo asked as he fell in beside his old friend.

"Gonna remind a couple of Colonial officers where their duty lies." A determined Kara Thrace replied.

"Kara…" Lee cautioned, "Don't. It won't do any good and it'll only cause problems we don't need right now."

Pausing, Starbuck let out a deep breath, "Yeah…I know." She confessed, "It's just that I feel so…"

"Confused?" Lee interjected.

"Yeah." Kara replied. "Before she came…" Kara motioned towards a laughing Alessandria, "I knew where I was…where everything and everyone stood. But now…after the Pegasus and then what happened to Sharon and hearing about what Cain and the Pegasus was doing to all those civilian ships…'

"I know what you mean." Lee commiserated. "I'm not going to lie to you, Kara, I had a bad feeling about Cain fairly early on—as did dad. But at the time there wasn't much we could do about it."

Lowering her head, Kara whispered in a dejected voice, "She'd taken me in—completely and totally. I can't believe that I was actually buying into her shit."

"Don't feel bad, Kara." Lee consoled, placing a comforting arm around his friend's shoulders. "She'd conned a lot of good people. The thing is, we all wanted to be conned. We wanted someone like Cain to ride in and save the day so, when she arrived, we thought all of our prayers were answered. Unfortunately…"

"We got conned by a sadistic, power-hungry bitch. Kara finished. She then took a deep breath and exhaled, "But what hurts me most, Lee—and I'm betting it's eating you and probably them…" she jerked her head in the direction of Racetrack and Skulls, "…up too—is finding out that the Contessa has Colonial refugees aboard who are actually afraid of anyone wearing a Colonial uniform…"

Letting out a deep sigh of his own, Lee agreed with his old friend, "You're right, Kara. What's hurt me more than anything else—more than even the fact that she ordered Stinger to kill me—was finding out that those refugees are scared of us because of our uniform. We swore an oath to protect these people, Kara. Now, because Cain, Shaw, Thorne, and the rest of them violated that oath, those very people we swore to protect with our lives, fear us."

Starbuck shook her head, "I don't know what to think anymore, Lee. Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys."

As Lee and Starbuck approached the little group gathered at the end of the bar, Kara cleared her throat, "Ahem. Sorry to interrupt..."

Breaking from their conversation, the group all nodded their heads in greeting at the Colonial officer.

"Glad to see you've finally decided to join us." Alessandra grinned as she sipped her drink. "I bet you're ready to get back to your ship."

"Yeah." Kara nodded her head and then turned her attention to Cam and Val. "You know, you two can still come back to us. As far as I'm concerned, you're still Colonial Fleet officers and I'm sure the Commander would welcome you back."

"Captain." Cameron replied diplomatically, "We understand where you're coming from, but we're not leaving the Elysia."

"I know you mean well..." Val added as she placed her arms around Cam and Sandi's waists. "But this is our home now."

"I get you." Starbuck nodded her head as a brief smile crossed Lee's lips, "I had to try though."

Yawning, Alessandra glanced down at her chronometer, her eyebrows raised in a silent signal, "Hmmm...I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling tired and tomorrow's gonna be a long day—I think I'll call it a night. You guys ready to turn in?" Sandi asked, turning to Val and Cam.

"Yeah." Cameron yawned, picking up on the hint, "I could go with a few hours downtime."

"Same here." Val, also reading her lover's body language, concurred as Alessandra raised her voice. "Guys and gals—the three of us are gonna call it a night now, but don't let that stop your partying. Continue having fun, but remember we got a big day tomorrow. Nighty night!" She waved as the threesome made their way out of the lounge.

Seizing at once on the Contessa's hint, both Sharon and Helo made their exits. "We're going to turn in too, Kara. "Captain, could you please see that the Admiral gets this?" Karl asked as he handed Lee an envelope, "It's my resignation."

Sharon then cleared her throat, "Could you also see that he gets this?" She asked as she in turn handed an envelope to the Galactica CAG. "It's something for his eyes only."

"I'll see to it that he gets both, you have my word." Lee swore as the pair departed.

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As Sharon and Helo exited the lounge, their attention was immediately drawn to Sandi and her lovers. Seeing her wave and finger on her lips, they nodded their heads in understanding as they joined their friends. Speaking in a low whisper, Sharon asked, "We picked up on your cue to leave. What's up?"

"Bridge." Sandi whispered back as she linked in to Bridgette. "Bri?

"What's up, Sandi?"

"Can you get me a tight beam transmission to Adama?"

"Ask me to do something difficult." Bridgette snorted.

"And encrypt the beejeezus out of it. I don't want anyone listening in."

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"Everything's ready, Admiral." Colonel Tigh declared as he reported in to his commanding officer. "Doc Cottle and Nurse Ishay have their orders, the reporters are getting their gear together, and the raptor is being prepped for the trip. Also…" the colonel added, "We managed to find a chaplain—Brother Cavil—he'll be coming along as well."

"Good." Admiral Adama nodded his head once in acknowledgement. "President Roslin is sending Billy as her representative. I'd suggest you get some rest, old friend. I have a feeling we're going to have a busy day tomorrow."

"Commander?" Dee called out, "I'm getting a transmission from the Elysia, tight beam and highly—and I do mean highly—encrypted."

"Must be important." Tigh grunted as Adama nodded his head.

Nodding his head, Adama spoke, "This is Galactica Actual."

"This is Elysia Actual." Alessandra, for once, adhering to protocol, replied, her voice coming through the CIC speakers. "I figure in about twelve hours or so, Cain will have her engines fixed. She's probably whipping her engineers—and I wouldn't bet against her doing that literally, because they're making a lot better progress than I anticipated."

"Agreed." Adama nodded his head, "I also noticed the change in your deployment."

"I noticed the change in yours as well." The Contessa acknowledged, "So…I take it we both see Cain rather than each other as the greater threat."

"That would also be an accurate assessment." Adama concurred. "So…what do you propose."

"If she's going to do something reckless, it'll be while your shuttles are in transit back to the Galactica." Alessandra conjectured. I think she realizes that an attack on either one or both of our ships would be very expensive for her."

"Correct." The admiral replied.

"So, the obvious target would be the civilian ships." Alessandra declared. "She's going to force us to either chase her or intercept her missiles—and since we're not going to be able to intercept all of them, no matter how hard we try, we're going to have to conduct search and rescue. If we protect the civilians, we're going to have to let her go. So…your call—her or the civvies. Personally…" The Contessa announced, "Even though I really…really…hate that whore and her bitch lackey and would love nothing more than to fry them both, I truly, believe it or not, don't want to see a lot of innocent people suffer. It's not their fault they're in this mess, and, even though I've got some real grudges against you, I'm willing to put them on hold for now because I know that deep down somewhere there's a decent guy. So—what do you want to do? Do we work together or what?"

Turning his eyes towards his executive officer, the Admiral raised his eyebrows, encouraging him to speak. "I hate to say it." Colonel Tigh groused, "But the cylon's got a point. If Cain does attack the civilian ships, and she probably will, we're going to lose a lot of souls if we don't work together."

"Much as it turns my stomach, Saul." Adama took a deep breath, "You're right." Raising his voice, Adama spoke, "Elysia? We agree."

"Good." The Contessa replied, "I'll have Bridgette coordinate with your people."

Adama then heard the Contessa call out, "Bri?" and another voice answer back, "Yeah, Sandi?"

"It's your show now."

Moments later, another voice came through the speaker, this one speaking with a playful lilt, "Hey there, I'm Bridgette. Am I talking to you, Grumps?

"This is Admiral Adama." The admiral replied through clenched teeth.

"So…" The joking voice inquired, "Who do I talk to about getting things ready when Ms. Looney Tunes decides to do her Crazy Thing."

"You'll coordinate with Lieutenant Gaeta and Petty Officer Dualla." Adama answered back.

"Ok." Bridgette confirmed, "Lieutenant Gaeta…Petty Officer Dualla, please tell me you two got first names other than Lieutenant and Petty Officer."

Taken by surprise, Lieutenant Gaeta responded, "Felix."

"And I'm Dee." Dualla answered back.

"Great, Felix…Dee. You can call me Bridgette or Bri. Now…let's get started."

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"Well…that should take care of everything." Alessandra yawned, this time for real.

"What about Gina?" Sharon asked.

"I promised her I would not turn her back over to the Colonials…" The Contessa declared, "And I'm going to keep that promise. We'll give her one of the spare raptors and let her go. Assuming Cain attacks, then we'll turn her lose during all the confusion. She should be able to slip out and make her get away. If not, then we make a quick hyperspace jump and let her go and then go on to Caprica."

"Sounds good to us." Sharon and Karl agreed as Alessandra's lovers also voiced their consent.

"Great." Sandi grinned, "I'll let Leo know in the morning and he can clue her in while we're dealing with our guests."

"Then I guess we're all set, Sandi." Cam agreed as Sharon and Karl bid the threesome good night. As the lovers approached their quarters, Cameron continued, "Galactica should be sending its raptor and shuttles over in about eight hours and we've got a list of those who'll be staying and those going."

"Great." The Contessa sighed as she slipped off her clothes, "We better get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a busy day."

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"Captain Garner reports that he'll have the engines ready when you need them and the Galactica prisoners and the other malcontents have been moved to Cargo Holds Echo and Charlie." Major Shaw reported as she came to attention before Admiral Cain's desk. "We'll be ready to move when you give the word."

"Excellent." Helena Cain replied. "We'll strike when Adama's people are on their return flights from the Cylon ship."

"What about Stinger?" Kendra inquired.

"Can't be helped." Cain replied, "Casualty of war. Get some rest now, we have a lot of work to do tomorrow."