Chapter 21 – Glass Houses
Reporters.
Bill couldn't help but stand there studying each and every one of them. He couldn't believe just how many had chosen to risk their own safety to attend a press conference. A press conference to tell them what they'd already been told yesterday. "The Tillium Ore extraction will take between 24 – 36 hours. The fleet will then jump away to safety with enough fuel to sustain them for 2…. maybe 3 years if they're careful." End of story.
It amazed him that even though they knew the risks in travelling to Galactica they came anyway. At first, nobody said they were coming. Then one reporter decided to risk it. He supposed she thought she'd score an exclusive by being the only one to attend the briefing. That was enough to cause the domino effect as one-by-one others followed suit, so afraid that they might get scooped!. Bill shook his head as he stood in the conference room looking at over half the press corps present.
"Such a Greedy bunch' he thought. Bill could hardly hide his distain for the press. He'd never had much use for reporters and liked them even less now that he saw how much more difficult they made Laura's days. She couldn't sneeze without one of those blood suckers closing in on her…. What's wrong with the President? Does she have a cold? Maybe it's serious… Is it cancer again? How much longer does she have to live?... NO YOU IDIOTS! She just sneezed because one of you haven't figured out that your suppose to dab on your perfume… not marinate in it!
He watched them scurry into the room battling for the best vantage point. Gods, the press conference wasn't for another couple of hours yet here they were, rallying for position, so afraid the other guy might get a better angle. He snarled under his breath before turning to leave the room.
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Bill entered his quarters to find Starbuck and Laura in the study. Starbuck rose to her feet and saluted him as he came in.
"At ease Starbuck." He said. "You two look like you're deep in conversation, what's up?"
"Well sir, Baltar is in Sick Bay."
"What happened?"
Starbuck shrugged. "I guess Ariel went straight to her mother after we had lunch. She told her everything. Her mother freaked out and went to Melissa's dad and told him what was going on…. The Dad freaked out and attacked Baltar…. Nearly choked him to death… it took five men to pull him off of him. By the time he let go Baltar was unconscious. "
"Will he be OK?"
"Doc Cottle says he's fine. There's a fair amount of bruising around the throat but he says he'll make a full recovery. Both Melissa's father and Ariel's Mom are pressing charges. All in all sir, I'd say it's a 'mission completed'"
"You really did this one quickly and efficiently Starbuck… I have to say I'm impressed."
Starbuck laughed. "I must admit, I'm a little impressed myself sir."
"Very well Starbuck. Thank you."
Starbuck then turned to the President and bid her a farewell before leaving them to discuss the recent developments.
As the hatch closed Laura looked up at Bill "Wow." Was all she said.
"yeah." He responded.
"I have to say Bill, I didn't expect this all to happen so quickly. This is wonderful news."
"Yes it is. It will be nice to have that pain in the ass out of the way."
"Yes it will."
Bill leaned in and kissed her quickly before turning to go.
"Where are you going?"
"I thought I'd visit a sick friend." He said
Laura smiled as she watched him go through the hatch.
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Baltar looked like a frightened child. He was whining and complaining to the nurse about his throat being sore and how the water they'd given him to drink wasn't cold enough. He was nearly whimpering as he asked her where his lawyer was.
"For the twentieth time Dr. Baltar. I DON'T KNOW!. Maybe they're having a difficult time finding someone who's willing to represent a pedophile!" she stated as she adjusted his IV line, causing as much pain as she could without crossing that fine line between 'questionable bedside manner' and 'obvious abuse'.
Baltar winced as she finished her adjustments and then defended himself "I am NOT a pedophile! I swear, I didn't know how old those girls were!"
"An honorable man would have asked." Bill said, as he stepped in from behind the curtain.
"Admiral Adama. Thank God. Can you please explain to this young lady that I am not the sort of man who has sex with children? Please explain to her that I am a respectable scientist and that I have a huge group of people who are ready and willing to defend my reputation, character, and good name at the drop of a hat?"
"Do you now?" Bill asked
"Admiral Adama. You, of all people, are aware of how much of a 'following' I have. You know how devoted my people are to me… they aren't going to just sit by and let this slander happen to my good name."
Bill looked down at him. Baltar couldn't help but shrink down into his mattress at the sight of the Admiral hovering over him. "Dr. Baltar. I think you might be surprised at how some of your followers receive this new revelation about you. Many things are forgivable, but I have always found that the public in general does not look kindly on child abuse…. Especially abuse of a sexual nature."
Baltar looked at him and then it suddenly hit him. "Oh my Gods. You were behind this. You and the President."
Bill hovered a little closer so that their words could not be over-heard. "I don't know what you're talking about Dr. Baltar"
"Of course you do Admiral. Why else would you be here?... if not to see first hand what you've caused… if not to gloat… if not to bask in the glory of what you perceive to be success?"
"I am here." His face a mere inches from Baltar's "because this crime took place on my ship. MY SHIP… that's unacceptable. I am here to make sure you know that I will do everything in my power to ensure that you go away for a very long time. Have you had the pleasure of visiting the Astral Queen?... it's quite lovely."
"Astral Queen? You can't be serious! For having sex?"
"For having sex with a MINOR Dr. Baltar. TWO COUNTS."
"I didn't know they weren't eighteen!" he exclaimed for the thousandth time that day. "Admiral, you started this…. we both know you did. You need to put a stop to it, immediately" he stated.
"I had nothing to do with this Doctor… this is all your doing. And I have no intention on helping you in any way. In fact, like I said earlier, I will do everything in my power to ensure a conviction."
Bill then turned and began to walk away.
"You might want to reconsider Admiral." Baltar called out to him. "Considering you've got indiscretions of your own to be concerned about."
Bill froze in his tracks. "I have no idea what you're talking about." He said as he closed the gap between them one more time.
"Come on now Admiral. Do you two think we're all blind?" Baltar asked.
Bill found himself once again up-close and personal with the Doctor. "What the frak are you talking about?" he hissed.
"Do you think I don't know where the President has been sleeping when she stays on Galactica?" Gaius asked.
"Everyone knows where she stays on Galactica Baltar. That's not a secret."
"Yes, but do they know where you lay your head when she's in your bed?"
Bill's anger began to bubble as his face turned to a slight shade of red. "Struck a cord have I?" Baltar added with arrogance.
"You don't know what you're talking about."
Baltar laughed. "I most certainly do Admiral, and you know it. I know that you go to your quarters every night and that you don't leave until early in the morning…. when you sneak off to pretend that you've spent the night with Saul Tigh."
Bills jaw began to tighten as his eyes bore down on his foe with a vengeance. Baltar continued. "How do you think the Quorum will react to the news that their fair and lovely President is having an affair with the Admiral of the fleet?"
Bill placed his hand over Baltar's throat, slightly pressing down on the already severely bruised flesh. His face was no more than an inch from his as he hissed his warning. "You leave her out of this. You so much as mention her name again and you'll have more than the Astral Queen to worry about."
He then turned to leave once again.
Baltar then played his last trump. "There are photographs Admiral. Close-up shots of you coming and going from your quarters. They do tell quite a story."
Bill looked down at him. "They tell nothing! There's nothing to tell."
As Bill walked away Baltar yelled across the room at him.
"Don't you think the timing is perfect Admiral? There's a room full of reporters just down the hall that are just craving a good story…. "