Title: Faoi Dheireadh
Part: 26
Rating: PG, maybe PG-13 later
Pairing: A/R
Summary: The survivors of the Holocaust have finally reached Earth, but they find out that's not the end of their problems
Beta: Mariel & Elly
Note: I do want to thank Vi, Marta, Axelrajr, Moggie, and AlbertG for their expertise. Without their input this story would not be what it is today. Be warned, this takes place sometime near the end of season two. Anything after Epiphanies are conjectures from the author's warped mind. . .

Disclaimer: Battlestar Galactica and its characters are creations of Glen Larson and copywrited by Universal Studios. I make no money off of this.

Colonial speech: " "
English speech: ' '

Chapter Twenty-six

Angela pulled the last of her clothing out of the locker located beside her rack and set it on the chair. On the deck was her seabag, open and ready to receive more of her personal items - already a third of the way full.

'You can turn on the lights,' Becky commented from behind the curtain in her rack.

'Since you're awake, you might as well get up and help. Don't worry, I've got the door open only a crack,' added Angela commented as she put the next layer of clothing in her seabag.

'Darn,' came the muffled answer.

Angela rolled her eyes at her roommate. Becky pushed the curtain to the side while getting up then disappeared into the head. When she emerged, she was wearing a tank top along with a pair of shorts. Going to the door, she flipped the lights on then handed over several items she retrieved while in the head. 'What happened to your hand?' Becky asked as her eyes trained on the bandage covering her hand.

Angela looked down, she had completely forgotten about it being wrapped up. She answered grasping the small package Becky held out to her. 'Stress, and not having this made me try and beat up their ship. It didn't work.'

Becky's face dropped letting a slow smile creep across her face. 'You mean you didn't play rough with anyone over there?'

Angela rolled her eyes at the obvious innuendo, giving a rude gesture, then set the medication with her other toiletries that were missed the first time around on her rack beside the expanding bag.

'You know something, they've been jealous all up and down the corridor of me.'

'How's that?' Angela nestled a framed picture in between several layers of clothing.

'I've had the cabin all to myself, that's why,' Becky smiled as she plopped onto her rack. Her eyes eventually strayed to the other rack. 'Oh, you're taking your blanket?'

'Like you should know? You know something. . .I found you underneath it when I started packing.'

Becky grinned. 'You gotta admit, it is warm.'

'But it's not yours. You know I did wonder why it didn't come over with the original delivery. If they were marines, they would know to make sure to pack it.' Turning to her friend she put her hands on her hips and looked at her with a questioning look.

Becky shrugged. 'You do know it gets a bit chilly at night.'

'Well, if you really want to know, it's already packed. That was the first thing I put in my seabag after pulling it from your rack.'

'You know, I'm going to miss that.'

'Then get your own,' Angela countered as she pulled open the bottom drawer on her side of the desk.

'But I'm not Scot,' she whined. 'And I don't have that kind of money.'

'Not my problem,' Angela grinned to herself as she reached down and pulled out an old style backpack. She set it on the desk then returned to retrieving her things out of the other drawers. 'Since you mentioned being by yourself, I've got the same over there.' Angela straightened then looked around for the next piece of clothing to be packed.

'Which is?'

'I don't know what to do, they've got me in VIP quarters. It's at least twice the size of a single occupant, and its own head.' Angela sighed. 'I'm in security, why would they do this?' she asked.

'Maybe because they think you're important?' Becky quickly put a civilian garment in the seabag while Angela was busy with the items in the desk.

'Becky, please remove that. I'm not going to need it.'

The dirty blonde hair woman looked up then unashamedly reached down to put another set of civilian clothing in the bag. This time it was a nice dress.

'What am I going to do with you?' Angela asked herself.

'Nothing, because once I leave this room I outrank you,' Becky answered with a large smile on her face.

'I know that. I just want to know what I am going to do with you.' Angela finally gave up and let her roommate have her way. 'You might as well finish it off.'

'Why thank you!' A smile spread across Becky's face when she finally noticed the bag on the desk while packing some shoes. 'Looks like you're going to do some training. Is it a long term assignment the skipper's got you on?'

'I'm not sure, but yeah, I am training them. Their marines only know brute force. She also made me the liaison. Don't know why, though.'

Becky's smile widened. 'Ohh, marines. . .are they cute?'

Angela shook her head in amusement, 'Marines are marines anywhere you go.'

'So, is there one outside?' Becky got up and moved towards the door.

'No, there is not one outside.' Angela knelt down and started packing her toiletries. While there, she looked up from her crouched position on the other side of the seabag, and then back down again as she put another set of BDU's in the bag. 'Listen, Becky. I'm in a hurry and Felix is waiting.' Angela closed her eyes while realizing her mistake. Crap!

'Felix, hm?' Becky answered with a wide grin on her face. 'You know, I have to meet him.'

'Wait!' Angela reached out to stop the higher ranked officer, but she was too quick and bounced out and into the corridor. 'Damn it, Becky!'

'What?' the blonde answered innocently while dragging Gaeta into the cabin. Confusion and surprise fought for dominance over his face. She was talking so fast it sounded like gibberish even to Angela.

'Becky, he can't understand you,' Angela stood up and clipped the bag closed. She could tell Gaeta was now very uncomfortable and wanted to retreat back to the relative safety of the corridor. For a moment frustration got the better of her, and she pulled Becky physically away from him and put herself in between them. 'He's also a Colonial officer and the one I've been working with.'

Becky's pout turned into a wide grin. 'Convenient. . .'

Not even wanting to go there, Angela went back over to her seabag and flipped it onto her shoulder then grabbed the backpack. 'I don't know when I'll be back, so be good!' She then pushed Gaeta out ahead of her while trying to ignore the peals of laughter that now came from the cabin. 'I swear. . .' she grumbled through gritted teeth. Casting a glance to the side, she couldn't help but tell he was relieved to get out of there. "I sorry," she apologized for Becky's uncouth behavior.

'Who was that?'

Angela looked up, surprised that she was able to understand his question. She realized why when she caught sight of the pda. 'My roommate, Becky Tolliver.' The trip to the next destination was relatively quiet. This time, by happenstance, they stayed on the same level. It was only several twisting corridors away. Stepping inside, she let the pack slide from her shoulders then placed the smaller backpack onto the desk she used. Turning around she said, "I need pda."

Gaeta nodded, handing it over. Before his earlier rude shock, he had been messing around with it, not quite sure what he was doing, but he was surprised at how easy it was to get the translation program up and running. Even with the simplicity of the setup he considered that a major achievement.

Angela pulled up the walkie-talkie function again. She placed it on the desk then went around the joiner walls to another small office. 'Commander Stuart, sir?'

'Back already, Lieutenant?' her security chief asked.

'No, sir. Training manuals. Where are the digital ones?'

'Cabinet to the left of the desk, bottom drawer.' He paused before continuing, 'Any reason why you're asking about them?'

'Training. Their security is woefully inadequate. I was on one of their civilian ships and I don't remember seeing any type of police force. I bet that means they're having to use marines.'

'Ouch. They would need a crash course in handling civilians. And,' he smiled as he continued, 'At least you're not going to lose your edge. Take what you need, I'll sign off on it and let the skipper know.'

'Thank you, sir,' she ended the conversation and saluted. When he returned it she went back around to her own office and filing cabinet.

'Lieutenant, make sure all planetary references are purged from whatever you give them,' Stuart's muffled voice came through the ventilation shaft between the walls.

'Yes, sir,' Angela answered loud enough for him to hear while kneeling down to open the drawer. Going through the various files, she chose specific ones so she could convert them over to the Colonial language then print them out. She would have them returned in her next trip to the ship. Moving to another cabinet, Angela placed her hand in a specified area and waited. About ten seconds later, the security verified both her hand print and DNA then opened up what turned out to be a weapons locker.

"Glennan? What are you doing?" Gaeta came up behind her. Before he could place a hand on her shoulder, she grabbed a nasty looking knife and turned brandishing the weapon. He hastily backed up a few steps to get away from Glennan's range of motion and stumbled over her seabag. The wall stopped his backwards momentum, but he still slid to the floor. He was more worried about what could happen to him with that knife than him being sprawled on the deck. Memories of what she did to Baltar were still fresh in his mind. Suddenly her serious expression changed to concern as she moved over to his position. Seeing that he was all right her look transformed once more, but now into an impish grin when she took the knife and bent it then ran it against her arm. 'Training weapon.' Placing it on the desk she went back and retrieved several others. "Marines have. . .no. . .need train."

Gaeta nodded slowly while standing back up. He was not sure if he should accept her word on that or not.

Taking the pda, Angela thought a moment before writing something down. "Listen, your marines need training in how to deal with a civilian that has a knife. Barging in with guns blazing will not work. It will only make the suspect more wary and more likely to use what they have. They need to know how to disarm someone like that and not kill them in the process." Putting the pda down for a moment, she then grasped the training knife and handed it over to him for inspection. "I would like to bring this and a few other training aids to help. They are at a huge disadvantage when dealing with civilians. Another thing is that your marines need to instill trust with the civilians. Once that is done, you have won half the battle."

The comm. rang suddenly as he was looking over it. Glancing back she saw Gaeta looking around for the sound of the sudden noise. Turning her attention back to it, Angela rolled her eyes. They always seem to know exactly where I'm at, she bemoaned. Reaching out to the instruments on the desk she flipped the channel open. 'Glennan.'

'XO. You need to be at the skipper's at sea cabin in 30 along with the Colonial officers.'

'Sir, I have one with me. I'm not sure where the liaison and pilot are at the moment. I left them in the pilot's ready room.'

'Find them.'

Angela rolled her eyes, but answered, 'Yes, sir. We will all be there in 30.'

Glancing to her seabag she knew she would not be able to take it to the raptor and back in time. Letting a tight smile cross her face, she reactivated the pda since it went to standby mode. 'Spencer and Jackson, I need you in my office, ASAP.'

She turned her attention back to the cabinet and the training weapons. Underneath the case was a drawer that held various colored chalk that was used with certain hand weapons. Looking through them, she found two that would work and put those on the desk. When she felt she had everything she needed, she closed both the drawer and the cabinet. It locked automatically.

"What was that about?"

'Stuff,' she commented as she opened her hand while looking at the knife Gaeta still held. When she physically indicated the knife, he nodded and handed it over, but confusion still spread across his face from her comment. Angela thought for a moment of what she could possibly do to help him. Raising a finger, she went back to the filing cabinet and opened a different drawer. While she was searching through the files the two marines she called stepped into the room. 'Spencer and Jackson reporting as ordered, ma'am.'

Angela smiled to herself but commented, 'Stand easy. There's something I need to find first.'

'Yes, ma'am,' the two marines answered.

Gaeta looked at the Terran marines. They now seemed completely relaxed and had grins on their faces. It was almost like they were glad to see her.

'Found it,' she muttered as she pulled out another program. 'Now if only I can have that loner on a permanent loan,' she muttered as she began stuffing the different items in her backpack. 'I'm glad to see both of you are alive and well,' she commented.

'Yes, ma'am,' Spencer answered. 'We've missed you.'

'Well, you can show your appreciation of that by having my seabag and backpack taken to the raptor in the lower hanger on ell-three. Don't worry, you won't miss it, it's like nothing you've ever seen before.' She smiled as she brought the now filled small bag over to the two marines and handed it to Jackson.

'Thanks, ma'am. You know, this is what I've always wanted,' Spencer answered with amusement as he went over to the seabag.

'Thought so,' she patted him on the shoulder while leaving the room.

When Gaeta caught up with her, she apologized, "I'm sorry. It's just that I am on a very tight schedule and don't have the time to explain everything to you. I hope you understand."

He nodded. "After what we did to you without realizing, and with me being here, I now understand what you had to deal with. It has been very educational."

"Don't worry. I made sure to procure some English grammar lessons. It's geared towards any language so I can easily input yours into it. That should help you learn the language."

Switching back to the walkie-talkie, she spoke again, 'Lovett.'

'Go ahead.'

'Those two Colonial officers.'

'Wait. . .pilots again. This time in the dirty shirt ward room.'

'All right, thanks.' She hesitated then made another call, 'XO?'

'Yes?'

'Sir, I'm on my way to retrieve the Colonial officers.' Angela glanced at the time before continuing, 'I will be there on time.'

'Roger.'

"You can find anyone at any time?" Gaeta asked when he figured out what she just did. His appraisal of the small computer was improving by the minute. To be able to get that sort of thing done that quickly would make life so much easier on the Galactica, he thought to himself.

Angela looked at him a moment before nodding her head. "I need to retrieve Thrace and the liaison. We will then meet up with the captain and President Roslin in the captain's cabin. First though, I need to get my pda."

Gaeta looked at his watch, surprised that much time had already passed.

"I will ask Ferguson, and then the skipper if I can have this one on a permanent loan." Angela held up the computer they had both been using since coming on board. Turning, they both went in another direction. When they stopped Gaeta thought he recognized the corridor for a moment, but shrugged it off. He felt like he had been all over the ship in the short time he had been there.

'Ferguson?' Angela called as she stepped back inside the office. 'What did you find out?'

'Ma'am,' he answered while turning around to retrieve the pda. 'You were right about the hard drive being wiped. I was able to save most of the files, but a few were corrupted beyond our ability to reconstruct them.'

'Only a few?' she asked as he handed over the pda.

'Yes, ma'am,' he answered. 'It didn't take long to get the programs back up and running, including the translation one.'

'Thank you. You have no idea how hard it is not being able to communicate.' Angela closed her eyes in relief.

'How long?'

'About a day and a half, or something like that.' She hesitated before continuing. 'I would, though, like to have this loaner. Not as a backup, but so he can learn English.' Angela pointed backwards with her thumb over her shoulder towards Gaeta.

Ferguson looked at the Colonial officer for a moment then nodded. Turning around once again, he pulled open one of the many drawers that lined the walls. Delving his hand into it, he pulled out several batteries and a charger similar to the one Angela used. Closing that drawer, he opened another one and pulled out a cradle. 'Think you have enough hands?' he asked as he set everything on the desk including her instillation discs.

Angela let a smile cross her face before shaking her head. 'No, but that doesn't matter. If I stay here any longer I'll be running late.' As she backed up, Ferguson stood up and saluted her. While answering it she commented, 'Get Spencer up here for it.'

'What do I tell him?' Ferguson asked as she was leaving.

'That it goes with what I'm taking,' she threw over her shoulder.

When they turned a corner she stopped and threw her arms around him, half in relief and half in giddiness that it wasn't as bad as she thought it was. Her innocent relief turned into something else and they quickly backed away from each other, not quite sure what had happened.

'Sorry,' she mumbled as she turned and started moving back down the corridor now blushing furiously.

Gaeta stood there, stunned. Quickly recovering, he caught up with her before she turned the corner but remained at a cautionary distance. He knew if he lost sight of her he would be hopelessly lost.

Switching her pda to her good hand, Angela flexed her bandaged hand for a moment to stop the twinge that started up. This time the trip was taken at a brisk walk that bordered on a jog. When they stopped she indicated the door and the plate with words engraved on it before speaking, 'Wardroom No. 1.'

The door was closed, which Angela thought was odd. Grasping the simple doorknob she pulled it open revealing a whole bunch of officers and noncoms along with the two Colonial Officers. Most of the Terrans were wearing jumpsuit type coveralls. Kara was with the pilots in an apparent engrossing conversation, while the other, she had yet to learn his name, was with the officers. Looking to Gaeta, Angela indicated the Colonial liaison. "Name?"

"Agathorn."

Nodding, she turned to address the group. 'Agathorn and Thrace. I need you to come with me.'

The two Colonial officers turned and looked at Angela, not quite sure what she wanted. The pilots were slowly backing away from Kara as if they did not want to even be seen by her. After writing it out, she repeated her request, as she saw it, "Agathorn and Thrace. I need you to come with me."

Helo looked at her with curiosity as he moved across the room. Kara, though, seemed to be studying the Terran liaison openly. Just as she reached them she turned back around while grinning, and winked at the pilots.

"So, where are we going?" Kara asked.

Even though it wasn't translated, Angela had a good idea of what the Colonial pilot asked. "We are to meet up with the Captain and President Roslin in the at captain's cabin." Finishing, Angela shifted the pda to her other hand and attempted to shake out the cramps that were beginning to flair up in her damaged hand.

"Are you all right?" Kara asked, now concerned.

Angela shrugged her shoulders. "I good." The way she took them, though, was through a winding maze of corridors. "We go fast. Only way," Angela explained as she climbed a ladder to reach the next level. They arrived at their destination a minute early. The two Colonial marines were separated, guarding the door leading into the office and the one just down the pway. Even though there were few higher ranked officers that used the corridor, they still looked warily at everyone that passed by. Whey they saw the group coming, they visibly relaxed, relieved to see someone they recognized. Entering the main office, Angela saluted smartly.

'You're right on time, Lieutenant,' Mair commented, most of her attention, though, was on Roslin. The Colonial President had moved over to the wall and was looking through one of the books on the shelf.

'Thank you, ma'am.'

'Everything taken care of?'

'Yes.' Angela nodded then glanced to the officers that were with her. From there she turned her attention to the only other occupant. She recognized Captain Donelson from her years at the academy.

"I am sorry about the wait, but my XO has not arrived yet. When he gets here, we can get something to eat."

'Ma'am?' Angela asked with some confusion.

'Glennan, it is my prerogative to give you the chance to dine with the rest of us.'

Angela gave her a sad smile while nodding.

Getting up, Mair moved around the desk slowly then placed a hand on her shoulder, 'But, there are some things I can do without them breathing down my neck. So, but not yet, I will be giving you a field promotion up to where you should be.'

'Thank you, but I don't think that's necessary, ma'am. I don't think it will stick.'

'Who knows?' Mair gave her a smile. She was about to say something else, but the side door opened and O'Bryan stepped inside.

Mair gave him a stern look while commenting, 'You're late.'

'Sorry, ma'am,' he answered while saluting. 'Just making sure everything was set up.'

Mair nodded then turned her attention back to Laura. "Ma'am?"

The Colonial President turned around with a question in her eyes. "Yes?"

"If you could, dinner is ready."

Laura nodded as she turned back around and slid the book back in place. What she had found only raised more questions in who these Terrans were, though she had a gut feeling that there was much more information than what she found and that she would know the answers to the questions. It was just that O'Neill was unwilling to divulge any of it.

Instead of going out the entrance, Mair directed them through the same door the XO used. It was just an easier way to get to the Captain's Mess. Inside there was a medium size table in the center covered with a white linen tablecloth. The china dishware had the ships crest emblazoned in the center. The walls were decorated with prints of various ships, whether they be from the current generation, or from the naval tradition. Not all of the prints were of ships, some were of the aircraft traditions that started in the Twentieth Century. The drinking vessels along with the silverware were tastefully placed on the table with a decoration of yellow flowers in a opaque crystal vase in the center to give a splash of color to the richly decorated room.

Laura looked over the setting while nodding.

"Ma'am, if you will?" Mair directed Laura to one end of the table but shook her head. Positioning herself at the other end, Mair had the two groups dispersed among each other with the ship's XO on her right, and the fleet's XO on Roslin's right. By chance or design Angela was seated across from Gaeta and Kara was beside her. That was the last thing she wanted. They were not completely interspersed, but it couldn't be helped since she had Jack seated beside her.

When they were all seated and before the petty officers arrived, several of the Terrans bowed their heads for a moment. When they raised their heads, the officers came through a back door and began serving the group.

"Captain, I didn't know you had this early a lunch?" Laura commented as she watched the first course being served.

"Ma'am, it's not lunch. This is dinner. We are several hours ahead of your fleet time." Drawing her attention to Angela and her pda, she continued, 'Lieutenant, don't worry about that. I will translate.'

'Yes, ma'am,' she answered.

Mair looked towards the door into the kitchen, 'Lieutenant Wroth?'

'Yes, ma'am,' one of the stewards came out.

'Could you take Lieutenant Glennan's pda and put it in a safe place for now?'

'Yes, ma'am,' he answered while retrieving the small computer.

'Thank you,' Angela commented while handing the instrument over.

When he disappeared Mair looked across the table and decoration to the Colonial President. "I believe you would like to know who I have invited."

"That would be nice," Laura countered while studying her.

You're reading me as any politician would, Mair thought as she began her introductions. When finished she sat back, hoping that Roslin would give her the same courtesy. The Colonial President was by no means required do it.

Laura looked at the different Terran officers, seeing if she could read them. Not getting anything of value she decided to return the favor and introduce the officers with her. When finished, she was reminded of the dinner she had with Bill early on in their flight. Things were similar, but very different at the same time. She did notice how O'Neill was looking very critically at Major Gaeta. The Terran leaned over to her XO and said something quietly while glancing back to Gaeta.

"Madam President, it seems Lieutenant Thrace seems extremely interested in the dinner service," Mair commented.

Laura looked to Kara and then glanced to the other officers. When she finally did speak she seemed to choose her words carefully, "It seems, Captain, that by happenstance or design the creature on your ship's crest is almost the same from our own myths."

Shit, she's close and will figure everything out soon, Mair thought. "I'm impressed," she answered. "But I cannot answer your comments at this time. It would probably take an in-depth look at our different histories to find out how similar or dissimilar the myths really are," she attempted to sidestep the issue. "Now, Major Gaeta might be able to answer my own question."

Gaeta looked up in surprise to first Mair and then Laura, not quite sure if he should answer. Getting an almost imperceptible nod from Roslin, he turned back to Mair and answered, "I'm not sure if I can or not."

"It's not difficult. My fleet XO, though, is curious at how you were able to detect his ship."

Gaeta looked down quickly. He was not about to give away any of their abilities, though he found it was very interesting. This was something he would have to tell Admiral Adama when they got back to the Galactica.

"Major?" Mair asked, trying to get his attention.

"I'm sorry," he answered as he looked up again. "It is rather complicated. Basically, we were able to pick it up against the backdrop of the M8 Astral body." It was close to what they did, but not exactly the events.

Mair gave a wan smile, knowing that was the best she would get. They need some way to protect themselves, she thought. Still she relayed what she found to Donelson.

'That's all he's going to say?' Mark asked.

'XO, if our positions were reversed, what would you do?'

'Right,' he answered with a sigh. Glancing to the side, he saw that Gaeta's eyes had strayed over towards Glennan then just as quickly looked in another direction as if he were ignoring the liaison.

The rest of the meal went smoothly and when finished they rose and started filing out of the room, this time to the pway.

'Lieutenant Glennan,' Wroth came from the galley carrying the pda.

'Thank you,' she nodded as she accepted her computer back. Balancing it on her wrist she made sure that everything was there. She had stopped using it during the dinner because the pain had greatly intensified.

"Glennan."

Angela turned around and looked at Gaeta warily while nodding.

"Here." He handed over the medication the med. tech gave him that morning. He had only just remembered that he still had it with him when he saw her greatly favoring her damaged hand.

She knew he wouldn't give her anything that would hurt her, plus she could tell it was medication. Nodding she opened her hand and let him drop the pills into it. She grimaced then quickly swallowed them down with some water. Looking back around, she saw he had already left the room and was waiting in the pway for the rest of the group.

Mair looked at Glennan with marked interested. She knew Angela wouldn't accept any type of pills without questioning the person first unless she already had a good idea of the other's character. She understood there had to be at least some trust that has been established since she had gone over.

When most everyone had exited the room, Mair stood up slowly. Her own problems had started up during the meal, but she was able to hide it since she was sitting down. Getting up and moving across the room, though, would be a challenge. She stood up slowly, while bracing herself against the table. Good thing that most, if not all the crystal, had been cleared from the table. The service was of very high quality, and she didn't want to break anything by accident. Removing her hands, she balanced precariously for a moment before attempting a step. She knew it was a bad decision when she stumbled and smacked her leg against one of the chairs. The overwhelming pain made her cry out as she collapsed to the deck.

'Skipper,' Jack came back into the room and knelt beside her. 'Why didn't you tell me?' he asked as he helped her to sit up.

'I was too busy trying to read the Colonials,' she mumbled her answer. 'Also, get Mark in here. I want him to escort them back to the hanger.'

'Yes, ma'am,' Jack answered as he stood up. Making sure she was stable he went to the gathering group. All the Colonials had confused looks on their faces, not sure what was going on.

'Captain Donelson, the skipper wants you to escort our guests back to the hanger.'

'Will she be all right?' he asked.

'In a few days. She hit her leg pretty hard.'

'Ouch. All right, I will.' He turned and used his hand to indicate the direction they should go. He knew the main pways of the ship, and could get them to the hanger that way, but it would take longer than the hodgepodge secondary pways.

'Jack,' Mair almost whispered.

'Yes,' he asked as he picked her up.

'I want you to send a message to Admiralty on the condition of the Colonials. If they have someone that young as an executive officer you know they're in bad straits.'

'That's what I was thinking when he was introduced.'

Sergeant Hadrian walked into CIC with a report in hand. Looking around she spotted Adama down near the commander's station and immediately moved towards him. "Sir," she said as she saluted. "You were wanting me to report to you when everything was finished."

Adama turned around and looked at the marine sergeant, she seemed very uncomfortable. "What did you find?"

She sighed as she handed over the report. "It's gone, sir. There are no signs of it at all in the lab or his cabin," she answered quietly.

Frak. Adama looked up to the DRADIS screen. He could see the raptor just as it left the Terran vessel. "Dee, send a message. Have Starbuck bring them back right away." He paused before continuing, "And launch the Alert vipers."

"Sir?" Dee asked in confusion. She quickly went about her tasks when he turned and looked at her.

"Launching Alert vipers," she announced.

"Have them wait until the Terran fighters turn away. They are then to escort the raptor back to the Galactica."

"Yes, sir."

Picking up the handset, Adama keyed it to the cockpits of all the ships in the fleet. "This is the Admiral. Fleet dispersion pattern Beta. We are having a bomb drill and testing the proper distance between civilian ships."

Closing the channel, he looked back up to the DRADIS screen. Soon the vessels were spreading out, to hopefully mitigate any damage that might happen if there was an explosion.

"They called us Colonial One," Starbuck mumbled. Looking to the side she saw how Laura was shaking her head.

"And I always thought my ship was designated that. They think that whatever ship a leader is on, then it is given that designation. Interesting." She sat back and looked at the fleet before her. It was back lit by the roiling colors of the cloud. Looking back to Kara, something caught her attention in the corner of her eye. Turning farther, she smiled when she saw Glennan now asleep, but leaning up against Gaeta. The young officer seemed to be letting off vibes that said he didn't want to be where he was. "Lieutenant Thrace," she said quietly as she turned back around. "I want you to look behind you."

Kara looked to Laura for a moment then back to the ECM area. Turning back she commented with a grin, "They were ignoring each other during that meal."

"You saw that, too?" Laura asked.

"Yes, ma'am. About as noticeable as someone standing up and yelling 'look at me'."

"Raptor 012, this is Galactica," Dee's voice came over the speaker.

"Galactica, this is Starbuck, reading you loud and clear."

"Galactica Actual wants you to continue on your present course land in the port flight bay right away. You will be escorted by the Alert vipers."

Starbuck furrowed her brow in confusion before answering. "Aye, aye." Turning to Laura she continued, "This is not right. Something has happened."

'Something's happened,' Jack commented while standing before the hi-definition screen. The refugee fleet was spreading out and the two military vessels had pulled away to a somewhat safe distance.

'Sir,' Harris started. 'Their two capital's? They've launched their fighters.'

'Damn,' Jack muttered as he went over to look at Harris's instrumentation. 'Have you picked up anything?'

'No, sir. It's almost like whatever it is, is inside the fleet.'

TBC...