Athena followed Boomer through the entrance to the cave. It was surprisingly warm and the air was humid. He pointed to the steam rising from the stream and she nodded. She wondered if Starbuck had figured out how to turn this place into a health spa to make his latest fortune. She could just imagine the patrons climbing out of the warm water to cool themselves down with an ice cold Empyrean Ale. Of course, the murderous Alrinach's would have to go. Perhaps Starbuck could come to some sort of arrangement with them as he had done in Serenity. She could almost picture the strange creatures wearing vests and bowties and carrying serving trays of ale. Oh, you have spent far too much time with that man! You're beginning to think like him.
That was one of the things she had loved about Starbuck . . . still loved about him. He brought out her offbeat side. She knew she had inherited that from her mother. Ila had adored Starbuck when she met him. He had stopped by their house in Caprica City to meet the infamous Adama family when he realized he and Apollo were on furlough at the same time. By the end of the evening he had firmly entrenched himself in their hearts. Certainly that was most true with Ila and Athena. Apollo had watched in amusement as his mother and sister fussed over his friend. Of course, Starbuck enjoyed every centon. It was quite a surprise to all of them when Adama had shown up unannounced the following day. No one was more surprised than the Commander when he walked in to find Starbuck sitting at the kitchen table being served java, home made biscuits and fresh brambleberry jam . . . all of Adama's favourites. Starbuck had taken it in stride and only seemed slightly uncomfortable when Ila had explained to her husband that she had invited Starbuck to stay for the duration of his secton's leave. Adama had raised his eyebrows more than once in the next few days, but not at Starbuck's antics so much as his family's. They had joined in the young man's shenanigans and even tried to outdo him. Adama had wondered when Zac had become such a prankster and decided he could comfortably blame it on Starbuck's influence. Actually, it was a joy to see his family so relaxed and simply having fun. More often than not, Adama's furloughs were spent trying to make up for lost time with loved ones and counting down the centars that were simply too few before he again had to leave his family behind.
Since Athena had agreed to tutor Luana and Lia, she and Starbuck had slowly renewed their old friendship. It had been great fun for her to spend some time with him without the strains or stresses of working on a 'relationship'. It was also a relief to be able to join a group of their friends without worrying about whether the 'ex' was going to show up. It was wonderful to see the easy camaraderie that they used to share reinsert itself back into their lives. After rejoining their mutual circle of friends it wasn't a big surprise to Athena when Starbuck's quirky friend, Ama, had approached her in the Officer's Club the night before.
Athena's first thought was to wonder what the civilian was doing in the OC. Then she recalled the latest rumour that Ama had threatened to turn Reece into a porcine and surmised that Council Security probably weren't the only ones who were intimidated by the woman. She was an imposing figure as she crossed the room wearing her animal skins with her wild, white hair sticking out in every direction. Apparently, the retired Empyrean Necromancer had still not discovered the hairbrush. Ama gave her a mostly toothless grin that pretty much cleared the chairs around her when Athena's companions realized whom the wild woman was targeting.
Ama laughed as she saw Athena's friends scurry away. The look on the poor girl's face was priceless. She was trying very hard to smile, but was clearly perplexed by the necromancer's sudden arrival. "Athena, so good to see you again. You're looking ravishing, my dear. I can't believe that your male admirers are so yellowbellied. Throw them all over and find yourself a real man; one who has the guts to stand up to an elderly, retired necromancer at the very least."
Athena couldn't help but laugh. "Oh? Do you happen to know any?"
Ama shrugged as she sat down opposite Athena. "I admit they are a bit rare around these parts. What about Starbuck?"
"No thanks, I've gone that route already. Besides, he's taken."
"Are you certain about that? I don't recall being invited to a sealing." Ama asked as she slouched down in her chair.
"He's most assuredly with Cassiopeia. You know that, Ama. What are you up to?"
"Things aren't always as they seem Athena. That's all. Even an aged crone like me can be surprised once in a while." Ama answered elusively.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Athena asked. Ama seemed to be beating around the proverbial battlestar about something.
"You want me to be direct?" Ama asked seriously.
"Well, as direct as you can be," Athena answered. She had heard many a story from Starbuck about this woman. Directness wasn't always her forte.
"I think Starbuck and Apollo are in grave danger."
"Can you be more specific?" Athena asked although she was suddenly getting shivers running up and down her spine from Ama's penetrating stare and her soft, intense voice. She leaned towards the old woman.
"What's more specific than 'grave'?" Ama retorted. "Where I'm from that's as specific as dangerous can get."
"You mean their lives are in danger. Why do you think that?" Athena asked. Surely, she couldn't be expected to approach her father on a hunch. Wait a centon, where did that come from? Who said anything about approaching my father, Athena wondered. She noticed Ama grinning at her again.
"So, you'll talk to Adama? Good girl. I knew I could rely on you. One thing about Starbuck, he does have great taste in women. All of us!" She laughed uproariously and got up to leave.
"Ama! Wait just a micron! What am I supposed to say to the Commander?" Athena jumped to her feet. Why was she feeling so anxious all of a sudden? Frack, no wonder this woman drives Starbuck to drink.
"Athena, I don't want you to talk to the Commander. No, my dear, I wouldn't ask such a thing of you. I want you to beseech your father to save your brother's life. Quite a distinction, dear heart." Ama reached over and touched Athena's cheek gently. "Love is a powerful weapon, Athena. You are the best warrior for this excursion."
Athena wasn't sure if Ama meant the trip to visit Adama or the rescue mission to the planet. Ama winked at her as she turned to go and it became clear that the necromancer meant both.
Before she could string two logical thoughts together, Athena found herself standing in front of her father's quarters. An overwhelming feeling of panic was growing within her and she almost didn't hear her father's request to "enter". By the time she found herself standing in front of him she could feel tears welling up in her eyes as her anxiety threatened to overcome her.
Adama looked at his daughter in astonishment. "Athena, what is it?" He took her by the shoulders and pulled her to him comforting her. He had not done this in a long time, he reflected.
"Father, this isn't going to make any sense, but I have to tell you anyway." Athena pulled back and warned him. He nodded at her to continue as he watched her with growing concern.
"I think Apollo . . . and Starbuck . . . are in danger. I think they need help." She started.
"Ama?" Adama asked.
Athena's eyes opened wide in surprise. "How did you know?"
"I know she's been trying to speak to me, but I've been too occupied to contact her. I admit, Colonel Tigh has been . . . running interference for me." Adama had his usual day of trying to command a battlestar while dealing with Council issues and fleet concerns. In his wisdom, he had decided that Ama could wait another day and if it was really important, she would undoubtedly find some cosmic way of communicating with him. He had finally sat down for what he thought would be a moment's peace. "What did she say?"
"I'm not even sure I can tell you. She told me that Apollo and Starbuck's lives are in danger. Also that things are not always as they seem. She wanted me to talk to you and then told me that I should be on this rescue mission. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but . . . it was almost like she was putting ideas into my head and emotions in my heart." Athena sighed as she turned around trying to remember what Ama had said. "Finally, she said to beseech my father to save my brother's life."
Adama reached out for his comm. "Tigh, find Ama, the Empyrean Necromancer, and bring her to me."
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Adama had many beliefs in life and one of them was that just because he couldn't explain something, that didn't necessarily make it untrue. The Book of the Word was only one of several books of Holy Scripture he had read in his lifetime because he knew that knowledge could only be gained through study. While he knew very little of Empyrean Necromancers, Ama certainly had an impressive record for predicting the future and lifting mystical curses. Finally, as a father, he wasn't about to put his son in danger if there was something he could do about it. Of course, the same could be said about the Commander regarding his warriors. He poured Ama a large glass of Empyrean Ale and placed it in her hand. He picked up his own glass and raised it to her.
"Welcome, Ama. I am honoured to share my bounty with the recently retired Imperial Empyrean Necromancer." A plate of Caprican delicacies sat between them. Sometimes it paid to be the Commander. More often than not, it was Adama who paid.
Ama grinned and took a drink of the dark, brown beverage, swallowing a third of the liquid in one gulp. "No, Commander, it is I who am honoured that you remember our traditions." She motioned to the food and drink before them. Any formal meeting between Empyrean Nobility was preceded by food and beverage.
"It is the least I could do when I took an inordinate amount of time responding to your request. Forgive my haste, but I gather the issue is time sensitive." Why did he feel like he was talking to Siress Belloby?
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Adama." Ama consoled him. "You knew I would find a way to reach you if it was important enough. You can't keep a good woman down."
"Is mind reading also among your skill set, Ama?"
"Simply the powers of deduction, my friend." She reassured him. It was always best to keep a man slightly out of kilter. Frazzle them with felger, so to speak. She smiled as he thought about her words. Adama truly didn't know what to think of her. How delightful!
"You think our warriors are in danger." Adama reiterated what Athena had told him. Perhaps the direct approach was best with this woman.
"I do," she agreed.
"Why?" He sat back in his chair his arms resting on his chest, fingers tips from each hand touching their opposite partner.
"How can I elucidate on what I know to be true? Can I explain a lifetime of living and learning the art of necromancy so as to justify a decision you must make? I cannot. I can merely tell you that if you do nothing then evil will prevail." Ama returned. It was that simple. All was up to Adama now. There was nothing further to say . . . not if she was to remain civil anyhow.
"Very well. Thank you for your time, Ama." Adama had not moved.
"Is that a dismissal, Commander?"
"I'm afraid it is. I need to plan a rescue mission." Adama stood up. He was beginning to think through some ideas of how he could explain to the council a second rescue mission and using further precious resources.
"I'm no bureautician, Adama, but I understand the Council has been pressuring you to replenish our ever diminishing tylium stores. Perhaps a complex geotechnical survey of the planet is in order. However, that would require significant manpower due to the dangerous presence of the Alrinachs and I wouldn't be in a position of knowing whether you could spare it."
"On the contrary, Ama, you are an exceptional bureautician." He told her as he watched her help herself to some Caprican Samples. Not only was the woman shrewd and perceptive, but incredibly well informed.
Ama gave him a wink as she proceeded to wrap some food in a napkin to take with her. She rolled her eyes in appreciation as she savoured the taste of the delicate tidbits. "Very nice. May the Lords be with you, Adama. You have a difficult choice to make. Follow your instinct." That was always a good parting line with men: it puffed them up and got them to think it was all their idea. It was one of her many capstones, to use a phrase of Starbuck's.
Adama was already running through procedure and policy in his mind as Ama left his quarters. It wasn't until after he had spoken with Tigh and arranged to have Captain Bojay and Lieutenant Boomer summoned that it suddenly occurred to him . . . the Alrinachs?