62 Days After Cylon Attack
Location: Kobol – Extreme Range
"Jump complete," announced Zarek's pilot as the Astral Queen shifted back into normal space.
Laura steadied herself with a hand on Lee's arm while she fought off a wave of nausea that tried to climb its way up the back of her throat. Every jump had a way of making her feel sick these days, but she told herself it was probably just another side effect of the Chamalla and did her best to hide it.
"You okay?" Lee asked just above a whisper so that Zarek wouldn't overhear them.
She nodded, let go of him and straightened her posture. "How many ships have followed us?"
The Dradis screen in front of her showed several green dots that continued to multiply, but she was too far away to count them clearly.
"About a dozen so far," replied Zarek. After another minute or so the green dots stopped appearing. He turned and smiled. "It seems you have a lot of support, Madam President. Twenty-four ships, almost a third of the fleet."
"So many..." What if this was a mistake? A third of humanity was a lot to risk if she was wrong. Worse yet, what if she was right? Then I may not have saved enough of them.
"They believe in their president," affirmed Lee.
She mustered a wan smile and pushed her doubts aside. There had been no room for doubt when she started on this path, there could be none now that it was too late to turn back.
"Any sign of pursuit?" she asked.
The pilot shook his head. "No Galactica and nothing that looks like a Raptor...as far as I can tell."
Zarek rested a hand on his pilot's shoulder. "With this many ships on our side Commander Adama will be coming. He won't have a choice and we'll need to be ready."
"I wouldn't be so sure. If my father wanted us there'd already be Colonial Marines cutting through the hatches. He let us get this far without pursuit because we're not worth chasing. We've made our choice and now we're gonna have to live with it."
Laura was reminded of the moment on Colonial One when Lee had defended giving Zarek control of the Astral Queen and of Bill's reaction when his son defied them both. "I guess you finally picked your side." And that had been the end of the discussion as far as Bill Adama had been concerned. It seems like that was so long ago, but nothing's changed. Lee's right. We picked a side. It wasn't his and now he's done with us. There was a certain disappointment that she felt at the realization. But we have to keep going.
"Whatever the case may be, we should start hailing those ships," she said, careful to frame her thoughts as an inclusive suggestion instead of an order. I may be the president, but this is Zarek's ship and while I'm here, I'm vulnerable. "We'll need a list of the captains, their people, resources. We need to know our options. We don't want anyone out there to get confused or left behind if we have to jump."
"Of course, Madam President. My people will see to it."
"Thank you."
"Sir, we're receiving priority transmissions from the Chrion and Gemini," said one of the crewmen monitoring the wireless."They're requesting permission to dock and transfer Quorum members aboard to meet with the president."
Zarek did her the courtesy of waiting for her nod of approval before he issued his orders. "Docking permission granted. Have them escorted to the officer's mess." He gestured for Laura to proceed him out of the rear of the compartment. "We'll meet them there shortly."
One more deep breath to steady herself and she moved toward the hatch. Elosha, who had been a quiet, but constant presence since Laura's escape, followed close by her side. Lee made sure to put himself between her back and Zarek, ever her protector since they'd left Billy behind. She couldn't help thinking that maybe Billy was out there in one of those ships that had jumped. Or maybe Commander Adama had locked him up in Galactica's brig. But then she reminded herself, I can't entertain maybes right now, I have to keep moving forward. She walked down passageways that, while not yet familiar, she found easier to navigate than Galactica's. She supposed it wouldn't have done well for the crew on a prison ship to get lost.
The officer's mess, as Zarek had named it, was a windowless box compartment with a set of tables and a scattered array of metal chairs. It had once belonged to the ship's guards and while there were no real officers aboard the Astral Queen save for Captain Apollo, Zarek had more than a few of his own lieutenants. Men like Meier, who styled himself after his leader with a matching black leather jacket, carried a gun and parroted orders to half a dozen others that had arranged themselves around the edges of the room. The men were supposedly for protection, but who exactly they were protecting and from what, was left unclear.
"Anything I can get you while we wait?" asked Zarek as he pulled out one of the chairs and gestured for her to sit. She remained standing. Just because he's polite doesn't mean he can be trusted.
"Water would be nice."
One of the men peeled away from the wall nearest the hatch and went to fulfill her request.
"Madam President," said Lee, "after this meeting we should find you some quarters."
"The guard barracks aren't much," suggested Zarek, "but they're the best rooms you'll find here."
Lee bristled at the idea. "Maybe one of the other ships would—"
"No, we can't afford to waste fuel shuttling me around." She turned to Zarek. "As long as we won't be displacing you or your men, I'm sure the guard barracks will be fine."
"We left them empty."
"So you're still—"
"Staying in my cell, yeah. You spend most of your life behind bars...it has a certain comfort."
It also bolstered his reputation as a man of the people. What better way to convince your followers of the sincerity of your politics than by showing them? If nothing else came of this venture she was at least getting to know Zarek very well. They were on the same side for the moment...But it's only so long as he cares to maintain the appearance of legitimacy. Someday he won't and then he'll finish what he started on Cloud Nine. If I survive that long...
Zarek made a halfhearted attempt at further small talk, but it died quickly under Lee's glowering demeanor. They simply waited. Elosha studied her copy of the scriptures. Lee leaned against one of the tables across from Zarek and was clearly fighting down the impulse to pace. Laura had a glass of water from the pitcher that Zarek's crewman had delivered and resisted the urge to sit lest she give any indication of the fatigue that was eating away at her as the minutes dragged on in a contest of patience.
Eventually, Zarek broke the silence.
"Meir, go find out what's taking so long."
When Meir returned he wasn't alone.
"Our esteemed Quorum representatives saw fit to bring to a few guests," he said before Zarek dismissed him to keep an eye on the bridge.
About a dozen people filed into the room, a few Laura recognized as ship's captains, the rest were part of the regular entourage of aides and supporters for representatives Bagot and Porter. She had expected Sarah Porter and the Gemonese, but Bagot had come as a surprise. Virgon and its people had been much like Caprica, a colony of great wealth and low religiosity and no one had represented that so well in Quorum meetings as Marshall Bagot. He's here to support Zarek. And she was reminded that for every captain or colonist who had joined this new fleet because of their faith there were just as many who were here because they didn't like Commander Adama, or they thought Zarek was a hero. Very few would be like Lee, who she was sure followed her for no other reason than that she was his president. If only it were so simple...
"Welcome aboard," said Zarek with a smile. He offered a handshake to his fellow Quorum representatives as they passed by.
Laura said nothing. She was getting too tired to stand so she braced herself with a foot on one of the chairs near the center of the room and watched as everyone came in and found their own place at a table or around the edges of the group. Over the years she'd found that anytime people gather somewhere, whether it was a meeting or a party, there were always a few unguarded seconds of chaos where people revealed their intentions if you knew what to look for. Representative Porter for instance met Zarek with a severe expression and a bare amount of courtesy that transformed into a warm smile when she saw Elosha seated across the room. Captain Meeker of the Gideon was a somber presence who kept to the fringes and eventually settled into a spot shoulder to shoulder with Bagot. Not that I'd blame him after what happened. Most of the others were caught somewhere between anxiety or excitement that ebbed and flowed in a constant current around her, but she stayed quiet and calm and waited for the din to fade.
One more deep breath. While I still can.
"What can I do for you?" she asked them. Her question unleashed a torrent of responses that was quelled only when Lee stepped in.
"Hey! One at a time!"
Unsurprisingly, Bagot was the first find his voice. "Why exactly is he here, snapping orders?"
"Captain Apollo is here for the same reason that I'm sure you are Mister Bagot; he believes in our democracy."
"Except 'our democracy' has just defied the commander of a ship with very big guns and who so happens to be the good captain's father. He's already switched sides once hasn't he? I don't think he should be privy to this meeting when we can't be sure of his support—"
"I support the president completely." Lee's voice raised in indignation. "And my only priorities are the preservation of her safety and the completion of this mission."
"That's all well and good," interjected Porter, wagging her finger at Lee as he paced in a tight circle, "but he's still Adama's son. When push comes to shove, how do we know he'll be willing to stand—"
"If it were not for him, I would still be in a Galactica jail cell. I trust him, completely, and this subject is closed." I will not let you question the integrity of the one man on the ship who doesn't have an ulterior motive.
"And what about Galactica?" asked Bagot amid the anxious murmurs the were building in pockets around the room. "They—they know where we are! They could jump in here at any time and charge us all with treason or destroy this ship with a—with a flick of wrist."
"We're not entirely defenseless!" interjected Zarek. "Some of our ships are armed. We should take steps to arm the others just in case."
"Just in case? Just in case we wanna commit suicide!" The murmurs quieted again in the face of Lee's pronouncement. "If Galactica wants to take us down, there is nothing we can do about it, nothing. And nobody in this room should be under any illusions on that count."
"At this point," said Laura, "it's my firm belief that Commander Adama has let us go. Lieutenant Thrace will return. She will have the Arrow of Apollo, and it will help us find our way to Earth."
"And exactly how long should we wait for her?" pressed Bagot, stirring more side debates. "I mean, maybe we should go down to the surface now. Go down now and start looking for this tomb."
"I wouldn't be too eager. There may still be Cylons present."
Elosha finally stood. "And some of us will die down there," she said. They went silent. Several people bowed their heads as she looked around the room. "The scriptures tell us that any return to Kobol carries with it a cost... in blood."
One I hope that we've already paid.
Her gaze swept across the room in a quick assessment. They're afraid, but I don't have time for that anymore.
"People, I realize that there are still many unanswered questions here, but I refuse to lose sight of what this has always been about: our mission, to save humanity. Yes, it is a big one. But, it is our foretold destiny and I, for one, am not going to waver from it now." Laura caught sight of Meir whispering to Zarek and Zarek rising from his seat to follow his second out of the room. Time to wrap it up. "If there is anyone here who does not have the stomach for this mission you are welcome to rejoin Commander Adama's fleet." If he'll take you.
"We believe in the words of the Gods," said Porter, "and in their prophet Laura Roslin."
"So say we all," replied Elosha.
Laura couldn't suppress an expression of disapproval as the rest of the room echoed, "So say we all." That I'm the president should be reason enough, but no, they have to make me into a prophet.
Porter stood and asked if they could end the meeting with a prayer, but Laura sidestepped her discomfort with that aspect of the role she'd chosen by explaining there wasn't time.
"We need to start organizing now. Captain Meeker and Captain Trudeau, I would appreciate your help in coordinating with the other captains to distribute supplies and relay standby coordinates to the other ships in case we have to jump." They both nodded their assent. "Representatives, if you have any further concerns, we can address them tomorrow. Now, if you'll excuse me." She wasn't about to leave Zarek to his own devices and judging by the grim expression on Lee's face he was in agreement as he followed her back to the bridge of the Astral Queen.
"...Tom, that thing is moving fast. If we're gonna shoot it down, we'd better shoot it down."
"Shoot what down?" asked Laura.
Lee pressed in between where Zarek and Meir stood in front of a Dradis console.
"Do I have to repeat myself?"
"Madam President, we have a security situation," replied Meir, "that's all."
"She wasn't talking to you," mumbled Lee as he examined the readout.
"There's an unidentified ship making its was toward us." Zarek clarified, "It's too big to be the lieutenant's Cylon Raider."
"It's in weapons range. The Adriatic has to fire her missiles now."
Zarek deferred. "We need a decision, Madam President."
The wireless crackled to life before she made up her mind.
"Civilian vessels, civilian vessels, this is Starbuck. Do you Read? Do you read? Say again, this is Starbuck."
Laura smiled. Exceptional timing, as always.
"Is anybody getting this. Hello? Hello?"
Lee suppressed a laugh of relief. "Guess she just brought back a bigger souvenir this time."
"Coordinate the docking procedures," ordered Zarek to one of his crewmen. "Meir, round up an escort. Let's get down to the hangar and greet our latest guest."
-xxx-
They made it down to the lower decks just as Starbuck strode into the transfer bay. Lee greeted Kara with a hug and a quick kiss that confirmed what Laura had suspected for a while now. Their closeness was more than that they had almost been family. He's in love with her. And maybe if this mission succeeds he'll have a chance to pursue it.
Their moment over, Laura stepped forward and shook Kara's hand. "Lieutenant..."
Kara's smile was gone now and her expression anxious.
"Lee there's something I need to tell you—" Kara looked back the way she'd come.
They caught sight of it in the doorway at the same time. A Cylon. Another Sharon. Laura went cold, Lee reacted.
"Lee wait!" yelled Kara.
Three quick strides and he'd closed the gap. He caught the Cylon by the front of her flight suit, swung her around against a nearby pillar and pressed the barrel of his sidearm into her face.
"Don't you frakking move!"
Kara gripped his arm, trying to pull him off.
"Stop! She's with us!"
Another man had come into the room behind them. He rushed forward with a gun drawn and held it, point blank, against the back of Lee's head.
"Drop your weapon, sir." Lee didn't move. "Drop your weapon..."
"Helo!"
Everyone else in the room who had a weapon had it pointing toward the stand off in the middle of the room except for Kara. She had a hand on each man, holding them as if it would stop them. Laura looked from Lee to the stranger.
Be quick and calm and firm.
"Gentlemen," she said."I'm only going to say this once, Captain Adama, and—what is your name?"
"Lieutenant Agathon."
"Used to be Sharon's ECO," said Lee. "Thought you were dead, Helo. You a Cylon too?"
"Don't even."
"All right, here's what we're gonna do, you're gonna lower your weapons, am I being perfectly clear?"
Breathe.
Agathon didn't budge. "What about Sharon?"
Promise anything to keep them all breathing...
"She will be taken to a holding cell where she will remain unharmed."
"Okay... How 'bout it, Apollo? Should we do what the nice lady says?"
"She's the President of the Colonies you moron and yes, we're gonna do exactly what she says."
"Lower your weapons, now."
One more breath, then another and Agathon retreated a step. Kara released her hold when both men had lowered their sidearms and holstered them.
"Thank you," said Laura. "Now put that thing out the airlock."
"What?"
Two of Zarek's men moved to take hold of the Cylon.
"We don't keep Cylons around here, Lieutenant."
"What the frak!" Another pair moved to hold Lieutenant Agathon. "You said you weren't gonna hurt her!"
Shouting took the place of gunshots until the only one left yelling was the Cylon.
"I know how to find the tomb of Athena! Do you?" she cried, her feet braced against the steps that led to the cargo bay. "Kobol's a big planet! You don't find the tomb, you don't find Earth!"
"Listen to her," pleaded Agathon, "for Gods' sakes!"
"Listen to me!"
"Madam President." Kara's voice drew her attention. The lieutenant presented her with the Arrow of Apollo. …And the Harbinger will carry the Arrow that points the way to the promised land... It did not glow with prophetic purpose like a beacon of salvation, or magically reveal Earth's location. It was just an arrow, the gold and embedded jewels in tip and tail dull with age. But it has a purpose...
"Tell them to wait a minute," said Laura and Meir moved to obey.
She took the arrow in her hands, felt the weight of it. Maybe the Cylon has a purpose too. She thanked Kara and offered the Arrow back. "Mister Zarek, is there some place where that—young woman, and I can speak?"
"I can arrange that."
-xxx-
Laura insisted on speaking to the new prisoner alone and so she waited while Sharon's flight suit was exchanged for a red prison jumper and the Cylon's arms were bound together in restraints up to the elbows. Lee ushered everyone away once it was sealed safely behind bars. Although his expression spoke plainly of how much he thought this was a bad idea, he left without protest.
It was uncanny, the way this Sharon looked just like the other one, same body, same face, but it was different. Somehow, Laura could tell that this was not the pilot who'd left Lieutenant Agathon behind to save civilians and who'd covered fear with dedication to duty. That Sharon had gathered scattered ships into the fleet that escaped and without her they all would have died of thirst. And she wondered, what kind of enemy would do that? The kind that wants us all in one place so we're easier to destroy, who helps in order to gain our trust only to hurt us worse later. But Leoben, Doral, the others suspected of being Cylons, they all strove for the same thing, to hurt them now, to divide them, to turn humanity against themselves. That's when the realization struck...
"The other Sharon, did she know what she was?"
"Probably not."
She followed the path that logic laid out before her. "So you can be programmed to think that you're one of us, until what? Another Cylon somewhere else flips a switch, gives you new orders?" Then you turn on the people you saved, the people you loved, like they meant nothing.
"I know what I am." That much Laura believed. What stood before her was not some innocent, scared kid who had fooled even herself. This was a woman, a warrior, strength and danger were hidden in the depths of the dark eyes that stared back at her from behind bars that seemed fragile now. Same body, same face, but one look into those eyes and therein lay the difference between this Cylon and the last. It was the thinnest of lines that separated them, but it was as sharp as a razor's edge.
"Why are you here?"
"Because of Helo. Because I love him. And because I'm carrying his child."
"Oh, I see. That explains it. You're not here because you mean us any harm, or because you're a programmed enemy of humanity. You're here because you had an affair with one of our Raptor pilots." Because someone programmed you to think you can love. Until one day you don't.
"Listen to me—"
"I'm listening to you. That's my mistake. I'm listening to a Cylon." And regardless of what you say, I will never know if you're lying. You won't even know.
"I am here because I chose to come here. And I know you don't believe me, but hear this; even if you find the tomb, even if you find the map, and even if you find Earth, the price you pay will be too high."
"I'm not interested in your prophecies. I know that there is a Cylon force on Kobol. I know it's dangerous and I have little doubt that you are communicating everything I say even as we speak." Because what choice do you have? You're a machine. You can't choose. They sent you, ordered you here.
The Cylon rose from her bunk in agitation. "It doesn't work like that! I'm not wired in!"
"Sharon, it's simple. What I need to know, and what might keep you alive is exactly how to find the tomb of Athena." It's the only thing worth the risk.
"Get me a map, and I will do my best to tell you how to get to the tomb."
"No, you'll do better than your best. I want to know where it is and you either know or you don't."
Sharon moved closer to the bars, conviction in tone and being. "We all know about the tomb. I can show you the path. I don't know how long the path is, or exactly where it leads to, but I can tell you that you're going to have to move very, very quickly."
"If you're lying—"
"You'll airlock me, I know."
"Not just you."
There was silence as the Cylon worked out the implications behind Roslin's words and Laura had to admit she was surprised when Sharon didn't try to negotiate or beg.
"It starts with the Opera House," she said.
Laura listened and prepared to follow the path.
Wherever it leads.
Whatever the cost.
I'm committed.