Chapter 53
Lee stood to attention in front of Fisk, sweat mottling his brow. He was nervous, afraid that Fisk would ignore his request, his plea, for help.
"So let me get this straight," said the Commander sitting back in his chair. "You want this ship to jump early to a place as far away as possible?"
Lee nodded his head, his hand tightly intertwined behind his back. "Yes, as close to the red line that is safe."
"And you've had this idea after talking to a priestess who told you that Major Thrace's coma was caused by the pressures of her destiny?"
Lee's face faltered slightly, knowing that it sounded incredible. "She needs to get away from here, now. If not, then…"
Fisk sighed, "Since the Colonies were destroyed I have found myself having to rely more and more upon faith." He paused before continuing, "but I can't risk the lives of the people on board this ship, too much is at stake. We will jump away, but not until the repairs have been completed in two days."
"But she could die before then!"
"And we could all die if we jump unprepared."
Lee wanted to argue but knew it would be futile, "and how far will we jump in two days?"
"The same as originally planned, any further is too risky."
He clenched his fist behind his back, anger bubbling inside of him. Logic told him that Fisk's call was right, but if it was Admiral Adama sitting in front of him then he knew the old man would not have hesitated to save Kara's life. He would be damned if he was going to let his wife just fade away. He saluted sharply and walked swiftly out of the Commander's quarters.
He didn't stop walking until he reached the family quarter's area, rapping on the hatch to the Agathon's billet.
"What the word?" asked Helo as soon as he opened the hatch.
"The word?" said Lee unhappily, "the word is no, I am therefore going anyway."
Helo stepped aside to let him through. Lena and Joseph were busy playing on the floor with Hera, far too entertained to turn around. Lee reached down and gave their heads a gentle stroke.
"And how do you plan on jumping away?" asked Helo, leaning up against the now closed hatch.
"All I need is a raptor and a distraction so I can get Kara on board," said Lee. "So I might need some help."
"That's too risky," said Sharon, who was crouched down by the children. "You could kill Starbuck if you take her away from lifestation, and without a doctor…."
Lee interrupted her, "but she could die if I do nothing."
"The only other option would be to jump the entire ship away," added Helo.
"Which could get Apollo shot for mutiny," said Sharon coming to a stand, her hands on her hips.
"Cain's not in charge anymore, so he might not shoot you," replied Helo. "But you could face the rest of your life living behind bars."
"And what if the ship comes under attack after we jump, and we're not ready," asked Sharon. "Could you live with yourself if people got killed for your cause?"
They were silent for a few moments before Lee said, "the ship's ready. I've already spoken with the Chief and others who say that the ship is more than ready to stand and fight, Fisk is just seeking perfection which we will never reach." He paced around the room, looking down at his children who were now looking back at him expectantly. "Doc says she's weakening," he said sadly. "If we stay any longer she'll die, if I jump the ship away she has her best chance, but I could die."
He sat himself on the edge of the small double bunk and cradled his head in his hands. He still hadn't shaved since Kara had fallen into her mysterious coma and his beard was starting to look thick. He had barely noticed his shabby appearance, the only reminder being when either Lena or Joseph pulled at the coarse hairs. Gradually over the days Kara's condition had weakened and doc Phillips was at a loss to explain why and still couldn't provide any explanation for her condition. He had said that if she were to continue declining at the same rate, then she may die within the next twenty-four hours.
Lee was therefore convinced that the priestess was right and he didn't think he could live with himself if his inaction allowed the death of the woman he loved. "I'm willing to take the risk," he said at last. Helo and Sharon just stared back at him, the only sound in the room coming from the children who were innocently playing.
"We'll help," said Sharon after a few minutes making Helo frown slightly.
"I can't ask you two to risk your lives for my quest," said Lee.
"Starbuck helped save our lives, if it wasn't for her we may never had gotten off Caprica, and if we had, I would have been shot for sure without her."
"Sharon…" began Helo.
"I've made up my mind," she replied pointedly. "Besides, if you want to make a long and accurate jump then you'll need my help."
Lee couldn't believe the loyalty of the two people who stood in front of him. If anyone had asked him over a year ago if he could trust a cylon, his answer would have definitely been no. "Alright, but I take all the risk. You two stay in the background so, if it comes to it, you can deny all knowledge of my plan."
"It shouldn't be difficult," said Helo. "You're the XO. All you have to do is plot in the co-ordinates on the FTL drive when Fisk isn't there. The crew and the Tylium ship will obey your orders."
"You can then personally escort me to the brig," said Lee. "I'd rather meet a pissed of Fisk when there's a barrier between us."
"We'll take the twins and place the blame of your actions on grief."
"I don't want to risk the ship," said Lee. "Pretend we're running some training drills and have as many people on the deck as possible in case we run into the cylons."
They each looked at each other in quiet contemplation before continuing to plan their next steps. If all went well, then in a few hours, as soon as Fisk went off duty at 2000 hours, they would put the plan into action.
oooo
After formulating the plan, Lee spent the rest of that evening continuing his constant vigil at Kara's bedside. Philips had told him that she was continuing to decline. Lee wondered what would happen if she passed on, would she be destined to come back somehow? All he knew is that she wanted a different path and death was not an option.
His neck was slightly mottled with sweat as he checked his watch. It was 2000 hours, Fisk would be going off shift now. His heart was hammering in his chest from the nerves, knowing that tonight one of them could die.
Leaning forwards, he stroked back her hair. "There's something I have to do tonight," he said softly. "And I'm sorry if it means I will never be able to see you again, but you should know that I have to do it." He leant down and kissed her brow. "I love you Kara, always have, ever since you opened that door."
He stood, buttoning up the front of his duty blues. He still looked dishevelled, but he didn't have time to smarten up his appearance. The CIC was empty apart from a skeleton crew. Earlier he had worked with Sharon to plot the best jump co-ordinates.
"What are you doing here sir?" asked Shaw from the dradis station, her face looking inquisitive.
"I've been avoiding my duties for too long," replied Lee. He had hoped Shaw would be off-shift, but she had obviously scheduled herself in for an extra shift.
"Did you put it past the Commander?"
"No," replied Lee. "But considering this is my normal shift, I didn't think I would have to."
Shaw eyed him suspiciously. "How's Major Thrace?"
Lee smiled ruefully. "No better, but no worse either," he lied.
Shaw nodded, "you can go back to her, I have everything covered here."
"That won't be necessary, you're dismissed."
"Sir…" she began but Lee cut her off.
"That's an order Captain," he replied dismissively and then turned his attention to the dradis monitor. Shaw lingered for a moment as if she was deciding whether or not to argue with him. Obviously thinking the better of it, she walked briskly out of the CIC. Lee then sent the crew member who sat in front of the FTL drive on an errand.
His way was now clear.
Picking up the comm he put himself through to the Commander of the Tylium ship who surprised to hear from the Pegasus at this hour.
"I'm transferring some new jump co-ordinates through to you," said Lee. "Get your ship ready for an immediate jump."
"I wasn't told about a jump today," replied the Commander gruffly. "Commander Fisk told me that we would be jumping in a few days."
"We have reason to believe that an attack is imminent," replied Lee, the lies coming easily to him. When he was a child he had been a terrible liar. Zak had been the opposite and managed to get away with his antics. Lee's honesty only ended in him being grounded. Now that there was such much at stake, it was easy to lie.
"Intel?" asked the Commander sceptically. "Short of the cylons jumping on top of us, I can't imagine what you mean by Intel. Where's Commander Fisk?"
"This is the XO giving you a direct order. If you want me to go and wake up the Commander after he's been on shift for twelve hours to confirm that, then I will."
"No, no, that won't be necessary. The ship is ready for anything, the jump co-ordinates are being inputted now, we'll be ready to jump when you are."
The Commander then hung up the comm. Lee stared around the CIC wondering if this would be the last time he saw this room. He had certainly not been an exemplary XO, probably even worse than a drunken Tigh. One or two crew members stared at him with curiosity as he walked over to the FTL drive and inputted the new co-ordinates, but no-one said anything, and why would they? Lee knew that the two crews all trusted him as a leader, knew that he always kept to the rules. Mutiny was more Starbuck's style.
It was all too easy. The ship was ready, all he needed to do was trigger the jump. He stared at the consol long and hard.
"Oh my Gods," shouted out someone from across the room which drew Lee's attention away. The Petty Officer was staring up at the dradis. "Sir look."
With a frown Lee looked up at the dradis monitor. Red blips that had not been there before suddenly flashed up, about three of them from what he could see. His heart racing, Lee shouted out, "set condition one throughout the fleet, now and prepare to jump."
The claxons blared around the room as he saw more numerous red blips suddenly appear on the monitor.
"Shall we launch alert fighters sir?" asked the Petty Officer. "The cylons will be on us in three minutes."
"No," said Lee quickly. "Make sure no-one goes out."
Another officer shouted out, "tylium ship is already away sir."
"No ships have launched sir," said the Petty Officer.
Lee dashed over to the FTL drive, this time not hesitating as he triggered the jump, feeling the pull hit him straight away. "Sit rep," he shouted out as soon as the jump had finished.
He saw Shaw had come running back to the CIC and was standing at the dradis monitor.
"Did the tylium ship jump successfully?" asked Lee to the Petty Officer.
"Yes sir, the tylium ship has checked in, no reports of any damage."
Lee could feel that his hands were shaking slightly. The cylons had jumped in right on top of them without sending a scout first. If it had been any other night then it would have taken them completely by surprise.
"What the frak?" said Shaw from her consol. "Sir, this wasn't the jump I plotted, this has gone much further. I don't know…this can't be right."
"Look into it Captain," said Lee, but he knew it wasn't a mistake. He gave her a set of jump co-ordinates. "Plot these into the FTL in case the cylons manage to follow us. You have the CIC."
He ignored Shaw's shouts for him to return and left the CIC, knowing that the Commander should never abandon his post just after a jump, but he needed to get to the lifestation. People were milling about everywhere having obviously reacted to the claxons, many looking as if they were now returning to their quarters.
He continued his walk to lifestation and walked up to Kara's bedside, needing to be with her. Disappointment drained through him when he saw that she was still sleeping. Reaching out he stroked back her hair. "Come on Kara, we've jumped away from the gas planet, it's safe to wake up," he said softly.
He heard the click of the comm system turn on and Shaw's voice echoed around the room. "Major Adama report to the CIC immediately, that's Major Adama to report to the CIC immediately."
Lee smiled slightly. "I have my own fate waiting for me," he said and then leant down and gave Kara a kiss on the forehead. But instead of setting off for the CIC he sat down next to Kara and took her hand. "The kiddies are still getting bigger by the day and miss you like crazy."
He ignored his name being called over the comm again. And then the claxons sounded, Shaw demanding that everyone get to battle stations immediately.
That did get Lee's attention. Reluctantly he pulled away from Kara's hand and ran out of the lifestation, instinct drawing him to the family quarters where he grabbed his flightsuit and helmet and then sprinted to the flight deck. Vipers were already launching when he reached there and others were being lined up. The crew had already been on alert so they had been ready.
"What are you doing here sir?" shouted Laird as Lee darted down the ladder to the deck.
"What I do best, flying a viper," replied Lee. "Get my bird ready."
"Yes sir," said Laird enthusiastically and then barked out some orders to some deckhands.
Zipping up his flightsuit, Lee was ready for a fight.
oooo
On the periphery of her mind, Kara could hear alarms blaring. For what seemed like forever she had lain here in the light, which gradually had darkened making her feel weak and alone. The only thing that kept her gripping tightly onto life was the sound of Lee's voice. He had told her he was going to do something and might have to leave her. She didn't know if she could hold on without his strength.
And then the alarms had sounded and the pressures around her eased slightly. And then the alarms had sounded again.
She jolted awake, nearly sitting bolt upright. For a few moments she sat confused, holding her head in her hands and then looked around. She was in a bed in lifestation with tubes sticking out of her.
"Frak," she said to herself.
How could the same crap happen to the same person twice she wondered and then pulled the IV out of her hand, wincing slightly at the pain. She made a point of looking down at her belly, relieved to see that history wasn't completely repeating itself again. It was also a relief not to have to pull a tube from her throat this time.
Also, unlike last time, she didn't feel disorientated or weak, quite the opposite. She felt more alive than ever, realising now that the alarms were not in her mind, but telling her the cylons were attacking. There was no-one shouting out "actions stations" so she was already late to the dance.
Kara started pulling out the various tubes that had been attached to her body, noticing the catheter last.
"Frakking sadist doctors," she muttered, holding her breath as she pulled it out and then swung her legs straight over the side of the bed. It was as if she had gotten the best night's sleep in her life and it felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
Philips came out of his office as she walked across lifestation, looking flabbergasted. "Major!"
"I'm fine doc," replied Kara, continuing to walk out of the room.
"Like frak you are, get back to your bed so I can check you over." She didn't stop. "If I have to, I'll get the guards to force you back in."
"I'd like to see them try."
Kara threw open the doors to the lifestation. The claxons were still sounding around the ship and she wondered how long it had been since the cylons attacked. They should still be at the gas planet, so why wasn't the ship ready to jump away?
Energy flowed through her body and she ran down the corridor to her quarters, grabbing her flightsuit and helmet. She saw that Lee's were already gone. He must be out there already. She pulled on the flightsuit quickly, zipping it up over her lifestation smock and then pulled her hair into a ponytail.
Within minutes she was on the hangar deck.
"Get me my bird Chief," she yelled.
Laird looked even more shocked to see her than Philips, standing and staring at her. Everyone else seemed to have stopped to look at her too.
"Quit staring and get me my frakking bird Chief," she yelled again. "I'm not a frakking ghost."
"Perhaps you should go back to lifestation sir," he said after signalling to a deckhand.
"What's happening out there, why haven't we jumped?"
"The FTL needs to be spooled up again and the Tylium ship is having difficulties sir."
"Then get me the frak out there Chief or I'll push my viper to the launch tubes myself."
The deckhands finally started to tow her viper across the deck, which was practically empty of ships. The Pegasus has launched everything at the cylons and she could hear the sound of the ship's firing solution.
"Frak," she muttered to herself, all too aware that people were staring at her. "Come on!" she shouted.
Finally she was sitting inside the confines of her cockpit and was being towed into a launch tube. Laird was in the launch control room and she gave him a thumb's up.
"Apollo's out their flying solo sir," he said. "Good hunting Major."
Kara loved the sensation of the g-forces as her viper launched out. Outside the ship, the scene was chaotic. Vipers were flying everywhere amidst numerous raiders and there was a baseship looming close-by, nearly in firing distance.
Kara directed her viper straight into the middle of the action, keeping her eyes peeled for Lee who was flying without a wingman.
Over her comm she heard Shaw's voice, identifying her viper and then saying, "you have made an unscheduled launch, please identify yourself pilot."
"Pegasus this is Starbuck, feeling good and ready to kill some toasters."
She ignored what Shaw said next as she took out the nearest raider without blinking and then spun her viper to take out another. And then she saw Lee ahead of her. He was chasing down one raider but another was suddenly joining in the chase behind her.
"Frak!" she heard him shout. "I have a toaster on my tail."
Without a wingman there was no-one to protect his ass. Kara didn't flinch as she pushed her viper hard at the raider, not pausing as she blasted it away, the wreckage bouncing gently off the hull of her viper, a few large drops of blood splattering over the cockpit canopy. Lee then took out the raider he was chasing.
"Thanks," he said over the comm. "Thought that one had me."
Kara smiled widely, "you're welcome."
There was a momentary pause and then Lee said, "Kara?"
"The one and only," she replied with a grin, thrusting her viper over so that she was now in formation with him. Lee twisted slightly in his cockpit, the shock evident on his face and what looked like a dishevelled beard. "Keep your eyes ahead Apollo, we'll talk about it later. I've got your six."
In perfect formation they pushed ahead, directing their fire at the nearest raider that didn't stand a chance. Their vipers danced with each other as they blasted away three more in quick sucession. The baseship was nearing quickly and the firing solutions of both large ships were now focused on each other.
Racetrack's voice sounded over the comm, "Going in to launch missiles, I need cover to draw away the baseship's firing solution."
"Racetrack, Apollo," said Lee as he glanced over with a grin towards Kara. "Copy that, creating a diversion."
They pushed their vipers over, heading towards the raiders that had just launched from the baseship, close to the firing solution.
"We're gonna have to be quick," said Lee. "You ready for it?"
"I could ask you the same question Lee, when was the last time you were out here?" replied Kara with a chortle. "Just don't stop moving."
"Yes sir," replied Lee with a laugh.
Four other vipers were also following in their wake, punching forward hard towards the twelve raiders that had no idea what was about to hit them. They powered through, guns blaring. Blood and metal flew apart, washing over their vipers as they continued in their assault.
As expected, the baseship drew away some of its firepower from the Pegasus to focus upon them as they decimated the line of raiders.
As he dodged and weaved quickly, starting to retreat, Lee shouted out, "now Racetrack, now!"
"Missiles away," replied Racetrack. "Pulling back now."
"I've launched everything I have," added in Sharon. "Also pulling back."
"Apollo to all vipers, let's get out of here. All vipers draw back from the baseship," said Lee.
"Copy that," said Kara, pushing her viper towards home. She wove and dived, taking out a raider that crossed her path with a loud whoop. From behind her she could see a bright flash and then numerous cheers sounding over her comm.
Flipping her viper over she saw the beautiful sight as the baseship began to break apart. The Pegasus continued to fire until it was decimated. The few remaining raiders, pulled away and then disappeared in a flash. They had won.
"This is Pegasus to all pilots," said Fisk. "Come on home." His voice was commanding but carried a hint of jubilation.
"You heard the Commander everyone," said Lee, looking over towards Kara. "Head on home, there's some well-deserved ambrosia waiting for us."
"Looks like you got beaten up pretty bad," said Kara on a private comm line as she looked at Lee's viper. There were scorch marks marring the underside of the chassis.
"I was flying solo for a while."
"Never again Lee, I promise," replied Kara, holding up her hand to the cockpit in a vain attempt at reaching out towards him.
"I might not be able to fly again after this," replied Lee, as he too touched the side of the cockpit.
"Why's that?"
"Let's just say you're a bad influence on me and save the explanation for later."
They were the last two still out with the stars as they angled their vipers to the deck, coming in for a combat landing. Their undercarriage bumped down hard until they came to a standstill.
"Pegasus this is Apollo, everyone is on deck, no-one is behind me," said Lee.
Kara leant her head back against the seat as she felt the pull of the FTL drive kicking in. As she decompressed, her head felt even clearer and she breathed a sigh of relief.
oooo
Kara smirked as her viper was towed onto the deck, seeing doc Philips standing in wait for her, his arms folded in front of his chest. He didn't look happy. She knew she was in trouble, but didn't really care.
Blood was splattered all over her viper, all the way from the nose and up to the tail. It had been an intense fight and the adrenalin was still pumping through her body. Various crew members stared at her as she pushed back the cockpit canopy and removed her helmet, followed by a few cheers.
She heard the roar of Helo as she stepped over the cockpit onto the small ladder. He lifted her up, carrying her down the remaining steps.
"It's so frakking good to see you Starbuck," he said. "I was sceptical of Apollo's plan, but…"
"What plan?" asked Kara, but she was too elated to press the subject further. With the advantage of being held above Helo's tall shoulders, she could see across the deck. Lee was jumping down his ladder and moving quickly towards her. She wriggled in Helo's arms until he let her go and then weaved through the elated crowd towards Lee.
They fell into each other's arms with a deep embrace, Kara nestling her head upon Lee's shoulder until the presence of doc Philips pulled her away.
"I told you I'm fine," she said but Philips didn't budge. Turning back to Lee she said, "Looks like I'm being dragged away."
Lee gave her a kiss. "You need to get yourself checked out Kara."
"Why is everyone overreacting?" she replied with a shrug. "All I did was collapse from that headache, it's gone now."
Lee glanced at Philips and then back at her. "You were in a coma for over a week Kara."
She hadn't realised she'd been unconscious for so long. "Oh, well, I'll just follow the doc's orders then," she said with a smile.
Lee shook his head in apparent disbelief of his wife's nonchalance. "I'll follow with the kiddies, they miss you."
Kara leant in and gave him a soft a kiss and then walked away with Philips. She had a swagger in her step as she walked through the cheering crowds, still celebrating their victory. She smiled wickedly and turned back to Lee shouting out, "loose the beard!"
She then carried on walking towards lifestation, ignoring Philip's disapproving stare.
oooo
Lee stood outside Fisk's quarters taking a deep breath, bracing himself for a difficult meeting. Despite his trepidation, he was still buzzing from the battle and seeing Kara again. Lena and Joseph had been excited that their mother was "feeling better," as he had put it, but he hadn't had a chance to take them to her yet. He was just shaving off his beard when he heard his name being called over the comm, ordering him to report to Commander Fisk's quarters.
He took another deep breath and then knocked on the hatch, entering when he heard Fisk's voice. The man did not look too happy as he sat behind his desk, but on the plus side, he didn't have a military contingent with him. Lee saluted sharply and stood to attention.
"Sit," said Fisk pointing to the chair in front of his desk. Lee sat down quickly.
"You asked to see me sir?"
"I'm puzzled about something Major, perhaps you could help me make sense of it." Fisk was now staring at him. "I was going to congratulate you for your prompt actions when the cylons came, but then Shaw informed me that we didn't jump to the co-ordinates she had inputted that morning, in fact we jumped a lot further…"
"Sir, I…" began Lee but Fisk held up his hand to cut him off.
"Then I spoke to the Commander of our Tylium ship and he informs me that you gave new co-ordinates to him before the cylons came along."
"Sir I can explain…"
"Then I think back to a conversation we had this morning, about a certain Major who was lying in a coma until a few hours ago. You can appreciate that I am starting to look upon this with suspicion." Fisk's tone of voice told Lee that he already knew what he had done. "And coincidentally a training op was in progress on the deck, so virtually all of our pilots were in flightsuits and on the deck. I appreciate that you went to the trouble of trying to ensure the safety of this ship."
"This was all me sir, I take full responsibility."
Fisk nodded, "not that I believe you, Helo was far too quick to provide an explanation, but I will accept your admission of guilt and not look further at any other people." He paused before speaking again, "You could have endangered this entire ship."
Lee suddenly felt a pang of guilt, "I'm sorry sir, but I had to do something."
"What you did was tantamount to mutiny, if Cain was here she would've already had you shot! You abused the position that I had entrusted you with."
"I'm sorry sir, and I'm willing to face any punishment you deem necessary."
Fisk sighed, "This is why the military banned relationships amongst ranks. They cause people to make irrational decisions. You have put me in a difficult position. On the one hand you have committed a heinous criminal offence, which would normally mean expulsion from the Colonial Fleet and lengthy imprisonment. On the other hand, we are now living in different times. We're out here alone with no reprieve, so I can't just throw you off my ship and we only have a small brig. Further, if I lose an officer, everyone suffers. I also have to accept that on some level you were right, we were sitting ducks out there and if we hadn't of been ready, we may have lost many lives in the attack. Then again, you were also wrong. When we jumped, we were also attacked, even if it was only by one baseship. You are very fortunate that we only lost three vipers, with all pilots managing to punch out in time."
"So what are you going to do?" asked Lee, and now he was nervous.
"For now the moral on the ship is at its highest and I don't want to spoil that. Having you shot or thrown in the brig will only give me one very pissed off Starbuck and would lower the moral over the entire ship. Not to mention that I would have to face your father when we get back." Fisk leant back in his chair. "You've shown that you cannot be trusted in a position of responsibility on this ship and for that I'm busting you back down to pilot status, Starbuck too for that crazy stunt she pulled earlier and ignoring Doctor Philips orders. If anyone asks, you're both back to pilot status for launching your vipers without permission. Now get out of my sight."
Lee didn't need asking twice, he quickly stood up, saluted sharply and then walked out of the room. He paused for breath outside and sighed with relief. He then set off towards lifestation without any feelings of regret for his actions.
