Chapter 52.
Admiral Cain's Quarters
Captain Kara Thrace stood ramrod straight at the position of attention in the center of the commanding officer's spartan quarters. Immediately upon arriving back on the Pegasus she was summoned to Cain's office by a Marine sergeant. She had barely completed her post flight checklist, and checked the names of those killed in the battle when summoned. Ever since her transfer to Pegasus, and subsequent promotion to CAG she had felt like an outsider among her fellow pilots. Kara "Destiny" Fan, and Marcia "Showboat" Case were probably two of the only pilots that had made her feel welcome. Cain had taken a special interest in her, she had originally felt a connection with Cain, but the recent revelations of her past had left her shaken. She felt like she had been standing there an eternity, sweat rolled down her back inside her flight leathers. The door to her small bedroom slid open, and Helena Cain stepped out, her uniform blouse unbuttoned at the collar, and sleeves rolled halfway up her arms.
"Stand at ease Captain." instructed Cain as she walked over to her desk to retrieve a clipboard. She stood reading the contents of the clipboard for just under a minute, taking a pen from the desk and making various notations on the sides of the paper. She finally looked up. "You ignored my direct orders Captain...explain yourself." said Cain sharply.
"The maximum range of an excuse is zero, sir!" replied Starbuck looking dead ahead.
"Felgercarb Captain. I want to know why, and I want you looking directly at me when you say it, understood?" ordered Cain.
"Permission to speak freely, Admiral?" asked Starbuck looking directly at her.
"You seem accustomed to doing so Thrace, so get on with it."
"I didn't agree with your decision to recall the air wing, and abandon the Virgon Express and Galactica, who was providing it cover."
"Would you have had us stay, risking the only two Battlestars left in the universe over one civilian ship?" asked Cain, carefully studying Starbuck's reaction to her comment.
"Yes sir, I would. The Galactica took a beating to protect that ship!"
"Commander Adama would never have left anyone behind, even at the risk of his own crew and ship?"
"Absolutely sir."
"You care about William Adama very much don't you, as well as his son?" asked Cain as she stepped directly in front of her.
"Yes...I do. Commander Adama is like a father to me, there was a history between his son and I."
"Apollo?"
"No sir, Lee's brother Zac. We were engaged to be sealed before he died. That was a long time ago, ancient history."
"Is there room for anyone else in your life, Kara?" Cain's voice was much softer now, as she used the back of her fingers to gently push a strand of hair away from Kara's face. This was not a side of Helena Cain she was expecting. "You are a beautiful, young woman of great intelligence, loyalty and perseverance Kara, traits I admire in a person." Her hand dropped to Kara's shoulder, from there she slowly ran the tips of her fingers down the length of her arm before continuing. "Out of respect for that loyalty to Adama I can overlook this infraction this one time. However, my loyalty and understanding have limits, regardless of my...personal feelings. You have a destiny Kara Thrace, one I hope to help shape in the days, weeks and months to come." Cain's proximity to her was unsettling, she stood nearly four inches taller than her, and Cain's eyes were those of a predator. For the first time in her life, Kara Thrace felt like the prey.
"Admiral... about Helo and the Chief?" asked Kara trying to change the subject. Cain stiffened up, she had preferred to stay on the subject at hand.
"After consultation with the President and Commander Adama, I have decided to be magnanimous and spare them the death penalty, their record of service to the fleet, especially since the attacks has been a good one. Their punishment will be determined by a full tribunal of ship's captains. Now... if you'll excuse me Captain, I have work to do, and so do you.
"Sir?"
"The assault on that Cylon outpost has been a delay at best. I want that outpost, Thrace. Its fuel, its munitions, and whatever resources we can utilize for ourselves. If we plan to return to the colonies and kick some Cylon ass, this fleet needs to be ready!" Kara came to attention and saluted, Cain eyed her for what seemed like an eternity before returning the salute and dismissing her. The door slid shut, and Cain stared ahead deep in thought. "Yes...very beautiful." she said quietly.
Colonial One
"Bill, you have got to relieve her immediately!" Laura Roslin was beside herself with rage after Adama relayed the rumors of the Scylla, and other civilian ships under Cain's watch. "I'll see her spend the rest of her life on the prison barge!"
"There has been no verifiable proof of the atrocity, Laura. All there is is rumor, and I can bet my life that Fisk won't come forward to collaborate. We need to dig further before moving on this, Cain's crew is absolutely loyal to her, and you can bet your life that she won't allow herself to be removed from command easily. When the time comes to act, it has to be meticulously planned out, swift...and final!" said Adama, emphasizing the last word.
"She turned her back on her duties as a military officer in a time of war by abandoning that civilian fleet, never mind conscripting members of their crew under threat of violence."
"I understand that, and when we're able to prove the allegations, you have my word that she will be dealt with." reassured Adama. "I have to return to Galactica. Stay focused Laura."
Pilot's Lounge – Galactica
News of the commutation of Tyrol and Agathon's death sentence had spread throughout Galactica's air wing and deck crews to much elation. Both men were well liked, and now all speculation was about what their eventual punishment would be. The news was not welcome to many of the Pegasus pilots, who had been assigned to Galactica under Admiral Cain's integration orders. To many of them, Pegasus' chief interrogator was murdered by fellow Colonial officers trying to protect a Cylon prisoner.
Matthew Lensherr sat back with his legs on the chair opposite him, feet crossed at the ankles. A tall mug of stout, or what passed for it, sat in front of him. Two Pegasus pilots sauntered over to his table, their demeanor clearly indicated that they were in a foul mood. The shorter of the two men spoke up.
"That your victory drink Hephaestus?" he said menacingly. "You Galactica pukes seem overcome with joy that those two traitors got spared the death penalty for murdering Lt. Thorne. What's up with you fraking people, whose side are you on?"
"Laddie, I suggest you take yuir friend there, and go whine elsewhere. If yuir plannin to badmouth either o' those men on their own ship, than I think yuir lookin for trouble beyond yuir capabilities." responded Matt not moving an inch.
"Fraking Aerilonian, just as ignorant as the Tauron dirt eaters. From what I hear your man Agathon used to bang that little Cylon, knocked her up good. Whats more repulsive, is that none of you had the balls to off him for fraternizing with the enemy. Maybe the rumors about this ship and her commander are true."
"What rumors might that be, lieutenant?" the voice belonged to Colonel Tigh, who stood next to Colonel Fisk.
"I believe Galactica's XO asked you a question, lieutenant! Snap to attention and answer the question...now!" ordered Fisk.
"Sir, we were just talking about those two traitors sitting in our brig." said the other pilot weakly.
"Colonel Tigh, I must apologize for my two officers, they seem unable to respond to a simple question from a superior officer. Perhaps you might have something for them to.. help them better their answers?" volunteered Pegasus' executive officer. Tigh looked directly at Lensherr.
"Captain Lensherr, I came down here to inform you that you have been appointed temporary CAG of the air wing of this ship, I trust you can find something for these...gentlemen to do." said Tigh gruffly.
"I'll see to it, colonel." replied Matt. Tigh shook hands with Matt, congratulating him on the temporary promotion. Colonel Fisk quickly followed suit. Turning to face his two men, Fisk spoke in an extremely low voice.
"The next time you to frak-wits decide to spread rumors about any officer aboard this ship, I'll personally see to it that you're both busted down to enlisted men, understood?"
"Yes sir!" the men replied in unison. Fisk turned to Lensherr and instructed him to carry on. Matt slowly turned towards the two pilots who were red with anger.
"You two officers can report to Chief Laird, I believe he has his hands full, bangin out all the divots and dents on the landing deck from all those combat landings we were forced to make after Pegasus decided to turn tail and run. Dismissed!"
After departing the pilot's lounge, the two executive officers had adjourned further down the hall to the pilot's briefing room, which was now empty. Walking over to the coffee pot, Tigh poured black coffee into two large mugs and casually pulled a flask out of his tunic, emptying a generous amount into each mug. He handed one to Fisk who nodded his approval. "What brings you over here, Jack?" asked Tigh taking a long pull from the chipped mug.
"I'll cut to the chase, Saul." began Fisk taking another swig of coffee. "We've known each other a helluva long time, graduated the academy together, and served on a warstar or two before getting our own Battlestars..." Tigh motioned him to get to the point quicker. "It's no secret that Adama and Cain don't see eye to eye on many things regarding this fleet, and its causing you and I to work a lot harder than we damned near should."
"That's our job as number two, Jack... you know that better than I do." replied Tigh.
"Yeah, yeah... make the old man look good and all that felgercarb. But seriously Saul, this recent conflict between the two ships over Tyrol and Agathon nearly caused an explosive situation, had not the Cylons chose that exact moment to attack us, might have doomed us all."
"Shine that spotlight back on your own commanding officer, Jack. Had she not decided to play judge, jury and executioner, all in one fell swoop we might have avoided all this. That felgercarb she pulled with Bill Adama over leaving him out of the entire process was low, the incident occurred on his own fraking ship! How do you square with that?"
"My relationship with Helena Cain is nowhere near as close as yours and Adama, Saul. Try not to judge me too harshly." explained Fisk holding out his mug for a refill.
"I know that Jack, and I also know that you were really telling me the truth about what happened to your predecessor Belzen, back when we first discovered you guys alive." Fisk started to protest when Tigh help up his hand to cut him off. "Jack! I'm not fraking stupid, I've known you long enough to know that you just don't talk to hear the sound of your own voice. There can be only one fleet commander, and I think we both know who that should be."
"We off the record here Saul, I mean truly off the record?"
"We are!" he replied, handing him back the filled mug.
"I'll grant you that Bill Adama is a far easier commander to work for, but you have to realize something... Cain kept her crew alive for months, without the support from a civilian fleet to feed us, recycle our waste, or R & R on a luxury liner. The crew is fiercely loyal to her, and wouldn't take too kindly to any... adverse actions taken against her."
"I hope to the gods that isn't any kind of a threat, Jack!" warned Tigh.
"I make no threats, or assertions Saul...just speaking off the record." replied Pegasus XO. The two friends changed topic and Tigh put on another pot of coffee.
Combat Information Center – Galactica
William Adama poured over the daily reports handed to him by Petty officer Dualla, affixing his signature to numerous routine memorandums and maintenance reports. Ever since the arrival of Pegasus, Admiral Cain had insisted on better record keeping of vital goods and materials throughout the fleet. He was unsure if he should have felt offended at her constant requests for the most up-to-date information on what seemed to be a daily basis. For years, as Galactica's master, Adama had kept meticulous logs, as did most of the senior officers and enlisted who were responsible for the material. He was sure this was Cain's ongoing pattern of passive harassment. Nothing he couldn't handle. "Fuel consumption... again, Dee? Didn't I just sign this one?"
"That was two days ago, sir. Admiral Cain wants her update." said Dualla weakly. Adama started to say something, when he thought better of it and kept quiet. At this point it didn't matter, Cain would have her update. Dualla thanked him and quickly slipped away to her next signature.
It would be another hour before Colonel Tigh arrived in the CIC, one look and Adama knew that his XO had imbibed a little early. He waited until Tigh stepped up to the plotting table before saying anything. "Like I don't have enough on my plate, Saul." he said quietly.
"No worries Bill, I just had a few, enough to get Fisk's tongue loosened. His coffee was touched up far more times than my own."
"And how loose did his tongue get?"
"Enough. But not here, we're gonna have to finish this conversation in your quarters after the watch." Bill Adama knew that his executive officer was a highly functioning alcoholic, but after listening to him speak, knew that he was telling the truth about the amount he consumed. He knew Saul Tigh too well, and far too long.
"You take care of Lensherr?"
"He's been so informed. A good choice commander, I may question the kid's choice in women, but he's a good stick with a level head in combat. He'd make a good full time CAG."
"That reminds me... I promised the future Mrs. Lensherr that you'd give her a half hour interview for her piece on understanding diversity within the fleet." said Adama with a barely noticeable smile.
Tigh snorted and shook his head in mock disgust, "Everyone's a gods-damned humorist all of a sudden." growled Tigh as he motioned for a nearby ensign for a coffee. "Black and bitter!" Adama just smiled.
