Title: Faoi Dheireadh
Part: 53
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
Note: I do want to thank Vi, Marta, Axelrajr, Moggie, Rap541, 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 Fifty-three
It wasn't that long before Katelyn returned. 'Thank you for staying,' she said while sitting down in the other available chair.
Gaeta nodded. 'You're welcome.' He looked at the monitors for a moment before continuing, 'The doctors that came in while you were gone seemed pleased.'
'Good.' She looked at him for a moment before continuing, 'I want to thank you again for staying. You don't need to stay anymore.'
'All right,' he nodded. Before he left, he gave her hand a squeeze. He wanted to stay, but at the same time he realized that he had spent enough time here. It was time for him to go back to his duties. There was also a report he had to give Adama about the accident.
Once back into the corridor, he pulled out his pda and looked over the notes he had made after talking with Racetrack. There wasn't much there, but probably enough to help Chief Tyrol.
'Sir?' a woman's voice came from further down the corridor. Gaeta raised his head up and looked around, not quiet sure who was being addressed.
'You're one of the Colonials?' the woman asked after she looked over his uniform. She was dressed in a formal suit, very similar to what their own government officials wore during Quorum meetings. Her glance made him think something was wrong. It made him look down at his uniform before he looked back towards the woman. 'Yes. I am Major Gaeta, Executive officer of the Battlestar Galactica. Can I help you?'
She gave him a slight smile while answering, 'Yes, you can. I was hoping you could tell me what happened to one of your small crafts. We lost two high ranking police officers because of it. Did the pilot survive?' She had her own pda out and was already taking notes.
'Yes, she did survive. She is recovering right now.' For the moment he wasn't sure if he was allowed to give out any names. 'She won't understand your questions.'
'Really? Then why can you understand English? You don't seem to have that much of a foreign accent.'
Gaeta had no idea how to answer the question without giving too much information away. It was like being boxed in a corner. 'I. . .I have been learning the language for the past few months,' and left it at that.
The woman seemed to accept his answer for the time being. She was about to ask another question when he decided to ask one of his own. 'And you are?'
'Harriet Spencer, lead investigator for the Pictavian Transportation Safety Committee,' she answered while offering her hand.
'Ma'am, I'm not sure what you are wanting to hear. I can arrange with you to come on board the Galactica to speak with Chief Tyrol and work with him about the crash. I do know early findings have suggested it was equipment related, but I do not have any details at this moment.'
'I see,' she nodded. 'If it was one of your small craft, what about the others?'
"Grounded."
'What?' she asked.
Gaeta was tired, and frustrated at the same time. He realized he would have to be more careful of what he was saying. 'I'm sorry, I do not know the word. All ships of that type are not flying until all are cleared.'
'What you mean is that they're "grounded",' she nodded in appreciation for the explanation. 'So, I need to talk with Chief Tyrol?'
'Yes, we will have someone that can translate for the meeting. He does not know this language.'
'Thank you, Major. Your comments have been a big help for me.'
Gaeta nodded as he watched her move back down the corridor. The moment she turned the corner he pulled out his pda and jotted down what she asked him. He only hoped that he answered correctly. Being the executive officer came with a lot of responsibilities, and he felt like he barely even knew any of them. Before he left, he decided to check on Racetrack one last time. She seemed to have been fading off to sleep. He wanted to make sure that she was still all right.
A few minutes later he was standing outside her room. He could hear voices, but couldn't tell whose they belonged too. Gaeta almost pushed the door open, but stopped to listen once again. He could just make out what sounded like the early lessons Angela had and then he had once he really started learning English. Good for her, she'll need the skill. Felix let a slight smile cross his face as he turned back towards the elevator.
In less than two hours he was back on board the Galactica. All he really wanted to do was sleep, but he had to report his findings to Adama. If that government agency were like all the ones he had ever had dealings with, they'd have already have contacted the Admiral. Halfway up the first flight of stairs he felt the weight of his exhaustion on his bearing down on his shoulders. For the past week he had been so worried and wired that it had kept him from relaxing. Knowing that both Racetrack and Angela were in good hands for now, made him realize that it was okay to leave and go back to his duties.
As he neared the Admiral's quarters he was surprised to find that there were no guards at his door. He let Adama know he was there and waited patiently.
The door opened and he stepped inside Adama's quarters. "Sir, I talked to Racetrack," he started almost immediately.
"What did she say?" the older officer asked as he directed Gaeta to the table.
"She remembered an explosion and a hard thrust to port, sir. The one other thing she said was that she couldn't control the speed."
"That falls in line with why the raptor fell," Adama mused.
"Yes, sir."
"Anything else, Major?"
"I was stopped by a government official investigating the crash."
"Harriet Spencer? Yes, we've already heard from her. I think she didn't realize that there are only a few of us that can communicate with them."
"Sir, I told her that. . .I think. . ." he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm just really tired."
Adama looked him over before making his decision. "Major, you're off duty until your shift starts tomorrow. Get some rest."
"Yes, sir." Gaeta nodded absently. A moment later he rose and automatically braced himself and then moved towards the door.
"And Felix?" Adama started. Gaeta turned around, "Yes, sir?"
"Lieutenant Glennan woke up ten minutes ago."
The first truly formal meeting of the two sides was scheduled for several days in a remote part of Pictavia. The closed in pavilion had an elegance to it that was surprising to everyone whom had never seen it. The high planetary officials had been using the facilities for years. There was a permanent "no fly" zone in place up to 200 kilometers in any direction leading up to it so there would be complete privacy for any talks staged at the location. The facilities had more than a pavilion, there were tastefully decorated living quarters for every leader that stayed there, as well. It was mainly used for economic talks with the neighboring colonies, and this time it was no different. The one difference was that the visiting government was settling their people in a very remote area of the planet.
Both President Roslin and Admiral Adama were surprised at the way the room was prepared. In the center of the room was the traditional long oval table with name markers for each individual. Behind the chairs and along the wall, where the Colonials were to sit, were the flags of each of the 12 Colonies, with the central government's flag in the center. On the other side were far fewer flags, but they just as colorful. Adama looked around the room for a moment as if making sure everything was as he had been told beforehand. They were walking into an unknown situation, and he wanted to make sure Laura would be safe.
"Ma'am," Billy said from behind them. "Everything's been set up."
"Thank you," Laura answered while still looking at the room's setup.
"Welcome Admiral Adama; Madam President."
The two Colonials turned to see who had addressed them. They had seen so many faces over the last few hours that it was hopeless to even begin remembering everyone. "You can speak our language?" Laura asked surprised.
"Yes, Ma'am. There are some of us that still learn the old languages," she answered with a smile. "I'm Courtney Bennett and I will be the official translator for the talks."
"Good," Adama said with what sounded like relief. Both translators that they had been using were not available at the current time.
Courtney nodded in understanding. "The Prime Minister will be arriving shortly. If you so choose you may wait here."
"Thank you, Ms. Bennett," Laura said gracefully.
Courtney left them alone in the conference room for several minutes. When the door opened again it revealed several people they didn't recognize. The one they did know was the Terran Admiral and the translator that they had just met.
Courtney pushed her way through the group until she was beside the Prime Minister. "Admiral, Madam President? I would like to present to you Prime Minister Alistar Hamilton, and Admiral Harold Jackson. I believe you already know Admiral Orbach?"
"Yes, and thank you," Laura answered for her and Adama as the translator turned towards Hamilton.
'Prime Minister? This is Admiral Adama and President Roslin of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol.'
'Welcome,' Hamilton said while extending a hand in friendship.
The Colonials had no idea what Hamilton had said, but they understood his tone and gesture. Adama looked at Laura for a moment and said with a low voice, "He seems harmless enough."
After another minute, Laura finally reached out and took the hand offered in friendship. "I'm not quite sure what you said, Mr. Hamilton, but thank you for your hospitality."
With the first meeting over with, the two sides found their places at the table. It did help that both sides were using very similar writing systems.
'Let's get started,' Hamilton stated as he opened the folder before him. 'As you will notice, we have taken the time to make sure your copies of the proposals are in your language.'
Laura hesitated as Hamilton's comments were translated. It surprised her that Hamilton seemed very open. "He can't be using duplicity," she muttered to Bill.
"I'm not sure yet. He seems overly confident." Adama opened the folder before him. It was an exact copy of Laura's.
Alistar looked at the two foreign leaders before beginning, 'There are several issues that needs to be discussed here. This is just the introductory overview.'
"I understand," Roslin answered after a moment. "How long will the talks take?"
'As long or as short as needed. There will be no signing until both sides are comfortable with the revisions.'
"Thank you."
The initial pleasantries were still be passed around when Parker entered the room. He whispered something to Admiral Orbach, who in turn excused himself from the meeting for the moment. He returned several minutes later with a thoughtful look on his face.
'Admiral?' Alistar queried.
'Sir, there has been a third convoy hit. This time they were able to rescue one female in a lifepod, and they're sweeping the area once again to make sure no one was missed. No word yet on the Jane Doe's condition, though they're already doing scans to see if they can do anything for her.'
Hamilton looked to Bennett and gave her a nod. She turned and told Adama and Roslin what had just been said.
"Do you know what she looks like?" Laura asked out of curiosity.
'Not yet, the rescue ship is still looking for survivors.'
Adama answered thoughtfully, "I see."
After going through the list of what would be discussed that day, the meeting eventually broke for a lunch break. The Picts were used to the give and take, but the Colonials were having a somewhat harder time. Besides the teachers' strike it had been over forty years since anyone in the refugee's society had been in any type of formal talks.
Newly arrived Harriet Spencer walked through the corridors at a brisk pace. She felt she had seen enough while on the Colonial's destroyer. Turning a corner, she almost ran into Jackson, just the person she was wanting to see, other than the Prime Minister. 'Admiral Jackson? I was hoping to find you,' she said curtly.
'What is it that can't wait, Ms. Spencer?' he asked cordially.
'I just finished taking a tour of the Colonial's destroyer hanger. . .'
'I think they call it a battlestar,' he interjected.
'Destroyer, battlestar. . .whatever. My real reason is that I wanted to tell you that they're very lax in their maintenance.'
Jackson's eyes narrowed, 'Really?'
'And there's a reason for that,' Mair commented.
'Captain, this isn't for you to know,' Harriet tried to cut her off.
'But it is. I've been in contact with the Colonials for over a month. I believe there is a reason why their ships are the way they are. Did you ask them?'
'What does that have to do with their maintenance program?' Spencer shot back.
'Everything. That ship is understaffed and the crew is overworked. Not only that, they were on the run. All the maintenance went into the engines and their fighters. That was the only thing that kept them alive. If you don't believe me, then ask them. I will guarantee you they will give you an earful of what they've been through.' Mair took a calming breath before turning her attention to Jackson. 'Sir, from what I've found, not one person out of their military has had a day off in almost a year.'
'I see.' Jackson did more than see, he understood. 'Does Admiral Orbach know about this?'
'Not yet, sir,' Mair answered. 'I was on my way when I heard her mention the quality of their maintenance.' She shot Harriet another hard glance then moved off in the direction she was originally heading.
I wouldn't be surprised if she's warming Admiral Orbach's bed. Harriet looked around, 'Have you seen the Ambassador?'
Mair eventually found Orbach being briefed by Logan. 'Admiral,' she braced herself before continuing, 'I'd like a word with you.'
Orbach dismissed Logan then turned back to Mair, 'Yes, Captain?'
'In concern for the small Colonial ships, especially the one that crashed? They were grounded almost immediately, and also that they have been going through intensive maintenance. You remember how understaffed they are.'
Jeremiah nodded, 'Yes, I do remember.'
'I have a feeling that the PTSC agent in control of the investigation thinks otherwise. I only want to warn you beforehand.'
'And you have. Thank you,' he nodded then directed her towards the cafeteria facilities. 'Have you eaten lunch yet?'
'Not yet, sir. I was going to be here later, but was called to bring Ms. Spencer planetside after she had visited the Galactica.'
Lunch was a fairly informal affair, and soon everyone was gathered once again in the main conference room. The rest of the first day went fairly quickly. The Colonials were shocked with each of the offers that were placed on the table before them.
"Why are you offering all of this?" Laura asked.
Hamilton looked at Roslin for a long time before finally giving her a look as if to say that she should know what he meant.
Roslin's eyes narrowed slightly before she finally nodded. "I see."
O'Neill found Roslin as they were leaving the conference room. "There is something I would like to talk with you about."
"Yes?" Laura asked as she gave her a slight smile.
"I wanted to show you this," Mair handed her a piece of paper.
"What is this about?" Laura looked at it confused.
"Last week Dr. Cottle gave me something. After several hours my symptoms had completely disappeared. My CMO, managed to separate whatever it was out of my blood and this is what she came up with. She will start the gene mapping process, but if you're going to make any money off of this, it needs to be patented immediately so no one can steal it. Madam President, there is money to be made off this, money your people will need soon enough."
Laura looked down at the sheet again. "I see. Thank you, Captain." She knew she had a lot to think about before the next meeting.
TBC...
