Earth-New Beginning

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 22: Surprising Finds

Lush land spread out touching the gray skies. Rain splashed over Apollo's canopy not quite masking the scene below him. Dinosaurs wandered in herds munching on leaves while others skulked in the trees or long grasses. A winged reptile flew past eyeing him with large black eyes.

"Diverse wildlife," Rae's voice came through his helmet com distracting his thoughts.

"We'll let Dr. Wilker and his team study them."

"Or we could ask the Terra Novans. They've been here for several yahrens."

He smiled. Rae had a point.

"We'll see you in a centaur." Gold Squadron banked toward the valley they'd all agreed should make a good settlement for some of their people.

His select group continued on to the mountain hovering over the valley. Starbuck, Sheba, Boomer and Jolly flanked him, each to note various areas on the peak. Hopefully they would find the perfect landing spot for the foundry ship giving its occupants easy access to the promising natural resources.

"Pretty rugged," Starbuck observed his normal joking attitude absent.

"There's a plateau Apollo," Sheba reported. "Might be a good spot."

Not that she needed to be told, but he said, "Note the position and we'll include that in our report to the council." He hoped they didn't argue over every aspect of founding their colony. Their fuel was about to give out and they needed to move quickly.

"Let's circle twice making as many observations as we can." Apollo knew it would give them enough time for a good examination before rejoining Gold Squadron.

"River looks like it might flood," he heard Rae comment.

"We can handle that," Don answered.

"Astraya will miss her engines," Jason lamented to his brother. Apollo wondered who the woman was.

"She'll adjust," Don replied. "When she sees this beautiful place to raise her children."

"Yeah, well, we like children." The young man sounded defensive.

"Yeah, but six?"

Six children? Apollo shook his head his words he spoke on Caprica returned to him. After losing Zac and his mother, he'd said them to his father in anger. Battlestars are no place for little boys. Seemed those aboard the Pegasus disagreed.

They'd finished their second pass. "Let's get back," he ordered.

Rae's squadron rejoined them as they flew toward Terra Nova.

"How do you think the Council will respond?" Rae asked.

"Probably as they always do."

"What do they want? For ships to start falling out of space?"

He hoped not. "Let's get back and make our report."

Overhead jagged lightening flashed and rain fell harder. In a way, the weather reflected Apollo's thoughts when it came to their leaders.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Bola trotted off to rejoin the herd, his mate bumping him in greeting. Laura watched him go hoping they didn't have to walk back. Her attention returned to their small party.

Alona examined the nearest container her fingers lightly running over the crystal like substance. Rain dripped off the sides further damping the already soaked grass.

"There doesn't seem to be any way to open them," Benton commented. His beard held some drops making him look like pictures Laura had seen of mountain men.

"I'll bet there is." Alona circled it again. "I don't see any seams."

Sheba sniffed it, sneezed, before dashing off to find a dryer spot. Laura saw her disappear into the distant tree line. "Smarter than us." She chuckled as her eyes diverted to the small scampering forms hiding under several adults. "Babies."

Her comment caught Benton's and Alona's attention. They ceased looking for a way to open the box and looked in the direction of the Brachiosaurus.

Alona glanced at Laura. "Think they'll let you have a couple?"

Laura sighed. "Maybe next batch." She felt Benton's arm go around her and she had to admit it felt good to have someone who cared about her.

"What's Bola doing?" Dr. Quest pointed to the large male as he separated about six young and urged them toward the humans.

"Not sure." Laura kept a careful watch on the other males and females. They could decide to attack him if they felt the babies were in danger.

The little ones vanished in the tall grass. Their off green coloring allowed them the perfect camouflage. Minutes later they appeared before her, their tiny heads gazing up.

"Bola what are you doing?" she asked her long-time friend.

He butted her chest with a huff. Leery she knelt down putting out her hand to gage the babies' reactions. One of them nibbled her fingers before tapping her hand.

Benton chuckled. "Looks like you have your start."

"So it seems," she agreed, rising slowly so not to startle them. Laura patted Bola's neck. "Promise I will take good care of them."

He bugled, his cry echoed across the lake. His herd repeated his cry. Laura tensed not sure if they would be charged. Instead the matriarchs huffed before going back to eating leaves.

"What was that about?" Benton asked.

"Not quite sure." Laura had never seen the herd do that. "Hope it's good."

They heard a hiss and turned to look at the container Alona had touched. It popped and sprang open. The babies raced to safety under Bola.

Dr. Jackson hurried over to it, pushing it open with Benton's assistance. "Good thing I brought a com." She pulled it out of her pocket.

"Where did you get that?" Laura had no idea they had a way to contact the colony.

"Dr. Wallace insisted."

"Prudent move." Benton reached out to touch the contents before stopping himself. He whistled. "Mother lode."

Curious Laura came to see what they'd discovered. Inside the container were shelves. Laying on them various artifacts carefully wrapped, what looked to be information discs, and a huge book with a design she hadn't seen before.

"The pyramid with the glowing star," Alona pointed out.

"Wasn't that design on the city?" Benton inquired.

"It was." Alona activated the com. "This Dr. Alona Jackson. I need transport."

"Roger that," Taylor's familiar voice answered. "What did you find?"

"Not sure. Tell Dr. Wallace we're going to need lots of storage space and commander, it's going to take more than one trip."

"Copy that." A slight pause followed. "Anything we need to be concerned about?"

"Looks like lots of information and I'm not sure what else. It'll take time to go through them all."

"Understood. Transport already in route."

"Thanks. Tell them to watch for deep mud and not to do anything that'll upset the herd." She winked a Laura. "I don't think Dr. Collins would be very happy with them."

"I'll inform them. Taylor out."

Alona put the com back in her pocket. "Sorry I didn't tell you Laura. Dr. Wallace arranged most of it and told me just before we left."

"Sounds like him."

"Yeah." Dr. Jackson smiled. "Find of a lifetime." ***

"Quite a treasure," Dr. Quest agreed. He gave Laura a suggestive grin. She felt her cheeks burn.

"Good thing you have a good intern." Laura said the first thing that came to her mind.

"Not sure how this opened. Dr. Quest, can you give me a hand?" The two managed to get their find closed. The contents needed to be protected from the weather.

Laura looked for Sheba and then shrugged. For all she knew, the sabre cat was already halfway back to Terra Nova.

"Might be keyed to open when touched," Benton suggested. "Any idea Dr. Jackson, how long before the rovers arrive?"

"Depends on the storm and road conditions although the Rovers can handle just about any terrain."

Laura nodded returning her attention to the babies huddled under Bola. "Okay kids, how do I get you safely back to Terra Nova?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Rain still fell heavily when night finally descended. Apollo stood outside enjoying the sound of drops hitting the roof and ground. Clouds obscured the normally bright moon making it seem darker than normal. After yahrens of living on the Galactica the break from the hum of the engines was a novelty.

The door opened and Rae stepped outside. "You going to stay out here all night?"

"No." The two squadrons had eaten dinner together along with their respective commanders. He heard snatches of conversation as Rae closed the door behind her. Knowing her as well as he did, she would talk about whatever had driven her outside and waited for her to speak.

"What happened to Jenn?"

Hadn't taken her as long as he'd expected and he glanced up at the night sky gathering the right words. Her question he hadn't anticipated. "She was killed by a Cylon patrol."

Rae snorted. "Like Jenn would have allowed a Cylon to kill her."

"She was one of our best warriors," he agreed. "Antares saw it happen." Her wingman had witnessed the explosion which had taken her life. His words held truth as he'd explained the incident. His credibility not doubted since he was Apollo's cousin.

"Hawks still flying?" She pulled her flight jacket tighter as cool damp hugged them.

"They are. Antares took over as flight leader. Daniel and Nona stayed with him." Their squadron had always been a small one. "Starbuck, Boomer and Jolly alternate as their fourth." No new member had been selected and it made Apollo wonder why. There were several excellent warriors who would fit the skill level of the squadron.

Thunder rumbled causing the air to feel like a living vibrating thing. Rain began to fall even harder.

"She was part of our family." She crossed her arms over her jacket.

"I miss her too," he assured her. He'd sponsored Rae through the academy and his father had done the same with Jenn. It had been yahrens since any Caprican family had followed tradition. They'd meant for their decision to inspire others.

Apollo had trained both Jenn and Rae when they'd been part of Blue Squadron. Their exceptional skills had gotten them both promoted rapidly and both had transferred to other battlestars to become flight commanders, Rae to the Pegasus and Jenn to the Solaria.

Rae's next question cut through his thoughts. "Apollo, did she talk about where she'd come from?"

He shook his head. "I know Count Ibilis didn't like her."

"He didn't like you from what I heard."

"I forgot your squadron was on deep patrol when he was among the fleet." They'd returned just after whatever mystical thing had happened to Apollo, Starbuck and Sheba. No doubt given his long friendship with them, Starbuck had filled them in on what had happened.

"We were." She squeezed his arm. "Thanks." Rae went back inside.

He stood outside for several more centons before rejoining everyone. A part of him still felt Jenn's loss, as well as his brother's, his mother's and his wife Serina. Their ghosts haunted him. He could feel their hovering presence nearby and he shivered.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"What are you doing with them?" Dr. Wallace demanded as Laura entered the lab.

Laura glanced down at the six greenish babies. "What I always intended to do."

Outside Bola bugled.

"You mean domestic them." He blinked, frowning. Laura tried not to laugh at his bright colored flowered shirt and khaki shorts.

"Yes." Her eyes stopped at Alona's dark office. "They still working in the main lab?"

Malcolm nodded. "As well as Dr. Quest and Dr. McKay." He rubbed his face. "She's even warned off all the interns."

"Smart move."

"Hi Laura." Maddy Shannon dripped water on the floor as she removed her plastic raincoat. The girl dressed practically in pants and a long sleeved shirt. "Where's Sheba?" She hung up her gear.

"Sulking at home." She'd stopped at her home intending to pen the babies, but thought twice about leaving them alone with the sabre cat who had taken over the second bedroom and growled when her nap got interrupted.

The babies flocked around her legs following her as if she were their mother.

"They're cute." Maddy grinned. "I was about to join Dr. Jackson. Want to come along?"

"Yes." She nodded at Dr. Wallace who retreated to another part of the building. Probably wanted to exam the remains of the T Rex.

"Dr. Jackson banned him from the lab," Maddy told her with a giggle.

"Don't you normally come in earlier?" Laura wondered.

"Normally. I had to drop Zoe off at school."

"How is your little sister?"

"Good." She pointed at the babies. "Don't let her see them. She'll want one for a pet."

Laura laughed. "They won't stay this size."

"I know." Maddy motioned for Laura to follow her.

They traveled though rooms familiar to Laura, not that she spent much time in either her office or the labs. One contained various plants, a large lizard, and other specimens.

Beyond sat a large rarely used room. The three largest containers sat in the middle, one of them open. The smaller cylinders had been stacked along the walls making the space seem less spacious.

"How many containers?" Laura asked. She pulled off her cloak and found a corner. The babies flocked to it and settled down.

"Don't have a full count yet." Dr. Jackson kept her attention on the notes she took. "Kelly spent the night here and went home to get some rest." She pointed to the other side of the room. "Dr. Quest is over there."

She hadn't asked and appreciated the update. She'd left with Bola and the babies when the first of the transports had arrived. Dr. Quest and Alona had stayed behind to supervise the operation.

"We found more than we expected," Benton said, rising from where he'd been working. "There seem to be more cylinders than anything else."

"We had to borrow one of the large storage bins."

The bins were used for food storage during harvest. To have to use one meant they'd found more than expected. They sat in the same area the container with the ship's prow from the Badlands had been hidden. Only a handful knew the contents.

Maddy walked past the dozen sitting along the wall. She bit her lip and asked, "Do these strike you as being people sized?"

Author's note: *** I wrote a Story called Find of Lifetime which appeared in Supernatural Colorado. It features both mermaids and dinosaurs.