TWENTY YEARS BEFORE THE FALL
Danny Maples sat by himself as he always did at lunchtime looking out over the school playground. The huge oak tree he sat under shaded him from the sun that poured down over the small town of Freedom. This was the part of school he enjoyed the most, eating the food his mother had made for him as he watched the other kids play. Even at eight years old he knew he was different from the other children, he knew he wasn't as smart but it didn't bother him. He did his schoolwork at his own pace and spent his evenings playing with his toys and reading his comics. He didn't have many friends, he had never been sure why but like everything else in his life he accepted it. His mother had always told him that the gods never gave a person more than they thought he or she could handle. When he thought about it his life was good, it could just be a little better in certain places. As he finished his sandwich and took out his apple he noticed the four boys that were walking towards him. He didn't like them and for some reason they didn't like him. Usually he was able to get his lunch eaten before they would come and pick on him and tease him. He closed his lunch box and stood up ready to walk away.
"Hey Maples where do you think you're going?" one of the boys yelled.
"Please leave me alone." Danny replied.
"Why would we do that?" he replied, "When you're so much fun to beat up."
The boy pushed Danny as he finished speaking him making him fall to the floor. He hit the ground with a thud. Before he could get back up the boys began kicking and hitting him. Then as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Through the tears Danny looked up and saw two other boys had appeared, and they were fighting with the boys who always picked on him. The four bullies backed off.
"The next time you pick on him you have to deal with us." The brown haired boy who came to Danny's defence shouted. The four boys turned and ran as fast as they could.
"Are you okay?" The blonde boy of the two asked.
Danny nodded his head, "Thank you."
"You're welcome, what's your name?" the blonde boy asked.
"Danny, Danny Maples." Danny replied as they helped him up.
"I'm Mark Hunter and this is Mikey Kent." Mark said.
"Thanks for helping me." Danny said with a smile.
"You should hang round with us Danny, we'll make sure they don't pick on you again." Mikey said.
Danny smiled, today, was going to be a good day after all.
PRESENT DAY
Skeeter wasn't in the best of moods. The President's Chief of Staff Thomas Jones was late for work again. He wasn't answering any calls made to his quarters. Judging by how drunk Skeeter had seen him the night before, he expected to find him passed out in his quarters. The President was as annoyed as he was, this wasn't what Skeeter was supposed to be doing, looking for someone who clearly had no interest in his job. Skeeter had already checked the bars Thomas drank in, as they had been on the way to his quarters but there was no sign of him. As he turned into the corridor that led to Thomas' quarters, he saw someone running out of them and turning the opposite way from Skeeter.
"HEY." Skeeter shouted.
Whoever it was didn't stop, they just kept running. Skeeter ran to the doorway and looked inside. He could see Thomas face down on the ground. Skeeter ran over to him. Thomas was laying face down in a pool of his own vomit, passed out. Whoever had been in the room had clearly been looking for anything they could take. Skeeter nudged him with his foot.
"Hey wake up." Skeeter said.
There was no response, Thomas just started to snore. Skeeter covered his nose from the smell and turned Thomas over, whom now, covered in his own vomit started to stir.
The smell made him want to wretch, "Wake the frak up." Skeeter yelled.
As Thomas opened his eyes he groaned.
"Frak, my head hurts."
"For gods sake, not only are you two hours late for work look at yourself you're covered in your own puke." Skeeter said stepping back from him.
Thomas sat up and looked at himself.
"Oh man," he said, "I think I've shit myself."
Skeeter's temper was close to boiling point.
"Get your fraking act together and get in the gods dam shower, the President wants to see you."
Thomas held out his hand for Skeeter to help him up.
"You have to be fraking kidding me." Skeeter replied taking another step back from the man.
Thomas got himself to his feet and staggered into his bathroom.
"You've got ten minutes." Skeeter said walking over to the phone. Moments later he was talking to the President.
"Mr President this is Skeeter, I've found Thomas face down in a pool of his own vomit, he's showering and then I'll bring him straight to you."
The President was not happy at this news, "Thank you Skeeter, sorry you had to deal with this."
"Not at all Mr President, I'll see you asap."
As Skeeter put down the phone he surveyed the room. Whoever had been in here while Thomas had been passed out he had been through everything, he had no idea what could have been taken. Skeeter looked at all the bottles of alcohol on the table in the middle of the room, some of them were empty, and the others well on their way to being the same. There was an ashtray that clearly hadn't been emptied in weeks. This was the first time in a long time that Skeeter wanted a cigarette himself, Thomas was pushing him to the edge.
Minutes later Thomas appeared in a clean shirt and trousers and took some painkillers.
"What the frak are you playing at?" Skeeter said, "You have a job to do and instead you're drinking yourself to death."
"It's none of your fraking business why I drink so much." Thomas said putting on a suit jacket.
"It is when I'm the one who has to come and find you. Get your fraking act together."
When Thomas walked into the President's office he knew he was in trouble.
"Sit!." Milo said.
Thomas sat down in front of the President while Skeeter stood off to the side.
"Explain yourself." Milo said.
"I drank too much and didn't set an alarm, I have no excuse."
"You drank too much? Thomas you come into work nearly every day with a hang over, your work is sloppy and you seem to have no interest in your job. Skeeter found you face down in your own vomit, it's not as though you like the odd drink, you're an alcoholic and it's effecting your day to day performance."
"I'm sorry sir, I'll stop drinking I promise." Thomas replied.
"This has been going on for months, you're gradually getting worse. I need someone I can rely on all the time and I don't think that person is you."
"Please sir, give me another chance." Thomas pleaded.
"You've had all the chances you're going to get, I'm sorry Thomas but you're fired."
"Mr President, please." Thomas said.
"Thomas, find someone to talk too. I am willing to help you get past your problems. Skeeter please escort Mr Jones out and make sure you get his pass from him." Milo said.
"Yes sir, Thomas please come with me." Skeeter said.
"You're going to regret this." Thomas said as he stood up throwing his pass at Skeeter before storming out of the room.
Skeeter walked with him till he was away from the President's offices.
"The President is right, you need to get yourself some help before you kill yourself." Skeeter said.
"Frak you." Thomas replied before taking a swing at Skeeter. Skeeter saw it coming and blocked it, twisting the man's arm behind his back.
"You come near here again and I'll shoot you." Skeeter said, "That isn't a threat, it's a promise."
Skeeter pushed him away.
"You'll all be sorry." Thomas yelled as he straightened himself up and walked away.
Skeeter took a deep breath and composed himself before heading back to the President, he could really do without this, he was looking forward to the days off he had coming up.
As he walked back into the President's office, Milo looked up from some paper work.
"I'm going to have to find someone to replace him." Milo said.
"Sir if I may? I have a suggestion?" Skeeter replied.
"Of course." Milo said.
"Major Hunter's sister, Carrie Spence was a PA for one of the VP's at one of the biggest companies on the Colonies. She's used to the pressure and more than competent."
"That's not a bad idea. I'll get in touch. Thank you."
Skeeter sat in his quarters looking through some old photos. He smiled when he saw one of him and Danny at the garage back on Freedom.
"I'm sorry Danny." Skeeter said.
"For what?" came the reply.
Skeeter looked up and he was sat in Danny's apartment above the garage on Freedom. Danny looked up and smiled.
"What are you sorry for Skeeter?" Danny asked.
"Not saving you back on Sagittaron." Skeeter replied.
"It wasn't your fault." Danny replied.
"But I was supposed to look after you, I promised your mother."
"And you did. What happened wasn't your fault, you couldn't be in two places at once."
"Still doesn't change the fact that I feel it was my fault."
Danny sat next to him on the sofa, "So what would change it?"
"I have no idea, going back in time and doing things differently, or switching places with you."
"What would that achieve? If you had died that day, then things would have been very different. Chances are Archangel and the others would be dead as well."
"I doubt that." Skeeter replied with a laugh.
"I wouldn't be so sure. Think about all the times you saved his life or the lives of one of the others." Danny said.
"You would have done it if you had been there." Skeeter replied.
"You know for a fact that I used to freeze under fire sometimes and with my hand how it was, it made things a lot harder."
Danny and Skeeter looked at his hand, it was fine, no sign of how badly damaged it had been at the marine base.
"So how's life in the fleet?" Danny asked changing the subject.
"Same as usual but I think I've finally found my place." Skeeter replied.
"But still you're not happy?" Danny said.
"That's the thing about guilt, it stops you from finding that happiness."
"So if the guilt were to go, if you could find some way of leaving it behind, what would make you happy?"
Skeeter thought for a few moments, "Bria." He said with a smile.
"I knew it!" Danny exclaimed, "I knew there was a girl."
"But that just brings up other forms of guilt, what happened with Alice, it's like I'm betraying her."
"Because you like someone else?" Danny asked, "I know I've never been that smart, but wouldn't Alice want you to be happy? I remember how much she loved you and I know for a fact she would want you to find someone else so you wouldn't be alone?"
"I know, you're right, it's just maybe I would be better living my life alone. Anyone who gets too close ends up dead."
"Everyone dies. Anyone could make that claim, especially now, everyone who lives in your fleet thinks that. You have to make the most of what you have. With what's to come you will need other people who are close to you."
Skeeter turned to look at Danny, "What do you mean what's to come?"
"The fleet has a long way to go before you'll find a home, before you'll find your salvation. There are a lot of hard times ahead, you won't always have Mark, and you won't always have your friends."
"What's coming? What's going to happen to Mark?"
Danny smiled, "First things first, find a way to forgive yourself, other people need you, people you don't even know yet."
Skeeter snapped too and awoke on the sofa in his quarters. He had nodded off. He looked down at the photo on his lap and smiled again when he saw Danny.
The next morning Skeeter was up early as usual, he walked through the corridors of the Caprican Sunrise to one of it's many dining rooms. Standing by the door of the dining room he saw a young man handing out leaflets. He recognised him, but wasn't sure where from. He handed Skeeter a leaflet. Skeeter looked down and saw it was for the NCO. The young man realised he had made a mistake giving it to Skeeter when he looked at him.
"You're NCO?" Skeeter asked.
He dropped the leaflets and ran. Skeeter took off after him. As he chased the boy, Skeeter suddenly remembered where he had seen him before, he was the one who had come out of Thomas' quarters the day before.
"STOP." Skeeter yelled as he ran.
Skeeter wasn't surprised when he didn't stop, he wouldn't have. A crowd of people had slowed the boy down in front of him. Skeeter reached out to grab him, as he did, another man appeared from nowhere in front of him knocking Skeeter to the ground. When he looked up the boy was gone and a giant man was looking down on him.
"You okay?" the man asked, "I'm so sorry you came out of nowhere."
He helped Skeeter to his feet.
"It's not your fault." Skeeter replied.
"That's very bold of them." Milo said, "Handing out these leaflets on this ship."
"Them coming out must have given them a new sense of bravery." Natasha Cobb replied.
"So how old was this boy?" Milo asked.
"Sixteen maybe," Skeeter replied, "He took off before I could find out anything."
"If we could find him, maybe we could get information out of him regarding the NCO." Natasha said.
"If he's that young how much information is he going to have?" Commander Garrett asked over the phone.
"Very true. Chances are all he's doing for them is handing out these leaflets." Milo replied.
"But he has to get them from somewhere?" Skeeter said, "We find him, we find out where he gets them from and the blanks begin to fill themselves in."
"That's a good idea." Milo said.
"It's your call Mr President and I will back whatever play you make." Garrett said.
"Thank you Commander, We will keep you informed." Milo replied.
As he hung up he looked up at Skeeter, "I want you to go take a walk, go see if you can find him again."
"Yes sir. What do you want me to do if I do?" Skeeter asked.
"Bring him here." Milo replied.
As Skeeter walked out of the room he saw Carrie waiting outside to see the President.
"Hey." Skeeter said.
"Hey yourself. How are you?" she asked.
"Getting there," Skeeter replied, "It's been a tough week."
"You must be looking forward to some time on the Starburst at the end of the week?" she asked.
"Yeah you could say that. Are you coming?" he asked.
"Yeah I'll be there." She replied with a smile.
"Good luck in there," he said, "And well done taking out your first toaster."
"Thank you and thank you. It was an experience I don't want to have to repeat anytime soon."
"I know that feeling." Skeeter replied, "I have to go, if I don't see you before I'll see you at the weekend."
"I'll look forward to it."
As Skeeter walked off the door opened again and the President appeared.
"Miss Spence how lovely to see you, please come in." he said shaking her hand.
"You too Mr President." She said as she walked in.
"Please take a seat, can I offer you a drink?" Milo asked.
Carrie sat next to the Vice President. She had no idea what this could be about.
"Yes please sir," she shook the Natasha's hand, "Very pleased to meet you Madame Vice President."
"Likewise." Natasha replied with a smile.
Milo handed them both a glass of Picon whiskey each.
"Right down to business," Milo said, "Have you thought about your future in the fleet, what you want to do?"
Carrie took a sip from her drink, "Well to be honest I'm not too sure. Living aboard Orion, seeing what they do everyday, I had thought about learning to fly Raptors."
"But you haven't signed up for anything?" Milo asked.
"No sir, it was just a thought. I've been spending more time with my brother and Wedge, sorry Captain Manning and seeing what they do it made me feel like I owe it to them to help." Carrie replied, "Of course I've been dreading telling my brother that I've been thinking of that, I'm not sure how he would respond."
"Well before you do I have an offer for you, I'm assuming you'd already guessed that."
"To be honest I had no idea why you had asked me here sir."
"I've just had to let my Chief of Staff go, he wasn't up to the job. Skeeter tells me you were a PA before the attack in one of the biggest companies in the Colonies."
"Yes sir I was. I worked for one of the Senior Vice Presidents at HunterCorp."
"I need someone who is good at what they do, someone who I don't have to keep reminding to do things, someone who can keep up with me and give me a kick in the ass when I need it, someone who is reliable. I think you're that person."
Carrie looked surprised, "You're offering me a job?"
"Yes. Obviously you'll need to think about it. If you accept we'll sort you out with some quarters over here, some suits if you need any and anything else."
Carrie thought about it, it was something that she knew how to do but, it would take her away from Orion.
"Sorry to bring this up straight away, but how would time off be factored into this job? I've only just got to know my brother and I've started a new relationship with Captain Manning."
"Of course," Milo said, "You'll get time off to see them and we'll be on Orion quite often anyway. I guarantee that if you take the job it won't affect any of your new relationships."
"I don't need time to think about this," Carrie said, "Mr President I accept your offer."
Milo smiled, "Excellent."
Before the attack Skeeter had never been anywhere like the Caprican Sunrise. It, like the Starburst was a ship designed for a class of people he didn't belong to and never would. Everything was "luxury" or "high class". Even now sometimes he felt out of place. People would look at him as though he didn't belong. He wondered if there was anyone on this ship who before the Cylons attacked couldn't afford to be here. He stopped when he reached one of the huge balconies that looked down onto the biggest bar in the fleet below him. People were still dressed as though they were going to some kind of elite party or red carpet event, they acted like they were still rich and powerful people who mattered. When the fact was everyone was now the same irrelevant of how much you had in your wallet.
"It's a different world to what we're used to isn't it?" Danny asked from along side Skeeter.
"Sure is. Look at all those people, it's pathetic." Skeeter replied.
"They're just trying to hold onto something they had before, aren't you?" Danny asked.
"Look at me do I look like I did before?"
"Well I must admit I can't remember the last time I saw you wearing a suit." Danny replied with a laugh.
"No I'm not holding onto anything I had before. The only thing that is like it used to be, is I never see Mark."
"He's a busy man." Danny replied.
"Yeah he is, busy saving the fleet." Skeeter replied.
"Are you two still friends?" Danny asked.
"Yeah we're still friends. The only difference is you're not here and I never felt lonely before."
6 YEARS BEFORE THE FALL
When Skeeter pulled up to Danny's it looked the same as it had all those years ago when he first came here. He got out of his truck and walked up the garden path. Danny's mother always had a lovely garden. There were always beautiful plants everywhere. He knocked on the front door a few moments later he was met by Andrea Maples, Danny's mother. She smiled and hugged him the way she always did when he came round.
"Michael thank you for coming so quickly." She said, "Come in come in."
Andrea was the only person who called him Michael, she was the only person he would let call him Michael. Since his parents had died she had been like a mother to him.
"Please sit down." She said as they entered the living room.
On the wall next to him were posters in frames from some of the biggest music arenas on the colonies. Before Danny had been born Andrea had been the most popular operatic singer on all of the Colonies. She semi-retired when she had become pregnant. When Danny had gotten a little older she did one or two concerts every year, but nothing like she used to.
"So is everything okay?" Skeeter asked.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I've received some bad news Michael. I have terminal lung caner."
Skeeter felt like a truck had hit him, tears immediately began to well in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry," he said, "Is there nothing they can do to help you?"
"No there isn't."
Despite the tragic news she seemed calm and at peace with it all.
"How long do you have?" he asked.
"They told me I have three months. That was two months ago."
"Does Danny know?" Skeeter asked.
Andrea shook her head, "No he doesn't. I didn't want to spend the last few months we had together in sadness. I'm telling you because I have to go into hospital in a few days and I won't be coming home again. I'll tell him just before I go in."
"Okay." Skeeter replied, "Is there anything I can do?"
"That's the reason I called you here. My solicitor has been helping me get my estate in order. I need someone to sign some paper work for the money that I will be leaving Danny. I was hoping that you will look after his money for him, there is no one else I trust with it."
"Of course," Skeeter said, "What do you need me to do?"
"Just to keep an eye on the finances and any keep in touch with the accountant who will be doing tax work for him. There is a lot of money here and I don't want anyone to be able to con him out of it. This house will be his as well, it's all paid for so there is nothing to worry about there. Would you sign this to say that you'll do it?"
"Sure, of course."
She handed the shell shocked Skeeter the paperwork and showed him where to sign.
"Will you keep an eye on him for me when I'm gone?" she asked.
Skeeter couldn't stop the tears any more, he nodded his head, "I promise."
"You know I thank the gods everyday for you, Mark and the others. Danny has the best friends he could ever want to have. Thank you."
Skeeter hugged her, "Thank you." He said.
They heard the back door open and close as Danny got home. Skeeter wiped the tears from his face as he walked through.
"Hey mum, hey Skeeter." He gave his mother a hug, "What are you doing here?" he asked his friend.
"Michael came to see if you wanted to go out for a few beers tonight." His mother replied with a kind smile.
"Sure thing Skeeter, I'll just need to get ready." Danny replied walking out of the room.
"Thank you." She mouthed to Skeeter.
Skeeter nodded in reply and wiped his eyes again.
TWO WEEKS LATER
As the coffin holding Danny's mother was lowered into the ground, he turned to Skeeter and Mark standing next to him. There were so many people who had come to pay their respects to Andrea Maples, most of then Danny had never seen before. Danny looked up at the sun which shone brightly in the sky and sighed to himself. His world had changed so much but he knew it would be okay. He had sat with his mother and she had told him everything would be okay, Skeeter would make sure he was alright and she would always be watching him. It didn't change the fact that he was more upset than he had ever been before, but he knew it would all be okay eventually.
An hour or so later Danny sat with Skeeter and Archangel in Archer's bar drinking a beer.
"What am I going to do now?" Danny asked.
"Anything you want." Skeeter replied.
"But I don't know," Danny replied, "I never really had to think about what I was going to do day to day before."
"I could always use some help at the garage." Skeeter said.
"Really? I'm good with engines." Danny replied.
"Really, come work with me." Skeeter said.
"Okay. So how long are you staying Mark?" Danny asked.
"The Admiral gave me a couple of weeks so I could help out round here." Archangel answered.
"That's good," Danny replied, "Are you enjoying the Atlantia?"
"Yeah I am," Archangel replied, "It's been a lot of fun so far. They've just asked me to join the aerial display team."
"Wow that sounds amazing." Danny said.
"It is, no one my age usually gets asked, must have done something right."
Archer brought them their food over and another pitcher of beer.
"Hey Danny just wanted to say I'm sorry about your mother, you seemed swamped with people at the funeral so I didn't want to get in the way. But you let me know if you need anything okay?" Archer said with a smile.
"Thanks I will." Danny replied.
As they started to eat their food Danny looked up, "You know I've been thinking, I don't think I want to live in that big house all by myself."
"What are you thinking?" Skeeter asked.
"I don't want to live there without my mum. I want to sell it and get somewhere else." Danny replied.
"You sure?" Archangel asked.
Danny nodded his head, "Yes. I was wondering if I could live in the apartment above the garage?"
"Of course you can but you need to be 100% sure." Skeeter replied.
"I am." Danny said.
"There he is." Skeeter said as he looked down on the crowded bar. He saw the boy taking someone's wallet out of their pocket.
Skeeter quickly made his way down the stairs to the bar below. He had managed to not lose sight of the boy. As he was just about to reach out and grab the kid, he saw Skeeter and bolted. Skeeter followed running at full pelt. For once he was glad he didn't smoke any more, before there was no way he would have been able to keep up a chase like this. The kid darted through the winding corridors of the Caprican Sunrise and Skeeter managed to keep up with him.
"GET OUT OF THE FRAKING WAY." Skeeter yelled as he pushed his way through crowds of people.
The young boy dived towards the stair well and began running downwards. Skeeter followed missing three to four steps at a time.
"I just want to talk to you." Skeeter yelled as he ran.
When the boy reached the bottom deck of the ship he ran into the dark corridor before squeezing behind some grating. As Skeeter squeezed through as well, he found himself in a pitch black tunnel.
"Well this is just great." Skeeter said to himself. He took his old zippo lighter out of his pocket and lit it. The small tunnel went on for a couple of hundred yards before it opened out. The boy stood on the far side of the room, he looked terrified. Skeeter looked around and saw he had converted the small space into a living area with boxes of supplies down one side and a make shift bed on the other. The young man was clearly scared of Skeeter.
"It's okay I'm not going to hurt you." Skeeter said.
"Then what the frak do you want with me?" the boy replied.
"Okay first I saw you robbing the quarters of someone who I think is an asshole, so you're not getting into trouble for that, but I do need to talk to you about those NCO leaflets." He said pointing to the pile of them which were on the ground, "Have you been living here since the attack?"
The young man nodded his head, "Yeah, I had to find somewhere no one would find me."
"What are you doing with the NCO?" Skeeter asked.
"Nothing." The boy replied.
"So you were handing them out for no reason at all?" Skeeter replied.
"You'll kill me." He said.
"What?! No one's going to kill you. Is that what they told you?"
"They said if I'm caught, if anyone from the NCO is caught we'd be thrown out of an airlock."
"Whoever told you that is lying to you."
"They said you'd say that."
"Look, I promise no one is going to hurt you. Whoever told you this is lying to you and if it was someone from the NCO then it sounds like they've been lying to you about a lot of things." Skeeter said.
"The NCO are the good guys."
"Really?" Skeeter replied, "This is where someone from the NCO shot me in the chest," Skeeter said showing him the scar, "These scars here, are from where the NCO tortured me for hours. They are not the good guys."
The young man was confused, he didn't know what to say.
"I'm Skeeter, what's your name?"
He looked at Skeeter for a few moments before he replied, "Danny." He said.
"Danny why do you live down here?" Skeeter asked, trying to not look or act surprised at his name.
"Where else is someone like me going to live? They're not going to give me any quarters, I'm nothing."
"You should have been taken care of, once your name was on the census they should have made sure you had somewhere to live."
"I'm not on any lists, I don't have an ID card, the NCO looks after me. I do leaflet drops and other things for them and they make sure I have food to eat and am kept safe."
"What do you mean they make sure you have food to eat?"
"How the frak else am I going to eat? I don't have any money, I don't have anything except for what they give me."
"But money doesn't mean anything any more, you can go to anywhere that has food in the fleet and eat, it doesn't cost anything."
"That's why I see people everyday paying for what they're given." Danny replied.
"They pay for it because that's who they are, that's what they do. The money they give the people that serve them is useless. These are people who are trying to cling on to any part of their old lives."
"But they told me. They said that they were the only ones who would help those like me."
"Those like you?"
"People who had nothing before the war, people who only have what they earn now."
"Where are your parents? Your family?" Skeeter asked.
"They abandoned me long ago. I've been living on the street for the last five years since my father's new wife decided she didn't want a son. I came home one day and the house was empty."
"How did you end up on the Caprican Sunrise?"
"Because I was outside a space port when the bombs started to drop. It's the best place to ask for money, people are in a good mood when they come back from vacation, they like to flash the cash. When the attack happened they let anyone onto the few transports that got away, I was one of the lucky ones. The NCO found me and offered me a job. There are more like me throughout the fleet, those who have nothing. There is no trace of us so we can move about easier. I'm not NCO, I just like to eat." Danny replied, wiping tears from his face.
"I can help you," Skeeter said genuinely, "The President needs to hear all this, come tell him, and we can help you."
"If what you say is true, they'll kill me if I tell you what I know." Danny protested.
"I can protect you," Skeeter said, "You can trust me."
"That's what they said."
"They've been using you all this time. Telling you what they want you to think, keeping you under their control. Come with me and that all ends."
"I can't." Danny replied.
"Why?" Skeeter asked.
"Because I have to meet my contacts later today, they want me to take a package to someone on the ship."
Skeeter thought for a few moments, "Then you're going to keep that meeting. When they arrive they're going to find me waiting for them. When we have them we can find out more about the NCO."
"Shouldn't you get some help, they're dangerous men."
"So am I." Skeeter replied.
5 YEARS BEFORE THE FALL
Danny enjoyed fixing cars. He had finally found something in life that he was good at. He looked up from the engine he was fixing when he heard a car pull up outside. He wiped his greasy hands on a rag and walked out to help the customers. He stopped in his tracks, when he saw who was standing there.
"Well look who it is." One of the two men who was standing there said, "We haven't seen you in years, not since we used to have so much fun during lunch break at school."
Even though he hadn't seen them in such a long time Danny recognised the men, as two of the kids who used to tease him and beat him up at school. He just knew.
"What do you want?" Danny asked.
"Well we had come for some gas, but now you're here there's so much more to do."
"I don't want any trouble." Danny said backing off as the two men started to walk towards him.
"Not such a big man when your friends aren't here to fight for you."
Danny started to panic a little. He tripped over something as he backed away and went crashing to the ground. One of them grabbed him by the collar and punched him hard in the face.
"Please just leave me alone." Danny pleaded.
"But we're only just getting started." The man replied.
They dragged Danny inside the garage and closed the door behind them. Danny managed to get to his feet and punched the nearest one too him.
"That was unwise." The man said punching Danny and breaking his nose. He fell to the ground again, as the two men started kicking him.
"Stop!" Danny yelled.
Neither of the men had seen Skeeter appear behind them or saw the crow bar he swung at one of them, hitting him in the back and making him fall to the ground. Danny had never seen Skeeter look so angry. He threw the crowbar away and grabbed the other man who was still on his feet. Skeeter punched him as hard as he could breaking the man's jaw.
"Who the frak do you think you are?" Skeeter yelled as he punched him again, "Coming into our place and picking a fight with my friend."
As the other man got to his feet, Skeeter let go of the one he had in his grip and turned his attention to him.
"Danny, call the police." Skeeter said as he dived on the second man.
Danny ran into the office and picked up the phone, he dialled the number for the local sheriff, moments later there was an answer.
"Freedom Sheriff department how can I help you?" the woman on the other end asked.
"Please we need help, we're at Skeeter's garage and some men are here attacking us, please help." Danny said.
"We're sending someone over straight away." Came the reply.
"Please hurry." Danny said before hanging up the phone.
As he walked out of the office he saw Skeeter standing over the two men who were lying on the ground.
"You okay?" Skeeter asked.
Danny nodded his head.
"Yeah are you?" Danny replied.
"Yeah I'm good. Is the sheriff on his way?"
"Yes." Danny replied.
Skeeter opened the door that led outside. One of the men started to groan.
"I'll see you in jail for this." He said.
"I don't think so," Skeeter replied, "You're the one going to jail, coming into our place of business and attacking my best friend. When they take you away you better hope that I never see either of you again. You come here again and I'll kill you."
"I'm not scared of you." The man said spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"Well you should be," Skeeter replied, "I'm a very dangerous man."
Skeeter sat with the young boy as they waited for his NCO contacts to arrive. It was a small world that someone else called Danny would need his help so much. The boy held a rolled up book tightly in his grip.
"What's with the book?" Skeeter asked.
"It's my lucky book." Danny replied.
"Lucky book?"
"Yeah this book kept me alive." As he unrolled it Skeeter read the cover. "Survival by Karl Michaels" was printed on the front.
"I never knew Michaels had written a book?!" Skeeter said.
"Oh yeah he has a few. This book taught me how to survive with just what you have around you. When we had no money we were able to find things to eat."
"We?" Skeeter asked.
There was sadness in his eyes as he began to speak again, "Melissa. She was with me before the attack. We found a cabin that we lived in. One of us would go into the city and try and get some money or some food and the other would stay with the cabin to make sure no one else took it. It was my turn to go into the city when the attack happened. I have no idea if she died on Caprica or not."
"She could have been picked up." Skeeter replied.
"If she has she'll probably be in the same position I've been in and won't be on any of the lists." Danny replied sadly.
"When this is over we'll see if we can find her." Skeeter replied.
"Thank you." Danny replied.
"So Michaels wrote a book?" Skeeter said.
"Oh yeah, there were four of them, I had the others back in the cabin as well."
"Do you want to meet him?" Skeeter asked.
"He's in the fleet?"
"He sure is. He was in our group of survivors back on Sagitarron."
"You know him?"
"Yeah, he saved my ass more times than I can remember. He lives on the Starburst, he teaches survival to people."
"Do you think he would teach me?" Danny asked with a smile.
"I'm sure he will." Skeeter replied.
Danny smiled from ear to ear as he looked at his book.
"Not that I'm not grateful, but why are you helping me?" Danny asked.
"Because you need it and because you remind me of my best friend who died on the Colonies. I was always looking out for him." Skeeter replied.
"Did he die when the bombs dropped?" Danny asked.
"No a centurion killed him." Skeeter replied.
"I'm sorry."
"He was the kindest person I've ever known. He tried to see the best in everyone, even when they didn't deserve it."
"You blame yourself for him being dead?" Danny asked.
Skeeter nodded his head, "Yeah I do. Not being able to save him will haunt me for the rest of my life."
"You know I felt the same way about Melissa. I thought that she should have been in the city instead of me. I beat myself up about it every day."
"What changed?" Skeeter replied.
"Because she wouldn't want me too. Would your friend want you to feel like this? To blame yourself?"
"No he wouldn't, but it's easier said than done."
"Why is it? The only person who is stopping you from feeling better is you."
"How old are you kid?" Skeeter asked.
"Seventeen." Danny replied.
"How did you get so wise?" Skeeter said with a laugh.
They both stopped talking when they heard a noise at the door. Danny moved away from Skeeter, who went to hide in the shadows. Moments later two men walked into the room. Paul Jenkins and Neil Andrews closed the door behind them. Skeeter immediately recognised Paul Jenkins. He couldn't believe his eyes. The last time he had seen the man he had been in a bloody heap on the floor of his garage after he had attacked Danny all those years ago.
"You been handing out those leaflets we gave you?" Neil asked.
Danny nodded his head, "Yes."
"Good." Neil said handing Danny a box of emergency rations.
"We need you to take a package to suite 649. Same rules as usual apply, don't open it and don't ask any questions." Paul said.
"Not a problem." Danny replied.
"You keep this up and there may be an opening for you higher up in the organisation." Paul said.
"Shame he won't be able to take it." Skeeter said moving out from the shadows with his gun raised. He shot Neil in the knee.
"Well look who it is." Paul said, "It's been a long time."
"Not long enough." Skeeter replied.
"What the frak are you doing?" Paul said, "Do you know who we work for?"
"Yeah I know, that's why I'm doing this. Danny go call ship security." Skeeter said.
The young boy ran out of the room.
"You going to put that gun away so we can deal with this like men?" Paul asked.
Skeeter took off his jacket and put the gun back in its holster.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Paul said as he lunged at Skeeter.
Skeeter blocked Paul's attack but connected with his once again breaking Paul's nose. He fell backwards seconds before Skeeter hit him again making him fall to the ground. Neil grabbed hold of Skeeter's leg. Skeeter turned and kicked him in the face as hard as he could knocking the man out cold.
"You know I always wanted to see you again. That last time in the garage all those years ago, it just left me feeling, well disappointed." Skeeter said picking him up by the collar and punching him again.
"It always felt to me that there was unfinished business." Skeeter punched him a couple more times as hard as he could, "You know Danny was a better man than you'll ever be and you know what he got for that?" Skeeter punched the bloodied man twice more, "He got a brutal death at the hands of one of those metal fraking monsters."
Skeeter let go of him and he dropped to the floor. He kicked Paul as hard as he could in the stomach, "I've been thinking a lot about Danny over the past week and I keep coming back to how you and your punk friends used to torture him."
Paul mumbled something prompting Skeeter to kick him hard in the face.
"I wasn't finished talking. Danny deserved a lot better than he got. Those moments when you attacked him, his last moments when he died, I let him down, I went back on my word. I've killed Cylons, both human and metal, but it doesn't make me feel any better about it. Now I find that you're one of the people responsible for what is happening to that poor kid and probably others in the fleet. Scared kids, kids who have lost everything, that we should be taking care of and to see that once again you're making someone life hell, makes me feel rage the likes of which I've never felt before. It's ironic that a kid called Danny was the one who brought me back to you, I think it's called poetic justice." Skeeter bent down and wiped his hands on Paul's jacket. He stood back up and took his gun out from its holster.
"Please don't kill me." Paul managed to plead.
"I couldn't save my Danny, I wasn't there, but I can save this Danny." Skeeter said before shooting Paul in the head.
As Skeeter put his gun back in its holster, closed his eyes and took a slow deep breath.
"Do you feel better?" Danny asked.
Skeeter opened his eyes and saw his friend standing there.
"Actually I do. I couldn't save you, but I saved him."
"There are a lot more people out there who need your help."
"And they'll get it." Skeeter replied.
He turned and walked back down the small walkway and back outside. Danny stood waiting for him.
"Security are on the way." Danny said.
"You're going to be okay now." Skeeter replied.
"Thanks to you." Danny replied.
Skeeter sat waiting for the President to finish on the phone. He had no idea how much trouble he was going to be in for killing Paul, honestly he didn't care. He saved a life today and because of it hopefully more lives could be saved. Milo looked at Skeeter as he put the phone down.
"The prisoner has been treated by Dr Hammond and Major Hunter is going to question him."
"I wouldn't like to be him." Skeeter replied.
"Neither would I. You did some good work today, this could really help us get to the NCO. Now we also know about all the people who are being used by them to do their dirty work. But I want to ask you about the man you killed. What exactly happened?"
"We fought, he lost." Skeeter replied.
"Come on, I think you owe me more of an explanation than that?" Milo said.
Skeeter sighed to himself, "I knew him from before."
"You mean on Sagittaron?"
"Yeah. I've had dealings with him all through my life. He used to beat up my friend Danny. The last time I saw him, he and his friend had dragged Danny into the garage we ran and were beating the hell out of him. When I saw it was him that was making this kids life hell and that he was in the NCO, I saw red. The fact that my best friend who was the kindest man you could ever meet had such a brutal end and that son of a bitch had survived. Not only had he survived but he was still doing what he was best at. I won the fight and I killed him. If he had won he would have done exactly the same thing to me."
"So it was revenge?" Milo asked.
Skeeter sighed, "Yes sir it was. I understand if you need to take this further."
The President looked at him for a few moments, "In the last couple of months I think I've gotten to know you pretty well, the kind of man you are. You're a good man of that I have no doubt. He tried to get your gun from you and in the struggle he was accidentally shot in the head."
"Are you sure sir?" Skeeter asked.
"Of course I am, that's what happened after all." The President replied.
3 DAYS AFTER THE FALL
Skeeter and Danny sat in the small camp they had made playing cards. Archangel and Grace were both sat together talking.
"This is just like camping." Danny said.
"Except we're being chased by Cylons." Skeeter replied with a smile.
"I know but other than that," Danny said, "It's been nice spending so much time with you and Mark and Grace seems really nice, I like her."
Skeeter took a drag from his cigarette and picked up another card, "You're okay though yeah?"
Danny nodded, "Of course I am. No matter what happens to me I'm with my best friends. I could die tomorrow and I'd be happy, as long as I was with you guys."
"Don't say that." Skeeter said.
"But it's true and I want you to remember that in case anything ever happens to me." Danny replied.
"Nothing is going to happen to you buddy, I won't let it." Skeeter replied with a smile.
TODAY
Skeeter walked into the biggest and most luxurious bar on the Starburst. It had been a testing week, but it had ended well. He intended to enjoy his few days off. He smiled when he saw all his friends sitting round a large table. Mark, Vannick, Bria, Carrie, Michaels, Brother Ramok and even Mike had made the effort to come over. It was an important day and he was glad he was going to celebrate it with those closest to him.
"No Grace?" Skeeter asked.
"She sends her apologies but she had something to do that she couldn't put off." Archangel replied.
As Skeeter sat down Vannick handed him a drink, "Still thank you all for coming." He said.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Michaels replied.
Skeeter raised his drink, "I would like you all to raise your drinks and help me toast the birthday of one of the kindest most loyal friends anyone could ever want to have. Happy birthday Danny Maples."
"Happy birthday Danny." Everyone else said before taking a sip from their drinks.
"And here comes the newest member of the gang." Vannick said as Danny walked over. The young man seemed nervous about joining them but sat down anyway.
"So how are you finding things here?" Skeeter asked.
"Brilliant," Danny replied, "Michaels has been showing me around the polar dome."
Vannick handed Danny a glass of beer.
"I'm not old enough." Danny said.
"I won't tell." Vannick replied patting the young man on the shoulder.
"Before you get to attached to that seat there's something I need to show you." Skeeter said standing up.
"Of course." Danny replied.
"We'll be right back guys."
Danny followed Skeeter to the other side of the bar.
"Is everything okay?" Danny asked.
"I have someone here who wants to see you." Skeeter replied.
Skeeter pointed over to the other side of the bar. Danny turned and couldn't believe his eyes.
"Melissa?" he said rushing over to her and hugging her, "I thought you were dead?!"
"It's so good to see you." She said giving him a kiss.
Danny turned round and gave Skeeter a hug, "Thank you." He said.
"You're very welcome. Come on let's celebrate." Skeeter replied walking back over to the table.
"That was a nice thing you did." Bria said leaning over to him.
"He deserved something good after what he's been through." Skeeter replied.
Bria smiled at him.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Skeeter asked.
"I thought you'd never ask." She replied taking hold of his hand.
Commander Garrett stood with the President on Orion's CIC.
"This is all very good news." Milo said, "We should be able to find more NCO with this information."
"He wouldn't speak at first but Archangel can be convincing." Garrett replied.
"Since the press conference yesterday we've had twenty three people come forward who weren't on any of the lists. With the names of their contacts that are coming through, we should be able to hit the NCO quite soon."
"Good I'm glad. It's about time we showed the fleet the kind of people they're turning towards." Garrett said.
"Dradis contact." Lt Taylor said as dradis began to beep. Her face gave away the horror of what she was seeing, "Forty Cylon base ships have surrounded us."
"Set condition one throughout the fleet give the order to jump." Garrett said.
"Oh my gods, Commander we've just lost ten ships, the Cylons have destroyed them." Taylor said.
"Load EMPs into every tube and fire as soon as they're ready." Garrett ordered.
"Commander I have one of the Cylon base ships on the line, they want to speak with you directly." Taylor said.
Garrett and the President picked up handsets in front of them.
"Commander Garrett we have no desire to destroy any more of your fleet," The Cylon 2 said, "We have nuclear missiles locked on all civilian ships, if you continue your jump prep we will continue to fire, Orion and your battle group may survive but how many other ships in the fleet do you think will make it by the time they're ready to jump?"
"Lieutenant tell all ships to stand down from the jump." The President said.
Taylor looked at Commander Garrett who took a deep breath before nodding in agreement.
"What do you want?" Garrett asked.
"We want to make peace with you. We want you to stand down and stop all this destruction. We will give you two minutes to decide, after that we will destroy another ship every thirty seconds until either you escape or everyone has been killed, the choice is yours." The line went dead.
"We have no choice." Milo said.
"Oh we have a choice." Garrett replied.
"And how many people are you willing to sacrifice for the wrong decision?" Milo replied.
"Frak!" Garrett replied.
"Realistically how many of the Baseships do you think you can hit before they fire a nuke?"
"Not enough." Garrett replied.
Moments later 2 came back on the COM.
"Have you made your choice?" he asked.
"I want your guarantee that no one else will die." Milo said.
"Ah Mr President, excuse my rudeness I didn't realise you were there. If you stand down no one else has to die. We're here to unify our two races, to make peace."
Milo took a deep breath, "Then we surrender."
"Please inform the people of your fleet of what has happened," 2 replied, "There is one more thing. We want Major Hunter to board a Raptor and fly to the nearest base ship, he has thirty minutes, if by that time he isn't with us we will destroy the Starburst. We will be coming to Orion shortly, we look forward to finally meeting you Commander."
"Get Archangel on the horn." Garrett said.
"Yes ma'am." Taylor replied.
"Colonel destroy all the samples of Pandora as quickly as possible and put EMP lockdown into place." Vanessa ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Rae replied.
Archangel lay in bed with his arm around Grace in the quarters they had been given aboard the Starburst.
"I can't remember when I was this relaxed." Grace said.
"I know what you mean," Archangel replied, "I intend to make the most of the next few days."
As he finished speaking the phone by the side of the bed started to buzz.
"What the frak now?" he said as he picked it up, "Hunter."
"Archangel this is Garrett we've been surrounded by an armada of base ships."
"My gods, do I have time to get back to Orion before we jump?"
There was a pause on the other end, "They destroyed ten of our ships then asked us to surrender or they would continue to fire on us until we could jump. The President has issued a complete surrender."
"Frak me." Archangel replied.
"They have said if you are not on the nearest Base Ship within the next thirty minutes they will destroy the Starburst."
"I'm on my way." Archangel said without even hesitating.
"Mark, I'm sorry." Garrett said.
"Just make sure you don't leave without me," Archangel replied, "Be safe Vanessa."
He got out of bed as and stood up.
"What's wrong?" Grace asked.
"We've been attacked by a Cylon armada. We've surrendered." Archangel replied.
"What? Why? Orion is powerful enough to…"
Archangel interrupted, "They've destroyed ten civilian ships and we would have lost a lot more if we hadn't. I have to go to them." Archangel said as he began to get dressed.
"No you can't, they want revenge for all you've done!" Grace said frantic.
Archangel took hold of her and kissed her, "If I don't they're going to destroy the Starburst."
Tears began to fall down Grace's face.
"I want you to go find Michaels he'll help you to stay off their radar." Archangel said.
"No, I should come with you." Grace replied.
"Please I'm begging you go to Michaels' I trust him completely, he'll help you."
Carrie, Skeeter, Vannick and Bria all stood on the Starburst's hanger deck as Archangel prepared to get into a Raptor.
"Please don't go." Carrie said through her tears.
"I have to," Archangel replied giving her a hug, "I'll be okay."
Everyone couldn't believe what had happened.
"Remember whatever you do, make sure they don't find out about it till you're ready to do it." Archangel said.
Vannick and Bria nodded, "We'll find a way to get you back too." Vannick said.
"Just remember stay safe, I love you all." Archangel said before getting onto the Raptor.
As he began to take off Skeeter saw Danny standing with them.
"This is what you meant isn't it?" Skeeter said quietly.
"Be strong," Danny replied, "When all seems darkest remember, you can stop their signal."
Skeeter turned but Danny was gone.
Ten minutes later Archangel touched down in one of the Base Ship's hanger bays. As the side hatch opened he saw a dozen centurions, all with their weapons raised. Archangel put his hands up and stepped off the craft. There was one of all seven human Cylons standing in front of him.
"Welcome aboard Major." 3 said.
"I'm unarmed." Archangel replied.
"We're going to have some fun." 3 replied with a smile.