Earth-New Beginning
Dragonlots aka Dana Bell
Chapter 27: Confrontation
Rae watched the rain pour down. She shifted on her feet, pulling her flight jacket tighter, trying to remember the last time she'd watched a storm. Most of her life had been spent either in the cockpit of the viper or aboard a battlestar among the stars.
She'd had a chance to have a few centons to gather her thoughts. Dillion and Boxey had been convinced to play a game of pyramid with Starbuck and Boomer, while the rest of her squadron had risked the weather to check on their fighters. Her husband had promised to look over hers, not that she expected any malfunctions. Cain insisted all vipers be kept in top condition.
Overhead jagged lightening jutted out of dark gray clouds. A deep rumbling followed almost immediately, jarring her body to the point she felt it in her bones.
Voices reached her and she watched several of the Terra Novans, wearing coats to protect them from the elements, rush by their boots muddy.
The storm dampened her mood causing her thoughts to tumble back to Gommorah. Gold Squadron had been on deep patrol and had missed the entire battle, not to mention the first reunion with the Galactica and the fleet. They'd returned to find the Pegasus gone, the planet in shambles, and in need of fuel.
None of the Cylons tried to stop them when they landed and refueled, taking off as quickly as possible to search for their battlestar. Instead of being reunited with Cain, they'd found the Galactica instead. The ship where she'd started her career as a warrior.
She heard the door open and gave Apollo a smile as he joined her. His face was a bit older, lines beginning to crinkle around his eyes. No doubt as he aged his hair would be the silver like his father's.
He took a deep breath before saying, "The Quest children assured me this is their storm season. It won't last."
"Glad to hear."
"I noticed Commander Cain is gone."
She nodded. "He went back to the Pegasus." He'd told her he planned on launching several patrols to map the solar system and do scans for any useful minerals not to mention possible fuel sources. Rae would be leading one of them in a few centaurs. "Gold will be flying patrol."
"My father briefed me on part of Cain's plan." Apollo's tone told her he suspected more.
Instead of answering his suspicions she took another tack. "I don't know if I'll like being planet bound." She took a deep breath. "My entire life has been preparing me to a viper pilot and a warrior."
"I understand." His hand touched her shoulder. "Sheba and I have discussed the same. Our feelings are mixed."
Water drained from the roof splattering on the ground. The sound was both alien and soothing.
Apollo continued, "We don't have enough fuel to keep the ships and our vipers flying."
"No doubt Cain will look for other sources." Rae didn't hold onto any hope any would be found.
"No doubt," Apollo agreed. He shifted, a sign he had another matter he wanted to talk about. "About Dillion," he began.
"Don and I talked about it last night." It hadn't been a long discussion. They both remembered how they'd met Dillion on the orphan ship and her decision to foster the boy. "If he wants, he can come back to the Pegasus with us." She hoped he would. "If he decides to, Starbuck said he'd talk to Cassie."
"Good to know." Apollo dropped his hand.
They shared a comfortable silence the hurt of the past long behind them. Rae had been glad they'd reconciled after an argument which had resulted in her taking a promotion and a position on Cain's battlestar yahrens ago.
"Losing you multiple times was difficult," her 'older' brother shared.
"Same." She kissed his cheek. "I should rejoin my squadron. If Dillion wants to join us, will you bring him?"
"I promise."
"Thank you." She braved the rain, her thoughts as turbulent as the storm.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
After lunch, Dr. Shannon released John from the infirmary. Before he left she warned him, "If you have any adverse reaction, dizziness, blurred vision," she gave him a couple more symptoms, "Get back here immediately."
"Yes, ma'am," he agreed.
She turned to the young soldier in dark armor and a plastic rain coat. "This is Lt. Reynolds. He'll escort you."
The Lt. smiled at him. "If you'll come this way, sir."
"Which direction?" John had no idea what the layout of the colony was.
"Follow me." Reynolds led the way after handing John a rain coat.
Pulling the coat on, he followed the young man across the grounds. Thick rain made seeing difficult and his boots were quickly covered in mud. After a few minutes they entered a building filled with equipment that in some ways at least seemed familiar.
"What building is this?" he asked.
"Main science lab." Reynolds continued on past shelves filled with various specimens and a huge black and white lizard. "Back here." He pointed through an opening.
Several cots covered the concrete floor. Metal cylinders stood stacked against the walls. Various medical personal worked among the occupants, in odd off-white uniforms. Those they treated John recognized. He prided himself on knowing every person under his command.
"Who are they?" He pointed to the nearest medical person.
"They're from the Galactica."
"From where?"
The Lt. gave him a smile. "We have a group of refugee ships sitting in orbit."
He blinked at the news. "Spaceships?"
"Yes, sir. I'm sure Commander Taylor and Mr. Shannon will fully brief you."
Rodney McKay, his round face lighting up on seeing John hurried over, along with Doctors Keller and Beckett.
"Where are we?" Rodney demanded. "No one will tell us anything."
"If you'll excuse me, Sir." The Lt. retreated.
"Colony called Terra Nova," John explained not blaming the soldier for leaving. "That's all I know." He hoped the pair who commanded would provide more answers.
"Where are the others?" Dr. Beckett glanced around, his brogue a bit thicker than normal.
"How did we get here?" Dr. Keller wanted to know. Her hand sought out Rodney's.
"From what I understand, we were in those tubes and they found us." His fingers raked through his hair. His last memory had been walking through the corridor from his quarters to his office. After that, it was a blank.
Rodney frowned. "How did we get into them?"
"We were hoping you could tell us." A woman walked into the room, glancing first at Rodney and then at him and the two medical doctors. "I'm Dr. Kelly McKay."
Rodney started and stared at her. "You're who?"
"In another reality, I'm your descendant."
"Another reality?" John could see Rodney's mind working.
She grinned and nodded. "Welcome to eighty-five million years in the past thanks to a fracture our scientists found."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dr. Quest woke to the sound of heavy rain pounding the roof. He groaned and forced himself up, the damp cold floor greeting his bare feet. After a warm shower, he pulled on jeans and shirt. His stomach growled reminding him he hadn't eaten for several hours.
He made himself a meal of scrambled eggs, a piece of bread and fruit. Placing his plate on the table he sipped his coffee allowing the bitter brew to help him finish waking up.
A knock at the door distracted him and he frowned wondering who would be out in this weather. He answered it surprised to find Laura Collins standing there, her cloak dripping.
"Hello, Miss Collins," he greeted, unsure why she'd come to visit him.
"Dr. Quest." She handed him a basket, her eyes glancing to his untouched breakfast. "Figured you'd be hungry."
He took the basket, catching a whiff of chocolate. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
A small dinosaur scurried from underneath her cloak, its tiny head looking curiously around.
"Sorry about that," she apologized. She reached down and picked the creature up. "Smog refused to stay with his siblings."
"Smog?" Odd name she'd chosen. It made him smile.
"For now." She tucked the baby under her arm. "Sorry to interrupt your breakfast." Laura turned to leave.
Gathering his courage he dared to ask, "Would you mind if I asked you a question?" It had been many years since he'd asked a woman out.
She tilted her head. "I suppose."
Maybe asking a Collins out would either be the greatest mistake he'd ever make or his biggest regret if he hadn't. Benton willing admitted to himself he'd missed Laura during the year they'd been OTG. "Would you go out with me?" He waited for what seemed forever for her answer.
Her smile lit up her tanned face. "I'd love to."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Night fell. Heat still reigned as Barnabas crawled out of his sandy sanctuary. Hunger twisted his insides. He pushed it aside. His quarry was close, the stench unmistakable.
A lone figure traveled across the sand, mumbling to himself. Barnabas smiled as Lucas Taylor had made his job much easier. No need to figure out how to lure the creature away from his cohorts.
Stealthily he stalked the other vampire, wishing he had trees or even bushes to hide behind. All around him lay endless sand and rising dunes. Reminded him of the ocean waves he'd watched growing up in Collinsport.
Lucus stopped, his clothes hanging on his frame. "I know you're following me."
"You no doubt knew I would," Barnabas retorted.
"So much the better." Lucas snickered. "We'll drink our fill of blood and I'll make my father watch his beloved Terra Nova die."
The younger man still hungered for revenge justifying his intent to destroy his unwanted creation. He could not be allowed to wreck death and despair on the colony. "What makes you think I want the same?"
"How can you not?" Lucus faced him, gaunt, stinking, a grin on his lips. "They're so tasty."
So, Lucas Taylor had figured out what he'd become. Unfortunate. He pulled his sword from his cane, careful to keep the weapon concealed behind his back. "I came in search of you."
"Of course you did." Lucas slapped at huge bug buzzing around his head causing it to retreat quickly. "We're the same."
"No." Barnabas shook his head. "I cherish life."
Lucas smiled wickedly. "How many have you killed?"
The screams of his victims filled his mind. Barnabas pushed the haunting memories away. His torment would soon end.
"You know they mean nothing," Lucas continued.
"You have no idea how precious life is," he hissed taking several steps closer. "I can't allow you to return to Terra Nova."
"You can't stop me."
Barnabas gave Lucas a smile full of deadly intent. "What makes you think I can't?"
Before the younger Taylor could reply, Barnabas sprang swinging the sword with deadly accuracy. First he pierced the other's heart and then hacked off his head. Blood spurted dripping down the falling body and out of the head rolling across the sand.
Relieved, Barnabas cleaned the blade reuniting it with his cane. The torment of centuries screamed at him and he listened, thankful to end the curse plaguing him and his family.
He sat crossed legged on the ground and waited for the sun rise.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Mira couldn't quite recall when she'd made her decision. She got out of bed just before dawn, stuffing belongings and needed items into the backpack. Tossing it over her shoulder she strode out, nodding at the guard at the entrance before taking the steep trail downward. Warmth surrounded her as she stopped at the bottom her feet refusing to move.
Her eyes surveyed the still dark sky. Memories of her daughter and her desire to be with Sienna forced her to move again. All that mattered was being there to see her child grow up and not to miss any more years of her life. Her decision to go to Terra Nova had been for one reason. To make a better life for them both.
Lucky she'd had years of practice of watching for and avoiding unwanted predators. Mira kept going never once looking back at the people she'd protected for years. She half expected them to come in search of her, not sure if she felt anger or relief they didn't.
Pink and orange streaked the sky as the sun slowly rose. As she climbed a dune she saw a figure sitting, another body nearby and blood soaking the sand.
The man's face turned upward as if nothing else mattered.
He must have sensed her approach. "Hello Mira," he greeted.
She finally recognized him. "Hello Mr. Collins."
"Where are you headed?"
"Back to Terra Nova."
He nodded as if he expected her answer. "Please give Laura this." The man handed her a silver headed cane.
She took it. "I will."
"My thanks." The smile on face seemed so peaceful. "Allan will welcome you. You are very blessed to have a child."
She knew that unsure how to react to his comment and started to move away, hissing when she recognized Lucas Taylor's head. "You killed him."
"It was for the best. He was dangerous."
A part of her agreed with him and another raged he'd destroyed their one chance to return to 2149.
"Take care, Mira."
She grasped the cane thinking she wanted to beat him to death.
As she watched the sun reached him. His body began to smolder, before bursting into flames. Within seconds he was simply gone, his ashes scattering across the ground. Lucas's body did the same.
Shocked and uncertain what she'd just witnessed, Mira hurried away, not daring to look back.