Battleground Colonies 20

by atlantiaCAG

The continuing story of a group of survivors from the Twelve Colonies of Kobol. Fighting for survival against both Humans and Cylons. This is an edit of a story I've previously published. There was a lot in the early chapters I wasn't happy with, so I went back and fixed them. Tidied spelling & grammar and adding some story, most of which is in the later chapters.

22. Reflections

Archangel stood in front a mirror and barely recognised the man who looked back at him. The scars and bruises he always seemed to carry these days were beginning to fade, but still the man who looked back wasn't the person he'd ever been before. Before the Cylons had attacked things were simple, he had two lives and they were easily kept separate from one another. His life on Atlantia as the CAG and his life as a black ops agent, who he was most of the time, then the person he was when he went home was completely different, completely separate. This was a luxury he could no longer afford. Everything had been thrown together and no matter how much he tried to change it, that's how they would stay. He took a deep breath and then looked down at his hands, they were covered in blood. He turned on the taps of the sink he stood in front of and began to wash it off. It made a change to be washing someone else's blood off him. So often recently it had been his own. As he looked back into the room next to him he felt nothing as he saw the bodies of the seven men he had just killed. It had been so easy to take their lives and it felt so natural. He couldn't remember when the ease of taking a persons life had come to him. He had trained hard to become the man he was, he had killed more people than he could count and always it had been for the greater good. These men had been the same, they needed to die and he had only been too happy to help.

He dried his hands and walked over to the small bar in the living area. He saw a half full bottle of Ambrosia and poured himself a large glass before drinking it down in one. As he put the glass down on the table, the door burst open and in poured a squad of six marines followed by Colonel Rae.

"Colonel." Archangel said casually.

"Major Hunter I hereby place you under arrest for collusion with the NCO and multiple murders including the murder of Karl Michaels." Rae replied, "Sergeant please restrain the Major."

The Sergeant looked nervously at Archangel as he stepped forward.

"I'm sorry Major." the Sergeant said.

"Not as sorry as I am." Archangel replied as he grabbed the marine by the throat and span him around to block the other marines and the XO.

"Major don't make this any harder than it already is." Rae said.

"Colonel I need you to give the Commander a message for me." Archangel replied.

"Come with us and you can tell her yourself." Rae replied her sidearm pointed at the young pilot.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, but please when you wake up tell the Commander, I'm nearly there."

4 DAYS AGO

Archangel was on his way back to his quarters to get changed after flying CAP. It had been six days since they had left New Caprica with nearly 5,000 new survivors and the fleet's reserves stocked back to capacity. His body was healing nicely from the injuries sustained by the hands of the Cylons and he was enjoying getting back into his day to day routine. He smiled as he saw Wedge appear along side him.

"Can we talk?" Wedge asked.

"Sure, what's on your mind?" Archangel asked.

Wedge seemed nervous, Archangel wondered what he wanted to say.

"If you don't speak we can't talk." Archangel replied with a laugh.

"Okay I'll come straight to the point, I'm in love with your sister."

Archangel stopped as Wedge finished speaking. Wedge almost seemed to flinch as though he expected Archangel to throw a punch.

"Go on." Archangel said.

"What happened with the Cylons, when they took her there was nothing I could do, I was beside myself, I didn't know what to do. I would have done anything to get her back. It made me realise even though we haven't been together that long, that I love her and I don't want to be apart from her like that again. What I'm trying to say is I want to ask your sister to marry me and I would like your approval first." Wedge said.

Archangel looked at Wedge for a few moments, "I like you Wedge, you're a decent man and I trust you with my life. Even though initially I wasn't happy when I found out about you two I realised that I wouldn't be happy no matter who was with her. I breathed a sigh of relief when I thought about it, that of everyone she chose you, when I think about some of the guys I've seen give her the eye," Archangel shuddered at the thought, "I don't need to do the big brother routine and tell you what will happen if she gets hurt do I?"

"No, gods no. I'd die before I hurt her." Wedge replied.

"And you'll die if you do." Archangel replied with a face of seriousness. Wedge didn't know how to react, should he laugh? Should he smile? Should he say anything? He breathed an audible sigh of relief when Archangel cracked a smile and let out a laugh, "Go for it." Archangel said holding out his hand for Wedge to shake.

"Thank you, I promise she…"

"None of the promises or what you intend, I know that, just go find her."

Wedge smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder, "Thank you." He said sincerely.

Archangel let out another laugh as he continued to walk and Wedge ran back in the direction he'd come from. He had been serious though, if some of the people he had noticed look at her had tried it on with Carrie, they wouldn't be able to walk any more.

Wallace Gray sat with President Vents and Commander Garrett aboard the Caprican Sunrise. He had been one of the survivors from New Caprica and had been left behind during the exodus.

"I left the government long before Gaius Baltar became President. President Roslin and I had some differences of opinion that meant we couldn't work together any more. When we arrived on New Caprica at first I didn't know what to do with myself. I decided sometime later that I would try my hand at farming of all things. When they Cylons arrived that stopped. Baltar gave an immediate unconditional surrender. I know there were a lot of people who hated him for that, Roslin included. They thought he had betrayed them and they wanted him dead as much as they did the Cylons. I mean honestly what could he do? If he hadn't taken that course of action we would have all been dead then and there. When Galactica came for us I was at the far end of town, I tried to get to a ship but just couldn't make it in time. If you guys hadn't come when you did I have no doubt we would be dead." Wallace said.

"Do you have any idea which way Galactica went?" Garrett asked.

Wallace shook his head, "No I'm afraid not. Adama and Roslin kept that very close to their chests, with the threat of not knowing who was a Cylon they kept a lot to themselves."

"That's understandable. While we're here I want to offer you a position in my administration as a senior advisor." Milo said.

"Thank you Mr President, I'd like that." Wallace replied.

"I've been talking to other survivors from New Caprica and they've given me a few topics that need to be discussed at the open forum at the end of the week. They are very worried about finding and settling on a new planet while the Cylons are still a threat." Milo said.

"That is understandable but right now and for the foreseeable future when are the Cylons not going to be a threat?" Garrett replied.

"That's why it needs to be brought to a public debate, we need the people of the fleet to see that right now we should be letting the military fight the good fight and then think about where we live," Milo said, "Wallace I was hoping you would stand with me when I bring this topic up, you have the first hand experience of what it's like to be on a planet with the Cylons."

"Of course Mr President, whatever you need."

Bojay stood in front of Orion's Raptor squadron in the briefing room.

"Okay boys and girls it looks like Bria must have slept in but never fear we'll carry on without her. Okay today's the day we start scouting missions again, gods only know why as we're not going to be settling on a planet anytime soon. Still the President wants it to look like we are, in an attempt to keep the civvies happy. You've all been given your sectors, go take a look, get the data the scientists on the Columbia want and then head home," Bria ran in and took her seat as he spoke, "Good morning Bria, sleep well?" Bojay asked with a smile.

Quiet laughter could be heard in the room as Bria gave Bojay one of her "I'm going to kill you" looks, "Well I have to get it when I can, they can hear you snoring all the way to the engine room."

The laughing got louder.

"Okay back to the briefing, if you come across any Cylons, I don't care how many or how few there are get your asses back here straight away. I want no heroics do I make myself clear?"

The pilots nodded and make noises of agreement.

"Okay skids up in thirty, good hunting." Bojay said.

As the pilots left the room Bria waited behind.

"So who's been keeping you up all night?" Bojay asked.

"No one." Bria asked blushing slightly.

"Oh right okay, because I thought it was Skeeter." Bojay replied with a smile.

"What? Who told you? Did Skeeter say?" Bria asked.

"Bria I'm surprised you don't already know this, but you can't keep a secret on a Battlestar!"

"Does everyone know?" she asked.

"More or less. Hey don't worry about it, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, Skeeter's a good guy, everyone likes him." Bojay said.

"I know it's just, I hoped I would have longer with it just being us before everyone else knew."

"Sorry to be the barer of bad news." Bojay replied.

As they left the room the nuggets walked in and took their seats. Jasper Vents was very nervous. He and the rest of the group were about to find out if they would be joining Orion's viper wing . Normally the training to become a pilot would have taken them years but due to the current circumstances and restrictions their training had been quite intensive.

"OFFICER'S ON DECK." One of the nuggets bellowed as Streaker walked in followed by Archangel. Streaker took the stand and looked at them all before letting them sit down.

"Well here's somewhere I never thought I'd be with some of you. Firstly I want to say well done to all of you for having the balls required to come aboard this ship and undergoing this training at this time. I didn't have very high hopes for some of you at all but I'm pleased to say that you have all impressed me, some more than others. You have all completed your training and you have all passed," there was a muted cheer from the pilots. Streaker smiled, "Now the real test begins. You will be thrown straight into your duty rotations, normally we'd have a big ceremony and you'd get time to catch your breath but I know you all appreciate why that can't happen any more. You've all done me proud, you haven't let yourselves down but more importantly you haven't let me down. Keep up the hard work."

Streaker stepped down and Archangel took the podium.

"First and foremost I want to say congratulations to you all. Some of you I haven't met yet, others I have and from what I've seen I'm already impressed by you. The job you are undertaking is a hard one, you will be fighting for your lives every day. But remember all the things you have learned, stand by each other and the other pilots on this ship and you'll make it home. I only have a couple of rules that I expect to be obeyed. You must all continue to give the level of excellence that you have already shown, if you don't you will have a heated conversation with your squadron leader and me. The second rule relates to the deck gang. In my years of service I've seen some pilots treat them like crap. This is something I will not tolerate. They keep our planes in working order, they keep us alive when we're in a fight for our lives. You will show them the same respect you show me or any other pilot or officer aboard this ship. A higher rank does not make you better than anyone. I do want you to know that I am here for you, if you need to talk, if you have any problems come find me, I'm here to help. Okay we're going to tell you which squadron you've been assigned too, once we have, go find your squadron leader. Some of you will be thrown straight into the CAP or into alert status, some of you will be on your off days."

As Archangel continued to tell people where they would be serving, Jasper found himself very nervous. He had no idea where he would be heading or who he would be answering too.

"Lieutenant Vents." Archangel said.

Jasper snapped out of his daydream, "Yes sir." He replied.

"You must have done something right because you've been requested by one of our best."

Jasper didn't know what to say, he wasn't sure who it could be.

"Lieutenant Thomlins has requested you be assigned to green wing."

"Jawbreaker?" Jasper said in utter shock.

"That's right, Jawbreaker. You've pulled off something that's hard to do, you've impressed the one pilot under my command who is the biggest critic."

Jaspers nerves had gone into overdrive. Other than when he had saved Archangel's life he thought the giant pilot hated him.

"Thank you sir." Jasper said.

Jasper stood at the door of one of Orion's many gyms. He watched as Jawbreaker pounded the punch bag in front of him. If he was honest, Jawbreaker scared the hell out of him. He took a deep breath and walked into the gym.

"Lieutenant Vents reporting for duty sir." Jasper said nervously.

Jawbreaker stopped what he was doing and turned to face the young man. He flashed him a grin, "Good to see you Lieutenant. Do me a favour, hold this bag steady for me while we talk."

Jasper gulped a little as he took hold of the large punch bag and Jawbreaker started to pound it again, it took all his strength just to be able to keep hold of it and stay on his feet under the giant man's ferocious punching.

"You're wondering why I requested you for green wing?" Jawbreaker asked.

"The thought had crossed my mind." Jasper replied.

"You impress me. What you did in saving Archangel's life made you a lot of friends on this ship. I want you at my back during a fight and if you're half the man and pilot your father is then you'll do okay." Jawbreaker said.

"Thank you," Jasper said, "That means a lot."

"Well you've earned your praise. Have you been given a call sign yet?"

"No not yet."

"I've been giving it a lot of thought," he said punching the bag, "You need to be reminded of your old lifestyle and the things you've done and the man you are now. Something to remind you that the man you were died on Caprica. I'm going to call you, Party Boy."

"Seriously?" Jasper asked not sounding impressed.

"Yeah seriously one thing you need to remember, if you don't like your call sign it can always be changed for something much worse." Jawbreaker said with a smile on his face.

"Can I ask you a personal question?" Jasper asked.

"Depends on what it is?" Jawbreaker replied.

"Exactly how did you get your call sign?"

Jawbreaker stopped for a moment, "That Lieutenant is a story for a bottle of ambrosia and another day."

As he finished speaking he put all his strength into one final punch, the strength of which knocked Jasper to the ground. Jawbreaker laughed and helped Jasper to his feet.

"Well Party Boy one upside to being in green wing, this is day 1 of our 4 days off. Go enjoy yourself."

"ATTENTION ON DECK" a voice bellowed.

Everyone stood to attention as President Vents walked into the room.

"At ease please." Milo said.

He walked over to Jawbreaker and his son. Jawbreaker saluted the President, as did Jasper.

"At ease Lieutenants please." Milo said, "I was hoping to be able to speak with you." Milo said to Jawbreaker.

"Yes sir. Give us the room." He ordered to everyone else.

"I'll come find you shortly son." Milo said patting his son on the shoulder.

"Yes sir." Jasper replied.

As the room cleared Skeeter who was with the president shut the door to give them some privacy.

"Is everything okay sir?" Jawbreaker asked.

"Yes Lieutenant it is. I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me, what for?" Jawbreaker replied surprised.

"For being so hard on my son. Over the last few months he's turned into the man I always hoped he would."

"I just want you to know sir that I didn't single him out, I was as hard on all of the recruits."

"Even if you had I would still be thanking you. Before the Cylons attacked I didn't know what to do with him. He never listened to me and did nothing with his life, he was utterly unfocused. I love my son but when he told me he was signing up for Viper training I had my doubts."

"We both did but I'm glad to be able to say he did us both proud. Can I ask you sir, you don't know who I am do you?" Jawbreaker said.

"Should I?" Milo replied.

"No sir. During the first war you saved my father's life during the last engagement. Needless to say if it hadn't been for you I wouldn't be here now."

"My gods you're Andy Thomlins boy."

Jawbreaker smiled, "Yes sir I am."

"I haven't seen your old man in thirty years, what did he do after he left the service?"

"He moved to a small town on Picon and became Sheriff, met my mother and had me and my sisters."

"Sheriff huh, that sounds about right. Can I ask was he still on Picon when the Cylons attacked?"

"No he wasn't. He died ten years ago. He tried to stop a bank robbery single handed and ended up getting killed for his troubles."

"I'm so sorry to hear that."

"He was a hero. I'm the man I am because of him. I just wanted to say thank you for saving his life back in the day."

Milo shook the young pilots hand, "Are you free tomorrow evening?" he asked.

"Yes sir I am." Jawbreaker replied.

"Come over to the Caprican Sunrise, we'll crack open a bottle of whiskey and I can tell you some stories about your old man."

"I'd like that very much sir." He replied with a smile.

Adam Grayson had been on edge ever since he had been released from captivity. With all the things he had told Commander Garrett he was worried that somehow the others would know. As he walked into Mr Caprica's suite he felt nervous when he saw Galen and Miss Tauron sat waiting for him.

"It's good to see you back with us," Mr Caprica said gesturing for Adam to sit down with them, "Sorry we haven't been able to see you before now."

"It's fine." Adam replied.

"I hope they didn't hurt you in any way?" Miss Tauron asked.

"No they didn't, they threw me in a room and left me in there. They didn't even speak to me."

"We feared they might torture you for information about us." Mr Caprica said.

"They never asked me a single question once they had me, they quite literally threw me in a room and left me." Adam replied.

"That's good," Miss Tauron said, "We were worried about you."

Worried about what information he may have told them Adam thought.

"That's good to know." Adam replied.

"In your absence we have accelerated our plans," Mr Caprica said, "We are nearly ready to take our followers to their new home. Very soon we will need you to talk to the people again."

"Of course, it's time we liberated them after all." Adam replied with a smile.

3 DAYS AGO

Archangel was awoken by his alarm clock. He reached out from under the covers and switched it off. The day ahead consisted of getting ready to go to the Starburst to show his face at public debate. He looked over and smiled when he saw Grace beginning to stir from her sleep.

"Good morning." She said with a smile.

Archangel smiled back, "Good morning." He leaned over and gave her a kiss.

"What time do you have to go to the Starburst?" she asked.

"14.00 hours." He replied.

"I wish I could go with you but I have a busy day." She said sitting up in bed.

"Everything okay in sickbay?" Archangel asked.

"Yeah. One of the engineers fell last night and broke his arm badly. I need to put his arm back into place, we couldn't do it last night as he had only just eaten before he fell we needed to wait so we could put him under."

"Well it sounds like your day will be a lot more exciting than mine." Archangel replied.

As he got up and began to get dressed the phone on the wall began to buzz, he walked over and picked it up.

"CAG." He said.

"Major Hunter this is Ensign Phillips I have a call for you from the Starburst." Phillips said down the line.

"Put it through." Archangel replied.

Moments later he heard a friendly voice on the other end, "Mark?" Karl Michaels asked.

"Hey is everything okay?" Archangel asked.

"I need to see you as soon as possible." Michaels replied.

"Have you found them?" Archangel asked.

"I don't want to talk over this line the information is, delicate." Michaels replied.

"I'll be there as soon as I can. The usual place?"

"I'll be waiting." Michaels replied.

"Is everything okay?" Grace asked as Archangel hung up the handset.

"Yeah everything's fine, it just looks like I'm going to have to get to the Starburst a little earlier than I expected. I need to go find the Commander, I'll see you later." He said kissing her before he left his quarters.

Commander Garrett stood on CIC drinking a mug of tea while she checked through some paper work. She disliked the thought of having to spend all this time on the Starburst the same as Archangel did. One of the downsides of being Orion's Commander was she was expected to go to these political events. But she knew that showing support for the President was important, they had to show a united front in the face of the NCO and the Cylons. She couldn't imagine any other President that she would be able to stand along side with the same level of respect as she had for him. Most of them interfered with the military but as Milo Vents was a veteran and knew how things worked, he left her alone to do the things she needed to do. She looked up and smiled when she saw Archangel walk up to her.

"Good morning Major." She said.

"Good morning Commander, can I have a quiet word?" Archangel replied.

"Of course." Garrett said as they walked into one of the side rooms off the CIC. Archangel closed the door behind them.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"I have to head over to the Starburst straight away."

"Why?"

"I have to go see Karl Michaels, he has some information for me regarding the NCO." Archangel replied.

"What information?" Garrett replied, she was unsure why a survival expert would have information on the NCO.

"Before the Cylons took control of the fleet Michaels came see me. He told me that he used to be a black ops operative when he was younger. He specialised in finding people and making them disappear, that was why I sent Grace to him. He told me that he had been running his own investigation into the NCO, trying to find out who and where they were. He just got in contact, he's found something, what I don't know, but he has something."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Garrett asked.

"With all due respect because you didn't need to know. Due to the nature of how we are trained we keep things to ourselves, which is why he would only tell me about it and asked me not to tell anyone else until we knew something. Even before Grayson told you that one of us is NCO, he suspected it so he didn't want what he was doing to get back to them."

"You trust him?" Garrett asked.

Archangel nodded, "Completely."

"Okay, but keep me informed. If you're not at your scheduled public appearances I'll know why."

"I'll let you know what I find out but for now we need to keep this between us, don't even tell the President or the XO. Not until we know something we need to act on."

"Okay." Garrett replied nodding.

"Do I have permission to act on any information I deem to be time sensitive?"

Garrett nodded again, "Yes."

It was easy for Archangel to mingle into the crowds of people aboard the Starburst. There were many more people on the ship than usual because of the public debate and the Pyramid game that was due for tip off later in the afternoon. He felt uncomfortable wearing civilian clothes but they made him vanish into the crowd far easier than his uniform of flight suit would. The gun hidden under his jacket made him feel more comfortable. Up ahead he saw the bar where he and Michaels always used as a meeting point. As he walked inside he saw that it wasn't nearly as busy as he had expected it to be. He went up to the bar.

"How can I help you?" the barwoman asked.

"Just a coffee please." Archangel replied.

He looked around but there was no sign of Michaels.

"That's four cubits please." The woman said.

Archangel reached into his pocket and handed her the money before turning and walking to his and Michaels usual booth. No one even looked up at the young pilot as he sat himself down. It was a waiting game now but he expected Michaels wouldn't be long. He looked at his watch before taking a sip from his coffee. He looked up as he saw more people walk in, but still no sign of Michaels. The minutes passed and an hour later there was still no sign of him. Archangel was staring to get a little worried, Michaels should be here by now, he was never late. He sighed and stood up, he would go to Michaels. As he walked out of the bar it was still crowded outside. He mingled into it and walked towards one of the giant ships shuttle busses. As he got on there was no room to sit, so he walked to the back and stood on his own. He saw a crowd of young men get onboard who were there for the Pyramid game. They had clearly been drinking. Rowdy people like this were one of Archangel's pet hates. People looked up and gave them disapproving looks.

"What's your problem?" one of the men said looking towards an older woman who looked away. One of them walked over to her, "Come on old lady what's the problem? I saw how you looked at us."

"Please just leave me alone." The woman said.

Archangel didn't want to make a spectacle especially under the circumstances but when the man grabbed the woman by the wrist, that was all it took. Without saying a word Archangel walked over and grabbed the man by the back of the head and smashed his face into the pole next to him, where people would usually hold onto to stop themselves from falling over. He twisted the man's wrist behind him, forcing him down onto his knees in front of the woman. His friends backed off looking terrified from the look across Archangel's face.

"Apologise to this lady." Archangel said.

"Frak you." The man replied.

"My apologies." Archangel said.

"Frak you." He said again.

"I wasn't talking to you." Archangel replied and nodded to the woman. Archangel wrenched the man's arm in completely the wrong direction, the crunch was sickening.

"I'm sorry." The man screamed.

"What for?" Archangel asked.

"What do you mean?" he yelled through the pain.

Archangel pulled the man's arm further making him to scream in pain.

"I'm sorry for grabbing you." He said.

"It's okay." The woman said nervously.

Archangel dragged the man up by his throat pulling his face in front of his, "If I ever see you again and you're behaving like this I'll shoot you." He said quietly through gritted teeth. He let the man go and he staggered over to his friends.

"Sorry for that," he said to the lady, "I couldn't let him treat you like that."

"Honestly, it's okay and thank you." She said.

Archangel realised he was making the lady and the others around him nervous so he turned to walk away.

"Thank you." She said as he walked away.

Archangel smiled and winked as he walked into the adjoining car. Two security guards came up to him.

"What the frak is going on?" one of the bellowed.

"Major Hunter, Battlestar Orion. Those guys were harassing that lady over there, make sure they get off at the next stop."

"Of course." He replied.

Twenty minutes later Archangel found himself at the Polar dome. One of the Starburst crew who manned one of the many entryways walked over to him.

"May I ask whom you're here to see?" he asked.

"Karl Michaels, my name is Major Hunter he's expecting me." Archangel replied.

"I don't think you're going to be warm enough in just that jacket sir." He said.

"I was hoping to take one of your snow trucks."

"Of course we have some ready."

He led Archangel to a garage section where three trucks that looked like converted snowploughs sat waiting.

"If you could just sign here Major." The man said smiling.

Archangel signed his name and then got into the truck.

"Just drop the keys in to the office when you're done." The man said.

"No problem."

As Archangel got underway, he suddenly wished Michaels had chosen one of the warmer habitats to live in. There were so few people who lived in this dome, that was probably why he had chosen it. Archangel had time to think as he drove, he hoped that Michaels had found something that would lead him to the heart of the NCO. He wanted so badly to put a stop to them. He had a good feeling about this, he knew Michaels had been getting closer, the fact he had been called to see him boded well, he wouldn't have asked him to come unless it was for something good. He looked up at the sky, he could see space and several of the fleet's ships, it added to the beauty of the sight. Twenty minutes later he pulled up outside the small cabin at the foot of the small man made mountain. As he opened the door he was hit by the biting cold wind and the snow whipped up at him. He walked up to the door of the small cabin and knocked. He knocked again when he heard no reply. A few moments later he tried the door handle and it was unlocked. As he stepped inside he was met by the warmth, very welcome warmth.

"Karl it's me." He said.

There was no reply. Archangel suddenly wondered if they'd missed each other, maybe he hadn't waited long enough in the bar and his friend was now there. He walked into the living room and stopped dead in his tracks. Michaels sat dead in one of his chairs, his throat slit from ear to ear. Immediately Archangel drew his weapon. He didn't let himself feel any sorrow over the death of such a trusted friend, he would mourn him later, but first he would find and kill the bastard who had done this to him. The more Archangel looked at the scene the more it didn't add up, there was no sign of a struggle, it was almost as if Michaels had just sat there and let someone slit his throat. Michaels would have fought hard to stay alive. It would have taken someone very strong and highly trained to get the better of him, Archangel knew how well Michaels had been trained because he had had the same training. Michaels was one of the few people he had ever met who would have a chance of being able to take him in a fight. Quickly and silently he moved through the house, checking each room as he went along, until he reached the back room that had the doorway leading under the house. When he entered the room he saw that someone had beaten him to it, the bookcase that hid the door in the floor had been moved and it was open. With his gun gripped tightly he walked down the narrow stairway. Under the house had been ransacked, whoever had been there must have been looking for the information Michaels had for him. He walked over to the back wall and took out a series of stones that hid a small cavity, behind it sat a number of folders, thankfully whoever had done this hadn't been able to find the information, that was something at least. Archangel picked up a small backpack lying on the floor and put the files inside. As he put the bag on his back he heard movement from upstairs. With his gun back in his hand, he quickly and quietly made his way back up to the house. As he neared the living room he could hear someone crying. He lowered his gun and stepped into the room where he saw Danny kneeling beside Michaels.

"How long have you been here?" Archangel asked.

"You," Danny said, "Why did you kill him?"

"I didn't kill him, I came in and he was already dead." Archangel replied.

Danny reached into his jacket and pulled out a small revolver and without saying anything else opened fire. Archangel dived out of the way but felt the burn of a bullet graze his arm. He dived out of the front door and ran. Danny chased him firing until he had unloaded all the rounds in his gun.

"I'LL FRAKING KILL YOU!" Danny screamed.

Commander Garrett had finished everything she needed to do on the CIC, paperwork signed and a brief conversation with her XO later, she was ready to head to the Starburst. As she reached the door she heard Ensign Phillips call out.

"Commander there is a call for you from Captain Jonas." He said.

Garrett sighed and walked back to the dradis console in the middle of the room, "Put him through."

She picked up the hand set, "Captain Jonas this is Orion Actual what can I do for you?"

"Commander, Karl Michaels is dead." Jonas said.

"What? When did this happen?"

"I'm not sure exactly when, but his colleague found him with his throat slit. Your CAG was seen fleeing the scene of the crime, Commander it appears he killed him."

"No that's not possible he wouldn't do that."

"I've also just watched some footage of him attacking someone on one of our shuttle busses as well."

"Have you found him?" Garrett asked.

"No Commander we haven't, but I have my security looking for him."

"I'm on my way over please meet me in the hanger bay when I arrive." Garrett said.

"Of course Commander."

"What's wrong?" Rae asked as Garrett put the handset down.

"Karl Michaels has been murdered."

"What?" the XO replied.

"And Archangel was seen fleeing the scene."

"But I thought he was still onboard, he isn't scheduled to fly to the Starburst till this afternoon." Rae replied.

"He left early, to see Michaels." Garrett replied.

"This doesn't make sense, I thought they were friends?" Rae said.

"They are. Ensign Phillips get me the President." Garrett said.

Archangel had broken into some small unused quarters deep in an empty part of the ship. He looked at the graze from where the bullet had hit him, it wasn't bad at all, he had endured much worse. He cleaned it up before sitting down with the files in front of him. He couldn't get the image of seeing Michaels dead like that out of his head. Whatever Michaels found must have put him on the NCO's dradis. He opened the first file, it was full of photographs, most of them he had drawn a cross over so Archangel discarded them. He stopped when he saw one of Dr Mantill standing with someone Archangel didn't recognise but he assumed due to the tattoos that covered the man he was related to the Tauron crime scene, on the back of it was written "Ask Ramok". There were lots of other pictures as well of people he didn't recognise. Some photos had names written on them, but they all had ship names on them. When he opened the last file he saw a picture that intrigued him the most, he saw Adam Grayson, a number 1 Cylon and another man who was standing in shadows. The other man had been circled and next to it written Mr Caprica? Archangel was pretty sure with this information he would be able to strike at the heart of the NCO and when he identified someone from these pictures, he would torture his way to the top. People had to pay for what they had done and someone would pay dearly for the death of Karl Michaels. He wanted to take this information to the Commander but he knew he couldn't, someone on Orion was NCO and he couldn't afford for anyone to be tipped off. He was also quite sure that by now word of Michaels death would have made it's way back to Orion, as well as him fleeing the scene. This could work to his advantage, if he was suspected of Michaels death he would be suspected of being NCO, if that happened he might be able to work his way inside. He knew he had to go dark.

The President and the XO sat in Garrett's quarters, she had no idea what she was going to tell them but she knew she had to say something. Both of them sat waiting for the Commander to speak.

"I can't believe Archangel would murder Michaels." Garrett said.

"I would agree, but this does seem somewhat damning." Rae replied.

"So he told you he was going to see Michaels?" Milo said.

Garrett nodded, "Yes he did."

"Did he say why?" Milo asked.

For the first time Garrett found herself doubting the two people sat in front of her.

"He said Michaels had something to tell him, that he'd found something to do with the NCO." Garrett replied, not telling the full truth.

"Maybe it was something to do with who on Orion or in the President's inner circle was NCO?" Rae said.

"I hate to say it but, what if Archangel is the NCO agent and Michaels had found out?" Milo said.

"Then why would Michaels call him and ask him to come to him? Surely he would have told someone else?" Garrett said.

"I think that if Archangel was completely innocent he would have come and told us the information he found by now." Milo said.

"Maybe it's something he had to act on quickly?" Garrett said.

"Still his silence and the evidence so far isn't looking good." Rae said.

"Let's think about this logically, Archangel is an assassin, if he was going to kill someone who could name him in something like this surely he would be quieter about it?" Garrett said.

"He may not have been planning on killing Michaels when he went." Rae said.

"Before we condemn him completely I need to see the evidence Captain Jonas has and take a look at what happened over there." Garrett said.

"If Archangel is on the warpath should we call off the open forum?" Rae asked.

"No, I don't think he would be as bold as to do anything there. It would seem he's keeping a low profile for now." Milo said.

"We should talk to Skeeter and his sister, see if they have any idea where he would go." Rae said.

"Agreed, I'll do that," the President said, "I'm not heading to the Starburst until tomorrow so I have time. Commander if you would let me know what you find?" Milo said.

Garrett nodded, "Of course."

Archangel walked into Brother Ramok's prayer sanctuary. Ramok stood where he would address his congregation lighting candles.

"How are you Major?" he asked with a smile.

"Not good, I need to talk to you somewhere we won't be disturbed."

"Of course come with me." Ramok led Archangel to his quarters which were just at the back. He closed the door behind him.

"I assume Karl has sent you?" Ramok asked signalling for Archangel to sit.

"You could say that, he's been murdered."

Ramok dropped down onto his chair, "By whom?" he asked.

"I don't know. He called me this morning and asked me to meet him, he'd been doing some undercover work into finding out who runs the NCO. When I got to his home I found him dead with his throat slit. Danny found me there and before I could explain he started shooting at me, he thinks I killed Michaels and now others probably do as well." Archangel replied.

"You should go back to Orion, turn yourself in." Ramok replied.

"I can't. Michaels had left me some information, he's taken photos of people he suspects to be NCO, written on the back of this one it says ask Ramok," Archangel said handing him the picture, "Do you know who that is with Paul Mantill?"

"I only know his first name, it's Nathan. He sometimes comes to my services. He's from a Tauron crime family, I'm not sure which one though."

"Does he live on the Starburst?"

"I don't know, I know he travels around the fleet a lot, why? I do not know. Is Dr Mantill involved with the NCO?"

"Right now I don't know, I'm going to have to go and talk to him and find out."

"I can't stress enough that you should go back to Orion."

"I have to see this through, I can't let Michaels death be meaningless, there have been too many deaths like that already, I have to make this count for something."

"What can I do to help you?" Ramok asked.

"Take a look at these other pictures, do you recognise any of them?" Archangel handed Ramok the pictures.

"By identifying any of the people in these pictures, am I condemning them to death?"

"No. Nothing will happen to these people until I am 100% positive that they are NCO or had anything to do with Michaels death."

"I know this man," Ramok said pointing to one of the pictures, "His name is Nigel Verack. He thinks that by coming and confessing his sins to me the gods will forgive him."

"Can I ask what he's done?"

"You know I can't tell you that Mark."

"Fair enough. Do you know where I can find him?"

Ramok sighed and nodded, "Yes the Delphi bar, I believe you already know it?"

"Yes I do."

"Will you let me come with you? You need someone to watch your back."

Archangel replied, "I can't drag you into this as well, I can't lose another friend because of the NCO. Thank you for the offer though, it means a lot to me. Whatever you hear in the next few days I didn't kill Michaels."

"I know."

"But any other deaths you hear about, will be me."

"I will pray that the gods watch over and protect you."

"Thank you."

"What do I tell Admiral Garrett when she comes asking about you?"

"Tell her nothing. If they push tell them I came here briefly but didn't stay, tell them I said I was heading for a shuttle but you don't know where to." Archangel replied, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Ramok replied.

"If I've been wrong all these years and when I die the gods are real, will they forgive me for all the terrible things I've done?"

"I believe you are a good man, one of the best men I have ever met in my life. I pray for you everyday, that the Lords watch and protect you and you know what?"

"What?"

"You're still alive. Yes Mark I believe that when you die the gods will forgive you your sins and welcome you into their loving embrace."

"Will you light a candle for Michaels for me?"

"Of course. Should I light one for anyone else?"

Archangel shook his head, "Pray for anyone who dies by my hands over the coming days, because I'm going to send them straight to hell."

"No way." Skeeter snapped, "There is no fraking way he killed Michaels."

"I'm not saying he did for definite, but the signs aren't good." Milo replied.

"I'm telling you categorically that he did not kill Karl Michaels. Anyway if he had we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"And why is that?" Milo replied.

"Because he wouldn't have been seen or have left any evidence behind." Skeeter replied.

He paced back and foreword clearly on edge.

"Skeeter you have to calm down." Carrie said.

"What?" Skeeter replied, "How can you say that, your brother is being accused of murder, not only that, but the murder of a man who he trusted, who was his friend."

"Skeeter, sit down and calm down." Milo said in a voice that Skeeter knew meant that he wasn't messing around. Skeeter sighed and took a seat.

"Look I'm sorry," Skeeter said, "I just automatically go on the defence when it's Mark."

"I understand but we need to find out what happened, where he might go?" Milo said, "The longer he is absent, the longer he stays away, the worse it's going to look for him."

"I have no idea where he might go." Carrie said.

Milo looked at Skeeter.

"No idea, Michaels is dead that's the only other place I can think he would go."

"If I asked you guys to tell me if you hear from him would I be wasting my breath?" Milo asked.

Carrie and Skeeter looked at each other, "I think I speak for us both when I say we'd rather not answer that question." Skeeter replied.

"I thought as much," Milo stood up, "Take the rest of the day off, we head off to the Starburst for the open forum tomorrow."

Commander Garrett was escorted onto the bridge of the Starburst where Captain Jonas met her.

"Welcome aboard Commander." Jonas said.

"Thank you Captain." she replied.

"I assume you want to see the footage straight away?"

"Yes please." Garrett replied.

Jonas led her to a console and called up the video footage. Garrett watched as Archangel attacked the man on the shuttle bus. She sighed when it finished.

"This is nothing." She said.

"What do you mean nothing? He clearly attacked that man!" Jonas replied.

"Yeah a man who was clearly being abusive to that woman, he did what anyone of my crew would have done under the circumstances. Do you have anything else?" Garrett asked.

"Only his signature at the entrance to the polar dome. He signed out one of the snow mobiles."

"So? We already know he was there, so far I haven't seen anything that proves his guilt in the death of Karl Michaels."

"What about the eye witness who identified him fleeing the scene?"

"But did he see Major Hunter kill the man?"

Jonas paused, "No."

"When my XO calls with the results of the autopsy can you put her through to my quarters?" Garrett asked.

"Of course Commander." Jonas replied.

She turned and walked off the bridge. So far she had seen nothing to make her believe Archangel had killed Michaels, someone must have found out what he was doing and gotten to him first.

The Delphi bar was just how Archangel remembered it. As he walked to the door he expected the two bouncers to stop him in his tracks, but they didn't bat an eyelid as he walked straight in. It was very busy. He quickly scanned the room but couldn't see Nigel Verack, he saw a man he didn't recognise sitting in the booth Curtis Turner used to sit in, flanked by large bodyguards. He sat with two young women who fawned all over him. The goons blocked Archangel's path as he tried to get to the table.

"I'd like to speak with whoever it is pretending to be Curtis Tanner." Archangel said.

"Well he doesn't want to speak with you." One of the bodyguards replied.

"It's okay James let him past." the man said from the booth when he saw Archangel standing there, "Major please sit, forgive me but you are the last person I ever expected to see here after what you did to my predecessor."

Archangel sat down facing him, "In all honesty this is the last place I ever intended on coming back to but needs must. Who the frak are you?"

He smiled at Archangel, "I'm Henry Chambers," he said holding out his hand, he took it back when it became clear Archangel was not going to shake it, "I know who you are though Major. You killed some serious people the last time you were here and from what I've heard and seen from the video footage, you didn't even break a sweat, you are a seriously impressive man. Tell me, you're more than just a pilot aren't you? You're the bogey man they used to speak of back on the Colonies, you and two others, women if you believe the rumours. What can I do for you? I'm guessing whatever it is, is not official, no uniform, Karl Michaels just being killed, I'm guessing it's about him?"

Archangel looked at the man, trying to get the measure of him. He didn't like him, he looked like the type of person who paid other people to do his dirty work. He was smug, he clearly thought, flattering his none existent ego may get him on side, "You're right, I'm not here on any official business, I'm looking for someone. I'm guessing as you're the only one sitting in this booth in this shit hole, you're the one to talk to."

"Ladies, will you excuse us please?" one of the women climbed over Archangel and winked at him as she did, "I was told you were here looking for people last time as well, how did that work out for you?" Henry asked with a smile.

"Good for me, bad for the people who got in my way," Archangel passed him a photo, "I'm looking for this man, his name is Nigel Verack and I'm told on very good authority that he frequents your bar." he said putting the photograph onto the table.

"You know, helping you find people has a history of being bad for this business, last time a lot of the people you murdered were patrons of the late Mr Tanner." Henry replied.

"Here's the deal you jumped up little shit, you tell me where I can find this man and I don't burn your bar to the ground."

The smile was gone from Henry's face now, "I'm not a man who responds well to threats Major."

"And I'm not a man who makes threats that he generally doesn't follow up on." Archangel said with a wicked smile across his face.

"I have ten men in this bar who with one word from me will come over here and rip your head clean from your shoulders."

Archangel smiled, "If you do utter that one word, then you better have ten more men hidden away somewhere because I'll kill them all, now where is Nigel Verack?"

Henry picked up the picture and threw it back at Archangel, "Frak you Major."

Archangel smiled before pulling his knife out from his boot and lunging it through Henry's hand with such force, it pinned his hand to the table. He turned with his gun in hand and shot both of the closest bodyguards through the head killing them instantly. Screams and yelling erupted from all around. Archangel put his gun back in its holster as the first of the other guards lunged at him. Archangel dodged out of his way, grabbing his wrist, he span him round grabbing the man by the head snapping his neck. As the second body guard appeared Archangel grabbed an empty bottle of beer smashed it on the nearest table and lunged the broken glass into the man's throat before tearing it out, blood spurted everywhere as the man died gurgling on his own blood. As the bar cleared the other seven bodyguards including the two bouncers from outside all stood in front of him. They all went for him at the same time. Archangel wasted no time he drew his gun again and killed each of them with just one shot each. As the last one of them hit the ground the barman stood looking at the Major from behind the bar, with a shotgun shaking in his hands. He looked scared out of his mind.

"I'll give you one chance to go." Archangel said.

The barman dropped the shotgun and ran.

Archangel turned back to Henry, hand still stuck to the table by his knife.

"So where were we?" Archangel said as he sat back down.

"Starburst security will be on the way." Henry spluttered through the pain.

"No they won't. The first thing Captain Jonas said about this place was that his men never came down here, they left you to your own devices. So where is Nigel Verack? Are you going to tell me or do I have to get more creative?"

Henry tried to remove the knife but it wouldn't budge from the table.

"He lives on F deck, cabin 477." he sputtered.

"Thank you, now that wasn't so hard was it?"

"You have no idea who he is or who he works for!"

"I'm guessing NCO?" Archangel replied.

Henry nodded, "Yes."

"Well normally at this point I'd leave you here, but I can't risk anyone coming in and letting you out before I can get to see Mr Verack, I can't have you warning him."

"What does that mean?" Henry asked.

Archangel shot him between the eyes before walking out of the bar.

Galen Hunter finished packing his things in his quarters. The plan was finally moving towards its end phase and not a moment too soon. In a couple of days he would be heading to the new ship he would call home and then the fun would really begin. He poured himself the last of the whiskey in the bottle on the coffee table and then sat down. He smiled to himself as he took a sip, all that was missing was a Caprican cigar. He looked up as John Cavill walked into the room.

"John, I trust everyone is ready?"

"Almost but that's not why I'm here. Karl Michaels has been dealt with and it appears your son is getting the blame for his murder."

Galen let out a little laugh, "Then things really are going our way."

"He's leaving a trail of destruction behind him as we thought he would."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No, other than the murder, he's keeping a very low profile. I've just learned there was a fight in the Delphi bar only half an hour ago, Henry Chambers and all his men are dead."

"Well that saves us a job before we go."

"You're not worried?" 1 asked.

"Why should I be? That moron didn't know anything that could hurt us."

"Yes but he knows people who do."

"Tell Adriana what you've told me, tell her things are still progressing as we thought they would. Tell the rest of the Twelve things are nearly ready for our take over but don't tell them anything about my son."

"Of course."

As 1 walked out of the room he couldn't make himself share Galen Hunter's hopefulness. If his son found them or even just saw him then it would be game over very quickly. Right at this moment 1 had no intention of getting himself killed, Orion's fleet was too far out and there was no resurrection ship anywhere near them.

Nigel Verack walked towards the door to his quarters.

"I'm coming." He shouted to whoever it was banging at the door.

As he opened it the last thing he saw before he lost consciousness, was Archangel's fist a split second before it connected with his face. As he slowly began to come back around, the pain in his face was the first thing he noticed. As he eyes began to adjust he saw Archangel sitting opposite him smiling. He tried to get up but he realised he was tied to a chair.

"Do you know who I am?" Archangel asked.

Nigel shook his head, "No." he replied groggily.

"My name is Mark Hunter I'm Orion's lead pilot. But the important part of who I am right now for you is I am a black ops agent. I'm trained to kill and to get information out of people and you have information that I need."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I'm no one." Nigel replied.

"You're NCO."

"No I'm not."

Archangel took out the photograph stained with Henry Chamber's blood.

"This was taken by a very good friend of mine who has since been murdered. Henry Chambers then identified you as NCO before I blew his brains all over the back of his bar. One way or another, you're going to tell me everything I need to know. What do you do for the NCO?"

"Nothing! I don't work for the NCO!"

Archangel took out a knife and slowly slid it into Nigel's kneecap up to the hilt before twisting it. Nigel screamed in agony.

"What do you do for the NCO?" Archangel asked again.

"I recruit people." Nigel said through the screams.

Archangel pulled the knife out, "And once you've recruited them what do you get them to do for you?"

"Post leaflets, find more people to recruit and deliver packages."

"Are you responsible for all the kids we found working for the NCO?"

"Anyone who comes to us does so of their own free will."

"Who on Orion is NCO?" Archangel asked.

"I don't know." Nigel replied.

Archangel slid his knife into Nigel's other knee.

"I swear I don't know." He screamed, "I'm not high up enough to know that type of information."

"Who is?"

"The Twelve and their trusted advisors." Nigel said through tears and snot.

"Who are the Twelve, what are their real names?"

"I don't know."

Archangel twisted the knife.

"I've never met them. When they want me to do something they either send me a message or some Tauron crime guy comes to see me."

"Is this him?" Archangel asked showing him the picture.

Nigel nodded his head, "Yes that's him."

"What's his name and where can I find him?" Archangel asked.

"All I know is his name is Nathan I have no idea where he lives."

"The other man in the picture, is he NCO?"

Nigel nodded, "Yes that's Dr Mantill, he's the Twelve's private doctor. He knows names and faces."

Archangel always knew he would have some sort of confrontation with Mantill, he had done nothing but piss him off since he joined their group on Sagittaron.

"Does Dr Mantill still live on this ship?"

Nigel shook his head, "No. Last I heard he was on the Pacifica."

"What's the NCO's endgame?"

"I can't tell you that." Nigel protested.

Archangel tore out the knife and without saying a word grabbed Nigel's hand and cut off his little finger.

"What's the endgame?"

Nigel stayed quiet, so Archangel cut off the next finger along. Nigel screamed in agony.

"They're planning to take over the fleet. That's all I know."

"You've been most helpful." Archangel said.

"Are you going to let me go?" Nigel replied.

"That depends, who killed Karl Michaels?" Archangel said standing up in front of Nigel.

"I don't know, I didn't even know anyone was going to kill him."

"Wrong answer." Archangel replied as he stabbed Nigel in the heart before tearing the knife out.

Jawbreaker sat with the President as they drank Ambrosia and talked about his father.

"He was one hell of a stick," Milo said, "Saved my ass on more than one occasion."

"He used to tell me about the war when I was a kid, told me all about how you saved his hide during that dog fight during the final day," Jawbreaker said, "Ever since then all I wanted to do was fly Vipers, if I could be half the man my dad was then it would be a life well lived."

"The Commander speaks very highly of you as does the XO and she doesn't seem to like many people."

They both laughed, "I've got a lot of time for Colonel Rae, she's hard on the crew but deep down she has a heart of gold."

"I need to ask you about Archangel, what do you think of him as a man and a CAG?"

"Where do I start? I've been fortunate enough to serve under some of the best CAGs in the fleet, but Archangel without a shadow of a doubt is the best of them. He's the finest pilot I've ever seen. Every pilot on that ship would gladly give their lives for him, we respect him and he respects us. He's a good friend and a fair man. It doesn't matter if you're the Admiral of the fleet or a Petty Officer, he treats everyone the same. He doesn't scream or shout. He doesn't intimidate people, he supports us all. As a squadron leader I couldn't ask for more, he lets me get on with it and run things my way. He has a temper though."

"Really?" Milo replied.

"With all due respect sir you know that as well as anyone. I've heard stories about him and rumours."

"What rumours?" Milo asked extremely interested.

"That he was an assassin before the Cylons attacked, if you needed someone taking out he was the man the government and the admiralty went too. I heard, now I'm not saying it's true, that he took out the worst of the worst, the lowest of the low. One of the ECOs on Orion, her sister was a cop, apparently he was picked up one night after being found at the scene of a murder. Now I'm not just talking one person dead I'm talking thirty, all killed with his bare hands and a brick. Apparently they were all gangster's men, they were involved in trafficking kids or something, the type of person any decent human would off and not give it a second thought. If the story is true he was at the police station for ten minutes before some men in black appeared and that was it, they never heard any more of what happened again."

"Do you believe that story?" Milo asked.

"I don't know," Jawbreaker replied, "But I saw the anger in his eyes when Skeeter was taken prisoner by the SFM, anger unlike I've ever seen before. I'm not saying I believe a word of it, but if it's true then he deserves a pat on the back and a fraking medal for what he did and the scum he had to deal with. If I heard Archangel killed a man, no matter who it was, my initial thought would be, what did they do for him to come knocking and they probably deserved what they got." He took another sip from his drink as he finished speaking, "Right I need to hit the head."

"Through there." Milo said pointing to another room.

"Thank you sir."

Jawbreakers words rang in his ears and he couldn't help but to agree with the pilot. He snapped out of his thoughts by a knock at the cabin door. He straightened himself and walked over. Outside stood two of the Quorum members and another man he didn't recognise.

"May we speak with you Mr President?" Paul Briggs the Quorum member for Aquaria asked.

"Of course come in." Milo walked back into the room letting them close the door. As he turned all three men were pointing guns at him.

"What the frak is going on?" Milo asked.

"I'm afraid we need you to come with us, Mr Caprica has requested your presence." Paul said.

"You're NCO?" Milo asked.

Paul nodded, "Yes we are."

As Jawbreaker walked back into the room everyone was startled for a second. The man the President didn't know fired his gun hitting Jawbreaker who fell to the ground.

"You son of a bitch!" Milo exclaimed.

"You make a sound or try to warn anyone and everyone we come across dies." Paul said reaching for the President.

The first the man who had shot Jawbreaker knew he hadn't killed the pilot, was when Jawbreaker was standing next to him.

"That hurt." Jawbreaker said momentarily looking at the blood that ran from his shoulder. He swung a punch that connected with the man's jaw with every ounce of strength he could muster. The man's head spun around under the force and his neck snapped from the sheer power.

"And that's why they call me Jawbreaker!" He yelled.

The President used the few seconds distraction to grab the open bottle of Ambrosia and smash it over Paul's head knocking him out cold. Before Shaun Bell the Quorum member for Libran could turn his gun towards the injured pilot, jawbreaker grabbed him by the throat and lifted him a foot off the ground with one hand and batted the gun away from his hand with the other. He pulled the terrified man towards his face.

"Give me a reason not to choke the life out of you?" Jawbreaker asked with pure rage in his voice.

The man tried to breathe and even make a sound, but Jawbreakers vice like grip stopped both of those from happening. Shaun tried to punch the bleeding wound on Jawbreaker's shoulder in an attempt to hurt him. He just looked at the man and let out a laugh, "Is that the best you've got?"

"Jawbreaker please let him go." Milo said.

He didn't reply he just kept his grip tight.

"Lieutenant Thomlin release that man, that is an order." Milo said.

Jawbreaker snapped out of his rage induced trance and dropped the man to the ground as he gasped for air.

"Mr President are you okay?" Jawbreaker asked.

"Yes I'm fine, are you? You've been shot."

"It's nothing sir, barely a pin prick." He replied.

The door burst open and security came running in.

The Commander stood in the Delphi bar with Starbursts security. Whatever had happened here it had been very one sided.

"So you're going to tell me why you've never told us about this place before?" Garrett asked Captain Jonas.

"Because when you're loved ones are threatened you do what you have to." Jonas replied, "Your man needs to be stopped."

"We don't know this was him yet." Garrett replied.

"Come on, he's on a rampage, anyone can see that." Jonas replied.

One of the security officers walked up to them, "I've just taken a description from the bar tender and it fits Major Hunter to a tee. Apparently he's been in here before. He said after Major Hunter killed all these men, he turned to him and told him to leave."

"Thank you Sergeant." Jonas replied turning to Garrett with an "I told you so" look on his face.

"If he was on a rampage and just killing, why would he let the bar tender go?" Garrett asked, "Do you know if this bar had anything to do with the NCO?"

"Genuinely I've no idea," Jonas replied, "This is the first time I've ever been down here."

One of the other officers came up to them.

"Commander you have an urgent call from Orion."

"Excuse me." Garrett replied.

Looking at this scene it scared Jonas to think one man could do all this by himself. He wanted this man caught and off his ship as soon as possible. Seconds later Garrett came back over.

"I have to go, I'll be back tomorrow." She said.

"Is everything okay Commander?"

"No, the President has been attacked."

2 DAYS AGO

The Commander, XO and President stood outside the room where Paul Briggs sat.

"Should we believe him?" Rae asked.

"He's pretty convincing. He really doesn't seem to know who Mr Caprica is or who else is NCO. From what little information we have on the NCO they seem to keep other people's identities pretty secret." Garrett said.

"We've put as much pressure on him as we can, normally I would have said send in Major Hunter. Is there any sign of him?" Milo asked.

"No and I still don't think he killed Michaels. I think he's doing what he can to find out who did kill him." Garrett replied.

"Do you think we'll be able to catch him?" Rae asked.

"No, I don't think we'll find him till he wants us to." Garrett replied.

As she finished speaking a patched up Jawbreaker appeared.

"Sirs, I came as soon as I could." Jawbreaker said saluting them.

"At ease Jawbreaker. How would you like to scare the living crap out of someone?" Garrett asked.

"It's what I live for ma'am." Jawbreaker replied.

"I want you to go in there and put as much pressure on him as you can. Don't hurt him unless you have too." Garrett said.

"Yes ma'am." Jawbreaker replied with a frightening smile, "First though, are you alright Mr President?"

"Thanks to you. Go put the fear of gods into him."

"Yes sir." Jawbreaker replied cracking his knuckles as he walked into the room.

Paul Briggs looked terrified as the giant man walked into the room. At first Jawbreaker didn't speak he just paced back and forward in front of him with a look on his face that would have intimidated even the gods. He stopped in front of the table that separated them and over turned it smashing it into the wall making Paul let out of muffled yelp.

"WHERE IS MR CAPRICA?" Jawbreaker screamed only inches from the man's face.

"I swear I don't know. We received orders to bring the President to the Starburst where someone would take him to see Mr Caprica."

"WHO SENT YOU YOUR ORDERS?" he screamed again.

"Our contact, he calls himself John. I've never met him I swear."

"WHO ON THIS SHIP IS NCO?"

Paul hesitated for a second.

"WHO ON THIS SHIP IS NCO?"

"Major Hunter." He yelled back terrified.

Jawbreaker grabbed him by the throat, tore him out of his seat and pinned him against the wall. He looked into the terrified man's eyes.

"You're lying." Jawbreaker said letting go of the man, who dropped to the floor with a thud.

"I'm not." He replied.

As Jawbreaker went for him again he heard the Commander's voice come over the intercom.

"Lieutenant that's enough." She said.

"If I see you again, I'll kill you." Jawbreaker said quietly before leaving the room.

As he met the Commander outside he spoke straight away, "He's lying." Jawbreaker said.

"I tend to agree." Garrett replied.

"We need to find Archangel, now." Milo said.

"Under the circumstances I think we should cancel the public forum." Garrett said.

"No, I will not be strong-armed by the NCO or Major Hunter. I'll have Skeeter with me at all times, if Archangel should turn up at least I'll have one of the only people with me who can get through to him." Milo said.

Skeeter and Carrie sat with Grace in sickbay while they waited for the President to head over to the Starburst.

"Have either of you heard from him?" Grace asked.

"No we hoped you had." Carrie replied.

"No nothing. I can't believe they think he killed Michaels and might have something to do with the NCO." Grace said.

"He must be trying to find who did kill him." Skeeter replied.

"Do you really think he killed all these people who are turning up dead?" Carrie asked.

"Aside from Michaels I'm guessing yes and that's why we haven't heard from him," Skeeter said, "Whoever he's looking for had better run for it."

"You're talking like he's done this kind of thing before?" Carrie said.

Skeeter and Grace looked at each other.

"What? What are you not telling me?" she said.

"It's not our secret to tell." Skeeter answered.

"Tell me." Carrie said.

Skeeter took a deep breath, "Before the war your brother wasn't just a pilot. He was an assassin for the government and the military."

"Are you serious?" Carrie exclaimed.

Skeeter nodded his head, "You can't tell anyone, and there are only a few people who actually know. There are rumours about him, but for most people that's all they will ever be."

"So you're telling me my brother is a murderer?" Carrie said.

"You need to know that he did what he did to keep people safe. He was sent after the worst kinds of people, those who wanted to hurt the Colonies and the people. It's not as black and white as he's a killer." Grace said.

"So he has killed all these people and he could have killed Michaels." Carrie said.

"No," Skeeter said, "I'm telling you categorically that he didn't. Unless Michaels was a bad guy there is no way he would do that."

"Okay." Carrie said, "We better go see if the President is ready to go." she added to change the subject. She needed to speak to her brother.

"Let me know if you hear anything." Grace said to Skeeter as Carrie walked away.

"Likewise." He replied.

Archangel sat by himself deep inside the Starburst. He sat in front of a small laptop he had connected to the ships main computer. He looked at the fake identity he had made himself. He needed to get off Starburst and knew he wouldn't get far if he showed them his military ID when he tried to board any shuttle. He held his newly made fake ID card, they would never be able to tell the difference. He knew that he didn't have long, as soon as he logged on they would be alerted to his presence. He estimated from the nearest security outpost he had approximately four minutes to find what he needed and get away.

"Okay," Archangel said to himself, "Here goes nothing."

As soon as he logged on he saw the bridge had already been alerted. It didn't take him long to hack into the fleet's population database. He typed in Paul Mantill and waited. He looked at his watch and saw he had three minutes left. The faces of the civilian population flashed by him on the screen. Seconds later Dr Mantill's information appeared on the screen, he was on the Pacifica, D deck section 23 room 567. Archangel smiled to himself before launching a mini virus which would eliminate all traces of whose profile he had been looking at. When the virus had completed it's job Archangel drew his sidearm and put a bullet through the laptop making sure there was no way they could find out what he had been doing. As he left the room he only had seconds left, he could hear the ships security coming in the opposite direction. As he made his getaway he looked at his watch and smiled, he had a couple more things to do before he headed for the Pacifica.

The President and Commander stood by the side of the stage in Orion's biggest auditorium.

"Are you sure about this?" Garrett asked, "There's still time to pull out."

"No we need to carry on as normal," Milo replied, "Wish me luck."

Garrett smiled and nodded to Skeeter as he followed the President onto the stage. The auditorium went silent as Milo took the podium.

"Good morning," Milo said, "Thank you all for coming to this public forum. Over the next three days we will be addressing all of the concerns the people of the fleet have. The ships captains have all the questions and queries from the people on their ships have. Firstly, I know the rumour mill has been set into overdrive. Some of you already know or may have heard that last night the NCO tried to kidnap me in my own quarters. They were led by former Quorum members Paul Briggs and Shaun Bell who have since been taken into custody about the Battlestar Orion. There was a third as yet unidentified male who was killed in a fight with one of Orion's pilots, who saved me from these men. I will not be taking any questions about this incident, more information will be given to you as and when we have it…"

Archangel watched unseen from the back of the auditorium. It was nice to see the President and his best friend were okay. He could also see his sister and the Commander standing by the side of the stage. He had one more thing he had to do before he caught a shuttle to the Pacifica. He had to get off the Starburst as what he had planned next would halt all the air traffic coming too and from the luxury cruiser. He saw Wedge walking towards him from behind the auditorium. As he passed by, Archangel reached out and grabbed his friend pulling him out of sight.

"What the frak is going on?" Wedge said.

Archangel put his finger in front of his mouth, "Please I need to talk to you and it has to be quietly."

"Everyone is looking for you, they think you killed Karl Michaels."

"I know."

"Did you?"

"No, I didn't."

"Then come back with me to Orion so we can get this sorted." Wedge said.

"I can't." Archangel replied, "I'm getting closer to who killed Michaels and I'm getting further into the NCO."

"This is insane," Wedge said, "What about all these other people, did you kill them?"

Archangel nodded his head, "They're NCO, well most of them. Listen I need you to do me a favour."

"Are you fraking serious?"

"You owe me."

"For what?" Wedge asked.

"The fact you're fraking my sister and you can still walk." Archangel snapped back.

Wedge didn't know what to say to that, "What do you need?" he finally said.

"The next couple of days you're going to hear things that make you think I've gone off the deep end but I haven't. I'm getting further up the NCO ladder and it won't take long till I'm at the top. Whoever was involved with killing Michaels is going to pay with their lives, a lot more people are going to die. I need you to tell Carrie that I love her and everything I'm doing is for the survival of this fleet."

"I will."

"Thank you," Archangel said, "I have to go, be safe."

"You too, good hunting." Wedge said before Archangel darted away.

He moved quickly, using crowds of people as cover for any cameras that might be watching. It took him ten minutes to get to the Starburst's hanger bay. He looked at the read outs of the flight schedule and saw the next shuttle to the Pacifica was about to board so he found the line. As he reached the front two armed security officers greeted him.

"ID card please." One of them said.

Archangel handed him the ID he had made. The guard scanned it into the computer system and waited for it to pull up his profile. Archangel waited for what seemed like an eternity, seconds later it beeped that it had found his details. The guard looked at the screen and then the card in his hand.

"Enjoy your time on the Pacifica Mr Spence." He said handing the card back.

"Thank you I will." Archangel said with a smile before getting onto the large shuttle. He found a seat and settled in. When the last of the passengers had taken their seats, the intercom buzzed on.

"Welcome aboard Starburst shuttle 37 heading for Pacifica. Flight time will be approximately twenty five minutes and we'll try to make it as smooth as possible."

As it buzzed off, live footage of the public debate came onto the overhead screens. The President was still giving his opening speech. Archangel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small hand held detonator and watched. Moments later the President left the stage and Wallace Gray took over, telling the audience he was from Galactica's fleet and what had happened when they made the mistake of settling on a planet. Minutes later the shuttle was out into space and on it's way. Archangel took a deep breath, checked his watch and pressed the button in his hand. Explosions could be heard on the screen followed by the stage being cleared and screaming from the people in the auditorium. The screen cut to one of the channel's presenters as she explained they didn't know what was happening and they would give more information as and when they had it. The chatter immediately fell to the NCO and how it must be them, this was exactly what Archangel was counting on.

As Skeeter led the President off the stage, Milo noticed the tight grip he had on his gun.

"Are you okay?" Skeeter asked.

Milo nodded, "Yes thank you I'm fine."

"Fraking NCO." Skeeter said.

Garrett walked past him onto the stage.

"Commander it's not safe." Skeeter said.

"Did no one else notice there were explosions but no damage." She said pointing to where the explosions and smoke had come from. Skeeter followed her out.

"You're right." He said.

Wedge came running around and hugged Carrie when he saw her.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"Wedge can I borrow you a minute?" Garrett asked.

"Yes ma'am." He replied.

"I want to go and check out where the explosions came from." She said.

"Are you sure that's a wise idea?" he replied, "It could be unstable."

"I think they were flash bang grenades." She said.

He followed her up into the auditorium.

"Yep just as I thought." She said pointing to the used grenade.

Wedge wanted to tell her he'd seen Archangel but he didn't know what to say.

"Commander I need to speak to you in private." He said.

"We're on our own here Captain, speak your mind." She said.

He took a deep breath, "I saw Archangel."

"When?" she said.

"About twenty minutes ago." He replied.

"Where was he heading."

"He didn't say." Wedge replied.

"But you spoke to him?"

"He sought me out with a message for Carrie. Anyway he said that he didn't kill Michaels but he's on the trail of who did. He also said he's starting to find NCO and is getting further to the top."

"The other bodies?"

"Are from him. He's on the warpath and he said there are going to be a lot more before he's finished. What should we do?"

Garrett looked towards the President, "We keep this to ourselves. I get the feeling he did this."

"Why would he do that?"

"Because the NCO will get the blame. Right now Wedge everything is kept between us."

"Yes ma'am." He replied.

YESTERDAY

"You're watching Fleet wide News and I'm Sandra Jenkins. The public debate aboard the Starburst which was due to commence yesterday has been postponed due to a terrorist attack which seems to be being blamed on the NCO. There were several explosions during the speech of Wallace Gray who until recently was a survivor of the Battlestar Galactica's fleet. Luckily no one was hurt in the blasts, but the office of the President and the Battlestar Orion have decided due to safety issues it will be postponed for the immediate future. With the fleet already divided on the subject of the NCO some speculate this is just a public ploy by the President or his supporters against the NCO. Those against the alleged terrorist organization are crying out for the military to search out and put a stop to them. In other news the identities of the bodies found on the Starburst or who may have killed them have not been released. Whatever is going on in our fleet is being kept very quiet….."

Mr Caprica switched the screen off as he finished his breakfast in his suite. He chuckled to himself, all publicity was good publicity after all. People around him were starting to panic due to the mysterious deaths that seemed to be befalling members of the NCO and people they associated with. They seemed to forget that very soon their plan would be implemented and it wouldn't matter what anyone else thought or did. Very soon he would be in a position of power, a position to make things happen on a large scale. As he finished his coffee in walked John Cavill.

"Good morning John, I trust you're well today." Mr Caprica said.

"I've just received some news." 1 replied.

"Judging by the look on your face it's bad."

"Nigel Verack has been found dead in his quarters."

"Dead how?"

"From a knife wound in his chest, he had been tortured as well."

"Frak, how much could he have told whoever tortured him?"

"Not much, he didn't know the names of anyone above him or in a position of importance." 1 replied.

"But did he know the names of anyone who did?"

"Honestly I don't know. We have so many people working for us I lose track of who knows who and who knows what."

"Who would know?"

"Nathan might." 1 said.

"Send for him, I need to speak to him as soon as possible, we're too close to the endgame for it all to fall apart now."

"What about whoever has been killing us?" 1 asked.

"Once I've spoken to Nathan, we send him out to deal with my son."

"Are you sure it's your son?"

"It has to be."

Grace sat in Dr Hammond's office. She hadn't been able to sleep, she had been worried about Archangel. She had a pretty good idea what he was up to and this is what worried her, she knew what he was capable of but she also knew that the people he was gunning for were dangerous. She had no idea how far they were into the fleet, who they were or how dangerous they were. She looked up as Carrie and Skeeter walked into the office, Skeeter shut the door behind them. Since the incident aboard the Starburst the Commander had insisted the President stay aboard Orion until things died down.

"Have you heard anything?" Grace asked.

Carrie nodded her hear, "Wedge spoke to him yesterday. He told him that he hadn't killed Michaels but he has killed all those other people. He also said things were going to get a lot worse before he had finished and a lot more people were going to die."

"Did he say where he was going next?" Grace asked.

"No." Skeeter replied.

"That's what you two have to talk about? Who is my brother? I know what you told me but how can he do this?" Carrie said.

"He does what he thinks is right." Skeeter said.

"But he's killing people." Carrie said.

"People who deserve it." Skeeter replied.

"Does anyone deserve to die?" Carrie asked.

"Yes," Grace said bluntly, "These people are the worst of the worst, they don't have our best interests in mind, they just want to be in charge, there's no telling what will happen if they take over."

"Why didn't he tell me all this before?" Carrie asked.

"I'm sure he would have eventually," Skeeter said, "He wanted you to know who he was, the real man before you found out what he was trained to do. I've known your brother my entire life and I only recently found out."

"And how did you take it?" Carrie asked.

"I've seen your brother at his best and I've seen him at his worst and I can tell you no matter what, he's the best man I've ever known. When we were fighting for our lives against the Cylons or even the humans he kept us alive and he's doing the same thing now, he's keeping us alive." Skeeter said.

"Don't form an opinion on him through the things you've heard or the things people think. Wait till this is over, sit down and talk to him, listen to why he's done this then you'll be able to understand. He's a hero." Grace said.

Carrie nodded her head, "Okay."

Mike Campbell was nervous, he always was when he was being escorted to the Commander's quarters. He looked across at Sergeant Vannick.

"Any idea what this is about?" Mike asked.

"I'm not allowed to say," Vannick replied, "It's nothing to worry about though."

As he walked into the Commander's quarters she was sat waiting for him with the President and the XO.

"Thank you sergeant that will be all." Garrett said.

"Yes ma'am." Vannick said turning and closing the door behind him.

"Please Mike sit down," the Commander said, "Can I get you a drink?"

"No, no thank you." Mike replied nervously.

"There's no need to be worried," Milo said.

"Yes sir. Can I ask how I can help you?" Mike replied.

"We need you to look through Orion's computer systems." Garrett said.

"Okay." Mike said sounding confused, "May I ask what you'd like me to look for?"

"Anything that doesn't look right," Garrett said, "People accessing systems they shouldn't, off log calls, anything that seems strange."

"I'll do it of course, but you realise it could take me days, maybe even weeks to check through the whole computer system?"

"It takes as long as it takes and we're going to give you anything you need in order to do this," Garrett said, "Whatever you find though I want the information to only come to one of us."

"You're looking for NCO and Major Hunter?" Mike asked.

Now it was everyone else's turn in the room to look confused.

"How did you know that?" Milo asked.

"With all due respect to you all it doesn't take a genius to figure it out. I know what's been going on, there are rumours abound across the fleet. Can I ask why you are trusting me?" Mike asked.

"Are you NCO?" Milo asked.

"NO!" Mike exclaimed, "I wouldn't have anything to do with terrorists."

"And that's why Mike, because you can't tell a lie to save your life." Garrett replied.

"Before you go," Milo said, "Do you know anywhere in the fleet that Archangel may go if he was laying low?"

"Firstly I want to state that I don't believe any of the rumours I've heard. I don't respect a lot of people but I do respect Major Hunter, I've seen him in action and I've seen what he can do and does to keep people alive. Having said that whatever he's got himself involved in, I think he needs help. The only place I could think of would be brother Ramok."

"Ramok, frak why didn't we think of him?" Garrett said, "Colonel can you take Mike to CIC and give him full access to Orion's systems?"

"Yes ma'am." Rae replied leading Mike out of the room.

"What are you going to do?" Milo asked after they'd gone.

"I'm going to see Brother Ramok." She replied.

"Are you sure it's wise, shouldn't you send someone else?"

"I'll take people with me I can trust." Garrett replied.

Nathan walked into Mr Caprica's suite, led by 1. Mr Caprica shook his hand as he walked in.

"Thank you for coming Nathan."

"What can I do for you?" he replied.

"I need to cut to the chase, time is a factor. As you know Nigel Verack has been killed. What I need to know is what information he could have given whoever killed and how that could lead his killer to us?"

Nathan thought for a moment, "There's always Dr Mantill. He knows everyone and let's face it he'll talk if he's pressured."

"Go pay him a visit, we can't risk that he may talk." Galen replied.

"Of course."

"Before you do, the killer who is coming for us, I believe it's my son. I want you to take your best men, those who you trust and can handle themselves, find him and kill him."

Nathan seemed a little taken back by this, "Of course."

Archangel had watched Dr Paul Mantill all day as he went about his business. He went from patient to patient, all the people were just civilians, elderly people, children, people with illnesses etc. When Mantill answered the knock on the door of his quarters he was visibly surprised to see Archangel standing on the other side of it.

"Major, what a surprise, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"I need your help, can I come in?" Archangel replied.

"Of course." He said stepping aside to let him in, "Please take a seat."

Mantill sat in the seat next to Archangel who could tell the doctor was uncomfortable.

"What can I do for you?" Mantill asked.

"Have you heard Michaels is dead?"

"Oh my gods, no I hadn't, what happened?" Mantill replied.

"He was murdered."

"By who?" Mantill asked.

"That's what I'm trying to find out, I need you to identify someone for me." Archangel said reaching into his pocket and taking out the photo of Mantill with Nathan.

Archangel could see the worry increase on Mantill's face when he saw the picture, he had even begun to sweat.

"Who is this?" Mantill asked.

"That's what I want you to tell me." Archangel replied.

"I don't know." Mantill replied handing the picture back.

"Well it looks like you know him." Archangel said.

"I can't help you." Mantill said.

Archangel sighed to himself, "I know you're lying."

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Mantill said.

"Not until you tell me where I can find Nathan."

"I don't know."

"But you know his name is Nathan?"

Mantill took a scalpel out of his pocket and swung it at Archangel who grabbed the doctors wrist with ease. Archangel looked at the knife and saw dried blood on it.

"Whose is that blood?" Archangel asked before punching Mantill hard in the face making him drop the knife.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Mantill said wiping the blood away from his mouth.

"Well then let's see what I can do to jog your memory." Archangel replied.

Mantill tried to run past him towards the door. Archangel grabbed him by the throat and with his free hand drove his foot into Mantill's knee breaking it and making him fall to the ground in agony.

"I wonder how much pain you can endure?" Archangel said, "My guess is not much."

"If I tell you anything I'm a dead man." Mantill said.

"What the frak do you think you'll be if you don't tell me?! The only difference is I can drag it out a very long time causing you the maximum amount of pain, by the time I'm finished you'll beg me to kill you."

He looked down at the pathetic man crying at his feet.

"My first question, where can I find this Nathan and who is he?"

"He's Miss Tauron's son." Mantill spat in agony, "He does the Twelve's dirty work."

"Where can I find him?"

"He lives here on Pacifica with him mother."

"And who is she?"

"All I know is she's called Adriana, she was part of some big Tauron crime family. You've already met her."

"Where?"

"The shuttle bus the other day. You may be looking for them but they're trying to set you up at the same time, turn your friends against you." Mantill said clutching his shattered knee.

"Who are the rest of the Twelve?" Archangel asked.

"I only know them by their aliases."

Archangel reached down and grabbed Mantill by the collar and sliced the man's right ear off in one move, "WHO ARE THEY?" he screamed.

Tears poured down the man's face, "I swear I don't know."

Archangel let go of him dropping him to the floor.

"Whose blood is on this knife?"

Mantill didn't want to reply.

"I won't ask you again."

"Karl Michaels." He replied and then cowered behind his hands.

"You killed Michaels? Why?"

"Because they told me to. He was snooping and they don't want to be found."

"How did YOU kill Karl Michaels?"

"I had a plastic film over my hand with a drug on it, when he shook my hand it absorbed into his skin and paralysed him. Then I slit his throat. I'm sorry, they told me that was how I had to do it."

Archangel could barely control the rage and anger he felt building inside him.

"You know when we were on Sagittaron and Caprica, I knew if you kept testing me one day it would come to this. Karl Michaels did not deserve to die, not by your hands, not by anyone's."

"I'm sorry." Mantill sobbed.

"If you say I'm sorry once more I'll cut your tongue out," Archangel replied, "You have one more chance to tell me anything you think I should know."

"There's nothing else, please believe me."

Archangel let out a slow breath, "Thank you doctor."

"Are you going to kill me?" Mantill asked through all his tears.

Archangel looked at the man before lunging for him. Mantill tried to fight back but Archangel was far too strong for him to stop even without his injuries. Archangel pulled the man's head backwards and slit his throat, exactly the same way Mantill had done to Michaels then stood up and dropped the scalpel. As Mantill tried to stop the gushing blood with his hands, he gurgled for breath as the young pilot stood over him watching. As the last bit of light went out of Mantill's eyes, he slumped backwards dead. Archangel screamed a blood curdling scream and let out all of the rage he was holding in out as he tore the room to pieces. Smashing everything from the shelves, tipping over tables, smashing chairs into the walls, anything he could get his hands on to break. When he finished he stood taking quick deep breaths. He could hear people outside who must have heard the noises coming from within. Archangel stood on the overturned sofa and opened the grate that led into the air vents and closed it behind him just seconds before the door opened and people walked in. As he quietly crawled away he could hear screams from the massacre he had left behind him. He felt a lot calmer.

Commander Garrett walked through the Starburst flanked by Vannick and Skeeter. None of them spoke as they walked. As they walked into Brother Ramok's sanctuary he was sat reading the scrolls.

"I was wondering when you would come to see me." Ramok said.

"Can I have a moment of your time?" Garrett asked.

"Of course, please all of you sit." Ramok replied.

All three of them sat down.

"I trust you're here to talk about Major Hunter?" Ramok said.

"Has he been here to see you?" Garrett asked.

"I cannot discuss anything that the Major and I have talked about."

"So you have talked to him?" Garrett asked.

Ramok let out a little laugh, "It would appear I walked into that one."

"Please, we need to know where he is?" Skeeter said.

"I cannot answer that." Ramok said.

"Please." Garrett replied.

"I cannot answer that because I do not know," Ramok said, he gave a sigh, "He did come here after he found Michaels body."

"How well do you know Archangel?" Garrett asked.

"Very well, he comes to see me quite often."

"I didn't think he was religious?" Garrett asked.

"He's not." Skeeter added.

"No he isn't," Ramok said, "He comes to me for council. Since we met on Sagittaron the Major and I have become very good friends, he needed someone to talk to so I offered my ear."

"He could talk to me." Skeeter said.

"With all due respect, I know that you have been friends since you were infants but there are things he needed to talk about that you wouldn't want to hear." Ramok said.

"Like what?" Skeeter asked.

"We all know who he is and the things that he's done, he needed someone to talk to about them. You know he is an assassin but you do not know what he has done or how it effects him."

"We need to know he's okay," Garrett said, "While we don't believe he killed Michaels, other people do, the more people who are turning up dead the more he looks guilty."

"Can I ask you Commander, do you trust Major Hunter?" Ramok asked.

"Yes, with my life." she replied instantly.

"Then trust that he is doing the right thing." Ramok replied.

"I thought you of all people wouldn't condone murder?" Garrett said.

"I don't but what he's doing is what he has done his entire adult life, he has done these things to make sure the people you swore to protect are safe. I pray for every soul he has taken and every soul he takes and I pray that the gods keep him safe." Ramok said.

"Does he want you to pray for his soul?" Garrett asked.

Ramok nodded, "Yes he does. He asked that if when he one day dies and he finds the Gods are real, that he goes to them with a clean soul. He also asked me to pray for all of the souls of the people he kills."

"Erm Commander." Vannick said pointing to the screen on the wall in front of them.

Adam Grayson appeared on the screen.

"Friends I have to tell you about things going on in the fleet, things that the government and the military do not want you to hear."

"Son of a bitch." Garrett said under her breath.

"As we progress towards freeing you as a people, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you, one of our operatives has turned against us and has been doing terrible things in the name of the NCO. The CAG of the Battlestar Orion, Major Mark Hunter until a few days ago was one of our own, one of our bravest warriors but it would appear he has snapped, been driven insane with power. He has been systematically going around the fleet and murdering anyone he feels to be a threat to the NCO. This is not the case, we the NCO are not threatened by anyone and we certainly do not condone the course of action he has taken. This is a picture of Major Hunter," as he spoke a picture of Archangel appeared on the screen, "We are trying to find him and stop him before he can harm anyone else. We needed you to know this was happening so that if you see him you know to avoid him at all costs. He is armed and he is extremely dangerous and you must not approach him if you see him. Instead we urge you to call this number as soon as you can and give details to the automated messaging system and we the NCO will deal with this rogue operative and deliver him to the military and the justice that he deserves. We urge the people of the fleet whether they are with us or against us to stay strong, we will soon deliver on our promises and deliver you to salvation." He smiled as he finished speaking before the screen went blank.

"The cats out of the bag now." Vannick said.

"Brother Ramok if you know where he is, please I urge you to tell me." Garrett said.

Ramok sighed, "Has he been to see Nigel Verack yet?"

Garrett nodded.

"Then I honestly have no news I can give you. He is searching for the heads of the NCO, only the gods can help him now."

TODAY

Despite having his face plastered all over the fleet Archangel had managed to move around undetected on the Pacifica. He had the feeling on a number of occasions that he was being followed and had taken precautions to make sure he wasn't, but he still couldn't shake the feeling. He had caught sight of Nathan about an hour before but had lost him quite quickly. He knew who he was up against now, as he had remembered from one of his missions before the war, which Tauron family Nathan must have been part of. He was closing in on him, it wouldn't take long now.

Mike sat in one of the small rooms situated off the side of Orion's CIC. Vannick stood guard at the door outside. He had brought a selection of his own computers over from the Columbus to hopefully speed up the process of searching through Orion's computers. So far it had been nothing but dull. As he took a sip from his coffee a name that flashed onto the screen caught his eye. He scrolled the page back and saw the name again, Illum Spence. He knew he didn't know anyone of that name but he clicked up the profile anyway, his eyes widened when he saw Archangel's face looking back at him. He darted to the door.

"Are you okay?" Vannick asked.

Mike looked around the CIC and saw Colonel Rae standing at the dradis console.

"Colonel I need to speak with you." Mike said waving her over.

Rae walked over to the young man, "Is everything okay?" she asked.

"I've found something." Mike replied leading her into the room.

As soon as Rae saw the profile she knew why he had been flapping about.

"How recent is this?" Rae asked.

Mike looked at the history of the file.

"From what I can tell a couple of days, also there is information that he travelled to the Pacifica the day before yesterday. It appears that he used this profile so as not to draw attention to himself." Mike replied.

"Colonel," Ensign Phillips shouted, "We've just intercepted a call made to the NCO line."

"Play it." Rae replied.

A woman's voice came over the speakers, "I've just seen that man you warned us about, the pilot from Orion. I saw him go into a room on G deck, room 317 on the Pacifica. I hope you can get here soon."

"Ensign Phillips get me a team of marines and a Raptor to get ready to go to the Pacifica, I want to be in the air in ten minutes."

"Yes Colonel." He replied.

"Inform the Commander of the situation, Mister Phillips you have the deck." Rae said as she walked off the CIC.

Archangel was starting to feel tired. He had gotten to used to sleeping in a set pattern and not pushing himself to go with the bare minimum of sleep, he was getting too comfortable, he was getting too sloppy. He splashed some water over his face in the small bathroom in the empty quarters he had found, dried his face and then sat down in the main room. As he felt himself begin to drift off, he snapped to attention, when he heard the door to the room be forced open. Archangel was on his feet and seconds later found himself surrounded by seven men. None of them said a word, they all just looked at him, some of them pointed guns.

"We're not going to chat first?" Archangel asked, "You're not even going to tell me you're NCO?" Archangel smiled as one of the men took out a knife and dived at him slashing wildly. Archangel dodged out of his way and ducked under the attack of a second man. He grabbed the man by the wrist and twisted it round and pushed him into the other man who had attacked him. The first man dropped his knife Archangel dropped down to pick it up, as one of the other men shot at him missing entirely and hitting one of the others in the chest. Archangel swung his leg around and kicked out one of the others legs sending him crashing to the ground.

Colonel Rae waited impatiently for the Raptor she and the team of marines sat in as it moved into the Pacifica's hanger bay.

"Bojay can we hurry this up?" Rae snapped.

"I can only go so fast Colonel, you of all people know that." Bojay replied.

Bria knew from Bojay's tone that he wasn't happy, she also knew that like her he didn't believe for a second that Archangel was NCO.

"Do you have something to say Captain?" Rae asked.

"Not that you want to hear," Bojay replied, "Pacifica control this is Orion Raptor 1, I'm finishing my final approach and I'm touching down."

Rae decided not to push things any further. Minutes later the small craft had touched down and Bojay was powering down. As the back hatch opened the marines started to file out.

"Colonel I'd like to come with you, Archangel is my friend maybe I'll be able to talk to him." Bojay said.

"No, I want you both to stay here. I don't want people he's close too anywhere near him when we arrest him and you two are way too close."

"But Colonel." Bojay said.

"But nothing, that's an order Captain." Rae said before she turned around and followed the marines.

"What the frak are we going to do?" Bojay said.

"Nothing," Bria replied, "There's nothing we can do. Trust me I want to help him as much as you do, he's saved my life more times than I can count, but the best thing we can do now is nothing. If they manage to arrest him, we make sure we rally everyone around him aboard Orion."

"The XO is just so eager to believe that he's guilty, it makes me sick." Bojay said.

"The Commander is on his side though," Bria said, "As long as she sticks with him he'll be okay."

"I've been talking to Wedge and the other squadron leaders we're all going to back him."

Six bodies lay on the floor around Archangel and the last man. Archangel could tell by the look in the man's eyes that he was terrified.

"You tell me where the man they call Nathan is and I'll let you walk out of here." Archangel said.

"If I tell you he'll kill me."

"Why do you people think that if you don't tell me I won't kill you?" Archangel said with a blood stained knife held tightly in his grip.

"If I tell you then you had better kill him." The man said dropping his knife onto the ground and holding his hands up.

"Don't worry I will." Archangel replied.

"He sent us here. He told us to kill you and bring him your head. He's waiting in his quarters with his mother, they call her Miss Tauron. O deck suite 527, make sure you do it before his wife and his daughter come back. He and his mother may be evil bastards but his family have no idea exactly what he gets up too." The man said.

"Thank you, now get out." Archangel said.

Archangel took a deep breath and grabbed the man by the head and slit his throat sending blood spraying everywhere. The man looked up at him with wide eyes, shock on his face.

"You're NCO you fraking scum, did you really think I'd let you go after the things you've done?" Archangel said before turning around and walking back into the bathroom.

Colonel Rae drew her side arm as the turned into the corridor where they had heard Archangel was.

"Remember we take him alive, no one shoot at all unless I give the order. This is not going to be easy at all, he's well trained and extremely dangerous whether he has a weapon or not." Rae said.

All the marines nodded their heads in reply. As they reached the door there was no sound at all coming from inside. Rae counted to three and one of the marines kicked the door in. As they walked inside they saw the bodies of seven men scattered about the room brutally murdered and Archangel standing by the bar in the corner of the room and smiled and winked at her.

"Colonel." He said to her.

"Major Hunter, I hereby place you under arrest for collusion with the NCO and multiple murders including the murder of Karl Michaels." Rae replied, "Sergeant please restrain the Major."

The sergeant looked nervously at Archangel as he stepped forward.

"I'm sorry, Major." The Sergeant said.

"Not as sorry as I am." Archangel replied as he grabbed the marine by the throat and spun him around to block the other marines and the XO.

"Major don't make this any harder than it already is." Rae said.

"Colonel I need you to give the Commander a message." Archangel replied.

"Come with us and you can tell her yourself." Rae replied her sidearm pointed at the young pilot.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, but please when you wake up tell the Commander I'm nearly there."

As Colonel Rae came around it took her a few moments to realise where she was. She sat up and saw that she and the other marines were scattered across the room amongst the dead bodies.

"Is everyone alive?" Rae asked.

"Yes ma'am we're all here." The Sergeant replied.

What had happened started to come back to her, she had never seen anything like it in her life, before any of them had the chance to defend themselves or even try to fight back Archangel had taken them all down.

"Colonel, why are we all still alive?" the Sergeant asked.

"Don't sound so happy about it." Rae replied getting to her feet.

"If he really is NCO and he's been ousted, why wouldn't he kill us?"

"We need to find him." Rae replied.

Archangel covered his face with a breath mask as he reached the right quarters. He knocked on the door and waited. The look of shock on Nathan's face when he saw Archangel standing there, amused him. Archangel kicked the huge man backwards into the room before throwing in a knockout gas grenade and closing the door. Archangel waited a few moments before walking into the room. Nathan and his mother Adriana were gasping for air as the gas did its job. Archangel walked up to Nathan and kicked him in the face, hard, knocking him out cold. As he turned to Adriana, she passed out from the gas. Archangel took out a small device from his pocket pressed a button on it, all the gas from the room was sucked into it. When the gas was gone he took off his mask and smiled down at the two people in front of him.

"Gotcha." He said.

As Garrett walked onto the CIC she was met with a call from Colonel Rae.

"What the frak's happened?" Garrett asked down the phone unable to hide the fact she was pissed off.

"We had a tip off as to where Archangel was, when we got there we found him in a room with seven bodies and before we could react he took us all down. Before he did he told me to give you a message."

"Which was?" Garrett asked.

"I'm nearly there, any idea what that means?" Rae asked.

"Yes, I have a very good idea what that means."

"May I ask what?" Rae asked.

"No you may not. I want you to go the Pacifica's bridge and see if you can find him on the internal cameras."

"And if we do find him?"

"Call me before you do anything this time." Garrett replied before slamming the phone down. This whole situation was so far out of her control and there was nothing she could do to bring it round. The President had made an address to the fleet to try and settle what Adam Grayson had said but reports were that support for the NCO seemed to be growing. She wasn't happy about how this situation had been handled by her XO, she would have rather known they were going in with guns brandished as she would have stopped it and sent people who might have been able to get through to him.

"Commander, the President is on the line for you." Ensign Phillips said gingerly.

"Tell him I'm busy." She replied turning and walking out of CIC.

As Nathan started to come around his face hurt, his eyes adjusted to the room and he saw Archangel sat in front of him smiling, then he noticed his mother tied to a chair opposite him.

"I'm going to fraking kill you." Nathan yelled.

"Yeah yeah yeah I've been hearing that a lot over the last few days and yet, here I am."

"Do you have any idea who we are?" Nathan spat.

"Yes I know exactly who you are, your name is Nathan Katran and that is your mother Adriana Katran also known as Miss Tauron." Archangel replied, "I also know you've been trying to set me up for the murder of a friend of mine, but there is plenty more that I need you to tell me."

"You can torture me all you want, I'll tell you nothing." Nathan said.

"That's not how this is going to work," Archangel replied, "I know that if I torture you you're not going to talk and no disrespect to you Adriana but you're getting on in years and if I torture you too much and you don't talk soon enough you're probably going to die. So here's the plan, I know your reputation for beating people to death just for giving your mother the wrong type of look, so I wonder how long it will take for you to talk when you watch me hurt your mother and vice versa."

"If you hurt my mother I swear you're dead." Nathan said.

"Wouldn't that be something? First I kill your father the week before the Cylons attack and now I kill your mother." Archangel said.

"What? My husband died of heart failure." Adriana said.

"Yeah he did, after I poisoned him." Archangel replied, "So onto business. First things first, let's see how much you love your son." He stood up as he spoke and took out his knife.

"What is the NCO planning to do?" Archangel asked.

Adriana didn't answer. Archangel walked behind Nathan and sliced his right ear off. Nathan screamed in pain and Adriana stood looking at him.

"What is the NCO planning to do?" Archangel asked again.

Adriana looked at her son with an apologetic look on her face as Archangel sliced his other ear off.

"Where should I move next, finger, toes, somewhere more delicate. You know the thing about knives are they're so limited as to what they can do, stab or cut off." Archangel opened his bag and took out a small bottle.

"Anyone want to take a guess what's in here?" he asked. Neither of his captives replied, "Acid. I've used this stuff before and let me tell you it works REALLY well, not many people last long before they spill their guts, sometimes quite literally. So Adriana, do you want to answer my question?"

Tears fell down her face and still she said nothing.

"Okay it's your choice." Archangel grabbed Nathan's head and pulled it backwards, he took the bottle before he poured a few drops of the acid directly into Nathan's left eye. As his eye began to sizzle and melt Nathan screamed a blood curdling scream.

"Stop, please stop," Adriana said, "We're going to take our people and leave the fleet."

"When is this going to happen and which ships have you taken over?" Archangel asked.

Adriana looked over at her son who was shaking with shock from what had happened to him, "I'm sorry son."

Nathan tried to compose himself but it was hard with the agony he was in.

"Okay before we move onto the next attempt to get you to talk I'll change the question, who is Mr Caprica and where can I find him?" Archangel asked.

Adriana looked up at him and said nothing.

"Okay, whatever happens next, just remember you brought it on yourselves." Archangel reached into his bag and took out a balaclava before he put it on. He got up and walked into the next room and moments later walked in carrying Nathan's daughter and dragging his wife who was crying her eyes out.

"NO!" Nathan managed to scream.

"Don't worry son, he won't hurt them, even people like him have rules." Adriana said.

"Oh my gods Nathan." His wife Carol screamed.

"Sit down." Archangel said, "Here's how this is going to work, now if you tell me what I want to know then I will let Carol and your daughter go free, they haven't seen my face, they're no threat to me. If you don't I'll torture them until you tell me what I want to hear."

"He won't do it." Adriana said sure of what she was saying.

Without saying a word or asking a question he took a pair of pliers grabbed Carol and cut off one of her fingers and threw it onto Adriana's lap.

"You son of a bitch." Nathan yelled.

"WHO IS MR CAPRICA?" Archangel yelled.

Adriana still didn't say a word. Archangel grabbed Carol's hand again but didn't get to the point of cutting off the next finger.

"He's your father." Nathan yelled.

Archangel stopped and let go of Carol, "My father died on Caprica."

"No, he didn't." Nathan replied.

"Nathan stop talking." Adriana said.

Archangel took out his gun and shot Adriana between the eyes. Carol screamed and tried to cover her daughter.

"You have one last chance to tell me the truth or the next bullet will be between your daughter's eyes." Archangel said.

"Your father wasn't on Caprica when the Cylons attacked he was on the Starburst. He was corrupt, not the man you thought he was, he had been doing business with my family for nearly fifteen years. He started the NCO, he got the Twelve together, he is the one calling the shots I swear to you."

Archangel didn't say anything, he picked up Nathan's daughter and dragged Carol back into the other room before he locked the door. He took off his balaclava and came and sat in front of Nathan.

"Please don't kill my wife and daughter, I beg you." Nathan pleaded as he cried.

"That's all on you, what is the plan?"

"I don't know the exact plans, only my mother and your father knew the exact details. They've been recruiting since before you were picked up on Caprica, the plan is to take as many ships as they can and go their own way."

"Which ships and when?"

"I don't know which ships exactly or when, but it is soon."

Despite himself he knew Nathan was telling the truth, he didn't want to believe it but he knew the broken man wasn't lying, he was trying to protect his wife and daughter.

"Where is my father?" Archangel asked.

"As far as I know he is on the Starburst, J deck suite 427. Please let my wife and daughter go."

"I promise." Archangel replied before he raised his gun and killed Nathan.

"Colonel," one of the Pacifica's bridge crew shouted, "I think we've just found him."

Rae came over to the console and saw Archangel leaving the quarters.

"Get me a line to Orion." Rae said.

Moments later she heard Garrett on the other end, "Commander we've found him, how do you want me to proceed?" Rae asked.

"Find him Colonel, don't lose him and don't let him get off that ship, if you have to, shoot him in the leg." Garrett replied.

Bojay and Bria sat in the back of the Raptor playing triad.

"This is getting ridiculous." Bojay said throwing his cards down onto the makeshift table they had made.

"Does that mean you fold?" Bria replied.

"Whatever I don't really care any more, I just want to go help find Archangel." He replied standing up, he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Archangel standing at the entry hatch holding one of his guns at his side.

"Hey." Bojay said.

"I don't have much time, I'm sorry to do this but I need to take your Raptor." Archangel said.

"What the frak's going on?" Bojay said, "Talk to us, we're your friends we can help you."

"I found out who and where Mr Caprica is and I need to get to him before it's too late."

"Then we'll take you." Bria replied.

"No, I need you both to get out." Archangel replied.

"That's not going to happen," Bojay replied, "If you want to go somewhere, the only way you're going in this Raptor is if we take you."

Archangel looked at his two friends and sighed before putting his gun back into its holster.

"Okay." Archangel said.

"MAJOR," Colonel Rae yelled as she and the marines appeared unseen behind him with their weapons drawn, "Put your hands on top of your head and stand down or I will put you down."

Bria looked at him and knew what he was thinking. He looked at her as she shook her head. He let out a sigh, he knew he was finally beaten. He slowly raised his hands and put them on the back of his head.

"Sergeant restrain the Major."

The Sergeant who now had a nasty black eye, walked over and cuffed Archangel's arms behind his back.

"Sorry about the eye." Archangel said.

"It's okay, we're on your side." The sergeant replied.

"Colonel I need you to get onto Captain Jonas and tell him that Mr Caprica is on his ship, J deck, suite 427." Archangel said.

"I don't give a frak what you need." She replied.

"Colonel he's there, we have to get him before he runs."

Archangel didn't say a word during the whole of the flight back to Orion, he was desperate to find Mr Caprica, but he was tired now, it was time for him to face the music for what he had done. As the back hatch opened, Rae was the first to step out, the deck was full of pilots, hundreds of them standing in a line with the President and Commander Garrett waiting. Archangel didn't know what to think as he stepped out, as he stepped onto the deck all of the pilots stood to attention and saluted him. Milo couldn't hide the surprise on his face while Garrett had to fight hard to hide a smile.

"Colonel Rae, take Major Hunter to the brig." The Commander said.

"Commander did they find him?" Archangel asked.

She shook her head, "No, the quarters were empty." She replied.

Bojay smiled when he walked into his bunk and saw Kate waiting for him, she walked over and kissed him.

"Are you okay? She asked.

"We just found Archangel, he's in the brig." Bojay replied.

"The things I've heard he's done, he didn't hurt you did he?" she asked.

"No he's my friend why would he hurt me?" Bojay replied.

"They said he's NCO, he killed all those people." She replied.

"He's not NCO and I don't want to hear about this again." Bojay replied.

"I'm just worried." Kate replied.

"You don't have to be." Bojay replied.

"It seems such a long time ago since you found me on Caprica, that was such an easier time."

"I get the feeling it's only going to get harder from here."

The Sergeant took off Archangel's cuffs and closed the door of the cell.

"Sergeant leave us." Garrett said.

As the Sergeant left the room the President waded in.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Milo said.

"My job." Archangel replied.

"Your job is CAG of this ship, not murderer." Milo said, "This is your one chance to explain yourself."

"Firstly despite what you've heard, I'm not NCO and I didn't murder Karl Michaels, Paul Mantill did. As I told the Commander a few days ago Michaels came to me before the Cylons arrived he'd been looking for the NCO and the people in charge."

"So why would Michaels risk himself doing that?" Milo asked.

"Because that's what he used to do, he used to find people or make them disappear. He got in touch to tell me that he'd found something and we needed to meet. By the time I got to his home I found him already dead, I found the photographs that are in my bag and as I was about to leave, Danny saw me and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I knew the info I had was time sensitive and I knew that I had to deal with it by myself, if they saw a team of marines coming they would have run a mile and we would have never found them."

"And by doing it your way what have we got, a pile of dead bodies and a lead that came to nothing." Milo replied.

"What we have now is information that they're planning on running with ships and people from our fleet and the information that Mr Caprica is my father."

Milo and Garrett looked at each other.

"You both knew," Archangel said, "How long have you both known?"

"Adam Grayson told me." Garrett replied.

"And the reason why you didn't tell me?" Archangel asked.

"Because we knew you'd rip the fleet apart looking for him." Milo replied.

"And look how that turned out, I did that anyway." Archangel said.

"What we did or didn't tell you doesn't matter, you murdered over twenty people over the last few days." Milo said.

"I did my job, I did what I was trained to do by the admiralty and the government."

"An admiralty and government who no longer exist." Milo said.

"Maybe not but the there is still a need for the job I've been trained to do. For you to keep order you need me."

"Not to commit brutal acts like this." Milo said.

"As a man, as a President and as a soldier I respect you I really do, I think you're the right person to lead this fleet, but do you want to know the big difference between you and Adar?"

"Please enlighten me?" Milo replied.

"He knew his place." Archangel replied.

"Excuse me?!" Milo said.

"Before the attack I took my orders from Admiral's Negala and Greenway, they were the only people I took orders from and Adar knew and respected that, now the only person I take my orders from is Commander Garrett. I don't care what you think of me or about what I've done. Do you know why you're President? Because she lets you be," Archangel said pointing to Garrett, "Without us you and your government is nothing, you're in power and allowed to stay in power because the Commander understands the people need a civilian government and not martial law. I'm not who you think I am, I'm not a good guy, I'm a very bad guy, I am become death and no matter what you think or how appalled you are, you need me to be those things. I've done things you can't even dream of and I've done things you could never ever understand and I do them all for the right reasons. But it's my definition of what's right and who is there to say I'm wrong? I can't settle down and live in what you call the real world, I can't, not ever because I know what waits in the dark. But the fact remains that you need me, you don't have to like me, you don't even have to want me, but you will always need me. It takes a bad man like me doing what I do to keep your world happy. I make the decisions that your morals can't accept, I keep you alive and you want me to stop? I have no compassion for these people, I have no mercy and if the soul is real, I doubt very much that I have one of those either. So the choice is yours, make the decision to kill me, go on, I dare you to be me for a minute," no one spoke, "You can't? I didn't think so."

"What about the innocent people who get caught in your cross fire?" Milo asked.

"Do you remember Stephenson Jones?" Archangel asked.

"The Picon bomber?" Garrett asked.

"The very same. Do you remember the fear that people had while he was alive? People were scared to leave their homes, scared to go into crowded places and they were right to be scared, he was an evil man. Do you remember the relief when he was killed?"

Milo nodded his head.

"Do you remember that despite the fact his wife and daughter, two innocents were killed as well people still rejoiced, they still thanked the gods that he was dead and they were safe again."

"Yes." Milo said.

"Well here's the shocker, I killed them."

"You killed innocent people?" Milo asked.

Archangel nodded, "Without a second thought, because he needed to be stopped and the only time we knew he would be out in public, he was with his family. What no one knew, was he was planning to set off a nuke in ever capital. We knew that and we knew that he didn't show his face very often. When I was sent to kill him we didn't know they would be with him, but they were and despite that I still had to do what I had to do."

"How can you justify the deaths of those two people?" Milo asked.

"Because if I hadn't blown up that car when I did, if I hadn't made that choice billions of people would have died. What are two lives lost when it means they save billions? That's the kind of choice I make so you can live in your world, the choices you can't make. So you can feel free to stand on your moral high ground, you can look down at me and point your finger but ask yourself, could you have killed those two people to save billions?"

"What if it was Carrie or Skeeter in the firing line?" Milo asked.

"I love my sister and I love my best friend but you can't step back over the line for double standards." Archangel replied, "I'm done justifying myself to you. There are less of the NCO and we have more of an idea what they are planning so what I did, the lives I've taken were worth it."

Milo looked at the Commander before he spoke, "I appreciate what you've done and why you did it, but it is still wrong, a crime is a crime and you will stand trial for it."

"Just so you know, if I'm put on a stand, at a public trial, I will have to speak the whole truth and I know a lot of things, enough information to destroy this fleet."

"Are you threatening me?" Milo asked.

"No sir I am not, just letting you know that under oath, you have to tell the truth." Archangel replied.

"Enough," Garrett said, "There will be no trial, Archangel will go back to work and will keep doing what he does best."

"I'm sorry Commander but that's not your choice." Milo replied.

"Major Hunter is my soldier and my responsibility. He was following my orders."

Milo looked and felt surprised.

"I knew what was happening, we had decided that the fewer people who knew the better, this is over. Archangel is right, we now have information that we didn't have before and now is the time to tighten the noose and catch these bastards," Garrett opened the cell, "Get back to work Major." She said.

Archangel walked out of the cell and straight out of the brig.

"Are you fraking kidding me?" Milo yelled.

"He's right, no matter what you say or think on this matter he is right, we can't do this without him."

"He is not judge, jury and executioner." Milo said.

"Yes Mr President in this instance, he is. Please excuse me I have work to do." Garrett said before turning and walking away. As she walked she was shaking with adrenaline and hoped she hadn't pushed Milo too far.

Mr Caprica's new quarters aboard the Phoenix Flame were nothing like he was used too but he understood why they were necessary.

"They've arrested your son." 1 said smugly sitting in front of him.

"What about Adriana and Nathan?" Caprica asked.

"Dead, he tortured them for information before slaughtering them. I believe that your son now knows who you are." 1 said.

"He was always going to find out sooner or later, I'm just going to have to keep a low profile until we're ready."

"All our ships have reported in. I've contacted our agents aboard the other ships and they are starting their missions."

"What about the nuke?"

"That has to be done last, if they are alerted to it too early it could cause us some problems."

Mr Caprica replied smiling, "Activate the new agent aboard Orion, it's time to kill the Commander."

Carrie walked into her brothers quarters.

"Hey." He said smiling.

"Hey," she replied, "We need to talk."

"Yes we do. Please sit, do you want a drink?"

Carrie shook her head, "No I just need to know why?"

"After all I've done you're going to have to be more specific than that."

"Why didn't you tell me about who you are?"

Archangel sat on the end of his bed facing his sister, this was going to be the hardest conversation he had, "Because I wanted you to get to know me first, know the man I really am before." He paused.

"Before what?"

"Before you hated me."

"Did you really kill all those people?"

"All of them except Karl Michaels, he was my friend and a good man, a far better man than me." Archangel replied.

"Why do you do this? What made you into a killer?"

"I had been on the Atlantia for a year and things were going really well, I was seeing one of the other pilots, we had been together since flight school. We had shore leave. I had arranged to meet her in a bar and I got held up. When I got there I couldn't find her, I went looking and I found eight men attacking her, it was brutal, to this day I still don't understand how people can do that," He paused for a moment remembering the horror of what he had seen all those years ago, "Anyway I didn't even think about what I was doing, before I realised two men lay dead at my feet. It was as though it wasn't me, like I was watching it through someone else's eyes. I remember the rage, it took over me and within minutes two more men were dead and the others were lying on the ground not moving or screaming in pain. When I got to Jen she was alive but they had messed her up badly. Anyway Admiral Negala saw the security camera footage of what I had done and he recruited me for black ops. It turns out I have several qualities that make me the perfect hunter and killer, I accepted and I never looked back. For over five years I've killed people for the Admiralty, the worst of the worst, people who did and were planning the most horrific acts of violence and I killed them all, because I knew it was right, because I wanted to and I did it all with a song in my heart."

"What happened to the pilot?"

This was the first time she had seen her brother look upset for a moment, "She couldn't handle what had been done to her no matter what we tried to do to help. She killed herself a few months later. It fuelled me in what I was doing, it helped me to see that what I was doing was right. I couldn't let anyone else go through that kind of pain, I did what I had to do and I understand if you want me to stay out of your life."

"I don't want that. I don't think I could do what you do. I don't think I have it in me. I don't know what it takes to do those things, but I think I get why you do it. You're just trying to make the world a safer place."

"You don't have to make excuses for me." Archangel said wiping away a tear from his face.

Carrie got up and sat next to her brother, putting his arm around her, "I'm not."

Archangel put his arm around her and kissed her on the forehead, "Thank you. There's something else I need to tell you."

"What?" Carrie asked.

"I found out our father is still alive?"

"He can't be, he was on Caprica the day of the attack."

"Apparently he wasn't. One of the people I questioned told me, he said that Dad wasn't the man I thought he was and never had been. Apparently he was corrupt and had been doing business with crime families for years. I was told that he started the NCO."

"Whoever it was they were lying, that's not true." Carrie said.

"Trust me they weren't lying. It was true all of it."

"But I worked at his company, I saw the things he did, the good things. I spent time with him nearly every day."

"Well it turns out he is one hell of a liar and knew how to cover his tracks well."

"What are you going to do if you find him?" Carrie asked.

"Throw him in a cell, he will answer for what he's done."

"Carrie Spence please contact CIC." Ensign Phillips voice came over the COM.

"You okay?" she asked.

Archangel nodded his head. Carrie stood up and walked over to the phone on the wall and picked it up.

"CIC this is Carrie Spence."

Archangel watched as his sister spoke to someone on the other end of the line. He was relieved that she had taken everything so well. He had worried that as soon as she knew the truth she would turn against him and not want to be part of his life any more.

"Everything okay?" Archangel asked as she put the phone down.

She nodded her head and smiled, "Yeah everything's fine, I have to go find the President, I think he's on the CIC."

"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked.

She shook her head, "No you get some rest, I'll see you soon enough. Remember we all have to do something we don't want to at some point for the greater good, we just have to hope that everyone understands why we do what we do."

"Thank you for understanding." He said.

"What are sisters for." She replied with a smile.

"Colonel I need to speak with you." Garrett said as she walked onto CIC.

"Of course Commander." Rae replied.

"I'm sorry that I snapped at you earlier and that I've been a class A bitch."

"There's nothing to apologise for, you're the CO you're allowed to be however you want."

"Still, I've been under a lot of stress, the same as you have and I just let it all out on you. You're my XO but more importantly you're my friend. Are we okay?"

Rae smiled and nodded, "We're absolutely fine. So what about Archangel? Is it true he was following your orders?"

Garrett decided she was too far into the lie to back out now and nodded her head, "Yeah, other than Michaels I was the only other person who knew what was going on. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you before, Archangel needed to be able to do what he does without anyone knowing where he was."

"I understand, we suspected a traitor onboard, you had to keep your cards close to your chest."

"I just wish the President saw it that way. I think for a start I just ruined our friendship and I doubt he's going to be a trusting towards me as he used to be."

"Don't worry about what he thinks, he's here to baby sit the civilians, what happens aboard this ship is our business." Rae replied with a smile.

Carrie hurried through the corridors of Orion as she headed to CIC. She saw Bojay's girlfriend Kate heading the same way.

"Hey." Kate said smiling.

"Hey." Carrie replied, "How are you?"

"Good just heading to the CIC to see if Bojay's there."

"I'm heading the same way to try and find the President."

"So how are things with you and Wedge?" Kate asked.

"Good," Carrie replied smiling, "Looks like we both bagged ourselves a pilot."

"We sure did." Kate replied.

As the both walked into CIC, the Commander smiled as she saw them both.

"Hey what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Commander have you seen the President?" Carrie asked.

"Not for a while. Do you want me to put out a call for him?" Garrett replied.

"No it's okay, I'll find him." Carrie replied.

"What about you Kate are you okay?" Garrett asked.

Kate didn't reply, she just stood looking at the Commander. Garrett wondered what was going on, other people had also noticed her standing there just looking at the Commander.

"Kate are you okay?" Carrie asked.

Kate nodded her head, "Galen Hunter says hello."

As she finished speaking she took a small handgun out of her pocket and raised it at the Commander before pulling the trigger. The Commander stood rooted to the spot but the Colonel reacted stepping in front of Garrett at the last moment. The bullet hit the Colonel in the forehead killing her instantly and spraying blood across the Commander's face who stood in shock. As two marines from outside the CIC ran inside, Kate went to fire off another round, Carrie knocked her over sending the bullet into the upper level of the CIC hitting a crew member in the shoulder. Kate looked up and smiled.

"Long live the NCO." She said before putting the gun to the side of her head and pulling the trigger.

The Commander slumped to her knees looking down at her friend dead in front of her. The CIC was in panic. As Ensign Phillips made the call to sickbay Carrie rushed over to the Commander.

"Vanessa, are you okay?" Carrie asked.

Garrett didn't reply, she just continued to look down at her friend in utter shock.

"Vanessa are you okay?" Carrie asked again, still with no response.

"I'm sorry about this." Carrie said before slapping the Commander hard across the cheek causing her to snap out of her trance.

"Vanessa are you okay?"

Garrett nodded her head, "Yes." She said. She looked down at her friend and stroked her hair before wiping tears away from her face. She stood up, all eyes on the CIC were on her.

"Ensign Phillips." Garrett said in a quiet voice.

"Yes ma'am." He replied shaken.

"Get me Archangel and Bojay."

"Of course ma'am."

"It's time we ended the NCO once and for all."