EIGHT YEARS AGO
Speed car racing was one of the most popular sports on Sagittaron. Despite the constant protests from the colonies' more religious parts of society, it was still as popular as it had ever been. The sport was only played on Sagittaron, Leonis and Virgon but was catching on with the other colonies quickly.
Sagittaron speedway was the planets largest track. Eighteen thousand people were watching the last race of the season. The championship was still undecided. Mike "Skeeter" Kent and Jason Reynolds were the only two racers left in contention for the trophy. The other twenty four were battling it out for the other positions, all vying for the highest position they could still attain in order to satisfy both pride and their professionalism as racers.
As the race got closer to it's conclusion, Skeeter was in first place with Reynolds breathing down his neck, but the young man from Sagittaron had no intention of losing out to the Virgon racer. Rubber burned from the intense heat of the tyres as they hurtled across the track. Reynolds matched Skeeter move for move. It was as if an invisible force had locked them together with one behind the other. Traditional thinking dictated that as long as Reynolds was behind him Skeeter was fine, but Skeeter knew better. Reynolds was grafting perfectly behind the young Sagittaron and was waiting for his moment. Although both cars were travelling at the same speed Skeeter's car was working harder than Reynolds' car, because Skeeter was punching a hole through the air as he drove, while Reynolds was hiding in Skeeter's slipstream. Reynolds had some power left to him and when the opportunity presented itself he would pull out, use the excess and pass by.
"Okay Skeeter you're about to hit the last lap," Sam Monroe, Skeeter's pit boss said through the ear piece, "You still holding in there?"
"He's right behind me but there is no way this son of a bitch is going to beat me." Skeeter replied.
"Our readouts say you're good for gas and tires for the final lap, can you confirm?" Sam asked.
Skeeter's eyes glanced down at his gauges and back onto the track again, in less time than it took most people to think."Yeah I'm good." Skeeter replied.
As he went into the last lap he checked his rear view. Reynolds was still behind him, maybe less than a quarter of a second away.
"He's going to try and pass me after the next corner." Skeeter said.
"Can you hold him off?" Sam replied.
"Of course I can, there's no way this prick is getting round me."
Skeeter's confident voice hid his inner nerves. He knew Reynolds' was no rookie, but if he could just hold on for one more lap he would take the title.
Danny Maples sat nervously in the stand. The guests of all the other racers sat around him. He recognised many of them from all the other races he had been to during the season.
"Is he still in the lead?"
Danny turned to see Alice Tanner, Skeeter's fiancee sit next to him and hand him a hot dog. Just sitting on the sidelines was too much for her and the adrenalin of watching her fiancee risking his neck out there, made her fidget to the point where she had to get up and do something, if only to burn off energy. Fetching a hot dog offered her the perfect excuse.
"He sure is, but Reynolds is right behind him." Danny replied pointing to the large video screen.
"I can't believe he's so close to winning." Alice said.
"I knew he would." Danny replied before taking a large bite from his hot dog.
Skeeter knew it too and as he looked at Reynolds in his rear view mirror he could almost read Reynolds' thoughts screaming at him that now was his time. Both cars approached the entry to the corner, their engines howling like angry bees. The corner was to the left and Skeeter took the same line into it he had done each time so far. He took the car out to the right keeping the power on until he began to enter the start of the radius. It was critical he didn't pull off the power too early or Reynolds would take the lead but by the same token if he were too late he would take the corner wide when he put the power back on and would probably go off.
Reynolds kept his tight line behind Skeeter. Suddenly Skeeter's car seemed to drop back bringing his rear bumper closer to Reynold's front as Skeeter eased off the gas to avoid understeering through the bend. This was the time. Skeeter was setting up his turn and Reynolds would have to hold off from releasing his gas pedal just that bit longer. Reynolds threw the wheel to the left and sent his car hurtling towards the inside of the turn. Clear of Skeeter's car he used the conserved power he had and surged forwards.
"Bastard!" growled Reynolds as Skeeter's car appeared from the right just as he was beginning to pass. Reynolds had no choice but to go further left to avoid a collision. He instinctively braked and the car nodded on its front wheels as Skeeter surged away.
"Frak yeah!" he screamed as he emerged from the turn with a decent distance between him and Reynolds. "This is what we do!"
Skeeter's car roared passed the finish line. Reynolds was barely a second behind but to him and indeed any race car driver, it may as well have been a lifetime.
The last lap was intense to watch for Skeeter's fiancee and best friend and for the rest of the crowd. Danny suddenly reminded himself to breathe as Skeeter raced across the finish line in first place. The crowd erupted in cheers as did Danny and Alice who both jumped in the air before hugging each other.
"Come on, let's go down to the pit." Alice said.
As Skeeter pulled into the pit lane, he could see the crowd who were there to support him cheering. As he came to a halt his team came rushing over to him, all of them already celebrating.
"You glorious son of a bitch." Sam said hugging him.
Skeeter smiled, "Same as always."
After receiving congratulations from the other members of the team he was bear hugged out of nowhere by Danny.
"I knew you'd do it!" he yelled.
"Cheers buddy." Skeeter replied with a smile.
"Not bad." Alice said before giving him a kiss.
"Not bad for a kid from Freedom huh?" Skeeter replied.
"Heads up." Sam said.
Skeeter turned to see Jason Reynolds walking towards him. Jason had been trash talking Skeeter a lot in the run up to the race, so no one knew quite what to expect from him. He stopped in front of Skeeter and eyeballed him for a few moments before holding out his hand.
"Congratulations, that was one hell of a race." Reynolds said.
Skeeter shook the man's hand, "Thanks, I'll see you next season?"
"You bet your ass you will." Jason replied.
The celebrations went on late into the night. Skeeter walked to his car with the championship trophy in one hand and Alice's hand in the other.
"Are you sure you don't want to head back with us?" Sam asked.
"We're going to head back the long way." Skeeter replied.
"There's a hotel by the coast we're going to stop at for a few days." Alice replied.
"Fair enough," Sam replied, "We'll make sure Danny gets home."
Skeeter had never been so happy in his life, a beautiful fiancee who he loved dearly, a thriving business and now a championship winning trophy and that had been won in only his second season on the circuit.
The dark winding roads Skeeter had chosen to drive on had been deserted for nearly an hour now. He knew the roads well though as he had been on them many times before. He looked over at Alice who was sound asleep and smiled to himself.
In the rear view mirror he caught a glimpse of headlights behind them. They were only twenty minutes away from the hotel. He looked into the rear view mirror again, the car was now much closer, whoever it was must have their foot down. On this road Skeeter couldn't help but think that was a mistake. Minutes later the car was right behind them.
"Stupid fraker." Skeeter said under his breath.
He began to slow down so whoever it was could over take. Moments later the car was along side them. Skeeter turned and looked at the young man along side them.
"Fraking moron." Skeeter mouthed.
The man grinned back at Skeeter before smashing his car into them. Skeeter struggled to control the car as it smashed into the rocks besides them. Alice awoke and screamed as Skeeter completely lost control and the car as it hit some rocks and flipped over. The seconds that followed seemed to slow down and last for what seemed like an age as the car slid down the road on it's roof before coming to a stop by hitting more rocks. Skeeter knew he was injured but he wasn't sure how badly. He looked over at Alice who wasn't moving.
"Alice can you hear me?" Skeeter managed to ask.
She didn't reply. Skeeter saw the red lights of the car ahead stopping. Skeeter reached for his seat belt and braced himself before pressing the latch, sending him crashing onto the roof, which was now below him. He yelled in pain before reaching over to Alice to feel for a pulse which was there but very faint. He saw the man walking towards them. Skeeter forced himself out of the window and into the tarmac. He managed to get to his feet but felt his knee go out from under him, making him crash back to the ground. The man walked up to him and chuckled as he did.
"Well this couldn't have worked out any fraking better," the man said, "First you call me a fraking moron and then I realise that you're the man who lost me eight hundred cubits today."
"Please help us, we need an ambulance." Skeeter replied.
The man laughed out loud, "What and then go to prison? I think I'll just leave you here to bleed to death."
The last thing Skeeter saw was the man's boot as it came towards his face.
PRESENT DAY
Skeeter hadn't felt so terrified since he saw Danny dying in front of him. He rushed along side Bria as she was being rushed to the infirmary. She looked up at him through the pain as she struggled for breath.
"You're going to be okay," Skeeter knew he was lying as he spoke, "I love you Bria."
As they reached the infirmary, Skeeter was pushed away by one of the medics.
"You need to wait here sir." the medic said.
"Can you save her?" Skeeter asked.
"I don't know, let us do our jobs." the medic replied.
Archangel frantically looked through the crowd of people he had chased the woman into. He had seen her before, all those years ago on Geminon, the one who got away. As she had all those year ago, she had evaded him, again!
"Son of a bitch." he yelled startling the people around him.
He pushed through the crowd to one of the emergency phones on the wall. He smashed the glass covering it and grabbed the handset.
"Bridge" he said to the surprised voice on the other end. The moments passed before a voice came through on the other end.
"This is Communications Officer Andrews, this line is for emergencies only."
"This is Major Mark Hunter of the Battlestar Orion, I need all air traffic too and from the Starburst suspended now."
"I don't have the authority to do that Major and this line if for emergencies."
"This is a fraking emergency, put me on with someone who has got the authority."
"Major, security is on the way to you now, please stay where you are and they will be able to help you."
"GODS DAMN IT, put me on with Captain Jonas, NOW."
"Major, security will be right with you."
"One of my friends has just been shot and I'm trying to stop the person who shot her. For fraks sake put me through to Captain Jonas."
"Major please calm down, security will be right with you."
"You stupid mother fraker." Archangel yelled before smashing the hand set against the wall.
Rage filled him, if they weren't going to help him, he'd do this himself. He turned around to see people had stopped and were staring at him. Four of the Starburst's security team stood with their side arms pointed at him.
"You need to calm down sir and come with us." Security Sergeant Wise said.
"My name is Major Hunter, I'm from the Battlestar Orion. One of my officers has just been shot and I need to get all the air traffic on and off this ship stopped before the person who shot her gets away."
"Private Williams get in touch with the infirmary, see if he's telling the truth." Wise said.
"Gods damn it, I don't have time for this, she could be getting off the ship as we speak." Archangel replied.
Moments later Williams reappeared, "He's telling the truth."
Wise took out his radio, "Bridge this is Security Sergeant Malcolm Wise, I need all air traffic suspended too and from the ship immediately."
Skeeter couldn't sit down, he couldn't even stand still. He watched as the doctors fought to try and save Bria's life. Moments later Bojay appeared at the door.
"What the frak happened?" he asked.
"Bria's been shot. A woman, I don't know who she was, she... she tried to shoot Mark. I pulled him out of the way but Bria... oh gods Bria was behind us trying to catch up. I'd forgotten a tin of paint, a tin of fraking paint. She got shot in the throat because I forgot fraking paint." Skeeter yelled before he kicked the wall hard.
"Where is Archangel?" Bojay asked.
"Chasing after the woman who shot her." Skeeter replied.
Alarms started to go haywire. Skeeter and Bojay both turned to see the doctors shocking Bria. Everything seemed to slow down as Skeeter watched. Past memories flooded back, Alice and Danny rushed through his mind. Suddenly as if from nowhere a doctor was standing in front of him. Skeeter watched as they pulled a sheet over Bria's head.
"... I'm sorry, we did everything we could to try and save her."
Skeeter pushed passed him and out into the corridor, it felt as though he was walking through mud. He fought to keep breathing, he fought to hold it together. He couldn't hear a word anyone was saying as he walked, everything just seemed mumbled.
"Skeeter."
Skeeter stopped when he heard his name, he turned to see Bojay standing in front of him. As the world came flooding back to him, it felt as though he had been punched in the gut. Heart broken, Skeeter broke down in tears. Bojay hugged his friend.
"We'll catch the fraking bitch who did this to our girl and we'll make her pay." Bojay said as he began to cry at the loss of his best friend.
…...
Commander Garrett walked onto the CIC feeling a little worse for ware. She had joined in the celebrations the night before and was now paying the price. She opened the bottle of pain killers in her hand and took two, "Gods I hope these work," she thought to herself.
"Commander," Lieutenant Phillips said, "All air traffic too and from the Starburst has been suspended."
"What the frak, has something happened?" Vanessa asked.
"Not that we've been informed of, should I put in a call?"
"Yes pleased lieutenant." Vanessa replied.
Phillips opened a channel to the massive luxury liner, "Starburst this is Battlestar Orion. Why has your air traffic been suspended? Are you in need of assistance?"
"Orion this is Captain Jonas, please put me through to Commander Garrett." came the reply.
"Commander, Captain Jonas has requested to speak to you." Phillips said.
"Put him through." Vanessa said. She picked up the handset in front of her, "This is Orion actual, go ahead."
"Commander, we've had an incident." Jonas replied.
"I gathered that from your air space being closed."
"One of your officers, Lieutenant Thirren has been shot and killed."
"What! What the hell happened?"
"We don't know the details yet. Major Hunter requested our hangers to be closed, but from the incident happening to it actually being closed down, several ships departed. As of now we're not sure whether the killer is still aboard."
"Do you have any security footage of the incident so we can get an ID?"
"We're looking into it now."
"Please ask my XO who is still on your ship to take the lead on this."
"Of course." Jonas replied.
"Can you please also make preparations to have the body transported to Orion."
"Of course Commander and may I also say how very sorry I am for your loss. Please convey my condolences to your crew."
"Thank you." Vanessa replied before hanging up.
She took a deep breath before she realised everyone in the CIC was looking at her.
"Commander has someone been killed?" Phillips asked.
Vanessa nodded, "Lieutenant Thirren. Colonel Johnson will be heading an investigation from the Starburst. Please make sure he has all the help he needs."
Phillips nodded his head, he seemed as shocked as everyone else, "Of course."
Vanessa checked her watch, "Please take the deck, if I hurry the raptors will still be in their morning briefing."
"Aye aye ma'am."
Skeeter sat next to Bria in utter silence, he sat and held her hand. He couldn't help but feel this was his fault. If he got close to people, they ended up dead, he should never have let Bria get so close to him. But he was so in love with her.
"I'm so sorry," he said through the tears, "I love you so much."
"Mr Kent, we have to prepare Lieutenant Thirren for transport back to Orion." one of the nurses said.
Skeeter nodded his head before kissing Bria on the forehead.
"Can you let me know before she goes back to Orion so I can go back with her?" Skeeter asked.
"Of course."
As he turned he saw Archangel walk into the room.
"I'm so sorry." he said before giving his friend a hug.
"Did you catch her?" Skeeter asked, "Is she dead?"
"No not yet, but it's only a matter of time. But I promise you, when I do, I'll make her suffer."
"Okay." Skeeter simply replied.
Archangel had never seen Skeeter so defeated in all the years he had known him.
"Commander on deck." Hydra said as the Commander walked into the raptor pilots briefing room.
"At ease please. Captain, may I have the room?"
"Of course." Hydra replied.
Vanessa took the podium and looked at all the pilots for a moment before she spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen please give me your eyes. There is no easy way for me to say this so I'll just come out with it. I've just received word that Bria has been murdered aboard the Starburst."
"Oh my gods, what happened?" Hydra asked.
"It's not clear yet," Vanessa replied, "We will keep you informed as we find out more. Her body will be brought to Orion shortly. I know losing someone never gets any easier. With all the people each of us has already lost we'd be forgiven for thinking it might get easier but still it doesn't. I don't mean to sound heartless but we need to hold it together. We need to look to each other for strength and for support."
Archangel brought the raptor to a complete stop on Orion's flight deck and powered down. He turned to see Skeeter sitting quietly in the back.
"Are you ready for this?" Archangel asked.
"No not really." he replied.
Archangel patted his best friend on the shoulder, "Let's do this."
Skeeter nodded before Archangel pressed the release for the back hatch. Two medics were waiting with a gurnee and the deck was lined with pilots and officers. The medics moved towards the raptor.
"No." Skeeter said.
Both the medics look to Archangel.
"We've got this." he said.
He and Skeeter both took hold of one end of the body bag containing Bria and carefully lifted her out. They carefully placed her onto the gurnee. As the medics took her away, everyone on the deck saluted.
8 YEARS AGO
Danny Maples stood by the shuttle stop on the main street of Freedom. It had been a month since they had buried Alice and Skeeter had been on a downward spiral since then.
They had cut down on the amount of work in the garage as only Danny had been doing any work. Skeeter had been drinking heavily and had barely left his house in weeks. Danny had been worried and hadn't known what to do. When Archangel had managed to get some leave, Danny had been relieved. As he saw the shuttle bus approach he breathed a sigh of relief. Moments later it pulled up along side him and the doors hissed open. People started to get off. He smiled when he saw his friend get off and bear hugged him.
"It's so good to see you." Danny said.
"You too buddy. How is he?" Archangel asked.
"Not good. He won't leave the house and he's drinking a lot." Danny replied.
"Come on, let's go see him." Archangel replied.
It didn't take them long to walk to Skeeter's house. Danny had been filling him in on how Skeeter had been and what had been going on in their home town. When they reached the door Danny pressed the door bell. They both waited but there was no reply.
"Are you sure he's home?" Archangel asked.
Danny nodded, "He hasn't been outside for a week. He's in."
Archangel tried the door but it was locked.
"Come on lets try the back door." Archangel said.
They walked around the side of the house, but the large wooden gate was locked.
"What now?" Danny asked.
"Stand aside." Archangel replied.
Danny took a few steps away to the side. Archangel took a run up, jumped off the wall, grabbed the top of the gate and jumped over landing neatly on the other side.
"Whoa." Danny said to himself.
Archangel unlocked the gate and opened it for his friend.
"Mark that was once of the coolest things I've ever seen." Danny said.
"Just something I've picked up." Archangel replied.
The two men walked around the back of the house to the door. Archangel tried the door and it opened.
"Skeeter are you here? It's Mark and Danny."
There was no reply. They walked through the kitchen and into the living room. Skeeter sat in the dark. The coffee table in front of him full of beer cans and whiskey bottles.
"Looks like I forgot to lock the back door." Skeeter said.
"Good to see you too." Archangel replied.
"What do you guys want?" Skeeter asked before finishing his beer.
"We came to see if you're okay." Danny replied.
"Well you did and I am, so you can go now." Skeeter replied.
"Why don't you come to my place we can order a pizza and catch up."
"Maybe another day."
"Come on Skeeter, you can't stay inside all the time," Danny said, "I'm worried about you."
"Look guys I appreciate your concern but I'm really not in the mood," he said as he opened another can, "I don't mean to be an asshole, but I just want you to go away. We can do this tomorrow okay?"
Danny looked at Archangel, unsure of what to do.
"Okay but tomorrow I'm going to hold you to that." Archangel replied.
"Okay I promise." Skeeter said.
"Just remember we're here for you." Archangel said.
TODAY
Two weeks had passed since Bria's death. Archangel was still worried about Skeeter. The way he had been behaving reminded him of when Alice died. President Vents had given him time to try and get himself together and no one had seen him since. Archangel and Bojay had taken it upon themselves to find the woman who had killed Bria. Archangel had hoped when they did, it might bring Skeeter some peace. Bojay had roped in Mike Campbell to help. He had used his vastly superior computer skills to make a program to search through all the ships manifests and video footage to find her. Even so, due to the lack of video surveillance on some of the ships, it wasn't hopeful. He walked into the Commander's quarters ready for the weekly meeting with the President. As he sat down he poured himself a coffee.
"Good morning." Archangel said.
"Good morning Major. Have you heard anything from Skeeter?" Milo asked.
Archangel shook his head, "Nothing. I was going to ask if you wanted me to look for him and bring him back?"
"No, he'll come back in when he's ready." Milo replied.
"I hope so." Archangel replied.
"Have confidence in your friend Major." Milo said.
"Right then gentlemen down to business. I've been talking to the refinery shops and our fuel situation is a little clearer and unfortunately it's worse than we thought. We have nine days before we have a decision to make. If we haven't found any more tyllium, we either carry on and hope we get lucky or we turn around and head to Haven." Vanessa said.
"Do you have a plan of action?" Milo asked.
"The nine days is taking into account sending out scouting missions. I'm planning on sending the Medlia out later on this morning. Major can you put together a rota for sending raptors out?" Vanessa asked.
"Of course. It will give them something to take their minds off things." Archangel replied.
"We should at least brief the ships captains of this and I'll brief the Quarrum this afternoon." Milo said.
"Wouldn't that be sods law if we ended up back there." Bojay said.
"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that." Vanessa said.
"My next job is to choose a new Vice President," Milo said, "The Quarrum have come up with quite a few suggestions."
"Any that you like?" Vanessa asked.
"Not particularly. A lot of them are strategic choices but I don't really think there are any I could work with." Milo said.
"Do you have any choices of your own?" Vanessa asked.
"There is one." Milo replied.
"Well?" Bojay asked.
"I'm playing my cards close to my chest until I've spoken to them. Let's just say it's someone we all approve of." Milo said.
The Echo Moon was one of the least desirable ships in the fleet. Full of black market goods, it was allegedly run by a former member of the Tauron mafia. There were no families and no one who didn't know how to handle themselves. Skeeter walked through the corridors, keeping himself to himself. Someone had tried to pick a fight with him in one of the the bars a couple of nights ago. Skeeter being the new face aboard had been an easy target. However the man who had tried to make an example of the new face had regretted it. Skeeter had calmly finished his drink before beating the man unconscious and then had ordered another drink. People had given him a wide birth since then.
The further he walked through the bowels of the ship the less people were around. He reached the door he had been looking for, broke the lock and walked inside. The small quarters were empty. Whoever was living there wasn't at home at that moment. Skeeter reached into his inside jacket pocket and took out a high voltage tazer gun, before pulling a chair out of sight of the door and made himself comfortable. He didn't know how long he would have to wait, but he was ready. He had already taken some stims so he was prepared.
He took out his hip flask and took a drink from his whiskey. He had been waiting for this moment, he was going to enjoy what he had planned.
After half an hour of sitting with his own thoughts he heard the door open. He pointed the tazer and waited. As the woman who had killed Bria saw him, the look on her face was utter shock. Skeeter smiled and winked before firing the tazer. The barbs hit their mark and Skeeter kept his finger on the trigger. The woman fell to the ground, convulsing as the 50,000 volts surged through her. When he let go of the trigger she didn't get up.
"I just wanted you to know, I'm going to frak you up." Skeeter said before knocking her out with his boot.
He took a deep breath and smiled to himself.
Orion's main gym was busy as usual. Jawbreaker walked in for his daily work out. He walked over to the treadmill as the always did and walked past Commander Garrett using one of the punch bags. He was impressed with her but knew how he could help her improve.
"Good morning Commander." Jawbreaker said.
"Good morning Captain." Vanessa replied.
"I've been seeing you in here much more recently." Jawbreaker said.
"I'm wanting to get in shape before taking some self defence training. I'm sick of getting my ass kicked." she said with a smile.
"Can I offer you my services?"
"Thanks but I think I'll be okay."
"I want you to do something for me."
"Depends on what it is?" she replied.
"I want you to give me your best shot. If you can put me on my ass I won't ever mention this again. If you can't, then I want you to let me help you. I'll teach you how to kick anyone on this ships ass."
Vanessa smiled and took a swing at him, connecting with his jaw. His head snapped to the side but he stayed on his feet.
"Ouch." Jawbreaker said, "You've got some strength there, I can show you how to use it."
Vanessa smiled, "What the hell, let's do this. I do need to tell you that my shoulder still isn't great."
"It will be." Jawbreaker replied with a smile.
Raya Miles began to come back into consciousness. Her whole body hurt. She felt hot and there was a lot of noise. As her eyes adjusted she saw Skeeter sitting opposite her. She tried to stand up and pain exploded from her hands. She looked down and saw her hands were nailed to the arms of the chair and her wrists were bound to the chair arms with sharp wire.
"What the frak?" she said.
"Do you know who I am?" Skeeter asked.
She shook her head.
"The woman you murdered, she was the woman I loved."
"For what it's worth I wasn't trying to kill her, I was aiming for Hunter."
"So that makes it better? So instead of killing the woman I love you were trying to kill my best friend?"
"This isn't going to change any of that!"
"We'll see." Skeeter replied.
"Listen to me, it was old business. If he'd seen me, he would have done exactly the same thing."
"Except he wouldn't have killed an innocent bystander."
Raya let out a laugh, she couldn't help herself, "Really? I know you know what he used to do. But my gods you have no idea of the specifics. Amongst the circles I've moved in, he is a myth, his story was legendary. He's murdered more people than you've ever met."
"We're not here to talk about how many people Major Hunter has killed. Bria isn't the first person I've loved that I've lost like this. My fiancee Alice, she was murdered and my best friend Danny well his death was very brutal. I tried to take revenge for Alice, but when it came to it, the chance to take that revenge was taken from me. With Danny I never had the chance for revenge, he was killed by a Cylon. For the longest time I've been filled with rage, rage that I have had no way of getting rid of. Now when this happens, I take a little time, do a little home work and then I get you. I've got all that rage, all that need for revenge and now I have you to take it all out on. We're going to have some fun and the best part, we are in a part of the ship that no one ever comes near."
"People will notice I'm gone."
"And somehow I just can't seem to care."
8 YEARS AGO
Skeeter walked into Archer's bar. It was mid afternoon and there were only a few people inside. He walked over to Archangel and Danny who were both sitting in a booth.
"Hey guys." Skeeter said as he sat down.
"Hey buddy, how are you today?" Archangel asked.
"A little hung over but not too bad. Sorry about yesterday."
"Hey it's okay, we just want to be here for you." Danny replied.
"I'm feeling a little better today actually." Skeeter said.
Archangel looked at Skeeter and knew there was something else going on. One thing he could do very well was read people, especially his oldest friend.
"Danny can you do me a favour?" Archangel asked.
"Sure thing Mark." Danny replied.
"Can you go to the bar and get us some drinks?" Archangel replied handing Danny some money.
As Danny walked off Archangel turned to Skeeter.
"What's going on?" Archangel asked.
"I don't know what you mean?" Skeeter replied.
"Come on dude, don't insult me. I can see it on your face. Now what is going on?"
Skeeter lit a cigarette and took a drag before he replied, "I found the mother fraker."
"What do you mean you found him?"
"I mean exactly what I said, I found him."
"Are you going to tell the cops?"
Skeeter laughed, "Frak no, I'm going to kill him."
"What?" Archangel replied in shock.
"I'm going to find him and I'm going to beat him to death."
"You can't do that!"
"Why the frak not?"
"Because it's murder." Archangel replied.
"He can't get away with what he did!"
"There are better ways to do this than resort to murdering him, to sink to his level."
"Alice is dead, I don't care if it's murder, I don't care if I get caught and go to jail and I don't care if I get killed as long as that bastard is dead." Skeeter replied.
Archangel was so taken a back, he didn't know what to say.
"Do me a favour, I want you to come round to my place tonight so we can talk about this in private," Archangel said, "Don't do anything before we've spoken."
"Okay." Skeeter replied.
As he finished speaking Danny appeared with a pitcher of beer and an extra glass for Skeeter.
"Archer says we should come tomorrow at lunch time so he can do us some food and talk to us." Danny said handing Archangel his change.
TODAY
Jawbreaker was already working the Commander hard. As they finished their workout Vanessa's shoulder was hurting like hell.
"You in pain?" Jawbreaker asked.
Vanessa nodded, "Yeah but I've got some pain killers, I'll be fine."
"Hopefully you should be okay soon."
"Hopefully." she replied, "So can I ask who taught you all this?"
"It started with my old man. He wanted me and my sisters to be able to handle ourselves."
"I could have used being able to defend myself from my Dad." Vanessa said.
"You two really didn't get on did you?"
"That's a massive understatement." she replied.
"Can I ask, is that why you're doing this now? In case we come across them?"
"I'm tired of being a victim," she replied, "If I'm supposed to lead by example I need to be able to show the crew that I can handle myself. First the Cylons, then the NCO and yeah maybe one day we'll come across Admiral Lionel Garrett. Put a gun in my hand and I can put any target down that comes at me, but I need to be able to defend myself hand to hand."
"Well Commander by the time we're done, you'll be able to kick anyone's ass." Jawbreaker replied.
Vanessa laughed.
"And for the record no one sees you as a victim."
"You sure about that?"
"Trust me." Jawbreaker replied, "People see you as a soldier, a leader. Not one person on this ship thinks that."
Vanessa smiled, "Thank you."
"We've all got your back, never forget that."
On the Caprican Sunrise life was going on as usual, the politicians went about their days and jobs as usual. Mrs Carrie Manning had just arrived from Orion, ready for another day. She was still getting used to her new name, trying to remember to say and sign Manning instead of Spence hadn't come naturally to her yet. A day of meetings was ahead of her and another day of preping the President.
As she walked into the President's office she put her bag down and poured herself a cup of coffee. As she put the papers the President would need for the day on his desk, she looked up and smiled as he walked in.
"Good morning Carrie." he said with a smile.
"Good morning Milo, ready to talk about fuel problems all day?"
"Yes and I don't think they're going to be happy about where we might end up." Milo replied.
"Well when it comes down to it, if you and the Commander say so, that's what we do." Carrie replied.
"Changing the subject completely, do you know if your brother has heard anything from Skeeter?"
Carrie shook her head, "Nothing. He doesn't seem worried yet, if he is he's keeping it close to his chest."
"I can't say I'm not worried because I am, I know what he's been through before."
"Skeeter will be okay, he's strong."
"I hope so, he's a good man."
"When I do hear anything you'll be the first person I tell."
"Carrie there is something else we need to talk about."
"Sounds ominous." she replied.
"It's about the Vice Presidency."
"Yes and I think if we keep chipping away at Wallace Gray he'll give in and agree. There's no one better to stand alongside you."
"Forget Gray, he's happy as the Speaker of the Quorum."
"Please tell me you're not going with any of the Quorum choices." she said before taking a sip from her coffee.
"No, I want you to take the position." Milo said.
Carrie nearly choked on her coffee and began to cough, "What?" she said between coughs.
"I want you to be my Vice President."
"Why me?" Carrie asked.
"You're the hardest worker I have and you put the well being of the fleet first. You have the ear and respect of the military. I trust you Carrie and I know you've got my back."
"Holy crap, I never expected this when I woke up this morning."
"So what's your answer?"
"Yes of course, do you think the Quorum with approve?"
"We'll find out later this morning." Milo replied.
Raya was in more pain than she had ever experienced in her life.
"Why don't you just fraking kill me?" Raya said.
"Because I'm not ready to end this yet. You know I've got no idea what Mark was trained to do for torture or what you've done, but I'll tell you this, I've watched a lot of movies so I've got some ideas."
As he finished speaking he took a knife out from his bag. He stood up and walked over to one of the pipes that took the red hot air from the engines. He wrapped a cloth around the handle and held it onto the pipe.
"I've always wondered how painful it would be to use one of these. I saw it in a movie where someone used a red hot life to cut out someone's eye."
"Oh gods no, please don't cut out my eye!" Raya exclaimed before bursting into tears.
"I thought you were a trained killer, I didn't expect you to cry."
"I'm not a trained killer, I'm a fraking cleaner!"
"I thought cleaners went in after the fact and cleaned up after the murders? I thought people like you would need a strong stomach?"
"That's what I did, I also went in when people fraked up and left someone alive. There has been a hit on your friend's head for the last couple of years. Either the people who tried to take him out end up dead or the rest of them didn't managed to find his identity."
"He really must have been good at it. Now down to business." Skeeter said.
"Please don't cut my eye out." Raya begged.
Skeeter plunged the knife into her shoulder and twisted it. Raya screamed in pain before he tore the blade out.
"You know I very nearly killed the bastard who killed Alice," Skeeter said as he stabbed her in the knee, "It was down to drink last time. I fell into a rut and drank way too much, I lost any advantage I had because I could barely stand up."
8 YEARS AGO
Skeeter sat in Archangel's living room, he opened a bottle of ambrosia he had brought with him.
"So you know where he lives?" Archangel asked.
"Yeah in the capital. I'm going to pay him a visit."
"And do what exactly?"
"I told you that yesterday, I'm going to beat the fraker to death."
"I'm begging you not to do this."
"What would you have me do instead?"
"We make sure he lives there and then we go to the cops."
"I don't want to go to the cops, I want to deal with this myself. I had to watch the woman I love die horribly because of that son of a bitch. I need you to be on my side here, I need you to understand why I need to do this."
Archangel looked at his friend and knew there was no way he was going to talk him out of this.
"So what do you know?" Archangel asked.
"Why do you want to know?" Skeeter replied.
"Because I can see there is no way I'm going to talk you out of this, so I'm going to come along and watch your back."
Skeeter lit a cigarette before he replied.
"His name is Tyler Green and he works in a garage in the capital."
"How did you find this out?" Archangel asked.
"I have my ways."
"What's the plan?"
"Tomorrow night, I'm going to wait for him to finish work and take it from there."
"How are you going to cover your tracks?"
"Not really something I've been thinking about."
"If you're going to do this, then you really need to think about it. If you get caught you'll go to jail for a very very long time. For example, don't leave your prints everywhere."
"You're sounding like you've done this before yourself."
"I want you to wait for me so I can come with you. Will you promise me you won't go anywhere without me?"
Skeeter nodded his head, "It takes three hours to get there, so make sure you're here at 3pm, if you're not here, I'm not waiting."
"Don't worry, I'll be here." Archangel replied.
At 2.30pm the following day Archangel pulled up outside Skeeter's house. He knew he wouldn't talk his friend out of it, but he'd be damned if Skeeter would get caught doing it.
He knocked on the front door and waited. The longer he waited, the more he worried. He walked to the garage next to the house and looked through the side window.
"Mother fraker." he shouted when he saw it was empty.
He turned and ran to his car. He jumped in and opened the glove box, taking out a small data pad. He typed in the name Tyler Green and Capital City. Seconds later three hits came back. He opened all three files to try and narrow it down. The first was a thirteen year old high school student and the third a thirty seven year old man paralysed from the neck down for the last four years. Archangel looked at the face of the man his best friend was on a mission to kill. He looked up the address of the garage he worked in and turned over the ignition. He threw the pad onto the passenger seat and sped off.
TODAY
Raya hurt so much she almost didn't feel any pain any more. Her top was drenched with blood. She lifted her head which was the most effort she had ever put into anything.
"You still with me?" Skeeter asked.
Raya spat out some blood and one of her molars, "Unfortunately."
"So I want to ask you something. How do you have a history with Mark?"
"The SFM. They lured him into a trap years ago on Geminon. I was supposed to clean up after they killed him. They underestimated his ability, I was the only person left standing and had to run before I got the chance to kill him. He's always been the one who got away."
"What makes a person want to work for scum like the SFM?" Skeeter asked.
"They paid well." she replied.
Skeeter let out a laugh before punching her as hard as he could in the face. She didn't make a sound, she just spat out another mouthful of blood and another tooth before she spoke.
"So what are you going to do with my body? Leave me here to rot?"
Skeeter shook his head, "We're next to the incinerator. You deserve to die but I'm not going to jail for it, you'll never be found."
"You think people won't know you've killed someone? It changes a person in ways you can't imagine yet, in ways you can only hide for so long."
Skeeter chuckled, "You're not going to be the first person I've killed. I'm just hoping the only thing they notice is that I've found some peace."
"You really think that torturing and murdering me is going to bring you peace?"
"We're going to find out." Skeeter said before punching her so hard in the face her nose broke. Raya didn't make a sound. Skeeter picked up a hammer and drove it down onto one of the nails holding her hand down. This time Raya screamed, which made Skeeter smile. He did the same to the other nail. He looked and saw tears run down her face. He put the hammer down and sat in front of her. He took hold of her little finger on her right hand and wrenched it backwards snapping it out of the socket.
"One down, nine more to go." he said before snapping the next finger.
The Quorum meeting was getting under way and the topic, was the fuel crisis.
"I met with Commander Garrett yesterday to discuss this problem. They estimate we have enough fuel to keep searching for the next nine days. IF by that time we haven't found any we have a choice to make. Either we chance our luck and keep looking or we turn around and set a course for Haven." Milo said.
"What has the Commander done to widen the search?" The Speaker of the Quorum Wallace Gray asked.
"There are daily raptor missions going out as far as they can. The Medlia will be joining the search today as well." Milo said.
"Why not send out the Gunstar's as well?" Wallace asked.
"Because of the fuel they'll use." Milo replied.
"But it's okay to send out the Medlia?" Lara King the Leonis representative asked.
"The Medlia can travel much further on one third of the fuel one Gunstar uses." Milo replied.
"Do you know where the Commander sits on what to do if we can't find anything?" Wallace asked.
"I think she would agree there is only one logical thing we can do, head for Haven." Milo replied.
"There seems to be some irony in that!" Wallace said.
"For now that's all we can say about the fuel situation. Orion will keep us updated on the search. Before we move on, I would like to discuss the vacancy for a Vice President." Milo said.
"Have you considered any of our choices?" Lara asked.
"I have and I have made my choice," everyone seemed to wait with baited breath, "I would like to put forward my chief aide, Carrie Manning."
"What?!" the Caprican representative exclaimed.
Wallace couldn't help but smile at the President's shrude choice.
"She is the best of any of the people suggested. She knows the workings of the government and has the well being of the fleet as a top priority. She is also a candidate the military will approve of. What I want to know is does anyone here have a reasonable objection?"
A number of the representatives wanted to object as they had their own strategic choices, but any objections they could think of wouldn't hold up against someone like Carrie.
"I for one think she is the perfect choice," Wallace said, "If there are no objections I second her nomination."
Bojay stood by the dradis console checking through the reports from the raptor missions. He threw the clipboard down in frustration. He hated the thought of being forced to settle on any planet while there was still a Cylon threat. He sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Colonel, Hydra just got back, no joy." Phillips said.
"Tell her to come back to the barn and get some rack time." Bojay replied.
"Aye sir." Phillips replied.
Bojay took the last sip from his mug of tea before walking towards one of the side rooms where Mike Campbell had his usual set up.
"Colonel, how are you today?" Mike asked.
"Frustrated. Have you had any luck?" Bojay asked.
"As we thought there are no hits on any of the crew manifests. I've started running them again just to be on the safe side. The video footage is a different kettle of fish. I'm running six computers to their maximum capacity and I'm only 12% through all of it."
Bojay sighed, "Any luck finding Skeeter?"
"He's vanished. He must be on one of the ships that are more lax with their security."
"How many of them run sub par security?" Bojay asked.
"Twelve that should really pull their fingers out. There are rumours about some of them being run by former gangsters and mafia."
"Get me the names of those ships, I'm in no mood for people who think the rules don't apply to them."
"Of course. Colonel, can I ask you something I'd rather you keep to yourself?" Mike replied.
"Of course." Bojay replied, very curious as to what this could be.
"How hard should I actually be looking for Skeeter? I don't mean to speak out of place, but I owe my life to Skeeter and Bria more times than I can count. I struggle around people, understanding them and understanding emotions have always been hard for me, but on Sagittaron and Caprica, that I could understand. They, Vannick, Michaels and Archangel are the only reason I'm here. I could see what they did for me, it's why I work constantly, I'm trying to make things for them to help them keep us alive, to give them any little edge, they deserve it. I'm not comfortable with doing something, even under these circumstances, that a friend shouldn't do. Colonel, I'm confused."
Bojay looked at the young genius and for the first time understood him a little better. "Honestly, I've been asking myself the same question. I love Bria like a sister, Skeeter's my friend too. If I could, I'd be out there with him searching for that fraker. I hope he finds her and I hope he kills her. But I don't want anything to happen to him. Look for him, if you find him, come and tell me, the Commander or Major Hunter. We'll decide what to do when we know where he is. I don't like to abuse any authority I have, I'm not a murderer, but that bitch is going to die and I'll be fraked if Skeeter or anyone else is going down for it."
"Thank you Colonel." he replied.
"Do you need anything?" Bojay asked.
"No I'm good thank you."
Skeeter slapped Raya to bring her back into consciousness. She began to come too. She immediately felt the room was much much hotter than before.
"This is no time to fall asleep, you can sleep when you're dead." Skeeter said.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"Oh I moved us to one of the unused boiler rooms. The heat you're feeling is from that furnace over there," Skeeter said before taking a drink from his water canteen, "Are you thirsty? Would you like a drink?"
Raya nodded her head. Skeeter put the canteen to her mouth and she drank deeply.
"Thank you," she said, when she had had her fill, "You don't have to kill me. I swear you will never see me again. I know not to ever come after you. I promise you'll never see me again."
"You killed Bria, how do you expect me to forgive you for that?"
"I don't expect you to forgive me. But there is information I can give you. The NCO may be gone but there are still other people in this fleet who want power, or who have things planned. I know things, I can give you the heads up, you'll be able to stay one step ahead instead of being taken by surprise again."
For the first time since this had happened, Skeeter was unsure of what to do.
EIGHT YEARS AGO
Skeeter sat in his car in the alleyway behind the shop where Tyler worked. Skeeter already knew the car two ahead of him belonged to his target. As he finished the bottle of ambrosia he had been drinking from, he took hold of the crowbar on the passenger seat next to him. He was extremely drunk, but he knew he could still get the job done. He was ready, he was going to enjoy this moment. As he reached for a bottle of beer he saw Tyler appear in the lonely alleyway. As he reached his car Skeeter got out of his. He realised as he stood up that he me have underestimated just how drunk he was.
"You remember me?" Skeeter asked.
Tyler let out a laugh, "So you didn't die by the side of that road then?"
"I didn't but my fiance did." Skeeter replied.
"Listen I'm going to give you a choice. Either get lost or stay here and I beat you to death." Tyler said stepping closer to him.
"There's only one person being beaten to death tonight and it's not me." Skeeter replied swinging the crowbar and completely missing Tyler. As he regained his composure, Tyler swung and punched Skeeter square in the face, knocking him to the ground. Before he could get back to his feet, Tyler kicked Skeeter hard in the ribs again and again.
"You should have stayed under whatever rock you've been living under," Tyler said before kicking him again, "Now you turn up here, where I work and threaten to kill me?! No one fraks with me."
He picked Skeeter up by the throat and punched him in the face as hard as he could before dropping him back to the ground. He reached down and picked up the crowbar.
"You know you lost me an awful lot of money that day. You clearly have a death wish. I'm going to do you a favour. I'm going to end your pain for you. Time to say hello to the gods."
As he swung the crowbar a single gunshot rang out and the bullet hit Tyler in the back of the head, killing him instantly.
Skeeter started to come back to reality, he heard foot steps and looked up to see Archangel walking up to him with a gun in his hand.
"I told you to wait for me." Archangel said helping his best friend to his feet.
"What did you do?" Skeeter said.
"I saved your life you stupid son of a bitch!"
"He was mine to kill, not yours!" Skeeter yelled.
"He was about to kill you." Archangel replied.
"SO WHAT?! At least then this nightmare would be over!"
"You came here to die?" Archangel said.
"I don't know how to live without her."
"We will help you." Archangel replied.
"How? How the frak can you help me when you're never here? Some friend you are!"
Archangel punched Skeeter in the face knocking him out cold. Archangel picked up his friend and put him on the back seat of his car. He slammed the door before taking a deep breath. He looked down at the man he had just killed. He wondered what he was going to do with the body before reaching into his pocket and talking out his cell phone. He dialled one of the numbers and waited.
"This is Hunter Shadow 47. I need a cleaner and recovery for my vehicle."
Skeeter groaned as he began to come back into consciousness. He snapped awake and realised he was laying in his own bed. He looked across the room and saw Archangel sitting in the chair in the corner of the room.
"Good morning." Archangel said.
"Hey." Skeeter replied.
"Do you remember what happened last night?" Archangel asked.
Skeeter thought for a moment. As the pain registered in his body, some flashes of the night before came back to him.
"Bits and pieces." he replied.
"There are pain killers and a glass of water on the side, they'll help with the headache and the broken ribs."
"Thank you."
"Do you remember going there last night to die?"
Skeeter looked at the bandages around his ribs and nodded his head.
"Yeah I remember. Thank you for saving my ass." Skeeter replied.
"You're welcome."
"Did I kill him?"
Archangel shook his head, "No, I did, seconds before he was about to kill you."
"I don't know what to say." Skeeter said.
"You're not going to speak, you're going to listen," Archangel replied, "I get that you're hurting, we all get that you're hurting. I can't even begin to imagine what you're going through. I loved Alice, we all did and I swear that I'm not going to let you do something that you'd regret for the rest of your life. Mourn her for as long as you need too but get your fraking act together. I committed murder for you last night because you had a death wish. So clear your gods damn head, do you hear me?"
Skeeter nodded his head, "Yeah I hear you."
"Good. Now put some fraking clothes on. Danny's mum is down stairs and she's making breakfast."
"Does she know?"
"Not everything, neither does Danny." Archangel replied before heading downstairs.
Skeeter quickly dressed before heading down to the kitchen. Danny's mother handed Archangel and Danny a cooked breakfast each.
"It's a lovely day, you two go eat out on the patio." she said.
She gave Archangel and Danny the look they both knew it wasn't a request and they both knew to do as they were told. They had seen the same look many times before down the years and all three of them had been the recipient of her temper at one point or another during childhood.
"Yes mom." Danny said.
"Aye ma'am." Archangel added respectfully.
"Skeeter you sit at the table, I need to talk to you."
Skeeter sat down and took a sip from the coffee on the table. He went to light a cigarette and received a look that said, don't you dare.
"You look like you had one heck of a night." she said.
"Yeah I've had better." Skeeter replied.
"I don't know what happened and I don't want too. I've left Danny, Mark and the others to help you up to now, but that's stops now, I'm stepping in and I am going to help you."
Skeeter started to cry, "I feel like I'm dead inside and I just want something to stop it. I've been drinking myself into oblivion, just so I don't feel anything."
"I know, Danny told me how much you've been drinking. He's been so worried about you. I've removed all the drink from the house. I've also cut you off at Archers and the market. No one in Freedom will sell you a drink until I'm satisfied you've got it under control."
"Thank you." Skeeter replied.
"Your whole life you've looked out for my son and I've thanked the gods everyday for you and Mark. Now it's my turn to look out for you. I'm going to do for you what your mother would have done if she'd still been here, gods rest her soul. You and Mark mean everything to Danny and I'm not putting him through the loss of a friend if I can help it."
Archangel and Danny sat outside eating their breakfast.
"I swear your mother is the best cook in all of the colonies. Gods I miss this." Archangel said as he chewed a mouthful of sausage and egg.
"Do you think Skeeter will be okay?" Danny asked.
"It'll take some time but I think he will be now. He was close to the edge last night and we nearly lost him. But in the cold light of day, I think he's come back to the other side." Archangel replied.
"I hope so," Danny said, "I don't know what I'd do without him."
"Your mum's on the case now, he knows he's fraked up. If I have to pull some strings and get him into a rehab for his drinking I will. You've done a good job keeping his business alive, you should be proud of yourself."
"I don't know about that," Danny said, doubting himself as usual, "People needed their cars fixing, I know the mean things Skeeter said, he didn't mean. I miss Alice so much, she was so good to me. I love you and Skeeter like we're brothers, it would break my heart if either of you died as well."
Archangel patted his friend on the shoulder, "We are brothers Danny. Not by blood, but by choice. You don't give yourself the credit you deserve. You're a much better man than I am. It breaks my heart when you doubt yourself, it always has. Skeeter needs to clear his head and to a certain degree, so do you. You tried to help Skeeter all this time, you did that."
"But I didn't help, not really." Danny replied.
"You did. It gives me peace of mind, knowing that you're here for him. He's going to need your help more than ever. It's going to be tough, but you're strong enough to do it. You know you can message me any time you need, it may take me a while to reply, but I always will. Look to the guys, they'll help you too. You're a good friend to us all, you've always been the glue that holds us together."
Danny's mother stood by the patio doors and smiled as she heard the things Mark had said. She couldn't wish for better friends for her son, she and Danny would help Skeeter, he deserved it.
TODAY
"So what information do you have to tell me?" Skeeter asked.
"You need to let me up first." Raya replied.
"How stupid do you think I am?"
"Okay then how about a show of faith?"
Skeeter took hold of the nails through her hands and with all his strength tore them out. Raya screamed.
"There's your show of faith." Skeeter said.
It took her a few moments to regain her ability to speak from the pain.
"There are members in the fleet."
"Members of what?" Skeeter asked.
"The Eastern Alliance."
"The pirates?"
"The very same."
"And on their own what fraking threat are they?"
"They're trying to find a way to contact their fleet."
"They have a fleet?"
"They did before the Cylons attacked and they still think they have one out there."
Skeeter didn't know what to think or if he should even care.
"I can tell you who they are and where they are." Raya said.
Before Skeeter knew what he was doing he was unfastening the wires around her wrists and then the other ropes keeping her on the chair.
"Thank you." she said.
Skeeter helped her to her feet.
"I'll keep my word, I'll take you too them and then you'll never see me again."
Skeeter looked at her.
"I don't care." Skeeter replied. He dragged her across the room. She screamed and tried to fight back but couldn't. He grabbed a cloth and opened the furnace.
"Please stop, please don't." she begged.
"You murdered the woman I love."
With all his strength he threw her inside and slammed the door. Her screaming was muted by the closed door. Skeeter watched through the small window as she burned. He let out a slow deep breath.
"So did it help?"
Skeeter turned and saw Danny standing next to him.
"I haven't seen you in a while." Skeeter said.
"Did it help?"
"Actually yes it did," Skeeter replied, "I had so much anger inside me and it's been there for so long. Loosing you and Alice and not being able to do anything about it, this has helped me."
"I hope so," Danny said, "I'm sorry about Bria, you deserved to be happy."
"It would seem that it's very unhealthy for people to be around me when I am."
"So what now?" Danny asked.
"Now," Skeeter said letting out a sigh, "Now I go home."
"How's the shoulder?" Jawbreaker asked.
"Stiff but not as painful as it has been." Vanessa replied.
"That's good. Your punch is getting much better. Once your shoulder is better I'm going to give you some self defence training."
"I already have some." she replied.
"Not like this."
"Thank you for all this." Vanessa said.
"You're very welcome. I've trained a lot of people, I don't see why you shouldn't lose out on my expertise." he replied with a smile.
"You know even though things are quiet at the moment I can't shake the feeling that something is coming." Vanessa said.
"Well once we find fuel we are going on the offensive against the toasters. You know that, you know what we're going to be doing, you're just feeling apprehensive about that."
"Maybe," Vanessa said, "When I was a kid and then later on when I was older, whenever I was about to see my Dad again I used to get this horrid feeling in my gut. Even when I didn't know I was going to see him I'd just feel it."
"Over the last few days we've got to know each other quite quickly, do you mind if I share some observations with you?"
"Sure."
"Since we found out your father is out there, part of you has been on edge. You're expecting to find him and you're getting worried about what will happen if you do. Whether you realise it or not, your Dad holds a lot over you, even though he isn't here."
"It's as though he's always around the corner, just waiting."
"If he shows up I know it's hard to believe, but you've got nothing to worry about."
"Can I ask you something now?" Vanessa asked.
"Shoot." Jawbreaker replied.
"If he turns up is there some sort of plan that I don't know about to deal with him?"
"I couldn't possibly comment." Jawbreaker replied.
"So there is."
"I couldn't possible comment." Jawbreaker replied again.
"Well all I'll say is, if it happens, anyone who may have any plans wouldn't rush into it without checking the lay of the land first."
"I'm sure anyone who had any plans wouldn't jump into anything Commander."
"Good. So are we on for tomorrow?"
"We sure are." Jawbreaker replied.
Everything had moved so quickly. Carrie had just been sworn in as Vice President. The whole day so far had been a blur. She looked to her right and saw her husband and brother standing smiling in their dress uniforms. Commander Garrett stood by them and they all smiled. The Quarrum sat amongst the press, some of them looked happier than others. The President was giving a speech and answering questions. Carrie knew she should be paying more attention.
"...anyway that's enough from me. Please put your hands together for your new Vice President of the United Colonies of Kobol, Mrs Carrie Manning." Milo said.
Carrie smiled and walked to the podium as everyone clapped.
"Thank you all very much. Today has all been quite a blur, forgive me if I trip over my words. This is such a big honour, that the President would hand pick me for his position. Since working within the government in such terrible times, the importance of our survival is second to none. I give you all my word that in this role I will do everything I can to help the President and the Quarrum keep our way of life going and to improve it where possible..."
"Who would have thought, Carrie as Vice President." Archangel whispered.
"Are you kidding me, she'll be running this place given enough time." Wedge replied with a chuckle.
Forty five minutes later the press conference was over and everyone was starting to leave. After the last of the press had gone everyone turned to see Skeeter walk in.
"Hey guys." he said giving a little wave.
"Thank gods you're okay." Archangel said walking over and hugging his friend.
"Congratulations by the way." Skeeter said to Carrie.
"Can I ask where you've been?" Milo asked.
"I needed to get away and just get my head right," he replied, "For what it's worth, I'm in a much better place than I have been in a very long time."
"That's good." Milo replied.
"I was hoping that I could get back to work, but I understand if you'd rather I didn't."
"Are you kidding, this place isn't the same without you. I'm just glad you're okay." Milo said.
"I am, I finally have some peace." Skeeter replied.
Garrett and Archangel sat in the cockpit of a raptor as the Commander flew them back to Orion.
"Are you okay?" Vanessa asked.
Archangel nodded, "Yeah. I'm relieved Skeeter is okay."
"Do you think he really is?"
"I think we can stop the search for Bria's killer."
"Why do you think he found her?"
"I do."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I've not seen Skeeter like that in a long time, since before his first fiancee was killed. He's been carrying a lot of rage for a long time. He's lost so many people and it all weighs on him. He had a look in his eye, he's found peace as he said and that rage has gone. The woman who killed Bria, the one who tried to kill me, my gods she will have suffered. Skeeter will have let out all that rage."
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Should we look for her or start an investigation?"
"If you're in agreement I'd let it go. She got what was coming to her."
"Okay. But you still look worried."
"I am."
"Why?" Vanessa asked.
"I'm just worried, worried that he's turning into.." Archangel stopped what he was saying.
"Turning into what? Some sort of monster?"
"No much worse. I'm worried he's turning into me."