The conference room began to empty. Deitra went to speak with Commander Adama about her new friend in the life station.
"Commander?", she addressed him while at attention.
"Yes, Lieutenant, and as you were", replied Adama.
Deitra inhaled as she began. "Did Athena mention to you about the patient in the life center. She said he was a family friend."
"Oh, yes", said Adama. "Orion. His father, Colonel Horus was considered the best Viper pilot in history. Orion stayed with my family from time to time after his mother died. Horus and I served together for many yahrens, and trained many Viper pilots, including my son Apollo. He served under me here at the Galactica, until he transferred to the Pegasus as Commander Cain's executive officer. There has been no word on them for the last two yahrens."
Adama and Deitra approached Orion at the life station. They find him resting, though awake. Orion turned to face them.
"Commander Adama", he said. "It's good to see you again. It's been too long."
"Yes indeed", replied Adama. "Please give us a few centons, Lieutenant."
Deitra nodded, and turned to leave.
Adama continued, "I see you had a rough going in getting to the Galactica."
"That's putting it mildly", said Orion. "I barely get out of the launching bay, and the Pacifica blows up. Then a swarm of Cylon fighters are in my way. I lost count of how many I shot down. I didn't know if I would make it. Then I see the Galactica. I landed here with my Viper burning up. I collapse getting out of the cockpit, with my right leg on fire. Then I find out that your wife, and your youngest son was killed in this mess. Lady Ila was like my second mother after my mother died. Compared to what you, and your family went through, as well as others, possibly losing my leg is light stuff. The only good things that happened before you came is seeing your daughter, and the beautiful lieutenant that came with you."
Adama smiled as he put his and on Orion's shoulder.
"Dr. Salik will do all he can to heal you", he said. "I need to get underway. I have to meet with the Corum about our next course of action. I will check with you later."
"Thank you for coming, Adama", said Orion.
Deitra turned to Adama as he left Orion's bedside.
"By your leave, Commander?" she asked.
"Dismissed", replied Adama as he exited.
On her way to Orion's bedside, Deitra once again thought about all that had happened. The losses that have been experienced, and the aftermath. She saw in Orion someone who tried to keep fighting despite his sadness. She sat by his bedside looking at him as he rested. Orion turned to her direction and slowly began to smile.
"The angel has returned", said Orion.
"Where?", asked Deitra looking around jokingly.
Orion had a big smile on his face. The biggest Deitra saw on his face since they met. There was something about Deitra that put him at ease.
"It's really good to see you, Deitra", he said. "I'm glad you were able to get Commander Adama here. He's already done so much for me from childhood. He gave me a home when my father was on missions with him. His wife cared for me like I was one of her children. I'm just praying that I will be able to keep my leg, much less walk, or fly a Viper again. From what's going on, we are going to need all of the Viper pilots we can get, because the Cylons will destroy us all."
Deitra looked as if what Orion said gave her an epiphany. Her brother Omar, died protecting her. If she was in a Viper, her brother would have had a better chance, and he would be there with her.
"How long have you been a shuttle pilot?", asked Orion.
"About 10 yahrens", she replied. "Which is almost my entire time as a Colonial warrior. What you just said had me thinking. I want to try to train to be a Viper pilot. I hope they don't think I'm too old, being I'm over 30 yahrens."
"Doesn't hurt to find out", Orion said in encouragement. "However, I don't think you're too old. Go for it."
"Thank you, Orion", replied Deitra. "Who knows? Maybe both of us will be flying Vipers. In the meantime, I'll just be on standby until I'm needed. I'll be back when I can."
As she got up to leave, Orion put his hand on hers. As a reflex response, Deitra held his hand for a centon.
"No, Deitra. Thank YOU!" said Orion.
Deitra exited the life center to go to the female quarters. She was tired after several centars from being on her feet after escaping the Atlantia. She approached one of the female warriors.
"Pardon me", Deitra said to the tall blonde officer. "Are there any unused bunks here?"
"Yes, right over there", replied the tall blonde as she pointed in the direction of the bunk. "In fact, my bunk is nearby, I'll walk with you."
"Thank you very much", said an exhausted Deitra.
"What's your name?", asked the blonde.
"Deitra", she replied. "And yours?"
The blond replied, "my name is Brie, and I'm a shuttle pilot."
"So am I", said Deitra. "I came from the Atlantia."
The moment she heard Deitra mention the Atlantia, Brie had the look of shock on her face.
"WOW!", she said. "The Atlantia? No wonder you're tired. You get some rest, and we can talk later if you like."
"Thank you again, Brie", Deitra said feeling assured as she laid down to get some sleep.
Nearly five centars have passed, and Deitra is still asleep. In her sleep she saw the launching bay of the Atlantia, reliving the last centons on that battlestar. Her younger brother Omar once again urged her to get on her shuttle, escaping before the Atlantia exploded. She tossed and turned as she heard her brother urge her to go ahead to the Galactica, as the Cylon fighters close in on his Viper. Not even a centon later, the Cylon fighters fire on her brother's Viper, and it goes up in flames. Immediately after, she woke up from that nightmare.
"OMAR!", she shouted.
From her nearby bunk, Brie heard the shout, and went to Deitra.
"Are you alright?", asked Brie.
"I'll be ok", said Deitra as she fully awoke.
At the life center, Orion waited to hear Dr. Salik's diagnosis about his leg. He hoped that he will not lose his leg, and will be mobile enough to climb in the cockpit of a Viper again. The bright spots in being in the life center was seeing Adama and Athena again alive. Also, talking with Deitra put him at ease. There was something about those brown eyes of hers. Most importantly, she was someone he felt he can talk to. His thoughts were interrupted by Dr. Salik's arrival.
"Hey Doc", said Orion as he sat up. "What's the verdict?"
"Well, Lieutenant", began Dr. Salik. "You won't lose your leg, and in time you will fully heal. However, it will be some time before you heal enough to climb in the cockpit of a Viper."
"How long?" asked Orion.
"Roughly a sectar or two, may be three", replied Dr. Salik. "You need to keep pressure off that leg. I'm telling you this keeping in mind that you're have the blood of Horus the Hellraiser in you. He was stubborn like that as well."
"Understood", said Orion.
As Dr. Salik was moving from Orion's bedside, suddenly a warrior, with sandy brown hair frantically calling for him.
"Starbuck, take it easy", he said as.
Still frantic, Starbuck approached him saying, "When you get a bad steam burn, it's hard to take it easy. I caught it at the launching bay."
Intrigued, Dr Salik looked at Starbuck.
Starbuck began, "Well I was checking….."
"You were hiding in a spot where you could play with your various ladies", interrupted Orion.
"Orion, you're alive!", exclaimed Starbuck.
"Don't act like you're happy to see me, because I'm definitely not happy to see you", Orion said with a scowl. "You're the same old Starbuck that runs a con game, and plays with every woman he can. Any woman who will fall for your load of feldercarb." Orion turned to Dr. Salik, and said, "Doc, to avoid a medical emergency, get him out of my face!"
As Dr. Salik escorted Starbuck to his office, Orion laid down fuming.
"Why did that son of a daggit have to ruin my tranquility?", he murmured to himself as he tried to relax.