At the life center, Dr Salik fitted Orion with the new leg brace that was designed by Dr. Wilker. It was designed to improve mobility and have less stress on the injured limb. After Salik put the brace on, Orion tried to walk on it. He leaned on the walking stick, and though he stumbled a few steps, his mobility was pretty good.
"Remember", began Dr. Salik, "that I recommend that you should still limit your time on the leg, and that you should get physical therapy. From there, we will see when you can fly a Viper again. In any case, your stay here is done."
"Thanks, Doc", said Orion as he picked up his bag.
Orion went to the officer's club to get himself a drink. He hoped they had what he normally drank since he didn't drink Ambrosia or any other intoxicant.
"Caprican fruit soda please", he ordered.
The bartender handed Orion his drink. As he turned around, he recognized Colonel Tigh and stood at attention.
"As you were, Lieutenant", he said.
Tigh broke out of his military posture and had a big smile.
"ORION!", he shouted before shaking his hand then embracing him. "Adama told me you were here. Good to see you."
"Same here Tigh", replied Orion. "Glad that my father's childhood friend is still here on the Galactica. Anyway, I just got out of the life center. My Viper was on fire after I landed here. I'm glad that I didn't lose my leg. Dr. Salik doesn't want me to fly a Viper for about 2 sectars. I'm wearing one of those leg braces Dr. Wilker made. While I'm healing, I can get around with my cane. Just right now, I can't climb into the cockpit of a Viper."
"Understood", acknowledged Tigh. "I want you to consider this. As you know, Sire Urie requested all of our warriors to go down to Carrilon, supposedly to honor Apollo, Starbuck, and Boomer."
Orion looked at Tigh, intrigued.
"So you think", began Orion, "that Urie has an ulterior motive? Not surprising that this fat, pompous son of a daggit is up to something. From what I know, he wants to destroy our arms."
"That's true", said Tigh, "and it would leave us vulnerable to Cylon attack if it were to take place now. However, Adama put his back up plan together, and it's in motion now. So do you want in?"
"Yes", answered Orion, "but you know I can't fly a Viper right now, so what can I do?"
"You can blend in", replied Tigh, "be inconspicuous. Just provide support when needed."
"Yes sir, Colonel", replied Orion, looking at the shuttle schedule. "I'm getting underway now. By your leave."
"Dismissed Lieutenant", said Tigh as they turned to leave.
At the shuttle bay, Deitra was resting after shuttling her third trip to Carrilon. Her next trip should be the last for the next few centars. Her thoughts are about Orion. She wondered how he was doing. She wanted to see him, since he was scheduled to be released from the life center earlier today.
Approaching the shuttle, there was what appeared to be an elderly man who was covered in a long robe, and had a walking stick.
"When does the shuttle leave for Carrilon?", he asked in a raspy voice.
"In a few centons", replied Deitra. "You can come aboard now if you like."
"Thank you", said the man.
Two centons after he boarded the shuttle, more people came for the last trip. This was her smallest crowd in the last few centars. After the last passenger boarded, she closed the shuttle doors.
"Galactica shuttle ready to launch", announced Deitra.
"You're cleared to launch", said Flight Corporal Rigel.
"Affirmative", replied Deitra as she began the launch sequence.
Centons later, Deitra's shuttle landed on Carrilon. She opened the shuttle doors to let the passengers off. When the other passengers get off, the hooded robed man grabs Deitra's hand.
"It's always good to take a trip with an angel", he said as he pushed the button to close the shuttle doors.
"ORION!", shouted an astonished Deitra.
"Shhhhhhhhh", he said as he took off his disguise. "No one is supposed to know I'm here. However, I can trust you with this. The whole party is a bunch of political feldercarb by Sire Urie. He wants to appease the Cylons by advocating destroying our weapons."
"Appease the Cylons that wiped out the fleet?", said Deitra. "The colonies? My brother? All he seems to care about is living well, at the expense of the people. What he is doing is spitting on the memory of everyone we lost."
"Deitra", he began. "We have to keep it together. Our survival depends on it. I'll just mingle with the crowd in the background, and help with the evacuation when needed. When you have the civilians on the shuttle, just leave, even if you have to leave without me."
"No", said Deitra, "I'm not leaving anyone else behind again, like I left my brother. I'm not going to lose someone I care about again."
Orion looked at Deitra as he was putting on his disguise again. He saw in her eyes that in the short time they knew each other, that she truly cared deeply for him. Of course, he cared deeply for her as well. He went in the weapons locker, to get another laser pistol, and an extra holster. Deitra brought the hooded robe he wore when he boarded the shuttle. She went to help him put on the robe. As he finished putting his gear together, she went to look him in his eyes, and placed her hand on his cheek. She gave him a passionate kiss.
"You come back to me. You hear me?", said Deitra after breaking the kiss.
"I will", said Orion. "You have given me another reason to fight. Get ready to move when it's time. I will come back."
Orion grabbed his cane, and exited the shuttle.
It was almost a ten centon walk for Orion from Deitra's shuttle to the resort area. It would have been a quicker travel if he didn't have a leg brace and a cane to hinder him. Finally, he arrived at the resort. He heard the pompous voice of Sire Urie. The manner that he spoke made him sick. So arrogant, and in love with the sound of his own voice, it was amazing that Urie believed half of the load of feldercarb he was talking.
Suddenly, the elevator opened, and Orion heard laser fire. He recognized Adama's son, Captain Apollo.
"Attention", began Apollo. "Everybody listen to me! I want everybody to move quickly and orderly towards the exits! That is an order!"
"Stay where you are, I'm in charge", Urie arrogantly proclaimed.
Immediately after, Cylons emerge from the elevator, and the crowd began to scream.
"Do what the man says", Urie shouted in panic, "he's in charge!"
The Cylons began to fire as the crowd of civilians flee. The other warriors returned fire.
"Awww FRAK!" shouted Orion as he discarded his disguise and drew his weapons.
While Orion held his own, he was at a disadvantage. He was hindered by the loss of his cane, and his mobility was compromised.
A voice called out to him. "ORION GET OUT OF HERE!"
"I'm fine, Boomer", he shouted.
"You're not fine", said Boomer as they exited the resort. "You can hardly walk without a cane. You shouldn't have been here."
Outside the resort, Orion started to stumble. However, he was still trying to stand his ground. He was determined to make the Cylons pay for any advantage they were trying to get.
Boomer had to act quickly to save his friend.
"Orion, to your right!", he said.
When Orion turned to that direction, Boomer hit Orion with the butt of his laser pistol, knocking him out. He ordered another warrior to help him take Orion to the landram.
Deitra awaited the civilians and refugees. She prayed that Orion returned. A centon later, landrams were approaching, unloaded passengers on the various shuttles. A landram moved toward her direction. Boomer came out with Orion's unconscious form. She gestured two civilians to help him in the shuttle.
"Thank you, Boomer", Deitra said to her old friend.
"Anytime", replied Boomer. "I got to run. We got the recall signal. Talk to you later."
Deitra secured the passengers, as well as Orion's unconscious form. She caressed his face, and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
"We're getting out of here", she said as she went to begin to launch the shuttle. Centons later, the shuttle launched.
The shuttle landed in the Galactica's Landing Bay one. After the passengers disembarked, Deitra tended to Orion as he regained consciousness.
"Mmmmmmm, why did he hit me?", asked a groggy Orion.
Deitra looked at him caressing his cheek.
"I asked Boomer to get you", she said. "When you went to the casino on foot, I sent a coded message to him to get you when he saw you. I told you I wasn't leaving Carrilon without you, and I meant it."
Orion got up from his seat in the shuttle. He leaned on Deitra for support as they exited the shuttle. At the shuttle doors, they're met by Boomer.
"I can't believe you hit me, Boomer", said Orion.
"It was the only way to get you out", replied Boomer. "When that lady asks me something, I deliver. Besides, getting in a fire fight with Cylons when you can barely walk without a brace and a cane is insane. But being the son of 'Horus, the Hellraiser' almost guarantees you being somewhat insane."
Boomer takes Orion to the side.
"Listen", began Boomer, "I've known Deitra for a few yahrens, and known you a lot longer. She would have never asked me to do this if she didn't care. I was glad to see that you didn't go when the Pacifica blew."
"Thanks", said Orion with a smile. "Where's Apollo and Starbuck? Shouldn't they be back too?"
"Come to think of it", said Boomer, "they should be back by now."
"Knowing Apollo", said Orion, "he must have let Starbuck talk him into doing something crazy."
At that very moment, a bright light came in from outside the landing bay.
"What was that?", asked Orion.
"That was Carrilon blowing up", replied Boomer. "When Apollo and Starbuck were in the mines under the resort, the firefight with the Cylons ignited the tylium. The chain reaction caused the planet to blow."
Orion hobbled his way back to Deitra. She went to meet him so he would lean on her for support.
"You know that when Dr. Salik finds out you had a fire fight with Cylons on Carrilon", she said, "he will go crazy, and ground you for another sectar."
Orion nodded in acknowledgment. As the two walk in the landing bay, they see Apollo and Starbuck after they disembarked from their Vipers.
"Orion, I thought that was you down at Carrilon", said Apollo.
"I told you he was here", said Starbuck.
Orion looked at Apollo and said, "so what madness did Starbuck talk you into this time?"
"None", said Apollo. "Let's just say that the 'madness' was my idea."
Orion laughed. Then he looked at Starbuck.
"Later on, we need to talk", Orion said with a less tense tone.
Starbuck nodded as he and Apollo left the landing bay.
Deitra once again had Orion lean on her.
"Come on", she said. "You have that appointment with Dr Salik at the life center."