Halls of Osiris, part 5

Halls of Osiris

part 5:

Adama leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand over weary eyes. He and Tigh had been studying the sensor logs from Bojay's viper for centauri now and he was still no closer to understanding exactly what had taken place.

The sensors had indicated a sudden energy spike across several bands emanating from a planet that had shown no signs of habitation on the patrol's previous fly-by. The patrol had contacted Command and received permission to investigate with caution. Apollo and Bojay had flown over the area where the mysterious energy spike had occurred, finding only a single structure, what Apollo had described as looking like a monument of some sort.

He and Bojay had landed to investigate further, Apollo leaving his vessel to approach the structure while Bojay reported their progress. No sooner had Apollo gotten within a few metrons of the structure than the energy readings had suddenly started to climb, coinciding with the audio recording of a sound like heavy machinery followed by a rushing of wind. Then new life form readings appeared, apparently out of thin air.

The audio recording offered the most information about the next events: the unmistakable sound of energy weapons being discharged; Apollo's voice shouting for Bojay to launch; the sound of the viper's engines powering up; the sound of weapons' fire hitting its mark, causing the damage to viper and pilot that had left Bojay wounded and adrift in orbit above the planet's surface.

The viper's damaged sensor array had recorded nothing further, and its pilot had yet to regain consciousness.

"There's no real choice, Adama," Tigh's voice broke into his thoughts, calm and reasonable as always. "We have to know what happened to those pilots."

"I know, my friend. I know. I just hate the thought of sending more warriors into that system with as little information as we have. It could be a death-trap."

"Which is precisely why they have to go."

"Yes. We can't lead the Fleet through this area of space without knowing for certain that we haven't an additional enemy poised on our flank." The Galactica's commander contemplated the stylus in his hand for a long moment, then nodded to his exec. "Go, then. Arrange a briefing with the senior officers and select the landing party. Have them ready to go as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." Colonel Tigh turned on his heel and strode sharply to the door, where he hesitated before turning back to his commander and friend. "Adama—Apollo. You know it's possible—"

Adama nodded sadly, touched by Tigh's awkward attempt to console him. "Of course, Colonel," he said gravely. "Anything is possible."

**********

Monitors blinked sightlessly in the still of the ship=s night. Life Station was quiet, with only a few patients and most of the personnel off-shift. Strange how, even after two years aboard ship, the human body sought out its natural rhythms of rest and wakefulness.

Cassiopeia moved slowly between the banks of life pods and stopped to check the readings on the single occupied device. She started slightly as something moved in her peripheral vision.

AHow is he?@

Cassiopeia glanced toward the visitor but paused to make a slight adjustment to the pod=s settings before answering.

AThere=s been some improvement over the last few centauri. Dr. Salik thinks he may regain consciousness soon.@

The man nodded, shuffling slightly.

AGood,@ he commented belatedly.

Cassie watched him out of the corner of her eye as she finished with her patient.

ASo,@ she said, breaking what was becoming an awkward silence. AAny word from the recon flight?@

He winced, then grimaced in an attempt to cover his first reaction.

"They found what was left of the other viper," he answered flatly.

Cassiopeia took a deep breath. "He crashed, then."

"No."

She waited for him to continue.

He sighed heavily, running one hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration.

"From what they saw it doesn't look like he even got it off the ground."

She closed her eyes briefly. "Oh, Starbuck. I'm so sorry."

The warrior shook his head slowly. "Not yet, Cassie. They haven't found any evidence that Apollo was in the viper when it blew." He attempted a cheeky grin that never made it to his eyes.

"Have they found any evidence that he wasn't?" she asked softly.

"Don't give up on him yet." The words emerged as a pained whisper.

She smiled sadly and reached out to lay a hand on his shoulder. He allowed the contact for only a moment before stepping just out of reach.

"I haven't given up on him, Starbuck. It's just. . ." She sighed softly. "I think you should be prepared. . ."

"I am prepared," he snapped. "We're warriors. We're always prepared. Just—not yet, okay, Cass?"

She nodded silently. Stepping forward, she encircled his waist with her arms, laying her head softly against his chest. After several microns he relaxed into her embrace and returned it.

"Has anyone spoken with Boxey?"

Starbuck shifted uncomfortably. "No. He knows his dad is overdue, but that's all. The Commander wants to wait until we know for sure."

Cassiopeia pulled back a little to study his face.

"He's going to need someone, Starbuck," she said carefully.

The warrior shrugged, using the motion to pull out of her arms.

"Athena's there," he replied diffidently.

"That's not what I meant."

"Yeah. I know. Listen, Cassie," he rushed to change from the uncomfortable subject. "I need you to talk to Salik for me. Get me off the sick list."

"Starbuck—"

"Cassie. The Commander's sending a squad down to that planet to check it out. I want. . . I need to be on it."

"You haven't finished the antibiotic series yet."

"I feel fine. There's only a little bit left. I'll finish the series planetside."

Cassiopeia eyed him for a moment, trying to judge her chances of changing his mind. He had been on desk duty for two sectons due to a mild upper respiratory infection that had traveled to his inner ear. Starbuck was a restless patient in the best of circumstances, but since Apollo had gone MIA. . .she sighed again.

"Come back in the morning. I'll schedule you for reassessment. When Dr. Salik gets here he can check you out himself. If there's no sign of the infection, I'm reasonably sure he'll let you go."

"Thanks, Cass."

Starbuck reached out and took her hand, squeezing it briefly before turning to go.