Change of Command
by-Alice
Omega jumped as the lights dimmed and the red alert sounded. Instinctively, he sprang up and bolted for the door. As he entered the corridor he was slammed against the wall as it shuddered and the decking bucked beneath him. The pressure doors at each end of the corridor were already closing. He raced forward but with the sound of re-pressurization, the door sealed itself shut. Somewhere on the Galactica the hull had been breached and an air seal had broken.
Omega stared numbly at the closed door as another jolt knocked him off his feet. "My God," he whispered, "what's happening?"
"Omega!" Doctor Salik called as he entered the corridor. His face paled as he saw the sealed doors. He swallowed and recovered some of his composure. "Well you can't help them now but you can help me. Come on." Omega just stood there numb with conflicting emotions. He needed to get to the bridge. Whatever was happening, it was bad. But, he couldn't just abandon Rigel. She was giving birth to their first child. He couldn't just leave her. "Come on, son. You can't get to them and Rigel needs you now. "
Reluctantly, he followed the doctor back into the Life Center.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Galactica....
"Boomer, you alright?" Starbuck called out as he looked back over his shoulder to where Boomer was picking himself up off the floor. The last jolt had sent Starbuck flying into Apollo and had slammed them both up against the corridor wall as Boomer, who had lost his footing, went sliding into the other wall. Boomer waved Starbuck on ahead as he hurriedly limped after him. Satisfied that his friend was O.K., Starbuck turned and raced after Apollo who had just disappeared into the launch bay.
Upon entering the launch bay Starbuck gagged from the acid smell of smoke as it assaulted his lungs and eyes. His eyes, now welling with tears, stung from the toxic fumes that filled the bay. With desperate urgency he ran toward his Viper. He jumped into his cockpit flipping switches as fast as he could. If they'd taken such a bad hit already without the Vipers launched then the Lords help them if they didn't get out there before it was too late.
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"Get those Vipers launched!" Adama barked, his hands frantically working at the fastening of his tunic, as he sprinted up the short flight of stairs to the main control deck of the Galactica's bridge. It was the middle of the third shift and Adama had been asleep when the alert had sounded. Without thought he had jumped into his uniform and raced down the short corridor to the Bridge, reaching it just as the pressure doors began to close. He had caught sight of Tigh making a running leap through the upper deck's door, just making it as it closed behind him.
Now Adama scanned the monitors of the stations around the main deck. The Galactica's two launch bays were a flurry of unwelcome activity. Beta deck was on fire. Adama watched as pilots ran past the debris and fire toward their Vipers as the ground crews frantically tried to move the nearest Vipers away from the flames. Alpha deck had fared better. The monitors showed some Vipers powering up and Adama watched as each launch tube indicator turned from red to green, signaling the pilots were ready to launch.
"Get fire control to the landing bay before that fire spreads!" Tigh cried out, as he jumped into the flight officer's chair and began to pull up data on all the monitors there. His tunic top was askew where he had mis-fastened the top three closures. "Third wave coming in from quadrant three," he called out.
"Do we have any Vipers up yet?" Adama asked, trying to keep the desperation he was feeling out of his voice.
"No sir," Tigh replied.
Their eyes met and they exchanged worried looks. "Lords help us," Adama murmured.
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"Blue squadron ready to launch!" Apollo cried out.
"Transferring control to Viper craft, launch when ready!" came the rapid response from the bridge personnel.
Apollo's Viper rocked down the launch tube. He could see pinpoint sparks of laser fire at the end of the tube and abruptly realized that the Cylons were strafing the launch tubes, hoping to destroy any launching Vipers. All he could do was hold his breath and pray as he burst forth from the launch tube, his lasers firing, trying to clear a path for himself. Immediately, laser fire surrounded his Viper. "They're strafing the launch tubes!" he cried out a warning.
Starbucks Viper suddenly appeared at his side firing wildly. "To your right Apollo!"
"We have to keep the launch tubes clear!" Apollo called out.
"We can't stay here for long. The fire's to thick and we're too closely packed. Just perfect targets" Starbuck responded. "We need help."
"If we don't keep the launch tubes clear then our help will never make it!" Apollo called back. His ship rocked to the left as he took a grazing shot. A quick check of his instruments told him he had sustained little damage.
"How many squadrons are up?" Apollo asked as he mentally tallied the ships he could see. With the fighting so close to the launch tubes additional Vipers couldn't be launched without risking a collision. Blue squadron was the only one that had made it out on this side.
"Silver Spar's out on this side, but Green's lost three pilots just trying to launch," Bojay responded frantically.
*Two?* Apollo fought off the sinking feeling this information left him with. There were just too many Raiders for just two squadrons to hold their ground. Starbuck was right they were perfect targets all clustered near the launch tubes and without reinforcements they were doomed.
"Boomer, Jolly make a run forward. Giles, Greenbean you guys head aft. See if you can draw off some of these Raiders. Starbuck you and I will keep the launch tubes clear. Let see if we can make some room so we can get some ships launched." As the four Vipers pealed off several Raiders followed. "This is as good as it's going to get! Yellow squadron launch!" Apollo cried out hoping with all his heart that he wasn't sending them to their deaths.
With in seconds the first Vipers began to emerge from the launch tubes. Apollo wanted to cheer as they successfully made it out, but he needed all his attention as he followed the nearest Raider that was starting a strafing run. He lined it up, fired and watched as it turned into a short, but intense, fireball. Starbuck was arrowing in from the opposite side also turning his target into charred space dust. Apollo turned his Viper to retrace his path while he tired to keep the launch tubes clear. Then he saw a Raider start it's strafing run from a point below him. He inverted his Viper in an attempt to bring his guns to bare on the Raider before the next Viper launched but it was too late. As the Viper emerge it was hit by the cylon's laser fire and disintegrated in it's own lonely fireball. Gritting his teeth in raw anger, Apollo blasted the cylon Raider into oblivion.
"Bojay, let me know when you've got all your Vipers out."
"You got it, Apollo." With the extra Vipers out, Bojay's voice was now filled with bravado. "We'll hold it here. But, I just saw a group take off. I think they're heading toward the bridge."
"Blue squadron out to point, protect the bridge." Apollo turned his Viper in an upward arc that would bring him up the Galatcia's side to her back. His maneuver would allow him to traverse her spine while Starbuck came around from the side. He knew that behind him Boomer and Jolly were mirroring their maneuver while Giles and Greenbean would come in from the other side.
As Apollo's Viper reach the apex of his turn a Cylon Raider came careening towards him from across the Galactica's back. Apollo instinctively reacted before his mind could even process what was happening. His Viper turned in an attempt to spin off right to avoid the imminent collision. He felt a shuddering jolt as the Raider tagged his left wing as it plummeted past him. Flames and debris surrounded his Viper as the Raider impacted on the Galactica.
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On the bridge, the lights flickered as the Galactica gave a massive shudder tossing, everyone to the side. "They're making suicide runs," Tigh called out as he grabbed the railing for support.
"Damage," Adama called as he clung to the monitors before him.
"Two bad hits to port, forward of the main flight decks, on beta section. One hit starboard on alpha section," the duty office reported as he held onto the stair railing with one hand and his data pad in the other. "We've lost air seals on three levels of beta section and in the main connector between the landing bays. Also, Alpha landing bay has lost her air seal - the Vipers can only land on beta deck."
"Get the flight crews in pressure suits. The pilots can stay in their ships as the crews refuel them, but we need Alpha bay functional." Adama studied the monitors before him. The attack had come upon them so suddenly that half of their off duty personnel had not made it to their stations when they had lost the airlocks. All the monitors told the same story. It was going bad.
"Suicide runs coming in point four!" Tigh called out suddenly.
"Watch out they're gonna hi..........."
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"Oh my God," Starbuck cried out. His ship had just come up even with the bridge when he saw a Cylon Raider dive down and explode on impact. "They got the bridge!"
"Captain Apollo to the Galactica, come in! Captain Apollo to the Galactica, come in! Damn it answer me!" Apollo wanted to scream in frustration. He pushed his Viper as fast as it could go. Maybe Starbuck was wrong, maybe it had just hit near the bridge.
"How bad does it look, Starbuck?" Boomer asked anxiously, as he followed Apollo's Viper forward.
"Bad,...I don't think....oh my God." As Starbuck's Viper came around he could see the bridge. There was a blackened charred area just to the right of the main view port. In the center he could see a tangle of metal. There was nothing left of the Raider in that burned out jagged hole, but worse, he could see that the bridge was venting gases.
Since Apollo's Viper was flying down along top of alpha section he could see the geyser of venting gases before he saw the actual impact site. "No...," the silent whisper seemed to echo from Apollo's very soul.
It echoed in every pilot's heart. Had they lost the bridge? Had they lost the Commander?
"Starbuck to your right. Look out!" Boomer called out.
As the battle continued there was no sound from the bridge.
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"They're pulling out, they're leaving." Giles's voice was weary and strained.
"No. They're just going for reinforcements," Apollo snapped back.
"Should we pursue them?" Boomer asked in a subdued voice.
"No. We go home and see how bad the damage is." As Apollo gave the orders for the squadrons to return his mind was already elsewhere. His eyes scanned the blackened side of the bridge. His mind would not accept what his heart was telling him, not until he'd seen all the evidence himself, but in his soul he knew that the Commander was dead. His father was dead.
____________________
The instant Apollo's Viper touched down he punched the canopy open and was out and heading for the lift before his ship had even come to a complete stop against the landing restraints.
When the doors opened on the command level, Apollo bolted from the lift. He could see the crowd that had gathered at the pressure door to the bridge. The door was sealed shut. His heart pounded in his chest and all he could hear was a buzzing in his ears as he headed toward the sealed door. The once short passage now seemed to stretch on endlessly. Pale faces turned toward him but he determinedly ignored them as he continued on to the sealed door. He could almost see beyond the glass view port in the door, when his forward momentum was suddenly halted as someone grabbed his right arm. He tried to shake it off, ignore it and brush past, but it held fast.
Apollo turned on the man holding him and his eyes meet with those of Chief Engineer Shadrick. He abruptly turned away, as if burnt, from the pain and pity he saw reflected in those eyes. "Let me go Chief," came his whispered plea.
Shadrick looked at the fixed expression on the face before him. "What good will it do, Apollo?" he asked gently
"I have to.....have to see." The words caught in Apollo's throat but Shadrick could see nothing behind the veiled eyes.
"There's nothing to see," Shadrick gently responded. He was apprehensive by the lack of emotion he was seeing in the individual be fore him. Apollo had always shown great caring for those around him and never hesitated to show it. He had, on several occasions, cried unabashed at the loss of a fellow pilot. It was eerie to see him so seemingly unemotional at this moment.
"Shadrick you don't understand." In frustration, Apollo tried to push past the chief, his eyes staring fixedly at the sealed door before them.
"Apollo, listen to me," Shadrick grabbed Apollo by both arms forcing him to look at him. He had seen a similar look in the eyes of one of his engineers. He had been helping an injured friend out of a damaged section, only to have the corridor collapse leaving the engineer alone with no sign of his friend. It alarmed Shadrick to see that look in Apollo's eyes. He had to get him to understand what had happened. "When the Raider hit it fractured the outer hull." He swallowed as he mind searched for the right words to get through to Apollo. "They lost their air seal. There was nothing we could do."
"No...," still refusing to believe what Shadrick was trying to tell him, what he knew was true, Apollo struggled to pull himself free from Shadrick grip, to get away from the truth in those words.
Desperate to make Apollo understand him, Shadrick cried out, "Apollo, they're all dead!"
At that moment, Starbuck and the rest of Blue squadron entered the corridor, the chief's words reverberated off the walls of the short corridor, halting them in their tracks.
Slowly, Apollo raised his eyes to meet Shadrick's. They were brimming with unshed tears and Shadrick flinched at the pain and loss he saw there. "He's dead," Shadrick continued. Although he was relieved that he had broken though to Apollo, he regretted the necessity of it. " I'm sorry," was all he could say as he dropped his arms releasing Apollo.
Apollo turned away, defeated.
Starbuck watched as the life seem to drain out of Apollo. His chest tightened with such force he could barely breath. He blinked back the tears that now threatened. Dead? They were 'all' dead? Adama had been the father Starbuck had never known. Since the time he and Apollo had first been assigned together, Adama had taken him into his family and treated him like a son. His loss was unthinkable, but combined with the loss of the entire bridge crew, it was inconceivable. His mind couldn't grasp it. This couldn't be happening. It was so unreal, like some bad holovid. Unheeded, tears began to flow down his face. He looked over at Apollo and knew what his friend was going through.
Apollo placed his hand on the corridor wall and seemed to collapse against it. Starbuck approached wanting to offer some comfort, but not knowing how or what to say. As he stood behind him Starbuck gently put a hand on Apollo's shoulder.
"Apollo, I...," Starbuck faltered as his throat closed in on his words.
"No," Apollo whispered. "NO!" he shouted and pushed himself away from the wall, with such force, that Starbuck staggered backward as he watched Apollo sprint back into the lift.
Regaining his balance, Starbuck immediately started to follow but Shadrick placed an arm across his chest to stopped him
"Let him go Starbuck,. He needs some time to be alone, to sort this all out."
"But, chief I want to help. I can help." Starbuck protested.
"Not now, Starbuck. Later he'll need someone to talk to, for now let him come to terms with what has happened."
Starbuck glared at Shadrick unconvinced and continued to the lift. He ignored the questioning look Boomer gave him as he pushed the lift's call panel. "No, you don't understand."
Starbuck disregarded the looks he was getting and waited for the lift. As the doors opened he was startled when Boomer and Jolly joined him in the lift. Jolly just nodded and Boomer just gave him one of his 'you know you're not doing this alone" looks. Starbuck's mouth quirked into a slight smile as his mood lightened by the support of his friends. He called back to Shadrick as the doors began to close. "No one should be alone at a time like this."
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Where Apollo was going he didn't know. He just walked, putting distance between himself and reality . He had tried to sort it all out but it was as if his mind had gone numb. How had the Cylons gotten in such an attack with out any warning? Such a deadly attack -it was unimaginable. Every time he tried to think about all those they'd lost, his mind would focus on the few he couldn't see how he would live without. He couldn't imagine not finding Tigh, at all hours, stalking the bridge, forever keeping the bridge crew on their toes. The crew that now was gone... Apollo shook his head trying to dispel the images that unwillingly came to him. He turn down another corridor as if this could take him farther from the images his mind was determined to plague him with.
The thought of how they had died, haunted him down each corridor, as he tried not to think of his family suffering such a fate. But, they had. Athena...the same thought kept returned to him every time his mind came to her. He was supposed to look out for her. He had always looked out for her. Even after she had threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't stop. 'That's what big brothers do', he had told her at the time. He had lost his little brother and now his little sister. His rational mind knew that they were adults and warriors in their own right, but in this numb state there were no rational thoughts. All he felt was the protective big brother in him that could not let go of the feelings of failure. He hadn't protected them when it mattered.
He turned down another rarely used corridor. He knew every corridor and passageway of this old ship. As a child he had played down the now seemingly unused corridors. Areas that had been cordoned off due to damages, now seemed to beckon to him.
Adama. Commander of the fleet. President of the Council of the Twelve. His father. Thoughts of his father were still to painful to consider and he shied away from them.
How long Apollo wandered the corridors before he found himself at the Life Center, he didn't know. His mind seemed to have just shut down as his feet took him farther down each corridor, until he looked up and found himself there. He knew this was where he'd find his father. But the Gods knew he didn't want to. Unbidden, his hand pushed the entry key.
As the door opened, Apollo hesitated uncertainly for a moment, then slowly, almost mindlessly, he headed toward the back of the center. Towards the cold rooms there.
Doctor Salik met him half way. "Apollo, I'm sorry."
"He's here," Apollo stated.
Dr. Salik nodded his head. "You don't have to go in."
"Yes, I do. I have to...to see for myself." Apollo hesitated, his eyes never leaving the doors ahead of him.
.
Do you want me to go in with you?" was all the doctor could offer.
"No, no...," his voice trailed off as he continued forward. Cold air surrounded him as the door opened, and a chill ran down his spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. Apollo's eyes scanned the pods before him and for the first time he realized just how badly the Galactic had been hit.
The room was full - too full. Low stasis pods filled the room and there were even bodies in the aisles where they had run out of pods. The cold gases that floated near the flooring, swirled around him, stirred up by his entry. They formed ghostly shapes, as if the dead were taking notice of his arrival.
Then his eyes found the pod he'd been looking for, and all other thoughts were gone. Slowly, he approached it , his eyes never leaving the face before him. He reached a hand out to steady himself , placing it on the next pod, then drew it aback as he realized that the other pod held Colonel Tigh.
"Father." Apollo sank to his knees at the side of the pod. His mouth opened and closed as he vainly tried to say what he was feeling, what was in his heart. The reality of the fact that his father was not just sleeping before him, but was indeed dead, began to sink in, and he finally found his voice. "Oh Lord father what now? What are we going to do now? What am I supposed to do?" The tears that he had not been able to shed, now streamed, unheeded, down his face.
"I don't want to be alone." The anguished plea echoed hollowly around the still room. "Whom do I turn to for answers now?" His mind searched then researched, until a new fact, hidden by his greif, became all to clear to him. He looked back at Tigh, lying just as still as his father, then back to his father. "There is no one else. I'm it." A weight of responsibility, so strong it was painful, seemed to settle on his shoulders. "Oh Lord, father, no. I don't think I can. I'm not ready, I...," his gaze traveled around the room then back to his father. Silently, he bowed his head and finally gave in to his emotions and grieved.
Behind him, he heard the door open and close. He didn't care who it was, he just wished they go away and leave him alone. He heard a sob, then someone fell to their knees beside him, breathing raggedly as they cried.
Apollo looked up in shock as his unbelieving eyes fell on Athena. He hesitated only a micron, before he gathered her into his arms crying her name. "Athena! Oh God, Athena. I thought you were dead."
"Oh, Apollo," she cried as she crumpled in his arms. " He can't be dead. He just can't be."
"Where were you? How ? Oh Lords, I'm so glad you alive!" Apollo held Athena close, almost crushing her in his relief.
Athena looked up, realizing what he was saying. "Oh Lord, Apollo, I'm sorry! I'm fine," she pulled back and look into his eyes." I wasn't on the bridge. I had gone on break. I was bringing a coffee back for Reggie when the alert sounded. I dropped the drink when I felt the first hit and ran as fast as I could, but the pressure door had already closed! I couldn't get back onto the bridge! I tried every passage I could, but there was no way in!" Her voice was growing more and more strident. "I managed to get into the Scanner room, when another hit knocked me off my feet. I couldn't get up in time, to get out of the room. The door closed, sealing me in! All I could do was watch and listen to the battle." Her voice was turning hysterical, "I couldn't do anything!"
Concerned, Apollo shook Athena. "Athena, it's OK. It's alright."
Athena turned disbelieving eyes on her brother. "Alright? We've lost, we're as good as dead. What are we going to do? Oh Daddy!" Athena held onto Apollo and buried her head in his shoulder as sobs shook her.
Athena's words unnerved Apollo, as he realized that they were echoing what he himself had been feeling. "No." As he held her, his voice grew stronger. "No, we are not going to die." Gently, he squeezed her shoulders. "Athena...," Apollo leaned back, trying to see her face.
Reluctantly, she looked up at him. "Apollo, father was all that was holding this fleet together we both know that."
"No, , he was it's hope. But, if we give up, father will have died for nothing. All that we have suffered will be for nothing!" The words caught in Apollo's throat but he forced himself to go on. "They all would have died for nothing. Athena, we can't let that happen. We can't give up." Apollo's jaw tightened as he promised , "my son, will not die."
"Do you really believe that?" She studied his face trying to find a reason to believe him.
"I have to. I can't give up, not now, too many lives depend on it." His face was set with look she recognized as one she had seen on their father's face before. Then he looked down at her a gave her a small smile. "After all, that's what big brothers do."
His statement had the desired response and she smiled back at him. Athena reached forward and again hugged her brother. "O.K. big brother, you win this one."
Then she pulled back, and her eyes began to well up again as she turned back to look at their father. Apollo pulled her close, and rested his head on hers, as they both grieved together.
___________
There was a crowd awaiting them as they emerged from the cold room.
Apollo looked over the expectant faces before him. Rigel, sitting near the door, was protectively holding a small bundle to her chest while Omega stood behind her his hands gently rubbing her shoulders. Starbuck and Boomer were standing near the medic's station where they had apparently been talking to Cassiopeia. All three had looked up and Starbuck locked eyes with Apollo, the question in his gaze clear to Apollo. He nodded his head in response and Starbuck nodded back, letting him know he was there if needed. Near the main door, Doctor Salik and Chief Engineer Shadrick were talking. Both were eyeing Apollo apprehensively.
There was suddenly a tension in the air and Apollo knew they were expecting him to say something, to do somehting and take charge.
"Dad!" everyone turned as Boxey ran forward launching himself into his father's arms. He wrapped his arms around Apollo's neck so fiercely that he almost choked him as he buried his head into Apollo's shoulder.
Holding his son tightly, he tried to comfort the boy. "Boxey. Boxey, it's alright." He tried to get a look at the boys face, but he was clutching him too tightly. Apollo knelt, setting the boy on the ground and gently disengaged him so he could see his face. Reluctantly, Boxey eased up on the death grip he had on his father's neck and looked up at him. The fear in those eyes tore at Apollo's heart.
"I was worried. Me and Muffy couldn't find you." The words were brave but the tears continued to flow.
Apollo pulled the boy close again reassuringly hugging him. "I'm so sorry, Boxey. I didn't mean to frighten you." Lost in his own grief, Apollo had not considered that Boxey would come looking for him. Ashamed, Apollo realized he didn't even know how long ago the battle had been.
"I tried to looked for you on the Bridge, but it was all closed off, and the landing bay was all torn up."
Startled, Apollo pulled back and looked directly into Boxey's eyes. "You know you're not to go near the landing bay, especially after an attack! Boxey you can't....."
"But, we had to find you!" The boy interrupted, as if sheer volume could override any objections to his actions. The angry father in Apollo was no match for the tear streaked face before him and he just held Boxey close. "All over, places were busted up. Has it stopped? Are we going to be okay??" Even with his head on Apollo's shoulder Boxey's words carried around the room.
It was one of many questions everyone wanted an answer to. "We'll find out how bad the damage is, and repair it as best we can. We'll be alright."
"What about the Cylons?" Boomer asked.
"We worry about the Galactica first. If we lose anymore airlocks we won't have to worry about the Cylons."
Boomer looked away, worried and uncertain.
Apollo knew he had to head of the uncertainty he saw, before it turned into something worse, like hopelessness. "Look, we can't just give up. The Cylons will have to wait for reinforcements. Keep in mind, they lost most of their Raiders in the attack." His look challenged them. He was no longer a father comforting his frightened son, but their Flight Captain they knew and respected. "They can't attack without reinforcements and I don't plan on being around here when they show up! We'll need damage reports! Starbuck, check the number and status of our squadrons. We'll need to know how many of our pilots can still fly. Boomer, take some warriors and check out our remaining Vipers. Help organize the ground crews. Maybe Alpha bay isn't as bad as it looks. Shadrick, how soon can you repair the bridge's airlock? We can't work for long in pressure suits."
Those assembled grinned at him while others nodded in agreement, yet nobody had moved. "Well?" he said, "get a move on we haven't got all day!" Starbuck jumped up and gave him a mock salute, as he and Boomer headed out.
Athena , put a hand on Boxey's shoulder. "Hey, I'm going to need some help checking the galley. I have to make sure our food supply wasn't damaged." She watched his eyes for any reaction and was pleased to see him interested in what she was saying.
"Muffy can sniff out mushies," he offered.
Athena smiled brightly at him, "Great, why don't you and Muffit come and help me then?"
Boxey look from Athena to Apollo, "Can I, Dad?" he asked, his enthusiasm for showing off what Muffit could do overriding his earlier fears.
"Of course you can." Apollo smiled warmly at Athena as she took Boxey from him. He gently clasped Athena's arm in appreciation. "Thank you."
Athena smiled back at him. "Anytime big brother." Looking at Boxey she shifted his weight in her arms as she headed out the door. "So, what else have you taught Muffit to sniff out?" she asked him.
As the door closed behind them, Apollo could hear Boxey's excited voice. "Oh, lots of things, there's mushies, and cream cakes and.."
"Apollo?" Apollo turned around to find Omega behind him. His eyes burned with fatigue and something else, a shadow, that Apollo couldn't identify. As haggard as he looked he still gave Apollo a lopsided smile. "Since I can't report to my station do you know if any of the computer rooms are intact?" Apollo watched his face as he spoke. His words were light but his face showed more and Apollo realized it was guilt that shadowed his eyes.
Apollo knew that look. He'd felt it himself after the destruction of the colonies. The doctors called it survivor's guilt; he just knew it as hell. He also knew there wasn't anything he could say to Omega right now that would make a difference.
"I don't know. I guess that's where we should start our damage check," Apollo suggested.
"Apollo." Doctor Salik motioned Apollo over to him. Apollo told Omega to wait for him, as he walked over to where the doctor was standing, all the while dreading what additional problems the doctor might have. Salik put a hand on Apollo's arm as he looked up at him inquiring. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Apollo checked the sarcastic remark that came to his lips. He glanced at the injured in the Life Center, at Omega talking quietly to Rigel, then back to Salik. "I don't have choice," he replied, "I have to be." Apollo stared into Salik's eyes daring him to say otherwise.
"Alright Apollo, but I'll be here if you need me."
Apollo nodded at Salik, "Thanks," he said as he turned and headed for the Life Center door.
Omega met him at the door but turned back for one last look at Rigel. Apollo followed his gaze and abruptly realized what Rigel was holding. A baby. He looked back over to Omega who, even with the shadow in his eyes, grinned idiotically back at him. Apollo thumped Omega on the back as they walked out of the Life Center. "Congratulations! Whatever happens, at least something good came out of today."
by-Alice
Omega jumped as the lights dimmed and the red alert sounded. Instinctively, he sprang up and bolted for the door. As he entered the corridor he was slammed against the wall as it shuddered and the decking bucked beneath him. The pressure doors at each end of the corridor were already closing. He raced forward but with the sound of re-pressurization, the door sealed itself shut. Somewhere on the Galactica the hull had been breached and an air seal had broken.
Omega stared numbly at the closed door as another jolt knocked him off his feet. "My God," he whispered, "what's happening?"
"Omega!" Doctor Salik called as he entered the corridor. His face paled as he saw the sealed doors. He swallowed and recovered some of his composure. "Well you can't help them now but you can help me. Come on." Omega just stood there numb with conflicting emotions. He needed to get to the bridge. Whatever was happening, it was bad. But, he couldn't just abandon Rigel. She was giving birth to their first child. He couldn't just leave her. "Come on, son. You can't get to them and Rigel needs you now. "
Reluctantly, he followed the doctor back into the Life Center.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the Galactica....
"Boomer, you alright?" Starbuck called out as he looked back over his shoulder to where Boomer was picking himself up off the floor. The last jolt had sent Starbuck flying into Apollo and had slammed them both up against the corridor wall as Boomer, who had lost his footing, went sliding into the other wall. Boomer waved Starbuck on ahead as he hurriedly limped after him. Satisfied that his friend was O.K., Starbuck turned and raced after Apollo who had just disappeared into the launch bay.
Upon entering the launch bay Starbuck gagged from the acid smell of smoke as it assaulted his lungs and eyes. His eyes, now welling with tears, stung from the toxic fumes that filled the bay. With desperate urgency he ran toward his Viper. He jumped into his cockpit flipping switches as fast as he could. If they'd taken such a bad hit already without the Vipers launched then the Lords help them if they didn't get out there before it was too late.
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"Get those Vipers launched!" Adama barked, his hands frantically working at the fastening of his tunic, as he sprinted up the short flight of stairs to the main control deck of the Galactica's bridge. It was the middle of the third shift and Adama had been asleep when the alert had sounded. Without thought he had jumped into his uniform and raced down the short corridor to the Bridge, reaching it just as the pressure doors began to close. He had caught sight of Tigh making a running leap through the upper deck's door, just making it as it closed behind him.
Now Adama scanned the monitors of the stations around the main deck. The Galactica's two launch bays were a flurry of unwelcome activity. Beta deck was on fire. Adama watched as pilots ran past the debris and fire toward their Vipers as the ground crews frantically tried to move the nearest Vipers away from the flames. Alpha deck had fared better. The monitors showed some Vipers powering up and Adama watched as each launch tube indicator turned from red to green, signaling the pilots were ready to launch.
"Get fire control to the landing bay before that fire spreads!" Tigh cried out, as he jumped into the flight officer's chair and began to pull up data on all the monitors there. His tunic top was askew where he had mis-fastened the top three closures. "Third wave coming in from quadrant three," he called out.
"Do we have any Vipers up yet?" Adama asked, trying to keep the desperation he was feeling out of his voice.
"No sir," Tigh replied.
Their eyes met and they exchanged worried looks. "Lords help us," Adama murmured.
---------------
"Blue squadron ready to launch!" Apollo cried out.
"Transferring control to Viper craft, launch when ready!" came the rapid response from the bridge personnel.
Apollo's Viper rocked down the launch tube. He could see pinpoint sparks of laser fire at the end of the tube and abruptly realized that the Cylons were strafing the launch tubes, hoping to destroy any launching Vipers. All he could do was hold his breath and pray as he burst forth from the launch tube, his lasers firing, trying to clear a path for himself. Immediately, laser fire surrounded his Viper. "They're strafing the launch tubes!" he cried out a warning.
Starbucks Viper suddenly appeared at his side firing wildly. "To your right Apollo!"
"We have to keep the launch tubes clear!" Apollo called out.
"We can't stay here for long. The fire's to thick and we're too closely packed. Just perfect targets" Starbuck responded. "We need help."
"If we don't keep the launch tubes clear then our help will never make it!" Apollo called back. His ship rocked to the left as he took a grazing shot. A quick check of his instruments told him he had sustained little damage.
"How many squadrons are up?" Apollo asked as he mentally tallied the ships he could see. With the fighting so close to the launch tubes additional Vipers couldn't be launched without risking a collision. Blue squadron was the only one that had made it out on this side.
"Silver Spar's out on this side, but Green's lost three pilots just trying to launch," Bojay responded frantically.
*Two?* Apollo fought off the sinking feeling this information left him with. There were just too many Raiders for just two squadrons to hold their ground. Starbuck was right they were perfect targets all clustered near the launch tubes and without reinforcements they were doomed.
"Boomer, Jolly make a run forward. Giles, Greenbean you guys head aft. See if you can draw off some of these Raiders. Starbuck you and I will keep the launch tubes clear. Let see if we can make some room so we can get some ships launched." As the four Vipers pealed off several Raiders followed. "This is as good as it's going to get! Yellow squadron launch!" Apollo cried out hoping with all his heart that he wasn't sending them to their deaths.
With in seconds the first Vipers began to emerge from the launch tubes. Apollo wanted to cheer as they successfully made it out, but he needed all his attention as he followed the nearest Raider that was starting a strafing run. He lined it up, fired and watched as it turned into a short, but intense, fireball. Starbuck was arrowing in from the opposite side also turning his target into charred space dust. Apollo turned his Viper to retrace his path while he tired to keep the launch tubes clear. Then he saw a Raider start it's strafing run from a point below him. He inverted his Viper in an attempt to bring his guns to bare on the Raider before the next Viper launched but it was too late. As the Viper emerge it was hit by the cylon's laser fire and disintegrated in it's own lonely fireball. Gritting his teeth in raw anger, Apollo blasted the cylon Raider into oblivion.
"Bojay, let me know when you've got all your Vipers out."
"You got it, Apollo." With the extra Vipers out, Bojay's voice was now filled with bravado. "We'll hold it here. But, I just saw a group take off. I think they're heading toward the bridge."
"Blue squadron out to point, protect the bridge." Apollo turned his Viper in an upward arc that would bring him up the Galatcia's side to her back. His maneuver would allow him to traverse her spine while Starbuck came around from the side. He knew that behind him Boomer and Jolly were mirroring their maneuver while Giles and Greenbean would come in from the other side.
As Apollo's Viper reach the apex of his turn a Cylon Raider came careening towards him from across the Galactica's back. Apollo instinctively reacted before his mind could even process what was happening. His Viper turned in an attempt to spin off right to avoid the imminent collision. He felt a shuddering jolt as the Raider tagged his left wing as it plummeted past him. Flames and debris surrounded his Viper as the Raider impacted on the Galactica.
--------------
On the bridge, the lights flickered as the Galactica gave a massive shudder tossing, everyone to the side. "They're making suicide runs," Tigh called out as he grabbed the railing for support.
"Damage," Adama called as he clung to the monitors before him.
"Two bad hits to port, forward of the main flight decks, on beta section. One hit starboard on alpha section," the duty office reported as he held onto the stair railing with one hand and his data pad in the other. "We've lost air seals on three levels of beta section and in the main connector between the landing bays. Also, Alpha landing bay has lost her air seal - the Vipers can only land on beta deck."
"Get the flight crews in pressure suits. The pilots can stay in their ships as the crews refuel them, but we need Alpha bay functional." Adama studied the monitors before him. The attack had come upon them so suddenly that half of their off duty personnel had not made it to their stations when they had lost the airlocks. All the monitors told the same story. It was going bad.
"Suicide runs coming in point four!" Tigh called out suddenly.
"Watch out they're gonna hi..........."
------------
"Oh my God," Starbuck cried out. His ship had just come up even with the bridge when he saw a Cylon Raider dive down and explode on impact. "They got the bridge!"
"Captain Apollo to the Galactica, come in! Captain Apollo to the Galactica, come in! Damn it answer me!" Apollo wanted to scream in frustration. He pushed his Viper as fast as it could go. Maybe Starbuck was wrong, maybe it had just hit near the bridge.
"How bad does it look, Starbuck?" Boomer asked anxiously, as he followed Apollo's Viper forward.
"Bad,...I don't think....oh my God." As Starbuck's Viper came around he could see the bridge. There was a blackened charred area just to the right of the main view port. In the center he could see a tangle of metal. There was nothing left of the Raider in that burned out jagged hole, but worse, he could see that the bridge was venting gases.
Since Apollo's Viper was flying down along top of alpha section he could see the geyser of venting gases before he saw the actual impact site. "No...," the silent whisper seemed to echo from Apollo's very soul.
It echoed in every pilot's heart. Had they lost the bridge? Had they lost the Commander?
"Starbuck to your right. Look out!" Boomer called out.
As the battle continued there was no sound from the bridge.
------------
"They're pulling out, they're leaving." Giles's voice was weary and strained.
"No. They're just going for reinforcements," Apollo snapped back.
"Should we pursue them?" Boomer asked in a subdued voice.
"No. We go home and see how bad the damage is." As Apollo gave the orders for the squadrons to return his mind was already elsewhere. His eyes scanned the blackened side of the bridge. His mind would not accept what his heart was telling him, not until he'd seen all the evidence himself, but in his soul he knew that the Commander was dead. His father was dead.
____________________
The instant Apollo's Viper touched down he punched the canopy open and was out and heading for the lift before his ship had even come to a complete stop against the landing restraints.
When the doors opened on the command level, Apollo bolted from the lift. He could see the crowd that had gathered at the pressure door to the bridge. The door was sealed shut. His heart pounded in his chest and all he could hear was a buzzing in his ears as he headed toward the sealed door. The once short passage now seemed to stretch on endlessly. Pale faces turned toward him but he determinedly ignored them as he continued on to the sealed door. He could almost see beyond the glass view port in the door, when his forward momentum was suddenly halted as someone grabbed his right arm. He tried to shake it off, ignore it and brush past, but it held fast.
Apollo turned on the man holding him and his eyes meet with those of Chief Engineer Shadrick. He abruptly turned away, as if burnt, from the pain and pity he saw reflected in those eyes. "Let me go Chief," came his whispered plea.
Shadrick looked at the fixed expression on the face before him. "What good will it do, Apollo?" he asked gently
"I have to.....have to see." The words caught in Apollo's throat but Shadrick could see nothing behind the veiled eyes.
"There's nothing to see," Shadrick gently responded. He was apprehensive by the lack of emotion he was seeing in the individual be fore him. Apollo had always shown great caring for those around him and never hesitated to show it. He had, on several occasions, cried unabashed at the loss of a fellow pilot. It was eerie to see him so seemingly unemotional at this moment.
"Shadrick you don't understand." In frustration, Apollo tried to push past the chief, his eyes staring fixedly at the sealed door before them.
"Apollo, listen to me," Shadrick grabbed Apollo by both arms forcing him to look at him. He had seen a similar look in the eyes of one of his engineers. He had been helping an injured friend out of a damaged section, only to have the corridor collapse leaving the engineer alone with no sign of his friend. It alarmed Shadrick to see that look in Apollo's eyes. He had to get him to understand what had happened. "When the Raider hit it fractured the outer hull." He swallowed as he mind searched for the right words to get through to Apollo. "They lost their air seal. There was nothing we could do."
"No...," still refusing to believe what Shadrick was trying to tell him, what he knew was true, Apollo struggled to pull himself free from Shadrick grip, to get away from the truth in those words.
Desperate to make Apollo understand him, Shadrick cried out, "Apollo, they're all dead!"
At that moment, Starbuck and the rest of Blue squadron entered the corridor, the chief's words reverberated off the walls of the short corridor, halting them in their tracks.
Slowly, Apollo raised his eyes to meet Shadrick's. They were brimming with unshed tears and Shadrick flinched at the pain and loss he saw there. "He's dead," Shadrick continued. Although he was relieved that he had broken though to Apollo, he regretted the necessity of it. " I'm sorry," was all he could say as he dropped his arms releasing Apollo.
Apollo turned away, defeated.
Starbuck watched as the life seem to drain out of Apollo. His chest tightened with such force he could barely breath. He blinked back the tears that now threatened. Dead? They were 'all' dead? Adama had been the father Starbuck had never known. Since the time he and Apollo had first been assigned together, Adama had taken him into his family and treated him like a son. His loss was unthinkable, but combined with the loss of the entire bridge crew, it was inconceivable. His mind couldn't grasp it. This couldn't be happening. It was so unreal, like some bad holovid. Unheeded, tears began to flow down his face. He looked over at Apollo and knew what his friend was going through.
Apollo placed his hand on the corridor wall and seemed to collapse against it. Starbuck approached wanting to offer some comfort, but not knowing how or what to say. As he stood behind him Starbuck gently put a hand on Apollo's shoulder.
"Apollo, I...," Starbuck faltered as his throat closed in on his words.
"No," Apollo whispered. "NO!" he shouted and pushed himself away from the wall, with such force, that Starbuck staggered backward as he watched Apollo sprint back into the lift.
Regaining his balance, Starbuck immediately started to follow but Shadrick placed an arm across his chest to stopped him
"Let him go Starbuck,. He needs some time to be alone, to sort this all out."
"But, chief I want to help. I can help." Starbuck protested.
"Not now, Starbuck. Later he'll need someone to talk to, for now let him come to terms with what has happened."
Starbuck glared at Shadrick unconvinced and continued to the lift. He ignored the questioning look Boomer gave him as he pushed the lift's call panel. "No, you don't understand."
Starbuck disregarded the looks he was getting and waited for the lift. As the doors opened he was startled when Boomer and Jolly joined him in the lift. Jolly just nodded and Boomer just gave him one of his 'you know you're not doing this alone" looks. Starbuck's mouth quirked into a slight smile as his mood lightened by the support of his friends. He called back to Shadrick as the doors began to close. "No one should be alone at a time like this."
_________
Where Apollo was going he didn't know. He just walked, putting distance between himself and reality . He had tried to sort it all out but it was as if his mind had gone numb. How had the Cylons gotten in such an attack with out any warning? Such a deadly attack -it was unimaginable. Every time he tried to think about all those they'd lost, his mind would focus on the few he couldn't see how he would live without. He couldn't imagine not finding Tigh, at all hours, stalking the bridge, forever keeping the bridge crew on their toes. The crew that now was gone... Apollo shook his head trying to dispel the images that unwillingly came to him. He turn down another corridor as if this could take him farther from the images his mind was determined to plague him with.
The thought of how they had died, haunted him down each corridor, as he tried not to think of his family suffering such a fate. But, they had. Athena...the same thought kept returned to him every time his mind came to her. He was supposed to look out for her. He had always looked out for her. Even after she had threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't stop. 'That's what big brothers do', he had told her at the time. He had lost his little brother and now his little sister. His rational mind knew that they were adults and warriors in their own right, but in this numb state there were no rational thoughts. All he felt was the protective big brother in him that could not let go of the feelings of failure. He hadn't protected them when it mattered.
He turned down another rarely used corridor. He knew every corridor and passageway of this old ship. As a child he had played down the now seemingly unused corridors. Areas that had been cordoned off due to damages, now seemed to beckon to him.
Adama. Commander of the fleet. President of the Council of the Twelve. His father. Thoughts of his father were still to painful to consider and he shied away from them.
How long Apollo wandered the corridors before he found himself at the Life Center, he didn't know. His mind seemed to have just shut down as his feet took him farther down each corridor, until he looked up and found himself there. He knew this was where he'd find his father. But the Gods knew he didn't want to. Unbidden, his hand pushed the entry key.
As the door opened, Apollo hesitated uncertainly for a moment, then slowly, almost mindlessly, he headed toward the back of the center. Towards the cold rooms there.
Doctor Salik met him half way. "Apollo, I'm sorry."
"He's here," Apollo stated.
Dr. Salik nodded his head. "You don't have to go in."
"Yes, I do. I have to...to see for myself." Apollo hesitated, his eyes never leaving the doors ahead of him.
.
Do you want me to go in with you?" was all the doctor could offer.
"No, no...," his voice trailed off as he continued forward. Cold air surrounded him as the door opened, and a chill ran down his spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. Apollo's eyes scanned the pods before him and for the first time he realized just how badly the Galactic had been hit.
The room was full - too full. Low stasis pods filled the room and there were even bodies in the aisles where they had run out of pods. The cold gases that floated near the flooring, swirled around him, stirred up by his entry. They formed ghostly shapes, as if the dead were taking notice of his arrival.
Then his eyes found the pod he'd been looking for, and all other thoughts were gone. Slowly, he approached it , his eyes never leaving the face before him. He reached a hand out to steady himself , placing it on the next pod, then drew it aback as he realized that the other pod held Colonel Tigh.
"Father." Apollo sank to his knees at the side of the pod. His mouth opened and closed as he vainly tried to say what he was feeling, what was in his heart. The reality of the fact that his father was not just sleeping before him, but was indeed dead, began to sink in, and he finally found his voice. "Oh Lord father what now? What are we going to do now? What am I supposed to do?" The tears that he had not been able to shed, now streamed, unheeded, down his face.
"I don't want to be alone." The anguished plea echoed hollowly around the still room. "Whom do I turn to for answers now?" His mind searched then researched, until a new fact, hidden by his greif, became all to clear to him. He looked back at Tigh, lying just as still as his father, then back to his father. "There is no one else. I'm it." A weight of responsibility, so strong it was painful, seemed to settle on his shoulders. "Oh Lord, father, no. I don't think I can. I'm not ready, I...," his gaze traveled around the room then back to his father. Silently, he bowed his head and finally gave in to his emotions and grieved.
Behind him, he heard the door open and close. He didn't care who it was, he just wished they go away and leave him alone. He heard a sob, then someone fell to their knees beside him, breathing raggedly as they cried.
Apollo looked up in shock as his unbelieving eyes fell on Athena. He hesitated only a micron, before he gathered her into his arms crying her name. "Athena! Oh God, Athena. I thought you were dead."
"Oh, Apollo," she cried as she crumpled in his arms. " He can't be dead. He just can't be."
"Where were you? How ? Oh Lords, I'm so glad you alive!" Apollo held Athena close, almost crushing her in his relief.
Athena looked up, realizing what he was saying. "Oh Lord, Apollo, I'm sorry! I'm fine," she pulled back and look into his eyes." I wasn't on the bridge. I had gone on break. I was bringing a coffee back for Reggie when the alert sounded. I dropped the drink when I felt the first hit and ran as fast as I could, but the pressure door had already closed! I couldn't get back onto the bridge! I tried every passage I could, but there was no way in!" Her voice was growing more and more strident. "I managed to get into the Scanner room, when another hit knocked me off my feet. I couldn't get up in time, to get out of the room. The door closed, sealing me in! All I could do was watch and listen to the battle." Her voice was turning hysterical, "I couldn't do anything!"
Concerned, Apollo shook Athena. "Athena, it's OK. It's alright."
Athena turned disbelieving eyes on her brother. "Alright? We've lost, we're as good as dead. What are we going to do? Oh Daddy!" Athena held onto Apollo and buried her head in his shoulder as sobs shook her.
Athena's words unnerved Apollo, as he realized that they were echoing what he himself had been feeling. "No." As he held her, his voice grew stronger. "No, we are not going to die." Gently, he squeezed her shoulders. "Athena...," Apollo leaned back, trying to see her face.
Reluctantly, she looked up at him. "Apollo, father was all that was holding this fleet together we both know that."
"No, , he was it's hope. But, if we give up, father will have died for nothing. All that we have suffered will be for nothing!" The words caught in Apollo's throat but he forced himself to go on. "They all would have died for nothing. Athena, we can't let that happen. We can't give up." Apollo's jaw tightened as he promised , "my son, will not die."
"Do you really believe that?" She studied his face trying to find a reason to believe him.
"I have to. I can't give up, not now, too many lives depend on it." His face was set with look she recognized as one she had seen on their father's face before. Then he looked down at her a gave her a small smile. "After all, that's what big brothers do."
His statement had the desired response and she smiled back at him. Athena reached forward and again hugged her brother. "O.K. big brother, you win this one."
Then she pulled back, and her eyes began to well up again as she turned back to look at their father. Apollo pulled her close, and rested his head on hers, as they both grieved together.
___________
There was a crowd awaiting them as they emerged from the cold room.
Apollo looked over the expectant faces before him. Rigel, sitting near the door, was protectively holding a small bundle to her chest while Omega stood behind her his hands gently rubbing her shoulders. Starbuck and Boomer were standing near the medic's station where they had apparently been talking to Cassiopeia. All three had looked up and Starbuck locked eyes with Apollo, the question in his gaze clear to Apollo. He nodded his head in response and Starbuck nodded back, letting him know he was there if needed. Near the main door, Doctor Salik and Chief Engineer Shadrick were talking. Both were eyeing Apollo apprehensively.
There was suddenly a tension in the air and Apollo knew they were expecting him to say something, to do somehting and take charge.
"Dad!" everyone turned as Boxey ran forward launching himself into his father's arms. He wrapped his arms around Apollo's neck so fiercely that he almost choked him as he buried his head into Apollo's shoulder.
Holding his son tightly, he tried to comfort the boy. "Boxey. Boxey, it's alright." He tried to get a look at the boys face, but he was clutching him too tightly. Apollo knelt, setting the boy on the ground and gently disengaged him so he could see his face. Reluctantly, Boxey eased up on the death grip he had on his father's neck and looked up at him. The fear in those eyes tore at Apollo's heart.
"I was worried. Me and Muffy couldn't find you." The words were brave but the tears continued to flow.
Apollo pulled the boy close again reassuringly hugging him. "I'm so sorry, Boxey. I didn't mean to frighten you." Lost in his own grief, Apollo had not considered that Boxey would come looking for him. Ashamed, Apollo realized he didn't even know how long ago the battle had been.
"I tried to looked for you on the Bridge, but it was all closed off, and the landing bay was all torn up."
Startled, Apollo pulled back and looked directly into Boxey's eyes. "You know you're not to go near the landing bay, especially after an attack! Boxey you can't....."
"But, we had to find you!" The boy interrupted, as if sheer volume could override any objections to his actions. The angry father in Apollo was no match for the tear streaked face before him and he just held Boxey close. "All over, places were busted up. Has it stopped? Are we going to be okay??" Even with his head on Apollo's shoulder Boxey's words carried around the room.
It was one of many questions everyone wanted an answer to. "We'll find out how bad the damage is, and repair it as best we can. We'll be alright."
"What about the Cylons?" Boomer asked.
"We worry about the Galactica first. If we lose anymore airlocks we won't have to worry about the Cylons."
Boomer looked away, worried and uncertain.
Apollo knew he had to head of the uncertainty he saw, before it turned into something worse, like hopelessness. "Look, we can't just give up. The Cylons will have to wait for reinforcements. Keep in mind, they lost most of their Raiders in the attack." His look challenged them. He was no longer a father comforting his frightened son, but their Flight Captain they knew and respected. "They can't attack without reinforcements and I don't plan on being around here when they show up! We'll need damage reports! Starbuck, check the number and status of our squadrons. We'll need to know how many of our pilots can still fly. Boomer, take some warriors and check out our remaining Vipers. Help organize the ground crews. Maybe Alpha bay isn't as bad as it looks. Shadrick, how soon can you repair the bridge's airlock? We can't work for long in pressure suits."
Those assembled grinned at him while others nodded in agreement, yet nobody had moved. "Well?" he said, "get a move on we haven't got all day!" Starbuck jumped up and gave him a mock salute, as he and Boomer headed out.
Athena , put a hand on Boxey's shoulder. "Hey, I'm going to need some help checking the galley. I have to make sure our food supply wasn't damaged." She watched his eyes for any reaction and was pleased to see him interested in what she was saying.
"Muffy can sniff out mushies," he offered.
Athena smiled brightly at him, "Great, why don't you and Muffit come and help me then?"
Boxey look from Athena to Apollo, "Can I, Dad?" he asked, his enthusiasm for showing off what Muffit could do overriding his earlier fears.
"Of course you can." Apollo smiled warmly at Athena as she took Boxey from him. He gently clasped Athena's arm in appreciation. "Thank you."
Athena smiled back at him. "Anytime big brother." Looking at Boxey she shifted his weight in her arms as she headed out the door. "So, what else have you taught Muffit to sniff out?" she asked him.
As the door closed behind them, Apollo could hear Boxey's excited voice. "Oh, lots of things, there's mushies, and cream cakes and.."
"Apollo?" Apollo turned around to find Omega behind him. His eyes burned with fatigue and something else, a shadow, that Apollo couldn't identify. As haggard as he looked he still gave Apollo a lopsided smile. "Since I can't report to my station do you know if any of the computer rooms are intact?" Apollo watched his face as he spoke. His words were light but his face showed more and Apollo realized it was guilt that shadowed his eyes.
Apollo knew that look. He'd felt it himself after the destruction of the colonies. The doctors called it survivor's guilt; he just knew it as hell. He also knew there wasn't anything he could say to Omega right now that would make a difference.
"I don't know. I guess that's where we should start our damage check," Apollo suggested.
"Apollo." Doctor Salik motioned Apollo over to him. Apollo told Omega to wait for him, as he walked over to where the doctor was standing, all the while dreading what additional problems the doctor might have. Salik put a hand on Apollo's arm as he looked up at him inquiring. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Apollo checked the sarcastic remark that came to his lips. He glanced at the injured in the Life Center, at Omega talking quietly to Rigel, then back to Salik. "I don't have choice," he replied, "I have to be." Apollo stared into Salik's eyes daring him to say otherwise.
"Alright Apollo, but I'll be here if you need me."
Apollo nodded at Salik, "Thanks," he said as he turned and headed for the Life Center door.
Omega met him at the door but turned back for one last look at Rigel. Apollo followed his gaze and abruptly realized what Rigel was holding. A baby. He looked back over to Omega who, even with the shadow in his eyes, grinned idiotically back at him. Apollo thumped Omega on the back as they walked out of the Life Center. "Congratulations! Whatever happens, at least something good came out of today."