Chapter 3: Returns and Departures
Setting: Galactica and Kobol, 3 days after Chapter 1
"Galactica actual, this is Starbuck. Do you copy?" The voice crackled through the headphones of Petty Officer Dualla, commonly known as "D."
"Starbuck, is that you?" D was in shock. No one expected Starbucks to return from Cylon-infested Caprica.
"It sure is D. Put me through to Adama."
Tigh grabbed the headset and looked like he was ready to kill a certain pilot of his. "Starbuck, what the hell were you thinking?"
"Colonel Tigh, I requested Commander…"
"You will speak to me! What in the gods named were you thinking flying off to Caprica? It's a frakkin Cylon-occupied world!" Tigh made sure every person in the CIC heard him in case anyone tried anything stupid at this time.
"I know sir. But I did what I had to do. I have Helo and apparently Boomer with me as well." Starbuck had no idea what had taken place earlier aboard the Galactica.
The CIC fell silent at the sound of another Boomer. Tigh face turned a deep shade of red and he yelled into the headset. "KILL THAT CYLON! KILL THAT CYLON SON OF A BITCH!"
"SIR! She's pregnant…with Helo's child." Her voice quavered as she said she other half of that sentence.
"Get whatever the hell you are in into the landing bay as soon as your escort arrives there. Galactica out." He looked around the CIC. "D, radio down to the landing bay and tell them I went two vipers out there NOW!"
"Yes sir." She immediately radioed down and fulfilled Tigh's order.
As soon as Starbuck, Helo, and the pregnant Boomer returned to Galactica, Sharon was taken into custody. Helo and Starbuck were escorted to the medical station. Once there, Tigh explains what happened aboard the Galactica and as he finishes, President Roslin enters the room.
"Colonel Tigh, I'd like a moment to speak with Lt. Thrace." She looked right into the XO's eyes and her voice remained calm and steady.
"Fine. But do not coerce or force her to do anything stupid again or you'll be in isolation aboard Colonial One." Tigh stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
"I got it, Madame President." Starbuck pulled the Arrow of Apollo from inside her shirt and handed it to the President.
President Roslin fingered the arrow before placing it on the table. She looked directly at Starbuck. "Lt. Thrace, the arrow is the last thing on my mind. From what I can gather, there are two Lt. Valeri's, one is pregnant with Lt. Agathon 's child and the other shot our commanding officer. There are more important issues at stake other than Earth: your health, the live of Commander Adama, the Cylon infiltration on board, our missing Vice-President. I've been more worried about you than the frakkin arrow."
"Madame President, I'll be fine. But we need to get the arrow to Kobol and find Earth. We need to save our people."
"Starbuck, I cannot let you go off in the state you are in. You have no idea what you are walking into."
She looked at the President with fire in her eyes. The pilot has spirit. "I'm going."
Starbuck got up carefully from the bed and walked out of the room. Roslin did not follow. Instead she rushed to the room of Captain Apollo.
"Captain Apollo, I need to talk to you."
He looked over at her with little remorse in his eyes. He put his head down on the table as if to ignore her.
"Lee, please. Starbuck is back and she's going to put herself into more danger as we speak.
Apollo jumped at Starbuck's name. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he loved her. He was crazy in love with Starbuck. "What is she doing?"
Roslin looked down before she spoke. "She came back with the Arrow of Apollo and she's going to take it to Kobol. She has no idea what she is putting herself into. And to top it all off, she's injured. Badly. Broken ribs. Three or four at least."
Apollo said no more. He jumped from his chair and ran to the landing bay. By the time he made it, Starbuck had already left. He jumped into his viper and as he was about the take off he heard a voice inside his head. "Protect the arrow, Apollo. You were destined to it. Protect it Apollo."
He took off and right as he reached Starbuck, she had geared up her FTL drive and jumped. He geared his up and took off a minute after Starbuck did. He blinked just as he jumped. When he finished, he was above Kobol and he had Starbuck in comm. range.
"Starbuck, what in the gods name do you think you are doing?"
"I have to Apollo. I know it. Why did you follow me?"
He sighed as he tried to explain what he heard before he left Galactica. "I have to protect you…and the arrow. I just have to."
"Whatever, fine. Let's get down there and find Earth. I need a home so I can take a nap."
"Very funny Starbuck. Choose a place to land and we'll do it." He looked down at the planet and wished to the gods he wasn't the prophesized Apollo.