Chapter 9: Is This for Real?

Setting: Kobol (Tomb of Athena & Orbit) and Galactica minutes after Chapter 7

Onboard the Galactica, in the CIC, one Commander Adama was not happy with his XO. "Colonel Tigh, would you care to tell me how Starbuck and Apollo managed to make it off this ship without you knowing? You were in command of this ship!"

Colonel Tigh cringed. "Commander, I can explain. I have been under tremendous pressure while you were in surgery. I guess I had a few too many drinks and didn't hear my name being called."

Adama held his breath and turned to Lieutenant Gaeta. "Lieutenant, what did you do when you found out two Vipers had left the Galactica and jumped out of our area?"

"I tried to contact Colonel Tigh multiple times. I sent Marines to his quarters but he did not respond."

"That explains it. Specialist Dualla, would you call down the landing bay and tell Tyrol I want nine Vipers and a Raptor sent to Kobol immediately!" He pointed to a marine near the door of the CIC. "Marine! Go down to the brig and have Valerii brought to me. I want her cuffed and escorted!" The marine left in a hurry to fulfill Adama's orders.

"Dee, how long until those Vipers leave? I want them prepped and ready as soon as possible."

"Tyrol said they should be ready in 5 minutes time, sir." As soon as Dee said that, the CIC became silent. The marine entered with the pregnant Sharon Valerii, the Cylon from Caprica. She was marched in front of Adama and looked at him in the eyes.

"Lieutenant, I…I need your help. We have two Vipers on Kobol, and chances are the Cylons are there, am I correct?" She nodded. "I need you to go with the squadron of Vipers leaving here shortly. If the Cylons behave as they normally do, then a Basestar should arrive shortly. I need you to tell us how to destroy then the fastest way possible."

Sharon nodded. "I'll do what you need me to do, Commander. Any ship I am on they won't attack. They want this baby more than I do. It's the future of mankind."

Adama nodded. He understood. "I want you down to the landing bay. The squadron is ready to go. I want you onboard the Raptor with Helo during the whole thing, got it?"

Sharon nodded and the marine escorted her out.

Three minutes later, five Vipers and a Raptor left the Galactica and jumped to Kobol.

Back on Kobol, a baseship arrived in Kobol's orbit and launched Raider's to the surface. They had been tipped off of the Colonist's find: Earth.

All of a sudden, nine Vipers and a Raptor entered Kobol's orbit. Unfortunately, they were seen first. Every Raider changed direction and went after the Vipers. The Raptor was left alone because of Sharon – she was telling the truth. They Cylons would not go for her ship because of the baby. The Vipers broke off the line and headed for the baseship, taking out Raiders as it went.

The shaking in the Tomb of Athena stopped. A large hole in the center of the floor in front of the large metal ring appeared. Something appeared to be rising out of it.

"Oh, my gods. Look!" Starbuck and Apollo turned in the direction of Baltar's voice. On the wall were 7 symbols and writing underneath. Writing foreign to Baltar and Starbuck; however, Apollo could read it perfectly.

"These seven symbols lead to the place of our lost brethren – Earth. May they protect and care for you in your time of need." Apollo spoke those words aloud. Starbuck walked over to the device that had appeared in front of the ring. It had roughly 40 symbols on it and she recognized some as the ones on the wall. She hesitated as she found the first symbol and pressed it.

"CHING." One of the triangular shaped devices on the gate in the upper corner glowed orange. Starbuck pressed the second symbol and a different one did the same. She entered the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth symbols. She hesitated and looked over at Apollo.

He walked over to her and together, they pushed the last symbol. The cavern rumbled and an energy surge emerged from the ring and then settled back, looking almost like liquid tylium.

The trio walked cautiously to the ring and looked at each other. Without further hesitation, they walked into the ring and disappeared.