2670.005 Bridge of Battlestar Galactica: Everyone on the bridge saw the star field return too normal after their last jump. There was a sense of new hope and curiosity of what the future would bring them. The last two months had seemed like a dream to Apollo. When the Confed diplomatic team had arrived, they presented several choices of new systems to the Quorum, and the Quorum then debated for almost a week as to which one to choose. Finally it was Tigh's smooth maneuvering that got them to decide on this system. Formerly designated TCS1860, the members of the Quorum had asked that it be renamed the Kobol system, in honor of the planet Kobol, where the human race had begun. Tigh told Apollo that there were several reasons that he had chosen this system above the others.
"There are 5 planets in the system Apollo, 2 of them are nearly perfect for human inhabitation, and a third can be terra-formed as the Confed engineers called it."
"Also, the asteroid belt is rich in mineral deposits that we will need to begin refitting this old girl." he said while patting the bulkhead.
Then there was the sealing ceremony of Winston and Hera, which was attended by over 100 guests. The ceremony was broadcast on the interfleet network, as a promise of a new beginning. Admiral Wilford even arranged for Vagabond to be assigned as the Confed military liaison between the colonialist and Confed. He and Hera have been training in the simulators, learning about the differences in their ships and Confeds. Then there were the meetings with the confed Intel people. The endless discussions about the Cylons, their tech level, and if there would be more coming. All that he and the others could tell them, is what they had already told them, so the Intel people set out to determine the cylon home world, and the earliest point at which they might expect an attack. Surprisingly, their commander told him that if they could find the right jump route, humans could be back at the original colonies in just over a year's time. But that would be in the future, for now, his people needed and now had a new home.
As Apollo was looking at the system ahead of them, the comm. tech spoke to him,
"Commander, the Victory is hailing us."
"Patch it up to here." and Apollo soon saw Captain Eison on the monitor.
"I thought you might want a better look at you new home Apollo."
and the Victory opened a second channel to show a beautiful blue and green planet.
"It's beautiful William, hold on while I patch this image through to the rest of the fleet."
The Comm. tech patched the image into the interfleet network feed. Soon everyone in the fleet was seeing the same picture.
"So have your people finally decided on names for the planets Apollo."
"Actually we let the children decide, and there were some real winners."
both of them laughed a little.
"But the names that the children chose were New Kobol, New Caprica, New Ares, New Virgon and New Gemon."
"Fine choices Apollo. Have you given any thought to what we talked about?"
Apollo smiled at him, "No William, I've been a warrior long enough. Once we have the colony up and running, Sheba and I are going to take it easy for a few yah… uh years."
William smiled at him, "From what I've heard about you Apollo, I can't think of any one who deserves it more."
"So what's your first move Apollo?"
"Well William, we've already chosen the site of our first city, and the area for our agricultural center. So the first thing we're doing is mining the asteroid fields. The Forge ship is already headed there to begin mining operations."
"So when do you think your people will finally be able to leave their ships?"
"With any luck, our engineers believe that we should have the first city ready in 4 months."
"What about you and the Victory William? Where are you off to?"
"We still have a cadet cruise to finish Apollo, then back to the academy for a fresh batch of students."
"So when do you leave?"
"Not for another week, then we're headed to the Avalon sector."
"We're going to miss all of you William." "Don't worry Apollo, We'll keep in touch."
In their quarters, Vagabond and Hera were looking at the planet displayed on the monitor.
"By the lords, it's so beautiful Winston."
"Not as beautiful as what I'm looking at." he said from behind her.
Hera turned around, and smiled, "Is this a better view?" and dropped the sheet she had wrapped around herself.
He just smiled and pulled back the blanket for her. As they lie in bed an hour later, she rested her head on his chest.
"Winston, I need to ask you something."
"What is it Hera?"
"How do you feel about kids?"
"I love kids, why?"
Hera turned on her side and looked at him. Vagabond just looked at her, and she smiled. He was in shock,
"How, uh when, uh…"
Hera giggled, "Well you know how, and as for when, in about 8 months."
Vagabond just started kissing her again and again. Then he started to get up and was looking for his pants. He looked at her, as if she should be getting dressed to.
"Where are you rushing off to?"
"Well we have to tell you parents."
She just smiled at him,
"We will, but not right now. I just want us to be alone, the three of us." and she patted his side of the bed.
That evening, Hera had arraigned for a dinner for them in the officers lounge. She had asked her parents, Athena and Boomer,Captain Eison, President Tigh, Bojay and Rachel, Chris and Robin, Cassiopeia and Starbuck and Troy and Dalton to join her and Vagabond in a celebratory meal. The food was a mix of colonial dishes, and Terran Chinese dishes. Hera and Vagabond got a little laugh out of watching her friends trying to use chopsticks. But they had also put out regular utensils. After the meal, Winston and Hera stood up.
"I, we wanted all of you here to be the first ones to know,"
and they smiled at them. Apollo looked at them,
"To know what Winston?"
"Well father, I'm afraid that I will be off the flight roster for a while."
Sheba looked first at Hera, then at Cassie. Hera was just smiling, and Cassie just smiled and nodded her head. Sheba jumped up and hugged both Vagabond and Hera, and soon everyone in the room was congratulating them.