Title: Hard Six
Author: GEM
Date written: 8/21/05
Rated: T
Word count: 969
Story Timeline: Season 2
Category: Dradis Challenge
Warnings: None I can think of
Characters: Apollo
Summary: Apollo's thoughts during various stages of Fragged.
Spoiler: KLG 1+2, Major Fragged
Author's note: This is a continuation that follows one Lee Adama through his days on the Galactica after the events of Kobol's Last Gleaming. The continuation came out of a Dradis Contest winner "Hard Six" This and other parts to come will be numbered so that the title can remain.
Chapter 2
It seemed that the day was going in slow motion. His father was in surgery and he had a bit of a helpless feeling. 'Why can't I just talk to him' Lee thought as he walked toward CIC. While on duty he was the CAG, and he had to plan the SAR for their people on Kobol. His mind was going a mile a minute as he talked to his group. Focusing was difficult all he wanted to do was scream. His father was important to him and all he could do now is wait. He hated waiting. He drags his mind back to the SAR. His father would want this to happen these people were like family.
The thing he hated most right now was the state of their acting commander; Colonel Tigh, who has obviously fallen off the wagon. 'Daddy, will not be pleased' Lee thought. Tigh began to yell at him for not being in the brig. "I'm on duty. You still want me to fill my position as CAG when I'm on duty. Do you not?
Tigh steps up to the plot table where my team is working and I begin to brief him on the plan. As CAG I have to rely on my people. When one of those people puts two bullets into your father's chest I have to admit my confidence is shaken.
I have to give the Colonel credit he voices just that concern as the briefing continues. I tell him that the camera footage from the raptor confirms the basestar's destruction and Racetrack the ECO on the mission also confirmed it.
We get the go ahead order and one hour later and are on the hanger deck boarding the Raptors for a jump to Kobol. As we jump I can't help but wonder if I'm leaving my father for the last time. I feel a bit of guilt that I am not there with him, close to him. I bring my focus back to the mission as we enter the orbit of Kobol and begin our scans. Moments later Racetrack locates the crash site and transponder signal. I give the order for Raptor 2 to form up as we break orbit for the planet surface. When we reach the surface alarms begin sound within the Raptor. Racetrack reports there is a missile battery and it has fired. I curse under my breath and call for the raptors to break into evasive maneuvers. Racetrack then reports the missiles have no lock. We see an explosion and what sounds like a gun battle in the trees I order her to search that area.
When we find the team they are under heavy cylon fire, hurt, and no doubt out of ammunition. I have to think fast before we loose them all. I order Racetrack to line the raptor up between the two trees in front of the cylon assault force. I can see Chief Tyrol firing all he has left at them but I know it isn't enough. I arm the raptor's missiles and fire. The cylon go up in flames. If I weren't so emotional spent from the events of the past few days I might have laughed at the chief's expression.
We set down to pick up our people. I order the marines to establish a perimeter so that we can get everyone treated and on the raptor quickly. I walk around the surface for a moment and return to talk to Chief Tyrol. As a walk by he silently drops a group of dog tags in my hand. I look through the names. One in particular catches my attention. "How did Crashdown die?"
Dr. Baltar had he back to me as he answered my question. I looked to the others in the rescued party they were silent and exchanging glances with each other. Tyrol finally agreed with Baltar's assessment. Personal something didn't feel right to me but I let it go.
When we returned home things had gone from bad to worse. When I entered sickbay for the post mission check up I saw my father lying on a bed still in isolation. Cottle informed me, well completing my examination that my father would make a full recovery. It felt as a wait was lifted from my shoulders.
Then the fleet wide announcement came through the speakers, it was Colonel Tigh. Major Cottle and I listened. "I have no choice but to declare marshal law.
I could have sworn I heard Cottle call Tigh a fracking idiot. I have to say if it were true it's exactly what I was thinking.
"Well, that just opens a whole new can of fracking worms" I said quietly Cottle Stifled a laugh as he took a drag from the cigarette he just lit.
Cottle dismissed me in perfect health. On my way out I was drawn to my father's bedside. I sat next to him only for a moment. The marines were anxious to get me to bed. "I know this isn't what you would want but none of us have any power to stop it. We need you Dad. I need you. Please wake up soon. Ileaned forward and placed a kiss on my father's forehead. I got up and left him to rest with my marine friends at my heels.