Title: Hard Six
Author: GEM
Date written: 8/21/05
Rated: T
Word count: 736
Story Timeline: Season 2
Category: Dradis Challenge
Warnings: None I can think of
Characters: Apollo
Summary: Apollo's thoughts during various stages of Resistances
Spoilers: KLG 1+2, Major Resistances
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 3
It's a hard decision to make. One I don't take lightly. I have already mutinied once. Do I really want to do it again? I'm really not sure. The thought doesn't cross my mind when my pilots express their displeasure about my absences from the weekly card game. It doesn't even occur to me when Dee speaks about the conditions around the fleet, although I now truly understand my father's reasoning and stance against martial law.
I'm coming closer to a decision that will change my life forever. Colonel Tigh in my estimation has crossed a line. The people are fighting back and in doing so they are getting killed. After the incident with Paladino I speak with my pilots, quietly. I know now what has to be done and am certain that the President will come to the same conclusion.
Hammerhead, Iceman, Racetrack, Wildcard and Shooter are in on my little plan. They all know the dangers and they all say it's an acceptable risk. Upon returning to my cell, I inform the President of the incident. She says she has to get out now and I agree. I tell her I can get a Raptor. She says she can get the launch clearance.
All right, where do we go? I think fast I can only come up with one answer. It's an answer I know she won't like. I don't even like it and when Daddy wakes up; when he finds me he will kill me where I stand. It's a risk I'm willing to take. This has to end now.
We are all set. Vennar and Billy have talked; the guys are ready to spring Elosha and the President. Dee has come through beautifully for us but there is one more thing I have to do.
"Dad, I know you won't approve but I guess that nothing new. I can't stand around here and watch the fleet fall apart. You always taught me to follow my instincts. I followed them on Colonial One and I'm following them now. I may never see you again. I know I let you down. I won't be here for you when you need me the most. I can't help that. The survival of the human race sits in the balance. If I stand around and do nothing when you wake up I don't think you'll have a fleet to command. Things are really a mess. We need you Dad. Please wake up. I want you to know this isn't about you and me. Don't blame yourself. I'm making my own decision. I hope you understand. Goodbye, Dad.
I walk out of sickbay and down the corridor my escort in tow. Dee meets me as she always does and tells me we're set. Racetrack comes around the corner and springs me from my guards. We walk off towards the flight deck.
I am pacing the deck waiting for the President. The guys are late something has gone wrong I can feel it and for a split second I wonder if we shouldn't just all go back to what we are doing and forget about this.. I think of my father and my decision. Is this really what I want? Is this the only way to do it? I come up with the same answer. Yes.
Even as we wait for the launch clearance I wonder if this is a smart thing to do. As my pilots do their job and try and stop me. I think of my Dad. I know in my heart he will survive and he will understand. He is a man of law and principles. I know he wouldn't have let it go this far. When we land on the Cloud Nine and step off the Raptor I feel a pang of guilt. The guilt is not for what I did but for what I wouldn't be able to do for my father.
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