I own nothing to do with Miami Vice or Battlestar Galactica, except DVD sets, and make no money or profit from this.


The Enforcement Agent

Chapter 2

Adama stood at Gaeta's announcement and watched as slim man, about his own height, stepped into the room. Slightly long and unruly, the man's hair was dark, as was his full mustache, and he was dressed in utility black pants, jacket, and boots. About thirty-five to forty years old, the man's movements were smooth and tightly controlled.

Slowly, Castillo came to stand at a point halfway across the room from the door, arms relaxed by his side, a scant majority of his weight on his back foot, and with his body at a slight angle to them. It was a defensive stance, but those without any martial training would not recognize it as such. Adama knew the position well.

Civilians, when called to a meeting with himself and the president, were usually nervous or excited- at the very least, they appeared impressed. Castillo, however, simply stood, waiting. There was no expression on his face- no awe, no curiosity, no annoyance…nothing. Any emotions he might be experiencing were carefully concealed.

The man's head turned only slightly, but Adama knew that Castillo's quick glance around his quarters had taken in more information than most people would after several minute's worth of studying the room. Lt. Castillo was no ordinary Enforcement agent.

"Welcome to the Galactica, Lieutenant," Adama began. The man's head snapped around and the commander found himself pinned by a dagger-sharp stare from the darkest eyes he'd ever seen. He forced himself to shake off his unease. "I'd like to introduce President Laura Roslin."

Laura stood and smiled somewhat shakily. "I am pleased to meet you, Lt. Castillo. We thank you for coming here to meet with us."

For a long moment, Castillo did not answer. Out of the corner of his eye, Adama saw Roslin glance nervously at him, then back to the lieutenant.

"Madam President, Commander," Castillo replied, then fell silent.

Adama gestured to a nearby chair and then sat down. "Please, have a seat." He nodded a dismissal to Gaeta, who left with a worried backward glance at the visitor.

Cautiously, Castillo moved toward them, his gaze flicking to the open doorways and darker corners of the room, then lingering on the antique weapons mounted on the wall behind the couch. His manner was not one of fear, but that of a man who trusted no one and used to assessing every situation thoroughly as if his life depended on it.

With the president's security team outside his quarters and the Galactica's own arrangements for protection of their commander, Castillo was in what was undoubtedly the most secure room in the entire fleet, yet he acted as if there were dangers hiding in the shadows. What nightmarish work had the lieutenant been involved in?

Castillo moved the chair so that his back was to a wall before sitting. The black eyes turned on Adama, then the president. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes." Laura cleared her throat. "Yes, we do. Lt. Castillo, we are interested in the fact that you are an Enforcement agent."

Castillo said nothing.

"You are an agent, are you not?" she asked after it was apparent he was not going to respond.

Castillo stared, his gaze hardening.

Adama shifted in his seat. "Lieutenant, the captain of the Lancer indicated you were an Enforcement agent, and to the best of our knowledge you are the highest ranking law officer we have in the fleet. With the situation as it is, we need the assistance of all qualified persons if we are to survive."

Adama held Castillo's gaze, his own force of will coming to the fore.

"Until now," he continued, "my troops have provided what security has been needed for the civilians. For several reasons you can surely understand, this is unacceptable."

The lieutenant nodded slightly in agreement. Encouraged, Laura spoke again.

"We would like to learn about your areas of expertise and what suggestions you could offer. Would you mind telling Commander Adama and me about your past assignments or experiences, Lt. Castillo?" she asked softly. "It will go no further than this room."

Unmoving, Castillo sat stiffly on the chair's edge. When he finally spoke, there was bitterness in his words. "Not that it would matter anymore."

"Still, we will respect the confidences you share." She glanced at Adama. "The commander and I fully realize the need to keep certain knowledge from the public."

Castillo looked away then took a deep breath, as if letting a weight slide from his shoulders. In that moment, Adama knew the lieutenant had decided to trust them- to a small degree, at least. Castillo returned his dark gaze to Roslin, then Adama, but it was no longer shadowed by suspicion, only caution.

"I am…I was assigned to the Vice Force of the Colonial Department of Intelligence. I headed the unit charged with the Alram sector." He fell silent and his focus shifted to a point on the wall, beyond them. He slowly eased himself against the chair's back, turning slightly to rest his weight more on his right shoulder. Adama wondered if he'd been injured.

"My agents pursued shipping routes and money trails, tracing suppliers and backers we knew were in the colonies- businessmen, regional administrators…other government officials. I spent three years undercover in the sector, alone, infiltrating the operations, setting up situations to pit one leader against another, trying to collapse the organizations in on themselves…trying to stay one step ahead of being found out…" Castillo's voice dropped and he suddenly looked very tired. He lifted his right shoulder. "But, the day came when I was."

Adama's jaw tightened. Three years with no one to watch your back, no one to give you a hand, every day risking exposure and certain death. He suddenly understood a great deal more about Martin Castillo.

Laura Roslin closed her eyes, for a moment. "What happened?" she whispered.

"I was betrayed," he answered simply. "One of my men sold out. My cover was blown while I was deep in the sector and I had to run….and find a way to take fifteen children with me."

"Who were the children?" She caught his glance and held it.

"You were a teacher, weren't you?" Castillo asked, tilting his head slightly as he looked at her, almost as if sizing her up. Laura did not take offense- she had been just that for quite a number of years.

She nodded. "Yes. I was a teacher- elementary school."

"They were children bound for a pornography and prostitution arrangement near the Sagittarian and Caprican border." His fingers tightened on the arm of the chair, his knuckles whitening. "None were over the age of eight."

Feeling physically ill, Laura rested a hand against her cheek and took aslow breath. From beside her, sheheard Adama's growled curse.

"I could only get ten out." Castillo's voice was steady and firm, but Laura heard the anguish behind his words; she saw it in his eyes.

"I'm sure you did your best." Inadequate, but she knew nothing more to say.

"I left five behind." His words rough, and he looked away. "We were being pursued and fired upon…we were taking hits- there was no time to go back for the others. They…they were depending on me and I was their only hope…"

Martin Castillo blamed himself. Laura knew the feeling only too well. She studied her own clenched hands, remembering anew her anguish over the decision to leave over a hundred thousand souls behind when the Cylons appeared. Their protests, curses,and cries still haunted her dreams.

"You did what you could-"

"It wasn't enough!"

"Sometimes, our best has to be enough," Adama answered quietly. "In extraordinary circumstances we do what we must to get through...to give hope for another day. It is all we can do."

There was silence among the three until Adama spoke again. "How did you come to be with the fleet?"

Castillo took a deep breath and turned to the commander.

"I stole a ship in the sector as soon as I knew my cover was blown and with the help of the gods, I made it to a nearby base station with the children. Since I wasn't certain who had broken my cover, I couldn't trust the personnel, so I…arranged for the Lancer on my own." Castillo's hesitation told Adama and Laura that the lieutenant's arrangements most likely illegal ones. "We made it to Caprican space just as the fleet was jumping- got the coordinates from the last ship. We saw the arrival of the Cylons just before we jumped."

Seeing the tears forming in the president's eyes at the memory, Castillo looked away again. "We took a hit before we jumped. Five children were killed along with the Lancer's pilot. The copilot survived."

"I see," Adama replied quietly. "You've had flight training?"

Castillo nodded. "I'm fully qualified to fly most commercial non-bulk craft, as well as light military craft. I'm also trained to work with munitions and explosives, and electronics. I'm also proficient in other skills necessary for my line of work. If you wish, I will give you an accounting of them, but I'm sure you have an idea of what they are."

The man sitting across from him, Adama was willing to bet, could probably pick any lock, decipher most codes, break into all but the most protected of computer programs, and fight his way out of all but the most overwhelming of odds. The commander considered for a moment before speaking. He needed to know one more thing. "Earlier, after losing a large number of pilots, we requested those in the fleet with flight experience to contact the Galactica. Were you aware of this?"

"Yes."

Adama stared, waiting for Castillo to explain why he hadn't notified the Galactica. The lieutenant simply stared back at him.

The silence lengthened and Laura finally spoke up. "Lt. Castillo, I think what the commander is asking is why you didn't contact the Galactica."

"No, he asked if I was aware of the request," Castillo answered, turning away from Adama to look at her.

She thought Castillo sounded almost amused, but the commander certainly wasn't.

"Why didn't you contact the Galactica?" Adama ground out.

Castillo slowly brought his gaze back to meet the commander's, his jaw muscles tight. "I had five scared, ill and hurt children aboard with barely enough food for one small meal per person a day and next to no water."

"Food was passed out as quickly as-" Laura began.

The lieutenant sat forward in his chair. "We asked for help, pleaded, then begged, but got next to nothing. I will not leave them. They are my responsibility and I will see them fed and cared for."

Shaken, Laura continued, trying to explain. "Granted, we've had some difficulties in the beginning, but there is food enough for-"

"During the first handout, our portion disappeared before it reached us- all but six gallons of water and one box of packaged rations. A bigger portion of the next handouts made it to us, but nowhere near enough." It was with an effort that Castillo forced himself to relax. "We had to resort to other means to feed the children."

Laura tried to imagine what resources he could possibly come up with on a ship built for speed, not long trips. Those usually carried minimal stores. "What other provisions could you find?"

"I'm afraid I'm wanted for theft on several of the large pleasure craft," he answered wryly.

Adama snorted, not bothering to cover his laugh. "We do what we have to do, Lieutenant. Tell me what you need and I'll have it ready by the time you reach the hangar."

The tension broken, Laura thought it a good time to again bring up the reason for the meeting. "Lieutenant, we need your help."

"What is it you want of me?" Castillo was wary once again.

"As Commander Adama mentioned, we need a civilian-run law enforcement agency. While our situation is not ideal, our circumstances seem to be more stable now and we must begin setting up more services." Laura paused; the lieutenant's expression had become unreadable. If he refused now, they might never change his mind. "We would like to ask you to be in charge ofthe Enforcement Division."

Castillo did not answer and Laura decided to simply wait until he chose to. She settled back against the couch, hands folded in her lap. She was a patient women...when she needed to be.


Martin Castillo was not a man to rush into anything, but that was not to say that he could not act quickly when the need arose. The ability to rapidly assess a situation, review the options available, choose the best, and then act was one of his strengths and had saved his life -and the life of others- many a time.

At first, when he received the messages from the president's office, he thought it had to do with his pilfering rations. He ignored it, reasoning that the makeshift government had bigger concerns and would forget about his minor thievery. He had simply been more careful the following week when he raided another ship on the pretext of recharging a spent battery.

Although it angered him to have to do so, for the most part stealing the rations had not been too difficult. They had merely asked permission to dock at a vessel's port for a maintenance issue then, while Captain Ahmal oversaw repairs, he would goin search of air-scrubbing canisters, a renewable andessential item every ship carried in excess. The case emptied of the filters, he would pick the lock to the supply area, fill the boxes with rations, and then truck the whole lot directly onto the Lancer without a second glance from anyone.

When necessary, they hadrepeated the ruse on another ship. He wondered what President Roslin would say if she knew he had, at one desperate moment, docked with Colonial One and relieved her stores of a week's worth of food and water, along with a small selection of cinema vids andone-third of the lower passenger compartment's stock of blankets and pillows. To feed and comfort the children, he would outright steal whatever they needed and do it without any hesitation or remorse.

From his escort showing him to the commander's quarters, he'd already ascertained where the Galactica's provisions were stored. Although he did not doubt his own skills, Castillo was not looking forward to breaking into the battlestar's supplies; the Galactica's securitywas a great deal tighter than that of the other ships.

Therefore, Adama's offer of assistance was a very welcome one; their supplies were minimal and he needed to obtain more before they left. He was nearly certain he could trust the commander; as for the president, he was still unsure.

Because of uncertainty of whom to trust and of what would become of the children should anyone object to his caring for them, he limited contact between the Lancer and the rest of the fleet to what was absolutely necessary. He did, however, listen to what news came over the com and was aware the fleet was having problems with security. As if Cylons that looked human were not enough, there was the prison ship and it's inmates and their uprising to deal with.

"What exactly would you expect of me?" His shoulder beginning to ache, Castillo shifted in his seat. He was fairly sure he'd fractured his left collarbone and perhaps a rib or two when the compartment decompressed, but it was beginning to heal now. It bothered him infrequently, mainly from the muscles becoming stiff when he sat too long.

"I don't think your timewill be spent chasing petty thieves," Adama answered with a slight smile, "but, we do need someone to coordinate security issues with, particularly concerning identification of Cylon operatives."

"We have security concerns within the fleet, as well," the president added. Castillo's expression hardened.

"I will not babysit the prisoners."

"We will not ask you to," she quickly replied. "They are earning their freedom and we anticipate the prison ship can be adapted to providing more space for those who are currently in cramped quarters."

"You plan to release the prisoners among the fleet?" he asked, in disbelief.

"Yes. They are survivors, just as you and I," Roslin replied firmly, her chin lifting.

"They are criminals."

"We cannot afford to keep several hundred of our able workers idle, Lieutenant."

Castillo turned to Adama. "Commander, do you agree with this?"

Adama crossed his arms. "It is the President's decision to make. I have serious reservations, however, and have made my concerns known."

The commander's expression left little doubt as to where he stood on the issue. Castillo's estimation of Adama went up a notch; the commander had sense. He looked back to Roslin.

"Ma'am, understand that releasing the prisoners will create problems and the remedy will be difficult and unpleasant." Without giving her a chance to reply, the lieutenant stood. "I will consider your what you've said, but at the moment, I must return to the Lancer- two of the children are not well."

He turned to Adama, who'd come to his feet. "Sir, I appreciate your offer. We currently have only enough food and water to see us through the day after tomorrow."

Adama came to stand before him and offered his hand, which Castillo took. "You have my word, Lieutenant." Adama picked up the phone and spoke quietly; a moment later, Gaeta entered the room.

"Mr. Gaeta, the lieutenant has children on boardwho are in need of medical care. Please have Dr. Cottle meet Lt. Castillo at his ship. If the doctor is not aboard, send a medic. Also, personally see to whatever provisions he requests."

"Yes, sir," Gaeta replied, glancing at the lieutenant.

"Do you and the Lancer's captain have anyone to help with the children?" Roslin asked as Castillo turned to leave.

For a moment, he was tempted to lie and say there was another adult onboard, but decided against it. There were times when truthwas necessary. "No- just myself and Captain Ahmal."

"Then, perhaps, if Commander Adama does not object, you would consider staying aboard the Galactica for a while?" At Castillo's frown, she hurriedly continued. "It would give the doctor a chance to see to the children's needs and give you and the captain a much needed respite while we find assistance for you."

"Yes, please be our guest," Adama quickly agreed. "We can meet to discuss any questions you have and formulate a plan for your department, should you accept. Our resources are at your disposal." Castillo's expression remained guarded. "Mr. Gaeta will find temporary quarters that will allow you to be with the children. Please, allow us to help."

Castillo hesitated, but knew he had to trust them. The Lancer was need of repairs and he was concerned over the FTL drive's sluggish spin up. Too, despite his best efforts, his care of the children was not enough. They needed more than he could alone provide.

Reluctantly, he nodded. "Thank you."

He hoped he wasnot making a mistake.