Note: Remember what Leoben said to Kara in my AU version of the interrogation, from Chapter 22. Here's a recap:
"Apollo's love won't change what destiny has in store for you. Events will unfold as they have been ordained to unfold, whether you are the bride of Apollo or not."
I said there would be major portents about how the story is going to unfold, and it is in this chapter where the meaning of those words becomes clear.
Chapter Twenty-Six:
The Galactica had been buzzing with activity ever since the Raptor jumped back from Kobol with news that the other Raptors were down, with one crew trapped on the planet by a Cylon base ship. Lee had been busy ever since Boomer's Raptor crew found Kobol, organizing the survey party that was later attacked and then readying Galactica's squadron for a rescue mission afterward. It had been hard working with his father since their previous day's argument, but Lee put his feelings aside to focus on the job at hand.
Lee entered Galactica's flight deck and headed towards the captured Cylon raider. He found Kara working at a computer console hooked up to the machine. He hadn't seen her since their encounter in the corridor on his way to the brig. Lee had been told that Kara wanted to see him about the upcoming rescue mission.
"Hey," he said, casually.
Kara looked at him with a smile. "Hey, baby," she said, pulling him into a passionate kiss. Lee broke the kiss and looked at her with shock.
"Kara, we're in public," said Lee.
"Lee, the gig is up, remember. What's the old man gonna do? Double our marriage annulment?"
"I guess you're right," said Lee. "But the Commander let you off the hook without brig time. I'd kind of like to keep it that way. Anyhow, we'll deal with that later. I've got a lot on my plate right now, but I got the word you wanted to see me."
"Yeah. I've got an idea I wanted to run by you, and then take it to the Commander. I think we can use the raider to help us get our people off Kobol."
"How?" asked Lee, his interest peaked.
"Well, I've mastered all of the raider's systems," answered Kara. "My plan is simple. Strap a nuke to this boy's underbelly…"
"I thought you said it was a girl," said Lee.
"I changed my mind, okay. Quit fooling around and listen…"
"I think I can guess where you are going. Strap a nuke to the raider, you fly it to Kobol, get close to the base ship with the raider, shoot the nuke and jump away."
"Not exactly. We have no way of getting this raider to fire one of our missiles, and it doesn't have the hard points for one either. So we'd have to use the raider itself as a delivery system. I aim this raider at the base ship, eject in my pressure suit, and the raider flies into the base star and BOOM!"
"With you floating out there to witness the fireball?" asked Lee. Then, sarcastically, he added. "That's brilliant, Kara! Absolutely fantastic. Just one problem. It could get you KILLED!"
"Lee, a Raptor could jump in and pick me up after the base ship is neutralized," said Kara.
"Yeah, if you survive the ejection and the explosion, and if the Cylons don't shoot your pretty ass floating around out there."
Kara smirked. "You always did like my ass, didn't you?"
"Kara, stop trying to change the subject!"
"Lee, it's a calculated risk."
"It's and UNACCEPTABLE RISK!"
"Lee, we've got a crew of people trapped down there. Can you think of a better plan that would work as well?"
"Given time, I could probably come up with one where the risk factors are less."
"We don't have the TIME! With that base ship in orbit, it is only a matter of time before the Cylons find them and KILL THEM! Now, think about this. If it wasn't me proposing this, or flying the op, would you consider the plan?"
"What do you mean? Kara, it's too risky, regardless of who's flying the op."
"Lee, think as my CAG, not as my husband. Is this plan a viable alternative?"
Lee was quiet for a moment, looking at Kara in the eyes. She could feel his love and concern radiating from his stare, and felt warmed by it even though it was getting in the way of his ability to look at this plan from a CAG's point of view.
"Lee, close your eyes, think about it logically, and then give me your thoughts."
Lee did as he was told. He closed his eyes, and viewed the operation in his mind. Instead of envisioning Kara flying the raider, he envisioned some faceless pilot in a space suit. He could see it all play out in his head, and finally came to a conclusion.
"It's a good plan," said Lee. "Worth the risk."
He opened his eyes and saw Kara once again, and his heart was screaming at him to take back what he said. But his mind silenced his heart, remembering that his ability to do his job while married to Kara was the very heart of his and Kara's dispute with the Commander. This might be a way for them to prove the old man wrong. More importantly, it may be the only chance the crew on the planet has.
"I'll take it to the Commander," said Lee. "In the meantime, prep this bird for a test of essential systems to make sure you can handle it on an attack run, and work with deck crew on attaching a nuke to the ship."
"Yes, sir," said Kara.
"If this gets approved, just make sure you get back alive. Understood?"
Kara kissed him gently on the cheek. "I will," she whispered, as she pulled back from the kiss.
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Kara was just finished making all of the checks on the raiders systems. The Commander had approved the operation. Lee had delivered the news to her with a sober tone. She tried to comfort him once again, telling him it would be alright. Kara just hoped she wasn't blowing sunshine up Lee's ass and that it would be okay. She knew that if she did get killed on a high-risk operation Lee approved, he might never forgive himself.
"Lt. Thrace," said a man's voice.
Kara turned to find Billy Keikaya, the President's aid, looking at her with a nervous expression. "Lieutenant, the President would like to have a word with you."
"Um, if she wants to give me a pep talk, tell her I really appreciate the sentiment, but…"
"Lieutenant, the President would like to have a word with you," interrupted Billy. He repeated the phrase exactly word-for-word and with the same inflection. Kara thought the young man was acting weird, but she couldn't really place why.
"Fine," said Kara. "Where is she?"
"The ward room," said Billy.
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"You have got to be kidding," said Kara.
That was Kara's reaction to what the President had just said to her in the wardroom. They were alone, just the two of them, and the President had just asked Kara to disobey the Commander's orders, disregard an operation that was her idea, and take the raider back to Caprica to bring back the Arrow of Apollo. It took Kara a total of twenty seconds of silent thought before she could manage that simple response.
"All of this has happened before and all of it will happen again," said Roslin. "The Cylon you interrogated; he quoted that bit of scripture. He also said that we would find Kobol, and that Kobol would show us the way. Did he not?"
"Yes he did," replied Kara, coolly.
"Well, we have found Kobol. Do you believe in the gods, Lieutenant?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but yes I believe," replied Kara.
"Lieutenant, I'm not trying to put you on the defensive, but I'd like you to think this through with me. If you believe in the gods, then you believe in the cycle of time. We are playing our parts in a story that has happened again and again and again throughout eternity.
"That's the way I was raised. But that doesn't mean my part in the story is to go off on some crazy-ass mission against orders. To leave my husband on board this ship without explanation of where I am going or why…"
"He's not your husband anymore, remember," said Roslin. "The Commander annulled your marriage."
"He didn't annul my heart," said Kara. "And you are wasting my time."
As Kara turned to leave, the President spoke to stop her. "Wait, to get back to scripture, may I tell you the part in the story it would seem I am playing? I am dying."
"What?" asked Kara, not sure she heard or understood what the President said.
"I have terminal breast cancer. I have six months to lived at the outside, and I've only told three people so I would appreciate it if you would keep that to yourself."
"Of course," replied Kara, still in shock. Then, she remembered something from the scriptures. "Wait, are you saying that you…"
"The scriptures tell us that a dying leader led humanity to the promised land. If you go back to Caprica and bring me the arrow, it will show us the way."
Kara was astonished by what she was hearing and by what the President was proposing. What was more astonishing to her was that she was actually starting to half-heartedly consider the idea. "This is crazy," she said.
"You keep using that word," replied Roslin. "And it is crazy, perhaps. But that doesn't mean it isn't true. And it may be our only chance…our only chance to find Earth."
"The old MAN is our only chance to find Earth! He knows where it is. He said so! You were THERE! The location is a secret, but he is going to take us there!"
Roslin stood up from her chair and leaned forward on the table towards Kara. "Commander Adama has know idea where Earth is. He never did. He made it up to give people hope."
Kara shook her head. "You're lying."
"And you automatically assume he is not," said Roslin. "You believe in him that much. Despite all he has done lately to undermine your relationship with Captain Adama. Trust me, a man who is capable of annulling the marriage of his son in the name of duty is capable of doing whatever he thinks is necessary for the survival of our people."
"No," said Kara, quietly, her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions.
"He knew the people needed a glimmer of hope to keep them alive, and to keep them in line. He lied. If you don't believe me, why don't you ask him?"
"I will," said Kara.
"Lieutenant," said Roslin. "Kara. Consider this. Finding Earth may be our only chance of not only survival, but also of providing our people with some kind of future. I don't know what plans you and Captain Adama share for your future, but if they involve making a home together and having children, then consider what the future might mean for them if we don't find Earth and if humanity remains on the run. You think about that when you ask the Commander if he knows where Earth is."
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Kara stood staring at the raider from gangway a few feet above the flight deck. Her mind was pondering what the President had said. She wanted to do the right thing, but she didn't know what that was. Her thoughts were clouded with emotions, thus preventing Kara from thinking clearly about the whole matter.
"Lieutenant," said a familiar voice, approaching her from the side.
Kara barely acknowledged the Commander's presence as he leaned against the railing beside her. "Everything ready?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," said Kara. "Although I think I might need one more test of the autonav and maneuvering systems."
"You've got it," said Adama. "I have confidence that you will do well. I know we aren't on good terms right now, but I have faith in your abilities."
"Good to hear," said Kara. She was quiet, considering what she was about to say. Did she really want to say it? Probably not, but in her mind, she had to know. "Despite everything going on with us at the moment, can I trust you to be honest with me?"
"Of course," said Adama. "If I can."
Kara nodded. "How long until we get to Earth?"
Adama looked at her with surprise. He quickly looked back towards the raider. "It's hard to say."
Kara decided to press, even though she was sure by now what the answer to her real, but unspoken question was. "Care to take a guess."
"You know I don't like to guess," said Adama, looking at Kara this time.
"Are we getting closer?" asked Kara.
"Probably," said Adama. "I'd better let you get back to work. Good luck."
Kara watched Adama go, and it became clear what she had to do. For Lee, for everyone, she had to go to Caprica.
Later, in the raider, Kara was going through all of the checks of the ship's systems, as she was flying out around the Galactica under the pretense of a test. Lee was flying his Viper nearby, monitoring her during the test.
Kara closed her eyes and thought about it one more time. Once again, she came to the same conclusion. She activated her com. "Galactica, this is Starbuck. Request permission to speak to Galactica Actual."
"Stand by," said Dee's voice.
A few moments later, the Commander's voice came over the com. "This is Galactica Actual. Go ahead, Starbuck."
"You lied to me," she said. "About Earth. You don't know where it is, do you?"
"What?" came the reply.
"It wasn't enough that you annul my marriage to Lee, that you have gotten in the way of our relationship allowing us what little happiness there is to be had in our lives for now, but that you lied to us all about our hopes for the future."
"Starbuck, come back to the ship. We can talk about this."
"I'm done talking."
She powered up the raider's hyper drive. Galactica's sensors must have detected it because the Commander's voice came over the com once again. "Kara, what are you doing?"
"Giving us hope," said Kara. "Hopefully real hope this time."
Kara began crying as she spoke into the com once again, this time to the man she loved who was flying the Viper near her ship. "Lee, can you hear me?"
"Yes, Kara. I can. But what the frak are you up to?"
"I have to do this, Lee," said Kara, her voice tainted with sobs. "For you, for me, for us all. If we are going to have a future, I have to do this. Forgive me, and know that I love you with all my heart."
"Kara, what…."
Kara's ship disappeared in the telltale signs of a hyper jump, as she went off to meet her destiny.
"Oh GODS!" screamed Lee. "Galactica, Apollo here. She's gone! She jumped away!"
End of Chapter Twenty-Six. Chapter Twenty-Seven coming soon. As always, feedback/reviews are welcomed and appreciated.