16. invincible; unrivaled

Billy sleeps and dreams of thousands of others wearing his face. It's only recently that he remembers why.

He is in the medbay of Galactica, waiting for President Roslin to die. Waiting to be sure. Waiting for a sign.

He thinks his awakening was nothing like as it was for the Sharon of Galactica. Moments of fear followed by a sudden and perfect realization of why he was Here. Of knowing his purpose. There was no shock, or lack of knowledge. He knows who he is. He does.

He is a Cylon, and he is here to monitor and observe. He does not know, however, why it took so long for him to remember, but this was God's plan. As such, it is unquestionable. God's ways are mysterious.

God is on their side, and they will be victorious. Whatever their end goal is. This was Certain to all Cylons.

Everything had all been so much simpler when he'd just been a model assigned to making sure Adar's mistress died. Not that he remembers that goal very well. It's all a bit fuzzy, much like the vague history of sisters and parents. There when necessary, but otherwise fleeting in its surety.

It had been a surprise to all of them that Adar's mistress had turned out to be rather resourceful. And had ended up the nominal President of the tattered remains of humanity, with Billy as her most trusted aide. There was a certain kind of poetry to that. Righteousness.

But it had been confusing for him. He was no one very special. His model was not first or last, nor had it been singled out by God in any real way. He was just one of many. The middle child of a brood of extremely exceptional children.

Though, God does not love any child more than another. At the core, they are the same, and in that, loved equally by God. Even so, Billy is never sure just why he is here and none of his better selves are. But it is God's will.

Maybe it is his reward.

He just wonders why God is allowing him to doubt so much.

"Billy, are we ready for the press conference?"

He wipes a cloth across Laura Roslin's tacky skin and tries to not feel pity. Sorrow. Tries to feel nothing. But she turns her head into the warmth of his palm, eyes confused and scared, and it just doesn't work. There is no press conference today. There will not be one tomorrow. She will be dead soon, and humanity will lose its very competent and respected leader. God's will done.

"No, Ma'am. That isn't for a while. Would you like some water?"

Soon, Laura Roslin will leave this Billy Keikeya alone. She will be gone. And he knows that he will miss her. Very, very much.

Billy knows God has a plan. Billy knows there is a God. But he's starting to wonder if he and his siblings know any more about that plan than their wayward parents. Billy is starting to think that humanity isn't the only group being taught a lesson.

"Okay, Billy. That's okay then." President Roslin whispers this, quietly, as slips into a light sleep. Her hand is curled up around the pillow, and her face blends into the dingy laundry. She is dying. She hasn't given up.

Idly, Billy kisses her hand before settling it next to her head on the pillow. He wonders what Laura Roslin dreams about.