CHAPTER 10 of The Phoenix and The Wolverine.

LX

Battlestar Galactica, the CIC...

Saul Tigh was having a bad day; and anyone looking at him could see it.

Yesterday; he had seen Dr Cottle for a check up. There had been symptoms of increasing heartburn, stomach pain and mild to moderate breathlessness.

The wiry old doctor had told him bluntly his heart and liver were showing signs of damage due to the large amount of alcohol that he took.

He had mentioned he had the beginning of 'alcoholic cardiomyopathy' and alcoholic liver disease.

Saul had interrupted the good doctor and asked him how long he had to live.

Dr Cottle had looked at him in shock. "Saul; I can't give you an exact answer but continuing on this path will eventually kill you and not in a pleasant way!"

The officer had nodded then looked at the doctor with his remaining one eye. "Then I guess I have to drink a lot more to get the job done quicker." He left the medical bay; ignoring Dr Cottle's protests.

When he woke up this morning with his usual hangover he had barely reached for a bottle of alcohol before the Admiral knocked on his door. He became sober very quickly when Adama solemnly told him of the meeting that was about to take place.

Saul personally did not believe in the existence of Earth or the Thirteenth tribe; infact he found it very hard to believe in anything since he murdered Ellen Tigh; his wife.

He saw her most nights in his dreams and it was only when he drank a lot that he had dreamless nights.

However he knew he had to attend the meeting sober; he owned Adama that much.

After the meeting; he and Commander Lee Adama saw the vipers and raptors off; Saul was fairly convinced that it would be another dead end.

When Racetrack returned with only one viper; he knew that something had gone terribly wrong. The raptor had bullet scarrings and the pilot looked scared to death.

Cylons.

It had to be.

The quick debriefing only confirmed his suspicions that Starbuck and her team had walked into a frakking trap.

Commander Lee had taken command of the situation and quickly found out from Racetrack that the other two raptors had been close behind her. Lee spoke with his father and half of the fleet jumped while the Galactica and the other half of the fleet decided to remain behind to wait for the others with weapons primed in case of a cylon attack.

Saul thought waiting was a bad idea. He was certain cylons were already on their way to their current location; overwhelming hate filled him as he recalled all the torture and pain he had suffered at their hands.

And Ellen's death at his hands.

He desperately needed a stiff drink especially now that the rest of the Quorum had found out about the mission.

Saul did not know or when it got out; maybe it happened when half of the fleet jumped but less than 3 minutes after the debriefing; the Admiral was ordered to attend an emergency meeting on Colonial One with the President and the rest of the Quorum.

If anyone asked a certain XO; this was the worst time to have a political meeting.

"DRADIS contact! Two raptors and three vipers inbound !"

Saul turned quickly towards Lieutenant Junior Grade Anastasia 'Dee' Dualla. Her husband had already reached her console.

"I'm getting a valid colonial code...it's Ensign Anders."

"Patch me through to him on a secure line," said Saul before Lee could say a word.

The XO waited until Dee gave him the go ahead sign.

"This is Saul Tigh of Galactica; how does your situation read over ?"

There was silence for a few seconds.

"Sir; Ensign Anders on the line; we are secure over."

Saul saw Lee and Dee relax a bit; but Anders had not finished talking.

"I ...also have with me two additional passengers...they may be the ones we have been looking for." Saul frowned and looked at a stunned Lee.

"They found them ?" whispered Lee in a shocked voice. Dee gave him a puzzled look. Apparently she had no idea what was going on.

Saul however had other ideas. "Maybe...maybe not," he signalled to Dee to terminate the connection.

" Commander Lee; get the Galactica and the other ships to jump once Anders is on board. I'll go down to meet them and...check out our new guests."

The young commander watched the XO leave; today the old man was more sober since they had left New Caprica; but Lee felt he was not ready to resume command. As far as he was concerned the man was a bit unstable.

Lee looked around the CIC and saw a familiar Lieutenant Junior Grade.

"Felix."

The colonial officer looked up from his console and walked over when Lee indicated he should approach him.

"Go after the XO and observe what's happening on the flight deck; anything that seems off contact me on this." He gave the surprised officer a handheld communicator.

Felix looked at the commander with obvious reluctance.

"Sir...I think someone else would be better..."

"I don't have anybody else who I can trust with this," said Lee in a low voice.

He held Felix's gaze for several seconds. Then the junior officer nodded shakily and went after the XO. Lee turned to see Dee staring at him.

"Lee; what's going on ?"

The young officer sighed. "I can't...I promise I will tell you all later. I need to jump the rest of the fleet once Anders gets on board."

Dee turned back to her console. "Fine...I'll wait."

LXI

Anders stared at the radio; the connection had been severed before he could ask about Kara and the others.

"What was that about?" asked Bill.

"I don't know, let's just get to the ship" said Anders softly as he adjusted his flight pattern to fit into the Galactica Flight deck. Something was seriously wrong if Saul Tigh was back in his position as the XO. The last time he had seen the officer he had been so drunk he had not recognised Anders.

The raptors and vipers came into the flight deck one after the other; crew ran forward to attach magnetic clamps to the landing gear to keep each spacecraft in place during jumps.

Before Anders could unbuckle his seat belt; his radio came on.

"Ensign Anders; please tell your crew to remain inside ; we're jumping the fleet in 15 seconds...and the XO is coming down to you."

"Acknowledged sir," said Anders recognising Lee Adama's voice "are Kara and the others okay ? They got back alright ?"

There was silence for a few seconds.

On the other side; Lee closed his eyes for a brief moment.

"They are not with you?"

Anders felt dread grow in his chest at Lee's words. "No...I thought...they..." he could not continue.

"Anders; we'll get to it but now the fleet needs to jump; over."

There was silence in the cockpit as Lee signed off.

"I'm really sorry..." began Bill.

"No...we will find them; she's not dead yet," said Anders as he quickly removed his seatbelt.

"Wait! We're about to jump!"

The pilot ignored him and was out of his seat in mere moments. He held on the handgrips for support as he moved towards the door that led to the back of the raptor.

He had just opened the door when the small craft trembled.

The fleet had jumped. Anders looked up and saw Tyler staring at him; the marine was also on his feet.

"A little warning next time before a jump would have been sufficient Ensign Anders; I almost busted my head standing up too soon."

"Sorry about that; I need to speak to the kids," said Anders hurryingly as he passed the marine.

The two teenagers were still sitting with their seat belts on.

"Can we take these off now?" asked the boy called Q.

"Yeah; sure...look it appears your people are not here," said Anders a he went down on one knee.

Laura looked at the anxious pilot with narrowed eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I thought they were with my people...but it looks like maybe my wi...I mean the other colonials who were on the planet could have left with... your people."

"We should have gone back to the shuttle," muttered Q Junior.

Laura glared at him.

Anders stared at him. "A ship? Is that where they are ? Could they still be on that planet ?"

A banging on the main hatch door stopped either teen from answering.

One of the marines moved to open it.

LXII

When Saul got to the flight deck he saw someone else was already there.

Tom Zarek.

What the frak was the vice president doing on the flight deck and how come he was not at the meeting ?

"Nice to see you Saul," said the ex-con calmly when he noticed the XO.

"Shouldn't you be in the meeting?"

Zarek laughed coldly. "Maybe...but I'm curious as to what delayed these raptors, I found Racetrack's story worrying."

The XO stared at him. "You already know."

"Laura was kind enough to inform me that they walked into a..." he looked around carefully " a situation."

Saul nodded; he didn't like the ex-con but he respected him. He told you things as he saw it and was ready to make hard decisions.

"Anders is on one of these raptors and he's got...two guests."

Zarek looked at him. " Now that I have not heard...does Laura ...or the Admiral know?"

Saul shook his head.

The vice president looked back at the raptors and the vipers that had returned. "I'm not here to tell you your job...but we need to do a thorough threat assessment."

"I agree." Saul turned to one of the marines nearby and ordered him to get the raptors to open up.

Nearby marines stood ready with weapons as the doors to the raptors opened.

Sergeant Tyler stuck his head out of the first one. "We have got wounded; stable but needing medical assessment."

"Where's Longshot?" asked Saul.

"Here sir," answered the Ensign behind the Tyler "let's get the wounded out first sir," said the pilot politely but firmly.

Saul pressed his lips firmly together and nodded stiffly as medics moved forward with stretchers.

"How many dead ?" asked Saul as the first injured were carried out.

"5 dead; 4 injured...there would have been more dead if not for what the...kids did for them on the way here," said Tyler.

The XO and vice president stared at him.

"What kids?" asked Zarek.

"Those two," said the marine pointing to the open hatch. The two men turned to see 2 teenagers following Ensign Anders. One of them ; a boy was talking to the pilot.

The boy looked to be around 14 to 15yrs old; tall and slim with curly brown hair and a very curious expression on his face as he looked at the soldiers and flight crew. He had on a light blue shirt with black trousers and shiny black shoes. He also had a small black circular object over the left shoulder.

The girl looked younger; maybe 12 or 13yrs of age a bit shorter than the boy; with midnight black shoulder length hair; wearing a dark grey figure hugging t-shirt with black jeans and black soft looking shoes. Unlike the boy she looked everywhere with eyes filled with barely disguised suspicion.

Saul had gone over profiles of everyone who had gone on this mission and none of the colonial soldiers had been this young.

These two were not colonials; they had to be a new form of cylons.

And he knew just what to do with them.

LXIII

Laura listened as she took in her surroundings. She had felt like kicking herself when she realized that the others were not with Ander's people.

Then she had felt like strangling Q Junior when he meekly handed over his phase pistol; tricorder and medical instruments to the colonial pilot when he had asked for them. However the colonial pilot had missed the portable holoemitter and Q had not bothered to inform him.

Then Anders had taken one look at her.

"They are surgically attached," she told him stiffly.

He went pale. "Okay...we do not mean you any harm...once I speak to the Admiral we will try to go back to the planet for both our people. You have my word I will do all I can."

She had looked at him for several moments. "Fine." She wondered if he knew how close she was to losing her cool.

These people were highly strung and looked battle weary. What the hell had Q gotten them mixed up in ? She turned to look at the not-hologram.

He was also looking around but gone was the curiousity; it was now replaced with a slightly anxious expression. Laura could not wait to get him alone to ask him what was exactly going on.

And she wanted the extended version.

As they followed Anders down the short ramp; she saw two men were waiting surrounded by 6 burly marines. The older one had an eye patch and was in uniform while the younger one was wearing a suit.

Laura sized them up, automatically checking for the best way to take out the protection detail; then she remembered she was no longer in the assassination business.

Taking out terminator like bots was not a problem but she was tired of killing.

She shook her head slightly and missed when the one eyed man said something to the man in a suit.

"You okay?" asked Q Junior.

Laura glared at him. " You gave him your equipment, why?" she hissed.

"Don't worry I deactivated the phaser...thingy, they can't use it," said Q Junior in a reassuring whisper.

Laura resisted the strong urge to attempt throttling the not-hologram.

"Remind me to teach you the one-oh-one on away missions in possible hostile areas," she whispered back to him.

She turned her attention back to Anders who had stopped in front of the two men. "This is Laura and Q ...we found them on the planet..."

"Bring them," said the one eyed man as he turned to move away.

"And sir ; you are?" asked Q politely " Ensign Anders just introduced us."

Saul looked at the boy with a hard expression.

" This is Colonel Saul Tigh; our XO and Tom Zarek; our vice president," said Anders hurryingly. The XO glared at the ensign.

"Sir; we need their help...I think Kara and the others are with their own people," continued Anders quickly " where's the Admiral...?"

"He's busy, I'm in charge and if...these two have information then there is no time to waste is there ?" cut in Saul Tigh.

"So what happens now?" asked Laura.

The XO looked at her with a weird cold smile. " We need to discuss in a more...convenient location. Ensign Anders bring them." He and Zarek turned to go as 6 armed marines moved in closely.

"Hey guys stand down; they're alright," said Bill who inserted himself between Laura and the nearest marine.

The blond ECO had been standing nearby; hoping to get a glimpse of the two kids who he was convinced were of the 13th tribe. He looked over his right shoulder at Laura.

"Hi I'm Ensign Billy Buck Rogers; nice to meet you," he said with a bright sincere smile.

Laura forced her hands to relax; fortunately she had not popped her claws.

"I'm Laura Kinney, nice to meet you too," she turned to follow Anders and caught Q Junior giving Ensign Rogers an evil look.

What was wrong with him?

As the group left the flight deck; no one noticed a certain Lieutenant Junior Grade watching them from a corner of the busy deck.

Felix followed them discreetly; praying that Saul or Zarek did not notice him. He had seen the way the XO had looked at the two children; it was the same way Saul Tigh had looked at Felix when he stood trial for been a cylon collaborator.

The lieutenant swallowed nervously and tried to walk slower so as not to alert; them. However when Saul passed the corridor that led to the holding cells; that was when Felix suddenly realized what the XO was up to.

No; oh Gods no; it can't be; thought Felix anxiously as Saul walked down a particular corridor that the lieutenant saw in his frequent nightmares.

He quickly started pressing buttons on the handheld communicator.

LXIV

"So where are we going?" asked Laura.

Anders looked a bit concerned. "I'm...not too sure; maybe it's to meet up with the Admiral. He must be in an important meeting at the moment."

"What were you guys doing on that planet by the way ?" asked Q Junior.

The pilot looked at him. " I'm afraid we need to see Admiral Adama first; he will explain what he can..." his voice trailed off when Saul stopped and turned to face them.

"Please turn and look to your left," said the XO.

Laura and Q Junior turned to face a heavily reinforced transparent door which slid open quickly.

Anders turned a puzzled look onto the XO. "Why are we at a..." he never got to finish his question because Saul nodded at people behind the two teens.

Laura barely had time to turn round when a heavy weight slammed into her back. The force propelled her forward as she tripped and fell into the small chamber. She landed face down on the hard metal floor.

The second marine behind Q tried to push him but he was already stepping into the room to go to Laura's aid. Then the door slid shut after him.

"Ow," said Laura softly as she tried to clear her vision; oddly enough her claws had not popped.

"Are you okay?" asked a worried Q as he helped her stand up.

"What the hell just happened ?" as she tried to work out the cramp in her neck. Q looked at her; the bruises on her face were already healing instantly.

"I'm not sure...but something is really wrong."

Laura took in their surroundings. "Find out what is going on or else my claws are coming out."

Q ran to the door and tried to see what was happening. His eyes widened when he saw Anders and Bill were both on their knees with guns pointed to their heads. The blond ECO was cradling his left forearm.

"Laura; you need to see this."

LXV

"What the frak are you doing?" yelled Anders when the door shut down trapping the two teens in the chamber.

"That is an airlock!" added Ensign Rogers; he moved to open the door but before he could do so one of the nearby marines grabbed his left forearm and slammed it hard against the wall. The pilot screamed in pain as he felt it break.

Anders moved to help him and got his legs kicked out; then he felt the pressure of a muzzle against the side of his head.

"Be grateful Ensign that you are not in there with them; Gods know that is enough reason for executing you for bringing cylons on board this ship !"

Anders looked at the mad light in Saul's remaining eye as Zarek stood nearby saying nothing.

"Listen to me sir; those two saved our lives...they are of the Thirteenth Tribe; they were on the planet looking for their people. This is wrong..."

"No! You listen to me! You are too stupid to realize you all walked into a frakking trap! Now Starbuck is missing along with that cylon; our specialist...people who know enough to lead them back to us!

Look at them!" Saul grabbed Anders by the hair and forced him to look at the airlock door.

The two teenagers were staring at the scene.

Anders wondered if they were aware of what was about to happen.

LXVI

Q Junior knew something was seriously wrong when he saw the fear in Anders eyes.

"Q; any ideas ?" said Laura as she flexed her fingers; some instinct told her it was not yet time to pop the claws; she preferred to do so when she was up close and personal with her targets.

And right now; the old officer called Saul Tigh was looking like a very good target; once Q got the door open.

Before Q could answer they both heard the XO's voice.

"You're cylons aren't you? Well by now I'm sure you recognise your location. It's an airlock." The two teens exchanged a worried look.

"I'm only going to ask you once; what are your plans ? Who else is coming to attack us?"

Q Junior looked at Laura.

"Listen to me very carefully; I need you to get close to that door and kneel so that your claws will provide some traction once he blows the airlock."

"What..." began Laura.

"Please; for once listen to me," pleaded Q Junior urgently. She took one look at his worried expression and did as he instructed.

Q remained standing. He waited until she was close to door.

"Colonel Saul Tigh; we are not cylons; we were just looking for our people on the planet when your people and the cylons turned up. We are from Earth."

On the other side of the door; Anders felt his heart go cold when Saul started laughing.

"I see through your lies; say hi to Cavil for me." He removed the protective cover over a red button by the door and pressed down.

"Oh Gods no," said Bill in anguish as the airlock activated.

Anders was watching; he saw Laura kneeling on the floor; the sudden violent sucking out of air pushed her towards the vaccum of space then remarkably she stopped. Anders could see the claw marks in front of her.

Then suddenly; Q Junior came through the door like a movie ghost phasing through a wall.

"By the Lords of Kobol !" exclaimed a nearby marine; that was as far as he got because the young boy with a wild cry slammed the burly marine who had to be 4 times heavier against the bulkhead. The marine slumped to the floor unconscious. The others tried to aim their weapons at the enraged teen but he quickly grabbed a pistol and shoved one marine into the path of three of the marines; they went down in a tangle of limbs. It soon became clear what his objective was ; Saul Tigh.

The old warrior stood his ground and put three shots into the boy's chest; amazingly he seemed to absorb the bullets without any sign of pain before grabbing the XO; disarming him and forcing him to his knees.

Q Junior maintained an iron grip around his neck and put his newly acquired handgun to the side of Saul Tigh's head.

Then he looked at Anders with a furious light in his eyes. "Get Laura out of there ! Now!"

The last marine had his gun still pointed at Bill; both of them and Zarek were staring at the boy with their jaws open.

Anders got up slowly. " Q...she may be dead..."

He stopped talking when Q Junior glared at him. " She's not dead! Get the door open now!"

Anders heard running footsteps but he still moved to red button to shut it down.

"Do...not shut it down !" yelled Saul Tigh even though he had a gun pointed to his head.

The ensign pretended not to hear him as he closed the outer door.

"Why isn't the door opening?" demanded Q Junior.

"We need to let the pressures equalize."

"What the frak is going on ?" demanded another voice that Anders recognized.

Commander Lee Adama had arrived with 10 marines who were heavily armed.

"Lee; arrest this boy ! And Anders..." Saul shut up when Q Junior's iron grip on his neck tightened.

"You can arrest us after Laura gets out from your fucking airlock !" screamed Q Junior. Lee took one look at the very slim young extremely agitated teen who had Saul Tigh in a choke hold as well as holding a gun to his head.

The young commander turned to Anders for an explanation.

"We found them on the planet; they say they are from Earth," there were stunned gasps from the group that accompanied Lee " and our XO put them in the airlock; he tried to space them." Lee felt his lower jaw drop in shock.

At that moment; the inner door of the airlock slid open; Lee and Anders looked into the chamber to see a young girl on her knees. Her head was down; the long black hair covered her face and her T-shirt and jeans were torn in some areas and her exposed arms showed huge pink blisters which were already bleeding; the effect of been exposed to the harsh cold vaccum of space.

The forceful expulsion of air had pushed her to the edge of the airlock chamber; just in-front of her were deep grooves in the floor.

She was so still; both men were sure she was dead.

Anders made a move to go inside.

"Don't" everyone looked at Q Junior. Even Saul was silent.

"She'll rip you to pieces."

"Q...I think she's de..."began Anders then he heard an odd wheezing noise and saw her move her head slightly.

"That's impossible," no one looked at Zarek as he said what all of them were thinking.

"Anders; he's all yours," said Q Junior as he shoved the XO to the floor and moved towards the entrance to the airlock. The 4 marines he had floored got out of his way with fearful expressions on their faces.

They had fought centurions and humanoid cylons; this boy was something else. If he was a new form of cylon; then the Colonials were well and truly frakked.

If he was of the Thirteenth Tribe and word of what happened got back to his people ; then the consequences of their actions did not even bear thinking about.

Q Junior was unaware of their fears; right now his number one priority was Laura.

"Laura; you need to get up and come towards my voice."

Q wanted to go in and help her but he did not trust these colonials; even Anders who had been helpful. He had been hopeful that Laura's regenerative abilities would keep her alive but he was not ready to take that chance again.

He and the others watched as the barely moving girl tried in vain to stand up. The failed attempt showed a single long metal claw in each foot as well as the two in the back of each hand.

Hardened soldiers swore and weapons came up.

"Hold your fire!" yelled Lee and Anders at the same time; the two exchanged a look. The marines did not fire but still kept their weapons up.

Q Junior did not acknowledge any of them.

"Laura; you're doing good; just keep moving."

To Anders and Lee's relief; the claws retracted as the girl crawled slowly towards Q Junior's voice. When she got close to the inner door he reached in and dragged her out quickly; then carried her in his arms easily. She flopped her head onto his chest; her hair still covering her face.

The wheezing sound was much louder; signs of serious chest wall damage.

Lee looked at the boy. He looked relieved to have the girl with him and seemed oblivious at the guns aimed at both of them.

"She doesn't sound good; we have a doctor who can take a look at her..."

The boy glared at him. "I presume you have a holding cell with our names on it? Take us there and I'm not letting any of you touch her."

Lee looked at the set stubborn expression on his face.

"She's badly hurt; she needs medical treatment."

"Then Ensign Anders I would like to have my equipment returned so that I can treat her."

Lee turned to Anders. " Equipment?"

"Yes; the same medical equipment I used to treat your soldiers when they were injured in the attack, remember ?" stated Q Junior bitterly.

Anders felt his face go red. " I will give them..."

"No," interrupted Lee " we need to look at his stuff and we will also need to take your friend's blades away..."

Q Junior held the girl tighter. "They are surgically attached and do not think that I'm letting your surgeons near her for one second. Now if you will direct us to our quarters ?"

Lee stared at the boy for several moments. He was a child; yet something was very odd about him.

"Anders; take them to detention block 22; then return to CIC for debriefing."

Without another word; the boy with the semiconscious girl in his arms followed the ensign away with 10 marines as guards.

Bill was standing at this point and watched them leave as well.

"Now ; two of you get that unconscious man to the medics; the rest are to return to your duties. Bill; have your arm seen to then return to me for debriefing."

Lee turned to see Saul Tigh was already on his feet; he looked at his XO for several moments with a disgusted expression.

"What are you looking at? Those two could be cylons!"

Lee said nothing and barely acknowledged Zarek as he walked away.

Soon; it was only the XO and the vice president who were alone in the corridor.

"Well...that didn't go as well as I thought..." began Zarek.

"You know what, I'm getting a drink," muttered Saul as he stormed off.

The ex-con watched him go.

LXVII

The Basestar...

Caprica watched the video; it was of the encounter with the Xavier when the raiders had tried to capture it. She had watched every video they had of the sleek alien ship several times as well as the video of the two people they had met on the planet's surface.

The same people who had to be with the Colonials and were possibly giving them the co-ordinates of Earth.

It was situations like this that made her want to kill Cavil again and again.

She had to admit his plan to plant trackers in the raptors was brilliant but his stupid decision to bombard the planet had shown how immature and dangerous he was.

His antics were becoming more and more worrying.

"Six, we have arrived."

"On my way," she shut down her vid-computer and made her way to the CIC.

The mood in the CIC was tense; she took one look at the DRADIS screen.

"Let me guess; the Colonials are not here? I told you it was too early to use those tracking devices; I had not yet worked out all the bugs."

"Then work faster next time," said Cavil coldly without looking at her.

"Well; at least we know the devices worked," said Boomer " I'm picking up traces of radiation due to tylium use; the Colonials were definitely here.

But we don't know how long ago they left this place."

Caprica frowned. " Can our sensors pick up any other odd radiation that is not linked to Colonial spacecraft ?"

Boomer could see where the Number six was going with this.

"Our sensors could not penetrate that strange ship so I don't have a clue as to what kind of fuel they use."

"Well..." the alarms went off as a dot appeared on the DRADIS screen. Everyone went silent as they tried to identify where the ship was; then they saw it in on the viewscreen.

It was the strange alien ship; the Xavier.

"It's them; scramble raiders, I want that ship!" ordered Cavil.

LXVIII

The Xavier, Deck 1, the bridge...

"Captain; other ships detected...they appear to be cylon, 3 basestars."

Logan resisted from swearing when he saw the massive Y-shaped ships on the screen.

"Where are the colonials ?...they must have jumped," said Jean worryingly. She looked at Logan. " The XO Saul Tigh had instructions to jump the ship once everyone got back...I was hoping we would get to them in time."

"Xavier; can you detect any space debris ?"

"None captain; there is evidence of a distinctive ion trail for the Colonial ships but it will take longer to track then using the CMS."

Logan turned to Jean ; only to find her leaning on wall with her eyes closed.

"Jean..." he moved towards her.

"She is using the CMS captain and at the moment her pulse is 110beats per minute and her respiratory rate is 24 cycles a minute; she is otherwise stable."

Logan frowned; those figures were a bit on the high side.

The captain was still not convinced that the CMS was completely safe; he had no idea what it could do. The Cerebro at Xavier's school was big and creepy enough; to have one the size of the ship was mind-blowing.

After less than a minute; she opened her eyes. She seemed calm in comparism to last time.

She saw Logan's worried look. "I only used the CMS on the cylons...its appears they are looking for the colonials as well...hmm that's interesting...," she looked puzzled.

"What's wrong? " asked Logan.

She turned to him. " There is a half cylon child on board on those basestars; and oh their leader wants the Xavier."

Logan stared at her as the ship confirmed her words.

"Sensor show smaller ships been launched from all 3 basestars; they are heading in our direction."

"Xavier, go to warp," ordered Logan calmly.

"Acknowledged."

Boomer was waiting to get in range before sending the computer virus however before that could occur; the ship disappeared in a flash of light.

She heard a snap sound as Cavil broke the pen he was holding; he looked so angry she was worried he would have a heart attack.

Caprica looked amused. "Don't worry Cavil; I'm sure they are just a little shy." He glared at her before storming out of the CIC.

"Must you do that?"

Caprica turned to see Boomer looking at her.

"Do what? Point out how his actions could lead to our destruction or to another war with a more advanced Tribe ?"

"They ran away twice; doesn't that say something ?" asked D'anna.

Caprica narrowed her eyes. " What do you mean ?"

"If they are that advanced; surely they could do tremendous damage to us so why have they not attacked? Maybe their weapons are not that impressive."

The Number Six stared at her. "Correct me if I'm wrong but all of us were on the planet when they one; used some device to throw us about; two, they outran the nukes; three, their ship easily outdistanced our most advanced raiders as well as destroyed the most advanced computer virus that we sent after it. Need I say any more ?

If their defences are that good; I doubt if any of us are keen to see what they are like when they go on the offensive !"

She walked out of the CIC.

Both female cylons watched her leave.

"She's right...Cavil's decisions have been...rather erratic as of late," said D'Anna.

Boomer frowned. "Assuming the role of leadership is not easy; he has tough decisions to make."

"Which is why the rest of us need to watch Cavil closely," said the Number Three gravely.

The Xavier, the Bridge, Deck 1...

Once the ship went into warp; Logan turned to see Jean sitting down wearily.

"Are you alright ?"

She nodded; her face was pale and she looked exhausted.

"I'm just a little thirsty."

Logan walked up to her. "When last did you have something to eat or drink ?"

Jean hesitated before answering.

"I thought as much; you not using the CMS again," Jean glared at him "at least until you have something to eat and drink," completed Logan.

She softened her expression. "Fine; I'll eat; then use the CMS."

Logan nodded reluctantly. "Meanwhile; I'm going to talk to our guests; please wait until I get back until you use that thing."

Jean sighed. "Okay; I promise to wait; by the way...Lieutenant Agathon is one of the humanoid cylons."

She could see Logan did not seem too surprised.

"Is she a risk to the ship?"

Jean shook her head. " No, actually she's more likely to accept us than the other colonials who are all completely human."

Logan snorted. "Figures; humans tend to kill each other on sight; why should it be any different 300yrs in the future? This won't take long," he noticed Jean giving him an odd look.

"What is it?"

"I gave them my word we will not harm them...infact I'm coming with you there's a couple of things you need to know of them."

"No; you don't have to; you promised to eat first remember ?"

She stared at him for several moments. "Fine; but before you go; there are a couple of things you need to know."

Deck 1, Medical Bay...

Sharon was one of the first to notice the doors to the med bay slid open as the captain walked in. The others stopped talking when they saw him.

He was approximately 5 feet 10; stocky muscular build with wild looking jet back hair and side burns. His hard blue-grey eyes looked at each of them for a few moments.

"You already know who I am; what can you tell me of the cylons ?"

Kara stared at him. "What ?"

Logan concentrated on her. "We tracked your fleet; however they seemed to have left before we got here. But the cylons also happened to be in the same neighbourhood."

All five stood up at that.

"The cylons ? Why...what do you know about them ?" asked Kara suspiciously.

"Not enough," shot back Logan " just that they tend to nuke first and ask questions later. What can you tell me about them ?"

The five colonials looked at each other.

"You expect us to share information with you? Why don't you get Dr Grey to read our minds" asked Cally in surprise.

Logan folded his arms and leaned against one of the tables.

"That is not how we usually obtain information," he paused waiting for the words to sink in "however; it appears our crew somehow ended up with you fleet."

Sharon stared at him. " Your children? How did they...I mean we didn't see them."

They saw the captain wince. "The... kids went down to the planet when you and the cylons showed up. They left their shuttle on the surface."

"So; how sure are you that they are alive?" asked Nails.

Logan looked at him. "They are; because we tracked their bio-signs to the last place your fleet was located."

Cally rubbed her forehead. "Wait; that's impossible; there is no way you found the fleet because there are no sensors that effective or with such a range. You have got to be kidding !"

The captain said nothing for a while.

"You still haven't answered my questions; what can you tell me about the cylons ?"

"Are you really the Thirteenth Tribe ?" asked Hotdog.

"Excuse me?"

"The Thirteenth Tribe? You said you're from Earth ?" said the pilot worryingly.

Logan gave a sign of frustration. "We're from Earth; but I have no idea what you mean by the Thirteenth Tribe." He saw the 5 soldiers look at each other with varying levels of anxiety and confusion. "If one of you could explain what it means..."

Sharon looked at him and decided to take the plunge.

"In the ancient texts it states that more than 2000 years ago; the 13 tribes of man left Kobol; the birthplace of humanity. The 1st 12 tribes settled on planets close to each other but the 13th tribe left for an uncharted region of space and settled on a planet called Earth...we're trying to find them."

The captain stared at her for a long time; she had the feeling what she just said made no sense to him at all.

"Well; some historians are going to have a fit when they hear that," said Logan finally.

"You don't believe us?" asked Kara in shock "why ?"

"Lady; I'm no historian but I know for a fact that human life first started on Earth more than 150,000 years ago."

Everyone stared at him in shock.

"That's...blasphaemy!" exclaimed Cally. Logan blinked in surprise.

"People; a theological or historical debate is not the reason for this visit," he decided to try another question. He turned to Sharon.

"You're a cylon, aren't you ?"

She and the others seemed stunned that he knew that.

"How did you know ?"

"Your deadly twin with the terminator bots was kind of a dead giveaway...especially when she called the Colonials their enemies."

Kara stepped closer to Sharon as if to support her. " Yes; she's a cylon; so what ? She's also one of us; a colonial officer."

Logan raised his eyebrow at that; this was getting more interesting considering the hatred the Colonials had for all things AI.

"Intriguing...are you some sort of robot or cyborg?" he saw them exchange more confused looks " a cyborg is part machine and part flesh and blood."

"I'm... 100 percent flesh and blood ," answered Sharon hesitantly "why are you asking?

"Is it possible for cylons to have children ?" He watched the blood drain from the cylon's face.

"What the frak are you up to ?" asked Kara angrily.

"Our sensors picked up a half cylon child on one of the basestars...so I take it cylons reproducing is not normal..."

"What do you know about the child?" interrupted Sharon " was it a girl? About 5 months old..." Kara grabbed her arm and whispered urgently in her ears.

"Don't, he's toying with you...something is not right."

She had no idea that Wolverine had exceptional hearing.

"I apologize if my questions caused you distress; that was not my intention," said Logan to Kara and Sharon's amazement.

He looked at them for several moments; he could tell this bunch was not ready to tell him anything useful.

"We'll locate your fleet and return you to them," he turned to go.

"Is that all you'll do? Won't you help us find the way to Earth?" asked Cally.

Logan looked at her. "Right now; my only concern is finding my crew."

He turned away from their shocked expressions and left the medical bay.

Hi everyone; thanks so much for the reviews ! Sorry about the long wait; been pretty hectic the past few weeks. Hope you like this chapter ! Wish me luck with the others! Have a great week people.