CHAPTER 14 Of The Phoenix and The Wolverine.
The Delta Flyer Beta...
At first the ride to the Xavier was silent; Laura looked anxiously at Q Junior; he also seemed worried. Each of them was afraid to say a word as they stared at the rigid backs of the two adults.
After a few minutes ; Jean took a deep breath and turned to them.
"Are you two really okay?"
Laura answered carefully. "Yes Jean; we are fine."
"Well; you don't look it," added Logan with a growl in his voice without turning round.
Laura opened her mouth to retort; but stopped when she realized something.
The captain actually sounded a bit anxious as well as very angry. Something told her she and Q had to choose their words carefully.
Unfortunately Q Junior's next words revealed he had not got that memo.
"Hardly surprising when one's been held by an army of xenophobic maniacs."
One could hear a pin drop as Logan turned to look at him with barely controlled rage.
"Which would not have occurred if you morons had stayed on the God-damn ship in the first place !"
The boy opened his mouth; then shut it rapidly when he saw that Jean was also glaring at him.
"It's not his fault; I wanted to get down there and...and...he had to come with me," argued Laura weakly.
Jean turned her glare on her. "Logan has a point; what possessed you two to come after us? We had the situation under control."
The telepath saw the faces of the two teens redden as they quickly glanced guiltily at each other.
I should have seen this all along; he's not a hologram. Thought Jean to herself as she noted Q's all too human behaviour.
"Logan; let's get back to the ship. Laura and Q Junior will be going straight up to the med bay for a check up," the two teens were wise enough not to protest.
Logan looked at Jean; his set jaw showed he was not happy; but he agreed with her decision. As far as he was concerned; Laura needed the more immediate check up. He was trying hard not to imagine what must have happened on the Galactica.
Because he was sorely tempted to plant a phaser torpedo in the side of the scarred battleship.
All too soon the shuttle reached the Xavier and he quickly packed the smaller craft.
"Welcome back Captain; Dr Grey, Miss Kinney and Q Junior," announced the ship once they exited.
"Thanks Xavier," answered Jean "please beam Laura, Q and I to the medical bay."
"I'll be seeing you later," said Logan before the three turned into 3 columns of light before disappearing.
Logan walked to the bridge; he wanted to give Jean time to talk to the two teens as well as give himself time to cool down.
"Xavier; what are the colonials doing?"
"They have maintained their distance; no hails have been sent."
"For once; they are being smart," muttered Logan darkly " Xavier; please maintain full shields; keep ship at red alert and if there is the slightest energy build up from the colonials..."he paused "let us know about it."
"Yes, Captain."
Logan watched the view screen for several moments. "Move us backwards 100,000 metres on impulse power only."
As the ship moved; the captain watched the viewscreen closely; there was no indication that any of the colonial ships were moving towards them.
He nodded his head slowly. It looked like the colonials had got the message.
"I'll be down in the medbay; until then stay frosty," said Logan unthinkingly; then he realized the computer may not get the meaning.
"Eh...I meant..."
"Frosty...meaning paying attention...be alert...understood Captain."
Logan smiled a little to himself as he left the bridge.
Medical Bay...
Once the three beamed into the medbay; Jean gave Q Junior a look which he had no trouble interpreting.
"I'll wait outside Dr Grey," he said hurriedly as quickly walked out.
Laura watched him go with a puzzled look; then turned back to Jean.
"What was that about?"
The doctor gave her a softer look. "Laura...I need you to tell me what happened..."
The young teen gave her a puzzled look. "Why?"
Jean was uncertain on what else to say.
When Laura and Q Junior had appeared on the colonial flight deck; she had noticed her torn jeans and the obviously male jacket.
Her first thought had been assault and her telepathic control had almost slipped. That tiny loss of control showed her fleeting images of Laura been pushed into a small room with Q Junior; then flashed to a feeling of severe cold and pain which had made the female teen mutant black out.
Jean had stopped her mind and the Phoenix from looking further; for she was sure she would have reduced the entire flight deck to pieces smaller than a US postage stamp.
Including the colonials who were still on it. Especially them.
They had no idea how much they owned Ensign Rogers; something about that young colonial was odd.
Jean's mind returned to the present as she answered Laura's question
"Because...even though you are a mutant and heal fast; there is the emotional trauma..."
Laura rolled her eyes and interrupted the older woman. "Jean; I was not assaulted...Q Junior and I were tricked into an airlock and when he continued to deny we were cylons. The XO known as Colonel Saul Tigh opened the airlock."
Jean stared at her for several seconds in disbelief.
"Q used his phasing ability to get to the other side to turn the airlock off and get me back to safety; it just took a while for me to heal. I'm certain he did not let anyone touch me while I was out for the count."
The doctor finally found the words. "An airlock!? They put you two in an airlock!" her voice rose.
Laura quickly looked around and was relieved to not see anything quivering or shaking. It looked like Jean was firmly in control of her abilities.
"It doesn't matter; Q Junior and I are back with you and Logan...we're fine; that's what is important."
The doctor said nothing for a few moments as she struggled to keep herself calm. She finally sighed, releasing all the pent up tension.
"Let's get you out of that jacket and get you into some new clothes at least."
Laura wrinkled her face. "I would rather do with a quick shower."
"I know dear; but your dad...I mean Logan is going to want to speak to you both soon; it's best if we get it out of the way as soon as possible."
Laura made no indication she heard Jean's accidental slip; she watched as the doctor replicate new clothes for her; then the teen mutant walked behind a screen to change.
"Jean," called Laura in a slightly nervous voice.
The doctor turned towards the screen with an anxious expression on her face. "What's wrong Laura?"
"Oh nothing...its just that...was he really worried or just..." she couldn't go on.
Jean did not need to read her mind to know what Laura was thinking. "He was not pretending Laura; he actually asked the Admiral for you...and he stated without hesitation that you were his daughter."
Behind the screen Laura gasped. "What?! Is he insane ? You don't give that sort of sensitive information to a potential enemy ! That's like painting a bullseye on my back!"
Jean closed her eyes briefly and realized the Phoenix was chuckling along with her.
I can see that she's definitely okay; for her to get that riled up.
The telepath nodded; agreeing with the assessment.
"I think he told them so that they would be quick to realize that Logan and I are not to be messed with; you know how they say blood is thicker than water."
"Yeah; yeah," answered Laura impatiently as she emerged from behind the screen now wearing new blue jeans and a light blue t-shirt. She placed the old flight jacket and her ruined jeans on a nearby table. "By the by; why blue? I prefer black."
Jean gave her a dry smile . " I know."
However Laura was not done yet. "So...he told them that and they just brought us out when you guys landed...or did the floating weapons have something to do with their readiness to comply?"
The telepath tilted her head at Laura's incredulous tone.
"A bit of both...Logan showed them he was ready to take the ship apart to find you and Q Junior...and I was also quite happy to assist him in doing so."
Jean though about the floating weapons and the amount of damage she could have unleashed on the colonials.
" And I'm pretty sure the colonials got the message loud and clear."
Laura nodded slowly as she chewed her lower lip with a thoughtful look on her face.
The Xavier, outside the medical bay...
Logan found Q junior pacing up and down in the corridor in-front of the medical bay.
The captain narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Em...Dr Grey wanted to see Laura alone."
Logan looked at the door; then back at the nervous looking male in-front of him. He tried not to imagine why.
Q Junior began to fidget more when Logan kept staring at him.
"Eh...Captain...something on your min..."
"Did they...touch her?" growled Logan.
Q Junior's eyes widened but he maintained eye contact. "No sir; I didn't let anyone near her."
Logan kept looking at him. "Despite everything...somehow; I believe you."
The boy's expression changed to a puzzled one. "What do you mean...?"
He never got to finish it because the door slid open to show Jean standing in the doorway.
"Boys; come on in," said Jean. The two males looked at her and both were relieved to see she looked a bit more relaxed.
"Is she okay?" asked Logan as he walked in.
"Hello!" called Laura in an irritated voice " ask me! I'm right here!"
Logan hid his relief when he realized she had changed her outfit and heavens be praised; it was not black. He had noticed soon enough that all her outfits were black; from her shirt to jeans to sneakers.
"Good to know," he looked at Q Junior "do you also need a ...check up?"
The boy shook his head. " I'm fine really; just need to recheck my mobile holoemitter." That caught Jean and Logan's attention.
"Why?" they both asked at the same time.
Q looked at both of them. "It's kinda a long story...I have a funny feeling you want to debrief us now; when we get to the relevant part. I will explain why I need to check the device."
Logan looked at Jean who also nodded.
"Alright kids," he ignored the frowns on the faces of the two teens when he used the 'k' word. "What happened?"
Q junior looked nervously at Laura; she maintained eye contact for a long time; then nodded slowly. The boy turned to Logan and spoke first.
"Knowing how impatient you get for reports...there are three; one is of events way before today ; the second is of what happened on the planet and third is of the events on the battlestar Galactica."
Logan narrowed his eyes. This was not what he expected.
He had wanted to confront the hologram or not-hologram about what was going on when he least expected it.
"Go on."
Q Junior swallowed nervously. "First of all...I'm not a real hologram...well I didn't start as one. I'm...I'm a Q."
The Galactica, Main Flight deck...
Admiral Adama had watched the sleek alien ship a.k.a shuttle back out faster than it approached; then after several nervous moments; the colonial soldiers went forward to get their weapons from the pile.
The admiral joined them in searching for his own weapons; a gun and a combat knife. He was a bit reluctant to touch them; until he noticed how nearby marines were watching him.
"They must have used some sort of magnetic device...nothing to worry about," he said as he tried to calmly pick up his own weapons.
Apparently his ruse worked as the marines and other soldiers started strapping their reclaimed weapons back on. He turned to see Anders and Starbuck talking to Rogers.
The ensign who had been courageous enough to try and explain a frakked up situation to the livid members of the Thirteenth Tribe.
For that alone he deserved a medal and also a rap on the knuckles.
That sort of thinking could get him killed.
"Ensign Rogers!"
The three pilots turned round in surprise. "Sir!" chorused all three.
Adama looked at the three of them and his eyes rested on the ensign's broken left forearm.
Maybe the rap would be a light tap; the kid had been through enough shit for one day.
"That was a very stupid thing you did...and also very brave," added Adama before a stunned Starbuck said a word in ensign's defence.
"I...thank you sir," said a stunned Rogers.
Adama turned to the other two colonials. "Get your weapons and attend the CIC side room for an asap de-briefing. Inform the other 4 colonials and Captain Agathon to attend as well."
"Yes sir," answered Anders and Starbuck at the same time.
The Admiral turned round to see his son standing close to him; he was also strapping on his own handgun and two fighting knives.
"Sir; orders concerning the Xavier?"
Adama noticed how nearby marines paled at the mention of the ship; it was obvious they were thinking of its occupants.
"We just watch; do not approach," Lee opened his mouth to protest "we'll discuss this further in the CIC," said the Admiral with a steely look.
The CAG clamped his lips shut and nodded hesitantly.
"In the meantime; make sure everyone gets their weapons back; secure the flight deck; then meet up for debriefing as soon as you can."
"Yes sir," said Lee in a quieter voice.
"Admiral," he turned to see Saul, Roslin and Zarek had approached their small group.
"We need to talk now," understandably the president looked very pale and worried.
The Galactica, the CIC...
The Admiral and Saul ignored the concerned looks on the faces of the officers in the CIC; he had a lot on his mind at the moment. He motioned Gaeta over.
"What's the jump status?"
"15 minutes to jump sir," replied Gaeta.
Adama looked at him with a blank face. It was hard to believe that the events in the main flight deck had only lasted 24 minutes. He could have sworn it was much longer.
"I'll stay and watch as I expect you want to be at the meeting," offered Saul.
Admiral Adama looked at his XO; the man was still a bit pale but very sober. A time would come when both men would discuss what had happened in the flight bay; but this was not the time.
"Inform me when it's time," ordered Adama before he walked into the sideroom. As expected Roslin, Zarek and Tory were already waiting.
Zarek opened his mouth to speak only to be stalled by Adama's uplifted right hand.
"Let's give the others time to get here first so that we're aware of what we're exactly dealing with."
The vice president frowned at him. "The others? You mean the supposedly Starbuck, the cylon and the other 3 colonials who have been on the Xavier ?"
Something in his voice made Adama look at him sharply.
"What do you mean?"
"How do we know the colonials who came back are the real ones? They could be imposters..."
"Stop!" ordered Adama in a very firm cold tone that had the vice-president shutting up.
"Are you suggesting we throw them into the brig...or space them!? Which is it?"
"I...I meant nothing of the sort..." started Zarek.
"Of course not," cut in Adama sarcastically "when we get missing soldiers back we usually get the medics to check them for injuries then we debrief afterwards but considering how we are currently in the middle of a very complicated situation in which two teenagers of the Thirteenth Tribe were almost killed...we need to speak to Starbuck and her team now so that we can salvage something out of this disastrous First Contact!"
The two men glared at each other.
"Zarek, Admiral Adama," began Roslin in a calm tone " both of you have valid points...however what we need right now is information...and...considering the fact that the two children saved our people out on Hera's planet and healed them on the way back to the Galactica...it's highly unlikely that the parents would be less honourable."
Both men looked at her as the tension in the room lessened.
"I...guess that does make sense," said Zarek grudgingly.
Before anyone could say a word; there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," ordered Adama.
In walked CAG Lee Adama, Starbuck, Anders, Hotdog, Sharon Agathon and her husband.
The 6 colonial soldiers stood to attention.
"At ease, where's Cally and Nails?" asked the Admiral.
"In the infirmary, Dr Cottle is giving her a once over. Nails and Galen were supporting her...on Hera's planet the cylons put a bullet through her right leg ...Dr Grey healed her but advised her to stay off her feet for a while," said Starbuck.
Adama looked at the tense faces of the 6 before him; Sharon looked especially stressed despite her husband's presence. She seemed to be looking directly at the Admiral as if trying to search his soul.
"What happened on that planet?" asked Roslin before he could say a word.
Starbuck took a deep breath. "A lot ma'am..."
"Start from the beginning," interrupted Zarek in a commanding voice.
Adama gave him a cold look before turning back to the 6 pilots. "Have a seat first." All replied 'yes sir' before sitting down.
Kara looked up. " We arrived the planet at exactly 3hours and 55 minutes after we left Galactica..."
Adama kept his face blank as he heard how they arrived to see the strange ship in orbit; the cylons arriving and focusing on the Xavier; the race to the surface and their first meeting with Captain Logan and Dr Grey.
He paid particular attention to how the cylons and their centurions were tossed like tincans when Boomer ordered the deaths of Kara's team; he saw how Sharon's face got paler at the name of the Number Eight.
He waited until she mentioned the escape off the planet before the orbital bombardment and then Kara's voice faltered.
"What's wrong?" asked Adama worryingly.
Beside Kara; her husband looked anxious and upset.
"When we got on the Xavier...we discovered the ship had an AI called Xavier."
Roslin gasped "Oh my Gods."
"What the frak...?" began Zarek in a shocked voice.
Admiral Adama glanced silently at his son who looked pale. The CAG noticed his father's blank expression and also kept quiet.
"I...we tried to shoot Logan and Dr Grey when their backs were turned...then Dr Grey looked at us...and we all lost consciousness...I'm not sure how she did it," continued the female colonial pilot.
Adama shared worried looks with Roslin and Zarek.
"When we woke up...we were in a forcefield and Dr Grey was watching us. Our weapons were gone and she offered to treat Cally. We refused at first then she stated she would still treat her unconscious or conscious ...so we chose the latter.
I don't know how to describe this woman...it was like she knew what we were thinking...even as she was treating Cally's injuries. It was astonishing to watch the injuries disappear...but she healed her completely."
Before anyone else could say another word; there was a knock on the door before it opened to let Saul in.
"We're ready to jump...and the ship has moved further out of missile range."
Adama stared at his best friend for a long time.
His mind was racing; part of him wanted to hail the Xavier and apologize; while the other part was advising him to stay away from them because of two obvious reasons.
They had an AI.
And second what had happened to the two children; members of the Thirteenth Tribe and one of them had almost died on the Galactica .
Even though Adama had not known about the XO's actions he was still indirectly responsible for it was his ship; his command.
For if their roles had been reversed and it was his son who had been spaced and almost killed...he would not have been so forgiving.
But this was the Thirteenth Tribe and they could be their only hope.
Adama knew more than anyone what the survivors of the 12 colonies had been through. So many had died; so many hard decisions had been made.
Quite a number of those decisions he had been part of and a lot of them had been without honour.
He had tried to reason that the end justified the means; Adama could still see Dr Grey's sharp accusing glare.
"Admiral; what do you want us to do?" asked Saul gently.
"Wait; I need to send them a message," answered Adama surprising everyone.
"What message ?" demanded Zarek.
Adama didn't answer him as he left the room; he was only too aware of the president and vice-president following him out of the room.
The admiral walked up to Gaeta's station; he said something rapidly to Gaeta who looked at him for a few seconds before giving him a list.
"Admiral; what are you doing?" asked Roslin. He looked at her briefly before answering.
"Sending a message...and an apology." Her jaw dropped as he turned to the Junior Lieutenant who handed him the communicator.
Adama took a deep breath then nodded; Gaeta started transmitting at once.
"This is Admiral Adama to Captain Logan and Dr Grey of the Xavier...I apologize for how the children were treated and will understand if you do not wish to communicate with us any longer.
We will be leaving this place...however if you wish to continue relationships with us...we shall be at the following co-ordinates."
He heard Zarek mutter several swear words as he read out the numbers.
Adama paused. "We hope to see you again...under peaceful conditions. So say we all. May the Gods go with you."
He looked at a stunned Gaeta. " Jump the fleet; leave the Galactica as the last to leave."
"Yes sir," answered the junior lieutenant.
The admiral turned to small group who had followed him out of the CIC side room; they all looked at him with varying looks of alarm and anxiety. Only Sharon gave him an odd look; that was a combination of approval and ...suspicion.
Something was bothering the colonial cylon; he wondered what it was.
"People; let's continue the debriefing please."
Adama pretended not to see Saul's expression of barely disguised shame.
It took a few moments for everyone to get back to the room.
As Adama resumed his seat he saw Roslin giving him a questioning look. The Admiral sighed inwardly; another argument was around the corner.
"Lieutenant Thrace; please continue."
She nodded at her commanding officer's gravelly voice.
"The Xavier went back to Hera's planet to look for the children and they ran into the cylons again...I'm not sure how that encounter played out; for the captain came to us asking about the cylons...and other stuff." Kara overcame the temptation of casting a warning look in Sharon's direction.
Roslin noticed the hesitancy in Kara's voice.
"What other stuff?"
Kara opened her mouth to answer; but another person beat her to it.
"What did you do with Hera; our daughter?" demanded Sharon in a voice of steel.
Kara's first reaction was to tell Sharon to stand down; but the expressions on the faces of the people before her froze the words on her lips.
The president of the 12 colonies looked guilty; behind her ; the PA Tory Foster looked shocked and also guilty. Only Admiral Adama; Zarek and Lee looked well and truly surprised.
Kara had interrogated cylons and some collaborators who had been unfortunate enough to be caught and she had learnt the skill of telling a guilty expression from a shocked one.
"She didn't die at birth; did she?" Kara found herself saying the words.
Almost everyone stared at Starbuck in amazement; Sharon was the only one still staring at the President who was struggling to answer.
"Lieutenant...," started Admiral Adama in a warning tone.
"In a moment sir," interrupted Starbuck without taking her eyes off the embattled president. The trick to interrogation was throwing the person off stride and striking with quick questions so as to make the person blurt out answers or confirm a suspicion.
"She was on New Caprica; was she not?"
Beside Sharon; Halo tensed and looked quickly at Kara and then to the President. He was now realizing that his wife had been right.
"By the Gods," muttered Anders in horror.
Hotdog had his hand over his mouth; he looked like he was going to be sick.
"You hid her there...in that hellhole...right under the noses of the cylons..." continued Lieutenant Thrace in a chilling relentless manner.
"She died there!"
Everyone turned to look at a scared Tory Foster. Roslin closed her eyes briefly as she released a weak sigh. "Tory not another word..."
Her PA ignored her and kept talking.
"There was nothing we could do...I failed to evacuate her and the people protecting her."
"Protecting her!?" hissed Sharon "she should have been with her parents ! Safe aboard the Galactica! Now she's in the hands of the cylons!"
"What?" finally asked Admiral Adama and Zarek at the same time.
Sharon swung an accusing look towards the admiral. "Yes sir; 4 weeks ago; when I went down to New Caprica to initiate the rescue; I ran into D'anna. She kept telling me Hera was alive," the cylon laughed bitterly. " I thought she was trying to trick me so I shot her in the knees and took off.
Then 4 hours ago; while we were on Hera's planet; Cavil , Boomer and Caprica kept saying Hera was alive..." her voice faltered a bit " and is unwell and with them."
She took a deep breath before delivering the bombshell. "The Xavier's scans picked up the bio-sign of a female human-cylon hybrid child aboard one of the basestars."
She turned to President Roslin; her eyes wet with unshed tears.
"Congratulations ma'am; thanks to you, Hera; the first human-cylon hybrid has been with the cylons for the past 4 months !"
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Admiral Adama sighed wearily as he looked at the only other person in the room.
The de-briefing had ended on a very awkward note.
After Sharon had confronted the president; Adama ordered all the colonial pilots to attend the medical bay for assessments with the aim to complete the de-briefing later when everyone had calmed down.
To his relief Zarek had been eager to leave the debriefing room.
But as the vice-president left the room he had given the president a very dark look. Tory Foster had given the president an apologetic look before fleeing; she seemed on the verge of tears herself.
However the expressions Adama would never forget were the looks of betrayal on the faces of Sharon and Helo as they passed him.
Even Anders and Hotdog had their heads down as they passed him; but Starbuck had looked at him with a blank face and that worried him a lot.
They had trusted him and now Adama personally felt he had betrayed that trust...even though he had known nothing of Roslin's plans.
"Laura...what have you done?"
She looked at him; her eyes suspiciously wet. "You don't understand..."
Adama folded his arms. "Try and make me understand how hiding a half cylon child among cylons and then losing her to them was a good plan."
"I didn't mean for that to happen!" yelled the president.
The admiral nodded; unruffled by her display of anger. " Of course you didn't; however we now have to deal with the consequences."
"What...what do you mean?" asked Roslin.
The colonial officer was quiet for a long time.
"Lieutenant Sharon Agathon and Captain Helo Agathon are two of the most dedicated and loyal officers on the fleet; along with Starbuck.
Three of them and including Anders have gone through Hades and back for the fleet...and how do we repay two of those fine officers...we imprison Sharon; interrogate her; almost expose her to brutality; throw her husband and friend into the brig for protecting her; threaten her pregnancy with forceful termination..."
Roslin flinched with each word; but Adama was not finished.
"...then take her child away from them; inform them Hera is dead; give the child to another person...then lose her to the cylons.
And she has to find this out from the cylons."
He paused and sighed. "Put yourself in her shoes Roslin and tell me honestly what you would be feeling at this moment."
He stood up and straightened his uniform jacket.
"You may stay as long as you like; I have to check the fleet."
President Roslin was left alone in the silent room with her unspoken thoughts for company.
The Xavier; medical bay...
Logan kept his face blank as the male teenager before him tried to explain what a Q was.
The summary of the long winded explanation was that the Q were almost omnipotent and thus passed away their time interfering and playing with people's lives.
What a load of crap!
One thing was clear; Q Junior was not a hologram and had never been one.
If Logan had been paying attention he should have noticed that; the only other explanation was that Q Junior had to be a high level mutant.
Like the late professor...like Jean.
He waited until the teen paused.
"Q Junior; you lied to us."
The boy flinched. " I didn't...not really...I just did not tell you everything..."
"Oh; so we're going for omission of the facts? Still smells like lying to me," said Logan darkly " besides how do we know you're not lying now."
"He's not," said Jean firmly. Logan looked at her in surprise; these were the first words she had spoken since Q started speaking.
Even Laura was calm and quiet; something told Logan he was the last person to find out what Q Junior really was.
"She knew all this time," continued Jean quietly "she's telling me that you have been completely straight with us."
Logan stared at her; he knew she was talking about the Phoenix.
"Sorry; I don't buy it; you expect me believe you singlehandedly brought us through time to this place and this ship to help those ...people!?"
Q Junior closed his eyes briefly. "I am so sorry; I don't know how many times I have to say it but it was wrong of me not telling you what I am...what I was!
Now; I can't even prove it because for my mistakes I have been made a hologram...with a few extra abilities!"
Logan narrowed his eyes. "Like what?"
"I don't know!" said Q Junior; his frustration was obvious " I haven't exactly had time to experiment!"
Jean frowned at the bitterness and fear in the young man's voice.
"So what happens now?" asked Logan sharply " we help the colonials to find Earth...or if we don't; we get punished?"
Q Junior shook his head wearily. "No; you won't get punished..."
"Oh really," cut in Logan " you mean; your brethren will let us get to Earth. Infact; I've had enough; tell your bigwigs to show up and send us back to Earth of 2006."
Q Junior froze as Laura and Jean stared at Logan in shock.
"You don't want that."
"Why not?" asked Logan stubbornly.
"If we go back; it will be to right when we were taken; nothing will change...is that what you want old man?" asked Laura in a calm odd voice.
Logan looked at her. "Not if we get them to change a few things..."
"Like what ?" cut in Q Junior " the General will not change anything and even if...and that's a mighty big if he agreed to some changes ; it will come at a huge price that you can never pay!"
There was dead silence for several moments as Logan stared at him. Part of him thought Q was lying but another part wondered if any of it was true and what that meant.
"Ah the price; I was wondering when we would get to that part...so what price are we to pay for your intervention ? Is it by helping the colonials defeat the cylons or reach Earth ?"asked Logan in a deceptive mild tone as he slowly walked towards Q Junior.
It was akin to the way a wolf stalked its prey.
The young teen found himself retreating slowly.
"Enough."
The simple dark word had the three people in the room turning to face Jean Grey. The dark eyes of the Phoenix stared back at them.
"We three have been taken almost 300 years into the future; all the people that we knew...all of them are gone...some by our hand...the rest by time and wars. I believe that is the price we paid; is that not so Q?"
She looked at Q Junior.
He swallowed nervously as he nodded slowly.
"Yes Dr Grey...that is the price...I would not ask for anything more. You don't have to help the colonials if that is your decision. You will still get to Earth and the General will not go back on his word."
No one said anything for several moments.
"Well anyway; if this is coming down to a vote; I'm saying here in 2382," said Laura firmly as she crossed her arms and fixed a stubborn glare in Logan's direction.
The captain turned to Jean; the Phoenix had retreated; however the doctor nodded her head.
"If I go back; it's to a certain death; is that what you wish Logan?"
Wolverine found that he could not maintain eye contact. " No; I..." he could not find the words to continue.
"Captain; the Galactica is hailing us."
Logan's relief at the interruption was obvious as he looked up at the ceiling. "Let's hear it."
Before long; they heard the gravelly voice of Admiral Adama.
"This is Admiral Adama to Captain Logan and Dr Grey of the Xavier...I apologize for how the children were treated and will understand if you do not wish to communicate with us any longer.
We will be leaving this place...however if you wish to continue relationships with us...we shall be at the following co-ordinates."
There was silence as a series of numbers were read out.
"There is also an energy buildup; they have initiated their FTL drives,"continued Xavier.
"Show us if you can Xavier," ordered Logan.
As he spoke; a holographic widescreen appeared to show the ships disappearing in flashes of light; the Galactica was the last to leave.
They all stared at the screen for a long time as it showed the emptiness of space.
Logan turned back to the rest of the crew. "Alright people; let's sort something out first of all...Jean, Laura you're certain you want to stay in this time and place?"
Laura was not long in replying. "I've got nothing to lose by staying...my former line of work was not something I could put on my CV."
Logan knew what she meant; once he had access to the files on the ship; he had found a lot of data on Coloner Stryker.
The man had been black ops and a lot of his 'soldiers' had been sent on assassinations around the world. Laura would have been a perfect addition to that 'department'.
He looked at Jean.
"You already know my answer," said the telepath in a chilly voice.
Logan nodded. "Fine; then I'm staying as well."
Q junior released a sigh of relief.
"I just have a question; why...why pick us?" asked Logan as he continued to glared at the boy before him.
"I...I just wanted to help...and I was hoping you could help the colonials as well...but I will understand if you don't wish to."
Logan was not done. "Why not help the colonials directly ?"
Q junior sighed wearily. " One of the Q tried three times and the warnings were ignored...that pissed off the Q continuum big time and thus the colonials are suffering the consequences of the actions of their leaders."
"You should have told us this at the beginning Q," added Jean.
"But would we have listened?"
Everyone looked at Laura in surprise; she continued speaking.
"Let's face it folks; we didn't trust each other...we didn't even trust our own minds ! I took off my helmet on the first planet we landed on to prove it was a dream and almost got my lungs toasted!
Yeah; maybe Q should have told us in the beginning ...but now we know; he has not hurt us and in fact he's been trying to get is to learn everything about this ship and this time," she looked at Q Junior "I've had massive trust issues for good reasons...but in this case I would trust Q with my life."
Logan stared at her then looked at Q Junior who was turning beet red.
When Logan looked at Laura; he saw a miniature version of himself. A person who had been exploited and betrayed by people in power; a person who would find it very hard to trust anyone who got close to her.
Logan had gone over the cockpit videos on the Delta Flyer Alpha and he had seen the way Laura glared at Q Junior as he tried to explain what the cylons were ; it had been pretty obvious that she had been livid.
But now she was firmly in Q's corner. He wondered what had happened on the Galactica.
"Well; that is interesting...which brings me to the next question.
How did you two end up on the Galactica and what happened that the Admiral had to send an apology?"
From the way Q Junior swallowed nervously and the look that Jean gave Laura; Logan could tell he was not going to like the report.
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Hi everyone; sorry about the long wait. Work and life has been hectic. Hope you all enjoy this chapter; I will try and update more regularly.
Please read and enjoy!
