Chapter 32 of the Phoenix and the Wolverine
Lieutenant Daniel Novacek was trying very hard to stay calm.
The escape from the basestar had been quick and hardly gave him any room to breathe; but now that they were in the Xavier; he was beginning to take stock of his surroundings.
And he was wondering if he had switched the frying pan for the bonfire.
They had an A.I.
They had a frakking A.I !
He felt blood pounding in his ears as 'Captain' Logan asked the A.I the ship's status; he watched as Kara and Anders handed over their weapons to Ensign Q Junior.
The female colonial officer seemed a bit reluctant but complied with a slight sigh and she also seemed a bit surprised when the dark skinned girl with the odd ridged forehead also handed in her weapon.
The blond male ensign in colonial flight uniform did not have any weapons on him apparently.
Daniel silently watched as Q Junior put the weapons including the odd-looking rifle-laser like weapon into a compartment in the wall of the shuttle bay. A compartment which seemed fused to the wall and even from where he stood he could not make out where it began or ended.
He hoped he would be able to open it when the time came.
"I wonder if I'm dreaming," said Baltar softly.
Daniel gave him a sharp look; wishing the crazy scientist would not draw attention to them.
"If you are; then we're sharing the same dream," said Caprica Six calmly as she looked around the flight bay with obvious interest.
Daniel stared at her and wondered what it would be like to snap her neck like a toothpick.
Something told him it would be somewhat satisfying.
Baltar opened his mouth to reply but someone got there first.
"You three have an appointment in the medical bay," they all turned to face the solemn female teenager with black hair and those shiny hand claws that were fortunately absent.
The blood on her black body armour had dried but the streaks on her face and outfit gave her a sinister look.
Daniel was sure the blades were part of her armour; probably attached to the gauntlet like wrist bands and sleeves; maybe she had to take off the entire armour.
He would wait until everyone had relaxed and disarmed themselves then he would make his move and escape off this strange ship probably using the colonial raptor he had been stunned to see packed in the shuttle bay.
It may have been eight years since he last flew but he was certain he would be able to get the raptor flying once he was behind the controls.
Daniel didn't know if the crew of the Xavier were cylons or not but he did not trust a crew with and what could be a frakking sentient hologram!
"Why do we have to go to the medical bay?" asked Caprica Six in a firm voice.
Laura smiled coldly and moved forward as her hands hung loosely beside her.
"Starfleet protocol Regulation 439 paragraph 2; any away team returning must report to the medical bay for evaluation and possible decontamination before debriefing.
This includes any additional life-forms whether sentient or non-sentient that is brought on board the ship by the away team," Laura paused "in summary; the latter part of that regulation means you."
Caprica watched the girl with narrowed eyes. "Starfleet...is that Earth's military...?"
"And none of your concern!" interjected Kara before the female cylon could ask any more.
Six raised an amused eyebrow. "If you expect me to help you; I also must have something in return...like information."
Kara lifted her hand as if she wanted to hit her; then restrained herself when she realized it was quiet and that everyone was watching her.
"You're alive bitch; that is your reward."
Caprica opened her mouth to speak but Logan beat her to it.
"Laura is right; we are all going to the medical bay right now."
His tone of voice indicated he was not going to listen to any objections.
Daniel watched him discreetly; the captain had to be the most dangerous of the crew.
He would have to watch him closely...because he may have to kill him first.
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The one called Daniel wants to make a break for it.
Jean almost nodded then caught herself.
I thought we said no reading of minds Phoenix.
She heard a sigh in her head at her gentle rebuke.
I know; but seriously this guy is practically yelling his thoughts out...I guess that's because no one ever taught him shielding, even if he knew how to 'shield' it would be so easy to rip a hole through his defences.
Jean closed her eyes briefly.
Phoenix; please don't do that...
He's thinking about trying to hurt Logan.
Jean's thoughts froze before mentally yelling.
WHAT!?
From the corner of her eyes she saw Rogers wince and hold his head as if he was experiencing a migraine.
Easy there tiger. Said an amused Phoenix .
Don't forget you've got an inexperienced empath with barely functioning shields.
Jean cursed inwardly as she walked towards the stricken ensign who was also been attended to by Ensign Kadretti.
"Are you alright Bill?" asked Oma with concern in her voice.
The colonial ensign groaned. "Just had the worse headache ever."
Oma touched his shoulder. "You need to get to sick bay."
"I agree," said Jean hastily as she got close to them.
Oh...would you look at that? Once Oma touched him; the headache eased.
Said the Phoenix in mild surprise.
I wonder why...hmm...now that is interesting.
What are you going on about? Thought Jean in an irritated manner.
Ha! Watch and enjoy my dear other-me; I'm not spoiling the surprise.
Thought back the Phoenix gleefully.
Jean suppressed an angry sigh and instead concentrated on her charges.
It was time they all went to the medical bay.
"Away team and new guests," everyone looked at her "to the medical bay please."
Caprica Six; Daniel and Baltar looked at her and then at a frowning Logan and wisely kept silent.
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Anders kept a close eye on Baltar and Caprica Six as the small group left the shuttle bay; he definitely did not trust them and wished he had a weapon nearby.
But he knew Captain Logan would not let them carry live weapons around the Xavier.
The male colonial pilot looked at Dr Grey who looked quite stern and also glanced at Logan who was definitely someone not to be frakked with.
Anders hoped Lieutenant Novacek caught on real quick; if not he was going to be spending most of the journey fast asleep or in Xavier's brig.
As for Number Six and Balter; Anders hoped they frakked up so that they could be locked away.
If he had any choice in the matter; he would have Baltar and the female cylon put on trial as soon as possible and hopefully executed soon after.
"So Anders how the in Hades did you guys destroy a basestar?"
The Junior Lieutenant grinned and turned to face Helo.
"Oh that story is for Ensign Kadretti and Ensign Q to tell; it had something to do with some device on their ship."
Helo looked puzzled. "Device ? I thought the shuttles had weapons?"
"Yeah they do," Anders now had a grave look on his face "the cylons have a new weapon and a way of getting under the 'shields' of the shuttle and thus they damaged the weapons system.
Q was going to tell us about it when we got back; but I guess medicals first then debriefing later."
He paused. "How's Hera and Sharon?"
Helo gave him a relieved smile. "Sharon is over the moon; Hera was poorly at first but Dr Grey worked her magic and cured her."
Ander raised both eyebrows at the word magic.
"Magic as in...?"
"I mean...she did surgery on Hera's abdomen...but there was something strange..." Helo's voice trailed off as if he was not sure how to explain what had happened.
"What do you mean by strange?" asked Anders in a hushed voice as they trailed behind the small group.
Helo answered carefully.
"Just before she started operating...her eyes went pure black," he saw the incredulous look in Ander's eyes "I know this sounds odd but it happened.
Then it seemed as if a...different person took over and she started the operation...one that is definitely not the norm."
Anders kept quiet; entranced by the part awe and part fear in Helo's voice.
"Instruments flew slowly towards her when she needed them...at first I was sure the instruments had to be some sort of gravity-defying device attached to each of them...then I wondered if maybe...she was actually in control of the instruments.
Like what happened on the Galactica's main flight deck."
Anders felt the blood drain from his face as he looked quickly ahead; to his relief Jean was talking with Ensign Q Junior and the others were not paying attention to him and Helo.
How could he forget what had happened on the Galactica main flight deck?
He had heard other officers who had been present stating that seeing all those 'floating' weapons pointing at them had given them nightmares.
But there had been something different then.
"Her eyes were not black then," said Anders in a low voice.
Helo nodded. "I know...I want to ask...but I am not really that keen to do so."
Anders stared at him for a long moment.
"I know exactly how you feel Karl."
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The group reached the medical bay in a few moments.
Logan noticed how Six, Baltar and Daniel stared at the walls and each part of the ship on their way to the sick bay.
He wondered if it would have been wiser beaming them straight to the bay; then decided against it.
Something told him he had to conserve energy for the coming inevitable battle with the cylons.
Jean seemed to be keeping a close eye on Daniel Novacek; it took a few moments before Logan recognised the look in her eyes.
Suspicion.
That rang alarm bells in Logan's mind; she must have...'heard' something to make her so concerned.
But how would the Phoenix react?
Logan moved towards Jean as she started issuing orders.
"Ensign Q; are you well?"
The male ensign gave her a startled look. "Em...yeah; I'm okay and functioning as expected."
Jean nodded. "Excellent; you will be in charge of reviewing Lieutenant Thrace; Mr Anders; Laura and the Captain.
I'll take care of Mr..." she turned to the bespectacled thin man who was dumb-stuck by the medical bay.
"His name is Gaius Baltar," calmly offered the slim blonde woman in the blood splattered white trouser suit who stood beside him.
"My name is Caprica Six," the female cylon turned to the dark skinned man in the white outfit "and this is..."
"Lieutenant Daniel Novacek," said the man harshly as he glared at her "don't ever mention my name," said the former POW in a chilling tone.
Caprica Six raised an eyebrow as if amused by his anger.
"Understood."
That simple word seemed to infuriate Daniel even more.
Jean noticed his hands twitch and spoke quickly before she had to use telekinesis to restrain the former colonial POW.
"Thanks for the introductions; I am Dr Grey; I will be in-charge of you three; I'll start with Lieutenant Novacek..."
"I don't need a medical check up," interrupted Daniel harshly.
Logan's eyes narrowed and he took a step forward then stopped when he felt a familiar presence in his mind.
Wait.
Something told him it was the Phoenix.
Jean stared at Daniel for a long moment.
"Lieutenant Novacek; I am the Chief Medical Officer of the Xavier.
You have been a prisoner of the cylons for 8 years; I have no idea what you went through; but I'm sure it is something you wish you could forget.
But unfortunately I will not do that for you."
Something in her voice made Novacek look at her closely.
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"You speak as if it is possible to forget what was done to me...that is impossible..."
No it's not.
"No; it's not," said Jean at the same time a dark voice 'talked' in his head.
She continued speaking at the same time the presence spoke and both seemed to merge into one hypnotizing voice which somehow kept him fixed in place.
I can wipe away those memories; give you new ones...give you a new life.
But that will 'kill' a part of you and you shall feel it's loss for evermore.
We all have suffered at some point in our life.
You either let that 'experience' make you stronger or let it destroy you.
The choice is yours.
Jean's eyes flashed black briefly; then she shook her head a bit and looked at Novacek who was now quite pale.
The rest of the onlookers had wisely kept silent; somehow knowing that interrupting Dr Grey was not a good idea.
"Now; shall we begin your medical exam?" asked Jean calmly as if nothing had happened.
Novacek stared at her for a long time.
He had never 'felt' such a dark and powerful presence in his mind before; part of him insisted again and again that he was hallucinating but another part of him was screaming that what he had just 'heard' and 'felt' was very real.
And that Dr Jean Grey was not someone to be taken lightly on any day of the week.
He found himself nodding silently.
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Logan quickly got out of the sonic shower; he preferred a normal water shower but he did not have time for that.
He quickly changed into the black Starfleet issue long sleeve woollen T-shirt and a pair of black leather-like trousers with black boots.
Logan clipped on the x-shaped com-badge and stepped out of the medical shower stall as he hastily combed his hair with his hands.
To his immense relief no one had misbehaved.
Jean appeared to have finished Novacek's assessment and the former POW was sitting quietly on a bio-bed watching Dr Grey as she assessed Dr Baltar.
"What now pops?" He turned to the person who had materialized silently at his side.
Laura was already out of her blood splattered armour and was wearing almost the same outfit as Logan; right down to the black boots.
From the lack of blood streaks on her face and the fresh scent of her hair; she had just taken a sonic shower as well.
"You've been checked over by Q?"
She snorted. "As much as you have...yeah."
Logan tried not to sigh. He had abruptly told Q that he needed to change and had quickly ducked into the sonar shower; he had been hoping no one would remember that he had not done his physical yet.
He looked to the side and saw Ensign Kadretti was scanning Rogers; while Q Junior seemed to have finished with Anders.
Kara was standing beside her husband and was trying to divide her attention between him and the silent female blonde cylon who was looking around her with great interest.
The rest of the away team and the 'new' guests were yet to change from their body armour and prison outfits; but he could already see that on a nearby bio-bed were neatly folded piles of new replicated colonial uniforms and also Starfleet issue T-shirts and trousers and at least one red and black Starfleet uniform.
Helo was absent.
He's with his wife and child...maybe you should say hi to the youngest crew member?
Logan found himself smiling a bit as Jean telepathically informed him of where the small family was.
"I'm going to see Sharon, Helo and their daughter; you want to come along?"
Laura appeared a bit startled and took her time answering.
"Yeah...didn't really get a good look at the baby."
Logan's eyes widened he had been so sure that Laura would decline.
"Fine...then let's see the youngest member of the crew."
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As Kara removed her body armour; she noticed Laura and Logan walking to a walled off part of the medical bay; a section that she had seen Helo go to earlier.
That was when she realized she had almost forgotten about Sharon and Hera.
"Helo told me Dr Grey treated her," said Anders who had been watching the expressions on his wife's face.
She gave him a startled look. "Now; you read minds?"
He grinned lazily. "Don't underestimate my powers of deduction dear."
Q Junior continued using his medical equipment to check Anders right thigh.
The outer body armour had been removed and Anders was down to a black tank top and close fitting shorts of the same colour.
"Well; your leg is perfectly fine; the right femur knit quite well and there's nothing else to worry about," said Q Junior as he made a few notes on his PADD.
Ander's smile widened. "Glad to hear it."
The hologram nodded without looking at him as he pointed at the pile of clean clothes.
"New colonial uniforms were replicated according to your size; feel free to use the sonar showers and one of the cubicles to change," he turned to Kara.
"Your turn."
The female colonial pilot hesitated briefly before sitting on a bio-bed; like her husband, she was down to a black tank top and black snug shorts.
"You got somewhere to be Ensign?"
Q Junior nodded as a thoughtful frown appeared on his face.
"Yes; I need to be in engineering to try and coax some more speed out of the warp drive."
Anders froze as he reached for his new clean uniform. He had decided to leave off the sonar shower for now. After all Q Junior had cleaned his wound properly before healing it.
Besides he had more important things to worry about.
"Why is that?" asked the male Junior Lieutenant.
"From the calculations I've done with the info we got from the basestar we will arrive after the next transmission of Galactica's location."
Kara jumped off the bed. "This medical can wait..."
"No; it can't," said Q Junior testily " you were exposed to the noxious gases I released when I shot that cooling tube in the basestar flight deck.
I need to be sure you all are well before we debrief and I run off to engineering. So please stay still for a few minutes while I scan you."
Kara looked at the stern look on his face and found herself complying.
"Minimal lung irritation; saturations 97 on air; very trace amounts of carbon-monoxide in your system. You having any headaches?"
Kara had to think for a moment. "Eh...no."
Q Junior nodded absently as he scanned her head. "Intracranial pressure normal...rest of your obs are satisfactory.
You've got a clean bill of health."
Q Junior put down his tricorder then reached out to press a few buttons on his holo-emitter.
"Wait!" said Kara urgently.
Q Junior's hand froze. "I was just changing my holoprojection uniform..."
"Not now," interrupted Kara in a softer voice as she looked furtively at where Caprica Six was standing.
Q Junior glanced and saw that the female cylon was watching them intently.
"Why?" asked a puzzled Q Junior.
Anders and Kara shared a quick look before the female colonial pilot answered.
"I need to speak to you when she is not watching...preferably far away from her."
Q Junior did not have to ask if she was talking about the Number Six cylon currently in the medical bay and watching them.
He stared at Kara for a few moments.
"Alright...but first I need to see how Rogers, Laura and the captain are doing before going to engineering."
He barely acknowledged Kara's nod before going over to the next bio-bed.
Kara quickly put on the new clean colonial flight uniform as a fully dressed Anders came to stand beside her.
"I don't know about you...but he seems worried about the duration of our return trip," said the male colonial pilot.
Kara zipped up her jacket and nodded. "Yeah...I get the same vibe...and that concerns me a lot."
While escaping from the basestar; Q Junior had not been able to explain in detail what he had found.
She looked quickly at where Caprica Six was and to her relief; Dr Grey was now talking to the female cylon. Kara lowered her voice as she turned back to her husband.
"I'll stick with Q and warn him about Six's abilities to hack into programs."
Anders nodded as he looked at Six. "I'll keep an eye on Six and the...others."
He turned to go but was stopped by his wife's gentle hand. "Give Novacek a heads up about Sharon; considering how he feels about the cylons I don't want him trying to harm her when she shows up with Hera."
Anders smiled dryly. "Helo will kill him first."
"My thoughts exactly," said Kara softly before she went after Q Junior.
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Ever since they got back; Q Junior had the feeling that they were running out of time.
He had the uncanny sensation of a clock in his mind going 'tick tock, tick tock'.
That was disconcerting.
He stopped as Oma scanned Roger's head with a medical tricorder; the male colonial ensign looked a bit pale.
"Ensign Kadretti; how's he doing?" asked Q Junior.
"I'm right here," muttered Rogers.
Oma turned to Q Junior. "Observations are normal; still unsure as to what caused his headache; an increasing probability may be due to the fact of inadequate mental shields." She delivered this last part of the sentence with a glare towards her patient.
Roger smiled weakly. "Still practicing; just need more time."
"You alright Rogers?" asked Kara who had just come up behind Q Junior.
The male colonial ensign nodded. "Yes; I am fine; seriously there is nothing wrong with me."
Q Junior quickly looked at the readings on the bio-screen attached to the bio-bed Rogers was sitting on.
"I agree," he looked at Ensign Kadretti.
"There's a new uniform for you here. However, could you please help me collect all the body armour and put in storage cubicle 31 for sterilization?
I believe the captain and Laura left theirs in the shower cubicles."
"Sure; anything else?" asked Oma.
"Prepare for debriefing," he sighed "I'll be doing rapid scans on the captain and Laura if they let me; see you in a bit."
He left with Kara not far behind.
Oma started taking off her chest and shoulder armour and heard a soft sound; she turned to see Roger's eyes were wide, his mouth was slightly open and he appeared a bit flushed in the face.
"Eh...maybe you should look elsewhere?" she said in firm voice as she felt her face get very warm.
Rogers went even redder. "I...I am so sorry," he stammered quickly before looking away.
Oma tried not to sigh; she knew she was wearing a Starfleet issues black body hugging long sleeve t-shirt and snug shots but she felt really conscious about Rogers seeing her in it.
In the Academy she had attended martial arts class dressed in less so why was she feeling so odd ?
She didn't know why but she didn't think this was the time to ponder that.
Not when they had a fleet of pissed off cylons on their tails.
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He was such an idiot, thought Rogers in dismay.
When he realized what Oma was about to do; part of him warned him to turn away but for the life of him he found himself frozen in place.
She had taken the chest and shoulder pieces off and he was mesmerized by the litheness of her form as it was covered by the close fitting black long-sleeved undergarment.
His gaze dropped to the perfectly shaped but covered mounds on her chest and his breath caught in his throat.
It was when he saw the stunned expression on her face that rapidly turned to one of irritation that he realized that he had been staring at her with his mouth open.
"Eh...maybe you should look elsewhere ?"
Rogers managed to stammer an almost incomprehensible apology as he turned round to stare at anything.
But what he had seen could not be forgotten.
Gods above; the girl was beautiful.
And if he was not careful; she was going to kill him.
"I'm done, you can turn around now and maybe help me with this."
Rogers swallowed nervously before turning.
Ensign Kadretti was now back in her black and red Starfleet uniform; to him the slim military lines of her outfit just made her more...attractive.
But right now she looked pissed.
"I am really sorry..."
She held up her hand halting his words. "I accept...just stay focused," she said awkwardly. Rogers gave her a puzzled look he had been sure she had been about to say 'just don't do it again,' not 'stay focused'.
"What do you need help with?" asked Rogers as the silence got even more awkward.
Oma picked up her body armour and Kara's. "Get Anders' gear and follow me."
Rogers complied rapidly.
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Caprica Six had kept her eyes open and tried to listen carefully ever since she got 'transported' into the shuttle.
She had not got a chance to ask how that was managed and judging from the attitudes of her 'hosts' ; she felt it was better to keep silent; just watch and listen.
When she stepped out of the shuttle into flight deck of the ship she had stared opened mouthed at her surroundings.
From the gleaming clean whitish metal walls to the second shuttle which was on the flight deck; she had very few words to describe everything.
Advanced technology.
Make that very advanced technology.
She almost had a heart attack when she heard an electronic male voice welcome the captain back.
They had a male Hybrid.
And they had named it!
The crew of this ship definitely had to be from the Thirteenth Tribe.
She still found it hard to believe that the man called Logan was the captain of this ship; to her he would have been more suited to being a security goon.
However; she was reluctantly impressed by the fact that he got his hands 'dirty' and was not afraid to take unbelievable risks like infiltrating a basestar disguised as a centurion.
That made him unpredictable and possibly brilliant.
A very dangerous combination.
Then there was his daughter who had to be at most thirteen years old; from the little she had seen, Laura was an accomplished fighter and killer.
She must have started training as soon as she could walk.
What kind of father put his daughter through such training?
Six then wondered if the electronic voice really belonged to a Hybrid and suddenly her main goal in life was the chance to inspect this ship from top to bottom.
But that was definitely not going to happen; not with Kara staring daggers at her. The female colonial officer wanted to kill Six so much that the female cylon could almost taste it.
Caprica took note of the two new people on the flight deck.
Karl 'Helo' Agathon; she would recognize him anywhere.
But the silent confident looking slim woman with dark reddish-brown hair that was standing beside him was a complete stranger. Six saw concern appear on her face as she walked up to Captain Logan and touched his chest which had dried blood on it.
The way she did it made Six think there had to be something 'intimate' between those two; her suspicion was confirmed when she saw the captain's face soften as he tried to reassure the woman before him that he was okay.
That brought up another question.
She was certain he had been shot more than once; especially when the centurions and cylons changed their ammo to the armour-piercing variety.
So how in Hades were there no marks on his otherwise ribbed physique ?
As she tried to answer that question she noticed Q Junior collecting weapons from the others and storing them away.
The male cylon child.
He had to be a cylon and Six was certain that Starbuck and her husband knew that.
Which begged the next question.
What kind of alliance had the Thirteenth Tribe forged with the fleeing colonial fleet?
Then again where were Hera and Sharon?
Caprica's attention was brought back to the present when she realized that the female doctor known as Dr Grey was looking at her.
Apparently it was time for her medical.
The Number Six tried to smile calmly; for some inexplicable reason she had been riveted in place when Jean had spoken calmly to Lieutenant Novacek.
Six knew the former POW was a hair-trigger away from doing something stupid...like trying to attack someone and fleeing from this ship.
So she had been surprised and a bit alarmed when the blood had drained from his face as he listened to Dr Grey calmly tell him she could wipe his memories if he wanted ; then stated how his experience could 'strengthen' or 'destroy' him.
It was a simple speech; but the effect it had on Novacek was...intriguing.
"My turn for my medical," said Six smiling coyly.
Dr Grey did not return the smile; she had the professional expression that all medics wore.
"Yes it is, Miss Caprica Six..."
"You can call me Caprica," interrupted the female cylon with a smile.
Jean was silent as she indicated for Six to stand next to a bio-bed.
Though Six had watched her assess Baltar and Novacek; she was still unprepared for when the transparent horizontal bars slid from the side of the bed and moved upwards from her knees to her head area without touching her. Six stared at them in wonder.
The bars slid back in as Dr Grey looked at her PADD.
"Apart from mild lung irritation; you do not have any acute problems," she glanced at Six's blood splattered outfit.
"I expect you would like to change out of that; you may use that sonar shower.
No need to put it on because I have already done so."
Caprica stared at her. How had the doctor done it without moving from her current spot?
Unless it was remote controlled.
Dr Grey was still speaking.
"Here is a change of clothes."
Caprica collected what looked like a folded dark blue t-shirt ; black trousers and black ankle boots that suspiciously looked like they might fit her.
"Prison clothes?"
Dr Grey raised an eyebrow. "This is standard Starfleet issue casual wear; the option of being a 'guest' or a 'prisoner' is entirely up to you."
Though the doctor's words were delivered calmly there was underlying steel in her voice.
"And if I don't act like an honoured...guest?" asked Caprica with a lazy smile even though she wanted to ask what 'Starfleet' really meant.
Dr Grey stared at her before smiling coldy.
"I will put you to sleep for the rest of this journey."
Caprica's expression revealed her shock at the female doctor's blunt reply and the look in the woman's eyes stated that she was definitely not bluffing.
Was this Laura's mother? That would make a lot of sense.
"Now; do we understand each other?"
The Six forced herself to answer. "Yes."
She moved to go towards the showers; then turned back.
"Where's Hera and Sharon?"
Dr Grey's eyes narrowed as she studied the female cylon's face for a few moments.
"They are both well and Hera was successfully treated."
Caprica shut her eyes briefly to stem the tears that threatened to flow.
"Thanks; I will get changed now." Then she left.
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Dr Grey shook her head slightly as the female cylon disappeared into the showers.
"Don't let your guard slip around her Dr Grey."
Jean turned to see Anders had been watching them from where he stood next to Lieutenant Novacek.
"Why is that Mr Anders?"
The male colonial pilot answered carefully. "Caprica Six...is not to be trusted.
She is manipulative and very, very intelligent and from what we do know her model is usually quite adept at infiltration and sabotage.
In contrast; Lieutenant Sharon Agathon is the only cylon I will ever trust."
Novacek looked at him sharply; Anders turned to him and nodded slowly.
"That's right; we have another female cylon on board this ship; she's a Number Eight..."
Novacek stood up quickly; his voice harsh and his body tense as if he was about to fight or flee.
"Only dead ones can be trusted!..."
"How do you think we obtained so much intel ?" interrupted Anders "Sharon is a friend of mine; she saved my life; my wife's life and the lives of most of the 41,000 colonials who are currently trying to get to Earth.
Also she's married to Captain Karl 'Helo' Agathon, remember the man you met earlier?
And they have a little baby girl," Novacek's jaw dropped at those last few words.
"That's right; they have a child who is half cylon and half human; and just before we rescued you two; we had to rescue her as well from the cylons who had been keeping her for the past month."
Novacek sat down heavily; at loss for words.
"So before you do anything stupid just remember that we will not hesitate to stop you if you try to harm Sharon or her child."
Novacek stared at Anders for a long time.
"You're serious."
The Junior lieutenant nodded solemnly. "Like a heart attack."
Anders can be real subtle...I like his style. Thought Phoenix with approval.
Meanwhile Baltar was still sitting on his bio-bed and looking around the medical bay; for the most part he was silent.
The poor man still thought he was dreaming.
His mind was almost fragile; the only thing that had kept him sane was that he was continually looking at his surroundings with the brain of a scientist.
How had they been 'transported' from the raider to the strange shuttle?
How had they 'jumped' without feeling the inertia effects that usually accompanied such speed?
How was the Thirteenth Tribe so advanced and who were...?
Jean stopped herself as she suddenly realized what she and the Phoenix had been doing.
Stop it Phoenix! We are not supposed to be reading his mind!
Relax love; I was only taking a peek. Thought the entity idly.
Jean was saved from replying when Caprica came out of the sonic shower.
She looked clean and was now attired in the Starfleet casual wear the doctor had given her. She had tied her shoulder length blonde hair up into a ponytail.
Caprica looked down at herself and lifted one boot to inspect it.
"I must say that I am a bit impressed; everything fits. A pity that it's not more stylish."
Jean raised an eyebrow. "This is a combat vessel; not a holiday resort."
The doctor turned away without waiting for a reply as she reached for another pile of clothing and boots and handed it to a still stunned Novacek.
"I tried replicating a uniform along the lines of Mr Anders flight uniform; there are no insignia as I am not familiar with colonial rank symbols.
They will fit." Novacek wordlessly accepted the outfit and looked at it in surprise.
Even Anders looked a bit stunned. "That was quick."
Jean smiled at him before turning back to Novacek. "The bio-scans helped a great deal; once I checked you over I entered your details into the replicator and made the uniform and boots."
"You mean that box-like space in the wall that you went to earlier?" asked Novacek " I thought you got the clothes from inside it."
Jean nodded. "In a manner of speaking; I did the same thing for Dr Baltar but for Miss Six I guessed at her size."
Hello! I gave you her measurements. Thought Phoenix amusingly.
And though that was inappropriate; I thank you for your assistance!
Thought Jean in an irritated manner while she tried to keep her expression calm.
You're welcome. Replied Phoenix in an unrepentant gleeful manner.
Jean decided to ignore the voice in her head for a bit as she turned to Dr Baltar. She gave him a neatly folded light blue shirt with black trousers and comfortable looking shoes.
"These are for you Dr Baltar."
The former president of the 12 colonies received the bundle after giving a glaring Anders a nervous look.
"Em...thanks," he said in a soft voice.
Jean had an inkling of his unspoken question thanks to the incorrigible presence in her head.
"I will put on the sonic shower for both of you; you may go in when ready."
Both former male prisoners looked at each other a bit apprehensively; then looked at Caprica Six.
Jean had no problem interpreting that look.
The female cylon model had emerged from the sonic showers intact so it must be safe, but they still hesitated.
Caprica Six smirked. "Let me say; it's quite the experience.
No water but the gentle feel of sonic booms on your skin draws the dirt out and leaves you fresher than a daisy," then her smirk turned into a slightly evil smile " but I will understand if you are too nervous about using it."
It didn't take a genius to read between the lines.
In summary she was calling them both cowards.
Novacek glared at her and marched into the shower; Baltar even looked a bit pissed off and was not far behind.
Six turned to the two people watching her; a frowning colonial pilot and a calm looking female doctor of the Thirteenth Tribe.
"I had to show them it was safe," said Six in an innocent manner.
Anders snorted while Jean replied calmly.
"That's why I asked you to use it first."
This reply stunned the female cylon as she realized she had just been manipulated by the female doctor.
Was Dr Grey a cylon as well ?
She opened her mouth to speak but a soft baby's cry had everyone turning to the source.
Caprica automatically started moving then found herself frozen in place.
"Anders, please watch them for me while I find out what is going on," said Jean before she quickly walked away.
A few seconds passed before Caprica realized she could move again.
Before she could ponder the cause of her immobility, she heard Anders speak.
"Where exactly did you think you were going?" asked the male colonial pilot in a cold voice.
Caprica looked at him for a moment. "That was Hera's voice; I was concerned..."
"She's in much better hands now; definitely not your concern," said Anders curtly.
The female cylon stared at him in disbelief. "Do you realize what I had to do to keep her safe ?"
Anders laughed bitterly. "Frankly Six; I don't give a damn what sacrifices you made," his eyes were hard "what I do care about is seeing you brought to justice for your crimes and as the Gods are my witness I will make sure of it."
Caprica was silent for a long moment.
"You really hate me don't you ?"
Anders shook his head.
"You don't know the half of it."
Six bit her lower lip and turned away from him; her attention was drawn by the gleaming white walls of the med bay and the different equipment that looked so different and advanced. She wished she could examine them.
But her instinct told her to bide her time; even if Anders was not armed, all that was needed was one cry of alarm and the captain and Dr Grey would be alerted.
Something told her Dr Grey was more dangerous than the captain.
But that had to be impossible.
Then another thought crossed her mind as she looked at the clean metal floor.
"Mr Anders; can you tell me if you had difficulty moving a few minutes ago when we heard Hera cry?"
She turned to see a puzzled look on the male pilot's face.
Apparently he had not expected that question.
"What are you talking about?"
Before answering Six looked down at her feet; wondering if the shoes were some sort of restricting device.
"I tried to move earlier but couldn't...now I can, was wondering if the same happened to you."
Anders face cleared. "No, it didn't," then he smiled "but I don't know what stopped you from moving.
My piece of advice to you is; try not to piss the crew of this ship off."
Something in his voice that was part respect and part fear made Caprica look at him.
"Why not?"
Ander's smile slid from his face as he looked at her with a solemn expression.
"Because they have 'unique' ways of expressing their displeasure."
Caprica said nothing because she had a strange feeling that Anders was telling the truth.
And that worried her.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
Once they had reached the medical bay; Helo had excused himself and gone to the cordoned off section where Hera had been operated on.
He had been so glad to see Sharon sitting on the bio-bed as she cradled a sleeping Hera in her arms.
Helo watched them for several moments before his wife noticed someone else was present.
"Hi," she said softly so as not to wake the baby.
Helo approached them as silently as possible; then leaned against the bed beside his wife's dangling legs.
She had taken off the body armour and was still in the black under leotard like top and tights. She looked so slight and fragile; which Helo knew she wasn't.
"Hi, love. How is she?" he whispered back.
At the moment; the baby turned her head slightly before but did not open her eyes then with an audible sigh the baby went back to sleep.
"Asleep ,well and safe," said Sharon in a soft content voice as she gazed at their child's face in wonder.
Helo nodded not trusting himself to speak; he felt relieved and guilty at the same time.
He had actually believed Hera had died soon after birth; had buried her and grieved alongside his wife.
He knew Sharon had never gotten over it but had felt powerless in being able to lessen her despair and grief.
Now all he wanted to do was hold both his wife and daughter and keep them safe.
Getting to Earth was now more important than ever.
Sharon turned to look at him.
"Karl; I need to ask you something."
"What?" asked Helo innocently.
"When were you going to tell me that you had the mutant gene?"
The colonial captain felt his throat go dry when he saw the irritation in his wife's eyes.
"Emm...I...how did you know?" asked the stunned captain.
Sharon narrowed her eyes. "From the moment Q Junior stated on the basestar that she had the mutant gene just like you. He assumed you had already told me."
Helo closed his eyes briefly while he swore internally.
"Sharon I can explain; we were going on mission. I did not think it was relevant at the time and I did not want to distract you."
The female cylon stared at him for a long moment; Helo felt cold sweat form on his brow.
Then her eyes softened.
"I understand; but please don't hide anything from me," she turned to Hera "I'm glad she has the gene...maybe it will help her fit in when we get to Earth."
Helo looked at her in surprise. "You wish to settle on Earth."
Sharon nodded. "I would very much like to; have you forgotten how people reacted when I was pregnant with Hera?"
Helo nodded reluctantly. How could he forget?
Many had called for her death before they realized she was pregnant; then when that went viral; most called for her abortion and execution in that order.
After all President Roslin had ordered it, but she cancelled the order when Dr Cottle and Gaius Baltar realized the baby's serum may save the ailing president.
"Imagine how they will react when they realize she is alive and well."
Helo swallowed nervously; the thought had crossed his mind.
"I spoke to Ensign Kadretti before you went on the mission; she said the Federation accepts all, mutant or not; human or non-human.
She's part klingon and human and carries herself with so much confidence...she has to be telling the truth."
Sharon was quiet for a while. "Perhaps...but I still think Hera having the gene will protect her in that new society. We just have to make sure we get to Earth first."
Helo nodded. "By the way; the entire away team is back..."
Sharon smiled a bit guiltily."I know; Xavier told me while you were in the cargo bay," then her face tightened "he also told me another cylon called Caprica Six and two other men called Novacek and Baltar had come back with the others."
Helo stared at her in shock. "He just told you?"
"Well I asked him what was happening and to my surprise he simply told me," she paused "I...think he's very smart Karl."
Helo felt a bit anxious. "Like a hybrid?"
Sharon shook her head. "Smarter than a hybrid..." her voice trailed off when she heard footsteps. Helo noticed she was now looking over his shoulder and turned to see who was approaching.
He was a bit startled to see Captain Logan and his daughter Laura.
Both had changed out of their body armour and were wearing identical outfits.
The captain's gaze was drawn to the sleeping baby in Sharon's arms and even Laura looked a bit curious.
"How is she?" asked Logan in a soft voice.
Helo tried to hide his surprise that the blunt spoken captain had a gentle bone in his body.
"Hera's well; just sleeping at the moment. The excitement must have tired her out."
Logan nodded then an odd look came on his face when he saw a cuddly toy on the bio-bed.
"Was that what Q-Junior gave her?"
Helo looked at the toy; he had forgotten about it until now.
"Oh that was a gift from Q? I had no idea, I was meaning to ask where you got the model of a razor-cat; they have been extinct for 2 millennia on the 12 Colonies..."
Laura walked over and picked up the toy. "You call this a razor-cat? This is called a 'wolverine' on Earth."
Sharon and Karl looked at Logan.
"That is your call sign isn't it captain?" asked a puzzled Karl.
Logan sighed. "It is. Anyway we will be debriefing soon once Jean and Q have finished with the others.
Lieutenant Agathon; you don't have to attend..."
"I do Captain, " cut in Sharon with a look of alarm on her face "just because I'm a mother does not mean I won't do my fair share."
Laura looked a bit sceptical; while Logan stared at her for a long time.
"That was not what I mean Lieutenant; however considering this is the first time you have spent this amount of time with Hera...I thought you might want more time with her before we plunge into the next disaster."
Sharon's face reddened; there was more to Captain Logan than she realized.
He saw more than he let on.
"I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions; and also Karl and I are extremely grateful for helping us retrieve our daughter."
Logan's face softened a bit. "You're welcome..." the words were barely out of his mouth before Hera woke up and started wailing.
"What's going on?" asked Q Junior as he and Kara chose that moment to join them.
The hologram moved closer to the child and pulled out his tricorder to take a reading. The child kept crying.
"Observations normal; no sign of trauma or illness...she seems fine."
Laura winced as the baby's cries reached eardrum rupturing levels.
"She doesn't sound well."
Sharon looked flustered as she tried to calm the distressed child.
"What's wrong with her?" cried the female cylon in alarm.
"Nothing," everyone turned to see Jean had joined them, she had a wry look on her face "Hera is crying because of one simple reason...she's hungry."
Logan closed his eyes in relief; for one second he thought it had been his presence that had set the child off.
Jean walked to a nearby replicator.
"Captain Agathon, please observe as I prepare a meal for Hera. It's something you'll be doing a lot of in the future."
Karl grinned. "Amen to that," he walked up to Jean and watched as she programmed a milky drink for his hungry daughter.
Everyone watched as Jean showed Karl how to check the temperature of the drink by dropping a few drops on the back of her hand.
Karl tried it and when he was satisfied it was not too warm; he gave the bottle to Sharon.
Once the rubber nipple touched the baby's mouth; the cries stopped.
Logan looked at Jean in wonder. "You've done this before?"
Jean smiled. "Oh yes; a story for another time."
Logan stared at her and for a moment found himself marvelling at her intelligence, strength and beauty.
He loved her so much; but she deserved much better...not someone like him.
Jean noticed his stare and gave him a quizzical look. "You okay?"
Logan opened his mouth to reply but Starbuck got there first.
"Well since you're here I better give you a heads up about the newest cylon bi...female model on board."
The female colonial pilot had been about to swear then remembered in time that Dr Grey really hated anyone swearing around the 'children'.
Even Sharon had given her a warning stare.
"You mean Caprica Six," added Sharon.
Kara gave her a surprised look then looked at Karl.
"I see Helo has already told you."
"Yeah," said Karl quickly before his wife corrected Starbuck.
Sharon gave him an odd glance before concentrating on the female pilot.
"Good; we can't let her know Q Junior is a hologram. At the moment she believes he is a cylon."
Everyone stared at Kara.
"Why hide?" asked Laura as she folded her arms and stared suspiciously at Starbuck.
The pilot responded by turning to Q Junior.
"Please answer this, is your program not reprogrammable?"
Q Junior stared at her for a long moment. "Yes, it is."
Sharon closed her eyes briefly as she swore silently. "Caprica Six is the best in hacking and reprogramming."
Kara nodded. "If she gets her hands on his programming or on the AI of this ship...we will all be in a lot of trouble."
"Then why is she on board in the first place?" asked Dr Grey as she turned to face the captain.
Logan sighed. "She helped us get Hera off the ship and also helped us find two colonials POWs."
"Dr Gaius Baltar and Lieutenant Novacek," supplied Kara.
"As well as helping us get off the basestar," added Laura.
"In return she wanted to come with us," concluded Logan.
Jean held her jaw thoughtfully. "Are you sure she's not got an ulterior motive to crossing over to the other side?"
Kara laughed bitterly. "Six? I bet she does but she's smart, very smart and also very dangerous. I would recommend her being but in your brig until we get to the Galactica then the Admiral would take it from there."
Logan looked at her sharply. He heard the anger and hate in the pilot's voice.
Whatever plans Kara had for Caprica would involve a lot of pain.
"No." The firmness of his voice startled Starbuck.
"I accept that she is not to be trusted but she asked for our help; we got her out but I will not allow her to be tortured by your superiors."
Kara stared at him in shock. "You have no idea what she's done..."
"She's part of the force that destroyed your homeworld; imprisoned your people; tortured them and caused untold suffering.
Yes; you're right I have no idea what she's done; I cannot empathize because I was not there but I gave my word and I intend to keep it," said Logan firmly.
Kara glared at him for a long moment before she turned away.
"However you're right about hiding Q's real identity," conceded Logan, he looked at the silent hologram.
"Can you hide your holoemitter?"
Q Junior who was still in his body armour form nodded slowly.
"I can merge it with my form."
"How?" asked Helo with a curious look on his face.
"Like this," said Q Junior. He taped a short sequence on his emitter which changed his form to the red and black Starfleet uniform then he pressed the circular emitter until it seemed to sink into his right shoulder.
Within seconds the emitter was gone.
"But this is going to create problems when we get back to the Galactica; your commanders are going to want to know why I'm hiding it."
"Leave that to us; once we explain I think they will understand," said Sharon as she shifted her arms slightly to accommodate the still feeding Hera.
"You need to inform Ensign Kadretti before she let's something slip," added Kara in a neutral voice.
"She's not that dumb," said Laura in a calm voice.
Logan raised an eyebrow. He was all too aware of how Laura viewed anyone new with suspicion. Maybe the stunt Ihuoma Kadretti had performed with the shuttle had impressed his daughter.
Laura's trust issues seemed to be improving.
"We'll tell her," said Q Junior "however before I dash off to engineering I need to do a quick scan on Captain Logan and Laura."
"They haven't had their medicals?" asked Jean with a glint in her eyes.
"Nope," said Q Junior cheerfully.
Jean sighed and took a tricorder from the cabinet by the bio-bed.
"I'll check the captain while you check Laura."
"Aye aye Dr Grey," said Q Junior politely as he approached Laura who was glaring at him.
"I'm fine," said the female teen tensely.
Q Junior held up both hands in surrender. "I know you are; just need to be sure because I'm going to need you in engineering."
The frown on her face was replaced by a sceptical one. "Oh really?"
"For real," said Q Junior as he took quick scans as she stood motionless.
"All's good; no injuries at all. See? That was quick."
Laura just smiled dryly at him.
Logan knew protesting was out of the question as Dr Grey approached him with a medical tricorder.
"You're feeling okay Logan?" asked Jean as she ignored the stares from the colonials.
"Yeah; I'm fine," he answered as she scanned him.
"Hmmm, anyway while I'm doing this I might as well tell you that I found something interesting while checking Mr Novacek."
Kara's head came up at her last words.
"Like what?" asked a worried Logan.
Jean completed the last scan before answering.
"He's got the mutant gene and it's active."
"What?" asked a stunned Helo.
Sharon and Kara's mouths were slightly open in shock.
Jean nodded. "When I scanned him; I noticed he had some lung tissue irritation but it was healing 5 times faster than that of normal human tissue.
His rapid healing factor may be his mutant ability."
"Like mine," said Logan in a grave voice.
Kara stared at him. "Like yours?"
It took a while before Logan answered. "That is one of my abilities; I heal very fast...that's how I survived the metal bonding to my bones."
Helo's face paled; he suspected it had been a very painful experience.
"Does he heal as fast as me? Does he have any claws?" asked Logan.
Jean shook her head. "He's much slower than you and there are no claws.
Probably his healing factor is what helped him survive the 8 years of captivity."
Logan frowned. "Perhaps."
"What of Baltar?" asked Kara with some trepidation in her voice.
Jean shook her head. "He doesn't have the gene and neither does Six if that was your next question."
Kara looked relieved at her answer.
"Anyway there is something else you all need to know," said Q Junior as he put back his tricorder into his tools belt.
"Most of you know that the cylons are tracking the fleet through devices that were embedded in the three vipers and three raptors that returned from Hera's planet."
"And I lost one of those vipers to that damn anomaly," said Kara in a faint voice.
Q Junior nodded silently.
"How did the cylons get the trackers on board those ships ?" asked Sharon as she paused feeding Hera for a few moments then continued when it seemed the child was still hungry.
"Cylon raiders fired at the escaping ships with small penetrating trackers that stayed dormant for 8 hours before being activated.
Once activated they sent out the first sub-space signal which lasts for 45 seconds which is long enough for the cylons to locate the fleet.
A repeat signal was to be sent in alternate cycles of 4hrs or 6hrs or 8 hrs," Q Junior continued calmly "from the data I collected; the next signal will be sent in 6 hours and 3 minutes."
"And our ETA is?" asked Dr Grey.
"7 hours 59 minutes and 10 seconds."
Kara resisted the strong urge to swear. "We'll be getting there more than an hour late!"
Q nodded. "Which is why I need to try and speed up the ship."
"We're already at maximum warp of 9.64," stated Laura in a worried tone.
Q Junior looked at her. "I can safely keep the ship at warp 9.70 for exactly 4.5 minutes and that will increase our speed and get us there at least 30 minutes before the next signal." He turned to Logan.
"Captain, permission to go to engineering and speed us up."
Logan looked at the boy; he sounded confident...besides he had built the entire ship.
"Do it."
Q nodded and looked at Laura. "We could get Oma and Rogers and bring them up to speed as well about Caprica."
"Fine," said Logan without hesitation "we'll be on the bridge; report there when you're done.
There's still debriefing to be done."
Q Junior and Laura nodded and took off at a quick walk.
Logan turned to the others.
"Lieutenant Thrace; Captain Agathon , Caprica Six, Mr Baltar and Lieutenant Novacek will be guarded by you since you know them most but please try not to harm them."
"I'll be joining the debriefing as well," said Jean quietly but firmly.
Logan smiled at her. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX
Oma placed the last piece of bloodied armour into the sonic cleaner.
She had decided that she might as well get everything cleaned and locked up especially with the new guests on board.
Leaving body armour and weapons around was a security risk.
It took only 25 seconds before the last armour piece was clean; then she removed it and took it to a locker that Rogers was standing beside.
He had completed his own small pile and had arranged it neatly inside the open locker.
"That's the last piece," said Oma as she reached past him to put the clean and dry armour inside the locker that was identical to the ones she had seen on board the USS Dunkirk.
She reached out to input a new lock code then hesitated and turned towards Rogers. To her relief he had already turned away and was looking at the ceiling.
Oma put in the new codes and smiled when the small screen indicated it was now locked.
She coughed discreetly so that he could turn round; his face was still a bit red. Oma decided to ignore it.
"So what now?"
"We join the others; I'm sure the captain would want a debriefing as soon as possible," replied Oma calmly.
She started to walk back to the main medical bay and the ensign followed her unaware of her thoughts.
Oma was very apprehensive about what was going to happen next.
Had her acts in fact worsened the situation between the cylons and the Federation?
Was she actually helping to start a war ?
Inside she felt numb about the fact that she had destroyed a resurrection ship.
Now that she thought back on it; she wished she hadn't.
Obviously that ship was very important to the cylons.
"Ensign Rogers...what's a resurrection ship?"
The colonial ensign looked at her for a few moments.
"It houses clones of the cylons; when a cylon dies , it's mind is downloaded into a new body with all memories intact.
That's why those ships are so important; with it a cylon can live forever."
Oma was quiet for a long time.
"You feel guilty for destroying the resurrection ship, you shouldn't be."
Oma looked at him. "Why, because you're at war with them?"
Rogers did not back down from her accusing stare. "No; because if you hadn't we would be dead.
We only wanted to collect the away team who were on a rescue and intel mission. If you had only taken out a basestar they would have sent more raiders but once you targeted the resurrection ship...they pulled back and gave us precious time which we used to escape."
"They will be out for blood when next we meet," said Oma softly.
Rogers sighed sadly. "They destroyed the 12 colonies in one day Ensign Kadretti.
They have been out for blood since day one and I'm certain they have the same plans for Earth as well."
Oma looked at him with a startled look but he was not done yet.
"It doesn't matter whether you blew up a resurrection ship or not.
To them Earth is the 13th colony of Kobol and they want to find it just as much as we do."
Oma was silent for a long time as she walked; then she looked up and saw the other female cylon.
"What do you know about Caprica Six?"
Rogers followed her gaze. "She's a model six; known for infiltration and sabotage. I saw her cylon models around a lot on New Caprica; they scared the crap out of me whenever they appeared but not as much as the Number Fives who are men."
"What were the model Fives like?" asked Oma as she kept watching Six.
"The apparent leader of that group is Aaron Doral and he is one sadistic bastard.
People disappeared whenever he was on patrol with the centurions and most never came back," Roger's voice shook; he stopped and took a deep breath.
Oma looked at him in alarm as she saw the distress on his face.
He must have lost someone.
"I'm sorry; I did not mean to remind you like that."
Rogers shook his head and looked at her with eyes that suspiciously looked a bit wet.
"It's...okay; it's just that we lived each day in fear, thinking it was our last.
No one knew who was going to be taken next then the Galactica came back and we were able to escape. We all thought it was a miracle...and then...and then we met the Xavier."
Oma was captivated by the reverence in his voice.
"For the first time we felt the Gods had really heard our prayers."
Oma felt a bit uncomfortable at the light in his eyes; she personally believed in respecting other people's beliefs but the Academy had taught her how quickly a less developed civilization could regard a more developed civilization as it's saviours or the bringers of the apocalypse.
So she had to tread very carefully.
"The Federation's primary aim is to promote peace; they will offer negotiations first. Please do not expect them to exert revenge for you."
To her surprise he smiled sadly. "Somehow I am happy to hear that Earth succeeded where we failed."
Oma gave him a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"
Roger's gaze went to her ridged forehead. "The people of Earth looked beyond differences in race; religion and cultures to establish the Federation...a place where anyone is welcome."
Oma was even more alarmed. "We're not perfect Rogers."
He shook his head. "But you're close to it...the Gods have been good to you."
His last words were said with warmth and not a hint of jealousy.
Oma suddenly realized how blue his eyes were; then she shook her head quickly.
"Em...l would like to ask Six some questions."
Rogers gave her knowing smile; he had noticed her reaction earlier.
"Fine; just be careful around her. She is not to be taken lightly."
Oma nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX
Caprica was aware of when the dark-skinned girl with snow white hair and ridges on her fore head approached their small group.
The young girl was now dressed in a black and red outfit that had to be a uniform. Six noticed the gold like emblem shaped like an arrowhead with a small star in the centre.
The uniform looked more flattering than the colonial uniform and the girl certainly looked exotic and seemed attractive even with those distracting ridges on her forehead.
Poor child; it must be a deformity of some sort.
The girl walked up to them as Lieutenant Novacek and Baltar emerged from the sonic showers.
The two men stared openly at the girl and Ensign Rogers; then Novacek gave Anders a questioning look.
"Lieutenant Novacek; this is Ensign Ihuoma Kadretti of Earth and this is Ensign Billy Rogers of the Galactica," said Anders.
"Pleased to meet you," said Baltar as he approached to Ander's surprise. The scientist stuck out a hand.
Oma stared at it in surprise but took it all the same. "Nice to meet you."
Gaius grinned. "You were surprised at what I just did; I expect this greeting is used on Earth."
Oma nodded. "And elsewhere as well."
"Like where exactly?" asked Six innocently.
Oma's face darkened as she looked at the female cylon.
The cylon sighed dramatically. "Let me guess; someone talked about me," she looked at Rogers.
Oma frowned. "You are the second cylon I have met and just recently a couple of your people were trying to blow up the shuttle with us inside it. So forgive me if I am a bit cautious."
Caprica nodded. "Well answered; so I guess the deformity on your face has in no way affected your intelligence."
That was followed by dead silence and even Six realized she had said something inappropriate by the rage that had appeared on Oma's face.
The female Starfleet ensign reached up and slowly brushed her front hair away so that the ridges could be seen clearly.
"This is not a deformity but a clear indication of my klingon heritage which I wear quite proudly."
Six looked puzzled. "Klingon?" then she looked at a gleefully smiling Anders.
"Ensign Kadretti is part human and part klingon.
The klingons are warrior aliens who are close allies with Earth."
Not that close thought Oma but she was not about to correct him.
Six gave him an incredulous stare. "Aliens? You have got to be kidding."
Even Novacek and Baltar gave the Junior Lieutenant stunned looks.
However Rogers was openly glaring at Six.
"He's right; Oma is part klingon and part human and you also just insulted her."
Oma glanced at him. He looked incensed.
Six took one look at him and turned back to a still furious Oma.
Now that Caprica looked quite closely she could see that what she took for exotic features were more alien that human.
"Oma..."
"Ensign Kadretti," corrected Oma and Rogers at the same time in cold voices.
Anders turned away so as not to laugh at the stunned look on Six's face and the synchronized answer from the two ensigns of different militaries and planets.
"Ensign Kadretti," began the female cylon again.
"I apologize for my words."
Oma stared at her for a long time. "Accepted."
Then she took a deep breath as if trying to reduce the tension in her shoulders.
"Why exactly do the cylons want to find Earth?"
Six looked a bit surprised at the question; then a speculative light came into her eyes. "Earth is your home; is it not?"
Oma maintained eye contact. "Yes; it is."
Six folded her arms and stared at her for a long moment.
"The Sacred Scrolls of Kobol stated that Earth is the Thirteenth Colony of Kobol.
Now Kobol is the birthplace of the humanity and humanity gave rise to us; there was a war on Kobol and the Gods drove the 13 tribes from it.
12 of them settled close to each other while the 13th settled on Earth" she glanced at Anders "to the Colonials; Earth is a paradise and is believed to have been blessed by the Gods."
She turned back to Oma.
"But to us; it has an entirely different meaning.
Earth is our birthright and we are only returning to claim the home of our forefathers and birthplace of our One God."
Oma's eyes narrowed as she tilted her head to one side.
"How long ago did the Thirteenth Tribe leave Kobol for Earth?"
Anders watched the two women with a look of apprehension on his face.
Novacek and Dr Baltar kept silent as well as Rogers.
Caprica seemed a bit taken aback by the odd question. "About roughly 4 millennia ago...you speak as if Earth was already existing before they got there; the Thirteenth Tribe created Earth."
Oma stared at her for a long time. "Well I hate to be the one to tell you this; but Earth had already been occupied by my human ancestors for the past 150,000 years.
Earth is the birthplace of humanity...not Kobol."
There was shocked silence at her words.
"Fascinating," said Baltar in a stunned voice.
"That's blasphemy!" said Novacek in shock.
The male scientist and former president gave him an exasperated look. "Weren't you the one you stated earlier that you no longer believed in the Gods?!"
Novacek pointed at Oma. "She just said that everything our priests and oracles have told us is a lie!"
A still stunned Caprica saw the girl wince. "That was not my intention but I speak the truth whether you wish to hear it or not."
"Do you have evidence to back your words?" asked Dr Baltar.
Novacek rolled his eyes in frustration.
"If you mean documented evidence; then yes and there are even fossilized remains that date back 100,000 years.
Some of that evidence is in the data-base but the rest will be on Earth."
"You will grant us access to this database?" asked Caprica suddenly.
Oma gave her a scathing look. "That will be the Captain's decision."
Caprica opened her mouth to speak.
"Ensign Kadretti, Ensign Rogers," everyone turned to watch Q Junior and Laura walk up to them. There was a mark of urgency in their steps.
"We need you two to assist us in engineering if you don't mind," said Q Junior politely.
Oma and Rogers shared a quick look before she answered.
"No problem."
"What's going on?" asked a worried Anders.
Laura looked at him. "We need to speed up so that we can get to the Galactica before cylons; after that we'll join you guys for the debriefing."
"We need to go now," said Q Junior urgently.
The other three followed him without another word.
Caprica watched them go with a hungry light in her eyes; she was looking particularly at the cylon boy.
She so wanted to speak to him but that was almost eclipsed by the need to study the engines of this ship and also it's database.
Six turned back to find Anders was studying her with a cold expression.
Somehow she knew he had an idea of what she was thinking.
Caprica said nothing; she would bide her time and soon enough she would get what she wanted.
That was always how it worked out.
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"Okay; now we're far away from them; why do you really need us in engineering?" asked Rogers once they got to the turbo-lift.
Q Junior and Laura shared a small smile. "He's smart."
Oma raised an eyebrow. "You didn't really need us in engineering; did you?"
The lift came to a stop and Q Junior got out before answering.
"Oh we do; but we need to tell you guys something else as well."
Rogers was hardly paying attention; he was looking at a long shielded column of bluish light that was at the centre of a spacious room.
The column was roughly 24 feet high and 5 feet wide; there was a soft almost hypnotic humming sound that seemed to come from it.
What Rogers was unaware of was that the warp core spanned three decks and he was only seeing less than a third of it.
There were three consoles surrounding the column and numerous coloured display screens on the walls.
The room looked nothing like the main engineering of the Galactica; that was cluttered and barely being held together with only Zeus knew what.
But this was clean; looked brand new and in top condition.
How in Hades did they fly the Xavier with so few crew?
"Come in Ensign Rogers; are you with us?" asked Q Junior loudly as he brought Rogers back to real time.
"I...I'm sorry; I was just so taken by...this," he said as he waved at his surroundings.
Oma had a worried look on her face. "You alright Rogers?"
He nodded. "Yeah; I'm fine...so what were you saying Ensign Q?"
Laura answered. "Lieutenant Thrace advised us not to let Six know that Q is a hologram. She already thinks he's a cylon."
It didn't take long for Rogers to figure out why. "Of course; I should have thought of that."
"Excuse me?" asked a puzzled Oma.
Rogers turned to her. "Caprica Six is known for infiltration and from what we know she's one heck of a programmer," he glanced at Q Junior uneasily " and I guess it would be a disaster if your program ends up in her hands."
Oma opened her mouth and closed it as if trying to pick her words with care.
"You want us to lie to her."
Laura gave her an incredulous look. "Sweetheart; this is not the time to worry about the small details; do recall that we are now at war with the cylons.
Even though she helped us; I don't trust her."
"We don't have to lie," said Rogers hastily when he saw how Laura's words seemed to bother Oma. They all looked at him.
"We just don't tell her; she already thinks he is a cylon so we keep letting her think that way."
Q Junior sighed. "Look; I don't like this anymore than you do; but I see why Starbuck is concerned."
Oma took a deep breath; then nodded. "Fine; I won't say anything."
The hologram had a relieved smile on his face. "Cool; anyhow what's going to happen now is that I need to speed up the Xavier to warp 9.7."
A look of alarm appeared on Oma's face. "A Defiant's class max speed is 9.5."
Q shook his head. "That is for most Defiant class ships; this one's max speed is 9.64 and I can keep it at 9.7 for exactly 4.5 minutes."
Oma looked at the warp core with concern on her face.
"You could damage the warp core and endanger everyone on this ship."
Laura glared at her.
"You're right," Q's voice was calm "I could; which is why you three are going to help me calibrate the warp drive and also assist in watching the monitors. If this is done carefully; the ship will be safe and we will arrive at least 31 minutes before the next transmission."
"You're figured out the intervals between signals?" asked Rogers.
Q Junior nodded grimly as he started pressing symbols on one of the display screens on the wall.
"Yes and we have to work quickly."
Q Junior turned to Oma. "I need you to keep an eye on the stress modulators; once I remove the safety protocols it will..."
"Indicate the risk of a core breach occurring," cut in Oma smoothly " basic warp design is taught at the academy Q." She was already standing at the left console beside the core and scrolling through read outs.
Q Junior nodded absently. "Nice," he looked at Laura.
"Please monitor the effects on ship's systems..."
"The ship systems?" interrupted Rogers with a look of alarm on his face.
"Yes," said Q Junior patiently as he walked to the middle console by the shield warp core "before we can get to warp 9.7; I will have to increase it gradually and divert energy from the weapons energy reserves.
This will also cause a considerable strain on certain systems.
This strain can be increased by several factors; one such as a hasty increase in warp speed past the safety margins and also spatial anomalies," he paused "which I doubt we would encounter a second time.
However in view of things not usually going according to plan; I need Laura to watch the monitors. If there is any indication of catastrophic failure of the core or ship systems...I will stop the procedure."
Oma had a grave expression on her face. "If you try to stop it rapidly that could also lead to disaster."
Q Junior looked at her with a solemn light in his eyes. "I know; I intend to be very careful."
The hologram touched his com-badge.
"Engineering to the bridge; this is Q Junior."
"Q; what's your status?" answered Captain Logan.
"We're about to start; in exactly 30 seconds I will disable the safety protocols.
Please be aware that there may be a significant strain on basic systems; energy will be diverted from weapons energy reserves to increase the warp speed and I would recommend powering down unnecessary systems at this point.
Permission to do so from engineering captain."
There was a brief pause before Logan replied.
"Permission granted; I will maintain us at yellow alert."
Q Junior chewed his lower lip as he answered. "Thank you; captain."
He looked at the others and Laura and Oma were at their stations. Rogers was standing in the middle of engineering and looked as if he was praying.
"Well here goes," said Q Junior under his breath as he pressed the final symbol.
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The bridge...
Jean was worried; she had heard the hidden worry in Q Junior's voice and she was certain Logan had heard it too.
But once again; they didn't have a choice.
She turned to see Kara was also watching her with a concerned look on her face.
Helo, Sharon, Hera and Anders were with Dr Baltar; Six and Mr Novacek in the captain's waiting room.
To everyone's relief; Novacek had not tried anything when he saw the model eight cylon and the child in her arms.
He had looked shocked; then angry but a meaningful look from Anders had him keeping silent.
Hera at the moment was resting peacefully after being well fed.
But everyone was nervous; because it didn't take a genius to know that what Q Junior was about to attempt was dangerous.
"It will work, won't it?" asked Kara in a nervous voice.
Jean nodded while she tried to project confidence. "Q Junior is the expert in this area...if he thought it was too dangerous to attempt; he would not try it.
He will not endanger us unnecessarily."
Kara bit her lower lip as she nodded slowly; her mind was on the fact that Q Junior was taking power from the 'weapons energy reserves' to speed them up. She sure hoped they didn't turn up to meet the cylons defenceless.
"He's a smart kid," she said in an absent tone not noticing the odd look that appeared briefly on Logan's face.
"You just called him a kid," said the captain softly.
Kara was startled for a bit as she realized what she had done.
"Well...I guess his programmers are pretty good at what they do," said the female pilot.
Jean and Logan glanced at each other briefly.
"You could say that," said Jean in cryptic tones.
Kara frowned and was about to ask a question when she was interrupted by someone else.
"Captain Logan," called Xavier "warp speed has increased to 9.65; energy has been diverted from non-essential sections of the ship.
Warp Core is currently stable."
Logan nodded; he looked at the ceiling. "Xavier; Give me ship wide."
"Yes, captain."
"This is Captain Logan; Ensign Q Junior has initiated speeding up the warp speed.
However I would advise everyone to be seated and alert in case we experience difficulties during this procedure." He sighed off and looked at Jean and Kara who had quickly resumed their seats.
And now we wait thought Logan solemnly as he looked at the viewscreen.
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"Warp 9.66,"reported Q Junior as he increased the warp speed
"Warp containment holding," called Oma as she kept an eye on her console.
"Life support systems stable; other essential ship systems stable," added Laura from her own console.
Rogers kept his eye on the visible chronometer on the wall; it would start to count down once the speed reached to warp 9.7.
The male ensign's heart was beating so loudly that he was sure everyone could hear it. There was this feeling of dread that was building up but he had no idea what to do with it.
"Warp 9.67," said Q Junior calmly.
"Containment holding," came Oma's calm reply.
"Systems stable," reported Laura.
"Warp 9.68."
Rogers wasn't sure if he was imaging it but he thought the soft humming of the core had just gotten louder.
"Containment still holding."
"Systems still stable."
"Warp 9.69."
Rogers' eyes narrowed; the hum was definitely building up in volume; even Oma looked up briefly.
"Containment stable."
"Systems still stable," came Laura's calm report.
Rogers looked at Q Junior and was just in time to see him take a deep breath.
"Warp 9.7."
The hum began a whine.
This time Oma's report was a bit hesitant.
"Containment...holding."
Q Junior let out a slow breath as Laura also reported.
"Systems still stable."
Rogers looked up at the chronometer; it had started counting down.
"Bill; how long do we have?" asked Q Junior without turning round.
"4 minutes and 11 seconds."
Rogers swallowed nervously; it may be a few minutes but it felt like centuries.
Q Junior tapped his com-badge; Rogers noted absently that for a hologram Q Junior looked a bit pale; as if he was very nervous.
However his voice remained calm.
"Engineering to the bridge."
"Status; Q?" replied Captain Logan.
"We're at warp 9.7; we have exactly 3 minutes and 59 seconds to go.
Core containment has remained stable and systems are also stable."
"Good work Q."
Rogers saw the hologram smile weakly at the praise.
"Stay alert and let us know if we can assist."
"Yes captain," said Q Junior.
He spared a glance for Laura. "Now; all we do is wait."
Rogers knew he should be feeling relieved but why was the sensation of dread building up in his chest ?
He wanted to say something; give some sort of warning.
But he had no idea what was coming.
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The ship known as 'Xavier' hurled through space at a record breaking speed of 9.7 for this particular Defiant class.
Unknown to the crew on board the ship; there were engineers in a particular arm of Starfleet that would give certain parts of their anatomy to be able to examine the warp core and nacelles of this particular ship.
Defiant class ships had a class 7 warp drive with a maximum speed of 9.5; Starfleet engineers were trying to improve the warp speed of this class that Commander Thomas Riker had once identified as 'tough little ships'.
It had been created for battle against the Borg but had done it's fair share and then some during the Dominion War.
However none of the 'mild' modifications that Q Junior had built into the ship could prepare it for what was about to happen.
As the Xavier sped past a particular region of space; a spatial anomaly formed and the ship flew a little too close to it.
This of course affected the delicate work currently occurring in main engineering.
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The feeling of dread was so much that Roger almost felt sick.
"Q...something is wrong."
Oma and Laura looked up from their consoles and both frowned at him.
Q Junior took his eyes off the chronometer; they had 2 minutes and 5 seconds to go.
"What do you mean..."
"Spatial anomaly detected; executing emergency stop to avoid contact," warned Xavier before the ship was suddenly shaken violently and everyone went flying.
Q Junior's feet left the floor at the same time he saw Rogers fly towards the warp core.
The hologram rapidly calculated that if the colonial ensign hit the shielded core at the angle he was currently at ; it would result in a broken neck and skull and most likely cause instant death.
Q Junior reacted without thinking and somehow managed to reach out and grab the young man's jacket as he pulled him sideways.
Q Junior turned in a split second so that the colonial pilot would land on him; thus cushioning Roger's fall.
It was over in a manner of seconds and the klaxons were blaring all over the ship.
Rogers tried to get his breath back before realizing he was on top of someone.
"You guys okay?!" yelled Oma in alarm. Rogers looked up at her.
He was so relieved that she was unharmed; but what he had failed to witness was her using her ability to avoid being smashed into the shielded core face first.
"Q!" called Laura in alarm; she had a bleeding cut on her forehead.
She had not been so lucky; when the ship stopped abruptly she had hit her control panel face first and thus sustained a cut on the left side of the forehead and a mild concussion which was rapidly resolving.
Thus her eyes were clear and lucid.
Already the cut on her forehead was closing as if being glued by an unseen hand.
"I'm okay," said a muffled voice from a body beneath Rogers.
Laura and Rogers helped the colonial pilot off the hologram. Rogers was speechless because he was watching Laura's injury heal itself rapidly.
Was that part of her mutant ability ?
Q Junior stood up with a pull from Oma.
"And Rogers; you're welcome," said the hologram in a dry voice.
Rogers tore his eyes away from Laura's face. "I...I am...I mean thanks for preventing me from hitting the core.
But what happened ?"
Instead of answering, Q Junior had walked up to Laura. "You okay?" the concern in his voice was obvious.
"I'm fine..." began Laura.
"Q! What the hell happened? Are you kids okay?" Interrupted Logan's gruff voice which could not hide the worry behind it.
Q Junior looked at everyone who nodded quickly.
"We're okay sir," Q Junior quickly walked back to his console; he started restoring the safety protocols as quickly as possible "Xavier just initiated an emergency stop; that's usually done if warp use is unsafe."
"Like if there's a huge obstacle in the way?"
Q Junior's hand froze over the console. "Is there something in our way?
"Yeah, it's back."
Q Junior and Rogers shared a worried look.
"What?" asked Ensign Rogers and Q at the same time.
"The anomaly," said a frightened Oma as she stared at the sensor display on the wall.
"Captain; what's our proximity?" asked Q Junior anxiously.
"It was 75,000 metres when we abruptly came out of warp but Jean has taken us to 115,000 metres using impulse power only.
My systems state I can't use the warp drive at the moment; can you fix it?"
Q Junior looked at his systems. "Oma; status of the core?" he asked crisply.
"Containment holding; apparently the abrupt shut down did not affect it."
Q Junior closed his eyes briefly as a profound sense of relief filled him but he quickly resumed his systems check of the warp drive.
"With the rapid shutdown; the warp drive has gone into standby mode which will last at least 45 seconds."
He did not see Oma's expression of shock.
From the little she knew of warp drive construction; standby modes usually lasted minutes or hours.
What kind of ship had Q Junior built?
Q Junior kept speaking. "We are extremely lucky that the warp drive is not offline but we can only go up to warp 8.9 safely once the standby period is over but I would advise us doing it at a great distance from the wormhole and at a gradual increase.
How are the others on the bridge captain?"
On the bridge, Logan looked at a shaken Kara who had returned from the ready room with a worried looking Anders. Both gave him a thumbs up sign.
Logan frowned a bit when he saw Novacek, Baltar and Caprica Six were also with them; but he did not move from his seat because the two former POWs and the female cylon were staring at the anomaly on the viewscreen.
He was a bit pleased to see it scared the onlookers.
"A bit shaken but we are okay; Jean kept all of us from breaking any bones."
Logan looked at the doctor who was at the helm; she had acted quickly and used her telekinesis to prevent everyone from injuring themselves.
Q Junior released a sigh of relief.
"How much distance do you need?"
"A proximity of 250,000 metres should be safe enough to go to warp 2; then we can increase it gradually."
Rogers looked up to see a sad look on Oma's face but the female Starfleet ensign nodded silently at Q Junior as if showing that she understood.
She knew that the colonial refugee fleet's safety was paramount here.
Rogers felt so proud of her; without thinking he walked up to her and looked intently into her face.
"Thank you," he said in a low voice.
Oma was startled but she did not take a step back.
"Em...you're welcome."
Both totally missed the wry smile on Laura's face.
"People," called Logan. Something in his voice made them all look up.
"It's gone."
Q Junior frowned. "Already?"
"Yeah and this time it was bigger and more violent. We were lucky not to have been caught in it's gravitational pull.
Nothing came through this time though."
The four young people looked at each other.
"Q; we need to go to warp, how long were we able to stay at 9.7 before this thing showed up?"
"Only 2 minutes and 25 seconds; we cannot attempt it again because a huge strain has already been placed on the warp core and we drained half of the weapons energy reserves for just that short period of time."
There was silence for a while.
"We're going to need weapons when we get to the fleet," said the captain solemnly.
"Yes sir," agreed Q Junior gravely " however on the other hand; if we increase to warp 8.9 in the next 5 minutes we will be getting to the fleet at least 15 minutes and 4 seconds before the next transmission."
"That's not enough!" protested Kara.
Q Junior sighed " we push the warp drive higher than 8.9 and I promise you that we won't make it. I cannot take that chance."
There was silence for a few moments before Captain Logan spoke.
"We understand, good job people.
Report to the ready room when you're satisfied that systems are stable."
"Aye aye captain," said Q Junior politely before sighing off.
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Somewhere in the datastream...
The Number Three known as D'anna Biers knew what it was to die and 'resurrect'.
She had done 'both' so many times that she had lost count.
But soon after her recent 'demise' she realized something was different.
Each cylon model who entered the datastream knew they would download after a short period; but the experience for each model was different.
Some seemed to be blissfully unaware of their 'journey' through the datastream to their new bodies.
While the others tried to see what the 'datastream' or as some had described it ; what 'limbo' looked like.
D'anna was of the later group; usually it was filled with an inky blackness which was lit by a bright white line on which she stood.
This bright line moved rapidly and all D'anna had to do was stay on it until it reached it's final destination which the Number Three always saw as a brightly lit door.
Once she opened this door ; she was in her new body and woke up shortly afterwards.
However this time; D'anna noticed something she had never seen before.
As the line moved; she saw that to her extreme left were a group of people; they must have been about 60 to 70 metres away but yet she could tell they were five in number and were looking downwards.
D'anna did not know when her feet left the white path and she began to approach the five figures standing in a distance.
As she got closer she started to make out certain features.
The five were wearing hooded long white cloaks; she could not tell if they were male or female or even human or cylon.
But she knew they were important.
She could see they were looking at something on the ground.
From far away it appeared to be a revolving ball but what was it exactly?
D'anna suddenly had a sense of urgency; she had to get there quickly.
But then she realized that the five were somehow moving away from her the faster she walked.
D'anna started running but the distance just increased.
Then she looked down and saw that she was on the white line once more; somehow the line had found her and was taking her back to the door which would lead to her new body.
But this was more important; there was a secret here that she had to know.
D'anna tried to reach out with her hands and suddenly she was hurtling down the white line to the door.
She started to scream.
Then she opened her eyes suddenly and also tried to take a deep breath but ended up coughing violently.
The Number Three knew she was now in her new body; waking up as if one was drowning was what she hated most about downloading.
It was a right pain in the arse.
D'anna felt her eyes water as she coughed up more fluid; then she felt steadying hands and a blanket placed around her naked shoulders.
The female cylon looked up into the eyes of a Number Eight physician.
But she was not alone; behind her were armed Number Five copies.
They all looked very upset.
D'anna hid an internal sigh.
Cavil must have sent them to take her custody.
"W...which ship am I on?" asked D'anna in a raspy voice that she absolutely hated. That was due to the downloading.
"The Alria," said the Number Eight; she looked at the silent Number Fives behind her.
"I'm afraid they will be taking you into custody."
D'anna waved her apology away.
"Not your fault ; I understand..." D'anna never got to finish her sentence as the Alria was suddenly shaken violently.
Everyone, even the Number Fives looked a bit startled.
"What's happening ?" asked D'anna with a growing sense of alarm.
The Number Eight was already at the nearest monitor.
"I don't know! It looks like we were hit by..." her voice trailed off when she saw the alarming message on the screen.
"What?!" demanded D'anna as she tried to stand up.
Then the resurrection ship shook violently as an explosive chain reaction started and in less than a minute the entire resurrection ship was destroyed.
Along with a recently resurrected D'anna.
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D'anna opened her eyes again and knew she was back in the datastream.
She stared at her feet; she was once again on the white line.
Something had destroyed the Alria; part of her realized it had to have been the work of Captain Logan and his team.
But how and why ?
Then D'anna's attention was once again caught by the five figures in a distance.
D'anna did not hesitate; she got off the line and began to run towards the small group.
Once again ; she realized the distance between her and the group was getting longer instead of shorter. She stopped running and began to walk steadily towards them and then the distance began to reduce.
D'anna shook her head as she walked; she should have realized that the first time.
Distance and time in the datastream defied the laws of physics.
What you thought you knew was an illusion; here things worked differently.
However; despite this knowledge she still wanted to run to the figures because she knew she was running out of time.
This was due to the fact that the resurrection technology had a failsafe.
If a 'dead' cylon did not resurrect within a certain time frame; the system would forcefully revive the cylon.
It was hardly needed but D'anna guessed who ever had designed the system had done so in order to prevent cylon minds from getting lost in the datastream.
But in this case; it could prevent D'anna from finding out about the small group of people in a distance.
D'anna felt a sense of urgency as she got closer to the group; she suppressed the strong urge to run to them as her feet got her closer.
Now; she could see the colour of garments they wore; it was a simple robe which was light brown.
D'anna unthinkingly picked up the pace but instead of getting closer; the figures began to recede.
"No! No!" said D'anna in dismay.
"Emergency revival initiated."
The Number Three looked up at the voice of the Resurrection ship's Hybrid.
D'anna felt her heart sink and she tried running towards the group of five people; but before she could take three steps she felt herself being jerked suddenly towards the white door.
She opened her mouth to scream once more.
And woke up coughing and gasping for air.
She spat out the clear fluid that had a few minutes ago nourished the dormant clone she had been downloaded into.
As she blinked several times; D'anna felt strong but gentle hands lift her from the resurrection tank and a warm blanket put over her shoulders.
Once her vision was clear; D'anna saw the Number Eight who was observing her with a worried look on her face.
"For a moment there; I was concerned about your transition; it took longer than expected and the fail safe had to be activated."
D'anna took a deep breath. "Wish you hadn't done that."
The Number Eight looked puzzled as the Number Three stood up shakily and looked around.
"I'm surprised that there are no guards to take me to Cavil."
The Number Eight expression turned to one of alarm.
"Guards?"
D'anna shook her head. "Get me some clothes; I am sure they will be along shortly. How goes the rest of the fleet?"
"I...I am not entirely sure what is going on," answered the Eight as she gave D'anna some clothes that were nearby.
The Number Three looked at her sharply as she rapidly put on a grey jumpsuit. "The Alria was attacked and possibly destroyed; now we have only two such ships remaining.
Surely that is reason enough to know what is happening around you."
The Number Eight model's face turned red. "I...I..."
D'anna ignored her when she heard hurried steps.
She looked up to see four armed Number Fives approaching her.
"About frakking time," muttered D'anna under her breath as she put on flat shoes that the Number Eight had thoughtfully placed beside the tank.
She was drying her hair by the time the guards reached her.
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The basestar...
D'anna was silent as she marched between her guards.
She had not protested or resisted; she knew Cavil and the others must be in an uproar.
A basestar had been infiltrated in a way they had not forseen and the intruders had escaped.
A resurrection ship had also been destroyed during the escape.
And D'anna was yet to fully absorb that bit of news.
Her mind was still on the five figures in the datastream; something told her they were very important than the destruction of an irreplaceable resurrection ship.
And the more she thought about it; the more she wondered if it was related to the 5 ancient resurrection tanks she had seen on the monitor in Cavil's personal labs.
But what could she do with such information?
She wished Caprica Six was still with her; she would know what to do.
D'anna's mind returned to the present when her escort came to a stop just infront of a conference room.
One of the Fives turned to her. "They are waiting."
"Thanks for the escort," said D'anna dryly as she walked into the room.
The noise died down immediately she entered.
All the models were standing; D'anna hid a sigh of relief when she saw Natalie.
Thank the One God that she was back!
Right beside her was Leoben Conoy; he looked relieved to see her.
Boomer's face was expressionless.
Aaron and Simon appeared worried
Cavil on the other hand looked as mad as Hades.
He got right to the point.
"D'anna; give me one good reason whyyou shouldn't be boxed."
Natalie and Leoben gave him shocked looks; while Boomer actually smiled a little.
D'anna did not waste time in answering. "The Thirteenth Tribe has cylons...just like us."
Cavil's lower jaw dropped; for the first time he was struck speechless.
As much as D'anna wanted to savour the moment; she had to strike while the iron was still hot.
"One of the intruders was a cylon from Earth; his name is Q Junior and he hacked our systems as if they were nothing."
"That is not proof !" protested Aaron.
D'anna looked at him. "He alone was able to use our semi-liquid interface; we all know that such technology is incompatible with humans."
Everyone looked at each other.
"Boomer; did you witness this?" asked Cavil as he looked at the Number Eight.
"No," answered D'anna before she could talk " this occurred while he hacked into the mainframe in the CIC."
Simon's eyes widened. "You just let that happen?"
"They had guns pointed at me ," said D'anna heatedly "and also I wanted more information about the cylon child so that we could capture him alive for questioning."
"Which you failed at," said Aaron icily.
"Yes, I did fail because one of ours was about to kill him; if that had happened we would have lost an opportunity of speaking with him and finding out about Earth."
"What about the other?" asked Natalie " were they cylons as well?"
"I'm not sure," answered D'anna " the other two were a father and daughter called Logan and Laura.
Logan is the captain of the Xavier..."
"The captain and his daughter...that little girl were part of the rescue?" interrupted a stunned Leoben.
D'anna stared at him. "You have watched the recordings; have you not?"
Leoben looked at a fuming Cavil but answered.
"Some of the centurions black boxes are still being put back together for use to get an idea of what happened...but the little we have seen is disturbing."
D'anna turned towards Cavil. "I resurrected first on the Alria; how was it destroyed?"
Cavil's face wrinkled up as if he had tasted something vile. "The rescue team were the ones responsible."
Natalie shot him a nasty look. "Oh you played your part in it alright."
D'anna looked at her fellow cylon sister. "What do you mean?"
"That is not important..." began Cavil but Natalie spoke over him.
"Dear Cavil has been working on a new weapon...an anti-matter nuke and he programmed the raiders to jump into the shields of the enemy ship and once that was done the ship detonates it payload."
D'anna winced as she envisaged the destruction such a suicide act would cause.
But Natalie was not done.
"Then suddenly, the ship flung one of raiders towards the Alria and that was how one of our three irreplaceable and highly valuable resurrection ships was destroyed!"
The last piece was almost said at a shout and Natalie looked ready to take Cavil's head off.
To his credit the Number One did not flinch.
"Considering the effect the new nukes had on their shields; I would say that they are very effective weapons. Is that not so Aaron?"
The Number Five answered as if on cue. "The new nukes work beautifully."
D'anna saw Natalie turn her murderous glare on the Number Five cylon model.
"What did you do to the programming of the raiders? They are not supposed to attack a ship with a cylon in it and Six was with them," added Leoben.
Cavil and Aaron shared a significant glance.
"We made a few modifications in order to improve offensive capabilities..."
"Modifications?!" hissed D'anna as she quickly realized what the two male cylons had done "you added more directives to their programming; that is almost the same as lobotomizing them !"
Cavil raised a finger. "Ah; we have not gone that far; but we may have to if the situation worsens; however let's return to the real matter on the table here.
You helped the intruders."
"I didn't," said D'anna tartly "they already had a map of the entire basestar and took us as hostages."
Boomer took an angry step forward. "You expect me to believe that."
D'anna gave her a cold look. "Personally; I don't frakking care what you believe.
You wanted to kill Hera; considering how Caprica Six and I feel about her, are you that surprised that Six blew your brains out?"
Natalie, Leoben and Simon gave the Number Eight horrified looks.
Aaron just rolled his eyes ; while Cavil rubbed his forehead as if he had a migraine starting.
Boomer opened her mouth to talk.
"Don't say you were bluffing Boomer; I know you very well. You were ready to snap the child's neck! The only cylon child born to us in the history of our existence!"
To say D'anna was pissed was the understatement of the year; if she had a gun nearby, Boomer would be resurrecting again in a few minutes.
"What about Caprica?" asked Leoben "why did she go with them?"
D'anna turned away from the silent Boomer. "I'm not sure; but if I know Caprica; it was properly for information.
I think we should wait for her to contact us..."
"We will do no such thing!" yelled Cavil "in case you have forgotten; they destroyed one of the three resurrection ships we have remaining.
That is apart from infiltrating the basestar and hacking into the mainframe and only the useless Gods know what else they did to the Hybrid!"
D'anna didn't think Ensign Q Junior had harmed the Hybrid but Cavil was in no mood to listen.
"We will go after them and teach them a lesson; all those in favour?"
Simon; Aaron and Cavil raised their hands; the Number One looked at Boomer for a long time and then eventually she raised her hand as well.
D'anna, Natalie and Leoben looked at them in shock.
"We are acting too hastily here; we still have not repaired all the damage done to this basestar and we still don't know what exactly happened in the CIC..."protested Natalie.
"The decision has been made,"cut in Cavil " four against three; we will take 6 of the basestars to engage the colonial fleet and the Xavier."
D'anna stared at him. "You intend to attack them using the new weapons you have created."
"Oh; how perceptive of you Miss Biers," said Cavil acidly "once the next transmission is sent in the next 5 hours and 49 minutes we will heard for the new co-ordinates; until then I suggest you all get ready for war."
Cavil immediately walked out of the room; followed by Aaron and Boomer.
After a few long awkward moments; Simon hurried out after them.
D'anna leaned against the table as she finally allowed her fatigue to show.
"You look wasted," said Leoben in a concerned voice as he walked up to her.
"I agree," said Natalie "maybe we should get one of the medics to check you over..."
D'anna held up a hand. "We don't have time; this whole...thing is wrong!
We should not be attacking the Xavier and it's crew; Cavil is making a big mistake."
The Number Six model looked at her closely. "Is there something else we need to be concerned about?"
D'anna laughed bitterly. "Where does one start?
If the Thirteenth Tribe has truly aligned itself with the Colonial refugee fleet then we are well and truly frakked and what also worries me is what Cavil is really up to.
One moment I was sure he was going to try and judge me on the spot; then he decides to concentrate on war with Earth!?"
Leoben looked confused. "What do you mean?"
D'anna was silent as several thoughts ran through her mind.
The five figures in the ancient resurrection tanks kept coming to mind.
"I don't know; but we need to find out before Cavil destroys us all."
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The Xavier...
Logan turned as the turbolift opened; he hid a sigh of relief as Q Junior; Laura; Oma and Rogers stepped out of the lift.
As he looked at them; he was suddenly reminded of the young mutants he had helped train briefly at Xavier's school for the gifted and also of some of it's teachers.
Q Junior sort of reminded him of Kitty Pryde; his boundless energy and ability seemed just like hers.
Oma was a young Storm; her ability to take charge and improvise was impressive and also let's not forget that she had Magneto's abilities
Rogers was a bit like Charles Xavier; the idealistic Professor and head of the school. He could picture Charles and Rogers sitting down to discuss amicably about intellectual things. Rogers was a peacemaker; like Charles had been.
It was a pity the Professor had died so tragically.
And Laura; reminded Logan of himself.
Logan shook his head slightly; this was not the time to get moody.
"All's good?" asked Logan.
Q Junior nodded. "Warp drive is stable; we're at 8.9 and the systems appear satisfactory," the hologram paused.
Logan could tell there was something else worrying the male ensign. "Something on your mind, Q ?"
Q glanced quickly at Rogers before answering.
"I need to speak privately with you ,Dr Grey, Laura and Ensign Kadretti sir."
Logan's eyes narrowed while Oma and Laura gave him puzzled looks.
Rogers looked a bit surprised then slightly hurt when he realized he was being excluded.
Q Junior turned to him. "I apologize for this; but this concerns Starfleet security and you are not cleared for this information."
Rogers looked less hurt by the explanation as he nodded.
"I understand."
"Where's Jean?" asked Laura.
"In the ready room with the others," answered Logan.
"I'll get her." The female teenager walked quickly to the conference room.
The silence was surprisingly comfortable as they waited for Dr Grey to come back with Laura; Rogers nodded at her before he left the five of them alone.
Jean had a puzzled look on her face.
"Why did I just get pulled out from the ready room? Did anyone get hurt?"
Logan inclined his head towards Q Junior.
"Junior wanted to talk privately."
Jean frowned. "This private talk is going to make them suspicious."
Q Junior sighed wearily. "I know; but this is really important; it has to do with what I found in the basestar datastream."
Laura stood up straighter as Oma folded her arms and concentrated on the hologram.
"Before I go any further; I need to ask your permission to give Oma the full information of the holographic message we discovered on Hera's planet."
Logan looked at Q Junior for a long moment; then turned to Laura and Jean.
Both of them nodded.
Oma who looked worried, was wise enough to keep silent.
"Tell her," said Logan calmly.
Q Junior turned to the female Starfleet ensign.
"Remember the planet where we first met the colonials and cylons?
It was called Hera's planet and had a temple which was the location of a transmitting beacon. In that temple was a 2000 year old recorded holographic message."
"What was in this message?" asked Oma warily.
"Five people left a message; two women and three men.
They were escaping from a destroyed planet known as Earth."
Oma's eyes widened. "Destroyed?! That's impossible! Earth is still where it is!"
"And you are right and so are they," said Q Junior calmly "however this planet that was destroyed is also called Earth and those five people were the last of their race; we think they were cylons...who happen to be the Thirteenth Tribe of Kobol."
Oma looked at the four people in front of her.
"I...I don't understand."
Q Junior continued looking at her. "Please; listen to me very carefully."
He went on to give her a condensed history of the War on Kobol ; the expulsion of the thirteen tribes of Kobol and the exodus of the Thirteenth Tribe and their arrival on their new homeworld.
Once he was done, he gave her time to absorb the news.
Oma rubbed her forehead. "Two Earths? How why...?"
"It's won't the first or last time that more than one planet share the same name," answered Q Junior.
"The reason this has not been discussed fully with the colonials is because of the impact it's going to have on their religious beliefs."
"Too late for that," muttered Laura dryly.
"But the other reason I am bringing this up is because of those five messengers; we have seen people who are identical to them in this current timeline."
Oma gave him a sharp look.
"What do you mean?"
"You will understand better when you eventually watch the message; however to put it simply, there is someone on board this ship who looks exactly like one of the messengers."
Oma's heart was in her mouth as she thought of a particular blond male ensign.
"Who?"
"Junior Lieutenant Samuel Anders," answered Q Junior.
Oma was relieved it was not Rogers but was shocked it was Anders.
"Could he be a descendent?"
"That was a possibility; until we saw the other four 'messengers' among the colonial fleet," said Logan "then Anders had his medical."
The captain looked at Jean who had a grave expression on her face.
"He's a cylon Oma."
"Knew it," said Laura dryly.
The female ensign's eyes widened. "What?! That is not possible!"
"Oh yes; he is," said Q Junior solemnly " and it gets even better."
"While I was hacking into their mainframe; I found a private lab of one of the male cylons called Cavil. He had 5 cryo tubes which contained 5 cylons; two women and three men.
I checked the features and names of the cylons in those tubes and one of them was Anders."
There was dead silence at his words.
"Now that is news," said Laura with a mild look of surprise on her face.
"Captain," called a dazed Oma "you suspected this before he got on board this ship and before the mission. So, why did you let him board?"
Logan was silent for a while. "He tried to protect Q and Laura when they were shoved into the airlock; he also tried to protect the Xavier when his CAG wanted to nuke us to kingdom come.
He seems like someone who would not stab me in the back," he looked at Oma " and while we were on the mission; he didn't let us down one bit.
This is going to sound odd; but the two people I trust the most among the colonials are Sharon and Anders.
And they are both cylons."
Oma had no idea what to say to that.
"He doesn't know what he is," said Jean "I...we checked, the Phoenix and I; but he does not remember...he doesn't even know that he has lost a huge chunk of his memory."
Oma opened her mouth then closed it.
Reading one's mind without permission was wrong; surely Dr Grey knew that.
I had to check Oma. Said a voice in her head and somehow she knew it wasn't Jean Grey talking.
So; I was wrong...I accept that; but this is my family, I have to keep them safe.
Is there anything you would not do for your family Oma?
Oma found her mind replying; no, if she had to die for her family she would but there was a line that one must never cross.
Charles would have loved you in his class. Then the presence was gone from her mind; Oma glanced at Dr Grey who was looking at her sadly.
"So; what do we do now?" asked Laura with her hands folded across her chest.
"Captain, permission to speak freely," said Oma as she tried to keep her voice calm.
Logan looked at her for a few moments. "Go ahead."
"We should tell him...if someone has wiped his memory and made him think he was something else...it is only right that he is told the truth."
The captain of the Xavier stared at her for a long moment.
"What of his superiors? Do we tell them as well? These people hate the cylons...they might kill him if this gets out."
Oma had no idea what to say to that.
"We leave that option in his hands," said Laura to everyone's surprise.
"Anders strikes me as the kind of guy who follows a moral code. I bet you that if we tell him he is a cylon...he's gonna run to the Admiral and spill the beans," Laura paused " even if it means his own death."
Logan was quiet for a long time. "If it were me...I would like to know," he sighed "it's going to be very hard for him to accept."
"We show him the whole message then," said Q Junior.
"And expose the other four as well?" said Dr Grey.
Laura shrugged. "We might as well; because I agree with Oma on this one."
Oma felt surprised that Laura was supporting her.
"There is something odd about that message and also the fact that five bodies on that basestar look exactly like Anders and the others but D'anna and Caprica Six knew nothing about what was going on in Cavil's labs."
Logan narrowed his eyes at that. "They didn't know ?"
Q Junior nodded. "They certainly did not acknowledge Anders as one of their own and seemed just as shocked to see the tubes in Cavil's lab.
In fact D'anna and Caprica were asking me to identify the bodies in those tubes!"
Logan looked at his daughter who was also nodding her head; backing up Q Junior's report.
Logan chewed his upper lip; then he sighed.
"I have taken all that you have said or not said," he looked at Jean "in consideration but I think...it's time we had a private chat with Junior Lieutenant Anders."
He stood up from where he was leaning against a console.
"But we have a long overdue debriefing to attend; after that we can have the 'other' discussion. Any objections?" he looked around.
Everyone was quiet.
"Fine; let's get this meeting over with," he turned and walked into the ready room with the others not far behind.
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Hi everyone; hope you have all been having a great weekend.
So sorry about the delay; laptop battery died so had to get a new one!
Hope you have all enjoyed Into Darkness; the new Star trek movie; it is awesome!
Have a great weekend and please read and enjoy.
Thanks everyone for your reviews and advice.
See ya in abit!
