CHAPTER 53 of The Phoenix and the Wolverine.

(I do not own Xmen or Star Trek of Battlestar Galactica. I just love writing about it!)

Logan checked his chronometer as he approached the holodeck. Less than two hours left before they headed out on the new mission. To be honest; he felt a bit thrilled to be going on a hunt. Sitting around while listening to the divisive broadcast rhetoric of the Quorum was seriously pissing him off.

His mind returned to the present when he reached the doors to the holodeck. He quickly checked the program running and frowned.

Caprica Six and Baltar had been 'watching' the events of the recent Dominion War for the past nine hours. His eyes narrowed. Why were they so interested in that event? He wondered if Anders and Kara were bored out of their minds…or just as intrigued as their guests.

"Xavier; I trust all sensitive information was edited out of this program?" asked Logan.

"Q Junior was quite careful about that captain."

Logan looked at the ceiling. For some reason he swore the A.I sounded amused.

"Has Caprica being bothering you again?"

"Her requests have reduced significantly. However; she has been directing her questions to the holograms within the program."

Now he was curious. "Let's have a look, shall we?"

The holodeck doors opened as Logan approached and he stepped into another world. At first; the sounds and smells assaulted his keen senses, then he began to take stock of his surroundings.

"Welcome to Deep Space Nine." Logan had read briefly about the station; it had been at the center of the Dominion War, but he had never experienced it on the holodeck. It was noisy; and very busy. He walked around warily as he observed the different races, many in civilian garb and a good number in Starfleet uniform. This was before it was re-taken by the Cardassians and their Dominion allies.

"Where are they?"

"In Quark's Bar. I will guide you." Green neon-lit footsteps began to appear on the floor and Logan followed them.

"Thanks buddy."

"You're welcome captain."

It didn't take long before he found the four people he was looking for, but they weren't alone. They were with two Starfleet officers, an expressionless humanoid with odd plastic features and a disgruntled looking ferengi barkeeper.

"But Captain Sisko, I have a few questions," asked Baltar as Logan approached the group.

The dark-skinned male Starfleet captain raised an eyebrow as he sipped his drink. "Heavens please; not another technological question. You know I can only answer enquires that are relevant to your current state of development…"

"Actually, these are of a theological nature. Why did the aliens in the wormhole choose you as their emissary? Also, if they are so omnipotent; why have they not taken care of the Dominion? Why do you have to fight for your survival?"

The attractive Starfleet officer beside Sisko smiled dryly. By the evenly spaced dots and marks on her forehead, Logan surmised that she was a Trill.

Benjamin Sisko sighed. "As to why they chose me; I'm still trying to understand the reason. Sometime, I feel I may never know. As to why the Prophets haven't blasted our enemies into oblivion…I guess they just don't think it's necessary."

"But there have been numerous reports of ships disappearing while passing through this wormhole," argued Six vehemently. "Surely, the Bajoran Prophets had something to do with that."

"Some questions don't have answers," said the female Trill. "However, as Benjamin said, the Prophets do what they want, which may not seem like much but it may be best if they don't get involved."

Kara had a worried expression on her face. "Why do you say so?"

Benjamin and the female Trill shared a look. "Dax, you always explain this better than I do," said Sisko.

Dax sighed. "There's a theory that there may be races of powerful alien beings in the universe. They keep to their side of the celestial plane because they have rules.

For them to break these rules may bring about a cataclysmic outcome…"

Logan felt a chill at her words. He suddenly wondered if Q's parents were nearby.

"….besides that, if they interceded all the time; we mortals would take their gifts for granted."

"Yeah right Commander Dax. You mean like when you lot take my gifts for granted," loudly grumbled the ferengi barkeep.

"Oh Quark, what gifts? Is that what you call your over-priced drinks?" commented the expressionless humanoid who sat beside the Trill. Sisko barely prevented himself from laughing.

The ferengi rolled his eyes. "As always, thanks a lot for your support Odo," then he noticed Kara and Anders were staring at the Ferengi in barely masked horrified fascination.

"What in the Prophets are you two idiots gawking at?"

Logan decided to step in at that point. "How's everyone doing?" He sat down at the bar while ignoring the startled expressions on Six and Baltar's face.

Anders and Kara nodded at him with relieved looks on their faces. He bet they had never interacted with so many holographic versions of the different races that inhabited the alpha quadrant.

Six tentatively touched Logan's right hand as if to ensure he was real.

"You're here?"

Before he could reply, the ferengi barkeep was right in-front of him with an unnerving smile.

"Why hello, my name is Quark. Welcome to the best Bar and Grill in DS9…"

"The only bar in DS9," chorused Sisko, Dax and Odo at the same time. Quark shot them a glare before turning his smile back on Logan.

"...while you sample the one of a kind drink menu, I can also arrange for a session in the Gaming house and also impeccable services in my modified Holo-suite Arcade at half price which is extremely good value for money."

"Thanks, but I'm not interested. I'm just here to discuss a few things with our guests."

Quark's smile disappeared. He opened his mouth to say something.

Odo coughed loudly and the ferengi closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them, he forced a smile on his face. "You are most welcome." The ferengi moved away while muttering words about how he was a fool for not going back home where he could have made a profit.

"What was that about?"

"Quark used to throw out poor customers who didn't buy a drink. Until Kira planted him on his rear and Odo threatened to throw him into the brig for trying to scheme the less fortunate." Logan looked at Sisko.

"I didn't introduce myself. The name is Logan."

"Benjamin Sisko." The two men shook hands.

"Jadzia Dax." Logan also shook hands with her.

"And I'm Constable Odo, chief of security." He bowed his head in greeting. "And you've met Quark." The barkeep was back, with a sullen expression however he waved his towel as if in greeting.

Six raised her hand. "I have to ask. Why didn't you use your titles? You are a captain and she is a commander."

"Off duty rules; we leave the titles at the door and once we go back to work. We pick them up again," explained Sisko with a wry smile.

"I'm certainly not Starfleet so the fraternizing code does not extend to me," said Odo in a gruff voice.

Six appeared perplexed by it all.

Logan raised an eyebrow. Boy; was she in for a surprise when they met up with the other Starfleet ships.

"Did you need us captain Logan?" asked Baltar.

"Actually, it was to give you two a heads up. In less than three hours we're setting out on a mission for another set of co-ordinates obtained from the Book of Kobol."

He saw the shocked looks on the faces of Baltar and Six. Kara and Anders watched them like hawks.

"You found another set?" asked Six when she recovered enough to speak. Logan was fairly sure that her shock had been real. He would have smelt if she was lying.

"Yes, we would like you to come with us."

Six blinked; she certainly had not expected that.

'We'll be setting off in a short period. You may stay in the holodeck until we reach the co-ordinates or stay in your quarters. See you guys later." Logan nodded at the gathered group, waved at Sisko, Dax and Odo and walked away.

#

"He's a man of few words," said Dax in the silence that followed.

"And yet straight to the point," said Sisko as he took a sip of his drink.

Odo nodded silently.

"How do you do it?" demanded Six suddenly as she turned to Sisko.

The Starfleet captain looked startled. "Excuse me?"

"Everywhere I look; I see different races, aliens …yet, you all live together in peace! How was this possible?!"

Sisko put down his drink. His smile was gone and replaced with a weary expression.

"Some of us live in peace with others. The rest…not so much."

"The Cardassians and the Dominion right now are knocking on our doorstep with an armada. They aren't here to ask us for a cup of sugar my dear," said Quark as he mixed another round of drinks.

"I can see that, but that is not what I'm talking about!" Six tried to calm down when they all stared at her. "I have watched the history of Earth and the nuclear destruction that almost destroyed your world …and yet, you humans overcame that and ended up tolerating each other.

How?"

Sisko was quiet for a long time. "I don't know. Historians and theologians have argued over and over on what curbed man's xenophobic tendencies. Some stated that it was because we almost made ourselves extinct and were thus forced to come face to face with man's greatest enemy.

Which was mankind itself."

Silence reigned for a several seconds until Sisko broke it again.

"Others said it was the hand of the Divine, depending on which deity you believe in.

However, one thing that all agree on is that Earth's inhabitants reached a turning point and had to decide to survive as one or to fade into extinction. And thank the ancestors that they chose the former."

"Or, we wouldn't be here together old friend," said Dax with a smile as she and Benjamin clicked their glasses.

"Well, on that melancholic note, I must be off," said Odo as he stood up. "See you around." He nodded curtly and walked off.

Six leaned closer to Sisko. "You mentioned the Divine? Did you mean the one God?" She ignored the sharp looks that Kara gave her.

"As I said it depends on who or what you believe in. The Bajorans believe in the Prophets, the Klingons believe in Kahless and that he currently walks among them. The Vulcans believe in logic and that is the absolute truth. As for humans, we still have different beliefs and some choose not to believe. In the end, it comes down to your faith and the actions you carry out and deep down inside you will know if you followed the path of righteousness or the one of destruction."

Six drew back; deeply shaken by his words. She knew he was just a hologram of the real Benjamin Sisko but if the conviction in his eyes was anything to go by; he would have made a fantastic priest in the Church of the One God.

Dax looked at her chronometer. "Time to go Ben."

The captain of DS9 nodded. "It was nice talking to you folk. Have a good evening." The two Starfleet officers stood up and walked away.

#

The Xavier; the Medical bay…

"Your vitals are looking good," said Dr Grey as she checked the read out on the monitor beside the bio-bed.

Rogers sighed. "That's a relief."

"Any more headaches or visions?"

The colonial pilot shook his head. "It's like a part of me has gone silent."

Dr Grey folded her arms. "I wish we had time to start your training but this mission came out of nowhere."

Rogers hesitated for a moment before speaking. "May I ask you a question, Dr Grey?"

"Sure."

He still seemed a bit nervous. "What was it like…being an x-man?"

Jean smiled sadly as if relieving a memory. "There were times it was exciting and others when it was frustrating. Having a mutant ability is one thing; but knowing when and how to use it without harming others is another matter entirely."

"That's why you and the captain are instructors."

The female medic laughed. "First I was a student; then the school medic and then a teacher," her smile faded away "and then I was here with the others." She looked at him with a serious expression on her face.

"From the little I know of pre-cogs; the ability to see the futures at times cannot be controlled and it is considered unwise to try to use it to control your own future."

Rogers looked down at his hands. "I figured as much."

"I must say that your mental shields appear to have improved a lot," said Dr Grey.

Rogers felt his face go red. Before his medical appointment he had lunch with a certain Starfleet ensign. "Oma helped a lot with that."

"Don't ever hurt her Rogers. We won't be happy." The colonial pilot almost fell off the bio-bed when the dark entity mind-spoke him.

Dr Grey looked a bit irritated. "Sorry about that. You just heard…"

"The Phoenix," completed Rogers as he tried not to run from the female doctor. "I've heard her before." He swallowed nervously as if wondering what to do next.

"Speak your mind, we won't bite." The phoenix seemed amused.

"How did you…what is she?"

Jean closed her eyes briefly. "She is me and I am her and we are two different beings yet the same. She has been present since I was born, I cannot recall a moment without her.

The Phoenix means no harm…most of the time, only when we are threatened do things get a bit dicey.," she paused "she does want to help you with your abilities."

Rogers felt some of his anxiety dissipate. He could feel the Phoenix's curiosity and could tell it was without malice towards him.

"How can she help me?"

"For starters, you could stop trying so darn hard. Your ability is just within your grasp but the more you reach for it; the further it slips away. Let it come to you, be patient and you will be just as powerful if not more than your grandmother was."

Roger's jaw dropped.

"Bill are you alright?" asked a worried Jean.

It took a while before he could reply. "I'm…I'm fine." The alarm on his chronometer beeped. "I have to go; Helo and I have to prep the raptor. We lift off in thirty-five minutes." He stood up quickly. "Thanks again Dr Grey…and Phoenix." He hastily left the medical bay.

Jean swore softly under her breath. "Thanks a lot for that other me."

Relax; he's one tough lad. He will be fine; all he needs to do is wait for his ability to find him and he was be right as rain.

"I just wish we had more time before this next mission," muttered Jean to herself as she began to tidy up the bay. For a moment, she felt gentle reassurance from the Phoenix who for once had no witty comeback.

#####

The Galactica; briefing room…

Commander Adama looked at each of the men and women gathered in the room. From their expectant expressions they knew something was in the air.

Ideally; they would have been briefed much earlier but after having a discussion with the Admiral and the XO; they decided to inform them on their mission an hour to lift off. This was in the hope to reduce the chance of the details being leaked to the public or…to the enemy.

"I'm sure you're all wondering why you've being called. We have a mission to check a planet that may have an outpost of the Thirteenth Tribe." There was shocked silence before the murmuring began.

"And yes, we will have the Xavier accompany us to this outpost. For the record; they have stated it's not one of theirs."

The shocked murmurs turned to ones of outrage.

'It could be a trap," said Lee sharply and that silenced them.

"Yes, boys and girls. The Admiral and Captain Logan believe we're flying into a cylon trap."

Now they looked scared and were definitely paying attention. Good.

"Just like Hera's planet; we have no idea what we will find there but unlike the last mission, this time we will have backup." He saw spines straighten as the colonial soldiers nodded confidently. Yes. No one could forget what one Starfleet vessel had done to three basestars, but oh how Lee wished they had two or three more of those ships!

"From this point on, we are on black-out people. We will all leave straight from this room to the flight deck. Departure is within the hour." He steeled himself against the stunned expressions.

"You all saw the Reveal segment?" There were nods all around. "We can't risk this getting out; not now." He watched each of them accept the situation and for that he was relieved.

"Let's move out."

#

Helo was having the time of his life. His 'refurbished' raptor flew like a dream. Beside him; Rogers was checking the console which for once had everything working.

"How do you guys like it?" asked Q junior.

The colonial captain grinned. "It flies so much smoother than any raptor I have ever flown."

"And the response time of the scanners is faster than usual," added a stunned Rogers. "What exactly did you do to it?"

On the bridge, Q Junior smiled. "I replaced a number of worn out parts…" like the entire ship, thought the ensign to himself "…and checked over the wiring and increased the fuel capacity for both the main tanks and the reservoirs. Also, by tinkering with the accelerator, you can go from low to max speed in about half the time."

Helo performed a belly-roll in-front of the nose of the Xavier.

"I thought you weren't supposed to modify it."

Q Junior shrugged even though Helo and Rogers couldn't see him. "Yeah, I actually only repaired parts that were redundant and made them functional again. That way you get to use all of the engines instead of some of the barely working parts."

Helo and Rogers shared a pained look. "It was that bad?" Asked the ECO officer.

Q junior hesitated. "To be honest; that is one very hardy vessel; it took a knocking and just kept on rocking."

Helo laughed. "I have no idea what you said, but I think I get the gist of it."

"Captain Agathon and Ensign Rogers do you read? This is Junior Lieutenant Anatasia Adama." Helo waited for Rogers to switch channels.

"We read you Lieutenant."

"You are cleared to pick up a crew for the endeavor. Please proceed to the central flight deck on the Galactica."

"On our way." Rogers switched back to the Xavier channel. "We have to go pick up the others." Helo looked at the gleaming Starfleet ship and was suddenly worried that he may never see his wife and daughter again.

"We will be waiting for you at the rendezvous guys," said Q junior as if he could read his mind.

"I know, see you on the other side Junior," said Helo as he pushed away the gloomy thoughts.

#

Tyrol wiped a sheen of sweat off his forehead as he looked at the never-ending list of repairs on his epadd. Just the sight of the to-do jobs was making him feel faint.

"You alright honey?" He turned to face Cally. She looked just as exhausted as he was.

"I've just realized that I am never going to have a day off. It only took me two years to realize that."

Cally smiled wearily as she walked up to her husband, then her expression changed to a pensive one.

Tyrol was quick to notice. "What's wrong?"

"I wish you weren't going on this new mission."

The Senior Chief Petty Officer glanced around quickly before lowering his voice. "Hey, you're not supposed to talk about it in the open." Several hours earlier; both Tyrol and Cally had been called to the Admiral's office. They had been told that one of them had to accompany the team for a new mission.

Cally's eyes filled with unshed tears. Tyrol put down his eppad and wrapped an arm around her. "What's wrong?"

His wife stared at him in horror. "What's wrong? You mean the fact that you could be flying into a cylon trap and this might be the last time that Nicholas and I ever see you?"

Tyrol sighed. "I know what you mean; I thought the same way when the last mission returned without you. Then the Xavier appeared and they brought you and the others back safe.

And this time, I will be going with the Xavier."

"But not on the Xavier! That is why I am upset," whispered Cally fervently. "The Starfleet vessel is the safest ship in the fleet. Why did Helo and Sharon and their baby get posted there? Why are we not on that ship as well!?"

Tyrol motioned for her to keep her voice down. "You know why Cally. It took a lot before Captain Logan let colonials stay on his ship and he chose them. President Roslin didn't want her on that ship, but she had no choice in the matter."

"But, it's not fair!"

"Cally; please also remember that you and I are the two of only handful of colonial engineers left in the fleet. Our place is here, on the Galactica. We could hardly repair ships from the safety of the Xavier."

"Chief?" The two engineers turned to watch one of the deck crew approach.

"Captain Agathon and Ensign Rogers are in-bound on their raptor."

"I'll be there in a bit." Tyrol faced his wife and gave her a tight hug. "I promise I'll come back. Kiss Nicholas for me." He kissed Cally and as he walked away, his wife hugged herself.

Tyrol arrived on the flight deck in time to see Helo's raptor glide in. Instantly he realized something was different. It looked brand new. He waited until the two pilots exited the craft.

"Where's the previous raptor? What did you two do to it?"

Helo smiled. "This is the old raptor."

"Repaired with most parts replaced by Ensign Q Junior."

Tyrol's jaw dropped. "He did all this in just two days!?"

"Yup; the kid is a machine," said Helo with a grin.

The Chief nodded as he walked round the raptor. "Literally when you come to think of it. Did he do any upgrades?"

"Not really," said Rogers "however, he replaced all the control panels and the fuel lines so this baby," he patted the side of the raptor "flies like a dream."

"Mmhmm," agreed Helo.

Tyrol nodded, still in wonder. "So; he is that smart and fast. I must admit I do feel a tad bit intimidated. Maybe, when we get back; I should give him another battered raptor to repair." He reluctantly turned away from the gleaming raptor. "Though what I really want is to take a look at Xavier's warp core."

Rogers sighed happily. "The warp core is a thing of beauty." Helo and Tyrol gave him exasperated looks. Of the three of them; the Ensign was the only one to have seen Xavier's engine room.

"Rub it in why don't ya?" groused Tyrol, he rubbed his hands. "You boys ready to start loading?"

"Yes."

"We'll start with the supplies and then Colonel Tigh and his group of marines will be boarding your raptor."

Helo froze. "The XO is flying with us?" The captain had hoped the XO would be on one of the other raptors; not his.

Tyrol grimaced. "Yup, yours is raptor one, the CAG will be on raptor two and the rest of the team will be on raptor three. Don't worry I will be stuck with you guys as well."

Rogers and Helo shared a troubled look; both of them had gotten on the wrong side of the XO at one time or the other. Rogers just felt his left fully healed forearm tingle, he couldn't forget that it was due to the XO's actions that it had been broken a month ago.

"I'm sure it will be fine," said Rogers as he tried for a reassuring tone.

Helo looked as if he didn't believe him.

#

At first; very few people paid attention as three raptors and four vipers left the flight deck of the Galactica. These colonial vessels were always out on patrol, so they were a common appearance. But what happened next was not; in a blink of an eye, the Xavier went into wrap thus disappearing from sight and so did the seven colonial small craft.

Once people realized what was happening; the shocking news spread as wildfire and it wasn't long before members of the Quorum accidently jammed the communication lines as they demanded for explanations from Admiral Adama.

In his office, the old senior officer wearily glanced at the communicator on his desk. The red light for urgent messages was flashing.

And so, it begins.

He prayed to the Gods that the entire team and the Xavier returned home safe.

#

Natalie stared at the image of the planet below them. They had just emerged from the jump eight minutes ago. Already; their scanners were trying to penetrate the heavily ionized electromagnetic field of the planet.

An atmosphere that was almost identical to the one of the Hera's planet where they had run into the Xavier and its crew for the first time.

This could not be a coincidence.

Natalie turned to one of the Number Eights at the communications station. "Sitrep?"

"No one is answering our hailing frequency from the planet and we are the only vessel in the vicinity."

But for how long? Natalie tried to shake off her unease, she felt as if they were already running out of time. "Send in Red and the others. Fly-by only to the surface; do not land. Look for any structures, at any sign of hostility; do not engage. Otherwise; return once the survey is done."

"Yes ma'am."

"May the Gods help us all," muttered Natalie under her breath.

#