CHAPTER 55 of the Phoenix and the Wolverine

"I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO STAR TREK OR XMEN. PLEASE ENJOY THE STORY!"

Logan felt chills on the back of his neck when he watched a distraught Rogers find Oma's dead body; then the colonial ensign screamed like a person who had lost his entire world.

Logan knew what the poor lad was experiencing. He had felt the same way when he saw Jean die so long ago.

"Pause play," said Laura in a detached tone as the holo-deck froze the scene. An outsider would think she was being callous but Logan suspected his daughter was trying to focus on certain details of a possible future. One that they all had to prevent from becoming reality.

"Does this place look familiar to you Sharon?" asked Laura as she turned to the female cylon.

The number eight cylon was staring at the life-like holo vid.

"No, I have never seen this place before but it seems like an old cylon facility."

"Why is that?" asked a disturbed Starbuck.

"Look at the ceiling." Everyone did so. "Those wide green cooling tubes are almost identical to the ones on the base-stars except for the color. The current basestars have white cooling tubes and are much narrower in width. And then there's this."

Sharon walked to a centurion that was half buried under the bodies of colonial officers and Number two cylons.

"You see this arm? This is a Class Zero Two One model. It was created more than sixty years ago; their primary function was to construct ships and buildings. This model was discontinued forty years ago." She turned to another centurion whose body was in two pieces.

"While that is the current Class Nine Two three models that we encountered on the base star."

"I would recognize that kind of toaster anywhere," muttered Starbuck in a dark tone. "So, the next question would be is, why do we find old and new versions of centurions with dead cylons in a place like this? They gotta be after the location of Earth."

"Then who is trying to kill them and how did Oma end up in the middle of this pile?" asked Laura.

"Good questions," said Logan when they all looked at him. "But I suspected we won't get answers until we get there. Right now, we have to figure out how to mitigate risk."

"I say we nuke them from orbit," said Starbuck. Everyone stared at her. "It's the only way to make sure."

Logan could tell that she was deadly serious. Even Laura and Sharon seemed to be considering the idea.

"Someone's watched the Alien movies," said Laura in an amused tone.

Starbuck shrugged. "What can I say? I totally understand Sigourney Weaver slash Ripley's point of view. Now, that is the kind of soldier I would love to have on my team."

Logan found it hilarious that Starbuck saw a fictional character as Eileen Ripley as a kindred spirit.

But there was one person who was yet to speak.

"Oma, any thoughts?"

The female Starfleet ensign was quite pale, she had just watched her dead body being found. That must have been traumatic.

"What if nuking it from orbit is what leads to this?"

Starbuck and Sharon stared at her, even Laura had a sympathetic expression.

"Dealing with foretelling is extremely complicated," continued the ensign as she kept staring at the frozen holo-image of Rogers grieving over her corpse.

"I agree," said Laura. "That is why you have to stay behind while I go with the away team."

Oma gave her a startled look. "No, Laura. I have to be down there, if this is to be my fate, I will not trade it with your life."

Laura got a mulish expression that Logan recognized. It was like looking into a mirror.

"Alright settle down, no one is sacrificing themselves for the other. We will get there, assess the situation, adapt and do our damnest to survive." Both girls backed down while the two colonial officers watched. "This is what we trained for ladies, we got each other's backs."

He waited for them to nod before continuing. "Does anyone have any other suggestions?"

Logan watched as they shook their heads.

"Well, I have one and I suspect none of you will like this. How about getting Caprica to watch this?"

The words had barely left his mouth before the protests began.

"Hey pops, please tell me you're joking?" began Laura.

"Frak no!" that was Starbuck.

"Sir, I really think that wouldn't be wise…" began Oma in an even tone.

"Definitely not!" protested Sharon. "If this is a hidden cylon facility that she is aware of, she will use this against us."

"What she said," agreed Starbuck.

"And if it's not?" countered Logan

"She will still use this against us." Pressed Starbuck.

"But if she has intel that will help us save a lot of lives, should we not take the risk?" asked Logan.

This time he was met by silence.

"Dr Grey and I will monitor her responses, we will know if she is lying," said Logan.

"Can't we at least delete part of it?" asked Laura.

"Which part?" asked Logan.

"Rogers and Oma," said Sharon to everyone's surprise. "We can't risk her knowing that Rogers is an oracle or how important Oma is to him."

Oma stared at her.

"She will use that knowledge as a weapon," continued Sharon.

"I concur," said Starbuck.

Logan turned to Laura. "Can you edit this?"

"Already on it pops," said the younger x-man as she moved towards the control module for the holodeck.

"Then, lets run this by your XO and CAG."

"They are gonna be pissed." Said Starbuck.

#####

Logan waited for Saul Tigh to finish swearing, he observed the embarrassed looks on Sharon and Starbuck's faces while Laura was listening intensely as if committing the various swear words to memory.

When there a pause, Logan jumped in.

"I know this is not ideal; but what we really need right now is more intel before we fly into the trap."

"He's right," said Lee in a solemn tone.

"Lee you have got to be kidding me!" shouted Tigh. "Do you realize what he is suggesting? To show a vision from one of ours to that cylon bitch?! Have you forgotten what her kind did to us? To our twelve colonies?!"

"Yes, I remember, but we cannot afford to fly into this mission blind. The Gods have seen fit to grant Rogers a vision of a possible deadly future. Let the team of Xavier do what they can, they have protected us this far," said Lee in a calm tone.

To Logan's surprise; there was silence this time from Tigh.

"Fine," said the XO in a very reluctant tone. "But if this mess bites us all in the arse, do not say that I didn't warn you."

"Agreed," said Lee. "Captain Logan, I just have one request."

"And that is?"

"Have Starbuck and Sharon be present, as you well know, they have dealt with this particular model of cylons in the past."

"That's why I ran it by them," said Logan. "Thanks for your support gentlemen, I will give you the lowdown once we do this."

Logan tapped his badge ending the call. "Jean, you there?"

"As always, what's up?" The female medic was currently on the bridge with Q Junior who baby-sitting Hera plus monitoring for any other ships in their current waiting area. The 7-month-old baby was thankfully asleep in a hovering baby carrier that was stationed beside Q Junior's console.

"The plan has been agreed on, can you please bring Caprica Six and Dr Baltar to the holo-deck?"

"He wasn't part of the plan!" protested Starbuck.

Logan looked at her. "Yeah, but I want to see how he reacts as well, since you've all stressed about how in bed he was with the cylons."

Sharon and Starbuck shared a distressed look.

"I'll be on my way." Said Jean in a calm tone before she sighed off.

#####

Six was glued to the screen as the movie titled Terminator played.

This 'movie' was centuries old but it was so good. The thought that humans of that time had feared artificial intelligence so much that they had built an entire movie franchise around it was fascinating.

She had found this movie by accident and it had filled her with joy.

Six had asked Xavier for lore about artificial intelligence. It had not taken long for her to realize that direct sensitive questions would not be answered but could earn her being reported back to Logan and Dr Grey.

So, she had resorted in asking about 'folk-tales'. After all most fiction was based on fact and she was hoping she could use that loop hole to find Earth's location.

The Thirteenth Tribe couldn't have been that clever in hiding it from everything.

But as she watched the Terminator, she got more interested in the mind behind the story.

Who had written this? Where had his or her ideas come from? It was like reliving how she and the centurions under her command had hunted down the refugees.

As she pondered that thought, the joy turned to dread. Will Earth reject her because of this fairy tale? But they had mutant ancestors who had suffered in similar ways to her prosecuted cylon brethen? They had to realize that they shared a lot in common.

But what the mutants sided with the colonials instead?

"This is a very enthralling story," said Baltar.

Caprica hid her discomfort. "Yes, it truly is." Her doorbell tone went off and for a moment she was relieved at the interruption.

"Who is it?"

"It's Dr Grey and Anders."

Six sighed at the last name. She was well aware of Anders playing sentry outside her door. Where the frak did he expect her and Baltar to go anyway?

"Please do come in," she paused the playback where it froze on the half metal and half flesh face of Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Dr Grey entered the room and calmly smiled when she saw what they were watching. "I'm sorry to intrude but…"

"What in the Gods are you two watching?" interrupted Anders once he got over his shock of seeing the half metal, half flesh face of the Terminator.

"The Terminator" said Six with a cheeky grin. "Trust me it is a truly entertaining story and very educative." The female cylon's smile widened when she saw how disturbed Anders was.

Dr Grey coughed discreetly. "I'm glad you're keeping yourselves busy, but we have a problem."

The smile left Caprica's face. She stood up. "What's happened?"

Dr Grey's face was solemn as she replied. "We have obtained a vision of a potential trap at our final destination."

Six was not sure she had heard right.

"A vision?" said Baltar in an incredulous tone. "I didn't think that the Thirteenth Tribe or your Federation would believe in such fairy tales."

Caprica saw the seriousness in Dr Grey's eyes and knew that she wasn't joking. She risked a quick glance at Anders and saw that he wasn't happy that Six was being told about this vision. Now, that was all she needed to know that this was serious.

"I don't think this is a prank Gaius," said the female cylon in a solemn tone.

She turned back to the female mutant. "What was the vision?"

Dr Grey studied her for a moment. "Why don't we show you?"

Six felt dread as they approached the holo-deck. The last time Dr Grey had showed them her past; Caprica had almost experienced a panic attack.

"What exactly is this about?" asked a hapless Gaius Baltar. Anders glared at the former president of the colonies and he promptly shut up.

The holo-deck doors slid open to show an angry Starbuck, an expressionless Sharon and Oma, a scowling Laura and a thoughtful looking Captain Logan. Six wondered who was watching Hera and where the child was?

"Caprica and Gaius, nice of you to join us."

"Sure," said Six as she tried to hide her anxiety. "How can we help?"

Dr Grey replied. "More than half an hour ago we received a vision, we were hoping you could help us in identifying the area."

Six noticed everyone including Baltar were closely watching her. The question on the tip of her tongue was that whose vision had it been? But, instinct warned her to hold back that query.

"Okay, let's see it."

Logan looked at the ceiling. "Xavier, play the vision."

A few minutes later Six stared at the frozen images of the dead cylons, dead colonials and centurions who lay in pieces. It took a moment for her to compose her thoughts, she had to close her eyes briefly, then turned to find everyone staring at her.

"This is definitely a cylon installation but it is damn old." Dr Grey looked at Logan and nodded.

Six released a sigh of relief, she knew Dr Grey would be the truth-seeker during this strange interrogation.

"And what else can you tell us about it?" asked Starbuck in a deceptively calm tone. Six knew the female colonial wanted to tear her head off.

"I've seen pictures of such installation in the cylon archives, but none exist today" she saw the skeptical expressions on their faces only Dr Grey was serene.

"Waste not, want not. When we realized we had no further use for the old centurions, we took them apart and melted them down for spare parts."

They stared at her and Laura whistled. "Now, talk about being savage."

"I believe you also call it recycling, we did the same with the old centurion installations, we are not as wasteful as humans naturally are." Six smiled at a fuming Starbuck as she said this.

"Point taken," said Logan. "Do you know where this facility is?"

"No, but what I am curious about is whose vision was this?"

"Classified," replied Laura in a sing song voice.

Six sighed. "As usual." She glanced back at the bodies. "So many important colonial officers of rank are present in this pile of corpses, one would think you would give me more intel to help you prevent this disaster."

Logan's expression was too calm by half and she had to reluctantly admire his refusal to be manipulated. From the little she had seen of his history on the holodeck, he must have taken a trip through Hades to survive this long. Hardly anything seemed to faze him.

Dr Grey unfolded her arms. "We thank you for your assistance, Anders and I will escort you and Dr Baltar back to your quarters."

Six wanted to protest, but she knew when to bide her time. "Of course, please call on me if you need my expertise."

####

Tigh contained his rage as he heard Logan describe to him and Lee how Six had reacted.

"So, you actually believe that cylon demon?"

"Dr Grey was able to confirm that she was telling the truth."

Tigh had to be satisfied with that, after what he had seen the good doctor do, he knew he would a fool to doubt her ability to discern deception.

"I still don't trust her."

"Neither do we," said Logan. "The next jump will be the final one to the planet. Is everyone ready?"

"We are," said Lee.

"Then let's do this and pray we get back in one piece," said Tigh in a gruff tone.

"So, say we all." Intoned Lee, sounding more and more like his old man every day.

"Amen to that." Said Logan in a grave tone.

####

Natalie tried not to pace.

Two hours ago, they had got confirmation that the first two teams had opened the massive ancient doors.

Then there was radio silence for too long before Natalie sent the third team.

There had been no communication from the last team they had sent down in over thirty-five minutes.

Just like the first team and the second team. She had a sinking feeling in her gut that something was seriously wrong.

"Maybe the ionization in the atmosphere is blocking our signals," said one of the Eights.

"Then they should have flown back to us," argued a worried looking Boomer.

"We should be down there," said Ellen in a quiet tone. Everyone looked at her.

"And what would that achieve?" challenged Boomer.

"Ellen is right," said Natalie to everyone's surprise. "Staying up here is not achieving anything and is actually wasting time."

"But we have no idea what dangers are in the underground complex," argued Boomer.

"Which is why I am taking a heavy raider down with a couple of cylons and centurions to go after the first three teams."

Boomer opened her mouth to protest but Natalie's glare shut her up.

"I can help," said Ellen.

"No," chorused Boomer, Natalie and Leoben.

"You are far too important to be risk," said Natalie. "If you die down there and end up in the resurrection hub, Cavil will have access to you eventually."

Ellen paled. "I am well aware of that." Her voice was strong.

Natalie looked at the others. "Then, it's settled, inform the…"

"DRADIS contact!" yelled one of the Number 8s who was in CIC.

Natalie spun round, half expecting to see basestars but her heart sank when she saw the Xavier.

Natalie's heart sank when she saw the odd Earth ship.

"Is it alone?"

"I think so." Said a nervous Leoben.

"Is that…the ship you were talking about?" Asked Ellen in a voice filled with wonder.

"It's the one," said Boomer in a cold voice and Natalie wondered why the Number Eight was so angry but she had their more important things to worry about.

"Stand down, we cannot appear to be a threat to them."

"And when they start firing? What then?" Demanded Boomer.

"Let's try talking to them…" started Ellen in an earnest voice.

"DRADIS contact! Colonial signatures inbound."

Natalie heart missed a beat as five raptors appeared. She half expected to see the Galactica but it failed to materialize.

Maybe, this was the scouting force and the bigger ships were inbound. Natalie was too tired to fight but if she would if she had no choice.

"Alice," the scared Number eight turned to face her. "Hail them, tell them we mean no harm and that we…. we need their help."

There was shocked silence. "Do it now," said Natalie before anyone started arguing. Something in her voice had them keeping quiet…for now.

She hoped they realized that their very survival was on the edge of a knife. One false move and they would be annihilated.

####

Logan's eyes narrowed when he saw the lone basestar with several raiders around it, he stood up from his command chair and stretched his neck to get the kinks out. "Go to red alert and scan them for any weapons powering up." Thanks to Roger's latest vision, he and everyone on this ship, apart from Six and Baltar were in the new armour Q Junior had cooked up. Logan was sure the colonial marines were already in their new gear.

"Yes sir," said a solemn Oma as her hands flew over the consoles.

"The colonials are twenty seconds out," warned Q Junior from his station.

"Understood. Oma, put us between the basestar and the colonials." said Logan. "Any word on those weapons?"

"The raiders have not moved; neither are they and the basestar powering up and parts of the basestar seem damaged." Said a grim Laura from the weapons station.

"Also; the colonials just arrived," announced Q Junior in a grave tone.

Tigh felt his heartrate pick up as they reached their final destination.

The video of Roger's vision was still being replayed in his mind. They were flying into a disaster and it was taking a lot of willpower for him not to show his fear.

"DRADIS contact!" Tigh's head jerked up at Roger's warning shout. "We've got one basestar and several raiders! The Xavier has put itself between us and the cylons."

Tigh felt his fear fade to determination as he walked quickly to the cockpit.

Helo was grim as his hands flew over the console. Rogers was already trying to target the basestar and the raider.

"We're too far out," said Rogers. "We will need the Xavier to get out of the way."

Tigh nodded while pleased at the lad's eagerness to defend them all.

"We may not have to do anything, it's just one basestar and the Xavier has taken out three with very little help from us." Tigh looked at the dashboard screen. 'Let's wait for the fireworks."

Minutes passed and nothing happened. Tigh began to frown.

"Get me the Xavier, right now."

Helo complied without saying a word.

####

Q saw the incoming message on his console and groaned. "Mr Tigh wishes to speak to you asap."

Logan had a good guess why. "Sure, he does."

The doors to the turbolift opened and in walked Dr Grey and a very tense Starbuck.

The female colonial pilot swore when she saw the basestar, "I frakking knew it…sorry Dr Grey but I could not help myself."

Dr Grey sighed. "I'll let it slide this time, but there is something you all need to know."

Logan looked at her. "There are a lot of frightened people on that ship and it's not of us."

Kara gave her an odd look. "And we should care because?"

"Does the name Cavil ring a bell?" asked Jean and Logan saw Kara go extremely pale.

"Lieutenant?" asked Logan.

Kara shook herself. "Cavil is a Number one cylon and the worst bastard one would ever meet."

"Well," continued Jean in a grim tone. "They fled from him to this place. I think we just found the losing side of the cylon civil war."

"Eh Logan, Mr Tigh really wants to speak to you right now as well as the CAG," said Q Junior.

"Put them both on a conference call. Oma, if that basestar moves I want to know…"

"The basestar is also hailing us," said Q Junior. "They said they need our help."

Kara stared at Dr Grey who was not surprised.

Logan could feel a headache coming on. "Tell them to take a number in the queue and we'll get back to them in a bit."

"Captain, why don't I speak to them?" suggested Jean before Q could send the message.

"I can assess for any hidden intentions while you reason with the XO and CAG."

Logan gave her a grateful smile. "That is a brilliant idea. Ma'am, you have the floor."

Jean shook her head at him, then turned to face the others. "I'll take this call in the ready room."

"I can patch it through to the ready room for you as well," said Laura who had stood up from her station. "Besides, we need Q and Oma here to keep an eye on the base-star and it's raiders."

Logan shared an impressed look with Jean. Laura was becoming more responsible and reasonable. Q junior and Oma were more familiar with Starfleet tech and thus would react quickly, though Laura was learning faster than Logan and Jean, at least she was aware of her own limitations.

"Okay," said Logan "let's do this."

####

"Please hold; the ship's chief medical officer, Dr Grey will be taking your call in a few moments."

Natalie's eyes narrowed. That sounded like a young girl's voice. Then she recalled the startling footage of the daring raid by the colonials and the crew of the Xavier. Two of the attackers had been a young teenage boy and a teenage girl.

She grabbed her ipadd and used her thumbprint to access the files.

"What's wrong?" asked an all too observant Boomer.

"I need to re-watch something real quick, I think I just heard the voice of one of those who raided the basestar…"

"The Grey is the Phoenix who is the Healer and Destroyer. She is the Truthseeker and Mindflayer, to lie to her is to invite destruction."

Natalie swung round with her heart beating fast as the Hybrid broadcast her chilling words. A group of Number eight and two cylons were already running to the Hybrid chamber to assess the most important part of the basestar. But the Hybrid had fallen quiet as quickly as it had spoken.

"What the frak was that?" asked an angry and shaken Boomer.

"I…I don't know," said Ellen when the number eight cylon glared at her. "I cannot recall hybrids being so…erratic. Cavil must have done something to them."

Natalie was quickly trying to decipher what the Hybrid had just spoken. "The chief medical officer, her name is Dr Grey."

Boomer and Ellen stared at her as if she had gone mad.

"You actually think the Hybrid was talking about her?" finally asked Boomer.

Natalie knew how much Six and D'Anna had revered the Hybrids, believing them to be direct lines to the One God. What if they had been right?

"I don't know, let's speak to this Dr Grey and find out."

"Em, excuse me, I'm getting a call back," said Alice from her console.

Natalie took a deep breath to gather her wits. "Patch it through."

There was silence for a moment before a woman's voice spoke.

"I am Dr Jean Grey, the chief medical officer of the Xavier. How can we help?" The voice was courteous and calm. Dr Grey had to be one of the Thirteenth Tribe. If she had been a colonial, she would have fired a nuke at them by now.

Natalie answered carefully. "I am Natalie Faust, the elected leader of the Free Cylons and Free Centurions on board the Aldira basestar. We do not mean you any harm."

There was silence for a moment.

"Nor do we mean you any harm either, but due to past encounters with the cylons, a lot of trust must be earned before both sides believe it."

Natalie suddenly wanted to laugh but held it in. Did the good doctor know what Hades she and the others had just fled from?

"Likewise. Dr Grey, may I ask you a question?" Natalie's plan was to keep command of the conversation until she got enough intel about who she was dealing with.

"Please go ahead."

"Does the word Phoenix mean anything to you?"

There was silence for a moment then Dr Grey replied but Natalie knew instantly something was wrong. The voice sounded darker… as if something else had taken over.

"Ah, so you received the warning from your hybrid. It would be smart of you not to ignore it."

Natalie heard Alice whimper and Boomer swallowed a startled curse while Ellen gasped in shock. She also felt as if she wanted to throw up. That voice sounded so ancient…and powerful. But the one question that reverberated through her being was, how the frak had Dr Grey known what the Hybrid said a few minutes ago?!

"Natalie, I apologize for the …interruption, it won't happen again."

Dr Grey sounded pissed as if exasperated with the entity that had spoken, but Natalie was too busy trying to compose herself. Why the heck did it sound as if Dr Grey had a personality disorder? That had been her voice…or had it?

"No need to apologize," said Natalie in a shaky voice while hoping…nay praying that the voice didn't speak again. She found herself quickly recalling what the Hybrid had said.

"The Grey is the Phoenix who is the Healer and Destroyer. She is the Truthseeker and Mindflayer, to lie to her is to invite destruction."

Right. Don't lie.

Got it.

This was going to be so frakking hard.

####

Starbuck had been silently fuming when Dr Grey suggested talking to the cylons on the basestar. If Kara had been the one in command; she would have fired all the phaser torpedos on board the Xavier at that damn Gods-blasted cylon ship!

What had kept her silent was the obvious fact that this was not the time to start arguing with both Captain Logan and Dr Grey. No one had objected when she followed Dr Grey to the ready room.

But the urge to speak almost became unbearable when Natalie Faust spoke. Starbuck didn't recognise this Number Six but to her they were all the same.

Treacherous, murdering skin-jobs.

But Kara lost the will to think when the Phoenix spoke. Kara had heard the Phoenix in her mind several weeks ago and once more when Dr Grey blew up the two basestars and several hundred raiders.

But to hear it speak again out loud from Dr Grey's lips was terrifying on another level.

The only upside to it was that the cylons must be shitting in their pants. Natalie Faust had sounded as if she has pissed herself.

About damn time.

Kara quickly glanced at Laura who didn't seem bothered.

Probably because the phenomenon happened all the freaking time.

"So, once again, how can we help you?" repeated Dr Grey.

Natalie rolled back her shoulders as if preparing for a fight.

"We are refugees from the main cylon group, we fled to this region searching for sanctuary."

"What are you fleeing from?"

Natalie answered carefully. "Persecution, incarceration and death that has been ordered by Cavil, the leader of the other faction."

"And you wish to reside on this planet?" asked Dr Grey in an incredulous tone.

Natalie took a deep breath. "Actually, we're looking for the co-ordinates of the Thirteenth Tribe, which you also call Earth…your home."

There was silence for a long moment. Natalie began to sweat.

"I see." Something in Dr Grey's voice had changed but Natalie couldn't tell what.

"And why do you seek Earth?"

Natalie chose her next words with care as if realizing that the fate of all those she led hung on the delivery. "We wish to become citizens of Earth, to be reunited with our cylon brethren…such as yourself. We do not wish any harm to Earth but Cavil does. He wants to destroy Earth, of that I am certain."

"Miss Faust, while this is hard to believe, I understand your plight…"

Natalie's eyes narrowed; how could Dr Grey, a privileged citizen of the Thirteenth Tribe possibly understand?

Beside her, Leoben was showing a recording on his ipadd to Ellen Tigh. Both of them were intensely studying something that seemed a lot more important than the current negotiations.

"…however, there is still the matter of your current civil war that we cannot ignore but before we get into that, what have you found on the planet surface?"

Now Natalie was stunned. "This is one of your hidden bases. Are you saying that you have no idea what is down there?"

Miss Faust, this may come as surprise to you but this base does not belong to Earth and the world of my birth has only ever being known as Earth and never…as the Thirteenth Tribe of Kobol."

Natalie felt her knees go weak as she struggled with the disbelief that flowed through her.

"I am well aware of the immense shock you must feel right now. The colonials had the same reaction when the captain explained it as well."

Around Natalie she could hear the worried muttering of the crew. "Then, if this is not your base, why are you here?"

"We also got the co-ordinates from the Colonia Holy Scrolls of Kobol, and we are here to ensure the co-ordinates of Earth are not hidden on this base."

"You're here to destroy it, aren't you?" demanded Boomer. Natalie glared at her but the damage had been done.

"I hope it does not come to that, but I will protect Earth."

The finality of those last four words chilled Natalie to her core.

"Have you sent scouts to the surface?"

Natalie saw Boomer and Leoben shaking their heads at her. But the warning from the Hybrid was ringing in her head.

"Miss Faust?"

"Yes, we have, three teams." Leoben and Boomer stared at her in disbelief. "But, they are yet to return and the other teams in the air cannot reach them."

"Exactly how long ago did you send the last team?" asked Dr Grey in a concerned voice.

Natalie shrugged. "About thirty-five minutes ago, why do you ask?"

Dr Grey's reply was grim. "Because I think your teams just walked into a trap and not of our making."

Natalie felt her heart sink, as the other cylons in the CIC began to panic. She had suspected something was wrong but didn't want to admit it. She knew she had just condemned three teams of cylons and centurions to death. How in Hades had the Xavier known about the trap before getting here?!

"Frakking shut it!" shouted Natalie at the entire CIC and all fell quiet. Then she composed herself and turned to the view point.

"I apologize for that Dr Grey, I was just restoring order."

"No need to apologize, I fully understand." Natalie was beginning to get the impression that very little seemed to faze this Chief Medical Officer. She wondered what trials Dr Grey must have experienced to remain this calm under pressure. Then, a thought occurred to her.

"Dr Grey, may I ask a few questions?"

"Of course."

"How did you know of the trap?"

There was silence for a long minute. "Do you recall what happened on Hera's planet?"

Natalie frowned. "The ruins collapsed not long after both colonials and cylons landed on the planet."

"Actually, the ruins were destroyed in an earthquake after the captain and I entered the temple. There is a possibility that a similar event may occur today once we step into whatever facility exists on this planet."

"How can you be so sure?" demanded Boomer.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure something will occur, the question is whether your missing teams have triggered the approaching disaster."

That sent a chill through Natalie.

"Was there else you wished to know?"

Natalie hoped her next question would be answered. "Is Caprica Six alright?"

There was silence as everyone waited with rapt attention.

"She is well and currently on board the Xavier."

Natalie felt her jaw drop.

"Would you like to speak to her?"

Now that she had not expected.

"Yes, please. I would very much like to." While knowing that she had lost control of this conversation from the very start.

####

"You're not seriously considering this," started Starbuck once Laura had ended the transmission for a brief moment.

"If we're going to get them to trust us, we have to meet them halfway," said Dr Grey.

"But Six is going to use this against us! I just know it!"

"And we will prepare for that eventuality but for now, I need you to please trust me."

Starbuck stared at the female medic. Then she recalled how she had witnessed Dr Grey destroy hundreds of raiders and two basestars with the powers of what many were calling the Oracle.

"I trust you Jean."

The female mutant smiled at her and tapped her badge.

"Anders?"

"Dr Grey? How may I be of assistance?" He was currently standing outside Six and Balter's quarters.

"I'm gonna need a favour."

####

Logan ground his teeth in frustration. The call had started exactly as he expected.

"Why the frak have you not destroyed that basestar?!" yelled Saul Tigh.

Logan took a deep breath before answering. "Because we're gathering intel, I think we just found the losing side of the cylon civil war."

"That doesn't make them less dangerous Captain Logan," warned Lee Adama.

"I'm well aware of that but before any of us go in blazing, I would like both of you to think on this phrase. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

This was met by a long moment of silence before Logan continued.

"I think it's best we find out what is really going on with the cylons which is why Dr Grey is handling the negotiations."

"This is all part of an elaborate plan to frakking kill us all!" shouted Tigh.

Logan closed his eyes and asked God to give him patience. "Perhaps; but maybe by talking to them we prevent the Roger's vision from becoming reality."

His words were met once more by silence and Logan hoped that the two angry colonial officers were finally listening to reason.

"I agree," said Lee to Logan's surprised. "We all know what Dr Grey is capable of…"

Oh no, you don't. Thought Logan.

Tigh growled in frustration. "Fine, but when we get frakked sideways, don't say I didn't warn you all! Tigh out!"

Oma and Q Junior shared a stunned look. The XO was one very angry man.

Logan sighed with relief. "Jean, I sure hope you're working your magic."

As if summoned; the door to the ready room slid open and Dr Grey walked out.

"Okay, here's a quick summary. This basestar is known as the Aldira; their elected leader is Natalie Faust of the Free Cylons and Free Centurions…"

Logan lifted an eyebrow at the name as Jean continued.

"They fled here looking for Earth's co-ordinates so that they could ask for sanctuary when they get to Earth. She also said Cavil wants to destroy Earth. She is not lying about either."

Her words were met by silence.

"This changes things," said Oma. They all looked at her. "We can't abandon them."

Logan sighed. "Don't I bloody well know it. Anything else?"

"Yes, lots more but we will get into that later. Natalie also wanted to talk to Six and I said yes."

Logan stared at her. "I am definitely going to be on Lee's and Tigh's shit list for sure."

Jean frowned at him when he swore.

"I'm sorry and I agree with your decision but matters are getting more complicated."

Jean was about to say something then stopped. "Phoenix just told me Six is almost here."

Logan turned to the turbolift as the sound of it arriving reached his sensitive ears.

The Number eight cylon stepped out followed by a frowning Anders. Logan didn't have to be a genius to know that he was not pleased.

Six beamed at Logan. "So how can I help…" her words trailed off and her expression turned to one of shock when she was the viewscreen that showed the basestar.

"It's the Aldira," said Jean before the Number eight could recover. "Their leader who is Natalie Faust wants to talk to you, they are fleeing from Cavil and some of your cylon brethren."

Six looked both horrified and relieved at the same time. "What did the bastard do now?"

"Ask her yourself."Replied Jean in a solemn tone.