CHAPTER 58 OF THE PHOENIX AND THE WOLVERINE

#HI EVERYONE; I DO NOT OWN STAR TREK OR BATTLESTAR GALACTICA OR MARVEL'S XMEN!#

Paul felt his heart rate pick up again when the damn proximity alarm went off on his scanner that was currently on his tool belt. He swallowed a curse as he tried to pick up the pace. The growl behind him, was also an indication that his guard dog was worried.

"I know, Orion, I bloody well know. Just give me a few minutes." Paul split and spliced the wires before gently setting his delicate, highly explosive package in the midst of the control panel. He felt sweat form on his brow as he tried to cover up the panel so that the drones wouldn't notice his latest act of sabotage.

Orion whined and that was a sign that he was taking too long.

Paul quickly screwed in the panel, then patted his grey, metallic great-hound.

"Yes, you have been a good boy, and now we must get the frak outta here."

Paul quickly checked the scanner and saw to his relief that the enemy was moving past him to another part of the underground facility. Then, he frowned.

But what the frak was setting off the alarms?

In the past, the alarms would sporadically go off and Paul suspected the drones were trying to find him by forcing him to change his hiding places. But the last eighteen hours had been odd. He had moved each time the alarm went off, but each time he checked his scanner, the drones were going in the opposite direction.

What was going on? An idea began to take root, and Paul knew it was a dangerous one but he had to know.

"Orion, my boy. We're going on a hunt." His dog gave him an alarmed look, that translated as. You have got to be kidding.

"Oh, no, I'm not."

#

"Hey, wake up…you have to wake up."

Oma came to in the midst of pain and extremely poor lighting. She immediately felt her heart rate pick up and panic threatened to overwhelm her, the adrenaline pushed the pain to the back of her mind. It took a moment before she realized someone was bending over her. Oma almost yelped in panic before she recognized the face.

"Six?"

The number six cylon grinned tiredly. "It's Natalie Faust," her voice was barely above a whisper, then the expression was replaced by a concerned one. "I have no idea where Six landed…or where we are."

Oma's body felt sore, as if she had landed on a combination of soft and firm objects. She tried to look in the darkness around her and was concerned to see that she and Natalie appeared to be in a well of some sort. The walls were metallic and curved and the only exit she could see was at least twenty feet above them. There was an odd greenish tinge to the ceiling that Oma felt she should recognize. "We have to get out of here…" she tried to move but razor-sharp pain radiated upwards from her right leg.

"Oh frak," swore Natalie in a whisper. "I think you broke your right tibia and fibula."

With her heart racing, Oma looked down and could barely see in the poor lighting that the proximal third of her right tibia and fibula looked…odd.

"I…I have to set the break," said Oma while wondering how she was going to do just that.

"Will you let me do it?" asked Natalie. Oma stared at her. The number six stared back.

"I have experience in field medicine." Oma suddenly didn't want to know how she had obtained that experience.

Natalie continued speaking. "We need to set that leg before we attempt climbing out of this hellhole." In the distance klaxons started wailing and for a long moment, both of them stared at the opening far above them.

"Fine, please help me set my leg," said Oma. Natalie nodded then bent down to examine Oma's right leg.

"Ideally we should remove the clothing and do this in a sterile place…but I can barely see the floor and we may be standing in…God knows what. What's your name by the way?"

Oma gaped at her, then remembered her manners. "I apologize; I'm Ensign Ihuoma Kadretti of Starfleet." Natalie gently palpated Oma's right leg, checking for the swelling below and around the break.

"What's Starfleet?"

Oma wasn't sure if Natalie was just distracting her from the oncoming pain or using this opportunity to dig for information. "It's a deep space exploratory, peacekeeping and military armada of the United Federation of Planets…" Natalie suddenly straightened the fracture and Oma opened her mouth to scream but the cylon moved like lightening and clamped a hand over Oma's mouth.

"Shhh…we don't know who else can hear us." Oma stared at Natalie with frightened eyes. The female cylon seemed just as scared.

Oma wasn't sure if anyone was nearby, but three cylon away teams had disappeared in this underground structure before the Xavier dropped into orbit.

Remember your training. The voice of one of her Starfleet instructors came to her and she closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing.

During her training in the academy, their classes had been put through scenarios where they had to 'survive' in scenarios of extreme darkness or overwhelming light or extremely hot or cold areas. Usually, they passed these scenarios because someone had the appropriate mutant ability that made the scenario more tolerable.

But, this time, she was, in a real-life dangerous scenario. With a possible enemy.

When Oma opened her eyes, she nodded at Natalie that she understood and only then did the female cylon move away from her. "We need to brace the leg. Stay here, let me try and look around and find something."

Oma looked at her set right leg. Oma suspected that if not for her modified x-suit, the bone would have been poking through the alloy-reinforced material. Oma went still for a moment, then cursed herself for being a fool. "Q Junior, you are a genius."

Oma looked up at Natalie who was trying to search the floor of whatever they had landed in.

"Wait, I can use the suit to brace the fracture," Oma used her ability to tighten the material around the break. For a moment, the pain worsened and Oma almost passed out. She forced herself up by levitating the suit, and felt a bit better when she body was no longer lying on misshaped objects beneath her. That was when she noticed Natalie was staring at something in her hand.

"Natalie, what's wrong…" after an eternity, the female cylon turned to show Oma what she was holding. A human hand. Oma almost screamed, the analytical part of her mind told her the cut at the wrist was too fine…as if done by a laser.

"This…this is a cylon's hand," said Natalie in a whisper, she was clearly numb with shock. Oma now had a sinking suspicion of what they had landed on. She looked down at her feet and almost vomited when she saw various body parts, legs, arms, hands, ears and eyes. She suspected she was looking at the parts of the missing cylon and centurion teams. The poor lightening made it more macabre, then she noticed something else.

"There are centurion parts here as well," that broke through to Natalie's shock. The number six came to stand close to her, slushing through dark liquid that must have contained cylon blood and centurion internal fluids.

"Dear God, what did they walk into to?" Then Natalie noticed Oma was levitating. Her shock turned to amazement.

"How…is it your suit?"

Oma really didn't want to get into how she was a mutant when they were standing in the middle of an abattoir.

"Partly." She turned to Natalie. "Hold on to me, we're flying out of here." The cylon obeyed but seemed incredulous.

"Time to put Captain Logan's lessons into practice," muttered Oma to herself. She willed herself to rise and almost shot up by a full three feet. Oddly the pain in the right leg lessened considerably, when she was levitating.

There was an awed gasp from Natalie Faust. Fortunately, she tightened her hold on Oma.

Both of them looked cautiously upwards as Oma rose to the opening. At the top, Oma slowed their ascent and they cautiously peered over the edge. There was no one in sight but they appeared to be at a nexus point for four corridors. Oma flew higher, then positioned herself and Natalie on solid clean floor. It took a few moments before Natalie remembered to let go. For several seconds they stared at each other.

Then the female cylon spoke first, while studying Oma and her suit. "There was no jet stream, no sound and no heat in your suit when we flew. When we have time, you need to tell me more about Earth's technology."

Oma stared at her, a bit concerned at how the cylon was already putting at the back of her mind the horror they had found at the bottom of the well. "Let's save the questions of my home-world for later and deal with our current predicament, shall we?"

Natalie went pale as if brought back to reality. "Agreed."

#

Jean saw the surprise on Tyrol's face turn to avid interest when she approached with a demure looking Lady Q who had her hands clasped behind her back as if she was taking an evening stroll in an English garden. Lee Adama walked on the other side of Lady Q, his hand not far from his weapon. Jean sure hoped the CAG wouldn't attempt to shoot Q Junior's mother.

I want to talk to her. Jean closed her eyes briefly as the Phoenix picked that time to become demanding.

I'm not demanding! And this is serious! I need to know if she is aware of what is going on here.

NO, I'M NOT ENTIRELY AWARE OF WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON. THAT'S WHY I'M DOWN HERE PRETENDING TO BE A BLOODY HOLOGRAM. Lady Q's mind voice rang like a bell in Jean's head. She got the impression of the Phoenix wincing as if someone had shouted in their heads.

Could you tone it down please? Asked Jean.

Is that better for you, mortal? Responded Lady Q in an amused mind voice.

Much better, thank you. Replied Jean.

Fine. Enough with the damn pleasantries. What in the verse do you know then? Demanded the Phoenix.

Lady Q was silent for a bit before replying. Someone is playing with forces that I cannot identify and it may threaten the fabric of reality if we don't stop that idiotic Ares.

Jean tried not to stare at Lady Q in shock. The Q had stopped because Tyrol had reached them and Jean was introducing the Q as a backup hologram while carrying on a conversation in her mind. Thank God for the ability to mutli-task.

The God of War is behind this? Asked an incensed Phoenix.

Yes, but something or someone is helping him and I intend to find out what. Said an equally angry Lady Q.

Phoenix went silent and Jean knew she was hiding something. Unfortunately, Lady Q suspected it as well.

What do you know Phoenix? Tell me your thoughts.

Phoenix took a long time replying. I can't…not until I'm sure. If I'm right about this…then we're all screwed.

Jean felt the Phoenix withdraw and suspected they would get nothing more out of her. To her relief, Lady Q let the entity retreat.

"Why are you just showing up now?" asked Tyrol as Jean focused on the conversation taking place before her.

"We could have used your help with the other colonial ships back at the fleet." continued Tyrol.

Lady Q smiled gently at him. "As Dr Grey explained; I'm just backup. I was only initiated when it appeared Captain Logan was incapacitated, Ensign Kadretti was snatched, Dr Grey was about to be kidnapped as well and Q Junior disappeared into a singularity. Ensign Kinney would have been the only member of the original crew left, so I appeared."

Dr Grey saw comprehension dawn reluctantly on Lee Adama's face. Jean hid how impressed she was at Lady Q's reasoning.

"Well, can you help us take down this fence?"

Lady Q turned to Jean. "Dr Grey, could I bother you to use your tricorder to scan the fence? I'm afraid I cannot hold a device as you do."

"Of course," said Dr Grey with a smile. She did as Lady Q asked and showed the readings to Lady Q who studied the read out intently for a few moments.

"Well?" asked Lee impatiently.

Lady Q turned to study the length of the fence. "It appears this structure is linked to a central unit which is under-ground and the metal poles extend several feet beneath as well. Trying to dig beneath it is not an option and I doubt we will be able to disable it from outside."

"Just as I thought," said Tyrol in a despondent voice.

Lady Q raised a hand. "But, all is not lost." They all looked at her. "Ensign Kinney is in the building as we speak, if she is able to find the others…I'm sure there is a lot they can accomplish together." She turned back to Dr Grey.

"Awaiting further orders Dr Grey."

"Let's get back to Captain Logan and the others," said Jean. "We still have to talk with the cylons."

"Of course," said Lady Q. Lee narrowed his eyes as he watched her. The female Q turned to him.

"Do you have a question or are you just going to glare at me all night?"

For a moment, Lee seemed a bit taken aback by her boldness. "You're not like Q junior."

Lady Q smiled. "I did say I was his mother, remember? Of course, we're not alike. I am mature and he is a brilliant, curious and compassionate child." Jean could see Lee getting more alarmed as she spoke, even Phoenix was chuckling in her mind. Jean felt she had to step in before Lady Q deliberately let more slip.

"Everyone," Jean projected her voice and all of them turned to her. "We don't have time for arguments or games, let's salvage something of this meeting."

"Yes, Dr Grey," chorused everyone with serious expressions.

#

Logan tried not to sigh in frustration.

Boomer was still staring at him expectantly. Logan glanced to the side and was surprised to see Saul Tigh was trying not to laugh. Ellen Tigh was staring at him. Boomer turned and frowned when she saw Saul Tigh's face.

"Something funny?"

The XO shook his head. "Oh, I'm just wishing I had some popcorn right now." Then he turned to Logan. "With all due respect; I'm so glad I'm not you right now."

Now Boomer appeared exasperated and a bit angry. "What is he talking about?"

Logan released a sigh and turned to Boomer. "This isn't the first time or probably the last time we'll be called cylons." He paused. "At least, there's no airlock this time," he glanced at Saul Tigh who ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Aye, that one was on me."

'What airlock?" asked a pale Ellen.

Logan so didn't want to get into that. "Oh, water under the bridge," he paused when he saw their puzzled expressions. "It's an old Earth saying, meaning let bygones be bygones."

"So, you admit you're of the Thirteenth Tribe, you're cylons like us!" declared Boomer excitedly.

Logan began to wish Jean would hurry up and return, he was so bad at diplomacy. "Oh, hell no. Until a few months ago, I had no idea that the twelve colonies or the cylons and centurions existed." Then he glared at Boomer.

"I remember you on planet Hera. You tried to take Jean and I against our will." The number eight cylon took two steps back as she went pale. Ellen frowned at her.

"I…we were on a mission…we were just trying to find the way to Earth."

Logan was silent for a moment. "As I said, water under the bridge…for now." Saul Tigh grinned smugly at Boomer, the number eight glared back at the XO.

"Hey everyone." They turned to find Jean and the others returning. Logan sighed with relief.

"Did you find anything?"

"Yeah," said Jean. "There is a perfect ring of the blue electric fence around the complex. The metal poles also go several feet underground."

"So, no point digging?" asked Logan. Jean shook her head. Logan cursed inwardly.

Logan stared at the blocked entrance. "Then we wait."

"What?" demanded Lee as he marched up to Logan.

"Commander Adama, I more than anyone need to get in there." He glared at the colonial who after a tense moment looked away. Logan's crew, three teenagers, one of them being his own daughter was down there with two cylons, one crazy colonial pilot and a golden centurion.

"I have faith in them." Said Jean. "They will put their training to work and will escape." Logan struggled not to look at the deceptively-demure Lady Q.

"Then we wait, while armed to the teeth." Said Saul Tigh as he took up a position next to Logan. The captain of the Xavier gave him a grateful nod.

"We'll wait with you," said Boomer. Logan was surprised when Tigh just glanced at her without reacting.

"Likewise," said Lee with a sigh.

#

Q Junior tried to count as he fell. The damn descent seemed to last forever as the flashing lights of the singularity passed him by. To pass the time, he looked upwards and noticed the silhouette of the gold centurion above him. So, it had followed him in. He wondered if it had a personal directive to protect Natalie Faust. It had only reacted when she had been grabbed.

Q Junior suddenly noticed the flashing lights were intensifying. They must be reaching the end of the 'tunnel'. He hoped the others were still alive. Q Junior made his body very light so he could phase if needed. There was a very bright white light and Q Junior dived through it, to see a dark metallic walkway rushing towards him. Mere moments revealed it was suspended over a giant steaming vat that contained molten metal. He reached out his hands for the railing and solidified his matter as he made contact. But moments later, the centurion crashed into it and the walkway gave way. Q junior sighed as he phased again before grabbing the centurion and merging into its body as they both plunged into the vat. There was nary a ripple as they disappeared beneath the surface of the molten metal. Minutes passed by before a golden centurion phased through the side of the vat to stand on solid ground. Red One almost jumped as Q Junior walked out of him.

For a tense moment, Red One stared at Q Junior, then pointed at him.

"How did you do that?"

Q Junior smiled and tapped his head. "Trade secret. Can't share. You're welcome by the way." Then he looked up and down the corridor. "What in the world is a smelting forge doing deep in the bowels of this planet?"

Red One finally lowered his arm when he realized Q Junior wasn't going to answer his first question. "I don't know, but our charges are down here. We need to find them."

Q Junior nodded absently as he took his tricorder from his belt. Then he looked at it and swore.

"What's wrong?" asked Red One as the centurion walked up to look at his hand.

"My tricorder is useless, it looks like the trip through that tunnel drained the power from it."

Red One now looked at himself in alarm and touched his chest. "Then how come I'm still standing here?"

"Probably because your power source is almost the equivalent of a nuke and thus almost impossible to drain unless one stays in the singularity for an insane amount of time," said Q Junior as he calmly started walking. Red One ran after him.

"Let me guess, the colonials shared that information with you?"

Q Junior shook his head. "My team visited one of your basestars not too long ago."

"Ah, you're the intruders Natalie was so concerned about."

Q Junior gave him a stunned look. "Oh, you're on first name bases with her? I didn't realize that was allowed."

Red One's light intensified as if angry. "I serve no one but myself."

Q Junior held up a placating hand. "I'll bear that in mind."

Red One huffed while he tried to study Q Junior. On the surface of the planet; Red One realized that Q Junior wasn't giving a heat signature…at all. But, neither was he giving off any electronic signatures. Red One had noticed the box on Q Junior's shoulder, but it seemed inert. What kind of a human was Q Junior? Why had Earth recruited a child into its army this far out in space? Even the young female pilot appeared only a few years older than Q Junior. She had the same suit but he had seen her heat signature. Was Q's suit different from the others?

Red One wanted to ask the young human more questions about Earth. Did they have centurions and were they free? But this wasn't the time.

Q Junior held up a hand, stopping Red One in his tracks. That was when Red One heard a distant sound of several someones walking. Red glanced at Q Junior and noticed the young human seemed quite concerned.

"We have to hide."

"Why?"

"That sound I have heard it before. I'm gonna merge with you so we hide in the wall. Agreed?" asked Q Junior quickly.

Red One nodded then Junior dived into him again and Red One felt his body move backwards until it was inside the thick concrete wall. Red One had expected to be blind inside the wall but somehow it was able to see the wide empty corridor. Red felt it was due to some 'tech' that Q Junior had in his suit. Then the sounds got nearer and he realized it was a march. What appeared made Red One frown. They were humanoid but half of their heads were machine; so were the legs and the arms and they marched in unison. Red One was stunned when he recognized some of the missing cylons among the group. He counted at least forty of the drones. Red One felt something akin to alarm when one of the drones turned to face the wall where he and Q Junior were hiding. This drone had been a Number Eight cylon; the left eye had been replaced by a menacing red light that protruded from her shaved skull but the most chilling aspect were her hands. They had been cut off and replaced with centurion hands. The remaining right eye seemed empty of thought as the drone scanned the wall for a long moment, before moving on to join the other drones. The sounds of their march faded into the distance before Red One emerged from the wall and Q Junior came out of him.

Then the young human released a blistering sentence in a language he had never heard before.

"What or who are they?"

"They are the borg and they shouldn't even be in this system." Said Q Junior with a finality that was frightening, then he looked at Red One, his face pale with anger. "And from the altered cylons, you can see that they assimilate everyone. Sentient or not; machine or not. Countless worlds and systems have fallen to them. They cannot be reasoned with or bargained with. To them, every living thing is just spare parts. We need to find our people and get off this planet as soon as possible."

Red One nodded in silence as he looked down the path the borg had taken. There was a chill in his chest that he suspected came from numbing fear. Once back on the basestar, he was going to try to convince the cylons and colonials on nuking this planet multiple times from orbit.

#

Laura came to just before she saw the bright light rushing up to meet her. Those 'tentacles' had knocked her out for an unknown amount of time, however her rapid healing factor had kicked in and she was conscious enough to realize that she was in the singularity. She barely had time to appreciate the unique surroundings before she hit the light…only to emerge in free fall down a dimly lit shaft.

Snikt! Laura extended her hand blades as she aimed her body towards the side of the shaft. To her relief; the adamantium blades cut into the thick concrete wall and she slid down several feet before coming to a stop. Laura took several deep breaths, the adrenaline was running high. She looked down, and could not see the bottom. Worry gnawed away at her. Had the others been dropped into shafts or into more precarious situations?

Then she heard it. Gunshots coming from above and to the right of her. Only two individuals had been carrying weapons among those taken. Starbuck and the golden centurion.

That meant someone was still alive. Thought Laura as she began to rapidly climb up using the single blades in her feet and the double blades in her hands.

Whoever it is, just hang on. She found herself praying that the others were with the shooter.

#

The first thing Kara heard was gunshots interspersed by phew-phew sounds, but they seemed to come from far away, the next sound was her name being yelled by a Number Six cylon.

"Kara! Damn it, Starbuck! Wake the frak up!"

Caprica Six is scared. That thought should have filled Kara with glee but now it elicited numbing terror that triggered a burst of adrenaline which almost made her ignore the raging headache that slowed her response time. Kara tried to stand up only to get shoved to the floor by Six as the female cylon fired several shots at an unseen enemy.

"Stay down before you get hit!" Kara barely had time to ask what was going on when Six ducked down as several stun beams passed the space where the cylon had been a moment ago.

"What's going on?" Six spared her a frantic look.

"We're frakked that's what!"

"We are the borg. Resistance is futile." And that cleared Kara's mind as she felt her heart go cold.

"The borg?"

Six nodded frantically. Kara and Anders had been keeping an eye on Six and Baltar when they experienced the simulation of the Battle of Wolf 359 in the holodeck of the Xavier. Federation history had stated that in early 2367, a borg cube had appeared eight light years from Earth. Forty starships tried to stop it and failed and only one ship survived. Eleven thousand Starfleet officers and crew, dead.

"What the frak are they doing here?" gasped Kara as Six fired over the barrier without revealing herself.

"How the frak should I know?" shot back Six. "The borg and cylons aren't related you know!" Kara shook her head. She had to assess the situation.

"How many…" she tried to turn her head and winced.

"You hit your head pretty bad," said Six as she looked up quickly and shoot twice before diving back down a scant second before more stun beams went over her head. Kara shakily touched the right side of her head and it came away wet and stained with blood.

"I thought I had lost you for a moment so I took your gun." Kara felt like laughing, but resisted because she knew it would sound hysterical.

"How many borg?"

"About twelve at first, I shot two in the head, then they tried to stun me. I think they want us alive and undamaged." One could hear the fear in Six's voice. Kara tried to control her panic, she would end herself before she became a tin-can.

"We are borg. Resistance is…" This was followed by a gurgle and a slicing sound and then the beams stopped appearing over their head. Kara and Six shared a concerned look. Kara tried to look but Six stopped her.

"It could be a trap." They kept hearing slicing sounds as the phew-phew seemed to be reducing in frequency. Then there was absolute silence. Had the borg left? But that was unlike them, they had a single-minded goal which was assimilation no matter the cost.

"You guys okay over there?"

Kara and Six stared at each other. Was that Laura's voice? Had the borg gotten her? But how? She was supposed to be safe onboard the Xavier!

There was a sigh before the voice continued. "I can smell you two, Six and Starbuck, it's me Laura." Now, that was new. There was no way the borg could have their names, Starfleet had never said they were telepathic. Six cautiously peaked and gasped in happiness as she stood up.

"It is you!" Kara was slower to rise as she got a wave of double vision the first time she tried. However, she was relieved to see Laura and smiled grimly at the dismembered borg attackers. Laura had gone for their heads. Damn. She would have loved to have seen the cadet in action.

"How did you find us?" asked Kara.

"I followed the sound of gunshots," said Laura as she took the backpack off her back and removed a tricorder and began to scan Kara's head. "You have a nasty concussion," said the teen blandly. Six had gone to her knees to study one of the heads of the borg.

Kara laughed weakly. "Tell me something I don't know; please tell me you brought some painkillers." Laura smiled at her as she produced a hypo-shot and sprayed Kara's neck with it. The colonial immediately felt instant relief and her vision seemed clearer. Gods bless Starfleet for their medical breakthroughs. As Lara began to clean the cut on her head, Kara tried to watch Six at the same time.

"What did you find?"

Six stood up, a grim look on her face as she lifted the head she was studying. "This used to be a number two cylon." Kara felt her heart rate increase as she glared at the mutilated head of a clone identical to Leoben Conoy. Except, that this one's right eye had been replaced with a mechanical dark red piece.

"So, I guess we know what happened to the first three cylon and centurion teams."

Laura glanced at one of the bodies. "Look at the hands of that one." The two women looked and noticed the hands were centurion.

"What the frak…" began Kara as four people ran into the room. Six swung her weapon up and stopped when she saw Oma, Natalie, Q-Junior and Red One.

Laura grinned at them. "You're not dead."

Oma smiled wearily as she limped over to them. "Thank God for small favors," she missed the sharp look Natalie sent her way. "Natalie Faust and I ran into Q Junior and Red One on the way." Then her expression darkened as she studied the bodies.

"This is bad."

"Ya think?" said Q Junior as he knelt down to study the body parts. Then, he noticed Oma favoring her right leg. "What happened to your leg?"

Oma sighed. "I think I broke it on the way down. Natalie helped me set it." The number six cylon went over to her sister cylon and after a long moment, the cylons hugged. Relived at finding each other.

"Well, this is really touching," said a voice above them. Laura tensed as she turned with the others to find a strange figure perched on the balcony several feet above them, beside him was a beautiful great-hound who just happened to be made out of metal.

Kara's jaw dropped in shock as she stared at a much younger version of her XO, Saul Tigh. Possibly in his mid 30s. The other glaring difference was that this 'clone' had skin the color of gun-metal grey and had what appeared to be a sniper rifle attached to his back plus a backpack of only God knew what. Everyone took a defensive stance as he effortlessly vaulted from the balcony and landed in-front of them, his silent great-hound followed suit.

"What the…?" began Natalie Faust but Six was speechless as she stared at him in horror. Red One picked up on their fear and moved to stay between them and the new comer. Laura took up a post in-front of Kara, protecting her while Oma and Q Junior stayed on her flanks.

The newcomer grinned at them. "If I had wanted to kill you all, I would have done so."

"Instead, you frakking stayed up there and waited for the borg to do it!" snarled Kara as she pushed herself to the front of Laura, Oma and Q Junior. No way was she letting the kids protect her, she would kill this thing before he hurt the children.

The newcomer sighed. "Fair enough. But I had my reasons, the borg have tried to lure me into their traps time and time again. I had to be sure it wasn't one of their more elaborate ones."

Six stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you and what is happening here?" The newcomer's smiled disappeared as he glared at her with an intensity that bordered on hatred.

"You mean, you don't know who I am?" His voice was calm but he was on edge.

Laura, Oma and Q Junior exchanged a cautious look. Kara was wishing she had taken her weapon from Six. Shoot him, damn it.

"No, we don't," said Natalie Faust as she approached him with a look of wonder. "But, you appear to be a much younger version of Saul Tigh, the XO of the Battlestar Galactica."

The newcomer was silent for a moment. "I don't recognize that name."

Kara stared at him. "You expect us to frakkng believe that?"

"I don't really give a damn what you think." Then he looked at the dead borg with something akin to terror, then he shook his head. "My name is Paul Tighris, originally of the Thirteenth tribe."

"Oh shit," Muttered Laura under her breath. Oma and Q Junior could understand her reaction. Kara went pale while Natalie and Six were even more confused.

Paul sighed. "Right now, I'm sure you lot have many questions. So, why don't we take this conversation to a slightly safer place before more of their brethren show up."

Kara's face hardened and Oma knew she was going to protest.

Oma lay a calming hand on Kara's arm. "He has a point."

"Also, he's not lying. We are in a bad spot," pointed out Laura. "And we need to fix Oma's leg before we break outta here."

Paul watched their expression. "So, we're in agreement. Follow me, if you wish to survive." He turned and walked away. They followed only after a moment.

#

Hi everyone. I am sorry this took so long. Life happened and I am trying to complete this story. I hope you enjoy this latest chapter.