CHAPTER 62 OF THE PHOENIX AND THE WOLVERINE.
(I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO MARVEL COMICS OR STAR TREK OR BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. PLEASE ENJOY!)
Admiral Janeway took note of the anticipation on the faces of everyone gathered both in person and also virtually.
Captain Singh nodded at the captains and the chief engineers of both the USS Prometheus and the Y'Tem. Sitting in also was the Y-Tem's second in commander, Commander Mithra, as well a Lieutenant Harrison.
"Chief Engineer Tams and Commander Khareem, thanks for joining us for this joint operation. What have you got for us?"
Chief Scott who was in the ready room stepped forward. "We've devised a way to go faster by copying and modifying what Ensign Q junior did for the Xavier." Janeway raised an eyebrow but kept quiet as the starfleet engineer continued.
"He removed the safety measures to increase the maximum warp to 9.7 and intended to keep it at 4.5minutes which would have worked if not for the anomaly that showed up in their part and the ship's sensors stopping the Xavier from being affected adversely."
Thank heavens for that. Thought Janeway to herself.
"However, unfortunately we cannot go as fast as 9.7 despite removing the safety measures," added in Chief Engineer Khareem. "Our three ships can only stretch it to 9.68 before the ships' systems are compromised and keep it at that speed for only 4 minutes." Janeway caught the keen interest on Harrison's face. Damn it. This news was only going to get him even more invested in getting to Q Junior and the Xavier as soon as possible.
"So, we came up with a plan to work with what we do have," said Chief Engineer Tams, an andorian. "We plan to attach two of the ships via tractor beams to a ship who will push the warp to 9.68 for five minutes, then we will wait a day to recharge while going at max warp before a second ship takes the lead while at 9.68 while pulling the other two ships and then rinse and repeat with the last ship."
If we do this repeatedly for two weeks, we will reduce the distance to the Xavier and the colonial refugee fleet by three weeks."
Janeway let her surprise show. "We're currently 2 months and 3 days from them."
Captain Singh nodded. "If this succeeds at the end of two weeks; we will be three weeks away."
Karath slapped his hand on his command desk laughing. "A bold plan, I like it and of course, we will succeed!" The Klingon captain was quite jovial even though Janeway was sure he was aware that the slightest miscalculation could result in the destruction of all three ships.
"I concur, this will work," said Captain Brenia from the USS Prometheus.
Singh nodded. "Then we're all in agreement." He looked at the engineers. "Good work everyone, please begin the modifications and give us a time frame of when we can do this."
Captain Scott grinned widely. "We've already calculated it sir, we'll be ready in twelve hours." Singh, Janeway and Brenia stared at him while Karath chuckled.
"Isn't that a bit hasty?" Asked Lieutenant Harrison, a frown on his face.
The chief engineer of the Dunkirk looked at the intelligence officer. "Aye it is, but we have more than 40,000 refugees depending on one starfleet ship while they happen to have a cylon fleet on their behinds. We can't afford to waste time." He turned back to Captain Singh but Janeway kept studying Harrison and was surprised when the officer stayed silent.
Then again, he was Starfleet Intelligence. Who knew what Harrison was really planning?
Captain Singh looked at Admiral Janeway and she decided to give her input.
"Sounds good to me. Let's get going."
#
Ares was pissed. He had cursed the Q Continuum relentlessly as he travelled the under-verse in search of two of his godly brethren. Ares finally slowed down when he got to borders of Apollo and Aphrodite's celestial abode. He sure hoped his cynical sister sibling was absent.
Ares entered and growled in frustration when he spied Aphrodite hovering in the air while pruning the top of a colossal pine tree in her massive garden. It took a moment for him to realized he was yet to be seen.
Maybe he could leave and wait for her to depart so that he could ambush Apollo…
"Ares old boy!" Boomed Apollo who had managed to sneak up on the God of the War and clapped him heartily on the back. Aphrodite swung her gaze towards their direction and her eyes narrowed with suspicion as she descended gracefully. The sharp pruning scissors were suspiciously beginning to look like a weapon.
"Well hello to you Apollo," Ares tried a hearty tone. "I see you're both busy, maybe I should come back later."
"Or never," said Aphrodite as she glared at him.
"Nonsense to both of you," said Apollo, somewhat oblivious of the animosity between Ares and Aphrodite. "We're the Lords of Kobol, we must have a relaxing drink and a chat before you depart."
Part of Ares wanted to leave but he was getting desperate. Maybe he could work this meeting in his favour.
"Don't mind if I do" Aphrodite's expression darkened and that was enough to make Ares smile. Anything to rile her up.
Two pints of mead later (by the two male lords while Aphrodite left her first untouched) Ares decided to talk about the reason for his visit.
"Apollo I really need to execute the Right of Aid." Apollo paused in gulping his pint to stare at the male god. Aphrodite's expression was carved in stone.
"Have other Q gotten involved in your little project?" asked Apollo. "If so we must bring this to the attention of all of our brethren!"
Ares gritted his teeth. The words 'little project' was really pissing him off. If not for the gravity of the situation he would have tried to throttle the clueless Apollo.
"I don't need everyone's help. I just need you to run interference for me…."
"What happened?" Cut in Aphrodite.
Ares glared at her. The distrust was evident in her gaze. "One of the Qs tampered with my project." Apollo began to bluster stating that they could not stand for this. Aphrodite waited until he ran out of steam before pressing on.
"Explain in detail Hades and leave nothing out." Ares stared at her. She could not honestly expect him to tell her everything. He looked at Apollo who was now studying him a bit too closely for his liking.
"I think that's a fair enough request," said Apollo as he put down his mug of mead.
Ares tried to think of a way out of explaining but the could tell the two lords weren't about to budge an inch.
"I having been trying to get the colonial fleet to safety, I found a way to create a wormhole but the Qs kept closing it and then recently I found a place where they could get the co-ordinates to Earth's solar system and the Qs destroyed that place as well! This is why I need your help. Surely you have heard prayers from our followers asking for deliverance."
Aphrodite frowned. "We asked for a detailed explanation, not the highlights. The Qs never act first, they always respond. What did you do that got them to react directly?"
Ares could barely keep his anger in check as he snarled at the two lords before him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Aphrodite hissed in frustration. "Do you really want me to pull up a visual aid of what you have been up to recently?"
Ares was puzzled and alarmed at the same time. "A visual aid?" The female Lord responded by snapping her fingers and a pristine large square canvas appeared to the right of her and before anyone could say a word, a movie began to play out. An unstable wormhole appeared through which a borg cube emerged, the wormhole destabilized and part of the borg cube fell to the planet below. Soon Paul Tighris and his centurions emerged to study the remnant before dragging it into the underground ancient cylon base and the expected happened. The borg being accidentally woken up by Paul and the assimilation of the centurions followed. Ares was speechless as he saw himself walk around the underground nuclear reactor before tampering with the bomb placed on the reactor by Paul Tighris. The final bit was Lady Q appearing as a hologram as she listened to her son, Q Junior advise the sentient beings, humans, colonials and cylons on what to do about destroying the borg.
"Why…who gave you the right to spy on me?!" spluttered Ares.
"You did the moment you decided to break the Pact we made with the bloody Q!" yelled Aphrodite.
Ares opened his mouth to argue but Apollo held up a finger. The usual jovial Lord had a rare thunderous expression. "First, you popped a wormhole right on one of the most volatile borders in Federation space, and three Qs responded. Second, you brought a borg cube from the delta quadrant to the alpha quadrant!" Apollo now looked incensed. "And third, despite what the borg did to the centurions and cylons, you actually tampered with the plan that a cylon was desperate enough to carry out in order to rectify the mistake he made! And you're actually wondering why the Qs responded?!" The last bit was said in a roar.
Ares now had the distinct feeling that Apollo and Aphrodite were certainly not in his corner. And if that was the case he doubted the rest of the pantheon would be willing to help.
"I trust you two not to breathe a word of this."
Aphrodite raised an eyebrow as if implying that he couldn't be serious but Apollo sighed.
"We wouldn't dream of it. Frankly, it's embarrassing." Ares glared at him, if looks could kill, his brother would be so deceased right now.
"Well then," said Ares while using a great deal of effort to stay calm. "I'll see you later." He stormed into a portal and vanished.
Apollo turned to his wife. "You can't talk about this to the others." Then he braced himself for an argument.
"Sure, I understand." Said Aphrodite in a tired voice. Apollo gaped at his wife. That had been unexpected but maybe she had also realized how precarious the current situation was and was trying to prevent it from escalating.
He kissed her on the forehead. "Thanks, my love. I have to go for a stroll through the cosmos. That discussion was tiring."
Aphrodite smiled gently at him. "Enjoy your walk my dear." She waited until her husband activated his own portable portal and vanished, before the smile was replaced by an intense look as she sent an urgent psychic message to Athena.
"Girl, have I got news for you!"
#
Logan tapped his badge while keeping an eye on Lee and Paul and Orion, the metallic dog. They were still in the cargo bay of the ship and were obviously relieved and exhausted at Xavier's narrow escape.
"Bridge, what's our status?"
Oma replied. Her voice on edge. Probably due to the most recent precarious situation she and the others had been extracted from. "We're at wrap three, at five light years from the planet. I'm not registering any interference in the ship's systems from the tricobalt warhead."
Logan let his shoulders slump in relief. "Good to hear. Maintain course, Jean and I will take our new guests to the med bay. Please inform Q Junior to meet us there as well." Lee and Paul gave him identical sharp looks while Kara kept her eyes on Paul's every move, her weapon still in her arms, though the business end was pointing at the floor. Orion was sniffing at the floor and seemed intrigued by the new scent his robotic dog brain was trying to process.
"Yes sir," answered Oma.
"Ensign Kadretti, you have the conn and good work by the way." There was a pause for a moment.
"Thank you, sir!" Oma's voice sounded stronger.
Logan hid a smile, then turned a stern look on the two men who were about to protest being assessed in the med bay.
"This is not a request. Any one returning from an away mission must go to med bay. Oma and the others will get their checks once I relieve Ensign Kadretti at the conn." Lee and Paul looked at each other then, at him. Curiosity warring with indignation at being ordered to have medicals on a strange ship. Curiosity won. Logan glanced at Jean. She looked pale but appeared stronger since they left the surface of that blasted planet.
"Xavier, beam us all to the medbay."
"Yes captain." Intoned the ship, Logan caught the startled look on Paul's face and the suspicious one on Lee's. Logan's sigh of exasperation was cut off as he and the other disappeared in the all too familiar tinkling sound of the transporters working. When Logan next opened his eyes, he caught Paul standing frozen with his eyes shut tight as if afraid to look around him. Orion was now huddled by his left leg, apparently worried by the second rapid 'transport'. As for Lee…
"Sir, you alright?" asked a concerned Kara who was supporting the extremely pale CAG. Logan suspected the colonial officer was this close to puking.
"Get him to a couch," said Q Junior who entered the room at the same time and took one look at the CAG's face. Jean moved towards the CAG.
"I'll help…"
"No," gently interrupted Logan. "You'll rest." Jean frowned at him. "Just for a bit. Q Junior will assess our three new guests quickly." Jean's shoulders relaxed. Logan glanced at the others, Kara was still holding on to Lee, Logan hoped the colonial didn't have the ultra rare condition of 'transporter sickness.' The first time he read about it, he likened it to motion sickness some people got when in a fast-moving car of the 21st century.
"Q, make sure you check Commander Adama for transporter sickness." This drew everyone's attention. Q Junior stared at him, then his stunned expression turned to one of interest as he turned back to a slightly green looking Lee Adama.
"Yes sir. Commander Adama, have you ever had motion sickness when flying your viper or driving a land vehicle." Lee seemed stunned for a moment, before he tried to reply.
"No, why…and what is transporter sickness?"
Q Junior activated the bio-bed scanners and hid a smile as Lee almost jumped off the bed as the thin rods extended from the side of the bed to scan the CAG. "It's a very rare condition. Repeated use of the transporters may induce vertigo, nausea and ringing in the ears. Are you having any of the mentioned symptoms?"
"Just the nausea," hastily answered Lee as he kept staring at the innocent looking rods by his bed side. "And it's resolving as we speak. Maybe it was just the recent excitement of escaping from that f…" Kara coughed loudly and gave him a warning look. Lee looked beyond her to suddenly find Dr Grey glaring at him and the CAG recalled that she hated anyone swearing around the 'children'. Lee turned to find Q Junior grinning at him. Lee gulped.
"I meant, that damn planet." Kara released a sigh of relief. Q Junior made a hmm sound and turned to his ipad.
"Vital sounds seem normal. Maybe you don't have transporter sickness." Lee could not hide his relief. He personally didn't like the thought of using alien transporter tech but even he could see the enormous potential of having such tech. After-all, that Starfleet tech had saved the lives of his officers and his as well.
"I may still need to do more tests if the nausea is still persisting. In the meantime, would you like an anti-emetic?" Continued Q Junior.
Lee quickly shook his head. "No, no thank you." He drew the line at alien medications. "I'm fine for now." Q Junior smiled gently at him as if aware of the real reason for his refusal.
"No worries." He turned to a curious Paul Tighris who was already seated at a bio-bed. His faithful hound had jumped up and made itself comfortable beside the cylon.
"So, I guess it's my turn." Compared to Lee, Paul seemed way too comfortable in the medical bay.
Q Junior smiled politely at the cylon. "Mr Tighris, Orion," he nodded at the metallic hound, whose ears perked up, surprised at the acknowledgement. "Welcome to the Xavier, I'll be doing your medicals."
Paul looked at a silent Logan and cautious Kara who were watching him and Orion like a hawk. Paul spread his hands. "Medical away."
Q junior tapped some symbols on his ipad and the rods emerged from the sides of the bed.
"Please stand by the bed." Paul complied and let the bio-bars scan him. Q Junior seemed quite curious as he studied the read-outs.
"Am I a unique specimen then?" asked Paul.
"Not really," answered Q Junior in a distracted voice. "Your vitals are normal and are close to that of the other cylons I have seen and also colonials and the crew of this ship." Then the ensign noted the Paul's stunned expression.
"Not that you aren't a unique individual in other aspects," hastily answered Q Junior. "No offense intended."
"None taken," said Paul. Then his eyes fell on the ipad in Q Junior's hands. "May I look at that device?"
"Nope," replied Logan who had snuck up silently. "I heard you're well. Junior check up on Jean, then Lee will ya?"
"Yes captain," said Q Junior before escaping leaving Logan with their new cylon guest. Paul looked expectantly at Logan and leaned back as if expecting a confrontation.
"You're here to escort me to a cell, am I right?" Paul asked in a sardonic tone.
Logan studied the male cylon for a long moment. "No, I'm here to lay down the rules. Your weapons will be kept in storage. No one on board moves around with weapons. You and Orion will have guest privileges on the Xavier, which include your own private quarters that you can leave at any moment but both of you will only have access to the mess hall and the holodeck and limited access to the ship's computers…"
Paul stared at him, clearly not expecting such generosity.
"I don't think that's a good idea!" Loudly protested Lee as he quickly got off the bed and walked over. Paul and Logan turned to the disgruntled CAG who ignored Kara's cautious expression.
"And there it is. Let's all thank the non-existent Lords of Kobol for the never-ending paranoia of the colonials..."
"Hey watch it!" yelled an indignant Kara. Paul continued without missing a beat.
"…and the exasperating fanatic fervour of the colonials who just can't let go of their dead gods." Kara's face turned red and for a moment, Logan was sure she was about to do something drastic.
"Enough," said Jean in a quiet, calm voice that had two colonials and one cylon stare at her with panicked expressions. Logan hid a satisfied sigh. Apparently; they had not forgotten what she had done on the planet. Q Junior ignored the clamor as he kept checking Jean's vitals.
"I believe the captain wasn't quite finished," continued Jean in the same even tone as she gave each of them the thousand-yard stare.
Logan waited for the three guests to turn back reluctantly to him.
"As I was saying you have limited access to the ship's computers. Q Junior will show you to the quarters once we ensure the underground facility is destroyed." Lee's bullish expression turned to one of surprise.
"You're going back?"
Even Q Junior gave his captain a curious glance.
"You can't blame the captain for trying to be sure. I would do the same if I was in his shoes," drawled Paul who grinned when Lee glared at him. Kara looked close to committing murder so Logan decided to intervene.
"Lee, you also get the same guest privileges and I will be collecting your weapon and Kara's." Now both colonials stared at Logan, then Kara sighed but Lee looked like he was about to implode.
"Ship's policy," said Logan in a no-nonsense tone. To Lee's astonishment, Kara just sighed and walked over to Logan and handed in her weapon. Paul raised an eyebrow as if pleasantly surprised by this development. Lee appeared as if he was going to protest but Kara looked him in the eye.
"His ship, his rules sir. We would do a lot worse in his shoes. Infact…we have done worse." Lee stared at Kara who refused to back down. The CAG visibly struggled within himself as the validity of that statement hit him before he reluctantly handed in his hand gun and a boot knife.
Paul's eyes widened. He had not expected that. Logan smiled grimly at both colonials, then the captain looked expectantly to Paul, who nodded silently and also handed over his own weapons. Orion was still beside him watching the proceedings.
Logan placed the weapons on an empty bio bed. "Xavier, please beam weapons to storage."
"Yes captain." Logan didn't miss the tightening of Lee's features when he heard the ship's A.I. There was a tinkling sound and rainbow lights that covered the weapons before they disappeared.
"Amazing tech," said Paul, curiosity evident in his voice then he stood up. "Captain, I wish to observe you returning to that damn planet."
"We're coming too," said Lee glaring at the cylon. Kara watched Paul carefully.
"Thank you, Q for the check up," said Jean loudly as she stood up, thus saving Logan from replying in the negative. Everyone turned to her. "Since we're heading back. I need to check with the Almira before they start to panic. It may also be best that we contact the colonials and make sure they are also alright."
Damn, maybe Jean should be the captain and not I. Thought Logan with pride.
"What she said. Q Junior will check over Lee, Kara and I before Xavier beams us all to the bridge."
"I'm fine," said Lee through gritted teeth.
"Everyone from the away team gets a medical," said Logan with a firm smile. "Everyone." Lee backed down when he saw the determination in the earth captain's eyes.
This is going to be so fucking exhausting. Thought Logan.
#
Natalie was exhausted. Fleeing from the planet had been nerve wrecking but she was still too wired when she recalled the horror they had found below the planet's surface.
Three cyclon and centurion away teams 'assimilated' by the borg. Transformed into a horde that was a mess of borg and centurion parts that had been hades bent on adding more to their growing number. Natalie was sure she was going to have nightmares for weeks.
And don't even get her started on the existence of Paul Tighris who may be a clone of the insufferable Saul Tigh, XO of the Battlestar Galactica and that the Xavier had their own version of centurions known as Q Junior and his mother, Lady Q. The last twenty hours had been full of startling revelations. Natalie had no idea where to start in order to analyze the staggering recent events.
"Where exactly are we?" Caprica Six's voice brought Natalie back to the present.
She turned to see her sister cylon asking one of the Number Eight cylons.
"At least two jumps from our last location."
"We should go back," declared Boomer before Natalie could say a word.
Six frowned at Boomer. "Back to certain extreme danger? You heard what the crew of the Xavier said. Tricobalt warheads affect the jump navigation system. We could end up in the middle of the sun or the surface of the nuked planet for frak's sake!"
Boomer folded her arms and glared at Six. "So, you trust their word more than ours."
Six narrowed her eyes and walked over to stand in front of Boomer. "Considering who's speaking right now, I will take the word of the Xavier crew over yours any frakking day of the week."
"Enough," said Natalie. "This ego waving contest is the least of our problems. I don't need to remind you two that we have Cavil on our tails."
Boomer turned her glare on Natalie. "And who's fault is that? We didn't initiate a mutiny."
Natalie was becoming conscious of the audience they were drawing.
"Nat was right to break away considering what Cavil has done," cut in Six. "Cavil was lobotomizing the entire centurion force including the raiders and then he boxed Anna and her sisters and proceeded to do the same with the sixes. That means that you and the other lines either didn't notice or were complicit in his clandestine activities."
"I had nothing to do with that!" Protested Boomer.
"And you expect us to believe you?" Countered Six. Boomer looked around and saw accusing expressions on some of her fellow number eight colons. Everyone knew how close Boomer was to Cavil.
Nat silently thanked Six for her support but they had another pressing matter.
"Now is not the time for arguments. We need solutions." She turned to Six.
"Dr Grey…" She hesitated when she reluctantly recalled the last time she had seen the female member of the thirteenth colony. Mid-night black eyes, including the sclera and that uncanny voice that sounded like two people speaking over each other.
"Dr Grey, said she could find us and I presume that is without us giving them our co-ordinates. How is that possible?"
Six sighed. "I don't know."
Boomer gasped. "You were on their ship for months! Are you saying you forgot how to spy?"
Six gave her a jaundiced look. "I should be asking you the same thing about how you conveniently didn't know of Cavil's plans." She turned from a flustered Boomer to answer Natalie.
"I was limited in where I could go to on the ship. They did allow me to move between my unlocked room to the mess hall and the holo-deck." She laughed dryly when she saw their shocked expressions.
"Oh, they are certainly not the colonials but I had Xavier, who I presume is their hybrid watching my every step."
Natalie folded her arms. "You actually saw this hybrid?"
Her hope was dashed when Six shook her head. "As I said earlier, they limited what I could see. However, I was able to ask Xavier questions any time I liked."
"And he actually replied?" asked an incredulous Ellen Tigh. The three younger cylons gave her a startled look. Ellen had been so silent, it was easy to forget she was in the CIC with them.
"Yes," said Six as she regarded Ellen Tigh with caution. "However, he never answered my more direct questions and at times I think he was having fun giving me the run about."
Ellen moved closer, her face alight with curiosity. "How smart is he?"
"Very," said Six, she sighed at their incredulous expressions. "He refused to answer even mild probing questions and subtly threatened me what he would do if I went wandering."
"And you just complied?" demanded Boomer. Six glared at her, before turning back to Natalie.
"I got a ton of information from their holo-deck which was showing me Earth's entire history." That caught the interest of those nearby.
Natalie felt a flash of hope. "They let you watch their history?"
Six closed her eyes briefly and sighed and Natalie was a little alarmed at the longing on her sister cylon's face.
"You have no idea the wealth of historical and technological knowledge on the Xavier. If we had access to it all, we would be unstoppable."
"So, you got Earth's co-ordinates then?" asked a very skeptical Boomer.
Natalie heard her sister mutter a curse under her breath. "No, the people of Earth are not dumb. They even removed the constellations in the holo-deck recordings so I could never tell where Earth is."
"Then what use is that knowledge?" demanded Boomer. "How are you even sure that they told you the truth? They could be messing with your mind and taking us all for a joy ride!"
Natalie had the same thought but she didn't think Boomer had to voice it out for all to see.
Six turned back to Boomer. "Did you see what Dr Grey did?"
Boomer was a bit taken aback by the change in tactics. "What does that have to do with anything?!"
"Dr Grey is something other than a human, she stopped the borg who so happened to be our former cylon brethren and our centurions in their tracks." Six looked at everyone who was clearly listening. "Have any of you seen such power?" Silence followed her words.
"And let's talk about Lady Q and Q Junior. Two centurions who act independently of the Xavier crew and have abilities we haven't even begun to dream of. Q Junior is also an enlisted member of Starfleet; their military. Remind me if any of our centurions were ever given military commissions?" This drew sobering silence and many of them refused to look at the centurions in the CIC who was obviously listening to the conversation.
Six continued. "Now, if they were lying to me and I still don't believe they are, aren't you still curious to know what the Thirteenth Tribe is really capable of? Their technology is impressive enough and their history…is very important."
There was silence for a long moment.
"Do you think they will follow us?" asked Ellen. She sounded hopeful. Six looked at her.
"I know they will."
Boomer looked like she wanted to argue.
"In times of need and speed, one must listen as the Grey speaks. Hear her well." Natalie froze when the voice of the Hybrid filled the CIC. She, Six and Boomer ran to the submerged Hybrid, with several technicians behind them.
When they got there, it was to find the usual supine Hybrid trying to sit up as it looked around with her black pupils. Then it struck Natalie.
Dr Grey's eyes had gone completely black like the hybrid. Was the doctor the true hybrid of the Xavier? How had Six missed this? But she had no time to dwell on her thoughts as the Hybrid looked at the gathered group and opened her mouth to speak.
"Hi, I'm Dr Jean Grey. Almira has kindly loaned me her body for this discussion. Are you free to talk?"
#
Several minutes earlier…
Jean was exhausted and frightened; but she dared not show it. While Logan was having a tense moment with both Lee and Paul. Jean had quietly asked Q Junior for a stimulant. The poor young Q gave her a frightened look and she had promised she would rest when she had done what was needed. Q Junior had stared at her intensely for a moment before giving her a shot. The instant boost of energy was exhilarating and for a moment took her mind off her most pressing problem.
The Phoenix was being unnaturally silent.
Usually, Phoenix would be making snippy comments of their new guest and telling her what was in his mind while chortling at his apparent amazement of the advanced Starfleet tech on the Xavier. But Phoenix had not uttered a word since they left the surface of that planet. Jean wanted to address Phoenix's behaviour but unfortunately other matters took priority. Contact with their colonial allies and the rogue cylon ship.
Once they materialized on the bridge, Q Junior asked Lee how he felt.
The CAG gave the young Q a suspicious look. "I'm fine, you don't have to scan me again." Q Junior raised his hands in a conciliatory manner. "Your decision commander." Then he turned to Logan.
"Permission to return to my post, captain?"
Logan nodded at Q Junior. "Granted, make sure you check Laura and Oma once we figure out what happened on the planet." The young Q walked to the telecommunications post as Oma stood up from the captain's chair and resumed her post at navigation. Laura had turned and was regarding Lee and Paul with narrowed eyes. Both newcomers were looking around the bridge with unconcealed curiosity while Kara stayed close to Paul, watching him intently. Orion's ears perked up and he started walking around the bridge. Logan stared at the metal hound for a moment and then decided to ignore it for the time being.
Sharon who was sitting at one of the consoles turned with a calm Hera in her arms. Her eyes widened with alarm when she saw Paul and Orion.
"We have to contact your people and make sure they are okay," said Logan to Lee's relief.
"Yes, that would be best…"
"Is that a baby on the bridge?" cut in a stunned Paul, then he finally noticed Sharon's features and his face hardened. "What is a number eight doing on this ship?"
"Paul Tighris, meet Lieutenant Sharon Agathon. Sharon is a colonial officer and a friend," said Logan in a firm tone "and I trust her more than you since we just met." Paul was stunned by Logan's blunt honesty. Awkward silence followed before the male cylon spoke.
"Well, I must say your honesty is refreshing at least." He still kept a cautious eye on Sharon as he made sure to stay far from her. Orion on the other hand appeared eager to go over to Sharon and Hera but at a look from his master; the loyal hound whined and padded to the other side of the bridge. Hera made a cooing sound and reached out from Orion but the hound was already moving away to the baby's chargin.
Logan turned to Q Junior. "Contact Rogers and the others." The young Q was already running his fingers over the console before him.
"Ensign Rogers, Ensign Anders and Captain Agathon will be within range in five minutes."
Kara's head jerked up. "Wait, Anders is not on board with us?" They all looked at her then Jean realized no one had told the lieutenant what had happened.
"Anders got a glancing blow by one of those tentacles. He was a bit shaken up, we moved him to one of the raptors to recuperate while we tried to figure out what was going on. Trust me; Anders is fine."
Jean's words eased Kara's panicked expression which turned to a guilty one, then she closed her eyes briefly before assuming a blank expression when she noticed how intently Paul was watching her.
"Thanks for the info, Dr Grey."
The female telepath smiled sadly at her. She knew what Kara was experiencing. Jean had experienced a long moment of panic when Logan had been attacked. In that moment; she thought Logan had been killed.
If that had happened…
Jean felt the dark part of her surge.
No. He's safe. They are all safe.
The Phoenix settled and was at peace. Jean decided it was time to get on to her own task.
"I need to contact the Almira." They all looked at her. Logan's face already said it all.
Jean held up a hand before he objected. "They are scared and alone. We cannot abandon them." Logan stared at her for a moment before nodding. Lee appeared incensed.
"With all due respect, Dr Grey, they are cylons; they cannot be trusted," declared the CAG through gritted teeth.
"Hear, hear," said Paul in a sardonic voice. "I even agree with this colonial." Lee's eyes shot daggers at him.
"Your objections are duly noted," drawled Logan, then he looked at an expectant Laura. "Keep Jean company as she connects with them in the ready room." Jean gave Logan a grateful smile before walking off with a pensive Laura.
#
"Jean, you look terrible." Said Laura once they were alone. Jean rolled her eyes.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Laura expression was identical to her father's. The female teen folded her arms. "I mean it, you look and sound exhausted and should be resting. This isn't the time to use the CMS!"
Jean sighed. "I wish I could sleep for a week, but you and I know this is necessary. They are depending on us and they need us." Laura looked at her for a long moment.
"Alright," sighed Laura as she walked to an in-built cabinet to remove a spare medical kit. "I'll have this ready in case you need it." Then she looked at Jean intently. "Promise me you won't perform any more heroics, just talk to them quickly and be safe while you do it."
Jean tried to smile at the hidden worry in the teen's voice. "I promise."
Finding the Almira had been as easy as she expected but what was a surprise, was the hybrid.
The entity was sentient and in an induced semi-conscious state in the CIC. But on the telepathic level; Aldira was aware when Jean's mind approached the basestar. Jean noticed the hybrid had psychic tentacles that extended to the entire basestar. Almira was truly the brain, heart and soul of the cylon ship. Jean noticed the other cylon minds were ranging between being horrified to feeling hopeless about their current situation. She didn't have to guess why but she had to find a go-between in order to communicate with their leaders and none of the panicked cylon minds were ideal candidates. The last thing she wanted to do was accidentally drive one of the cylons insane. Jean decided to speak directly to the calm mind of the watching Aldira entity.
"Hi, I'm Dr Jean Grey of the Xavier. Can we talk?"
And that was how she got Almira's permission to address her crew.
#
How? Wondered Six but at the moment, she was almost overwhelmed by the immense relief when the unmistakable voice of Dr Grey emerged from the sitting hybrid.
"Dr Grey?" asked a very pale Natalie Faust. Jean-hybrid (that was how Six now saw her) first cautiously felt the mass of wet, thick, midnight-black cables running from the length of her entire spine and disappearing into the milky-white semi-conducting fluid. Jean turned her head slightly to smile at a shocked Natalie.
"Hello Natalie, nice to see you all safe and well." Jean then glanced at the astonished small army of cylon techs who hovered at the edge of the bath, their expression running from horror to astonishment.
"Fear not for Almira, she's running your ship's systems while we have this chat. My presence will not harm her or the ship. You may take readings if you wish." The techs barely waited for a nod from Natalie before they ran to the nearby readouts which concerned the hybrid, yet none of the techs dared approach Jean-Hybrid.
"And we're to take your word for it?" challenged Boomer. Six wanted to snarl but on some level, she knew the number eight had a point. Jean raised an eyebrow as she studied the number eight cylon.
Six tried for a gentler tone "Dr Grey, please understand our concern. This is the first time, our hybrid has… behaved like this, it's a tad disconcerting."
Jean grimaced as she looked down at the naked form of the hybrid. "Tell me about it, it's not every day that I have a serious discussion with another culture while naked and stuck in a bath while hooked up to a ship's mainframe."
Natalie's expression was bleak as she watched Jean. "You seem to know a lot about a base-star's operational system." Six shot her sister cylon a concerned look. What was she implying?
Jean smiled gently at Natalie while she drew her legs close to her chest and rested her chin on the top of the knees. "I learn as I go along, but I must agree that this is not the most conventional way of having a decent conversation…" then she paused. "... but these are hardly normal times now, are they?"
"Agreed," said Six when Nat was too slow to reply. "What of the Xavier and the base on that planet?"
Jean looked at her. "The Xavier is fine, as for the base on the planet? It's been completely destroyed by the warhead. Do not attempt to jump back there, unless you wish to emerge in the centre of the planet or crash into it's sun." Jean's stark warning made Six feel cold.
"Understood," said Six, then she hesitated. "Are you going to help us? We still wish to apply for asylum under the Federation of United planets." Six ignored the worried look from Nat, she was more concerned about the grave expression on Jean's face.
"Your timing was…impeccable," said Jean in a dry tone. "However, the request has not been denied." Six sighed with relief but Jean wasn't done.
"It's obvious that the Free Cylons are in a precarious situation and need all the help that they can get but there is the obvious important fact that you used to be part of the cylons that nuked the twelve colonies to hells and back." The cylons froze, Six blinked. This she had not expected.
Jean continued as she looked at the cylons before her. "If we are to negotiate, you will also have to speak with the colonials and they with you."
Six felt her heart sink. She knew that it would take a miracle for a peaceful discussion.
"I know this isn't the appropriate time…" started Ellen Tigh. Six glanced at her wondering what she was up to. "But…how is Paul?"
Jean looked at her, surprised at the question. "Which one?"
Ellen flushed and looked away when everyone stared at her.
Jean sighed. "They both made it off the planet and are both safe, even Orion is okay. The colonials also made it off as well."
"So…what happens now?" asked Nat in a neutral tone. Jean looked at her for a long moment.
"Logan will talk to the colonials, in the meantime, stay put please."
"Wait," said Boomer. "You didn't actually tell us how you found us."
Jean looked at her and smiled slyly. My mind to your mind, your mind to mine. The dark, ominous voice make Six's knees quake. Then Jean blinked and seemed back to normal and a bit flustered.
"Pray forgive me, it's…it's just one of my abilities. I will speak with you soon." Then before Six could say a word, Jean gently lay back down, closed her eyes and the hybrid went back to its usual limp nature.
The cylons stared at the heart and soul of the ship in obvious consternation.
"Six and Ellen, a word in private right now" ordered Nat before walking away. The crew swamped all over the hybrid, obviously less scared now that Jean had left the hybrid. Six and Ellen shared a look before hurrying after the cylon. Six glanced back to see Boomer watching them with suspicion.
#
"Okay, what's eating you?" asked Six once she and Ellen were alone with Nat in the close meeting room.
The number eight looked at Six for a long moment. "Dr Grey is a hybrid."
Ellen blinked while Six was rendered speechless.
"No…that can't be right…I mean…"
Nat began to pace. "When she...she dissolved that humungous metal door her eyes were pure black, like our hybrid. When she stopped our transformed cylons, centurions and the borg; her eyes again were pure black and then she just so happens to be able to communicate mind to mind with our hybrid, Almira." Nat stopped pacing for a moment as if struck by a strange thought. "I didn't even know that our hybrid took the ship's designation as it's frakking name…and Almira just allowed her?!" Nat was almost shouting at this point. Then she stared at Six.
"Can't you see the all too many coincidences? Dr Jean Grey is a frakking hybrid!"
Six opened her mouth and closed it, apparently temporarily at loss for words. "Dr Grey is a mutant…"
Nat waved away her explanation. "Maybe that is what they call hybrids on Earth, you certainly didn't realize Q Junior was a bloody centurion. Even I made that mistake. He looks like the perfect cylon child for frak's sake!"
Six and Ellen shared a cautious look, wisely keeping silent. Nat was obviously rattled by it all. Who wouldn't be?
After several moments of silence, Ellen spoke. "Caprica, you said you spoke to the ships hybrid, he's called Xavier?"
Nat snorted before Six could reply. "I wouldn't be surprised if they have more than one to two hybrids. Even Q junior came with a backup, his mother! Whoever thought of centurions having children?!"
Six now looked worried at the note of hysteria in her sister cylon's voice. "Nat, you need to calm down. Falling apart now isn't going to help any of us." Nat stared at her for a long moment, then sighed before leaning against the table.
"You're right. I just needed to get a few things off my chest." Six nodded and then turned back to Ellen.
"Yes, I did speak to Xavier several times, why do you ask?"
"Did you ever see him? His chamber?" asked Ellen.
"No," replied Six.
Ellen nodded; her expression as if lost in thought.
"What are you thinking?" asked Nat.
Ellen hesitated then looked at the younger cylons. "Bear with me a moment. What if Dr Grey's people found a way to safeguard the heart of their ships. One hybrid to stay with the ship at all times and the second one to be it's protector and defender." Nat and Six shared a startled look. None of them could deny that Jean was a force to be reckoned with.
"They never let you near the heart of their ship and I presume Jean kept an eye on you all the time?" asked Nat.
Six shook her head slowly. "No, that was Kara and Anders job and at times Xavier. There were a few times I and Baltier were left alone in the holodeck and the mess hall and then I would ask Xavier a question, just to see how far I could get and he would always respond while refusing to answer sensitive security questions while answering innocent ones." Then Six shook her head, "But this is all just speculation. The only way we will ever get answers is when we'll return to the Xavier."
"If we return," corrected Nat. She folded her arms. "Remember the colonials may refuse to have us along as they escape towards Earth. And then what?"
There was solemn silence,
Six looked at her sister and Ellen Tigh with a determined expression. "They won't abandon us."
Nat studied her sister, her face bleak. "I hope for our sakes that you're right."
#
Hi everyone. I hope you're all doing well. Please enjoy this chapter.
