CHAPTER 63 OF THE PHOENIX AND THE WOLVERINE

(I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO MARVEL OR STAR TREK OR BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. PLEASE ENJOY THE STORY!)

Jean came back to her body and had to take five seconds to calm herself before she directed her ire to the smug other part of her.

My mind to your mind, your mind to mine?! Really Phoenix?!

Oh hi, Jean. Nice idea about talking to Almira. You're beginning to think like me. The phoenix sounded a bit like her old self, but also subdued.

Where the blazes have you been?! Demanded Jean, then continued in a softer mind tone. I was worried about you. It's like you ran to hide in the back of my mind.

The phoenix paused as if hesitating. I just needed some time to myself…then I realized you had brought two new guests on board and one of them is this close to getting thrown into the brig.

Jean realized with dread who she was talking about. It's the CAG, isn't it? She sat up with a bolt.

"Jean, you alright?" Asked a worried Laura.

The female hid her concern with a smile. "It's okay Laura. I have some intel for Logan and the others." She stood up quickly and walked to the bridge.

#

Rogers felt unusually calm. He was stuck on a raptor with a lot of frightened colonials and one shaken XO. But what kept him calm was that Oma was safe.

For now. Whispered the cynical part of him but Rogers refused to let his mood be affected.

"Where the frak are they?" Roger jolted upright as the XO spoke for the first time since they fled from the planet.

He turned cautiously to look at the senior officer. "Sir, you alright?"

XO Saul Tigh gave him a jaundiced look. "Of course, I'm not frakking alright! Where the frak is the Xavier?!" Roger chose his words with care while trying not to look at the door into the cockpit. Once the XO came on board, Rogers quickly told Tyrol that the XO had to stay up front with them and he asked the chief engineer if he could stay with the main crew. Gods bless Tyrol, he had realized something odd was going on but he obeyed without question. As Rogers did the fastest preflight check of his life, he rapidly told a stunned Helo what and who they had seen on the surface.

After jumping to their current location, Helo had gone to the back to see how the colonial marines were doing. Leaving Rogers alone with a currently pissed off XO, Saul Tigh.

"Sir, we have to wait for them. They will contact us very soon."

Saul glared at him. "Your…powers tell you that?"

Rogers was saved from replying when the door opened and Helo walked in. Saul swung his glare in his direction. Helo hesitated before resuming his seat.

"All's well in the rear sir. We just have to wait for the Xavier to contact us."

The XO scowled at the colonial officer as if he was the source of all his problems. Helo returned the look calmly, while waiting for a reaction. Then Saul slumped in his seat, before looking away.

"How's Anders?" Rogers was both relieved and surprised that the XO was worried about the Junior Lieutenant.

"He's fine," replied Helo. "He's a lot more alert now than before and is demanding to speak to Kara as soon as possible."

The XO scoffed and rolled his eye. "Figures." Helo watched his commanding officer for a long moment before feeling confident enough to turn to face his viewscreen.

A long moment of silence followed before the XO spoke again. "I'm not a skin-job." His tone, dejected.

Roger's silently winced at the insult, so many had called Helo's wife that word. However, Helo just sighed.

"It's alright sir, we'll get home eventually."

The XO lifted his head as a signal came over Roger's console. The colonial ensign stared at the screen before laughing happily. "It's the Xavier!"

"Patch them through," ordered the XO, he sounded a bit like his old self. Rogers complied.

"This is Ensign Q Junior of the Xavier. Do you read?" Helo raised a thumbs up. The connection was strong one. Rogers was about to reply when the XO snatched the receiver from the ensign.

"This is the XO, where the frak is the CAG?!"

"I'm right here," replied an exasperated sounding Commander Lee Adama. The XO's shoulders sagged with relief. "We made it off…with the new guy and his dog." Rogers saw the XO's face twitch, to his astonishment, he didn't swear.

"Where's Captain Logan?"

"Right here," drawled the captain of the Xavier. "We're going back to make sure the job was done and Jean is contacting the Almira."

The XO's face went dark. "Dr Grey is doing what?" His tone hid tightly controlled anger.

"I thought it was a bad idea," said Lee in a grave tone.

"We're not leaving them out here," said Logan in a firm tone. "One, we don't know what they are capable of, two I would rather have the enemy of my enemy where I can see them and hopefully work with them in fighting the main cylon force which I'm sure none of you have forgotten about."

Rogers shared a silent look with Helo. They had seen that report and it still gave Rogers nightmares to know that a force of that significant size was out there.

"And what if the Almira is full of potential saboteurs?!" countered Saul Tigh. "We had a number of those cylon spies on our ships during the first months of us fleeing from the colonies and they did a lot of damage. We cannot take that risk again."

"That is why we need them where we can see them. This time, they will all on the Almira and the Xavier will stay between them and the rest of the colonial fleet." Said Logan in a solemn tone. Rogers looked at the XO, sure he was going to refuse.

"Maybe we shouldn't be discussing this here…" started Lee.

But the XO hesitated and then, narrowed his one good eye. "Why the frak not…unless there is someone there you don't want listening in." Then his eye widened. "Please, don't tell me my look alike son-of-a-cylon- bitch is on the bridge!"

"I would respond in kind but I have manners thank you, especially in the hearing of minors." Drawled Paul Tighris.

Rogers closed his eyes and bit his lower lip. He had no idea whether to cry or laugh.

"Well, let's postpone the rest of this discussion until later, shall we?" Calmly suggested Logan. "We'll meet up with you once we do a quick flyby of the bomb site. Expect us in fifteen minutes. Logan out." The transmission ended before the XO could say a word. Helo watched as the senior officer slumped in his seat. For the first time in a long time, Helo actually felt sorry for the old man.

#

Oma was exhausted. The stimulant had run out forever ago. She only kept going through sheer will.

"Oma, you alright?" whispered Q Junior as he knelt by her to check her vitals. She smiled wanly at him.

"I'm fine, yourself?"

Q Junior smiled gently at her. "As well as I can be." Then his expression turned serious. "Your heart rate is a bit up, and your level of radiation is a bit higher than it should be. You need treatment and lots of rest."

Oma shook her head. "I can't afford to leave the controls. Give me something to keep me going a bit longer."

"Not another stimulant," stated Q Junior quietly. "But I can start some of your healing with this." He gave her a hypo-spray. "It will also give you an energy boost but I need to see you in the medbay once we catch a break. You'll need the rad-clear chamber."

"Yes doc," said Oma with a cheeky grin. Q Junior gently patted her shoulder and returned to his station.

#

Paul was having a surreal experience. He could not believe he was off that blasted planet and on a ship of such alien, advanced technology. If the crew were descendants of those damned naturalists, then life was one cruel joke. But he was becoming aware that he had no idea what truly awaited him.

Once again it was both a relief and a major concern.

At the moment, he was enjoying his freedom. Especially the current conversation.

Paul had expected to be escorted to another room but was thrilled when Logan and Lee contacted the colonials to find out how they were doing. Paul was glad the colonials had escaped but he was going to be the last person to state that as he knew the usual paranoid colonials may just attempt to kill him if he uttered such strange words.

He couldn't help but grin when Saul (his clone) demanded to know if he, Paul was on the bridge, at that moment. Paul could understand his frustration because he also wanted to kill Cavil for putting him in this horrible situation of having a clone.

Paul had a lot of questions. He knew it would take time and trust on both sides before he got honest replies. But he suspected Logan was a strange one. He and his crew had answered questions directly.

And then there was Orion.

His hound was smart and extremely sensitive to hostile environments. Ever since they had been 'beamed' on board the Xavier, the metallic hound had been calm, inquisitive and even wagging his tail. That was a sign that they were in a safe place.

It felt too good to be true, Paul was desperately waiting for the other shoe to drop. Especially with the number eight cylon known as Sharon on the bridge. How in Hades had she had a baby? He and the original cylons had thought that was impossible!

"I made contact." Announced Dr Grey as she walked back into the room with Laura. And instantly Paul went tense because he knew who she was talking about.

Dr Grey went on to explain. "The Almira is safe and Six once more asked for asylum with the Federation." Lee stared at Logan and Dr Grey.

"You can't seriously be considering that request!" Paul noticed Kara closed her eyes as if praying for some divine guidance.

Logan looked at the angry colonial. "The enemy of my enemy…we could get serious Intel from them about Cavil and his hidden cylon base. Surely, you don't want to pass that up."

Paul nodded with approval as he watched Lee struggle with such infallible logic. Yes, the captain of the Xavier was a tactician through and through.

Lee cursed under his breath. "Alright, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Then he frowned. "Wait, who's watching Baltar? Where is he?"

Laura narrowed her eyes and turned to face the CAG. "He's in his quarters and he never left it even when we were off the ship."

Lee stared at her. "He was left unguarded?"

Kara walked over and clapped Lee on the shoulder before he said something stupid. "Hey, sir, don't worry about it. I'll go check up on him." Lee frowned at her but she was already heading to the turbolift.

"I'll come with," said Sharon who hurryingly got up from her seat with her baby, Hera. The hovering pram dutifully followed mother and infant to the turbolift.

Kara gave her a startled look, then nodded as she tracked how closely Paul was watching Sharon. The two officers left the bridge.

"Captain," called out Oma. "Arriving at our destination."

Paul's eyes narrowed as the Xavier emerged quite far from the planet.

"Maintain red alert. Any ships in the vicinity?" Asked Logan.

"No sir."

Logan nodded. "Good, how's subspace?"

His daughter Laura replied in a grave tone. "It's pretty messed up."

Paul raised his eyebrow at the unconventional reply but Logan seemed too focused on the view screen.

"Captain," called Q Junior. "I can map a road to the planet and mark the subspace tears and disruptions so we don't run into them." The young q began to tap on his console and the viewscreen was lit up with a neon-blue lines which curved like a road around red asterisk like markers which were the subspace disruptions.

Paul raised an eyebrow; impressed by how fast Q Junior thought that up. "A word of warning the subspace tears are moving. I will adjust the road as they pop up."

Logan smiled. "Excellent thinking ensign." Then he turned to Oma.

"Ensign Kadretti head for the stratosphere but do not enter the atmosphere and keep an eye out for the moving subspace tears. The last thing we need is ending up in another dimension or time period."

Both Lee and Paul gave him startled looks. Clearly nonplussed by those words.

"Yes sir,"

But any questions Paul had disappeared when they got close to the planet.

Paul's jaw dropped when the view screen, showed the surface of the planet. Gone was the murky hazy covering and now he could clearly see a red smouldering surface of one part of the planet. Paul felt chilled to the bone as he tried to calculate the immense size of the impact.

"Gods have mercy on us," muttered a stunned Lee. He looked at Logan. "One…one tricobalt warhead did that?"

Paul could understand his trepidation, he felt just as terrified. He studied Logan and he was surprised to see a very grave expression on the captain's face.

"Aye. Pray we never have to use another one." Then Logan looked at Lee and Paul. "None of us are beaming down, the radiation will be off the charts."

"I'll take your word for it," said a numb Paul. Orion whined and rubbed against his left leg as if aware his human was distressed.

"Cylon ships in bound!" Warned Q Junior.

Paul, Lee and Logan turned to the ensign.

"How many?" Asked Logan and Lee at the same time. Paul just remembered to keep his mouth shut.

"Seven signatures…oh no, one is about to emerge inside the sun and the second in the planet's crust!" Warned Q Junior. Paul blinked not sure, he heard right, there was nothing yet on the view screen. The thought had barely left his brain before the unthinkable happened. One base star emerged half inside the sun and subsequently exploded and he saw the second one emerge, with half of it in the planet's crust before it also exploded.

Cylon base stars had navigation tech that was superior to a colonial star drive. However, the risk of ending up in a sun or the crust of a planet was highly preventable due to their respective navigation systems.

So that was why Paul couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"What is happening?" He heard himself ask.

At a nod from Logan, Q Junior replied in a solemn voice. "Tricobalt bombs can drastically alter sub space, this affects navigation and the duration and range of the affected area depends on the yield…and the bomb I dropped had a very high yield." He sounded bleak. "This is why we came out of warp far from the planet so we could approach carefully." Q Junior looked back at Paul. "They didn't have a chance." The young q turned back to the viewscreen.

"Give me comms and broadcast on all frequencies" said Logan as he quickly sat down in the captain's chair.

"This is Captain Logan of the Xavier to all cylon ships in the area. Sub space has been severely disrupted. Do not jump close to the planet, I repeat do not jump close to the planet. Move away at high speed from this system and jump once you're out of it."

"What the frak are you doing?!" Yelled Lee. He made a move towards the captain's chair and then froze. Paul stared at him and turned to see Dr Grey watching Lee with a disappointed expression. Paul noticed Lee's pale features and knew the good, ' strange' doctor had somehow immobilized the colonial without touching him.

Like what she had done with the borg horde.

Logan didn't even acknowledge the frozen CAG as he kept talking.

"This is Captain Logan of the Xavier. Do you acknowledge?" Logan wondered if they even heard him.

Jean's eyes flashed black for a moment, then she sighed. "The remaining five basestars heard you clearly. They are simply choosing not to respond."

Paul's eye narrowed as he watched Captain Logan calmly acknowledge her words with a nod. Wait, how the frak did she know that? She's not even using the comms. What in Hades is Dr Grey?

"They have launched raiders as well as tried to transmit a viral hacking package," said Oma in a calm tone. "Package disabled and at least seventy raiders are approaching on an attack vector."

That number made the hairs on Paul's neck go up, he watched the earth captain closely. Logan's face said it all. He had expected this response.

"Twenty of the losers are about to merge with subspace tears…" announced Laura in a too calm tone. The viewscreen showed the resulting explosions which subsequently took out other raiders that had been flying in formation with the unfortunate vessels.

Paul didn't know what to feel as he saw the very ships he and his friends had helped modify and upgrade get destroyed. He didn't blame Logan. Paul blamed Cavil with all the fire in his heart.

Logan watched the spectacle with narrowed eyes and reached for the comms again. "Hey Cavil, I know you're listening. I just gave you a warning so you could save your people but you chose to throw their lives away. Wow, what an upstanding leader you are."

Paul raised an eyebrow at captain's sardonic tone, while being impressed with his psychological warfare. Any cylons listening in would realize in a short order what a frakked up leader Cavil was. Paul had no sympathy for any cylon who still decided to support the Number One cylon despite his horrible leadership.

May they all burn in Hades.

"At the end of the day, the decision to listen to what I have said in order to keep your people safe lies with you. Logan out." The captain turned to Oma.

"Move us out of the system at max speed and once we're out of range of subspace disruption; go to warp three and set a course for the colonial raptors."

"Yes sir," said Oma as she quickly moved the ship out of the system. Paul could see raiders still trying to reach them and getting affected by the subspace tears. He shook his head at such waste. Cavil had always been such a stubborn fool.

Once they went into warp, Logan turned to Lee who could finally move. "And Commander Adama, may I have a word in private in the ready room?" His tone was cordial but Paul could tell Logan was pissed.

A pale looking Lee followed Logan to the ready room.

#

Lee knew he had frakked up.

He had never imagined in his wildest dreams that he would have found himself on the Xavier. And now that he was on board he was trying to make the most of it; while trying to learn as much as possible of the abilities of this advanced vessel.

But what he had not planned for was the crew; especially the captain and Dr Grey.

He had seen how she stopped the energy tentacles and halted the movement of the borg. To be honest he was trying hard not to think about it.

Lee had also heard Dr Grey was the Oracle. Truth be told; Lee never put much stock in religious ideas or beliefs. As far as he was concerned it had not helped him or the Twelve colonies one bit. Sure, he had seen the recording of her floating in the CIC but he attributed it to some 'mutant' ability of her's and privately; he still believed it was a weapon on board the Xavier that had obliterated all those raiders and the basestars. He never believed it was due to Dr Grey's oracle powers.

But now, he was forced to believe otherwise.

When he heard Logan try to warn the cylons of the subspace tears, Lee had been incensed. How dare the captain help these genocidal murderers?! They would have done nothing if their roles were switched. Lee had turned with the intent of punching Logan's lights out, to do anything to prevent the Starfleet captain from helping the cylons. Only for him to hear a dark voice talk in his mind.

Where do you think you're going?

That voice had frozen him in fear and made his heart rate skyrocket. Then Dr Grey came into his view; her expression of disappointment silently communicating her displeasure at his behaviour. But what scared him the most was the fact that he was certain that the dark voice was not Dr Grey. It was something or someone else. And now, he had the distinct feeling that the entity was pissed at him for trying to harm Logan.

Which brings him to current predicament. Lee didn't have to be a mind-reader to know that the captain of the Xavier was livid. He could tell from Logan's rigid body language.

"Commander Adama have a seat," said Logan in an even tone once they both found themselves alone in the ready room.

Lee had no choice to comply. Logan sat down across Lee and then studied him; his face neutral.

"Commander Adama, do you remember one of the first things I said to your father, Admiral Adama at the first series of talks?"

Lee was a bit taken back. "I do."

Logan continued. "Especially the part where I said 'Do not attempt to take over my ship or put us under my command. For that would not be wise?'"

Lee knew he had behaved irrationally but he couldn't help himself. "You were making a rash decision…"

"Commander, you were this close to ending up in the infirmary," cut in Logan as he put a thumb and his second finger together. That action forced Lee to look at the mutant's hands which hid his adamantine blades. "And after Jean had healed your sorry ass, I would have thrown you into the fucking brig!"

Lee felt his face heat up. "You were helping them, they have murdered billions of my people. I could not stand by and let you…" His voice trailed off when he saw Logan's stern expression. Logan waited to see if Lee wanted to keep talking. When the CAG remained silent, Logan nodded. Lee looked down in shame.

It came as a shock to him when Logan began to speak in a softer tone.

"I truly sympathize for your loss and I cannot go back in time to prevent what happened. I know that I can never compare my loss to what your people lost, but I understand what it's like to feel powerless while injustice happens around me. But, we cannot lose sight of what it means to be human."

Lee looked up at him in shock. The last thing he expected from Logan was counselling.

"W…what do you mean?" stammered Lee.

Logan was quiet for a long moment. "I have a simple code. Try to live a good life and try to help those around you in order to stay sane. Due to my…uniqueness, I've lived for over two centuries before I was put on ice. I realized, that trying to help people was what kept me more or less grounded. I know most of the cylons are our enemy and if they try to hurt my people, I will fight with all that I've got. But, while we fight, we must never give in to our need for vengeance or we will become the very thing we hate."

Lee stared at him. Still finding it hard to merge the image of this Logan with the one who had sliced and diced up cylons and centurions on the basestar that the Xavier crew had infiltrated.

But, that was him on the defensive front. Logan had been trying to keep his people safe but after the two cylon attacks; he had to respond. Also, Logan could have gone for the XO's neck when Laura and Q Junior had been spaced. Yet, the Earth captain had responded with compassion and an even hand.

Lee felt ashamed. He wanted to cry.

"I'll give you a moment," said Logan as he stood up. "And one more thing, this is your first and final warning. If you try that shit again, I will throw your ass into the brig." Logan gently patted him on the shoulder before he left Lee alone to compose himself.

#

Logan was a bit startled when he stepped out to find Laura waiting for him.

She took one look at his face. "Is he still breathing?"

Logan sighed. "Not a scratch on him." Laura's eyes narrowed and she zeroed in on the closed door.

"He needs a moment to absorb what I just told him. He'll be fine." Laura was silent for a long moment.

"Hmmph," said the perceptive teen before moving back to her security station. Come to think of it, Logan had noticed Laura was very security conscious. If she decided to continue with her Starfleet training; he could see her doing well in intelligence and security especially with her background as a child assassin.

And that saddened him. No child should have gone through what she did.

Pushing those morbid thoughts to the back of his mind, Logan scanned the bridge. Oma and Q Junior were concentrating on their consoles…and Jean was talking with Paul. He made a beeline for them.

#

Paul had watched Lee follow Logan into the ready room. Surprisingly, he felt sorry for the hot-headed captain. The first moment he heard Lee speak; he pegged the young colonial officer to be one of those fire-for-blood and shit-for-brains types.

Damn. He wished he was a fly on the wall for the epic chewing-out that must be taking place in that ready room. Oh well, one can't have everything.

The main prize was the outstanding tech on this ship. I just have to wait until they aren't paying any attention before I go exploring. They must have more than one craft in what passes for the deck on this ship. I bet I can learn how to fly it once I hack into their systems. This is going to take time, once I locate their hybrid I could find a way…

"How are you doing Mr Tighris?" calmly asked Dr Grey and Paul almost jumped; even Orion yipped a bit in alarm. Paul had been so engrossed in trying to figure out how to obtain more information about the Xavier that he hadn't noticed Dr Grey approaching.

"I'm fine," said Paul as he tried to get his heart rate under control. Then his stomach growled and he suddenly realized he had not eaten for almost a day. Paul had to severely ration his food when the borg ran rampart.

Dr Grey smiled gently at him. "Once we get back to the colonials and have some breathing room; one of us will show you the way to the cafeteria and then to your quarters."

Paul couldn't help but laugh. "You do mean a cell, right?"

Dr Grey tilted her head, still smiling. "If you misbehave or endanger any of the crew or our guests…a cell will be the least of your problems." The smile slid off Paul's face because he could tell she was deadly serious. Surely; she didn't know what he was thinking.

"And why would that be?" Paul tried to ask in a calm tone.

"Because you'll most likely be spending some considerable time in the infirmary before the captain decides to throw you into the brig." Jean's calm frank answer shocked Paul.

"Now, I'll cut to the chase," continued the female doctor. "I am the chief medical officer on board the Xavier, I am also a telepath and mutant. Feel free to research what I just said from Earth's historical archives."

What the frak is a telepath? And also what does she mean by mutant? Thought Paul but Jean wasn't done. She was barely giving him time to think.

"I know this is all a bit much, but please be aware that more than one person on this crew can discern if you're lying to us. I'm telling you this because one warning is all you're going to get. Do we understand each other?" Something in her hazel eyes had him considering his reply carefully.

"I understand."

Jean held his gaze. "I also need you to swear on your honour not to betray or attempt to sabotage the Xavier or endanger it's crew."

Paul was keenly aware of how Laura turned to face him, while part of him reeled at the doctor's odd approach.

"Wait, what…"

Swear it and mean it.

The dark voice made his knees quake and Orion whined as if aware of something not normal. Paul knew on some level that the voice was associated with Dr Grey but…was not Dr Grey. Yet it was the same voice everyone had heard when Dr Grey held back the borg.

For a long moment, he could barely speak or even think, Paul seemed frozen in place almost like how Lee had been stuck in place.

"I…I swear on my honour." Paul had the feeling that if he broke this promise; it would the last mistake he ever made. Orion began to wag his tail, happy.

Dr Grey smiled brightly at him. "Good, are you vegetarian or have any food allergies we should know about?"

Paul blinked; speechless at the abrupt change in topic.

"Is everything alright?" asked Logan who Paul had not heard approach.

"Em…all is well," replied Paul. "Dr Grey was just asking about my diet preferences. I have none and I have no allergies." Inside Paul was shaken but Orion was calm which was confusing to Paul. Usually his loyal hound would be sounding the alarm at any nearby danger…unless Orion didn't think Dr Grey was a danger.

Paul vehemently disagreed.

"I see," said Logan, his expression suspicious.

At that moment; Paul was more scared of the doctor than Logan.

"I was just telling Paul about the cafetaria and his quarters. I also need to get back to the Almira before they get too nervous," said Dr Grey.

Logan nodded. "Tell them we'll be on our way. We'll help them but they will have to talk with the colonials. A lot."

"Agreed," said Jean as she went to her seat. Paul's stomach took that moment to growl again.

Logan looked sympathetic. "Let's head to the cafetaria. When last did you eat?"

#

Baltar was bored and worried. He had been in his chambers for too long. At first, he thought about going to the holodeck but discarded that idea as soon as it formed. He was concerned about Six; there was no word yet on her status. The ship's status was still 'Red Alert' according to Xavier when he last asked what had to be the ship's hybrid.

Waiting was torture.

Then he laughed bitterly. No, this waiting was heavenly compared to what the cylons had put him through.

It's time to wake up Gaius.

He froze, then turned to see a smiling Caprica Six, clad in slim fitting blood-red gown. He stared and then closed his eyes tightly for ten seconds, then he opened them and the image was still there.

Gaius groaned in agony. "You're back again? Aren't you? The illusion that won't leave me alone when the real Six leaves me for a prolonged length of time."

The hallucination approached; her smile sad.

Ah, so you've noticed I only appear when you need guidance. The mind-Six as Gaius wanted to address her sat down beside him.

He spread his hands. "So, what sage words do you have for me?" Then Gaius became alarmed. "Has something happened to Six? Is she…hurt?"

Mind-Six sighed. She is where she is supposed to be; for now. But you are not where you're supposed to be for the cycle to be broken and remade anew.

Gaius stared at her, dread mounting. "And where is it that I am supposed to be and what are I am destined to do?"

She told him.

#

"Wait, wait…go back a bit. Lady Q? Another hologram?" asked an excited Sharon. A sleeping Hera was in her hover pram behind them.

Kara rolled her eyes at her friend's interest. Once they exited the bridge, Sharon pestered her with questions about the almost disastrous away mission.

"Yeah, and apparently from what Q Junior said, she's his mother. By the Gods, even the Starfleet holograms have backups, I wonder what her back up is." Then Kara realized something and stopped in her tracks.

"Wait, you didn't see her before she beamed down with Laura?"

Sharon sighed. "Laura started acting all serious and mysterious when we saw what went down. She grabbed an emergency back pack and high tailed it to the transporter room to beam down before I could even attempt to talk her out of it!"

Kara nodded; her expression distant. "Laura must have had Lady Q's holoemitter in that emergency back pack and only activated it when she hit the ground." She shook her head. "I don't blame her for being cautious, they didn't survive this long by being careless."

"Uh-huh" agreed Sharon. "What was she like?"

Kara grinned. "Sassy as Hades, I can see where Q Junior gets it from." Then her expression became serious.

"We have to keep a close eye on Paul Tighris." Sharon nodded; her face grave.

"Tell me everything he did while you were down there." The number eight cylon-colonial officer listened intently as Kara talked.

"He sounds unique," finally said Sharon.

Kara stared at her. "The guy is literally a ticking time bomb and did I mention his loyal, metal hound Orion?"

"Yes, you did," said Sharon, her expression thoughtful. "I don't think Paul Tighris being a prisoner on the Galactica is a good idea, the press, the politicians and religious cults would have a field day once they find out he's the XO's clone."

Kara groaned; she wanted to cuss but not in the presence of her godschild who was sleeping behind her. "The Admiral is gonna shit a brick when he sees him."

Sharon nodded. "If we wish to keep the peace among the refugee fleet; the best place for Paul Tghris is on the Xavier. We need to tell Captain Logan."

Kara stared at her. "You mean Lee needs to tell Captain Logan."

Sharon sighed. "Kara, I mean this as a friend but the CAG can get a bit too irrational at times when it comes to cylons. He may suggest the opposite and wish to personally interrogate Tighris on board the Galactica. Imagine the shock the deck crew will get if they see him."

Kara was silent for a moment, "We could always throw a hood over his head and transport him to the brig."

Sharon gave her an admonishing look. "Only for him to get mysteriously murdered by some colonial zealots."

Kara winced. "You're right, his presence on the Galactica would be too risky." Their walk finally got them to Baltar's quarters,

"Well, let's get this check over with and head back to the bridge before Lee does something stupid," said Kara as she raised her hand to press on the door's bell-panel only for the door to slide open to show a pale faced, trembling Gaius Baltar.

Kara frowned; she hated the man's guts but he looked terrified, as if he had seen a ghost. "Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you ill?"

Gaius stared at her and then at Sharon. "I…I need to speak to Captain Logan."

Kara and Sharon shared a look. "About what?" asked Sharon.

Gaius was silent for a long moment as if struggling with a momentous decision. Then he spoke rapidly. "My time on board the Xavier is done, I wish to be transferred to the brig on board the Galactica."

#

Thanks everyone for your kind words and your reviews. I hope you enjoyed the story. I'll keep writing as I really like Star Trek, Battle Star Galactica and the Marvel comics! Have a great week everyone!