Man and Machine 9
The Galactica rendezvoused with the Searcher and the rest of the fleet. From there it would be slower moving, at least until the Galactica's battle damage had been repaired, then the journey to Earth could be completed at the Searcher's top speed.
In the mean time, the process of integration would continue.
The people from Earth had other, faster ways to move around their corner of space, specifically by using a series of Stargates. The Galactica and most of the ships in her fleet were too large to pass through one of the Stargates, but that did not mean a Shuttle could use them.
One of Galactica's shuttles met up with of Earth's Starfighters, and one bird shaped fighter. The shuttle followed the fighters to a point in space where it looked like four stars were forming a diamond shape.
The stars flared up and instantly the shuttle and fighters were someplace else.
"Galactica shuttle," Wilma called, "Apollo, be sure to follow our course exactly, otherwise you will be burned up by the Earth's defense shield."
"Acknowledged, Wilma," Apollo replied.
Buck felt rubbed the wrong way by the unexpected use of Wilma's first name by the Galactica pilot. Still, this was not the time to be unprofessional by pointing out the lack of radio discipline. Buck Rogers, worried about radio protocols; what was the world coming to?
The shuttle landed in one of the main landing bays of the Inner City, also known as New Chicago.
Commander Adama followed Starbuck and Apollo out the door, stepping foot on a planet for the first time in such a very long time. Had it really been since the planet of the Borays?
Boxy climbed down out of the shuttle immediately after his grandfather, followed by Boomer and Cassiopeia.
"The ground feels weird," Boxy said.
Starbuck and Apollo went on enough planetary missions to not know what Boxy meant, but Adama understood. The ground lacked the steady vibration of the engines, and it felt both softer than the metal decks of the ships, but also more solid. It had been too long since either of them had set foot on firm ground.
"You'll get use to it, Boxy," Apollo said.
"Yes, we all will," Adama said.
Dr. Huer personally escorted them on a tour of the city. Much of it was nearly identical to the tour Buck first received from Twiki and Wilma, but Dr. Huer was a better conversationalist and able to give better background information to the Galacticans questions.
"Are there any chanceries?" Starbuck asked at one point.
"Chancery?" Huer did not understand the term.
"He means gambling casinos," Buck said, then turned towards Starbuck, "Nothing on planet, but to be honest, I doubt you would find the satellite casinos to be much of a challenge."
"Aha… so we have a business opportunity here," Starbuck said with a grin, which was answered by one of Bucks own.
Wilma tried to hide behind her palm, while Huer simply looked confused.
Adama broke the silence by clearing his throat, "And what sporting activities do your people partake in?"
"Well," Dr. Huer began, then droned in on a series of descriptions of 25th century sports, as well as a few older sports that Buck had managed to reintroduce.
Near the end of the tour, Adama asked another question, "What lies beyond these city walls?"
"A veritable wasteland, save for a few cities like this one," Dr. Huer answered, "There are radioactive wastelands, and mutants who manage to eek out a living in the ruins of the old world."
"There is much we need to discuss," Adama said to Huer at the conclusion of the tour, "may we continue our conversation in more detail?"
"Of course, come with me to my office. The rest of your party is of course free to explore the city. Buck and Col. Deering will be happy to keep them company," Dr. Huer said.
Adama followed Dr. Huer off to another part of the city, leaving the rest to marvel at the city sites from one of the many raised sidewalks.
Boomer pounded the handrail a few times with his fist, a huge grin slowly spreading over his face. "We made it! Can you believe it? We finally made it!"
"We sure did!" Starbuck said through his own grin.
"Yeah!" Boxey intoned.
"Apollo, what are you thinking?" Cassiopeia said, studying the stern look on the Captain's face.
"I can't help wondering," Apollo said, "exactly what lies beyond those walls."
"I'm sorry, but traveling beyond the city is expressly forbidden!" Wilma said.
Buck could read the thoughts racing through Starbuck and Apollo's minds, but cut in before either of them could make a scene. "Hey, Wilma," he said, "I bet its been ages since Boxey here has seen any other kids, why don't you take him out to a park, or wherever kids his age hang out now days."
"Yeah!" Boxey shouted, "Please!"
"Well…" Wilma started.
"Don't worry, Wilma, I'll keep these guys out of trouble," Buck said.
"Well, Okay then, Buck," Wilma said.
"Boomer, you go too," Apollo said, "Keep Boxey out of trouble."
"Right," Boomer said, "Keep Boxey out of trouble."
They waited a few moments, until Boxey and the others were out of site. During that time, Apollo was quickly thinking of how best to loose Captain Rogers so he could explore outside. He doubted Starbuck would approve if he asked Cassieopia to keep him busy.
"Come on," Buck said, "I want to pick up a few things before we head out of the city."