Chapter 1- Promises Lost
The Scrolls of Pythia:
"And it is said that humanity will be tested, the child of star-crossed lovers will either bring hope or destruction."
Earth (4 years later):
With the towering mountains, gleaming oceans, majestic landscapes, Earth was the dream and a myth, but with the raptor flying low over vast open land it suddenly became so real. It has always been a dream that the colonials held onto for hope for a better future than living in a tin can in space.
Standing on the summit of the closest mountain, the mother and daughter looked on at the many possibilities that would come from this. The future that the little blonde girl had dreamt her whole life. A great open plain full of possibilities, full of promises, of hope and of the future.
Battlestar Galactica (Present):
"Moments ago, we heard the first wave of the cylon attack has destroyed the colony of Picon, the colonial fleet headquarters has been decimated in the attack." Everyone was crowding around intently listening over the talk wireless eagerly waiting for any additional news.
Every second that went by it just became more and more grim, every second the announcer would mention something else that was destroyed. So many dreams, promises, hopes were shattered in a blink of an eye. The world that they knew was no more, the future that they hoped for was gone the instant the first bombs struck.
Today was a unique day in itself, the decommissioning ceremony of Galactica meant that everyone would be split up, they would either be going back to their respective lives or stationed elsewhere. There was going to be an elaborate ceremony with the son of the Commander flying overhead with the very viper that Commander Adama flew during the first cylon war 40 years ago. It was the send-off that everyone thought was perfect.
Kara Thrace only survive by the skin of her teeth, she was supposed to be out there with the rest of her squadron, she was supposed to be flying side by side with the man she once called her lover for the flyover, she was supposed to be dead. At least that's what she kept telling herself. It was no surprise that she found herself in the brig for punching a superior officer, that was the only reason she survived, some would even say she cheated death.
Pythia has once said "it has all happened before, and it will happen again." Does that mean somewhere in the far reaches of space, in the deep dark void of nothingness, there's a civilization that was decimated by an unseen force, that there floating towards nothing and everything, surviving on only the provisions from a distant planet that's no more. Could there be some inkling of truth from the Scrolls of Pythia or have the colonials believed in a false god.
KARA'S POV:
To say I wasn't disappointed in not being able to participate in the flyover would be an understatement, my dream was to fly, to see the stars from the cockpit of a high velocity aircraft. To shoot for the stars, but to hear about the attacks and knowing the only reason I survived was because I was in hack gave me a sense of relief but also guilt.
Walking to the CIC had this solemn feel in the air, everyone knew what was happening, but no one wanted to admit it. It should have been like any other day, but now we are dealing with the unknown.
EARLIER THAT DAY:
LEE'S POV:
Being ordered to report to the Galactica was not on my to do list for the day. My Admiral decided to surprise me the last minute, which knowing my strained relationship with my father seemed like a good idea on his part but an unfair disaster for me. Let's just say I didn't take it as easily as I should have.
Landing on the Galactica was a comfortable challenge, in the recent decade many battlestars opted to upgrade to the more modern option of automated landings, however this required them to networked. Galactica was always unique that it kept its traditional hands on approach. It was a challenge that I haven't typically needed to encounter for a while now.
After I was pulled into the hanger bay I was to report to dad's quarters. What was that man going to say to me that he hadn't already tried in the last few years? It was no surprise that he felt the need to make this little visit an order, he knew I wouldn't show up any other way. I heard that Zak would be here too, that's not a surprise either.
Approaching his quarters, I happened to remember that Kara was stationed on the Galactica, that she's been stationed here for the last 5 years. I remembered how she was always so eager to get stationed here, she enjoyed to old fashioned landing procedures, she loved testing her abilities any way she could. I'm supposed to fly alongside her during the flyover dur the ceremony. I'll make it my priority to see how she wants to handle this.
Knocking on dad's hatch, there was nothing but silence on the other end, I was tempted to walk away and imagine that he wasn't there, to avoid this awkward and meaningless encounter, but just before I was to turn around and walk away he decides to call me in.
'S POV:
Getting Lee here was an adventure in itself, he was always the stubborn one between him and Zak, but he was always the more ambitious one too. Since Carolanne died it was always hard to get close to Lee, it was hard to see him emotionally shatter, to close himself to the world. It was difficult to accept that he changed. He was no longer the carefree spirited son that I remember, something in him died the day carolanne did too.
Opening the door, I saw the Lee was standing on the other side, his face betrayed no emotion, not even anger or frustration.
"Have you seen your brother yet?" I asked him to try to break the tension that I can clearly feel that was building.
"No, didn't think it was appropriate after being requested to show up here sir."
I knew Lee wasn't happy, clearly, he wanted to get this meeting over with and fast, he made it clear that he wanted to keep it professional.
"…or am I through?"
Not fully paying attention, I just caught the ending of Lee's obvious question.
"I called you here not to ask about your brother. The deck crew was able to refit the viper I flew during the first cylon war, you'll be using the Mark II for the flyover."
I saw the slight apprehension on his face, but it changed immediately. He gave me a curt nod and a salute.
"Your dismissed lieutenant."
A/N: Chapter 1 of a Child's Salvation is complete, please don't be shy and leave a comment, follow along for this wonderous journey to learn what happens with the colonies. It just gets more and more interesting from here.