The figure that zipped out of the deep shadows of the hanger moved with great speed. He or she - they couldn't tell given the suit the figure was in and how fast it was going - slammed into Jarod first and sent him flying. Angel threw a punch that caught the figure in the jaw. It stumbled backward for one step before catching itself. Angel's leg came up in a snap kick aimed at the solar plexus. The attacker's hand moved in a blur and caught her by the ankle. With one powerful pull the attacker sent Angel flying. She cried out in surprise and slammed into Jarod as he started to get up. Both fell to the floor in a tangle of limbs.
Angel looked toward their attacker. Pale skin showed in the shadowed face. Whomever it was had a pair of sunglasses, or something like them, on their face. A devilish grin came to the attacker's face. "I saw you fight," the figure said, voice raspy and nearly inhuman. "I wanted to see how well you could do for myself." A gloved hand came up and wiped a streak of blood from the side of the mouth. The attacker gave the blood a thoughtful lick. "You actually landed a punch and drew blood. Very good."
"What are you?" Angel asked. Beside her Jarod was starting to stand.
"Death."
The figure surged ahead again, moving with a speed that Angel hadn't seen since that desperate fight with Mastrash Goras. Despite all efforts, Angel couldn't land a single hit. Every punch or kick was blocked.
The figure stuck, a punch that sent Angel flying back into the wall. Blood trickled down the left side of Angel's mouth. The attacker turned and grabbed Jarod's right fist as it came in for a blow. He cried out in pain. The figure squeezed and the cry became louder until there was an audible crack. Jarod collapsed, cradling the twisted fingers of his broken right hand. The attacker picked him up by the collar and threw him into Angel. She tried to catch him but the speed he was moving at was simply too much. The impact smashed her between Jarod and the wall. The sharp stab of pain in her torso made it clear she'd broken a rib.
"That was fun." Again the inhuman rasp of the voice. "But now… it is time for you to die." The figure hissed and lunged toward them.
The door to the hanger slid open suddenly. Another figure rushed in and slammed into the attacker. Growls and grunts of effort turned into a cry of pain and then an even louder cry. By the time Angel and Jarod were getting back to their feet, they heard a particular snapping sound. Their attacker hit the floor with a broken neck.
Their rescuer, not finished apparently, promptly drove a knife into the attacker's heart.
"Was that really necessary?" Angel asked.
Despite the poor light, there were a few things that could be made out about their rescuer. She looked female, with a black biker jacket over a black halter top with dark blue slacks. Her skin was pale as well. And like their attacker, she wore what looked like sunglasses. "Just making sure," said the woman, in a plain American accent from their own era. She yanked the knife out of the attacker's body, which she picked up. "You're not hurt?" For a moment she said nothing further, just staring at them sharply, before she added, "Broken rib and broken hand. You'll both live." She turned away as if the conversation were already over.
Angel wasn't satisfied with that, however. "What the hell is going on?"
"I just saved your lives." The woman bent down and picked up the dead body. "That's all that matters. So you should shut up and get outta here."
But Angel was in no mood to be dismissed. "And what the hell is that thing? Some sort of cyborg?"
Their rescuer was clearly annoyed with the question. "They're called Pretenders. They're nasty, murderous, and completely loathsome pieces of crap. You're just lucky I was already hunting this one."
The reference to their attacker as a "Pretender" clearly drew Jarod's attention. "I've never moved that fast," he winced while trying to support his broken hand.
The woman smirked at him. "There is more than one kind of 'Pretender' in the Multiverse, Commander Jarod."
"So you know who we are?" Angel asked.
"Yeah. You'd be surprised how many people keep an eye out for the crew of the Aurora. You're getting a reputation for doing crazy shit and getting away with it." She hefted the dead attacker onto her shoulders. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a bounty to collect."
"So who's…" Jarod didn't bother finishing his question. Their rescuer ran out the door, which shut behind her.
"Okay, we've seen some crazy stuff, but that takes the damn cake," grumbled Angel. "I don't suppose we could investigate?"
"I need to treat my hand and your rib," Jarod answered. "I've got a medkit in the shuttle."
"That won't heal a broken bone."
"No, but it'll make us functional enough to fly back to New Liberty, where Sydney and the doctors can patch us up," Jarod pointed out. "Let's go before the authorities start to wonder about what's going on."
Angel frowned. She didn't like what had just happened. A random attack that just happened to target them? She didn't believe in coincidences like that. But the pain in her chest reaffirmed Jarod's wisdom. With a wince and a little gasp of pain, Angel retrieved her bag from the floor of the hangar and followed Jarod to the shuttle.
In a nearby hangar, within a dampening field, a pure blue energy beam struck the corpse of the assassin and vaporized said corpse immediately. The woman in the dark jacket climbed into her own starship and went to her comm system. She activated her highest encryption channel and connected to the encrypted comm server on the other end. Moments later, her current employer appeared on the screen. "Your intel was right," she said. "They made a play against one of the Aurora crew. Two, in fact. Do you want me to check on the others?"
"No. I have other sources for them. And Angela Delgado was the one in the most danger given her traveling plans." Her employer was turned partly away from the screen. "As always your work is superb, Ms. Blue. I've just added a generous bonus to your payment."
"Thanks, Mister Hank, I guess," Blue answered, with a hint of petulance. "Anything else?"
"Nothing for the moment," replied Sidney Hank. The Solarian businessman, one of the Multiverse's wealthiest individuals, gestured lightly with a hand. He ignored the lack of politeness, having known the woman for a very long time and knowing she rarely did anything for anyone; even the contract had been a favor. "I've got your comm line if I have another job for you."
"Black's too busy for this crap?" she replied rhetorically.
"As you well remember, my rival has ten of your kind on permanent retainer. I have one." Sidney frowned, and then shrugged. "If you don't want the money, I could always ask Red."
The woman calling herself 'Blue' snorted. "Yeah, fat chance of that. If it's about the Aurora people, go ahead and contact me again. I get the idea they're important."
"Extremely so, although I'd rather they not find that out just yet." Hank's expression turned to wry amusement. "They're trouble enough already. Hank out."
Space tore open in orbit over the planet New Caprica. The swirling green vortex of an interuniversal jump point formed within seconds. The ship that emerged was a blocky vessel with twin warp drive nacelles built into its upper hull area. It curved toward orbit. Seconds later its transporter systems engaged, after which it moved away.
When Zachary Carrey materialized on the surface of the colony world, he was wearing casual clothes; an ash-gray full-sleeved shirt and navy blue pants with casual sneakers over white socks. A duffel bag of belongings was slung over his shoulder. The only people who had beamed down with him were a dark-skinned woman in the Colonial Navy uniform and a second, tanned woman in a hooded jacket and green slacks.
As it turned out, the welcoming committee was there just for him. A banner had been erected in the transporter receiving terminal that read "WELCOME BACK COACH CARREY!", and a chorus of young voices cheered. Zack grinned at the children, ranging in age from five to seventeen, wearing their baseball uniforms and applauding with their parents watching with smiles.
There were no hard feelings when he didn't react immediately. Clara Davis was quick to step up and plant a kiss on Zack's lips that quickly became a deep one, lasting several seconds and prompting giggles from the smallest children. "Welcome back," she said. Her long dark hair flowed past her shoulders, some of the locks spilling over the front of her light blue short-sleeved blouse. Blue eyes met his brown eyes, affection intensified by distance reflecting between them. "I've been waiting for that."
"So have I." Zack ran a hand over her cheek. Clara's happy smile warmed his heart. To those observing, it was the quintessential look of a war hero returning home to his sweetheart.
They shared the embrace for several moments, after which they kissed again, a shorter and quicker meeting of the lips. Clara turned toward the children first. "So, how was the last season?" he asked them.
"It was great," one of the older children said. He gestured to another child. "Mark Atreiad threw a no-hitter!"
"I knew that kid was going to be good," Zack crowed. "I guess he's busy?"
"He's with his Uncle Will," another kid said. "He's on the Pegasus."
"Well, good for them." Zack stepped forward and began shaking the hands of the various players. "I'm sorry I missed your games."
"It's alright," Clara said.
"Yeah." The boy who had brought up Mark Atreiad spoke up again. "We're going to throw you a welcome home tournament!"
Zack answered that with a laugh and a grin. "Well, that's great. I've never had a tournament in my honor before. I can't wait to see what your teams will do!"
After more handshakes and well-wishes, the children were led away by their parents. In that part of the terminal, it was just Zack and Clara. They pulled each other close and kissed again. "So you consider this to be your home now?" Clara asked after the kiss.
"Hmm?"
"The kids are calling it a 'Welcome Home' tournament," Clara pointed out. "It implies that this is your home."
"Yeah, it does, doesn't it?" Zack answered. "What do you think?"
Clara smiled softly. "Well, Doctor Zhu offered me a position at the New Caprica Hospital. And I'm going to take it."
"And leaving the New Liberty Volunteer Corps?"
Clara nodded once. "This has become a home for me. I get along with the people. And you haven't seen Artemis' Falls yet, have you?"
"No, I have not," Zack confirmed.
"Well, I think I know where we're going during your leave," Clara answered. A pleasant smile came to her lips. "You'll love it."
"I'm sure I will." Zack took her hand and let Clara lead him out of the terminal. The thought rolled in his head. This place as home? He'd thought about it before, but was he ready to commit to it?
Yes. Yes, that would work for him if it was what Clara wanted. It would work quite well…
Another day came, and with it a trip into town. This time Robert went by himself given how early he had to leave to make it to the county commission meeting he was scheduled to attend. Such meetings could be terribly boring and he didn't want to subject his wife and son to this one. He didn't want to go either, but water codes were due for adjustment and he had to be involved in that on behalf of the family farms.
The sun was nearing its zenith in the sky when he finally stepped out of the county building, content with the outcome. He checked his pocket for the grocery list that his mother and Grandma Anna had written out. Satisfied that it was still there, he looked back to his car.
Someone was standing beside it. After a moment Robert recognized the figure as the tall Englishman he'd met the previous day. "Can I help you?" he asked as he approached.
The English doctor looked over at him and grinned. "Ah, hello there. You're looking better today. How's your head?"
"Better." Robert stepped up to the side of his car. "Thank you for calling 911 for me, by the way."
"Oh, no bother there," said the Englishman. "You needed the help. And it's good to know you're feeling better. I figured we could talk."
"About?"
"Things that need talking about, of course."
Robert responded by slipping by the man and going for his car door. "Listen, I've got shopping to do and then I've got to be back home, I don't have time for word games." He opened the car door and got in.
The man leaned against the window until Robert lowered it. "Is that it? Or would you rather not think about it?"
"Think about what?"
"About how it doesn't seem right," said the Doctor. "Does it?"
With his patience wearing down, Robert asked, "What doesn't seem right?"
"This." The man spread his arms out. "All of it. This life. This world. It doesn't seem right, does it? It's all too convenient. It fits together too well."
Something about those words struck at Robert. His protest died before it could reach his throat.
"Take your grandparents, for instance. They're well into their eighties, but they act like they're a few decades younger."
Robert frowned at him. "Just what the hell are you getting on about? How do you know my grandparents?"
"And all of your friends just so happen to have the lives they've wanted? Or rather, the lives you would want them to have," the man continued. "They're doing the things that you think would make them happy."
"I don't have to listen to this. You stay away from us," Robert demanded. "Or I'll call the Sheriff's office."
"You can't go on ignoring this," the Englishman insisted while Robert's hand gripped the car key. A single twist brought the engine to life. "This world isn't real and you know it. Deep down you…"
With a flick of a switch Robert rolled up the window to his car and peeled out, ignoring the strange man saying things he didn't want to hear. He turned onto the main road and started on his way to the store.
He made it a half a mile before the pain in his head returned. Realizing what was happening, he pulled off the road and sat there. A cry of pain came from his throat. His hands gripped at his forehead.
And then the images started. That bizarre room with the consoles, the dark-haired man and the blond-haired one, and Julia in a uniform. Now he saw Angel and Cat too, wearing black uniforms with beige and light blue trim respectively, sitting at stations. It made no sense to him… yet the scene felt so familiar.
Then more images. A woman with a roundish face, not exceptionally pretty but plain-looking, sat in front of him in a white vest and leggings, looking like she was some Eastern monk meditating. Then there was a man, in a finer version of the black uniform, with a well-trimmed beard of graying black that matched his head. And another man, bald and light-skinned with a fringe of gray hair on his head, with a different uniform of predominantly red with black.
The images flipped through his mind faster and faster, images of people and cities and spaceships and space stations, bringing pain as they did, beguiling him with how real they felt, and he nearly passed out as it reached a crescendo.
And then it stopped. He was in the driver's seat of his car. And he was parked at the grocery store he had intended to drive to, as if nothing had happened. As if his head had never started hurting again, as if he'd never pulled off the road…
Fear drove his heart to beat faster. His breathing picked up. Robert wondered what was going on. Why was this happening? Just who was that damned English guy? Did he even exist? Was he a figment of Robert's imagination?
Am I going mad?
It took a minute for him to regain control. No. No, whatever this was, he wasn't mad. He was here. He had things to do for his family. His family, which was the most important thing in the world. That was all that mattered.
It was all that mattered.
He got out of the car and went into the store, eager to get home.
New Caprica made Zack think of New Liberty. The comparison wasn't complete and the differences between the two were telling, but nevertheless they seemed to share common traits. Both formed as new homes for refugees driven from the homes they'd known and now both had also become homes for a number of other beings who had come for their own reasons, whether it be finding new homes of their own or wishing to help the New Capricans establish themselves. Walking the streets of the main settlement, Zack noticed people wearing Gersallian-style clothing and some Dorei were walking or riding with the Humans in the settlement.
"The population's at 85,000, if you're wondering," Clara said. They continued on their way through Remembrance Plaza. The north side of said Plaza had the Government Buildings, where Baltar's Presidential Mansion and the Quorum Meeting Forum were now mostly complete. Businesses lined the other sides while the center was a monument depicting the Colonial seal in marble and granite, dedicated to the dead of the Colonies. "Baltar's been encouraging some immigration, although the Quorum's still placing limits on permanent residency and citizenship."
"They don't want to get flooded and made a minority in their own settlement." Zack shrugged. "I can get that. Are you…?"
"I've already applied for the residency," Clara said. "After we talked last year about settling here." Her blue eyes seemed to sparkle. "And you won't have any problems getting a residency. Admiral Adama made you and the Koenig crew members of the Fleet so you get permanent residency just by asking for it. Between Adama and Baltar, I don't think anyone would say 'no' to you."
"Then all we have to do is worry about a house."
Clara smiled and nodded. They passed by a shop and stepped into a small diner. A young woman came up and guided them to a table halfway back. After ordering sodas, they were left alone to continue talking. "Is everything okay?" Clara asked. "I mean, with the war."
Zack let out a small sigh before shrugging. "It's war. People are dying every day, every hour, and I think we're winning. Doesn't feel like it sometimes."
"Have you lost anyone?"
"Crewman Childers and Petty Officer Hrik," Zack said. "We took damage in an attack on a crippled Nazi dreadnought about a month ago. A direct hit from their main cannon. It was my fault."
Clara took his hand within hers. "Was it?"
"I wasn't careful enough," he replied. "So I lost two of my crew. They're not the first I've lost and they're probably not the last." Zack brought his other hand up and gripped one of Clara's, leaving both clasping one another's hand. "I love flying my ship. I always have. But… I never wanted to be a killer. And that's what I've become."
"No." Clara shook her head. "You're… you're a soldier. It's different."
"It's supposed to be. But sometimes I wonder." Zack shook his head. "I mean, we're fighting the good fight. I mean, Nazis. They don't get any worse than Nazis. But I just want it over."
"And then?"
"And then…" Zack shrugged. "I'm thinking of resigning. Of coming here and living with you. You deserve better than me being a universe away fighting a war or doing whatever else I have to."
Clara smiled at him and pulled his hand toward her. She leaned in and planted a kiss on his knuckle. "You're so sweet."
"Thanks to you."
"No." She shook her head. "You were always sweet. Even in high school."
"I wasn't. You know what I was like."
"I know what you wanted everyone to think you were like. But if you weren't sweet, you wouldn't have spared me when things didn't work out."
The waitress returned with their food. Their hands separated to make room on the table for it and took up the utensils to begin eating their meal.
The hooded woman who had beamed down with Zack had walked across the Capital to a prefab house on the outskirts. By lowering her hood, she allowed curly dark hair to spill out onto her shoulders. She took the jacket off and walked across to the living area, where her blue eyes focused on the chair made ready for her.
The lone occupant of the house looked up from a chair. "You made it," he said. "No complications?"
"None of consequence for our plan," said the woman. "The others will handle things on their end."
"Good. Our own time table has been kept."
"Everything is in place then. Give me a time and I will act."
The man smiled thinly. He gave the time.
Something Lucy had gotten used to over the years was learning how cultures could have different practices, and yet could sometimes be exactly the same in other ways. The idea of dining together as a family was fairly universal among cultures. Throw in guests, however, and all sorts of small rules could be at play. Things as simple as who sits where, or what food is offered, or even if you should eat everything given. Lucy had seen a number of different approaches to the matter.
Thankfully, the Gersallians didn't seem to have any complex rules in that way.
Lucy sat between Meridina and her sister Gamaya on one side of the circular table. Leniraya, the other sister, was across from them sitting with her girlfriend Penrine. And her parents Karesl and Drentiya sat together toward one end. Only Meridina's brother, Qalkrsl, was not present, but his lack of presence hadn't kept Meridina's mother from loading the table with several dishes.
The meal went by with little conversation, at least until everyone had finished a plate. "I understand that congratulations are in order," Drentiya said to Lucy. "You have finished the Field Trials."
Lucy nodded. "And they were every bit as difficult as Meridina warned."
"And you overcame those challenges just as I foresaw," Meridina answered, grinning at Lucy. "I can call you student no longer."
"Have you given thought to how you will organize a Human Order?" asked Karesl.
"Well, I'll have to find students first, I imagine," Lucy said. "I'm the only one to do so. At least, until Robert wakes up."
The Lumantala family were already aware of what had happened there. "Will you be able to do so while serving on the Aurora?" Leniraya asked.
"Well, maybe," said Lucy. "There have been other sensitives. Lieutenant Seldayiv, for instance…" Lucy turned her head toward Meridina. "Whatever happened with her anyway?"
"She went to Doreia to train with one of the Orders," said Meridina. "I am uncertain if she will remain with the crew or not."
"Right…"
"You will be returning to your ship?" asked Karesl.
"Yeah," Lucy answered. "I mean, maybe I'll eventually leave to focus on other things, but I can't walk out with the war still on. And the others need everyone who's left to remain. We lost a lot of good people."
"So I have heard." Karesl nodded. He looked to Meridina next. "And the same for you?"
"I have obligations to the Alliance to fulfill," answered Meridina, knowing her father's view on that… and that it was just one more reminder of her departure from the Order.
Karesl, for his part, merely gave a short nod. "I understand. You depart tomorrow?"
"Yes," she answered. "We are due on a transport in the morning. With the Aurora soon to launch, I will be busy acquainting myself with the new security officers and personnel."
A look of sympathy appeared on the faces of Meridina's parents. The lingering sense of loss Meridina had for her slain subordinates could not be hidden from them. "I understand," said Karesl.
"Have any farisa examined Robert?" Drentiya asked. "It is possible that one could reach his mind and help him awaken."
"There are farisa on duty with the Fleet Hospital who examined him," Meridina replied. "But they could not reach him."
"I understand." Drentiya shook her head. "I hope he awakens with mind and soul intact."
"So do we," Lucy said.
Quietly, everyone returned their attention to their meal.
The rest of the family knew something was wrong. Robert could tell that from the way they spoke at dinner. Try as he might, the day's experience had shaken him.
It was his mother who finally spoke on it when the family gathered for the post-dinner movie. "You should have Leo run more tests," said Leigh Dale when she and his father settled into the love seat they commonly used. Allen and Anna took to their recliners and Susanna was on her favorite bean bag, leaving the couch for Robert, Julia, and their son. "This could be serious."
"It may be nothing. I don't want to waste…" Robert stopped at seeing the looks of his grandparents and parents and sister. He didn't need to look to Julia to know she had the same look. "I'll call him in the morning."
"You'll call him after we put Robby to bed," Julia corrected him.
"Alright, then," Robert conceded.
"Why can't I be there?" the little boy asked from his lap.
"Because you're going to bed as soon as the movie is over," Robert said to him, putting a hand on his head and ruffling his son's blond hair. "What movie is it anyway?"
"I was going to put something random on," Michael Dale said. His father picked up the remote and switched to a movie channel.
What they ended up catching was the end of a kung fu movie. It wasn't one Robert recognized, but in general tone it was little different from the ones he'd grown up with. Robby was excited enough by it, cheering and clapping at the hero beating up bad guys. It brought a smile to his face at seeing his son enjoy himself so much. It reminded him of what life had been like when he was growing up, before Grandma and then Grandpa died…
That thought stopped. Why had it entered his head. His grandparents were still alive. All of them. Why had he thought they were dead?
"Looks like the movie's over," said Julia, bringing his attention back to the screen. "I wonder what the next one will be?"
When they were greeted by an empty spacefield, Allen was the one who remarked, "Looks like science fiction." Credits and names appeared, names Robert thought he recognized. "Henry Morgan" and "William Davies" and "Sriroj Thiang" appeared among them.
As the credits concluded, the opening shot moved to reveal a starship. It looked sleek and powerful from the front. About a quarter of the way back from the bow it slanted downward to show a large blue and gold piece, a dish of some sort, and more hull behind. As the ship moved by the screen, he saw that the top slanted downward not quite halfway down the length, going down by at least a third of the height before leveling out, with a prominent set of bay doors and one fairly large dock door present. The camera panned to show the rear section of the ship had four large engine pods arrayed in a flat X-shape around it. The whole thing was massive, looking like it would easily dwarf a modern day aircraft carrier.
The camera panned back up and toward the front, showing the ship as if it was flying toward the camera. On the hull, black letters gave its name: ASV Aurora.
This wasn't why Robert looked surprised. What surprised him was that he had known the name the moment he saw the ship.
The camera panned in on the bridge, where Robert was stunned to see he was sitting in the center chair. Julia was beside him, both in those dark uniforms with red trim. The two men manning stations in front of them were from the images Robert had seen in his head. Angel and Cat were also present, sitting at various stations. "That's strange," he said.
"What?" asked Julia.
"The actors, I mean, they look…"
Everyone looked at the screen, as if to see what he was talking about. Even as they did, Robert heard his own voice say, "What's our ETA, Nick?"
The man to the left of the screen and Robert's right spoke up. "We're coming up on the colony now."
"Oh, I see," Robby said from his lap. "The man in the middle chair looks a little like you, Daddy."
"I suppose I see the resemblance," Michael Dale agreed.
Resemblance? It is me! Robert didn't say that, though. "And the lady beside him…"
"Well, she has Julia's hair," Anna agreed. "But the face isn't right."
"And Angel and Cat…"
Julia shrugged. "She's got muscles, but that's it." Julia gave him a concerned look. "Rob, are you okay?"
"I'm…" Robert shook his head. "I guess I just found it strange to…"
He didn't finish the line. Searing pain filled his head. He cried out. "Daddy?!" he heard his son shout, and panic flashed across the little boy's face before Robert lost sight of him. Again the images filled his head. The ship, that ship, and those people. He knew them.
Everything went black for what seemed to only be a moment. But when Robert's vision came back, he could tell more than a minute had passed. He was in the bedroom alone, lying on the bed. The space where Julia should have been laying was vacant.
At first Robert thought he was alone. He realized he wasn't when a voice spoke up. "Ah, you're awake again," said the Doctor. He was standing at the foot of Robert's bed.
"What…" Robert blinked. "What are you doing in my house?"
"Well, I came to talk to you. Arrived just after your latest attack. Bit of bad timing, really." The Doctor shrugged. "But it's why I'm here."
"Who…" The pain in his head throbbed, but it wasn't debilitating at the moment. "Who are you? What are you doing to me?"
"Nothing, actually," he said. "This is all a side effect of what this place truly is." Seeing Robert's bewildered look, the Doctor shook his head. "You're feeling your memories intruding on this world. The two don't mix well, it's why you've been having these attacks."
"My memories?" Robert shook his head. "What are you talking about?"
"Well, what else? Memories?" The Doctor plopped into the spare chair across from the bed. "Specifically, the memories of who and what you actually are."
"Meaning…?"
That caused a sigh and a roll of the Doctor's eyes. "Oh, you're going to draw it out. I don't want to draw this out, it's too important to draw out." Before Robert could ask what he meant again, the Doctor quickly added, "The real world!"
"The real world?"
"Yes. I'm here to help you with that." The Doctor gestured around the room. "Because this isn't the real world. It's a dream… well, it's rather more than a dream, actually, but I'm digressing. The point is that you're essentially asleep. And I'm here to help you wake up."