Adama's Journal:

It is hard to believe the blessings we have received. Hope had waned, and yet my son and my warriors have returned bringing with them well over sixty individuals, mostly children, as well as an expert on aeronautics engineering. Our fleet has grown in more than just numbers and knowledge. With each visit to the Life Center I witness the bonds that have been forged. Lieutenants Crius and Nik have taken on the duties of Med Techs, seeing to everyone equally, despite the fact that both young men are nearly as exhausted as those returning from Caprica. They have been able to convince Lt. Jake to rest on occasion, but it is difficult. The young warrior's dedication rivals any academy trained medic according to my son. When this crisis has passed, I will be appointing an officer to review personnel records and reassignments, or at the very least assess what other talents the Copper Squadron and those that have joined us from Dante's fleet may possess. It sounds like the perfect light duty job for Starbuck's recovery.

But first I must hope that this crisis does not bring another in its wake. Another miracle brought to us by the Lords is perhaps easier to believe than the fact that Rene has traveled back to our home worlds to rescue these children and a man I knew from my past. I wish I could say that it has strengthened my faith in Lt. Rene and her abilities, but instead it has left me with more questions. I was reassured that this mission despite its initial beginnings utilizing an unknown anomaly should have been short and simple. It has been anything but, and the dreams that Rene invaded and used as her argument persuading me to grant permission for this journey have not abated. Instead they have increased in occurrence as well as intensity and duration. It could just be my fears for the future, but with the information I have gleaned from those returned from Caprica, it could be something more.

Lt. Rene has endured a brain scan by the Cylons and seems unable to tell us what the enemy may have learned from her. My son has been insistent that the fleet must change course as the Cylons surely have gained valuable information from Rene, including our location. I am hesitant to heed his warning. Even with maintaining our current heading, we may be on our path to Earth for yahrens. Veering from our course will be a delay we can ill afford. Additionally, we are stronger now than we were in the past. We have defeated them before, we will again.

Apollo must have read my thoughts as he has constantly reassured me that there is another way to achieve our goal for the fleet's final destination. Having gone through Rene's rift and utilized her powers, he seems convinced that she can and will bring us to our journey's end faster than we had originally planned. I have not had time to discuss with Peryton myself about Rene's abilities, the man needs time to reconnect with his family and the fleet, but Apollo has intimated that my old friend is knowledgeable on what Rene can achieve. It is theoretically possible.

I am not as confident. Perhaps because I understand just what her ability has cost her and any who follow her into the unknown. Plus, I am still not convinced her knowledge was given to her by the gods. While the cylons remain a threat, there could be something far more dangerous that may be preying upon us. It is my duty as Commander of this fleet to be skeptical, an easy attitude to maintain considering the condition of those returning from Caprica. Apollo seems to have forgotten the first moments of their arrival on the Galactica, his own collapse to the deck while others fought to save Rene and Starbuck's lives. The rift she creates is not without its hazards. Leave it to my son, the eternal dreamer, to be willing to make the leap of faith and jump into the unknown. I would like to blame it on Starbuck's influence on him, but if I am honest with myself, in some ways my son is more reckless than his adventurous friend.

Perhaps it is the other information I have gained about Rene's abilities that leaves me hesitant. The briefing from Salik as to the condition of those returned from the Colonies was disheartening. While their physical injuries and illness could be repaired, they were all suffering from radium poisoning and exhaustion. They are still on a long road to recovery. This was more than normal fatigue as Salik has detailed, and not just the effects of the toxins on the planet. He has claimed their bodies are depleted of anything resembling energy, their immune systems weakened, and their endocrine systems have gone into overdrive to compensate. He was quite clear that this was with just one jump into that void. It could potentially shorten their lives.

I am left pondering the implications of Salik's findings on all the population of the fleet, but I have chosen to put that aside for now and focus on those being treated in the Life Center, my immediate family. Due to the type of torture Starbuck and Rene have suffered, the medical team has the two on sedatives. It has been intimated that the medical facility may not be the best environment for their continued recovery, but their release depends on assessing the damage done to their nerves and their psyche.

The doctor gave a lengthy briefing as to Rene's health problems related to her past history of illicit drugs and what he has found in the systems of several of the Copper Squadron Warriors. I have little experience with drug abuse as I just cannot fathom why anyone would ingest poisons. Still, I'm not naïve and certainly am aware that warriors throughout history have utilized both legal and illegal recreational drugs to escape the horrors of war. Perhaps it is my need to always be in command of a situation, a trait I have come to understand may be at the very core of my genetics. Both Athena and Apollo have the same personality, although my children have also gained an inclination for spontaneity and a longing for adventure from their mother. Even Starbuck who tends to be more adventurous than most has shown restraint when it comes to what he ingests and where he chooses to find his excitement and escapes. I think I will be deferring to Colonel Tigh on this issue as he seems to have far more experience helping warriors combat their own self-destructive tendencies. I have consulted Dr. Dixon on the situation, but he is reluctant to share any information citing patient confidentiality. Salik believes I should override that right, but Dixon was clear that if I violate that trust I may never earn her confidence again.

I am too close to the situation and have no intention of distancing myself. Perhaps as her father-in-law I should not know all that she has endured in order to survive. I must trust those with more expertise than I possess.

Doctor Salik believes he has removed all of the Cylon technology and the damage to Starbuck and Rene's nerves and tissues can be repaired and regenerated, but we all want to make sure that the enemy has left nothing behind in their bodies. I shudder to think what Starbuck might do if he knew of the small bits of metal found swimming in his blood samples. Doctor Salik believes these to be sensors to monitor bodily functions, but it is technology beyond ours and what we consider beyond Cylon technology. I suspect it may be a Delphian design, or some other race we have yet encountered. I have been reminded once again that the Cylons will not stop hunting for us until we are found and destroyed just as they have done to many other races in the known universe. Doctor Paye is convinced that the devices can be easily flushed from the Starbuck's system with an intake of fluids and natural body processes. More tests will provide those answers. Thankfully, Rene seems to be free of that complication and is recovering well.

While I am concerned about the physical health of my warriors, I am more concerned about their mental wellbeing. I witnessed firsthand their reactions when Salik and Paye tried to separate Rene from Starbuck for a neurological scan. While visiting with Apollo at the time, convincing him that a few more days rest in the Life Center would ease my mind as to his ability to resume command of the Zakar, we were interrupted by loud screams of "No" echoing from the isolation ward, followed by Starbuck's own shouts of protest. Rene had found her voice, screaming Starbuck's name. Apollo was on his feet in a micron, racing for the room, beating Crius and Jake to the door. He burst into the ward, ignoring the contagion protocols, just as Starbuck became combative in his efforts to get to his wife.

Fighting the doctors who tried to restrain him, Starbuck landed a blow on Paye. Cassiopeia attempted to calm Starbuck while Salik moved to the counter behind him for a hypo. I watched in horror as he grabbed her by the throat with both hands shaking her roughly. It was Apollo's words that I believe brought Starbuck back to his senses and prevented him from doing more damage. It provided a diversion so that Salik could slip the hypo of sedatives to Lt. Jake.

The Lieutenant chose to inject Rene first, his motives clear that he was only concerned for his friend, and the others could suffer Starbuck's wrath. However in retrospect, it was the right decision. The move distracted Starbuck. As Rene's screams ceased, he released his hold on Cassiopeia to rush to Rene's side. He seemed to realize for a moment where he was and what he was doing but ignoring those in the room and their reassuring words, he climbed into Rene's bio bed taking her protectively in his arms while simultaneously begging Apollo and Jake to not let anyone touch his wife. With Apollo's help and constant reassurances that he would prevent any harm befalling Rene, Jake was able to administer the sedative to Starbuck.

Once Starbuck was unconscious, Apollo assisted Salik and Paye in separating Starbuck from Rene. Trust in Paye to find the positive of the situation stating, "The nerves are improving. Starbuck was able to make a fist."

My son did not appreciate the humor, adding his own shouts to the chaos as he proclaimed, "You don't know what they have been through, how many times we almost lost them. You don't understand!" It was Jake that was able to calm Apollo down as well while I watched helplessly outside of the room. Salik acquiesced to Apollo's demand to remain with Starbuck while the doctors performed their tests on Rene. Lt. Jake accompanied Rene, flashing Apollo a hand sign asking him to remain on watch.

Starbuck remained unconscious for Rene's procedure, but woke just as combative as Paye tried to wheel him to the scanner. Again, it was his friend rather than the doctor that was able to help Starbuck to be reasonable, having to reassure him that he was on the Galactica and among friends. Starbuck refused to leave Rene until he was assured that not only Jake, but also Nik and Crius would remain with Rene, while Apollo accompanied him for the test.

Salik made the decision that Starbuck and Rene were not contagious, or at least not with something he couldn't deal with if it was transmitted. He had them moved to the common area of the Life Center so they could be surrounded by those the two trusted. The incident swayed my son to agree that it would be best if he remained in the life center at least until Starbuck is released. His friend needs him.

I am re-evaluating my decision to promote Apollo to command of the Zakar, not that he is unable to perform the duties necessary, but that it may not have been the best decision in regards to my son's mental health and morale. I have separated him from his family, a family that is growing and in need of guidance in forming more bonds for the future. I will be recommending Starbuck's transfer to the Zakar in the future, for all of the Copper Squadron.

I have often questioned the Colonial Service's decision to allow family members to be posted to the same commands, not that I fought the decision when Zack graduated the academy. I was delighted to have all my children with me on the Galactica, but it was a time that we were negotiating a peace and their deaths were a distant concern. Since the destruction, I realize we have lost whole bloodlines and wonder if it would have been best to separate families to allow at least some of a family to have better odds of survival. I now appreciate the decision. If we have to face our imminent destruction, or a journey of an indeterminate length, who would you want by your side? Your family, your kith and kin. They keep you fighting and moving forward to a better future.

I have witnessed the power of the bonds that have forged. Once on the main ward, Starbuck's recovery has been phenomenal. Rene has become more talkative as well, submitting to the therapy that Salik had recommended for her. Her memory seems to have been restored, but Salik has his doubts on that score. I cannot discount that Rene is good at providing the information you request in order to obtain what she desires, in this case to be released from the care of the Life Center. Unfortunately, we don't have the tools necessary to measure accurately just how much she has lost or regained, especially when she seems intent on deception. I will have to trust her husband and her friends to inform us if there are any problems.

For now, my warriors rest easier surrounded by friends and family. The children who were rescued have been reunited with their families. Avery and his people have been given quarters and aptitude tests have been arranged to ascertain where they will best fit in the fleet as all the men have indicated a desire to join the ranks of Warriors. In a few cycles we hope to be releasing all of the warriors from the Life Center. Salik has intimated that his domain has become crowded. The Copper Squadron has essentially moved in. Jason and Cain spend their time after school at the Life Center.

I have learned more about my new family and their past with the unspoken decision that the younger children will not be visiting their parents. It seems clear that Dante was not the only one who abused these warriors. If the reactions of Rene, Jake, Nik and Crius are any indication, the doctor on the Zakar may have been just as depraved as their commander. I am in the process of tracking the doctor down as it seems he survived the attack on Dilmun. Tomorrow I will be questioning Colonel Gage and opening my first investigation into the past actions of the officers of Dante's fleet. I have been dissuaded from this course by the Colonel and several of the other officers from Dilmun, but I can't have my warriors fearful of seeking medical assistance. While I may not mete out a punishment, I must at least show that further abuses will not be tolerated.

But that can wait until tomorrow. I am due back at the Life Center. Crius and Nik have asked permission to perform their own version of rehabilitation for the warriors. I was surprised to learn that Rene did not only loot alcohol and fumarellos from her trips to Caprica. She visited several other stores including toy stores and liberated several board games. One such game is a strategy game about colonizing worlds. I am curious and was personally invited by Lt. Crius with a reassurance that the game is, "more fun than wrestling a greased porcine and does not involve Starbuck stealing all our cubits. We will have a chance to steal his." I inquired as to if this would be allowed in the Life Center to find that Salik was invited to play as well, an invitation extended by Lt. Jake. Salik agreed on the condition that the duration be less than a centaur or two and they all agree to quit if anyone is fatigued. I am encouraged by this development, as it harkens back to the book of the word and the games our ancestors would play to build alliances and settle disputes. I have witnessed the power of our Triad tourneys at bringing the fleet together for a common pursuit. It is a small step, but a step forward rather than back.

On that note, I have already decided, regardless of my nightmares and the cries for help I hear in my sleep, I will not be allowing Lt. Rene to go back to the Colonies again. I know the decision will bring many more sleepless nights to my future, but I must keep the fleet looking forward towards our salvation. We cannot afford to go back.

Gage had rounded up the few chairs in the life center, circled the bio beds around a table and commandeered an instrument tray to use as a table for rolling the dice. He asked Cassiopeia if she wanted to join, but she laughed declining the invitation.

"Someone has to monitor all of you and make sure the game doesn't become too taxing. Besides, you have too many con-artists playing," she winked at Chameleon who had joined the group, looking a bit ill at ease, but also elated to be included.

"Maybe we need monitoring devices on all the players," Gage agreed with her, "but it's not a betting kind of game. I'm sure everyone will behave."

Cassie shook her head at the comment. "Trust me; you have no idea who you are playing with." The glare she fixed on Starbuck had the Copper Squadron chuckling.

"Trust me, Cassie," Gage countered, "Starbuck is the most honest one here tonight." Gage cast a wink to Adama that everyone caught, eliciting Max to utter, "Good to know, Colonel."

Once the ward was situated as he wanted, Gage nodded to Crius that he could begin. "I'll explain how to play in a centon, but we have to agree to a few things first." Crius fixed a stern glare on the Caprican refugees. "One, we have some rookies here, so no taking advantage of the fact that they don't know all the rules. Two, the salty language is kept at a minimum, we have kids in the room." Crius indicated Jason and Cain who had joined the game, both complaining that they were not kids. "And watch your tempers. Only one mid game rant allowed."

Jake and Max interrupted, vehemently denying that they do no such thing. Crius held up his hand, not listening to them, "It applies to everyone, and you have to announce you are initiating your mid game rant, understood? Promise me or the game is done."

Both young men grumbled an agreement while Starbuck chuckled knowing that the pact would be ignored. Crius fixed his gaze on Starbuck and Rene, "And no cheating."

"I don't cheat. I can't help that I usually win," Starbuck replied, hands up in surrender, but Rene remained mute. Crius waited for Rene's agreement while Jake gave her a nudge.

"I don't che..cheat."

Nik answered her, "Just because you don't get caught doesn't mean you don't cheat."

"Yeah it does. You didn't ca…catch me, it d..d..didn't happen." Rene's stuttering had improved but had not disappeared entirely. Adama had been made aware that Rene was keeping her words small and her conversations short to compensate. With many, including her own husband, she had been using hand signs and body language. It was up to all of them to encourage her to talk more, the real goal of this game night.

"She's got a point," Starbuck smirked.

"And no alliances," Crius added pointing a finger at him, "every man for himself. And no fighting over who rolls first, that will be me."

Several voices accused Crius of fixing the game. Adama could see this was going to be an interesting evening, at the very least humorous, but despite the protests, Crius did indeed roll first, only for Adama to find that was just to decide who went first in setting up the board. It was a complicated lay out of territories and resources to be claimed, conquered, then ports and trade routes established before they moved on to who would be invaded and attacked and who was allowed to expand their empires. It was explained that they had created their own rules for setting up the board as it randomized the games, "Makes it different every time. And," Crius held up the double dice, the same ones used to assign chores for the squadron, "adds a bit of luck to the game."

The rules were indeed quite complicated, leaving enough room for various strategies to be employed. Each player seemed to have their own unique style of using ancient strategies from the twelve world's colonizing history. Those who were familiar with the rules argued often with each other on the virtues of their choices and specific tactics.

Crius had been right when he had explained as he offered the invitation for a spot in the game to Adama. "It gives you a look into how each person's mind works. What is important to him. What's the goal, you know? You learn a lot when you play this game with someone."

Perhaps the most surprising thing Adama learned was how ruthless Doctor Salik could be. He was the first to break the "no salty language" rule, much to the chagrin of every player. His utterance of, "Frak you," to Starbuck as the pilot cut off one of his trade routes seemed to open up the Copper squadron. While they kept their language clean, so to speak, they became creative in their insults, Nik uttering that Starbuck's viper skills could be replicated by a mentally challenged bilge rat, and Jake declaring that Crius enjoyed sleeping with farm animals. Adama was spared the insults, until he noticed that Rene was slowly creeping into his territory, one little slice at a time. He put a halt to her advance, and she responded without hesitation, "You make muffit look handsome." There seemed to be another level to the game in how creative an insult you could craft as everyone kept an unofficial score of the proceedings. He learned his own son was quite proficient at this level but saving most of his taunts for Starbuck. With each creative jibe, Starbuck just chuckled and Boomer gave a hearty "Hear hear," cheering Apollo on.

Everyone had a good laugh when it was Crius who shouted, "I am initiating my mid game rant!" and proceeded to voraciously curse whoever had moved the robber to his trade routes, and it needed to be moved immediately or everyone was going to be threatened with bodily harm. The other warriors held up their game play, allowing Crius their full attention, waiting for him to pause before Max asked calmly, "Are you done?"

"Yeah, I'm done," Crius grumbled and play resumed. It was another good reminder that often complaints didn't need to actually be addressed, just that they needed to be heard. The game continued as if nothing had gone amiss, except that yes, the robber was eventually moved. It was in the movement of the penalizing board piece that Adama lost track of his own tactics as he focused his attention on how the Copper Squadron made an effort to advance their own chances at winning, but at the same time, never gaining too large an advantage over the others. In a way, they kept things fair and equal.

That's also when Adama caught Starbuck watching him and his own reactions. He gave Adama a wink before also flashing him a combat hand sign that originally meant to wait, but he suspected the true meaning was to explain that their attempts at keeping the score on the game close was to stretch out the duration of the game. It wasn't about winning the actual game, as evidenced when Rene did indeed cheat, so obvious that Cain caught it. As the two argued over whether it actually counted as cheating, Adama couldn't help notice that in the exchange, Rene rarely stuttered and the others joined in, recounting past games and incidences. Her cheating had initiated a kind of story time, as the others began to recount humorous episodes from their past.

"And then Kenan worked into a report for a briefing that a Chief Testoster was the one who needed to spread the legs so the he could prick the fall tubes to open. Oh boy was that a good briefing, listening to Gage read to us some smut. Even Dante laughed at that one," Crius recounted.

"That was my idea." Max grinned. "And then I sent Agenor on a snipe hunt. Had him convinced that a snipe was a real tool. It was worth the laps I ran for that prank."

This was exactly the kind of therapy they all needed as they laughed over the story and other pranks they had pulled on their old Commander, many of the stunts ones that all warriors pulled on commanders, pranks as old as Adama's days in the academy.

He began to suspect the Copper Squadron had decided long before the game to let Salik win. They all agreed he utterly defeated them. Salik's self-satisfied grin was evident, and he didn't seem to realize the con as he agreed to allow another game.

This time, the gloves had come off so to speak. The play intensified and the arguing escalated, but no one put an end to it as everyone seemed to have a stake in the outcome. Even Adama stopped focusing on other distractions and kept his mind on his own strategies. This time luck was truly a factor in the game, and Starbuck came out ahead, though Jason, Apollo and Max were fast on his heels. The chatter around the game slowed and ceased as the race for the last points ensued.

Once finished, it became apparent to a few that Starbuck had sped up the play of the game, revealing he had the ability to earn several points in one round, and they should just declare defeat. The yawn issued from Boomer reminded them all that they were still in the Life Center, and maybe everyone wasn't up for another round. Adama gathered that Starbuck had finished the game not out of any malice or desire for victory, but because he was concerned for his own wife. After having joined in with her friends and their cheerful banter, she had become quieter as the game became more intense, her moves at the game sloppy and making little strategic sense. It was time to call it a night. Looking towards a chrono, Adama realized it was late in the cycle. They had whiled away nearly four centauris, but the time had been valuable. He understood his family even better than he had before. The laughter had been a good tonic to wash away the fear and worry that had plagued all of his family since the impulsive sealing and their suggestion for a rescue mission as a honeymoon.

Chameleon had bid everyone good night, and Adama was about to join him when Salik barked that Life Center was a mess. He excused the older gentleman from the task, seeing he had left before Adama helped in cleaning up the game and putting the Life Center back in order.

Starbuck saw to his wife first, and Adama was impressed at the tenderness and care Starbuck showed his new wife, insisting on being the one who maneuvered their beds closer to the edge of the room so the two had a sense of privacy while still surrounded by their friends. Adama couldn't help but spy on the couple, marvelling at how the pair responded to each other. Rene's eyes had lingered on Starbuck throughout the game. He had held her hand, letting go only briefly to roll the dice or move a piece. Their insults and jibes were never directed at each other. Adama owed them a real honeymoon. He watched with pang of longing for his own wife and the chance to show Ila his own care and concern. Starbuck was speaking with Rene softly when his back stiffened and in a quick motion he beckoned with one hand, not for the doctor but for Rene's old friend.

The summoning of Jake was curious as Adama had gathered from the various caustic jibes during the game and the past few days of stiff body language that the two men had some kind of falling out since returning from Caprica. He had queried Apollo as to the matter, and his son seemed just as confused at the tension claiming the two men in Rene's life had actually formed a friendship on the mission. Adama was wondering if the game had resolved an issue, but Rene's voice rising in volume let him know that there was more at issue here.

"B..but where…where is he? Why w..won't you t..tell me?" she demanded of Starbuck. Jake silenced Rene with a hand gesture before speaking with her softly, pushing at Starbuck to move away. The push was unnecessary as Starbuck fled his wife's side once he made sure Jake had command of the situation. He crossed the room to where Apollo was maneuvering Boomer's bed before looking back to his wife. His shoulder's trembled until his friend placed a reassuring hand upon him.

"It will get better. She's just tired. We shouldn't have played so long," Boomer said from his bed.

Starbuck looked away from his wife, meeting the support his friends were offering. "I know," he sighed, "but we can't keep lying to her. That's not helping."

Before Adama could ask about the problem, one that these men seemed familiar with, Apollo clarified, "She keeps asking for her brother. When we tell her the truth, she gets…" he didn't finish the sentence, just shaking his head no.

Adama nodded and issued his own sigh, "So her memory loss is worse than we thought?"

Starbuck was quick to jump to her defence, saying more about the damage than he intended, "No, just when she's tired she loses track. That's all. She's fine."

Crius had crossed the room, reaching out for Starbuck. "He's going to crawl into that bed with her if you don't get over there."

Starbuck nodded, but didn't make a move for a moment until Crius offered, "Want me to take care of it?"

A quick shake of his head, and a soft "No," spoke volumes about how much he cared for the woman. "He gets her to calm down. Just…just give him a centon."

"So, he's going to have to move in for a while when you get out of here?" Crius asked, but by the quirk of his eyebrow it didn't seem to be a serious question.

Starbuck didn't reply, instead squaring his shoulders and crossing the room, appearing more vulnerable wearing only the shorts the doctors had finally allowed for modesty since they had a hard time keeping the pilots in the beds they should be using to get some rest.

"This is more than he bargained for," Adama uttered softly to his son as they all kept their eyes on the scene while Jake reluctantly moved away allowing Starbuck to get closer to his wife.

Apollo acknowledged the words with a nod. "More than we all bargained for, but he's doing okay considering he's got his own problems."

"He's not sleeping much," Boomer explained. "He's never been one to wake up screaming, but he's having his own nightmares."

"I'm hoping they get better when we get them home. We have more hands to help out there than here," Crius offered, and Adama realized the man might be right. The Life Center had become severely shorthanded with the children and Avery's people needing ongoing care. A few tortured dreams were not high on the priority list for the med techs. Their solution thus far had been sedatives, but those would need to end soon if he was to return to duty. The Copper Squadron was large enough and had the skills to see to their care.

They all watched silently as Starbuck climbed up onto Rene's bed, sliding under the covers and taking her into his arms. She seemed to have remembered where her brother really was. She clung to Starbuck, tears staining her cheeks as he tried to soothe her. Salik was there handing Jake a hypo. The young man asked Starbuck first before applying the medication to Rene. Starbuck declined the offer of his own dose as he remained in the bed holding his wife.

Jake wearily crossed the room handing the hypo to Nik. "I'm getting some sleep. You've got watch."

Nik nodded, dragging a chair with him towards the bed of the couple, settling back and propping his feet up on the bed.

Adama bid everyone a good night before turning to his son. "I think the Zakar can spare you for a few more cycles. Starbuck will recover more quickly with you closer. I will speak to the Doctor. Everyone will rest easier when the squadron is back home."

Apollo did not object, bidding his father good night and Adama saw that his son was in his own bed before he left the Life Center. He cast the room one last glance before exiting, wishing the comradery of the game could have cured all their ills. While it helped, the damage done to his family was still evident. His eyes were drawn again to the couple clinging to each other in a bio bed. The embrace reminded him of two castaways clinging to a raft in a storm. He owed them so much for what they had accomplished, at the very least a few days on what little the fleet could offer in a real honeymoon. He mentally moved to the top of his list answering the repeated messages from the IFB. He couldn't erase the torture, nor guarantee the Cylons wouldn't find them again, but he could arrange an all-expenses paid trip to a luxury liner, perhaps courtesy of the IFB.